Single top-quark production by strong and electroweak supersymmetric flavor-changing interactions at the LHC

(Abridged) We report on a complete study of the single top-quark production by direct supersymmetric flavor-changing neutral-current (FCNC) processes at the LHC. The total cross section for pp(gg)->t\bar{c}+\bar{t}c is computed at the 1-loop order within the unconstrained Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The present study extends the results of the supersymmetric strong effects (SUSY-QCD), which were advanced by some of us in a previous work, and includes the computation of the full supersymmetric electroweak corrections (SUSY-EW). Our analysis of pp(gg)->t\bar{c}+\bar{t}c in the MSSM has been performed in correspondence with the stringent low-energy constraints from b->s gamma. In the most favorable scenarios, the SUSY-QCD contribution can give rise to production rates of around 10^5 events per 100 fb^{-1} of integrated luminosity. Furthermore, we show that there exist regions of the MSSM parameter space where the SUSY-EW correction becomes sizeable. In the SUSY-EW favored regions, one obtains lower, but still appreciable, event production rates that can reach the 10^3 level for the same range of integrated luminosity. We study also the possible reduction in the maximum event rate obtained from the full MSSM contribution if we additionally include the constraints from B^0_s-\bar{B}^0_s. In view of the fact that the FCNC production of heavy quark pairs of different flavors is extremely suppressed in the SM, the detection of a significant number of these events could lead to evidence of new physics -- of likely supersymmetric origin.Comment: LaTex, 35 pages, typos corrected. Version accepted in JHE

Genotype x dose of artificial insemination interaction for buck fertility

Ponencia publicada en ITEA, vol.104El objetivo de este trabajo fue estimar los parámetros genéticos de la fertilidad tras la IA con 3 tipos de dosis obtenidas de eyaculados de machos de la línea Caldes: 1) tipo 10: con 10 x 106 espermatozoides/ml y 24h de conservación en un diluyente comercial tipo A. 2) tipo 40: con 40 x 106 espermatozoides/ml y las mismas condiciones de conservación que las del tipo 10. 3) tipo X: dosis preparadas tras diluir los eyaculados con un diluyente comercial tipo B (1:5) siendo desconocida la concentración y sin periodo de conservación. Se realizaron 3,628 IA con dosis del tipo 10 sobre hembras cruzadas, 3,027 con dosis del tipo 40 y la misma población de hembras, y 5,779 con dosis del tipo X sobre hembras puras de la línea Caldes. La fertilidad tras la IA con dosis del tipo 10 (F10), 40 (F40) y X (FX) fue considerada un carácter distinto en cada caso, de tipo binario. Los datos se analizaron utilizando un modelo umbral tri-carácter. La estima de la media de la distribución marginal posterior (DMP) de F10 menos F40 fue de -0.13. Este resultado indica un claro efecto de la concentración sobre la fertilidad, que podría no ser lineal. Las medias de la DMP de F10 menos FX y F40 menos FX fueron -0.37 y -0.23, respectivamente, lo que indica que el efecto de las condiciones de conservación sobre la fertilidad podría ser más importante que el de la concentración ya que FX fue muy próxima a la fertilidad tras la MN y la concentración del tipo de dosis X sería en promedio de unos 50 x 106 espermatozoides/ml. Las heredabilidades parecen ser similares para F10 y F40 y ambas mayores que las correspondientes a la fertilidad tras la MN y a FX. La interacción del genotipo x concentración de la dosis de IA es prácticamente despreciable debido a que las varianzas genéticas fueron similares para F10 y F40 y a que su correlación genética fue próxima a 1. Sin embargo, la interacción podría ser de mayor importancia entre el genotipo y las condiciones de conservación.The aim of this research was to estimate genetic parameters of male fertility after AI with three different types of AI doses obtained from ejaculates of bucks belonging to the Caldes line: 1) type 10: doses with 10 x 106 spermatozoa/ml and a period of 24 h of storage at 18ºC in a saline extender A. 2) type 40: doses with 40 x 106 spermatozoa/ml and the same storage conditions as type 10. 3) type X, doses prepared with semen diluted (1:5) with a saline extender B, but with unknown sperm dosage and no storage period. 3,628 AI were performed with the type 10 doses using crossbred females, 3,027 with the type 40 doses and the same population of females, and 5,779 with the type X doses, using purebred M. Piles et al. ITEA (2008), Vol. 104 (2), 160-168 16 females from the Caldes line in a different farm. Fertility after AI with type 10 doses (F10), type 40 doses (F40) and type X doses (FX) was considered as three different binary traits. Data were analyzed under a three-trait threshold model. The mean of the marginal posterior distribution (MPD) for F10 minus F40 was estimated to be -0.13. This result indicates a clear effect of the sperm dosage on fertility, which could be non-linear. The mean of the MPD of F10 minus FX and F40 minus FX were respectively, -0.37 and -0.23 which indicates that the effect of the storage conditions on fertility could be even more important on fertility than sperm dosage, since FX was very close to fertility after NM and sperm dosage of this type of doses was in average lower than 50 x 106 spermatozoa/ml. Heritabilities seem to be similar for F10 and F40 and both of them could be higher than heritability of male fertility after NM and FX. Variance of the genotype x sperm dosage interaction was almost negligible since additive variances were similar for F10 and F40 and their genetic correlation was close to 1. However, this interaction could be more important between the genotype and the storage conditions

The role of clonal communication and heterogeneity in breast cancer

Background: Cancer is a rapidly evolving, multifactorial disease that accumulates numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations. This results in molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity within the tumor, the complexity of which is further amplified through specific interactions between cancer cells. We aimed to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying the cooperation between different clones. Methods: We produced clonal cell lines derived from the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line, using the UbC-StarTrack system, which allowed tracking of multiple clones by color: GFP C3, mKO E10 and Sapphire D7. Characterization of these clones was performed by growth rate, cell metabolic activity, wound healing, invasion assays and genetic and epigenetic arrays. Tumorigenicity was tested by orthotopic and intravenous injections. Clonal cooperation was evaluated by medium complementation, co-culture and co-injection assays. Results: Characterization of these clones in vitro revealed clear genetic and epigenetic differences that affected growth rate, cell metabolic activity, morphology and cytokine expression among cell lines. In vivo, all clonal cell lines were able to form tumors; however, injection of an equal mix of the different clones led to tumors with very few mKO E10 cells. Additionally, the mKO E10 clonal cell line showed a significant inability to form lung metastases. These results confirm that even in stable cell lines heterogeneity is present. In vitro, the complementation of growth medium with medium or exosomes from parental or clonal cell lines increased the growth rate of the other clones. Complementation assays, co-growth and co-injection of mKO E10 and GFP C3 clonal cell lines increased the efficiency of invasion and migration. Conclusions: These findings support a model where interplay between clones confers aggressiveness, and which may allow identification of the factors involved in cellular communication that could play a role in clonal cooperation and thus represent new targets for preventing tumor progression

Flavour-changing top decays in the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model

We perform a complete one-loop computation of the two-body flavour-changing top decays t --> ch and t --> cV (V = gamma, Z), within the aligned two-Higgs-doublet model. We evaluate the impact of the model parameters on the associated branching ratios, taking into account constraints from flavour data and measurements of the Higgs properties. Assuming that the 125 GeV Higgs corresponds to the lightest CP-even scalar of the CP-conserving aligned two-Higgs-doublet model, we find that the rates for such flavour-changing top decays lie below the expected sensitivity of the future high-luminosity phase of the LHC. Measurements of the Higgs signal strength in the di-photon channel are found to play an important role in limiting the size of the t --> ch decay rate when the charged scalar of the model is light

Seismotectonic interpretation of the 2002 Mw 4.8 Gérgal seismic sequence using seismological data and radar interferometry (INSAR)

This work analyzes the geological source of the Mw 4.8 February 4 2002, Gérgal earthquake. The interpretation of local geological data, the relocation of the aftershocks sequence using a local velocity model, the focal mechanism calculation and the interferometric study of the area using RADAR images give evidences that support a tensional stress source with a rupture plane oriented NW-SE to NNE-SS

Cortisol detection in fish scales by enzyme immunoassay: biochemical and methodological validation

The study of fish stress is usually assessed by measuring blood cortisol. Nevertheless, blood provides only a snapshot of the hormonal profile at one point in time. An alternative source of cortisol may be found in scales, providing a new approach for assessing long-term hormonal levels. The present study aimed to develop and validate a methodology for detecting cortisol in scales of goldfish (Carassius auratus). The study highlights the importance of an initial isopropanol washing procedure to completely eliminate external contaminations of cortisol. Additionally, the biochemical validation of the enzyme immunoassay verifies the ability to detect cortisol with repeatability and reliability in goldfish scales. In conclusion, this study provides validated information about a new methodology to measure cortisol in scales. The incorporation of this biomarker could provide retrospective hormonal measurements from species and time periods that are usually difficult or impossible to obtain, thus offering key data of an animal's physiolog

Relationship between rainfall and Neospora caninum-associated abortion in two dairy herds in a dry environment

The possible direct relationship between climate variations and abortion in Neospora caninum-infected cows has not been studied. The objective of this study was to determine whether climate changes could be a risk factor for abortion in N. caninum-infected cows, and was based on yearly serological screening for neosporosis and on the confirmation of N. caninum infection on aborted fetuses in two high-producing dairy herds with a mean 27% seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies. The final population study was comprised of 357 pregnancies in seropositive animals. Logistic regression analysis indicated no significant effects of herd, N. caninum antibody titre, climate variables during the first and third trimesters of gestation, mean and maximum temperature– humidity index values during the second trimester of gestation, and previous abortion on the abortion rate. Based on the odds ratio, a 1-unit increase in lactation number yielded a 0.85-fold decrease in the abortion rate. The likelihood of abortion was 1.9 times (1/0.54) lower for pregnant cows inseminated with beef bull semen compared with Holstein-Friesian bull semen. The likelihood of abortion decreased significant and progressively by factors of 0.5, 0.41 and 0.3 for the respective classes 40–49, 30–39 and <30 rainfall mm during the second trimester of gestation (using the class ‡60 rainfall mm as reference). As a general conclusion, it seems that increased rainfall in a dry environment can compromise the success of gestation in N. caninum-infected cows. Attempts should therefore be made to reduce environment effects during the second trimester of gestation, a period in which the immune response of cows is diminished

A Multipixel Time Series Analysis Method Accounting for Ground Motion, Atmospheric Noise, and Orbital Errors

International audienceInterferometric synthetic aperture radar time series methods aim to reconstruct time-dependent ground displacements over large areas from sets of interferograms in order to detect transient, periodic, or small-amplitude deformation. Because of computational limitations, most existing methods consider each pixel independently, ignoring important spatial covariances between observations. We describe a framework to reconstruct time series of ground deformation while considering all pixels simultaneously, allowing us to account for spatial covariances, imprecise orbits, and residual atmospheric perturbations. We describe spatial covariances by an exponential decay function dependent of pixel-to-pixel distance. We approximate the impact of imprecise orbit information and residual long-wavelength atmosphere as a low-order polynomial function. Tests on synthetic data illustrate the importance of incorporating full covariances between pixels in order to avoid biased parameter reconstruction. An example of application to the northern Chilean subduction zone highlights the potential of this method