Search

Results are presented from the measurement by ATLAS of long-range (| Δ η| > 2) dihadron angular correlations in s=8 and 13 TeV pp collisions containing a Z boson. The analysis is performed using 19.4 fb - 1 of s=8 TeV data recorded during Run 1 of the LHC and 36.1 fb - 1 of s=13 TeV data recorded during Run 2. Two-particle correlation functions are measured as a function of relative azimuthal angle over the relative pseudorapidity range 2 < | Δ η| < 5 for different intervals of charged-particle multiplicity and transverse momentum. The measurements are corrected for the presence of background charged particles generated by collisions that occur during one passage of two colliding proton bunches in the LHC. Contributions to the two-particle correlation functions from hard processes are removed using a template-fitting procedure. Sinusoidal modulation in the correlation functions is observed and quantified by the second Fourier coefficient of the correlation function, v2 , 2, which in turn is used to obtain the single-particle anisotropy coefficient v2. The v2 values in the Z-tagged events, integrated over 0.5 < pT< 5 GeV, are found to be independent of multiplicity and s, and consistent within uncertainties with previous measurements in inclusive pp collisions. As a function of charged-particle pT, the Z-tagged and inclusive v2 values are consistent within uncertainties for pT< 3 GeV.

Electron and photon triggers covering transverse energies from 5 GeV to several TeV are essential for the ATLAS experiment to record signals for a wide variety of physics: from Standard Model processes to searches for new phenomena in both proton–proton and heavy-ion collisions. To cope with a fourfold increase of peak LHC luminosity from 2015 to 2018 (Run 2), to 2.1×1034cm-2s-1, and a similar increase in the number of interactions per beam-crossing to about 60, trigger algorithms and selections were optimised to control the rates while retaining a high efficiency for physics analyses. For proton–proton collisions, the single-electron trigger efficiency relative to a single-electron offline selection is at least 75% for an offline electron of 31 GeV, and rises to 96% at 60 GeV; the trigger efficiency of a 25 GeV leg of the primary diphoton trigger relative to a tight offline photon selection is more than 96% for an offline photon of 30 GeV. For heavy-ion collisions, the primary electron and photon trigger efficiencies relative to the corresponding standard offline selections are at least 84% and 95%, respectively, at 5 GeV above the corresponding trigger threshold.

Single- and double-differential cross-section measurements are presented for the production of top-quark pairs, in the lepton + jets channel at particle and parton level. Two topologies, resolved and boosted, are considered and the results are presented as a function of several kinematic variables characterising the top and tt¯ system and jet multiplicities. The study was performed using data from pp collisions at centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV collected in 2015 and 2016 by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36fb-1. Due to the large tt¯ cross-section at the LHC, such measurements allow a detailed study of the properties of top-quark production and decay, enabling precision tests of several Monte Carlo generators and fixed-order Standard Model predictions. Overall, there is good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the data.

To assess the properties of the quark–gluon plasma formed in ultrarelativistic ion collisions, the ATLAS experiment at the LHC measures a correlation between the mean transverse momentum and the flow harmonics. The analysis uses data samples of lead–lead and proton–lead collisions obtained at the centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 5.02 TeV, corresponding to total integrated luminosities of 22μb-1 and 28nb-1, respectively. The measurement is performed using a modified Pearson correlation coefficient with the charged-particle tracks on an event-by-event basis. The modified Pearson correlation coefficients for the 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-order flow harmonics are measured in the lead–lead collisions as a function of event centrality quantified as the number of charged particles or the number of nucleons participating in the collision. The measurements are performed for several intervals of the charged-particle transverse momentum. The correlation coefficients for all studied harmonics exhibit a strong centrality evolution, which only weakly depends on the charged-particle momentum range. In the proton–lead collisions, the modified Pearson correlation coefficient measured for the 2nd-order flow harmonics shows only weak centrality dependence. The lead-lead data is qualitatively described by the predictions based on the hydrodynamical model.

Measurements of KS0 and Λ production in tt¯ final states have been performed. They are based on a data sample with integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb - 1 from proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV, collected in 2011 with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. Neutral strange particles are separated into three classes, depending on whether they are contained in a jet, with or without a b-tag, or not associated with a selected jet. The aim is to look for differences in their main kinematic distributions. A comparison of data with several Monte Carlo simulations using different hadronisation and fragmentation schemes, colour reconnection models and different tunes for the underlying event has been made. The production of neutral strange particles in tt¯ dileptonic events is found to be well described by current Monte Carlo models for KS0 and Λ production within jets, but not for those produced outside jets.

A measurement of W± boson production in Pb+Pb collisions at sNN=5.02Te is reported using data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in 2015, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 0.49nb-1. The W± bosons are reconstructed in the electron or muon leptonic decay channels. Production yields of leptonically decaying W± bosons, normalised by the total number of minimum-bias events and the nuclear thickness function, are measured within a fiducial region defined by the detector acceptance and the main kinematic requirements. These normalised yields are measured separately for W+ and W- bosons, and are presented as a function of the absolute value of pseudorapidity of the charged lepton and of the collision centrality. The lepton charge asymmetry is also measured as a function of the absolute value of lepton pseudorapidity. In addition, nuclear modification factors are calculated using the W± boson production cross-sections measured in pp collisions. The results are compared with predictions based on next-to-leading-order calculations with CT14 parton distribution functions as well as with predictions obtained with the EPPS16 and nCTEQ15 nuclear parton distribution functions. No dependence of normalised production yields on centrality and a good agreement with predictions are observed for mid-central and central collisions. For peripheral collisions, the data agree with predictions within 1.7 (0.9) standard deviations for W- (W+) bosons.

The algorithms used by the ATLAS Collaboration during Run 2 of the Large Hadron Collider to identify jets containing b-hadrons are presented. The performance of the algorithms is evaluated in the simulation and the efficiency with which these algorithms identify jets containing b-hadrons is measured in collision data. The measurement uses a likelihood-based method in a sample highly enriched in tt¯ events. The topology of the t→ Wb decays is exploited to simultaneously measure both the jet flavour composition of the sample and the efficiency in a transverse momentum range from 20 to 600 GeV. The efficiency measurement is subsequently compared with that predicted by the simulation. The data used in this measurement, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 80.5 fb - 1, were collected in proton–proton collisions during the years 2015–2017 at a centre-of-mass energy s= 13 TeV. By simultaneously extracting both the efficiency and jet flavour composition, this measurement significantly improves the precision compared to previous results, with uncertainties ranging from 1 to 8% depending on the jet transverse momentum.

The production cross-sections for W± and Z bosons are measured using ATLAS data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.0 pb- 1 collected at a centre-of-mass energy s=2.76 TeV. The decay channels W→ ℓν and Z→ ℓℓ are used, where ℓ can be an electron or a muon. The cross-sections are presented for a fiducial region defined by the detector acceptance and are also extrapolated to the full phase space for the total inclusive production cross-section. The combined (average) total inclusive cross-sections for the electron and muon channels are: σW+→ℓνtot=2312±26(stat.)±27(syst.)±72(lumi.)±30(extr.)pb,σW-→ℓνtot=1399±21(stat.)±17(syst.)±43(lumi.)±21(extr.)pb,σZ→ℓℓtot=323.4±9.8(stat.)±5.0(syst.)±10.0(lumi.)±5.5(extr.)pb.Measured ratios and asymmetries constructed using these cross-sections are also presented. These observables benefit from full or partial cancellation of many systematic uncertainties that are correlated between the different measurements.

This paper describes a study of techniques for identifying Higgs bosons at high transverse momenta decaying into bottom-quark pairs, H→ bb¯ , for proton–proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy s=13 TeV. These decays are reconstructed from calorimeter jets found with the anti-ktR= 1.0 jet algorithm. To tag Higgs bosons, a combination of requirements is used: b-tagging of R= 0.2 track-jets matched to the large-R calorimeter jet, and requirements on the jet mass and other jet substructure variables. The Higgs boson tagging efficiency and corresponding multijet and hadronic top-quark background rejections are evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation. Several benchmark tagging selections are defined for different signal efficiency targets. The modelling of the relevant input distributions used to tag Higgs bosons is studied in 36 fb- 1 of data collected in 2015 and 2016 using g→ bb¯ and Z(→ bb¯) γ event selections in data. Both processes are found to be well modelled within the statistical and systematic uncertainties.

A measurement of fiducial and differential cross-sections for W+W- production in proton–proton collisions at s=13 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb - 1 is presented. Events with one electron and one muon are selected, corresponding to the decay of the diboson system as WW→ e±νμ∓ν. To suppress top-quark background, events containing jets with a transverse momentum exceeding 35 GeV are not included in the measurement phase space. The fiducial cross-section, six differential distributions and the cross-section as a function of the jet-veto transverse momentum threshold are measured and compared with several theoretical predictions. Constraints on anomalous electroweak gauge boson self-interactions are also presented in the framework of a dimension-six effective field theory.

The momentum measurement capability of the ATLAS muon spectrometer relies fundamentally on the intrinsic single-hit spatial resolution of the monitored drift tube precision tracking chambers. Optimal resolution is achieved with a dedicated calibration program that addresses the specific operating conditions of the 354 000 high-pressure drift tubes in the spectrometer. The calibrations consist of a set of timing offsets and drift time to drift distance transfer relations, and result in chamber resolution functions. This paper describes novel algorithms to obtain precision calibrations from data collected by ATLAS in LHC Run 2 and from a gas monitoring chamber, deployed in a dedicated gas facility. The algorithm output consists of a pair of correction constants per chamber which are applied to baseline calibrations, and determined to be valid for the entire ATLAS Run 2. The final single-hit spatial resolution, averaged over 1172 monitored drift tube chambers, is 81.7 ± 2.2 μm.

The objective of our study was to identify cow-level factors associated with subclinical hypocalcemia at calving (SCH) in multiparous Jersey cows. A total of 598 Jersey and 218 Jersey × Holstein crossbreed cows from 2 commercial dairy herds were enrolled in a retrospective cohort study. Blood samples to determine total Ca concentration were collected from the coccygeal vessels at 3 h 19 min (±2 h 33 min) after calving. We used 2 serum Ca concentration thresholds to define SCH:

This paper presents measurements of the W+→ μ+ν and W-→ μ-ν cross-sections and the associated charge asymmetry as a function of the absolute pseudorapidity of the decay muon. The data were collected in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC and correspond to a total integrated luminosity of 20.2fb-1. The precision of the cross-section measurements varies between 0.8 and 1.5% as a function of the pseudorapidity, excluding the 1.9% uncertainty on the integrated luminosity. The charge asymmetry is measured with an uncertainty between 0.002 and 0.003. The results are compared with predictions based on next-to-next-to-leading-order calculations with various parton distribution functions and have the sensitivity to discriminate between them.

A search for excited electrons produced in pp collisions at s = 13 Te via a contact interaction qq¯ → ee∗ is presented. The search uses 36.1 fb- 1 of data collected in 2015 and 2016 by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. Decays of the excited electron into an electron and a pair of quarks (eqq¯) are targeted in final states with two electrons and two hadronic jets, and decays via a gauge interaction into a neutrino and a W boson (νW) are probed in final states with an electron, missing transverse momentum, and a large-radius jet consistent with a hadronically decaying W boson. No significant excess is observed over the expected backgrounds. Upper limits are calculated for the pp→ ee∗→ eeqq¯ and pp→ ee∗→ eνW production cross sections as a function of the excited electron mass me∗ at 95% confidence level. The limits are translated into lower bounds on the compositeness scale parameter Λ of the model as a function of me∗. For me∗

This paper presents measurements of charged-particle distributions sensitive to the properties of the underlying event in events containing a Z boson decaying into a muon pair. The data were obtained using the ATLAS detector at the LHC in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 Te with an integrated luminosity of 3.2fb-1. Distributions of the charged-particle multiplicity and of the charged-particle transverse momentum are measured in regions of the azimuth defined relative to the Z boson direction. The measured distributions are compared with the predictions of various Monte Carlo generators which implement different underyling event models. The Monte Carlo model predictions qualitatively describe the data well, but with some significant discrepancies.

Algorithms used for the reconstruction and identification of electrons in the central region of the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) are presented in this paper; these algorithms are used in ATLAS physics analyses that involve electrons in the final state and which are based on the 2015 and 2016 proton–proton collision data produced by the LHC at s = 13 TeV. The performance of the electron reconstruction, identification, isolation, and charge identification algorithms is evaluated in data and in simulated samples using electrons from Z→ ee and J/ ψ→ ee decays. Typical examples of combinations of electron reconstruction, identification, and isolation operating points used in ATLAS physics analyses are shown.

This paper describes a search for pairs of neutral, long-lived particles decaying in the ATLAS calorimeter. Long-lived particles occur in many extensions to the Standard Model and may elude searches for new promptly decaying particles. The analysis considers neutral, long-lived scalars with masses between 5 and 400 GeV, produced from decays of heavy bosons with masses between 125 and 1000 GeV, where the long-lived scalars decay into Standard Model fermions. The analysis uses either 10.8fb-1 or 33.0fb-1 of data (depending on the trigger) recorded in 2016 at the LHC with the ATLAS detector in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. No significant excess is observed, and limits are reported on the production cross section times branching ratio as a function of the proper decay length of the long-lived particles.

Inclusive and differential cross-sections for the production of a top-quark pair in association with a photon are measured with proton-proton collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb-1, collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2015 and 2016 at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. The measurements are performed in single-lepton and dilepton final states in a fiducial volume. Events with exactly one photon, one or two leptons, a channel-dependent minimum number of jets, and at least one b-jet are selected. Neural network algorithms are used to separate the signal from the backgrounds. The fiducial cross-sections are measured to be 521±9(stat.)±41(sys.)fb and 69±3(stat.)±4(sys.)fb for the single-lepton and dilepton channels, respectively. The differential cross-sections are measured as a function of photon transverse momentum, photon absolute pseudorapidity, and angular distance between the photon and its closest lepton in both channels, as well as azimuthal opening angle and absolute pseudorapidity difference between the two leptons in the dilepton channel. All measurements are in agreement with the theoretical predictions.

The performance of identification algorithms (“taggers”) for hadronically decaying top quarks and W bosons in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV recorded by the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider is presented. A set of techniques based on jet shape observables are studied to determine a set of optimal cut-based taggers for use in physics analyses. The studies are extended to assess the utility of combinations of substructure observables as a multivariate tagger using boosted decision trees or deep neural networks in comparison with taggers based on two-variable combinations. In addition, for highly boosted top-quark tagging, a deep neural network based on jet constituent inputs as well as a re-optimisation of the shower deconstruction technique is presented. The performance of these taggers is studied in data collected during 2015 and 2016 corresponding to 36.1 fb - 1 for the tt¯ and γ+ jet and 36.7 fb - 1 for the dijet event topologies.

The efficiency of the photon identification criteria in the ATLAS detector is measured using 36.1fb1 to 36.7fb1 of pp collision data at s=13 TeV collected in 2015 and 2016. The efficiencies are measured separately for converted and unconverted isolated photons, in four different pseudorapidity regions, for transverse momenta between 10 GeV and 1.5 TeV. The results from the combination of three data-driven techniques are compared with the predictions from simulation after correcting the variables describing the shape of electromagnetic showers in simulation for the average differences observed relative to data. Data-to-simulation efficiency ratios are determined to account for the small residual efficiency differences. These factors are measured with uncertainties between 0.5% and 5% depending on the photon transverse momentum and pseudorapidity. The impact of the isolation criteria on the photon identification efficiency, and that of additional soft pp interactions, are also discussed. The probability of reconstructing an electron as a photon candidate is measured in data, and compared with the predictions from simulation. The efficiency of the reconstruction of photon conversions is measured using a sample of photon candidates from Z→ μμγ events, exploiting the properties of the ratio of the energies deposited in the first and second longitudinal layers of the ATLAS electromagnetic calorimeter.

Resveratrol and its glucoside, piceid, are the primary stilbenes present in wine. These compounds are well known for their pharmaceutical properties. However, these compounds can undergo chemical transformations in wines, such as polymerization in the presence of metallic reagents. This study investigates the oxidative coupling of resveratrol and piceid to form dimers, including δ-viniferin and δ-viniferin-diglucoside. These dimers were synthesized using silver acetate. The formation of these stilbenes was monitored in wine model solutions and red wines. The results indicated that resveratrol and piceid underwent transformation during heat treatment, forming their respective dimers. The polymerization of both compounds is temperature-dependent, with higher conversion rates at elevated temperatures. Notably, piceid was more reactive than resveratrol in wine. Finally, the anti-inflammatory effects of these compounds were evaluated on the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Stilbenoid extracts, such as those originating from grapevine by‐products (e.g. canes), are of interest for use as biopesticides in vineyard owing to their antimicrobial activities. However, stilbenoids are unstable in the environment, especially under light. This study aimed to chemically characterize the effect of UV light on stilbenoids present in a grapevine cane extract (CE), and to evaluate the antimicrobial activities against two major grapevine pathogens (Plasmopara viticola and Botrytis cinerea) of grapevine extracts exposed to UV. RESULTS: Treatment with UV (365 nm) on a grapevine CE led to degradation of stilbenoids (up to 71% after 1 h). The stilbenoid stability depended on their chemical structure: only those possessing CC, as trans‐resveratrol and trans‐ε‐viniferin, were affected with first their isomerization and secondly their oxidation/cyclization. As a consequence, UV‐exposed extracts (UV‐CEs) showed reduced antimicrobial activities against the two pathogens (mycelium and spores). For instance, regarding P. viticola, an UV‐CE exposed during 4 h showed an almost total loss of its activity on oomycete development and a 2.4‐fold inhibition of zoospore mobility in comparison to CE. For B. cinerea, the inhibition capacity of the same UV‐CE was reduced by only 1.1‐fold on mycelial development and by 3.2‐fold on conidial germination compared to CE. CONCLUSION: UV light triggered modifications on the structure of bioactive stilbenoids, resulting in losses of their antimicrobial activities. Photoprotection of stilbenoids has to be considered in the perspective of using them in vineyards as biopesticides. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Asian context, when students transition from pre-university to an International Branch Campus of a Western university, they tend to experience significant differences in a number of areas in their first-year university lives. Because of the different educational cultures, students and teachers may have different expectations on the academic culture of university. If a misalignment of these expectations occurs, the potential for a negative learning and teaching experience is likely to increase. This article attempts to identify the gaps between the two parties to circumvent the potential problems that come with it. A survey was conducted with 728 first-year students and 124 teachers who teach first-year subjects at a Western university international branch campus in Malaysia. The results show that significant gaps exist in their expectations on course content, responsiveness, assessment support aspects, and concern for student. These findings warrant attention from the home campus as well as the branch campus. Some suggestions are offered to address these gaps in expectations.

Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal,1 Ahmed Mansour Alrajeh,2 Jumanah Abdullah Ali Al-Abdulwahed1 1Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal, Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966564070973, Email sjalal@kfu.edu.saPurpose: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one of the most common infections in intensive care units (ICU) with a 6– 52% incidence. The VAP mortality rate is 50% to 70%. Medical professionals (MPs) working in the ICU are expected to follow the guidelines to prevent VAP. The study aimed to assess the performance of MPs in preventing VAP and to associate the performance with the baseline information.Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in the ICUs of selected hospitals in eastern Saudi Arabia. A total of 152 MPs were selected by random sampling. A structured questionnaire including baseline information, knowledge and performance-related questions was used to collect the data. Frequency, mean, and chi-square tests were used for analysis.Results: Out of 152 MPs, 40.8% had adequate and 7.9% had inadequate knowledge. A high mean score of 12.9 ± 2.2 was obtained by physicians, followed by 11.3 ± 1.6 by nurses, 9.8 ± 2.2 by RTs, and 8.6 ± 2.1 by interns. Overall, 52.6% had satisfactory performance. Approximately 57.9% and 67.8% of MPs cleaned their hands before touching the patient and the ventilator, respectively. Many (79.6%) MPs used personal protective equipment in the ICU. Some (47.4%) of the MPs changed the patient’s position regularly. About 77.6% of MPs followed the sterile technique when suctioning the airway. There was a significant association found between the performance of MPs on the prevention of VAP with age (p < 0.001), designation (p < 0.05), professional experience (p < 0.05), managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease conditions (p < 0.05) and training attended (p < 0.001).Conclusion: Although some of the MPs had satisfactory performance regarding VAP prevention in the ICU, more attention should be paid to training them on clinical guidelines to improve health care quality and reduce the rate of VAP.Keywords: ventilator-associated pneumonia, intensive care units, medical professionals, infection

The effects of prophylactic oral Ca supplementation on blood mineral status and markers of energy balance were evaluated on 205 multiparous Jersey cows at a commercial dairy. Postpartum, cows were systematically assigned to control (n = 105) or oral Ca supplementation (CaOS; 50 to 60 g of Ca as boluses; n = 100) at 0 and 1 d in milk (DIM). Blood samples for analysis of serum minerals (Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Zn, and Cu) were collected before and 1 h after treatment at 0 and 1 DIM, and at 2 DIM. Urine pH was measured immediately before and 1 h after treatment administration (n = 96). A subset of 74 cows was evaluated for plasma glucose and fatty acid concentrations at 0, 1, and 2 DIM. Cows were classified according to their initial calcemic status (Ca status) as normocalcemic (NC; serum Ca >2.12 mmol/L) or subclinically hypocalcemic (SCH; serum Ca ≤2.12 mmol/L). Average serum Ca concentration was higher in CaOS than control cows (2.12 vs. 2.06 mmol/L); this treatment effect was higher for SCH [CaOS (2.03 mmol/L); control (1.89 mmol/L)] than NC cows [CaOS (2.22 mmol/L); control (2.22 mmol/L)]. The incidence of subclinical hypocalcemia was lower for CaOS than control cows (53 vs. 65%); however, at 2 DIM the prevalence of subclinical hypocalcemia tended to be higher for CaOS cows, mostly because it was higher for CaOS-NC than control-NC cows (70 vs. 25%). Urine pH was lower for CaOS than control cows (6.10 vs. 7.04). Lower serum Mg concentration was detected for CaOS-SCH (1.06 mmol/L) than for control-SCH (1.10 mmol/L) cows. Cows in the CaOS group had higher serum K (4.68 vs. 4.53 mmol/L), lower plasma glucose (2.97 vs. 3.10 mmol/L), and at 2 DIM higher plasma fatty acid concentrations (0.43 vs. 0.35 mmol/L) than control cows. Our results showed that postpartum serum Ca concentration increases with oral Ca supplementation, but calcemic status influenced treatment response. Future studies should evaluate the long-term implications on production and reproduction of oral Ca supplementation in Jersey cows.

One-dimensional dissolution of a layered compound in a nonpolar organic solvent is reported for the first time. A high-aspect ratio fluorohectorite modified with a cationic surfactant (dioctadecyldimethylammonium) showed spontaneous delamination into monolayer nanosheets in chloroform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A search for supersymmetry (SUSY) in events with large missing transverse momentum, jets, and at least one hadronically decaying τ lepton, with zero or one additional light lepton (e/μ), has been performed using 4.7 fb−1of proton-proton collision data at √s = 7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. No excess above the Standard Model background expectation is observed and a 95 % confidence level visible cross-section upper limit for new phenomena is set. In the framework of gauge-mediated SUSY-breaking models, lower limits on the mass scale Λ are set at 54 TeV in the regions where the τ1is the next-to-lightest SUSY particle (tanβ > 20). These limits provide the most stringent tests to date of GMSB models in a large part of the parameter space considered.

Translation of the second choral chant of Sophocles' tragedy, Antigone, which is said to be "first Stoic" in Aristotle's terminology (Poetics, 1452b17). This chant is commonly referred to as "Ode to Man," for his remarkable philosophical sense and for his documentary value of the history of anthropological ideas of Greece in the fifth century BC.

Tragedy as a way of thinking rises from the integration of two types of prior poetry: the epic and the choral ones. Homeric poems gave tragedy the themes and characters, the choral poetry gave it a diverse and critical view of these themes and characters. Thus, tragedy uses the mythical thought, as well as its repertoire of images and its own logic as means and way of thinking the contemporary Athenians’ way of life. After presenting the relation of tragedy with the Athenian State and its political culture, this article describes the dynamics of mythical thought and sums up the main issues regarding the tragedies by Euripides.

Abstract Background Preliminary evidence suggests that the enteric microbiota may play a role in the expression of neurological symptoms in myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Overlapping symptoms with the acute presentation of d-lactic acidosis has prompted the use of antibiotic treatment to target the overgrowth of species within the Streptococcus genus found in commensal enteric microbiota as a possible treatment for neurological symptoms in ME/CFS. Methods An open-label, repeated measures design was used to examine treatment efficacy and enable sex comparisons. Participants included 44 adult ME/CFS patients (27 females) from one specialist medical clinic with Streptococcus viable counts above 3.00 × 105 cfu/g (wet weight of faeces) and with a count greater than 5% of the total count of aerobic microorganisms. The 4-week treatment protocol included alternate weeks of Erythromycin (400 mg of erythromycin as ethyl succinate salt) twice daily and probiotic (d-lactate free multistrain probiotic, 5 × 1010 cfu twice daily). 2 × 2 repeated measures ANOVAs were used to assess sex-time interactions and effects across pre- and post-intervention for microbial, lactate and clinical outcomes. Ancillary non-parametric correlations were conducted to examine interactions between change in microbiota and clinical outcomes. Results Large treatment effects were observed for the intention-to-treat sample with a reduction in Streptococcus viable count and improvement on several clinical outcomes including total symptoms, some sleep (less awakenings, greater efficiency and quality) and cognitive symptoms (attention, processing speed, cognitive flexibility, story memory and verbal fluency). Mood, fatigue and urine d:l lactate ratio remained similar across time. Ancillary results infer that shifts in microbiota were associated with more of the variance in clinical changes for males compared with females. Conclusions Results support the notion that specific microorganisms interact with some ME/CFS symptoms and offer promise for the therapeutic potential of targeting gut dysbiosis in this population. Streptococcus spp. are not the primary or sole producers of d-lactate. Further investigation of lactate concentrations are needed to elucidate any role of d-lactate in this population. Concurrent microbial shifts that may be associated with clinical improvement (i.e., increased Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium or decreased Clostridium in males) invite enquiry into alternative strategies for individualised treatment. Trial Registration Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12614001077651) 9th October 2014. https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=366933&isReview=true