Correlation between the particle size, structural and photoluminescence spectra of nano NiCr2O4 and La doped NiCr2O4 materials

Nano NiCr2O4 undoped and La doped NiCr2O4 nanorods array were successfully prepared by solution based conventional method[sbcm]. The synthesized samples were characterized by the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy for finding optical properties. Further, the samples structure confirmed by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD)techniques. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) analysis revealed the attachment of NiCr2O4 nanorods on surface of nanoparticles. From the results, it was found that the reaction time, band gap energy, and particle size strongly influenced by changing the concentration of La in NiCr2O4. This work is notable for its examination of the impact of the precursor on the optical and structural characteristics of samples of La-doped and undoped NiCr2O4. This was the first time the investigation had been done. The average particle size of the La-doped and undoped NiCr2O4 samples is between 16 and 24 nm.

Multivariable model of postoperative delirium in cardiac surgery patients: proteomic and demographic contributions

Background

Delirium following cardiac surgery is common, morbid, and costly, but may be prevented with risk stratification and targeted intervention. Preoperative protein signatures may identify patients at increased risk for worse postoperative outcomes, including delirium. In this study, we aimed to identify plasma protein biomarkers and develop a predictive model for postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing cardiac surgery, while also uncovering possible pathophysiological mechanisms.

Methods

SOMAscan analysis of 1,305 proteins in the plasma from 57 older adults undergoing cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass was conducted to define delirium-specific protein signatures at baseline (PREOP) and postoperative day 2 (POD2). Selected proteins were validated in 115 patients using the ELLA multiplex immunoassay platform. Proteins were combined with clinical and demographic variables to build multivariable models that estimate the risk of postoperative delirium and bring light to the underlying pathophysiology.

Results

A total of 115 and 85 proteins from SOMAscan analyses were found altered in delirious patients at PREOP and POD2, respectively (p<0.05). Using four criteria including associations with surgery, delirium, and biological plausibility, 12 biomarker candidates (Tukey's fold change (|tFC|)>1.4, Benjamini-Hochberg (BH)-p<0.01) were selected for ELLA multiplex validation. Eight proteins were significantly altered at PREOP, and seven proteins at POD2 (p<0.05), in patients who developed postoperative delirium compared to non-delirious patients. Statistical analyses of model fit resulted in the selection of a combination of age, sex, and three proteins (angiopoietin-2 (ANGPT2); C-C motif chemokine 5 (CCL5); and metalloproteinase inhibitor 1 (TIMP1); AUC=0.829) as the best performing predictive model for delirium at PREOP. The delirium-associated proteins identified as biomarker candidates are involved with inflammation, glial dysfunction, vascularization, and hemostasis, highlighting the multifactorial pathophysiology of delirium.

Conclusion

Our study proposes a model of postoperative delirium that includes a combination of older age, female sex, and altered levels of three proteins. Our results support the identification of patients at higher risk of developing postoperative delirium after cardiac surgery and provide insights on the underlying pathophysiology. ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT02546765 ).

Intra-Operative Radiotherapy (IORT) in Breast Conserving Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer and DCIS

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Initial breast intra-operative radiotherapy (IORT) results in clinical trials were encouraging though with longer follow up, increased local recurrences have been reported compared with whole breast radiation or other partial breast radiation including accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) methods. The goal of the study is to report our prospective single institution IORT breast study outcomes of local recurrence (LR) including true recurrence and breast elsewhere failures, breast cancer specific survival (BCSS), and overall survival (OS) with low energy x-ray IORT in early-stage breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A total of 480 patients with early-stage breast cancer or DCIS were prospectively enrolled in an IRB approved single institution trial and treated with low energy X-ray IORT 20 Gy at time of breast-conserving surgery. Eligibility criteria included ≥ 45 years of age with unifocal tumors < 3 cm deemed candidates for partial mastectomy. Supplemental external beam radiation was recommended for patients with high-risk surgical pathology including multifocal disease, positive nodes, close margins < 2 mm, or lymphovascular invasion. Ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences were classified as true recurrence versus elsewhere failure by location and histology: same/different quadrant and similar/different histology. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate survival probabilities across time.

RESULTS

Median age of enrolled patients was 64 years with the majority of patients having favorable phenotype with 94% ER+ and 93% Her-2 - disease. 110 patients (23%) had supplemental EBRT delivered; 103 to the whole breast and 7 to the breast and regional nodes. At a median follow up of 73 months (range 17 - 131 months), there were 23 (4.8%) ipsilateral breast tumor recurrences, of which 9 were true recurrences (1.9%) and 14 elsewhere failures (2.9%). One patient with true recurrence and 3 patients with elsewhere breast failures synchronously presented with clinical or radiographic regional node involvement. Seven patient developed contralateral breast cancer and 8 patients developed distant metastases during the follow-up period. There were 2 breast cancer related deaths. At 6-years, overall survival rate was 96.8% and breast cancer specific survival was 98.7%.

CONCLUSION

Our study outcomes reflect similar outcomes as other reported IORT studies with electron or low energy X-ray in breast cancer, with higher risk of local failure than historical whole breast and other partial breast radiation techniques. This supports current radiation society guidelines for IORT monotherapy for breast cancer to be optimally considered in the context of prospective clinical trials.

Data Driven Approach to Exactrac Setup Parameters after CBCT for Cranial Radiotherapy

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

The purpose of this study is to 1) Determine the congruence of shifts derived from Cone-Beam CT (CBCT) and from Exactrac dynamic KV X-rays 2) To setup action levels for Exactrac imaging to determine if patient potentially moved between CBCT and Exactrac acquisition and 3) To analyze if Exactrac alone can be reliably used for cranial setup forgoing the CBCT step MATERIALS/METHODS: Exactrac dynamic, uses in-room KV X-ray imaging that is mounted on the floor to monitor patient positioning during treatment. The congruence of imaging and radiation isocenter for the LINAC and Exactrac system was verified using the Winston-Lutz (WL) test over a period of one year. The WL pointer was set up and its coincidence with imaging and radiation isocenter was confirmed. Exactrac images were then acquired at various couch angles and the pointer deviation from Exactrac imaging isocenter is noted. Secondly, translation and rotation shifts for 175 consecutive cranial cases were examined to determine the deviation between shifts as denoted by CBCT and Exactrac. These patients were initially set up using CBCT and then once in treatment position, Exactrac KV images were acquired to check for any deviation. The deviation between the two systems was collected and a Kolomogorov-Smirnov (KS) test was performed on the data to check for the normality of the distribution. Statistical Process Control (SPC) was performed to derive action levels for Exactrac based shifts after CBCT.

RESULTS

Based on repeated Winston-Lutz tests over a period of one year, the maximum deviation between radiation and imaging isocenters and Exactrac isocenter was 0.3mm and 0.3 deg over all couch angles. This number remained stable over the entire time period without necessitating any recalibration of Exactrac isocenter. Based on patient data for cranial cases, the mean and standard deviations for the largest shifts were (0.45 mm, 0.40 mm) for translations (range 0 - 2.03mm) and (0.44 deg and 0.32 deg) for rotations (range 0 - 2.21 degree). Using SPC, it was decided that the action level for translations and rotations could be set to 0.8mm and 0.5 deg respectively. Any deviation beyond this action level necessitates re-imaging to verify that the patient did not move in between the CBCT and Exactrac imaging acquisitions CONCLUSION: Exactrac system derived shifts show excellent agreement with CBCT. The isocentricity of the systems is maintained over a long period of time and shows no drift. Either system can be reliably used to set up cranial patients. With the added advantage of speed of acquisition, matching and shifts, the Exactrac system could replace CBCT for daily setup of patients undergoing cranial radiotherapy.

Azimuthal Correlations within Exclusive Dijets with Large Momentum Transfer in Photon-Lead Collisions

The structure of nucleons is multidimensional and depends on the transverse momenta, spatial geometry, and polarization of the constituent partons. Such a structure can be studied using high-energy photons produced in ultraperipheral heavy-ion collisions. The first measurement of the azimuthal angular correlations of exclusively produced events with two jets in photon-lead interactions at large momentum transfer is presented, a process that is considered to be sensitive to the underlying nuclear gluon polarization. This study uses a data sample of ultraperipheral lead-lead collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.38  nb^{-1}, collected with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measured second harmonic of the correlation between the sum and difference of the two jet transverse momentum vectors is found to be positive, and rising, as the dijet transverse momentum increases. A well-tuned model that has been successful at describing a wide range of proton scattering data from the HERA experiments fails to describe the observed correlations, suggesting the presence of gluon polarization effects.

Measurements of the associated production of a W boson and a charm quark in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 TeV

Measurements of the associated production of a W boson and a charm ( c ) quark in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV are reported. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 19.7 fb - 1 collected by the CMS detector at the LHC. The W bosons are identified through their leptonic decays to an electron or a muon, and a neutrino. Charm quark jets are selected using distinctive signatures of charm hadron decays. The product of the cross section and branching fraction σ ( pp → W + c + X ) B ( W → ℓ ν ) , where ℓ = e or μ , and the cross section ratio σ ( pp → W + + c ¯ + X ) / σ ( pp → W - + c + X ) are measured in a fiducial volume and differentially as functions of the pseudorapidity and of the transverse momentum of the lepton from the W boson decay. The results are compared with theoretical predictions. The impact of these measurements on the determination of the strange quark distribution is assessed.

Synthesis and characterization of an orally bioavailable small molecule agonist of the apelin receptor

The apelin receptor (APJ) is a target for cardiovascular indications. Previously, we had identified a novel pyrazole-based agonist 1 ((S)-N-(1-(cyclobutylamino)-1-oxo-5-(piperidin-1-yl)pentan-3-yl)-1-cyclopentyl-5-(2,6-dimethoxyphenyl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride) of this GPCR. Systematic modification of 1 was performed to produce compounds with improved potency and ADME properties. Orally bioavailable compound 47 with favorable agonist potency (Ca2+EC50 = 24 nM, cAMPi EC50 = 6.5 nM) and pharmacokinetic properties (clearance ∼20 mL/min/kg in rats) was identified. This compound has vastly reduced brain penetration and is devoid of significant off-target liability. In summary, a potent and selective APJ agonist suitable for in vivo studies of APJ in peripheral tissues after oral administration has been identified.

First Search for Exclusive Diphoton Production at High Mass with Tagged Protons in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for exclusive two-photon production via photon exchange in proton-proton collisions, pp→pγγp with intact protons, is presented. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 9.4  fb^{-1} collected in 2016 using the CMS and TOTEM detectors at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV at the LHC. Events are selected with a diphoton invariant mass above 350 GeV and with both protons intact in the final state, to reduce backgrounds from strong interactions. The events of interest are those where the invariant mass and rapidity calculated from the momentum losses of the forward-moving protons match the mass and rapidity of the central, two-photon system. No events are found that satisfy this condition. Interpreting this result in an effective dimension-8 extension of the standard model, the first limits are set on the two anomalous four-photon coupling parameters. If the other parameter is constrained to its standard model value, the limits at 95% confidence level are |ζ_{1}|<2.9×10^{-13}  GeV^{-4} and |ζ_{2}|<6.0×10^{-13}  GeV^{-4}.

POS0763 A MULTIMODAL MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING STUDY OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: A MACHINE LEARNING APPROACH

Background

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder that can affect the central nervous system. Cognitive dysfuncion is the most common neuropsyhiatric event in SLE patients, yet it is also one of the hardest to diagnose.

Objectives

To investigate if multimodal imaging to assess anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities in the brains of SLE patients can predict cognitive function.

Methods

Subjects underwent voxel-based morphometry (VBM), magnetization transfer imaging (MTI), and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) was used to assess cognitive function in this cross-sectional study and the primary measure was the total throughput score (TTS). TTS is the total of the throughput scores for each of the 8 ANAM subtests: (i) code substitution learning (CSL); (ii) code substitution immediate (CSI); (iii) code substitution delayed (CSD); (iv) spatial processing (SP); (v) matching to sample (MSP); (vi) running memory continuous performance test (CPT); (vii) mathematical processing (MTH) and (viii) memory search (MS). Olfactory assessment was done using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test. We used a machine learning-based model (i.e. GLMnet) to predict TTS. Subjects with active SLE disease or above 40 years old were excluded.

Results

Thirty SLE patients [26 female, 32.0 (26.8-37.0) years] without clinically overt neuropsychiatric manifestations and 10 healthy controls (HCs) [9 females, 27.0 (23.0-31.5) years] were enrolled in this study. Both groups had comparable cognitive and olfactory functions. No significant differences were observed in VBM, MTR, olfactory blub and tract (OBT) volume in SLE patients compared to HCs. We observed increased blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability parameters (Ktrans and PS) in several regions of SLE patients. DCE-MRI perfusion parameters such as perfusion (F) and vp but not permeability measures were associated with TTS. In particular, F right amygdala correlated with TTS in SLE patients (r = 0.636, FDR p < 0.05) (Table 1). Using GLMnet, we trained a multimodal MRI model comprising of VBM, MTR, DCE-MRI and OBT volume parameters to predict TTS in SLE patients (r = 0.998, p < 0.0005) (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Machine learning-based models to predict cognitive function.

Table 1.

Correlation between ANAM tests with perfusion (F) in SLE patients, ranked in descending order of statistical significance for TTS.

VariableTTSCSLCSICSDSPMSPCPTMTHMSF right amygdala0.636‡*0.520‡0.3370.437†0.559‡0.3230.633‡0.412†0.598‡F left entorhinal0.504‡0.422†0.3660.416†0.3050.1850.530‡0.1860.416†F left amygdale0.495‡0.400†0.1890.378†0.3300.2370.491‡0.376†0.449†F choroid0.469†0.384†0.2160.413†0.458†0.2020.456†0.3400.406†plexusF right rostal anterior cingulate0.453†0.3010.1180.2960.393†0.2140.547‡0.420†0.383†F right entorhinal0.448†0.368†0.2320.3120.376†0.1560.438†0.2710.407†F cerebellum white matter0.427†0.3580.2010.370†0.2730.0780.449†0.2900.297F left hippocampus0.427†0.3550.1340.390†0.3560.2030.511‡0.3360.332F brain stem0.407†0.2980.1380.2750.2940.1530.478‡0.3080.369†F right insula0.407†0.3080.0740.3000.3240.1760.437†0.3230.347F left parietal0.400†0.2630.0920.2540.2940.2240.487‡0.2740.332F ventricles0.396†0.3030.0830.3210.370†0.1920.477‡0.2860.361F right temporal0.395†0.2800.1130.2810.2880.1670.477‡0.3220.331F right hippocampus0.395†0.3070.0770.3250.3560.1900.486‡0.3570.339F right parietal0.376†0.2490.0820.2740.2830.1390.460†0.2550.311F right parahippocampal gyrus0.375†0.3530.1190.3020.3410.2410.3530.2080.273

† p < 0.05, ‡ p < 0.01, *FDR p < 0.05

Conclusion

These findings suggest that the BBB may be affected early in the course of cognitive dysfunction, even preceding detectable changes in other MRI sequences and machine learning algorithms can be used to predict TTS measures, even in asymptomatic SLE patients.

References

Nil.

Disclosure of Interests

Sen Hee Tay: None declared, Mary Stephenson: None declared, Nur Azizah Allameen: None declared, Sriram Narayanan: None declared, Bernett Lee: None declared, Anselm Mak Speakers bureau: JnJ Apr 2019 and GSK Jan 2022, Grant/research support from: GSK - The Supported Studies Programme

Search for low-mass dilepton resonances in Higgs boson decays to four-lepton final states in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search for low-mass dilepton resonances in Higgs boson decays is conducted in the four-lepton final state. The decay is assumed to proceed via a pair of beyond the standard model particles, or one such particle and a Z boson. The search uses proton-proton collision data collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb - 1 , at a center-of-mass energy s = 13 TeV . No significant deviation from the standard model expectation is observed. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set on model-independent Higgs boson decay branching fractions. Additionally, limits on dark photon and axion-like particle production, based on two specific models, are reported.

Advancing Chemical Separations: Unraveling the Structure and Dynamics of Phase Splitting in Liquid-Liquid Extraction

Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), the go-to process for a variety of chemical separations, is limited by spontaneous organic phase splitting upon sufficient solute loading, called third phase formation. In this study we explore the applicability of critical phenomena theory to gain insight into this deleterious phase behavior with the goal of improving separations efficiency and minimizing waste. A series of samples representative of rare earth purification were constructed to include each of one light and one heavy lanthanide (cerium and lutetium) paired with one of two common malonamide extractants (DMDOHEMA and DMDBTDMA). The resulting postextraction organic phases are chemically complex and often form rich hierarchical structures whose statics and dynamics near the critical point were probed herein with small-angle X-ray scattering and high-speed X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy. Despite their different extraction behaviors, all samples show remarkably similar critical behavior with exponents well described by classical critical point theory consistent with the 3D Ising model, where the critical behavior is characterized by fluctuations with a single diverging length scale. This unexpected result indicates a significant reduction in relevant chemical parameters at the critical point, indicating that the underlying behavior of phase transitions in LLE rely on far fewer variables than are generally assumed. The obtained scalar order parameter is attributed to the extractant fraction of the extractant/diluent mixture, revealing that other solution components and their respective concentrations simply shift the critical temperature but do not affect the nature of the critical fluctuations. These findings point to an opportunity to drastically simplify studies of liquid-liquid phase separation and phase diagram development in general while providing insights into LLE process improvement.

Using Z Boson Events to Study Parton-Medium Interactions in Pb-Pb Collisions

The spectra measurements of charged hadrons produced in the shower of a parton originating in the same hard scattering with a leptonically decaying Z boson are reported in lead-lead nuclei (Pb-Pb) and proton-proton (pp) collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. Both Pb-Pb and pp data sets are recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.7  nb^{-1} and 320  pb^{-1}, respectively. Hadronic collision data with one reconstructed Z boson candidate with the transverse momentum p_{T}>30  GeV/c are analyzed. The Z boson constrains the initial energy and direction of the associated parton. In heavy ion events, azimuthal angular distributions of charged hadrons with respect to the direction of a Z boson are sensitive to modifications of the in-medium parton shower and medium response. compared to reference data from pp interactions, the results for central Pb-Pb collisions indicate a modification of the angular correlations. The measurements of the fragmentation functions and p_{T} spectra of charged particles in Z boson events, which are sensitive to medium modifications of the parton shower longitudinal structure, are also reported. Significant modifications in central Pb-Pb events compared to the pp reference data are also found for these observables.

Search for strongly interacting massive particles generating trackless jets in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search for dark matter in the form of strongly interacting massive particles (SIMPs) using the CMS detector at the LHC is presented. The SIMPs would be produced in pairs that manifest themselves as pairs of jets without tracks. The energy fraction of jets carried by charged particles is used as a key discriminator to suppress efficiently the large multijet background, and the remaining background is estimated directly from data. The search is performed using proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 16.1 fb - 1 , collected with the CMS detector in 2016. No significant excess of events is observed above the expected background. For the simplified dark matter model under consideration, SIMPs with masses up to 100 GeV are excluded and further sensitivity is explored towards higher masses.

Evidence for X(3872) in Pb-Pb Collisions and Studies of its Prompt Production at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first evidence for X(3872) production in relativistic heavy ion collisions is reported. The X(3872) production is studied in lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV per nucleon pair, using the decay chain X(3872)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}→μ^{+}μ^{-}π^{+}π^{-}. The data were recorded with the CMS detector in 2018 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 1.7  nb^{-1}. The measurement is performed in the rapidity and transverse momentum ranges |y|<1.6 and 15<p_{T}<50  GeV/c. The significance of the inclusive X(3872) signal is 4.2 standard deviations. The prompt X(3872) to ψ2S yield ratio is found to be ρ^{Pb-Pb}=1.08±0.49(stat)±0.52(syst), to be compared with typical values of 0.1 for pp collisions. This result provides a unique experimental input to theoretical models of the X(3872) production mechanism, and of the nature of this exotic state.

Suboptimal uptake, retention, and adherence of daily oral PrEP among people with OUD receiving HCV treatment

Background

Daily oral preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine (FTC) prevents human immunodeficiency (HIV) among people who inject drugs (PWID). Despite rising HIV incidence and injection drug use (IDU), PrEP use remains low and there is limited research about uptake, adherence, and retention among PWID.

Methods

The ANCHOR investigation evaluated a community-based care model collocating hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, medication for opioid use disorder (OUD), and PrEP in individuals in Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland. PrEP counseling was conducted from HCV treatment day 0 until week 24. Subjects could start any time during this window, were followed for 48 weeks, and were assessed for adherence by self-report and dried blood spot TDF analysis.

Results

One hundred ninety-eight participants were enrolled, of whom 185 (93%) were HIV negative. Twenty-nine individuals (15.7% of HIV-negative cohort) initiated PrEP. One hundred sixteen participants (62.7%) met 2014 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) PrEP criteria due to IDU (82 [44.3%]), sex (9 [4.9%]), or both practices (25 [13.5%]). Providers recommended PrEP to 94 individuals (50.8%), and recommendation was associated with PrEP uptake. Median treatment duration was 104 days (interquartile range, 28–276 days), with 8 participants retained through week 48. Adherence was variable over time by self-report and declined by TDF analysis. No HIV seroconversions occurred.

Conclusions

This cohort of people with HCV and OUD experienced low uptake of PrEP despite the majority meeting CDC criteria. High rates of disruption and discontinuation, compounded by variable adherence, made TDF/FTC a suboptimal prevention strategy. Emerging modalities like long-acting formulations may address these barriers, but PWID have been excluded from their development to date.

Microbial fermentation of Fossence™, a short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide, under simulated human proximal colonic condition and assessment of its prebiotic effects-a pilot study

A short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide (sc-FOS) was tested in a simulator of the human gut microbial ecosystem (SHIME) in vitro model to quantify its prebiotic effects according to Prebiotic Index (PI) and Measure of prebiotic effect (MPE) equations. FossenceTM, (sc-FOS, 0.5%) was fermented in a simulated human proximal colonic condition, using a fecal inoculum from a healthy individual. We analysed the pH reduction, substrate utilization, lactate and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production and microbial community modulation. Microbial fermentation of sc-FOS strongly reduced the media pH indicating the production of lactate and SCFA with accumulation of lactate and enhanced levels of acetate (34.38 ± 0.38 mM), propionate (20.93 ± 0.56 mM) and butyrate (4.93 ± 0.03 mM) compared to 18.46 ± 0.20 mM, 6.24 ± 0.10 mM and 3.3 ± 0.06 mM in the blank, respectively. Total SCFA production in test media was 61.91 ± 0.87 mM compared to 33.65 ± 0.36 mM in blank and the contribution of free-sugars present in sc-FOS to SCFAs was negligible. Modulation of the microbial community was analysed through 16S rRNA sequencing and we found that sc-FOS greatly stimulated the beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. We report the PI and MPE values for FossenceTM, as 14.9 and 0.01 respectively at the end of 24 h, which is an indicator of a strong prebiotic effect.

1063 Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of ARDS in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Introduction

Many asymptomatic patients are diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection on screening, which might alter their expected course of illness. We wanted to study the incidence, risk factors, and ARDS outcomes in these patients admitted to our ITU.

Method

A review of all admissions (medical, surgical, and obstetric) to our ITU from May to October 2020 was done after institutional ethics approval. Age, gender, comorbidities, admission diagnosis, APACHE II score, and in-hospital course were studied. ARDS was defined as PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 mmHg (with PEEP or CPAP ≥ 5 cmH2O) in the absence of cardiac failure or fluid overload. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Services (SPSS) software Version 21.0 (Armonk, NY: IBM Corp).

Results

Of the 832 cases, 119 (14.3%) had SARS-CoV-2 infection. 41 of 119 (34.4%) cases developed ARDS. Among the comorbidities studied, only hypertension (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.2) seemed to increase ARDS odds. Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) had a higher incidence of ARDS when compared to the asymptomatic ones (P &lt; .05). Patients with sepsis (OR 5.8, 95% CI 2.4-13.7) and APACHE II score ≥10 (OR 5, 95% CI 2.0-12.3) had higher odds of developing ARDS. Age, gender, trauma, and recent surgery did not seem to increase the risk of ARDS.

Conclusions

Even though COVID-19 patients admitted with SARI and sepsis are at a higher risk of developing ARDS, further research will be needed to predict the extent to which SARS-CoV-2 infection will influence the course of their illness.

Morbidity, mortality, and emerging drug resistance in Device-associated infections (DAIs) in intensive care patients at a 1000-bedded tertiary care teaching hospital

Background

Device-associated infections (DAIs) such as ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP), central line-associated blood stream infection (CLABSI), and catheter-related urinary tract infection (CAUTI) are principal contributors to health hazard and a major preventable threat to patient safety. Robust surveillance of DAI delineates infections, pathogens, resistograms, and facilitates antimicrobial therapy, infection-control, antimicrobial stewardship, and improvement in quality of care.

Methods

This prospective outcome surveillance study was conducted amongst 2067 ICU patients in a 1000-bedded teaching hospital. Clinical, laboratory, and environmental surveillance, as well as screening of health care professionals (HCPs) were conducted using the modified US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-National Healthcare Safety Network definitions and methods. Morbidity, mortality, and health-care indices were analyzed and two-tier infection prevention and control was promulgated.

Results

Mean occupancy was 95.34% for 2061 patients of 7381 patients/bed/ICU days. One hundred seventeen episodes of DAI occurred in 1258 patients of 12,882 device-days with mean device utilization ratio of 1.79. Mean rate of DAI was 7.40 per 1000 device days. Multiresistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was most commonly followed by Acinetobacter. Mean all-cause mortality in ICU was 24.85%, whereas all-cause mortality after DAI was 9.79%. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevalence was 38.46% amongst health-care professionals.

Conclusion

Mean rates of VAP, CLABSI, and CAUTI were 20.69, 2.53, and 2.23 per 1000 device days comparable with Indian and global ICUs. Resolute conviction and sustained momentum in infection prevention and control is an essential step toward patient safety.

Measurements of angular distance and momentum ratio distributions in three-jet and Z + two-jet final states in pp collisions

Collinear (small-angle) and large-angle, as well as soft and hard radiations are investigated in three-jet and Z  + two-jet events collected in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. The normalized production cross sections are measured as a function of the ratio of transverse momenta of two jets and their angular separation. The measurements in the three-jet and Z  + two-jet events are based on data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.8 fb - 1 . The Z  + two-jet events are reconstructed in the dimuon decay channel of the Z  boson. The three-jet measurement is extended to include s = 13 TeV data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 fb - 1 . The results are compared to predictions from event generators that include parton showers, multiple parton interactions, and hadronization. The collinear and soft regions are in general well described by parton showers, whereas the regions of large angular separation are often best described by calculations using higher-order matrix elements.

Observation of Forward Neutron Multiplicity Dependence of Dimuon Acoplanarity in Ultraperipheral Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The first measurement of the dependence of γγ→μ^{+}μ^{-} production on the multiplicity of neutrons emitted very close to the beam direction in ultraperipheral heavy ion collisions is reported. Data for lead-lead interactions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, with an integrated luminosity of approximately 1.5  nb^{-1}, are collected using the CMS detector at the LHC. The azimuthal correlations between the two muons in the invariant mass region 8<m_{μμ}<60  GeV are extracted for events including 0, 1, or at least 2 neutrons detected in the forward pseudorapidity range |η|>8.3. The back-to-back correlation structure from leading-order photon-photon scattering is found to be significantly broader for events with a larger number of emitted neutrons from each nucleus, corresponding to interactions with a smaller impact parameter. This observation provides a data-driven demonstration that the average transverse momentum of photons emitted from relativistic heavy ions has an impact parameter dependence. These results provide new constraints on models of photon-induced interactions in ultraperipheral collisions. They also provide a baseline to search for possible final-state effects on lepton pairs caused by traversing a quark-gluon plasma produced in hadronic heavy ion collisions.

Constraints on the Initial State of Pb-Pb Collisions via Measurements of Z-Boson Yields and Azimuthal Anisotropy at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The CMS experiment at the LHC has measured the differential cross sections of Z bosons decaying to pairs of leptons, as functions of transverse momentum and rapidity, in lead-lead collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02  TeV. The measured Z boson elliptic azimuthal anisotropy coefficient is compatible with zero, showing that Z bosons do not experience significant final-state interactions in the medium produced in the collision. Yields of Z bosons are compared to Glauber model predictions and are found to deviate from these expectations in peripheral collisions, indicating the presence of initial collision geometry and centrality selection effects. The precision of the measurement allows, for the first time, for a data-driven determination of the nucleon-nucleon integrated luminosity as a function of lead-lead centrality, thereby eliminating the need for its estimation based on a Glauber model.

Spatially-resolved nanometer-scale measurement of cartilage extracellular matrix mobility

OBJECTIVE

Tissues have complex structures, comprised of solid and fluid phases. Improved understanding of interactions between joint fluid and extracellular matrix (ECM) is required in models of cartilage mechanics. X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) directly measures nanometer-scale dynamics and can provide insight into biofluid-biosolid interactions in cartilage. This study applies XPCS to evaluate dynamic interactions between intact cartilage and biofluids.

DESIGN

Cartilage biopsies were collected from bovine femoral condyles. During XPCS measurements, cartilage samples were exposed to different fluids: deionized water, PBS, synovial fluid, or sonicated synovial fluid. ECM-biofluid interactions were also assessed at different length scales and different depths from the cartilage surface.

RESULTS

Using XPCS, cartilage ECM mobility was detected at length scales from 50 to 207 nm. As length scale decreased, time scale for autocorrelation decay decreased, suggesting smaller ECM components are more mobile. ECM dynamics were slowed by dehydrating the sample, demonstrating XPCS assesses matrix mobility in hydrated environments. At all length scales, the matrix was more mobile in deionized water and slowest in synovial fluid. Using the 207 nm length scale assessment, ECM dynamics in synovial fluid were fastest at the cartilage surface and progressively slowed as depth into the sample increased, demonstrating XPCS can assess spatial distribution of ECM dynamics. Finally, ECM mobility increased for degraded synovial fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates the potential of XPCS to provide unique insights into nanometer-scale cartilage ECM mobility in a spatially resolved manner and illustrates the importance of biosolid-biofluid interactions in dictating ECM dynamics.

Search for a heavy vector resonance decaying to a Z boson and a Higgs boson in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te

A search is presented for a heavy vector resonance decaying into a Z boson and the standard model Higgs boson, where the Z boson is identified through its leptonic decays to electrons, muons, or neutrinos, and the Higgs boson is identified through its hadronic decays. The search is performed in a Lorentz-boosted regime and is based on data collected from 2016 to 2018 at the CERN LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137fb - 1 . Upper limits are derived on the production of a narrow heavy resonanceZ ' , and a mass below 3.5 and 3.7Te is excluded at 95% confidence level in models where the heavy vector boson couples predominantly to fermions and to bosons, respectively. These are the most stringent limits placed on the Heavy Vector TripletZ ' model to date. If the heavy vector boson couples exclusively to standard model bosons, upper limits on the product of the cross section and branching fraction are set between 23 and 0.3fb for aZ ' mass between 0.8 and 4.6Te , respectively. This is the first limit set on a heavy vector boson coupling exclusively to standard model bosons in its production and decay.

MUSiC: a model-unspecific search for new physics in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

Results of the Model Unspecific Search in CMS (MUSiC), using proton-proton collision data recorded at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 , are presented. The MUSiC analysis searches for anomalies that could be signatures of physics beyond the standard model. The analysis is based on the comparison of observed data with the standard model prediction, as determined from simulation, in several hundred final states and multiple kinematic distributions. Events containing at least one electron or muon are classified based on their final state topology, and an automated search algorithm surveys the observed data for deviations from the prediction. The sensitivity of the search is validated using multiple methods. No significant deviations from the predictions have been observed. For a wide range of final state topologies, agreement is found between the data and the standard model simulation. This analysis complements dedicated search analyses by significantly expanding the range of final states covered using a model independent approach with the largest data set to date to probe phase space regions beyond the reach of previous general searches.

Perceived stress, resilience, well-being, and COVID 19 response in Isha yoga practitioners compared to matched controls: A research protocol

Objectives

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant stressor worldwide and reports of psychological distress, depression, sedentary lifestyles, and overall decreased wellbeing are increasing. Yoga practices have been found to improve mental and physical health. The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to compare Isha yoga practitioners to controls on perceived stress, resilience, wellbeing, and protection and recovery from COVID-19. Trial Design. In this prospective randomized control trial, the effects of yoga practices are being compared between seasoned yoga practitioners with two controls who are age (±3 years), gender matched, and living in the same neighborhood.

Methods

Participants will be asked to complete a series of web-based surveys at baseline, six weeks, and 12 weeks. These surveys include validated scales and objective questions on COVID-19 infection and medical history. The validated questionnaires assess stress, mood states, resilience, and overall wellbeing. Questionnaires, weekly activity diaries, and medical history, will be collected using REDCap.

Results

We hypothesize that routine yoga practice during the COVID-19 pandemic will reduce stress, enhance well-being, and provide protective effects against COVID-19.

Conclusion

With the growing concern about the physical and mental impacts of COVID-19 and increased interest in alternative practices such as yogic practices, this study will contribute to the growing body of evidence about the safety and efficacy of yoga for emotional, mental, and physical health conditions.

Measurement of the Higgs boson production rate in association with top quarks in final states with electrons, muons, and hadronically decaying tau leptons at s = 13 TeV

The rate for Higgs ( H ) bosons production in association with either one ( t H ) or two ( t t ¯ H ) top quarks is measured in final states containing multiple electrons, muons, or tau leptons decaying to hadrons and a neutrino, using proton-proton collisions recorded at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV by the CMS experiment. The analyzed data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 137fb - 1 . The analysis is aimed at events that contain H → W W , H → τ τ , or H → Z Z decays and each of the top quark(s) decays either to lepton+jets or all-jet channels. Sensitivity to signal is maximized by including ten signatures in the analysis, depending on the lepton multiplicity. The separation among t H , t t ¯ H , and the backgrounds is enhanced through machine-learning techniques and matrix-element methods. The measured production rates for the t t ¯ H and t H signals correspond to 0.92 ± 0.19 (stat) - 0.13 + 0.17 (syst) and 5.7 ± 2.7 (stat) ± 3.0 (syst) of their respective standard model (SM) expectations. The corresponding observed (expected) significance amounts to 4.7 (5.2) standard deviations for t t ¯ H , and to 1.4 (0.3) for t H production. Assuming that the Higgs boson coupling to the tau lepton is equal in strength to its expectation in the SM, the coupling y t of the Higgs boson to the top quark divided by its SM expectation,κ t = y t / y t SM , is constrained to be within - 0.9 < κ t < - 0.7 or 0.7 < κ t < 1.1 , at 95% confidence level. This result is the most sensitive measurement of the t t ¯ H production rate to date.

Development and validation of HERWIG 7 tunes from CMS underlying-event measurements

This paper presents new sets of parameters ("tunes") for the underlying-event model of the H E R W I G 7 event generator. These parameters control the description of multiple-parton interactions (MPI) and colour reconnection in H E R W I G 7 , and are obtained from a fit to minimum-bias data collected by the CMS experiment at s = 0.9 , 7, and 13 Te . The tunes are based on the NNPDF 3.1 next-to-next-to-leading-order parton distribution function (PDF) set for the parton shower, and either a leading-order or next-to-next-to-leading-order PDF set for the simulation of MPI and the beam remnants. Predictions utilizing the tunes are produced for event shape observables in electron-positron collisions, and for minimum-bias, inclusive jet, top quark pair, and Z and W boson events in proton-proton collisions, and are compared with data. Each of the new tunes describes the data at a reasonable level, and the tunes using a leading-order PDF for the simulation of MPI provide the best description of the data.

Mental health outcomes among early-entrance to college students: A cross-sectional study of an emerging educational system in the united states

Introduction

In the United States, students who attend early-entrance to college programs (EECP) undergo a unique, accelerated educational path. Many of these programs require students to forego their final years of high school to take dual-enrollment classes while residing on a college campus. While previous literature has documented mental health outcomes among traditional college and high school student populations, there is scarce literature on the mental health among this hybrid population in the United States.

Objectives

Investigate anxiety and depression among students enrolled in EECPs in the United States.

Methods

Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 item (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-8 item (PHQ-8) were asked in 3 sets for how students felt before, during, and after their attendance in their EECP.

Results

66 alumni students who graduated from an EECP were surveyed after giving informed consent. GAD-7 average scores before the students attended was 4.83 (median = 4, “mild anxiety”), during attendance was to 11.5 (median = 12, “moderately-severe anxiety”), and currently was 6.95 (median = 6, “moderate anxiety”). PHQ-8 scores for depression before attending were 5.1 (median = 4, “mild to potentially moderate depression”, during the program 10.9 (median 11.5, “moderately severe depression”), and current PHQ-8 was 16 (median = 16, “severe depression”).

Conclusions

Anxiety and depression seem to have a presence in this student population, compared to traditional college student populations, but different compared to international cohorts. Academic rigor was a notable driving force of these outcomes, differing from the literature on traditional college student populations.

Pyrazole Agonist of the Apelin Receptor Improves Symptoms of Metabolic Syndrome in Mice

Apelin receptor agonism improves symptoms of metabolic syndrome. However, endogenous apelin peptides have short half-lives, making their utility as potential drugs limited. Previously, we had identified a novel pyrazole-based agonist scaffold. Systematic modification of this scaffold was performed to produce compounds with improved ADME properties. Compound 13 with favorable agonist potency (cAMPi EC₅₀ = 162 nM), human liver microsome stability (T_1/2 = 62 min), and pharmacokinetic profile in rodents was identified. The compound was tested in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity (DIO) and metabolic syndrome for efficacy. Treatment with 13 led to significant weight loss, hypophagia, improved glucose utilization, reduced liver steatosis, and improvement of disease-associated biomarkers. In conclusion, a small-molecule agonist of the apelin receptor has been identified that is suitable for in vivo investigation of the apelinergic system in DIO and perhaps other diseases where this receptor has been implicated to play a role.

Measurements of p p → Z Z production cross sections and constraints on anomalous triple gauge couplings at s = 13 TeV

The production of Z boson pairs in proton-proton ( p p ) collisions, p p → ( Z / γ ∗ ) ( Z / γ ∗ ) → 2 ℓ 2 ℓ ' , where ℓ , ℓ ' = e or μ , is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 137fb - 1 , collected during 2016-2018. The Z Z production cross section,σ tot ( p p → Z Z ) = 17.4 ± 0.3 (stat) ± 0.5 (syst) ± 0.4 (theo) ± 0.3 (lumi) pb , measured for events with two pairs of opposite-sign, same-flavor leptons produced in the mass region 60 < m ℓ + ℓ - < 120 GeV is consistent with standard model predictions. Differential cross sections are also measured and agree with theoretical predictions. The invariant mass distribution of the four-lepton system is used to set limits on anomalous Z Z Z and Z Z γ couplings.

Search for dark matter produced in association with a leptonically decaying Z boson in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te

A search for dark matter particles is performed using events with a Z boson candidate and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13Te , collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137fb - 1 . The search uses the decay channels Z → e e and Z → μ μ . No significant excess of events is observed over the background expected from the standard model. Limits are set on dark matter particle production in the context of simplified models with vector, axial-vector, scalar, and pseudoscalar mediators, as well as on a two-Higgs-doublet model with an additional pseudoscalar mediator. In addition, limits are provided for spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering cross sections and are compared to those from direct-detection experiments. The results are also interpreted in the context of models of invisible Higgs boson decays, unparticles, and large extra dimensions.

Search for dark matter produced in association with a leptonically decaying Z boson in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te

A search for dark matter particles is performed using events with a Z boson candidate and large missing transverse momentum. The analysis is based on proton-proton collision data at a center-of-mass energy of 13Te , collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC in 2016-2018, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137fb - 1 . The search uses the decay channels Z → e e and Z → μ μ . No significant excess of events is observed over the background expected from the standard model. Limits are set on dark matter particle production in the context of simplified models with vector, axial-vector, scalar, and pseudoscalar mediators, as well as on a two-Higgs-doublet model with an additional pseudoscalar mediator. In addition, limits are provided for spin-dependent and spin-independent scattering cross sections and are compared to those from direct-detection experiments. The results are also interpreted in the context of models of invisible Higgs boson decays, unparticles, and large extra dimensions.

Search for top squark pair production using dilepton final states in pp collision data collected at s = 13 TeV

A search is presented for supersymmetric partners of the top quark (top squarks) in final states with two oppositely charged leptons (electrons or muons), jets identified as originating from b quarks, and missing transverse momentum. The search uses data from proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV collected with the CMS detector, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137 fb - 1 . Hypothetical signal events are efficiently separated from the dominant top quark pair production background with requirements on the significance of the missing transverse momentum and on transverse mass variables. No significant deviation is observed from the expected background. Exclusion limits are set in the context of simplified supersymmetric models with pair-produced lightest top squarks. For top squarks decaying exclusively to a top quark and a lightest neutralino, lower limits are placed at 95 % confidence level on the masses of the top squark and the neutralino up to 925 and 450 GeV , respectively. If the decay proceeds via an intermediate chargino, the corresponding lower limits on the mass of the lightest top squark are set up to 850 GeV for neutralino masses below 420 GeV . For top squarks undergoing a cascade decay through charginos and sleptons, the mass limits reach up to 1.4 TeV and 900 GeV respectively for the top squark and the lightest neutralino.

Recent advances in the synthesis and applications of mordenite zeolite - review

Among the many industrially important zeolites, mordenite is found to be interesting because of its unique and exceptional physical and chemical properties. Mordenite (high silica zeolite) is generally prepared by the hydrothermal method using TEA+ cations. TEA+ cations are the best templating agent, though they can create a number of issues, for instance, generating poison and high manufacturing cost, wastewater contamination, and environmental pollution. Hence, it is necessary to find a mordenite synthesis method without using an organic template or low-cost template. In this review, a number of unique sources were used in the preparation of mordenite zeolite, for instance, silica sources (rice husk ash, silica gel, silica fumes), alumina sources (metakaolin, faujasite zeolite) and sources containing both silica and alumina (waste coal fly ash). These synthesis approaches are also based on the absence of a template or low-cost mixed organic templates (for instance, glycerol (GL), ethylene glycol (EG), and polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG)) or pyrrolidine-based mesoporogen (N-cetyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium) modifying the mordenite framework which can create unique properties. The framework properties and optical properties (indium-exchanged mordenite zeolite) have been discussed. Mordenite is generally used in alkylation, dewaxing, reforming, hydrocracking, catalysis, separation, and purification reactions because of its large pore size, strong acidity, and high thermal and chemical stability, although the applications are not limited for mordenite zeolite. Recently, several applications such as electrochemical detection, isomerization, carbonylation, hydrodeoxygenation, adsorption, biomass conversion, biological applications (antibacterial activity), photocatalysis, fuel cells and polymerization reactions using mordenite zeolite were explored which have been described in detail in this review.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processesp p → p X andp p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, whereX includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions ats = 8 Te during a dedicated run withβ ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 ,0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentump T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Measurement of single-diffractive dijet production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te with the CMS and TOTEM experiments

Measurements are presented of the single-diffractive dijet cross section and the diffractive cross section as a function of the proton fractional momentum loss ξ and the four-momentum transfer squared t. Both processes p p → p X and p p → X p , i.e. with the proton scattering to either side of the interaction point, are measured, where X includes at least two jets; the results of the two processes are averaged. The analyses are based on data collected simultaneously with the CMS and TOTEM detectors at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 Te during a dedicated run with β ∗ = 90 m at low instantaneous luminosity and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 37.5 nb - 1 . The single-diffractive dijet cross section σ jj p X , in the kinematic region ξ < 0.1 , 0.03 < | t | < 1 Ge 2 , with at least two jets with transverse momentum p T > 40 Ge , and pseudorapidity | η | < 4.4 , is 21.7 ± 0.9 (stat) - 3.3 + 3.0 (syst) ± 0.9 (lumi) nb . The ratio of the single-diffractive to inclusive dijet yields, normalised per unit of ξ , is presented as a function of x, the longitudinal momentum fraction of the proton carried by the struck parton. The ratio in the kinematic region defined above, for x values in the range - 2.9 ≤ log 10 x ≤ - 1.6 , is R = ( σ jj p X / Δ ξ ) / σ jj = 0.025 ± 0.001 (stat) ± 0.003 (syst) , where σ jj p X and σ jj are the single-diffractive and inclusive dijet cross sections, respectively. The results are compared with predictions from models of diffractive and nondiffractive interactions. Monte Carlo predictions based on the HERA diffractive parton distribution functions agree well with the data when corrected for the effect of soft rescattering between the spectator partons.

Evidence for Top Quark Production in Nucleus-Nucleus Collisions

Ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions recreate in the laboratory the thermodynamical conditions prevailing in the early universe up to 10^{-6}  sec, thereby allowing the study of the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), a state of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) matter with deconfined partons. The top quark, the heaviest elementary particle known, is accessible in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the CERN LHC, and constitutes a novel probe of the QGP. Here, we report the first evidence for the production of top quarks in nucleus-nucleus collisions, using lead-lead collision data at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV recorded by the CMS experiment. Two methods are used to measure the cross section for top quark pair production (σ_{tt[over ¯]}) via the selection of charged leptons (electrons or muons) and bottom quarks. One method relies on the leptonic information alone, and the second one exploits, in addition, the presence of bottom quarks. The measured cross sections, σ_{tt[over ¯]}=2.54_{-0.74}^{+0.84} and 2.03_{-0.64}^{+0.71}  μb, respectively, are compatible with expectations from scaled proton-proton data and QCD predictions.

A Deep Neural Network for Simultaneous Estimation of b Jet Energy and Resolution

We describe a method to obtain point and dispersion estimates for the energies of jets arising from b quarks produced in proton-proton collisions at an energy ofs = 13 TeV at the CERN LHC. The algorithm is trained on a large sample of simulated b jets and validated on data recorded by the CMS detector in 2017 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 41fb - 1 . A multivariate regression algorithm based on a deep feed-forward neural network employs jet composition and shape information, and the properties of reconstructed secondary vertices associated with the jet. The results of the algorithm are used to improve the sensitivity of analyses that make use of b jets in the final state, such as the observation of Higgs boson decay to b b ¯ .

Observation of the B_{s}^{0}→X(3872)ϕ Decay

Using a data sample of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 140  fb^{-1} collected by the CMS experiment in 2016-2018, the B_{s}^{0}→X(3872)ϕ decay is observed. Decays into J/ψπ^{+}π^{-} and K^{+}K^{-} are used to reconstruct, respectively, the X(3872) and ϕ. The ratio of the product of branching fractions B[B_{s}^{0}→X(3872)ϕ]B[X(3872)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}] to the product B[B_{s}^{0}→ψ(2S)ϕ]B[ψ(2S)→J/ψπ^{+}π^{-}] is measured to be [2.21±0.29(stat)±0.17(syst)]%. The ratio B[B_{s}^{0}→X(3872)ϕ]/B[B^{0}→X(3872)K^{0}] is found to be consistent with one, while the ratio B[B_{s}^{0}→X(3872)ϕ]/B[B^{+}→X(3872)K^{+}] is two times smaller. This suggests a difference in the production dynamics of the X(3872) in B^{0} and B_{s}^{0} meson decays compared to B^{+}. The reported observation may shed new light on the nature of the X(3872) particle.

Observation of the Production of Three Massive Gauge Bosons at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first observation is reported of the combined production of three massive gauge bosons (VVV with V=W, Z) in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The analysis is based on a data sample recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 137  fb^{-1}. The searches for individual WWW, WWZ, WZZ, and ZZZ production are performed in final states with three, four, five, and six leptons (electrons or muons), or with two same-sign leptons plus one or two jets. The observed (expected) significance of the combined VVV production signal is 5.7 (5.9) standard deviations and the corresponding measured cross section relative to the standard model prediction is 1.02_{-0.23}^{+0.26}. The significances of the individual WWW and WWZ production are 3.3 and 3.4 standard deviations, respectively. Measured production cross sections for the individual triboson processes are also reported.

Nanoscale Critical Phenomena in a Complex Fluid Studied by X-Ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy

The advent of high-speed x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy now allows the study of critical phenomena in fluids to much smaller length scales and over a wider range of temperatures than is possible with dynamic light scattering. We present an x-ray photon correlation spectroscopy study of critical fluctuation dynamics in a complex fluid typical of those used in liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) of ions, dodecane-DMDBTDMA with extracted aqueous Ce(NO_{3})_{3}. We observe good agreement with both static and dynamic scaling without the need for significant noncritical background corrections. Critical exponents agree with 3D Ising values, and the fluctuation dynamics are described by simple exponential relaxation. The form of the dynamic master curve deviates somewhat from the Kawasaki result, with a more abrupt transition between the critical and noncritical asymptotic behavior. The concepts of critical phenomena thus provide a quantitative framework for understanding the structure and dynamics of LLE systems and a path forward to new LLE processes.