Observation of the Singly Cabibbo-Suppressed Decay D^{+}→ωπ^{+} and Evidence for D^{0}→ωπ^{0}

Based on 2.93  fb^{-1} e^{+}e^{-} collision data taken at center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector, we report searches for the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D^{+}→ωπ^{+} and D^{0}→ωπ^{0}. A double tag technique is used to measure the absolute branching fractions B(D^{+}→ωπ^{+})=(2.79±0.57±0.16)×10^{-4} and B(D^{0}→ωπ^{0})=(1.17±0.34±0.07)×10^{-4}, with statistical significances of 5.5σ and 4.1σ, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively.

Measurement of the Reactor Antineutrino Flux and Spectrum at Daya Bay

This Letter reports a measurement of the flux and energy spectrum of electron antineutrinos from six 2.9 GWth nuclear reactors with six detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls in the Daya Bay experiment. Using 217 days of data, 296 721 and 41 589 inverse β decay (IBD) candidates were detected in the near and far halls, respectively. The measured IBD yield is (1.55±0.04) ×10(-18)  cm(2) GW(-1) day(-1) or (5.92±0.14) ×10(-43)  cm(2) fission(-1). This flux measurement is consistent with previous short-baseline reactor antineutrino experiments and is 0.946±0.022 (0.991±0.023) relative to the flux predicted with the Huber-Mueller (ILL-Vogel) fissile antineutrino model. The measured IBD positron energy spectrum deviates from both spectral predictions by more than 2σ over the full energy range with a local significance of up to ∼4σ between 4-6 MeV. A reactor antineutrino spectrum of IBD reactions is extracted from the measured positron energy spectrum for model-independent predictions.

A genomewide association study of feed efficiency and feeding behaviors at two fattening stages in a White Duroc × Erhualian F population

Feeding efficiency is a multifactorial and economically important trait in pigs. Genetic improvement of feeding efficiency will greatly benefit the pig industry. In the past decades, the hog market weight has increased worldwide. However, whether the genetic architecture of feeding efficiency is same or not at early and late fattening periods is unclear. To map genomic regions for feed efficiency and feeding behavior traits at early (n ≥ 384) and late (n ≥ 334) growth stages in pigs, we performed genomewide association studies for feed to gain ratio (FCR), residual feed intake (RFI), daily feed intake, daily visit times, daily feeding time (DFT), feed intake per second (FIPS), and feed intake per visit during 3 periods (2 stages and overall) in a White Duroc × Erhualian F2 intercross population. Six chromosomal regions showed significant association with these traits, of which 4 loci were reported for the first time. Our results confirmed the QTL of FCR around 34 Mb on SSC7 and RFI around 134 Mb on SSC12. Of note, 2 regions were associated with more than 1 trait. One was around 36 Mb on SSC7, and there were 47 and 67 SNP associated with FCR from 120 to 210 and from 120 to 240 d, respectively. The top SNP is located in a 2.88-Mb linkage disequilibrium (LD) block that harbors 44 genes. We propose the high mobility group AT-hook 1 gene as a plausible candidate gene in this region. The other was evidenced around 53 Mb on SSC12, which had multiple association signals for DFT and FIPS. The top SNP is located in a 211-kb LD block that harbors only 1 annotated gene, WSCD1, which encodes a protein with sulfotransferase activity and involves the glucose metabolism and, therefore, appears to be a plausible candidate gene. Except the region on SSC12 associated with DFT at both stages, the rest of the regions associated with the traits at only 1 stage, so the genetic architectures of the 2 stages are not same.

Measurements of Absolute Hadronic Branching Fractions of the Λ_{c}^{+} Baryon

We report the first measurement of absolute hadronic branching fractions of Λ_{c}^{+} baryon at the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} production threshold, in the 30 years since the Λ_{c}^{+} discovery. In total, 12 Cabibbo-favored Λ_{c}^{+} hadronic decay modes are analyzed with a double-tag technique, based on a sample of 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collisions at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV recorded with the BESIII detector. A global least-squares fitter is utilized to improve the measured precision. Among the measurements for twelve Λ_{c}^{+} decay modes, the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→pK^{-}π^{+} is determined to be (5.84±0.27±0.23)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. In addition, the measurements of the branching fractions of the other 11 Cabibbo-favored hadronic decay modes are significantly improved.

Measurement of Azimuthal Asymmetries in Inclusive Charged Dipion Production in e^{+}e^{-} Annihilations at sqrt[s]=3.65 GeV

We present a measurement of the azimuthal asymmetries of two charged pions in the inclusive process e^{+}e^{-}→ππX, based on a data set of 62  pb^{-1} at the center-of-mass energy of 3.65 GeV collected with the BESIII detector. These asymmetries can be attributed to the Collins fragmentation function. We observe a nonzero asymmetry, which increases with increasing pion momentum. As our energy scale is close to that of the existing semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering experimental data, the measured asymmetries are important inputs for the global analysis of extracting the quark transversity distribution inside the nucleon and are valuable to explore the energy evolution of the spin-dependent fragmentation function.

Observation of a Neutral Structure near the DD[over ¯]^{*} Mass Threshold in e^{+}e^{-}→(DD[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} at sqrt[s]=4.226 and 4.257 GeV

A neutral structure in the DD[over ¯]^{*} system around the DD[over ¯]^{*} mass threshold is observed with a statistical significance greater than 10σ in the processes e^{+}e^{-}→D^{+}D^{*-}π^{0}+c.c. and e^{+}e^{-}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{*0}π^{0}+c.c. at sqrt[s]=4.226 and 4.257 GeV in the BESIII experiment. The structure is denoted as Z_{c}(3885)^{0}. Assuming the presence of a resonance, its pole mass and width are determined to be [3885.7_{-5.7}^{+4.3}(stat)±8.4(syst)]  MeV/c^{2} and [35_{-12}^{+11}(stat)±15(syst)]  MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections are measured to be σ[e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(3885)^{0}π^{0},Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→DD[over ¯]^{*}]=[77±13(stat)±17(syst)]  pb at 4.226 GeV and [47±9(stat)±10(syst)]  pb at 4.257 GeV. The ratio of decay rates B[Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→D^{+}D^{*-}+c.c.]/B[Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→D^{0}D[over ¯]^{*0}+c.c.] is determined to be 0.96±0.18(stat)±0.12(syst), consistent with no isospin violation in the process, Z_{c}(3885)^{0}→DD[over ¯]^{*}.

Measurement of the Absolute Branching Fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}

We report the first measurement of the absolute branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e}. This measurement is based on 567  pb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data produced at sqrt[s]=4.599  GeV, which is just above the Λ_{c}^{+}Λ[over ¯]_{c}^{-} threshold. The data were collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage rings. The branching fraction is determined to be B(Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e})=[3.63±0.38(stat)±0.20(syst)]%, representing a significant improvement in precision over the current indirect determination. As the branching fraction for Λ_{c}^{+}→Λe^{+}ν_{e} is the benchmark for those of other Λ_{c}^{+} semileptonic channels, our result provides a unique test of different theoretical models, which is the most stringent to date.

Phase transformation of Cu-rich precipitates from 9R to 3R variant via ledges mechanism in ferritic steel containing copper

Precipitates and solute enrich in aged ferritic steel containing copper were examined using high-resolution electron microscopy, high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Two ledges with one-atom and two-atom layers height in the 9R/3R interface were observed. The enrichment of copper into two successive closed-packed planes with an interval of Fe-rich close-packed plane was detected. The passage of the Shockley partial, or the shearing, changes the stacking sequence of closed-packed planes. Finally, 9R Cu variant transformed into 3R Cu variant.

Observation of a Neutral Charmoniumlike State Z_{c}(4025)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0}

We report a study of the process e^{+}e^{-}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} using e^{+}e^{-} collision data samples with integrated luminosities of 1092 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and 826 pb^{-1} at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. We observe a new neutral structure near the (D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0} mass threshold in the π^{0} recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as Z_{c}(4025)^{0}. Assuming a Breit-Wigner line shape, its pole mass and pole width are determined to be (4025.5_{-4.7}^{+2.0}±3.1) MeV/c^{2} and (23.0±6.0±1.0) MeV, respectively. The Born cross sections of e^{+}e^{-}→Z_{c}(4025)^{0}π^{0}→(D^{*}D[over ¯]^{*})^{0}π^{0} are measured to be (61.6±8.2±9.0) pb at sqrt[s]=4.23 GeV and (43.4±8.0±5.4) pb at sqrt[s]=4.26 GeV. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

SUSCEPTIBILITY LOCI FOR UMBILICAL HERNIA IN SWINE DETECTED BY GENOME-WIDE ASSOCIATION

Umbilical hernia (UH) is a complex disorder caused by both genetic and environmental factors. UH brings animal welfare problems and severe economic loss to the pig industry. Until now, the genetic basis of UH is poorly understood. The high-density 60K porcine SNP array enables the rapid application of genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic loci for phenotypic traits at genome wide scale in pigs. The objective of this research was to identify susceptibility loci for swine umbilical hernia using the GWAS approach. We genotyped 478 piglets from 142 families representing three Western commercial breeds with the Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip. Then significant SNPs were detected by GWAS using ROADTRIPS (Robust Association-Detection Test for Related Individuals with Population Substructure) software base on a Bonferroni corrected threshold (P = 1.67E-06) or suggestive threshold (P = 3.34E-05) and false discovery rate (FDR = 0.05). After quality control, 29,924 qualified SNPs and 472 piglets were used for GWAS. Two suggestive loci predisposing to pig UH were identified at 44.25MB on SSC2 (rs81358018, P = 3.34E-06, FDR = 0.049933) and at 45.90MB on SSC17 (rs81479278, P = 3.30E-06, FDR = 0.049933) in Duroc population, respectively. And no SNP was detected to be associated with pig UH at significant level in neither Landrace nor Large White population. Furthermore, we carried out a meta-analysis in the combined pure-breed population containing all the 472 piglets. rs81479278 (P = 1.16E-06, FDR = 0.022475) was identified to associate with pig UH at genome-wide significant level. SRC was characterized as plausible candidate gene for susceptibility to pig UH according to its genomic position and biological functions. To our knowledge, this study gives the first description of GWAS identifying susceptibility loci for umbilical hernia in pigs. Our findings provide deeper insights to the genetic architecture of umbilical hernia in pigs.

New measurement of antineutrino oscillation with the full detector configuration at Daya Bay

We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th}  ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3}  eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.

Observation of Z_{c}(3900)^{0} in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ

Using a data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we observe a new neutral state Z_{c}(3900)^{0} with a significance of 10.4σ. The mass and width are measured to be 3894.8±2.3±3.2  MeV/c^{2} and 29.6±8.2±8.2  MeV, respectively, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic. The Born cross section for e^{+}e^{-}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ and the fraction of it attributable to π^{0}Z_{c}(3900)^{0}→π^{0}π^{0}J/ψ in the range E_{c.m.}=4.19-4.42  GeV are also determined. We interpret this state as the neutral partner of the four-quark candidate Z_{c}(3900)^{±}.

Observation and Spin-Parity Determination of the X(1835) in J/ψ→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η

We report an observation of the process J/ψ→γX(1835)→γK_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0}η at low K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} mass with a statistical significance larger than 12.9σ using a data sample of 1.31×10^{9} J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector. In this region of phase space the K_{S}^{0}K_{S}^{0} system is dominantly produced through the f_{0}(980). By performing a partial wave analysis, we determine the spin parity of the X(1835) to be J^{PC}=0^{-+}. The mass and width of the observed X(1835) are 1844±9(stat)_{-25}^{+16}(syst)  MeV/c^{2} and 192_{-17}^{+20}(stat)_{-43}^{+62}(syst)  MeV, respectively, which are consistent with the results obtained by BESIII in the channel J/ψ→γπ^{+}π^{-}η^{'}.

Observation of the ψ(1 3D2) State in e+e-→π+π-γχc1 at BESIII

We report the observation of the X(3823) state in the process e+e-→π+π-X(3823)→π+π-γχc1 with a statistical significance of 6.2σ, in data samples at center-of-mass energies sqrt[s]=4.230, 4.260, 4.360, 4.420, and 4.600 GeV collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII electron positron collider. The measured mass of the X(3823) state is (3821.7±1.3±0.7)  MeV/c2, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic, and the width is less than 16 MeV at the 90% confidence level. The products of the Born cross sections for e+e-→π+π-X(3823) and the branching ratio B[X(3823)→γχc1,c2] are also measured. These measurements are in good agreement with the assignment of the X(3823) state as the ψ(1 3D2) charmonium state.

Administration of low-dose cyclosporine alone for the treatment of elderly patients with membranous nephropathy

This study aimed to investigate the effects of administration of low-dose cyclosporine A (CsA) alone and the combination of low-dose CsA and a low-dose hormone for the treatment of elderly patients with membranous nephropathy. We divided 27 patients into two groups as follows: low-dose CsA group (group A) and the group receiving a combination of a low-dose hormone and low-dose CsA (group B). The treatment and follow-up times were ≥ 6 months. We observed no difference in gender, age, serum creatinine levels, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and 24-h urinary protein levels between the two groups before treatment; in addition, the rates of complete and partial remission were not different 6 months after treatment. The rate of complications in group B was higher than that in group A (84.6 vs 35.7%, respectively; t = 0.018). While the pretreatment eGFR of patients who achieved remission was significantly higher than that of patients who did not achieve remission, the 24-h urinary protein levels and incidence of hypertension were significantly lower than those of patients who did not achieve remission (t = 0.042, 0.035 and 0.043, respectively). The efficacy of administration of low-dose CsA alone and in combination with a low-dose hormone was similar; the efficacy was related to eGFR, urinary protein levels, and the incidence of hypertension before the treatment. The side effects of administration of CsA alone were significantly lower than those of the combination treatment.

Study of e(+)e(-)→ωχ(cJ) at center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV

Based on data samples collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider at nine center of mass energies from 4.21 to 4.42 GeV, we search for the production of e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{cJ} (J=0, 1, 2). The process e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c0} is observed for the first time, and the Born cross sections at sqrt[s]=4.23 and 4.26 GeV are measured to be (55.4±6.0±5.9) and (23.7±5.3±3.5)  pb, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. The ωχ_{c0} signals at the other seven energies and the e^{+}e^{-}→ωχ_{c1} and ωχ_{c2} signals are not significant, and the upper limits on the cross sections are determined. By examining the ωχ_{c0} cross section as a function of center of mass energy, we find that it is inconsistent with the line shape of the Y(4260) observed in e^{+}e^{-}→π^{+}π^{-}J/ψ. Assuming the ωχ_{c0} signals come from a single resonance, we extract the mass and width of the resonance to be (4230±8±6)  MeV/c^{2} and (38±12±2)  MeV, respectively, and the statistical significance is more than 9σ.

Genome-wide association study identifies QTLs for EBV of backfat thickness and average daily gain in Duroc pigs

Backfat thickness (BFT) and average daily gain (ADG) are two important economic traits in commercial swine production. Identifying QTLs and uncovering the molecular mechanism for BFT and ADG would greatly help to speed up the breeding progress. In current breeding program, EBV for these two traits are calculated and formulated a comprehensive breeding index, which then be used to improve pig performance. Using Illumina PorcineSNP60 BeadChip, a pilot genomewide association studies (GWAS) for BFT and ADG in 83 Duroc pigs were performed. A total of 31 genome-wise significant SN Ps were detected to be associated with BFT on SSC 4, 9, 11, 12 and 14, ten of which were coincident with previously reported QTL regions. There are two genome-wise loci prominently associated with ADG on SSC2 and SSC13, respectively. The two loci on SSC2 are well overlapped with the QTL regions previously reported. All the 31 significant SNPs associated with BFT are verified on 219 outbreed pigs, six SN Ps reach an extreme significant level and seven SNP reaches a significant level, CACNA1E and ACBD6 are chosen as positional candidate genes. Our findings not only confirmed previously findings, but also revealed a number of novel SNPs associated with BFT and ADG. Two positional candidate genes CACNA1E and ACBD6 were identified for further study. These results would facilitate the identification of causative genes for BFT and ADG.

Serum C-reactive protein predicts poor prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the association of serum C-reactive protein (crp) with prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 79 patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cT3-4N0-3M0) treated with chemoradiotherapy. Chemoradiotherapy consisted of external-beam radiotherapy to the nasopharynx (70-80 Gy), the lymph node-positive area (60-70 Gy), and the lymph node-negative area (50-60 Gy) combined with 3 cycles of various platinum-based regimens delivered at 3-week intervals. Elevated crp was defined as more than 8 mg/L. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariate and multivariate analyses (Cox proportional hazards model) were used to identify factors significantly associated with prognosis.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up of 3.9 years (range: 1-5.5 years), 23 patients died from nasopharyngeal cancer. The 5-year cancer-specific survival (css) rate was 62.90%. Before chemoradiotherapy, 18 patients had high serum crp; the css rate in that subgroup was significantly worse than the rate in the remaining patients (p = 0.0002). Multivariate analysis showed that crp was an independent prognostic indicator of css, with a hazard ratio of 3.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.22 to 7.55; p = 0.017). Among the 18 patients with elevated serum crp, 9 achieved normal serum crp after chemoradiotherapy, of whom 5 remained living with no evidence of recurrence or metastasis during follow-up. By contrast, the remaining 9 patients in whom serum crp did not normalize after chemoradiotherapy died within 4.2 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated serum crp before treatment predicts poor prognosis in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy.

[Cone-beam computed tomography was used for study of root and canal morphology of maxillary first and second molars]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the root and canal morphology of maxillary first and second molars by using Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

METHODS

The data of patients who underwent the CBCT scan for dental or periodontal diseases between May and September 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. In the study, 630 maxillary first molars, 519 maxillary second molars which were well-developed and without treatment were included. The number of roots, the number of root canals, and the canal configuration according to Vertucci's classification were determined. The vertucci type I was regarded as the conventional form. Other types were the variation forms and the mutation rate was calculated.

RESULTS

2.38% of the maxillary first molars and 15.22% of the maxillary second molars had 2 separated roots; 97.14% of the maxillary first molars and 73.60% of the maxillary second molars had 3 roots; 10.41% of the maxillary second molars had one single root; 0.77% of the maxillary second molars had 4 roots. In 612 3-rooted maxillary first molars, additional canals were found in 30.88% of the mesiobuccal (MB) roots. In 519 3-rooted maxillary second molars, additional canals were found in 13.87% of the MB roots.

CONCLUSION

CBCT scans show the root and canal anatomy accurately, with the potential of improving the outcome of endodontic treatment.

Identification of differently expressed genes in leukemia using multiple microarray datasets

The purpose of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes and analyze biological processes related to leukemia. A meta-analysis was performed using the Rank Product package of Gene Expression Omnibus datasets for leukemia. Next, Gene Ontology-enrichment analysis and pathway analysis were performed using the Gene Ontology website and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the Cytoscape software. Using the Rank Product package for leukemia, we identified a total of 1294 differentially expressed genes, 357 of which were not involved in individual differentially expressed genes. Gene Ontology-enrichment analyses showed that these 357 genes were enriched in biological processes such as mRNA metabolism, RNA splicing, and mRNA processing. Pathway-enrichment analysis showed that the genes were involved in the intestinal immune network for IgA production, endocytosis, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. The protein-protein interaction network indicated that HRAS, CD44, STAT1, SMAD2, and COPS5 were important in many interactions. Our study revealed genes that were consistently differentially expressed in leukemia, as well as the biological pathways and protein-protein interaction network associated with these genes.

Theoretical Prediction of Carrier Mobility in Few-Layer BC2N

An ideal semiconducting material should simultaneously hold a considerable direct band gap and a high carrier mobility. A 2D planar compound consisting of zigzag chains of C-C and B-N atoms, denoted as BC2N, would be a good candidate. It has a direct band gap of 2 eV, which can be further tuned by changing the layer number. At the same time, our first-principles calculations show that few-layer BC2N possesses a high carrier mobility. The carrier mobility of around one million sqaure centimeters per volt-second is obtained at its three-layer. As our study demonstrated, few-layer BC2N has potential applications in nanoelectronics and optoelectronics.

Observation of e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc and a neutral charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020)(0)

Using data collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=4.23, 4.26, and 4.36 GeV, we observe e(+)e(-)→π(0)π(0)hc for the first time. The Born cross sections are measured and found to be about half of those of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc within less than 2σ. In the π(0)hc mass spectrum, a structure at 4.02  GeV/c(2) is found. It is most likely to be the neutral isospin partner of the Zc(4020)(±) observed in the process of e(+)e(-)→π(+)π(-)hc being found. A fit to the π(0)hc invariant mass spectrum, with the width of the Zc(4020)(0) fixed to that of its charged isospin partner and possible interferences with non-Zc(4020)(0) amplitudes neglected, gives a mass of (4023.9±2.2±3.8)  MeV/c(2) for the Zc(4020)(0), where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.

Search for a light sterile neutrino at Daya Bay

A search for light sterile neutrino mixing was performed with the first 217 days of data from the Daya Bay Reactor Antineutrino Experiment. The experiment's unique configuration of multiple baselines from six 2.9 GW(th) nuclear reactors to six antineutrino detectors deployed in two near (effective baselines 512 m and 561 m) and one far (1579 m) underground experimental halls makes it possible to test for oscillations to a fourth (sterile) neutrino in the 10(-3) eV(2)<|Δm(41)(2) |< 0.3 eV(2) range. The relative spectral distortion due to the disappearance of electron antineutrinos was found to be consistent with that of the three-flavor oscillation model. The derived limits on sin(2) 2θ(14) cover the 10(-3) eV(2) ≲ |Δm(41)(2)| ≲ 0.1 eV(2) region, which was largely unexplored.

Clozapine directly increases insulin and glucagon secretion from islets: implications for impairment of glucose tolerance

Second generation antipsychotics cause derangements in glucose metabolism that are often interpreted as insulin resistance. In previous studies we have shown that this is not classical insulin resistance but the drugs were actually inducing a hyperglycaemic state associated with elevated hepatic glucose output (HGO) and increased levels of glucagon and insulin. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are directly elicited by drug actions in the liver and pancreas, or whether they are indirectly mediated. Here we investigated if clozapine is capable of inducing insulin resistance in the liver or enhancing insulin and glucagon secretion from the pancreas. It was observed that insulin signalling was elevated in livers from animals treated with clozapine indicating there was no insulin resistance in the early steps of insulin signalling. To explore whether the defects arise at later stages of insulin action we used an isolated perfused liver system. In this model, clozapine had no direct effect on insulin's counter regulatory effect on epinephrine-induced HGO. In isolated mouse islets clozapine significantly increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion while simultaneously blocking glucose-induced reductions in glucagon secretion. We also show that the non-peptidic glucagon receptor like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist Boc5 was able to overcome the inhibitory effects of clozapine on glucose metabolism. Taken together these results suggest that clozapine does not have any direct effect on glucose metabolism in the liver but it simultaneously stimulates insulin and glucagon secretion, a situation that would allow for the concurrent presence of high glucose and high insulin levels in treated animals.