High-Energy Constraints on the Direct Detection of MSSM Neutralinos

The requirement that the MSSM remain an acceptable effective field theory up to energies beyond the weak scale constrains the sparticle spectrum, and hence the permissible ranges of cold dark matter neutralino-proton cross sections. Specifically, squarks are generally much heavier than sleptons if no tachyons are to appear before the GUT scale ~10^16 GeV, or even before 10 TeV. We display explicitly the allowed ranges of effective squark and slepton masses at the weak scale, and the cross-section ranges allowed if the MSSM is to remain valid without tachyons up to 10 TeV or the GUT scale. The allowed areas in the cross section-mass plane for both spin-independent and spin-dependent scattering are significantly smaller than would be allowed if the MSSM were required to be valid only around the weak scale. In addition to a reduction in the maximum cross section, the upper limit on the neutralino mass is greatly reduced when tachyons are avoided, particularly for smaller values of the squark masses.Comment: 22 pages, 22 figure

Legacy effect of microplastics on plant–soil feedbacks

Microplastics affect plants and soil biota and the processes they drive. However, the legacy effect of microplastics on plant–soil feedbacks is still unknown. To address this, we used soil conditioned from a previous experiment, where Daucus carota grew with 12 different microplastic types (conditioning phase). Here, we extracted soil inoculum from those 12 soils and grew during 4 weeks a native D. carota and a range-expanding plant species Calamagrostis epigejos in soils amended with this inoculum (feedback phase). At harvest, plant biomass and root morphological traits were measured. Films led to positive feedback on shoot mass (higher mass with inoculum from soil conditioned with microplastics than with inoculum from control soil). Films may decrease soil water content in the conditioning phase, potentially reducing the abundance of harmful soil biota, which, with films also promoting mutualist abundance, microbial activity and carbon mineralization, would positively affect plant growth in the feedback phase. Foams and fragments caused positive feedback on shoot mass likely via positive effects on soil aeration in the conditioning phase, which could have increased mutualistic biota and soil enzymatic activity, promoting plant growth. By contrast, fibers caused negative feedback on root mass as this microplastic may have increased soil water content in the conditioning phase, promoting the abundance of soil pathogens with negative consequences for root mass. Microplastics had a legacy effect on root traits: D. carota had thicker roots probably for promoting mycorrhizal associations, while C. epigejos had reduced root diameter probably for diminishing pathogenic infection. Microplastic legacy on soil can be positive or negative depending on the plant species identity and may affect plant biomass primarily via root traits. This legacy may contribute to the competitive success of range-expanding species via positive effects on root mass (foams) and on shoot mass (PET films). Overall, microplastics depending on their shape and polymer type, affect plant–soil feedbacks

Very Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Models

We consider very constrained versions of the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (VCMSSMs) which, in addition to constraining the scalar masses m_0 and gaugino masses m_{1/2} to be universal at some input scale, impose relations between the trilinear and bilinear soft supersymmetry breaking parameters A_0 and B_0. These relations may be linear, as in simple minimal supergravity models, or nonlinear, as in the Giudice-Masiero mechanism for generating the Higgs-mixing mu term. We discuss the application of the electroweak vacuum conditions in VCMSSMs, which may be used to make a prediction for tan beta as a function of m_0 and m_{1/2} that is usually unique. We baseline the discussion of the parameter spaces allowed in VCMSSMs by updating the parameter space allowed in the CMSSM for fixed values of tan beta with no relation between A_0 and B_0 assumed {\it a priori}, displaying contours of B_0 for a fixed input value of A_0, incorporating the latest CDF/D0 measurement of m_t and the latest BNL measurement of g_mu - 2. We emphasize that phenomenological studies of the CMSSM are frequently not applicable to specific VCMSSMs, notably those based on minimal supergravity, which require m_0 = m_{3/2} as well as A_0 = B_0 + m_0. We then display (m_{1/2}, m_0) planes for selected VCMSSMs, treating in a unified way the parameter regions where either a neutralino or the gravitino is the LSP. In particular, we examine in detail the allowed parameter space for the Giudice-Masiero model.Comment: 26 pages, 32 eps figure

Pengaruh Relationship Marketing Dan Brand Trust Terhadap Loyalitas Pelanggan (Survey Pelanggan Pada Kfc Sudirman Cabang Pekanbaru)

This study aims to determine how much influence relationship marketing and brand trust to consumer loyality. Samples in this study were taken as many as 100 respondents and techniques used Accidental Sampling approach. The data used in this study using primary data obtained from the answers of the respondents who had buyed in KFC Sudirman Pekanbaru branch. The method of analysis used in this study using multiple linear regression analysis consisting of the t test, F test, determination test and multiple linear regression equation. The results of this study show that Relationship marketing has a positive and significant impact on Consumer Loyality. Brand Trust has a positive and significant impact on Consumer Loyality. And then simultaneously relationship marketing and brand trust have a positive and significant impact on Consumer Loyality. There is an influence on the determination test of 57,8% which affects Consumer Loyality is explained by the variable relationship marketing and brand trust, while the remaining 42,2% is influenced by other variables and are not included in the regression analysis

Update on the Direct Detection of Supersymmetric Dark Matter

We compare updated predictions for the elastic scattering of supersymmetric neutralino dark matter with the improved experimental upper limit recently published by CDMS II. We take into account the possibility that the \pi-nucleon \Sigma term may be somewhat larger than was previously considered plausible, as may be supported by the masses of exotic baryons reported recently. We also incorporate the new central value of m_t, which affects indirectly constraints on the supersymmetric parameter space, for example via calculations of the relic density. Even if a large value of \Sigma is assumed, the CDMS II data currently exclude only small parts of the parameter space in the constrained MSSM (CMSSM) with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking Higgs, squark and slepton masses. None of the previously-proposed CMSSM benchmark scenarios is excluded for any value of \Sigma, and the CDMS II data do not impinge on the domains of the CMSSM parameter space favoured at the 90 % confidence level in a recent likelihood analysis. However, some models with non-universal Higgs, squark and slepton masses and neutralino masses \lappeq 700 GeV are excluded by the CDMS II data.Comment: 25 pages, 28 eps figure

Microplastics of different shapes increase seed germination synchrony while only films and fibers affect seed germination velocity

Microplastics enter the soil in a variety of shapes and polymer types altering soil properties with known consequences for plant growth. However, the effects of a range of different microplastic shapes and types on seed germination are mostly unknown. Here, we established a glasshouse experiment that included 12 microplastic types representing different shapes (fibers, films, foams and fragments) and polymers, and mixed each of them with soil at a concentration of 0.4% (w/w). Fifty seeds of Daucus carota were sown and monitored for 49 days to evaluate different germination parameters. Our results showed that microplastic films and fibers decrease seed germination velocity as they may affect soil water status, likely interfering with different phases of seed germination: Seeds may imbibe toxic microplastic leachates, and be affected by a physical blockage; testa rupturing may be delayed as this also depends on water uptake. Microplastic toxic leachates may affect activity of enzymes key for seed germination, and delay embryo growth and radicle emergence. Microplastics, irrespective of their shape and polymer type, increase synchrony of seed germination, which might be linked with microplastics exerting a mild stress on seeds. The final percentage of germination was not affected by microplastics in soil, implying that microplastics did not affect seed viability. Our results showed that microplastics affect seed germination mainly as a function of their shape

Sensitivity to new supersymmetric thresholds through flavour and CP violating physics

Treating the MSSM as an effective theory below a threshold scale Lambda, we study the consequences of having dimension-five operators in the superpotential for flavour and CP-violating processes. Below the supersymmetric threshold such terms generate flavour changing and/or CP-odd effective operators of dimension six composed from the Standard Model fermions, that have the interesting property of decoupling linearly with the threshold scale, i.e. as 1/(Lambda m_soft), where m_soft is the scale of soft supersymmetry breaking. The assumption of weak-scale supersymmetry, together with the stringent limits on electric dipole moments and lepton flavour-violating processes, then provides sensitivity to Lambda as high as 10^7-10^9 GeV. We discuss the varying sensitivity to these scales within several MSSM benchmark scenarios and also outline the classes of UV physics which could generate these operators.Comment: 28 pages, 9 figure

Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Sayuran Model Mini Wall Garden di DKI Jakarta

The Growth and Production of Vegetables within Mini Wall Garden in DKI Jakarta Province. Saving land cultivation technology is one of the alternative solutions to address the limited availability of land for plant cultivation in urban areas. This study aimed to compare of two models of vegetables mini-wall garden at households scale in urban areas. The study was conducted in three farmer groups in South of Jakarta, i.e. Puspa Asri, Melati, dan Kenanga. Each farmer groups were involved five cooperators as replications. The models tested were pocket models and PVC pipe models. Growth and yield of kangkong, spinach, green mustard, and lettuce were used as observation variables. The plant response data were analyzed using t-test at 0.5%. The feasibility of technology was analyzed using R/C ratio, meanwhile the average score analysis used for variable of user\u27s perception. Based on of the plant response and economic benefits gained, the PVC pipe model is better than the pocket model. Based on user\u27s perception both models has good perception categories. The assessment results indicate that the technology of the mini wall garden PVC pipe model more efficient than pocket model, so in the future to develop vegetables in mini wall garden models suggested using PVC pipe models