Bottom-quark associated Higgs-boson production: reconciling the four- and five-flavour scheme approach

The main arguments in the discussion of the proper treatment of the total inclusive cross section for bottom-quark associated Higgs-boson production are briefly reviewed. A simple and pragmatic formula for the combination of the so-called four- and five-flavour schemes is suggested, including the treatment of the respective theory error estimates. The numerical effects of this matching formula are discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Potentials of synchrotron radiation induced X-ray standing waves and X-ray reflectivity measurements in material analysis

In this work the potentials of two X-ray methods, X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and X-ray standing waves (XSW) at grazing incidence (including X-ray fluorescence), using synchrotron radiation are experimentally evaluated. First, the theory of X-ray scattering in general, X-ray reflectivity, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray standing waves is discussed. Then, a focus is set onto calculation of X-ray standing waves at grazing angle of incidence. The experimental procedures for the above mentioned methods are outlined, and a combination of XRR and XSW is presented. Further, a computer program developed in this work to calculate X-ray standing waves intensity fields and permit evaluation of XSW scans is introduced. Finally, a wide variety of different layered and layer-like samples is presented that were characterized by a combination of XSW and XRR. The samples ranged from semiconductor samples (germanium layers on silicon substrates and implantations of As, Co and Zn ions in Si wafers), to bio-organic samples (cytochrome and nitrobenzene films, phospholipid bilayers as a model for biological membranes, metal-organic layers such as gold or silver clusters on polymer films), a multilayer laser mirror and ion distributions in a buffer solution. It is shown that the combination of XRR and XSW is especially powerful in comparison to other methods for samples that show little optical contrast between the layers (e.g. biological material) or are otherwise difficult to characterize by established methods. Further, the developed computer program permits evaluation of complicated structures not accessible by standard software

First Results of the PixelGEM Central Tracking System for COMPASS

For its physics program with a high-intensity hadron beam of up to 2e7 particles/s, the COMPASS experiment at CERN requires tracking of charged particles scattered by very small angles with respect to the incident beam direction. While good resolution in time and space is mandatory, the challenge is imposed by the high beam intensity, requiring radiation-hard detectors which add very little material to the beam path in order to minimize secondary interactions. To this end, a set of triple-GEM detectors with a hybrid readout structure consisting of pixels in the beam region and 2-D strips in the periphery was designed and built. Successful prototype tests proved the performance of this new detector type, showing both extraordinary high rate capability and detection efficiency. The amplitude information allowed to achieve spatial resolutions about a factor of 10 smaller than the pitch and a time resolution close to the theoretical limit imposed by the layout. The PixelGEM central tracking system consisting of five detectors, slightly improved with respect to the prototype, was completely installed in the COMPASS spectrometer in spring 2008

Characterization of sub-monolayer coatings as novel calibration samples for X-ray spectroscopy

With the advent of both modern X-ray fluorescence (XRF) methods and improved analytical reliability requirements the demand for suitable reference samples has increased. Especially in nanotechnology with the very low areal mass depositions, quantification becomes considerably more difficult. However, the availability of suited reference samples is drastically lower than the demand. Physical vapor deposition (PVD) techniques have been enhanced significantly in the last decade driven by the need for extremely precise film parameters in multilayer production. We have applied those techniques for the development of layer-like reference samples with mass depositions in the ng-range and well below. Several types of reference samples were fabricated: multi-elemental layer and extremely low (sub-monolayer) samples for various applications in XRF and total-reflection XRF (TXRF) analysis. Those samples were characterized and compared at three different synchrotron radiation beamlines at the BESSY II electron storage ring employing the reference-free XRF approach based on physically calibrated instrumentation. In addition, the homogeneity of the multi-elemental coatings was checked at the P04 beamline at DESY. The measurements demonstrate the high precision achieved in the manufacturing process as well as the versatility of application fields for the presented reference samples

Kommunikation in der digitalen Transformation : Trendstudie Schweiz 2022

Das Forschungsprojekt «Kommunikation in der digitalen Transformation» ist als Trendstudie angelegt und untersucht seit 2018 alle zwei Jahre den Zustand und den Entwicklungsbedarf der Unternehmenskommunikation in der digitalen Transformation. Leitend ist dabei ein in der Erststudie 2018 entwickeltes Framework, welches die Rolle von Corporate Communications in der digitalen Transformation auf drei Ebenen beschreibt (Niederhäuser & Rosenberger, 2018). Auf der Mikroebene fokussiert die Untersuchung auf die digitale Trans-formation der Kommunikationsabteilung, auf der Mesoebene auf die Funktion der Unternehmenskommunikation im Transformationsprozess der gesamten Organisation und auf der Makroebene auf das Schaffen von Akzeptanz für den Transformationsprozess in Markt und Gesellschaft. Die vorliegende dritte Studie 2022 basiert auf einer Online-Befragung von 133 Kommunikationsverantwortli-chen (CCOs) in der Deutschschweiz und auf 12 vertiefenden Interviews mit Ex-pert:innen. Zur Einordnung wurde ein Überblick zum aktuellen Forschungsstand erarbeitet. Die Studie zeigt auf, dass einschneidende Ereignisse wie die Pan-demie oder der Ukraine-Krieg weniger die Richtung als die Geschwindigkeit der digitalen Transformation verändert haben. Die «Agenda für die Kommunikation in der digitalen Transformation» aus der Erststudie wurde mit den Ergebnissen der beiden Folgestudien abgeglichen, angepasst und erweitert. Sie zeigt Kom-munikationsverantwortlichen auf, in welche Richtung sie die Unternehmens-kommunikation entwickeln sollten. The research project "Communication in Digital Transformation" is designed as a trend study and has been examining the state and development needs of corporate communications in digital transformation every two years since 2018. The guiding principle is a framework developed in the initial study in 2018, which describes the role of corporate communications in digital transformation at three levels (Niederhäuser & Rosenberger, 2018). At the micro level, the study focuses on the digital transformation of the communications department, at the meso level on the function of corporate communications in the transfor-mation process of the entire organization, and at the macro level on creating acceptance for the transformation process in the market and society. This third study 2022 is based on an online survey of 133 communication managers (CCOs) in German-speaking Switzerland and on 12 in-depth interviews with ex-perts. For classification purposes, an overview of the current state of research was compiled. The study shows that drastic events such as the pandemic or the Ukraine war have changed the direction of digital transformation less than the speed. The "Agenda for Communication in Digital Transformation" from the initial study was compared to, adapted to and expanded with the results of the two follow-up studies. It shows communications managers the direction in which they should develop corporate communications

Interne Kommunikation von mittelgrossen Unternehmen : Bestandsaufnahme und Entwicklungsbedarf des internen Kommunikationsmanagements in der digitalen Transformation

Die digitale Transformation stellt die interne Kommunikation vor grosse Herausforderungen und verändert diese gerade rasant. Die vorliegende Studie macht eine Bestandsaufnahme des internen Kommunikationsmanagements von mittelgrossen Unternehmen in der Schweiz und zeigt dessen Entwicklungsbedarf auf. Im Theorieteil wird die Rolle des internen Kommunikationsmanagements in der digitalen Transformation von Unternehmen beschrieben. Ein besonderer Fokus wird auf die drei Funktionen der internen Kommunikation gelegt – der Information, der Kommunikation und der Kollaboration – sowie auf den damit verbundenen Einsatz des Intranets. Zudem wurden im vierten Quartal 2019 und ersten Quartal 2020 Kommunikationsverantwortliche von zwölf Schweizer Unternehmen zum Thema befragt. Die Erkenntnisse aus Theorie und Befragung wurden zu 15 Handlungsempfehlungen in den vier Dimensionen Strategie, Organisation, Kultur und Technologie kondensiert. Dabei zeigt sich, dass der Spielraum des internen Kommunikationsmanagements gross ist, die digitale Transformation im Zusammenspiel mit der Unternehmensführung voranzutreiben.Digital transformation poses major challenges for internal communications, which is leading to rapid changes in this area. The present study evaluates the internal communications management of medium-sized companies in Switzerland and identifies where improvements need to be made. The theoretical section outlines the role of internal communications management in the digital transformation of companies. Special emphasis is placed on the three functions of internal communications – information, communication and collaboration – as well as on the related use of the intranet. In addition, communications managers from twelve Swiss companies were surveyed on the subject in the fourth quarter of 2019 and the first quarter of 2020. The findings from the theoretical part and the survey were condensed into 15 recommendations for action in four areas: strategy, organisation, culture and technology. In the process, it became evident that internal communications management has considerable potential to drive digital transformation together with corporate management

Dynamics of Stone Habitats in Coastal Waters of the Southwestern Baltic Sea (Hohwacht Bay)

Cobbles and boulders on the seafloor are of high ecological value in their function as habitats for a variety of benthic species, contributing to biodiversity and productivity in marine environments. We investigate the origin, physical shape, and structure of habitat-forming cobbles and boulders and reflect on their dynamics in coastal environments of the southwestern Baltic Sea. Stone habitats are not limited to lag deposits and cannot be sufficiently described as static environments, as different dynamic processes lead to changes within the physical habitat structure and create new habitats in spatially disparate areas. Dynamic processes such as (a) ongoing exposure of cobbles and boulders from glacial till, (b) continuous overturning of cobbles, and (c) the migration of cobbles need to be considered. A distinction between allochthonous and autochthonous habitats is suggested. The genesis of sediment types indicates that stone habitats are restricted to their source (glacial till), but hydrodynamic processes induce a redistribution of individual cobbles, leading to the development of new coastal habitats. Thus, coastal stone habitats need to be regarded as dynamic and are changing on a large bandwidth of timescales. In general, wave-induced processes changing the physical structure of these habitats do not occur separately but rather act simultaneously, leading to a dynamic type of habitat

Development and validation of a liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method including 25 novel synthetic opioids in hair and subsequent analysis of a Swiss opioid consumer cohort

Major public health concern is raised by the evidence that common drugs like heroin are now frequently laced or replaced with highly potent novel synthetic opioids (NSOs). The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence and patterns of NSOs in a cohort of Swiss opioid users by hair analysis. Hair analysis is considered an ideal tool for retrospective consumption monitoring. Hair samples from 439 opioid users in Zurich were analyzed. Study inclusion required a previous positive hair test result for heroin metabolites, oxycodone, fentanyl, methadone, or tramadol. The samples were extracted with a two‐step extraction procedure, followed by a targeted LC–MS/MS (QTRAP® 6500+) analysis in multiple reaction monitoring mode for a total of 25 NSOs. The method underwent full validation and demonstrated good selectivity and sensitivity with limits of detection (LOD) as low as 0.1 pg/mg. The analyzed sample cohort demonstrated a positivity rate for NSOs of 2.5%, including the following NSOs: butyrylfentanyl, acrylfentanyl, furanylfentanyl, methoxyacetylfentanyl, ocfentanil, U‐47700, isobutyrylfentanyl and benzylfentanyl. Furthermore, we were able to identify specific consumption patterns among drug users. The results indicate that hair analysis is a valuable tool for investigating the prevalence of NSOs in drug‐using populations, which seems to be low in the case of Swiss opioid users. Nevertheless, the results highlight the need for sensitive analytical detection methods in forensic toxicology to identify and monitor substance distribution in different populations

A Polyclonal Selex Aptamer Library Directly Allows Specific Labelling of the Human Gut Bacterium Blautia producta without Isolating Individual Aptamers

Recent studies have demonstrated that changes in the abundance of the intestinal bacterium Blautia producta, a potential probiotic, are closely associated with the development of various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, some neurodegenerative diseases, and certain cancers. However, there is still a lack of an effective method to detect the abundance of B. producta in the gut rapidly. Especially, DNA aptamers are now widely used as biometric components for medical testing due to their unique characteristics, including high chemical stability, low production cost, ease of chemical modification, low immunogenicity, and fast reproducibility. We successfully obtained a high-affinity nucleic acid aptamer library (B.p-R14) after 14 SELEX rounds, which efficiently discriminates B. producta in different analysis techniques including fluorometric suspension assays or fluorescence microscopy from other major gut bacteria in complex mixtures and even in human stool samples. These preliminary findings will be the basis towards aptamer-based biosensing applications for the fast and reliable monitoring of B. producta in the human gut microbiome

Polyclonal Aptamers for Specific Fluorescence Labeling and Quantification of the Health Relevant Human Gut Bacterium Parabacteroides distasonis

Single-stranded DNA aptamers as affinity molecules for the rapid, reliable detection of intestinal bacteria are of particular interest to equip health systems with novel robust and cheap diagnostic tools for monitoring the success of supplementation strategies with selected probiotic gut bacteria in the fight against major widespread threats, such as obesity and neurodegenerative diseases. The human gut bacterium Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis) is positively associated with diseases such as obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and multiple sclerosis with reduced cell counts in these diseases and is thus a promising potential probiotic bacterium for future microbial supplementation. In this paper we report on the evolution of a specific polyclonal aptamer library by the fluorescence based FluCell-SELEX directed against whole cells of P. distasonis that specifically and efficiently binds and labels P. distasonis. The aptamer library showed high binding affinity and was suited to quantitatively discriminate P. distasonis from other prominent gut bacteria also in mixtures. We believe that this library against a promising probiotic bacterium as a prototype may open new routes towards the development of novel biosensors for the easy and efficient quantitative monitoring of microbial abundance in human microbiomes in general