Status of Chiral-Scale Perturbation Theory

Chiral-scale perturbation theory $\chi$PT$_\sigma$ has been proposed as an alternative to chiral $SU(3)_L\times SU(3)_R$ perturbation theory which explains the $\Delta I = 1/2$ rule for kaon decays. It is based on a low-energy expansion about an infrared fixed point in three-flavor QCD. In $\chi$PT$_\sigma$, quark condensation $\langle\bar q q \rangle_\mathrm{vac} \neq 0$ induces nine Nambu-Goldstone bosons: $\pi, K, \eta$ and a QCD dilaton $\sigma$ which we identify with the $f_0(500)$ resonance. Partial conservation of the dilatation and chiral currents constrains low-energy constants which enter the effective Lagrangian of $\chi$PT$_\sigma$. These constraints allow us to obtain new phenomenological bounds on the dilaton decay constant via the coupling of $\sigma/f_0$ to pions, whose value is known precisely from dispersive analyses of $\pi\pi$ scattering. Improved predictions for $\sigma \to \gamma \gamma$ and the $\sigma NN$ coupling are also noted. To test $\chi$PT$_\sigma$ for kaon decays, we revive a 1985 proposal for lattice methods to be applied to $K \to \pi$ on-shell.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure. Presented at the 8th International Workshop on Chiral Dynamics, 29 June 2015 - 03 July 2015, Pisa, Italy. Revision: references and comment adde

Light stops, blind spots, and isospin violation in the MSSM

In the framework of the MSSM, we examine several simplified models where only a few superpartners are light. This allows us to study WIMP--nucleus scattering in terms of a handful of MSSM parameters and thereby scrutinize their impact on dark matter direct-detection experiments. Focusing on spin-independent WIMP--nucleon scattering, we derive simplified, analytic expressions for the Wilson coefficients associated with Higgs and squark exchange. We utilize these results to study the complementarity of constraints due to direct-detection, flavor, and collider experiments. We also identify parameter configurations that produce (almost) vanishing cross sections. In the proximity of these so-called blind spots, we find that the amount of isospin violation may be much larger than typically expected in the MSSM. This feature is a generic property of parameter regions where cross sections are suppressed, and highlights the importance of a careful analysis of the nucleon matrix elements and the associated hadronic uncertainties. This becomes especially relevant once the increased sensitivity of future direct-detection experiments corners the MSSM into these regions of parameter space.Comment: 38 pages, 15 figures. v2: expanded text in Sec. 3 concerning relic density and (g-2)_mu constraints, clarified text on isospin violation. Fig. 1 is new, minor changes to Figs. 3,4,10. References added, journal versio

Probing lepton flavour (universality) violation at NA62 and future kaon experiments

Recent results from the LHC's first run have revealed intriguing departures from lepton flavour universality in the semi-leptonic decays of $B$-mesons. We discuss the complementary role that rare kaon decays can provide in testing new physics explanations of these flavour anomalies. In the framework of minimal flavour violation, we relate the chiral low-energy constants involved in $K\to\pi\ell\ell'$ and $K\to\ell\ell'$ (\ell = \mu \mbox{ or } e) with the new physics Wilson coefficients of the $b\to s$ effective Hamiltonian. We comment on the determination of these low-energy constants at NA62 and future kaon experiments, as well as the required improvements in sensitivity necessary to test the $B$-physics anomalies in the kaon sector.Comment: 6 pages, Presented at the International Conference on Kaon Physics 2016, 14-17 September 2016, Birmingham, U

Dark Matter: Connecting LHC searches to direct detection

In these proceedings we review the interplay between LHC searches for dark matter and direct detection experiments. For this purpose we consider two prime examples: the effective field theory (EFT) approach and the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). In the EFT scenario we show that for operators which do not enter directly direct detection at tree-level, but only via loop effects, LHC searches give complementary constraints. In the MSSM stop and Higgs exchange contribute to the direct detection amplitude. Therefore, LHC searches for supersymmetric particles and heavy Higgses place constraints on the same parameter space as direct detection.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, proceedings for Moriond Gravitation 201

ΔI=1/2\Delta I=1/2 rule for kaon decays derived from QCD infrared fixed point

This article gives details of our proposal to replace ordinary chiral $SU(3)_L\times SU(3)_R$ perturbation theory $\chi$PT$_3$ by 3-flavor chiral-scale perturbation theory $\chi$PT$_\sigma$. In $\chi$PT$_\sigma$, amplitudes are expanded at low energies and small $u,d,s$ quark masses about an infrared fixed point $\alpha^{}_\mathrm{IR}$ of 3-flavor QCD. At $\alpha^{}_\mathrm{IR}$, the quark condensate $\langle \bar{q}q\rangle_{\mathrm{vac}} \not= 0$ induces nine Nambu-Goldstone bosons: $\pi, K, \eta$ and a $0^{++}$ QCD dilaton $\sigma$. Physically, $\sigma$ appears as the $f_{0}(500)$ resonance, a pole at a complex mass with real part $\lesssim m_K$. The $\Delta I=1/2$ rule for nonleptonic $K$-decays is then a consequence of $\chi$PT$_\sigma$, with a $K_S\sigma$ coupling fixed by data for $\gamma\gamma\rightarrow\pi\pi$ and $K_{S} \to \gamma\gamma$. We estimate $R_\mathrm{IR} \approx 5$ for the nonperturbative Drell-Yan ratio $R = \sigma(e^{+}e^{-}\rightarrow\mathrm{hadrons})/ \sigma(e^{+}e^{-}\rightarrow\mu^{+}\mu^{-})$ at $\alpha^{}_\mathrm{IR}$, and show that, in the many-color limit, $\sigma/f_0$ becomes a narrow $q\bar{q}$ state with planar-gluon corrections. Rules for the order of terms in $\chi$PT$_\sigma$ loop expansions are derived in Appendix A, and extended in Appendix B to include inverse-power Li-Pagels singularities due to external operators. This relates to an observation that, for $\gamma\gamma$ channels, partial conservation of the dilatation current is not equivalent to $\sigma$-pole dominance.Comment: 20 pages, 11 figures. This article is an expanded version of the letter arXiv:1203.1321 (2012). v4: Fig. 1 moved to second page to match PRD formatting, minor changes to text and reference

Enhanced Fatty Acid Oxidation and FATP4 Protein Expression after Endurance Exercise Training in Human Skeletal Muscle

FATP1 and FATP4 appear to be important for the cellular uptake and handling of long chain fatty acids (LCFA). These findings were obtained from loss- or gain of function models. However, reports on FATP1 and FATP4 in human skeletal muscle are limited. Aerobic training enhances lipid oxidation; however, it is not known whether this involves up-regulation of FATP1 and FATP4 protein. Therefore, the aim of this project was to investigate FATP1 and FATP4 protein expression in the vastus lateralis muscle from healthy human individuals and to what extent FATP1 and FATP4 protein expression were affected by an increased fuel demand induced by exercise training. Eight young healthy males were recruited to the study. All subjects were non smokers and did not participate in regular physical activity (<1 time per week for the past 6 months, VO2peak 3.4±0.1 l O2 min−1). Subjects underwent an 8 week supervised aerobic training program. Training induced an increase in VO2peak from 3.4±0.1 to 3.9±0.1 l min−1 and citrate synthase activity was increased from 53.7±2.5 to 80.8±3.7 µmol g−1 min−1. The protein content of FATP4 was increased by 33%, whereas FATP1 protein content was reduced by 20%. Interestingly, at the end of the training intervention a significant association (r2 = 0.74) between the observed increase in skeletal muscle FATP4 protein expression and lipid oxidation during a 120 min endurance exercise test was observed. In conclusion, based on the present findings it is suggested that FATP1 and FATP4 proteins perform different functional roles in handling LCFA in skeletal muscle with FATP4 apparently more important as a lipid transport protein directing lipids for lipid oxidation