Observation of the Baryonic Flavor-Changing Neutral Current Decay Lambda_b -> Lambda mu+ mu-

We report the first observation of the baryonic flavor-changing neutral current decay Lambda_b -> Lambda mu+ mu- with 24 signal events and a statistical significance of 5.8 Gaussian standard deviations. This measurement uses ppbar collisions data sample corresponding to 6.8fb-1 at sqrt{s}=1.96TeV collected by the CDF II detector at the Tevatron collider. The total and differential branching ratios for Lambda_b -> Lambda mu+ mu- are measured. We find B(Lambda_b -> Lambda mu+ mu-) = [1.73+-0.42(stat)+-0.55(syst)] x 10^{-6}. We also report the first measurement of the differential branching ratio of B_s -> phi mu+ mu- using 49 signal events. In addition, we report branching ratios for B+ -> K+ mu+ mu-, B0 -> K0 mu+ mu-, and B -> K*(892) mu+ mu- decays.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures, 4 tables. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Antidepressants increase human hippocampal neurogenesis by activating the glucocorticoid receptor

Antidepressants increase adult hippocampal neurogenesis in animal models, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we used human hippocampal progenitor cells to investigate the molecular pathways involved in the antidepressant-induced modulation of neurogenesis. Because our previous studies have shown that antidepressants regulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function, we specifically tested whether the GR may be involved in the effects of these drugs on neurogenesis. We found that treatment (for 3–10 days) with the antidepressant, sertraline, increased neuronal differentiation via a GR-dependent mechanism. Specifically, sertraline increased both immature, doublecortin (Dcx)-positive neuroblasts (+16%) and mature, microtubulin-associated protein-2 (MAP2)-positive neurons (+26%). This effect was abolished by the GR-antagonist, RU486. Interestingly, progenitor cell proliferation, as investigated by 5′-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation, was only increased when cells were co-treated with sertraline and the GR-agonist, dexamethasone, (+14%) an effect which was also abolished by RU486. Furthermore, the phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4)-inhibitor, rolipram, enhanced the effects of sertraline, whereas the protein kinase A (PKA)-inhibitor, H89, suppressed the effects of sertraline. Indeed, sertraline increased GR transactivation, modified GR phosphorylation and increased expression of the GR-regulated cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2) inhibitors, p27Kip1 and p57Kip2. In conclusion, our data suggest that the antidepressant, sertraline, increases human hippocampal neurogenesis via a GR-dependent mechanism that requires PKA signaling, GR phosphorylation and activation of a specific set of genes. Our data point toward an important role for the GR in the antidepressant-induced modulation of neurogenesis in humans

A multiscale systems perspective on cancer, immunotherapy, and Interleukin-12

Monoclonal antibodies represent some of the most promising molecular targeted immunotherapies. However, understanding mechanisms by which tumors evade elimination by the immune system of the host presents a significant challenge for developing effective cancer immunotherapies. The interaction of cancer cells with the host is a complex process that is distributed across a variety of time and length scales. The time scales range from the dynamics of protein refolding (i.e., microseconds) to the dynamics of disease progression (i.e., years). The length scales span the farthest reaches of the human body (i.e., meters) down to the range of molecular interactions (i.e., nanometers). Limited ranges of time and length scales are used experimentally to observe and quantify changes in physiology due to cancer. Translating knowledge obtained from the limited scales observed experimentally to predict patient response is an essential prerequisite for the rational design of cancer immunotherapies that improve clinical outcomes. In studying multiscale systems, engineers use systems analysis and design to identify important components in a complex system and to test conceptual understanding of the integrated system behavior using simulation. The objective of this review is to summarize interactions between the tumor and cell-mediated immunity from a multiscale perspective. Interleukin-12 and its role in coordinating antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity is used illustrate the different time and length scale that underpin cancer immunoediting. An underlying theme in this review is the potential role that simulation can play in translating knowledge across scales

Combined Tevatron upper limit on gg->H->W+W- and constraints on the Higgs boson mass in fourth-generation fermion models

Report number: FERMILAB-PUB-10-125-EWe combine results from searches by the CDF and D0 collaborations for a standard model Higgs boson (H) in the process gg->H->W+W- in p=pbar collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV. With 4.8 fb-1 of integrated luminosity analyzed at CDF and 5.4 fb-1 at D0, the 95% Confidence Level upper limit on \sigma(gg->H) x B(H->W+W-) is 1.75 pb at m_H=120 GeV, 0.38 pb at m_H=165 GeV, and 0.83 pb at m_H=200 GeV. Assuming the presence of a fourth sequential generation of fermions with large masses, we exclude at the 95% Confidence Level a standard-model-like Higgs boson with a mass between 131 and 204 GeV.We combine results from searches by the CDF and D0 collaborations for a standard model Higgs boson (H) in the process gg→H→W+W- in pp̅ collisions at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider at √s=1.96  TeV. With 4.8  fb-1 of integrated luminosity analyzed at CDF and 5.4  fb-1 at D0, the 95% confidence level upper limit on σ(gg→H)×B(H→W+W-) is 1.75 pb at mH=120  GeV, 0.38 pb at mH=165  GeV, and 0.83 pb at mH=200  GeV. Assuming the presence of a fourth sequential generation of fermions with large masses, we exclude at the 95% confidence level a standard-model-like Higgs boson with a mass between 131 and 204 GeV.Peer reviewe

Limits on Anomalous Trilinear Gauge Couplings in Z gamma Events from p(p)over-bar Collisions at root s=1.96 TeV

Using Z gamma candidate events collected by the CDF detector at the Tevatron Collider, we search for potential anomalous (non-standard-model) couplings between the Z boson and the photon. Z gamma couplings vanish at tree level and are heavily suppressed at higher orders; hence any evidence of couplings indicates new physics. Measurements are performed using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.9 fb(-1) in the Z -> nu(nu) over bar decay channel and 5: 1 fb(-1) in the Z -> l(+)l(-) (l - mu, e) decay channels. The combination of these measurements provides the most stringent limits to date on Z gamma trilinear gauge couplings. Using an energy scale of Lambda = 1.5 TeV to allow for a direct comparison with previous measurements, we find limits on the CP-conserving parameters that describe Z gamma couplings to be vertical bar h(3)(gamma,Z)vertical bar < 0.022 and vertical bar h(4)(gamma,Z)vertical bar < 0.0009. These results are consistent with standard model predictions

NBTI-Related Variability Impact on 4-nm Node FinFET SRAM Performance and Static Powe r: Correlation to Time Zero Fluctuations

A Monte Carlo SPICE framework is proposed to evaluate the impact of negative bias temperature instability (NBTI) variability on performance and static power (P-S) of static random access memory (SRAM) array on 14-nm node FinFETs. Gamma distribution is found to be applicable for NBTI-induced threshold voltage (Delta V-T) and subthreshold slope (Delta SS) shifts by using data set from different sources. A compact variability model is proposed for the time evolution of mean and variance of NBTI distribution, considering any possible correlation between time zero and NBTI variability. The relative sensitivity of device and SRAM degradation are evaluated, by correlating SRAM static noise margin degradation to transistor level V-T shift. The impact of Delta SS on P-S improvement due to NBTI is also evaluated

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Not AvailableConventional tillage practices and imbalanced use of inorganic fertilizers is well known to result in poor soilhealth.Alternativetillageandprecisionnutrientmanagementareimportantstrategiesfortacklingtheissuesofsoilhealthdeterioration,particularlyincereal - basedintensivecroppingsystems.Therefore,weconducteda4 - yearstudywiththeobjectiveof(a)monitoringthechangesinsoilphysical,biologicalandchemicalpropertiesand crop productivity, (b) development of soil quality index - SQI, and monitor its’ changes against systemproductivityasmanagementgoal,and(c)studyingthechangesinsoilorganiccarbon - SOCinrelationtoannualCinput.Theexperimentwaslaidoutinasplit - plotdesignwith3 - tillagepractices[zerotillage - ZT;permanentbeds - PB; and conventional tillage - CT] and 4 - nutrient management strategies [Control (unfertilized), farmers’fertilizer practice - FFP, recommended fertilizers doses - Ad - hocand site specific nutrient management - SSNM]under a continuous maize (Zea maysL.) - wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) - mungbean (Vigna radiataL. Wilczek)rotationinasandyloamsoil(TypicHaplustept)ofnorth - westernIndo - Gangeticplains(NW - IGP)ofIndia.The (ZT/PBwithSSNM/Ad - hocnutrientmanagementresultedinhighervaluesofa) physicalparametersviz.,waterstable aggregates>250 μm, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) and mean weight diameter - MWD, (b che - micalparametersviz.,SOC,availableN,P,andK,andc)biologicalparametersviz.,microbialbiomasscarbonandenzymeactivities(fluoresceindiacetatehydrolase,dehydrogenase,ß - glucosidaseandalkalinephosphatase)comparedwithCTandunfertilizedtreatments.TheCApracticesrecordedanincreaseinWSA(12–21%),MWD(14–29%),andKsat(11–14%)comparedwithCTatthe0 - 0.15mand0.15–0.30msoildepths,respectively.ThePB - SSNMregistered(44.1%)higherSOCcontentascomparedtoCT - unfertilizedplots.ValuesforMBC,FDAandβGAdeclinedintheorderSSNM=Ad - hoc>FFP>Control.While,theDHAdeclinedintheorderSSNM>Ad - hoc=FFP>Control.PrincipalcomponentanalysisincludedMWD,SOCandavailableKintheminimumdataset(MDS) as the soil quality indicators. Adoption of PB/ZT resulted ∼22.5% higher SQI compared with CT. TheSSNM plots improved SQI by ∼19.3% and ∼5.3% over unfertilized and FFP. The SSNM based CA practicesattainedasignificantlyhigherannualCsequestrationratethanothertreatments.Therefore,adoptionofCAwithSSNMandAd - hocnutrientmanagementinintensivecerealbasedsystemsofNW - IGPisessentialforimprovingnutrientcycling,soilquality,cropproductivityandC - sequestrationpotential.Not Availabl

Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis: An Australian perspective

Coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) is an untreatable but preventable lung disease arising from chronic inhalation of coal dust. Recent reports of CWP in Queensland, along with international data, suggest that there is a resurgence in pneumoconiosis. The prevalence of CWP varies considerably between countries. In Australia, there is no mandatory reporting system and no national data on the prevalence of CWP. The symptoms and manifestations of CWP vary depending on the composition of the inhaled dust, duration of exposure, stage of disease and host-related factors. CWP may develop into progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), which can be fatal. Radiological assessment should be performed according to evidence-based standards using the ILO (International Labour Office) International Classification of Radiographs of Pneumoconioses. As preventing exposure to coal dust prevents CWP, it is important to implement and enforce appropriate standards limiting exposure. In Australia, these standards currently vary between states and are not in keeping with international understanding of the levels of coal dust that cause disease. Longitudinal screening programs are crucial for monitoring the health of coal workers to identify individuals with early-stage disease and prevent progression from mild disease to PMF. We recommend: standardisation of coal dust exposure limits, with harmonisation to international regulations; implementation of a national screening program for at-risk workers, with use of standardised questionnaires, imaging and lung function testing; development of appropriate training materials to assist general practitioners in identifying pneumoconiosis; and a system of mandatory reporting of CWP to a centralised occupational lung disease register