S. Brandt

A partial-wave analysis of the charged three-pion system in the reaction π−p→pπ+π−π− for incident π− momenta from 5 to 25 GeV/c shows the existence of a broad enhancement (∼ 300 MeV) in the JP=2−fπ (S-wave) state in the region of the A3(1650). No other state (J≤4) shows structure in this region. Upper bounds for ρπ and επ decay modes of the A3 are given. The interference of the 2−fπ (S-wave) amplitude with other amplitudes has been observed. The mass variation of the phase of the 2−fπ (S-wave) amplitude measured with respect to the phases of other amplitudes does not show the behavior expected for the relative phase between resonant and nonresonant amplitudes. Results are given on the polarization and momentum-transfer dependence of the A3 and on the A3 production cross section as a function of incident π− momentum.Received 17 July 1972DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.7.669©1973 American Physical Society

Diverse waist circumference thresholds for assessment of metabolic and cardiovascular risk in Caucasians are recommended by different health professional organizations. We aimed to determine optimal sex-specific thresholds for anthropometric measures showing the strongest association with cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of middle-aged Germans.Statistical analyses are based on data from 426 mothers and 267 fathers of participants of the Ulm Birth Cohort Study undergoing a clinical follow-up examination in 2008 (median age 41 years) using logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of many cardiometabolic risk factors was significantly higher in men than in women; hypertension: 45%/17% (p < 0.0001), apolipoprotein ratio B/A1 > 0.72: 35%/9% (<0.0001), hyperglycemia: 11%/14% (p = 0.3), which is in contrast to the predicted cardiovascular risk of 52%/70% and 24%/36% based on thresholds for waist circumference proposed by International Diabetes Federation and American Heart Association, respectively. We determined optimal thresholds for waist circumference between 90 and 95 cm for men and women. Using a threshold of 92 cm the prevalence of abdominal obesity was 59% in men and 24% in women, which was in agreement with the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity in men than in women (Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25: 64%/35%). The prediction of cardiometabolic risk factors by waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio did not outperform the prediction by BMI. In contrast to BMI, waist circumference was correlated with body height independent of sex.Currently proposed thresholds for waist circumference spuriously overestimate the cardiovascular risk in women, but not in men in a German population.

An automated rapid chemistry system has been used to isolate enriched sources of 12.4-min $^{133}\mathrm{Te}^{g}$ from mixed fission products via the sequence $^{133}\mathrm{Sb}(\ensuremath{\beta})^{133}\mathrm{Te}^{g}$. In addition, pure sources of $^{133}\mathrm{Te}^{g}$ were obtained by using the reduction of ${\mathrm{Te}}^{\mathrm{VI}}$ to ${\mathrm{Te}}^{\mathrm{IV}}$ during the isomeric decay of $^{133}\mathrm{Te}^{m}$. Singles, Compton suppression singles, and $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coincidence Ge(Li) spectra were used to identify approximately 210 $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays from the decay of $^{133}\mathrm{Te}^{g}$. This information was used to establish 38 levels below 3000 keV in $^{133}\mathrm{I}$. Cluster-vibration model calculations have been carried out for the $Z=53$ nucleus $^{133}\mathrm{I}$. The calculated level structure and transition probabilities are found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.NUCLEAR STRUCTURE Cluster vibration model, energy levels, branching ratios.RADIOACTIVITY $^{133}\mathrm{Te}^{g}$ (from Autobatch chemical isolation from fission); measured ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coin, Compton suppression; $^{133}\mathrm{I}$ deduced levels $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$; deduced $\ensuremath{\beta}$ branch $log\mathrm{ft}$, HPGe and Ge(Li) detectors.

ion energy distribution functions (IEDF) are investigated in electronegative capacitive RF plasmas operated in CF4 based on a combination of experiments, PIC simulations, and models. In the experiment, Phase Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy is used to access the space and time resolved electron dynamics. The DC self bias and IEDFs are measured at the electrodes. For a single frequency discharge operated at 13.56 MHz and 80 Pa we demonstrate that the presence of an electronegative gas can change the electron power absorption dynamics completely compared to electropositive gases by inducing a heating mode transition. Reducing the driving frequency results in the formation of stable striations of the optical emission and electron impact excitation rate due to the collective response of positive and negative ions to the driving frequency. Based on this fundamental understanding, we show that tailoring the driving voltage waveform using a superposition of multiple consecutive harmonics of a fundamental frequency with individually adjustable harmonics’ amplitudes and phases allows for control of the DC self bias, the shape and mean energy of the IEDF, the electron power absorption dynamics, and the spatial division of the discharge into two halves of strongly different electronegativity.

The spatio-temporal electron impact excitation dynamics in capacitive RF discharges driven by tailored voltage waveforms in Ar and CF4 is investigated experimentally and by PIC simulations. In the experiment, the discharge is driven by up to three consecutive harmonics of 13.56 MHz with individually adjustable harmonics’ amplitudes and phases based on a novel RF supply system at different pressures (3 Pa - 200 Pa)1-3. The excitation dynamics is investigated by Phase Resolved Optical Emission Spectroscopy for different shapes of the driving voltage waveform (peaks/valleys/sawtooth). The DC self bias and the ion energy distribution function at the electrodes are measured. It is demonstrated that the mean ion energy can be controlled and the excitation dynamics can be tailored on a nanosecond timescale by adjusting the harmonics’ phases. In CF4, strongly different excitation dynamics are observed compared to Ar and understood based on the simulation results3,4. The plasma is divided spatially into two different halves of strongly different electronegativity for specific driving voltage waveforms. This asymmetry can be reversed by inverting the driving waveform. For Sawtooth waveforms, an electron heating mode transition occurs as the pressure is increased, leading to a reversed discharge asymmetry and sign of the DC self bias. References: 1. J. Franek et al., Rev. Sci. Instr., 86, 053504, (2015). 2. B. Berger et al., J. Appl. Phys., 118, 223302, (2015) 3. S. Brandt et al., Plasma Sourc. Sci. Technol., submitted 4. B. Bruneau et al., Plasma Sourc. Sci. Technol., 25, 01LT02 (2016)

An essay based on a series of panel discussions concerning the politics of public space, the potential of public art to engender creative participation in political and cultural life of cities and experimental or subversive urban practices, as organised and curated by Stephanie Brandt and Carol Mancke under the title of ‘Living Landscapes’ in autumn 2009—hosted at The Building Centre, Store Street, London and sponsored by the American Institute of Architecture (AIA). An attempt to reflect and document some of the most critical thoughts, future predictions and proposals regarding potential Living Landscapes as outlined within this context. Including contributions from Dr Malcolm Miles, Professor of Cultural Theory, the University of Plymouth, GB; Dr. Luis Arenas, Department of Philosophy, University of Zaragoza, Spain and Co-Founder of the research group (inter)section between Philosophy and Architecture; and Jean-François Prost, artist-architect, Montreal, Canada and initiator of the collaborative research platform Adaptive Actions. Living Landscapes investigates the notion of space as not simply being something defined by physical mass, but also as a repository of accumulated actions. Acknowledging the fact that contemporary cities are in constant flux and change, and communities no longer easily defined it addresses questions about how our landscapes are lived on, in and through. And how these landscapes and environments are revealed, imagined, animated and experienced by, in and through use and interaction? Following Malcolm Miles, public space has conventionally been regarded as the location of political life, or site of a public sphere. Today, when privatised spaces of consumption encroach on public space, it is necessary to defend public space as open to all elements of a free society. Sociologist Zygmunt Bauman goes even further, arguing that the task of critical theory now is to repopulate an effectively evacuated public realm.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and muscle evoked potentials (MEP) are a common procedure in neurological clinical practice and neuro-scientific research. The MEP amplitude is an exciting measure of cortical excitability, yet also severely limited by notorious sweep-to-sweep variability. For example, in contrast to measures of conduction time, some subjects show MEP-amplitude sweep-to-sweep variability between 0 and 4 mV. Others are quite stable. This variability might be of physiological or physical origin, or both. Interestingly, a common observation is that the initial few responses are most often uncommonly large.

Preface: As in previous years, in this year’s chapter we can present only 1% of the acquired publications (1326) according to our search criteria in PubMed in the Yearbook 2022. The last year has again been extremely exciting for the field of obesity and weight regulation, and it was a significant step into the future in terms of scientific output. The papers included in this chapter of the Yearbook are organized under these subheadings:

Abstract The innate immune response to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection culminates in forming an abscess that prevents the bacterial spread and tissue damage. Pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) dictate the balance between microbial control and tissue damage. Therefore, intracellular brakes are of fundamental importance to tune the appropriate host defense while preventing injury. The intracellular inhibitor suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS-1); is a classic JAK/STAT inhibitor that prevents PRR responses by influencing the expression and actions of PRR adaptors and downstream effectors. Whether SOCS-1 is a molecular component of skin host defense remains to be determined. Here, we hypothesized that SOCS-1 decreases type I interferon production and IFNAR-mediated antimicrobial effector functions of the inflammatory response during MRSA skin infection. Our data show that MRSA skin infection enhances SOCS-1 expression, and both SOCS-1 inhibitor peptide treated and myeloid-specific SOCS-1 deficient mice display decreased lesion size, bacterial loads, and increased abscess thickness when compared to wild-type mice treated or not with scrambled peptide control. SOCS-1 deletion/inhibition increases phagocytosis and bacterial killing, dependent on nitric oxide release. SOCS-1 inhibition also increases antimicrobial effector function correlated with type I and type II interferon levels in vivo . IFNAR deletion and antibody blockage abolished the beneficial effects of SOCS-1 inhibition in vivo . Notably, we unveiled that hyperglycemia triggers aberrant SOCS-1 expression that correlates with decreased overall IFN signatures in the skin. SOCS-1 inhibition restores skin host defense in highly susceptible hyperglycemic mice. Overall, these data demonstrate a role for type I interferons in enhancing microbial clearance and host defense during MRSA skin infection.

Preface: We have been very happy to get around 1,500 papers out of our established search strategy in PubMed which have been saved in our 2019 yearbook EndNote database. We have then selected 15 papers (1%) which in our mind have been the most exciting ones. The highlights in this year’s chapter are publications about the genetic architecture of human thinness, a new hypoleptinemic leptin-responsive form of obesity, and early childhood BMI related to sustained risk of obesity. The Yearbook chapter 2019 on obesity and weight regulation comprises further exciting articles covering a broad research area.

We have been very happy to get around 2,000 papers out of our established search strategy in PubMed, which have been saved in our 2018 Yearbook EndNote database. We have then selected 20 papers (1%), which in our mind have been the most exciting ones. The highlights in this year’s chapter are publications about new adipokines - microRNAs released from adipose tissue and asprosin which has orexigenic and glucogenic activities - , about newly discovered genes causing monogenic childhood obesity, about fascinating treatment options for monogenic obesity, as well as about new aspects of obesity surgery in adolescents. The 2018 Yearbook chapter on obesity and weight regulation comprises further exciting articles covering a broad research area.

Abstract Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection is controlled by the actions of skin resident macrophages and the formation of a neutrophilic abscess that prevents bacterial spread and tissue damage. We and others have shown that myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) is required for the clearance of MRSA skin infection in mice. MyD88 expression is controlled by the balance between STAT1 and the suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1). Here, we hypothesized that SOCS1 inhibits antimicrobial effector functions and the inflammatory response, leading to poor abscess formation and tissue injury during MRSA skin infection. Our data show that MRSA skin infection enhances SOCS1 expression. Infection in myeloid-specific SOCS1 deficient mice displays decreased lesion size, lower bacterial loads, and increased abscess thickness when compared to WT mice. When we treated infected mice with a peptide that specifically inhibits the kinase inhibitory region (KIR) of SOCS1, it also improved infection outcome. Examining the mechanisms by which SOCS1 enhanced skin host defense, we observed increased phagocytosis and bacterial killing in SOCS1 deficient macrophages and KIR peptide-treated cells. Increased antimicrobial effector function correlated with enhanced STAT1 activation and increased production of IFNγ in vivo and in vitro. Next we tested whether IFNγ is crucial to improved host defense in KIR-treated mice. Our data show that the beneficial effect of SOCS1 KIR peptide in skin host defense was abrogated in mice treated with an IFNR blocking antibody and in the IFNR deficient mice. Overall, these data show that preventing SOCS1 actions enhances microbial clearance and host defense during MRSA skin infection.

Neuromorphic cameras, which report changes in flux rather than absolute flux values, present particular challenges in scene understanding and scene recreation. We discuss different classes of spatiotemporal neuromorphic vision algorithms, and their applications in a new neuromorphic vision architecture.

The increasing degree of electrification as well as the optimization of particle based exhaust emissions, which is already being driven forward due to legislation, will direct the focus of fine dust considerations in automotive technology to non-exhaust emissions. In contrast to exhaust emissions, there are currently only a few vehicle-related limit values or uniform standards in measurement technology and the measurement procedure. The area of non-exhaust emissions includes tire abrasion, the turbulence of organic and inorganic road particles, and brake wear. Since, in addition to the material component, the particle size also has a significant influence on the health hazard of the material, particulate emissions from brakes are often directly related to health effects. In comparison to previous measurements, which have mostly been carried out in enclosed and clinical environments, the dynamics of the fine dust emitted from the brake will be investigated using a fully automated tribometer and used as a possibility to validate a DEM simulation. Besides the pure measurement of the emitted particle size distributions during the brake application, conclusions on the agglomeration behaviour of the emission particles in the environment shall be drawn. The aim is to predict the environmental impact and the potential danger of the particles to humans due to the particle size released into the environment. The pin-disc contact between brake pad and brake disc serves as the emission source. A coupled CFD-DEM simulation environment was set up to simulate particle dynamics. Based on a rotating brake disc model, the flow-relevant components of the test bench environment were implemented into the simulation setup. The area around the actual brake contact as well as the environment at the tribometer should be considered. For the metrological validation of the simulation, a swarm of calibrated low-cost sensors as well as a scattered light based particle size measuring device will be set up around the tribometer

The structure of the odd‐odd 192Ir nucleus presents an interesting and challenging problem for both experimentalists and theorists. As a result of the common efforts of nine laboratories, it is possible, for the first time, to propose an extended scheme with 34 levels. The experiments included observation of γ‐ray transitions and of conversion electrons emitted after thermal and resonance neutron capture, of direct (d,p) and (d,t) neutron transfer reactions and of the angular distribution of γ‐rays from aligned 192Ir nuclei. The results are interpreted in the framework of the rotor‐plus‐particle and IBFFM models. The nuclear states appear to be strongly mixed. The complex and interesting ground‐state configuration is discussed.