64 research outputs found
Large effects on \BsBs mixing by vector-like quarks
We calculate the contributions of the vector-like quark model to \BsBs
mixing, taking into account the constraints from the decay . In
this model the neutral bosons mediate flavor-changing interactions at the tree
level. However, \BsBs mixing is dominated by contributions from the box
diagrams with the top quark and the extra up-type quark. In sizable ranges of
the model parameters, the mixing parameter is much different from the
standard model prediction.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, To be published in Phys. Rev.
Branching ratios of decays in perturbative QCD approach
We study the rare decays , which can occur only via
annihilation type diagrams in the standard model. We calculate all of the four
modes, , in the framework of perturbative QCD approach
and give the branching ratios of the order about .Comment: 18 pages, 1 figure, Revte
Realistic construction of split fermion models
The Standard Model flavor structure can be explained in theories where the
fermions are localized on different points in a compact extra dimension. We
show that models with two bulk scalars compactified on an orbifold can produce
such separations in a natural way. We study the shapes and overlaps of the
fermion wave functions. We show that, generically, realistic models of Gaussian
overlaps are unnatural since they require very large Yukawa couplings between
the fermions and the bulk scalars. We give an example of a five dimensional two
scalar model that accounts naturally for the observed quark masses, mixing
angles and CP violation.Comment: 15 pages, 5 figures, typos corrected, discussion on the implications
of SM rare decay processes added, to appear in PR
Rare Charm Decays in the Standard Model and Beyond
We perform a comprehensive study of a number of rare charm decays,
incorporating the first evaluation of the QCD corrections to the short distance
contributions, as well as examining the long range effects. For processes
mediated by the transitions, we show that sensitivity to
short distance physics exists in kinematic regions away from the vector meson
resonances that dominate the total rate. In particular, we find that
and are sensitive to non-universal
soft-breaking effects in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model with
R-parity conservation. We separately study the sensitivity of these modes to
R-parity violating effects and derive new bounds on R-parity violating
couplings. We also obtain predictions for these decays within extensions of the
Standard Model, including extensions of the Higgs, gauge and fermion sectors,
as well as models of dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking.Comment: 45 pages, typos fixed, discussions adde
The Three Families from SM-like Chiral Models
We give a detailed description of the model construction procedures about our
new approach to the family structure of the standard model. SM-like chiral
fermion spectra, largely "derivable" from the gauge anomaly constraints, are
formulated in a symmetry
framework as an extension of the SM symmetry. The case gives naturally
three families as a result, with nontrivially embedded into the
. Such a spectrum has extra vector-like quarks and
leptons. We illustrate how an acceptable symmetry breaking pattern can be
obtained through a relatively simple scalar sector which gives naturally
hierarchical quark mass matrices. Compatibility with various FCNC constraints
and some interesting aspects of the possible phenomenological features are
discussed, from a non-model specific perspective. The question of incorporating
supersymmetry without putting in the Higgses as extra supermultiplet is also
addressed.Comment: 43 pages RevTex, including 9 tables and 3 figure
GWAS for systemic sclerosis identifies multiple risk loci and highlights fibrotic and vasculopathy pathways
Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that shows one of the highest mortality rates among rheumatic diseases. We perform a large genome-wide association study (GWAS), and meta-analysis with previous GWASs, in 26,679 individuals and identify 27 independent genome-wide associated signals, including 13 new risk loci. The novel associations nearly double the number of genome-wide hits reported for SSc thus far. We define 95% credible sets of less than 5 likely causal variants in 12 loci. Additionally, we identify specific SSc subtype-associated signals. Functional analysis of high-priority variants shows the potential function of SSc signals, with the identification of 43 robust target genes through HiChIP. Our results point towards molecular pathways potentially involved in vasculopathy and fibrosis, two main hallmarks in SSc, and highlight the spectrum of critical cell types for the disease. This work supports a better understanding of the genetic basis of SSc and provides directions for future functional experiments
Search for B⁺c decays to the pp‾π⁺ final state
A search for the decays of the B + c meson to pp-π + is performed for the first time using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb -1 collected by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. No signal is found and an upper limit, at 95% confidence level, is set, fcfu×B(B + c →ppπ + ) < 3.6×10-8 in the kinematic region m(pp) < 2.85 GeV/c2, p T (B) < 20 GeV/c and 2.0 < y(B) < 4.5, where B is the branching fraction and f c (f u ) is the fragmentation fraction of the b quark into a B c + (B + ) meson
New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias
Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele
Measurement of the lifetime of the meson using the decay mode
The difference in total widths between the and mesons is
measured using 3.0fb of data collected by the LHCb experiment in 7 and 8
TeV centre-of-mass energy proton-proton collisions at the LHC. Through the
study of the time evolution of and
decays, the width difference is measured to be
where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second
systematic. The known lifetime of the meson is used to convert this to a
precise measurement of the lifetime,
where the first uncertainty is
statistical and the second systematic.Comment: 19 pagers, 3 figure
Dexamethasone intravitreal implant in previously treated patients with diabetic macular edema : Subgroup analysis of the MEAD study
Background: Dexamethasone intravitreal implant 0.7 mg (DEX 0.7) was approved for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME) after demonstration of its efficacy and safety in the MEAD registration trials. We performed subgroup analysis of MEAD study results to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DEX 0.7 treatment in patients with previously treated DME. Methods: Three-year, randomized, sham-controlled phase 3 study in patients with DME, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 34.68 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters (20/200.20/50 Snellen equivalent), and central retinal thickness (CRT) 65300 \u3bcm measured by time-domain optical coherence tomography. Patients were randomized to 1 of 2 doses of DEX (0.7 mg or 0.35 mg), or to sham procedure, with retreatment no more than every 6 months. The primary endpoint was 6515-letter gain in BCVA at study end. Average change in BCVA and CRT from baseline during the study (area-under-the-curve approach) and adverse events were also evaluated. The present subgroup analysis evaluated outcomes in patients randomized to DEX 0.7 (marketed dose) or sham based on prior treatment for DME at study entry. Results: Baseline characteristics of previously treated DEX 0.7 (n = 247) and sham (n=261) patients were similar. In the previously treated subgroup, mean number of treatments over 3 years was 4.1 for DEX 0.7 and 3.2 for sham, 21.5 % of DEX 0.7 patients versus 11.1 % of sham had 6515-letter BCVA gain from baseline at study end (P = 0.002), mean average BCVA change from baseline was +3.2 letters with DEX 0.7 versus +1.5 letters with sham (P = 0.024), and mean average CRT change from baseline was -126.1 \u3bcm with DEX 0.7 versus -39.0 \u3bcm with sham(P < 0.001). Cataract-related adverse events were reported in 70.3 % of baseline phakic patients in the previously treated DEX 0.7 subgroup; vision gains were restored following cataract surgery. Conclusions: DEX 0.7 significantly improved visual and anatomic outcomes in patients with DME previously treated with laser, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide, or a combination of these therapies. The safety profile of DEX 0.7 in previously treated patients was similar to its safety profile in the total study population
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