6,251 research outputs found
Enhanced anti-deuteron Dark Matter signal and the implications of PAMELA
No full textWe show that the jet structure of DM annihilation or decay products enhances the anti-deuterium production rate by orders of magnitude compared to the previous computations done assuming a spherically symmetric coalescence model. In particular, in the limit of heavy DM, M >> m_p, we get a constant rather than 1/M^2 suppressed anti-deuterium production rate. Therefore, a detectable anti-deuterium signal is compatible with the lack of an excess in the anti-proton PAMELA flux. Most importantly, cosmic anti-deuterium searches become sensitive to the annihilations or decays of heavy DM, suggesting to extend the experimental anti-deuterium searches above the O(1) GeV scale.We show that the jet structure of DM annihilation or decay products enhances the d¯ production rate by orders of magnitude compared to the previous computations done assuming a spherically symmetric coalescence model. In particular, in the limit of heavy DM, M≫mp , we get a constant rather than 1/M2 suppressed d¯ production rate. Therefore, a detectable d¯ signal is compatible with the lack of an excess in the p¯ PAMELA flux. Most importantly, cosmic d¯ searches become sensitive to the annihilations or decays of heavy DM, suggesting to extend the experimental d¯ searches above the O(1) GeV scale.We show that the jet structure of DM annihilation or decay products enhances the anti-deuterium production rate by orders of magnitude compared to the previous computations done assuming a spherically symmetric coalescence model. In particular, in the limit of heavy DM, M >> m_p, we get a constant rather than 1/M^2 suppressed anti-deuterium production rate. Therefore, a detectable anti-deuterium signal is compatible with the lack of an excess in the anti-proton PAMELA flux. Most importantly, cosmic anti-deuterium searches become sensitive to the annihilations or decays of heavy DM, suggesting to extend the experimental anti-deuterium searches above the O(1) GeV scale
Predictions of the most minimal see-saw model
No full textWe derive the most minimal see-saw texture from an extra-dimensional dynamics. If LMA is the solution to the solar neutrino problem, it predicts and m_{ee} = 2.5\pm0.7 \meV. Assuming thermal leptogenesis, the sign of the CP-phase measurable in neutrino oscillations, together with the sign of baryon asymmetry, determines the order of heavy neutrino masses. Unless heavy neutrinos are almost degenerate, successful leptogenesis fixes the lightest mass. Depending on the sign of the neutrino CP-phase, the supersymmetric version of the model with universal soft terms at high scale predicts BR() or BR(), and gives a lower bound on the other process.We derive the most minimal see-saw texture from an extra-dimensional dynamics. It predicts theta_13 = 0.078 \pm 0.015 and m_ee = 2.6 \pm 0.4 meV. Assuming thermal leptogenesis, the sign of the CP-phase measurable in neutrino oscillations, together with the sign of baryon asymmetry, determines the order of heavy neutrino masses. Unless heavy neutrinos are almost degenerate, successful leptogenesis fixes the lightest mass. Depending on the sign of the neutrino CP-phase, the supersymmetric version of the model with universal soft terms at high scale predicts BR(mu --> e gamma) or BR(tau --> mu gamma), and gives a lower bound on the other process.We derive the most minimal see-saw texture from an extra-dimensional dynamics. It predicts θ 13 =0.078±0.015 and m ee =2.6±0.4 meV . Assuming thermal leptogenesis, the sign of the CP-phase measurable in neutrino oscillations, together with the sign of baryon asymmetry, determines the order of heavy neutrino masses. Unless heavy neutrinos are almost degenerate, successful leptogenesis fixes the lightest mass. Depending on the sign of the neutrino CP-phase, the supersymmetric version of the model with universal soft terms at high scale predicts BR( μ → eγ ) or BR( τ → μγ ), and gives a lower bound on the other process
sj-pdf-1-vdi-10.1177_10406387231196552 – Supplemental material for Visualizing neutrophil extracellular traps in septic equine synovial and peritoneal fluid samples using immunofluorescence microscopy
No full textSupplemental material, sj-pdf-1-vdi-10.1177_10406387231196552 for Visualizing neutrophil extracellular traps in septic equine synovial and peritoneal fluid samples using immunofluorescence microscopy by Emily M. Birckhead, Shubhagata Das, Naomie Tidd, Sharanne L. Raidal and Shane R. Raidal in Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation</p
Effective axial-vector coupling of gluon as an explanation to the top quark asymmetry
No full textWe explore the possibility that the large t (t) over bar forward-backward asymmetry measured by the CDF detector at Tevatron could be due to a universal effective axial-vector coupling of gluon. Using an effective field theory approach we show model independently how such a log-enhanced coupling occurs at 1-loop level. The interference with QCD gluon vector coupling naturally induces the observed positive forward-backward t (t) over bar asymmetry that grows with t (t) over bar invariant mass and is consistent with the cross section measurements. This scenario does not involve new flavor changing couplings nor operators that interfere with QCD, and, therefore, is not constrained by the LHC searches for 4-quark contact interactions. We predict top quark polarization effects that grow with energy and allow to test this scenario at the LHC. Our proposal offers a viable alternative to new physics scenarios that explain the t (t) over bar forward-backward asymmetry anomaly with the interference between QCD and tree level new physics amplitudes
Hints for a nonstandard Higgs boson from the LHC
No full textWe reconsider Higgs boson invisible decays into Dark Matter in the light of recent Higgs searches at the LHC. Present hints in the Compact Muon Solenoid and ATLAS data favor a nonstandard Higgs boson with approximately 50% invisible branching ratio, and mass around 143 GeV. This situation can be realized within the simplest thermal scalar singlet Dark Matter model, predicting a Dark Matter mass around 50 GeV and direct detection cross section just below present bound. The present runs of the XENON100 and LHC experiments can test this possibility
Implications of the effective axial-vector coupling of the gluon on top-quark charge asymmetry at the LHC
No full textWe study different top-quark charge asymmetries and the variation of t (t) over bar t total cross section induced by the effective axial-vector coupling of gluon in the LHC experiments. We show that rapidity-cut-dependent asymmetries are more sensitive to the new physics than the independent ones. We also study the dependence of the asymmetries and variations of total t (t) over bar t cross sections on the invariant mass of t (t) over bar t system and show that it would be necessary to measure those quantities as functions of m(tt) at the LHC. In the context of considered new physics scenario, 7 TeV LHC has enough sensitivity either to confirm the Tevatron top asymmetry anomaly or to rule it out. In the latter case, the LHC is able to put stringent constraints on the new physics scale Lambda in this framework
Efficiency and maximal CP-asymmetry of scalar triplet leptogenesis
No full textinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
Development of novel diagnostic and vaccine options for beak and feather disease virus (BFDV)
No full textBeak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV) is a circovirus which causes ill-thrift, feather loss and immunosuppression leading to secondary infections and eventually death in psittacine birds. The development of standardised reagents for the detection and characterisation of BFDV infections and for the production of protective vaccines has been difficult as no cell culture system has yet been found to grow the virus successfully in vitro. However, the development of consistent and effective diagnostic tests and vaccines is now more practical through the application of nucleic acid-based detection methods and recombinant technology.
A quantitative real-time PCR assay for the detection of BFDV DNA was developed, using primers designed to amplify a conserved 81 bp fragment of ORFV1 and SYTO9, a fluorescent intercalating dye, with assays run on a Corbett RotorGene 3000. A synthetic oligonucleotide was used to establish standard curves for the quantitation of viral load in both blood and feather preparations. The assay was very sensitive, with a detection limit of 50 copies/ìL. The assay was developed using BFDV-positive DNA extracts from the feathers of 10 different species of birds and validated with blood and feather samples from corellas vaccinated with an experimental BFDV vaccine, then challenged with live virus. Viral DNA was reliably detected in the blood of all control (non-vaccinated) birds and in some vaccinated birds. Contamination of the environment with the feather dander of BFDV-infected birds meant that HA feather preparations were unreliable for the detection and quantitation of viral excretion. Nonetheless, the assay should prove to be a useful and sensitive test for the detection of viral DNA in a range of samples in future investigations.
A recombinant BFDV capsid protein was also produced and a specific monoclonal antibody developed against it. The behaviour of the protein in haemagglutination (HA) assays and the behaviour of the monoclonal antibody in western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), ELISA and haemagglutination-inhibition (HI) assays were characterised. The protein had the ability to agglutinate galah erythrocytes as per the wild-type virus and this agglutination was successfully inhibited by antibodies to wild-type BFDV from naturally immune psittacine birds. Furthermore, the protein self-assembled into virus-like particles as determined by electron microscopy. The antibody was specific for both the recombinant BFDV capsid protein and the whole virus and had similar optimal titres when used in western blotting and IHC. The antibody also had HI activity and detected BFDV virus from 3 genera of psittacine birds, including the recently described cockatiel BFDV isolate. A novel “blocking” (or “competitive”) ELISA (bELISA) for the detection of anti- BFDV antibodies in psittacine sera (Ab-bELISA) was also developed and validated with 166 samples from eastern long-billed corellas vaccinated with the recombinant capsid protein and challenged with live virus. The bELISA was found to be both sensitive and specific and correlated strongly with the HI test, thus it should have wide application for the serodiagnosis of BFDV.
A survey of cockatiels (n=88) housed at commercial aviaries was conducted to investigate whether BFDV infection occurs in cockatiels. All birds were diagnosed as being virus-free by PCR and HA and had no detectable antibody titre by HI assay. In addition to this, the genomes of two BFDV isolates obtained from diseased cockatiel feathers were sequenced and cross-reactivity assays performed using virus eluted from these feathers and sera from naturally immune psittacine birds. Serological cross-reactivity results and phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences indicated that the cockatiel virus isolates were serologically and genetically different to other BFDV isolates. This is the first report of an antigenically distinct BFDV in psittacine birds. Since the Ab-bELISA has a lower limit of detection than the HI assay, it was used to repeat the cockatiel sero-survey. No antibodies were detectable in any of the cockatiels tested and thus questions about the real prevalence of BFDV infection in cockatiels and the possible existence of a novel BFDV serotype adapted to cockatiels remain unanswered.
The successful control of PBFD in both pet and wild birds depends on the development of vaccines that incite a strong specific immune response and can be efficiently produced in large quantities. Recombinant BFDV capsid proteins have recently been considered as candidate vaccines against BFDV and recombinant techniques allow the development of other candidate vaccines, including DNA vaccines. In order to examine the potential of DNA vaccination as a strategy for the prevention and control of BFDV, two DNA vaccines, based on the nucleotide sequence encoding the capsid protein of BFDV, were developed using the mammalian expression vector pVAX1. The vaccine constructs encoding both the full length and NLS-truncated capsid protein resulted in protein expression both in vitro and in vivo. Protein was detected in COS-7 cells transfected with the constructs with an indirect immunocytochemistry assay using the monoclonal antibody described in Chapter 5. Protein was present in the nucleus of cells transfected with the vaccine encoding the full-length nucleotide sequence and in the cytoplasm of cells transfected with the vaccine encoding the NLS-truncated sequence as expected. Both DNA vaccine constructs induced detectable levels of anti-BFDV antibodies in vaccinated birds, determined using the Ab-bELISA described in Chapter 5. Thus, DNA vaccines similar to those presented here may have application in the prevention and control of BFDV and some options for the further development of these vaccines into effective methods for the control of BFDV are discussed
Psittacine beak and feather disease : vaccination, haematological response and pcr methodology
No full textTo enable assessment of recombinant BFDV capsid protein (recBFDVcap) for vaccination to protect against PBFD, commercially available lovebirds (Agapornis sp.) were tested for evidence of past and current BFDV infection using PCR, HI and HA to identify suitable BFDV-free birds in which to test the vaccine. During this attempt, it was found that lovebirds from commercial aviaries were endemically infected with BFDV with evidence of up to 100% prevalence of BFDV DNA in blood samples from individual birds over time. Such an approach was abandoned as unlikely to yield suitable numbers of naïve birds to conduct a BFDV vaccination trial.
As commercially available lovebirds were considered to be a poor source of BFDV-free birds, wild caught cockatoo nestlings and eggs (long-billed corella; Cacatua tenuirostris and galah; Eolophus roseicapillus) were used to assess the efficacy of BFDV vaccination using baculovirus recombinant BFDV capsid. Eggs were artificially incubated and 3 eggs successfully hatched and 1 was successfully hand-reared. All nestlings were screened for BFDV DNA in blood using PCR upon arrival then on days 11, 18 and 25 and tested for anti-BFDV antibody on the day of arrival. All hatched birds were determined to be free of BFDV DNA and BFDV HI antibody in the peripheral blood throughout the hand rearing period and the flock was considered to be suitable for a BFDV vaccination trial.
Corellas (n=13) were injected with 1 mL of vaccine containing 10 μg recBFDVcap on day 0 and 0.4 mL vaccine containing 66.8 μg recBFDVcap on day 11. All vaccinated corellas and 5 non-vaccinated control corellas were given 0.4 mL BFDV suspension (titre = log2 12 HAU/50 μL) intramuscularly and 0.1 mL orally 16 days after booster vaccination. Blood was collected periodically during the vaccination period and blood and feathers collected before and after BFDV administration. Testing included BFDV DNA detection by PCR and qRT PCR (on blood) as well as serum antibody detection by haemagglutination inhibition (HI) and BFDV DNA and antigen was detected by qRT PCR and haemagglutination (HA) (on feathers), respectively. Four of 97 blood samples collected from vaccinated birds post BFDV challenge tested positive by PCR, whereas 17 of 35 samples taken from non-vaccinated control corellas tested positive. Vaccinated birds did not develop feather lesions, had only transient PCR detectable viraemia and had no evidence of persistent infection 270 days post-challenge using PCR, histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Non-vaccinated control corellas developed transient feather lesions and PCR, HI and HA test results consistent with PBFD. They were BFDV PCR positive for up to 41 days post-challenge and qRT PCR demonstrated reduced virus replication in vaccinated birds compared to non-vaccinated control birds. Thus, administration of recBFDVcap vaccine alone was found to incite an adaptive immune response in BFDV-free corellas that subsequently conferred protection against inoculation with BFDV.
A commonly utilized method for excising blood dried on filter paper was proven to be of high risk of carryover contamination facilitated by a hole punch used for processing several samples. Therefore a practical method of avoiding carryover contamination was developed and used in the DNA testing procedures of the vaccination trial.
Finally, the haematological characteristics of the above mentioned cockatoos were studied before and for 97 days after experimental infection with BFDV. It was found that the pre-challenge haematological values were similar between the vaccinated and non-vaccinated corellas. Most pre-challenge parameters were comparable to previously reported values of other cockatoos and psittacine birds. Significant differences were seen in both groups when comparing pre-challenge values with post challenge values for total and differential leukocyte concentrations, but PCV and TSP were not significantly affected by BFDV challenge
Low-scale standard supersymmetric leptogenesis
No full textStrictly adhering to the standard supersymmetric seesaw mechanism, we present a neutrino mass model which allows successful standard thermal leptogenesis compatible with gravitino cosmology. Some neutrino Yukawa couplings are naturally much larger than the naive estimates following from the seesaw formula. This leads to large BR(mu -> e gamma), detectable in the next round of experiments. Ratios of mu -> e gamma, tau -> ey and tau -> mu gamma branching ratios are predicted in terms of the measurable neutrino mass matrix. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
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