Non-Locality and Theories of Causation

The aim of the paper is to investigate the characterization of an unambiguous notion of causation linking single space-llike separated events in EPR-Bell frameworks. This issue is investigated in ordinary quantum mechanics, with some hints to no collapse formulations of the theory such as Bohmian mechanics.Comment: Presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Modality, Probability and Bell's Theorems, Cracow, Poland, August 19-23, 200

Mephedrone pharmacokinetics after intravenous and oral administration in rats: relation to pharmacodynamics

Fe d'errates disponible a: http://​dx.​doi.​org/​10.​1007/​s00213-013-3283-6Rationale Mephedrone (4-methylmethcathinone) is a still poorly known drug of abuse, alternative to ecstasy or cocaine. Objective The major aims were to investigate the pharmacokineticsa and locomotor activity of mephedrone in rats and provide a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model. Methods Mephedrone was administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats intravenously (10 mg/kg) and orally (30 and 60 mg/kg). Plasma concentrations and metabolites were characterized using LC/MS and LC-MS/MS fragmentation patterns. Locomotor activity was monitored for 180-240 min. Results Mephedrone plasma concentrations after i.v. administration fit a two-compartment model (α=10.23 h−1, β=1.86 h−1). After oral administration, peak mephedrone concentrations were achieved between 0.5 and 1 h and declined to undetectable levels at 9 h. The absolute bioavailability of mephedrone was about 10 % and the percentage of mephedrone protein binding was 21.59±3.67%. We have identified five phase I metabolites in rat blood after oral administration. The relationship between brain levels and free plasma concentration was 1.85±0.08. Mephedrone induced a dose-dependent increase in locomotor activity, which lasted up to 2 h. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model successfully describes the relationship between mephedrone plasma concentrations and its psychostimulant effect. Conclusions We suggest a very important first-pass effect for mephedrone after oral administration and an easy access to the central nervous system. The model described might be useful in the estimation and prediction of the onset, magnitude,and time course of mephedrone pharmacodynamics as well as to design new animal models of mephedrone addiction and toxicity

Skin Cornification Proteins Provide Global Link between ROS Detoxification and Cell Migration during Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex dynamic process characterised by a uniform flow of events in nearly all types of tissue damage, from a small skin scratch to myocardial infarction. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are essential during the healing process at multiple stages, ranging from the initial signal that instigates the immune response, to the triggering of intracellular redox-dependent signalling pathways and the defence against invading bacteria. Excessive ROS in the wound milieu nevertheless impedes new tissue formation. Here we identify small proline-rich (SPRR) proteins as essential players in this latter process, as they directly link ROS detoxification with cell migration. A literature-based meta-analysis revealed their up-regulation in various forms of tissue injury, ranging from heart infarction and commensal-induced gut responses to nerve regeneration and burn injury. Apparently, SPRR proteins have a far more widespread role in wound healing and tissue remodelling than their established function in skin cornification. It is inferred that SPRR proteins provide injured tissue with an efficient, finely tuneable antioxidant barrier specifically adapted to the tissue involved and the damage inflicted. Their recognition as novel cell protective proteins combining ROS detoxification with cell migration will provide new venues to study and manage tissue repair and wound healing at a molecular level

Measurement of the Relative Branching Fraction of Υ(4S)\Upsilon(4S) to Charged and Neutral B-Meson Pairs

We analyze 9.7 x 10^6 B\bar{B}$ pairs recorded with the CLEO detector to determine the production ratio of charged to neutral B-meson pairs produced at the Y(4S) resonance. We measure the rates for B^0 -> J/psi K^{(*)0} and B^+ -> J/psi K^{(*)+} decays and use the world-average B-meson lifetime ratio to extract the relative widths f+-/f00 = Gamma(Y(4S) -> B+B-)/Gamma(Y(4S) -> B0\bar{B0}) = = 1.04 +/- 0.07(stat) +/- 0.04(syst). With the assumption that f+- + f00 = 1, we obtain f00 = 0.49 +/- 0.02(stat) +/- 0.01(syst) and f+- = 0.51 +/- 0.02(stat) +/- 0.01(syst). This production ratio and its uncertainty apply to all exclusive B-meson branching fractions measured at the Y(4S) resonance.Comment: 11 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

First Observation of the Decays B0→D∗−ppˉπ+B^{0}\to D^{*-}p\bar{p}\pi^{+} and B^{0}\to D^{*-}p\bar{n}$

We report the first observation of exclusive decays of the type B to D^* N anti-N X, where N is a nucleon. Using a sample of 9.7 times 10^{6} B-Bbar pairs collected with the CLEO detector operating at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we measure the branching fractions B(B^0 \to D^{*-} proton antiproton \pi^+) = ({6.5}^{+1.3}_{-1.2} +- 1.0) \times 10^{-4} and B(B^0 \to D^{*-} proton antineutron) = ({14.5}^{+3.4}_{-3.0} +- 2.7) times 10^{-4}. Antineutrons are identified by their annihilation in the CsI electromagnetic calorimeter.Comment: 9 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Study of the Decays B0 --> D(*)+D(*)-

The decays B0 --> D*+D*-, B0 --> D*+D- and B0 --> D+D- are studied in 9.7 million Y(4S) --> BBbar decays accumulated with the CLEO detector. We determine Br(B0 --> D*+D*-) = (9.9+4.2-3.3+-1.2)e-4 and limit Br(B0 --> D*+D-) < 6.3e-4 and Br(B0 --> D+D-) < 9.4e-4 at 90% confidence level (CL). We also perform the first angular analysis of the B0 --> D*+D*- decay and determine that the CP-even fraction of the final state is greater than 0.11 at 90% CL. Future measurements of the time dependence of these decays may be useful for the investigation of CP violation in neutral B meson decays.Comment: 21 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

A Search for B→τνB\to \tau\nu

We report results of a search for $B\to\tau\nu$ in a sample of 9.7 million charged $B$ meson decays. The search uses both $\pi\nu$ and $\ell\nu\bar\nu$ decay modes of the $\tau$, and demands exclusive reconstruction of the companion $\bar B$ decay to suppress background. We set an upper limit on the branching fraction ${\cal B}(B\to \tau\nu) < 8.4\times 10^{-4}$ at 90% confidence level. With slight modification to the analysis we also establish ${\cal B}(B^\pm\to K^\pm\nu\bar\nu) < 2.4\times 10^{-4}$ at 90% confidence level.Comment: 10 ages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Measurements of B --> D_s^{(*)+} D^{*(*)} Branching Fractions

This article describes improved measurements by CLEO of the $B^0 \to D_s^+ D^{*-}$ and $B^0 \to D_s^{*+} D^{*-}$ branching fractions, and first evidence for the decay $B^+ \to D_s^{(*)+} \bar{D}^{**0}$, where $\bar{D}^{**0}$ represents the sum of the $\bar{D}_1(2420)^0$, $\bar{D}_2^*(2460)^0$, and $\bar{D}_1(j=1/2)^0$ L=1 charm meson states. Also reported is the first measurement of the $D_s^{*+}$ polarization in the decay $B^0 \to D_s^{*+} D^{*-}$. A partial reconstruction technique, employing only the fully reconstructed $D_s^+$ and slow pion $\pi_s^-$ from the $D^{*-} \to \bar{D}^0 \pi^-_s$ decay, enhances sensitivity. The observed branching fractions are ${\mathcal B} (B^0 \to D_s^+ D^{*-}) = (1.10 \pm 0.18 \pm 0.10 \pm 0.28)$, ${\mathcal B} (B^0 \to D_s^{*+} D^{*-}) = (1.82 \pm 0.37 \pm 0.24 \pm 0.46)$, and ${\mathcal B} (B^+ \to D_s^{(*)+} \bar{D}^{**0}) = (2.73 \pm 0.78 \pm 0.48 \pm 0.68)$, where the first error is statistical, the second systematic, and the third is due to the uncertainty in the $D_s^+ \to \phi \pi^+$ branching fraction. The measured $D_s^{*+}$ longitudinal polarization, $\Gamma_L/\Gamma = (50.6 \pm 13.9 \pm 3.6)$, is consistent with the factorization prediction of 54%.Comment: 26 pages (LaTeX), 15 figures. To be submitted to PR

Improved Measurement of the Pseudoscalar Decay Constant fDsf_{D_{s}}

We present a new determination of the Ds decay constant, f_{Ds} using 5 million continuum charm events obtained with the CLEO II detector. Our value is derived from our new measured ratio of widths for Ds -> mu nu/Ds -> phi pi of 0.173+/- 0.021 +/- 0.031. Taking the branching ratio for Ds -> phi pi as (3.6 +/- 0.9)% from the PDG, we extract f_{Ds} = (280 +/- 17 +/- 25 +/- 34){MeV}. We compare this result with various model calculations.Comment: 23 page postscript file, postscript file also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN

Precise Measurement of B^{0}\to \bar{B^{0} Mixing Parameters at the Υ(\Upsilon(S)$

We describe a measurement of B^0-B^0bar mixing parameters exploiting a method of partial reconstruction of the decay chains B0 -> D^{*-}\pi^+ and B0 -> D^{*-}\rho^+. Using 9.6 x 10^6 BBbar pairs collected at the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, we find \chi_d = 0.198 +- 0.013 +- 0.014, |y_d|<0.41 at 95% confidence level, and |Re(\epsilon_B)|<0.034 at 95% confidence level.Comment: 11 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLN