Light Hidden Fermionic Dark Matter in Neutrino Experiments

We consider, in a model-independent framework, the potential for observing dark matter in neutrino detectors through the interaction $\bar{f} p \to e^+ n$, where $f$ is a dark fermion. Operators of dimension six or less are considered, and constraints are placed on their coefficients using the dark matter lifetime and its decays to states which include $\gamma$ rays or $e^+e^-$ pairs. After these constraints are applied, there remains one operator which can possibly contribute to $\bar{f} p \to e^+ n$ in neutrino detectors at an observable level. We then consider the results from the Super-Kamiokande relic supernova neutrino search and find that Super-K can probe the new physics scale of this interaction up to O(100\mbox{ TeV}).Comment: 5, pages, 1 figure. To be published in the proceedings of DPF-2009, Detroit, MI, July 2009, eConf C09072

Localized 4σ4\sigma and 5σ5\sigma Dijet Mass Excesses in ALEPH LEP2 Four-Jet Events

We investigate an excess observed in hadronic events in the archived LEP2 ALEPH data. This excess was observed at preselection level during data-MC comparisons of four-jet events when no search was being performed. The events are clustered into four jets and paired such that the mass difference between the two dijet systems is minimized. The excess occurs in the region M_1+M_2\sim 110\mbox{ GeV}; about half of the excess is concentrated in the region M_1\sim 80\mbox{ GeV}, M_2\sim 25\mbox{ GeV}, with a local significance between $4.7\sigma$ and $5.5\sigma$, depending on assumptions about hadronization uncertainties. The other half of the events are in a broad excess near M_1\sim M_2\sim 55\mbox{ GeV}; these display a local significance of $4.1-4.5\sigma$. We investigate the effects of changing the SM QCD Monte Carlo sample, the jet-clustering algorithm, and the jet rescaling method. We find that the excess is remarkably robust under these changes, and we find no source of systematic uncertainty that can explain the excess. No analogue of the excess is seen at LEP1.Comment: 40 pages, 17 figures. Version published in JHEP. Detector section removed, S/B and SM expectation figure added, expanded discussion of hadronization uncertainties, small changes in systematic errors due to LEP1 data statistics, table added with significance as a function of center-of-mass energy, changes in tex

Lepton-Flavored Dark Matter

In this work, we address two paradoxes. The first is that the measured dark-matter relic density can be satisfied with new physics at O(100 GeV - 1 TeV), while the null results from direct-detection experiments place lower bounds of O(10 TeV) on a new-physics scale. The second puzzle is that the severe suppression of lepton-flavor-violating processes involving electrons, e.g. mu->3e, tau->e mu mu, etc., implies that generic new-physics contributions to lepton interactions cannot exist below O(10 - 100 TeV), whereas the 3.6sigma deviation of the muon g-2 from the standard model can be explained by a new-physics scale < O(1 TeV). Here, we suggest that it may not be a coincidence that both the muon g-2 and the relic density can be satisfied by a new-physics scale < 1 TeV. We consider the possibility of a gauged lepton-flavor interaction that couples at tree level only to mu- and tau-flavored leptons and the dark sector. Dark matter thus interacts appreciably only with particles of mu and tau flavor at tree level and has loop-suppressed couplings to quarks and electrons. Remarkably, if such a gauged flavor interaction exists at a scale O(100 GeV - 1 TeV), it allows for a consistent phenomenological framework, compatible with the muon g-2, the relic density, direct detection, indirect detection, charged-lepton decays, neutrino trident production, and results from hadron and e+e- colliders. We suggest experimental tests for these ideas at colliders and for low-energy observables.Comment: includes additional discussions, results unchange

Majorana Physics Through the Cabibbo Haze

We present a model in which the Supersymmetric Standard Model is augmented by the family symmetry \bs{\m Z_7 \rtimes \m Z_3}. Motivated by $SO(10)$, where the charge two-thirds and neutral Dirac Yukawa matrices are related, we propose, using family symmetry, a special form for the seesaw Majorana matrix; it contains a squared correlated hierarchy, allowing it to mitigate the severe hierarchy of the quark sector. It is reproduced naturally by the invariant operators of \bs{\m Z_7 \rtimes \m Z_3}, with the hierarchy carried by familon fields. In addition to relating the hierarchy of the $\Delta I_{\rm w}=1/2$ to the $\Delta I_{\rm w}=0$ sector, it contains a Gatto-Sartori-Tonin like relation, predicts a normal hierarchy for Tri-bimaximal and Golden Ratio mixings, and gives specific values for the light neutrino masses.Comment: 33 pages, 1 figure. This revised version omits a section where a particular linear combination of dimension-five operators was mistakenly claimed to produce the special form of the Majorana matrix. The main changes are to the Introduction, Sec. 5.1 of the previous version, and Summary and Conclusions. In addition to minor changes throughout, we have corrected an erroneous sign in Eq. 1

Armillaria Root Rot in Eucalypt Forests: Aggravated Endemic Disease

Species of the woody root rot fungus Armillaria are indigenous in cool temperate rain forest, mixed forest, and wet and dry sclerophyll eucalypt forests in Australia. Four species have been described or identified from southeastern Australia: A. luteobubalina Watling and Kile, A. fumosa Kile and Watling, A. hinnulea Kile and Watling, and A. novae-zelandiae (Stevenson) Boesewinkel. The latter species was first described from New Zealand, and A. hinnulea also occurs in that country. Armillaria novae-zelandiae and A. hinnulea occur in wet forests (rain forest, mixed forest, and wet sclerophyll communities), while A. luteobubalina and A. fumosa are found mainly in dry sclerophyll forests. Armillaria luteobubalina is so far the only species known to behave as a primary pathogen in native forests. While the fungus has an extensive geographical distribution in southeastern Australia, damage is most severe in selectively logged forests in the central highlands of Victoria, where it is estimated that approximately 3-5% of the forest area is moderately to severely affect~. The fungus kills all species of eucalypts and a wide range of the under- story trees and shrubs present in the forests. Most infections occur in small (0.1-1.0 ha), well-defined patches, but larger (up to 20-30 ha), more diffuse infections also occur. Evidence of primary pathogenicity includes (a) constant association of the fungus with disease; (b) the pattern of disease development within stands (the fungus spreads by root contact from infected food bases); (c) correlation between root infection and symptom development in large trees; (d) evidence of host resistance to infection; and (e) pathogenicity in pot and field trials. There is no evidence that climatic stress or other pests or pathogens initiate disease. Within the forest, the fungus has a discontinuous distribution. Studies of genotypes of the fungus (identified by analyses of mating alleles, since Armillaria sp. are bifactorial heterothallic, or intraspecific antagonism), suggest that A. luteobubalina consists of a community of genetically distinct mycelia. Individual genotypes may contract, expand, or coalesce, depending on circumstance. The development and status of the community depends on the two processes of new basidiospore infection and local spread by vegetative growth through root systems. Similar patterns of genotype distribution and clonal development were evident in logged and unlogged forest. It is concluded that root rot caused by the fungus is endemic in these forests but that logging has aggravated the disease

Initiation of Procalcitonin Screening as a Marker in Antibiotic Therapy De-escalation

Problem: The overuse of antibiotics has created antimicrobial resistance (AMR) resulting in treatment failure for bacterial infections. To combat AMR, clinicians should only prescribe antibiotic therapy when clinically warranted. It is easy to misdiagnose a viral infection. However, any delay in the initiation of antibiotic therapy in a bacterial infection may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. These patients with non-specific clinical symptoms may be misdiagnosed without a rapid and definitive diagnostic test. Methods: This quality improvement (QI) initiative utilized an evidence-based clinical guideline for procalcitonin (PCT) levels for antibiotic therapy de-escalation. WBC counts were collected two-days and one-day before ID work-up along with PCT levels and white blood cell (WBC) counts collected on day-1, day-3, and day-5 post infectious disease. Data was collected via prospective chart review including the number of positive PCT levels obtained versus positive cultures, average length of antibiotic use, number of different antibiotics used, and the time until the bacterial infection was confirmed or denied. Results: The implemented PCT clinical guideline allowed for faster identification of bacterial infections than standard blood cultures. There is significant evidence supporting a positive relationship between elevated PCT levels and positive cultures. Over time the level of PCT decreases showing a correlation with a reduction of the WBC count. Implications for Practice: Use of the PCT clinical guideline can identify whether there is a bacterial infection rapidly allowing for the initiation or de-escalation of antibiotic therapy preventing further AMR resistance

It’s NOT Trash, It’s ART

Stepping off the plane in Hue, Vietnam took my breath away. I was slammed with heat and extreme humidity that is common for mid-May. I stood at the bottom of the jetway, trying to adjust not only to my new environment, but to the fact I took this leap of faith and traveled half way around the world to teach children with intellectual disabilities about art made from trash. Little did I know that that step would have such a huge impact on my life and further strengthen my core values