Model-independent Analyses of Dark-Matter Particle Interactions

A model-independent treatment of dark-matter particle elastic scattering has been developed, yielding the most general interaction for WIMP-nucleon low-energy scattering, and the resulting amplitude has been embedded in the nucleus, taking into account the selection rules imposed by parity and time-reversal. One finds that, in contrast to the usual spin-independent/spin-dependent (SI/SD) formulation, the resulting cross section contains six independent nuclear response functions, three of which are associated with possible velocity-dependent interactions. We find that current experiments are four orders of magnitude more sensitive to derivative couplings than is apparent in the standard SI/SD treatment, which necessarily associates such interactions with cross sections proportional to the square of the WIMP velocity relative to the nuclear center of mass.Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures; talk presented at TAUP201

Model-independent WIMP Scattering Responses and Event Rates: A Mathematica Package for Experimental Analysis

The community's reliance on simplified descriptions of WIMP-nucleus interactions reflects the absence of analysis tools that integrate general theories of dark matter with standard treatments of nuclear response functions. To bridge this gap, we have constructed a public-domain Mathematica package for WIMP analyses based on our effective theory formulation. Script inputs are 1) the coefficients of the effective theory, through which one can characterize the low-energy consequences of arbitrary ultraviolet theories of WIMP interactions; and 2) one-body density matrices for commonly used targets, the most compact description of the relevant nuclear physics. The generality of the effective theory expansion guarantees that the script will remain relevant as new ultraviolet theories are explored; the use of density matrices to factor the nuclear physics from the particle physics will allow nuclear structure theorists to update the script as new calculations become available, independent of specific particle-physics contexts. The Mathematica package outputs the resulting response functions (and associated form factors) and also the differential event rate, once a galactic WIMP velocity profile is specified, and thus in its present form provides a complete framework for experimental analysis. The Mathematica script requires no a priori knowledge of the details of the non-relativistic effective field theory or nuclear physics, though the core concepts are reviewed here and in arXiv:1203.3542.Comment: 30+6 page

Studying prevention of parent to child transmission services, interventions, coverage and utilization

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is increasing at an alarming rate globally. Apart from heterosexual route, mother to-child transmission is the next most important route of HIV transmission accounting for over 90% of infections in children. The present retrospective study is undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation of PPTCT programmed in GMERS Medical College, Sola, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.Methods: At ICTCs, registered ANCs are counseled and tested for HIV. HIV+ve ANCs are linked to services and followed-up for institutional delivery. Antiretroviral prophylaxis with nevirapine was given to seropositive mother-baby pairs during delivery and children testing. HIV+ve ANCs since 2014 to 2016 subsequently delivered till December 2018 and their exposed children followed up till 18 months for confirmation of their seropositivity status in PPTCT were study at GMERS medical college, sola, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.Results: 13595 ANCs registered, 100% were counseled pre-test, and 99.5% of them tested, 79.5% were counseled post-test.  CD4 testing was carried out in all HIV+ve ANCs. 55 ANCs were detected HIV+ve inclusive of 37 new registered, 16 re-pregnancy and 2 unregistered cases. 55 pregnancy outcomes reported institutionally total 85.9% delivered at institute out of them 26.5% were caesarian sections and 62.4% delivered vaginally. Out of 48 live births, 47 sdNVP-MB-Pair were given. 48 children were traced till 18 months, 82.5% of live births were alive, and 68.75% of live births were tested. 1 was found HIV+ve with history of adherence to all prescribed PPTCT guidelines.Conclusions: PMTCT services - counseling and testing should be provided to all ANCs. EDD-based tracking, institutional deliveries, postnatal counseling to be encouraged along with complete MB pair coverage, capacity building of concerned staff regarding delivery of HIV+ve ANCs and exposed children tracking

Comparison of fetal outcome in spontaneous versus induced labor in postdated pregnancy: a study in a tertiary care centre

Background: Pregnancy lasting beyond 40 weeks is a known complication of normal delivery. Various studies have found incidence between 2-14%. Post-dated pregnancy carries specific hazards to both mother and fetus. While mothers are faced with problems like increased incidences of induced labour, instrumental delivery and LSCS with associated morbidities, fetuses are faced with morbidities ranging from IUGR to macrosomia. Authors tried to study fetal outcome in post-dated pregnancy present study. The objective is to compare fetal outcome in spontaneous versus induced labour in post-dated pregnancy.Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study done at a tertiary care hospital in obstetrics and gynecology in duration of 18 months. After screening according to inclusion criteria, all patients who were admitted in labour wards are selected and two groups were created according to clinical examination. First group consists of patients with spontaneous onset of labour and second group consists of patients with induction of labour. In each group USG, NST and BPP were performed, and labor monitored according to standard partograph. Fetal outcomes in both groups were studied.Results: Fetal outcomes were nearly same in both groups, induced and spontaneous onset of labour, except a few like thick meconium which was common in spontaneous onset group while rate of LSCS was more in induced group.Conclusions: Women with uncomplicated pregnancies should be offered induction of labour, while women with any complicating factors LSCS should be considered

A clinical study of maternal outcome in post dated pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Pregnancy lasting beyond 40 weeks is a known complication of normal delivery. Studies have found incidence between 2-14%. Post-dated pregnancy carries specific hazards to both mother and fetus. While mothers are faced with problems like increased incidences of induced labour, instrumental delivery and LSCS with associated morbidities, fetuses are faced with morbidities ranging from IUGR to macrosomia. We here tried to study maternal outcome in post-dated pregnancy. The objective is to study maternal outcome in post-dated pregnancy and to compare maternal outcome in spontaneous versus induced labour in post-dated pregnancy.Methods: This study was done at a tertiary care hospital in obstetrics and gynecology department for duration of 18 months. After screening according to inclusion criteria, all patients who were admitted in labour wards were grouped in two groups according to clinical examination. First group consists of patients with spontaneous onset of labour and second group consists of patients with induction of labour. In each group same protocol for fetal monitoring were performed, and labor monitored according to standard partograph. Maternal outcomes in both groups were studied.Results: Maternal outcomes were nearly same in both groups; induced and spontaneous onset of labour, except rate of LSCS, Which was more in induced group though not statistically significant.Conclusions: Women with uncomplicated post dated pregnancies with good bishop score should be allowed spontaneous labour and those with poor bishop should be offered induction of labour, while women with any complicating factors LSCS should be considered