Probing light WIMPs with directional detection experiments

The CoGeNT and CRESST WIMP direct detection experiments have recently observed excesses of nuclear recoil events, while the DAMA/LIBRA experiment has a long standing annual modulation signal. It has been suggested that these excesses may be due to light mass, m_chi ~ 5-10 GeV, WIMPs. The Earth's motion with respect to the Galactic rest frame leads to a directional dependence in the WIMP scattering rate, providing a powerful signal of the Galactic origin of any recoil excess. We investigate whether direct detection experiments with directional sensitivity have the potential to observe this anisotropic scattering rate with the elastically scattering light WIMPs proposed to explain the observed excesses. We find that the number of recoils required to detect an anisotropic signal from light WIMPs at 5 sigma significance varies from 7 to more than 190 over the set of target nuclei and energy thresholds expected for directional detectors. Smaller numbers arise from configurations where the detector is only sensitive to recoils from the highest speed, and hence most anisotropic, WIMPs. However, the event rate above threshold is very small in these cases, leading to the need for large experimental exposures to accumulate even a small number of events. To account for this sensitivity to the tail of the WIMP velocity distribution, whose shape is not well known, we consider two exemplar halo models spanning the range of possibilities. We also note that for an accurate calculation the Earth's orbital speed must be averaged over. We find that the exposures required to detect 10 GeV WIMPs at a WIMP-proton cross-section of 10^-4 pb are of order 10^3 kg day for a 20 keV energy threshold, within reach of planned directional detectors. Lower WIMP masses require higher exposures and/or lower energy thresholds for detection.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figures, v2: version to appear in Phys. Rev. D with additional discussio

Directional Statistics for WIMP direct detection II: 2-d read-out

The direction dependence of the WIMP direct detection rate provides a powerful tool for distinguishing a WIMP signal from possible backgrounds. We study the the number of events required to discriminate a WIMP signal from an isotropic background for a detector with 2-d read-out using non-parametric circular statistics. We also examine the number of events needed to i) detect a deviation from rotational symmetry, due to flattening of the Milky Way halo and ii) detect a deviation in the mean direction due to a tidal stream. If the senses of the recoils are measured then of order 20-70 events (depending on the plane of the 2-d read out) will be sufficient to reject isotropy of the raw recoil angles at 90% confidence. If the senses can not be measured these number increase by roughly two orders of magnitude (compared with an increase of one order of magnitude for the case of full 3-d read-out). The distributions of the reduced angles, with the (time dependent) direction of solar motion subtracted, are far more anisotropic, however, and if the isotropy tests are applied to these angles then the numbers of events required are similar to the case of 3-d read-out. A deviation from rotational symmetry will only be detectable if the Milky Way halo is significantly flattened. The deviation in the mean direction due to a tidal stream is potentially detectable, however, depending on the density and direction of the stream.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, version to appear in Phys. Rev. D, added consideration of other detector locations and discussion of optimal plane for maximum anisotropy in signal, conclusions unchange

Adapting the 23Things programme for health librarian professional education

In the UK, as elsewhere, continuing professional development is seen to be a necessary professional activity. However resourcing is problematic and funding varies between employing agencies. The 23Things programme has evolved to address these constraints. In particular it reduces the time for staff to be absent from core functions and makes maximum use of peer support. Within a common structure the programme delivers development to personnel at all professional levels. Activities are learner defined and relevant to their personal context. The pace of progress is learner determined. Cambridge University Medical Library (CUML) has designed its own 23Things programme. While conforming to the general model of 23Things, CUML adapted the programme in three ways. 1. to meet the specific learning needs of the library staff 2. to select topics and tasks related to the subject focus of the library 3. to include a new strand of professional development called Follow That.. Follow That... was designed to foster better understanding of each team members role in delivering core services in the library, and to improve the integration and awareness of expertise within a relatively large team This paper will describe the way in which the programme was set up, the selection of tasks and activities, and the pitfalls encountered. Also included will be an overall evaluation of the programme from the perspective of the participants and the programme designers

Going Home

We retired early, although sleep seemed a waste of time as we were so anxious to start, but rest was needed for the long day ahead. When the soft gray violet light of dawn peeped out of the East, we scrambled out of bed. The first faint call of the redbird floated through the window, and the song of the neighborhood oriole seemed sweeter than ever, because we were so happy. The rest of the world was hushed. It was for the moment ours and ours alone

Forecasting Production in Undeveloped, Unconventional Plays Using Rate Transient Analysis and Experimental Design

A complete inventorying of resources, under the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS), requires credible low, best, and high case forecasts at all resources classification levels (Reserves, Contingent resources, and Prospective resources). Repeatable and accepted methodology for forecasting production and calculating EURs for each of these classification levels are not available: current methods to forecast production are inadequate for undeveloped resources, as they require production or pressure history, are overly simplified, or are time consuming and financially burdensome. Additionally, these methods do not quantify the level of uncertainty associated with a given forecast, which is needed to comply with the low, best, and high forecasts (often associated with a probability, P10, P50, P90), needed for inventorying under PRMS framework. RTA has been hailed as a happy medium between empirical and numerical simulation techniques to forecast production in unconventional, undeveloped plays in that it considers the completion and reservoir mechanics of the well and of the formation from which it produces (like numerical simulation techniques, unlike empirical techniques), and is straight-forward and user-friendly (like empirical techniques, unlike numerical simulation techniques). RTA also, does not require production history to generate a production forecast. However, there are currently few practical methods in industry which allow for the probabilistic forecasting of production using RTA. While we can consider a “best match” (or P50) forecast generated with RTA as a 2P (i.e., best or most likely) forecast, regulators and investors are far more interested in 1P (lower volume, high confidence) forecasts. The purpose of this work is to develop a workflow to generate a range of production forecasts using RTA techniques, from which probabilistic forecasts can be extracted. The methods involve first history-matching available production data, by varying critical reservoir and completion parameters to find the reservoir and completion parameter combinations which yield a best-fit (via least deviation calculated rate trends from observed rate trends). From this condensed number of best-fit history matches, appropriate probabilistic production forecasts for a certain well can be extrapolated. In this work, we show that incorporating Experimental Design (ED/DOE) techniques makes RTA a more practical production forecasting technique, reducing the number of history matches that need to be assessed, from which production forecasts can be generated. From this reduced set of best-fit history matches, appropriate probabilistic forecasts and EURs in accordance with PRMS and SEC standards, can be extracted

\u27Me as a Science Teacher\u27: Responding to a Small Network Survey to Assist Teachers with Subject-Specific Literacy Demands in the Middle Years of Schooling

Middle years’ teachers in primary schools are increasingly required to teach curriculum-specific subjects at a depth requiring considerable content and pedagogical knowledge, as well as a detailed understanding of the particular literacy requirements specific to each subject. Science teaching, in the latter years of primary schooling, is particularly demanding for non-specialist teachers. Many teachers struggle with feelings of (in)adequacy and (in)competence to be ‘science literate’ and ‘good’ science teachers, providing sufficient and valuable science learning opportunities for their learners. This paper describes one primary school’s attention to teachers’ feelings of wellbeing and competence in relation to themselves as science teachers. A survey instrument, informed by the particular school context and the literature on teachers’ beliefs of self-efficacy, was used in the school and its local hub group. The study has implications for pre- and in-service teachers faced with similar teaching requirements, literacy demands and challenges to their professional and personal wellbeing. The teacher’s findings highlight the value of collaborative research partnerships to enhance both student learning outcomes and teacher wellbeing

With-In-Through

I invite you to join me on a wandering into/besides/returning with ecological-attunement through gatherings, exercises, reflections, and poetry; conversing with the prior as they are as present as the current. Everything has a way of oozing together, losing perceived independence and joining in inter-dependent choreographies

Barriers To Care For Cardiovascular Risk Factor Management

Introduction: Hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are established risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and the presence of several risk factors is associated with worse health outcomes. Access to healthcare has a major influence on the management and treatment of these modifiable conditions. The objective of this study is to examine barriers to care among non-elderly adults with multiple risk factors for CVD, and to furthermore identify socio-demographic disparities within this group. Methods: Analyses utilized data from a subset of 39 U.S. states and territories that implemented the optional healthcare access module in the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey. A sample of non-elderly adults (18–64 years) with three or more risk factors for CVD was used to estimate barriers to care, which included not having insurance, not having a regular provider, not receiving a checkup within two years, not seeing a doctor due to cost, and not taking medications as prescribed due to cost. Descriptive analysis and logistic regression were conducted. Results: From a sample of 216,961 eligible respondents, 12.5% had three or more risk factors. Among this subset, 22.9% lacked insurance, 20.1% did not have a regular provider, 14.6% did not have a checkup within two years, 28.9% were unable to visit a provider due to cost, and 25.8% reported not taking medications as prescribed due to cost. Cost-related barriers were even greater among a sub-group with history of cardiovascular conditions. Assessment of socio-demographic characteristics revealed that respondents in the younger age group were more likely to experience all barriers to care. Cost-related barriers in particular were more common among females and low-income individuals, while the access-related barriers occurred more frequently among males, certain race/ethnicity groups, and those with low education. Conclusion: Barriers to care are widespread among non-elderly adults with multiple risk factors for CVD, and financial barriers are most likely to affect those who are young, female, and low-income