Higgs Boson Mass From Orbifold GUTs

We consider a class of seven-dimensional N=1 supersymmetric orbifold GUTs in which the Standard Model (SM) gauge couplings and one of the Yukawa couplings (top quark, bottom quark or tau lepton) are unified, without low energy supersymmetry, at M_{GUT} \simeq 4 \times 10^{16} GeV. With gauge-top quark Yukawa coupling unification the SM Higgs boson mass is estimated to be 135 \pm 6 GeV, which increases to 144 \pm 4 GeV for gauge-bottom quark (or gauge-tau lepton) Yukawa coupling unification.Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures, 4 tables, Complete two-loop RGEs included, references added, version to appear in PR

Non-Canonical MSSM, Unification, And New Particles At The LHC

We consider non-canonical embeddings of the MSSM in high-dimensional orbifold GUTs based on the gauge symmetry SU(N), N=5,6,7,8. The hypercharge normalization factor k_Y can either have unique non-canonical values, such as 23/21 in a six-dimensional SU(7) model, or may lie in a (continuous) interval. Gauge coupling unification and gauge-Yukawa unification can be realized in these models by introducing new particles with masses in the TeV range which may be found at the LHC. In one such example there exist color singlet fractionally charged states.Comment: 1+25 pages, 5 figures. v2: Introduction revised, sections reordered, figure 4 correcte

Effects of Neutrino Inverse Seesaw Mechanism on the Sparticle Spectrum in CMSSM and NUHM2

We study the implications of the inverse seesaw mechanism (ISS) on the sparticle spectrum in the Constrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (CMSSM) and Non-Universal Higgs Model (NUHM2). Employing the maximal value of the Dirac Yukawa coupling involving the up type Higgs doublet provides a 2-3 GeV enhancement of the lightest CP-even Higgs boson mass. This effect permits one to have lighter colored sparticles in the CMSSM and NUHM2 scenarios with LSP neutralino, which can be tested at LHC14. We present a variety of LHC testable benchmark points with the desired LSP neutralino dark matter relic abundance.Comment: 18 pages, 10 figures and 2 table

SATL Based Lesson for Teaching Grignard Reagents in Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Synthesizing new products from raw materials has been very popular aspects of research in organic chemistry. Traditionally, Grignard reagent has been very vital component of such synthetic procedures. Hence learning of various issues concerning with applications of Grignard reactions in synthetic organic chemistry is vital for enhancing the students creative capability. In this paper we will illustrate the uses of SATL methodology, which is recently getting popular [1- 3], in an SATL-based model lesson concerning teaching and learning of synthetic organic reactions related to Grignard reagents

Neutrino Democracy, Fermion Mass Hierarchies And Proton Decay From 5D SU(5)

The explanation of various observed phenomena such as large angle neutrino oscillations, hierarchies of charged fermion masses and CKM mixings, and apparent baryon number conservation may have a common origin. We show how this could occur in 5D SUSY SU(5) supplemented by a ${\cal U}(1)$ flavor symmetry and additional matter supermultiplets called 'copies'. In addition, the proton decays into $p\to K\nu$, with an estimated lifetime of order $10^{33}-10^{36}$ yrs. Other decay channels include $Ke$ and $K\mu$ with comparable rates. We also expect that BR$(\mu \to e\gamma)\sim$BR$(\tau \to \mu \gamma)$

The Impact of Counter-terrorism Effectiveness on Economic Growth of Pakistan: An Econometric Analysis

Abstract The purpose of present study is to explore theoretically and empirically the impact of counterterrorism effectiveness on economic growth of Pakistan. The data for counter-terrorism components construct from GTD and data for growth variables gathered from WDI for the time 1980 to 2015. This study developed “negative binomial regression model” for investigating the magnitude and significance of counter-terrorism effectiveness. It also uses the ARDL bound test and causality analysis for examining the causal relationship between economic growth and counter-terrorism effectiveness. This study further identifies that there are three types of proactive strategies used by Government and military authorities to reduce violence: civilian policies, peace accords and military operations. The result shows that there are long term impacts of counter-terrorism policies on economic growth. The findings also imply that counter-terrorism strategies may not be able to restrict violence and incapacitate militant’s organization and their sleeper cell if it lacks strong political support. The present work is raw evidence for the effort level of authorities and their preemptive strategies that leads to the significant breakdown effect to curb terrorism across the country

Probing phospholipid microbubbles by atomic force microscopy to quantify bubble mechanics and nanostructural shell properties

Microbubbles (MBs), which are used as ultrasonic contrast agents, have distinct acoustic signatures which enable them to significantly enhance visualisation of the vasculature. Research is progressing to develop MBs which act as drug/gene delivery vehicles for site-specific therapeutics. In order to manufacture effective theranostic vehicles, it is imperative to understand the mechanical and nanostructural properties of these agents; this will enrich the understanding of how the structural, biophysical and chemical properties of these bubbles impact their functionality. We produced microfluidic phospholipid-based MBs due to their favourable properties, such as biocompatibility and echogenicity, as well as the ability to modify the shell for targeting applications. We have drawn upon atomic force microscopy to conduct force spectroscopy and tapping-mode imaging investigations. We have, for the first time to our knowledge, been able to accurately quantify the thickness and lipid configuration of phospholipid-shelled MBs - showing a trilayer as opposed to the conventional monolayer structure. Furthermore, we have measured MB stiffness and employed different mechanical theories to quantify the Young’s modulus. We show that the Reissner theory is inappropriate for mechanical characterisation of phospholipid MBs, however, the Hertz model does offer biologically relevant comparisons. Analysis using the Alexander-de Gennes polymer brush theory has allowed us to provide new information regarding how the thickness of the polyethylene glycol brushes, end-grafted to our phospholipid microbubbles, changes with diameter

SU(4)_c x SU(2)_L x SU(2)_R model from 5D SUSY SU(4)_c x SU(4)_{L+R}

We investigate supersymmetric $SU(4)_c\times SU(4)_{L+R}$ theory in 5 dimensions whose compactification on a $S^{(1)}/Z_2$ orbifold yields N=1 supersymmetric $SU(4)_c\times SU(2)_L\times SU(2)_R$ supplemented by a \tl{U}(1) gauge symmetry. We discuss how the $\mu$ problem is resolved, a realistic Yukawa sector achieved, and a stable proton realized. Neutrino masses and oscillations are also briefly discussed.Comment: Version to appear in Physical Review