Anticounterfeiting and Fraud Mitigation Solutions for High-value Food Products

Globalization and the increasing complexity of supply chains have allowed food fraud to expand to a great extent. Some of the most serious effects of these deceitful activities are damage to a brand's reputation and trust, economic losses, and public health risks. The usual victims of food fraud are dairy, meat, fish, and seafood products, as well as fats/oils and alcoholic drinks. The purpose of this review paper is to present an updated analysis of the currently available anticounterfeit technologies and their application to the four most fraud-affected food supply chains. An assessment that was conducted to determine when the adoption of a combination of technologies could enhance food safety and brand protection is also provided. The obtained results indicate that electronic and data-driven technologies (RFID devices and digital traceability systems) are still in their infancy in the food sectors that are subjected the most to fraudulent activities. Research is necessary to develop innovative digital and physical technologies to "outsmart" such fraudsters and to prevent their illicit actions in the food sector.

Respiratory Management of Patients With Neuromuscular Weakness: An American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline and Expert Panel Report

BACKGROUND

Respiratory failure is a significant concern in neuromuscular diseases (NMDs). This CHEST guideline examines the literature on the respiratory management of patients with NMD to provide evidence-based recommendations.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

An expert panel conducted a systematic review addressing the respiratory management of NMD and applied the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations approach for assessing the certainty of the evidence and formulating and grading recommendations. A modified Delphi technique was used to reach a consensus on the recommendations.

RESULTS

Based on 128 studies, the panel generated 15 graded recommendations, one good practice statement, and one consensus-based statement.

INTERPRETATION

Evidence of best practices for respiratory management in NMD is limited and is based primarily on observational data in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The panel found that pulmonary function testing every 6 months may be beneficial and may be used to initiate noninvasive ventilation (NIV) when clinically indicated. An individualized approach to NIV settings may benefit patients with chronic respiratory failure and sleep-disordered breathing related to NMD. When resources allow, polysomnography or overnight oximetry can help to guide the initiation of NIV. The panel provided guidelines for mouthpiece ventilation, transition to home mechanical ventilation, salivary secretion management, and airway clearance therapies. The guideline panel emphasizes that NMD pathologic characteristics represent a diverse group of disorders with differing rates of decline in lung function. The clinician's role is to add evaluation at the bedside to shared decision-making with patients and families, including respect for patient preferences and treatment goals, considerations of quality of life, and appropriate use of available resources in decision-making.

UAV-spray application in vineyards: Flight modes and spray system adjustment effects on canopy deposit, coverage, and off-target losses

Improvements in the spray application of plant protection products enhance agricultural sustainability by reducing environmental contamination, but by increasing food quality and human safety. Currently, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are raising interest in spray applications in 3D crops. However, operational configurations of UAV-spray systems need further investigation to maximise the deposition in the canopy and minimise the off-target losses. Our experimental research focused on investigating the effects on the canopy spray deposition and coverage due to different UAV-spray system configurations. Twelve configurations were tested under field conditions in an experimental vineyard (cv. Barbera), derived from the combination of different UAV flight modes (band and broadcast spray applications), nozzle types (conventional and air inclusion), and UAV cruise speeds (1 and 3 m s^-1). Also, the best treatment, among those tested, by using the UAV-spray system and a traditional airblast sprayer were compared. The data was analysed by testing the effects of the three operational parameters and their two- and three-way interactions by means of linear mixed models. The results indicated that the flight mode deeply affects spray application efficiency. Compared to the broadcast spray modes, the band spray mode was able to increase the average canopy deposition from 0.052 to 0.161 μL cm^-2 (+ 309 %) and reduce the average ground losses from 0.544 to 0.246 μL cm^-2 (- 54 %). The conventional airblast sprayer, operated at a low spray application rate, showed higher canopy coverage and lower ground losses in comparison to the best UAV-spray system configuration.

Perioperative outcomes of patients with restless leg syndrome: a single center retrospective review

STUDY OBJECTIVES

There are multiple stressors in the perioperative period for patients with restless leg syndrome (RLS) that may by implicated in the worsening of symptoms. Our primary objective was to compare the perioperative course of patients with RLS to patients without the diagnosis.

METHODS

This was a single-center, matched cohort, retrospective chart review of patients with RLS undergoing inpatient procedures from 2015 to 2019 matched 1:1 with patients without the diagnosis.

RESULTS

Patients with RLS had a higher comorbidity burden specifically pulmonary, renal, diabetes mellitus, and congestive heart failure. The perioperative course was notable for higher maximum pain scores for RLS patients in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.19-1.40, p < 0.001). Postoperative RLS patients also had higher maximum pain scores on postoperative days 0, 1 and 2. Odds of rapid response calls were higher in RLS patients (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.73, p < 0.001). There were no other significant differences in postoperative complications. The odds of using RLS triggering medications was lower in the RLS group (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78-0.92, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our single center retrospective review found that patients with RLS had higher pain scores in the PACU and on the first few postoperative days. Rapid response team calls were more common in patients with RLS. RLS-triggering medications were significantly less likely to be used in patients with RLS. There were no significant differences in other postoperative events.

Practical Implementation of a Single-Night Split-Titration Protocol With BPAP-ST and AVAPS in Patients With Neuromuscular Disease

STUDY OBJECTIVES

At the sleep laboratory, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation titration protocols in patients with neuromuscular disease (NMD) are based on standard pressure cycle devices in a spontaneous/timed mode (BPAP-ST). Experience integrating protocols on average volume-assured pressure support (AVAPS) mode is limited, prompting us to develop a practical single-night titration protocol that provides information to assist clinicians and patients as they decide between BPAP-ST and AVAPS modes.

METHODS

We implemented a sequential titration protocol of BPAP-ST followed by AVAPS during a single-night polysomnography study in patients with NMD and reported polysomnographic and clinical metrics.

RESULTS

There were 27 patients who completed the protocol: 14 (52%) were male with median and interquartile range (IQR) 64 (59 to 70) years of age and body mass index of 29.6 (25.6-32) kg/m². They had median (IQR) maximal percent predicted inspiratory and expiratory pressures, and percent vital capacity of 33 (24 to 54), 34 (22 to 47) and 60 (47 to 74), respectively. At final titration of each device, average tidal volume and nadir non-rapid eye movement sleep oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO₂) were higher and respiratory rate/tidal volume, transcutaneous CO₂, and arousal index were lower on AVAPS (P < .05) in comparison with BPAP-ST. Full face mask was used in 23 patients (85%). None of the other ventilatory or sleep parameters differed significantly between BPAP-ST and AVAPS (P > .05) sessions.

CONCLUSIONS

A practical single-night split-titration protocol with BPAP-ST and AVAPS can successfully be implemented in patients with NMD, assisting clinicians and patients with the decision on initial treatment modalities and settings.

The cosmic ray shadow of the Moon observed with the ANTARES neutrino telescope

One of the main objectives of the ANTARES telescope is the search for point-like neutrino sources. Both the pointing accuracy and the angular resolution of the detector are important in this context and a reliable way to evaluate this performance is needed. In order to measure the pointing accuracy of the detector, one possibility is to study the shadow of the Moon, i.e. the deficit of the atmospheric muon flux from the direction of the Moon induced by the absorption of cosmic rays. Analysing the data taken between 2007 and 2016, the Moon shadow is observed with 3.5 σ statistical significance. The detector angular resolution for downward-going muons is 0 . 73 ∘ ± 0 . 14 ∘ . The resulting pointing performance is consistent with the expectations. An independent check of the telescope pointing accuracy is realised with the data collected by a shower array detector onboard of a ship temporarily moving around the ANTARES location.

Impact du nombre d’interventions infirmières sur la durée d’administration des catécholamines chez les patients de réanimation : étude INTERVAL

Objectifs : Bien que quotidiennement géré par les infirmier(ière)s diplômé(e)s d’État (IDE) de réanimation, le sevrage des catécholamines a rarement été étudié. L’hypothèse de notre étude était que l’augmentation du nombre d’interventions menées sur la vitesse de perfusion des catécholamines permettait de raccourcir la durée d’administration de celles-ci.

Patients et méthodes : Il s’agissait d’une étude prospective observationnelle dans 21 réanimations. Tous les patients traités par vasopresseurs pendant la période d’étude ont été inclus. Le nombre d’interventions effectuées par l’IDE en charge du patient sur la vitesse d’administration des catécholamines était noté toutes les quatre heures. La posologie de catécholamines en cours ainsi que la pression artérielle moyenne (PAM) du patient étaient également relevées. Les facteurs influençant la rapidité du sevrage des catécholamines étaient également analysés.

Résultats : Nous avons inclus 226 patients dont l’âge moyen était de 65 ± 14 ans. La durée moyenne du traitement par catécholamines était de 71,6 (±81) heures. Le nombre d’interventions IDE par quatre heures était de 1,9 (±2,8) intervention. La durée du traitement par catécholamines était significativement moindre lorsque le nombre d’interventions augmentait (p = 0,04). L’existence d’un protocole spécifique à la gestion des catécholamines raccourcissait leur durée de sevrage. Un IGS2 élevé, une PAM élevée ainsi que la période diurne étaient associés à une augmentation du nombre des interventions IDE.

Conclusion : Le nombre d’interventions par les IDEs menées sur la perfusion de catécholamines était inversement lié à la durée du traitement par catécholamines. Des études complémentaires permettront d’évaluer l’impact de ces interventions sur le pronostic des patients.

The structures of the plagioclase felspars: VI. Natural intermediate plagioclases

Specimens from some forty different localities over the composition range from about 20 % An to about 70 % An have been examined by X-ray single-crystal methods. The majority of these specimens show the normal intermediate plagioclase pattern characterized by weak pairs of subsidiary layer-lines of variable separation. It has been found that the separation of these layer-lines is a linear function of composition over the whole composition range. Further, this range is found to extend to more soda-rich compositions than was formerly believed, whilst the limits of the range are approximately defined by the compositions at which the separations of the subsidiary layer-lines about either the a- or the b-axes become zero.

The anomalous patterns shown by some specimens are discussed, and it is shown that most of these may be interpreted in terms of the previous geological history of the specimens.

A comparison of the present results with those obtained by previous workers in this field is made, and it is shown how the principal points of difference may be resolved. An account of the phase relationships of the low-temperature plagioclase series is given, and the problems arising from the present work are discussed.

The powder patterns and lattice parameters of plagioclase felspars. II

The angular separations (2θ (131)+2θ (220)−4θand (2θfor 111 analysed plagioclase felspars have been determined from diffractometer records. From An0to An70the petrological environment has a strong influence on these separations, and if the An-content is independently known an accurate estimate of the structural state can he made from the first of these angular separations. From An70to An100there are only small variations in both separations with An-content and structural state. From An85to An100inconsistencies in the data suggest that other factors can influence any interpretation so seriously that only qualitative or semi-quantitative deductions may be made. Consideration of the angular separations and subsidiary reflections of sodie plagioclases from a wide range of geological environments has led to the novel hypothesis that in this composition region even plutonic specimens are in a metastable state with slightly disordered structures.

The value to the petrographer of the available methods for the estimation of An- content and structural state is critically discussed. Although it is thought that the standard optical curves in present use are in need of some revision, the determination of optical orientation by universal-stage methods is probably adequate for routine studies. For more detailed investigations, this may be supplemented by X-ray powder data and refractive index measurements, whilst a complete description of the felspar requires the addition both of chemical analysis and single-crystal X-ray work. In particular, the efficacy of the various X-ray methods that have been proposed is discussed, and recommendations of the most suitable method for various composition ranges are made.

An X-ray investigation of some rare-earth silicates: cerite, lessingite, beckelite, britholite, and stillwellite

An X-ray study of a number of rare-earth silicates has been carried out; single-crystal and powder data are presented.

It is found that cerites can contain up to at least 6 % CaO without disruption of the structure, which is trigonal with probable space-group P321 etc. The cell dimensions are a ca. 10·8 Å., c ca. 37–38 Å., although there is a strong pseudo-cell with halved c-axis. An ideal formula (Ca,Ln†)3Si2(O,OH,F)9 is proposed for this series.

Lessingite and beckelite can be regarded chemically as lime-rich members of this cerite series. They do not, however, have the same crystal structure as cerite; their diffraction patterns are very similar to that of britholite, and indicate a structure dimensionally comparable with apatite. For a hexagonal cell, the dimensions are a ca. 9·7 Å., c ca. 7·1 Å., with probable space-group P63, &c. An ideal formula (Ca,Ln)2(Si,Al,P)(O,OH,F)5 is proposed for this series. Marked biaxial optical properties suggest that the structure may be truly orthorhombic, with a very close dimensional approximation to a hexagonal cell.

The new mineral, stillwellite, is unrelated to either of these series. It is trigonal with cell dimensions a ca. 6·9 Å., c ca. 6·7 Å., with probable space-group P3112. An ideal formula (Ca,Ln)(Si,Al,P)B(O,OH,F)5 suggested by previous work is confirmed.

An X-ray study of exsolution phenomena in the Skaergaard pyroxenes

The single crystal X-ray methods for the study of exsolution phenomena in pyroxenes previously described by the authors have been applied to the pyroxenes of the Skaergaard intrusion. The results for about fifty pyroxene crystals, selected from various levels between the chilled margin and a height of 2600 metres in the layered series, are presented and are correlated with previous optical descriptions. Whilst the correlation between the results of the optical and X-ray examinations is in general satisfactory, the present investigation shows that the X-ray techniques can in some cases extend our knowledge of the Skaergaard pyroxenes.

Disordered structural states in the dehydration of goethite and diaspore

Single crystal X-ray studies of the dehydration of goethite to hematite at low temperatures show that satellite reflections occur close to the hematite diffraction spots. At higher temperature these satellites are replaced by diffuse intensity regions, which disappear on further heating. The satellites are situated on each side of hematite spots on reciprocal lattice lines parallel to the c*-axis of the hematite; their spacing corresponds to a periodicity in direct space of about 32 Å. A similar phenomenon is observed on the dehydration of diaspore to corundum, with a spacing for the satellites of about 39 Å.

The mode of occurrence of the satellites, both in position and intensity, could correspond to a sinusoidal or square-wave structure amplitude modulation along the c-axis of the hematite and corundum crystallites, before dehydration is complete.

Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guidelines on Preoperative Screening and Assessment of Adult Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.

The purpose of the Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine guideline on preoperative screening and assessment of adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is to present recommendations based on the available clinical evidence on the topic where possible. As very few well-performed randomized studies in this field of perioperative care are available, most of the recommendations were developed by experts in the field through consensus processes involving utilization of evidence grading to indicate the level of evidence upon which recommendations were based. This guideline may not be appropriate for all clinical situations and all patients. The decision whether to follow these recommendations must be made by a responsible physician on an individual basis. Protocols should be developed by individual institutions taking into account the patients’ conditions, extent of interventions and available resources. This practice guideline is not intended to define standards of care or represent absolute requirements for patient care. The adherence to these guidelines cannot in any way guarantee successful outcomes and is rather meant to help individuals and institutions formulate plans to better deal with the challenges posed by perioperative patients with OSA. These recommendations reflect the current state of knowledge and its interpretation by a group of experts in the field at the time of publication. While these guidelines will be periodically updated, new information that becomes available between updates should be taken into account. Deviations in practice from guidelines may be justifiable and such deviations should not be interpreted as a basis for claims of negligence.

An algorithm for the reconstruction of high-energy neutrino-induced particle showers and its application to the ANTARES neutrino telescope

A novel algorithm to reconstruct neutrino-induced particle showers within the ANTARES neutrino telescope is presented. The method achieves a median angular resolution of [Formula: see text] for shower energies below 100 TeV. Applying this algorithm to 6 years of data taken with the ANTARES detector, 8 events with reconstructed shower energies above 10 TeV are observed. This is consistent with the expectation of about 5 events from atmospheric backgrounds, but also compatible with diffuse astrophysical flux measurements by the IceCube collaboration, from which 2-4 additional events are expected. A [Formula: see text] C.L. upper limit on the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux with a value per neutrino flavour of [Formula: see text] is set, applicable to the energy range from 23 TeV to 7.8 PeV, assuming an unbroken [Formula: see text] spectrum and neutrino flavour equipartition at Earth.

Sperm whale long-range echolocation sounds revealed by ANTARES, a deep-sea neutrino telescope

Despite dedicated research has been carried out to adequately map the distribution of the sperm whale in the Mediterranean Sea, unlike other regions of the world, the species population status is still presently uncertain. The analysis of two years of continuous acoustic data provided by the ANTARES neutrino telescope revealed the year-round presence of sperm whales in the Ligurian Sea, probably associated with the availability of cephalopods in the region. The presence of the Ligurian Sea sperm whales was demonstrated through the real-time analysis of audio data streamed from a cabled-to-shore deep-sea observatory that allowed the hourly tracking of their long-range echolocation behaviour on the Internet. Interestingly, the same acoustic analysis indicated that the occurrence of surface shipping noise would apparently not condition the foraging behaviour of the sperm whale in the area, since shipping noise was almost always present when sperm whales were acoustically detected. The continuous presence of the sperm whale in the region confirms the ecological value of the Ligurian sea and the importance of ANTARES to help monitoring its ecosystems.

Noninvasive mechanical ventilation in high-risk pulmonary infections: a clinical review

The aim of this article was to review the role of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) in acute pulmonary infectious diseases, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), H1N1 and tuberculosis, and to assess the risk of disease transmission with the use of NIV from patients to healthcare workers. We performed a clinical review by searching Medline and EMBASE. These databases were searched for articles on "clinical trials" and "randomised controlled trials". The keywords selected were non-invasive ventilation pulmonary infections, influenza-A (H1N1), SARS and tuberculosis. These terms were cross-referenced with the following keywords: health care workers, airborne infections, complications, intensive care unit and pandemic. The members of the International NIV Network examined the major results regarding NIV applications and SARS, H1N1 and tuberculosis. Cross-referencing mechanical ventilation with SARS yielded 76 studies, of which 10 studies involved the use of NIV and five were ultimately selected for inclusion in this review. Cross-referencing with H1N1 yielded 275 studies, of which 27 involved NIV. Of these, 22 were selected for review. Cross-referencing with tuberculosis yielded 285 studies, of which 15 involved NIV and from these seven were selected. In total 34 studies were selected for this review. NIV, when applied early in selected patients with SARS, H1N1 and acute pulmonary tuberculosis infections, can reverse respiratory failure. There are only a few reports of infectious disease transmission among healthcare workers.

Radio frequency identification technologies for livestock management and meat supply chain traceability

Barge, P., Gay, P., Merlino, V. and Tortia, C. 2013. Radio frequency identification technologies for livestock management and meat supply chain traceability. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 23–33. Animal electronic identification could be exploited by farmers as an interesting opportunity to increase the efficiency of herd management and traceability. Although radio frequency identification (RFID) solutions for animal identification have already been envisaged, the integration of a RFID traceability system at farm level has to be carried out carefully, considering different aspects (farm type, number and species of animals, barn structure). The tag persistence on the animal after application, the tag-to-tag collisions in the case of many animals contemporarily present in the reading area of the same antenna and the barn layout play determinant roles in system reliability. The goal of this paper is to evaluate the RFID identification system performance and determine the best practice to apply these devices in livestock management. RFID systems were tested both in laboratory, on the farm and in slaughterhouses for the implementation of a traceability system with automatic animal data capture. For this purpose a complete system for animal identification and tracking, accomplishing regulatory compliance as well as supply chain management requirements, has been developed and is described in the paper. Results were encouraging for identification of calves both in farms and slaughterhouses, while in swine breeding, identification was critical for small piglets. In this case, the design of a RFID gate where tag-to-tag collisions are avoided should be envisaged.

Measurement of the semileptonic charge asymmetry using B(s)(0) → D(s)μX decays

We present a measurement of the time-integrated flavor-specific semileptonic charge asymmetry in the decays of B(s)(0) mesons that have undergone flavor mixing, a(sl)(s), using B(s)(0)(B(s)(0)) → D(s)(-/+) μ(±) X decays, with D(s)(-/+) → [symbol: see text]π(-/+) and [symbol: see text]→ K(+) K(-), using 10.4 fb(-1) of proton-antiproton collisions collected by the D0 detector during Run II at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. A fit to the difference between the time-integrated D(s)(-) and D(s)(+) mass distributions of the B(s)(0) and B(s)(0) candidates yields the flavor-specific asymmetry a(sl)(s) = [-1.12 ± 0.74(stat) ± 0.17(syst)]%, which is the most precise measurement and in agreement with the standard model prediction.

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in associated WH production in 9.7 fb(-1) of pp collisions with the D0 detector

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson in final states with a charged lepton (electron or muon), missing transverse energy, and two or three jets, at least one of which is identified as a b-quark jet. The search is primarily sensitive to WH→ℓνbb production and uses data corresponding to 9.7 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp Collider at √s = 1.96 TeV. We observe agreement between the data and the expected background. For a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV, we set a 95% C.L. upper limit on the production of a standard model Higgs boson of 5.2 × σ(SM), where σ(SM) is the standard model Higgs boson production cross section, while the expected limit is 4.7 × σ(SM).

Combined search for the standard model Higgs boson decaying to bb using the D0 run II data set

We present the results of the combination of searches for the standard model Higgs boson produced in association with a W or Z boson and decaying into bb using the data sample collected with the D0 detector in pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We derive 95% C.L. upper limits on the Higgs boson cross section relative to the standard model prediction in the mass range 100 GeV ≤ M(H) ≤ 150 GeV, and we exclude Higgs bosons with masses smaller than 102 GeV at the 95% C.L. In the mass range 120 GeV ≤ M(H) ≤145 GeV, the data exhibit an excess above the background prediction with a global significance of 1.5 standard deviations, consistent with the expectation in the presence of a standard model Higgs boson.

Search for the standard model Higgs boson in ZH→ℓ(+)ℓ(-)bb production with the D0 detector in 9.7 fb(-1) of pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for the standard model (SM) Higgs boson produced in association with a Z boson in 9.7 fb(-1) of pp collisions collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider at √s = 1.96 TeV. Selected events contain one reconstructed Z→e(+)e(-) or Z→μ(+)μ(-) candidate and at least two jets, including at least one jet identified as likely to contain a b quark. To validate the search procedure, we also measure the cross section for ZZ production in the same final state. It is found to be consistent with its SM prediction. We set upper limits on the ZH production cross section times branching ratio for H→bb at the 95% C.L. for Higgs boson masses 90 ≤ M(H) ≤ 150 GeV. The observed (expected) limit for M(H) = 125 GeV is 7.1 (5.1) times the SM cross section.

Evidence for a particle produced in association with weak bosons and decaying to a bottom-antibottom quark pair in higgs boson searches at the tevatron

We combine searches by the CDF and D0 Collaborations for the associated production of a Higgs boson with a W or Z boson and subsequent decay of the Higgs boson to a bottom-antibottom quark pair. The data, originating from Fermilab Tevatron pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV, correspond to integrated luminosities of up to 9.7 fb(-1). The searches are conducted for a Higgs boson with mass in the range 100-150 GeV/c(2). We observe an excess of events in the data compared with the background predictions, which is most significant in the mass range between 120 and 135 GeV/c(2). The largest local significance is 3.3 standard deviations, corresponding to a global significance of 3.1 standard deviations. We interpret this as evidence for the presence of a new particle consistent with the standard model Higgs boson, which is produced in association with a weak vector boson and decays to a bottom-antibottom quark pair.

Search for violation of Lorentz invariance in top quark pair production and decay

Using data collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, corresponding to 5.3 fb(-1) of integrated luminosity, we search for violation of Lorentz invariance by examining the tt[over ¯] production cross section in lepton+jets final states. We quantify this violation using the standard-model extension framework, which predicts a dependence of the tt[over ¯] production cross section on sidereal time as the orientation of the detector changes with the rotation of the Earth. Within this framework, we measure components of the matrices (c(Q))(μν33) and (c(U))(μν33) containing coefficients used to parametrize violation of Lorentz invariance in the top quark sector. Within uncertainties, these coefficients are found to be consistent with zero.

Measurements of WW and WZ production in W + jets final states in pp collisions

We study WW and WZ production with ℓνqq (ℓ=e,μ) final states using data collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider corresponding to 4.3  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity from pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV. Assuming the ratio between the production cross sections σ(WW) and σ(WZ) as predicted by the standard model, we measure the total WV (V=W,Z) cross section to be σ(WV)=19.6(-3.0)(+3.2)  pb and reject the background-only hypothesis at a level of 7.9 standard deviations. We also use b-jet discrimination to separate the WZ component from the dominant WW component. Simultaneously fitting WW and WZ contributions, we measure σ(WW)=15.9(-3.2)(+3.7)  pb and σ(WZ)=3.3(-3.3)(+4.1)  pb, which is consistent with the standard model predictions.

Measurement of the W boson mass with the D0 detector

We present a measurement of the W boson mass using data corresponding to 4.3  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the D0 detector during Run II at the Fermilab Tevatron pp collider. With a sample of 1,677,394 W → eν candidate events, we measure M(W) = 80.367 ± 0.026  GeV. This result is combined with an earlier D0 result determined using an independent Run II data sample, corresponding to 1  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity, to yield M(W) = 80.375 ± 0.023  GeV.

Search for universal extra dimensions in pp collisions

We present a search for Kaluza-Klein (KK) particles predicted by models with universal extra dimensions (UED) using a data set corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.3 fb(-1), collected by the D0 detector at a pp center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV. The decay chain of KK particles can lead to a final state with two muons of the same charge. This signature is used to set a lower limit on the compactification scale of R(-1)>260 GeV in a minimal UED model.

Search for charged massive long-lived particles

We report on a search for charged massive long-lived particles (CMLLPs), based on 5.2  fb(-1) of integrated luminosity collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron pp collider. We search for events in which one or more particles are reconstructed as muons but have speed and ionization energy loss (dE/dx) inconsistent with muons produced in beam collisions. CMLLPs are predicted in several theories of physics beyond the standard model. We exclude pair-produced long-lived gauginolike charginos below 267 GeV and Higgsino-like charginos below 217 GeV at 95% C.L., as well as long-lived scalar top quarks with mass below 285 GeV.

Evidence for spin correlation in t ̅t production

We present a measurement of the ratio of events with correlated t and t ̅t spins to the total number of t ̅t events. This ratio f is evaluated using a matrix-element-based approach in 729 t ̅t candidate events with a single lepton ℓ (electron or muon) and at least four jets. The analyzed p ̅p collisions data correspond to an integrated luminosity of 5.3 fb(-1) and were collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider operating at a center-of-mass energy √s=1.96 TeV. Combining this result with a recent measurement of f in dileptonic final states, we find f in agreement with the standard model. In addition, the combination provides evidence for the presence of spin correlation in t ̅t events with a significance of more than 3 standard deviations.

Search for doubly charged Higgs boson pair production in pp¯ collisions at √s=1.96 TeV

We present a search for pair production of doubly charged Higgs bosons in the processes qq¯→H(++)H(--) decaying through H(±±)→τ(±)τ(±),μ(±)τ(±),μ(±)μ(±). The search is performed in pp¯ collisions at a center-of-mass energy of √s = 1.96 TeV using an integrated luminosity of up to 7.0 fb(-1) collected by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The results are used to set 95% C.L. limits on the pair production cross section of doubly charged Higgs bosons and on their mass for different H(±±) branching fractions. Models predicting different H(±±) decays are investigated. Assuming B(H(±±)→τ(±)τ(±))=1 yields an observed (expected) lower limit on the mass of a left-handed H(L)(±±) boson of 128 (116) GeV and assuming B(H(±±)→μ(±)τ(±))=1 the corresponding limits are 144 (149) GeV. In a model with B(H(±±)→τ(±)τ(±))=B(H(±±)→μ(±)τ(±))=B(H(±±)→μ(±)μ(±))=1/3, we obtain M(H(L)(±±))>130 (138) GeV.

Wγ production and limits on anomalous WWγ couplings in pp collisions at sqrt[s] = 1.96 TeV

We measure the cross section and the difference in rapidities between photons and charged leptons for inclusive W(→lν) + γ production in eγ and μγ final states. Using data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.2  fb(-1) collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, the measured cross section times branching fraction for the process pp → Wγ + X → lνγ + X and the distribution of the charge-signed photon-lepton rapidity difference are found to be in agreement with the standard model. These results provide the most stringent limits on anomalous WWγ couplings for data from hadron colliders: -0.4<Δκ(γ)<0.4 and -0.08<λ(γ)<0.07 at the 95% C.L.

Search for a fermiophobic and standard model Higgs boson in diphoton final states

We present a search for the standard model Higgs boson and a fermiophobic Higgs boson in the diphoton final states based on 8.2  fb(-1) of pp collisions at sqrt[s]=1.96  TeV collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. No excess of data above background predictions is observed and upper limits at the 95% C.L. on the cross section multiplied by the branching fraction are set which are the most restrictive to date. A fermiophobic Higgs boson with a mass below 112.9 GeV is excluded at the 95% C.L.

Search for neutral minimal supersymmetric standard model Higgs bosons decaying to tau pairs produced in association with b quarks in pp collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV

We report results from a search for neutral Higgs bosons produced in association with b quarks using data recorded by the D0 experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 7.3 fb(-1). This production mode can be enhanced in several extensions of the standard model (SM) such as in its minimal supersymmetric extension (MSSM) at high tanβ. We search for Higgs bosons decaying to tau pairs with one tau decaying to a muon and neutrinos and the other to hadrons. The data are found to be consistent with SM expectations, and we set upper limits on the cross section times branching ratio in the Higgs boson mass range from 90 to 320 GeV/c(2). We interpret our result in the MSSM parameter space, excluding tanβ values down to 25 for Higgs boson masses below 170 GeV/c(2).

Precision measurement of the ratio B(t→Wb)/B(t→Wq) and extraction of V(tb)

We present a measurement of the ratio of top quark branching fractions R=B(t→Wb)/B(t→Wq), where q can be a d, s, or b quark, in the lepton+jets and dilepton tt final states. The measurement uses data from 5.4 fb(-1) of pp collisions collected with the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We measure R=0.90±0.04, and we extract the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) matrix element |V(tb)| as |V(tb)|=0.95±0.02, assuming unitarity of the 3×3 CKM matrix.

Search for a fourth generation t' Quark in p ̄p collisions at √s = 1.96 TeV

We present a search for pair production of a fourth generation t' quark and its antiparticle, followed by their decays to a W boson and a jet, based on an integrated luminosity of 5.3 fb(-1) of proton-antiproton collisions at √s = 1.96  TeV collected by the D0 Collaboration at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. We set upper limits on the t' ̄t' production cross section that exclude at the 95% C.L. a t' quark that decays exclusively to W+jet with a mass below 285 GeV. We observe a small excess in the μ+jets channel which reduces the mass range excluded compared to the expected limit of 320 GeV in the absence of a signal.