267 research outputs found
Astrophysical Implications of a Visible Dark Matter Sector from a Custodially Warped-GUT
We explore, within the warped extra dimensional framework, the possibility of
finding anti-matter signals in cosmic rays (CRs) from dark matter (DM)
annihilation. Exchange of order 100 GeV radion, an integral part of our setup,
generically results in Sommerfeld enhancement of the annihilation rate for TeV
DM mass. No dark sector is required to obtain boosted annihilation cross
sections. A mild hierarchy between the radion and DM masses can be natural due
to the pseudo-Goldstone boson nature of the radion. Implications of Sommerfeld
enhancement in warped grand unified theory (GUT) models, where proton stability
implies a DM candidate, are studied. We show, via partially unified Pati-Salam
group, how to incorporate a custodial symmetry for Z->b\bar b into the GUT
framework such that a few TeV Kaluza-Klein (KK) mass scale is allowed by
precision tests. The model with smallest fully unified SO(10) representation
allows us to decouple the DM from the electroweak sector. Thus, a correct DM
relic density is obtained and direct detection bounds are satisfied. Looking at
robust CR observables, a possible future signal in the \bar p / p flux ratio is
found. We show how to embed a similar custodial symmetry for the right handed
tau, allowing it to be strongly coupled to KK particles. Such a scenario might
lead to observed signal in CR positrons; however, the DM candidate in this case
can not constitute all of the DM in the universe. Independently of the above,
the strong coupling between KK particles and tau's can lead to striking LHC
signals.Comment: 53 pages, 9 figure
QCD Corrections to Vector-Boson Fusion Processes in Warped Higgsless Models
We discuss the signatures of a representative Higgsless model with ideal
fermion delocalization in vector-boson fusion processes, focusing on the gold-
and silver-plated decay modes of the gauge bosons at the CERN-Large Hadron
Collider. For this purpose, we have developed a fully-flexible parton-level
Monte-Carlo program, which allows for the calculation of cross sections and
kinematic distributions within experimentally feasible selection cuts at
NLO-QCD accuracy. We find that Kaluza-Klein resonances give rise to very
distinctive distributions of the decay leptons. Similar to the Standard Model
case, within the Higgsless scenario the perturbative treatment of the
vector-boson scattering processes is under excellent control.Comment: 22 pages, 20 figure
Gamma Ray Constraints on Flavor Violating Asymmetric Dark Matter
We show how cosmic gamma rays can be used to constrain models of asymmetric
Dark Matter decaying into lepton pairs by violating flavor. First of all we
require the models to explain the anomalies in the charged cosmic rays measured
by PAMELA, FERMI and HESS; performing combined fits we determine the allowed
values of the Dark Matter mass and lifetime. For these models, we then
determine the constraints coming from the measurement of the isotropic
gamma-ray background by FERMI for a complete set of lepton flavor violating
primary modes and over a range of DM masses from 100 GeV to 10 TeV. We find
that the FERMI constraints rule out the flavor violating asymmetric Dark Matter
interpretation of the charged cosmic ray anomalies.Comment: 11 pages, 3 figures. v2: constraints derivation slightly modified,
conclusions unchanged; some clarifications and some references added; matches
version published on JCA
Holographic approach to a minimal Higgsless model
In this work, following an holographic approach, we carry out a low energy
effective study of a minimal Higgsless model based on SU(2) bulk symmetry
broken by boundary conditions, both in flat and warped metric. The holographic
procedure turns out to be an useful computation technique to achieve an
effective four dimensional formulation of the model taking into account the
corrections coming from the extra dimensional sector. This technique is used to
compute both oblique and direct contributions to the electroweak parameters in
presence of fermions delocalized along the fifth dimension.Comment: Latex file, 23 page
Robust implications on Dark Matter from the first FERMI sky gamma map
We derive robust model-independent bounds on DM annihilations and decays from
the first year of FERMI gamma-ray observations of the whole sky. These bounds
only have a mild dependence on the DM density profile and allow the following
DM interpretations of the PAMELA and FERMI electron/positron excesses: primary
channels mu+ mu-, mu+ mu-mu+mu- or e+ e- e+ e-. An isothermal-like density
profile is needed for annihilating DM. In all such cases, FERMI gamma spectra
must contain a significant DM component, that may be probed in the future.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures. Final versio
Monte Carlo Exploration of Warped Higgsless Models
We have performed a detailed Monte Carlo exploration of the parameter space
for a warped Higgsless model of electroweak symmetry breaking in 5 dimensions.
This model is based on the gauge group
in an AdS bulk with arbitrary gauge kinetic terms on both the Planck and
TeV branes. Constraints arising from precision electroweak measurements and
collider data are found to be relatively easy to satisfy. We show, however,
that the additional requirement of perturbative unitarity up to the cut-off,
TeV, in elastic scattering in the absence of dangerous
tachyons eliminates all models. If successful models of this class exist, they
must be highly fine-tuned.Comment: 26 pages, 7 figures; new fig and additional text adde
Constraining compressed supersymmetry using leptonic signatures
We study the impact of the multi-lepton searches at the LHC on supersymmetric
models with compressed mass spectra. For such models the acceptances of the
usual search strategies are significantly reduced due to requirement of large
effective mass and missing E_T. On the other hand, lepton searches do have much
lower thresholds for missing E_T and p_T of the final state objects. Therefore,
if a model with a compressed mass spectrum allows for multi-lepton final
states, one could derive constraints using multi-lepton searches. For a class
of simplified models we study the exclusion limits using ATLAS multi-lepton
search analyses for the final states containing 2-4 electrons or muons with a
total integrated luminosity of 1-2/fb at \sqrt{s}=7 TeV. We also modify those
analyses by imposing additional cuts, so that their sensitivity to compressed
supersymmetric models increase. Using the original and modified analyses, we
show that the exclusion limits can be competitive with jet plus missing E_T
searches, providing exclusion limits up to gluino masses of 1 TeV. We also
analyse the efficiencies for several classes of events coming from different
intermediate state particles. This allows us to assess exclusion limits in
similar class of models with different cross sections and branching ratios
without requiring a Monte Carlo simulation.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure
Natural Islands for a 125 GeV Higgs in the scale-invariant NMSSM
We study whether a 125 GeV standard model-like Higgs boson can be
accommodated within the scale-invariant NMSSM in a way that is natural in all
respects, i.e., not only is the stop mass and hence its loop contribution to
Higgs mass of natural size, but we do not allow significant tuning of NMSSM
parameters as well. We pursue as much as possible an analytic approach which
gives clear insights on various ways to accommodate such a Higgs mass, while
conducting complementary numerical analyses. We consider both scenarios with
singlet-like state being heavier and lighter than SM-like Higgs. With A-terms
being small, we find for the NMSSM to be perturbative up to GUT scale, it is
not possible to get 125 GeV Higgs mass, which is true even if we tune
parameters of NMSSM. If we allow some of the couplings to become
non-perturbative below the GUT scale, then the non-tuned option implies that
the singlet self-coupling, kappa, is larger than the singlet-Higgs coupling,
lambda, which itself is order 1. This leads to a Landau pole for these
couplings close to the weak scale, in particular below ~10^4 TeV. In both the
perturbative and non-perturbative NMSSM, allowing large A_lambda, A_kappa gives
"more room" to accommodate a 125 GeV Higgs, but a tuning of these A-terms may
be needed. In our analysis we also conduct a careful study of the constraints
on the parameter space from requiring global stability of the desired vacuum
fitting a 125 GeV Higgs, which is complementary to existing literature. In
particular, as the singlet-Higgs coupling lambda increases, vacuum stability
becomes more serious of an issue.Comment: 34 pages, 4 figures, references added, minor corrections to text and
figures, version to be published in JHE
Constraints on Decaying Dark Matter from Fermi Observations of Nearby Galaxies and Clusters
We analyze the impact of Fermi gamma-ray observations (primarily
non-detections) of selected nearby galaxies, including dwarf spheroidals, and
of clusters of galaxies on decaying dark matter models. We show that the fact
that galaxy clusters do not shine in gamma rays puts the most stringent limits
available to-date on the lifetime of dark matter particles for a wide range of
particle masses and decay final states. In particular, our results put strong
constraints on the possibility of ascribing to decaying dark matter both the
increasing positron fraction reported by PAMELA and the high-energy feature in
the electron-positron spectrum measured by Fermi. Observations of nearby dwarf
galaxies and of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) do not provide as strong limits as
those from galaxy clusters, while still improving on previous constraints in
some cases.Comment: 27 pages, 5 figures, submitted to JCAP, revised version with some
additions and correction
po 472 chemotherapy resistance associated epithelial to endothelial transition in gastric cancer
Introduction Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. To date, gastrectomy and chemotherapy are the only therapeutic options, but drug resistance is the main cause for treatment failure. Vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is a new model of neovascularization in aggressive tumours and has been correlated with poor prognosis in GC patients. Our group has developed chemotherapy-resistant GC cells using the Caucasian adenocarcinoma cell line AGS and three drugs among the most used in clinic (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin and paclitaxel) henceforward denominated 5FUr, CISr, TAXr. Our study has highlighted phenotypical differences among chemo-sensitive and chemo-resistant cell lines such as acquisition of stem-like phenotype and increased capacity to form vessels. Material and methods Establishment of AGS resistant cell lines exposing cells to increasing dilution of drugs for over 9 months up to dilutions higher than IC50 values initially verified on AGS cells through MTT analysis. Quantitative RT-PCR, flow cytometry and western blot analysis for stemness and VM markers. Vasculogenic mimicryassay Results and discussions AGS cells acquired chemoresistance as indicated by the increase of IC50 values in drug-treated cells with respect to AGS. Furthermore, MTT assay highlighted that there is not cross-resistance among 5FUr, CISr and TAXr. Supportive data is that cells are MDR1 negative. Resistant cells showed an upregulation of Yamanaka factors either in qPCR and flow cytometer analysis, and particularly interesting is ALDH overexpression in 5FUr. TWIST upregulation suggested the investigation of VM which resulted particularly enhanced in 5FUr cells which demonstrated their ability to form and sustain vessels up to 96 hours in the tube formation assay. Markers of VM such Laminin γ2 and Ephrin A2 showed an increase in resistant cells and especially in 5FUr. Conclusion One of the most interesting result is that 5FUr cells acquire stemness properties and are positive to the tube formation assay suggesting that VM might be one mechanisms adopted by cells to avoid drugs exposure. These findings suggest that acquisition of chemoresistance could cause a relapse of disease in which tumour cells take advantage of their capability to perform VM in order to self-sustain their growth and that may be cause of poor outcomes
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