3,027 research outputs found

    Reviewing, indicating, and counting books for modern research evaluation systems

    Get PDF
    In this chapter, we focus on the specialists who have helped to improve the conditions for book assessments in research evaluation exercises, with empirically based data and insights supporting their greater integration. Our review highlights the research carried out by four types of expert communities, referred to as the monitors, the subject classifiers, the indexers and the indicator constructionists. Many challenges lie ahead for scholars affiliated with these communities, particularly the latter three. By acknowledging their unique, yet interrelated roles, we show where the greatest potential is for both quantitative and qualitative indicator advancements in book-inclusive evaluation systems.Comment: Forthcoming in Glanzel, W., Moed, H.F., Schmoch U., Thelwall, M. (2018). Springer Handbook of Science and Technology Indicators. Springer Some corrections made in subsection 'Publisher prestige or quality

    Expression and activation of the oxytocin receptor in airway smooth muscle cells: Regulation by TNFα and IL-13

    Get PDF
    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>During pregnancy asthma may remain stable, improve or worsen. The factors underlying the deleterious effect of pregnancy on asthma remain unknown. Oxytocin is a neurohypophyseal protein that regulates a number of central and peripheral responses such as uterine contractions and milk ejection. Additional evidence suggests that oxytocin regulates inflammatory processes in other tissues given the ubiquitous expression of the oxytocin receptor. The purpose of this study was to define the role of oxytocin in modulating human airway smooth muscle (HASMCs) function in the presence and absence of IL-13 and TNFα, cytokines known to be important in asthma.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Expression of oxytocin receptor in cultured HASMCs was performed by real time PCR and flow cytomery assays. Responses to oxytocin was assessed by fluorimetry to detect calcium signals while isolated tracheal rings and precision cut lung slices (PCLS) were used to measure contractile responses. Finally, ELISA was used to compare oxytocin levels in the bronchoalveloar lavage (BAL) samples from healthy subjects and those with asthma.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>PCR analysis demonstrates that OXTR is expressed in HASMCs under basal conditions and that both interleukin (IL)-13 and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) stimulate a time-dependent increase in OXTR expression at 6 and 18 hr. Additionally, oxytocin increases cytosolic calcium levels in fura-2-loaded HASMCs that were enhanced in cells treated for 24 hr with IL-13. Interestingly, TNFα had little effect on oxytocin-induced calcium response despite increasing receptor expression. Using isolated murine tracheal rings and PCLS, oxytocin also promoted force generation and airway narrowing. Further, oxytocin levels are detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid derived from healthy subjects as well as from those with asthma.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together, we show that cytokines modulate the expression of functional oxytocin receptors in HASMCs suggesting a potential role for inflammation-induced changes in oxytocin receptor signaling in the regulation of airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma.</p

    Diffractive Dijet Production at sqrt(s)=630 and 1800 GeV at the Fermilab Tevatron

    Get PDF
    We report a measurement of the diffractive structure function FjjDF_{jj}^D of the antiproton obtained from a study of dijet events produced in association with a leading antiproton in pˉp\bar pp collisions at s=630\sqrt s=630 GeV at the Fermilab Tevatron. The ratio of FjjDF_{jj}^D at s=630\sqrt s=630 GeV to FjjDF_{jj}^D obtained from a similar measurement at s=1800\sqrt s=1800 GeV is compared with expectations from QCD factorization and with theoretical predictions. We also report a measurement of the ξ\xi (xx-Pomeron) and β\beta (xx of parton in Pomeron) dependence of FjjDF_{jj}^D at s=1800\sqrt s=1800 GeV. In the region 0.035<ξ<0.0950.035<\xi<0.095, t<1|t|<1 GeV2^2 and β<0.5\beta<0.5, FjjD(β,ξ)F_{jj}^D(\beta,\xi) is found to be of the form β1.0±0.1ξ0.9±0.1\beta^{-1.0\pm 0.1} \xi^{-0.9\pm 0.1}, which obeys β\beta-ξ\xi factorization.Comment: LaTeX, 9 pages, Submitted to Phys. Rev. Letter

    Measurement of the Forward-Backward Asymmetry in the B -> K(*) mu+ mu- Decay and First Observation of the Bs -> phi mu+ mu- Decay

    Get PDF
    We reconstruct the rare decays B+K+μ+μB^+ \to K^+\mu^+\mu^-, B0K(892)0μ+μB^0 \to K^{*}(892)^0\mu^+\mu^-, and Bs0ϕ(1020)μ+μB^0_s \to \phi(1020)\mu^+\mu^- in a data sample corresponding to 4.4fb14.4 {\rm fb^{-1}} collected in ppˉp\bar{p} collisions at s=1.96TeV\sqrt{s}=1.96 {\rm TeV} by the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. Using 121±16121 \pm 16 B+K+μ+μB^+ \to K^+\mu^+\mu^- and 101±12101 \pm 12 B0K0μ+μB^0 \to K^{*0}\mu^+\mu^- decays we report the branching ratios. In addition, we report the measurement of the differential branching ratio and the muon forward-backward asymmetry in the B+B^+ and B0B^0 decay modes, and the K0K^{*0} longitudinal polarization in the B0B^0 decay mode with respect to the squared dimuon mass. These are consistent with the theoretical prediction from the standard model, and most recent determinations from other experiments and of comparable accuracy. We also report the first observation of the Bs0ϕμ+μdecayandmeasureitsbranchingratioB^0_s \to \phi\mu^+\mu^- decay and measure its branching ratio {\mathcal{B}}(B^0_s \to \phi\mu^+\mu^-) = [1.44 \pm 0.33 \pm 0.46] \times 10^{-6}using using 27 \pm 6signalevents.Thisiscurrentlythemostrare signal events. This is currently the most rare B^0_s$ decay observed.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, 3 tables. Submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

    Measurements of the properties of Lambda_c(2595), Lambda_c(2625), Sigma_c(2455), and Sigma_c(2520) baryons

    Get PDF
    We report measurements of the resonance properties of Lambda_c(2595)+ and Lambda_c(2625)+ baryons in their decays to Lambda_c+ pi+ pi- as well as Sigma_c(2455)++,0 and Sigma_c(2520)++,0 baryons in their decays to Lambda_c+ pi+/- final states. These measurements are performed using data corresponding to 5.2/fb of integrated luminosity from ppbar collisions at sqrt(s) = 1.96 TeV, collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron. Exploiting the largest available charmed baryon sample, we measure masses and decay widths with uncertainties comparable to the world averages for Sigma_c states, and significantly smaller uncertainties than the world averages for excited Lambda_c+ states.Comment: added one reference and one table, changed order of figures, 17 pages, 15 figure

    Search for a New Heavy Gauge Boson Wprime with Electron + missing ET Event Signature in ppbar collisions at sqrt(s)=1.96 TeV

    Get PDF
    We present a search for a new heavy charged vector boson WW^\prime decaying to an electron-neutrino pair in ppˉp\bar{p} collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96\unit{TeV}. The data were collected with the CDF II detector and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.3\unit{fb}^{-1}. No significant excess above the standard model expectation is observed and we set upper limits on σB(Weν)\sigma\cdot{\cal B}(W^\prime\to e\nu). Assuming standard model couplings to fermions and the neutrino from the WW^\prime boson decay to be light, we exclude a WW^\prime boson with mass less than 1.12\unit{TeV/}c^2 at the 95\unit{%} confidence level.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures Submitted to PR

    Measurement of Lifetime and Decay-Width Difference in B0s -> J/psi phi Decays

    Get PDF
    We measure the mean lifetime, tau=2/(Gamma_L+Gamma_H), and the width difference, DeltaGamma=Gamma_L-Gamma_H, of the light and heavy mass eigenstates of the B0s meson, B0sL and B0sH, in B0s -> J/psi phi decays using 1.7 fb^-1 of data collected with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron ppbar collider. Assuming CP conservation, a good approximation for the B0s system in the Standard Model, we obtain DeltaGamma = 0.076^+0.059_-0.063 (stat.) +- 0.006 (syst.) ps^-1 and tau = 1.52 +- 0.04 (stat.) +- 0.02 (syst.) ps, the most precise measurements to date. Our constraints on the weak phase and DeltaGamma are consistent with CP conservation. Dedicated to the memory of our dear friend and colleague, Michael P. Schmid

    Forward-Backward Asymmetry in Top Quark Production in ppbar Collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV

    Get PDF
    Reconstructable final state kinematics and charge assignment in the reaction ppbar->ttbar allows tests of discrete strong interaction symmetries at high energy. We define frame dependent forward-backward asymmetries for the outgoing top quark in both the ppbar and ttbar rest frames, correct for experimental distortions, and derive values at the parton-level. Using 1.9/fb of ppbar collisions at sqrt{s}=1.96 TeV recorded with the CDF II detector at the Fermilab Tevatron, we measure forward-backward top quark production asymmetries in the ppbar and ttbar rest frames of A_{FB,pp} = 0.17 +- 0.08 and A_{FB,tt} = 0.24 +- 0.14.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys.Rev.Lett, corrected references and change of tex
    corecore