Non-perturbative over-production of axion-like-particles (ALPs) via derivative interaction

Axion like particles (ALPs) are quite generic in many scenarios for physics beyond the Standard Model, they are pseudoscalar Nambu-Goldstone bosons, and appear once any global $U(1)$ symmetry is broken spontaneously. The ALPs can gain mass from various non-perturbative quantum effects, such as anomalies or instantons. ALPs can couple to the matter sector incluidng a scalar condensate such as inflaton or moduli field via derivative interactions, which are suppressed by the axion {\it decay constant}, $f_\chi$ . Although weakly interacting, the ALPs can be produced abundantly from the coherent oscillations of a homogeneous condensate. In this paper we will study such a scenario where the ALPs can be produced abundantly, and in some cases can even overclose the Universe via odd and even dimensional operators, as long as $f_\chi/\Phi_{\rm I} \ll 1$, where $\Phi_{\rm I}$ denotes the initial amplitude of the coherent oscillations of the scalar condensate, $\phi$. We will briefly mention how such dangerous overproduction would affect dark matter and dark radiation abundances in the Universe.Comment: 17 pages, 18 figure

Constraining Non-thermal and Thermal properties of Dark Matter

We describe the evolution of Dark Matter (DM) abundance from the very onset of its creation from inflaton decay under the assumption of an instantaneous reheating. Based on the initial conditions such as the inflaton mass and its decay branching ratio to DM, reheating temperature, and the DM mass and interaction rate with the thermal bath, the DM particles can either thermalize (fully/partially) with the primordial bath or remain non-thermal throughout their evolution history. In the thermal case, the final abundance is set by the standard freeze-out mechanism for large annihilation rates, irrespective of the initial conditions. For smaller annihilation rates, it can be set by the freeze-in mechanism, also independent of the initial abundance, provided it is small to begin with. For even smaller interaction rates, the DM decouples while being non-thermal, and the relic abundance will be essentially set by the initial conditions. We put model-independent constraints on the DM mass and annihilation rate from over-abundance by exactly solving the relevant Boltzmann equations, and identify the thermal freeze-out, freeze-in and non-thermal regions of the allowed parameter space. We highlight a generic fact that inflaton decay to DM inevitably leads to an overclosure of the Universe for a large range of DM parameter space, and thus poses a stringent constraint that must be taken into account while constructing models of DM. For the thermal DM region, we also show the complementary constraints from indirect DM search experiments, Big Bang Nucleosynthesis, Cosmic Microwave Background, Planck measurements, and theoretical limits due to the unitarity of S-matrix. For the non-thermal DM scenario, we show the allowed parameter space in terms of the inflaton and DM masses for a given reheating temperature, and compute the comoving free-streaming length to identify the hot, warm and cold DM regimes.Comment: 29 pages, 8 figures; some clarifications and references added; published versio

Hydrogeology of the Northeast Quarter of Marion County, Iowa

This research was done on a study of the Hydrogeology of the Northeast Quarter of Marion County, Iowa, during the year of 1965-1966. In the surveys conducted the bedrock topography was found to be an extremely irregular surface; it is composed of both Mississippian and Pennsylvanian rocks. The top of the Mississippian rocks was found to be an irregular erosional surface possibly indicative of Karst topography. The piezometric surface for wells cased in Mississippian strata indicates a ground water divide. North of this divide the water flows into the South Skunk River, and south of the divide the water flows into the Des Moines River. The quality of the ground water deteriorated with depth, due to the presence of coal and pyrite in the Pennsylvanian strata, and limestone, dolomite, and some gypsum in the Mississippian strata. The principal aquifers as far as the production of wells is concerned are the St. Louis and Ste-Genevieve Formations and the Pleistocene deposits

The Role of Pronunciation-Focused Corrective Feedback in Learning Second Language Pronunciation

This paper aims at investigating the role of pronunciation-focused corrective feedback in learning second language pronunciation. The paper provides a systematic review of teaching pronunciation by highlighting issues discussed in the literature of L2 pronunciation, such as the importance of segmental and supra-segmental features, time devoted to teaching pronunciation, and learners’ first language background. It then moves to shed light on the effectiveness of corrective feedback in teaching pronunciation. This is followed by a discussion of the role of corrective feedback in teaching L2 pronunciation. After that the author presents ways in which technology can be used to provide pronunciation corrective feedback. Finally, a discussion of the different types of corrective feedback and their effectiveness is presented. The paper concludes by suggesting further research to investigate the effectiveness of different types of pronunciation-focused corrective feedback as well as the role of L2 speech technology in providing pronunciation-focused corrective feedback to L2 learners

Nonthermal axion dark radiation and constraints

The Peccei-Quinn mechanism presents a neat solution to the strong CPproblem. As a by-product, it provides an ideal dark matter candidate, “the axion”, albeit with a tiny mass. Axions therefore can act as dark radiation if excited with large momenta after the end of inflation. Nevertheless, the recent measurement of relativistic degrees of freedom from cosmic microwave background radiation strictly constrains the abundance of such extra relativistic species. We show that ultrarelativistic axions can be abundantly produced if the Peccei-Quinn field was initially displaced from the minimum of the potential. This in lieu places an interesting constraint on the axion dark matter window with large decay constant which is expected to be probed by future experiments. Moreover, an upper bound on the reheating temperature can be placed, which further constrains the thermal history of our Universe

progenyClust: an R package for Progeny Clustering

Identifying the optimal number of clusters is a common problem faced by data scientists in various research fields and industry applications. Though many clustering evaluation techniques have been developed to solve this problem, the recently developed algorithm Progeny Clustering is a much faster alternative and one that is relevant to biomedical applications. In this paper, we introduce an R package progenyClust that implements and extends the original Progeny Clustering algorithm for evaluating clustering stability and identifying the optimal cluster number. We illustrate its applicability using two examples: a simulated test dataset for proof-of-concept, and a cell imaging dataset for demonstrating its application potential in biomedical research. The progenyClust package is versatile in that it offers great flexibility for picking methods and tuning parameters. In addition, the default parameter setting as well as the plot and summary methods offered in the package make the application of Progeny Clustering straightforward and coherent

Proteomics in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an extremely heterogeneous and deadly hematological cancer. Cytogenetic abnormalities and genetic mutations, though well recognized and highly prognostic, do not fully capture the degree of heterogeneities manifested in AML clinically. Additionally, current treatment of AML still largely depends on chemotherapy and allogeneic stem cell transplantation, with few options for personalized and molecularly targeted therapies. Proteomics holds promise for unraveling biological heterogeneities in AML beyond the scope of cytogenetics and genomics. In recent years, proteomics has emerged as an important tool for discovering new diagnostic biomarkers, enabling more prognostic patient classifications, and identifying novel therapeutic targets. In this chapter, we review recent advances in proteomic studies of AML, including an overview of AML pathology, popular proteomic techniques, various applications of proteomics in AML from biomarker discovery to target identification, challenges and future directions in this field

Natural Radioactivity in Some Building Materials Originating from a High Background Radiation Area

Twenty four samples of building materials, collected from utilized quarries dispersed randomly in a high natural background radiation area, were analyzed for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K by γ-spectrometry. This area lies in Hail province, Saudi Arabia. The collected samples were fragmented granites, granite gravels with clays, sands and crushed black rocks (mafic metavolcanic rocks). The results showed that the highest activity concentrations were found in the fragmented granite materials and ranged from 144-207, 671-1058 and 964-1440 Bq/kg with average values of 194, 912 and 1320 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The lowest activity concentrations were found in the black rock materials which ranged from 19-39, 47-125 and 212-306 Bq/kg with average values of 24, 82 and 255 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The radioactivity levels in the other materials lie somewhere in between. Granites and clays exceeded the proposed hazard indices for the usage as building materials and should be restricted, whereas the sands and the crushed black rocks complied with these indices and can be used without restrictions

Monte Carlo simulation of photons backscattering from various thicknesses of lead layered over concrete for energies 0.25–20 MeV using FLUKA code

There is an increased interest in determining the photon reflection coefficient for layered systems consisting of lead (Pb) and concrete. The generation of accurate reflection coefficient data has implications for many fields, especially radiation protection, industry, and radiotherapy room design. Therefore, this study aims to calculate the reflection coefficients of photons for various lead thicknesses covering the concrete. This new data for lead, layered over concrete, supports various applications, such as an improved design of the mazes used for radiotherapy rooms, which helps to reduce cost and space requirements. The FLUKA Monte Carlo code was used to calculate photon reflection coefficients for a concrete wall with different energies. The reflection coefficient was also calculated for a concrete wall covered by varying thicknesses of lead to study the effect of lining this metal on the concrete wall. The concrete's reflection coefficient data were compared to internationally published data and showed that Monte Carlo calculations differed significantly from some of the extrapolated data. The absorbed dose of backscattered photons for various thicknesses of lead covering the ordinary concrete has been tabulated as a function of the reflection angle. Also, the reflection coefficient as a function of the Pb thicknesses covering the ordinary concrete has been figured to study the dose reduction factor. The generation of accurate data for reflection coefficients is vital for many fields, especially for radiation protection and radiotherapy room design. The new data have been presented for lead layered over concrete in various applications, such as an improvement in the design of the mazes used for radiotherapy rooms, thereby reducing the cost and space requirements. In addition, the Monte Carlo method enables calculating the energy distribution of reflected photons, and these were shown for a range of angles