Wolfgang Funk

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we searched for b→u transitions in exclusive hadronic B meson decays. A systematic analysis of B decays into pions has been performed for decay modes with 2–7 pions in the final state. In none of the decays a positive signal was observed. The upper limits obtained on various branching ratios are consistent with the current model predictions.

The NA48 experiment at CERN has performed a new measurement of direct CP violation, based on data taken in 1997 by simultaneously collecting KL and KS decays into π0π0 and π+π−. The result for the CP violating parameter Re(ε′/ε) is (18.5±4.5(stat)±5.8(syst))×10−4.

Details concerning the design, fabrication and performance of the STAR Barrel Electromagnetic Calorimeter are presented.

The beam and detector, used for the NA48 experiment, devoted to the measurement of Re(ε′/ε), and for the NA48/1 experiment on rare KS and neutral hyperon decays, are described.

A bstract We present results of the Relic Axion Dark-Matter Exploratory Setup (RADES), a detector which is part of the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST), searching for axion dark matter in the 34.67 μ eV mass range. A radio frequency cavity consisting of 5 sub-cavities coupled by inductive irises took physics data inside the CAST dipole magnet for the first time using this filter-like haloscope geometry. An exclusion limit with a 95% credibility level on the axion-photon coupling constant of g aγ ≳ 4 × 10 − 13 GeV − 1 over a mass range of 34 . 6738 μ eV < m a < 34 . 6771 μ eV is set. This constitutes a significant improvement over the current strongest limit set by CAST at this mass and is at the same time one of the most sensitive direct searches for an axion dark matter candidate above the mass of 25 μ eV. The results also demonstrate the feasibility of exploring a wider mass range around the value probed by CAST-RADES in this work using similar coherent resonant cavities.

The CAST-CAPP axion haloscope, operating at CERN inside the CAST dipole magnet, has searched for axions in the 19.74 μeV to 22.47 μeV mass range. The detection concept follows the Sikivie haloscope principle, where Dark Matter axions convert into photons within a resonator immersed in a magnetic field. The CAST-CAPP resonator is an array of four individual rectangular cavities inserted in a strong dipole magnet, phase-matched to maximize the detection sensitivity. Here we report on the data acquired for 4124 h from 2019 to 2021. Each cavity is equipped with a fast frequency tuning mechanism of 10 MHz/ min between 4.774 GHz and 5.434 GHz. In the present work, we exclude axion-photon couplings for virialized galactic axions down to gaγγ = 8 × 10-14 GeV-1 at the 90% confidence level. The here implemented phase-matching technique also allows for future large-scale upgrades.

We report the direct observation of muon neutrino interactions with the SND@LHC detector at the Large Hadron Collider. A dataset of proton-proton collisions at sqrt[s]=13.6 TeV collected by SND@LHC in 2022 is used, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.8 fb^{-1}. The search is based on information from the active electronic components of the SND@LHC detector, which covers the pseudorapidity region of 7.2<η<8.4, inaccessible to the other experiments at the collider. Muon neutrino candidates are identified through their charged-current interaction topology, with a track propagating through the entire length of the muon detector. After selection cuts, 8 ν_{μ} interaction candidate events remain with an estimated background of 0.086 events, yielding a significance of about 7 standard deviations for the observed ν_{μ} signal.

Anxiolysis and sedation with oral midazolam are common practice in paediatric anaesthesia. However, good or excellent results are seen in only 50-80% of cases. For this reason, we investigated if addition of a low dose of oral ketamine (MIKE: ketamine 3 mg kg-1, midazolam 0.5 mg kg-1) resulted in better premedication compared with oral midazolam 0.5 mg kg-1 or ketamine 6 mg kg-1 alone, in a prospective, randomized, double-blind study. We studied 120 children (mean age 5.7 (range 2-10) yr) undergoing surgery of more than 30 min duration. After oral premedication in the ward and transfer, the child's condition in the induction room was evaluated by assigning 1-4 points to the quality of anxiolysis, sedation, behaviour at separation from parent and during venepuncture (transfer score). On days 1 and 7 after operation, parents were interviewed for changes in behaviour (eating, sleep, dreams, toilet training), recollection and satisfaction, using a standardized questionnaire. The groups were similar in age, sex, weight, intervention and duration of anaesthesia. The transfer score was significantly better in the MIKE group (12.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.9-13.1)) than in the ketamine or midazolam groups (10.6 (9.8-11.4) and 11.5 (10.7-12.3), respectively). Success rates for anxiolysis and behaviour at separation were greater than 90% with the combination, approximately 70% with midazolam and only 51% with ketamine alone. The incidence of salivation, excitation and psychotic symptoms was low in all groups. Vertigo and emesis before induction were significantly more frequent after ketamine premedication. During recovery, there were no differences in sedation or time of possible discharge. After 1 week, parents reported nightmares (ketamine five, midazolam three, MIKE one), restless sleep (five/four/four) or negative memories (three/four/one). There were no major or continuing disturbances in behaviour or development. In summary, significantly better anxiolysis and separation were observed with a combination of ketamine and midazolam, even in awake children (sedation was not successful according to the preset criteria), than with midazolam or ketamine alone. Duration of action and side effects of the combination were similar to those of midazolam. The combination of both drugs in strawberry flavoured glucose syrup (pH 4.5 approximately) is chemically stable for 8 weeks.

A detailed study of the lepton momentum spectrum in υ(4S) decays has been made using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e+e− storage ring at DESY. In the region from 2.3 to 2.6 GeV/c, which is above the endpoint for contributions from B decays via b→c transitions, we observe 41±10 events in excess of known backgrounds. These events are interpreted as a signal for b→u transitions. A model dependent value of 0.10±0.01 is obtained for the ratio of Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix elements |Vub|/|Vcv|, using the Altarelli et al. model.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring, a new measurement of the mass of the τ lepton has been obtained. An analysis of the tau pseudomass spectrum for decays of the type τ− → π−π−π+ντ finds mτ = 1776.3±2.4±1.4 MeV/c2. This result also leads to an improvement of the upper limit on the ντ mass to mντ < 31 MeV/c2 at the 95% confidence level.

We present a high capacity reversible watermarking scheme using companding technique over integer DCT coefficients of image blocks. This scheme takes advantage of integer DCT coefficients' Laplacian-shape-like distribution, which permits low distortion between the watermarked image and the original one caused by the bit-shift operations of the companding technique in the embedding process. In our scheme, we choose AC coefficients in the integer DCT domain for the bit-shift operation, and therefore the capacity and the quality of the watermarked image can be adjusted by selecting different numbers of coefficients of different frequencies. To prevent overflows and underflows in the spatial domain caused by modification of the DCT coefficients, we design a block discrimination structure to find suitable blocks that can be used for embedding without overflow or underflow problems. We can also use this block discrimination structure to embed an overhead of location information of all blocks suitable for embedding. With this scheme, watermark bits can be embedded in the saved LSBs of coefficient blocks, and retrieved correctly during extraction, while the original image can be restored perfectly.

Because of the passage of water and salt molecules into the interstitial space, volume replacement with crystalloid solutions requires an amount at least four times that of lost blood. The resulting tissue edema may interfere with nutritive capillary perfusion and oxygen delivery. To prove this hypothesis, the effects of isovolemic hemodilution (hematocrit 30%) with Ringer's lactate solution or dextran 60 on tissue perfusion and oxygenation were investigated in awake Syrian golden hamsters.Experiments were performed by using a chronic dorsal skinfold window giving access to skeletal muscle tissue (musculus cutaneus) with in vivo microscopy, quantitative video image analysis, and surface oxygen partial pressure electrodes. Central venous and arterial pressures were measured by means of chronically implanted jugular venous and carotid catheters.Isovolemic exchange of blood with dextran caused no significant changes in arterial or central venous pressure, heart rate, capillary flow velocity, functional capillary density, or surface oxygen partial pressure during the 1-h observation period. A volume of Ringer's solution equal to four times of the amount of blood lost maintained arterial pressure and heart rate when central venous pressure was kept at predilution control values. However, tissue perfusion determined by counting perfused capillaries per terminal arteriole was reduced by 62%, and mean tissue oxygen partial pressure decreased from 19 to 8 mmHg.In this model, volume replacement with artificial colloids yielded hemodynamic stability and adequate tissue oxygen supply, whereas administration of crystalloids alone jeopardized tissue perfusion and oxygenation.

Digital watermarking has been increasingly applied to hide information in digital multimedia data, thus enlisting the watermarking technology in the difficult fight against intellectual property rights infringement. The authors have developed a secure, robust watermarking algorithm and applied it in digital streaming MPEG-2 format video-the format of choice in the broadcast and video stock industry.

Prophylaxis of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) in alcohol-dependent patients shortens the duration of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU). The objective of this study was to assess the effect of four different prophylactic regimens on the duration of ICU stay, prevention of AWS and rate of major intercurrent complications in alcohol-dependent patients admitted to the ICU after tumour resection. A total of 197 alcohol-dependent patients, diagnosed by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (third revised edition) with a daily ethanol intake of 60 g, were allocated randomly to one of the following regimens which were commenced on admission to the ICU: flunitrazepam-clonidine, chlormethiazole-haloperidol, flunitrazepam-haloperidol or ethanol. The duration of ICU stay, prevention of AWS, incidence of tracheobronchitis and major intercurrent complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, cardiac disorders, bleeding disorders and death were documented. On admission, patients did not differ significantly in age, APACHE II and multiple organ failure scores. ICU stay, incidence of AWS, severity of AWS (revised clinical institute withdrawal assessment for alcohol scale > 20) and major intercurrent complication rate did not differ significantly between groups. Although there was no advantage in any of the four regimens with respect to the primary outcome measures, pulmonary and cardiac patients were not included in the study. Patients in the chlormethiazole-haloperidol group had a significantly increased incidence of tracheobronchitis (P = 0.0023), probably because of an increased incidence of hypersecretion.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, a search for decays B→K∗γ has been performed where K∗ represents seven different K mesons. No evidence for such decays has been found, and upper limits are quoted. These provide valuable constraints on the top quark mass, the Higgs sector of the standard model, and a variety of extensions thereto.

We report the findings of a study on exposure of operating room staff to sevoflurane, halothane and nitrous oxide during induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in children. Concentrations of anaesthetic agents in the operating theatre were measured directly by highly sensitive, photoacoustic infrared spectrometer during 20 anaesthetics. Samples were taken from the breathing zones of the anaesthetist and the circulating nurse. The operating theatre was of modern design with an air conditioning system providing 20 changes of air each hour. The threshold values of 100 ppm N2O, 50 ppm isoflurane and 10 ppm halothane recommended by the United Kingdom Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (COSH) were exceeded in several cases for a short time during mask induction. After tracheal intubation, trace concentrations of sevoflurane, halothane and N2O were mostly under the recommended levels and comparable to levels measured during adult anaesthesia.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+ e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY we have updated our result on charmless semileptonic B decays and searched for direct evidence for b→u transitions through reconstruction of complete events. This approach has successfully identified two ϒ (4S) events which contain B meson decays to a non-charm final state. In one case, a B0 meson is found in the channel π+μ−ν, while in the other a decay B+→ωμ+ν is seen. These events show that the previously observed signal of charmless semileptonic B decays is due to b→u transitions from which we obtain |VubVcb| = 0.11±0.012 using the model of Altarelli et al.

Spontaneous changes of diameter in small arteries and arterioles were studied in the hamster skin fold chamber preparation, which allows to observe the microcirculation without acute exposure and anesthesia. Continuous measurements of diameter were made when the preparation appeared to be physiologically normal according to preset criteria. 89% of the arterial vessels studied showed spontaneous changes in diameter. The activity was prevalently periodic with 29% of the vessels exhibiting random changes in diameter. The amplitude of the periodic activity expressed as a percentage of the mean diameter increases in proportion to the vessel size, arterial vessels in the 40-100 micron diameter range exhibit amplitudes of the order of 10-20%. The smallest arterioles show changes as large as 100% of mean diameter, which cause these vessels to become temporarily occluded. This phenomenon is analyzed in terms of its effect on peripheral vascular resistance by means of an analytical model that assumes vasomotion to be a periodic phenomenon. It is shown that the presence of time dependent changes in vessels diameter similar to those observed, has an important effect on peripheral vascular resistance.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring at DESY, we have observed a charmed meson of mass (2455±3±5) MeV/c2, decaying to D+π−. The natural width of this state is determined to be (15+13+5−10−10) MeVc2. The fragmentation function is hard, as expected for a leading charmed particle from nonresonant e+e− annihilation. Analysis of the decay angular distribution supports the hypothesis that the observed state is an L=1 excited charmed meson with spin-parity 2+.

Using data collected with the ARGUS detector, we have performed a decay angular analysis of the enhancement, previously known as the D∗ (2420), seen in the final state D∗(2010)+π−. We thereby exhibit that the observed broad structure is actually due to two relatively narrow resonances, one of which is identified as the D∗(2459)0, while the massof the other is measured to be (2414±2±5) MeV/c2. The results of the analysis are in good agreement with the interpretation of the two states as L=1 D mesons of spin-parities 2+ and 1+ respectively.

The impact of the ARGUS experiment to elementary particle physics is reviewed. More than ten years of data taking has allowed ARGUS to contribute significantly to our understanding of beauty and charmed hadrons, τ Leptons, ϒ mesons, ϒϒ interactions and fragmentation processes. In particular the ARGUS measurements of CKM matrix elements opened up a new window on the Standard Model.

The NA48 collaboration is preparing a new experiment at CERN aiming to study CP violation in the K0-K0 system with an accuracy of 2 × 10−4 in the parameter Re(ϵ′/ϵ). Decays in two π0's will be recorded by a quasi-homogeneous liquid krypton calorimeter. A liquid krypton calorimeter has been chosen to combine good energy, position and time resolution with precise charge calibration and long-term stability. The prototype calorimeter incorporating the final design of the electrode read-out structure is presented in this paper. An energy resolution of ≃3.5%√E with a constant term smaller than 0.5% has been obtained. The time resolution was found to be better than 300 ps above 15 GeV.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS-II, we have measured the inclusive semileptonic decays of B-mesons into electrons and muons. The data originate from 220.5 events/pb on the ϒ(4S) resonance. We find BR (B→e+veX = (10.3 ± 0.6 ± 0.2)% and BR (B→μ+vμX) = (10.0 ± 0.6 ± 0.2)% using the model of Altarelli et al. for extrapolating over all lepton momenta, and BR (B→e+veX) = (9.9±0.6)%, BR(B→μ+vμX) = (9.7±0.6)% using the model of Grinstein et al. For semileptonic decays into baryons, we obtain an upper limit of BR (B→pe+vX)<0.16%(90%CL).

With the ARGUS detector at the e+e- storage ring DORIS II, we have determined decay fraction and electron momentum spectrum of the inclusive decay mode B → eνX. Usinng lepton tags from the second B meson. in 209 000 γ(4S) → BB decays, we could determine the spectrum for all electron momenta pe > 0.6 GeV/c. Including the small extrapolation to pe > 0, we find the model-independent decay fraction B(B → eνX) = (9.6 ± 0.5 ± 0.4)%. Adding D meson tags, our result is (9.7 ± 0.5 ± 0.4)%.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS-II electron-positron storage ring at DESY, we have investigated the exclusive decay D∗+ → D0π+, D0 → KS0π+π−. From a partial wave analysis of the KS0π+π− system we find that (71.8± 4.2 ± 3.0)% are D0 → K∗−π+ and (22.7 ± 3.2 ± 0.9)% are D0 → K0ϱ0 with a relative phase of (−137 ± 7 ± 3)° between the channels. The remaining fraction can be described by several channels involving excited resonances, but not by a three-body phase space decay, thus giving first evidence for D0 decays into K0∗(1430)−π+, K0 f0(1975), K0 f2(1270), and K0 f0(1400).

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II, we have measured the average polarization of D∗+ mesons originating from exclusive decays B̄0 → D∗+ℓ−ν. By comparing the D∗+ decay angular distribution to a functional form 1 + α cos2≡, we determine α to be α=0.7±0.9. This value of α leads to a ratio of longitudinal to transverse decay with Γl/ΓT=0.85±0.45, which allows the determination, |Vcb|=0.052±0.011. The importance of the transverse helicity component is manifested in the q2 and lepton spectra,which are also presented.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e+e− storage ring we measured for the first time the τ neutrino helicity from a parity violating asymmetry in the τ decay into three charged pions. From the measured asymmetry we derived the normalized product of the axial and vector coupling constant 2gAgv/ (gA2 + gV2) = 1.14±0.34−0.170.34, which is in good agreement with the standard model prediction.

The amplitude of the signal collected from the PbWO4 crystals of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter is reconstructed by a digital filtering technique. The amplitude reconstruction has been studied with test beam data recorded from a fully equipped barrel supermodule. Issues specific to data taken in the test beam are investigated, and the implementation of the method for CMS data taking is discussed.

To objectively and reproducibly assess the outcome of aesthetic procedures remains one of the major, unmet challenges in maxillo-facial and plastic surgery. Frequently employed scoring systems for the evaluation of aesthetic procedures are confounded by observer bias, be it that of the patient or of the surgeon. A new approach of pragmatic and simple scoring is the ANA [Aesthetic Numeric Analogue] scale, which facilitates the objective, reproducible, standardized and internationally uniform evaluation of aesthetic procedure outcome by converting all ratings for any kind of aesthetic procedures from a subjective value to an objective figure. The intention of the ANA-scale is to relate aesthetic satisfaction from wording to figures and by this create a rating system. The study is arranging matching pairs of verbal description and figures to finally queue up generating a scale. The clinical feasibility of this rating system is demonstrated in a surgical case. As a detail of the results the influence of the viewer’s age to the aesthetic benefit assessment is obvious. In summary the ANA-scale looks to be a tool useful in individual treatment protocols as well as analysis of different techniques of aesthetic surgery for rating of the pure aesthetic satisfaction of the patients.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, a search for penguin decays of B mesons involving b→s gluon has been performed. No evidence for the penguin mechanism was found and a number of upper limits are quoted.

A variety of widely accepted and efficient compression methods do exist for still images. To name a few, there are standardised schemes like JPEG and JPEG2000 which are well suited for photorealistic true colour and grey scale images and usually operated in lossy mode to achieve high compression ratios. These schemes are well suited for images that are processed within face recognition systems. In the case of forensic biometric systems, compression of fingerprint images has already been applied in automatic fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) applications, where the size of the digital fingerprint archives would be tremendous for uncompressed images. In these large scale applications wavelet scalar quantization has a long tradition as an effective encoding scheme. This paper gives an overview of the study BioCompress that has been conducted at Fraunhofer IGD on behalf of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI). Based on fingerprint and face image databases and different biometric algorithms we evaluated the impact of lossy compression algorithms on the recognition performance of biometric recognition systems.

A significant proportion of preschool children experiences severe emergence agitation after anaesthesia. The symptoms of disorientation, restlessness, inconsolable crying and thrashing resemble an acute psychosis similar to an agitated central anticholinergic syndrome. The primary aim of this randomized controlled study was to assess the efficiency of the cholinesterase-inhibitor physostigmine in these children and to identify adverse effects.We anaesthetized 211 children (1-5 yr) with sevoflurane after midazolam premedication for varying operative procedures. Multimodal intraoperative and prophylactic pain therapy combined alfentanil, piritramide, diclofenac and regional/local bupivacaine. A 5-step score assessed emergence agitation. Severely agitated children were treated immediately with physostigmine (30 mug kg-1) or placebo in a randomized, double-blind fashion. The primary variable was the agitation score after 5 min.Severe delirium occurred in 19% of all children. Five minutes following injection, severe agitation was still present in 10 out of 20 patients treated with physostigmine and 16/20 with placebo. This difference did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.1). Rescue therapy with intravenous propofol was given after 15 min of severe agitation to four children following physostigmine and nine following placebo (non-significant). An increased rate of postoperative nausea and vomiting (45% vs. 15%, P < 0.05) was the only adverse effect observed.Severe emergence agitation might be related to a central anticholinergic syndrome as diagnosed empirically with a successful treatment with physostigmine. However, the results of this study do not support its routine use. The substance may augment the therapeutic options if injected slowly and after suitable prophylaxis to avoid postoperative nausea and vomiting.

We have investigated gas composition during simulated inhalation induction with sevoflurane to elucidate possible mechanisms of incidental prolonged induction times and airway irritation. Using a circle system, 8% sevoflurane in oxygen 6 litre min-1 was washed into an absorbing canister filled with fresh soda lime containing 2.9% KOH (Draegersorb, 'D') or no KOH (< 0.01%, Sofnolime, 'S'). The absorbent was dried by oxygen 20,000 litre before every second experiment. Maximum soda lime temperatures attained after 4-6 min were 107 degrees C using dry D and 62 degrees C (61 degrees C) with dry S. Temperature did not increase with fresh soda lime. With dry soda lime, sevoflurane was not detected at the T-piece for 3 min and reached 6-7% within 6-10 min. After 1 min, we detected methanol and compound A (CH2F-O-C(= CF2) (CF3)). Total amounts over 20 min were: methanol 1125 mg (D dry), 334 mg (S dry) and < 5 mg (fresh soda lime); compound A 148 mg (D dry), 13 mg (S dry) and 3-8 mg (fresh); and fluoride 8.5 mg (D dry), 3.3 mg (S dry) and 1 mg (fresh). Formaldehyde was detected only with dry lime (D > 2.5 mg, S > 0.6 mg). In summary, the use of moist soda lime is of crucial importance during inhalation induction. With dry soda lime, the patient may inhale potentially toxic degradation products in significant amounts. Sevoflurane degradation is aggravated by a high KOH content of the lime. The observed airway irritation may be caused by formic acid, which is generated in isomolar concentrations with methanol (Cannizzaro reaction). The amount of compound A found with dry KOH-containing lime is unlikely to be noxious.

Analytical and numerical calculations of threshold behavior and electro-optical characteristics in twisted chiral nematic layers are presented, when weak anchoring in the tilt and twist angle of the director is assumed. An analytical expression for the effective twist angle and the Fréedericksz threshold voltage is derived. In cells with bistabilities, we investigate the influence of the anchoring parameters and device parameters on the width of the hysteresis. Using the 4×4-matrix formalism of Berreman [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 62, 502 (1972)], we demonstrate the influence of the weak anchoring on the transmission-versus-voltage characteristic.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we have observed parity violation in the decay Λ±c → Λπ±. We measure the coefficient of parity violation, αΛc, to be −0.96±0.42. In addition, we measure σ BR (Λ+c → Λπ+ and σ BR (Λ+c → Σ0π+) to be, respectively, (2.2±0.3±0.4) pb and (2.0±0.7±0.4) pb.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we have studied semileptonic charmed meson decays through ф- and K∗0-electron correlations in continuum production. Evidence for the decay D−s→фe−v has been observed, with a branching ratio relative to the channel D−s→фπ− determined to be 0.57±0.15±0.15. The decay D−→K∗0e−v was also seen, with a value of 0.55±0.08±0.10 extracted for the branching ratio relative to the channel D−→K+π−π−. The ratio of the two measurements, after application of SU(3) corrections, implies a branching ratio for D−s→фπ− of (2.4±1.0)%.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e+e− storage ring we have studied the electron and muon energy spectra in τ−→e−νν and τ−→μ−νν decays. The measured value of the Michel parameter, ρ=0.742±0.035±0.020, is in good agreement with a standard V-A coupling at the τ-ντ-W vertex. Pure V, A and V + A couplings are completely excluded by this measurement. Upper limits have been obtained for two-body tau decays, including final states with a Goldstone boson.

The reaction γγ→ϱ+ϱ−→π+π−π0π0 has been studied with the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY. Near threshold, the cross section for this reaction is about four times smaller than for the reaction γγ→ϱ0ϱ0.

Performance tests of some aspects of the CMS ECAL were carried out on modules of the "barrel" sub-system in 2002 and 2003. A brief test with high energy electron beams was made in late 2003 to validate prototypes of the new Very Front End electronics. The final versions of the monitoring and cooling systems, and of the high and low voltage regulation were used in these tests. The results are consistent with the performance targets including those for noise and overall energy resolution, required to fulfil the physics programme of CMS at the LHC.

We report on a first measurement with a sensitive opto-mechanical force sensor designed for the direct detection of coupling of real chameleons to matter. These dark energy candidates could be produced in the Sun and stream unimpeded to Earth. The KWISP detector installed on the CAST axion search experiment at CERN looks for tiny displacements of a thin membrane caused by the mechanical effect of solar chameleons. The displacements are detected by a Michelson interferometer with a homodyne readout scheme. The sensor benefits from the focusing action of the ABRIXAS X-ray telescope installed at CAST, which increases the chameleon flux on the membrane. A mechanical chopper placed between the telescope output and the detector modulates the incoming chameleon stream. We present the results of the solar chameleon measurements taken at CAST in July 2017, setting an upper bound on the force acting on the membrane of 80pN at 95% confidence level. The detector is sensitive for direct coupling to matter 104≤βm≤108, where the coupling to photons is locally bound to βγ≤1011.

We report on a new search for solar chameleons with the CERN Axion Solar Telescope (CAST). A GridPix detector was used to search for soft X-ray photons in the energy range from 200 eV to 10 keV from converted solar chameleons. No signiffcant excess over the expected background has been observed in the data taken in 2014 and 2015. We set an improved limit on the chameleon photon coupling, $\beta_\gamma < 5.7\times10^{10}$ for $1<\beta_\mathrm{m}<10^6$ at 95% C.L. improving our previous results by a factor two and for the first time reaching sensitivity below the solar luminosity bound for tachocline magnetic fields up to $12.5\,\mathrm{T}$.

We investigate the prospects for the direct detection of dark matter (DM) particles, incident on the upper atmosphere. A recent work relating the burst-like temperature excursions in the stratosphere at heights of ≈38–47 km with low speed incident invisible streaming matter is the motivation behind this proposal. As an example, dark photons could match the reasoning presented in that work provided they constitute part of the local DM density. Dark photons emerge as a U(1) symmetry within extensions of the standard model. Dark photons mix with real photons with the same total energy without the need for an external field, as would be required, for instance, for axions. Furthermore, the ionospheric plasma column above the stratosphere can resonantly enhance the dark photon-to-photon conversion. Noticeably, the stratosphere is easily accessible with balloon flights. Balloon missions with up to a few tons of payload can be readily assembled to operate for months at such atmospheric heights. This proposal is not limited to streaming dark photons, as other DM constituents could be involved in the observed seasonal heating of the upper stratosphere. Therefore, we advocate a combination of different types of measurements within a multi-purpose parallel detector system, in order to increase the direct detection potential for invisible streaming constituents that affect, annually and around January, the upper stratosphere.

Abstract The Scattering and Neutrino Detector at the LHC (SND@LHC) started taking data at the beginning of Run 3 of the LHC. The experiment is designed to perform measurements with neutrinos produced in proton-proton collisions at the LHC in an energy range between 100 GeV and 1 TeV. It covers a previously unexplored pseudo-rapidity range of $$7.2&lt;\eta &lt;8.4$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>7.2</mml:mn> <mml:mo>&lt;</mml:mo> <mml:mi>η</mml:mi> <mml:mo>&lt;</mml:mo> <mml:mn>8.4</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> . The detector is located 480 m downstream of the ATLAS interaction point in the TI18 tunnel. It comprises a veto system, a target consisting of tungsten plates interleaved with nuclear emulsion and scintillating fiber (SciFi) trackers, followed by a muon detector (UpStream, US and DownStream, DS). In this article we report the measurement of the muon flux in three subdetectors: the emulsion, the SciFi trackers and the DownStream Muon detector. The muon flux per integrated luminosity through an 18 $$\times $$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> </mml:math> 18 cm $$^{2}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow /> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:math> area in the emulsion is: $$\begin{aligned} 1.5 \pm 0.1(\text {stat}) \times 10^4\,\text {fb/cm}^{2}. \end{aligned}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mtable> <mml:mtr> <mml:mtd> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>1.5</mml:mn> <mml:mo>±</mml:mo> <mml:mn>0.1</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>(</mml:mo> <mml:mtext>stat</mml:mtext> <mml:mo>)</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> <mml:mn>4</mml:mn> </mml:msup> <mml:mspace /> <mml:msup> <mml:mtext>fb/cm</mml:mtext> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> <mml:mo>.</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> </mml:mtd> </mml:mtr> </mml:mtable> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> The muon flux per integrated luminosity through a 31 $$\times $$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> </mml:math> 31 cm $$^{2}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow /> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:math> area in the centre of the SciFi is: $$\begin{aligned} 2.06\pm 0.01(\text {stat})\pm 0.12(\text {sys}) \times 10^{4} \text {fb/cm}^{2} \end{aligned}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mtable> <mml:mtr> <mml:mtd> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>2.06</mml:mn> <mml:mo>±</mml:mo> <mml:mn>0.01</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>(</mml:mo> <mml:mtext>stat</mml:mtext> <mml:mo>)</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>±</mml:mo> <mml:mn>0.12</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>(</mml:mo> <mml:mtext>sys</mml:mtext> <mml:mo>)</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> <mml:mn>4</mml:mn> </mml:msup> <mml:msup> <mml:mtext>fb/cm</mml:mtext> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> </mml:mtd> </mml:mtr> </mml:mtable> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> The muon flux per integrated luminosity through a 52 $$\times $$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> </mml:math> 52 cm $$^{2}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow /> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:math> area in the centre of the downstream muon system is: $$\begin{aligned} 2.35\pm 0.01(\text {stat})\pm 0.10(\text {sys}) \times 10^{4}\,\text {fb/cm}^{2} \end{aligned}$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mtable> <mml:mtr> <mml:mtd> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>2.35</mml:mn> <mml:mo>±</mml:mo> <mml:mn>0.01</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>(</mml:mo> <mml:mtext>stat</mml:mtext> <mml:mo>)</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>±</mml:mo> <mml:mn>0.10</mml:mn> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>(</mml:mo> <mml:mtext>sys</mml:mtext> <mml:mo>)</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> <mml:msup> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> <mml:mn>4</mml:mn> </mml:msup> <mml:mspace /> <mml:msup> <mml:mtext>fb/cm</mml:mtext> <mml:mn>2</mml:mn> </mml:msup> </mml:mrow> </mml:mtd> </mml:mtr> </mml:mtable> </mml:mrow> </mml:math> The total relative uncertainty of the measurements by the electronic detectors is 6 $$\%$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>%</mml:mo> </mml:math> for the SciFi and 4 $$\%$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>%</mml:mo> </mml:math> for the DS measurement. The Monte Carlo simulation prediction of these fluxes is 20–25 $$\%$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mo>%</mml:mo> </mml:math> lower than the measured values.

Gender und gesellschaftlicher Wandel Gerechte Sprache? Frauenquote? Ampelweibchen? Fluide Geschlechtsidentitäten? Was genau sind Gender Studies und was haben sie mit Feminismus zu tun? Jeweils ausgehend von einem aktuellen Ereignis wird anschaulich in die Grundlagen der Gender Studies eingeführt. Dabei wird deutlich, dass Diskussionen über das Thema ‚Gender‘ seit jeher das gesellschaftliche und kulturelle Selbstverständnis des Menschen prägen. Die Verhältnisse der Geschlechter sowie ihre theoretische und praktische Neuverhandlung sind dabei sowohl Spiegel wie Antrieb gesellschaftlichen Wandels.

We report a measurement of the production of antideuterons d in e+e− annihilation at centre-of-mass energies around 10 GeV using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring. We observe an enhancement of d production in direct hadronic ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) resonance decays. From 21 events width a d candidate the inclusive cross section 1σdirhad · dσdp and the production rate of antideuterons are determined. A production rate of (6.0±2.0±0.6) × 10-5d per direct hadronic ϒ decay and a 90% CL upper limit of 1.7 × 10−5d per e+e−→qq continuum event are obtained. These results are related to antiproton production through a simple model.

Direct observations of the semileptonic decay of Λc+ in the decay channels Λc+→Λe+X and Λc+→Λμ+X have been made using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e+e− storage ring. The cross section times branching ratio were found to be σ(e+e−→Λc+X)·BR(Λc+→Λe+X)=4.20±1.28±0.71 pb and σ(e+e−→Λc+X)·BR(Λc+→Λμ+X)=3.91±2.02±0.90 pb.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e+e− storage ring at DESY, we have obtained evidence for a new charmed-strange meson which decays into D*+K0. Its mass is observed to be 2535.9±0.6±2.0 MeV/c2 and its width to be less than 4.6 MeV/c2 at the 90% confidence level. No structure is observed at this mass in the D+K0 invariant mass spectrum, which suggests that an unnatural spin-parity is preferred.

New measurements of the $\eta$ and $K^0$ masses have been performed using decays to 3$\pi^0$ with the NA48 detector at the CERN SPS. Using symmetric decays to reduce systematic effects, the results $M(\eta) = 547.843\pm0.051$ MeV/c$^2$ and $M(K^0) = 497.625\pm0.031$ MeV/c$^2$ were obtained.

Ensuring the radiation hardness of PbWO4 crystals was one of the main priorities during the construction of the electromagnetic calorimeter of the CMS experiment at CERN. The production on an industrial scale of radiation hard crystals and their certification over a period of several years represented a difficult challenge both for CMS and for the crystal suppliers. The present article reviews the related scientific and technological problems encountered.

The effects of space charge due to slowly drifting ions can be relevant for detectors operated at high intensity, or for relatively low values of the bias voltage. Accurate measurements have been obtained with the liquid krypton calorimeter of the NA48 experiment, from data collected in 1997. The build-up of space charge takes place during the first part of the beam extraction burst, and causes a dependence of the response on the transverse coordinate of the axis of electromagnetic showers, and a small reduction of average amplitude. The effects are well reproduced by a computation, where the only free parameter is the value of the ion mobility. The model can be applied a wide range of operating conditions, and generalized to detectors with different geometry and active medium.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY we have studied the decay B− → D∗0ℓ−λ, where ℓ− = e− or μ−, using the D0γ and D0π0 decay modes of the D∗0 meson. B mesons were produced in 209 000 decays of γ(4S). Assuming electron-muon universality, we obtain a value for the branching ratio of BR(B− → D∗0ℓ−λ)= (5.8 ± 1.4 ± 1.3)%.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e- storage ring DORIS II the ratio of semileptonic branching ratios of B+ and B0 mesons has been determined by comparing the yields of D0,D-, andD*(2010)- mesons in semileptonic B decays. We derive the lifetime ratio τ(B+)τ(B0)=1.00∓0.23±0.14.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we have observed production of the charmed-strange baryon Ξc+ and its neutral isospin partner, the Ξc0. The Ξc+ was reconstructed in the final state Ξ−π+π+, while the Ξc0 was seen in decay to Ξ−π+ and Ξ−π+π+π−. The average Ξc fragmentation spectrum has been determined, as well as the production cross section times branching ratio for each decay mode. The charged and neutral masses were measured to be 2465.1 ± 3.6 ± 1.9 MeV/c2 and 2472.1 ± 2.7 ± 1.6 MeV/c2 respectively, corresponding to a mass-splitting, M(Ξc+) − M(Ξc0), of −7.0±4.5±2.2 MeV/c2.

Laser skin resurfacing of the face by CO2-laser ablation is causing superficial wounds that need rapid recovery to reduce the risk of infection, the risk of chronification and as a result the risk of unaesthetic scars. The question being addressed by this study is to demonstrate benefit of betulin emulsion skin care after CO2-laser wounds. The outcome of this aesthetic comparison between betulin emulsion, moist wound dressing and gauze covering in promoting the recovery process in laser skin ablation is to demonstrate improved aesthetic benefit for the patient.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II, we have determined the Michel parameters ϱ and ξ of τ → μνν and τ → eνν decays. From a data sample with 333 events/pb around s = 10 GeV, we select 3230 events e+e− → τ+τ− → (μ±μμ)(eǂvv) and determine ϱ from the e and μ momentum spectra and ξ from the correlations between e and μ momenta. For ϱ we obtain ϱτ→e = 0.79 ± 0.08 ± 0.06 and ϱτ→μ = 0.76 ± 0.08 in accordance with the V - A structure of the decays. The momentum correlations are only sensitive to the product ξτ→eξτ→μ. Setting ξτ→e = ξτ→μ, we obtain |ξτ| = 0.90 ± 0.15 ± 0.10 also in accordance with V - A. The updated decay fractions are B(τ → evv) = (17.5 ± 0.3 ± 0.5)% and B(τ → μvv) = (17.4 ± 0.3 ± 0.5)%.

Low flow and closed system anaesthesia have considerable advantages in economy, limited atmospheric pollution, and maintenance of humidification and temperature. To benefit from these techniques leakage from the breathing system should be as low as possible. The sealing of the airway is crucial to ensure this. Therefore, we have investigated in 30 children, aged 2-6 yr, the effectiveness of the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) and the uncuffed tracheal tube (TT) for closed system paediatric anaesthesia, during positive pressure ventilation, in a prospective, randomized study. Ventilation was adequate in all cases with both devices. Loss of gas from the breathing system was less than 100 ml min-1 in 13 (87%) patients in the LMA and in 12 (80%) patients in the TT group, with a maximum of approximately 700 ml min-1 in the TT and approximately 350 ml min-1 in the LMA group. We conclude that the airway sealing with both devices was tight enough to perform low flow or closed system anaesthesia in paediatric patients aged 2-6 yr.

A spin-parity analysis of the ϱ+ϱ− system in the reaction γγ→ϱ+ϱ−→Π+Π−Π0Π0 has been performed using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY. The cross section is found to be dominated by the amplitudes JP = 0+ and JP = 2+ (Jz = 2).

Using the detector ARGUS at the storage ring DORIS II of DESY, we have found evidence for the production of the charmed and doubly strange baryon Ωc through its decay channel Ξ−K−π+π+. Its mass has been determined to be ((2719.0±7.0±2.5)MeV/c2, and the product of production cross section and branching ratio the above channel to be (2.41±0.90±0.30) pb.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II e+e- storage ring at DESY, we have observed a new charmed meson of mass (2469±4±6) MeV/c2, decaying to D0π+. This state is a strong candidate for the charged isospin partner of the D∗(2459)0 . The isospin mass splitting is measured to be (14±5±8) MeV/c2.

We present an automatic face recognition approach, which relies on the analysis of the three-dimensional facial surface. The proposed approach consists of two basic steps, namely a precise fully automatic normalization stage followed by a histogram-based feature extraction algorithm. During normalization the tip and the root of the nose are detected and the symmetry axis of the face is determined using a PCA analysis and curvature calculations. Subsequently, the face is realigned in a coordinate system derived from the nose tip and the symmetry axis, resulting in a normalized 3D model. The actual region of the face to be analyzed is determined using a simple statistical method. This area is split into disjoint horizontal subareas and the distribution of depth values in each subarea is exploited to characterize the face surface of an individual. Our analysis of the depth value distribution is based on a straightforward histogram analysis of each subarea. When comparing the feature vectors resulting from the histogram analysis we apply three different similarity metrics. The proposed algorithm has been tested with the FRGC v2 database, which consists of 4950 range images. Our results indicate that the city block metric provides the best classification results with our feature vectors. The recognition system achieved an equal error rate of 5.89% with correctly normalized face models.

The performance of electromagnetic calorimeter modules made of proton-irradiated PbWO4 crystals has been studied in beam tests. The modules, similar to those used in the Endcaps of the CMS electromagnetic calorimeter (ECAL), were formed from 5×5 matrices of PbWO4 crystals, which had previously been exposed to 24 GeV protons up to integrated fluences between 2.1× 1013 and 1.3× 1014 cm−2. These correspond to the predicted charged-hadron fluences in the ECAL Endcaps at pseudorapidity η = 2.6 after about 500 fb−1 and 3000 fb−1 respectively, corresponding to the end of the LHC and High Luminosity LHC operation periods. The irradiated crystals have a lower light transmission for wavelengths corresponding to the scintillation light, and a correspondingly reduced light output. A comparison with four crystals irradiated in situ in CMS showed no significant rate dependence of hadron-induced damage. A degradation of the energy resolution and a non-linear response to electron showers are observed in damaged crystals. Direct measurements of the light output from the crystals show the amplitude decreasing and pulse becoming faster as the fluence increases. The latter is interpreted, through comparison with simulation, as a side-effect of the degradation in light transmission. The experimental results obtained can be used to estimate the long term performance of the CMS ECAL.

This article describes the high-speed system designed to meet the challenging requirements for the readout of the new pixel VErtex LOcator (VELO) of the upgraded LHCb experiment. All elements of the electronics readout chain will be renewed to cope with the requirement of ~40-MHz full-event readout rate. The pixel sensors will be equipped with VeloPix ASICs and placed at ~5 mm from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) beams in a secondary vacuum tank in an extremely high and nonhomogeneous radiation environment. The front-end (FE) ASICs with the highest occupancy will have to cope with pixel-hit rates above ~900 Mhits/s using up to four 5.13-Gb/s data readout links. Each module comprises six VeloPix ASICs, wire-bonded to two FE hybrid boards, while a third hybrid will employ a GBTx ASIC as the control interface. High-speed data will reach the wall of the vacuum chamber through low-mass flexible copper tapes. A custom board routes the signals outside the vacuum tank. On the air side, an optical and power board converts the electrical high-speed signals into optical signals for transmission from the underground cavern to the off-detector electronics that process data and send them to a farm of computers for further analysis. Several tests allowing the validation of the system are described here with special emphasis on a test with proton beams that confirms the correct operation of the whole readout hardware.

Introduction: Several olfactory receptors (ORs) are expressed in human skin, where they regulate skin pigmentation, barrier function, wound healing, and hair growth. Previously, we found that the selective activation of OR family 2 subfamily AT member 4 (OR2AT4) by the synthetic, sandalwood-like odorant Sandalore® differentially stimulates the expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in human scalp hair follicle epithelium ex vivo. As OR2AT4 is also expressed by epidermal keratinocytes, we hypothesized that it may modulate intraepidermal AMP synthesis, thereby contributing to skin microbiome management. Methods: We investigated this hypothesis in organ-cultured human skin in the presence of Sandalore® and antibiotics and evaluated epidermal production of two AMPs, LL37 (cathelicidin) and dermcidin (DCD), as well as OR2AT4, by quantitative immunohistomorphometry. Moreover, we quantified DCD secretion into the culture medium by ELISA and studied the effect of culture medium on selected bacterial and fungal strains. Results: Topical application of Sandalore®to organ-cultured human skin increased OR2AT4 protein expression, the number of DCD-positive intraepidermal cells, and DCD secretion into culture media, without significantly affecting epidermal LL37 expression. In line with the significantly increased secretion of DCD into the culture medium, we demonstrated, in a spectrophotometric assay, that application of conditioned media from Sandalore®-treated skin promotes Staphylococcus epidermidis, Malassezia restricta, and, minimally, Cutibacterium acnes and inhibits Staphylococcus aureus growth. Conclusion: In addition to demonstrating for the first time that DCD can be expressed by epidermal keratinocytes, our pilot study suggests that topical treatment of human skin with a cosmetic odorant (Sandalore®) has the potential to alter the composition of the human skin microbiome through the selective upregulation of DCD. If confirmed, Sandalore® could become an attractive adjuvant, nondrug treatment for dermatoses characterized by dysbiosis due to overgrowth of S. aureus and Malassezia, such as atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis.

The mechanotransduction of light-touch sensory stimuli is considered to be the main physiological function of epidermal Merkel cells (MCs). Recently, however, MCs have been demonstrated to be also thermo-sensitive, suggesting that their role in skin physiologically extends well beyond mechanosensation. Here, we demonstrate that in healthy human skin epidermal MCs express functional olfactory receptors, namely OR2AT4, just like neighbouring keratinocytes. Selective stimulation of OR2AT4 by topical application of the synthetic odorant, Sandalore®, significantly increased Piccolo protein expression in MCs, as assessed by quantitative immunohistomorphometry, indicating increased vesicle trafficking and recycling, and significantly reduced nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoreactivity within MCs, possibly indicating increased neurotrophin release upon OR2AT4 activation. Live-cell imaging showed that Sandalore® rapidly induces a loss of FFN206-dependent fluorescence in MCs, suggesting OR2AT4-dependent MC depolarization and subsequent vesicle secretion. Yet, in contrast to keratinocytes, OR2AT4 stimulation by Sandalore® altered neither the number nor the proliferation status of MCs. These preliminary ex vivo findings demonstrate that epidermal MCs also exert OR-dependent chemosensory functions in human skin, and invite one to explore whether these newly identified properties are dysregulated in selected skin disorders, for example, in pruritic dermatoses, and if these novel MC functions can be therapeutically targeted to maintain/promote skin health.

An analysis of the decay τ− → π−π−π+π0ντ has been performed with the ARGUS detector at the DORIS II storage ring. From a study of the two pion subsystems we have found first evidence for the decays τ− → ϱ0π−π0ντ, τ− → ϱ −π+π−ντ, and τ− → ϱ+π−π−ντ with relative contributions to the decay τ− → π−π−π+π0ντ of 0.30 ± 0.04, 0.26 ± 0.05, and 0.10 ± 0.03, respectively. The fraction of the subchannel τ− → ωπ−ντ has been determined to be 0.33 ± 0.05. The production of ϱ mesons is enhanced by a factor of 1.9 ± 0.3 over that of ω mesons. We conclude that in more than 81% (95% CL) of all τ− → π−π−π+π0ντ decays either a ϱ or ω meson is produced.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e− storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we have obtained the first evidence for B meson decays into χc mesons. The inclusive branching ratio for the decay B → χc X was measured to the (1.05±0.35±0.25)% assuming no χc2 production. In addition, four candidates for the exclusive decay B± → χc1K± have been observed, corresponding to a branching ratio of (0.19 ± 0.13 ± 0.06)%.

Intellectual property rights (IPR) management is an important issue for everybody dealing with digital distribution of data. Especially the protection of music scores is essential for publishers who want to distribute their music sheets via the Internet. Scanned music scores are a media type publishers are interested in. Classical raster-oriented watermarking schemes cannot be applied directly for music scores because most of them embed a watermark in the frequency domain. The reason for this is the fact that watermarks for music scores must be robust against greyscale to binary conversion. We present an extension of a binary watermarking technique which creates a high capacity information channel for embedding data while limiting the degradation of the watermarked music scores. Thus, watermarked music scores are still valuable for musicians and publishers. Limiting the degradation is done by using only certain symbols (horizontal line segments)for embedding the watermark.

Producing youthful facial appearance by face-lifting often comes along with an undesired loss of patient's individual phenotype. This may result from insufficient preservation of retaining ligaments, the "guardians of facial identify," and from severance of the intersegmental connections of the superficial musculo-aponeurotic system (SMAS), which tether, structure, and compartmentalize facial soft tissue into defined, relevant anatomical zones.The technique reported here preserves most retaining ligaments. They serve to fix the facial soft tissue mass in loco. With the possible exception of the zygomatic-cutaneous ligament, they are only carefully distended. The SMAS intersegmental connections and the zygomatic SMAS border are preserved to retain effective points of facial tissue fixture. Aging-associated thinning and lengthening of the lower eyelid are reduced by midfacial-submalar preparation (Aston 1996). Subplatysmal preparation and disconnection of the cranial-platysmal border permits optimal modeling of neck structure.The combination of preservation of retaining ligaments and SMAS tethering ("PRESTO facelift") introduced here as a novel face-lifting technique conserves the individual esthetics of the patient by approaching her/his individual phenotype from decades ago. In addition, undesired outcomes of facelift surgery and common risks of facelift surgery are circumvented.The PRESTO facelift technique generates optimal esthetic results that conserve a patient's personal facial identity, besides restoring a more youthful appearance and being rapid and safe.

Using the ARGUS detector at the DORIS-II storage ring at DESY, we have measured the inclusive semileptonic branching ratio of charmed hadrons produced in e+e− annihilition at =10 GeV to be BR(c→eveX)=(9.8±0.9±0.5 0.6)% and BR(c→μvμX)=(8.6±1.7±0.70.8)%.

Objective To determine the plasma elimination of methohexitone in patients with critically elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) who received the drug in high doses for several days. Design Drug-monitoring study. Setting Intensive care unit at a university hospital. Patients Twelve intensive care unit patients with brain injuries who received methohexitone as a final therapeutic approach after routine therapy had proved to be insufficient in controlling critically elevated ICP. Measurements and Main Results Plasma samples were taken during methohexitone infusion, before cessation, and in distinct, short increments after discontinuation of the infusion. Methohexitone was determined in plasma by reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography and photometric detection. The median duration of infusion of methohexitone was 137 hrs (minimum, 27 hrs; maximum, 445 hrs), with a median infusion rate of 62.5 [micro sign]g/kg/min (minimum, 22.5 [micro sign]g/kg/min; maximum, 116.2 [micro sign]g/kg/min). Plasma concentrations of methohexitone at burst suppression under concomitant analgesic sedation ranged from 1.6 to 17.3 [micro sign]g/mL (median, 4.7 [micro sign]g/mL). After cessation of methohexitone infusion, the decline of plasma concentrations followed a biexponential function. Clearance rates, volume of distribution at steady state, context-sensitive half-time, and initial and terminal elimination half-times were calculated. Pharmacokinetic data showed remarkable interindividual variability that could not be correlated to the infusion rate, to the duration of the infusion, or to obvious differences in physiology or the disease states of these patients. Even in patients with high plasma concentrations who received the drug for a considerable length of time, the initial decline in plasma concentration was exponential, indicating redistribution. Conclusions We conclude that the elimination kinetics of methohexitone after long-term, high-dose infusion in critically ill patients with brain injuries may favor the use of methohexitone over thiopentone for controlling critically elevated ICP by allowing for a more timely neurologic examination after cessation. (Crit Care Med 1999; 27:1570-1576)

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e- storage ring DORIS II at DESY, we have observed the decay Ds+ → η'π+ in two decay modes of the η'. We measure the ratio of branching ratios BR(Ds+ → η'π+)/BR(Ds+ → Øπ+) to be 2.5±0.5±0.3.

A measurement of the KS lifetime is presented using data recorded by the NA48 experiment at the CERN-SPS during 1998 and 1999. The KS lifetime is derived from the ratio of decay time distributions in simultaneous, collinear KS and KL beams, giving a result which is approximately independent of the detector acceptance and with reduced systematic errors. The result obtained is τS=(0.89598±0.00048±0.00051)×10−10 s, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.

Using the ARGUS detector at the e+e- storage ring using DORIS II at DESY, we have observed a new decay channel for the excited charm-strange meson Ds1(2536)+→D∗OK+. The production cross section for the Ds1(2536)+ decaying via this channel is measured to be σ (Ds1(2536)+)·BR(Dsl(2536)+→D∗0K+)= 18±4±3 pb at ECM = 10.4 GeV. The mass of the Ds1(2536)+ is found to be 2535.2 ± 0.5±1.5 MeV/c2 in agreement with the value obtained from an analysis of the Ds1(2536)+→D∗+K0s decay channel. The natural width is determined to be less than 3.9 MeV/c2 at 90%CL.

Using the detector ARGUS at thee + e − storage ring DORIS II, we have investigated inclusive momentum spectra of charged pions, kaons, and protons from decays of the υ(4S) meson. The kaon spectra have been measured in two independent ways, by coherently exploiting the detector's particle identification capabilities, and by detecting decays in-flight. The extracted mean multiplicities for charged hadrons are 7.17±0.05±0.14 pions, 1.56±0.03±0.05 kaons and 0.110±0.010±0.007 protons per υ(4S) decay, where pions and protons fromK and Δ decays have been subtracted.

The decay rate of the neutral K meson KL→e+e−γ has been measured with the NA48 detector at the CERN SPS. A total of 6864 events has been observed with an estimated background of 10 events. The branching ratio is Γ(KL→e+e−γ)/Γ(KL→all) = (1.06±0.02stat±0.02sys±0.04calc)×10−5. The parameter αK∗ describing the relative strength of the two contributing amplitudes to this decay through intermediate pseudoscalar or vector mesons was measured to be αK∗=−0.36±0.06stat±0.02sys.

&lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Background:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; The risk of microbial contamination of cellular products can be reduced when cultured in the presence of antibiotics. This however, may impact the sensitivity of microbiological tests. Given that the addition of antibiotics to cell/tissue products does not guarantee sterility but may just reduce the proliferation rate of microorganisms, microbiological testing of medicinal products remains obligatory. Thus, an appropriate method to test for microbial contamination of antibiotic-containing products has to be validated. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Objectives:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; In the context of microbiological testing of a cellular advance therapy medicinal product, the method was validated and approved by German competent authorities for four different matrices with three matrices containing antibiotics. The paper shall provide help for establishing test methods for other investigational medicinal products which contain antibiotics. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Methods:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Matrices were spiked individually with &lt;i&gt;Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pyogenes, Escherichia coli, Clostridium sporogenes, Propionibacterium acnes, Candida albicans,&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Aspergillus brasiliensis&lt;/i&gt;. Samples were pretreated with penicillinase for 1 h before inoculation and incubation in BacT/ALERT iFA Plus and iFN Plus culture bottles using 3D BacT/ALERT automates. Microorganisms within positive BacT/ALERT bottles were specified. The procedure was performed in two different laboratories to prove robustness of test. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Results:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; All nine tested microorganisms were detected within 14 days of incubation in accordance with requirements of the European Pharmacopoiea in terms of sensitivity, specificity and robustness of the test. Penicillin and streptomycin did not have any influence on specifications defined within the investigational medicinal product dossier. &lt;b&gt;&lt;i&gt;Conclusions:&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/b&gt; Culturing cellular products in the presence of antibiotics can serve as an effective method to reduce contamination risk but only if the chosen antibiotics neither have any influence on specifications of the investigational medicinal product nor interfere with microbiological tests. Consequently, cells and tissues primarily contaminated with microorganisms, like placenta, may be considered as a source of cellular therapeutics when cultured for a sufficient time with antibiotics and tested with a validated method. The choice of microorganisms for the validation of the microbiological test should always consider all conceivable scenarios and should not be reduced to minimal criteria defined in European Pharmacopoiea, wrongfully believing to thus save time and effort.

Human multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) are currently developed as cell therapeutics for different applications, including regenerative medicine, immune modulation, and cancer treatment. The biological properties of hMSCs can be further modulated by genetic engineering. Viral vectors based on human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV-5) belong to the most frequently used vector types for genetic modification of human cells in vitro and in vivo. However, due to a lack of the primary attachment receptor coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) in hMSCs, HAdV-5 vectors are currently not suitable for transduction of this cell type without capsid modification. Here we present several transduction enhancers that strongly enhance HAdV-5-mediated gene transfer into both bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived hMSCs. Polybrene, poly-l-lysine, human lactoferrin, human blood coagulation factor X, spermine, and spermidine enabled high eGFP expression levels in hMSCs. Importantly, hMSCs treated with enhancers were not affected in their migration behavior, which is a key requisite for many therapeutic applications. Exemplary, strongly increased expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-stimulated gene 6 (TSG-6) (a secreted model therapeutic protein) was achieved by enhancer-facilitated HAdV-5 transduction. Thus, enhancer-mediated HAdV-5 vector transduction is a valuable method for the engineering of hMSCs, which can be further exploited for the development of innovative hMSC therapeutics.