Collider probes of singlet fermionic dark matter scenarios for the Fermi gamma-ray excess

We investigate the collider signatures of the three benchmark points in the singlet fermionic dark matter model. The benchmark points, which were introduced previously to explain the Fermi gamma-ray excess by dark matter (DM) pair annihilation at the Galactic center, have definite predictions for future collider experiments such as the International Linear Collider and the High-Luminosity LHC. We consider four collider observables: (1) Higgs signal strength (essentially $hZZ$ coupling), (2) triple Higgs coupling, (3) exotic Higgs decay, and (4) direct production of a new scalar particle. The benchmark points are classified by the final states of the DM annihilation process: a pair of $b$ quarks, SM-like Higgs bosons, and new scalar particles. Each benchmark scenario has detectable new physics signals for the above collider observables that can be well tested in the future lepton and hadron colliders.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figure, 1 tabl

Gluino Stransverse Mass

We introduce a new observable, 'gluino stransverse mass', which is an application of the Cambridge $m_{T2}$ variable to the process where gluinos are pair produced in proton-proton collision and each gluino subsequently decays into two quarks and one LSP, $i.e. \tilde{g}\tilde{g} \to qq\tilde\chi_1^0\ qq\tilde\chi_1^0$. We show that the gluino stransverse mass can be utilized to measure the gluino and the lightest neutralino masses separately, and also the (1st and 2nd generation) squark masses if lighter than the gluino mass, thereby providing a good first look at the pattern of sparticle masses experimentally.Comment: Typos corrected, Some discussions and one reference adde

M_T2-assisted on-shell reconstruction of missing momenta and its application to spin measurement at the LHC

We propose a scheme to assign a 4-momentum to each WIMP in new physics event producing a pair of mother particles each of which decays to an invisible weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) plus some visible particle(s). The transverse components are given by the value that determines the event variable M_T2, while the longitudinal component is determined by the on-shell condition on the mother particle. Although it does not give the true WIMP momentum in general, this M_T2-assisted on-shell reconstruction of missing momenta provides kinematic variables well correlated to the true WIMP momentum, and thus can be useful for an experimental determination of new particle properties. We apply this scheme to some processes to measure the mother particle spin, and find that spin determination is possible even without a good knowledge of the new particle masses.Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures, typos are corrected, figures are replace

Measuring the top quark mass with m_T2 at the LHC

We investigate the possibility to measure the top quark mass using the collider variable $m_{T2}$ at the LHC experiment. Monte Carlo studies of $m_{T2}$ are performed with the events corresponding to the dilepton decays of $t\bar{t}$ produced at the LHC with 10 $fb^{-1}$ integrated luminosity. Our analysis suggests that the top quark mass can be determined by the $m_{T2}$ variable alone with a good precision at the level of 1 GeV.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure

Effect of two different exercises on balance, pain and ankle motor function in male college students with chronic ankle instability

Strength and proprioceptive exercise are known to be representative exercise methods used in patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) and they are effective in restoring ankle stability and body balance, which gets reduced by repetitive ankle sprains. But, there is a lack of data comparing the effects of strengthening or proprioceptive exercise rehabilitation program for CAI patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of a 4-week exercise program on ankle range of motion (ROM), static/dynamic balance, and drop landing in college students with CAI. The subjects of this study were 21 male college students who had the Cumberland ankle instability tool (CAIT) questionnaire scores of 24 or less, and they were divided into three groups; the non-treated group (NTG), the traditional strength exercise group (SEG) and the proprioceptive exercise group (PEG). The exercise rehabilitation program was applied 3 times a week for 4 weeks. To examine the difference between groups, CAIT, visual analogue scale (VAS), body composition, ankle ROM, one-leg standing with eyes closed and Y-balance test (YBT) as well as center of pressure (COP) 95% confidence ellipse area during drop landing were measured before and after the exercise intervention. CAIT scores and static balance were significantly increased in the PEG compared to the NTG and the SEG, and ankle dorsiflexion ROM and Y-balance were significantly increased in the SEG and the PEG compared to the NTG. In addition, pain, ankle inversion ROM, and COP 95% confidence ellipse area were significantly reduced in the SEG and the PEG compared to the NTG. The proprioceptive exercise program is thought to be effective therapeutic approach on improving the symptoms of CAI patients

SPON1 Can Reduce Amyloid Beta and Reverse Cognitive Impairment and Memory Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, age-related neurodegenerative disease that is the most common form of dementia. However, the cure for AD has not yet been founded. The accumulation of amyloid beta (A beta) is considered to be a hallmark of AD. Beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), also known as beta secretase is the initiating enzyme in the amyloidogenic pathway. Blocking BACE1 could reduce the amount of A beta, but this would also prohibit the other functions of BACE1 in brain physiological activity. SPONDIN1 (SPON1) is known to bind to the BACE1 binding site of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and blocks the initiating amyloidogenesis. Here, we show the effect of SPON1 in A beta reduction in vitro in neural cells and in an in vivo AD mouse model. We engineered mouse induced neural stem cells (iNSCs) to express Spon1. iNSCs harboring mouse Spon1 secreted SPON1 protein and reduced the quantity of A beta when co-cultured with A beta -secreting Neuro 2a cells. The human SPON1 gene itself also reduced A beta in HEK 293T cells expressing the human APP transgene with AD-linked mutations through lentiviral-mediated delivery. We also demonstrated that injecting SPON1 reduced the amount of A beta and ameliorated cognitive dysfunction and memory impairment in 5xFAD mice expressing human APP and PSEN1 transgenes with five AD-linked mutations

Effects of tapering tumor necrosis factor inhibitor on the achievement of inactive disease in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: a nationwide cohort study

Objectives To investigate the association between the extent of tapering tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) and the likelihood of achieving inactive disease in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) Methods We analyzed 1575 1-year follow-up interval data of 776 axSpA patients treated with TNFi for more than 1 year in a nationwide observational cohort. The decision on tapering TNFi was made by patients and their physicians. We quantified TNFi used during interval as a dose quotient (DQ). The intervals were classified into the heavy-tapering (DQ < 50), mild-tapering (DQ 50–99), and control groups (DQ = 100). Outcome variables included achieving Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-inactive disease (ASDAS-ID) and major clinical response of Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI50) in the follow-up visit. The effects of TNFi tapering on the outcome were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation. Results At the baseline visit, 91.1% of the patients showed a high disease activity (ASDAS-CRP ≥ 2.1). DQ of each interval was significantly influenced by the ASDAS-CRP measure in the prior follow-up (P < 0.001). ASDAS-ID was observed in 42.3% of the intervals. A multivariable analysis showed that the likelihood of outcome achievement was comparable between the control and mild-tapering groups, but significantly decreased in the heavy-tapering group (vs. the control group, adjusted OR = 0.28, [95% CI, 0.08–0.94]). In contrast, the likelihood to achieve BASDAI50 response was not different among the groups. In the subgroup of patients who reached ASDAS-ID 1 year after TNFi treatment (n = 327), ASDAS-ID was observed in 66.1% of the subsequent intervals, and only the mild-tapering group showed a likelihood of target maintenance comparable with that of the control group (adjusted OR = 1.25 [0.41–3.80]). This likelihood decreased with an increase in ASDAS-CRP. Conclusion Mild tapering of TNFi has efficacy comparable with that of the standard-dose treatment for ASDAS-ID achievement in patients with axSpA.This study was supported by the Korea Health Technology R & D Project through the Korea Health Industry Development Institute funded by the Ministry of Health Welfare, Republic of Korea (grant HI14C1277