Anomaly Detection for Resonant New Physics with Machine Learning

Despite extensive theoretical motivation for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) of particle physics, searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) have found no significant evidence for BSM physics. Therefore, it is essential to broaden the sensitivity of the search program to include unexpected scenarios. We present a new model-agnostic anomaly detection technique that naturally benefits from modern machine learning algorithms. The only requirement on the signal for this new procedure is that it is localized in at least one known direction in phase space. Any other directions of phase space that are uncorrelated with the localized one can be used to search for unexpected features. This new method is applied to the dijet resonance search to show that it can turn a modest 2 sigma excess into a 7 sigma excess for a model with an intermediate BSM particle that is not currently targeted by a dedicated search.Comment: Replaced with short PRL version. 7 pages, 2 figures. Revised long version will be submitted separatel

L-branes

The superembedding approach to $p$-branes is used to study a class of $p$-branes which have linear multiplets on the worldvolume. We refer to these branes as L-branes. Although linear multiplets are related to scalar multiplets (with 4 or 8 supersymmetries) by dualising one of the scalars of the latter to a $p$-form field strength, in many geometrical situations it is the linear multiplet version which arises naturally. Furthermore, in the case of 8 supersymmetries, the linear multiplet is off-shell in contrast to the scalar multiplet. The dynamics of the L-branes are obtained by using a systematic procedure for constructing the Green-Schwarz action from the superembedding formalism. This action has a Dirac-Born-Infeld type structure for the $p$-form. In addition, a set of equations of motion is postulated directly in superspace, and is shown to agree with the Green-Schwarz equations of motion.Comment: revised version, minor changes, references added, 22 pages, no figures, LaTe

Manipulating Memory Associations Changes Decision-making Preferences in a Preconditioning Task

Memories of past experiences can guide our decisions. Thus, if memories are undermined or distorted, decision making should be affected. Nevertheless, little empirical research has been done to examine the role of memory in reinforcement decision-making . We hypothesized that if memories guide choices in a conditioning decision-making task, then manipulating these memories would result in a change of decision preferences to gain reward. We manipulated participants’ memories by providing false feedback that their memory associations were wrong before they made decisions that could lead them to win money . Participants’ memory ratings decreased significantly after receiving false feedback. More importantly, we found that false feedback led participants’ decision bias to disappear after their memory associations were undermined . Our results suggest that reinforcement decision-making can be altered by fasle feedback on memories . The results are discussed using memory mechanisms such as spreading activation theories

Low-degree multi-spectral p-mode fitting

We combine unresolved-Sun velocity and intensity observations at multiple wavelengths from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager and Atmospheric Imaging Array onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory to investigate the possibility of multi-spectral mode-frequency estimation at low spherical harmonic degree. We test a simple multi-spectral algorithm using a common line width and frequency for each mode and a separate amplitude, background and asymmetry parameter, and compare the results with those from fits to the individual spectra. The preliminary results suggest that this approach may provide a more stable fit than using the observables separately

Mapping Observations of DNC and HN^13C in Dark Cloud Cores

We present results of mapping observations of the DNC, HN^13C, and H^13CO^+ lines (J=1-0) toward 4 nearby dark cloud cores, TMC-1, L1512, L1544, and L63, along with observations of the DNC and HN^13C lines (J=2-1) toward selected positions. By use of statistical equilibrium calculations based on the LVG model, the H_2 densities are derived to be (1.4-5.5)*10^5 cm^-3, and the [DNC]/[HN^13C] ratios are derived to be 1.25-5.44 with a typical uncertainty by a factor of 2. The observed [DNC]/[HNC] ratios range from 0.02 to 0.09, assuming the [^12C]/[^13C] ratio of 60. Distributions of DNC and HN^13C are generally similar to each other, whereas the distribution of H^13CO^+ is more extended than those of DNC and HN^13C, indicating that they reside in an inner part of the cores than HCO^+. The [DNC]/[HN^13C] ratio is rather constant within each core, although a small systematic gradients are observed in TMC-1 and L63. Particularly, no such systematic gradient is found in L1512 and L1544, where a significant effect of depletion of molecules is reported toward the central part of the cores. This suggests that the [DNC]/[HNC] ratio would not be very sensitive to depletion factor, unlike the [DCO^+]/[HCO^+] ratio. On the other hand, the core to core variation of the [DNC]/[HNC] ratio, which range an order of magnitude, is more remarkable than the variation within each core. These results are interpreted qualitatively by a combination of three competing time-dependent processes; gas-phase deuterium fractionation, depletion of molecules onto grain surface, and dynamical evolution of a core.Comment: 22 pages, 8 EPS figures, aasLaTex 5.0, accepted to The Astrophysical Journa

A Clifford analysis approach to superspace

A new framework for studying superspace is given, based on methods from Clifford analysis. This leads to the introduction of both orthogonal and symplectic Clifford algebra generators, allowing for an easy and canonical introduction of a super-Dirac operator, a super-Laplace operator and the like. This framework is then used to define a super-Hodge coderivative, which, together with the exterior derivative, factorizes the Laplace operator. Finally both the cohomology of the exterior derivative and the homology of the Hodge operator on the level of polynomial-valued super-differential forms are studied. This leads to some interesting graphical representations and provides a better insight in the definition of the Berezin-integral.Comment: 15 pages, accepted for publication in Annals of Physic

Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial of electronic cigarettes versus nicotine patch for smoking cessation

PMCID: PMC3602285This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited