@article{BiegstraatenArngrimssonBarbeyetal.2015, author = {Biegstraaten, Marieke and Arngr{\´i}msson, Reynir and Barbey, Frederic and Boks, Lut and Cecchi, Franco and Deegan, Patrick B and Feldt-Rasmussen, Ulla and Geberhiwot, Tarekegn and Germain, Dominique P and Hendriksz, Chris and Hughes, Derralynn A and Kantola, Ilkka and Karabul, Nesrin and Lavery, Christine and Linthorst, Gabor E and Mehta, Atul and van de Mheen, Erica and Oliveira, Jo{\~a}o P and Parini, Rossella and Ramaswami, Uma and Rudnicki, Michael and Serra, Andreas and Sommer, Claudia and Sunder-Plassmann, Gere and Svarstad, Einar and Sweeb, Annelies and Terryn, Wim and Tylki-Szymanska, Anna and T{\o}ndel, Camilla and Vujkovac, Bojan and Weidemann, Frank and Wijburg, Frits A and Woolfson, Peter and Hollak, Carla EM}, title = {Recommendations for initiation and cessation of enzyme replacement therapy in patients with Fabry disease: the European Fabry Working Group consensus document}, series = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases}, volume = {10}, journal = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases}, number = {36}, doi = {10.1186/s13023-015-0253-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-175374}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Introduction: Fabry disease (FD) is a lysosomal storage disorder resulting in progressive nervous system, kidney and heart disease. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) may halt or attenuate disease progression. Since administration is burdensome and expensive, appropriate use is mandatory. We aimed to define European consensus recommendations for the initiation and cessation of ERT in patients with FD. Methods: A Delphi procedure was conducted with an online survey (n = 28) and a meeting (n = 15). Patient organization representatives were present at the meeting to give their views. Recommendations were accepted with ≥75\% agreement and no disagreement. Results: For classically affected males, consensus was achieved that ERT is recommended as soon as there are early clinical signs of kidney, heart or brain involvement, but may be considered in patients of ≥16 years in the absence of clinical signs or symptoms of organ involvement. Classically affected females and males with non-classical FD should be treated as soon as there are early clinical signs of kidney, heart or brain involvement, while treatment may be considered in females with non-classical FD with early clinical signs that are considered to be due to FD. Consensus was achieved that treatment should not be withheld from patients with severe renal insufficiency (GFR < 45 ml/min/1.73 m\(^{2}\)) and from those on dialysis or with cognitive decline, but carefully considered on an individual basis. Stopping ERT may be considered in patients with end stage FD or other co-morbidities, leading to a life expectancy of <1 year. In those with cognitive decline of any cause, or lack of response for 1 year when the sole indication for ERT is neuropathic pain, stopping ERT may be considered. Also, in patients with end stage renal disease, without an option for renal transplantation, in combination with advanced heart failure (NYHA class IV), cessation of ERT should be considered. ERT in patients who are non-compliant or fail to attend regularly at visits should be stopped. Conclusion: The recommendations can be used as a benchmark for initiation and cessation of ERT, although final decisions should be made on an individual basis. Future collaborative efforts are needed for optimization of these recommendations.}, language = {en} } @article{BergSchellingHailuetal.2015, author = {Berg, Stefan and Schelling, Esther and Hailu, Elena and Firdessa, Rebuma and Gumi, Balako and Erenso, Girume and Gadisa, Endalamaw and Mengistu, Araya and Habtamu, Meseret and Hussein, Jemal and Kiros, Teklu and Bekele, Shiferaw and Mekonnen, Wondale and Derese, Yohannes and Zinsstag, Jakob and Ameni, Gobena and Gagneux, Sebastien and Robertson, Brian D and Tschopp, Rea and Hewinson, Glyn and Yamuah, Lawrence and Gordon, Stephen V and Aseffa, Abraham}, title = {Investigation of the high rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in Ethiopia reveals no single driving factor and minimal evidence for zoonotic transmission of Mycobacterium bovis infection}, series = {BMC Infectious Diseases}, volume = {15}, journal = {BMC Infectious Diseases}, number = {112}, doi = {10.1186/s12879-015-0846-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143935}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Ethiopia, a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country, reports one of the highest incidence rates of extra-pulmonary TB dominated by cervical lymphadenitis (TBLN). Infection with Mycobacterium bovis has previously been excluded as the main reason for the high rate of extra-pulmonary TB in Ethiopia. Methods: Here we examined demographic and clinical characteristics of 953 pulmonary (PTB) and 1198 TBLN patients visiting 11 health facilities in distinct geographic areas of Ethiopia. Clinical characteristics were also correlated with genotypes of the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: No major patient or bacterial strain factor could be identified as being responsible for the high rate of TBLN, and there was no association with HIV infection. However, analysis of the demographic data of involved patients showed that having regular and direct contact with live animals was more associated with TBLN than with PTB, although no M. bovis was isolated from patients with TBLN. Among PTB patients, those infected with Lineage 4 reported "contact with other TB patient" more often than patients infected with Lineage 3 did (OR = 1.6, CI 95\% 1.0-2.7; p = 0.064). High fever, in contrast to low and moderate fever, was significantly associated with Lineage 4 (OR = 2.3; p = 0.024). On the other hand, TBLN cases infected with Lineage 4 tended to get milder symptoms overall for the constitutional symptoms than those infected with Lineage 3. Conclusions: The study suggests a complex role for multiple interacting factors in the epidemiology of extra-pulmonary TB in Ethiopia, including factors that can only be derived from population-based studies, which may prove to be significant for TB control in Ethiopia.}, language = {en} } @article{BerenikeHerrmannvanDalenOskamSchoech2015, author = {Berenike Herrmann, J. and van Dalen-Oskam, Karina and Sch{\"o}ch, Christof}, title = {Revisiting Style, a Key Concept in Literary Studies}, series = {Journal of Literary Theory}, volume = {9}, journal = {Journal of Literary Theory}, number = {1}, issn = {1862-8990}, doi = {10.1515/jlt-2015-0003}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-194349}, pages = {25-52}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Language and literary studies have studied style for centuries, and even since the advent of ›stylistics‹ as a discipline at the beginning of the twentieth century, definitions of ›style‹ have varied heavily across time, space and fields. Today, with increasingly large collections of literary texts being made available in digital form, computational approaches to literary style are proliferating. New methods from disciplines such as corpus linguistics and computer science are being adopted and adapted in interrelated fields such as computational stylistics and corpus stylistics, and are facilitating new approaches to literary style. The relation between definitions of style in established linguistic or literary stylistics, and definitions of style in computational or corpus stylistics has not, however, been systematically assessed. This contribution aims to respond to the need to redefine style in the light of this new situation and to establish a clearer perception of both the overlap and the boundaries between ›mainstream‹ and ›computational‹ and/or ›empirical‹ literary stylistics. While stylistic studies of non-literary texts are currently flourishing, our contribution deliberately centers on those approaches relevant to ›literary stylistics‹. It concludes by proposing an operational definition of style that we hope can act as a common ground for diverse approaches to literary style, fostering transdisciplinary research. The focus of this contribution is on literary style in linguistics and literary studies (rather than in art history, musicology or fashion), on textual aspects of style (rather than production- or reception-oriented theories of style), and on a descriptive perspective (rather than a prescriptive or didactic one). Even within these limits, however, it appears necessary to build on a broad understanding of the various perspectives on style that have been adopted at different times and in different traditions. For this reason, the contribution first traces the development of the notion of style in three different traditions, those of German, Dutch and French language and literary studies. Despite the numerous links between each other, and between each of them to the British and American traditions, these three traditions each have their proper dynamics, especially with regard to the convergence and/or confrontation between mainstream and computational stylistics. For reasons of space and coherence, the contribution is limited to theoretical developments occurring since 1945. The contribution begins by briefly outlining the range of definitions of style that can be encountered across traditions today: style as revealing a higher-order aesthetic value, as the holistic ›gestalt‹ of single texts, as an expression of the individuality of an author, as an artifact presupposing choice among alternatives, as a deviation from a norm or reference, or as any formal property of a text. The contribution then traces the development of definitions of style in each of the three traditions mentioned, with the aim of giving a concise account of how, in each tradition, definitions of style have evolved over time, with special regard to the way such definitions relate to empirical, quantitative or otherwise computational approaches to style in literary texts. It will become apparent how, in each of the three traditions, foundational texts continue to influence current discussions on literary style, but also how stylistics has continuously reacted to broader developments in cultural and literary theory, and how empirical, quantitative or computational approaches have long ­existed, usually in parallel to or at the margins of mainstream stylistics. The review will also reflect the lines of discussion around style as a property of literary texts - or of any textual entity in general. The perspective on three stylistic traditions is accompanied by a more systematic perspective. The rationale is to work towards a common ground for literary scholars and linguists when talking about (literary) style, across traditions of stylistics, with respect for established definitions of style, but also in light of the digital paradigm. Here, we first show to what extent, at similar or different moments in time, the three traditions have developed comparable positions on style, and which definitions out of the range of possible definitions have been proposed or promoted by which authors in each of the three traditions. On the basis of this synthesis, we then conclude by proposing an operational definition of style that is an attempt to provide a common ground for both mainstream and computational literary stylistics. This definition is discussed in some detail in order to explain not only what is meant by each term in the definition, but also how it relates to computational analyses of style - and how this definition aims to avoid some of the pitfalls that can be perceived in earlier definitions of style. Our definition, we hope, will be put to use by a new generation of computational, quantitative, and empirical studies of style in literary texts.}, language = {en} } @article{BenzJonesYounasetal.2015, author = {Benz, Roland and Jones, Michael D. and Younas, Farhan and Maier, Elke and Modi, Niraj and Mentele, Reinhard and Lottspeich, Friedrich and Kleinekath{\"o}fer, Ulrich and Smit, John}, title = {OmpW of Caulobacter crescentus functions as an outer membrane channel for cations}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0143557}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-145114}, pages = {e0143557}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Caulobacter crescentus is an oligotrophic bacterium that lives in dilute organic environments such as soil and freshwater. This bacterium represents an interesting model for cellular differentiation and regulation because daughter cells after division have different forms: one is motile while the other is non-motile and can adhere to surfaces. Interestingly, the known genome of C. crescentus does not contain genes predicted to code for outer membrane porins of the OmpF/C general diffusion type present in enteric bacteria or those coding for specific porins selective for classes of substrates. Instead, genes coding for 67 TonB-dependent outer membrane receptors have been identified, suggesting that active transport of specific nutrients may be the norm. Here, we report that high channel-forming activity was observed with crude outer membrane extracts of C. crescentus in lipid bilayer experiments, indicating that the outer membrane of C. crescentus contained an ion-permeable channel with a single-channel conductance of about 120 pS in 1M KCl. The channel-forming protein with an apparent molecular mass of about 20 kDa was purified to homogeneity. Partial protein sequencing of the protein indicated it was a member of the OmpW family of outer membrane proteins from Gram-negative bacteria. This channel was not observed in reconstitution experiments with crude outer membrane extracts of an OmpW deficient C. crescentus mutant. Biophysical analysis of the C. crescentus OmpW suggested that it has features that are special for general diffusion porins of Gram-negative outer membranes because it was not a wide aqueous channel. Furthermore, OmpW of C. crescentus seems to be different to known OmpW porins and has a preference for ions, in particular cations. A putative model for OmpW of C. crescentus was built on the basis of the known 3D-structures of OmpW of Escherichia coli and OprG of Pseudomonas aeruginosa using homology modeling. A comparison of the two known structures with the model of OmpW of C. crescentus suggested that it has a more hydrophilic interior and possibly a larger diameter.}, language = {en} } @article{BenoitGoebeler2015, author = {Benoit, Sandrine and Goebeler, Matthias}, title = {Mepacrine in recalcitrant cutaneous lupus erythematosus: old-fashioned or still useful?}, series = {Acta Dermato-Venereologica}, volume = {95}, journal = {Acta Dermato-Venereologica}, doi = {10.2340/00015555-2031}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149181}, pages = {596-599}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Treatment of recalcitrant cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE) is challenging. In situations where conventional treatment approaches fail mepacrine - an antimalarial/antiinfiammatory drug that has fallen into oblivion in the last decades might still be a promising option. We retrospectively analysed medical records of 10 patients with refractory CLE that were treated with mepacrine (100-200 mg/day) as mono- or combination therapy for various time intervals between 2001 and 2013 at the University Hospital Wurzburg. Mepacrine was generally well tolerated. Side effects were mild and usually resolved after reduction or cessation. Over 50\% of the patients experienced amelioration of their symptoms despite a previously recalcitrant clinical course. Altogether, our data demonstrate that mepacrine still remains a useful and effective therapeutic option for otherwise treatment-resistant CLE.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bellwon2015, author = {Bellwon, Patricia}, title = {Kinetic assessment by in vitro approaches - A contribution to reduce animals in toxicity testing}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122693}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The adoption of directives and regulations by the EU requires the development of alternative testing strategies as opposed to animal testing for risk assessment of xenobiotics. Additionally, high attrition rates of drugs late in the discovery phase demand improvement of current test batteries applied in the preclinical phase within the pharmaceutical area. These issues were taken up by the EU founded 7th Framework Program "Predict-IV"; with the overall goal to improve the predictability of safety of an investigational product, after repeated exposure, by integration of "omics" technologies applied on well established in vitro approaches. Three major target organs for drug-induced toxicity were in focus: liver, kidney and central nervous system. To relate obtained dynamic data with the in vivo situation, kinetics of the test compounds have to be evaluated and extrapolated by physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. This thesis assessed in vitro kinetics of the selected test compounds (cyclosporine A, adefovir dipivoxil and cisplatinum) regarding their reliability and relevance to respective in vivo pharmacokinetics. Cells were exposed daily or every other day to the test compounds at two concentration levels (toxic and non-toxic) for up to 14 days. Concentrations of the test compounds or their major biotransformation products were determined by LC-MS/MS or ICP-MS in vehicle, media, cells and plastic adsorption samples generated at five different time-points on the first and the last treatment day. Cyclosporine A bioaccumulation was evident in primary rat hepatocytes (PRH) at the high concentration, while efficient biotransformation mediated by CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 was determined in primary human hepatocytes (PHH) and HepaRG cells. The lower biotransformation in PRH is in accordance with observation made in vivo with the rat being a poor model for CYP3A biotransformation. Further, inter-assay variability was noticed in PHH caused by biological variability in CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 activity in human donors. The inter-assay variability observed for PRH and HepaRG cells was a result of differences between vehicles regarding their cyclosporine A content. Cyclosporine A biotransformation was more prominent in HepaRG cells due to stable and high CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 activity. In addition, in vitro clearances were calculated and scaled to in vivo. All scaled in vitro clearances were overestimated (PRH: 10-fold, PHH: 2-fold, HepaRG cells: 2-fold). These results should be proven by physiologically-based pharmacokinetic modeling and additional experiments, in order to verify that these overestimations are constant for each system and subsequently can be diminished by implementation of further scaling factors. Brain cell cultures, primary neuronal culture of mouse cortex cells and primary aggregating rat brain cells, revealed fast achieved steady state levels of cyclosporine A. This indicates a chemical distribution of cyclosporine A between the aqueous and organic phases and only minor involvement of biological processes such as active transport and biotransformation. Hence, cyclosporine A uptake into cells is presumably transport mediated, supported by findings of transporter experiments performed on a parallel artificial membrane and Caco-2 cells. Plastic adsorption of cyclosporine A was significant, but different for each model, and should be considered by physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling. Kinetics of adefovir dipivoxil highlights the limits of in vitro approaches. Active transporters are required for adefovir uptake, but were not functional in RPTECT/TERT1. Therefore, adefovir uptake was limited to passive diffusion of adefovir dipivoxil, which itself degrades time-dependently under culture conditions. Cisplatinum kinetics, studied in RPTEC/TERT1 cells, indicated intracellular enrichment of platinum, while significant bioaccumulation was not noted. This could be due to cisplatinum not reaching steady state levels within 14 days repeated exposure. As shown in vivo, active transport occurred from the basolateral to apical side, but with lower velocity. Hence, obtained data need to be modeled to estimate cellular processes, which can be scaled and compared to in vivo. Repeated daily exposure to two different drug concentrations makes it possible to account for bioaccumulation at toxic concentrations or biotransformation/extrusion at non-toxic concentrations. Potential errors leading to misinterpretation of data were reduced by analyses of the vehicles as the applied drug concentrations do not necessarily correspond to the nominal concentrations. Finally, analyses of separate compartments (medium, cells, plastic) give insights into a compound's distribution, reduce misprediction of cellular processes, e.g. biotransformation, and help to interpret kinetic data. On the other hand, the limits of in vitro approaches have also been pointed out. For correct extrapolation to in vivo, it is essential that the studied in vitro system exhibits the functionality of proteins, which play a key role in the specific drug induced toxicity. Considering the benefits and limitations, it is worth to validate this long-term treatment experimental set-up and expand it on co-culture systems and on organs-on-chips with regard to alternative toxicity testing strategies for repeated dose toxicity studies.}, subject = {Zellkultur}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{BeitzenHeineke2015, author = {Beitzen-Heineke, Antonia}, title = {Invariant Natural Killer T cells possess immune-modulating functions during \(Aspergillus\) \(fumigatus\) infection}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144966}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause for invasive fungal infections, a disease associated with high mortality in immune-compromised patients. CD1d-restricted invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells compose a small subset of T cells known to impact the immune response towards various infectious pathogens. To investigate the role of human iNKT cells during A. fumigatus infection, we studied their activation as determined by CD69 expression and cytokine production in response to distinct fungal morphotypes in the presence of different CD1d⁺ antigen presenting cells using flow cytometry and multiplex ELISA. Among CD1d⁺ subpopulations, CD1d⁺CD1c⁺ mDCs showed the highest potential to activate iNKT cells on a per cell basis. The presence of A. fumigatus decreased this effect of CD1d⁺CD1c⁺ mDCs on iNKT cells and led to reduced secretion of TNF-α, G-CSF and RANTES. Production of other Th1 and Th2 cytokines was not affected by the fungus, suggesting an immune-modulating function for human iNKT cells during A. fumigatus infection.}, subject = {Aspergillus fumigatus}, language = {en} } @article{BeissSpiegelBoesetal.2015, author = {Beiss, Veronique and Spiegel, Holger and Boes, Alexander and Scheuermayer, Matthias and Reimann, Andreas and Schillberg, Stefan and Fischer, Rainer}, title = {Plant expression and characterization of the transmission-blocking vaccine candidate PfGAP50}, series = {BMC Biotechnology}, volume = {15}, journal = {BMC Biotechnology}, number = {108}, doi = {10.1186/s12896-015-0225-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-137327}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Despite the limited success after decades of intensive research and development efforts, vaccination still represents the most promising strategy to significantly reduce the disease burden in malaria endemic regions. Besides the ultimate goal of inducing sterile protection in vaccinated individuals, the prevention of transmission by so-called transmission blocking vaccines (TBVs) is being regarded as an important feature of an efficient malaria eradication strategy. Recently, Plasmodium falciparum GAP50 (PfGAP50), a 44.6 kDa transmembrane protein that forms an essential part of the invasion machinery (glideosome) multi-protein complex, has been proposed as novel potential transmission-blocking candidate. Plant-based expression systems combine the advantages of eukaryotic expression with a up-scaling potential and a good product safety profile suitable for vaccine production. In this study we investigated the feasibility to use the transient plant expression to produce PfGAP50 suitable for the induction of parasite specific inhibitory antibodies. Results: We performed the transient expression of recombinant PfGAP50 in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves using endoplasmatic reticulum (ER) and plastid targeting. After IMAC-purification the protein yield and integrity was investigated by SDS-PAGE and Western Blot. Rabbit immune IgG derived by the immunization with the plastidtargeted variant of PfGAP50 was analyzed by immune fluorescence assay (IFA) and zygote inhibition assay (ZIA). PfGAP50 could be produced in both subcellular compartments at different yields IMAC (Immobilized Metal Affinity Chromatography) purification from extract yielded up to 4.1 mu g/g recombinant protein per fresh leaf material for ER-retarded and 16.2 mu g/g recombinant protein per fresh leave material for plasmid targeted PfGAP50, respectively. IgG from rabbit sera generated by immunization with the recombinant protein specifically recognized different parasite stages in immunofluorescence assay. Furthermore up to 55 \% inhibition in an in vitro zygote inhibition assay could be achieved using PfGAP50-specific rabbit immune IgG. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the plant-produced PfGAP50 is functional regarding the presentation of inhibitory epitopes and could be considered as component of a transmission-blocking malaria vaccine formulation.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckerRauSchmittetal.2015, author = {Becker, Philip P. and Rau, Monika and Schmitt, Johannes and Malsch, Carolin and Hammer, Christian and Bantel, Heike and M{\"u}llhaupt, Beat and Geier, Andreas}, title = {Performance of serum microRNAs -122, -192 and -21 as biomarkers in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {11}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0142661}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-145147}, pages = {e0142661}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Objectives Liver biopsies are the current gold standard in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) diagnosis. Their invasive nature, however, still carries an increased risk for patients' health. The development of non-invasive diagnostic tools to differentiate between bland steatosis (NAFL) and NASH remains crucial. The aim of this study is the evaluation of investigated circulating microRNAs in combination with new targets in order to optimize the discrimination of NASH patients by non-invasive serum biomarkers. Methods Serum profiles of four microRNAs were evaluated in two cohorts consisting of 137 NAFLD patients and 61 healthy controls. In a binary logistic regression model microRNAs of relevance were detected. Correlation of microRNA appearance with known biomarkers like ALT and CK18-Asp396 was evaluated. A simplified scoring model was developed, combining the levels of microRNA in circulation and CK18-Asp396 fragments. Receiver operating characteristics were used to evaluate the potential of discriminating NASH. Results The new finding of our study is the different profile of circulating miR-21 in NASH patients (p<0.0001). Also, it validates recently published results of miR-122 and miR-192 to be differentially regulated in NAFL and NASH. Combined microRNA expression profiles with CK18-Asp396 fragment level scoring model had a higher potential of NASH prediction compared to other risk biomarkers (AUROC = 0.83, 95\% CI = 0.754-0.908; p<0.001). Evaluation of score model for NAFL (Score = 0) and NASH (Score = 4) had shown high rates of sensitivity (91\%) and specificity (83\%). Conclusions Our study defines candidates for a combined model of miRNAs and CK18-Asp396 levels relevant as a promising expansion for diagnosis and in turn treatment of NASH.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Becker2015, author = {Becker, Johannes}, title = {Development and implementation of new simulation possibilities in the CAST program package}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-132032}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The aim of the present work is the development and implementation of new simulation possibilities for the CAST program package. Development included, among other things, the partial parallelization of the already existing force fields, extension of the treatment of electrostatic interactions and implementation of molecular dynamics and free energy algorithms. The most time consuming part of force field calculations is the evaluation of the nonbonded interactions. The calculation of these interactions has been parallelized and it could be shown to yield a significant speed up for multi-core calculations compared to the serial execution on only one CPU. For both, simple energy/gradient as well as molecular dynamics simulations the computational time could be significantly reduced. To further increase the performance of calculations employing a cutoff radius, a linkedcell algorithm was implemented which is able to build up the non-bonded interaction list up to 7 times faster than the original algorithm. To provide access to dynamic properties based on the natural time evolution of a system, a molecular dynamics code has been implemented. The MD implementation features two integration schemes for the equations of motion which are able to generate stable trajectories. The basic MD algorithm as described in Section 1.2 leads to the sampling in the microcanonical (NVE) ensemble. The practical use of NVE simulations is limited though because it does not correspond to any experimentally realistic situation. More realistic simulation conditions are found in the isothermal (NVT) and isothermalisobaric (NPT) ensembles. To generate those ensembles, temperature and pressure control has been implemented. The temperature can be controlled in two ways: by direct velocity scaling and by a Nose-Hoover thermostat which produces a real canonical ensemble. The pressure coupling is realized by implementation of a Berendsen barostat. The pressure coupling can be used for isotropic or anisotropic box dimensions with the restriction that the angles of the box need to be 90� . A crucial simulation parameter in MD simulations is the length of the timestep. The timestep is usually in the rang of 1fs. Increasing the timestep beyond 1fs can lead to unstable trajectories since the fastest motion in the system, usually the H-X stretch vibration can not be sampled anymore. A way to allow for bigger timesteps is the use of a constraint algorithm which constrains the H-X bonds to the equilibrium distance. For this the RATTLE algorithm has been implemented in the CAST program. The velocity Verlet algorithm in combination with the RATTLE algorithm has been shown to yield stable trajectories for an arbitrary length of simulation time. In a first application the MD implementation is used in conjunction with the MOPAC interface for the investigation of PBI sidechains and their rigidity. The theoretical investigations show a nice agreement with experimentally obtained results. Based on the MD techniques two algorithms for the determination of free energy differences have been implemented. The umbrella sampling algorithm can be used to determine the free energy change along a reaction coordinate based on distances or dihedral angles. The implementation was tested on the stretching of a deca-L-alanine and the rotation barrier of butane in vacuum. The results are in nearly perfect agreement with literature values. For the FEP implementation calculations were performed for a zero-sum transformation of ethane in explicit solvent, the charging of a sodium ion in explicit solvent and the transformations of a tripeptide in explicit solvent. All results are in agreement with benchmark calculations of the NAMD program as well as literature values. The FEP formalism was then applied to determine the relative binding free energies between two inhibitors in an inhibitor-protein complex. Next to force fields, ab-initio methods can be used for simulations and global optimizations. Since the performance of such methods is usually significantly poorer than force field applications, the use for global optimizations is limited. Nevertheless significant progress has been made by porting these codes to GPUs. In order to make use of these developments a MPI interface has been implemented into CAST for communication with the DFT code TeraChem. The CAST/TeraChem combination has been tested on the \$H_2 O_{10}\$ cluster as well as the polypeptide met-Enkephalin. The pure ab-initio calculations showed a superior behavior compared to the standard procedure where the force field results are usually refined using quantum chemical methods.}, subject = {Molekulardynamik}, language = {en} } @article{BeckEhmannAndlaueretal.2015, author = {Beck, Katherina and Ehmann, Nadine and Andlauer, Till F. M. and Ljaschenko, Dmitrij and Strecker, Katrin and Fischer, Matthias and Kittel, Robert J. and Raabe, Thomas}, title = {Loss of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome-associated gene RSK2 alters ERK activity, synaptic function and axonal transport in Drosophila motoneurons}, series = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms}, volume = {8}, journal = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms}, doi = {10.1242/dmm.021246}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-145185}, pages = {1389-1400}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Plastic changes in synaptic properties are considered as fundamental for adaptive behaviors. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated signaling has been implicated in regulation of synaptic plasticity. Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) acts as a regulator and downstream effector of ERK. In the brain, RSK2 is predominantly expressed in regions required for learning and memory. Loss-of-function mutations in human RSK2 cause Coffin-Lowry syndrome, which is characterized by severe mental retardation and low IQ scores in affected males. Knockout of RSK2 in mice or the RSK ortholog in Drosophila results in a variety of learning and memory defects. However, overall brain structure in these animals is not affected, leaving open the question of the pathophysiological consequences. Using the fly neuromuscular system as a model for excitatory glutamatergic synapses, we show that removal of RSK function causes distinct defects in motoneurons and at the neuromuscular junction. Based on histochemical and electrophysiological analyses, we conclude that RSK is required for normal synaptic morphology and function. Furthermore, loss of RSK function interferes with ERK signaling at different levels. Elevated ERK activity was evident in the somata of motoneurons, whereas decreased ERK activity was observed in axons and the presynapse. In addition, we uncovered a novel function of RSK in anterograde axonal transport. Our results emphasize the importance of fine-tuning ERK activity in neuronal processes underlying higher brain functions. In this context, RSK acts as a modulator of ERK signaling.}, language = {en} } @article{BeckTitzeHuebneretal.2015, author = {Beck, Hanna and Titze, Stephanie I. and H{\"u}bner, Silvia and Busch, Martin and Schlieper, Georg and Schultheiss, Ulla T. and Wanner, Christoph and Kronenberg, Florian and Krane, Vera and Eckardt, Kai-Uwe and K{\"o}ttgen, Anna}, title = {Heart Failure in a Cohort of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: The GCKD Study}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {4}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0122552}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143315}, pages = {e0122552}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a risk factor for development and progression of heart failure (HF). CKD and HF share common risk factors, but few data exist on the prevalence, signs and symptoms as well as correlates of HF in populations with CKD of moderate severity. We therefore aimed to examine the prevalence and correlates of HF in the German Chronic Kidney Disease (GCKD) study, a large observational prospective study. Methods and Results We analyzed data from 5,015 GCKD patients aged 18-74 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 ml/min/1.73m\(^{2}\) or with an eGFR >= 60 and overt proteinuria (>500 mg/d). We evaluated a definition of HF based on the Gothenburg score, a clinical HF score used in epidemiological studies (Gothenburg HF), and self-reported HF. Factors associated with HF were identified using multivariable adjusted logistic regression. The prevalence of Gothenburg HF was 43\% (ranging from 24\% in those with eGFR >90 to 59\% in those with eGFR<30 ml/min/1.73m2). The corresponding estimate for self-reported HF was 18\% (range 5\%-24\%). Lower eGFR was significantly and independently associated with the Gothenburg definition of HF (p-trend <0.001). Additional significantly associated correlates included older age, female gender, higher BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, valvular heart disease, anemia, sleep apnea, and lower educational status. Conclusions The burden of self-reported and Gothenburg HF among patients with CKD is high. The proportion of patients who meet the criteria for Gothenburg HF in a European cohort of patients with moderate CKD is more than twice as high as the prevalence of self-reported HF. However, because of the shared signs, symptoms and medications of HF and CKD, the Gothenburg score cannot be used to reliably define HF in CKD patients. Our results emphasize the need for early screening for HF in patients with CKD.}, language = {en} } @article{BaurSchedelbeckPulzeretal.2015, author = {Baur, Johannes and Schedelbeck, Ulla and Pulzer, Alina and Bluemel, Christina and Wild, Vanessa and Fassnacht, Martin and Steger, U.}, title = {A case report of a solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma}, series = {BMC Surgery}, volume = {15}, journal = {BMC Surgery}, number = {93}, doi = {10.1186/s12893-015-0076-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126130}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background Solitary metastases to the pancreas are rare. Therefore the value of resection in curative intention remains unclear. In the literature there are several promising reports about resection of solitary metastasis to the pancreas mainly of renal origin. Case presentation Here we report for the first time on the surgical therapy of a 1.5 cm solitary pancreatic metastasis of an adrenocortical carcinoma. The metastasis occurred almost 6 years after resection of the primary tumor. A partial pancreatoduodenectomy was performed and postoperatively adjuvant mitotane treatment was initiated. During the follow-up of 3 years after surgery no evidence of tumor recurrence occurred. Conclusion Resection of pancreatic tumors should be considered, even if the mass is suspicious for metastatic disease including recurrence of adrenocortical cancer.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bauer2015, author = {Bauer, Ulrich Josef}, title = {Conformal Mappings onto Simply and Multiply Connected Circular Arc Polygon Domains}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-123914}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The goal of this thesis is to investigate conformal mappings onto circular arc polygon domains, i.e. domains that are bounded by polygons consisting of circular arcs instead of line segments. Conformal mappings onto circular arc polygon domains contain parameters in addition to the classical parameters of the Schwarz-Christoffel transformation. To contribute to the parameter problem of conformal mappings from the unit disk onto circular arc polygon domains, we investigate two special cases of these mappings. In the first case we can describe the additional parameters if the bounding circular arc polygon is a polygon with straight sides. In the second case we provide an approximation for the additional parameters if the circular arc polygon domain satisfies some symmetry conditions. These results allow us to draw conclusions on the connection between these additional parameters and the classical parameters of the mapping. For conformal mappings onto multiply connected circular arc polygon domains, we provide an alternative construction of the mapping formula without using the Schottky-Klein prime function. In the process of constructing our main result, mappings for domains of connectivity three or greater, we also provide a formula for conformal mappings onto doubly connected circular arc polygon domains. The comparison of these mapping formulas with already known mappings allows us to provide values for some of the parameters of the mappings onto doubly connected circular arc polygon domains if the image domain is a polygonal domain. The different components of the mapping formula are constructed by using a slightly modified variant of the Poincar{\´e} theta series. This construction includes the design of a function to remove unwanted poles and of different versions of functions that are analytic on the domain of definition of the mapping functions and satisfy some special functional equations. We also provide the necessary concepts to numerically evaluate the conformal mappings onto multiply connected circular arc polygon domains. As the evaluation of such a map requires the solution of a differential equation, we provide a possible configuration of curves inside the preimage domain to solve the equation along them in addition to a description of the procedure for computing either the formula for the doubly connected case or the case of connectivity three or greater. We also describe the procedures for solving the parameter problem for multiply connected circular arc polygon domains.}, subject = {Konforme Abbildungen}, language = {en} } @article{BauerGoebelerWeissbrichetal.2015, author = {Bauer, Boris and Goebeler, Matthias and Weissbrich, Benedikt and Kerstan, Andreas}, title = {Kerinokeratosis papulosa of childhood}, series = {Dermatology}, volume = {231}, journal = {Dermatology}, number = {1}, issn = {1018-8665}, doi = {10.1159/000381539}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-198997}, pages = {1 -- 4}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Kerinokeratosis papulosa (KP) is considered an extremely rare genodermatosis presenting usually as waxy papules on the trunk in childhood. Objective: To describe and analyze the clinical, histological and potential etiopathological aspects of KP. Methods: The dermatoscopic features of a new case of KP of childhood are investigated. The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in lesional skin was studied by polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, all cases of KP of childhood reported so far were reviewed. Results: As a diagnostic tool, we describe for the first time a dermatoscopic feature, namely a cribriform pattern of KP, in an 11-year-old boy. In addition, we detected HPV (type 57) in his KP lesions. Conclusions: Dermatoscopic examination might be a useful tool to distinguish KP from other skin lesions, e.g. common warts. The detection of HPV type 57 might hint to an etiological role of HPV for KP.}, language = {en} } @article{BassetCizekCuenoudetal.2015, author = {Basset, Yves and Cizek, Lukas and Cu{\´e}noud, Philippe and Didham, Raphael K. and Novotny, Vojtech and {\O}degaard, Frode and Roslin, Tomas and Tishechkin, Alexey K. and Schmidl, J{\"u}rgen and Winchester, Neville N. and Roubik, David W. and Aberlenc, Henri-Pierre and Bail, Johannes and Barrios, Hector and Bridle, Jonathan R. and Casta{\~n}o-Meneses, Gabriela and Corbara, Bruno and Curletti, Gianfranco and da Rocha, Wesley Duarte and De Bakker, Domir and Delabie, Jacques H. C. and Dejean, Alain and Fagan, Laura L. and Floren, Andreas and Kitching, Roger L. and Medianero, Enrique and de Oliveira, Evandro Gama and Orivel, Jerome and Pollet, Marc and Rapp, Mathieu and Ribeiro, Servio P. and Roisin, Yves and Schmidt, Jesper B. and S{\o}rensen, Line and Lewinsohn, Thomas M. and Leponce, Maurice}, title = {Arthropod Distribution in a Tropical Rainforest: Tackling a Four Dimensional Puzzle}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {12}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0144110}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136393}, pages = {e0144110}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Quantifying the spatio-temporal distribution of arthropods in tropical rainforests represents a first step towards scrutinizing the global distribution of biodiversity on Earth. To date most studies have focused on narrow taxonomic groups or lack a design that allows partitioning of the components of diversity. Here, we consider an exceptionally large dataset (113,952 individuals representing 5,858 species), obtained from the San Lorenzo forest in Panama, where the phylogenetic breadth of arthropod taxa was surveyed using 14 protocols targeting the soil, litter, understory, lower and upper canopy habitats, replicated across seasons in 2003 and 2004. This dataset is used to explore the relative influence of horizontal, vertical and seasonal drivers of arthropod distribution in this forest. We considered arthropod abundance, observed and estimated species richness, additive decomposition of species richness, multiplicative partitioning of species diversity, variation in species composition, species turnover and guild structure as components of diversity. At the scale of our study (2km of distance, 40m in height and 400 days), the effects related to the vertical and seasonal dimensions were most important. Most adult arthropods were collected from the soil/litter or the upper canopy and species richness was highest in the canopy. We compared the distribution of arthropods and trees within our study system. Effects related to the seasonal dimension were stronger for arthropods than for trees. We conclude that: (1) models of beta diversity developed for tropical trees are unlikely to be applicable to tropical arthropods; (2) it is imperative that estimates of global biodiversity derived from mass collecting of arthropods in tropical rainforests embrace the strong vertical and seasonal partitioning observed here; and (3) given the high species turnover observed between seasons, global climate change may have severe consequences for rainforest arthropods.}, language = {en} } @article{BarteitHoepffnerHuwendieketal.2015, author = {Barteit, Sandra and Hoepffner, Philip and Huwendiek, S{\"o}ren and Karamagi, Angela and Munthali, Charles and Theurer, Antje and Neuhann, Florian}, title = {Self-directed e-learning at a tertiary hospital in Malawi - a qualitative evaluation and lessons learnt}, series = {GMS Journal for Medical Education}, volume = {32}, journal = {GMS Journal for Medical Education}, number = {1}, doi = {10.3205/zma000949}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150208}, pages = {Doc7}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: Malawi faces a severe lack of health workers. Despite initiatives to address this problem, a critical shortage of health care staff remains. This lack challenges the education and training of junior medical staff, especially medical interns in their final and crucial training year before they independently work as medical doctors. Project description: We have introduced an e-learning platform in the medical department of the Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) in Malawi. With the support of computer-assisted instruction, we aimed to improve the quality of medical training and education, as well as access to current medical materials, in particular for interns. Method: From March to April 2012, we conducted a qualitative evaluation to assess relevance and appropriateness of the e-learning platform. Data was collected via face-to-face interviews, a guided group discussion and a checklist based observation log. Evaluation data was recorded and coded using content analysis, interviewees were chosen via purposive sampling. Results: E-learning proved to be technically feasible in this setting. Users considered the e-learning platform to be relevant and appropriate. Concerns were raised about sustainability, accessibility and technical infrastructure, as well as limited involvement and responsibilities of Malawian partners. Interest in e-learning was high, yet, awareness of and knowledge about the e-learning platform among potential users was low. Evaluation results indicated that further adaptions to local needs are necessary to increase usage and accessibility. Conclusions: Interview results and our project experiences showed that, in the given setting, e-learning requires commitment from local stakeholders, adequate technical infrastructure, identification and assignation of responsibilities, as well as specific adaption to local needs.}, language = {en} } @article{BarejSchmitzPenneretal.2015, author = {Barej, Michael F. and Schmitz, Andreas and Penner, Johannes and Doumbia, Joseph and Sandberger-Loua, Laura and Hirschfeld, Mareike and Brede, Christian and Emmrich, Mike and Kouam{\´e}, N'Goran Germain and Hillers, Annika and Gonwouo, Nono L. and Nopper, Joachim and Adeba, Patrick Jo{\"e}l and Bangoura, Mohamed A. and Gage, Ceri and Anderson, Gail and R{\"o}del, Mark-Oliver}, title = {Life in the spray zone - overlooked diversity in West African torrent-frogs (Anura, Odontobatrachidae, Odontobatrachus)}, series = {Zoosystematics and Evolution}, volume = {91}, journal = {Zoosystematics and Evolution}, number = {2}, doi = {10.3897/zse.91.5127}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144254}, pages = {115-149}, year = {2015}, abstract = {West African torrent-frogs of the genus Odontobatrachus currently belong to a single species: Odontobatrachus natator (Boulenger, 1905). Recently, molecular results and biogeographic separation led to the recognition of five Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) thus identifying a species-complex. Based on these insights, morphological analyses on more than 150 adult specimens, covering the entire distribution of the family and all OTUs, were carried out. Despite strong morphological congruence, combinations of morphological characters made the differentiation of OTUs successful and allowed the recognition of five distinct species: Odontobatrachus natator, and four species new to science: Odontobatrachus arndti sp. n., O. fouta sp. n., O. smithi sp. n. and O. ziama sp. n. All species occur in parapatry: Odontobatrachus natator is known from western Guinea to eastern Liberia, O. ziama sp. n. from eastern Guinea, O. smithi sp. n. and O. fouta sp. n. from western Guinea, O. arndti sp. n. from the border triangle Guinea-Liberia-Cote d'Ivoire. In addition, for the first time the advertisement call of a West African torrent-frog (O. arndti sp. n.) is described.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Balk2015, author = {Balk, Anja}, title = {Ionic liquids of active pharmaceutical ingredients: A novel platform addressing solubility challenges of poorly water soluble drugs}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121925}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Starting in the late 1990s ionic liquids (ILs) gained momentum both in academia as well as industry. ILs are defined as organic salts with a melting point below 100 °C. Active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) may be transferred into ILs by creating salts with a bulky counterion with a soft electron density. ILs have demonstrated the potential to tune important pharmaceutical features such as the solubility and the dissolution rate, particularly addressing the challenge of poor water soluble drugs (PWSD). Due to the tunability of ILs, modification of physico-chemical properties of APIs may be envisioned without any modifications of the chemical structure. In the first chapter the potential as well as the limitation of ILs are discussed. The chapter commences with an overview of preparation and characterization of API-ILs. Moreover, examples for pharmaceutical parameters are presented which may be affected by IL formation, including the dissolution rate, kinetic solubility or hygroscopicity as well as biopharmaceutical performance and toxicology. The impact of IL formation on those pharmaceutically relevant features is highlighted, resulting in a blueprint for a novel formulation concept to overcome PWSD challenges without the need for structural changes of the API. Within the second chapter the IL concept is detailed for one specific API - counterion combination. A poorly water soluble acidic API against migraine attacks was transformed into an IL in an effort to minimize the time to maximum plasma concentration (tmax) and optimize the overall bioavailability. These studies were conducted in parallel to a prodrug of the API for comparison of the IL strategy versus a strategy involving modification of the API's structure. A significantly longer duration of API supersaturation and a 700 fold faster dissolution rate of the IL in comparison to the free acid were obtained and the underlying mechanism was elucidated. The transepithelial absorption was determined using Caco-2 cell layers. For the IL about 3 times more substance was transported in comparison to the prodrug when substances were applied as suspensions, despite the higher permeability of the prodrug, as increased solubility of the IL exceeded this effect. Cytotoxicity of the counterion was assessed in hepatic, renal and macrophage cell lines, respectively, and IC50 values were in the upper µM / lower mM range. The outcome of the study suggested the IL approach instrumental for tuning biopharmaceutical properties, without structural changes of the API as required for preparation of prodrugs. Thus the toolbox for formulation strategies of poorly water soluble drugs could be extended by an efficient concept. The third chapter focuses on the effect of different counterions on the physico-chemical properties of an API-IL, in particular to overcome the challenge of poor water solubility. Therefore, the same poorly water soluble acidic API against migraine attacks mentioned above was combined with 36 counterions resulting in ILs and low lattice enthalpy salts (LLES). Depending on the counterions, different dissolution rates, durations of supersaturation and hygroscopicities were obtained and release profiles could be tailored from immediate to sustained release. Besides, in vitro the cytotoxicity of the counterions was assessed in three cell lines. Using molecular descriptors such as the number of hydrophobic atoms, the graph theoretical diameter and the number of positive charges of the counterion, the dissolution rate, supersaturation and hygroscopicity as well as the cytotoxicity of counterions could be adequately modeled, rendering it possible to predict properties of new LLESs. Within the forth chapter different poorly water soluble APIs were combined with the counterion tetrabutylphosphonium (TBP) studying the impact on the pharmaceutical and physical properties of the APIs. TBP-ILs and low lattice enthalpy salts were prepared of the acidic APIs Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Naproxen, Sulfadiazine, Sulfamethoxazole and Tolbutamide. NMR and IR spectroscopy, DSC, XRPD, DVS and dissolution rate measurements, release profiles and saturation concentration measurements were used to characterize the free acids and TBP salts as compared to the corresponding sodium salts. The TBP salts as compared to the free acids displayed lower melting points and glass transition temperatures and up to 1000 times higher dissolution rates. The increase in the dissolution rate directly correlated with the salts' hygroscopicity, an aspect which is critically discussed in terms of pharmaceutical translation challenges. In summary TBP ILs of solid salts were proved instrumental to approach the challenge of poor water solubility. The outcome profiled tailor-made counterions as a powerful formulation strategy to address poor water solubility, hence bioavailability and ultimately therapeutic potential of challenging APIs. In summary, a plethora of ILs and LLESs were prepared by combination of different acidic APIs and counterions. The IL and LLESs concept was compared to conventional salt and prodrug strategies. By choice of the counterion, biopharmaceutical relevant parameters were deliberately modified and release profiles were tuned ranging from immediate to prolonged release. The impact of distinct structural counterion features controlling the dissolution, supersaturation, hygroscopicity and counterion cytotoxicity were identified, correlations were presented and predictive models were built. ILs and LLESs could be proven to be a powerful concept for the formulation of poorly water soluble acidic APIs.}, subject = {Arzneimittel}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bakhtiari2015, author = {Bakhtiari, Giti}, title = {The Role of Fluency in Oral Approach and Avoidance}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-118666}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Names of, for instance, children or companies are often chosen very carefully. They should sound and feel good. Therefore, many companies try to choose artificially created names that can easily be pronounced in various languages. A wide range of psychological research has demonstrated that easy processing (high processing fluency) is intrinsically experienced as positive. Due to this positive feeling, easy processing can have profound influences on preferences for names. Topolinski, Maschmann, Pecher, and Winkielman (2014) have introduced a different mechanism that influences the perception of words. Across several experiments they found that words featuring consonantal inward wanderings (inward words) were preferred over words featuring consonantal outward wanderings (outward words). They argued that this was due to the fact that approach and avoidance motivations are activated by articulating inward and outward words, because the pronunciation resembles approach and avoidance behaviors of swallowing and spitting, respectively. They suggested this close link as an underlying mechanism for the so-called in-out effect, but did not test this assumption directly. In the current work, I tested an alternative fluency account of the in-out effect. Specifically, I hypothesized that processing fluency might play a critical role instead of motivational states of approach and avoidance being necessarily activated. In Chapter 1, I introduce the general topic of my dissertation, followed by a detailed introduction of the research area of approach and avoidance motivations in Chapter 2. In Chapter 3, I narrow the topic down to orally induced approach and avoidance motivations, which is the main topic of my dissertation. In Chapter 4, I introduce the research area of ecological influences on psychological processes. This chapter builds the base for the idea that human language might serve as a source of processing fluency in the in-out effect. In the following Chapter 5, I elaborate the research area of processing fluency, for which I examined whether it plays a role in the in-out effect. After an overview of my empirical work in Chapter 6, the empirical part starts with Study 1a and Study 1b (Chapter 7) that aimed to show that two languages (Eng. \& Ger.) in which the in-out effect has originally been found might feature a source of higher processing fluency for inward over outward words. The results showed that higher frequencies of inward dynamics compared to outward dynamics were found in both languages. This can lead to higher pronunciation fluency for inward compared to outward words which might in turn lay the ground for higher preferences found for inward over outward words. In Chapter 8, the assumption that inward compared to outward dynamics might be more efficient to process was tested directly in experiments that examined objective as well as subjective processing fluency of artificially constructed non-words featuring pure inward or outward dynamics. Studies 2a-4b found an objective as well as subjective processing advantage for inward over outward words. In Chapter 9, the causal role of objective and subjective pronunciation fluency in the in-out effect was examined. In Study 5 mediational analyses on item-level and across studies were conducted using objective and subjective fluency as possible mediating variables. In Study 6 mediation analyses were conducted with data on subject- and trial-level from a within-subject design. Overall, the data of the item-based, subject-based and trial-based mediation analyses provide rather mixed results. Therefore, an experimental manipulation of fluency was implemented in the last two studies. In Chapter 10, Study 7 and Study 8 demonstrate that manipulating fluency experimentally does indeed modulate the attitudinal impact of consonantal articulation direction. Articulation ease was induced by letting participants train inward or outward kinematics before the actual evaluation phase. Additionally, the simulation training was intensified in Study 8 in order to examine whether a stronger modulation of the in-out effect could be found. Training outward words led to an attenuation and, after more extensive training, even to a reversal of the in-out effect, whereas training inward words led to an enhancement of the in-out effect. This hints at my overall hypothesis that the explicit preferences of inward and outward words are, at least partially, driven by processing fluency. Almost all studies of my dissertation, except for one analysis of the item-based mediation study, speak in favor of the hypothesis that inward words compared to outward words are objectively and subjectively easier to articulate. This possibly contributes partially to a higher preference of inward over outward words. The results are discussed in Chapter 11 with respect to processing fluency and to the role of language as an ecological factor. Finally, future research ideas are elaborated.}, subject = {Sozialpsychologie}, language = {en} } @article{BahnikStuchlik2015, author = {Bahn{\´i}k, Štěp{\´a}n and Stuchl{\´i}k, Aleš}, title = {Temporal and spatial strategies in an active place avoidance task on Carousel: a study of effects of stability of arena rotation speed in rats}, series = {PeerJ}, volume = {3}, journal = {PeerJ}, number = {e1257}, doi = {10.7717/peerj.1257}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-141931}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The active place avoidance task is a dry-arena task used to assess spatial navigation and memory in rodents. In this task, a subject is put on a rotating circular arena and avoids an invisible sector that is stable in relation to the room. Rotation of the arena means that the subject's avoidancemust be active, otherwise the subject will be moved in the to-be-avoided sector by the rotation of the arena and a slight electric shock will be administered. The present experiment explored the effect of variable arena rotation speed on the ability to avoid the to-be-avoided sector. Subjects in a group with variable arena rotation speed learned to avoid the sector with the same speed and attained the same avoidance ability as rats in a group with a stable arena rotation speed. Only a slight difference in preferred position within the room was found between the two groups. No difference was found between the two groups in the dark phase, where subjects could not use orientation cues in the room. Only one rat was able to learn the avoidance of the to-be-avoided sector in this phase. The results of the experiment suggest that idiothetic orientation and interval timing are not crucial for learning avoidance of the to-be-avoided sector. However, idiothetic orientation might be sufficient for avoiding the sector in the dark.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Bachschmidt2015, author = {Bachschmidt, Theresa}, title = {Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Proximity to Metal Implants at 3 Tesla}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-135690}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Magnetic resonance imaging is derogated by the presence of metal implants and image quality is impaired. Artifacts are categorized according to their sources, the differences in susceptibility between metal and tissue and the modulation of the magnetic radiofrequency (RF) transmit field. Generally, these artifacts are intensified at higher field strength. The purpose of this work is to analyze the efficiency of current methods used for metal artifact reduction at 3T and to investigate improvements. The impact of high-bandwidth RF pulses on susceptibility-induced artifacts is tested. In addition, the benefit of a two-channel transmit system with respect to shading close to total hip replacements and other elongated metal structures in parallel to the magnetic field is analyzed. Local transmit/receive coils feature a higher peak B1 amplitude than conventional body coils and thus enable high-bandwidth RF pulses. Susceptibility-induced through-plane distortion relates reciprocally to the RF bandwidth, which is evaluated in vitro for a total knee arthroplasty. Clinically relevant sequences (TSE and SEMAC) with conventional and high RF pulse bandwidths and different contrasts are tested on eight patients with different types of knee implants. Distortion is rated by two radiologists. An additional analysis assesses the capability of a local spine transmit coil. Furthermore, B1 effects close to elongated metal structures are described by an analytical model comprising a water cylinder and a metal rod, which is verified numerically and experimentally. The dependence of the optimal polarization of the transmit B1 field, creating minimum shading, on the position of the metal is analyzed. In addition, the optimal polarization is determined for two patients; its benefit compared to circular polarization is assessed. Phantom experiments confirm the relation of the RF bandwidth and the through-plane distortion, which can be reduced by up to 79\% by exploitation of a commercial local transmit/receive knee coil at 3T. On average, artifacts are rated "hardly visible" for patients with joint arthroplasties, when high-bandwidth RF pulses and SEMAC are used, and for patients with titanium fixtures, when high-bandwidth RF pulses are used in combination with TSE. The benefits of the local spine transmit coil are less compared to the knee coil, but enable a bandwidth 3.9 times as high as the body coil. The modulation of B1 due to metal is approximated well by the model presented and the position of the metal has strong influence on this effect. The optimal polarization can mitigate shading substantially. In conclusion, through-plane distortion and related artifacts can be reduced significantly by the application of high-bandwidth RF pulses by local transmit coils at 3T. Parallel transmission offers an option to substantially reduce shading close to long metal structures aligned with the magnetic field. Effective techniques dedicated for metal implant imaging at 3T are introduced in this work.}, subject = {Kernspintomografie}, language = {en} } @article{AyanuConradJentschetal.2015, author = {Ayanu, Yohannes and Conrad, Christopher and Jentsch, Anke and Koellner, Thomas}, title = {Unveiling undercover cropland inside forests using landscape variables: a supplement to remote sensing image classification}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {6}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0130079}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151686}, pages = {e0130079}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The worldwide demand for food has been increasing due to the rapidly growing global population, and agricultural lands have increased in extent to produce more food crops. The pattern of cropland varies among different regions depending on the traditional knowledge of farmers and availability of uncultivated land. Satellite images can be used to map cropland in open areas but have limitations for detecting undergrowth inside forests. Classification results are often biased and need to be supplemented with field observations. Undercover cropland inside forests in the Bale Mountains of Ethiopia was assessed using field observed percentage cover of land use/land cover classes, and topographic and location parameters. The most influential factors were identified using Boosted Regression Trees and used to map undercover cropland area. Elevation, slope, easterly aspect, distance to settlements, and distance to national park were found to be the most influential factors determining undercover cropland area. When there is very high demand for growing food crops, constrained under restricted rights for clearing forest, cultivation could take place within forests as an undercover. Further research on the impact of undercover cropland on ecosystem services and challenges in sustainable management is thus essential.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Awoye2015, author = {Awoye, Oy{\´e}monbad{\´e} Herv{\´e} Rodrigue}, title = {Implications of future climate change on agricultural production in tropical West Africa: evidence from the Republic of Benin}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-122887}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Environmental interlinked problems such as human-induced land cover change, water scarcity, loss in soil fertility, and anthropogenic climate change are expected to affect the viability of agriculture and increase food insecurity in many developing countries. Climate change is certainly the most serious of these challenges for the twenty-first century. The poorest regions of the world - tropical West Africa included - are the most vulnerable due to their high dependence on climate and weather sensitive activities such as agriculture, and the widespread poverty that limits the institutional and economic capacities to adapt to the new stresses brought about by climate change. Climate change is already acting negatively on the poor smallholders of tropical West Africa whose livelihoods dependent mainly on rain-fed agriculture that remains the cornerstone of the economy in the region. Adaptation of the agricultural systems to climate change effects is, therefore, crucial to secure the livelihoods of these rural communities. Since information is a key for decision-making, it is important to provide well-founded information on the magnitude of the impacts in order to design appropriate and sustainable adaptation strategies. Considering the case of agricultural production in the Republic of Benin, this study aims at using large-scale climatic predictors to assess the potential impacts of past and future climate change on agricultural productivity at a country scale in West Africa. Climate signals from large-scale circulation were used because state-of-the art regional climate models (RCM) still do not perfectly resolve synoptic and mesoscale convective processes. It was hypothesised that in rain-fed systems with low investments in agricultural inputs, yield variations are widely governed by climatic factors. Starting with pineapple, a perennial fruit crops, the study further considered some annual crops such as cotton in the group of fibre crops, maize, sorghum and rice in the group of cereals, cowpeas and groundnuts belonging to the legume crops, and cassava and yams which are root and tuber crops. Thus the selected crops represented the three known groups of photosynthetic pathways (i.e. CAM, C3, and C4 plants). In the study, use was made of the historical agricultural yield statistics for the Republic of Benin, observed precipitation and mean near-surface air temperature data from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU TS 3.1) and the corresponding variables simulated by the regional climate model (RCM) REMO. REMO RCM was driven at its boundaries by the global climate model ECHAM 5. Simulations with different greenhouse gas concentrations (SRES-A1B and B1 emission scenarios) and transient land cover change scenarios for present-day and future conditions were considered. The CRU data were submitted to empirical orthogonal functions analysis over the north hemispheric part of Africa to obtain large-scale observed climate predictors and associated consistent variability modes. REMO RCM data for the same region were projected on the derived climate patterns to get simulated climate predictors. By means of cross-validated Model Output Statistics (MOS) approach combined with Bayesian model averaging (BMA) techniques, the observed climate predictors and the crop predictand were further on used to derive robust statistical relationships. The robust statistical crop models perform well with high goodness-of-fit coefficients (e.g. for all combined crop models: 0.49 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.99; 0.28 ≤ Brier-Skill-Score ≤ 0.90). Provided that REMO RCM captures the main features of the real African climate system and thus is able to reproduce its inter-annual variability, the time-independent statistical transfer functions were then used to translate future climate change signal from the simulated climate predictors into attainable crop yields/crop yield changes. The results confirm that precipitation and air temperature governed agricultural production in Benin in general, and particularly, pineapple yield variations are mainly influenced by temperature. Furthermore, the projected yield changes under future anthropogenic climate change during the first-half of the 21st century amount up to -12.5\% for both maize and groundnuts, and -11\%, -29\%, -33\% for pineapple, cassava, and cowpeas respectively. Meanwhile yield gain of up to +10\% for sorghum and yams, +24\% for cotton, and +39\% for rice are expected. Over the time period 2001 - 2050, on average the future yield changes range between -3\% and -13\% under REMO SRES-B1 (GHG)+LCC, -2\% and -11\% under REMO SRES-A1B (GHG only),and -3\% and -14\% under REMO SRES-A1B (GHG)+LCC for pineapple, maize, sorghum, groundnuts, cowpeas and cassava. In the meantime for yams, cotton and rice, the average yield gains lie in interval of about +2\% to +7\% under REMO SRES-B1 (GHG)+LCC, +0.1\% and +12\% under REMO SRES-A1B (GHG only), and +3\% and +10\% under REMO SRES-A1B (GHG)+LCC. For sorghum, although the long-term average future yield depicts a reduction there are tendencies towards increasing yields in the future. The results also reveal that the increases in mean air temperature more than the changes in precipitation patterns are responsible for the projected yield changes. As well the results suggest that the reductions in pineapple yields cannot be attributed to the land cover/land use changes across sub-Saharan Africa. The production of groundnuts and in particular yams and cotton will profit from the on-going land use/land cover changes while the other crops will face detrimental effects. Henceforth, policymakers should take effective measures to limit the on-going land degradation processes and all other anthropogenic actions responsible for temperature increase. Biotechnological improvement of the cultivated crop varieties towards development of set of seed varieties adapted to hotter and dry conditions should be included in the breeding pipeline programs. Amongst other solutions, application of appropriate climate-smart agricultural practices and conservation agriculture are also required to offset the negative impacts of climate change in agriculture.}, subject = {Benin}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Aulbach2015, author = {Aulbach, Stefan}, title = {Contributions to Extreme Value Theory in Finite and Infinite Dimensions: With a Focus on Testing for Generalized Pareto Models}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-127162}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Extreme value theory aims at modeling extreme but rare events from a probabilistic point of view. It is well-known that so-called generalized Pareto distributions, which are briefly reviewed in Chapter 1, are the only reasonable probability distributions suited for modeling observations above a high threshold, such as waves exceeding the height of a certain dike, earthquakes having at least a certain intensity, and, after applying a simple transformation, share prices falling below some low threshold. However, there are cases for which a generalized Pareto model might fail. Therefore, Chapter 2 derives certain neighborhoods of a generalized Pareto distribution and provides several statistical tests for these neighborhoods, where the cases of observing finite dimensional data and of observing continuous functions on [0,1] are considered. By using a notation based on so-called D-norms it is shown that these tests consistently link both frameworks, the finite dimensional and the functional one. Since the derivation of the asymptotic distributions of the test statistics requires certain technical restrictions, Chapter 3 analyzes these assumptions in more detail. It provides in particular some examples of distributions that satisfy the null hypothesis and of those that do not. Since continuous copula processes are crucial tools for the functional versions of the proposed tests, it is also discussed whether those copula processes actually exist for a given set of data. Moreover, some practical advice is given how to choose the free parameters incorporated in the test statistics. Finally, a simulation study in Chapter 4 compares the in total three different test statistics with another test found in the literature that has a similar null hypothesis. This thesis ends with a short summary of the results and an outlook to further open questions.}, subject = {Extremwertstatistik}, language = {en} } @article{AtakLanglhoferSchaeferetal.2015, author = {Atak, Sinem and Langlhofer, Georg and Schaefer, Natascha and Kessler, Denise and Meiselbach, Heike and Delto, Carolyn and Schindelin, Hermann and Villmann, Carmen}, title = {Disturbances of ligand potency and enhanced degradation of the human glycine receptor at affected positions G160 and T162 originally identified in patients suffering from hyperekplexia}, series = {Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience}, number = {79}, doi = {10.3389/fnmol.2015.00079}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144818}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Ligand-binding of Cys-loop receptors is determined by N-terminal extracellular loop structures from the plus as well as from the minus side of two adjacent subunits in the pentameric receptor complex. An aromatic residue in loop B of the glycine receptor (GIyR) undergoes direct interaction with the incoming ligand via a cation-π interaction. Recently, we showed that mutated residues in loop B identified from human patients suffering from hyperekplexia disturb ligand-binding. Here, we exchanged the affected human residues by amino acids found in related members of the Cys-loop receptor family to determine the effects of side chain volume for ion channel properties. GIyR variants were characterized in vitro following transfection into cell lines in order to analyze protein expression, trafficking, degradation and ion channel function. GIyR α1 G160 mutations significantly decrease glycine potency arguing for a positional effect on neighboring aromatic residues and consequently glycine-binding within the ligand-binding pocket. Disturbed glycinergic inhibition due to T162 α1 mutations is an additive effect of affected biogenesis and structural changes within the ligand-binding site. Protein trafficking from the ER toward the ER-Golgi intermediate compartment, the secretory Golgi pathways and finally the cell surface is largely diminished, but still sufficient to deliver ion channels that are functional at least at high glycine concentrations. The majority of T162 mutant protein accumulates in the ER and is delivered to ER-associated proteasomal degradation. Hence, G160 is an important determinant during glycine binding. In contrast, 1162 affects primarily receptor biogenesis whereas exchanges in functionality are secondary effects thereof.}, language = {en} } @article{AsareKyeiForkuorVenus2015, author = {Asare-Kyei, Daniel and Forkuor, Gerald and Venus, Valentijn}, title = {Modeling Flood Hazard Zones at the Sub-District Level with the Rational Model Integrated with GIS and Remote Sensing Approaches}, series = {Water}, volume = {7}, journal = {Water}, doi = {10.3390/w7073531}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151581}, pages = {3531 -- 3564}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Robust risk assessment requires accurate flood intensity area mapping to allow for the identification of populations and elements at risk. However, available flood maps in West Africa lack spatial variability while global datasets have resolutions too coarse to be relevant for local scale risk assessment. Consequently, local disaster managers are forced to use traditional methods such as watermarks on buildings and media reports to identify flood hazard areas. In this study, remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques were combined with hydrological and statistical models to delineate the spatial limits of flood hazard zones in selected communities in Ghana, Burkina Faso and Benin. The approach involves estimating peak runoff concentrations at different elevations and then applying statistical methods to develop a Flood Hazard Index (FHI). Results show that about half of the study areas fall into high intensity flood zones. Empirical validation using statistical confusion matrix and the principles of Participatory GIS show that flood hazard areas could be mapped at an accuracy ranging from 77\% to 81\%. This was supported with local expert knowledge which accurately classified 79\% of communities deemed to be highly susceptible to flood hazard. The results will assist disaster managers to reduce the risk to flood disasters at the community level where risk outcomes are first materialized.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{ArjonaEsteban2015, author = {Arjona Esteban, Alhama}, title = {Merocyanine Dyes as Organic Semiconductors for Vacuum-processed Solar Cell and Transistor Devices}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-129096}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The present thesis comprises the synthesis of new functional merocyanine dyes, the study of their electro-optical properties as well as solid state packing and their application as p-type semiconductor materials in transistor and solar cell devices. The absorption properties of the obtained compounds could be modified by variation of the donor unit, the introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents in the acceptor unit or elongation of the polymethine chain. For a particular dye, the absorption band could be shifted by more than 160 nm by increasing the solvent polarity due to a conformational switch between a merocyanine-like and a cyanine-like structure. Single crystal analyses revealed that the studied dyes tend to pack either in an antiparallel fashion forming dimers with no overall dipole moment or in a staircase-like pattern where the dipole moments point to the same direction and are only balanced by another staircase oriented in the opposite direction (stair dimer). With respect to application as semiconductor materials, the latter packing arrangement resulted most favorable for charge carrier mobility. We concluded that this packing motif is preserved in the solar cell devices, where the selenium-containing dye afforded the highest performance of this series for an optimized planar-mixed heterojunction solar cell (6.2 \%).}, subject = {Merocyanine}, language = {en} } @article{ArdeltEbbingAdamsetal.2015, author = {Ardelt, Peter U. and Ebbing, Jan and Adams, Fabian and Reiss, Cora and Arap, Wadih and Pasqualini, Renata and Bachmann, Alexander and Wetterauer, Ulrich and Riedmiller, Hubertus and Kneitz, Burkard}, title = {An anti-ubiquitin antibody response in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0118646}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143711}, pages = {e0118646}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background To use combinatorial epitope mapping ("fingerprinting") of the antibody response to identify targets of the humoral immune response in patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Methods A combinatorial random peptide library was screened on the circulating pool of immunoglobulins purified from an index patient with a high risk TCC (pTa high grade plus carcinoma in situ) to identify corresponding target antigens. A patient cohort was investigated for antibody titers against ubiquitin. Results We selected, isolated, and validated an immunogenic peptide motif from ubiquitin as a dominant epitope of the humoral response. Patients with TCC had significantly higher antibody titers against ubiquitin than healthy donors (p<0.007), prostate cancer patients (p<0.0007), and all patients without TCC taken together (p<0.0001). Titers from superficial tumors were not significantly different from muscle invasive tumors (p = 0.0929). For antibody response against ubiquitin, sensitivity for detection of TCC was 0.44, specificity 0.96, positive predictive value 0.96 and negative predictive value 0.41. No significant titer changes were observed during the standard BCG induction immunotherapy. Conclusions This is the first report to demonstrate an anti-ubiquitin antibody response in patients with TCC. Although sensitivity of antibody production was low, a high specificity and positive predictive value make ubiquitin an interesting candidate for further diagnostic and possibly immune modulating studies.}, language = {en} } @article{AppelScholzMuelleretal.2015, author = {Appel, Mirjam and Scholz, Claus-J{\"u}rgen and M{\"u}ller, Tobias and Dittrich, Marcus and K{\"o}nig, Christian and Bockstaller, Marie and Oguz, Tuba and Khalili, Afshin and Antwi-Adjei, Emmanuel and Schauer, Tamas and Margulies, Carla and Tanimoto, Hiromu and Yarali, Ayse}, title = {Genome-Wide Association Analyses Point to Candidate Genes for Electric Shock Avoidance in Drosophila melanogaster}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0126986}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-152006}, pages = {e0126986}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Electric shock is a common stimulus for nociception-research and the most widely used reinforcement in aversive associative learning experiments. Yet, nothing is known about the mechanisms it recruits at the periphery. To help fill this gap, we undertook a genome-wide association analysis using 38 inbred Drosophila melanogaster strains, which avoided shock to varying extents. We identified 514 genes whose expression levels and/or sequences covaried with shock avoidance scores. We independently scrutinized 14 of these genes using mutants, validating the effect of 7 of them on shock avoidance. This emphasizes the value of our candidate gene list as a guide for follow-up research. In addition, by integrating our association results with external protein-protein interaction data we obtained a shock avoidance- associated network of 38 genes. Both this network and the original candidate list contained a substantial number of genes that affect mechanosensory bristles, which are hairlike organs distributed across the fly's body. These results may point to a potential role for mechanosensory bristles in shock sensation. Thus, we not only provide a first list of candidate genes for shock avoidance, but also point to an interesting new hypothesis on nociceptive mechanisms.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ansorg2015, author = {Ansorg, Kay}, title = {Development of Accurate Physically Grounded Force Fields for Intermolecular Cation-\$\pi\$ Interactions based on SAPT Energy Decomposition Analysis and Computational Investigation of Covalent Irreversible Vinyl Sulfone-based Protease Inhibitors}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-131084}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Part 1 of this work describes the development of accurate physically grounded force fields for intermolecular Cation-π interactions based on SAPT energy decomposition analysis. The presented results demonstrate the benefits of the used DFT-SAPT method to describe non-bonding interactions. First of all, this method is able to reproduce the high level CCSD(T) energy values but using much less computational time. Second it provides the possibility to separate the total intermolecular interaction energy into several physically meaningful contributions. The relative contributions of the dimers investigated can be seen in Fig. 6.16. In Tab. 6.3 the percentage contribution of the attractive energy parts to the stabilization energy is shown. The polarization energy is important for the NH+...C6H6 interaction, whereas it becomes less crucial considering other dimers. The dispersion energy contribution is large in the case of the C6H6...H2O dimers, whereas it is relatively less important for the NH+...C6H6 interaction. The electrostatic energy contributes a large amount of stabilizing energy in all considered dimer interactions. ...}, subject = {Kraftfeld}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{AnjanaVaman2015, author = {Anjana Vaman, Vamadevan Sujatha}, title = {LASP1, a newly identified melanocytic protein with a possible role in melanin release, but not in melanoma progression}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-116316}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) is a nucleocytoplasmic scaffolding protein. LASP1 interacts with various cytoskeletal proteins via its domain structure and is known to participate in physiological processes of cells. In the present study, a detailed investigation of the expression pattern of LASP1 protein in normal skin, melanocytic nevi and melanoma was carried out and the melanocyte-specific function of LASP1 was analyzed. LASP1 protein was identified in stratum basale of skin epidermis and a very high level was detected in nevi, the benign tumor of melanocyte. In the highly proliferative basal cells, an additional distinct nuclear localization of the protein was noted. In different tumor entities, an elevated LASP1 expression and nuclear localization, correlated positively with malignancy and tumor grade. However, LASP1 level was determined to be very low in melanoma and even reduced in metastases. Melanoma is distinguished as the first tumor tested to date - that displayed an absence of elevated LASP1 expression. In addition no significant relation was observed between LASP1 protein expression and clinicopathological parameters in melanoma. The epidermal melanin unit of skin comprises of melanocytes and keratinocytes. Melanocytes are specialized cells that synthesize the photo protective coloring pigment, melanin inside unique organelles called melanosomes. The presence of LASP1 in melanocytes is reported for the first time through this study and the existence was confirmed by immunoblotting analysis in cultured normal human epidermal melanocyte (NHEM) and in melanoma cell lines, along with the immunohistostaining imaging in normal skin and in melanocytic nevi. LASP1 depletion in MaMel2 cells revealed a moderate increase in the intracellular melanin level independently of de novo melanogenesis, pointing to a partial hindrance in melanin release. Immunofluorescence images of NHEM and MaMel2 cells visualized co-localization of LASP1 with dynamin and tyrosinase concomitant with melanosomes at the dendrite tips of the cells. Melanosome isolation experiments by sucrose density gradient centrifugation clearly demonstrated the presence of LASP1 and the melanosome specific markers tyrosinase and TRP1 in late stage melanosomes. The study identified LASP1 and dynamin as novel binding partners in melanocytes and provides first evidence for the existence of LASP1 and dynamin (a protein well-known for its involvement in vesicle formation and budding) in melanosomes. Co-localization of LASP1 and dynamin along the dendrites and at the tips of the melanocytes indicates a potential participation of the two proteins in the membrane vesicle fission at the plasma membrane. In summary, a possible involvement of LASP1 in the actin-dynamin mediated membrane fission and exocytosis of melanin laden melanosome vesicles into the extracellular matrix is suggested.}, subject = {Melanom}, language = {en} } @article{AndronicShirakashiPickeletal.2015, author = {Andronic, Joseph and Shirakashi, Ryo and Pickel, Simone U. and Westerling, Katherine M. and Klein, Teresa and Holm, Thorge and Sauer, Markus and Sukhorukov, Vladimir L.}, title = {Hypotonic Activation of the Myo-Inositol Transporter SLC5A3 in HEK293 Cells Probed by Cell Volumetry, Confocal and Super-Resolution Microscopy}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0119990}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126408}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Swelling-activated pathways for myo-inositol, one of the most abundant organic osmolytes in mammalian cells, have not yet been identified. The present study explores the SLC5A3 protein as a possible transporter of myo-inositol in hyponically swollen HEK293 cells. To address this issue, we examined the relationship between the hypotonicity-induced changes in plasma membrane permeability to myo-inositol Pino [m/s] and expression/localization of SLC5A3. Pino values were determined by cell volumetry over a wide tonicity range (100-275 mOsm) in myo-inositol-substituted solutions. While being negligible under mild hypotonicity (200-275 mOsm), Pino grew rapidly at osmolalities below 200 mOsm to reach a maximum of ∼3 nm/s at 100-125 mOsm, as indicated by fast cell swelling due to myo-inositol influx. The increase in Pino resulted most likely from the hypotonicity-mediated incorporation of cytosolic SLC5A3 into the plasma membrane, as revealed by confocal fluorescence microscopy of cells expressing EGFP-tagged SLC5A3 and super-resolution imaging of immunostained SLC5A3 by direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). dSTORM in hypotonic cells revealed a surface density of membrane-associated SLC5A3 proteins of 200-2000 localizations/μm2. Assuming SLC5A3 to be the major path for myo-inositol, a turnover rate of 80-800 myo-inositol molecules per second for a single transporter protein was estimated from combined volumetric and dSTORM data. Hypotonic stress also caused a significant upregulation of SLC5A3 gene expression as detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In summary, our data provide first evidence for swelling-mediated activation of SLC5A3 thus suggesting a functional role of this transporter in hypotonic volume regulation of mammalian cells.}, language = {en} } @article{AndreattaPauli2015, author = {Andreatta, Marta and Pauli, Paul}, title = {Appetitive vs. aversive conditioning in humans}, series = {Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience}, number = {128}, doi = {10.3389/fnbeh.2015.00128}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-148614}, year = {2015}, abstract = {In classical conditioning, an initially neutral stimulus (conditioned stimulus, CS) becomes associated with a biologically salient event (unconditioned stimulus, US), which might be pain (aversive conditioning) or food (appetitive conditioning). After a few associations, the CS is able to initiate either defensive or consummatory responses, respectively. Contrary to aversive conditioning, appetitive conditioning is rarely investigated in humans, although its importance for normal and pathological behaviors (e.g., obesity, addiction) is undeniable. The present study intents to translate animal findings on appetitive conditioning to humans using food as an US. Thirty-three participants were investigated between 8 and 10 am without breakfast in order to assure that they felt hungry. During two acquisition phases, one geometrical shape (avCS+) predicted an aversive US (painful electric shock), another shape (appCS+) predicted an appetitive US (chocolate or salty pretzel according to the participants' preference), and a third shape (CS) predicted neither US. In a extinction phase, these three shapes plus a novel shape (NEW) were presented again without US delivery. Valence and arousal ratings as well as startle and skin conductance (SCR) responses were collected as learning indices. We found successful aversive and appetitive conditioning. On the one hand, the avCS+ was rated as more negative and more arousing than the CS and induced startle potentiation and enhanced SCR. On the other hand, the appCS+ was rated more positive than the CS and induced startle attenuation and larger SCR. In summary, we successfully confirmed animal findings in (hungry) humans by demonstrating appetitive learning and normal aversive learning.}, language = {en} } @article{AndersenBogstedDybkaretal.2015, author = {Andersen, Jens Peter and B{\o}gsted, Martin and Dybk{\ae}r, Karen and Mellqvist, Ulf-Henrik and Morgan, Gareth J. and Goldschmidt, Hartmut and Dimopoulos, Meletios A. and Einsele, Hermann and San Miguel, Jes{\´u}s and Palumbo, Antonio and Sonneveld, Pieter and Johnsen, Hans Erik}, title = {Global myeloma research clusters, output, and citations: a bibliometric mapping and clustering analysis}, series = {PLoS ONE}, volume = {10}, journal = {PLoS ONE}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0116966}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144214}, pages = {e0116966}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background International collaborative research is a mechanism for improving the development of disease-specific therapies and for improving health at the population level. However, limited data are available to assess the trends in research output related to orphan diseases. Methods and Findings We used bibliometric mapping and clustering methods to illustrate the level of fragmentation in myeloma research and the development of collaborative efforts. Publication data from Thomson Reuters Web of Science were retrieved for 2005-2009 and followed until 2013. We created a database of multiple myeloma publications, and we analysed impact and co-authorship density to identify scientific collaborations, developments, and international key players over time. The global annual publication volume for studies on multiple myeloma increased from 1,144 in 2005 to 1,628 in 2009, which represents a 43\% increase. This increase is high compared to the 24\% and 14\% increases observed for lymphoma and leukaemia. The major proportion (> 90\% of publications) was from the US and EU over the study period. The output and impact in terms of citations, identified several successful groups with a large number of intra-cluster collaborations in the US and EU. The US-based myeloma clusters clearly stand out as the most productive and highly cited, and the European Myeloma Network members exhibited a doubling of collaborative publications from 2005 to 2009, still increasing up to 2013. Conclusion and Perspective Multiple myeloma research output has increased substantially in the past decade. The fragmented European myeloma research activities based on national or regional groups are progressing, but they require a broad range of targeted research investments to improve multiple myeloma health care.}, language = {en} } @article{AmmarThahoulyHanaueretal.2015, author = {Ammar, Mohamed Raafet and Thahouly, Tamou and Hanauer, Andr{\´e} and Stegner, David and Nieswandt, Bernhard and Vitale, Nicolas}, title = {PLD1 participates in BDNF-induced signalling in cortical neurons}, series = {Scientific Reports}, volume = {5}, journal = {Scientific Reports}, number = {14778}, doi = {10.1038/srep14778}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-139962}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF plays a critical role in neuronal development and the induction of L-LTP at glutamatergic synapses in several brain regions. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying these BDNF effects have not been firmly established. Using in vitro cultures of cortical neurons from knockout mice for Pld1 and Rsk2, BDNF was observed to induce a rapid RSK2-dependent activation of PLD and to stimulate BDNF ERK1/2-CREB and mTor-S6K signalling pathways, but these effects were greatly reduced in Pld1\(^{-/-}\) neurons. Furthermore, phospho-CREB did not accumulate in the nucleus, whereas overexpression of PLD1 amplified the BDNF-dependent nuclear recruitment of phospho-ERK1/2 and phospho-CREB. This BDNF retrograde signalling was prevented in cells silenced for the scaffolding protein PEA15, a protein which complexes with PLD1, ERK1/2, and RSK2 after BDNF treatment. Finally PLD1, ERK1/2, and RSK2 partially colocalized on endosomal structures, suggesting that these proteins are part of the molecular module responsible for BDNF signalling in cortical neurons.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Ames2015, author = {Ames, Christopher}, title = {Molecular Beam Epitaxy of 2D and 3D HgTe, a Topological Insulator}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-151136}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2015}, abstract = {In the present thesis the MBE growth and sample characterization of HgTe structures is investigated and discussed. Due to the first experimental discovery of the quantum Spin Hall effect (QSHE) in HgTe quantum wells, this material system attains a huge interest in the spintronics society. Because of the long history of growing Hg-based heterostructures here at the Experimentelle Physik III in W{\"u}rzburg, there are very good requirements to analyze this material system more precisely and in new directions. Since in former days only doped HgTe quantum wells were grown, this thesis deals with the MBE growth in the (001) direction of undoped HgTe quantum wells, surface located quantum wells and three dimensional bulk layers. All Hg-based layers were grown on CdTe substrates which generate strain in the layer stack and provide therefore new physical effects. In the same time, the (001) CdTe growth was investigated on n-doped (001) GaAs:Si because the Japanese supplier of CdTe substrates had a supply bottleneck due to the Tohoku earthquake and its aftermath in 2011. After a short introduction of the material system, the experimental techniques were demonstrated and explained explicitly. After that, the experimental part of this thesis is displayed. So, the investigation of the (001) CdTe growth on (001) GaAs:Si is discussed in chapter 4. Firstly, the surface preparation of GaAs:Si by oxide desorption is explored and analyzed. Here, rapid thermal desorption of the GaAs oxide with following cool down in Zn atmosphere provides the best results for the CdTe due to small holes at the surface, while e.g. an atomic flat GaAs buffer deteriorates the CdTe growth quality. The following ZnTe layer supplies the (001) growth direction of the CdTe and exhibits best end results of the CdTe for 30 seconds growth time at a flux ratio of Zn/Te ~ 1/1.2. Without this ZnTe layer, CdTe will grow in the (111) direction. However, the main investigation is here the optimization of the MBE growth of CdTe. The substrate temperature, Cd/Te flux ratio and the growth time has to be adjusted systematically. Therefore, a complex growth process is developed and established. This optimized CdTe growth process results in a RMS roughness of around 2.5 nm and a FWHM value of the HRXRD w-scan of 150 arcsec. Compared to the literature, there is no lower FWHM value traceable for this growth direction. Furthermore, etch pit density measurements show that the surface crystallinity is matchable with the commercial CdTe substrates (around 1x10^4 cm^(-2)). However, this whole process is not completely perfect and offers still room for improvements. The growth of undoped HgTe quantum wells was also a new direction in research in contrast to the previous n-doped grown HgTe quantum wells. Here in chapter 5, the goal of very low carrier densities was achieved and therefore it is now possible to do transport experiments in the n - and p - region by tuning the gate voltage. To achieve this high sample quality, very precise growth of symmetric HgTe QWs and their HRXRD characterization is examined. Here, the quantum well thickness can now determined accurate to under 0.3 nm. Furthermore, the transport analysis of different quantum well thicknesses shows that the carrier density and mobility increase with rising HgTe layer thickness. However, it is found out that the band gap of the HgTe QW closes indirectly at a thickness of 11.6 nm. This is caused by the tensile strained growth on CdTe substrates. Moreover, surface quantum wells are studied. These quantum wells exhibit no or a very thin HgCdTe cap. Though, oxidization and contamination of the surface reduces here the carrier mobility immensely and a HgCdTe layer of around 5 nm provides the pleasing results for transport experiments with superconductors connected to the topological insulator [119]. A completely new achievement is the realization of MBE growth of HgTe quantum wells on CdTe/GaAs:Si substrates. This is attended by the optimization of the CdTe growth on GaAs:Si. It exposes that HgTe quantum wells grown in-situ on optimized CdTe/GaAs:Si show very nice transport data with clear Hall plateaus, SdH oscillations, low carrier densities and carrier mobilities up to 500 000 cm^2/Vs. Furthermore, a new oxide etching process is developed and analyzed which should serve as an alternative to the standard HCl process which generates volcano defects at some time. However, during the testing time the result does not differ in Nomarski, HRXRD, AFM and transport measurements. Here, long-time tests or etching and mounting in nitrogen atmosphere may provide new elaborate results. The main focus of this thesis is on the MBE growth and standard characterization of HgTe bulk layers and is discussed in chapter 6. Due to the tensile strained growth on lattice mismatched CdTe, HgTe bulk opens up a band gap of around 22 meV at the G-point and exhibits therefore its topological surface states. The analysis of surface condition, roughness, crystalline quality, carrier density and mobility via Nomarski, AFM, XPS, HRXRD and transport measurements is therefore included in this work. Layer thickness dependence of carrier density and mobility is identified for bulk layer grown directly on CdTe substrates. So, there is no clear correlation visible between HgTe layer thickness and carrier density or mobility. So, the carrier density is almost constant around 1x10^11 cm^(-2) at 0 V gate voltage. The carrier mobility of these bulk samples however scatters between 5 000 and 60 000 cm^2/Vs almost randomly. Further experiments should be made for a clearer understanding and therefore the avoidance of unusable bad samples.But, other topological insulator materials show much higher carrier densities and lower mobility values. For example, Bi2Se3 exhibits just density values around 1019 cm^(-2) and mobility values clearly below 5000 cm2/Vs. The carrier density however depends much on lithography and surface treatment after growth. Furthermore, the relaxation behavior and critical thickness of HgTe grown on CdTe is determined and is in very good agreement with theoretical prediction (d_c = 155 nm). The embedding of the HgTe bulk layer between HgCdTe layers created a further huge improvement. Similar to the quantum well structures the carrier mobility increases immensely while the carrier density levels at around 1x10^11 cm^(-2) at 0 V gate voltage as well. Additionally, the relaxation behavior and critical thickness of these barrier layers has to be determined. HgCdTe grown on commercial CdTe shows a behavior as predicted except the critical thickness which is slightly higher than expected (d_c = 850 nm). Otherwise, the relaxation of HgCdTe grown on CdTe/GaAs:Si occurs in two parts. The layer is fully strained up to 250 nm. Between 250 nm and 725 nm the HgCdTe film starts to relax randomly up to 10 \%. The relaxation behavior for thicknesses larger than 725 nm occurs than linearly to the inverse layer thickness. A explanation is given due to rough interface conditions and crystalline defects of the CdTe/GaAs:Si compared to the commercial CdTe substrate. HRXRD and AFM data support this statement. Another point is that the HgCdTe barriers protect the active HgTe layer and because of the high carrier mobilities the Hall measurements provide new transport data which have to be interpreted more in detail in the future. In addition, HgTe bulk samples show very interesting transport data by gating the sample from the top and the back. It is now possible to manipulate the carrier densities of the top and bottom surface states almost separately. The back gate consisting of the n-doped GaAs substrate and the thick insulating CdTe buffer can tune the carrier density for Delta(n) ~ 3x10^11 cm^(-2). This is sufficient to tune the Fermi energy from the p-type into the n-type region [138]. In this thesis it is shown that strained HgTe bulk layers exhibit superior transport data by embedding between HgCdTe barrier layers. The n-doped GaAs can here serve as a back gate. Furthermore, MBE growth of high crystalline, undoped HgTe quantum wells shows also new and extended transport output. Finally, it is notable that due to the investigated CdTe growth on GaAs the Hg-based heterostructure MBE growth is partially independent from commercial suppliers.}, subject = {Quecksilbertellurid}, language = {en} } @article{AlizadehradKruegerEngstleretal.2015, author = {Alizadehrad, Davod and Kr{\"u}ger, Timothy and Engstler, Markus and Stark, Holger}, title = {Simulating the complex cell design of Trypanosoma brucei and its motility}, series = {PLOS Computational Biology}, volume = {11}, journal = {PLOS Computational Biology}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003967}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144610}, pages = {e1003967}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The flagellate Trypanosoma brucei, which causes the sleeping sickness when infecting a mammalian host, goes through an intricate life cycle. It has a rather complex propulsion mechanism and swims in diverse microenvironments. These continuously exert selective pressure, to which the trypanosome adjusts with its architecture and behavior. As a result, the trypanosome assumes a diversity of complex morphotypes during its life cycle. However, although cell biology has detailed form and function of most of them, experimental data on the dynamic behavior and development of most morphotypes is lacking. Here we show that simulation science can predict intermediate cell designs by conducting specific and controlled modifications of an accurate, nature-inspired cell model, which we developed using information from live cell analyses. The cell models account for several important characteristics of the real trypanosomal morphotypes, such as the geometry and elastic properties of the cell body, and their swimming mechanism using an eukaryotic flagellum. We introduce an elastic network model for the cell body, including bending rigidity and simulate swimming in a fluid environment, using the mesoscale simulation technique called multi-particle collision dynamics. The in silico trypanosome of the bloodstream form displays the characteristic in vivo rotational and translational motility pattern that is crucial for survival and virulence in the vertebrate host. Moreover, our model accurately simulates the trypanosome's tumbling and backward motion. We show that the distinctive course of the attached flagellum around the cell body is one important aspect to produce the observed swimming behavior in a viscous fluid, and also required to reach the maximal swimming velocity. Changing details of the flagellar attachment generates less efficient swimmers. We also simulate different morphotypes that occur during the parasite's development in the tsetse fly, and predict a flagellar course we have not been able to measure in experiments so far.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{AliMontenegro2015, author = {Ali, Qasim and Montenegro, Sergio}, title = {A Simple Approach to Quadrocopter Formation Flying Test Setup for Education and Development}, series = {INTED2015 Proceedings}, booktitle = {INTED2015 Proceedings}, publisher = {International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED)}, isbn = {978-84-606-5763-7}, issn = {2340-1079}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-114495}, pages = {2776 -- 2784}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A simple test setup has been developed at Institute of Aerospace Information Technology, University of W{\"u}rzburg, Germany to realize basic functionalities for formation flight of quadrocopters. The test environment is planned to be utilized for developing and validating the algorithms for formation flying capability in real environment as well as for education purpose. An already existing test bed for single quadrocopter was extended with necessary inter-communication and distributed control mechanism to test the algorithms for formation flights in 2 degrees of freedom (roll / pitch). This study encompasses the domain of communication, control engineering and embedded systems programming. Bluetooth protocol has been used for inter-communication between two quadrocopters. A simple approach of PID control in combination with Kalman filter has been exploited. MATLAB Instrument Control Toolbox has been used for data display, plotting and analysis. Plots can be drawn in real-time and received information can also be stored in the form of files for later use and analysis. The test setup has been developed indigenously and at considerably low cost. Emphasis has been placed on simplicity to facilitate students learning process. Several lessons have been learnt during the course of development of this setup. Proposed setup is quite flexible that can be modified as per changing requirements.}, subject = {Flugk{\"o}rper}, language = {en} } @article{AlavipanahWegmannQureshietal.2015, author = {Alavipanah, Sadroddin and Wegmann, Martin and Qureshi, Salman and Weng, Qihao and Koellner, Thomas}, title = {The role of vegetation in mitigating urban land surface temperatures: a case study of Munich, Germany during the warm season}, series = {Sustainability}, volume = {7}, journal = {Sustainability}, doi = {10.3390/su7044689}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143447}, pages = {4689-4706}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The Urban Heat Island (UHI) is the phenomenon of altered increased temperatures in urban areas compared to their rural surroundings. UHIs grow and intensify under extreme hot periods, such as during heat waves, which can affect human health and also increase the demand for energy for cooling. This study applies remote sensing and land use/land cover (LULC) data to assess the cooling effect of varying urban vegetation cover, especially during extreme warm periods, in the city of Munich, Germany. To compute the relationship between Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Land Use Land Cover (LULC), MODIS eight-day interval LST data for the months of June, July and August from 2002 to 2012 and the Corine Land Cover (CLC) database were used. Due to similarities in the behavior of surface temperature of different CLCs, some classes were reclassified and combined to form two major, rather simplified, homogenized classes: one of built-up area and one of urban vegetation. The homogenized map was merged with the MODIS eight-day interval LST data to compute the relationship between them. The results revealed that (i) the cooling effect accrued from urban vegetation tended to be non-linear; and (ii) a remarkable and stronger cooling effect in terms of LST was identified in regions where the proportion of vegetation cover was between seventy and almost eighty percent per square kilometer. The results also demonstrated that LST within urban vegetation was affected by the temperature of the surrounding built-up and that during the well-known European 2003 heat wave, suburb areas were cooler from the core of the urbanized region. This study concluded that the optimum green space for obtaining the lowest temperature is a non-linear trend. This could support urban planning strategies to facilitate appropriate applications to mitigate heat-stress in urban area.}, language = {en} } @article{AfonsoGrunzHoffmeierMuelleretal.2015, author = {Afonso-Grunz, Fabian and Hoffmeier, Klaus and M{\"u}ller, S{\"o}ren and Westermann, Alexander J. and Rotter, Bj{\"o}rn and Vogel, J{\"o}rg and Winter, Peter and Kahl, G{\"u}nter}, title = {Dual 3'Seq using deepSuperSAGE uncovers transcriptomes of interacting Salmonella enterica Typhimurium and human host cells}, series = {BMC Genomics}, volume = {16}, journal = {BMC Genomics}, number = {323}, doi = {10.1186/s12864-015-1489-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143230}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background: The interaction of eukaryotic host and prokaryotic pathogen cells is linked to specific changes in the cellular proteome, and consequently to infection-related gene expression patterns of the involved cells. To simultaneously assess the transcriptomes of both organisms during their interaction we developed dual 3'Seq, a tag-based sequencing protocol that allows for exact quantification of differentially expressed transcripts in interacting pro-and eukaryotic cells without prior fixation or physical disruption of the interaction. Results: Human epithelial cells were infected with Salmonella enterica Typhimurium as a model system for invasion of the intestinal epithelium, and the transcriptional response of the infected host cells together with the differential expression of invading and intracellular pathogen cells was determined by dual 3'Seq coupled with the next-generation sequencing-based transcriptome profiling technique deepSuperSAGE (deep Serial Analysis of Gene Expression). Annotation to reference transcriptomes comprising the operon structure of the employed S. enterica Typhimurium strain allowed for in silico separation of the interacting cells including quantification of polycistronic RNAs. Eighty-nine percent of the known loci are found to be transcribed in prokaryotic cells prior or subsequent to infection of the host, while 75\% of all protein-coding loci are represented in the polyadenylated transcriptomes of human host cells. Conclusions: Dual 3'Seq was alternatively coupled to MACE (Massive Analysis of cDNA ends) to assess the advantages and drawbacks of a library preparation procedure that allows for sequencing of longer fragments. Additionally, the identified expression patterns of both organisms were validated by qRT-PCR using three independent biological replicates, which confirmed that RELB along with NFKB1 and NFKB2 are involved in the initial immune response of epithelial cells after infection with S. enterica Typhimurium.}, language = {en} } @article{AdolfiCarreiraJesusetal.2015, author = {Adolfi, Mateus C. and Carreira, Ana C. O. and Jesus, L{\´a}zaro W. O. and Bogerd, Jan and Funes, Rejane M. and Schartl, Manfred and Sogayar, Mari C. and Borella, Maria I.}, title = {Molecular cloning and expression analysis of dmrt1 and sox9 during gonad development and male reproductive cycle in the lambari fish, Astyanax altiparanae}, series = {Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology}, volume = {13}, journal = {Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology}, number = {2}, doi = {10.1186/1477-7827-13-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126486}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Background The dmrt1 and sox9 genes have a well conserved function related to testis formation in vertebrates, and the group of fish presents a great diversity of species and reproductive mechanisms. The lambari fish (Astyanax altiparanae) is an important Neotropical species, where studies on molecular level of sex determination and gonad maturation are scarce. Methods Here, we employed molecular cloning techniques to analyze the cDNA sequences of the dmrt1 and sox9 genes, and describe the expression pattern of those genes during development and the male reproductive cycle by qRT-PCR, and related to histology of the gonad. Results Phylogenetic analyses of predicted amino acid sequences of dmrt1 and sox9 clustered A. altiparanae in the Ostariophysi group, which is consistent with the morphological phylogeny of this species. Studies of the gonad development revealed that ovary formation occurred at 58 days after hatching (dah), 2 weeks earlier than testis formation. Expression studies of sox9 and dmrt1 in different tissues of adult males and females and during development revealed specific expression in the testis, indicating that both genes also have a male-specific role in the adult. During the period of gonad sex differentiation, dmrt1 seems to have a more significant role than sox9. During the male reproductive cycle dmrt1 and sox9 are down-regulated after spermiation, indicating a role of these genes in spermatogenesis. Conclusions For the first time the dmrt1 and sox9 were cloned in a Characiformes species. We show that both genes have a conserved structure and expression, evidencing their role in sex determination, sex differentiation and the male reproductive cycle in A. altiparanae. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in fish.}, language = {en} } @article{AdelfingerBesslerCeciletal.2015, author = {Adelfinger, Marion and Bessler, Simon and Cecil, Alexander and Langbein-Laugwitz, Johanna and Frentzen, Alexa and Gentschev, Ivaylo and Szalay, Aladar A.}, title = {Preclinical Testing Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus Strain GLV-5b451 Expressing an Anti-VEGF Single-Chain Antibody for Canine Cancer Therapy}, series = {Viruses}, volume = {7}, journal = {Viruses}, doi = {10.3390/v7072811}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-125705}, pages = {4075-4092}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Virotherapy on the basis of oncolytic vaccinia virus (VACV) strains is a novel approach for canine cancer therapy. Here we describe, for the first time, the characterization and the use of VACV strain GLV-5b451 expressing the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) single-chain antibody (scAb) GLAF-2 as therapeutic agent against different canine cancers. Cell culture data demonstrated that GLV-5b451 efficiently infected and destroyed all four tested canine cancer cell lines including: mammary carcinoma (MTH52c), mammary adenoma (ZMTH3), prostate carcinoma (CT1258), and soft tissue sarcoma (STSA-1). The GLV-5b451 virus-mediated production of GLAF-2 antibody was observed in all four cancer cell lines. In addition, this antibody specifically recognized canine VEGF. Finally, in canine soft tissue sarcoma (CSTS) xenografted mice, a single systemic administration of GLV-5b451 was found to be safe and led to anti-tumor effects resulting in the significant reduction and substantial long-term inhibition of tumor growth. A CD31-based immuno-staining showed significantly decreased neo-angiogenesis in GLV-5b451-treated tumors compared to the controls. In summary, these findings indicate that GLV-5b451 has potential for use as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of CSTS.}, language = {en} } @article{AbdaKrysciakKrohnMoltetal.2015, author = {Abda, Ebrahim M. and Krysciak, Dagmar and Krohn-Molt, Ines and Mamat, Uwe and Schmeisser, Christel and F{\"o}rstner, Konrad U. and Schaible, Ulrich E. and Kohi, Thomas A. and Nieman, Stefan and Streit, Wolfgang R.}, title = {Phenotypic Heterogeneity Affects Stenotrophomonas maltophilia K279a Colony Morphotypes and \(\beta\)-Lactamase Expression}, series = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, volume = {6}, journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology}, number = {1373}, doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2015.01373}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136446}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Phenotypic heterogeneity at the cellular level in response to various stresses, e.g., antibiotic treatment has been reported for a number of bacteria. In a clonal population, cell-to-cell variation may result in phenotypic heterogeneity that is a mechanism to survive changing environments including antibiotic therapy. Stenotrophomonas rnaltophilia has been frequently isolated from cystic fibrosis patients, can cause numerous infections in other organs and tissues, and is difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistances. S. maltophilia K279a produces the Li and L2 beta-lactamases in response to beta-lactam treatment. Here we report that the patient isolate S. rnaltophilia K279a diverges into cellular subpopulations with distinct but reversible morphotypes of small and big colonies when challenged with ampicillin. This observation is consistent with the formation of elongated chains of bacteria during exponential growth phase and the occurrence of mainly rod-shaped cells in liquid media. RNA-seq analysis of small versus big colonies revealed differential regulation of at least seven genes among the colony morphotypes. Among those, bleu and bla(L2) were transcriptionally the most strongly upregulated genes. Promoter fusions of b/a(L1) and b/a(L2) genes indicated that expression of both genes is also subject to high levels of phenotypic heterogeneous expression on a single cell level. Additionally, the comE homolog was found to be differentially expressed in homogenously versus heterogeneously bla(L2) expressing cells as identified by RNA(seq) analysis. Overexpression of cornE in S. maltophilia K279a reduced the level of cells that were in a bla(L2)-ON mode to 1\% or lower. Taken together, our data provide strong evidence that S. maltophilia K279a populations develop phenotypic heterogeneity in an ampicillin challenged model. This cellular variability is triggered by regulation networks including b/a(L1), b/a(L2), and comE.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15008, title = {Search for dark matter in events with heavy quarks and missing transverse momentum in pp collisions with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {2}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3306-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150089}, pages = {92}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This article reports on a search for dark matter pair production in association with bottom or top quarks in 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collisions collected at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events with large missing transverse momentum are selected when produced in association with high-momentum jets of which one or more are identified as jets containing b-quarks. Final states with top quarks are selected by requiring a high jet multiplicity and in some cases a single lepton. The data are found to be consistent with the Standard Model expectations and limits are set on the mass scale of effective field theories that describe scalar and tensor interactions between dark matter and Standard Model particles. Limits on the dark-matter-nucleon cross-section for spin-independent and spin-dependent interactions are also provided. These limits are particularly strong for low-mass dark matter. Using a simplified model, constraints are set on the mass of dark matter and of a coloured mediator suitable to explain a possible signal of annihilating dark matter.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15011, title = {Search for Higgs boson pair production in the b\(\overline{b}\)b\(\overline{b}\) final state from pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {9}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3628-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150119}, pages = {412}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for Higgs boson pair production pp → hh is performed with 19.5 fb\(^{-1}\) of proton-proton collision data at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV, which were recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2012. The decay products of each Higgs boson are reconstructed as a high-momentum b\(\overline{b}\) system with either a pair of small-radius jets or a single large-radius jet, the latter exploiting jet substructure techniques and associated b-tagged track-jets. No evidence for resonant or non-resonant Higgs boson pair production is observed. The data are interpreted in the context of the Randall-Sundrum model with a warped extra dimension as well as the two-Higgs-doublet model. An upper limit on the cross-section for pp → G\(^{*}_{KK}\) → hh → b\(\overline{b}\)b\(\overline{b}\) of 3.2(2.3) fb is set for a Kaluza-Klein graviton G\(^{*}_{KK}\) mass of 1.0(1.5) TeV, at the 95 \% confidence level. The search for non-resonant Standard Model hh production sets an observed 95 \% confidence level upper limit on the production cross-section σ(pp → hh → b\(\overline{b}\)b\(\overline{b}\)) of 202 fb, compared to a Standard Model prediction of σ(pp → hh → b\(\overline{b}\)b\(\overline{b}\)) = 3.6±0.5 fb.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15012, title = {Search for invisible decays of the Higgs boson produced in association with a hadronically decaying vector boson in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3551-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150126}, pages = {337}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for Higgs boson decays to invisible particles is performed using 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The process considered is Higgs boson production in association with a vector boson (V = W or Z) that decays hadronically, resulting in events with two or more jets and large missing transverse momentum. No excess of candidates is observed in the data over the background expectation. The results are used to constrain VH production followed by H decaying to invisible particles for the Higgs boson mass range 115 < m\(_{H}\) < 300 GeV. The 95 \% confidence-level observed upper limit on σ\(_{VH}\) × BR(H → inv.) varies from 1.6 pb at 115 GeV to 0.13 pb at 300 GeV. Assuming Standard Model production and including the gg → H contribution as signal, the results also lead to an observed upper limit of 78 \% at 95 \% confidence level on the branching ratio of Higgs bosons decays to invisible particles at a mass of 125 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15013, title = {Search for invisible particles produced in association with single-top-quarks in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {2}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-014-3233-4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150134}, pages = {79}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for the production of single-top-quarks in association with missing energy is performed in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\) =8 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the large hadron collider using data collected in 2012, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\). In this search, the W boson from the top quark is required to decay into an electron or a muon and a neutrino. No deviation from the standard model prediction is observed, and upper limits are set on the production cross-section for resonant and non-resonant production of an invisible exotic state in association with a right-handed top quark. In the case of resonant production, for a spin-0 resonance with a mass of 500 GeV, an effective coupling strength above 0.15 is excluded at 95 \% confidence level for the top quark and an invisible spin-1/2 state with mass between 0 and 100 GeV. In the case of non-resonant production, an effective coupling strength above 0.2 is excluded at 95 \% confidence level for the top quark and an invisible spin-1 state with mass between 0 and 657 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15014, title = {Search for metastable heavy charged particles with large ionisation energy loss in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV using the ATLAS experiment}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {9}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3609-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150149}, pages = {407}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Many extensions of the Standard Model predict the existence of charged heavy long-lived particles, such as R-hadrons or charginos. These particles, if produced at the Large Hadron Collider, should be moving non-relativistically and are therefore identifiable through the measurement of an anomalously large specific energy loss in the ATLAS pixel detector. Measuring heavy long-lived particles through their track parameters in the vicinity of the interaction vertex provides sensitivity to metastable particles with lifetimes from 0.6 ns to 30 ns. A search for such particles with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider is presented, based on a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 18.4 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV. No significant deviation from the Standard Model background expectation is observed, and lifetime-dependent upper limits on R-hadrons and chargino production are set. Gluino R-hadrons with 10 ns lifetime and masses up to 1185 GeV are excluded at 95 \% confidence level, and so are charginos with 15 ns lifetime and masses up to 482 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15015, title = {Search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3517-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150152}, pages = {299}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Results of a search for new phenomena in final states with an energetic jet and large missing transverse momentum are reported. The search uses 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV data collected in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events are required to have at least one jet with pT > 120 GeV and no leptons. Nine signal regions are considered with increasing missing transverse momentum requirements between E\(^{miss}_{T}\) > 150 GeV and E\(^{miss}_{T}\) > 700 GeV. Good agreement is observed between the number of events in data and Standard Model expectations. The results are translated into exclusion limits on models with either large extra spatial dimensions, pair production of weakly interacting dark matter candidates, or production of very light gravitinos in a gauge-mediated supersymmetric model. In addition, limits on the production of an invisibly decaying Higgs-like boson leading to similar topologies in the final state are presented.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14988, title = {Measurement of the production and lepton charge asymmetry of bosons in Pb+Pb collisions at \(\sqrt {^{S}NN}\) with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {1}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-014-3231-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149889}, pages = {23}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A measurement of W boson production in lead-lead collisions at \(\sqrt {^{S}NN}\)=2.76 TeV is presented. It is based on the analysis of data collected with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in 2011 corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 0.14 nb\(^{-1}\) and 0.15 nb\(^{-1}\) in the muon and electron decay channels, respectively. The differential production yields and lepton charge asymmetry are each measured as a function of the average number of participating nucleons ⟨N\(_{part}\)⟩ and absolute pseudorapidity of the charged lepton. The results are compared to predictions based on next-to-leading-order QCD calculations. These measurements are, in principle, sensitive to possible nuclear modifications to the parton distribution functions and also provide information on scaling of W boson production in multi-nucleon systems.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15017, title = {Search for resonant diboson production in the ℓℓq\(\overline{q}\) final state in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {2}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3261-8}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150171}, pages = {69}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This paper reports on a search for narrow resonances in diboson production in the ℓℓq\(\overline{q}\) final state using pp collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20 fb\(^{-1}\) collected at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess of data events over the Standard Model expectation is observed. Upper limits at the 95 \% confidence level are set on the production cross section times branching ratio for Kaluza-Klein gravitons predicted by the Randall-Sundrum model and for Extended Gauge Model W′ bosons. These results lead to the exclusion of mass values below 740 and 1590 GeV for the graviton and W′ boson respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14997, title = {Observation and measurements of the production of prompt and non-prompt J/ψ mesons in association with a Z boson in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {5}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3406-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149970}, pages = {229}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The production of a Z boson in association with a J/ψ meson in proton-proton collisions probes the production mechanisms of quarkonium and heavy flavour in association with vector bosons, and allows studies of multiple parton scattering. Using 20.3fb\(^{-1}\) of data collected with the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV, the first measurement of associated Z+J/ψ production is presented for both prompt and non-prompt J/ψ production, with both signatures having a significance in excess of 5σ. The inclusive production cross-sections for Z boson production (analysed in μ\(^{+}\)μ\(^{-}\) or e\(^{+}\)e\(^{-}\) decay modes) in association with prompt and non-prompt J/ψ(→μ\(^{+}\)μ\(^{-}\)) are measured relative to the inclusive production rate of Z bosons in the same fiducial volume to be (36.8±6.7±2.5)×10\(^{-7}\) and (65.8±9.2±4.2)×10\(^{-7}\) respectively. Normalised differential production cross-section ratios are also determined as a function of the J/ψ transverse momentum. The fraction of signal events arising from single and double parton scattering is estimated, and a lower limit of 5.3 (3.7)mb at 68 (95)\% confidence level is placed on the effective cross-section regulating double parton interactions.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15003, title = {Performance of the ATLAS muon trigger in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)= 8 TeV}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {3}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3325-9}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150032}, pages = {120}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The performance of the ATLAS muon trigger system is evaluated with proton-proton collision data collected in 2012 at the Large Hadron Collider at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. It is primarily evaluated using events containing a pair of muons from the decay of Z bosons. The efficiency of the single-muon trigger is measured for muons with transverse momentum 25 < p\(_{T}\) < 100GeV, with a statistical uncertainty of less than 0.01 \% and a systematic uncertainty of 0.6 \%. The pT range for efficiency determination is extended by using muons from decays of J/ψ mesons, W bosons, and top quarks. The muon trigger shows highly uniform and stable performance. The performance is compared to the prediction of a detailed simulation.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15006, title = {Search for W' → tb → qqbb decays in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {4}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3372-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150068}, pages = {165}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for a massive W′ gauge boson decaying to a top quark and a bottom quark is performed with the ATLAS detector in pp collisions at the LHC. The dataset was taken at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV and corresponds to 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of integrated luminosity. This analysis is done in the hadronic decay mode of the top quark, where novel jet substructure techniques are used to identify jets from high-momentum top quarks. This allows for a search for high-mass W′ bosons in the range 1.5-3.0  TeV. b-tagging is used to identify jets originating from b-quarks. The data are consistent with Standard Model background-only expectations, and upper limits at 95 \% confidence level are set on the W′ → tb cross section times branching ratio ranging from 0.16 pb to 0.33 pb for left-handed W′ bosons, and ranging from 0.10 pb to 0.21 pb for W′ bosons with purely right-handed couplings. Upper limits at 95 \% confidence level are set on the W′-boson coupling to tb as a function of the W′ mass using an effective field theory approach, which is independent of details of particular models predicting a W′ boson.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14963, title = {Determination of spin and parity of the Higgs boson in the WW\(^{*}\)→eνμν decay channel with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {5}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3436-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149632}, pages = {231}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Studies of the spin and parity quantum numbers of the Higgs boson in the WW\(^{*}\)→eνμν final state are presented, based on proton-proton collision data collected by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV. The Standard Model spin-parity J\(^{CP}\)=0\(^{++}\) hypothesis is compared with alternative hypotheses for both spin and CP. The case where the observed resonance is a mixture of the Standard-Model-like Higgs boson and CP-even (J\(^{CP}\)=0\(^{++}\)) or CP-odd (J\(^{CP}\)=0\(^{+-}\)) Higgs boson in scenarios beyond the Standard Model is also studied. The data are found to be consistent with the Standard Model prediction and limits are placed on alternative spin and CP hypotheses, including CP mixing in different scenarios.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-13985, title = {Centrality and rapidity dependence of inclusive jet production in \(\sqrt{^SNN}\)=5.02 TeV proton-lead collisions with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {748}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.07.023}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-139857}, pages = {392-413}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Measurements of the centrality and rapidity dependence of inclusive jet production in \(\sqrt{^SNN}\)=5.02 TeV proton-lead (p+Pb) collisions and the jet cross-section in \(\sqrt{s}\)=2.76 TeV proton-proton collisions are presented. These quantities are measured in datasets corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 27.8 nb\(^{-1}\) and 4.0 pb\(^{-1}\), respectively, recorded with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider in 2013. The p+Pb collision centrality was characterised using the total transverse energy measured in the pseudorapidity interval -4.9<η<-3.2 in the direction of the lead beam. Results are presented for the double-differential per-collision yields as a function of jet rapidity and transverse momentum (\(p_T\)) for minimum-bias and centrality-selected p+Pb collisions, and are compared to the jet rate from the geometric expectation. The total jet yield in minimum-bias events is slightly enhanced above the expectation in a \(p_T\)-dependent manner but is consistent with the expectation within uncertainties. The ratios of jet spectra from different centrality selections show a strong modification of jet production at all \(p_T\) at forward rapidities and for large \(p_T\) at mid-rapidity, which manifests as a suppression of the jet yield in central events and an enhancement in peripheral events. These effects imply that the factorisation between hard and soft processes is violated at an unexpected level in proton-nucleus collisions. Furthermore, the modifications at forward rapidities are found to be a function of the total jet energy only, implying that the violations may have a simple dependence on the hard parton-parton kinematics.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-13986, title = {Search for s-channel single top-quark production in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt{s}\)=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {740}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2014.11.042}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-139869}, pages = {118-136}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This Letter presents a search at the LHC for s-channel single top-quark production in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV. The analyzed data set was recorded by the ATLAS detector and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\). Selected events contain one charged lepton, large missing transverse momentum and exactly two b-tagged jets. A multivariate event classifier based on boosted decision trees is developed to discriminate s-channel single top-quark events from the main background contributions. The signal extraction is based on a binned maximum-likelihood fit of the output classifier distribution. The analysis leads to an upper limit on the s-channel single top-quark production cross-section of 14.6 pb at the 95\% confidence level. The fit gives a cross-section of σs=5.0±4.3 pb, consistent with the Standard Model expectation.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-13826, title = {Search for \(W′→t\overline {b}\) in the lepton plus jets final state in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {743}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.02.051}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-138262}, pages = {235-255}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for new charged massive gauge bosons, called W′W′, is performed with the ATLAS detector at the LHC, in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV, using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\). This analysis searches for W′W′ bosons in the \(W′→t\overline{b}\) decay channel in final states with electrons or muons, using a multivariate method based on boosted decision trees. The search covers masses between 0.5 and 3.0 TeV, for right-handed or left-handed W′W′ bosons. No significant deviation from the Standard Model expectation is observed and limits are set on the \(W′→t\overline{b}\) cross-section times branching ratio and on the W′W′-boson effective couplings as a function of the W′W′-boson mass using the CL\(_s\) procedure. For a left-handed (right-handed) W′W′ boson, masses below 1.70 (1.92) TeV are excluded at 95\% confidence level.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-13609, title = {Search for pair-produced long-lived neutral particles decaying to jets in the ATLAS hadronic calorimeter in pp collisions at \(\sqrt{2}\)=8 TeV}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {743}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.02.015}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136099}, pages = {15-34}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN is used to search for the decay of a scalar boson to a pair of long-lived particles, neutral under the Standard Model gauge group, in 20.3 fb-120.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of data collected in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt{2}\)=8 TeV. This search is sensitive to long-lived particles that decay to Standard Model particles producing jets at the outer edge of the ATLAS electromagnetic calorimeter or inside the hadronic calorimeter. No significant excess of events is observed. Limits are reported on the product of the scalar boson production cross section times branching ratio into long-lived neutral particles as a function of the proper lifetime of the particles. Limits are reported for boson masses from 100 GeV to 900 GeV, and a long-lived neutral particle mass from 10 GeV to 150 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-13610, title = {Search for H→γγH→γγ produced in association with top quarks and constraints on the Yukawa coupling between the top quark and the Higgs boson using data taken at 7 TeV and 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {740}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2014.11.049}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-136100}, pages = {222-242}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search is performed for Higgs bosons produced in association with top quarks using the diphoton decay mode of the Higgs boson. Selection requirements are optimized separately for leptonic and fully hadronic final states from the top quark decays. The dataset used corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.5 fb\(^{-1}\) of proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV and 20.3 fb-120.3 fb\(^{-1}\) at 8 TeV recorded by the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. No significant excess over the background prediction is observed and upper limits are set on the \(t\overline{t}H\) production cross section. The observed exclusion upper limit at 95\% confidence level is 6.7 times the predicted Standard Model cross section value. In addition, limits are set on the strength of the Yukawa coupling between the top quark and the Higgs boson, taking into account the dependence of the \(t\overline{t}H\) and tH   cross sections as well as the H→γγH→γγ branching fraction on the Yukawa coupling. Lower and upper limits at 95\% confidence level are set at -1.3 and +8.0 times the Yukawa coupling strength in the Standard Model.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15016, title = {Search for production of WW/WZ resonances decaying to a lepton, neutrino and jets in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)= 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {5}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3425-6}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150164}, pages = {209}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search is presented for narrow diboson resonances decaying to WW or WZ in the final state where one W boson decays leptonically (to an electron or a muon plus a neutrino) and the other W/Z boson decays hadronically. The analysis is performed using an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the large hadron collider. No evidence for resonant diboson production is observed, and resonance masses below 700 and 1490 GeV are excluded at 95 \% confidence level for the spin-2 Randall-Sundrum bulk graviton G\(^{*}\) with coupling constant of 1.0 and the extended gauge model W′ boson respectively.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14990, title = {Measurement of the top-quark mass in the fully hadronic decay channel from ATLAS data at \(\sqrt {s}\)=7TeV}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {4}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3373-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149905}, pages = {158}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The mass of the top quark is measured in a data set corresponding to 4.6  fb\(^{-1}\) of proton-proton collisions with centre-of-mass energy \(\sqrt {s}\)=7 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Events consistent with hadronic decays of top-antitop quark pairs with at least six jets in the final state are selected. The substantial background from multijet production is modelled with data-driven methods that utilise the number of identified b-quark jets and the transverse momentum of the sixth leading jet, which have minimal correlation. The top-quark mass is obtained from template fits to the ratio of three-jet to dijet mass. The three-jet mass is calculated from the three jets produced in a top-quark decay. Using these three jets the dijet mass is obtained from the two jets produced in the W boson decay. The top-quark mass obtained from this fit is thus less sensitive to the uncertainty in the energy measurement of the jets. A binned likelihood fit yields a top-quark mass of m\(_{t}\)= 175.1 ± 1.4 (stat.) ± 1.2 (syst.) GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14992, title = {Measurements of the W production cross sections in association with jets with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {2}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3262-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149925}, pages = {82}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This paper presents cross sections for the production of a W boson in association with jets, measured in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 7 TeV with the ATLAS experiment at the large hadron collider. With an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb\(^{-1}\), this data set allows for an exploration of a large kinematic range, including jet production up to a transverse momentum of 1 TeV and multiplicities up to seven associated jets. The production cross sections for W bosons are measured in both the electron and muon decay channels. Differential cross sections for many observables are also presented including measurements of the jet observables such as the rapidities and the transverse momenta as well as measurements of event observables such as the scalar sums of the transverse momenta of the jets. The measurements are compared to numerous QCD predictions including next-to-leading-order perturbative calculations, resummation calculations and Monte Carlo generators.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14961, title = {Constraints on the off-shell Higgs boson signal strength in the high-mass ZZ and WW final states with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3542-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149615}, pages = {335}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Measurements of the ZZ and WW final states in the mass range above the 2m\(_Z\) and 2m\(_W\) thresholds provide a unique opportunity to measure the off-shell coupling strength of the Higgs boson. This paper presents constraints on the off-shell Higgs boson event yields normalised to the Standard Model prediction (signal strength) in the ZZ→4ℓ, ZZ→2ℓ2ν and WW→eνμν final states. The result is based on pp collision data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) at a collision energy of \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV. Using the CL\(_S\) method, the observed 95 \% confidence level (CL) upper limit on the off-shell signal strength is in the range 5.1-8.6, with an expected range of 6.7-11.0. In each case the range is determined by varying the unknown gg→ZZ and gg→WW background K-factor from higher-order quantum chromodynamics corrections between half and twice the value of the known signal K-factor. Assuming the relevant Higgs boson couplings are independent of the energy scale of the Higgs boson production, a combination with the on-shell measurements yields an observed (expected) 95 \% CL upper limit on Γ\(_H\)/Γ\(^{SM}_{H}\) in the range 4.5-7.5 (6.5-11.2) using the same variations of the background K-factor. Assuming that the unknown gg→VV background K-factor is equal to the signal K-factor, this translates into an observed (expected) 95 \% CL upper limit on the Higgs boson total width of 22.7 (33.0) MeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14339, title = {Measurement of transverse energy-energy correlations in multi-jet events in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)=7 TeV using the ATLAS detector and determination of the strong coupling constant αs(m\(_{Z}\))}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {750}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.09.050}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143398}, pages = {427-447}, year = {2015}, abstract = {High transverse momentum jets produced in pp collisions at a centre of mass energy of 7 TeV are used to measure the transverse energy-energy correlation function and its associated azimuthal asymmetry. The data were recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC in the year 2011 and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 158 pb\(^{-1}\). The selection criteria demand the average transverse momentum of the two leading jets in an event to be larger than 250 GeV. The data at detector level are well described by Monte Carlo event generators. They are unfolded to the particle level and compared with theoretical calculations at next-to-leading-order accuracy. The agreement between data and theory is good and provides a precision test of perturbative Quantum Chromodynamics at large momentum transfers. From this comparison, the strong coupling constant given at the Z   boson mass is determined to be αs(m\(_{Z}\))=0.1173±0.0010 (exp.) \(^{+0.0065}_{-0.0026}\) (theo.).}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14991, title = {Measurement of three-jet production cross-sections in pp collisions at 7 TeV centre-of-mass energy using the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {5}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3363-3}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149918}, pages = {228}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Double-differential three-jet production cross-sections are measured in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\) = 7 TeV using the ATLAS detector at the large hadron collider. The measurements are presented as a function of the three-jet mass (m\(_{jjj}\)), in bins of the sum of the absolute rapidity separations between the three leading jets (|Y\(^{*}\)|). Invariant masses extending up to 5 TeV are reached for 8 < |Y\(^{*}\)| < 10. These measurements use a sample of data recorded using the ATLAS detector in 2011, which corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 4.51 fb\(^{-1}\). Jets are identified using the anti-k\(_{t}\) algorithm with two different jet radius parameters, R = 0.4 and R = 0.6. The dominant uncertainty in these measurements comes from the jet energy scale. Next-to-leading-order QCD calculations corrected to account for non-perturbative effects are compared to the measurements. Good agreement is found between the data and the theoretical predictions based on most of the available sets of parton distribution functions, over the full kinematic range, covering almost seven orders of magnitude in the measured cross-section values.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14989, title = {Measurement of the top quark mass in the t\(\overline{t}\)→ lepton+jets and t\(\overline{t}\)→ dilepton channels using \(\sqrt {s}\)=7 TeV ATLAS data}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3544-0}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149890}, pages = {330}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The top quark mass was measured in the channels t\(\overline{t}\) → lepton+jets and t\(\overline{t}\) → dilepton (lepton = e,μ) based on ATLAS data recorded in 2011. The data were taken at the LHC with a proton-proton centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\) = 7 TeV and correspond to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb\(^{-1}\). The t\(\overline{t}\) → lepton+jets analysis uses a three-dimensional template technique which determines the top quark mass together with a global jet energy scale factor (JSF), and a relative b-to-light-jet energy scale factor(bJSF), where the terms b-jets and light-jets refer to jets originating from b-quarks and u, d, c, s-quarks or gluons, respectively. The analysis of the t\(\overline{t}\) → dilepton channel exploits a one-dimensional template method using the m\(_{lb}\) observable, defined as the average invariant mass of the two lepton+b-jet pairs in each event. The top quark mass is measured to be 172.33±0.75(stat + JSF + bJSF)±1.02(syst) GeV, and 173.79 ± 0.54(stat) ± 1.30(syst) GeV in the t\(\overline{t}\) → lepton+jets and t\(\overline{t}\) → dilepton channels, respectively. The combination of the two results yields m\(_{top}\) =172.99 ± 0.48(stat) ± 0.78(syst) GeV, with a total uncertainty of 0.91 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15018, title = {Search for supersymmetry in events containing a same-flavour opposite-sign dilepton pair, jets, and large missing transverse momentum in \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3518-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150184}, pages = {318}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Two searches for supersymmetric particles in final states containing a same-flavour opposite-sign lepton pair, jets and large missing transverse momentum are presented. The proton-proton collision data used in these searches were collected at a centre-of-mass energy \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV by the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\). Two leptonic production mechanisms are considered: decays of squarks and gluinos with Z bosons in the final state, resulting in a peak in the dilepton invariant mass distribution around the Z-boson mass; and decays of neutralinos (e.g. \(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{0}_{2}\) → ℓ\(^{+}\)ℓ\(^{-}\)\(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{0}_{1}\)), resulting in a kinematic endpoint in the dilepton invariant mass distribution. For the former, an excess of events above the expected Standard Model background is observed, with a significance of three standard deviations. In the latter case, the data are well-described by the expected Standard Model background. The results from each channel are interpreted in the context of several supersymmetric models involving the production of squarks and gluinos.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15022, title = {Two-particle Bose-Einstein correlations in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 0.9 and 7 TeV measured with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {10}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3644-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150222}, pages = {466}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The paper presents studies of Bose-Einstein Correlations (BEC) for pairs of like-sign charged particles measured in the kinematic range p\(_{T}\) > 100 MeV and |η| <  2.5 in proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of 0.9 and 7 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. The integrated luminosities are approximately 7 μb\(^{-1}\), 190 μb\(^{-1}\) and 12.4 nb\(^{-1}\) for 0.9 TeV, 7 TeV minimum-bias and 7 TeV high-multiplicity data samples, respectively. The multiplicity dependence of the BEC parameters characterizing the correlation strength and the correlation source size are investigated for charged-particle multiplicities of up to 240. A saturation effect in the multiplicity dependence of the correlation source size parameter is observed using the high-multiplicity 7 TeV data sample. The dependence of the BEC parameters on the average transverse momentum of the particle pair is also investigated.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15007, title = {Search for a new resonance decaying to a W or Z boson and a Higgs boson in the ℓℓ/ℓν/νν+b\(\overline{b}\) final states with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {6}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3474-x}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150075}, pages = {263}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for a new resonance decaying to a W or Z boson and a Higgs boson in the ℓℓ/ℓν/νν+b\(\overline{b}\) final states is performed using 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collision data recorded at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The search is conducted by examining the WH / ZH invariant mass distribution for a localized excess. No significant deviation from the Standard Model background prediction is observed. The results are interpreted in terms of constraints on the Minimal Walking Technicolor model and on a simplified approach based on a phenomenological Lagrangian of Heavy Vector Triplets.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14337, title = {Measurement of the branching ratio Γ(Λ\(^0_b\)→ψ(2S)Λ\(^0\))/Γ(Λ\(^0_b\)→J/ψΛ\(^0\)) with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {751}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.10.009}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143375}, pages = {63-80}, year = {2015}, abstract = {An observation of the View the Λ\(^0_b\)→ψ(2S)Λ\(^0\) decay and a comparison of its branching fraction with that of the Λ\(^0_b\)→J/ψΛ\(^0\) decay has been made with the ATLAS detector in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV at the LHC using an integrated luminosity of 20.6 fb\(^{-1}\). The J/ψJ/ψ and ψ(2S) mesons are reconstructed in their decays to a muon pair, while the Λ\(^0\)→pπ\(^-\) decay is exploited for the Λ\(^0\) baryon reconstruction. The Λ\(^0_b\) baryons are reconstructed with transverse momentum p\(_T\)>10 GeV pT>10 GeV and pseudorapidity |η|<2.1. The measured branching ratio of the Λ\(^0_b\)→ψ(2S)Λ\(^0\) and Λ\(^0_b\)→J/ψΛ\(^0\) decays is Γ(Λ\(^0_b\)→ψ(2S)Λ\(^0\))/Γ(Λ\(^0_b\)→J/ψΛ\(^0\))=0.501±0.033(stat)±0.019(syst), lower than the expectation from the covariant quark model.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14423, title = {Search for the associated production of the Higgs boson with a top quark pair in multilepton final states with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {749}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.07.079}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144231}, pages = {519-541}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for the associated production of the Higgs boson with a top quark pair is performed in multilepton final states using 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of proton-proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV at the Large Hadron Collider. Five final states, targeting the decays H→WW\(^{*}\), ττ, and ZZ\(^{*}\), are examined for the presence of the Standard Model (SM) Higgs boson: two same-charge light leptons (e or μ) without a hadronically decaying τ lepton; three light leptons; two same-charge light leptons with a hadronically decaying τ lepton; four light leptons; and one light lepton and two hadronically decaying τ leptons. No significant excess of events is observed above the background expectation. The best fit for the t\(\overline{t}\)H production cross section, assuming a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV, is 2.1\(^{+1.4}_{-1.2}\) times the SM expectation, and the observed (expected) upper limit at the 95\% confidence level is 4.7 (2.4) times the SM rate. The p-value for compatibility with the background-only hypothesis is 1.8σ; the expectation in the presence of a Standard Model signal is 0.9σ.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14424, title = {Measurement of exclusive γγ→ℓ\(^{+}\)ℓ\(^{-}\) production in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {749}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.07.069}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144247}, pages = {242-261}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This Letter reports a measurement of the exclusive γγ→ℓ\(^{+}\)ℓ\(^{-}\) (ℓ=e, μℓ=e, μ) cross-section in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC, based on an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb\(^{-1}\). For the electron or muon pairs satisfying exclusive selection criteria, a fit to the dilepton acoplanarity distribution is used to extract the fiducial cross-sections. The cross-section in the electron channel is determined to be \(^{excl.}_{γγ→e^{+}e^{-}}\)=0.428 ± 0.035 (stat.) ± 0.018 (syst.) pb for a phase-space region with invariant mass of the electron pairs greater than 24 GeV, in which both electrons have transverse momentum p\(_{T}\)>12 GeV and pseudorapidity |η|<2.4. For muon pairs with invariant mass greater than 20 GeV, muon transverse momentum p\(_{T}\)>10 GeV and pseudorapidity |η|<2.4, the cross-section is determined to be \(^{excl.}_{γγ→μ^{+}μ^{-}}\) =0.628 ± 0.032 (stat.) ± 0.021 (syst.) pb. When proton absorptive effects due to the finite size of the proton are taken into account in the theory calculation, the measured cross-sections are found to be consistent with the theory prediction.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14422, title = {Measurement of colour flow with the jet pull angle in t\(\overline{t}\) events using the ATLAS detector at \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {750}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.09.051}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-144229}, pages = {475-493}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The distribution and orientation of energy inside jets is predicted to be an experimental handle on colour connections between the hard-scatter quarks and gluons initiating the jets. This Letter presents a measurement of the distribution of one such variable, the jet pull angle. The pull angle is measured for jets produced in t\(\overline{t}\) events with one W boson decaying leptonically and the other decaying to jets using 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of data recorded with the ATLAS detector at a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV at the LHC. The jet pull angle distribution is corrected for detector resolution and acceptance effects and is compared to various models.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14985, title = {Jet energy measurement and its systematic uncertainty in proton-proton collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {1}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-014-3190-y}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149854}, pages = {17}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The jet energy scale (JES) and its systematic uncertainty are determined for jets measured with the ATLAS detector using proton-proton collision data with a centre-of-mass energy of \(\sqrt {s}\)=7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.7 fb\(^{-1}\). Jets are reconstructed from energy deposits forming topological clusters of calorimeter cells using the anti-k\(_t\) algorithm with distance parameters R=0.4 or R=0.6, and are calibrated using MC simulations. A residual JES correction is applied to account for differences between data and MC simulations. This correction and its systematic uncertainty are estimated using a combination of in situ techniques exploiting the transverse momentum balance between a jet and a reference object such as a photon or a Z boson, for 20≤p\(^{jet}_{T}\)<1000 GeV and pseudorapidities |η|<4.5. The effect of multiple proton-proton interactions is corrected for, and an uncertainty is evaluated using in situ techniques. The smallest JES uncertainty of less than 1 \% is found in the central calorimeter region (|η|<1.2) for jets with 55≤p\(^{jet}_{T}\)<500 GeV. For central jets at lower p\(_{T}\), the uncertainty is about 3 \%. A consistent JES estimate is found using measurements of the calorimeter response of single hadrons in proton-proton collisions and test-beam data, which also provide the estimate for p\(^{jet}_{T}\)>1 TeV. The calibration of forward jets is derived from dijet p\(_{T}\) balance measurements. The resulting uncertainty reaches its largest value of 6 \% for low-p\(_{T}\) jets at |η|=4.5. Additional JES uncertainties due to specific event topologies, such as close-by jets or selections of event samples with an enhanced content of jets originating from light quarks or gluons, are also discussed. The magnitude of these uncertainties depends on the event sample used in a given physics analysis, but typically amounts to 0.5-3 \%.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15009, title = {Search for direct pair production of a chargino and a neutralino decaying to the 125 GeV Higgs boson in \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {5}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3408-7}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150099}, pages = {208}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search is presented for the direct pair production of a chargino and a neutralino pp → \(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{±}_{1}\)\(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{0}_{2}\), where the chargino decays to the lightest neutralino and the W boson, \(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{±}_{1}\)→\(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{0}_{1}\)(W\(^{±}\)→ℓ\(^{±}\)ν), while the neutralino decays to the lightest neutralino and the 125 GeV Higgs boson, \(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{0}_{2}\)→\(\tilde{χ}\)\(^{0}_{1}\)(h→bb/γγ/ℓ\(^{±}\)νqq). The final states considered for the search have large missing transverse momentum, an isolated electron or muon, and one of the following: either two jets identified as originating from bottom quarks, or two photons, or a second electron or muon with the same electric charge. The analysis is based on 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV proton-proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with the Standard Model expectations, and limits are set in the context of a simplified supersymmetric model.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15019, title = {Search for the Standard Model Higgs boson produced in association with top quarks and decaying into b\(\overline{b}\) in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3543-1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150197}, pages = {349}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for the Standard Model Higgs boson produced in association with a top-quark pair, t\(\overline{t}\)H, is presented. The analysis uses 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) of pp collision data at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV, collected with the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider during 2012. The search is designed for the H→b\(\overline{b}\) decay mode and uses events containing one or two electrons or muons. In order to improve the sensitivity of the search, events are categorised according to their jet and b-tagged jet multiplicities. A neural network is used to discriminate between signal and background events, the latter being dominated by t\(\overline{t}\)+jets production. In the single-lepton channel, variables calculated using a matrix element method are included as inputs to the neural network to improve discrimination of the irreducible t\(\overline{t}\)+b\(\overline{b}\) background. No significant excess of events above the background expectation is found and an observed (expected) limit of 3.4 (2.2) times the Standard Model cross section is obtained at 95 \% confidence level. The ratio of the measured t\(\overline{t}\)H signal cross section to the Standard Model expectation is found to be μ = 1.5 ± 1.1 assuming a Higgs boson mass of 125 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14982, title = {Identification and energy calibration of hadronically decaying tau leptons with the ATLAS experiment in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {7}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3500-z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-149829}, pages = {303}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This paper describes the trigger and offline reconstruction, identification and energy calibration algorithms for hadronic decays of tau leptons employed for the data collected from pp collisions in 2012 with the ATLAS detector at the LHC center-of-mass energy \(\sqrt {s}\)=8 TeV. The performance of these algorithms is measured in most cases with Z decays to tau leptons using the full 2012 dataset, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\). An uncertainty on the offline reconstructed tau energy scale of 2-4 \%, depending on transverse energy and pseudorapidity, is achieved using two independent methods. The offline tau identification efficiency is measured with a precision of 2.5 \% for hadronically decaying tau leptons with one associated track, and of 4 \% for the case of three associated tracks, inclusive in pseudorapidity and for a visible transverse energy greater than 20 GeV. For hadronic tau lepton decays selected by offline algorithms, the tau trigger identification efficiency is measured with a precision of 2-8 \%, depending on the transverse energy. The performance of the tau algorithms, both offline and at the trigger level, is found to be stable with respect to the number of concurrent proton-proton interactions and has supported a variety of physics results using hadronically decaying tau leptons at ATLAS.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15010, title = {Search for heavy long-lived multi-charged particles in pp collisions at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV using the ATLAS detector}, series = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, volume = {75}, journal = {European Physical Journal C: Particles and Fields}, number = {8}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1140/epjc/s10052-015-3534-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150100}, pages = {362}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for heavy long-lived multi-charged particles is performed using the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Data collected in 2012 at \(\sqrt {s}\) = 8 TeV from pp collisions corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\) are examined. Particles producing anomalously high ionisation, consistent with long-lived massive particles with electric charges from |q| = 2e to |q| = 6e are searched for. No signal candidate events are observed, and 95 \% confidence level cross-section upper limits are interpreted as lower mass limits for a Drell-Yan production model. The mass limits range between 660 and 785 GeV.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-14305, title = {Search for a CP-odd Higgs boson decaying to Zh in pp collisions at \(\sqrt{s}\)=8 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {744}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.03.054}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-143050}, pages = {163-183}, year = {2015}, abstract = {A search for a heavy, CP-odd Higgs boson, A, decaying into a Z boson and a 125 GeV Higgs boson, h, with the ATLAS detector at the LHC is presented. The search uses proton-proton collision data at a centre-of-mass energy of 8 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 20.3 fb\(^{-1}\). Decays of CP-even h bosons to ττ or bb pairs with the Z boson decaying to electron or muon pairs are considered, as well as h→bb decays with the Z boson decaying to neutrinos. No evidence for the production of an A boson in these channels is found and the 95\% confidence level upper limits derived for σ(gg→A)×BR(A→Zh)×BR(h→f\(\bar{f}\)) are 0.098-0.013 pb for f=τ and 0.57-0.014 pb for f=b in a range of m\(_{A}\)=220-1000 GeVmA=220-1000 GeV. The results are combined and interpreted in the context of two-Higgs-doublet models.}, language = {en} } @article{OPUS4-15044, title = {Measurement of the production of neighbouring jets in lead-lead collisions at =2.76 TeV with the ATLAS detector}, series = {Physics Letters B}, volume = {751}, journal = {Physics Letters B}, organization = {ATLAS Collaboration}, doi = {10.1016/j.physletb.2015.10.059}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-150448}, pages = {376 -- 395}, year = {2015}, abstract = {This Letter presents measurements of correlated production of nearby jets in Pb+Pb collisions at \(\sqrt S_{NN}\)=2.76 TeV using the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The measurement was performed using 0.14 nb\(^{-1}\) of data recorded in 2011. The production of correlated jet pairs was quantified using the rate, R\(_{ΔR}\), of "neighbouring" jets that accompany "test" jets within a given range of angular distance, ΔR , in the pseudorapidity-azimuthal angle plane. The jets were measured in the ATLAS calorimeter and were reconstructed using the anti-k\(_t\) algorithm with radius parameters d=0.2, 0.3, and 0.4. R\(_{ΔR}\) was measured in different Pb+Pb collision centrality bins, characterized by the total transverse energy measured in the forward calorimeters. A centrality dependence of R\(_{ΔR}\) is observed for all three jet radii with R\(_{ΔR}\) found to be lower in central collisions than in peripheral collisions. The ratios formed by the R\(_{ΔR}\) values in different centrality bins and the values in the 40-80\% centrality bin are presented.}, language = {en} }