Constraints on Parity-Even Time Reversal Violation in the Nucleon-Nucleon System and Its Connection to Charge Symmetry Breaking

Parity-even time reversal violation (TRV) in the nucleon-nucleon interaction is reconsidered. The TRV $\rho$-exchange interaction on which recent analyses of measurements are based is necessarily also charge-symmetry breaking (CSB). Limits on its strength $\bar{g}_\rho$ relative to regular $\rho$-exchange are extracted from recent CSB experiments in neutron-proton scattering. The result $\bar{g}_\rho\le 6.7\times 10^{-3}$ (95% CL) is considerably lower than limits inferred from direct TRV tests in nuclear processes. Properties of $a_1$-exchange and limit imposed by the neutron EDM are briefly discussed.Comment: RevTex, 8 pages. Factor ten error in cited neutron EDM corrected, discussion and two references adde

How the recent BABAR data for P to \gamma\gamma* affect the Standard Model predictions for the rare decays P to l+l-

Measuring the lepton anomalous magnetic moments $(g-2)$ and the rare decays of light pseudoscalar mesons into lepton pairs $P\to l^{+}l^{-}$, serve as important tests of the Standard Model. To reduce the theoretical uncertainty in the standard model predictions, the data on the charge and transition form factors of the light pseudoscalar mesons play a significant role. Recently, new data on the behavior of the transition form factors $P\to\gamma\gamma*$ at large momentum transfer were supplied by the BABAR collaboration. There are several problems with the theoretical interpretation of these data: 1) An unexpectedly slow decrease of the pion transition form factor at high momenta, 2) the qualitative difference in the behavior of the pion form factor and the $\eta$ and $\eta^\prime$ form factors at high momenta, 3) the inconsistency of the measured ratio of the $\eta$ and $\eta^\prime$ form factors with the predicted one. We comment on the influence of the new BABAR data on the rare decay branchings.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figure

A quark model analysis of the charge symmetry breaking in nuclear force

In order to investigate the charge symmetry breaking (CSB) in the short range part of the nuclear force, we calculate the difference of the masses of the neutron and the proton, $\Delta {\rm M}$, the difference of the scattering lengths of the p-p and n-n scatterings, $\Delta a$, and the difference of the analyzing power of the proton and the neutron in the n-p scattering, $\Delta A(\theta)$, by a quark model. In the present model the sources of CSB are the mass difference of the up and down quarks and the electromagnetic interaction. We investigate how much each of them contributes to $\Delta {\rm M}$, $\Delta a$ and $\Delta A(\theta)$. It is found that the contribution of CSB of the short range part in the nuclear force is large enough to explain the observed $\Delta A(\theta)$, while $\Delta a$ is rather underestimated.Comment: 26 pages,6 figure

Selected nucleon form factors and a composite scalar diquark

A covariant, composite scalar diquark, Fadde'ev amplitude model for the nucleon is used to calculate pseudoscalar, isoscalar- and isovector-vector, axial-vector and scalar nucleon form factors. The last yields the nucleon sigma-term and on-shell sigma-nucleon coupling. The calculated form factors are soft, and the couplings are generally in good agreement with experiment and other determinations. Elements in the dressed-quark-axial-vector vertex that are not constrained by the Ward-Takahashi identity contribute ~20% to the magnitude of g_A. The calculation of the nucleon sigma-term elucidates the only unambiguous means of extrapolating meson-nucleon couplings off the meson mass-shell.Comment: 12 pages, REVTEX, 5 figures, epsfi

Characteristic retinal atrophy pattern allows differentiation between pediatric MOGAD and MS after a single optic neuritis episode.

BACKGROUND Optic neuritis (ON) is the most prevalent manifestation of pediatric multiple sclerosis (MSped) and myelin-oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGADped) in children > 6 years. In this study, we investigated retinal atrophy patterns and diagnostic accuracy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in differentiating between both diseases after the first ON episode. METHODS Patients were retrospectively identified in eight tertial referral centers. OCT, VEP and high/low-contrast visual acuity (HCVA/LCVA) have been investigated > 6 months after the first ON. Prevalence of pathological OCT findings was identified based on data of 144 age-matched healthy controls. RESULTS Thirteen MOGADped (10.7 ± 4.2 years, F:M 8:5, 21 ON eyes) and 21 MSped (14.3 ± 2.4 years, F:M 19:2, 24 ON eyes) patients were recruited. We observed a significantly more profound atrophy of both peripapillary and macular retinal nerve fiber layer in MOGADped compared to MSped (pRNFL global: 68.2 ± 16.9 vs. 89.4 ± 12.3 µm, p < 0.001; mRNFL: 0.12 ± 0.01 vs. 0.14 ± 0.01 mm3, p < 0.001). Neither other macular layers nor P100 latency differed. MOGADped developed global atrophy affecting all peripapillary segments, while MSped displayed predominantly temporal thinning. Nasal pRNFL allowed differentiation between both diseases with the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.902, cutoff < 62.5 µm, 90.5% sensitivity and 70.8% specificity for MOGADped). OCT was also substantially more sensitive compared to VEP in identification of ON eyes in MOGAD (pathological findings in 90% vs. 14%, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION First MOGAD-ON results in a more severe global peripapillary atrophy compared to predominantly temporal thinning in MS-ON. Nasal pRNFL allows differentiation between both diseases with the highest accuracy, supporting the additional diagnostic value of OCT in children with ON

Anomalous η/η′\eta/\eta^\prime Decays: The Triangle and Box Anomalies

We examine the decay modes \eta/\etp\ra \pi^+ \pi^- \gamma within the context of the Hidden Local Symmetry (HLS) Model. Using numerical information derived in previous fits to $VP\gamma$ and $Ve^+e^-$ decay modes in isolation and the $\rho$ lineshape determined in a previous fit to the pion form factor, we show that all aspects of these decays can be predicted with fair accuracy. Freeing some parameters does not improve the picture. This is interpreted as a strong evidence in favor of the box anomaly in the \eta/\etp decays, which occurs at precisely the level expected. We also construct the set of equations defining the amplitudes for \eta/\etp\ra \pi^+ \pi^- \gamma and \eta/\etp \ra \ggam at the chiral limit, as predicted from the anomalous HLS Lagrangian appropriately broken. This provides a set of four equations depending on only one parameter, instead of three for the traditional set. This is also shown to match the (two--angle, two--decay--constant) \eta-\etp mixing scheme recently proposed and is also fairly well fulfilled by the data. The information returned from fits also matches expectations from previously published fits to the $VP\gamma$ decay modes in isolation.Comment: 47 page

Rare decay \pi^0 \to e^+e^- as a Test of Standard Model

Experimental and theoretical progress concerning the rare decay \pi^0 \to e^+e^- is briefly reviewed. It includes the latest data from KTeV and a new model independent estimate of the decay branching which show the deviation between experiment and theory at the level of $3.3\sigma$. The predictions for \eta and \eta' decays into lepton pair are presented. We also comment on the impact on the pion rare decay estimate of the BABAR collaboration on the pion transition form factor at large momentum transfer.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, extended version of the talk given at "New Physics and Quantum Chromodynamics at External Conditions" conference, May 3-6, 2009, Dnipropetrovsk, Ukrain

Global patterns and environmental drivers of forest functional composition

To determine the relationships between the functional trait composition of forest communities and environmental gradients across scales and biomes and the role of species relative abundances in these relationships. We integrated species abundance records from worldwide forest inventories and associated functional traits (wood density, specific leaf area and seed mass) to obtain a data set of 99,953 to 149,285 plots (depending on the trait) spanning all forested continents. We computed community-weighted and unweighted means of trait values for each plot and related them to three broad environmental gradients and their interactions (energy availability, precipitation and soil properties) at two scales (global and biomes). Our models explained up to 60% of the variance in trait distribution. At global scale, the energy gradient had the strongest influence on traits. However, withinbiome models revealed different relationships among biomes. Notably, the functional composition of tropical forests was more influenced by precipitation and soil properties than energy availability, whereas temperate forests showed the opposite pattern. Depending on the trait studied, response to gradients was more variable and proportionally weaker in boreal forests. Community unweighted means were better predicted than weighted means for almost all models. Worldwide, trees require a large amount of energy (following latitude) to produce dense wood and seeds, while leaves with large surface to weight ratios are concentrated in temperate forests. However, patterns of functional composition within-biome differ from global patterns due to biome specificities such as the presence of conifers or unique combinations of climatic and soil properties. We recommend assessing the sensitivity of tree functional traits to environmental changes in their geographic context. Furthermore, at a given site, the distribution of tree functional traits appears to be driven more by species presence than species abundance.Fil: Bouchard, Elise. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Searle, Eric B.. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Drapeau, Pierre. Université du Québec a Montreal; CanadáFil: Liang, Jingjing. Purdue University; Estados UnidosFil: Gamarra, Javier G. P.. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; ItaliaFil: Abegg, Meinrad. No especifíca;Fil: Alberti, Giorgio. No especifíca;Fil: Zambrano, Angelica Almeyda. No especifíca;Fil: Alvarez Davila, Esteban. No especifíca;Fil: Alves, Luciana F.. No especifíca;Fil: Avitabile, Valerio. No especifíca;Fil: Aymard, Gerardo. No especifíca;Fil: Bastin, Jean François. No especifíca;Fil: Birnbaum, Philippe. No especifíca;Fil: Bongers, Frans. No especifíca;Fil: Bouriaud, Olivier. No especifíca;Fil: Brancalion, Pedro. No especifíca;Fil: Broadbent, Eben. No especifíca;Fil: Bussotti, Filippo. No especifíca;Fil: Gatti, Roberto Cazzolla. No especifíca;Fil: Češljar, Goran. No especifíca;Fil: Chisholm, Chelsea. No especifíca;Fil: Cienciala, Emil. No especifíca;Fil: Clark, Connie J.. No especifíca;Fil: Peri, Pablo Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Santa Cruz. Universidad Tecnológica Nacional. Facultad Regional Santa Cruz. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Santa Cruz. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Centro de Investigaciones y Transferencia de Santa Cruz; ArgentinaFil: Zawiła Niedźwiecki, Tomasz. No especifíca;Fil: Zhou, Mo. No especifíca;Fil: Zhu, Zhi Xin. No especifíca;Fil: Zo Bi, Irié C.. No especifíca;Fil: Paquette, Alain. Université du Québec a Montreal; Canad

Dominance and rarity in tree communities across the globe: Patterns, predictors and threats

Aim: Ecological and anthropogenic factors shift the abundances of dominant and rare tree species within local forest communities, thus affecting species composition and ecosystem functioning. To inform forest and conservation management it is important to understand the drivers of dominance and rarity in local tree communities. We answer the following research questions: (1) What are the patterns of dominance and rarity in tree communities? (2) Which ecological and anthropogenic factors predict these patterns? And (3) what is the extinction risk of locally dominant and rare tree species? Location: Global. Time period: 1990–2017. Major taxa studied: Trees. Methods: We used 1.2 million forest plots and quantified local tree dominance as the relative plot basal area of the single most dominant species and local rarity as the percentage of species that contribute together to the least 10% of plot basal area. We mapped global community dominance and rarity using machine learning models and evaluated the ecological and anthropogenic predictors with linear models. Extinction risk, for example threatened status, of geographically widespread dominant and rare species was evaluated. Results: Community dominance and rarity show contrasting latitudinal trends, with boreal forests having high levels of dominance and tropical forests having high levels of rarity. Increasing annual precipitation reduces community dominance, probably because precipitation is related to an increase in tree density and richness. Additionally, stand age is positively related to community dominance, due to stem diameter increase of the most dominant species. Surprisingly, we find that locally dominant and rare species, which are geographically widespread in our data, have an equally high rate of elevated extinction due to declining populations through large‐scale land degradation. Main conclusions: By linking patterns and predictors of community dominance and rarity to extinction risk, our results suggest that also widespread species should be considered in large‐scale management and conservation practices

Native diversity buffers against severity of non-native tree invasions

Determining the drivers of non-native plant invasions is critical for managing native ecosystems and limiting the spread of invasive species$^{1,2}$. Tree invasions in particular have been relatively overlooked, even though they have the potential to transform ecosystems and economies$^{3,4}$. Here, leveraging global tree databases$^{5–7}$, we explore how the phylogenetic and functional diversity of native tree communities, human pressure and the environment influence the establishment of non-native tree species and the subsequent invasion severity. We find that anthropogenic factors are key to predicting whether a location is invaded, but that invasion severity is underpinned by native diversity, with higher diversity predicting lower invasion severity. Temperature and precipitation emerge as strong predictors of invasion strategy, with non-native species invading successfully when they are similar to the native community in cold or dry extremes. Yet, despite the influence of these ecological forces in determining invasion strategy, we find evidence that these patterns can be obscured by human activity, with lower ecological signal in areas with higher proximity to shipping ports. Our global perspective of non-native tree invasion highlights that human drivers influence non-native tree presence, and that native phylogenetic and functional diversity have a critical role in the establishment and spread of subsequent invasions