213 research outputs found
Superheavy Dark Matter with Discrete Gauge Symmetries
We show that there are discrete gauge symmetries protect naturally heavy X
particles from decaying into the ordinary light particles in the supersymmetric
standard model. This makes the proposal very attractive that the superheavy X
particles constitute a part of the dark matter in the present universe. It is
more interesting that there are a class of discrete gauge symmetries which
naturally accommodate a long-lived unstable X particle. We find that in some
discrete Z_{10} models, for example, a superheavy X particle has lifetime
\tau_X \simeq 10^{11}-10^{26} years for its mass M_X \simeq 10^{13}-10^{14}
GeV. This long lifetime is guaranteed by the absence of lower dimensional
operators (of light particles) couple to the X. We briefly discuss a possible
explanation for the recently observed ultra-high-energy cosmic ray events by
the decay of this unstable X particle.Comment: 9 pages, Late
The nuclear energy density functional formalism
The present document focuses on the theoretical foundations of the nuclear
energy density functional (EDF) method. As such, it does not aim at reviewing
the status of the field, at covering all possible ramifications of the approach
or at presenting recent achievements and applications. The objective is to
provide a modern account of the nuclear EDF formalism that is at variance with
traditional presentations that rely, at one point or another, on a {\it
Hamiltonian-based} picture. The latter is not general enough to encompass what
the nuclear EDF method represents as of today. Specifically, the traditional
Hamiltonian-based picture does not allow one to grasp the difficulties
associated with the fact that currently available parametrizations of the
energy kernel at play in the method do not derive from a genuine
Hamilton operator, would the latter be effective. The method is formulated from
the outset through the most general multi-reference, i.e. beyond mean-field,
implementation such that the single-reference, i.e. "mean-field", derives as a
particular case. As such, a key point of the presentation provided here is to
demonstrate that the multi-reference EDF method can indeed be formulated in a
{\it mathematically} meaningful fashion even if does {\it not} derive
from a genuine Hamilton operator. In particular, the restoration of symmetries
can be entirely formulated without making {\it any} reference to a projected
state, i.e. within a genuine EDF framework. However, and as is illustrated in
the present document, a mathematically meaningful formulation does not
guarantee that the formalism is sound from a {\it physical} standpoint. The
price at which the latter can be enforced as well in the future is eventually
alluded to.Comment: 64 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Euroschool Lecture Notes in Physics
Vol.IV, Christoph Scheidenberger and Marek Pfutzner editor
Klein tunneling in graphene: optics with massless electrons
This article provides a pedagogical review on Klein tunneling in graphene,
i.e. the peculiar tunneling properties of two-dimensional massless Dirac
electrons. We consider two simple situations in detail: a massless Dirac
electron incident either on a potential step or on a potential barrier and use
elementary quantum wave mechanics to obtain the transmission probability. We
emphasize the connection to related phenomena in optics, such as the
Snell-Descartes law of refraction, total internal reflection, Fabry-P\'erot
resonances, negative refraction index materials (the so called meta-materials),
etc. We also stress that Klein tunneling is not a genuine quantum tunneling
effect as it does not necessarily involve passing through a classically
forbidden region via evanescent waves. A crucial role in Klein tunneling is
played by the conservation of (sublattice) pseudo-spin, which is discussed in
detail. A major consequence is the absence of backscattering at normal
incidence, of which we give a new shorten proof. The current experimental
status is also thoroughly reviewed. The appendix contains the discussion of a
one-dimensional toy model that clearly illustrates the difference in Klein
tunneling between mono- and bi-layer graphene.Comment: short review article, 18 pages, 14 figures; v3: references added,
several figures slightly modifie
Oral Fluid–Based Biomarkers of Alveolar Bone Loss in Periodontitis
Periodontal disease is a bacteria-induced chronic inflammatory disease affecting the soft and hard supporting structures encompassing the teeth. When left untreated, the ultimate outcome is alveolar bone loss and exfoliation of the involved teeth. Traditional periodontal diagnostic methods include assessment of clinical parameters and radiographs. Though efficient, these conventional techniques are inherently limited in that only a historical perspective, not current appraisal, of disease status can be determined. Advances in the use of oral fluids as possible biological samples for objective measures of current disease state, treatment monitoring, and prognostic indicators have boosted saliva and other oral-based fluids to the forefront of technology. Oral fluids contain locally and systemically derived mediators of periodontal disease, including microbial, host-response, and bone-specific resorptive markers. Although most biomarkers in oral fluids represent inflammatory mediators, several specific collagen degradation and bone turnover-related molecules have emerged as possible measures of periodontal disease activity. Pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide (ICTP), for example, has been highly correlated with clinical features of the disease and decreases in response to intervention therapies, and has been shown to possess predictive properties for possible future disease activity. One foreseeable benefit of an oral fluid–based periodontal diagnostic would be identification of highly susceptible individuals prior to overt disease. Timely detection and diagnosis of disease may significantly affect the clinical management of periodontal patients by offering earlier, less invasive, and more cost-effective treatment therapies.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73247/1/annals.1384.028.pd
Long Lived Superheavy Dark Matter with Discrete Gauge Symmetries
The recently observed ultra-high energy (UHE) cosmic rays beyond the
Greisen-Zatsepin-Kuzmin bound can be explained by the decays of some superheavy
particles forming a part of dark matter in our universe. We consider
various discrete gauge symmetries to ensure the required long
lifetime () of the particle to explain
the UHE cosmic rays in the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) with
massive Majorana neutrinos. We show that there is no anomaly-free discrete
gauge symmetry to make the lifetime of the particle sufficiently long in
the MSSM with the particle. We find, however, possible solutions to this
problem especially by enlarging the particle contents in the MSSM. We show a
number of solutions introducing an extra pair of singlets and
which have fractional (N=2,3) charges. The present experimental
constraints on the particle are briefly discussed.Comment: 27 pages, Late
Gravitationally violated U(1) symmetry and neutrino anomalies
The current searches for neutrino oscillations seem to suggest an approximate
L_e-L_\m-L_{\tau} flavor symmetry. This symmetry implies a pair of degenerate
neutrinos with mass and large leptonic mixing. We explore the possibility
that gravitational interactions break this global symmetry. The Planck scale
suppressed breaking of the L_e-L_\m-L_{\tau} symmetry is shown to lead to the
right amount of splitting among the degenerate neutrinos needed in order to
solve the solar neutrino problem. The common mass of the pair can be
identified with the atmospheric neutrino scale. A concrete model is proposed in
which smallness of and hierarchy in the solar and atmospheric neutrino
scales get linked to hierarchies in the weak, grand unification and the Planck
scales.Comment: 12 pages, LATE
Methods for biogeochemical studies of sea ice: the state of the art, caveats, and recommendations
Over the past two decades, with recognition that the ocean’s sea-ice cover is neither insensitive to climate change nor a barrier to light and matter, research in sea-ice biogeochemistry has accelerated significantly, bringing together a multi-disciplinary community from a variety of fields. This disciplinary diversity has contributed a wide range of methodological techniques and approaches to sea-ice studies, complicating comparisons of the results and the development of conceptual and numerical models to describe the important biogeochemical processes occurring in sea ice. Almost all chemical elements, compounds, and biogeochemical processes relevant to Earth system science are measured in sea ice, with published methods available for determining biomass, pigments, net community production, primary production, bacterial activity, macronutrients, numerous natural and anthropogenic organic compounds, trace elements, reactive and inert gases, sulfur species, the carbon dioxide system parameters, stable isotopes, and water-ice-atmosphere fluxes of gases, liquids, and solids. For most of these measurements, multiple sampling and processing techniques are available, but to date there has been little intercomparison or intercalibration between methods. In addition, researchers collect different types of ancillary data and document their samples differently, further confounding comparisons between studies. These problems are compounded by the heterogeneity of sea ice, in which even adjacent cores can have dramatically different biogeochemical compositions. We recommend that, in future investigations, researchers design their programs based on nested sampling patterns, collect a core suite of ancillary measurements, and employ a standard approach for sample identification and documentation. In addition, intercalibration exercises are most critically needed for measurements of biomass, primary production, nutrients, dissolved and particulate organic matter (including exopolymers), the CO2 system, air-ice gas fluxes, and aerosol production. We also encourage the development of in situ probes robust enough for long-term deployment in sea ice, particularly for biological parameters, the CO2 system, and other gases
Molecules with ALMA at planet-forming scales (MAPS). IV. Emission surfaces and vertical distribution of molecules
The Molecules with ALMA at Planet-forming Scales (MAPS) Large Program provides a unique opportunity to study the vertical distribution of gas, chemistry, and temperature in the protoplanetary disks around IM Lup, GM Aur, AS 209, HD 163296, and MWC 480. By using the asymmetry of molecular line emission relative to the disk major axis, we infer the emission height (z) above the midplane as a function of radius (r). Using this method, we measure emitting surfaces for a suite of CO isotopologues, HCN, and C2H. We find that 12CO emission traces the most elevated regions with z/r > 0.3, while emission from the less abundant 13CO and C18O probes deeper into the disk at altitudes of z/r ≲ 0.2. C2H and HCN have lower opacities and signal-to-noise ratios, making surface fitting more difficult, and could only be reliably constrained in AS 209, HD 163296, and MWC 480, with z/r ≲ 0.1, i.e., relatively close to the planet-forming midplanes. We determine peak brightness temperatures of the optically thick CO isotopologues and use these to trace 2D disk temperature structures. Several CO temperature profiles and emission surfaces show dips in temperature or vertical height, some of which are associated with gaps and rings in line and/or continuum emission. These substructures may be due to local changes in CO column density, gas surface density, or gas temperatures, and detailed thermochemical models are necessary to better constrain their origins and relate the chemical compositions of elevated disk layers with those of planet-forming material in disk midplanes. This paper is part of the MAPS special issue of the Astrophysical Journal Supplement. © 2021. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.Immediate accessThis item from the UA Faculty Publications collection is made available by the University of Arizona with support from the University of Arizona Libraries. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]
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