Off-diagonal Gluon Mass Generation and Infrared Abelian Dominance in Maximally Abelian Gauge in SU(3) Lattice QCD

In SU(3) lattice QCD formalism, we propose a method to extract gauge fields from link-variables analytically. With this method, we perform the first study on effective mass generation of off-diagonal gluons and infrared Abelian dominance in the maximally Abelian (MA) gauge in the SU(3) case. Using SU(3) lattice QCD, we investigate the propagator and the effective mass of the gluon fields in the MA gauge with U(1)_3 \timesU(1)_8 Landau gauge fixing. The Monte Carlo simulation is performed on $16^4$ at $\beta$=5.7, 5.8 and 6.0 at the quenched level. The off-diagonal gluons behave as massive vector bosons with the approximate effective mass $M_{\mathrm{off}} \simeq 1.1-1.2\mathrm{GeV}$ in the region of $r =0.3-0.8$fm, and the propagation is limited within a short range, while the propagation of diagonal gluons remains even in a large range. In this way, infrared Abelian dominance is shown in terms of short-range propagation of off-diagonal gluons. Furthermore, we investigate the functional form of the off-diagonal gluon propagator. The functional form is well described by the four-dimensional Euclidean Yukawa-type function $e^{-m_{\rm off}r}/r$ with $m_{\rm off} \simeq 1.3-1.4\mathrm{GeV}$ for $r = 0.1- 0.8$ fm. This also indicates that the spectral function of off-diagonal gluons has the negative-value region

Instantaneous Interquark Potential in Generalized Landau Gauge in SU(3) Lattice QCD: A Linkage between the Landau and the Coulomb Gauges

We investigate in detail "instantaneous interquark potentials", interesting gauge-dependent quantities defined from the spatial correlators of the temporal link-variable $U_4$, in generalized Landau gauge using SU(3) quenched lattice QCD. The instantaneous Q$\bar{\rm Q}$ potential has no linear part in the Landau gauge, and it is expressed by the Coulomb plus linear potential in the Coulomb gauge, where the slope is 2-3 times larger than the physical string tension. Using the generalized Landau gauge, we find that the instantaneous potential can be continuously described between the Landau and the Coulomb gauges, and its linear part rapidly grows in the neighborhood of the Coulomb gauge. We also investigate the instantaneous 3Q potential in the generalized Landau gauge, and obtain similar results to the Q$\bar{\rm Q}$ case. $T$-length terminated Polyakov-line correlators and their corresponding "finite-time potentials" are also investigated in generalized Landau gauge

Asperity characteristics of the Olami-Feder-Christensen model of earthquakes

Properties of the Olami-Feder-Christensen (OFC) model of earthquakes are studied by numerical simulations. The previous study indicated that the model exhibits ``asperity''-like phenomena, {\it i.e.}, the same region ruptures many times near periodically [T.Kotani {\it et al}, Phys. Rev. E {\bf 77}, 010102 (2008)]. Such periodic or characteristic features apparently coexist with power-law-like critical features, {\it e.g.}, the Gutenberg-Richter law observed in the size distribution. In order to clarify the origin and the nature of the asperity-like phenomena, we investigate here the properties of the OFC model with emphasis on its stress distribution. It is found that the asperity formation is accompanied by self-organization of the highly concentrated stress state. Such stress organization naturally provides the mechanism underlying our observation that a series of asperity events repeat with a common epicenter site and with a common period solely determined by the transmission parameter of the model. Asperity events tend to cluster both in time and in space

Gluon-propagator functional form in the Landau gauge in SU(3) lattice QCD: Yukawa-type gluon propagator and anomalous gluon spectral function

We study the gluon propagator $D_{\mu\nu}^{ab}(x)$ in the Landau gauge in SU(3) lattice QCD at $\beta$ = 5.7, 5.8, and 6.0 at the quenched level. The effective gluon mass is estimated as $400 \sim 600$MeV for $r \equiv (x_\alpha x_\alpha)^{1/2} = 0.5 \sim 1.0$ fm. Through the functional-form analysis of $D_{\mu\nu}^{ab}(x)$ obtained in lattice QCD, we find that the Landau-gauge gluon propagator $D_{\mu\mu}^{aa}(r)$ is well described by the Yukawa-type function $e^{-mr}/r$ with $m \simeq 600$MeV for $r = 0.1 \sim 1.0$ fm in the four-dimensional Euclidean space-time. In the momentum space, the gluon propagator $\tilde D_{\mu\mu}^{aa}(p^2)$ with $(p^2)^{1/2}= 0.5 \sim 3$ GeV is found to be well approximated with a new-type propagator of $(p^2+m^2)^{-3/2}$, which corresponds to the four-dimensional Yukawa-type propagator. Associated with the Yukawa-type gluon propagator, we derive analytical expressions for the zero-spatial-momentum propagator $D_0(t)$, the effective mass $M_{\rm eff}(t)$, and the spectral function $\rho(\omega)$ of the gluon field. The mass parameter $m$ turns out to be the effective gluon mass in the infrared region of $\sim$ 1fm. As a remarkable fact, the obtained gluon spectral function $\rho(\omega)$ is almost negative-definite for $\omega >m$, except for a positive $\delta$-functional peak at $\omega=m$.Comment: 20 pages, 15 figure

Lattice QCD analysis for Faddeev-Popov eigenmodes in terms of gluonic momentum components in the Coulomb gauge

We analyze the relation between Faddeev-Popov eigenmodes and gluon-momentum components in the Coulomb gauge using SU(3) lattice QCD. In the Coulomb gauge, the color-Coulomb energy is largely enhanced by near-zero Faddeev-Popov eigenmodes, which would lead to the confining potential. By the ultraviolet-momentum gluon cut, the color-Coulomb energy and the Faddeev-Popov spectrum are almost unchanged. In contrast to the ultraviolet insensitivity, the color-Coulomb energy and the Faddeev-Popov eigenmodes drastically change by infrared-momentum gluon cut. Without infrared gluons, the color-Coulomb energy tends to become non-confining, and near-zero Faddeev-Popov eigenmodes vanish. We also investigate the full FP eigenmodes, and find that infrared gluons widely influence both high and low Faddeev-Popov eigenmodes.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figure

Pertinent Dirac structure for QCD sum rules of meson-baryon coupling constants

Using general baryon interpolating fields $J_B$ for $B= N, \Xi, \Sigma,$ without derivative, we study QCD sum rules for meson-baryon couplings and their dependence on Dirac structures for the two-point correlation function with a meson i\int d^4x e^{iqx} \bra 0|{\rm T}[J_B(x)\bar{J}_B(0)] |{\cal M}(p)\ket. Three distinct Dirac structures are compared: $i\gamma_5$, i\gamma_5\fslash{p}, and $\gamma_5\sigma_{\mu\nu}q^\mu p^\nu$ structures. From the dependence of the OPE on general baryon interpolating fields, we propose criteria for choosing an appropriate Dirac structure for the coupling sum rules. The $\gamma_5\sigma_{\mu\nu}q^\mu p^\nu$ sum rules satisfy the criteria while the $i\gamma_5$ sum rules beyond the chiral limit do not. For the i\gamma_5\fslash{p} sum rules, the large continuum contributions prohibit reliable prediction for the couplings. Thus, the $\gamma_5\sigma_{\mu\nu}q^\mu p^\nu$ structure seems pertinent for realistic predictions. In the SU(3) limit, we identify the OPE terms responsible for the $F/D$ ratio. We then study the dependence of the ratio on the baryon interpolating fields. We conclude the ratio $F/D \sim 0.6-0.8$ for appropriate choice of the interpolating fields.Comment: To be published in Phys.Rev.C ; 21 pages,8 figures, revtex ; references are adde

Enhancement of charge-neutral fermionic excitation near spin-flop transition\\ in magnetic Kondo material YbIr3_3Si7_7

The new Kondo material YbIr$_3$Si$_7$, similar to other Kondo insulators, has been reported to exhibit charge-neutral fermionic excitations through measurements of specific heat and thermal conductivity at low temperatures. We performed $^{29}$Si-NMR on YbIr$_3$Si$_7$ to investigate the magnetic response of charge-neutral fermions from a microscopic perspective. In low magnetic fields parallel to the $c$ axis, a single NMR peak in the paramagnetic state splits into three peaks below $T_{\rm N}$. In contrast, only a slight shift of the single NMR peak was observed in high magnetic fields. This spectral change as a function of the $c$-axis magnetic field is interpreted as spin-flop transition, at which the magnetic moments oriented along the $c$ axis (AF-I phase) are rotated to the $ab$ plane with ferromagnetic component along the $c$-axis (AF-II phase). In the vicinity of the spin-flop magnetic field $H_{\rm M}$, nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rate $1/T_1$ was found to be proportional to temperature at low temperatures, indicating the existence of charge-neutral fermions. Furthermore, a peak of $1/T_1$ vs. the $c$-axis magnetic field suggests that the charge-neutral fermions in YbIr$_3$Si$_7$ are closely related to its magnetic properties. Our findings shed light on the origin of charge-neutral fermions in insulators.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Cancer/Testis antigens as potential predictors of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer following radical prostatectomy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Cancer/Testis Antigens (CTAs) are an important group of proteins that are typically restricted to the testis in the normal adult but are aberrantly expressed in several types of cancers. As a result of their restricted expression patterns, the CTAs could serve as unique biomarkers for cancer diagnosis/prognosis. The aim of this study was to identify promising CTAs that are associated with prostate cancer (PCa) recurrence following radical prostatectomy (RP).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The expression of 5 CTAs was measured by quantitative multiplex real-time PCR using prostate tissue samples obtained from 72 patients with apparently clinically localized PCa with a median of two years follow-up (range, 1 to 14 years).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The expression of CTAs namely, CEP55, NUF2, PBK and TTK were significantly higher while PAGE4 was significantly lower in patients with recurrent disease. All CTAs with the exception of TTK were significantly correlated with the prostatectomy Gleason score, but none were correlated with age, stage, or preoperative PSA levels. In univariate proportional hazards models, CEP55 (HR = 3.59, 95% CI: 1.50-8.60), p = 0.004; NUF2 (HR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.11-4.67), p = 0.024; and PAGE4 (HR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21-0.93), p = 0.031 were significantly associated with the risk of PCa recurrence. However, the results were no longer significant after adjustment for prostatectomy Gleason score.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify CTAs as biomarkers that can differentiate patients with recurrent and non-recurrent disease following RP and underscores its potential impact on PCa prognosis and treatment.</p

MiRP1 forms IKr potassium channels with HERG and is associated with cardiac arrhythmia.

A novel potassium channel gene has been cloned, characterized, and associated with cardiac arrhythmia. The gene encodes MinK-related peptide 1 (MiRP1), a small integral membrane subunit that assembles with HERG, a pore-forming protein, to alter its function. Unlike channels formed only with HERG, mixed complexes resemble native cardiac IKr channels in their gating, unitary conductance, regulation by potassium, and distinctive biphasic inhibition by the class III antiarrhythmic E-4031. Three missense mutations associated with long QT syndrome and ventricular fibrillation are identified in the gene for MiRP1. Mutants form channels that open slowly and close rapidly, thereby diminishing potassium currents. One variant, associated with clarithromycin-induced arrhythmia, increases channel blockade by the antibiotic. A mechanism for acquired arrhythmia is revealed: genetically based reduction in potassium currents that remains clinically silent until combined with additional stressors