Categorisation and Detection of Dark Matter Candidates from String/M-theory Hidden Sectors

We study well-motivated dark matter candidates arising from weakly-coupled hidden sectors in compactified string/$M$-theory. Imposing generic top-down constraints greatly restricts allowed candidates. By considering the possible mechanisms for achieving the correct dark matter relic density, we compile categories of viable dark matter candidates and annihilation mediators. We consider the case where supersymmetry breaking occurs via moduli stabilisation and is gravitationally mediated to the visible and other hidden sectors, without assuming sequestering of the sector in which supersymmetry is broken. We find that in this case, weakly-coupled hidden sectors only allow for fermionic dark matter. Additionally, most of the mechanisms for obtaining the full relic density only allow for a gauge boson mediator, such as a dark $Z'$. Given these considerations, we study the potential for discovering or constraining the allowed parameter space given current and future direct detection experiments, and direct production at the LHC. We also present a model of a hidden sector which would contain a satisfactory dark matter candidate.Comment: 29 pages, 10 figure

The European Greenlight Programme 2000-2008 - Evaluation and Outlook

The GreenLight Programme is a voluntary, non-residential lighting energy efficiency programme launched by the European Commission in 2000. By the end of 2008 519 Partners from 24 European countries participated in it. This report assesses the achievements of the European GreenLight Programme during the period 2000-2008. The scope of the current analysis is to provide insight into how the GreenLight Programme expanded during the assessed period in terms of GreenLight Partners, energy savings and technologies used. Furthermore, the aim was also to gain a better understanding of the expectations, experiences and recommendations of the Partners regarding the GreenLight Programme. The analysis is based on information received from the Partners either as part of their reporting obligations or in response to the survey asking for their feedback on the GreenLight Programme.JRC.DG.F.8-Renewable Energy (Ispra

Embracing Uncertainty: Guerrilla Policy Style and Adaptive Governance in China

Governmen

Wir Machen Daten FAIR

Das Datenarchiv für Sozialwissenschaften, eine Abteilung von GESIS – Leibniz-Institut für Sozialwissenschaften, besitzt eine über Jahrzehnte hinweg aufgebaute Expertise in der Aufbereitung, Dokumentation und Kuratierung von Daten großer (internationaler) Umfrageprogramme ebenso wie in der Entwicklung und Anwendung internationaler Standards in diesem Rahmen. Steigenden Anforderungen zur Generierung FAIRer (Forschungs-)Daten, etwa durch Forschungsförderer, begegnet das Datenarchiv mit der Bereitstellung der GESIS Datenservices rund um die Archivierung quantitativer sozialwissenschaftlicher Umfragedaten. In einem internen Projekt wurden ab 2016 Dienstleistungen des Datenarchivs systematisiert und professionalisiert. So entstand ein Angebotsportfolio (größtenteils) kostenpflichtiger Datenservices, die seit 2019 von allen, die entsprechende Daten generieren, aufbereiten, dokumentieren, aufwerten und archivieren möchten, in Anspruch genommen werden können. Der vorliegende Beitrag skizziert die Konzeption und Bepreisung dieser Datenservices und erörtert die Vorteile derartiger Angebote für Forschende, Förderer und die Forschungsgemeinschaft in der Praxis

Willingness to pay for an early warning system for infectious diseases

Early warning systems for infectious diseases and foodborne outbreaks are designed with the aim of increasing the health safety of citizens. As a first step to determine whether investing in such a system offers value for money, this study used contingent valuation to estimate people’s willingness to pay for such an early warning system in six European countries. The contingent valuation experiment was conducted through online questionnaires administered in February to March 2018 to cross-sectional, representative samples in the UK, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and The Netherlands, yielding a total sample size of 3140. Mean willingness to pay for an early warning system was €21.80 (median €10.00) per household per month. Pooled regression results indicate that willingness to pay increased with household income and risk aversion, while they decreased with age. Overall, our results indicate that approximately 80–90% of people would be willing to pay for an increase in health safety in the form of an early warning system for infectious diseases and food-borne outbreaks. However, our results have to be interpreted in light of the usual drawbacks of willingness to pay experiments

Progressive left ventricular remodeling in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular hypertrophy

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determine the natural history of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and severe left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (i.e., maximal left ventricular wall thickness [MLVWT] ≥30 mm) and whether changes in cardiac morphology influence the course of the disease.BackgroundSevere LVH is common in young and rare among elderly patients with HCM. This has been explained by a high incidence of sudden death. We hypothesized that this age-related difference might be explained by left ventricular wall thinning.MethodsA total of 106 (age 33 ± 15 years; 71 males) consecutive patients with severe LVH underwent history taking, examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and Holter analysis. Survival data were collected at subsequent clinic visits or by communication with patients and their general practioners. In order to assess morphologic and functional changes, 71 (67.0%) patients (mean age 31 ± 15 years; 47 males) followed at our institution underwent serial (≥1 year) assessment.ResultsOf the 106 patients, the majority (78 [71.6%]) were <40 years of age. During follow-up (92 ± 50 months [range 1 to 169]), 18 (17.0%) patients died or underwent heart transplantation (13 sudden cardiac deaths, 2 heart failure deaths, 1 heart transplantation, 1 stroke, 1 postoperative death). Five-year survival from sudden death was 90.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 84.0% to 96.3%), and that from heart failure death or transplantation was 97.7% (95% CI 94.5 to 100). In patients serially evaluated over 85 ± 51 months, there was an overall reduction in MLVWT of 0.6 mm/year (95% CI 0.31 to 0.81, p = 0.00004). Wall thinning ≥5 mm was observed in 41 patients (57.7%; age 35 ± 13 years; 28 males). On multivariate analysis, the follow-up duration only predicted wall thinning (0.6 mm/year, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.85, p < 0.00001).ConclusionsLeft ventricular remodeling is common in patients with severe LVH and contributes to the low prevalence of severe LVH seen in middle age and beyond

The Astropy Problem

The Astropy Project (http://astropy.org) is, in its own words, "a community effort to develop a single core package for Astronomy in Python and foster interoperability between Python astronomy packages." For five years this project has been managed, written, and operated as a grassroots, self-organized, almost entirely volunteer effort while the software is used by the majority of the astronomical community. Despite this, the project has always been and remains to this day effectively unfunded. Further, contributors receive little or no formal recognition for creating and supporting what is now critical software. This paper explores the problem in detail, outlines possible solutions to correct this, and presents a few suggestions on how to address the sustainability of general purpose astronomical software

QUALINET white paper on definitions of Immersive Media Experience (IMEx)

With the coming of age of virtual/augmented reality and interactive media, numerous definitions, frameworks, and models of immersion have emerged across different fields ranging from computer graphics to literary works. Immersion is oftentimes used interchangeably with presence as both concepts are closely related. However, there are noticeable interdisciplinary differences regarding definitions, scope, and constituents that are required to be addressed so that a coherent understanding of the concepts can be achieved. Such consensus is vital for paving the directionality of the future of immersive media experiences (IMEx) and all related matters. The aim of this white paper is to provide a survey of definitions of immersion and presence which leads to a definition of immersive media experience (IMEx). The Quality of Experience (QoE) for immersive media is described by establishing a relationship between the concepts of QoE and IMEx followed by application areas of immersive media experience. Influencing factors on immersive media experience are elaborated as well as the assessment of immersive media experience. Finally, standardization activities related to IMEx are highlighted and the white paper is concluded with an outlook related to future developments