Revealing the large extra dimension effective interaction at an e^+e^- collider with polarized beams

Contactlike nonstandard effective interactions can be revealed through deviations of observables from the Standard Model predictions. If such deviations were observed, the relevant source should be identified among the possible models that could explain them. We estimate the expected discrimination reach on the ADD model of gravity in large compactified extra dimensions, against the compositeness-inspired four-fermion contact interaction. As basic observables we take the differential cross sections for fermion-pair production at a 0.5-1 TeV electron-positron linear collider with both beams longitudinally polarized. For the four-fermion contact interaction, we assume a general linear combination of the individual models with definite chiralities, and arbitrary coupling constants. Accordingly, the estimated identification reach on the ADD scenario can be considered as `model-independent'. We emphasize the substantial role of beams polarization in enhancing the identification sensitivity.Comment: 14 pages, 2 figure

Reliable estimation of the radius of convergence in finite density QCD

We study different estimators of the radius of convergence of the Taylor series of the pressure in finite density QCD. We adopt the approach in which the radius of convergence is estimated first in a finite volume, and the infinite-volume limit is taken later. This requires an estimator for the radius of convergence that is reliable in a finite volume. Based on general arguments about the analytic structure of the partition function in a finite volume, we demonstrate that the ratio estimator cannot work in this approach, and we propose three new estimators, capable of extracting reliably the radius of convergence, which coincides with the distance from the origin of the closest Lee-Yang zero. We also provide an estimator for the phase of the closest Lee-Yang zero, necessary to assess whether the leading singularity is a true critical point. We demonstrate the usage of these estimators on a toy model, namely four flavors of unimproved staggered fermions on a small 6(3) x 4 lattice, where both the radius of convergence and the Taylor coefficients to any order can be obtained by a direct determination of the Lee-Yang zeros. Interestingly, while the relative statistical error of the Taylor expansion coefficients steadily grows with order, that of our estimators stabilizes, allowing for an accurate estimate of the radius of convergence. In particular, we show that despite the more than 100% error bars on high-order Taylor coefficients, the given ensemble contains enough information about the radius of convergence

Fluctuations and correlations in high temperature QCD

We calculate second- and fourth-order cumulants of conserved charges in a temperature range stretching from the QCD transition region towards the realm of (resummed) perturbation theory. We perform lattice simulations with staggered quarks; the continuum extrapolation is based on $N_t=10\dots24$ in the crossover-region and $N_t=8\dots16$ at higher temperatures. We find that the Hadron Resonance Gas model predictions describe the lattice data rather well in the confined phase. At high temperatures (above $\sim$250 MeV) we find agreement with the three-loop Hard Thermal Loop results.Comment: 18 pages revtex, 13 figure

Towards the QCD phase diagram from analytical continuation

We calculate the QCD cross-over temperature, the equation of state and fluctuations of conserved charges at finite density by analytical continuation from imaginary to real chemical potentials. Our calculations are based on new continuum extrapolated lattice simulations using the 4stout staggered actions with a lattice resolution up to $N_t=16$. The simulation parameters are tuned such that the strangeness neutrality is maintained, as it is in heavy ion collisions.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of the Quark Matter 2015 conference, Kobe, Japa

Transverse Polarization Signatures of Extra Dimensions at Linear Colliders

If significant longitudinal polarization of both the electrons and positrons becomes feasible at a future linear collider(LC), it may be possible to use spin rotators to produce transversely polarized beams. Using the transverse polarization of both beams, new azimuthal spin asymmetries can be formed which will be sensitive probes for new physics beyond the Standard Model. Here we demonstrate that these asymmetries are particularly sensitive to the exchange of Kaluza-Klein towers of gravitons, or other spin-2 fields, that are predicted to exist in higher dimensional theories which address the hierarchy problem. These new asymmetries are shown to be able to extend the search reach for such new physics by more than a factor of two, provide an additional tool for isolating the signatures for spin-2 exchange up to mass scales in excess of $10\sqrt s$, and can be used to help differentiate among the proposed solutions to the hierarchy problem below the production threshold for new particles.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figs. LaTe

Lattice-based QCD equation of state at finite baryon density: Cluster Expansion Model

The QCD equation of state at finite baryon density is studied in the framework of a Cluster Expansion Model (CEM), which is based on the fugacity expansion of the net baryon density. The CEM uses the two leading Fourier coefficients, obtained from lattice simulations at imaginary mu(B), as the only model input and permits a closed analytic form. Excellent description of the available lattice data at both mu(B) = 0 and at imaginary mu(B) is obtained. We also demonstrate how the Fourier coefficients can be reconstructed from baryon number susceptibilities

A microbial platform for renewable propane synthesis based on a fermentative butanol pathway

Background Propane (C3H8) is a volatile hydrocarbon with highly favourable physicochemical properties as a fuel, in addition to existing global markets and infrastructure for storage, distribution and utilization in a wide range of applications. Consequently, propane is an attractive target product in research aimed at developing new renewable alternatives to complement currently used petroleum-derived fuels. This study focuses on the construction and evaluation of alternative microbial biosynthetic pathways for the production of renewable propane. The new pathways utilize CoA intermediates that are derived from clostridial-like fermentative butanol pathways and are therefore distinct from the first microbial propane pathways recently engineered in Escherichia coli. Results We report the assembly and evaluation of four different synthetic pathways for the production of propane and butanol, designated a) atoB-adhE2 route, b) atoB-TPC7 route, c) nphT7-adhE2 route and d) nphT7-TPC7 route. The highest butanol titres were achieved with the atoB-adhE2 (473 ± 3 mg/L) and atoB-TPC7 (163 ± 2 mg/L) routes. When aldehyde deformylating oxygenase (ADO) was co-expressed with these pathways, the engineered hosts also produced propane. The atoB-TPC7-ADO pathway was the most effective in producing propane (220 ± 3 μg/L). By (i) deleting competing pathways, (ii) including a previously designed ADOA134F variant with an enhanced specificity towards short-chain substrates and (iii) including a ferredoxin-based electron supply system, the propane titre was increased (3.40 ± 0.19 mg/L). Conclusions This study expands the metabolic toolbox for renewable propane production and provides new insight and understanding for the development of next-generation biofuel platforms. In developing an alternative CoA-dependent fermentative butanol pathway, which includes an engineered ADO variant (ADOA134F), the study addresses known limitations, including the low bio-availability of butyraldehyde precursors and poor activity of ADO with butyraldehyde

Changing a semantics: opportunism or courage?

The generalized models for higher-order logics introduced by Leon Henkin, and their multiple offspring over the years, have become a standard tool in many areas of logic. Even so, discussion has persisted about their technical status, and perhaps even their conceptual legitimacy. This paper gives a systematic view of generalized model techniques, discusses what they mean in mathematical and philosophical terms, and presents a few technical themes and results about their role in algebraic representation, calibrating provability, lowering complexity, understanding fixed-point logics, and achieving set-theoretic absoluteness. We also show how thinking about Henkin's approach to semantics of logical systems in this generality can yield new results, dispelling the impression of adhocness. This paper is dedicated to Leon Henkin, a deep logician who has changed the way we all work, while also being an always open, modest, and encouraging colleague and friend.Comment: 27 pages. To appear in: The life and work of Leon Henkin: Essays on his contributions (Studies in Universal Logic) eds: Manzano, M., Sain, I. and Alonso, E., 201