Majorana vs Pseudo-Dirac Neutrinos at the ILC

Neutrino masses could originate in seesaw models testable at colliders, with light mediators and an approximate lepton number symmetry. The minimal model of this type contains two quasi-degenerate Majorana fermions forming a pseudo-Dirac pair. An important question is to what extent future colliders will have sensitivity to the splitting between the Majorana components, since this quantity signals the breaking of lepton number and is connected to the light neutrino masses. We consider the production of these neutral heavy leptons at the ILC, where their displaced decays provide a golden signal: a forward-backward charge asymmetry, which depends crucially on the mass splitting between the two Majorana components. We show that this observable can constrain the mass splitting to values much lower than current bounds from neutrinoless double beta decay and natural loop corrections.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures; v2: Minor changes, version accepted for publication in EPJ

Meeting Report: Biomedical Science Conference on Thursday 14th April 2016 at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) Cambridge Campus, UK

Attendance: This meeting brought together staff, postgraduate students taking ARU’s MSc in Biotechnology (led by Havovi Chichger), and finalists taking ARU’s BSc (Hons.) in Biomedical Science (led by Claire Pike). Approximately 140 students and 20 staff attended. The conference was timetabled for the undergraduate module Current Advances in Biomedical Science (led by Richard Jones) and the MSc module Professional and Ethical Practice in Industry (led by Grisha Pirianov). Aims and ambitions: The aims of this conference were as follows: to provide good value for grant money; to improve course communities; to strengthen relationships between staff and students; to help integration between UK and international students; to strengthen links between ARU, the Biochemical Society and the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS); to encourage interest in exciting research; and to add to the learning on the courses. Knowledge accumulated during the conference will be assessed at the end of the modules during written examinations. Plenary lectures: Speakers explained cutting-edge research techniques, their results and what they mean for biomedical science. Mike Harrison (School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds) outlined how the rotary ATPases function as nano-scale motors that drive biology. His lecture illustrated the physiological roles of the rotary ATPases, their structure and organisation, how they work, their regulation and control, and inhibitor binding and therapeutic potential. Grisha Pirianov (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) discussed current technology for drug discovery and validation for treatment of inflammatory based vascular diseases such as aneurysms. Dominika Gruszka (Francis Crick Institute) lectured on studies of protein folding, misfolding and aggregation performed with Jane Clarke (Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge) and Jennifer Potts (Department of Biology, University of York). Dominika outlined the following: the basis of the protein folding problem; factors that can lead to protein denaturation; examples of experimental techniques used to study protein folding; the process of protein misfolding and aggregation including causes and examples of amyloidosis; and the formation of biofilms on implanted medical devices. Manal Mohammed (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) discussed how modern molecular, DNA sequencing and computational tools are enabling us to prepare for, and react to, outbreaks of infectious diseases that are difficult to treat. Students’ contributions: Students presented coursework posters that reflected their own developing and wide-ranging biomedical and industrial science interests. The posters were assessed by staff on the day. For the undergraduates, first prize was awarded to the poster entitled, “Cephalosomatic anastomosis: the proposition for the human head transplant” created by Gabriele Saba, Anton Zolotukhin, Lewis Mudway and Johnathan Willgress. Joint second prize was awarded to the posters, “Is 3D cell culture a better predictor of LD50 than 2D cell culture and how does it compare to in-vivo results?” by David Glasspool, and, “Does saturated fat intake increase the risk of coronary disease?” by Ololade Adenaike, Ernest Asamoah, Rita Cappiello and Khadijat Mansaray. The postgraduates presented case studies of biotechnology companies. First prize was awarded to the poster, “Horizon Discovery Group plc” by Sabastina Amoako. Joint second prize was awarded to the posters, “Oxitec Limited,” by Ada Luisa Soto Chavarria and, “Novabiotics,” by Thilini Kanchana Wickremasinghe. Anonymous comments regarding the conference provided by students in module evaluations included the following: “The lecturers were very enthusiastic with very interesting current research topics”; “I liked that the lecturers are current researchers in the subjects they are talking about”; and “Presenting a poster was enjoyable and a good way of being assessed.” Head of Department’s Comments: Jocelyn Pryce (Acting Head of the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences at ARU) said that, “The students were able to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout their degree to their specialist interests, allowing them to showcase their work and success. This resulted in presentations of high quality posters and evidence of excellent critical defence of each subject area. This conference is growing in strength with each year and we would like to thank the Biochemical Society and the ARU Extra Curricular Fund and for their continued support in identifying new ways to increase the student experience. ” Funding: This conference was funded by a Biochemical Society Sponsored Events Grant (£500) and an ARU Extra Curricular Event Award (£1500). These awards supported student poster prizes, packed lunches, light refreshments during session breaks, and travel costs for the external visiting speakers

Apparatus for establishing flow of a fluid mass having a known velocity

An apparatus for establishing a flow of fluid mass, such as gas, having a known velocity is introduced. The apparatus is characterized by an hermetically sealed chamber conforming to a closed-loop configuration and including a throat and a plurality of axially displaceable pistons for sweeping through the throat a stream of gas including a core and an unsheared boundary layer. Within the throat there is a cylindrical coring body concentrically related to the throat for receiving the core, and a chamber surrounding the cylindrical body for drawing off the boundary layer, whereby the velocity of the core is liberated from the effects of the velocity of the boundary layer

Biochemical Society sponsors event at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge

Attendance: This meeting brought together staff, postgraduate students taking ARU’s MSc in Biotechnology (led by Philip Warburton), and finalists taking either ARU’s BSc in Biomedical Science (led by Claire Pike) or University Centre Harlow’s (UCH) BSc in Bioscience (led by Linda King and Matt Webster). Approximately 135 students and 22 staff attended. The conference included undergraduates taking the module Current Advances in Biomedical Science (led by Richard Jones) and MSc students taking the module Professional and Ethical Practice in Industry (led by Benjamin Evans). Aims and ambitions: The aims of this conference were as follows: to provide good value for grant money; to improve course communities; to strengthen relationships between staff and students; to help integration between UK and international students; to strengthen links between ARU, UCH, the Biochemical Society and the Institute of Biomedical Science; to encourage interest in exciting research; and to add to the learning on the courses. Knowledge accumulated during the conference will be assessed at the end of the modules during written examinations. Plenary lectures: Speakers explained cutting-edge research techniques, their results and what they mean for biomedical science. Dominika Gruszka (Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge) gave a lecture on studies of protein folding, misfolding and aggregation performed with Jane Clarke (Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge) and Jennifer Potts (Department of Biology, University of York). Dominika outlined the following: the basis of the protein folding problem; factors that can lead to protein denaturation; examples of experimental techniques used to study protein folding; the process of protein misfolding and aggregation including causes and examples of amyloidosis; and the formation of biofilms on implanted medical devices. Mike Harrison (School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds) outlined how the rotary ATPases function as nano-scale motors that drive biology. His lecture illustrated the physiological roles of the rotary ATPases, their structure and organisation, how they work, their regulation and control, and inhibitor binding and therapeutic potential. Philip Warburton (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) explained high-throughput sequencing methodologies, and how advances in DNA sequencing could lead to hospital-based whole-genome sequencing at birth and personalised medicine within healthcare. Benjamin Evans (Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, ARU) discussed how modern molecular and computational tools are enabling us to prepare for, and react to, outbreaks of infectious diseases. Students’ contributions: Students presented coursework posters that reflected their own developing and wide-ranging biomedical and industrial science interests. The posters were assessed by staff on the day. For the undergraduates, first prize was awarded to the poster entitled, “Gene therapy for cystic fibrosis: can lentivirus deliver?” created by Sandra Sullivan, Milagrosa Sparrow, Nicola Brown and Alice Mussett. Second prize was awarded to the poster, “Can poly glycerol sebacate (PGS) be used to produce bio-compatible corneal stroma substitutes?” by Ashleigh Mitcham, Glenda Fellows and Charlotte Thomas. Third prize was awarded to the poster, “Could three-parent babies be the future for prevention of mitochondrial disease?” by Azhar Mohamudally, Dan Jiang, Susan Chizema and Roxana Buruiana. For the postgraduates, first prize was awarded to the poster, “AquaBounty: a case study,” by Joshua Kerr. Second prize was awarded to the poster, “Case study: Vernalis,” by Charys Presland-Palmer. A special prize was given to David McQuarrie for representing the finalists on University committees. Joseph Batchelor took photographs on the day. Jocelyn Pryce (Acting Head of the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences at ARU) said that, “The conference was a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their work. They applied the knowledge they have gained throughout their degree to their specialist interests, as each group selected their own poster topic. This resulted in enthusiastic presentations of high quality posters.” Anonymous comments regarding the conference provided by students in module evaluations included the following: “It’s great to be taught about the practical reality of research, and to hear from guest speakers. The conference day was very enjoyable. Presenting the poster was really fun.”; “Fantastic – great speakers.”; “I liked the opportunity to attend the conference day. There was a good mix of speakers and lectures were informative.” Funding: Jocelyn Pryce and Richard Jones thank the Biochemical Society for a Sponsored Events Grant (£500) and Julie Walkling and Helen Valentine for allocating an ARU Extra Curricula Event Award (£1500). These awards supported student poster prizes, packed lunches, light refreshments during session breaks, and travel costs for the external visiting speakers

Modulation of endoglin expression in islets of langerhans by VEGF reveals a novel regulator of islet endothelial cell function

BACKGROUND: Endoglin/CD105 is an auxiliary receptor for transforming growth factor-β with established roles in vascular remodelling. It has recently been shown that heterozygous endoglin deficiency in mice decreases insulin secretion in an animal model of obesity, highlighting a potential role for endoglin in the regulation of islet function. We have previously identified two different populations of endoglin expressing cells in human and mouse islets which are: (i) endothelial cells (ECs) and (ii) islet mesenchymal stromal cells. The contribution of islet EC endoglin expression to islet development and sensitivity to VEGF is unknown and is the focus of this study. RESULTS: In vitro culture of mouse islets with VEGF164 for 48 h increased endoglin mRNA levels above untreated controls but VEGF did not modulate VEGFR2, CD31 or CD34 mRNA expression or islet viability. Removal of EC-endoglin expression in vivo reduced islet EC area but had no apparent effect on islet size or architecture. CONCLUSION: EC-specific endoglin expression in islets is sensitive to VEGF and plays partial roles in driving islet vascular development, however such regulation appears to be distinct to mechanisms required to modulate islet viability and size

Trust and trustworthiness

What is it to trust someone? What is it for someone to be trustworthy? These are the two main questions that this paper addresses. There are various situations that can be described as ones of trust, but this paper considers the issue of trust between individuals. In it, I suggest that trust is distinct from reliance or cases where someone asks for something on the expectation that it will be done due to the different attitude taken by the trustor. I argue that the trustor takes Holton's 'participant stance' and this distinguishes trust from reliance. I argue that trustworthiness is different from reliability and that an account of trustworthiness cannot be successful whilst ignoring the point that aligning trustworthiness with reliability removes the virtue from being trustworthy. On the question of what it is distinguishes trustworthiness from reliability, I argue that the distinction is in the opportunity for the trustee to act against the wishes of the trustor and the trustee's consideration of the value of the trust that has been placed in them by the trustor

Meeting Report: Biomedical Research Conference

This meeting brought together staff from the Department of Life Sciences at Anglia Ruskin University and the 150 final-year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science students taking the ‘Current Advances in Biomedical Science’ module led by Richard Jones. The module aimed to promote students’ career prospects and interest in exciting research through employability, studentship and biomedical research conference days at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) in semester 2, 2014. The venue for all three conference days was the Mumford Theatre at ARU’s Cambridge Campus. The Mumford Theatre has excellent acoustics and normally hosts theatre companies. Knowledge accumulated during these days was assessed at the end of the module using a 1 hour written examination