Probing new neutral gauge bosons with CEvNS and neutrino-electron scattering

The potential for probing extra neutral gauge boson mediators ($Z^\prime$) from low-energy measurements is comprehensively explored. Our study mainly focuses on $Z^\prime$ mediators present in string-inspired $E_6$ models and left-right symmetry. We estimate the sensitivities of coherent-elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE$\nu$NS) and neutrino-electron scattering experiments. Our results indicate that such low-energy high-intensity measurements can provide a valuable probe, complementary to high-energy collider searches and electroweak precision measurements.Comment: notation improved, analysis updated, conclusions unchanged, matches published version in PR

Gravitational waves from brane-world inflation with induced gravity

We calculate the amplitude of gravitational waves produced by inflation on a de Sitter brane embedded in five-dimensional anti-de Sitter bulk spacetime, extending previous calculations in Randall-Sundrum type cosmology to include the effect of induced gravity corrections on the brane. These corrections arise via a term in the brane action that is proportional to the brane Ricci scalar. We find that, as in the Randall-Sundrum case, there is a mass gap between the discrete zero-mode and a continuum of massive bulk modes, which are too heavy to be excited during inflation. We give the normalization of the zero-mode as a function of the Hubble rate on the brane and are thus able to calculate the high energy correction to the spectrum of gravitational wave (tensor) modes excited on large scales during inflation from initial vacuum fluctuations on small scales. We also calculate the amplitude of density (scalar) perturbations expected due to inflaton fluctuations on the brane, and show that the usual four-dimensional consistency relation for the tensor/scalar ratio remains valid for brane inflation with induced gravity corrections.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Where we are on θ13\theta_{13}: addendum to "Global neutrino data and recent reactor fluxes: status of three-flavour oscillation parameters"

In this addendum to arXiv:1103.0734 we consider the recent results from long-baseline $\nu_\mu\to\nu_e$ searches at the T2K and MINOS experiments and investigate their implications for the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$ and the leptonic Dirac CP phase $\delta$. By combining the $2.5\sigma$ indication for a non-zero value of $\theta_{13}$ coming from T2K data with global neutrino oscillation data we obtain a significance for $\theta_{13} > 0$ of about $3\sigma$ with best fit points $\sin^2\theta_{13} = 0.013(0.016)$ for normal (inverted) neutrino mass ordering. These results depend somewhat on assumptions concerning the analysis of reactor neutrino data.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures and 1 tabl

Scope and Predictive Genetic/Phenotypic Signatures of Bicarbonate (NaHCO3) Responsiveness and β-Lactam Sensitization in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Addition of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing medium reveals certain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains to be highly susceptible to β-lactams. We investigated the prevalence of this phenotype (NaHCO3 responsiveness) to two β-lactams among 58 clinical MRSA bloodstream isolates. Of note, ∼75% and ∼36% of isolates displayed the NaHCO3 responsiveness phenotype to cefazolin (CFZ) and oxacillin (OXA), respectively. Neither intrinsic β-lactam MICs in standard Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) nor population analysis profiles were predictive of this phenotype. Several genotypic markers (clonal complex 8 [CC8]; agr I and spa t008) were associated with NaHCO3 responsiveness for OXA

Biochemical and Genetical Evaluation of Pomegranate Impact on Diabetes Mellitus Induced by Alloxan in Female Rats

Abstract: Various food industries explored the possibility of developing a nutritional supplement rich in natural antioxidants from pomegranates. This study has focused on the ability of pomegranate peel and juice to study the antioxidant status. Thirty two rats were allocated in 4 groups as follows: GroupI; control group without any treatment; GroupII: diabetic animals injected with alloxan; Group III: diabetic peel group animals injected with alloxan and then feed on peel pomegranate; GroupIV: diabetic juice group animals injected with alloxan and then gavage with pomegranate juice. After 4 weeks of treatment biochemical analysis were measured such as glucose, insulin, alpha-amylase, lipid profile (cholesterol, triglyceride HDL, LDL and total lipids), total protein, homocysteine, total antioxidant capacity and liver enzymes (AST&ALT). In addition, pancreas and liver tissues were separated for genetic analysis in which pancreatic tissues were used for RAPD-PCR analysis and liver tissues for DNA fragmentation assay. Results showed significant increase in glucose and alpha amylase levels in diabetic group, while insulin decreased. Peel and juice of pomegranate ameliorates this effect and decreased glucose, alpha amylase while insulin level increased. Cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and total lipids increased while HDL decreased in diabetic group. Peel and juice of pomegranate prevented these changes. The more pronounced effect appeared in group III treated with peel pomegranate. Total protein was not affected by alloxan or pomegranate. Homocysteine was significantly increased while total antioxidant capacity decreased in diabetic group. After treatment by pomegranate peel and juice, these parameters become near to the control values. AST and ALT were significantly increased in diabetic group. But after treatment with peel and juice, AST and ALT levels decreased and become near to the control level especially ALT value. Furthermore, rate of DNA fragmentation and DNA band polymorphism increased significantly in diabetic group. While after treatment by peel and juice rate of DNA band polymorphism and DNA fragmentation were decreased significantly. Pomegranate peel and juice showed significant reduction in LDL oxidative susceptibility and an increase in total antioxidant status. Pomegranate is able to reduce the progression in atherosclerosis. The antioxidant content in foods decreased the oxidative stress related diseases

FRW Quantum Cosmology with a Generalized Chaplygin Gas

Cosmologies with a Chaplygin gas have recently been explored with the objective of explaining the transition from a dust dominated epoch towards an accelerating expansion stage. We consider the hypothesis that the transition to the accelerated period involves a quantum mechanical process. Three physically admissible cases are possible. In particular, we identify a minisuperspace configuration with two Lorentzian sectors, separated by a classically forbidden region. The Hartle-Hawking and Vilenkin wave functions are computed, together with the transition amplitudes towards the accelerating epoch. Furthermore, it is found that for specific initial conditions, the parameters characterizing the generalized Chaplygin gas become related through an expression involving an integer $n$. We also introduce a phenomenological association between some brane-world scenarios and a FRW minisuperspace cosmology with a generalized Chaplygin gas. The aim is to promote a discussion and subsequent research on the quantum creation of brane cosmologies from such a perspective. Results suggest that the brane tension would become related with generalized Chaplygin gas parameters through another expression involving an integer.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figures, RevTeX

Improved Theory of the Muonium Hyperfine Structure

Terms contributing to the hyperfine structure of the muonium ground state at the level of few tenths of kHz have been evaluated. The $\alpha^2 (Z\alpha)$ radiative correction has been calculated numerically to the precision of 0.02 kHz. Leading $\ln (Z\alpha )$ terms of order $\alpha^{4-n} (Z\alpha)^n , n=1,2,3,$ and some relativistic corrections have been evaluated analytically. The theoretical uncertainty is now reduced to 0.17 kHz. At present, however, it is not possible to test QED to this precision because of the 1.34 kHz uncertainty due to the muon mass.Comment: 11 pages + 2 figures (included), RevTeX 3.0, CLNS 94/127

Unwanted Pregnancy and Associated Factors among Pregnant Married Women in Hosanna Town, Southern Ethiopia

Of an estimated 210 million pregnancies that occur in the world each year, 38% are unplanned, out of which 22% end in abortion. In Ethiopia, the estimates of unintended pregnancy indicate that it is one of the major reproductive health problems with all its adverse outcomes. Women risk their lives in by seeking illegal abortions following unintended pregnancies. Thus, this study aims to determine the prevalence of unintended pregnancy and associated factors among pregnant married women residing in Hossana, Southern Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study involving both qualitative and quantitative data collection methods was carried out in Hossana from April 02 to 15, 2011. 385 pregnant married women randomly selected from the census were included for the quantitative data and took in-depth interviews for the qualitative. Descriptive, binary and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS version 16. Out of the total pregnancies, 131 (34%) were unintended and 254 (66%) were reported to be intended. A history of previous unintended pregnancy, the husband not wanting to limit family size, a desire for at least two children, the number of pregnancy 3–4 and parity of 5 and above were factors significantly associated with unintended pregnancy. With over one third of pregnancies unintended, having a previous unintended pregnancy, the number of previous pregnancies, and husbands’ disagreement over family size, and the desired number of children are factors that reproductive health programs should aim to focus on to reduce unintended pregnancy

Global neutrino data and recent reactor fluxes: status of three-flavour oscillation parameters

We present the results of a global neutrino oscillation data analysis within the three-flavour framework. We include latest results from the MINOS long-baseline experiment (including electron neutrino appearance as well as anti-neutrino data), updating all relevant solar (SK II+III), atmospheric (SK I+II+III) and reactor (KamLAND) data. Furthermore, we include a recent re-calculation of the anti-neutrino fluxes emitted from nuclear reactors. These results have important consequences for the analysis of reactor experiments and in particular for the status of the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$. In our recommended default analysis we find from the global fit that the hint for non-zero $\theta_{13}$ remains weak, at 1.8$\sigma$ for both neutrino mass hierarchy schemes. However, we discuss in detail the dependence of these results on assumptions concerning the reactor neutrino analysis.Comment: 15 pages, 10 figures and 2 tables, v2: corrected version, main conclusions unchanged, references adde

10 Gbit/s error-free DPSK modulation using a push-pull dual-drive silicon modulator

[EN] We experimentally demonstrate a high-speed differential phase shift keying (DPSK) modulation using a silicon push-pull operated dual-drive Mach Zehnder modulator (MZM) based on carrier depletion. 5 Gbit/s and 10 Gbit/s error-free modulation is demonstrated by demodulating the generated DPSK modulated signal using a demodulation circuit based on a polarization delay interferometer through the use of a differential group delay (DGD). Furthermore, the potential for higher DPSK modulation speeds up to 20 Gbit/s is also demonstrated. The obtained results validate the potential to achieve higher order modulation formats, such as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), by arranging the MZM in a nested configuration. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Financial supports from HELIOS (Photonics Electronics Functional Integration on CMOS) FP7-224312 and Generalitat Valenciana under PROMETEO-2010-087 R&D Excellency Program (NANOMET) are acknowledged. M. Aamer and P. Sanchis thank Dr. Javier Herrera for his useful help. D.J. Thomson, F.Y. Gardes and G.T. Reed are supported by funding received from the UK EPSRC funding body under the grant “UK Silicon Photonics”.Aamer, M.; Thomson, DJ.; Gutiérrez Campo, AM.; Brimont, ACJ.; Gardes, FY.; Reed, GT.; Fedeli, JM.... (2013). 10 Gbit/s error-free DPSK modulation using a push-pull dual-drive silicon modulator. Optics Communications. 304:107-110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optcom.2013.04.051S10711030