Continuum-Mediated Dark Matter-Baryon Scattering

Many models of dark matter scattering with baryons may be treated either as a simple contact interaction or as the exchange of a light mediator particle. We study an alternative, in which a continuum of light mediator states may be exchanged. This could arise, for instance, from coupling to a sector which is approximately conformal at the relevant momentum transfer scale. In the non-relativistic effective theory of dark matter-baryon scattering, which is useful for parametrizing direct detection signals, the effect of such continuum mediators is to multiply the amplitude by a function of the momentum transfer q, which in the simplest case is just a power law. We develop the basic framework and study two examples: the case where the mediator is a scalar operator coupling to the Higgs portal (which turns out to be highly constrained) and the case of an antisymmetric tensor operator ${\cal O}_{\mu \nu}$ that mixes with the hypercharge field strength and couples to dark matter tensor currents, which has an interesting viable parameter space. We describe the effect of such mediators on the cross sections and recoil energy spectra that could be observed in direct detection.Comment: 30 pages, 6 figures. v2: minor changes, references adde

A Conformal Truncation Framework for Infinite-Volume Dynamics

We present a new framework for studying conformal field theories deformed by one or more relevant operators. The original CFT is described in infinite volume using a basis of states with definite momentum, $P$, and conformal Casimir, $\mathcal{C}$. The relevant deformation is then considered using lightcone quantization, with the resulting Hamiltonian expressed in terms of this CFT basis. Truncating to states with $\mathcal{C} \leq \mathcal{C}_{\max}$, one can numerically find the resulting spectrum, as well as other dynamical quantities, such as spectral densities of operators. This method requires the introduction of an appropriate regulator, which can be chosen to preserve the conformal structure of the basis. We check this framework in three dimensions for various perturbative deformations of a free scalar CFT, and for the case of a free $O(N)$ CFT deformed by a mass term and a non-perturbative quartic interaction at large-$N$. In all cases, the truncation scheme correctly reproduces known analytic results. We also discuss a general procedure for generating a basis of Casimir eigenstates for a free CFT in any number of dimensions.Comment: 48+37 pages, 17 figures; v2: references added, small clarification

Nonperturbative Matching Between Equal-Time and Lightcone Quantization

We investigate the nonperturbative relation between lightcone (LC) and standard equal-time (ET) quantization in the context of $\lambda \phi^4$ theory in $d=2$. We discuss the perturbative matching between bare parameters and the failure of its naive nonperturbative extension. We argue that they are nevertheless the same theory nonperturbatively, and that furthermore the nonperturbative map between bare parameters can be extracted from ET perturbation theory via Borel resummation of the mass gap. We test this map by using it to compare physical quantities computed using numerical Hamiltonian truncation methods in ET and LC.Comment: 22+8 pages, 10 figure

Opportunities for information sharing: case studies

Personal information provided to government and non-government service providers is highly sensitive. Appropriate collection, management and storage of personal information are critical elements to citizen trust in the public sector. However, misconceptions about the frameworks governing sharing personal information can impact on the coordination of services, case management and policy development.   The NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet engaged the Social Policy Research Centre to develop three case studies that identified the challenges to sharing information appropriately, and the opportunities for better personal information sharing between government agencies and non-government organisations. Improved sharing of personal information in these areas can support more effective policy development, leading to improved service delivery performance and coordination.   The Social Policy Research Centre identified the legislative and policy framework for each case study, conducted qualitative research on the interpretation of this framework, and developed three case study reports

Testing the Role of Body Vigilance as a Precipitating Factor in the Cognitive Behavioral Model of Medically Unexplained Illness

Chronic illness affects nearly one in two Americans affected (CDC, 2009), often leading to psychological distress (Bohlmeijer, Prenger, Taal, & Cuijpers, 2010), including a rate of depression approximately 50% higher than the rate in peers without medical illness (Patten, 2001). Likewise, quality of life for those with chronic illnesses is lower than quality of life among healthy peers, measured by greater persistence of psychological distress, higher functional impairment, and medical services utilization (Aiarzaguena, Grandes, Salazar, Gaminde, & Sánchez, 2008; Feder et al., 2001). Despite continued medical advances, a significant portion of illness, pain and discomfort remains medically unexplained (Nettleton, Watt, O’Malley, & Duffey, 2005), creating challenges not only for those who experience illness distress, but for health care providers as well (Kroenke, 2000; Raine et al., 2002). Medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), defined as sets of symptoms that physical pathology does not adequately explain (Swanson, Hamilton, & Feldman, 2010), are both commonplace and problematic to health care providers (Kroenke, 2000; Swanson et al., 2010). Deary, Chalder, and Sharpe’s (2007) cognitive behavioral model of medically unexplained symptoms describes the process by which correlates of illness-related distress prime, trigger and perpetuate the experience of aversive symptoms even in the absence of direct physiological causes. Although , in recent years, the cognitive behavioral model of MUS has garnered increasing empirical support for predisposing and perpetuating variables, no published articles to date have investigated the role of precipitating factors in the context of this model, leaving a critical component of the theory unexamined. This study used a sample population of adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease to test the role of body vigilance as a precipitating factor in the CBT model of MUS. Results indicated that the inclusion of body vigilance significantly improved explained variance. Although patterns of correlation between personality variables, illness cognitions, and health related quality of life were similar among persons with IBD and other diseases used to test the model, among adults with IBD, no personality variables explained significant variance in health-related quality of life. The implications of how these results may impact further research in MUS and chronic illness are provided

New fans, new places : the role of sport fanship in newcomer adjustment

textThe need to belong is a fundamental human motivation. Individuals dedicate substantial time and effort into developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with others, yet the structures and mechanisms through which individuals satisfy their need for belongingness has changed. Subjugated to the periphery of communal life are the geographically based communities and traditional forms of interest-based communities so popular among earlier generations (Putnam, 2000). In their place, modern individuals have created and joined new types of communities consistent with the wants and demands of the modern economy and lifestyle. Based on looseness and flexibility (Wuthnow, 1998), these modern communities are marked by fluidity of membership where individuals are free to enter and leave at their own peril. Yet, we know very little about the experiences of newcomers entering communities and the underlying processes through which newcomers join communities. Utilizing a longitudinal qualitative approach, the first goal of this dissertation was to develop a substantive theory explaining the underlying processes through which newcomers join communities, resulting in the creation of the Newcomer-to-Member model. In the second half of this dissertation, the focus shifts towards the impact of sport fanship as a mechanism to assist in the tumultuous newcomer adjustment process. Based on the experiences of 31 incoming college freshmen over a two-year period, four themes are presented that illustrate how sport fanship can positively affect the experiences of community newcomers: 1) Offering an early and flexible form of involvement; 2) Creating meaningful individual connections; 3) Promoting community ambassadors; and 4) Stimulating the identity negotiation process. Sport fanship is conceptualized in this dissertation not as a predictor of consumer behavior, but rather as a mechanism that can be specifically structured and designed to enhance the experiences and lives of individuals. The implications of the Newcomer-to-Member model and the four themes related to sport fanship are discussed in terms of theoretical implications for higher education, organizational socialization, and sport management. Moreover, practical implications for both higher education and sport management are also discussed.Kinesiology and Health Educatio