Neutrino mass in radiatively-broken scale-invariant models

Scale invariance may be a classical symmetry which is broken radiatively. This provides a simple way to stabilize the scale of electroweak symmetry breaking against radiative corrections. The simplest phenomenologically successful model of this type involves the addition of one real scalar field to the standard model. In this minimal model the electroweak Higgs can be interpreted as the pseudo-Goldstone boson of broken scale invariance. We study the possible origin of neutrino mass in such models, both at tree-level and radiatively.Comment: About 12 pages with 3 figures. V2 matches PRD versio

An exploratory study to determine students' perceptions of the value of interaction in an Australian classroom context and the perceived impact on learning outcomes

Interaction has long been a defining and critical component of the educational process, whatever the classroom context (Anderson 2003). This paper presents findings of a study to explore the attitudes of students at an Australian university towards various types interactivity in the classroom. The study also investigates students perceptions of how interactivity in the classroom impacts on cognitive, affective and behavioural learning outcomes. In a recent review of the literature Muirhead & Juwah (2003) argue that interactivity is critical in underpinning the learning process in face-to-face, campus based and distance and online education. They say that interactions serve a diverse range of functions in the educational process, which include learner to learner, learner to content, learner to tutor, learner to technology, tutor to content, tutor to technology, content to content. These functions promote and enhance the quality of active, participative learning in a learning environment. However, literature indicates that attitudes towards active learning involving greater interactivity varies across students and between students and lecturers (Billings, Connors, & Skiba 2001). Investigation into student attitudes of the value and effectiveness of interaction is of particular interest for educators who are adapting the learning of a diverse range of students, including oncampus, distance, international, under and postgradute students. Much of the existing research into classroom interaction was grounded in the behaviourist and cognitive sciences approach to learning and teaching, where traditional classroom interaction placed the teacher at the centre of all activities as transmitter of knowledge and co-coordinator of student interaction (McLoughlin 2002). Those studies predate the recent application of constructivism (Bonk and Cunningham 1998) and social learning theory (Bandura (1977), and the emphasis on building life long learning skills. This research will contribute to current discussion about the role of interaction in learning, based on a constructivist approach to developing life long learning skills. This paper will present the findings of an exploratory study of students’ attitudes to various types of interaction in a classroom context. The first step of this exploratory study will employ a focus group approach to gather data from on campus students to identify the key issues that emerge from this data. These findings will be used to design a survey instrument to implement a follow-up research project

A solution to the hierarchy problem from an almost decoupled hidden sector within a classically scale invariant theory

If scale invariance is a classical symmetry then both the Planck scale and the weak scale should emerge as quantum effects. We show that this can be realized in simple scale invariant theories with a hidden sector. The weak/Planck scale hierarchy emerges in the (technically natural) limit where the hidden sector decouples from the ordinary sector. The weak scale is protected from quadratic divergences because of classical scale invariance, so there is no hierarchy problem.Comment: 10 page

Mangifera sylvatica (Wild Mango):A new cocoa butter alternative

Cocoa butter is the pure butter extracted from cocoa beans and is a major ingredient in the chocolate industry. Global production of cocoa is in decline due to crop failure, diseases and ageing plantations, leading to price fluctuations and the necessity for the industry to find high quality cocoa butter alternatives. This study explored the potential of a wild mango (Mangifera sylvatica), an underutilised fruit in south-east Asia, as a new Cocoa Butter Alternative (CBA). Analyses showed that wild mango butter has a light coloured fat with a similar fatty acid profile (palmitic, stearic and oleic acid) and triglyceride profile (POP, SOS and POS) to cocoa butter. Thermal and physical properties are also similar to cocoa butter. Additionally, wild mango butter comprises 65% SOS (1, 3-distearoyl-2-oleoyl-glycerol) which indicates potential to become a Cocoa Butter Improver (an enhancement of CBA). It is concluded that these attractive properties of wild mango could be prompted by a coalition of policy makers, foresters, food industries and horticulturists to promote more widespread cultivation of this wild fruit species to realise the market opportunity

Applicability of tandem affinity purification MudPIT to pathway proteomics in yeast

A combined multidimensional chromatography-mass spectrometry approach known as "MudPIT" enables rapid identification of proteins that interact with a tagged bait while bypassing some of the problems associated with analysis of polypeptides excised from SDS-polyacrylamide gels. However, the reproducibility, success rate, and applicability of MudPIT to the rapid characterization of dozens of proteins have not been reported. We show here that MudPIT reproducibly identified bona fide partners for budding yeast Gcn5p. Additionally, we successfully applied MudPIT to rapidly screen through a collection of tagged polypeptides to identify new protein interactions. Twenty-five proteins involved in transcription and progression through mitosis were modified with a new tandem affinity purification (TAP) tag. TAP-MudPIT analysis of 22 yeast strains that expressed these tagged proteins uncovered known or likely interacting partners for 21 of the baits, a figure that compares favorably with traditional approaches. The proteins identified here comprised 102 previously known and 279 potential physical interactions. Even for the intensively studied Swi2p/Snf2p, the catalytic subunit of the Swi/Snf chromatin remodeling complex, our analysis uncovered a new interacting protein, Rtt102p. Reciprocal tagging and TAP-MudPIT analysis of Rtt102p revealed subunits of both the Swi/Snf and RSC complexes, identifying Rtt102p as a common interactor with, and possible integral component of, these chromatin remodeling machines. Our experience indicates it is feasible for an investigator working with a single ion trap instrument in a conventional molecular/cellular biology laboratory to carry out proteomic characterization of a pathway, organelle, or process (i.e. "pathway proteomics") by systematic application of TAP-MudPIT

Domperidone for Drug-Induced Orthostatic Hypotension-A Review

Drug-induced orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common side effect of heterocyclic and MAOI antidepressant medications. It usually does not respond to conservative treatment and drug treatments with mineralocorticoids or central dopaminergic antagonists such as metoclopramide have significant long-term side effects that limit their use. Domperidone, a peripherally acting dopaminergic antagonist with few side effects, has been used in a number of small clinical trials to treat OH of various etiologies. We reviewed 9 studies of domperidone in the treatment of OH. Although limited by small sample sizes and poor design, these studies generally showed successful treatment of OH by domperidone. Further controlled studies of domperidone for antidepressant induced OH in relevant patient samples are warranted

Charting the protein complexome in yeast by mass spectrometry

It has become evident over the past few years that many complex cellular processes, including control of the cell cycle and ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, are carried out by sophisticated multisubunit protein machines that are dynamic in abundance, post-translational modification state, and composition. To understand better the nature of the macromolecular assemblages that carry out the cell cycle and ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis, we have used mass spectrometry extensively over the past few years to characterize both the composition of various protein complexes and the modification states of their subunits. In this article we review some of our recent efforts, and describe a promising new approach for using mass spectrometry to dissect protein interaction networks

Forecasting US Army Enlistment Contract Production in Complex Geographical Marketing Areas

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate an improved method for forecasting the US Army recruiting. Design/methodology/approach: Time series methods, regression modeling, principle components and marketing research are included in this paper. Findings: This paper found the unique ability of multiple statistical methods applied to a forecasting context to consider the effects of inputs that are controlled to some degree by a decision maker. Research limitations/implications: This work will successfully inform the US Army recruiting leadership on how this improved methodology will improve their recruitment process. Practical implications: Improved US Army analytical technique for forecasting recruiting goals