Naturalness and light Higgsinos: why ILC is the right machine for SUSY discovery

Radiatively-driven natural supersymmetry, a theoretically and experimentally well-motivated framework, centers around the predicted existence of four light, nearly mass-degenerate Higgsinos with mass $\sim 100-200$ GeV (not too far above $m_Z$). The small mass splittings amongst the higgsinos, typically 4-20 GeV, results in very little visible energy arising from decays of the heavier higgsinos. Given that other SUSY particles are considerably heavy, this makes detection challenging at hadron colliders. On the other hand, the clean environment of an electron-positron collider with $\sqrt{s}>2m_{higgsino}$ would enable a decisive search of these required higgsinos, and thus either the discovery or exclusion of natural SUSY. We present a detailed simulation study of precision measurements of higgsino masses and production cross sections at $\sqrt{s}$ = 500 GeV of the proposed International Linear Collider currently under consideration for construction in Japan. The study is based on a Geant4 simulation of the International Large Detector concept. We examine several benchmark points just beyond the HL-LHC reach, with four light higgsinos directly accessible by the ILC, and the mass differences between the lightest SUSY particle and the heavier states ranging from about 4 to 20 GeV. It can be shown that their masses and production cross sections can be precisely measured to approximately 1\% precision or better. These precise measurements allow for extracting the underlying weak scale SUSY parameters, giving predictions for the masses of heavier SUSY states. These provide motivation for future high-energy colliders. Additionally, dark matter properties may be derived. Evolution of the measured gaugino masses to high energies should allow testing the hypothesis of gaugino mass unification.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures; to appear in the proceedings for EPS-HEP2017, 5-12 July 2017, Venice, Ital

The ILC as a natural SUSY discovery machine and precision microscope: from light higgsinos to tests of unification

The requirement of electroweak naturalness in simple supersymmetric models implies the existence of a cluster of four light higgsinos with mass $\sim 100-300$\,GeV, the lighter the better. While such light compressed spectra may be challenging to observe at LHC, the International Linear $e^+e^-$ Collider (ILC) with $\sqrt{s}>2m_{\rm higgsino}$ would serve as both a SUSY discovery machine and a precision microscope. We study higgsino pair production signatures at the ILC based on full, \texttt{Geant4-}based simulation of the ILD detector concept. We examine several benchmark scenarios that may be challenging for discovery at HL-LHC due to mass differences between the higgsino states between $20$ and $4$\,GeV. Assuming $\sqrt{s}= 500$\,GeV and 1000\,fb$^{-1}$ of integrated luminosity, the individual higgsino masses can be measured to $1-2\%$ precision in case of the larger mass differences, and at the level of $5\%$ for the smallest mass difference case. The higgsino mass splittings are sensitive to the electroweak gaugino masses and allow extraction of gaugino masses to $\sim 3-20\%$ (depending on the model). Extrapolation of gaugino masses via renormalization group running can test the hypothesis of gaugino mass unification. We also examine a case with natural generalized mirage mediation where the unification of gaugino masses at an intermediate scale apparently gives rise to a natural SUSY spectrum somewhat beyond the reach of HL-LHC.Comment: 43 pages, 33 figure

Evaluation of older people\u27s knowledge, awareness, motivation and perceptions about falls and falls prevention in residential aged care homes: A tale of two cities

Falls prevention strategies can only be effective in reducing falls amongst older people if they are adopted and enacted in their daily lives. There is limited evidence identifying what older people in residential aged care (RAC) homes understand about falls and falls prevention, or what may limit or enable their adoption of strategies. This study was conducted in two countries and explored older people’s knowledge and awareness of falls and their preferences, opportunities and motivation to undertake falls prevention strategies. A cross-sectional survey was administered to participants (N = 70) aged 65 years and over, living in six RAC homes in Perth, Australia and six RAC homes in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Participants had limited knowledge about intrinsic falls risk factors and strategies to address these and frequently expressed self-blame regarding falling. Almost all (N = 67, 95.7%) participants felt highly motivated to maintain their current functional mobility and independence in everyday tasks. Key preferences for receiving falls prevention messages favoured a positive approach promoting wellness and independence (N = 41, 58.6%) via pictorial posters or brochures (N = 37, 52.9%) and small group discussions preferably with demonstrations (N = 18, 25.7%). Findings from this study may assist organisations and staff to more effectively engage with older people living in RAC about falls prevention and design targeted resources to address the motivations and preferences of this population

To Share or Not to Share? Knowledge Convergence and Divergence in Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

For cross-disciplinary teams to be effective, what knowledge should be shared and what knowledge should remain unique to individual team members? We adopted a mixed-method approach using a sample of grant-funded teams composed of principal and co-principal investigators of diverse disciplines. Interviewees and survey respondents especially favored knowledge similarity over uniqueness for team vision and teamwork, but less preference for convergence emerged for research outcomes and research content (theory, operational details of methodology, analysis). Moreover, more team knowledge convergence was associated with higher perceived collaboration satisfaction and trended in the direction of more grants, publications, and conference presentations

Chlamydia Hijacks ARF GTPases To Coordinate Microtubule Posttranslational Modifications and Golgi Complex Positioning.

The intracellular bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis develops in a parasitic compartment called the inclusion. Posttranslationally modified microtubules encase the inclusion, controlling the positioning of Golgi complex fragments around the inclusion. The molecular mechanisms by which Chlamydia coopts the host cytoskeleton and the Golgi complex to sustain its infectious compartment are unknown. Here, using a genetically modified Chlamydia strain, we discovered that both posttranslationally modified microtubules and Golgi complex positioning around the inclusion are controlled by the chlamydial inclusion protein CT813/CTL0184/InaC and host ARF GTPases. CT813 recruits ARF1 and ARF4 to the inclusion membrane, where they induce posttranslationally modified microtubules. Similarly, both ARF isoforms are required for the repositioning of Golgi complex fragments around the inclusion. We demonstrate that CT813 directly recruits ARF GTPases on the inclusion membrane and plays a pivotal role in their activation. Together, these results reveal that Chlamydia uses CT813 to hijack ARF GTPases to couple posttranslationally modified microtubules and Golgi complex repositioning at the inclusion.IMPORTANCEChlamydia trachomatis is an important cause of morbidity and a significant economic burden in the world. However, how Chlamydia develops its intracellular compartment, the so-called inclusion, is poorly understood. Using genetically engineered Chlamydia mutants, we discovered that the effector protein CT813 recruits and activates host ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1) and ARF4 to regulate microtubules. In this context, CT813 acts as a molecular platform that induces the posttranslational modification of microtubules around the inclusion. These cages are then used to reposition the Golgi complex during infection and promote the development of the inclusion. This study provides the first evidence that ARF1 and ARF4 play critical roles in controlling posttranslationally modified microtubules around the inclusion and that Chlamydia trachomatis hijacks this novel function of ARF to reposition the Golgi complex

Paedomorphosis in Ambystoma talpoideum: Effects of initial body size variation and density

Abstract Facultative paedomorphosis is the ability of a salamander to either metamorphose into a terrestrial, metamorphic adult or retain a larval morphology to become a sexually mature paedomorphic adult. It has been hypothesized that density and initial body size variation within populations are instrumental in cueing metamorphosis or paedomorphosis in salamanders, yet few studies have adequately tested these hypotheses in long-term experiments. Beginning in the spring of 2004, 36 experimental ponds were used to manipulate three body size variation levels (low, medium, high) and two density levels (low, high) of Ambystoma talpoideum larvae. Larvae were individually marked using visible implant elastomers and collected every 2 weeks in order to measure snout-vent length and mass. Bi-nightly sampling was used to collect new metamorphs as they appeared. Analysis revealed signiWcant eVects of density, size variation and morph on body size of individuals during the summer. Individuals that metamorphosed during the fall and following spring were signiWcantly larger as larvae than those becoming paedomorphic across all treatments. These results support the Best-of-aBad-Lot hypothesis, which proposes that the largest larvae metamorphose in order to escape unfavorable aquatic habitats. Large larvae may metamorphose to leave aquatic habitats, regardless of treatment, due to the colder climate and lower productivity found in Kentucky, which is in the northern-most part of A. talpoideum's range. By maintaining a long-term experiment, we have provided evidence for the transition of both larvae and paedomorphs into metamorphs during fall and spring metamorphosis events. Furthermore, the production of similar morphs under diVerent environmental conditions observed in this research suggests that the ecological mechanisms maintaining polyphenisms may be more diverse that Wrst suspected

The Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument: Evaluating features, amenities and incivilities of physical activity resources in urban neighborhoods

Background: Neighborhood environment factors may influence physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to develop and test a brief instrument to systematically document and describe the type, features, amenities, quality and incivilities of a variety of PA resources. Method: The one-page Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument was developed to assess all publicly available PA resources in thirteen urban lower income, high ethnic minority concentration neighborhoods that surrounded public housing developments (HDs) and four higher income, low ethnic minority concentration comparison neighborhoods. Neighborhoods had similar population density and connectivity. Trained field coders rated 97 PA resources (including parks, churches, schools, sports facilities, fitness centers, community centers, and trails) on location, type, cost, features, amenities, quality and incivilities. Assessments typically took about 10 minutes to complete. Results: HD neighborhoods had a mean of 4.9 PA resources (n = 73) with considerable variability in the type of resources available for each neighborhood. Comparison neighborhoods had a mean of 6 resources (n = 24). Most resources were accessible at no cost (82%). Resources in both types of neighborhoods typically had about 2 to 3 PA features and amenities, and the quality was usually mediocre to good in both types of neighborhoods. Incivilities at PA resources in HD neighborhoods were significantly more common than in comparison neighborhoods. Conclusion: Although PA resources were similar in number, features and amenities, the overall appearance of the resources in HD neighborhoods was much worse as indicated by substantially worse incivilities ratings in HD neighborhoods. The more comprehensive assessment, including features, amenities and incivilities, provided by the PARA may be important to distinguish between PA resources in lower and higher deprivation areas

The Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument: Evaluating features, amenities and incivilities of physical activity resources in urban neighborhoods

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood environment factors may influence physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to develop and test a brief instrument to systematically document and describe the type, features, amenities, quality and incivilities of a variety of PA resources. METHOD: The one-page Physical Activity Resource Assessment (PARA) instrument was developed to assess all publicly available PA resources in thirteen urban lower income, high ethnic minority concentration neighborhoods that surrounded public housing developments (HDs) and four higher income, low ethnic minority concentration comparison neighborhoods. Neighborhoods had similar population density and connectivity. Trained field coders rated 97 PA resources (including parks, churches, schools, sports facilities, fitness centers, community centers, and trails) on location, type, cost, features, amenities, quality and incivilities. Assessments typically took about 10 minutes to complete. RESULTS: HD neighborhoods had a mean of 4.9 PA resources (n = 73) with considerable variability in the type of resources available for each neighborhood. Comparison neighborhoods had a mean of 6 resources (n = 24). Most resources were accessible at no cost (82%). Resources in both types of neighborhoods typically had about 2 to 3 PA features and amenities, and the quality was usually mediocre to good in both types of neighborhoods. Incivilities at PA resources in HD neighborhoods were significantly more common than in comparison neighborhoods. CONCLUSION: Although PA resources were similar in number, features and amenities, the overall appearance of the resources in HD neighborhoods was much worse as indicated by substantially worse incivilities ratings in HD neighborhoods. The more comprehensive assessment, including features, amenities and incivilities, provided by the PARA may be important to distinguish between PA resources in lower and higher deprivation areas

Oportunidades de aprendizaje en matemáticas para estudiantes con discapacidad intelectual

En Chile, los estudiantes con discapacidad intelectual (di) asisten a escuelas especiales o a escuelas regulares con programas de integración escolar (pie). Hasta la fecha se carece de información respecto de las oportunidades de aprendizaje (oda) que se proporcionan a estos estudiantes en ambos contextos. El estudio que se presenta es parte de una investigación mayor, cuyo propósito es explorar las oda de las matemáticas que se generan en centros de educación especial para estudiantes con di. Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con profesores y directivos de escuelas especiales, con el objetivo de indagar cuáles son sus creencias sobre la enseñanza, sobre los estudiantes con di y las matemáticas. Los resultados indican que la enseñanza a estudiantes con di requiere de mucho tiempo de planificación, de un currículo flexible que se adapte a las necesidades individuales, de uso de material concreto y de una evaluación individualizada. Respecto de los estudiantes, los entrevistados indican que no hay fórmulas generales y que se debe tratar cada caso de manera individual. Finalmente, profesores y directivos estiman que la enseñanza de las matemáticas para estudiantes con di son principalmente el conteo y las operaciones con números, lo cual excluye del currículo ofrecido espacios para el desarrollo de otras habilidades matemáticas