90 research outputs found

    Cotton: From Farm to Market - Bringing Ag into Elementary

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    As a rural Elementary School striving for STEM certification in South Georgia, we bring real-life and real-world experiences into our instruction. Being from Colquitt County, where farming is the largest industry and home of the Ag EXPO, we decided to incorporate Agriculture into our classrooms in all subject areas. Our students attend Ag as one of their connection times each week. Each grade has some form of continual agricultural project contributing to our long term STEM project of providing food to our local senior center. In this session, we plan to share how we bring Agriculture to Elementary school and engage our audience by giving them a small glimpse of an Agricultural STEM activity called “Cotton: From Farm to Market.

    Isolated neutropenia as a rare but serious adverse event secondary to immune checkpoint inhibition

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    Background Compared to conventional chemotherapy, Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are known to have a distinct toxicity profile commonly identified as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These irAEs that are believed to be related to immune dysregulations triggered by ICI can be serious and lead to treatment interruptions and in severe cases, precipitate permanent discontinuation. Isolated neutropenia secondary to ICI has been rarely documented in the literature and needs further description. We report a case of pembrolizumab related severe isolated neutropenia in a patient with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. We were also able to obtain serial blood and plasma-based biomarkers for this patient during treatment and during neutropenia to understand trends that may correlate with the irAE. In addition we summarize important findings from other studies reporting on ICI related neutropenia. Case presentation A 74 years old Caucasian male treated with single-agent pembrolizumab for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer presented with fevers, chills, and an isolated neutrophil count (ANC) of 0 2 weeks after the fourth dose. In addition to antibiotics, due to the strong suspicion of this neutropenia being immune-mediated, he was started on 1 mg/kg of steroids and also received filgrastim to accelerate neutrophil recovery. Serial trends in C-reactive protein and certain other inflammatory cytokines demonstrated a corresponding rise at the time of neutropenia. Post recovery, his pembrolizumab was kept on hold. Eight weeks later he had a second episode of neutropenia which was again managed similar to the first episode. Despite permanent discontinuation of ICI after the first neutropenia, his disease showed an ongoing complete metabolic response on imaging. Our literature review reveals that hematological toxicities constitute < 1% irAEs with isolated neutropenia roughly accounting for one-fourth of the hematological irAEs. Based on the handful of ICI related neutropenia cases reported to date, we identified nivolumab to be the most common offender. The median number of ICI cycles administered before presenting with neutropenia was three, and the median time to recovery was approximately two weeks. All of these neutropenic episodes were ≥ grade 3 and led to permanent ICI discontinuation. Using immunosuppressive therapies in conjunction with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor was the most common strategy described to have favorable results. Conclusion Neutropenia as an isolated irAE secondary to ICI is rare but represents a severe toxicity that needs early recognition and can often result in treatment discontinuations. Careful monitoring of these patients with the prompt initiation of immunosuppressive and supportive measures to promote rapid recovery as well as prevent and treat infectious complications should be part of the management algorithms. Serial monitoring of blood and plasma-based biomarkers from more extensive studies may help in identifying patients at risk for irAEs and thus guide patient selection for ICI

    Studies of beauty baryon decays to D0ph− and Λ+ch− final states

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    Measurement of the (eta c)(1S) production cross-section in proton-proton collisions via the decay (eta c)(1S) -&gt; p(p)over-bar

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    Observation of the B0 → ρ0ρ0 decay from an amplitude analysis of B0 → (π+π−)(π+π−) decays

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    Proton–proton collision data recorded in 2011 and 2012 by the LHCb experiment, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 , are analysed to search for the charmless B0→ρ0ρ0 decay. More than 600 B0→(π+π−)(π+π−) signal decays are selected and used to perform an amplitude analysis, under the assumption of no CP violation in the decay, from which the B0→ρ0ρ0 decay is observed for the first time with 7.1 standard deviations significance. The fraction of B0→ρ0ρ0 decays yielding a longitudinally polarised final state is measured to be fL=0.745−0.058+0.048(stat)±0.034(syst) . The B0→ρ0ρ0 branching fraction, using the B0→ϕK⁎(892)0 decay as reference, is also reported as B(B0→ρ0ρ0)=(0.94±0.17(stat)±0.09(syst)±0.06(BF))×10−6

    Search for the lepton flavour violating decay tau(-) -&gt; mu(-)mu(+)mu(-)

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    A search for the lepton flavour violating decay τμμ+μ\tau^-\rightarrow\mu^-\mu^+\mu^- is performed with the LHCb experiment. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb1^{−1} of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 2.0 fb1^{−1} at 8 TeV. No evidence is found for a signal, and a limit is set at 90% confidence level on the branching fraction, B(τμμ+μ)<4.6×108\mathcal{B}(\tau^-\rightarrow\mu^-\mu^+\mu^-)<4.6\times10^{−8}.A search for the lepton flavour violating decay τ^{−} → μ^{−} μ+^{+} μ^{−} is performed with the LHCb experiment. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.0 fb1^{−1} of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 2.0 fb1^{−1} at 8 TeV. No evidence is found for a signal, and a limit is set at 90% confidence level on the branching fraction, B(τμμ+μ)<4.6×108 \mathrm{\mathcal{B}}\left({\tau}^{-}\to {\mu}^{-}{\mu}^{+}{\mu}^{-}\right)<4.6\times {10}^{-8} .A search for the lepton flavour violating decay τμμ+μ\tau^-\to \mu^-\mu^+\mu^- is performed with the LHCb experiment. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.0fb11.0\mathrm{\,fb}^{-1} of proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7TeV7\mathrm{\,Te\kern -0.1em V} and 2.0fb12.0\mathrm{\,fb}^{-1} at 8TeV8\mathrm{\,Te\kern -0.1em V}. No evidence is found for a signal, and a limit is set at 90%90\% confidence level on the branching fraction, B(τμμ+μ)<4.6×108\mathcal{B}(\tau^-\to \mu^-\mu^+\mu^-) < 4.6 \times 10^{-8}

    Angular analysis of the B-0 -&gt; K*(0) e(+) e(-) decay in the low-q(2) region

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    An angular analysis of the B0K0e+eB^0 \rightarrow K^{*0} e^+ e^- decay is performed using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 {\mbox{fb}^{-1}}, collected by the LHCb experiment in pppp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV during 2011 and 2012. For the first time several observables are measured in the dielectron mass squared (q2q^2) interval between 0.002 and 1.120GeV2 ⁣/c4{\mathrm{\,Ge\kern -0.1em V^2\!/}c^4}. The angular observables FLF_{\mathrm{L}} and ATReA_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Re}} which are related to the K0K^{*0} polarisation and to the lepton forward-backward asymmetry, are measured to be FL=0.16±0.06±0.03F_{\mathrm{L}}= 0.16 \pm 0.06 \pm0.03 and ATRe=0.10±0.18±0.05A_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Re}} = 0.10 \pm 0.18 \pm 0.05, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The angular observables AT(2)A_{\mathrm{T}}^{(2)} and ATImA_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Im}} which are sensitive to the photon polarisation in this q2q^2 range, are found to be AT(2)=0.23±0.23±0.05A_{\mathrm{T}}^{(2)} = -0.23 \pm 0.23 \pm 0.05 and ATIm=0.14±0.22±0.05A_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Im}} =0.14 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.05. The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.An angular analysis of the B0^{0} → K^{*}^{0} e+^{+} e^{−} decay is performed using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb1^{−1}, collected by the LHCb experiment in pp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV during 2011 and 2012. For the first time several observables are measured in the dielectron mass squared (q2^{2}) interval between 0.002 and 1.120 GeV2^{2} /c4^{4}. The angular observables FL_{L} and ATRe_{T}^{Re} which are related to the K^{*}^{0} polarisation and to the lepton forward-backward asymmetry, are measured to be FL_{L} = 0.16 ± 0.06 ± 0.03 and ATRe_{T}^{Re}  = 0.10 ± 0.18 ± 0.05, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The angular observables AT(2)_{T}^{(2)} and ATIm_{T}^{Im} which are sensitive to the photon polarisation in this q2^{2} range, are found to be AT(2)_{T}^{(2)}  = − 0.23 ± 0.23 ± 0.05 and ATIm_{T}^{Im}  = 0.14 ± 0.22 ± 0.05. The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions.An angular analysis of the B0K0e+eB^0 \rightarrow K^{*0} e^+ e^- decay is performed using a data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 {\mbox{fb}^{-1}}, collected by the LHCb experiment in pppp collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV during 2011 and 2012. For the first time several observables are measured in the dielectron mass squared (q2q^2) interval between 0.002 and 1.120GeV2 ⁣/c4{\mathrm{\,Ge\kern -0.1em V^2\!/}c^4}. The angular observables FLF_{\mathrm{L}} and ATReA_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Re}} which are related to the K0K^{*0} polarisation and to the lepton forward-backward asymmetry, are measured to be FL=0.16±0.06±0.03F_{\mathrm{L}}= 0.16 \pm 0.06 \pm0.03 and ATRe=0.10±0.18±0.05A_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Re}} = 0.10 \pm 0.18 \pm 0.05, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. The angular observables AT(2)A_{\mathrm{T}}^{(2)} and ATImA_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Im}} which are sensitive to the photon polarisation in this q2q^2 range, are found to be AT(2)=0.23±0.23±0.05A_{\mathrm{T}}^{(2)} = -0.23 \pm 0.23 \pm 0.05 and ATIm=0.14±0.22±0.05A_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{Im}} =0.14 \pm 0.22 \pm 0.05. The results are consistent with Standard Model predictions

    A study of CP violation in B-+/- -&gt; DK +/- and B-+/- -&gt; D pi(+/-) decays with D -&gt; (KSK +/-)-K-0 pi(-/+) final states

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    A first study of CP violation in the decay modes B±[KS0K±π]Dh±B^\pm\to [K^0_{\rm S} K^\pm \pi^\mp]_D h^\pm and B±[KS0Kπ±]Dh±B^\pm\to [K^0_{\rm S} K^\mp \pi^\pm]_D h^\pm, where hh labels a KK or π\pi meson and DD labels a D0D^0 or D0\overline{D}^0 meson, is performed. The analysis uses the LHCb data set collected in pppp collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb1^{-1}. The analysis is sensitive to the CP-violating CKM phase γ\gamma through seven observables: one charge asymmetry in each of the four modes and three ratios of the charge-integrated yields. The results are consistent with measurements of γ\gamma using other decay modes

    Study of the rare B-s(0) and B-0 decays into the pi(+) pi(-) mu(+) mu(-) final state

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    A search for the rare decays Bs0π+πμ+μB_s^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- and B0π+πμ+μB^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb1^{-1} collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5-1.3 GeV/c2c^2 and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay Bs0π+πμ+μB_s^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- and the first evidence of the decay B0π+πμ+μB^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- are obtained and the branching fractions are measured to be B(Bs0π+πμ+μ)=(8.6±1.5(stat)±0.7(syst)±0.7(norm))×108\mathcal{B}(B_s^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^-)=(8.6\pm 1.5\,({\rm stat}) \pm 0.7\,({\rm syst})\pm 0.7\,({\rm norm}))\times 10^{-8} and B(B0π+πμ+μ)=(2.11±0.51(stat)±0.15(syst)±0.16(norm))×108\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^-)=(2.11\pm 0.51\,({\rm stat}) \pm 0.15\,({\rm syst})\pm 0.16\,({\rm norm}) )\times 10^{-8}, where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay B0J/ψ(μ+μ)K(890)0(K+π)B^0\to J/\psi(\to \mu^+\mu^-)K^*(890)^0(\to K^+\pi^-), used as a normalisation.A search for the rare decays Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and B0→π+π−μ+μ− is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected by the LHCb detector in proton–proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV . Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5–1.3 GeV/c2 and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and the first evidence of the decay B0→π+π−μ+μ− are obtained and the branching fractions, restricted to the dipion-mass range considered, are measured to be B(Bs0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(8.6±1.5 (stat)±0.7 (syst)±0.7(norm))×10−8 and B(B0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(2.11±0.51(stat)±0.15(syst)±0.16(norm))×10−8 , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay B0→J/ψ(→μ+μ−)K⁎(892)0(→K+π−) , used as a normalisation.A search for the rare decays Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and B0→π+π−μ+μ− is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb−1 collected by the LHCb detector in proton–proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV . Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5–1.3 GeV/c2 and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay Bs0→π+π−μ+μ− and the first evidence of the decay B0→π+π−μ+μ− are obtained and the branching fractions, restricted to the dipion-mass range considered, are measured to be B(Bs0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(8.6±1.5 (stat)±0.7 (syst)±0.7(norm))×10−8 and B(B0→π+π−μ+μ−)=(2.11±0.51(stat)±0.15(syst)±0.16(norm))×10−8 , where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay B0→J/ψ(→μ+μ−)K⁎(892)0(→K+π−) , used as a normalisation.A search for the rare decays Bs0π+πμ+μB_s^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- and B0π+πμ+μB^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- is performed in a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.0 fb1^{-1} collected by the LHCb detector in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV. Decay candidates with pion pairs that have invariant mass in the range 0.5-1.3 GeV/c2c^2 and with muon pairs that do not originate from a resonance are considered. The first observation of the decay Bs0π+πμ+μB_s^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- and the first evidence of the decay B0π+πμ+μB^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^- are obtained and the branching fractions, restricted to the dipion-mass range considered, are measured to be B(Bs0π+πμ+μ)=(8.6±1.5(stat)±0.7(syst)±0.7(norm))×108\mathcal{B}(B_s^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^-)=(8.6\pm 1.5\,({\rm stat}) \pm 0.7\,({\rm syst})\pm 0.7\,({\rm norm}))\times 10^{-8} and B(B0π+πμ+μ)=(2.11±0.51(stat)±0.15(syst)±0.16(norm))×108\mathcal{B}(B^0 \to \pi^+\pi^-\mu^+\mu^-)=(2.11\pm 0.51\,({\rm stat}) \pm 0.15\,({\rm syst})\pm 0.16\,({\rm norm}) )\times 10^{-8}, where the third uncertainty is due to the branching fraction of the decay B0J/ψ(μ+μ)K(890)0(K+π)B^0\to J/\psi(\to \mu^+\mu^-)K^*(890)^0(\to K^+\pi^-), used as a normalisation
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