The top-quark mass is measured in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 inverse femtobarns collected by the CMS experiment ...at the LHC. The measurement is performed in the dilepton decay channel t t-bar to ell+ nuell b, ell- anti-nuell b-bar, where ell=e,mu. Candidate top-quark decays are selected by requiring two leptons, at least two jets, and imbalance in transverse momentum. The mass is reconstructed with an analytical matrix weighting technique using distributions derived from simulated samples. Using a maximum-likelihood fit, the top-quark mass is determined to be 172.5 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 1.5 (syst) GeV.
We first build a minimal model of vector-like quarks where the dominant Higgs boson production process at LHC -- the gluon fusion -- can be significantly suppressed, being motivated by the recent ...stringent constraints from the search for direct Higgs production over a wide Higgs mass range. Within this model, compatible with the present experimental constraints on direct Higgs searches, we demonstrate that the Higgs (\(h\)) production via a heavy vector-like top-partner (\(t_2\)) decay, \(pp \to t_2 \bar t_2\), \(t_2\to t h\), allows to discover a Higgs boson at the LHC and measure its mass, through the decay channels \(h\to \gamma\gamma\) or \(h\to ZZ\). We also comment on the recent hint in LHC data from a possible \(\sim 125\) GeV Higgs scalar, in the presence of heavy vector-like top quarks.
We present the activities of the "New Physics" working group for the "Physics at TeV Colliders" workshop (Les Houches, France, 3--21 June, 2013). Our report includes new computational tool ...developments, studies of the implications of the Higgs boson discovery on new physics, important signatures for searches for natural new physics at the LHC, new studies of flavour aspects of new physics, and assessments of the interplay between direct dark matter searches and the LHC.
We present the activities of the "New Physics" working group for the "Physics at TeV Colliders" workshop (Les Houches, France, 30 May-17 June, 2011). Our report includes new agreements on formats for ...interfaces between computational tools, new tool developments, important signatures for searches at the LHC, recommendations for presentation of LHC search results, as well as additional phenomenological studies.
Knowledge of the natural background concentrations of groundwater constituents is important for the management of groundwater resources, particularly for the assessment of groundwater contamination ...and the establishment of clean-up goals and regulatory target levels. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have assessed the natural background concentrations of dissolved constituents in groundwater using a variety of different methods, each with its own assumptions, advantages and limitations. The objective of this paper is to provide a methodological basis for improving the estimation of natural background concentrations of groundwater constituents. To this end, this paper critically reviews the different approaches used to determine natural background concentrations of dissolved constituents in groundwater. In addition, two regional case studies of fluoride in Canadian groundwater are presented to illustrate the estimation of background concentrations for natural groundwater constituents. The review of existing methods shows that the use of pristine groundwater samples is not possible in many cases, due to the widespread influence of human activities. The widely used pre-selection method can provide misleading results because of inadequate selection criteria and poor statistical significance associated with the reduction of the dataset. A variety of model-based methods have been developed, but these methods are all based on assumptions that cannot be verified. Relying on the user's experience and previous knowledge of the groundwater system, exploratory data analysis has many advantages and can be applied for both anthropogenic and natural constituents. The case studies show that the exploratory data analysis approach provides critical information to determine the sources of groundwater constituents and to properly delineate groundwater bodies for which background values will be established. Natural background concentrations should always be considered as theoretical values due to their spatio-temporal variability and scale dependence, and thresholds as concentration values above which further investigation is required.
•Methods to determine natural background concentrations in groundwater are reviewed.•Two case studies are presented for geogenic fluoride in Canadian groundwater.•Exploratory data analysis is a powerful method to estimate background concentrations.•The delineation of groundwater bodies is key to determine relevant background values.•The sources of constituents need to be considered to determine suitable thresholds.
Pathogenic New World orthohantaviruses cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS), a severe immunopathogenic disease in humans manifested by pulmonary edema and respiratory distress, with case ...fatality rates approaching 40%. High levels of inflammatory mediators are present in the lungs and systemic circulation of HCPS patients. Previous studies have provided insights into the pathophysiology of HCPS. However, the longitudinal correlations of innate and adaptive immune responses and disease outcomes remain unresolved. This study analyzed serial immune responses in 13 HCPS cases due to Sin Nombre orthohantavirus (SNV), with 11 severe cases requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment and two mild cases. We measured viral load, levels of various cytokines, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). We found significantly elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines and PAI-1 in five end-stage cases. There was no difference between the expression of active uPA in survivors' and decedents' cases. However, total uPA in decedents' cases was significantly higher compared to survivors'. In some end-stage cases, uPA was refractory to PAI-1 inhibition as measured by zymography, where uPA and PAI-1 were strongly correlated to lymphocyte counts and IFN-γ. We also found bacterial co-infection influencing the etiology and outcome of immune response in two cases. Unsupervised Principal Component Analysis and hierarchical cluster analyses resolved separate waves of correlated immune mediators expressed in one case patient due to a sequential co-infection of bacteria and SNV. Overall, a robust proinflammatory immune response, characterized by an imbalance in T helper 17 (Th17) and regulatory T-cells (Treg) subsets, was correlated with dysregulated inflammation and mortality. Our sample size is small; however, the core differences correlated to survivors and end-stage HCPS are instructive.
Odyssey: a solar system mission Christophe, B.; Andersen, P. H.; Anderson, J. D. ...
Experimental astronomy,
03/2009, Letnik:
23, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The Solar System Odyssey mission uses modern-day high-precision experimental techniques to test the laws of fundamental physics which determine dynamics in the solar system. It could lead to major ...discoveries by using demonstrated technologies and could be flown within the Cosmic Vision time frame. The mission proposes to perform a set of precision gravitation experiments from the vicinity of Earth to the outer Solar System. Its scientific objectives can be summarized as follows: (1) test of the gravity force law in the Solar System up to and beyond the orbit of Saturn; (2) precise investigation of navigation anomalies at the fly-bys; (3) measurement of Eddington’s parameter at occultations; (4) mapping of gravity field in the outer solar system and study of the Kuiper belt. To this aim, the Odyssey mission is built up on a main spacecraft, designed to fly up to 13 AU, with the following components: (a) a high-precision accelerometer, with bias-rejection system, measuring the deviation of the trajectory from the geodesics, that is also giving gravitational forces; (b) Ka-band transponders, as for Cassini, for a precise range and Doppler measurement up to 13 AU, with additional VLBI equipment; (c) optional laser equipment, which would allow one to improve the range and Doppler measurement, resulting in particular in an improved measurement (with respect to Cassini) of the Eddington’s parameter. In this baseline concept, the main spacecraft is designed to operate beyond the Saturn orbit, up to 13 AU. It experiences multiple planetary fly-bys at Earth, Mars or Venus, and Jupiter. The cruise and fly-by phases allow the mission to achieve its baseline scientific objectives (1) to (3) in the above list. In addition to this baseline concept, the Odyssey mission proposes the release of the Enigma radio-beacon at Saturn, allowing one to extend the deep space gravity test up to at least 50 AU, while achieving the scientific objective of a mapping of gravity field in the outer Solar System (4) in the above list.
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