SModelS v1.0: a short user guide

SModelS is a tool for the automatic interpretation of simplified-model results from the LHC. Version 1.0 of the code is now publicly available. This document provides a quick user guide for installing and running SModelS v1.0.Comment: The code is available for download at http://smodels.hephy.at

Differences and Similarities in the Mechanisms and Clinical Expression of Bradykinin-Mediated vs. Mast Cell–Mediated Angioedema

Angioedema (AE), transient localized swelling due to extravasated fluid, is commonly classified as mast cell mediator-induced, bradykinin-mediated or of unknown cause. AE often occurs more than once, and it is these recurrent forms of AE that are challenging for patients and physicians, and they are the ones we focus on and refer to as AE in this review. Since effective treatment depends on the causative mediator, reliable and early diagnosis is essential. Although their clinical presentations bear similarities, many forms of angioedema exhibit specific patterns of clinical appearance or disease history that may aid in diagnosis. Here, we describe the most common differences and similarities in the mechanisms and clinical features of bradykinin-mediated and mast cell mediator-induced types of angioedema. We first provide an overview of the diseases that manifest with mast cell mediator-induced versus bradykinin-mediated angioedema as well as their respective underlying pathogenesis. We then compare these diseases for key clinical features, including angioedema location, course and duration of swelling, attack frequency, prevalence and relevance of prodromal signs and symptoms, triggers of angioedema attacks, and other signs and symptoms including wheals, age of onset, and duration. Our review and comparison of the clinical profiles of different types of angioedema incorporate our own clinical experience as well as published information. Our aim is to highlight that mast cell mediator-induced and bradykinin-mediated angioedema types share common features but are different in many aspects. Knowledge of the differences in underlying pathomechanisms and clinical profiles between different types of angioedema can help with the diagnostic approach in affected patients and facilitate targeted and effective treatment

SModelS: a tool for interpreting simplified-model results from the LHC and its application to supersymmetry

We present a general procedure to decompose Beyond the Standard Model (BSM) collider signatures presenting a Z2 symmetry into Simplified Model Spectrum (SMS) topologies. Our method provides a way to cast BSM predictions for the LHC in a model independent framework, which can be directly confronted with the relevant experimental constraints. Our concrete implementation currently focusses on supersymmetry searches with missing energy, for which a large variety of SMS results from ATLAS and CMS are available. As show-case examples we apply our procedure to two scans of the minimal supersymmetric standard model. We discuss how the SMS limits constrain various particle masses and which regions of parameter space remain unchallenged by the current SMS interpretations of the LHC results.Comment: v3: Version published in EPJ

Complex interaction of sensory and motor signs and symptoms in chronic CRPS.

Spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia as well as sensory abnormalities, autonomic, trophic, and motor disturbances are key features of Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). This study was conceived to comprehensively characterize the interaction of these symptoms in 118 patients with chronic upper limb CRPS (duration of disease: 43±23 months). Disease-related stress, depression, and the degree of accompanying motor disability were likewise assessed. Stress and depression were measured by Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms Score and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Test. Motor disability of the affected hand was determined by Sequential Occupational Dexterity Assessment and Michigan Hand Questionnaire. Sensory changes were assessed by Quantitative Sensory Testing according to the standards of the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain. Almost two-thirds of all patients exhibited spontaneous pain at rest. Hand force as well as hand motor function were found to be substantially impaired. Results of Quantitative Sensory Testing revealed a distinct pattern of generalized bilateral sensory loss and hyperalgesia, most prominently to blunt pressure. Patients reported substantial motor complaints confirmed by the objective motor disability testings. Interestingly, patients displayed clinically relevant levels of stress and depression. We conclude that chronic CRPS is characterized by a combination of ongoing pain, pain-related disability, stress and depression, potentially triggered by peripheral nerve/tissue damage and ensuing sensory loss. In order to consolidate the different dimensions of disturbances in chronic CRPS, we developed a model based on interaction analysis suggesting a complex hierarchical interaction of peripheral (injury/sensory loss) and central factors (pain/disability/stress/depression) predicting motor dysfunction and hyperalgesia

Trade-weighted Exchange Rate Indices and Foreign Markets Shares by Manufacturing Industries. Some Stylised Facts

In this paper we make an attempt to extend the WIFO trade-weighted exchange rate index (TWI_ER) by computing export-weighted exchange rate indices for eight Austrian manufacturing industries covering the period from 1995 to 2005. The TWI_ER by manufacturing industries improves upon the previous WIFO-TWI by calculating both current single (bilateral) and current double (multilateral) export weights for each year under investigation. We also present stylised facts based on this unique dataset concerning foreign market share dynamics and the relationship between international competitiveness and improvement in international performance at an industry level

Nickel-silver composition shows promise as catalyst for hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells

Carburized 3-1 nickel-silver preparation exhibits considerable catalytic activity, although not as high as platinum black. Cost and availability factors warrant further evaluation of nickel-silver materials

Integrated Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Causal Urban Food-Water-Energy Relations towards more Climate-Resilient Cities

Currently, the world is facing great challenges in terms of securing water, energy and food for all. With continuous increase in urbanisation and and changed lifestyles, the demand within the three sectors food, water and energy (FWE) in cities is increasing as well (Sukhwani et al., 2019). Due to the limited availability of natural resources, the pressure on urban land use is equally increased, thus more attention needs to be given to sustainability and resource efficiency. Furthermore, climate change and the related increasedfrequency of extreme weather events such as stormwater events and/or dry periods pose additional challenges for infrastructure and (agricultural) land use as well as for the quality of life. These challenges call for more systemic, integrated and cross-sectoral approaches helping to build resilient urban systems. These approaches should focus more on a holistic urban system transformation, rather than tackling problems within one sector. Thus, the main goal of reaching a sustainable future should be to create integrated, informed and well-coordinated interventions to support cities to become more climate resilient. As a response to the problem setting, the concept of FWE Nexus emerged. The Nexus describes and analyses the interlinkages between the three sectors, with the goal to identify potential synergies and minimise trade-offs between the three sectors (Hoff, 2011). The paper discusses a number of methods on how to describe the FWE system: Firstly, to show how different elements in the entire FWE system are interrelated and to create a common system view among the involved stakeholders, a qualitative system analysis, has been carried out. This qualitative system analysis enables experts (from FWE sectors, city authorities, urban planners) to understand the causal relations and the feedbacks between the system elements. Thus, to cope with the challenges and system immanent drivers, a basis for the discussion and development of strategies is established. The qualitative analysis was also used to gain a specific view on the differences between different case study regions. Secondly, based on this qualitative analysis, a more specific quantitative GIS-based analysis of land use changes and resulting water demand has been performed as input for a simulation model. This model will be used to analyse the impacts of spatial planning scenarios for the sustainable resources management and shall support urban planners to create more resilient cities and regions

Arbeitszufriedenheit im Industrie- und Handwerksbereich vor und während der Finanzkrise

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird versucht, eine vergleichende Darstellung der Arbeitszufriedenheit von Beschäftigten in den Bereichen Industrie, Technik, Handwerk, Baugewerbe, Maschinenbau in Österreich vor und während der Finanzkrise anhand eigens erhobener Daten (2009) und Daten des European Social Survey Welle 3 aus dem Jahre 2006 vorzunehmen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, einen Vergleich der Arbeitszufriedenheit der Beschäftigten in den Bereichen Industrie, Technik, Handwerk, Baugewerbe und Maschinenbau vor und während der Finanzkrise vorzunehmen. Die Auswertung erfolgt statistisch, anhand verschiedener Verfahren sowohl bi- als auch multivariat. So werden die Gesamtzufriedenheiten (Zufriedenheit mit Gesundheitssystem, Bildung, Wirtschaft, Leben etc.) zuerst mit Hilfe der deskriptiven Statistik im Vergleich 2006 und 2009 dargestellt. Der Vergleich der Stärke der Einflüsse der verschiedenen Determinanten (Gesundheitszustand, Glück, angemessene Bezahlung, Kollegen etc.) von 2006 auf 2009 wird anhand der Beta-Werte einer Regressionsanalyse dargestellt und zusätzlich mit einer Spearman-Korrelation überprüft. So sind die Stärken der Einflüsse der unabhängigen Variablen im Vergleich 2006 und 2009 sehr anschaulich dargestellt und Veränderungen gut erkennbar. Zusammenfassend zeigen die Ergebnisse, dass die Arbeitszufriedenheit in Zeiten der Finanzkrise zwar keinen enormen Rückgang der Zufriedenheit im Vergleich zu 2006 erlitten hat. Es sind jedoch deutliche Anzeichen auf einen Anstieg der Unzufriedenen erkennbar und die Gründe für den Anstieg der Unzufriedenen von den Befragten auch mehrheitlich in der Finanzkrise zu finden. Die Finanzkrise hat somit Einfluss auf die Arbeitszufriedenheit der österreichischen Beschäftigten in den Bereichen Technik, Industrie, Handwerk, Baugewerbe und Maschinenbau. Ein wichtiger Aspekt, der bei der Betrachtung all dieser Ergebnisse bedacht werden sollte, ist, dass von 2006 auf 2009 natürlich schon sehr viele Kündigungen vor sich gegangen sind und diese gekündigten Personen im Jahr 2009 gar nicht mehr befragt werden konnten. Es sind somit – etwas salopp formuliert –, nur mehr jene Personen im Datensatz von 2009 enthalten, die die Kündigungswellen zwischen 2006 und 2009 „überstanden“ haben und noch im Berufsleben stehen und somit befragt werden konnten

Thermal expansion of a lead sulfide nanofilm

The thermal expansion of a lead sulfide nanofilm produced by chemical bath deposition was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thickness of the synthesized film was about 100 nm, and the average size of the coherent scattering regions as determined from XRD was about 40 nm. The lattice constant of the PbS nanofilm was measured as a function of the annealing temperature from 293 to 473 K and as a function of the annealing time at a constant temperature of 423 K. The thermal expansion coefficient derived was found almost twice as large as that for coarse-grained PbS. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. All rights reserved