Direct detection of neutralino dark matter with DM@NLO

We calculate spin-independent and spin-dependent direct detection cross sections of neutralino dark matter at next-to-leading order of QCD. The numerical effects are comparable in size to the uncertainties in the nuclear matrix elements. Our results are applicable to bino, wino or higgsino dark matter and allow for consistent correlations with the relic density in [email protected]: 5 pages, 3 figures, 1 table. Proceedings of the EPS Conference on High-Energy Physics (EPS-HEP 2017), Venice, Ital

Realistic simplified gaugino-higgsino models in the MSSM

We present simplified MSSM models for light neutralinos and charginos with realistic mass spectra and realistic gaugino-higgsino mixing, that can be used in experimental searches at the LHC. The formerly used naive approach of defining mass spectra and mixing matrix elements manually and independently of each other does not yield genuine MSSM benchmarks. We suggest the use of less simplified, but realistic MSSM models, whose mass spectra and mixing matrix elements are the result of a proper matrix diagonalisation. We propose a novel strategy targeting the design of such benchmark scenarios, accounting for user-defined constraints in terms of masses and particle mixing. We apply it to the higgsino case and implement a scan in the four relevant underlying parameters {{\mu}, tan\beta, M_1, M_2} for a given set of light neutralino and chargino masses. We define a measure for the quality of the obtained benchmarks, that also includes criteria to assess the higgsino content of the resulting charginos and neutralinos. We finally discuss the distribution of the resulting models in the MSSM parameter space as well as their implications for supersymmetric dark matter phenomenology.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures; version accepted by EPJ

Nuclear recoil measurements in Superheated Superconducting Granule detectors

The response of Superheated Superconducting Granule (SSG) devices to nuclear recoils has been explored by irradiating SSG detectors with a 70Me$\!$V neutron beam. In the past we have tested Al SSG and more recently, measurements have been performed with Sn and Zn detectors. The aim of the experiments was to test the sensitivity of SSG detectors to recoil energies down to a few ke$\!$V. In this paper, the preliminary results of the neutron irradiation of a SSG detector made of Sn granules 15-20$\mu$m in diameter will be discussed. For the first time, recoil energy thresholds of $\sim$1ke$\!$V have been measured.Comment: 7pages in Latex format, Preprint Bu-He 93/6 (University of Berne, Switzerland), four figures available upon request via [email protected] or [email protected]

Influence of age and sex on hospitalization of nursing home residents: a cross-sectional study from Germany

Background: Nursing homes residents (NHR) are frequently transferred to hospitals. There is some evidence that male NHR are more often hospitalized than females, but the influence of age is less clear and predictors might differ between sexes. Analyses according to age groups between males and females have only been investigated once and none of the existing studies have conducted multivariate analyses stratified by sex. Aim of this study was to fill this gap. Methods: We used data of the “Inappropriate Medication in patients with REnal insufficiency in Nursing homes” (IMREN) study, which was conducted between October 2014 and April 2015 in nursing homes in northwestern Germany (Bremen and Lower Saxony). Anonymised data was obtained by nursing staff of the participating nursing homes. All residents living in the participating care units were included. We assessed whether they were hospitalized at least once during the preceding 12 months. Cluster-adjusted multivariate logistic regression was applied to identify variables associated with hospitalizations. All analyses were stratified by sex. Results: Of 852 residents from 21 nursing homes (mean age 83.5 years; 76.5% females), 43.1% (95% confidence intervals [95% CI]: 35.6–50.5) were hospitalized at least once during the preceding 12 months. This proportion was higher in residents institutionalized within the last 6 months compared to those with a longer length of stay (65.7% vs. 39.5%). Although not statistically significant, males were more often hospitalized than females (52.4% vs. 40.3%) and differences between sexes are particularly remarkable for age, health status and length of stay. In females, the chance of being hospitalized decreased steadily with age (OR: 2.40 [95% CI: 1.24–4.64] and 1.60 [95% CI: 1.05–2.43] for age groups <75 and 75–84 years compared to 85+ years). On the other hand, males aged 75–84 years had a statistically significant lower chance compared to 85+ years olds (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.19–0.90). Conclusions: Differences in factors associated with hospitalizations might exist between sexes. We strongly suggest that further studies on hospitalizations of NHR should stratify their analyses by sex

Terminology in biological test items

Die sichere Verwendung von Fachsprache und die Kenntnis von Fachbegriffen sind wesentliche Merkmale für die Expertise bzw. Kompetenz in einer Domäne. Sie sind daher auch für die Modellierung und Erfassung von Kompetenzen von Bedeutung. Da die Kompetenzmodellierung im Allgemeinen auf einer Operationalisierung durch Aufgaben beruht, stellt sich die Frage, inwieweit Fachsprache bzw. Fachbegriffe die Schwierigkeit von Testaufgaben beeinflussen. In dieser Studie wurden Testaufgaben zu drei exemplarischen Konzepten der Biologie hinsichtlich der Verwendung von Fach- und Alltagsbegriffen variiert und mit Schülerinnen und Schülern der Klasse 5 bis 10 getestet. Im Vergleich erweisen sich Testaufgaben mit Fachbegriffen über alle untersuchten Konzepte hinweg als signifikant schwerer als solche mit Alltagsbegriffen. Allerdings unterscheidet sich der schwierigkeitsinduzierende Einfluss der Fachbegriffe bei den verschiedenen Konzepten deutlich in seiner Stärke. (DIPF/Orig.)The application of terminology and knowledge of technical terms are fundamental attributes for the expertise respectively competency in a domain. Thus they are also relevant for modelling and characterizing competencies. The competency modelling is typically based on test items. Therefore, the question comes up in how far terminology respectively technical terms influence the difficulty of items in achievement tests. In this study items on three exemplary biological concepts have been developed. The items have been varied regarding the use of technical terms and everyday speech. Students of grades 5 to 10 took part in the achievement test. The results show that items with technical terms are significantly more difficult on all reviewed concepts than items containing everyday language. However there is a clear difference within the degree of difficulty caused by the employment of technical terms in all three concepts. (DIPF/Orig.

The Emotional Impact of Urinary Tract Infections in Women: A Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND: While many studies address the clinical management of participants with uncomplicated urinary tract infection (uUTI), the emotional impact of uUTIs has been investigated less often. The aim of this qualitative study was to understand the emotional experience of women with uUTIs. METHODS: This was a qualitative, exploratory, in-depth interview-based study conducted among women in the United States (US) and Germany. Women aged ≥ 18 years with at least one uUTI treated with antibiotics in the past year were recruited through a patient community panel and physician referrals. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling to include an equal split of those with 1 or ≥ 2 antibiotics, and an equal split of those treated for a single or recurrent uUTIs (≥ 2 uUTIs in the past year). A structured telephone interview included questions about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and retreatment (if any). Each participant was queried about her emotions and the impact of the uUTI on life activities. Thematic analysis of responses was carried out to identify common themes. RESULTS: A total of 65 participants completed the interview, 40 (61.5%) from the US and 25 (38.5%) from Germany. Major themes that emerged from the analyses included (1) a wide range of negative emotions were experienced due to uUTI symptoms, interference with activities of daily life, and effects on relationships and sleep; (2) varied emotions and understanding related to uUTI treatment and management approaches; (3) treatment failure caused frustration, worry, and anger; and (4) the prospect of recurrent uUTIs provoked dread and helplessness. CONCLUSION: Our research uncovered emotions of helplessness and dread experienced by women in the context of uUTI clinical treatment failure and recurrent uUTIs. Knowing patients\u27 perspectives on UTI management will help guide the development of patient education and improve shared decision-making

Methylierung als molekularbiologischer Marker zur Lungenkarzinom-Diagnostik

In dieser Arbeit wurde ein diagnostischer Test für Lungenkarzinome entwickelt, der aberrante Promotormethylierungen als Tumormarker nutzt. Der Nachweis der Promotormethylierungen erfolgte an DNA aus Bronchialsekreten nach Bisulfitkonversion mittels quantitativer methylierungsspezifischer real-time PCR (QMSP). Hierfür wurden Primer/TaqMan®-Sonden-Paare für verschiedene Promotorregionen konstruiert und in Fall-Kontroll-Studien an insgesamt 297 Bronchialsekreten (112 Lungenkarzinome, 85 Nicht-Tumor-Fälle) untersucht. Durch den Vergleich von DNA aus Bronchialsekreten und Formalin fixierten Tumorgeweben mittels QMSP sowie Sequenzierung der Promotorregionen konnte gezeigt werden, daß die Marker APC und RARB2 eine Schädigung des Bronchialepithels nachweisen und als Risikomarker einzustufen sind. RASSF1A und p16INK4a erwiesen sich hingegen als spezifische Tumormarker. Letztendlich wurden drei für diagnostische Zwecke geeignete Marker zu einem Panel zusammengestellt (APC, p16INK4a und RASSF1A). In einer retrospektiven Kohortenstudie an 235 Bronchialsekreten (111 Lungenkarzinome, 103 Nicht-Tumor-Fälle, 21 sonstige Tumoren) konnten die Ergebnisse der Fall-Kontroll-Studien verifiziert werden. Lungenkarzinome wurden mit einer Sensitivität von 52% bei einer Spezifität von >99% detektiert. Durch die Kombination des molekularbiologischen Tests mit der herkömmlichen zytologischen und histologischen Diagnostik gelang es, 88% der Lungenkarzinome bei der ersten Bronchoskopie zu diagnostizieren. Die QMSP mit einem drei Marker Panel stellt den ersten praxistauglichen von der Morphologie unabhängigen molekularbiologischen Lungenkarzinom-Test dar. So konnten 40% der Lungenkarzinomfälle mit Bronchialsekreten ohne morphologisch sichtbare Tumorzellen identifiziert werden. Weiterhin wurde bei 80% der zytologisch als dringend verdächtig eingestuften Befunde ein Karzinom nachgewiesen. Da der Test an Restmaterial der regulären Zytologie durchgeführt wird, ist er ohne Umstellung der Routineabläufe optimal in die Diagnostik integrierbar. Damit besitzt der Test ein sehr großes Potential bei diagnostischen Problemfällen. Unter Verwendung eines monoklonalen Antikörpers gegen die Base 5-Methylcytosin gelang es mittels Bild-Zytometrie erstmals, Hypomethylierung an histologischen Schnittpräparaten von Plattenepithelkarzinomen bei Erhalt der Zellmorphologie zu quantifizieren. Die Plattenepithelkarzinome wiesen in 80% der untersuchten Fälle eine globale Hypomethylierung auf, wobei der 5-Methylcytosingehalt durchschnittlich 29,4% geringer als bei den Referenzzellen war

Comparing outpatient oral antibiotic use in Germany and the Netherlands from 2012 to 2016

PURPOSE: Overuse of antibiotics is of concern, but may differ between European countries. This study compares outpatient use of oral antibiotics between Germany (DE) and the Netherlands (NL). METHODS For DE, we used the DAPI database with information on dispensings at the expense of the Statutory Health Insurance Funds from > 80% of community pharmacies. For NL, data were obtained from the Dutch Foundation for Pharmaceutical Statistics. Use of oral antibiotics was estimated as defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID), except for age comparisons as packages per 1000 inhabitants annually. National time trends were assessed with linear regression, stratified for the major antibiotic classes, and individual substances. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2016, outpatient antibiotic use was lower in NL than in DE (9.64 vs 14.14 DID in 2016) and non‐significantly decreased slightly over time in both countries. In DE, dispensings of oral antibiotics to children were higher compared with NL for the age groups 2 to 5 (2.0‐fold in 2016) and 6 to 14 years (2.7‐fold in 2016). Use of cephalosporins was very low in NL (0.02 DID in 2016), but the second most frequently dispensed class in DE (2.95 DID in 2016). CONCLUSION: From 2012 to 2016, outpatient use of oral antibiotics was lower in NL than in DE. Differences were primarily observed in the age groups 2 to 5 and 6 to 14 years, although the recommendations of evidence‐based guidelines in both countries were in agreement