f_0(600), kappa(800), rho(770) and K*(892), quark mass dependence from unitarized SU(3) Chiral Perturbation Theory

We study the strange and non-strange quark mass dependence of the parameters of the f_0(600), kappa(800), rho(770) and K*(892) resonances generated from elastic meson-meson scattering using unitarized one-loop Chiral Perturbation Theory. We fit simultaneously all experimental scattering data up to 0.8-1 GeV together with lattice results on decay constants and scattering lengths up to a pion mass of 440 MeV. Then, the strange and non-strange quark masses are varied from the chiral limit up to values of interest for lattice studies. In these amplitudes, the mass and width of the rho(770) and K*(892) present a similar and smooth quark mass dependence. In contrast, both scalars present a similar non-analyticity at high quark masses. Nevertheless the f_0(600) dependence on both quark masses is stronger than for the kappa(800) and the vectors. We also confirm the lattice assumption of quark mass independence of the vector two-meson coupling that, in contrast, is violated for scalars.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the XIII International Conference on Hadron Spectroscopy Nov.29-Dec.4, 2009. Tallahassee, Florida, USA. 5 page

Dependence on the quark masses of elastic phase shifts and light resonances within standard and unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory

We study the dependence of the pion-pion scattering phase shifts on the light quark mass in both standard and unitarized SU(2) Chiral Perturbation Theory (ChPT) to one and two loops. We then use unitarized SU(3) ChPT to study the elastic f_0(600), kappa(800), rho(770) and K*(892) resonances. The quark masses are varied up to values of interest for lattice studies. We find a very soft dependence on the light quark mass of the pion-pion phase shifts at one loop and slightly stronger at two loops and a good agreement with lattice results. The SU(3) analysis shows that the properties of the rho(770) and K*(892) depend smoothly on the quark mass whereas the scalar resonances present a non-analyticity at high quark masses. We also confirm the lattice assumption of quark mass independence of the vector two-meson coupling that, however, is violated for scalars.Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Meson-Nucleon Physics and the Structure of the Nucleon, College of William and Mary Williamsburg, Virginia, May 31-June 4, 201

Strange and non-strange quark mass dependence of elastic light resonances from SU(3) Unitarized Chiral Perturbation Theory to one loop

We study the light quark mass dependence of the f_0(600), kappa(800), rho(770) and K*(892) resonance parameters generated from elastic meson-meson scattering using unitarized one-loop Chiral Perturbation Theory. First, we show that it is possible to fit simultaneously all experimental scattering data up to 0.8-1 GeV together with lattice results on decay constants and scattering lengths up to a pion mass of 400 MeV, using chiral parameters compatible with existing determinations. Then, the strange and non-strange quark masses are varied from the chiral limit up to values of interest for lattice studies. In these amplitudes, the mass and width of the rho(770) and K*(892) present a similar and smooth quark mass dependence. In contrast, both scalars present a similar non-analyticity at high quark masses. Nevertheless, the f_0(600) dependence on the non-strange quark mass is stronger than for the kappa(800) and the vectors. We also confirm the lattice assumption of quark mass independence of the vector two-meson coupling that, in contrast, is violated for scalars. As a consequence, vector widths are very well approximated by the KSRF relation, and their masses are shown to scale like their corresponding meson decay constants.Comment: 20 pages, 13 figures. References added to new version and region of applicability slightly modified. Typos corrected

In silico transitions to multicellularity

The emergence of multicellularity and developmental programs are among the major problems of evolutionary biology. Traditionally, research in this area has been based on the combination of data analysis and experimental work on one hand and theoretical approximations on the other. A third possibility is provided by computer simulation models, which allow to both simulate reality and explore alternative possibilities. These in silico models offer a powerful window to the possible and the actual by means of modeling how virtual cells and groups of cells can evolve complex interactions beyond a set of isolated entities. Here we present several examples of such models, each one illustrating the potential for artificial modeling of the transition to multicellularity.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figures. Book chapter of Evolutionary transitions to multicellular life (Springer

Efficient vasculature investment in tissues can be determined without global information

Cells are the fundamental building blocks of organs and tissues. Information and mass flow through cellular contacts in these structures is vital for the orchestration of organ function. Constraints imposed by packing and cell immobility limit intercellular communication, particularly as organs and organisms scale up to greater sizes. In order to transcend transport limitations, delivery systems including vascular and respiratory systems evolved to facilitate the movement of matter and information. The construction of these delivery systems has an associated cost, as vascular elements do not perform the metabolic functions of the organs they are part of. This study investigates a fundamental trade-off in vascularization in multicellular tissues: the reduction of path lengths for communication versus the cost associated with producing vasculature. Biologically realistic generative models, using multicellular templates of different dimensionalities, revealed a limited advantage to the vascularization of two-dimensional tissues. Strikingly, scale-free improvements in transport efficiency can be achieved even in the absence of global knowledge of tissue organization. A point of diminishing returns in the investment of additional vascular tissue to the increased reduction of path length in 2.5- and three-dimensional tissues was identified. Applying this theory to experimentally determined biological tissue structures, we show the possibility of a co-dependency between the method used to limit path length and the organization of cells it acts upon. These results provide insight as to why tissues are or are not vascularized in nature, the robustness of developmental generative mechanisms and the extent to which vasculature is advantageous in the support of organ function

Identification of non-ordinary mesons from the dispersive connection between their poles and their Regge trajectories: the f0(500) resonance

We show how the Regge trajectory of a resonance can be obtained from its pole in a scattering process and analytic constraints in the complex angular momentum plane. The method is suited for resonances that dominate an elastic scattering amplitude. In particular, from the rho(770) resonance pole in pion-pion scattering, we obtain its linear Regge trajectory, characteristic of ordinary quark-antiquark states. In contrast, the f0(500) pole -the sigma meson- which dominates scalar isoscalar pion-pion scattering, yields a non-linear trajectory with a much smaller slope at the f0(500) mass. Conversely, imposing a linear Regge trajectory for the f0(500), with a slope of typical size, yields an elastic amplitude at odds with the data. This provides strong support for the non-ordinary nature of the sigma meson.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure