Light dark matter in the NMSSM: upper bounds on direct detection cross sections

In the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model, a bino-like LSP can be as light as a few GeV and satisfy WMAP constraints on the dark matter relic density in the presence of a light CP-odd Higgs scalar. We study upper bounds on the direct detection cross sections for such a light LSP in the mass range 2-20 GeV in the NMSSM, respecting all constraints from B-physics and LEP. The OPAL constraints on e^+ e^- -> \chi^0_1 \chi^0_i (i > 1) play an important role and are discussed in some detail. The resulting upper bounds on the spin-independent and spin-dependent nucleon cross sections are ~ 10^{-42} cm^{-2} and ~ 4\times 10^{-40} cm^{-2}, respectively. Hence the upper bound on the spin-independent cross section is below the DAMA and CoGeNT regions, but could be compatible with the two events observed by CDMS-II.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure

A single hollow beam optical trap for cold atoms

We present an optical trap for atoms that we have developed for precision spectroscopy measurements. Cold atoms are captured in a dark region of space inside a blue-detuned hollow laser beam formed by an axicon. We analyze the light potential in a ray optics picture and experimentally demonstrate trapping of laser-cooled metastable xenon atoms.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figure

One size doesn’t fit all: the influence of supervisors’ power tactics and subordinates’ need for cognitive closure on burnout and stress

The present research investigated the notion of fit between supervisors’ power tactics and subordinates’ need for cognitive closure (NFCC) on subordinates’ burnout and stress. Subordinates who tend to avoid ambiguity (high NFCC) were expected to experience relatively less burnout (Study 1) and stress (Study 2) if their supervisors utilize harsh (controlling and unequivocal) power tactics and more burnout and stress if their supervisors utilize soft (autonomy-supportive and equivocal) power tactics. In contrast, it was expected that subordinates who avoid firm and binding conclusions (low NFCC) would experience relatively less burnout and stress if their supervisors use soft power tactics and more burnout and stress if they use harsh power tactics. Two studies conducted in diverse organizational settings supported these hypotheses. Collectively, these results support the conclusion that soft (vs. harsh) power tactics are not always associated with better (vs. worse) organizational outcomes. Theoretical and practical implications for organizations are discussed

Supersymmetric mass spectra and the seesaw type-I scale

We calculate supersymmetric mass spectra with cMSSM boundary conditions and a type-I seesaw mechanism added to explain current neutrino data. Using published, estimated errors on SUSY mass observables for a combined LHC+ILC analysis, we perform a theoretical $\chi^2$ analysis to identify parameter regions where pure cMSSM and cMSSM plus seesaw type-I might be distinguishable with LHC+ILC data. The most important observables are determined to be the (left) smuon and selectron masses and the splitting between them, respectively. Splitting in the (left) smuon and selectrons is tiny in most of cMSSM parameter space, but can be quite sizeable for large values of the seesaw scale, $m_{SS}$. Thus, for very roughly $m_{SS} \ge 10^{14}$ GeV hints for type-I seesaw might appear in SUSY mass measurements. Since our numerical results depend sensitively on forecasted error bars, we discuss in some detail the accuracies, which need to be achieved, before a realistic analysis searching for signs of type-I seesaw in SUSY spectra can be carried out.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure

Development of the Bélanger Equation and Backwater Equation by Jean-Baptiste Bélanger (1828)

A hydraulic jump is the sudden transition from a high-velocity to a low-velocity open channel flow. The application of the momentum principle to the hydraulic jump is commonly called the Bélanger equation, but few know that Bélanger's (1828) treatise was focused on the study of gradually varied open channel flows. Further, although Bélanger understood the rapidly-varied nature of the jump flow, he applied incorrectly the Bernoulli principle in 1828, and corrected his approach 10 years later. In 1828, his true originality lay in the successful development of the backwater equation for steady, one-dimensional gradually-varied flows in an open channel, together with the introduction of the step method, distance calculated from depth, and the concept of critical flow conditions

B-Meson Gateways to Missing Charmonium Levels

We outline a coherent strategy for exploring the four remaining narrow charmonium states [\eta_{c}^{\prime}(2\slj{1}{1}{0}), h_{c}(1\slj{1}{2}{1}), \eta_{c2}(1\slj{1}{3}{2}), and \psi_{2}(1\slj{3}{3}{2})] expected to lie below charm threshold. Produced in $B$-meson decays, these levels should be identifiable \textit{now} via striking radiative transitions among charmonium levels and in exclusive final states of kaons and pions. Their production and decay rates will provide much needed new tests for theoretical descriptions of heavy quarkonia.Comment: 5 pages, uses ReVTeX and BibTe

Quartic Anomalous Couplings in γγ\gamma\gamma Colliders

We study the constraints on the vertices $W^+W^- Z\gamma$, $W^+W^-\gamma\gamma$, and $ZZ\gamma\gamma$ that can be obtained from triple-gauge-boson production at the next generation of linear $e^+e^-$ colliders operating in the $\gamma\gamma$ mode. We analyze the processes $\gamma\gamma \to W^+W^-V$ ($V=Z$, or $\gamma$) and show that these reactions increase the potential of $e^+e^-$ machines to search for anomalous four-gauge-boson interactions.Comment: 15 pages, Latex file using ReVteX, 4 uufiled figures include

Asymmetric total synthesis of (+)-virosine a via sequential nucleophilic cyclizations onto an activated formamide

Abstract: The first synthesis of tetracyclic alkaloid virosine A is reported. The natural alkaloid was prepared in only 13 steps, in an enantioenriched form. The azabicyclo[2.2.2]octane core was efficiently assembled using a key Vilsmeier–Haack and Mannich cyclizations sequence performed in one pot

Relic density of dark matter in the NMSSM

We present a code to compute the relic density of dark matter in the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (NMSSM). Dominant corrections to the Higgs masses are calculated with NMHDECAY as well as theoretical and collider constraints. All neutralino annihilation and coannihilation processes are then computed with an extended version of micrOMEGAs, taking into acount higher order corrections to Higgs vertices. We explore the parameter space of the NMSSM and consider in particular the case of a bino LSP, of a mixed bino-higgsino LSP and of a singlino LSP. As compared to the MSSM, neutralino annihilation is often more efficient as it can take place via (additional) Higgs resonances as well as annihilation into light Higgs states. Models with a large singlino component can be compatible with WMAP constraints.Comment: 25 pages, 8 figures; one reference added and minor change in acknowledgement

Bosonic Quartic Couplings at LHC

We analyze the potential of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to study anomalous quartic vector-boson interactions Z Z gamma gamma, Z Z Z gamma, W+ W- gamma gamma, and W+ W- Z gamma through the weak boson fusion processes q q -> q q gamma gamma and q q -> q q gamma Z(-> l+ l-) with l = electron or muon. After a careful study of the backgrounds and how to extract them from the data, we show that the process p p -> j j gamma l+ l- is potentially the most sensitive to deviations from the Standard Model, improving the sensitivity to anomalous couplings by up to a factor 10^4 (10^2) with respect to the present direct (indirect) limits.Comment: 18 pages, 2 figures, revised versio