Update on the Direct Detection of Supersymmetric Dark Matter

We compare updated predictions for the elastic scattering of supersymmetric neutralino dark matter with the improved experimental upper limit recently published by CDMS II. We take into account the possibility that the \pi-nucleon \Sigma term may be somewhat larger than was previously considered plausible, as may be supported by the masses of exotic baryons reported recently. We also incorporate the new central value of m_t, which affects indirectly constraints on the supersymmetric parameter space, for example via calculations of the relic density. Even if a large value of \Sigma is assumed, the CDMS II data currently exclude only small parts of the parameter space in the constrained MSSM (CMSSM) with universal soft supersymmetry-breaking Higgs, squark and slepton masses. None of the previously-proposed CMSSM benchmark scenarios is excluded for any value of \Sigma, and the CDMS II data do not impinge on the domains of the CMSSM parameter space favoured at the 90 % confidence level in a recent likelihood analysis. However, some models with non-universal Higgs, squark and slepton masses and neutralino masses \lappeq 700 GeV are excluded by the CDMS II data.Comment: 25 pages, 28 eps figure

Scalar form-factor of the proton with light-cone QCD sum rules

In this article, we calculate the scalar form-factor of the proton in the framework of the light-cone QCD sum rules approach with the three valence quark light-cone distribution amplitudes up to twist-6, and observe the scalar form-factor $\sigma(t=-Q^2)$ at intermediate and large momentum transfers $Q^2> 2GeV^2$ has significant contributions from the end-point (or soft) terms. The numerical values for the $\sigma(t=-Q^2)$ are compatible with the calculations from the chiral quark model and lattice QCD at the region $Q^2>2GeV^2$.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figures, revised versio

The Contribution of the Light Quark Condensate to the Pion-Nucleon Sigma Term

There has been a discrepancy between values of the pion-nucleon sigma term extracted by two different methods for many years. Analysis of recent high precision pion-nucleon data has widened the gap between the two determinations. It is argued that the two extractions correspond to different quantities and that the difference between them can be understood and calculated.Comment: Modern Physics Letters A (in press

Neutrino Fluxes from CMSSM LSP Annihilations in the Sun

We evaluate the neutrino fluxes to be expected from neutralino LSP annihilations inside the Sun, within the minimal supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model with supersymmetry-breaking scalar and gaugino masses constrained to be universal at the GUT scale (the CMSSM). We find that there are large regions of typical CMSSM $(m_{1/2}, m_0)$ planes where the LSP density inside the Sun is not in equilibrium, so that the annihilation rate may be far below the capture rate. We show that neutrino fluxes are dependent on the solar model at the 20% level, and adopt the AGSS09 model of Serenelli et al. for our detailed studies. We find that there are large regions of the CMSSM $(m_{1/2}, m_0)$ planes where the capture rate is not dominated by spin-dependent LSP-proton scattering, e.g., at large $m_{1/2}$ along the CMSSM coannihilation strip. We calculate neutrino fluxes above various threshold energies for points along the coannihilation/rapid-annihilation and focus-point strips where the CMSSM yields the correct cosmological relic density for tan(beta) = 10 and 55 for $\mu$ > 0, exploring their sensitivities to uncertainties in the spin-dependent and -independent scattering matrix elements. We also present detailed neutrino spectra for four benchmark models that illustrate generic possibilities within the CMSSM. Scanning the cosmologically-favored parts of the parameter space of the CMSSM, we find that the IceCube/DeepCore detector can probe at best only parts of this parameter space, notably the focus-point region and possibly also at the low-mass tip of the coannihilation strip.Comment: 32 pages, 13 figures. v2: updated/expanded discussion of IceCube/DeepCor

On the estimate of the sigma^(I = 1)_(KN)(0)-term value from the energy level shift of kaonic hydrogen in the ground state

Using the experimental data on the energy level shift of kaonic hydrogen in the ground state (the DEAR Collaboration, Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 212302 (2005)) and the theoretical value of the energy level shift, calculated within the phenomenological quantum field theoretic approach to the description of strong low-energy anti-K N and anti-K NN interactions developed at Stefan Meyer Institut fuer subatomare Physik in Vienna, we estimate the value of the sigma^(I = 1)_(KN)(0)-term of low-energy anti-K N scattering. We get sigma^(I = 1)_(KN)(0) = (433 +/- 85) MeV. This testifies the absence of strange quarks in the proton structure.Comment: 7 pages, no figure

Gyromagnetic Factors and Atomic Clock Constraints on the Variation of Fundamental Constants

We consider the effect of the coupled variations of fundamental constants on the nucleon magnetic moment. The nucleon g-factor enters into the interpretation of the measurements of variations in the fine-structure constant, alpha, in both the laboratory (through atomic clock measurements) and in astrophysical systems (e.g. through measurements of the 21 cm transitions). A null result can be translated into a limit on the variation of a set of fundamental constants, that is usually reduced to alpha. However, in specific models, particularly unification models, changes in alpha are always accompanied by corresponding changes in other fundamental quantities such as the QCD scale, Lambda_QCD. This work tracks the changes in the nucleon g-factors induced from changes in Lambda_QCD and the light quark masses. In principle, these coupled variations can improve the bounds on the variation of alpha by an order of magnitude from existing atomic clock and astrophysical measurements. Unfortunately, the calculation of the dependence of g-factors on fundamental parameters is notoriously model-dependent.Comment: 35 pages, 3 figures. Discussions of the effects of the polarization of the non-valence nucleons, spin-spin interaction and nuclear radius on the nuclear g-factor are added. References added. Matches published versio

The in-medium isovector pi N amplitude from low energy pion scattering

Differential cross sections for elastic scattering of 21.5 MeV positive and negative pions by Si, Ca, Ni and Zr have been measured as part of a study of the pion-nucleus potential across threshold. The `anomalous' repulsion in the s-wave term was observed, as is the case with pionic atoms. The extra repulsion can be accounted for by a chiral-motivated model where the pion decay constant is modified in the medium. Unlike in pionic atoms, the anomaly cannot be removed by merely introducing an empirical on-shell energy dependence.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures. Minor changes, to appear in PR

Hadronic Uncertainties in the Elastic Scattering of Supersymmetric Dark Matter

We review the uncertainties in the spin-independent and -dependent elastic scattering cross sections of supersymmetric dark matter particles on protons and neutrons. We propagate the uncertainties in quark masses and hadronic matrix elements that are related to the $\pi$-nucleon $\sigma$ term and the spin content of the nucleon. By far the largest single uncertainty is that in spin-independent scattering induced by our ignorance of the $<N | {\bar q} q | N>$ matrix elements linked to the $\pi$-nucleon $\sigma$ term, which affects the ratio of cross sections on proton and neutron targets as well as their absolute values. This uncertainty is already impacting the interpretations of experimental searches for cold dark matter. {\it We plead for an experimental campaign to determine better the $\pi$-nucleon $\sigma$ term.} Uncertainties in the spin content of the proton affect significantly, but less strongly, the calculation of rates used in indirect searches.Comment: 25 pages, 10 figures. v2: added references. To appear in PR

Heritability of Bullying and Victimization in Children and Adolescents: Moderation by the KiVa Antibullying Program

Objective: Bullying affects approximately a quarter of schoolchildren and is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. Although distinct risk factors for bullying and victimization have been identified, few studies have investigated the genetic and environmental underpinnings of bullying and victimization. The aims of this study were twofold: first, to examine the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to bullying and victimization, and second, to analyze whether the KiVa antibullying program moderated the magnitude of these contributions by comparing estimates derived from the KiVa versus control groups.Method: The sample comprised students from schools that participated in the evaluation of the KiVa antibullying program in Finland during 2007-2009. Bullying and victimization were measured using peer nominations by classmates. The sample for the twin analyses comprised of 447 twins (107 monozygotic and 340 dizygotic twins) aged 7-15.Results: Genetic contributions accounted for 62% and 77% of the variance in bullying and in victimization at pre-intervention, respectively. There was a post-intervention difference in the overall role of genetic and environmental contributions between the intervention and the control group for bullying and victimization, with non-shared environmental effects playing a lesser role (and genes a larger role) in the intervention than in the control group context.Conclusions: This study replicates previous findings on the genetic underpinnings of both bullying and victimization, and indicates that a school-based antibullying program reduces the role of non-shared environmental factors in bullying and victimization. The results indicate that prevention and intervention efforts need to target both environmental and (heritable) individual level factors to maximize effectiveness