379 research outputs found
Bounds on OPE coefficients in 4D Conformal Field Theories
We numerically study the crossing symmetry constraints in 4D CFTs, using previously introduced algorithms based on semidefinite programming. We study bounds on OPE coefficients of tensor operators as a function of their scaling dimension and extend previous studies of bounds on OPE coefficients of conserved vector currents to the product groups SO(N)
7SO(M). We also analyze the bounds on the OPE coefficients of the conserved vector currents associated with the groups SO(N), SU(N) and SO(N)
7SO(M) under the assumption that in the singlet channel no scalar operator has dimension less than four, namely that the CFT has no relevant deformations. This is motivated by applications in the context of composite Higgs models, where the strongly coupled sector is assumed to be a spontaneously broken CFT with a global symmetry. \ua9 The Authors
Effective AdS/renormalized CFT
For an effective AdS theory, we present a simple prescription to compute the
renormalization of its dual boundary field theory. In particular, we define
anomalous dimension holographically as the dependence of the wave-function
renormalization factor on the radial cutoff in the Poincare patch of AdS. With
this definition, the anomalous dimensions of both single- and double- trace
operators are calculated. Three different dualities are considered with the
field theory being CFT, CFT with a double-trace deformation and spontaneously
broken CFT. For the second dual pair, we compute scaling corrections at the UV
and IR fixed points of the RG flow triggered by the double-trace deformation.
For the last case, we discuss whether our prescription is sensitive to the AdS
interior or equivalently, the IR physics of the dual field theory.Comment: 20 pages, 3 figure
Asymmetric WIMP dark matter
In existing dark matter models with global symmetries the relic abundance of
dark matter is either equal to that of anti-dark matter (thermal WIMP), or
vastly larger, with essentially no remaining anti-dark matter (asymmetric dark
matter). By exploring the consequences of a primordial asymmetry on the coupled
dark matter and anti-dark matter Boltzmann equations we find large regions of
parameter space that interpolate between these two extremes. Interestingly,
this new asymmetric WIMP framework can accommodate a wide range of dark matter
masses and annihilation cross sections. The present-day dark matter population
is typically asymmetric, but only weakly so, such that indirect signals of dark
matter annihilation are not completely suppressed. We apply our results to
existing models, noting that upcoming direct detection experiments will
constrain a large region of the relevant parameter space.Comment: 32 pages, 6 figures, updated references, updated XENON100 bounds,
typo in figure caption correcte
“Excellence R Us”: university research and the fetishisation of excellence
The rhetoric of “excellence” is pervasive across the academy. It is used to refer to research outputs as well as researchers, theory and education, individuals and organisations, from art history to zoology. But does “excellence” actually mean anything? Does this pervasive narrative of “excellence” do any good? Drawing on a range of sources we interrogate “excellence” as a concept and find that it has no intrinsic meaning in academia. Rather it functions as a linguistic interchange mechanism. To investigate whether this linguistic function is useful we examine how the rhetoric of excellence combines with narratives of scarcity and competition to show that the hypercompetition that arises from the performance of “excellence” is completely at odds with the qualities of good research. We trace the roots of issues in reproducibility, fraud, and homophily to this rhetoric. But we also show that this rhetoric is an internal, and not primarily an external, imposition. We conclude by proposing an alternative rhetoric based on soundness and capacity-building. In the final analysis, it turns out that that “excellence” is not excellent. Used in its current unqualified form it is a pernicious and dangerous rhetoric that undermines the very foundations of good research and scholarship
The Cosmology of Composite Inelastic Dark Matter
Composite dark matter is a natural setting for implementing inelastic dark
matter - the O(100 keV) mass splitting arises from spin-spin interactions of
constituent fermions. In models where the constituents are charged under an
axial U(1) gauge symmetry that also couples to the Standard Model quarks, dark
matter scatters inelastically off Standard Model nuclei and can explain the
DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation signal. This article describes the early Universe
cosmology of a minimal implementation of a composite inelastic dark matter
model where the dark matter is a meson composed of a light and a heavy quark.
The synthesis of the constituent quarks into dark mesons and baryons results in
several qualitatively different configurations of the resulting dark matter
hadrons depending on the relative mass scales in the system.Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures; references added, typos correcte
Closing in on Asymmetric Dark Matter I: Model independent limits for interactions with quarks
It is argued that experimental constraints on theories of asymmetric dark
matter (ADM) almost certainly require that the DM be part of a richer hidden
sector of interacting states of comparable mass or lighter. A general requisite
of models of ADM is that the vast majority of the symmetric component of the DM
number density must be removed in order to explain the observed relationship
via the DM asymmetry. Demanding the efficient
annihilation of the symmetric component leads to a tension with experimental
limits if the annihilation is directly to Standard Model (SM) degrees of
freedom. A comprehensive effective operator analysis of the model independent
constraints on ADM from direct detection experiments and LHC monojet searches
is presented. Notably, the limits obtained essentially exclude models of ADM
with mass 1GeV 100GeV annihilating to SM quarks via
heavy mediator states. This motivates the study of portal interactions between
the dark and SM sectors mediated by light states. Resonances and threshold
effects involving the new light states are shown to be important for
determining the exclusion limits.Comment: 18+6 pages, 18 figures. v2: version accepted for publicatio
Advantages of the Ilizarov external fixation in the management of intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Treatment of distal tibial intra-articular fractures is challenging due to the difficulties in achieving anatomical reduction of the articular surface and the instability which may occur due to ligamentous and soft tissue injury. The purpose of this study is to present an algorithm in the application of external fixation in the management of intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia either from axial compression or from torsional forces.</p> <p>Materials and methods</p> <p>Thirty two patients with intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia have been studied. Based on the mechanism of injury they were divided into two groups. Group I includes 17 fractures due to axial compression and group II 15 fractures due to torsional force. An Ilizarov external fixation was used in 15 patients (11 of group I and 4 of group II). In 17 cases (6 of group I and 11 of group II) a unilateral hinged external fixator was used. In 7 out of 17 fractures of group I an additional fixation of the fibula was performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All fractures were healed. The mean time of removal of the external fixator was 11 weeks for group I and 10 weeks for group II. In group I, 5 patients had radiological osteoarthritic lesions (grade III and IV) but only 2 were symptomatic. Delayed union occurred in 3 patients of group I with fixed fibula. Other complications included one patient of group II with subluxation of the ankle joint after removal of the hinged external fixator, in 2 patients reduction found to be insufficient during the postoperative follow up and were revised and 6 patients had a residual pain. The range of ankle joint motion was larger in group II.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Intra-articular fractures of the distal tibia due to axial compression are usually complicated with cartilaginous problems and are requiring anatomical reduction of the articular surface. Fractures due to torsional forces are complicated with ankle instability and reduction should be augmented with ligament repair, in order to restore normal movement of talus against the mortise. Both Ilizarov and hinged external fixators are unable to restore ligamentous stability. External fixation is recommended only for fractures of the ankle joint caused by axial compression because it is biomechanically superior and has a lower complication rate.</p
Methods for specifying the target difference in a randomised controlled trial : the Difference ELicitation in TriAls (DELTA) systematic review
Peer reviewedPublisher PD
Essential function for ErbB3 in breast cancer proliferation
The overexpression of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase receptors is thought to be important in the development of many breast tumours. To date, most attention has focused on the ErbB2 receptor. Now, in a recent report, it has been shown that ErbB3 is a critical partner for the transforming activity of ErbB2 in breast cancer cells. Importantly, the proliferative signals from this transforming complex appear to act via the PI-3 kinase pathway
Climate change and outdoor regional living plant collections: an example from mainland Portugal
Original PaperClimate change threatens not only plant species occurring naturally, but also
impacts on regional living plant collections, which play an important role in ex situ
conservation strategies. In the last few years, several global circulation models have been
used to predict different global climate change scenarios. Due to their coarse resolutions,
and while more detailed regional approaches are not available, downscaling techniques
have been proposed, as a very simple first approach to increase detail. We analysed seven
sites on mainland Portugal with potential for species conservation (four botanic gardens
and three universities), in the light of downscaled climate change scenarios, using an
environmental envelope approach and a predefined bioclimatic neighbourhood for each
site. Thresholds for the bioclimatic neighbourhood were based on Rivas-Martı´nez’s Bioclimatic
Classification of the Earth. For each site, the expected geographical shift of its
original bioclimatic neighbourhood (1950–2000) was mapped for 2020, 2050 and 2080.
Analysing those shifts enabled us to delineate knowledge-transfer paths between sites,
according to the analysed scenarios. We concluded that, according to the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change A2 scenario, all considered sites will be outside the
predefined bioclimatic neighbourhood by 2080, while according to the B2 scenario all of
them will be inside that neighbourhood, although sometimes marginally so. Therefore, the
implementation of global sustainability measures as considered in the B2 scenario family
can be of great importance in order to delay significantly the impacts of climate change,
giving extra time for the adaptation of the outdoor regional living plant collectionsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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