Neutrinoless Double Beta Decay, the Inverted Hierarchy and Precision Determination of theta(12)

Ruling out the inverted neutrino hierarchy with neutrinoless double beta decay experiments is possible if a limit on the effective mass below the minimal theoretically possible value is reached. We stress that this lower limit depends strongly on the value of the solar neutrino mixing angle: it introduces an uncertainty of a factor of 2 within its current 3 sigma range. If an experiment is not background-free, a factor of two in effective mass corresponds to a combined factor of 16 improvement for the experimental parameters running time, detector mass, background level and energy resolution. Therefore, a more precise determination of theta(12) is crucial for the interpretation of experimental results and the evaluation of the potential and requirements for future experiments. We give the required half-lifes to exclude (and touch) the inverted hierarchy regime for all double beta decay isotopes with a Q-value above 2 MeV. The nuclear matrix elements from 6 different groups and, if available, their errors are used and compared. We carefully put the calculations on equal footing in what regards various convention issues. We also use our compilation of matrix elements to give the reachable values of the effective mass for a given half-life value.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures. v2: error corrected (misprint in paper we took a value from), slightly modifying the result

Effects of adherence to a quality indicator in intensive care on the economic outcome per case – a secondary data based analysis

Einleitung In Deutschland wird zunehmend angestrebt, die Vergütung der stationären Krankenversorgung enger mit der Erfüllung von Qualitätskriterien zu verknüpfen, um Effektivität, Effizienz und Transparenz gewährleisten zu können. Qualitätsindikatoren können hierfür einen Lösungsansatz darstellen. Das Ziel, der dieser Dissertation zugrundeliegenden Studie, ist die explorative Analyse welche Auswirkung die Erfüllung eines Qualitätsindikators auf das wirtschaftliche und klinische Ergebnis hat. In Zuber et al. [1] haben wir über die Auswirkung frühzeitiger Entwöhnung von maschineller Beatmung auf das ökonomische Fallergebnis berichtet. Zudem wurde der Qualitätsindikator in weiterführenden Analysen genauer untersucht. Methoden In einer retrospektiven deskriptiven Studie wurden Routinedaten aus dem Zeitraum 2012 bis 2017 von maschinell beatmeten Patient:innen, die auf einer hochspezialisierten Intensivstation für Beatmungsentwöhnung lagen, betrachtet. Beatmungsentwöhnung setzt die Einhaltung eines Weaning-Protokolls voraus. Unter Berücksichtigung der täglichen Einhaltung wurde der Qualitätsindikator zur frühzeitigen Entwöhnung von der invasiven Beatmung berechnet (Schwellenwert ≥65%), und anschließend zwei Gruppen gebildet: Eine Gruppe, die den Schwellenwert des Qualitätsindikators erfüllte, indem das Weaning-Protokoll eingehalten wurde (HAG) und eine Gruppe, die diesem Kriterium nicht entsprach (LAG). Daraufhin wurden Regressions- und Verlaufsanalysen zur Identifizierung und Bewertung der Prädiktoren durchgeführt. Ergebnisse Es wurden 583 Patient:innen in die Studie eingeschlossen. Die Fallgruppe, die die Kriterien des Qualitätsindikators erfüllte (n=205), konnte durch geringere Fallkosten bessere ökonomische Ergebnisse im Median um 697 Euro im Rahmen einer univariaten Analyse erzielen (P <0.001). Sie wies zudem bessere klinische Resultate auf, indem die Beatmungsstunden im Median um 87 Stunden kürzer waren und die Mortalität um 48 Fälle geringer (P <0.001) im Vergleich zu Patient:innen, die den Qualitätsindikator nicht erfüllten (n=378). In der multivariablen Analyse waren Verweildauer auf der Intensivstation (-529 Euro) und im Gesamtaufenthalt (-143 Euro) signifikant negativ mit dem wirtschaftlichen Ergebnis assoziiert (P <0.001). Zudem beeinflusste ein klinischer Parameter das ökonomische Ergebnis signifikant: So steigerte der täglich erhobene SOFA-Score das Fallergebnis um 1.608 Euro je Punkt (P <0.001). Es konnte ein Mengeneffekt – unabhängig der erbrachten Case-Mix-Punkte – beobachtet werden. Fazit Die Erfüllung eines Qualitätsindikators ist mit einer Verbesserung der ökonomischen und klinischen Ergebnisse verbunden, jedoch nicht der ausschlaggebende Prädiktor [1]. Die Einhaltung eines Prozessindikators in der Intensivmedizin bietet Anreize für die Erzielung verbesserter Behandlungsergebnisse. Zukünftige Forschungsfragen sollten die Weiterentwicklung der Verzahnung von Qualitätsindikatoren und der Vergütung und Transparenz der Krankenversorgung untersuchen.Introduction In Germany, the reimbursement of inpatient health care is increasingly linked to the fulfillment of selected quality criteria. In order to enable and guarantee effectiveness, efficiency and transparency, integrated control mechanisms are needed. Quality indicators may become a solution. The aim of the study on which this dissertation is based is the exploratory analysis of the impact that the fulfillment of a quality indicator has on the economic and clinical result. In Zuber et al. [1] we reported our findings on effects of early weaning on the economic outcome on case level. In addition, we further investigated the impact of the quality indicator. Methods In a retrospective descriptive study, routine data of mechanically ventilated patients who were in a highly specialized intensive care unit for ventilation weaning between 2012 and 2017 was considered. Weaning from ventilation requires adherence to a weaning protocol. Taking into account the daily compliance of the protocol, a quality indicator for the adherence to weaning from invasive ventilation was calculated (threshold value ≥65%), and then two groups were formed. A HAG, fulfilling the criteria of the quality indicator and a LAG, not fulfilling the quality adherence. In addition, regression and descriptive analyses were performed to identify and evaluate the predictive variables. Results 583 patients were included in the study. The group that fulfilled the criteria of the quality indicator - by adhering to the weaning protocol - (n = 205) was able to achieve better median economic results of 697 Euro per case in a univariate analysis as costs per case were lower (P <0.001). This group also showed better clinical results as ventilation hours were shorter by 87 hours in median and the mortality rate was 48 cases lower (P <0.001) compared to patients with low adherence to the quality indicator (n = 378). In the multiple analysis, length of stay in the intensive care unit (-529 Euro) and in the hospital (-143 Euro) were significantly associated with the economic result (P <0.001). In addition, the clinical parameter of the mean daily measured SOFA score was significant by adding 1.608 Euro to the economic result (P <0.001). In addition, a volume effect could be observed as higher profits were independent of case mix points achieved. Conclusion The adherence of a quality indicator is associated with slight improvements in the economic and clinical results, but it is not the decisive factor [1]. Adherence to a process indicator in intensive care medicine provides incentives for improved treatment outcomes. Future research questions should examine the further development of the interlinking of quality indicators, reimbursement and transparency of patient care

Cranial shape evolution of extant and fossil crocodile newts and its relation to reproduction and ecology

The diversity of the vertebrate cranial shape of phylogenetically related taxa allows conclusions on ecology and life history. As pleurodeline newts (the genera Echinotriton, Pleurodeles and Tylototriton) have polymorphic reproductive modes, they are highly suitable for following cranial shape evolution in relation to reproduction and environment. We investigated interspecific differences externally and differences in the cranial shape of pleurodeline newts via two-dimensional geometric morphometrics. Our analyses also included the closely related but extinct genus Chelotriton to better follow the evolutionary history of cranial shape. Pleurodeles was morphologically distinct in relation to other phylogenetically basal salamanders. The subgenera within Tylototriton (Tylototriton and Yaotriton) were well separated in morphospace, whereas Echinotriton resembled the subgenus Yaotriton more than Tylototriton. Oviposition site choice correlated with phylogeny and morphology. Only the mating mode, with a random distribution along the phylogenetic tree, separated crocodile newts into two morphologically distinct groups. Extinct Chelotriton likely represented several species and were morphologically and ecologically more similar to Echinotriton and Yaotriton than to Tylototriton subgenera. Our data also provide the first comprehensive morphological support for the molecular phylogeny of pleurodeline newts

Sorghum performance trials in Missouri, 1959

Cover title

Precession of Mercury’s Perihelion from Ranging to the MESSENGER Spacecraft

The perihelion of Mercury's orbit precesses due to perturbations from other solar system bodies, solar quadrupole moment (J [subscript 2]), and relativistic gravitational effects that are proportional to linear combinations of the parametrized post-Newtonian parameters β and γ. The orbits and masses of the solar system bodies are quite well known, and thus the uncertainty in recovering the precession rate of Mercury's perihelion is dominated by the uncertainties in the parameters J [subscript 2], β, and γ. Separating the effects due to these parameters is challenging since the secular precession rate has a linear dependence on each parameter. Here we use an analysis of radiometric range measurements to the MESSENGER (MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging) spacecraft in orbit about Mercury to estimate the precession of Mercury's perihelion. We show that the MESSENGER ranging data allow us to measure not only the secular precession rate of Mercury's perihelion with substantially improved accuracy, but also the periodic perturbation in the argument of perihelion sensitive to β and γ. When combined with the γ estimate from a Shapiro delay experiment from the Cassini mission, we can decouple the effects due to β and J [subscript 2] and estimate both parameters, yielding (β -1)=(-2.7 ± 3.9) x 10[superscript -5] and J [subscript 2] = (2.25 ± 0.09) × 10[superscript −7]. We also estimate the total precession rate of Mercury's perihelion as 575.3100 ± 0.0015''/century and provide estimated contributions and uncertainties due to various perturbing effects

The Structure and Symmetry of the Radial Spoke Protein Complex in \u3cem\u3eChlamydomonas\u3c/em\u3e Flagella

The radial spoke is a key element in a transducer apparatus controlling the motility of eukaryotic cilia. The transduction biomechanics is a long-standing question in cilia biology. The radial spoke has three regions – a spoke head, a bifurcated neck and a stalk. Although the neck and the stalk are asymmetric, twofold symmetry of the head has remained controversial. In this work we used single particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) analysis to generate a 3D structure of the whole radial spoke at unprecedented resolution. We show the head region at 15 Å (1.5 nm) resolution and confirm twofold symmetry. Using distance constraints generated by cross-linking mass spectrometry, we locate two components, RSP2 and RSP4, at the head and neck regions. Our biophysical analysis of isolated RSP4, RSP9, and RSP10 affirmed their oligomeric state. Our results enable us to redefine the boundaries of the regions and propose a model of organization of the radial spoke component proteins

The new Felsenkeller 5 MV underground accelerator

The field of nuclear astrophysics is devoted to the study of the creation of the chemical elements. By nature, it is deeply intertwined with the physics of the Sun. The nuclear reactions of the proton-proton cycle of hydrogen burning, including the 3He({\alpha},{\gamma})7Be reaction, provide the necessary nuclear energy to prevent the gravitational collapse of the Sun and give rise to the by now well-studied pp, 7Be, and 8B solar neutrinos. The not yet measured flux of 13N, 15O, and 17F neutrinos from the carbon-nitrogen-oxygen cycle is affected in rate by the 14N(p,{\gamma})15O reaction and in emission profile by the 12C(p,{\gamma})13N reaction. The nucleosynthetic output of the subsequent phase in stellar evolution, helium burning, is controlled by the 12C({\alpha},{\gamma})16O reaction. In order to properly interpret the existing and upcoming solar neutrino data, precise nuclear physics information is needed. For nuclear reactions between light, stable nuclei, the best available technique are experiments with small ion accelerators in underground, low-background settings. The pioneering work in this regard has been done by the LUNA collaboration at Gran Sasso/Italy, using a 0.4 MV accelerator. The present contribution reports on a higher-energy, 5.0 MV, underground accelerator in the Felsenkeller underground site in Dresden/Germany. Results from {\gamma}-ray, neutron, and muon background measurements in the Felsenkeller underground site in Dresden, Germany, show that the background conditions are satisfactory for nuclear astrophysics purposes. The accelerator is in the commissioning phase and will provide intense, up to 50{\mu}A, beams of 1H+, 4He+ , and 12C+ ions, enabling research on astrophysically relevant nuclear reactions with unprecedented sensitivity.Comment: Submitted to the Proceedings of the 5th International Solar Neutrino Conference, Dresden/Germany, 11-14 June 2018, to appear on World Scientific -- updated version (Figure 2 and relevant discussion updated, co-author A. Domula added

Large impact cratering during lunar magma ocean solidification

The lunar cratering record is used to constrain the bombardment history of both the Earth and the Moon. However, it is suggested from different perspectives, including impact crater dating, asteroid dynamics, lunar samples, impact basin-forming simulations, and lunar evolution modelling, that the Moon could be missing evidence of its earliest cratering record. Here we report that impact basins formed during the lunar magma ocean solidification should have produced different crater morphologies in comparison to later epochs. A low viscosity layer, mimicking a melt layer, between the crust and mantle could cause the entire impact basin size range to be susceptible to immediate and extreme crustal relaxation forming almost unidentifiable topographic and crustal thickness signatures. Lunar basins formed while the lunar magma ocean was still solidifying may escape detection, which is agreeing with studies that suggest a higher impact flux than previously thought in the earliest epoch of Earth-Moon evolution