Constraints on the mass and mixing of Z' bosons

We tested several models in which the Standard Model (SM) gauge group is extended by an additional U(1) gauge symmetry, against available electroweak precision data to impose limits on the mass of the neutral Z' boson, M_Z', predicted in all such models, and on the Z-Z' mixing angle, theta_ZZ', at 95% C.L. We found lower limits on M_Z' of order 1 TeV in most cases, while theta_ZZ' was found to be constrained to very small values.Comment: Format fixed, 5 pages, 2 figures, Talk given at the 17th International Conference on Supersymmetry and the Unification of Fundamental Interactions (SUSY09), Boston, MA, USA, 5-10 June 2009, to be published in the conference proceedings (AIP

Z' Searches: From Tevatron to LHC

The CDF collaboration has set lower limits on the masses of the Z' bosons occurring in a range of E_6 GUT based models. We revisit their analysis and extend it to certain other E_6 scenarios as well as to some general classes of models satisfying the anomaly cancellation conditions, which are not included in the CDF analysis. We also suggest a Bayesian statistical method for finding exclusion limits on the Z' mass, which allows one to explore a wide range of the U(1)' gauge coupling parameter. This method also takes into account the effects of interference between the Z' and the SM gauge bosons.Comment: 5 pages. Talk given at the XXIInd Rencontres de Blois, Loire, France, 16-20 July 201

Use of untreated wastewater in peri-urban agriculture in Pakistan: risks and opportunities

Water reuse / Waste waters / Water quality / Groundwater / Irrigation practices / Soil properties / Environmental effects / Conjunctive use / Pakistan / Haroonabad

Rancang Bangun Sistem Pengelolaan Data Kuliah Kerja Lapang Plus Memanfaatkan Framework Codeigniter dengan Menggunakan Metode Waterfall

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merancang dan membangun suatu sistem untuk pengelolaan data Kuliah Kerja Lapang Plus (KKLP) berbasis web memanfaatkan framework CodeIgniter dengan menggunakan metode waterfall. Sistem ini dibuat dengan berbasis web untuk dapat memudahkan berbagai pihak yang terkait dalam mengakses sistem ini. Pemanfaatan framework CodeIgniter, yang merupakan salah satu konsep penerapan Model View Controller (MVC) akan memudahkan dalam membangun sistem ini. Penggunaan metode waterfall akan membuat setiap tahapan dalam pembuatan sistem ini menjadi lebih terstruktur. Penelitian ini akan dilakukan dengan mengambil studi kasus pengelolaan KKLP pada kampus STMIK KHARISMA Makassar. Sistem yang selama ini sudah berjalan pada kampus tersebut masih belum menggunakan sistem komputerisasi dengan data digital yang terpusat. Penggunaan komputer hanya terbatas untuk mencetak dokumen-dokumen yang diperlukan dalam prosesnya. Sistem ini nantinya diharapkan dapat menggantikan sistem yang lama sehingga dapat membantu pihak STMIK KHARISMA Makassar dan dapat menjadi referensi buat pihak lain dalam melalukan pengelolaan data KKLP

Repurposing Statins for Renal Protection: Is It a Class Effect?

There has been a great deal of excitement regarding the potential benefits of statins beyond their lipid-lowering effect, and repurposing them for other indications. In this commentary, we evaluate the role of statins in protecting the kidneys, with a focus on three areas: cardiac surgery, contrast-induced nephropathy, and aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity

Future research to underpin successful peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) eradication

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) is a significant pathogen of small ruminants and is prevalent in much of Africa, the Near and Middle East and Asia. Despite the availability of an efficacious and cheap live-attenuated vaccine, the virus has continued to spread, with its range stretching from Morocco in the west to China and Mongolia in the east. Some of the world’s poorest communities rely on small ruminant farming for subsistence and the continued endemicity of PPRV is a constant threat to their livelihoods. Moreover, PPRV’s effects on the world’s population are felt broadly across many economic, agricultural and social situations. This far-reaching impact has prompted the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) to develop a global strategy for the eradication of this virus and its disease. PPRV is a morbillivirus and, given the experience of these organizations in eradicating the related rinderpest virus, the eradication of PPRV should be feasible. However, there are many critical areas where basic and applied virological research concerning PPRV is lacking. The purpose of this review is to highlight areas where new research could be performed in order to guide and facilitate the eradication programme. These areas include studies on disease transmission and epidemiology, the existence of wildlife reservoirs and the development of next-generation vaccines and diagnostics. With the support of the international virology community, the successful eradication of PPRV can be achieved

Landform classification of the Mamaku Plateau using a digital elevation model.

The Mamaku Plateau is a large, forest-covered ignimbrite plateau in the North Island of New Zealand. This study was launched to aid inquiries into the evolu-tion of the plateau by classifying its valleys (which con-stitute Mamaku’s main geomorphological feature).An automatic classification of the valley forms in the Mamaku Plateau was made using a Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A new algorithm was created for the Arc/Info Geographic Information System, to extract the valleys from the DEM. Preliminary results from this phase of the inquiry indi-cated that it was difficult to do a computer-aided classi-fication of valleys based only on valley form. Conven-tional classification of the plateau’s valleys had also been done using stereoscopy to assist in the geomorphological interpretation. The results of these classifications were compared, and it was concluded that DEMs are useful in landscape analysis especially if combined with traditional geomorphological analysis