Electroweak Supersymmetry with an Approximate U(1)_PQ

A predictive framework for supersymmetry at the TeV scale is presented, which incorporates the Ciafaloni-Pomarol mechanism for the dynamical determination of the \mu parameter of the MSSM. It is replaced by (\lambda S), where S is a singlet field, and the axion becomes a heavy pseudoscalar, G, by adding a mass, m_G, by hand. The explicit breaking of Peccei-Quinn (PQ) symmetry is assumed to be sufficiently weak at the TeV scale that the only observable consequence is the mass m_G. Three models for the explicit PQ breaking are given; but the utility of this framework is that the predictions for all physics at the electroweak scale are independent of the particular model for PQ breaking. Our framework leads to a theory similar to the MSSM, except that \mu is predicted by the Ciafaloni-Pomarol relation, and there are light, weakly-coupled states in the spectrum. The production and cascade decay of superpartners at colliders occurs as in the MSSM, except that there is one extra stage of the cascade chain, with the next-to-LSP decaying to its "superpartner" and \tilde{s}, dramatically altering the collider signatures for supersymmetry. The framework is compatible with terrestrial experiments and astrophysical observations for a wide range of m_G and . If G is as light as possible, 300 keV < m_G < 3 MeV, it can have interesting effects on the radiation energy density during the cosmological eras of nucleosynthesis and acoustic oscillation, leading to predictions for N_{\nu BBN} and N_{\nu CMB} different from 3.Comment: 45 pages, 2 colour figures, a reference added, minor correction

Prospects for Antineutrino Running at MiniBooNE

We outline a program of antineutrino cross-section measurements necessary for the next generation of neutrino oscillation experiments, that can be performed with one year of data at MiniBooNE. We describe three independent methods of constraining wrong-sign (neutrino) backgrounds in an antineutrino beam, and their application to the MiniBooNE antineutrino cross section measurements.Comment: 3 pages, 0 figures, NuFact05 to be published in Nucl. Phys. B (Proc. Supp.

Gamma Ray Bursts via emission of axion-like particles

The Pseudo-Goldstone Boson (PGB) emission could provide a very efficient mechanism for explaining the cosmic Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). The PGBs could be produced during the merging of two compact objects like two neutron stars or neutron star - black hole, and then decay into electron-positron pairs and photons at distances ~ 100-1000 km. In this way, a huge energy (up to more than 10^{54} erg) can be deposited into the outer space with low baryon density in the form of ultrarelativistic e^+e^- plasma, the so called fireball, which originates the observed gamma-ray bursts. The needed ranges for the PGB parameters are: mass of order MeV, coupling to nucleons g_{aN} ~ few x 10^{-6} and to electrons g_{ae} ~ few x 10^{-9}. Interestingly enough, the range for coupling constants correspond to that of the invisible axion with the Peccei-Quinn symmetry breaking scale V ~ few x 10^5 GeV, but the mass of the PGB is many orders of magnitude larger than what such a scale would demand to an axion. Neither present experimental data nor astrophysical and cosmological arguments can exclude such an ultramassive axion, however the relevant parameters' window is within the reach of future experiments. Another exciting point is that our mechanism could explain the association of some GRBs with supernovae type Ib/c, as far as their progenitor stars have a radius ~ 10^4 km. And finally, it also could help the supernova type II explosion: PGBs emitted from the core of the collapsing star and decaying in the outer shells would deposit a kinetic energy of the order of 10^{51} erg. In this way, emission of such an axion-like particle could provide an unique theoretical base for understanding the gamma ray bursts and supernova explosions.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Analisis Faktor-Faktor yang Memengaruhi Tingkat Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi di Lingkungan Kantor Pelayanan Pajak Pratama, Tigaraksa Tangerang

Tax collection is not an easy matter. Active participation from the tax authorities also requires the willingness of the taxpayer. A public reaction can be seen from the taxpayer\u27s willingness to pay taxes. Willingness and awareness to pay taxes represent a value contributed by someone (which has been determined by regulation). Tax is used to finance public expenditures without any direct benefit. Taxpayer\u27s awareness about taxation functions as state funding is needed to improve tax compliance and to determine the level of tax compliance in implementing their tax obligations. Limitation of the scope of this study is the effect of the level of awareness of paying taxes, taxpayer\u27s understanding about tax benefits, tax penalties, and understanding of service quality to the tax authorities of individual taxpayer compliance in the fulfillment of tax obligations, as well as restricted to data obtained through questionnaires received and filled by the individual taxpayer of Tigaraksa Pratama Tax Office area. Data were obtained through questionnaire and processed and analyzed using parametric statistical tests and multiple linear regression with 4 independent variables and one dependent variable resulted in the conclusion that the factors that most influence taxpayer compliance in carrying out its tax liability is the use of sanctions against taxpayers who do not carry out its obligations under applicable legislation

Strong CP problem and mirror world: the Weinberg Wilczek axion revisited

A new possibility for solving the strong CP-problem is suggested,which assumes that apart of the ordinary world of observable particles described by standard model, there exits a mirror sector of particles and two sectors share the same Peccei-Quinn symmetry realized {\it a l\`a} Weinberg-Wilczek model. The mirror gauge group is completely analogous to that of the standard model for ordinary particles but having somewhat larger electroweak scale,which in turn implies the infrared scale $\Lambda'$ of the mirror strong interactions has to be larger than the ordinary QCD scale $\Lambda$. In this way, the axion mass and interaction constants are actually determined by mirror sector scales $v'$ and $\Lambda'$, while the $\theta$ terms are simultaneously cancelled in both sectors due to mirror symmetry. The experimental and astrophysical limits on such an axion is discussed. An interesting parameter window is found where $f_a \sim {\rm few}\times 10^4$ GeV whereas the axion mass is $\sim 1$ MeV.Comment: 13 LaTex pages, 3 Postscript figure

Shadowing in neutrino deep inelastic scattering and the determination of the strange quark distribution

We discuss shadowing corrections to the structure function $F_2$ in neutrino deep-inelastic scattering on heavy nuclear targets. In particular, we examine the role played by shadowing in the comparison of the structure functions $F_2$ measured in neutrino and muon deep inelastic scattering. The importance of shadowing corrections in the determination of the strange quark distributions is explained.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figure

Epistemic oppression and the concept of coercion in psychiatry

Coercion is still highly prevalent in contemporary psychiatry. Qualitative research indicates, however, that patients and psychiatric staff have different understandings of what they mean by ‘coercion’. Psychiatric staff primarily employ the concept as referring to instances of formal coercion regulated by law, such as involuntary hospital admission or treatment. Patients, on the other hand, use a broader concept, which also understands many instances of informal psychological pressure as coercive. We point out that the predominance of a narrow concept of coercion in psychiatry can have negative consequences for patients, and argue that this difference in how the concept ‘coercion’ is used is both grounded in epistemic oppression and reinforces such oppression. Epistemic oppression, as defined by Dotson, refers to the persistent epistemic exclusion of members of marginalized groups from participation in practices of knowledge production. We first demonstrate how patients may experience inferential inertia when communicating their experiences of coercion. We then show that the resulting predominance of a narrow concept of coercion in psychiatry can be described as a case of hermeneutical injustice in a context shaped by institutional hermeneutical ignorance. We argue for a change in institutional practices in psychiatry that allows for the adequate consideration of patients’ perspectives on coercion

Astrocytes as a Source for Extracellular Matrix Molecules and Cytokines

Research of the past 25 years has shown that astrocytes do more than participating and building up the blood-brain barrier and detoxify the active synapse by reuptake of neurotransmitters and ions. Indeed, astrocytes express neurotransmitter receptors and, as a consequence, respond to stimuli. Within the tripartite synapse, the astrocytes owe more and more importance. Besides the functional aspects the differentiation of astrocytes has gained a more intensive focus. Deeper knowledge of the differentiation processes during development of the central nervous system might help explaining and even help treating neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and psychiatric disorders in which astrocytes have been shown to play a role. Specific differentiation of neural stem cells toward the astroglial lineage is performed as a multi-step process. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes develop from a multipotent stem cell that prior to this has produced primarily neuronal precursor cells. This switch toward the more astroglial differentiation is regulated by a change in receptor composition on the cell surface and responsiveness to Fibroblast growth factor and Epidermal growth factor (EGF). The glial precursor cell is driven into the astroglial direction by signaling molecules like Ciliary neurotrophic factor, Bone Morphogenetic Proteins, and EGF. However, the early astrocytes influence their environment not only by releasing and responding to diverse soluble factors but also express a wide range of extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules, in particular proteoglycans of the lectican family and tenascins. Lately these ECM molecules have been shown to participate in glial development. In this regard, especially the matrix protein Tenascin C (Tnc) proved to be an important regulator of astrocyte precursor cell proliferation and migration during spinal cord development. Nevertheless, ECM molecules expressed by reactive astrocytes are also known to act mostly in an inhibitory fashion under pathophysiological conditions. Thus, we further summarize resent data concerning the role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and Tnc under pathological conditions

Modified Quark-Meson Coupling Model for Nuclear Matter

The quark-meson coupling model for nuclear matter, which describes nuclear matter as non-overlapping MIT bags bound by the self-consistent exchange of scalar and vector mesons, is modified by introducing medium modification of the bag constant. We model the density dependence of the bag constant in two different ways: one invokes a direct coupling of the bag constant to the scalar meson field, and the other relates the bag constant to the in-medium nucleon mass. Both models feature a decreasing bag constant with increasing density. We find that when the bag constant is significantly reduced in nuclear medium with respect to its free-space value, large canceling isoscalar Lorentz scalar and vector potentials for the nucleon in nuclear matter emerge naturally. Such potentials are comparable to those suggested by relativistic nuclear phenomenology and finite-density QCD sum rules. This suggests that the reduction of bag constant in nuclear medium may play an important role in low- and medium-energy nuclear physics.Comment: Part of the text is reordered, revised version to appear in Phys. Rev. C. 19 pages, ReVTeX, 4 figures embedde

Das wankende Monopol

Die vorliegende Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschieden in der Wahlberichterstattung von öffentlich-rechtlichen und privaten Fernsehsendern. Anhand einer Fallstudie werden kommunikationswissenschaftliche Annahmen wie die Konvergenzhypothese oder die Macht des Agenda Settings im Wahlkampf auf ihre Gültigkeit in einem konkreten Fall überprüft. Untersucht werden drei Diskussionssendungen, so genannte „Elefantenrunden“, die vor der Nationalratswahl 2008 erstmals auch von zwei Privatsendern in Österreich angeboten wurde. Die drei Sendungen werden mit qualitativen und quantitativen Methoden aufbereitet und anschließend miteinander verglichen. Besonderes Augenmerk wird dabei auf die Erhebung der in den Sendungen besprochenen Themen gelegt, da diese darüber Auskunft geben kann, ob sich im dualen System tatsächlich durch die Mehrzahl an Rundfunkveranstaltern auch ein größerer Themenpluralismus einstellt. Auch Unterschiede in der grundsätzlichen Konzeption der drei Formate werden herausgearbeitet. Diese manifestieren sich etwa in den Handlungsweisen der Moderatoren, der audiovisuellen Gestaltung der Sendungen oder der Gestaltung der Studios. Es wird auch der Frage nachgegangen, was Private Fernsehveranstalter motiviert, sich in Österreich in die Wahlberichterstattung einzuklinken, einem Land in dem das öffentlich-rechtliche Fernsehens gerade in Sachen innenpolitische Berichterstattung eine Monopolstellung einnimmt. Die Ergebnisse der umfassenden Untersuchung, die sowohl das Sendungsmaterial selbst ins Auge fasst, als auch die Moderatoren und Vertreter der Sender persönlich miteinbezieht, bestätigen einige Annahmen über das Verhältnis von öffentlich-rechtlichem und privatem Fernsehen, manche werde allerdings auch widerlegt. So überraschen etwa die nachgewiesenen Unterschiede in der Themenauswahl, die die demokratiepolitischen Implikation, die etwa die Europäische Menschenrechtskonvention dem dualen System zuschreibt, zu bestätigen scheinen