Dark matter in the classically conformal B-L model

When the classically conformal invariance is imposed on the minimal gauged B-L extended Standard Model (SM), the B-L gauge symmetry is broken by the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism naturally at the TeV scale. Introducing a new Z_2 parity in the model, we investigate phenomenology of a right-handed neutrino dark matter whose stability is ensured by the parity. We find that the relic abundance of the dark matter particle can be consistent with the observations through annihilation processes enhanced by resonances of either the SM Higgs boson, the B-L Higgs boson or the B-L gauge boson (Z' boson). Therefore, the dark matter mass is close to half of one of these boson masses. Due to the classically conformal invariance and the B-L gauge symmetry breaking via the Coleman-Weinberg mechanism, Higgs boson masses, Z' boson mass and the dark matter mass are all related, and we identify the mass region to be consistent with experimental results. We also calculate the spin-independent cross section of the dark matter particle off with nucleon and discuss implications for future direct dark matter search experiments.Comment: 13 pages, 4 figure

Minimal Flavor Violation in the Minimal U(1)_{B-L} Model and Resonant Leptogenesis

We investigate the resonant leptogenesis scenario in the minimally $U(1)_{B-L}$ extended standard model with minimal flavor violation. In our model, the $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge symmetry is broken at the TeV scale and standard model singlet neutrinos gain Majorana masses of order TeV. In addition, we introduce a flavor symmetry on the singlet neutrinos at a scale higher than TeV. The flavor symmetry is explicitly broken by the neutrino Dirac Yukawa coupling, which induces splittings in the singlet neutrino Majorana masses at lower scales through renormalization group evolutions. We call this setup "minimal flavor violation". The mass-splittings are proportional to the tiny Dirac Yukawa coupling, and hence they automatically enhance the CP asymmetry parameter necessary for the resonant leptogenesis mechanism. In this paper, we calculate the baryon number yield by solving the Boltzmann equations, including the effects of $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge boson that also has TeV scale mass and causes washing-out of the singlet neutrinos in the course of thermal leptogenesis. The Dirac Yukawa coupling for neutrinos is fixed in terms of neutrino oscillation data and an arbitrary $3 \times 3$ complex-valued orthogonal matrix. We show that the right amount of baryon number asymmetry can be achieved through thermal leptogenesis in the context of the minimal flavor violation with singlet neutrinos and $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge boson at the TeV scale. These particles can be discovered at the LHC in the near future

Resonant Leptogenesis in the Minimal B-L Extended Standard Model at TeV

We investigate the resonant leptogenesis scenario in the minimal B-L extended standard model(SM) with the B-L symmetry breaking at the TeV scale. Through detailed analysis of the Boltzmann equations, we show how much the resultant baryon asymmetry via leptogenesis is enhanced or suppressed, depending on the model parameters, in particular, the neutrino Dirac Yukawa couplings and the TeV-scale Majorana masses of heavy degenerate neutrinos. In order to consider a realistic case, we impose a simple ansatz for the model parameters and analyze the neutrino oscillation parameters and the baryon asymmetry via leptogenesis as a function of only a single CP-phase. We find that for a fixed CP-phase all neutrino oscillation data and the observed baryon asymmetry of the present universe can be simultaneously reproduced.Comment: 25 pages, 15 figures, version to be published in Phys. Rev.

Peripheral Blood CD64 Levels Decrease in Crohn's Disease following Granulocyte and Monocyte Adsorptive Apheresis

Granulocyte and monocyte adsorptive apheresis (GMA) is reportedly useful as induction therapy for Crohn's disease (CD). However, the effects of GMA on CD64 have not been well characterized. We report here our assessment of CD64 expression on neutrophils before and after treatment with GMA in two patients with CD. The severity of CD was assessed with the CD activity index (CDAI). The duration of each GMA session was 60 min at a flow rate of 30 ml/min as per protocol. CD64 expression on neutrophils was measured by analyzing whole blood with a FACScan flow cytometer. In case 1, CD64 levels after each session of GMA tended to decrease compared to pretreatment levels, whereas in case 2, CD64 levels dropped significantly after treatment. The CDAI decreased after GMA in both cases 1 and 2. A significant correlation was noted between CDAI scores and CD64 levels in both cases. In conclusion, GMA reduced blood CD64 levels, which would be an important factor for the decrease of CDAI scores

Direct observation of active material concentration gradients and crystallinity breakdown in LiFePO4 electrodes during charge/discharge cycling of lithium batteries

The phase changes that occur during discharge of an electrode comprised of LiFePO4, carbon, and PTFE binder have been studied in lithium half cells by using X-ray diffraction measurements in reflection geometry. Differences in the state of charge between the front and the back of LiFePO4 electrodes have been visualized. By modifying the X-ray incident angle the depth of penetration of the X-ray beam into the electrode was altered, allowing for the examination of any concentration gradients that were present within the electrode. At high rates of discharge the electrode side facing the current collector underwent limited lithium insertion while the electrode as a whole underwent greater than 50% of discharge. This behavior is consistent with depletion at high rate of the lithium content of the electrolyte contained in the electrode pores. Increases in the diffraction peak widths indicated a breakdown of crystallinity within the active material during cycling even during the relatively short duration of these experiments, which can also be linked to cycling at high rate

fabH deletion increases DHA productionin Escherichia coli expressing Pfa genes

Background: Some marine bacteria, such as Moritella marina, produce the nutraceutical docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) thanks to a specific enzymatic complex called Pfa synthase. Escherichia coli heterologously expressing the pfa gene cluster from M. marina also produces DHA. The aim of this study was to find genetic or metabolic conditions to increase DHA production in E. coli. Results: First, we analysed the effect of the antibiotic cerulenin, showing that DHA production increased twofold. Then, we tested a series of single gene knockout mutations affecting fatty acid biosynthesis, in order to optimize the synthesis of DHA. The most effective mutant, fabH, showed a threefold increase compared to wild type strain. The combination of cerulenin inhibition and fabH deletion rendered a 6.5-fold improvement compared to control strain. Both strategies seem to have the same mechanism of action, in which fatty acid synthesis via the canonical pathway (fab pathway) is affected in its first catalytic step, which allows the substrates to be used by the heterologous pathway to synthesize DHA. Conclusions: DHA-producing E. coli strain that carries a fabH gene deletion boosts DHA production by tuning down the competing canonical biosynthesis pathway. Our approach can be used for optimization of DHA production in different organisms.Funding: The work in the FdlC and GM laboratories was financed by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness Grant BFU2014-55534-C2

Egg Formation in Lepidoptera

Reproductive biology in the Twentieth Century produced comprehensive descriptions of the mechanisms of egg formation in most of the major orders of insects. While many general principles of ovarian development and physiology emerged, every order turned out to have a set of its own special motifs. Discovery of the lepidopteran motifs is summarized in this essay. The emphasis is on developmental mechanisms, beginning with the early growth and differentiation of female germ cells and ending, after many turns in morphogenesis, physiology and biosynthesis, with eggs that are filled with yolk and encased in chorions. Examples of uniquely lepidopteran traits include the cellular composition of ovarian follicles, the number of tubular ovarioles in which they mature, the functions of cell-to-cell junctional complexes in their maturation, their use of glycosaminoglycans to maintain intercellular patency during vitellogenesis, the role of proton and calcium pumps in their ion physiology, a separate postvitellogenic period of water and inorganic ion uptake, and the fine structure and protein composition of their chorions. Discovery of this combination of idiosyncracies was based on advances in the general concepts and techniques of cell and molecular biology and on insights borrowed from studies on other insects. The lepidopteran ovary in turn has contributed much to the understanding of egg formation in insects generally