Decay dynamics of N→ℓπN\to \ell \pi and N→ℓγN\to \ell \gamma

SuperKamiokande experiment tightly bounds the lifetimes of the baryon number violating proton decays. The decay widths for the nucleon to an antilepton and a photon are not so well bounded experimentally as $\ell \pi$ modes. Using an effective Lagrangian approach, we relate the decay widths of $N\to \ell \gamma$ to the decay widths of $N\to \ell \pi$. Our result points out factor $10^{3}$ suppression of the decay widths $\Gamma (p \to \ell^{+} \gamma)$ and $\Gamma (n \to \bar \nu \gamma)$ compared to the decay widths $\Gamma (p \to \ell^{+} \pi^{0})$ and $\Gamma (n \to \bar \nu \pi^{0})$, respectively. This result is independent of the model of new physics. Then, we investigate the dynamics of $N\to \ell \pi$ and $N\to \ell \gamma$ amplitudes at the tree and loop level in which scalar leptoquarks are mediators of a new interaction. At the tree level, leptoquarks probe the physics beyond the Standard Model at a scale of $10^{16}$ GeV, while at the loop level, such decay can occur at a scale of $10^{7}$ GeV.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, title and text updated to mach published versio

Old is new : the transformative effect of references to settled case law in the decisions of the European Court of Justice

References to settled case law permeate the decisions of the European Court of Justice. Legal literature commonly deems them elements of stability and constraint. By contrast, this article highlights their transformative effect. That effect occurs in the process of repetition, conceptualized as a process that permits alteration. The article identifies and explores three types of alteration, or three mechanisms of instability: (1) the substitution of cited cases in citation strings; (2) the alternation between expressions found in settled case law and alternative expressions; and (3) the un-anchoring or detachment of legal statements from cases in which they initially appeared. The analysis illustrates how substitution leads to diverging interpretive outcomes, how alternation unsettles the normative force and the relevance of the acquis, and how un-anchoring results in a loss of knowledge. From this perspective, references to settled cases result in complex changes to the law – changes which are multi-directional and lack a clear progression. The article contributes to a better understanding of legal change, and it illuminates the role of past cases in the Court’s decision making

Charmonium-like states with JP=1+J^{P}=1^{+} and isospin 1

Many mesons with properties incompatible with a $\bar cc$ structure have already been discovered, e.g. the $Z_c$ mesons with isospin 1. We investigate the spectrum of exotic charmonium-like mesons using lattice QCD. The focus is on $\bar cc \bar qq$ states with $J^{PC}=1^{+\pm}$ and isospin 1. This is the first study of four-quark states with these quantum numbers, a non-zero total momentum and two different lattice volumes. We extract the energy levels and determine the scattering length for $D\bar D^*$ scattering close to the threshold using L\"uscher's formalism. Our preliminary results show that the energy shifts for eigenstates dominated by $D\bar{D}^*$ are very small in the $1^{++}$ channel and consistent with zero in the $1^{+-}$ channel.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the 39th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory (LATTICE2022

Effect of thermal annealing on dielectric and ferroelectric properties of aerosol-deposited 0.65Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3−0.35PbTiO30.65\text{Pb}(\text{Mg}_{1/3}\text{Nb}_{2/3})\text{O}_{3}-0.35\text{PbTiO}_{3} thick films

In this work, the effects of thermal annealing at 500 {\deg}C on aerosol-deposited $0.65\text{Pb}(\text{Mg}_{1/3}\text{Nb}_{2/3})\text{O}_{3}-0.35\text{PbTiO}_{3}$ thick films on stainless-steel substrates are investigated using two complementary methods at high and low applied external electric fields. The first one is Positive Up Negative Down method, which allows us to obtain information about the switching and non-switching contributions to the polarization. It shows that the as-deposited film is ferroelectric before annealing, since it has a switching contribution to the polarization. After annealing, both the switching and non-switching contributions to polarization increased by a factor of 1.6 and 2.33, respectively, indicating stronger ferroelectric behavior. The second method is based on impedance spectroscopy coupled with Rayleigh analysis. The results show that post-deposition thermal annealing increases the reversible domain wall contribution to the dielectric permittivity by a factor 11 while keeping the threshold field similar. This indicates, after annealing, domain wall density is larger while domain wall mobility remains similar. These two complementary characterization methods show that annealing increases the ferroelectric behavior of the thick film by increasing the domain wall density and its influence is visible both on polarization versus electric field loop and dielectric permittivity

That's an order! : how the quest for efficiency is transforming judicial cooperation in Europe

Published online: 9 June 2022Effective procedural arrangements allow courts to reconcile conflicting demands of timely justice and sound legal argument. In the context of the European Union, conflict between these demands emerged most acutely in the face of paralyzing delays in the preliminary reference procedure. It was partly solved by Article 99 of the Rules of Procedure. The provision allowed the European Court of Justice to dispose of repetitive and legally undemanding cases with a reasoned order in lieu of a judgment. This article analyses all published orders of the European Court of Justice to examine the use and the implications of Article 99 of the Rules of Procedure. It is the first article to do so. We find that the Court resorts to orders to save time and to halt repeated questions from the courts of a single Member State.This article was published Open Access with the support from the European University Institute Research Council.The article is a published version of iCourts Working Paper 2020/21

A PATO-compliant zebrafish screening database (MODB): management of morpholino knockdown screen information

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The zebrafish is a powerful model vertebrate amenable to high throughput <it>in vivo </it>genetic analyses. Examples include reverse genetic screens using morpholino knockdown, expression-based screening using enhancer trapping and forward genetic screening using transposon insertional mutagenesis. We have created a database to facilitate web-based distribution of data from such genetic studies.</p> <p>Description</p> <p>The MOrpholino DataBase is a MySQL relational database with an online, PHP interface. Multiple quality control levels allow differential access to data in raw and finished formats. MODBv1 includes sequence information relating to almost 800 morpholinos and their targets and phenotypic data regarding the dose effect of each morpholino (mortality, toxicity and defects). To improve the searchability of this database, we have incorporated a fixed-vocabulary defect ontology that allows for the organization of morpholino affects based on anatomical structure affected and defect produced. This also allows comparison between species utilizing Phenotypic Attribute Trait Ontology (PATO) designated terminology. MODB is also cross-linked with ZFIN, allowing full searches between the two databases. MODB offers users the ability to retrieve morpholino data by sequence of morpholino or target, name of target, anatomical structure affected and defect produced.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MODB data can be used for functional genomic analysis of morpholino design to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity. MODB also serves as a template for future sequence-based functional genetic screen databases, and it is currently being used as a model for the creation of a mutagenic insertional transposon database.</p

Defining the Molecular Character of the Developing and Adult Kidney Podocyte

BACKGROUND: The podocyte is a remarkable cell type, which encases the capillaries of the kidney glomerulus. Although mesodermal in origin it sends out axonal like projections that wrap around the capillaries. These extend yet finer projections, the foot processes, which interdigitate, leaving between them the slit diaphragms, through which the glomerular filtrate must pass. The podocytes are a subject of keen interest because of their key roles in kidney development and disease. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In this report we identified and characterized a novel transgenic mouse line, MafB-GFP, which specifically marked the kidney podocytes from a very early stage of development. These mice were then used to facilitate the fluorescent activated cell sorting based purification of podocytes from embryos at E13.5 and E15.5, as well as adults. Microarrays were then used to globally define the gene expression states of podocytes at these different developmental stages. A remarkable picture emerged, identifying the multiple sets of genes that establish the neuronal, muscle, and phagocytic properties of podocytes. The complete combinatorial code of transcription factors that create the podocyte was characterized, and the global lists of growth factors and receptors they express were defined. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The complete molecular character of the in vivo podocyte is established for the first time. The active molecular functions and biological processes further define their unique combination of features. The results provide a resource atlas of gene expression patterns of developing and adult podocytes that will help to guide further research of these incredible cells