Constraints from precision measurements on the hadron-molecule interpretation of X,Y,Z resonances

The precise measurement of binding energy, total width and DDpi branching fraction, constrains, in a model independent way, the loosely bound hadron molecule interpretation of X(3872). A full discernment is not yet possible on the basis of present data. Similar considerations might be extended to all those Y,Z resonances susceptible of a molecular description.Comment: 6 pages, 1 figur

Exotic Hadrons with Hidden Charm and Strangeness

We investigate on exotic tetraquark hadrons of the kind [cs][cbar sbar] by computing their spectrum and decay modes within a constituent diquark-antidiquark model. We also compare these predictions with the present experimental knowledge.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, minor changes made, references adde

Bounds to the Higgs Sector Masses in Minimal Supersymmetry from LHC Data

We update our analysis of the Higgs sector masses in Minimal Supersymmetry and in the Two-Higgs Doublet Model to the final ATLAS and CMS data from the 2011-2012 LHC run.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, comments added, references update

A Mechanism for Hadron Molecule Production in p pbar(p) Collisions

We propose a mechanism allowing the formation of loosely bound molecules of charmed mesons in high energy proton-(anti)proton collisions.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Charmed Baryonium

We re-analyze the published data on the Y(4630) --> Lambda_c Lambdabar_c and the Y(4660) --> psi(2S) pi pi with a consistent Ansatz and we find that the two observations are likely to be due to the same state Y_B with M_{Y_B} = 4660.7 +- 8.7 MeV and Gamma_{Y_B} = 61 +- 23 MeV. Under this hypothesis and reanalizing also the e+e- --> J/psi pi pi gamma_ISR spectrum we extract B(Y_B --> Lambda_c Lambdabar_c) / B(Y_B --> psi(2S) pi pi) = 25 +- 7, B(Y_B --> J/psi pi pi) / B(Y_B --> psi(2S) pi pi) J/psi pi pi) / B(Y(4350) --> psi(2S) pi pi) psi(2S) sigma) / B (Y_B --> psi(2S) f_0)=2.0 +- 0.3. These conclusions strongly support the hypothesis of Y_B being the first observation of a charmed baryonium constituted by four quarks. From the analysis of the mass spectrum and the decay properties we show that Y(4350) and Y_B are respectively consistent with the ground state and first radial excitation of the L=1 state.Comment: Corrected phase space normalization in the fit

P2X7 Receptor and Caspase 1 Activation Are Central to Airway Inflammation Observed after Exposure to Tobacco Smoke

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a cigarette smoke (CS)-driven inflammatory airway disease with an increasing global prevalence. Currently there is no effective medication to stop the relentless progression of this disease. It has recently been shown that an activator of the P2X7/inflammasome pathway, ATP, and the resultant products (IL-1β/IL-18) are increased in COPD patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether activation of the P2X7/caspase 1 pathway has a functional role in CS-induced airway inflammation. Mice were exposed to CS twice a day to induce COPD-like inflammation and the role of the P2X7 receptor was investigated. We have demonstrated that CS-induced neutrophilia in a pre-clinical model is temporally associated with markers of inflammasome activation, (increased caspase 1 activity and release of IL-1β/IL-18) in the lungs. A selective P2X7 receptor antagonist and mice genetically modified so that the P2X7 receptors were non-functional attenuated caspase 1 activation, IL-1β release and airway neutrophilia. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the role of this pathway was not restricted to early stages of disease development by showing increased caspase 1 activation in lungs from a more chronic exposure to CS and from patients with COPD. This translational data suggests the P2X7/Inflammasome pathway plays an ongoing role in disease pathogenesis. These results advocate the critical role of the P2X7/caspase 1 axis in CS-induced inflammation, highlighting this as a possible therapeutic target in combating COPD

The Belle II physics book

The Belle II detector will provide a major step forward in precision heavy flavor physics, quarkonium and exotic states, searches for dark sectors, and many other areas. The sensitivity to a large number of key observables can be improved by about an order of magnitude compared to the current measurements, and up to two orders in very clean search measurements. This increase in statistical precision arises not only due to the increased luminosity, but also from improved detector efficiency and precision for many channels. Many of the most interesting observables tend to have very small theoretical uncertainties that will therefore not limit the physics reach. This book has presented many new ideas for measurements, both to elucidate the nature of current anomalies seen in flavor, and to search for new phenomena in a plethora of observables that will become accessible with the Belle II dataset. The simulation used for the studiesinthis book was state ofthe artat the time, though weare learning a lot more about the experiment during the commissioning period. The detector is in operation, and working spectacularly well

Jet quenching

We present a comprehensive review of the physics of hadron and jet production at large transverse momentum in high-energy nucleus-nucleus collisions. Emphasis is put on experimental and theoretical "jet quenching" observables that provide direct information on the (thermo)dynamical properties of hot and dense QCD matter.Comment: Springer Verlag. Landolt-Boernstein Vol. 1-23A. 49 pages. 36 figures. Minor corrections & references adde