Dirac masses and mixings in the (geo)SM(EFT) and beyond

We report a set of exact formulae for computing Dirac masses, mixings, and CP-violation parameter(s) from 3×3 Yukawa matrices Y valid when YY† → U†YY†U under global $$ \mathrm{U}{(3)}_{Q_L} $$ U 3 Q L flavour symmetry transformations U. The results apply to the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) and its ‘geometric’ realization (geoSMEFT). We thereby complete, in the Dirac flavour sector, the catalogue of geoSMEFT parameters derived at all orders in the $$ \sqrt{2\left\langle {H}^{\dagger }H\right\rangle } $$ 2 H † H /Λ expansion. The formalism is basis-independent, and can be applied to models with decoupled ultraviolet flavour dynamics, as well as to models whose infrared dynamics are not minimally flavour violating. We highlight these points with explicit examples and, as a further demonstration of the formalism’s utility, we derive expressions for the renormalization group flow of quark masses, mixings, and CP-violation at all mass dimension and perturbative loop orders in the (geo)SM(EFT) and beyond.

Multiple mass hierarchies from complex fixed point collisions

A pair of complex-conjugate fixed points that lie close to the real axis generates a large mass hierarchy in the real renormalization group flow that passes in between them. We show that pairs of complex fixed points that are close to the real axis and to one another generate multiple hierarchies, some of which can be parametrically enhanced. We illustrate this effect at weak coupling with field-theory examples, and at strong coupling using holography. We also construct complex flows between complex fixed points, including flows that violate the c-theorem.

Study on Esculetin to reduce cardiotoxicity induced by Doxorubicin

Objective: To investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of esculetin(Esc) on H9C2 cells injury induced by doxorubicin (DOX). Methods: H9C2 cells were cultured and divided into control group, model (DOX) group and intervention (ESC + DOX) group. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis of H9C2 cells and reactive oxygen (ROS) level in H9C2 cells; Western blotting to detect the cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP, bid and Bcl-2 protein expression in H9C2 cells. Results: The number of apoptosis and ROS level of H9C2 cells in the model group, the expression of cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP and Bid protein in the model group were obviously higher than control group; and the Bcl-2 protein expression was obviously lower (P < 0.05).The number of apoptosis and ROS level, cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved PARP and Bid protein expression in H9C2 cells in intervention group were obviously lower than model group;the Bcl-2 protein expression was obviously higher (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Esculetin can reduce the cardiotoxicity induced by doxorubicin by reducing apoptosis and ROS level.

3d large $N$ vector models at the boundary

We consider a 4d scalar field coupled to large NN free or critical O(N)O(N) vector models, either bosonic or fermionic, on a 3d boundary. We compute the \betaβ function of the classically marginal bulk/boundary interaction at the first non-trivial order in the large NN expansion and exactly in the coupling. Starting with the free (critical) vector model at weak coupling, we find a fixed point at infinite coupling in which the boundary theory is the critical (free) vector model and the bulk decouples. We show that a strong/weak duality relates one description of the renormalization group flow to another one in which the free and the critical vector models are exchanged. We then consider the theory with an additional Maxwell field in the bulk, which also gives decoupling limits with gauged vector models on the boundary.

Torsional deformation of nonrelativistic string theory

Nonrelativistic string theory is a self-contained corner of string theory, with its string spectrum enjoying a Galilean-invariant dispersion relation. This theory is unitary and ultraviolet complete, and can be studied from first principles. In these notes, we focus on the bosonic closed string sector. In curved spacetime, nonrelativistic string theory is defined by a renormalizable quantum nonlinear sigma model in background fields, following certain symmetry principles that disallow any deformation towards relativistic string theory. We review previous proposals of such symmetry principles and propose a modified version that might be useful for supersymmetrizations. The appropriate target-space geometry determined by these local spacetime symmetries is string Newton-Cartan geometry. This geometry is equipped with a two-dimensional foliation structure that is restricted by torsional constraints. Breaking the symmetries that give rise to such torsional constraints in the target space will in general generate quantum corrections to a marginal deformation in the worldsheet quantum field theory. Such a deformation induces a renormalization group flow towards sigma models that describe relativistic strings.

The cubic fixed point at large N

By considering the renormalization group flow between N coupled Ising models in the UV and the cubic fixed point in the IR, we study the large N behavior of the cubic fixed points in three dimensions. We derive a diagrammatic expansion for the 1/N corrections to correlation functions. Leading large N corrections to conformal dimensions at the cubic fixed point are then evaluated using numeric conformal bootstrap data for the 3d Ising model.

Stochastic Inflation at NNLO

Stochastic Inflation is an important framework for understanding the physics of de Sitter space and the phenomenology of inflation. In the leading approximation, this approach results in a Fokker-Planck equation that calculates the probability distribution for a light scalar field as a function of time. Despite its successes, the quantum field theoretic origins and the range of validity for this equation have remained elusive, and establishing a formalism to systematically incorporate higher order effects has been an area of active study. In this paper, we calculate the next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) corrections to Stochastic Inflation using Soft de Sitter Effective Theory (SdSET). In this effective description, Stochastic Inflation manifests as the renormalization group evolution of composite operators. The leading impact of non-Gaussian quantum fluctuations appears at NNLO, which is presented here for the first time; we derive the coefficient of this term from a two-loop anomalous dimension calculation within SdSET. We solve the resulting equation to determine the NNLO equilibrium distribution and the low-lying relaxation eigenvalues. In the process, we must match the UV theory onto SdSET at one-loop order, which provides a non-trivial confirmation that the separation into Wilson-coefficient corrections and contributions to initial conditions persists beyond tree level. Furthermore, these results illustrate how the naive factorization of time and momentum integrals in SdSET no longer holds in the presence of logarithmic divergences. It is these effects that ultimately give rise to the renormalization group flow that yields Stochastic Inflation.

Alone but together: flow experience and its impact on creative output in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

PurposeDo LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) workshops result in improved experience of flow components as well as higher levels of creative output than traditional meetings (MEET)? This research studies the extent to which LSP, as a specialized material-mediated and process-oriented cocreative workshop setting, differs from MEET, a traditional workshop setting. Hypotheses for differences in individual flow components (autotelic behavior, happiness, balance), group flow components (equal participation, continuous communication) and creative output were developed and tested in a quasi-experimental comparison between LSP and MEET.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted with 39 practitioners in six teams from various industries. In total, 164 observations were collected during two workshops using the Experience Sampling Method. The creative output was assessed by peer evaluations of all participants, followed by structural analysis and quantitative group comparisons.FindingsThe results show that two components of individual flow experience (autotelic behavior, happiness) were significantly higher in LSP, and one of the components of group flow experience (continuous communication) was, as expected, significantly lower. Regarding creative output, the LSP teams outperformed the MEET teams. The study suggests that a process-oriented setting that includes time for individuals to independently explore their ideas using a different kind of material in the presence of other participants has a significant influence on the team result.Practical implicationsLSP can improve the components of participants' flow experience to have an impact on the creative output of teams. In cocreative settings like LSP, teams benefit from a combination of alone time and high-quality collaborative activities using boundary objects and a clear process to share their ideas.Originality/valueThis is the first quasi-experimental study with management practitioners as participants to compare LSP with a traditional and widespread workshop approach in the context of flow experience and creative output.

miR-223 Inhibits the Polarization and Recruitment of Macrophages via NLRP3/IL-1β Pathway to Meliorate Neuropathic Pain

Background. miRNA is an essential factor in neuropathic pain. However, the underlying mechanism of miRNA in neuropathic pain remains unclear. Objective. To explore the potential role of miR-223 in neuropathic pain in a mice model of chronic sciatic nerve injury. Methods. Mice were divided into the sham group, CCI group, CCI + Lenti-vector group, and CCI + Lenti-miR-223 group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the neuronal apoptosis and the proportion of M1/M2 macrophages in each group. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in each group. Luciferase activity assay detects the binding of miR-223 and NLRP3. Macrophage chemotaxis experiments verified the anti-inflammatory effect of miR-223 in vitro. Results. The overexpression of miR-233 significantly reduced the neuropathic pain caused by CCI and reduced the apoptosis and inflammatory factor expression. miR-223 inhibits the expression of NLRP3 by directly binding to the 3′-untranslated region. Overexpression of miR-223 reduces the protein levels of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the spinal cord of CCI mice, increases the proportion of M2-type macrophages, and reduces the proportion of M1-type macrophages. Conclusion. miR-223 may facilitate the development of neuropathic pain in CCI mice by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation.