Higgs boson pair production at NNLO in QCD including dimension 6 operators

In this paper, we present the computation of the Higgs boson pair production cross section, both inclusive as well as differential on the invariant mass distribution, at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD including effects of new physics beyond the standard model. We parametrize the effects of new physics with the relevant dimension 6 operators in a standard model effective field theory (EFT) approach and examine their phenomenology. The dependence of the NNLO $K$-factor on the EFT couplings is analysed, finding that, while rather flat for a number of EFT coefficients, it can considerably differ from the standard model value in some particular regions of the parameter space. We present explicit examples of (almost) degeneracy in the NNLO cross-section with respect to the anomalous couplings, showing that the invariant mass distribution has a much larger sensitivity to phenomena beyond the standard model and can be used as a tool to discriminate their effect.Comment: 19 pages, 4 figures; typos corrected, references added, appendix with additional formulae adde

Dynamic hybrid simulation of batch processes driven by a scheduling module

Simulation is now a CAPE tool widely used by practicing engineers for process design and control. In particular, it allows various offline analyses to improve system performance such as productivity, energy efficiency, waste reduction, etc. In this framework, we have developed the dynamic hybrid simulation environment PrODHyS whose particularity is to provide general and reusable object-oriented components dedicated to the modeling of devices and operations found in chemical processes. Unlike continuous processes, the dynamic simulation of batch processes requires the execution of control recipes to achieve a set of production orders. For these reasons, PrODHyS is coupled to a scheduling module (ProSched) based on a MILP mathematical model in order to initialize various operational parameters and to ensure a proper completion of the simulation. This paper focuses on the procedure used to generate the simulation model corresponding to the realization of a scenario described through a particular scheduling

Conduite orientée ordonnancement d'un simulateur dynamique hybride : application aux procédés discontinus

Ce manuscrit présente des travaux visant à intégrer un module d'ordonnancement (ProSched) à l'environnement de modélisation et simulation dynamique hybride PrODHyS dans le but d'automatiser la génération de scénarii de simulation de procédés discontinus sur la base d'une recette et d'une liste d'ordres de fabrication (OF). La méthodologie développée repose sur une approche mixte optimisation/simulation. Dans ce cadre, trois points essentiels ont été développés dans ces travaux : - tout d'abord, concevoir et développer des composants réutilisables (classes de recette) permettant de modéliser de manière hiérarchisée et systématique le déroulement des opérations unitaires. Pour cela, les notions de jeton Task et de macro-place paramétrable ont été introduites dans les RdPDO et permettent de décrire les recettes à réaliser par assemblage de ces composants prédéfinis. - ensuite, définir un modèle mathématique générique d'ordonnancement basé sur un formalisme de représentation bien établi (le R.T.N.) qui permet de modéliser les principales caractéristiques d'un procédé discontinu et de fournir l'ensemble des données d'entrée nécessaires au modèle de simulation. Pour cela, un modèle PLNE basé sur la formulation Unit Specific Event a été mis en œuvre. - enfin, définir l'interface existant entre le modèle d'optimisation et le modèle de simulation, à travers la notion de place de pilotage et de centre de décision au niveau du simulateur. Dans ce cadre, différentes stratégies de couplage sont proposées. Les potentialités de cette approche sont illustrées par la simulation d'un procédé complet. ABSTRACT : This thesis presents works which aim to incorporate a scheduling module (ProSched) to an environment for modeling and dynamic hybrid simulation PrODHyS in order to automate the generation of scenarios for simulation of batch processes based on a recipe and a list of production orders (OF). The methodology developed is based on a mixed optimization / simulation approach. In this context, three key points have been developed in this work: - First, design and develop reusable components (recipe classes) for the hierarchical and systematic modeling of the sequencing of unit operations. For this, the notions of Task token and macro-place have been introduced in the RdPDO formalism and allow the modeling of recipes by assembling these predefined components. - Secondly, define a generic mathematical model of scheduling based on a well defined graphical formalism (RTN) that models the main characteristics of batch processes and provide all input data necessary to the simulation model. For this, a MILP model based on the Unit Specific Event formulation has been implemented. - Finally, define the interface between the optimization model and the simulation model through the concept of control place and decision-making center at the simulator level. In this context, various strategies of mixing optimization and simulation are proposed. The potential of this approach is illustrated by the simulation of a complete manufacturing proces

QCD⊕\oplusQED NNLO corrections to Drell Yan production

We compute the QCD$\times$QED (${\cal{O}}(\alpha_s \alpha)$) mixed and QED$^2$ (${\cal{O}}(\alpha^2)$) corrections to the production of an on-shell $Z$ boson in hadronic collisions. We obtain them by profiting from the calculation of the pure QCD terms after taking the corresponding abelian limits. Therefore, we extend the available knowledge up to complete next-to-next-to leading order precision in QCD$\oplus$QED. We present explicit results for the perturbative coefficients and perform the phenomenological analysis at different collider energies with particular emphasis on the mixed corrections. We study the contribution from the different channels and discuss the scale dependence stabilisation effect. We consider a factorisation approximation for the mixed order terms and show that it fails to reproduce the exact result. We find that the contributions are small, typically at the few per mille level, but that under some kinematical conditions they can compete with the pure QCD NNLO ones.Comment: 23 pages, 6 figure

Anomalous couplings in Higgs-boson pair production at approximate NNLO QCD

We combine NLO predictions with full top-quark mass dependence with approximate NNLO predictions for Higgs-boson pair production in gluon fusion, including the possibility to vary coupling parameters within a non-linear Effective Field Theory framework containing five anomalous couplings for this process. We study the impact of the anomalous couplings on various observables, and present Higgs-pair invariant-mass distributions at seven benchmark points characterising different m$_{hh}$ shape types. We also provide numerical coefficients for the approximate NNLO cross section as a function of the anomalous couplings at $\sqrt{s}$ = 14 TeV

5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), a main metabolite of serotonin, is responsible for complete Freund's adjuvant-induced thermal hyperalgesia in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The role of serotonin (5-hydroxytrptamine, 5-HT) in the modulation of pain has been widely studied. Previous work led to the hypothesis that 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA), a main metabolite of serotonin, might by itself influence pain thresholds.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In the present study, we investigated the role of 5-HIAA in inflammatory pain induced by intraplantar injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the hind paw of mice. Wild-type mice were compared to mice deficient of the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT-/- mice) using behavioral tests for hyperalgesia and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to determine tissue levels of 5-HIAA. Wild-type mice reproducibly developed thermal hyperalgesia and paw edema for 5 days after CFA injection. 5-HTT-/- mice treated with CFA had reduced thermal hyperalgesia on day 1 after CFA injection and normal responses to heat thereafter. The 5-HIAA levels in spinal cord and sciatic nerve as measured with HPLC were lower in 5-HTT-/- mice than in wild-type mice after CFA injection. Pretreatment of wild-type mice with intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA), a serotonin synthesis inhibitor, resulted in depletion of the 5-HIAA content in spinal cord and sciatic nerve and decrease in thermal hyperalgesia in CFA injected mice. The application of exogenous 5-HIAA resulted in potentiation of thermal hyperalgesia induced by CFA in 5-HTT-/- mice and in wild-type mice pretreated with p-CPA, but not in wild-type mice without p-CPA pretreatment. Further, methysergide, a broad-spectrum serotonin receptor antagonist, had no effect on 5-HIAA-induced potentiation of thermal hyperalgesia in CFA-treated wild-type mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, the present results suggest that 5-HIAA plays an important role in modulating peripheral thermal hyperalgesia in CFA induced inflammation, probably via a non-serotonin receptor mechanism.</p

Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes

Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Here we report the genome sequences of six Candida species and compare these and related pathogens and non-pathogens. There are significant expansions of cell wall, secreted and transporter gene families in pathogenic species, suggesting adaptations associated with virulence. Large genomic tracts are homozygous in three diploid species, possibly resulting from recent recombination events. Surprisingly, key components of the mating and meiosis pathways are missing from several species. These include major differences at the mating-type loci (MTL); Lodderomyces elongisporus lacks MTL, and components of the a1/2 cell identity determinant were lost in other species, raising questions about how mating and cell types are controlled. Analysis of the CUG leucine-to-serine genetic-code change reveals that 99% of ancestral CUG codons were erased and new ones arose elsewhere. Lastly, we revise the Candida albicans gene catalogue, identifying many new genes.publishe

IKKα controls ATG16L1 degradation to prevent ER stress during inflammation

Inhibition of the IκB kinase complex (IKK) has been implicated in the therapy of several chronic inflammatory diseases including inflammatory bowel diseases. In this study, using mice with an inactivatable IKKα kinase (IkkαAA/AA), we show that loss of IKKα function markedly impairs epithelial regeneration in a model of acute colitis. Mechanistically, this is caused by compromised secretion of cytoprotective IL-18 from IKKα-mutant intestinal epithelial cells because of elevated caspase 12 activation during an enhanced unfolded protein response (UPR). Induction of the UPR is linked to decreased ATG16L1 stabilization in IkkαAA/AA mice. We demonstrate that both TNF-R and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain stimulation promote ATG16L1 stabilization via IKKα-dependent phosphorylation of ATG16L1 at Ser278. Thus, we propose IKKα as a central mediator sensing both cytokine and microbial stimulation to suppress endoplasmic reticulum stress, thereby assuring antiinflammatory function during acute intestinal inflammation