Dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

Measurements of dijet azimuthal decorrelations in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV using the CMS detector at the CERN LHC are presented. The analysis is based on an inclusive dijet event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.9 pb⁻¹. The results are compared to predictions from perturbative QCD calculations and various Monte Carlo event generators. The dijet azimuthal distributions are found to be sensitive to initial-state gluon radiation.

Clival invasion on multi-detector CT in 390 pituitary macroadenomas: correlation with sex, subtype and rates of operative complication and recurrence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Clival invasion, a rare but potentially significant complication of pituitary adenoma, is difficult to detect on MR imaging. Because CT is widely used in adjunct guidance of pituitary surgery and it has recently been suggested that preoperative CT may add useful diagnostic information in addition to pituitary MR imaging, we performed the first large cross-sectional imaging study to define the image attributes, clinical correlates, and prognostic implications of clival invasion on CT for pituitary adenoma surgical guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Preoperative CT images from 390 patients with histopathologically diagnosed pituitary macroadenoma were reviewed retrospectively and classified by the presence and degree of clival invasion. Tumor volume, tumor subtype, patient sex, operative complication, and recurrence rates were compared between groups.

RESULTS

After we corrected for multiple correlations, the most significant independent risk factor for clival invasion was female sex (OR=3.62, P=.014, multinomial logistic regression), followed by large tumor volume (OR=1.08, P<.001), and null-cell subtype (OR=5.47, P<.001). Larger tumor volume correlated with null-cell subtype (Mann-Whitney U test, P=.006), incidence of clival invasion (P<.001), and extent of clival invasion (P=.038). Clival invasion was associated with a significantly higher ratio of operative complications (15.63%, χ(2)=7.067, P=.008) and recurrence (57.14%, χ(2)=10.739, P=.001).

CONCLUSIONS

CT detection of clival invasion by pituitary macroadenoma is significantly more common in women, in patients with large tumors, and in patients with null-cell tumors, and it is associated with a higher rate of operative complications and recurrences. Attention to the presence of clival invasion on preoperative CT and prospective investigation of its prognostic significance are indicated. Attention to this finding on pituitary guidance CT is warranted.

Measurement of the B(+) production cross section in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV

Measurements of the total and differential cross sections dσ/dp(T)(B) and dσ/dy(B) for B(+) mesons produced in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7  TeV are presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.8  pb(-1) collected by the CMS experiment operating at the LHC. The exclusive decay B(+)→J/ψK(+), with J/ψ→μ(+)μ(-), is used to detect B(+) mesons and to measure the production cross section as a function of p(T)(B) and y(B). The total cross section for p(T)(B)>5  GeV and |y(B)|<2.4 is measured to be 28.1±2.4±2.0±3.1  μb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the last is from the luminosity measurement.

Effect of exercise training intensity on murine T-regulatory cells and vaccination response

To understand the underlying mechanism(s) for the effect of exercise at different intensities on T cell and DNA vaccination responses, we treated mice in a training protocol with regular moderate-intensity exercise (MIE) or prolonged, exhaustive high-intensity exercise (HIE). After 6 weeks of training, splenocytes were isolated to evaluate cytokine expression and T-regulatory (Treg) cell proportion by RT-PCR and FACS, respectively. Another set of mice that completed the same training protocol were used to determine DNA vaccination responses. These mice were immunized three times with HBV DNA vaccine at 2-week intervals and euthanized on day 14 after the last immunization. Serum and splenocytes were isolated to determine humoral and cell-mediated immunity (CMI). Results showed that HIE increased anti-inflammatory cytokine expression and CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cell proportion. Further, HIE decreased IFN-γ expression, T-lymphocyte proliferation, and antigen-specic cytotoxic response in HBV DNA vaccine-immunized mice. MIE did not change anti-inflammatory cytokine expression or CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cell proportion but increased pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and augmented antigen-specific CMI. Thus, MIE lower the risk of cancer and infectious illness through enhancing the pro-inflammatory responses. By contrast, HIE might increase the risk of common infections, such as upper respiratory tract infection, due to an up-regulation of CD4(+) CD25(+) Treg cells and anti-inflammatory responses.

In Vivo Stress Analysis of a Pacing Lead From an Angiographic Sequence

In this paper, a method is presented to analyze the mechanical stress distribution in a pacing lead based on a sequence of paired 2D angiographic images. The 3D positions and geometrical shapes of an implanted pacemaker lead throughout the cardiac cycle were generated using a previously validated 3D modeling technique. Based on the Frenet–Serret formulas, the kinematic property of the lead was derived and characterized. The distribution of curvature and twist angle per unit length in the pacing lead was calculated from a finite difference method, which enabled a rapid and effective computation of the mechanical stress in the pacing lead. The analytical solution of the helix deformation geometry was used to evaluate the accuracy of the proposed numerical method, and an excellent agreement in curvature, twist angle, and stresses was achieved. As demonstrated in the example, the proposed technique can be used to analyze the complex movement and deformation of the implanted pacing lead in vivo. The information can facilitate the future development of pacing leads.

Spin accumulation in triplet Josephson junction

We employ a Hamiltonian method to study the equal-spin pairing triplet Josephson junction with different orbital symmetries of pair potentials. Both the spin/charge supercurrent and possible spin accumulation at the interface of the junction are analyzed by means of the Keldysh Green's function. It is found that a spontaneous angle-resolved spin accumulation can form at the junction's interface when the orbital symmetries of Cooper pairs in two triplet superconductors are different, the physical origin is the combined effect of the different orbital symmetries and different spin states of Cooper pairs due to the misalignment of two d vectors in triplet leads. An abrupt current reversal effect induced by misalignment of d vectors is observed and can survive in a strong interface barrier scattering because the zero-energy state appears at the interface of the junction. These properties of the p-wave Josephson junction may be helpful for identifying the order parameter symmetry.

Effect of signet-ring cell carcinoma histology on bladder cancer outcome

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Background: Signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) of the urinary bladder is a rare entity. Recent case series of the condition showed inconsistent results. We used a population-based data set to compare the cancer specific survival of patients with signet-ring cell carcinoma vs. transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder.

Methods: Signet-ring cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder and transitional carcinoma of the urinary bladder were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program (2001 to 2004). Demographic and pathological characteristics at diagnosis were compared. Differences in cancer specific survival were compared with univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Results: A total of 103 SRCC cases were present in the database from 2001 to 2004. In that time 14,648 cases TCC cases were diagnosed. SRCC was more common in younger than in older patients (p <0.001); more commonly presented with high grade histology (p <0.001) and advanced stage disease (p <0.001). The 3-year cancer specific survival rate was 67.0% and 33.2% for TCC and SRCC, respectively. On multivariate analysis there was an increased mortality risk in patients with SRCC vs TCC (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.03–1.97, p <0.001). When only high grade cases of SRCC and TCC were compared, the risk was still worse in SRCC (HR 1.430, 95% CI 1.035–1.976, 0.03). When only local stage of SRCC and TCC were compared, the risk was worse in SRCC (HR 4.294, 95% CI 1.035–17.825, 0.045). Limited to patient who underwent cystectomy only, the difference in cancer specific survival disappeared (HR 1.289, 95% CI 0.771–2.155, 0.33).

Conclusions: Even after adjusting for demographic, pathological and treatment factors, cancer specific survival is significantly worse in patients with SRCC than TCC. Further research into the biology of this rare tumor is required to explain these results.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Adjusted indirect comparison of everolimus and sorafenib in sunitinib-refractory mRCC patients using a robust matching technique

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Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor–tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFr-TKIs) sunitinib (SU) and sorafenib (SO) are approved for first- and second-line (after cytokines) use in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). Because most patients progress after first-line VEGFr-TKI, the need for an effective second-line treatment is compelling. Although SO is frequently considered after SU failure, no randomized controlled trials have established clinical benefit in this scenario. Results from the RECORD-1 phase III trial suggest that second-line everolimus (EVE) therapy leads to improved overall survival (OS) vs. placebo. No trial data exist comparing treatment outcomes for EVE vs SO in the second-line setting. Thus, the current analysis provides a robust estimate from an indirect comparison examining the OS benefit of EVE and SO as second-line treatment options after SU failure.

Methods: The single-arm SO study was selected as a basis by which to match an EVE SU-refractory subpopulation of the RECORD-1 trial. Patients were limited to those with clear cell histology. An adjusted matching approach was taken in which 1,000 repeated random samples matched to the SO population on risk score distribution were produced. These data were used to generate a distribution of survival outcomes and infer a 95% CI around the mean of all sampled median OS estimates.

Results: After adjusted matching, the estimated median OS benefit, based on SO patients with clear cell histology (n = 45) and 1000 random samples of n = 41 from the 127 SU-refractory EVE patients, was 82 weeks (95% CI: 78, 86) and 32 weeks (95% CI: 22, 64) for EVE and SO, respectively.

Conclusions: These indirect comparison results suggest that SU-refractory mRCC patients treated with EVE may experience significantly improved OS outcomes compared with patients treated with SO.

[Table: see text]

Investigations of mechanical vibrations for beamlines at the Canadian Light Source

Vibration is often a problem causing poor quality of photon beams at synchrotron radiation facilities, since beamlines are quite sensitive to vibrations. Therefore, vibration analysis and control at synchrotron radiation facilities is crucial. This paper presents investigations on mechanical vibrations at four beamlines and endstations at the Canadian Light Source, i.e. the Canadian Macromolecular Crystallography Facility 08ID-1 beamline, the Hard X-ray MicroAnalysis 06ID-1 beamline, the Resonant Elastic and Inelastic Soft X-ray Scattering 10ID-2 beamline, and the Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscope endstation at the Spectromicroscopy 10ID-1 beamline. This study identifies vibration sources and investigates the influence of mechanical vibrations on beamline performance. The results show that vibrations caused by movable mechanical equipment significantly affect the data acquired from beamlines.

Novel mutation in TGA stop-codon of bovine SIX6 gene

As a transcriptional regulatory gene of the SIX family, SIX6 (also known as OPTX2, SIX9), probably affects pituitary development and secretion of hormones, suggesting that this gene is a potential candidate gene for studying association with growth trait in animals. Therefore, this study is first of all focused on detecting sequence variations in a bovine SIX6 gene and on its effects on growth traits in 1087 cattle from five Chinese cattle breeds using DNA sequencing and HhaI-ACRS-PCR methods. Herein, a novel mutation (NC_007308: g 2015T > C) in the TGA stop-codon of a bovine SIX6 gene was found, which leads to an ORF shift and extension of the encoded protein for four amino acids (Arg223-Gln224-Arg225-Val226). The frequency of allele "C" varied from 0.255 (Chinese Holsteins) to 0.614 (Hasake). They all were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium except Jiaxian Red and Hasake cattle. Using amino acid sequence alignment and online prediction software, a new helix in the C-terminal domain of the mutated bovine SIX6 protein was revealed, which possibly affects pituitary development and hormone secretion. So, relationship analysis between this polymorphism and growth traits in the Nanyang breed was carried out based on a proper linear model. Although no statistically significant associations were observed (P > 0.05), the presented work preliminarily demonstrated a novel mutation in the TGA stop-codon which extends the spectrum of genetic variations of the bovine SIX6 gene and might be of interest in terms of its association with other biophysical and biochemical indexes.

Measurement of the isolated prompt photon production cross section in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The differential cross section for the inclusive production of isolated prompt photons has been measured as a function of the photon transverse energy E(T)(γ) in pp collisions at √s=7  TeV using data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 2.9  pb(-1). Photons are required to have a pseudorapidity |η(γ)|<1.45 and E(T)(γ)>21  GeV, covering the kinematic region 0.006<x(T)<0.086. The measured cross section is found to be in agreement with next-to-leading-order perturbative QCD calculations.

Micro-computerized tomography analysis of alveolar bone loss in ligature- and nicotine-induced experimental periodontitis in rats

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Nicotine reportedly is a risk factor for periodontitis, but accurate data regarding nicotine-induced alveolar bone loss is lacking. The aim of this study was to quantitatively assess alveolar bone loss in ligature- and nicotine-induced periodontitis in rats using micro-computerized tomography (micro-CT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six adult male rats were treated by placing silk ligatures around the cervixes of the right second maxillary molar; the contralateral tooth was untreated. After ligation, the animals were randomly divided into three groups: group A received intraperitoneal injections of saline solution, group B received 0.83 mg of nicotine/kg/d, and group C received 1.67 mg of nicotine/kg/d. Six animals in each group were killed on days 14 and 28 after ligature placement, and then micro-CT examinations were conducted.

RESULTS

  In all groups, bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume fraction (BVF), trabecular number (Tb.N) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) values of the ligated sides were significantly lower than those of the unligated sides (p < 0.001), whereas alveolar bone height loss (ABHL) and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) of the ligated sides were significantly higher than those of the unligated sides (p < 0.001). Compared with the control group, nicotine administration increased the ABHL value and decreased the BMD, BVF and Tb.Th values of both sides in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

  Our results confirmed that ligature could cause significant loss in the trabecula of alveolar bone, and daily administration of nicotine resulted in further bone loss and microstructure deterioration.

Modeling, Simulation and Control of Single Wafer Process in Cluster Tool Base on Ft-Ir In-Line Sensor

This paper outlines our current approach to utilize infrared reflectance spectroscopy for thin film measurement in the semiconductor industry. The multi-layer thickness and doping concentration of IC wafers can be determined by a single angle, unpolarized infrared reflectance measurement performed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. A computer algorithm, which matches theoretical to measured infrared reflectance spectra, was successfully employed to determine multiple thin film properties.

Recycling Lignin for Engineering Applications

Lignin, a complex natural polymer produced by all vascular terrestrial plants is second in abundance only to cellulose and is the matrix holding plant fibres together. Lignins are recovered mainly as byproducts from woodpulping processes with about 100 million tons produced annually worldwide.

Large volume uses for lignin byproduct other than for generation of energy (kraft process) are most likely to be in materials applications.

In the last decades many studies aimed to the recycling of different lignins (sulfite, kraft, organosolv, steam exploded, hydrolytic, etc.) in polymeric systems based on thermoplastics, thermosettings, elastomers, adhesives, sealants, etc.

Among all the technical lignins, sulfate lignins are chemically the most reactive and are therefore used to modify polymers. The oldest and the most familiar application of lignin as a component of polymeric materials involves the reinforcement of rubber. Multicomponent materials can be created by combination with other macromolecules like polyethylene, polypropylene, or poly(vinyl alcohol) to produce polyblends, block copolymers or interpenetrating polymer networks.

The present communication will try to present such examples of polymeric systems based on recycled lignin, and synthetic polymers such as: polyurethane, epoxy, acrylics, silicones.

Dose-dependent differential effects of risedronate on gene expression in osteoblasts

Bisphosphonates have multiple effects on bone. Their actions on osteoclasts lead to inhibition of bone resorption, at least partially through apoptosis. Effects on osteoblasts vary, with modifications in the molecule and concentration both resulting in qualitatively different responses. To understand the mechanism of the differential effects of high and low bisphosphonate concentrations on osteoblast activity, we compared the effects of 10⁻⁸ M and 10⁻⁴ M risedronate on gene expression in UMR-106 rat osteoblastic cells. Two targeted arrays, an 84-gene signaling array and an 84-gene osteogeneic array were used. Gene expression was measured at 1 and 24 h. Although some genes were regulated similarly by low and high concentrations of the drug, there was also differential regulation. At 1 h, 11 genes (1 signaling and 10 osteogenesis) were solely regulated by the low concentration, and 7 genes (3 signaling, 4 osteogenesis) were solely regulated by the high concentration. At 24 h, 8 genes (3 signaling, 5 osteogenesis) were solely regulated by the low concentration and 30 genes (16 signaling and 14 osteogenesis) were solely regulated by the high concentration. Interestingly, the low, but not the high concentration of risedronate transiently and selectively upregulated several genes associated with cell differentiation. A number of genes related to apoptosis were regulated, and could be involved in effects of bisphosphonates to promote osteoblast apoptosis. Also, observed gene changes associated with decreased angiogenesis and decreased metastasis could, if they occur in other cell types, provide a basis for the effectiveness of bisphosphonates in the prevention of cancer metastases.

Properties of Epitaxial SrTiO3 Thin Films Grown on Silicon by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

Single crystalline perovskite oxides such as SrTiO3 (STO) are highly desirable for future generation ULSI applications. Over the past three decades, development of crystalline oxides on silicon has been a great technological challenge as an amorphous silicon oxide layer forms readily on the Si surface when exposed to oxygen preventing the intended oxide heteroepitaxy on Si substrate. Recently, we have successfully grown epitaxial STO thin films on Si(001) surface by using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) method. Properties of the STO films on Si have been characterized using a variety of techniques including in-situ reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), ex-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The STO films grown on Si(001) substrate show bright and streaky RHEED patterns indicating coherent two-dimensional epitaxial oxide film growth with its unit cell rotated 450 with respect to the underlying Si unit cell. RHEED and XRD data confirm the single crystalline nature and (001) orientation of the STO films. An X-ray pole figure indicates the in-plane orientation relationship as STO[100]//Si[110] and STO(001)// Si(001). The STO surface is atomically smooth with AFM rms roughness of 1.2 AÅ. The leakage current density is measured to be in the low 10−9 A/cm2 range at 1 V, after a brief post-growth anneal in O2. An interface state density Dit = 4.6 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2 is inferred from the high-frequency and quasi-static C-V characteristics. The effective oxide thickness for a 200 Å STO film is around 30 Å and is not sensitive to post-growth anneal in O2 at 500-700°C. These STO films are also robust against forming gas anneal. Finally, STO MOSFET structures have been fabricated and tested. An extrinsic carrier mobility value of 66 cm2 V−11 s−1 is obtained for an STO PMOS device with a 2 μm effective gate length.

Large Area, Full-Color Image Sensors Made with Organic Semiconductors

Large area polymer photodiode arrays were designed and fabricated for full-color imaging applications. These sensor arrays are of high photosensitivity, low dark current, large dynamic range and fast response time. The red, green and blue color primaries were achieved by coupling a set of color filters with the polymer sensor pixels with broad response covering entire visible spectrum. Image recovery process from the pixel photocurrent data was developed, which is suitable generally to image arrays with power-law light intensity dependence and with finite pixel dark current. Large sensing length photodiode arrays (2.5”5”) were fabricated with pixel densities from 40 to 100 dot-per-inch. They were used as the sensing elements in page size document scanners. Voltage switchable polymer photodetectors were developed. Their photosensitivity can be switched on and off with external bias. These devices can be used as the sensing elements in x-y addressable two-dimensional sensor matrices. The high on/off switching ratio and high photocurrent/dark-current ratio allow such two-dimensional, passive photosensor matrices be used for image sensing applications.

Dispersion of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Conjugated Polymers: Investigation of the Tio2/PPV Nanocomposite

It is well established that the dispersion of nanosized metal particles in a polymer matrix can induce non linear optical properties, yet very little is known about the effect of semiconducting transition metal oxide nanoparticles on both electrical and luminescence properties of conjugated polymers. In this paper, we report the synthesis of a nanostructured TiO2/poly(pphenylenevinylene) system and show by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectrometry (DRIFTS) that a stable conjugated nanocomposite is obtained. Investigation of the photoluminescence (PL) properties reveals both a broadening and a blue shift of the emission spectra. Adsorption of oxygen is found to be stronger on the nanocomposite than on PPV and to reversibly quench the PL emission, thus suggesting enhanced gas sensing properties. A tentative mechanism explaining the role of n-TiO2 is briefly discussed.

Surfaces of Semi-Fluorinated Block Copolymers Studied Using Nexafs

The molecular orientation within a surface liquid crystalline layer made up of semifluorinated side-groups [-CO-(CH2)x−x-(CF2)yF] (SF groups) attached to the isoprene block of a styrene-isoprene diblock copolymer was determined by analyzing the partial electron yield Cedge NEXAFS signal. The results show that in contrast to the bulk, where the SF groups lie parallel to the diblock copolymer lamellae and thus parallel to the surface, the surface SF groups make an average angle with the surface normal of between 29 and 46° depending on x and y.