176 research outputs found
First second of leptons
A poorly constrained parameter in the Standard Model of Cosmology is the
lepton asymmetry l = \sum_f l_f=\sum_f(n_f+n_{\nu_f})/s. Each flavour asymmetry
l_f with f=e, \mu, {\tau} is the sum of the net particle density of the charged
leptons n_f and their corresponding neutrinos, normalized with the entropy
density s. Constraints on l_f \leq O(0.1) from BBN and CMB allow for lepton
flavour asymmetries orders of magnitudes larger then the baryon asymmetry b ~
10^{-10}. In this article we show how such large lepton (flavour) asymmetries
influence the early universe, in particular the freeze out of WIMPs and the
cosmic QCD transition.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; prepared for the 12th international conference on
Topics in Astroparticle and Underground Physics, TAUP2011. v2: matches
accepted versio
Lepton asymmetry and the cosmic QCD transition
We study the influence of lepton asymmetry on the evolution of the early
Universe. The lepton asymmetry is poorly constrained by observations and
might be orders of magnitude larger than the baryon asymmetry , . We find that lepton asymmetries that are large compared to the
tiny baryon asymmetry, can influence the dynamics of the QCD phase transition
significantly. The cosmic trajectory in the phase diagram of strongly
interacting matter becomes a function of lepton (flavour) asymmetry. Large
lepton asymmetry could lead to a cosmic QCD phase transition of first order.Comment: 23 pages, 14 figures; matches published version, including Erratum.
Conclusions, pictures, numerics remained unchange
A novel proviral clone of HIV-2: Biological and phylogenetic relationship to other primate immunodeficiency viruses.
Infectious molecular clones of the human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) will be valuable tools for the study of regulatory gene functions and the development of an animal model for the human acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). To this end, we have cloned and sequenced a novel HIV-2 isolate, HIV-2BEN. One clone, designated MK6, is infectious for various human T-cell lines and for human and macaque peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), allowing molecular studies of HIV-2 infection and replication. Since MK6 is highly cytopathic in MT-2 and Molt-4 clone 8 cells, antiviral agents and neutralizing sera may be tested. Cluster analysis of HIV-1, HIV-2, and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) env and gag genes revealed that HIV-2BEN yielded the earliest node of phylogenetic divergence for all reported HIV-2 sequences. Noise analysis showed that, with the current data, no specification of any branching order can be made among the four groups of primate lentiviruses, HIV-1, HIV-2/SIVSMM/MAC, SIVAGM, and SIVMND
WIMP abundance and lepton (flavour) asymmetry
We investigate how large lepton asymmetries affect the evolution of the early
universe at times before big bang nucleosynthesis and in particular how they
influence the relic density of WIMP dark matter. In comparison to the standard
calculation of the relic WIMP abundance we find a decrease, depending on the
lepton flavour asymmetry. We find an effect of up to 20 per cent for lepton
flavour asymmetries .Comment: 16 pages, 4 figures; v2:minor changes to some wording
Differentially expressed microRNAs in maternal plasma for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome (trisomy 21).
OBJECTIVES: Most developmental processes are under the control of small regulatory RNAs called microRNAs (miRNAs). We hypothesize that different fetal developmental processes might be reflected by extracellular miRNAs in maternal plasma and may be utilized as biomarkers for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal aneuploidies. In this proof-of-concept study, we report on the identification of extracellular miRNAs in maternal plasma of Down syndrome (DS) pregnancies. METHODS: Using high-throughput quantitative PCR (HT-qPCR), 1043 miRNAs were investigated in maternal plasma via comparison of seven DS pregnancies with age and fetal sex matched controls. RESULTS: Six hundred and ninety-five miRNAs were identified. Thirty-six significantly differentially expressed mature miRNAs were identified as potential biomarkers. Hierarchical cluster analysis of these miRNAs resulted in the clear discrimination of DS from euploid pregnancies. Gene targets of the differentially expressed miRNAs were enriched in signaling pathways such as mucin type-O-glycans, ECM-receptor interactions, TGF-beta, and endocytosis, which have been previously associated with DS. CONCLUSIONS: miRNAs are promising and stable biomarkers for a broad range of diseases and may allow a reliable, cost-efficient diagnostic tool for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of DS
Observations on Hilltopping in Thick-Headed Flies (Diptera: Conopidae)
Direct observations of hilltopping behaviour in the thick-headed flies (Diptera: Conopidae) have only been mentioned once in the literature. Hilltop collecting, however, may be an effective way to survey these endparasitoids. The first evidence of hilltopping in species belonging to the subfamilies Myopinae and Dalmanniinae is presented and discussed. Field observations were conducted on Colle Vescovo, Italy and Mount Rigaud, Canada, and museum specimens were examined. Observations and records indicate that four species in the genera Dalmannia, Myopa, and Zodion are hilltoppers on Colle Vescovo, while three species in the genera Myopa and Physocephala are hilltoppers on three hilltops near Ottawa, Canada. Fifteen additional species of conopids have been collected on hilltops and could possibly utilize hilltops in some years as a part of their mating strategy. Detailed phenologies and observations of mating and perching behaviours are given for species in the genera Dalmannia, Myopa, Physocephala, and Zodion. The importance of hilltop habitat preservation is stressed
Advances in multiple sclerosis research in 2009
The following review summarizes the progress in multiple sclerosis research published in the Journal of Neurology in 2009
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