Search for new particles in events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for new particles produced at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at root s = 13 TeV, using events with energetic jets and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 101 fb(-1), collected in 2017-2018 with the CMS detector. Machine learning techniques are used to define separate categories for events with narrow jets from initial-state radiation and events with large-radius jets consistent with a hadronic decay of a W or Z boson. A statistical combination is made with an earlier search based on a data sample of 36 fb(-1), collected in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed with respect to the standard model background expectation determined from control samples in data. The results are interpreted in terms of limits on the branching fraction of an invisible decay of the Higgs boson, as well as constraints on simplified models of dark matter, on first-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to quarks and neutrinos, and on models with large extra dimensions. Several of the new limits, specifically for spin-1 dark matter mediators, pseudoscalar mediators, colored mediators, and leptoquarks, are the most restrictive to date.Peer reviewe

Probing effective field theory operators in the associated production of top quarks with a Z boson in multilepton final states at root s=13 TeV

Peer reviewe

Applying genetic algorithm to adversary emulation

Questa tesi valuta la fattibilità e l'efficacia di sfruttare un algoritmo genetico per scoprire e apprendere un insieme di regole che definiscono la migliore strategia per attaccare qualsiasi sistema informatico. L'apprendimento sfrutta sfrutta tecniche di adversay emulation per valutare insiemi distinti di regole per agire sul sistema target. SI vuole anche valutare la possibilità di generalizzare le regole per individuare il miglior insieme di regole per attaccare sistemi distinti. Se la generalizzazione ha successo, viene definito un insieme di regole che un utente malintenzionato può applicare per attaccare un qualsiasi sistema ed ottenere i diritti su qualunque modulo del sistema target. Per verificare la possibilità sia dell’utilizzo di un algoritmo genetico che la generalizzazione abbiamo creato un sistema di apprendimento basato su un algoritmo genetico applicato ad un sistema basato su regole per automatizzare l'emulazione degli attacchi di rete. È stato implementato un sistema prototipo per valutare le prestazioni delle soluzioni proposte. L'evidenza sperimentale suggerisce che, utilizzando uno strumento di emulazione automatizzato, è possibile apprendere il modo migliore per attaccare una rete. Tuttavia, sorgono diversi problemi quando si tenta di trasferire ad una rete distinta le conoscenze acquisite nell'attacco ad una rete. This thesis aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing a genetic algorithm to discover and learn a set of rules that define the best strategy to attack any system. The learning exploits adversary emulation to evaluate distinct sets of rules to act on a system. Then, the best set of rules is applied to attack distinct systems. The result will be a set of actions an attacker may take to gain rights on a target device in any network. We have created a system which exploits a genetic algorithm and a rule based system to automate the emulation of network attacks. A prototype system has been implemented to assess the performance of the proposed solutions. Experimental evidence suggests that, by using an automated emulation tool, it is possible to learn the best way of attacking a network. However, several issues arise when transferring to a distinct network of the knowledge acquired by learning how to attack a given one

Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus: is it feasible?

The increasing global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) requires the implementation of preventive strategies to halt this trend, tailored to the specific needs of individual regions. Risk factors for T2DM are among the main targets for improving health outcomes and curbing the development of diabetes; excessive weight and obesity are two of the most important risk factors that need to be addressed. A growing body of evidence suggests that subjects with pre-diabetes who lose body weight and increase physical activity can delay or prevent the onset of T2DM, and in some cases, blood glucose levels may return to normal. Several studies have shown that moderate to intensive levels of exercise are effective in reducing both intra-abdominal and total adiposity among obese subjects, both improving cardiovascular risk profile and reducing the risk of T2DM development. These consistent observations have given rise to large-scale randomized controlled trials that use lifestyle intervention (including behavioural strategies for the reinforcement of prescribed changes in nutritional intake, physical activity or both), with or without pharmacological treatment, in populations at high risk of developing T2DM. In this review, large-scale national trials that have focused on the prevention of T2DM are critically evaluated. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Clinical Update on the Use of Immuno Modulators (antiCD3, GAD, Diapep277, Anti-IL1) in Type 1 Diabetes

In type 1 diabetes, beta cells are attacked and destroyed by auto reactive T cells causing major impairment of blood glucose metabolism and, ultimately, the development of life-threatening complications. Currently, the treatment of this chronic disease is based on the use of endogenous insulin and no curative therapies are available. Treatment approaches in this respect need to be directed toward the primary causes of the disease tackling beta cells' auto reactive T cells. The goal of any curative intervention in type 1 diabetes is the preservation of insulin-secreting cells. This may be achieved by the abrogation of the pathogenic reactivity to beta cell auto antigens while preserving full capacity to generate a normal immune response against foreign antigens. In this review, some of the most promising drugs for immune intervention in type 1 diabetes are presented and discussed including phase 3 clinical trials that involve: DiaPep277, Anti-CD3 Otelixizumab, Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase ( GAD) and anti-IL1 receptor antagonist. These approaches are currently being tested in international multicenter trials and all of them have a very similar outcome in terms of a beneficial effect on beta cells

Novel HSPG2 Gene Mutation Causing Schwartz–Jampel Syndrome in a Moroccan Family: A Literature Review

Schwartz–Jampel syndrome type 1 (SJS1) is a rare autosomal recessive musculoskeletal disorder caused by various mutations in the HSPG2 gene encoding the protein perlecan, a major component of basement membranes. We report a novel splice mutation HSPG2(NM_005529.7):c.3888 + 1G > A and a known point mutation HSPG2(NM_005529.7):c.8464G > A, leading to the skipping of exon 31 and 64 in mRNA, respectively, in a Moroccan child with clinical features suggestive of SJS1 and carrying two compound heterozygous mutations in the HSPG2 gene detected by next-generation sequencing. Both parents harboured one mutation. Real-time and immunostaining analysis revealed down-regulation of the HSPG2 gene and a mild reduction in the protein in the muscle, respectively. We reviewed all genetically characterized SJS1 cases reported in literature, confirming the clinical hallmarks and unspecific instrumental data in our case. The genotype–phenotype correlation is very challenging in SJS1. Therapy is mainly focused on symptom management and several drugs have been administered with different efficacy.Here, we report the second case with spontaneous improvement

Studio della produzione di 2,4,6-tricloroanisolo da parte di muffe isolate da sughero e da uve e sviluppate in presenza di 2,4,6-tricloroanisolo

Nei vini, il gusto e l’odore di muffa sono tra le principali cause di contestazione sia per degustatori esperti, sia per semplici consumatori. Questo difetto, definito anche “gusto di tappo”, viene fatto risalire principalmente al tappo di sughero; nella maggior parte deicasi la sostanza responsabile è il 2,4,6-tricloroanisolo (TCA), che si può formare dal 2,4,6-triclorofenolo (TCP) mediante un processo di metilazione ad opera di funghi filamentosi. È quindi importante valutare la capacità dei funghi presenti sul sughero di produrre TCA a partire da TCP. Per condurre lo studio, sono stati considerati sette ceppi fungini, isolati dal sughero e appartenenti ai generi Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma e Chrysonilia; è stato anche utilizzato un ceppo di Botrytis cinerea, isolato da uve. Tutti i ceppi hanno mostrano, anche se a livelli differenti, la capacità di trasformare il TCP e di produrre TCA sia su mezzo sintetico, sia su sughero addizionati di TCP, eccetto Chrysonilia, che non ha prodotto TCA. Durante lo sviluppo su sughero in presenza di TCP, Aspergillus e Botrytis cinerea hanno presentato i livelli più alti di formazione di TCA. Dal momento che Botrytis è facilmente riscontrabile negli ambienti di cantina e sulle uve, questa capacità potrebbe in parte spiegare la presenza di gusto di tappo anche in vini non ancora imbottigliatiCork taint, usually perceived as a mouldy off-flavour, is one of most serious problems for the wine and cork industries because it causes financial loss every year and occasionally damages the reputation of the wine industry. 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) is considered the primary compound responsible for cork taint; its precursor is the 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP), which may be present in cork and transformed in TCA by a biomethylation process in presence of some filamentous fungi. Therefore it is important to study the ability of the fungi present on cork to perform this transformation. Some fungal strains were studied: seven of them were isolated from cork, belonging to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Chrysonilia and one, Botrytis cinerea, from grapes. All, except Chrysonilia, produced TCA, when grown directly on cork or synthetic medium in the presence of TCP, Aspergillus and Botrytis cinerea being the ones with the highest level of production. Until now there were not any data concerning the ability of Botrytis cinerea to transform TCP into TCA; this microorganism is often present on grapes and in the winery environment, so this new result can partially explain the cork taint in wine not yet bottled

Transformation ability of fungi isolated from cork and grape to produce 2,4,6-trichloreanisole from 2,4,6-trichlorophenol

The ability of eight fungal strains to transform 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) to 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) was studied. These fungi were isolated from cork, belonging to the genera Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma and Chrysonilia, and from grapes Botrytis cinerea. All, except Chrysonilia, produced TCA when grown directly on cork in the presence of TCP, Aspergillus and Botrytis cinerea being the ones with the highest level of production. It is the first time that Botrytis cinerea, a microorganism often present on grapes and in winery environments, has been shown to transform TCP into TCA. This result can partially explain the wine cork taint before being bottled

Capacidad de hongos aislados de corcho y de Botrytis cinerea para transfomar 2,4,6-trichlorofenol en 2,4,6-trichloroanisol

En los vinos, los olores con car\ue1cter mohoso son uno de los defectos organol\ue9pticos m\ue1s desagradables y son severamente juzgados tanto por los catadores expertos como por los consumidores. Dicho olor se conoce con el t\ue9rmino de \u201csabor a corcho\u201d debido a que, tradicionalmente, el tap\uf3n de corcho ha sido considerado como la fuente de contaminaci\uf3n de haloanisoles en vinos, compuestos que aparecen con m\ue1s frecuencia en los vinos con este defecto. El 2,4,6-tricloroanisol (TCA) es el principal responsable de este defecto y tiene como precursor mas inmediato al 2,4,6-triclorofenol (TCP), el cual puede ser transformado en TCA por procesos de biometilaci\uf3n realizados por hongos. Por ello, es importante conocer si los microorganismos presentes en corcho pueden producir TCA a partir del TCP presente en el mismo. Para comprobar esta capacidad se han aislado de corchos siete cepas de hongos de los g\ue9neros Penicillium, Aspergillus, Trichoderma y Chrysonilia y tambi\ue9n se ha incluido una cepa de Botrytis cinerea procedente de la uva. Cuatro de ellos produjeron TCA cuando crec\uedan directamente en el corcho en presencia de TCP, pero Aspergillus y Botrytis cinerea presentaron los niveles m\ue1s elevados de formaci\uf3n de TCA. Hasta ahora, la bibliograf\ueda no recoge ninguna informaci\uf3n sobre la capacidad de Botrytis cinerea para transformar TCP en TCA, y puesto que este hongo est\ue1 presente frecuentemente en las uvas y en el ambiente de la bodega, esta actividad podr\ueda explicar parcialmente el defecto del \u201csabor a corcho\u201d en el vino antes de ser embotellado