On-shell parameter fixing in the quark-meson model

The quark-meson model is often used as an effective low-energy model for QCD to study the chiral transition at finite temperature T and baryon chemical potential μB. The parameters in the quark-meson model can be found by expressing them in terms of the sigma mass mσ, the pion mass mπ, the constituent quark mass mq and the pion decay constant fπ. In practice, this matching is done at tree level, which is inconsistent once loop effects of the effective potential are taken into account. We show how to properly perform the matching in the quark-meson model by using the on-shell and the minimal subtraction renormalization schemes relating the physical masses and the pion decay constant to the running mass parameter and couplings. We map out the phase diagram in the μB–T plane and compare our results with other approximations.acceptedVersio

Pion condensation and phase diagram in the Polyakov-loop quark-meson model

We use the Polyakov-loop extended two-flavor quark-meson model as a low-energy effective model for QCD to study the phase diagram in the μI–T planewhere μI is the isospin chemical potential. In particular, we focus on the Bose condensation of charged pions. At T ¼ 0, the onset of pion condensation is at μI ¼ 1 2mπ in accordance with exact results. The phase transition to a Bose-condensed phase is of second order for all values of μI and in the Oð2Þuniversality class. The chiral critical line joins the critical line for pion condensation at a point whose position depends on the Polyakov-loop potential and the sigma mass. For larger values of μI these curves are on top of each other. The deconfinement line enters smoothly the phase with the broken Oð2Þ symmetry. We compare our results with recent lattice simulations and find overall good agreement.publishedVersio

Inhomogeneous chiral condensate in the quark-meson model

acceptedVersionpublishedVersio

Stochastic inflation from quantum field theory and the parametric dependence of the effective noise amplitude

The non-linear dynamics of long-wavelength cosmological fluctuations may be phrased in terms of an effective classical, but stochastic evolution equation. The stochastic noise represents short-wavelength modes that continually redshift into the long-wavelength domain. The effective evolution may be derived from first principles quantum field theory in an expanding background, through a sequence of approximations calling for additional scrutiny. We perform such an analysis, putting particular emphasis on the amplitude of the stochastic noise, which ultimately determines the cosmological correlations and provides a non-perturbative IR regulator to the dynamics.publishedVersio

Quantum corrections to slow-roll inflation: scalar and tensor modes

Inflation is often described through the dynamics of a scalar field, slow-rolling in a suitable potential. Ultimately, this inflaton must be identified with the expectation value of a quantum field, evolving in a quantum effective potential. The shape of this potential is determined by the underlying tree-level potential, dressed by quantum corrections from the scalar field itself and the metric perturbations. Following [1], we compute the effective scalar field equations and the corrected Friedmann equations to quadratic order in both scalar field, scalar metric and tensor perturbations. We identify the quantum corrections from different sources at leading order in slow-roll, and estimate their magnitude in benchmark models of inflation. We comment on the implications of non-minimal coupling to gravity in this context.publishedVersio

Leukocyte oxygen radical production determines disease severity in the recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The recurrent Guillain-Barré syndrome (RGBS) is characterized by at least two GBS episodes with intervening remission. In a previous study of monophasic GBS, we reported that the magnitude of oxygen radical production ("respiratory burst") in peripheral blood leukocytes was inversely correlated to disease severity. The present study sought to establish a similar correlation in patients with RGBS.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Oxygen radical production in leukocytes was induced by formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF), Trp-Lys-Tyr-Met-Val-Met-NH₂(WKYMVM), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) and assessed by quantifying superoxide anion formed by the leukocyte NADPH oxidase.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Disease severity, assessed using the MRC score, was negatively correlated to superoxide anion production triggered by fMLF or WKYMVM (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively; n = 10). Superoxide anion production also was significantly lower in RGBS patients with incomplete recovery after stimulation with fMLF (p = 0.004) or WKYMVM (p = 0.003).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that a lower respiratory burst in leukocytes is strongly associated with a severe course of RGBS.</p

Neuroimaging phenotypes of CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy: Systematic review, meta-analysis, and imaging recommendations

Colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R)-related leukoencephalopathy is a rare but fatal microgliopathy. The diagnosis is often delayed due to multifaceted symptoms that can mimic several other neurological disorders. Imaging provides diagnostic clues that help identify cases. The objective of this study was to integrate the literature on neuroimaging phenotypes of CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed for neuroimaging findings of CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy via PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase on 25 August 2021. The search included cases with confirmed CSF1R mutations reported under the previous terms hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids, pigmentary orthochromatic leukodystrophy, and adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia. In 78 studies providing neuroimaging data, 195 cases were identified carrying CSF1R mutations in 14 exons and five introns. Women had a statistically significant earlier age of onset (p = 0.041, 40 vs 43 years). Mean delay between symptom onset and neuroimaging was 2.3 years. Main magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were frontoparietal white matter lesions, callosal thinning, and foci of restricted diffusion. The hallmark computed tomography (CT) finding was white matter calcifications. Widespread cerebral hypometabolism and hypoperfusion were reported using positron emission tomography and single-photon emission computed tomography. In conclusion, CSF1R-related leukoencephalopathy is associated with progressive white matter lesions and brain atrophy that can resemble other neurodegenerative/-inflammatory disorders. However, long-lasting diffusion restriction and parenchymal calcifications are more specific findings that can aid the differential diagnosis. Native brain CT and brain MRI (with and without a contrast agent) are recommended with proposed protocols and pictorial examples are provided