Experimental search for the violation of Pauli exclusion principle: VIP-2 Collaboration.

The VIolation of Pauli exclusion principle -2 experiment, or VIP-2 experiment, at the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso searches for X-rays from copper atomic transitions that are prohibited by the Pauli exclusion principle. Candidate direct violation events come from the transition of a 2p electron to the ground state that is already occupied by two electrons. From the first data taking campaign in 2016 of VIP-2 experiment, we determined a best upper limit of [Formula: see text] for the probability that such a violation exists. Significant improvement in the control of the experimental systematics was also achieved, although not explicitly reflected in the improved upper limit. By introducing a simultaneous spectral fit of the signal and background data in the analysis, we succeeded in taking into account systematic errors that could not be evaluated previously in this type of measurements.

AEgIS at ELENA: outlook for physics with a pulsed cold antihydrogen beam.

The efficient production of cold antihydrogen atoms in particle traps at CERN's Antiproton Decelerator has opened up the possibility of performing direct measurements of the Earth's gravitational acceleration on purely antimatter bodies. The goal of the AEgIS collaboration is to measure the value of g for antimatter using a pulsed source of cold antihydrogen and a Moiré deflectometer/Talbot-Lau interferometer. The same antihydrogen beam is also very well suited to measuring precisely the ground-state hyperfine splitting of the anti-atom. The antihydrogen formation mechanism chosen by AEgIS is resonant charge exchange between cold antiprotons and Rydberg positronium. A series of technical developments regarding positrons and positronium (Ps formation in a dedicated room-temperature target, spectroscopy of the n=1-3 and n=3-15 transitions in Ps, Ps formation in a target at 10 K inside the 1 T magnetic field of the experiment) as well as antiprotons (high-efficiency trapping of [Formula: see text], radial compression to sub-millimetre radii of mixed [Formula: see text] plasmas in 1 T field, high-efficiency transfer of [Formula: see text] to the antihydrogen production trap using an in-flight launch and recapture procedure) were successfully implemented. Two further critical steps that are germane mainly to charge exchange formation of antihydrogen-cooling of antiprotons and formation of a beam of antihydrogen-are being addressed in parallel. The coming of ELENA will allow, in the very near future, the number of trappable antiprotons to be increased by more than a factor of 50. For the antihydrogen production scheme chosen by AEgIS, this will be reflected in a corresponding increase of produced antihydrogen atoms, leading to a significant reduction of measurement times and providing a path towards high-precision measurements.This article is part of the Theo Murphy meeting issue 'Antiproton physics in the ELENA era'.

Absolute Energy Calibration of X-ray TESs with 0.04 eV Uncertainty at 6.4 keV in a Hadron-Beam Environment.

A performance evaluation of superconducting transition-edge sensors (TESs) in the environment of a pion beam line at a particle accelerator is presented. Averaged across the 209 functioning sensors in the array, the achieved energy resolution is 5.2 eV FWHM at Co K α (6.9 keV) when the pion beam is off and 7.3 eV at a beam rate of 1.45 MHz. Absolute energy uncertainty of ±0.04 eV is demonstrated for Fe K α (6.4 keV) with in-situ energy calibration obtained from other nearby known X-ray lines. To achieve this small uncertainty, it is essential to consider the non-Gaussian energy response of the TESs and thermal cross-talk pile-up effects due to charged particle hits in the silicon substrate of the TES array.

Mapping of a quantitative trait locus controlling susceptibility to Coxsackievirus B3-induced viral hepatitis.

The pathogenesis of coxsackieviral infection is a multifactorial process involving host genetics, viral genetics and the environment in which they interact. We have used a mouse model of Coxsackievirus B3 infection to characterize the contribution of host genetics to infection survival and to viral hepatitis. Twenty-five AcB/BcA recombinant congenic mouse strains were screened. One, BcA86, was found to be particularly susceptible to early mortality; 100% of BcA86 mice died by day 6 compared with 0% of B6 mice (P=0.0012). This increased mortality was accompanied by an increased hepatic necrosis as measured by serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels (19547±10556 vs 769±109, P=0.0055). This occurred despite a predominantly resistant (C57BL/6) genetic background. Linkage analysis in a cohort (n=210) of (BcA86x C56Bl/10)F2 animals revealed a new locus on chromosome 13 (peak linkage 101.2 Mbp, lod 4.50 and P=0.003). This locus controlled serum ALT levels as early as 48 h following the infection, and led to an elevated expression of type I interferon. Another locus on chromosome 17 (peak linkage 57.2 Mbp) was significantly linked to heart viral titer (lod 3.4 and P=0.046). These results provide new evidence for the presence of genetic loci contributing to the susceptibility of mice to viral hepatitis.

Strong-interaction shifts and widths of kaonic helium isotopes.

The kaonic 3He and 4He [Formula: see text] transitions in gaseous targets were observed by the SIDDHARTA experiment. The X-ray energies of these transitions were measured with large-area silicon-drift detectors using the timing information of the [Formula: see text] pairs produced by the DAΦNE [Formula: see text] collider. The strong-interaction shifts and widths both of the kaonic 3He and 4He 2p states were determined, which are much smaller than the results obtained by the previous experiments. The "kaonic helium puzzle" (a discrepancy between theory and experiment) was now resolved.

Preliminary study of kaonic deuterium X-rays by the SIDDHARTA experiment at DAΦNE.

The study of the [Formula: see text] system at very low energies plays a key role for the understanding of the strong interaction between hadrons in the strangeness sector. At the DAΦNE electron-positron collider of Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati we studied kaonic atoms with [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], taking advantage of the low-energy charged kaons from Φ-mesons decaying nearly at rest. The SIDDHARTA experiment used X-ray spectroscopy of the kaonic atoms to determine the transition yields and the strong interaction induced shift and width of the lowest experimentally accessible level (1s for H and D and 2p for He). Shift and width are connected to the real and imaginary part of the scattering length. To disentangle the isospin dependent scattering lengths of the antikaon-nucleon interaction, measurements of [Formula: see text] and of [Formula: see text] are needed. We report here on an exploratory deuterium measurement, from which a limit for the yield of the K-series transitions was derived: [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] (CL 90%). Also, the upcoming SIDDHARTA-2 kaonic deuterium experiment is introduced.

Measurements of the strong-interaction widths of the kaonic (3)He and (4)He 2p levels.

The kaonic (3)He and (4)He X-rays emitted in the [Formula: see text] transitions were measured in the SIDDHARTA experiment. The widths of the kaonic (3)He and (4)He 2p states were determined to be [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively. Both results are consistent with the theoretical predictions. The width of kaonic (4)He is much smaller than the value of [Formula: see text] determined by the experiments performed in the 70's and 80's, while the width of kaonic (3)He was determined for the first time.

Smoking, smoking cessation and smoking relapse patterns: a web-based survey of current and former smokers in the US.

AIM: The aim of this study was to characterise the natural course of smoking cessation behaviour in a web-based survey of current and former cigarette smokers (CS and FS) in the United States. METHODS: A web-based survey of CS and FS was conducted in April 2009; demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and smoking history (including the number of lifetime and length of latest quit attempts, aids used and time to relapse) were collated. The surveyed cohort was selected from prescreened CS and FS panellists and matched for age, race and education, to be representative of the US population. Descriptive statistics and time-to-event analyses using Kaplan-Meier curves were applied in the analysis of this report. RESULTS: The final cohort comprised 512 CS and 566 FS (n = 1078). A larger proportion of FS than CS reported a longest smoke-free period of > 1 year (78.8% vs. 22.4%, respectively). As a greater variety of smoking cessation products became available over time, the proportion of unassisted quit attempts decreased from 76.1% prior to 1983 to 43.9% after 2006 for CS and from 79.3% to 50.3% for FS. The cumulative proportion of subjects relapsing was 31.3% by 1 week and 79.3% by 6 months. The estimated median time to next quit attempt was approximately 360 days. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that relapse is common and that as the variety of cessation modalities increase, the proportion of unassisted quit attempts decreases. Self-help or cold-turkey methods still provide significant alternatives even when pharmacotherapy is available. This study provides data related to the smoking history and smoking cessation patterns of a large, nationally representative sample of CS and FS.

First measurement of kaonic helium-3 X-rays.

The first observation of the kaonic (3)He 3d→2p transition was made, using slow K- mesons stopped in a gaseous (3)He target. The kaonic atom X-rays were detected with large-area silicon drift detectors using the timing information of the K+K- pairs of ϕ-meson decays produced by the DAΦNE e+e- collider. The strong interaction shift of the kaonic (3)He 2p state was determined to be -2±2(stat)±4(syst) eV.

Lung function and respiratory symptoms in a 1-year randomized smoking cessation trial of varenicline in COPD patients.

UNLABELLED: There are few data concerning changes in lung function and respiratory symptoms in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) weeks to months after quitting smoking. We examined serial changes in spirometry and Clinical COPD Questionnaire (CCQ) scores (measuring respiratory symptoms and health-related quality of life) in COPD participants by smoking status during a smoking cessation trial. In this randomized, double-blind trial, smokers with mild-to-moderate COPD were treated with varenicline 1 mg b.i.d. or placebo for 12 weeks and followed to Week 52. Primary endpoints of abstinence were previously reported. Secondary endpoints were mean changes from baseline in post-bronchodilator forced expired volume in 1 s (FEV(1)) and CCQ scores. Change from baseline in post-bronchodilator FEV(1) was significantly improved in continuous abstainers (121.8 mL) vs. continuous smokers (37.9 mL) at Week 12 (P = 0.0069), but not at Weeks 24 or 52. Mean change from baseline at Week 12 in CCQ Total Score was significantly better in continuous abstainers (-1.04) vs. continuous smokers (-0.53; P < 0.0001): this improvement was sustained at Weeks 24 and 52. In a 1-year cessation trial of smokers with COPD, continuous abstinence compared with continuous smoking significantly improved post-bronchodilator FEV(1) at Week 12 (although the difference narrowed subsequently) and CCQ Total Scores at Week 12, with sustained improvement thereafter. ( TRIAL REGISTRY: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; trial identifier: NCT00285012).

Measurement of the in-medium K0 inclusive cross section in pi(-) -induced reactions at 1.15 GeV/c.

The K0 meson production by pi(-) mesons of 1.15 GeV/c momentum on C, Al, Cu, Sn, and Pb nuclear targets was measured with the FOPI spectrometer at the Schwer-Ionen-Synchrotron accelerator of GSI. Inclusive production cross sections and the momentum distributions of K0 mesons are compared to scaled elementary production cross sections and to predictions of theoretical models describing the in-medium production of kaons. The data represent a new reference for those models, which are widely used for interpretation of the strangeness production in heavy-ion collisions. The presented results demonstrate the sensitivity of the kaon production to the reaction amplitudes inside nuclei and point to the existence of a repulsive KN potential of 20+/-5 MeV at normal nuclear matter density.

Mould-specific immunoglobulin antibodies quantified by flow cytometry reflect mould exposure in Norwegian children.

BACKGROUND: Studies from many countries have shown an association between dampness in buildings and airway symptoms. Little is known about the role of mould-specific IgG antibodies in this context. Objective To examine the IgG antibody response to mould applying a new flow cytometric assay, compare the results with the standardized ImmunoCap method, and evaluate the association of IgG to IgE antibodies, dampness in buildings, and airway symptoms like wheeze and asthma. METHODS: A population of 3713 children 9-11 years of age living in Northern Norway was investigated for airway symptoms and dampness at homes by a parental questionnaire, using protocols of the International study of Asthma and Allergy in Childhood (ISAAC). Among these, a case-control study of 100 wheezers and 100 non-wheezers was established that included home inspection, a parental structured interview, and serum samples analysed for mould-specific IgG and IgE antibodies, total IgE, and specific IgE to an allergen panel (Phadiatop). RESULTS: Self-reported visible signs of mould or moisture at home during the child's first year of life were a significant risk factor for both wheeze and asthma. The levels of mould-specific IgG antibodies were associated with mould and moisture findings, but only when IgG antibodies were measured by flow cytometry. CONCLUSIONS: The results support that dampness at home can increase the risk of airway symptoms. IgG antibodies determined by flow cytometry reflect mould exposure better than antibodies measured by the conventional method. IgG antibodies measured by flow cytometry may be used as an indicator of mould exposure.

A New Method for Radiosynthesis of C-Labeled Carbamate Groups and its Application for a Highly Efficient Synthesis of the Kappa-Opioid Receptor Tracer [C]GR103545.

(11)C-labeled carbamates can be obtained in a three-component coupling reaction of primary or secondary amines with CO(2) and (11)C-methylation reagents. [(11)C]Methyl-triflate mediated methylation of carbamino adducts provides the corresponding (11)C-labeled carbamate groups in excellent yields under mild conditions (temperatures

Measurement of the kaonic hydrogen x-ray spectrum.

The DEAR (DAPhiNE exotic atom research) experiment measured the energy of x rays emitted in the transitions to the ground state of kaonic hydrogen. The measured values for the shift epsilon and the width Gamma of the 1s state due to the K(-)p strong interaction are epsilon(1s)=-193 +/- 37 (stat) +/- 6 (syst) eV and Gamma(1s)=249 +/- 111 (stat) +/- 30 (syst) eV, the most precise values yet obtained. The pattern of the kaonic hydrogen K-series lines, K(alpha), K(beta), and K(gamma), was disentangled for the first time.

[Journal impact factors in the evaluation of scientific performance]. / Külföldi folyóiratcikkek a tudományos tevékenység értékelésében.

The most known and used index of the relative citedness of scientific journals is the impact factor. It has gained a broad and growing application in the evaluation of scientific performance in the medical sciences. There are several difficulties however to be overcome in order to establish a correct and reliable method, which will be able to dispel the presently existing distrust in medical, mainly clinical circles. The authors propose a method to solve most of the contradictions. Moreover, it is aimed at complementing the bibliometric evaluation method of the Hungarian domestic publications proposed by the Medical Sciences Faculty of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences in 1994.

[Abdominal actinomycosis presenting as a malignant tumor--report of a case and review of the literature]. / Malignus tumor képében jelentkezö hasi actinomycosis--esetismertetés és irodalmi áttekintés.

Actinomyces israelii is a normal inhabitant in the gastrointestinal tract of humans, it rarely causes disease. Abdominal involvement occurs in only 20 percent of all cases and can mimic malignant diseases, tuberculosis and inflammatory bowel disease. A case of a 36 years old female patient with abdominal actinomycosis and review of the literature is reported. Symptoms was presented as an acute abdomen associated with painful epigastric and left subcostal mass. The pathologic process infiltrated the retroperitoneal space simulated sarcoma or lymphoma. Diagnosis was established only at the second laparotomy, when histologic examination of the removed lymph node disclosed actinomycosis. The patient is completely free of symptoms 6 month after the second operation.

[Synthesis and analytical characterization of the dansyl derivatives of 6,14-ethenomorphinans]. / 6,14-Etenomorfinánok danzil-származékainak szintézise és analitikai jellemzése.

The synthesis of the dansyl derivatives of the pharmacologically important 6,14-ethenomorphinans has not been reported. The authors realized the preparation of the dansyl derivatives (2a-i) of some 20-alkyl(aralkyl)-orvinols (1a-i). The authors unequivocally proved the structure of the parent compounds, and their dansyl derivatives. The authors also investigated certain analitical characteristics (thin-layer chromatography, UV-spectral data and reversed-phase HPLC purity tests) for the detection if necessary of these compound in biological fluid. Namely, due to the fluorescent properties of the dansyl derivatives, the sensitivity and selectivity of the analytical determinations of the parent compounds are significantly enhanced.

[Leukocyte scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis]. / Leukocyta szcintigráfia az akut pancreatitis diagnosztikájában.

The authors investigate the place and clinical usability of the 99mTc-HM-PAO leukocyte scintigraphy (LS) in patients with acute pancreatitis. Another purpose was to establish the diagnostic value of LS to differenciate between infected and noninfected pseudocysts following acute pancreatitis. Seventy-five patients with acute pancreatitis were examined and divided into two groups. In group 1, LS was performed in 46 consecutive patients in the early phase (mean 3 days following the beginning of the symptoms, range 1-6 days) of acute pancreatitis. In group 2, LS was performed in 29 patients with pancreatic pseudocysts following acute pancreatitis. The diagnosis of acute pancreatitis was based on the typical clinical symptoms, laboratory parameters, Ranson criteria, US and CT findings. In group 1, most of the cases with a severe clinical outcome (Ranson classification) gave positive LS results (13/15). Leukocyte accumulation was also detected in patients with mild acute pancreatitis (5/26), but at a lower frequency. The scintigraphic activity correlated with the leukocyte count, fever, and duration of hospitalization. In group 2, there were seven LS positive cases. A pancreatic abscess or infected pseudocyst was found in all of them during surgery. In 9 LS negative cases surgery and bacterial culturing revealed sterile pseudocyst. In conclusion, a positive LS indicated a severe course of acute pancreatitis. The method also seems useful for differentiation between infected and noninfected pancreatic pseudocysts.

Progress in the management and treatment of infected pancreatic necrosis.

Infected pancreatic necrosis and sepsis are the leading causes of mortality in necrotizing pancreatitis. A review has been undertaken of the results of the past two decades relating to different surgical treatments of infected pancreatic necrosis. During the period 1978-85, the surgical treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis and its complications in our department consisted of the 'conventional' therapy (resection of the involved pancreatic tissue, or necrosectomy and drainage) in 61 patients, with a mortality rate of 36% (22 patients died). Since 1986, we have performed necrosectomy and other surgical interventions combined with continuous widespread lavage in 142 patients with infected pancreatic necrosis. The overall mortality decreased significantly to 6.3% (9 patients died). This result was achieved by means of aggressive surgical treatment, continuous, prolonged washing and suction drainage and supportive therapy, including immunonutrition, modifying the cytokine production and adequate antibiotic and antifungal medication. This surgical strategy provides the possibility for recovery in cases of necrotizing pancreatitis with septic complications.

[Complex treatment of infected necrotizing pancreatitis]. / Inficiálódott nekrotizáló pancreatitis komplex kezelése.

Pancreatic necrosis associated with septic conditions is the leading cause of mortality in acute pancreatitis. Since 1986, 155 patients with infected pancreatic necrosis have been treated. The mean APACHE II score was 18.5 (range 11-32). In all cases, the infected pancreatic necrosis was combined with retroperitoneal abscesses. The surgical treatment was performed on average 18.5 days (range 8-25 days) after the onset of acute pancreatitis. The operative management consisted of wide-ranging necrosectomy in the total affected area, combined with widespread lavage and suction drainage. In 69 of the 155 cases (45%), some other surgical intervention (distal pancreatic resection, splenectomy, cholecystectomy, sphincteroplasty or colon resection) was also performed. Following surgery supportive therapy was applied in all patients, which also consisted orf immunonutrition (glutamine and arginine supplementation) and modification of cytokine production by petoxyfillin and dexamethasone from 1992. TNF and IL-6 serum levels were measured by ELISA and in vitro stimulation of leukocytes were induced by E. coli LPS. Following surgery, continuous lavage and suction drainage were applied for an average of 41.5 days (range 21-90 days), with an average of 9.5 (range 5-20) litres of saline per day. The bacteriologic findings revealed mainly enteral bacteria, but Candida infection was also frequently detected. The incidence of fungal infection was 20%. Thirty-two patients (21%) had to undergo reoperation. The cytokine production capacity (TNF and IL-6) was shown to correlate with the prognosis. As a consequence of pentoxifyllin and dexamethasone therapy, the TNF production generally dropped to the normal level. The overall hospital mortality was 6.4% (10 patients died). In our experience, infected pancreatic necrosis responds well to aggressive surgical treatment, continuous, long-standing lavage and suction drainage, together with supportive therapy consisting of immunonutrition and modification of cytokine production, combined with adequate antibiotic and antifungal medication.