Small-x one-particle-inclusive quantities in the CCFM approach

This article presents the results of a quantitative study of the small-x data at HERA, using the CCFM equation. The first step consists of choosing the version of the CCFM equation to be used, corresponding to selecting a particular subset of next-to-leading-logarithmic corrections --- the choice is constrained by requiring a phenomenologically reasonable small-x growth. For the time being, the parts of the splitting functions that are finite at z=0 have been left out. We then examine results for F_2^c, R, the transverse energy flow, the charged-particle transverse-momentum spectrum and the forward-jet cross section and compare to data. While some of the data is reproduced better than with DGLAP-based calculations, the agreement is not entirely satisfactory, suggesting that the approach developed here is not yet suitable for detailed phenomenology. We discuss why, and suggest directions for future work.Comment: 33 pages, 10 figures, uses cite.sty and JHEP.cls (both included). Version 2 includes additional and updated reference

Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction in Pediatric Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: Diagnostic and Management Concerns

background: multiple sclerosis (MS) is increasing in the pediatric population and, as in adults, symptoms vary among patients. in children the first manifestations can sometimes overlap with acute neurological symptoms. urological symptoms have not been much studied in childhood. we shared our experience with MS urological manifestation in children. methods: this article is a retrospective evaluation of all children with MS, according to the Krupp criteria, who also present with urological symptoms. we collected demographic and clinical history, the MR localization of demyelinating lesions, urological symptoms, and exams. results: we report on six MS pediatric cases with urological manifestation. urinary symptoms, characterized by urinary incontinence in five patients and urinary retention in one patient, appeared in a different time frame from MS diagnosis. urodynamic exams showed both overactive and underactive bladder patterns. treatment was defined according to lower urinary tract dysfunction, using clean intermittent catheterization, oxybutynin, and intradetrusor onabotulinum toxin-a injection. a low acceptance rate of invasive evaluation and urological management was observed. conclusions: the MS diagnosis was traumatic for all our patients. we believe it is important to address urological care in young people from the time of diagnosis for prompt management; it could be useful to include a pediatric urologist in multidisciplinary teams

Structure functions and angular ordering at small x

We compute the gluon distribution in deep inelastic scattering at small x by solving numerically the angular ordering evolution equation. The leading order contribution, obtained by neglecting angular ordering, satisfies the BFKL equation. Our aim is the analysis of the subleading corrections. Although not complete - the exact next-to-leading contribution is not yet available - these corrections are important since they come from the physical property of coherence of QCD radiation. In particular we discuss the subleading correction to the BFKL characteristic function and the gluon distribution's dependence on the maximum available angle. Conformal invariance of the BFKL equation is lost, however this is not enough to bring the small-x gluon distribution into the perturbative regime: although large momentum regions are enhanced by angular ordering, the small momentum regions are not fully suppressed. As a consequence, the gluon anomalous dimension is finite and tends to the BFKL value $\gamma=1/2$ for $\alpha_S \to 0$. The main physical differences with respect to the BFKL case are that angular ordering leads to 1) a larger gluon anomalous dimension, 2) less singular behaviour for $x \to 0$ and 3) reduced diffusion in transverse momentum.Comment: 22 pages LaTeX2e, including 7 eps figure

About incremental stability interest when analysing anti-windup control law performance

National audienc

Nonlinear performance of a PI controlled missile: an explanation

International audienc

Controller validation for a validated model set

International audienc

Improvement in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease severity is associated with a reduction in carotid intima-media thickness progression.

Background and aims: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) treatment may decrease liver fat in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), but uncertainty exists whether this treatment also decreases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in NAFLD. We tested whether 15–18 months n-3 PUFA [docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid] (Omacor/Lovaza, 4 g/day) vs placebo decreased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) progression, a surrogate marker of CVD risk. We also evaluated if improvement in markers of NAFLD severity was associated with decreased CIMT progression over time.Methods: In a pre-specified sub-study of the WELCOME (Wessex Evaluation of fatty Liver and Cardiovascular markers in NAFLD with OMacor thErapy) trial (NCT00760513), CIMT was measured using B-mode ultrasound while NAFLD severity was assessed by measuring liver fat percentage (magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and hepatic necro-inflammation (serum cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) concentration), at baseline and end of study.Results: 92 patients (age 51.5 ± 10.7 years, 57.6% men) completed the study. In the treatment group (n = 45), CIMT progressed by 0.012 mm (IQR 0.005–0.020 mm) compared to 0.015 mm (IQR 0.007–0.025 mm) in the placebo group (n = 47) (p = 0.17). Reduced CIMT progression in the entire cohort was independently associated with decreased liver fat (standardized ?-coefficient 0.32, p = 0.005), reduced CK-18 levels (standardized ?-coefficient 0.22, p = 0.04) and antihypertensive usage (standardized ?-coefficient ?0.31, p = 0.009) in multivariable regression analysis after adjusting for all potential confounders. Decreased weight (standardized ?-coefficient 0.30, p < 0.001) and increased DHA tissue enrichment during the 18-month study (standardized ?-coefficient ?0.19, p = 0.027) were both independently associated with decreased liver fat, but not with CK-18.Conclusion: Improvement in two markers of NAFLD severity is independently associated with reduced CIMT progression