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At least 721 records · Page 40

Isospin-violating contributions to ϵ'/ϵ

The known isospin-breaking contributions to the K → ππ amplitudes are reanalyzed, taking into account our current understanding of the quark masses and the relevant non-perturbative inputs. We present a complete numerical reappraisal of the direct CP-violating ratio ϵ'/ϵ, where these corrections play a quite significant role. We obtain the Standard Model prediction Re (ϵ'/ϵ) = (14 ± 5) · 10 -4 , which is in very good agreement with the measured ratio. The uncertainty, which has been estimated conservatively, is dominated by our current ignorance about 1/N C -suppressed contributions to some relevant chiral-perturbation-theory low-energy constants.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Dark scalars and heavy neutral leptons at DarkQuest

The proposed DarkQuest beam dump experiment, a modest upgrade to the existing SeaQuest/SpinQuest experiment, has great potential for uncovering new physics within a dark sector. We explore both the near-term and long-term prospects for observing two distinct, highly-motivated hidden sector benchmark models: heavy neutral leptons and Higgs-mixed scalars. We comprehensively examine the particle production and detector acceptance at DarkQuest, including an updated treatment of meson production, and light scalar production through both bremsstrahlung and gluon-gluon fusion. In both benchmark models, DarkQuest will provide an opportunity to probe previously inaccessible interesting regions of parameter space on a fairly short timescale when compared to other proposed experiments.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

A viable QCD axion in the MeV mass range

The QCD axion is one of the most compelling solutions of the strong CP problem. There are major current efforts into searching for an ultralight, invisible axion, which is believed to be the only phenomenologically viable realization of the QCD axion. Visible axions with decay constants at or below the electroweak scale are believed to have been long excluded by laboratory searches. Considering the significance of the axion solution to the strong CP problem, we revisit experimental constraints on QCD axions in the O(10 MeV) mass window. In particular, we find a variant axion model that remains compatible with existing constraints. This model predicts new states at the GeV scale coupled hadronically, and a variety of low-energy axion signatures, such as rare meson decays, nuclear de-excitations via axion emission, and production in e + e - annihilation and fixed target experiments. This reopens the possibility of solving the strong CP problem at the GeV scale.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

On the statistical treatment of the Cabibbo angle anomaly

We point out that testing the equality of the Cabibbo angle as extracted from $\Gamma(K\rightarrow \pi l\nu)$, the ratio $\Gamma(K\rightarrow l\nu)/\Gamma(\pi\rightarrow l\nu)$ and nuclear $\beta$ decays is not identical to a test of first row unitarity of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix. The reason is that a CKM unitarity test involves only two parameters, while the degrees of freedom for the assessment of the goodness-of-fit of the universality of the Cabibbo angle entailed by the Standard Model (SM) is equal to the number of measurements minus one. Beyond the SM all different processes could in principle give different Cabibbo angles. Consequently, the difference between the two tests becomes relevant starting from three observables giving results for the Cabibbo angle that are in tension with each other. With current data, depending on the treatment of the nuclear $\beta$ decays, we find that New Physics is favored over the SM at $5.1\,\sigma$ or $3.6\,\sigma$ while CKM unitarity is rejected at $4.8\sigma$ or $3.0\sigma$, respectively. We argue that the best method to test the SM is to test the equality of the Cabibbo angle, because CKM unitarity is only one aspect of the SM.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Three exceptions to the Grossman-Nir bound

A bstract We show that the Grossman-Nir (GN) bound, Br( K L → $$ {\pi}^0\nu \overline{\nu} $$ π 0 ν ν ¯ ) ≤ 4 . 3 Br( K + → $$ {\pi}^{+}\nu \overline{\nu} $$ π + ν ν ¯ ), can be violated in the presence of light new physics with flavor violating couplings. We construct three sample models in which the GN bound can be violated by orders of magnitude, while satisfying all other experimental bounds. In the three models the enhanced branching ratio Br( K L → π 0 + inv) is due to K L → π 0 Φ 1, K L → π 0 Φ 1 Φ 1 , K L → $$ {\pi}^0{\psi}_1{\overline{\psi}}_1 $$ π 0 ψ 1 ψ ¯ 1 transitions, respectively, where Φ 1 ( ψ 1 ) is a light scalar (fermion) that escapes the detector. In the three models Br( K + → π + + inv) remains very close to the SM value, while Br( K L → π 0 + inv) can saturate the present KOTO bound. Besides invisible particles in the final state (which may account for dark matter) the models require additional light mediators around the GeV-scale.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Flavored dark matter beyond Minimal Flavor Violation

We study the interplay of flavor and dark matter phenomenology for models of flavored dark matter interacting with quarks. We allow an arbitrary flavor structure in the coupling of dark matter with quarks. This coupling is assumed to be the only new source of violation of the Standard Model flavor symmetry extended by a U(3) χ associated with the dark matter. We call this ansatz Dark Minimal Flavor Violation (DMFV) and highlight its various implications, including an unbroken discrete symmetry that can stabilize the dark matter. As an illustration we study a Dirac fermionic dark matter χ which transforms as triplet under U(3) χ , and is a singlet under the Standard Model. The dark matter couples to right-handed down-type quarks via a colored scalar mediator Φ with a coupling λ. We identify a number of “flavor-safe” scenarios for the structure of λ which are beyond Minimal Flavor Violation. Also, for dark matter and collider phenomenology we focus on the well-motivated case of b-flavored dark matter. Furthermore, the combined flavor and dark matter constraints on the parameter space of λ turn out to be interesting intersections of the individual ones. LHC constraints on simplified models of squarks and sbottoms can be adapted to our case, and monojet searches can be relevant if the spectrum is compressed.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Electroweak corrections to the Charm-Top-Quark Contribution to ϵ K

We calculate the leading-logarithmic and next-to-leading-logarithmic electroweak corrections to the charm-top-quark contribution to the effective |ΔS| = 2 Lagrangian, relevant for the parameter ϵ K . We find that these corrections lead to a –0.5% shift in the corresponding Wilson coefficient. Moreover, our calculation removes an implicit ambiguity in the standard-model prediction of ϵ K , by fixing the renormalization scheme of the electroweak input parameters.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

PHB and Montmorillonite Clay Composites as KNO{sub 3} and NPK Support for a Controlled Release

In order to improve nutrient uptake by plants and at the same time decrease losses by leaching, polymeric compounds based on biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and montmorillonite clay (MMt) were melt processed with KNO{sub 3} and NPK fertilizers (Fert). We present a comprehensive analysis of releasing profile of the potassium (K{sup +}), nitrogen (NH{sub 4}{sup +} and NO{sub 3}{sup −}) and phosphorous (PO{sub 4}{sup 3−}) from PHB/MMt/fertilizer at 90/0/10, 50/0/50, 80/10/10, 40/10/50, 25/25/50 formulation. The amount and type of the fertilizer and the presence of clay delineated the release of the cations and anions from the matrix. Cations released faster than anions through MMt composites due to cations–MMt interactions and its diffusion through MMt phase. The nutrients delivery from composites was lower than pure fertilizer. Composites formulations with smaller amount of PHB and MMt (25 wt%) were enough to encapsulate the fertilizer and delay the ions releasing. Further, the simple method of preparation also attains the sustainability of the whole process.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Epstein–Glaser causal approach to the light-front QED{sub 4}. I: Free theory

In this work we present the study of light-front field theories in the realm of the axiomatic theory. It is known that when one uses the light-cone gauge pathological poles (k{sup +}){sup −n} arises, demanding a prescription to be employed in order to tame these ill-defined poles and to have the correct Feynman integrals due to the lack of Wick rotation in such theories. In order to shed a new light on this long standing problem we present here a discussion based on the use of rigorous mathematical machinery of the distributional theory combined with physical concepts, such as causality, to show how to deal with these singular propagators in a general fashion without making use of any prescription. The first step of our development will consist in showing how the analytic representation for propagators arises by requiring general physical properties within the framework of Wightman’s formalism. From that we shall determine the equal-time (anti)commutation relations in the light-front form for the scalar and fermionic fields, as well as for the dynamical components of the electromagnetic field. In conclusion, we introduce the Epstein–Glaser causal method in order to have a mathematical rigorous description of the free propagators of the theory, allowing us to discuss a general treatment for propagators of the type (k{sup +}){sup −n}. Afterwards, we show that at given conditions our results reproduce known prescriptions in the literature. - Highlights: • We develop the analytic representation for propagators in Wightman’s framework. • We make use of the analytic representation to obtain equal-time (anti)commutation relations in the light-front. • We derive the free Feynman propagators for the light-front quantum electrodynamics in the Epstein–Glaser approach. • We determine a general expression for the propagator associated to the light-cone poles (k{sup +}){sup −n} in the causal approach.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Relativistic levels of mesic atoms

We revisit the derivation of the covariant two-body scalar-fermion equation with a Coulomb interaction, presented in a previous paper. We show that it can be given the formal aspect of a Dirac equation, but for the fact that the eigenvalue is also contained in one of the coefficients and thus it is not linearly included. The discussion of the boundary value problem is therefore different, although some properties of the Dirac equation can be recovered in an approximation bringing back to the concept of reduced mass. We discuss a mixed analytic-numerical method of solution which allows to obtain very accurate results and we calculate the lowest levels, states and QED corrections for pionic and kaonic atoms.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Kir2.1 regulates rat smooth muscle cell proliferation, migration, and post-injury carotid neointimal formation

Phenotype switching of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) from the contractile type to the synthetic type is a hallmark of vascular disorders such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after angioplasty. Inward rectifier K{sup +} channel 2.1 (Kir2.1) has been identified in VSMC. However, whether it plays a functional role in regulating cellular transformation remains obscure. In this study, we evaluated the role of Kir2.1 on VSMC proliferation, migration, phenotype switching, and post-injury carotid neointimal formation. Kir2.1 knockdown significantly suppressed platelet-derived growth factor BB-stimulated rat vascular smooth muscle cells (rat-VSMC) proliferation and migration. Deficiency in Kir2.1 contributed to the restoration of smooth muscle α-actin, smooth muscle 22α, and calponin and to a reduction in osteopontin expression in rat-VSMC. Moreover, the in vivo study showed that rat-VSMC switched to proliferative phenotypes and that knockdown of Kir2.1 significantly inhibited neointimal formation after rat carotid injury. Kir2.1 may be a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and restenosis following percutaneous coronary intervention.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Dynamics of the EAG1 K{sup +} channel selectivity filter assessed by molecular dynamics simulations

EAG1 channels belong to the KCNH family of voltage gated potassium channels. They are expressed in several brain regions and increased expression is linked to certain cancer types. Recent cryo-EM structure determination finally revealed the structure of these channels in atomic detail, allowing computational investigations. In this study, we performed molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the ion binding sites and the dynamical behavior of the selectivity filter. Our simulations suggest that sites S2 and S4 form stable ion binding sites, while ions placed at sites S1 and S3 rapidly switched to sites S2 and S4. Further, ions tended to dissociate away from S0 within less than 20 ns, due to increased filter flexibility. This was followed by water influx from the extracellular side, leading to a widening of the filter in this region, and likely non-conductive filter configurations. Simulations with the inactivation-enhancing mutant Y464A or Na{sup +} ions lead to trapped water molecules behind the SF, suggesting that these simulations captured early conformational changes linked to C-type inactivation.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗

KSi{sub 2}P{sub 3}: A new layered phosphidopolysilicate (IV)

A new ternary phosphidopolysilicate (IV), KSi{sub 2}P{sub 3}, has been synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction. The compound crystallizes in a new structure type in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a=10.1327(5) Å, b=10.1382(5) Å, c=21.1181(10) Å, β=96.88(0)°, and Z=8. In the structure, all SiP{sub 4} tetrahedra are connected with each other by corner-sharing P atoms to form {sup 2}{sub ∞}[Si{sub 2}P{sub 3}]{sup −} layers, which are stacked along c direction and separated by K{sup +} cations. The two-dimensional structure of KSi{sub 2}P{sub 3} contrasts with those of the two known members in the ternary A/Si/P (A=alkali metal) system, namely Na{sub 5}SiP{sub 3} (zero-dimensional) and K{sub 2}SiP{sub 2} (one-dimensional), which contains less amount of Si. The band gap deduced from UV–vis–IR diffuse reflectance spectrum is 1.72 eV. - Graphical abstract: KSi{sub 2}P{sub 3} contains two-dimensional layer {sup 2}{sub ∞}[Si{sub 2}P{sub 3}]{sup −} separated by K{sup +} cations. Display Omitted - Highlights: • A new ternary phosphidopolysilicate (IV), KSi{sub 2}P{sub 3}, has been synthesized. • The SiP{sub 4} tetrahedra are connected to form two-dimensional layer {sup 2}{sub ∞}[Si{sub 2}P{sub 3}]{sup −}. • The two-dimensional layers are separated by K{sup +} cations. • KSi{sub 2}P{sub 3} is a semiconductor with band gap of 1.72 eV.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Two new pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate coordination polymers prepared from zerovalent metal precursor: Syntheses, luminescent and magnetic properties

Two new K{sup +}/Cu(II) and Zn(II) coordination polymers with pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (pydc), (K{sub 2}[Cu(μ-pydc){sub 2}]·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1) and ([Zn(µ-pydc)(H{sub 2}O)(4-mim)]·H{sub 2}O){sub n} (2) (4-mim=4-methylimidazole) have been synthesized from zerovalent metal and characterized by IR, EPR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. In the sandwiched 3D anionic framework of 1, pydc ligands exhibit hexadentate coordination; tridentate coordination bond with Cu(II) and tridentate ionic interaction with K{sup +} ions. (K{sub 2}[Cu(μ-pydc){sub 2}]·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} shows a rare topology consists of three dimensional (3,4,5)-connected network with the point symbol of (4{sup 2}.6){sub 2}(4{sup 2}.8{sup 4})(4{sup 3}.6.8{sup 6}){sub 2}. The distorted square pyramidal geometry of 2 is completed with an nitrogen atom from 4-mim and aqua ligand to form a 1D polynuclear structure. The hydrogen bonds link the 1D chains into 3D architecture. The temperature dependent magnetic property of complex 1 has been studied. Complex 2 exhibits unusual yellow luminescence in the solid state at room temperature. - Graphical abstract: Two new K{sup +}/Cu(II) and Zn(II) coordination polymers with pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylate (pydc), (K{sub 2}[Cu(μ-pydc){sub 2}]·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} (1) and ([Zn(µ-pydc)(H{sub 2}O)(4-mim)]·H{sub 2}O){sub n} (2) (4-mim=4-methylimidazole) have been synthesized from zerovalent metal and characterized by IR, EPR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction techniques. The water soluble (K{sub 2}[Cu(μ-pydc){sub 2}]·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} shows three dimensional a rare 3,4,5-connected network with the point symbol of (4{sup 2}.6){sub 2}(4{sup 2}.8{sup 4})(4{sup 3}.6.8{sup 6}){sub 2}. The temperature dependent magnetic property of complex 1 has been studied. Complex 2 exhibits unusual yellow luminescence in the solid state at room temperature. Display Omitted - Highlights: • Water-soluble (K{sub 2}[Cu(μ-pydc){sub 2}]·3H{sub 2}O){sub n} has synthesized. • Zerovalent metal precursors are utilized. • The temperature dependent magnetic properties have been studied.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Luminescence properties of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, R{sup +} (R{sup +}=Li{sup +}, Na{sup +}, and K{sup +}) red emission phosphor

A series of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, R{sup +}, and Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, R{sup +} (R{sup +}=Li{sup +}, Na{sup +}, and K{sup +}) phosphors are synthesized by solid-state reaction method in air. All phosphors show bright red emissions centered at ∼617 nm upon excitation with UV light of 397 nm. Bi{sup 3+} is a sensitizer for the luminescence of Eu{sup 3+}, and can improve significantly the PL intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+} phosphor due to energy transfer between Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions. The sensitization mechanism is investigated and discussed by energy level diagrams of Bi{sup 3+} and Eu{sup 3+} ions. R{sup +} ion is used as the charge compensator to improve the luminescence intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+} and Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphors, and their PL intensities are enhanced in the sequence K{sup +}→Na{sup +}→Li{sup +}. These phosphors can be promising red emitting candidate for white LED with a ∼397 nm near UV chip excitation owing to the high brightness. - Graphical abstract: Energy transfer and charge compensation can enhance PL intensity of phosphors obviously. - Highlights: • Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor is synthesized. • Energy transfer between Eu{sup 3+} and Bi{sup 3+} ions benefit PL intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor. • Alkaline metal ions can further improve the PL intensity of Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+} phosphor. • Ca{sub 3}Ti{sub 2}O{sub 7}:Eu{sup 3+}, Bi{sup 3+}, R{sup +} phosphor may be promising red emitting candidate for white LED.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Structural modification and photoluminescence studies of Eu in lamellar fluorphlogopite by the adjustment of layer charge

Highlights: • The structure of fluorphlogopite was modified by the decrease of layer charge. • Characteristic emission of Eu{sup 3+} was greatly enhanced as doped to the modified clay. • The emitting color changed from orange-red to red in respect to the original host. • This is a new strategy to enhance the luminescence of inorganic layered materials. - Abstract: In this paper, the lamellar fluorphlogopite was structurally modified by the adjustment of layer charge and the rare earth Eu{sup 3+} was doped to fluorphlogopite with a subsequent high temperature solid state reaction process. The structural modification involved a preliminary treatment of fluorphlogopite with HNO{sub 3} and oxalic acid to reduce the layer charge density, and part of the charge-reduced fluorphlogopite was converted to a homoionic Na form by ion exchange with NaCl or NaB(C{sub 6}H{sub 5}){sub 4}. It has been noticed that the interlayer spacing of modified fluorphlogopite is decreased as compared with the original fluorphlogopite due to the ionic radius difference between K{sup +} and Na{sup +}. The photoluminescence study suggests that adjustment of layer charge of fluorphlogopite is beneficial to enhance the luminescence intensity excited with near UV light, and the layered system may be a potential red light component for the use of solid-state lighting and other optoelectronic fields.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Partial wave analysis of the reaction p(3.5 GeV) + p → pK + Λ to search for the "ppK – " bound state

Employing the Bonn–Gatchina partial wave analysis framework (PWA), we have analyzed HADES data of the reaction p(3.5GeV) + p → pK + Λ. This reaction might contain information about the kaonic cluster “ppK - ” (with quantum numbers J P =0 - and total isospin I =1/2) via its decay into pΛ. Due to interference effects in our coherent description of the data, a hypothetical K ¯NN (or, specifically “ppK - ”) cluster signal need not necessarily show up as a pronounced feature (e.g. a peak) in an invariant mass spectrum like pΛ. Our PWA analysis includes a variety of resonant and non-resonant intermediate states and delivers a good description of our data (various angular distributions and two-hadron invariant mass spectra) without a contribution of a K ¯NN cluster. At a confidence level of CL s =95% such a cluster cannot contribute more than 2–12% to the total cross section with a pK + Λ final state, which translates into a production cross-section between 0.7 μb and 4.2 μb, respectively. The range of the upper limit depends on the assumed cluster mass, width and production process.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗