Low-energy diffraction; a direct-channel point of view: the background

We argue that at low-energies, typical of the resonance region, the contribution from direct-channel exotic trajectories replaces the Pomeron exchange, typical of high energies. A dual model realizing this idea is suggested. While at high energies it matches the Regge pole behavior, dominated by a Pomeron exchange, at low energies it produces a smooth, structureless behavior of the total cross section determined by a direct-channel nonlinear exotic trajectory, dual to the Pomeron exchange.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Talk presented at the Second International "Cetraro" Workshop & NATO Advanced Research Workshop "Diffraction 2002", Alushta, Crimea, Ukraine, August 31 - September 6, 200

Complete spectrum of the infinite-UU Hubbard ring using group theory

We present a full analytical solution of the multiconfigurational strongly-correlated mixed-valence problem corresponding to the $N$-Hubbard ring filled with $N-1$ electrons, and infinite on-site repulsion. While the eigenvalues and the eigenstates of the model are known already, analytical determination of their degeneracy is presented here for the first time. The full solution, including degeneracy count, is achieved for each spin configuration by mapping the Hubbard model into a set of Huckel-annulene problems for rings of variable size. The number and size of these effective Huckel annulenes, both crucial to obtain Hubbard states and their degeneracy, are determined by solving a well-known combinatorial enumeration problem, the necklace problem for $N-1$ beads and two colors, within each subgroup of the $C_{N-1}$ permutation group. Symmetry-adapted solution of the necklace enumeration problem is finally achieved by means of the subduction of coset representation technique [S. Fujita, Theor. Chim. Acta 76, 247 (1989)], which provides a general and elegant strategy to solve the one-hole infinite-$U$ Hubbard problem, including degeneracy count, for any ring size. The proposed group theoretical strategy to solve the infinite-$U$ Hubbard problem for $N-1$ electrons, is easily generalized to the case of arbitrary electron count $L$, by analyzing the permutation group $C_L$ and all its subgroups.Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures. Submitte

Ultrahigh Energy Nuclei in the Galactic Magnetic Field

Observations are consistent with a significant fraction of heavy nuclei in the cosmic ray flux above a few times 10^19 eV. Such nuclei can be deflected considerably in the Galactic magnetic field, with important implications for the search of their sources. We perform detailed simulations of heavy nuclei propagation within recent Galactic magnetic field models. While such models are not yet sufficiently constrained to predict deflection maps in detail, we find general features of the distribution of (de-) magnified flux from sources. Since in most theoretical models sources of heavy nuclei are located in the local large scale structure of galaxies, we show examples of images of several nearby galaxy clusters and of the supergalactic plane. Such general features may be useful to develop efficient methods for source reconstruction from observed ultrahigh energy cosmic ray arrival directions.Comment: 17 pages, 11 figures. Published in JCA

Cosmic String Spacetime in Dilaton Gravity and Flat Rotation Curves

In dilaton gravity theories, we consider a string-like topological defect formed during U(1) gauge symmetry-breaking phase transition in the early Universe, and far from the cosmic string we have vacuum solutions of the generalized Einstein equation. We discuss how they can be related to the flatness of galactic rotation curves.Comment: 9 pages, RevTeX4 fil

Preon Prophecies by the Standard Model

The Standard Model of quarks and leptons is, at first sight, nothing but a set of {\it ad hoc} rules, with no connections, and no clues to their true background. At a closer look, however, there are many inherent prophecies that point in the same direction: {\it Compositeness} in terms of three stable preons.Comment: 13 pages, 8 eps-figures, invited talk at Beyond the Desert '03, Schloss Ringberg, Bavaria, June 2003; to be published in the Proceeding

A Search for the Fourth SM Family Fermions and E_6 Quarks at μ+μ−\mu ^{+}\mu ^{-} Colliders

The potential of $\mu ^{+}\mu ^{-}$ colliders to investigate the fourth SM family fermions predicted by flavour democracy has been analyzed. It is shown that muon colliders are advantageous for both pair production of fourth family fermions and resonance production of fourth family quarkonia. Also isosinglet quarks production at $\mu ^{+}\mu ^{-}$ colliders has been investigated.Comment: 9 pages, 5 table

Quark Mass Hierarchies, Flavor Mixing and Maximal CP-Violation

Flavor mixing and the quark mass spectrum are intimately related. In view of the observed strong hierarchy of the quark and lepton masses and of the flavor mixing angles it is argued that the description of flavor mixing must take this into account. One particular interesting way to describe the flavor mixing emerges, which is particularly suited for models of quark mass matrices based on flavor symmetries. We conclude that the unitarity triangle important for $B$ physics should be close to or identical to a rectangular triangle. $CP$ violation is maximal in this sense.Comment: 21 latex page

B polarization of the CMB from Faraday rotation

We study the effect of Faraday rotation due to a homogeneous magnetic field on the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Scalar fluctuations give rise only to parity-even E-type polarization of the CMB. However in the presence of a magnetic field, a non-vanishing parity-odd B-type polarization component is produced through Faraday rotation. We derive the exact solution for the E and B modes generated by scalar perturbations including the Faraday rotation effect of a uniform magnetic field, and evaluate their cross-correlations with temperature anisotropies. We compute the angular autocorrelation function of the B-modes in the limit that the Faraday rotation is small. We find that primordial magnetic fields of present strength around $B_0=10^{-9}$G rotate E-modes into B-modes with amplitude comparable to those due to the weak gravitational lensing effect at frequencies around $\nu=30$ GHz. The strength of B-modes produced by Faraday rotation scales as $B_0/\nu^2$. We evaluate also the depolarizing effect of Faraday rotation upon the cross correlation between temperature anisotropy and E-type polarization.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures. Minor changes to match the published versio

The breaking of the flavour permutational symmetry: Mass textures and the CKM matrix

Different ansaetze for the breaking of the flavour permutational symmetry according to S(3)L X S(3)R in S(2)L X S(2) give different Hermitian mass matrices of the same modified Fritzsch type, which differ in the symmetry breaking pattern. In this work we obtain a clear and precise indication on the preferred symmetry breaking scheme from a fit of the predicted theoretical Vckm to the experimentally determined absolute values of the elements of the CKM matrix. The preferred scheme leads to simple mass textures and allows us to compute the CKM mixing matrix, the Jarlskog invariant J, and the three inner angles of the unitarity triangle in terms of four quark mass ratios and only one free parameter: the CP violating phase Phi. Excellent agreement with the experimentally determined absolute values of the entries in the CKM matrix is obtained for Phi = 90 deg. The corresponding computed values of the Jarlskog invariant and the inner angles are J = 3.00 X 10^-5, alpha= 84 deg, beta= 24 deg and gamma =72 deg in very good agreement with current data on CP violation in the neutral kaon-antikaon system and oscillations in the B-Bbar system.Comment: 21 pages, 1 fig. Content enlarged, references added and typos corrected. To be published in Phys Rev

Stimulation of the tibial nerve: a protocol for a multicentred randomised controlled trial for urinary problems associated with Parkinson’s disease—STARTUP

Introduction Parkinson’s disease is the second most common chronic neurodegenerative condition with bladder dysfunction affecting up to 71%. Symptoms affect quality of life and include urgency, frequency, hesitancy, nocturia and incontinence. Addressing urinary dysfunction is one of the top 10 priority research areas identified by the James Lind Alliance and Parkinson’s UK. Objectives Conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) targeting people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) who have self-reported problematic lower urinary tract symptoms, investigating the effectiveness of transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) compared with sham TTNS. Implement a standardised training approach and package for the correct application of TTNS. Conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of TTNS compared with sham TTNS. Methods and analysis An RCT of 6 weeks with twice weekly TTNS or sham TTNS. Participants will be recruited in 12 National Health Service neurology/movement disorder services, using a web-based randomisation system, and will be shown how to apply TTNS or sham TTNS. Participants will receive a weekly telephone call from the researchers during the intervention period. The trial has two coprimary outcome measures: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence Short Form and the International Prostate Symptom Score. Secondary outcomes include a 3-day bladder diary, quality of life, acceptability and fidelity and health economic evaluation. Outcomes will be measured at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. A sample size of 208 randomised in equal numbers to the two arms will provide 90% power to detect a clinically important difference of 2.52 points on the Internatioanl Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form (ICIQ-SF) and of 3 points in the International Prostate Symptom Score total score at 12 weeks at 5% significance level, based on an SD of 4.7 in each arm and 20% attrition at 6 weeks. Analysis will be by intention to treat and pre defined in a statistical analysis plan Ethics and dissemination East of Scotland Research Ethics Service (EoSRES), 18/ES00042, obtained on 10 May 2018. The trial will allow us to determine effectiveness, safety, cost and acceptability of TTNS for bladder dysfunction in PWP. Results will be published in open access journals; lay reports will be posted to all participants and presented at conferences. Trial registration number ISRCTN12437878; Pre-results