The Standard Model of particle physics describes all known elementary particles and their interactions. Despite its great experimental success, we know that the Standard Model is not a complete description of Nature and therefore new phenomena should be observed at higher energies. In the coming years the Large Hadron Collider will test the Standard Model by colliding protons with center of mass energies of up to 14 TeV providing some of the most stringent tests on the Standard Model. Experimental searches for Dark Matter provide a complementary program to test physics at the weak scale. In the near future new experimental data coming from direct detection experiments, and from satellites and telescopes will drastically improve our sensitivity to weak scale dark matter. This could lead to the first direct observation of dark matter, and thus of physics beyond the Standard Model. In this thesis I propose different extensions of the Standard Model and discuss their experimental consequences. I first discuss models for Axigluons, which are spin one particles in the adjoint representation of the SU(3) color gauge group. These models were motivated by the measurement of higher than predicted forward-backward asymmetry in top quark pair production at the Tevatron. I study different scenarios for Axigluon models that can explain the Tevatron result and explore their signatures at the Large Hadron Collider. Second I discuss the implications of ultraviolet scale invariance for the Standard Model, which has been advocated as a solution to the hierarchy problem. I show that in order to solve the hierarchy problem with scale invariance, new physics is required not far from the weak scale. In the last part of this thesis I propose a new model for dark matter, in which dark matter is charged under a hidden non-Abelian gauge group. This leads to modifications in the sensitivity of the usual experimental searches for dark matter in addition to distinct signatures in the Cosmic Microwave Background and in Large Scale Structure data.

Orientador: Marcelo Moraes Guzzo / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Fisica Gleb Wataghin / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-16T08:14:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 VanegasForero_David_M.pdf: 1733110 bytes, checksum: 29e0f28a1fe9c2a5a633d3b0f7abcaf3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / Resumo: Estudamos as restrições fenomenologicas dos parâmetros das interações não-padrão de neutrinos (NSNI) com elétrons, usando os efeitos dessas interações tanto na detecção quanto na propagação, de maneira independente do modelo. As NSNI, a baixa energia, foram geradas da invariância pelo grupo de gauge do modelo padrão (SM), evitando os processos de léptons carregados a nível de árvore. Essas NSNI foram somadas às interações a baixa energia descritas pelo SM, razão pela qual consideramos que o efeito das novas interações é de segunda ordem. No caso dos efeitos na detecção , usamos as modificações das NSNI nas seções de choque: do espalhamento elástico de (anti)neutrinos por elétrons e do processo de aniquilação de pares em neutrinos. Para a restrição via seções de choque do espalhamento elástico, usamos experimentos de reatores e aceleradores, e para o caso da seção de choque do processo de aniquilação de pares produzindo neutrinos, usamos os quatro experimentos de LEP. No caso dos efeitos na propagação, calculamos as modificações as probabilidades de oscilação e revisamos as restrições dos parâmetros das NSNI diagonais (FDNI) com elétrons, calculadas na literatura usando experimentos solares mais KamLAND. Os parâmetros das FDNI com muons foram desconsiderados devido ao fato de serem muito restritos pelos processos dos léptons carregados que violam sabor. Dado o número de parâmetros, optamos por fazer a variação de dois deles ao mesmo tempo, fazendo os restantes igual a zero. Para os parâmetros do sabor a = e, incrementamos o número de experimentos em relação à literatura, e encontramos também quatro regiões possíveis restritas pelos experimentos de espalhamento elástico. A inclusão de LEP diminuiu o número de regiões a dois, com o que na análise global obtivemos os valores: -0.06 < e eR ee < 0.04 e - 0.02 < e eL ee < 0.10 (90% C.L.), ao redor do ponto descrito pelo SM, os quais são mais restritivos que os reportados na literatura. Recalculamos os parâmetros do sabor a = ? , e encontramos os valores - 0.47 < ? eRTT < 0.67 e -0.68 < ? eLTT < 0.46 (99% C.L.). Da comparação dos parâmetros restritos com experimentos solares mais KamLAND da literatura com os experimentos terrestres recalculados por nós vimos que são comparáveis. Os valores dos parâmetros, que são menores que a unidade, confirrmam que as NSNI ocupam um papel secundário, onde o SM continua descrevendo os dados / Abstract: We studied the phenomenological constrains of the Non-standard Neutrino Interactions (NSNI) parameters with electrons, using it's e ects in both detection and propagation, in a independent model way. Low energy NSNI were generated from the gauge invariant condition under the standard model (SM) gauge group, without the charged lepton flavor violation process at tree level. The NSNI were added to the effective low energy SM Lagrangian, and that is why we consider it's effect as sub-leading. In the detection case, we used the NSNI modifications to the cross sections: of the elastic scattering of (anti)neutrinos off electrons and the electron positron annihilation producing neutrinos. In the restriction from cross sections of elastic scattering process, we used reactor and accelerator data, and for the cross section of the annihilation process we used the four LEP experiments. For the propagation case, we calculated the modifications to the oscillation probability and we reviewed the restrictions to the diagonal parameters of the NSNI with electrons (FDNI), which were calculated in the literature from solar plus KamLAND data. We did not consider the NSNI for the muon flavor, because it's parameters are very constrained by the upper limits of the charged lepton flavor violating process. Due to the number of parameters, we have decided to make the variation of the two parameters at time, equaling the other two to zero. In order to calculate the parameter of flavor a = e, we added new experiments in relation with the literature and we also found four possible regions limited by the scattering data. By adding LEP data, we reduced the number of regions to two and obtained for the global analysis the parameters: -0.06 < e eR ee < 0.04 e - 0.02 < e eL ee < 0.10 (90% C.L.) calculated from the SM point those parameters are more restrictive than the literature ones. We recalculated the parameters of flavor a = ? and we obtained the values - 0.47 < ? eRTT < 0.67 and -0.68 < ? eLTT < 0.46 (99% C.L.). The parameter constrained with solar plus KamLAND data from the literature are comparable to the terrestrial calculated by us. The parameters values are less than the unity pointed the sub-leading NSNI effect, whereas the SM continue describing the data / Mestrado / Teoria Geral de Partículas e Campos / Mestre em Física

In a recent paper we studied the effect of new-physics operators with different Lorentz structures on the semileptonic Λb → Λcτν¯τ decay. This decay is of interest in light of the R(D(∗)) puzzle in the semileptonic B¯ → D(∗)τν¯τ decays. In this work we add tensor operators to extend our previous results and consider both model-independent new physics (NP) and specific classes of models proposed to address the R(D(∗)) puzzle. We show that a measurement of R(Λc) = B[Λb → Λcτν¯τ ]/B[Λb → Λcℓν¯ℓ] can strongly constrain the NP parameters of models discussed for the R(D(∗)) puzzle. We use form factors from lattice QCD to calculate all Λb → Λcτν¯τ observables. The Λb → Λc tensor form factors had not previously been determined in lattice QCD, and we present new lattice results for these form factors here.

In the era of Internet of Things and Big Data, unconventional techniques are rising to accommodate the large size of data and the resource constraints. New computing structures are advancing based on non-volatile memory technologies and different processing paradigms. Additionally, the intrinsic resiliency of current applications leads to the development of creative techniques in computations. In those applications, approximate computing provides a perfect fit to optimize the energy efficiency while compromising on the accuracy. In this work, we build probabilistic adders based on stochastic memristor. Probabilistic adders are analyzed with respect of the stochastic behavior of the underlying memristors. Multiple adder implementations are investigated and compared. The memristive probabilistic adder provides a different approach from the typical approximate CMOS adders. Furthermore, it allows for a high area saving and design exibility between the performance and power saving. To reach a similar performance level as approximate CMOS adders, the memristive adder achieves 60% of power saving. An image-compression application is investigated using the memristive probabilistic adders with the performance and the energy trade-off.

FAULT LINE examines the fragile humanity connected to the themes of sexuality, violence, addiction, family dynamics, and death. The book is not broken into sections; rather, as poems build upon one another to explore a narrative arc, FAULT LINE tracks a single speaker’s experience from girlhood to the verge of independent womanhood. The speaker employs formal structures such as the prose poem, sestina, and particularly the list poem to examine the fluidity of inner experience and also the culture at large while challenging the narrow definitions of femininity and masculinity. FAULT LINE works to not only address the question of blame but also the literal breaks in lines of poetry. By looking at a single speaker’s struggle, the book, like life, is both humorous and horrifying.

A search for heavy exotic diboson resonances decaying to llqq final states is presented using pp collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb^-1 at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV collected between April and December 2012. No significant excess of data events over the predicted Standard Model background is observed and 95% confidence level upper limits are set on the product of the production cross-section and the branching ratio for spin-2 Kaluza-Klein gravitons predicted by the bulk Randall-Sundrum model and for Extended Gauge Model W’ bosons. These results are subsequently combined with limits obtained from searches using the lvll, lvqq, and qqqq final states, and new mass limits are set on both signal models.

While human “wellbeing” has historically been measured by economic growth, traditional metrics do not fit the challenges of the 21st century. Increasingly, decision-makers are adopting new guiding frameworks that encompass a more holistic understanding of wellbeing and progress including concepts such as ecological health and subjective wellbeing. Yet, the development processes and implementation challenges faced by these initiatives - as well as the opportunities for advancement - remain relatively unexamined for state and regional communities. This research considers the implementation and potential of existing wellbeing indicator systems in Vermont. With limited research on wellbeing measurement at the state or local level, this thesis provides novel insight using the state of Vermont as a case study. A better understanding of specific measurement tools, public and political interest in data collection, and shared experiences can help to fill the current gap in the literature and provide useful information for decision-makers. The first article contains a case study analysis of four wellbeing indices at the regional and state level in Vermont: the Vermont Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), the Vermont Happiness Index, the Chittenden County Environment, Community, Opportunity and Sustainability (ECOS) project, and Vermont Act 186 (the “Outcomes Bill”). The case studies provide contextual background describing the impetus and development of each wellbeing initiative. The similarities, differences, and connections between each case study are further examined based on a general program theory of wellbeing measurement. The second article narrows in on one specific wellbeing index: the 2017 Vermont Happiness Index, a representative statewide survey of subjective wellbeing. The Index is composed of eleven domains of wellbeing, with each domain as an aggregation of 3 or more Likert-scale questions. The survey results are analyzed through statistical testing and recommendations for future research are provided.

Cutting down carbon dioxide emissions produced by our current way of life will not be enough to stop climate change. By aligning myself with the Collaborative economy scenario of a Sweden in 2050 produced by The Beyond GDP-growth program i have tried to understand how we could live in another (economical) paradigm. I propose rebuilding the existing building Lågskär 1 in the suburb of Kärrtorp south of Stockholm. Adapting existing buildings is in line with the scenario, as is “docking around nodes in the public transport system”The house was built in 1949 and of consists of a ground floor with shop premises and two floors of apartments. To turn it into a building of the scenario i located core home functions (sleeping, some storage) to the apartment floors and extended home functions (hygiene, cooking, eating, social contact, workshop) to the ground floor. Placing common functions in the ground floor is also mentioned in the scenario text.The number of inhabitants of the house is more than doubled compared with today, and consumption and use of resources is reduced by sharing spaces and commodities used in everyday life.

Balancing passive and interactive experiences within a narrative experience is an area of research that has broad applicability to the video game, cinematic, and comic book industries. Each of these media formats has attempted various experiments in interactive experience. The goal of this research was to better understand how to construct an interactive narrative experience that preserves the integrity of the author's story, but allows for inspired interaction by a willing audience. A study was designed to test three different conditions. The two control conditions were examples of passive narrative storytelling: the Comic Book Condition and the Cinematic Condition. The experimental condition was a hybrid format of interactive and passive storytelling, wherein the participant had the opportunity to interact with the story to further engage with the narrative world. Participants used a mobile tablet to experience each format, geared toward minimizing the separation of the participant from the story. Touch / swipe interactions were used for the hybrid format to create as intuitive of an experience as possible. Narrative Transportation, engagement, and flow were the primary evaluators of the narrative's effectiveness for each participant. An analysis of the data showed that, in general, the current Beyond Panels framework was not effective in producing higher levels of reported Narrative Transportation, engagement, or flow. However, of those participants in the Beyond Panels condition, those that interacted more consistently throughout the experience did report higher Narrative Transportation compared to those that had minimal interaction. Data was collected to better understand the relationship that optional interactivity has with these factors. The results of this study will help to further research in the areas of interactive storytelling for mobile platforms. The results will be used to continue to evolve a framework for this hybrid storytelling format called Beyond Panels.

As Next Generation (NextG) networks become more complex, the need to develop a robust, reliable network traffic prediction framework for intelligent network management increases. This study compares the performance of machine learning models in network traffic prediction using a custom Service-Level Agreement (SLA) - based loss function to ensure SLA violation constraints while minimizing overprovisioning. The proposed SLA-based parametric custom loss functions are used to maintain the SLA violation rate percentages the network operators require. Our approach is multivariate, spatiotemporal, and SLA-driven, incorporating 20 Radio Access Network (RAN) features, custom peak traffic time features, and custom mobility-based clustering to leverage spatiotemporal relationships. In this study, five machine learning models are considered: one recurrent neural network (LSTM) model, two encoder-decoder architectures (Transformer and Autoformer), and two gradient-boosted tree models (XGBoost and LightGBM). The prediction performance of the models is evaluated based on different metrics such as SLA violation rate constraints, overprovisioning, and the custom SLA-based loss function parameter. According to our evaluations, Transformer models with custom peak time features achieve the minimum overprovisioning volume at 3% SLA violation constraint. Gradient-boosted tree models have lower overprovisioning volumes at higher SLA violation rates. / Master of Science / As the Next Generation (NextG) networks become more complex, the need to develop a robust, reliable network traffic prediction framework for intelligent network management increases. This study compares the performance of machine learning models in network traffic prediction using a custom loss function to ensure SLA violation constraints. The proposed SLA-based custom loss functions are used to maintain the SLA violation rate percentages required by the network operators while minimizing overprovisioning. Our approach is multivariate, spatiotemporal, and SLA-driven, incorporating 20 Radio Access Network (RAN) features, custom peak traffic time features, and mobility-based clustering to leverage spatiotemporal relationships. We use five machine learning and deep learning models for our comparative study: one recurrent neural network (RNN) model, two encoder-decoder architectures, and two gradient-boosted tree models. The prediction performance of the models was evaluated based on different metrics such as SLA violation rate constraints, overprovisioning, and the custom SLA-based loss function parameter.