Implication of a vanishing element in 3+1 Scenario

In this paper we study the phenomenological implications of the one zero textures of low energy neutrino mass matrices in presence of a sterile neutrino. We consider the 3+1 scheme and use the results from global fit for short baseline neutrino oscillation data which provides the bounds on the three additional mixing angles. We find that the mass matrix elements $m_{\alpha \beta}$ ($\alpha, \beta = e, \mu, \tau$) involving only the active states can assume vanishing values in the allowed parameter space for all the mass spectrum. Among the mass matrix elements connecting the active and sterile states, $m_{es}$ and $m_{\mu s}$ can become small only for the quasi-degenerate neutrinos. The element $m_{\tau s}$ on the other hand can vanish even for lower values of masses since the 3-4 mixing angle only has an upper bound from current data. The mass matrix element ($m_{ss}$) involving only the sterile state stays $\sim$ $\mathcal{O}$(1) eV in the whole parameter region. We study the possible correlations between the sterile mixing angles and the Majorana phases to give a zero element in the mass matrix.Comment: 35 pages, 14 figures, version accepted in Physical Review

Probing muonic charged current nonstandard interactions at decay-at-rest facilities in conjunction with T2HK

The muon decay-at-rest ($\mu$-DAR) facility provides us with an ideal platform to probe purely muonic charged-current nonstandard neutrino interactions (NSIs). We propose to probe this class of NSI effects using antineutrinos from a $\mu$-DAR source in conjunction with neutrinos from the future Tokai to Kamioka superbeam experiment with megaton Hyper Kamiokande detector (T2HK). Even though muonic NSIs are absent in neutrino production at T2HK, we show that our proposed hybrid setup comprising $\mu$-DAR and T2HK helps in alleviating the parameter degeneracies that can arise in data. Analytic considerations reveal that the oscillation probability is most sensitive to the NSI parameter in the $\mu$-e sector. For this parameter, we show that the $\mu$-DAR setup can improve on the existing bounds down to around 0.01, especially when the data are combined with neutrino data from T2HK experiment due to the lifting of parameter degeneracies. The high precision with which $\mu$-DAR can measure $\delta_{\rm{CP}}$ is shown to be robust even in the presence of the considered NSIs. Finally, we show that the combination of $\mu$-DAR along with T2HK can also be used to put mild constraints on the NSI phase in the vicinity of the maximal CP-violating value for the chosen benchmark value of $\varepsilon^{\mu e}_{\mu e}=0.01$.Comment: Matches version published in Phys. Rev.

Physics Potential of the ICAL detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO)

The upcoming 50 kt magnetized iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector at the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is designed to study the atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos separately over a wide range of energies and path lengths. The primary focus of this experiment is to explore the Earth matter effects by observing the energy and zenith angle dependence of the atmospheric neutrinos in the multi-GeV range. This study will be crucial to address some of the outstanding issues in neutrino oscillation physics, including the fundamental issue of neutrino mass hierarchy. In this document, we present the physics potential of the detector as obtained from realistic detector simulations. We describe the simulation framework, the neutrino interactions in the detector, and the expected response of the detector to particles traversing it. The ICAL detector can determine the energy and direction of the muons to a high precision, and in addition, its sensitivity to multi-GeV hadrons increases its physics reach substantially. Its charge identification capability, and hence its ability to distinguish neutrinos from antineutrinos, makes it an efficient detector for determining the neutrino mass hierarchy. In this report, we outline the analyses carried out for the determination of neutrino mass hierarchy and precision measurements of atmospheric neutrino mixing parameters at ICAL, and give the expected physics reach of the detector with 10 years of runtime. We also explore the potential of ICAL for probing new physics scenarios like CPT violation and the presence of magnetic monopoles.Comment: 139 pages, Physics White Paper of the ICAL (INO) Collaboration, Contents identical with the version published in Pramana - J. Physic

Poly(aryl ether) based borogels: a new class of materials for hosting nanoparticles and sensing anions

A facile approach to the design of boron containing poly(aryl ether) dendron based supramolecular gels is reported. The extensive π-π, as well as H-bonding interactions between the boronic acid and dendron facilitate the self-assembly process of the molecular building blocks in suitable solvents. Note that one of the poly(aryl ether) based borogel (1) [1: first generation poly(aryl ether) dendron attached to boronic acid via acylhydrazone linkage] exhibits almost double viscoelasticity than the best known value for poly(aryl ether) dendron based gels, which signifies that the presence of boronic acid group in the gel significantly enhances the intermolecular interactions through strong hydrogen bonding networks. The gel is successfully utilized as a template for the in situ synthesis of well dispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in hydrogel networks. In addition, the solvent dependent sensing study of cyanide (CN⁻) and fluoride (F⁻) is also accomplished by these supramolecular materials

Influence of Halide Substitution and External Stimuli on Ion Transport in Inverted MAPb(I1-xBrx)3 Perovskite Solar Cells

The coupled electronic-ionic response in various MAPb(I1-xBrx)3-based inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is studied in-operando by impedance spectroscopy (IS) under varied AM1.5G light intensities and electrical biases. We show that the concentration of Br- in the composition significantly alters the capacitance and resistive response of the PSC under external stimuli. For example, we observed that the low frequency capacitance does not increase proportionally with light intensity, instead it is highly dependent on the amount of Br- in the composition. We found that the recombination resistance (Rrec) has a linear inverse relationship with light intensity in MAPbI3 and MAPbBr3 whereas, the mixed compositions show deviation. Interestingly, the deviation of Rrec from linearity also scales with the increase in Br- concentration. Upon applying an electrical bias, a large deviation of Rrec from linearity was observed all mixed halide compositions exhibited a non-linear inverse trend. We further report the diffusion coefficient (D) for each MAPb(I1-xBrx)3 composition under different light intensity. Notably, the D values decreased on changing the composition from MAPbI3 (10-7 cm2 s-1) to MAPb(I0.8Br0.2)3 and MAPbBr3 (10-8 cm2 s-1). On the other hand, mixed compositions containing more than 20% Br- concentration show faster diffusion kinetics. Overall, our results emphasize on the complex and intertwined nature of electronic and ionic response in PSC that is tunable by changing the halide composition

Effect of cooling rate on the evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties of nonisothermally partitioned steels

In the present investigation, multiphase microstructures containing a combination of ferrite, martensite, retained austenite and carbides have been produced by altering the cooling rate in low alloy steels. The mechanical properties have been evaluated and correlated with ensuing microstructural features. The as-cast alloys were austenitized, hot rolled to about 93% reduction in thickness, followed by cooling to 200 °C on the run-out table. The cooling rates, namely 50 and 70 °C/s, were employed for this study. The steel plates were then cooled slowly to room temperature in a furnace to simulate the nonisothermal partitioning, similar to the hot-rolled coil cooling. The results show that the alloy with lower carbon and Mn content (Alloy-1) reveal ferrite formation (35.4 ± 4.1 vol%) at the cooling rate of 50 °C/s. However, at a higher cooling rate of 70 °C/s, ferrite formation was circumvented and the presence of martensite, retained austenite (6.3 ± 0.13 vol%) and carbides were observed. Although no significant difference was observed in the hardness and strength values for these two cooling rates, the presence of retained austenite at a higher cooling rate (i.e. 70 °C/s) led to better ductility and impact toughness. In the other alloy, with higher carbon and Mn addition (Alloy-2), the ferrite formation was considerably reduced even for the cooling rate of 50 °C/s. As a result, it showed higher hardness and strength (~1.5–2.0 times), with a concurrent decrease in the ductility and impact toughness, in comparison to Alloy-1

Quench Temperature-Dependent Mechanical Properties During Nonisothermal Partitioning

The present study demonstrates the role of hot rolling and quench temperature in determining the mechanical properties of low alloy steel processed through quenching and nonisothermal partitioning (Q&P) route. The results indicate that the abrasive wear resistance does not show any significant variation with quench temperature. However, a reduction in tensile strength and an increase in charpy impact toughness and elongation is observed with increasing quench temperature. Interestingly, the retained austenite shows high thermal stability at sub-zero temperature. Furthermore, during deformation through the wear process, the retained austenite experiences the TRIP effect that leads to improvement in wear resistance. The incorporation of hot rolling prior to Q&P led to a significant improvement in strength, energy absorption capability and wear resistance due to a considerable refinement of the microstructural constituents

Impact of antipsychotic medication on IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of drug-naive schizophrenia patients

AIM: Immunopathogenesis remains a widely appreciated etiopathological model of schizophrenia. Persistent efforts have aimed to identify schizophrenia biomarkers indexing immune system abnormalities and also immuno-dampening effects of antipsychotic medications. Although data arising from published reports are encouraging, such studies are limited to a few immune parameters and not focused on a specific pathway. Th17 cells-mediated immuno-inflammatory responses have emerged as a potential mechanism in various neuropsychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia. The Th17 pathway is distinctly regulated through a coordinated action of multiple cytokines and transcription factors. In this study, we explored whether antipsychotic medication has any effect on the cytokines and transcription factors of the Th17 pathway. METHODS: A total of 27 drug-naive schizophrenia patients were recruited and followed up for 3 months after initiation of antipsychotic medication. Lymphocyte gene expression levels of two transcription factors (STAT3 and RORC) and one of their upstream regulators, IL6, were quantified before and after treatment. Plasma levels of cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-23, and IL-33, were also analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: Treatment with antipsychotic medication for 3 months resulted in significant downregulation of STAT3 gene expression as well as reduction in plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A. Significant reduction in total scores for the Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms and the Scale for Assessment of Negative Symptoms was also observed in schizophrenia patients after 3 months of antipsychotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest possible immuno-modulatory effects of antipsychotic medication on the critical regulators, such as IL-6 and STAT3, of the Th17 pathway in schizophrenia patients. The IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis involved in the transcriptional regulation of Th17 cells might appear as an important target of antipsychotic treatment in schizophrenia patients. Alternatively, irrespective of the effect of antipsychotic drugs, the IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis might be crucially involved in ameliorating psychotic symptoms

Data for Interplay Between Ion Transport, Applied Bias and Degradation under Illumination in Hybrid Perovskite p-i-n Devices

We studied ion transport in hybrid organic inorganic perovskite p-i-n devices as a function of applied bias under device operating conditions. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and equivalent circuit modeling, we elucidated various resistive and capacitive elements in the device. We show that ion migration is predictably influenced by a low applied forward bias, characterized by an increased capacitance at the hole transporting (HTM) and electron transporting material (ETM) interfaces, as well as through the bulk. However, unlike observations in n-i-p devices, we found that there is a capacitive discharge leading to ion redistribution in the bulk at high forward biases. Furthermore, we show that a chemical double layer capacitance buildup as a result of ion accumulation impacts the electronic properties of the device, likely by either inducing charge pinning or charge screening, depending on the direction of the ion induced field. Lastly, we extrapolate ion diffusion coefficients (~10-7 cm2 s-1) and ionic conductivities (~10-7 S cm-1) from the Warburg mass (ion) diffusion response, and show that, as the device degrades, there is an overall depletion of capacitive effects coupled with an increased ion mobility.https://scholarworks.umass.edu/data/1004/thumbnail.jp

The impact of HLA-G 3\u27 UTR variants and sHLA-G on risk and clinical correlates of schizophrenia

The Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC)/Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) is known to influence the pathogenesis of several complex human diseases resulting from gene-environmental interactions. Recently, it has emerged as one of the risk determinants of schizophrenia. The HLA-G protein (a non-classical MHC class I molecule), encoded by the HLA-G gene, is shown to play important role in embryonic development. Importantly, its genetic variations and aberrant expression have been implicated in pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, inflammation, and autoimmunity. Converging evidence implicates these phenomena as risk mechanisms of schizophrenia. However, the functional implications of HLA-G in schizophrenia are yet to be empirically examined. The impact of two functional polymorphisms [14bp Insertion/Deletion (INDEL) and +3187 A>G] and soluble HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels on schizophrenia risk was evaluated. In this exploratory study, the Ins/Ins genotype of 14bp INDEL was found to confer a strong risk for schizophrenia. Further, low levels of sHLA-G were shown to have a significant impact on Clinical Global Impression (CGI) severity in people with schizophrenia