Supersymmetry (SUSY) is an attractive extension of the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics which solves the SM hierarchy problem. Motivated by the theoretical
μ
-term problem of the Minimal ...Supersymmetric Model (MSSM), the Next-to MSSM (NMSSM) can also account for experimental deviations from the SM like the anomalous muon magnetic moment and the dark matter relic density. Natural SUSY, motivated by naturalness considerations, exhibits small fine tuning and a characteristic phenomenology with light higgsinos, stops, and gluinos. We describe a scan in NMSSM parameter space motivated by Natural SUSY and guided by the phenomenology of an NMSSM with a slightly broken Peccei–Quinn symmetry and a lightly coupled singlet. We identify a scenario which survives experimental constraints with a light singlet Higgs and a singlino lightest SUSY particle. We then discuss how the scenario is not presently excluded by searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and which channels are promising for discovery at the LHC and International Linear Collider.
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Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Effectively evaluating visualization techniques is a difficult task often assessed through feedback from user studies and expert evaluations. This work presents an alternative approach to ...visualization evaluation in which brain activity is passively recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). These measurements are used to compare different visualization techniques in terms of the burden they place on a viewer's cognitive resources. In this paper, EEG signals and response times are recorded while users interpret different representations of data distributions. This information is processed to provide insight into the cognitive load imposed on the viewer. This paper describes the design of the user study performed, the extraction of cognitive load measures from EEG data, and how those measures are used to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of visualizations.
X‐ray free‐electron lasers (XFELs) deliver pulses of coherent X‐rays on the femtosecond time scale, with potentially high repetition rates. While XFELs provide high peak intensities, both the ...intensity and the centroid of the beam fluctuate strongly on a pulse‐to‐pulse basis, motivating high‐rate beam diagnostics that operate over a large dynamic range. The fast drift velocity, low X‐ray absorption and high radiation tolerance properties of chemical vapour deposition diamonds make these crystals a promising candidate material for developing a fast (multi‐GHz) pass‐through diagnostic for the next generation of XFELs. A new approach to the design of a diamond sensor signal path is presented, along with associated characterization studies performed in the XPP endstation of the LINAC Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC. Qualitative charge collection profiles (collected charge versus time) are presented and compared with those from a commercially available detector. Quantitative results on the charge collection efficiency and signal collection times are presented over a range of approximately four orders of magnitude in the generated electron–hole plasma density.
Two approaches to the design of a diamond sensor signal path were explored using high‐intensity X‐ray pulses from the LINAC Coherent Light Source at SLAC. Results on the charge‐collection efficiency and signal collection time are presented over a range of approximately four orders of magnitude in the generated electron–hole plasma density.
Glass surfaces are of considerable interest due to their disproportionately large influence on the performance of glass articles in many applications. However, the behavior of glass surfaces has ...proven difficult to model and predict due to their complex structure and interactions with the environment. Here, the effects of glass network topology on the surface reactivity of glasses have been investigated using reactive and nonreactive force field-based molecular dynamics simulations as well as density functional theory. A topological constraint-based description for surface reactivity is developed, allowing for improved understanding of the physical and chemical origins of surface reactivity. Results show evidence for the existence of a chemically stable intermediate phase on the surface of the glass where the glass network is mechanically isostatic.
The low-carbon, intensively cropped Coastal Plain soils of Georgia are susceptible to runoff, soil loss, and drought. Reduced tillage systems offer the best management tool for sustained row crop ...production. Understanding runoff, sediment, and chemical losses from conventional and reduced tillage systems is expected to improve if the effect of a variable rainfall intensity storm was quantified. Our objective was to quantify and compare effects of a constant (I(c)) intensity pattern and a more realistic, observed, variable (I(v)) rainfall intensity pattern on runoff (R), sediment (E), and carbon losses (C) from a Tifton loamy sand cropped to conventional-till (CT) and strip-till (ST) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Four treatments were evaluated: CT-I(c), CT-I(v), ST-I(c), and ST-I(v), each replicated three times. Field plots (n = 12), each 2 by 3 m, were established on each treatment. Each 6-m2 field plot received simulated rainfall at a constant (57 mm h-1) or variable rainfall intensity pattern for 70 min (12-run ave. = 1402 mL; CV = 3%). The I(v) pattern represented the most frequent occurring intensity pattern for spring storms in the region. Compared with CT, ST decreased R by 2.5-fold, E by 3.5-fold, and C by 7-fold. Maximum runoff values for I(v) events were 1.6-fold higher than those for I(c) events and occurred 38 min earlier. Values for E(tot) and C(tot) for I(v) events were 19-36% and 1.5-fold higher than corresponding values for I(c) events. Values for E(max) and C(max) for I(v) events were 3-fold and 4-fold higher than corresponding values for I(c) events. Carbon enrichment ratios (CER) were <or= 1.0 for ST plots and >or= 1.0 for CT plots (except for first 20 min). Maximum CER for CT-I(c), CT-I(v), ST-I(c), and ST-I(v) were 2.0, 2.2, 1.0, and 1.2, respectively. Transport of sediment, carbon, and agrichemicals would be better understood if variable rainfall intensity patterns derived from natural rainfall were used in rainfall simulations to evaluate their fate and transport from CT and ST systems.
•Measured fecal bacteria in runoff from plots fertilized with broiler litter.•Runoff volumes were greater for conventional tillage than no-till.•Loads of E. coli and Salmonella in runoff were not ...different.•Salmonella's percent recovery in runoff was 105-times greater than E. coli's.•The efficacy of E. coli as an indicator of risk to public health is questionable.
Georgia farmers are increasing preemergence applications of soil residual herbicides to control glyphosate resistant weeds. To improve efficacy these herbicides are often activated by post-application irrigation. Broiler litter is commonly applied to fields before these herbicides. The herbicide wetting-in practice increases surface soil water content and may increase runoff and transport of broiler litter borne fecal bacteria into surface waters during subsequent storm events. Our objective was to determine differences in loads of fecal bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., in runoff from conventional tillage (CT) and no-till (NT) systems after herbicides were watered into an Ultisol fertilized with broiler litter. On replicated 6m2-plots (n=3) simulated rainfall was applied for 70min with composite runoff samples collected every 5min and analyzed for E. coli and Salmonella spp. Although total runoff volume from the CT plots was significantly greater than from NT plots, no significant differences in total load of E. coli and Salmonella or the percent of total loads of E. coli and Salmonella recovered in runoff between tillage systems were observed. Total percentage of Salmonella recovered in runoff from both tillage systems was, however, four log10 orders of magnitude greater than the percentage of E. coli that was recovered. Difference in percentage recovered between the fecal indicator bacterium, E. coli, and the pathogen, Salmonella, underscores an apparent difference in hydrologic transport characteristics of these two fecal bacteria and casts doubts on the efficacy of E. coli as an indicator of risk to public health.
This study characterized the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), the antiinflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-10, autoantibodies specific for ...GM1 ganglioside (anti-GM1), IgG and IgM, and myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG), in the sera of infection-free, chronic (>12 months), traumatically injured SCI patients (n = 24). Healthy able-bodied subjects (n = 26) served as controls. The proinflammatory cytokines and anti-GM1 antibodies were of particular interest as they have been implicated in an autoimmune "channelopathy" component to central and peripheral conduction deficits in various chronic neuroinflammatory diseases. Antibody and cytokine titers were established using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The mean anti-GM(1) (IgM) titer value for the SCI group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than controls. The SCI group also demonstrated significantly higher titers (p < 0.05) of IL-2 and TNF alpha than controls. No differences were found between the SCI group and control group mean levels of IL-4 or IL-10. Overall, the serum of 57% of SCI patients contained increased levels of autoantibodies or proinflammatory cytokines relative to control values. These results provide preliminary support for the hypothesis that chronic immunological activation in the periphery occurs in a subpopulation of chronic SCI patients. It remains to be established whether elevated serum titers of proinflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies against GM1 are beneficial to the patients or whether they are surrogate markers of a channelopathy that compounds the neurological impairment associated with traumatic axonopathy or myelinopathy.
► The proportion of total P and N leached through residues was 5.6% and 22% of the P and N applied as broiler litter. ► The proportion of total P and N in runoff was 0.8% and 1.2% of the P and N ...applied in broiler litter. ► Most of the P and N leached through and from the residue moved into the soil profile in the no tillage system.
In the Southeastern Coastal Plain (USA) farmers with access to irrigation commonly water in herbicides following their preemergence application to improve efficacy of the herbicide. This practice increases near surface soil water content and may promote increased runoff during subsequent storm events. The objective of our study was to determine differences in P and N runoff from conventional tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT) systems when herbicides were watered into loamy sand Ultisols fertilized with broiler litter. Simulated rain with variable intensity was applied for 70min with runoff samples collected every 5min and analyzed for total P and N, PO43−, NH4+ and NO3−. Results indicated the no-tillage treatment lost significantly more PO43− and NH4+ than the conventional tillage treatment. However, total P and N and NO3− runoff losses were significantly less in the no-tillage treatment. The proportion of total P and N leached through NT residues was 5.6% and 22% of the P and N applied as broiler litter, and the proportion of total P and N in runoff was 0.8% and 1.2% of the P and N applied in broiler litter. Overall 3.4 times more N and 2.7 more P were lost in runoff from the CT treatments than for the NT treatments. Reduced tillage was found to reduce N and P losses when combined with watering-in of surface applied broiler litter.
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