Tensor interactions and τ\tau decays

We study the effects of charged tensor weak currents on the strangeness-changing decays of the $\tau$ lepton. First, we use the available information on the $K^+_{e3}$ form factors to obtain BR$(\tau^- \rightarrow K^-\pi^0 \nu_{\tau})\sim {\cal O}(10^{-4})$ when the $K\pi$ system is produced in an antisymmetric tensor configuration. Then, we propose a mechanism for the direct production of the $K_2^*(1430)$ in $\tau$ decays. Using the current upper limit on this decay we set a bound on the symmetric tensor interactions.Comment: 13 pages, Late

The Conduits and Barriers to Reentry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals in San Bernardino

Numerous scholars have noted that the majority of prisoners will be reincarcerated within three years of their release. However, while there has been extensive research on recidivism, much less attention has been paid to the reentry process in the sociological and criminological literature. Given the high rates of former prisoners reentering society with struggles that may affect their friends, family members, and communities, policymakers and practitioners should understand the successful methods for their reintegration. In this paper, we explore the conduits and barriers to reentry for a sample of San Bernardino county callers using United Way’s 211 Reentry Call Center from 2014-2015. We find that human needs resources (i.e. housing, clothes, and food assistance) and legal assistance are the two most frequently requested services. The callers in our sample have intersecting, disadvantaged identities and require multiple services which suggests a need for collaboration across agencies

Acceleration of cosmic rays and gamma-ray emission from supernova remnant/molecular cloud associations

The gamma-ray observations of molecular clouds associated with supernova remnants are considered one of the most promising ways to search for a solution of the problem of cosmic ray origin. Here we briefly review the status of the field, with particular emphasis on the theoretical and phenomenological aspects of the problem.Comment: Invited talk at SUGAR201

Point vortices on the hyperbolic plane

We investigate some properties of the dynamical system of point vortices on the hyperboloid. This system has noncompact symmetry SL(2, R) and a coadjoint equivariant momentum map J. The relative equilibrium conditions are found and the trajectories of relative equilibria with non-zero momentum value are described. We also provide the classification of relative equilibria and the stability criteria for a number of cases, focusing on N=2, 3. Contrary to the system on the sphere, relative equilibria with non-compact momentum isotropy subgroup are found, and are used to illustrate the different stability types of relative equilibria.Comment: To appear in J. Mathematical Physic

The Epeak-Eiso plane of long Gamma Ray Bursts and selection effects

We study the distribution of long Gamma Ray Bursts in the Ep-Eiso and in the Ep,obs-Fluence planes through an updated sample of 76 bursts, with measured redshift and spectral parameters, detected up to September 2007. We confirm the existence of a strong rest frame correlation Ep ~ Eiso^0.54+-0.01. Contrary to previous studies, no sign of evolution with redshift of the Ep-Eiso correlation (either its slope and normalisation) is found. The 76 bursts define a strong Ep,obs-Fluence correlation in the observer frame (Ep,obs ~ F^0.32+-0.05) with redshifts evenly distributed along this correlation. We study possible instrumental selection effects in the observer frame Ep,obs-Fluence plane. In particular, we concentrate on the minimum peak flux necessary to trigger a given GRB detector (trigger threshold) and the minimum fluence a burst must have to determine the value of Ep,obs (spectral analysis threshold). We find that the latter dominates in the Ep,obs-Fluence plane over the former. Our analysis shows, however, that these instrumental selection effects do not dominate for bursts detected before the launch of the Swift satellite, while the spectral analysis threshold is the dominant truncation effect of the Swift GRB sample (27 out of 76 events). This suggests that the Ep,obs-Fluence correlation defined by the pre--Swift sample could be affected by other, still not understood, selection effects. Besides we caution about the conclusions on the existence of the Ep,obs-Fluence correlation based on our Swift sample alone.Comment: To appear in MNRA

Usage Management Enforcement in Cloud Computing Virtual Machines

Many are interested in adopting cloud computing technology, but have concerns about the security of their data. This issue has motivated extensive research to address potential vulnerabilities, with a major focus on access control. A related cloud computing concern is controlling what users can do with data to which they have been granted access. This control is needed to prevent accidental loss or deliberate theft of data by users who have been granted legitimate access. The need for this control, called usage management, has led to a number of conceptual approaches for both conventional and cloud computing, all of which will require an enforcement mechanism within the processors domain. The goal of this research is to prove that it is possible to implement a completely software-based enforcement mechanism that can operate independently of the application software. The implementation is based on a formal operational model. A number of implementation approaches were considered in formulating the enforcement strategy. Then, leveraging software instrumentation capabilities and extending tools developed for taint analysis, we developed a software-based usage management enforcement mechanism that uses dynamic data flow tracking. Based on usage flow policies that are specified in machine readable licenses, the enforcement mechanism can permit or inhibit data flows to standard interfaces, data files, and network sockets. The enforcement mechanism does not require direct hardware access, so it can be used very effectively in a cloud computing environment. This demonstrated capability now provides information owners an ability to control what authorized users can do with the information.\u2

Plasma processes in the preparation of lithium-ion battery electrodes and separators

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the energy storage devices that dominate the portable electronic market. They are now also considered and used for electric vehicles and are foreseen to enable the smart grid. Preparing batteries with high energy and power densities, elevated cycleability and improved safety could be achieved by controlling the microstructure of the electrode materials and the interaction they have with the electrolyte over the working potential window. Selecting appropriate precursors, reducing the preparation steps and selecting more efficient synthesis methods could also significantly reduce the costs of LIB components. Implementing plasma technologies can represent a high capital investment, but the versatility of the technologies allows the preparation of powdered nanoparticles with different morphologies, as well as with carbon and metal oxide coatings. Plasma technologies can also enable the preparation of binder-free thin films and coatings for LIB electrodes, and the treatment of polymeric membranes to be used as separators. This review paper aims at highlighting the different thermal and non-thermal plasma technologies recently used to synthesize coated and non-coated active materials for LIB cathodes and anodes, and to modify the surface of separators

Hanging In, Stepping up and Stepping Out: Livelihood Aspirations and Strategies of the Poor Development in Practice

In recent years understanding of poverty and of ways in which people escape from or fall into poverty has become more holistic. This should improve the capabilities of policy analysts and others working to reduce poverty, but it also makes analysis more complex. This paper describes a simple schema which integrates multidimensional, multilevel and dynamic understandings of poverty, of poor people’s livelihoods, and of changing roles of agricultural systems. The paper suggests three broad types of strategy pursued by poor people: ‘hanging in’; ‘stepping up’; and ‘stepping out’. This simple schema explicitly recognises the dynamic aspirations of poor people; diversity among them; and livelihood diversification. It also brings together aspirations of poor people with wider sectoral, inter-sectoral and macro-economic questions about policies necessary for realisation of those aspirations