de Azcarraga, J. A., Fedoruk, S., Izquierdo, J. M., & Lukierski, J. (2015). Two-twistor particle models and free massive higher spin fields. J. High Energy Phys., 04(4), 010–39pp.
Abstract: We present D = 3 and D = 4 world-line models for massive particles moving in a new type of enlarged spacetime, with D-1 additional vector coordinates, which after quantization lead to towers of massive higher spin (HS) free fields. Two classically equivalent formulations are presented: one with a hybrid spacetime/bispinor variables and a second described by a free two-twistor dynamics with constraints. After first quantization in the D = 3 and D = 4 cases, the wave functions satisfying a massive version of Vasiliev's free unfolded equations are given as functions on the SL(2, R) and SL(2, C) group manifolds respectively, which describe arbitrary on-shell momenta and spin degrees of freedom. Further we comment on the D = 6 case, and possible supersymmetric extensions are mentioned as well. Finally, the description of interactions and the Ads/crr duality are briefly considered for massive IHS fields.
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Boiron, D., Fabbri, A., Larre, P. E., Pavloff, N., Westbrook, C. I., & Zin, P. (2015). Quantum Signature of Analog Hawking Radiation in Momentum Space. Phys. Rev. Lett., 115(2), 025301–5pp.
Abstract: We consider a sonic analog of a black hole realized in the one-dimensional flow of a Bose-Einstein condensate. Our theoretical analysis demonstrates that one-and two-body momentum distributions accessible by present-day experimental techniques provide clear direct evidence (i) of the occurrence of a sonic horizon, (ii) of the associated acoustic Hawking radiation, and (iii) of the quantum nature of the Hawking process. The signature of the quantum behavior persists even at temperatures larger than the chemical potential.
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Ames, S. K., Gardner, S. N., Marti, J. M., Slezak, T. R., Gokhale, M. B., & Allen, J. E. (2015). Using populations of human and microbial genomes for organism detection in metagenomes. Genome Res., 25(7), 1056–1067.
Abstract: Identifying causative disease agents in human patients from shotgun metagenomic sequencing (SMS) presents a powerful tool to apply when other targeted diagnostics fail. Numerous technical challenges remain, however, before SMS can move beyond the role of research tool. Accurately separating the known and unknown organism content remains difficult, particularly when SMS is applied as a last resort. The true amount of human DNA that remains in a sample after screening against the human reference genome and filtering nonbiological components left from library preparation has previously been underreported. In this study, we create the most comprehensive collection of microbial and reference-free human genetic variation available in a database optimized for efficient metagenomic search by extracting sequences from GenBank and the 1000 Genomes Project. The results reveal new human sequences found in individual Human Microbiome Project (HMP) samples. Individual samples contain up to 95% human sequence, and 4% of the individual HMP samples contain 10% or more human reads. Left unidentified, human reads can complicate and slow down further analysis and lead to inaccurately labeled microbial taxa and ultimately lead to privacy concerns as more human genome data is collected.
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Hueso-Gonzalez, F., Vijande, J., Ballester, F., Perez-Calatayud, J., & Siebert, F. A. (2015). A simple analytical method for heterogeneity corrections in low dose rate prostate brachytherapy. Phys. Med. Biol., 60(14), 5455–5469.
Abstract: In low energy brachytherapy, the presence of tissue heterogeneities contributes significantly to the discrepancies observed between treatment plan and delivered dose. In this work, we present a simplified analytical dose calculation algorithm for heterogeneous tissue. We compare it with Monte Carlo computations and assess its suitability for integration in clinical treatment planning systems. The algorithm, named as RayStretch, is based on the classic equivalent path length method and TG-43 reference data. Analytical and Monte Carlo dose calculations using Penelope2008 are compared for a benchmark case: a prostate patient with calcifications. The results show a remarkable agreement between simulation and algorithm, the latter having, in addition, a high calculation speed. The proposed analytical model is compatible with clinical real-time treatment planning systems based on TG-43 consensus datasets for improving dose calculation and treatment quality in heterogeneous tissue. Moreover, the algorithm is applicable for any type of heterogeneities.
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Aristizabal Sierra, D., Staub, F., & Vicente, A. (2015). Shedding light on the b -> s anomalies with a dark sector. Phys. Rev. D, 92(1), 015001–11pp.
Abstract: The LHCb Collaboration has recently reported on some anomalies in b -> s transitions. In addition to discrepancies with the Standard Model (SM) predictions in some angular observables and branching ratios, an intriguing hint for lepton universality violation was found. Here we propose a simple model that extends the SM with a dark sector charged under an additional U(1) gauge symmetry. The spontaneous breaking of this symmetry gives rise to a massive Z' boson, which communicates the SM particles with a valid dark matter candidate, while solving the b -> s anomalies with contributions to the relevant observables.
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