bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of an algorithm to reveal the U wave in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Al-Karadi M. S. , Wilkinson A. J. , Caldwell J. , Langley P.
Published: August 2018

Major cardiac organisations recommend U wave abnormalities should be reported during ECG interpretation. However, U waves cannot be measured in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) due to the obscuring fibrillatory wave. The aim was to validate a U wave measurement algorithm for AF patients. Multi-beat averaging was applied to ECGs of 25 patients during paroxysms of AF and the presence of U waves compared to those from the same patients during sinus rhythm (SR). In a further database of 10 long-term AF recordings, the number of beats for effective U wave extraction by the algorithm was calculated. U waves were revealed in all AF recordings and there was no significant difference between the presence of U waves in AF and SR (p = 0.88). U wave amplitude was significantly increased in AF (mean (s.d.) amplitude 55 (39) AF vs 37 (28) μV SR, p = 0.005). The presence of U waves could easily be discerned when as few as 10 beats were used in the algorithm. The study demonstrates the validity of the algorithm to reveal U waves in AF recordings. The algorithm offers the potential to detect U wave abnormalities in patients with AF.
Assessment of in vivo versus in vitro biofilm formation of clinical methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from endotracheal tubes
Authors: Fernández-Barat Laia , Ben-Aicha Soumaya , Motos Anna , Vila Jordi , Marco Francesc , Rigol Montserrat , Muñoz Laura , Li Bassi Gianluigi , Ferrer Miquel , Torres Antoni
Published: August 2018

Our aim was to demonstrate that biofilm formation in a clinical strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can be enhanced by environment exposure in an endotracheal tube (ETT) and to determine how it is affected by systemic treatment and atmospheric conditions. Second, we aimed to assess biofilm production dynamics after extubation. We prospectively analyzed 70 ETT samples obtained from pigs randomized to be untreated (controls, n = 20), or treated with vancomycin (n = 32) or linezolid (n = 18). A clinical MRSA strain (MRSA-in) was inoculated in pigs to create a pneumonia model, before treating with antibiotics. Tracheally intubated pigs with MRSA severe pneumonia, were mechanically ventilated for 69 ± 16 hours. All MRSA isolates retrieved from ETTs (ETT-MRSA) were tested for their in vitro biofilm production by microtiter plate assay. In vitro biofilm production of MRSA isolates was sequentially studied over the next 8 days post-extubation to assess biofilm capability dynamics over time. All experiments were performed under ambient air (O2) or ambient air supplemented with 5% CO2. We collected 52 ETT-MRSA isolates (placebo N = 19, linezolid N = 11, and vancomycin N = 22) that were clonally identical to the MRSA-in. Among the ETT-MRSA isolates, biofilm production more than doubled after extubation in 40% and 50% under 5% CO2 and O2, respectively. Systemic antibiotic treatment during intubation did not affect this outcome. Under both atmospheric conditions, biofilm production for MRSA-in was at least doubled for 9 ETT-MRSA isolates, and assessment of these showed that biofilm production decreased progressively over a 4-day period after extubation. In conclusion, a weak biofilm producer MRSA strain significantly enhances its biofilm production within an ETT, but it is influenced by the ETT environment rather than by the systemic treatment used during intubation or by the atmospheric conditions used for bacterial growth.
Extensive hybridization following a large escape of domesticated Atlantic salmon in the Northwest Atlantic
Authors: Wringe Brendan F. , Jeffery Nicholas W. , Stanley Ryan R. E. , Hamilton Lorraine C. , Anderson Eric C. , Fleming Ian A. , Grant Carole , Dempson J. Brian , Veinott Geoff , Duffy Steven J. , Bradbury Ian R.
Published: August 2018

Domestication is rife with episodes of interbreeding between cultured and wild populations, potentially challenging adaptive variation in the wild. In Atlantic salmon,Salmo salar, the number of domesticated individuals far exceeds wild individuals, and escape events occur regularly, yet evidence of the magnitude and geographic scale of interbreeding resulting from individual escape events is lacking. We screened juvenile Atlantic salmon using 95 single nucleotide polymorphisms following a single, large aquaculture escape in the Northwest Atlantic and report the landscape-scale detection of hybrid and feral salmon (27.1%, 17/18 rivers). Hybrids were reproductively viable, and observed at higher frequency in smaller wild populations. Repeated annual sampling of this cohort revealed decreases in the presence of hybrid and feral offspring over time. These results link previous observations of escaped salmon in rivers with reports of population genetic change, and demonstrate the potential negative consequences of escapes from net-pen aquaculture on wild populations.
Treating Biomacromolecular Conformational Variability
Authors: Andrałojć Witold , Ravera Enrico
Published: August 2018

The function of a biomacromolecule is related not only to its structure but also to the different conformations that its structural elements can sample. It is therefore important to determine the extent of the structural fluctuations and to identify the states that are actually populated as a result of the rearrangement. However, this accomplishment is undermined by an intrinsic limitation: the amount of experimental data is by and large inferior to the number of the states that a biomacromolecule can actually sample. This means that additional, a priori information must be applied in order to derive the most from the available experimental data but not to run into overinterpretation. In this chapter we will give a summary of the experimental observables that can be used towards the reconstruction of structural ensembles, how the data can be profitably combined and to what extent the data are affected by error; finally we will give an overview of the computational methods that have been developed to model structural ensembles, highlighting their difference and similarities, advantages and disadvantages.
Paramagnetic NMR in Drug Discovery
Authors: Cetiner Erhan C. , Schwalbe Harald
Published: August 2018

NMR spectroscopy plays a pivotal role for drug discovery since it can quantify interactions between ligands and molecular targets including proteins, DNA and RNA. Therefore, NMR methods can be used to gain structural insight into ligand-target complexes or to identify binding of ligands. However, its usage is limited due to factors like low sensibility, high expenditure of time or the necessity for isotope labelling. This chapter focuses on paramagnetic NMR methods and how they can overcome, at least partially, those limitations. Here, both methods for structural characterisation of ligand-target complexes and screening methods will be discussed in comparison to the diamagnetic alternative approaches, including methods based on paramagnetic relaxation enhancement, pseudo contact shift or hyperpolarisation.
Electron-withdrawing effects on the molecular structure of 2- and 3-nitrobenzonitrile revealed by broadband rotational spectroscopy and their comparison with 4-nitrobenzonitrile
Authors: Graneek Jack B. , Bailey William C. , Schnell Melanie
Published: August 2018

The rotational spectra of 2- and 3-nitrobenzonitrile were recorded via chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy in the frequency range of 2–8 GHz.
Understanding the influence of disorder on the exciton dynamics and energy transfer in Zn-phthalocyanine H-aggregates
Authors: Doria Sandra , Lapini Andrea , Di Donato Mariangela , Righini Roberto , Azzaroli Nicolò , Iagatti Alessandro , Caram Justin R. , Sinclair Timothy S. , Cupellini Lorenzo , Jurinovich Sandro , Mennucci Benedetta , Zanotti Gloria , Paoletti Anna Maria , Pennesi Giovanna , Foggi Paolo
Published: August 2018

We aim to get insight the aggregation effect on the exciton behavior in phthalocyanine systems with coherent spectroscopy.
A proton transfer network that generates deprotonated tyrosine is a key to producing reactive oxygen species in phototoxic KillerRed protein
Authors: Lee Wook , Kim Inkoo , Rhee Young Min
Published: August 2018

A proton transfer reaction forming a deprotonated tyrosine residue is a prerequisite for the electron transfer reaction that triggers KillerRed phototoxicity.
The integration of experiment and computational modelling in heterogeneously catalysed ammonia synthesis over metal nitrides
Authors: Zeinalipour-Yazdi Constantinos D. , Hargreaves Justin S. J. , Laassiri Said , Catlow C. Richard A.
Published: August 2018

The integration of experimental studies and computational modelling is a powerful approach for the enhanced understanding of ammonia synthesis mechanisms and for the design of new catalysts.
Thermally stable and highly active Pt/CeO2@SiO2 catalysts with a porous/hollow structure
Authors: Chen Guozhu , Yang Ying , Guo Zeyi , Gao Daowei , Zhao Wei , Yan Han , Wang Wei-Wei , Jia Chun-Jiang , Sun Guoxin
Published: August 2018

One robust selective-etching approach is used to encapsulate Pt/CeO2 composites into SiO2 with a porous/hollow structure for enhanced thermal stability and catalytic activity.
Enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting of CrTiO2nanotube photoanodes by the decoration of their surfaceviathe photodeposition of Ag and Au
Authors: Sharifi Tayebeh , Ghayeb Yousef , Mohammadi Tecush , Momeni Mohamad Mohsen
Published: August 2018

Photoelectrochemical water splitting of CrTiO2nanotube arrays decorated with loading-controllable Ag and Au by the photodeposition method.
Probing magnetic interactions in metal–organic frameworks and coordination polymers microscopically
Authors: Saines Paul J. , Bristowe Nicholas C.
Published: August 2018

This perspective paper highlights the insights obtained through experimental and computational probes of magnetic metal–organic frameworks at the atomic scale.
Assisted natural recovery of hypersaline sediments: salinity thresholds for the establishment of a community of bioturbating organisms
Authors: Remaili Timothy M. , Simpson Stuart L. , Bennett William W. , King Joshua J. , Mosley Luke M. , Welsh David T. , Jolley Dianne F.
Published: August 2018

Hypersaline sediments derived from poor land management or the decommissioning of large-scale salt production contribute to the long-term degradation of aquatic environments.
Charge-assisted hydrogen bonding as a cohesive force in soil organic matter: water solubility enhancement by addition of simple carboxylic acids
Authors: Ni Jinzhi , Pignatello Joseph J.
Published: August 2018

Solubility experiments suggest that very strong hydrogen bonds between weak acid functional groups play an important role in organic matter cohesion.
A photocatalytic degradation strategy of PPCPs by a heptazine-based CN organic polymer (OCN) under visible light
Authors: Zhang Qianxin , Chen Ping , Tan Cuiwen , Chen Tiansheng , Zhuo Meihui , Xie Zhijie , Wang Fengliang , Liu Haijin , Cai Zongwei , Liu Guoguang , Lv Wenying
Published: August 2018

Polymeric photocatalysts have desirable application prospects due to their low cost and controllable structures.
Omics and bioinformatics applied to vaccine development againstBorrelia
Authors: Bencurova Elena , Gupta Shishir K. , Oskoueian Ehsan , Bhide Mangesh , Dandekar Thomas
Published: August 2018

Borrelia burgdorferiis an extracellular spirochete that causes Lyme disease.
Facile synthesis of WS2 nanotubes by sulfurization of tungsten thin films: formation mechanism, and structural and optical properties
Authors: Hossain Emroj , Rahman A. Azizur , Bapat Rudheer D. , Parmar Jayesh B. , Shah Amit P. , Arora Ashish , Bratschitsch Rudolf , Bhattacharya Arnab
Published: August 2018

We report a simple process for synthesizing WS2 nanotubes by sulfurizing tungsten thin films under appropriate conditions, characterize their structural and optical properties and elucidate the formation mechanism.
Effect of nanosilver surfaces on peptide reactivity towards reactive oxygen species
Authors: Jacques Erik , Ahumada Manuel , Rector Brianna , Yousefalizadeh Goonay , Galaz-Araya Constanza , Recabarren Rodrigo , Stamplecoskie Kevin , Poblete Horacio , Alarcon Emilio I.
Published: August 2018

Free radical oxidation of CLP-Trp peptides@AgNPs was studied using steady state & ultrafast spectroscopy and molecular dynamics.
Metal-free oxidative radical cascade addition/oxobutylation of unactivated alkenes with acetone towards 3-(3-oxobutyl)indolines
Authors: Pan Changduo , Yang Zhenkun , Gao Du , Yu Jin-Tao
Published: August 2018

A direct oxobutylation of N-allyl anilines with acetone was developed under metal-free and acid-free conditions.
o-Nitrobenzyl photoremovable groups with fluorescence uncaging reporting properties
Authors: Abou Nakad E. , Bolze F. , Specht A.
Published: August 2018

o-Nitrobenzyl photoremovable groups are able to generate a fluorescent uncaging side-product.
Elucidation of the catalytic mechanism of 6-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydropterin pyrophosphokinase using QM/MM calculations
Authors: Jongkon Nathjanan , Gleeson Duangkamol , Gleeson M. Paul
Published: August 2018

This account describes the application of QM/MM calculations to understand the reaction mechanism of HPPK, an important pharmacological target on the folate pathway for the treatment of diseases including anti-microbial resistance, malaria and cancer.
Synthesis of imidazopyridine-fused indoles via one-pot sequential Knoevenagel condensation and cross dehydrogenative coupling
Authors: Shinde Vikki N. , Dhiman Shiv , Krishnan Rangan , Kumar Dalip , Kumar Anil
Published: August 2018

Synthesis of imidazopyridine-fused indoles has been developed via one-pot sequential Knoevenagel condensation followed by palladium-catalyzed intramolecular cross-dehydrogenative coupling reaction.
Transition-metal-free photoredox intermolecular α-arylation of ketones
Authors: Pandey Ganesh , Tiwari Sandip Kumar , Budakoti Asha , Sahani Pramod Kumar
Published: August 2018

α-Arylation of ketones with electron rich arenes via sp2(C)–H has been achieved by the reaction of α-phenylselanylketones using organic photoredox catalysis.
UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis, antioxidant activity combined fingerprints for quality consistency evaluation of compound liquorice tablets
Authors: Zhang Yujing , Wang Chao , Yang Fangliang , Yang Zhe , Wang Fangren , Sun Guoxiang
Published: August 2018

Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM)/herbal medicines (HM) are too complicated to comprehensively investigate their quality consistency effectively with a single detection technique.
Aquatic photodegradation of clofibric acid under simulated sunlight irradiation: kinetics and mechanism analysis
Authors: Zhang Xiangdan , Liu Zongchao , Kong Qingqing , Liu Guoguang , Lv Wenying , Li Fuhua , Lin Xiaoxuan
Published: August 2018

Clofibric acid is one of the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in various aquatic environments.
Development of a candidate reference sample for the characterization of tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy spatial resolution
Authors: Sacco Alessio , Imbraguglio Dario , Giovannozzi Andrea M. , Portesi Chiara , Rossi Andrea M.
Published: August 2018

Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) imaging of self-assembled thiol monolayers' nanometric patterns.
Co9S8nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanofibers as high-performance supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Zhang Ning , Wang Wencong , Teng Changqing , Wu Zongxiao , Ye Ziran , Zhi Mingjia , Hong Zhanglian
Published: August 2018

Through electrospinning and the ion-exchange method, Co9S8nanoparticle-decorated carbon nanofibers (Co9S8/CNF) have been fabricated, and exhibit good supercapacitor performance.
Active control of broadband plasmon-induced transparency in a terahertz hybrid metal–graphene metamaterial
Authors: Zhang Zhaojian , Yang Junbo , He Xin , Han Yunxin , Zhang Jingjing , Huang Jie , Chen Dingbo , Xu Siyu
Published: August 2018

A hybrid metal–graphene metamaterial (MM) is reported to achieve active control of broadband plasmon-induced transparency (PIT) in the THz region.
In situ insights into the nanoscale deposition of 5,6-dihydroxyindole-based coatings and the implications on the underwater adhesion mechanism of polydopamine coatings
Authors: Lyu Qinghua , Song Hongyan , Yakovlev Nikolai L. , Tan Wui Siew , Chai Christina L. L.
Published: August 2018

The underwater in situ nano-deposition studies of 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) have provided new insights into the controversial deposition mechanism(s) of DHI-based and polydopamine-based coatings.
Silk fibroin-derived peptide directed silver nanoclusters for cell imaging
Authors: Gao Peng , Wang Hao , Zou Guifu , Zhang Ke-Qin
Published: August 2018

Fluorescent silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) that are capable of emitting green light have been synthesized using a peptide derived from the C terminal of silk fibroin heavy chain (CSH) via a one-pot, green, and facile synthesis method.
Influence from defects of three-dimensional graphene networks on the interface condition between the graphene basal plane and various resins
Authors: Tang Bo , Chen Haiqun , Sun Yunfei , Li Mingan , Wang Zhengwei , Yu Haogang , Ma Tingting , Li Sen
Published: August 2018

Graphene assisted thermal interface materials (TIMs) attract more and more attention because of their high thermal conductivities.
Efficient (Cu1−xAgx)2ZnSn(S,Se)4 solar cells on flexible Mo foils
Authors: Yu Xue , Cheng Shuying , Yan Qiong , Yu Jinling , Qiu Wen , Zhou Zhengji , Zheng Qiao , Wu Sixin
Published: August 2018

Cation substitution plays a crucial role in improving the efficiency of Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 (CZTSSe) solar cells.
Beyond a solvent: triple roles of dimethylformamide in organic chemistry
Authors: Heravi Majid M. , Ghavidel Mahdieh , Mohammadkhani Leyla
Published: August 2018

N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) is frequently used as an aprotic solvent in chemical transformations. It is a multipurpose compound besides being an effective polar aprotic solvent. DMF can be act as a reagent, a catalyst and a stabilizer.
Tuning the compatibility to achieve toughened biobased poly(lactic acid)/poly(butylene terephthalate) blends
Authors: Chang Boon Peng , Mohanty Amar K. , Misra Manjusri
Published: August 2018

Novel toughened biobased polymer blends from poly(lactic acid) and poly(butylene terephthalate) were developed by judicious compatibilization.
One-pot synthesis of end-functionalised soluble star-shaped polymers by living ring-opening metathesis polymerisation using a molybdenum-alkylidene catalyst
Authors: Sun Zelin , Nomura Kotohiro
Published: August 2018

Precise synthesis of star-shaped polymers has been achieved by living ROMP using a molybdenum catalyst with sequential addition of norbornene and cross-linker.
Synthesis of multifunctional CuFe2O4–reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite: an efficient magnetically separable catalyst as well as high performance supercapacitor and first-principles calculations of its electronic structures
Authors: Chandel Madhurya , Moitra Debabrata , Makkar Priyanka , Sinha Harshit , Hora Harshdeep Singh , Ghosh Narendra Nath
Published: August 2018

Here, we report an ‘in situ’ co-precipitation reduction based synthetic methodology to prepare CuFe2O4 nanoparticle–reduced graphene oxide (CuFe2O4–RGO) nanocomposites.
Temperature effect on the nucleation of graphene on Cu (111)
Authors: Didar Behnaz Rahmani , Khosravian Homa , Balbuena Perla B.
Published: August 2018

Repeated thermal cycling by using an organic precursor is shown to be a successful technique for growing graphene on metal substrates.
Undergraduate recognition of curriculum-related skill development and the skills employers are seeking
Authors: Hill Michelle A. , Overton Tina L. , Thompson Christopher D. , Kitson Russell R. A. , Coppo Paolo
Published: August 2018

Employers of chemistry graduates are seeking a range of transferable skills from prospective employees, and academics are increasingly seeking to build employability skill development opportunities into the undergraduate curriculum. However, research suggests that undergraduates do not recognise or value such skill development without prompting. This recognition is essential if graduates are to be able to articulate their skills in the employment process. This study involves research amongst almost 1000 undergraduates studying chemistry at two institutions, using open-ended questions to collect qualitative data. The extent to which students recognised course-related skills development and understood the skills that employers are looking for was investigated, as was their desire to develop additional skills. Similarities and differences in student views between institutions are discussed, as well as trends across year levels and by gender. Results indicate that undergraduates studying chemistry are most likely to value and recognise development of some key skills sought by employers (teamwork, communication, thinking/problem solving, organisation/time management and laboratory/practical skills), but are very unlikely to value or recognise others (numeracy, independent learning, commercial awareness, interpersonal, research, computer/IT, creativity/innovation, flexibility/adaptability and initiative). Opportunities to develop the latter skills and recognition of the value of doing so will require improved communication with students and/or provision of new experiences within the curriculum.
O2-3-Aminopropyl diazeniumdiolates suppress the progression of highly metastatic triple-negative breast cancer by inhibition of microvesicle formation via nitric oxide-based epigenetic regulation
Authors: Kang Fenghua , Zhu Jiayi , Wu Jianbing , Lv Tian , Xiang Hua , Tian Jide , Zhang Yihua , Huang Zhangjian
Published: August 2018

A novel strategy to inhibit MV formation for the intervention of TNBC by NO-based epigenetic modification of miR-203/RAB22A expression is presented.
Preparation and photocatalytic activity of Au/TiO2 lyogels for hydrogen production
Authors: Martínez Lester , Benito Mónica , Mata Ignasi , Soler Lluís , Molins Elies , Llorca Jordi
Published: August 2018

High surface area titania lyogels have been prepared, thermally transformed into TiO2 polymorphs at 400–850 °C, and decorated by ball milling with preformed Au nanoparticles of ca. 2 nm to ensure the same contact points at the metal–support interphase.
Scalable slot-die coating of high performance perovskite solar cells
Authors: Whitaker James B. , Kim Dong Hoe , Larson Bryon W. , Zhang Fei , Berry Joseph J. , van Hest Maikel F. A. M. , Zhu Kai
Published: August 2018

Perovskite based photovoltaic devices hold the promise to greatly reduce the cost of solar energy production; however, this potential depends greatly on the ability to deposit perovskite active layers using large scale deposition methods such as slot-die coating without sacrificing efficiency.
Insight into lithium-ion mobility in Li2La(TaTi)O7
Authors: Fanah Selorm Joy , Yu Ming , Huq Ashfia , Ramezanipour Farshid
Published: August 2018

Using experimental and computational methods, lithium ion mobility and the pathways for lithium conduction in Li2La(TaTi)O7 have been studied.
Redox-assisted multicomponent deposition of ultrathin amorphous metal oxides on arbitrary substrates: highly durable cobalt manganese oxyhydroxide for efficient oxygen evolution
Authors: Jhang Ren-Huai , Yang Chang-Ying , Shih Ming-Chi , Ho Jing-Qian , Tsai Ya-Ting , Chen Chun-Hu
Published: August 2018

Large-scale amorphous metal oxide films deposited on arbitrary substrates via redox interaction exhibit greater efficiency and durability in electrocatalytic oxygen evolution than benchmark materials.
Unassisted visible solar water splitting with efficient photoelectrodes sensitized by quantum dots synthesized via an environmentally friendly eutectic solvent-mediated approach
Authors: Ghorpade Uma V. , Suryawanshi Mahesh P. , Shin Seung Wook , Kim Jihun , Kang Soon Hyung , Ha Jun-Seok , Kolekar Sanjay S. , Kim Jin Hyeok
Published: August 2018

Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) based on choline chloride/ethylene glycol have been explored as synthetic media for Cu–Sb–S based colloidal quantum dots for unassisted solar water splitting.
A Λ-shaped cyanostilbene derivative: multi-stimuli responsive fluorescence sensors, rewritable information storage and colour converter for w-LEDs
Authors: Fang Wenyan , Zhao Wang , Pei Pan , Liu Rui , Zhang Yuyang , Kong Lin , Yang Jiaxiang
Published: August 2018

A new Λ-shaped α-cyanostilbene derivative (TSA) containing an active amino group with fluorescence emission both in solution and the solid state was designed, synthesized and characterized. TSA can be used as a fluorescent sensor, a rewritable information storage material and in w-LEDs.
A mass-velocity anisotropy relation in galactic stellar disks
Authors: Chemin Laurent
Published: August 2018

The ellipsoid of stellar random motions is a fundamental ingredient of galaxy dynamics. Yet it has long been difficult to constrain this component in disks others than the Milky Way. This article presents the modeling of the azimuthal-to-radial axis ratio of the velocity ellipsoid of galactic disks from stellar dispersion maps using integral field spectroscopy data of the CALIFA survey. The measured azimuthal anisotropy is shown to be not strongly dependent on the assumed vertical-to-radial dispersion ratio of the ellipsoid. The anisotropy distribution shows a large diversity in the orbital structure of disk galaxies from tangential to radial stellar orbits. Globally, the orbits are isotropic in inner disk regions and become more radial as a function of radius, although this picture tends to depend on galaxy morphology and luminosity. The Milky Way orbital anisotropy profile measured from the Second Gaia Data Release is consistent with those of CALIFA galaxies. A new correlation is evidenced, linking the absolute magnitude or stellar mass of the disks to the azimuthal anisotropy. More luminous disks have more radial orbits and less luminous disks have isotropic and somewhat tangential orbits. This correlation is consistent with the picture in galaxy evolution in which orbits become more radial as the mass grows and is redistributed as a function of time. With the help of circular velocity curves, it is also shown that the epicycle theory fails to reproduce the diversity of the azimuthal anisotropy of stellar random motions, as it predicts only nearly radial orbits in the presence of flat curves. The origin of this conflict is yet to be identified. It also questions the validity of the vertical-to-radial axis ratio of the velocity ellipsoid derived by many studies in the framework of the epicyclic approximation.
Inclusive searches for squarks and gluinos with the ATLAS detector
Authors: Adachi S.
Published: August 2018

Despite the absence of experimental evidence, the weak scale supersymmetry remains as one of the best motivated and studied theoretical models beyond the Standard Model. This article summarises recent ATLAS results on inclusive searches for squarks and gluinos in R-parity conserving SUSY scenarios, including third generation squarks produced in the decay of gluinos. The searches involve final states containing jets, missing transverse momentum with and without a light lepton. No significance excess above the Standard Model prediction is observed and exclusion limits are set on 2-dimensional mass planes of benchmark signal models.
Explore the Lifetime Frontier with MATHUSLA
Authors: Alpigiani Cristiano
Published: August 2018

Many extensions of the Standard Model (SM) include particles that are neutral, weakly coupled, and long-lived that can decay to final states containing several hadronic jets. Long-lived particles (LLPs) can be detected as displaced decays from the interaction point, or missing energy if they escape. ATLAS and CMS have performed searches at the LHC and significant exclusion limits have been set in recent years. However, the current searches performed at colliders have limitations. An LLP does not interact with the detector and it is only visible once it decays. Unfortunately, no existing or proposed search strategy will be able to observe the decay of non-hadronic electrically neutral LLPs with masses above GeV and lifetimes near the limit set by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (cπ ~ 107 - 108 m). Therefore, ultra-long-lived particles (ULLPs) produced at the LHC will escape the main detector with extremely high probability. MATHUSLA (MAssive Timing Hodoscope for Ultra Stable neutraL pArticles) is a surface detector, which can be implemented with existing technology and in time for the high luminosity LHC upgrade to find such ultra-long-lived particles, whether produced in exotic Higgs decays or more general production modes. The MATHUSLA detector will consist of resistive plate chambers (RPC) and scintillators with a total sensitive area of 200 x 200 m2. It will be installed on the surface, close to the ATLAS or CMS detectors. A small-scale test detector (~ 6m2) is going to be installed on the surface above ATLAS in November 2017. It will consist of three layers of RPCs used for timing/tracking and two layers of scintillators for timing measurements. It will be placed above the ATLAS interaction point to estimate cosmic backgrounds and proton-proton backgrounds coming from ATLAS during nominal LHC operations.
Scale hierarchies in particle physics and cosmology
Authors: Antoniadis I.
Published: August 2018

I describe the phenomenology of a model of supersymmetry breaking in the presence of a tiny (tuneable) positive cosmological constant. It utilises a single chiral multiplet with a gauged shift symmetry, that can be identified with the string dilaton (or an appropriate compactification modulus). The model is coupled to the MSSM, leading to calculable soft supersymmetry breaking masses and a distinct low energy phenomenology that allows to differentiate it from other models of supersymmetry breaking and mediation mechanisms. We also study the question if this model can lead to inflation by identifying the dilaton with the inflaton. We find that this is possible if the Kähler potential is modified by a term that has the form of NS5-brane instantons, leading to an appropriate inflationary plateau around the maximum of the scalar potential, depending on two extra parameters.
Directional dark matter search with nuclear emulsion
Authors: Asada Takashi
Published: August 2018

Direct dark matter searches are promising techniques to identify the nature of dark matter particles. The directional information is a distinctive directional property of the dark matter distribution against the cosmic background. The NEWSdm project is a unique experiment among several directional detection projects because of its solid-state detector. The expected signal of WIMP-induced nuclear recoil in such a detector is submicron scale. The high-resolution nuclear emulsion and the special readout method were developed for such extremely short tracks. Technologies for background identification and large-scale analysis are developing toward several kg scale experiment at Gran Sasso underground laboratory in the coming years
Measurements of the CP-violating phase ϕs at LHCb
Authors: Batozskaya Varvara
Published: August 2018

The measurement of the mixing-induced CP-violating phase ϕs in the B0s - B0s system is one of the key goals of the LHCb experiment. It has been measured at the LHCb collaboration exploiting the Run I data set and using several decay channels. In particular, the most recent Run I result has been obtained analyzing B0s → J/ψK+K- candidates in the mass region above the ϕ(1020) resonance. Despite the large improvements in the sensitivity of ϕs during the last decade, the precision is still limited by the available statistics.
The MURAVES project and other parallel activities on muon absorption radiography
Authors: Bonechi L. , Ambrosino F. , Cimmino L. , D'Alessandro R. , Macedonio G. , Melon B. , Mori N. , Noli P. , Saracino G. , Strolin P. , Giudicepietro F. , Martini M. , Orazi M. , Peluso R.
Published: August 2018

The MURAVES (MUon RAdiography of VESuvius) project is a joint activity participated by INGV, INFN and the Universities of Naples “Federico II” and Florence. The collaboration, following the experience gained within the previous INFN R&D project Mu-Ray, is currently completing the production of a robust four square meter low power consumption detector to be installed on the flank of Mount Vesuvius, an active volcano located on the western coast of Italy. The detector is supposed to collect data for at least one year, thus allowing performing a scan of the structure of the Vesuvius volcanic cone. In this work the status of the project and some parallel activities on muon radiography are presented.
The SHiP experiment at CERN
Authors: Bonivento Walter M.
Published: August 2018

The discovery of the Higgs boson has fully confirmed the Standard Model of particles and fields. Nevertheless, there are still fundamental phenomena, like the existence of dark matter and the baryon asymmetry of the Universe, deserving an explanation that could come from the discovery of new particles. Searches for new physics with accelerators are performed at the LHC, looking for high massive particles coupled to matter with ordinary strength. A new experiment at CERN meant to search for very weakly coupled particles in the few GeV mass domain has been recently proposed. The existence of such particles, foreseen in different theoretical models beyond the Standard Model, is largely unexplored. A beam dump facility using high intensity 400 GeV protons is a copious source of such unknown particles in the GeV mass range. The beam dump is also a copious source of neutrinos and in particular it is an ideal source of tau neutrinos, the less known particle in the Standard Model. The neutrino detector can also search for dark matter through its scattering off the electrons. We report the physics potential of the SHiP experiment.
Lattice QCD at finite baryon density using analytic continuation
Authors: Bornyakov V.G. , Boyda D.L. , Goy V.A. , Iida H. , Molochkov A.V. , Nakamura Atsushi , Nikolaev A.A. , Zakharov V.I. , Wakayama M.
Published: August 2018

We simulate lattice QCD with two flavors of Wilson fermions at imaginary baryon chemical potential. Results for the baryon number density computed in the confining and deconfining phases at imaginary baryon chemical potential are used to determine the baryon number density and higher cumulants at the real chemical potential via analytical continuation.
Relaxation to equilibrium in relativistic heavy ion collisions
Authors: Bravina L. , Zabrodin E.
Published: August 2018

Relaxation to equilibrium of hot and dense matter produced in central area of relativistic heavy ion collisions at energies ranging from several AGeV to hundreds AGeV is studied within two Monte Carlo transport models. The analysis was performed for three different areas: (i) fixed cubic cell with volume V = 125 fm3, (ii) fixed asymmetric cell with volume V = 4 x 4 x 1 = 16 fm3, and (iii) expanding cell. In the last case the cell volume follows the growth of the area with uniformly distributed energy. To check whether or not the system is equilibrated, its hadron yields and their energy spectra are compared with those of the statistical model of ideal hadron gas. For all cells and for all collision energies it was found that the matter in the cell was approaching the equilibrium state. The higher the collision energy, the shorter the time of equilibration. The equilibration phase lasts about 10 - 20 fm/c, after that the matter becomes very dilute and the thermal contact between hadrons is lost. Equation of state is well fitted to linear dependence P/ɛ = a = c2s , where the square of the sonic velocity c2s increases from 0.12 at Elab = 11.6AGeV to 0.145 at Elab = 160AGeV. The characteristic kinks observed in the T - μB phase diagrams are linked to inelastic freeze-out in the expanding fireball.
The Pierre Auger Observatory: latest results and future perspectives
Authors: Buscemi Mario
Published: August 2018

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest ultrahigh-energy cosmic ray observatory in the world. The huge amount of high quality data collected since 2004 up to now led to great improvements in our knowledge of the ultra-energetic cosmic rays. The suppression of the cosmic-ray flux at highest energies was clearly established, and the extra-galactic origin of these particles was confirmed. On the other hand, measurements of the depth of shower maximum indicate a puzzling trend in the mass composition of cosmic rays at energy around the ankle up to the highest energy. The just started upgrade of the Observatory, dubbed AugerPrime, will improve the identification of the mass of primaries allowing us to disentangle models of origin and propagation of cosmic rays.
DAMA/LIBRA Results and Perspectives
Authors: Bernabei R. , Belli P. , Cappella F. , Caracciolo V. , Cerulli R. , Dai C.J. , d'Angelo A. , Di Marco A. , He H.L. , Incicchitti A. , Kuang H.H. , Ma X.H. , Montecchia F. , Sheng X.D. , Wang R.G. , Ye Z.P.
Published: August 2018

The DAMA/LIBRA experiment (~ 250 kg sensitive mass composed by highly radio-pure NaI(Tl)) is in data taking in the underground Laboratory of Gran Sasso (LNGS). In its first phase (DAMA/LIBRA-phase1) this experiment and the former DAMA/NaI experiment (~ 100 kg of highly radio-pure NaI(Tl)) collected data for 14 independent annual cycles, exploiting the model-independent Dark Matter (DM) annual modulation signature (total exposure 1.33 ton x yr). A DM annual modulation effect has been observed at 9.3 σ C.L., supporting the presence of DM particles in the galactic halo. No systematic or side reaction able to mimic the observed DM annual modulation has been found or suggested by anyone. Recent analyses on possible diurnal effects, on the Earth shadowing effect and on possible interpretation in terms of Mirror DM will be mentioned. At present DAMA/LIBRA is running in its phase2 with increased sensitivity.
Doubly hidden-charm/bottom QQQQ tetraquark states
Authors: Chen Wei , Chen Hua-Xing , Liu Xiang , Steele T.G. , Zhu Shi-Lin
Published: August 2018

We study the mass spectra for the cccc and bbbb tetraquark states by developing a moment sum rule method. Our results show that the bbbb tetraquarks lie below the threshold of ηb(1S) ηb(1S ). They are probably stable and very narrow. The masses for the doubly hidden-charm states cccc are higher than the spontaneous dissociation thresholds of two charmonium mesons. We suggest to search for such states in the J/Ψ/J/Ψ and Ψc(1S) Ψc(1S) channels.
Quark and Chromon Model and Glueball-Quarkonium Mixing in QCD
Authors: Cho Y.M.
Published: August 2018

The existence of two types of gluons in QCD, the color neutral neurons and colored chromons, implies that the chromons can be the constituent of hadrons. This generalizes the quark model to the quark and chromon model. We discuss the glueballquarkonium mixing in QCD based on the quark and chromon model. We present the neumerical analysis of glueball-quarkonium mixing below 2 GeV in 0++, 2++, and 0-+ channels, and predict the relative branching ratios of the radiative decay of to the physical states.
Viable production mechanism of keV sterile neutrino with large mixing angle
Authors: Chudaykin A.
Published: August 2018

We study a model with a hidden sector coupled to keV scale sterile neutrinos. Due to nontrivial dynamics of this sector, the initially massless sterile neutrino acquires a nonzero mass at some temperature corresponding to the phase transition in the hidden sector. It shifts the onset of oscillations in plasma to later times, so that the final abundance of sterile neutrinos is strongly suppressed. We argue that in this model various cosmological and astrophysical bounds can be significantly alleviated opening new perspectives for ground-based experiments such as Troitsk ν-mass and KATRIN in the large mixing region.
Critical nucleus charge in a superstrong magnetic field
Authors: Godunov S.I. , Glazyrin S.I. , Machet B. , Vysotsky M.I.
Published: August 2018

Due to strong enhancement of loop effects in a superstrong magnetic field (B ≫ m2=e3) the Coulomb potential becomes screened. This phenomenon dramatically changes the dependence of the electron energy levels on magnetic field. In particular, the freezing of energy levels occurs so the ground energy level of light ions can never reach the lower continuum (become critical), no matter how strong the field is. Therefore, the magnetic field affects the critical nucleus charge Zcr in two ways: i. it makes the electron movement essentially one-dimensional diminishing the value of Zcr; ii. it makes the potential weaker increasing the value of critical charge. The phenomenon of critical charge itself is also discussed.
Domain Walls in the Early Universe and Generation of Matter and Antimatter Domains
Authors: Dolgov A.D. , Godunov S.I. , Rudenko A.S.
Published: August 2018

We present a model where it is possible to generate cosmologically large domains of matter and antimatter separated by cosmologically large distances. Domain walls existed only in the early universe and later they disappeared. So the problem of domain walls in this model does not exist. These features are achieved through a postulated form of interaction between inflaton and a new scalar field. This scenario inspired a study of the related problem - evolution of the domain wall width in expanding universe. According to classical results there is a region of parameter space where the solutions with constant physical width exist. Numerical study of the problem demonstrates that initial configurations tend to these solutions with time. However, we have found that the wall width can grow exponentially outside of that parameter region.
Using concept mapping to learn about A level physics students’ understandings of particle physics
Authors: Gourlay Helen
Published: August 2018

This article describes a small-scale piece of research using concept mapping to elicit A level students’ understandings of particle physics, which was presented in the Special Session on Physics Education and Outreach at ICNFP 2017. Fifty-nine Year 12 (16- and 17-year-old) students from two London schools participated in the research. The exercise took place during school physics lessons. Students were shown how to make a concept map and were provided with topic-specific key words. Their concept maps were analysed by identifying the knowledge propositions the students had represented, and comparing these with propositions developed from the examination specification they were studying. The only correct statement made by most of the students in both schools was that annihilation takes place when matter and antimatter collide, although some students may have been unable to distinguish between annihilation and pair production. A high proportion of students knew of up, down and strange quarks, and that the electron is a lepton. However, some students appeared to have a misconception that everything is made of quarks. Students found it harder to classify tau particles than they did electrons and muons. Where students made incorrect links about muons and tau particles their concept maps suggested that they thought they were mesons or quarks.
Eighty years of research on super-heavy nuclei
Authors: Hofmann Sigurd
Published: August 2018

Professor Walter Greiner, our mentor, colleague, and friend, passed away in the age of eighty. During his lifetime, the search for elements beyond uranium started and elements up to the so far heaviest one with atomic number 118 were discovered. In this talk I will present a short history from early searches for ‘trans-uraniums’ up to the production and safe identification of shell-stabilized ‘Super-Heavy Nuclei’ (SHN). The nuclear shell model reveals that these nuclei should be located in a region with closed shells for the protons at Z = 114, 120 or 126 and for the neutrons at N = 184. The outstanding aim of experimental investigations is the exploration of this region of spherical SHN. Systematic studies of heavy ion reactions for the synthesis of SHN revealed production cross-sections which reached values down to one picobarn and even below for the heaviest species. The systematics of measured cross-sections can be understood only on the basis of relatively high fission barriers as predicted for nuclei in and around the island of SHN. A key role in answering some of the open questions plays the synthesis of isotopes of element 120. Attempts aiming for synthesizing this element at the velocity filter SHIP will be reported.
Light exotic hadrons at BESIII
Authors: Jiao Jianbin
Published: August 2018

We review the recent results for the light exotic hadron states, which are obtained using the data recorded with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII e+e- collider in Beijing, China.
Searches for supersymmetry with the CMS experiment
Authors: Kalogeropoulos Alexis ,   On behalf of the CMS Collaboration
Published: August 2018

We report on recent results by the CMS Collaboration on searches for supersymmetry based on a sample of proton-proton collision data at √s = 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb-1.
Measurement of J/Ψ production as a function of multiplicity in pp and p-Pb collisions with ALICE
Authors: Khatun Anisa ,   for ALICE Collaboration
Published: August 2018

The increase of hard probe production as a function of the charged particle multiplicity in proton-proton and proton-lead collisions is considered to be an interesting observable for the study of multiple parton interactions. In the present work, the correlation between J/Ψ production and charged particle multiplicity has been reviewed in pp collisions at √s = 7 and 13 TeV and p-Pb collisions at √sNN = 5.02 TeV at mid- and forward rapidities. The J/√ measurement in pp collisions at √s = 13 TeV using events triggered by the ALICE electromagnetic calorimeter at midrapidity is discussed in this report, too. An increment of the relative J/Ψ yields has been observed as a function of the multiplicity. The results have also been compared to theoretical model predictions.
Searches for direct pair production of third generation squarks with the ATLAS detector
Authors: Köhler Nicolas
Published: August 2018

Naturalness arguments for weak-scale supersymmetry favour supersymmetric partners of the third generation quarks with masses not too far from those of their Standard Model counterparts. Top or bottom squarks with masses less than or around one TeV can also give rise to direct pair production rates at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) that can be observed in the data sample recorded by the ATLAS detector. This document presents recent ATLAS results from searches for direct top and bottom squark pair production considering both R-parity conserving and R-parity violating scenarios, using the data collected during the LHC Run 2 at a centre-of-mass energy of √s = 13 TeV.
Particle number fluctuations in a non-ideal pion gas
Authors: Kolomeitsev Evgeni E. , Borisov Maxim E. , Voskresensky Dmitry N.
Published: August 2018

We consider a non-ideal hot pion gas with the dynamically fixed number of particles in the model with the λφ4 interaction. The effective Lagrangian for the description of such a system is obtained by dropping the terms responsible for the change of the total particle number. Within the self-consistent Hartree approximation, we compute the effective pion mass, thermodynamic characteristics of the system and identify a critical point of the induced Bose-Einstein condensation when the pion chemical potential reaches the value of the effective pion mass. The normalized variance, skewness, and kurtosis of the particle number distributions are calculated. We demonstrate that all these characteristics remain finite at the critical point of the Bose-Einstein condensation. This is due to the non-perturbative account of the interaction and is in contrast to the ideal-gas case.