Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements

Removable thermoplastic appliances modified by incisal cuts show altered biomechanical properties during tipping of a maxillary central incisor

Abstract Background The present study aimed to evaluate the force delivery of removable thermoplastic appliances (RTAs), modified by different sized incisal cuts, during tipping of a maxillary central incisor in palatal and vestibular direction. Methods Forty-five RTAs from three different materials (Biolon®, Erkodur®, Ideal Clear®) of the same thickness (1 mm) were used. Analysis was performed on a separated maxillary central incisor which was part of a resin model with a complete dentition. In 15 RTAs, of different material, a cut was inserted at the incisal edge of tooth 11. In 15 other appliances, the cut was extended to teeth 12 and 21. Fifteen aligners remained uncut. The experimental tooth was tipped starting from the zero position in 0.05° steps to a maximal deflection of ± 0.42° of the incisal edge in vestibular and palatal direction, after positioning the RTA onto the model. Results The horizontal (Fx) and the vertical (Fz) force components were decreased by approximately half with increasing cut size. Fz values changed during palatal tipping from a weak intrusive force, for aligners without cut, to an extrusive force with increasing cut size. Compared to both other materials used (Erkodur® and Ideal Clear®), the Biolon® aligners showed significantly higher Fx and Fz values (p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions RTAs modified by different sized incisal cuts show altered biomechanical properties and an inversion of the vertical force component, during tipping of a maxillary central incisor

1-year follow-up of the mental health and stress factors in asylum-seeking children and adolescents resettled in Germany

Background:Asylum-seeking children and adolescents (ASCs) who have resettled in Western countries showelevated rates of psychological distress, including Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms (PTSS), depression, and anxiety.Most longitudinal data suggest a relatively stable course of symptoms during the first years in exile. However, nolongitudinal examination of the mental health of ASCs, who resettled in Europe in the wake of the 2015–17European migrant crisis, has been conducted so far. Methods:A prospective cohort study looked at 98 ASCs who resettled in southern Germany throughout 2015–17.They mainly came from Afghanistan, Syria, Eritrea, and Iraq. Baseline assessments were undertaken 22 months, onaverage, after resettlement, and follow-up assessments 1 year thereafter. Seventy-two ASCs could be secured for thefollow-up. The measures included self-report questionnaires screening for PTSS, depression, anxiety, externalizingbehavior, and post-migration factors that were administered in an interview-like setting. Results were analyzedusing hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results:Participating ASCs reported on average eight potentially traumatic experiences and high levels ofpsychological distress at baseline that had significantly declined at follow-up. At follow-up, rates of clinicallysignificant symptoms ranged from 9.7% (externalizing behavior) to 37.5% (PTSS). There was considerable individualvariation in symptom change resulting in multiple mental health trajectories. ASCs whose asylum applications hadbeen rejected presented significantly more symptoms than ASCs whose asylum applications had been acceptedbetween assessments. Baseline psychopathology and asylum status predicted follow-up symptom severity. Conclusions:In contrast to earlier studies, the symptom severity in this sample of ASCs in Germany amelioratedbetween assessments. Decisions on the asylum applications of ASCs are thought to contribute to the course ofsymptoms. Since levels of psychological distress were still high, dissemination and implementation of appropriatetreatments for ASCs is crucial

Additional file 1: of BCL9L expression in pancreatic neoplasia with a focus on SPN: a possible explanation for the enigma of the benign neoplasia

Mean RNA expression Ratio derived from two independent experiments, normalized against GAPDH. (XLSX 12 kb

Reliability and validity of a healthy diet determinants questionnaire for adolescents

OBJECTIVE: To describe the development of a short questionnaire including a wide range of personal, social and environmental constructs in relation to a healthy diet in an adolescent population. DESIGN: The questionnaire was developed based on the literature, past experiences and feedback from a small pilot study (n 10). Test and retest (2 weeks later) of the questionnaire was done to investigate test-retest reliability. Data of four non-consecutive 24 h recalls were collected to investigate the predictive validity with food (fruit, vegetables, milk, snacks, soft drinks), nutrient (fibre, ascorbic acid, Ca, percentage energy from fat) and energy intakes. SETTING: At home, in the presence of a student. SUBJECTS: Convenience sample of fifty-five Belgian-Flemish adolescents approached by university students for course credits. RESULTS: Test-retest correlations of the constructs ranged between 0.51 and 0.78. Eleven of the eighteen final constructs were significantly associated with one or more of the five selected food items, all in the expected direction. Most significant associations with the food items were found for taste, perceived peers' behaviour and availability of soft drinks at home. Fresh fruit and soft drinks were correlated with most constructs (seven) followed by snacks (five). Concerning energy and the selected nutrient variables, the findings were less clear. CONCLUSIONS: The results are promising: the test-retest stability was moderate to good; most of the psychosocial constructs were significantly associated with one or more of the selected dietary variables. Future work in a larger sample of European adolescents is warranted.status: publishe

The left prefrontal cortex determines relevance at encoding and governs episodic memory formation.

The role hemispheric lateralization in the prefrontal cortex plays for episodic memory formation in general, and for emotionally valenced information in particular, is debated. In a randomized, double-blind, and sham-controlled design, healthy young participants (n = 254) performed 2 runs of encoding to categorize the perceptual, semantic, or emotionally valenced (positive or negative) features of words followed by a free recall and a recognition task. To resolve competing hypotheses about the contribution of each hemisphere, we modulated left or right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity using transcranial direct current stimulation during encoding (1 mA, 20 min). With stimulation of the left DLPFC, but not the right DLPFC, encoding and free recall performance improved particularly for words that were processed semantically. In addition, enhancing left DLPFC activity increased memory formation for positive content while reducing that for negative content. In contrast, promoting right DLPFC activity increased memory formation for negative content. The left DLPFC assesses semantic properties of new memory content at encoding and thus influences how successful new episodic memories are established. Hemispheric laterlization-more active left DLPFC and less active right DLPFC-at the encoding stage shifts the formation of memory traces in favor of positively valenced content

Reliability and validity of a healthy diet determinants questionnaire for adolescents

Objective To describe the development of a short questionnaire including a wide range of personal, social and environmental constructs in relation to a healthy diet in an adolescent population. Design The questionnaire was developed based on the literature, past experiences and feedback from a small pilot study (n 10). Test and retest (2 weeks later) of the questionnaire was done to investigate test–retest reliability. Data of four non-consecutive 24 h recalls were collected to investigate the predictive validity with food (fruit, vegetables, milk, snacks, soft drinks), nutrient (fibre, ascorbic acid, Ca, percentage energy from fat) and energy intakes. Setting At home, in the presence of a student. Subjects Convenience sample of fifty-five Belgian-Flemish adolescents approached by university students for course credits. Results Test–retest correlations of the constructs ranged between 0·51 and 0·78. Eleven of the eighteen final constructs were significantly associated with one or more of the five selected food items, all in the expected direction. Most significant associations with the food items were found for taste, perceived peers’ behaviour and availability of soft drinks at home. Fresh fruit and soft drinks were correlated with most constructs (seven) followed by snacks (five). Concerning energy and the selected nutrient variables, the findings were less clear. Conclusions The results are promising: the test–retest stability was moderate to good; most of the psychosocial constructs were significantly associated with one or more of the selected dietary variables. Future work in a larger sample of European adolescents is warranted