Right-handed Dirac Neutrinos in νe−\nu e^{-} Scattering and Azimuthal Asymmetry in Recoil Electron Event Rates

In this paper a scenario with the participation of the exotic scalar S, tensor T and pseudoscalar couplings of the right-handed neutrinos in addition to the standard vector V, axial A couplings of the left-handed neutrinos in the low-energy $(\nu_{\mu}e^{-})$ and $(\nu_{e}e^{-})$ scattering processes is considered. Neutrinos are assumed to be massive Dirac fermions and to be polarized. Both reactions are studied at the level of the four-fermion point interaction. The main goal is to show that the physical consequence of the presence of the right-handed neutrinos is an appearance of the azimuthal asymmetry in the angular distribution of the recoil electrons caused by the non-vanishing interference terms between the standard and exotic couplings, proportional to the transverse neutrino polarization vector. The upper limits on the expected effect of this asymmetry for the low-energy neutrinos $(E_{\nu} < 1 MeV)$ are found. We also show that if the neutrino helicity rotation $(\nu_{eL} \to \nu_{eR})$ in the solar magnetic field takes place, the similar effect of the azimuthal asymmetry of the recoil electrons scattered by the solar neutrinos should be observed. This effect would also come from the interference terms between the standard $(V, A)_{L}$ and exotic $(S, T, P)_{R}$ couplings. New-type neutrino detectors with good angular resolution could search for the azimuthal asymmetry in event number.Comment: EPJ C style, 14 pages, 5 eps figures; to appear in Eur. Phys. J

Scattering of neutrinos on a polarized electron target as a test for new physics beyond the Standard Model

In this paper, we analyze the scattering of the neutrino beam on the polarized electron target, and predict the effects of two theoretically possible scenarios beyond the Standard Model. In both scenarios, Dirac neutrinos are assumed to be massive. First, we consider how the existence of CP violation phase between the complex vector V and axial A couplings of the Left-handed neutrinos affects the azimuthal dependence of the differential cross section. The future superbeam and neutrino factory experiments will provide the unique opportunity for the leptonic CP violation studies, if the large magnetized sampling calorimeters with good event reconstruction capabilities are build. Next, we take into account a scenario with the participation of the exotic scalar S coupling of the Right-handed neutrinos in addition to the standard vector V and axial A couplings of the Left-handed neutrinos. The main goal is to show how the presence of the R-handed neutrinos, in the above process changes the spectrum of recoil electrons in relation to the expected Standard Model prediction, using the current limits on the non-standard couplings. The interference terms between the standard and exotic couplings in the differential cross section depend on the angle $\alpha$ between the transverse incoming neutrino polarization and the transverse electron polarization of the target, and do not vanish in the limit of massless neutrino. The detection of the dependence on this angle in the energy spectrum of recoil electrons would be a signature of the presence of the R-handed neutrinos in the neutrino-electron scattering. To make this test feasible, the polarized artificial neutrino source needs to be identified.Comment: 11 pages, 3 eps figures, revtex, submitted to publicatio

The polarized electron target as a new solar-neutrino detector

In this paper, we analyze the scattering of solar neutrinos on the polarized electron target, and predict how the effect of parity violation in weak interactions may help to distinguish neutrino signal from detector background. We indicate that the knowledge of the Sun motion across the sky is sufficient to predict the day/night asymmetry in the $(\nu_ee^-)$ scattering on the polarized electron target. To make this detection feasible, the polarized electron target for solar neutrinos needs to be build from magnetic materials, e.g. from ferromagnetic iron foils, paramagnetic scintillator crystals or scintillating ferrofluids.Comment: 3 pages, 2 eps figures, revte

Argon protects against hypoxic-ischemic brain injury in neonatal rats through activation of Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2

Perinatal hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) has a high mortality rate with neuropsychological impairment. This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of argon against neonatal hypoxic-ischaemic brain injury. In vitro cortical neuronal cell cultures derived from rat foetuses were subjected to an oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) challenge for 90 minutes and then exposed to 70% argon or nitrogen with 5% carbon dioxide and balanced with oxygen for 2 hours. In vivo, seven-day-old rats were subjected to unilateral common carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxic (8% oxygen balanced with nitrogen) insult for 90 minutes. They were exposed to 70% argon or nitrogen balanced with oxygen for 2 hours. In vitro, argon treatment of cortical neuronal cultures resulted in a significant increase of p-mTOR and Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2(Nrf2) and protection against OGD challenge. Inhibition of m-TOR through Rapamycin or Nrf2 through siRNA abolished argon-mediated cyto-protection. In vivo, argon exposure significantly enhanced Nrf2 and its down-stream effector NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase, Quinone 1(NQO1) and superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1). Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and neuronal cell death were significantly decreased and brain infarction was markedly reduced. Blocking PI-3K through wortmannin or ERK1/2 through U0126 attenuated argon-mediated neuroprotection. These data provide a new molecular mechanism for the potential application of Argon as a neuroprotectant in HIE