Dark Matter attempts for CoGeNT and DAMA

Recently, the CoGeNT collaboration presented a positive signal for an annual modulation in their data set. In light of the long standing annual modulation signal in DAMA/LIBRA, we analyze the compatibility of both of these signal within the hypothesis of dark matter (DM) scattering on nuclei, taking into account existing experimental constraints. We consider the cases of elastic and inelastic scattering with either spin-dependent or spin-independent coupling to nucleons. We allow for isospin violating interactions as well as for light mediators. We find that there is some tension between the size of the modulation signal and the time-integrated event excess in CoGeNT, making it difficult to explain both simultaneously. Moreover, within the wide range of DM interaction models considered, we do not find a simultaneous explanation of CoGeNT and DAMA/LIBRA compatible with constraints from other experiments. However, in certain cases part of the data can be made consistent. For example, the modulation signal from CoGeNT becomes consistent with the total rate and with limits from other DM searches at 90% CL (but not with the DAMA/LIBRA signal) if DM scattering is inelastic spin-independent with just the right couplings to protons and neutrons to reduce the scattering rate on xenon. Conversely the DAMA/LIBRA signal (but not CoGeNT) can be explained by spin-dependent inelastic DM scattering.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figure

Effect of timing of hormonal induction on reproductive activity in lambari (Astyanax bimaculatus)

AbstractThe objective was to evaluate the influence of the timing of hormonal induction, using gonadorelin or common carp pituitary extract (CPE), on the reproductive activity of female Astyanax bimaculatus. Fish (N = 44) were weighed, measured, and acclimatized to experimental conditions with a photoperiod of 12 h:12 h light:dark (L:D) for 10 days. Ovulation was induced with a single dose of CPE (6 mg/kg) or gonadorelin (80 μg/kg), given at 12:00 (halfway through the light phase (LP) or 24:00 (halfway through the dark phase (DP), in a 2 × 2 factorial design. The time of ovulation was calculated in degree hours and daily motor activity was recorded using a photocell. The fish were killed and the liver and gonads were weighed for calculation of gonadosomatic (GSI) and hepatosomatic (HSI) indexes, respectively. Absolute fecundity (AF), absolute fecundity relative to weight (AFRW) and length (AFRL), diameter of oocytes (mM), and percentage of oocytes with the germinal vesicle in a peripheral position (PPGV) were recorded. All females responded (ovulated). The female Astyanax bimaculatus had twilight motor activity rhythm. Females given CPE at 12:00 had a higher (P < 0.05) percentage of oocytes with the germinal vesicle in a peripheral position compared with the group that received gonadorelin in the same period (95 ± 6 vs. 79 ± 21%, mean ± SD). The absolute fecundity relative to weight was higher in groups induced at 12:00, regardless of the hormone used (LP: 805 ± 448 and 700 ± 214, for CPE and gonadorelin, respectively; dark phase: 580 ± 396 and 529 ± 105, P < 0.05). Both times used for hormonal induction with CPE and gonadorelin were suitable for inducing reproduction in lambari, although induction with CPE in LP had the best results

Influência do horário de aplicação e da variedade genética em fêmeas de tilápias Oreochromis niloticus submetidas à indução hormonal com hCG

Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a influência do horário de aplicação e da variedade genética de fêmeas submetidas à indução com hCG. O experimento foi realizado nos meses de julho e agosto de 2012. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com esquema fatorial 2x4x2 (duas variedades, quatro horários de aplicação, com e sem hCG), sendo quatro repetições para os tratamentos controle e seis para induzidos com hCG. Foram utilizadas 40 fêmeas das variedades GIFT e UFLA, microchipadas, alojadas em um sistema com recirculação de água. Foram utilizados quatro horários de aplicação: seis; 12; 18 e 24 horas. A dosagem de hCG foi de 5UI/grama de peso de peixe, dividida em duas aplicações. A extrusão dos ovócitos foi realizada 720 horas-graus após a última aplicação, sendo observado o número de animais de cada tratamento que apresentaram desova. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância, e as médias comparadas pelo teste SNK a 5% de significância. A indução com hCG proporcionou melhores (P0,05). Já a GIFT apresentou maior ID (P<0,05) quando a indução hormonal foi realizada às 24h em relação à aplicação realizada às 18h. O diâmetro do ovócito da variedade UFLA é maior do que o da GIFT (P<0,05). Ao se observar o grupo controle, verificou-se que a variedade UFLA apresentou maior porcentagem de ovócitos com posição periférica de vesícula germinativa (P<0,05) em relação à GIFT. A indução hormonal com hCG foi influenciada pela variedade e pelo horário de aplicação