Standard Model Effective Field Theory: Integrating out a Generic Scalar

We consider renormalisable models extended in the scalar sector by a generic scalar field in addition to the standard model Higgs boson field, and work out the effective theory for the latter in the decoupling limit. We match the full theory onto the effective theory at tree and one-loop levels, and concentrate on dimension-6 operators of the Higgs and electroweak gauge fields induced from such matching. The Wilson coefficients of these dimension-6 operators from tree-level matching are further improved by renormalisation group running. For specific $SU(2)_L$ representations of the scalar field, some "accidental" couplings with the Higgs field are allowed and can lead to dimension-6 operators at tree and/or one-loop level. Otherwise, two types of interaction terms are identified to have only one-loop contributions, for the Wilson coefficients of which we have obtained a general formula. Using the obtained results, we analyse constraints from electroweak oblique parameters and the Higgs data on several phenomenological models.Comment: corrections on RGE improvemen

Supramolecular control over self-assembly and double thermoresponsive behavior of an amphiphilic block copolymer

A poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly[N, N-dimethylacrylamide-ran-2-acrylamidoethyl nonanoate] (PEG-b-P(DMA-AAEN)) block copolymer has been demonstrated to show double thermoresponsive behavior in aqueous solution in the presence of hydroxypropylated cyclodextrin (HPCD). The polymer itself is insoluble in water due to the presence of hydrophobic alkyl chain, however, with the presence of HPCD, fully dissolution of the polymer could be obtained indicating the formation of host-guest interaction between HPCD and the alkyl chain. The clear solution of HPCD/polymer complex showing a first thermoresponsiveness during heating and led to the formation of small micelles stabilized by PEG chains and DMA segments. Upon further heating of the aqueous solution, the small micelles aggregated and formed multimicellar aggregates. The reported double thermoresponsive behavior may provide a new strategy of designing smart polymeric systems, which can find broad applications in the fabrication of smart materials

Sorting and separation of microparticles by surface properties using liquid crystal-enabled electro-osmosis

Sorting and separation of microparticles is a challenging problem of interdisciplinary nature. Existing technologies can differentiate microparticles by their bulk properties, such as size, density, electric polarizability, etc. The next level of challenge is to separate particles that show identical bulk properties and differ only in subtle surface features, such as functionalization with ligands. In this work, we propose a technique to sort and separate particles and fluid droplets that differ in surface properties. As a dispersive medium, we use a nematic liquid crystal (LC) rather than an isotropic fluid, which allows us to amplify the difference in surface properties through distinct perturbations of LC order around the dispersed particles. The particles are placed in a LC cell with spatially distorted molecular orientation subject to an alternating current electric field. The gradients of the molecular orientation perform two functions. First, elastic interactions between these pre-imposed gradients and distortions around the particles separate the particles with different surface properties in space. Second, these pre-imposed patterns create electro-osmotic flows powered by the electric field that transport the sorted particles to different locations thus separating them. The demonstrated unique sorting and separation capability opens opportunities in lab-on-a-chip, cell sorting and bio-sensing applications

Identification of biomarkers for ischemic cardiomyopathy based on microarray data analysis

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the biomarkers and potential mechanism underlying ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM). Methods: Using the GSE42955 Affymetrix microarray data accessible from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, the differentially expressed genes between 12 ICM tissue samples and 5 normal controls were identified. To investigate the function changes in the course of disease progression, Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were performed on the differentially expressed genes, followed by analysis of the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and modules. Results: A total of 50 up-regulated and 179 down-regulated genes were identified. The biological processes of immune response, response to virus, and cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) were significantly altered by the differentially expressed genes. The PPI network revealed certain hub nodes such as CXCL10, IRF1, STAT1, IFIT2, and IFIT3. Conclusions: Candidate biomarker genes such as CXCL10, IRF1, STAT1, IFIT2, and IFIT3 may be suitable therapeutic targets for ICM. Further study of the CAMs pathway and immune response biological processes will be helpful in understanding the pathogenesis of ICM