CP-violating Majorana phases, lepton-conserving processes and final state interactions

The CP-violating phases associated with Majorana neutrinos can give rise to CP-violating effects even in processes that conserve total Lepton number, such as \mu -> eee+, \mu + e -> e + e and others. After explaining the reasons that make this happen, we consider the calculation of the rates for the process of the form \ell_a + \ell_b -> \ell_a + \ell_c, and its conjugate \bar\ell_a + \bar\ell_b -> \bar\ell_a + \bar\ell_c, where \ell_a, \ell_b and \ell_c denote charged leptons of different flavors. In the context of the Standard Model with Majorana neutrinos, we show that the difference in the rates depends on such phases. Our calculations illustrate in detail the mechanics that operate behind the scene, and set the stage for carrying out the analogous, more complicated (as we explain), calculations for other processes such as \mu -> eee+ and its conjugate.Comment: Latex, axodraw, 24 page

Functional architecture and specifications for Tolerancing Data and Knowledge Management

Part 1: Knowledge ManagementInternational audienceThe paper deals with the Computer-Aided Tolerancing and Product Data Management. It is especially focus on data and knowledge management system to support and improve the tolerancing tasks in product development process. The first part of the paper introduces an overview about the recent developments related to tolerancing supports and data management systems. Based on a literature survey and industrial issues, the second part proposes a functional architecture and specifications of the data and knowledge manage-ment system addressing the numerous needs clarified by tolerancing experts

Mechanical and chemical characterisation of bioresorbable polymeric stent over two-year in vitro degradation

Polymeric stent is a temporary cardiovascular scaffold, made of biodegradable poly (l-lactic) acid, to treat coronary artery stenosis, with expected resorption by the human body over two to three years. In this paper, the mechanical properties of a polymeric stent over two-year in vitro degradation were studied and characterised using atomic force microscopy and nanoindentation techniques, complemented with analyses of weight loss, gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. Atomic force microscopy assessed stent degradation at the surface, whilst nanoindentation was able to investigate the property at a greater depth into the material. No significant changes to the Young’s modulus were observed with the atomic force microscopy due to bulk degradation nature of the polymer. Chemical analyses demonstrated a reduction of molecular weight and an increase of crystallinity, indicating degradation of the stents. Berkovich nanoindentation showed a trend of reduction in modulus over in vitro degradation, which was, however, not continuous due to the variations of measurements associated with the pyramidal indenter tip and the semi-crystalline structure of the polymer

CP violation in a multi-Higgs doublet model with flavor changing neutral current

We study CP violation in a multi-Higgs doublet model based on a $S_3 \times Z_3$ horizontal symmetry where CKM phase is not the principal source of CP violation. We consider two mechanisms for CP violation in this model: a) CP violation due to complex Yukawa couplings; and b) CP violation due to scalar-pseudoscalar Higgs boson mixings. Both mechanisms can explain the observed CP violation in the neutral Kaon system. $\epsilon'/\epsilon$ due to neutral Higgs boson exchange is small in both mechanisms, but charged Higgs boson con- tributions can be as large as $10^{-3}$ for a), and $10^{-4}$ for b). CP violation in the neutral B system is, however, quite different from the Minimal Standard Model. The neutron Electric Dipole Moment can be as large as the present ex- perimental bound, and can be used to constrain charged Higgs boson masses. The electron EDM is one order of magnitude below the experimental bound in case b) and smaller in case a).Comment: 22 pages, Revtex, OITS-52

Radioimmunotherapy of B-cell lymphoma with radiolabelled anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies

CD20 has proven to be an excellent target for the treatment of B-cell lymphoma, first for the chimeric monoclonal antibody rituximab (Rituxan™), and more recently for the radiolabelled antibodies Y-90 ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin™) and I-131 tositumomab (Bexxar™). Radiation therapy effects are due to beta emissions with path lengths of 1–5 mm; gamma radiation emitted by I-131 is the only radiation safety issue for either product. Dose-limiting toxicity for both radiolabelled antibodies is reversible bone marrow suppression. They produce response rates of 70%–90% in low-grade and follicular lymphoma and 40%–50% in transformed low-grade or intermediate-grade lymphomas. Both products produce higher response rates than related unlabelled antibodies, and both are highly active in patients who are relatively resistant to rituximab-based therapy. Median duration of response to a single course of treatment is about 1 year with complete remission rates that last 2 years or longer in about 25% of patients. Clinical trials suggest that anti- CD20 radioimmunotherapy is superior to total body irradiation in patients undergoing stem cell supported therapy for B-cell lymphoma, and that it is a safe and efficacious modality when used as consolidation therapy following chemotherapy. Among cytotoxic treatment options, current evidence suggests that one course of anti-CD20 radioimmunotherapy is as efficacious as six to eight cycles of combination chemotherapy. A major question that persists is how effective these agents are in the setting of rituximab- refractory lymphoma. These products have been underutilised because of the complexity of treatment coordination and concerns regarding reimbursement

Implications of Space-Time foam for Entanglement Correlations of Neutral Kaons

The role of $CPT$ invariance and consequences for bipartite entanglement of neutral (K) mesons are discussed. A relaxation of $CPT$ leads to a modification of the entanglement which is known as the $\omega$ effect. The relaxation of assumptions required to prove the $CPT$ theorem are examined within the context of models of space-time foam. It is shown that the evasion of the EPR type entanglement implied by $CPT$ (which is connected with spin statistics) is rather elusive. Relaxation of locality (through non-commutative geometry) or the introduction of decoherence by themselves do not lead to a destruction of the entanglement. So far we find only one model which is based on non-critical strings and D-particle capture and recoil that leads to a stochastic contribution to the space-time metric and consequent change in the neutral meson bipartite entanglement. The lack of an omega effect is demonstrated for a class of models based on thermal like baths which are generally considered as generic models of decoherence

A His6-SUMO-eXact tag for producing human prepro-Urocortin 2 in Escherichia coli for raising monoclonal antibodies

10.1016/j.jim.2013.11.015Journal of Immunological Methods4031-237-51JIMM