Gluon and Ghost Dynamics from Lattice QCD

The two point gluon and ghost correlation functions and the three gluon vertex are investigated, in the Landau gauge, using lattice simulations. For the two point functions, we discuss the approach to the continuum limit looking at the dependence on the lattice spacing and volume. The analytical structure of the propagators is also investigated by computing the corresponding spectral functions using an implementation of the Tikhonov regularisation to solve the integral equation. For the three point function we report results when the momentum of one of the gluon lines is set to zero and discuss its implications.Comment: Proceedings of Light Cone 2016, held in Lisbon, September 2016. Minor changes in text. To appear in Few B Sy

The gluon propagator from large asymmetric lattices

The Landau-gauge gluon propagator is computed for the SU(3) gauge theory on lattices up to a size of $32^3 \times 200$. We use the standard Wilson action at $\beta = 6.0$ and compare our results with previous computations using large asymmetric and symmetric lattices. In particular, we focus on the impact of the lattice geometry and momentum cuts to achieve compatibility between data from symmetric and asymmetric lattices for a large range of momenta.Comment: Poster presented at Lattice2007, Regensburg, July 30 - August 4, 200

Some properties of two Nambu--Jona-Lasinio -type models with inputs from lattice QCD

We investigate the phase diagram of the so-called Polyakov--Nambu--Jona-Lasinio (PNJL) model at finite temperature and nonzero chemical potential. The calculations are performed in the light and strange quark sectors ($u$, $d$, $s$), which includes the 't Hooft instanton induced interaction term that breaks the axial symmetry, and the quarks are coupled to the (spatially constant) temporal background gauge field. On one hand, a special attention is payed to the critical end point (CEP). The strength of the flavor-mixing interaction alters the CEP location, since when it becomes weaker the CEP moves to low temperatures and can even disappear. On the other hand, we also explore the connection between QCD, a nonlocal Nambu--Jona-Lasinio type model and the Landau gauge gluon propagator. Possible links between the quenched gluon propagator and low energy hadronic phenomenology are investigated.Comment: Contribution to the International Meeting "Excited QCD", Peniche, Portugal, 06 - 12 May 201

Does The Lattice Zero Momentum Gluon Propagator for Pure Gauge SU(3) Yang-Mills Theory Vanish in the Infinite Volume Limit?

The Cucchieri-Mendes bounds for the gluon propagator are discussed for the four dimensional pure gauge SU(3) theory. Assuming a pure power law dependence on the inverse of the lattice volume, the lattice data gives a vanishing zero momentum gluon propagator in the infinite volume limit. Our investigation shows that this result is robust against variations of the lattice volumes and corrections to the power law. Moreover, it is consistent with the Gribov-Zwanziger horizon condition and contradicts the SU(2) analysis, which assumed the same type of dependence on the inverse of the volume. Our analysis considers also more general ansatze that, although not conclusive, open the possibility of having $D(0) \ne 0$ in the infinite volume limit. A solution to this puzzle requires further investigations.Comment: Minor changes. Figures redone using a different axis variabl

Constraints on the IR behavior of the gluon propagator in Yang-Mills theories

We present rigorous upper and lower bounds for the zero-momentum gluon propagator D(0) of Yang-Mills theories in terms of the average value of the gluon field. This allows us to perform a controlled extrapolation of lattice data to infinite volume, showing that the infrared limit of the Landau-gauge gluon propagator in SU(2) gauge theory is finite and nonzero in three and in four space-time dimensions. In the two-dimensional case we find D(0) = 0, in agreement with Ref. [1]. We suggest an explanation for these results. We note that our discussion is general, although we only apply our analysis to pure gauge theory in Landau gauge. Simulations have been performed on the IBM supercomputer at the University of Sao Paulo.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Quantum simulation of the Anderson Hamiltonian with an array of coupled nanoresonators: delocalization and thermalization effects

The possibility of using nanoelectromechanical systems as a simulation tool for quantum many-body effects is explored. It is demonstrated that an array of electrostatically coupled nanoresonators can effectively simulate the Bose-Hubbard model without interactions, corresponding in the single-phonon regime to the Anderson tight-binding model. Employing a density matrix formalism for the system coupled to a bosonic thermal bath, we study the interplay between disorder and thermalization, focusing on the delocalization process. It is found that the phonon population remains localized for a long time at low enough temperatures; with increasing temperatures the localization is rapidly lost due to thermal pumping of excitations into the array, producing in the equilibrium a fully thermalized system. Finally, we consider a possible experimental design to measure the phonon population in the array by means of a superconducting transmon qubit coupled to individual nanoresonators. We also consider the possibility of using the proposed quantum simulator for realizing continuous-time quantum walks.Comment: Replaced with new improved version. To appear in EPJ Q

Nitrogen compounds prevent H9c2 myoblast oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death

Oxidative stress has been connected to various forms of cardiovascular diseases. Previously, we have been investigating the potential of new nitrogen-containing synthetic compounds using a neuronal cell model and different oxidative stress conditions in order to elucidate their potential to ameliorate neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we intended to extend these initial studies and investigate the protective role of four of those new synthetic compounds (FMA4, FMA7, FMA762 and FMA796) against oxidative damage induced to H9c2 cardiomyoblasts by tert-butylhydroperoxide (t-BHP). The data indicates that FMA762 and FMA796 decrease t-BHP-induced cell death, as measured by both sulforhodamine B assay and nuclear chromatin condensation evaluation, at non-toxic concentrations. In addition, the two mentioned compounds inhibit intracellular signalling mechanisms leading to apoptotic cell death, namely those mediated by mitochondria, which was confirmed by their ability to overcome t-BHP-induced morphological changes in the mitochondrial network, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, increased expression of the pro-apoptotic proteins p53, Bax and AIF and activation of caspases-3 and -9. Importantly, our results indicate that the compounds’ ROS scavenging ability plays a crucial role in the protection profile, as a significant decrease in t-BHP-induced oxidative stress occurred in their presence. Data obtained indicates that some of the test compounds may clearly prove valuable in a clinical context by diminishing cardiac injury associated to oxidative stress without any toxicity.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - Bolsa SFRH/BD/17174/2004, PTDC/QUI/ 64358/200