[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of multiple pulmonary nodules]

CT screening has markedly reduced the lung cancer mortality in high-risk population and increased the detection of early-stage pulmonary neoplasms, including multiple pulmonary nodules, especially those with a ground-glass appearance on CT. Multiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) constitutes a specific subtype of lung cancer with indolent biological behaviors, which is predominantly early-stage adenocarcinoma. Although MPLC progresses slowly with rare lymphatic metastasis, existence of synchronous lesions and distributed location of these nodules still pose difficulty for the management of such patients. One single operation is usually insufficient to eradicate all neoplastic lesions, whereas repeated surgical procedures bring about another dilemma: whether clinical benefits of surgical treatment outweigh loss of pulmonary function following multiple operations. Therefore, despite the anxiety for treatment among MPLC patients, whether and how to treat the patient should be assessed meticulously. Currently there is a heated discussion upon the timing of clinical intervention, operation mode and the application of local therapy in MPLC. Based on clinical experience of our multiple disciplinary team, we have summarized and commented on the evaluation, surgical treatment, non-surgical local treatment, targeted therapy and immunotherapy of MPLC in this article to provide further insight into this field.

[Safety of an inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine (Vero) in adults aged 60 years and older]

Objective: To analyze the safety of an inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine (Vero cell) in adults aged 60 years and older. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted in May 2020 The eligible residents aged 60 and above were recruited in Renqiu city, Hebei Province. A total of 422 subjects (phase Ⅰ/Ⅱ:72/350) were enrolled. Two doses of the trial vaccine or placebo were randomly administered according to a 0 and 28-day immunization schedule. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups in Phase Ⅰ. Within each group, participants received vaccine or placebo in a ratio of 2∶1. Subjects were randomly divided into four groups in phase Ⅱ to receive low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose vaccine and placebo, respectively, in a ratio of 2∶2∶2∶1. A combination of regular follow-up and active reporting was used to observe adverse reactions within 28 days after vaccination, and compare the incidence rate of adverse reactions in the trial and control groups. Results: 422 subjects were (66.45±4.70) years old, and 48.82% were male (206/422). There were 100, 124, 124 and 74 patients enrolled into the low-dose, medium-dose, high-dose vaccine groups and the placebo group, respectively. One person without the vaccination was removed, and 421 participants who received at least one dose of vaccine were included in the safety analysis. Within 28 days after the first or second dose, a total of 20.67% (87/421) subjects had adverse reactions (both solicitation and non-solicitation). About 76 patients suffered grade 1 adverse reactions [18.05% (76/421)] and 22 patients suffered grade 2 adverse reactions [5.23% (22/421)]. No grade 3 or above adverse reactions occurred. A total of 19.71% (83/421) subjects had solicited adverse reactions. The most common grade 1 adverse reaction was injection site pain, followed by fever and fatigue. The most common grade 2 adverse reactions were fever and fatigue, followed by muscle pain and injection site redness. A total of 2.61% (11/421) subjects had unsolicited adverse reactions. A total of 1.66% (7/421) subjects had serious adverse events after vaccination, and no serious vaccine-related adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is safe for people aged 60 years and above.

[The effect of booster dose vaccination 21- to 32-years after primary vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine in the population born from 1986 to 1996 in Zhengding County of Hebei Province]

Objective: Aanalysis the effect of booster one dose of hepatitis B vaccine after 21-32 years of primary immunization in Zhengding Country of Hebei Province. Methods: A total of 322 participants who were born between 1986 and 1996, received a full course of primary vaccination with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), had no experience with booster vaccination, were HBsAg, anti-HBcnegative, had anti-HBs<10 mIU/ml, completed the booster and had laboratory results were enrolled between August 2017 to February 2018. A simple random method was uesd to randomly assigned 322 subjects to two groups, receiving a booster dose of HepB derived from either Saccharomyces cerevisiae ［HepB (SC), (151 cases)］ or Chinese hamster ovary-derived HepB ［HepB (CHO), (171 cases)］, the dose was 20 μg. Blood samples were collected 30 days after boosting and quantitatively tested for the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs to assess immunological effect. The related influencing factors of GMC and seroconversion rates of anti-HBs were analyzed by multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The 266 subjects (82.61%) had anti-HBs≥ 10 mIU/ml, and GMC was (131.63±12.94) mIU/ml.The seroconversion rates of anti-HBs in the anti-HBs<2.5 mIU/ml group and 2.5-10 mIU/ml group were 74.54% (161 cases) and 99.06% (105 cases), respectively (P<0.001).The seroconversion rates of anti-HBs after one dose of HepB (CHO) was higher than that of one dose of HepB (SC), the seroconversion rates were 87.13% (149 cases) and 77.48% (117 cases), respectively (P=0.023). Participants boostered with HepB (CHO) was the factor influencing the effect of strengthening immunization compared with boostered with HepB (SC), and OR (95%CI) was 1.91 (1.02-3.56) (P=0.042).Compared with anti-HBs<2.5 mIU/ml, prebooster anti-HBs was between 2.5 mIU/ml and 10 mIU/ml was the related factor of seroconversion rates of anti-HBs after booster immunization, and OR (95%CI) was 36.15 (4.91-266.02) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Participants boostered withone dose of HepB had a good immune response. Pre-booster anti-HBs concentration and a variety of vaccine were related factors of immune response.

Inhibitory effects of herbal decoction Ojeoksan on proliferation and migration in vascular smooth muscle cells

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells plays a crucial role in pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. The principal objective of this study was to determine the effects of Ojeoksan (OJS) on human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) proliferation induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-aα). Thymidine incorporation after TNF-α treatment was increased and this effect was inhibited significantly by OJS treatment. HASMC proliferation and migration by kinetic live cell imaging were also reduced by treatment with OJS. TNF-α induced the expression of cyclins/cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and reduced the expression of p21^waf1/cip1/p27^kip1. However, OJS also attenuated the expression of TNF-α-induced cell-cycle regulatory proteins. The results of Western blot analysis demonstrated that the TNF-α treated HASMC secreted gelatinases, probably including MMP-2/-9, which may be involved in the invasion and migration of HASMC. Additionally, OJS suppressed the mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9 (MMP-2/-9) in a dose-dependent manner. OJS inhibited the production of TNF-α-induced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and the formation of DCF-sensitive intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Further, OJS suppressed the nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of inhibitor of kappa B-α (IκB-α) of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) under TNF-α conditions. Our results demonstrate that OJS exerts inhibitory effects on TNF-α-induced HASMC proliferation and migration, suggesting the involvement of the inhibition of both MMP-2 and MMP-9 expressions, and the downregulation of ROS/NF-κB signaling. Thus, herbal decoction OJS may be a possible therapeutic approach to the inhibition of cardiovascular disease including atherosclerosis.

[Current progression of bevacizumab in advanced non-small cell lung cancer]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the malignant diseases with high morbidity, high mortality and poor prognosis in China and worldwide, and the progression of which is significantly related to abnormal angiogenesis. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), inhibits angiogenesis during tumor progression. It has been widely demonstrated to improve the survival of NSCLC patients. Therefore, bevacizumab is approved and recommended as the first-line treatment of advanced NSCLC by a number of countries and regions. In this paper, various large-scale clinical trials are analyzed to highlight the current clinical applications of bevacizumab in advanced NSCLC, especially patients with EGFR mutations. In addition, this review focuses on the efficacy, safety and predict factors of bevacizumab as anti-angiogenic therapy, in order to screen the patients who can acquire the maximal benefit.

First-line icotinib versus cisplatin/pemetrexed plus pemetrexed maintenance therapy for patients with advanced EGFR mutation-positive lung adenocarcinoma (CONVINCE): a phase 3, open-label, randomized study

BACKGROUND

Icotinib has been previously shown to be non-inferior to gefitinib in non-selected advanced non-small-cell lung cancer patients when given as second- or further-line treatment. In this open-label, randomized, phase 3 CONVINCE trial, we assessed the efficacy and safety of first-line icotinib versus cisplatin/pemetrexed plus pemetrexed maintenance in lung adenocarcinoma patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Eligible participants were adults with stage IIIB/IV lung adenocarcinoma and exon 19/21 EGFR mutations. Participants were randomly allocated (1 : 1) to receive oral icotinib or 3-week cycle of cisplatin plus pemetrexed for up to four cycles; non-progressive patients after four cycles were maintained with pemetrexed until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) assessed by independent response evaluation committee. Other end points included overall survival (OS) and safety.

RESULTS

Between January 2013 and August 2014, 296 patients were randomized, and 285 patients were treated (148 to icotinib, 137 to chemotherapy). Independent response evaluation committee-assessed PFS was significantly longer in the icotinib group (11.2 versus 7.9 months; hazard ratio, 0.61, 95% confidence interval 0.43-0.87; P = 0.006). No significant difference for OS was observed between treatments in the overall population or in EGFR-mutated subgroups (exon 19 Del/21 L858R). The most common grade 3 or 4 adverse events (AEs) in the icotinib group were rash (14.8%) and diarrhea (7.4%), compared with nausea (45.9%), vomiting (29.2%), and neutropenia (10.9%) in the chemotherapy group. AEs (79.1% versus 94.2%; P < 0.001) and treatment-related AEs (54.1% versus 90.5%; P < 0.001) were significantly fewer in the icotinib group than in the chemotherapy group.

CONCLUSIONS

First-line icotinib significantly improves PFS of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutation with a tolerable and manageable safety profile. Icotinib should be considered as a first-line treatment for this patient population.

Thread lifting: a minimally invasive surgical technique for long-standing facial paralysis

BACKGROUND

Chronic facial paralysis induces degenerative facial muscle changes on the involved side, thus, making the individual seem as older than their actual age. Furthermore, contralateral facial hypertrophy aggravates facial asymmetry. A thread-lifting procedure has been used widely for correction of a drooping or wrinkled face due to the aging process. In addition, botulinum toxin injection can be used to reduce facial hypertrophy. The aim of study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thread lifting with botulinum toxin injection for chronic facial paralysis.

METHODS

A total 34 of patients with chronic facial paralysis were enrolled from March to October 2014. Thread lifting for elevating loose facial muscles on the ipsilateral side and botulinum toxin A for controlling the facial muscle hypertrophy on the contralateral side were conducted. Facial function was evaluated using the Sunnybrook grading system and dynamic facial asymmetry ratios 1 year after treatment.

RESULTS

All 34 patients displayed improved facial symmetry and showed improvement in Sunnybrook scores (37.4 vs. 83.3) and dynamic facial asymmetry ratios (0.58 vs 0.92). Of the 34 patients, 28 (82.4%) reported being satisfied with treatment.

CONCLUSION

The application of subdermal suspension with a reabsorbable thread in conjunction with botulinum toxin A to optimize facial rejuvenation of the contralateral side constitutes an effective and safe procedure for face lifting and rejuvenation of a drooping face as a result of long-lasting facial paralysis.

Efficacy and safety of fosaprepitant in the prevention of nausea and vomiting following highly emetogenic chemotherapy in Chinese people: A randomized, double-blind, phase III study

The prevention of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting was one of the most challenging supportive care issues in oncology, especially to highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). A total of 645 patients were randomized into fosaprepitant group (fosaprepitant/placebo 150 mg d1 in combination with granisetron and dexamethasone) or aprepitant group (aprepitant/placebo 125 mg d1; 80 mg d2‐d3 plus granisetron and dexamethasone).The primary endpoint was the percentage of patients who had a complete response (CR) over the entire treatment course (0–120 hr, overall phase [OP]). It was assessed by using a non‐inferiority model, with a non‐inferiority margin of 10%. The difference of the CR rate was compared between two groups with chi‐square analysis. Six hundred and twenty‐six patients were included in the per protocol analysis. The percentage of patients with a CR in the fosaprepitant group was not inferior to that in the aprepitant group (90.85% versus 94.17%, p = .1302) during OP. Whether the cisplatin‐based chemotherapy or not, the CR rate of the fosaprepitant group was not inferior to that of the aprepitant group. Both regimens were well tolerated. The most common adverse event was constipation. Fosaprepitant provided effective and well‐tolerated control of nausea and vomiting associated with HEC in Chinese patients.

Mantidis ootheca induces vascular relaxation through PI3K/AKT-mediated nitric oxide-cyclic GMP-protein kinase G signaling in endothelial cells

Mantidis ootheca (Sang Piao Xiao) is well known mantis eggs in a foamy pouch. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing property of the aqueous extract of Mantidis ootheca (AMO) in rat aorta and vascular endothelial cells. AMO was examined for its vascular relaxant effect in isolated phenylephrine-precontracted rat thoracic aortic rings. The roles of the nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the AMO-induced effects were tested in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVEC treated with AMO produced higher amount of NO compared to control. However, AMO-induced increases in NO production were blocked by pretreatment with N^G-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) or wortmannin. AMO increased in phosphorylation levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Akt in HUVECs, which were attenuated by a NOS and Akt inhibitors. In aortic ring, AMO-induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment with L-NAME, ¹H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and KT5823 inhibited the AMO-induced vasorelaxation. Similarly, wortmannin and LY-294002, an inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), an upstream signaling molecule of eNOS, attenuated the AMO-induced vasorelaxation. Moreover, AMO-induced increases in cGMP production were blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ. The vasorelaxant effect of AMO was attenuated by tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide. We conclude that AMO relaxed vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent activation of PI3K/Akt-mediated NO-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and possible involvement of K⁺ channel.

[Improving the internal medical care to set up a leading model for precision medicine development in lung cancer]

Lung cancer still remains the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Recent development of molecular targeted therapies, especially the emergence of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors, has made an enormous progress for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, targeted therapy still faces many problems including acquired resistance. Several clinical trials have proved that targeted therapy can significantly improve the progression-free survival (PFS), but there are still many things needed to be improved. Thus, oncologists still have a long way to go for realizing precision medicine. The present article illustrates the impact of precision medicine on the treatment of lung cancer and describes how to improve the treatment level of lung cancer, aiming to give an inspiration to the medical oncologists.

Geographical Variation of Liver Cancer Mortality in Korea (1992-1998)

PURPOSE

The death rate of liver cancer in Korea has been reported as one of the highest in the world. This study was conducted to investigate geographical variations of liver cancer mortality in Korea in order to obtain insight into possible environmental factors related to liver cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The sex-specific standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of liver cancer were calculated for 168 basic administrative units in Korea based upon the vital statistics for the seven years 1992 to 1998, as well as the sex- and age-specific population of each area for 1995. The SMRs were classified into six categories and depicted on a map for each sex.

RESULTS

The southern provinces showed clearly higher mortality rates as compared to the rest of the country in both males and females. Looking at the maps in detail, there was a geographical variation even within the southern provinces. The areas around large rivers, some costal areas, and costal islands showed a high mortality rate. Even in the middle and northern provinces, the eastern costal areas showed relatively higher mortality rates as compared to inland areas. Conversely, some southern areas known for low levels of pollution showed relatively lower mortality rates.

CONCLUSION

This finding suggests a possible relationship between liver cancer and water-related foods from polluted rivers or seas. Further studies should be performed in order to clarify which factors cause this geographical variation.

Chemotherapy plus Erlotinib versus Chemotherapy Alone for Treating Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether a combination of chemotherapy and erlotinib is beneficial for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. This study aimed to summarize the currently available evidence and compare the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy plus erlotinib versus chemotherapy alone for treating advanced NSCLC.

METHODS

EMBASE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for relevant studies. Our protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42014015015).

RESULTS

Nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 3599 patients were included. Compared to chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy plus erlotinib was superior in PFS (HR = 0.76 [95% CI 0.62, 0.92], P = 0.006), and no statistically significant difference was observed in OS (HR = 0.94 [95% CI 0.86, 1.03], P = 0.16). Intercalated erlotinib plus chemotherapy demonstrated improvements in PFS (HR = 0.67 [95% CI 0.50, 0.91], P = 0.009) and OS (HR = 0.82 [95% CI 0.69, 0.98], P = 0.03). Continuous erlotinib plus chemotherapy treatment failed to demonstrate improvements in PFS (HR = 0.91 [95% CI 0.80, 1.04], P = 0.16) and OS (HR = 0.98 [95% CI 0.89, 1.09], P = 0.75). The association of chemotherapy plus erlotinib with improvement in PFS was significant in never smoking patients (HR = 0.46 [95% CI 0.37, 0.56], P<0.00001) but not in smoking patients (HR = 0.70 [95% CI 0.49, 1.00], P = 0.05). Among patients with EGFR mutant tumors, chemotherapy plus erlotinib demonstrated significant improvements in PFS (HR = 0.31 [95% CI 0.17, 0.58], P = 0.0002) and OS (HR = 0.52 [95% CI 0.30, 0.88], P = 0.01). Among patients with EGFR wild-type tumors, no statistically significant difference was observed with respect to PFS (HR = 0.87 [95% CI 0.70, 1.08], P = 0.21) and OS (HR = 0.78 [95% CI 0.59, 1.01], P = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

Combination of chemotherapy and erlotinib is a viable treatment option for patients with NSCLC, especially for patients who never smoked and patients with EGFR mutation-positive disease. In addition, intercalated administration is an effective combinatorial strategy.

Directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity relative to the spectator plane in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

The directed flow of charged particles at midrapidity is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV relative to the collision symmetry plane defined by the spectator nucleons. A negative slope of the rapidity-odd directed flow component with approximately 3 times smaller magnitude than found at the highest RHIC energy is observed. This suggests a smaller longitudinal tilt of the initial system and disfavors the strong fireball rotation predicted for the LHC energies. The rapidity-even directed flow component is measured for the first time with spectators and found to be independent of pseudorapidity with a sign change at transverse momenta p(T) between 1.2 and 1.7  GeV/c. Combined with the observation of a vanishing rapidity-even p(T) shift along the spectator deflection this is strong evidence for dipolelike initial density fluctuations in the overlap zone of the nuclei. Similar trends in the rapidity-even directed flow and the estimate from two-particle correlations at midrapidity, which is larger by about a factor of 40, indicate a weak correlation between fluctuating participant and spectator symmetry planes. These observations open new possibilities for investigation of the initial conditions in heavy-ion collisions with spectator nucleons.

Charmonium and e+e- pair photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]

The ALICE Collaboration at the LHC has measured the J/ψ and ψ' photoproduction at mid-rapidity in ultra-peripheral Pb-Pb collisions at [Formula: see text]. The charmonium is identified via its leptonic decay for events where the hadronic activity is required to be minimal. The analysis is based on an event sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of about 23 μb-1. The cross section for coherent and incoherent J/ψ production in the rapidity interval -0.9 Collapse

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Affiliation(s)

The ALICE Collaboration CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland
E. Abbas Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), Cairo, Egypt Fachhochschule Köln, Köln, Germany Department of Physics, Gauhati University, Guwahati, India Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand University of Technology and Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna, Austria
B. Abelev Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California United States
J. Adam Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
D. Adamová Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
A. M. Adare Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
M. M. Aggarwal Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
G. Aglieri Rinella European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. Agnello Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A. G. Agocs Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
A. Agostinelli Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
Z. Ahammed Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
N. Ahmad Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
A. Ahmad Masoodi Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
I. Ahmed COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Islamabad, Pakistan
S. A. Ahn Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
S. U. Ahn Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
I. Aimo Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
M. Ajaz COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Islamabad, Pakistan
A. Akindinov Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
D. Aleksandrov Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
B. Alessandro Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
D. Alexandre School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
A. Alici Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
A. Alkin Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
E. Almaráz Aviña Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
J. Alme Faculty of Engineering, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway
T. Alt Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
V. Altini Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
S. Altinpinar Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
I. Altsybeev V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
C. Andrei National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
A. Andronic Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
V. Anguelov Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
J. Anielski Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
C. Anson Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
T. Antičić Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
F. Antinori Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
P. Antonioli Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
L. Aphecetche SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
H. Appelshäuser Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
N. Arbor Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
S. Arcelli Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
A. Arend Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
N. Armesto Departamento de Física de Partículas and IGFAE, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
R. Arnaldi Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
T. Aronsson Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
I. C. Arsene Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
M. Arslandok Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Asryan V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
A. Augustinus European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R. Averbeck Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
T. C. Awes Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee United States
J. Äystö Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
M. D. Azmi Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
M. Bach Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Badalà Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
Y. W. Baek Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
R. Bailhache Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
R. Bala Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A. Baldisseri Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
F. Baltasar Dos Santos Pedrosa European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. Bán Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
R. C. Baral Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, India
R. Barbera Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
F. Barile Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
G. G. Barnaföldi Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
L. S. Barnby School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
V. Barret Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
J. Bartke The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M. Basile Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
N. Bastid Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
S. Basu Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
B. Bathen Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
G. Batigne SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
B. Batyunya Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
P. C. Batzing Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
C. Baumann Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
I. G. Bearden Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
H. Beck Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
N. K. Behera Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
I. Belikov Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France
F. Bellini Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
R. Bellwied University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
E. Belmont-Moreno Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
G. Bencedi Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
S. Beole Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
I. Berceanu National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
A. Bercuci National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
Y. Berdnikov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
D. Berenyi Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
A. A. E. Bergognon SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
R. A. Bertens Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
D. Berzano Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
L. Betev European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. Bhasin Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
A. K. Bhati Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
J. Bhom University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
L. Bianchi Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
N. Bianchi Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
C. Bianchin Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
J. Bielčík Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
J. Bielčíková Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
A. Bilandzic Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
S. Bjelogrlic Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
F. Blanco Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
F. Blanco University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
D. Blau Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
C. Blume Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M. Boccioli European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S. Böttger Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Bogdanov Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia
H. Bøggild Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
M. Bogolyubsky Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
L. Boldizsár Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
M. Bombara Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
J. Book Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
H. Borel Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
A. Borissov Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
F. Bossú Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
M. Botje Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
E. Botta Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
E. Braidot Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
P. Braun-Munzinger Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
M. Bregant SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
T. Breitner Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
T. A. Broker Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
T. A. Browning Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana United States
M. Broz Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
R. Brun European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
E. Bruna Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
G. E. Bruno Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
D. Budnikov Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
H. Buesching Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
S. Bufalino Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
P. Buncic European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
O. Busch Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Z. Buthelezi Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
D. Caffarri Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
X. Cai Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
H. Caines Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
E. Calvo Villar Sección Física, Departamento de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
P. Camerini Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
V. Canoa Roman Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico
G. Cara Romeo Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
W. Carena European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F. Carena European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
N. Carlin Filho Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
F. Carminati European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. Casanova Díaz Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
J. Castillo Castellanos Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
J. F. Castillo Hernandez Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
E. A. R. Casula Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
V. Catanescu National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
C. Cavicchioli European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C. Ceballos Sanchez Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Havana, Cuba
J. Cepila Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
P. Cerello Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
B. Chang Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
S. Chapeland European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. L. Charvet Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
S. Chattopadhyay Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
S. Chattopadhyay Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
M. Cherney Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska United States
C. Cheshkov European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
B. Cheynis Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
V. Chibante Barroso European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
D. D. Chinellato University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
P. Chochula European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. Chojnacki Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
S. Choudhury Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
P. Christakoglou Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
C. H. Christensen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
P. Christiansen Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
T. Chujo University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
S. U. Chung Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
C. Cicalo Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
L. Cifarelli Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
F. Cindolo Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
J. Cleymans Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
F. Colamaria Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
D. Colella Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
A. Collu Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
G. Conesa Balbastre Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
Z. Conesa del Valle European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
M. E. Connors Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
G. Contin Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
J. G. Contreras Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico
T. M. Cormier Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
Y. Corrales Morales Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
P. Cortese Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica dell’Università del Piemonte Orientale and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Alessandria, Italy
I. Cortés Maldonado Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
M. R. Cosentino Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
F. Costa European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. E. Cotallo Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
E. Crescio Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico
P. Crochet Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
E. Cruz Alaniz Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
R. Cruz Albino Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico
E. Cuautle Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
L. Cunqueiro Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
A. Dainese Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
R. Dang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
A. Danu Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
K. Das Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
I. Das Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
S. Das Department of Physics and Centre for Astroparticle Physics and Space Science (CAPSS), Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
D. Das Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
S. Dash Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
A. Dash Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
S. De Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
G. O. V. de Barros Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
A. De Caro Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E.R. Caianiello’ dell’Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
G. de Cataldo Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
J. de Cuveland Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. De Falco Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
D. De Gruttola Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E.R. Caianiello’ dell’Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
H. Delagrange SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
A. Deloff National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
N. De Marco Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
E. Dénes Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
S. De Pasquale Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E.R. Caianiello’ dell’Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
A. Deppman Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
G. D Erasmo Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
R. de Rooij Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
M. A. Diaz Corchero Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
D. Di Bari Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
T. Dietel Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
C. Di Giglio Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
S. Di Liberto Sezione INFN, Rome, Italy
A. Di Mauro European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
P. Di Nezza Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
R. Divià European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
Ø. Djuvsland Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
A. Dobrin Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
T. Dobrowolski National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
B. Dönigus Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
O. Dordic Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
A. K. Dubey Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
A. Dubla Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
L. Ducroux Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
P. Dupieux Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
A. K. Dutta Majumdar Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
D. Elia Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
D. Emschermann Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
H. Engel Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
B. Erazmus European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
H. A. Erdal Faculty of Engineering, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway
D. Eschweiler Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
B. Espagnon Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
M. Estienne SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
S. Esumi University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
D. Evans School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
S. Evdokimov Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
G. Eyyubova Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
D. Fabris Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
J. Faivre Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
D. Falchieri Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
A. Fantoni Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
M. Fasel Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
D. Fehlker Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
L. Feldkamp Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
D. Felea Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
A. Feliciello Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
B. Fenton-Olsen Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
G. Feofilov V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
A. Fernández Téllez Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
A. Ferretti Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A. Festanti Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
J. Figiel The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M. A. S. Figueredo Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
S. Filchagin Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
D. Finogeev Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
F. M. Fionda Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
E. M. Fiore Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
E. Floratos Physics Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
M. Floris European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S. Foertsch Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
P. Foka Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
S. Fokin Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
E. Fragiacomo Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
A. Francescon Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
U. Frankenfeld Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
U. Fuchs European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C. Furget Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
M. Fusco Girard Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E.R. Caianiello’ dell’Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
J. J. Gaardhøje Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
M. Gagliardi Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A. Gago Sección Física, Departamento de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
M. Gallio Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
D. R. Gangadharan Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
P. Ganoti Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee United States
C. Garabatos Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
E. Garcia-Solis Chicago State University, Chicago, United States
C. Gargiulo European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
I. Garishvili Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California United States
J. Gerhard Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M. Germain SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
C. Geuna Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
M. Gheata European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
A. Gheata European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
B. Ghidini Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
P. Ghosh Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
P. Gianotti Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
P. Giubellino European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
E. Gladysz-Dziadus The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
P. Glässel Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
R. Gomez Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
E. G. Ferreiro Departamento de Física de Partículas and IGFAE, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
L. H. González-Trueba Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
P. González-Zamora Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
S. Gorbunov Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Goswami Physics Department, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
S. Gotovac Technical University of Split FESB, Split, Croatia
L. K. Graczykowski Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
R. Grajcarek Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
A. Grelli Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
C. Grigoras European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. Grigoras European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
V. Grigoriev Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia
A. Grigoryan A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia
S. Grigoryan Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
B. Grinyov Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
N. Grion Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
P. Gros Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
J. F. Grosse-Oetringhaus European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J.-Y. Grossiord Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
R. Grosso European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F. Guber Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
R. Guernane Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
B. Guerzoni Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
M. Guilbaud Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
K. Gulbrandsen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
H. Gulkanyan A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia
T. Gunji University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
A. Gupta Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
R. Gupta Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
R. Haake Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
Ø. Haaland Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
C. Hadjidakis Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
M. Haiduc Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
H. Hamagaki University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
G. Hamar Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
B. H. Han Department of Physics, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
L. D. Hanratty School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
A. Hansen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Z. Harmanová-Tóthová Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
J. W. Harris Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
M. Hartig Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Harton Chicago State University, Chicago, United States
D. Hatzifotiadou Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
S. Hayashi University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
A. Hayrapetyan A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S. T. Heckel Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M. Heide Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
H. Helstrup Faculty of Engineering, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway
A. Herghelegiu National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
G. Herrera Corral Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico
N. Herrmann Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
B. A. Hess Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
K. F. Hetland Faculty of Engineering, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway
B. Hicks Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
B. Hippolyte Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France
Y. Hori University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
P. Hristov European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
I. Hřivnáčová Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
M. Huang Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
T. J. Humanic Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
D. S. Hwang Department of Physics, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
R. Ichou Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
R. Ilkaev Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
I. Ilkiv National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
M. Inaba University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
E. Incani Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
G. M. Innocenti Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
P. G. Innocenti European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. Ippolitov Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
M. Irfan Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
C. Ivan Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
M. Ivanov Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
A. Ivanov V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
V. Ivanov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
O. Ivanytskyi Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
A. Jachołkowski Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
P. M. Jacobs Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
C. Jahnke Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
H. J. Jang Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
M. A. Janik Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
P. H. S. Y. Jayarathna University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
S. Jena Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
D. M. Jha Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
R. T. Jimenez Bustamante Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
P. G. Jones School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
H. Jung Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea
A. Jusko School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
A. B. Kaidalov Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
S. Kalcher Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
P. Kaliňák Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
T. Kalliokoski Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
A. Kalweit European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. H. Kang Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
V. Kaplin Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia
S. Kar Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
A. Karasu Uysal European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland KTO Karatay University, Konya, Turkey Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey
O. Karavichev Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
T. Karavicheva Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
E. Karpechev Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
A. Kazantsev Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
U. Kebschull Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
R. Keidel Zentrum für Technologietransfer und Telekommunikation (ZTT), Fachhochschule Worms, Worms, Germany
B. Ketzer Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
M. M. Khan Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
P. Khan Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
S. A. Khan Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
K. H. Khan COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Islamabad, Pakistan
A. Khanzadeev Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
Y. Kharlov Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
B. Kileng Faculty of Engineering, Bergen University College, Bergen, Norway
M. Kim Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
T. Kim Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
B. Kim Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
S. Kim Department of Physics, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
M. Kim Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea
D. J. Kim Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
J. S. Kim Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea
J. H. Kim Department of Physics, Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea
D. W. Kim Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
S. Kirsch Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
I. Kisel Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
S. Kiselev Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
A. Kisiel Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
J. L. Klay California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California United States
J. Klein Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
C. Klein-Bösing Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
M. Kliemant Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Kluge European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. L. Knichel Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
A. G. Knospe Physics Department, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX United States
M. K. Köhler Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
T. Kollegger Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Kolojvari V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
M. Kompaniets V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
V. Kondratiev V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
N. Kondratyeva Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia
A. Konevskikh Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
V. Kovalenko V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
M. Kowalski The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
S. Kox Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
G. Koyithatta Meethaleveedu Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
J. Kral Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
I. Králik Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
F. Kramer Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Kravčáková Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
M. Krelina Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
M. Kretz Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M. Krivda Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
F. Krizek Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
M. Krus Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
E. Kryshen Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
M. Krzewicki Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
V. Kucera Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
Y. Kucheriaev Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
T. Kugathasan European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
C. Kuhn Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France
P. G. Kuijer Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
I. Kulakov Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J. Kumar Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
P. Kurashvili National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
A. Kurepin Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
A. B. Kurepin Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
A. Kuryakin Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
V. Kushpil Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
S. Kushpil Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
H. Kvaerno Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
M. J. Kweon Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
Y. Kwon Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
P. Ladrón de Guevara Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
C. Lagana Fernandes Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
I. Lakomov Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
R. Langoy Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Vestfold University College, Tonsberg, Norway
S. L. La Pointe Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
C. Lara Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Lardeux SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
P. La Rocca Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
R. Lea Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
M. Lechman European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S. C. Lee Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea
G. R. Lee School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
I. Legrand European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. Lehnert Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
R. C. Lemmon Nuclear Physics Group, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, United Kingdom
M. Lenhardt Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
V. Lenti Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
H. León Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
M. Leoncino Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
I. León Monzón Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
P. Lévai Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
S. Li Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
J. Lien Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Vestfold University College, Tonsberg, Norway
R. Lietava School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
S. Lindal Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
V. Lindenstruth Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
C. Lippmann European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
M. A. Lisa Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
H. M. Ljunggren Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
D. F. Lodato Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
P. I. Loenne Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
V. R. Loggins Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
V. Loginov Moscow Engineering Physics Institute, Moscow, Russia
D. Lohner Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
C. Loizides Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
K. K. Loo Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
X. Lopez Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
E. López Torres Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Havana, Cuba
G. Løvhøiden Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
X.-G. Lu Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
P. Luettig Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M. Lunardon Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
J. Luo Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
G. Luparello Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
C. Luzzi European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R. Ma Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
K. Ma Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
D. M. Madagodahettige-Don University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
A. Maevskaya Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
M. Mager European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany
D. P. Mahapatra Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, India
A. Maire Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M. Malaev Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
I. Maldonado Cervantes Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
L. Malinina Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
D. Mal’Kevich Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
P. Malzacher Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
A. Mamonov Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
L. Manceau Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
L. Mangotra Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
V. Manko Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
F. Manso Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
V. Manzari Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
Y. Mao Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
M. Marchisone Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
J. Mareš Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
G. V. Margagliotti Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
A. Margotti Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
A. Marín Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
C. Markert Physics Department, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX United States
M. Marquard Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
I. Martashvili University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee United States
N. A. Martin Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
P. Martinengo European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. I. Martínez Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
G. Martínez García SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
Y. Martynov Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
A. Mas SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
S. Masciocchi Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
M. Masera Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A. Masoni Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
L. Massacrier SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
A. Mastroserio Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
A. Matyja The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
C. Mayer The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
J. Mazer University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee United States
R. Mazumder Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Indore, India
M. A. Mazzoni Sezione INFN, Rome, Italy
F. Meddi Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università ‘La Sapienza’ and Sezione INFN, Rome, Italy
A. Menchaca-Rocha Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
J. Mercado Pérez Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M. Meres Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
Y. Miake University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
K. Mikhaylov Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
L. Milano Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. Milosevic Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
A. Mischke Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
A. N. Mishra Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Indore, India Physics Department, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
D. Miśkowiec Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
C. Mitu Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
S. Mizuno University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
J. Mlynarz Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
B. Mohanty National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
L. Molnar Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
L. Montaño Zetina Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Mexico City and Mérida, Mexico
M. Monteno Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
E. Montes Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
T. Moon Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
M. Morando Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
D. A. Moreira De Godoy Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
S. Moretto Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
A. Morreale Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
A. Morsch European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
V. Muccifora Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
E. Mudnic Technical University of Split FESB, Split, Croatia
S. Muhuri Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
M. Mukherjee Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
H. Müller European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. G. Munhoz Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
S. Murray Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
L. Musa European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. Musinsky Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
B. K. Nandi Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
R. Nania Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
E. Nappi Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
C. Nattrass University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee United States
T. K. Nayak Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
S. Nazarenko Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
A. Nedosekin Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
M. Nicassio Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
M. Niculescu European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
B. S. Nielsen Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
T. Niida University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
S. Nikolaev Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
V. Nikolic Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
S. Nikulin Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
V. Nikulin Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
B. S. Nilsen Physics Department, Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska United States
M. S. Nilsson Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
F. Noferini Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
P. Nomokonov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
G. Nooren Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
A. Nyanin Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
A. Nyatha Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
C. Nygaard Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
J. Nystrand Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
A. Ochirov V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
H. Oeschler European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Institut für Kernphysik, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
S. Oh Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
S. K. Oh Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, South Korea
J. Oleniacz Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
A. C. Oliveira Da Silva Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
J. Onderwaater Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
C. Oppedisano Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
A. Ortiz Velasquez Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
A. Oskarsson Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
P. Ostrowski Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
J. Otwinowski Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
K. Oyama Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
K. Ozawa University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
Y. Pachmayer Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M. Pachr Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
F. Padilla Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
P. Pagano Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E.R. Caianiello’ dell’Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
G. Paić Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
F. Painke Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
C. Pajares Departamento de Física de Partículas and IGFAE, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
S. K. Pal Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
A. Palaha School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
A. Palmeri Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
V. Papikyan A. I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) Foundation, Yerevan, Armenia
G. S. Pappalardo Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
W. J. Park Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
A. Passfeld Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
D. I. Patalakha Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
V. Paticchio Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
B. Paul Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
A. Pavlinov Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
T. Pawlak Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
T. Peitzmann Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
H. Pereira Da Costa Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
E. Pereira De Oliveira Filho Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
D. Peresunko Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
C. E. Pérez Lara Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
D. Perrino Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
W. Peryt Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
A. Pesci Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
Y. Pestov Budker Institute for Nuclear Physics, Novosibirsk, Russia
V. Petráček Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
M. Petran Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
M. Petris National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
P. Petrov School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
M. Petrovici National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
C. Petta Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
S. Piano Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
M. Pikna Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
P. Pillot SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
O. Pinazza European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
L. Pinsky University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
N. Pitz Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D. B. Piyarathna University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
M. Planinic Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
M. Płoskoń Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
J. Pluta Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
T. Pocheptsov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
S. Pochybova Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
P. L. M. Podesta-Lerma Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
M. G. Poghosyan European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
K. Polák Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
B. Polichtchouk Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
N. Poljak Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
A. Pop National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
S. Porteboeuf-Houssais Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
V. Pospíšil Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
B. Potukuchi Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
S. K. Prasad Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
R. Preghenella Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
F. Prino Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
C. A. Pruneau Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
I. Pshenichnov Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
G. Puddu Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
V. Punin Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
J. Putschke Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
H. Qvigstad Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
A. Rachevski Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
A. Rademakers European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
T. S. Räihä Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
J. Rak Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
A. Rakotozafindrabe Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France
L. Ramello Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica dell’Università del Piemonte Orientale and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Alessandria, Italy
S. Raniwala Physics Department, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
R. Raniwala Physics Department, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, India
S. S. Räsänen Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
B. T. Rascanu Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D. Rathee Physics Department, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
W. Rauch European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. W. Rauf COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Islamabad, Pakistan
V. Razazi Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
K. F. Read University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee United States
J. S. Real Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
K. Redlich National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
R. J. Reed Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
A. Rehman Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
P. Reichelt Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
M. Reicher Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
R. Renfordt Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. R. Reolon Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
A. Reshetin Institute for Nuclear Research, Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
F. Rettig Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J.-P. Revol European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
K. Reygers Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
L. Riccati Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
R. A. Ricci Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN, Legnaro, Italy
T. Richert Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
M. Richter Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
P. Riedler European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
W. Riegler European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F. Riggi Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
A. Rivetti Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
M. Rodríguez Cahuantzi Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
A. Rodriguez Manso Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics, Amsterdam, Netherlands
K. Røed Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
E. Rogochaya Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
D. Rohr Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
D. Röhrich Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
R. Romita Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany Nuclear Physics Group, STFC Daresbury Laboratory, Daresbury, United Kingdom
F. Ronchetti Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati, INFN, Frascati, Italy
P. Rosnet Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
S. Rossegger European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. Rossi European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
P. Roy Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
C. Roy Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France
A. J. Rubio Montero Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain
R. Rui Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
R. Russo Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
E. Ryabinkin Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
A. Rybicki The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
S. Sadovsky Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
K. Šafařík European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R. Sahoo Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI), Indore, India
P. K. Sahu Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar, India
J. Saini Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
H. Sakaguchi Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
S. Sakai Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
D. Sakata University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
C. A. Salgado Departamento de Física de Partículas and IGFAE, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
J. Salzwedel Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
S. Sambyal Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
V. Samsonov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
X. Sanchez Castro Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France
L. Šándor Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia
A. Sandoval Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
M. Sano University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
G. Santagati Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Catania, Italy
R. Santoro Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. Sarkamo Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
D. Sarkar Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
E. Scapparone Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
F. Scarlassara Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
R. P. Scharenberg Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana United States
C. Schiaua National Institute for Physics and Nuclear Engineering, Bucharest, Romania
R. Schicker Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
H. R. Schmidt Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
C. Schmidt Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
S. Schuchmann Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
J. Schukraft European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
T. Schuster Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
Y. Schutz European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
K. Schwarz Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
K. Schweda Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
G. Scioli Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
E. Scomparin Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
R. Scott University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee United States
P. A. Scott School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
G. Segato Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
I. Selyuzhenkov Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
S. Senyukov Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC), Université de Strasbourg, CNRS-IN2P3, Strasbourg, France
J. Seo Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
S. Serci Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
E. Serradilla Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Madrid, Spain Instituto de Física, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
A. Sevcenco Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
A. Shabetai SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
G. Shabratova Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
R. Shahoyan European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
S. Sharma Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
N. Sharma University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee United States
S. Rohni Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
K. Shigaki Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
K. Shtejer Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas y Desarrollo Nuclear (CEADEN), Havana, Cuba
Y. Sibiriak Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
E. Sicking Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
S. Siddhanta Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
T. Siemiarczuk National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
D. Silvermyr Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee United States
C. Silvestre Laboratoire de Physique Subatomique et de Cosmologie (LPSC), Université Joseph Fourier, CNRS-IN2P3, Institut Polytechnique de Grenoble, Grenoble, France
G. Simatovic Instituto de Ciencias Nucleares, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
G. Simonetti European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
R. Singaraju Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
R. Singh Physics Department, University of Jammu, Jammu, India
S. Singha National Institute of Science Education and Research, Bhubaneswar, India Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
V. Singhal Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
T. Sinha Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics, Kolkata, India
B. C. Sinha Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
B. Sitar Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
M. Sitta Dipartimento di Scienze e Innovazione Tecnologica dell’Università del Piemonte Orientale and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Alessandria, Italy
T. B. Skaali Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
K. Skjerdal Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
R. Smakal Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
N. Smirnov Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut United States
R. J. M. Snellings Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
C. Søgaard Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
R. Soltz Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California United States
M. Song Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
J. Song Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
C. Soos European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
F. Soramel Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
I. Sputowska The Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Cracow, Poland
M. Spyropoulou-Stassinaki Physics Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
B. K. Srivastava Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana United States
J. Stachel Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
I. Stan Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
G. Stefanek National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
M. Steinpreis Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
E. Stenlund Division of Experimental High Energy Physics, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden
G. Steyn Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
J. H. Stiller Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
D. Stocco SUBATECH, Ecole des Mines de Nantes, Université de Nantes, CNRS-IN2P3, Nantes, France
M. Stolpovskiy Institute for High Energy Physics, Protvino, Russia
P. Strmen Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
A. A. P. Suaide Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
M. A. Subieta Vásquez Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
T. Sugitate Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
C. Suire Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
M. Suleymanov COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Islamabad, Pakistan
R. Sultanov Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
M. Šumbera Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
T. Susa Rudjer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
T. J. M. Symons Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
A. Szanto de Toledo Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
I. Szarka Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
A. Szczepankiewicz European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. Szymański Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
J. Takahashi Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
M. A. Tangaro Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
J. D. Tapia Takaki Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
A. Tarantola Peloni Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
A. Tarazona Martinez European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. Tauro European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
G. Tejeda Muñoz Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
A. Telesca European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
A. Ter Minasyan Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
C. Terrevoli Dipartimento Interateneo di Fisica ‘M. Merlin’ and Sezione INFN, Bari, Italy
J. Thäder Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
D. Thomas Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
R. Tieulent Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
A. R. Timmins University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
D. Tlusty Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
A. Toia Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
H. Torii University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
L. Toscano Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
V. Trubnikov Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
D. Truesdale Department of Physics, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio United States
W. H. Trzaska Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
T. Tsuji University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
A. Tumkin Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
R. Turrisi Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
T. S. Tveter Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
J. Ulery Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
K. Ullaland Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
J. Ulrich Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany Kirchhoff-Institut für Physik, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
A. Uras Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
G. M. Urciuoli Sezione INFN, Rome, Italy
G. L. Usai Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Cagliari, Italy
M. Vajzer Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic Nuclear Physics Institute, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Řež u Prahy, Czech Republic
M. Vala Institute of Experimental Physics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Košice, Slovakia Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
L. Valencia Palomo Institut de Physique Nucléaire d’Orsay (IPNO), Université Paris-Sud, CNRS-IN2P3, Orsay, France
S. Vallero Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
P. Vande Vyvre European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
J. W. Van Hoorne European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
M. van Leeuwen Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
L. Vannucci Laboratori Nazionali di Legnaro, INFN, Legnaro, Italy
A. Vargas Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
R. Varma Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT), Mumbai, India
M. Vasileiou Physics Department, University of Athens, Athens, Greece
A. Vasiliev Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
V. Vechernin V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
M. Veldhoen Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
M. Venaruzzo Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Trieste, Italy
E. Vercellin Dipartimento di Fisica dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Turin, Italy
S. Vergara Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
R. Vernet Centre de Calcul de l’IN2P3, Villeurbanne, France
M. Verweij Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
L. Vickovic Technical University of Split FESB, Split, Croatia
G. Viesti Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Padova, Italy
J. Viinikainen Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP) and University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland
Z. Vilakazi Physics Department, University of Cape Town and iThemba LABS, National Research Foundation, Somerset West, South Africa
O. Villalobos Baillie School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Y. Vinogradov Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
L. Vinogradov V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
A. Vinogradov Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
T. Virgili Dipartimento di Fisica ‘E.R. Caianiello’ dell’Università and Gruppo Collegato INFN, Salerno, Italy
Y. P. Viyogi Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre, Kolkata, India
A. Vodopyanov Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
M. A. Völkl Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
S. Voloshin Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
K. Voloshin Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Moscow, Russia
G. Volpe European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
B. von Haller European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
I. Vorobyev V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
D. Vranic European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Research Division and ExtreMe Matter Institute EMMI, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung, Darmstadt, Germany
J. Vrláková Faculty of Science, P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
B. Vulpescu Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France
A. Vyushin Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
V. Wagner Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
B. Wagner Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
R. Wan Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Y. Wang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Y. Wang Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
M. Wang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
K. Watanabe University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
M. Weber University of Houston, Houston, Texas United States
J. P. Wessels European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva, Switzerland Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
U. Westerhoff Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
J. Wiechula Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
J. Wikne Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
M. Wilde Institut für Kernphysik, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Münster, Germany
G. Wilk National Centre for Nuclear Studies, Warsaw, Poland
M. C. S. Williams Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
B. Windelband Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
C. G. Yaldo Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan United States
Y. Yamaguchi University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
S. Yang Department of Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
P. Yang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
H. Yang Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique, IRFU, Saclay, France Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
S. Yasnopolskiy Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
J. Yi Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
Z. Yin Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
I.-K. Yoo Pusan National University, Pusan, South Korea
J. Yoon Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
X. Yuan Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
I. Yushmanov Russian Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Moscow, Russia
V. Zaccolo Niels Bohr Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
C. Zach Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
C. Zampolli Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
S. Zaporozhets Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR), Dubna, Russia
A. Zarochentsev V. Fock Institute for Physics, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
P. Závada Institute of Physics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
N. Zaviyalov Russian Federal Nuclear Center (VNIIEF), Sarov, Russia
H. Zbroszczyk Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
P. Zelnicek Institut für Informatik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
I. S. Zgura Institute of Space Sciences (ISS), Bucharest, Romania
M. Zhalov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute, Gatchina, Russia
Y. Zhang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
H. Zhang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
X. Zhang Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China Laboratoire de Physique Corpusculaire (LPC), Clermont Université, Université Blaise Pascal, CNRS–IN2P3, Clermont-Ferrand, France Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California United States
D. Zhou Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
Y. Zhou Nikhef, National Institute for Subatomic Physics and Institute for Subatomic Physics of Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
F. Zhou Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
H. Zhu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
J. Zhu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
X. Zhu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
J. Zhu Central China Normal University, Wuhan, China
A. Zichichi Centro Fermi - Museo Storico della Fisica e Centro Studi e Ricerche “Enrico Fermi”, Rome, Italy Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia dell’Università and Sezione INFN, Bologna, Italy
A. Zimmermann Physikalisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
G. Zinovjev Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
Y. Zoccarato Université de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, CNRS/IN2P3, IPN-Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
M. Zynovyev Bogolyubov Institute for Theoretical Physics, Kiev, Ukraine
M. Zyzak Institut für Kernphysik, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany

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J/ψ elliptic flow in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of inclusive J/ψ elliptic flow v2 in heavy-ion collisions at the LHC. The measurement is performed with the ALICE detector in Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV in the rapidity range 2.5<y<4.0. The dependence of the J/ψ v2 on the collision centrality and on the J/ψ transverse momentum is studied in the range 0≤p(T)<10 GeV/c. For semicentral Pb-Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=2.76 TeV, an indication of nonzero v2 is observed with a largest measured value of v2=0.116±0.046(stat)±0.029(syst) for J/ψ in the transverse momentum range 2≤p(T)<4 GeV/c. The elliptic flow measurement complements the previously reported ALICE results on the inclusive J/ψ nuclear modification factor and favors the scenario of a significant fraction of J/ψ production from charm quarks in a deconfined partonic phase.

D meson elliptic flow in noncentral Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 Tev

Azimuthally anisotropic distributions of D0, D+, and D*+ mesons were studied in the central rapidity region (|y|<0.8) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV per nucleon-nucleon collision, with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The second Fourier coefficient v2 (commonly denoted elliptic flow) was measured in the centrality class 30%-50% as a function of the D meson transverse momentum pT, in the range 2-16  GeV/c. The measured v2 of D mesons is comparable in magnitude to that of light-flavor hadrons. It is positive in the range 2<pT<6  GeV/c with 5.7σ significance, based on the combination of statistical and systematic uncertainties.

Measurement of inelastic, single- and double-diffraction cross sections in proton-proton collisions at the LHC with ALICE

Measurements of cross sections of inelastic and diffractive processes in proton-proton collisions at LHC energies were carried out with the ALICE detector. The fractions of diffractive processes in inelastic collisions were determined from a study of gaps in charged particle pseudorapidity distributions: for single diffraction (diffractive mass MX <200 GeV/c2) [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively at centre-of-mass energies [Formula: see text]; for double diffraction (for a pseudorapidity gap Δη>3) σDD/σINEL=0.11±0.03,0.12±0.05, and [Formula: see text], respectively at [Formula: see text]. To measure the inelastic cross section, beam properties were determined with van der Meer scans, and, using a simulation of diffraction adjusted to data, the following values were obtained: [Formula: see text] mb at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text]. The single- and double-diffractive cross sections were calculated combining relative rates of diffraction with inelastic cross sections. The results are compared to previous measurements at proton-antiproton and proton-proton colliders at lower energies, to measurements by other experiments at the LHC, and to theoretical models.

Net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76 TeV

We report the first measurement of the net-charge fluctuations in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[sNN]=2.76  TeV, measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The dynamical fluctuations per unit entropy are observed to decrease when going from peripheral to central collisions. An additional reduction in the amount of fluctuations is seen in comparison to the results from lower energies. We examine the dependence of fluctuations on the pseudorapidity interval, which may account for the dilution of fluctuations during the evolution of the system. We find that the fluctuations at the LHC are smaller compared to the measurements at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and as such, closer to what has been theoretically predicted for the formation of a quark-gluon plasma.

XBP1 promoter polymorphism modulates platinum-based chemotherapy gastrointestinal toxicity for advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients

BACKGROUND

The X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) is a critical transcription factor in the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, which is essential for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. Here, we investigated whether the regulatory variant rs2269577 of the XBP1 gene influences clinical outcome in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing platinum-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We recruited 663 Chinese patients with advanced NSCLC treated with platinum-based regimens and assessed the association between rs2269577 and clinical outcome. Subsequent functional analyses, including real-time quantitative PCR and dual-luciferase assays, were performed to explore possible molecular mechanisms.

RESULTS

The G/G genotype of rs2269577 was significantly associated with severe gastrointestinal toxicity compared with the homozygous C/C genotype (P=0.012, odds ratio=2.755), particularly in the female, performance status 0-1, and adenocarcinoma subgroups. No significant relevance was found between rs2269577 and treatment efficacy. In gastric epithelial cells, in vitro molecular analyses demonstrated that XBP1 mRNA expression levels decreased after treatment with cisplatin and the G allele of rs2269577 weakened the transcriptional activity of the XBP1 promoter.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to evaluate the effect of XBP1 polymorphism on severe chemotherapy-related adverse outcomes in platinum-treated advanced NSCLC patients using both pharmacogenomics and functional molecular analyses.

Transverse momentum distribution and nuclear modification factor of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 5.02 TeV

The transverse momentum (p(T)) distribution of primary charged particles is measured in minimum bias (non-single-diffractive) p+Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=5.02 TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The p(T) spectra measured near central rapidity in the range 0.5<p(T) <20 GeV/c exhibit a weak pseudorapidity dependence. The nuclear modification factor R(pPb) is consistent with unity for p(T) above 2 GeV/c. This measurement indicates that the strong suppression of hadron production at high p(T) observed in Pb+Pb collisions at the LHC is not due to an initial-state effect. The measurement is compared to theoretical calculations.

Pseudorapidity density of charged particles in p+Pb collisions at √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV

The charged-particle pseudorapidity density measured over four units of pseudorapidity in nonsingle-diffractive p+Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair √(s(NN))=5.02 TeV is presented. The average value at midrapidity is measured to be 16.81±0.71 (syst), which corresponds to 2.14±0.17 (syst) per participating nucleon, calculated with the Glauber model. This is 16% lower than in nonsingle-diffractive pp collisions interpolated to the same collision energy and 84% higher than in d+Au collisions at s√(s(NN))=0.2 TeV. The measured pseudorapidity density in p+Pb collisions is compared to model predictions and provides new constraints on the description of particle production in high-energy nuclear collisions.

Charge separation relative to the reaction plane in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

Measurements of charge-dependent azimuthal correlations with the ALICE detector at the LHC are reported for Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV. Two- and three-particle charge-dependent azimuthal correlations in the pseudorapidity range |η| < 0.8 are presented as a function of the collision centrality, particle separation in pseudorapidity, and transverse momentum. A clear signal compatible with a charge-dependent separation relative to the reaction plane is observed, which shows little or no collision energy dependence when compared to measurements at RHIC energies. This provides a new insight for understanding the nature of the charge-dependent azimuthal correlations observed at RHIC and LHC energies.

Pion, kaon, and proton production in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV

In this Letter we report the first results on π(±), K(±), p, and p production at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in central Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)] = 2.76 TeV, measured by the ALICE experiment at the LHC. The p(T) distributions and yields are compared to previous results at sqrt[s(NN)] = 200 GeV and expectations from hydrodynamic and thermal models. The spectral shapes indicate a strong increase of the radial flow velocity with sqrt[s(NN)], which in hydrodynamic models is expected as a consequence of the increasing particle density. While the K/π ratio is in line with predictions from the thermal model, the p/π ratio is found to be lower by a factor of about 1.5. This deviation from thermal model expectations is still to be understood.

Synthesis of substituted cinnamoyl-tyramine derivatives and their platelet anti-aggregatory activities

Substituted cinnamoyl-tyramine derivatives were synthesized by DCC-coupling of substituted cinnamic acid with tyramine or tyramine methyl-1-ether to evaluate PAF-receptor binding antagonistic activities and inhibitory activities on PAF-induced platelet aggregation with interest on structure-activity relations. The results show that 3,4-dimethoxy-cinnamoyl tyramine-amide or its methyl ether have significant PAF-receptor binding antagonistic activity and platelet anti-aggregatory activities.

Production of muons from heavy flavor decays at forward rapidity in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has measured the inclusive production of muons from heavy-flavor decays at forward rapidity, 2.5<y<4, in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s(NN)]=2.76  TeV. The p(t)-differential inclusive cross section of muons from heavy-flavor decays in pp collisions is compared to perturbative QCD calculations. The nuclear modification factor is studied as a function of p(t) and collision centrality. A weak suppression is measured in peripheral collisions. In the most central collisions, a suppression of a factor of about 3-4 is observed in 6<p(t)<10  GeV/c. The suppression shows no significant p(t) dependence.

J/ψ suppression at forward rapidity in Pb-Pb collisions at √s(NN) = 2.76 TeV

The ALICE experiment has measured the inclusive J/ψ production in Pb-Pb collisions at √s(NN) = 2.76 TeV down to zero transverse momentum in the rapidity range 2.5 < y < 4. A suppression of the inclusive J/ψ yield in Pb-Pb is observed with respect to the one measured in pp collisions scaled by the number of binary nucleon-nucleon collisions. The nuclear modification factor, integrated over the 0%-80% most central collisions, is 0.545 ± 0.032(stat) ± 0.083(syst) and does not exhibit a significant dependence on the collision centrality. These features appear significantly different from measurements at lower collision energies. Models including J/ψ production from charm quarks in a deconfined partonic phase can describe our data.

J/ψ polarization in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV

The ALICE Collaboration has studied J/ψ production in pp collisions at √s=7 TeV at the LHC through its muon pair decay. The polar and azimuthal angle distributions of the decay muons were measured, and results on the J/ψ polarization parameters λ(θ) and λ(φ) were obtained. The study was performed in the kinematic region 2.5<y<4, 2<p(t)<8 GeV/c, in the helicity and Collins-Soper reference frames. In both frames, the polarization parameters are compatible with zero, within uncertainties.

Adenoma malignum of the uterine cervix: ultrasonographic findings in 11 patients

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the ultrasonographic features of adenoma malignum, a minimal deviation adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed adenoma malignum were enrolled in this study at two institutions. Preoperative ultrasound examination was performed and the results were available in 11 patients. We analyzed retrospectively the gray-scale ultrasound findings for the following morphologic characteristics: cervical enlargement, as well as size, location and ultrasonographic characteristics of lesions. In five patients we also evaluated Doppler features with regard to intralesional vascularity.

RESULTS

The cervix was enlarged in 73% (8/11) of cases. The mean greatest tumor diameter was 4.2 (range, 2.5-6.8) cm. In five (45%) cases, the cervix was completely infiltrated by the tumor. At gray-scale ultrasound examination, three (27%) tumors were multilocular lesions, four (36%) were multilocular lesions with solid components and four (36%) were solid lesions. In the multilocular lesions with or without a solid component, locules tended to be 1 cm or less in average diameter (86%, 6/7 cases) and there tended to be 11-20 in number (57%, 4/7 cases). In most (57%, 4/7) cases the locular fluid was homogeneously hypoechoic. Most (75%, 3/4) solid lesions manifested heterogeneous echogenicity. The five (100%) tumors examined with Doppler manifested moderate or abundant color content on color or power Doppler.

CONCLUSIONS

Adenoma malignum can appear sonographically as solid, multilocular and multilocular solid cervical lesions. Awareness of its clinical and ultrasonographic features might improve diagnosis before surgery.

Higher harmonic anisotropic flow measurements of charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt(s(NN)) = 2.76 TeV

We report on the first measurement of the triangular v3, quadrangular v4, and pentagonal v5 charged particle flow in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt(s(NN)) = 2.76  TeV measured with the ALICE detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. We show that the triangular flow can be described in terms of the initial spatial anisotropy and its fluctuations, which provides strong constraints on its origin. In the most central events, where the elliptic flow v2 and v3 have similar magnitude, a double peaked structure in the two-particle azimuthal correlations is observed, which is often interpreted as a Mach cone response to fast partons. We show that this structure can be naturally explained from the measured anisotropic flow Fourier coefficients.

Midrapidity antiproton-to-proton ratio in pp collisons at sqrt[s]=0.9 and 7 TeV measured by the ALICE experiment

The ratio of the yields of antiprotons to protons in pp collisions has been measured by the ALICE experiment at sqrt[s]=0.9 and 7 TeV during the initial running periods of the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement covers the transverse momentum interval 0.45<p_{t}<1.05  GeV/c and rapidity |y|<0.5. The ratio is measured to be R_{|y|<0.5}=0.957±0.006(stat)±0.014(syst) at 0.9 TeV and R_{|y|<0.5}=0.991±0.005(stat)±0.014(syst) at 7 TeV and it is independent of both rapidity and transverse momentum. The results are consistent with the conventional model of baryon-number transport and set stringent limits on any additional contributions to baryon-number transfer over very large rapidity intervals in pp collisions.

Registration of sheep brain MR images for cell tracking using ferrite-composite micro-beads as markers

In the recent molecular imaging studies of the magnetic resonance imaging field, in-vivo cell tracking is becoming an issue for the observation of cell therapy and disease behavior. In order to perform cell tracking, high resolution images and long-term studies are required, because those images make better performance than low resolution images in the recognition of cells and cells are traced at least two weeks. Image registration is an essential image processing technique for long-term imaging. In this study, we proposed the image registration technique using ferrite-composite micro- beads which could be used as substitutes for the cells labeling MR contrast agent such as superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles. Registration of sheep brain images tagging micro-beads was performed with the sufficient accuracy for cell tracking.

Comparison of birdcage and phase array coil using FDTD for the B(1) homogeneity in high field MRI

RF coils play an important role to acquire MR images with the maintenance of high homogeneity in high field MR system more than 3.0 T. Many kinds of RF coils such as birdcage coil, STR, surface coil, and phase array coil have been used, however, the good uniformity of a coil has always been an issue. In this paper, comparison of B(1) homogeneity between birdcage and phase array coil was investigated using FDTD method at 3.0 T MRI in order to develop RF coils with the high uniformity. Three different configurations of the FDTD simulation were performed like as using a free space configuration, water phantom configuration, and head mesh model. B1 homogeneity was calculated to the case of birdcage coil and 8-channel phase array coil in each configuration of simulation. Improvement on the homogeneity of the images and reduction of standing wave effect was achieved with comparing the real MR images with the result from simulation.

Cerebral lipiodol embolism during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization

Cerebral lipiodol embolism (CLE) is a rare complication that may occur during chemoembolization. The authors present three cases of CLE during transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. Multiple small nonconfluent hyperintense intracerebral lesions were found on the diffusion-weighted and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI. Clinical signs completely resolved and MRI lesions markedly improved on follow-up evaluation within a 3-week period.

Some technical aspects of magnetic stimulation coil design with the ferromagnetic effect

The performance of the stimulation coil in a magnetic nerve stimulator can be improved by attaching a ferromagnetic structure to the coil. This reduces heat generation at the coil and increases magnetic field strength for a given unit of current. Some technical aspects of the design of a stimulation coil with a ferromagnetic structure have been studied. Finite element method analysis results are presented for the effect of size, depth and magnetic saturation of the ferromagnetic structure on the stimulation coil performance. The experimental results show that the stimulation coil performance is improved by up to 40% by the attaching of a ferromagnetic structure on the coil.

Reperfusion differentially induces caspase-3 activation in ischemic core and penumbra after stroke in immature brain

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Different strategies for neuroprotection of neonatal stroke may be required because the developing brain responds differently to hypoxia-ischemia than the mature brain. This study was designed to determine the role of caspase-dependent injury in the pathophysiology of pure focal cerebral ischemia in the immature brain.

METHODS

Postnatal day 7 rats were subjected to permanent or transient middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Diffusion-weighted MRI was used during occlusion to noninvasively map the evolving ischemic core. The time course of caspase-3 activation in ischemic brain tissue was determined with the use of an Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-aminomethylcoumarin cleavage assay. The anatomy of caspase-3 activation in the ischemic core and penumbra was mapped immunohistochemically with an anti-activated caspase-3 antibody in coronal sections that matched the imaging planes on diffusion-weighted MRI.

RESULTS

A marked increase in caspase-3 activity occurred within 24 hours of reperfusion after transient MCA occlusion. In contrast, caspase-3 activity remained significantly lower within 24 hours of permanent MCA occlusion. Cells with activated caspase-3 were prominent in the penumbra beginning at 3 hours after reperfusion, while a more delayed but marked caspase-3 activation was observed in the ischemic core by 24 hours after reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

In the neonate, caspase-3 activation is likely to contribute substantially to cell death not only in the penumbra but also in the core after ischemia with reperfusion. Furthermore, persistent perfusion deficits result in less caspase-3 activation and appear to favor caspase-independent injury.

Dosimetric and radiographic correlates to prostate brachytherapy-related rectal complications

Despite rates of radiation proctitis reported in the 1% to 9% range in most series, there is little information regarding rectal morbidity and dosimetric parameters. Accordingly, we have analyzed computed tomography (CT)-based dosimetric parameters based on a series of patients with endoscopically proven radiation proctitis. Nine patients diagnosed with radiation proctitis on endoscopy were identified in a prior review of 160 consecutively treated patients at the University of Washington in 1997. For each proctitis patient, two patients with no rectal bleeding matched for prostate size, isotope, and dose were selected as controls. Axial CT images obtained 2 to 4 hour postoperatively were used for postimplant dosimetry. Dose volume histograms of the rectum, surface area of the outer rectal wall receiving > or = 100% of the prescribed dose, maximum rectal dose, and length of rectum receiving > or = 100% prescription were obtained. Preimplant CT scans were used to group patients into three categories based on the amount of apparent rectal contact with the prostate. All rectal dosimetric parameters were statistically different between patients with or without rectal bleeding. The mean surface area receiving at least 100% prescription dose was 3.1 cm(2) for the controls vs. 6.9 cm(2) for the rectal bleeders (P = 0.001). The volume of rectum receiving at least 100% of prescription dose was 0.6 cc for the controls vs. 2.5 cc for the bleeders (P = 0.00008). Patients with full prostate-rectal contact had significantly higher rectal dose parameters compared to those with partial or no rectal contact. All nine proctitis patients were in the full-rectal-contact group compared to only seven of 18 (39%) controls. This detailed dosimetric analysis shows higher rectal doses for patients with radiation proctitis, making it a potential method of identifying patients at higher risk for receiving excessive rectal doses based on the anatomic relationship between the rectum and prostate on CT scan. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

BAX contributes to apoptotic-like death following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia: evidence for distinct apoptosis pathways

BACKGROUND

Hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury to the neonatal brain has been shown to result in rapid cell death with features of acute excitotoxicity/necrosis as well as prominent delayed cell death with features of apoptosis such as marked caspase-3 activation. BAX, a pro-apoptotic molecule, has been shown to be required for apoptotic neuronal cell death during normal development but the contribution of endogenous BAX in cell death pathways following H-I injury to the developing or adult brain has not been studied.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bax +/+, +/-, and -/- mice at post-natal day 7 were subjected to unilateral carotid ligation followed by exposure to 45 minutes of 8% oxygen. At different timepoints following H-I, brain tissue was studied by conventional histology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blotting, and enzymatic assay to determine the extent and type of cell injury as well as the amount of caspase activation.

RESULTS

We found that bax -/- mice had significantly less (38%) hippocampal tissue loss than mice expressing bax. Some of the remaining cell death in bax -/- mice, however, still had features of apoptosis including evidence of nuclear shrinkage and caspase-3 activation. Though bax -/- mice had significantly decreased caspase-3 activation as compared to bax expressing mice following H-I, the density of cells with activated caspase-8 in the CA3 region of the hippocampus did not differ between bax +/- and bax -/- mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings demonstrate that endogenous BAX plays a role in regulating cell death in the central nervous system (CNS) following neonatal H-I, a model of cerebral palsy. In addition, while BAX appears to modulate the caspase-3 activation following neonatal H-I, caspase-8 which is linked to death receptor activation, may contribute to apoptotic-like neuronal death in a BAX-independent manner.

Patient reported complications after prostate brachytherapy

PURPOSE

Prostate brachytherapy has gained popularity due partly to the low rates of short-term complications shown in studies from highly select clinical practices. These series rely on medical records generated by the treating physician and are prone to underreport complications. We summarize the complication reports obtained directly from patients to establish a more realistic incidence of treatment related problems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 1997, 160 consecutive patients treated with prostate brachytherapy at the University of Washington were studied. A questionnaire was designed to determine the rate of complications occurring within 1 year of the procedure. The questions were formulated for ease of use and conciseness, while accounting for easily recalled events associated with complications. A total of 147 (92%) patients completed the questionnaire.

RESULTS

There were 8 (5%) patients who required hospital admission for an average of 2 days (range 1 to 7) as a result of the procedure. A total of 56 (38%) patients required nonroutine visits with a physician in an office setting or at an emergency room. Radiation proctitis diagnosed by endoscopy developed in 8 (5%) patients but no one needed surgical intervention. A total of 47 (32%) patients required urinary catheterization at some point after implantation.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated a higher rate of short-term complications than those previously reported. Fortunately, the majority of side effects were self-limited and no treatment related mortality or cardiovascular morbidity was seen. Our findings may provide a more realistic account of the complications likely to occur after implantation than might be surmised from previous reports.

Antimetastatic and antitumor effects of benzoquinonoid AC7-1 from Ardisia crispa

An antimetastatic and cytostatic substance, termed AC7-1, was isolated from Ardisia crispa and identified as a benzoquinonoid compound, 2-methoxy-6-tridecyl-1,4-benzoquinone. It was originally characterized as the potent PAF (platelet-activating factor) receptor-binding antagonist with nonspecific antiplatelet effects on platelet aggregation induced by various agonists including PAF, ADP, thrombin and collagen. The nonspecific antiaggregatory properties of AC7-1 drew our interest given its possible relationship in integrin receptor-binding antagonistic activity. The integrin receptor plays an important role in metastasis and thrombosis as the cell surface transmembrane protein. Based on the aforementioned facts, the antimetastatic activities of AC7-1 were examined using various in vitro and in vivo metastasis assays. AC7-1 strongly blocked B16-F10 melanoma cell adhesion to extracellular matrix (ECM) and B16-F10 melanoma cell invasion. AC7-1 also remarkably inhibited pulmonary metastasis and tumor growth in vivo. AC7-1 inhibited B16-F10 melanoma cell adhesion to only specific synthetic peptides including RGDS. These findings suggest that antimetastatic activities of AC7-1 can be caused by blocking integrin-mediated adherence. We found AC7-1 to be a potential candidate for the development of a new antimetastatic drug.

Inhibition of calmodulin-dependent calcium-ATPase and phosphodiesterase by various cyclopeptides and peptide alkaloids from the Zizyphus species

The effects of various sedative cyclopeptides and peptide alkaloids from the Zizyphus species on calmodulin-dependent Ca2+-ATPase and phosphodiesterase were investigated. Calmodulin-induced activation of Ca2+-ATPase was strongly inhibited by sanjoinine-A dialdehyde (IC0O, 2.3 microM), -Ah1 (IC50, 4.0 microM), -A (IC50, 4.6 microM), and -G2 (IC50, 7.2 microM), while calmodulin-induced activation of phosphodiesterase was strongly inhibited by both deachuine-S10 (IC30, 4.9 microM) and sanjoinine-D (IC50, 9.0 microM). The inhibitory activity of the various cyclopeptides and peptide alkaloids on Ca2+-ATPase was found to correlate well with their sedative activity.

In vitro inhibitory effect of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha production and its modulation by known TNF-alpha antagonists

Ginsenosides are the major principles of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) used as a mild oriental folk medicine. In this report, we have examined the inhibitory potency of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides (PPDGs) such as Rb1, Rb2 and Rc, and their co-treatment effect with known tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antagonists on TNF-alpha production in either murine (RAW264.7) or human (U937) macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rb1, and Rb2 strongly suppressed TNF-alpha production in RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 of 56.5 and 27.5 microM, respectively, and in differentiated U937 cells with an IC50 of 51.3, and 26.8 microM, respectively. The inhibitory activity of Rb1 and Rb2 was significantly increased by pharmacological agents against protein kinase C, protein tyrosine kinase, and protein kinase A, and anti-rheumatoid arthritis drugs, such as chloroquine and steroid drugs. In contrast, only cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP PDE) inhibitors among cAMP-elevating agents did not change the inhibitory potency of PPDGs. These data suggest that PPDGs may possess potential therapeutic efficacy against TNF-alpha mediated disease and the therapeutic potency of PPDGs may be enhanced when co-treated with various kinds of known TNF-alpha antagonists but not with cAMP PDE inhibitors.

Clusterin contributes to caspase-3-independent brain injury following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia

Clusterin, also known as apolipoprotein J, is a ubiquitously expressed molecule thought to influence a variety of processes including cell death. In the brain, it accumulates in dying neurons following seizures and hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury. Despite this, in vivo evidence that clusterin directly influences cell death is lacking. Following neonatal H-I brain injury in mice (a model of cerebral palsy), there was evidence of apoptotic changes (neuronal caspase-3 activation), as well as accumulation of clusterin in dying neurons. Clusterin-deficient mice had 50% less brain injury following neonatal H-I. Surprisingly, the absence of clusterin had no effect on caspase-3 activation, and clusterin accumulation and caspase-3 activation did not colocalize to the same cells. Studies with cultured cortical neurons demonstrated that exogenous purified astrocyte-secreted clusterin exacerbated oxygen/glucose-deprivation-induced necrotic death. These results indicate that clusterin may be a new therapeutic target to modulate non-caspase-dependent neuronal death following acute brain injury.

BDNF protects against spatial memory deficits following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia

Hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) brain injury in the human perinatal period often leads to significant long-term neurobehavioral dysfunction in the cognitive and sensory-motor domains. Using a neonatal H-I injury model (unilateral carotid ligation followed by hypoxia) in postnatal day seven rats, previous studies have shown that neurotrophins, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), can be protective against neural tissue loss. The present study explored potential relationships between neural protective and behavioral protective strategies in this neonatal H-I model by determining if neonatal H-I was associated with behavioral spatial learning and memory deficits and whether the neurotrophin BDNF was protective against both brain injury and spatial learning/memory dysfunction. Postnatal day seven rats received vehicle or BDNF pretreatments (intracerebroventricular injections) followed by H-I or sham treatments and then tested for spatial learning and memory on the simple place task in the Morris water maze from postnatal days 20 to 30, and their brains were histologically analyzed at 4 weeks following treatments. H-I rats with vehicle pretreatment displayed significant tissue loss in the hippocampus (including CA1 neurons), cortex, and striatum, as well as severe spatial memory deficits (e.g., short probe times). BDNF pretreatment resulted in significant protection against both H-I-induced brain tissue losses and spatial memory impairments. These findings indicate that unilateral H-I brain injury in a neonatal rodent model is associated with cognitive deficits, and that BDNF pretreatment is protective against both brain injury and spatial memory impairment.

BDNF protects the neonatal brain from hypoxic-ischemic injury in vivo via the ERK pathway

Neurotrophins activate several different intracellular signaling pathways that in some way exert neuroprotective effects. In vitro studies of sympathetic and cerebellar granule neurons have demonstrated that the survival effects of neurotrophins can be mediated via activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) pathway. Neurotrophin-mediated protection of other neuronal types in vitro can be mediated via the extracellular signal-related protein kinase (ERK) pathway. Whether either of these pathways contributes to the neuroprotective effects of neurotrophins in the brain in vivo has not been determined. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is markedly neuroprotective against neonatal hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) brain injury in vivo. We assessed the role of the ERK and PI3-kinase pathways in neonatal H-I brain injury in the presence and absence of BDNF. Intracerebroventricular administration of BDNF to postnatal day 7 rats resulted in phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the PI3-kinase substrate AKT within minutes. Effects were greater on ERK activation and occurred in neurons. Pharmacological inhibition of ERK, but not the PI3-kinase pathway, inhibited the ability of BDNF to block H-I-induced caspase-3 activation and tissue loss. These findings suggest that neuronal ERK activation in the neonatal brain mediates neuroprotection against H-I brain injury, a model of cerebral palsy.

No effect of apolipoprotein E on neuronal cell death due to excitotoxic and apoptotic agents in vitro and neonatal hypoxic ischaemia in vivo

The epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Studies also suggest that the epsilon4 allele may be a risk factor for poor outcome following head trauma, brain haemorrhage and ischaemia. The mechanism by which the presence of an apoE epsilon4 allele and certain brain injuries act to predispose to Alzheimer's disease and poor outcome following brain injury is unknown. We questioned whether poor outcome after brain injury was due to direct modification by apoE protein and its gene variants of susceptibility to glutamate-mediated excitotoxic injury and apoptosis, mechanisms of cell death which occur following ischaemia and trauma. We investigated the effect of the presence or absence of endogenous murine apoE protein and different apoE isoforms in modification of the survival of murine embryonic cortical neurons exposed to the glutamate agonist, N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) or apoptotic insult by staurosporine, and on the amount of brain injury sustained following a hypoxic-ischaemic insult in vivo to the brain of neonatal mice transgenically expressing human apoE epsilon3 or epsilon4. Our data provide evidence that apoE does not appear to alter neuronal viability following diverse types of acute neuronal insult, e.g. hypoxic-ischaemic or acute exposure to injurious agents in the models we have examined. This suggests that if apoE does modify the extent of brain damage and recovery after injury, it seems unlikely to be a result of direct or indirect modulation of excitotoxic or apoptotic cell death.

Furosemide stimulates K transport in HCD57 erythroid cells

We examined the influence of serum and furosemide on K movement and cell volume in HCD57 cells, a murine erythroleukemia cell line, which require erythropoietin (EPO) for survival. We found that maintenance of cell volume depends on the concentration of serum in the culture medium. In isotonic medium containing 20% serum, HCD57 cells maintain their steady-state volume. In contrast, the cells shrink progressively as medium serum content is reduced. In serum-free medium, raising external K to 75 mm prevents cell shrinkage and a further increase in K to 145 mm results in swelling, revealing a role for K permeability in the regulation of cell volume. Of particular interest has been a serendipitous finding with furosemide. Below an external K concentration of 2.1 +/- 0.3 mm in medium containing 2% serum, furosemide inhibits K uptake, probably stemming from its well known inhibitory action on KCl cotransport. However, above that K concentration, furosemide stimulates K uptake in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, furosemide potentiates cell shrinkage induced by serum withdrawal. These findings suggest that the transport machinery mediating cellular shrinkage, once primed by serum depletion, becomes receptive to a second stimulus.

BDNF blocks caspase-3 activation in neonatal hypoxia-ischemia

Hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury to the brain in the perinatal period often leads to significant long-term neurological deficits. In a model of neonatal H-I injury in postnatal day 7 rats, our previous data have shown that cell death with features of apoptosis is prominent between 6 and 24 h after H-I and that neurotrophins, particularly BDNF, can markedly protect against tissue loss. During brain development, caspase-3 is required for normal levels of programmed cell death. Utilizing an antibody specific for the activated form of caspase-3, CM1, we now show that caspase-3 is specifically activated in neuronal cell bodies and their processes beginning at 6 h and peaking 24 h following unilateral carotid ligation and exposure to hypoxia in postnatal day 7 rats. Caspase-3 activation began to occur in cortex at 6 h and in striatum and hippocampus at 12-18 h. Caspase-3 activation was also observed in developing oligodendrocytes. Intracerebroventricular injection of BDNF prior to H-I injury almost completely abolished evidence of H-I-induced caspase-3 activation in vivo. Utilizing a specific molecular marker of an apoptotic pathway, these findings demonstrate that H-I injury to the developing brain is a strong apoptotic stimulus leading to caspase-3 activation, that BDNF can block this process in vivo, and that the ability of BDNF to inhibit caspase activation and subsequent apoptosis likely accounts in large part for its protection against neuronal injury in this model.