Natural Predictions for the Higgs Boson Mass and Supersymmetric Contributions to Rare Processes

In the context of No-Scale F-SU(5), a model defined by the convergence of the F-lipped SU(5) Grand Unified Theory, two pairs of hypothetical TeV scale vector-like supersymmetric multiplets with origins in F-theory, and the dynamically established boundary conditions of No-Scale Supergravity, we predict that the lightest CP-even Higgs boson mass lies within the range of 119.0 GeV to 123.5 GeV, exclusive of the vector-like particle contribution to the mass. With reports by the CMS, ATLAS, CDF, and D0 Collaborations detailing enticing statistical excesses in the vicinity of 120 GeV in searches for the Standard Model Higgs boson, all signs point to an imminent discovery. While basic supersymmetric constructions such as mSUGRA and the CMSSM have already suffered overwhelming reductions in viable parameterization during the LHC's initial year of operation, about 80% of the original No-Scale F-SU(5) model space remains viable after analysis of the first 1.1 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity. This model is moreover capable of handily explaining the small excesses recently reported in the CMS multijet supersymmetry search, and also features a highly favorable "golden" subspace which may simultaneously account for the key rare process limits on the muon anomalous magnetic moment (g - 2) and the branching ratio of the flavor-changing neutral current decay b to s\gamma. In addition, the isolated mass parameter responsible for the global particle mass normalization, the gaugino boundary mass M_{1/2}, is dynamically determined at a secondary local minimization of the minimum of the Higgs potential V_{min}, in a manner which is deeply consistent with all precision measurements at the physical electroweak scale.Comment: Physics Letters B Version, 10 pages, 2 figures, 2 table

Dimensional crossover in fragmentation

Experiments in which thick clay plates and glass rods are fractured have revealed different behavior of fragment mass distribution function in the small and large fragment regions. In this paper we explain this behavior using non-extensive Tsallis statistics and show how the crossover between the two regions is caused by the change in the fragments' dimensionality during the fracture process. We obtain a physical criterion for the position of this crossover and an expression for the change in the power law exponent between the small and large fragment regions. These predictions are in good agreement with the experiments on thick clay plate

Exchange coupling between two ferromagnetic electrodes separated by a graphene nanoribbon

In this study, based on the self-energy method and the total energy calculation, the indirect exchange coupling between two semi-infinite ferromagnetic strips (FM electrodes) separated by metallic graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) is investigated. In order to form a FM/GNR/FM junction, a graphitic region of finite length is coupled to the FM electrodes along graphitic zigzag or armchair interfaces of width $N$. The numerical results show that, the exchange coupling strength which can be obtained from the difference between the total energies of electrons in the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic couplings, has an oscillatory behavior, and depends on the Fermi energy and the length of the central region.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, International Conference on Theoretical Physics 'Dubna-Nano2008

On Jacobi quasi-Nijenhuis algebroids and Courant-Jacobi algebroid morphisms

We propose a definition of Jacobi quasi-Nijenhuis algebroid and show that any such Jacobi algebroid has an associated quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid. Therefore, also an associated Courant-Jacobi algebroid is obtained. We introduce the notions of quasi-Jacobi bialgebroid morphism and Courant-Jacobi algebroid morphism providing also some examples of Courant-Jacobi algebroid morphisms.Comment: 14 pages, to appear in Journal of Geometry and Physic

‘Why Do We Think We Are Doing Everything Right [Just] Because We Do It’: What Transforms Chinese and Scottish Student-teachers’ Taken-for-granted Views in Study Abroad Experiences

This paper reports on how varied study abroad experiences transformed understanding of difference of student-teachers from two universities. Data were collected through a qualitative questionnaire and semi-structured interviews with 14 Chinese and Scottish student-teachers who presented what they had experienced and how they had made sense of difference. Drawing on transformative learning, this study reveals that opportunities to experience difference and resultant emotional struggles can develop student-teachers’ emotional maturity and readiness for change. It also highlights that critical reflection on challenges in their preconceptions about the self and others is essential to transform their preconceived views and develop their openness to difference. To maximise the transformative potential of study abroad programmes, we argue that student-teachers must be provided with a discourse that disrupts their taken-for-granted views and learning opportunities that have a critical orientation

Laser induced THz emission from femtosecond photocurrents in Co/ZnO/Pt and Co/Cu/Pt multilayers

The ultrashort laser excitation of Co/Pt magnetic heterostructures can effectively generate spin and charge currents at the interfaces between magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The direction of these photocurrents can be controlled by the helicity of the circularly polarized laser light and an external magnetic field. Here, we employ THz time-domain spectroscopy to investigate further the role of interfaces in these photo-galvanic phenomena. In particular, the effects of either Cu or ZnO interlayers on the photocurrents in Co/X/Pt (X = Cu, ZnO) have been studied by varying the thickness of the interlayers up to 5 nm. The results are discussed in terms of spin-diffusion phenomena and interfacial spin-orbit torque.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 2 table

A First Mass Production of Gas Electron Multipliers

We report on the manufacture of a first batch of approximately 2,000 Gas Electron Multipliers (GEMs) using 3M's fully automated roll to roll flexible circuit production line. This process allows low-cost, reproducible fabrication of a high volume of GEMs of dimensions up to 30$\times$30 cm$^{2}$. First tests indicate that the resulting GEMs have optimal properties as radiation detectors. Production techniques and preliminary measurements of GEM performance are described. This now demonstrated industrial capability should help further establish the prominence of micropattern gas detectors in accelerator based and non-accelerator particle physics, imaging and photodetection.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, to be submitted to Nucl. Instr. Meth.

Investigating the impact of combining handwritten signature and keyboard keystroke dynamics for gender prediction

© 2019 IEEE. The use of soft-biometric data as an auxiliary tool on user identification is already well known. Gender, handorientation and emotional state are some examples which can be called soft-biometrics. These soft-biometric data can be predicted directly from the biometric templates. It is very common to find researches using physiological modalities for soft-biometric prediction, but behavioural biometric is often not well explored for this context. Among the behavioural biometric modalities, keystroke dynamics and handwriting signature have been widely explored for user identification, including some soft-biometric predictions. However, in these modalities, the soft-biometric prediction is usually done in an individual way. In order to fill this space, this study aims to investigate whether the combination of those two biometric modalities can impact the performance of a soft-biometric data, gender prediction. The main aim is to assess the impact of combining data from two different biometric sources in gender prediction. Our findings indicated gains in terms of performance for gender prediction when combining these two biometric modalities, when compared to the individual ones

China and European Union Countries: Do Chinese Partnerships Boost Cooperation Results?

The People’s Republic of China and countries of the European Union (EU) have signed multiple diplomatic documents for cooperation under different types of conception. France was the first EU country to start a comprehensive partnership with China in 1997, and, by 2021, among the 27 EU member countries, 19 had already established partnerships with China (the exceptions were Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden). Since the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was announced in 2013, 18 EU member states (except Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, and Sweden) have signed MoUs with China. What this study investigates, however, is why some of the countries have opted to sign a BRI MoU but not establish partnerships with China. On the other hand, some countries that have long had partnerships with China have deepened or strengthened those partnerships, yet have not signed a BRI MoU. The current study is therefore motivated to pose this main research question: To what extent does the Chinese partnership framework facilitate practical cooperation between EU countries and China? The study also poses these secondary questions: What are the main differences between these cooperation documents? Do such differences in documentation result in discrepancies in the nature of cooperation? From a bilateral state-to-state perspective, the study compares joint statements pertaining to Chinese partnerships with different EU countries, analyzing how closely they are tailored to each European country’s specificity. Through reviewing the literature, the authors gather data concerning the outcomes of cooperations on trade and investment between China and EU member states, and analyze any official diplomatic documents availabl