Charge Asymmetry in the Brane World and Formation of Charged Black Holes

In theories with an infinite extra dimension, free particles localized on the brane can leak out to the extra space. We argue that if there were color confinement in the bulk, electrons would be more able to escape than quarks and than protons (which are composed states). Thus, this process generates an electric charge asymmetry on brane matter densities. A primordial charge asymmetry during Big Bang Nucleosynthesis era is predicted. We use current bounds on this and on electron disappearance to constrain the parameter space of these models. Although the generated asymmetry is generically small, it could be particularly enhanced on large densities as in astrophysical objects, like massive stars. We suggest the possibility that such accumulation of charge may be linked, upon supernova collapse, to the formation of a charged Black Hole and the generation of Gamma-Ray Bursts.Comment: Four pages, one figure. Minor changes, conclusions remai

Structural Basis of Bone Fragility in Young Subjects with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A High-resolution pQCT Study of the SWISS IBD Cohort (SIBDC).

The onset of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) during childhood/adolescence compromises peak bone mass acquisition and predisposes to fractures later in life. However, the structural basis for bone fragility in young adults with IBD remains unknown. One hundred two young subjects from the Swiss IBD cohort were included. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) at distal radius, hip, and spine as well as morphometric vertebral fractures were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry technique. Volumetric (v)BMD, trabecular, and cortical bone microstructure at the distal radius and tibia were assessed by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography. Areal, vBMD, and microstructure were compared between patients with IBD and healthy matched controls (n = 389). Multiple regression analysis was used to evaluate variables associated with bone microarchitecture and fractures. Clinical fractures were reported in 37 IBD subjects (mean age 23 yrs), mostly of the forearm; 5 subjects had morphometric vertebral fractures. After adjusting for age, sex, and height, tibia trabecular (Tb)vBMD, thickness, and distribution were significantly associated with fractures, whereas aBMD was not. After adjusting for aBMD, radius Tb distribution and tibia (Tb)vBMD and trabecular thickness still remained associated with fractures. Compared with healthy controls, patients with IBD had significantly lower aBMD at all sites, as well as alteration in (Tb)vBMD and trabecular microstructure at the distal radius and tibia, and these alterations were correlated with disease severity. Young patients with IBD have low aBMD and altered trabecular bone microarchitecture compared with healthy controls. The latter is independently associated with fractures and may predispose increased susceptibility to fragility fractures throughout life

Search for charge non-conserving processes in 127I by coincidence technique

New lifetime limits on the charge non-conserving (CNC) electron capture with excitation of the 417.9 keV nuclear level in the 127I are established by using the coincidence technique. The analysed exposure is 0.87 ton × yr, collected deep underground at the Gran Sasso National Laboratory of the INFN by the highly radiopure DAMA/LIBRA setup (≈250 kg of highly radiopure NaI(Tl)). The new limit on the mean life isτ >1.2×1024 yr (90 % C.L.), about one order of magnitude larger than those previously available for CNC electron capture involving nuclear level excitations of 127I and of the same order of magnitude than those achieved for analogous processes in 129Xe