A Precision Search for WIMPs with Charged Cosmic Rays

AMS-02 has reached the sensitivity to probe canonical thermal WIMPs by their annihilation into antiprotons. Due to the high precision of the data, uncertainties in the astrophysical background have become the most limiting factor for indirect dark matter detection. In this work we systematically quantify and -- where possible -- reduce uncertainties in the antiproton background. We constrain the propagation of charged cosmic rays through the combination of antiproton, B/C and positron data. Cross section uncertainties are determined from a wide collection of accelerator data and are -- for the first time ever -- fully taken into account. This allows us to robustly constrain even subdominant dark matter signals through their spectral properties. For a standard NFW dark matter profile we are able to exclude thermal WIMPs with masses up to 570 GeV which annihilate into bottom quarks. While we confirm a reported excess compatible with dark matter of mass around 80 GeV, its local (global) significance only reaches 2.2 sigma (1.1 sigma) in our analysis.Comment: 38 pages + references, 14 figure

R-Parity Violation at the LHC

We investigate the phenomenology of the MSSM extended by a single R-parity violating coupling at the unification scale. For all R-parity violating couplings, we discuss the evolution of the particle spectra through the renormalization group equations and the nature of the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) within the CMSSM, as an example of a specific complete supersymmetric model. We use the nature of the LSP to classify the possible signatures. For each possible scenario we present in detail the current LHC bounds on the supersymmetric particle masses, typically obtained using simplified models. From this we determine the present coverage of R-parity violating models at the LHC. We find several gaps, in particular for a stau-LSP, which is easily obtained in R-parity violating models. Using the program CheckMATE we recast existing LHC searches to set limits on the parameters of all R-parity violating CMSSMs. We find that virtually all of them are either more strongly constrained or similarly constrained in comparison to the R-parity conserving CMSSM, including the $\bar U\bar D\bar D$ models. For each R-parity violating CMSSM we then give the explicit lower mass bounds on all relevant supersymmetric particles.Comment: 43 pages, 13 tables, 17 figures; updated Figs. 11-17 and Tab. 12 including NLO corrections; version accepted for publication in EPJ

Light(ly)-coupled Dark Matter in the keV Range: Freeze-In and Constraints

Dark matter produced from thermal freeze-out is typically restricted to have masses above roughly 1 MeV. However, if the couplings are small, the freeze-in mechanism allows for production of dark matter down to keV masses. We consider dark matter coupled to a dark photon that mixes with the photon and dark matter coupled to photons through an electric or magnetic dipole moment. We discuss contributions to the freeze-in production of such dark matter particles from standard model fermion-antifermion annihilation and plasmon decay. We also derive constraints on such dark matter from the cooling of red giant stars, horizontal branch stars, and the Sun, carefully evaluating the thermal processes as well as the Compton scattering that dominates for masses above the plasma frequency. For the dark photon portal dark matter, the parameters to obtain the observed relic abundance from freeze-in are excluded below a few tens of keV, depending on the value of the dark gauge coupling constant. For dark matter with an electric or magnetic dipole moment, the freeze-in production parameters are barely constrained through stellar cooling arguments. While laboratory probes are unlikely to probe these freeze-in scenarios in general, we show that for dark matter with an electric or magnetic dipole moment and for dark matter masses above the reheating temperature, the couplings needed for freeze-in to produce the observed relic abundance can be probed partially by upcoming direct-detection experiments.Comment: 27 pages + appendices and references, 8 figure

Cosmic ray e± at high energy

There is a commonly expressed opinion in the literature, that cosmic-ray (CR) e+ come from a primary source, which could be dark matter or pulsars. In these proceedings we review some evidence to the contrary: namely, that e+ come from secondary production due to CR nuclei scattering on interstellar matter. We show that recent measurements of the total e± flux at E ≲ 3 TeV are in good agreement with the predicted flux of secondary e±, that would be obtained if radiative energy losses during CR propagation do not play an important role. If the agreement between data and secondary prediction is not accidental, then the requirement of negligible radiative energy losses implies a very short propagation time for high energy CRs: tesc ≲. 105 yr at rigidities R ≳ 3 TV. Such short propagation history may imply that a recent, near-by source dominates the CRs at these energies. We review independent evidence for a transition in CR propagation, based on the spectral hardening of primary and secondary nuclei around R ~ 100 GV. The transition rigidity of the nuclei matches the rigidity at which the e+ flux saturates its secondary upper bound

Análise do perfil dos participantes e fatores associados a cessação do tabagismo de um grupo em um ESF do município de Criciúma- SC

Artigo apresentado como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Bacharel, no Curso de Medicina, da Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense- UNESCO tabagismo é considerado uma epidemia sem fronteiras, uma doença crônica e, dentre as doenças preveníveis, é a que apresenta maior mortalidade no mundo, podendo ser tratada. Foram verificados os fatores associados ao abandono do hábito de fumar cigarros em participantes do Programa Nacional de Controle do Tabagismo. Foi realizado um estudo observacional, com abordagem quantitativa, descritivo, retrospectivo com coleta de dados secundários. Participaram 18 pacientes integrantes do grupo de tabagismo de uma unidade de saúde localizada em uma cidade do Sul de Santa Catarina de maio a outubro 2015. Participaram pacientes tabagistas, participantes do grupo de controle do tabagismo que residiam no bairro pertencente a essa unidade de saúde. Este estudo foi aprovado pelo comitê de ética local conforme N o: 1.466.506/2016. Utilizou-se um roteiro pré-estabelecido a fim de coletar dados sociodemográficos e informações sobre tabagismo através da análise de prontuários. Foram aplicados teste de Shapiro-Wilk, qui-quadrado de Pearson, Razão de Verossimilhança e Exato de Fisher. Pode-se observar entre os pacientes uma idade média de 51,67 anos, sendo destes 61,1% mulheres, apresentando-se uma escolaridade de ensino fundamental incompleto em 50% deles, 72,2% eram casados e 44,4 % iniciou o tabagismo entre 13 e 18 anos. A dependência da nicotina medida pelo teste de Fargeström alcançou escore Médio, Baixo ou Muito Baixo em 44,5%, e Elevado ou Muito Elevado em 55,5%. Ao final da pesquisa observou-se 12 pacientes que cessaram tabagismo participando do grupo

Cosmic ray e

There is a commonly expressed opinion in the literature, that cosmic-ray (CR) e+ come from a primary source, which could be dark matter or pulsars. In these proceedings we review some evidence to the contrary: namely, that e+ come from secondary production due to CR nuclei scattering on interstellar matter. We show that recent measurements of the total e± flux at E ≲ 3 TeV are in good agreement with the predicted flux of secondary e±, that would be obtained if radiative energy losses during CR propagation do not play an important role. If the agreement between data and secondary prediction is not accidental, then the requirement of negligible radiative energy losses implies a very short propagation time for high energy CRs: tesc ≲. 105 yr at rigidities R ≳ 3 TV. Such short propagation history may imply that a recent, near-by source dominates the CRs at these energies. We review independent evidence for a transition in CR propagation, based on the spectral hardening of primary and secondary nuclei around R ~ 100 GV. The transition rigidity of the nuclei matches the rigidity at which the e+ flux saturates its secondary upper bound

Genome-wide association mapping in the global diversity set reveals new QTL controlling root system and related shoot variation in barley

The fibrous root system is a visible sign of ecological adaptation among barley natural populations. In the present study, we utilized rich barley diversity to dissect the genetic basis of root system variation and its link with shoot attributes under well-water and drought conditions. Genome-wide association mapping of phenotype data using a dense genetic map (5892 SNP markers) revealed 17 putative QTL for root and shoot traits. Among these, at 14 loci the preeminence of exotic QTL alleles resulted in trait improvements. The most promising QTL were quantified using haplotype analysis at local and global genome levels. The strongest QTL was found on chromosome 1H which accounted for root dry weight and tiller number simultaneously. Candidate gene analysis across the targeted region detected a crucial amino acid substitution mutation in the conserved domain of a WRKY29 transcription factor among genotypes bearing major and minor QTL alleles. Similarly, the drought inducible QTL QRdw.5H (5H, 95.0 cM) seems to underlie 37 amino acid deletion and substitution mutations in the conserved domain of two related genes CBF10B and CBF10A, respectively. The identification and further characterization of these candidate genes will be essential to decipher genetics behind developmental and natural adaptation mechanisms of barley

The plasticity of primary microglia and their multifaceted effects on endogenous neural stem cells in vitro and in vivo

Background: Microglia-the resident immune cells of the brain-are activated after brain lesions, e.g., cerebral ischemia, and polarize towards a classic M1 pro-inflammatory or an alternative M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype following characteristic temporo-spatial patterns, contributing either to secondary tissue damage or to regenerative responses. They closely interact with endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) residing in distinct niches of the adult brain. The current study aimed at elucidating the dynamics of microglia polarization and their differential effects on NSC function. Results: Primary rat microglia in vitro were polarized towards a M1 phenotype by LPS, or to a M2 phenotype by IL4, while simultaneous exposure to LPS plus IL4 resulted in a hybrid phenotype expressing both M1- and M2-characteristic markers. M2 microglia migrated less but exhibit higher phagocytic activity than M1 microglia. Defined mediators switched microglia from one polarization state to the other, a process more effective when transforming M2 microglia towards M1 than vice versa. Polarized microglia had differential effects on the differentiation potential of NSCs in vitro and in vivo, with M1 microglia promoting astrocytogenesis, while M2 microglia supported neurogenesis. Regardless of their polarization, microglia inhibited NSC proliferation, increased NSC migration, and accelerated NSC differentiation. Conclusion: Overall, this study shed light on the complex conditions governing microglia polarization and the effects of differentially polarized microglia on critical functions of NSCs in vitro and in vivo. Refining the understanding of microglia activation and their modulatory effects on NSCs is likely to facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic concepts supporting the innate regenerative capacity of the brain