71 research outputs found
Large theta_13 from a model with broken L_e-L_mu-L_tau symmetry
Recent data in the neutrino sector point towards a relatively large value of
the reactor angle, incompatible with a vanishing theta_ 13 at about 3 sigma. In
order to explain such a result, we propose a SUSY model based on the broken
L_e-L_mu-L_tau symmetry, where large deviations from the symmetric limit
theta_12 = pi/4, tan(theta_23) \sim O(1) and theta_13 = 0 mainly come from the
charged lepton sector. We show that a description of all neutrino data is
possible if the charged lepton mass matrix has a special pattern of complex
matrix elements.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures. v2: comments and references added, as published
in JHE
The Impact of Flavour Changing Neutral Gauge Bosons on B->X_s gamma
The branching ratio of the rare decay B->X_s gamma provides potentially
strong constraints on models beyond the Standard Model. Considering a general
scenario with new heavy neutral gauge bosons, present in particular in Z' and
gauge flavour models, we point out two new contributions to the B->X_s gamma
decay. The first one originates from one-loop diagrams mediated by gauge bosons
and heavy exotic quarks with electric charge -1/3. The second contribution
stems from the QCD mixing of neutral current-current operators generated by
heavy neutral gauge bosons and the dipole operators responsible for the B->X_s
gamma decay. The latter mixing is calculated here for the first time. We
discuss general sum rules which have to be satisfied in any model of this type.
We emphasise that the neutral gauge bosons in question could also significantly
affect other fermion radiative decays as well as non-leptonic two-body B
decays, epsilon'/epsilon, anomalous (g-2)_mu and electric dipole moments.Comment: 31 pages, 5 figures; version published on JHEP; added magic QCD
numbers for flavour-violating Z gauge boson contribution to B -> X_s gamm
Discrete symmetries and models of flavor mixing
Evidences of a discrete symmetry behind the pattern of lepton mixing are
analyzed. The program of "symmetry building" is outlined. Generic features and
problems of realization of this program in consistent gauge models are
formulated. The key issues include the flavor symmetry breaking, connection of
mixing and masses, {\it ad hoc} prescription of flavor charges, "missing"
representations, existence of new particles, possible accidental character of
the TBM mixing. Various ways are considered to extend the leptonic symmetries
to the quark sector and to reconcile them with Grand Unification. In this
connection the quark-lepton complementarity could be a viable alternative to
TBM. Observational consequences of the symmetries and future experimental tests
of their existence are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures. Talk given at the Symposium "DISCRETE 2010", 6 -
11 December 2010, La Sapienza, Rome, Ital
Leptons in Holographic Composite Higgs Models with Non-Abelian Discrete Symmetries
We study leptons in holographic composite Higgs models, namely in models
possibly admitting a weakly coupled description in terms of five-dimensional
(5D) theories. We introduce two scenarios leading to Majorana or Dirac
neutrinos, based on the non-abelian discrete group which is
responsible for nearly tri-bimaximal lepton mixing. The smallness of neutrino
masses is naturally explained and normal/inverted mass ordering can be
accommodated. We analyze two specific 5D gauge-Higgs unification models in
warped space as concrete examples of our framework. Both models pass the
current bounds on Lepton Flavour Violation (LFV) processes. We pay special
attention to the effect of so called boundary kinetic terms that are the
dominant source of LFV. The model with Majorana neutrinos is compatible with a
Kaluza-Klein vector mass scale TeV, which is roughly the
lowest scale allowed by electroweak considerations. The model with Dirac
neutrinos, although not considerably constrained by LFV processes and data on
lepton mixing, suffers from a too large deviation of the neutrino coupling to
the boson from its Standard Model value, pushing TeV.Comment: 37 pages, 4 figures; v2: Note added in light of recent T2K and MINOS
results, figures updated with new limit from MEG, references added, various
minor improvements, matches JHEP published versio
Repressing Anarchy in Neutrino Mass Textures
The recent results that is relatively large, of the order of
the previous upper bound, and the indications of a sizable deviation of
from the maximal value are in agreement with the predictions of
Anarchy in the lepton sector. The quark and charged lepton hierarchies can then
be reproduced in a SU(5) GUT context by attributing non-vanishing
charges, different for each family, only to the SU(5) tenplet states. The fact
that the observed mass hierarchies are stronger for up quarks than for down
quarks and charged leptons supports this idea. As discussed in the past, in the
flexible context of , different patterns of charges can
be adopted going from Anarchy to various types of hierarchy. We revisit this
approach by also considering new models and we compare all versions to the
present data. As a result we confirm that, by relaxing the extreme ansatz of
equal charges for all SU(5) pentaplets and singlets, better
agreement with the data than for Anarchy is obtained without increasing the
model complexity. We also present the distributions obtained in the different
models for the Dirac CP-violating phase. Finally we discuss the relative merits
of these simple models.Comment: v1: 12 pages, 3 figures; v2: 13 pages, 3 figures, text improved,
matches version accepted for publication; v3: submitted to add an
acknowledgment to a networ
Towards Minimal S4 Lepton Flavor Model
We study lepton flavor models with the flavor symmetry. We construct
simple models with smaller numbers of flavon fields and free parameters, such
that we have predictions among lepton masses and mixing angles. The model with
a triplet flavon is not realistic, but we can construct realistic models
with two triplet flavons, or one triplet and one doublet flavons.Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, references are adde
Discrete Flavour Groups, \theta_13 and Lepton Flavour Violation
Discrete flavour groups have been studied in connection with special patterns
of neutrino mixing suggested by the data, such as Tri-Bimaximal mixing (groups
A4, S4...) or Bi-Maximal mixing (group S4...) etc. We review the predictions
for sin(\theta_13) in a number of these models and confront them with the
experimental measurements. We compare the performances of the different classes
of models in this respect. We then consider, in a supersymmetric framework, the
important implications of these flavour symmetries on lepton flavour violating
processes, like \mu -> e gamma and similar processes. We discuss how the
existing limits constrain these models, once their parameters are adjusted so
as to optimize the agreement with the measured values of the mixing angles. In
the simplified CMSSM context, adopted here just for indicative purposes, the
small tan(beta) range and heavy SUSY mass scales are favoured by lepton flavour
violating processes, which makes it even more difficult to reproduce the
reported muon g-2 discrepancy.Comment: 45 pages, 16 figures, 3 tables; V3 submitted to add an acknowledgment
to a Networ
Status Update and Interim Results from the Asymptomatic Carotid Surgery Trial-2 (ACST-2)
Objectives: ACST-2 is currently the largest trial ever conducted to compare carotid artery stenting (CAS) with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients with severe asymptomatic carotid stenosis requiring revascularization. Methods: Patients are entered into ACST-2 when revascularization is felt to be clearly indicated, when CEA and CAS are both possible, but where there is substantial uncertainty as to which is most appropriate. Trial surgeons and interventionalists are expected to use their usual techniques and CE-approved devices. We report baseline characteristics and blinded combined interim results for 30-day mortality and major morbidity for 986 patients in the ongoing trial up to September 2012. Results: A total of 986 patients (687 men, 299 women), mean age 68.7 years (SD ± 8.1) were randomized equally to CEA or CAS. Most (96%) had ipsilateral stenosis of 70-99% (median 80%) with contralateral stenoses of 50-99% in 30% and contralateral occlusion in 8%. Patients were on appropriate medical treatment. For 691 patients undergoing intervention with at least 1-month follow-up and Rankin scoring at 6 months for any stroke, the overall serious cardiovascular event rate of periprocedural (within 30 days) disabling stroke, fatal myocardial infarction, and death at 30 days was 1.0%. Conclusions: Early ACST-2 results suggest contemporary carotid intervention for asymptomatic stenosis has a low risk of serious morbidity and mortality, on par with other recent trials. The trial continues to recruit, to monitor periprocedural events and all types of stroke, aiming to randomize up to 5,000 patients to determine any differential outcomes between interventions. Clinical trial: ISRCTN21144362. © 2013 European Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
2021 Update of the International Council for Standardization in Haematology Recommendations for Laboratory Measurement of Direct Oral Anticoagulants
International audienceIn 2018, the International Council for Standardization in Haematology (ICSH) published a consensus document providing guidance for laboratories on measuring direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Since that publication, several significant changes related to DOACs have occurred, including the approval of a new DOAC by the Food and Drug Administration, betrixaban, and a specific DOAC reversal agent intended for use when the reversal of anticoagulation with apixaban or rivaroxaban is needed due to life-threatening or uncontrolled bleeding, andexanet alfa. In addition, this ICSH Working Party recognized areas where additional information was warranted, including patient population considerations and updates in point-of-care testing. The information in this manuscript supplements our previous ICSH DOAC laboratory guidance document. The recommendations provided are based on (1) information from peer-reviewed publications about laboratory measurement of DOACs, (2) contributing author's personal experience/expert opinion and (3) good laboratory practice
Second asymptomatic carotid surgery trial (ACST-2): a randomised comparison of carotid artery stenting versus carotid endarterectomy
Background: Among asymptomatic patients with severe carotid artery stenosis but no recent stroke or transient cerebral ischaemia, either carotid artery stenting (CAS) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can restore patency and reduce long-term stroke risks. However, from recent national registry data, each option causes about 1% procedural risk of disabling stroke or death. Comparison of their long-term protective effects requires large-scale randomised evidence. Methods: ACST-2 is an international multicentre randomised trial of CAS versus CEA among asymptomatic patients with severe stenosis thought to require intervention, interpreted with all other relevant trials. Patients were eligible if they had severe unilateral or bilateral carotid artery stenosis and both doctor and patient agreed that a carotid procedure should be undertaken, but they were substantially uncertain which one to choose. Patients were randomly allocated to CAS or CEA and followed up at 1 month and then annually, for a mean 5 years. Procedural events were those within 30 days of the intervention. Intention-to-treat analyses are provided. Analyses including procedural hazards use tabular methods. Analyses and meta-analyses of non-procedural strokes use Kaplan-Meier and log-rank methods. The trial is registered with the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN21144362. Findings: Between Jan 15, 2008, and Dec 31, 2020, 3625 patients in 130 centres were randomly allocated, 1811 to CAS and 1814 to CEA, with good compliance, good medical therapy and a mean 5 years of follow-up. Overall, 1% had disabling stroke or death procedurally (15 allocated to CAS and 18 to CEA) and 2% had non-disabling procedural stroke (48 allocated to CAS and 29 to CEA). Kaplan-Meier estimates of 5-year non-procedural stroke were 2·5% in each group for fatal or disabling stroke, and 5·3% with CAS versus 4·5% with CEA for any stroke (rate ratio [RR] 1·16, 95% CI 0·86–1·57; p=0·33). Combining RRs for any non-procedural stroke in all CAS versus CEA trials, the RR was similar in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients (overall RR 1·11, 95% CI 0·91–1·32; p=0·21). Interpretation: Serious complications are similarly uncommon after competent CAS and CEA, and the long-term effects of these two carotid artery procedures on fatal or disabling stroke are comparable. Funding: UK Medical Research Council and Health Technology Assessment Programme
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