Neutrino Masses via the Zee Mechanism in 5D split fermions model

We study the Zee model in the framework of the split fermion model in $M_4\times S_1/Z_2$ spacetime. Neutrino masses are generated through 1-loop diagrams without the right-handed neutrinos introduced. By assuming an order one anarchical complex 5D Yukawa couplings, all the effective 4D Yukawa couplings are determined by the wave function overlap between the split fermions and the bulk scalars in the fifth dimension. The predictability of the Yukawa couplings is in sharp contrast to the original Zee model in 4D where the Yukawa couplings are unknown free parameters. This setup exhibits a geometrical alternative to the lepton flavor symmetry. By giving four explicit sets of the split fermion locations, we demonstrate that it is possible to simultaneously fit the lepton masses and neutrino oscillation data by just a handful free parameters without much fine tuning. Moreover, we are able to make definite predictions for the mixing angle $\theta_{13}$, the absolute neutrino masses, and the lepton flavor violation processes for each configuration.Comment: 16 pages, 2 figure

Rapid (<5 min) identification of pathogen in human blood by electrokinetic concentration and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

This study reports a novel microfluidic platform for rapid and long-ranged concentration of rare-pathogen from human blood for subsequent on-chip surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) identification/discrimination of bacteria based on their detected fingerprints. Using a hybrid electrokinetic mechanism, bacteria can be concentrated at the stagnation area on the SERS-active roughened electrode, while blood cells were excluded away from this region at the center of concentric circular electrodes. This electrokinetic approach performs isolation and concentration of bacteria in about three minutes; the density factor is increased approximately a thousand fold in a local area of ~5000 μm(2) from a low bacteria concentration of 5 × 10(3) CFU/ml. Besides, three genera of bacteria, S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa that are found in most of the isolated infections in bacteremia were successfully identified in less than one minute on-chip without the use of any antibody/chemical immobilization and reaction processes

Precessionless spin transport wire confined in quasi-two-dimensional electron systems

We demonstrate that in an inversion-asymmetric two-dimensional electron system 2DES with both Rashba and Dresselhaus spin-orbit couplings taken into account, certain transport directions on which no spin precession occurs can be found when the injected spin is properly polarized. By analyzing the expectation value of spin with respect to the injected electron state on each space point in the 2DES, we further show that the adjacent regions with technically reachable widths along these directions exhibit nearly conserved spin. Hence a possible application in semiconductor spintronics, namely, precessionless spin transport wire, is proposed.Comment: 3 pages, 4 figures, to be appeared in Journal of Applied Physics, Proceedings of the 50th MMM Conferenc

Dual task measures in older adults with and without cognitive impairment: Response to simultaneous cognitive-exercise training and minimal clinically important difference estimates

BACKGROUND: Responsiveness and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) are critical indices to understand whether observed improvement represents a meaningful improvement after intervention. Although simultaneous cognitive-exercise training (SCET; e.g., performing memory tasks while cycling) has been suggested to enhance the cognitive function of older adults, responsiveness and MCID have not been established. Hence, we aimed to estimate responsiveness and MCIDs of two dual task performance involving cognition and hand function in older adults with and without cognitive impairment and to compare the differences in responsiveness and MCIDs of the two dual task performance between older adults with and without cognitive impairment. METHODS: A total of 106 older adults completed the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and two dual tasks before and after SCET. One dual task was a combination of Serial Sevens Test and Box and Block Test (BBT), and the other included frequency discrimination and BBT. We used effect size and standardized response mean to indicate responsiveness and used anchor- and distribution-based approaches to estimating MCID ranges. When conducting data analysis, all participants were classified into two cognitive groups, cognitively healthy (Montreal Cognitive Assessment ≥ 26) and cognitively impaired (Montreal Cognitive Assessment \u3c 26) groups, based on the scores of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment before SCET. RESULTS: In the cognitively healthy group, Serial Seven Test performance when tasked with BBT and BBT performance when tasked with Serial Seven Test were responsive to SCET (effect size = 0.18-0.29; standardized response mean = 0.25-0.37). MCIDs of Serial Seven Test performance when tasked with BBT ranged 2.09-2.36, and MCIDs of BBT performance when tasked with Serial Seven Test ranged 3.77-5.85. In the cognitively impaired group, only frequency discrimination performance when tasked with BBT was responsive to SCET (effect size = 0.37; standardized response mean = 0.47). MCIDs of frequency discrimination performance when tasked with BBT ranged 1.47-2.18, and MCIDs of BBT performance when tasked with frequency discrimination ranged 1.13-7.62. CONCLUSIONS: Current findings suggest that a change in Serial Seven Test performance when tasked with BBT between 2.09 and 2.36 corrected number (correct responses - incorrect responses) should be considered a meaningful change for older adults who are cognitively healthy, and a change in frequency discrimination performance when tasked with BBT between 1.47 and 2.18 corrected number (correct responses - incorrect responses) should be considered a meaningful change for older adults who are cognitively impaired. Clinical practitioners may use these established MCIDs of dual tasks involving cognition and hand function to interpret changes following SCET for older adults with and without cognitive impairment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04689776, 30/12/2020

A Bayesian measurement error model for two-channel cell-based RNAi data with replicates

RNA interference (RNAi) is an endogenous cellular process in which small double-stranded RNAs lead to the destruction of mRNAs with complementary nucleoside sequence. With the production of RNAi libraries, large-scale RNAi screening in human cells can be conducted to identify unknown genes involved in a biological pathway. One challenge researchers face is how to deal with the multiple testing issue and the related false positive rate (FDR) and false negative rate (FNR). This paper proposes a Bayesian hierarchical measurement error model for the analysis of data from a two-channel RNAi high-throughput experiment with replicates, in which both the activity of a particular biological pathway and cell viability are monitored and the goal is to identify short hair-pin RNAs (shRNAs) that affect the pathway activity without affecting cell activity. Simulation studies demonstrate the flexibility and robustness of the Bayesian method and the benefits of having replicates in the experiment. This method is illustrated through analyzing the data from a RNAi high-throughput screening that searches for cellular factors affecting HCV replication without affecting cell viability; comparisons of the results from this HCV study and some of those reported in the literature are included.Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/11-AOAS496 the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

An econometric analysis of SARS and Avian flu on international tourist arrivals to Asia

This paper compares the impacts of SARS and human deaths arising from Avian Flu on international tourist arrivals to Asia. The effects of SARS and human deaths from Avian Flu will be compared directly according to human deaths. The nature of the short run and long run relationship is examined empirically by estimating a static line fixed effect model and a difference transformation dynamic model, respectively. Empirical results from the static fixed effect and difference transformation dynamic models are consistent, and indicate that both the short run and long run SARS effect have a more significant impact on international tourist arrivals than does Avian Flu. In addition, the effects of deaths arising from both SARS and Avian Flu suggest that SARS is more important to international tourist arrivals than is Avian Flu. Thus, while Avian Flu is here to stay, its effect is currently not as significant as that of SARS.Avian flu;international tourism;SARS;dynamic panel data model;static fixed effects model

"An Econometric Analysis of SARS and Avian Flu on International Tourist Arrivals to Asia"

This paper compares the impacts of SARS and human deaths arising from Avian Flu on international tourist arrivals to Asia. The effects of SARS and human deaths from Avian Flu will be compared directly according to human deaths. The nature of the short run and long run relationship is examined empirically by estimating a static line fixed effect model and a difference transformation dynamic model, respectively. Empirical results from the static fixed effect and difference transformation dynamic models are consistent, and indicate that both the short run and long run SARS effect have a more significant impact on international tourist arrivals than does Avian Flu. In addition, the effects of deaths arising from both SARS and Avian Flu suggest that SARS is more important to international tourist arrivals than is Avian Flu. Thus, while Avian Flu is here to stay, its effect is currently not as significant as that of SARS.