Higher-order supersymmetric contributions to electroweak precision observables

The dominant electroweak two-loop corrections to the precision observables M(_w) and sin(^2) θ off are calculated in the MSSM. They are obtained by evaluating the two loop Yukawa contributions of ϭ (aas) and ϭ (at2), ϭ (a2ab), ϭ (a2b), to the quantity Ap. A review of the one-loop Standard Model calculation is given in the large Top-Yukawa coupling limit. The 0{aļ), 0{atab), 0{al) result, involving the contributions from Standard Model fermions, sfermions, Higgs bosons and higgsinos, is derived in the gauge- less limit for arbitrary values of the lightest CP-even Higgs boson mass. A thorough discussion of the parameter relations enforced by super symmetry is given. Two different renormalisation schemes are applied. Compared to the previously known result for the quark-loop contribution we find a shift of up to +8 MeV in Mw and —4 X 10—5 in sin2 ^eff- Detailed numerical estimates of the remaining uncertainties of Mw and sin2 もff from unknown higher-order contributions are obtained for different values of the supersymmetric mass scale. The calculations are preceded by a review of EWPO and super symmetry. The electroweak precision variable Ap is defined. We renormalise using both dimensional regularisation and dimensional reduction

Precision Observables in the MSSM: W mass and the muon magnetic moment

The precision observables M_W and g-2 of the muon are discussed in the framework of the MSSM. Recent progress in the evaluation of the theoretical predictions is described, and the MSSM predictions are compared with the SM predictions and the experimental values.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures. To appear in Proceedings of SUSY06, the 14th International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental Interactions, UC Irvine, California, 12-17 June 200

PASCal: A principal-axis strain calculator for thermal expansion and compressibility determination

We describe a web-based tool (PASCal; Principal Axis Strain Calculator) aimed at simplifying the determination of principal coefficients of thermal expansion and compressibilities from variable-temperature and variable-pressure lattice parameter data. In a series of three case studies, we use PASCal to re-analyse previously-published lattice parameter data and show that additional scientific insight is obtainable in each case. First, the two-dimensional metal-organic framework Cu-SIP-3 is found to exhibit the strongest area-negative thermal expansion (NTE) effect yet observed; second, the widely-used explosive HMX exhibits much stronger mechanical anisotropy than had previously been anticipated, including uniaxial NTE driven by thermal changes in molecular conformation; and, third, the high-pressure form of the mineral malayaite is shown to exhibit a strong negative linear compressibility (NLC) effect that arises from correlated tilting of SnO6 and SiO4 coordination polyhedra.Comment: 31 pages, 8 figures, formatted as preprint for J. Appl. Crys

Review of Top Quark Physics Results

As the heaviest known fundamental particle, the top quark has taken a central role in the study of fundamental interactions. Production of top quarks in pairs provides an important probe of strong interactions. The top quark mass is a key fundamental parameter which places a valuable constraint on the Higgs boson mass and electroweak symmetry breaking. Observations of the relative rates and kinematics of top quark final states constrain potential new physics. In many cases, the tests available with study of the top quark are both critical and unique. Large increases in data samples from the Fermilab Tevatron have been coupled with major improvements in experimental techniques to produce many new precision measurements of the top quark. The first direct evidence for electroweak production of top quarks has been obtained, with a resulting direct determination of $V_{tb}$. Several of the properties of the top quark have been measured. Progress has also been made in obtaining improved limits on potential anomalous production and decay mechanisms. This review presents an overview of recent theoretical and experimental developments in this field. We also provide a brief discussion of the implications for further efforts.Comment: 119 pages, 55 figure

Precise Prediction for M_W in the MSSM

We present the currently most accurate evaluation of the W boson mass, M_W, in the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The full complex phase dependence at the one-loop level, all available MSSM two-loop corrections as well as the full Standard Model result have been included. We analyse the impact of the different sectors of the MSSM at the one-loop level with a particular emphasis on the effect of the complex phases. We discuss the prediction for M_W based on all known higher-order contributions in representative MSSM scenarios. Furthermore we obtain an estimate of the remaining theoretical uncertainty from unknown higher-order corrections.Comment: 38 pages, 25 figures. Minor corrections, additional reference

Acute myeloid leukemia induces pro-tumoral p16INK4a driven senescence in the bone marrow microenvironment

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an age-related disease that is highly dependent on the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. With increasing age, tissues accumulate senescent cells, characterized by an irreversible arrest of cell proliferation and the secretion of a set of proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, collectively known as the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Here, we report that AML blasts induce a senescent phenotype in the stromal cells within the BM microenvironment and that the BM stromal cell senescence is driven by p16INK4a expression. The p16INK4a-expressing senescent stromal cells then feed back to promote AML blast survival and proliferation via the SASP. Importantly, selective elimination of p16INK4a 1 senescent BM stromal cells in vivo improved the survival of mice with leukemia. Next, we find that the leukemia-driven senescent tumor microenvironment is caused by AML-induced NOX2-derived superoxide. Finally, using the p16-3MR mouse model, we show that by targeting NOX2 we reduced BM stromal cell senescence and consequently reduced AML proliferation. Together, these data identify leukemia-generated NOX2-derived superoxide as a driver of protumoral p16INK4a-dependent senescence in BM stromal cells. Our findings reveal the importance of a senescent microenvironment for the pathophysiology of leukemia. These data now open the door to investigate drugs that specifically target the “benign” senescent cells that surround and support AML

ROS-mediated PI3K activation drives mitochondrial transfer from stromal cells to hematopoietic stem cells in response to infection

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) undergo rapid expansion in response to stress stimuli. Here we investigate the bioenergetic processes which facilitate the HSC expansion in response to infection. We find that infection by Gram-negative bacteria drives an increase in mitochondrial mass in mammalian HSCs, which results in a metabolic transition from glycolysis toward oxidative phosphorylation. The initial increase in mitochondrial mass occurs as a result of mitochondrial transfer from the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) to HSCs through a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-dependent mechanism. Mechanistically, ROS-induced oxidative stress regulates the opening of connexin channels in a system mediated by phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activation, which allows the mitochondria to transfer from BMSCs into HSCs. Moreover, mitochondria transfer from BMSCs into HSCs, in the response to bacterial infection, occurs before the HSCs activate their own transcriptional program for mitochondrial biogenesis. Our discovery demonstrates that mitochondrial transfer from the bone marrow microenvironment to HSCs is an early physiologic event in the mammalian response to acute bacterial infection and results in bioenergetic changes which underpin emergency granulopoiesis

Mass Bounds on a Very Light Neutralino

Within the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) we systematically investigate the bounds on the mass of the lightest neutralino. We allow for non-universal gaugino masses and thus even consider massless neutralinos, while assuming in general that R-parity is conserved. Our main focus are laboratory constraints. We consider collider data, precision observables, and also rare meson decays to very light neutralinos. We then discuss the astrophysical and cosmological implications. We find that a massless neutralino is allowed by all existing experimental data and astrophysical and cosmological observations.Comment: 36 pages, 13 figures, minor modification in astro-physical bounds. EPJC versio

W mass and Leptonic Z-decays in the NMSSM

We study a subset of electroweak-precision observables consisting of $M_W$, $\sin^2\theta_{{\tiny eff}}^{\tau}$, $BR(Z\to\tau^+\tau^-)$ and $\Gamma(Z\to\tau^+\tau^-)/\Gamma(Z\to e^+e^-)-1$ (characterizing leptonic $Z$-decays) in the context of the NMSSM. After a brief review of common MSSM-NMSSM effects, e.g. for $\Gamma(Z\to\tau^+\tau^-)/\Gamma(Z\to e^+e^-)-1$, which has been little discussed, even in the MSSM), specific NMSSM scenarios are studied, with the result that the NMSSM, considering existing constraints on its spectrum, is essentially consistent with available measurements, given the current accuracy.Comment: 25 pages, 12 figure

The MSSM confronts the precision electroweak data and the muon g-2

We update the electroweak study of the predictions of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM) including the recent results on the muon anomalous magnetic moment, the weak boson masses, and the final precision data on the Z boson parameters from LEP and SLC. We find that the region of the parameter space where the slepton masses are a few hundred GeV is favored from the muon g-2 for \tan\beta \ltsim 10, whereas for \tan\beta \simeq 50 heavier slepton mass up to \sim 1000 GeV can account for the reported 3.2 \sigma difference between its experimental value and the Standard Model (SM) prediction. As for the electroweak measurements, the SM gives a good description, and the sfermions lighter than 200 GeV tend to make the fit worse. We find, however, that sleptons as light as 100 to 200 GeV are favored also from the electroweak data, if we leave out the jet asymmetry data that do not agree with the leptonic asymmetry data. We extend the survey of the preferred MSSM parameters by including the constraints from the b \to s \gamma transition, and find favorable scenarios in the minimal supergravity, gauge-, and mirage-mediation models of supersymmetry breaking.Comment: 40 pages, 12 figures. v2: minor changes, references added, version to appear in JHE