Decoherence and CPT Violation in a Stringy Model of Space-Time Foam

I discuss a model inspired from the string/brane framework, in which our Universe is represented as a three brane, propagating in a bulk space time punctured by D0-brane (D-particle) defects. As the D3-brane world moves in the bulk, the D-particles cross it, and from an effective observer on D3 the situation looks like a ``space-time foam'' with the defects ``flashing'' on and off (``D-particle foam''). The open strings, with their ends attached on the brane, which represent matter in this scenario, can interact with the D-particles on the D3-brane universe in a topologically non-trivial manner, involving splitting and capture of the strings by the D0-brane defects. Such processes are described by logarithmic conformal field theories on the world-sheet. Physically, they result in effective decoherence of the string matter on the D3 brane, and as a result, of CPT Violation, but of a type that implies an ill-defined nature of the effective CPT operator. Due to electric charge conservation, only electrically neutral (string) matter can exhibit such interactions with the D-particle foam. This may have unique, experimentally detectable, consequences for electrically-neutral entangled quantum matter states on the brane world, in particular the modification of the pertinent EPR Correlation of neutral mesons in a meson factory.Comment: 41 pages Latex, five eps figures incorporated. Uses special macro

Probing quantum gravity using photons from a flare of the active galactic nucleus Markarian 501 observed by the MAGIC telescope

We analyze the timing of photons observed by the MAGIC telescope during a flare of the active galactic nucleus Mkn 501 for a possible correlation with energy, as suggested by some models of quantum gravity (QG), which predict a vacuum refractive index \simeq 1 + (E/M_{QGn})^n, n = 1,2. Parametrizing the delay between gamma-rays of different energies as \Delta t =\pm\tau_l E or \Delta t =\pm\tau_q E^2, we find \tau_l=(0.030\pm0.012) s/GeV at the 2.5-sigma level, and \tau_q=(3.71\pm2.57)x10^{-6} s/GeV^2, respectively. We use these results to establish lower limits M_{QG1} > 0.21x10^{18} GeV and M_{QG2} > 0.26x10^{11} GeV at the 95% C.L. Monte Carlo studies confirm the MAGIC sensitivity to propagation effects at these levels. Thermal plasma effects in the source are negligible, but we cannot exclude the importance of some other source effect.Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures, Phys. Lett. B, reflects published versio

Anti-Search for the Glueball Candidate f_J(2220) in Two-Photon Interactions

Using 13.3 fb^{-1} of e^+e^- data recorded with the CLEO II and CLEO II.V detector configurations at CESR, we have searched for f_J(2220) decays to K^0_{S} K^0_{S} in untagged two-photon interactions. We report an upper limit on the product of the two-photon partial width and the branching fraction, Gamma_gamma gamma cdot B (f_J(2220) to K^0_{S} K^0_{S}) of less than 1.1 eV at the 95% C.L: systematic uncertainties are included. This dataset is four times larger than that used in the previous CLEO publication.Comment: 10 pages postscript, also available through http://w4.lns.cornell.edu/public/CLNS, Submitted to PRD (R

Genomic analysis of two phlebotomine sand fly vectors of Leishmania from the New and Old World.

Phlebotomine sand flies are of global significance as important vectors of human disease, transmitting bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens, including the kinetoplastid parasites of the genus Leishmania, the causative agents of devastating diseases collectively termed leishmaniasis. More than 40 pathogenic Leishmania species are transmitted to humans by approximately 35 sand fly species in 98 countries with hundreds of millions of people at risk around the world. No approved efficacious vaccine exists for leishmaniasis and available therapeutic drugs are either toxic and/or expensive, or the parasites are becoming resistant to the more recently developed drugs. Therefore, sand fly and/or reservoir control are currently the most effective strategies to break transmission. To better understand the biology of sand flies, including the mechanisms involved in their vectorial capacity, insecticide resistance, and population structures we sequenced the genomes of two geographically widespread and important sand fly vector species: Phlebotomus papatasi, a vector of Leishmania parasites that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis, (distributed in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa) and Lutzomyia longipalpis, a vector of Leishmania parasites that cause visceral leishmaniasis (distributed across Central and South America). We categorized and curated genes involved in processes important to their roles as disease vectors, including chemosensation, blood feeding, circadian rhythm, immunity, and detoxification, as well as mobile genetic elements. We also defined gene orthology and observed micro-synteny among the genomes. Finally, we present the genetic diversity and population structure of these species in their respective geographical areas. These genomes will be a foundation on which to base future efforts to prevent vector-borne transmission of Leishmania parasites

Factors Associated With Dietary Quality Among Adults In Greater Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil, 2002 [fatores Associados à Qualidade Da Dieta De Adultos Residentes Na Região Metropolitana De São Paulo, Brasil, 2002]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors associated with quality of diet in adults residing in Greater Metropolitan São Paulo, Brazil. This was a cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in the district of Butantã and the municipalities of Itapecerica da Serra, Embu, and Taboão da Serra, based on data from a questionnaire and 24-hour recall from 1,840 adults, both males and females, included in a household health survey (ISA-SP). Dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) adapted to the local reality. Linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between HEI and other variables. Most individuals (75%) ate diets that were rated as "need improvement". The mean HEI was low for fruit, vegetables, and dairy products. Number of durable goods, head-of-family's schooling, and age ≥ 60 years were associated with HEI in men. For women, age was associated with HEI. 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(WHO Technical Report Series, 894)Pinheiro, A.B.V., Lacerda, E.M.A., Benzecry, E.H., Gomes, M.C.S., Costa, V.M., Tabela para avaliação de consumo alimentar em medidas caseiras (2000) São Paulo: Editora, , 4a Ed, Atheneu;Fisberg, R.M., Villar, B.S., Manual de receitas e medidas caseiras para cálculo de inquéritos alimentares: Manual elaborado para auxiliar o processamento de inquéritos alimentares (2002) São Paulo: Signus EditoraFisberg, R.M., Slater, B., Barros, R.R., Lima, F.D., Carandina, L., Barros, M.B.A., Índice de qualidade da dieta: Avaliação da adaptação e aplicabilidade (2004) Rev Nutr PUCCAMP, 17, pp. 301-308Guo, X., Warden, B.A., Paeratakul, S., Bray, G.A., Healthy eating index and obesity (2004) Eur J Clin Nutr, 58, pp. 1580-1586Ford, E.S., Mokdad, A.H., Liu, S., Healthy eating index and C-reative protein concentration: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III, 1988-1994 (2005) Eur J Clin Nutr, 59, pp. 278-283Rafferty, A.P., Anderson, J.V., McGee, H.B., Miller, C.E., A healthy diet indicator: Quantifying compliance with the dietary guidelines using the BRFSS (2002) Prev Med, 35, pp. 9-15McCullough, M.L., Feskanich, D., Rimm, E.B., Giovannucci, E.L., Ascherio, A., Variyam, J.N., Adherence to the dietary guidelines for Americans and risk of major chronic disease in men (2000) Am J Clin Nutr, 72, pp. 1223-1231McCullough, M.L., Feskanich, D., Stampfer, M.J., Rosner, B.A., Hu, F.B., Hunter, D.J., Adherence to the dietary guidelines for Americans and risk of major chronic disease in women (2000) Am J Clin Nutr, 72, pp. 1214-1222Slattery, M.L., Boucher, K.M., Caan, B.J., Potter, J.D., Ma, K.N., Eating patterns and risk of colon cancer (1998) Am J Epidemiol, 148, pp. 4-16Marchioni, D.M.L., Fisberg, R.M., Góis Filho, J.F., Kowalsky, L.P., Carvalho, M.B., Abrahão, M., Fatores dietéticos e câncer oral: Um estudo caso-controle na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil (2007) Cad Saúde Pública, 23, pp. 553-564Joint WHO/FAO Expert Consultation on Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases, World Health Organization. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Geneva: World Health Organization2003. (WHO Technical Report Series, 916)Hu, F.B., Willett, W.C., Optimal diets for prevention of coronary heart disease (2002) JAMA, 288, pp. 2569-2578Ness, A.R., Powles, J.W., Fruit and vegetables, and cardiovascular disease: A review (1997) Int J Epidemiol, 26, pp. 1-13Prentice, A., Diet nutrition and the prevention of osteoporosis (2004) Public Health Nutr, 7, pp. 227-243(2000) Dietary reference intakes: Applications in dietary assessment, , Institute of Medicine, Washington DC: National Academies Press;Galeazzi MAM, Domene SMA, Sichieri R, organizadores. Estudo multicêntrico sobre consumo alimentar. Cadernos de Debate 1997no. especForshee, R.A., Storey, M.L., Demographics, not beverage consumption, is associated with diet quality (2006) Int J Food Sci Nutr, 57, pp. 494-511Thiele, S., Mensink, G.B.M., Beitz, R., Determinants of diet quality (2004) Public Health Nutr, 7, pp. 29-37Pérez-Escamilla, R., Haldeman, L., Food label use modifies association of income with dietary quality (2002) J Nutr, 132, pp. 768-772Popkin, B.M., Zizza, C., Siega-Riz, A.M., Who is leading the change? U.S. dietary quality comparison between 1965 and 1996 (2003) Am J Prev Med, 25, pp. 1-8Fisberg RM, Slater B, Morimoto JM, Bueno MB. Hábito alimentar: qualidade da dieta. In: César CLG, Carandina L, Alves MCGP, Barros MBA, Goldbaum M, organizadores. Saúde e condição de vida em São Paulo: inquérito multicêntrico de saúde no Estado de São Paulo. São Paulo: Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo2005. p. 81-9Cesar CLG. Condição de vida. In: César CLG, Carandina L, Alves MCGP, Barros MBA, Goldbaum M, organizadores. Saúde e condição de vida em São Paulo: inquérito multicêntrico de saúde no Estado de São Paulo. São Paulo: Faculdade de Saúde Pública, Universidade de São Paulo2005. p. 63-78(2004) Síntese de indicadores sociais 2003. Rio de, , Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, Janeiro: Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística;, Estudos & Pesquisas. Informação Demográfica e Socioeconômica, 1