6,254 research outputs found
320g Ionization-Heat Cryogenic Detector for Dark Matter Search in the EDELWEISS Experiment
The EDELWEISS experiment used in 2001 a 320g heat-and-ionization cryogenic Ge
detector operated in a low-background environment in the Laboratoire Souterrain
de Modane for direct WIMP detection. This detector presents an increase of more
than 4 times the mass of previous detectors. Calibrations of this detector are
used to determine its energy resolution and fiducial volume, and to optimize
the detector design for the 1kg phase of the EDELWEISS-I experiment. Analysis
of the calibrations and characteristics of a first series of 320g-detectors are
presented.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Higgs boson production via vector-like top-partner decays: diphoton or multilepton plus multijets channels at the LHC
We first build a minimal model of vector-like quarks where the dominant Higgs
boson production process at LHC -- the gluon fusion -- can be significantly
suppressed, being motivated by the recent stringent constraints from the search
for direct Higgs production over a wide Higgs mass range. Within this model,
compatible with the present experimental constraints on direct Higgs searches,
we demonstrate that the Higgs () production via a heavy vector-like
top-partner () decay, , , allows to
discover a Higgs boson at the LHC and measure its mass, through the decay
channels or . We also comment on the recent hint
in LHC data from a possible GeV Higgs scalar, in the presence of
heavy vector-like top quarks.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figure
Effects of pre and postnatal exposure to low levels of polybromodiphenyl ethers on neurodevelopment and thyroid hormone levels at 4years of age
There are at present very few studies of the effects of polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDEs), used as flame retardants in consumer products, on neurodevelopment or thyroid hormone levels in humans. The present study aims to examine the association between pre and postnatal PBDE concentrations and neurodevelopment and thyroid hormone levels in children at age 4. years and isolate the effects of PBDEs from those of PCBs, DDT, DDE and HCB.A prospective birth cohort in Menorca (Spain) enrolled 482 pregnant mothers between 1997 and 1998. At 4. years, children were assessed for motor and cognitive function (McCarthy Scales of Children's Abilities), attention-deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity (ADHD-DSM-IV) and social competence (California Preschool Social Competence Scale). PBDE concentrations were measured in cord blood (N = 88) and in serum of 4. years olds (N = 244). Among all congeners analyzed only PBDE 47 was quantified in a reasonable number of samples (LOQ = 0.002. ng/ml). Exposure to PBDE 47 was analyzed as a dichotomous variable: concentrations above the LOQ (exposed) and concentrations below (referents).Scores for cognitive and motor functions were always lower in children pre and postnatally exposed to PBDE47 than in referents, but none of these associations was statistically significant (β coefficient (95%CI) of the total cognition score: -2.7 (-7.0, 1.6) for postnatal exposure, and -1.4 (-9.2, 6.5) for prenatal exposure). Postnatal exposure to PBDE 47 was statistically significantly related to an increased risk of symptoms on the attention deficit subscale of ADHD symptoms (RR (95%CI) = 1.8 (1.0, 3.2)) but not to hyperactivity symptoms. A statistically significant higher risk of poor social competence symptoms was observed as a consequence of postnatal PBDE 47 exposure (RR (95%CI) = 2.6 (1.2, 5.9)). Adjustment for other organochlorine compounds did not influence the results. Levels of thyroid hormones were not associated to PBDE exposure.This study highlights the importance of assessing the effects of PBDE exposure not just prenatally but also during the early years of life. In the light of current evidence a precautionary approach towards PBDE exposure of both mothers and children seems warranted. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd
Temporal trends in concentrations and total serum burdens of organochlorine compounds from birth until adolescence and the role of breastfeeding
Introduction: The aims of the present study are to assess the temporal trends of organochlorine compounds (OCs) concentrations and total serum burdens from birth until adolescence and the influence of breastfeeding in these temporal trends. Methods: In 1997 two birth cohort studies were set up in Ribera d'Ebre (N=102) and the island of Menorca (N=482), Spain. Concentrations (ng/mL) of OCs [pentachlorobenzene (PeCB), four isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (4,4'-DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (4,4'-DDE) and seven polychlorobiphenyl congeners (σ7PCBs)] were measured in cord blood and at the age of 4 and 14years. The total serum burdens (ng) of these compounds were estimated based on the total blood volume (mL) of children at the different ages. We compared median concentrations and total serum burdens of these OCs at the different time-points of follow-up between children of Ribera d'Ebre and Menorca and between breastfed and non-breastfed children. Results: From birth until adolescence concentrations of all OCs drastically reduced. These reductions were mainly derived from the dilution of OCs, associated to an increase in total blood volume of children at the age of 4 and 14years. Despite the reduction in OCs concentrations, the total serum burdens of 4,4'-DDE and σ7PCBs, were higher in adolescents than at birth. Increases in OCs total serum burden occurred both in breastfed and non-breastfed children, but were significantly higher in the first. Conclusions: Even after decades of banning OCs production and use, current young generations in westernized countries are still bioaccumulating these compounds. Given the potential health effects of OCs, especial attention should be paid in the control of secondary emissions in the environment and in the control of food production and contamination. In countries with endemic malaria it is important to work towards effective alternatives to the use of DDT. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.This study was supported by grants from the Spanish Ministry of Health (FIS-97/1102, FIS 97/0588, 00/0021-2, PI061756, PS0901958 and FIS PS09/00362), the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (Red INMA G03/176 and CB06/02/0041), Fundació La Caixa (97/009-00 and 00/077-00), and the Generalitat de Catalunya-CIRIT 1999SGR 00241. Finally, the authors would like to be grateful to the families in Flix and Menorca participating in the study, to the high school management team of Flix for their interest and collaboration, and to Rosa Maria Sabaté, the nurse of the health center of Flix, for her support and commitment.Peer reviewe
Dark Matter Search in the Edelweiss Experiment
Preliminary results obtained with 320g bolometers with simultaneous
ionization and heat measurements are described. After a few weeks of data
taking, data accumulated with one of these detectors are beginning to exclude
the upper part of the DAMA region. Prospects for the present run and the second
stage of the experiment, EDELWEISS-II, using an innovative reversed cryostat
allowing data taking with 100 detectors, are briefly described.Comment: IDM 2000, 3rd International Workshop on the Identification of Dark
Matter, York (GB), 18-22/09/2000, v2.0 minor modification
The EDELWEISS Experiment : Status and Outlook
The EDELWEISS Dark Matter search uses low-temperature Ge detectors with heat
and ionisation read- out to identify nuclear recoils induced by elastic
collisions with WIMPs from the galactic halo. Results from the operation of 70
g and 320 g Ge detectors in the low-background environment of the Modane
Underground Laboratory (LSM) are presented.Comment: International Conference on Dark Matter in Astro and Particle Physics
(Dark 2000), Heidelberg, Germany, 10-16 Jul 2000, v3 minor revision
First Results of the EDELWEISS WIMP Search using a 320 g Heat-and-Ionization Ge Detector
The EDELWEISS collaboration has performed a direct search for WIMP dark
matter using a 320 g heat-and-ionization cryogenic Ge detector operated in a
low-background environment in the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane. No nuclear
recoils are observed in the fiducial volume in the 30-200 keV energy range
during an effective exposure of 4.53 kg.days. Limits for the cross-section for
the spin-independent interaction of WIMPs and nucleons are set in the framework
of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). The central value of the
signal reported by the experiment DAMA is excluded at 90% CL.Comment: 14 pages, Latex, 4 figures. Submitted to Phys. Lett.
SICANE: a Detector Array for the Measurement of Nuclear Recoil Quenching Factors using Monoenergetic Neutron Beam
SICANE is a neutron scattering multidetector facility for the determination
of the quenching factor (ratio of the response to nuclear recoils and to
electrons) of cryogenic detectors used in direct WIMP searches. Well collimated
monoenergetic neutron beams are obtained with inverse (p,n) reactions. The
facility is described, and results obtained for the quenching factors of
scintillation in NaI(Tl) and of heat and ionization in Ge are presented.Comment: 30 pages, Latex, 11 figures. Submitted to NIM
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