Mapping monojet constraints onto Simplified Dark Matter Models

The move towards simplified models for Run II of the LHC will allow for stronger and more robust constraints on the dark sector. However there already exists a wealth of Run I data which should not be ignored in the run-up to Run II. Here we reinterpret public constraints on generic beyond-standard-model cross sections to place new constraints on a simplified model. We make use of an ATLAS search in the monojet $+$ missing energy channel to constrain a representative simplified model with the dark matter coupling to an axial-vector $Z'$. We scan the entire parameter space of our chosen model to set the strongest current collider constraints on our model using the full 20.3 fb$^{-1}$ ATLAS 8 TeV dataset and provide predictions for constraints that can be set with 20 fb$^{-1}$ of 14 TeV data. Our technique can also be used for the interpretation of Run II data and provides a broad benchmark for comparing future constraints on simplified models.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures; v2: added references, corrected mistake in discussion of previous results; v3: major content additions, version accepted by JHE

Constraining new resonant physics with top spin polarisation information

We provide a comprehensive analysis of the power of including top quark-polarisation information to kinematically challenging $t\bar t$ resonance searches, for which ATLAS and CMS start losing sensitivity. Following the general modeling and analysis strategies pursued by the experiments, we analyse the semi-leptonic and the di-lepton $t\bar t$ channels and show that including polarisation information can lead to large improvements in the limit setting procedures with large data sets. This will allow us to set limits for parameter choices where sensitivity from $m(t\bar t)$ is not sufficient. This highlights the importance of spin observables as part of a more comprehensive set of observables to gain sensitivity to BSM resonance searches.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figure

Sleptons without Hadrons

Multilepton searches for electroweakino and slepton pair production at hadron colliders remain some of the best means to test weak-scale supersymmetry. Searches at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, however, are limited by large diboson and top quark pair backgrounds, despite the application of traditional, central jet vetoes. In this context, we report the impact of introducing dynamic jet vetoes in searches for colorless superpartners. As a representative scenario, we consider the Drell-Yan production of a pair of right-handed smuons decaying into a dimuon system accompanied with missing transverse energy. As an exploratory step, we consider several global and local measures of the leptonic and hadronic activity to construct the veto. In most all cases, we find that employing a dynamic jet veto improves the sensitivity, independently of the integrated luminosity. The inclusion of non-perturbative multiple particle interactions and next-to-leading order jet merging does not alter this picture. Directions for further improvements are discussed.Comment: 18 pages; 7 figures; additional discussions added; journal version; results unchange

Towards resolving strongly-interacting dark sectors at colliders

Dark sectors with strong interactions have received considerable interest. Assuming the existence of a minimally coupled dark sector which runs to strong interactions in the infrared, we address the question whether the scaling behavior of this dark sector can be observed in missing energy signatures at present and future hadron colliders. We compare these findings to the concrete case of self-interacting dark matter and demonstrate that the energy dependence of high-momentum transfer final states can in principle be used to gain information about the UV structure of hidden sectors at future hadron colliders, subject to large improvements in systematic uncertainties, which could complement proof-of-principle lattice investigations. We also comment on the case of dark Abelian Uð1Þ theories

Role of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel HCN2 in embryonic neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation

Funding Information: Supported by grants from the K. Albin Johansson foundation, the Magnus Ehrnrooth foundation, The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters and the Medical Society of Finland. We are grateful for the laboratory assistance provided by Jarno Hörhä. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The AuthorsHyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channels (HCN channels) are involved in spontaneous activity in many electrically active cell types such as cardiomyocytes and neurons. In this study, the role of HCN channels in proliferation and migration of Nestin and Sox2 expressing embryonic neural progenitor cells (NPC) originating from the subventricular zone (SVZ) was examined. Immunostaining and PCR data showed that the HCN2 subtype was highly expressed in these cells. Patch clamp recordings revealed a hyperpolarization-activated current, which was sensitive to inhibitors of HCN channels. Using the fluorescence dye bis-(1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid)-trimethineoxonol (DiBAC(4)(3)) we found that a prompt reduction of the extracellular K+ concentration, or exposing the cells to acute hypoxia, induced an instant hyperpolarization in the whole cell population. Recovery from low K+ induced hyperpolarization after extracellular calcium removal, or by re-oxygenation of hypoxic cells, was sensitive to ZD7288, a HCN channel inhibitor. Treatment of neurosphere cultures from the SVZ with ZD7288 caused a significant and reversible inhibition of neurosphere formation from single cells indicating that proliferation of progenitor cells was reduced. Furthermore, the migration of neuronal cells from neurospheres was considerably retarded in the presence of ZD7288. The results suggest that HCN2 channels are involved in controlling the proliferation of NPC and that HCN2 channel-induced spontaneous electrical activity may trigger the motility response of neurosphere-derived neurons in concert with other ion channels. Furthermore, the response to hypoxia suggests that HCN2 channels may trigger the chemotactic response of NPC to ischemic brain regions seen in many studies.Peer reviewe

The amphioxus (Branchiostoma floridae) genome contains a highly diversified set of G protein-coupled receptors

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are one of the largest families of genes in mammals. <it>Branchiostoma floridae </it>(amphioxus) is one of the species most closely related species to vertebrates.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mining and phylogenetic analysis of the amphioxus genome showed the presence of at least 664 distinct GPCRs distributed among all the main families of GPCRs; <it>Glutamate (18)</it>, <it>Rhodopsin (570)</it>, <it>Adhesion (37)</it>, <it>Frizzled (6) </it>and <it>Secretin (16)</it>. Surprisingly, the <it>Adhesion </it>GPCR repertoire in amphioxus includes receptors with many new domains not previously observed in this family. We found many <it>Rhodopsin </it>GPCRs from all main groups including many amine and peptide binding receptors and several previously uncharacterized expansions were also identified. This genome has however no genes coding for bitter taste receptors (TAS2), the sweet and umami (TAS1), pheromone (VR1 or VR2) or mammalian olfactory receptors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The amphioxus genome is remarkably rich in various GPCR subtypes while the main GPCR groups known to sense exogenous substances (such as Taste 2, mammalian olfactory, nematode chemosensory, gustatory, vomeronasal and odorant receptors) in other bilateral species are absent.</p

Regulation of intracellular pH by electrogenic Na+/HCO3-co-transporters in embryonic neural stem cell-derived radial glia-like cells

A stroke causes a hypoxic brain microenvironment that alters neural cell metabolism resulting in cell membrane hyperpolarization and intracellular acidosis. We studied how intracellular pH (pH(i)) is regulated in differentiated mouse neural progenitor cells during hyperpolarizing conditions, induced by prompt reduction of the extra cellular K+ concentration. We found that the radial glia-like population in differentiating embryonic neural progenitor cells, but not neuronal cells, was rapidly acidified under these conditions. However, when extra cellular calcium was removed, an instant depolarization and recovery of the pH(i), back to normal levels, took place. The rapid recovery phase seen in the absence of calcium, was dependent on extracellular bicarbonate and could be inhibited by 50859, a potent Na/HCO3 cotransporter inhibitor. Immunostaining and PCR data, showed that NBCe1 (SLC4A4) and NBCn1 (SLC4A7) were expressed in the cell population and that the pH(i) recovery in the radial glial-like cells after calcium removal was mediated mainly by the electrogenic sodium bicarbonate transporter NBCe1 (SLC4A4). Our results indicate that extracellular calcium might hamper pH(i) regulation and Na/HCO3 cotransporter activity in a brain injury microenvironment. Our findings show that the NBC-type transporters are the main pH(i) regulating systems prevailing in glia-like progenitor cells and that these calcium sensitive transporters are important for neuronal progenitor cell proliferation, survival and neural stem cell differentiation.Peer reviewe

Psykoterapeutisk utveckling genom Deliberate Practice

A survey study was conducted to examine the relationship between Deliberate Practice (DLP) and treatment outcome in psychotherapy. To date, only one study has previously examined this connection. The study was conducted at a university counselling centre at Lund University. 130 student therapists were asked what they do an average week to improve themselves as therapists. They were also asked about their motivation to conduct psychotherapy, their previous psychotherapy related experience and the quality of their supervision. The survey answers were compared with their treatment outcomes. 52 student therapists answered the survey. A relationship was found between the amount of discussed psychotherapy and treatment outcomes. Discussing psychotherapy may vitalize psychotherapy and raise opportunity to exchange concrete experiences. This might benefit the treatment. The amount of previous credits in psychology at a university level was also related to treatment outcomes. Educational background may give the therapist a broad psychological knowledge and could deepen the understanding of human nature. This knowledge may benefit psychotherapy. More precise measurement of DLP within psychotherapy is needed in future research. DLP should be tested experimentally to give a clearer picture of its role for the development of therapist skills.En enkätstudie utfördes för att undersöka sambandet mellan Deliberate Practice (DLP) och behandlingsutfall i psykoterapi. Endast en studie i världen har tidigare undersökt detta samband. Denna enkätstudie utfördes på psykoterapimottagningen vid Lunds universitet. 130 studentterapeuter som bedrivit terapi på mottagningen tillfrågades om vad de gör en genomsnittlig vecka för att utvecklas som terapeuter. De tillfrågades även hur motiverade de är att bedriva terapi, deras tidigare psykoterapirelaterade erfarenhet och kvaliteten på psykoterapihandledningen. Studenternas svar på enkäten jämfördes med deras behandlingsutfall. 52 studentterapeuter besvarade enkäten. Studien hittade ett positivt samband mellan mängden diskuterad psykoterapi och behandlingsutfall. Att diskutera psykoterapi kan sannolikt levandegöra ämnet och ge ett utbyte av konkreta erfarenheter, vilket kan förbättra behandlingen. Mängden tidigare lästa högskolepoäng inom psykologi hade också ett positivt samband med behandlingsutfallet. Högskolepoäng inom psykologi kan tänkas ge terapeuten en psykologisk allmänbildning och fördjupade kunskaper om hur människor fungerar. Denna kunskap kan vara hjälpsam vid behandling. En mer precis mätning av DLP inom psykoterapi behövs i framtida studier. DLP bör testas experimentellt för att få en klarare bild av dess roll för utveckling av terapeutisk kompetens