Full next-to-leading-order calculations of Higgs boson decay rates in models with non-minimal scalar sectors

We present a complete set of decay rates of the Higgs boson with the mass of 125 GeV at the full next-to-leading order in a variety of extended Higgs models; i.e., a model with an additional real singlet scalar field, four types of two Higgs doublet models and the inert doublet model. All the one-loop contributions due to QCD and electroweak interactions as well as scalar interactions are taken into account, and the calculations are systematically performed. Branching ratios for all the decay modes are evaluated in these models, and patterns of deviations in each decay mode from the standard model predictions are comprehensively analyzed. We show how these models with extended Higgs sectors can be distinguished by using our calculation of the branching ratios and future precision measurements of the Higgs boson decays

Numerical prediction for many floating debris transported in city model due to tsunami-induced flows

A three-dimensional computational method based on multiphase modelling is employed to predict the behaviors of floating tsunami debris in coastal residential areas. The present computational method enables us to deal with the interactions between free-surface flows and the movements of floating objects, as well as the collisions among the objects and fixed structures. The present method was first applied to simple stability problems of floating cylinders and then it was applied to the 1/250 scale tsunami experiments. Finally, two types of numerical experiments were performed using larger number of floating objects in more compli- cated conditions. As a result, it was shown that the present method is effective to predict the behaviors of floating objects transported by tsunami between buildings on non-uniform grand surfaces

Measurements of the charge-to-mass ratio of particles trapped by the Paul Trap for education

Paul traps are devices that confine particles using an oscillating electric field and have been used in undergraduate experimental classes at universities. Owing to the requirement of a high voltage of several thousand volts, no cases of use in middle and high schools are available. Therefore, we developed an all-in-one-type Paul trap device that included a high-voltage transformer. The Paul trap can be equipped with three different types of electrode attachments, ring-type, and linear-type , and the trap image can be observed using a built-in web camera. For example, the charge-to-mass ratio of particles was measured with different types of attachments, and it was shown that reasonable values could be obtained. This type of trap is currently used at several educational facilities in Japan.Comment: 6 pages, 12 figure

Models of Yukawa interaction in the two Higgs doublet model, and their collider phenomenology

Possible models of Yukawa interaction are discussed in the two Higgs doublet model (THDM) under the discrete symmetry imposed to avoid the flavor changing neutral current at the leading order. It is known that there are four types of such models corresponding to the possible different assignment of charges for the discrete symmetry on quarks and leptons. We first examine decay properties of Higgs bosons in each type of the models, and summarize constraints on the models from current experimental data. We then shed light on the differences among these models in collider phenomenology. In particular, we mainly discuss so-called the Type-II THDM and the Type-X THDM. The Type-II THDM corresponds to the model with the same Yukawa interaction as the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). On the other hand, in the Type-X THDM, additional Higgs bosons can predominantly decay into leptons. This scenario may be interesting because of the motivation for a light charged Higgs boson scenario such as in the TeV scale model of neutrino, dark matter and baryogenesis. We study how we can distinguish the Type-X THDM from the MSSM at the Large Hadron Collider and the International Linear Collider.Comment: 33 pages, 41 eps files, version accepted for publication in Physical Review

Bortezomib sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer to mesenchymal stromal cell-delivered inducible caspase-9-mediated cytotoxicity

Delivery of suicide genes to solid tumors represents a promising tumor therapy strategy. However, slow or limited killing by suicide genes and ineffective targeting of the tumor has reduced effectiveness. We have adapted a suicide system based on an inducible caspase-9 (iC9) protein that is activated using a specific chemical inducer of dimerization (CID) for adenoviral-based delivery to lung tumors via mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Four independent human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines were transduced with adenovirus encoding iC9, and all underwent apoptosis when iC9 was activated by adding CID. However, there was a large variation in the percentage of cell killing induced by CID across the different lines. The least responsive cell lines were sensitized to apoptosis by combined inhibition of the proteasome using bortezomib. These results were extended to an in vivo model using human NSCLC xenografts. E1A-expressing MSCs replicated Ad.iC9 and delivered the virus to lung tumors in SCID mice. Treatment with CID resulted in some reduction of tumor growth, but addition of bortezomib led to greater reduction of tumor size. The enhanced apoptosis and anti-tumor effect of combining MSC-delivered Ad.iC9, CID and bortezomib appears to be due to increased stabilization of active caspase-3, as proteasomal inhibition increased the levels of cleaved caspase-9 and caspase-3. Knockdown of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP), a caspase inhibitor that targets active caspase-3 to the proteasome, also sensitized iC9-transduced cells to CID, suggesting that blocking the proteasome counteracts XIAP to permit apoptosis. Thus, MSC-based delivery of the iC9 suicide gene to human NSCLC effectively targets lung cancer cells for elimination. Combining this therapy with bortezomib, a drug that is otherwise inactive in this disease, further enhances the anti-tumor activity of this strategy