240 research outputs found
Signatures of Earth-scattering in the direct detection of Dark Matter
Direct detection experiments search for the interactions of Dark Matter (DM)
particles with nuclei in terrestrial detectors. But if these interactions are
sufficiently strong, DM particles may scatter in the Earth, affecting their
distribution in the lab. We present a new analytic calculation of this
`Earth-scattering' effect in the regime where DM particles scatter at most once
before reaching the detector. We perform the calculation self-consistently,
taking into account not only those particles which are scattered away from the
detector, but also those particles which are deflected towards the detector.
Taking into account a realistic model of the Earth and allowing for a range of
DM-nucleon interactions, we present the EarthShadow code, which we make
publicly available, for calculating the DM velocity distribution after
Earth-scattering. Focusing on low-mass DM, we find that Earth-scattering
reduces the direct detection rate at certain detector locations while
increasing the rate in others. The Earth's rotation induces a daily modulation
in the rate, which we find to be highly sensitive to the detector latitude and
to the form of the DM-nucleon interaction. These distinctive signatures would
allow us to unambiguously detect DM and perhaps even identify its interactions
in regions of the parameter space within the reach of current and future
experiments.Comment: 27 pages + appendices, 9 figures. Code (and animations) available at
https://github.com/bradkav/EarthShadow (Astrophysics Source Code Library,
record ascl:1611.012). v2: added references, matches version published in
JCA
Gravitational self-force corrections to gyroscope precession along circular orbits in the Kerr spacetime
We generalize to Kerr spacetime previous gravitational self-force results on
gyroscope precession along circular orbits in the Schwarzschild spacetime. In
particular we present high order post- Newtonian expansions for the gauge
invariant precession function along circular geodesics valid for arbitrary Kerr
spin parameter and show agreement between these results and those derived from
the full post-Newtonian conservative dynamics. Finally we present strong field
numerical data for a range of the Kerr spin parameter, showing agreement with
the GSF-PN results, and the expected lightring divergent behaviour. These
results provide useful testing benchmarks for self- force calculations in Kerr
spacetime, and provide an avenue for translating self-force data into the
spin-spin coupling in effective-one-body models.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure
Providing space for teacher renewal: the role of the facilitator in school-university partnerships
This article uses the process of a teacher renewal partnership programme to explore the role of the university academic as a facilitator of change. Responses to a series of interview questions relating to change were used to explore and examine the dimensions of the facilitator\u27s role. Facilitators report that the role is complex, often uncertain and requires an understanding of the school and its culture and schools\u27 and teachers\u27 previous experiences in professional development programmes. The findings from this article suggest that an effective facilitator creates, for the teachers involved, a space for discussion, reflection and challenge and that this space provides for and legitimates teacher renewal. <br /
Prevalence of cervical disease at age 20 after immunisation with bivalent HPV vaccine at age 12-13 in Scotland: retrospective population study
The manuscript was reviewed by Joās Trust, which supports the conclusions. It made the following statement: We think (it has) massive implications for the screening programme, vaccine and also impact on diagnoses in the future. It gives weight for activity to increase vaccine uptake, has implications on screening intervals. The clinically relevant herd protection is very interesting too. It also feeds into our policy calls for a new IT infrastructure (for the screening programme in England) to record and enable invitations based on whether someone has at the vaccine if intervals can be extended. Funding: This study has been undertaken as part of the programme of surveillance of immunisation against human papillomavirus in Scotland, included within the routine work of Health Protection Scotland, a part of the Scottish National Health Service. No funding has been received from industry.Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Detweiler's redshift invariant for spinning particles along circular orbits on a Schwarzschild background
We study the metric perturbations induced by a classical spinning particle
moving along a circular orbit on a Schwarzschild background, limiting the
analysis to effects which are first order in spin. The particle is assumed to
move on the equatorial plane and has its spin aligned with the -axis. The
metric perturbations are obtained by using two different approaches, i.e., by
working in two different gauges: the Regge-Wheeler gauge (using the
Regge-Wheeler-Zerilli formalism) and a radiation gauge (using the Teukolsky
formalism). We then compute the linear-in-spin contribution to the first-order
self-force contribution to Detweiler's redshift invariant up to the 8.5
post-Newtonian order. We check that our result is the same in both gauges, as
appropriate for a gauge-invariant quantity, and agrees with the currently known
3.5 post-Newtonian results.Comment: 16 pages, 1 figure, revtex macros use
Metric perturbations of Kerr spacetime in Lorenz gauge: Circular equatorial orbits
We construct the metric perturbation in Lorenz gauge for a compact body on a
circular equatorial orbit of a rotating black hole (Kerr) spacetime, using a
newly-developed method of separation of variables. The metric perturbation is
formed from a linear sum of differential operators acting on Teukolsky mode
functions, and certain auxiliary scalars, which are solutions to ordinary
differential equations in the frequency domain. For radiative modes, the
solution is uniquely determined by the Weyl scalars, the trace,
and gauge scalars whose amplitudes are determined by imposing
continuity conditions on the metric perturbation at the orbital radius. The
static (zero-frequency) part of the metric perturbation, which is handled
separately, also includes mass and angular momentum completion pieces. The
metric perturbation is validated against the independent results of a 2+1D time
domain code, and we demonstrate agreement at the expected level in all
components, and the absence of gauge discontinuities. In principle, the new
method can be used to determine the Lorenz-gauge metric perturbation at a
sufficiently high precision to enable accurate second-order self-force
calculations on Kerr spacetime in future. We conclude with a discussion of
extensions of the method to eccentric and non-equatorial orbits.Comment: 88 pages, 14 figure
Data linkage and statistical modelling to provide stratified risk assessment for HAI
Objectives:
The use of āreal-timeā data to support individual patient management and outcome assessment requires the development of risk assessment models. This could be delivered through a learning health system by the building robust statistical analysis tools onto the existing linked data held by NHS Scotlandās Infection Intelligence Platform (IIP) and developed within the Scottish Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Institute (SHAIPI).
This project will create prediction models for the risk of acquiring a healthcare associated infection (HAI), and particular outcomes, at the point of GP consultation/ hospital admission which could aid clinical decision making.
Approach:
We demonstrate the capability using the HAI Clostridium difficile (CDI) from 2010-2013. Using linked national individual level data on community prescribing, hospitalisations, infections and death records we extracted all cases of CDI and by comparing to matched population-based controls, examined the impact of prior hospital admissions, care home residence, comorbidities, exposure to gastric acid suppressive drugs and antibiotic exposure, defined as both cumulative (total defined daily dose (DDD)) and temporal antimicrobial exposure in the previous 6 months, to the risk of CDI acquisition. Antimicrobial exposure was considered for all drugs and the higher risk broad spectrum antibiotics (4Cs). Associations are assessed using conditional logistic regression. Using cross-validation we assess the ability of the model to accurately predict CDI infection. Risk scores for acquisition of CDI are estimated by combining these predictions with age and gender population incidence.
Results:
In the period 2010-2013 there were 1446 cases of CDI with matched 7964 controls. A significant dose-response relationship for exposure to any antimicrobial (1-7 DDDs OR=2.3 rising to OR=4.4 for 29+ DDDs) and, with elevated risk, to the 4C group (1-7 DDDs OR=3.8 rising to OR=17.9 for 29+ DDDs). Exposure elevates CDI risk most in the month after prescription but for 4C antimicrobials the elevated risk remains 6 months later (4C OR=12.4 within 1 month, OR=2.6 4-6 months later). The risk of CDI was also increased with more co-morbidities, previous hospitalisations, care home residency, increased number of prescriptions, and gastric acid suppression.
Conclusion:
Despite limitations to current application in practice,(paucity of patient level in-hospital prescribing data and constraints of the timeliness of the data), when fully developed this system will enable risk classification to identify patients most at risk of HAI and adverse outcomes to aid clinical decision making
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