Search for resonant production of second-generation sleptons with same-sign dimuon events in proton-proton collisions at root s=13 TeV

A search is presented for resonant production of second-generation sleptons ( μ˜L , ν˜μ ) via the R-parity-violating coupling λ′211 to quarks, in events with two same-sign muons and at least two jets in the final state. The smuon (muon sneutrino) is expected to decay into a muon and a neutralino (chargino), which will then decay into a second muon and at least two jets. The analysis is based on the 2016 data set of proton-proton collisions at s√=13TeV recorded with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 35.9 fb−1 . No significant deviation is observed with respect to standard model expectations. Upper limits on cross sections, ranging from 0.24 to 730 fb , are derived in the context of two simplified models representing the dominant signal contributions leading to a same-sign muon pair. The cross section limits are translated into coupling limits for a modified constrained minimal supersymmetric model with λ′211 as the only nonzero R-parity violating coupling. The results significantly extend restrictions of the parameter space compared with previous searches for similar models

Chemotherapy induced polyneuropathy - Purdue pegboard for diagnostics and control of functional deficits during oncological rehabilitation

Purpose: Polyneuropathy is a common side effect of neurotoxic chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Aim of this study was the evaluation of the Purdue pegboard test in diagnostics of polyneuropathy induced functional deficits.Methods: The manual dexterity and bimanual coordination of 89 patients (mean age 66.4 y) suffering from chemotherapy induced polyneuropathy was examined using Purdue pegboard test at the beginning and at the end of a three-week inpatient rehabilitation.Results: Manual dexterity was highly significantly improved. Bimanual coordination was improved, too. However, the complex assembly test revealed no relevant changes.Conclusions: Purdue pegboard test is a useful diagnostic tool in evaluation and control of functional deficits due to polyneuropathy.Einleitung: 30-40% der Brustkrebspatientinnen leiden nach einer neurotoxischen Chemotherapie an Polyneuropathien (PNP). Im Rahmen der vorliegenden Studie wurde der Purdue Pegboard Test, ein neuropsychologisches Testverfahren für Händigkeit, Grob- und Feinmotorik der Finger/Hände zur Beurteilung von polyneuropathisch bedingten Funktionsstörungen, eingesetzt .Material und Methoden: Insgesamt wurden 89 Brustkrebspatientinnen (Ø 66,4 Jahre) mit PNP im Rahmen einer Anschlussrehabilitation untersucht und behandelt. Die Fingerfertigkeiten und Sensomotorik wurden mittels des Purdue Pegboards am Anfang und am Ende der Rehabilitation bewertet. Ergebnisse: Für die dominante und nicht dominante Seite konnte die Funktionalität während der Rehabilitation hoch signifikant (p<0.001) verbessert werden. Der beidhändige Test zeigt einen "noch" signifikanten Unterschied (p=0.05). Beim komplexen Assembly Test konnte jedoch kein signifikantes Niveau festgestellt werden (p=0.154).Schlussfolgerung: Die Studie konnte zeigen, dass der Purdue Pegboard Test zur Überprüfung der Feinkoordination und Sensomotorik der Finger bei Patienten mit Neuropathien und zur Therapieverlaufskontrolle eingesetzt werden kann

Susceptibility to disease varies with ontogeny and immunocompetence in a threatened amphibian

Ontogenetic changes in disease susceptibility have been demonstrated in many vertebrate taxa, as immature immune systems and limited prior exposure to pathogens can place less developed juveniles at a greater disease risk. By causing the disease chytridiomycosis, <i>Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd)</i> infection has led to the decline of many amphibian species. Despite increasing knowledge on how Bd varies in its effects among species, little is known on the interaction between susceptibility and development within host species. We compared the ontogenetic susceptibility of post-metamorphic green and golden bell frogs <i>Litoria aurea</i> to chytridiomycosis by simultaneously measuring three host-pathogen responses as indicators of the development of the fungus—infection load, survival rate, and host immunocompetence—following <i>Bd</i> exposure in three life stages (recently metamorphosed juveniles, subadults, adults) over 95 days. Frogs exposed to <i>Bd</i> as recently metamorphosed juveniles acquired higher infection loads and experienced lower immune function and lower survivorship than subadults and adults, indicating an ontogenetic decline in chytridiomycosis susceptibility. By corresponding with an intrinsic developmental maturation in immunocompetence seen in uninfected frogs, we suggest these developmental changes in host susceptibility in <i>L. aurea</i> may be immune mediated. Consequently, the physiological relationship between ontogeny and immunity may affect host population structure and demography through variation in life stage survival, and understanding this can shape management targets for effective amphibian conservation