Constraints on a general 3-generation neutrino mass matrix from neutrino data: application to the MSSM with R-parity violation

We consider a general symmetric $(3\times 3)$ mass matrix for three generations of neutrinos. Imposing the constraints, from the atmospheric neutrino and solar neutrino anomalies as well as from the CHOOZ experiment, on the mass squared differences and on the mixing angles, we identify the ranges of allowed inputs for the 6 matrix elements. We apply our results to Majorana left-handed neutrino masses generated at tree level and through fermion--sfermion loop diagrams in the MSSM with R-parity violation. The present experimental results on neutrinos from laboratories, cosmology and astrophysics are implemented to either put bounds on trilinear ($\lambda_{ijk}, \lambda'_{ijk}$) and bilinear ($\mu_{e,\mu,\tau}$) R-parity-violating couplings or constrain combinations of products of these couplings.Comment: 35 pages, 25 PS figures, REVTeX, revised version to appear in Nuclear physics

Evolution of quantum observables: from non-commutativity to commutativity

A fundamental aspect of the quantum-to-classical limit is the transition from a non- commutative algebra of observables to commutative one.However, this transition is not possible if we only consider unitary evolutions. One way to describe this transition is to consider the Gamow vectors, which introduce exponential decays in the evolution. In this paper, we give two mathematical models in which this transition happens in the infinite time limit. In the first one, we consider operators acting on the space of the Gamow vectors, which represent quantum resonances. In the second one, we use an algebraic formalism from scattering theory. We construct a non-commuting algebra which commutes in the infinite time limit.MINECO Grant MTM2014- 57129-C2-1-P. Junta de Castilla y Leon Grants BU229P18, VA137G18

Two-loop dimensional reduction and effective potential without temperature expansions

In many extensions of the Standard Model, finite temperature computations are complicated by a hierarchy of zero temperature mass scales, in addition to the usual thermal mass scales. We extend the standard thermal resummations to such a situation, and discuss the 2-loop computations of the Higgs effective potential, and an effective 3d field theory for the electroweak phase transition, without carrying out high or low temperature expansions for the heavy masses. We also estimate the accuracy of the temperature expansions previously used for the MSSM electroweak phase transition in the presence of a heavy left-handed stop. We find that the low temperature limit of dealing with the left-handed stop is accurate up to surprisingly high temperatures.Comment: 20 pages; small clarifications added; to appear in Nucl.Phys.

Glycoprotein composition along the pistil of Malus x domestica and the modulation of pollen tube growth

Background: The characteristics of pollen tube growth are not constant, but display distinct patterns of growth within the different tissues of the pistil. In the stigma, the growth rate is slow and autotrophic, whereas in the style, it is rapid and heterotrophic. Very little is known about the interactions between these distinct maternal tissues and the traversing pollen tube and the role of this interaction on the observed metabolism. In this work we characterise pollen tube growth in the apple flower and look for differences in glycoprotein epitope localization between two different maternal tissues, the stigma and the style. Results: While immunocytochemically-detected arabinogalactan proteins were present at high levels in the stigma, they were not detected in the transmitting tissue of the style, where extensins were abundant. Whereas extensins remained at high levels in unpollinated pistils, they were no longer present in the style following pollen tube passage. Similarily, while abundant in unpollinated styles, insoluble polysaccharides such as β-glucans, were depleted in pollinated pistils. Conclusions: The switch from autotropic to heterotrophic pollen tube growth correlates spatially with a change of glycoprotein epitopes between the stigma and the style. The depletion of extensins and polysaccharides following pollen tube passage in the style suggest a possible contribution to the acceleration of heterotrophic pollen tube growth, which would imply an active contribution of female tissues on prezygotic male–female crosstalk

Neutrino masses and mixings in the MSSM with soft bilinear RpR_p violation

We analyse a simple RPV extension of the MSSM, with bilinear R-parity violation in the soft terms and vevs, but not between the terms in the superpotential. The model gives two massive neutrinos, and can fit all constraints from neutrino data. We show analytically how to compute the lepton number violating Lagrangian parameters from neutrino masses and mixing angles. Conversely, we numerically vary the bilinear couplings as input parameters to determine the allowed ranges that are consistent with neutrino data. We briefly comment on the implications of our bounds for low energy LFV processes