84 research outputs found
Signals of new physics in global event properties in pp collisions in the TeV energy domain: rapidity intervals
The study of possible new physics signals in global event properties in pp
collisions in the TeV energy domain is extended from full phase-space to
rapidity intervals experimentally accessible at LHC. The elbow structure in the
total multiplicity distribution predicted in full phase-space is clearly
present also in restricted rapidity intervals, leading to very strong charged
particle correlations. It is also found that energy densities comparable to
those reached in heavy ion collisions at RHIC could be attained in pp
collisions at LHC.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figure
Leading-particle suppression in high energy nucleus-nucleus collisions
Parton energy loss effects in heavy-ion collisions are studied with the Monte
Carlo program PQM (Parton Quenching Model) constructed using the BDMPS
quenching weights and a realistic collision geometry. The merit of the approach
is that it contains only one free parameter that is tuned to the high-pt
nuclear modification factor measured in central Au-Au collisions at sqrt{s_NN}
= 200 GeV. Once tuned, the model is coherently applied to all the high-pt
observables at 200 GeV: the centrality evolution of the nuclear modification
factor, the suppression of the away-side jet-like correlations, and the
azimuthal anisotropies for these observables. Predictions for the
leading-particle suppression at nucleon-nucleon centre-of-mass energies of 62.4
and 5500 GeV are calculated. The limits of the eikonal approximation in the
BDMPS approach, when applied to finite-energy partons, are discussed.Comment: 28 pages, 14 figures, final version, accepted by Eur. Phys. J.
Offsetting Versus Mitigation Activities to Reduce CO2 Emissions: A Theoretical and Empirical Analysis for the U.S. And Germany
International genome-wide meta-analysis identifies new primary biliary cirrhosis risk loci and targetable pathogenic pathways
Controversy and consensus on the management of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility: A global survey, current guidelines, and expert recommendations
Purpose
Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been associated with male infertility and poor outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to the management of elevated SDF in infertile men, summarize the relevant professional society recommendations, and provide expert recommendations for managing this condition.
Materials and Methods
An online global survey on clinical practices related to SDF was disseminated to reproductive clinicians, according to the CHERRIES checklist criteria. Management protocols for various conditions associated with SDF were captured and compared to the relevant recommendations in professional society guidelines and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations and consensus on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF were then formulated and adapted using the Delphi method.
Results
A total of 436 experts from 55 different countries submitted responses. As an initial approach, 79.1% of reproductive experts recommend lifestyle modifications for infertile men with elevated SDF, and 76.9% prescribe empiric antioxidants. Regarding antioxidant duration, 39.3% recommend 4–6 months and 38.1% recommend 3 months. For men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, and couples experiencing recurrent miscarriages associated with elevated SDF, most respondents refer to ART 6 months after failure of conservative and empiric medical management. Infertile men with clinical varicocele, normal conventional semen parameters, and elevated SDF are offered varicocele repair immediately after diagnosis by 31.4%, and after failure of antioxidants and conservative measures by 40.9%. Sperm selection techniques and testicular sperm extraction are also management options for couples undergoing ART. For most questions, heterogenous practices were demonstrated.
Conclusions
This paper presents the results of a large global survey on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF and reveals a lack of consensus among clinicians. Furthermore, it demonstrates the scarcity of professional society guidelines in this regard and attempts to highlight the relevant evidence. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians
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