On the Higgs Mass in the CMSSM

We estimate the mass of the lightest neutral Higgs boson h in the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking masses (CMSSM), subject to the available accelerator and astrophysical constraints. For m_t = 174.3 GeV, we find that 114 GeV < m_h < 127 GeV and a peak in the tan beta distribution simeq 55. We observe two distinct peaks in the distribution of m_h values, corresponding to two different regions of the CMSSM parameter space. Values of m_h < 119 GeV correspond to small values of the gaugino mass m_{1/2} and the soft trilinear supersymmetry-breaking parameter A_0, lying along coannihilation strips, and most of the allowed parameter sets are consistent with a supersymmetric interpretation of the possibly discrepancy in g_mu - 2. On the other hand, values of m_h > 119 GeV may correspond to much larger values of m_{1/2} and A_0, lying in rapid-annihilation funnels. The favoured ranges of m_h vary with m_t, the two peaks being more clearly separated for m_t = 178 GeV and merging for m_t = 172.7 GeV. If the g_mu - 2 constraint is imposed, the mode of the m_h distribution is quite stable, being sim 117 GeV for all the studied values of m_t.Comment: 14 pages, 12 figure

Constraints from Accelerator Experiments on the Elastic Scattering of CMSSM Dark Matter

We explore the allowed ranges of cross sections for the elastic scattering of neutralinos \chi on nucleons in the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model (CMSSM), in which scalar and gaugino masses are each assumed to be universal at some input grand unification scale. We extend previous calculations to larger \tan \beta and investigate the limits imposed by the recent LEP lower limit on the mass of the Higgs boson and by b \to s \gamma, and those suggested by g_\mu - 2. The Higgs limit and b \to s \gamma provide upper limits on the cross section, particularly at small and large \tan \beta, respectively, and the value of g_\mu - 2 suggests a lower limit on the cross section for \mu > 0. The spin-independent nucleon cross section is restricted to the range 6 \times 10^{-8} pb > \sigma_{SI} > 2 \times 10^{-10} pb for \mu > 0, and the spin-dependent nucleon cross section to the range 10^{-5} pb > \sigma_{SD} > 2 \times 10^{-7} pb. Lower values are allowed if \mu <0.Comment: 15 pages, latex, 18 eps figure

Time-dependent perturbations in two-dimensional String Black Holes

We discuss time-dependent perturbations (induced by matter fields) of a black-hole background in tree-level two-dimensional string theory. We analyse the linearized case and show the possibility of having black-hole solutions with time-dependent horizons. The latter exist only in the presence of time-dependent `tachyon' matter fields, which constitute the only propagating degrees of freedom in two-dimensional string theory. For real tachyon field configurations it is not possible to obtain solutions with horizons shrinking to a point. On the other hand, such a possibility seems to be realized in the case of string black-hole models formulated on higher world-sheet genera. We connect this latter result with black hole evaporation/decay at a quantum level.}Comment: 11 pages, two figures,UA-NPPS.9/92; CERN-TH.6671/9

Polarized lepton nucleon scattering - summary of the experimental spin sessions at DIS 99

This paper summarizes the contributions to the experimental sessions on polarized lepton nucleon scattering at the DIS 99 workshop. Results are reported about the flavor decomposition of the quark polarization, a first direct measurement of a positive gluon polarization, the observation of a double-spin asymmetry in diffractive rho production, the polarization of lambda hyperons, the observation of transverse single-spin asymmetries and the measurement of the Gerasimov-Drell-Hearn sum rule. Prospects of future fixed target and collider facilities are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, Proc. of the 7th Int. Workshop on Deep Inelastic Scattering and QCD (DIS99), Zeuthen, Germany, April 19-23, 1999, to appear in Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Suppl.

Elements of F-ast Proton Decay

Gauge coupling unification in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) strongly suggests the existence of a Grand Unified Theory (GUT), which could be probed by the observation of proton decay. Proton lifetime in the p \to (e+|mu+) pi0 dimension six mode is proportional in the fourth power to the GUT mass scale, and inversely proportional in the fourth power to the GUT coupling. We provide an updated dictionary of solutions for the relevant unification parameters with generic beta-function coefficients, significantly upgrading the level of detail with which second order effects are treated, and correcting subtle published errors. F-lipped SU(5) with strict MSSM field content is known to survive existing null detection limits for proton decay approaching 10^34 years, and indeed, the lifetime predicted by prior studies can be so long that successful detection is not currently plausible. Recently studied classes of F-theory derived GUT models postulate additional vector-like multiplets at the TeV scale which modify the renormalization group to yield a substantial increase in the SU(3)_C X SU(2)_L unified coupling. We find the conjunction of these models with the F-resh analysis employed to be comparatively F-ast proton decay, only narrowly evading existing detection limits, and likely falling within the observable range of proposed next generation detectors such as DUSEL and Hyper-Kamiokande. The TeV-scale vector multiplets are themselves suitable for cross correlation by the Large Hadron Collider. Their presence moreover magnifies the gap between the dual mass scales of Flipped SU(5), allowing for an elongated second stage renormalization, pushing grand unification to the doorstep of the reduced Planck mass.Comment: V2, As published in Nuclear Physics B; 57 pages, 7 figures, 12 table

On the Solution to the Polonyi Problem with OO(10~TeV) Gravitino Mass in Supergravity

We study the solution to the Polonyi problem where the Polonyi field weighs as $O(10{\rm TeV})$ and decays just before the primordial nucleosynthesis. It is shown that in spite of a large entropy production by the Polonyi field decay, one can naturally explain the present value of the baryon-to-entropy ratio, $n_B/s \sim (10^{-10}-10^{-11})$ if the Affleck-Dine mechanism for baryogenesis works. It is pointed out, however, that there is another cosmological problem related to the abundance of the lightest superparticles produced by the Polonyi decay

First-Principles Thermodynamics of Coherent Interfaces in Samarium-Doped Ceria Nanoscale Superlattices

Nanoscale superlattices of samarium-doped ceria layers with varying doping levels have been recently proposed as a novel fuel cell electrolyte. We calculate the equilibrium composition profile across the coherent {100} interfaces present in this system using lattice-gas Monte Carlo simulations with long-range interactions determined from electrostatics and short-range interactions obtained from ab initio calculations. These simulations reveal the formation of a diffuse, nonmonotonic, and surprisingly wide (11 nm at 400 K) interface composition profile, despite the absence of space charge regions

Physics Motivations for Future CERN Accelerators

We summarize the physics motivations for future accelerators at CERN. We argue that (a) a luminosity upgrade for the LHC could provide good physics return for a relatively modest capital investment, (b) CLIC would provide excellent long-term perspectives within many speculative scenarios for physics beyond the Standard Model, (c) a Very Large Hadron Collider could provide the first opportunity to explore the energy range up to about 30 TeV, (d) a neutrino factory based on a muon storage ring would provide an exciting and complementary scientific programme and a muon collider could be an interesting later option.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figure, Prepared for the CERN Scientific Policy Committee in September 2001, and presented to the CERN Council in December 200

Two-loop relation between the bare lattice coupling and the MSbar coupling in pure SU(N) gauge theories

We report the result of a computation of the relation between the renormalized coupling in the MSbar scheme of dimensional regularization and the bare coupling in the standard lattice formulation of the SU(N) Yang-Mills theory to two-loop order of perturbation theory and discuss some of its implications.Comment: 10 pages, postscript fil

Transcriptome analysis of cortical tissue reveals shared sets of downregulated genes in autism and schizophrenia.

Autism (AUT), schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BPD) are three highly heritable neuropsychiatric conditions. Clinical similarities and genetic overlap between the three disorders have been reported; however, the causes and the downstream effects of this overlap remain elusive. By analyzing transcriptomic RNA-sequencing data generated from post-mortem cortical brain tissues from AUT, SCZ, BPD and control subjects, we have begun to characterize the extent of gene expression overlap between these disorders. We report that the AUT and SCZ transcriptomes are significantly correlated (P&lt;0.001), whereas the other two cross-disorder comparisons (AUT-BPD and SCZ-BPD) are not. Among AUT and SCZ, we find that the genes differentially expressed across disorders are involved in neurotransmission and synapse regulation. Despite the lack of global transcriptomic overlap across all three disorders, we highlight two genes, IQSEC3 and COPS7A, which are significantly downregulated compared with controls across all three disorders, suggesting either shared etiology or compensatory changes across these neuropsychiatric conditions. Finally, we tested for enrichment of genes differentially expressed across disorders in genetic association signals in AUT, SCZ or BPD, reporting lack of signal in any of the previously published genome-wide association study (GWAS). Together, these studies highlight the importance of examining gene expression from the primary tissue involved in neuropsychiatric conditions-the cortical brain. We identify a shared role for altered neurotransmission and synapse regulation in AUT and SCZ, in addition to two genes that may more generally contribute to neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions