Observational consequences of an interacting multiverse

The observability of the multiverse is at the very root of its physical significance as a scientific proposal. In this conference we present, within the third quantization formalism, an interacting scheme between the wave functions of different universes and analyze the effects of some particular values of the coupling function. One of the main consequences of the interaction between universes can be the appearance of a pre-inflationary stage in the evolution of the universes that might leave observable consequences in the properties of the CMB.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Proceedings of the conference given in the Varying Constants and Fundamental Cosmology meeting (VARCOSMOFUN-16) held in Szczecin, Poland, 12-17th September 201

Entanglement in a multiverse with no common space-time

Inter-universal entanglement may even exist in a multiverse in which there is no common space-time among the universes. In particular, the entanglement between the expanding and contracting branches of the universe might have observable consequences in the dynamical and thermodynamical properties of one single branch, making therefore testable the whole multiverse proposal, at least in principle.Comment: 4 pages. Prepared for the proceedings of the Multiverse and Fundamental Cosmology Meeting (Multicosmofun'12

Latina Microenterprise and the U.S.-Mexico Border Economy

The number of U.S. Latina-owned small businesses and microenterprises increased at a rapid clip during the 1990s. An astonishing growth rate of 232 percent between 1988 and 1997 in Latino-owned businesses was reported by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA, 1998). Self-employment rates among Latinas in the United States increased two-fold during the time period from 1990 to 2000 (Census Bureau, 2001). According to estimates there are more than two million microentrepreneurs in the United States (Grameen Foundation USA, 2002; Aspen Institute, 2000). Almost ten million people live along the U.S.-Mexico border. Mexico is the United States' second-largest trading partner, accounting for US $262 billion in two-way trade in 2000 (Department of Commerce, 2002). This study explores the incidence of microenterprise growth in the U.S.-Mexico border economy. I present a case study of a Latina-owned microenterprise engaged in business activities that include transnational trade arrangements with Mexico and other Latin American countries. From this study, a variety of policy issues emerge that affect the ease of trade arrangements and that relate to the growth of microenterprises as a potential poverty-reduction initiative along the U.S.-Mexico border.bicultural skills, microenterprise, transnational trade, transparency, International Relations/Trade,