Wolfenstein Parametrization at Higher Order: Seeming Discrepancies and Their Resolution

In different Wolfenstein parametrizations derived from different exact parametrizations of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix, we explicitly study seeming discrepancies between the matrix elements at the higher order of the expansion parameter $\lambda$. A systematic way of resolving the seeming discrepancies is proposed. We find that most of the discrepancies can be naturally resolved by a proper redefinition of the numerically small (of order $\lambda$) parameters. Our approach is further applied to the cases for the Wolfenstein-{\it like} parametrizations, such as the Qin-Ma parametrization.Comment: 5 pages, two paragraphs added to explain the motivation for considering various Wolfenstein-like parametrizations; version to appear in PL

Axion and neutrino physics in a U (1) -enhanced supersymmetric model

Motivated by the flavored Peccei-Quinn symmetry for unifying the flavor physics and string theory, we construct an explicit model by introducing a U(1) symmetry such that the U(1)X-[gravity]2 anomaly-free condition together with the standard model flavor structure demands additional sterile neutrinos as well as no axionic domain-wall problem. Such additional sterile neutrinos play the role of realizing baryogenesis via a new Affleck-Dine leptogenesis. We provide grounds for interpreting the U(1)X symmetry as a fundamental symmetry of nature. The model will resolve rather recent but fast-growing issues in astroparticle physics, including leptonic mixings and CP violation in neutrino oscillation, high-energy neutrinos, QCD axions, and axion cooling of stars. The QCD axion decay constant, through its connection to the astrophysical constraints of stellar evolution and the SM fermion masses, is shown to be fixed at FA=1.30-0.54+0.66×109 GeV (consequently, its mass is ma=4.34-1.49+3.37 meV and the axion-photon coupling is |gaγγ|=1.30-0.45+1.01×10-12 GeV-1). Interestingly enough, we show that neutrino oscillations at low energies could be connected to astronomical-scale baseline neutrino oscillations. The model predicts the nonobservational neutrinoless double beta (0νββ) decay rate as well as a remarkable pattern between the leptonic Dirac CP phase (δCP) and the atmospheric mixing angle (θ23) e.g., δCP≃220°-240°, 120°-140° for θ23=42.3° for normal mass ordering, and δCP≃283°, 250°, 100°, 70° for θ23=49.5° for the inverted one. We stress that future measurements on the θ23, 0νββ decay rate, the sum of active neutrino masses, the track-to-shower ratio of a cosmic neutrino, astrophysical constraints on axions, QCD axion mass, and the axion-photon coupling are of importance to test the model in the near future. © 2017 American Physical Society2111Nsciescopu

Remarks on the Qin-Ma Parametrization of Quark Mixing Matrix

Recently, Qin and Ma (QM) have advocated a new Wolfenstein-like parametrization of the quark mixing matrix based on the triminimal expansion of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) parametrization. The CP-odd phase in the QM parametrization is around $90^\circ$ just as that in the CKM parametrization. We point out that the QM parametrization can be readily obtained from the Wolfenstein parametrization after appropriate phase redefinition for quark fields and that the phase $\delta$ in both QM and CKM parametrizations is related to the unitarity angles $\alpha$, $\beta$ and $\gamma$, namely, $\delta= \beta+\gamma$ or $\pi-\alpha$. We show that both QM and Wolfenstein parametrizations can be deduced from the CKM and Chau-Keung-Maiani ones. By deriving the QM parametrization from the Fritzsch-Xing (FX) parametrization of the quark mixing matrix, we find that the phase of the FX form is in the vicinity of $-270^\circ$ and hence $\sin\delta\approx 1$. We discuss the seeming discrepancy between the Wolfenstein and QM parametrizations at the high order of $\lambda\approx |V_{us}|$.Comment: 8 pages, a shortened version accepted by PL

Leptonic CP violation: zero, maximal or between the two extremes

Discovery of the CP-violation in the lepton sector is one of the challenges of the particle physics. We search for possible principles, symmetries and phenomenological relations that can lead to particular values of the CP-violating Dirac phase, $\delta$. In this connection we discuss two extreme cases: the zero phase, $\delta = 0$, and the maximal CP-violation, $\delta = \pm \pi/2$, and relate them to the peculiar pattern of the neutrino mixing. The maximal CP-violation can be related to the $\nu_\mu - \nu_\tau$ reflection symmetry. We study various aspects of this symmetry and introduce a generalized reflection symmetry that can lead to an arbitrary phase that depends on the parameter of the symmetry transformation. The generalized reflection symmetry predicts a simple relation between the Dirac and Majorana phases. We also consider the possibility of certain relations between the CP-violating phases in the quark and lepton sectors.Comment: 34 pages, no figures; v3: version appeared in JHE

Spin Fidelity for Three-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger and W States Under Lorentz Transformations

Constructing the reduced density matrix for a system of three massive spin$-\frac{1}{2}$ particles described by a wave packet with Gaussian momentum distribution and a spin part in the form of GHZ or W state, the fidelity for the spin part of the system is investigated from the viewpoint of moving observers in the jargon of special relativity. Using a numerical approach, it turns out that by increasing the boost speed, the spin fidelity decreases and reaches to a non-zero asymptotic value that depends on the momentum distribution and the amount of momentum entanglement.Comment: 12pages, 2 figure

New charged Higgs effects on ΓKe2/ΓKμ2\Gamma_{K_{e2}}/\Gamma_{K_{\mu 2}}, fDsf_{D_s} and B(B+→τ+ν){\cal B}(B^+\to \tau^+ \nu) in the Two-Higgs-Doublet model

A new scheme for Yukawa matrices is proposed for free of flavor changing neutral currents (FCNCs) at tree level in general two-Higgs-doublet model (THDM) without imposing symmetry. We find that the new type couplings of charged Higgs to fermions not only depend on the flavors, but also can be ascribed by new CP violating phases. Unlike conventional THDM, the resulted new charged Higgs effects could have the specialties: (a) the influence on $\Gamma(K^\pm_{e 2})/\Gamma(K^\pm_{\mu 2})$ cannot be eliminated, (b) the decay constant of $D_s$ could be enhanced, and (c) enhancement of branching ratio for $B^+\to \tau^+ \nu$ could be achieved.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, references added, typos corrected, constraints from R_\pi and B\to D \tau \bar \nu included, final version to appear in PL

Global surveillance of cancer survival 1995-2009: analysis of individual data for 25,676,887 patients from 279 population-based registries in 67 countries (CONCORD-2)

BACKGROUND: Worldwide data for cancer survival are scarce. We aimed to initiate worldwide surveillance of cancer survival by central analysis of population-based registry data, as a metric of the effectiveness of health systems, and to inform global policy on cancer control. METHODS: Individual tumour records were submitted by 279 population-based cancer registries in 67 countries for 25·7 million adults (age 15-99 years) and 75,000 children (age 0-14 years) diagnosed with cancer during 1995-2009 and followed up to Dec 31, 2009, or later. We looked at cancers of the stomach, colon, rectum, liver, lung, breast (women), cervix, ovary, and prostate in adults, and adult and childhood leukaemia. Standardised quality control procedures were applied; errors were corrected by the registry concerned. We estimated 5-year net survival, adjusted for background mortality in every country or region by age (single year), sex, and calendar year, and by race or ethnic origin in some countries. Estimates were age-standardised with the International Cancer Survival Standard weights. FINDINGS: 5-year survival from colon, rectal, and breast cancers has increased steadily in most developed countries. For patients diagnosed during 2005-09, survival for colon and rectal cancer reached 60% or more in 22 countries around the world; for breast cancer, 5-year survival rose to 85% or higher in 17 countries worldwide. Liver and lung cancer remain lethal in all nations: for both cancers, 5-year survival is below 20% everywhere in Europe, in the range 15-19% in North America, and as low as 7-9% in Mongolia and Thailand. Striking rises in 5-year survival from prostate cancer have occurred in many countries: survival rose by 10-20% between 1995-99 and 2005-09 in 22 countries in South America, Asia, and Europe, but survival still varies widely around the world, from less than 60% in Bulgaria and Thailand to 95% or more in Brazil, Puerto Rico, and the USA. For cervical cancer, national estimates of 5-year survival range from less than 50% to more than 70%; regional variations are much wider, and improvements between 1995-99 and 2005-09 have generally been slight. For women diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005-09, 5-year survival was 40% or higher only in Ecuador, the USA, and 17 countries in Asia and Europe. 5-year survival for stomach cancer in 2005-09 was high (54-58%) in Japan and South Korea, compared with less than 40% in other countries. By contrast, 5-year survival from adult leukaemia in Japan and South Korea (18-23%) is lower than in most other countries. 5-year survival from childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is less than 60% in several countries, but as high as 90% in Canada and four European countries, which suggests major deficiencies in the management of a largely curable disease. INTERPRETATION: International comparison of survival trends reveals very wide differences that are likely to be attributable to differences in access to early diagnosis and optimum treatment. Continuous worldwide surveillance of cancer survival should become an indispensable source of information for cancer patients and researchers and a stimulus for politicians to improve health policy and health-care systems

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362