We present a new realization of inverted neutrino mass hierarchy based on S 3 × U (1) flavor symmetry. In this scenario, the deviation of the solar oscillation angle from π/4 is correlated with the value of θ 13 , as they are both induced by a common mixing angle in the charged lepton sector. We find several interesting predictions: θ 13 ≥ 0.13, sin 2 θ 12 ≥ 0.31, sin 2 θ 23 ≃ 0.5 and 0 ≤ cos δ ≤ 0.7 for the neutrino oscillation parameters and 0.01 eV < ∼ m ββ < ∼ 0.02 eV for the effective neutrino mass in neutrino-less double β-decay. We show that our scenario can also explain naturally the observed baryon asymmetry of the universe via resonant leptogenesis. The masses of the decaying right-handed neutrinos can be in the range (10 3 −10 7 ) GeV, which would avoid the generic gravitino problem of supersymmetric models.

We analyze lepton asymmetry induced in the decay of right-handed neutrinos in a class of minimal left-right symmetric models. In these models, which assume low energy supersymmetry, the Dirac neutrino mass matrix is proportional to the charged lepton mass matrix. As a result, lepton asymmetry is calculable in terms of 9 parameters, all measurable in low energy neutrino experiments. By solving the Boltzmann equations numerically we show that adequate baryon asymmetry is generated in these models. This however places significant constraints on the light neutrino parameters.We find tan 2 θ 12 ≃ m 1 /m 2 and θ 13 = (0.01 − 0.07) for the neutrino oscillation angles, and β ≃ α + π/2 for the Majorana phases.

Inks printing is an innovative and practicable technology capable of fabricating the next generation of flexible functional systems with various designs and desired architectures. As a result, inks printing is extremely attractive in the development of printed wearables, including wearable sensors, micro supercapacitor (MSC) electrodes, electromagnetic shielding, and thin-film batteries. The discovery of Ti3C2Tx in 2011, a 2D material known as a MXene, which is a compound composed of layered nitrides, carbides, or carbonitrides of transition metals, has attracted significant interest within the research community because of its exceptional physical and chemical properties. MXene has high metallic conductivity of transition metal carbides combined with hydrophilic behavior due to its surface terminated functional groups, all of which make it an excellent candidate for promising inks printing applications. This paper reviews recent progress in the development of 2D MXene inks, including synthesis procedures, inks formulation and performance, and printing methods. Further, the review briefly provides an overview of future guidelines for the study of this new generation of 2D materials.

PurposeIonizing radiation (IR) generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) that are responsible for cytogenetic alterations. Because antioxidants are potent ROS scavengers, we determined whether the vitamin E isoform γ-tocotrienol (GT3), a radio-protective multifunctional dietary antioxidant, can suppress IR-induced cytogenetic damage.MethodsWe measured DSB formation in irradiated primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by quantifying the formation of γ-H2AX foci. Chromosomal aberrations (CAs) were analyzed in irradiated HUVECs and in the bone marrow cells of irradiated mice by conventional and fluorescence-based chromosome painting techniques. Gene expression was measured in HUVECs with quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsGT3 pretreatment reduced DSB formation in HUVECS, and also decreased CAs in HUVECs and mouse bone marrow cells after irradiation. Moreover, GT3 increased expression of the DNA-repair gene RAD50 and attenuated radiation-induced RAD50 suppression.ConclusionsGT3 attenuates radiation-induced cytogenetic damage, possibly by affecting RAD50 expression. GT3 should be explored as a therapeutic to reduce the risk of developing genetic diseases after radiation exposure.

Due to the non-linear characteristics of the processing parameters, predicting the desired properties of nanocomposites using the conventional regression approach is often unsatisfactory. Thus, it is essential to use a machine learning approach to determine the optimum processing parameters. In this study, a backpropagation deep neural network (DNN) with nanoclay and compatibilizer content, and processing parameters as input, was developed to predict the mechanical properties, including tensile modulus and tensile strength, of clay-reinforced polyethylene nanocomposites. The high accuracy of the developed model proves that DNN can be used as an efficient tool for predicting mechanical properties of the nanocomposites in terms of four independent parameters.

Gold has always fascinated humans, occupying an important functional and symbolic role in civilization. In earlier times, gold was predominantly used in jewelry; today, this noble metal’s surface properties are taken advantage of in catalysis and plasmonics. In this article, the plasmon resonance of gold dumbbell nanorods is investigated. This unusual morphology was obtained by a seed-mediated growth method. The concentration of chemical precursors such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and silver nitrate plays a significant role in controlling the shape of the nanorods. Indeed, the aspect ratio of dumbbell nanostructures was varied from 2.6 to 4. UV–visible absorption spectra revealed a shift of the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance peak from 669 to 789 nm. Having the plasmon resonance in the near infrared region helps to use those nanostructures as photothermal agents.

In the current paper, we analyzed the variation of cosmic radiation flux with elevation, time of the year and ambient temperature with the help of a portable cosmic muon detector, the construction of which was completed by a team from Southern Arkansas University (SAU) at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). Cosmic muons and gamma rays traverse two synchronized scintillators connected to two photomultiplier tubes (PMT) via light guides, and generate electronic pulses which we counted using a Data Acquisition Board (DAQ). Because muons are the product of collisions between high-energy cosmic rays and atmospheric nuclei, and therefore shower onto earth, the scintillators were arranged horizontally for detection. The elevation measurements were recorded at different locations, starting from 60 feet below sealevel at the Underground Radiation Counting Laboratory at Johnson Space Center, TX, to 4200 feet at Mt. Hamilton, CA. Intermediate locations included sea-level Galveston Bay, TX, and Mt. Magazine, AR (2800 feet). The data points showed a noticeable increase in flux as elevation increases, independent of latitude. Measurements investigating the dependence of cosmic rays on temperature and time of the year took place locally in Magnolia, AR. We found that cosmic muon flux is uniform, appears to be independent of conditions on earth, and is anticorrelative with temperature. We are convinced that the sun has minimal to zero effect on cosmic-ray flux; it cannot be a major contributing source of this background radiation. The source of cosmic radiation remains one of the biggest unanswered questions in physics today.

Exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) and microgravity induce greater risks to human space mission. Ground‐based studies on animals and cells have shown that both IR and microgravity cause numerous adverse effects on endothelial cells, which may lead to endothelial dysfunction. However, no systematic studies have been undertaken to investigate whether microgravity differentially modulates the expression of endothelial cell dysfunction markers when exposed either alone or in combination with irradiation. This study was conducted to gain insight into human endothelial cells when subjected to simulated microgravity followed by exposure to IR.MethodsEndothelial cells were grown on micro‐carrier beads to simulate a low shear microgravity environment and subsequently subjected to a rotary culture systems, called high aspect ratio vessels (HARVs) at 10 rpm. The expression of endothelial dysfunction markers were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR.ResultsExposure to microgravity environment induced morphological changes in endothelial cells and enhanced radiation‐induced endothelial cell killing. In addition, IR plus microgravity caused differential expression of E‐selectin, Pecam1, Vcam1, Vegf, and Icam1 as compared to IR exposure alone.ConclusionsThese results suggest that microgravity modifies the effect of IR on endothelial cells.Support or Funding InformationSupported by NASA sponsored Arkansas Space Grant ConsortiumThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.