Search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson to a pair of pseudoscalars in the μμbb and ττbb final states

A search for exotic decays of the Higgs boson (H ) with a mass of 125Ge V to a pair of light pseudoscalars a 1 is performed in final states where one pseudoscalar decays to two b quarks and the other to a pair of muons or τ leptons. A data sample of proton-proton collisions at s = 13 Te V corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138fb - 1 recorded with the CMS detector is analyzed. No statistically significant excess is observed over the standard model backgrounds. Upper limits are set at 95% confidence level (CL ) on the Higgs boson branching fraction to μ μ b b and to τ τ b b , via a pair of a 1 s. The limits depend on the pseudoscalar mass m a 1 and are observed to be in the range (0.17-3.3) × 10 - 4 and (1.7-7.7) × 10 - 2 in the μ μ b b and τ τ b b final states, respectively. In the framework of models with two Higgs doublets and a complex scalar singlet (2HDM+S), the results of the two final states are combined to determine upper limits on the branching fraction B ( H → a 1 a 1 → ℓ ℓ b b ) at 95% CL , with ℓ being a muon or a τ lepton. For different types of 2HDM+S, upper bounds on the branching fraction B ( H → a 1 a 1 ) are extracted from the combination of the two channels. In most of the Type II 2HDM+S parameter space, B ( H → a 1 a 1 ) values above 0.23 are excluded at 95% CL for m a 1 values between 15 and 60Ge V .

Challenges for room temperature operation of electrically pumped GeSn lasers

Recent demonstrations of room-temperature lasing in optically pumped GeSn show promise for future CMOS compatible lasers for Si-photonics applications. However, challenges remain for electrically pumped devices. Investigation of the processes that limit device performance is therefore vital in aiding the production of future commercial devices. In this work, a combined experimental and modelling approach is utilised to explore the dominant loss processes in current devices. By manipulating the band structure of functioning devices using high hydrostatic pressure techniques at low temperature, the dominant carrier recombination pathways are identified. This reveals that 93± 5% of the threshold current is attributable to defect-related recombination at a temperature, T = 85 K. Furthermore, carrier occupation of L-valley states (carrier leakage) is responsible for 1.1± 0.3% of the threshold current, but this sharply increases to 50% with a decrease of just 30 meV in the L- Γ separation energy. This indicates that thermal broadening of a similar order may reproduce these adverse effects, limiting device performance at higher temperatures. Temperature dependent calculations show that carrier occupation of indirect valley L-states strongly affects the transparency carrier density and is therefore very sensitive to the Sn composition, leading to an effective operational temperature range for given Sn compositions and strain values. Recommendations for future device designs are proposed based on band structure and growth optimisations.

Emergence of Long-Range Angular Correlations in Low-Multiplicity Proton-Proton Collisions

This Letter presents the measurement of near-side associated per-trigger yields, denoted ridge yields, from the analysis of angular correlations of charged hadrons in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV. Long-range ridge yields are extracted for pairs of charged particles with a pseudorapidity difference of 1.4<|Δη|<1.8 and a transverse momentum of 1 Collapse

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First Measurement of the |t| Dependence of Incoherent J/ψ Photonuclear Production

The first measurement of the cross section for incoherent photonuclear production of J/ψ vector mesons as a function of the Mandelstam |t| variable is presented. The measurement was carried out with the ALICE detector at midrapidity, |y|<0.8, using ultraperipheral collisions of Pb nuclei at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. This rapidity interval corresponds to a Bjorken-x range (0.3-1.4)×10^{-3}. Cross sections are given in five |t| intervals in the range 0.04<|t|<1  GeV^{2} and compared to the predictions by different models. Models that ignore quantum fluctuations of the gluon density in the colliding hadron predict a |t| dependence of the cross section much steeper than in data. The inclusion of such fluctuations in the same models provides a better description of the data.

Observation of WWγ Production and Search for Hγ Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The observation of WWγ production in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1} is presented. The observed (expected) significance is 5.6 (5.1) standard deviations. Events are selected by requiring exactly two leptons (one electron and one muon) of opposite charge, moderate missing transverse momentum, and a photon. The measured fiducial cross section for WWγ is 5.9±0.8(stat)±0.8(syst)±0.7(modeling)  fb, in agreement with the next-to-leading order quantum chromodynamics prediction. The analysis is extended with a search for the associated production of the Higgs boson and a photon, which is generated by a coupling of the Higgs boson to light quarks. The result is used to constrain the Higgs boson couplings to light quarks.

Erratum: Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets [Phys. Rev. Lett. 131, 042301 (2023)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.042301.

Search for Scalar Leptoquarks Produced via τ-Lepton-Quark Scattering in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The first search for scalar leptoquarks produced in τ-lepton-quark collisions is presented. It is based on a set of proton-proton collision data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. The reconstructed final state consists of a jet, significant missing transverse momentum, and a τ lepton reconstructed through its hadronic or leptonic decays. Limits are set on the product of the leptoquark production cross section and branching fraction and interpreted as exclusions in the plane of the leptoquark mass and the leptoquark-τ-quark coupling strength.

ψ(2S) Suppression in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

The production of the ψ(2S) charmonium state was measured with ALICE in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV, in the dimuon decay channel. A significant signal was observed for the first time at LHC energies down to zero transverse momentum, at forward rapidity (2.5 Collapse

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Health Care Innovation for Low-Resource Settings: The Value of Local Immersion and Partnership

Health Care Innovation is the creation, development, and translation of new and better solutions to health care challenges. At its core, this endeavor does not require extending the frontiers of science or the creation of new fundamental technologies. Rather, it is primarily focused on the use of existing science and established technologies in the design of new solutions to problems in health care. Successfully innovating for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) requires a needs and stakeholder-driven approach to enable development and adoption of available, accessible, and acceptable solutions tailored to the specific need and context of care.

Measurements of Groomed-Jet Substructure of Charm Jets Tagged by D^{0} Mesons in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

Understanding the role of parton mass and Casimir color factors in the quantum chromodynamics parton shower represents an important step in characterizing the emission properties of heavy quarks. Recent experimental advances in jet substructure techniques have provided the opportunity to isolate and characterize gluon emissions from heavy quarks. In this Letter, the first direct experimental constraint on the charm-quark splitting function is presented, obtained via the measurement of the groomed shared momentum fraction of the first splitting in charm jets, tagged by a reconstructed D^{0} meson. The measurement is made in proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, in the low jet transverse-momentum interval of 15≤p_{T}^{jet ch}<30  GeV/c where the emission properties are sensitive to parton mass effects. In addition, the opening angle of the first perturbative emission of the charm quark, as well as the number of perturbative emissions it undergoes, is reported. Comparisons to measurements of an inclusive-jet sample show a steeper splitting function for charm quarks compared with gluons and light quarks. Charm quarks also undergo fewer perturbative emissions in the parton shower, with a reduced probability of large-angle emissions.

Radiation Therapy Sensitizes Head-and-Neck Cancer Cells to Killing by Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-NK Cells Targeting CD70

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

CAR-T cell therapy is limited by toxicity, high cost, logistical manufacturing issues in the autologous setting and risk of GVHD in the allogeneic setting. Substitution of T cells with NK cells opens the possibility for an allogeneic off-the-shelf product with a better safety profile. However, the inadequate efficacy of CAR-NK cells against solid tumors can be extrapolated from experience with CAR-T cells. There is limited but promising preclinical evidence that radiation therapy (RT) enhances CAR-T cell tumoricidal activity against solid tumors. However, there is no data examining the potential synergy between RT and CAR-NK cell therapy.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We engineered CAR-NK cells with CD27 receptor as extracellular domain to target its natural ligand CD70, which is overexpressed in head-and-neck cancers (HNSCC). CAR-NK cell killing was assessed real-time through xCELLigence cytotoxicity assays. CD70+ OQ01 human HNSCCs were used for most experiments. FaDu is a CD70- HNSCC (negative ctrl). UMRC3 is a CD70+ kidney cancer cell line (positive ctrl). CD70 expression pre- and post-RT was assessed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Ionizing RT was compared at 5 doses: 0, 1.75, 3.5, 7, and 14 Gy. A single dose of 3.5 Gy was used for most experiments. Post-radiation effects were generally assessed at 3 days or 9 days post-RT. Intracellular staining was used to assess NK cell expression of IFN-γ, CD107a, and TNF-α by flow cytometry. CD27/CD70 interaction blockade was through α-CD27 pre-treatment of CAR-NK cells.

RESULTS

OQ01 HNSCCs heterogeneously express CD70 and are killed by CD70 CAR-NK cells in vitro. Pre-conditioning low-dose RT of 3.5 Gy applied to OQ01 HNSCCs 3 days prior to coculture with NK cells enhances CD70 CAR-NK cell killing, with ∼30% increased cytotoxicity against the tumor cells. Low-dose RT by itself did not induce acute cytolysis. As a possible mechanism for the increased sensitivity of irradiated OQ01 cells to CD70 CAR-NK cells, we found that RT enhances CD70 expression among HNSCCs in a dose-dependent manner. There was no increase in NK cell expression of IFN-γ, CD107a, and TNF-α with exposure to irradiated target cells. CD27/CD70 blockade does not solely abrogate RT-induced sensitization toward CAR-NK cell killing. Despite RT induction of transient increased expression of CD70, which normalizes by 9 days post-RT, there is persistent increase in RT-synergized target cell killing even at this later timepoint. Thus, altogether, RT sensitizes CD70-expressing HNSCC cells to CAR-NK cell killing in vitro.

CONCLUSION

This work represents the first preclinical study to identify the synergy of RT and CAR-NK cell therapy in solid tumors and is the first demonstration of CAR-NK cell activity against human HNSCCs. We show significantly enhanced potency of CAR-NK cells against irradiated tumor cells in vitro. Collectively, this research will be vital to guide efforts expanding into other target antigens and tumor types.

Impact of Consolidative Radiation on Overall and Progression Free Survival in Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Metastatic Sarcoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To determine the association between consolidative radiation and survival in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult (AYA) metastatic sarcoma MATERIALS/METHODS: Eligible patients included those diagnosed with metastatic bone or soft tissue sarcoma at ≤39 years of age. Patients whose cancer progressed prior to the time of local control were excluded. Consolidative radiation (RT) was defined as RT to all sites of metastatic disease. Kaplan Meier method was used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional hazards was used to account for confounding variables. To adjust for immortal time bias (ITB), end of local control was chosen as a landmark time.

RESULTS

Patients (n = 77) had a median age at diagnosis of 14.5 years (range: 1.7-29.7 years). The most common histology was Ewing sarcoma (49%), followed by rhabdomyosarcoma (30%). Median follow up was 28.5 months, without significant difference between patients treated with and without consolidative RT (23.7 vs. 21.5 months, p = 0.270). Median time to completion of consolidative RT from diagnosis was 8.5 months. Ewing sarcoma was more likely to be treated with consolidative RT compared to other histologies (p<0.001). Consolidative RT was associated with improved OS (2yr OS: 81.9% vs. 57.9%, p = 0.009) and PFS (2yr PFS: 71.2% vs. 30%, p = 0.001). On multivariate analysis, after accounting for age, histology, number, and type of metastases (lung, bone or other), consolidative RT remained independently associated with improved OS (hazard ratio (HR):0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.17, 0.78, p = 0.010) and improved PFS (HR = 0.34, 95% CI = 0.16, 0.73, p = 0.006). The OS benefit for consolidative RT persisted after adjusting for ITB (1yr OS post-local control: 80.9% vs. 89.7%, p = 0.016). The effect of consolidative RT was validated in a dataset consisting of patients who were diagnosed with localized disease but had metastatic progression (n = 30). In this metachronous population, consolidative RT remained independently associated with improved OS (HR = 0.11, 95% CI = 0.03, 0.51, p = 0.004) after accounting for age.

CONCLUSION

ConsolidativeRT was independently associated with improved OS and PFS in pediatric and AYA patients with metastatic sarcoma at diagnosis. The OS benefit extended to those who underwent consolidative RT for metastatic progression. Future work should evaluate biomarkers to optimize patient selection and timing and dose of consolidative RT.

Patterns of Failure in Pediatric and Young Adult Rhabdomyosarcoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

To characterize patterns of failure in pediatric and young adult patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) from a single institution with over 20 years of experience.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients diagnosed with RMS from 2000 to 2022 were identified retrospectively. Time to failure was calculated from diagnosis. Local only failure was defined as first failure at the primary site without distant failure. Distant failure was defined as first failure outside of the primary site with or without local failure. Cumulative incidence (CI) of failure was calculated using death as a competing risk. Fine-Gray regression was used to evaluate impact of prognostic factors.

RESULTS

Ninety-five patients were eligible. Median age was 7.28 years (range 0 - 35 years), 41% of patients were >10 years old. Median follow up was 33.3 months. Approximately half (n = 47, 49.5%) of the tumors demonstrated alveolar histology. FOXO1 fusion status was available in 76 (80%) patients, of which 7 out of 37 alveolar tumors (18.9%) were FOXO1 fusion negative. The majority of tumors presented with unfavorable primary site (n = 72, 75.8%) and advanced stage (Stage III and IV, n = 72, 75.8%). The 5-yr CI of local only failure and distant failure for the entire cohort was 19.0% (95% CI 11.3, 28.3) and 34.6% (24.0, 45.5%), respectively. The predominant pattern of failure by Group was: Groups 1&2: Local only (5yr CI 14.8%), Group 3: Distant (5yr CI: 25.9%), Group 4: Distant (5yr CI: 67.6%). CI of distant failure by primary site was higher in perianal/gluteal (n = 2/5, 5yr CI 60.0%) and extremity (n = 8/19, 5yr CI 45.9%) sites. Of the 28 distant failures, 10 (36%) also had a local failure component. CI of local only failure by primary site was higher in parameningeal head and neck (n = 6/25, 5yr CI 30%) and bladder/prostate (n = 2/12, 5yr CI 23%) sites. The following were associated with an increased CI of distant failures: increasing age (HR 1.08, p<0.01), alveolar vs. embryonal histology (HR 3.01, p = 0.0095), FOXO1 fusion positive vs. negative (HR 2.8, p = 0.02) and Group IV vs. Groups I/II (HR 7.7, p = 0.0007). FOXO1 fusion and alveolar histology were associated with older age and Group IV, both of which were independently associated with increased distant failure on multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

Failures were predominantly distant in older patients and patients with Group IV RMS, both of which were associated with FOXO1 fusion and alveolar histology, highlighting the need to improve therapies in this population. Local only failures were highest in parameningeal head and neck and bladder/prostate primaries, highlighting the need to improve local control strategies at these sites.

Measurement of the Lifetime and Λ Separation Energy of _{Λ}^{3}H

The most precise measurements to date of the _{Λ}^{3}H lifetime τ and Λ separation energy B_{Λ} are obtained using the data sample of Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV collected by ALICE at the LHC. The _{Λ}^{3}H is reconstructed via its charged two-body mesonic decay channel (_{Λ}^{3}H→^{3}He+π^{-} and the charge-conjugate process). The measured values τ=[253±11(stat)±6(syst)]  ps and B_{Λ}=[102±63(stat)±67(syst)]  keV are compatible with predictions from effective field theories and confirm that the _{Λ}^{3}H structure is consistent with a weakly bound system.

Measurement of the J/ψ Polarization with Respect to the Event Plane in Pb-Pb Collisions at the LHC

We study the polarization of inclusive J/ψ produced in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV at the LHC in the dimuon channel, via the measurement of the angular distribution of its decay products. We perform the study in the rapidity region 2.5 Collapse

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First Measurement of Antideuteron Number Fluctuations at Energies Available at the Large Hadron Collider

The first measurement of event-by-event antideuteron number fluctuations in high energy heavy-ion collisions is presented. The measurements are carried out at midrapidity (|η|<0.8) as a function of collision centrality in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV using the ALICE detector. A significant negative correlation between the produced antiprotons and antideuterons is observed in all collision centralities. The results are compared with a state-of-the-art coalescence calculation. While it describes the ratio of higher order cumulants of the antideuteron multiplicity distribution, it fails to describe quantitatively the magnitude of the correlation between antiproton and antideuteron production. On the other hand, thermal-statistical model calculations describe all the measured observables within uncertainties only for correlation volumes that are different with respect to those describing proton yields and a similar measurement of net-proton number fluctuations.

Enhanced Deuteron Coalescence Probability in Jets

The transverse-momentum (p_{T}) spectra and coalescence parameters B_{2} of (anti)deuterons are measured in p-p collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV for the first time in and out of jets. In this measurement, the direction of the leading particle with the highest p_{T} in the event (p_{T}^{lead}>5  GeV/c) is used as an approximation for the jet axis. The event is consequently divided into three azimuthal regions, and the jet signal is obtained as the difference between the toward region, that contains jet fragmentation products in addition to the underlying event (UE), and the transverse region, which is dominated by the UE. The coalescence parameter in the jet is found to be approximately a factor of 10 larger than that in the underlying event. This experimental observation is consistent with the coalescence picture and can be attributed to the smaller average phase-space distance between nucleons in the jet cone as compared with the underlying event. The results presented in this Letter are compared to predictions from a simple nucleon coalescence model, where the phase-space distributions of nucleons are generated using pythia8 with the Monash 2013 tuning, and to predictions from a deuteron production model based on ordinary nuclear reactions with parametrized energy-dependent cross sections tuned on data. The latter model is implemented in pythia8.3. Both models reproduce the observed large difference between in-jet and out-of-jet coalescence parameters, although the almost flat trend of the B_{2}^{Jet} is not reproduced by the models, which instead give a decreasing trend.

Strongly Correlated Exciton-Magnetization System for Optical Spin Pumping in CrBr3 and CrI3

Ferromagnetism in van der Waals systems, preserved down to a monolayer limit, attracted attention to a class of materials with general composition CrX₃ (X=I, Br, and Cl), which are treated now as canonical 2D ferromagnets. Their diverse magnetic properties, such as different easy axes or varying and controllable character of in-plane or interlayer ferromagnetic coupling, make them promising candidates for spintronic, photonic, optoelectronic, and other applications. Still, significantly different magneto-optical properties between the three materials have been presenting a challenging puzzle for researchers over the last few years. Herewith, it is demonstrated that despite similar structural and magnetic configurations, the coupling between excitons and magnetization is qualitatively different in CrBr₃ and CrI₃ films. Through a combination of the optical spin pumping experiments with the state-of-the-art theory describing bound excitonic states in the presence of magnetization, we concluded that the hole-magnetization coupling has the opposite sign in CrBr₃ and CrI₃ and also between the ground and excited exciton state. Consequently, efficient spin pumping capabilities are demonstrated in CrBr₃ driven by magnetization via spin-dependent absorption, and the different origins of the magnetic hysteresis in CrBr₃ and CrI₃ are unraveled.

Social capital and dental caries among 3-5-year-old Indian children. A cross-sectional study

AIM

The aim of the study is to investigate the association between social capital and dental caries among 3-5-year-old preschool children in a rural region of southern India.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 260 children ranging from 3 to 5 years-old and their parents from 13 preschools of the Udupi region of south India between December 2018, and February 2019. A 16-item Social Capital Scale (SCS) was used to collect data from the children's parents regarding their social capital. The diet history was collected from the parents and the children were examined for dental caries using the dmft index in their schools.

CONCLUSION

Dental caries among preschool children had a negative association with parental social capital, and significantly contributed to variances in dental caries along with socioeconomic and dietary factors.

Hypertriton Production in p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The study of nuclei and antinuclei production has proven to be a powerful tool to investigate the formation mechanism of loosely bound states in high-energy hadronic collisions. The first measurement of the production of _{Λ}^{3}H in p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV is presented in this Letter. Its production yield measured in the rapidity interval -1<y<0 for the 40% highest-multiplicity p-Pb collisions is dN/dy=[6.3±1.8(stat)±1.2(syst)]×10^{-7}. The measurement is compared with the expectations of statistical hadronization and coalescence models, which describe the nucleosynthesis in hadronic collisions. These two models predict very different yields of the hypertriton in charged particle multiplicity environments relevant to small collision systems such as p-Pb, and therefore the measurement of dN/dy is crucial to distinguish between them. The precision of this measurement leads to the exclusion with a significance larger than 6.9σ of some configurations of the statistical hadronization model, thus constraining the theory behind the production of loosely bound states at hadron colliders.

Polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] Hyperons along the Beam Direction in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=5.02 TeV

The polarization of the Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam (z) direction, P_{z}, has been measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV recorded with ALICE at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The main contribution to P_{z} comes from elliptic flow-induced vorticity and can be characterized by the second Fourier sine coefficient P_{z,s2}=⟨P_{z}sin(2φ-2Ψ_{2})⟩, where φ is the hyperon azimuthal emission angle and Ψ_{2} is the elliptic flow plane angle. We report the measurement of P_{z,s2} for different collision centralities and in the 30%-50% centrality interval as a function of the hyperon transverse momentum and rapidity. The P_{z,s2} is positive similarly as measured by the STAR Collaboration in Au-Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV, with somewhat smaller amplitude in the semicentral collisions. This is the first experimental evidence of a nonzero hyperon P_{z} in Pb-Pb collisions at the LHC. The comparison of the measured P_{z,s2} with the hydrodynamic model calculations shows sensitivity to the competing contributions from thermal and the recently found shear-induced vorticity, as well as to whether the polarization is acquired at the quark-gluon plasma or the hadronic phase.

Health Promoting Lifestyle during Covid-19 Pandemic among Residents of Gandaki Province, Nepal

Background Lifestyle is an important factor to individual's health and quality of life. Although, the emergence of Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has forced billions of people to change their lifestyle overnight. Objective To identify health promoting lifestyle during COVID-19 pandemic among the residents of Gandaki Province, Nepal. Method Descriptive cross sectional web based study was conducted among 386 respondents from Gandaki Province. Adults from 18 years and above, who could fill the form online were included using purposive and snowball sampling technique. Data were collected using Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP II) scale and analysed using descriptive (frequency, percentage, median) and inferential statistics (Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test). Result Only 18.7% of the respondents had an excellent health promoting lifestyle followed by good health promoting lifestyle among 60.4%. Highest median score was observed in spiritual 27(10-36), and interpersonal relationship subscale 27(9-36). Whereas, the lowest was observed in physical activity 21(8-32) followed by stress management 24(10-32). Statistically significant difference was observed in age and perception of own health status with spirituality; gender, chronic illness and perception of own health status with interpersonal subscale and age, gender, marital status, occupation and perception of own health status with physical subscale. Conclusion The study concludes the need of health education and awareness to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours with a particular emphasis on indoor physical activities and stress management skills with specific consideration to female and elderly.

Measurement of the Groomed Jet Radius and Momentum Splitting Fraction in pp and Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

This article presents groomed jet substructure measurements in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector. The soft drop grooming algorithm provides access to the hard parton splittings inside a jet by removing soft wide-angle radiation. We report the groomed jet momentum splitting fraction, z_{g}, and the (scaled) groomed jet radius, θ_{g}. Charged-particle jets are reconstructed at midrapidity using the anti-k_{T} algorithm with resolution parameters R=0.2 and R=0.4. In heavy-ion collisions, the large underlying event poses a challenge for the reconstruction of groomed jet observables, since fluctuations in the background can cause groomed parton splittings to be misidentified. By using strong grooming conditions to reduce this background, we report these observables fully corrected for detector effects and background fluctuations for the first time. A narrowing of the θ_{g} distribution in Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions is seen, which provides direct evidence of the modification of the angular structure of jets in the quark-gluon plasma. No significant modification of the z_{g} distribution in Pb-Pb collisions compared to pp collisions is observed. These results are compared with a variety of theoretical models of jet quenching, and provide constraints on jet energy-loss mechanisms and coherence effects in the quark-gluon plasma.

Measurement of Prompt D^{0}, Λ_{c}^{+}, and Σ_{c}^{0,++}(2455) Production in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The p_{T}-differential production cross sections of prompt D^{0}, Λ_{c}^{+}, and Σ_{c}^{0,++}(2455) charmed hadrons are measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV. This is the first measurement of Σ_{c}^{0,++} production in hadronic collisions. Assuming the same production yield for the three Σ_{c}^{0,+,++} isospin states, the baryon-to-meson cross section ratios Σ_{c}^{0,+,++}/D^{0} and Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} are calculated in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) intervals 2<p_{T}<12 and 1<p_{T}<24  GeV/c. Values significantly larger than in e^{+}e^{-} collisions are observed, indicating for the first time that baryon enhancement in hadronic collisions also extends to the Σ_{c}. The feed-down contribution to Λ_{c}^{+} production from Σ_{c}^{0,+,++} is also reported and is found to be larger than in e^{+}e^{-} collisions. The data are compared with predictions from event generators and other phenomenological models, providing a sensitive test of the different charm-hadronization mechanisms implemented in the models.

Measurement of the Cross Sections of Ξ_{c}^{0} and Ξ_{c}^{+} Baryons and of the Branching-Fraction Ratio BR(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})/BR(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+}) in pp Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

The p_{T}-differential cross sections of prompt charm-strange baryons Ξ_{c}^{0} and Ξ_{c}^{+} were measured at midrapidity (|y|<0.5) in proton-proton (pp) collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The Ξ_{c}^{0} baryon was reconstructed via both the semileptonic decay (Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e}) and the hadronic decay (Ξ^{-}π^{+}) channels. The Ξ_{c}^{+} baryon was reconstructed via the hadronic decay (Ξ^{-}π^{+}π^{+}) channel. The branching-fraction ratio BR(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}e^{+}ν_{e})/BR(Ξ_{c}^{0}→Ξ^{-}π^{+})=1.38±0.14(stat)±0.22(syst) was measured with a total uncertainty reduced by a factor of about 3 with respect to the current world average reported by the Particle Data Group. The transverse momentum (p_{T}) dependence of the Ξ_{c}^{0}- and Ξ_{c}^{+}-baryon production relative to the D^{0} meson and to the Σ_{c}^{0,+,++}- and Λ_{c}^{+}-baryon production are reported. The baryon-to-meson ratio increases toward low p_{T} up to a value of approximately 0.3. The measurements are compared with various models that take different hadronization mechanisms into consideration. The results provide stringent constraints to these theoretical calculations and additional evidence that different processes are involved in charm hadronization in electron-positron (e^{+}e^{-}) and hadronic collisions.

Λ_{c}^{+} Production and Baryon-to-Meson Ratios in pp and p-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV at the LHC

The prompt production of the charm baryon Λ_{c}^{+} and the Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} production ratios were measured at midrapidity with the ALICE detector in pp and p-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV. These new measurements show a clear decrease of the Λ_{c}^{+}/D^{0} ratio with increasing transverse momentum (p_{T}) in both collision systems in the range 2<p_{T}<12  GeV/c, exhibiting similarities with the light-flavor baryon-to-meson ratios p/π and Λ/K_{S}^{0}. At low p_{T}, predictions that include additional color-reconnection mechanisms beyond the leading-color approximation, assume the existence of additional higher-mass charm-baryon states, or include hadronization via coalescence can describe the data, while predictions driven by charm-quark fragmentation processes measured in e^{+}e^{-} and e^{-}p collisions significantly underestimate the data. The results presented in this Letter provide significant evidence that the established assumption of universality (colliding-system independence) of parton-to-hadron fragmentation is not sufficient to describe charm-baryon production in hadronic collisions at LHC energies.

Experimental Evidence for an Attractive p-ϕ Interaction

This Letter presents the first experimental evidence of the attractive strong interaction between a proton and a ϕ meson. The result is obtained from two-particle correlations of combined p-ϕ⊕ p[over ¯]-ϕ pairs measured in high-multiplicity pp collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV by the ALICE Collaboration. The spin-averaged scattering length and effective range of the p-ϕ interaction are extracted from the fully corrected correlation function employing the Lednický-Lyuboshits approach. In particular, the imaginary part of the scattering length vanishes within uncertainties, indicating that inelastic processes do not play a prominent role for the p-ϕ interaction. These data demonstrate that the interaction is dominated by elastic p-ϕ scattering. Furthermore, an analysis employing phenomenological Gaussian- and Yukawa-type potentials is conducted. Under the assumption of the latter, the N-ϕ coupling constant is found to be g_{N-ϕ}=0.14±0.03(stat)±0.02(syst). This work provides valuable experimental input to accomplish a self-consistent description of the N-ϕ interaction, which is particularly relevant for the more fundamental studies on partial restoration of chiral symmetry in nuclear medium.

Multiharmonic Correlations of Different Flow Amplitudes in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV

The event-by-event correlations between three flow amplitudes are measured for the first time in Pb-Pb collisions, using higher-order symmetric cumulants. We find that different three-harmonic correlations develop during the collective evolution of the medium when compared to correlations that exist in the initial state. These new results cannot be interpreted in terms of previous lower-order flow measurements since contributions from two-harmonic correlations are explicitly removed in the new observables. A comparison to Monte Carlo simulations provides new and independent constraints for the initial conditions and system properties of nuclear matter created in heavy-ion collisions.

Soft-Dielectron Excess in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A measurement of dielectron production in proton-proton (pp) collisions at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, recorded with the ALICE detector at the CERN LHC, is presented in this Letter. The data set was recorded with a reduced magnetic solenoid field. This enables the investigation of a kinematic domain at low dielectron (ee) invariant mass m_{ee} and pair transverse momentum p_{T,ee} that was previously inaccessible at the LHC. The cross section for dielectron production is studied as a function of m_{ee}, p_{T,ee}, and event multiplicity dN_{ch}/dη. The expected dielectron rate from hadron decays, called hadronic cocktail, utilizes a parametrization of the measured η/π^{0} ratio in pp and proton-nucleus collisions, assuming that this ratio shows no strong dependence on collision energy at low transverse momentum. Comparison of the measured dielectron yield to the hadronic cocktail at 0.15<m_{ee}<0.6  GeV/c^{2} and for p_{T,ee}<0.4  GeV/c indicates an enhancement of soft dielectrons, reminiscent of the "anomalous" soft-photon and soft-dilepton excess in hadron-hadron collisions reported by several experiments under different experimental conditions. The enhancement factor over the hadronic cocktail amounts to 1.61±0.13(stat)±0.17(syst,data)±0.34(syst,cocktail) in the ALICE acceptance. Acceptance-corrected excess spectra in m_{ee} and p_{T,ee} are extracted and compared with calculations of dielectron production from hadronic bremsstrahlung and thermal radiation within a hadronic many-body approach.

OP0314 DOCK8 MUTATIONS IN COVID-19 AND MIS-C CYTOKINE STORM SYNDROME

Background:

We recently identified DOCK8 as a novel gene associated with cytokine storm syndrome (CSS)1. Heterozygous missense mutations in DOCK8 diminish NK cell lytic function and contribute to increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production (CSS). CSS is a potential complication of COVID-19 with severe consequences2. Children are at risk of a SARS-CoV-2 post-infectious CSS, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C)3. Host genetic factors associated with COVID-19 CSS and MIS-C CSS are unknown.

Objectives:

The goals are to identify and functionally study rare mutations in DOCK8 in patients with SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 and MIS-C.

Methods:

To date, 16 adult patients enrolled in a COVID-19 CSS clinical trial at UAB had whole genome sequencing. Four (25%) had rare heterozygous DOCK8 mutations (3 missense, 1 intronic). A COVID-19 CSS adult patient in Seattle also had a DOCK8 missense mutation. In addition, DOCK8 missense mutations were identified in five children (UAB & Northwell) hospitalized with MIS-C. DOCK8 mutations, or wild-type (WT) sequence controls, were introduced into human NK-92 cells by FOAMY virus transduction. WT and mutant DOCK8-expressing NK-92 cells were incubated with K562 target cells and compared for cytolysis and degranulation (CD107a).

Results:

One COVID-19 patient DOCK8 mutation (Gly523Arg) reduced NK cell degranulation by 30% and cytolysis by 23% (n=3) (Figure 1). Similar studies of 3 MIS-C patients with DOCK8 missense mutations (Arg899Trp, Ala2Thr, Pro687Leu) revealed up to 31% reduced NK cell degranulation and 48% reduction in cytolysis by 3 distinct mutations (n=3). Two-way ANOVA analysis revealed statistically significant (p<0.05) differences in NK cell degranulation and lysis for four unique DOCK8 mutations.

Conclusion:

Heterozygous DOCK8 missense mutations may contribute to severe COVID-19 and MIS-C CSS by partial dominant-negative effects yielding decreased NK cell cytolysis.

References:

[1]Schulert GS, Cron RQ. The genetics of macrophage activation syndrome. Genes Immun 2020:21:169-181.

[2] Cron RQ, Chatham WW. The rheumatologist’s role in COVID-19. J Rheumatol 2020:47:639-642.

[3]Reiff D, Mannion ML, Samuy N, Scalici P, Cron RQ. Distinguishing active pediatric COVID-19 from MIS-C. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J, in press.

Disclosure of Interests:

Randy Cron Consultant of: SOBI, Novartis, Pfizer, Sironax, Grant/research support from: SOBI, Mingce Zhang: None declared, Remy Cron: None declared, Devin Absher: None declared, John Bridges: None declared, Amanda Schnell: None declared, Pavan Bhatraju: None declared, Anshul Vagrecha: None declared, Shannon Lozinsky: None declared, Suchitra Acharya: None declared, Carolyn Levy: None declared, Winn Chatham Grant/research support from: SOBI.

New TB drugs for the treatment of children and adolescents with rifampicin-resistant TB in Mumbai, India

SETTING: Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in Mumbai, India.OBJECTIVE: To determine the final treatment outcomes, culture conversion and adverse events (AEs) during treatment among children and adolescents (0-19 years) with rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (RR-TB) who received ambulatory injectable-free treatment, including bedaquiline (BDQ) and/or delamanid (DLM) during September 2014-January 2020.DESIGN: This was a retrospective cohort study based on review of routinely collected programme data.RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included; the median age was 15.5 years (min-max 3-19) and 15 (63%) were females. None were HIV-coinfected. All had fluoroquinolone resistance. Twelve received treatment, including BDQ and DLM, 11 received DLM and one BDQ. The median exposure to BDQ (n = 13) and DLM (n = 23) was 82 (IQR 80-93) and 82 (IQR 77-96) weeks, respectively. Seventeen (94%) patients with positive culture at baseline (n = 18) had negative culture during treatment; median time for culture-conversion was 7 weeks (IQR 5-11). Twenty-three (96%) had successful treatment outcomes: cured (n = 16) or completed treatment (n = 7); one died. Eleven (46%) had 17 episodes of AEs. Two of 12 serious AEs were associated with new drugs (QTcF >500 ms).CONCLUSION: Based on one of the largest global cohorts of children and adolescents to receive new TB drugs, this study has shown that injectable-free regimens containing BDQ and/or DLM on ambulatory basis were effective and well-tolerated among children and adolescents and should be made routinely accessible to these vulnerable groups.

Elliptic Flow of Electrons from Beauty-Hadron Decays in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The elliptic flow of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity (|y|<0.8) is measured in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV with the ALICE detector at the LHC. The azimuthal distribution of the particles produced in the collisions can be parametrized with a Fourier expansion, in which the second harmonic coefficient represents the elliptic flow, v_{2}. The v_{2} coefficient of electrons from beauty hadron decays is measured for the first time in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) range 1.3-6  GeV/c in the centrality class 30%-50%. The measurement of electrons from beauty-hadron decays exploits their larger mean proper decay length cτ≈500  μm compared to that of charm hadrons and most of the other background sources. The v_{2} of electrons from beauty hadron decays at midrapidity is found to be positive with a significance of 3.75  σ. The results provide insights into the degree of thermalization of beauty quarks in the medium. A model assuming full thermalization of beauty quarks is strongly disfavored by the measurement at high p_{T}, but is in agreement with the results at low p_{T}. Transport models including substantial interactions of beauty quarks with an expanding strongly interacting medium describe the measurement within uncertainties.

Retrospective observational RT-PCR analyses on 688 babies born to 843 SARS-CoV-2 positive mothers, placental analyses and diagnostic analyses limitations suggest vertical transmission is possible

Research question

Is there vertical transmission (from mother to baby antenatally or intrapartum) after SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infected pregnancy?

Study design

A systematic search related to SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), pregnancy, neonatal complications, viral and vertical transmission. The duration was from December 2019 to May 2020.

Results

A total of 84 studies with 862 COVID positive women were included. Two studies had ongoing pregnancies while 82 studies included 705 babies, 1 miscarriage and 1 medical termination of pregnancy (MTOP). Most publications (50/84, 59.5%), reported small numbers (<5) of positive babies. From 75 studies, 18 babies were COVID-19 positive. The first reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic test was done in 449 babies and 2 losses, 2nd RT-PCR was done in 82 babies, IgM tests were done in 28 babies, and IgG tests were done in 28 babies. On the first RT-PCR, 47 studies reported time of testing while 28 studies did not. Positive results in the first RT-PCR were seen in 14 babies. Earliest tested at birth and the average time of the result was 22 hours. Three babies with negative first RT-PCR became positive on the second RT-PCR at day 6, day 7 and at 24 hours which continued to be positive at 1 week.

Four studies with a total of 4 placental swabs were positive demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 localised in the placenta. In 2 studies, 10 tests for amniotic fluid were positive for SARS-CoV-2. These 2 babies were found to be positive on RT-PCR on serial testing.

Conclusion

Diagnostic testing combined with incubation period and placental pathology indicate a strong likelihood that intrapartum vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) from mother to baby is possible.

Effects of polymerization of casein and sources of lysine on amino acid bioavailability among calves fed liquid-based diets

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the bioavailability of AA between polymerized and less polymerized or unpolymerized sources of AA. In the first experiment, 6 bull calves (53.8 ± 0.6 kg of body weight) were bottle-fed milk replacer that contained 0, 60, or 120 additional grams of AA from casein or acid hydrolyzed casein every 12 h. Plasma essential AA increased linearly with increasing intake of casein from either source. Branched-chain amino acids accounted for 74% of increases in essential AA, regardless of source of AA. Concentrations of nonessential AA increased linearly with increased intake of AA from acid hydrolyzed casein but only tended to increase in response to casein. Also, the rate of increase in total plasma AA concentration in response to acid hydrolyzed casein (4.3 µM increase per g of supplemental AA) tended to be 145% greater than casein (3.0 µM per g of supplemental AA). In a separate experiment, 6 additional bull calves (52.1 ± 0.9 kg of body weight) were bottle-fed milk replacer that contained 0, 4.8, or 9.6 additional grams of Lys from ε-polylysine or Lys-HCl each 12 h to measure Lys bioavailability between a polymerized and unpolymerized source of Lys. Plasma Lys concentrations increased linearly in response to greater Lys intake from Lys-HCl (slope = 13.51 µM/g Lys,), but plasma Lys concentrations did not change in response to increased intake of Lys from ε-polylysine. Plasma concentrations of Thr, Met, Glu, and Gln decreased linearly with increasing ε-polylysine intake, whereas concentrations of His, Val, Leu, and Ile increased linearly with increasing ε-polylysine intake. Data from these experiments suggest that the form of AA provided to calves should be considered when formulating diets to meet AA requirements.