Tau Physics from B Factories

Some recent $\tau$-physics results are presented from the BaBar and Belle experiments at the SLAC and KEK B factories, which produce copious numbers of $\tau$-lepton pairs. Measurements of the tau mass and lifetime allow to test lepton universality and CPT invariance, while searches for lepton-flavour violation in tau decays are powerful ways to look for physics beyond the Standard Model. In semihadronic, non-strange tau decays, the vector hadronic final state is particularly important in helping determine the hadronic corrections to the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon, while studies of strange final states are the best available ways to measure the CKM matrix element $V_{\rm us}$ and the mass of the strange quark.Comment: Presented at Charm 2006, International Workshop on Tau-Charm Physics, June 05-07 2006, Beijing, Chin

Dalitz plot slope parameters for K→πππK \to \pi\pi\pi decays and two particle interference

We study the possible distortion of phase-space in the decays $K \to \pi \pi \pi$, which may result from final state interference among the decay products. Such distortion may influence the values of slope parameters extracted from the Dalitz plot distribution of these decays. We comment on the consequences on the magnitude of violation of the $\mid \Delta I \mid = 1/2$ rule in these decays.Comment: 17 pages, LaTex2e, 6 figures, v2 authors' affiliation modified, to appear in Mod. Phys. Lett.

RESONANCE PRODUCTION IN e+e-COLLISIONS *

Abstract Two processes which give rise to light meson resonances in e+e-collisions are i i reactions and inclusive production in jets from e+e-annihi~ati~n. New results are presented from i i collisions at ARGUS and froln hadronlc Z decays in DELPHI and OPAL

Editorial: Roles and mechanisms of parasitism in aquatic microbial communities

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Ecological criteria for evaluation candidate sites for marine reserves

Several schemes have been developed to help select the locations of marine reserves. All of them combine social, economic, and biological criteria, and few offer any guidance as to how to prioritize among the criteria identified. This can imply that the relative weights given to different criteria are unimportant. Where two sites are of equal value ecologically, then socioeconomic criteria should dominate the choice of which should be protected. However, in many cases, socioeconomic criteria are given equal or greater weight than ecological considerations in the choice of sites. This can lead to selection of reserves with little biological value that fail to meet many of the desired objectives. To avoid such a possibility, we develop a series of criteria that allow preliminary evaluation of candidate sites according to their relative biological values in advance of the application of socioeconomic criteria. We include criteria that, while not strictly biological, have a strong influence on the species present or ecological processes. Our scheme enables sites to be assessed according to their biodiversity, the processes which underpin that diversity, and the processes that support fisheries and provide a spectrum of other services important to people. Criteria that capture biodiversity values include biogeographic representation, habitat representation and heterogeneity, and presence of species or populations of special interest (e.g., threatened species). Criteria that capture sustainability of biodiversity and fishery values include the size of reserves necessary to protect viable habitats, presence of exploitable species, vulnerable life stages, connectivity among reserves, links among ecosystems, and provision of ecosystem services to people. Criteria measuring human and natural threats enable candidate sites to be eliminated from consideration if risks are too great, but also help prioritize among sites where threats can be mitigated by protection. While our criteria can be applied to the design of reserve networks, they also enable choice of single reserves to be made in the context of the attributes of existing protected areas. The overall goal of our scheme is to promote the development of reserve networks that will maintain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning at large scales. The values of ecosystem goods and services for people ultimately depend on meeting this objective

Rare case of coronary to pulmonary vein fistula with coronary steal phenomenon

Coronary artery fistulas are abnormal connections between coronary artery territories and cardiac chambers or major vessels, most of them are congenital. Patients with coronary artery fistula can be asymptomatic or present with different symptoms like angina. Cardiac computed tomography (CT) is one of the best modalities for diagnosis. We present an elderly patient that presented with angina symptoms, non invasive stress test was positive for ischemic heart disease, coronary angiogram could not reveal any obstructive lesions, but an abnormal branch of the left descending coronary artery (LAD), cardiac CT showed fistula that connect left anterior descending coronary artery to left superior pulmonary vein. Our case is extremely rare as most of the reported cases were fistulas between LAD and pulmonary artery, but in our case the fistula between LAD and left superior pulmonary vein. In addition, our patients\u27 symptoms resolved with anti-ischemic medical treatment without any surgical intervention

The effects of parasitism and body length on positioning within wild fish shoals

The influence of body length and parasitism on the positioning behaviour of individuals in wild fish shoals was investigated by a novel means of capturing entire shoals of the banded killifish (Fundulus diaphanus, Lesueur) using a grid-net that maintained the two-dimensional positions of individuals within shoals. Fish in the front section of a shoal were larger than those in the rear. Individuals parasitized by the digenean trematode (Crassiphiala bulboglossa, Haitsma) showed a tendency to occupy the front of shoals. Parasitized fish were also found more in peripheral positions than central ones in a significant number of shoals. Shoal geometry was affected by the overall parasite prevalence of shoal members; shoals with high parasite prevalence displayed increasingly phallanx-like shoal formations, whereas shoals with low prevalence were more elliptical. There was no relationship between body length and parasite abundance or prevalence in the fish population which suggests body length and parasite status are independent predictors of positioning behaviour. Solitary individuals found outside shoals were both more likely to be parasitized and had higher parasite abundance than individuals engaged in shoaling. Differences in the shoaling behaviour of parasitized and unparasitized fish are discussed in the context of the adaptive manipulation hypothesis

Indication for π+π−\pi^+ \pi^- scattering in p+pp+p collisions at sNN=\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}} = 200 GeV

A $\rho(770)^0$ mass shift of about -40 MeV/$c^2$ was measured in $p+p$ collisions at $\sqrt{s_{_{NN}}} =$ 200 GeV at RHIC. Previous mass shifts have been observed at CERN-LEBC-EHS and CERN-LEP. We will show that phase space does not account for the $\rho(770)^0$ mass shift measured at RHIC, CERN-LEBC-EHS and CERN-LEP and conclude that there are significant scattering interactions in $p+p$ collisions.Comment: 11 pages and 7 figure