Theory of superconductivity with non-Hermitian and parity-time reversal symmetric cooper pairing symmetry

Recently developed parity (P) and time-reversal (T) symmetric non-Hermitian systems govern a rich variety of new and characteristically distinct physical properties, which may or may not have a direct analog in their Hermitian counterparts. We study here a non-Hermitian, PT-symmetric superconducting Hamiltonian that possesses real quasiparticle spectrum in the PT-region of the Brillouin zone. Within a single-band mean-field theory, we find that real quasiparticle energies are possible when the superconducting order parameter itself is either Hermitian or anti-Hermitian. Within the corresponding Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory, we find that several properties are characteristically distinct and novel in the non-Hermitian pairing case than its Hermitian counterpart. One of our significant findings is that while a Hermitian superconductor gives a second order phase transition, the non-Hermitian one produces a robust first order phase transition. The corresponding thermodynamic properties, and the Meissner effect are also modified accordingly. Finally, we discuss how such a PT-symmetric pairings can emerge from an anti-symmetric potential, such as the Dzyloshinskii-Moria interaction, but with an external external bath, or complex potential, among others.Comment: 15 pages including appendices (2 columns), (v2): Hermitian pairing solution of the DM interaction is added; and conditions for obtaining non-Hermitian pairings are further delineate

The relationship between pro-inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandin production in the human amnion

Preterm labour (PTL) management may be improved through better understanding of term labour. Existing research suggests that myometrial inflammation stimulates the initiation of labour at term. However, this theory has recently been challenged by group data, derived from a collection of gestational tissues. In this thesis, amnion samples were selected and prolabour gene expression, inflammation and the steroid receptor pathways for the glucocorticoid and progesterone receptors (PRs) studied. It was hypothesised that (i) amnion inflammation occurs in early labour (TEaL) and, consequently, may have a role in the onset of human parturition; (ii) prolabour gene expression is increased in amnion samples in TEaL and that (iii) both are related to a decline in progesterone (P4) signalling. It was also speculated whether (iv) P4 acts via PRs and not glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and whether (v) P4 function in the amnion can be enhanced by the addition of cyclic AMP were investigated. Analysis suggested that amnion inflammation occurs predominantly in TEsL but also in TEaL leaving it unclear whether amnion inflammation has a role in human labour onset. Increased prolabour gene expression was observed more significantly in TEsL and in PTL, was dependent on the underlying aetiology. Human amnion epithelial cells were acquired from women undergoing term elective caesarean section. Cells were treated with P4 and a cAMP agonist, forskolin, independently and in combination, to investigate whether the effects of an in vitro IL-1β treatment may be reduced, in the presence and absence of mechanical stretch. Both P4 treatment alone, as well as P4 +F treatment reduced IL-1β-driven expression. However, stretch-induced changes in expression could not be reduced through P4 treatment, alone or in combination with forskolin. P4 maintained its capacity for reducing IL-1β driven COX-2 mRNA expression in the absence of GR, whilst overexpressing PR isoforms enhanced P4-driven action.Open Acces

Active and sterile neutrino phenomenology with A4A_4 based minimal extended seesaw

We study a model of neutrino within the framework of the minimal extended seesaw (MES), which plays an important role in active and sterile neutrino phenomenology in (3+1) scheme. The $A_4$ flavor symmetry is augmented by an additional $Z_4\times Z_3$ symmetry to constraint the Yukawa Lagrangian of the model. We use non-trivial Dirac mass matrix, with broken $\mu-\tau$ symmetry, as the origin of leptonic mixing. Interestingly, such a structure of mixing naturally leads to the non-zero reactor mixing angle $\theta_{13}$. Non-degenerate mass structure for right-handed neutrino $M_R$ is considered so that we can further extend our study to Leptogenesis. We have also considered three different cases for sterile neutrino mass, $M_S$ to check the viability of this model, within the allowed $3\sigma$ bound in this MES framework.Comment: V2; Accepted in Nuclear Physics

Neutrino phenomenology and scalar Dark Matter with A4 flavor symmetry in Inverse and type II seesaw

AbstractWe present a TeV scale seesaw mechanism for exploring the dark matter and neutrino phenomenology in the light of recent neutrino and cosmology data. A different realization of the Inverse seesaw (ISS) mechanism with A4 flavor symmetry is being implemented as a leading contribution to the light neutrino mass matrix which usually gives rise to vanishing reactor mixing angle θ13. Using a non-diagonal form of Dirac neutrino mass matrix and 3σ values of mass square differences we parameterize the neutrino mass matrix in terms of Dirac Yukawa coupling “y”. We then use type II seesaw as a perturbation which turns out to be active to have a non-vanishing reactor mixing angle without much disturbing the other neutrino oscillation parameters. Then we constrain a common parameter space satisfying the non-zero θ13, Yukawa coupling and the relic abundance of dark matter. Contributions of neutrinoless double beta decay are also included for standard as well as non-standard interaction. This study may have relevance in future neutrino and Dark Matter experiments

Knowledge, attitude and practice regarding use of fixed dose combination drugs among young prescribers a tertiary care teaching hospital in rural Bengal, India

Background: Use of fixed dose combination (FDCs) is a double edged sword with scope for irrational prescribing on one hand and improved pharmacotherapy and patient compliance on the other hand. Irrational FDCs are being marketed aggressively and often young prescribers including Post Graduate Trainees fall prey to the lure of FDCs. This was a Knowledge-Attitude-Practice study regarding of FDC use among the resident doctors working at a tertiary care medical college of rural Bengal.Methods: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire based study including 50 resident doctors who were asked to fill a 10-question questionnaire on FDCs anonymously.Results: Ninety two percent of the study participants were aware of the FDCs. The most commonly perceived advantages were better patient compliance and synergistic effects. Most (96%) cited problems of titrating dosages and problems of more side effects. Only 37.6% knew about the banned FDCs. Preferred FDCs among them were antibiotics (94%), cough syrups (80%) and NSAIDs (68%). Residents of dermatology, orthopaedics, surgery and medicine most commonly prescribed FDCs. Sources of knowledge regarding FDCs were CME (92%), medical representative (76%), colleagues (72%), internet (68%), journals (48%) and textbooks (36%).Conclusions: The study showed that most participants were aware of the FDCs and also aware of the problems with irrational FDC use. Knowledge regarding banned drugs was poor as was the rationality of such combinations. More CMEs and inter department group discussions could be conducted to improve awareness and FDC prescribing practice among young prescribers

DEVELOPMENT OF QUALITY CONTROL PARAMETERS FOR STANDARDIZATION OF A NOVELMUCILAGE OBTAINED FROM OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH) FRUIT

Objective: The main objective was to focus on qualitative and quantitative analysis of isolated okra mucilage by High-performance Thin Layer Chromatography to set up the quality control parameters for the isolated mucilage. Methods: High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) were applied for the identification of components present in methanolic and ethanolic fruit extract of okra at 254 nm and 356 nm. Quantitative analysis of amino acid ascorbic acid and total polyphenol content was determined. Results: The results showed that the yield percentage for methanolic and ethanolic fruit extract of the okra fruit mucilage was found to be 13.5 and12.5% respectively. HPTLC determination of methanolic and ethanolic okra fruit extract showed the presence of 8 components with Rf values in the range of 0.14 to 0.62 and 0.14 to 0.54 respectively when detected at wavelengths 254 nm and at 356 nm. The total amino acid in okra fruit methanolic extract was found to be 11.45%w/w. The ascorbic acid content in methanolic okra fruit extract and ethanolic okra fruit extract was found to be 0.24 %w/w and 0.18% w/w respectively. The total phenolic contents (tannic acid equivalents, mg/g) in the methanolic and ethanolic okra fruit extracts were calculated to be 4.6 % w/wand 5.3% w/w respectively. Conclusion: The data revealed dual benefits like it can act as a potential novel functional ingredient with health-promoting application due to the presence of ascorbic acid and total phenolics contents and at the same time the data provided guidelines for quality control parameters for the isolated okra frui

Drug schedules: knowledge among undergraduate medical students in a government medical college in Eastern India

Background: In India many of the prescription only drugs (Schedule H) are available without prescription, leading to injudicious use, incidences of dangerous drug interactions, and unnecessary economic burden. Thus awareness among healthcare professionals and among common public are equally important. Objective was to assess the knowledge among undergraduate medical students in a government medical college in Eastern India regarding drug schedules in India.Methods: Willing 3rd semester and 5th semester students participated in the study. We used a pre-tested validated two-part questionnaire to assess the knowledge of undergraduate medical students regarding different drug schedules.Results: 5th semester students gave significantly higher correct answers (P<0.0001) regarding awareness about Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, different drug schedules in India, expiry period, guidelines for maintaining the details of standards for patent and proprietary medicines, guidelines regarding import and manufacture of new drugs, guidelines regarding import and manufacture of new drugs, any special license is required for the manufacture and sale of psychotropic drugs, drugs marketed only under “generic name”, guideline regarding pack size of drugs, and guidelines regarding good manufacturing practice (GMP)?. Analysis of second set of questionnaires revealed that the 5th semester students identified the different drug categories more correctly compared to the 3rd semester students.Conclusions: Doctors are one of the principle and reliable sources of drug information for the general population. Thus, it becomes relevant that the undergraduate medical students should regularly brush up their knowledge regarding drug regulations even after passing Pharmacology examination in the later years of training

A comparative study between retrospective and prospective assessment of rationality and effectiveness of snake bite management in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Snake bite envenomation remains one of the commonest causes of mortality and morbidity in rural West Bengal. Objective of present study was to compare the rationality, effectiveness and adherence to standard treatment guidelines of Government of West Bengal of snake bite management over the high-risk periods of two years.Methods: This was a comparative study of snake bite management between 2016 and 2018 (over April to September) during peak risk season in a tertiary care teaching hospital in rural Bengal. The data was collected retrospectively from the treatment records in 2016 and from patients admitted with history of snake bite in the Medicine ward, ICU and ITU in 2018.Results: Records from 2016 yielded 177 snake bite patients (144 venomous and 82.5% neurotoxic envenomation) and in 2018, 190 cases (114 venomous and 71.1% neurotoxic). There was delay in presentation (>2 hours) in almost 80% cases in both years and 2.56% had anaphylactic reaction following ASV administration in 2018 against 3.15% in 2016. Ventilator support was necessary for 12% patients in 2018. Overall percentage of mortality reduced from 6.70% to 3.2% in 2018. Adherence to snake bite management STG was seen in 81.8% of the retrospective records vis a vis 80% cases in prospective analysis (p = 0.21).Conclusions: The survival rate in venomous snake bite is found to be high in this institution over last two seasons of snake bite. The practice of snake bite management is found to be adherent with standard protocol in most cases