Double-Differential Production Cross Sections of Charged Pions in Charged Pion Induced Nuclear Reactions at High Momentums

The double-differential π± production cross sections in interactions of charged pions on targets at high momentums are analyzed by using a multicomponent Erlang distribution which is obtained in the framework of a multisource thermal model. The calculated results are compared and found to be in agreement with the experimental data at the incident momentums of 3, 5, 8, and 12 GeV/c measured by the HARP Collaboration. It is found that the source contributions to the mean momentum of charged particles and to the distribution width of particle momentums decrease with increase of the emission angle, and the source number and temperature do not show an obvious dependence on the emission angle of the considered particle

Constraints on the nonuniversal Z^\prime couplings from B\to\pi K, \pi K^{\ast} and \rho K Decays

Motivated by the large difference between the direct CP asymmetries $A_{CP}(B^-\to \pi^0 K^-)$ and $A_{CP}(\bar{B}^{0}\to \pi^{+} K^{-})$, we combine the up-to-date experimental information on $B\to\pi K$, $\pi K^{\ast}$ and $\rho K$ decays to pursue possible solutions with the nonuniversal $Z^{\prime}$ model. Detailed analyses of the relative impacts of different types of couplings are presented in four specific cases. Numerically, we find that the new coupling parameters, $\xi^{LL}$ and $\xi^{LR}$ with a common nontrivial new weak phase $\phi_L\sim-86^{\circ}$, which are relevant to the $Z^{\prime}$ contributions to the electroweak penguin sector $\triangle C_9$ and $\triangle C_7$, are crucial to the observed "$\pi K$ puzzle". Furthermore, they are found to be definitely unequal and opposite in sign. We also find that $A_{CP}(B^-\to \rho^0 K^-)$ can put a strong constraint on the new $Z^{\prime}$ couplings, which implies the $Z^{\prime}$ contributions to the coefficient of QCD penguins operator $O_3$ involving the parameter $\zeta^{LL}$ required.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures. References and a note adde

Tunneling transverse to a magnetic field, and how it occurs in correlated 2D electron systems

We investigate tunneling decay in a magnetic field. Because of broken time-reversal symmetry, the standard WKB technique does not apply. The decay rate and the outcoming wave packet are found from the analysis of the set of the particle Hamiltonian trajectories and its singularities in complex space. The results are applied to tunneling from a strongly correlated 2D electron system in a magnetic field parallel to the layer. We show in a simple model that electron correlations exponentially strongly affect the tunneling rate.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Tunneling decay in a magnetic field

We provide a semiclassical theory of tunneling decay in a magnetic field and a three-dimensional potential of a general form. Because of broken time-reversal symmetry, the standard WKB technique has to be modified. The decay rate is found from the analysis of the set of the particle Hamiltonian trajectories in complex phase space and time. In a magnetic field, the tunneling particle comes out from the barrier with a finite velocity and behind the boundary of the classically allowed region. The exit location is obtained by matching the decaying and outgoing WKB waves at a caustic in complex configuration space. Different branches of the WKB wave function match on the switching surface in real space, where the slope of the wave function sharply changes. The theory is not limited to tunneling from potential wells which are parabolic near the minimum. For parabolic wells, we provide a bounce-type formulation in a magnetic field. The theory is applied to specific models which are relevant to tunneling from correlated two-dimensional electron systems in a magnetic field parallel to the electron layer.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figure

Implications of the Anomalies in B_s^0-\bar{B}_s^0 Mixing for Anomalous Tensor Couplings

Motivated by the recently observed anomalous large dimuon charge asymmetry in neutral B decays and the unexpected large CP phase in the mixing-induced CP asymmetry for B_s-->J/\psi\phi decay, we study the effects of the anomalous tensor couplings to pursue possible solution. With the constraints from the obsevables \phi^{J/\psi\phi}_s, a_{sl}^s and \Delta M_s, the parameter spaces are severely restricted. Numerically, we find the anomalies in B_s^0-\bar{B}_s^0 mixing system could be moderated simultaneously by the contributions induced by the color-singlet or color-octet tensor operators with their respective nontrivial new weak phase \phi_{T1}\approx28.0(15.6) degree or \phi_{T8}\approx-62.1(-74.2) degree and relevant strength parameters g_{T1}\approx6.7(8.5)\times10^{-2} or g_{T8}\approx1.9(2.4)\times10^{-2} for the CP-violating phase \phi^{J/\psi\phi}_s=-0.77(+0.29,-0.37)(-2.36(+0.37,-0.29)), respectively.Comment: 14pages, 2 figures, 3table

The effects of a family non-universal Z-prime boson on B--->pipi decays

Motivated by the measured large branching ratio of $\bar{B}^{0}\to\pi^0\pi^0$ (the so-called "$\pi\pi$" puzzle), we investigate the effects of a family non-universal $Z^{\prime}$ model on the tree-dominated $B\to\pi\pi$ decays. We find that the $Z^{\prime}$ coupling parameter $\zeta_{d}^{LR}\sim0.05$ with a nontrivial new weak phase $\phi_d^L\sim-50^{\circ}$, which is relevant to the $Z^{\prime}$ contributions to the QCD penguin sector $\triangle C_5$, is needed to reconcile the observed discrepancy. Combined with the recent fitting results from $B\to\pi K$, $\pi K^{\ast}$ and $\rho K$ decays, the $Z^{\prime}$ parameter spaces are severely reduced but still not excluded entirely, implying that both the "$\pi\pi$" and "$\pi K$" puzzles could be accommodated simultaneously within such a family non-universal $Z^{\prime}$ model.Comment: 28 pages, 4 figures. References and discussions added. To appear in IJMP

A novel class of microRNA-recognition elements that function only within open reading frames.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are well known to target 3' untranslated regions (3' UTRs) in mRNAs, thereby silencing gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Multiple reports have also indicated the ability of miRNAs to target protein-coding sequences (CDS); however, miRNAs have been generally believed to function through similar mechanisms regardless of the locations of their sites of action. Here, we report a class of miRNA-recognition elements (MREs) that function exclusively in CDS regions. Through functional and mechanistic characterization of these 'unusual' MREs, we demonstrate that CDS-targeted miRNAs require extensive base-pairing at the 3' side rather than the 5' seed; cause gene silencing in an Argonaute-dependent but GW182-independent manner; and repress translation by inducing transient ribosome stalling instead of mRNA destabilization. These findings reveal distinct mechanisms and functional consequences of miRNAs that target CDS versus the 3' UTR and suggest that CDS-targeted miRNAs may use a translational quality-control-related mechanism to regulate translation in mammalian cells

Molecular mechanism underlying differential apoptosis between human melanoma cell lines UACC903 and UACC903(+6) revealed by mitochondria-focused cDNA microarrays

Human malignant melanoma cell line UACC903 is resistant to apoptosis while chromosome 6-mediated suppressed cell line UACC903(+6) is sensitive. Here, we describe identification of differential molecular pathways underlying this difference. Using our recently developed mitochondria-focused cDNA microarrays, we identified 154 differentially expressed genes including proapoptotic (BAK1 [6p21.3], BCAP31, BNIP1, CASP3, CASP6, FAS, FDX1, FDXR, TNFSF10 and VDAC1) and antiapoptotic (BCL2L1, CLN3 and MCL1) genes. Expression of these pro- and anti-apoptotic genes was higher in UACC903(+6) than in UACC903 before UV treatment and was altered after UV treatment. qRT-PCR and Western blots validated microarray results. Our bioinformatic analysis mapped these genes to differential molecular pathways that predict resistance and sensitivity of UACC903 and UACC903(+6) to apoptosis respectively. The pathways were functionally confirmed by the FAS ligand-induced cell death and by siRNA knockdown of BAK1 protein. These results demonstrated the differential molecular pathways underlying survival and apoptosis of UACC903 and UACC903(+6) cell lines

Observation of the electromagnetic doubly OZI-suppressed decay J/ψ→ϕπ0J/\psi \rightarrow \phi \pi^{0}

Using a sample of $1.31$ billion $J/\psi$ events accumulated with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we report the observation of the decay $J/\psi \rightarrow \phi\pi^{0}$, which is the first evidence for a doubly Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka suppressed electromagnetic $J/\psi$ decay. A clear structure is observed in the $K^{+} K^{-}$ mass spectrum around 1.02 GeV/$c^2$, which can be attributed to interference between $J/\psi \rightarrow \phi\pi^{0}$ and $J/\psi \rightarrow K^{+}K^{-}\pi^{0}$ decays. Due to this interference, two possible solutions are found. The corresponding measured values of the branching fraction of $J/\psi \to \phi\pi^{0}$ are $[2.94 \pm 0.16\text{(stat.)} \pm 0.16\text{(syst.)}] \times 10^{-6}$ and $[1.24 \pm 0.33\text{(stat.)} \pm 0.30\text{(syst.)}] \times 10^{-7}$.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, published in Phys. Rev.

Lectin-like bacteriocins from pseudomonas spp. utilise D-rhamnose containing lipopolysaccharide as a cellular receptor

Lectin-like bacteriocins consist of tandem monocot mannose-binding domains and display a genus-specific killing activity. Here we show that pyocin L1, a novel member of this family from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, targets susceptible strains of this species through recognition of the common polysaccharide antigen (CPA) of P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide that is predominantly a homopolymer of d-rhamnose. Structural and biophysical analyses show that recognition of CPA occurs through the C-terminal carbohydrate-binding domain of pyocin L1 and that this interaction is a prerequisite for bactericidal activity. Further to this, we show that the previously described lectin-like bacteriocin putidacin L1 shows a similar carbohydrate-binding specificity, indicating that oligosaccharides containing d-rhamnose and not d-mannose, as was previously thought, are the physiologically relevant ligands for this group of bacteriocins. The widespread inclusion of d-rhamnose in the lipopolysaccharide of members of the genus Pseudomonas explains the unusual genus-specific activity of the lectin-like bacteriocins