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A search has been performed for the semileptonic decays D0→K0SK−e+νe, D+→K0SK0Se+νe and D+→K+K−e+νe, using 7.9 fb−1 of e+e− annihilation data collected at the center-of-mass energy s√=3.773 GeV by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider. No significant signals are observed, and upper limits are set at the 90\% confidence level of 2.13×10−5, 1.54×10−5 and 2.10×10−5 for the branching fractions of D0→K0SK−e+νe, D+→K0SK0Se+νe and D+→K+K−e+νe, respectively.
Using (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, numerous Ξ− and Λ decay asymmetry parameters are simultaneously determined from the process J/ψ→Ξ−Ξ¯+→Λ(pπ−)π−Λ¯(n¯π0)π+ and its charge-conjugate channel. The precisions of α0 for Λ→nπ0 and α¯0 for Λ¯→n¯π0 compared to world averages are improved by factors of 4 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of decay asymmetry parameters of Λ→nπ0 to that of Λ→pπ−, ⟨α0⟩/⟨αΛ−⟩, is determined to be 0.873±0.012+0.011−0.010, where the first and the second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The ratio is smaller than unity more than 5σ, which signifies the existence of the ΔI=3/2 transition in Λ for the first time. Beside, we test for CP violation in Ξ−→Λπ− and in Λ→nπ0 with the best precision to date.
Using (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector, numerous Ξ− and Λ decay asymmetry parameters are simultaneously determined from the process J/ψ→Ξ−Ξ¯+→Λ(pπ−)π−Λ¯(n¯π0)π+ and its charge-conjugate channel. The precisions of α0 for Λ→nπ0 and α¯0 for Λ¯→n¯π0 compared to world averages are improved by factors of 4 and 1.7, respectively. The ratio of decay asymmetry parameters of Λ→nπ0 to that of Λ→pπ−, ⟨α0⟩/⟨αΛ−⟩, is determined to be 0.873±0.012+0.011−0.010, where the first and the second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The ratio is smaller than unity, which is predicted by the ΔI=1/2 rule, with a statistical significance of more than 5σ. We test for CP violation in Ξ−→Λπ− and in Λ→nπ0 with the best precision to date.
Based on 7.33 fb−1 of 𝑒+𝑒− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, the experimental studies of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋− and 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋−𝜋0 are reported. We determine the absolute branching fraction of 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋− to be (1.24+0.28−0.26(stat)±0.06(syst))×10−4. No significant signal of 𝐷+𝑠→𝐾+𝐾+𝜋−𝜋0 is observed and the upper limit on its decay branching fraction at 90% confidence level is set to be 1.7×10−4.
Based on 7.33 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector, the experimental studies of the doubly Cabibbo-suppressed decays D+s→K+K+π− and D+s→K+K+π−π0 are reported. We determine the absolute branching fraction of D+s→K+K+π− to be (1.23+0.28−0.25(stat)±0.06(syst)) ×10−4. No significant signal of D+s→K+K+π−π0 is observed and the upper limit on its decay branching fraction at 90\% confidence level is set to be 1.7×10−4.
We study the hadronic decays of Λ+c to the final states Σ+η and Σ+η′, using an e+e− annihilation data sample of 567 pb−1 taken at a center-of-mass energy of 4.6 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. We find evidence for the decays Λ+c→Σ+η and Σ+η′ with statistical significance of 2.5σ and 3.2σ, respectively. Normalizing to the reference decays Λ+c→Σ+π0 and Σ+ω, we obtain the ratios of the branching fractions B(Λ+c→Σ+η)B(Λ+c→Σ+π0) and B(Λ+c→Σ+η′)B(Λ+c→Σ+ω) to be 0.35±0.16±0.03 and 0.86±0.34±0.07, respectively. The upper limits at the 90\% confidence level are set to be B(Λ+c→Σ+η)B(Λ+c→Σ+π0)<0.58 and B(Λ+c→Σ+η′)B(Λ+c→Σ+ω)<1.2. Using BESIII measurements of the branching fractions of the reference decays, we determine B(Λ+c→Σ+η)=(0.41±0.19±0.05)% (<0.68%) and B(Λ+c→Σ+η′)=(1.34±0.53±0.21)% (<1.9%). Here, the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. The obtained branching fraction of Λ+c→Σ+η is consistent with the previous measurement, and the branching fraction of Λ+c→Σ+η′ is measured for the first time.
Based on 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− collision data accumulated at center-of-mass energies between 4599.53 MeV and 4698.82 MeV with the BESIII detector, the decay Λ+c→nK0Sπ+π0 is observed for the first time with a significance of 9.2σ. The branching fraction is measured to be (0.85±0.13±0.03)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, which differs from the theoretical prediction based on isospin by 4.4σ. This indicates that there may be resonant contributions or some unknown dynamics in this decay.
Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four- and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sNN−−−√= 193 GeV, Cu+Au at sNN−−−√= 200 GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sNN−−−√= 11.5 - 200 GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and T$\mathrel{\protect\raisebox{-2.1pt}{R}}$ENTo model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.
Using an 𝑒+𝑒− collision data sample with a total integrated luminosity of 3.19 fb−1 collected with the BESIII detector at a center-of-mass energy of 4.178 GeV, the branching fraction of the inclusive decay of the 𝐷+𝑠 meson to final states including at least three charged pions is measured for the first time to be ℬ(𝐷+𝑠→𝜋+𝜋+𝜋−𝑋)=(32.81±0.35stat±0.63syst)%. In this measurement the charged pions from 𝐾0𝑆 meson decays are excluded. The partial branching fractions of 𝐷+𝑠→𝜋+𝜋+𝜋−𝑋 are also measured as a function of the 𝜋+𝜋+𝜋− invariant mass.
Density fluctuations near the QCD critical point can be probed via an intermittency analysis in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We report the first measurement of intermittency in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 7.7-200 GeV measured by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The scaled factorial moments of identified charged hadrons are analyzed at mid-rapidity and within the transverse momentum phase space. We observe a power-law behavior of scaled factorial moments in Au+Au collisions and a decrease in the extracted scaling exponent (ν) from peripheral to central collisions. The ν is consistent with a constant for different collisions energies in the mid-central (10-40%) collisions. Moreover, the ν in the 0-5% most central Au+Au collisions exhibits a non-monotonic energy dependence that reaches a minimum around √sNN = 27 GeV. The physics implications on the QCD phase structure are discussed.
Using a sample of 448.1×106 ψ(2S) events collected with the BESIII detector, we perform a study of the decay J/ψ→K+K− via ψ(2S)→π+π−J/ψ.
The branching fraction of J/ψ→K+K− is determined to be BK+K−=(3.072±0.023(stat.)±0.050(syst.))×10−4, which is consistent with previous measurements but with significantly improved precision.
Improved measurement of the branching fractions of the inclusive decays D⁺ → Kₛ⁰X and D⁰ → Kₛ⁰X
(2023)
By analyzing 2.93 fb−1 of 𝑒+𝑒− collision data taken at the center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, the branching fractions of the inclusive decays 𝐷+→𝐾0 𝑆𝑋 and 𝐷0→𝐾0 𝑆𝑋 are measured to be (33.11±0.13±0.36)% and (20.75±0.12±0.20)%, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic. These results are consistent with the world averages of previous measurements, but with much improved precision.
Based on 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− collision data accumulated at center-of-mass energies between 4599.53 MeV and 4698.82 MeV with the BESIII detector, the decay Λ+c→nK0Sπ+π0 is observed for the first time with a significance of 9.2σ. The branching fraction is measured to be (0.85±0.13±0.03)%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic, which differs from the theoretical prediction based on isospin by 4.4σ. This indicates that there may be resonant contributions or some unknown dynamics in this decay.
We report results on an elastic cross section measurement in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy s√=510 GeV, obtained with the Roman Pot setup of the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The elastic differential cross section is measured in the four-momentum transfer squared range 0.23≤−t≤0.67 GeV2. We find that a constant slope B does not fit the data in the aforementioned t range, and we obtain a much better fit using a second-order polynomial for B(t). The t dependence of B is determined using six subintervals of t in the STAR measured t range, and is in good agreement with the phenomenological models. The measured elastic differential cross section dσ/dt agrees well with the results obtained at s√=546 GeV for proton--antiproton collisions by the UA4 experiment. We also determine that the integrated elastic cross section within the STAR t-range is σfidel=462.1±0.9(stat.)±1.1(syst.)±11.6(scale) μb.
The differential cross section for 𝑍0 production, measured as a function of the boson’s transverse momentum (𝑝T), provides important constraints on the evolution of the transverse momentum dependent parton distribution functions (TMDs). The transverse single spin asymmetry (TSSA) of the 𝑍0 is sensitive to one of the polarized TMDs, the Sivers function, which is predicted to have the opposite sign in 𝑝 + 𝑝 → 𝑊 ∕𝑍 + 𝑋 from that which enters in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. In this Letter, the STAR Collaboration reports the first measurement of the 𝑍0∕𝛾∗ differential cross section as a function of its 𝑝T in 𝑝+𝑝 collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 510 GeV, together with the 𝑍0∕𝛾∗ total cross section. We also report the measurement of 𝑍0∕𝛾∗ TSSA in transversely polarized 𝑝+𝑝 collisions at 510 GeV.
Using 2.93 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected with the BESIII detector at the center-of-mass energy 3.773 GeV, we perform the first amplitude analysis of the decay D+ → π+π0π0 and determine the relative magnitudes and phases of different intermediate processes. The absolute branching fraction of D+ → π+π0π0 is measured to be (2.888 ± 0.058stat. ± 0.069syst.)%. The dominant intermediate processes are D+ → a1(1260)+(→ ρ+π0) and D+ → *0ρ+, with branching fractions of (8.66 ± 1.04stat. ± 1.39syst.) × 10−3 and (9.70 ± 0.81stat. ± 0.53syst.) × 10−3, respectively.
The singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay D+s → K+π+π−π0 is observed by using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.32 fb−1 recorded by the BESIII detector at the centre-of-mass energies between 4.178 and 4.226 GeV. The first amplitude analysis of D+s → K+π+π−π0 reveals the sub-structures in this decay and determines the fractions and relative phases of different intermediate processes. The dominant intermediate process is D+s → K∗0ρ+, with a fit fraction of (40.5 ± 2.8stat. ± 1.5syst.)%. With the detection efficiency based on our amplitude analysis, the absolute branching fraction forD+s → K+π+π−π0 is measured to be (9.75 ± 0.54stat. ± 0.17syst.) × 10−3.
We report high-precision measurements of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry, 𝐴𝐿𝐿, for midrapidity inclusive jet and dijet production in polarized 𝑝𝑝 collisions at a center-of-mass energy of √𝑠=200 GeV. The new inclusive jet data are sensitive to the gluon helicity distribution, Δ𝑔(𝑥,𝑄2), for gluon momentum fractions in the range from 𝑥≃0.05 to 𝑥≃0.5, while the new dijet data provide further constraints on the 𝑥 dependence of Δ𝑔(𝑥,𝑄2). The results are in good agreement with previous measurements at √𝑠=200 GeV and with recent theoretical evaluations of prior world data. Our new results have better precision and thus strengthen the evidence that Δ𝑔(𝑥,𝑄2) is positive for 𝑥>0.05.
We report the first measurements of cumulants, up to 4𝑡ℎ order, of deuteron number distributions and protondeuteron correlations in Au+Au collisions recorded by the STAR experiment in phase-I of Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Deuteron cumulants, their ratios, and proton-deuteron mixed cumulants are presented for different collision centralities covering a range of center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair √𝑠NN = 7.7 to 200 GeV. It is found that the cumulant ratios at lower collision energies favor a canonical ensemble over a grand canonical ensemble in thermal models. An anti-correlation between proton and deuteron multiplicity is observed across all collision energies and centralities, consistent with the expectation from global baryon number conservation. The UrQMD model coupled with a phase-space coalescence mechanism qualitatively reproduces the collision-energy dependence of cumulant ratios and proton-deuteron correlations.
We report the first measurements of cumulants, up to 4th order, of deuteron number distributions and proton-deuteron correlations in Au+Au collisions recorded by the STAR experiment in phase-I of Beam Energy Scan (BES) program at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Deuteron cumulants, their ratios, and proton-deuteron mixed cumulants are presented for different collision centralities covering a range of center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair sNN−−−−√~=~7.7 to 200~GeV. It is found that the cumulant ratios at lower collision energies favor a canonical ensemble over a grand canonical ensemble in thermal models. An anti-correlation between proton and deuteron multiplicity is observed across all collision energies and centralities, consistent with the expectation from global baryon number conservation. The UrQMD model coupled with a phase-space coalescence mechanism qualitatively reproduces the collision-energy dependence of cumulant ratios and proton-deuteron correlations.
Measurement of inclusive charged-particle jet production in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV
(2021)
The STAR Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider reports the first measurement of inclusive jet production in peripheral and central Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−−√=200 GeV. Jets are reconstructed with the anti-kT algorithm using charged tracks with pseudorapidity |η|<1.0 and transverse momentum 0.2<pchT,jet<30 GeV/c, with jet resolution parameter R=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4. The large background yield uncorrelated with the jet signal is observed to be dominated by statistical phase space, consistent with a previous coincidence measurement. This background is suppressed by requiring a high-transverse-momentum (high-pT) leading hadron in accepted jet candidates. The bias imposed by this requirement is assessed, and the pT region in which the bias is small is identified. Inclusive charged-particle jet distributions are reported in peripheral and central Au+Au collisions for 5<pchT,jet<25 GeV/c and 5<pchT,jet<30 GeV/c, respectively. The charged-particle jet inclusive yield is suppressed for central Au+Au collisions, compared to both the peripheral Au+Au yield from this measurement and to the pp yield calculated using the PYTHIA event generator. The magnitude of the suppression is consistent with that of inclusive hadron production at high pT, and that of semi-inclusive recoil jet yield when expressed in terms of energy loss due to medium-induced energy transport. Comparison of inclusive charged-particle jet yields for different values of R exhibits no significant evidence for medium-induced broadening of the transverse jet profile for R<0.4 in central Au+Au collisions. The measured distributions are consistent with theoretical model calculations that incorporate jet quenching.
We report the measurement of K∗0 meson at midrapidity (|y|< 1.0) in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√~=~7.7, 11.5, 14.5, 19.6, 27 and 39 GeV collected by the STAR experiment during the RHIC beam energy scan (BES) program. The transverse momentum spectra, yield, and average transverse momentum of K∗0 are presented as functions of collision centrality and beam energy. The K∗0/K yield ratios are presented for different collision centrality intervals and beam energies. The K∗0/K ratio in heavy-ion collisions are observed to be smaller than that in small system collisions (e+e and p+p). The K∗0/K ratio follows a similar centrality dependence to that observed in previous RHIC and LHC measurements. The data favor the scenario of the dominance of hadronic re-scattering over regeneration for K∗0 production in the hadronic phase of the medium.
Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four- and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sNN−−−√ = 193 GeV, Cu+Au at sNN−−−√ = 200 GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sNN−−−√ = 11.5 - 200 GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and Glauber model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.
Azimuthal anisotropy measurement of (multi-)strange hadrons in Au+Au collisions at √sNN = 54.4 GeV
(2023)
Azimuthal anisotropy of produced particles is one of the most important observables used to access the collective properties of the expanding medium created in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. In this paper, we present second (v2) and third (v3) order azimuthal anisotropies of K0S, ϕ, Λ, Ξ and Ω at mid-rapidity (|y|<1) in Au+Au collisions at sNN−−−√ = 54.4 GeV measured by the STAR detector. The v2 and v3 are measured as a function of transverse momentum and centrality. Their energy dependence is also studied. v3 is found to be more sensitive to the change in the center-of-mass energy than v2. Scaling by constituent quark number is found to hold for v2 within 10%. This observation could be evidence for the development of partonic collectivity in 54.4 GeV Au+Au collisions. Differences in v2 and v3 between baryons and anti-baryons are presented, and ratios of v3/v3/22 are studied and motivated by hydrodynamical calculations. The ratio of v2 of ϕ mesons to that of anti-protons (v2(ϕ)/v2(p¯)) shows centrality dependence at low transverse momentum, presumably resulting from the larger effects from hadronic interactions on anti-proton v2.
Measurement of inclusive charged-particle jet production in Au + Au collisions at √sNN=200 GeV
(2020)
The STAR Collaboration at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider reports the first measurement of inclusive jet production in peripheral and central Au+Au collisions at √𝑠𝑁𝑁=200 GeV. Jets are reconstructed with the anti-𝑘𝑇 algorithm using charged tracks with pseudorapidity |𝜂|<1.0 and transverse momentum 0.2<𝑝ch
𝑇,jet<30 GeV/𝑐, with jet resolution parameter 𝑅=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4. The large background yield uncorrelated with the jet signal is observed to be dominated by statistical phase space, consistent with a previous coincidence measurement. This background is suppressed by requiring a high-transverse-momentum (high-𝑝𝑇) leading hadron in accepted jet candidates. The bias imposed by this requirement is assessed, and the 𝑝𝑇 region in which the bias is small is identified. Inclusive charged-particle jet distributions are reported in peripheral and central Au+Au collisions for 5<𝑝ch
𝑇,jet<25 GeV/𝑐 and 5<𝑝ch
𝑇,jet<30 GeV/𝑐, respectively. The charged-particle jet inclusive yield is suppressed for central Au+Au collisions, compared to both the peripheral Au+Au yield from this measurement and to the 𝑝𝑝 yield calculated using the PYTHIA event generator. The magnitude of the suppression is consistent with that of inclusive hadron production at high 𝑝𝑇 and that of semi-inclusive recoil jet yield when expressed in terms of energy loss due to medium-induced energy transport. Comparison of inclusive charged-particle jet yields for different values of 𝑅 exhibits no significant evidence for medium-induced broadening of the transverse jet profile for 𝑅 <0.4 in central Au+Au collisions. The measured distributions are consistent with theoretical model calculations that incorporate jet quenching.
The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of the transverse single-spin asymmetry (TSSA) of inclusive 𝜋0 at center-of-mass energies (√𝑠) of 200 GeV and 500 GeV in transversely polarized proton-proton collisions in the pseudo-rapidity region 2.7 to 4.0. The results at the two different energies show a continuous increase of the TSSA with Feynman-𝑥, and, when compared to previous measurements, no dependence on √𝑠 from 19.4 GeV to 500 GeV is found. To investigate the underlying physics leading to this large TSSA, different topologies have been studied. 𝜋0 with no nearby particles tend to have a higher TSSA than inclusive 𝜋0. The TSSA for inclusive electromagnetic jets, sensitive to the Sivers effect in the initial state, is substantially smaller, but shows the same behavior as the inclusive 𝜋0 asymmetry as a function of Feynman-𝑥. To investigate final-state effects, the Collins asymmetry of 𝜋0 inside electromagnetic jets has been measured. The Collins asymmetry is analyzed for its dependence on the 𝜋0 momentum transverse to the jet thrust axis and its dependence on the fraction of jet energy carried by the 𝜋0. The asymmetry was found to be small in each case for both center-of-mass energies. All the measurements are compared to QCD-based theoretical calculations for transverse-momentum-dependent parton distribution functions and fragmentation functions. Some discrepancies are found, which indicates new mechanisms might be involved.
We report results on an elastic cross section measurement in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy s√=510 GeV, obtained with the Roman Pot setup of the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The elastic differential cross section is measured in the four-momentum transfer squared range 0.23≤−t≤0.67 GeV2. We find that a constant slope B does not fit the data in the aforementioned t range, and we obtain a much better fit using a second-order polynomial for B(t). The t dependence of B is determined using six subintervals of t in the STAR measured t range, and is in good agreement with the phenomenological models. The measured elastic differential cross section dσ/dt agrees well with the results obtained at s√=546 GeV for proton--antiproton collisions by the UA4 experiment. We also determine that the integrated elastic cross section within the STAR t-range is σfidel=462.1±0.9(stat.)±1.1(syst.)±11.6(scale) μb.
We report results on an elastic cross section measurement in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy s√=510 GeV, obtained with the Roman Pot setup of the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The elastic differential cross section is measured in the four-momentum transfer squared range 0.23≤−t≤0.67 GeV2. We find that a constant slope B does not fit the data in the aforementioned t range, and we obtain a much better fit using a second-order polynomial for B(t). The t dependence of B is determined using six subintervals of t in the STAR measured t range, and is in good agreement with the phenomenological models. The measured elastic differential cross section dσ/dt agrees well with the results obtained at s√=546~GeV for proton--antiproton collisions by the UA4 experiment. We also determine that the integrated elastic cross section within the STAR t-range is σfidel=462.1±0.9(stat.)±1.1(syst.)±11.6(scale) μb.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3.
We measure triangular flow relative to the reaction plane at 3 GeV center-of-mass energy in Au+Au collisions at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. A significant v3 signal for protons is observed, which increases for higher rapidity, higher transverse momentum, and more peripheral collisions. The triangular flow is essentially rapidity-odd with a slope at mid-rapidity, dv3/dy|(y=0), opposite in sign compared to the slope for directed flow. No significant v3 signal is observed for charged pions and kaons. Comparisons with models suggest that a mean field potential is required to describe these results, and that the triangular shape of the participant nucleons is the result of stopping and nuclear geometry.
The Born cross sections for the process e+e−→ωη′ are measured at 22 center-of-mass energies from 2.000 to 3.080 GeV using data collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. A resonant structure is observed with a statistical significance of 9.6σ. A Breit-Wigner fit determines its mass to be MR=(2153±30±31) MeV/c2 and its width to be ΓR=(167±77±7) MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
The quantum entangled J=ψ → ΣþΣ¯ − pairs from ð1.0087 0.0044Þ × 1010 J=ψ events taken by the BESIII detector are used to study the nonleptonic two-body weak decays Σþ → nπþ and Σ¯ − → n¯π−. The CP-odd weak decay parameters of the decays Σþ → nπþ (αþ) and Σ¯ − → n¯π− (α¯−) are determined to be 0.0481 0.0031stat 0.0019syst and −0.0565 0.0047stat 0.0022syst, respectively. The decay parameter α¯− is measured for the first time, and the accuracy of αþ is improved by a factor of 4 compared to the previous results. The simultaneously determined decay parameters allow the first precision CP symmetry test for any hyperon decay with a neutron in the final state with the measurement of ACP ¼ ðαþ þ α¯−Þ=ðαþ − α¯−Þ ¼ −0.080 0.052stat 0.028syst. Assuming CP conservation, the average decay parameter is determined as hαþi¼ðαþ − α¯−Þ=2 ¼ −0.0506 0.0026stat 0.0019syst, while the ratios αþ=α0 and α¯−=α¯ 0 are −0.0490 0.0032stat 0.0021syst and −0.0571 0.0053stat 0.0032syst, where α0 and α¯ 0 are the decay parameters of the decays Σþ → pπ0 and Σ¯ − → p¯ π0, respectively.
We search for the semi-leptonic decays Λ + c → Λπ+π−e+νe and Λ + c → pK0 Sπ−e+νe in a sample of 4.5 fb−1 of e+e− annihilation data collected in the center-of-mass energy region between 4.600 GeV and 4.699 GeV by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII. No significant signals are observed, and the upper limits on the decay branching fractions are set to be B(Λ+c → Λπ+π−e+νe ) < 3.9 × 10−4 and B(Λ + c → pK0Sπ−e+νe ) < 3.3 × 10−4 at the 90% confidence level, respectively.
Using (1.0087±0.0044)×1010 𝐽/𝜓 events collected by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we report the first search for the baryon and lepton number violating decays Ξ0→𝐾−𝑒+ with Δ(𝐵−𝐿)=0 and Ξ0→𝐾+𝑒− with |Δ(𝐵−𝐿)|=2, where 𝐵 (𝐿) is the baryon (lepton) number. While no signal is observed, the upper limits on the branching fractions of these two decays are set to ℬ(Ξ0→𝐾−𝑒+)<3.6×10−6 and ℬ(Ξ0→𝐾+𝑒−)<1.9×10−6 at the 90% confidence level, respectively. These results offer a direct probe of baryon number violating interactions involving a strange quark.
Based on (10.09±0.04)×109 J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→ϕπ0η is performed. We observe for the first time two new structures on the ϕη invariant mass distribution, with statistical significances of 24.0σ and 16.9σ; the first with JPC = 1+−, mass M = (1911 ± 6 (stat.) ± 14 (sys.))~MeV/c2, and width Γ= (149 ± 12 (stat.) ± 23 (sys.))~MeV, the second with JPC = 1−−, mass M = (1996 ± 11 (stat.) ± 30 (sys.))~MeV/c2, and width Γ = (148 ± 16 (stat.) ± 66 (sys.))~MeV. These measurements provide important input for the strangeonium spectrum. In addition, the f0(980)−a0(980)0 mixing signal in J/ψ→ϕf0(980)→ϕa0(980)0 and the corresponding electromagnetic decay J/ψ→ϕa0(980)0 are measured with improved precision, providing crucial information to understand the nature of a0(980)0 and f0(980).
Using a sample of (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π+π−) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/c2 in the line-shape of the 3(π+π−) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/c2 and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp¯ bound state.
Using a data sample of 448.1 × 106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we report the first observation of the electromagnetic Dalitz decay ψ(3686) → η e+e−, with significances of 7.0σ and 6.3σ when reconstructing the η meson via its decay modes η → γπ+π− and η → π+π−η (η → γγ ), respectively. The weighted average branching fraction is determined to be B(ψ(3686) → η e+e−) = (1.90 ± 0.25 ± 0.11) × 10−6, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.
Using data samples with an integrated luminosity of 22.42 fb−1 collected by the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII storage ring, we measure the cross sections of the 𝑒+𝑒−→𝜂𝐽/𝜓 process at center-of-mass energies from 3.808 to 4.951 GeV. Three structures are observed in the line shape of the measured cross sections. A maximum-likelihood fit with 𝜓(4040), two additional resonances, and a nonresonant component are performed. The mass and width of the first additional state are (4219.7±2.5±4.5) MeV/𝑐2 and (80.7±4.4±1.4) MeV, respectively, consistent with the 𝜓(4230). For the second state, the mass and width are (4386±13±17) MeV/𝑐2 and (177±32±13) MeV, respectively, consistent with the 𝜓(4360). The first uncertainties are statistical, and the second ones are systematic. The statistical significance of 𝜓(4040) is 8.0𝜎 and those for 𝜓(4230) and 𝜓(4360) are more than 10.0𝜎.
The process e+e−→Σ+Σ¯− is studied from threshold up to 3.04 GeV/c2 via the initial-state radiation technique using data with an integrated luminosity of 12.0 fb−1, collected at center-of-mass energies between 3.773 and 4.258 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The pair production cross sections and the effective form factors of Σ are measured in eleven Σ+Σ¯− invariant mass intervals from threshold to 3.04 GeV/c2. The results are consistent with the previous results from Belle and BESIII. Furthermore, the branching fractions of the decays J/ψ→Σ+Σ¯− and ψ(3686)→Σ+Σ¯− are determined and the obtained results are consistent with the previous results of BESIII.
With data samples collected with the BESIII detector at seven energy points at √s = 3.68 − 3.71 GeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 333 pb−1, we present a study of the Λ transverse polarization in the e+e− → ΛΛ¯ reaction. The signifcance of polarization by combining the seven energy points is found to be 2.6σ including the systematic uncertainty, which implies a non-zero phase between the transition amplitudes of the ΛΛ¯ helicity states. The modulus ratio and the relative phase of EM-psionic form factors combined with all energy points are measured to be RΨ = 0.71+0.10−0.10 ± 0.03 and ∆ΦΨ = 23+8.8−8.0 ± 1.6◦, where the frst uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic.
We present the first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+c→ΛK+π0 with a significance of 5.7σ and the first evidence of Λ+c→ΛK+π+π− decay with a significance of 3.1σ, based on e+e− annihilation data recorded by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6.4 fb−1, in the center-of-mass energy range from 4.600 GeV to 4.950 GeV. We determine the branching fractions of Λ+c→ΛK+π0 and Λ+c→ΛK+π+π− relative to their Cabibbo-favored counterparts to be B(Λ+c→ΛK+π0)B(Λ+c→Λπ+π0)=(2.09±0.39stat.±0.07syst.)×10−2 and B(Λ+c→ΛK+π+π−)B(Λ+c→Λπ+π+π−)=(1.13±0.41stat.±0.06syst.)×10−2, respectively. Moreover, by combining our measured result with the world average of B(Λ+c→Λπ+π0), we obtain the branching fraction B(Λ+c→ΛK+π0)=(1.49±0.27stat.±0.05syst.±0.08ref.)×10−3. This result significantly departs from theoretical predictions based on quark SU(3) flavor symmetry, which is underpinned by the presumption of meson pair S-wave amplitude dominance.
We search for an axion-like particle (ALP) a through the process ψ(3686)→π+π−J/ψ, J/ψ→γa, a→γγ in a data sample of (2.71±0.01)×109 ψ(3686) events collected by the BESIII detector. No significant ALP signal is observed over the expected background, and the upper limits on the branching fraction of the decay J/ψ→γa and the ALP-photon coupling constant gaγγ are set at 95% confidence level in the mass range of 0.165≤ma≤2.84GeV/c2. The limits on B(J/ψ→γa) range from 8.3×10−8 to 1.8×10−6 over the search region, and the constraints on the ALP-photon coupling are the most stringent to date for 0.165≤ma≤1.468GeV/c2.
Using a sample of (10087±44)×106 J/ψ events, which is about fifty times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the J/ψ→γ3(π+π−) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/c2 in the line-shape of the 3(π+π−) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which is analogous to the behavior of X(1835) and could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, X(1840) and X(1880). The new state X(1880) is observed with a statistical significance of 14.7σ. The mass and width of X(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/c2 and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a pp¯ bound state.
We present the first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+c→ΛK+π0 with a significance of 5.7σ and the first evidence of Λ+c→ΛK+π+π− decay with a significance of 3.1σ, based on e+e− annihilation data recorded by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6.4 fb−1, in the center-of-mass energy range from 4.600 GeV to 4.950 GeV. We determine the branching fractions of Λ+c→ΛK+π0 and Λ+c→ΛK+π+π− relative to their Cabibbo-favored counterparts to be B(Λ+c→ΛK+π0)B(Λ+c→Λπ+π0)=(2.09±0.39stat.±0.07syst.)×10−2 and B(Λ+c→ΛK+π+π−)B(Λ+c→Λπ+π+π−)=(1.13±0.41stat.±0.06syst.)×10−2, respectively. Moreover, by combining our measured result with the world average of B(Λ+c→Λπ+π0), we obtain the branching fraction B(Λ+c→ΛK+π0)=(1.49±0.27stat.±0.05syst.±0.08ref.)×10−3. This result significantly departs from theoretical predictions based on quark SU(3) flavor symmetry, which is underpinned by the presumption of meson pair S-wave amplitude dominance.
Quantum-correlated 𝐷¯𝐷 pairs collected by the BESIII experiment at the 𝜓(3770) resonance corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1 are used to study the 𝐷0→𝐾0𝑆𝜋+𝜋−𝜋0 decay mode. The 𝐶𝑃-even fraction of 𝐷0→𝐾0𝑆𝜋+𝜋−𝜋0 decays is determined to be 0.235±0.010±0.002, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic.
Using e+e− annihilation data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.93 fb−1 taken at the center-of-mass energy s√=3.773~GeV with the BESIII detector, a joint amplitude analysis is performed on the decays D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η). The fit fractions of individual components are obtained, and large interferences among the dominant components of D0→a1(1260)π, D0→π(1300)π, D0→ρ(770)ρ(770) and D0→2(ππ)S are found in both channels. With the obtained amplitude model, the CP-even fractions of D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η) are determined to be (75.2±1.1stat.±1.5syst.)% and (68.9±1.5stat.±2.4syst.)%, respectively. The branching fractions of D0→π+π−π+π− and D0→π+π−π0π0(non-η) are measured to be (0.688±0.010stat.±0.010syst.)% and (0.951±0.025stat.±0.021syst.)%, respectively. The amplitude analysis provides an important model for binning strategy in the measurements of the strong phase parameters of D0→4π when used to determine the CKM angle γ(ϕ3) via the B−→DK− decay.
First study of reaction Ξ⁰n → Ξ⁻ p using Ξ⁰-nucleus scattering at an electron-positron collider
(2023)
Using ð1.0087 0.0044Þ × 1010 J=ψ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII storage ring, the process Ξ0n → Ξ−p is studied, where the Ξ0 baryon is produced in the process J=ψ → Ξ0Ξ¯ 0 and the neutron is a component of the 9 Be, 12C, and 197Au nuclei in the beam pipe. A clear signal is observed with a statistical significance of 7.1σ. The cross section of the reaction Ξ0 þ 9 Be → Ξ− þ p þ 8 Be is determined to be σðΞ0 þ 9 Be → Ξ− þ p þ 8 BeÞ¼ð22.1 5.3stat 4.5sysÞ mb at the Ξ0 momentum of 0.818 GeV=c, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. No significant H-dibaryon signal is observed in the Ξ−p final state. This is the first study of hyperon-nucleon interactions in electron-positron collisions and opens up a new direction for such research.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4, which distinctly exceeds the upper limit measured by Belle experiment. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3, which is consistent with previous measurements.
Based on (10.09±0.04)×109 J/ψ events collected with the BESIII detector operating at the BEPCII collider, a partial wave analysis of the decay J/ψ→ϕπ0η is performed. We observe for the first time two new structures on the ϕη invariant mass distribution, with statistical significances of 24.0σ and 16.9σ; the first with JPC = 1+−, mass M = (1911 ± 6 (stat.) ± 14 (sys.))~MeV/c2, and width Γ= (149 ± 12 (stat.) ± 23 (sys.))~MeV, the second with JPC = 1−−, mass M = (1996 ± 11 (stat.) ± 30 (sys.))~MeV/c2, and width Γ = (148 ± 16 (stat.) ± 66 (sys.))~MeV. These measurements provide important input for the strangeonium spectrum. In addition, the f0(980)−a0(980)0 mixing signal in J/ψ→ϕf0(980)→ϕa0(980)0 and the corresponding electromagnetic decay J/ψ→ϕa0(980)0 are measured with improved precision, providing crucial information to understand the nature of a0(980)0 and f0(980).
The Cabbibo-favored decay Λ+c→Ξ0K+π0 is studied for the first time using 6.1 fb−1 of e+e− collision data at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.840 GeV, collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. With a double-tag method, the branching fraction of the three-body decay Λ+c→Ξ0K+π0 is measured to be (7.79±1.46±0.71)×10−3, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The branching fraction of the two-body decay Λ+c→Ξ(1530)0K+ is (5.99±1.04±0.29)×10−3, which is consistent with the previous result of (5.02±0.99±0.31)×10−3. In addition, the upper limit on the branching fraction of the doubly Cabbibo-suppressed decay Λ+c→nK+π0 is 7.1×10−4 at the 90% confidence level. The upper limits on the branching fractions of Λ+c→Σ0K+π0 and ΛK+π0 are also determined to be 1.8×10−3 and 2.0×10−3, respectively.
The Cabbibo-favored decay Λ+c→Ξ0K+π0 is studied for the first time using 6.1 fb−1 of e+e− collision data at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.840 GeV, collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. With a double-tag method, the branching fraction of the three-body decay Λ+c→Ξ0K+π0 is measured to be (7.79±1.46±0.71)×10−3, where the first and second uncertainties are statistical and systematic, respectively. The branching fraction of the two-body decay Λ+c→Ξ(1530)0K+ is (5.99±1.04±0.29)×10−3, which is consistent with the previous result of (5.02±0.99±0.31)×10−3. In addition, the upper limit on the branching fraction of the doubly Cabbibo-suppressed decay Λ+c→nK+π0 is 7.1×10−4 at the 90% confidence level. The upper limits on the branching fractions of Λ+c→Σ0K+π0 and ΛK+π0 are also determined to be 1.8×10−3 and 2.0×10−3, respectively.
Based on 4.5 fb−1 data taken at seven center-of-mass energies ranging from 4.600 to 4.699 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider, we measure the branching fractions of Λ + c → Σ + + hadrons relative to Λ + c → Σ +π +π −. Combining with the world average branching fraction of Λ + c → Σ +π +π −, their branching fractions are measured to be (0.377 ± 0.042 ± 0.020 ± 0.021)% for Λ + c → Σ +K+K−, (0.200 ± 0.023 ± 0.011 ± 0.011)% for Λ + c → Σ+K+π−, (0.414 ± 0.080 ± 0.030 ± 0.023)% for Λ + c → Σ +φ and (0.197 ± 0.036 ± 0.009 ± 0.011)% for Λ + c → Σ +K+K−(non-φ). In all the above results, the first uncertainties are statistical, the second are systematic and the third are from external input of the branching fraction of Λ + c → Σ +π +π −. Since no signal for Λ + c → Σ +K+π−π 0 is observed, the upper limit of its branching fraction is determined to be 0.13% at the 90% confidence level.
We present the first observation of the singly Cabibbo-suppressed decay Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0 with a significance of 5.7𝜎 and the first evidence of Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋+𝜋− decay with a significance of 3.1𝜎, based on 𝑒+𝑒−annihilation data recorded by the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 6.4 fb−1, in the center-of-mass energy range from 4.600 to 4.950 GeV. We determine the branching fractions of Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0 and Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋+𝜋− relative to their Cabibbo-favored counterparts to be ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0)ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝜋+𝜋0) = (2.09±0.39stat±0.07syst)×10−2 and ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋+𝜋−)ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝜋+𝜋+𝜋−) = (1.13±0.41stat±0.06syst)×10−2, respectively. Moreover, by combining our measured result with the world average of ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝜋+𝜋0), we obtain the branching fraction ℬ(Λ+𝑐→Λ𝐾+𝜋0) = (1.49±0.27stat±0.05syst±0.08ref)×10−3. This result significantly departs from theoretical predictions based on quark 𝑆𝑈(3) flavor symmetry, which is underpinned by the presumption of meson pair 𝑆-wave amplitude dominance.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4, which distinctly exceeds the upper limit measured by Belle experiment. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.3)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions of Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 3.2+2.2−1.2. As an important input for the theoretical models describing the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons, our result indicates that the non-factorizable contributions play an essential role and their interference with the factorizable contributions should not be significant. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3, which is consistent with previous measurements.
Evidence for the singly Cabibbo suppressed decay Λ+c→pπ0 is reported for the first time with a statistical significance of 3.7σ based on 6.0 fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.600 and 4.843 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pπ0 is measured to be (1.56+0.72−0.58±0.20)×10−4. Combining with the branching fraction of Λ+c→nπ+, (6.6±1.2±0.4)×10−4, the ratio of the branching fractions Λ+c→nπ+ and Λ+c→pπ0 is calculated to be 4.2+2.2−1.9; this is an important input for the understanding of the decay mechanisms of charmed baryons. In addition, the absolute branching fraction of Λ+c→pη is measured to be (1.63±0.31stat±0.11syst)×10−3, which is consistent with previous measurements.
Using a sample of (10087±44)×106 𝐽/𝜓 events, which is about 45 times larger than that was previously analyzed, a further investigation on the 𝐽/𝜓→𝛾3(𝜋+𝜋−) decay is performed. A significant distortion at 1.84 GeV/𝑐2 in the line shape of the 3(𝜋+𝜋−) invariant mass spectrum is observed for the first time, which could be resolved by two overlapping resonant structures, 𝑋(1840) and 𝑋(1880). The new state 𝑋(1880) is observed with a statistical significance larger than 10𝜎. The mass and width of 𝑋(1880) are determined to be 1882.1±1.7±0.7 MeV/𝑐2 and 30.7±5.5±2.4 MeV, respectively, which indicates the existence of a 𝑝¯ 𝑝 bound state.
A light scalar X0 or vector X1 particles have been introduced as a possible explanation for the (g−2)μ anomaly and dark matter phenomena.
Using (8.998±0.039)×109 $\jpsi$ events collected by the BESIII detector, we search for a light muon philic scalar X0 or vector X1 in the processes J/ψ→μ+μ−X0,1 with X0,1 invisible decays. No obvious signal is found, and the upper limits on the coupling g′0,1 between the muon and the X0,1 particles are set to be between 1.1×10−3 and 1.0×10−2 for the X0,1 mass in the range of 1<M(X0,1)<1000 MeV/c2 at 90% confidence level.
Precision measurements of the semileptonic decays 𝐷+𝑠→𝜂𝑒+𝜈𝑒 and 𝐷+𝑠→𝜂′𝑒+𝜈𝑒 are performed with 7.33 fb−1 of 𝑒+𝑒− collision data collected at center-of-mass energies between 4.128 and 4.226 GeV with the BESIII detector. The branching fractions obtained are ℬ(𝐷+𝑠→𝜂𝑒+𝜈𝑒) = (2.255±0.039stat±0.051syst)% and ℬ(𝐷+𝑠→𝜂′𝑒+𝜈𝑒)=(0.810±0.038stat±0.024syst)%. Combining these results with the ℬ(𝐷+→𝜂𝑒+𝜈𝑒) and ℬ(𝐷+→𝜂′𝑒+𝜈𝑒) obtained from previous BESIII measurements, the 𝜂−𝜂′ mixing angle in the quark flavor basis is determined to be 𝜙P=(40.0±2.0stat±0.6syst)°. Moreover, from the fits to the partial decay rates of 𝐷+𝑠→𝜂𝑒+𝜈𝑒 and 𝐷+𝑠→𝜂′𝑒+𝜈𝑒, the products of the hadronic transition form factors 𝑓𝜂(′)+(0) and the modulus of the 𝑐→𝑠 Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element |𝑉𝑐𝑠| are determined by using different hadronic transition form factor parametrizations. Based on the two-parameter series expansion, the products 𝑓𝜂+(0)|𝑉𝑐𝑠| = 0.4519±0.0071stat±0.0065syst and 𝑓𝜂′+(0)|𝑉𝑐𝑠| = 0.525±0.024stat±0.009syst are extracted. All results determined in this work supersede those measured in the previous BESIII analyses based on the 3.19 fb−1 subsample of data at 4.178 GeV.
Using 7.33~fb−1 of e+e− collision data collected by the BESIII detector at center-of-mass energies in the range of s√=4.128−4.226~GeV, we search for the rare decays D+s→h+(h0)e+e−, where h represents a kaon or pion. By requiring the e+e− invariant mass to be consistent with a ϕ(1020), 0.98<M(e+e−)<1.04 ~GeV/c2, the decay D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is observed with a statistical significance of 7.8σ, and evidence for the decay D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e− is found for the first time with a statistical significance of 4.4σ. The decay branching fractions are measured to be B(D+s→π+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(1.17+0.23−0.21±0.03)×10−5, and B(D+s→ρ+ϕ,ϕ→e+e−)=(2.44+0.67−0.62±0.16)×10−5, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second systematic. No significant signal for the three four-body decays of D+s→π+π0e+e−, D+s→K+π0e+e−, and D+s→K0Sπ+e+e− is observed. For D+s→π+π0e+e−, the ϕ mass region is vetoed to minimize the long-distance effects. The 90% confidence level upper limits set on the branching fractions of these decays are in the range of (7.0−8.1)×10−5.
This report explores the question of compatibility between annotation projects including translating annotation formalisms to each other or to common forms. Compatibility issues are crucial for systems that use the results of multiple annotation projects. We hope that this report will begin a concerted effort in the field to track the compatibility of annotation schemes for part of speech tagging, time annotation, treebanking, role labeling and other phenomena.
Central counterparties (CCPs) have increasingly become a cornerstone of financial markets infrastructure. We present a model where trades are time-critical, liquidity is limited and there is limited enforcement of trades. We show a CCP novating trades implements efficient trading behaviour. It is optimal for the CCP to face default losses to achieve the efficient level of trade. To cover these losses, the CCP optimally uses margin calls, and, as the default problem becomes more severe, also requires default funds and then imposes position limits.
The pseudorapidity asymmetry and centrality dependence of charged hadron spectra in d+Au collisions at sqrt[sNN ]=200 GeV are presented. The charged particle density at midrapidity, its pseudorapidity asymmetry, and centrality dependence are reasonably reproduced by a multiphase transport model, by HIJING, and by the latest calculations in a saturation model. Ratios of transverse momentum spectra between backward and forward pseudorapidity are above unity for pT below 5 GeV/c . The ratio of central to peripheral spectra in d+Au collisions shows enhancement at 2< pT <6 GeV/c , with a larger effect at backward rapidity than forward rapidity. Our measurements are in qualitative agreement with gluon saturation and in contrast to calculations based on incoherent multiple partonic scatterings.
The short-lived K(892)* resonance provides an efficient tool to probe properties of the hot and dense medium produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. We report measurements of K* in sqrt[sNN]=200GeV Au+Au and p+p collisions reconstructed via its hadronic decay channels K(892)*0-->K pi and K(892)*±-->K0S pi ± using the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The K*0 mass has been studied as a function of pT in minimum bias p+p and central Au+Au collisions. The K*pT spectra for minimum bias p+p interactions and for Au+Au collisions in different centralities are presented. The K*/K yield ratios for all centralities in Au+Au collisions are found to be significantly lower than the ratio in minimum bias p+p collisions, indicating the importance of hadronic interactions between chemical and kinetic freeze-outs. A significant nonzero K*0 elliptic flow (v2) is observed in Au+Au collisions and is compared to the K0S and Lambda v2. The nuclear modification factor of K* at intermediate pT is similar to that of K0S but different from Lambda . This establishes a baryon-meson effect over a mass effect in the particle production at intermediate pT (2<pT <= 4GeV/c).
Midrapidity open charm spectra from direct reconstruction of D0(D0-bar)-->K± pi ± in d+Au collisions and indirect electron-positron measurements via charm semileptonic decays in p+p and d+Au collisions at sqrt[sNN]=200 GeV are reported. The D0(D0-bar) spectrum covers a transverse momentum (pT) range of 0.1<pT<3 GeV/c, whereas the electron spectra cover a range of 1<pT<4 GeV/c. The electron spectra show approximate binary collision scaling between p+p and d+Au collisions. From these two independent analyses, the differential cross section per nucleon-nucleon binary interaction at midrapidity for open charm production from d+Au collisions at BNL RHIC is d sigma NNcc-bar/dy=0.30±0.04(stat)±0.09(syst) mb. The results are compared to theoretical calculations. Implications for charmonium results in A+A collisions are discussed.
Correlations in the hadron distributions produced in relativistic Au+Au collisions are studied in the discrete wavelet expansion method. The analysis is performed in the space of pseudorapidity (| eta | <= 1) and azimuth(full 2 pi ) in bins of transverse momentum (pt) from 0.14 <= pt <= 2.1GeV/c. In peripheral Au+Au collisions a correlation structure ascribed to minijet fragmentation is observed. It evolves with collision centrality and pt in a way not seen before, which suggests strong dissipation of minijet fragmentation in the longitudinally expanding medium.
The 70 Frullania species (+ 1 subspecies, 9 varieties, and 3 formae) belonging to 9 subgenera are confirmed in China, among which 1 subgenus and 4 species are new to science, and 12 species are newly reported from China. A new name (nom. nov.) and 12 combinations are proposed and several species are reduced to synonyms of other species. This study reveals the Frullania flora of China, particularly Yunnan and the neighboring provinces, to be most highly differentiated, containing many phytogeographic ally interesting taxa, and may be regarded as a center of the Paleotropic Frullania flora.
Two new species of the genus Eponisiella Emeljanov, 1984 are described and illustrated from China (Guizhou and Shandong Provinces). These are E. dafangensis sp. nov. and E. shandongensis sp. nov., giving the genus eight species in total. A key to the species of Eponisiella is provided as well as a map of their geographic distribution, which is briefly discussed.
Elliptic flow from nuclear collisions is a hadronic observable sensitive to the early stages of system evolution. We report first results on elliptic flow of charged particles at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[sNN] = 130 GeV using the STAR Time Projection Chamber at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The elliptic flow signal, v2, averaged over transverse momentum, reaches values of about 6% for relatively peripheral collisions and decreases for the more central collisions. This can be interpreted as the observation of a higher degree of thermalization than at lower collision energies. Pseudorapidity and transverse momentum dependence of elliptic flow are also presented.
Damage control resuscitation may lead to postoperative intra-abdominal hypertension or abdominal compartment syndrome. These conditions may result in a vicious, self-perpetuating cycle leading to severe physiologic derangements and multiorgan failure unless interrupted by abdominal (surgical or other) decompression. Further, in some clinical situations, the abdomen cannot be closed due to the visceral edema, the inability to control the compelling source of infection or the necessity to re-explore (as a “planned second-look” laparotomy) or complete previously initiated damage control procedures or in cases of abdominal wall disruption. The open abdomen in trauma and non-trauma patients has been proposed to be effective in preventing or treating deranged physiology in patients with severe injuries or critical illness when no other perceived options exist. Its use, however, remains controversial as it is resource consuming and represents a non-anatomic situation with the potential for severe adverse effects. Its use, therefore, should only be considered in patients who would most benefit from it. Abdominal fascia-to-fascia closure should be done as soon as the patient can physiologically tolerate it. All precautions to minimize complications should be implemented.
Spirochetes belonging to the Borrelia (B.) burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex differ in their ability to establish infection and to survive in diverse vertebrate hosts. Association with and adaption to various hosts most likely correlates with the spirochetes' ability to acquire complement regulator factor H (FH) to overcome the host's innate immune response. Here we assessed binding of serum FH from human and various animals including bovine, cat, chicken, dog, horse, mouse, rabbit, and rat to viable B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. spielmanii, B. valaisiana, and B. lusitaniae. Spirochetes ectopically producing CspA orthologs of B. burgdorferi s.s., B. afzelii, and B. spielmanii, CspZ, ErpC, and ErpP, respectively, were also investigated. Our comparative analysis using viable bacterial cells revealed a striking heterogeneity among Lyme disease spirochetes regarding their FH-binding patterns that almost mirrors the serum susceptibility of the respective borrelial genospecies. Moreover, native CspA from B. burgdorferi s.s., B. afzelii, and B. spielmanii as well as CspZ were identified as key ligands of FH from human, horse, and rat origin while ErpP appears to bind dog and mouse FH and to a lesser extent human FH. By contrast, ErpC did not bind FH from human as well as from animal origin. These findings indicate a strong restriction of distinct borrelial proteins toward binding of polymorphic FH of various vertebrate hosts.
Lyme disease (LD), which is caused by genospecies of the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern hemisphere. Spirochetes are transmitted by Ixodes ticks and maintained in diverse vertebrate animal hosts. Following tick bite, spirochetes initially establish a localized infection in the skin. However, they may also disseminate hematogenously to several distal sites, including heart, joints, or the CNS. Because they need to survive in diverse microenvironments, from tick vector to mammalian hosts, spirochetes have developed multiple strategies to combat the numerous host defense mechanisms. One of these strategies includes the production of a number of complement-regulator acquiring surface proteins (CRASPs) which encompass CspA, CspZ, and OspE paralogs to blunt the complement pathway. These proteins are capable of preventing complement activation on the spirochete surface by binding to complement regulator Factor H. The genes encoding these CRASPs differ in their expression patterns during the tick-to-host infection cycle, implying that these proteins may exhibit different functions during infection. This review summarizes the recent published reports which investigated the roles that each of these molecules plays in conferring tick-borne transmission and dissemination in vertebrate hosts. These findings offer novel mechanistic insights into LD pathobiology and may facilitate the identification of new targets for preventive strategies against Lyme borreliosis.
In this short note, we investigate simultaneous recovery inverse problems for semilinear elliptic equations with partial data. The main technique is based on higher order linearization and monotonicity approaches. With these methods at hand, we can determine the diffusion, cavity and coefficients simultaneously by knowing the corresponding localized Dirichlet-Neumann operators.
Distichophyllum meizhii Tan & Lin and D. wanianum Tan & Lin (Hookeriaceae) collected from southwestern region of China are described as new to science. Also, Horikawaea redfearnii Tan & Lin is described as a new species based on collections from Hainan Island of China and Palawan Island of the Philippines. The sporophytic specimen of Horikawaea Nog. was collected for the first time and support a family placement in Pterobryaceae.
A new species complex, the eparmata complex, is established within the subgenus Phortica s. str., based on eight known and five new species, all of which are endemic to the Oriental Region: P. bipartita (Toda & Peng, 1992), P. eparmata (Okada, 1977), P. lanuginosa Chen & Toda, 2007, P. latipenis Chen & Gao, 2005, P. pangi Chen & Wen, 2005, P. setitabula Chen & Gao, 2005, P. unipetala Chen & Wen, 2005 and P. zeta Chen & Toda, 2007; P. jadete sp. nov., P. kava sp. nov., P. mengda sp. nov., P. wongding sp. nov. and P. yena sp. nov. A key to all species of this complex is provided. Barcoding sequences (mitochondrial COI gene) were obtained for 22 specimens of five known and the five abovementioned new species. The intra- and inter-specific pairwise K-2P (Kimura’s two-parameter) distances of COI were determined. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian inference based on COI sequences, confirming the monophyletic status of the eparmata complex, which is distinct from the species complexes of magna, omega, variegata and another two ungrouped species.
Autophagy is a physiological process for the recycling and degradation of cellular materials. Forming the autophagosome from the phagophore, a cup-shaped double-membrane vesicle, is a critical step in autophagy. The origin of the cup shape of the phagophore is poorly understood. In yeast, fusion of a small number of Atg9-containing vesicles is considered a key step in autophagosome biogenesis, aided by Atg1 complexes (ULK1 in mammals) localized at the preautophagosomal structure (PAS). In particular, the S-shaped Atg17-Atg31-Atg29 subcomplex of Atg1 is critical for phagophore nucleation at the PAS. To study this process, we simulated membrane remodeling processes in the presence and absence of membrane associated Atg17. We show that at least three vesicles need to fuse to induce the phagophore shape, consistent with experimental observations. However, fusion alone is not sufficient. Interactions with 34-nm long, S-shaped Atg17 complexes are required to overcome a substantial kinetic barrier in the transition to the cup-shaped phagophore. Our finding rationalizes the recruitment of Atg17 complexes to the yeast PAS, and their unusual shape. In control simulations without Atg17, with weakly binding Atg17, or with straight instead of S-shaped Atg17, the membrane shape transition did not occur. We confirm the critical role of Atg17-membrane interactions experimentally by showing that mutations of putative membrane interaction sites result in reduction or loss of autophagic activity in yeast. Fusion of a small number of vesicles followed by Atg17-guided membrane shape-remodeling thus emerges as a viable route to phagophore formation.
The Asplenium coenobiale complex is distributed in Eastern Asia and Southeast Asia with its distribution center in southwestern China. In this study, we carried out a detailed morphological, cytological, and phylogenetic study by adding two samples from Danxia landform in Guangdong. The sequences of five chloroplast markers and one nuclear marker of the A. coenobiale complex were analyzed with maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, respectively. The morphological and phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of a new species (A. danxiaense K.W.Xu sp. nov.) of the A. coenobiale complex from a cave of Danxia mountain, Guangdong province, southern China. This new species can be distinguished from A. coenobiale and A. pulcherrimum by having scales narrowly triangular to lanceolate, apex ending in a short apical tail, basal basiscopic pinnule usually largest, fertile segment scarce, and exospore length usually more than 50 μm and shows significant molecular differences from other species in this complex. A detailed description and illustrations are presented.
Background: Denosumab treatment for up to 8 years in the FREEDOM study and Extension was associated with low fracture incidence. It was not clear whether subjects who discontinued during the study conduct had a higher risk of fracture than those who remained enrolled, thereby underestimating the true fracture risk for the entire trial cohort. Thus, we explored the influence of early withdrawals on nonvertebral fracture incidence during the Extension study.
Methods: To understand the potential effect of depletion of susceptible subjects on fracture incidence, we first evaluated subject characteristics in patients who were enrolled in the Extension vs those who were not. We subsequently employed a Kaplan-Meier multiple imputation (KMMI) approach to consider subjects who discontinued as if they remained enrolled with a 0%, 20%, 50%, and 100% increase in fracture risk compared with participants remaining on study.
Results: Extension enrollees were generally similar to nonparticipants in median age (71.9 and 73.1 years, respectively), mean total hip bone mineral density T-score (–1.9 and –2.0, respectively), and probability of fracture risk by Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®) at FREEDOM baseline (16.9% and 17.7% for major osteoporotic fracture and 6.7% and 7.4% for hip fracture, respectively). When we assumed a doubled fracture risk (100% increase) after discontinuation in KMMI analyses, nonvertebral fracture rate estimates were only marginally higher than the observed rates for both the crossover group (10.32% vs 9.16%, respectively) and the long-term group (7.63% vs 6.63%, respectively).
Conclusion: The observation of continued denosumab efficacy over 8 years of treatment was robust and does not seem to be explained by depletion of susceptible subjects.
Trial registration: ClincalTrials.gov registration number NCT00523341; registered August 30, 2007
The genus Zingiber contains about 180 species distributed mainly in tropical regions. Several species of Zingiber are cultivated globally for their medicinal and culinary value, such as true gingers (Z. officinale), bitter gingers (Z. zerumbet), and Z. purpureum. In Taiwan, two endemic species and one incompletely known taxon were recorded in the last edition of Flora of Taiwan, and several taxonomic issues still remain unresolved. Therefore, we revised the Taiwanese Zingiber based on morphological, palynological, anatomical, and molecular evidence, as well as their distribution. The results showed that floral characters such as labellum, fertile bracts, and corolla tubes are of great taxonomic value in distinguishing taxa of Zingiber of Taiwan. Accordingly, five species are treated in the present study, namely Z. chengii Y.H.Tseng, C.M.Wang & Y.C.Lin, Z. mioga Thunb., Z. oligophyllum K.Schum., Z. pleiostachyum K.Schum., and Z. shuanglongense C.L.Yeh & S.W.Chung. Zingiber mioga might be a newly naturalized species to Taiwan. Zingiber kawagoii Hayata and Z. koshunense C.T.Moo are treated as synonyms of Z. pleiostachyum.
Consistent individual differences in behavioral tendencies (animal personality) can affect individual mate choice decisions. We asked whether personality traits affect male and female mate choice decisions similarly and whether potential personality effects are consistent across different mate choice situations. Using western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) as our study organism, we characterized focal individuals (males and females) twice for boldness, activity, and sociability/shoaling and found high and significant behavioral repeatability. Additionally, each focal individual was tested in two different dichotomous mate choice tests in which it could choose between computer-animated stimulus fish of the opposite sex that differed in body size and activity levels, respectively. Personality had different effects on female and male mate choice: females that were larger than average showed stronger preferences for large-bodied males with increasing levels of boldness/activity (i.e., towards more proactive personality types). Males that were larger than average and had higher shoaling tendencies showed stronger preferences for actively swimming females. Size-dependent effects of personality on the strength of preferences for distinct phenotypes of potential mating partners may reflect effects of age/experience (especially in females) and social dominance (especially in males). Previous studies found evidence for assortative mate choice based on personality types or hypothesized the existence of behavioral syndromes of individuals’ choosiness across mate choice criteria, possibly including other personality traits. Our present study exemplifies that far more complex patterns of personality-dependent mate choice can emerge in natural systems.
Baupläne des späten 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhunderts zeigen in den britischen Kolonialstadtgründungen Penang (Malaysia) und Singapur, dass genderdifferenzierte Raumkonzepte das Wohnen geprägt haben. In diesem Artikel werden die Formen des Wohnens sowie der Wandel der Raum- und Stadtstrukturen im kolonialstädtischen Südostasien beschrieben, die zur Herausbildung dieser binären Raumstrukturen geführt haben. Neben den sozioökonomischen Veränderungsprozessen verdienen Aspekte wie Geschlechterbeziehungen, Familien- und Haushaltsformen sowie vorbildprägende Wohnformen der Oberschichten besondere Aufmerksamkeit. Der Wandel der Wohnformen und -verhältnisse wird am Beispiel des innerstädtischen Shophouses konkretisiert. Das Shophouse hatte sich von einem teilgewerblich genutzten Stadthaus, das nach dem chinesischen Hofhaus angelegt war, zu einem Wohnreihenhaus nach Vorbildern viktorianischer Vorstadthäuser in Großbritannien entwickelt und diente schließlich als suburbanes Wohnhaus.
Gene targeting in embryonic stem (ES) cells remains best practice for introducing complex mutations into the mouse germline. One aspect in this multistep process that has not been streamlined with regard to the logistics and ethics of mouse breeding is the efficiency of germline transmission: the transmission of the ES cell-derived genome through the germline of chimeras to their offspring. A method whereby male chimeras transmit exclusively the genome of the injected ES cells to their offspring has been developed. The new technology, referred to as goGermline, entails injecting ES cells into blastocysts produced by superovulated homozygous Tsc22d3 floxed females mated with homozygous ROSA26-Cre males. This cross produces males that are sterile due to a complete cell-autonomous defect in spermatogenesis. The resulting male chimeras can be sterile but when fertile, they transmit the ES cell-derived genome to 100% of their offspring. The method was validated extensively and in two laboratories for gene-targeted ES clones that were derived from the commonly used parental ES cell lines Bruce4, E14, and JM8A3. The complete elimination of the collateral birth of undesired, non-ES cell-derived offspring in goGermline technology fulfills the reduction imperative of the 3R principle of humane experimental technique with animals. genesis 54:326-333, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Genesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In the mouse, most mature olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) express one allele of one gene from the repertoire of ~1100 odorant receptor (OR) genes, which encode G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Axons of OSNs that express a given OR coalesce into homogeneous glomeruli, which reside at conserved positions in the olfactory bulb. ORs are intimately involved in ensuring the expression of one OR per OSN and the coalescence of OSN axons into glomeruli. But the mechanisms whereby ORs accomplish these diverse functions remain poorly understood. An experimental approach that has been informative is to substitute an OR genetically with another GPCR that is normally not expressed in OSNs, in order to determine in which aspects this GPCR can serve as surrogate OR in mouse OSNs. Thus far only the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR, Ardb2) has been shown to be able to serve as surrogate OR in OSNs; the β2AR could substitute for the M71 OR in all aspects examined. Can other non-olfactory GPCRs function equally well as surrogate ORs in OSNs? Here, we have generated and characterized two novel gene-targeted mouse strains in which the mouse melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) or the mouse dopamine receptor D1 (Drd1a) is coexpressed with tauGFP in OSNs that express the OR locus M71. These alleles and strains are abbreviated as Mc4r→M71-GFP and Drd1a→M71-GFP. We detected strong Mc4r or Drd1a immunoreactivity in axons and dendritic knobs and cilia of OSNs that express Mc4r or Drd1a from the M71 locus. These OSNs responded physiologically to cognate agonists for Mc4r (Ro27-3225) or Drd1a (SKF81297), and not to the M71 ligand acetophenone. Axons of OSNs expressing Mc4r→M71-GFP coalesced into glomeruli. Axons of OSNs expressing Drd1a→M71-GFP converged onto restricted areas of the olfactory bulb but did not coalesce into glomeruli. Thus, OR functions in OSNs can be substituted by Mc4r or Drd1a, but not as well as by β2AR. We attribute the weak performance of Drd1a as surrogate OR to poor OSN maturation.
The current knowledge of the scorpionfly genus Dicerapanorpa Zhong & Hua, 2013 is taxonomically reviewed. Two new species of Dicerapanorpa are described and illustrated, increasing the species number of this genus to 20. Dicerapanorpa bifurcata sp. nov. from the Minshan Mountains, Sichuan Province, is characterized by the absence of the paramere basal branch and the elongated mesal branch in males, and the medigynium having a short basal stalk in females. Dicerapanorpa zhengkuni sp. nov. from the Wuling and Miaoling Mountains, Guizhou Province, is distinguishable by the greatly elongated hypovalves, the very short basal branch of the paramere, and the dorsomedially curved lateral branch in males, and the rounded main plate of the medigynium in females. An updated key to species of Dicerapanorpa is presented.
Die Analyse früher Entwicklungsstadien von Säugetierembryonen und daraus gewonnener Stammzelllinien kann entscheidende Erkenntnisse im Bereich der Reproduktionsbiologie und der regenerativen Medizin hervorbringen. Dabei spielt die Maus, als geeignetes Modellsystem für die Übertragbarkeit auf den Menschen eine wichtige Rolle, in erster Linie weil die Blastozysten der Maus verglichen mit menschliche Blastozysten eine morphologische Ähnlichkeit aufweisen. Humane embryonale Stammzelllinien haben großes Potential für die Anwendung in der regenerativen Medizin und vergleichend dazu wurde Gen-Targeting in embryonalen Stammzellen verwendet, um tausende neuer Mausstämme zu generieren. Die Gewinnung embryonaler Stammzellen erfolgt im Blastozystenstadium, diese können dann nach Injektion in eine andere Blastozyste zur Entwicklung aller Gewebearten, einschließlich der Keimbahngewebe, beitragen (Martin, 1981; Evans and Kaufman 1981).
Ursache einer Fehlgeburt können vor allem Defekte in der Entwicklung des Trophoblasten und des primitive Entoderms (PrE) sein, dabei sind ca. 5 % der Paare betroffen die versuchen ein Kind zu bekommen (Stephenson and Kutteh, 2007). Eine Untersuchung dieser Zelllinien im Mausmodell könnte weitere Erkenntnisse für die Gründe einer Fehlentwicklung liefern. Trophoblasten Stammzelllinien können aus den Blastozysten der Maus und dem extraembryonalen Ektoderm von bereits implantieren Embryonen gewonnen werden (Tanaka et al., 1998). Diese Zelllinien geben Aufschluss über die Entwicklung des Trophoblasten, fördern die Entwicklung der Plazenta und sind gleichzeitig ein gutes Modellsystem um die Implantation des Embryos im Uterus näher zu untersuchen. Zellen des primitive Entoderms (PrE) beeinflussen das im Dottersack vorhandene extraembryonale Entoderm, welches dort als “frühe Plazenta” fungiert und für die Versorgung des Embryos mit Nährstoffen zuständig ist (Cross et al., 1994). Des Weiteren besitzt das Entoderm einen induktiven Einfluss auf die Bildung von anterioren Strukturen und die Bildung von Endothelzellen sowie Blutinseln (Byrd et al., 2002).
Extraembryonale Endodermstammzellen (XEN Zellen) können aus Blastozysten gewonnen und in embryonale Stammzellen (ES-Zellen) umgewandelt werden (Fujikura et al., 2002; Kunath et al., 2005). Es war jedoch nicht bekannt, ob XEN-Zellen auch aus Postimplantations-Embryonen gewonnen werden können. XEN-Zellen tragen in vivo zur Entwicklung des Darmendoderms bei (Kwon et al., 2008; Viotti et al., 2014) und könnten als alternative, selbsterneuernde Quelle für extraembryonale Endoderm-abgeleitete Zellen dienen, die zur Herstellung von Geweben für die regenerative Medizin verwendet werden könnten (Niakan et al., 2013).
In der Embryogenese der Maus zeigt sich an Tag E3.0 eine kompakte Morula die sich allmählich in das Trophektoderm (TE) differenziert, welches wiederum den Embryonalknoten (“innere Zellmasse”) umschließt (Johnson and Ziomek, 1981). Ein wichtiger Schritt im Rahmen der Entwicklung findet an Tag E3.5 statt, in diesem Zeitraum gehen aus dem Embryonalknoten der pluripotente Epiblast und das primitive Entoderm hervor. Im späten Blastozystenstadium an Tag E4.5 liegt das PrE als Zellschicht entlang der Oberfläche der Blastocoel-Höhle. Aus dem Epiblast entwickeln sich im weiteren Verlauf der Embryo, das Amnion und das extraembryonale Mesoderm des Dottersacks. Die Zellen des Trophektoderm führen zur Entwicklung der Plazenta. Das PrE differenziert sich im Zuge der Weiterentwicklung in das viszerale Entoderm (VE) und das parietale Entoderm (PE) des Dottersacks (Chazaud et al., 2006; Gardner and Rossant, 1979; Plusa et al., 2008). VE umgibt den Epiblast und extraembryonisches Ektoderm (ExE). PE-Zellen wandern entlang der inneren Oberfläche von TE und sezernieren zusammen mit Trophoblasten-Riesenzellen Basalmembranproteine, um die Reichert-Membran zu bilden (Hogan et al., 1980). Die Reichert-Membran besteht aus Basalmembranproteinen, einschließlich Kollagenen und Lamininen, die zwischen den parietalen Endoderm- und Trophoblastzellen liegen. Diese Membran wirkt als ein Filter, der dem Embryo den Zugang zu Nährstoffen ermöglicht, während er eine Barriere zu den Zellen der Mutter bildet (Gardner, 1983).
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A wealth of data has elucidated the mechanisms by which sensory inputs are encoded in the neocortex, but how these processes are regulated by the behavioral relevance of sensory information is less understood. Here, we focus on neocortical layer 1 (L1), a key location for processing of such top-down information. Using Neuron-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (NDNF) as a selective marker of L1 interneurons (INs) and in vivo 2-photon calcium imaging, electrophysiology, viral tracing, optogenetics, and associative memory, we find that L1 NDNF-INs mediate a prolonged form of inhibition in distal pyramidal neuron dendrites that correlates with the strength of the memory trace. Conversely, inhibition from Martinotti cells remains unchanged after conditioning but in turn tightly controls sensory responses in NDNF-INs. These results define a genetically addressable form of dendritic inhibition that is highly experience dependent and indicate that in addition to disinhibition, salient stimuli are encoded at elevated levels of distal dendritic inhibition.
Extraembryonic endoderm stem (XEN) cell lines can be derived and maintained in vitro and reflect the primitive endoderm lineage. Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) is thought to be essential for the derivation and maintenance of mouse XEN cell lines. Here, we have re-evaluated this requirement for PDGFRA. We derived multiple PDGFRA-deficient XEN cell lines from postimplantation and preimplantation embryos of a PDGFRA-GFP knockout strain. We also converted PDGFRA-deficient embryonic stem cell lines into XEN cell lines chemically by transient culturing with retinoic acid and Activin A. We confirmed the XEN profile of our 12 PDGFRA-deficient cell lines by immunofluorescence with various markers, by NanoString gene expression analyses, and by their contribution to the extraembryonic endoderm of chimeric embryos produced by injecting these cells into blastocysts. Thus, PDGFRA is not essential for the derivation and maintenance of XEN cell lines.
Transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is non-inferior to vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in preventing thromboembolic events in atrial fibrillation (AF). Non-vitamin K antagonists (NOACs) have an improved safety profile over VKAs; however, evidence regarding their effect on cardiovascular and neurological outcomes relative to LAAO is limited. Up-to-date randomized trials or propensity-score-matched data comparing LAAO vs. NOACs in high-risk patients with AF were pooled in our study. A total of 2849 AF patients (LAAO: 1368, NOACs: 1481, mean age: 75 ± 7.5 yrs, 63.5% male) were enrolled. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.3 ± 1.7, and the mean HAS-BLED score was 3.4 ± 1.2. The baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups. In the LAAO group, the success rate of device implantation was 98.8%. During a mean follow-up of 2 years, as compared with NOACs, LAAO was associated with a significant reduction of ISTH major bleeding (p = 0.0002). There were no significant differences in terms of ischemic stroke (p = 0.61), ischemic stroke/thromboembolism (p = 0.63), ISTH major and clinically relevant minor bleeding (p = 0.73), cardiovascular death (p = 0.63), and all-cause mortality (p = 0.71). There was a trend toward reduction of combined major cardiovascular and neurological endpoints in the LAAO group (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.64–1.11, p = 0.12). In conclusion, for high-risk AF patients, LAAO is associated with a significant reduction of ISTH major bleeding without increased ischemic events, as compared to “contemporary NOACs”. The present data show the superior role of LAAO over NOACs among high-risk AF patients in terms of reduction of major bleeding; however, more randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Background: Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor (MIF) is highly elevated after cardiac surgery and impacts the postoperative inflammation. The aim of this study was to analyze whether the polymorphisms CATT5–7 (rs5844572/rs3063368,“-794”) and G>C single-nucleotide polymorphism (rs755622,-173) in the MIF gene promoter are related to postoperative outcome. Methods: In 1116 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, the MIF gene polymorphisms were analyzed and serum MIF was measured by ELISA in 100 patients. Results: Patients with at least one extended repeat allele (CATT7) had a significantly higher risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) compared to others (23% vs. 13%; OR 2.01 (1.40–2.88), p = 0.0001). Carriers of CATT7 were also at higher risk of death (1.8% vs. 0.4%; OR 5.12 (0.99–33.14), p = 0.026). The GC genotype was associated with AKI (20% vs. GG/CC:13%, OR 1.71 (1.20–2.43), p = 0.003). Multivariate analyses identified CATT7 predictive for AKI (OR 2.13 (1.46–3.09), p < 0.001) and death (OR 5.58 (1.29–24.04), p = 0.021). CATT7 was associated with higher serum MIF before surgery (79.2 vs. 50.4 ng/mL, p = 0.008). Conclusion: The CATT7 allele associates with a higher risk of AKI and death after cardiac surgery, which might be related to chronically elevated serum MIF. Polymorphisms in the MIF gene may constitute a predisposition for postoperative complications and the assessment may improve risk stratification and therapeutic guidance.
Variants resistant to compounds specifically targeting HCV are observed in clinical trials. A multi-variant viral dynamic model was developed to quantify the evolution and in vivo fitness of variants in subjects dosed with monotherapy of an HCV protease inhibitor, telaprevir. Variant fitness was estimated using a model in which variants were selected by competition for shared limited replication space. Fitness was represented in the absence of telaprevir by different variant production rate constants and in the presence of telaprevir by additional antiviral blockage by telaprevir. Model parameters, including rate constants for viral production, clearance, and effective telaprevir concentration, were estimated from 1) plasma HCV RNA levels of subjects before, during, and after dosing, 2) post-dosing prevalence of plasma variants from subjects, and 3) sensitivity of variants to telaprevir in the HCV replicon. The model provided a good fit to plasma HCV RNA levels observed both during and after telaprevir dosing, as well as to variant prevalence observed after telaprevir dosing. After an initial sharp decline in HCV RNA levels during dosing with telaprevir, HCV RNA levels increased in some subjects. The model predicted this increase to be caused by pre-existing variants with sufficient fitness to expand once available replication space increased due to rapid clearance of wild-type (WT) virus. The average replicative fitness estimates in the absence of telaprevir ranged from 1% to 68% of WT fitness. Compared to the relative fitness method, the in vivo estimates from the viral dynamic model corresponded more closely to in vitro replicon data, as well as to qualitative behaviors observed in both on-dosing and long-term post-dosing clinical data. The modeling fitness estimates were robust in sensitivity analyses in which the restoration dynamics of replication space and assumptions of HCV mutation rates were varied.
Using 10.1 × 109 J/ψ events produced by the Beijing Electron Positron Collider (BEPCII) at a center-of-mass energy √s = 3.097 GeV and collected with the BESIII detector, we present a search for the rare semi-leptonic decay J/ψ → D−e+νe + c.c. No excess of signal above background is observed, and an upper limit on the branching fraction ℬ(J/ψ → D−e+νe + c. c.) < 7.1 × 10−8 is obtained at 90% confidence level. This is an improvement of more than two orders of magnitude over the previous best limit.
The process e+e−→ϕη is studied at 22 center-of-mass energy points (√s) between 2.00 and 3.08 GeV using 715 pb−1 of data collected with the BESIII detector. The measured Born cross section of e+e−→ϕη is found to be consistent with BABAR measurements, but with improved precision. A resonant structure around 2.175 GeV is observed with a significance of 6.9σ with mass (2163.5±6.2±3.0) MeV/c2 and width (31.1+21.1−11.6±1.1) MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
A new planthopper genus, Aodingus Chen & Li gen. nov. and three new species (A. hainanensis Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov., A. obscurus Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov. and A. cuongi Chen & Li gen. et sp. nov.) are described from China and Vietnam. The new genus is superficially similar to Procidelphax Bartlett, 2009 in general appearance in that the body is strongly dorsoventrally flattened. Distinctive features of the new taxon include broadly compressed body with vertex broad, apical margin broadly rounded, middle part concave, median and submedian carinae absent, frons broad and large, wider at base than at apex, forewing broad and long, aedeagus tubular, curved ventrally. A diagnosis for all species, illustrations and an identification key of new genus are provided. A key to the Chinese genera of Tropidocephalini is also provided.
Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome
(2016)
The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition to widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide a comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host–symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome sequencing and annotation establish a solid foundation for future research on mechanisms of insecticide resistance, human–bed bug and symbiont–bed bug associations, and unique features of bed bug biology that contribute to the unprecedented success of C. lectularius as a human ectoparasite.
Periplasmic Sud protein encoded by the Wolinella succinogenes catalyses the transfer of bound polysulfide-sulfur to the active site of the membrane bound polysulfide reductase. The homodimeric protein consists of 131 residues per monomer, each with one cysteine residue in the active site. Polysulfide-sulfur is covalently bound to the catalytic Cys residues of the Sud protein. In order to understand the structure-function relationship of this protein, the features of its solution structure determined by heteronuclear multidimensional NMR techniques are reported here. The first step of structure determination leads to resonance assignments using 15N/13C/2H- and 15N/13C-labeled protein. The sequential backbone and side chain resonance assignments have been successfully completed. Structure calculations were carried out using the ARIA program package. The structure is based on 2688 NOE-derived distance restraints, 68 backbone hydrogen bond restraints derived from 34 slow-exchanging backbone amide protons and 334 torsion angle restraints obtained from the TALOS program as well as 158 residual dipolar coupling restraints for the refinement of relative vector orientations. The three-dimensional structure of the Sud protein was determined with an averaged rootmean- square deviation of 0.72 Å and 1.28 Å for the backbone and heavy atoms, respectively, excluding the terminal residues. Without the poorly defined segment between residues 90-94 the average r.m.s.d. value drops down to 0.6 Å and 1.14 Å. The ensemble refined with residual dipolar coupling (rdc) restraints shows good convergence. The r.m.s.d. value for the backbone heavy atoms, excluding residues 90- 94, drops down from 0.97 to 0.66 for the rdc-refined ensemble. The relative orientation of the two monomers in the protein structures refined with residual dipolar coupling restraints are also different from those without residual dipolar coupling restraints. The structure determination of the dimeric protein has been hampered by the high molecular mass (30 kDa), severe peak degeneracy, and by the small number of experimental intermonomer NOEs (relative orientation problem of two monomers). For the resonance assignments of aliphatic side chain, many resonances were ambiguously assigned because of severe overlap of signals. The Sud dimer protein contains 17 Lys, 14 Leu and one His tag for each monomer. It complicated the resonance assignments. The conventional 3D 15N-separated TOCSY HSQC experiment failed because of the large molecular weight which results in line broadening and hence made the resonance assignments of side chains more difficult. The determined structure contains a five-stranded parallel ß-sheet enclosing a hydrophobic core, a two-stranded anti-parallel ß-sheet and seven a-helices. The dimer structure is stabilized predominantly by hydrophobic residues. Sud catalyses the transfer of the polysulfide-sulfur to cyanide, similar to rhodanese encoded by Azotobacter vinelandii (Bordo et al., 2000). The two proteins are similar in the active site environment primarily owing to the main-chain conformation of the active-site loop with the cysteine residue and with respect to the surrounding positively charged residues. The active-site loop (residues 89-95) in the Sud protein appears to be flexible, reflected by few assigned proton resonances of residues 90-94 in the active site. Despite their similarity in function and their similar structure in active site, the amino acid sequences and the folds of the two proteins are remarkably different. The negatively charged polysulfide interacts with positively charged R46, R67, and R94 and hence may be stabilized in structure. The mutation of one of the three arginines that are also conserved in rhodanese from A. vinelandii leads to a loss of sulfur-transfer activity. The polysulfide chain extends from inside of Sud protein to outside, where Sud may form contacts with polysulfide reductase. These contacts provide the possible polysulfide-sulfur transfer from Sud protein to the active site of polysulfide reductase.
The genus Parandes Muir, 1925 (Cixiinae, Andini) is recorded from China for the first time with two new species, Parandes circinatus Wang & Chen sp. nov. and Parandes fuscus Wang & Chen sp. nov. Color images for the adults of the two new species and line drawings for the genitalia are provided. A key is presented to separate all species within the genus.
Background Although current molecular clock methods offer greater flexibility in modelling historical evolutionary events, calibration of the clock with dates from the fossil record is still problematic for many groups. Here we implement several new approaches in molecular dating to estimate evolutionary ages of Lacertidae, an Old World family of lizards with a poor fossil record and uncertain phylogeny. Four different models of rate variation are tested in a new program for Bayesian phylogenetic analysis called TreeTime, based on a combination of mitochondrial and nuclear gene sequences. We incorporate paleontological uncertainty into divergence estimates by expressing multiple calibration dates as a range of probabilistic distributions. We also test the reliability of our proposed calibrations by exploring effects of individual priors on posterior estimates. Results According to the most reliable model, as indicated by Bayes factor comparison, modern lacertids arose shortly after the K/T transition and entered Africa about 45 million years ago, with the majority of their African radiation occurring in the Eocene and Oligocene. Our findings indicate much earlier origins for these clades than previously reported, and we discuss our results in light of paleogeographic trends during the Cenozoic. Conclusions This study represents the first attempt to estimate evolutionary ages of a specific group of reptiles exhibiting uncertain phylogenetic relationships, molecular rate variation and a poor fossil record. Our results emphasize the sensitivity of molecular divergence dates to fossil calibrations, and support the use of combined molecular data sets and multiple, well-spaced dates from the fossil record as minimum node constraints. The bioinformatics program used here, TreeTime, is publicly available, and we recommend its use for molecular dating of taxa faced with similar challenges.
Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), the causative agent of Lyme disease, establishes an initial infection in the host’s skin following a tick bite, and then disseminates to distant organs, leading to multisystem manifestations. Tick-to-vertebrate host transmission requires that Bbsl survives during blood feeding. Complement is an important innate host defense in blood and interstitial fluid. Bbsl produces a polymorphic surface protein, CspA, that binds to a complement regulator, Factor H (FH) to block complement activation in vitro. However, the role that CspA plays in the Bbsl enzootic cycle remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that different CspA variants promote spirochete binding to FH to inactivate complement and promote serum resistance in a host-specific manner. Utilizing a tick-to-mouse transmission model, we observed that a cspA-knockout B. burgdorferi is eliminated from nymphal ticks in the first 24 hours of feeding and is unable to be transmitted to naïve mice. Conversely, ectopically producing CspA derived from B. burgdorferi or B. afzelii, but not B. garinii in a cspA-knockout strain restored spirochete survival in fed nymphs and tick-to-mouse transmission. Furthermore, a CspA point mutant, CspA-L246D that was defective in FH-binding, failed to survive in fed nymphs and at the inoculation site or bloodstream in mice. We also allowed those spirochete-infected nymphs to feed on C3-/- mice that lacked functional complement. The cspA-knockout B. burgdorferi or this mutant strain complemented with cspA variants or cspA-L246D was found at similar levels as wild type B. burgdorferi in the fed nymphs and mouse tissues. These novel findings suggest that the FH-binding activity of CspA protects spirochetes from complement-mediated killing in fed nymphal ticks, which ultimately allows Bbsl transmission to mammalian hosts.