Top quark forward-backward asymmetry from the 3−3−13-3-1 model

The forward-backward asymmetry $A_{FB}$ in top quark pair production, measured at the Tevatron, is probably related to the contribution of new particles. The Tevatron result is more than a $2\sigma$ deviation from the standard model prediction and motivates the application of alternative models introducing new states. However, as the standard model predictions for the total cross section $\sigma_{tt}$ and invariant mass distribution $M_{tt}$ for this process are in good agreement with experiments, any alternative model must reproduce these predictions. These models can be placed into two categories: One introduces the s-channel exchange of new vector bosons with chiral couplings to the light quarks and to the top quark and another relies on the t-channel exchange of particles with large flavor-violating couplings in the quark sector. In this work we employ a model which introduces both s- and t-channel nonstandard contributions for the top quark pair production in proton antiproton collisions. We use the minimal version of the $SU(3)_C \otimes SU(3)_L \otimes U (1)_X$ model (3-3-1 model) that predicts the existence of a new neutral gauge boson, called $Z^\prime$. This gauge boson has both flavor-changing couplings to up and top quarks and chiral coupling to the light quarks and to the top quark. This very peculiar model coupling can correct the $A_{FB}$ for top quark pair production for two ranges of $Z^\prime$ mass while leading to cross section and invariant mass distribution quite similar to the standard model ones. This result reinforces the role of the 3-3-1 model for any new physics effect.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 2 table

Extraction of silymarin compounds from milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed using hot, liquid water as the solvent

High-value specialty chemicals are usually obtained from natural products by extracting with generally regarded as safe (GRAS) solvents. Because organic solvents are quite often used, high operating and disposal costs occur. When compared to traditional solvents, water is an interesting alternative because of its low operating and disposal costs. Milk thistle contains compounds (taxifolin, silychristin, silydianin, silybinin A, and silybinin B) that display hepatoxic protection properties. This paper examines the batch extraction of silymarin compounds from milk thistle seed meal in 50°C, 70°C, 85°C and 100°C water as a function of time. For taxifolin, silychristin, silybinin A, and silybinin B, extraction with 100°C water resulted in the highest yields. After 210 min of extraction at 100°C, the yield of taxifolin was 1.2 mg/g of seed while the yields of silychristin, silybinin A, and silybinin B were 5.0, 1.8 and 3.3 mg/g of seed, respectively. The ratios of the extracted compounds, and particularly the ratios at long extraction times, showed that the more polar compounds (taxifolin and silychristin) were preferentially extracted at 85°C, while the less polar silybinin was preferentially extracted at 100°C

Double Inverse Stochastic Resonance with Dynamic Synapses

We investigate the behavior of a model neuron that receives a biophysically-realistic noisy post-synaptic current based on uncorrelated spiking activity from a large number of afferents. We show that, with static synapses, such noise can give rise to inverse stochastic resonance (ISR) as a function of the presynaptic firing rate. We compare this to the case with dynamic synapses that feature short-term synaptic plasticity, and show that the interval of presynaptic firing rate over which ISR exists can be extended or diminished. We consider both short-term depression and facilitation. Interestingly, we find that a double inverse stochastic resonance (DISR), with two distinct wells centered at different presynaptic firing rates, can appear.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure