Decays of the ρ^(1−+)\hat\rho(1^{-+}) Exotic Hybrid and η\eta-η′\eta' Mixing

QCD sum-rules are used to calculate the $\hat\rho(1^{-+})\to\pi\eta, \pi\eta'$ decay widths of the exotic hybrid in two different $\eta-\eta'$ mixing schemes. In the conventional flavour octet-singlet mixing scheme, the decay widths are both found to be small, while in the recently-proposed quark mixing scheme, the decay width $\Gamma_{\hat\rho\to\eta\pi}\approx 250 MeV$ is large compared with the decay width $\Gamma_{\hat\rho\to\eta^\prime\pi}\approx 20 MeV$. These results provide some insight into $\eta$-$\eta'$ mixing and hybrid decay features.Comment: latex2e, 11 pages with 4 embedded eps figures. v 2 corrects reference [5] and minor error in equation (11

Hybrid Meson Decay Phenomenology

The phenomenology of a newly developed model of hybrid meson decay is developed. The decay mechanism is based on the heavy quark expansion of QCD and the strong coupling flux tube picture of nonperturbative glue. A comprehensive list of partial decay widths of a wide variety of light, $s\bar s$, $c\bar c$, and $b \bar b$ hybrid mesons is presented. Results which appear approximately universal are highlighted along with those which distinguish different hybrid decay models. Finally, we examine several interesting hybrid candidates in detail.Comment: 37 pages, 2 figures, 6 tables, Revte

Can the Mechanism for π1→ηπ,η′π\pi_1\to \eta\pi,\eta'\pi Hybrid Decays be Detected?

Two mechanisms for the $\pi_1$ ($J^{PC}=1^{-+}$) hybrid meson decay processes $\pi_1\to\eta\pi,\eta'\pi$ are investigated. These mechanisms are applied to $\phi\to\eta\gamma,\eta'\gamma$ and $J/\psi\to\eta\gamma,\eta'\gamma$ decays to illustrate the validity of the decay mechanisms and to obtain independent information on the coupling of $\eta,\eta'$ to quark and gluonic operators. From this information, we find that $\Gamma(\pi_1\to\eta\pi)/\Gamma(\pi_1\to\eta'\pi)$ is substantially different in the two decay mechanisms, and hence future experimental measurements of this ratio will provide valuable information for substantiating the hybrid nature of these states and for determining the mechanism for these hybrid decays.Comment: 5 pages, revtex, 1 eps figure embedded in manuscript. Analysis and references extended in v

Strain-Driven Mn-Reorganization in Overlithiated LixMn2O4 Epitaxial Thin-Film Electrodes

Lithium manganate LixMn2O4 (LMO) is a lithium ion cathode that suffers from the widely observed but poorly understood phenomenon of capacity loss due to Mn dissolution during electrochemical cycling. Here, operando X-ray reflectivity (low- and high-angle) is used to study the structure and morphology of epitaxial LMO (111) thin film cathodes undergoing lithium insertion and extraction to understand the inter-relationships between biaxial strain and Mn-dissolution. The initially strain-relieved LiMn2O4 films generate in-plane tensile and compressive strains for delithiated (x 1) charge states, respectively. The results reveal reversible Li insertion into LMO with no measurable Mn-loss for 0 1) reveals Mn loss from LMO along with dramatic changes in the intensity of the (111) Bragg peak that cannot be explained by Li stoichiometry. These results reveal a partially reversible site reorganization of Mn ions within the LMO film that is not seen in bulk reactions and indicates a transition in Mn-layer stoichiometry from 3:1 to 2:2 in alternating cation planes. Density functional theory calculations confirm that compressive strains (at x = 2) stabilize LMO structures with 2:2 Mn site distributions, therefore providing new insights into the role of lattice strain in the stability of LMO

Physics Opportunities of e+e- Linear Colliders

We describe the anticipated experimental program of an e+e- linear collider in the energy range 500 GeV -- 1.5 TeV. We begin with a description of current collider designs and the expected experimental environment. We then discuss precision studies of the W boson and top quark. Finally, we review the range of models proposed to explain the physics of electroweak symmetry breaking and show, for each case, the central role that the linear collider experiments will play in elucidating this physics. (to appear in Annual Reviews of Nuclear and Particle Science)Comment: 93 pages, latex + 23 figures; typos corrections + 1 reference adde

Tests for a Strong Electroweak Sector at Future e^+e^- High Energy Colliders

The study of the scattering at high energy of the gauge bosons W and Z, in particular longitudinally polarized W and Z, can clarify the mechanism of spontaneous symmetry breaking in the Standard Model of the electroweak interactions. Different models of strong electroweak sector, based on the effective lagrangian approach are briefly reviewed. They include models with no resonance, with scalar resonance, additional vector and axial-vector resonances. The effective Lagrangians are derived from the chiral symmetry of the symmetry breaking sector. Limits on these models from existing measurements, mainly LEP and Tevatron, are considered. We study also direct and indirect effects of the new interactions at high energy future e^+e^- linear colliders, through WW scattering and the direct production of these new vector gauge bosons.Comment: 74 pages, 19 figures and 4 tables included, Latex, uses epsf, to appear in La Rivista del Nuovo Cimento, some minor change

Nuclear Recoil Identification in a Scientific Charge-Coupled Device

Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) are a leading technology in direct dark matter searches because of their eV-scale energy threshold and high spatial resolution. The sensitivity of future CCD experiments could be enhanced by distinguishing nuclear recoil signals from electronic recoil backgrounds in the CCD silicon target. We present a technique for event-by-event identification of nuclear recoils based on the spatial correlation between the primary ionization event and the lattice defect left behind by the recoiling atom, later identified as a localized excess of leakage current under thermal stimulation. By irradiating a CCD with an $^{241}$Am$^{9}$Be neutron source, we demonstrate $>93\%$ identification efficiency for nuclear recoils with energies $>150$ keV, where the ionization events were confirmed to be nuclear recoils from topology. The technique remains fully efficient down to 90 keV, decreasing to 50$\%$ at 8 keV, and reaching ($6\pm2$)$\%$ at 1.5--3.5 keV. Irradiation with a $^{24}$Na $\gamma$-ray source shows no evidence of defect generation by electronic recoils, with the fraction of electronic recoils with energies $<85$ keV that are spatially correlated with defects $<0.1$$\%$.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Interpretation of Experimental J^PC Exotic Signals

We investigate theoretical interpretations of the 1.4 GeV J^PC exotic resonance reported by the E852 collaboration. It is argued that interpretation in terms of a hybrid meson is untenable. A K-matrix analysis shows that the 1.4 GeV enhancement in the E852 eta pi data can be understood as an interference of a non-resonant Deck-type background and a resonance at 1.6 GeV. A final state rescattering calculation shows that the 1.6 GeV hybrid has a eta pi width which is bounded above by 57 \pm 14 MeV.Comment: 23 pages, LaTeX, 4 encapsulated postscript figures. Accepted for publication by Physical Review

The Infrared Behaviour of the Pure Yang-Mills Green Functions

We review the infrared properties of the pure Yang-Mills correlators and discuss recent results concerning the two classes of low-momentum solutions for them reported in literature; i.e. decoupling and scaling solutions. We will mainly focuss on the Landau gauge and pay special attention to the results inferred from the analysis of the Dyson-Schwinger equations of the theory and from "{\it quenched}" lattice QCD. The results obtained from properly interplaying both approaches are strongly emphasized.Comment: Final version to be published in FBS (54 pgs., 11 figs., 4 tabs

Combination Therapies Targeting Alk-Aberrant Neuroblastoma in Preclinical Models.

BACKGROUND: ALK activating mutations are identified in approximately 10% of newly diagnosed neuroblastomas and ALK amplifications in a further 1-2% of cases. Lorlatinib, a third generation ALK inhibitor, will soon be given alongside induction chemotherapy for children with ALK-aberrant neuroblastoma. However, resistance to single agent treatment has been reported and therapies that improve the response duration are urgently required. We studied the preclinical combination of lorlatinib with chemotherapy, or with the MDM2 inhibitor, idasanutlin, as recent data has suggested that ALK inhibitor resistance can be overcome through activation of the p53-MDM2 pathway. AIMS: To study the preclinical activity of ALK inhibitors alone and combined with chemotherapy or idasanutlin. METHODS: We compared different ALK inhibitors in preclinical models prior to evaluating lorlatinib in combination with chemotherapy or idasanutlin. We developed a triple chemotherapy (CAV: cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin and vincristine) in vivo dosing schedule and applied this to both neuroblastoma genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) and patient derived xenografts (PDX). RESULTS: Lorlatinib in combination with chemotherapy was synergistic in immunocompetent neuroblastoma GEMM. Significant growth inhibition in response to lorlatinib was only observed in the ALK-amplified PDX model with high ALK expression. In this PDX lorlatinib combined with idasanutlin resulted in complete tumor regression and significantly delayed tumor regrowth. CONCLUSION: In our preclinical neuroblastoma models, high ALK expression was associated with lorlatinib response alone or in combination with either chemotherapy or idasanutlin. The synergy between MDM2 and ALK inhibition warrants further evaluation of this combination as a potential clinical approach for children with neuroblastoma