FormCalc 8: Better Algebra and Vectorization

We present Version 8 of the Feynman-diagram calculator FormCalc. New features include in particular significantly improved algebraic simplification as well as vectorization of the generated code. The Cuba Library, used in FormCalc, features checkpointing to disk for all integration algorithms.Comment: 7 pages, LaTeX, proceedings contribution to ACAT 2013, Beijing, China, 16-21 May 201

Methylation Status of Imprinted Genes and Repetitive Elements in Sperm DNA from Infertile Males

Stochastic, environmentally and/or genetically induced disturbances in the genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming processes during male germ-cell development may contribute to male infertility. To test this hypothesis, we have studied the methylation levels of 2 paternally (H19 and GTL2) and 5 maternally methylated (LIT1, MEST, NESPAS, PEG3, and SNRPN) imprinted genes, as well as of ALU and LINE1 repetitive elements in 141 sperm samples, which were used for assisted reproductive technologies (ART), including 106 couples with strictly male-factor or combined male and female infertility and 28 couples with strictly female-factor infertility. Aberrant methylation imprints showed a significant association with abnormal semen parameters, but did not seem to influence ART outcome. Repeat methylation also differed significantly between sperm samples from infertile and presumably fertile males. However, in contrast to imprinted genes, ALU methylation had a significant impact on pregnancy and live-birth rate in couples with male-factor or combined infertility. ALU methylation was significantly high-er in sperm samples leading to pregnancy and live-birth than in those that did not. Sperm samples leading to abortions showed significantly lower ALU methylation levels than those leading to the birth of a baby. Copyright (C) 2011 S. Karger AG, Base

Third generation sfermions decays into Z and W gauge bosons: full one-loop analysis

The complete one-loop radiative corrections to third generation scalar fermions into gauge bosons Z and W^\pm is considered. We focus on \wt{f}_2 \to Z \wt{f}_1 and \wt{f}_i \to W^\pm \wt{f'}_j (f,f'=t,b). We include both SUSY-QCD, QED and full electroweak corrections. It is found that the electroweak corrections can be of the same order as the SUSY-QCD corrections. The two sets of corrections interfere destructively in some region of parameter space. The full one loop correction can reach 10% in some SUGRA scenario, while in model independent analysis like general MSSM, the one loop correction can reach 20% for large \tan\beta and large trilinear soft breaking terms A_b.Comment: Latex file, 18 pages, 8 figures, version to appear in PR

Gauge Invariant Cutoff QED

A hidden generalized gauge symmetry of a cutoff QED is used to show the renormalizability of QED. In particular, it is shown that corresponding Ward identities are valid all along the renormalization group flow. The exact Renormalization Group flow equation corresponding to the effective action of a cutoff lambda phi^4 theory is also derived. Generalization to any gauge group is indicated.Comment: V1: 18 pages, 2 figures; V2: Discussions improved. Version accepted for publication in Physica Script

Echo spectroscopy and Atom Optics Billiards

We discuss a recently demonstrated type of microwave spectroscopy of trapped ultra-cold atoms known as "echo spectroscopy" [M.F. Andersen et. al., Phys. Rev. Lett., in press (2002)]. Echo spectroscopy can serve as an extremely sensitive experimental tool for investigating quantum dynamics of trapped atoms even when a large number of states are thermally populated. We show numerical results for the stability of eigenstates of an atom-optics billiard of the Bunimovich type, and discuss its behavior under different types of perturbations. Finally, we propose to use special geometrical constructions to make a dephasing free dipole trap

A probabilistic analysis of argument cogency

This paper offers a probabilistic treatment of the conditions for argument cogency as endorsed in informal logic: acceptability, relevance, and sufficiency. Treating a natural language argument as a reason-claim-complex, our analysis identifies content features of defeasible argument on which the RSA conditions depend, namely: change in the commitment to the reason, the reason’s sensitivity and selectivity to the claim, one’s prior commitment to the claim, and the contextually determined thresholds of acceptability for reasons and for claims. Results contrast with, and may indeed serve to correct, the informal understanding and applications of the RSA criteria concerning their conceptual dependence, their function as update-thresholds, and their status as obligatory rather than permissive norms, but also show how these formal and informal normative approachs can in fact align

Preliminary Solar Sail Design and Fabrication Assessment: Spinning Sail Blade, Square Sail Sheet

Blade design aspects most affecting producibility and means of measurement and control of length, scallop, fullness and straightness requirements and tolerances were extensively considered. Alternate designs of the panel seams and edge reinforcing members are believed to offer advantages of seam integrity, producibility, reliability, cost and weight. Approaches to and requirements for highly specialized metalizing methods, processes and equipment were studied and identified. Alternate methods of sail blade fabrication and related special machinery, tooling, fixtures and trade offs were examined. A preferred and recommended approach is also described. Quality control plans, inspection procedures, flow charts and special test equipment associated with the preferred manufacturing method were analyzed and are discussed

Loop-induced photon spectral lines from neutralino annihilation in the NMSSM

We have computed the loop-induced processes of neutralino annihilation into two photons and, for the first time, into a photon and a Z boson in the framework of the NMSSM. The photons produced from these radiative modes are monochromatic and possess a clear "smoking gun" experimental signature. This numerical analysis has been done with the help of the SloopS code, initially developed for automatic one-loop calculation in the MSSM. We have computed the rates for different benchmark points coming from SUGRA and GMSB soft SUSY breaking scenarios and compared them with the MSSM. We comment on how this signal can be enhanced, with respect to the MSSM, especially in the low mass region of the neutralino. We also discuss the possibility of this observable to constrain the NMSSM parameter space, taking into account the latest limits from the FERMI collaboration on these two modes.Comment: 18 pages, 3 figures. Minor clarifications added in the text. Typing mistakes and references corrected. Matches published versio

Production of the neutral top-pion πt0\pi_{t}^{0} in association with a high-pTp_{T} jet at the LHCLHC

In the framework of the topcolor-assisted technicolor $(TC2)$ model, we study production of the neutral top-pion $\pi_{t}^{0}$ in association with a high-$p_{T}$ jet at the $LHC$, which proceeds via the partonic processes $gg\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}g$, $gq\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}q$, $q\bar{q}\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}g$, $gb(\bar{b})\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}b(\bar{b})$, and $b\bar{b}\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}g$. We find that it is very challenging to detect the neutral top-pion $\pi_{t}^{0}$ via the process $pp\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}+jet+X\to t\bar{t}+jet+X$, while the possible signatures of $\pi_{t}^{0}$ might be detected via the process $pp\longrightarrow \pi_{t}^{0}+jet+X\to(\bar{t}c+t\bar{c})+jet+X$ at the $LHC$.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figures; typos correcte