Completing NLO QCD Corrections for Tree Level Non-Leptonic Delta F = 1 Decays Beyond the Standard Model

In various extensions of the Standard Model (SM) tree level non-leptonic decays of hadrons receive contributions from new heavy gauge bosons and scalars. Prominent examples are the right-handed W' bosons in left-right symmetric models and charged Higgs (H^\pm) particles in models with extended scalar sector like two Higgs doublet models and supersymmetric models. Even in the case of decays with four different quark flavours involved, to which penguin operators cannot contribute, twenty linearly independent operators, instead of two in the SM, have to be considered. Anticipating the important role of such decays at the LHCb, KEKB and Super-B in Rome and having in mind future improved lattice computations, we complete the existing NLO QCD formulae for these processes by calculating O(alpha_s) corrections to matching conditions for the Wilson coefficients of all contributing operators in the NDR-\bar{MS} scheme. This allows to reduce certain unphysical scale and renormalization scheme dependences in the existing NLO calculations. Our results can also be applied to models with tree-level heavy neutral gauge boson and scalar exchanges in Delta F = 1 transitions and constitute an important part of NLO analyses of those non-leptonic decays to which also penguin operators contribute.Comment: 24 pages, 6 figure

More success than meets the eye: a challenge to critiques of the MBA. Possibilities for critical management education?

Management education generally, and MBA programmes in particular, have been persistently criticized for failing to speak adequately to management practice. One response to such criticisms has been to suggest a wider consideration of critical management education (CME). Drawing on research findings from an empirical study of MBA learning, the article argues that MBA learning can be seen as more valuable to the manager in practice than critics contend. Moreover, the learning which is valued resonates with both a critical understanding of management and critical accounts of the role of management education, suggesting that a covert form of CME may already be operating. We argue that further building on this understanding provides the potential for a more prominent CME. Specifically, we propose that the experience brought to and lived within the MBA programme provides an opportunity for `problematizing' accepted ways of making sense of the world

What is the new paradigm in product quality?

The current product quality paradigm is founded upon a customer-focused product development process, in which the functionality and behaviour of a product are designed to fulfil the needs of customers, and technological innovation is used to expand the capability and enhance the performance of the product. However, this view of product quality does not reflect the current practices of today's leading manufacturers, who now offer "total solutions" based upon an integrated package of products and services with well defined characteristics tailored to individual needs. Concepts such as globalisation, mass customisation, product branding, e-commerce, and sustainability suggest that a new product quality paradigm is evolving. This paper will discuss our current understanding of product quality issues and outline our vision of the new quality paradigm for product developers

Exploring MBA career success

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the meaning of career success in relation to the attainment of an MBA degree, for a group of experienced managers. In so doing, the paper aims to consider the adequacy of MBA career success, defined solely in terms of external criteria. Design/methodology/approach – A total of 36 in-depth interviews were undertaken with MBA alumni which sought to capture the individual's own account of their career success in relation to their MBA. The study utilised an inductive data analysis approach. Findings – The findings revealed a diversity of meanings given to MBA career success, with success generally being expressed in much broader terms than conventional notions of fast track career advancement. The salience of internal criteria for judging MBA career success is thus highlighted. The findings may be seen to further dispel the myth that MBA students are concerned exclusively with status and salary. Research limitations/implications – The study focuses on the experiences of graduates from only one MBA programme. Additionally, the study reports retrospective accounts of MBA career success, a longitudinal design would be advantageous. Practical implications – The demonstration of a plurality of career success provides potential advantage for business schools recruiting MBA students. Organisations can benefit from a wider understanding of MBA career success. Originality/value – The findings suggest that the value of the MBA encompasses more than fast track career success

The inertial subrange in turbulent pipe flow: centreline

The inertial-subrange scaling of the axial velocity component is examined for the centreline of turbulent pipe flow for Reynolds numbers in the range 249⩽Reλ⩽986. Estimates of the dissipation rate are made by both integration of the one-dimensional dissipation spectrum and the third-order moment of the structure function. In neither case does the non-dimensional dissipation rate asymptote to a constant; rather than decreasing, it increases indefinitely with Reynolds number. Complete similarity of the inertial range spectra is not evident: there is little support for the hypotheses of Kolmogorov (Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, vol. 32, 1941a, pp. 16–18; Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR, vol. 30, 1941b, pp. 301–305) and the effects of Reynolds number are not well represented by Kolmogorov’s ‘extended similarity hypothesis’ (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 13, 1962, pp. 82–85). The second-order moment of the structure function does not show a constant value, even when compensated by the extended similarity hypothesis. When corrected for the effects of finite Reynolds number, the third-order moments of the structure function accurately support the ‘four-fifths law’, but they do not show a clear plateau. In common with recent work in grid turbulence, non-equilibrium effects can be represented by a heuristic scaling that includes a global Reynolds number as well as a local one. It is likely that non-equilibrium effects appear to be particular to the nature of the boundary conditions. Here, the principal effects of the boundary conditions appear through finite turbulent transport at the pipe centreline, which constitutes a source or a sink at each wavenumber

Effects of chlorpyrifos and chlorpyrifos-methyl on the outgrowth of axon-like processes, tubulin, and GAP-43 in N2a cells

The aim of this work was to study the neurodegenerative effects of the organophosphate (OP) pesticides chlorpyrifos (CPF) and chlorpyrifos-methyl (CHM) on cultured mouse N2a neuroblastoma cells. CPF or CHM, at a subcytotoxic concentration of 3 μM, were added to the cells either at the time of the induction of cell differentiation (codifferentiation) or 16 h after the induction of differentiation (postdifferentiation). CPF and CHM were similar in inhibiting significantly the outgrowth of axon-like processes from N2a cells after only 4 h exposure under both co- and postdifferentiation exposure conditions. Densitometric scanning of Western blots of extracts of cells treated with CPF or CHM for 4 h revealed significantly decreased cross-reactivity with a monoclonal antibody recognizing the protein GAP-43 under post- but not under codifferentiation exposure conditions. Exposure to CPF or CHM for 4 h under postdifferentiation conditions also resulted in reduced fluorescence of N2a cell body staining with anti-GAP-43. Cross-reactivity of Western blots with a monoclonal antibody recognizing -tubulin was not significantly affected by OP treatment. These data indicate that a disturbance in GAP-43 may be important in the retraction of axons in predifferentiated N2a cells and support the notion that the mechanisms involved in CPF-and CHM-induced inhibition of axonal outgrowth may be different under co- and postdifferentiation exposure conditions

Clustering Time Series from Mixture Polynomial Models with Discretised Data

Clustering time series is an active research area with applications in many fields. One common feature of time series is the likely presence of outliers. These uncharacteristic data can significantly effect the quality of clusters formed. This paper evaluates a method of over-coming the detrimental effects of outliers. We describe some of the alternative approaches to clustering time series, then specify a particular class of model for experimentation with k-means clustering and a correlation based distance metric. For data derived from this class of model we demonstrate that discretising the data into a binary series of above and below the median improves the clustering when the data has outliers. More specifically, we show that firstly discretisation does not significantly effect the accuracy of the clusters when there are no outliers and secondly it significantly increases the accuracy in the presence of outliers, even when the probability of outlier is very low

Can implementation intentions and text messages promote brisk walking? A randomized trial.

Objective: To test the efficacy in promoting brisk walking of two theory-based interventions that incorporate implementation intentions and text message (Short Message Service; SMS) reminders directed at one’s walking-related plans or goals. Design: Participants (N = 149) were randomized to one of three conditions (implementation intention + SMS plan reminder, implementation intention + SMS goal reminder, control) before completing measures at baseline and follow-up 4 weeks later. At follow-up, the experimental groups were given a surprise recall task concerning their plans. All participants completed an equivalent goal recall task. Main Outcome Measures: Validated self-report measures of physical activity and measures of implementation intention and goal recall, weight, and waist-to-hip ratio. Results: Both intervention groups increased their brisk walking relative to the control group, without reducing other physical activity. The goal reminder group lost the most weight. The SMS plan reminder group recalled more of their plans than the SMS goal reminder group, but the latter were more successful in goal recall. Conclusion: Both interventions can promote brisk walking in sedentary populations. Text messages aid the recall of, and could enhance interventions that target, implementation intentions and goals

On the Correlations between Flavour Observables in Minimal U(2)^3 Models

The stringent correlations between flavour observables in models with CMFV are consistent with the present data except for the correlation Delta M_{s,d}-epsilon_K. Motivated by the recent work of Barbieri et al, we compare the CMFV correlations with the ones present in a special class of models with an approximate global U(2)^3 flavour symmetry, constrained by a minimal set of spurions governing the breakdown of this symmetry and the assumption that only SM operators are relevant in flavour physics. This analog of CMFV to be called MU(2)^3 allows to avoid the Delta M_{s,d}-epsilon_K tension in question because of reduced flavour symmetry and implied non-MFV contributions to Delta M_{s,d}. While the patterns of flavour violation in K meson system is the same as in CMFV models, the CP-violation in B_{s,d} meson systems can deviate from the one in the SM and CMFV models. We point out a stringent triple S_{psi K_S}-S_{psi phi}-|V_ub| correlation in this class of models that could in the future provide a transparent distinction between different MU(2)^3 models and in the context of these models determine |V_ub| by means of precise measurements of S_{psi K_S} and S_{psi phi} with only small hadronic uncertainties. For fixed S_{psi K_S} the correlation between B(B^+ -> tau^+nu_tau) and S_{psi phi} follows. We also find that MU(2)^3 models could in principle accommodate a negative value of S_{psi phi}, provided |V_ub| is found to be in the ballpark of exclusive determinations and the particular MU(2)^3 model provides a 25% enhancement of epsilon_K. A supersymmetric U(2)^3 model worked out in the Barbieri-School appears to satisfy these requirements. However if B(B^+ -> tau^+nu_tau)>1.0 10^{-4} will be confirmed by future experiments only positive S_{psi phi} is allowed in this framework. We summarize briefly the pattern of flavour violation in rare K and B_{s,d} decays in MU(2)^3 models.Comment: 28 pages, 6 figures; v2: Few references and discussion on CP violation in B_s-> mu^+ mu^- added; v3: Several clarifying comments added, conclusions unchanged, version accepted for publication in JHE