2PI functional techniques for gauge theories: QED

We discuss the formulation of the prototype gauge field theory, QED, in the context of two-particle-irreducible (2PI) functional techniques with particular emphasis on the issues of renormalization and gauge symmetry. We show how to renormalize all $n$-point vertex functions of the (gauge-fixed) theory at any approximation order in the 2PI loop-expansion by properly adjusting a finite set of local counterterms consistent with the underlying gauge symmetry. The paper is divided in three parts: a self-contained presentation of the main results and their possible implementation for practical applications; a detailed analysis of ultraviolet divergences and their removal; a number of appendices collecting technical details.Comment: 65 pages, 18 figure

2PI effective action for gauge theories: Renormalization

We discuss the application of two-particle-irreducible (2PI) functional techniques to gauge theories, focusing on the issue of non-perturbative renormalization. In particular, we show how to renormalize the photon and fermion propagators of QED obtained from a systematic loop expansion of the 2PI effective action. At any finite order, this implies introducing new counterterms as compared to the usual ones in perturbation theory. We show that these new counterterms are consistent with the 2PI Ward identities and are systematically of higher order than the approximation order, which guarantees the convergence of the approximation scheme. Our analysis can be applied to any theory with linearly realized gauge symmetry. This is for instance the case of QCD quantized in the background field gauge.Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures. Uses JHEP3.cl

Ward Identities for the 2PI effective action in QED

We study the issue of symmetries and associated Ward-like identities in the context of two-particle-irreducible (2PI) functional techniques for abelian gauge theories. In the 2PI framework, the $n$-point proper vertices of the theory can be obtained in various different ways which, although equivalent in the exact theory, differ in general at finite approximation order. We derive generalized (2PI) Ward identities for these various $n$-point functions and show that such identities are exactly satisfied at any approximation order in 2PI QED. In particular, we show that 2PI-resummed vertex functions, i.e. field-derivatives of the so-called 2PI-resummed effective action, exactly satisfy standard Ward identities. We identify another set of $n$-point functions in the 2PI framework which exactly satisfy the standard Ward identities at any approximation order. These are obtained as field-derivatives of the two-point function \bcG^{-1}[\phi], which defines the extremum of the 2PI effective action. We point out that the latter is not constrained by the underlying symmetry. As a consequence, the well-known fact that the corresponding gauge-field polarization tensor is not transverse in momentum space for generic approximations does not constitute a violation of (2PI) Ward identities. More generally, our analysis demonstrates that approximation schemes based on 2PI functional techniques respect all the Ward identities associated with the underlying abelian gauge symmetry. Our results apply to arbitrary linearly realized global symmetries as well.Comment: 33 pages, 2 figure

Out-of-equilibrium electromagnetic radiation

We derive general formulas for photon and dilepton production rates from an arbitrary non-equilibrated medium from first principles in quantum field theory. At lowest order in the electromagnetic coupling constant, these relate the rates to the unequal-time in-medium photon polarization tensor and generalize the corresponding expressions for a system in thermodynamic equilibrium. We formulate the question of electromagnetic radiation in real time as an initial value problem and consistently describe the virtual electromagnetic dressing of the initial state. In the limit of slowly evolving systems, we recover known expressions for the emission rates and work out the first correction to the static formulas in a systematic gradient expansion. Finally, we discuss the possible application of recently developed techniques in non-equilibrium quantum field theory to the problem of electromagnetic radiation. We argue, in particular, that the two-particle-irreducible (2PI) effective action formalism provides a powerful resummation scheme for the description of multiple scattering effects, such as the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal suppression recently discussed in the context of equilibrium QCD.Comment: 34 pages, 9 figures, uses JHEP3.cl

Changes in physical activity patterns from adolescence to young adulthood: the BELINDA study

Physical activity (PA) is recognized as a marker of health. The aim was to investigate PA differences from adolescence to young adulthood. European adolescents included in the HELENA study were invited to participate in a follow-up study, 10 years later. The present study included 141 adults (25.0 ± 1.4 years) for whom valid accelerometer data were available in adolescence and adulthood. Changes in PA by sex, weight and maternal education level were explored with interactions. Time spent in sedentary activity, light PA (LPA) and moderate PA (MPA) increased by 39.1, 59.6 and 6.6 min/day, respectively, whereas the time spent in vigorous PA (VPA) decreased by 11.3 min/day compared with adolescent VPA (p < 0.05). Increases in MPA were greater on weekends compared with weekdays, but we found a greater decrease in VPA on weekdays compared with weekends. Moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) decreased significantly on weekdays (–9.6 min/day; 95%CI, –15.9 to –3.4), while it increased on weekends (8.4 min/day; 95%CI, 1.9 to 14.8). Significant heterogeneity was found across sexes for VPA and MVPA, with a stronger decrease in VPA in males compared with females and a significant decrease in MVPA (–12.5 min/day; 95%CI, –20.4 to –4.5) in males but not in females (1.9 min/day; 95%CI, –5.5 to 9.2). No significant heterogeneity was found to be linked to maternal education level or weight, irrespective of PA level. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the transition from adolescence to young adulthood is a critical period for lifestyle PA habits. A decline in VPA and an increasingly sedentary time were observed. The observed changes are worrying and may increase the risk of developing adverse health consequences later in life

Optimization of the derivative expansion in the nonperturbative renormalization group

We study the optimization of nonperturbative renormalization group equations truncated both in fields and derivatives. On the example of the Ising model in three dimensions, we show that the Principle of Minimal Sensitivity can be unambiguously implemented at order $\partial^2$ of the derivative expansion. This approach allows us to select optimized cut-off functions and to improve the accuracy of the critical exponents $\nu$ and $\eta$. The convergence of the field expansion is also analyzed. We show in particular that its optimization does not coincide with optimization of the accuracy of the critical exponents.Comment: 13 pages, 9 PS figures, published versio

The genomic basis of color pattern polymorphism in the Harlequin ladybird

© 2018 The Authors Many animal species comprise discrete phenotypic forms. A common example in natural populations of insects is the occurrence of different color patterns, which has motivated a rich body of ecological and genetic research [1–6]. The occurrence of dark, i.e., melanic, forms displaying discrete color patterns is found across multiple taxa, but the underlying genomic basis remains poorly characterized. In numerous ladybird species (Coccinellidae), the spatial arrangement of black and red patches on adult elytra varies wildly within species, forming strikingly different complex color patterns [7, 8]. In the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis, more than 200 distinct color forms have been described, which classic genetic studies suggest result from allelic variation at a single, unknown, locus [9, 10]. Here, we combined whole-genome sequencing, population-based genome-wide association studies, gene expression, and functional analyses to establish that the transcription factor Pannier controls melanic pattern polymorphism in H. axyridis. We show that pannier is necessary for the formation of melanic elements on the elytra. Allelic variation in pannier leads to protein expression in distinct domains on the elytra and thus determines the distinct color patterns in H. axyridis. Recombination between pannier alleles may be reduced by a highly divergent sequence of ∼170 kb in the cis-regulatory regions of pannier, with a 50 kb inversion between color forms. This most likely helps maintain the distinct alleles found in natural populations. Thus, we propose that highly variable discrete color forms can arise in natural populations through cis-regulatory allelic variation of a single gene. More than 200 distinct color forms have been described in natural populations of the harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis. Gautier et al. show that this variation is controlled by the transcription factor Pannier. Pannier is necessary to produce black pigment, and its expression pattern prefigures the coloration pattern in each color form

Formation of C-C and C-N bonds catalyzed by Copper, Iron or transition metal-free

Le sujet de cette thèse se situe dans le cadre général des arylations de nucléophiles catalysées par des complexes de métaux de transitions (Cu, Fe) ou réalisées en absence de ces derniers, dans des conditions compétitives et respectueuses de l’environnement. Ces réactions sont d’une importance majeure pour l’industrie chimique. Dans un premier chapitre est tout d’abord décrit un couplage inédit mettant en jeu un sel d’aryldiazonium et un nucléophile azoté (formation de liaison CAr-N). La méthode procède dans des conditions douces via un système catalytique au cuivre peu coûteux et peu toxique. Les produits de couplage obtenus (Ar-NHet) sont d’un intérêt central dans l’industrie pharmaceutique et agrochimique. Dans une deuxième partie nous avons présenté une méthode permettant de réaliser le couplage entre des sels d’aryldiazonium et des dérivés du styrène, à l’aide d’un système t BuOK/DMF. Cette réaction, réalisée pour la première fois en absence de catalyseurs à base de métaux de transition, permet d’accéder, via la formation de liaisons CArsp²-Csp², à des motifs stilbènes variés qui trouvent de nombreuses applications en chimie pharmaceutique. Un deuxième chapitre porte sur l’utilisation de dérivés de l’iode hypervalent permettant la fonctionnalisation de noyaux aromatiques (C-H) ou de dérivés vinyliques (C-H). Une première méthode décrit une réaction de triflimidation directe de composés acétanilides avec une sélectivité exclusive en position para. Deux conditions réactionnelles ont été mises en place pour cette fonctionnalisation. Une première utilise une quantité stœchiométrique de PhI(OAc)2 et une autre utilise une quantité catalytique d’iodotoluène (génération in-situ de l’iode(III)). Cette transformation a conduit à la formation de liaisons CAr-N en présence de bis(trifluorométhane)sulfonimide de lithium (LINTf2) comme nucléophile azoté. Dans une deuxième partie, nous avons montré que l’iodure de bisphosphoranilidène (PNPI), pouvait catalyser la trifluorométhylation vinylique sélective de dérivés du styrène en présence d’un réactif de l’iode hypervalent (l’iode(III)), le réactif de Togni II. Des travaux sont en cours pour tenter de comprendre l’influence positive de l’utilisation de PNPI dans le cas de notre réaction. Un troisième chapitre décrit des résultats préliminaires permettant d’obtenir un rendement honorable (54%) lors du couplage catalysé au fer du 4-iodotoluène avec le phényllithium. Une autre série de test décrit le couplage entre des halogénures d’aryle et des alkyllithium primaires. La méthode semble très efficace, puisque par ailleurs les travaux très récents de la littérature pour des couplages similaires faisant intervenir les mêmes partenaires réactionnels, font appel à des catalyseurs de fer ou de palladium.This thesis is part of a very general search seek to develop methodologies for environmentally sustainable conversion of small molecules into more valuable substances catalyzed by copper and iron complexes or under metal-free conditions. The work focuses on the functionalization of aromatic rings by C-C or C-N bond formation.In a first chapter, a novel coupling involving an aryldiazonium salt and a nitrogenous nucleophile (CAr-N bond formation) is first described. The method proceeds under mild conditions using a cheap and non-toxic copper catalyst system. The obtained coupling products (Ar-NHet) are of central interest in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. Then in a second part, a method allowing the coupling between aryldiazonium salts and styrene derivatives, using a BuOK / DMF system is presented. This reaction, carried out for the first time in the absence of catalysts based on transition metals, makes it possible to access to various stilbene units which find numerous applications in pharmaceutical chemistry.A second chapter concerns the use of hypervalent iodine derivatives allowing the functionalization of aromatic or vinyl substrates. A first method describes a direct triflimidation reaction of acetanilide compounds with an exclusive selectivity in the para position. Two reactions conditions have been established for this functionalization. One uses a stoichiometric amount of PhI(OAc)2 and another uses a catalytic amount of iodotoluene (in-situ generation of iodine (III)). This transformation resulted in the formation of CAr-N bonds in the presence of lithium bis (trifluoromethane) sulfonimide (LINTf2) as the nitrogen nucleophile. In a second part, we have shown that bisphosphoranilidene iodide (PNPI) can catalyze a selective vinylic trifluoromethylation of styrene derivatives in the presence of a hypervalent iodine reagent (iodine (III)), Togni’s reagent II. Work is under way to try to understand the positive influence of PNPI.A third chapter describes preliminary results of an iron-catalyzed heterocoupling of 4-iodotoluene an phenylithium system allowing the obtention of an honorable yield (54%) during the coupling of 4-iodotoluene with phenyllithium. Another series of tests describes the coupling between aryl halides and primary alkyllithiums. The method seems to be very effective, since very recent work in the literature for similar couplings involving the same reaction partners involves catalysts of iron or palladium