54 research outputs found
Cutoff-independent regularization of four-fermion interactions for color superconductivity
We implement a cutoff-independent regularization of four-fermion interactions
to calculate the color-superconducting gap parameter in quark matter. The
traditional cutoff regularization has difficulties for chemical potentials \mu
of the order of the cutoff \Lambda, predicting in particular a vanishing gap at
\mu \sim \Lambda. The proposed cutoff-independent regularization predicts a
finite gap at high densities and indicates a smooth matching with the weak
coupling QCD prediction for the gap at asymptotically high densities.Comment: 5 pages, 1 eps figure - Revised manuscript to match the published
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A predictive formulation of the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model
A novel strategy to handle divergences typical of perturbative calculations
is implemented for the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model and its phenomenological
consequences investigated. The central idea of the method is to avoid the
critical step involved in the regularization process, namely the explicit
evaluation of divergent integrals. This goal is achieved by assuming a
regularization distribution in an implicit way and making use, in intermediary
steps, only of very general properties of such regularization. The finite parts
are separated of the divergent ones and integrated free from effects of the
regularization. The divergent parts are organized in terms of standard objects
which are independent of the (arbitrary) momenta running in internal lines of
loop graphs. Through the analysis of symmetry relations, a set of properties
for the divergent objects are identified, which we denominate consistency
relations, reducing the number of divergent objects to only a few ones. The
calculational strategy eliminates unphysical dependencies of the arbitrary
choices for the routing of internal momenta, leading to ambiguity-free, and
symmetry-preserving physical amplitudes. We show that the imposition of scale
properties for the basic divergent objects leads to a critical condition for
the constituent quark mass such that the remaining arbitrariness is removed.
The model become predictive in the sense that its phenomenological consequences
do not depend on possible choices made in intermediary steps. Numerical results
are obtained for physical quantities at the one-loop level for the pion and
sigma masses and pion-quark and sigma-quark coupling constants.Comment: 38 pages, 1 figure, To appear in Phy.Rev.
Extension of the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model at high densities and temperatures by using an implicit regularization scheme
Traditional cutoff regularization schemes of the Nambu--Jona-Lasinio model
limit the applicability of the model to energy-momentum scales much below the
value of the regularizing cutoff. In particular, the model cannot be used to
study quark matter with Fermi momenta larger than the cutoff. In the present
work an extension of the model to high temperatures and densities recently
proposed by Casalbuoni, Gatto, Nardulli, and Ruggieri is used in connection
with an implicit regularization scheme. This is done by making use of scaling
relations of the divergent one-loop integrals that relate these integrals at
different energy-momentum scales. Fixing the pion decay constant at the chiral
symmetry breaking scale in the vacuum, the scaling relations predict a running
coupling constant that decreases as the regularization scale increases,
implementing in a schematic way the property of asymptotic freedom of quantum
chromodynamics. If the regularization scale is allowed to increase with density
and temperature, the coupling will decrease with density and temperature,
extending in this way the applicability of the model to high densities and
temperatures. These results are obtained without specifying an explicit
regularization. As an illustration of the formalism, numerical results are
obtained for the finite density and finite temperature quark condensate, and to
the problem of color superconductivity at high quark densities and finite
temperature.Comment: 7 pages, 5 eps figures - in version 3, substantial changes in text,
results and conclusions unchanged. To be published in Phys. Rev.
A yeast-based repurposing approach for the treatment of mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes led to the identification of molecules able to modulate the dNTP pool
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndromes (MDS) are clinically heterogenous and often severe diseases, characterized by a reduction of the number of copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in affected tissues. In the context of MDS, yeast has proved to be both an excellent model for the study of the mechanisms underlying mitochondrial pathologies and for the discovery of new therapies via high-throughput assays. Among the several genes involved in MDS, it has been shown that recessive mutations in MPV17 cause a hepatocerebral form of MDS and Navajo neurohepatopathy. MPV17 encodes a non selective channel in the inner mitochondrial membrane, but its physiological role and the nature of its cargo remains elusive. In this study we identify ten drugs active against MPV17 disorder, modelled in yeast using the homologous gene SYM1. All ten of the identified molecules cause a concomitant increase of both the mitochondrial deoxyribonucleoside triphosphate (mtdNTP) pool and mtDNA stability, which suggests that the reduced availability of DNA synthesis precursors is the cause for the mtDNA deletion and depletion associated with Sym1 deficiency. We finally evaluated the effect of these molecules on mtDNA stability in two other MDS yeast models, extending the potential use of these drugs to a wider range of MDS patients
Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a tool for studying mutations in nuclear genes involved in diseases caused by mitochondrial DNA instability
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance is critical for oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) since some subunits of the respiratory chain complexes are mitochondrially encoded. Pathological mutations in nuclear genes involved in the mtDNA metabolism may result in a quantitative decrease in mtDNA levels, referred to as mtDNA depletion, or in qualitative defects in mtDNA, especially in multiple deletions. Since, in the last decade, most of the novel mutations have been identified through whole-exome sequencing, it is crucial to confirm the pathogenicity by functional analysis in the appropriate model systems. Among these, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has proved to be a good model for studying mutations associated with mtDNA instability. This review focuses on the use of yeast for evaluating the pathogenicity of mutations in six genes, MPV17/SYM1, MRM2/MRM2, OPA1/MGM1, POLG/MIP1, RRM2B/RNR2, and SLC25A4/AAC2, all associated with mtDNA depletion or multiple deletions. We highlight the techniques used to construct a specific model and to measure the mtDNA instability as well as the main results obtained. We then report the contribution that yeast has given in understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of the mutant variants, in finding the genetic suppressors of the mitochondrial defects and in the discovery of molecules able to improve the mtDNA stability
From arbitrariness to ambiguities in the evaluation of perturbative physical amplitudes and their symmetry relations
A very general calculational strategy is applied to the evaluation of the
divergent physical amplitudes which are typical of perturbative calculations.
With this approach in the final results all the intrinsic arbitrariness of the
calculations due to the divergent character is still present. We show that by
using the symmetry properties as a guide to search for the (compulsory) choices
in such a way as to avoid ambiguities, a deep and clear understanding of the
role of regularization methods emerges. Requiring then an universal point of
view for the problem, as allowed by our approach, very interesting conclusions
can be stated about the possible justifications of most intriguing aspect of
the perturbative calculations in quantum field theory: the triangle anomalies.Comment: 16 pages, no figure
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