The X(3872) at the Tevatron

I report results on the X(3872) from the Tevatron. Mass and other properties have been studied, with a focus on new results on the dipion mass spectrum in X -> J/PsiPi^+Pi^- decays. Dipions favor interpreting the decay as J/PsiRho, implying even C-parity for the X. Modeling uncertainties do not allow distinguishing between S- and P-wave decays of the J/PsiRho mode. Effects of Rho-Omega interference in X decay are also introduced.Comment: Contribution to PANIC05, Santa Fe, 24-28 October 2005 (4 pages, 6 plots

Loyalty in World Politics

Loyalty is part of the glue that holds relationships together in times of difficulty. Surprisingly, however, hardly any literature exists on the role of loyalty in international relations. The concept is routinely invoked – not least the notion of the ‘loyal ally’ - but typically only in passing and often based on questionable assumptions about the nature and effect of loyalty. Building on literature in moral philosophy on the ethics of loyalty, this paper presents loyalty as persistently partial behaviour driven by affective attachments. Such attachments are, in turn, driven mainly by a sense of shared social identity but also the interaction between subjects and objects of loyalty. I show how this understanding of loyalty differs from how most political scientists use the concept and illustrate why it matters for the study of world politics

Molecular docking studies of Chenopodium album Linn with Lanosterol synthase enzyme

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the major cause of death among people across the globe.  Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major contributing factors for CVD. Molecules that bind with Lanosterol synthase enzyme, can be potential drug targets.  Statin group of compounds like Simvastatin, cerivastatin, Atorvastatin etc., used for treating hypercholesterolemia have side effects and hence there is a growing demand for plant derived flavonoids.  This work focusses on studying the compounds quercetin-3-O-(2??,6??-di-O-?-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-?-d-glucopyranoside, kaempferol-3-O-(2??,6??-di-O-?-l-rhamnopyranosyl)-?-d-glucopyranoside, rutin; quercetin-3-O-?-d-glucopyranoside (Iso quercetin); and kaempferol-3-O-?-d-glucopyranoside (Astragalin) present in Chenopodium album Linn to inhibit Lanosterol synthase.   Bioactivity score, drug likeness character was assessed in silico.  Based on bioactivity spectrum, it is observed that the molecules are biologically active and the probability of these compounds to be biologically active is ranging from 0.784 to 0.992, suggesting that these compounds are effective for treating hypercholesterolemia.   In the molecular docking studies, the compounds binding affinity score was in agreement that the molecules have the potential to be used as an alternative to the statin group of compounds in treating cholesterol

Recent Results in Electroweak B Decays from the BaBar Experiment

A review of the most recent BABAR results on electroweak penguin B decays is presented. The focus of this paper is on the measurement of observables in the decays B {yields} X{sub s}{gamma}, B {yields} K{sup (*)}l{sup +}l{sup -} B {yields} K{sub s}{sup 0}{pi}{sup 0}{gamma} (time-dependent analysis) and B {yields} ({rho}/{omega}){gamma}

An electrooptical muscle contraction sensor

An electrooptical sensor for the detection of muscle contraction is described. Infrared light is injected into the muscle, the backscattering is observed, and the contraction is detected by measuring the change, that occurs during muscle contraction, between the light scattered in the direction parallel and perpendicular to the muscle cells. With respect to electromyography and to optical absorption-based sensors, our device has the advantage of lower invasiveness, of lower sensitivity to electromagnetic noise and to movement artifacts, and of being able to distinguish between isometric and isotonic contractions

ILC Electron Source Injector Simuations

As part of the global project aimed at proposing an efficient design for the ILC (International Linear Collider), we simulated possible setups for the electron source injector, which will provide insight into how the electron injector for the ILC should be designed in order to efficiently accelerate the electron beams through the bunching system. This study uses three types of software: E-Gun to simulate electron beam emission, Superfish to calculate solenoidal magnetic fields, and GPT (General Particle Tracer) to trace charged particles after emission through magnetic fields and subharmonic bunchers. We performed simulations of the electron source injector using various electron gun bias voltages (140kV - 200kV), emitted beam lengths (500ps - 1ns) and radii (7mm - 10mm), and electromagnetic field strengths of the first subharmonic buncher (5 - 20 MV/m). The results of the simulations show that for the current setup of the ILC, a modest electron gun bias voltage ({approx}140kV) is sufficient to achieve the required bunching of the beam in the injector. Extensive simulations of parameters also involving the second subharmonic buncher should be performed in order to gain more insight into possible efficient designs for the ILC electron source injector

High momentum transfer inelastic muon scattering and test of scale invariance at NAL

We propose a relatively simple first stage experiment with muons in the 50-150 GeV range. The experiment is designed to optimize conditions for testing scale invariance while providing some information about the final state, as a test of various theories of high energy interactions. The proposed use of an iron spectrometer and of a high Z (>1) target with a low intensity ({approx}10{sup 6}/sec) muon beam should greatly reduce the cost and complexity of the experiment and especially ease the construction of the beam. It may even be possible to make an adequate muon beam for this purpose from the planned 3.5 mrad high intensity pion beam. A higher intensity muon beam can be used to extend the range in q{sup 2}. Information gained in this first experiment could greatly assist the planning of a more sophisticated experiment proposed for the high intensity {mu} beam

Extraction, quantification and degree of polymerization of yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolia) fructans

Yacon tubers have been a distinguished alternative of fructans, drawing the attention of researchers and food industries. Since fructans are carbohydrate reserves storage can reduce their contents. Additionally, the type of extraction used can provide a higher yield of fructans. Therefore, it was necessary to study yacon storage and its influence on the extraction and quantification of fructans. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate three fructan extractions (water 75°C, water 95°C, ethanol 90°C) in yacon with 3 sizes (large, medium, small), stored for 20 days, at room temperature as well as to compare two quantification techniques. The three extractions can be used when fructans are quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For quantification by spectrometry, the best extraction method was ethanol at 90°C. Medium and small-sized tubers presented the highest contents of fructans that large tubers, and storage negatively influenced these contents. Fructan quantification by HPLC was higher than the spectrophotometric technique. All treatments showed a degree of polymerization in the range from 3 to 7, allowing numerous technological applications for fructans present in yacon.Key words: Fructooligosaccharides, storage, tuber size