A survey for low stau yields in the MSSM

We study the implications of LHC results for the abundance of long-lived staus after freeze-out from thermal equilibrium in a super-WIMP dark matter scenario. We classify regions in the MSSM parameter space according to the stau yield, considering all possible co-annihilation effects as well as the effects of resonances and large Higgs-sfermion couplings. Afterwards, we examine the viability of these regions after imposing experimental and theoretical constraints, in particular a Higgs mass around 125 GeV and null-searches for heavy stable charged particles (HSCP) at the LHC. We work in a pMSSM framework and perform a Monte Carlo scan over the parameter space. To interpret the HSCP searches in our scenario, we consider all potentially important superparticle production processes, developing a fast estimator for NLO cross sections for electroweak and strong production at the LHC. After applying all constraints, we find that stau yields below 10^-14 occur only for resonant annihilation via a heavy Higgs in combination with either co-annihilation or large left-right stau mixing. We encounter allowed points with yields as low as 2x10^-16, thus satisfying limits from big bang nucleosynthesis even for large stau lifetimes.Comment: 60 pages + refereces, 60 eps figures, v2: references added, presentation improved, figure 9 changed, results and conclusions unchanged, matches journal versio

Gravity Effects on Neutrino Masses in Split Supersymmetry

The mass differences and mixing angles of neutrinos can neither be explained by R-Parity violating split supersymmetry nor by flavor blind quantum gravity alone. It is shown that combining both effects leads, within the allowed parameter range, to good agreement with the experimental results. The atmospheric mass is generated by supersymmetry through mixing between neutrinos and neutralinos, while the solar mass is generated by gravity through flavor blind dimension five operators. Maximal atmospheric mixing forces the tangent squared of the solar angle to be equal to 1/2. The scale of the quantum gravity operator is predicted within a 5% error, implying that the reduced Planck scale should lie around the GUT scale. In this way, the model is very predictive and can be tested at future experiments.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures; In section 3 we extend our discussion about the definition of flavor basis in order to clarify in which basis the Gravity contributions are flavor blind. In the section 4 we add some words to explain why the Gravity contributions will not affect the charged lepton mass matrix; Finally we also fixed some minor typos regarding units or plot label

Minimum Length - Maximum Velocity

We study a framework where the hypothesis of a minimum length in space-time is complemented with the notion of reference frame invariance. It turns out natural to interpret the action of the obtained reference frame transformations in the context of doubly special relativity. As a consequence of this formalism we find interesting connections between the minimum length properties and the modified velocity-energy relation for ultra-relativistic particles. For example we can predict the ratio between the minimum lengths in space and time using the results from OPERA about superluminal neutrinos.Comment: 12 pages + references, 1 eps figure. V2: one reference added, Eq. (10) fixed, mild modification of introduction and some comments added in sections 2 and 5. V3: one extra paragraph added at the end of section 2, final version published in EPJ

Gravitino Dark Matter in Split Supersymmetry with Bilinear R-Parity Violation

In Split-SUSY with BRpV we show that the Gravitino DM solution is consistent with experimental evidence on its relic density and life time. We arrive at this conclusion by performing a complete numerical and algebraic study of the parameter space, including constraints from the recently determined Higgs mass, updated neutrino physics, and BBN constraints on NLSP decays. The Higgs mass requires a relatively low Split-SUSY mass scale, which is naturally smaller than usual values for reheating temperature, allowing the use of the standard expression for the relic density. We include restrictions from neutrino physics with three generations, and notice that the gravitino decay width depends on the atmospheric neutrino mass scale. We calculate the neutralino decay rate and find it consistent with BBN. We mention some implications on indirect DM searches.Comment: 35 pages, 7 figures. References added, typos corrected and experimental constraints updated. Some clarifications added in Section 2. Version to appear in EPJ

DIMENSIONS OF LEARNERS’ SATISFACTION IN THE DELIVERY OF INSTRUCTION IN BLENDED LEARNING PROGRAM IN TEACHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

This study sought to explore the levels of satisfaction of learners and the delivery of instruction in teacher education institutions (TEIs) in the Philippinesas seen in the HELAM Model proposed by Ozkan and Koseler. Descriptive exploratory methods involving the collection of quantitative data through an adopted questionnaire for e-learning and qualitative data through interviews and focused group discussions were used. The questionnaire was administered to 358 respondents to gather data on learners’ profileand levels of satisfaction in the delivery of blended learning programs. Statistical analyses revealed no significant difference in the levels of satisfaction and learners’ profiles in terms of gender while significant difference was seen when compared with ICT literacy on computer experience. No significant relationship was seen in the various dimensions affecting the level of satisfaction and the delivery of instruction. Qualitative results emphasized availability of fast and reliable connectivity as the primary concern that affects learners’ satisfaction. Findings suggest that learners in TEIs are highly satisfied with the use of the blended learning program. These results indicate that blended learning may provide transformative potentials in the delivery of instruction just as in the traditional face-to-face environment. Likewise, the study also emphasized the importance of carefully re-designed learning environments considering the various dimensions to achieve satisfied learners that may redound into better quality of education.&nbsp

Analysis of the transcription factors expressed in the mature seed embryos of Moringa oleifera Lam. using RNA-sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly

Moringa oleifera Lam. is well known for its numerous documented properties, particularly its significant applications in nutrition, therapeutics, biocontrol, energy, and bioremediation. These properties are the consequences of the vibrant physiological processes of the plant in the context of the ever-changing biotic and abiotic factors, in which transcription factors play substantial roles. Transcription factors (TFs) are the regulators of gene expression. Transcription factors enable the activation or repression of transcription. Along with the advent of ultrahighthroughput sequencing technologies such as RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), in combination with bioinformatics techniques, the investigation of the TFs of M. oleifera was made possible. This research aimed to identify transcripts encoding for transcription factors in the mature embryos of Moringa oleifera Lam. through RNAsequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly (SOAP and Trinity assemblies); and determine their gene expression levels. In this study, the cataloguing and functional annotation of highly expressed TFs in M. oleifera were performed. Annotations were made based on BLAST, plant TF databases, TAIR, NCBI, gene2go, KEGG and ATTED-II. Highly expressed transcripts were homologs of A. thaliana. Other putative TFs were homologous to Theobroma cacao. Highly expressed putative TFs from SOAP as well as highly expressed TFs from TriAnn showed involvement in various seed processes. Some of the TFs were associated with non-seed related functions. It is recommended that validation of the functions of these putative M. oleifera transcription factors be performed through quantitative real-time PCR which can quantify the abundance and expression of TF genes in the mature seed embryos of M. oleifera in real time. Validation of genes encoding for TFs using quantitative realtime PCR which is an efficient method for the detection and quantitation of gene expression and can shed light on the functions of the transcription factors encoded by the TF transcripts particularly in their involvement in the many attributes of the seed embryos of M. oleifera such as in the developmental process, production of antioxidants, oil biosynthesis and stress response

Discovering Genes Involved in the Synthesis of Secondary Metabolites From the Seeds of Moringa Oleifera Through Transcriptome Analysis

Moringa oleifera is a widely used crop that produces seeds with a plethora of benefits encompassing health and nutrition. Secondary metabolite compounds were determined in the seeds of Moringa oleifera that possess nutritional and pharmacological benefits. Although various phytochemical researchers reported the presence of secondary metabolites in M. oleifera seeds, there is a lack of research on the genes encoding for enzymes that catalyze the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the seeds of M. oleifera. In the present study, RNA sequencing was used to analyze the transcriptome of the mature seed embryos of M. oleifera. Biological pathway analysis revealed 416 upregulated genes encoding for 11 enzymes involved in the catalytic steps of the phenylpropanoid and flavonoid pathways, and 63 unigenes encoding for 8 enzymes involved in the catalytic steps of the alkaloid pathway. These findings however need further validation using qRT-PCR which is a reliable and robust technique in order to validate the presence and expression of genes encoding for enzymes leading to the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the mature seed embryos of M. oleifera