Higgs inflation: consistency and generalisations

We analyse the self-consistency of inflation in the Standard Model, where the Higgs field has a large non-minimal coupling to gravity. We determine the domain of energies in which this model represents a valid effective field theory as a function of the background Higgs field. This domain is bounded above by the cutoff scale which is found to be higher than the relevant dynamical scales throughout the whole history of the Universe, including the inflationary epoch and reheating. We present a systematic scheme to take into account quantum loop corrections to the inflationary calculations within the framework of effective field theory. We discuss the additional assumptions that must be satisfied by the ultra-violet completion of the theory to allow connection between the parameters of the inflationary effective theory and those describing the low-energy physics relevant for the collider experiments. A class of generalisations of inflationary theories with similar properties is constructed.Comment: 25 pages, 1 figur

Hyperon production asymmetries in 500 GeV/c pion nucleus interactions

We present a preliminary study from Fermilab experiment E791 of Lambda^0 / Lambda^0 bar, Xi^- / Xi^+ and Omega^- /Omega^+ production asymmetries from pi^- nucleus interactions at 500 Gev/c. The production asymmetries for these particles are studied as a function of x_F and pt^2. We observed an asymmetry in the target fragmentation region for Lambda^0's larger than that for Xi's, suggesting diquark effects. The asymmetry for Omega's is significatively smaller than for the other two hyperons consistent with the fact that Omega's do not share valence quarks with either the pion or the target particle. In the beam fragmentation region, the asymmetry tends to 0.1 for both Lambda^0's and Xi's. The asymmetries vs pt^2 are approximately constant for the three strange baryons under study.Comment: Typos correcte

The Charm of the Proton and the Λc+\Lambda _c^{+} Production

We propose a two component model for charmed baryon production in $pp$ collisions consisting of the conventional parton fusion mechanism and fragmentation plus quarks recombination in which a $ud$ valence diquark from the proton recombines with a $c$-sea quark to produce a $\Lambda_c^+$. Our two-component model is compared with the intrinsic charm two-component model and experimental data.Comment: 6 pages, LaTex, 2 figures included, aipproc.sty included. Talk presented at Simposio Latino Americano de Fisica de Altas Energias, Merida, Mexico, November 199

The Λ0\Lambda_0 Polarization and the Recombination Mechanism

We use the recombination and the Thomas Precession Model to obtain a prediction for the $\Lambda _0$ polarization in the $p+p \to \Lambda_0+X$ reaction. We study the effect of the recombination function on the $\Lambda_0$ polarization.Comment: 4 pages, LaTex, 1 figures included, aipproc.sty included. Talk presented at Simposio Latino Americano de Fisica de Altas Energias, Merida, Mexico, November 199

Asymmetry studies in Lambda 0/Lambda 0-bar, Xi-/Xi+ and Omega-/Omega+ production

We present a study on hyperon/anti-hyperon production asymmetries in the framework of the recombination model. The production asymmetries for Lambda 0/Lambda 0-bar, Xi-/Xi+ and Omega-/Omega+ are studied as a function of x_F. Predictions of the model are compared to preliminary data on hyperon/anti-hyperon production asymmetries in 500 GeV/c pi- p interactions from the Fermilab E791 experiment. The model predicts a growing asymmetry with the number of valence quarks shared by the target and the produced hyperons in the x_F < 0 region. In the positive x_F region, the model predicts constant asymmetries for Lambda 0/Lambda 0-bar and Omega-/Omega+ production and a growing asymmetry with x_F for Xi-/Xi+. We found a qualitatively good agreement between the model predictions and data, showing that recombination is a competitive mechanism in the hadronization process.Comment: One reference correcte

Heisenberg-limited eavesdropping on the continuous-variable quantum cryptographic protocol with no basis switching is impossible

The Gaussian quantum key distribution protocol based on coherent states and heterodyne detection [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 170504 (2004)] has the advantage that no active random basis switching is needed on the receiver's side. Its security is, however, not very satisfyingly understood today because the bounds on the secret key rate that have been derived from Heisenberg relations are not attained by any known scheme. Here, we address the problem of the optimal Gaussian individual attack against this protocol, and derive tight upper bounds on the information accessible to an eavesdropper. The optical scheme achieving this bound is also exhibited, which concludes the security analysis of this protocol.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Postmortem coronary artery calcium score in cases of myocardial infarction.

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) related to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (ACAD) resulting in myocardial infarction is the most prevalent cause of death in western countries. In clinical practice, coronary artery calcium score (CACS) is considered an independent predictor of coronary events, closely related to atherosclerotic burden and is quantified radiologically by the Agatston score being calculated through computed tomography. Postmortem computed tomography (PMCT) allows the visualization and quantification of coronary calcifications before the autopsy. However, it was reported that some patients who died from severe ACAD had a zero CACS in PMCT. In this study, a retrospective evaluation of CACS in adult's myocardial infarction cases related to ACAD, with available CACS and histological slides of coronary arteries, was performed in order to gain a deeper understanding of coronary calcifications and their role in myocardial infarction cases. The CACS was calculated by using the software Smartscore 4.0 after the radiological examination on a 64-row CT unit using a specific cardiac protocol. Thirty-six cases were identified out of 582 autopsies, recorded during a 2-year study period (29 men, 7 women; age 56.3 ± 11.7). CACS was 0-10 in 5 cases (5 men, 44.8 ± 13.7), 11-100 in 8 cases (6 men, 2 women, 53.1 ± 7.7), 101-400 in 13 cases (11 men, 2 women, 57.4 ± 9.6), and &gt; 400 in 10 cases (9 men, 1 woman, 63.1 ± 11.9). Coronary thrombosis was found in 28 cases, histologically identified as plaque erosions in 6 cases and as plaque ruptures in 22 cases. Statistical analyses showed that CACS increases significantly with age (p-value &lt; 0.05) and does not show significant correlation with gender, body weight, body mass index, and heart weight. CACS was significantly higher in plaque ruptures than in plaque erosions (p-value &lt; 0.01). Zero or low CACS on unenhanced PMCT cannot exclude the presence of myocardial infarction related to ACAD. This paradoxical discrepancy between imaging and autopsy findings can be explained considering the histological aspect of fatal coronary plaques