Semileptonic form factor ratio B_s->D_s/B->D and its application to BR(B^0_s->\mu^+\mu^-)

We present a (2+1)-flavor lattice QCD calculation of the form factor ratio between the semileptonic decays $\bar{B}^0_s \to D^+_sl^-\bar{\nu}$ and $\bar{B}^0 \to D^+l^-\bar{\nu}$. This ratio is an important theoretical input to the hadronic determination of the $B$ meson fragmentation fraction ratio $f_s/f_d$ which enters in the measurement of $\mathrm{BR}(B^0_s\to \mu^+\mu^-)$. Small lattice spacings and high statistics enable us to simulate the decays with a dynamic final $D$ meson of small momentum and reliably extract the hadronic matrix elements at nonzero recoil. We report our preliminary result for the form factor ratio at the corresponding momentum transfer of the two decays $f_0^{(s)}(M^2_\pi)/f_0^{(d)}(M^2_K)$.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures. Talk presented at The XXIX International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory - Lattice 2011, July 10-16, 2011, Squaw Valley, Lake Tahoe, California; Minor errors corrected, references and graphs update

Semileptonic B to D decays at nonzero recoil with 2+1 flavors of improved staggered quarks. An update

The Fermilab Lattice and MILC collaborations are completing a comprehensive program of heavy-light physics on MILC (2+1)-flavor asqtad ensembles with lattice spacings as small as 0.045 fm and light-to-strange-quark mass ratios as low as 1/20. We use the Fermilab interpretation of the clover action for heavy valence quarks and the asqtad action for the light valence quarks. The central goal of the program is to provide ever more exacting tests of the unitarity of the CKM matrix. We present preliminary results for one part of the program, namely the analysis of the semileptonic decay B -> D l nu at nonzero recoil.Comment: 7 pp, 7 figs, Lattice 201

Molecular cloning of dihydroflavonol 4-reductase gene from grape berry and preparation of an anti-DFR polyclonal antibody

Dihydroflavonol 4-reductase (DFR, EC 1.1.1.219) is a key enzyme of the flavonoid pathway, which synthesizes numerous secondary metabolites to determine the quality of grape berry and wine. The full-length dfr cDNA with 1014 bp was cloned from grape berry, and then introduced into an expressed plasmid pET-30a (+) vector at the EcoR I and Xho I restriction sites. With induction of the isopropyl-β-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG), the pET-dfr was highly expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS cells. A fusion protein with the His-Tag was purified through Ni-NTA His Bind Resin and then used as the antigen to immunize a New Zealand rabbit. The resulting antiserum was further purified precipitated by 50 % saturated ammonium sulfate and DEAE-Sepharose FF chromatography to obtain the immunoglobulin G (IgG) fraction. The resulting polyclonal antibody was found capable of immuno-recognizing the DFR of the crude protein extracts from grape berry. This work undoubtedly provides the possibility for further studies on biological regulation of DFR activity in grape berry.

A panther chameleon skin-inspired core@shell supramolecular hydrogel with spatially organized multi-luminogens enables programmable color change

Organization of different iridophores into a core@shell structure constitutes an evolutionary novelty for panther chameleons that allows their skins to display diverse color change. Inspired by this natural color-changing design, we present a responsive core@shell-structured multi-luminogen supramolecular hydrogel system that generates a programmable multi-color fluorescent change. Specifically, red Eu$^{3+}$-amidopicolinate (R) luminogen is incorporated into the core hydrogel, while blue naphthalimide (B) and green perylene-tetracarboxylic acid (G) luminogens are grown into two supramolecular shell hydrogels. The intensities of G/B luminogens could then be controlled independently, which enables its emission color to be programmed easily from red to blue or green, nearly covering the full visible spectrum. Because of the differential excitation energies between these luminogens, a desirable excitation wavelength-dependent fluorescence is also achieved. Colorful materials with a patterned core@shell structure are also demonstrated for anti-counterfeiting, opening up the possibility of utilizing a bioinspired core@shell structure to develop an efficient multi-color fluorescent system with versatile uses

Cost-effectiveness analysis of malaria rapid diagnostic test in the elimination setting

BACKGROUND: As more and more countries approaching the goal of malaria elimination, malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) was recomendated to be a diagnostic strategy to achieve and maintain the statute of malaria free, as it’s less requirments on equipment and experitise than microscopic examination. But there are very few economic evaluations to confirm whether RDT was cost-effective in the setting of malaria elimination. This research aimed to offer evidence for helping decision making on malaria diagnosis strategy. METHODS: A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted to compare RDT with microscopy examination for malaria diagnosis, by using a decision tree model. There were three strategies of malaria diagnostic testing evaluated in the model, 1) microscopy, 2) RDT, 3) RDT followed by microscopy. The effect indicator was defined as the number of malaria cases treated appropriately. Based on the joint perspective of health sector and patient, costs data were collected from hospital information systems, key informant interviews, and patient surveys. Data collection was conducted in Jiangsu from September 2018 to January 2019. Epidemiological data were obtained from local malaria surveillance reports. A hypothetical cohort of 300 000 febrile patients were simulated to calculate the total cost and effect of each strategy. One-way, two-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed to test the robustness of the result. RESULTS: The results showed that RDT strategy was the most effective (245 cases) but also the most costly (United States Dollar [USD] 4.47 million) compared to using microscopy alone (238 cases, USD 3.63 million), and RDT followed by microscopy (221 cases, USD 2.75 million). There was no strategy dominated. One-way sensitivity analysis reflected that the result was sensitive to the change in labor cost and two-way sensitivity analysis indicated that the result was not sensitive to the proportion of falciparum malaria. The result of Monte Carlo simulation showed that RDT strategy had higher effects and higher cost than other strategies with a high probability. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to microscopy and RDT followed by microscopy, RDT strategy had higher effects and higher cost in the setting of malaria elimination

Recent advances in double-lumen tube malposition in thoracic surgery: A bibliometric analysis and narrative literature review

Thoracic surgery has increased drastically in recent years, especially in light of the severe outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Routine “passive” chest computed tomography (CT) screening of inpatients detects some pulmonary diseases requiring thoracic surgeries timely. As an essential device for thoracic anesthesia, the double-lumen tube (DLT) is particularly important for anesthesia and surgery. With the continuous upgrading of the DLTs and the widespread use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB), the position of DLT in thoracic surgery is gradually becoming more stable and easier to observe or adjust. However, DLT malposition still occurs during transferring patients from a supine to the lateral position in thoracic surgery, which leads to lung isolation failure and hypoxemia during one-lung ventilation (OLV). Recently, some innovative DLTs or improved intervention methods have shown good results in reducing the incidence of DLT malposition. This review aims to summarize the recent studies of the incidence of left-sided DLT malposition, the reasons and effects of malposition, and summarize current methods for reducing DLT malposition and prospects for possible approaches. Meanwhile, we use bibliometric analysis to summarize the research trends and hot spots of the DLT research