First hint for CP violation in neutrino oscillations from upcoming superbeam and reactor experiments

We compare the physics potential of the upcoming neutrino oscillation experiments Daya Bay, Double Chooz, NOvA, RENO, and T2K based on their anticipated nominal luminosities and schedules. After discussing the sensitivity to theta_{13} and the leading atmospheric parameters, we demonstrate that leptonic CP violation will hardly be measurable without upgrades of the T2K and NOvA proton drivers, even if theta_{13} is large. In the presence of the proton drivers, the fast track to hints for CP violation requires communication between the T2K and NOvA collaborations in terms of a mutual synchronization of their neutrino-antineutrino run plans. Even in that case, upgrades will only discover CP violation in a relatively small part of the parameter space at the 3 sigma confidence level, while 90% confidence level hints will most likely be obtained. Therefore, we conclude that a new facility will be required if the goal is to obtain a significant result with high probability.Comment: 27 pages, 12 figure

Influence of the Stability of a Fused Protein and Its Distance to the Amyloidogenic Segment on Fibril Formation

Conversion of native proteins into amyloid fibrils is irreversible and therefore it is difficult to study the interdependence of conformational stability and fibrillation by thermodynamic analyses. Here we approached this problem by fusing amyloidogenic poly-alanine segments derived from the N-terminal domain of the nuclear poly (A) binding protein PABPN1 with a well studied, reversibly unfolding protein, CspB from Bacillus subtilis. Earlier studies had indicated that CspB could maintain its folded structure in fibrils, when it was separated from the amyloidogenic segment by a long linker. When CspB is directly fused with the amyloidogenic segment, it unfolds because its N-terminal chain region becomes integrated into the fibrillar core, as shown by protease mapping experiments. Spacers of either 3 or 16 residues between CspB and the amyloidogenic segment were not sufficient to prevent this loss of CspB structure. Since the low thermodynamic stability of CspB (ΔGD = 12.4 kJ/mol) might be responsible for unfolding and integration of CspB into fibrils, fusions with a CspB mutant with enhanced thermodynamic stability (ΔGD = 26.9 kJ/mol) were studied. This strongly stabilized CspB remained folded and prevented fibril formation in all fusions. Our data show that the conformational stability of a linked, independently structured protein domain can control fibril formation

Experimental Setup to Characterize Shift Time for High Performance Hybrid Transmissions

Hybrid vehicles are increasingly common due to fuel efficiency regulations in place worldwide. High performance hybrids have typically been designed with a focus on improving performance, rather than the combination of both performance and efficiency. In order to improve efficiency of high performance cars, new hybrid architectures are necessary. When incorporating an electric motor, careful focus on operational modes allows for removal of certain elements, such as the reverse gear. Additionally, installing an electric motor directly coupled to the transmission without a clutch gives performance benefits, but requires detailed control of motor speed and novel methodology for shifting. In this paper, the design of an experimental setup for the electric drive in a high performance car hybrid transmission is presented. This architecture allows for characterization of synchronizer behavior during two different shifting methodologies. The first methodology is synchronizing a large rotational inertia with a small shaft speed difference (this differs from a gear shift in a traditional transmission with a large speed difference but small inertia). This situation is encountered when coupling an electric motor to the drivetrain, as the inertia of the electric motor is relatively large compared to a transmission layshaft, but the speed difference is small. The second is testing shifting of a synchronizer where dog tooth engagement happens immediately, with no friction cone to match the speed. This type of shifting is possible with precise electric motor speed control, sensing of the dog tooth position, and fast actuation. This methodology eliminates the need for a friction cone in the synchronizers, while maintaining fast gearshifts for performance driving. Our experimental setup for the electric drive in a hybrid transmission will be used to characterize synchronizer performance with these new shifting methodologies. The insights gained from this setup will aid in designing advanced hybrid architectures