Prospects for Indirect Detection of Sneutrino Dark Matter with IceCube

We investigate the prospects for indirect detection of right-handed sneutrino dark matter at the IceCube neutrino telescope in a $U(1)_{B-L}$ extension of the MSSM. The capture and annihilation of sneutrinos inside the Sun reach equilibrium, and the flux of produced neutrinos is governed by the sneutrino-proton elastic scattering cross section, which has an upper bound of $8 \times 10^{-9}$ pb from the $Z^{\prime}$ mass limits in the $B-L$ model. Despite the absence of any spin-dependent contribution, the muon event rates predicted by this model can be detected at IceCube since sneutrinos mainly annihilate into leptonic final states by virtue of the fermion $B-L$ charges. These subsequently decay to neutrinos with 100% efficiency. The Earth muon event rates are too small to be detected for the standard halo model irrespective of an enhanced sneutrino annihilation cross section that can explain the recent PAMELA data. For modified velocity distributions, the Earth muon events increase substantially and can be greater than the IceCube detection threshold of 12 events $\mathrm{km}^{-2}$ $\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. However, this only leads to a mild increase of about 30% for the Sun muon events. The number of muon events from the Sun can be as large as roughly 100 events $\mathrm{km}^{-2}$ $\mathrm{yr}^{-1}$ for this model.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, replaced to match the published version, only minor changes: addition of one reference in section 5, correction of two typo

Using Competency Mapping to Improve Online Education

The growth of online education has coincided with the resurgence in Competency Based Education (CBE). This trend has introduced new opportunities to assess student progress and program outcomes. This interactive session explores ways of getting the most out of CBE in the online world

A Supersymmetric B-L Dark Matter Model and the Observed Anomalies in the Cosmic Rays

We propose a simple model of supersymmetric dark matter that can explain recent results from PAMELA and ATIC experiments. It is based on a U(1)_B-L extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. The dark matter particle is a linear combination of the U(1)_B-L gaugino and Higgsino partners of Higgs fields that break the B-L around one TeV. The dominant mode of dark matter annihilation is to the lightest of the new Higgs fields, which has a mass in the GeV range, and its subsequent decay mainly produces taus or muons by the virtue of B-L charges. This light Higgs also results in Sommerfeld enhancement of the dark matter annihilation cross section, which can be >~ 10^3. For a dark matter mass in the 1-2 TeV range, the model provides a good fit to the PAMELA data and a reasonable fit to the ATIC data. We also briefly discuss the prospects of this model for direct detection experiments and the LHC.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Cinq façons de prendre en main la mise en place d'un modèle d'évaluation de programmes dans les académies vouées au développement professionnel des formateurs en sciences de la santé

The proliferation of health professions educator academies across Canada and the United States illustrates the value they hold for faculty and institutions.  Yet, establishing and evaluating the efficacy of them through program evaluation can be challenging. Moreover, academy leadership often lack the time, bandwidth skillset and personnel to undertake rigorous program evaluation efforts. We outline a step-by-step guide for getting a grip on evaluating health professions educator academies. Developing a plan for program evaluation in advance of any new academy initiative helps to ensure the academy calibrates and re-calibrates to accomplish outcomes and meet stakeholder expectations.  It also provides a mechanism for tracking academy impact, which strengthens requests for funding, promotes sustainability and encourages continued buy-in and support from institutional stakeholders. For all of these reasons, we present the following recommendations: apply the relevant program evaluation framework(s); identify resources for program evaluation; prepare to tell your academy’s story; list desired program outcomes; establish a data collection plan; and obtain institutional review board approval.La prolifération des écoles (« académies ») vouées au développement professionnel des formateurs en sciences de la santé au Canada et aux États-Unis témoigne de l’importance que leur accordent le corps enseignant et les établissements d’enseignement.  Pourtant, il peut s'avérer difficile d'établir et d'évaluer leur efficacité au moyen d'une évaluation de programme. De plus, les responsables de ces écoles manquent souvent de temps, de compétences et de personnel pour entreprendre une évaluation rigoureuse de leurs programmes. Nous présentons un guide étape par étape pour évaluer les écoles vouées au développement professionnel des formateurs en sciences de la santé. L'élaboration d'un plan d'évaluation des programmes avant toute nouvelle initiative de l’école permet de s'assurer que celle-ci s’ajuste et se réajuste pour obtenir des résultats et répondre aux attentes des personnes concernées. Ce plan fournit également un mécanisme de suivi des retombées de l'école et ainsi renforcer ses demandes de financement, favoriser sa pérennité et encourager l'adhésion et le soutien continus des partenaires institutionnels. Pour toutes ces raisons, nous présentons les recommandations suivantes : appliquer le(s) cadre(s) d'évaluation de programme pertinent(s); identifier les ressources pour l'évaluation de programme; se préparer à raconter l'histoire de votre école; dresser la liste des résultats de programme souhaités; établir un plan de collecte de données et obtenir l'approbation du comité d'examen institutionnel

Improved Functional Prediction of Hypothetical Proteins from \u3ci\u3eListeria monocytogenes\u3c/i\u3e 08-5578

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne human pathogen responsible for listerosis. The genomes of several L. monocytogenes strains have been recently sequenced. The genome of L. monocytogenes 08-5578, which was in part responsible for a significant listerosis outbreak in 2008, contains an unexpectedly high percentage of protein-encoding genes (1,927 out of 3,161; 60.96%) autonomously annotated as hypothetical proteins. The aim of this study was to test whether a manual annotation strategy could be used to assign more meaningful functional names to the hypothetical proteins of 08-5578. A holistic, manual gene annotation strategy that utilized sequence homology, cellular localization predictions, structure-based evidence, phylogeny, and proteinprotein interaction data was used to assign potential cellular roles to 79 out of 100 hypothetical proteins randomly selected from the genome of 08-5578. Of significance, 5 of the 79 hypothetical proteins assigned a more meaningful name may contribute to the virulence of L. monocytogenes 08-5578, by contributing to chemotaxis, cell surface protein sorting, cell wall biosynthesis, and cold adaptation. The findings here support the notion that manual annotations, using a combination of diverse bioinformatics tools, can improve the quality of genomic information provided by automated genome annotation methods alone

Supersymmetric B − L dark matter model and the observed anomalies in the cosmic rays

We propose a simple model of supersymmetric dark matter that can explain recent results from PAMELA and ATIC experiments. It is based on a U(1)_B-L extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. The dark matter particle is a linear combination of the U(1)_B-L gaugino and Higgsino partners of Higgs fields that break the B-L around one TeV. The dominant mode of dark matter annihilation is to the lightest of the new Higgs fields, which has a mass in the GeV range, and its subsequent decay mainly produces taus or muons by the virtue of B-L charges. This light Higgs also results in Sommerfeld enhancement of the dark matter annihilation cross section, which can be >~ 10^3. For a dark matter mass in the 1-2 TeV range, the model provides a good fit to the PAMELA data and a reasonable fit to the ATIC data. We also briefly discuss the prospects of this model for direct detection experiments and the LHC.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure

Sneutrino dark matter and the observed anomalies in cosmic rays

We revisit sneutrino dark matter in light of the recent results from the PAMELA and ATIC experiments. In the U(1)_B-L extension of the minimal supersymmetric standard model the right-handed sneutrino is a natural candidate for thermal dark matter. Sneutrino annihilation at the present time can be considerably enhanced due to the exchange of the lightest field in the Higgs sector that breaks U(1)_B-L. The annihilation mainly produces taus (or muons) by the virtue of B-L charges. A sneutrino mass in the 1-2 TeV range provides a good fit to the PAMELA data and a reasonable fit to the ATIC data. Within this mass range the sneutrino-nucleon elastic scattering cross section is 10^(-11) - 10^(-9) pb, which might be probed by upcoming and future direct detection experiments. In addition, if (at least) one of the neutrinos is dominantly a Dirac fermion, the sneutrino can provide a unified picture of dark matter and inflation.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Five ways to get a grip on applying a program evaluation model in health professions education academies

The proliferation of health professions educator academies across Canada and the United States illustrates the value they hold for faculty and institutions.  Yet, establishing and evaluating the efficacy of them through program evaluation can be challenging. Moreover, academy leadership often lack the time, bandwidth skillset and personnel to undertake rigorous program evaluation efforts. We outline a step-by-step guide for getting a grip on evaluating health professions educator academies. Developing a plan for program evaluation in advance of any new academy initiative helps to ensure the academy calibrates and re-calibrates to accomplish outcomes and meet stakeholder expectations.  It also provides a mechanism for tracking academy impact, which strengthens requests for funding, promotes sustainability and encourages continued buy-in and support from institutional stakeholders. For all of these reasons, we present the following recommendations: apply the relevant program evaluation framework(s); identify resources for program evaluation; prepare to tell your academy’s story; list desired program outcomes; establish a data collection plan; and obtain institutional review board approval

Reevaluation of the Phylogenetic Diversity and Global Distribution of the Genus "Candidatus Accumulibacter"

“Candidatus Accumulibacter” was the first microorganism identified as a polyphosphate-accumulating organism (PAO) important for phosphorus removal from wastewater. Members of this genus are diverse, and the current phylogeny and taxonomic framework appear complicated, with most publicly available genomes classified as “Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis,” despite notable phylogenetic divergence. The ppk1 marker gene allows for a finer-scale differentiation into different “types” and “clades”; nevertheless, taxonomic assignments remain inconsistent across studies. Therefore, a comprehensive reevaluation is needed to establish a common understanding of this genus, in terms of both naming and basic conserved physiological traits. Here, we provide this reassessment using a comparison of genome, ppk1, and 16S rRNA gene-based approaches from comprehensive data sets. We identified 15 novel species, along with “Candidatus Accumulibacter phosphatis,” “Candidatus Accumulibacter delftensis,” and “Candidatus Accumulibacter aalborgensis.” To compare the species in situ, we designed new species-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes and revealed their morphology and arrangement in activated sludge. Based on the MiDAS global survey, “Ca. Accumulibacter” species were widespread in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) with phosphorus removal, indicating process design as a major driver for their abundance. Genome mining for PAO-related pathways and FISH-Raman microspectroscopy confirmed the potential for PAO metabolism in all “Ca. Accumulibacter” species, with detection in situ of the typical PAO storage polymers. Genome annotation further revealed differences in the nitrate/nitrite reduction pathways. This provides insights into the niche differentiation of these lineages, potentially explaining their coexistence in the same ecosystem while contributing to overall phosphorus and nitrogen removal. IMPORTANCE “Candidatus Accumulibacter” is the most studied PAO, with a primary role in biological nutrient removal. However, the species-level taxonomy of this lineage is convoluted due to the use of different phylogenetic markers or genome sequencing approaches. Here, we redefined the phylogeny of these organisms, proposing a comprehensive approach which could be used to address the classification of other diverse and uncultivated lineages. Using genome-resolved phylogeny, compared to phylogeny based on the 16S rRNA gene and other phylogenetic markers, we obtained a higher-resolution taxonomy and established a common understanding of this genus. Furthermore, genome mining of genes and pathways of interest, validated in situ by application of a new set of FISH probes and Raman microspectroscopy, provided additional high-resolution metabolic insights into these organisms