Horizontal Symmetry for Quark and Squark Masses in Supersymmetric SU(5)

Recent interest in horizontal symmetry model building has been driven mainly by the large top mass and hence strong hierarchy in quark masses, and the possibility of appropriately constrained soft squark mass matrices, in place of an assumed universality condition, for satisfying the relevant FCNC constraints. Here we present the first successful SUSY-$SU(5)$ model that has such a feature. The horizontal symmetry is a gauged $(Q_{12} \times U(1))_H$ ($\subset (SU(2) \times U(1))_H$). All nonrenormalizable terms compatible with the symmetry are allowed in the mass matrix constructions. Charged lepton masses can also be accommodated.Comment: 15 pages, latex, 1 latex figure included version to be published in Phys. Rev. Lett. ; some small changes in notations and presentation, a small paragragh and 3 references adde

Dicyclic Horizontal Symmetry and Supersymmetric Grand Unification

It is shown how to use as horizontal symmetry the dicyclic group $Q_6 \subset SU(2)$ in a supersymmetric unification $SU(5)\otimes SU(5)\otimes SU(2)$ where one $SU(5)$ acts on the first and second families, in a horizontal doublet, and the other acts on the third. This can lead to acceptable quark masses and mixings, with an economic choice of matter supermultiplets, and charged lepton masses can be accommodated.Comment: 10 pages, LaTe

The Three Families from SU(4)A⊗SU(3)C⊗SU(2)L⊗U(1)XSU(4)_A\otimes SU(3)_C\otimes SU(2)_L\otimes U(1)_X SM-like Chiral Models

We give a detailed description of the model construction procedures about our new approach to the family structure of the standard model. SM-like chiral fermion spectra, largely "derivable" from the gauge anomaly constraints, are formulated in a $SU(N)\otimes SU(3)\otimes SU(2)\otimes U(1)$ symmetry framework as an extension of the SM symmetry. The $N=4$ case gives naturally three families as a result, with $U(1)_Y$ nontrivially embedded into the $SU(4)_A\otimes U(1)_X$. Such a spectrum has extra vector-like quarks and leptons. We illustrate how an acceptable symmetry breaking pattern can be obtained through a relatively simple scalar sector which gives naturally hierarchical quark mass matrices. Compatibility with various FCNC constraints and some interesting aspects of the possible phenomenological features are discussed, from a non-model specific perspective. The question of incorporating supersymmetry without putting in the Higgses as extra supermultiplet is also addressed.Comment: 43 pages RevTex, including 9 tables and 3 figure

Reconciling safe planetary targets and planetary justice: Why should social scientists engage with planetary targets?

As human activity threatens to make the planet unsafe for humanity and other life forms, scholars are identifying planetary targets set at a safe distance from biophysical thresholds beyond which critical Earth systems may collapse. Yet despite the profound implications that both meeting and transgressing such targets may have for human wellbeing, including the potential for negative trade-offs, there is limited social science analysis that systematically considers the justice dimensions of such targets. Here we assess a range of views on planetary justice and present three arguments associated with why social scientists should engage with the scholarship on safe targets. We argue that complementing safe targets with just targets offers a fruitful approach for considering synergies and trade-offs between environmental and social aspirations and can inform inclusive deliberation on these important issues

Earth system justice needed to identify and live within Earth system boundaries

Living within planetary limits requires attention to justice as biophysical boundaries are not inherently just. Through collaboration between natural and social scientists, the Earth Commission defines and operationalizes Earth system justice to ensure that boundaries reduce harm, increase well-being, and reflect substantive and procedural justice. Such stringent boundaries may also affect ‘just access’ to food, water, energy and infrastructure. We show how boundaries may need to be adjusted to reduce harm and increase access, and challenge inequality to ensure a safe and just future for people, other species and the planet. Earth system justice may enable living justly within boundaries

Impacts of meeting minimum access on critical earth systems amidst the Great Inequality

The Sustainable Development Goals aim to improve access to resources and services, reduce environmental degradation, eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. However, the magnitude of the environmental burden that would arise from meeting the needs of the poorest is under debate—especially when compared to much larger burdens from the rich. We show that the ‘Great Acceleration’ of human impacts was characterized by a ‘Great Inequality’ in using and damaging the environment. We then operationalize ‘just access’ to minimum energy, water, food and infrastructure. We show that achieving just access in 2018, with existing inequalities, technologies and behaviours, would have produced 2–26% additional impacts on the Earth’s natural systems of climate, water, land and nutrients—thus further crossing planetary boundaries. These hypothetical impacts, caused by about a third of humanity, equalled those caused by the wealthiest 1–4%. Technological and behavioural changes thus far, while important, did not deliver just access within a stable Earth system. Achieving these goals therefore calls for a radical redistribution of resources

A Randomized Trial of Intravenous Alteplase before Endovascular Treatment for Stroke

The value of administering intravenous alteplase before endovascular treatment (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke has not been studied extensively, particularly in non-Asian populations. METHODS We performed an open-label, multicenter, randomized trial in Europe involving patients with stroke who presented directly to a hospital that was capable of providing EVT and who were eligible for intravenous alteplase and EVT. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive EVT alone or intravenous alteplase followed by EVT (the standard of care). The primary end point was functional outcome on the modified Rankin scale (range, 0 [no disability] to 6 [death]) at 90 days. We assessed the superiority of EVT alone over alteplase plus EVT, as well as noninferiority by a margin of 0.8 for the lower boundary of the 95% confidence interval for the odds ratio of the two trial groups. Death from any cause and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were the main safety end points. RESULTS The analysis included 539 patients. The median score on the modified Rankin scale at 90 days was 3 (interquartile range, 2 to 5) with EVT alone and 2 (interquartile range, 2 to 5) with alteplase plus EVT. The adjusted common odds ratio was 0.84 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62 to 1.15; P=0.28), which showed neither superiority nor noninferiority of EVT alone. Mortality was 20.5% with EVT alone and 15.8% with alteplase plus EVT (adjusted odds ratio, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.84 to 2.30). Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage occurred in 5.9% and 5.3% of the patients in the respective groups (adjusted odds ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.60 to 2.81). CONCLUSIONS In a randomized trial involving European patients, EVT alone was neither superior nor noninferior to intravenous alteplase followed by EVT with regard to disability outcome at 90 days after stroke. The incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage was similar in the two groups