Impact of Lattice Strangeness Asymmetry Data in the CTEQ-TEA Global Analysis

We study the impact of lattice data on the determination of the strangeness asymmetry distribution $s_-(x) \equiv s(x) - {\bar s}(x)$ in the general CTEQ-TEA global analysis of parton distribution functions (PDFs) of the proton. Firstly, we find that allowing a nonvanishing $s_-(x)$, at the initial $Q_0=1.3$~GeV scale, in a global PDF analysis leads to a CT18As fit with similar quality to CT18A. Secondly, including the lattice data in the CT18As\_Lat fit greatly reduces the $s_-$-PDF error band size in the large-$x$ region. To further reduce its error would require more precise lattice data, extended to smaller $x$ values. We take ATLAS 7 TeV $W$ and $Z$ production data, SIDIS di-muon production data, $F_3$ structure function data, E866 NuSea data, and E906 SeaQuest data as examples to illustrate the implication of CT18As and CT18As\_Lat fits. The parametrization dependence for PDF ratio $(s+\bar{s})/(\bar{u}+\bar{d})(x)$ is analyzed with CT18As2 and CT18As2\_Lat fits as results.Comment: 37 pages, 19 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:2204.0794

A CT18 global PDF fit at the leading order in QCD

In this paper, we present a CT18 PDFs fitted with Leading-Order QCD perturbation theory. The CT18 LO PDFs is obtained within the general CT18 framework, along with two additional treatments being imposed to improve the quality of the fit. We take the $W$-boson charge asymmetry and inclusive single-top production at LHC as examples to illustrate the implication of the CT18 LO PDFs

Dysplastic Mitral Valve in Costello Syndrome

Costello syndrome is an autosomal dominant condition caused by variants in the HRAS gene. Cardiac presentation includes valvular disease (usually valvar pulmonary stenosis), arrhythmias, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first such report of dysplastic mitral valve associated with Costello syndrome

Giant left sinus of Valsalva aneurysm as a rare cause of acute myocardial infarction:a case report

Background: Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a rare consequence of aneurysmal dilatation of one or more sinuses of Valsalva. We present a case of an unruptured and partially thrombosed left SVA, presenting as anterior MI and congestive heart failure. Case summary: A 55-year-old gentleman was admitted with pulmonary oedema and a late presenting ST-elevation MI with Q wave. After initial treatment on furosemide infusion, a coronary angiography showed significant stenosis in both his left main stem (LMS) and left anterior descending artery (LAD). This is likely a result of external compression, potentially from the enlarged left sinus of Valsalva. A subsequent transthoracic echocardiogram and transoesophageal echocardiogram (TOE) confirmed large SVA involving the left coronary cusp measured 9.9 cm compressing both LMS and LAD. Discussion: Left SVAs are rare and frequently asymptomatic, typically being identified incidentally. Due to the close proximity of the left coronary system, they can present with myocardial ischaemia due to extrinsic compression of the coronary system. We were able to perform a comprehensive multi-modality assessment of left SVA, which helped establish this unusual diagnosis and guide management. Transthoracic echocardiogram and TOE helped assess the SVA and demonstrated the thrombus in situ, aortic valve insufficiency, and cardiac function. The computed tomography scan aided in accurately defining the extent of the aneurysm and the extent of compression of the left coronary system and cardiac magnetic resonance scan was able to demonstrate viability in LAD and circumflex territory

Connected and Disconnected Sea Partons from CT18 Parametrization of PDFs

The separation of the connected and disconnected sea partons, which were uncovered in the Euclidean path-integral formulation of the hadronic tensor, is accommodated with an alternative parametrization of the non-perturbative parton distribution functions in the CT18 global analysis. This is achieved with the help of the distinct small $x$ behaviours of these two sea partons and the constraint from the lattice calculation of the ratio of the strange momentum fraction to that of the $\bar u$ or $\bar d$ in the disconnected insertion. The whole dataset of CT18 is used in this CT18CS fit. The impact of the recent SeaQuest data on the $\bar{d}(x)-\bar{u}(x)$ distribution of CT18CS is also discussed. The separate momentum fractions for the valence, the connected sea and disconnected sea of $u$ and $d$, the strange and the gluon partons are presented at $\mu =1.3$ GeV for the first time. They can be compared term-by-term with systematic error controlled lattice calculations.Comment: Revised manuscript accepted for publication in PR

Phenoage and longitudinal changes on transthoracic echocardiography in Alström syndrome: a disease of accelerated ageing?

Alström syndrome (AS) is an ultra-rare disorder characterised by early-onset multi-organ dysfunction, such as insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidaemia, and renal and cardiovascular disease. The objective is to explore whether AS is a disease of accelerated ageing and whether changes over time on echocardiography could reflect accelerated cardiac ageing. Cross-sectional measurement of Phenoage and retrospective analysis of serial echocardiography were performed between March 2012 and November 2022. The setting is a single national tertiary service jointly run by health service and patient charity. Forty-five adult patients aged over 16 years were included, 64% were male and 67% of White ethnicity. The median Phenoage was 48 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 35-72) in the 34 patients for whom this was calculable, which was significantly higher than the median chronological age of 29 years (IQR: 22-39, p<0.001). Phenoage was higher than chronological age in 85% (N=29) of patients, with a median difference of +18 years (IQR: +4, +34). On echocardiography, significant decreases were observed over time in left ventricular (LV) size at end-diastole (average of 0.046 cm per year, p<0.001) and end-systole (1.1% per year, p=0.025), with significant increase in posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (0.009 cm per year, p=0.008). LV systolic function measured by global longitudinal strain reduced (0.34 percentage points per year, p=0.020) and E/e'lat increased (2.5% per year, p=0.019). Most AS patients display a higher Phenoage compared to chronological age. Cardiac changes in AS patients were also reflective of accelerated ageing, with a reduction in LV size and increased wall thickening. AS may be a paradigm disease for premature ageing