A Two-Tiered Correlation of Dark Matter with Missing Transverse Energy: Reconstructing the Lightest Supersymmetric Particle Mass at the LHC

We suggest that non-trivial correlations between the dark matter particle mass and collider based probes of missing transverse energy H_T^miss may facilitate a two tiered approach to the initial discovery of supersymmetry and the subsequent reconstruction of the LSP mass at the LHC. These correlations are demonstrated via extensive Monte Carlo simulation of seventeen benchmark models, each sampled at five distinct LHC center-of-mass beam energies, spanning the parameter space of No-Scale F-SU(5).This construction is defined in turn by the union of the Flipped SU(5) Grand Unified Theory, two pairs of hypothetical TeV scale vector-like supersymmetric multiplets with origins in F-theory, and the dynamically established boundary conditions of No-Scale Supergravity. In addition, we consider a control sample comprised of a standard minimal Supergravity benchmark point. Led by a striking similarity between the H_T^miss distribution and the familiar power spectrum of a black body radiator at various temperatures, we implement a broad empirical fit of our simulation against a Poisson distribution ansatz. We advance the resulting fit as a theoretical blueprint for deducing the mass of the LSP, utilizing only the missing transverse energy in a statistical sampling of >= 9 jet events. Cumulative uncertainties central to the method subsist at a satisfactory 12-15% level. The fact that supersymmetric particle spectrum of No-Scale F-SU(5) has thrived the withering onslaught of early LHC data that is steadily decimating the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model and minimal Supergravity parameter spaces is a prime motivation for augmenting more conventional LSP search methodologies with the presently proposed alternative.Comment: JHEP version, 17 pages, 9 Figures, 2 Table

The No-Scale Multiverse at the LHC

We present a contemporary perspective on the String Landscape and the Multiverse of plausible string, M- and F-theory vacua, seeking to demonstrate a non-zero probability for the existence of a universe matching our own observed physics within the solution ensemble, arguing for the importance of No-Scale Supergravity as an essential common underpinning. Our context is a highly detailed phenomenological probe of No-Scale F-SU(5), a model representing the intersection of the F-lipped SU(5) X U(1)_X Grand Unified Theory (GUT) with extra TeV-Scale vector-like multiplets derived out of F-theory, and the dynamics of No-Scale Supergravity. We present a highly constrained "Golden" region with tan(beta) \sim 15, m_t = 173.0 - 174.4 GeV, M_1/2 = 455 - 481 GeV, and M_V = 691 - 1020 GeV, which simultaneously satisfies all known experimental constraints. We supplement this bottom-up phenomenological perspective with a top-down theoretical analysis of the one-loop effective Higgs potential, achieving a striking consonance via the dynamic determination of tan(beta) and M_1/2 at the local secondary minimization of the spontaneously broken electroweak Higgs vacuum V_min. We present the distinctive signatures of No-Scale F-SU(5) at the LHC, where a light stop and gluino are expected to generate a surplus of ultra-high multiplicity (>= 9) hadronic jet events. We propose modest alterations to the canonical background selection cut strategy which would enhance resolution of these events, while readily suppressing the contribution of all Standard Model processes, and allowing a clear differentiation from competing models of new physics. Detection by the LHC of the ultra-high jet signal would constitute a suggestive evocation of the intimately linked stringy origins of F-SU(5), and could provide a glimpse into the fundamental string moduli, and possibly even the workings of the No-Scale Multiverse.Comment: A review of recent work, submitted to the DICE 2010 Workshop proceedings, based on the invited talk by D.V.N. (20 Pages, 5 Tables, 18 Figures

Response of milk fat concentration and yield to nutrient supply in dairy cows

Dietary changes alter dairy cow milk fat concentration (MFC) and yield (MFY) through modifications in the supply of nutrients, which act as precursors or inhibitors of mammary fat synthesis. The current models used to formulate dairy cow diets cannot predict changes in milk fat. The knowledge of the effects of the nutrients on milk fat would help to progress toward this prediction. To this end, we quantified and compared the milk fat responses to variations in the supply of seven nutrients derived from digestion: volatile fatty acids, glucose, proteins, long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and t10,c12-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). A database was compiled from studies involving digestive infusions of these nutrients in dairy cows. It included 147 comparisons between a nutrient infusion and a control treatment. The nutrient infusions were limited to the range of physiological variations to mimic nutrient changes after dietary modifications. We established models for the response of MFC, MFY and milk fatty acid (FA) composition to the supply of each nutrient. MFC and MFY responses to the nutrients were significant and linear, except for the MFC response to glucose that was curvilinear. The nutrients differed in their effects on MFC and MFY: acetate, butyrate and LCFA increased MFC and MFY, whereas propionate, glucose and t10,c12-CLA decreased them. Protein infusions increased MFY and decreased MFC because of an increase in milk yield. The effects of numerous interfering factors related to animals, diets or experimental conditions were tested on the residuals of the response models. The responses of milk FA percentages are also provided. When adjusted to the in vivo variations in the nutrients observed after dietary changes, the effects of the different nutrients were moderate. Finally, this study showed that several of these nutrients could contribute to the changes in milk fat production and composition observed after dietary changes. This is a first step toward predicting milk fat response to changes in nutrient supply

Determination of total and available fractions of PAHs by SPME in oily wastewaters : overcoming interference from NAPL and NOM

Background, aim, and scope Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are often found in oily wastewaters. Their presence is usually the result of human activities and has a negative effect on the environment. One important step in addressing this problem is to evaluate the effectiveness of PAH removal by biological processes since these are the most cost-effective treatments known today. Many techniques are presently available for PAH determination in wastewaters. Solid phase microextracion (SPME) is known to be one of the most effective techniques for this purpose. When analyzing complex matrices with substances such as natural organic matter (NOM) and non-aqueous phase liquids (NAPL), it is important to differentiate the free dissolved PAH from matrix-bonded PAH. PAHs associated with the bonded fraction are less susceptible to biological treatment. The present study concerns the development of a simple and suitable methodology for the determination of the freely dissolved and the total fraction of PAHs present in oily wastewaters. The methodology was then applied to an oily wastewater from a fuel station retention basin. Material and methods Headspace SPME was used for analyzing PAH since the presence of a complex or dirty matrix in direct contact with the fiber may damage it. Four model PAHs—anthracene, fluorene, phenanthrene, and pyrene—were analyzed by GC-MS. Negligible depletion SPME technique was used to determine the free fraction. Total PAH was determined by enhancing the mass transfer from the bonded phase to the freely dissolved phase by temperature optimization and the use of the method of standard additions. The PAH absorption kinetics were determined in order to define the optimal sampling conditions for this method. The fitting of the experimental data to a mathematical model was accomplished using Berkeley Madonna software. Humic acid and silicon oil were used as model NOM and NAPL, respectively, to study the effect of these compounds on the decrease of SPME response. Then, the method was evaluated with wastewater from a fuel station spill retention basin. Results The SPME kinetic parameters—k 1 (uptake rate), k 2 (desorption rate), and K SPME (partition coefficient)—were determined from experimental data modeling. The determination of the free fraction required 15-min sampling to ensure that PAH depletion from sample was below 1%. For total PAH, a 30-min extraction at 100°C ensured the maximum signal response in the GC-MS. For the determination of free and total PAHs, extractions were performed before reaching the SPME equilibrium. The wastewater used in this study had no free fraction of the analyzed PAHs. However, the four studied PAHs were found when the method for total PAH was used. Discussion The addition of NOM and NAPL dramatically decreased the efficiency of the SPME. This decrease was the result of a greater partition of the PAHs to the NAPL and NOM phases. This fact was also observed in the analysis of the fuel station spill retention basin, where no free PAH was measured. However, using the method of standard addition for the determination of total PAH, it was possible to quantify all four PAHs. Conclusions The method developed in the present study was found to be adequate to differentiate between free and total PAH present in oily wastewater. It was determined that the presence of NOM and NAPL had a negative effect on SPME efficiency. Recommendations and perspectives The presence of binding substances had a great influence on SPME kinetics. Therefore, it is of extreme importance to determine their degree of interference when analyzing oily wastewaters or results can otherwise be erroneous. Other factors influencing the total PAH determinations should be considered in further studies.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - SFRH/BD/ 18816/2004, POCI/AMB/61044/200

Effect of intercropping vetch (<i>Vicia sativa</i> L.), field pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L.) and triticale (<i>X Triticosecale</i> ) on dry-matter yield, nutritive and ensiling characteristics when harvested at two growth stages

This study aimed to investigate the effects of growth stage and legume proportion on the nutritive and ensiling characteristics of triticale–pea–vetch intercrop mixtures. The three-species mixtures were sown at three seeding ratios to produce different legume proportions (low, medium and high proportions) and harvested at two growth stages. The six resulting forages were subsequently ensiled in mini-silos. Forage dry-matter (DM) yield, nutritive characteristics of fresh and ensiled mixtures and fermentation characteristics of silages were determined. Forage DM yield almost tripled between early-stage harvest and late-stage harvest. Nutritive characteristics of fresh and ensiled mixtures were affected by both growth stage and legume proportion: crude protein concentration and pepsin–cellulase digestibility decreased whereas NDF and ADF concentrations increased as growth stage advanced. Crude protein concentration and pepsin–cellulase digestibility were higher for the high-legume treatment at both growth stages. All mixtures ensiled well, as indicated by low pH and high lactic and acetic acids contents. However, all silages had high soluble nitrogen and ammonia concentrations. This study showed that triticale–pea–vetch silages hold good potential net energy supply value for ruminants, especially at early-stage growth and when legume proportion increases. However, protein value has to be improved by reducing protein breakdown during ensiling