The cross section of the process e+e−→K+K− is measured at a number of center-of-mass energies s from 2.00 to 3.08 GeV with the BESIII detector at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider (BEPCII). The ...results provide the best precision achieved so far. A resonant structure around 2.2 GeV is observed in the cross section line shape. A Breit-Wigner fit yields a mass of M=2239.2±7.1±11.3 MeV/c2 and a width of Γ=139.8±12.3±20.6 MeV, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second ones are systematic. In addition, the timelike electromagnetic form factor of the kaon is determined at the individual center-of-mass energy points.
Risks of radiation exposure from nuclear incidents and cancer radiotherapy are undeniable realities. These dangers urgently compel the development of agents for ameliorating radiation-induced ...injuries. Biologic pathways mediated by myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88), the common adaptor for toll-like receptor (TLR) and Interleukin-1 receptor signaling, are critical for radioprotection. Treating with agonists prior to radiation enhances survival by activating TLR signaling, whereas radiomitigating TLR-activating therapeutics given after exposure are less defined. We examine the radiomitigation capability of TLR agonists and identify one that is superior for its efficacy and reduced toxic consequences compared to other tested agonists. We demonstrate that the synthetic TLR2/6 ligand Fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide (FSL-1) substantially prolongs survival in both male and female mice when administered 24 hours after radiation and shows MyD88-dependent function. FSL-1 treatment results in accelerated hematopoiesis in bone marrow, spleen and periphery, and augments systemic levels of hematopoiesis-stimulating factors. The ability of FSL-1 to stimulate hematopoiesis is critical, as hematopoietic dysfunction results from a range of ionizing radiation doses. The efficacy of a single FSL-1 dose for alleviating radiation injury while protecting against adverse effects reveals a viable radiation countermeasures agent.
The feral pigeon (Columba livia) is a globally commensal bird that can cause dis‐amenities such as soiling and is a potential vector of various diseases. Aside to limiting food as a management ...strategy, reducing the availability of roosting and nesting sites can help regulate feral pigeon populations. Despite their prevalence, current knowledge of their roosting and nesting preferences is lacking.
Feral pigeons commonly use railway viaduct expansion gaps in Singapore for roosting and nesting. These gaps provided an ideal experimental platform to examine feral pigeon roost and nest site selection while controlling for differing cavity sizes which can significantly affect their reproductive success and site selection decisions. We also conducted an in‐situ experiment to test the efficacy of nest removal as a management option.
Our nationwide surveys of 80.3 km of railway viaducts and 6048 gaps revealed that feral pigeon day roosting and nesting preferences are influenced by structural height and more importantly, their proximity to human food sources. There was a significantly higher probability of feral pigeon roosting in a gap if it had more pigeon feeding incidences in its vicinity and was higher. The probability of feral pigeon nesting in gap was higher if it was closer to a railway station, lower and further from water bodies.
In our field experiment, we did not find any significant differences in the proportions of the abundances of feral pigeon to other urban commensal bird species at the gaps before and after nests were removed.
Overall, our results suggest that a concerted effort to reduce anthropogenic food availability to feral pigeons is central in limiting their reproductive success and controlling their population.
The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is the principal mode of railway transportation in Singapore. Feral pigeons (Columba livia) commonly use the railway viaduct expansion gaps for day roosting and nesting (top figure). Feral pigeons preferred day roosting in expansion gaps where proximate anthropogenic feeding occurrences were higher (bottom left figure) and nesting in gaps closer to MRT stations, another likely source of food (bottom right figure).
MiR-181a plays a critical role in modulating T cell and B cell differentiation, as well as immune response. Its abnormal expression probably participates in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus ...erythematosus (SLE). MiR-203 is involved in regulating Toll-like receptor and inducing immune tolerance. Abnormal expression or function of miR-203 is related to multiple auto-immune diseases but its role in SLE remains unclear. This study, thus, investigated the serum level of miR-181a and miR-203, to analyze their roles in diagnosing and evaluating SLE.
SLE patients were recruited from our hospital, and divided into non-active and active SLE based on disease activity index, along with healthy individuals. qRT-PCR was used to quantify the serum miR-181a and miR-203 expression, and their correlation with clinical features. ROC was used to evaluate the diagnostic value on SLE, while survival curves were compared to show progression-free survival (PFS) between populations with high and low expression.
SLE patients had significantly higher serum levels of miR-181a and lower miR-203, both of which were correlated with SLE activity. Expression levels of miR-181a and miR-203 were correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C reactive protein, anti-dsDNA antibody, complements, and SLEDAI score. Their expression levels had certain values in the differential diagnosis for active SLE (AUC=0.885 and 0.843). PFS in miR-181a high-expression individuals was lower than that in the low-miR-181 group (χ2=7.474, p=0.029). Whilst, miR-203 high-expression SLE patients had higher PFS than low-expression group (χ2=4.367, p=0.037).
SLE patients had higher miR-181a and lower miR-203 expression, which thus may have critical implications in disease diagnosis and evaluation.
The cross section of the e+e−→Λc+Λ¯c− process is measured with unprecedented precision using data collected with the BESIII detector at /¯s=4574.5, 4580.0, 4590.0 and 4599.5 MeV. The nonzero cross ...section near the Λc+Λ¯c− production threshold is cleared. At center-of-mass energies /¯s=4574.5 and 4599.5 MeV, the higher statistics data enable us to measure the Λc polar angle distributions. From these, the Λc electric over magnetic form-factor ratios (|GE/GM|) are measured for the first time. They are found to be 1.14±0.14±0.07 and 1.23±0.05±0.03, respectively, where the first uncertainties are statistical and the second are systematic.
This study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Personal Diabetes Questionnaire (C-PDQ). The PDQ was translated into Chinese using a forward and backward translation ...approach. After being reviewed by an expert panel, the C-PDQ was administered to a convenience sample of 346 adults with Type 2 diabetes. The Chinese version of the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (C-SDSCA) was also administered. The results of the exploratory factor analysis revealed a one-factor structure for the Diet Knowledge, Decision-Making, and Eating Problems subscales and a two-factor structure for the barriers-related subscales. The criterion and convergent validity were supported by significant correlations of the subscales of the C-PDQ with the glycated hemoglobin values and the parallel subscales in the C-SDSCA, respectively. The C-PDQ subscales also showed acceptable internal consistency (α = .61–.89) and excellent test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients: .73–.96). The results provide preliminary support for the reliability and validity of the C-PDQ. This comprehensive, patient-centered instrument could be useful to identify the needs, concerns, and priorities of Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes.
In 1998, an enterovirus 71 (EV71) epidemic in Taiwan was associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD)/herpangina and involved 78 fatal cases. We measured EV71 seroprevalence rates before and ...after the epidemic and investigated risk factors associated with EV71 infection and illness.
Neutralizing antibodies to EV71 were assayed for 539 people before the epidemic and 4619 people of similar ages after the epidemic. Questionnaires, which were completed during household interviews after the epidemic, solicited demographic variables, exposure history, and clinical manifestations.
A total of 129 106 cases of HFMD were reported during the epidemic. Age-specific pre-epidemic EV71 seroprevalence rates were inversely related to age-specific periepidemic mortality rates (r = -0.82) or severe case rates (r = -0.93). Higher postepidemic EV71 seropositive rates among children who were younger than 3 years positively correlated with higher mortality rates in different areas (r = 0.88). After the epidemic, 51 (56%) of 91 younger siblings of elder siblings who were EV71-seropositive were EV71-seropositive; otherwise, 2.2% (4 of 186) of younger siblings were EV71-seropositive (matched odds ratio OR: 10; 95% confidence interval CI: 3.4-29). Stepwise multiple logistic regression revealed other factors associated with EV71 infection to be older age (adjusted OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.9-3.4), attendance at kindergartens/child care centers (adjusted OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.5), contact with HFMD/herpangina (adjusted OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.1), greater number of children in a family (adjusted OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.1-1.7), and rural residence (adjusted OR: 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.6). Twenty-nine percent of preschool children who were infected with EV71 developed HFMD/herpangina. Younger age and contact with HFMD/herpangina were significant factors for the development of EV71-related HFMD/herpangina in these children.
An increased incidence of EV71 infection in young children occurred more often in geographic areas with increased mortality rates. Intrafamilial and kindergarten transmissions among preschool children were major modes of disease transmission during the widespread EV71 epidemic in Taiwan in 1998.
In this paper, the spin and parity of the Zc(3900)± state are determined to be JP = 1+ with a statistical significance larger than 7σ over other quantum numbers in a partial wave analysis of the ...process e+e- → π+π-J/Ψ. We use a data sample of 1.92 fb-1 accumulated at $ \sqrt{s}=4.23 $ and 4.26 GeV with the BESIII experiment. When parametrizing the Zc(3900)± with a Flatté-like formula, we determine its pole mass Mpole = (3881.2±4.2stat ±52.7syst) MeV/c2 and pole width Γpole = (51.8± 4.6stat ± 36.0syst) MeV. Finally, we also measure cross sections for the process e+e- → Zc(3900)+π- + c.c. → J/Ψπ+π- and determine an upper limit at the 90% confidence level for the process e+e- → Zc(4020)+π- + c.c. → J/Ψ π+π-.
We report a new measurement of electron antineutrino disappearance using the fully constructed Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment. The final two of eight antineutrino detectors were installed in ...the summer of 2012. Including the 404 days of data collected from October 2012 to November 2013 resulted in a total exposure of 6.9×10^{5} GW_{th} ton days, a 3.6 times increase over our previous results. Improvements in energy calibration limited variations between detectors to 0.2%. Removal of six ^{241}Am-^{13}C radioactive calibration sources reduced the background by a factor of 2 for the detectors in the experimental hall furthest from the reactors. Direct prediction of the antineutrino signal in the far detectors based on the measurements in the near detectors explicitly minimized the dependence of the measurement on models of reactor antineutrino emission. The uncertainties in our estimates of sin^{2}2θ_{13} and |Δm_{ee}^{2}| were halved as a result of these improvements. An analysis of the relative antineutrino rates and energy spectra between detectors gave sin^{2}2θ_{13}=0.084±0.005 and |Δm_{ee}^{2}|=(2.42±0.11)×10^{-3} eV^{2} in the three-neutrino framework.
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