W production at large transverse momentum at the Large Hadron Collider

We study the production of W bosons at large transverse momentum in pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We calculate the complete next-to-leading order (NLO) corrections to the differential cross section. We find that the NLO corrections provide a large increase to the cross section but, surprisingly, do not reduce the scale dependence relative to leading order (LO). We also calculate next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNLO) soft-gluon corrections and find that, although they are small, they significantly reduce the scale dependence thus providing a more stable theoretical prediction.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figure

On the Moat-Penumbra Relation

Proper motions in a sunspot group with a delta-configuration and close to the solar disc center have been studied by employing local correlation tracking techniques. The analysis is based on more than one hour time series of G-band images. Radial outflows with a mean speed of 0.67 km s^{-1} have been detected around the spots, the well-known sunspots moats. However, these outflows are not found in those umbral core sides without penumbra. Moreover, moat flows are only found in those sides of penumbrae located in the direction marked by the penumbral filaments. Penumbral sides perpendicular to them show no moat flow. These results strongly suggest a relation between the moat flow and the well-known, filament aligned, Evershed flow. The standard picture of a moat flow originated from a blocking of the upward propagation of heat is commented in some detail.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, To appear in ApJ Letter

Phase diversity restoration of sunspot images I. Relations between penumbral and photospheric features

We investigate the dynamics of and the relations between small-scale penumbral and photospheric features near the outer penumbral boundary: penumbral grains (PGs), dark penumbral fibrils, granules, and photospheric G-band bright points. The analysis is based on a 2 h time sequence of a sunspot close to disc center, taken simultaneously in the G-band and in the blue continuum at 450.7 nm. Observations were performed at the Swedish Vacuum Solar Telescope (La Palma) in July 1999. A total of 2564 images (46 arcsec x 75 arcsec) were corrected for telescope aberrations and turbulence perturbations by applying the inversion method of phase diversity. Our findings can by summarized as follows: (a) One third of the outward-moving PGs pass through the outer penumbral boundary and then either continue moving as small bright features or expand and develop into granules. (b) Former PGs and G-band bright points next to the spot reveal a different nature. The latter have not been identified as a continuation of PGs escaping from the penumbra. The G-band bright points are mostly born close to dark penumbral fibrils where the magnetic field is strong, whereas PGs stem from the less-magnetized penumbral component and evolve presumably to non-magnetic granules or small bright features.Comment: Accepted by A&A, 9 pages and 5 figure

On production and asymmetric focusing of flat electron beams using rectangular capillary discharge plasmas

A method for the asymmetric focusing of electron bunches, based on the active plasma lensing technique is proposed. This method takes advantage of the strong inhomogeneous magnetic field generated inside the capillary discharge plasma to focus the ultrarelativistic electrons. The plasma and magnetic field parameters inside the capillary discharge are described theoretically and modeled with dissipative magnetohydrodynamic computer simulations enabling analysis of the capillaries of rectangle cross-sections. Large aspect ratio rectangular capillaries might be used to transport electron beams with high emittance asymmetries, as well as assist in forming spatially flat electron bunches for final focusing before the interaction point.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figures, 1 tabl

Laser beam coupling with capillary discharge plasma for laser wakefield acceleration applications

One of the most robust methods, demonstrated up to date, of accelerating electron beams by laser-plasma sources is the utilization of plasma channels generated by the capillary discharges. These channels, i.e., plasma columns with a minimum density along the laser pulse propagation axis, may optically guide short laser pulses, thereby increasing the acceleration length, leading to a more efficient electron acceleration. Although the spatial structure of the installation is simple in principle, there may be some important effects caused by the open ends of the capillary, by the supplying channels etc., which require a detailed 3D modeling of the processes taking place in order to get a detailed understanding and improve the operation. However, the discharge plasma, being one of the most crucial components of the laser-plasma accelerator, is not simulated with the accuracy and resolution required to advance this promising technology. In the present work, such simulations are performed using the code MARPLE. First, the process of the capillary filling with a cold hydrogen before the discharge is fired, through the side supply channels is simulated. The main goal of this simulation is to get a spatial distribution of the filling gas in the region near the open ends of the capillary. A realistic geometry is used for this and the next stage simulations, including the insulators, the supplying channels as well as the electrodes. Second, the simulation of the capillary discharge is performed with the goal to obtain a time-dependent spatial distribution of the electron density near the open ends of the capillary as well as inside the capillary. Finally, to evaluate effectiveness of the beam coupling with the channeling plasma wave guide and electron acceleration, modeling of laser-plasma interaction was performed with the code INF&RNOComment: 11 pages, 9 figure

Looking for CP Violation in W Production and Decay

We describe CP violating observables in resonant $W^\pm$ and $W^\pm$ plus one jet production at the Tevatron. We present simple examples of CP violating effective operators, consistent with the symmetries of the Standard Model, which would give rise to these observables. We find that CP violating effects coming from new physics at the $TeV$ scale could in principle be observable at the Tevatron with $10^6$ $W^\pm$ decays.Comment: 15 pgs with standard LATEX, 7 ps figures embedded with eps

An easy way to solve two-loop vertex integrals

Negative dimensional integration is a step further dimensional regularization ideas. In this approach, based on the principle of analytic continuation, Feynman integrals are polynomial ones and for this reason very simple to handle, contrary to the usual parametric ones. The result of the integral worked out in $D<0$ must be analytically continued again --- of course --- to real physical world, $D>0$, and this step presents no difficulties. We consider four two-loop three-point vertex diagrams with arbitrary exponents of propagators and dimension. These original results give the correct well-known particular cases where the exponents of propagators are equal to unity.Comment: 13 pages, LaTeX, 4 figures, misprints correcte

A photometric redshift of z=1.8−0.3+0.4z=1.8^{+0.4}_{-0.3} for the \agile GRB 080514B

Aims: The AGILE gamma-ray burst GRB 080514B is the first burst with detected emission above 30 MeV and an optical afterglow. However, no spectroscopic redshift for this burst is known. Methods: We compiled ground-based photometric optical/NIR and millimeter data from several observatories, including the multi-channel imager GROND, as well as ultraviolet \swift UVOT and X-ray XRT observations. The spectral energy distribution of the optical/NIR afterglow shows a sharp drop in the \swift UVOT UV filters that can be utilized for the estimation of a redshift. Results: Fitting the SED from the \swift UVOT $uvw2$ band to the $H$ band, we estimate a photometric redshift of $z=1.8^{+0.4}_{-0.3}$, consistent with the pseudo redshift reported by Pelangeon & Atteia (2008) based on the gamma-ray data. Conclusions: The afterglow properties of GRB 080514B do not differ from those exhibited by the global sample of long bursts, supporting the view that afterglow properties are basically independent of prompt emission properties.Comment: submitted to A&A letter

Two-loop three-gluon vertex in zero-momentum limit

The two-loop three-gluon vertex is calculated in an arbitrary covariant gauge, in the limit when one of the external momenta vanishes. The differential Ward-Slavnov-Taylor (WST) identity related to this limit is discussed, and the relevant results for the ghost-gluon vertex and two-point functions are obtained. Together with the differential WST identity, they provide another independent way for calculating the three-gluon vertex. The renormalization of the results obtained is also presented.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, including 4 figures, uses eps

Evaluation of Esophageal Motility Utilizing the Functional Lumen Imaging Probe

© 2016 by the American College of Gastroenterology. Objectives:Esophagogastric junction (EGJ) distensibility and distension-mediated peristalsis can be assessed with the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) during a sedated upper endoscopy. We aimed to describe esophageal motility assessment using FLIP topography in patients presenting with dysphagia.Methods:In all, 145 patients (aged 18-85 years, 54% female) with dysphagia that completed up per endoscopy with a 16-cm FLIP assembly and high-resolution manometry (HRM) were included. HRM was analyzed according to the Chicago Classification of esophageal motility disorders; major esophageal motility disorders were considered "abnormal". FLIP studies were analyzed using a customized program to calculate the EGJ-distensibility index (DI) and generate FLIP topography plots to identify esophageal contractility patterns. FLIP topography was considered "abnormal" if EGJ-DI was < 2.8 mm 2 /mm Hg or contractility pattern demonstrated absent contractility or repetitive, retrograde contractions.Results:HRM was abnormal in 111 (77%) patients: 70 achalasia (19 type I, 39 type II, and 12 type III), 38 EGJ outflow obstruction, and three jackhammer esophagus. FLIP topography was abnormal in 106 (95%) of these patients, including all 70 achalasia patients. HRM was "normal" in 34 (23%) patients: five ineffective esophageal motility and 29 normal motility. In all, 17 (50%) had abnormal FLIP topography including 13 (37%) with abnormal EGJ-DI.Conclusions:FLIP topography provides a well-tolerated method for esophageal motility assessment (especially to identify achalasia) at the time of upper endoscopy. FLIP topography findings that are discordant with HRM may indicate otherwise undetected abnormalities of esophageal function, thus FLIP provides an alternative and complementary method to HRM for evaluation of non-obstructive dysphagia.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex