QCD Improved b→sγb\to s\gamma Constraints on the Minimal Supergravity Model

Recent advances in the QCD corrections to $b\to s\gamma$ decay in the MSSM include i.) evaluation of the relevant operators, Wilson coefficients and anomalous dimension matrix elements for the various MSSM effective theories valid at scales beyond $Q =M_W$, ii.) calculations of most of the needed anomalous dimension matrix elements to next-to-leading order for scales m_b\alt Q , and iii.) calculations of ${\cal O}(\alpha_s)$ virtual and bremsstrahlung corrections to the $b\to s\gamma$ decay operators at scale $Q\sim m_b$. We assemble all these known results to gain an estimate of $B(b\to s\gamma )$ for the parameter space of the minimal supergravity model (mSUGRA). We find a much reduced scale dependence of our result compared to usual leading-log evaluations. Comparison with the latest CLEO results yields stringent constraints on parameter space. Much of mSUGRA parameter space is ruled out for $\mu <0$, especially for large $tan\beta$. We compare these results with other constraints from cosmology and non-standard vacua. Also, we compare with expectations for discovering mSUGRA at LEP2, the Tevatron and the CERN LHC.Comment: 14 pages REVTEX plus 7 PS figures; this version contains revised figures and text due to discovery of a bug in the program used to generate results for the previous version of this manuscrip

b→sγb\to s\gamma Constraints on the Minimal Supergravity Model with Large tan⁡β\tan\beta

In the minimal supergravity model (mSUGRA), as the parameter $\tan\beta$ increases, the charged Higgs boson and light bottom squark masses decrease, which can potentially increase contributions from $tH^\pm$, \tg\tb_j and \tz_i\tb_j loops in the decay $b\to s\gamma$. We update a previous QCD improved $b\to s\gamma$ decay calculation to include in addition the effects of gluino and neutralino loops. We find that in the mSUGRA model, loops involving charginos also increase, and dominate over $tW$, $tH^\pm$, \tg\tq and \tz_i\tq contributions for \tan\beta\agt 5-10. We find for large values of $\tan\beta \sim 35$ that most of the parameter space of the mSUGRA model for $\mu <0$ is ruled out due to too large a value of branching ratio $B(b\to s\gamma)$. For $\mu >0$ and large $\tan\beta$, most of parameter space is allowed, although the regions with the least fine-tuning (low $m_0$ and $m_{1/2}$) are ruled out due to too low a value of $B(b\to s\gamma)$. We compare the constraints from $b\to s\gamma$ to constraints from the neutralino relic density, and to expectations for sparticle discovery at LEP2 and the Fermilab Tevatron $p\bar p$ colliders. Finally, we show that non-universal GUT scale soft breaking squark mass terms can enhance gluino loop contributions to $b\to s\gamma$ decay rate even if these are diagonal.Comment: 14 page REVTEX file plus 6 PS figure

Yukawa Unified Supersymmetric SO(10) Model: Cosmology, Rare Decays and Collider Searches

It has recently been pointed out that viable sparticle mass spectra can be generated in Yukawa unified SO(10) supersymmetric grand unified models consistent with radiative breaking of electroweak symmetry. Model solutions are obtained only if $\tan\beta \sim 50$, $\mu <0$ and positive $D$-term contributions to scalar masses from SO(10) gauge symmetry breaking are used. In this paper, we attempt to systematize the parameter space regions where solutions are obtained. We go on to calculate the relic density of neutralinos as a function of parameter space. No regions of the parameter space explored were actually cosmologically excluded, and very reasonable relic densities were found in much of parameter space. Direct neutralino detection rates could exceed 1 event/kg/day for a $^{73}$Ge detector, for low values of GUT scale gaugino mass $m_{1/2}$. We also calculate the branching fraction for $b\to s \gamma$ decays, and find that it is beyond the 95% CL experimental limits in much, but not all, of the parameter space regions explored. However, recent claims have been made that NLO effects can reverse the signs of certain amplitudes in the $b\to s\gamma$ calculation, leading to agreement between theory and experiment in Yukawa unified SUSY models. For the Fermilab Tevatron collider, significant regions of parameter space can be explored via $b\bar{b}A$ and $b\bar{b}H$ searches. There also exist some limited regions of parameter space where a trilepton signal can be seen at TeV33. Finally, there exist significant regions of parameter space where direct detection of bottom squark pair production can be made, especially for large negative values of the GUT parameter $A_0$.Comment: Added comparison to Blazek/Raby results and added Comments on de Boer et al. b->s gamma result

A Worldwide Test of the Predictive Validity of Ideal Partner Preference-Matching

©American Psychological Association, [2024]. This paper is not the copy of record and may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. The final article is available, upon publication, at: [ARTICLE DOI]”Ideal partner preferences (i.e., ratings of the desirability of attributes like attractiveness or intelligence) are the source of numerous foundational findings in the interdisciplinary literature on human mating. Recently, research on the predictive validity of ideal partner preference-matching (i.e., do people positively evaluate partners who match versus mismatch their ideals?) has become mired in several problems. First, articles exhibit discrepant analytic and reporting practices. Second, different findings emerge across laboratories worldwide, perhaps because they sample different relationship contexts and/or populations. This registered report—partnered with the Psychological Science Accelerator—uses a highly powered design (N=10,358) across 43 countries and 22 languages to estimate preference-matching effect sizes. The most rigorous tests revealed significant preference-matching effects in the whole sample and for partnered and single participants separately. The “corrected pattern metric” that collapses across 35 traits revealed a zero-order effect of β=.19 and an effect of β=.11 when included alongside a normative preference-matching metric. Specific traits in the “level metric” (interaction) tests revealed very small (average β=.04) effects. Effect sizes were similar for partnered participants who reported ideals before entering a relationship, and there was no consistent evidence that individual differences moderated any effects. Comparisons between stated and revealed preferences shed light on gender differences and similarities: For attractiveness, men’s and (especially) women’s stated preferences underestimated revealed preferences (i.e., they thought attractiveness was less important than it actually was). For earning potential, men’s stated preferences underestimated—and women’s stated preferences overestimated—revealed preferences. Implications for the literature on human mating are discussed.Unfunde

The psychological science accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

A global experiment on motivating social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finding communication strategies that effectively motivate social distancing continues to be a global public health priority during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-country, preregistered experiment (n = 25,718 from 89 countries) tested hypotheses concerning generalizable positive and negative outcomes of social distancing messages that promoted personal agency and reflective choices (i.e., an autonomy-supportive message) or were restrictive and shaming (i.e., a controlling message) compared with no message at all. Results partially supported experimental hypotheses in that the controlling message increased controlled motivation (a poorly internalized form of motivation relying on shame, guilt, and fear of social consequences) relative to no message. On the other hand, the autonomy-supportive message lowered feelings of defiance compared with the controlling message, but the controlling message did not differ from receiving no message at all. Unexpectedly, messages did not influence autonomous motivation (a highly internalized form of motivation relying on one’s core values) or behavioral intentions. Results supported hypothesized associations between people’s existing autonomous and controlled motivations and self-reported behavioral intentions to engage in social distancing. Controlled motivation was associated with more defiance and less long-term behavioral intention to engage in social distancing, whereas autonomous motivation was associated with less defiance and more short- and long-term intentions to social distance. Overall, this work highlights the potential harm of using shaming and pressuring language in public health communication, with implications for the current and future global health challenges

The Psychological Science Accelerator’s COVID-19 rapid-response dataset

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Psychological Science Accelerator coordinated three large-scale psychological studies to examine the effects of loss-gain framing, cognitive reappraisals, and autonomy framing manipulations on behavioral intentions and affective measures. The data collected (April to October 2020) included specific measures for each experimental study, a general questionnaire examining health prevention behaviors and COVID-19 experience, geographical and cultural context characterization, and demographic information for each participant. Each participant started the study with the same general questions and then was randomized to complete either one longer experiment or two shorter experiments. Data were provided by 73,223 participants with varying completion rates. Participants completed the survey from 111 geopolitical regions in 44 unique languages/dialects. The anonymized dataset described here is provided in both raw and processed formats to facilitate re-use and further analyses. The dataset offers secondary analytic opportunities to explore coping, framing, and self-determination across a diverse, global sample obtained at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which can be merged with other time-sampled or geographic data

A multi-country test of brief reappraisal interventions on emotions during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased negative emotions and decreased positive emotions globally. Left unchecked, these emotional changes might have a wide array of adverse impacts. To reduce negative emotions and increase positive emotions, we tested the effectiveness of reappraisal, an emotion-regulation strategy that modifies how one thinks about a situation. Participants from 87 countries and regions (n = 21,644) were randomly assigned to one of two brief reappraisal interventions (reconstrual or repurposing) or one of two control conditions (active or passive). Results revealed that both reappraisal interventions (vesus both control conditions) consistently reduced negative emotions and increased positive emotions across different measures. Reconstrual and repurposing interventions had similar effects. Importantly, planned exploratory analyses indicated that reappraisal interventions did not reduce intentions to practice preventive health behaviours. The findings demonstrate the viability of creating scalable, low-cost interventions for use around the world