872 research outputs found
Theoretical predictions for the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in the NMSSM
We analyse the direct detection of neutralino dark matter in the framework of
the Next-to-Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model. After performing a detailed
analysis of the parameter space, taking into account all the available
constraints from LEPII, we compute the neutralino-nucleon cross section, and
compare the results with the sensitivity of detectors. We find that sizable
values for the detection cross section, within the reach of dark matter
detectors, are attainable in this framework. For example, neutralino-proton
cross sections compatible with the sensitivity of present experiments can be
obtained due to the exchange of very light Higgses with m_{h_1^0}\lsim 70
GeV. Such Higgses have a significant singlet composition, thus escaping
detection and being in agreement with accelerator data. The lightest neutralino
in these cases exhibits a large singlino-Higgsino composition, and a mass in
the range 50\lsim m_{\tilde\chi_1^0}\lsim 100 GeV.Comment: Final version to appear in JHEP. References added. LaTeX, 53 pages,
23 figure
[Accepted Manuscript] A call to strengthen the global strategy against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis: the time is now.
In 2001, the World Health Assembly (WHA) passed the landmark WHA 54.19 resolution for global scale-up of mass administration of anthelmintic drugs for morbidity control of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis, which affect more than 1·5 billion of the world's poorest people. Since then, more than a decade of research and experience has yielded crucial knowledge on the control and elimination of these helminthiases. However, the global strategy has remained largely unchanged since the original 2001 WHA resolution and associated WHO guidelines on preventive chemotherapy. In this Personal View, we highlight recent advances that, taken together, support a call to revise the global strategy and guidelines for preventive chemotherapy and complementary interventions against schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. These advances include the development of guidance that is specific to goals of morbidity control and elimination of transmission. We quantify the result of forgoing this opportunity by computing the yearly disease burden, mortality, and lost economic productivity associated with maintaining the status quo. Without change, we estimate that the population of sub-Saharan Africa will probably lose 2·3 million disability-adjusted life-years and US$3·5 billion of economic productivity every year, which is comparable to recent acute epidemics, including the 2014 Ebola and 2015 Zika epidemics. We propose that the time is now to strengthen the global strategy to address the substantial disease burden of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis
Middle Convolution and Harnad Duality
We interpret the additive middle convolution operation in terms of the Harnad
duality, and as an application, generalize the operation to have a
multi-parameter and act on irregular singular systems.Comment: 50 pages; v2: Submitted version once revised according to referees'
comment
Non-universal gaugino masses: a signal-based analysis for the Large Hadron Collider
We discuss the signals at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for scenarios with
non-universal gaugino masses in supersymmetric (SUSY) theories. We perform a
multichannel analysis, and consider the ratios of event rates in different
channels such as , - and -
, as well as and final states
together with . Low-energy SUSY spectra corresponding to
high-scale gaugino non-universality arising from different breaking schemes of
SU(5) as well as SO(10) Grand Unified (GUT) SUSY models are considered, with
both degenerate low-energy sfermion masses and those arising from a
supergravity scenario. We present the numerical predictions over a wide range
of the parameter space using the event generator {\tt Pythia}, specifying the
event selection criteria and pointing out regions where signals are likely to
be beset with backgrounds. Certain broad features emerge from the study, which
may be useful in identifying the signatures of different GUT breaking schemes
and distinguishing them from a situation with a universal gaugino mass at high
scale. The absolute values of the predicted event rates for different scenarios
are presented together with the various event ratios, so that these can also be
used whenever necessary.Comment: 54 pages, 18 figure
On the fraction of dark matter in charged massive particles (CHAMPs)
From various cosmological, astrophysical and terrestrial requirements, we
derive conservative upper bounds on the present-day fraction of the mass of the
Galactic dark matter (DM) halo in charged massive particles (CHAMPs). If dark
matter particles are neutral but decay lately into CHAMPs, the lack of
detection of heavy hydrogen in sea water and the vertical pressure equilibrium
in the Galactic disc turn out to put the most stringent bounds. Adopting very
conservative assumptions about the recoiling velocity of CHAMPs in the decay
and on the decay energy deposited in baryonic gas, we find that the lifetime
for decaying neutral DM must be > (0.9-3.4)x 10^3 Gyr. Even assuming the
gyroradii of CHAMPs in the Galactic magnetic field are too small for halo
CHAMPs to reach Earth, the present-day fraction of the mass of the Galactic
halo in CHAMPs should be < (0.4-1.4)x 10^{-2}. We show that redistributing the
DM through the coupling between CHAMPs and the ubiquitous magnetic fields
cannot be a solution to the cuspy halo problem in dwarf galaxies.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures. To appear in JCA
Warp propagation in astrophysical discs
Astrophysical discs are often warped, that is, their orbital planes change
with radius. This occurs whenever there is a non-axisymmetric force acting on
the disc, for example the Lense-Thirring precession induced by a misaligned
spinning black hole, or the gravitational pull of a misaligned companion. Such
misalignments appear to be generic in astrophysics. The wide range of systems
that can harbour warped discs - protostars, X-ray binaries, tidal disruption
events, quasars and others - allows for a rich variety in the disc's response.
Here we review the basic physics of warped discs and its implications.Comment: To be published in Astrophysical Black Holes by Haardt et al.,
Lecture Notes in Physics, Springer 2015. 19 pages, 2 figure
Quantum computation with two-level trapped cold ions beyond Lamb-Dicke limit
We propose a simple scheme for implementing quantum logic gates with a string
of two-level trapped cold ions outside the Lamb-Dicke limit. Two internal
states of each ion are used as one computational qubit (CQ) and the collective
vibration of ions acts as the information bus, i.e., bus qubit (BQ). Using the
quantum dynamics for the laser-ion interaction as described by a generalized
Jaynes-Cummings model, we show that quantum entanglement between any one CQ and
the BQ can be coherently manipulated by applying classical laser beams. As a
result, universal quantum gates, i.e. the one-qubit rotation and two-qubit
controlled gates, can be implemented exactly. The required experimental
parameters for the implementation, including the Lamb-Dicke (LD) parameter and
the durations of the applied laser pulses, are derived. Neither the LD
approximation for the laser-ion interaction nor the auxiliary atomic level is
needed in the present scheme.Comment: 12 pages, no figures, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Heating and decoherence suppression using decoupling techniques
We study the application of decoupling techniques to the case of a damped
vibrational mode of a chain of trapped ions, which can be used as a quantum bus
in linear ion trap quantum computers. We show that vibrational heating could be
efficiently suppressed using appropriate ``parity kicks''. We also show that
vibrational decoherence can be suppressed by this decoupling procedure, even
though this is generally more difficult because the rate at which the parity
kicks have to applied increases with the effective bath temperature.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures. Typos corrected, references adde
Determination of the String Scale in D-Brane Scenarios and Dark Matter Implications
We analyze different phenomenological aspects of D-brane constructions.
First, we obtain that scenarios with the gauge group and particle content of
the supersymmetric standard model lead naturally to intermediate values for the
string scale, in order to reproduce the value of gauge couplings deduced from
experiments. Second, the soft terms, which turn out to be generically non
universal, and Yukawa couplings of these scenarios are studied in detail.
Finally, using these soft terms and the string scale as the initial scale for
their running, we compute the neutralino-nucleon cross section. In particular
we find regions in the parameter space of D-brane scenarios with cross sections
in the range of -- pb, i.e. where current dark matter
experiments are sensitive. For instance, this can be obtained for .Comment: Figures improved, misprints corrected, results basically unchange
Mapping the Dabus Wetlands, Ethiopia, using random forest classification of Landsat, PALSAR and topographic data
The Dabus Wetland complex in the highlands of Ethiopia is within the headwaters of the Nile Basin and is home to significant ecological communities and rare or endangered species. Its many interrelated wetland types undergo seasonal and longer-term changes due to weather and climate variations as well as anthropogenic land use such as grazing and burning. Mapping and monitoring of these wetlands has not been previously undertaken due primarily to their relative isolation and lack of resources. This study investigated the potential of remote sensing based classification for mapping the primary vegetation groups in the Dabus Wetlands using a combination of dry and wet season data, including optical (Landsat spectral bands and derived vegetation and wetness indices), radar (ALOS PALSAR L-band backscatter), and elevation (SRTM derived DEM and other terrain metrics) as inputs to the non-parametric Random Forest (RF) classifier. Eight wetland types and three terrestrial/upland classes were mapped using field samples of observed plant community composition and structure groupings as reference information. Various tests to compare results using different RF input parameters and data types were conducted. A combination of multispectral optic
- âŠ