A "Baedecker" for the Dark Matter Annihilation Signal

We provide a ``Baedecker'' or travel guide to the directions on the sky where the dark matter annihilation signal may be expected. We calculate the flux of high energy gamma-rays from annihilation of neutralino dark matter in the centre of the Milky Way and the three nearest dwarf spheroidals (Sagittarius, Draco and Canis Major), using realistic models of the dark matter distribution. Other investigators have used cusped dark halo profiles (such as the Navarro-Frenk-White) to claim a significant signal. This ignores the substantial astrophysical evidence that the Milky Way is not dark-matter dominated in the inner regions. We show that the annihilation signal from the Galactic Centre falls by two orders of magnitude on substituting a cored dark matter density profile for a cusped one. The present and future generation of high energy gamma-ray detectors, whether atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes or space missions like GLAST, lack the sensitivity to detect any of the monochromatic gamma-ray annihilation lines. The continuum gamma-ray signal above 1 GeV and above 50 GeV may however be detectable either from the dwarf spheroidals or from the Milky Way itself. If the density profiles of the dwarf spheroidals are cusped, then the best prospects are for detecting Sagittarius and Canis Major. However, if the dwarf spheroidals have milder, cored profiles, then the annihilation signal is not detectable. For GLAST, an attractive strategy is to exploit the wide field of view and observe the Milky Way at medium latitudes, as suggested by Stoehr et al. This is reasonably robust against changes in the density profile.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, version in press at The Physical Review

A Secret Poem for You

In this paper, the author presents a poem entitled “Plenitude.” The poem, originally written by the author’s father (José Antonio Noguera Gimenez) in Spanish, is offered by the author as a vehicle for the exploration of self, life, spirit, and nature. Both the Spanish and English versions of the poem are provided

The Plurality of Religions and the Spirit of Pluralism: A Participatory Vision of the Future of Religion

This paper first uncovers the subtle spiritual narcissism that has characterized historical approaches to religious diversity and discusses the shortcomings of the main forms of religious pluralism that have been proposed as its antidote: ecumenical, soteriological, postmodern, and metaphysical. It then argues that a participatory pluralism paves the way for an appreciation of religious diversity that eschews the dogmatism and competitiveness involved in privileging any particular tradition over the rest without falling into cultural-linguistic or naturalistic reductionisms. Discussion includes the question of the validity of spiritual truths and the development of a participatory critical theory of religion. The essay concludes with an exploration of different scenarios for the future of religion– global religion, mutual transformation, interspiritual wisdom, and spirituality without religion–and proposes that such a future may be shaped by spiritually individuated persons engaged in processes of cosmological hybridization in the context of a common spiritual family. A participatory approach to spirituality turns the problem of religious plurality into a celebration of the critical spirit of pluralism

From Romantic Jealousy to Sympathetic Joy: Monogamy, Polyamory, and Beyond

This paper explores how the extension of contemplative qualities to intimate relationships can transform human sexual/emotional responses and relationship choices. The paper reviews contemporary findings from the field of evolutionary psychology on the twin origins of jealousy and monogamy, argues for the possibility to transform jealousy into sympathetic joy (or compersion), addresses the common objections against polyamory (or nonmonogamy), and challenges the culturally prevalent belief that the only spiritually correct sexual options are either celibacy or (lifelong or serial) monogamy. To conclude, it is suggested that the cultivation of sympathetic joy in intimate bonds can pave the way to overcome the problematic dichotomy between monogamy and polyamory, grounding individuals in a radical openness to the dynamic unfolding of life that eludes any fixed relational identity or structure

From Romantic Jealousy to Sympathetic Joy: Monogamy, Polyamory, and Beyond

This paper explores how the extension of contemplative qualities to intimate relationships can transform human sexual/emotional responses and relationship choices. The paper reviews contemporary findings from the field of evolutionary psychology on the twin origins of jealousy and monogamy, argues for the possibility to transform jealousy into sympathetic joy (or compersion), addresses the common objections against polyamory (or nonmonogamy), and challenges the culturally prevalent belief that the only spiritually correct sexual options are either celibacy or (lifelong or serial) monogamy. To conclude, it is suggested that the cultivation of sympathetic joy in intimate bonds can pave the way to overcome the problematic dichotomy between monogamy and polyamory, grounding individuals in a radical openness to the dynamic unfolding of life that eludes any fixed relational identity or structure

Participation and spirit : an interview with Jorge N. Ferrer

This interview with Jorge Ferrer explores a wide number of themes, ranging from his psychology studies at the University of Barcelona and the roots of his interest in transpersonal psychology to his arrival to San Francisco and first years at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) as a doctoral student. Topics discussed include his dissertation research, the publication of his first book 'Revisioning Transpersonal Theory' (SUNY Press, 2002), the participatory turn in transpersonal psychology, his first publications in the 'Journal of Transpersonal Psychology' and debate with Ken Wilber, and the development of the participatory paradigm in more recent years. Finally, Ferrer highlights what he considers to be the main issues and debates within transpersonal psychology, as well as shares his main current interests and future projectsEsta entrevista con Jorge Ferrer explora un amplio abanico de temas, comenzando por sus estudios de licenciatura en psicología en la Universidad de Barcelona, las raíces de su interés por la psicología transpersonal, su llegada a San Francisco y sus primeros años en el CIIS y la ―Bay Area‖ como estudiante de doctorado. Los temas tratados incluyen su trabajo de tesis, la publicación de su primer libro 'Espiritualidad creativa', el giro participativo dentro de la psicología transpersonal, sus primeras publicaciones en el 'Journal of Transpersonal Psychology' y su debate con Ken Wilber, así como el desarrollo del paradigma participativo a lo largo de los últimos años. Finalmente, Ferrer destaca cuales considera que son los principales asuntos y debates en el campo de la psicología transpersonal actualmente, sus intereses principales y sus proyectos futuro

Demographic growth and the distribution of language sizes

It is argued that the present log-normal distribution of language sizes is, to a large extent, a consequence of demographic dynamics within the population of speakers of each language. A two-parameter stochastic multiplicative process is proposed as a model for the population dynamics of individual languages, and applied over a period spanning the last ten centuries. The model disregards language birth and death. A straightforward fitting of the two parameters, which statistically characterize the population growth rate, predicts a distribution of language sizes in excellent agreement with empirical data. Numerical simulations, and the study of the size distribution within language families, validate the assumptions at the basis of the model.Comment: To appear in Int. J. Mod. Phys. C (2008

Long range neutrino forces in the cosmic relic neutrino background

Neutrinos mediate long range forces among macroscopic bodies in vacuum. When the bodies are placed in the neutrino cosmic background, these forces are modified. Indeed, at distances long compared to the scale $T^{-1}$, the relic neutrinos completely screen off the 2-neutrino exchange force, whereas for small distances the interaction remains unaffected.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Luxación anterior de cadera: presentación de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

La luxación anterior de cadera es una lesión poco frecuente y que se produce por traumatismos de alta energía. Este tipo de luxación requiere maniobras especiales para su reducción. El tratamiento ortopédico puede dar buenos resultados, aunque en ocasiones es necesaria la reducción abierta y el tratamiento quirúrgico de lesiones asociadas. Presentamos el caso de un varón de 27 años que presentaba una luxación anterior de cadera derecha debido a accidente automovilístico. Además tenía lesiones asociadas en pie derecho. Se realizó reducción cerrada y tratamiento conservador con buenos resultados. El pronóstico de una luxación de cadera depende de la gravedad de la lesión así como del tiempo que se tarda en realizar la reducción, que está relacionando con el riesgo de desarrollo de necrosis avascular. La luxación anterior de cadera tiene mejor pronóstico que la luxación posterior cuando se realiza un tratamiento temprano adecuado.The anterior hip dislocation is a little frequent injury and is produced by high energy traumatisms. This type of dislocation requires special maneuvers for its reduction. The orthopaedic treatment can give good results, although sometimes it is necessary the open reduction and the surgical treatment of associate injuries. We present a case of a 27 year-old man who presented an anterior hip dislocation due to automobile accident. He had associated injuries on right food. He was treated by closed reduction and orthopaedic treatment and he had good results. The prognosis of a hip dislocation depends on the gravity of the injury as well as the time that takes in realizing the reduction, that it is relating to the risk of development of avascular necrosis. The anterior hip dislocation has better prognosis than the posterior dislocation when a suitable treatment is early realized