Seesaw Mass Matrix Model of Quarks and Leptons with Flavor-Triplet Higgs Scalars

In a seesaw mass matrix model M_f = m_L M_F^{-1} m_R^\dagger with a universal structure of m_L \propto m_R, as the origin of m_L (m_R) for quarks and eptons, flavor-triplet Higgs scalars whose vacuum expectation values v_i are proportional to the square roots of the charged lepton masses m_{ei}, i.e. v_i \propto \sqrt{m_{ei}}, are assumed. Then, it is investigated whether such a model can explain the observed neutrino masses and mixings (and also quark masses and mixings) or not.Comment: version accepted by EPJ

A Unified Description of Quark and Lepton Mass Matrices in a Universal Seesaw Model

In the democratic universal seesaw model, the mass matrices are given by \bar{f}_L m_L F_R + \bar{F}_L m_R f_R + \bar{F}_L M_F F_R (f: quarks and leptons; F: hypothetical heavy fermions), m_L and m_R are universal for up- and down-fermions, and M_F has a structure ({\bf 1}+ b_f X) (b_f is a flavour-dependent parameter, and X is a democratic matrix). The model can successfully explain the quark masses and CKM mixing parameters in terms of the charged lepton masses by adjusting only one parameter, b_f. However, so far, the model has not been able to give the observed bimaximal mixing for the neutrino sector. In the present paper, we consider that M_F in the quark sectors are still "fully" democratic, while M_F in the lepton sectors are partially democratic. Then, the revised model can reasonably give a nearly bimaximal mixing without spoiling the previous success in the quark sectors.Comment: 7 pages, no figur

Universal Seesaw Mass Matrix Model with an S_3 Symmetry

Stimulated by the phenomenological success of the universal seesaw mass matrix model, where the mass terms for quarks and leptons f_i (i=1,2,3) and hypothetical super-heavy fermions F_i are given by \bar{f}_L m_L F_R +\bar{F}_L m_R f_R + \bar{F}_L M_F F_R + h.c. and the form of M_F is democratic on the bases on which m_L and m_R are diagonal, the following model is discussed: The mass terms M_F are invariant under the permutation symmetry S_3, and the mass terms m_L and m_R are generated by breaking the S_3 symmetry spontaneously. The model leads to an interesting relation for the charged lepton masses.Comment: 8 pages + 1 table, latex, no figures, references adde

Evolution of the Yukawa coupling constants and seesaw operators in the universal seesaw model

The general features of the evolution of the Yukawa coupling constants and seesaw operators in the universal seesaw model with det M_F=0 are investigated. Especially, it is checked whether the model causes bursts of Yukawa coupling constants, because in the model not only the magnitude of the Yukawa coupling constant (Y_L^u)_{33} in the up-quark sector but also that of (Y_L^d)_{33} in the down-quark sector is of the order of one, i.e., (Y_L^u)_{33} \sim (Y_L^d)_{33} \sim 1. The requirement that the model should be calculable perturbatively puts some constraints on the values of the intermediate mass scales and tan\beta (in the SUSY model).Comment: 21 pages, RevTex, 10 figure

Phenomenological approach to the critical dynamics of the QCD phase transition revisited

The phenomenological dynamics of the QCD critical phenomena is revisited. Recently, Son and Stephanov claimed that the dynamical universality class of the QCD phase transition belongs to model H. In their discussion, they employed a time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau equation for the net baryon number density, which is a conserved quantity. We derive the Langevin equation for the net baryon number density, i.e., the Cahn-Hilliard equation. Furthermore, they discussed the mode coupling induced through the {\it irreversible} current. Here, we show the {\it reversible} coupling can play a dominant role for describing the QCD critical dynamics and that the dynamical universality class does not necessarily belong to model H.Comment: 13 pages, the Curie principle is discussed in S.2, to appear in J.Phys.

Tribimaximal Neutrino Mixing and a Relation Between Neutrino- and Charged Lepton-Mass Spectra

Brannen has recently pointed out that the observed charged lepton masses satisfy the relation m_e +m_\mu +m_\tau = {2/3} (\sqrt{m_e}+\sqrt{m_\mu}+\sqrt{m_\tau})^2, while the observed neutrino masses satisfy the relation m_{\nu 1} +m_{\nu 2} +m_{\nu 3} = {2/3} (-\sqrt{m_{\nu 1}}+\sqrt{m_{\nu 2}}+\sqrt{m_{\nu 3}})^2. It is discussed what neutrino Yukawa interaction form is favorable if we take the fact pointed out by Brannen seriously.Comment: 13 pages, presentation modifie

S_3 Symmetry and Neutrino Masses and Mixings

Based on a universal seesaw mass matrix model with three scalars \phi_i, and by assuming an S_3 flavor symmetry for the Yukawa interactions, the lepton masses and mixings are investigated systematically. In order to understand the observed neutrino mixing, the charged leptons (e, \mu, \tau) are regarded as the 3 elements (e_1, e_2, e_3) of S_3, while the neutrino mass-eigenstates are regarded as the irreducible representation (\nu_\eta, \nu_\sigma, \nu_\pi) of S_3, where (\nu_\pi, \nu_\eta) and \nu_\sigma are a doublet and a singlet, respectively, which are composed of the 3 elements (\nu_1, \nu_2, \nu_3) of S_3.Comment: 16 pages, no figure, version to appear in EPJ-

Role of Toll-like Receptor 2 in macrophage recognition and response to Borrelia burgdorferi

Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US and will experience an uptick as the insect host, the ixodid tick, gains habitat with climate change. The causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, is recognized by Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), which initiates the innate immune response. Here, I used ELISA and SEAP detection assays to determine that knocking out TLR2 in THP-1 macrophages reduces the amount of NFkB activation, as well as IL-10 and IL-1β secretion. Then, I used fluorescence microscopy and Incucyte assays to quantify the amount of phagocytosis performed by wild-type and knock-out THP-1 cells. I found that despite the changes in signaling, knock-out of TLR2 does not affect the extent of phagocytosis. These results support previous studies in mice that found that TLR2 knock-out impairs cytokine response but not phagocytic responses. Finally, I used a SEAP detection assay to measure the change in NFkB activation in HEK293T cells transfected with TLR2 mutants and stimulated with Borrelia. I found that 2 mutations, T411I and R753Q impair the NFkB activation response. Further study of these mutations may help to develop vaccines against Lyme disease by increasing understanding of the heterogeneity in immune responses to Borrelia

Volume, Coulomb, and volume-symmetry coefficients of nucleus incompressibility in the relativistic mean field theory with the excluded volume effects

The relation among the volume coefficient $K$(=incompressibility of the nuclear matter), the Coulomb coefficient $K_c$, and the volume-symmetry coefficient $K_{vs}$ of the nucleus incompressibility are studied in the framework of the relativistic mean field theory with the excluded volume effects of the nucleons, under the assumption of the scaling model. It is found that $K= 300\pm 50$MeV is necessary to account for the empirical values of $K$, $K_c$, and $K_{vs}$, simultaneously, as is in the case of the point-like nucleons. The result is independent on the detail descriptions of the potential of the $\sigma$-meson self-interaction and is almost independent on the excluded volume of the nucleons.Comment: PACS numbers, 21.65.+f, 21.30.+

Compressional properties of nuclear matter in the relativistic mean field theory with the excluded volume effects

Compressional properties of nuclear matter are studied by using the mean field theory with the excluded volume effects of the nucleons. It is found that the excluded volume effects make it possible to fit the empirical data of the Coulomb coefficient $K_{c}$ of nucleus incompressibility, even if the volume coefficient $K$ is small($\sim 150$MeV). However, the symmetry properties favor $K=300\pm 50$MeV as in the cases of the mean field theory of point-like nucleons.Comment: PACS numbers, 21.65.+f, 21.30.+