Generalized Lepton Number and Dark Left-Right Gauge Model

In a left-right gauge model of particle interactions, the left-handed fermion doublet (nu,e)_L is connected to its right-handed counterpart (n,e)_R through a scalar bidoublet so that e_L pairs with e_R, and nu_L with n_R to form mass terms. Suppose the latter link is severed without affecting the former, then n_R is not the mass partner of nu_L, and as we show in this paper, becomes a candidate for dark matter which is relevant for the recent PAMELA and ATIC observations. We accomplish this in a specific nonsupersymmetric model, where a generalized lepton number can be defined, so that n_R and W_R are odd under R = (-1)^{3B+L+2j}. Fermionic leptoquarks are also predicted.Comment: Version to appear in PRD (Rapid Communication

Bound on Z' Mass from CDMS II in the Dark Left-Right Gauge Model II

With the recent possible signal of dark matter from the CDMS II experiment, the Z' mass of a new version of the dark left-right gauge model (DLRM II) is predicted to be at around a TeV. As such, it has an excellent discovery prognosis at the operating Large Hadron Collider.Comment: 11 page

Consumer and Brand Factors that Influence Perceptions of Green Brand Extensions

Companies commonly demonstrate their commitment to the environment and compete in the green marketplace by leveraging their brand equity and introducing green brand extensions. Brand extensions allow well-known brands with a loyal customer base to engage in new sustainability efforts with less assumed risk

HRT, Herbal Formula, Induces G 2

We have demonstrated the anticancer effect of HRT in HCT116, human colon carcinoma cells. HRT inhibited cancer cell growth by causing cell cycle arrest at G2/M and inducing apoptosis as evidenced by DNA fragmentation assay. We found that HRT induces the activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, whereas it reduces the level of Bcl-2 protein and results in the cleavage of PARP. Further, HRT decreased the level of phosphorylation of Akt and its downstream signals such as mTOR and GSK-3β. These results indicate that HRT stimulates the apoptotic signaling pathway and represses the survival and proliferation of colon cancer cells via inhibiting Akt activity. Hence, our results suggest that HRT has a potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent against colon cancer cells

Minimal gauge origin of baryon triality and flavorful signatures at the LHC

Baryon triality (B3) is a Z3 discrete symmetry that can protect the proton from decay. Although its realization does not require supersymmetry, it is particularly appealing in the supersymmetry as an alternative to the popular R-parity. We discuss the issues in gauging B3, and present the minimal supersymmetric model with B3 as the remnant discrete symmetry of a TeV scale U(1) gauge symmetry. A flavor-dependent U(1) charge is necessary to achieve this, and it results in very distinguishable and flavorful predictions for the LHC experiments. We find a complementarity between a 2-lepton sneutrino resonance and a 4-lepton Z' resonance in the supersymmetry search. In addition, we introduce baryon tetrality (B4), which would play an equivalent role if there are four fermion generations.Comment: Version to appear in PL

Ultrathin thermoresponsive self-folding 3D graphene

Graphene and other two-dimensional materials have unique physical and chemical properties of broad relevance. It has been suggested that the transformation of these atomically planar materials to three-dimensional (3D) geometries by bending, wrinkling, or folding could significantly alter their properties and lead to novel structures and devices with compact form factors, but strategies to enable this shape change remain limited. We report a benign thermally responsive method to fold and unfold monolayer graphene into predesigned, ordered 3D structures. The methodology involves the surface functionalization of monolayer graphene using ultrathin noncovalently bonded mussel-inspired polydopamine and thermoresponsive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) brushes. The functionalized graphene is micropatterned and self-folds into ordered 3D structures with reversible deformation under a full control by temperature. The structures are characterized using spectroscopy and microscopy, and self-folding is rationalized using a multiscale molecular dynamics model. Our work demonstrates the potential to design and fabricate ordered 3D graphene structures with predictable shape and dynamics. We highlight applicability by encapsulating live cells and creating nonlinear resistor and creased transistor devices.United States. Office of Naval Research. Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (FA9550-16-1-0031)United States. Office of Naval Research. Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative ( FA9550-15-1-0514)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (CMMI-1635443)United States. Office of Naval Research (N00014-16-1-2333

A metal-organic framework material that functions as an enantioselective catalyst for olefin epoxidation,” Chem. Commun

A new microporous metal-organic framework compound featuring chiral (salen)Mn struts is highly effective as an asymmetric catalyst for olefin epoxidation, yielding enantiomeric excesses that rival those of the free molecular analogue. Framework confinement of the manganese salen entity enhances catalyst stability, imparts substrate size selectivity, and permits catalyst separation and reuse. Crystalline metal-organic framework (MOF) compounds, especially those exhibiting zeolite-like properties such as high internal surface area and microporosity, comprise a promising emerging class of functional materials. 1 Among the functions most often envisioned is chemical catalysis. 2 The notion is that MOF-based catalysts may be able to replicate some of the key features of zeolitic catalysts (e.g. single-site reactivity, pore-defined substrate size and shape selectivity, easy catalyst separation and recovery, and catalyst recyclability) while incorporating reactivity and properties unique to molecular catalysts. One important property of many molecular catalysts that has yet to be demonstrated with purely zeolitic catalysts is enantioselectivity. Herein, we report that a microporous MOF containing chiral (salen)Mn struts is highly effective as an asymmetric catalyst for olefin epoxidation. The observed enantiomeric excesses (ee) rival those of the free molecular catalyst. At the same time, framework confinement enhances catalyst stability, imparts substrate size selectivity, and permits catalyst separation and reuse. 6 Since MOFs based exclusively upon metal-pyridine bonding tend to collapse if evacuated, L was incorporated instead in a more robust pillared paddlewheel structure, 1, containing pairs of zinc ions together with biphenyldicarboxylate (bpdc) as the second ligand. Notwithstanding the interpenetration, solvent occupies 57% of the volume of 1 as determined by PLATON. Notably, the ligands L of the paired networks are parallel to each other with cyclohexyl and tert-butyl groups protruding along the [100] direction. As such, the channel in the crystallographic b direction is essentially blocked, leaving distorted-rectangular and rhombic channels in the c and a directions with dimensions of 6.2 6 15.7 Å an

Inhibitory Effects of Hwangryunhaedok-Tang in 3T3-L1 Adipogenesis by Regulation of Raf/MEK1/ERK1/2 Pathway and PDK1/Akt Phosphorylation

Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HRT) has been long used as traditional medicine in Asia. However, inhibitory role of HRT is unclear in early stage of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation related to signaling. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of HRT on upstream signaling of peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBP-β) expression in differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We found that HRT significantly inhibited the adipocyte differentiation by downregulating several adipocyte-specific transcription factors including PPAR-γ, C/EBP-α, and C/EBP-β in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, we observed that HRT markedly inhibited the differentiation media-mediated phosphorylation of Raf/extracellular mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (MEK1)/signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylation of phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1)/Akt. These results indicate that anti-adipogenesis mechanism involves the downregulation of the major transcription factors of adipogenesis including PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α through inhibition of Raf/MEK1/ERK1/2 phosphorylation and PDK1/Akt phosphorylation by HRT. Furthermore, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed HRT contains active antiobesity constituents such as palmatine, berberine, geniposide, baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin. Taken together, this study suggested that anti-adipogenesis effects of HRT were accounted by downregulation of Raf/MEK1/ERK1/2 pathway and PDK1/Akt pathway during 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation