Electronic and Geometrical Structure of Se5, Se6, Se7, and Se8

The vacuum-UV-photoelectron spectra of Se2, Se5, Se6, Se7, and Se8 have been recorded at a photon energy of h ν= 10.0 eV. The isolated molecules are examined in a supersonic molecular beam employing a new photoelectron-photoion coincidence technique. The structure of the photoelectron spectra of selenium molecules with even and odd numbers of atoms differs in a characteristic manner. While the spectra of Se6 and Se8 show one single broad band, three separated bands with different intensities are observed for Se5 and two for Se7. The spectra are compared to molecular orbital energy calculations based on theoretically supposed geometries. The comparison indicates that Se6 and Se8 have Dnd-symmetrical ring structures, whereas Se5 and Se7 are C1h-symmetrical rings

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → (D* D*)± π∓ at √s = 4.26 GeV

We study the process e+ e- →(D* D*)± π∓ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.26 GeV using a 827  pb(-1) data sample obtained with the BESIII detector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. Based on a partial reconstruction technique, the Born cross section is measured to be (137±9±15)  pb. We observe a structure near the (D* D*)± threshold in the π∓ recoil mass spectrum, which we denote as the Zc±(4025). The measured mass and width of the structure are (4026.3±2.6±3.7)  MeV/c2 and (24.8±5.6±7.7)  MeV, respectively. Its production ratio σ(e+ e- → Zc±(4025)π∓ → (D* D*)± π∓)/σ(e+ e- → (D* D*)± π∓) is determined to be 0.65±0.09±0.06. The first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.

Factors influencing the attitudes of cattle veterinarians, farmers, and claw trimmers towards the pain associated with the treatment of sole ulcers and the sensitivity to pain of dairy cows

This study assessed the attitudes of personnel involved in therapeutic claw trimming of dairy cattle in Switzerland towards pain associated with sole ulcers and their treatment. Data from 77 farmers, 32 claw trimmers, and 137 cattle veterinarians were used. A large range of factors were associated with whether the respondents thought that anaesthesia during the treatment of sole ulcers was beneficial; these included year of graduation, work experience, attitude to costs of analgesia, perception of competition between veterinarians and claw trimmers, estimation of pain level associated with treatment, estimated sensitivity of dairy cows to pain, knowledge of the obligation to provide analgesia, and whether the respondent thought lesion size and occurrence of defensive behaviour by the cow were important. Respondents' estimation of the pain level associated with sole ulcer treatment was linked to frequency of therapeutic claw trimming, age, farmers' income, estimated knowledge of the benefits of analgesia, and estimated sensitivity of dairy cows to pain. The latter factor was associated with profession, frequency of therapeutic claw trimming, capability of pain recognition, opinion on the benefits of analgesia, knowledge of the obligation to provide analgesia, and self-estimation of the ability to recognise pain. Improving the knowledge of personnel involved in therapeutic claw trimming with regard to pain in dairy cows and how to alleviate it is crucial if management of pain associated with treatment of sole ulcer and the welfare of lame cows are to be optimised.

Follow-up of loci from the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project identifies TRIP4 as a novel susceptibility gene

To follow-up loci discovered by the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Disease Project, we attempted independent replication of 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a large Spanish sample (Fundació ACE data set; 1808 patients and 2564 controls). Our results corroborate association with four SNPs located in the genes INPP5D, MEF2C, ZCWPW1 and FERMT2, respectively. Of these, ZCWPW1 was the only SNP to withstand correction for multiple testing (P=0.000655). Furthermore, we identify TRIP4 (rs74615166) as a novel genome-wide significant locus for Alzheimer's disease risk (odds ratio=1.31; confidence interval 95% (1.19-1.44); P=9.74 × 10(-)(9)).

Rapid heteronuclear single quantum correlation NMR spectra at natural abundance

A novel NMR experiment, the so-called ASAP-HSQC, is introduced that allows the detection of heteronuclear one-bond correlations in less than 30 s on small molecules at natural abundance without compromises in sweep width, resolution or spectral quality. Equally, the experiment allows a significant increase in digital resolution or a moderate senstitivity enhancement in the same overall experiment time compared to a conventional HSQC. The gain is a consequence of keeping all unused proton magnetization along z during acquisition, so that the previously reported ASAP and ALSOFAST approaches can be transferred from HMQC to HSQC-type experiments. Next to basic and broadband pulse sequences, a characterization of the sequence with respect to minimum measurement time, sensitivity gain, and advantages in resolution compared to state-of-the-art experiments is given.

Observation of a charged (DD*)± mass peak in e+ e- → πDD* at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We report on a study of the process e+ e- → π± (DD*)∓ at sqrt[s] = 4.26  GeV using a 525 pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring. A distinct charged structure is observed in the (DD*)∓ invariant mass distribution. When fitted to a mass-dependent-width Breit-Wigner line shape, the pole mass and width are determined to be Mpole = (3883.9±1.5(stat)±4.2(syst))  MeV/c2 and Γpole = (24.8±3.3(stat)±11.0(syst))  MeV. The mass and width of the structure, which we refer to as Zc(3885), are 2σ and 1σ, respectively, below those of the Zc(3900) → π± J/ψ peak observed by BESIII and Belle in π+ π- J/ψ final states produced at the same center-of-mass energy. The angular distribution of the πZc(3885) system favors a JP = 1+ quantum number assignment for the structure and disfavors 1- or 0-. The Born cross section times the DD* branching fraction of the Zc(3885) is measured to be σ(e+ e- → π± Zc(3885)∓)×B(Zc(3885)∓ → (DD*)∓) = (83.5±6.6(stat)±22.0(syst))   pb. Assuming the Zc(3885) → DD* signal reported here and the Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ signal are from the same source, the partial width ratio (Γ(Zc(3885) → DD*)/Γ(Zc(3900) → πJ/ψ)) = 6.2±1.1(stat)±2.7(syst) is determined.

Real-time Nyquist signaling with dynamic precision and flexible non-integer oversampling

We demonstrate two efficient processing techniques for Nyquist signals, namely computation of signals using dynamic precision as well as arbitrary rational oversampling factors. With these techniques along with massively parallel processing it becomes possible to generate and receive high data rate Nyquist signals with flexible symbol rates and bandwidths, a feature which is highly desirable for novel flexgrid networks. We achieved maximum bit rates of 252 Gbit/s in real-time.

Demonstration of an SOA-assisted open metro-access infrastructure for heterogeneous services

An open converged metro-access network approach allows for sharing optical layer resources like fibers and optical spectrum among different services and operators. We demonstrated experimentally the feasibility of such a concept by the simultaneous operation of multiple services showing different modulation formats and multiplexing techniques. Flexible access nodes are implemented including semiconductor optical amplifiers to create a transparent and reconfigurable optical ring network. The impact of cascaded optical amplifiers on the signal quality is studied along the ring. In addition, the influence of high power rival signals in the same waveband and in the same fiber is analyzed.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure Zc(4020) and search for the Zc(3900) in e+e-→π+π-hc

We study e+e-→π+π-hc at center-of-mass energies from 3.90 to 4.42 GeV by using data samples collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross sections are measured at 13 energies and are found to be of the same order of magnitude as those of e+e-→π+π-J/ψ but with a different line shape. In the π±hc mass spectrum, a distinct structure, referred to as Zc(4020), is observed at 4.02  GeV/c2. The Zc(4020) carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π±hc invariant mass spectrum, neglecting possible interferences, results in a mass of (4022.9±0.8±2.7)  MeV/c2 and a width of (7.9±2.7±2.6)  MeV for the Zc(4020), where the first errors are statistical and the second systematic. The difference between the parameters of this structure and the Zc(4025) observed in the D*D[over ¯]* final state is within 1.5σ, but whether they are the same state needs further investigation. No significant Zc(3900) signal is observed, and upper limits on the Zc(3900) production cross sections in π±hc at center-of-mass energies of 4.23 and 4.26 GeV are set.

Observation of a charged charmoniumlike structure in e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at sqrt[s] = 4.26 GeV

We study the process ee+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ at a center-of-mass energy of 4.260 GeV using a 525  pb(-1) data sample collected with the BESIII detector operating at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. The Born cross section is measured to be (62.9±1.9±3.7)  pb, consistent with the production of the Y(4260). We observe a structure at around 3.9  GeV/c2 in the π(±)J/ψ mass spectrum, which we refer to as the Z(c)(3900). If interpreted as a new particle, it is unusual in that it carries an electric charge and couples to charmonium. A fit to the π(±)J/ψ invariant mass spectrum, neglecting interference, results in a mass of (3899.0±3.6±4.9)  MeV/c2 and a width of (46±10±20)  MeV. Its production ratio is measured to be R = (σ(e+ e- → π(±)Z(c)(3900)(∓) → π+ π- J/ψ)/σ(e+ e- → π+ π- J/ψ)) = (21.5±3.3±7.5)%. In all measurements the first errors are statistical and the second are systematic.

Melt Flow Instabilities of Filled HDPE

Data relating to the influence of several fillers on flow instabilities in capillary extrusion of two grades of high density polyethylene (HDPE) are presented. Special attention is paid to the pressure oscillation region of the flow curve. First we show that a certain level of flow stabilisation can be achieved with carbon fibres, while carbon black and CaCO3 have a minor influence only on the oscillation effect when varying the filling between 5% and 10%. The temperature used was 200° C and the capillary entrance was plane (180°). We also show that a complete disappearance of pressure oscillations is obtained when using a different HDPE grade filled with 7% fumed silica or carbon black (also different grade). Compounds containing 7% talc did not stabilise the flow. The same was true when the filling was reduced to 3%. In the latter experiments a capillary rheometer with a conical entrance (120°) was used. The temperature was 160°C. Data obtained by frequency analysis of the fluctuating pressure transducer signal mounted on the rheometric equipment, operating in both cases at constant piston speed, are also presented.

Pressure Oscillations during Capillary Extrusion of High Density Polyethylene

This paper demonstrates the usefulness of frequency analysis in monitoring melt flow instabilities. The flow behavior of a film-blowing grade of high density polyethylene has been studied using a capillary rheometer at constant piston velocities. The pressure in the reservoir was measured by a transducer fitted to the driving end of the piston. The signal was amplified and processed in a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) frequency analyzer. The pressure fluctuations (noise) have a very low intensity at low flow rates in the sharkskin region. The noise signal increases dramatically at a critical shear stress of about 1.5 × 105 Pa, where the flow assumes a pulsating character (spurt defect). Above the pressure oscillation region the melt goes through a pseudostable region, followed by a secondary pressure oscillation region, eventually reaching a chaotic stage. The noise spectrum intensity seems to be related to the severity of the surface disturbances of the extrudate in this latter branch of the flow curve.

Frequency Analysis of Pressure Fluctuations in a Single Screw Extruder

This paper demonstrates the usefulness of frequency analysis in monitoring flow behavior in a single-screw extruder fitted with a capillary die with a length to diameter aspect ratio of 20. The melt pressure in the barrel and die was measured by a transducer, and the pressure fluctuations processed in a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) frequency analyzer. The pressure fluctuations were studied under various processing conditions for high density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene and polypropylene. In general, stable extrudate flow generates a noise spectrum with low intensity, the intensity increasing with the level of instability. The machine vibrations appeared to have a direct effect on flow stability. Also, unstable melting of the resin along the screw resulted in an increase in noise level. It seems probable that the frequency of the surface distortions can be related to the shape of the noise spectrum. In general, although more complex in nature, the noise results related to melt flow in the extruder were in agreement with data reported for capillary flow using a piston rheometer.

Self-perceived health status and mental health outcomes in young adults born with less than 1000 g

AIM

To assess self-perceived health status and mental health outcomes of former extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants at young adulthood compared with community norms and to analyse predictors of poor outcome.

METHODS

Fifty-five ELBW adults, 18 men (33%), with median (range) gestational age of 28.7 (25.0-34.0) weeks and birth weight of 930 (680-990) grams, born in Switzerland, were included. They self-rated their health status and mental health at a mean (range) age of 23.3 (21.8-25.9) years. Health status was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 questionnaire and mental health by the Brief Symptom Inventory.

RESULTS

The mean scores for both outcome measures were in the normal range. However, the study group self-rated significantly higher physical health status and lower mental health status compared with the community norms, and scores for self-perceived mental health tended to be worse in the former. ELBW adults reported more problems in socio-emotional role functioning compared with the community norms. Female sex was associated with poorer and bronchopulmonary dysplasia with better mental health status.

CONCLUSION

Health status and mental health of former ELBW adults were overall satisfying. However, the comparison with the community norms revealed differences, which may be important for parental and patient counselling and developing support strategies.