Searching for Dark Photons with Maverick Top Partners

In this paper, we present a model in which an up-type vector-like quark (VLQ) is charged under a new $U(1)_d$ gauge force which kinetically mixes with the SM hypercharge. The gauge boson of the $U(1)_d$ is the dark photon, $\gamma_d$. Traditional searches for VLQs rely on decays into Standard Model electroweak bosons $W,Z$ or Higgs. However, since no evidence for VLQs has been found at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), it is imperative to search for other novel signatures of VLQs beyond their traditional decays. As we will show, if the dark photon is much less massive than the Standard Model electroweak sector, $M_{\gamma_d}\ll M_Z$, for the large majority of the allowed parameter space the VLQ predominately decays into the dark photon and the dark Higgs that breaks the $U(1)_d$ . That is, this VLQ is a `maverick top partner' with nontraditional decays. One of the appeals of this scenario is that pair production of the VLQ at the LHC occurs through the strong force and the rate is determined by the gauge structure. Hence, the production of the dark photon at the LHC only depends on the strong force and is largely independent of the small kinetic mixing with hypercharge. This scenario provides a robust framework to search for a light dark sector via searches for heavy colored particles at the LHC.Comment: 40 pages and 11 figure

Continuous oral chloroquine as a novel route for Plasmodium prophylaxis and cure in experimental murine models

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chloroquine (CQ) is utilized as both cure and prophylaxis to <it>Plasmodium </it>infection. In animal studies, CQ administration to experimental animals is via intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a single dose that varies from daily to several times per week. Such daily administration can be distressing to the animals and provoke aggressive behaviors that may affect the immune responses of the animal and interfere with data read-outs.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>We describe a novel, viable and efficacious prophylactic and curative administration route whereby chloroquine is continuously supplied in the drinking water to experimental animals. The prophylactic effect is robust and the curative effect against patent blood stage infection comparable to the traditional route of i.p. administration. Continuous drinking water administration may decrease animal stress responses and thus improve the reliability of experimental data.</p

Controlling a spillover pathway with the molecular cork effect

Spillover of reactants from one active site to another is important in heterogeneous catalysis and has recently been shown to enhance hydrogen storage in a variety of materials. The spillover of hydrogen is notoriously hard to detect or control. We report herein that the hydrogen spillover pathway on a Pd/Cu alloy can be controlled by reversible adsorption of a spectator molecule. Pd atoms in the Cu surface serve as hydrogen dissociation sites from which H atoms can spillover onto surrounding Cu regions. Selective adsorption of CO at these atomic Pd sites is shown to either prevent the uptake of hydrogen on, or inhibit its desorption from, the surface. In this way, the hydrogen coverage on the whole surface can be controlled by molecular adsorption at a minority site, which we term a ‘molecular cork’ effect. We show that the molecular cork effect is present during a surface catalysed hydrogenation reaction and illustrate how it can be used as a method for controlling uptake and release of hydrogen in a model storage syste

Survival and Habitat of Pen-Raised Northern Bobwhites at Camp Robinson Wildlife Demonstration Area, Arkansas (Poster Abstract)

Post-release survival of pen-reared northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) is often extremely low. Although predation is usually assumed to cause low survival rates, very little detailed research has been conducted into cause-specific mortality of pen-reared bobwhites in natural settings. Further, little is known about habitat selection by pen-reared bobwhites, and the relationship between habitat and survival. We report results based on 110 radiomarked bobwhites out of 2500 banded and released at Camp Robinson Wildlife Demonstration Area in Arkansas. Birds were released at 125 sites in coveys of 20 birds per site. Release sites were ranked based on habitat quality. In addition, habitat analyses were conducted over each individual’s area of activity. In March 2001, when monitoring of birds ended, 6 birds remained alive. Mortality agents included avian predators (51%, n = 49), mammalian predators (36%, n = 35) and unknown predators (13%, n = 12). Other causes of mortality included radio collars (5%, n = 5) and apparent heat stress (3%, n = 3). Most mortality occurred within 1 month of release (66%, n = 73). Overall mean survival was 36.4 +- 4.3 days. We found no significant difference in length of survival among birds released at good, medium, or poor sites (P = 0.97). Regardless of release site, birds were located most often in shrub cover (50%, n = 388 locations) while the second most common habitat used was herbaceous cover (29%, n = 230 locations). During callback trapping in May 2001, we recaptured 14 bobwhites that were banded and released in August of 2000, and 6 wild birds, suggesting that pen-reared birds actually outnumbered wild birds

First-Generation College Students at the University of Kentucky

First-generation college students (FGCS) have been shown to graduate at lower rates than their continuing-generation counterparts even after controlling for other variables. We will attempt to examine the characteristics of FGCS and determine initiatives the University of Kentucky might enact in order to increase the graduation rates for this segment of the student population. In doing so we will discuss “promising practices” in student retention, examine programs designated by UK’s Top-20 plan as benchmark institutions, and submit a series of recommendations to better serve FGCS at the University of Kentucky