Radiative decays of the (0+,1+)(0^+,1^+) strange-bottom mesons

In this article, we assume that the $(0^+,1^+)$ strange-bottom mesons are the conventional $b\bar{s}$ mesons, and calculate the electromagnetic coupling constants $d$, $g_1$, $g_2$ and $g_3$ using the light-cone QCD sum rules. Then we study the radiative decays $B_{s0}\to B_s^* \gamma$, $B_{s1}\to B_s \gamma$, $B_{s1}\to B_s^* \gamma$ and $B_{s1}\to B_{s0} \gamma$, and observe that the widths are rather narrow. We can search for the $(0^+,1^+)$ strange-bottom mesons in the invariant $B_s \pi^0$ and $B^*_s \pi^0$ mass distributions in the strong decays or in the invariant $B_s^*\gamma$ and $B_s\gamma$ mass distributions in the radiative decays.Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures, revised versio

Signature of short distance physics on inflation power spectrum and CMB anisotropy

The inflaton field responsible for inflation may not be a canonical fundamental scalar. It is possible that the inflaton is a composite of fermions or it may have a decay width. In these cases the standard procedure for calculating the power spectrum is not applicable and a new formalism needs to be developed to determine the effect of short range interactions of the inflaton on the power spectrum and the CMB anisotropy. We develop a general formalism for computing the power spectrum of curvature perturbations for such non-canonical cases by using the flat space K\"all\'en-Lehmann spectral function in curved quasi-de Sitter space assuming implicitly that the Bunch-Davis boundary conditions enforces the inflaton mode functions to be plane wave in the short wavelength limit and a complete set of mode functions exists in quasi-de Sitter space. It is observed that the inflaton with a decay width suppresses the power at large scale while a composite inflaton's power spectrum oscillates at large scales. These observations may be vindicated in the WMAP data and confirmed by future observations with PLANCK.Comment: 17 pages, 4 figures, Extended journal version, Accepted for publication in JCA

Reconstructing the primordial power spectrum from the CMB

We propose a straightforward and model independent methodology for characterizing the sensitivity of CMB and other experiments to wiggles, irregularities, and features in the primordial power spectrum. Assuming that the primordial cosmological perturbations are adiabatic, we present a function space generalization of the usual Fisher matrix formalism, applied to a CMB experiment resembling Planck with and without ancillary data. This work is closely related to other work on recovering the inflationary potential and exploring specific models of non-minimal, or perhaps baroque, primordial power spectra. The approach adopted here, however, most directly expresses what the data is really telling us. We explore in detail the structure of the available information and quantify exactly what features can be reconstructed and at what statistical significance.Comment: 43 pages Revtex, 23 figure

A Minimal Inflation Scenario

We elaborate on a minimal inflation scenario based entirely on the general properties of supersymmetry breaking in supergravity models. We identify the inflaton as the scalar component of the Goldstino superfield. We write plausible candidates for the effective action describing this chiral superfield. In particular the theory depends (apart from parameters of O(1)) on a single free parameter: the scale of supersymmetry breaking. This can be fixed using the amplitude of CMB cosmological perturbations and we therefore obtain the scale of supersymmetry breaking to be 10^{12-14} GeV. The model also incorporates explicit R-symmetry breaking in order to satisfy the slow roll conditions. In our model the eta-problem is solved without extra fine-tuning. We try to obtain as much information as possible in a model independent way using general symmetry properties of the theory's effective action, this leads to a new proposal on how to exit the inflationary phase and reheat the Universe.Comment: matches published version (typo corrected

Genetic variants in the PPARD-PPARGC1A-NRF-TFAM mitochondriogenesis pathway are neither associated with muscle characteristics nor physical performance in elderly

We studied the influence of genetic polymorphisms involved in the PPARD-PPARGC1A-NRF-TFAM mitochondriogenesis pathway (rs6949152, rs12594956, rs2267668, rs8192678, and rs1937) on muscle phenotypes (thigh muscles’ cross-sectional, maximal handgrip-strength and 30-second chair stand-test) and Barthel index in Caucasian (Spanish) community-dwelling old people (n=75, 21 men, 54 women; 71–94 years). We found no significant genetic associations with the studied phenotypes. Multiple, com- plex gene-environment and gene-gene interactions which are yet to be determined are likely to play a more determinant role

Angular Dependence in Proton-Proton Correlation Functions in Central 40Ca+40Ca^{40}Ca+^{40}Ca and 48Ca+48Ca^{48}Ca+^{48}Ca Reactions

The angular dependence of proton-proton correlation functions is studied in central $^{40}Ca+^{40}Ca$ and $^{48}Ca+^{48}Ca$ nuclear reactions at E=80 MeV/A. Measurements were performed with the HiRA detector complemented by the 4$\pi$ Array at NSCL. A striking angular dependence in the laboratory frame is found within p-p correlation functions for both systems that greatly exceeds the measured and expected isospin dependent difference between the neutron-rich and neutron-deficient systems. Sources measured at backward angles reflect the participant zone of the reaction, while much larger sources observed at forward angles reflect the expanding, fragmenting and evaporating projectile remnants. The decrease of the size of the source with increasing momentum is observed at backward angles while a weaker trend in the opposite direction is observed at forward angles. The results are compared to the theoretical calculations using the BUU transport model.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR

Estudio anatómico del glande del cuy (Cavia porcellus) de la raza Perú

The purpose of the study was to describe the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the structures that conforms the penis glans of the Peruvian guinea pig, and changes in the structure related to animal age. The study was conducted in 24 guinea pigs distributed in four age groups (1, 2 3, 5 months) of the Peru breed, where 20 samples taken for the macroscopic study and four for the microscopic study. The glans external surface is covered by small corneous scales of convex edge with tiny spicules directed to cranial. In the dorsal and ventral-lateral surfaces is observed the presence of extended and well-developed scales that are convex and have a free edge, with spicules directed dorsal-cranial. The glans sac is located dorsal to the penile urethra and the internal wall is covered by small scales and longitudinal folds and contains a pair of keratinaceous styluses. The os penis has an extended shape and related to the ventral surface of the glans. The glans showed a transition epithelium and lax vascular tissue. The stylus processes have a thick corneous layer of keratin and the os penis is formed of spongy bone tissue. The free end of the stylus processes becomes sharper, divergent and in some cases asymmetric with age.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo describir las características macroscópicas y microscópicas de las estructuras que conforman el glande del pene del cuy y sus modificaciones influenciadas por la edad. El estudio se realizó en 24 cuyes distribuidos en cuatro grupos etarios (1, 2 3, 5 meses) de la raza Perú. Se utilizaron 20 muestras para el estudio macroscópico y cuatro muestras para el estudio microscópico. La superficie externa del glande presentó escamas córneas pequeñas, de borde convexo, acompañado de diminutas espículas dirigidas en craneal. En la superficie dorsal y ventrolateral se observó la presencia de escamas desarrolladas de forma alargada con el borde libre convexo y con numerosas espículas dirigidas en sentido dorsocraneal. El saco del glande se situó dorsal a la uretra peneana y la superficie interna poblada de pequeñas escamas y pliegues longitudinales. El saco del glande contiene en su interior un par de procesos estiloides, de naturaleza córnea que se originan en su base. El hueso del pene es de forma alargada y se relaciona a la superficie ventral del glande. El glande presentó un epitelio de transición, que asienta en tejido conectivo laxo vascularizado. Los procesos estiloides al corte transversal presentaron un grueso estrato córneo compuesto por capas de queratina, y el os penis se encuentra formado por tejido óseo esponjoso. Con el avance de la edad los extremos de los procesos estiloides se agudizan, se vuelven divergentes y en algunos casos asimétricos

Is there an association between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and muscle power phenotypes in young, non-athletic adults?

We investigated the association between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and jumping (vertical squat and counter-movement jump tests) and sprint ability (30 m dash) in non-athletic, healthy young adults [N=284 (217 male), mean (SD) age: 21 (2) years]. We analyzed the differences in the study phenotypes among ACTN3 R577X genotypes by one-way analysis of covariance before and after adjusting for sex, age, weight and height (confounders). We also compared the genotype and allele frequencies between those with the best and worst results in the aforementioned tests (≥90th vs 0.05). In summary, α-actinin-3 deficiency does not negatively influence the ability to generate explosive leg muscle power in a young non-athletic population

ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism does not Influence Explosive Leg Muscle Power in Elite Volleyball Players

We examined the association of R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) in the α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene with “explosive” leg muscle power performance in a group of male and female elite volleyball players (n=66, 31 men, 35 women) and in a group of non-athletic male and female young adults (n=334, 243 men, 91 women). We assessed power performance by means of the vertical squat and counter-movement jump tests. We also determined whether the genotypic frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X genotypes differed between groups. We did not observe any effect of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism on study phenotypes in both groups, regardless of gender (all P>0.05). Genotype frequencies were similar between volleyball and control groups (P=0.095). Moreover, we did not find an association between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and the likelihood of being an elite volleyball player using the dominant (RR vs RX+XX) and the recessive model (RR+RX vs XX). In summary, these findings suggest that the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism does not influence explosive leg muscle power in elite volleyball players