Measurement of Z boson production in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector

The ATLAS experiment has observed 1995 Z boson candidates in data corresponding to 0.15  nb(-1) of integrated luminosity obtained in the 2011 LHC Pb+Pb run at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76  TeV. The Z bosons are reconstructed via dielectron and dimuon decay channels, with a background contamination of less than 3%. Results from the two channels are consistent and are combined. Within the statistical and systematic uncertainties, the per-event Z boson yield is proportional to the number of binary collisions estimated by the Glauber model. The elliptic anisotropy of the azimuthal distribution of the Z boson with respect to the event plane is found to be consistent with zero.

Search for dark matter candidates and large extra dimensions in events with a photon and missing transverse momentum in pp collision data at sqrt[s]=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Results of a search for new phenomena in events with an energetic photon and large missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV are reported. Data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb(-1) are used. Good agreement is observed between the data and the standard model predictions. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with large extra spatial dimensions and on pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates.

Search for magnetic monopoles in sqrt[s]=7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

This Letter presents a search for magnetic monopoles with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider using an integrated luminosity of 2.0  fb(-1) of pp collisions recorded at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=7  TeV. No event is found in the signal region, leading to an upper limit on the production cross section at 95% confidence level of 1.6/ϵ  fb for Dirac magnetic monopoles with the minimum unit magnetic charge and with mass between 200 GeV and 1500 GeV, where ϵ is the monopole reconstruction efficiency. The efficiency ϵ is high and uniform in the fiducial region given by pseudorapidity |η|<1.37 and transverse kinetic energy 600-700<E(kin)sinθ<1400  GeV. The minimum value of 700 GeV is for monopoles of mass 200 GeV, whereas the minimum value of 600 GeV is applicable for higher mass monopoles. Therefore, the upper limit on the production cross section at 95% confidence level is 2 fb in this fiducial region. Assuming the kinematic distributions from Drell-Yan pair production of spin-1/2 Dirac magnetic monopoles, the efficiency is in the range 1%-10%, leading to an upper limit on the cross section at 95% confidence level that varies from 145 fb to 16 fb for monopoles with mass between 200 GeV and 1200 GeV. This limit is weaker than the fiducial limit because most of these monopoles lie outside the fiducial region.

Search for direct top squark pair production in final states with one isolated lepton, jets, and missing transverse momentum in sqrt[s] = 7 TeV pp collisions using 4.7 fb(-10 of ATLAS data

A search is presented for direct top squark pair production in final states with one isolated electron or muon, jets, and missing transverse momentum in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV. The measurement is based on 4.7 fb(-1) of data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Each top squark is assumed to decay to a top quark and the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP). The data are found to be consistent with standard model expectations. Top squark masses between 230 GeV and 440 GeV are excluded with 95% confidence for massless LSPs, and top squark masses around 400 GeV are excluded for LSP masses up to 125 GeV.

Search for a supersymmetric partner to the top quark in final states with jets and missing transverse momentum at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A search for direct pair production of supersymmetric top squarks (t(1)) is presented, assuming the t(1) decays into a top quark and the lightest supersymmetric particle, χ(1)(0), and that both top quarks decay to purely hadronic final states. A total of 16 (4) events are observed compared to a predicted standard model background of 13.5(-3.6)(+3.7)(4.4(-1.3)(+1.7)) events in two signal regions based on ∫Ldt = 4.7 fb(-1) of pp collision data taken at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. An exclusion region in the t(1) versus χ(1)(0) mass plane is evaluated: 370<m(t)(1)}<465 GeV is excluded for m(χ)(1)(0) ~ 0 GeV while m(t)(1) = 445 GeV is excluded for m(χ)(1)(0) ≤ 50 GeV.

Soft x-ray images of the laser entrance hole of ignition hohlraums

Hohlraums are employed at the national ignition facility to convert laser energy into a thermal x-radiation drive, which implodes a fusion capsule, thus compressing the fuel. The x-radiation drive is measured with a low spectral resolution, time-resolved x-ray spectrometer, which views the region around the hohlraum's laser entrance hole. This measurement has no spatial resolution. To convert this to the drive inside the hohlraum, the size of the hohlraum's opening ("clear aperture") and fraction of the measured x-radiation, which comes from this opening, must be known. The size of the clear aperture is measured with the time integrated static x-ray imager (SXI). A soft x-ray imaging channel has been added to the SXI to measure the fraction of x-radiation emitted from inside the clear aperture. A multilayer mirror plus filter selects an x-ray band centered at 870 eV, near the peak of the x-ray spectrum of a 300 eV blackbody. Results from this channel and corrections to the x-radiation drive are discussed.

Denis RD, Stahlman J, Stamen R, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stanescu-Bellu M, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark J, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Staszewski R, Staude A, Stavina P, Steele G, Steinbach P, Steinberg P, Stekl I, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stern S, Stewart GA, Stillings JA, Stockton MC, Stoerig K, Stoicea G, Stonjek S, Strachota P, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strandlie A, Strang M, Strauss E, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Strong JA, Stroynowski R, Strube J, Stugu B, Stumer I, Stupak J, Sturm P, Styles NA, Soh DA, Su D, Subramania HS, Succurro A, Sugaya Y, Suhr C, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun X, Sundermann JE, Suruliz K, Susinno G, Sutton MR, Suzuki Y, Suzuki Y, Svatos M, Swedish S, Sykora I, Sykora T, Sánchez J, Ta D, Tackmann K, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Taiblum N, Takahashi Y, Takai H, Takashima R, Takeda H, Takeshita T, Takubo Y, Talby M, Talyshev A, Tamsett MC, Tanaka J, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tanaka S, Tanasijczuk AJ, Tani K, Tannoury N, Tapprogge S, Tardif D, Tarem S, Tarrade F, Tartarelli GF, Tas P, Tasevsky M, Tassi E, Tatarkhanov M, Tayalati Y, Taylor C, Taylor FE, Taylor GN, Taylor W, Teinturier M, Teixeira Dias Castanheira M, Teixeira-Dias P, Temming KK, Ten Kate H, Teng PK, Terada S, Terashi K, Terron J, Testa M, Teuscher RJ, Therhaag J, Theveneaux-Pelzer T, Thoma S, Thomas JP, Thompson EN, Thompson PD, Thompson PD, Thompson AS, Thomsen LA, Thomson E, Thomson M, Thun RP, Tian F, Tibbetts MJ, Tic T, Tikhomirov VO, Tikhonov YA, Timoshenko S, Tipton P, Tique Aires Viegas FJ, Tisserant S, Todorov T, Todorova-Nova S, Toggerson B, Tojo J, Tokár S, Tokushuku K, Tollefson K, Tomoto M, Tompkins L, Toms K, Tonoyan A, Topfel C, Topilin ND, Torchiani I, Torrence E, Torres H, Torró Pastor E, Toth J, Touchard F, Tovey DR, Trefzger T, Tremblet L, Tricoli A, Trigger IM, Trincaz-Duvoid S, Tripiana MF, Trischuk W, Trocmé B, Troncon C, Trottier-McDonald M, Trzebinski M, Trzupek A, Tsarouchas C, Tseng JCL, Tsiakiris M, Tsiareshka PV, Tsionou D, Tsipolitis G, Tsiskaridze V, Tskhadadze EG, Tsukerman II, Tsulaia V, Tsung JW, Tsuno S, Tsybychev D, Tua A, Tudorache A, Tudorache V, Tuggle JM, Turala M, Turecek D, Turk Cakir I, Turlay E, Turra R, Tuts PM, Tykhonov A, Tylmad M, Tyndel M, Tzanakos G, Uchida K, Ueda I, Ueno R, Ugland M, Uhlenbrock M, Uhrmacher M, Ukegawa F, Unal G, Undrus A, Unel G, Unno Y, Urbaniec D, Usai G, Uslenghi M, Vacavant L, Vacek V, Vachon B, Vahsen S, Valenta J, Valente P, Valentinetti S, Valero A, Valkar S, Valladolid Gallego E, Vallecorsa S, Valls Ferrer JA, van der Graaf H, van der Kraaij E, Van Der Leeuw R, van der Poel E, van der Ster D, van Eldik N, van Gemmeren P, van Vulpen I, Vanadia M, Vandelli W, Vaniachine A, Vankov P, Vannucci F, Vari R, Varol T, Varouchas D, Vartapetian A, Varvell KE, Vassilakopoulos VI, Vazeille F, Vazquez Schroeder T, Vegni G, Veillet JJ, Veloso F, Veness R, Veneziano S, Ventura A, Ventura D, Venturi M, Venturi N, Vercesi V, Verducci M, Verkerke W, Vermeulen JC, Vest A, Vetterli MC, Vichou I, Vickey T, Vickey Boeriu OE, Viehhauser GHA, Viel S, Villa M, Villaplana Perez M, Vilucchi E, Vincter MG, Vinek E, Vinogradov VB, Virchaux M, Virzi J, Vitells O, Viti M, Vivarelli I, Vives Vaque F, Vlachos S, Vladoiu D, Vlasak M, Vogel A, Vokac P, Volpi G, Volpi M, Volpini G, von der Schmitt H, von Loeben J, von Radziewski H, von Toerne E, Vorobel V, Vorwerk V, Vos M, Voss R, Voss TT, Vossebeld JH, Vranjes N, Vranjes Milosavljevic M, Vrba V, Vreeswijk M, Vu Anh T, Vuillermet R, Vukotic I, Wagner W, Wagner P, Wahlen H, Wahrmund S, Wakabayashi J, Walch S, Walder J, Walker R, Walkowiak W, Wall R, Waller P, Wang C, Wang H, Wang H, Wang J, Wang J, Wang R, Wang SM, Wang T, Warburton A, Ward CP, Warsinsky M, Washbrook A, Wasicki C, Watkins PM, Watson AT, Watson IJ, Watson MF, Watts G, Watts S, Waugh AT, Waugh BM, Weber M, Weber MS, Weber P, Weidberg AR, Weigell P, Weingarten J, Weiser C, Wellenstein H, Wells PS, Wenaus T, Wendland D, Weng Z, Wengler T, Wenig S, Wermes N, Werner M, Werner P, Werth M, Wessels M, Wetter J, Weydert C, Whalen K, Wheeler-Ellis SJ, White A, White MJ, White S, Whitehead SR, Whiteson D, Whittington D, Wicek F, Wicke D, Wickens FJ, Wiedenmann W, Wielers M, Wienemann P, Wiglesworth C, Wiik-Fuchs LAM, Wijeratne PA, Wildauer A, Wildt MA, Wilhelm I, Wilkens HG, Will JZ, Williams E, Williams HH, Willis W, Willocq S, Wilson JA, Wilson MG, Wilson A, Wingerter-Seez I, Winkelmann S, Winklmeier F, Wittgen M, Wollstadt SJ, Wolter MW, Wolters H, Wong WC, Wooden G, Wosiek BK, Wotschack J, Woudstra MJ, Wozniak KW, Wraight K, Wright C, Wright M, Wrona B, Wu SL, Wu X, Wu Y, Wulf E, Wynne BM, Xella S, Xiao M, Xie S, Xu C, Xu D, Yabsley B, Yacoob S, Yamada M, Yamaguchi H, Yamamoto A, Yamamoto K, Yamamoto S, Yamamura T, Yamanaka T, Yamaoka J, Yamazaki T, Yamazaki Y, Yan Z, Yang H, Yang UK, Yang Y, Yang Z, Yanush S, Yao L, Yao Y, Yasu Y, Ybeles Smit GV, Ye J, Ye S, Yilmaz M, Yoosoofmiya R, Yorita K, Yoshida R, Young C, Young CJ, Youssef S, Yu D, Yu J, Yu J, Yuan L, Yurkewicz A, Zabinski B, Zaidan R, Zaitsev AM, Zajacova Z, Zanello L, Zaytsev A, Zeitnitz C, Zeman M, Zemla A, Zendler C, Zenin O, Ženiš T, Zinonos Z, Zenz S, Zerwas D, Zevi della Porta G, Zhan Z, Zhang D, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Zhao L, Zhao T, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhong J, Zhou B, Zhou N, Zhou Y, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu J, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zhuravlov V, Zieminska D, Zimin NI, Zimmermann R, Zimmermann S, Zimmermann S, Ziolkowski M, Zitoun R, Živković L, Zmouchko VV, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, zur Nedden M, Zutshi V, Zwalinski L. A search for [Formula: see text] resonances with the ATLAS detector in 2.05 fb-1 of proton-proton collisions at [Formula: see text]

A search for top quark pair resonances in final states containing at least one electron or muon has been performed with the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The search uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.05 fb-1, which was recorded in 2011 at a proton-proton centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV. No evidence for a resonance is found and limits are set on the production cross-section times branching ratio to [Formula: see text] for narrow and wide resonances. For narrow Z' bosons, the observed 95 % Bayesian credibility level limits range from 9.3 pb to 0.95 pb for masses in the range of mZ'=500 GeV to mZ'=1300 GeV. The corresponding excluded mass region for a leptophobic topcolour Z' boson (Kaluza-Klein gluon excitation in the Randall-Sundrum model) is mZ'<880 GeV ([Formula: see text]).

Search for supersymmetry in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √[s]=7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the weak production of charginos and neutralinos decaying to a final state with three leptons (electrons or muons) and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis uses 2.06 fb(-1) of √[s]=7 TeV proton-proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with standard model expectations in two signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric and simplified models. For the simplified models, degenerate lightest chargino and next-to-lightest neutralino masses up to 300 GeV are excluded for mass differences from the lightest neutralino up to 300 GeV.

Denis RD, Stahl T, Stahlman J, Stamen R, Stanecka E, Stanek RW, Stanescu C, Stapnes S, Starchenko EA, Stark J, Staroba P, Starovoitov P, Staude A, Stavina P, Stavropoulos G, Steele G, Steinbach P, Steinberg P, Stekl I, Stelzer B, Stelzer HJ, Stelzer-Chilton O, Stenzel H, Stevenson K, Stewart GA, Stillings JA, Stockmanns T, Stockton MC, Stoerig K, Stoicea G, Stonjek S, Strachota P, Stradling AR, Straessner A, Strandberg J, Strandberg S, Strandlie A, Strang M, Strauss E, Strauss M, Strizenec P, Ströhmer R, Strom DM, Strong JA, Stroynowski R, Strube J, Stugu B, Stumer I, Stupak J, Sturm P, Soh DA, Su D, Subramania HS, Sugaya Y, Sugimoto T, Suhr C, Suita K, Suk M, Sulin VV, Sultansoy S, Sumida T, Sun X, Sundermann JE, Suruliz K, Susinno G, Sutton MR, Suzuki Y, Swedish S, Sykora I, Sykora T, Sánchez J, Ta D, Tackmann K, Taffard A, Tafirout R, Taga A, Taiblum N, Takahashi Y, Takai H, Takashima R, Takeda H, Takeshita T, Talby M, Talyshev A, Tamsett MC, Tanaka J, Tanaka R, Tanaka S, Tanaka S, Tani K, Tannoury N, Tapprogge S, Tardif D, Tarem S, Tarrade F, Tartarelli GF, Tas P, Tasevsky M, Tassi E, Tatarkhanov M, Tayalati Y, Taylor C, Taylor FE, Taylor GN, Taylor W, Teixeira Dias Castanheira M, Teixeira-Dias P, Temming KK, Ten Kate H, Teng PK, Terada S, Terashi K, Terron J, Terwort M, Testa M, Teuscher RJ, Tevlin CM, Therhaag J, Theveneaux-Pelzer T, Thioye M, Thoma S, Thomas JP, Thompson EN, Thompson PD, Thompson PD, Thompson RJ, Thompson AS, Thomson E, Thomson M, Thun RP, Tic T, Tikhomirov VO, Tikhonov YA, Timmermans CJWP, Tipton P, Tique Aires Viegas FJ, Tisserant S, Todorov T, Todorova-Nova S, Toggerson B, Tojo J, Tokár S, Tokunaga K, Tokushuku K, Tollefson K, Tomoto M, Tompkins L, Toms K, Tonazzo A, Tonoyan A, Topfel C, Topilin ND, Torchiani I, Torrence E, Torró Pastor E, Toth J, Touchard F, Tovey DR, Traynor D, Trefzger T, Treis J, Tremblet L, Tricoli A, Trigger IM, Trincaz-Duvoid S, Trinh TN, Tripiana MF, Trischuk W, Trivedi A, Trocmé B, Troncon C, Trottier-McDonald M, Trzupek A, Tsarouchas C, Tseng JCL, Tsiakiris M, Tsiareshka PV, Tsionou D, Tsipolitis G, Tsiskaridze V, Tskhadadze EG, Tsukerman II, Tsulaia V, Tsung JW, Tsuno S, Tsybychev D, Tua A, Tuggle JM, Turala M, Turecek D, Turk Cakir I, Turlay E, Turra R, Tuts PM, Twomey MS, Tykhonov A, Tylmad M, Tyndel M, Typaldos D, Tyrvainen H, Tzanakos G, Uchida K, Ueda I, Ueno R, Ugland M, Uhlenbrock M, Uhrmacher M, Ukegawa F, Unal G, Undrus A, Unel G, Unno Y, Urbaniec D, Urkovsky E, Urrejola P, Usai G, Uslenghi M, Vacavant L, Vacek V, Vachon B, Vahsen S, Valderanis C, Valenta J, Valente P, Valentinetti S, Valkar S, Valladolid Gallego E, Vallecorsa S, Valls Ferrer JA, van der Graaf H, van der Kraaij E, Van Der Leeuw R, van der Poel E, van der Ster D, Van Eijk B, van Eldik N, van Gemmeren P, van Vulpen I, Vandelli W, Vaniachine A, Vankov P, Vannucci F, Vari R, Varnes EW, Varouchas D, Vartapetian A, Varvell KE, Vassilakopoulos VI, Vazeille F, Vegni G, Veillet JJ, Veloso F, Veness R, Veneziano S, Ventura A, Ventura D, Venturi M, Venturi N, Vercesi V, Verducci M, Verkerke W, Vermeulen JC, Vest A, Vetterli MC, Vichou I, Vickey T, Viehhauser GHA, Viel S, Villa M, Villani EG, Villaplana Perez M, Vilucchi E, Vincter MG, Vinek E, Vinogradov VB, Virchaux M, Viret S, Virzi J, Vitale A, Vitells O, Viti M, Vivarelli I, Vives Vaque F, Vlachos S, Vlasak M, Vlasov N, Vogel A, Vokac P, Volpi G, Volpi M, Volpini G, von der Schmitt H, von Loeben J, von Radziewski H, von Toerne E, Vorobel V, Vorwerk V, Vos M, Voss R, Voss TT, Vossebeld JH, Vovenko AS, Vranjes N, Vranjes Milosavljevic M, Vrba V, Vreeswijk M, Vu Anh T, Vuillermet R, Vukotic I, Wagner W, Wagner P, Wahlen H, Wakabayashi J, Walbersloh J, Walch S, Walder J, Walker R, Walkowiak W, Wall R, Waller P, Wang C, Wang H, Wang J, Wang J, Wang R, Wang SM, Warburton A, Ward CP, Warsinsky M, Wastie R, Watkins PM, Watson AT, Watson MF, Watts G, Watts S, Waugh AT, Waugh BM, Weber J, Weber M, Weber MS, Weber P, Weidberg AR, Weigell P, Weingarten J, Weiser C, Wellenstein H, Wells PS, Wen M, Wenaus T, Wendler S, Weng Z, Wengler T, Wenig S, Wermes N, Werner M, Werner P, Werth M, Werthenbach U, Wessels M, Whalen K, Wheeler-Ellis SJ, White A, White MJ, White S, Whitehead SR, Whiteson D, Whittington D, Wicek F, Wicke D, Wickens FJ, Wiedenmann W, Wielers M, Wienemann P, Wiik-Fuchs LAM, Wijeratne PA, Wildauer A, Wildt MA, Wilhelm I, Wilkens HG, Will JZ, Williams E, Williams HH, Willis W, Willocq S, Wilson JA, Wilson MG, Wilson A, Wingerter-Seez I, Winkelmann S, Winklmeier F, Wittgen M, Wolter MW, Wolters H, Wooden G, Wosiek BK, Wotschack J, Woudstra MJ, Wraight K, Wright C, Wright D, Wrona B, Wu SL, Wu X, Wu Y, Wulf E, Wynne BM, Xaplanteris L, Xella S, Xie S, Xu C, Xu D, Yabsley B, Yamada M, Yamamoto A, Yamamoto K, Yamamoto S, Yamamura T, Yamaoka J, Yamazaki T, Yamazaki Y, Yan Z, Yang H, Yang UK, Yang Y, Yang Z, Yanush S, Yao WM, Yao Y, Yasu Y, Ybeles Smit GV, Ye J, Ye S, Yilmaz M, Yoosoofmiya R, Yorita K, Yoshida R, Young C, Youssef S, Yu D, Yu J, Yu J, Yuan L, Yurkewicz A, Zaidan R, Zaitsev AM, Zajacova Z, Zalite YK, Zanello L, Zarzhitsky P, Zaytsev A, Zeitnitz C, Zeller M, Zema PF, Zemla A, Zendler C, Zenin AV, Zenin O, Ženiš T, Zinonos Z, Zenz S, Zerwas D, Zevi della Porta G, Zhan Z, Zhang D, Zhang H, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Zhang X, Zhang Z, Zhao L, Zhao T, Zhao Z, Zhemchugov A, Zhong J, Zhou B, Zhou N, Zhou Y, Zhu CG, Zhu H, Zhu Y, Zhuang X, Zhuravlov V, Zieminska D, Zilka B, Zimmermann R, Zimmermann S, Zimmermann S, Ziolkowski M, Zitoun R, Živković L, Zmouchko VV, Zobernig G, Zoccoli A, Zolnierowski Y, Zsenei A, zur Nedden M, Zutshi V, Zwalinski L. Search for lepton flavour violation in the eμ continuum with the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the LHC

This paper presents a search for the t-channel exchange of an R-parity violating scalar top quark ([Formula: see text]) in the e±μ∓ continuum using 2.1 fb-1 of data collected by the ATLAS detector in [Formula: see text]pp collisions at the Large Hadron Collider. Data are found to be consistent with the expectation from the Standard Model backgrounds. Limits on R-parity-violating couplings at 95 % C.L. are calculated as a function of the scalar top mass ([Formula: see text]). The upper limits on the production cross section for pp→eμX, through the t-channel exchange of a scalar top quark, ranges from 170 fb for [Formula: see text] to 30 fb for [Formula: see text].

Initiating artificial nutrition support: a clinical judgement analysis

BACKGROUND

Variations in the practice of artificial nutrition are partly a result of the judgements of clinicians. Little is known about these judgements, the decision processes used or the quality of the decisions that arise. The methodology of clinical judgement analysis describes and explains judgemental differences between clinicians and offers a window into why clinician choices sometimes fail to correspond with current best practice guidelines.

METHODS

A clinical judgement analysis with 27 clinicians using two judgement tasks was carried out. Clinicians expressed their 'likelihood of feeding' and 'whether or not they would initiate artificial nutrition support' in response to 54 patient scenarios. Measures of agreement between clinicians, the degree of linear reasoning employed, their judgemental consistency and concordance with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines were assessed.

RESULTS

Clinicians' judgements varied substantially both in the amount of information employed and the weighting given to information. Clinicians had only moderate agreement with NICE recommendations and overestimated the need for artificial nutrition support. Suboptimal judgements were consistently applied by clinicians. When clinicians reasoned in more linear ways, their judgements and decisions improved.

CONCLUSIONS

Overestimating the need for artificial nutritional support may inflate health service costs and increase risks for patients unnecessarily. A better understanding by clinicians of the information needed (as well as how to use it) for artificial nutrition support initiation may help improve clinical decision-making.

Measurement of the ZZ production cross section and limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge couplings in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the ZZ production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s] = 7 TeV using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.02 fb(-1) recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC is presented. Twelve events containing two Z boson candidates decaying to electrons and/or muons are observed, with an expected background of 0.3 ± 0.3(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) events. The cross section measured in a phase-space region with good detector acceptance and for dilepton masses within the range 66 to 116 GeV is σ(ZZ → ℓ+ ℓ- ℓ+ ℓ-)(fid) = 19.4(-5.2)(+6.3)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.9)(syst) ± 0.7(lumi) fb. The resulting total cross section for on-shell ZZ production, σ(ZZ)(tot) = 8.5(-2.3)(+2.7)(stat)(-0.3)(+0.4)(syst) ± 0.3(lumi) pb, is consistent with the standard model expectation of 6.5(-0.2)(+0.3) pb calculated at the next-to-leading order in QCD. Limits on anomalous neutral triple gauge boson couplings are derived.

Psychometric properties of long and short forms of the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ11-14) in a Thai population

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of different forms of the Child Perceptions Questionnaires (CPQ11-14) for use in Thai adolescents.

METHODS

Cross-sectional questionnaire and clinical analytical study conducted at 2 schools in Chonburi province, Thailand. Clinical data were collected for 95 students (64 female, 31 male) aged 11-14 years. Data from the Thai version of CPQ11-14 were used to analyze the measurement properties of the original and 4 short forms of the CPQ11-14.

RESULTS

Participants found it difficult to remember that they should assess the impact only in relation to the problems of their teeth, lips, mouth or jaws. The Thai versions of the CPQ11-14 have satisfactory internal consistency and test-retest reliability except for the CPQ11-14 - ISF:8. The criterion validity of all versions was acceptable except for the CPQ11-14 - RSF:8. No CPQ11-14 scores correlated with clinical status, otherwise construct validity was acceptable for the original CPQ11-14 and the 16-item questionnaires.

CONCLUSION

The original scale of the CPQ11-14 indicates the highest validity and reliability among the 5 forms of the CPQ11-14 but has weak relations with clinical data. If it is to be used in low disease populations larger samples will be required. The 16-item questionnaires show some acceptable validity and reliability properties. The findings for the 8-item versions do not support their use in Thailand.

Working memory subsystems and task complexity in young boys with Fragile X syndrome

BACKGROUND

Working memory problems have been targeted as core deficits in individuals with Fragile X syndrome (FXS); however, there have been few studies that have examined working memory in young boys with FXS, and even fewer studies that have studied the working memory performance of young boys with FXS across different degrees of complexity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the phonological loop and visual-spatial working memory in young boys with FXS, in comparison to mental age-matched typical boys, and to examine the impact of complexity of the working memory tasks on performance.

METHODS

The performance of young boys (7 to 13-years-old) with FXS (n = 40) was compared with that of mental age and race matched typically developing boys (n = 40) on measures designed to test the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad across low, moderate and high degrees of complexity. Multivariate analyses were used to examine group differences across the specific working memory systems and degrees of complexity.

RESULTS

Results suggested that boys with FXS showed deficits in phonological loop and visual-spatial working memory tasks when compared with typically developing mental age-matched boys. For the boys with FXS, the phonological loop was significantly lower than the visual-spatial sketchpad; however, there was no significant difference in performance across the low, moderate and high degrees of complexity in the working memory tasks. Reverse tasks from both the phonological loop and visual-spatial sketchpad appeared to be the most challenging for both groups, but particularly for the boys with FXS.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings implicate a generalised deficit in working memory in young boys with FXS, with a specific disproportionate impairment in the phonological loop. Given the lack of differentiation on the low versus high complexity tasks, simple span tasks may provide an adequate estimate of working memory until greater involvement of the central executive is achieved.

Blackawton bees

BACKGROUND

Real science has the potential to not only amaze, but also transform the way one thinks of the world and oneself. This is because the process of science is little different from the deeply resonant, natural processes of play. Play enables humans (and other mammals) to discover (and create) relationships and patterns. When one adds rules to play, a game is created.

THIS IS SCIENCE

the process of playing with rules that enables one to reveal previously unseen patterns of relationships that extend our collective understanding of nature and human nature. When thought of in this way, science education becomes a more enlightened and intuitive process of asking questions and devising games to address those questions. But, because the outcome of all game-playing is unpredictable, supporting this 'messyness', which is the engine of science, is critical to good science education (and indeed creative education generally). Indeed, we have learned that doing 'real' science in public spaces can stimulate tremendous interest in children and adults in understanding the processes by which we make sense of the world. The present study (on the vision of bumble-bees) goes even further, since it was not only performed outside my laboratory (in a Norman church in the southwest of England), but the 'games' were themselves devised in collaboration with 25 8- to 10-year-old children. They asked the questions, hypothesized the answers, designed the games (in other words, the experiments) to test these hypotheses and analysed the data. They also drew the figures (in coloured pencil) and wrote the paper. Their headteacher (Dave Strudwick) and I devised the educational programme (we call 'i,scientist'), and I trained the bees and transcribed the childrens' words into text (which was done with smaller groups of children at the school's local village pub). So what follows is a novel study (scientifically and conceptually) in 'kids speak' without references to past literature, which is a challenge. Although the historical context of any study is of course important, including references in this instance would be disingenuous for two reasons. First, given the way scientific data are naturally reported, the relevant information is simply inaccessible to the literate ability of 8- to 10-year-old children, and second, the true motivation for any scientific study (at least one of integrity) is one's own curiousity, which for the children was not inspired by the scientific literature, but their own observations of the world. This lack of historical, scientific context does not diminish the resulting data, scientific methodology or merit of the discovery for the scientific and 'non-scientific' audience. On the contrary, it reveals science in its truest (most naive) form, and in this way makes explicit the commonality between science, art and indeed all creative activities.

PRINCIPAL FINDING

'We discovered that bumble-bees can use a combination of colour and spatial relationships in deciding which colour of flower to forage from. We also discovered that science is cool and fun because you get to do stuff that no one has ever done before. (Children from Blackawton)'.

Interface exchange coupling in Co nanoparticles dispersed in a Mn matrix

The structural and magnetic properties of 1.8 nm Co particles dispersed in a Mn matrix by co-depositing pre-formed mass-selected Co clusters with an atomic vapour of Mn onto a common substrate have been studied by using EXAFS (extended x-ray absorption fine structure), XMCD (x-ray magnetic circular dichroism), magnetometry, and theoretical modelling. At low Co volume fraction (5%) Co@Mn shows a significant degree of alloying and the well-defined particles originally deposited become centres of high Co concentration CoMn alloy that evolves from pure Co at the nanoparticle centre to the pure Mn matrix within a few nm. Each inhomogeneity is a core-shell particle with a Co-rich ferromagnetic core in contact with a Co-depleted antiferromagnetic shell. The XMCD reveals that the Co moment localized on the Co atoms within the Co-rich cores is much smaller than the ferromagnetic moment of the Co nanoparticles deposited at the same volume fraction in Ag. Electronic structure calculations indicate that the small magnitude of the core Co moment can be understood only if significant alloying occurs. Monte Carlo modelling replicates the exchange bias (EB) behaviour observed at low temperature from magnetometry measurements. We ascribe EB to the interaction between the ferromagnetic Co-rich cores and the antiferromagnetic Mn-rich shells.

Randomised, controlled trial of concomitant pneumococcal and meningococcal conjugate vaccines

A randomised, open-label study compared the immunogenicity and safety of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) and meningococcal C conjugate vaccine (MnCC vaccine) administered concomitantly and individually. Infants received PCV7+MnCC vaccine (n=265), PCV7 alone (n=268) or MnCC vaccine alone (n=178). PCV7 was administered at 2, 3½, 6 and 12 months, and MnCC vaccine at 2, 6 and 12 months. For the 7 pneumococcal serotypes tested (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F and 23F), proportions of subjects with pneumococcal serotype-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody concentrations ≥0.35 μg/mL post-infant series were non-inferior for the PCV7+MnCC vaccine (91.5-99.6%) and PCV7 (89.0-99.6%) groups. Proportions of subjects achieving serogroup C meningococcal serum bactericidal assay titres ≥1:8 post-infant series were non-inferior for the PCV7+MnCC vaccine (99.6%) and MnCC vaccine groups (98.8%). Pneumococcal IgG antibody levels were similar in the PCV7+MnCC vaccine and PCV7 groups at each time point. Post-infant and post-toddler meningococcus C serum bactericidal assay titres and IgG levels were similar in the PCV7+MnCC vaccine and MnCC groups, although pre-toddler, the levels were lower in the PCV7+MnCC vaccine group than the MnCC vaccine group. Immune response rates to diphtheria antigen approached 100% for all vaccine groups. Local reactions were mostly similar among the treatment groups. The MnCC vaccine group had lower rates of some systemic events than the PCV7+MnCC vaccine group. Immune responses to PCV7+MnCC vaccine were non-inferior compared with those seen with each vaccine administered alone.

¹⁵C(d,p)¹⁶C reaction and exotic behavior in ¹⁶C

We have studied the ¹⁵C(d,p)¹⁶C reaction in inverse kinematics using the Helical Orbit Spectrometer at Argonne National Laboratory. Prior studies of electromagnetic-transition rates in ¹⁶C suggested an exotic decoupling of the valence neutrons from the core in that nucleus. Neutron-adding spectroscopic factors give a different probe of the wave functions of the relevant states in ¹⁶C. Shell-model calculations reproduce both the present transfer data and the previously measured transition rates, suggesting that ¹⁶C may be described without invoking very exotic phenomena.

Laparoscopic-assisted enteroscopy

This case demonstrates that laparoscopic-assisted enteroscopy (LAE) is a safe and effective technique to aid diagnosis and treatment of small bowel lesions that are difficult to identify with traditional and advanced imaging and interventional techniques. In patients where definite bowel lesions are identified on small bowel capsule endoscopy or small bowel enteroscopy, LAE can be extremely valuable in pinpointing the lesion intra-operatively. This technique may have certain merit for laparoscopic Crohn's stricturoplasty.

Trimetoquinol: bronchodilator effects in horses with heaves following aerosolised and oral administration

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY

The bronchodilator effects of trimetoquinol (TMQ) have been studied when administered i.v. or intratracheally, but not in an aerosolised form.

OBJECTIVES

To define the relationship between the therapeutic and adverse responses (therapeutic index) of TMQ when administered as an aerosol or by the oral route.

METHODS

Increasing doses of TMQ were administered to horses with heaves as an aerosol and by the oral route. Dose ranged 100-1000 microg/horse for aerosolised TMQ and from 6-60 microg/kg bwt for the oral route. Airway and cardiac effects were assessed by measurement of maximal change in pleural pressure (deltaPplmax) and heart rate (HR), respectively. Side effects of sweating, agitation and muscle trembling were scored subjectively. Duration of action of aerosolised (1000 pg/horse) and oral (6-60 microg/kg bwt) TMQ was evaluated over 6 h.

RESULTS

Aerosol administration of TMQ caused dose-dependent bronchodilation but did not change HR or cause other observable side effects. When 1000 microg/horse was administered via aerosol, TMQ produced a 2-phase bronchodilation; an immediate effect lasting up to 30 min and a second phase between 2 and 4 h. Oral TMQ was therapeutically ineffective.

CONCLUSION

Aerosol administration of TMQ is a safe and effective method of producing bronchodilation in horses.

Intravenous and intratracheal administration of trimetoquinol, a fast-acting short-lived bronchodilator in horses with ‘heaves’

REASON FOR PERFORMING STUDY

Trimetoquinol (TMQ) is a potent beta-adrenoceptor agonist bronchodilator used in human medicine but has not been evaluated for potential use as a therapeutic agent for horses with 'heaves'.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the pharmacodynamics of TMQ in horses with 'heaves' to determine potential therapeutic effects.

METHODS

Increasing doses of TMQ were administered to horses with 'heaves' by i.v. and intratracheal (i.t.) routes. Doses ranged 0.001-0.2 microg/kg bwt i.v. and 0.01-2 microg/kg bwt i.t. Cardiac and airways effects were assessed by measurement of heart rate (HR) and maximal change in pleural pressure (deltaPplmax), respectively. Side effects of sweating, agitation and muscle trembling were scored subjectively. Duration of action to i.v. (0.2 microg/kg bwt) and i.t. (2 microg/kg bwt) TMQ was evaluated over 6 h.

RESULTS

Intravenous TMQ was an exceptionally potent cardiac stimulant. Heart rate increased at 0.01 microg/kg bwt, and was still increasing after administration of highest dose, 0.2 microg/kg bwt. Airway bronchodilation, measured as a decrease in deltaPplmax, also commenced at 0.01 microg/kg bwt. By the i.t. route, TMQ was 50-100-fold less potent than by i.v. Side effects included sweating, agitation and muscle trembling. Overall, the onset of HR and bronchodilator effects was rapid, within about 3 min, but effects were over at 2 h.

CONCLUSION

When administered i.v. and i.t., TMQ is a highly potent cardiac stimulant and a modest bronchodilator. It may not be an appropriate pharmacological agent by i.v. and i.t. routes for the alleviation of signs in horses with 'heaves'. Further studies of TMQ by oral and aerosol routes are necessary.

POTENTIAL RELEVANCE

In horses, TMQ is a fast-acting bronchodilator with a short duration of action. It could be used as a rescue agent during an episode of 'heaves'. The i.v. and i.t. administration of TMQ is associated with side effects, similar to those reported for all other beta-agonists. However, other routes, such as aerosol and oral, may prove useful and safe for the alleviation of bronchoconstriction typical of 'heaves'.

IFN-gamma triggered STAT1-PKB/AKT signalling pathway influences the function of alloantigen reactive regulatory T cells

CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a key role in the induction and maintenance of peripheral tolerance. Rapid and transient production of IFN-gamma by Tregs from mice tolerized to alloantigen in vivo has been shown to be critical for their regulatory function. This IFN-gamma has the potential to affect the function of cells present in the same local microenvironment as the Tregs, including the Tregs themselves. Here we investigated the mechanism by which IFN-gamma produced by Tregs triggered signaling pathways in alloantigen reactive Tregs themselves thereby influencing their function in vivo. We show that IFN-gamma production and STAT1 activation was increased, while STAT1-dependent PKB/AKT activation was downregulated in alloantigen reactive Tregs. Further, the activation of STAT1 was blocked in IFN-gamma receptor deficient as well as IFN-gamma-deficient Tregs, suggesting that IFN-gamma produced by the alloantigen reactive Tregs might act in an autocrine manner to induce STAT1 activation. Importantly, STAT1-deficient Tregs failed to control allograft rejection in vivo. Overall, these findings suggest that the IFN-gamma-induced STAT1-PKB/AKT signaling pathway plays a key role in upregulating the ability of alloantigen reactive Tregs to control graft rejection in vivo.

Role of protein Z and protein C in neonates with respiratory distress syndrome in Egypt (experience of one centre)

The aim of this study is to evaluate Protein Z (PTZ) and protein C (PTC) levels in newborns suffering from RDS, healthy preterm and full term newborns and to compare PTZ serum levels in RDS preterm infants with healthy preterm before and after recovery. Sixty newborn infants, recruited from the neonatal unit, were enrolled in the study and divided into 3 groups: Group (I): 20 preterm with RDS, Group (II): 20 healthy preterm control newborns (CPT) and Group (III): 20 healthy full term control newborns (CFT). Protein Z and C were measured using ELISA kits. The results of the study showed lower levels of protein Z were obtained in RDS group compared to preterm controls whose levels were significantly lower than in full-term controls. A significant increase in PTZ levels in RDS' group after recovery, when compared to preterm controls. In RDS, no significant correlations existed between PTZ levels (before and after recovery) and routine investigations except for a significant negative correlation with platelets count. No significant differences were found in PTC levels between the 3 studied groups. To conclude: premature newborns suffering from RDS showed decreased serum protein Z levels than normal preterm control newborns with further increase in its pattern after recovery. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the role of PTZ on outcome in premature newborns with RDS and to evaluate the relationship between protein PTZ and PTC and other coagulation factors incriminated in the development of RDS.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of TSER, ATM, RecQ1 genes association with survival in pancrease cancer

e14590

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is the 4th leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the U.S . We tried to determine whether ATM, RecQ1 gene polymorphisms correlate with gemcitabine (G) and TSER gene polymorphism with capecitabine (C) response and over all survival(OS). We also tested the hypothesis that PaCa pts homozygous for the S/S variant of the TSER will have a higher 6-month survival with C compared to historical controls. TS expression is regulated by a polymorphism in the TSER and has been shown that pts with S/S variant have high response rate and increased toxicity in colon cancer pts. ATM and recQ1 genes are involved with DNA damage response and repair and correlate with G response. Methods: DNA isolated from peripheral blood samples in 82 pts with Stage IV pancreatic cancer was tested for the TSER, ATM and RecQ1 gene polymorphisms. All patients were treated with G 1,000mg/m2 wkly for 3/4 wks. Pts homozygous for the S/S variant were treated with C, 2,000 mg/m2/day for 14 /21days. Pts were evaluated for response to therapy according to the RECIST. Results: 16 pts (19.5%) were positive for S/S variant of TSER, but only 4 (4.8%) were treated. The reasons for declining treatment were geographic, logistic or progression issues. Only 1 pt was evaluable, receiving at least 3 cycles of C . All pts needed dose reductions due to toxicities. Grade 3 hand foot syndrome, diarrhea and vomiting were dose limiting toxicities. No complete or partial responses were seen. The pt who received 3 cycles came off study due to progressive disease and the other 3 pts came of the study due to toxicities. TSER polymorphism was correlated to OS and only S/S variant was significant with a trend towards improved OS by log rank test and Kaplan Meier plot. ATM and RecQ1 gene polymorphisms subtypes did not correlate with G response and OS ( not statistically significant). Conclusions: Our study represents an initial effort to apply pharmacogenetics to PaCa therapy. 19.5% of pts had the S/S variant of the TSER polymorphism, but only 4.8% enrolled. C administration was associated with excess toxicity. The toxicities observed in this study appear to outweigh the benefit of using C in this pt population. There is no correlation between ATM and RecQ1 genotypes with OS. However the sample size is too small to draw conclusions.

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