Fine-Tuning Constraints on Supergravity Models

We discuss fine-tuning constraints on supergravity models. The tightest constraints come from the experimental mass limits on two key particles: the lightest CP even Higgs boson and the gluino. We also include the lightest chargino which is relevant when universal gaugino masses are assumed. For each of these particles we show how fine-tuning increases with the experimental mass limit, for four types of supergravity model: minimal supergravity, no-scale supergravity (relaxing the universal gaugino mass assumption), D-brane models and anomaly mediated supersymmetry breaking models. Among these models, the D-brane model is less fine tuned.The experimental propects for an early discovery of Higgs and supersymmetry at LEP and the Tevatron are discussed in this framework.Comment: 17 pages, Latex, including 5 eps figure

Eye position modulates retinotopic responses in early visual areas: a bias for the straight-ahead direction

Even though the eyes constantly change position, the location of a stimulus can be accurately represented by a population of neurons with retinotopic receptive fields modulated by eye position gain fields. Recent electrophysiological studies, however, indicate that eye position gain fields may serve an additional function since they have a non-uniform spatial distribution that increases the neural response to stimuli in the straight-ahead direction. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging and a wide-field stimulus display to determine whether gaze modulations in early human visual cortex enhance the blood-oxygenation-level dependent (BOLD) response to stimuli that are straight-ahead. Subjects viewed rotating polar angle wedge stimuli centered straight-ahead or vertically displaced by ±20° eccentricity. Gaze position did not affect the topography of polar phase-angle maps, confirming that coding was retinotopic, but did affect the amplitude of the BOLD response, consistent with a gain field. In agreement with recent electrophysiological studies, BOLD responses in V1 and V2 to a wedge stimulus at a fixed retinal locus decreased when the wedge location in head-centered coordinates was farther from the straight-ahead direction. We conclude that stimulus-evoked BOLD signals are modulated by a systematic, non-uniform distribution of eye-position gain fields

Neighborhood disadvantage across the transition from adolescence to adulthood and risk of metabolic syndrome

This study investigates the association between neighborhood disadvantage from adolescence to young adulthood and metabolic syndrome using a life course epidemiology framework. Data from the United States-based National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 9500)and a structural equation modeling approach were used to test neighborhood disadvantage across adolescence, emerging adulthood, and young adulthood in relation to metabolic syndrome. Adolescent neighborhood disadvantage was directly associated with metabolic syndrome in young adulthood. Evidence supporting an indirect association between adolescent neighborhood disadvantage and adult metabolic syndrome was not supported. Efforts to improve cardiometabolic health may benefit from strategies earlier in life

Ammonia release method for depositing metal oxides

A method of depositing metal oxides on substrates which is indifferent to the electrochemical properties of the substrates and which comprises forming ammine complexes containing metal ions and thereafter effecting removal of ammonia from the ammine complexes so as to permit slow precipitation and deposition of metal oxide on the substrates

Institutional Forecasting: The Performance of Thin Virtual Stock Markets

We study the performance of Virtual Stock Markets (VSMs) in an institutional forecasting environment. We compare VSMs to the Combined Judgmental Forecast (CJF) and the Key Informant (KI) approach. We find that VSMs can be effectively applied in an environment with a small number of knowledgeable informants, i.e., in thin markets. Our results show that none of the three approaches differ in forecasting accuracy in a low knowledge-heterogeneity environment. However, where there is high knowledge-heterogeneity, the VSM approach outperforms the CJF approach, which in turn outperforms the KI approach. Hence, our results provide useful insight into when each of the three approaches might be most effectively applied

Renormalization group parameter evolution of the minimal supersymmetric standard model with R-parity violation

A comparison of spectra obtained using the 1-loop MSSM and 2-loop R-parity violating MSSM renormalization group equations is presented. Influence of higher loop corrections and R-parity violating terms is discussed. Some numerical constraints on the R-parity violating parameters are also given.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, using RevTE

Anomalous Chromomagnetic Moments of Quarks and Large Transverse Energy Jets

We consider the jet cross sections for gluons coupling to quarks with an anomalous chromomagnetic moment. We then apply this to the deviation and bounds from QCD found in the CDF and D0 Fermilab data, respectively, to find a range of possible values for the anomalous moments. The quadratic and quartic terms in the anomalous moments can fit to the rise of a deviation with transverse energy. Since previous analyses have been done on the top quark total cross section, here we assume the same moment on all quarks except the top and find the range $|\kappa'| \equiv |\kappa/(2 m_q)| = 1.0\pm 0.3$ TeV$^{-1}$ for the CDF data. Assuming the anomalous moment is present only on a charm or bottom quark which is pair produced results in a range $|\kappa'_{b,c}| = 3.5 \pm 1.0$ TeV$^{-1}$. The magnitudes here are compared with anomalous magnetic moments that could account for $R_b$ and found to be in the same general range, as well as not inconsistent with LEP and SLD bounds on $\Delta \Gamma_{\text{had}}$.Comment: REVTeX, 11 pages, 2 postscript figure

Functional outcomes across development in offspring of parents with bipolar disorder

Objective: Whereas the risk and course of psychopathology in offspring of parents with bipolar disorder (BD) have been the primary focus of high-risk offspring studies to date, functional outcomes have not been given much attention. We present a systematic review of functional outcomes and quality of life (QoL) across development in offspring of parents with BD and aim to explore the role of offspring psychopathology in these outcomes. Method: We searched Embase, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Cochrane Central, and Google Scholar from inception to June 24, 2022, for studies referring to functional outcomes (global, social, academic or occupational) or QoL in offspring of parents with BD. Results: From the 6470 records identified, 39 studies were retained (global = 17; social = 17; school = 16; occupational = 3; QoL = 5), including 13 studies that examined multiple domains. For all domains, high heterogeneity was found in study methods and quality. Only 56 % of studies adjusted for offspring psychopathology, impeding interpretation. Global and social functioning generally seemed to be impaired among older offspring (&gt;16 years). Academic performance appeared to be unaffected. School behavior, occupational functioning, and QoL showed mixed results. Offspring psychopathology is associated with social functioning, but the relationship of offspring psychopathology with other domains is less clear. Conclusion: Studies on functional outcome in offspring of parents with BD show predominantly mixed results. Inconsistent adjustment of psychopathology and age limits conclusive interpretation. Functional outcomes should be prioritized as research topics in high-risk studies and the potential associations between familial risk status, offspring psychopathology, and age may inform prevention strategies.</p

Trans-Planckian footprints in inflationary cosmology

We consider a minimum uncertainty vacuum choice at a fixed energy scale Lambda as an effective description of trans-Planckian physics, and discuss its implications for the linear perturbations of a massless scalar field in power-law inflationary models. We find possible effects with a magnitude of order H/\Lambda in the power spectrum, in analogy with previous results for de-Sitter space-time.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, final version to appear in Physics Letters