Data-Driven Precision Luminosity Measurements with Z Bosons at the LHC and HL-LHC

A method to measure integrated luminosities at the LHC using Z bosons without theoretical cross section input is discussed. The main uncertainties and the prospects for precision luminosity measurements using this method are outlined.Comment: Minor revisio

Beam Imaging and Luminosity Calibration

We discuss a method to reconstruct two-dimensional proton bunch densities using vertex distributions accumulated during LHC beam-beam scans. The $x$-$y$ correlations in the beam shapes are studied and an alternative luminosity calibration technique is introduced. We demonstrate the method on simulated beam-beam scans and estimate the uncertainty on the luminosity calibration associated to the beam-shape reconstruction to be below 1\%.Comment: Figures added, typos correcte

Biohacking, Bodies and Do-It-Yourself

From self-help books and nootropics, to self-tracking and home health tests, to the tinkering with technology and biological particles - biohacking brings biology, medicine, and the material foundation of life into the sphere of »do-it-yourself«. This trend has the potential to fundamentally change people's relationship with their bodies and biology but it also creates new cultural narratives of responsibility, authority, and differentiation. Covering a broad range of examples, this book explores practices and representations of biohacking in popular culture, discussing their ambiguous position between empowerment and requirement, promise and prescription

Biohacking, Bodies and Do-It-Yourself

From self-help books and nootropics, to self-tracking and home health tests, to the tinkering with technology and biological particles - biohacking brings biology, medicine, and the material foundation of life into the sphere of »do-it-yourself«. This trend has the potential to fundamentally change people's relationship with their bodies and biology but it also creates new cultural narratives of responsibility, authority, and differentiation. Covering a broad range of examples, this book explores practices and representations of biohacking in popular culture, discussing their ambiguous position between empowerment and requirement, promise and prescription

Analysis of machine influence on process stability in sheet bulk metal forming

This contribution deals with the process-machine interaction while forming parts by sheet-bulk metal forming. The goal of this process is to form complex functional elements, such as gearing and carrier elements, by means of controlled thickening of the metal sheet. The high process forces in vertical as well as in horizontal direction to form these elements, cause displacements of the tool and press components, which lead to parts defects retroactively. This work demonstrates these challenges with regard to manufacturing of asymmetrical parts and introduces a suitable approach to represent the process-machine interaction by modelling.DFG/TCRC/7

Finite simple permutation groups acting with fixity 4

Motivated by the theory of Riemann surfaces and specifically the significance of Weierstrass points, we classify all finite simple groups that have a faithful transitive action with fixity 4, along with details about all possible such actions.Comment: Revised version March 2023, as submitte

Complicated pregnancies in inherited distal renal tubular acidosis: importance of acid-base balance

Inherited distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA) is caused by impaired urinary acid excretion resulting in hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. Although the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is usually preserved, and hypertension and overt proteinuria are absent, it has to be considered that patients with dRTA also suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD) with an increased risk for adverse pregnancy-related outcomes. Typical complications of dRTA include severe hypokalemia leading to cardiac arrhythmias and paralysis, nephrolithiasis and nephrocalcinosis. Several physiologic changes occur in normal pregnancy including alterations in acid-base and electrolyte homeostasis as well as in GFR. However, data on pregnancy in women with inherited dRTA are scarce. We report the course of pregnancy in three women with hereditary dRTA. Complications observed were severe metabolic acidosis, profound hypokalemia aggravated by hyperemesis gravidarum, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) and ureteric obstruction leading to renal failure. However, the outcome of all five pregnancies (1 pregnancy each for mothers n. 1 and 2; 3 pregnancies for mother n. 3) was excellent due to timely interventions. Our findings highlight the importance of close nephrologic monitoring of women with inherited dRTA during pregnancy. In addition to routine assessment of creatinine and proteinuria, caregivers should especially focus on acid-base status, plasma potassium and urinary tract infections. Patients should be screened for renal obstruction in the case of typical symptoms, UTI or renal failure. Furthermore, genetic identification of the underlying mutation may (a) support early nephrologic referral during pregnancy and a better management of the affected woman, and (b) help to avoid delayed diagnosis and reduce complications in affected newborns

Feasibility of nasal NO screening in healthy newborns

BACKGROUND Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement is recommended as a first line screening test for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). While reliable velum- and non-velum-closure techniques exist for preschool children and older individuals, no data are available for neonates. AIMS To determine feasibility of nNO screening and nNO concentration in healthy newborns in the first week of life. METHODS Nasal NO was analyzed in tidal breathing during natural sleep using a CLD-88 sp NO analyzer (chemoluminescence sensor) and a NIOX MINO (electrochemical sensor). Test success and nNO concentration were determined and compared between the two devices. RESULTS Nasal NO was measured in 62 healthy neonates within the first week of life. Feasibility of nNO measurement was 100% for at least one nostril and 85.5% for both nostrils using the chemoluminescence device, but significantly lower with the electrochemical device (85.5% and 53.2%; p < .001). Median nNO concentration was 38 ppb (interquartile range, 27-55; range, 9-100) with the ECOMEDICS device and 23 (15-33, 8-59) with the NIOX MINO (p < .001), with a trend towards higher values for older subjects. None of the subjects exceeded nNO levels of 100 ppb. CONCLUSION Measurement of nNO using a chemoluminescence device is highly feasible in newborns during natural sleep. However, nNO levels are considerably lower compared to the published data for older individuals and in the range of a PCD reference group of infants between 4 and 8 weeks of age, potentially resulting in a great overlap with subjects with PCD in this age group. Therefore, screening for PCD using nasal NO might not be useful in the first week of life. Upon clinical suspicion, other diagnostic tests such as high-speed video analysis of the cilia should be applied