A machine learning model was created to predict the electron spectrum generated by a GeV-class laser wakefield accelerator.The model was constructed from variational convolutional neural networks,which mapped the resu...A machine learning model was created to predict the electron spectrum generated by a GeV-class laser wakefield accelerator.The model was constructed from variational convolutional neural networks,which mapped the results of secondary laser and plasma diagnostics to the generated electron spectrum.An ensemble of trained networks was used to predict the electron spectrum and to provide an estimation of the uncertainty of that prediction.It is anticipated that this approach will be useful for inferring the electron spectrum prior to undergoing any process that can alter or destroy the beam.In addition,the model provides insight into the scaling of electron beam properties due to stochastic fluctuations in the laser energy and plasma electron density.展开更多
X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a well-accepted diagnostic for experimental studies of warm dense matter.It requires a short-lived X-ray source of sufficiently high emissivity and without characteristic lines in the ...X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a well-accepted diagnostic for experimental studies of warm dense matter.It requires a short-lived X-ray source of sufficiently high emissivity and without characteristic lines in the spectral range of interest.In the present work,we discuss how to choose an optimum material and thickness to get a bright source in the wavelength range 2A–6A(∼2 keV to 6 keV)by considering relatively low-Z elements.We demonstrate that the highest emissivity of solid aluminum and silicon foil targets irradiated with a 1-ps high-contrast sub-kJ laser pulse is achieved when the target thickness is close to 10μm.An outer plastic layer can increase the emissivity even further.展开更多
A first search for the Ξ_(bc)^(+)J/ψΞ_(c)^(+) decay is performed by the LHCb experiment with a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1 recorded at centre-of-mass...A first search for the Ξ_(bc)^(+)J/ψΞ_(c)^(+) decay is performed by the LHCb experiment with a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1 recorded at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. Two peaking structures are seen with a local (global) significance of 4.3(2.8) and 4.1(2.4) standard deviations at masses of 6571 and 6694 MeV/c2, respectively. Upper limits are set on the Ξ+bc baryon production cross-section times the branching fraction relative to that of the B+c→J/ψD+s decay at centre-of-mass energies of 8 and 13 TeV, in the Ξ+bc and in the B+c rapidity and transverse-momentum ranges from 2.0 to 4.5 and 0 to 20GeV/c, respectively. Upper limits are presented as a function of the Ξ+bc mass and lifetime.展开更多
A search for the rare decays W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D0γis performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity...A search for the rare decays W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D0γis performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0fb−1.No significant signal is observed for either decay mode and upper limits on their branching fractions are set using W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→μ+μ−decays as normalization channels.The upper limits are 6.5×10^(−4) and 2.1×10^(−3) at 95% confidence level for the W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D^(0)γ decay modes,respectively.This is the first reported search for the Z→D^(0)γ decay,while the upper limit on the W+→D+sγbranching fraction improves upon the previous best limit.展开更多
A search for the doubly charmed baryon ■^+cc is performed through its decay to theΛ^+c K^-π^+ final state,using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13...A search for the doubly charmed baryon ■^+cc is performed through its decay to theΛ^+c K^-π^+ final state,using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV.The data correspond to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb^-1.No significant signal is observed in the mass range from 3.4 to 3.8 GeV/c^2.Upper limits are set at 95%credibility level on the ratio of the ■^+cc production cross-section times the branching fraction to that ofΛ^+c and ■^++cc baryons.The limits are determined as functions of the ■^+cc mass for different lifetime hypotheses,in the rapidity range from 2.0 to 4.5 and the transverse momentum range from 4 to 15 GeV/c.展开更多
First evidence of a structure in the J/ψΛinvariant mass distribution is obtained from an amplitude analysis of■b^(-)J/ψΛK^(-)decays.The observed structure is consistent with being due to a charmonium pentaquark w...First evidence of a structure in the J/ψΛinvariant mass distribution is obtained from an amplitude analysis of■b^(-)J/ψΛK^(-)decays.The observed structure is consistent with being due to a charmonium pentaquark with strangeness with a significance of 3.1r including systematic uncertainties and lookelsewhere effect.Its mass and width are determined to be 4458:8±2:9t4:7-1:1 MeV and 17:3±6:5t8:0-5:7 MeV,respectively,where the quoted uncertainties are statistical and systematic.The structure is also consistent with being due to two resonances.In addition,the narrow excited■^(-)states,N■(1690)and■(1820),are seen for the first time in a■b^(-)decay,and their masses and widths are measured with improved precision.The analysis is performed using pp collision data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb^(-1),collected with the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV.展开更多
The production of ■baryons in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV is measured in the transverse-momentum range 4<pT<15GeV/c and the rapidity range2.0<y<4.5.The data used in...The production of ■baryons in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV is measured in the transverse-momentum range 4<pT<15GeV/c and the rapidity range2.0<y<4.5.The data used in this measurement correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.7fb^-1,recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2016.The ratio of the ■ production cross-section times the branching fraction of the■→∧^+cK^-π^+ π^+decay relative to the prompt ∧^+c production cross-section is found to be(2.22±0.27±0.29)×10^-4,assuming the central value of the measured lifetime,where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.展开更多
The first search for the doubly heavyΩ^(0)_(bc)baryon and a search for the E^(0)_(bc)baryon are performed using pp collision data collected via the LHCb experiment from 2016 to 2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 T...The first search for the doubly heavyΩ^(0)_(bc)baryon and a search for the E^(0)_(bc)baryon are performed using pp collision data collected via the LHCb experiment from 2016 to 2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.2 fb^(-1).The baryons are reconstructed via their decays to Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-)and E^(+)_(c)π^(-).No significant excess is fbund for invariant masses between 6700 and 7300 MeV/c^(2),in a rapidity range from 2.0 to 4.5 and a transverse momentum range from 2 to 20 MeV/c.Upper limits are set on the ratio of the Ω^(0)_(bc)and E^(0)_(bc)production cross-section times the branching fraction to Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-)(E^(+)_(c)π^(-))relative to that of the Λ^(0)_(b)(E^(0)_(b))baryon,for different lifetime hypotheses,at 95%confidence level.The upper limits range from 0.5 x 10^(-4)to 2.5 x 10^(-4)for theΩ^(0)_(bc)→Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-)(E^(0)_(bc)→Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-))decay,and from 1.4x 10^(-3)to 6.9 x 10^(-3)for theΩ^(0)_(bc)→E^(+)_(c)π^(-)(E^(0)_(bc)→E^(+)_(c)π^(-))decay,depending on the considered mass and lifetime of theΩ^(0)_(bc)(E^(0)_(bc))baryon.展开更多
A search for the rare decay B^(0)→J/ψФis performed using Pp collision data collected with the LHCb dete-ctor at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of9 fb.No signific...A search for the rare decay B^(0)→J/ψФis performed using Pp collision data collected with the LHCb dete-ctor at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of9 fb.No significant signal of the decay is observed and an upper limitof 1.1x 10^(-7)at 90%confidence level is set on the branching fraction.展开更多
Multiple sclerosis(MS) is regarded as an immunemediated,demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system,however neuroaxonal degeneration is accepted as the principal substrate of disability accumulation(Dutta and...Multiple sclerosis(MS) is regarded as an immunemediated,demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system,however neuroaxonal degeneration is accepted as the principal substrate of disability accumulation(Dutta and Trapp,2011).展开更多
AIM： To evaluate the outcomes of alcohol delamination（ALD） of the corneal epithelium for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome（RCES） and to implement a standardized treatment protocol for this condi...AIM： To evaluate the outcomes of alcohol delamination（ALD） of the corneal epithelium for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome（RCES） and to implement a standardized treatment protocol for this condition utilizing evidence based practice and the findings of an internal audit. METHODS： A retrospective analysis of 42 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with RCES who were treated with ALD between January 2006 and March 2016 was conducted. Patients had 20% alcohol applied to the cornea with the use of a well for 40 s. Patients were reviewed one week later in the Outpatient Department. Outcome criteria were established based on standards from other studies in the medical literature. These included, a treatment success rate of at least 72%（defined as complete resolution of symptoms one month after treatment）, a postoperative complication a rate of 〈5%（mainly infective keratitis, and subepithelial haze）, and the absence of any detrimental effect on visual acuity in ≥95% of patients. RESULTS： The mean age at the time of ALD was 41.17±13.44 y. Patients were followed for an average of 12.8±15.65 mo. The majority were female（52.5%, n=21） and the majority of eyes treated with ALD were left eyes（62.9%, n=26）. Trauma was the primary aetiology in our study population. Treatment was successful in 73.8%（n=31） of eyes and in 75%（n=30） of patients. Recurrence occurred in 26.2% of eyes at a mean of 10.41±12.63 mo post treatment. CONCLUSION： ALD is an efficacious and cost-effective primary surgical intervention for RCES.展开更多
The endemic fauna of New Zealand evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and their introduction has been responsible for many extinctions and declines.Introduced species including possums(Trichosurus vulpecula K...The endemic fauna of New Zealand evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and their introduction has been responsible for many extinctions and declines.Introduced species including possums(Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr),ship rats(Rattus rattus L.)and stoats(Mustela erminea L.)are targeted to protect native birds.Control methodologies currently rely largely on labor-intensive trapping or the use of increasingly unpopular poisons,or poisons that are linked with low welfare standards.Hence,the development of safer humane predator toxins and delivery systems is highly desirable.Para-aminopropiophenone(PAPP)is being developed as a toxin for feral cats(Felis catus L.)and stoats.Carnivores appear to be much more susceptible to PAPP than birds,so it potentially has high target specificity,at least in New Zealand.Pen trials with 20 feral cats and 15 stoats have been undertaken using meat baits containing a proprietary formulation of PAPP.A PAPP dose of 20-34 mg kg^(-1)was lethal for feral cats and 37-95 mg kg^(-1)was lethal for stoats.Our assessments suggest that PAPP,for the control of feral cats and stoats,is a humane and effective toxin.PAPP causes methaemoglobinaemia,resulting in central nervous system anoxia,lethargy and death.展开更多
Two genera of fangless homalopsid snakes Brachyorrhos and Calamophis from eastern Indonesia have been described as basal members of the clade. A third genus belonging to this group from Sumatra, Indonesia is described...Two genera of fangless homalopsid snakes Brachyorrhos and Calamophis from eastern Indonesia have been described as basal members of the clade. A third genus belonging to this group from Sumatra, Indonesia is described here based upon morphology. Fangless homalopsid snakes share 19 dorsal scale rows at mid-body, fused dorsal scales above the cloaca, 5 to 7 upper labials, divided anal plate, divided subcaudals, 15-21 teeth on the dentary, frontal bone about 23% of skull length and other morphological characters that suggest they are related. All the three genera are known only from Indonesia. The new genus and species have a distinctive skull morphology with an absent premaxilla, a more depressed skull, and a larger eye than are present in Brachyorrhos.展开更多
Background:Limited information is available regarding the nutritive value and structural characteristics of multispecies swards when rotationally grazed.Methods:Three farmlet types were investigated in terms of their ...Background:Limited information is available regarding the nutritive value and structural characteristics of multispecies swards when rotationally grazed.Methods:Three farmlet types were investigated in terms of their nutritive value:Lolium perenne(LP);L.perenne+Trifolium repens(LP+TR);and a multispecies sward containing grasses,legumes and herbs(MSS).Farmlets were stocked with beef steers(2.5 livestock units ha−1),grazed on a 1 ha scale to 6 cm(MSS)and 4 cm(LP and LP+TR)residuals.Results:A greater ash concentration was found in MSS than LP(84 vs.75 g kg−1 DM).Both LP+TR and MSS had higher crude protein and lower neutral detergent fibre concentrations than LP.The relative ranking of water soluble carbohydrate and dry matter(DM)concentration was LP>LP+TR>MSS.Despite the leaf component of the LP farmlet contributing more to herbage DM,the organic matter digestibilities of the swards were similar.Conclusions:The MSS and LP+TR farmlets achieved similar forage quality under intensive grazing to LP.However,it is worth noting that MSS had a higher concentration of acid detergent lignin,which can negatively impact digestibility.Further investigation is needed to determine optimal grazing management practices that can minimise the effects of higher lignin concentration on digestibility in multispecies swards.展开更多
Blindness provides an unparalleled opportunity to study plasticity of the nervous system in humans.Seminal work in this area examined the often dramatic modifications to the visual cortex that result when visual input...Blindness provides an unparalleled opportunity to study plasticity of the nervous system in humans.Seminal work in this area examined the often dramatic modifications to the visual cortex that result when visual input is completely absent from birth or very early in life（Kupers and Ptito,2014）.More recent studies explored what happens to the visual pathways in the context of acquired blindness.This is particularly relevant as the majority of diseases that cause vision loss occur in the elderly.展开更多
Chip-to-chip and world-to-chip fluidic interconnections are paramount to enable the passage of liquids between component chips and to/from microfluidic systems.Unfortunately,most interconnect designs add additional ph...Chip-to-chip and world-to-chip fluidic interconnections are paramount to enable the passage of liquids between component chips and to/from microfluidic systems.Unfortunately,most interconnect designs add additional physical constraints to chips with each additional interconnect leading to over-constrained microfluidic systems.The competing constraints provided by multiple interconnects induce strain in the chips,creating indeterminate dead volumes and misalignment between chips that comprise the microfluidic system.A novel,gasketless superhydrophobic fluidic interconnect(GSFI)that uses capillary forces to form a liquid bridge suspended between concentric through-holes and acting as a fluid passage was investigated.The GSFI decouples the alignment between component chips from the interconnect function and the attachment of the meniscus of the liquid bridge to the edges of the holes produces negligible dead volume.This passive seal was created by patterning parallel superhydrophobic surfaces(water contact angle>150°)around concentric microfluidic ports separated by a gap.The relative position of the two polymer chips was determined by passive kinematic constraints,three spherical ball bearings seated in v-grooves.A leakage pressure model derived from the Young-Laplace equation was used to estimate the leakage pressure at failure for the liquid bridge.Injection-molded,Cyclic Olefin Copolymer(COC)chip assemblies with assembly gaps from 3 to 240μm were used to experimentally validate the model.The maximum leakage pressure measured for the GSFI was 21.4 kPa(3.1 psig),which corresponded to a measured mean assembly gap of 3μm,and decreased to 0.5 kPa(0.073 psig)at a mean assembly gap of 240μm.The effect of radial misalignment on the efficacy of the gasketless seals was tested and no significant effect was observed.This may be a function of how the liquid bridges are formed during the priming of the chip,but additional research is required to test that hypothesis.展开更多
This study sought to identify potential therapeutic targets in herpes simplex keratitis(HSK) patients with active and inactive infection by investigating peripheral cytokine production. Peripheral blood mononuclear ce...This study sought to identify potential therapeutic targets in herpes simplex keratitis(HSK) patients with active and inactive infection by investigating peripheral cytokine production. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and serum were prepared from healthy controls and HSK patients during active infection or following treatment(inactive infection). Serum antibody titres were determined by ELISA. Protein expression levels were analysed by Western blot. Cytokine levels were determined by multiplex ELISA. Active corneal herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) infection resulted in significantly elevated peripheral levels of IL-1β in HSK patients compared to healthy controls, and remained significantly increased following treatment. Elevated production of IL-1β in inactive patients was associated with significantly increased levels of IRF3 and STAT1, key proteins involved in promoting anti-viral immune responses. Our data suggest that inflammation persists beyond the period that it is clinically evident and that enhanced peripheral production of IL-1β may have implications for HSV-1 viral clearance in active and inactive HSK patients.展开更多
基金supported by UK STFC ST/V001639/1,UK EPSRC EP/V049577/1 and EP/V044397/1Horizon 2020 funding under European Research Council(ERC)Grant Agreement No.682399+1 种基金support from the Royal Society URF-R1221874support from US DOE grant DESC0016804
文摘A machine learning model was created to predict the electron spectrum generated by a GeV-class laser wakefield accelerator.The model was constructed from variational convolutional neural networks,which mapped the results of secondary laser and plasma diagnostics to the generated electron spectrum.An ensemble of trained networks was used to predict the electron spectrum and to provide an estimation of the uncertainty of that prediction.It is anticipated that this approach will be useful for inferring the electron spectrum prior to undergoing any process that can alter or destroy the beam.In addition,the model provides insight into the scaling of electron beam properties due to stochastic fluctuations in the laser energy and plasma electron density.
基金The study was supported financially by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research(Grant No.20-02-00790)the Joint Institute for High Temperatures of the Russian Academy of Sciences(Topic Grant No.01201357846)The UK team received financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council(Grant Nos.EP/L01663X/1 and EP/H012605/1).
文摘X-ray absorption spectroscopy is a well-accepted diagnostic for experimental studies of warm dense matter.It requires a short-lived X-ray source of sufficiently high emissivity and without characteristic lines in the spectral range of interest.In the present work,we discuss how to choose an optimum material and thickness to get a bright source in the wavelength range 2A–6A(∼2 keV to 6 keV)by considering relatively low-Z elements.We demonstrate that the highest emissivity of solid aluminum and silicon foil targets irradiated with a 1-ps high-contrast sub-kJ laser pulse is achieved when the target thickness is close to 10μm.An outer plastic layer can increase the emissivity even further.
基金The project support from CERN and from the national agencies:CAPES,CNPq,FAPERJ and FINEP(Brazil)MOST and NSFC(China)+18 种基金CNRS/IN2P3(France)BMBF,DFG and MPG(Germany)INFN(Italy)NWO(Netherlands)MNiSW and NCN(Poland)MEN/IFA(Romania)MICINN(Spain)SNSF and SER(Switzerland)NASU(Ukraine)STFC(United Kingdom)DOE NP and NSF(USA).We acknowledge the computing resources that are provided by CERN,IN2P3(France),KIT and DESY(Germany),INFN(Italy),SURF(Netherlands),PIC(Spain),GridPP(United Kingdom),CSCS(Switzerland),IFIN-HH(Romania),CBPF(Brazil),Polish WLCG(Poland)and NERSC(USA).Individual groups or members have received support from ARC and ARDC(Australia)Minciencias(Colombia)AvH Foundation(Germany)EPLANET,Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions and ERC(European Union)A*MIDEX,ANR,IPhU and Labex P2IO,and Région Auvergne-RhôneAlpes(France)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences of CAS,CAS PIFI,CAS CCEPP,Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,and Sci.&Tech.Program of Guangzhou(China)GVA,XuntaGal,GENCAT and Prog.Atracción Talento,CM(Spain)SRC(Sweden)the Leverhulme Trust,the Royal Society and UKRI(United Kingdom).
文摘A first search for the Ξ_(bc)^(+)J/ψΞ_(c)^(+) decay is performed by the LHCb experiment with a data sample of proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9 fb−1 recorded at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV. Two peaking structures are seen with a local (global) significance of 4.3(2.8) and 4.1(2.4) standard deviations at masses of 6571 and 6694 MeV/c2, respectively. Upper limits are set on the Ξ+bc baryon production cross-section times the branching fraction relative to that of the B+c→J/ψD+s decay at centre-of-mass energies of 8 and 13 TeV, in the Ξ+bc and in the B+c rapidity and transverse-momentum ranges from 2.0 to 4.5 and 0 to 20GeV/c, respectively. Upper limits are presented as a function of the Ξ+bc mass and lifetime.
文摘A search for the rare decays W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D0γis performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0fb−1.No significant signal is observed for either decay mode and upper limits on their branching fractions are set using W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→μ+μ−decays as normalization channels.The upper limits are 6.5×10^(−4) and 2.1×10^(−3) at 95% confidence level for the W^(+)→D_(s)^(+)γ and Z→D^(0)γ decay modes,respectively.This is the first reported search for the Z→D^(0)γ decay,while the upper limit on the W+→D+sγbranching fraction improves upon the previous best limit.
基金support from CERN and from the national agencies:CAPES,CNPq，FAPERJ and FINEP(Brazil)MOST and NSFC(China)+11 种基金CNRS/IN2P3(France)BMBF,DFG and MPG(Germany)INFN(Italy)KWO(Netherlands)MNiSW and NCN(Poland)MEN/IFA(Romania)MinES and FASO(Russia)MinECo(Spain)SNSF and SER(Switzerland)NASU(Ukraine)STFC(United Kingdom)NSF(USA).
文摘A search for the doubly charmed baryon ■^+cc is performed through its decay to theΛ^+c K^-π^+ final state,using proton-proton collision data collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV.The data correspond to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb^-1.No significant signal is observed in the mass range from 3.4 to 3.8 GeV/c^2.Upper limits are set at 95%credibility level on the ratio of the ■^+cc production cross-section times the branching fraction to that ofΛ^+c and ■^++cc baryons.The limits are determined as functions of the ■^+cc mass for different lifetime hypotheses,in the rapidity range from 2.0 to 4.5 and the transverse momentum range from 4 to 15 GeV/c.
文摘First evidence of a structure in the J/ψΛinvariant mass distribution is obtained from an amplitude analysis of■b^(-)J/ψΛK^(-)decays.The observed structure is consistent with being due to a charmonium pentaquark with strangeness with a significance of 3.1r including systematic uncertainties and lookelsewhere effect.Its mass and width are determined to be 4458:8±2:9t4:7-1:1 MeV and 17:3±6:5t8:0-5:7 MeV,respectively,where the quoted uncertainties are statistical and systematic.The structure is also consistent with being due to two resonances.In addition,the narrow excited■^(-)states,N■(1690)and■(1820),are seen for the first time in a■b^(-)decay,and their masses and widths are measured with improved precision.The analysis is performed using pp collision data corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9 fb^(-1),collected with the LHCb experiment at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV.
基金Supported by CERNnational agencies:CAPES+30 种基金CNPqFAPERJFINEP(Brazil)MOSTNSFC(China)CNRS/IN2P3(France)BMBFDFGMPG(Germany)INFN(Italy)NWO(Netherlands)MNiSWNCN(Poland)MEN/IFA(Romania)MSHE(Russia)MinECo(Spain)SNSFSER(Switzerland)NASU(Ukraine)STFC(United Kingdom)DOE NPNSF(USA)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences of CAS,CAS PIFIthe Thousand Talents Program(China)RFBRRSFYandex LLC(Russia)GVAXuntaGalGENCAT(Spain)the Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust(United Kingdom)
文摘The production of ■baryons in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV is measured in the transverse-momentum range 4<pT<15GeV/c and the rapidity range2.0<y<4.5.The data used in this measurement correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.7fb^-1,recorded by the LHCb experiment during 2016.The ratio of the ■ production cross-section times the branching fraction of the■→∧^+cK^-π^+ π^+decay relative to the prompt ∧^+c production cross-section is found to be(2.22±0.27±0.29)×10^-4,assuming the central value of the measured lifetime,where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.
基金CAPES,CNPq,FAPERJ and FINEP(Brazil)MOST and NSFC(China)+18 种基金CNRS/IN2P3(France)BMBF,DFG,MPG(Germany)INFN(Italy)NWO(Netherlands)MNiSW,NCN(Poland)MEN/IFA(Romania)MSHE(Russia)MICINN(Spain)SNSF,SER(Switzerland)NASU(Ukraine)STFC(United Kingdom)DOE NP,NSF(USA).We acknowledge the computing resources that are provided by CERN,IN2P3(France),KIT and DESY(Germany),INFN(Italy),SURF(Netherlands),PIC(Spain),GridPP(United Kingdom),RRCKI and Yandex LLC(Russia),CSCS(Switzerland),IFIN-HH(Romania),CBPF(Brazil),PL-GRID(Poland)and NERSC(USA)AvH Foundation(Germany)EPLANET,Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions and ERC(European Union)A*MIDEX,ANR,Labex P2IO and OCEVU,Region Auvergne-Rhdne-Alpes(France)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences of CAS,CAS PIFI,CAS CCEPP,Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,and Sci.Tech.Program of Guangzhou(China)RFBR,RSF and Yandex LLC(Russia)GVA,XuntaGal,GENCAT(Spain)the Leverhulme Trust,the Royal Society and UKRI(United Kingdom)。
文摘The first search for the doubly heavyΩ^(0)_(bc)baryon and a search for the E^(0)_(bc)baryon are performed using pp collision data collected via the LHCb experiment from 2016 to 2018 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.2 fb^(-1).The baryons are reconstructed via their decays to Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-)and E^(+)_(c)π^(-).No significant excess is fbund for invariant masses between 6700 and 7300 MeV/c^(2),in a rapidity range from 2.0 to 4.5 and a transverse momentum range from 2 to 20 MeV/c.Upper limits are set on the ratio of the Ω^(0)_(bc)and E^(0)_(bc)production cross-section times the branching fraction to Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-)(E^(+)_(c)π^(-))relative to that of the Λ^(0)_(b)(E^(0)_(b))baryon,for different lifetime hypotheses,at 95%confidence level.The upper limits range from 0.5 x 10^(-4)to 2.5 x 10^(-4)for theΩ^(0)_(bc)→Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-)(E^(0)_(bc)→Λ^(+)_(c)π^(-))decay,and from 1.4x 10^(-3)to 6.9 x 10^(-3)for theΩ^(0)_(bc)→E^(+)_(c)π^(-)(E^(0)_(bc)→E^(+)_(c)π^(-))decay,depending on the considered mass and lifetime of theΩ^(0)_(bc)(E^(0)_(bc))baryon.
基金support from AvH Foundation(Germany)EPLANET,Marie Sk lodowska-Curie Actions and ERC(European Union)+11 种基金A*MIDEXANRLabex P2IOOCEVURégion Auvergne-Rh?ne-Alpes(France)Key Research Program of Frontier Sciences of CASCAS PIFIThousand Talents ProgramSci.&Tech.Program of Guangzhou(China)RFBR,RSF and Yandex LLC(Russia)GVA,Xunta Gal and GENCAT(Spain)the Royal Society and the Leverhulme Trust(United Kingdom)。
文摘A search for the rare decay B^(0)→J/ψФis performed using Pp collision data collected with the LHCb dete-ctor at centre-of-mass energies of 7,8 and 13 TeV,corresponding to an integrated luminosity of9 fb.No significant signal of the decay is observed and an upper limitof 1.1x 10^(-7)at 90%confidence level is set on the branching fraction.
基金funded by the National MS Society (RG-1606-08768&RG-1907-34405 to SS)Race to Erase MS (to SS)NIH/NINDS (R01NS082347 to PAC)。
文摘Multiple sclerosis(MS) is regarded as an immunemediated,demyelinating disorder of the central nervous system,however neuroaxonal degeneration is accepted as the principal substrate of disability accumulation(Dutta and Trapp,2011).
文摘AIM： To evaluate the outcomes of alcohol delamination（ALD） of the corneal epithelium for the treatment of recurrent corneal erosion syndrome（RCES） and to implement a standardized treatment protocol for this condition utilizing evidence based practice and the findings of an internal audit. METHODS： A retrospective analysis of 42 eyes of 40 patients diagnosed with RCES who were treated with ALD between January 2006 and March 2016 was conducted. Patients had 20% alcohol applied to the cornea with the use of a well for 40 s. Patients were reviewed one week later in the Outpatient Department. Outcome criteria were established based on standards from other studies in the medical literature. These included, a treatment success rate of at least 72%（defined as complete resolution of symptoms one month after treatment）, a postoperative complication a rate of 〈5%（mainly infective keratitis, and subepithelial haze）, and the absence of any detrimental effect on visual acuity in ≥95% of patients. RESULTS： The mean age at the time of ALD was 41.17±13.44 y. Patients were followed for an average of 12.8±15.65 mo. The majority were female（52.5%, n=21） and the majority of eyes treated with ALD were left eyes（62.9%, n=26）. Trauma was the primary aetiology in our study population. Treatment was successful in 73.8%（n=31） of eyes and in 75%（n=30） of patients. Recurrence occurred in 26.2% of eyes at a mean of 10.41±12.63 mo post treatment. CONCLUSION： ALD is an efficacious and cost-effective primary surgical intervention for RCES.
文摘The endemic fauna of New Zealand evolved in the absence of mammalian predators and their introduction has been responsible for many extinctions and declines.Introduced species including possums(Trichosurus vulpecula Kerr),ship rats(Rattus rattus L.)and stoats(Mustela erminea L.)are targeted to protect native birds.Control methodologies currently rely largely on labor-intensive trapping or the use of increasingly unpopular poisons,or poisons that are linked with low welfare standards.Hence,the development of safer humane predator toxins and delivery systems is highly desirable.Para-aminopropiophenone(PAPP)is being developed as a toxin for feral cats(Felis catus L.)and stoats.Carnivores appear to be much more susceptible to PAPP than birds,so it potentially has high target specificity,at least in New Zealand.Pen trials with 20 feral cats and 15 stoats have been undertaken using meat baits containing a proprietary formulation of PAPP.A PAPP dose of 20-34 mg kg^(-1)was lethal for feral cats and 37-95 mg kg^(-1)was lethal for stoats.Our assessments suggest that PAPP,for the control of feral cats and stoats,is a humane and effective toxin.PAPP causes methaemoglobinaemia,resulting in central nervous system anoxia,lethargy and death.
文摘Two genera of fangless homalopsid snakes Brachyorrhos and Calamophis from eastern Indonesia have been described as basal members of the clade. A third genus belonging to this group from Sumatra, Indonesia is described here based upon morphology. Fangless homalopsid snakes share 19 dorsal scale rows at mid-body, fused dorsal scales above the cloaca, 5 to 7 upper labials, divided anal plate, divided subcaudals, 15-21 teeth on the dentary, frontal bone about 23% of skull length and other morphological characters that suggest they are related. All the three genera are known only from Indonesia. The new genus and species have a distinctive skull morphology with an absent premaxilla, a more depressed skull, and a larger eye than are present in Brachyorrhos.
基金Department of Agriculture,Food and the Marine Research,Irish Government,Grant/Award Number:RSF 17/S/267:SMARTSWARD。
文摘Background:Limited information is available regarding the nutritive value and structural characteristics of multispecies swards when rotationally grazed.Methods:Three farmlet types were investigated in terms of their nutritive value:Lolium perenne(LP);L.perenne+Trifolium repens(LP+TR);and a multispecies sward containing grasses,legumes and herbs(MSS).Farmlets were stocked with beef steers(2.5 livestock units ha−1),grazed on a 1 ha scale to 6 cm(MSS)and 4 cm(LP and LP+TR)residuals.Results:A greater ash concentration was found in MSS than LP(84 vs.75 g kg−1 DM).Both LP+TR and MSS had higher crude protein and lower neutral detergent fibre concentrations than LP.The relative ranking of water soluble carbohydrate and dry matter(DM)concentration was LP>LP+TR>MSS.Despite the leaf component of the LP farmlet contributing more to herbage DM,the organic matter digestibilities of the swards were similar.Conclusions:The MSS and LP+TR farmlets achieved similar forage quality under intensive grazing to LP.However,it is worth noting that MSS had a higher concentration of acid detergent lignin,which can negatively impact digestibility.Further investigation is needed to determine optimal grazing management practices that can minimise the effects of higher lignin concentration on digestibility in multispecies swards.
基金supported by National Institutes of Health Contracts P30-EY008098 and T32-EY017271-06(BethesdaMD)+14 种基金United States Department of Defense DM090217(ArlingtonVA)Alcon Research Institute Young Investigator Grant(Fort WorthTX)Eye and Ear Foundation(PittsburghPA)Research to Prevent Blindness(New YorkNY)Aging Institute Pilot Seed GrantUniversity of Pittsburgh(PittsburghPA)Postdoctoral Fellowship Program in Ocular Tissue Engineering and Regenerative OphthalmologyLouis J.Fox Center for Vision RestorationUniversity of Pittsburgh and UPMC(PittsburghPA)
文摘Blindness provides an unparalleled opportunity to study plasticity of the nervous system in humans.Seminal work in this area examined the often dramatic modifications to the visual cortex that result when visual input is completely absent from birth or very early in life（Kupers and Ptito,2014）.More recent studies explored what happens to the visual pathways in the context of acquired blindness.This is particularly relevant as the majority of diseases that cause vision loss occur in the elderly.
基金the LSU Department of Mechanical&Industrial Engineering,the Roy O.Martin Jr.Lumber Co.Professorship of Mechanical Engineering,the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering of the National Institutes of Health through a research grant R01-EB-010087a Biotechnology Resource Center Grant P41-EB-020594+1 种基金d the State of Louisiana Board of Regents Enhancement Program(LEQSF(2006-07)-ENH-TR-20)the Louisiana Governor's Biotechnology Initiative.
文摘Chip-to-chip and world-to-chip fluidic interconnections are paramount to enable the passage of liquids between component chips and to/from microfluidic systems.Unfortunately,most interconnect designs add additional physical constraints to chips with each additional interconnect leading to over-constrained microfluidic systems.The competing constraints provided by multiple interconnects induce strain in the chips,creating indeterminate dead volumes and misalignment between chips that comprise the microfluidic system.A novel,gasketless superhydrophobic fluidic interconnect(GSFI)that uses capillary forces to form a liquid bridge suspended between concentric through-holes and acting as a fluid passage was investigated.The GSFI decouples the alignment between component chips from the interconnect function and the attachment of the meniscus of the liquid bridge to the edges of the holes produces negligible dead volume.This passive seal was created by patterning parallel superhydrophobic surfaces(water contact angle>150°)around concentric microfluidic ports separated by a gap.The relative position of the two polymer chips was determined by passive kinematic constraints,three spherical ball bearings seated in v-grooves.A leakage pressure model derived from the Young-Laplace equation was used to estimate the leakage pressure at failure for the liquid bridge.Injection-molded,Cyclic Olefin Copolymer(COC)chip assemblies with assembly gaps from 3 to 240μm were used to experimentally validate the model.The maximum leakage pressure measured for the GSFI was 21.4 kPa(3.1 psig),which corresponded to a measured mean assembly gap of 3μm,and decreased to 0.5 kPa(0.073 psig)at a mean assembly gap of 240μm.The effect of radial misalignment on the efficacy of the gasketless seals was tested and no significant effect was observed.This may be a function of how the liquid bridges are formed during the priming of the chip,but additional research is required to test that hypothesis.
基金Supported by the Health Research Board and the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital Research Foundation through the Medical Research Charities Group(No.1409)
文摘This study sought to identify potential therapeutic targets in herpes simplex keratitis(HSK) patients with active and inactive infection by investigating peripheral cytokine production. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and serum were prepared from healthy controls and HSK patients during active infection or following treatment(inactive infection). Serum antibody titres were determined by ELISA. Protein expression levels were analysed by Western blot. Cytokine levels were determined by multiplex ELISA. Active corneal herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) infection resulted in significantly elevated peripheral levels of IL-1β in HSK patients compared to healthy controls, and remained significantly increased following treatment. Elevated production of IL-1β in inactive patients was associated with significantly increased levels of IRF3 and STAT1, key proteins involved in promoting anti-viral immune responses. Our data suggest that inflammation persists beyond the period that it is clinically evident and that enhanced peripheral production of IL-1β may have implications for HSV-1 viral clearance in active and inactive HSK patients.
