Semi-leptonic Ds+D_s^+(1968) decays as a scalar meson probe

The unusual multiplet structures associated with the light spin zero mesons have recently attracted a good deal of theoretical attention. Here we discuss some aspects associated with the possibility of getting new experimental information on this topic from semi-leptonic decays of heavy charged mesons into an isosinglet scalar or pseudoscalar plus leptons.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure

An approach to permutation symmetry for the electroweak theory

The form of the leptonic mixing matrix emerging from experiment has, in the last few years, generated a lot of interest in the so-called tribimaximal type. This form may be naturally associated with the possibility of a discrete permutation symmetry ($S_3$) among the three generations. However, trying to implement this attractive symmetry has resulted in some problems and it seems to have fallen out of favor. We suggest an approach in which the $S_3$ holds to first approximation, somewhat in the manner of the old SU(3) flavor symmetry of the three flavor quark model. It is shown that in the case of the neutrino sector, a presently large experimentally allowed region can be fairly well described in this first approximation. We briefly discuss the nature of the perturbations which are the analogs of the Gell-Mann Okubo perturbations but confine our attention for the most part to the $S_3$ invariant model. We postulate that the $S_3$ invariant mass spectrum consists of non zero masses for the $(\tau,b,t)$ and zero masses for the other charged fermions but approximately degenerate masses for the three neutrinos. The mixing matrices are assumed to be trivial for the charged fermions but of tribimaximal type for the neutrinos in the first approximation. It is shown that this can be implemented by allowing complex entries for the mass matrix and spontaneous breakdown of the $S_3$ invariance of the Lagrangian.Comment: 24 pages, 1 figure, minor corrections and acknowledgment added. To appear in IJM

Toy model for two chiral nonets

Motivated by the possibility that nonets of scalar mesons might be described as mixtures of "two quark" and "four quark" components, we further study a toy model in which corresponding chiral nonets (containing also the pseudoscalar partners) interact with each other. Although the "two quark" and "four quark" chiral fields transform identically under SU(3)$_L \times$ SU(3)$_R$ transformations they transform differently under the U(1)$_A$ transformation which essentially counts total (quark + antiquark) content of the mesons. To implement this we formulate an effective Lagrangian which mocks up the U(1)$_A$ behavior of the underlying QCD. We derive generating equations which yield Ward identity type relations based only on the assumed symmetry structure. This is applied to the mass spectrum of the low lying pseudoscalars and scalars. as well as their "excitations". Assuming isotopic spin invariance, it is possible to disentangle the amount of"two quark" vs."four quark" content in the pseudoscalar $\pi, K ,\eta$ type states and in the scalar $\kappa$ type states. It is found that a small "four quark" content in the lightest pseudoscalars is consistent with a large "four quark" content in the lightest of the scalar $\kappa$ mesons. The present toy model also allows one to easily estimate the strength of a "four quark" vacuum condensate. There seems to be a rich and interesting structure.Comment: Numerical results updated, typos corrected, references update

Broken S3 Symmetry in the Neutrino Mass Matrix and Non-Zero theta_{13}

We study the effects of breaking S3 symmetry in the neutrino mass matrix for the masses and mixing matrix of neutrinos. At zeroth order the model gives degenerate neutrino masses and accommodates tribimaximal mixing. We introduce perturbations in terms of a small and complex parameter. The perturbations are introduced in a manner such that the S3 symmetry is broken by its elements in the same representation. Successive perturbations introduce mass splitting, sizable non-zero reactor mixing angle and CP violation. This scheme of breaking S3 symmetry can reproduce a relatively large reactor mixing angle as suggested by the recent T2K results. The effective neutrino mass is predicted to be large which is testable in the ongoing and forthcoming neutrinoless double beta decay experiments.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, references adde

Quantum gauge models without classical Higgs mechanism

We examine the status of massive gauge theories, such as those usually obtained by spontaneous symmetry breakdown, from the viewpoint of causal (Epstein-Glaser) renormalization. The BRS formulation of gauge invariance in this framework, starting from canonical quantization of massive (as well as massless) vector bosons as fundamental entities, and proceeding perturbatively, allows one to rederive the reductive group symmetry of interactions, the need for scalar fields in gauge theory, and the covariant derivative. Thus the presence of higgs particles is explained without recourse to a Higgs(-Englert-Brout-Guralnik-Hagen-Kibble) mechanism. Along the way, we dispel doubts about the compatibility of causal gauge invariance with grand unified theories.Comment: 20 pages in two-column EPJC format, shortened version accepted for publication. For more details, consult version

Production of selenium nanoparticles in Pseudomonas putida KT2440

Selenium (Se) is an essential element for the cell that has multiple applications in medicine and technology; microorganisms play an important role in Se transformations in the environment. Here we report the previously unidentified ability of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to synthesize nanoparticles of elemental selenium (nano-Se) from selenite. Our results show that P. putida is able to reduce selenite aerobically, but not selenate, to nano-Se. Kinetic analysis indicates that, in LB medium supplemented with selenite (1 mM), reduction to nano-Se occurs at a rate of 0.444 mmol L−1 h−1 beginning in the middle-exponential phase and with a final conversion yield of 89%. Measurements with a transmission electron microscope (TEM) show that nano-Se particles synthesized by P. putida have a size range of 100 to 500 nm and that they are located in the surrounding medium or bound to the cell membrane. Experiments involving dynamic light scattering (DLS) show that, in aqueous solution, recovered nano-Se particles have a size range of 70 to 360 nm. The rapid kinetics of conversion, easy retrieval of nano-Se and the metabolic versatility of P. putida offer the opportunity to use this model organism as a microbial factory for production of selenium nanoparticles.Universidad de Costa Rica/[809-B5-A68]/UCR/Costa RicaCentro Nacional de Innovaciones Biotecnológicas/[]/CENIBiot/Costa RicaBio-SEA/[]//FranciaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Estructuras Microscópicas (CIEMIC)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de QuímicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Electroquímica y Energía Química (CELEQ)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones en Productos Naturales (CIPRONA

Solation of Citric Acid From Microorganisms

Citric acid is widely used in medicine, food, chemical and light industries. According to the data, the world production of citric acid is 400 thousand tons per year. This article describes the fermentation steps in citric acid production, industrial synthesis, shallow culture, and liquid culture