Closed forms and multi-moment maps

We extend the notion of multi-moment map to geometries defined by closed forms of arbitrary degree. We give fundamental existence and uniqueness results and discuss a number of essential examples, including geometries related to special holonomy. For forms of degree four, multi-moment maps are guaranteed to exist and are unique when the symmetry group is (3,4)-trivial, meaning that the group is connected and the third and fourth Lie algebra Betti numbers vanish. We give a structural description of some classes of (3,4)-trivial algebras and provide a number of examples.Comment: 36 page

Division Algebras and Quantum Theory

Quantum theory may be formulated using Hilbert spaces over any of the three associative normed division algebras: the real numbers, the complex numbers and the quaternions. Indeed, these three choices appear naturally in a number of axiomatic approaches. However, there are internal problems with real or quaternionic quantum theory. Here we argue that these problems can be resolved if we treat real, complex and quaternionic quantum theory as part of a unified structure. Dyson called this structure the "three-fold way". It is perhaps easiest to see it in the study of irreducible unitary representations of groups on complex Hilbert spaces. These representations come in three kinds: those that are not isomorphic to their own dual (the truly "complex" representations), those that are self-dual thanks to a symmetric bilinear pairing (which are "real", in that they are the complexifications of representations on real Hilbert spaces), and those that are self-dual thanks to an antisymmetric bilinear pairing (which are "quaternionic", in that they are the underlying complex representations of representations on quaternionic Hilbert spaces). This three-fold classification sheds light on the physics of time reversal symmetry, and it already plays an important role in particle physics. More generally, Hilbert spaces of any one of the three kinds - real, complex and quaternionic - can be seen as Hilbert spaces of the other kinds, equipped with extra structure.Comment: 30 pages, 3 encapsulated Postscript figure

Sums over Graphs and Integration over Discrete Groupoids

We show that sums over graphs such as appear in the theory of Feynman diagrams can be seen as integrals over discrete groupoids. From this point of view, basic combinatorial formulas of the theory of Feynman diagrams can be interpreted as pull-back or push-forward formulas for integrals over suitable groupoids.Comment: 27 pages, 4 eps figures; LaTeX2e; uses Xy-Pic. Some ambiguities fixed, and several proofs simplifie

Fermions in three-dimensional spinfoam quantum gravity

We study the coupling of massive fermions to the quantum mechanical dynamics of spacetime emerging from the spinfoam approach in three dimensions. We first recall the classical theory before constructing a spinfoam model of quantum gravity coupled to spinors. The technique used is based on a finite expansion in inverse fermion masses leading to the computation of the vacuum to vacuum transition amplitude of the theory. The path integral is derived as a sum over closed fermionic loops wrapping around the spinfoam. The effects of quantum torsion are realised as a modification of the intertwining operators assigned to the edges of the two-complex, in accordance with loop quantum gravity. The creation of non-trivial curvature is modelled by a modification of the pure gravity vertex amplitudes. The appendix contains a review of the geometrical and algebraic structures underlying the classical coupling of fermions to three dimensional gravity.Comment: 40 pages, 3 figures, version accepted for publication in GER

Time Uncertainty in Quantum Gravitational Systems

It is generally argued that the combined effect of Heisenberg principle and general relativity leads to a minimum time uncertainty. Most of the analyses supporting this conclusion are based on a perturbative approach to quantization. We consider a simple family of gravitational models, including the Einstein-Rosen waves, in which the (non-linearized) inclusion of gravity changes the normalization of time translations by a monotonic energy-dependent factor. In these circumstances, it is shown that a maximum time resolution emerges non-perturbatively only if the total energy is bounded. Perturbatively, however, there always exists a minimum uncertainty in the physical time.Comment: (4 pages, no figures) Accepted for publication in Physical Review

Resveratrol Targeting of Carcinogen-Induced Brain Endothelial Cell Inflammation Biomarkers MMP-9 and COX-2 is Sirt1-Independent

The occurrence of a functional relationship between the release of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, two inducible pro-inflammatory biomarkers with important pro-angiogenic effects, has recently been inferred. While brain endothelial cells play an essential role as structural and functional components of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), increased BBB breakdown is thought to be linked to neuroinflammation. Chemopreventive mechanisms targeting both MMPs and COX-2 however remain poorly investigated. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacological targeting of Sirt1 by the diet-derived and antiinflammatory polyphenol resveratrol. Total RNA, cell lysates, and conditioned culture media from human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) were analyzed using qRT-PCR, immunoblotting, and zymography respectively. Tissue scan microarray analysis of grade I–IV brain tumours cDNA revealed increased gene expression of Sirt-1 from grade I–III but surprisingly not in grade IV brain tumours. HBMEC were treated with a combination of resveratrol and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a carcinogen known to increase MMP-9 and COX-2 through NF-κB. We found that resveratrol efficiently reversed the PMA-induced MMP-9 secretion and COX-2 expression. Gene silencing of Sirt1, a critical modulator of angiogenesis and putative target of resveratrol, did not lead to significant reversal of MMP-9 and COX-2 inhibition. Decreased resveratrol inhibitory potential of carcinogen-induced IκB phosphorylation in siSirt1-transfected HBMEC was however observed. Our results suggest that resveratrol may prevent BBB disruption during neuroinflammation by inhibiting MMP-9 and COX-2 and act as a pharmacological NF-κB signal transduction inhibitor independent of Sirt1

Electroweak symmetry breaking in other terms

We analyse descriptions of electroweak symmetry breaking in terms of ultralocal antisymmetric tensor fields and gauge-singlet geometric variables, respectively; in particular, the Weinberg--Salam model and, ultimately, dynamical electroweak symmetry breaking by technicolour theories with enhanced symmetry groups. Our motivation is to unveil the manifestly gauge invariant structure of the different realisations. We find, for example, parallels to different types of torsion.Comment: 15p

Physics with the KLOE-2 experiment at the upgraded DAϕ\phiNE

Investigation at a $\phi$--factory can shed light on several debated issues in particle physics. We discuss: i) recent theoretical development and experimental progress in kaon physics relevant for the Standard Model tests in the flavor sector, ii) the sensitivity we can reach in probing CPT and Quantum Mechanics from time evolution of entangled kaon states, iii) the interest for improving on the present measurements of non-leptonic and radiative decays of kaons and eta/eta$^\prime$ mesons, iv) the contribution to understand the nature of light scalar mesons, and v) the opportunity to search for narrow di-lepton resonances suggested by recent models proposing a hidden dark-matter sector. We also report on the $e^+ e^-$ physics in the continuum with the measurements of (multi)hadronic cross sections and the study of gamma gamma processes.Comment: 60 pages, 41 figures; added affiliation for one of the authors; added reference to section

Parámetros electrocardiográficos del equino criollo de la región del piedemonte llanero

Titulo en ingles: Electrocardiographic parameters of  creole equine from  piedemonte of plains.RESUMEN Con  en  el  fin  de  determinar los parámetros electrocardiográficos  normales del equino criollo, de la zona del pie de monte llanero, de los departamentos de Arauca, Casanare y Meta, 340 equinos, distribuidos entre hembras, gestantes y vacías y machos, castrados y enteros,  de diferentes edades, fueron sometidos a examen electrocardiográfico. La determinación y análisis de parámetros  solo incluyó a la derivación bipolar D II.  A través de los registros  ECG se determinó para el total de la población en estudio diferentes parámetros tales como la frecuencia cardiaca, cuyo promedio general  fue de 45.11  ± 10.75  lpm.  El ritmo cardiaco mostró un patrón sinusal, el eje eléctrico promedio fue de 83.5 ± 73.2 grados, la onda P mostró una deflexión monofásica positiva, en un 75.9%  de los casos. La amplitud de las ondas P, Q, R y T,  arrojó promedios generales de 0.14 ± 0.06 mV, 0.24 ± 0.16 mV, 0.63 ± 0.31 mVy 0.12 ± 0.29 mV respectivamente.La onda T fue posi tiva en un 62.6% de los casos. La onda S no fue constante y solo se presentó en el 6% de los animales examinados. La duración promedio de las onda P, onda Q, complejo QRS y onda T fue de 0.06 ± 0.03 s, 0.09 ± 0.12 s, 0.16 ± 0.16 s y 0.1 ± 0.09 s   respectivamente. La duración de los segmentosP-Q y S-T encontrados fue de 0.19 ± 0.06 s y 0.29 ±0.07 s en su orden y la duración de los intervalos P- Q y R-R, fueron  de 0.22 ± 0.04 s y de 1.45 ± 0.25 s. Con las anteriores descripciones de parámetros  del electrocardiograma   equino, se han dado aproximaciones de su comportamiento  en la región del pie de monte llanero, en animales criollos, que podrían ser considerados como normales tanto para los diferentes grupos establecidos, como para el total de la población  estudiada en el presente trabajo.Palabras clave:  electrocardiografía, caballo criollo.ABSTRACT: The aim of this work was to determine  the normal electrocardiography  parameters  of native  horses located  in the Pie de Monte Llanero region, that included Arauca, Casanare  and Meta  Departments from Colombia. For  this  purpose,  340  animals distributed between stallion and gelding males, pregnant and no pregnant females, of different ages were accomplished to electrocardiographically exam. Analysis only included bipolar DII derivation. With the ECG records of total animals, different parameters were determined, like this: Heart rate, which general mean was 45.11  ± 10.75  bfm. Sinusal rhythm was the constant in all records and the Electric axe mean was of 83.5  ± 73.2 grades.  75.9%  of the P wave showed positive monophasic curve. P, Q, R, and T waves amplitude showed general means of 0.14 ± 0.06 mV, 0.24 ± 0.16 mV, 0.63 ± 0.31 mV and  0.12 ± 0.29 mV, in this order. 62.6% of the T wave was positive. Only 6% of the records showed Swave. The duration of the P, Q, QRS and T waves had a general mean of the 0.06 ± 0.03s, 0.09 ± 0.12 s, 0.16 ± 0.16s and 0.1 ± 0.09s respectively. P-Q and S-T segments had duration of the 0.19 ± 0.06 s and 0.29 ± 0.07s in this order and the P-Q and R-R intervals duration was of 0.22  ± 0.04s and 1.45  ± 0.25s respectively. With these parameters of equine electrocardiography, we have done any advance about of its behavior in this zone of our country and in native horse, which could be considered as normal,  both for different groups studied and for whole of population included in this studyTitulo en ingles: Electrocardiographic parameters of  creole equine from  piedemonte of plains.RESUMEN Con  en  el  fin  de  determinar los parámetros electrocardiográficos  normales del equino criollo, de la zona del pie de monte llanero, de los departamentos de Arauca, Casanare y Meta, 340 equinos, distribuidos entre hembras, gestantes y vacías y machos, castrados y enteros,  de diferentes edades, fueron sometidos a examen electrocardiográfico. La determinación y análisis de parámetros  solo incluyó a la derivación bipolar D II.  A través de los registros  ECG se determinó para el total de la población en estudio diferentes parámetros tales como la frecuencia cardiaca, cuyo promedio general  fue de 45.11  ± 10.75  lpm.  El ritmo cardiaco mostró un patrón sinusal, el eje eléctrico promedio fue de 83.5 ± 73.2 grados, la onda P mostró una deflexión monofásica positiva, en un 75.9%  de los casos. La amplitud de las ondas P, Q, R y T,  arrojó promedios generales de 0.14 ± 0.06 mV, 0.24 ± 0.16 mV, 0.63 ± 0.31 mVy 0.12 ± 0.29 mV respectivamente.La onda T fue posi tiva en un 62.6% de los casos. La onda S no fue constante y solo se presentó en el 6% de los animales examinados. La duración promedio de las onda P, onda Q, complejo QRS y onda T fue de 0.06 ± 0.03 s, 0.09 ± 0.12 s, 0.16 ± 0.16 s y 0.1 ± 0.09 s   respectivamente. La duración de los segmentosP-Q y S-T encontrados fue de 0.19 ± 0.06 s y 0.29 ±0.07 s en su orden y la duración de los intervalos P- Q y R-R, fueron  de 0.22 ± 0.04 s y de 1.45 ± 0.25 s. Con las anteriores descripciones de parámetros  del electrocardiograma   equino, se han dado aproximaciones de su comportamiento  en la región del pie de monte llanero, en animales criollos, que podrían ser considerados como normales tanto para los diferentes grupos establecidos, como para el total de la población  estudiada en el presente trabajo.Palabras clave:  electrocardiografía, caballo criollo.ABSTRACT: The aim of this work was to determine  the normal electrocardiography  parameters  of native  horses located  in the Pie de Monte Llanero region, that included Arauca, Casanare  and Meta  Departments from Colombia. For  this  purpose,  340  animals distributed between stallion and gelding males, pregnant and no pregnant females, of different ages were accomplished to electrocardiographically exam. Analysis only included bipolar DII derivation. With the ECG records of total animals, different parameters were determined, like this: Heart rate, which general mean was 45.11  ± 10.75  bfm. Sinusal rhythm was the constant in all records and the Electric axe mean was of 83.5  ± 73.2 grades.  75.9%  of the P wave showed positive monophasic curve. P, Q, R, and T waves amplitude showed general means of 0.14 ± 0.06 mV, 0.24 ± 0.16 mV, 0.63 ± 0.31 mV and  0.12 ± 0.29 mV, in this order. 62.6% of the T wave was positive. Only 6% of the records showed Swave. The duration of the P, Q, QRS and T waves had a general mean of the 0.06 ± 0.03s, 0.09 ± 0.12 s, 0.16 ± 0.16s and 0.1 ± 0.09s respectively. P-Q and S-T segments had duration of the 0.19 ± 0.06 s and 0.29 ± 0.07s in this order and the P-Q and R-R intervals duration was of 0.22  ± 0.04s and 1.45  ± 0.25s respectively. With these parameters of equine electrocardiography, we have done any advance about of its behavior in this zone of our country and in native horse, which could be considered as normal,  both for different groups studied and for whole of population included in this stud