24 research outputs found
Constraints on Light Majorana Dark Matter from Colliders
We explore model-independent collider constraints on light Majorana dark
matter particles. We find that colliders provide a complementary probe of WIMPs
to direct detection, and give the strongest current constraints on light DM
particles. Collider experiments can access interactions not probed by direct
detection searches, and outperform direct detection experiments by about an
order of magnitude for certain operators in a large part of parameter space.
For operators which are suppresssed at low momentum transfer, collider searches
have already placed constraints on such operators limiting their use as an
explanation for DAMA.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figure
Constraints on Dark Matter from Colliders
We show that colliders can impose strong constraints on models of dark
matter, in particular when the dark matter is light. We analyze models where
the dark matter is a fermion or scalar interacting with quarks and/or gluons
through an effective theory containing higher dimensional operators which
represent heavier states that have been integrated out of the effective field
theory. We determine bounds from existing Tevatron searches for monojets as
well as expected LHC reaches for a discovery. We find that colliders can
provide information which is complementary or in some cases even superior to
experiments searching for direct detection of dark matter through its
scattering with nuclei. In particular, both the Tevatron and the LHC can
outperform spin dependent searches by an order of magnitude or better over much
of parameter space, and if the dark matter couples mainly to gluons, the LHC
can place bounds superior to any spin independent search.Comment: 23 pages, 16 figure
Distinguishing Dark Matter Annihilation Enhancement Scenarios via Halo Shapes
Sommerfeld enhancement and Breit-Wigner enhancement of the dark matter
annihilation have been proposed to explain the "boost factor" which is
suggested by observed cosmic ray excesses. Although these two scenarios can
provide almost indistinguishable effects on the cosmic ray fluxes, the cross
sections of the self-interaction in those enhancement mechanisms are
drastically different. As a result, we show that they can be distinguished by
examining the effects of the self-interaction on the halo shapes. In Sommerfeld
enhancement models with m_phi<100MeV and m_DM<3TeV, the self-interaction can
leave observable imprints in the galactic dynamics, while dark matter is
effectively collisionless in Breit-Wigner models.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur
Gamma Ray Line Constraints on Effective Theories of Dark Matter
A monochromatic gamma ray line results when dark matter particles in the
galactic halo annihilate to produce a two body final state which includes a
photon. Such a signal is very distinctive from astrophysical backgrounds, and
thus represents an incisive probe of theories of dark matter. We compare the
recent null results of searches for gamma ray lines in the galactic center and
other regions of the sky with the predictions of effective theories describing
the interactions of dark matter particles with the Standard Model. We find that
the null results of these searches provide constraints on the nature of dark
matter interactions with ordinary matter which are complementary to constraints
from other observables, and stronger than collider constraints in some cases.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure
Screening of crude extracts of six medicinal plants used in South-West Nigerian unorthodox medicine for anti-methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus activity
BACKGROUND: Six Nigerian medicinal plants Terminalia avicennioides, Phylantus discoideus, Bridella ferruginea, Ageratum conyzoides, Ocimum gratissimum and Acalypha wilkesiana used by traditional medical practitioners for the treatment of several ailments of microbial and non-microbial origins were investigated for in vitro anti-methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) activity. METHODS: Fresh plant materials were collected from the users. Water and ethanol extracts of the shredded plants were obtained by standard methods. The Bacterial cultures used were strains of MRSA isolated from patients. MRSA was determined by the reference broth microdilution methods using the established National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards break points. Staphylococcus aureus NCIB 8588 was used as a standard strain. Susceptibility testing and phytochemical screening of the plant extracts were performed by standard procedures. Controls were maintained for each test batch. RESULTS: Both water and ethanol extracts of T. avicennioides, P. discoideus, O. gratissimum, and A. wilkesiana were effective on MRSA. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of the ethanol extracts of these plants range from 18.2 to 24.0 mcg/ml and 30.4 to 37.0 mcg/ml respectively. In contrast, MIC range of 30.6 to 43.0 mcg/ml and 55.4 to 71.0 mcg/ml were recorded for ethanol and water extracts of B. ferruginea, and A. conyzoides respectively. Higher MBC values were obtained for the two plants. These concentrations were too high to be considered active in this study. All the four active plants contained at least trace amount of anthraquinones. CONCLUSION: Our results offer a scientific basis for the traditional use of water and ethanol extracts of A. wilkesiana, O. gratissimum, T. avicennioides and P. discoideus against MRSA-associated diseases. However, B. ferruginea and A. conyzoides were ineffective in vitro in this study; we therefore suggest the immediate stoppage of their traditional use against MRSA-associated diseases in Lagos, Nigeria
Accurate fault location technique for distribution system using fault-generated high-frequency transient voltage signals
Albuterol Isomers Modulate Platelet-Activating Factor Synthesis and Receptor Signaling in Human Bronchial Smooth Muscle Cells
Sickle Erythrocytes and Platelets Augment Lung Leukotriene Synthesis with Downregulation of Anti-Inflammatory Proteins: Relevance in the Pathology of the Acute Chest Syndrome
Abstract. Initiation, progression, and resolution of vaso-occlusive pain episodes in sickle cell disease (SCD) have been recognized as reperfusion injury, which provokes an inflammatory response in the pulmonary circulation. Some 5-lipoxygenase (5-lox) metabolites are potent vasoconstrictors in the pulmonary circulation. We studied stimulation of production of the inflammatory eicosanoids leukotrienes (LTs) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) by isolated rat lungs perfused with sickle (HbSS) erythrocytes. Our hypothesis is that HbSS erythrocytes produce more LTs than normal (HbAA) erythrocytes, which can induce vaso-occlusive episodes in SCD patients. Lung perfusates were collected at specific time points and purified by high-pressure liquid chromatography, and LTC(4) and PGE(2) contents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Rat lung explants were also cultured with purified HbAA and HbSS peptides, and 5-lox, cyclooxygenase 1/2, and platelet-activating factor receptor (PAFR) proteins were measured by Western blotting, while prostacyclin and LTs produced by cultured lung explants were measured by ELISA. Lung weight gain and blood gas data were not different among the groups. HbSS-perfused lungs produced more LTC(4) and PGE(2) than HbAA-perfused lungs: 10.40 ± 0.62 versus 0.92 ± 0.2 ng/g dry lung weight (mean ± SEM; P = 0.0001) for LTC(4). Inclusion of autologous platelets (platelet-rich plasma) elevated LTC(4) production to 12.6 ± 0.96 and 7 ± 0.60 ng/g dry lung weight in HbSS and HbAA perfusates, respectively. HbSS lungs also expressed more 5-lox and PAFR. The data suggest that HbSS erythrocytes and activated platelets in patient’s pulmonary microcirculation will enhance the synthesis and release of the proinflammatory mediators LTC(4) and PGE(2), both of which may contribute to onset of the acute chest syndrome in SCD