Supergraph Techniques and Two-Loop Beta-Functions for Renormalizable and Non-Renormalizable Operators

We present a construction kit for calculating two-loop beta functions in N=1 supersymmetric theories for the operators of the superpotential using supergraph techniques. In particular, it allows to compute the beta functions for every desired, even higher dimensional, operator of the superpotential from the wavefunction renormalization constants of the theory. We apply this method to calculate the two-loop beta functions for the lowest-dimensional effective neutrino mass operator in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) and for the Yukawa couplings in the MSSM extended by singlet superfields and the mass matrix for the latter. Our method can be applied to any N=1 supersymmetric theory.Comment: 15 pages, 13 figures; error in two-loop trace terms correcte

Thermally induced subgap features in the cotunneling spectroscopy of a carbon nanotube

We report on nonlinear cotunneling spectroscopy of a carbon nanotube quantum dot coupled to Nb superconducting contacts. Our measurements show rich subgap features in the stability diagram which become more pronounced as the temperature is increased. Applying a transport theory based on the Liouville-von Neumann equation for the density matrix, we show that the transport properties can be attributed to processes involving sequential as well as elastic and inelastic cotunneling of quasiparticles thermally excited across the gap. In particular, we predict thermal replicas of the elastic and inelastic cotunneling peaks, in agreement with our experimental results.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figures, submitted to New Journal of Physic

Asymptotic symmetries on Kerr--Newman horizon without anomaly of diffeomorphism invariance

We analyze asymptotic symmetries on the Killing horizon of the four-dimensional Kerr--Newman black hole. We first derive the asymptotic Killing vectors on the Killing horizon, which describe the asymptotic symmetries, and find that the general form of these asymptotic Killing vectors is the universal one possessed by arbitrary Killing horizons. We then construct the phase space associated with the asymptotic symmetries. It is shown that the phase space of an extreme black hole either has the size comparable with a non-extreme black hole, or is small enough to exclude degeneracy, depending on whether or not the global structure of a Killing horizon particular to an extreme black hole is respected. We also show that the central charge in the Poisson brackets algebra of these asymptotic symmetries vanishes, which implies that there is not an anomaly of diffeomorphism invariance. By taking into account other results in the literature, we argue that the vanishing central charge on a black hole horizon, in an effective theory, looks consistent with the thermal feature of a black hole. We furthermore argue that the vanishing central charge implies that there are infinitely many classical configurations that are associated with the same macroscopic state, while these configurations are distinguished physically.Comment: 14 pages, v2: references added, minor corrections, v3: new pars and refs. added and corresponding correction

Non-thermal Gravitino Dark Matter in Gauge Mediation

We show that gravitinos produced by decays of a supersymmetry breaking scalar field (the pseudo-moduli field) can naturally explain the observed abundance of dark matter in a certain class of the gauge mediation models. We study the decay processes as well as cosmological constraints on this scenario in detail, particularly focusing on different behavior of the real and imaginary components of the pseudo-moduli field. Cosmologically viable scenario emerges when the gravitino and the pseudo-moduli masses are O(10-100) MeV and O(100) GeV, respectively.Comment: 32 pages, 10 figure

Clostridium difficile infection in the United States: A national study assessing preventive practices used and perceptions of practice evidence

We surveyed 571 US hospitals about practices used to prevent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Most hospitals reported regularly using key CDI prevention practices, and perceived their strength of evidence as high. The largest discrepancy between regular use and perceived evidence strength occurred with antimicrobial stewardship programs.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;36(8):969–971</jats:p

Peripherally inserted central catheter‐related deep vein thrombosis: contemporary patterns and predictors

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107486/1/jth12549.pd

Peripherally inserted central catheter‐related deep vein thrombosis: contemporary patterns and predictors: reply

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/109637/1/jth12721.pd

Leptogenesis with Dirac Neutrinos

We describe a "neutrinogenesis" mechanism whereby, in the presence of right-handed neutrinos with sufficiently small pure Dirac masses, (B+L)-violating sphaleron processes create the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, even when B=L=0 initially. It is shown that the resulting neutrino mass constraints are easily fulfilled by the neutrino masses suggested by current experiments. We present a simple toy model which uses this mechanism to produce the observed baryon asymmetry of the Universe. (PostScript Errors corrected in latest Version).Comment: 4 pages, Latex (using amsmath,feynmp,graphicx), 4 figure

The Hilbert basis method for D-flat directions and the superpotential

We discuss, using the Hilbert basis method, how to efficiently construct a complete basis for D-flat directions in supersymmetric Abelian and non-Abelian gauge theories. We extend the method to discrete (R and non-R) symmetries. This facilitates the construction of a basis of all superpotential terms in a theory with given symmetries.Comment: 11 pages; a related mathematica code can be found at http://einrichtungen.ph.tum.de/T30e/codes/NonAbelianHilbert