Search for Lepton-Flavor Violating Decays B^{+}→K^{+}μ^{±}e^{∓}

A search for the lepton-flavor violating decays B^{+}→K^{+}μ^{±}e^{∓} is performed using a sample of proton-proton collision data, collected with the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb^{-1}. No significant signal is observed, and upper limits on the branching fractions are set as B(B^{+}→K^{+}μ^{-}e^{+})<7.0(9.5)×10^{-9} and B(B^{+}→K^{+}μ^{+}e^{-})<6.4(8.8)×10^{-9} at 90% (95)% confidence level. The results improve the current best limits on these decays by more than one order of magnitude.

The neutron electric dipole moment experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source

Novel experimental techniques are required to make the next big leap in neutron electric dipole moment experimental sensitivity, both in terms of statistics and systematic error control. The nEDM experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source (nEDM@SNS) will implement the scheme of Golub & Lamoreaux [Phys. Rep., 237, 1 (1994)]. The unique properties of combining polarized ultracold neutrons, polarized 3He, and superfluid 4He will be exploited to provide a sensitivity to ∼ 10−28 e · cm. Our cryogenic apparatus will deploy two small (3 L) measurement cells with a high density of ultracold neutrons produced and spin analyzed in situ. The electric field strength, precession time, magnetic shielding, and detected UCN number will all be enhanced compared to previous room temperature Ramsey measurements. Our 3He co-magnetometer offers unique control of systematic effects, in particular the Bloch-Siegert induced false EDM. Furthermore, there will be two distinct measurement modes: free precession and dressed spin. This will provide an important self-check of our results. Following five years of “critical component demonstration,” our collaboration transitioned to a “large scale integration” phase in 2018. An overview of our measurement techniques, experimental design, and brief updates are described in these proceedings.

Measurement of Charged Hadron Production in Z-Tagged Jets in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=8 TeV

The production of charged hadrons within jets recoiling against a Z boson is measured in proton-proton collision data at sqrt[s]=8  TeV recorded by the LHCb experiment. The charged-hadron structure of the jet is studied longitudinally and transverse to the jet axis for jets with transverse momentum p_{T}>20  GeV and in the pseudorapidity range 2.5<η<4. These are the first measurements of jet hadronization at these forward rapidities and also the first where the jet is produced in association with a Z boson. In contrast to previous hadronization measurements at the Large Hadron Collider, which are dominated by gluon jets, these measurements probe predominantly light-quark jets which are found to be more longitudinally and transversely collimated with respect to the jet axis when compared to the previous gluon dominated measurements. Therefore, these results provide valuable information on differences between quarks and gluons regarding nonperturbative hadronization dynamics.

Amplitude Analysis of B^{±}→π^{±}K^{+}K^{-} Decays

The first amplitude analysis of the B^{±}→π^{±}K^{+}K^{-} decay is reported based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0  fb^{-1} of pp collisions recorded in 2011 and 2012 with the LHCb detector. The data are found to be best described by a coherent sum of five resonant structures plus a nonresonant component and a contribution from ππ↔KK S-wave rescattering. The dominant contributions in the π^{±} K^{∓} and K^{+} K^{-} systems are the nonresonant and the B^{±}→ρ(1450)^{0}π^{±} amplitudes, respectively, with fit fractions around 30%. For the rescattering contribution, a sizable fit fraction is observed. This component has the largest CP asymmetry reported to date for a single amplitude of (-66±4±2)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. No significant CP violation is observed in the other contributions.

Search for the Lepton-Flavor-Violating Decays B_{s}^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓} and B^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓}

Results are reported from a search for the rare decays B_{s}^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓} and B^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓}, where the τ lepton is reconstructed in the channel τ^{-}→π^{-}π^{+}π^{-}ν_{τ}. These processes are effectively forbidden in the standard model, but they can potentially occur at detectable rates in models of new physics that can induce lepton-flavor-violating decays. The search is based on a data sample corresponding to 3  fb^{-1} of proton-proton collisions recorded by the LHCb experiment in 2011 and 2012. The event yields observed in the signal regions for both processes are consistent with the expected standard model backgrounds. Because of the limited mass resolution arising from the undetected τ neutrino, the B_{s}^{0} and B^{0} signal regions are highly overlapping. Assuming no contribution from B^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓}, the upper limit B(B_{s}^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓})<4.2×10^{-5} is obtained at 95% confidence level. If no contribution from B_{s}^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓} is assumed, a limit of B(B^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓})<1.4×10^{-5} is obtained at 95% confidence level. These results represent the first limit on B(B_{s}^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓}) and the most stringent limit on B(B^{0}→τ^{±}μ^{∓}).

Hollow core-shell structured TS-1@S-1 as an efficient catalyst for alkene epoxidation

Hollow core-shell structured TS-1@S-1 zeolite (HCS-TS) was prepared successfully for the first time, which exhibited excellent activity in the epoxidation of alkenes. Combining TEM, UV-vis, UV-Raman, pyridine-IR, solid-state MAS NMR, XPS and so on characterization, the improvement in the catalytic performance of hollow core-shell structured TS-1@S-1 zeolite was credited to the newly formed superior active sites: defective Ti(OSi)₃(OH) species in HCS-TS and six-coordinated titanium active species in uncalcined HCS-TS (HCS-TS^P). Interestingly, these two different titanium active species in the samples could be constructed through calcination or not in the same synthesis process. A possible formation mechanism was investigated in detail; it indicated that the hollowing treatment of TS-1 in the first step was conducive to the construction of the new superior active sites in the samples, and there was a synergistic effect on the formation of these active sites between TPAOH and TEOS in the second step of the synthesis process. This strategy is feasible to enhance the catalytic performance of TS-1, and is suitable for the synthesis of TS-1 on an industrial scale.

Effects of dietary calcium pyruvate on gastrointestinal tract development, intestinal health and growth performance of newly weaned piglets fed low-protein diets

AIM

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary calcium pyruvate supplementation on growth performance and intestinal health of weaned piglets fed low-protein diets.

METHODS AND RESULTS

After a 7-day adaptation period, 60 individually housed piglets (Duroc × Yorkshire-Landrace) weaned at 28 days of age were randomly assigned to receive one of three treatments (20 pigs/treatment) for 28 days: control diet (20·0% crude protein [CP]), low-protein diet (15·5% CP), and experimental (15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate). At the end of the experiment, six piglets from each diet group were slaughtered and blood and tissue samples were collected. Compared with the control group, feeding piglets with 15·5% CP decreased the daily body weight gain; lengths of the duodenum, jejunum and ileum; and weights of the stomach, duodenum, jejunum and ileum (P < 0·05), while 15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate supplementation removed those differences (P > 0·05). Compared with the control group, the diarrhoea incidence and relative richness of Firmicutes in the colon contents of piglets in both the 15·5% CP and 15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate groups was decreased. The relative richness of Bacteriodetes in the colon contents of piglets was higher in the 15·5% CP + 1·8% calcium pyruvate group than in the control and 15·5% CP groups (P < 0·05).

CONCLUSION

Calcium pyruvate supplementation for four weeks removed the negative effects of a low-protein diet on the gastrointestinal tract development and daily body weight gain of weaned piglets.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

This study showed that supplementing a low-protein diet with calcium pyruvate, an effective alternative metabolic fuel to amino acids, was beneficial in improving the intestinal health and maximizing the growth of newly weaned piglets.

Effects of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa fermentation product on the laying performance, egg quality, jejunal mucosal morphology and intestinal microbiota of hens

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of Rhodotorula mucilaginosa solid-state fermentation product (RSFP) on the laying performance, egg quality and intestinal microbial flora of hens.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, 40-week-old Roman laying hens (n = 216) were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: the control (CON) group, fed 87.5% basal diet +12.5% fermentation substrate; the 0.5% RSFP group, fed 87.5% basal diet +12.0% fermentation substrate +0.5% RSFP; the 2.5% RSFP group, fed 87.5% basal diet +10.0% fermentation substrate +2.5% RSFP; and the 12.5% RSFP group, fed 87.5% basal diet +12.5% RSFP. The effect of each treatment was analysed in six replicates of nine hens. The experimental period was 31 days, which included a 3-day adaptation period. After 31 days of feeding, one hen from each replicate was randomly selected and killed, and the jejunum and digesta in the cecum were collected for the determination of the intestinal morphology and microbial flora respectively. Daily egg mass in the 2.5 and 12.5% RSFP groups and egg production and feed conversion ratio in the 12.5% RSFP group were higher than those in control group (P < 0.05). The yolk colour was improved in hens fed RSFP-supplemented diets (P < 0.05). Hens fed RSFP-supplemented diet showed a decrease in the relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Bacteroides, Helicobacteraceae, Helicobacter and Lachnospiraceae UCG-002, but an increase in the relative abundance of Prevotellaceae UCG-001 in the cecum (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Dietary RSFP supplementation improved the laying performance, egg quality and intestinal microflora of hens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Dietary supplementing diet with Rhodotorula mucilaginosa solid-state fermentation product, which is rich in carotenoids, improved the yolk colour and increased the carotenoid content, thereby improving the intestinal health of hens.

First Observation of the Directed Flow of D^{0} and D^{0}[over ¯] in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report the first measurement of rapidity-odd directed flow (v_{1}) for D^{0} and D^{0}[over ¯] mesons at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV using the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. In 10-80% Au+Au collisions, the slope of the v_{1} rapidity dependence (dv_{1}/dy), averaged over D^{0} and D^{0}[over ¯] mesons, is -0.080±0.017(stat)±0.016(syst) for transverse momentum p_{T} above 1.5  GeV/c. The absolute value of D^{0} meson dv_{1}/dy is about 25 times larger than that for charged kaons, with 3.4σ significance. These data give a unique insight into the initial tilt of the produced matter, and offer constraints on the geometric and transport parameters of the hot QCD medium created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions.

Observation of New Resonances in the Λ_{b}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} System

We report the observation of a new structure in the Λ_{b}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} spectrum using the full LHCb data set of pp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 9  fb^{-1}, collected at sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV. A study of the structure suggests its interpretation as a superposition of two almost degenerate narrow states. The masses and widths of these states are measured to be m_{Λ_{b}(6146)^{0}}=6146.17±0.33±0.22±0.16  MeV,m_{Λ_{b}(6152)^{0}}=6152.51±0.26±0.22±0.16  MeV,Γ_{Λ_{b}(6146)^{0}}=2.9±1.3±0.3  MeV,Γ_{Λ_{b}(6152)^{0}}=2.1±0.8±0.3  MeV,with a mass splitting of Δm=6.34±0.32±0.02  MeV, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second systematic. The third uncertainty for the mass measurements derives from the knowledge of the mass of the Λ_{b}^{0} baryon. The measured masses and widths of these new excited states suggest their possible interpretation as a doublet of Λ_{b}(1D)^{0} states.

Polarization of Λ (Λ[over ¯]) Hyperons along the Beam Direction in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The Λ (Λ[over ¯]) hyperon polarization along the beam direction has been measured in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV, for the first time in heavy-ion collisions. The polarization dependence on the hyperons' emission angle relative to the elliptic flow plane exhibits a second harmonic sine modulation, indicating a quadrupole pattern of the vorticity component along the beam direction, expected due to elliptic flow. The polarization is found to increase in more peripheral collisions, and shows no strong transverse momentum (p_{T}) dependence at p_{T} greater than 1  GeV/c. The magnitude of the signal is about 5 times smaller than those predicted by hydrodynamic and multiphase transport models; the observed phase of the emission angle dependence is also opposite to these model predictions. In contrast, the kinematic vorticity calculations in the blast-wave model tuned to reproduce particle spectra, elliptic flow, and the azimuthal dependence of the Gaussian source radii measured with the Hanbury Brown-Twiss intensity interferometry technique reproduce well the modulation phase measured in the data and capture the centrality and transverse momentum dependence of the polarization signal.

Observation of Excess J/ψ Yield at Very Low Transverse Momenta in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV and U+U Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193 GeV

We report on the first measurements of J/ψ production at very low transverse momentum (p_{T}<0.2  GeV/c) in hadronic Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and U+U collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV. Remarkably, the inferred nuclear modification factor of J/ψ at midrapidity in Au+Au (U+U) collisions reaches about 24 (52) for p_{T}<0.05  GeV/c in the 60%-80% collision centrality class. This noteworthy enhancement cannot be explained by hadronic production accompanied by cold and hot medium effects. In addition, the dN/dt distribution of J/ψ for the very low p_{T} range is presented for the first time. The distribution is consistent with that expected from the Au nucleus and shows a hint of interference. Comparison of the measurements to theoretical calculations of coherent production shows that the excess yield can be described reasonably well and reveals a partial disruption of coherent production in semicentral collisions, perhaps due to the violent hadronic interactions. Incorporating theoretical calculations, the results strongly suggest that the dramatic enhancement of J/ψ yield observed at extremely low p_{T} originates from coherent photon-nucleus interactions. In particular, coherently produced J/ψ's in violent hadronic collisions may provide a novel probe of the quark-gluon plasma.

Involvement of Phosphatidylserine and Triacylglycerol in the Response of Sweet Potato Leaves to Salt Stress

Lipid remodeling plays an important role in the adaptation of plants to environmental factors, but the mechanism by which lipid remodeling mediates salt stress response remains unclear. In this study, we compared the root and leaf lipidome profiles of salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive sweet potato cultivars (Xu 22 and Xu 32, respectively) under salinity stress. After salt treatment, the leaf lipidome showed more significant remodeling than the root lipidome in both cultivars. Compared with Xu 32 leaves, Xu 22 leaves generally maintained higher abundance of phospholipids, glycolipids, sphingolipids, sterol derivatives, and diacylglycerol under salinity conditions. Interestingly, salinity stress significantly increased phosphatidylserine (PS) abundance in Xu 22 leaves by predominantly triggering the increase of PS (20:5/22:6). Furthermore, Xu 32 leaves accumulated higher triacylglycerol (TG) level than Xu 22 leaves under salinity conditions. The exogenous application of PS delayed salt-induced leaf senescence in Xu 32 by reducing salt-induced K+ efflux and upregulating plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. However, the inhibition of TG mobilization in salinized-Xu 22 leaves disturbed energy and K+/Na+ homeostasis, as well as plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. These results demonstrate alterations in the leaf lipidome of sweet potato under salinity condition, underscoring the importance of PS and TG in mediating salt-defensive responses in sweet potato leaves.

P11.07 LAPTM5 functions as a tumor suppressor via CD40 - NFêB pathway inhibition and represents a potential biomarker for temozolomide sensitivity in CD40 proficient glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioma therapy is challenged by the invasive nature of glioma resulting in tumor recurrence and treatment resistance. Lysosomal protein transmembrane 5 (LAPTM5) was identified to inhibit invasion by screening for invasion-associated genes in glioma. The aim of this study was to decipher the function of LAPTM5 in glioblastoma and its interaction with the CD40 receptor which was shown to be highly expressed in up to 40% of glioblastoma.

METHODS

LAPTM5 expression was correlated with clinical outcome of glioma patients. Knockdown of LAPTM5 was performed in different glioma cell lines to analyze the impact on clonogenicity, invasiveness, sensitivity to temozolomide chemotherapy and tumorigenicity in-vitro and in-vivo in a subcutaneous xenograft mouse model. Expression array was used to elucidate the underlying pathways. CD40 knockdown and overexpression was induced to prove the crosstalk of LAPTM5 and CD40.

RESULTS

LAPTM5 expression correlated with better overall survival in high grade glioma patients and acted as a tumor suppressor in CD40 positive glioblastoma cells. LAPTM5 inhibited CD40-mediated NFκB activation resulting in anti-invasive, anti-clonogenic and temozolomide sensitizing effects in-vitro and in-vivo. Vice-versa, knockdown of LAPTM5 enhanced tumorigenicity by activation of the NFκB pathway which was overcome by NFκB inhibition. Importantly, CD40 expression was required for LAPTM5-mediated tumor suppressive activity.

CONCLUSION

LAPTM5 conveyed tumor suppressive and temozolomide sensitizing effects in CD40-positive glioblastoma by inhibition of CD40-mediated NFκB activation and thereby might provide a reasonable biomarker for sensitivity to temozolomide in CD40-positive glioblastoma.

Genetic Structure Analysis of Y-Chromosome STR and SNP in Population of Wujiang Area, Suzhou City

Abstract

Objective To analyze the genetic phenotypes of Y-chromosome STR and SNP in Han male population of Wujiang area, Suzhou City and explore the genetic structure of population of Wujiang area for further examination of regional-specific Y-SNP genetic markers ancestor haplogroups. Methods Blood samples of 472 Wujiang area Han males were randomly collected and genotyped by Yfiler^TM Plus PCR Amplification Kit. The allele frequencies and haplotype frequencies of each locus were obtained using the direct calculation method. Y-SNP haplogroups of each sample were estimated using Y-Predictor software and verified through experiments by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction （ARMS-PCR）. Results A total of 453 haplotypes were found in the 27 Y-STR genetic markers in 472 Han males of Wujiang area. The haplotype diversity （HD） was 0.997 696 93, among which, the highest gene diversity （GD） value was DYF387S1a/b （GD=0.953 1） and the lowest was DYS438 （GD=0.321 8）. Based on genotyping data of 27 Y-STRs and 472 samples, 132 haplogroups from C, D, N, O and Q, etc downstream Y-SNP haplogroups were estimated and then verified through experiments. Conclusion This study is based on Y-chromosome STR haplotypes, and predicts Y-SNP haplogroups by Y-Predictor software, then uses ARMS-PCR to verify. Y-SNP genetic markers were introduced to achieve precise analysis of the genetic structure of male families in population of three towns in Wujiang area.

Measurement of CP-Violating and Mixing-Induced Observables in B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ Decays

A time-dependent analysis of the B_{s}^{0}→ϕγ decay rate is performed to determine the CP -violating observables S_{ϕγ} and C_{ϕγ} and the mixing-induced observable A_{ϕγ}^{Δ}. The measurement is based on a sample of pp collision data recorded with the LHCb detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3  fb^{-1} at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. The measured values are S_{ϕγ}=0.43±0.30±0.11, C_{ϕγ}=0.11±0.29±0.11, and A_{ϕγ}^{Δ}=-0.67_{-0.41}^{+0.37}±0.17, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. This is the first measurement of the observables S and C in radiative B_{s}^{0} decays. The results are consistent with the standard model predictions.

First Observation of the Radiative Decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λγ

The radiative decay Λ_{b}^{0}→Λγ is observed for the first time using a data sample of proton-proton collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.7  fb^{-1} collected by the LHCb experiment at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. Its branching fraction is measured exploiting the B^{0}→K^{*0}γ decay as a normalization mode and is found to be B(Λ_{b}^{0}→Λγ)=(7.1±1.5±0.6±0.7)×10^{-6}, where the quoted uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and systematic from external inputs, respectively. This is the first observation of a radiative decay of a beauty baryon.

Novel Frailty Screening Questionnaire (FSQ) Predicts 8-year Mortality in Older Adults in China

BACKGROUND

Although frailty status greatly impacts health care in countries with rapidly aging populations, little is known about the frailty status in Chinese older adults.

OBJECTIVES

Given the increased health care needs associated with frailty, we sought to develop an easily applied self-report screening tool based on four of the syndromic frailty components and sought to validate it in a population of older adults in China.

DESIGN

Prospective epidemiological cohort study.

SETTING

Community-dwelling residents living in Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

1724 community-dwelling adults aged ≥60 years in 2004 with an 8-year follow up.

MEASUREMENTS

We developed a simple self-report frailty screening tool-the Frailty Screening Questionnaire (FSQ)-based on the modified Fried frailty components. The predictive ability for outcome was assessed by age and sex adjusted Cox proportional hazards model.

RESULTS

According to FSQ criteria, 7.1% of the participants were frail. Frailty was associated with poor physical function, fractures, falls, and mortality. Both frailty and pre-frailty were associated with a higher mortality rate: frailty-hazards ratio (HR), 3.94, 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.16-4.92, P<0.001; pre-frailty-HR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.57-2.27, P <0.001; adjusted models for this variable did not affect the estimates of the association. Among the four frailty components, slowness was the strongest predictor of mortality. The combination of the four components provided the best risk prediction.

CONCLUSIONS

FSQ is a self-report frailty measurement tool that can be rapidly performed to identify older adults with higher risk of adverse health outcomes.

Observation of an Excited B_{c}^{+} State

Using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 8.5  fb^{-1} recorded by the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of sqrt[s]=7, 8, and 13 TeV, the observation of an excited B_{c}^{+} state in the B_{c}^{+}π^{+}π^{-} invariant-mass spectrum is reported. The observed peak has a mass of 6841.2±0.6(stat)±0.1(syst)±0.8(B_{c}^{+})  MeV/c^{2}, where the last uncertainty is due to the limited knowledge of the B_{c}^{+} mass. It is consistent with expectations of the B_{c}^{*}(2^{3}S_{1})^{+} state reconstructed without the low-energy photon from the B_{c}^{*}(1^{3}S_{1})^{+}→B_{c}^{+}γ decay following B_{c}^{*}(2^{3}S_{1})^{+}→B_{c}^{*}(1^{3}S_{1})^{+}π^{+}π^{-}. A second state is seen with a global (local) statistical significance of 2.2σ (3.2σ) and a mass of 6872.1±1.3(stat)±0.1(syst)±0.8(B_{c}^{+})  MeV/c^{2}, and is consistent with the B_{c}(2^{1}S_{0})^{+} state. These mass measurements are the most precise to date.

Measurement of the Mass Difference Between Neutral Charm-Meson Eigenstates

We report a measurement of the mass difference between neutral charm-meson eigenstates using a novel approach that enhances sensitivity to this parameter. We use 2.3×10^{6} D^{0}→K_{S}^{0}π^{+}π^{-} decays reconstructed in proton-proton collisions collected by the LHCb experiment in 2011 and 2012. Allowing for CP violation in mixing and in the interference between mixing and decay, we measure the CP-averaged normalized mass difference x_{CP}=[2.7±1.6(stat)±0.4(syst)]×10^{-3} and the CP-violating parameter Δx=[-0.53±0.70(stat)±0.22(syst)]×10^{-3}. The results are consistent with CP symmetry. These determinations are the most precise from a single experiment and, combined with current world-average results, yield the first evidence that the masses of the neutral charm-meson eigenstates differ.