From prompt to direct J/ψ\psi production: new insights on the χc1\chi_{c1} and χc2\chi_{c2} polarizations and feed-down contributions from a global-fit analysis of mid-rapidity LHC data

While the prompt J/$\psi$ cross section and polarization have been measured with good precision as a function of transverse momentum, $p_{\rm T}$, those of the directly produced J/$\psi$ are practically unknown, given that the cross sections and polarizations of the $\chi_{c1}$ and $\chi_{c2}$ mesons, large indirect contributors to J/$\psi$ production, are only known with rather poor accuracy. The lack of precise measurements of the $\chi_{cJ}$ polarizations induces large uncertainties in the level of their feed-down contributions to the prompt J/$\psi$ yield, because of the polarization-dependent acceptance corrections. The experimental panorama of charmonium production can be significantly improved through a consistent and model-independent global analysis of existing measurements of J/$\psi$, $\psi$(2S) and $\chi_{c}$ cross sections and polarizations, faithfully respecting all the correlations and uncertainties. In particular, it is seen that the $\chi_{cJ}$ polarizations and feed-down fractions to J/$\psi$ production have a negligible dependence on the J/$\psi$ $p_{\rm T}$, with average values $\lambda_\vartheta^{\chi_{c1}} = 0.55 \pm 0.23$, $\lambda_\vartheta^{\chi_{c2}} = -0.39 \pm 0.22$, $R^{\chi_{c1}} = (18.8 \pm 1.4)\%$ and $R^{\chi_{c2}} = (6.5 \pm 0.5)\%$. The analysis also shows that $(67.2 \pm 1.9)\%$ of the prompt J/$\psi$ yield is due to directly-produced mesons, of polarization constrained to remarkably small values, $\lambda_\vartheta^{{\rm J}/\psi} = 0.04 \pm 0.06$.Comment: Submitted to Eur. Phys. J.

Genetically Engineered Microvesicles Carrying Suicide mRNA/Protein Inhibit Schwannoma Tumor Growth

Microvesicles (MVs) play an important role in intercellular communication by carrying mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), non-coding RNAs, proteins, and DNA from cell to cell. To our knowledge, this is the first report of delivery of a therapeutic mRNA/protein via MVs for treatment of cancer. We first generated genetically engineered MVs by expressing high levels of the suicide gene mRNA and protein–cytosine deaminase (CD) fused to uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRT) in MV donor cells. MVs were isolated from these cells and used to treat pre-established nerve sheath tumors (schwannomas) in an orthotopic mouse model. We demonstrated that MV-mediated delivery of CD-UPRT mRNA/protein by direct injection into schwannomas led to regression of these tumors upon systemic treatment with the prodrug (5-fluorocytosine (5-FC)), which is converted within tumor cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)–an anticancer agent. Taken together, these studies suggest that MVs can serve as novel cell-derived “liposomes” to effectively deliver therapeutic mRNA/proteins to treatment of diseases

Study of the B +→ J / ψ Λ ¯ p decay in proton-proton collisions at √s = 8 TeV

A study of the B +→ J / ψ Λ ¯ p decay using proton-proton collision data collected at s = 8 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.6 fb−1, is presented. The ratio of branching fractions B(B+→J/ψΛ¯p)/B(B+→J/ψK∗(892)+) is measured to be (1.054 ± 0.057(stat) ± 0.035(syst) ± 0.011(B))%, where the last uncertainty reflects the uncertainties in the world-average branching fractions of Λ ¯ and K*(892) + decays to reconstructed final states. The invariant mass distributions of the J / ψ Λ ¯ , J/ψp, and Λ ¯ p systems produced in the B +→ J / ψ Λ¯ p decay are investigated and found to be inconsistent with the pure phase space hypothesis. The analysis is extended by using a model-independent angular amplitude analysis, which shows that the observed invariant mass distributions are consistent with the contributions from excited kaons decaying to the Λ ¯ p system. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Studies of Bs2∗(5840)0 and Bs1(5830)0 mesons including the observation of the Bs2∗(5840)0→B0KS0 decay in proton-proton collisions at s=8TeV.

Measurements of Bs2∗(5840)0 and Bs1(5830)0 mesons are performed using a data sample of proton-proton collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of , collected with the CMS detector at the LHC at a centre-of-mass energy of 8TeV . The analysis studies P-wave Bs0 meson decays into B(∗)+K- and B(∗)0KS0 , where the B+ and B0 mesons are identified using the decays B+→J/ψK+ and B0→J/ψK∗(892)0 . The masses of the P-wave Bs0 meson states are measured and the natural width of the Bs2∗(5840)0 state is determined. The first measurement of the mass difference between the charged and neutral B∗ mesons is also presented. The Bs2∗(5840)0 decay to B0KS0 is observed, together with a measurement of its branching fraction relative to the Bs2∗(5840)0→B+K- decay

The continuing evolution of Energy Policy

As the world confronts the Covid-19 pandemic, we hope that all of you are doing well. We know that many lives have been greatly disrupted, and that world economic activity is slowing and maybe declining in some places. We have read reports that energy consumption has been greatly affected by the slowdown in world economic activity—likely contributing to the sharp plunge in oil prices earlier this year. We do not know how long this pandemic may last. As we look forward to the end of the pandemic and a recovering world economy, however, we wonder if and how energy systems may have to be transformed, and whether new energy policy needs and approaches will emerge. Will we see any change in the trajectory of adopting sustainable energy systems and reducing carbon emissions?In the academic world, many of us are now teleworking and teaching our courses online. This transition has proved time consuming—so we want to thank our many reviewers who are staying on or close to schedule. So far, Energy Policy has been mostly unaffected by the pandemic, but we must recognize that the Elsevier employees who are responsible for the operations side of the journal may at some time be affected by Covid-19.In the meantime, we want to keep you informed about some recent developments regarding Energy Policy, including a little about its history and our editorial priorities

Search for MSSM Higgs bosons decaying to μ+μ-in proton-proton collisions at √s=13TeV

A search is performed for neutral non-standard-model Higgs bosons decaying to two muons in the context of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). Proton-proton collision data recorded by the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeVwere used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb-1. The search is sensitive to neutral Higgs bosons produced via the gluon fusion process or in association with a bbquark pair. No significant deviations from the standard model expectation are observed. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in the context of the mmod+hand phenomenological MSSM scenarios on the parameter tanβas a function of the mass of the pseudoscalar Aboson, in the range from 130 to 600GeV. The results are also used to set a model-independent limit on the product of the branching fraction for the decay into a muon pair and the cross section for the production of a scalar neutral boson, either via gluon fusion, or in association with bquarks, in the mass range from 130 to 1000GeV