Collide and Conquer: Constraints on Simplified Dark Matter Models using Mono-X Collider Searches

The use of simplified models as a tool for interpreting dark matter collider searches has become increasingly prevalent, and while early Run II results are beginning to appear, we look to see what further information can be extracted from the Run I dataset. We consider three `standard' simplified models that couple quarks to fermionic singlet dark matter: an $s$-channel vector mediator with vector or axial-vector couplings, and a $t$-channel scalar mediator. Upper limits on the couplings are calculated and compared across three alternate channels, namely mono-jet, mono-$Z$ (leptonic) and mono-$W/Z$ (hadronic). The strongest limits are observed in the mono-jet channel, however the computational simplicity and absence of significant $t$-channel model width effects in the mono-boson channels make these a straightforward and competitive alternative. We also include a comparison with relic density and direct detection constraints.Comment: 32 pages, 8 figures; v2: minor changes, conclusion unchanged, matches published versio

Cytokine regulation in RA synovial tissue: role of T cell/macrophage contact-dependent interactions.

Several groups have documented the expression of cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis synovial tissue over the past 15 years or so. These studies have indicated that most cytokines examined are expressed at the mRNA levels at least, and many other cytokines are found in abundance as proteins. Our attention has recently focused on the mechanisms that induce and regulate tumour necrosis factor and IL-10. Other workers and ourselves have found that cell-cell contact is an important signal for the induction of cytokines, and our work has demonstrated that tumour necrosis factor and IL-10 production in rheumatoid arthritis synovial joint cells cultures is dependent on T cell/macrophage interaction. In this chapter, we review recent advances in this area and also highlight areas where new therapeutic intervention opportunities arise

Service provision trends between 1983-84 and 1993-94 in Australian private general practice

The document attached has been archived with permission from the Australian Dental Association. An external link to the publisher’s copy is included.Patterns of service provision are expected to change over time, reflecting the dynamics of factors such as oral health status and trends in population demographics. The aim of this study was to identify trends in service provision over time. Data were collected from a random sample of Australian dentists in 1983-84, 1988-89, and 1993-94. Changes observed between 1983-84 and 1993-94 included a trend towards increased proportions of patients in older age groups, decreases in the percentage of persons receiving restorative care (from 40.2 per cent to 37.7 per cent) and prosthodontic care (9.3 per cent to 8.0 per cent), and increases in diagnostic (from 38.7 per cent to 46.0 per cent), preventive (20.9 per cent to 25.2 per cent), endodontic (5.3 per cent to 7.1 per cent), and crown and bridge services (3.1 per cent to 4.7 per cent) per visit. Other services such as orthodontic and general/miscellaneous services showed increases over the first half of the study period, but these did not continue between 1988-89 and 1993-94. The total number of services per visit increased over the study period for adult patients. These findings indicate changing patterns of practice over time, consistent with an increasing orientation towards prevention of disease and maintenance of a natural dentition.David Brennan, A. John Spencer, Fearnley Szuste

Cell patterning on photolithographically defined parylene-C:SiO2 substrates

Cell patterning platforms support broad research goals, such as construction of predefined in vitro neuronal networks and the exploration of certain central aspects of cellular physiology. To easily combine cell patterning with Multi-Electrode Arrays (MEAs) and silicon-based ‘lab on a chip’ technologies, a microfabrication-compatible protocol is required. We describe a method that utilizes deposition of the polymer parylene-C on SiO(2 )wafers. Photolithography enables accurate and reliable patterning of parylene-C at micron-level resolution. Subsequent activation by immersion in fetal bovine serum (or another specific activation solution) results in a substrate in which cultured cells adhere to, or are repulsed by, parylene or SiO(2) regions respectively. This technique has allowed patterning of a broad range of cell types (including primary murine hippocampal cells, HEK 293 cell line, human neuron-like teratocarcinoma cell line, primary murine cerebellar granule cells, and primary human glioma-derived stem-like cells). Interestingly, however, the platform is not universal; reflecting the importance of cell-specific adhesion molecules. This cell patterning process is cost effective, reliable, and importantly can be incorporated into standard microfabrication (chip manufacturing) protocols, paving the way for integration of microelectronic technology

Symptoms and treatment of copper deficiency of wheat

Copper deficiency in wheat is still common but may not be easily noticed

The privilege of induction avoidance and calcineurin inhibitors withdrawal in 2 haplotype HLA matched white kidney transplantation

BACKGROUND: White recipients of 2-haplotype HLA-matched living kidney transplants are perceived to be of low immunologic risk. Little is known about the safety of induction avoidance and calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal in these patients. METHODS: We reviewed our experience at a single center and compared it to Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) registry data and only included 2-haplotype HLA-matched white living kidney transplants recipients between 2000 and 2013. RESULTS: There were 56 recipients in a single center (where no induction was given) and 2976 recipients in the OPTN. Among the OPTN recipients, 1285 received no induction, 903 basiliximab, 608 thymoglobulin, and 180 alemtuzumab. First-year acute rejection rates were similar after induction-free transplantation among the center and induced groups nationally. Compared with induction-free transplantation in the national data, there was no decrease in graft failure risk over 13 years with use of basiliximab (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.86; confidence interval [CI], 0.68-1.08), Thymoglobulin (aHR, 0.92; CI, 0.7-1.21) or alemtuzumab (aHR, 1.18; CI, 0.72-1.93). Among induction-free recipients at the center, calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal at 1 year (n = 27) did not significantly impact graft failure risk (HR,1.62; CI, 0.38-6.89). CONCLUSIONS: This study may serve as a foundation for further studies to provide personalized, tailored, immunosuppression for this very low-risk population of kidney transplant patients

Fitness-for-purpose assessment of cracked offshore wind turbine monopile

In this paper, the procedure for flaw acceptability assessment is examined through a case study of a semi-elliptical surface crack in an offshore monopile as it grows till it forms a through thickness crack. Using the procedure prescribed in an industrial standard (BS 7910), the fracture ratio, Kr is shown to increase monotonically with increasing crack depth. The load ratio, Lr, is initially insensitive to the crack depth. However, there is a rapid increase in Lr when the crack depth to thickness ratio exceeds 80%. Lr values obtained from detailed 3D FE limit analysis using elastic-perfectly-plastic material behaviour do not exhibit the asymptotic behaviour predicted by BS 7910 as the flaw transitions from deep crack to through-thickness crack. Furthermore, Kr predicted by BS 7910 is shown to be an over-estimation for the typical dimensions of offshore monopiles. The findings suggest that a structure with a deep flaw may be identified as unacceptable based on BS 7910 when it may still possess a non-trivial amount of structural residual life. This is a concern for monopiles where crack growth as a large flaw forms a significant part of the total life

A simplified formula for calculating the limit load of cracked offshore wind turbine monopile under bending

A simplified methodology is proposed for calculating the plastic collapse (limit) bending moment load of a pipe with a circumferential flaw with an emphasis on its application for use in the assessment of cracked offshore wind turbine monopile using failure assessment diagrams. The proposed methodology is based on the theory of net section collapse (NSC) but differs from existing approaches in that it does not need idealisation and categorisation of the crack before assessment. The proposed methodology is validated against results presented in literature and also finite element analysis results. Although it is possible to obtain limit loads using FE analysis, this is computationally expensive and time consuming. The proposed approach allows for nearinstantaneous calculation of limit load for any arbitrary crack configuration and loading direction. This is a significant development for the analysis of offshore wind turbine monopiles as it allows the suitability of the cracked structure to be assessed in pseudo-real time

Positive and negative affect and oral health-related quality of life

BACKGROUND: The aims of the study were to assess the impact of both positive (PA) and negative affect (NA) on self-reported oral health-related quality of life and to determine the effect of including affectivity on the relationship between oral health-related quality of life and a set of explanatory variables consisting of oral health status, socio-economic status and dental visiting pattern. METHODS: A random sample of 45–54 year-olds from metropolitan Adelaide, South Australia was surveyed by mailed self-complete questionnaire during 2004–05 with up to four follow-up mailings of the questionnaire to non-respondents (n = 986 responded, response rate = 44.4%). Oral health-related quality of life was measured using OHIP-14 and affectivity using the Bradburn scale. Using OHIP-14 and subscales as the dependent variables, regression models were constructed first using oral health status, socio-economic characteristics and dental visit pattern and then adding PA and NA as independent variables, with nested models tested for change in R-squared values. RESULTS: PA and NA exhibited a negative correlation of -0.49 (P < 0.01). NA accounted for a larger percentage of variance in OHIP-14 scores (3.0% to 7.3%) than PA (1.4% to 4.6%). In models that included both PA and NA, PA accounted for 0.2% to 1.1% of variance in OHIP-14 scores compared to 1.8% to 3.9% for NA. CONCLUSION: PA and NA both accounted for additional variance in quality of life scores, but did not substantially diminish the effect of established explanatory variables such as oral health status, socio-economic status and dental visit patterns