Showing papers by "Wolfgang Wagner published in 2022"

Measurements of Higgs boson production cross-sections in the H → τ+τ− decay channel in pp collisions at $$ \sqrt{s} $$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A bstract Measurements of the production cross-sections of the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson ( H ) decaying into a pair of τ -leptons are presented. The measurements use data collected with the ATLAS detector from pp collisions produced at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of $$ \sqrt{s} $$ s = 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb − 1 . Leptonic ( τ → ℓν ℓ ν τ ) and hadronic ( τ → hadrons ν τ ) decays of the τ -lepton are considered. All measurements account for the branching ratio of H → ττ and are performed with a requirement |y H | < 2 . 5, where y H is the true Higgs boson rapidity. The cross-section of the pp → H → ττ process is measured to be 2 . 94 ± $$ 0.21{\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)}_{-0.32}^{+0.37} $$ 0.21 stat − 0.32 + 0.37 (syst) pb, in agreement with the SM prediction of 3 . 17 ± 0 . 09 pb. Inclusive cross-sections are determined separately for the four dominant production modes: 2 . 65 ± $$ 0.41{\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)}_{-0.67}^{+0.91} $$ 0.41 stat − 0.67 + 0.91 (syst) pb for gluon-gluon fusion, 0 . 197 ± $$ 0.028{\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)}_{-0.026}^{+0.032} $$ 0.028 stat − 0.026 + 0.032 (syst) pb for vector-boson fusion, 0 . 115 ± $$ 0.058{\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)}_{-0.040}^{+0.042} $$ 0.058 stat − 0.040 + 0.042 (syst) pb for vector-boson associated production, and 0 . 033 ± $$ 0.031{\left(\mathrm{stat}\right)}_{-0.017}^{+0.022} $$ 0.031 stat − 0.017 + 0.022 (syst) pb for top-quark pair associated production. Measurements in exclusive regions of the phase space, using the simplified template cross-section framework, are also performed. All results are in agreement with the SM predictions.

Search for Higgs boson decays into a pair of pseudoscalar particles in the bbμμ final state with the ATLAS detector in pp collisions at s=13 TeV

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Search for Higgs bosons decaying into new spin-0 or spin-1 particles in four-lepton final states with the ATLAS detector with 139 fb−1 of pp collision data at $$ \sqrt{s} $$ = 13 TeV

Abstract: A bstract Searches are conducted for new spin-0 or spin-1 bosons using events where a Higgs boson with mass 125 GeV decays into four leptons ( ℓ = e , μ ). This decay is presumed to occur via an intermediate state which contains two on-shell, promptly decaying bosons: H → XX/ZX → 4 ℓ , where the new boson X has a mass between 1 and 60 GeV. The search uses pp collision data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC with an integrated luminosity of 139 fb − 1 at a centre-of-mass energy $$ \sqrt{s} $$ s = 13 TeV. The data are found to be consistent with Standard Model expectations. Limits are set on fiducial cross sections and on the branching ratio of the Higgs boson to decay into XX/ZX , improving those from previous publications by a factor between two and four. Limits are also set on mixing parameters relevant in extensions of the Standard Model containing a dark sector where X is interpreted to be a dark boson.

Satellite-Based Flood Mapping through Bayesian Inference from a Sentinel-1 SAR Datacube

Abstract: Spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) are well-established systems for flood mapping, thanks to their high sensitivity towards water surfaces and their independence from daylight and cloud cover. Particularly able is the 2014-launched Copernicus Sentinel-1 C-band SAR mission, with its systematic monitoring schedule featuring global land coverage in a short revisit time and a 20 m ground resolution. Yet, variable environment conditions, low-contrasting land cover, and complex terrain pose major challenges to fully automated flood monitoring. To overcome these issues, and aiming for a robust classification, we formulate a datacube-based flood mapping algorithm that exploits the Sentinel-1 orbit repetition and a priori generated probability parameters for flood and non-flood conditions. A globally applicable flood signature is obtained from manually collected wind- and frost-free images. Through harmonic analysis of each pixel’s full time series, we derive a local seasonal non-flood signal comprising the expected backscatter values for each day-of-year. From those predefined probability distributions, we classify incoming Sentinel-1 images by simple Bayes inference, which is computationally slim and hence suitable for near-real-time operations, and also yields uncertainty values. The datacube-based masking of no-sensitivity resulting from impeding land cover and ill-posed SAR configuration enhances the classification robustness. We employed the algorithm on a 6-year Sentinel-1 datacube over Greece, where a major flood hit the region of Thessaly in 2018. In-depth analysis of model parameters and sensitivity, and the evaluation against microwave and optical reference flood maps, suggest excellent flood mapping skill, and very satisfying classification metrics with about 96% overall accuracy and only few false positives. The presented algorithm is part of the ensemble flood mapping product of the Global Flood Monitoring (GFM) component of the Copernicus Emergency Management Service (CEMS).

Performance of the ATLAS Level-1 topological trigger in Run 2

Abstract: Abstract During LHC Run 2 (2015–2018) the ATLAS Level-1 topological trigger allowed efficient data-taking by the ATLAS experiment at luminosities up to 2.1 $$\times $$ × 10 $$^{34}$$ 34 cm $$^{-2}$$ - 2 s $$^{-1}$$ - 1 , which exceeds the design value by a factor of two. The system was installed in 2016 and operated in 2017 and 2018. It uses Field Programmable Gate Array processors to select interesting events by placing kinematic and angular requirements on electromagnetic clusters, jets, $$\tau $$ τ -leptons, muons and the missing transverse energy. It allowed to significantly improve the background event rejection and signal event acceptance, in particular for Higgs and B -physics processes.

How to Translate DNA Methylation Biomarkers Into Clinical Practice

Abstract: Recent advances in sequencing technologies provide unprecedented opportunities for epigenetic biomarker development. Particularly the DNA methylation pattern—which is modified at specific sites in the genome during cellular differentiation, aging, and disease—holds high hopes for a wide variety of diagnostic applications. While many epigenetic biomarkers have been described, only very few of them have so far been successfully translated into clinical practice and almost exclusively in the field of oncology. This discrepancy might be attributed to the different demands of either publishing a new finding or establishing a standardized and approved diagnostic procedure. This is exemplified for epigenetic leukocyte counts and epigenetic age-predictions. To ease later clinical translation, the following hallmarks should already be taken into consideration when designing epigenetic biomarkers: 1) Identification of best genomic regions, 2) pre-analytical processing, 3) accuracy of DNA methylation measurements, 4) identification of confounding parameters, 5) accreditation as diagnostic procedure, 6) standardized data analysis, 7) turnaround time, and 8) costs and customer requirements. While the initial selection of relevant genomic regions is usually performed on genome wide DNA methylation profiles, it might be advantageous to subsequently establish targeted assays that focus on specific genomic regions. Development of an epigenetic biomarker for clinical application is a long and cumbersome process that is only initiated with the identification of an epigenetic signature.

Physical activity specifically evokes release of cell-free DNA from granulocytes thereby affecting liquid biopsy

Abstract: Physical activity impacts immune homeostasis and leads to rapid and marked increase in cell-free DNA (cfDNA). However, the origin of cfDNA during exercise remains elusive and it is unknown if physical activity could improve or interfere with methylation based liquid biopsy. We analyzed the methylation levels of four validated CpGs representing cfDNA from granulocytes, lymphocytes, monocytes, and non-hematopoietic cells, in healthy individuals in response to exercise, and in patients with hematological malignancies under resting conditions. The analysis revealed that physical activity almost exclusively triggered DNA release from granulocytes, highlighting the relevance as a pre-analytical variable which could compromise diagnostic accuracy.

Search for single production of a vectorlike T quark decaying into a Higgs boson and top quark with fully hadronic final states using the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A search is made for a vectorlike T quark decaying into a Higgs boson and a top quark in 13 TeV proton-proton collisions using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider with a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb − 1 . The Higgs-boson and top-quark candidates are identified in the all-hadronic decay mode, where H → b ¯ b and t → bW → bq ¯ q 0 are reconstructed as large-radius jets. The candidate Higgs boson, top quark, and associated B hadrons are identified using tagging algorithms. No significant excess is observed above the background, so limits are set on the production cross section of a singlet T quark at 95% confidence level, depending on the mass m T and coupling κ T of the vectorlike T quark to Standard Model particles. In the considered mass range between 1.0 and 2.3 TeV, the upper limit on the allowed coupling values increases with m T from a minimum value of 0.35 for 1 . 07 < m T < 1 . 4 TeV to 1.6 for m T ¼ 2 . 3 TeV.

Direct constraint on the Higgs–charm coupling from a search for Higgs boson decays into charm quarks with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A search for the Higgs boson decaying into a pair of charm quarks is presented. The analysis uses proton-proton collisions to target the production of a Higgs boson in association with a leptonically decaying $W$ or $Z$ boson. The dataset delivered by the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}=13$ TeV and recorded by the ATLAS detector corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. Flavour-tagging algorithms are used to identify jets originating from the hadronisation of charm quarks. The analysis method is validated with the simultaneous measurement of $WW,WZ$ and $ZZ$ production, with observed (expected) significances of $2.6$ ($2.2$) standard deviations above the background-only prediction for the $(W/Z)Z(\to c\bar{c})$ process and $3.8$ ($4.6$) standard deviations for the $(W/Z)W(\to cq)$ process. The $(W/Z)H(\to c \bar{c})$ search yields an observed (expected) upper limit of $26$ ($31$) times the predicted Standard Model cross-section times branching fraction for a Higgs boson with a mass of 125 GeV, corresponding to an observed (expected) constraint on the charm Yukawa coupling modifier $|\kappa_c| < 8.5 (12.4)$, at the 95% confidence level. A combination with the ATLAS $(W/Z)H, H\to b\bar{b}$ analysis is performed, allowing the ratio $\kappa_c / \kappa_b$ to be constrained to less than 4.5 at the 95% confidence level, smaller than the ratio of the $b$- and $c$-quark masses, and therefore determines the Higgs-charm coupling to be weaker than the Higgs-bottom coupling at the 95% confidence level.

Toward Clinical Application of Leukocyte Counts Based on Targeted DNA Methylation Analysis.

Abstract: BACKGROUND Differential leukocyte counts are usually measured based on cellular morphology or surface marker expression. It has recently been shown that leukocyte counts can also be determined by cell-type-specific DNA methylation (DNAm). Such epigenetic leukocyte counting is applicable to small blood volumes and even frozen material, but for clinical translation, the method needs to be further refined and validated. METHODS We further optimized and validated targeted DNAm assays for leukocyte deconvolution using 332 venous and 122 capillary blood samples from healthy donors. In addition, we tested 36 samples from ring trials and venous blood from 266 patients diagnosed with different hematological diseases. Deconvolution of cell types was determined with various models using DNAm values obtained by pyrosequencing or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). RESULTS Relative leukocyte quantification correlated with conventional blood counts for granulocytes, lymphocytes, B cells, T cells (CD4 or CD8), natural killer cells, and monocytes with pyrosequencing (r = 0.84; r = 0.82; r = 0.58; r = 0.50; r = 0.70; r = 0.61; and r = 0.59, respectively) and ddPCR measurements (r = 0.65; r = 0.79; r = 0.56; r = 0.57; r = 0.75; r = 0.49; and r = 0.46, respectively). In some patients, particularly with hematopoietic malignancies, we observed outliers in epigenetic leukocyte counts, which could be discerned if relative proportions of leukocyte subsets did not sum up to 100%. Furthermore, absolute quantification was obtained by spiking blood samples with a reference plasmid of known copy number. CONCLUSIONS Targeted DNAm analysis by pyrosequencing or ddPCR is a valid alternative to quantify leukocyte subsets, but some assays require further optimization.

Search for Higgs boson pair production in the two bottom quarks plus two photons final state in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mi>p</mml:mi></mml:math> collisions at <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display=

Abstract: Searches are performed for nonresonant and resonant di-Higgs boson production in the bb¯γγ final state. The dataset used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb−1 of proton–proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. No excess above the expected background is found and upper limits on the di-Higgs boson production cross sections are set. A 95% confidence-level upper limit of 4.2 times the cross section predicted by the Standard Model is set on pp→HH nonresonant production, where the expected limit is 5.7 times the Standard Model predicted value. The expected constraints are obtained for a background hypothesis excluding pp→HH production. The observed (expected) constraints on the Higgs boson trilinear coupling modifier κλ are determined to be [−1.5,6.7] ([−2.4,7.7]) at 95% confidence level, where the expected constraints on κλ are obtained excluding pp→HH production from the background hypothesis. For resonant production of a new hypothetical scalar particle X (X→HH→bb¯γγ), limits on the cross section for pp→X→HH are presented in the narrow-width approximation as a function of mX in the range 251 GeV≤mX≤1000 GeV. The observed (expected) limits on the cross section for pp→X→HH range from 640 fb to 44 fb (391 fb to 46 fb) over the considered mass range.8 MoreReceived 23 December 2021Accepted 1 August 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.106.052001Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Funded by SCOAP3.© 2022 CERN, for the ATLAS CollaborationPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasExtensions of Higgs sectorHadron-hadron interactionsPhysical SystemsHiggs bosonsParticles & Fields

Measurement of Higgs boson decay into b-quarks in associated production with a top-quark pair in pp collisions at $$ \sqrt{s} $$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A bstract The associated production of a Higgs boson and a top-quark pair is measured in events characterised by the presence of one or two electrons or muons. The Higgs boson decay into a b -quark pair is used. The analysed data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb − 1 , were collected in proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider between 2015 and 2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of $$ \sqrt{s} $$ s = 13 TeV. The measured signal strength, defined as the ratio of the measured signal yield to that predicted by the Standard Model, is $$ {0.35}_{-0.34}^{+0.36} $$ 0.35 − 0.34 + 0.36 . This result is compatible with the Standard Model prediction and corresponds to an observed (expected) significance of 1.0 (2.7) standard deviations. The signal strength is also measured differentially in bins of the Higgs boson transverse momentum in the simplified template cross-section framework, including a bin for specially selected boosted Higgs bosons with transverse momentum above 300 GeV.

Observation of electroweak production of two jets in association with an isolated photon and missing transverse momentum, and search for a Higgs boson decaying into invisible particles at 13 $$\text {TeV}$$ with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: This paper presents a measurement of the electroweak production of two jets in association with a $Z\gamma$ pair, with the $Z$ boson decaying into two neutrinos. It also presents a search for invisible or partially invisible decays of a Higgs boson with a mass of 125 GeV produced through vector-boson fusion with a photon in the final state. These results use data from LHC proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb$^{-1}$. The event signature, shared by all benchmark processes considered for the measurements and searches, is characterized by a significant amount of unbalanced transverse momentum and a photon in the final state, in addition to a pair of forward jets. Electroweak $Z\gamma$ production in association with two jets is observed in this final state with a significance of 5.2 (5.1 expected) standard deviations. The measured fiducial cross-section for this process is 1.31$\pm$0.29 fb. An observed (expected) upper limit of 0.37 ($0.34^{+0.15}_{-0.10}$) at 95% confidence level is set on the branching ratio of a 125 GeV Higgs boson to invisible particles, assuming the Standard Model production cross-section. The signature is also interpreted in the context of decays of a Higgs boson into a photon and a dark photon. An observed (expected) 95% CL upper limit on the branching ratio for this decay is set at 0.018 ($0.017^{+0.007}_{-0.005}$), assuming the Standard Model production cross-section for a 125 GeV Higgs boson.

Cell Cluster Sorting in Automated Differentiation of Patient-specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Towards Blood Cells

Abstract: Graphical Abstract Clonal iPS cell lines and embryoid bodies (EB) of defined size are obtained by cell cluster sorting in an automated platform. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) represent a particularly versatile stem cell type for a large array of applications in biology and medicine. Taking full advantage of iPS cell technology requires high throughput and automated iPS cell culture and differentiation. We present an automated platform for efficient and robust iPS cell culture and differentiation into blood cells. We implemented cell cluster sorting for analysis and sorting of iPS cell clusters in order to establish clonal iPS cell lines with high reproducibility and efficacy. Patient-specific iPS cells were induced to differentiate towards hematopoietic cells via embryoid body (EB) formation. EB size impacts on iPS cell differentiation and we applied cell cluster sorting to obtain EB of defined size for efficient blood cell differentiation. In summary, implementing cell cluster sorting into the workflow of iPS cell cloning, growth and differentiation represent a valuable add-on for standard and automated iPS cell handling.

Search for resonant pair production of Higgs bosons in the <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>b</mml:mi><mml:mover accent="true"><mml:mi>b</mml:mi><mml:mo stretchy="false">¯</mml:mo></mml:mover><mml:mi>b</mml:mi><mml:mover accent="true"><mml:mi>b</mml:

Abstract: A search for resonant Higgs boson pair production in the $b\bar{b}b\bar{b}$ final state is presented. The analysis uses 126-139 fb$^{-1}$ of $pp$ collision data at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis is divided into two channels, targeting Higgs boson decays which are reconstructed as pairs of small-radius jets or as individual large-radius jets. Spin-0 and spin-2 benchmark signal models are considered, both of which correspond to resonant $HH$ production via gluon$-$gluon fusion. The data are consistent with Standard Model predictions. Upper limits are set on the production cross-section times branching ratio to Higgs boson pairs of a new resonance in the mass range from 251 GeV to 5 TeV.

Measurement of the c-jet mistagging efficiency in $$t\bar{t}$$ events using pp collision data at $$\sqrt{s}=13$$ $$\text {TeV}$$ collected with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: Abstract A technique is presented to measure the efficiency with which c -jets are mistagged as b -jets (mistagging efficiency) using $$t\bar{t}$$ t t ¯ events, where one of the W bosons decays into an electron or muon and a neutrino and the other decays into a quark–antiquark pair. The measurement utilises the relatively large and known $$W\rightarrow cs$$ W → c s branching ratio, which allows a measurement to be made in an inclusive c -jet sample. The data sample used was collected by the ATLAS detector at $$\sqrt{s} = 13$$ s = 13 $$\text {TeV}$$ TeV and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb $$^{-1}$$ - 1 . Events are reconstructed using a kinematic likelihood technique which selects the mapping between jets and $$t\bar{t}$$ t t ¯ decay products that yields the highest likelihood value. The distribution of the b -tagging discriminant for jets from the hadronic W decays in data is compared with that in simulation to extract the mistagging efficiency as a function of jet transverse momentum. The total uncertainties are in the range 3–17%. The measurements generally agree with those in simulation but there are some differences in the region corresponding to the most stringent b -jet tagging requirement.

Measurements of the Higgs boson inclusive and differential fiducial cross-sections in the diphoton decay channel with pp collisions at $$ \sqrt{s} $$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A measurement of inclusive and differential fiducial cross-sections for the production of the Higgs boson decaying into two photons is performed using $139~\text{fb}^{-1}$ of proton--proton collision data recorded at $\sqrt{s} = 13$ TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The inclusive cross-section times branching ratio, in a fiducial region closely matching the experimental selection, is measured to be $67\pm 6$ fb, which is in agreement with the state-of-the-art Standard Model prediction of $64\pm 4$ fb. Extrapolating this result to the full phase space and correcting for the branching ratio, the total cross-section for Higgs boson production is estimated to be $58\pm 6$ pb. In addition, the cross-sections in four fiducial regions sensitive to various Higgs boson production modes and differential cross-sections as a function of either one or two of several observables are measured. All the measurements are found to be in agreement with the Standard Model predictions. The measured transverse momentum distribution of the Higgs boson is used as an indirect probe of the Yukawa coupling of the Higgs boson to the bottom and charm quarks. In addition, five differential cross-section measurements are used to constrain anomalous Higgs boson couplings to vector bosons in the Standard Model effective field theory framework.

Measurement of the c-jet mistagging efficiency in $$t\bar{t}$$ t t

Abstract: Abstract A technique is presented to measure the efficiency with which c -jets are mistagged as b -jets (mistagging efficiency) using $$t\bar{t}$$ t t ¯ events, where one of the W bosons decays into an electron or muon and a neutrino and the other decays into a quark–antiquark pair. The measurement utilises the relatively large and known $$W\rightarrow cs$$ W → c s branching ratio, which allows a measurement to be made in an inclusive c -jet sample. The data sample used was collected by the ATLAS detector at $$\sqrt{s} = 13$$ s = 13 $$\text {TeV}$$ TeV and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 139 fb $$^{-1}$$ - 1 . Events are reconstructed using a kinematic likelihood technique which selects the mapping between jets and $$t\bar{t}$$ t t ¯ decay products that yields the highest likelihood value. The distribution of the b -tagging discriminant for jets from the hadronic W decays in data is compared with that in simulation to extract the mistagging efficiency as a function of jet transverse momentum. The total uncertainties are in the range 3–17%. The measurements generally agree with those in simulation but there are some differences in the region corresponding to the most stringent b -jet tagging requirement.

Determination of the parton distribution functions of the proton using diverse ATLAS data from pp collisions at $$\sqrt{s} = 7$$, 8 and 13 TeV

Abstract: This paper presents an analysis at next-to-next-to-leading order in the theory of quantum chromodynamics for the determination of a new set of proton parton distribution functions using diverse measurements in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 7$, 8 and 13 TeV, performed by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, together with deep inelastic scattering data from $ep$ collisions at the HERA collider. The ATLAS data sets considered are differential cross-section measurements of inclusive $W^{\pm}$ and $Z/\gamma^*$ boson production, $W^{\pm}$ and $Z$ boson production in association with jets, $t\bar{t}$ production, inclusive jet production and direct photon production. In the analysis, particular attention is paid to the correlation of systematic uncertainties within and between the various ATLAS data sets and to the impact of model, theoretical and parameterisation uncertainties. The resulting set of parton distribution functions is called ATLASpdf21

AtlFast3: The Next Generation of Fast Simulation in ATLAS

Abstract: The ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider has a broad physics programme ranging from precision measurements to direct searches for new particles and new interactions, requiring ever larger and ever more accurate datasets of simulated Monte Carlo events. Detector simulation with GEANT4 is accurate but requires significant CPU resources. Over the past decade, ATLAS has developed and utilized tools that replace the most CPU-intensive component of the simulation -- the calorimeter shower simulation -- with faster simulation methods. Here, AtlFast3, the next generation of high-accuracy fast simulation in ATLAS is introduced. AtlFast3 combines parameterized approaches with machine-learning techniques and is deployed to meet current and future computing challenges and simulation needs of the ATLAS experiment. With highly accurate performance and a new ability to model substructure within jets, AtlFast3 is designed to be used to simulate large numbers of events for a wide range of physics processes.

Emulating the impact of additional proton–proton interactions in the ATLAS simulation by presampling sets of inelastic Monte Carlo events

Abstract: Abstract The accurate simulation of additional interactions at the ATLAS experiment for the analysis of proton–proton collisions delivered by the Large Hadron Collider presents a significant challenge to the computing resources. During the LHC Run 2 (2015–2018), there were up to 70 inelastic interactions per bunch crossing, which need to be accounted for in Monte Carlo (MC) production. In this document, a new method to account for these additional interactions in the simulation chain is described. Instead of sampling the inelastic interactions and adding their energy deposits to a hard-scatter interaction one-by-one, the inelastic interactions are presampled, independent of the hard scatter, and stored as combined events. Consequently, for each hard-scatter interaction, only one such presampled event needs to be added as part of the simulation chain. For the Run 2 simulation chain, with an average of 35 interactions per bunch crossing, this new method provides a substantial reduction in MC production CPU needs of around 20%, while reproducing the properties of the reconstructed quantities relevant for physics analyses with good accuracy.

Search for long-lived charginos based on a disappearing-track signature using 136 fb$$^{-1}$$ of pp collisions at $$\sqrt{s}$$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A search for long-lived charginos produced either directly or in the cascade decay of heavy prompt gluino states is presented. The search is based on proton-proton collision data collected at a centre-of-mass energy of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV between 2015 and 2018 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 136 fb$^{-1}$. Long-lived charginos are characterised by a distinct signature of a short and then disappearing track, and are reconstructed using at least four measurements in the ATLAS pixel detector, with no subsequent measurements in the silicon-microstrip tracking volume nor any associated energy deposits in the calorimeter. The final state is complemented by a large missing transverse-momentum requirement for triggering purposes and at least one high-transverse-momentum jet. No excess above the expected backgrounds is observed. Exclusion limits are set at 95% confidence level on the masses of the chargino and gluino for different chargino lifetimes. Chargino masses up to 660 (210) GeV are excluded in scenarios where the chargino is a pure wino (higgsino). For charginos produced during the cascade decay of a heavy gluino, gluinos with masses below 2.1 TeV are excluded for a chargino mass of 300 GeV and a lifetime of 0.2 ns.

How causal is a reciprocal effect? Contrasting traditional and new methods to investigate the reciprocal effects model of self-concept and achievement

Abstract: The relationship between students’ subject-specific academic self-concept and their academic achievement is one of the most widely researched topics in educational psychology. A large body of this research has considered cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs), oftentimes synonymously referred to as reciprocal effects models (REMs), as a gold standard to investigate the causal relations between the two variables and has reported evidence for a reciprocal relationship between self-concept and achievement. However, more recent methodological research questioned the plausibility of assumptions that need to be satisfied in order to interpret results from traditional CLPMs causally. In this substantive-methodological synergy, we aimed at contrasting traditional and more recently developed methods to investigate reciprocal effects of students’ academic self-concept and achievement. Specifically, we compared results from CLPMs, from full forward CLPMs (FF-CLPMs), and from random intercept CLPMs (RI-CLPMs) with two weighting approaches developed to study causal effects of continuous treatment variables. To estimate these different models, we used rich longitudinal data of N = 3,757 students from lower secondary schools in Germany. Results from CLPMs, FF-CLPMs, and weighting methods support the reciprocal effects model, particularly when considering math self-concept and grades. In contrast, results from the RI-CLPMs were less consistent. Implications from our study for the interpretation of effects from the different models and methods as well as for school motivation theory are discussed.

Hematopoietic differentiation persists in human iPSCs defective in de novo DNA methylation

Abstract: Abstract Background DNA methylation is involved in the epigenetic regulation of gene expression during developmental processes and is primarily established by the DNA methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A) and 3B (DNMT3B). DNMT3A is one of the most frequently mutated genes in clonal hematopoiesis and leukemia, indicating that it plays a crucial role for hematopoietic differentiation. However, the functional relevance of Dnmt3a for hematopoietic differentiation and hematological malignancies has mostly been analyzed in mice, with the specific role for human hematopoiesis remaining elusive. In this study, we therefore investigated if DNMT3A is essential for hematopoietic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). Results We generated iPSC lines with knockout of either exon 2, 19, or 23 and analyzed the impact of different DNMT3A exon knockouts on directed differentiation toward mesenchymal and hematopoietic lineages. Exon 19 −/− and 23 −/− lines displayed an almost entire absence of de novo DNA methylation during mesenchymal and hematopoietic differentiation. Yet, differentiation efficiency was only slightly reduced in exon 19 −/− and rather increased in exon 23 −/− lines, while there was no significant impact on gene expression in hematopoietic progenitors (iHPCs). Notably, DNMT3A −/− iHPCs recapitulate some DNA methylation patterns of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with DNMT3A mutations. Furthermore, multicolor genetic barcoding revealed growth advantage of exon 23 −/− iHPCs in a syngeneic competitive differentiation assay. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that iPSCs with homozygous knockout of different exons of DNMT3A remain capable of mesenchymal and hematopoietic differentiation—and exon 23 −/− iHPCs even gained growth advantage—despite loss of almost the entire de novo DNA methylation. Partial recapitulation of DNA methylation patterns of AML with DNMT3A mutations by our DNMT3A knockout iHPCs indicates that our model system can help to elucidate mechanisms of clonal hematopoiesis.

Observation of <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mrow><mml:mi>W</mml:mi><mml:mi>W</mml:mi><mml:mi>W</mml:mi></mml:mrow></mml:math> Production in <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>p</mml:mi><mml:mi>p</mml:

Abstract: This Letter reports the observation of WWW production and a measurement of its cross section using 139 fb−1 of proton-proton collision data recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Events with two same-sign leptons (electrons or muons) and at least two jets, as well as events with three charged leptons, are selected. A multivariate technique is then used to discriminate between signal and background events. Events from WWW production are observed with a significance of 8.0 standard deviations, where the expectation is 5.4 standard deviations. The inclusive WWW production cross section is measured to be 820±100 (stat)±80 (syst) fb, approximately 2.6 standard deviations from the predicted cross section of 511±18 fb calculated at next-to-leading-order QCD and leading-order electroweak accuracy.Received 2 February 2022Accepted 23 June 2022DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.129.061803Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI. Funded by SCOAP3.© 2022 CERN, for the ATLAS CollaborationPhysics Subject Headings (PhySH)Research AreasElectroweak interactionParticle productionW & Z bosonsTechniquesHadron collidersParticles & Fields