Contact interactions in low scale string models with intersecting D6D6-branes

We evaluate the tree level four fermion string amplitudes in the TeV string mass scale models with intersecting $D6$-branes. The coefficient functions of contact interactions subsuming the contributions of string Regge resonance and winding mode excitations are obtained by subtracting out the contributions from the string massless and massive momentum modes. Numerical applications are developed for the Standard Model like solution of Cremades, Ibanez, and Marchesano for a toroidal orientifold with four intersecting $D6$-brane stacks. The chirality conserving contact interactions of the quarks and leptons are considered in applications to high energy collider and flavor changing neutral current phenomenology. The two main free parameters consist of the string and compactification mass scales, $m_s$ and $M_c$. Useful constraints on these parameters are derived from predictions for the Bhabha scattering differential cross section and for the observables associated to the mass shifts of the neutral meson systems $K-\bar K, B-\bar B, D-\bar D$ and the lepton number violating three-body leptonic decays of the charged leptons $\mu$ and $\tau$.Comment: 34 pages, 7 figure

Two-pion-exchange parity-violating potential and n⃗p→dγ\vec{n} p \to d \gamma

We calculate the parity-violating nucleon-nucleon potential in heavy-baryon chiral perturbation theory up to the next-to-next-to-leading order. The one-pion exchange comes in the leading order and the next-to-next-to-leading order consists of two-pion-exchange and the two-nucleon contact terms. In order to investigate the effect of the higher order contributions, we calculate the parity-violating asymmetry in $\vec{n} p \to d \gamma$ at the threshold. The one-pion dominates the physical observable and the two-pion contribution is about or less than 10% of the one-pion contribution.Comment: 3 pages, contribution to the workshop PAVI06 held in Milos island, Greece, May 16-20, 200

Nonminimal supersymmetric standard model with lepton number violation

We carry out a detailed analysis of the nonminimal supersymmetric standard model with lepton number violation. The model contains a unique trilinear lepton number violating term in the superpotential which can give rise to neutrino masses at the tree level. We search for the gauged discrete symmetries realized by cyclic groups which preserve the structure of the associated trilinear superpotential of this model, and which satisfy the constraints of the anomaly cancellation. The implications of this trilinear lepton number violating term in the superpotential and the associated soft supersymmetry breaking term on the phenomenology of the light neutrino masses and mixing is studied in detail. We evaluate the tree and loop level contributions to the neutrino mass matrix in this model. We search for possible suppression mechanism which could explain large hierarchies and maximal mixing angles.Comment: Latex file, 43 pages, 2 figure

Nucleon decay in gauge unified models with intersecting D6-branes

Baryon number violation is discussed in gauge unified orbifold models of type II string theory with intersecting Dirichlet branes. We consider setups of D6-branes which extend along the flat Minkowski space-time directions and wrap around 3-cycles of the internal 6-d manifold. The discussion is motivated by the enhancement effect of low energy amplitudes anticipated for M-theory and type II string theory models with matter modes localized at points of the internal manifold. The conformal field theory formalism is used to evaluate the open string amplitudes at tree level. We study the single baryon number violating processes of dimension 6 and 5, involving four quarks and leptons and in supersymmetry models, two pairs of matter fermions and superpartner sfermions. The higher order processes associated with the baryon number violating operators of dimension 7 and 9 are also examined, but in a qualitative way. We discuss the low energy representation of string theory amplitudes in terms of infinite series of poles associated to exchange of string Regge resonance and compactification modes. The comparison of string amplitudes with the equivalent field theory amplitudes is first studied in the large compactification radius limit. Proceeding next to the finite compactification radius case, we present a numerical study of the ratio of string to field theory amplitudes based on semi-realistic gauge unified non-supersymmetric and supersymmetric models employing the Z3 and Z2xZ2 orbifolds. We find a moderate enhancement of string amplitudes which becomes manifest in the regime where the gauge symmetry breaking mass parameter exceeds the compactification mass parameter, corresponding to a gauge unification in a seven dimensional space-time.Comment: 63 pages revtex4. 8 postscript figures. 4 tables. Subsection II.B revised. Several new references added. To appear in Physical Review

Diquarks and Exotic Spectroscopy

We propose that the recently discovered \Theta baryon is a bound state of four quarks and an antiquark, containing two highly correlated ud-pairs. If so, the \Theta baryon has positive parity, and it lies in an near-ideally mixed SU(3)_{f} \mathbf{\bar{10}}_{f} oplus \mathbf{8}_{f}. The Roper resonance and the P_{11}(1710) fit naturally into this classification. We predict an isospin 3/2 multiplet of \Xi's (S=-2) with J^{\Pi}=\half^{+} around 1750 MeV. A search for manifestly exotic \Xi^{+} and \Xi^{--} in this mass range could provide a sharp test of our proposal. We predict that charm and bottom analogues of the \Theta baryon are stable against strong decays.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, revtex 4, minor corrections and revisions for journal publicatio

Silica coatings on young Hawaiian basalts: Constraints on formation mechanism from silicon isotopes

Young basalts from Kilauea, on the big island of Hawai’i, frequently feature visually striking, white, orange and blue coatings, consisting of a 10-50 μm layer of amorphous silica, capped, in some cases, by a ~1 μm layer of Fe-Ti oxide [1]. The coatings provide an opportunity to study the early onset of acid-sulfate weathering, a process common to many volcanic environments. Silicon isotopes fractionate with the precipitation of clays and opaline silica, and have been demonstrated to be an indicator of weathering intensity [2,3]. Here we report in situ measurements of δ^(30)_Si of the silica coatings and their implications for coating formation

Composite Skyrme Model with Vector Mesons

We study the composite Skyrme model, proposed by Cheung and G\"{u}rsey, introducing vector mesons in a chiral Lagrangian. We calculate the static properties of baryons and compare with results obtained from models without vector mesons.Comment: LaTeX, 9 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Cone Genesis Tracing by the Chrnb4-EGFP Mouse Line: Evidences of Cellular Material Fusion after Cone Precursor Transplantation.

The cone function is essential to mediate high visual acuity, color vision, and daylight vision. Inherited cone dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration affect a substantial percentage of the world population. To identify and isolate the most competent cells for transplantation and integration into the retina, cone tracing during development would be an important added value. To that aim, the Chrnb4-EGFP mouse line was characterized throughout retinogenesis. It revealed a sub-population of early retinal progenitors expressing the reporter gene that is progressively restricted to mature cones during retina development. The presence of the native CHRNB4 protein was confirmed in EGFP-positive cells, and it presents a similar pattern in the human retina. Sub-retinal transplantations of distinct subpopulations of Chrnb4-EGFP-expressing cells revealed the embryonic day 15.5 high-EGFP population the most efficient cells to interact with host retinas to provoke the appearance of EGFP-positive cones in the photoreceptor layer. Importantly, transplantations into the DsRed retinas revealed material exchanges between donor and host retinas, as >80% of transplanted EGFP-positive cones also were DsRed positive. Whether this cell material fusion is of significant therapeutic advantage requires further thorough investigations. The Chrnb4-EGFP mouse line definitely opens new research perspectives in cone genesis and retina repair

Radiative Neutron-Proton Capture in Effective Chiral Lagrangians

We calculate the cross-section for the thermal $n+p\rightarrow d+\gamma$ process in chiral perturbation theory to next-to-next-to-leading order using heavy-fermion formalism. The exchange current correction is found to be $(4.5\pm 0.3)~\%$ in amplitude and the chiral perturbation at one-loop order gives the cross section \sigma_{th}^{np}=(334\pm 2)\ {\mbox mb} which is in agreement with the experimental value (334.2\pm 0.5)\ {\mbox mb}. Together with the axial charge transitions, this provides a strong support for the power of chiral Lagrangians for nuclear physics.Comment: 9 pages, revtex, uses epsfig.sty, 2 uuencoded figure

Oxidative photopolymerization of thiol-terminated polysulfide resins. Application in antibacterial coatings

A UV photoinduced cross-linking of non-modified commercial poly(disulfide) resins (Thioplast) is reported via the air oxidative photocoupling of terminal thiol functions. Catalyzed by a photogenerated guanidine base (TBD), this step-growth photopolymerization is useful to maximize disulfide functions content. The mechanism proceeds through thiol deprotonation into thiolate anions, further oxidized into thiyl radicals, eventually dimerizing into disulfide cross-links. Starting with a detailed structural characterization of the thiol-terminated resin, photooxidative kinetics are studied under exposure to a polychromatic medium-pressure Hg arc using Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The effects of irradiance, film thickness, photobase concentration, resin molar mass, and content of an additional polythiol monomer (reactive diluent) have been investigated. In an effort of upscaling, irradiation under a 365 nm LED panel has enabled the fast preparation of 1.5 μm thick cross-linked poly(disulfide) coatings in a matter of minutes. Capitalizing on the ability of residual thiol groups to react with silver cations, a post-functionalization has been successfully performed, leading to films exhibiting at their surface stable thiolate-silver bonds as proved by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Despite the well-established biocide action of silver ions, no antibacterial action has been evidenced by confocal fluorescence microscopy because of insufficient release