Two-loop QCD corrections to the MSSM Higgs masses beyond the effective-potential approximation

We compute the two-loop QCD corrections to the neutral Higgs-boson masses in the MSSM, including the effect of non-vanishing external momenta in the self-energies. We obtain corrections of O(alpha_t*alpha_s) and O(alpha*alpha_s), i.e., all two-loop corrections that involve the strong gauge coupling when the only non-vanishing Yukawa coupling is the top one. We adopt either the DRbar renormalization scheme or a mixed OS-DRbar scheme where the top/stop parameters are renormalized on-shell. We compare our results with those of earlier calculations, pointing out an inconsistency in a recent result obtained in the mixed OS-DRbar scheme. The numerical impact of the new corrections on the prediction for the lightest-scalar mass is moderate, but already comparable to the accuracy of the Higgs-mass measurement at the LHC.Comment: 22 pages, 5 pdf figures; v2: version to appear in EPJ

Botulinum toxin associated with fissurectomy and anoplasty for hypertonic chronic anal fissure: A case-control study

BACKGROUND Lateral internal sphincterotomy is still the approach of choice for the treatment of chronic anal fissure (CAF) with internal anal sphincter (IAS) hypertonia, but it is burdened by high-risk postoperative faecal incontinence (FI). Sphincter saving procedures have recently been reconsidered as treatments to overcome this risk. The most employed procedure is fissurectomy with anoplasty, eventually associated with pharmacological sphincterotomy. AIM To evaluate whether fissurectomy and anoplasty with botulinum toxin injection improves the results of fissurectomy and anoplasty alone. METHODS We conducted a case-control study involving 30 male patients affected by CAF with hypertonic IAS who underwent fissurectomy and anoplasty with V-Y cutaneous flap advancement. The patients were divided into two groups: Those in group I underwent surgery alone, and those in group II underwent surgery and a botulinum toxin injection directly into the IAS. They were followed up for at least 2 years. The goals were to achieve complete healing of the patient and to assess the FI and recurrence rate along with manometry parameters. RESULTS The intensity and duration of post-defecatory pain decreased significantly in both groups of patients starting with the first defecation, and this reduction was higher in group II. Forty days after surgery, we achieved complete wound healing in all the patients in group II but only in 80% of the patients in group I (P < 0.032). We recorded 2 cases of recurrence, one in each group, and both healed with conservative therapy. We recorded one temporary and low-grade postoperative case of “de novo” FI. Manometry parameters reverted to the normal range earlier for group II patients. CONCLUSION The injection of botulinum toxin A in association with fissurectomy and anoplasty with a V-Y advancement flap improves the results of surgery alone in patients affected by CAF with IAS hypertonia

Variety seeking behavior in the wine domain: A consumers segmentation using big data

This study investigates variety seeking behavior in the wine domain. Since variety seeking depends on brand strategies and consumers’ preferences for different types of vines and denominations, a bi-dimensional perspective is adopted. Two new variety seeking measures are defined, namely the Wine Index of Diversity and Brand Index of Diversity. A finite mixture regression model is implemented to identify and characterize groups of households sharing similar variety seeking behavior in a statistically representative sample of 8,313 Italian households. Four groups are identified based on consumer characteristics and their purchasing behavior. The largest group is “switchers,” which includes consumers showing a relatively higher wine diversity than brand diversity. Estimates reveal the “habitual” group, that lives in the southern Italy and consumes wine less frequently than all other groups. The “loyal” group includes the youngest consumers with an above average income, who reside in the northern regions. Finally, the “variety seekers” are older, have the highest incomes, and live in the central regions. This grouping provides insights into the effects of brand and wine typology on consumers’ choices

Fisurectomy and anoplasty with botulinum toxin injection in patients with chronic anal posterior fissure with hypertonia: a long-term evaluation

Chronic anal fissure\u2019s (CAF) etiopathogenesis remain unclear. CAF of the posterior commissure (CAPF) are often characterized by internal anal sphincter (IAS) hypertonia. The treatment of this disease aimed to reduce IAS hypertonia. Due to the high rate of anal incontinence after LIS, the employment of sphincter preserving surgical techniques associated to pharmacological sphincterotomy appears more sensible. The aim of our study is to evaluate the long-term results of fissurectomy and anoplasty with V\u2013Y cutaneous flap advancement associated to 30 UI of botulinum toxin injection for CAPF with IAS hypertonia. We enrolled 45 patients undergone to fissurectomy and anoplasty with V\u2013Y cutaneous flap advancement and 30 UI botulinum toxin injection. All patients were followed up for at least 5 years after the surgical procedure, with evaluation of anal continence, recurrence rate and MRP (Maximum resting pressure), MSP (Maximum restricting pressure), USWA (Ultrasound wave activity). All patients healed within 40 days after surgery. We observed 3 \u201cde novo\u201d post-operative anal incontinence cases, temporary and minor; the pre-operative ones have only temporary worsened after surgery. We reported 3 cases of recurrences, within 2 years from surgery, all healed after conservative medical therapy. At 5 year follow-up post-operative manometric findings were similar to those of healthy subjects. At 5 years after the surgical procedure, we achieved good results, and these evidences show that surgical section of the IAS is not at all necessary for the healing process of the CAPF