Higher-dimensional operators in SUSY SO(10) GUT models

SO(10) GUT models with only small Higgs fields use higher-dimensional operators to generate realistic fermion mass matrices. In particular, a Higgs field in the spinor representation, 16^d_H, acquires a weak scale vev. We include the weak vev of the corresponding field \bar{16}^u_H and investigate the effect on two successful models, one by Albright and Barr (AB) and another by Babu, Pati and Wilczek (BPW). We find that the BPW model is a particular case within a class of models with identical fermion masses and mixings. In contrast, we expect corrections to the parameters of AB-type models.Comment: 3 page

Bimaximal Mixing in an SO(10) Minimal Higgs Model

An SO(10) SUSY GUT model was previously presented based on a minimal set of Higgs fields. The quark and lepton mass matrices derived fitted the data extremely well and led to large mixing of muon- and tau-neutrinos in agreement with the atmospheric neutrino data and to the small-angle MSW solution for the solar neutrinos. Here we show how a slight modification leading to a non-zero up quark mass can result in bimaximal mixing for the atmospheric and solar neutrinos. The "just-so" vacuum solution is slightly favored over the large-angle MSW solution on the basis of the hierarchy required for the right-handed Majorana matrix and the more nearly-maximal mixing angles obtained.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, several references adde

Normal vs. Inverted Hierarchy in Type I Seesaw Models

We demonstrate that, for every grand unified model based on a conventional type I seesaw mechanism leading to a normal light neutrino mass hierarchy, one can easily generate a corresponding model with an inverted hierarchy which yields the same neutrino oscillation parameters. However, the latter type model has several unattractive instabilities which will disfavor any grand unified type I seesaw model, if an inverted neutrino mass hierarchy is observed experimentally. This should be contrasted with the softly-broken $L_e - L_\mu - L_\tau$ flavor symmetry models which are eliminated, if the data favors a normal mass hierarchy.Comment: 10 pages including 1 figure; improved version with additional illustration of results for whole class of models with charged lepton mass matrices diagonal in flavor space; accepted for publication in Physics Letters

Forecasting the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease Using Neural Networks and a Novel Pre-Processing Algorithm

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in older people. Despite considerable efforts to find a cure for AD, there is a 99.6% failure rate of clinical trials for AD drugs, likely because AD patients cannot easily be identified at early stages. This project investigated machine learning approaches to predict the clinical state of patients in future years to benefit AD research. Clinical data from 1737 patients was obtained from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database and was processed using the "All-Pairs" technique, a novel methodology created for this project involving the comparison of all possible pairs of temporal data points for each patient. This data was then used to train various machine learning models. Models were evaluated using 7-fold cross-validation on the training dataset and confirmed using data from a separate testing dataset (110 patients). A neural network model was effective (mAUC = 0.866) at predicting the progression of AD on a month-by-month basis, both in patients who were initially cognitively normal and in patients suffering from mild cognitive impairment. Such a model could be used to identify patients at early stages of AD and who are therefore good candidates for clinical trials for AD therapeutics.Comment: 10 pages; updated acknowledgement

Overview of Grand Unified Models and Their Predictions for Neutrino Oscillations

A brief overview of Grand Unified Models is presented with some attention paid to their predictions for neutrino oscillations. Given the well-known features of the two non-unified standard models, SM and MSSM, a listing of the features of classes of unified models is given, where a GUT flavor symmetry and/or family symmetry are introduced to reduce the number of model parameters. Some general remarks are then made concerning the type of predictions that follow for the neutrino masses and mixings.Comment: 6 pages, contribution to the Proceedings of the NuFACT'00 Workshop held in Monterey, CA May 22-26, 200

New electrolyte may increase life of polarographic oxygen sensors

Electrolyte increases life on oxygen sensors in a polarograph used for measuring the partial pressure of oxygen in a gas mixture. It consists of a solution of lithium chloride, dimethyl acetamide and water

Neutrino Oscillation Scenarios and GUT Model Predictions

The present experimental situation regarding neutrino oscillations is first summarized, followed by an overview of selected grand unified models which have been proposed to explain the various scenarios with three active neutrinos and their right-handed counterparts. Special attention is given to the general features of the models and their ability to favor some scenarios over others.Comment: 11 pages, talk given at the Joint U.S./Japan Workshop on New Initiatives in Lepton Flavor Violation and Neutrino Oscillations with Very Intense Muon and Neutrino Sources (Honolulu), October 2-6, 200