The Universe out of an Elementary Particle?

We consider a model of an elementary particle as a 2 + 1 dimensional brane evolving in a 3 + 1 dimensional space. Introducing gauge fields that live in the brane as well as normal surface tension can lead to a stable "elementary particle" configuration. Considering the possibility of non vanishing vacuum energy inside the bubble leads, when gravitational effects are considered, to the possibility of a quantum decay of such "elementary particle" into an infinite universe. Some remarkable features of the quantum mechanics of this process are discussed, in particular the relation between possible boundary conditions and the question of instability towards Universe formation is analyzed

The QCD Membrane

In this paper we study spatially quenched, SU(N) Yang-Mills theory in the large-N limit. The resulting reduced action shows the same formal look as the Banks-Fischler-Shenker-Susskind M-theory action. The Weyl-Wigner-Moyal symbol of this matrix model is the Moyal deformation of a p(=2)-brane action. Thus, the large-N limit of the spatially quenched SU(N) Yang-Mills is seen to describe a dynamical membrane. By assuming spherical symmetry we compute the mass spectrum of this object in the WKB approximation.Comment: 14 pages, LaTeX, non figures; accepted for publication in Class.Quant. Gra

p-Branes from Generalized Yang-Mills Theory

We consider the reduced, quenched version of a generalized Yang-Mills action in 4k-dimensional spacetime. This is a new kind of matrix theory which is mapped through the Weyl-Wigner-Moyal correspondence into a field theory over a non-commutative phase space. We show that the ``classical'' limit of this field theory is encoded into the effective action of an open, (4k-1)-dimensional, bulk brane enclosed by a dynamical, Chern-Simons type, (4k-2)-dimensional, boundary brane. The bulk action is a pure volume term, while the boundary action carries all the dynamical degrees of freedom.Comment: 8 pages, LaTeX 2e, no figure

Poincare gauge invariance and gravitation in Minkowski spacetime

A formulation of Poincare symmetry as an inner symmetry of field theories defined on a fixed Minkowski spacetime is given. Local P gauge transformations and the corresponding covariant derivative with P gauge fields are introduced. The renormalization properties of scalar, spinor and vector fields in P gauge field backgrounds are determined. A minimal gauge field dynamics consistent with the renormalization constraints is given.Comment: 36 pages, latex-fil

The Affine-Metric Quantum Gravity with Extra Local Symmetries

We discuss the role of additional local symmetries related to the transformations of connection fields in the affine-metric theory of gravity. The corresponding BRST transformations connected with all symmetries (general coordinate, local Lorentz and extra) are constructed. It is shown, that extra symmetries give the additional contribution to effective action which is proportional to the corresponding Nielsen-Kallosh ghost one. Some arguments are given, that there is no anomaly associated with extra local symmetries.Comment: 14 pages in LATEX (The version of paper accepted for publication in Class. Quant. Grav.

Determination of SU(6) Clebsch-Gordan Coefficients and Baryon Mass and Electromagnetic Moment Relations

We compute and tabulate the Clesbsch--Gordan coefficients of the $SU(6) \supset SU(3) \times SU(2)$ product ${\overline{\bf 56}} \otimes {\bf 56}$, which are relevant to the nonrelativistic spin-flavor symmetry of the lightest baryons. Under the assumption that the largest representation in this product, the ${\bf 2695}$, gives rise to operators in a chiral expansion that produce numerically small effects, we obtain a set of relations among the masses of the baryons, as well as among their magnetic dipole and higher multipole moments. We compare the mass relations to experiment, and find numerical predictions for the $\Sigma^0$-$\Lambda$ mass mixing parameter and eighteen of the twenty-seven magnetic moments in the ${\bf 56}$.Comment: 33 pages, latex (aps revtex), no figure

Spatial and Temporal Trends of Global Pollination Benefit

Pollination is a well-studied and at the same time a threatened ecosystem service. A significant part of global crop production depends on or profits from pollination by animals. Using detailed information on global crop yields of 60 pollination dependent or profiting crops, we provide a map of global pollination benefits on a 5′ by 5′ latitude-longitude grid. The current spatial pattern of pollination benefits is only partly correlated with climate variables and the distribution of cropland. The resulting map of pollination benefits identifies hot spots of pollination benefits at sufficient detail to guide political decisions on where to protect pollination services by investing in structural diversity of land use. Additionally, we investigated the vulnerability of the national economies with respect to potential decline of pollination services as the portion of the (agricultural) economy depending on pollination benefits. While the general dependency of the agricultural economy on pollination seems to be stable from 1993 until 2009, we see increases in producer prices for pollination dependent crops, which we interpret as an early warning signal for a conflict between pollination service and other land uses at the global scale. Our spatially explicit analysis of global pollination benefit points to hot spots for the generation of pollination benefits and can serve as a base for further planning of land use, protection sites and agricultural policies for maintaining pollination services

Phylogeny and Biogeography of the Carnivorous Plant Family Sarraceniaceae

The carnivorous plant family Sarraceniaceae comprises three genera of wetland-inhabiting pitcher plants: Darlingtonia in the northwestern United States, Sarracenia in eastern North America, and Heliamphora in northern South America. Hypotheses concerning the biogeographic history leading to this unusual disjunct distribution are controversial, in part because genus- and species-level phylogenies have not been clearly resolved. Here, we present a robust, species-rich phylogeny of Sarraceniaceae based on seven mitochondrial, nuclear, and plastid loci, which we use to illuminate this family's phylogenetic and biogeographic history. The family and genera are monophyletic: Darlingtonia is sister to a clade consisting of Heliamphora+Sarracenia. Within Sarracenia, two clades were strongly supported: one consisting of S. purpurea, its subspecies, and S. rosea; the other consisting of nine species endemic to the southeastern United States. Divergence time estimates revealed that stem group Sarraceniaceae likely originated in South America 44–53 million years ago (Mya) (highest posterior density [HPD] estimate = 47 Mya). By 25–44 (HPD = 35) Mya, crown-group Sarraceniaceae appears to have been widespread across North and South America, and Darlingtonia (western North America) had diverged from Heliamphora+Sarracenia (eastern North America+South America). This disjunction and apparent range contraction is consistent with late Eocene cooling and aridification, which may have severed the continuity of Sarraceniaceae across much of North America. Sarracenia and Heliamphora subsequently diverged in the late Oligocene, 14–32 (HPD = 23) Mya, perhaps when direct overland continuity between North and South America became reduced. Initial diversification of South American Heliamphora began at least 8 Mya, but diversification of Sarracenia was more recent (2–7, HPD = 4 Mya); the bulk of southeastern United States Sarracenia originated co-incident with Pleistocene glaciation, <3 Mya. Overall, these results suggest climatic change at different temporal and spatial scales in part shaped the distribution and diversity of this carnivorous plant clade