Constraints on the parameters of the Left Right Mirror Model

We study some phenomenological constraints on the parameters of a left right model with mirror fermions (LRMM) that solves the strong CP problem. In particular, we evaluate the contribution of mirror neutrinos to the invisible Z decay width (\Gamma_Z^{inv}), and we find that the present experimental value on \Gamma_Z^{inv}, can be used to place an upper bound on the Z-Z' mixing angle that is consistent with limits obtained previously from other low-energy observables. In this model the charged fermions that correspond to the standard model (SM) mix with its mirror counterparts. This mixing, simultaneously with the Z-Z' one, leads to modifications of the \Gamma(Z --> f \bar{f}) decay width. By comparing with LEP data, we obtain bounds on the standard-mirror lepton mixing angles. We also find that the bottom quark mixing parameters can be chosen to fit the experimental values of R_b, and the resulting values for the Z-Z' mixing angle do not agree with previous bounds. However, this disagreement disappears if one takes the more recent ALEPH data.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, REVTe

New Higgs signals induced by mirror fermion mixing effects

We study the conditions under which flavor violation arises in scalar-fermion interactions, as a result of the mixing phenomena between the standard model and exotic fermions. Phenomenological consequences are discussed within the specific context of a left-right model where these additional fermions have mirror properties under the new SU(2)_R gauge group. Bounds on the parameters of the model are obtained from LFV processes; these results are then used to study the LFV Higgs decays (H --> tau l_j, l_j = e, mu), which reach branching ratios that could be detected at future colliders.Comment: 12 pages, 2 figures, ReVTex4, graphicx, to be published in Phys. Rev.

Lepton mass generation and family number violation mechanism in the SU(6)⊗U(1)SU(6)\otimes U(1) model

Lepton family number violation processes arise in the $SU(6)_L \otimes U(1)_Y$ model due to the presence of an extra neutral gauge boson, Z$'$, with family changing couplings, and due to the fact that this model demands the existence of heavy exotic leptons. The mixing of the standard Z with Z$'$ and the mixing of ordinary leptons with exotic ones induce together family changing couplings on the Z and therefore nonvanishing rates for lepton family number violation processes, such as $Z \to e \bar{\mu}$, $\mu \to ee\bar{e}$ and $\mu \to e\gamma$. Additional contributions to the processes $\mu \to e \gamma$ and $\mu \to ee \bar{e}$ are induced from the mass generation mechanism. This last type of contributions may compete with the above one, depending on the masses of the scalars which participate in the diagrams which generate radiatively the masses of the charged leptons. Using the experimental data we compute some bounds for the mixings parameters and for the masses of the scalars.Comment: 12 pages, Latex, 7 figures. Accepted for publication in Int. Journ. of Mod. Phys.

Production of neutral scalar Higgs bosons at eγe\gamma colliders

We study the production of neutral scalar (CP even) Higgs bosons in the process $e\gamma\to e h$ by including supersymmetric corrections to the dominant $t$-channel photon exchange amplitude. In addition to the standard model $W^{\pm}$ and fermion loops, there are substantial contributions from chargino loops. For some cases, these contributions can exceed those of the $W$'s and ordinary fermions. The cross sections in this channel are generally one or two orders of magnitude larger than those in the related channel $e\bar{e}\to\gamma h$.Comment: 12 pages RevTeX, 5 postscript figures included, uses epsf.st

Bounding the Hubble flow in terms of the w parameter

The last decade has seen increasing efforts to circumscribe and bound the cosmological Hubble flow in terms of model-independent constraints on the cosmological fluid - such as, for instance, the classical energy conditions of general relativity. Quite a bit can certainly be said in this regard, but much more refined bounds can be obtained by placing more precise constraints (either theoretical or observational) on the cosmological fluid. In particular, the use of the w-parameter (w=p/rho) has become increasingly common as a surrogate for trying to say something about the cosmological equation of state. Herein we explore the extent to which a constraint on the w-parameter leads to useful and nontrivial constraints on the Hubble flow, in terms of constraints on density rho(z), Hubble parameter H(z), density parameter Omega(z), cosmological distances d(z), and lookback time T(z). In contrast to other partial results in the literature, we carry out the computations for arbitrary values of the space curvature k in [-1,0,+1], equivalently for arbitrary Omega_0 <= 1.Comment: 15 page

Mass matrix Ansatz and lepton flavor violation in the THDM-III

Predictive Higgs-fermion couplings can be obtained when a specific texture for the fermion mass matrices is included in the general two-Higgs doublet model. We derive the form of these couplings in the charged lepton sector using a Hermitian mass matrix Ansatz with four-texture zeros. The presence of unconstrained phases in the vertices phi-li-lj modifies the pattern of flavor-violating Higgs interactions. Bounds on the model parameters are obtained from present limits on rare lepton flavor violating processes, which could be extended further by the search for the decay tau -> mu mu mu and mu-e conversion at future experiments. The signal from Higgs boson decays phi -> tau mu could be searched at the large hadron collider (LHC), while e-mu transitions could produce a detectable signal at a future e mu-collider, through the reaction e mu -> h0 -> tau tau.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure

Serologic evidence of occupational exposure to avian influenza viruses at the wildfowl/poultry/human interface

Ecological interactions between wild aquatic birds and outdoor-housed poultry can enhance spillover events of avian influenza viruses (AIVs) from wild reservoirs to domestic birds, thus increasing the related zoonotic risk to occupationally exposed workers. To assess serological evidence of AIV infection in workers operating in Northern Italy at the wildfowl/poultry interface or directly exposed to wildfowl, serum samples were collected between April 2005 and November 2006 from 57 bird-exposed workers (BEWs) and from 7 unexposed controls (Cs), planning three sample collec-tions from each individual. Concurrently, AIV surveillance of 3587 reared birds identified 4 AIVs belonging to H10N7, H4N6 and H2N2 subtypes while serological analysis by hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay showed recent infections caused by H1, H2, H4, H6, H10, H11, H12, and H13 subtypes. Human sera were analyzed for specific antibodies against AIVs belonging to antigenic subtypes from H1 to H14 by using HI and virus microneutralization (MN) assays as a screening and a confirmatory test, respectively. Overall, antibodies specific to AIV-H3, AIV-H6, AIV-H8, and AIV-H9 were found in three poultry workers (PWs) and seropositivity to AIV-11, AIV-H13—still detectable in October 2017—in one wildlife professional (WP). Furthermore, seropositivity to AIV-H2, accounting for previous exposure to the “extinct” H2N2 human influenza viruses, was found in both BEWs and Cs groups. These data further emphasize the occupational risk posed by zoonotic AIV strains and show the possible occurrence of long-lived antibody-based immunity following AIV infections in humans

The decay Z -> neutrino antineutrino photon in the Standard Model

A complete study of the one-loop induced decay Z -> neutrino antineutrino photon is presented within the framework of the Standard Model. The advantages of using a nonlinear gauge are stressed. We have found that the main contributions come from the electric dipole and the magnetic dipole transitions of the Z gauge boson and the neutrino, respectively. We obtain a branching ratio B=7.16E-10, which is about four orders of magnitude smaller than the bound recentely obtained by the L3 collaboration and thus it leaves open a window to search for new physics effects in single-photon decays of the Z boson.Comment: REVTEX,15 pp, 5 eps figures, Approved for publication in Physical Review