195 research outputs found
Automated Test for NASA CFS
The core Flight System (cFS) is a flight software (FSW) product line developed by the Flight Software Systems Branch (FSSB) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The cFS uses compile-time configuration parameters to implement variable requirements to enable portability across embedded computing platforms and to implement different end-user functional needs. The verification and validation of these requirements is proving to be a significant challenge. This paper describes the challenges facing the cFS and the results of a pilot effort to apply EXB Solution's testing approach to the cFS applications
Profile likelihood maps of a 15-dimensional MSSM
We present statistically convergent profile likelihood maps obtained via
global fits of a phenomenological Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with 15
free parameters (the MSSM-15), based on over 250M points. We derive constraints
on the model parameters from direct detection limits on dark matter, the Planck
relic density measurement and data from accelerator searches. We provide a
detailed analysis of the rich phenomenology of this model, and determine the
SUSY mass spectrum and dark matter properties that are preferred by current
experimental constraints. We evaluate the impact of the measurement of the
anomalous magnetic moment of the muon () on our results, and provide an
analysis of scenarios in which the lightest neutralino is a subdominant
component of the dark matter. The MSSM-15 parameters are relatively weakly
constrained by current data sets, with the exception of the parameters related
to dark matter phenomenology (, , ), which are restricted to the
sub-TeV regime, mainly due to the relic density constraint. The mass of the
lightest neutralino is found to be < 1.5 TeV at 99% C.L., but can extend up to
3 TeV when excluding the constraint from the analysis. Low-mass
bino-like neutralinos are strongly favoured, with spin-independent scattering
cross-sections extending to very small values, pb. ATLAS SUSY
null searches strongly impact on this mass range, and thus rule out a region of
parameter space that is outside the reach of any current or future direct
detection experiment. The best-fit point obtained after inclusion of all data
corresponds to a squark mass of 2.3 TeV, a gluino mass of 2.1 TeV and a 130 GeV
neutralino with a spin-independent cross-section of pb,
which is within the reach of future multi-ton scale direct detection
experiments and of the upcoming LHC run at increased centre-of-mass energy.Comment: 52 pages, 21 figures, submitted to JHE
Effective field theory of dark matter: a global analysis
We present global fits of an effective field theory description of real, and complex scalar dark matter candidates. We simultaneously take into account all possible dimension 6 operators consisting of dark matter bilinears and gauge invariant combinations of quark and gluon fields. We derive constraints on the free model parameters for both the real (five parameters) and complex (seven) scalar dark matter models obtained by combining Planck data on the cosmic microwave background, direct detection limits from LUX, and indirect detection limits from the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We find that for real scalars indirect dark matter searches disfavour a dark matter particle mass below 100 GeV. For the complex scalar dark matter particle current data have a limited impact due to the presence of operators that lead to p-wave annihilation, and also do not contribute to the spin-independent scattering cross-section. Although current data are not informative enough to strongly constrain the theory parameter space, we demonstrate the power of our formalism to reconstruct the theoretical parameters compatible with an actual dark matter detection, by assuming that the excess of gamma rays observed by the Fermi Large Area Telescope towards the Galactic centre is entirely due to dark matter annihilations. Please note that the excess can very well be due to astrophysical sources such as millisecond pulsars. We find that scalar dark matter interacting via effective field theory operators can in principle explain the Galactic centre excess, but that such interpretation is in strong tension with the non-detection of gamma rays from dwarf galaxies in the real scalar case. In the complex scalar case there is enough freedom to relieve the tension
Probing the Local Velocity Distribution of WIMP Dark Matter with Directional Detectors
We explore the ability of directional nuclear-recoil detectors to constrain
the local velocity distribution of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP)
dark matter by performing Bayesian parameter estimation on simulated
recoil-event data sets. We discuss in detail how directional information, when
combined with measurements of the recoil-energy spectrum, helps break
degeneracies in the velocity-distribution parameters. We also consider the
possibility that velocity structures such as cold tidal streams or a dark disk
may also be present in addition to the Galactic halo. Assuming a
carbon-tetrafluoride detector with a 30-kg-yr exposure, a 50-GeV WIMP mass, and
a WIMP-nucleon spin-dependent cross-section of 0.001 pb, we show that the
properties of a cold tidal stream may be well constrained. However, measurement
of the parameters of a dark-disk component with a low lag speed of ~50 km/s may
be challenging unless energy thresholds are improved.Comment: 38 pages, 15 figure
Determination of Volatile Compounds in Four Commercial Samples of Japanese Green Algae Using Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Green algae are of great economic importance. Seaweed is consumed fresh or as seasoning in Japan. The commercial value is determined by quality, color, and flavor and is also strongly influenced by the production area. Our research, based on solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS), has revealed that volatile compounds differ intensely in the four varieties of commercial green algae. Accordingly, 41 major volatile compounds were identified. Heptadecene was the most abundant compound from Okayama (Ulva prolifera), Tokushima (Ulva prolifera), and Ehime prefecture (Ulva linza). Apocarotenoids, such as ionones, and their derivatives were prominent volatiles in algae from Okayama (Ulva prolifera) and Tokushima prefecture (Ulva prolifera). Volatile, short chained apocarotenoids are among the most potent flavor components and contribute to the flavor of fresh, processed algae, and algae-based products. Benzaldehyde was predominant in seaweed from Shizuoka prefecture (Monostroma nitidum). Multivariant statistical analysis (PCA) enabled simple discrimination of the samples based on their volatile profiles. This work shows the potential of SPME-GC-MS coupled with multivariant analysis to discriminate between samples of different geographical and botanical origins and form the basis for development of authentication methods of green algae products, including seasonings
The Higgs sector of the phenomenological MSSM in the light of the Higgs boson discovery
The long awaited discovery of a new light scalar at the LHC opens up a new
era of studies of the Higgs sector in the SM and its extensions. In this paper
we discuss the consequences of the observation of a light Higgs boson with the
mass and rates reported by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations on the parameter
space of the phenomenological MSSM, including also the so far unsuccessful LHC
searches for the heavier Higgs bosons and supersymmetric particle partners in
missing transverse momentum as well as the constraints from B physics and dark
matter. We explore the various regimes of the MSSM Higgs sector depending on
the parameters MA and tan beta and show that only two of them are still allowed
by all present experimental constraints: the decoupling regime where there is
only one light and standard--like Higgs boson and the supersymmetric regime in
which there are light supersymmetric particle partners affecting the decay
properties of the Higgs boson, in particular its di-photon and invisible
decays.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures v2 - Discussion of the impact of LHC data
extended, scan statistics increased, a few figures added and typos correcte
Revisiting the Higgs Mass and Dark Matter in the CMSSM
Taking into account the available accelerator and astrophysical constraints,
the mass of the lightest neutral Higgs boson h in the minimal supersymmetric
extension of the Standard Model with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking
masses (CMSSM) has been estimated to lie between 114 and ~ 130 GeV. Recent data
from ATLAS and CMS hint that m_h ~ 125 GeV, though m_h ~ 119 GeV may still be a
possibility. Here we study the consequences for the parameters of the CMSSM and
direct dark matter detection if the Higgs hint is confirmed, focusing on the
strips in the (m_1/2, m_0) planes for different tan beta and A_0 where the
relic density of the lightest neutralino chi falls within the range of the
cosmological cold dark matter density allowed by WMAP and other experiments. We
find that if m_h ~ 125 GeV focus-point strips would be disfavoured, as would
the low-tan beta stau-chi and stop -chi coannihilation strips, whereas the
stau-chi coannihilation strip at large tan beta and A_0 > 0 would be favoured,
together with its extension to a funnel where rapid annihilation via
direct-channel H/A poles dominates. On the other hand, if m_h ~ 119 GeV more
options would be open. We give parametrizations of WMAP strips with large tan
beta and fixed A_0/m_0 > 0 that include portions compatible with m_h = 125 GeV,
and present predictions for spin-independent elastic dark matter scattering
along these strips. These are generally low for models compatible with m_h =
125 GeV, whereas the XENON100 experiment already excludes some portions of
strips where m_h is smaller.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure
Phenomenology of Light Sneutrino Dark Matter in cMSSM/mSUGRA with Inverse Seesaw
We study the possibility of a light Dark Matter (DM) within a constrained
Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (cMSSM) framework augmented by a SM
singlet-pair sector to account for the non-zero neutrino masses by inverse
seesaw mechanism. Working within a 'hybrid' scenario with the MSSM sector fixed
at high scale and the singlet neutrino sector at low scale, we find that,
contrary to the case of the usual cMSSM where the neutralino DM cannot be very
light, we can have a light sneutrino DM with mass below 100 GeV satisfying all
the current experimental constraints from cosmology, collider as well as
low-energy experiments. We also note that the supersymmetric inverse seesaw
mechanism with sneutrino as the lightest supersymmetric partner can have
enhanced same-sign dilepton final states with large missing transverse energy
(mET) coming from the gluino- and squark-pair as well as the squark-gluino
associated productions and their cascade decay through charginos. We present a
collider study for the same-sign dilepton+jets+mET signal in this scenario and
propose some distinctions with the usual cMSSM. We also comment on the
implications of such a light DM scenario on the invisible decay width of an 125
GeV Higgs boson.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figures, 7 tables; matches published versio
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