Digital tooth reconstruction: An innovative approach in forensic odontology

In mass disasters, accidents and crime investigations, where human remains are decomposed, charred or skeletonized, teeth may dislodge due to post-mortem loss or due to mishandling of evidence during the manipulation of skeletal and dental remains. Thus, the identification process is hampered due to the loss of dental evidence. In these situations, forensic tooth reconstruction may aid in the identification process. Forensic tooth reconstruction (FTR) refers to the process that aims to reconstruct the morphology of the missing tooth from the skeletal remains from the intra-alveolar morphology of the dental socket. The study is an innovative attempt to develop a digital approach to reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) printed tooth models through recording intra-alveolar morphology of empty dental sockets which simulate the teeth which are missing post-mortem. An experimental study was conducted on the human mandible, where using volumetric scanning, 3D scanning and printing techniques the tooth was reconstructed from the intra-alveolar morphology of the socket. Through metric analysis and qualitative congruency testing it was established that there was minimal discrepancy between natural tooth and 3D printed tooth. It was determined that teeth missing post-mortem do not necessarily invalidate the identification process. Digital FTR gives accurate results with minimum error.

Search for Physics beyond the Standard Model in Events with Overlapping Photons and Jets

Results are reported from a search for new particles that decay into a photon and two gluons, in events with jets. Novel jet substructure techniques are developed that allow photons to be identified in an environment densely populated with hadrons. The analyzed proton-proton collision data were collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC, in 2016 at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9  fb^{-1}. The spectra of total transverse hadronic energy of candidate events are examined for deviations from the standard model predictions. No statistically significant excess is observed over the expected background. The first cross section limits on new physics processes resulting in such events are set. The results are interpreted as upper limits on the rate of gluino pair production, utilizing a simplified stealth supersymmetry model. The excluded gluino masses extend up to 1.7 TeV, for a neutralino mass of 200 GeV and exceed previous mass constraints set by analyses targeting events with isolated photons.

Search for Low-Mass Quark-Antiquark Resonances Produced in Association with a Photon at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for narrow low-mass resonances decaying to quark-antiquark pairs is presented. The search is based on proton-proton collision events collected at 13 TeV by the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9  fb^{-1}, recorded in 2016. The search considers the case where the resonance has high transverse momentum due to initial-state radiation of a hard photon. To study this process, the decay products of the resonance are reconstructed as a single large-radius jet with two-pronged substructure. The signal would be identified as a localized excess in the jet invariant mass spectrum. No evidence for such a resonance is observed in the mass range 10 to 125 GeV. Upper limits at the 95% confidence level are set on the coupling strength of resonances decaying to quark pairs. The results obtained with this photon trigger strategy provide the first direct constraints on quark-antiquark resonance masses below 50 GeV obtained at a hadron collider.

Effect of intra-amniotic fluid pressure from polyhydramnios on cervical length in patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome undergoing fetoscopic laser surgery

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between intra-amniotic pressure and cervical length (CL) in patients with twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) undergoing fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP), and to identify pre- or intraoperative factors associated with increased intra-amniotic pressure in this population.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing FLP for TTTS. Exclusion criteria were triplet or higher-order gestation and prior cervical cerclage, amnioreduction or FLP procedure. CL was assessed using preprocedure transvaginal ultrasound. Intra-amniotic pressure measurements were obtained on initial placement of the trocar into the amniotic cavity, using a direct hydrostatic pressure gauge. The relationship between intra-amniotic pressure and CL was assessed using multivariate linear regression analysis, including relevant preoperative and intraoperative variables.

RESULTS

In total, 283 pregnancies met the inclusion criteria. Quintero stage of TTTS was I in 33 pregnancies, II in 88, III in 150 and IV in 12. Mean gestational age (GA) at FLP was 20.7 ± 3 weeks. Mean intra-amniotic pressure was 23.1 ± 9 mmHg. On unadjusted linear regression analysis, there was no significant association between intra-amniotic pressure and preoperative CL (P = 0.24) or GA at delivery (P = 0.22). On multivariate analysis, the factors associated significantly with intra-amniotic pressure were: number of prior term deliveries (P = 0.03), recipient maximum vertical pocket (P < 0.0001), Quintero stage IV (P = 0.01) and type of anesthesia (sedation vs general anesthesia; P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

In pregnancies with TTTS, intra-amniotic pressure is not associated with CL or GA at delivery. This novel finding suggests that cervical shortening in this population is not mechanically driven. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Measurements of triple-differential cross sections for inclusive isolated-photon+jet events in p p collisions at s = 8 TeV

Measurements are presented of the triple-differential cross section for inclusive isolated-photon+jet events in p p collisions ats = 8 TeV as a function of photon transverse momentum ( p T γ ), photon pseudorapidity ( η γ ), and jet pseudorapidity ( η jet ). The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb - 1 that probe a broad range of the available phase space, for| η γ | < 1.44 and1.57 < | η γ | < 2.50 ,| η jet | < 2.5 , 40 < p T γ < 1000 GeV , and jet transverse momentum, p T jet , > 25GeV . The measurements are compared to next-to-leading order perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations, which reproduce the data within uncertainties.

3M™ Petrifilm™ Staph Express Count Plate Method for the Enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus in Selected Dairy Foods: Collaborative Study

The 3M™ Petrifilm™ Staph Express Count plate method was compared with AOAC Official Method 975.55 for the enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus in selected foods. Five foods—ice cream, raw milk, yogurt, whey powder, and cheese—were analyzed for S. aureus by 12 collaborating laboratories. For each food tested, the collaborators received 8 blind test samples consisting of a control sample, a low inoculation level, a medium inoculation level, and a medium inoculation level with background flora, each in duplicate. The mean log10 counts for the methods were comparable for all 5 foods. The repeatability and reproducibility variances of the 24 h Petrifilm Staph Express Count plate method were similar to those of the 72 h standard method.

Intercontinental collaborative experience with abdominal, retroperitoneal and pelvic schwannomas

Background

Schwannomas are rare tumours that pose a significant management challenge in the abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvis. No data are available to inform management strategy.

Methods

A collaborative international cohort study, across specialist sarcoma units, was conducted to include adults presenting between 2000 and 2017 with histopathologically confirmed schwannomas within the abdomen, retroperitoneum or pelvis.

Results

Of 485 patients across 12 centres, 38 (7·8 per cent) were discharged without follow-up, 199 (41·0 per cent) underwent early resection and 248 (51·1 per cent) had radiological monitoring. Of these 248 patients, 96 (38·7 per cent) eventually had surgery, giving an overall resection rate of 60·8 per cent (295 of 485). At baseline, median tumour volume was 90·1 (i.q.r. 26·5–262·0) cm3. The estimated growth rate was 10·5 (95 per cent c.i. 9·4 to 11·6) per cent per year, and was consistent in the short term (within 2 years of diagnosis) and long term (beyond 2 years) (ρ = 0·405, P = 0·021). A decision to operate was more common in symptomatic patients (P &lt; 0·001) and for rapidly growing tumours (growth rate more than 20 per cent per year) (P = 0·025). R0/R1 resection was achieved in 91·6 per cent of patients (263 of 287). Kaplan–Meier long-term recurrence rates after R0/R1 resection were 2·3 and 6·7 per cent at 3 and 5 years respectively.

Conclusion

Specific recommendations include: indications for early surgery, prediction of growth from radiological monitoring, promotion of selective submacroscopic resection and cessation of postoperative imaging surveillance.

Measurement of the average very forward energy as a function of the track multiplicity at central pseudorapidities in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

The average total energy as well as its hadronic and electromagnetic components are measured with the CMS detector at pseudorapidities - 6.6 < η < - 5.2 in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energys = 13 TeV . The results are presented as a function of the charged particle multiplicity in the region | η | < 2 . This measurement is sensitive to correlations induced by the underlying event structure over a very wide pseudorapidity region. The predictions of Monte Carlo event generators commonly used in collider experiments and ultra-high energy cosmic ray physics are compared to the data. All generators considered overestimate the fraction of energy going into hadrons.

Search for new physics in top quark production in dilepton final states in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search for new physics in top quark production is performed in proton-proton collisions at 13 TeV . The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 collected in 2016 with the CMS detector. Events with two opposite-sign isolated leptons (electrons or muons), and b quark jets in the final state are selected. The search is sensitive to new physics in top quark pair production and in single top quark production in association with a W boson. No significant deviation from the standard model expectation is observed. Results are interpreted in the framework of effective field theory and constraints on the relevant effective couplings are set, one at a time, using a dedicated multivariate analysis. This analysis differs from previous searches for new physics in the top quark sector by explicitly separating t W from t t ¯  events and exploiting the specific sensitivity of the t W process to new physics.

Search for Neutrinoless Double-β Decay with the Complete EXO-200 Dataset

A search for neutrinoless double-β decay (0νββ) in ^{136}Xe is performed with the full EXO-200 dataset using a deep neural network to discriminate between 0νββ and background events. Relative to previous analyses, the signal detection efficiency has been raised from 80.8% to 96.4±3.0%, and the energy resolution of the detector at the Q value of ^{136}Xe 0νββ has been improved from σ/E=1.23% to 1.15±0.02% with the upgraded detector. Accounting for the new data, the median 90% confidence level 0νββ half-life sensitivity for this analysis is 5.0×10^{25}  yr with a total ^{136}Xe exposure of 234.1 kg yr. No statistically significant evidence for 0νββ is observed, leading to a lower limit on the 0νββ half-life of 3.5×10^{25}  yr at the 90% confidence level.

P3440Can pre-operative echocardiography predict RV failure post-LVAD implantation in children?

Background

One of the most frequent complications of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation is the development of right ventricular (RV) failure, which occurs in 10%-40% of patients. It is, therefore, essential to identify which LVAD candidates are at risk for RV failure and will require additional RV mechanical support with a biventricular assist device (BiVAD). However, the echocardiographic assessment of the RV is challenging due to its complex geometry and marked load dependence of its function indices. To our knowledge, there is no published evidence regarding which specific RV echocardiographic parameters should inform this decision in the paediatric population.

Aims

We sought to determine which pre-operative RV echocardiographic parameters best correlate with the need for a BiVAD, as opposed to LVAD alone, in a paediatric population undergoing VAD insertion at a tertiary care institution.

Methods

Retrospective review of the pre-operative echocardiograms of children (<18 years) with dilated cardiomyopathy undergoing elective VAD implantation at our institution, from November 2007 to December 2018. Preoperative quantitative and qualitative RV echocardiographic parameters described in the literature to be associated with RV failure after LVAD implantation in adults were collected. Moreover, qualitative RV function was independently assessed by three echocardiographers, blinded to the outcome of the patients.

Results

89 patients were included, 39 (43.8%) males, median age = 1.7 years (IQR = 6.9), median weight = 11.6 kg (IQR = 13.8). 49 (55.1%) patients had an LVAD implanted, whereas 40 (44.9%) were deemed to need biventricular support. 45 (50.6%) patients received an EXCOR Berlin Heart, 16 (18%) a HeartWare HVAD and 28 (31.4%) a Levitronix Centrimag device. Requirement of BiVAD support was significantly more common in patients with moderate to severe RV impairment, as per expert assessment (OR = 2.864; 95% CI: 1.188–6.903, p=0.018), and tricuspid regurgitation > grade III (OR = 3.154; 95% CI: 1.124–8.850, p=0.025). All the other parameters collected – tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity, tricuspid regurgitation duration corrected for heart rate, RV tissue Doppler indices, RV fractional area change, and RV/LV diameter ratio– were not significantly different among groups.

Conclusions

In our paediatric population, expert assessment of RV function and degree of tricuspid regurgitation were strong predictors of RV failure among patients undergoing LVAD implantation, allowing for pre-emptive RVAD implantation and improving patient outcomes.

Search for a Light Charged Higgs Boson Decaying to a W Boson and a CP-Odd Higgs Boson in Final States with eμμ or μμμ in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for a light charged Higgs boson (H^{+}) decaying to a W boson and a CP-odd Higgs boson (A) in final states with eμμ or μμμ is performed using data from pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9  fb^{-1}. In this search, it is assumed that the H^{+} boson is produced in decays of top quarks, and the A boson decays to two oppositely charged muons. The presence of signals for H^{+} boson masses between 100 and 160 GeV and A boson masses between 15 and 75 GeV is investigated. No evidence for the production of the H^{+} boson is found. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are obtained on the combined branching fraction for the decay chain, t→bH^{+}→bW^{+}A→bW^{+}μ^{+}μ^{-}, of 1.9×10^{-6} to 8.6×10^{-6}, depending on the masses of the H^{+} and A bosons. These are the first limits for these decay modes of the H^{+} and A bosons.

Azimuthal separation in nearly back-to-back jet topologies in inclusive 2- and 3-jet events in pp collisions at s = 13 Te

A measurement for inclusive 2- and 3-jet events of the azimuthal correlation between the two jets with the largest transverse momenta, Δ ϕ 12 , is presented. The measurement considers events where the two leading jets are nearly collinear ("back-to-back") in the transverse plane and is performed for several ranges of the leading jet transverse momentum. Proton-proton collision data collected with the CMS experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 Te and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 are used. Predictions based on calculations using matrix elements at leading-order and next-to-leading-order accuracy in perturbative quantum chromodynamics supplemented with leading-log parton showers and hadronization are generally in agreement with the measurements. Discrepancies between the measurement and theoretical predictions are as large as 15%, mainly in the region177 ∘ < Δ ϕ 12 < 180 ∘ . The 2- and 3-jet measurements are not simultaneously described by any of models.

C-12 Race and Sex Differences in Cognitive and Neurobiological Markers of Alzheimer's Disease

Objective

Intra-Individual Cognitive Variability (IICV) previously demonstrated predictive power similar to AD biomarkers (i.e., CSF and hippocampal volume (HV) loss). Previous work suggested sex differences in relative HV and IICV. Additionally, IICV differs in whites and underrepresented racial groups (URG). Our objective was to analyze these sex differences in white and URG participants.

Method

Baseline neurocognitive test and neuroimaging data from 335 cognitively healthy participants with ≥2 visits enrolled in the Wisconsin ADRC Clinical Core were included. Z-scores were calculated comparing individual performance to group performance by test (Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (Learning and Delayed Recall), Trail Making Test (A and B), and either Boston Naming Test (BNT) or Multilingual Naming Test (MINT)). MINT scores were converted to BNT scores using the NACC Crosswalk Study. The standard deviation of z-scores across tests was calculated to determine IICV. Characteristics by race and sex were compared using Mann-Whitney, Fisher’s Exact, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Spearman’s Rho was calculated to compare baseline IICV and relative HV.

Results

At baseline (Table 1), differences across racial groups in age, years of education, relative HV, and IICV were identified. Sex and racial group differences were identified (Table 2). A weak positive correlation between HV and IICV was seen in white females (Figure 1).

Conclusions

IICV has potential to become a cost-effective, non-invasive marker of preclinical AD. Again, correlation between HV and IICV was seen, but only in white females. Analyses suggest group differences between white and URG males and females. However, more data is needed to further explore these differences.

Measurement of exclusive ρ 770 0 photoproduction in ultraperipheral pPb collisions at s NN = 5.02 Te

Exclusiveρ 770 0 photoproduction is measured for the first time in ultraperipheral pPb collisions ats NN = 5.02 Te with the CMS detector. The cross section σ ( γ p → ρ 770 0 p ) is 11.0 ± 1.4 (stat) ± 1.0 (syst) μ b at ⟨ W γ p ⟩ = 92.6 Ge for photon-proton centre-of-mass energies W γ p between 29 and 213 Ge . The differential cross section d σ / d | t | is measured in the interval0.025 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 as a function of W γ p , where t is the squared four-momentum transfer at the proton vertex. The results are compared with previous measurements and theoretical predictions. The measured cross section σ ( γ p → ρ 770 0 p ) has a power-law dependence on the photon-proton centre-of-mass, consistent with electron-proton collision measurements performed at HERA. The W γ p dependence of the exponential slope of the differential cross section d σ / d | t | is also measured.

Studies of Beauty Suppression via Nonprompt D^{0} Mesons in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum spectra of D^{0} mesons from b hadron decays are measured at midrapidity (|y|<1) in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center of mass energy of 5.02 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. The D^{0} mesons from b hadron decays are distinguished from prompt D^{0} mesons by their decay topologies. In Pb-Pb collisions, the B→D^{0} yield is found to be suppressed in the measured p_{T} range from 2 to 100  GeV/c as compared to pp collisions. The suppression is weaker than that of prompt D^{0} mesons and charged hadrons for p_{T} around 10  GeV/c. While theoretical calculations incorporating partonic energy loss in the quark-gluon plasma can successfully describe the measured B→D^{0} suppression at higher p_{T}, the data show an indication of larger suppression than the model predictions in the range of 2<p_{T}<5  GeV/c.

Search for a heavy pseudoscalar boson decaying to a Z and a Higgs boson at s = 13 Te

A search is presented for a heavy pseudoscalar boson A decaying to a Z  boson and a Higgs boson with mass of 125GeV . In the final state considered, the Higgs boson decays to a bottom quark and antiquark, and the Z  boson decays either into a pair of electrons, muons, or neutrinos. The analysis is performed using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 collected in 2016 by the CMS experiment at the LHC from proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13Te . The data are found to be consistent with the background expectations. Exclusion limits are set in the context of two-Higgs-doublet models in the A boson mass range between 225 and 1000GeV .