Photon-meson transition form factors of light pseudoscalar mesons

The photon-meson transition form factors of light pseudoscalar mesons $\pi ^{0}$, $\eta$, and $\eta ^{\prime}$ are systematically calculated in a light-cone framework, which is applicable as a light-cone quark model at low $Q^{2}$ and is also physically in accordance with the light-cone pQCD approach at large $Q^{2}$. The calculated results agree with the available experimental data at high energy scale. We also predict the low $Q^{2}$ behaviors of the photon-meson transition form factors of $\pi ^{0}$, $\eta$ and $\eta ^{\prime }$, which are measurable in $e+A({Nucleus})\to e+A+M$ process via Primakoff effect at JLab and DESY.Comment: 22 Latex pages, 7 figures, Version to appear in PR

Band offset measurements of ZnO∕6H-SiC heterostructure system

The conduction band offset of n-ZnO∕n-6H-SiCheterostructures fabricated by rf-sputtered ZnO on commercial n-type 6H-SiC substrates has been measured by a variety of methods. Temperature dependent current-voltage characteristic, photocapacitance, and deep level transient spectroscopy measurements showed the conduction band offsets to be 1.25, 1.1, and 1.22eV, respectively

Pion-photon and photon-pion transition form factors in light-cone formalism

We derive the minimal Fock-state expansions of the pion and the photon wave functions in light-cone formalism, then we calculate the pion-photon and the photon-pion transition form factors of $\gamma ^{\ast}\pi ^{0}\to \gamma$ and $\gamma ^{\ast}\gamma \to \pi ^{0}$ processes by employing these quark-antiquark wave functions of the pion and the photon. We find that our calculation for the $\gamma ^{\ast}\gamma \to \pi ^{0}$ transition form factor agrees with the experimental data at low and moderately high energy scale. Moreover, the physical differences and inherent connections between the transition form factors of $\gamma ^{\ast}\pi ^{0}\to \gamma$ and $\gamma ^{\ast}\gamma \to \pi ^{0}$ have been illustrated, which indicate that these two physical processes are intrinsically related. In addition, we also discuss the $\pi ^{0}\to \gamma \gamma$ form factor and the decay width $\mathit{\Gamma}(\pi \to \gamma \gamma)$ at $Q^{2}=0$.Comment: 20 pages, 2 figure

Heavy quarkonium 2S states in light-front quark model

We study the charmonium 2S states $\psi'$ and $\eta_c'$, and the bottomonium 2S states $\Upsilon'$ and $\eta_b'$, using the light-front quark model and the 2S state wave function of harmonic oscillator as the approximation of the 2S quarkonium wave function. The decay constants, transition form factors and masses of these mesons are calculated and compared with experimental data. Predictions of quantities such as Br$(\psi' \to \gamma \eta_c')$ are made. The 2S wave function may help us learn more about the structure of these heavy quarkonia.Comment: 5 latex pages, final version for journal publicatio

The CDF dijet excess from intrinsic quarks

The CDF collaboration reported an excess in the production of two jets in association with a $W$. We discuss constraints on possible new particle state interpretations of this excess. The fact of no statistically significant deviation from the SM expectation for {$Z$+dijet} events in CDF data disfavors the new particle explanation. We show that the nucleon intrinsic strange quarks provide an important contribution to the $W$ boson production in association with a single top quark production. Such {$W$+t} single top quark production can contribute to the CDF {$W$+dijet} excess, thus the nucleon intrinsic quarks can provide a possible explanation to the CDF excess in {$W$+dijet} but not in {$Z$+dijet} events.Comment: 4 latex pages, 1 figure. Version for journal publicatio

B_c meson rare decays in the light-cone quark model

We investigate the rare decays $B_c \rightarrow D_s(1968) \ell \bar{\ell}$ and $B_c\rightarrow D_s^*(2317) \ell \bar{\ell}$ in the framework of the light-cone quark model (LCQM). The transition form factors are calculated in the space-like region and then analytically continued to the time-like region via exponential parametrization. The branching ratios and longitudinal lepton polarization asymmetries (LPAs) for the two decays are given and compared with each other. The results are helpful to investigating the structure of $B_c$ meson and to testing the unitarity of CKM quark mixing matrix. All these results can be tested in the future experiments at the LHC.Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures, version accepted for publication in EPJ

Tri-meson-mixing of π\pi-η\eta-η′\eta' and ρ\rho-ω\omega-ϕ\phi in the light-cone quark model

The radiative transition form factors of the pseudoscalar mesons {$\pi$, $\eta$, $\eta'$} and the vector mesons {$\rho$, $\omega$, $\phi$} are restudied with $\pi$-$\eta$-$\eta'$ and $\rho$-$\omega$-$\phi$ in tri-meson-mixing pattern, which is described by tri-mixing matrices in the light-cone constituent quark model. The experimental transition decay widths are better reproduced with tri-meson-mixing than previous results in a two-mixing-angle scenario of only two-meson $\eta$-$\eta'$ mixing and $\omega$-$\phi$ mixing.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, final version to appear in EPJ

Bilateral transfer of motor performance as a function of motor imagery training: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe objective of this review was to evaluate the efficacy of mental imagery training (MIT) in promoting bilateral transfer (BT) of motor performance for healthy subjects.Data sourcesWe searched 6 online-databases (Jul-Dec 2022) using terms: “mental practice,” “motor imagery training,” “motor imagery practice,” “mental training,” “movement imagery,” “cognitive training,” “bilateral transfer,” “interlimb transfer,” “cross education,” “motor learning,” “strength,” “force” and “motor performance.”Study selection and data extractionWe selected randomized-controlled studies that examined the effect of MIT on BT. Two reviewers independently determined if each study met the inclusion criteria for the review. Disagreements were resolved through discussion and, if necessary, by a third reviewer. A total of 9 articles out of 728 initially identified studies were chosen for the meta-analysis.Data synthesisThe meta-analysis included 14 studies for the comparison between MIT and no-exercise control (CTR) and 15 studies for the comparison between MIT and physical training (PT).ResultsMIT showed significant benefit in inducing BT compared to CTR (ES = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.57–0.98). The effect of MIT on BT was similar to that of PT (ES = –0.02, 95% CI = –0.15–0.17). Subgroup analyses showed that internal MIT (IMIT) was more effective (ES = 2.17, 95% CI = 1.57–2.76) than external MIT (EMIT) (ES = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.74–1.17), and mixed-task (ES = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.26–2.11) was more effective than mirror-task (ES = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.14–0.78) and normal-task (ES = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.23–0.90). No significant difference was found between transfer from dominant limb (DL) to non-dominant limb (NDL) (ES = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.37–0.97) and NDL to DL (ES = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.59–1.15).ConclusionThis review concludes that MIT can serve as a valuable alternative or supplement to PT in facilitating BT effects. Notably, IMIT is preferable to EMIT, and interventions incorporating tasks that have access to both intrinsic and extrinsic coordinates (mixed-task) are preferred over those that involve only one of the two coordinates (mirror-task or normal-task). These findings have implications for rehabilitation of patients such as stroke survivors

Clara Cell 10-kDa Protein Gene Transfection Inhibits NF-κB Activity in Airway Epithelial Cells

Clara cell 10-kDa protein (CC10) is a multifunctional protein with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Induction of CC10 expression by gene transfection may possess potential therapeutic effect. Nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) plays a key role in the inflammatory processes of airway diseases.To investigate potential therapeutic effect of CC10 gene transfection in controlling airway inflammation and the underlying intracellular mechanisms, in this study, we constructed CC10 plasmid and transfected it into bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B cells and CC10 knockout mice. In BEAS-2B cells, CC10's effect on interleukin (IL)-1β induced IL-8 expression was explored by means of RT-PCR and ELISA and its effect on NF-κB classical signaling pathway was studied by luciferase reporter, western blot, and immunoprecipitation assay. The effect of endogenous CC10 on IL-1β evoked IL-8 expression was studied by means of nasal explant culture. In mice, CC10's effect on IL-1β induced IL-8 and nuclear p65 expression was examined by immunohistochemistry. First, we found that the CC10 gene transfer could inhibit IL-1β induced IL-8 expression in BEAS-2B cells. Furthermore, we found that CC10 repressed IL-1β induced NF-κB activation by inhibiting the phosphorylation of IκB-α but not IκB kinase-α/β in BEAS-2B cells. Nevertheless, we did not observe a direct interaction between CC10 and p65 subunit in BEAS-2B cells. In nasal explant culture, we found that IL-1β induced IL-8 expression was inversely correlated with CC10 levels in human sinonasal mucosa. In vivo study revealed that CC10 gene transfer could attenuate the increase of IL-8 and nuclear p65 staining in nasal epithelial cells in CC10 knockout mice evoked by IL-1β administration.These results indicate that CC10 gene transfer may inhibit airway inflammation through suppressing the activation of NF-κB, which may provide us a new consideration in the therapy of airway inflammation