Scalar Contributions Research Articles

Extracting parity-violating gravitational waves from projected tidal force tensor in three dimensions

Gravitational waves (GWs) may be produced by various mechanisms in the early universe. In particular, if parity is violated, it may lead to the production of parity-violating GWs. In this paper, we focus on GWs on the scale of the large-scale structure. Since GWs induce tidal deformations of the shape of galaxies, one can extract such GW signals by observing images of galaxies in galaxy surveys. Conventionally the detection of such signals is discussed by considering the three-dimensional power spectra of the E/B-modes. Here, we develop a complementary new technique to estimate the contribution of GWs to the tidal force tensor field projected on the celestial sphere, which is a directly observable quantity. We introduce two two-dimensional vector fields constructed by taking the divergence and curl of the projected tidal field in three dimensions. Their auto-correlation functions naturally contain contributions of the scalar-type tidal field. However, we find that the divergence of the curl of the projected tidal field, which is a pseudo-scalar quantity, is free from the scalar contribution and thus enables us to extract GW signals. We also find that we can detect parity-violating signals in the GWs by observing the nonzero cross-correlation between the divergence of the projected tidal field and the curl of it. It roughly corresponds to measuring the cross-power spectrum of E and B-modes, but these are complementary to each other in the sense that our estimator can be naturally defined locally in position space. Finally we present expressions of the correlation functions in the form of Fourier integrals, and discuss the properties of the kernels specific to the GW case, which we call the overlap reduction function, borrowing the terminology used in the pulsar timing array experiments.

Scalar perturbations from inflation in the presence of gauge fields

We study how Abelian-gauge-field production during inflation affects scalar perturbations in the case when the gauge field interacts with the inflaton directly (by means of generic kinetic and axial couplings) and via gravity. The homogeneous background solution is defined by self-consistently taking into account the backreaction of the gauge field on the evolution of the inflaton and the scale factor. For the perturbations on top of this background, all possible scalar contributions coming from the inflaton, the metric, and the gauge field are considered. We derive a second-order differential equation for the curvature perturbation, ζ, capturing the impact of the gauge field, both on the background dynamics and on the evolution of scalar perturbations. The latter is described by a source term in the ζ equation, which is quadratic in the gauge-field operators and leads to non-Gaussianities in the curvature perturbations. We derive general expressions for the induced scalar power spectrum and bispectrum. Finally, we apply our formalism to the well-known case of axion inflation without backreaction. Numerical results show that, in this example, the effect of including metric perturbations is small for values of the gauge-field production parameter ξ>3. This is in agreement with the previous results in the literature. However, in the region of smaller values, ξ≲2, our new results exhibit order-of-unity deviations when compared to previous results. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Scalar curvature for metric spaces: Defining curvature for quantum gravity without coordinates

Geometrical properties of spacetime are difficult to study in nonperturbative approaches to quantum gravity like causal dynamical triangulations (CDT), where one uses simplicial manifolds to define the gravitational path integral, instead of Riemannian manifolds. In particular, in CDT one only relies on two mathematical tools, a distance measure and a volume measure. In this paper, we define a notion of scalar curvature, for metric spaces endowed with a volume measure or a random walk, without assuming nor using notions of tensor calculus. Furthermore, we directly define the Ricci scalar, without the need of defining and computing the Riemann or the Ricci tensor . For this, we make use of quantities, like the surface of a geodesic sphere, or the return probability of scalar diffusion processes, that can be computed in these metric spaces, as in a Riemannian manifold, where they receive scalar curvature contributions. Our definitions recover the classical results of scalar curvature when the sets are Riemannian manifolds. We propose two methods to compute the scalar curvature in these spaces, and we compare their features in natural implementations in discrete spaces. The defined generalized scalar curvatures are easily implemented on discrete spaces, like graphs. We present the results of our definitions on random triangulations of a 2D sphere and plane. Additionally, we show the results of our generalized scalar curvatures on the quantum geometries of 2D CDT, where we find that all our definitions indicate a flat ground state of the gravitational path integral. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Exploring scalar contributions with K+ → π+ℓ+ℓ−

The rare kaon decay K+→π+ℓ+ℓ− offers insights into Standard Model (SM) physics and beyond. Driven by vector form factor in the SM, it can also probe non-standard contributions. In this letter we study the scalar contribution, fS. Using differential decay width and Forward-Backward Asymmetry we propose a simultaneous fit to vector and scalar contributions which is necessary for a consistent analysis. Novel bounds on |fS| are presented for the first time through a reinterpretation of the E865, NA48/2, and NA62 experimental results. The analysis results in the most precise bound fS<7.9×10−6 at 90% confidence level.

In Vitro to In Vivo Scalars for Drug Clearance in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver and Steatohepatitis.

In vitro-in vivo extrapolation (IVIVE) allows prediction of clinical outcomes across populations from in vitro data using specific scalars tailored to the biologic characteristics of each population. This study experimentally determined scalars for patients with varying degrees of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), ranging from fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Microsomal, S9, and cytosol fractions were extracted from 36 histologically normal and 66 NAFLD livers (27 nonalcoholic fatty liver [NAFL], 13 NASH, and 26 NASH with cirrhosis). Corrected microsomal protein per gram liver (MPPGL) progressively decreased with disease severity (26.8, 27.4, and 24.3 mg/g in NAFL, NASH, and NASH/cirrhosis, respectively, compared with 35.6 mg/g in normal livers; ANOVA, P < 0.001). Homogenate, S9, and cytosolic protein showed a consistent trend of decline in NASH/cirrhosis relative to normal control (post-hoc t test, P < 0.05). No differences across the groups were observed in homogenate, S9, cytosolic, and microsomal protein content in matched kidney samples. MPPGL-based scalars that combine protein content with liver size revealed that the reduction in MPPGL in NAFL and NASH was compensated by the reported increase in liver size (relative scalar ratios of 0.96 and 0.99, respectively), which was not the case with NASH/cirrhosis (ratio of 0.63), compared with healthy control. Physiologically based pharmacokinetics-informed global sensitivity analysis of the relative contribution of IVIVE scalars (hepatic CYP3A4 abundance, MPPGL, and liver size) to variability in exposure (area under the curve) to three CYP3A substrates (alprazolam, midazolam, and ibrutinib) revealed enzyme abundance as the most significant parameter, followed by MPPGL, whereas liver volume was the least impactful factor. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-specific scalars necessary for extrapolation from in vitro systems to liver tissue are lacking. These are required in clearance prediction and dose selection in nonalcoholic fatty liver and steatohepatitis populations. Previously reported disease-driven changes have focused on cirrhosis, with no data on the initial stages of liver disease. The authors obtained experimental values for microsomal, cytosolic, and S9 fractions and assessed the relative impact of microsomal scalars on predicted exposure to substrate drugs using physiologically based pharmacokinetics.

Statistical Behaviour and Modelling of Variances of Reaction Progress Variable and Temperature During Flame-Wall Interaction of Premixed Flames Within Turbulent Boundary Layers

The statistical behaviour of the transport of reaction progress variable variance, c″2~,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\widetilde{{c^{^{\\prime\\prime}2} }},$$\\end{document} and non-dimensional temperature variance, T″2~,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\widetilde{{T^{^{\\prime\\prime}2} }},$$\\end{document} have been analysed using three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) data of turbulent premixed flame-wall interaction with isothermal inert walls within turbulent boundary layers for (i) an unsteady head-on quenching of a statistically planar flame propagating across the boundary layer, and (ii) a statistically stationary oblique wall quenching of a V-flame. It has been found that the reaction rate contribution acts as a leading order source term to the transport of both reaction progress variable variance, c″2~,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\widetilde{{c^{^{\\prime\\prime}2} }},$$\\end{document} and non-dimensional temperature variance, T″2~,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\widetilde{{T^{^{\\prime\\prime}2} }},$$\\end{document} whereas the molecular dissipation term remains the leading order sink term for both configurations analysed here. With the progress of flame wall interaction, the magnitude of all the source terms for the transport equations of both reaction progress variable and non-dimensional temperature variances vanish in the near-wall region with the onset of flame quenching. However, the molecular dissipation term continues to act as a sink term. The performances of the existing models for turbulent scalar flux, reaction rate and scalar dissipation rate contributions have been assessed for both flame-wall interaction configurations based on a priori DNS analysis. The existing available models for scalar dissipation rate for temperature and the reaction rate contribution in the variance transport equations even with the previously proposed wall corrections do not adequately predict the behaviour in the near-wall region. Modifications have been suggested to the existing closure models for the scalar dissipation rate and the reaction rate contribution to the scalar variance transport equations to improve the predictions in the near-wall region. Furthermore, the recommended closures for the unclosed terms of both reaction progress variable variance, c″2~,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\widetilde{{c^{^{\\prime\\prime}2} }},$$\\end{document} and non-dimensional temperature variance, T″2~,\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\widetilde{{T^{^{\\prime\\prime}2} }},$$\\end{document} are shown to accurately capture the corresponding variations obtained from DNS data for both near to and away from the wall.

Nuclear spin relaxation in aqueous paramagnetic ion solutions.

A Brownian shell model describing the random rotational motion of a spherical shell of uniform particle density is presented and validated by molecular dynamics simulations. The model is applied to proton spin rotation in aqueous paramagnetic ion complexes to yield an expression for the Larmor-frequency-dependent nuclear magnetic resonance spin-lattice relaxation rate T_{1}^{-1}(ω) describing the dipolar coupling of the nuclear spin of the proton with the electronic spin of the ion. The Brownian shell model provides a significant enhancement to existing particle-particle dipolar models without added complexity, allowing fits to experimental T_{1}^{-1}(ω) dispersion curves without arbitrary scaling parameters. The model is successfully applied to measurements of T_{1}^{-1}(ω) from aqueous manganese(II), iron(III), and copper(II) systems where the scalar coupling contribution is known to be small. Appropriate combinations of Brownian shell and translational diffusion models, representing the inner and outer sphere relaxation contributions, respectively, are shown to provide excellent fits. Quantitative fits are obtained to the full dispersion curve of each aquoion with just five fit parameters, with the distance and time parameters each taking a physically justifiable numerical value.

Spanning the full range of neutron star properties within a microscopic description

The high-density behavior of nuclear matter is analyzed within a relativistic mean-field description with non-linear meson interactions. To assess the model parameters and their output, a Bayesian inference technique is used. The Bayesian setup is limited only by a few nuclear saturation properties, the neutron star maximum mass larger than 2 M$_\odot$, and the low-density pure neutron matter equation of state (EOS) produced by an accurate N$^3$LO calculation in chiral effective field theory. Depending on the strength of the non-linear scalar vector field contribution, we have found three distinct classes of EOSs, each one correlated to different star properties distributions. If the non-linear vector field contribution is absent, the gravitational maximum mass and the sound velocity at high densities are the greatest. However, it also gives the smallest speed of sound at densities below three times saturation density. On the other hand, models with the strongest non-linear vector field contribution predict the largest radii and tidal deformabilities for 1.4 M$_\odot$ stars, together with the smallest mass for the onset of the nucleonic direct Urca processes and the smallest central baryonic densities for the maximum mass configuration. These models have the largest speed of sound below three times saturation density, but the smallest at high densities, in particular, above four times saturation density the speed of sound decreases approaching approximately $\sqrt{0.4}c$ at the center of the maximum mass star. On the contrary, a weak non-linear vector contribution gives a monotonically increasing speed of sound. A 2.75 M$_\odot$ NS maximum mass was obtained in the tail of the posterior with a weak non-linear vector field interaction. We found that pQCD favors models with a large non-linear vector field contribution or hyperons.

The halo bias for number counts on the light cone from relativistic N-body simulations

We present the halo number counts and its two-point statistics, the observable angular power spectrum, extracted for the first time from relativistic N-body simulations. The halo catalogues used in this work are built from the relativistic N-body code gevolution, and the observed redshift and angular positions of the sources are computed using a non-perturbative ray-tracing method, which includes all relativistic scalar contributions to the number counts. We investigate the validity and limitations of the linear bias prescription to describe our simulated power spectra. In particular, we assess the consistency of different bias measurements on large scales, and we estimate up to which scales a linear bias is accurate in modelling the data, within the statistical errors. We then test a second-order perturbative bias expansion for the angular statistics, on a range of redshifts and scales previously unexplored in this context, that is 0.4 ≤ z̅ ≤ 2 up to scales ℓ max ∼ 1000. We find that the angular power spectra at equal redshift can be modelled with high accuracy with a minimal extension of the number of bias parameters, that is using a two-parameter model comprising linear bias and tidal bias. We show that this model performs significantly better than a model without tidal bias but with quadratic bias as extra degree of freedom, and that the latter is inaccurate at z̅ ≥ 0.7. Finally, we extract from our simulations the cross-correlation of halo number counts and lensing convergence. We show that the estimate of the linear bias from this cross-correlation is consistent with the measurements based on the clustering statistics alone, and that it is crucial to take into account the effect of magnification in the halo number counts to avoid systematic shifts in the computed bias.

Novel effects of the W-boson mass shift in the 3-3-1 model

The recent precision measurement of the W-boson mass reveals an exciting hint for the new physics as of the 3-3-1 model. We indicate that the 3-3-1 model contains distinct sources by itself that may cause the W-mass deviation, as measured, such as the tree-level Z-Z' mixing, the tree-level W-Y and Z-Z'-X mixings, as well as the non-degenerate gauge vector (X, Y) and new Higgs doublets. We point out that the gauge vector doublet negligibly contributes to this mass shift, whereas the rest of the effects with tree-level mixings governed by Z-Z' and new Higgs doublets are significant. A discussion of scalar sextet contributions is also given.

Evolution of Lifshitz metric anisotropies in Einstein–Proca theory under the Ricci–DeTurck flow

By starting from a Perelman entropy functional and considering the Ricci–DeTurck flow equations, we analyze the behavior of Einstein–Hilbert and Einstein–Proca theories with Lifshitz geometry as functions of a flow parameter. In the former case, we found one consistent fixed point that represents flat space-time as the flow parameter tends to infinity. Massive vector fields in the latter theory enrich the system under study and have the same fixed point achieved at the same rate as in the former case. The geometric flow is parametrized by the metric coefficients and represents a change in anisotropy of the geometry toward an isotropic flat space-time as the flow parameter evolves. Indeed, the flow of the Proca fields depends on certain coefficients that vanish when the flow parameter increases, rendering these fields constant. We have been able to write down the evolving Lifshitz metric solution with positive, but otherwise arbitrary, critical exponents relevant to geometries with spatially anisotropic holographic duals. We show that both the scalar curvature and matter contributions to the Ricci–DeTurck flow vanish under the flow at a fixed point consistent with flat space-time geometry. Thus, the behavior of the scalar curvature always increases, homogenizing the geometry along the flow. Moreover, the theory under study keeps positive-definite, but decreasing, the entropy functional along the Ricci–DeTurck flow.

Revisiting sterile neutrino dark matter in gauged U(1)B−L model

We reexamine sterile neutrino dark matter in gauged $U(1)_{B-L}$ model. Improvements have been made by tracing and careful evaluation of the evolution of the number densities of sterile neutrinos $N$ and extra neutral gauge bosons $Z'$. As a result, the cosmologically-interesting gauge coupling of $U(1)_{B-L}$ for freeze-in sterile neutrinos turns out to be smaller than the values reported in the literature. This avoids the overproduction of $Z'$ so that it is consistent with the big bang nucleosynthesis and the cosmic microwave background constraints on the effective number of neutrino species. Similarly, the free-streaming length constraints exclude a large parameter space derived in previous studies. In addition to known freeze-in pair production of $N$ from the standard model fermion pairs, we find the case that $N$ is dominantly produced from a pair of $Z'$ at the temperature characterized by the $B-L$ breaking scalar mass. Thus, the naive truncation of the $U(1)_{B-L}$ scalar contribution made in the literature is not valid.

Revival of H− interpretation of RD(*) anomaly and closing low mass window

Thanks to the recent careful revisit of the theoretical prediction of the $B_c$ meson lifetime, the conservative upper bound on the branching ratio (BR) of $\tau \nu$ mode is found to be $\simeq 63\%$ due to the large charm quark mass uncertainty. Although it is well known that a charged Higgs ($H^-$) interpretation of the $R_{D^{(*)}}$ anomaly is excluded by the previously proposed bounds, BR$(B_c\to\tau\nu)\le 30\%$ and $\le10\%$, $H^-$ can still explain the anomaly within $1\sigma$ if we adopt the 63$\%$ one. The scalar contribution is also favored by the polarization data $F_L^{D^*}$ measured at the Belle. Since the implied NP scale is within the reach of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), collider searches are powerful tools to test the scenario. For instance, the $\tau\nu$ resonance search has already put the more stringent bound for $m_{H^-}\ge 400\,$GeV. In this work we revisit the further lighter mass range, $180\,$GeV$\le m_{H^-}\le 400\,$GeV which has not been covered yet. We will see that a combination of the conventional stau search and low mass flavor inclusive and bottom flavored di-jet resonance searches can place a new limit on the interpretation. We summarize the current status of the low mass region and discuss the future sensitivity in the high luminosity (HL)-LHC based on the existent collider constraints.

Vacuum decay in quadratic gravity

Metastable states decay at zero temperature through quantum tunnelling at an exponentially small rate, which depends on the Coleman–de Luccia instanton, also known as bounce. In some theories, the bounce may not exist or its on-shell action may be ill-defined or infinite, thus hindering the vacuum decay process. In this paper, we test this possibility in modified theories of gravity interacting with a real scalar field. We consider an Einstein–Hilbert term with a non-minimally coupled scalar field and a quadratic Ricci scalar contribution. To tackle the problem, we use a new analytic method, with which we prove that the scalar field on the bounce has a universal behaviour at large Euclidean radii, almost independently of the potential. Our main result is that the quadratic Ricci scalar prevents the decay, regardless of the other terms in the action.

Hadronic ligh-by-light contribution to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon: The role of scalar resonances in a holographic model of QCD

We review the evaluation of scalar mesons contribution to the hadronic light-by-light piece of the muon anomalous magnetic moment, using a holographic model of QCD.We evaluate the contributions of the lightest, sub-GeV scalars σ(500), a0(980) and f0(980) and their associated towers of excited states. Our results point at a negative contribution, overwhelmingly dominated by the σ(500) meson, that we estimate at aμHLbL,S = -9(2)·10-11, in very good agreement with recent determinations from dispersive analyses.

Cosmological simulations of number counts

In this paper we present for the first time the angular power spectra C ℓ(z,z') for number counts from relativisticN-body simulations. We use the relativistic N-body code gevolution with its exact integration of lightlike geodesics which include all relativistic scalar contributions to the number counts. We compare our non-perturbative numerical results with the results from class using the hmcode approximation for the non-linear matter power spectrum. We find that this simple description is excellent for both, the density and the convergence.On the other hand, the current implementation of redshift-space distortions in Boltzmann codes is not accurate.We also find that the largest contribution to the unequal-redshift power spectra is the cross-correlation of the density and the lensing contribution to the number counts, especially for redshift bins that are far apart. Correlatingthe number counts with the convergence map we find that the signal is dominated by the lensing-lensing term when the convergence field redshift is not higher than the number counts one, while it is dominated by the density-lensing term in the opposite case.In the present study, the issue of galaxy bias is deliberately left aside by considering only unbiased samples of matter particles from the simulations.

Custodial symmetry for muon g−2

We discuss the recent results on the muon anomalous magnetic moment in the context of new physics models with light scalars. We propose a model in which the one-loop contributions to g-2 of a scalar and a pseudoscalar naturally cancel in the massless limit due to the symmetry structure of the model. This model allows to interpolate between two possible interpretations. In the first interpretation, the results provide a strong evidence of the existence of new physics, dominated by the positive contribution of a CP-even scalar. In the second one, supported by the recent lattice result, the data provides a strong upper bound on new physics, specifically in the case of (negative) pseudoscalar contributions. We emphasize that tree-level signatures of the new degrees of freedom of the model are enhanced relative to conventional explanations of the discrepancy. As a result, this model can be tested in the near future with accelerator-based experiments and possibly also at the precision frontier.

Thermal Casimir effect for the scalar field in flat spacetime under a helix boundary condition

In this work we consider the generalized zeta function method to obtain temperature corrections to the vacuum (Casimir) energy density, at zero temperature, associated with quantum vacuum fluctuations of a scalar field subjected to a helix boundary condition and whose modes propagate in ($3+1$)-dimensional Euclidean spacetime. We find closed and analytical expressions for both the two-point heat kernel function and free energy density in the massive and massless scalar field cases. In particular, for the massless scalar field case, we also calculate the thermodynamics quantities internal energy density and entropy density, with their corresponding high- and low-temperature limits. We show that the temperature correction term in the free energy density must suffer a finite renormalization, by subtracting the scalar thermal blackbody radiation contribution, in order to provide the correct classical limit at high temperatures. We check that, at low temperature, the entropy density vanishes as the temperature goes to zero, in accordance with the third law of thermodynamics. We also point out that, at low temperatures, the dominant term in the free energy and internal energy densities is the vacuum energy density at zero temperature. Finally, we also show that the pressure obeys an equation of state.

A dispersive estimate of scalar contributions to hadronic light-by-light scattering

We consider the contribution of scalar resonances to hadronic light-by-light scattering in the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon. While the f0(500) has already been addressed in previous work using dispersion relations, heavier scalar resonances have only been estimated in hadronic models so far. Here, we compare an implementation of the f0(980) resonance in terms of the coupled-channel S-waves for γ⁎γ⁎→ππ/K¯K to a narrow-width approximation, which indicates aμHLbL[f0(980)]=−0.2(2)×10−11. With a similar estimate for the a0(980), the combined effect is thus well below 1×10−11 in absolute value. We also estimate the contribution of heavier scalar resonances. In view of the very uncertain situation concerning their two-photon couplings we suggest to treat them together with other resonances of similar mass when imposing the matching to short-distance constraints. Our final result is a refined estimate of the S-wave rescattering effects in the ππ and K¯K channel up to about 1.3 GeV and including a narrow-width evaluation of the a0(980): aμHLbL[scalars]=−9(1)×10−11.

Mapping out the space for new physics with leptonic and semileptonic B_{(c)} decays

Decays of B mesons with leptons in the final state offer an interesting laboratory to search for possible effects of physics from beyond the Standard Model. In view of puzzling patterns in experimental data, the violation of lepton flavour universality is an interesting option. We present a strategy, utilising ratios of leptonic and semileptonic B decays, where the elements |V_{ub}| and |V_{cb}| of the Cabibbo–Kobayashi–Maskawa (CKM) matrix cancel, to constrain the short-distance coefficients of (pseudo)-scalar, vector and tensor operator contributions. The individual branching ratios allow us then to extract also the CKM matrix elements, even in the presence of new-physics contributions. Bounds on unmeasured leptonic and semileptonic decays offer important additional constraints. In our comprehensive analysis, we give also predictions for decays which have not yet been measured in a variety of scenarios.