Higgs Pair Production: Choosing Benchmarks With Cluster Analysis

New physics theories often depend on a large number of free parameters. The precise values of those parameters in some cases drastically affect the resulting phenomenology of fundamental physics processes, while in others finite variations can leave it basically invariant at the level of detail experimentally accessible. When designing a strategy for the analysis of experimental data in the search for a signal predicted by a new physics model, it appears advantageous to categorize the parameter space describing the model according to the corresponding kinematical features of the final state. A multi-dimensional test statistic can be used to gauge the degree of similarity in the kinematics of different models; a clustering algorithm using that metric may then allow the division of the space into homogeneous regions, each of which can be successfully represented by a benchmark point. Searches targeting those benchmark points are then guaranteed to be sensitive to a large area of the parameter space. In this document we show a practical implementation of the above strategy for the study of non-resonant production of Higgs boson pairs in the context of extensions of the standard model with anomalous couplings of the Higgs bosons. A non-standard value of those couplings may significantly enhance the Higgs pair production cross section, such that the process could be detectable with the data that the Large Hadron Collider will collect in Run 2.Comment: Editorial changes, improvements in figures and changes in the appendi

HOMOGENEOUS HYDROGEN DEFLAGRATIONS IN SMALL SCALE ENCLOSURE. EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

University of Pisa performed experimental tests in a 1 m3 facility, which shape and dimensions resemble a gas cabinet, for the HySEA project, founded by the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking with the aim to conduct pre-normative research on vented deflagrations in real-life enclosures and containers used for hydrogen energy applications, in order to generate experimental data of high quality. The test facility, named Small Scale Enclosure (SSE), had a vent area of 0,42 m2 which location could be varied, namely on the top or in front of the facility, while different types of vent were investigated. Three different ignition location were investigated as well, and the range of Hydrogen concentration ranged between 10 and 18% vol. This paper is aimed to summarize the main characteristics of the experimental campaign as well as to present its results

New Insights Into Immune Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Multiple Sclerosis

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small vesicles including microvesicles and exosomes which differ in their distinct size, density, biogenesis, and content. Until recently, EVs were considered as simply scrap products. Nowadays, they are engendering huge interest and their shedding plays a well-recognized role in intercellular communication, not only participating in many physiological processes, but also suspected of being involved in the pathogenesis of many diseases. The present review aims to summarize the latest updates on immune cell-derived EVs, focusing on the current status of knowledge in Multiple Sclerosis. Significant progress has been made on their physical and biological characterization even though many aspects remain unclear and need to be addressed. However, it is worth further investigating in order to deepen the knowledge of this unexplored and fascinating field that could lead to intriguing findings in the evaluation of EVs as biomarkers in monitoring the course of diseases and the response to treatments

Anger and depressive ruminations as predictors of dysregulated behaviours in borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Anger and depressive ruminations have recently received empirical attention as processes related to borderline personality disorder (BPD). The Emotional Cascade Model (Selby, Anestis, & Joiner, 2008) suggests that negative affect (such as anger and sadness) may trigger rumination, which in turn may increase the duration and extent of negative affect, leading to dysregulated behaviours aimed at reducing such intense and unpleasant emotions. AIM: The aim of this study is to explore the relationships between emotional dysregulation, anger and depressive ruminations, and their role in predicting dysregulated behaviours (such as aggression and self-harm) in a clinical sample of patients with BPD. METHODS: Ninety-one patients with a diagnosis of BPD were recruited from three outpatient community mental health centres and asked to complete a comprehensive assessment for personality disorder symptoms, emotion dysregulation, anger and depressive ruminations, aggression, and self-harm. RESULTS: Anger and depressive ruminations were found to be significantly associated to, respectively, self-harm and aggression, beyond the variance accounted by emotional dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: Rumination may act as a mediator between emotional dysregulation and dysregulated behaviours in BPD. Future research should examine whether clinical techniques aimed at reducing rumination may be helpful in reducing dysregulated behaviours in patients with BPD. "This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: Martino, F., Caselli, G., Di Tommaso, J., Sassaroli, S., Spada, M.M ., Valenti, B., Berardi, D., Sasdelli, A and Menchetti, M (2017) Anger and depressive ruminations as predictors of dysregulated behaviours in borderline personality disorder. Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy., which has been published in final form at 10.1002/cpp.2152 . This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.

Adenosine receptor expression in an experimental animal model of myocardial infarction with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Adenosine, a purine nucleoside and a "retaliatory metabolite" in ischemia, is ubiquitous in the body and increases 100-fold during ischemia. Its biological actions are mediated by four adenosine receptors (ARs): A(1), A(2A), A(2B) and A(3). The aim of this study was to determine possible myocardial alterations in AR expression in an experimental animal model of myocardial infarction (MI) with a preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction. LV tissue was collected from sexually mature male farm pigs with MI (n = 6) induced by permanent surgical ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and from five healthy pigs (C). mRNA expression of A(1)R, A(2A)R, A(2B)R, A(3)R and TNF-? was determined by real-time PCR in tissue collected from border (BZ) and remote zones (RZ) of the infarcted area and from LV of C. BZ, RZ and samples of C were stained immunohistochemically to investigate A(3)R immunoreaction. After 4 weeks a different regulation of ARs was observed. A(1)R mRNA expression was significantly lower in the infarct regions than in controls (C = 0.75 ? 0.2, BZ = 0.05 ? 0.2, RZ = 0.07 ? 0.02 p = 0.0025, p = 0.0016, C vs. BZ and RZ, respectively). Conversely A(3)R was higher in infarct areas (C = 0.94 ? 0.2, BZ = 2.85 ? 0.5, RZ = 3.48 ? 1.0, p = 0.048 C vs. RZ). No significant differences were observed for A(2A)R (C = 1.58 ? 0.6, BZ = 0.42 ? 0.1, RZ = 1.37 ? 0.6) and A(2B)R (C = 1.66 ? 0.2, BZ = 1.54 ? 0.5, RZ = 1.25 ? 0.4). A(3)R expression was confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis and was principally localized in cardiomyocytes. TNF-? mRNA results were: C 0.41 ? 0.25; BZ 1.60 ? 0.19; RZ 0.17 ? 0.04. The balance between A(1)R and A(3)R as well as between A(2A)R and A(2B)R was consistent with adaptative retaliatory anti-ischemic adenosinergic changes in the infarcted heart with preserved LV function

Optimizing optical potentials with physics-inspired learning algorithms

We present our new experimental and theoretical framework which combines a broadband superluminescent diode (SLED/SLD) with fast learning algorithms to provide speed and accuracy improvements for the optimization of 1D optical dipole potentials, here generated with a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD). To characterize the setup and potential speckle patterns arising from coherence, we compare the superluminescent diode to a single-mode laser by investigating interference properties. We employ Machine Learning (ML) tools to train a physics-inspired model acting as a digital twin of the optical system predicting the behavior of the optical apparatus including all its imperfections. Implementing an iterative algorithm based on Iterative Learning Control (ILC) we optimize optical potentials an order of magnitude faster than heuristic optimization methods. We compare iterative model-based offline optimization and experimental feedback-based online optimization. Our methods provide a new route to fast optimization of optical potentials which is relevant for the dynamical manipulation of ultracold gases.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

High concentration of C-type natriuretic peptide promotes VEGF-dependent vasculogenesis in the remodeled region of infarcted swine heart with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Vasculogenesis is a hallmark of myocardial restoration. Post-ischemic late remodeling is associated with pathology and function worsening. At the same time, neo-vasculogenesis helps function improving and requires the release of vascular endothelial growth factor type A (VEGF-A). The vasculogenic role of C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a cardiac paracrine hormone, is unknown in infarcted hearts with preserved left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). We explored whether myocardial VEGF-dependent vasculogenesis is affected by CNP. METHODS AND RESULTS: To this end, infarcted swine hearts were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), histological and molecular assays. At the fourth week, MRI showed that transmural myocardial infarction (MI) affected approximately 13% of the LV wall mass without impairing global function (LVEF>50%, n=9). Increased fibrosis, metalloproteases and capillary density were localized to the infarct border zone (BZ), and were associated with increased expression of CNP (p=0.03 vs. remote zone (RZ)), VEGF-A (p<0.001 vs. RZ), BNP, a marker of myocardial dysfunction (p<0.01 vs. RZ) and the endothelial marker, factor VIII-related antigen (p<0.01 vs. RZ). In vitro, CNP 1000 nM promoted VEGF-dependent vasculogenesis without affecting the cell growth and survival, although CNP 100 nM or a high concentration of VEGF-A halted vascular growth. CONCLUSIONS: CNP expression is locally increased in infarct remodeled myocardium in the presence of dense capillary network. The vasculogenic response requires the co-exposure to high concentration of CNP and VEGF-A. Our data will be helpful to develop combined myocardial delivery of CNP and VEGF-A genes in order to reverse the remodeling process

Cardiac Pacemaker Battery Discharge After External Electrical Cardioversion for Broad QRS Complex Tachycardia

External electrical cardioversion or defibrillation may be necessary in patients with implanted cardiac pacemaker (PM) or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Sudden discharge of high electrical energy employed in direct current (DC) transthoracic countershock may damage the PM/ICD system resulting in a series of possible device malfunctions. For this reason, when defibrillation or cardioversion must be attempted in a patient with a PM or ICD, some precautions should be taken, particularly in PM dependent patients, in order to prevent damage to the device. We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with a dual chamber PM implanted in the right subclavicular region, who received two consecutive transthoracic DC shocks to treat haemodynamically unstable broad QRS complex tachycardia after cardiac surgery performed with a standard sternotomic approach. Because of the sternal wound and thoracic drainage tubes together with the severe clinical compromise, the anterior paddle was positioned near the pulse generator. At the following PM test, a complete battery discharge was detected