Lattice quark masses: a non-perturbative measurement

We discuss the renormalization of different definitions of quark masses in the Wilson and the tree-level improved SW-Clover fermionic action. For the improved case we give the correct relationship between the quark mass and the hopping parameter. Using perturbative and non-perturbative renormalization constants, we extract quark masses in the \MSbar scheme from Lattice QCD in the quenched approximation at $\beta=6.0$, $\beta=6.2$ and $\beta=6.4$ for both actions. We find: \bar{m}^{\MSbar}(2 GeV)=5.7 \pm 0.1 \pm 0.8 MeV, m_s^{\MSbar}(2GeV)= 130 \pm 2 \pm 18 MeV and m_c^{\MSbar}(2 GeV) = 1662\pm 30\pm 230 MeV.Comment: 21 pages, 4 figures, typos corrected, no result change

Quark masses and the chiral condensate with a non-perturbative renormalization procedure

We determine the quark masses and the chiral condensate in the MSbar scheme at NNLO from Lattice QCD in the quenched approximation at beta=6.0, beta=6.2 and beta=6.4 using both the Wilson and the tree-level improved SW-Clover fermion action. We extract these quantities using the Vector and the Axial Ward Identities and non-perturbative values of the renormalization constants. We compare the results obtained with the two methods and we study the O(a) dependence of the quark masses for both actions.Comment: LATTICE98(spectrum), 3 pages, 1 figure, Edinburgh 98/1

Non-perturbative Renormalization of the Complete Basis of Four-fermion Operators and B-parameters

We present results on the B-parameters $B_K$, $B^{3/2}_7$ and $B^{3/2}_8$, at $\beta=6.0$, with the tree-level Clover action. The renormalization of the complete basis of dimension-six four-fermion operators has been performed non-perturbatively. Our results for $B_K$ and $B^{3/2}_7$ are in reasonable agreement with those obtained with the (unimproved) Wilson action. This is not the case for $B^{3/2}_8$. We also discuss some subtleties arising from a recently proposed modified definition of the B-parameters.Comment: Talk presented at Lattice '97, Edinburgh (UK), July 1997. LaTeX 3 pages, uses espcrc

Delta M_K and epsilon_K in SUSY at the Next-to-Leading order

We perform a Next-to-Leading order analysis of Delta S=2 processes beyond the Standard Model. Combining the recently computed NLO anomalous dimensions and the B parameters of the most general Delta S=2 effective Hamiltonian, we give an analytic formula for Delta M_K and epsilon_K in terms of the Wilson coefficients at the high energy scale. This expression can be used for any extension of the Standard Model with new heavy particles. Using this result, we consider gluino-mediated contributions to Delta S=2 transitions in general SUSY models and provide an improved analysis of the constraints on off-diagonal mass terms between the first two generations of down-type squarks. Finally, we improve the constraints on R-violating couplings from Delta M_K and epsilon_K.Comment: 20 pages, 1 figure, uses JHEP.cls; the magic numbers in eq. (2.7), previously given in the basis (13) of hep-ph/9711402, are now given in the basis (2.3) of this work. All numerical results are unchange

Non-perturbative renormalization in kaon decays

We discuss the application of the MPSTV non-perturbative method \cite{NPM} to the operators relevant to kaon decays. This enables us to reappraise the long-standing question of the $\Delta I=1/2$ rule, which involves power-divergent subtractions that cannot be evaluated in perturbation theory. We also study the mixing with dimension-six operators and discuss its implications to the chiral behaviour of the $B_K$ parameter.Comment: Talk presented at LATTICE96(improvement), LaTeX 3 pages, uses espcrc2, 2 postscript figure

Lattice B-parameters for ΔS=2\Delta S = 2 and ΔI=3/2\Delta I = 3/2 Operators

We compute several matrix elements of dimension-six four-fermion operators and extract their B-parameters. The calculations have been performed with the tree-level Clover action at $\beta = 6.0$. The renormalization constants and mixing coefficients of the lattice operators have been obtained non-perturbatively. In the \MSbar renormalization scheme, at a renormalization scale $\mu \simeq 2$ GeV, we find $B_K (B_9^{3/2}) = 0.66(11), B_7^{3/2} = 0.72(5)$ and $B_8^{3/2} = 1.03(3)$. The result for $B_8^{3/2}$ has important implications for the calculation of $\epsilon^\prime / \epsilon$.Comment: LaTeX, 14 pages, revised version (sign misprint in eq. (21) corrected

Protective effects of a SIRT1 inhibitor on primordial follicle activation and growth induced by cyclophosphamide: insights from a bovine in vitro folliculogenesis system

Purpose: Although oncological advances have improved survival rates of female cancer patients, they often suffer a reduced fertility due to treatment side effects. In the present study, we evaluated the potential fertoprotective effects of the specific inhibitor of SIRT1, EX-527, on the gonadotoxic action exerted by cyclophosphamide (CPM) on loss of primordial follicles (PFs). Methods: The effects of the CPM metabolite phosphoramide mustard (PM) on follicle activation, growth and viability and the protective action of EX-527 against PM effects were evaluated on bovine ovarian cortical strips in vitro cultured for 1 or 6 days. To understand whether PFs exposed to PM plus EX-527 were able to activate and grow to the secondary stage after suspension of the treatment, strips cultured for 3 days in PM plus EX-527 for 3 days were transferred to plain medium until day 6. Follicle growth and health were evaluated through histology and viability assay at a confocal microscope. In order to investigate the molecular pathways underlying the ovarian response to PM in the presence of EX-527, we analysed the protein level of SIRT1, HuR, PARP1 and SOD2 after 1 day of in vitro culture. Results: We found that (1) PM, the main CPM active metabolite, promotes PF activation; (2) the ovarian stress response induced by PM includes a SIRT1-dependent pathway; and (3) EX-527 reduces PF activation and growth induced by PM. Conclusion: SIRT1 can represent a candidate molecule to be targeted to protect ovarian follicles from alkylating agents and EX-527 could represent a potential fertoprotective agent for cancer patients

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress caused by cryopreservation in reproductive cells

Mitochondria, fundamental organelles in cell metabolism, and ATP synthesis are respon-sible for generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), calcium homeostasis, and cell death. Mitochon-dria produce most ROS, and when levels exceed the antioxidant defenses, oxidative stress (OS) is generated. These changes may eventually impair the electron transport chain, resulting in decreased ATP synthesis, increased ROS production, altered mitochondrial membrane permeability, and dis-ruption of calcium homeostasis. Mitochondria play a key role in the gamete competence to facilitate normal embryo development. However, iatrogenic factors in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) may affect their functional competence, leading to an abnormal reproductive outcome. Cry-opreservation, a fundamental technology in ART, may compromise mitochondrial function leading to elevated intracellular OS that decreases sperm and oocytes’ competence and the dynamics of fertilization and embryo development. This article aims to review the role played by mitochondria and ROS in sperm and oocyte function and the close, biunivocal relationships between mitochon-drial damage and ROS generation during cryopreservation of gametes and gonadal tissues in different species. Based on current literature, we propose tentative hypothesis of mechanisms involved in cryopreservation-associated mitochondrial dysfunction in gametes, and discuss the role played by antioxidants and other agents to retain the competence of cryopreserved reproductive cells and tissues

On the Thermodynamic Limit in Random Resistors Networks

We study a random resistors network model on a euclidean geometry \bt{Z}^d. We formulate the model in terms of a variational principle and show that, under appropriate boundary conditions, the thermodynamic limit of the dissipation per unit volume is finite almost surely and in the mean. Moreover, we show that for a particular thermodynamic limit the result is also independent of the boundary conditions.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX IOP journal preprint style file `ioplppt.sty', revised version to appear in Journal of Physics