CP violation with a dynamical Higgs

We determine the complete set of independent gauge and gauge-Higgs CP-odd effective operators for the generic case of a dynamical Higgs, up to four derivatives in the chiral expansion. The relation with the linear basis of dimension six CP-odd operators is clarified. Phenomenological applications include bounds inferred from electric dipole moment limits, and from present and future collider data on triple gauge coupling measurements and Higgs signals.Comment: 41 pages, 3 figures; V2: citations added, typos corrected, version published on JHE

B(E2; 2_(1)^(+) → 0_(1)^(+)) value in Kr^(90)

A smooth onset of collectivity in Kr^(88,92,94,96) has been determined from reported B(E2; 2_(1)^(+) → 0_(1)^(+)) and E(2+ 1 ) values. This is in contrast to the sudden onset in even-even Zr, Mo, and Sr isotopes. Our objective was to complete the systematics by determining the B(E2; 2+ 1 → 0+ 1 ) value in Kr^(90), which was produced by cold-neutron-induced fission of 235U. The lifetime of the 2+ 1 state in Kr^(90) was measured via the electronic γ -γ timing technique using the EXILL and FATIMA spectrometers. Based on the measured mean lifetime of τ = 15(10) ps, the B(E2; 2_(1)^(+) → 0_(1)^(+)) value of 13^(+26)_(−5) W.u. in Kr^(90) is determined for the first time and the smooth onset of deformation in the even-even Kr isotopes beyond neutron number N = 50 is confirmed

Nuclear structure of Ac-231

The low-energy structure of 231Ac has been investigated by means of gamma ray spectroscopy following the beta-decay of 231Ra. Multipolarities of 28 transitions have been established by measuring conversion electrons with a mini-orange electron spectrometer. The decay scheme of 231Ra --> 231Ac has been constructed for the first time. The Advanced Time Delayed beta-gamma-gamma(t) method has been used to measure the half-lives of five levels. The moderately fast B(E1) transition rates derived suggest that the octupole effects, albeit weak, are still present in this exotic nucleus

Disentangling a dynamical Higgs

The pattern of deviations from Standard Model predictions and couplings is different for theories of new physics based on a non-linear realization of the $SU(2)_L\times U(1)_Y$ gauge symmetry breaking and those assuming a linear realization. We clarify this issue in a model-independent way via its effective Lagrangian formulation in the presence of a light Higgs particle, up to first order in the expansions: dimension-six operators for the linear expansion and four derivatives for the non-linear one. Complete sets of pure gauge and gauge-Higgs operators are considered, implementing the renormalization procedure and deriving the Feynman rules for the non-linear expansion. We establish the theoretical relation and the differences in physics impact between the two expansions. Promising discriminating signals include the decorrelation in the non-linear case of signals correlated in the linear one: some pure gauge versus gauge-Higgs couplings and also between couplings with the same number of Higgs legs. Furthermore, anomalous signals expected at first order in the non-linear realization may appear only at higher orders of the linear one, and vice versa. We analyze in detail the impact of both type of discriminating signals on LHC physics.Comment: Version published in JHE

Abrupt shape transition at neutron number N=60: B(E2) values in Sr-94,Sr-96,Sr-98 from fast gamma-gamma timing

Lifetimes of low-lying yrast states in neutron-rich Sr-94,Sr-96,Sr-98 have been measured by Germanium-gated gamma-gamma fast timing with LaBr3(Ce) detectors using the EXILL& FATIMA spectrometer at the Institut Laue-Langevin. Sr fission products were generated using cold-neutron-induced fission of 235U and stopped almost instantaneously within the thick target. The experimental B(E2) values are compared with results of Monte Carlo shell-model calculations made without truncation on the occupation numbers of the orbits spanned by eight proton and eight neutron orbits and show good agreement. Similarly to the Zr isotopes, the abrupt shape transition in the Sr isotopes near neutron number N = 60 is identified as being caused by many-proton excitations to its g(9/2) orbit

The mutable nature of particle-core excitations with spin in the one-valence-proton nucleus Sb-133

The gamma-ray decay of excited states of the one-valence-proton nucleus Sb-133 has been studied using cold-neutron induced fission of U-235 and Pu-241 targets, during the EXILL campaign at the ILL reactor in Grenoble. By using a highly efficient HPGe array, coincidences between gamma-rays prompt with the fission event and those delayed up to several tens of microseconds were investigated, allowing to observe, for the first time, high-spin excited states above the 16.6 mu s isomer. Lifetimes analysis, performed by fast-timing techniques with LaBr3(Ce) scintillators, revealed a difference of almost two orders of magnitude in B(M1) strength for transitions between positive-parity medium-spin yrast states. The data are interpreted by a newly developed microscopic model which takes into account couplings between core excitations (both collective and non-collective) of the doubly magic nucleus Sn-132 and the valence proton, using Skyrme effective interaction in a consistent way. The results point to a fast change in the nature of particle-core excitations with increasing spin. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license

Sex differences in the aging pattern of renin–angiotensin system serum peptidases

BACKGROUND: Serum peptidases, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), neutral endopeptidase (NEP), aminopeptidase N (APN), and aminopeptidase A (APA), are important elements of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS). Dysregulation of these enzymes has been associated with hypertension and cardiovascular risk. In the present study, serum activities of RAS peptidases were analyzed to evaluate the existence of sexual differences, with a possible different pattern in pre- and post-andropausal/post-menopausal participants. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen healthy men and women between 41 and 70 years of age (58 women and 60 men) were recruited to participate in the study. Serum RAS-regulating enzymes were measured by spectrofluorimetry. Enzymatic activity was recorded as units of enzyme per milliliter of serum (U/mL). RESULTS: Significantly lower serum APA activity was observed in men with respect to women; no sex differences were detected for ACE, ACE2, NEP, or APN. Significantly lower APA and ACE serum activity were observed in older men compared to older women. In contrast, younger (<55 years) men had significantly higher values of NEP serum activity than younger women. Significantly lower ACE serum activity was detected in older men compared to younger men. In women, significantly higher ACE2 serum activity was observed in older women compared to younger women. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest a differential effect of aging on the activity of RAS enzymes in men and women, especially with respect to the breakpoint of andropausia/menopausia, on the critical serum enzymatic activities of the RAS, which could correlate with sexual differences in cardiovascular risk

Modelos numéricos para estudios de incendio en túneles con ventilación longitudinal

En casos de accidentes severos en túneles se requiere una adecuada estrategia para evitar pérdidas humanas. En túneles con ventilación longitudinal el recurso fundamental es la actuación sobre los ventiladores de chorro para dirigir o concentrar la nube de humo. Las situaciones más comprometidas se presentan en túneles con doble sentido de circulación. En este artículo se presentan varios modelos numéricos de distinta complejidad y coste que permiten el análisis e interpretación de accidentes con fuego. Finamente se muestran ejemplos de aplicación a casos reales, en particular los realizados para los túneles de El Negrón II y Los Yébenes