Exactly solvable Kitaev model in three dimensions

We introduce a spin-1/2 model in three dimensions which is a generalization of the well-known Kitaev model on a honeycomb lattice. Following Kitaev, we solve the model exactly by mapping it to a theory of non-interacting fermions in the background of a static Z_2 gauge field. The phase diagram consists of a gapped phase and a gapless one, similar to the two-dimensional case. Interestingly, unlike in the two-dimensional model, in the gapless phase the gap vanishes on a contour in the k space. Furthermore, we show that the flux excitations of the gauge field, due to some local constraints, form loop like structures; such loops exist on a lattice formed by the plaquettes in the original lattice and is topologically equivalent to the pyrochlore lattice. Finally, we derive a low-energy effective Hamiltonian that can be used to study the properties of the excitations in the gapped phase.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figures; published version; a new section and more references adde

The effects of enhanced Z penguins on lepton polarizations in B→Xsℓ+ℓ−B \to X_s \ell^+ \ell^-

The sensitivity of the $B \to \pi K$ mode to electroweak penguins and the recent experimental data for the $B \to \pi \pi$, $\pi K$ modes has given rise to what is known as the ``$B \to \pi K$ puzzle''. Recently it has been observed that this {\sl puzzle} can be resolved by considering the new physics which can enter via $Z^0$ penguins. In this note we analyze the effect of this enhanced $Z^0$ penguins on the lepton polarization asymmetries of $b \to s \ell^+ \ell^-$.Comment: Published versio

On the Mixtures of Weibull and Pareto (IV) Distribution: An Alternative to Pareto Distribution

Finite mixture models have provided a reasonable tool to model various types of observed phenomena, specially those which are random in nature. In this article, a finite mixture of Weibull and Pareto (IV) distribution is considered and studied. Some structural properties of the resulting model are discussed including estimation of the model parameters via expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. A real-life data application exhibits the fact that in certain situations, this mixture model might be a better alternative than the rival popular models

Three dimensional filamentary structures of a relativistic electron beam in Fast Ignition plasmas

The filamentary structures and associated electromagnetic fields of a relativistic electron beam have been studied by three dimensional particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations in the context of Fast Ignition fusion. The simulations explicitly include collisions in return plasma current and distinctly examine the effects of beam temperature and collisions on the growth of filamentary structures generated.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, submitted to Physics of Plasma

Early Identification of Alzheimer’s Disease Using Medical Imaging: A Review From a Machine Learning Approach Perspective

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in aged adults, affecting up to 70% of the dementia patients, and posing a serious public health hazard in the twenty-first century. AD is a progressive, irreversible and neuro-degenerative disease with a long pre-clinical period, affecting brain cells leading to memory loss, misperception, learning problems, and improper decisions. Given its significance, presently no treatment options are available, although disease advancement can be retarded through medication. Unfortunately, AD is diagnosed at a very later stage, after irreversible damages to the brain cells have occurred, when there is no scope to prevent further cognitive decline. The use of non-invasive neuroimaging procedures capable of detecting AD at preliminary stages is crucial for providing treatment retarding disease progression, and has stood as a promising area of research. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of papers employing machine learning to predict AD using neuroimaging data. Most of the studies employed brain images from Alzheimer’s disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) dataset, consisting of magnetic resonance image (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) images. The most widely used method, the support vector machine (SVM), has a mean accuracy of 75.4 percent, whereas convolutional neural networks(CNN) have a mean accuracy of 78.5 percent. Better classification accuracy has been achieved by combining MRI and PET, rather using single neuroimaging technique. Overall, more complicated models, like deep learning, paired with multimodal and multidimensional data (neuroimaging, cognitive, clinical, behavioral and genetic) produced superlative results. However, promising results have been achieved, still there is a room for performance improvement of the proposed methods, providing assistance to healthcare professionals and clinician

Religious faith and mental health outcomes

In this chapter we review recent research regarding the relationship between religious faith/spirituality and mental health outcomes, as well as provide directions for future research and discussion. The specific aspects of mental health and illness that we focus on include well-being, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and schizophrenia. We also briefly discuss research pertaining to religious faith and personality disorders, eating disorders, somatoform disorders, and bipolar disorder

Comparison between Adductor Pollicis and Orbicularis Oculi as Indicators of Adequacy of Muscle Relaxation for Tracheal Intubation Following Rocuronium Induced Neuromuscular Block: Randomized Comparative Clinical Trial

Background: The purpose of this study was to verify which muscle among the Adductor Pollicis (AP) and Orbicularis Oculi (OO) is a better predictor of optimal intubating condition after administration of Rocuronium.Methods: In this prospective, double blind, randomized study, 80 adult ASA –I and ASA – II undergoing general anaesthesia with tracheal intubation were allocated to two groups (n = 40) according to the reference muscle (AP or OO) used to determine the appropriate intubation time. Induction of anaesthesia was achieved with Inj Thiopentone 5mg/kg, Inj Fentanyl 2 mcg/kg and Inj Rocuronium 0.6mg/kg for muscle relaxation. Supramaximal Train Of Four (TOF–Guard acceleromyograph, neuro muscular monitor) stimulation of the ulnar nerve and facial nerve every 15 secs was used to monitor the neuromuscular block. After Train Of Four responses disappeared at Adductor Pollicis muscle or Orbicularis Oculi muscle, tracheal intubation and quality of intubation assessment was performed by an independent anaesthesiologist. Intubating conditions were scored on a Kreig et al scale.Results: Onset time at Orbicularis Oculi was significantly shorter than Adductor Pollicis muscle (P < 0.001), but adequate intubating condition were significantly increased in the Adductor Pollicis  (Excellent – 87.5%, Good – 12.5%, Poor – 0%) compared with Orbicularis Oculi (Excellent – 27.5%,Good – 45%,Poor – 27.5%) after a dose of 0.6mg/kg of Rocuronium (P < 0.001)Conclusion: After administration of Rocuronium, twitch monitoring at Orbicularis Oculi allows a faster intubation but is associated with an unacceptable incidence of inadequate intubating condition . Adequate intubating conditions were observed with Adductor Pollicis muscle. Hence Monitoring neuromuscular activity of the Adductor Pollicis using Train of Four to determine the appropriate tracheal intubation time and condition is more clinically relevant than monitoring the Orbicularis Oculi muscle

A STUDY ON DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN OF CEPHALOSPORINS IN GENERAL MEDICINE AND SURGICAL INPATIENT DEPARTMENT

Objective: Cephalosporins are a commonly used group of antibiotics in hospitals and healthcare facilities around the world. In the developed countries through the use of older cephalosporins is declining, that of the newer generations has increased. The objective of this study was to assess Drug Utilization Pattern of Cephalosporins in General Medicine and Surgical Inpatient Departments of tertiary care hospital.Methods: The data of enrolled patients were collected from case records of admitted inpatients during the study period. The collected data was assessed by statistical analysis using descriptive analysis.Results: A total of 110 inpatients were enrolled in the study. Out of 110 patients, males were 54.5% and females were 45.5%. The results analyzed that the prescriptions are more with third-generation cephalosporins than fourth-generation cephalosporins.Conclusion: The study concludes that 3rd generation cephalosporins is widely used for treating various nosocomial infections