Model-independent reconstruction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) teleparallel cosmology

We propose a model-independent formalism to numerically solve the modified Friedmann equations in the framework of f(T) teleparallel cosmology. Our strategy is to expand the Hubble parameter around the redshift \(z=0\) up to a given order and to adopt cosmographic bounds as initial settings to determine the corresponding \(f(z)\equiv f(T(H(z)))\) function. In this perspective, we distinguish two cases: the first expansion is up to the jerk parameter, the second expansion is up to the snap parameter. We show that inside the observed redshift domain \(z\le 1\), only the net strength of f(z) is modified passing from jerk to snap, whereas its functional behavior and shape turn out to be identical. As first step, we set the cosmographic parameters by means of the most recent observations. Afterwards, we calibrate our numerical solutions with the concordance \(\Lambda \)CDM model. In both cases, there is a good agreement with the cosmological standard model around \(z\le 1\), with severe discrepancies outer of this limit. We demonstrate that the effective dark energy term evolves following the test-function: \(f(z)={\mathcal {A}}+{\mathcal {B}}{z}^2e^{{\mathcal {C}}{z}}\). Bounds over the set \(\left\{ {\mathcal {A}}, {\mathcal {B}}, {\mathcal {C}}\right\} \) are also fixed by statistical considerations, comparing discrepancies between f(z) with data. The approach opens the possibility to get a wide class of test-functions able to frame the dynamics of f(T) without postulating any model a priori. We thus re-obtain the f(T) function through a back-scattering procedure once f(z) is known. We figure out the properties of our f(T) function at the level of background cosmology, to check the goodness of our numerical results. Finally, a comparison with previous cosmographic approaches is carried out giving results compatible with theoretical expectations.     

The strong decays of <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(3940) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(4160)

The new mesons X(3940) and X(4160) have been found by Belle Collaboration in the processes \(e^+e^-\rightarrow J/\psi D^{(*)}{\bar{D}}^{(*)}\). Considering X(3940) and X(4160) as \(\eta _c(3S)\) and \(\eta _c(4S)\) states, the two-body open charm OZI-allowed strong decay of \(\eta _c(3S)\) and \(\eta _c(4S)\) are studied by the improved Bethe–Salpeter method combined with the \(^3P_0\) model. The strong decay width of \(\eta _c(3S)\) is \(\Gamma _{\eta _c(3S)}=(33.5^{+18.4}_{-15.3})\) MeV, which is close to the result of X(3940); therefore, \(\eta _c(3S)\) is a good candidate of X(3940). The strong decay width of \(\eta _c(4S)\) is \(\Gamma _{\eta _c(4S)}=(69.9^{+22.4}_{-21.1})\) MeV, considering the errors of the results, it is close to the lower limit of X(4160). But the ratio of the decay width \(\frac{\Gamma (D{\bar{D}}^*)}{\Gamma (D^*{\bar{D}}^*)}\) of \(\eta _c(4S)\) is larger than the experimental data of X(4160). According to the above analysis, \(\eta _c(4S)\) is not the candidate of X(4160), and more investigations of X(4160) is needed.     

Analysis of charmless two-body <Emphasis Type="Italic">B</Emphasis> decays in factorization-assisted topological-amplitude approach

We analyze charmless two-body non-leptonic B decays \(B \rightarrow PP, PV\) under the framework of a factorization-assisted topological-amplitude approach, where P(V) denotes a light pseudoscalar (vector) meson. Compared with the conventional flavor diagram approach, we consider the flavor SU(3) breaking effect assisted by a factorization hypothesis for topological diagram amplitudes of different decay modes, factorizing out the corresponding decay constants and form factors. The non-perturbative parameters of topology diagram magnitudes \(\chi \) and the strong phase \(\phi \) are universal; they can be extracted by \(\chi ^2\) fit from current abundant experimental data of charmless Bdecays. The number of free parameters and the \(\chi ^2\) per degree of freedom are both reduced compared with previous analyses. With these best fitted parameters, we predict branching fractions and CP asymmetry parameters of nearly 100 \(B_{u,d}\) and \(B_s\) decay modes. The long-standing \(\pi \pi \) and \(\pi K\)-CP puzzles are solved simultaneously.     

Violation of causality in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>) gravity

In the standard formulation, the f(T) field equations are not invariant under local Lorentz transformations, and thus the theory does not inherit the causal structure of special relativity. Actually, even locally violation of causality can occur in this formulation of f(T) gravity. A locally Lorentz covariant f(T) gravity theory has been devised recently, and this local causality problem seems to have been overcome. The non-locality question, however, is left open. If gravitation is to be described by this covariant f(T) gravity theory there are a number of issues that ought to be examined in its context, including the question as to whether its field equations allow homogeneous Gödel-type solutions, which necessarily leads to violation of causality on non-local scale. Here, to look into the potentialities and difficulties of the covariant f(T) theories, we examine whether they admit Gödel-type solutions. We take a combination of a perfect fluid with electromagnetic plus a scalar field as source, and determine a general Gödel-type solution, which contains special solutions in which the essential parameter of Gödel-type geometries, \(m^2\), defines any class of homogeneous Gödel-type geometries. We show that solutions of the trigonometric and linear classes (\(m^2 < 0\) and \(m=0\)) are permitted only for the combined matter sources with an electromagnetic field matter component. We extended to the context of covariant f(T) gravity a theorem which ensures that any perfect-fluid homogeneous Gödel-type solution defines the same set of Gödel tetrads \(h_A^{~\mu }\) up to a Lorentz transformation. We also showed that the single massless scalar field generates Gödel-type solution with no closed time-like curves. Even though the covariant f(T) gravity restores Lorentz covariance of the field equations and the local validity of the causality principle, the bare existence of the Gödel-type solutions makes apparent that the covariant formulation of f(T) gravity does not preclude non-local violation of causality in the form of closed time-like curves.     

Quantum Fisher Information for <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis>(2) Atomic Coherent States and <Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis>(1, 1) Coherent States

We investigate quantum Fisher information (QFI) for s u(2) atomic coherent states and s u(1, 1) coherent states. In this work, we find that for s u(2) atomic coherent states, the QFI with respect to \(\vartheta ~(\mathcal {F}_{\vartheta })\) is independent of φ, the QFI with respect to \(\varphi (\mathcal {F}_{\varphi })\) is governed by ??. Analogously, for s u(1,1) coherent states, \(\mathcal {F}_{\tau }\) is independent of φ, and \(\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }\) is determined by τ. Particularly, our results show that \(\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }\) is symmetric with respect to ?? = π/2 for s u(2) atomic coherent states. And for s u(1,1) coherent states, \(\mathcal {F}_{\varphi }\) also possesses symmetry with respect to τ = 0.     

Critical Two-Point Function for Long-Range <Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>) Models Below the Upper Critical Dimension

We consider the n-component \(|\varphi |^4\) lattice spin model (\(n \ge 1\)) and the weakly self-avoiding walk (\(n=0\)) on \(\mathbb Z^d\), in dimensions \(d=1,2,3\). We study long-range models based on the fractional Laplacian, with spin-spin interactions or walk step probabilities decaying with distance r as \(r^{-(d+\alpha )}\) with \(\alpha \in (0,2)\). The upper critical dimension is \(d_c=2\alpha \). For \(\varepsilon >0\), and \(\alpha = \frac{1}{2} (d+\varepsilon )\), the dimension \(d=d_c-\varepsilon \) is below the upper critical dimension. For small \(\varepsilon \), weak coupling, and all integers \(n \ge 0\), we prove that the two-point function at the critical point decays with distance as \(r^{-(d-\alpha )}\). This “sticking” of the critical exponent at its mean-field value was first predicted in the physics literature in 1972. Our proof is based on a rigorous renormalisation group method. The treatment of observables differs from that used in recent work on the nearest-neighbour 4-dimensional case, via our use of a cluster expansion.     

Strange stars in <Emphasis Type="Italic">f</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>) theories of gravity in the Palatini formalism

In the present work we study strange stars in f(R) theories of gravity in the Palatini formalism. We consider two concrete well-known cases, namely the \(R+R^2/(6 M^2)\) model as well as the \(R-\mu ^4/R\) model for two different values of the mass parameter M or \(\mu \). We integrate the modified Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations numerically, and we show the mass-radius diagram for each model separately. The standard case corresponding to the General Relativity is also shown in the same figure for comparison. Our numerical results show that the interior solution can be vastly different depending on the model and/or the value of the parameter of each model. In addition, our findings imply that (i) for the cosmologically interesting values of the mass scales \(M,\mu \) the effect of modified gravity on strange stars is negligible, while (ii) for the values predicting an observable effect, the modified gravity models discussed here would be ruled out by their cosmological effects.     

Top-quark <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis></Subscript>-spectra at CMS and flavor independence of <Emphasis Type="Italic">z</Emphasis>-scaling

We present new results of analysis of top-quark differential cross sections obtained by the CMS Collaboration in pp collisions in the framework of the z-scaling approach. The spectra are measured over a wide range of collision energy \(\sqrt s = 7,8,13TeV\) and transverse momentum p _T = 30?500 GeV/c of top-quark using leptonic and jet decay modes. Flavor independence of the scaling function ψ(z) is verified in the new kinematic range. The results of analysis of the top-quark spectra obtained at the LHC are compared with similar spectra measured in \(\overline p p\) collisions at the Tevatron energy \(\sqrt s = 1.96TeV\). A tendency to saturation of ψ(z) for the process at low z and a power-law behavior of ψ(z) at high z is observed. The measurements of high-p _T is observed. The measurements of highspectra of the top-quark production at highest LHC energy is of interest for verification of self-similarity of particle production, understanding flavor origin and search for new physics symmetries with top-quark probe.     

Decay Behaviors of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> Hadronic Molecules

In this proceeding, we present our recent work on decay behaviors of the P_c hadronic molecules, which can help to disentangle the nature of the two P_c pentaquark-like structures. The results turn out that the relative ratio of the decays of P _c ⁺ (4380) to \({\bar D *}{\Lambda _c}\) and J/ψp is very different for P_c being a \({\bar D *}{\Sigma _c}\) or \(\bar D\Sigma _c *\) bound state with \({J^P} = \frac{{{3 - }}}{2}\) And from the total decay width, we find that P_c(4380) being a \(\bar D\Sigma _c *\) molecule state with \({J^P} = \frac{{{3 - }}}{2}\) and P_c(4450) being a \({\bar D *}{\Sigma _c}\) molecule state with \({J^P} = \frac{{{5 + }}}{2}\) is more favorable to the experimental data.     

Substituted <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-aminothioglycolurils containing thiosemicarbazone moiety and their cytotoxic activity in vitro

A library of hybrid molecules bearing thioglycoluril and (hetero)aromatic aldehyde thiosemicarbazone moieties was synthesized via a tandem hydrazone formation—ring contraction reaction of 5,7-dialkyl-3-thioxoperhydroimidazo[4,5-e]-1,2,4-triazin-6-ones with (hetero)aromatic aldehydes. All synthesized compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity against rhabdomyosarcoma, A549, and MS human cancer cell lines by MTT-assay. Among the derivatives, (E)-4-benzylideneamino-1,3-dimethyl-5-thioxohexahydroimidazo[4,5-d]imidazol-2(1H)-one 1f was found to have the most marked antiproliferative activity toward the tested cell lines (1f: IC\(_{50}= 20.6,\) 23.7, and 6.4 \(\upmu \)M, respectively). The IC\(_{50}\) value of thioglycoluril 1f against normal human embryonic kidney cells HEK293 was 72.5 \(\upmu \)M, which appeared to be 3–11-fold higher than IC\(_{50}\) values of 1f against human cancer cells.     

One-dimensional backreacting holographic <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-wave superconductors

We analytically and numerically study the properties of one-dimensional holographic p-wave superconductors in the presence of backreaction. We employ the Sturm–Liouville eigenvalue problem for the analytical calculation and the shooting method for the numerical investigations. We apply the \(\hbox {AdS}_{{3}}\)/\(\hbox {CFT}_{{2}}\) correspondence and determine the relation between the critical temperature \(T_{c}\) and the chemical potential \(\mu \) for different values of the mass m of a charged spin-1 field \(\rho _{\mu }\) and backreacting parameters. We observe that the data of both analytical and numerical studies are in good agreement. We find that increasing the backreaction and the mass parameter causes the greater values for \({T_{c}}/{\mu }\). Thus, it makes the condensation harder to form. In addition, the analytical and numerical approaches show that the value of the critical exponent \( \beta \) is 1 / 2, which is the same as in the mean field theory. Moreover, both methods confirm the existence of a second order phase transition.     

Why <Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis>(3872) is not a molecule

We discuss the scenario where the X(3872) resonance is the \(c\bar c\) = χ_c1(2P) charmonium which “sits on” the D*⁰\({\bar D^0}\) threshold. We explain the shift of the mass of the X(3872) resonance with respect to the prediction of a potential model for the mass of the χ_c1(2P) charmonium by the contribution of the virtual D*\(\bar D\) + c.c. intermediate states into the self energy of the X(3872) resonance. This allows us to estimate the coupling constant of the X(3872) resonance with the D*⁰\({\bar D^0}\) channel, the branching ratio of the X(3872) → D*⁰\({\bar D^0}\) + c.c. decay, and the branching ratio of the X(3872) decay into all non-D*⁰\({\bar D^0}\) + c.c. states. We predict a significant number of unknown decays of X(3872) via two gluon: X(3872) → gluongluon → hadrons. We suggest a physically clear program of experimental researches for verification of our assumption.     

Synthesis of new quinazolin-2,4-diones as anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania mexicana</Emphasis> agents

The quinazolin-2,4-dione moiety is found in many compounds with important biological activities making it a target for its synthesis. In this work, a one-pot three-step synthesis of new quinazolin-2,4-diones from phthalic anhydrides and their activity against Leishmania mexicana are described. The new quinazolin-2,4-diones were isolated with yields in the range of 32–70 %. All compounds displayed lower cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 macrophage over miltefosine. Compound 6,7-dichloro-3-phenylquinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione (6e) displayed an attractive profile which includes anti-Leishmania mexicana activity (\(\hbox {IC}_{50} = 6.05\) \(\upmu \)M), much lower cytotoxic activity (\(\hbox {CC}_{50} = 111\) \(\upmu \)M) and a high selective index (\(\text {SI} = 18.35\)) proving to be superior to miltefosine.     

1/<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> countings in baryons

The 1/N _c -power countings for baryon decays and configuration mixings are determined by means of a nonrelativistic quark picture. Such countings are expected to be robust under changes in the quark masses and, therefore, valid as these become light. It is shown that excited baryons have natural widths of \(\mathcal{O}(N_c^0 )\). These dominant widths are due to the decays that proceed directly to the ground-state baryons, with cascade decays being suppressed to \(\mathcal{O}(1/N_c )\). Configuration mixings, defined as mixings between states belonging to different O(3) × SU(2N _f ) multiplets, are shown to be subleading in an expansion in \(1/\sqrt {N_c }\) when they involve the ground-state baryons, while the mixings between excited states can be \(\mathcal{O}(N_c^0 )\).     

Relationship between <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>-invariance and formation mechanisms for <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>-odd and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis>-even asymmetries in the angular distributions of fission fragments of oriented nuclei

The T-invariance condition was analyzed for the amplitude T _b,a of multiparticle multistep elastic or inelastic a → b nuclear reactions. This condition leads to the equality of the amplitude T _b,a to the amplitude \({\tilde T_{\bar a,\bar b}}\) of \(\bar b \to \bar a\) time-reversed reaction, for which the reaction operator \(\tilde T\) coincides with the inverse-reaction (b → a) operator. It is shown that, in the case where the original, inverse, and time-reversed reactions are governed by a common T-invariant mechanism, the coefficients D of asymmetries appearing in the differential cross sections for these reactions can be represented in the form of a unified scalar (pseudoscalar) function of arguments equal to the momentum and spin vectors of particles of the initial and final channels of the reactions under analysis. It is also shown that the use of the T-invariance condition for the coefficients D of asymmetries in the differential cross section for the original nuclear reaction that are different in P- and T-parity makes it possible to separate mechanisms leading to nonzero coefficients D for a number of the asymmetries under analysis from the remaining mechanisms leading to zero coefficients D of these asymmetries. It is proven that there exist such asymmetries in the differential cross section for the original reaction whose coefficients vanish for all possible T-invariant mechanisms of their appearance, so that, upon proving experimentally the appearance of nonzero coefficients of these asymmetries in the differential cross section for the original reaction, this fact can be used to assess features of T-noninvariant interactions in nuclear systems.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis>(2) and minimal flavour violation in supersymmetry

Rather than sticking to the full U(3)³ approximate symmetry normally invoked in Minimal Flavour Violation, we analyze the consequences on the current flavour data of a suitably broken U(2)³ symmetry acting on the first two generations of quarks and squarks. A definite correlation emerges between the ΔF=2 amplitudes \(\mathcal{M}( K^{0} \to \bar{K}^{0} )\), \(\mathcal{M}( B_{d} \to \bar{B}_{d} )\) and \(\mathcal{M}( B_{s} \to \bar{B}_{s} )\), which can resolve the current tension between \(\mathcal{M}( K^{0} \to \bar{K}^{0} )\) and \(\mathcal{M}( B_{d} \to \bar{B}_{d} )\), while predicting \(\mathcal{M}( B_{s}\to \bar{B}_{s} )\). In particular, the CP violating asymmetry in B _s →ψφ is predicted to be positive S _ψφ =0.12±0.05 and above its Standard Model value (S _ψφ =0.041±0.002). The preferred region for the gluino and the left-handed sbottom masses is below about 1÷1.5 TeV. An existence proof of a dynamical model realizing the U(2)³ picture is outlined.     

Vacuum self similar anisotropic cosmologies in <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>)-gravity

The implications from the existence of a proper Homothetic Vector Field on the dynamics of vacuum anisotropic models in F(R) gravitational theory are studied. The fact that every Spatially Homogeneous vacuum model is equivalent, formally, with a “flux”-free anisotropic fluid model in standard gravity and the induced power-law form of the functional F(R) due to self-similarity enable us to close the system of equations. We found some new exact anisotropic solutions that arise as fixed points in the associated dynamical system. The non-existence of Kasner-like (Bianchi type I) solutions in proper F(R)-gravity (i.e. \(R\ne 0\)) strengthens the belief that curvature corrections will prevent the shear influence into the past thus permitting an isotropic singularity. We also discuss certain issues regarding the lack of vacuum models of type III, IV, VII\(_{h}\) in comparison with the corresponding results in standard gravity.     

Surface superconductivity and<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c3</Emphasis></Subscript> in UPt<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Ginzburg-Landau (GL) theory is used to study surface superconductivity for UPt₃ for various order parameter symmetries (OPS), andH _c3 is found for all principal directions of the surface normal\(\hat n\) and the field [1]. Assuming specular reflection, and allowing for reorientation of the antiferromagnetic symmetry breaking field in the models withE _1g ,E _2g ,E _1u , orE _2u symmetry, the experiments of Keller et al. [2] with\(\hat n = \hat a\) can be qualitatively explained for all OPS except possiblyA _1u ⊕B _1u . The implied GL parameters then predict qualitatively different and OPS dependent behavior for\(\hat n = \hat a^* \) and\(\hat n = \hat c\). Study ofH _c3 for these surfaces would give strong clues about the OPS of UPt₃.     

Influence of an external electric field on the probabilities of two-photon transitions between 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis>, 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis> and 1<Emphasis Type="Italic">s</Emphasis> levels for hydrogen and antihydrogen atoms

The probabilities of two-photon decay for hydrogen (H) and antihydrogen (\(\bar H\)) atoms in the presence and absence of an external electric field are analytically calculated. In particular, the probabilities of the E1E2 and E1M1 transitions between the 2p and 1s levels are calculated for the case when emitted photons are characterized by polarization vectors and wavevectors. It is shown that, in an external electric field, the decay probabilities for 2s and 2p levels differ for H and \(\bar H\) atoms because of interference terms linear in field. Coulomb Green’s function method is used for summing over intermediate states.     

Photoreflectance spectroscopy of the chalcopyrite semiconductor <Emphasis Type="Bold">AgInS</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> for ordinary and extraordinary rays

Photoreflectance spectra have been measured on the chalcopyrite semiconductor silver indium disulfide (\(\hbox {AgInS}_{2}\)) for light polarization \({\varvec{E}}\) perpendicular (\({\varvec{E}} \bot {c}\)) and parallel to the c-axis (\({\varvec{E}} \vert \vert {c}\)) at temperature between 10 and 300 K. The measured photoreflectance spectra revealed distinct structures at 1.8–2.1 eV. The lowest bandgap energies \(E_{0A}\), \(E_{0B}\), and \(E_{0C}\) of \(\hbox {AgInS}_{2}\) show unusual temperature dependence at low temperatures (\(\le\)140 K). The \(E_{0\alpha }\) (\(\alpha =A, B, C\)) is found to increase with increasing temperature from 10 to \(\sim\)140 K and decreases with a further increase in temperature. This result has been successfully explained by taking into account the effects of thermal expansion and electron–phonon interaction. The spin–orbit and crystal-field splitting parameters of \(\hbox {AgInS}_{2}\) are determined to be \(\Delta _{{\mathrm{so}}}=38\) meV and \(\Delta _{{\mathrm{cr}}}=-168\) meV at T = 10 K, respectively, and are discussed from an aspect of the electronic energy band structure consequences. The temperature dependence of spin–orbit and crystal-field splitting parameters of \(\hbox {AgInS}_{2}\) was also presented.