Production of pions, kaons and protons in pp collisions at s=900\sqrt{s}=900 GeV with ALICE at the LHC

The production of $\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, $K^+$, $K^-$, p, and pbar at mid-rapidity has been measured in proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s} = 900$ GeV with the ALICE detector. Particle identification is performed using the specific energy loss in the inner tracking silicon detector and the time projection chamber. In addition, time-of-flight information is used to identify hadrons at higher momenta. Finally, the distinctive kink topology of the weak decay of charged kaons is used for an alternative measurement of the kaon transverse momentum ($p_{\rm T}$) spectra. Since these various particle identification tools give the best separation capabilities over different momentum ranges, the results are combined to extract spectra from $p_{\rm T}$ = 100 MeV/$c$ to 2.5 GeV/$c$. The measured spectra are further compared with QCD-inspired models which yield a poor description. The total yields and the mean $p_{\rm T}$ are compared with previous measurements, and the trends as a function of collision energy are discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 18 captioned figures, 5 tables, published version, figures at http://aliceinfo.cern.ch/ArtSubmission/node/388

Estrus Synchronization and Conception Rates Using Locally Prepared Methylacetoxy- progesterone Sponges in Cyclic and Acyclic Nili-Ravi Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

A study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of locally prepared intra-vaginal methylacetoxyprogesterone (MAP) sponges for estrus synchronization and conception rate in cyclic and acyclic Nili-Ravi buffaloes. In the first experiment, 20 buffaloes were divided into treated and control groups (n: 10 each) and again sub-grouped into cyclic (n: 4) and acyclic (n: 6) lots in each group, depending on their ovarian status. MAP sponges were placed in the vagina of buffaloes of treated groups for 16 days. After sponge removal, buffaloes were monitored for estrus. Serum progesterone concentrations were determined in synchronized animals for one estrous cycle using radioimmunoassay. Overall, synchronization rate in MAP-treated groups was significantly higher (P<0.05) as compared to controls (60 vs. 0%). However, it differed non-significantly between cyclic and acyclic buffaloes of treated groups (75 vs. 50%). At estrus, mean serum progesterone in synchronized animals was at basal level (0.26±0.08 and 0.32±0.27 ngml-1 in cyclic and acyclic treated groups, respectively). It attained peak levels of 3.00±1.80 to 3.45±0.44 ngml-1 on d-14, then dropped on d-18 and declined to basal values at the next estrus. In the second experiment, the effect of a MAP-based treatment was compared with an 11-days apart double injection prostaglandin (PGF2α) treatment for synchronization of estrus and conception rates. The estrus synchronization and conception rates obtained by PGF2α protocol were non-significantly higher than those of MAP-based protocol (90 vs. 70% and 44.44 vs. 42.86%). The synchronization and conception rates of cyclic buffaloes (80 & 50%, respectively) receiving MAP-based regimen were also non-significantly higher from acyclic ones (50 & 33%, respectively) receiving the same protocol. In conclusion, the treatment with locally prepared MAP sponges proved effective in synchronizing estrus and comparable with prostaglandin regimen in terms of conception rates in Nili-Ravi buffaloes