Non-perturbative QCD effects in qTq_T spectra of Drell-Yan and ZZ-boson production

The factorization theorems for transverse momentum distributions of dilepton/boson production, recently formulated by Collins and Echevarria-Idilbi-Scimemi in terms of well-defined transverse momentum dependent distributions (TMDs), allows for a systematic and quantitative analysis of non-perturbative QCD effects of the cross sections involving these quantities. In this paper we perform a global fit using all current available data for Drell-Yan and $Z$-boson production at hadron colliders within this framework. The perturbative calculable pieces of our estimates are included using a complete resummation at next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic accuracy. Performing the matching of transverse momentum distributions onto the standard collinear parton distribution functions and recalling that the corresponding matching coefficient can be partially exponentiated, we find that this exponentiated part is spin-independent and resummable. We argue that the inclusion of higher order perturbative pieces is necessary when data from lower energy scales are analyzed. We consider non-perturbative corrections both to the intrinsic nucleon structure and to the evolution kernel and find that the non-perturbative part of the TMDs could be parametrized in terms of a minimal set of parameters (namely 2-3). When all corrections are included the global fit so performed gives a $\chi^2/{\rm d.o.f.} \lesssim 1$ and a very precise prediction for vector boson production at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).Comment: 24 pages, 11 figures. v2: new subsection added, discussion on the stability of the calculations and on higher order contributions improved, results unchange

Phenomenology of TMDs Using SCET

We present a global fit of current available data for Drell-Yan and Z-boson production using the Transverse Momentum Dependent evolution formalism of Refs. [1–4]. We performed our analysis including perturbative calculable contributions up to next-to-next-to-leading-logarithmic accuracy. We took into account non-perturbative corrections both to the intrinsic nucleon structure and to the evolution kernel

TMDs: Evolution, modeling, precision

The factorization theorem for $q_T$ spectra in Drell-Yan processes, boson production and semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering allows for the determination of the non-perturbative parts of transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions. Here we discuss the fit of Drell-Yan and $Z$-production data using the transverse momentum dependent formalism and the resummation of the evolution kernel. We find a good theoretical stability of the results and a final $\chi^2/{\rm points}\lesssim 1$. We show how the fixing of the non-perturbative pieces of the evolution can be used to make predictions at present and future colliders.Comment: 6 pages, 3 pdf figures, uses webofc.cls. Invited talk delivered by I. Scimemi at the Fourth International Workshop on "Transverse Polarisation Phenomena in Hard Processes" (Transversity 2014), Chia, Cagliari, Italy, June 9-13, 2014. To appear in EPJ Web of Conference

Plans for Hadronic Structure Studies at J-PARC

Hadron-physics projects at J-PARC are explained. The J-PARC is the most-intense hadron-beam facility in the multi-GeV high-energy region. By using secondary beams of kaons, pions, and others as well as the primary-beam proton, various hadron projects are planned. First, some of approved experiments are introduced on strangeness hadron physics and hadron-mass modifications in nuclear medium. Second, future possibilities are discussed on hadron-structure physics, including structure functions of hadrons, spin physics, and high-energy hadron reactions in nuclear medium. The second part is discussed in more details because this is an article in the hadron-structure session.Comment: 10 pages, LaTeX, 20 eps files, to be published in Journal of Physics: Conference Series (JPCS), Proceedings of the 24th International Nuclear Physics Conference (INPC 2010), Vancouver, Canada, July 4 - 9, 201

Physics at the front-end of a neutrino factory: a quantitative appraisal

We present a quantitative appraisal of the physics potential for neutrino experiments at the front-end of a muon storage ring. We estimate the forseeable accuracy in the determination of several interesting observables, and explore the consequences of these measurements. We discuss the extraction of individual quark and antiquark densities from polarized and unpolarized deep-inelastic scattering. In particular we study the implications for the undertanding of the nucleon spin structure. We assess the determination of alpha_s from scaling violation of structure functions, and from sum rules, and the determination of sin^2(theta_W) from elastic nu-e and deep-inelastic nu-p scattering. We then consider the production of charmed hadrons, and the measurement of their absolute branching ratios. We study the polarization of Lambda baryons produced in the current and target fragmentation regions. Finally, we discuss the sensitivity to physics beyond the Standard Model.Comment: 73+1 pages, 33 figs. Report of the nuDIS Working Group for the ECFA-CERN Neutrino-Factory study, M.L. Mangano (convener

Seedless hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods as a promising route for flexible tactile sensors

Hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods has been widely used for the development of tactile sensors, with the aid of ZnO seed layers, favoring the growth of dense and vertically aligned nanorods. However, seed layers represent an additional fabrication step in the sensor design. In this study, a seedless hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanorods was carried out on Au-coated Si and polyimide substrates. The effects of both the Au morphology and the growth temperature on the characteristics of the nanorods were investigated, finding that smaller Au grains produced tilted rods, while larger grains provided vertical rods. Highly dense and high-aspect-ratio nanorods with hexagonal prismatic shape were obtained at 75 °C and 85 °C, while pyramid-like rods were grown when the temperature was set to 95 °C. Finite-element simulations demonstrated that prismatic rods produce higher voltage responses than the pyramid-shaped ones. A tactile sensor, with an active area of 1 cm2, was fabricated on flexible polyimide substrate and embedding the nanorods forest in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix as a separation layer between the bottom and the top Au electrodes. The prototype showed clear responses upon applied loads of 2–4 N and vibrations over frequencies in the range of 20–800 Hz

The colour dipole approach to small-x processes

We explain why it is possible to formulate a wide variety of high energy (small-x) photon-proton processes in terms of a universal dipole cross section and compare and contrast various parameterizations of this function that exist in the literature.Comment: 6 pages, latex, 2 figures. Contribution to Durham Collider Workshop (Sept 99) proceeding

Robotic colorectal cancer surgery. How to reach expertise? a single surgeon-experience

The complexity associated with laparoscopic colorectal surgery requires several skills to overcome the technical difficulties related to this procedure. To overcome the technical challenges of laparoscopic surgery, a robotic approach has been introduced. Our study reports the surgical outcomes obtained by the transition from laparoscopic to robotic approach in colorectal cancer surgery to establish in which type of approach the proficiency is easier to reach. Data about the first consecutive 15 laparoscopic and the first 15 consecutive robotic cases are extracted, adopting as a comparator of proficiency the last 15 laparoscopic colorectal resections for cancer. The variables studied are operative time, number of harvested nodes, conversion rate, postoperative complications, recovery outcomes. Our analysis includes 15 patients per group. Our results show that operative time is significantly longer in the first 15 laparoscopic cases (p = 0.001). A significantly lower number of harvested nodes was retrieved in the first 15 laparoscopic cases (p = 0.003). Clavien Dindo I complication rate was higher in the first laparoscopic group, but without a significant difference among the three groups (p = 0.09). Our results show that the surgeon needed no apparent learning curve to reach their laparoscopic standards. However, further multicentric prospective studies are needed to confirm this conclusion

po 178 wdr5 promotes metastasis dissemination in breast cancer

Introduction The core subunit of the COMPASS-like complex, WD Repeat Domain 5 (WDR5) has a prominent role in cell self-renewal, reprogramming and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal transition (EMT) in different tumour types. We have identified WDR5 as an epigenetic target in in vivo and in vitro shRNA screenings performed in MCF10DCIS.com (from now MCF10DCIS) breast cancer (BC) cells. Here, we show that WDR5 can regulate metastasis dissemination in BC by stimulating TGFB-induced EMT. Material and methods MCF10DCIS and MDAMB231 cells and six metastatic PDXs were used for in vivo and in vitro studies. Cells were transduced to silence WDR5 (shWDR5) or a neutral control (shLuc). Transcriptomic profiles were evaluated by RNA-seq in shLuc and shWDR5 PDXs and MCF10DCIS cells. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using Log2FC>|0.6| and FDR t test for in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results and discussions WDR5 interference significantly inhibited tumour growth and in vitro migration of PDXs and MCF10DCIS cells and reduced metastatic burden of MDAMB231 cells in vivo . These data suggested that WDR5 may be involved in cell motility, promoting invasiveness and metastasis. Gene Ontology performed on DEGs highlighted an enrichment of functions related to EMT and TGFB signalling. Indeed, protein and mRNA levels of a series of gene implicated in EMT (e.g. SNAI1, TWIST1, CDH2, SNAI2, ZEB1) were strongly reduced in shWDR5 PDXs and MCF10DCIS cells, thus suggesting a regulatory role of WDR5 in EMT. H3K4me3 levels were globally affected and concordantly reduced at TSS level of SNAI1 and TWIST1 genes in shWDR5 MCF10DCIS cells, confirming that WDR5 can transcriptionally regulate EMT in BC. Moreover, the induction of EMT by TGFB treatment can be abrogated in WDR5-deficient cells, suggesting that the EMT induced by TGFB is WDR5-dependent. Conclusion Our evidences support a model in which WDR5 is responsible for mediating the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and metastasis dissemination in BC. WDR5 is essential for TGFB response and its inhibition may be a successful approach to prevent progression of metastatic BC