Uncovering the relation of a scalar resonance to the Higgs boson

We consider the associated production of a scalar resonance with the standard model Higgs boson. We demonstrate via a realistic phenomenological analysis that couplings of such a resonance to the Higgs boson can be constrained in a meaningful way in future runs of the LHC, providing insights on its origin and its relation to the electroweak symmetry breaking sector. Moreover, the final state can provide a direct way to determine whether the new resonance is produced predominantly in gluon fusion or quark-anti-quark annihilation. The analysis focusses on a resonance coming from a scalar field with vanishing vacuum expectation value and its decay to a photon pair. It can however be straightforwardly generalised to other scenarios.Comment: 17 pages, 29 figures. Version matches published versio

Minimal SU(6) Gauge-Higgs Grand Unification

We present a minimal viable Gauge-Higgs Grand Unification scenario in warped space based on a $SU(6)$ bulk symmetry - unifying the gauge symmetries of the SM and their breaking sector. We show how the issue of light exotic new states is eliminated by appropriately breaking the gauge symmetry on the UV and IR boundaries by either brane scalars or gauge boundary conditions. The SM fermion spectrum is naturally reproduced including Dirac neutrinos and we compute the Higgs potential at one-loop, finding easily solutions with a realistic $m_h \sim 125$ GeV. The problem of proton decay is addressed by showing that baryon number is a hidden symmetry of the model. Among the phenomenological consequences, we highlight the presence of a scalar leptoquark and a scalar singlet. The usual $X,Y$ gauge bosons from $SU(5)$ GUTs are found at collider accessible masses.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures; v2: matches PRD versio

Effect of Iron Nanopowder on Flammability of Epoxy Composites

Reducing the flammability of polymeric materials is a serious problem that needs to be solved. The paper presents the results of a study of the effect of iron nanopowders, used as filler, on the flammability of epoxy polymers. Epoxy composites filled with 5 wt. % of iron nanopowder and 10 wt. % of boric acid separately, as well as in combination were prepared. The flammability of the prepared samples was evaluated by determining the ignition temperature and time-to-ignition

EFT Interpretation of XENON1T Electron Recoil Excess: Neutrinos and Dark Matter

We scrutinize the XENON1T electron recoil excess in the scalar-singlet-extended dark matter effective field theory. We confront it with various astrophysical and laboratory constraints both in a general setup and in the more specific, recently proposed, variant with leptophilic $Z_2$-odd mediators. The latter also provide mass to the light leptons via suppressed $Z_2$ breaking, a structure that is well fitting with the nature of the observed excess and the discrete symmetry leads to non-standard dark-matter interactions. We find that the excess can be explained by neutrino--electron interactions, linked with the neutrino and electron masses, while dark-matter--electron scattering does not lead to statistically significant improvement. We analyze the parameter space preferred by the anomaly and find severe constraints that can only be avoided in certain corners of parameter space. Potentially problematic bounds on electron couplings from Big-Bang Nucleosynthesis can be circumvented via a late phase transition in the new scalar sector.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures; v2: matches version published in PR

Modeling magnetospheric fields in the Jupiter system

The various processes which generate magnetic fields within the Jupiter system are exemplary for a large class of similar processes occurring at other planets in the solar system, but also around extrasolar planets. Jupiter's large internal dynamo magnetic field generates a gigantic magnetosphere, which is strongly rotational driven and possesses large plasma sources located deeply within the magnetosphere. The combination of the latter two effects is the primary reason for Jupiter's main auroral ovals. Jupiter's moon Ganymede is the only known moon with an intrinsic dynamo magnetic field, which generates a mini-magnetosphere located within Jupiter's larger magnetosphere including two auroral ovals. Ganymede's magnetosphere is qualitatively different compared to the one from Jupiter. It possesses no bow shock but develops Alfv\'en wings similar to most of the extrasolar planets which orbit their host stars within 0.1 AU. New numerical models of Jupiter's and Ganymede's magnetospheres presented here provide quantitative insight into the processes that maintain these magnetospheres. Jupiter's magnetospheric field is approximately time-periodic at the locations of Jupiter's moons and induces secondary magnetic fields in electrically conductive layers such as subsurface oceans. In the case of Ganymede, these secondary magnetic fields influence the oscillation of the location of its auroral ovals. Based on dedicated Hubble Space Telescope observations, an analysis of the amplitudes of the auroral oscillations provides evidence that Ganymede harbors a subsurface ocean. Callisto in contrast does not possess a mini-magnetosphere, but still shows a perturbed magnetic field environment. Callisto's ionosphere and atmospheric UV emission is different compared to the other Galilean satellites as it is primarily been generated by solar photons compared to magnetospheric electrons.Comment: Chapter for Book: Planetary Magnetis

Sustainable Insights 2015: Band 1 der Schriftenreihe "Ressourceneffizienz und Nachhaltigkeit im Bergischen Städtedreieck"

Sustainable Insights 2015 - Kongress für Studierende und Werkstatt für verantwortungsvolles Wirtschaften 2015 Wie integrieren Unternehmen Nachhaltigkeitskonzepte in ihre Geschäftspolitik und wie realistisch ist die Umsetzung im Betriebsalltag? Wie bewerten Studierende verschiedener Fachrichtungen Strategien für eine bessere Ressourceneffizienz? Welche Lösungen erarbeiten sie gemeinsam mit Unternehmen? Zwei Tage Nachhaltigkeit im Praxistest – bei Sustainable Insights lernten über 100 Studierende, Young Professionals und Auszubildende aus ganz Deutschland engagierte Unternehmen kennen und entwickelten in Case Studies selbst eigene und praxisnahe Ideen. Diese Publikation dokumentiert den Kongress. Sustainable Insights fand 2015 zum ersten Mal statt, eine Wiederholung ist geplant. Veranstaltet wurde Sustainable Insights von der Neuen Effizienz und dem Team von Prof. Dr. Christine Volkmann, Inhaberin des UNESCOLehrstuhls für Entrepreneurship und Interkulturelles Management an der Bergischen Universität Wuppertal und Vorsitzende des Jackstädtzentrums für Unternehmertums- und Innovationsforschung. Schriftenreihe „Ressourceneffizienz und Nachhaltigkeit im Bergischen Städtedreieck“ Die Schriftenreihe, herausgegeben von der Neuen Effizienz, ist die Plattform für Forschung, Projekte und Veranstaltungen zu Nachhaltigkeit und Ressourceneffizienz im Bergischen Städtedreieck. Sie richtet sich an Wissenschaftler und Studierende, Unternehmer und Experten sowie die interessierte Öffentlichkeit. Die Schriftenreihe ist über den Hochschulschriftenserver der Bergischen Universität sowie www.neue-effizienz.de digital frei verfügbar („Open Access“)

Cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children in Germany, June 2020 to May 2021

The rate of SARS-CoV-2 infections in children remains unclear due to many asymptomatic cases. We present a study of cross-sectional seroprevalence surveys of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG in 10,358 children recruited in paediatric hospitals across Germany from June 2020 to May 2021. Seropositivity increased from 2.0% (95% CI 1.6, 2.5) to 10.8% (95% CI 8.7, 12.9) in March 2021 with little change up to May 2021. Rates increased by migrant background (2.8%, 4.4% and 7.8% for no, one and two parents born outside Germany). Children under three were initially 3.6 (95% CI 2.3, 5.7) times more likely to be seropositive with levels equalising later. The ratio of seropositive cases per recalled infection decreased from 8.6 to 2.8. Since seropositivity exceeds the rate of recalled infections considerably, serologic testing may provide a more valid estimate of infections, which is required to assess both the spread and the risk for severe outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infections