Discriminating between SUSY and Non-SUSY Higgs Sectors through the Ratio H→bbˉ/H→τ+τ−H \to b \bar b / H \to \tau^+ \tau^- with a 125 GeV Higgs boson

It is still an open question whether the new scalar particle discovered at the LHC with a mass of 125 GeV is the SM Higgs boson or it belongs to models of new physics with an extended Higgs sector, as the MSSM or 2HDM. The ratio of branching fractions $R$ = BR($H \to b \bar b$)/BR($H \to \tau^+ \tau^-$) of Higgs boson decays is a powerful tool in order to distinguish the MSSM Higgs sector from the SM or non-supersymmetric 2HDM. This ratio receives large renormalization-scheme independent radiative corrections in supersymmetric models at large $\tan\beta$, which are insensitive to the SUSY mass scale and absent in the SM or 2HDM. Making use of the current LHC data and the upcoming new results on Higgs couplings to be reported by ATLAS and CMS collaborations and in a future linear collider, we develop a detailed and updated study of this ratio $R$ which improves previous analyses and sets the level of accuracy needed to discriminate between models.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

A new cell primo-culture method for freshwater benthic diatom communities

A new cell primo-culture method was developed for the benthic diatom community isolated from biofilm sampled in rivers. The approach comprised three steps: (1) scraping biofilm from river pebbles, (2) diatom isolation from biofilm, and (3) diatom community culture. With a view to designing a method able to stimulate the growth of diatoms, to limit the development of other microorganisms, and to maintain in culture a community similar to the original natural one, different factors were tested in step 3: cell culture medium (Chu No 10 vs Freshwater “WC” medium modified), cell culture vessel, and time of culture. The results showed that using Chu No 10 medium in an Erlenmeyer flask for cell culture was the optimal method, producing enough biomass for ecotoxicological tests as well as minimising development of other microorganisms. After 96 h of culture, communities differed from the original communities sampled in the two rivers studied. Species tolerant of eutrophic or saprobic conditions were favoured during culture. This method of diatom community culture affords the opportunity to assess, in vitro, the effects of different chemicals or effluents (water samples andindustrial effluents) on diatom communities, as well as on diatom cells, from a wide range of perspectives

Discriminating between SUSY and non-SUSY Higgs sectors through the ratio H→bb¯/H→τ+τ−with a 125 GeV Higgs boson

It is still an open question whether the new scalar particle discovered at the LHC with a mass of 125 GeV is the SM Higgs boson or belongs to models of new physics with an extended Higgs sector, as the MSSM or 2HDM. The ratio of branching fractions R = BR(H→bb¯)/BR(H→τ+τ−) of Higgs-boson decays is a powerful tool in distinguishing the MSSM Higgs sector from the SM or non-supersymmetric 2HDM. This ratio receives large renormalization-scheme independent radiative corrections in supersymmetric models at large tanβ, which are insensitive to the SUSY mass scale and absent in the SM or 2HDM. Making use of the current LHC data and the upcoming new results on Higgs couplings to be reported by ATLAS and CMS collaborations and in a future linear collider, we develop a detailed and updated study of this ratio R which improves previous analyses and sets the level of accuracy needed to discriminate between models

Supersymmetry Tests from a Combined Analysis of Chargino and Charged Higgs Boson Pair Production at a 1 TeV Linear Collider

We consider the production of chargino and charged Higgs boson pairs at future linear colliders for c.m. energies in the one TeV range. Working in the MSSM under the assumption of a "moderately" light SUSY scenario, we compute the leading (double) and next-to leading (linear) supersymmetric logarithmic terms of the so-called "Sudakov expansion" at one loop. We show that a combined analysis of the slopes of the chargino and of the charged Higgs production cross sections would offer a simple possibility for determining $\tan\beta$ for large ($\gtrsim 10$) values and an allowed strip in the ($M_2,\mu$) plane. This could provide a strong consistency test of the considered supersymmetric model.Comment: 4 pages, 4 Encapsulated PostScript Figure

Premature atrial contractions: A predictor of atrial fibrillation and a relevant marker of atrial cardiomyopathy

An increased burden of premature atrial contractions (PACs) has long been considered a benign phenomenon. However, strong evidence of their involvement in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF), ischemic stroke, and excess mortality suggests the need for management. The central question to be resolved is whether increased ectopic atrial rhythm is only a predictor of AF or whether it is a marker of atrial cardiomyopathy and therefore of ischemic stroke. After reviewing the pathophysiology of PACs and its impact on patient prognosis, this mini-review proposes to 1) detail the physiological and clinical elements linking PACs and AF, 2) present the evidence in favor of supraventricular ectopic activity as a marker of cardiomyopathy, and 3) outline the current limitations of this concept and the potential future clinical implications

One year follow-up of a randomized trial with a dilemma-focused intervention for depression: Exploring an alternative to problem-oriented strategies

© 2018 Feixas et al.Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is aimed to counteract cognitions and behaviours that are considered as dysfunctional. The aim of the study is to test whether the inclusion of a non-counteractive approach (dilemma-focused intervention, DFI) in combination with CBT group therapy will yield better short- and long-term outcomes than an intervention conducted entirely using CBT.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Treatment with EV-miRNAs Alleviates Obesity-Associated Metabolic Dysfunction in Mice

Most cells release extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can be detected circulating in blood. We and others have shown that the microRNA contents of these vesicles induce transcriptomic changes in acceptor cells, contributing to the adjustment of metabolic homeostasis in response to environmental demands. Here, we explore the potential for modulating obesity- and exercise-derived EV-microRNAs to treat the metabolic dysfunction associated with obesity in mice. Treatment with EV-miRNAs alleviated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in obese mice to an extent similar to that of high-intensity interval training, although only exercise improved cardiorespiratory fitness and decreased body weight. Mechanistically, EV-miRNAs decreased fatty acid and cholesterol biosynthesis pathways in the liver, reducing hepatic steatosis and increasing insulin sensitivity, resulting in decreased glycemia and triglyceridemia. Our data suggest that manipulation of EV-miRNAs may be a viable strategy to alleviate metabolic dysfunction in obese and diabetic patients who are unable to exercise, although actual physical activity is needed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness

Single top production in a non-minimal supersymmetric model

We study single top production at the LHC in a SUSY-QCD model with a heavy Dirac gluino. The presence of a heavy Dirac gluino allows for notable top-up flavour changing neutral currents. In this scenario, we find that the process ug->tg gives the largest contribution to single top production via FCNCs at the LHC. The key features of this signal are that the top quark is produced very forward and that it is asymmetric to its anti-top counterpart, as the latter lacks a valence quark.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, a background added, references added, minor revisions, to be published in Phys. Lett.