Electroweak Multi-Higgs Production: A Smoking Gun for the Type-I Two-Higgs-Doublet Model

Extending the Higgs sector of the Standard Model (SM) by just one additional Higgs doublet field leads to the two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM). In the Type-I $Z_2$-symmetric limit of the 2HDM, all the five new physical Higgs states can be fairly light, $\mathcal{O}(100)$\,GeV or less, without being in conflict with current data from the direct Higgs boson searches and the $B$-physics measurements. In this article, we establish that the new neutral as well as the charged Higgs bosons in this model can all be simultaneously observable in the multi-$b$ final state. The statistical significance of the signature for each of these Higgs states, resulting from the electro-weak (EW) production of their pairs, can exceed 5$\sigma$ at the 13\,TeV High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). Since the parameter space configurations where this is achievable are precluded in the other, more extensively pursued, 2HDM Types, an experimental validation of our findings would be a clear indication that the true underlying Higgs sector in nature is the Type-I 2HDM.Comment: Final version to appear in Physical Review Letter

Spectroscopic overview of quercetin and its Cu(II) complex interaction with serum albumins

Introduction: Flavonoids are widely used as dietary supplements, and thus, play a significant role in the research field. In recent time, the interaction of flavonoid-metal complexes with serum albumin (SA) has widely been studied since the complexation poses a significant impact on biological activities. Additionally, the binding nature of flavonoids with SA gets modified in the presence of metal ions. Methods: In the present review, we studied the interaction of quercetin (Qu), a well-known flavonoid, and its Cu2+ complexes with SA to provide sufficient information about the beneficial role of metal-flavonoid complexes over free flavonoids. Results: Complexation with Cu(II) ion may alter the mode of binding of Qu with SAs. The strength of binding might be increased in the presence of Cu(II) as evidenced by the binding constant calculation. However, the drug binding site in bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) are not altered during the complexation process. Conclusion: To enhance the pharmaceutical outcomes of Qu molecules, one may use Qu-Cu(II) complex for the development and delivery of the small molecules

Detection of Secondary Metabolites Using HPTLC and GC-MS Analysis and Assessment of Pharmacological Activities of Phoenix loureiroi Kunth (Arecaceae) Ethanolic Leaves Extract in the Management of Pyrexia, Pain and Inflammation

The present research work was carried out the High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and assessment of pharmacological activities of Phoenix loureiroi Kunth (Arecaceae) ethanolic leaves extract at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, body weight, per os. Preliminary phytochemical screening, HPTLC and GC-MS studies were carried out according to the standard methods. The acute toxicity studies were conducted on Swiss albino mice as per Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guidelines 420. For the screening of analgesic activity, writhing test was conducted for peripheral analgesic activity whereas tail immersion test was conducted for central analgesic activity. Antipyretic activity was performed by using the yeast induced hyperpyrexia method and for the screening of anti-inflammatory activity carrageenan-induced rat paw edema method was used. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol extract of Phoenix loureiroi leaves (EEPLL) contains sterols, flavonoids, saponins, proteins, reducing sugar, tannins, and phenolic compounds. The HPTLC analysis method employed in this work resulted in good peak shape and enabled good resolution of quercetin present in the extract and GC-MS analysis showed a total of 25 peaks and led to the identification of 22 different phytoconstituents in the ethanolic extract. Lethal Dose 50 (LD50) was above 2,000 mg/kg and no death was recorded. The prevailing study demonstrated that EEPLL possesses widespread analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory effects in dose dependent manner. It can be concluded that the ethanolic extract from Phoenix loureiroi leaves possesses promising analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities

A Comprehensive Solution to Automated Inspection Device Selection Problems using ELECTRE Methods

Selection of an automated inspection device for an explicit industrial application is one of the most challenging problems in the current manufacturing environment. It has become more and more complicated due to increasing complexity, advanced features and facilities that are endlessly being integrated into the devices by different manufacturers. Selection of inspection devices plays a significant role in a manufacturing system for cost effectiveness and improved productivity. This paper focuses on the application of a very popular Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) tool, i.e. ELimination and Et Choice Translating REality (ELECTRE) for solving an automated inspection device selection problem in a discrete manufacturing environment. Using a sample case study from the published literature, this paper attempts to show how different variants of the ELECTRE method, namely ELECTRE II, IS, III, IV and TRI can be suitably applied in choosing the most efficient alternative that accounts for both the decision maker’s intervention and other technical elements. Using different ELECTRE methods, a list of all the possible choices from the best to the worst suitable devices is obtained while taking into account different selection attributes. The ranking performance of these methods is also compared with that of the past researchers

Water quality improvement of Penaeus monodon culture pond for higher productivity through biomediation

Intensive culturing of Penaeus monodon generates considerable amount of wastes leading to the deterioration of water quality, disease outbreaks and lower yields. Recently, the application of biocontrol agents were started in ponds in order to improve yield through bioremediation. Analytical investigation of a biocontrol product (PROFS), an extensively used product of Biostadt India Ltd. was performed to determine its accuracy and applicability. It was found that four different types of Bacillus species (69×10 9 cfu/g) were present in the product. Amylase, phytase and protease activities in the product were 3.078, 4.584 and 84.154 U/g, respectively. The biocontrol treatment was applied in the ponds five times during the cultivation (120 days) of P. monodon at a dose of 1 kg/ha. The amount of total ammonia, nitrate and nitrite of the treated ponds varied from 0.418 ± 0.039 to 0.079 ± 0.028 ppm, 0.029 ± 0.008 to 0.014 ± 0.004 ppm and 0.0127 ± 0.0008 to 0.0098 ± 0.00007 ppm, respectively, which were significantly lower than the values measured for untreated ponds. The product showed antimicrobial activity against Vibrio harveyi MTCC 7954 (inhibition zone: 4.89 mm) and Vibrio vulnificus MTCC 1145 (6.41 mm). Average body weight of shrimps in treated ponds was 33 ± 2.42 g, which was 39.5% higher than the values measured from control ponds. The Vibrio count was negligible (0.12×10 5 cfu/ml) and the survival rate was 93% in treated ponds

Ni-sinapic acid nanocomposite in the selective sensing of permanganate ions

A polyphenolic acid assisted synthesis of Ni nano particles for absorption spectrophotometric sensing of MnO4- ions in micro molar range is reported here. The synthesis was carried out using a green approach where sinapic acid acts as a capping agent. The synthesized nano particle was then characterized using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The particle size is around 5 to 10 nm with the presence of both porosity and nano crystallinity as obtained from the transmission electron microscopic analysis. This nano particle can selectively sense permanganate ions in presence of different co-existing ions with the limit of detection (LOD) 0.413 µM. The sensing mechanism was examined with the isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Isothermal titration calorimetric data suggests that the interaction between permanganate and the nano particle is enthalpy driven process with ΔH and ΔG values are −80 kcal/mol and −5.72 kcal/mol respectively. XPS data confirmed the presence of Ni(II) ions in the Ni-SA NPs and the atomic percentage of the same differed in presence of KMnO4. There was no significant interference from the contemporary ions and even in the presence of Mn2+ ion. The method has also been applied for the natural water samples and for vegetable. ∼ 88 to 108 % of the added KMnO4 could be recovered from the tap water sample using our prepared methodology. The limit of detection and the present technique are compared with the previously reported literature and have been found to be comparable, even in solvent-free conditions and using simple instrumentation

A NOVEL HYBRID METHOD FOR NON-TRADITIONAL MACHINING PROCESS SELECTION USING FACTOR RELATIONSHIP AND MULTI-ATTRIBUTIVE BORDER APPROXIMATION METHOD

Selection of the most appropriate non-traditional machining process (NTMP) for a definite machining requirement can be observed as a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) problem with conflicting criteria. This paper proposes a novel hybrid method encompassing factor relationship (FARE) and multi-attributive border approximation area comparison (MABAC) methods for selection and evaluation of NTMPs. The application of FARE method is pioneered in NTMP assessment domain to estimate criteria weights. It significantly condenses the problem of pairwise comparisons for estimating criteria weights in MCDM environment. In order to analyze and rank different NTMPs in accordance with their performance and technical properties, MABAC method is applied. Computational procedure of FARE-MABAC hybrid model is demonstrated while solving an NTMP selection problem for drilling cylindrical through holes on non-conductive ceramic materials. The results achieved by FARE-MABAC method exactly corroborate with those obtained by the past researchers which validate the usefulness of this method while solving complex NTMP selection problems

Home environment factors associated with early childhood development in rural areas of Bangladesh: evidence from a national survey

BackgroundKnowing the relationship between the factors related to home environment and early childhood development (ECD) in Bangladeshi children aged 3 to 4  years would help to find out appropriate interventions for the children with lower ECD outcomes. Therefore, we aimed to understand the relationship between the home environment factors and ECD in rural Bangladeshi children aged 3 to 4  years.MethodsWe used data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019, and included 7,326 rural children aged 3 to 4  years. The ECD index (ECDI) included four domains: literacy-numeracy, learning, physical and socio-emotional development. If a child met at least three of these four domains, the child was indicated as developmentally “on track”.ResultsThe findings show that 27.4% of rural children missed to reach developmentally on-track while 72.2% of children did not attain the literacy-numeracy domain of ECD. The home environment factors including parental participation in children’s activities, was found to be associated with ECD. For instance, reading books to child had 26% (aOR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.08–1.48), and telling stories to child had 29% (aOR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.09–1.53) more developmentally on-track in overall ECDI. Similar associations between home environment factors and specific ECD domains were also obtained. We also identified that children aged 4  years, girls, and children of mothers with higher socio-economic status (SES) were higher developmentally on-track than their counterparts.ConclusionHome environment factors like reading books and telling stories to children were found to be significantly associated with ECD in rural areas of Bangladesh. Our study’s findings would assist in implementing the essential public health intervention to enhance the ECD program especially in the rural Bangladeshi context

Quantification of Alectinib in spiked rabbit plasma using liquid chromatography- electro spray ionization-tandem mass spectrophotometry: An application to pharmacokinetic study

The current technique was developed to estimate the amount of alectinib present in spiked rabbit plasma using liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry. The liquid-liquid extraction method was used, and chromatographic separation was carried out on a C18 (4.6mm id x 50mm) analytical column with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water with 0.1% formic acid at a volume ratio of 75:25. Alectinib's product m/z +483.2 (parent) 396.1 (product) and the internal standard m/z +447.5 (parent) 380.3 (product) were both obtained using positive ion mode. The calibration curve was linear from 0.5 to 600 ng/ml. The percentage extraction recovery (98.15% → 98.86%), demonstrated excellent matrix and analyte selectivity (% interference = 0), and satisfactory stability study results in all types (% nominal 94.94% → 99.63%). The intra and interday accuracy with % nominal 97 → 98.8%, precision % CV ≤ 2% in all quality control levels. The rabbit model's pharmacokinetic parameters were examined, and alectinib's area under the curve (AUC 0—∞) was 4269 ± 8.13 hr.ng/ml. The half-life of elimination (t1/2) is 8.52 ± 6.66 hours. The currently established approach was used in rabbit blood samples for pharmacokinetic investigations of commercial formulations since it was thought to be a novel, verified bioanalytical method based on experimental results