The Higgs Boson Mass in Split Supersymmetry at Two-Loops

The mass of the Higgs boson in the Split Supersymmetric Standard Model is calculated, including all one-loop threshold effects and the renormalization group evolution of the Higgs quartic coupling through two-loops. The two-loop corrections are very small (<<1 GeV), while the one-loop threshold corrections generally push the Higgs mass down several GeV.Comment: 17 pages. 4 figures. Improved discussion and notation. Corrected typos. Added references. Added plots. Main results unchange

Gravitational Scattering in the ADD-model Revisited

Gravitational scattering in the ADD-model is studied and it is argued that no cut-off is needed for the exchange of virtual Kaluza--Klein modes. By introduction of a small coordinate in the extra dimensions a unique form of the Kaluza--Klein-summed propagator is found for an odd number of extra dimensions. The matrix element corresponding to this propagator can also (as opposed to the cut-offed version) be Fourier transformed to position space, giving back the extra-dimensional version of Newton's law. For an even number of extra dimensions the propagator is found by requiring that Newton's law should be recovered

The confining string beyond the free-string approximation in the gauge dual of percolation

We simulate five different systems belonging to the universality class of the gauge dual of three-dimensional random percolation to study the underlying effective string theory at finite temperature. All the data for the finite temperature string tension, when expressed by means of adimensional variables, are nicely described by a unique scaling function. We calculate the first few terms of the string tension up to order $T^6$ and compare to different theoretical predictions. We obtain unambiguous evidence that the coefficients of $T^2$ and $T^4$ terms coincide with those of the Nambu-Goto string, as expected, while the $T^6$ term strongly differs and is characteristic of the universality class of this specific gauge theory.Comment: 13 pages, 3 figure

Production of Massive Fermions at Preheating and Leptogenesis

We present a complete computation of the inflaton decay into very massive fermions during preheating. We show that heavy fermions are produced very efficiently up to masses of order 10^{17}-10^{18} GeV; the accessible mass range is thus even broader than the one for heavy bosons. We apply our findings to the leptogenesis scenario, proposing a new version of it, in which the massive right-handed neutrinos, responsible for the generation of the baryon asymmetry, are produced during preheating. We also discuss other production mechanisms of right-handed neutrinos in the early Universe, identifying the neutrino mass parameters for which the observed baryon asymmetry is reproduced.Comment: 29 pages, 4 figure

Leptogenesis Scenarios via Non-Thermally Produced Right-handed Neutrino and Sneutrino in Supersymmetric Seesaw Model

We reconsidered leptogenesis scenario from right-handed (s)neutrino produced by the decay of inflaton. Besides the well-investigated case that the neutrino decays instantaneously after the production, leptogenesis is possible if neutrino decays after it dominates the universe. In the latter case, right-handed (s)neutrino can decay either while it is relativistic or after it becomes non-relativistic. Especially, the first case has not been discussed seriously in literatures. Resultant lepton asymmetry and constraints from the gravitino problem are studied in broad parameter region, including all cases of this scenario. It is also shown how this leptogenesis scenario depends on the parameters, the inflaton decay rate (the reheating temperature), the right-handed neutrino mass, the washout parameter, and the constraint from the gravitino problem. Leptogenesis from relativistic neutrino decay is interesting because both thermal and non-thermal gravitino problems can be relaxed.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figure

Guideline on management of the acute asthma attack in children by Italian Society of Pediatrics.

BACKGROUND: Acute asthma attack is a frequent condition in children. It is one of the most common reasons for emergency department (ED) visit and hospitalization. Appropriate care is fundamental, considering both the high prevalence of asthma in children, and its life-threatening risks. Italian Society of Pediatrics recently issued a guideline on the management of acute asthma attack in children over age 2, in ambulatory and emergency department settings. METHODS: The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was adopted. A literature search was performed using the Cochrane Library and Medline/PubMed databases, retrieving studies in English or Italian and including children over age 2 year. RESULTS: Inhaled ß2 agonists are the first line drugs for acute asthma attack in children. Ipratropium bromide should be added in moderate/severe attacks. Early use of systemic steroids is associated with reduced risk of ED visits and hospitalization. High doses of inhaled steroids should not replace systemic steroids. Aminophylline use should be avoided in mild/moderate attacks. Weak evidence supports its use in life-threatening attacks. Epinephrine should not be used in the treatment of acute asthma for its lower cost / benefit ratio, compared to β2 agonists. Intravenous magnesium solphate could be used in children with severe attacks and/or forced expiratory volume1 (FEV1) lower than 60% predicted, unresponsive to initial inhaled therapy. Heliox could be administered in life-threatening attacks. Leukotriene receptor antagonists are not recommended. CONCLUSIONS: This Guideline is expected to be a useful resource in managing acute asthma attacks in children over age 2