spectroscopy

Observation of the semileptonic decay B+→ pp¯ μ+νμ

The Cabibbo-suppressed semileptonic decay +→⎯⎯⎯+ is observed for the first time using a sample of pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0, 2.0 and 1.7 fb−1 at centre-of-mass energies of 7, 8 and 13 TeV, respectively. The differential branching fraction is measured as a function of the ⎯⎯⎯ invariant mass using the decay mode B+→ J/ψK+ for normalisation. The total branching fraction is measured to be

(+→⎯⎯⎯+)=(5.27+0.23−0.24±0.21±0.15)×10−6,

Precision measurement of the Ξcc++ mass

A measurement of the ++ mass is performed using data collected by the LHCb experiment between 2016 and 2018 in pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6 fb−1. The ++ candidates are reconstructed via the decay modes ++→+−++ and ++→++. The result, 3621.55 ± 0.23 (stat) ± 0.30 (syst) MeV/c2, is the most precise measurement of the ++ mass to date.

Measurement of fs /fu Variation with Proton-Proton Collision Energy and B -Meson Kinematics

The ratio of the B0s and B+ fragmentation fractions fs and fu is studied with B0s→J/ψϕ and B+→J/ψK+ decays using data collected by the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at 7, 8, and 13 TeV center-of-mass energies. The analysis is performed in bins of B-meson momentum, longitudinal momentum, transverse momentum, pseudorapidity, and rapidity. The fragmentation-fraction ratio fs/fu is observed to depend on the B-meson transverse momentum with a significance of 6.0σ.

First Observation of Excited ωb- States

We report four narrow peaks in the Ξ0bK− mass spectrum obtained using pp collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to a total integrated luminosity of 9  fb−1 recorded by the LHCb experiment. Referring to these states by their mass, the mass values are m[Ωb(6316)−]=6315.64±0.31±0.07±0.50  MeV, m[Ωb(6330)−]=6330.30±0.28±0.07±0.50  MeV, m[Ωb(6340)−]=6339.71±0.26±0.05±0.50  MeV, m[Ωb(6350)−]=6349.88±0.35±0.05±0.50  MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and the last is due to the knowledge of the Ξ0b mass.

Measurement of the ηc(1 S) production cross-section in p p collisions at √s=13TeV

Using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 2.0 fb−1, collected by the LHCb experiment, the production of the (1) state in proton–proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of √=13 TeV is studied in the rapidity range 2.0<<4.5 and in the transverse momentum range 6.5<T<14.0GeV. The cross-section for prompt production of (1) mesons relative to that of the / meson is measured using the ⎯⎯⎯ decay mode and is found to be (1)//=1.69±0.15±0.10±0.18.

Iron from a geochemical viewpoint. Understanding toxicity/pathogenicity mechanisms in iron-bearing minerals with a special attention to mineral fibers

Iron and its role as soul of life on Earth is addressed in this review as iron is one of the most abundant elements of our universe, forms the core of our planet and that of telluric (i.e., Earth-like) planets, is a major element of the Earth's crust and is hosted in an endless number of mineral phases, both crystalline and amorphous. To study iron at an atomic level inside the bulk of mineral phases or at its surface, where it is more reactive, both spectroscopy and diffraction experimental methods can be used, taking advantage of nearly the whole spectrum of electromagnetic waves.

STAT3, a hub protein of cellular signaling pathways, is triggered by β-hexaclorocyclohexane

Background: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are widely distributed in the environment and their toxicity is mostly associated with the molecular mechanisms of endocrine disruption. Among OCPs, particular attention was focused on the effects of β-hexaclorocyclohexane (β-HCH), a widely common pollutant. A detailed epidemiological study carried out on exposed population in the “Valle del Sacco” found correlations between the incidence of a wide range of diseases and the occurrence of β-HCH contamination.

STAT3 post-translational modifications drive cellular signaling pathways in prostate cancer cells

STAT3 is an oncoprotein overexpressed in different types of tumors, including prostate cancer (PCa), and its activity is modulated by a variety of post-translational modifications (PTMs). Prostate cancer represents the most common cancer diagnosed in men, and each phase of tumor progression displays specific cellular conditions: inflammation is predominant in tumor's early stage, whereas oxidative stress is typical of clinically advanced PCa.

Analysis of gut microbiota in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Disease-related dysbiosis and modifications induced by etanercept

A certain number of studies were carried out to address the question of how dysbiosis could affect the onset and development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but little is known about the reciprocal influence between microbiota composition and immunosuppressive drugs, and how this interaction may have an impact on the clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to characterize the intestinal microbiota in a groups of RA patients treatment-naïve, under methotrexate, and/or etanercept (ETN).

Towards innovation in paper dating: a MicroNIR analytical platform and chemometrics

Using a miniaturized near infrared spectrometer associated to chemometrics we developed a rapid and non destructive procedure to characterise paper and investigate its aging with the aim of solving dating problems. Two sets of paper were considered in this study (books and sheets) in order to ensure the results are not dependent of the storage conditions. The MicroNIR has the ability to distinguish paper according to the chemical composition of the surface as a function of the period of manufacturing.

© Università degli Studi di Roma "La Sapienza" - Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Roma