The Bestest Little Higgs

While little Higgs models provide an interesting way to address the hierarchy problem, concrete models in the literature typically face two major obstacles. First, the mechanism for generating a Higgs quartic coupling often leads to large violations of custodial symmetry. Second, there is a tension between precision electroweak observables in the gauge sector and fine-tuning in the top sector. In this work, we present a new little Higgs model which solves both of these problems. The model is based on an SO(6)xSO(6)/SO(6) coset space which has custodial symmetry built in. The Higgs quartic coupling takes a particularly simple form and does not suffer from the "dangerous singlet" pathology. We introduce a gauge breaking module which decouples the mass of gauge partners from the mass of top partners, allowing for natural electroweak symmetry breaking. The collider phenomenology is dominated by production and decay of the top partners, which are considerably lighter than in traditional little Higgs theories.Comment: 40 pages, 7 figure

Relationships between Children’s Use of Imagery and Domains of Physical Competence

Low levels of perceived motor and physical competence are viewed as barriers to physical activity in children (Weiss, 2000). Imagery is an effective psychological skill that can create feelings of competence in those who use it (Weinberg, 2008). As such, imagery may be one way to enhance perceptions of competence and increase physical activity participation. The overall purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between children’s use of active play imagery (fun, capability, and social imagery) and the domains of physical competence (global self-worth, physical self-worth, sport competence, body attractiveness, physical strength, and physical conditioning). Male (n = 96) and female (n = 55) children ranging from 9 to 12 years (M = 10.25, SD = 1.04) were recruited from local summer camp programs to participate in the study. Social imagery was identified as a predictor of body attractiveness, physical self-worth, and global self-worth, whereas fun imagery was identified as a predictor of strength, physical self-worth, and global self-worth. Encouraging children to engage in active play imagery, and more specifically, fun and social imagery, could serve as an effective strategy to enhance the perceptions of one’s self-worth

More than the Sum of its Parts: The Differential Roles of Non-judgment and Present-Moment Awareness as Components of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is defined as purposefully paying attention towards the present moment in a non-judgemental way. In the last five years there has been increasing interest in how the components within mindfulness interact with each other to affect both interpersonal and intrapersonal outcomes. This thesis aims to continue this exploration by firstly examining how mindfulness meditation interacts with compassion meditation, and then using a variety of methods to determine how different subcomponents of mindfulness may interact with each other

Functional assessment for acute stroke trials: properties, analysis, and application

A measure of treatment effect is needed to assess the utility of any novel intervention in acute stroke. For a potentially disabling condition such as stroke, outcomes of interest should include some measure of functional recovery. There are many functional outcome assessments that can be used after stroke. In this narrative review, we discuss exemplars of assessments that describe impairment, activity, participation, and quality of life. We will consider the psychometric properties of assessment scales in the context of stroke trials, focusing on validity, reliability, responsiveness, and feasibility. We will consider approaches to the analysis of functional outcome measures, including novel statistical approaches. Finally, we will discuss how advances in audiovisual and information technology could further improve outcome assessment in trials

Preparation of high density heavy metal fluoride glasses with extended ultraviolet and infra red ranges, and such high density heavy metal fluoride glasses

A heavy metal fluoride glass composition range (in mol percent) consisting essentially of: (16-30)BaF.sub.2.(8-26)HfF.sub.4.(6-24)InF.sub.3 or GaF.sub.3.(4-16)CdF.sub.2.(6-24)YbF.sub.3.(4-22)ZnF.sub.2. In an alternative embodiment, a heavy metal fluoride glass composition range (in mol percent) comprises (16-30)BaF.sub.2.(8-26)HfF.sub.4.(6-24) of (0-24)InF.sub.3, (0-24)GaF.sub.3 and (0-19)AlF.sub.3.(1-16)CdF.sub.2.(6-24)YbF.sub.3.(4-26)ZnF.sub.2. A preferred heavy metal fluoride glass produced in accordance with the present invention comprises a composition (in mol %) and comprises about 26BaF.sub.2.18HfF.sub.4.7InF.sub.3.5GaF.sub.3.10CdF.sub.2.18YbF.sub.3. 16ZnF.sub.2. A preferred heavy metal fluoride glass has maximum thickness of most preferably about 3 mm. Another preferred heavy metal fluoride glass comprises a composition (in mol %) and comprises about 26BaF.sub.2.18HfF.sub.4.12AlF.sub.3.10CdF.sub.2.18YbF.sub.3.16ZnF.sub.2