3,668 research outputs found
Neutrino Masses and Mixings from String Theory Instantons
We study possible patterns of neutrino masses and mixings in string models in
which Majorana neutrino masses are generated by a certain class of string
theory instantons recently considered in the literature. These instantons may
generate either directly the dim=5 Weinberg operator or right-handed neutrino
Majorana masses, both with a certain flavour-factorised form. A hierarchy of
neutrino masses naturally appears from the exponentially suppressed
contributions of different instantons. The flavour structure is controlled by
string amplitudes involving neutrino fields and charged instanton zero modes.
For some simple choices for these amplitudes one finds neutrino mixing patterns
consistent with experimental results. In particular, we find that a
tri-bimaximal mixing pattern is obtained for simple symmetric values of the
string correlators.Comment: 24 pages, 2 figure
Inverse tri-bimaximal type-III seesaw and lepton flavor violation
We present a type-III version of inverse seesaw or, equivalently an inverse
version of type-III seesaw. Naturally small neutrino masses arise at low-scale
from the exchange of neutral fermions transforming as hyperchargeless SU(2)
triplets. In order to implement tri-bimaximal lepton mixing we supplement the
minimal SU(3)xSU(2)xU(1) gauge symmetry with an A4-based flavor symmetry. Our
scenario induces lepton flavour violating (LFV) three body decays that can
proceed at the tree level, while radiative li to lj gamma decays and mu-e
conversion in nuclei are also expected to be sizeable. LFV decays are related
by the underlying flavor symmetry and the new fermions are also expected to be
accessible for study at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)
Socio-Constructivist Learning and Teacher Education Studentsâ Conceptual Understanding and Attitude toward Fractions
The study assessed the conceptual understanding and attitude toward fractions of teacher education students in a socio-constructivist learning environment. Specifically, it determined the studentsâ level of conceptual understanding before and after instruction; verified the types of conceptual changes that occurred; and ascertained the attitude of students toward fractions before and after instruction and its relationship to their levels of understanding. Descriptive-correlational research method was used. Socio-constructivist context-based teaching method was employed to introduce the concept of fractions. Achievement tests and interviews were administered to determine the studentsâ level of conceptual understanding. Conceptual analysis based on Jensen and Finleyâs (1995) method with Tiberghienâs (1994) classification of changes was utilized to describe studentsâ conceptual understanding and conceptual changes. In order to determine their attitude on fractions, students were asked to answer the socio-constructivist attitude questionnaire. The level of conceptual understanding of teacher education students in fraction was functional misconception and partial understanding before and after instruction, respectively. The type of conceptual change that occurred among teacher education students was change for the better. Socio-constructivist learning more likely to improve studentsâ attitudes toward fractions; promoted prosocial behavior among students; and tend to increase studentsâ activeness in the classroom activities as evidenced
Magneto-Acoustic Waves of Small Amplitude in Optically Thin Quasi-Isentropic Plasmas
The evolution of quasi-isentropic magnetohydrodynamic waves of small but
finite amplitude in an optically thin plasma is analyzed. The plasma is assumed
to be initially homogeneous, in thermal equilibrium and with a straight and
homogeneous magnetic field frozen in. Depending on the particular form of the
heating/cooling function, the plasma may act as a dissipative or active medium
for magnetoacoustic waves, while Alfven waves are not directly affected. An
evolutionary equation for fast and slow magnetoacoustic waves in the single
wave limit, has been derived and solved, allowing us to analyse the wave
modification by competition of weakly nonlinear and quasi-isentropic effects.
It was shown that the sign of the quasi-isentropic term determines the scenario
of the evolution, either dissipative or active. In the dissipative case, when
the plasma is first order isentropically stable the magnetoacoustic waves are
damped and the time for shock wave formation is delayed. However, in the active
case when the plasma is isentropically overstable, the wave amplitude grows,
the strength of the shock increases and the breaking time decreases. The
magnitude of the above effects depends upon the angle between the wave vector
and the magnetic field. For hot (T > 10^4 K) atomic plasmas with solar
abundances either in the interstellar medium or in the solar atmosphere, as
well as for the cold (T < 10^3 K) ISM molecular gas, the range of temperature
where the plasma is isentropically unstable and the corresponding time and
length-scale for wave breaking have been found.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures. To appear in ApJ January 200
Some Phenomenology of Intersecting D-Brane Models
We present some phenomenology of a new class of intersecting D-brane models.
Soft SUSY breaking terms for these models are calculated in the u - moduli
dominant SUSY breaking approach (in type IIA). In this case, the dependence of
the soft terms on the Yukawas and Wilson lines drops out. These soft terms have
a different pattern compared to the usual heterotic string models.
Phenomenological implications for dark matter are discussed.Comment: 29 pages, 1 figure, References adde
Minimal Family Unification
Absract It is proposed that there exist, within a new , a gauged
discrete group (the order 12 double dihedral group) acting as a family
symmetry. This nonabelian finite group can explain hierarchical features of
families, using an assignment for quarks and leptons dictated by the
requirements of anomaly cancellation and of no additional quarks.Comment: 10 pages, IFP-701-UNC;VAND-TH-94-
Superheavy Dark Matter with Discrete Gauge Symmetries
We show that there are discrete gauge symmetries protect naturally heavy X
particles from decaying into the ordinary light particles in the supersymmetric
standard model. This makes the proposal very attractive that the superheavy X
particles constitute a part of the dark matter in the present universe. It is
more interesting that there are a class of discrete gauge symmetries which
naturally accommodate a long-lived unstable X particle. We find that in some
discrete Z_{10} models, for example, a superheavy X particle has lifetime
\tau_X \simeq 10^{11}-10^{26} years for its mass M_X \simeq 10^{13}-10^{14}
GeV. This long lifetime is guaranteed by the absence of lower dimensional
operators (of light particles) couple to the X. We briefly discuss a possible
explanation for the recently observed ultra-high-energy cosmic ray events by
the decay of this unstable X particle.Comment: 9 pages, Late
Allelic variation observed at one microsatellite locus between the two synonym grape cultivars Black Currant and Mavri Corinthiaki
Research NoteBlack Currant and Mavri Corinthiaki are considered synonyms for Corinthe Noir, a parthenocarpic seedless raisin cultivar. No differences between them were found by RAPD analysis with 1 1 primers. They also have the same genotype in 15 out of 16 microsatellite loci, demonstrating the Black Currant and Mavri Corinthiaki are essentially identical. Nevertheless, a difference was observed in one allele at one locus (VVMD7): the Black Currant genotype is 240:246 while the Mavri Corinthiaki genotype is 240:248. A mutation in the microsatellite sequence might be responsible for that difference. Possible consequences of such mutations are discussed
Cartographie et caractérisation des faciÚs forestiers sur sols volcano-sédimentaires en Province Nord de Nouvelle-Calédonie : rapport final
Non-minimal Gauge Mediation and Moduli Stabilization
In this paper we consider U(1)-gauged Polony'i model with two spurions
coupled to a twisted closed string modulus. This offers a consistent setup for
metastable SUSY breakdown which allows for moduli stabilization and naturally
leads to gauge or hybrid gauge/gravitational mediation mechanism. Due to the
presence of the second spurion one can arrange for a solution of the \mu and
B_\mu problems in a version of modified Giudice-Masiero mechanism, which works
both in the limit of pure gauge mediation and in the mixed regime of hybrid
mediation.Comment: 12 pages, Discussion extended to include the effects of the gauge
boson exchange. This should be version 2
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