Investigation of removal and inactivation efficiencies of human sapovirus in drinking water treatment processes by applying an in vitro cell-culture system

Here, we examined the efficiencies of drinking water treatment processes for the removal and inactivation of human sapovirus (HuSaV). We applied a recently developed in vitro cell-culture system to produce purified solutions of HuSaV containing virus concentrations high enough to conduct virus-spiking experiments, to develop an integrated cell culture-polymerase chain reaction (ICC-PCR) assay to quantify the infectivity of HuSaV, and to conduct virus-spiking experiments. In virus-spiking coagulation-sedimentation-rapid sand filtration (CS-RSF) and coagulation-microfiltration (C-MF) experiments, HuSaV removals of 1.6-3.7-log₁₀ and 1.2->4.3-log₁₀, respectively, were observed. The removal ratios observed with CS-RSF were comparable and correlated with those of murine norovirus (MNV, a widely used surrogate for human noroviruses) and pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV, a potential surrogate for human enteric viruses in physical and physicochemical drinking water treatment processes), and those observed with C-MF were higher than but still correlated with those of MNV and PMMoV, indicating that MNV and PMMoV are both potential surrogates for HuSaV in CS-RSF and C-MF. For astrovirus (AstV, a representative human enteric virus), removal ratios of 1.8-3.3-log₁₀ and 1.1->4.0-log₁₀ were observed with CS-RSF and C-MF, respectively. The removal ratios of AstV observed with CS-RSF were comparable and correlated with those of PMMoV, and those observed with C-MF were higher than but still correlated with those of PMMoV, indicating that PMMoV is a potential surrogate for AstV in CS-RSF and C-MF. When the efficacy of chlorine treatment was examined by using the developed ICC-PCR assay, 3.8-4.0-log₁₀ inactivation of HuSaV was observed at a CT value (free-chlorine concentration [C] multiplied by contact time [T]) of 0.02 mg-Cl₂·min/L. The infectivity reduction ratios of HuSaV were comparable with those of MNV. For AstV, 1.3-1.7-log₁₀ and >3.4-log₁₀ inactivation, as evaluated by ICC-PCR, was observed at CT values of 0.02 and 0.09 mg-Cl₂·min/L, respectively. These results indicate that HuSaV and AstV are both highly sensitive to chlorine treatment and more sensitive than a chlorine-resistant virus, coxsackievirus B5 (1.3-log₁₀ inactivation at a CT value of 0.4 mg-Cl₂·min/L, as evaluated by the ICC-PCR assay).

OP0112 THE EVER-LARGEST ASIAN GWAS FOR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS AND TRANS-POPULATION META-ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED SEVEN NOVEL LOCI AND A CANDIDATE CAUSAL SNP IN A CIS-REGULATORY ELEMENT OF THE FCGR REGION

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified 29 disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) regions (1-7). While these GWASs have clarified genetic architectures of SSc, study subjects were mainly Caucasians limiting application of the findings to Asians.

Objectives

The study was conducted to identify novel causal variants for SSc specific to Japanese subjects as well as those shared with European population. We also aimed to clarify mechanistic effects of the variants on pathogenesis of SSc.

Methods

A total of 114,108 subjects comprising 1,499 cases and 112,609 controls were enrolled in the two-staged study leading to the ever-largest Asian GWAS for SSc. After applying a strict quality control both for genotype and samples, imputation was conducted using the reference panel of the phase 3v5 1,000 genome project data combined with a high-depth whole-genome sequence data of 3,256 Japanese subjects. We conducted logistic regression analyses and also combined the Japanese GWAS results with those of Europeans (6) by an inverse-variance fixed-effect model. Polygenicity and enrichment of functional annotations were evaluated by linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), Haploreg and IMPACT programs. We also constructed polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict SSc development.

Results

We identified three (FCRLA-FCGR, TNFAIP3, PLD4) and four (EOMES, ESR1, SLC12A5, TPI1P2) novel loci in Japanese GWAS and a trans-population meta-analysis, respectively. One of Japanese novel risk SNPs, rs6697139, located within FCGR gene clusters had a strong effect size (OR 2.05, P=4.9×10-11). We also found the complete LD variant, rs10917688, was positioned in cis-regulatory element and binding motif for an immunomodulatory transcription factor IRF8 in B cells, another genome-wide significant locus in our trans-ethnic meta-analysis and the previous European GWAS. Notably, the association of risk allele of rs10917688 was significant only in the presence of the risk allele of the IRF8. Intriguingly, rs10917688 was annotated as one enhancer-related histone marks, H3K4me1, in B cells, implying that FCGR gene(s) in B cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SSc. Furhtermore, significant heritability enrichment of active histone marks and a transcription factor C-Myc were found in B cells both in European and Japanese populations by LDSC and IMPACT, highlighting a possibility of a shared disease mechanism where abnormal B-cell activation may be one of the key drivers for the disease development. Finally, PRS using effects sizes of European GWAS moderately fit in the development of Japanese SSc (AUC 0.593), paving a path to personalized medicine for SSc.

Conclusion

Our study identified seven novel susceptibility loci in SSc. Downstream analyses highlighted a novel disease mechanism of SSc where an interactive role of FCGR gene(s) and IRF8 may accelerate the disease development and B cells may play a key role on the pathogenesis of SSc.

References

[1]F. C. Arnett et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2010.

[2]T. R. Radstake et al. Nat Genet, 2010.

[3]Y. Allanore et al. PLoS Genet, 2011.

[4]O. Gorlova et al. PLoS Genet, 2011.

[5]C. Terao et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2017.

[6]E. López-Isac et al. Nat Commun, 2019.

[7]W. Pu et al. J Invest Dermatol, 2021.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Evaluation of reduction efficiencies of pepper mild mottle virus and human enteric viruses in full-scale drinking water treatment plants employing coagulation-sedimentation-rapid sand filtration or coagulation-microfiltration

Here, we evaluated the reduction efficiencies of indigenous pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV, a potential surrogate for human enteric viruses to assess virus removal by coagulation-sedimentation-rapid sand filtration [CS-RSF] and coagulation-microfiltration [C-MF]) and representative human enteric viruses in four full-scale drinking water treatment plants that use CS-RSF (Plants A and B) or C-MF (Plants C and D). First, we developed a virus concentration method by using an electropositive filter and a tangential-flow ultrafiltration membrane to effectively concentrate and recover PMMoV from large volumes of water: the recovery rates of PMMoV were 100% when 100-L samples of PMMoV-spiked dechlorinated tap water were concentrated to 20 mL; even when spiked water volume was 2000 L, recovery rates of >30% were maintained. The concentrations of indigenous PMMoV in raw and treated water samples determined by using this method were always above the quantification limit of the real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. We therefore were able to determine its reduction ratios: 0.9-2.7-log10 in full-scale CS-RSF and 0.7-2.9-log10 in full-scale C-MF. The PMMoV reduction ratios in C-MF at Plant C (1.0 ± 0.3-log10) were lower than those in CS-RSF at Plants A (1.7 ± 0.5-log10) and B (1.4 ± 0.7-log10), despite the higher ability of MF for particle separation in comparison with RSF owing to the small pore size in MF. Lab-scale virus-spiking C-MF experiments that mimicked full-scale C-MF revealed that a low dosage of coagulant (polyaluminum chloride [PACl]) applied in C-MF, which is determined mainly from the viewpoint of preventing membrane fouling, probably led to the low reduction ratios of PMMoV in C-MF. This implies that high virus reduction ratios (>4-log10) achieved in previous lab-scale virus-spiking C-MF studies are not necessarily achieved in full-scale C-MF. The PMMoV reduction ratios in C-MF at Plant D (2.2 ± 0.6-log10) were higher than those at Plant C, despite similar coagulant dosages. In lab-scale C-MF, the PMMoV reduction ratios increased from 1-log10 (with PACl [basicity 1.5], as at Plant C) to 2-4-log10 (with high-basicity PACl [basicity 2.1], as at Plant D), suggesting that the use of high-basicity PACl probably resulted in higher reduction ratios of PMMoV at Plant D than at Plant C. Finally, we compared the reduction ratios of indigenous PMMoV and representative human enteric viruses in full-scale CS-RSF and C-MF. At Plant D, the concentrations of human norovirus genogroup II (HuNoV GII) in raw water were sometimes above the quantification limit; however, whether its reduction ratios in C-MF were higher than those of PMMoV could not be judged since reduction ratios were >1.4-log10 for HuNoV GII and 2.3-2.9-log10 for PMMoV. At Plant B, the concentrations of enteroviruses (EVs) and HuNoV GII in raw water were above the quantification limit on one occasion, and the reduction ratios of EVs (>1.2-log10) and HuNoV GII (>1.5-log10) in CS-RSF were higher than that of PMMoV (0.9-log10). This finding supports the usefulness of PMMoV as a potential surrogate for human enteric viruses to assess virus removal by CS-RSF.

Suitability of pepper mild mottle virus as a human enteric virus surrogate for assessing the efficacy of thermal or free-chlorine disinfection processes by using infectivity assays and enhanced viability PCR

Evaluating the efficacy of disinfection processes to inactivate human enteric viruses is important for the prevention and control of waterborne diseases caused by exposure to those viruses via drinking water. Here, we evaluated the inactivation of two representative human enteric viruses (adenovirus type 40 [AdV] and coxsackievirus B5 [CV]) by thermal or free-chlorine disinfection. In addition, we compared the infectivity reduction ratio of a plant virus (pepper mild mottle virus [PMMoV], a recently proposed novel surrogate for human enteric viruses for the assessment of virus removal by coagulation‒rapid sand filtration and membrane filtration) with that of the two human enteric viruses to assess the suitability of PMMoV as a human enteric virus surrogate for use in thermal and free-chlorine disinfection processes. Finally, we examined whether conventional or enhanced viability polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using propidium monoazide (PMA) or improved PMA (PMAxx) with or without an enhancer could be used as alternatives to infectivity assays (i.e., plaque-forming unit method for AdV and CV; local lesion count assay for PMMoV) for evaluating virus inactivation by disinfection processes. We found that PMMoV was more resistant to heat treatment than AdV and CV, suggesting that PMMoV is a potential surrogate for these two enteric viruses with regard to thermal disinfection processes. However, PMMoV was much more resistant to chlorine treatment compared with AdV and CV (which is chlorine-resistant) (CT value for 4-log₁₀ inactivation: PMMoV, 84.5 mg-Cl₂·min/L; CV, 1.15-1.19 mg-Cl₂·min/L), suggesting that PMMoV is not useful as a surrogate for these enteric viruses with regard to free-chlorine disinfection processes. For thermal disinfection, the magnitude of the signal reduction observed with PMAxx-Enhancer-PCR was comparable with the magnitude of reduction in infectivity, indicating that PMAxx-Enhancer-PCR is a potential alternative to infectivity assay. However, for free-chlorine disinfection, the magnitude of the signal reduction observed with PMAxx-Enhancer-PCR was smaller than the magnitude of the reduction in infectivity, indicating that PMAxx-Enhancer-PCR underestimated the efficacy of virus inactivation (i.e., overestimated the infectious virus concentration) by chlorine treatment. Nevertheless, among the PCR approaches examined in the present study (PCR alone, PMA-PCR or PMAxx-PCR either with or without enhancer), PMAxx-Enhancer-PCR provided the most accurate assessment of the efficacy of virus inactivation by thermal or free chlorine disinfection processes.

An experimental setup for creating and imaging 4He2 * excimer cluster tracers in superfluid helium-4 via neutron-3He absorption reaction

For the purpose of future visualization of the flow field in superfluid helium-4, clusters of the triplet state excimer ⁴He₂ ^* are generated along the micro-scale recoil tracks of the neutron-absorption reaction n + ³He → ³T + p. This reaction is induced by neutron irradiation of the ³He fraction contained in natural isotopic abundance liquid helium with neutron beams either from the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex, Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility (JPARC)/Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility or from the Kyoto University Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science. These ⁴He₂ ^* clusters are expected to be ideal tracers of the normal-fluid component in superfluid helium with several advantageous properties. Evidence of the excimer generation is inferred by detection of laser induced fluorescence emitted from the ⁴He₂ ^* clusters excited by a purpose-built short pulse gain-switched titanium:sapphire (Ti:sa) laser operating at a wavelength of 905 nm. The setup and performance characteristics of the laser system including the Ti:sa and two continuous wave re-pumping lasers are described. Detection at the fluorescence wavelength of 640 nm is performed by using optical bandpass filtered photomultiplier tubes (PMT). Electrical noise in the PMT acquisition traces could successfully be suppressed by post-processing with a simple algorithm. Despite other laser-related backgrounds, the excimer was clearly identified by its fluorescence decay characteristics. Production of the excimer was found to be proportional to the neutron flux, adjusted via insertion of different collimators into the neutron beam. These observations suggest that the apparatus we constructed does function in the expected manner and, therefore, has the potential for groundbreaking turbulence research with superfluid helium.

Asymmetric Phosphorus Incorporation in Homoepitaxial P-Doped (111) Diamond Revealed by Photoelectron Holography

Diamond has two crystallographically inequivalent sites in the unit cell. In doped diamond, dopant occupation in the two sites is expected to be equal. Nevertheless, preferential dopant occupation during growth under nonequilibrium conditions is of fundamental importance, for example, to enhance the properties of nitrogen-vacancy (N-V) centers; therefore, this is a promising candidate for a qubit. However, the lack of suitable experimental techniques has made it difficult to study the crystal- and chemical-site-resolved local structures of dopants. Here, we confirm the identity of two chemical sites with asymmetric dopant incorporation in the diamond structure, via the photoelectron holography (PEH) of heavily phosphorus (P)-doped diamond prepared by chemical vapor deposition. One is substitutionally incorporated P with preferential site occupations and the other can be attributed to a PV split vacancy complex with preferential orientation. The present study shows that PEH is a valuable technique to study the local structures around dopants with a resolution of crystallographically inequivalent but energetically equivalent sites/orientations. Such information provides strategies to improve the properties of dopant related-complexes in which alignment is crucial for sensing of magnetic field or quantum spin register using N-V centers in diamond.

Spinal cord involvement by atrophy and associations with disability are different between multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The cervical and thoracic cross-sectional spinal cord area (CS-SCA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) correlates with disability, whilst such a correlation remains to be established in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Our aim was to clarify differences between MS and NMOSD in spinal cord segments where CS-SCA is associated with disability.

METHODS

The CS-SCA at C2/C3, C3/C4, T8/T9 and T9/T10 vertebral disc levels was measured in 140 MS patients (111 with relapsing-remitting MS and 29 with progressive MS) and 42 NMOSD patients with anti-aquaporin-4 immunoglobulin G. Disability was evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores. Multivariate associations between CS-SCA and disability were assessed by stepwise forward multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Thoracic CS-SCA was significantly smaller in NMOSD patients than in MS patients even after adjusting for age, sex and disease duration (P = 0.002 at T8/T9), whilst there was no difference in cervical CS-SCA between the two diseases. Cervical and thoracic CS-SCA had a negative correlation with EDSS scores in MS patients (P < 0.0001 at C3/C4 and P = 0.0002 at T8/T9) whereas only thoracic CS-SCA correlated with EDSS scores in NMOSD patients (P = 0.0006 at T8/T9). By multiple regression analyses, predictive factors for disability in MS were smaller cervical CS-SCA, progressive course, older age and a higher number of relapses, whilst those in NMOSD were smaller thoracic CS-SCA and older age.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic CS-SCA is a useful predictive marker for disability in patients with NMOSD whilst cervical CS-SCA is associated with disability in patients with MS.

Measurement of exclusive Υ photoproduction from protons in p Pb collisions at s NN = 5.02 TeV

The exclusive photoproduction of Υ ( nS ) meson states from protons, γ p → Υ ( nS ) p (with n = 1 , 2 , 3 ), is studied in ultraperipheral p Pb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair ofs NN = 5.02 TeV . The measurement is performed using the Υ ( nS ) → μ + μ - decay mode, with data collected by the CMS experiment corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 32.6nb - 1 . Differential cross sections as functions of the Υ ( nS ) transverse momentum squared p T 2 , and rapidity y, are presented. The Υ ( 1 S ) photoproduction cross section is extracted in the rapidity range | y | < 2.2 , which corresponds to photon-proton centre-of-mass energies in the range 91 < W γ p < 826 GeV . The data are compared to theoretical predictions based on perturbative quantum chromodynamics and to previous measurements.

Observation of Medium-Induced Modifications of Jet Fragmentation in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV Using Isolated Photon-Tagged Jets

Measurements of fragmentation functions for jets associated with an isolated photon are presented for the first time in pp and Pb-Pb collisions. The analysis uses data collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV. Fragmentation functions are obtained for jets with p_{T}^{jet}>30  GeV/c in events containing an isolated photon with p_{T}^{γ}>60  GeV/c, using charged tracks with transverse momentum p_{T}^{trk}>1  GeV/c in a cone around the jet axis. The association with an isolated photon constrains the initial p_{T} and azimuthal angle of the parton whose shower produced the jet. For central Pb-Pb collisions, modifications of the jet fragmentation functions are observed when compared to those measured in pp collisions, while no significant differences are found in the 50% most peripheral collisions. Jets in central Pb-Pb events show an excess (depletion) of low (high) p_{T} particles, with a transition around 3  GeV/c. This measurement shows for the first time the in-medium shower modifications of partons (quark dominated) with well-defined initial kinematics. It constitutes a new well-controlled reference for testing theoretical models of the parton passage through the quark-gluon plasma.

Measurement of differential cross sections for Z boson production in association with jets in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

The production of a Z boson, decaying to two charged leptons, in association with jets in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13TeV is measured. Data recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC are used that correspond to an integrated luminosity of 2.19fb -1 . The cross section is measured as a function of the jet multiplicity and its dependence on the transverse momentum of the Z boson, the jet kinematic variables (transverse momentum and rapidity), the scalar sum of the jet momenta, which quantifies the hadronic activity, and the balance in transverse momentum between the reconstructed jet recoil and the Z boson. The measurements are compared with predictions from four different calculations. The first two merge matrix elements with different parton multiplicities in the final state and parton showering, one of which includes one-loop corrections. The third is a fixed-order calculation with next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy for the process with a Z boson and one parton in the final state. The fourth combines the fully differential next-to-next-to-leading order calculation of the process with no parton in the final state with next-to-next-to-leading logarithm resummation and parton showering.

Measurement of the top quark mass with lepton+jets final states using p p collisions at s = 13 TeV

The mass of the top quark is measured using a sample of t t ¯ events collected by the CMS detector using proton-proton collisions ats = 13 TeV at the CERN LHC. Events are selected with one isolated muon or electron and at least four jets from data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . For each event the mass is reconstructed from a kinematic fit of the decay products to a t t ¯ hypothesis. Using the ideogram method, the top quark mass is determined simultaneously with an overall jet energy scale factor (JSF), constrained by the mass of the W boson in q q ¯ ' decays. The measurement is calibrated on samples simulated at next-to-leading order matched to a leading-order parton shower. The top quark mass is found to be 172.25 ± 0.08 (stat+JSF) ± 0.62 (syst) GeV . The dependence of this result on the kinematic properties of the event is studied and compared to predictions of different models of t t ¯ production, and no indications of a bias in the measurements are observed.

Search for new physics in dijet angular distributions using proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV and constraints on dark matter and other models

A search is presented for physics beyond the standard model, based on measurements of dijet angular distributions in proton-proton collisions ats = 13 TeV . The data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . The observed distributions, corrected to particle level, are found to be in agreement with predictions from perturbative quantum chromodynamics that include electroweak corrections. Constraints are placed on models containing quark contact interactions, extra spatial dimensions, quantum black holes, or dark matter, using the detector-level distributions. In a benchmark model where only left-handed quarks participate, contact interactions are excluded at the 95% confidence level up to a scale of 12.8 or 17.5TeV, for destructive or constructive interference, respectively. The most stringent lower limits to date are set on the ultraviolet cutoff in the Arkani-Hamed-Dimopoulos-Dvali model of extra dimensions. In the Giudice-Rattazzi-Wells convention, the cutoff scale is excluded up to 10.1TeV. The production of quantum black holes is excluded for masses below 5.9 and 8.2TeV, depending on the model. For the first time, lower limits between 2.0 and 4.6TeVare set on the mass of a dark matter mediator for (axial-)vector mediators, for the universal quark couplingg q = 1.0 .

Measurement of the Z / γ ∗ → τ τ cross section in pp collisions at s = 13 TeV and validation of τ lepton analysis techniques

A measurement is presented of the Z / γ ∗ → τ τ cross section in pp collisions ats = 13 TeV , using data recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.3 fb - 1 . The product of the inclusive cross section and branching fraction is measured to be σ ( pp → Z / γ ∗ +X ) B ( Z / γ ∗ → τ τ ) = 1848 ± 12 ( stat ) ± 67 (syst \,+\,lumi) pb , in agreement with the standard model expectation, computed at next-to-next-to-leading order accuracy in perturbative quantum chromodynamics. The measurement is used to validate new analysis techniques relevant for future measurements of τ lepton production. The measurement also provides the reconstruction efficiency and energy scale for τ decays to hadrons+ ν τ final states, determined with respective relative uncertainties of 2.2 and 0.9%.

Search for third-generation scalar leptoquarks decaying to a top quark and a τ lepton at s = 13 Te

A search for pair production of heavy scalar leptoquarks (LQs), each decaying into a top quark and a τ lepton, is presented. The search considers final states with an electron or a muon, one or two τ leptons that decayed to hadrons, and additional jets. The data were collected in 2016 in proton-proton collisions ats = 13 Te with the CMS detector at the LHC, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . No evidence for pair production of LQs is found. Assuming a branching fraction of unity for the decay LQ → t τ , upper limits on the production cross section are set as a function of LQ mass, excluding masses below 900Ge at 95% confidence level. These results provide the most stringent limits to date on the production of scalar LQs that decay to a top quark and a τ lepton.

Measurement of prompt and nonprompt charmonium suppression in PbPb collisions at 5.02 TeV

The nuclear modification factors of J / ψ and ψ (2S) mesons are measured in PbPb collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of s NN = 5.02 TeV . The analysis is based on PbPb and p p data samples collected by CMS at the LHC in 2015, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 464 μ b - 1 and 28 pb -1 , respectively. The measurements are performed in the dimuon rapidity range of | y | < 2.4 as a function of centrality, rapidity, and transverse momentum ( p T ) from p T = 3 GeV / c in the most forward region and up to 50 GeV / c . Both prompt and nonprompt (coming from b hadron decays) J / ψ mesons are observed to be increasingly suppressed with centrality, with a magnitude similar to the one observed at s NN = 2.76 TeV for the two J / ψ meson components. No dependence on rapidity is observed for either prompt or nonprompt J / ψ mesons. An indication of a lower prompt J / ψ meson suppression at p T > 25 GeV / c is seen with respect to that observed at intermediate p T . The prompt ψ (2S) meson yield is found to be more suppressed than that of the prompt J / ψ mesons in the entire p T range.

Search for Physics Beyond the Standard Model in Events with High-Momentum Higgs Bosons and Missing Transverse Momentum in Proton-Proton Collisions at 13 TeV

A search for physics beyond the standard model in events with one or more high-momentum Higgs bosons, H, decaying to pairs of b quarks in association with missing transverse momentum is presented. The data, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9  fb^{-1}, were collected with the CMS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions at the center-of-mass energy sqrt[s]=13  TeV. The analysis utilizes a new b quark tagging technique based on jet substructure to identify jets from H→bb[over ¯]. Events are categorized by the multiplicity of H-tagged jets, jet mass, and the missing transverse momentum. No significant deviation from standard model expectations is observed. In the context of supersymmetry (SUSY), limits on the cross sections of pair-produced gluinos are set, assuming that gluinos decay to quark pairs, H (or Z), and the lightest SUSY particle, LSP, through an intermediate next-to-lightest SUSY particle, NLSP. With large mass splitting between the NLSP and LSP, and 100% NLSP branching fraction to H, the lower limit on the gluino mass is found to be 2010 GeV.

Measurement of b hadron lifetimes in pp collisions at s = 8 TeV

Measurements are presented of the lifetimes of theB 0 ,B s 0 , Λ b 0 , and B c + hadrons using the decay channelsB 0 → J / ψ K ∗ ( 892 ) 0 ,B 0 → J / ψ K S 0 ,B s 0 → J / ψ π + π - ,B s 0 → J / ψ ϕ ( 1020 ) ,Λ b 0 → J / ψ Λ 0 , andB c + → J / ψ π + . The data sample, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7fb -1 , was collected by the CMS detector at the LHC in proton-proton collisions ats = 8 TeV . TheB 0 lifetime is measured to be 453.0 ± 1.6 (stat) ± 1.8 (syst) μ m in J / ψ K ∗ ( 892 ) 0 and 457.8 ± 2.7 (stat) ± 2.8 (syst) μ m in J / ψ K S 0 , which results in a combined measurement of c τ B 0 = 454.1 ± 1.4 (stat) ± 1.7 (syst) μ m . The effective lifetime of theB s 0 meson is measured in two decay modes, with contributions from different amounts of the heavy and light eigenstates. This results in two different measured lifetimes: c τ B s 0 → J / ψ π + π - = 502.7 ± 10.2 (stat) ± 3.4 (syst) μ m and c τ B s 0 → J / ψ ϕ ( 1020 ) = 443.9 ± 2.0 (stat) ± 1.5 (syst) μ m . The Λ b 0 lifetime is found to be 442.9 ± 8.2 (stat) ± 2.8 (syst) μ m . The precision from each of these channels is as good as or better than previous measurements. The B c + lifetime, measured with respect to theB + to reduce the systematic uncertainty, is 162.3 ± 7.8 (stat) ± 4.2 (syst) ± 0.1 ( τ B + ) μ m . All results are in agreement with current world-average values.

Search for Heavy Neutral Leptons in Events with Three Charged Leptons in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV

A search for a heavy neutral lepton N of Majorana nature decaying into a W boson and a charged lepton is performed using the CMS detector at the LHC. The targeted signature consists of three prompt charged leptons in any flavor combination of electrons and muons. The data were collected in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, with an integrated luminosity of 35.9  fb^{-1}. The search is performed in the N mass range between 1 GeV and 1.2 TeV. The data are found to be consistent with the expected standard model background. Upper limits are set on the values of |V_{eN}|^{2} and |V_{μN}|^{2}, where V_{ℓN} is the matrix element describing the mixing of N with the standard model neutrino of flavor ℓ. These are the first direct limits for N masses above 500 GeV and the first limits obtained at a hadron collider for N masses below 40 GeV.

Measurement of Prompt D^{0} Meson Azimuthal Anisotropy in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

The prompt D^{0} meson azimuthal anisotropy coefficients, v_{2} and v_{3}, are measured at midrapidity (|y|<1.0) in Pb-Pb collisions at a center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV per nucleon pair with data collected by the CMS experiment. The measurement is performed in the transverse momentum (p_{T}) range of 1 to 40  GeV/c, for central and midcentral collisions. The v_{2} coefficient is found to be positive throughout the p_{T} range studied. The first measurement of the prompt D^{0} meson v_{3} coefficient is performed, and values up to 0.07 are observed for p_{T} around 4  GeV/c. Compared to measurements of charged particles, a similar p_{T} dependence, but smaller magnitude for p_{T}<6  GeV/c, is found for prompt D^{0} meson v_{2} and v_{3} coefficients. The results are consistent with the presence of collective motion of charm quarks at low p_{T} and a path length dependence of charm quark energy loss at high p_{T}, thereby providing new constraints on the theoretical description of the interactions between charm quarks and the quark-gluon plasma.

Search for the X(5568) State Decaying into B_{s}^{0}π^{±} in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=8 TeV

A search for resonancelike structures in the B_{s}^{0}π^{±} invariant mass spectrum is performed using proton-proton collision data collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC at sqrt[s]=8  TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7  fb^{-1}. The B_{s}^{0} mesons are reconstructed in the decay chain B_{s}^{0}→J/ψϕ, with J/ψ→μ^{+}μ^{-} and ϕ→K^{+}K^{-}. The B_{s}^{0}π^{±} invariant mass distribution shows no statistically significant peaks for different selection requirements on the reconstructed B_{s}^{0} and π^{±} candidates. Upper limits are set on the relative production rates of the X(5568) and B_{s}^{0} states times the branching fraction of the decay X(5568)^{±}→B_{s}^{0}π^{±}. In addition, upper limits are obtained as a function of the mass and the natural width of possible exotic states decaying into B_{s}^{0}π^{±}.

Search for Narrow Resonances in the b-Tagged Dijet Mass Spectrum in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=8 TeV

A search for narrow resonances decaying to bottom quark-antiquark pairs is presented, using a data sample of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=8  TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7  fb^{-1}. The search is extended to masses lower than those reached in typical searches for resonances decaying into jet pairs at the LHC, by taking advantage of triggers that identify jets originating from bottom quarks. No significant excess of events is observed above the background predictions. Limits are set on the product of cross section and branching fraction to bottom quarks for spin 0, 1, and 2 resonances in the mass range of 325-1200 GeV. These results improve on the limits for resonances decaying into jet pairs in the 325-500 GeV mass range.

Intraperitoneal injection of the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 attenuates the progression of experimental osteoarthritis in mice

Objectives

This study aimed to examine the effects of SRT1720, a potent SIRT1 activator, on osteoarthritis (OA) progression using an experimental OA model.

Methods

Osteoarthritis was surgically induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus in eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice. SRT1720 was administered intraperitoneally twice a week after surgery. Osteoarthritis progression was evaluated histologically using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) score at four, eight, 12 and 16 weeks. The expression of SIRT1, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs-5 (ADAMTS-5), cleaved caspase-3, PARP p85, and acetylated nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 in cartilage was examined by immunohistochemistry. Synovitis was also evaluated histologically. Primary mouse epiphyseal chondrocytes were treated with SRT1720 in the presence or absence of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and gene expression changes were examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results

The OARSI score was significantly lower in mice treated with SRT1720 than in control mice at eight and 12 weeks associated with the decreased size of osteophytes at four and eight weeks. The delayed OA progression in the mice treated with SRT1720 was also associated with increased SIRT1-positive chondrocytes and decreased MMP-13-, ADAMTS-5-, cleaved caspase-3-, PARP p85-, and acetylated NF-κB p65-positive chondrocytes and decreased synovitis at four and eight weeks. SRT1720 treatment partially rescued the decreases in collagen type II alpha 1 (COL2A1) and aggrecan caused by IL-1β, while also reducing the induction of MMP-13 by IL-1β in vitro.

Conclusion

The intraperitoneal injection of SRT1720 attenuated experimental OA progression in mice, indicating that SRT1720 could be a new therapeutic approach for OA.Cite this article: K. Nishida, T. Matsushita, K. Takayama, T. Tanaka, N. Miyaji, K. Ibaraki, D. Araki, N. Kanzaki, T. Matsumoto, R. Kuroda. Intraperitoneal injection of the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 attenuates the progression of experimental osteoarthritis in mice. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:252-262. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.73.BJR-2017-0227.R1.

Search for new physics in events with a leptonically decaying Z boson and a large transverse momentum imbalance in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search for new physics in events with a Z boson produced in association with large missing transverse momentum at the LHC is presented. The search is based on the 2016 data sample of proton-proton collisions recorded with the CMS experiment ats = 13 TeV , corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . The results of this search are interpreted in terms of a simplified model of dark matter production via spin-0 or spin-1 mediators, a scenario with a standard-model-like Higgs boson produced in association with the Z boson and decaying invisibly, a model of unparticle production, and a model with large extra spatial dimensions. No significant deviations from the background expectations are found, and limits are set on relevant model parameters, significantly extending the results previously achieved in this channel.

Measurement of associated Z + charm production in proton-proton collisions at s = 8 TeV

A study of the associated production of a Z boson and a charm quark jet ( Z + c ), and a comparison to production with a b quark jet ( Z + b ), in p p collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8TeV are presented. The analysis uses a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.7fb - 1 , collected with the CMS detector at the CERN LHC. The Z boson candidates are identified through their decays into pairs of electrons or muons. Jets originating from heavy flavour quarks are identified using semileptonic decays of c or b flavoured hadrons and hadronic decays of charm hadrons. The measurements are performed in the kinematic region with two leptons withp T ℓ > 20 GeV ,| η ℓ | < 2.1 , 71 < m ℓ ℓ < 111 GeV , and heavy flavour jets withp T jet > 25 GeV and| η jet | < 2.5 . The Z + c production cross section is measured to be σ ( p p → Z + c + X ) B ( Z → ℓ + ℓ - ) = 8.8 ± 0.5 (stat) ± 0.6 (syst) pb . The ratio of the Z + c and Z + b production cross sections is measured to be σ ( p p → Z + c + X ) / σ ( p p → Z + b + X ) = 2.0 ± 0.2 (stat) ± 0.2 (syst) . The Z + c production cross section and the cross section ratio are also measured as a function of the transverse momentum of the Z boson and of the heavy flavour jet. The measurements are compared with theoretical predictions.

Measurement of the Splitting Function in pp and Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02 TeV

Data from heavy ion collisions suggest that the evolution of a parton shower is modified by interactions with the color charges in the dense partonic medium created in these collisions, but it is not known where in the shower evolution the modifications occur. The momentum ratio of the two leading partons, resolved as subjets, provides information about the parton shower evolution. This substructure observable, known as the splitting function, reflects the process of a parton splitting into two other partons and has been measured for jets with transverse momentum between 140 and 500 GeV, in pp and PbPb collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 5.02 TeV per nucleon pair. In central PbPb collisions, the splitting function indicates a more unbalanced momentum ratio, compared to peripheral PbPb and pp collisions.. The measurements are compared to various predictions from event generators and analytical calculations.

Suppression of Excited ϒ States Relative to the Ground State in Pb-Pb Collisions at sqrt[s]_{NN}=5.02 TeV

The relative yields of ϒ mesons produced in pp and Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=5.02  TeV and reconstructed via the dimuon decay channel are measured using data collected by the CMS experiment. Double ratios are formed by comparing the yields of the excited states, ϒ(2S) and ϒ(3S), to the ground state, ϒ(1S), in both Pb-Pb and pp collisions at the same center-of-mass energy. The double ratios, [ϒ(nS)/ϒ(1S)]_{Pb-Pb}/[ϒ(nS)/ϒ(1S)]_{pp}, are measured to be 0.308±0.055(stat)±0.019(syst) for the ϒ(2S) and less than 0.26 at 95% confidence level for the ϒ(3S). No significant ϒ(3S) signal is found in the Pb-Pb data. The double ratios are studied as a function of collision centrality, as well as ϒ transverse momentum and rapidity. No significant dependencies are observed.

Study of dijet events with a large rapidity gap between the two leading jets in pp collisions at s = 7 TeV

Events with no charged particles produced between the two leading jets are studied in proton-proton collisions ats = 7 TeV . The jets were required to have transverse momentump T jet > 40 GeV and pseudorapidity1.5 < | η jet | < 4.7 , and to have values of η jet with opposite signs. The data used for this study were collected with the CMS detector during low-luminosity running at the LHC, and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 8pb - 1 . Events with no charged particles withp T > 0.2 GeV in the interval - 1 < η < 1 between the jets are observed in excess of calculations that assume no color-singlet exchange. The fraction of events with such a rapidity gap, amounting to 0.5-1% of the selected dijet sample, is measured as a function of the p T of the second-leading jet and of the rapidity separation between the jets. The data are compared to previous measurements at the Tevatron, and to perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculations based on the Balitsky-Fadin-Kuraev-Lipatov evolution equations, including different models of the non-perturbative gap survival probability.

Development of a Hybrid Artificial Liver using a Polyurethane Foam/Hepatocyte-Spheroid Packed-Bed Module

Primary dog hepatocytes spontaneously formed spheroids in the pores of polyurethane foam (PUF) within 1–2 days of stationary culture. The spheroids, about 100–150 μm in diameter, partly attached to the surface and immobilized inside these pores.

The lidocaine disappearance rate decreased to about 4 μg/105 viable cells/day for 10 days, while in the PUF/spheroid culture the rate was maintained at almost the initial level of 8 μg/105 viable cells/day for 10 days. Then, two scales of PUF packed-bed modules were designed. A small module (PUF volume; 14.5 cm3) was used for in vitro culture to investigate optimum culture conditions, and a large module (PUF volume; 300 cm3) was designed for dog experiments. Hepatocytes inoculated in these modules also formed spheroids and maintained almost the same activity of albumin secretion rate (111 μg/cm3 PUF/day in the small module and 87.7 μg/cm3 PUF/day in the large module). These results indicate that the PUF packed-bed module containing hepatocyte-spheroids is promising as a hybrid artificial liver

Conditions Required for a Hybrid Artificial Liver Support System using a PUF/Hepatocyte-Spheroid Packed-Bed Module and it's use in Dogs with Liver Failure

We studied the effects of a hybrid artificial liver support system we developed on dogs with hepatic failure. The system consisted of a multi-channel polyurethane foam packed-bed culture module, including primary dog hepatocyte spheroids.

Blood ammonia was well metabolized by 20 g hepatocytes, but the other functions such as glucose concentration, total bile acid concentration, and survival time required 30 g hepatocytes to improve conditions. We found that we should use a culture substratum that easily forms spheroids, and that an artificial liver module should be used as soon as possible after spheroid formation by hepatocytes in the module.

Observation of Correlated Azimuthal Anisotropy Fourier Harmonics in pp and p+Pb Collisions at the LHC

The azimuthal anisotropy Fourier coefficients (v_{n}) in 8.16 TeV p+Pb data are extracted via long-range two-particle correlations as a function of the event multiplicity and compared to corresponding results in pp and PbPb collisions. Using a four-particle cumulant technique, v_{n} correlations are measured for the first time in pp and p+Pb collisions. The v_{2} and v_{4} coefficients are found to be positively correlated in all collision systems. For high-multiplicity p+Pb collisions, an anticorrelation of v_{2} and v_{3} is observed, with a similar correlation strength as in PbPb data at the same multiplicity. The new correlation results strengthen the case for a common origin of the collectivity seen in p+Pb and PbPb collisions in the measured multiplicity range.

Measurements of the p p → Z Z production cross section and the Z → 4 ℓ branching fraction, and constraints on anomalous triple gauge couplings at s = 13 TeV

Four-lepton production in proton-proton collisions, p p → ( Z / γ ∗ ) ( Z / γ ∗ ) → 4 ℓ , where ℓ = e or μ , is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . The ZZ production cross section, σ ( p p → Z Z ) = 17.2 ± 0.5 (stat) ± 0.7 (syst) ± 0.4 (theo) ± 0.4 (lumi) pb , measured using events with two opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs produced in the mass region 60 < m ℓ + ℓ - < 120 GeV , is consistent with standard model predictions. Differential cross sections are measured and are well described by the theoretical predictions. The Z boson branching fraction to four leptons is measured to be B ( Z → 4 ℓ ) = 4 . 83 - 0.22 + 0.23 ( s t a t ) - 0.29 + 0.32 ( s y s t ) ± 0.08 ( t h e o ) ± 0.12 ( l u m i ) × 10 - 6 for events with a four-lepton invariant mass in the range 80 < m 4 ℓ < 100 GeV and a dilepton massm ℓ ℓ > 4 GeV for all opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs. The results agree with standard model predictions. The invariant mass distribution of the four-lepton system is used to set limits on anomalous ZZZ and ZZ γ couplings at 95% confidence level: - 0.0012 < f 4 Z < 0.0010 , - 0.0010 < f 5 Z < 0.0013 , - 0.0012 < f 4 γ < 0.0013 , - 0.0012 < f 5 γ < 0.0013 .

Measurements of the p p → Z Z production cross section and the Z → 4 ℓ branching fraction, and constraints on anomalous triple gauge couplings at s = 13 TeV

Four-lepton production in proton-proton collisions, p p → ( Z / γ ∗ ) ( Z / γ ∗ ) → 4 ℓ , where ℓ = e or μ , is studied at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb - 1 . The ZZ production cross section, σ ( p p → Z Z ) = 17.2 ± 0.5 (stat) ± 0.7 (syst) ± 0.4 (theo) ± 0.4 (lumi) pb , measured using events with two opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs produced in the mass region 60 < m ℓ + ℓ - < 120 GeV , is consistent with standard model predictions. Differential cross sections are measured and are well described by the theoretical predictions. The Z boson branching fraction to four leptons is measured to be B ( Z → 4 ℓ ) = 4 . 83 - 0.22 + 0.23 ( s t a t ) - 0.29 + 0.32 ( s y s t ) ± 0.08 ( t h e o ) ± 0.12 ( l u m i ) × 10 - 6 for events with a four-lepton invariant mass in the range 80 < m 4 ℓ < 100 GeV and a dilepton mass m ℓ ℓ > 4 GeV for all opposite-sign, same-flavor lepton pairs. The results agree with standard model predictions. The invariant mass distribution of the four-lepton system is used to set limits on anomalous ZZZ and ZZ γ couplings at 95% confidence level: - 0.0012 < f 4 Z < 0.0010 , - 0.0010 < f 5 Z < 0.0013 , - 0.0012 < f 4 γ < 0.0013 , - 0.0012 < f 5 γ < 0.0013 .

Search for standard model production of four top quarks with same-sign and multilepton final states in proton-proton collisions at s = 13 TeV

A search for standard model production of four top quarks ( t t ¯ t t ¯ ) is reported using events containing at least three leptons ( e , μ ) or a same-sign lepton pair. The events are produced in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13TeV at the LHC, and the data sample, recorded in 2016, corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 35.9fb - 1 . Jet multiplicity and flavor are used to enhance signal sensitivity, and dedicated control regions are used to constrain the dominant backgrounds. The observed and expected signal significances are, respectively, 1.6 and 1.0 standard deviations, and the t t ¯ t t ¯ cross section is measured to be 16 . 9 - 11.4 + 13.8 fb , in agreement with next-to-leading-order standard model predictions. These results are also used to constrain the Yukawa coupling between the top quark and the Higgs boson to be less than 2.1 times its expected standard model value at 95% confidence level.

Evaluation of the suitability of a plant virus, pepper mild mottle virus, as a surrogate of human enteric viruses for assessment of the efficacy of coagulation-rapid sand filtration to remove those viruses

Here, we evaluated the removal of three representative human enteric viruses - adenovirus (AdV) type 40, coxsackievirus (CV) B5, and hepatitis A virus (HAV) IB - and one surrogate of human caliciviruses - murine norovirus (MNV) type 1 - by coagulation-rapid sand filtration, using water samples from eight water sources for drinking water treatment plants in Japan. The removal ratios of a plant virus (pepper mild mottle virus; PMMoV) and two bacteriophages (MS2 and φX174) were compared with the removal ratios of human enteric viruses to assess the suitability of PMMoV, MS2, and φX174 as surrogates for human enteric viruses. The removal ratios of AdV, CV, HAV, and MNV, evaluated via the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, were 0.8-2.5-log₁₀ when commercially available polyaluminum chloride (PACl, basicity 1.5) and virgin silica sand were used as the coagulant and filter medium, respectively. The type of coagulant affected the virus removal efficiency, but the age of silica sand used in the rapid sand filtration did not. Coagulation-rapid sand filtration with non-sulfated, high-basicity PACls (basicity 2.1 or 2.5) removed viruses more efficiently than the other aluminum-based coagulants. The removal ratios of MS2 were sometimes higher than those of the three human enteric viruses and MNV, whereas the removal ratios of φX174 tended to be smaller than those of the three human enteric viruses and MNV. In contrast, the removal ratios of PMMoV were similar to and strongly correlated with those of the three human enteric viruses and MNV. Thus, PMMoV appears to be a suitable surrogate for human enteric viruses for the assessment of the efficacy of coagulation-rapid sand filtration to remove viruses.

Observation of Top Quark Production in Proton-Nucleus Collisions

The first observation of top quark production in proton-nucleus collisions is reported using proton-lead data collected by the CMS experiment at the CERN LHC at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s_{NN}]=8.16  TeV. The measurement is performed using events with exactly one isolated electron or muon candidate and at least four jets. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 174  nb^{-1}. The significance of the tt[over ¯] signal against the background-only hypothesis is above 5 standard deviations. The measured cross section is σ_{tt[over ¯]}=45±8  nb, consistent with predictions from perturbative quantum chromodynamics.