K^0-\bar{K}^0 mixing in the Standard Model from Nf=2+1+1 Twisted Mass Lattice QCD

We present preliminary results at {\beta} = 1.95 (a = 0.077 fm) on the first unquenched N_f=2+1+1 lattice computation of the B_K parameter which controls the neutral kaon oscillations in the Standard Model. Using N_f=2+1+1 maximally twisted sea quarks and Osterwalder-Seiler valence quarks we achieve O(a) improvement and a continuum-like renormalization pattern for the four-fermion operator. Our results are extrapolated/interpolated to the physical light/strange quark mass but not yet to the continuum limit. The computation of the relevant renormalization constants is performed non perturbatively in the RI'-MOM scheme using dedicated simulations with N_f=4 degenerate sea quark flavours produced by the ETM collaboration. We get B_K^{RGI} (a = 0.077) = 0.747(18), which when compared to our previous unquenched N_f=2 determination and most of the existing results, suggests a rather weak B_K^{RGI} dependence on the number of dynamical flavours. We are at the moment analysing lattice data at two additional {\beta} values which will allow us to perform an extrapolation to the continuum limit.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, Proceedings of Lattice 2011, XXIX International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, Californi

Customer integration and operational performance: The mediating role of information quality

Much supply chain integration literature tends to be biased towards its positive impact on operational performance. However, inconclusive results demand investigation of the mechanisms through which supply chain integration can lead to superior operational performance. The purpose of this study is to identify empirically the mediating role of information quality on the relationship between customer integration and operational performance, and the direct relationship between customer integration and operational performance. The study is based on a questionnaire sent to 228 manufacturing companies in the Republic of Ireland, and the relationships between the constructs are analyzed through regression analysis. The results indicate that information quality partially mediates the relationship between customer integration and quality, delivery and flexibility. Further, information quality was found to fully mediate the relationship between customer integration and cost

B-physics from lattice QCD...with a twist

We present a precise lattice QCD determination of the b-quark mass, of the B and Bs decay constants and first results for the B-meson bag parameters. For our computation we employ the so-called ratio method and our results benefit from the use of improved interpolating operators for the B-mesons. QCD calculations are performed with Nf = 2 dynamical light-quarks at four values of the lattice spacing and the results are extrapolated to the continuum limit. The preliminary results are mb(mb) = 4.35(12) GeV for the MSbar b-quark mass, fBs = 234(6) MeV and fB = 197(10) MeV for the B-meson decay constants, BBs(mb) = 0.90(5) and BB(mb) = 0.87(5) for the B-meson bag parameters.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures. Proceedings of the 36th International Conference on High Energy Physics - ICHEP 2012; July 4-11 2012; Melbourne, Australi

K^0-\bar{K}^0 Mixing Beyond the SM from Nf=2 tmQCD

We present preliminary results on the of neutral kaon oscillations in extensions of the Standard Model. Using Nf=2 maximally twisted sea quarks and Osterwalder-Seiler valence quarks, we achieve both O(a)-improvement and continuum-like renormalization pattern for the relevant four-fermion operators. We perform simulations at three values of the lattice spacing and extrapolate/interpolate our results to the continuum limit and physical light/strange quark mass. The calculation of the renormalization constants of the complete operator basis is performed non- perturbatively in the RI-MOM scheme.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures; presented at the XXVIII International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory Villasimius, Sardinia, Ital

Association of radio polar cap brightening with bright patches and coronal holes

Radio-bright regions near the solar poles are frequently observed in Nobeyama Radioheliograph (NoRH) maps at 17 GHz, and often in association with coronal holes. However, the origin of these polar brightening has not been established yet. We propose that small magnetic loops are the source of these bright patches, and present modeling results that reproduce the main observational characteristics of the polar brightening within coronal holes at 17 GHz. The simulations were carried out by calculating the radio emission of the small loops, with several temperature and density profiles, within a 2D coronal hole atmospheric model. If located at high latitudes, the size of the simulated bright patches are much smaller than the beam size and they present the instrument beam size when observed. The larger bright patches can be generated by a great number of small magnetic loops unresolved by the NoRH beam. Loop models that reproduce bright patches contain denser and hotter plasma near the upper chromosphere and lower corona. On the other hand, loops with increased plasma density and temperature only in the corona do not contribute to the emission at 17 GHz. This could explain the absence of a one-to-one association between the 17 GHz bright patches and those observed in extreme ultraviolet. Moreover, the emission arising from small magnetic loops located close to the limb may merge with the usual limb brightening profile, increasing its brightness temperature and width.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journa

Kaon oscillations in the Standard Model and Beyond using Nf=2 dynamical quarks

We compute non-perturbatively the B-parameters of the complete basis of four-fermion operators needed to study the Kaon oscillations in the SM and in its supersymmetric extension. We perform numerical simulations with two dynamical maximally twisted sea quarks at three values of the lattice spacing on configurations generated by the ETMC. Unwanted operator mixings and O(a) discretization effects are removed by discretizing the valence quarks with a suitable Osterwalder-Seiler variant of the Twisted Mass action. Operators are renormalized non-perturbatively in the RI/MOM scheme. Our preliminary result for BK(RGI) is 0.73(3)(3).Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures, 1 table, proceedings of the XXVII Int'l Symposyum on Lattice Field Theory (LAT2009), July 26-31 2009, Peking University, Beijing (China

Energy Demand in Sugarcane Residue Collection and Transportation

Sugarcane production system is in transition, mainly due to its harvesting process. Harvest through burning has been gradually replaced by mechanized processes, providing another by-product to be explored: sugarcane trash. In Brazil, through of the sugarcane trash, São Paulo state itself produces around 210.4 million BOE – barrel of oil equivalent (1,251,952 TJ ), which could supply consumers through cogeneration or for further second generation ethanol. For the sugarcane trash to be collected, mechanized processes are required, such as windrowing, gathering, and transporting. In agricultural production systems, embodied energy is affected by the mechanization level. In order to assess environmental performance by the energy point-of-view, analysis of energy flows provides subsidies for the decision makers. Thus, this study aimed to determine the material and energy flows for sugarcane trash collection and to identify its critical steps. The sugarcane variety grown was RB855113, spaced between rows 1.4 m, in the second cut, and yield of 108 Mg ha-1. The following mechanized operations were evaluated: windrowing, gathering, and transport, using material and energy flow as supporting tools. Regarding the energy balance, sugarcane trash collection system is feasible. Among evaluated operations, gathering is the one that presented higher energy demand. Fuel in harvesting is the main factor that affects energy demand for having sugarcane trash available.   Keywords: material flow, mechanized harvest, bioenergy, biofue

About detectability and limits of detection in single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SP-ICP-MS) offers unique features for the detection of particles, as well as for their quantification and size characterization. The detection capabilities of SP-ICP-MS are therefore not only limited to the concentration domains (of particles and dissolved related species), but also to the mass of element per particle and particle size domains. Discrimination and detection of particle events, based on the use of robust limits of decision (also known as critical values), and the estimation of the limits of detection in the different domains, require standardized metrological approaches that have not been clearly established yet. As a consequence, harmonized approaches and expressions to allow reliable comparisons between methods and instruments, as well as to process SP-ICP-MS data, are required. This paper is an attempt to summarize and review the different approaches applied up to now in relation to the detectability in SP-ICP-MS, and highlight the peculiarities of this topic in SP-ICP-MS. A holistic approach with criteria and expressions for the estimation of the different critical values and limits of detection in terms of the different instrumental and experimental parameters involved is proposed. Additionally, a calculation tool for estimating and predicting critical values and limits of detection under different experimental conditions is also included

B-physics from the ratio method with Wilson twisted mass fermions

We present a precise lattice QCD determination of the b-quark mass, of the B and Bs decay constants and first preliminary results for the B-mesons bag parameter. Simulations are performed with Nf = 2 Wilson twisted mass fermions at four values of the lattice spacing and the results are extrapolated to the continuum limit. Our calculation benefits from the use of improved interpolating operators for the B-mesons and employs the so-called ratio method. The latter allows a controlled interpolation at the b-quark mass between the relativistic data around and above the charm quark mass and the exactly known static limit.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Proceedings of the 30th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory - Lattice 2012; June 24-29, 2012; Cairns, Australi