80 research outputs found
Time without time: a stochastic clock model
We study a classical reparametrization-invariant system, in which ``time'' is
not a priori defined. It consists of a nonrelativistic particle moving in five
dimensions, two of which are compactified to form a torus. There, assuming a
suitable potential, the internal motion is ergodic or more strongly irregular.
We consider quasi-local observables which measure the system's ``change'' in a
coarse-grained way. Based on this, we construct a statistical timelike
parameter, particularly with the help of maximum entropy method and Fisher-Rao
information metric. The emergent reparametrization-invariant ``time'' does not
run smoothly but is simply related to the proper time on the average. For
sufficiently low energy, the external motion is then described by a unitary
quantum mechanical evolution in accordance with the Schr\"odinger equation.Comment: 18 pages; LaTeX. 4 (.ps) plus 2 (.gif) figure file
Third quantization of -type gravity
We examine the third quantization of -type gravity, based on its
effective Lagrangian in the case of a flat Friedmann-Lemaitre-Robertson-Walker
metric. Starting from the effective Lagrangian, we execute a suitable change of
variable and the second quantization, and we obtain the Wheeler-DeWitt
equation. The third quantization of this theory is considered. And the
uncertainty relation of the universe is investigated in the example of
-type gravity, where . It is shown, when the time is late
namely the scale factor of the universe is large, the spacetime does not
contradict to become classical, and, when the time is early namely the scale
factor of the universe is small, the quantum effects are dominating.Comment: 9 pages, Arbitrary constants in (4.19) are changed to arbitrary
functions of . Conclusions are not changed. References are added.
Typos are correcte
Decoherence Functional and Probability Interpretation
We confirm that the diagonal elements of the Gell-Mann and Hartle's
decoherence decoherence functional are equal to the relative frequencies of the
results of many identical experiments, when a set of alternative histories
decoheres. We consider both cases of the pure and mixed initial states.Comment: 9 pages, UCSBTH-92-40 and MMC-M-
Classical and Quantum Solutions and the Problem of Time in Cosmology
We have studied various classical solutions in cosmology. Especially we
have obtained general classical solutions in pure \ cosmology. Even in the
quantum theory, we can solve the Wheeler-DeWitt equation in pure \
cosmology exactly. Comparing these classical and quantum solutions in \
cosmology, we have studied the problem of time in general relativity.Comment: 17 pages, latex, no figure, one reference is correcte
Some Aspects of Virtual Black Holes
In this paper we shall consistently third quantize modified gravity. Then we
shall analyse certain aspects of virtual black holes in this third quantized
modified gravity. We will see how a statistical mechanical origin for the
Bekenstein-Hawking entropy naturally arises in this model. Furthermore, in this
model the area and thus the entropy of a real macroscopic black hole is
quantized. Virtual black holes cause loss of quantum coherence and this gives
an intrinsic entropy to all physical systems which can be used to define a
direction of time and hence provide a solution to the problem of time.Comment: 11 pages, 0 figures, accepted for publication in JET
Born-Infeld Theory and Stringy Causality
Fluctuations around a non-trivial solution of Born-Infeld theory have a
limiting speed given not by the Einstein metric but the Boillat metric. The
Boillat metric is S-duality invariant and conformal to the open string metric.
It also governs the propagation of scalars and spinors in Born-Infeld theory.
We discuss the potential clash between causality determined by the closed
string and open string light cones and find that the latter never lie outside
the former. Both cones touch along the principal null directions of the
background Born-Infeld field. We consider black hole solutions in situations in
which the distinction between bulk and brane is not sharp such as space filling
branes and find that the location of the event horizon and the thermodynamic
properties do not depend on whether one uses the closed or open string metric.
Analogous statements hold in the more general context of non-linear
electrodynamics or effective quantum-corrected metrics. We show how Born-Infeld
action to second order might be obtained from higher-curvature gravity in
Kaluza-Klein theory. Finally we point out some intriguing analogies with
Einstein-Schr\"odinger theory.Comment: 31 pages, 4 figures, LaTex; Some comments and references adde
Leptogenesis from loop effects in curved spacetime
We describe a new mechanism -- radiatively-induced gravitational leptogenesis -- for generating the matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe. We show how quantum loop effects in C and CP violating theories cause matter and antimatter to propagate differently in the presence of gravity, and prove this is forbidden in flat space by CPT and translation symmetry. This generates a curvature-dependent chemical potential for leptons, allowing a matter-antimatter asymmetry to be generated in thermal equilibrium in the early Universe. The time-dependent dynamics necessary for leptogenesis is provided by the interaction of the virtual self-energy cloud of the leptons with the expanding curved spacetime background, which violates the strong equivalence principle and allows a distinction between matter and antimatter. We show here how this mechanism is realised in a particular BSM theory, the see-saw model, where the quantum loops involve the heavy sterile neutrinos responsible for light neutrino masses. We demonstrate by explicit computation of the relevant two-loop Feynman diagrams how the size of the radiative corrections relevant for leptogenesis becomes enhanced by increasing the mass hierarchy of the sterile neutrinos, and show that for realistic phenomenological parameters this mechanism can generate the observed baryon-to-photon ratio of the Universe
Decoherent Histories Approach to the Arrival Time Problem
We use the decoherent histories approach to quantum theory to compute the
probability of a non-relativistic particle crossing during an interval of
time. For a system consisting of a single non-relativistic particle, histories
coarse-grained according to whether or not they pass through spacetime regions
are generally not decoherent, except for very special initial states, and thus
probabilities cannot be assigned. Decoherence may, however, be achieved by
coupling the particle to an environment consisting of a set of harmonic
oscillators in a thermal bath. Probabilities for spacetime coarse grainings are
thus calculated by considering restricted density operator propagators of the
quantum Brownian motion model. We also show how to achieve decoherence by
replicating the system times and then projecting onto the number density of
particles that cross during a given time interval, and this gives an
alternative expression for the crossing probability. The latter approach shows
that the relative frequency for histories is approximately decoherent for
sufficiently large , a result related to the Finkelstein-Graham-Hartle
theorem.Comment: 42 pages, plain Te
Gravitational leptogenesis, C, CP and strong equivalence
The origin of matter-antimatter asymmetry is one of the most important
outstanding problems at the interface of particle physics and cosmology.
Gravitational leptogenesis (baryogenesis) provides a possible mechanism through
explicit couplings of spacetime curvature to appropriate lepton (or baryon)
currents. In this paper, the idea that these strong equivalence principle
violating interactions could be generated automatically through quantum loop
effects in curved spacetime is explored, focusing on the realisation of the
discrete symmetries C, CP and CPT which must be broken to induce
matter-antimatter asymmetry. The related issue of quantum corrections to the
dispersion relation for neutrino propagation in curved spacetime is considered
within a fully covariant framework.Comment: 32 pages, 5 figure
Pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma in stage I: risk factor analysis for disease free survival
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To examine the outcomes and risk factors in pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) patients who were defined as TNM stage I because some patients develop disease recurrence but treatment strategy for such stage I pediatric patients is still controversial.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We reviewed 57 consecutive TNM stage I patients (15 years or less) with DTC (46 papillary and 11 follicular) who underwent initial treatment at Ito Hospital between 1962 and 2004 (7 males and 50 females; mean age: 13.1 years; mean follow-up: 17.4 years). Clinicopathological results were evaluated in all patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to reveal the risk factors for disease-free survival (DFS) in these 57 patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Extrathyroid extension and clinical lymphadenopathy at diagnosis were found in 7 and 12 patients, respectively. Subtotal/total thyroidectomy was performed in 23 patients, modified neck dissection in 38, and radioactive iodine therapy in 10. Pathological node metastasis was confirmed in 37 patients (64.9%). Fifteen patients (26.3%) exhibited local recurrence and 3 of them also developed metachronous lung metastasis. Ten of these 15 achieved disease-free after further treatments and no patients died of disease. In multivariate analysis, male gender (p = 0.017), advanced tumor (T3, 4a) stage (p = 0.029), and clinical lymphadenopathy (p = 0.006) were risk factors for DFS in stage I pediatric patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Male gender, tumor stage, and lymphadenopathy are risk factors for DFS in stage I pediatric DTC patients. Aggressive treatment (total thyroidectomy, node dissection, and RI therapy) is considered appropriate for patients with risk factors, whereas conservative or stepwise approach may be acceptable for other patients.</p
- …