Interpreting LHC searches for new physics with SModelS

ATLAS and CMS have performed a large number of searches for physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM). The results are typically presented in the context of Simplified Model Spectra (SMS), containing only a few new particles with fixed decay branching ratios, yielding generic upper limits on the cross section as a function of particle masses. The interpretation of these limits within realistic BSM scenarios is non-trivial and best done by automated computational tools. To this end we have developed SModelS, a public tool that can test any given BSM model with a $\mathbb{Z}_2$ symmetry by decomposing it into its SMS components and confronting them with a large database of SMS results. This allows to easily evaluate the main LHC constraints on the model. Additionally, SModelS returns information on important signatures that are not covered by the existing SMS results. This may be used to improve the coverage of BSM searches and SMS interpretations. We present the working principle of SModelS, in particular the decomposition procedure, the database and matching of applicable experimental results. Moreover, we present applications of SModelS to different models: the MSSM, a model with a sneutrino as the lightest supersymmetric particle and the UMSSM. These results illustrate how SModelS can be used to identify important constraints, untested regions and interesting new signatures.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures. To appear in the proceedings of the European Physical Society Conference on High Energy Physics 2015 (EPS-HEP 2015), Vienna, Austria, 22nd to 29th of July 201

Dynamical projections for the visualization of PDFSense data

A recent paper on visualizing the sensitivity of hadronic experiments to nucleon structure [1] introduces the tool PDFSense which defines measures to allow the user to judge the sensitivity of PDF fits to a given experiment. The sensitivity is characterized by high-dimensional data residuals that are visualized in a 3-d subspace of the 10 first principal components or using t-SNE [2]. We show how a tour, a dynamic visualisation of high dimensional data, can extend this tool beyond 3-d relationships. This approach enables resolving structure orthogonal to the 2-d viewing plane used so far, and hence finer tuned assessment of the sensitivity.Comment: Format of the animations changed for easier viewin

PENGARUH PENERAPAN MODEL PEMBELAJARAN KOOPERATIF TYPE STUDENT TEAMS ACHIEVEMENT DIVISION (STAD) TERHADAP MINAT BELAJAR SISWA

Permasalahan yang dikaji dalam penelitian ini adalah rendahnya minat belajar siswa kelas XII pada pelajaran kewirausahaan program keahlian administrasi perkantoran di SMK Pasundan 1 Cimahi. Rendahnya minat belajar siswa tersebut ditandai dengan hasil ujian tengah semester dan ujian akhir semester yang berada dibawah kriteria kelulusan minimal. Rendahnya minat belajar tersebut disebabkan oleh penggunaan model pembelajaran yang kurang dapat menigkatkan minat belajar siswa. Maka dari itu penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji cobakan model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) untuk meningkatkan minat belajar siswa. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menggunakan desain pre-eksperimen (One Group pre-test post-test). Data diambil dari populasi sejumlah 30 orang siswa dengan menggunakan angket. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kedua variabel berada pada kategori tinggi. Hal ini ditunjukkan dengan besarnya perhitungan N-Gain dan data berdistribusi normal. Dari hasil hipotesis diperoleh bahwa variabel model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe STAD berpengaruh positif terhadap variabel minat belajar siswa. Sehingga disimpulkan bahwa model pembelajaran kooperatif tipe STAD efektif dalam meningkatkan minat belajar siswa pada pembelajaran di kelas.  The problem examined in this study is the low enthusiasm of the student on entrepreneurship lesson in SMK Pasundan 1 Cimahi class XII of office administration. The result of middle and final test semester that still under minimum criteria is one of the indications. This based on the assumption that the learning model teacher used was not good enough. Therefore, one of the ways to increase the enthusiastic of the student is by using cooperative learning type Student Teams Achievement Division. The research method used in this thesis is pre-experiment by using one group pre-test post-test model. The data was collected by using questionnaire which is gained from the students as the object. The experiment result showed that variable was categorized as high, N-Gain calculation and distribution normal data supported the experiment result. Also, from hypothesis that has been made before, cooperative learning type STAD give a positive influence to the enthusiasm of the student. So we can conclude that cooperative learning type STAD is effective enough to increase student’s enthusiasm in class

Constraints on sneutrino dark matter from LHC Run 1

A mostly right-handed sneutrino as the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) is an interesting dark matter candidate, leading to LHC signatures which can be quite distinct from those of the conventional neutralino LSP. Using SModelSv1.0.1 for testing the model against the limits published by ATLAS and CMS in the context of so-called Simplified Model Spectra (SMS), we investigate to what extent the supersymmetry searches at Run 1 of the LHC constrain the sneutrino-LSP scenario. Moreover, we discuss the most relevant topologies for which no SMS results are provided by the experimental collaborations but which would allow to put more stringent constraints on sneutrino LSPs. These include, for instance, the mono-lepton signature which should be particularly interesting to consider at Run 2 of the LHC.Comment: 30 pages, 23 figures, matches published versio

Development of novel miRNA-based vaccines and antivirals against Enterovirus 71

The Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is caused by Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) and Coxsackie viruses. Common HFMD symptoms are high fever (≥ 39oC), rashes, and ulcers but complications due to virulent EV-A71 may arise leading to cardiopulmonary failure and death. The lack of vaccines and antiviral drugs against EV-A71 highlights the urgency of developing preventive and treatment agents. Recent studies have reported the emergence of novel antiviral agents and vaccines that utilize microRNAs (miRNAs). They belong to a class of small (19-24 nt) non coding RNA molecules. As miRNAs play a major role in the host regulatory system, there is a huge opportunity for interplay between host miRNAs and EV-A71 expressions. A total of 42 out of 64 miRNAs were up-regulated in EV-A71-infected cells. There was consistent up-regulation of miR-1246 gene expression that targeted the DLG3 gene which contributes to neurological pathogenesis. In contrast, miR-30a that targets calcium channels for membrane transportation was down-regulated. This leads to repression of EV-A71 replication. The impact of host miRNAs on immune activation, shutdown of host protein synthesis, apoptosis, signal transduction and viral replication are discussed. miRNAs have been used in the construction of live attenuated vaccines (LAV) such as the poliovirus LAV that has miRNA binding sites for let-7a or miR-124a. The miRNA-bearing vaccine will not replicate in neuronal cells carrying the corresponding miRNA but could still replicate in the gastrointestinal tract and hence remains to act as immunogens. As such, miRNAs are attractive candidates to be developed as vaccines and antivirals

Peptides as therapeutic agents for dengue virus

Dengue is an important global threat caused by dengue virus (DENV) that records an estimated 390 million infections annually. Despite the availability of CYD-TDV as a commercial vaccine, its long-term efficacy against all four dengue virus serotypes remains unsatisfactory. There is therefore an urgent need for the development of antiviral drugs for the treatment of dengue. Peptide was once a neglected choice of medical treatment but it has lately regained interest from the pharmaceutical industry following pioneering advancements in technology. In this review, the design of peptide drugs, antiviral activities and mechanisms of peptides and peptidomimetics (modified peptides) action against dengue virus are discussed. The development of peptides as inhibitors for viral entry, replication and translation is also described, with a focus on the three main targets, namely, the host cell receptors, viral structural proteins and viral non-structural proteins. The antiviral peptides designed based on these approaches may lead to the discovery of novel anti-DENV therapeutics that can treat dengue patients

SModelS: a tool for interpreting simplified-model results from the LHC and its application to supersymmetry

We present a general procedure to decompose Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) collider signatures presenting a Z2 symmetry into Simplified Model Spectrum (SMS) topologies. Our method provides a way to cast BSM predictions for the LHC in a model independent framework, which can be directly confronted with the relevant experimental constraints. Our concrete implementation currently focusses on supersymmetry searches with missing energy, for which a large variety of SMS results from ATLAS and CMS are available. As show-case examples we apply our procedure to two scans of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We discuss how the SMS limits constrain various particle masses and which regions of parameter space remain unchallenged by the current SMS interpretations of the LHC results.Comment: v3: Version published in EPJ