Measurement of the B0s→μ+μ− Branching Fraction and Effective Lifetime and Search for B0→μ+μ− Decays

A search for the rare decays Bs0→μ+μ- and B0→μ+μ- is performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in pp collisions corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 4.4  fb-1. An excess of Bs0→μ+μ- decays is observed with a significance of 7.8 standard deviations, representing the first observation of this decay in a single experiment. The branching fraction is measured to be B(Bs0→μ+μ-)=(3.0±0.6-0.2+0.3)×10-9, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The first measurement of the Bs0→μ+μ- effective lifetime, τ(Bs0→μ+μ-)=2.04±0.44±0.05  ps, is reported. No significant excess of B0→μ+μ- decays is found, and a 95% confidence level upper limit, B(B0→μ+μ-)<3.4×10-10, is determined. All results are in agreement with the standard model expectations.A search for the rare decays $B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ and $B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-$ is performed at the LHCb experiment using data collected in $pp$ collisions corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 4.4 fb$^{-1}$. An excess of $B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ decays is observed with a significance of 7.8 standard deviations, representing the first observation of this decay in a single experiment. The branching fraction is measured to be ${\cal B}(B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-)=\left(3.0\pm 0.6^{+0.3}_{-0.2}\right)\times 10^{-9}$, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The first measurement of the $B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-$ effective lifetime, $\tau(B^0_s\to\mu^+\mu^-)=2.04\pm 0.44\pm 0.05$ ps, is reported. No significant excess of $B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-$ decays is found and a 95 % confidence level upper limit, ${\cal B}(B^0\to\mu^+\mu^-)<3.4\times 10^{-10}$, is determined. All results are in agreement with the Standard Model expectations

Epidemiology of bone tumors in Lebanon: a retrospective study from 2000 to 2022 at a tertiary center

Aim: Bone tumors are rare and have an uneven geographic distribution. Methods: 730 patients diagnosed with bone tumors were included in this retrospective analysis. Results: With a 64% rate of malignancy, the most common tumors were metastasis (40%) mostly in the axial skeleton, Osteosarcoma (9%) mostly in the femur, Osteochondroma (8%) mostly in the femur, giant cell tumors (7%) mostly in the knee, and Ewing's sarcoma (6%) mostly in the axial skeleton. Conclusion: Even though a some of the tumors have a predilection for certain localizations in the human body, they may differ in the middle-eastern population. One must also pay attention to the higher rates of malignancies as compared with other cohorts

Intermuscular extremity myxoid liposarcoma can be managed by marginal resection following neoadjuvant radiotherapy:Marginal resection of irradiated myxoid liposarcoma

Background: Compared with other soft tissue sarcomas, myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) occurs in younger patients, has a propensity for intermuscular locations and is highly radiosensitive. With pre-operative radiotherapy, intermuscular MLS demonstrates substantial volume reduction and can be easily separated from surrounding tissues during resection. However, it is unclear whether marginal excision of MLS is oncologically safe. This study aimed to assess the association between margins and survival in irradiated, intermuscular MLS. Methods: The study identified 198 patients from seven sarcoma centres with a first presentation of localized, extremity, intermuscular MLS that received pre-operative radiotherapy and was diagnosed between 1990 and 2017. Patient and treatment characteristics, radiological and histological responses to neoadjuvant treatment and clinical surveillance were recorded. Results: Margins were microscopically positive in 11% (n = 22), &lt;1.0 mm in 15% (n = 29) and ≥1.0 mm in 72% (n = 143). There was no association between margin status and local recurrence-free, metastasis-free or overall survival. This finding held true even in patients at higher risk of worse overall survival based on multivariable analysis (% round cell≥5%, percentage ellipsoid tumour volume change ≤ -60.1%). Conclusion: Irradiated, extremity, intermuscular myxoid liposarcoma can safely undergo marginal resection without compromising oncologic control.</p

Intermuscular extremity myxoid liposarcoma can be managed by marginal resection following neoadjuvant radiotherapy: Marginal resection of irradiated myxoid liposarcoma

Background: Compared with other soft tissue sarcomas, myxoid liposarcoma (MLS) occurs in younger patients, has a propensity for intermuscular locations and is highly radiosensitive. With pre-operative radiotherapy, intermuscular MLS demonstrates substantial volume reduction and can be easily separated from surrounding tissues during resection. However, it is unclear whether marginal excision of MLS is oncologically safe. This study aimed to assess the association between margins and survival in irradiated, intermuscular MLS. Methods: The study identified 198 patients from seven sarcoma centres with a first presentation of localized, extremity, intermuscular MLS that received pre-operative radiotherapy and was diagnosed between 1990 and 2017. Patient and treatment characteristics, radiological and histological responses to neoadjuvant treatment and clinical surveillance were recorded. Results: Margins were microscopically positive in 11% (n = 22), <1.0 mm in 15% (n = 29) and ≥1.0 mm in 72% (n = 143). There was no association between margin status and local recurrence-free, metastasis-free or overall survival. This finding held true even in patients at higher risk of worse overall survival based on multivariable analysis (% round cell≥5%, percentage ellipsoid tumour volume change ≤ -60.1%). Conclusion: Irradiated, extremity, intermuscular myxoid liposarcoma can safely undergo marginal resection without compromising oncologic control

Global disparities in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: results from an international online survey study

OBJECTIVES We aimed to explore current practice and interregional differences in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We triangulated these observations considering countries' Gross National Income (GNI), disease subtypes, and symptoms using patient-reported information. METHODS A cross-sectional ancillary analysis of the "COVID-19 vaccination in auto-immune disease" (COVAD) e-survey containing demographic characteristics, IIM subtypes (dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), overlap myopathies (OM)), current symptoms (surrogate for organ involvement), and treatments (corticosteroids (CS), immunomodulators (IM), i.e., antimalarials, immunosuppressants (IS), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), biological treatments, and targeted-synthetic small molecules). Treatments were presented descriptively according to continents, GNI, IIM, and organ involvement, and associated factors were analyzed using multivariable binary logistic regressions. RESULTS Of 18,851 respondents from 94 countries, 1,418 with IIM were analyzed (age 61 years, 62.5% females). DM (32.4%), IBM (24.5%), and OM (15.8%) were the most common subtypes. Treatment categories included IS (49.4%), CS (38.5%), IM (13.8%), and IVIG (9.4%). Notably, treatments varied across regions, GNI categories (IS mostly used in higher-middle income, IM in lower-middle income, IVIG and biologics largely limited to high-income countries), IIM subtypes (IS and CS associated with ASSD, IM with OM and DM, IVIG with IMNM, and biological treatments with OM and ASSD) and disease manifestations (IS and CS with dyspnea). Most inter-regional treatment disparities persisted after multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION We identified marked regional treatment disparities in a global cohort of IIM. These observations highlight the need for international consensus-driven management guidelines considering patient-centered care and available resources

Global disparities in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: results from an international online survey study

Objectives We aimed to explore current practice and interregional differences in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We triangulated these observations considering countries' gross national income (GNI), disease subtypes, and symptoms using patient-reported information. Methods A cross-sectional ancillary analysis of the 'COVID-19 vaccination in auto-immune disease' (COVAD) e-survey containing demographic characteristics, IIM subtypes (DM, PM, IBM, anti-synthetase syndrome [ASSD], immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy [IMNM], overlap myopathies [OM]), current symptoms (surrogate for organ involvement) and treatments (corticosteroids [CS], immunomodulators [IM], i.e. antimalarials, immunosuppressants [IS], IVIG, biologic treatments and targeted-synthetic small molecules). Treatments were presented descriptively according to continents, GNI, IIM and organ involvement, and associated factors were analysed using multivariable binary logistic regressions. Results Of 18 851 respondents from 94 countries, 1418 with IIM were analysed (age 61 years, 62.5% females). DM (32.4%), IBM (24.5%) and OM (15.8%) were the most common subtypes. Treatment categories included IS (49.4%), CS (38.5%), IM (13.8%) and IVIG (9.4%). Notably, treatments varied across regions, GNI categories (IS mostly used in higher-middle income, IM in lower-middle income, IVIG and biologics largely limited to high-income countries), IIM subtypes (IS and CS associated with ASSD, IM with OM and DM, IVIG with IMNM, and biologic treatments with OM and ASSD) and disease manifestations (IS and CS with dyspnoea). Most inter-regional treatment disparities persisted after multivariable analysis. Conclusion We identified marked regional treatment disparities in a global cohort of IIM. These observations highlight the need for international consensus-driven management guidelines considering patient-centred care and available resources

Global disparities in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: results from an international online survey study

Objectives: We aimed to explore current practice and interregional differences in the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). We triangulated these observations considering countries' Gross National Income (GNI), disease subtypes, and symptoms using patient-reported information. Methods: A cross-sectional ancillary analysis of the "COVID-19 vaccination in auto-immune disease" (COVAD) e-survey containing demographic characteristics, IIM subtypes (dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), inclusion-body myositis (IBM), anti-synthetase syndrome (ASSD), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), overlap myopathies (OM)), current symptoms (surrogate for organ involvement), and treatments (corticosteroids (CS), immunomodulators (IM), i.e., antimalarials, immunosuppressants (IS), intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG), biological treatments, and targeted-synthetic small molecules). Treatments were presented descriptively according to continents, GNI, IIM, and organ involvement, and associated factors were analyzed using multivariable binary logistic regressions. Results: Of 18,851 respondents from 94 countries, 1,418 with IIM were analyzed (age 61 years, 62.5% females). DM (32.4%), IBM (24.5%), and OM (15.8%) were the most common subtypes. Treatment categories included IS (49.4%), CS (38.5%), IM (13.8%), and IVIG (9.4%). Notably, treatments varied across regions, GNI categories (IS mostly used in higher-middle income, IM in lower-middle income, IVIG and biologics largely limited to high-income countries), IIM subtypes (IS and CS associated with ASSD, IM with OM and DM, IVIG with IMNM, and biological treatments with OM and ASSD) and disease manifestations (IS and CS with dyspnea). Most inter-regional treatment disparities persisted after multivariable analysis. Conclusion: We identified marked regional treatment disparities in a global cohort of IIM. These observations highlight the need for international consensus-driven management guidelines considering patient-centered care and available resources

Geomechanical substantiation of reuse feasibility of development workings for coal mines

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня кандидата технічних наук за спеціальністю 05.15.09 – «Геотехнічна і гірнича механіка». Державний вищий навчальний заклад «Національний гірничий університет», Дніпропетровськ, 2016.В дисертації обґрунтувані такі параметри комбінованої системи кріплення і охоронної конструкції на сполученні «штрек–лава», при яких можлива економічно доцільна повторна експлуатація підготовчих виробок в гірничо–геологічних умовах шахт ДП «Селідіввугілля». В результаті натурних вимірювань встановлено, що величина залишкового перерізу може виступати критерієм, що характеризує доцільність для повторного використання конвеєрного штреку на суміжній лаві. Такою величиною є залишкова площа в світлі, що дорівнює 8,5 м2. На основі обґрунтованого критерію вирішена чисельна задача про вплив різних систем охорони на НДС геомеханічної системи «кріплення – охоронна конструкція – масив». Встановлено, що при використанні охоронної конструкції у вигляді накатного костра зі шпального бруса в сукупності з дворівневою системою рамно–анкерного кріплення за лавою забезпечується збереження перерізу підготовчої виробки, що призначена для повторного використання. Досліджено вплив куту нахилу пласта на параметри прийнятої геомеханічної системи. Розробки були успішно реалізовані в промисловості з економічним ефектом 2 422 грн./м виробки.Цель работы состоит в геомеханическом обосновании таких параметров комбинированной системы крепи и охранной конструкции на сопряжении «штрек – лава», при которых возможна экономически целесообразная повторная эксплуатация подготовительных выработок в горно - геологических условиях шахт ГП «Селидовуголь». В качестве основного объекта исследований выбрана шахта «1/3 Новогродовская» ГП «Селидовуголь», где были выполнены комплексные исследования, заключавшиеся в визуальном обследовании ряда горных выработок, организации инструментальных наблюдений на замерных станциях, решении аналитических задач, а также проведении экспертной оценки состояния выемочных штреков и анализе архивных данных. В результате выполнения комплекса натурных измерений определены основные виды проявлений горного давления и ремонтных работ в подготовительных выработках, построены зависимости развития геомеханических процессов в их окрестности во времени и установлено, что величина остаточного сечения может выступать тем критерием, который характеризует целесообразность для повторного использования конвейерного штрека на смежной лаве. Критериальной величиной экономической рациональности повторного использования штрека является остаточная площадь в свету, равная 8,5 м2. На основе обоснованного критерия решена численная задача о влияние различных систем охраны на НДС геомеханической системы «крепь – охранная конструкция – массив». Установлено, что при использовании охранных конструкции в виде накатного костра из шпального бруса, выбраной по комплексу критериев «геомеханическая эффективность», «стоимость», «технологичность», в совокупности с двухуровневой системой рамно - анкерной крепи на основе сталеполимерных и канатных анкеров, за лавой обеспечивается сохранение сечения подготовительной выработки, применяемой для повторного использования. Такая система «крепь – охранная конструкция» принята как базовая. В горно–геологических условиях шахт Красноармейского промышленного района величина остаточного сечения конвейерного штрека, принятая в качестве критерия повторного использования подготовительных выработок, уменьшается при увеличении угла падения угольных пластов по линейному закону, что позволяет на этой основе корректировать базовый вариант системы крепи и охранной конструкции. Результаты внедрены в виде Рекомендации по геомеханическому обоснованию параметров рамно - анкерной крепи подготовительных выработок угольных шахт при отработке выемочного участка 18 южной лавы пл. l1 шахты «1/3 Новогродовская» и «Методики численного моделирования рамно –анкерной крепи подготовительных и капитальных выработок угольных шахт ГП «Селидовуголь», а также использованы в учебном процессе ГВУЗ «НГУ» при подготовке студентов ступеней «бакалавр» и «магистр» и образовательно–квалификационного уровня «специалист». Выполненная оценка экономической эффективности предложенных тех-нических решений, обеспечивающих повторное использование штрека показала, что ожидаемый экономический эффект, составляет 2422 грн./м выработки.The research purpose is geomechanical substantiation of such parameters of combined system of lining and support on the roadhead of roadway and longwall through which is possible and economically feasible to ensure the reuse of development workings under the mining and geological conditions of "Selidovugol" mines. As a result of the in–situ measurements revealed that the value of the remaining area can be a criteria that characterizes the feasibility for belt road reusing to adjacent longwall. Such value is the remaining area in the light that equal to 8.5 m2. On the basis of justified criteria the influence of various support systems on stress–deformed state of the geomechanical system "lining – support – array" was solved. It is established that a residual inside half–timbers of roadway can act the criteria that characterize suitable for reuse in development workings adjacent to the longwall. Economic rationality criteria for reuse roadway is a residual inside half–timbers, equal to 8.5 m2. It was found that by using a support system in the form of sawed stick crib, with the two – tier system of frame – bolt lining the criteria for development workings reuse was performed over the longwall. The influence of the angle of the bed at the geomechanical system parameters was adopted. The developments were successfully implemented and approbated. Economic effect is 2422 UAH on 1m

Measurement of the ratio of branching fractions B(Bc+ → J/ψτ+ντ)\mathcal{B}(B_c^+\,\to\,J/\psi\tau^+\nu_\tau)/B(Bc+ → J/ψμ+νμ)\mathcal{B}(B_c^+\,\to\,J/\psi\mu^+\nu_\mu)

International audienceA measurement is reported of the ratio of branching fractions R(J/ψ)=B(Bc+→J/ψτ+ντ)/B(Bc+→J/ψμ+νμ), where the τ+ lepton is identified in the decay mode τ+→μ+νμν¯τ. This analysis uses a sample of proton-proton collision data corresponding to 3.0  fb-1 of integrated luminosity recorded with the LHCb experiment at center-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. A signal is found for the decay Bc+→J/ψτ+ντ at a significance of 3 standard deviations corrected for systematic uncertainty, and the ratio of the branching fractions is measured to be R(J/ψ)=0.71±0.17(stat)±0.18(syst). This result lies within 2 standard deviations above the range of central values currently predicted by the standard model