Non-zero θ13\theta_{13}, CP-violation and Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay for Neutrino Mixing in the A4×Z2×Z2′A_4\times Z_2\times Z_2^\prime Flavor Symmetry Model

We study the modification of the Altarelli-Feruglio $A_4$ flavor symmetry model by adding three singlet flavons $\xi'$, $\xi''$ and $\rho$ and the model is augmented with extra $Z_2\times Z_2^ \prime$ symmetry to prevent the unwanted terms in our study. The addition of these three flavons lead to two higher order corrections in the form of two perturbation parameters $\epsilon$ and $\epsilon^\prime$. These corrections yield the deviation from exact tri-bimaximal (TBM) neutrino mixing pattern by producing a non-zero $\theta_{13}$ and other neutrino oscillation parameters which are consistent with the latest experimental data. In both the corrections, the neutrino masses are generated via Weinberg operator. The analysis of the perturbation parameters $\epsilon$ and $\epsilon^\prime$, shows that normal hierarchy (NH) and inverted hierarchy (IH) for $\epsilon$ does not change much. However, as the values of $\epsilon^\prime$ increases, $\theta_{23}$ occupies the lower octant for NH case. We further investigate the neutrinoless double beta decay parmeter $m_{\beta\beta}$ using the parameter space of the model for both normal and inverted hierarchies of neutrino masses.Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, 3 table

Neutrino Mass Model in the Context of Δ(54)⊗Z2⊗Z3⊗Z4\boldsymbol{\Delta(54) \otimes Z_2\otimes Z_3 \otimes Z_4} Flavor Symmetries with Inverse Seesaw Mechanism

Our analysis involves enhancing the $\Delta(54)$ flavor symmetry model with Inverse Seesaw mechanism along with two SM Higgs through the incorporation of distinct flavons. Additionally, we introduce supplementary $Z_2\otimes Z_3 \otimes Z_4$ symmetries to eliminate any undesirable components within our investigation. The exact tri-bimaximal neutrino mixing pattern undergoes a deviation as a result of the incorporation of extra flavons, leading to the emergence of a non-zero reactor angle $\theta_{13}$ that aligns with the latest experimental findings. It was found that for our model the atmospheric oscillation parameter occupies the lower octant for normal hierarchy case. We also examine the parameter space of the model for normal hierarchy to explore the Dirac CP ($\delta_{CP}$), Jarlskog invariant parameter ($J$) and the Neutrinoless double-beta decay parameter ($m_{\beta\beta}$) and found it in agreement with the neutrino latest data. Hence our model may be testable in the future neutrino experiments.Comment: 18 pages, 6 figures, 3 table

A study of clinical profile and factors affecting mortality in patients with acute on chronic liver failure in a tertiary hospital in north east India

Background: Data regarding Acute on Chronic Liver Failure (ACLF) patients from North East India is scarce and presentation to hospital is often late. We aim to study their clinical profile, aetiology of underlying chronic liver disease, precipitating factors, predictors of mortality and their short term outcome (3 months).Methods: Among 1000 consecutive patients of any form of acute decompensation, 245 patients diagnosed as ACLF were prospectively studied. Comparison was done between survivors versus non survivors of ACLF and between ACLF and Non ACLF patients.Results: Mean age of ACLF patients was 44.2±10.3 years and male:female ratio was 13.4:1. Common causes of underlying cirrhosis in ACLF was alcoholic liver disease, 210 (85.7%), Hepatitis B virus related cirrhosis, 20 (8.2%), Hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis, 6 (2.4%) and cryptogenic in 8 (3.3%). Precipitating causes were alcoholic hepatitis in 98 (46.6%) among alcoholic cirrhosis, acute flare of Hepatitis B infection in 12 patients (60%) among Hepatitis B related cirrhosis, recent use of drugs in 110 (44.8%), sepsis in 71 (28.9%), spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in 36 (14.7%), urinary tract infection in 36 (14.7%), acute hepatitis A in 5 (2%) and acute hepatitis E in 3 (1.2%). hepatic encephalopathy, low sodium, high International Normalised Ratio (INR) were found to be significantly associated with high mortality. Increasing number of organ failures is associated with increasing risk of death.Conclusions: ACLF is characterized by rapid deterioration especially when multiorgan failure sets in due to certain precipitating factors in a previously diagnosed or undiagnosed chronic liver disease.

A minimal inverse seesaw model with S4 flavour symmetry

Abstract We construct an S 4 flavour symmetric minimal inverse seesaw model where the standard model is extended by adding two right-handed and two standard model gauge singlet neutrinos to explain the origin of tiny neutrino masses. The resulting model describes the lepton mass spectra and flavour mixing quite well for the case of the normal hierarchy of neutrino masses. The prediction of the model on the Dirac CP-violating phase is centered around 370.087°. Furthermore, using the allowed region for the model parameters, we have calculated the value of the effective Majorana neutrino mass, |〈m ee 〉|, which characterizes neutrinoless double beta decay

A minimal inverse seesaw model with S4S_4 flavour symmetry

We construct an $S_4$ flavour symmetric minimal inverse seesaw model where the standard model is extended by adding two right-handed and two standard model gauge singlets neutrinos to explain the origin of tiny neutrino masses. The resulting model describes the lepton mass spectra and flavour mixing quite well for the case of the normal hierarchy of neutrino masses. The prediction of the model on the Dirac CP-violating phase is centered around $370.087^\circ$. Furthermore, using the allowed region for the model parameters, we have calculated the value of the effective Majorana neutrino mass, $\lvert\langle m_{ee}\rangle\rvert$, which characterizes neutrinoless double beta decay.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 3 table

Maternal determinants of low birth weight among Indian children: Evidence from the National Family Health Survey-4, 2015-16.

ObjectiveLow birth weight (LBW) is a serious public health problem in low- and middle-income countries and a leading cause of death in the first month of life. In India, about 18% of children are born with LBW (MethodsData were drawn from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-4), conducted in 2015-16. A cross-sectional study was designed using a stratified two-stage sampling technique. Cross-tabulation, Pearson's chi-squared test, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to assess the impact of maternal factors and other covariates on children's LBW.ResultsOf total participants (n = 147,762), 17.5% of children were found to be born with LBW. The study revealed that women who had prior experience of stillbirth (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.20, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38) and any sign of pregnancy complications (AOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.05-1.11) were more likely to have LBW children, even after adjusting for a range of covariates. Maternal food diversity was found to a protective factor against children's LBW. Women with underweight and anemic condition were associated with an increased likelihood of LBW children. Regarding maternity care, women who attended ≥4 ANC visits (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.80-0.88), took iron tablets/syrup during pregnancy (AOR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.90-0.98), and delivered in a public health facility (AOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.79-0.88) were less likely to have LBW babies. Besides, various socio-demographic factors such as place of residence, caste, religion, education, wealth quintile, and geographical region were significantly associated with LBW of children.ConclusionInterventions are needed for adequate ANC utilization, improvement in public facility-based delivery, providing iron supplementation, and uptake of balanced energy-protein diet among pregnant mothers. Besides, special attention should be given to the socio-economically disadvantaged women to address adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes including LBW

Photophysical properties of doped carbon dots (N, P, and B) and their influence on electron/hole transfer in carbon dots–nickel (II) phthalocyanine conjugates

Doping in carbon nanomaterial with various hetero atoms draws attention due to their tunable properties. Herein, we have synthesized nitrogen containing carbon dots [C-dots (N)], phosphorus co-doped nitrogen containing carbon dots [C-dots (N, P)], and boron co-doped nitrogen containing carbon dots [C-dots (N, B)]; and detailed elemental analysis has been unveiled by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Our emphasis is given to understand the effect of doping on the photophysical behavior of carbon dots by using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. Nitrogen containing carbon dots have quantum yield (QY) of 64.0% with an average decay time of 12.8 ns. Photophysical properties (radiative decay rate and average decay time) are found to be increased for phosphorus co-doping carbon dots due to extra electron incorporation for n-type doping (phosphorus dopant) to carbon dots which favors the radiative relaxation pathways. On the contrary, boron (p-type dopant) co-doping with nitrogen containing carbon dots favors the nonradiative electron–hole recombination pathways due to incorporation of excess hole; as a result QY, radiative rate, and average decay time are decreased. To understand the effect of doping on charge transfer phenomena, we have attached nickel (II) phthalocyanine on the surface of C-dots. It is seen that phosphorus co-doping carbon dots accelerates the electron transfer process from carbon dots to phthalocyanine. In contrast, after boron co-doping in carbon dots, the electron transfer process slows down and a simultaneous hole transfer process occurs

Photophysical Properties of Doped Carbon Dots (N, P, and B) and Their Influence on Electron/Hole Transfer in Carbon Dots–Nickel (II) Phthalocyanine Conjugates

Doping in carbon nanomaterial with various hetero atoms draws attention due to their tunable properties. Herein, we have synthesized nitrogen containing carbon dots [C-dots (N)], phosphorus co-doped nitrogen containing carbon dots [C-dots (N, P)], and boron co-doped nitrogen containing carbon dots [C-dots (N, B)]; and detailed elemental analysis has been unveiled by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements. Our emphasis is given to understand the effect of doping on the photophysical behavior of carbon dots by using steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy. Nitrogen containing carbon dots have quantum yield (QY) of 64.0% with an average decay time of 12.8 ns. Photophysical properties (radiative decay rate and average decay time) are found to be increased for phosphorus co-doping carbon dots due to extra electron incorporation for n-type doping (phosphorus dopant) to carbon dots which favors the radiative relaxation pathways. On the contrary, boron (p-type dopant) co-doping with nitrogen containing carbon dots favors the nonradiative electron–hole recombination pathways due to incorporation of excess hole; as a result QY, radiative rate, and average decay time are decreased. To understand the effect of doping on charge transfer phenomena, we have attached nickel (II) phthalocyanine on the surface of C-dots. It is seen that phosphorus co-doping carbon dots accelerates the electron transfer process from carbon dots to phthalocyanine. In contrast, after boron co-doping in carbon dots, the electron transfer process slows down and a simultaneous hole transfer process occurs

Self-Powered Broadband Photodetector using Plasmonic Titanium Nitride

We report the demonstration of plasmonic titanium nitride (TiN) for fabrication of an efficient hybrid photodetector. A novel synthesis method based on plasma nanotechnology is utilized for producing air stable plasma polymerized aniline-TiN (PPA-TiN) nanocomposite and its integration in photodetector geometry. The device performs as a self-powered detector that responds to ultraviolet and visible light at zero bias. The photodetector has the advantage of broadband absorption and outcomes an enhanced photoresponse including high responsivity and detectivity under low light conditions. This work opens up a new direction for plasmonic TiN-based hybrid nanocomposite and its exploitation in optoelectronic applications including imaging, light-wave communication and wire-free route for artificial vision