Fully Differential Higgs Boson Production to Third Order in QCD.

We present the first fully differential predictions for the production cross section of a Higgs boson via the gluon fusion mechanism at next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N^{3}LO) in QCD perturbation theory. Differential distributions are shown for the two-photon final state produced by the decay of the Higgs boson for a realistic set of fiducial cuts. The N^{3}LO corrections exhibit complex features and are in part larger than the inclusive N^{3}LO corrections to the production cross section. Overall, we observe that the inclusion of the N^{3}LO QCD corrections significantly reduces the perturbative uncertainties and leads to a stabilization of the perturbative expansion.

Possible causes of aberrations in adverse grouping behavior of dairy cows: A field study.

In the Dutch national surveillance system, an increasing number of reports were received in the summer of 2017 from farmers about unusual behavior of their cows. The cows were grouping during the day in summer in one part of the barn and did not move for several hours, which, according to the farmers, led to reduced food and water intake and lying time and resulted in decreased milk production and increased risk of lameness. Many farmers perceived magnetic fields from, for instance, high-voltage lines, automated milking systems, or solar panels as possible causes for the behavior of their cows. Our aim for the study was to study potential factors such as magnetic fields and other factors such as barn climate and insect burden for adverse grouping behavior of dairy cows in the barn. For each case herd, 2 control herds were selected in the same postal area code. A case was a herd in which cattle grouped at least on 7 occasions in a month for several hours. In a control herd, the cows were in the barn during the same time period as in the matching case herd but did not show adverse grouping behavior. A questionnaire was administered by telephone in 31 case herds and 62 control herds. The questionnaire gathered information on behavior of the cows and potential risk factors. In addition, data on the distance of the herd to high-voltage lines was obtained. From a total of 74 variables, all variables with a P-value ≤0.10 were included in full multivariable logistic regression model. Backward selection was carried out at P ≤ 0.10. The grouping behavior of the cows started in most herds in June, was seen only during the day, and lasted mostly 6 to 8 h, with cows often grouped in the northern part of the barn. Identified risk factors appeared to be recently constructed barns, measured stray voltage in barns, and presence of fans in barns. Given the cross-sectional design of the case-control study, causality for these risk factors leading to adverse behavior of the cows could not be proven. Dissemination of the results to farmers hopefully results in measures that can prevent the unusual grouping behavior of cows.

Predictions for Z-Boson Production in Association with a b-Jet at O(α_{s}

Precise predictions are provided for the production of a Z boson and a b-jet in hadron-hadron collisions within the framework of perturbative QCD, at O(α_{s}^{3}). To obtain these predictions, we perform the first calculation of a hadronic scattering process involving the direct production of a flavored jet at next-to-next-to-leading-order accuracy in massless QCD and extend techniques to also account for the impact of finite heavy-quark mass effects. The predictions are compared to CMS data obtained in pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 8 TeV, which are the most precise data from run I of the LHC for this process, where a good description of the data is achieved. To allow this comparison, we have performed an unfolding of the data, which overcomes the long-standing issue that the experimental and theoretical definitions of jet flavor are incompatible.

Triple Differential Dijet Cross Section at the LHC.

The measurement of the triple-differential dijet production cross section as a function of the average transverse momentum p_{T,avg}, half the rapidity separation y^{*}, and the boost y_{b} of the two leading jets in the event enables a kinematical scan of the underlying parton momentum distributions. We compute for the first time the second-order perturbative QCD corrections to this triple-differential dijet cross section, at leading color in all partonic channels, thereby enabling precision studies with LHC dijet data. A detailed comparison with experimental CMS 8 TeV data is performed, demonstrating how the shape of this differential cross section probes the parton densities in different kinematical ranges.

MOG-IgG in primary and secondary chronic progressive multiple sclerosis: a multicenter study of 200 patients and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Antibodies to human full-length myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG-IgG) as detected by new-generation cell-based assays have recently been described in patients presenting with acute demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, including patients previously diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). However, only limited data are available on the relevance of MOG-IgG testing in patients with chronic progressive demyelinating disease. It is unclear if patients with primary progressive MS (PPMS) or secondary progressive MS (SPMS) should routinely be tested for MOG-IgG. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of MOG-IgG among patients classified as having PPMS or SPMS based on current diagnostic criteria. METHODS: For this purpose, we retrospectively tested serum samples of 200 patients with PPMS or SPMS for MOG-IgG using cell-based assays. In addition, we performed a review of the entire English language literature on MOG-IgG published between 2011 and 2017. RESULTS: None of 139 PPMS and 61 SPMS patients tested was positive for MOG-IgG. Based on a review of the literature, we identified 35 further MOG-IgG tests in patients with PPMS and 55 in patients with SPMS; the only reportedly positive sample was positive just at threshold level and was tested in a non-IgG-specific assay. In total, a single borderline positive result was observed among 290 tests. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that MOG-IgG is absent or extremely rare among patients with PPMS or SPMS. Routine screening of patients with typical PPMS/SPMS for MOG-IgG seems not to be justified.

A survey on abnormal uterine bleeding among radiographers with frequent MRI exposure using intrauterine contraceptive devices.

PURPOSE: Based on a previous case report of menometrorrhagia (prolonged/excessive uterine bleeding, occurring at irregular and/or frequent intervals) in MRI workers with intrauterine devices (IUDs), it was evaluated whether this association could be confirmed. METHODS: A survey was performed among 381 female radiographers registered with their national association. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations of abnormal uterine bleeding with the frequency of working with MRI scanners, presence near the scanner/in the scanner room during image acquisition, and with scanner strength or type. RESULTS: A total of 68 women reported using IUDs, and 72 reported abnormal uterine bleeding. Compared with unexposed women not using IUDs, the odds ratio in women with IUDs working with MRI scanners was 2.09 (95% confidence interval 0.83-3.66). Associations were stronger if women working with MRI reported being present during image acquisition (odds ratio 3.43, 95% CI 1.26-9.34). Associations with scanner strength or type were not consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographers using IUDs who are occupationally exposed to stray fields from MRI scanners report abnormal uterine bleeding more often than their co-workers without an IUD, or nonexposed co-workers with an IUD. In particular, radiographers present inside the scanner room during image acquisition showed an increased risk. Magn Reson Med 79:1083-1089, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.

Next-to-Next-to-Leading-Order QCD Corrections to the Transverse Momentum Distribution of Weak Gauge Bosons.

The transverse momentum spectra of weak gauge bosons and their ratios probe the underlying dynamics and are crucial in testing our understanding of the standard model. They are an essential ingredient in precision measurements, such as the W boson mass extraction. To fully exploit the potential of the LHC data, we compute the second-order [next-to-next-to-leading-order (NNLO)] QCD corrections to the inclusive-p_{T}^{W} spectrum as well as to the ratios of spectra for W^{-}/W^{+} and Z/W. We find that the inclusion of NNLO QCD corrections considerably improves the theoretical description of the experimental CMS data and results in a substantial reduction of the residual scale uncertainties.

Precise Predictions for Dijet Production at the LHC.

We present the calculation of dijet production, doubly differential in dijet mass m_{jj} and rapidity difference |y^{*}|, at leading color in all partonic channels at next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbative QCD. We consider the long-standing problems associated with scale choice for dijet production at next-to-leading order (NLO) and investigate the impact of including the NNLO contribution. We find that the NNLO theory provides reliable predictions, even when using scale choices that display pathological behavior at NLO. We choose the dijet invariant mass as the theoretical scale on the grounds of perturbative convergence and residual scale variation and compare the predictions to the ATLAS 7 TeV 4.5 fb^{-1} data.

Precise QCD Predictions for the Production of a Z Boson in Association with a Hadronic Jet.

We compute the cross section and differential distributions for the production of a Z boson in association with a hadronic jet to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in perturbative QCD, including the leptonic decay of the Z boson. We present numerical results for the transverse momentum and rapidity distributions of both the Z boson and the associated jet at the LHC. We find that the NNLO corrections increase the NLO predictions by approximately 1% and significantly reduce the scale variation uncertainty.

Precise QCD predictions for W-boson production in association with a charm jet.

The production of a W-boson with a charm quark jet provides a highly sensitive probe of the strange quark distribution in the proton. Employing a novel flavour dressing procedure to define charm quark jets, we compute W+charm-jet production up to next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) in QCD. We study the perturbative stability of production cross sections with same-sign and opposite-sign charge combinations for the W boson and the charm jet. A detailed breakdown according to different partonic initial states allows us to identify particularly suitable observables for the study of the quark parton distributions of different flavours.

Prediction of residential radon exposure of the whole Swiss population: comparison of model-based predictions with measurement-based predictions.

Radon plays an important role for human exposure to natural sources of ionizing radiation. The aim of this article is to compare two approaches to estimate mean radon exposure in the Swiss population: model-based predictions at individual level and measurement-based predictions based on measurements aggregated at municipality level. A nationwide model was used to predict radon levels in each household and for each individual based on the corresponding tectonic unit, building age, building type, soil texture, degree of urbanization, and floor. Measurement-based predictions were carried out within a health impact assessment on residential radon and lung cancer. Mean measured radon levels were corrected for the average floor distribution and weighted with population size of each municipality. Model-based predictions yielded a mean radon exposure of the Swiss population of 84.1 Bq/m(3) . Measurement-based predictions yielded an average exposure of 78 Bq/m(3) . This study demonstrates that the model- and the measurement-based predictions provided similar results. The advantage of the measurement-based approach is its simplicity, which is sufficient for assessing exposure distribution in a population. The model-based approach allows predicting radon levels at specific sites, which is needed in an epidemiological study, and the results do not depend on how the measurement sites have been selected.

NNLO QCD predictions for Z-boson production in association with a charm jet within the LHCb fiducial region.

We compute next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) QCD corrections to neutral vector boson production in association with a charm jet at the LHC. This process is studied in the forward kinematics at s = 13  TeV, which may provide valuable constraints on the intrinsic charm component of the proton. A comparison is performed between fixed order and NLO predictions matched to a parton shower showing mutual compatibility within the respective uncertainties. NNLO corrections typically lead to a reduction of theoretical uncertainties by a factor of two and the perturbative convergence is further improved through the introduction of a theory-inspired constraint on the transverse momentum of the vector boson plus jet system. A comparison between these predictions with data will require an alignment of a flavour-tagging procedure in theory and experiment that is infrared and collinear safe.

NNLO interpolation grids for jet production at the LHC.

Fast interpolation-grid frameworks facilitate an efficient and flexible evaluation of higher-order predictions for any choice of parton distribution functions or value of the strong coupling α s . They constitute an essential tool for the extraction of parton distribution functions and Standard Model parameters, as well as studies of the dependence of cross sections on the renormalisation and factorisation scales. The APPLfast project provides a generic interface between the parton-level Monte Carlo generator and both the APPLgrid and the fastNLO libraries for the grid interpolation. The extension of the project to include hadron-hadron collider processes at next-to-next-to-leading order in perturbative QCD is presented, together with an application for jet production at the LHC.

Sodium buffered formic acid concentration and feed pH is stable over a 3-month period.

Promoting feed hygiene with organic acids is an effective method to prevent foodborne illnesses from bacterial infection. The stability and acidification of mash and pelleted feed with sodium buffered formic acid was investigated. The acid product was incorporated to reach total formate inclusion levels of 0, 6, or 12 g/kg for swine nursery feed; 0, 4, or 9 g/kg for swine finishing feed; and 0, 3, or 6 g/kg for broiler grower feed. Samples were analyzed for total formate and pH on d 4, 32, 60, or 88 post-manufacturing. The concentration of formate remained stable across an 88-d period (P < 0.01). Treatment with the formic acid product decreased feed pH with increasing inclusion levels (all P < 0.01). Within each inclusion level of acid and across time, pH tended to increase in pelleted feed and decrease in mash feeds (all P < 0.01); however, these changes were small (0.1 units pH). These data suggest that sodium buffered formic acid can be applied to both mash and pelleted feed to provide continuous acidification over a 3-month period.

Fine particulate matter measurements in Swiss restaurants, cafés and bars: what is the effect of spatial separation between smoking and non-smoking areas?

UNLABELLED: We performed 124 measurements of particulate matter (PM(2.5)) in 95 hospitality venues such as restaurants, bars, cafés, and a disco, which had differing smoking regulations. We evaluated the impact of spatial separation between smoking and non-smoking areas on mean PM(2.5) concentration, taking relevant characteristics of the venue, such as the type of ventilation or the presence of additional PM(2.5) sources, into account. We differentiated five smoking environments: (i) completely smoke-free location, (ii) non-smoking room spatially separated from a smoking room, (iii) non-smoking area with a smoking area located in the same room, (iv) smoking area with a non-smoking area located in the same room, and (v) smoking location which could be either a room where smoking was allowed that was spatially separated from non-smoking room or a hospitality venue without smoking restriction. In these five groups, the geometric mean PM(2.5) levels were (i) 20.4, (ii) 43.9, (iii) 71.9, (iv) 110.4, and (v) 110.3 microg/m(3), respectively. This study showed that even if non-smoking and smoking areas were spatially separated into two rooms, geometric mean PM(2.5) levels in non-smoking rooms were considerably higher than in completely smoke-free hospitality venues. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: PM(2.5) levels are considerably increased in the non-smoking area if smoking is allowed anywhere in the same location. Even locating the smoking area in another room resulted in a more than doubling of the PM(2.5) levels in the non-smoking room compared with venues where smoking was not allowed at all. In practice, spatial separation of rooms where smoking is allowed does not prevent exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in nearby non-smoking areas.

Green waste compost as potential reservoirs of Legionella in the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVES: Legionella is a bacterial species able to cause influenza-like illness (Pontiac fever) or severe pneumonia (Legionnaires disease, LD). We assessed Legionella presence and concentration in composting facilities in The Netherlands. METHODS: A total of 142 samples from 23 green waste composting facilities were screened for Legionella DNA using qPCR. RESULTS: Of 142 samples, Legionella spp. DNA was detected in 97 (68%), and the subspecies L. pneumophila and L. longbeachae in 33 (23%) and one (0.7%) samples, respectively. Legionella was observed in samples from all composting facilities. The concentration of Legionella spp. DNA ranged from 103 to 105 genomic units (GU)/gram. Compost temperature was negatively correlated with the presence (odds ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.50-0.92 per 10 degrees increase) and concentration (geometric mean ratio 0.90, 95% CI 0.83-0.97 per 10 degrees) of Legionella spp. Average humidity in the week prior to sampling was negatively correlated with the L. pneumophila concentration (geometric mean ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.96 per increase in 10% of humidity). DISCUSSION: This study suggests that composting facilities can be regarded as reservoirs of Legionella in The Netherlands, but additional studies should target if such facilities represent a human health risk.

Prevalence of non-specific health symptoms in livestock dense areas: Looking beyond respiratory conditions.

The aim of this study was to gain more insight in the association between prevalence of diverse acute non-specific symptoms (NSS) and livestock density as a possible risk factor among residents of livestock-dense and non-dense regions, taking into account socio-demographic factors and psychological morbidity. Prevalence of NSS and psychological morbidity were assessed for the year 2017, based on electronic health records from 39 general practices in the Netherlands. The study group consisted of people who lived in rural areas with high numbers of livestock (n = 74093), while the control group included people in rural areas with low numbers of livestock (n = 50139). For a large portion of the study group, exposure estimates (to livestock) were calculated. Multiple logistic multilevel regression analyses were performed. Two methods were used: 1) area comparisons between study and control areas in relation to health problems, and 2) estimates of livestock exposure (to goats, poultry, pigs, and cattle) within the study area. It was found that prevalence of diarrhea, headache, sleep disturbance, respiratory symptoms, and skin problems were higher in the study group. The data suggest that there may be a protective effect of livestock exposure: in general, there was a lower risk of NSS closer to livestock (within the exposure analyses). The study suggests that the previously identified higher risk of respiratory health problems in livestock dense areas might also apply to the prevalence of various other NSS. Longitudinal research taking into account different or more individual and contextual characteristics could possibly elucidate why prevalence of NSS in closer proximity to livestock is lower compared to people who live further away, whilst a more overarching analysis indicated that living in livestock dense areas was associated with more NSS.

Optical coherence tomography-based assessment of retinal vascular pathology in cerebral small vessel disease.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is a disorder of brain vasculature that causes various structural changes in the brain parenchyma, and is associated with various clinical symptoms such as cognitive impairment and gait disorders. Structural changes of brain arterioles cannot be visualized with routine imaging techniques in vivo. However, optical coherence tomography (OCT) is thought to be a "window to the brain". Thus, retinal vessel parameters may correlate with CSVD characteristic brain lesions and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers (CSF) of the neuropathological processes in CSVD like endothelial damage, microglial activation and neuroaxonal damage. METHODS: We applied OCT-based assessment of retinal vessels, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CSF biomarker analysis in a monocentric prospective cohort of 24 patients with sporadic CSVD related stroke and cognitive impairment. MRI lesions were defined according to the STandards for ReportIng Vascular changes on nEuroimaging (STRIVE). Biomarkers were assessed using commercially available ELISA kits. Owing to the unavailability of an age-matched control-group lacking MRI-characteristics of CSVD, we compared the retinal vessel parameters in CSVD patients (73.8 ± 8.5 years) with a younger group of healthy controls (51.0 ± 16.0 years) by using an age- and sex-adjusted multiple linear regression analysis model. RESULTS: Among the parameters measured with OCT, the Wall to Lumen Ratio (WLR) but not Mean Wall Thickness (MWT) of the superior branch of the retinal artery correlated significantly with the volume of white matter hyperintensities on MRI (rs = - 0.5) and with CSF-levels of Chitinase 3 like 1 protein (rs = - 0.6), zona occludens 1 protein (rs = - 0.5) and GFAP (rs = - 0.4). MWT and WLR were higher in CSVD than in controls (28.9 µm vs. 23.9 µm, p = 0.001 and 0.32 vs. 0.25, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study, WLR correlated with the volume of white matter hyperintensities, and markers of vascular integrity, microglial activation, and neuroaxonal damage in CSVD. Further prospective studies should clarify whether retinal vessel parameters and CSF biomarkers may serve to monitor the natural course and treatment effects in clinical studies on CSVD.

S1 guidelines "lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis" (abridged and translated version).

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is important for detecting inflammation of the nervous system and the meninges, bleeding in the area of the subarachnoid space that may not be visualized by imaging, and the spread of malignant diseases to the CSF space. In the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, the importance of CSF analysis is increasing. Measuring the opening pressure of CSF in idiopathic intracranial hypertension and at spinal tap in normal pressure hydrocephalus constitute diagnostic examination procedures with therapeutic benefits.Recommendations (most important 3-5 recommendations on a glimpse): The indications and contraindications must be checked before lumbar puncture (LP) is performed, and sampling CSF requires the consent of the patient.Puncture with an atraumatic needle is associated with a lower incidence of postpuncture discomfort. The frequency of postpuncture syndrome correlates inversely with age and body mass index, and it is more common in women and patients with a history of headache. The sharp needle is preferably used in older or obese patients, also in punctures expected to be difficult.In order to avoid repeating LP, a sufficient quantity of CSF (at least 10 ml) should be collected. The CSF sample and the serum sample taken at the same time should be sent to a specialized laboratory immediately so that the emergency and basic CSF analysis program can be carried out within 2 h.The indication for LP in anticoagulant therapy should always be decided on an individual basis. The risk of interrupting anticoagulant therapy must be weighed against the increased bleeding risk of LP with anticoagulant therapy.As a quality assurance measure in CSF analysis, it is recommended that all cytological, clinical-chemical, and microbiological findings are combined in an integrated summary report and evaluated by an expert in CSF analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the importance and developments in CSF analysis, the S1 guideline "Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis" was recently prepared by the German Society for CSF analysis and clinical neurochemistry (DGLN) and published in German in accordance with the guidelines of the AWMF (https://www.awmf.org). /uploads/tx_szleitlinien/030-141l_S1_Lumbalpunktion_und_Liquordiagnostik_2019-08.pdf). The present article is an abridged translation of the above cited guideline. The guideline has been jointly edited by the DGLN and DGN.

Air pollution during pregnancy and lung function in newborns: a birth cohort study.

Post-natal exposure to air pollution is associated with diminished lung growth during school age. The current authors aimed to determine whether pre-natal exposure to air pollution is associated with lung function changes in the newborn. In a prospective birth cohort of 241 healthy term-born neonates, tidal breathing, lung volume, ventilation inhomogeneity and exhaled nitric oxide (eNO) were measured during unsedated sleep at age 5 weeks. Maternal exposure to particles with a 50% cut-off aerodynamic diameter of 10 microm (PM(10)), nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) and ozone (O(3)), and distance to major roads were estimated during pregnancy. The association between these exposures and lung function was assessed using linear regression. Minute ventilation was higher in infants with higher pre-natal PM(10) exposure (24.9 mL x min(-1) per microg x m(-3) PM(10)). The eNO was increased in infants with higher pre-natal NO(2) exposure (0.98 ppb per microg x m(-3) NO(2)). Post-natal exposure to air pollution did not modify these findings. No association was found for pre-natal exposure to O(3) and lung function parameters. The present results suggest that pre-natal exposure to air pollution might be associated with higher respiratory need and airway inflammation in newborns. Such alterations during early lung development may be important regarding long-term respiratory morbidity.