On lattice chiral gauge theories

The Smit-Swift-Aoki formulation of a lattice chiral gauge theory is presented. In this formulation the Wilson and other non invariant terms in the action are made gauge invariant by the coupling with a nonlinear auxilary scalar field, omega. It is shown that omega decouples from the physical states only if appropriate parameters are tuned so as to satisfy a set of BRST identities. In addition, explicit ghost fields are necessary to ensure decoupling. These theories can give rise to the correct continuum limit. Similar considerations apply to schemes with mirror fermions. Simpler cases with a global chiral symmetry are discussed and it is shown that the theory becomes free at decoupling. Recent numerical simulations agree with those considerations

A note on polarized light from magnetars

In a recent paper it is claimed that vacuum birefringence has been experimentally observed for the first time by measuring the degree of polarization of visible light from a magnetar candidate, a neutron star with a magnetic field presumably as large as 10^13 G. The role of such a strong magnetic field is twofold. First, the surface of the star emits, at each point, polarized light with linear polarization correlated with the orientation of the magnetic field. Depending on the relative orientation of the magnetic axis of the star with the direction to the distant observer, a certain degree of polarization should be visible. Second, the strong magnetic field in the vacuum surrounding the star could enhance the effective degree of polarization observed: vacuum birefringence. We compare experimental data and theoretical expectations concluding that the conditions to support a claim of strong evidence of vacuum birefringence effects are not met

Plasma antioxidants from chocolate

There is some speculation that dietary flavonoids from chocolate, in particular (-)epicatechin, may promote cardiovascular health as a result of direct antioxidant effects or through antithrombotic mechanisms. Here we show that consumption of plain, dark chocolate results in an increase in both the total antioxidant capacity and the (-)epicatechin content of blood plasma, but that these effects are markedly reduced when the chocolate is consumed with milk or if milk is incorporated as milk chocolate. Our findings indicate that milk may interfere with the absorption of antioxidants from chocolate in vivo and may therefore negate the potential health benefits that can be derived from eating moderate amounts of dark chocolate

Two-body non-leptonic decays on the lattice

We show that, under reasonable hypotheses, it is possible to study two-body non-leptonic weak decays in numerical simulations of lattice QCD. By assuming that final-state interactions are dominated by the nearby resonances and that the couplings of the resonances to the final particles are smooth functions of the external momenta, it is possible indeed to overcome the difficulties imposed by the Maiani-Testa no-go theorem and to extract the weak decay amplitudes, including their phases. Under the same assumptions, results can be obtained also for time-like form factors and quasi-elastic processes.Comment: 15 pages, 1 Postscript figur

Infrared effects and the asymptotics of perturbation theory in weak decays of heavy particles

I discuss the interplay of infrared sensitivity in large order perturbative expansions with the presence of explicit nonperturbative corrections in the context of heavy quark expansions. The main focus is on inclusive decays and the status of the kinetic energy of the heavy quark. This talk summarizes work done with Braun and Zakharov.Comment: LATEX, world_sci.sty (appended to the file), UM-TH-94-30 (Invited talk presented at the conference ``QCD'94'', Montpellier, France, July 7 - 13, 1994) [Typo in ref. 6 corrected, pardon.

Chiral behaviour of the lattice BKB_K-parameter with the Wilson and Clover Actions at β=6.0\beta = 6.0

We present results for the kaon $B$-parameter $B_K$ from a sample of $200$ configurations using the Wilson action and $460$ configurations using the SW-Clover action, on a $18^3 \times 64$ lattice at $\beta=6.0$. We compare results obtained by renormalizing the relevant operator with different ``boosted" values of the strong coupling constant $\alpha_s$. In the case of the SW-Clover action, we also use the operator renormalized non-perturbatively. In the Wilson case, we observe a strong dependence of $B_K$ on the prescription adopted for $\alpha_s$, contrary to the results of the Clover case which are almost unaffected by the choice of the coupling. We also find that the matrix element of the operator renormalized non-perturbatively has a better chiral behaviour. This gives us our best estimate of the renormalization group invariant $B$-parameter, $\hat B_K=0.86 \pm 0.15$.Comment: LaTeX, 17 pages, 3 postscript figures uuencode

Results from a Non-Perturbative Renormalization of Lattice Operators

We propose a general renormalization method, which avoids completely the use of lattice perturbation theory. We present the results from its numerical applications to two-fermion operators on a $16^3 \times 32$ lattice, at $\beta=6.0$.Comment: 3 pages postscript file. Contribution to Lattice '9

Less is more ? The Commission proposal on access to EU documents and the proper limits of transparency

Transparency is now seen as a key tool of democratic governance. The European Union's commitment to transparency is now at the centre of a crucial debate between the Commission and the Parliament on the future of citizen's right of access to information. This article presents the main characteristics of the current regime and questions the pertinence of the proposed changes in light of the international drive at modernising access to information laws and the attempt at identifying the ̳proper limits of transparency'. The questions raised range from the identification of what can be accessed to the definition of exemption and the protection of competing interests

Non-perturbative renormalization in kaon decays

We discuss the application of the MPSTV non-perturbative method \cite{NPM} to the operators relevant to kaon decays. This enables us to reappraise the long-standing question of the $\Delta I=1/2$ rule, which involves power-divergent subtractions that cannot be evaluated in perturbation theory. We also study the mixing with dimension-six operators and discuss its implications to the chiral behaviour of the $B_K$ parameter.Comment: Talk presented at LATTICE96(improvement), LaTeX 3 pages, uses espcrc2, 2 postscript figure

Unstable Systems in Relativistic Quantum Field Theory

We show how the state of an unstable particle can be defined in terms of stable asymptotic states. This general definition is used to discuss and to solve some old problems connected with the short-time and large-time behaviour of the non-decay amplitude.Comment: 12 pages, Late