An analysis of a minimal vectorlike extension of the Standard Model

We analyze an extension of the Standard Model with an additional SU(2) hypercolor gauge group keeping the Higgs boson as a fundamental field. Vectorlike interactions of new hyperquarks with the intermediate vector bosons are explicitly constructed. We also consider pseudo-Nambu--Goldstone bosons caused by the symmetry breaking SU(4)-> Sp(4). A specific global symmetry of the model with zero hypercharge of the hyperquark doublets ensures the stability of a neutral pseudoscalar field. Some possible manifestations of the lightest states at colliders are also examined.Comment: 16 pages, 1 table, v.2: minor modification, reference is added, formula (62) is correcte

Factorization effects in a model of unstable particles

The effects of factorization are considered within the framework of the model of unstable particles with a smeared mass. It is shown that two-particle cross section and three-particle decay width can be described by the universal factorized formulae for an unstable particles of an arbitrary spin in an intermediate state. The exact factorization is caused by the specific structure of the model unstable-particle propagators. This result is generalized to complicated scattering and decay-chain processes with unstable particles in intermediate states. We analyze applicability of the method and evaluate its accuracy.Comment: 13 pages, 7 figure

Learning to Learn: Theta Oscillations Predict New Learning, which Enhances Related Learning and Neurogenesis

Animals in the natural world continuously encounter learning experiences of varying degrees of novelty. New neurons in the hippocampus are especially responsive to learning associations between novel events and more cells survive if a novel and challenging task is learned. One might wonder whether new neurons would be rescued from death upon each new learning experience or whether there is an internal control system that limits the number of cells that are retained as a function of learning. In this experiment, it was hypothesized that learning a task that was similar in content to one already learned previously would not increase cell survival. We further hypothesized that in situations in which the cells are rescued hippocampal theta oscillations (3–12 Hz) would be involved and perhaps necessary for increasing cell survival. Both hypotheses were disproved. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were trained on two similar hippocampus-dependent tasks, trace and very-long delay eyeblink conditioning, while recording hippocampal local-field potentials. Cells that were generated after training on the first task were labeled with bromodeoxyuridine and quantified after training on both tasks had ceased. Spontaneous theta activity predicted performance on the first task and the conditioned stimulus induced a theta-band response early in learning the first task. As expected, performance on the first task correlated with performance on the second task. However, theta activity did not increase during training on the second task, even though more cells were present in animals that had learned. Therefore, as long as learning occurs, relatively small changes in the environment are sufficient to increase the number of surviving neurons in the adult hippocampus and they can do so in the absence of an increase in theta activity. In conclusion, these data argue against an upper limit on the number of neurons that can be rescued from death by learning