Probing R-parity violating models of neutrino mass at the LHC via top squark decays

It is shown that the R-parity violating decays of the lighter top squarks (${\widetilde t}_1$) triggered by the lepton number violating couplings $\lambda^{\prime}_{i33}$, where the lepton family index i = 1-3, can be observed at the LHC via the dilepton di-jet channel even if the coupling is as small as 10$^{-4}$ or 10$^{-5}$, which is the case in several models of neutrino mass, provided it is the next lightest supersymmetric particle(NLSP) the lightest neutralino being the lightest supersymmetric particle(LSP). We have first obtained a fairly model independent estimate of the minimum observable value of the parameter ($P_{ij} \equiv BR(\widetilde t \to l_i^+ b) \times BR(\widetilde t^* \to l_j^- \bar b$)) at the LHC for an integrated luminosity of 10fb$^{-1}$ as a function of \mlstop by a standard Pythia based analysis. We have then computed the parameter $P_{ij}$ in several representative models of neutrino mass constrained by the neutrino oscillation data and have found that the theoretical predictions are above the estimated minimum observable levels for a wide region of the parameter space.Comment: 19 pages, 1 Figure and 11 Table

Polarization Sensitive Optical Coherence Tomography for Blood Glucose Monitoring in Human Subjects

A device based on Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography is developed to monitor blood glucose levels in human subjects. The device was initially tested with tissue phantom. The measurements with human subjects for various glucose concentration levels are found to be linearly dependent on the degree of circular polarization obtainable from the PS-OCT.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure

New signals of a R-parity violating model of neutrino mass at the Tevatron

In a variety models of neutrino masses and mixings the lighter top squark decays into competing R - parity violating and R - parity conserving channels. Using Pythia we have estimated in a model independent way the minimum value of P $\equiv$ BR($\widetilde t_1 \to c \widetilde \chi_1^0$) $\times$ BR($\widetilde t_1 \to l^+_i b$), where $l_i = e^+$ and $\mu^+$, corresponding to an observable signal involving the final state 1$l$ + jets +\met (carried by the neutrinos from the $\tilde \chi_1^0$ decay) at Tevatron Run II. For the kinematical cuts designed in this paper P depends on $m_{\widetilde t_1}$ only. We then compute P for representative choices of the model parameters constrained by the oscillation data and find that over a significant region of the allowed parameter space P is indeed larger than $P_{min}$. This signal is complementary to the dilepton + dijet signal studied in several earlier experimental and phenomenological analyses and may be observed even if BR($\widetilde t_1 \to l^+_i b$) is an order of magnitude smaller than BR($\widetilde t_1 \to c \widetilde \chi_1^0$). The invariant mass distribution of the hardest lepton and the hardest jet may determine $m_{\widetilde t_1}$ and reveal the lepton number violating nature of the underlying interaction. The invariant mass distribution of the two lowest energy jets may determine $m_{\widetilde \chi_1^0}$.Comment: Some minor changes in language are made at pages 1,2,8 and 18 respectivel

DEVELOPMENT OF THERMOSENSITIVE GEL OF FLUCONAZOLE FOR VAGINAL CANDIDIASIS

Objective: The aim of the present study was to develop in-situ gelling formulations of Fluconazole (FCZ) using thermosensitive polymer for treatment of vaginal Candidiasis.Methods: In-situ gelling formulations of FCZ (1 % w/w) were prepared with different concentrations of Poloxamer 407 (P 407, 15-20% w/w) using the cold dispersion method. Similarly,  formulations were also prepared by adding mucoadhesive polymers like hydroxyethyl cellulose, Polycarbophil, Carbopol 974 and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E 50 LV (0.4 % w/w) to the P 407 formulations. These formulations were evaluated for appearance, clarity, pH, gelling ability, gelling time, gelling temperature, viscosity (in sol and gel forms), spreading time, ex-vivo mucoadhesion, in-vitro dissolution, morphological characteristics by SEM and in-vitro antifungal efficacy against Candida albicance. In-vivo vaginal irritation of developed formulation was assessed in New Zealand female rabbits. Results: In-situ gelling formulation of FCZ, prepared using 18 % w/w P407 and 0.4 % hydroxyethyl cellulose, was optimized since this formulation was found to be clear, transparent, forming a quick and stable gel with shear thinning behaviour and excellent mucoadhesion. The developed formulation released 74.21% of FCZ after 8 h of dissolution in 5.2 pH citrate buffer. In-vitro antifungal activity against Candida albicance showed the stronger antifungal activity of formulation as compared to a marketed formulation. In-vivo vaginal irritation study in rabbits demonstrated no significant irritation after 10 d of exposure to the formulation. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that in-situ gelling formulation of FCZ prepared using thermosensitive polymer had improved activity against Candida albicance and would be efficacious for the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis

Top squark and neutralino decays in a R-parity violating model constrained by neutrino oscillation data

In a R-parity violating (RPV) model of neutrino mass with three bilinear couplings $\mu_i$ and three trilinear couplings $\lambda'_{i33}$, where $i$ is the lepton index, we find six generic scenarios each with a distinctive pattern of the trilinear couplings consistent with the oscillation data. These patterns may be reflected in direct RPV decays of the lighter top squark or in the RPV decays of the lightest superparticle, assumed to be the lightest neutralino. Typical signal sizes at the Tevatron RUN II and the LHC have been estimated and the results turn out to be encouraging.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures, LaTex,typos corrected and reference added for section 2, a paragraph has been added in the conclusion par

Rapid Control Prototyping of Five-Level MMC based Induction Motor Drive with different Switching Frequencies

In this paper, Rapid Control Prototyping (RCP) of five-level Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC) based Induction Motor (IM) drive performance is observed with different switching frequencies. The Semikron based MMC Stacks with two half-bridge each are tested with the switching logic generated by phase and level shifted based Sinusoidal Pulse Width Modulation (SPWM) technique. The switching logic is generated by the Typhoon Hardware in Loop (HIL) 402. The disadvantages of Multilevel Converter like not so good output quality, less modularity, not scalable and high voltage and current rating demand for the power semiconductor switches can be overcome by using MMC. In this work, the IM drive is fed by MMC and the experimentally the performance is observed. The performance of the Induction Motor in terms of speed is observed with different switching frequencies of 2.5kHz, 5kHz, 7.5kHz, 10kHz, 12.5kHz and the results are tabulated in terms of Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of input voltage and current to the Induction Motor Drive. The complete model is developed using Typhoon HIL 2021.2 Version Real-Time Simulation Software

Quantitative evaluation of chromosomal rearrangements in gene-edited human stem cells by CAST-Seq

Genome editing has shown great promise for clinical translation but also revealed the risk of genotoxicity caused by off-target effects of programmable nucleases. Here we describe chromosomal aberrations analysis by single targeted linker-mediated PCR sequencing (CAST-Seq), a preclinical assay to identify and quantify chromosomal aberrations derived from on-target and off-target activities of CRISPR-Cas nucleases or transcriptional activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), respectively, in human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Depending on the employed designer nuclease, CAST-Seq detected translocations in 0%–0.5% of gene-edited human CD34+ HSCs, and up to 20% of on-target loci harbored gross rearrangements. Moreover, CAST-Seq detected distinct types of chromosomal aberrations, such as homology-mediated translocations, that are mediated by homologous recombination and not off-target activity. CAST-Seq is a sensitive assay able to identify and quantify unintended chromosomal rearrangements in addition to the more typical mutations at off-target sites. CAST-Seq analyses may be particularly relevant for therapeutic genome editing to enable thorough risk assessment before clinical application of gene-edited products

ATR inhibition facilitates targeting of leukemia dependence on convergent nucleotide biosynthetic pathways.

Leukemia cells rely on two nucleotide biosynthetic pathways, de novo and salvage, to produce dNTPs for DNA replication. Here, using metabolomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic approaches, we show that inhibition of the replication stress sensing kinase ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) reduces the output of both de novo and salvage pathways by regulating the activity of their respective rate-limiting enzymes, ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) and deoxycytidine kinase (dCK), via distinct molecular mechanisms. Quantification of nucleotide biosynthesis in ATR-inhibited acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells reveals substantial remaining de novo and salvage activities, and could not eliminate the disease in vivo. However, targeting these remaining activities with RNR and dCK inhibitors triggers lethal replication stress in vitro and long-term disease-free survival in mice with B-ALL, without detectable toxicity. Thus the functional interplay between alternative nucleotide biosynthetic routes and ATR provides therapeutic opportunities in leukemia and potentially other cancers.Leukemic cells depend on the nucleotide synthesis pathway to proliferate. Here the authors use metabolomics and proteomics to show that inhibition of ATR reduced the activity of these pathways thus providing a valuable therapeutic target in leukemia

The Impact of Gamma Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) on Cognitive and Memory Processes in Patients With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS)-a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that modulates cortical oscillations through entrainment-has been demonstrated to alter oscillatory activity and enhance cognition in healthy adults. TACS is being explored as a tool to improve cognition and memory in patient populations with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: To review the growing body of literature and current findings obtained from the application of tACS in patients with MCI or AD, highlighting the effects of gamma tACS on brain function, memory, and cognition. Evidence on the use of brain stimulation in animal models of AD is also discussed. Important parameters of stimulation are underscored for consideration in protocols that aim to apply tACS as a therapeutic tool in patients with MCI/AD. FINDINGS: The application of gamma tACS has shown promising results in the improvement of cognitive and memory processes that are impacted in patients with MCI/AD. These data demonstrate the potential for tACS as an interventional stand-alone tool or alongside pharmacological and/or other behavioral interventions in MCI/AD. CONCLUSIONS: While the use of tACS in MCI/AD has evidenced encouraging results, the effects of this stimulation technique on brain function and pathophysiology in MCI/AD remains to be fully determined. This review explores the literature and highlights the need for continued research on tACS as a tool to alter the course of the disease by reinstating oscillatory activity, improving cognitive and memory processing, delaying disease progression, and remediating cognitive abilities in patients with MCI/AD

Persistent opto-ferroelectric responses in molecular ferroelectrics

Persistent photoresponses require optical excitations to metastable states, which are rare of ionic origin due to the indirect photon-ion interaction. In this work, we explore the photoinduced metastable proton states in the proton-transfer type molecular ferroelectric croconic acid. We observe that, after the photoexcitation, the changes of structural and ferroelectric properties relax in ∼10^3s, indicating persistent photoresponses of ionic origin. In contrast, the photoconductivity relaxes within 1 s. The 10^3s timescale suggests that the ionic metastable states result from proton transfer both along and out of the hydrogen bonds. This discovery unveils an ionic mechanism for the phototunability, which offers persistent opto-ferroelectric control for proton-transfer type molecular ferroelectrics