22 research outputs found
Spin half fermions with mass dimension one: theory, phenomenology, and dark matter
We provide the first details on the unexpected theoretical discovery of a
spin-one-half matter field with mass dimension one. It is based upon a complete
set of dual-helicity eigenspinors of the charge conjugation operator. Due to
its unusual properties with respect to charge conjugation and parity, it
belongs to a non-standard Wigner class. Consequently, the theory exhibits
non-locality with (CPT)^2 = - I. We briefly discuss its relevance to the
cosmological `horizon problem'. Because the introduced fermionic field is
endowed with mass dimension one, it can carry a quartic self-interaction. Its
dominant interaction with known forms of matter is via Higgs, and with gravity.
This aspect leads us to contemplate the new fermion as a prime dark matter
candidate. Taking this suggestion seriously we study a supernova-like explosion
of a galactic-mass dark matter cloud to set limits on the mass of the new
particle and present a calculation on relic abundance to constrain the relevant
cross-section. The analysis favours light mass (roughly 20 MeV) and relevant
cross-section of about 2 pb. Similarities and differences with the WIMP and
mirror matter proposals for dark matter are enumerated. In a critique of the
theory we bare a hint on non-commutative aspects of spacetime, and
energy-momentum space.Comment: 78 pages [Changes: referee-suggested improvements, additional
important references, and better readability
Quantification of the effect of energy imbalance on bodyweight
Obesity interventions can result in weight loss, but accurate prediction of the bodyweight time course requires properly accounting for dynamic energy imbalances. In this report, we describe a mathematical modelling approach to adult human metabolism that simulates energy expenditure adaptations during weight loss. We also present a web-based simulator for prediction of weight change dynamics. We show that the bodyweight response to a change of energy intake is slow, with half times of about 1 year. Furthermore, adults with greater adiposity have a larger expected weight loss for the same change of energy intake, and to reach their steady-state weight will take longer than it would for those with less initial body fat. Using a population-averaged model, we calculated the energy-balance dynamics corresponding to the development of the US adult obesity epidemic. A small persistent average daily energy imbalance gap between intake and expenditure of about 30 kJ per day underlies the observed average weight gain. However, energy intake must have risen to keep pace with increased expenditure associated with increased weight. The average increase of energy intake needed to sustain the increased weight (the maintenance energy gap) has amounted to about 0·9 MJ per day and quantifies the public health challenge to reverse the obesity epidemic