Inclusive top pair production at Tevatron and LHC in electron/muon final states

Recent measurements of the inclusive top pair production at the Tevatron and LHC collider in the electron/muon final states are discussed. Measurements at the Tevatron use up to 9.7 /fb of data, and at the LHC up to 4.9 /fb of data at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV and up to 20.3 /fb of data at $\sqrt{s}=8$ TeV. For the experiments at both colliders these corresponds to the full data sets at the given center-of-mass energies. Overall results are in agreement between the experiments at the Tevatron and between the experiments at the LHC. All measurements are in agreement with recent theory calculations at NNLO QCD. Individual LHC measurements are challenging the precision of the theory calculations.Comment: Proceedings for the 6th International Workshop on Top Quark Physics. 14-19 September 2013, Durbach, German

Measurement of the D* Meson Cross Section and Extraction of the Charm Contribution, F2c(x,Q2), to the Proton Structure in Deep Inelastic ep Scattering with the H1 Detector at HERA

Die Produktion von D*-Mesonen in tiefunelastischer Streuung bei HERA wurde mit Daten untersucht, die mit dem H1-Detektor in den Jahren 2004-2007 aufgezeichnet wurden. Diese Daten entsprechen einer integrierten Luminosität von 347 pb-1, welches eine Steigerung der verfügbaren Statistik um den Faktor acht, verglichen mit der vorherigen H1-Publikation, darstellt. Der sichtbare Bereich dieser Messung deckt Photonvirtualitäten von 5 1,5 GeV in einem Pseudorapiditätsbereich von |eta(D*)| < 1,5 gemessen. Einfach- und doppeltdifferentielle Verteilungen werden mit perturbativen QCD Vorhersagen in führender und nächstführender Ordnung verglichen. Der systematische Fehler der Messung ist entscheidet verringert worden. Der Beitrag von charm-Quarks zur Protonstruktur, F2c(x,Q2), wird in zwei verschiedenen QCD Evolutionsschemata aus den gemessenen D*-Meson Wirkungsquerschnitten bestimmt und mit pQCD Vorhersagen in nächst-führender Ordnung verglichen. Dabei wird eine, verglichen mit der letzten H1-Publikation, 18fach höhere Statistik genutzt. Die vorliegende Arbeit umfaßt ebenfalls ein erfolgreich beendetes Hardwareprojekt: Die Inbetriebnahme und Optimierung der dritten Stufe des schnellen Spurtriggers (FTT) bei H1, die Anfang 2006 erfolgreich abgeschlossen wurde. Der FTT ist in die ersten drei Stufen des zentralen H1-Triggersystems integriert und stellt eine verbesserte Selektivität für die Identifizierung von Ereignissen mit geladenen Teilchen zur Verfügung. Die dritte Stufe des FTT führt innerhalb von 100 Mikrosekunden eine spurbasierte Ereignisrekonstruktion aus und ist als Computerfarm, bestehend aus PowerPC Karten, realisiert. Außerdem wurde die FTT Simulation in die Simulation des H1-Triggersystems integriert

Left Atrial Chamber and Appendage Function After Internal Atrial Defibrillation: A Prospective and Serial Transesophageal Echocardiographic Study

AbstractObjectives. The purpose of this prospective study was to assess left atrial chamber and appendage function after internal atrial defibrillation of atrial fibrillation and to evaluate the time course of recovery.Background. External cardioversion of atrial fibrillation may result in left atrial appendage dysfunction (“stunning”) and may promote thrombus formation. In contrast to external cardioversion, internal atrial defibrillation utilizes lower energies; however, it is unknown whether the use of lower energies may avoid stunning of the left atrial appendage.Methods. Transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in 20 patients 24 h before and 1 and 7 days after internal atrial defibrillation to assess both left atrial chamber and appendage function. Transthoracic echocardiography was again performed 28 days after internal atrial defibrillation to assess left atrial function. The incidence and degree of spontaneous echo contrast accumulation (range 1+ to 4+) was noted, and peak emptying velocities of the left atrial appendage were measured before and after internal atrial defibrillation. To determine left atrial mechanical function, peak A wave velocities were obtained from transmitral flow velocity profiles.Results. Sinus rhythm was restored in all patients. The mean ± SD peak A wave velocities increased gradually after cardioversion, from 0.47 ± 0.16 m/s at 24 h to 0.61 ± 0.13 m/s after 7 days (p < 0.05) and 0.63 ± 0.13 m/s after 4 weeks. Peak emptying velocities of the left atrial appendage were 0.37 ± 0.16 m/s before internal atrial defibrillation, decreased significantly after internal atrial defibrillation to 0.23 ± 0.1 m/s at 24 h (p < 0.01) and then recovered to 0.49 ± 0.23 m/s (p < 0.01) after 7 days. The corresponding values for the degree of spontaneous echo contrast were 1.2 ± 1.2 before internal atrial defibrillation versus 2.0 ± 1.0 (p < 0.01) and 1.1 ± 1.3 (p < 0.01) 1 and 7 days after cardioversion, respectively. One patient developed a new thrombus in the left atrial appendage, and another had a thromboembolic event after internal atrial defibrillation.Conclusions. Internal atrial defibrillation causes depressed left atrial chamber and appendage function and may result in the subacute accumulation of spontaneous echo contrast and development of new thrombi after cardioversion. These findings have important clinical implications for anticoagulation therapy before and after low energy internal atrial defibrillation in patients with atrial fibrillation.(J Am Coll Cardiol 1997;29:131–8)

Making Green Real – How to Promote Greenery in Real Estate Development

Climate change and rising temperatures particularly affect the built environment and intensify the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect in cities. Nature-based solutions can have a balancing function and reduce overheating. However, greenery still receives too little attention in architecture and is added as an additional element at the end of the planning phase or even after the building has been constructed. For a climate resilient urban development in the future, in addition to a change in processes, a change in real estate development and in the project management is necessary. At least, three preconditions must be met for this to happen: • Sound knowledge base: Many studies already exist proving the positive effects of nature-based solutions for densely built cities. However, the knowledge transfer to real estate companies is still insufficient as they require precise and site-specific information showing effectiveness of greenery on microclimate, building envelope and indoor temperature. At best, analyses apply a system view and consider interrelations with water and energy. • Greenery-friendly planning framework: Real estate development takes place in compliance with local planning standards and procedures. Planning strategies and regulations, standards, urban development contracts and funding programmes strongly influence urban design and development and hereby have great potential to promote greening. • Integrated mindset: In architecture and real estate development, it is still not standard to include greenery and nature-based solutions in design, planning and construction. Building optimization also includes greening. Thus, it needs an integrated mindset regarding greenery as natural part of architecture. This requires more awareness and knowledge about climate change and the benefits of nature-based solutions on quality of life and value of real estates in the long run. The paper summarizes the experience of an interdisciplinary cooperation in the research project GreenDeal4Real and addresses all three aspects in detail. Analyses of the planning framework in Vienna and impacts of greening measures on the microclimate are described and general conclusions for more green in real estate development are drawn

Switch in KRAS mutational status during an unusual course of disease in a patient with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma: implications for translational research

Background: Despite the introduction of novel effective treatment regimens like gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel and FOLFIRINOX, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the most aggressive epithelial tumors. Among the genetic alterations frequently found in PDAC, mutations in the KRAS gene might play a prognostic role regarding overall survival and may also have the potential to predict the efficacy of anti-EGFR treatment. Case presentation: We report the clinical case of a 69 year old Caucasian female that was diagnosed with histologically confirmed locally advanced PDAC with lymph node involvement in August 2010. At the time of first diagnosis, tumor tissue obtained from an open regional lymph node biopsy showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a wild type sequence within exon 2 (codon 12/13) of the KRAS gene. The patient initially received single-agent gemcitabine and a subsequent 5-FU-based chemoradiotherapy with a sequential maintenance chemotherapy with oral capecitabine resulting in a long term disease control. Local disease progression occurred in May 2014 and the patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy in September 2014. A novel KRAS gene mutation (c. 35G > T, p. G12 V) in exon 2 (codon 12) was detected within the surgical specimen. As of January 2016 the patient is still alive and without evidence of the underlying disease. Conclusions: Specifically in the context of clinical trials and translational research in PDAC a re-assessment of molecular biomarkers, i.e. KRAS, at defined time points (e.g. relapse, disease progression, unusual clinical course) may be indicated in order to detect a potential switch in biomarker status during the course of disease

A Retrospective Analysis of Biliary Tract Cancer Patients Presented to the Molecular Tumor Board at the Comprehensive Cancer Center Munich

Background and objective!#!With the rising importance of precision oncology in biliary tract cancer (BTC), the aim of this retrospective single-center analysis was to describe the clinical and molecular characteristics of patients with BTC who underwent comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) and were discussed in the CCCMunich!##!Patients and methods!#!In this single-center observational study, we included BTC patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA), extrahepatic CCA (eCCA), and gallbladder cancer (GB), who had been discussed in the institutional MTB from May 29, 2017, to July 25, 2022. Patients were followed up until 31 January 2023. Data were retrospectively collected by review of medical charts, and MTB recommendation.!##!Results!#!In total, 153 cases were registered to the MTB with a median follow-up of 15 months. Testing was successful in 81.7% of the patients. CGP detected targetable alterations in 35.3% of our BTC patients (most commonly ARID1A/ERBB2/IDH1/PIK3CA/BRAF-mutations and FGFR2-fusions). Recommendations for molecularly guided therapy were given in 46.4%. Of those, treatment implementation of targeted therapy followed in 19.4%. In patients receiving the recommended treatment, response rate was 57% and median overall survival was 19 months (vs 8 months in the untreated cohort). The progression-free survival ratio of 1.45 suggest a clinical benefit of molecularly guided treatment.!##!Conclusions!#!In line with previous work, our series demonstrates feasibility and clinical utility of comprehensive genomic profiling in BTC patients. With the growing number of targeted agents with clinical activity in BTC, CGP should become standard of care in the management of this group of patients

Precision Oncology in Pancreatic Cancer: Experiences and Challenges of the CCCMunichLMU Molecular Tumor Board

Background!#!In pancreatic cancer, systemic treatment options in addition to chemotherapy remain scarce, and so far only a small proportion of patients benefit from targeted therapies.!##!Objective!#!The patients with pancreatic cancer discussed in the CCCMunich!##!Methods!#!Patients with pancreatic cancer who received comprehensive genomic profiling and were discussed in the interdisciplinary Molecular Tumor Board between May 2017 and July 2022 were included. These patients' medical charts, comprehensive genomic profiling results, and Molecular Tumor Board recommendations were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study.!##!Results!#!Molecular profiles of 165 patients with pancreatic cancer were discussed in the Molecular Tumor Board. In the 149 cases where comprehensive genomic profiling was successful, KRAS mutations were detected in 87.9%, TP53 in 53.0%, and CDKN2A in 14.1%. 33.3% of KRAS wild-type patients harbored targetable mutations, while these were only found in 19.1% of patients with the KRAS mutation; however, this difference was not statistically significant. 63.8% of patients with successful testing received a targeted treatment recommendation by the Molecular Tumor Board; however, only 3.2% of these were put into practice. Compared to a historic cohort of patients with pancreatic cancer with synchronous metastatic disease diagnosed between 2010 and 2017, the patients from the pancreatic cancer cohort with synchronous metastatic disease had a longer survival.!##!Conclusions!#!This single-center experience emphasizes the challenges of targeted treatment in pancreatic cancer. Very few patients ultimately received the recommended therapies, highlighting the need for more and better targeted treatment options in pancreatic cancer, early comprehensive genomic profiling to allow sufficient time to put Molecular Tumor Board recommendations into practice, and close cooperation with clinical trial units to give patients access to otherwise not available targeted treatments