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We fit WMAP5 and related data by allowing for a CDM--DE coupling and non--zero neutrino masses, simultaneously. We find a significant correlation between these parameters, so that simultaneous higher coupling and \nu--masses are allowed. Furthermore, models with a significant coupling and \nu--mass are statistically favoured in respect to a cosmology with no coupling and negligible neutrino mass (our best fits are: C ~ 1/2m_p, m_\nu ~ 0.12eV per flavor). We use a standard Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach, by assuming DE to be a scalar field self--interacting through Ratra--Peebles or SUGRA potentials., Comment: Proceedings of 'Invisible Universe International Conference', Paris, June 29- July 3, 2009

We use WMAP5 and other cosmological data to constrain model parameters in quintessence cosmologies, focusing also on their shift when we allow for non-vanishing neutrino masses. The Ratra-Peebles (RP) and SUGRA potentials are used here, as examples of slowly or fastly varying state parameter w(a). Both potentials depend on an energy scale \Lambda. Here we confirm the results of previous analysis with WMAP3 data on the upper limits on \Lambda, which turn out to be rather small (down to ~10^{-9} in RP cosmologies and ~10^{-5} for SUGRA). Our constraints on \Lambda are not heavily affected by the inclusion of neutrino mass as a free parameter. On the contrary, when the neutrino mass degree of freedom is opened, significant shifts in the best-fit values of other parameters occur., Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, submitted to JCAP

We allow simultaneously for a CDM--DE coupling and non--zero neutrino masses and find that significant coupling and neutrino mass are (slightly) statistically favoured in respect to a cosmology with no coupling and negligible neutrino mass (our best fits are: C~1/2m_p, m_\nu~0.12eV each flavor). We assume DE to be a self--interacting scalar field and use a standard Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach., Comment: Proceedings of the GGI-Dark Matter and Dark Energy 2009 Workshop

We consider cosmological models with dynamical dark energy (dDE) coupled to cold dark matter (CDM), while simultaneously allowing neutrinos to be massive. Using a MCMC approach, we compare these models with a wide range of cosmological data sets. We find a strong correlation between this coupling strength and the neutrino mass. This correlation persists when BAO data are included in the analysis. We add then priors on $\nu$ mass from particle experiments. The claimed detection of $\nu$ mass from the Heidelberg-Moscow neutrinoless double--$\beta$ decay experiment would imply a 7--$8 \sigma$ detection of CDM-DE coupling. Similarly, the detection of $\nu$ mass from coming KATRIN tritium $\beta$ decay experiment will imply a safe detection of a coupling in the dark sector. Previous attempts to accommodate cosmic phenomenology with such possible $\nu$ mass data made recourse to a $w < -1$ eoS. We compare such an option with the coupling option and find that the latter allows a drastic improvement., Comment: 12 pages, accepted for publication in New Astronomy

Within the frame of cosmologies where Dark Energy (DE) is a self--interacting scalar field, we allow for a CDM--DE coupling and non--zero neutrino masses, simultaneously. In their 0--0 version, i.e. in the absence of coupling and neutrino mass, these cosmologies provide an excellent fit to WMAP, SNIa and deep galaxy sample spectra, at least as good as \LambdaCDM. When the new degrees of freedom are open, we find that CDM--DE coupling and significant neutrino masses (~0.1eV per \nu species) are at least as likely as the 0--0 option and, in some cases, even statistically favoured. Results are obtained by using a Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach., Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures, submitted to JCAP

Since that very memorable day at the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a big question on every sports commentator's mind has been "What would the 100 meter dash world record have been, had Usain Bolt not celebrated at the end of his race?" Glen Mills, Bolt's coach suggested at a recent press conference that the time could have been 9.52 seconds or better. We revisit this question by measuring Bolt's position as a function of time using footage of the run, and then extrapolate into the last two seconds based on two different assumptions. First, we conservatively assume that Bolt could have maintained Richard Thompson's, the runner-up, acceleration during the end of the race. Second, based on the race development prior to the celebration, we assume that he could also have kept an acceleration of 0.5 m/s^2 higher than Thompson. In these two cases, we find that the new world record would have been 9.61 +/- 0.04 and 9.55 +/- 0.04 seconds, respectively, where the uncertainties denote 95% statistical errors., Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted American Journal of Physics; high-resolution NBC footage allowed better measurements between 6 and 8 seconds compared to version 1

We investigate the possibility of using cosmological observations to probe and constrain an imperfect dark energy fluid. We consider a general parameterization of the dark energy component accounting for an equation of state, speed of sound and viscosity. We use present and future data from the cosmic microwave background radiation (CMB), large scale structures and supernovae type Ia. We find that both the speed of sound and viscosity parameters are difficult to nail down with the present cosmological data. Also, we argue that it will be hard to improve the constraints significantly with future CMB data sets. The implication is that a perfect fluid description might ultimately turn out to be a phenomenologically sufficient description of all the observational consequences of dark energy. The fundamental lesson is however that even then one cannot exclude, by appealing to observational evidence alone, the possibility of imperfectness in dark energy., Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication at Mon. Not. Roy. Astro. Soc