Extracting New Physics from the CMB

We review how initial state effects generically yield an oscillatory component in the primordial power spectrum of inflationary density perturbations. These oscillatory corrections parametrize unknown new physics at a scale $M$ and are potentially observable if the ratio $H_{infl}/M$ is sufficiently large. We clarify to what extent present and future CMB data analysis can distinguish between the different proposals for initial state corrections.Comment: Invited talk by B. Greene at the XXII Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics, Stanford University, 13-17 December 2004, (TSRA04-0001), 8 pages, LaTeX, some references added, added paragraph at the end of section 2 and an extra note added after the conclusions regarding modifications to the large k power spectra deduced from galaxy survey

Studies of new media radiation induced laser

Various lasants were investigated especially, 2-iodohepafluoropropane (i-C3F7I) for the direct solar pumped lasers. Optical pumping of iodine laser was achieved using a small flashlamp. Using i-C3F7I as a laser gain medium, threshold inversion density, small signal gain, and laser performance at the elevated temperature were measured. The experimental results and analysis are presented. The iodine laser kinetics of the C3F7I and IBr system were numerically simulated. The concept of a direct solar-pumped laser amplifier using (i-C3F7I) as the laser material was evaluated and several kinetic coefficients for i-C3F7I laser system were reexamined. The results are discussed

No CPT Violation from Tilted Brane in Neutral Meson--Antimeson Systems

Tilted brane in theories with large compact extra dimensions leads to spontaneous symmetry breaking of the Lorentz and rotational invariance in four dimensions, as shown by Dvali and Shifman. In this brief report, we point out that the mentioned Lorentz symmetry breaking, although leading to the CPT--violating interaction terms, cannot lead to the CPT violation in the experimentally interesting $K$--${\bar K}$ and analogous systems.Comment: 5 pages, RevTe

Multi-Year Analysis of Renewable Energy Impacts in California: Results from the Renewable Portfolio Standards Integration Cost Analysis; Preprint

California's Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS, Senate Bill 1078) requires the state's investor-owned utilities to obtain 20% of their energy mix from renewable generation sources. To facilitate the imminent increase in the penetration of renewables, the California Energy Commission (CEC), in support of the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC), initiated a study of integration costs in the context of RPS implementation. This effort estimated the impact of renewable generation in the regulation and load-following time scales and calculated the capacity value of renewable energy sources using a reliability model. The analysis team, consisting of researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the California Wind Energy Collaborative (CWEC), performed the study in cooperation with the California Independent System Operator (CaISO), the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), and Southern California Edison (SCE). The study was conducted over three phases and was followed by an analysis of a multi-year period. This paper presents results from the multi-year analysis and the Phase III recommendations

Boundary Effective Field Theory and Trans-Planckian Perturbations: Astrophysical Implications

We contrast two approaches to calculating trans-Planckian corrections to the inflationary perturbation spectrum: the New Physics Hypersurface [NPH] model, in which modes are normalized when their physical wavelength first exceeds a critical value, and the Boundary Effective Field Theory [BEFT] approach, where the initial conditions for all modes are set at the same time, and modified by higher dimensional operators enumerated via an effective field theory calculation. We show that these two approaches -- as currently implemented -- lead to radically different expectations for the trans-Planckian corrections to the CMB and emphasize that in the BEFT formalism we expect the perturbation spectrum to be dominated by quantum gravity corrections for all scales shorter than some critical value. Conversely, in the NPH case the quantum effects only dominate the longest modes that are typically much larger than the present horizon size. Furthermore, the onset of the breakdown in the standard inflationary perturbation calculation predicted by the BEFT formalism is likely to be associated with a feature in the perturbation spectrum, and we discuss the observational signatures of this feature in both CMB and large scale structure observations. Finally, we discuss possible modifications to both calculational frameworks that would resolve the contradictions identified here.Comment: Reworded commentary, reference added (v2) References added (v3

Top Quarks as a Window to String Resonances

We study the discovery potential of string resonances decaying to $t\bar{t}$ final state at the LHC. We point out that top quark pair production is a promising and an advantageous channel for studying such resonances, due to their low Standard Model background and unique kinematics. We study the invariant mass distribution and angular dependence of the top pair production cross section via exchanges of string resonances. The mass ratios of these resonances and the unusual angular distribution may help identify their fundamental properties and distinguish them from other new physics. We find that string resonances for a string scale below 4 TeV can be detected via the $t\bar{t}$ channel, either from reconstructing the $t\bar{t}$ semi-leptonic decay or recent techniques in identifying highly boosted tops.Comment: 22 pages, 6 figure

Multimodal Treatment in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC) Improves Outcomes—The University College London Hospital (UCLH) Experience

Background: Despite notable advances in the management of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) over the last two decades, treatment intent in the vast majority of patients remains palliative due to technically unresectable disease, extensive disease, or co-morbidities precluding major surgery. Up to 30% of individuals with mCRC are considered potentially suitable for primary or metastasis-directed multimodal therapy, including surgical resection, ablative techniques, or stereotactic radiotherapy (RT), with the aim of improving survival outcomes. We reviewed the potential benefits of multimodal therapy on the survival of patients with mCRC treated at the UCLH. Methods: Clinical data on baseline characteristics, multimodal treatments, and survival outcomes were retrospectively collected from all patients with mCRC receiving systemic chemotherapy between January 2013 and April 2017. Primary outcome was the impact of multimodal therapy on overall survival, compared to systemic therapy alone, and the effect of different types of multimodal therapy on survival outcome, and was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier approach. All analyses were adjusted for age, gender, and side of primary tumour. Results: One-hundred and twenty-five patients with mCRC were treated during the study period (median age: 62 years (range 19–89). The liver was the most frequent metastatic site (78%; 97/125). A total of 52% (65/125) had ≥2 lines of systemic chemotherapy. Of the 125 patients having systemic chemotherapy, 74 (59%) underwent multimodal treatment to the primary tumour or metastasis. Median overall survival (OS) was 25.7 months [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 21.5–29.0], and 3-year survival, 26%. Univariate analysis demonstrated that patients who had additional procedures (surgery/ablation/RT) were significantly less likely to die (Hazard Ratio (HR) 0.18, 95% CI 0.12–0.29, p < 0.0001) compared to those receiving systemic chemotherapy alone. Increasing number of multimodal procedures was associated with an incremental increase in survival—with median OS 28.4 m, 35.7 m, and 64.8 m, respectively, for 1, 2, or ≥3 procedures (log-rank p < 0.0001). After exclusion of those who received systemic chemotherapy only (n = 51), metastatic resections were associated with improved survival (adjusted HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.20–0.63, p < 0.0001), confirmed in multivariate analysis. Multiple single-organ procedures did not improve survival. Conclusion: Multimodal therapy for metastatic bowel cancer is associated with significant survival benefit. Resection/radical RT of the primary and resection of metastatic disease should be considered to improve survival outcomes following multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion and individual assessment of fitness

Direct Signals for Large Extra Dimensions in the Production of Fermion Pairs at Linear Colliders

We analyze the potentiality of the new generation of $e^+e^-$ linear colliders to search for large extra dimensions via the production of fermion pairs in association with Kaluza-Klein gravitons (G), i.e. $e^+e^- \leftarrow f\bar{f}G$. This process leads to a final state exhibiting a significant amount of missing energy in addition to acoplanar lepton or jet pairs. We study in detail this reaction using full tree level contibutions due to the graviton emission and the standard model backgrounds. After choosing the cuts to enhance the signal, we show that a linear collider with a center-of-mass energy of 500 GeV will be able to probe quantum gravity scales from 0.96(0.86) up to 4.1(3.3) TeV at 2(5)$\sigma$ level, depending on the number of extra dimensions.Comment: 19 pages, 5 figures. Using RevTex, axodraw.sty. Discussion was extended. No changes in the results. Accepted for publication by Phys. Rev.

The phylogenetically-related pattern recognition receptors EFR and XA21 recruit similar immune signaling components in monocots and dicots

During plant immunity, surface-localized pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The transfer of PRRs between plant species is a promising strategy for engineering broad-spectrum disease resistance. Thus, there is a great interest in understanding the mechanisms of PRR-mediated resistance across different plant species. Two well-characterized plant PRRs are the leucine-rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR-RKs) EFR and XA21 from Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis) and rice, respectively. Interestingly, despite being evolutionary distant, EFR and XA21 are phylogenetically closely related and are both members of the sub-family XII of LRR-RKs that contains numerous potential PRRs. Here, we compared the ability of these related PRRs to engage immune signaling across the monocots-dicots taxonomic divide. Using chimera between Arabidopsis EFR and rice XA21, we show that the kinase domain of the rice XA21 is functional in triggering elf18-induced signaling and quantitative immunity to the bacteria Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pto) DC3000 and Agrobacterium tumefaciens in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, the EFR:XA21 chimera associates dynamically in a ligand-dependent manner with known components of the EFR complex. Conversely, EFR associates with Arabidopsis orthologues of rice XA21-interacting proteins, which appear to be involved in EFR-mediated signaling and immunity in Arabidopsis. Our work indicates the overall functional conservation of immune components acting downstream of distinct LRR-RK-type PRRs between monocots and dicots

Finite Temperature Systems of Brane-Antibrane on a Torus

In order to study the thermodynamic properties of brane-antibrane systems in the toroidal background, we compute the finite temperature effective potential of tachyon T in this system on the basis of boundary string field theory. We first consider the case that all the radii of the target space torus are about the string scale. If the Dp-antiDp pair is extended in all the non-compact directions, the sign of the coefficient of |T|^2 term of the potential changes slightly below the Hagedorn temperature. This means that a phase transition occurs near the Hagedorn temperature. On the other hand, if the Dp-antiDp pair is not extended in all the non-compact directions, the coefficient is kept negative, and thus a phase transition does not occur. Secondly, we consider the case that some of the radii of the target space torus are much larger than the string scale and investigate the behavior of the potential for each value of the radii and the total energy. If the Dp-antiDp pair is extended in all the non-compact directions, a phase transition occurs for large enough total energy.Comment: 23 pages, 3 figures, minor errors corrected, version to appear in JHE