Fitting Neutrino Physics with a U(1)_R Lepton Number

We study neutrino physics in the context of a supersymmetric model where a continuous R-symmetry is identified with the total Lepton Number and one sneutrino can thus play the role of the down type Higgs. We show that R-breaking effects communicated to the visible sector by Anomaly Mediation can reproduce neutrino masses and mixing solely via radiative contributions, without requiring any additional degree of freedom. In particular, a relatively large reactor angle (as recently observed by the Daya Bay collaboration) can be accommodated in ample regions of the parameter space. On the contrary, if the R-breaking is communicated to the visible sector by gravitational effects at the Planck scale, additional particles are necessary to accommodate neutrino data.Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures; v2: references added, constraints updated, overall conclusions unchange

Primary Postulates of the Standard Model as Consequences of the Composite Nature of the Fundamental Fermions

A field model of two-component fermions is described, the consequences of which coincide in the main with primary postulates of the standard model. Such a model can be constructed for 4 generations at the minimum. Peculiarities of the relative coordinate space, determining in general an internal symmetry group, are considered. Analogues of the Higgs fields appear in the model naturally after transition to the Grassmannian extra coordinates.Comment: Reprint, LaTeX, 20 pages. Few references and remarks are added, some found mistakes are correcte

Engineering the Controlled Assembly of Filamentous Injectisomes in E. coli K-12 for Protein Translocation into Mammalian Cells.

Bacterial pathogens containing type III protein secretion systems (T3SS) assemble large needle-like protein complexes in the bacterial envelope, called injectisomes, for translocation of protein effectors into host cells. The application of these molecular syringes for the injection of proteins into mammalian cells is hindered by their structural and genomic complexity, requiring multiple polypeptides encoded along with effectors in various transcriptional units (TUs) with intricate regulation. In this work, we have rationally designed the controlled expression of the filamentous injectisomes found in enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in the nonpathogenic strain E. coli K-12. All structural components of EPEC injectisomes, encoded in a genomic island called the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE), were engineered in five TUs (eLEEs) excluding effectors, promoters and transcriptional regulators. These eLEEs were placed under the control of the IPTG-inducible promoter Ptac and integrated into specific chromosomal sites of E. coli K-12 using a marker-less strategy. The resulting strain, named synthetic injector E. coli (SIEC), assembles filamentous injectisomes similar to those in EPEC. SIEC injectisomes form pores in the host plasma membrane and are able to translocate T3-substrate proteins (e.g., translocated intimin receptor, Tir) into the cytoplasm of HeLa cells reproducing the phenotypes of intimate attachment and polymerization of actin-pedestals elicited by EPEC bacteria. Hence, SIEC strain allows the controlled expression of functional filamentous injectisomes for efficient translocation of proteins with T3S-signals into mammalian cells

How Many Supersymmetries?

Supersymmetry in the gauge sector could be realized as N=1 or N=2 Supersymmetry, but the current LHC searches assume an N=1 realization. In this paper we show that squarks could be as light as few hundreds of GeV for N=2. We also describe an experimental procedure to count the number of supersymmetries, i.e. to distinguish between N=1 and N=2 supersymmetry, based on counting bins with different jet multiplicities and number of leptons.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure

LHC Test of CDF WjjWjj anomaly

We discuss a test of the CDF dijet anomaly at the LHC. The recent observed dijet mass peak at the CDF is well fitted by a new particle with a mass of around 150 GeV, which decays into two jets. In this paper, we focus on only $Wjj$ signal to avoid model dependence, and comprehensively study the LHC discovery/exclusion reach. We found almost all the models are inconsistent with the result of the LHC, unless only valence quarks contribute the new process. We also discuss further prospects of the LHC search for this anomaly.Comment: 21 pages, 2 figures, 17 tables; v4:typos are correcte

Non-equilibrium statistical mechanics: From a paradigmatic model to biological transport

Unlike equilibrium statistical mechanics, with its well-established foundations, a similar widely-accepted framework for non-equilibrium statistical mechanics (NESM) remains elusive. Here, we review some of the many recent activities on NESM, focusing on some of the fundamental issues and general aspects. Using the language of stochastic Markov processes, we emphasize general properties of the evolution of configurational probabilities, as described by master equations. Of particular interest are systems in which the dynamics violate detailed balance, since such systems serve to model a wide variety of phenomena in nature. We next review two distinct approaches for investigating such problems. One approach focuses on models sufficiently simple to allow us to find exact, analytic, non-trivial results. We provide detailed mathematical analyses of a one-dimensional continuous-time lattice gas, the totally asymmetric exclusion process (TASEP). It is regarded as a paradigmatic model for NESM, much like the role the Ising model played for equilibrium statistical mechanics. It is also the starting point for the second approach, which attempts to include more realistic ingredients in order to be more applicable to systems in nature. Restricting ourselves to the area of biophysics and cellular biology, we review a number of models that are relevant for transport phenomena. Successes and limitations of these simple models are also highlighted.Comment: 72 pages, 18 figures, Accepted to: Reports on Progress in Physic

Neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy for resectable esophageal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Carcinoma of the esophagus is an aggressive malignancy with an increasing incidence. Its virulence, in terms of symptoms and mortality, justifies a continued search for optimal therapy. The large and growing number of patients affected, the high mortality rates, the worldwide geographic variation in practice, and the large body of good quality research warrants a systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the impact of neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy on resectable thoracic esophageal cancer to inform evidence-based practice was produced. MEDLINE, CANCERLIT, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and abstracts from the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology were searched for trial reports. Included were randomized trials or meta-analyses of neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatments compared with surgery alone or other treatments in patients with resectable thoracic esophageal cancer. Outcomes of interest were survival, adverse effects, and quality of life. Either one- or three-year mortality data were pooled and reported as relative risk ratios. RESULTS: Thirty-four randomized controlled trials and six meta-analyses were obtained and grouped into 13 basic treatment approaches. Single randomized controlled trials detected no differences in mortality between treatments for the following comparisons: - Preoperative radiotherapy versus postoperative radiotherapy. - Preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy versus postoperative radiotherapy. Preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy was associated with a significantly higher mortality rate. - Postoperative chemotherapy versus postoperative radiotherapy. - Postoperative radiotherapy versus postoperative radiotherapy plus protein-bound polysaccharide versus chemoradiation versus chemoradiation plus protein-bound polysaccharide. Pooling one-year mortality detected no statistically significant differences in mortality between treatments for the following comparisons: - Preoperative radiotherapy compared with surgery alone (five randomized trials). - Postoperative radiotherapy compared with surgery alone (five randomized trials). - Preoperative chemotherapy versus surgery alone (six randomized trials). - Preoperative and postoperative chemotherapy versus surgery alone (two randomized trials). - Preoperative chemoradiation therapy versus surgery alone (six randomized trials). Single randomized controlled trials detected differences in mortality between treatments for the following comparison: - Preoperative hyperthermia and chemoradiotherapy versus preoperative chemoradiotherapy in favour of hyperthermia. Pooling three-year mortality detected no statistically significant difference in mortality between treatments for the following comparison: - Postoperative chemotherapy compared with surgery alone (two randomized trials). Pooling three-year mortality detected statistically significant differences between treatments for the following comparisons: - Preoperative chemoradiation therapy versus surgery alone (six randomized trials) in favour of preoperative chemoradiation with surgery. - Preoperative chemotherapy compared with preoperative radiotherapy (one randomized trial) in favour of preoperative radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: For adult patients with resectable thoracic esophageal cancer for whom surgery is considered appropriate, surgery alone (i.e., without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy) is recommended as the standard practice

Closed-Form transformation between geodetic and ellipsoidal coordinates

We present formulas for direct closed-form transformation between geodetic coordinates(Φ, λ, h) and ellipsoidal coordinates (β, λ, u) for any oblate ellipsoid of revolution.These will be useful for those dealing with ellipsoidal representations of the Earth's gravityfield or other oblate ellipsoidal figures. The numerical stability of the transformations for nearpolarand near-equatorial regions is also considered

Mast Cell Diseases in Practice and Research: Issues and Perspectives Raised by Patients and Their Recommendations to the Scientific Community and Beyond

Background: Since 2010, patients and physicians have collaborated to understand unmet needs of patients with mast cell diseases, incorporating mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders, which include mast cell activation syndromes. Objective: This Open Innovation in Science project aims to expand understanding of the needs of patients affected by mast cell diseases, and encourage global communication among patient advocacy groups, physicians, researchers, industry, and government. A major aim is to support the scientific community's efforts to improve diagnosis, management, therapy, and patients’ quality of life by addressing unmet needs. Methods: In collaboration with mast cell disease specialists, 13 patient advocacy groups from 12 countries and regions developed lists of top patient needs. A core team of leaders from patient advocacy groups collected and analyzed the data and proposed possible actions to address patient needs. Results: Findings identified similarities and differences among participating countries in unmet needs between patients with mastocytosis and those with mast cell activation syndromes. Issues emphasized struggles relating to the nature and rarity of mast cell diseases, their impact on quality of life, the diagnostic process, access to appropriate care, more effective treatment, and the need for research. Conclusions: Solutions vary across countries because situations differ, in particular regarding the existence of and access to centers of excellence and reference centers. Multifaceted mast cell activation syndrome barriers necessitate innovative approaches to improve access to appropriate care. The outcomes of this project should greatly support scientists and clinicians in their efforts to improve diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients with mastocytosis and mast cell activation disorders.The authors thank Tania Bray, Jan Hempstead, Heather Mayne, Joanne Mulder-Brambleby, and Irene Wilson for their supporting contributions, and all patients and families affected by MCDs, who shared their needs and concerns for development of this project. Authors involved in study conception and design were P. Valent, S.V. Jennings, C.C. Finnerty, J.S. Hobart, M. Martín-Martínez, K.A. Sinclair, V.M. Slee, J. Agopian, C. Akin, I. Álvarez-Twose, P. Bonadonna, A.A. Bowman, K. Brockow, H. Bumbea, C. de Haro, J.S. Fok, K. Hartmann, N. Hegmann, O. Hermine, M. Kalisiak, C.H. Katelaris, J. Kurz, P. Marcis, D. Mayne, D. Mendoza, A. Moussy, G. Mudretzkyj, N. Nidelea Vaia, M. Niedoszytko, H. Oude Elberink, A. Orfao, D.H. Radia, S. Rosenmeier, E. Ribada, W. Schinhofen, J. Schwaab, F. Siebenhaar, M. Triggiani, G. Tripodo, R. Velazquez, Y. Wielink, F. Wimazal, T. Yigit, and C. Zubrinich. Authors involved in acquisition and review of data were S.V. Jennings, C.C. Finnerty, J.S. Hobart, M. Martín-Martínez, K.A. Sinclair, V.M. Slee, J. Agopian, C. Akin, I. Álvarez-Twose, P. Bonadonna, A.A. Bowman, K. Brockow, H. Bumbea, C. de Haro, J.S. Fok, K. Hartmann, N. Hegmann, O. Hermine, M. Kalisiak, C.H. Katelaris, J. Kurz, P. Marcis, D. Mayne, D. Mendoza, A. Moussy, G. Mudretzkyj, N. Nidelea Vaia, M. Niedoszytko, H. Oude Elberink, A. Orfao, D.H. Radia, S. Rosenmeier, E. Ribada, W. Schinhofen, J. Schwaab, F. Siebenhaar, M. Triggiani, G. Tripodo, R. Velazquez, Y. Wielink, F. Wimazal, T. Yigit, C. Zubrinich, and P. Valent. The Core Group (analysis and interpretation of data and drafting of the manuscript) include S.V. Jennings, C.C. Finnerty, J.S. Hobart, M. Martín-Martínez, K.A. Sinclair, and V.M. Slee. Critical revision was performed by S.V. Jennings, C.C. Finnerty, J.S. Hobart, M. Martín-Martínez, K.A. Sinclair, V.M. Slee, J. Agopian, C. Akin, I. Álvarez-Twose, P. Bonadonna, A.A. Bowman, K. Brockow, H. Bumbea, C. de Haro, J.S. Fok, K. Hartmann, N. Hegmann, O. Hermine, M. Kalisiak, C.H. Katelaris, J. Kurz, P. Marcis, D. Mayne, D. Mendoza, A. Moussy, G. Mudretzkyj, N. Nidelea Vaia, M. Niedoszytko, H. Oude Elberink, A. Orfao, D.H. Radia, S. Rosenmeier, E. Ribada, W. Schinhofen, J. Schwaab, F. Siebenhaar, M. Triggiani, G. Tripodo, R. Velazquez, Y. Wielink, F Wimazal, T. Yigit, C. Zubrinich, and P. Valent