25,418 research outputs found
Thermal Right-Handed Sneutrino Dark Matter
We discuss the relic abundance of the right-handed sneutrinos in the
supersymmetric F_D-term model of hybrid inflation. As well as providing a
natural solution to the mu- and gravitino overabundance problems, the model
offers the lightest right-handed sneutrino as a candidate for thermal dark
matter. The F_D-term model predicts a new quartic coupling of purely
right-handed sneutrinos to the Higgs doublets that thermalizes the sneutrinos
and makes them annihilate sufficiently fast to a level compatible with the
current cosmic microwave background data. We discuss this scenario and identify
favourable regions of the parameter space within mSUGRA.Comment: Submitted for the SUSY08 proceedings, 3 pages, LaTeX, 2 eps figure
Lepton flavour violation in the supersymmetric type-II seesaw mechanism
We summarize the predictions for the radiative decays l_j->l_i \gamma within
the context of the supersymmetric type II seesaw mechanism considering
universal boundary conditions for the soft SUSY breaking terms. The dependence
on the low-energy neutrino parameters is discussed and the deviations from the
analytical results for large analyzed.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures. To appear in the proceedings of 16th
International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental
Interactions (SUSY08), Seoul, Korea, 16-21 Jun 200
Momentum anisotropies in the quark coalescence model
Based on the quark coalescence model, we derive relations among the momentum
anisotropies of mesons and baryons in relativistic heavy ion collisions from a
given, but arbitrary azimuthal distribution for the partons. Besides the
familiar even Fourier coefficients such as the elliptic flow, we also pay
attention to odd Fourier coefficients such as the directed flow, which has been
observed at finite rapidity even at RHIC energies.Comment: 5 page
Modeling of Euclidean braided fiber architectures to optimize composite properties
Three-dimensional braided fiber reinforcements are a very effective toughening mechanism for composite materials. The integral yarn path inherent to this fiber architecture allows for effective multidirectional dispersion of strain energy and negates delamination problems. In this paper a geometric model of Euclidean braid fiber architectures is presented. This information is used to determine the degree of geometric isotropy in the braids. This information, when combined with candidate material properties, can be used to quickly generate an estimate of the available load-carrying capacity of Euclidean braids at any arbitrary angle
Light Element Production in the Circumstellar Matter of Energetic Type Ic Supernovae
We investigate energetic type Ic supernovae as production sites for Li6 and
Be in the early stages of the Milky Way. Recent observations have revealed that
some very metal-poor stars with [Fe/H]<-2.5 possess unexpectedly high
abundances of Li6. Some also exbihit enhanced abundances of Be as well as N.
From a theoretical point of view, recent studies of the evolution of
metal-poor massive stars show that rotation-induced mixing can enrich the outer
H and He layers with C, N, and O (CNO) elements, particularly N, and at the
same time cause intense mass loss of these layers. Here we consider energetic
supernova explosions occurring after the progeniter star has lost all but a
small fraction of the He layer. The fastest portion of the supernova ejecta can
interact directly with the circumstellar matter (CSM), both composed of He and
CNO, and induce light element production through spallation and He-He fusion
reactions. The CSM should be sufficiently thick to energetic particles so that
the interactions terminate within its innermost regions. We calculate the
resulting Li6/O and Be9/O ratios in the ejecta+CSM material out of which the
very metal-poor stars may form. We find that they are consistent with the
observed values if the mass of the He layer remaining on the pre-explosion core
is 0.01-0.1 solar mass, and the mass fraction of N mixed in the He layer is
about 0.01. Further observations of Li6, Be and N at low metallicity should
provide critical tests of this production scenario.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, revised with referee suggestions, final version
accepted in ApJ Letter
Far Ultraviolet Observations of the Dwarf Nova VW Hyi in Quiescence
We present a 904-1183 A spectrum of the dwarf nova VW Hydri taken with the
Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer during quiescence, eleven days after a
normal outburst, when the underlying white dwarf accreter is clearly exposed in
the far ultraviolet. However, model fitting show that a uniform temperature
white dwarf does not reproduce the overall spectrum, especially at the shortest
wavelengths. A better approximation to the spectrum is obtained with a model
consisting of a white dwarf and a rapidly rotating ``accretion belt''. The
white dwarf component accounts for 83% of the total flux, has a temperature of
23,000K, a v sin i = 400 km/s, and a low carbon abundance. The best-fit
accretion belt component accounts for 17% of the total flux, has a temperature
of about 48,000-50,000K, and a rotation rate Vrot sin i around 3,000-4,000
km/s. The requirement of two components in the modeling of the spectrum of VW
Hyi in quiescence helps to resolve some of the differences in interpretation of
ultraviolet spectra of VW Hyi in quiescence. However, the physical existence of
a second component (and its exact nature) in VW Hyi itself is still relatively
uncertain, given the lack of better models for spectra of the inner disk in a
quiescent dwarf nova.Comment: 6 figures, 10 printed page in the journal, to appear in APJ, 1 Sept.
2004 issue, vol. 61
Avalanche-Induced Current Enhancement in Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes
Semiconducting carbon nanotubes under high electric field stress (~10 V/um)
display a striking, exponential current increase due to avalanche generation of
free electrons and holes. Unlike in other materials, the avalanche process in
such 1D quantum wires involves access to the third sub-band, is insensitive to
temperature, but strongly dependent on diameter ~exp(-1/d^2). Comparison with a
theoretical model yields a novel approach to obtain the inelastic optical
phonon emission length, L_OP,ems ~ 15d nm. The combined results underscore the
importance of multi-band transport in 1D molecular wires
The Impact of Disease-Modifying Therapy Access Barriers on People With Multiple Sclerosis: Mixed-Methods Study.
BACKGROUND: In the United States, people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) can face difficulty accessing disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) because of insurance, pharmacy, or provider policies. These barriers have been associated with poor adherence and negative health outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to describe the overall occurrence of difficulties and delays associated with gaining access to DMTs among people with RRMS, to assess DMT adherence during periods of reduced access, and to contextualize the patients\u27 journey from receipt of a prescription for DMT to obtaining and taking their medication when faced with access barriers.
METHODS: We recruited US-based adults self-reporting RRMS from a Web-based health data-sharing social network, PatientsLikeMe. Individuals were invited to complete a Web-based survey if they reported a diagnosis of RRMS and were prescribed a DMT for MS. Follow-up phone interviews were conducted with 10 respondents who reported experiencing an MS-related relapse during the time they had experienced challenges accessing DMTs.
RESULTS: Among 507 survey completers, nearly half were either currently experiencing an issue related to DMT assess or had difficulty accessing a DMT in the past (233/507, 46.0%). The most frequently reported reasons for access difficulty were authorization requirements by insurance companies (past issues: 78/182, 42.9%; current issues: 9/42, 21%) and high out-of-pocket costs (past issues: 54/182, 29.7%; current issues: 13/42, 31%). About half (20/39, 51%) of participants with current access issues and over a third (68/165, 41.2%) of those with past issues went without their medication until they could access their prescribed DMT. Relapses were reported during periods of reduced DMT access for almost half (56/118, 47.5%) of those with past issues and nearly half (22/45, 49%) of those with current issues. Resolving access issues involved multiple stakeholder agents often coordinated in a patient-led effort. Among those who had resolved issues, about half (57/119, 47.9%) reported that doctors or office staff were involved, under half (48/119, 40.3%) were involved themselves, and about a third (39/119, 32.8%) reported the drug manufacturer was involved in resolving the issue. Follow-up interviews revealed that the financial burden associated with obtaining a prescribed DMT led to nonadherence. Additionally, participants felt that DMT treatment delays and stress associated with obtaining the DMT triggered relapses or worsened their MS.
CONCLUSIONS: This study expands current research by using a patient-centered, mixed-methods approach to describe barriers to MS treatment, the process to resolve barriers, and the perceived impact of treatment barriers on outcomes. Issues related to DMT access occur frequently, with individuals often serving as their own agents when navigating access difficulties to obtain their medication(s). Support for resolution of DMT access is needed to prevent undue stress and nonadherence
Spontaneous Ratchet Effect in a Granular Gas
The spontaneous clustering of a vibrofluidized granular gas is employed to
generate directed transport in two different compartmentalized systems: a
"granular fountain" in which the transport takes the form of convection rolls,
and a "granular ratchet" with a spontaneous particle current perpendicular to
the direction of energy input. In both instances, transport is not due to any
system-intrinsic anisotropy, but arises as a spontaneous collective symmetry
breaking effect of many interacting granular particles. The experimental and
numerical results are quantitatively accounted for within a flux model.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures; Fig. 4 has been reduced in size and qualit
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