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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We tested the hypotheses that extending the duration of follicular growth by superstimulation increases oocyte competence, and that FSH starvation at the end of superstimulatory treatment decreases oocyte competence. Heifers were randomly assigned to three groups: short FSH, FSH starvation, and long FSH (N = 8 per group). At 5 to 8 days after ovulation, follicle ablation was performed, and a progesterone-releasing device (CIDR) was placed intravaginally. Short FSH and FSH starvation groups were given eight doses of FSH im at 12-hour intervals, and the long FSH group was given 14 doses. PGF2α was administered twice (12 hours apart) and the CIDR was removed on Day 3 (Day 0 = wave emergence) in the short FSH group, and on Day 6 in the other two groups. Heifers were given LH 24 hours after CIDR removal and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected 24 hours later. The COC were matured in vitro for 6 hours and fertilized in vitro; embryos were cultured for 10 days. A greater number of follicles ≥9 mm were detected in the long FSH group than in the FSH starvation and short FSH groups (25.4 ± 5.3, 11.0 ± 2.1, 10.6 ± 2.3, respectively; P < 0.03). A greater proportion of expanded COC were collected from the long FSH than from the FSH starvation group (P < 0.001), and the short FSH group was intermediate (93%, 54%, and 74%, respectively). The FSH starvation group had a greater proportion of poor quality oocytes than the short and long FSH groups (70%, 45%, and 33%, respectively; P < 0.001) and cleavage rate was lower (22%, 54%, and 56%, respectively; P = 0.003). The proportion of oocytes that developed into embryos (morulae and blastocysts on Day 9 after IVF) was also lower in the FSH starvation group than in the short and long FSH groups, (5% vs. 25% and 37%; P = 0.04); the latter two groups did not differ. The long FSH treatment resulted in 2.5 and 3.4 times more transferable embryos per animal (morulae and blastocysts) at Day 9 after IVF than the short FSH and FSH starvation groups (5.6, 2.5, and 1.7 embryos per heifer respectively; P = 0.04). In conclusion, extending the standard superstimulation protocol by 3 days enhanced the ovarian response to FSH treatment, and a period of FSH starvation after superstimulatory treatment compromised oocyte quality and the fertilization process.
Theriogenology 03/2013; · 1.96 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The objective was to determine the effect of plasma progesterone concentration and the duration of proestrus during growth of the ovulatory follicle on fertility in beef cattle. Heifers (N = 61) and postpartum cows (N = 79) were assigned randomly to four groups in a two-by-two design involving luteal-phase versus subluteal-phase plasma progesterone concentrations and normal versus short proestrus. To synchronize follicular wave emergence, estradiol-17β was given im during the midluteal phase (Day 0) and concurrently, a once-used controlled intravaginal progesterone-releasing device was placed intravaginally. In the subluteal-phase progesterone groups, a luteolytic dose of PGF(2α) was given on Day 0 and again 12 hours later. In the luteal-phase progesterone groups, PGF(2α) was not given (so as to retain a functional CL). The controlled intravaginal progesterone-releasing device was removed and PGF(2α) was given on Days 7 or 8 in the normal- and short-proestrus groups, respectively. Cattle were given lutropin im 12 or 36 hours later in the short- and normal-proestrus groups, respectively, with AI at 12 hours after lutropin treatment. Transrectal ultrasonography was used to monitor ovarian response during treatments and to diagnose pregnancy 60 days after AI. Cattle (heifers and cows combined) in the subluteal-phase progesterone groups and normal proestrus groups had a larger follicle at the time of AI, and a larger CL that secreted more progesterone 9 days after AI than cattle with luteal-phase progesterone concentrations or those with short proestrus (P < 0.03). There was a higher incidence of ovulation (P < 0.01) the day after AI in heifers (55/61; 90%) than in cows (44/79; 56%). Pregnancy rates ranged from 11% to 54%, and were higher in cattle (heifers and cows combined) in the subluteal-phase progesterone groups and normal proestrus groups than in the luteal-phase progesterone or short proestrus groups, respectively, (P < 0.02). In conclusion, a short proestrous interval reduced pregnancy rate after fixed-time AI in beef cattle. A low progesterone environment during growth of the ovulatory follicle increased the preovulatory follicle size and subsequent CL size and function, and compensated for the effect of a short proestrus on pregnancy rates.
Theriogenology 02/2013; · 1.96 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
E Aguilo,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan, [......],
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
F Palmonari,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We report an investigation of the invariant mass spectrum of the two jets with highest transverse momentum in pp→W+2-jet and W+3-jet events to look for resonant enhancement. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb^{-1} collected with the CMS detector at sqrt[s]=7 TeV. We find no evidence for the anomalous structure reported by the CDF Collaboration, and establish an upper limit of 5.0 pb at 95% confidence level on the production cross section for a generic Gaussian signal with mass near 150 GeV. Additionally, we exclude two theoretical models that predict a CDF-like dijet resonance near 150 GeV.
Physical Review Letters 12/2012; 109(25):251801. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: We tested the hypotheses that extending the duration of follicular growth by superstimulation increases oocyte competence, and that FSH starvation at the end of superstimulatory treatment decreases oocyte competence. Heifers were allocated randomly to short FSH duration (n=8), FSH starvation (n=8), or long FSH duration (n=8) groups. Five to 8 days after ovulation, transvaginal ultrasound-guided follicle ablation was done to synchronize follicle wave emergence, and a progesterone-releasing device (CIDR; Pfizer Animal Health, New York, NY, USA) was placed intravaginally. Short FSH and FSH starvation groups were given 8 doses of FSH (Folltropin-V; Bioniche Animal Health Inc., Belleville, ON, Canada) IM, whereas the long FSH group was given 14 doses of FSH at 12-h intervals, starting from the day of wave emergence (Day 0). Prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF) was administered twice, 12h apart, on Day 3 in the short FSH group and on Day 6 in the other 2 groups. In all heifers, the CIDR was removed at the time of the second PGF treatment; pLH (Lutropin-V; Bioniche Animal Health Inc.) was given IM 24h after CIDR removal, and cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were collected 24h after pLH treatment. The COC were matured in vitro (6h) and fertilized (IVF), and the embryos were cultured for 10 days. At 12h after pLH, the long FSH group had a greater number of ≥9mm follicles than the FSH starvation and short FSH groups (25.4±5.3 v. 11.0±2.1 and 10.6±2.3, respectively; P<0.03). The long FSH group also had more expanded COC than the FSH starvation group (P<0.001), but did not differ from the short FSH group (93, 54, and 74%, respectively). The FSH starvation group had a greater proportion (P<0.0001) of partially expanded COC (32%) and poor quality oocytes (70%) than did the long (1 and 33%) and short (4 and 45%) FSH groups; oocyte quality did not differ between long and short FSH groups. At 48h after IVF, the cleavage rate was lower in the FSH starvation group compared with the short and long FSH groups (35, 54, and 56%, respectively; P=0.003). After 9 days in culture, embryo development (morula+blastocyst) in the FSH starvation group was lower than that in the long FSH group, (18 v. 37%; P=0.04), but did not differ from that in the short FSH group (25%). After removal of the data of one heifer in the FSH starvation group that produced 52% of total embryos in that group (outlier), the Day 9 blastocyst rate was lower in the FSH starvation group than in the short and long FSH groups (2% v. 14 and 21%, respectively; P=0.02). In conclusion, extending the standard superstimulation protocol by 3 days enhanced ovarian response to FSH treatment, but did not improve oocyte competence, whereas a period of FSH starvation after FSH treatment compromised oocyte quality and embryo development.
Reproduction Fertility and Development 12/2012; 25(1):303-4. · 2.11 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
E Aguilo,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan, [......],
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
F Palmonari,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The suppression of the individual Υ(nS) states in PbPb collisions with respect to their yields in pp data has been measured. The PbPb and pp data sets used in the analysis correspond to integrated luminosities of 150 μb^{-1} and 230 nb^{-1}, respectively, collected in 2011 by the CMS experiment at the LHC, at a center-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 2.76 TeV. The Υ(nS) yields are measured from the dimuon invariant mass spectra. The suppression of the Υ(nS) yields in PbPb relative to the yields in pp, scaled by the number of nucleon-nucleon collisions, R_{AA}, is measured as a function of the collision centrality. Integrated over centrality, the R_{AA} values are 0.56±0.08(stat)±0.07(syst), 0.12±0.04(stat)±0.02(syst), and lower than 0.10 (at 95% confidence level), for the Υ(1S), Υ(2S), and Υ(3S) states, respectively. The results demonstrate the sequential suppression of the Υ(nS) states in PbPb collisions at LHC energies.
Physical Review Letters 11/2012; 109(22):222301. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan,
M Friedl, [......],
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
F Palmonari,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A search for physics beyond the standard model is performed in events with at least three jets and large missing transverse momentum produced in proton-proton collisions at a center-of-mass energy of sqrt[s]=7 TeV. No significant excess of events above the expected backgrounds is observed in 4.98 fb^{-1} of data collected with the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The results are presented in the context of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model and more generically for simplified models. For the simplified models of gluino-gluino and squark-squark production, gluino masses below 1.0 TeV and squark masses below 0.76 TeV are excluded in case the lightest supersymmetric particle mass is below 200 GeV. These results significantly extend previous searches.
Physical Review Letters 10/2012; 109(17):171803. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan,
M Friedl, [......],
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
F Palmonari,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The transverse energy (E_{T}) in Pb-Pb collisions at 2.76 TeV nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) has been measured over a broad range of pseudorapidity (η) and collision centrality by using the CMS detector at the LHC. The transverse energy density per unit pseudorapidity (dE_{T}/dη) increases faster with collision energy than the charged particle multiplicity. This implies that the mean energy per particle is increasing with collision energy. At all pseudorapidities, the transverse energy per participating nucleon increases with the centrality of the collision. The ratio of transverse energy per unit pseudorapidity in peripheral to central collisions varies significantly as the pseudorapidity increases from η=0 to |η|=5.0. For the 5% most central collisions, the energy density per unit volume is estimated to be about 14 GeV/fm^{3} at a time of 1 fm/c after the collision. This is about 100 times larger than normal nuclear matter density and a factor of 2.6 times higher than the energy density reported at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider.
Physical Review Letters 10/2012; 109(15):152303. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
E Aguilo,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan, [......],
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
F Palmonari,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A search is performed in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV for exotic particles decaying via WZ to final states with electrons and muons. The data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of approximately 5 fb^{-1}. No significant excess is observed in the data above the expected standard model background. Upper bounds at 95% confidence level are set on the production cross section of the W^{'} boson described by the sequential standard model and on the W^{'} WZ coupling. W^{'} bosons with masses below 1143 GeV are excluded. Limits are also set in the context of low-scale technicolor models, under a range of assumptions concerning the model parameters.
Physical Review Letters 10/2012; 109(14):141801. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan,
M Friedl, [......],
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
F Palmonari,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The dimuon invariant mass spectrum is searched in the range between 5.5 and 14 GeV for a light pseudoscalar Higgs boson a, predicted in a number of new physics models, including the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model. The data sample used in the search corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.3 fb^{-1} collected in pp collisions at sqrt[s]=7 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. No excess is observed above the background predictions and upper limits are set on the cross section times branching fraction σ×B(pp→a→μ^{+}μ^{-}) in the range of 1.5-7.5 pb. These results improve on existing bounds on the abb[over ¯] coupling for m_{a}<m_{Υ(1S)} and are the first significant limits for m_{a}>m_{Υ(3S)}. Constraints on the supersymmetric parameter space are presented in the context of the next-to-minimal model.
Physical Review Letters 09/2012; 109(12):121801. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Urea is the key nitrogen (N) fertiliser for grazed pastures, and is also present in excreted animal urine. In soil, urea hydrolyses rapidly to ammonium (NH(4)(+)) and may be lost as ammonia (NH(3)) gas. Unlike nitrous oxide (N(2)O), however, NH(3) is not a greenhouse gas although it can act as a secondary source of N(2)O, and hence contribute indirectly to global warming and stratospheric ozone depletion. Various urease inhibitors (UIs) have been used over the last 30years to reduce NH(3) losses. Among these, N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (nBTPT), sold under the trade name Agrotain®, is currently the most promising and effective when applied with urea or urine. Here we conduct a critical analysis of the published and non-published data on the effectiveness of nBTPT in reducing NH(3) emission, from which adjusted values for Frac(GASF) (fraction of total N fertiliser emitted as NH(3)) and Frac(GASM) (fraction of total N from, animal manure and urine emitted as NH(3)) for the national agriculture greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory are recommended in order to provide accurate data for the inventory. We use New Zealand as a case study to assess and quantify the overall reduction in NH(3) emission from urea and animal urine with the application of UI nBTPT. The available literature indicates that an application rate of 0.025% w/w (nBTPT per unit of N) is optimum for reducing NH(3) emissions from temperate grasslands. UI-treated urine studies gave highly variable reductions (11-93%) with an average of 53% and a 95% confidence interval of 33-73%. New Zealand studies, using UI-treated urea, suggest that nBTPT (0.025% w/w) reduces NH(3) emissions by 44.7%, on average, with a confidence interval of 39-50%. On this basis, a New Zealand specific value of 0.055 for Frac(GASF) FN(UI) (fraction of urease inhibitor treated total fertiliser N emitted as NH(3)) is recommended for adoption where urea containing UI are applied as nBTPT at a rate of 0.025% w/w. Only a limited number of published data sets are available on the effectiveness of UI for reducing NH(3) losses from animal urine-N deposited during grazing in a grazed pasture system. The same can be said about mixing UI with urine, rather than spraying UI before or after urine application. Since it was not possible to accurately measure the efficacy of UI in reducing NH(3) emissions from animal urine-N deposited during grazing, we currently cannot recommend the adoption of a Frac(GASM) value adjusted for the inclusion of UI.
Science of The Total Environment 09/2012; · 3.29 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Stem cells present an important tool in livestock assisted reproduction and veterinary therapeutic field such as tissue engineering. We report for the first time isolation of pluripotent stem cell-like cells expressing pluripotency markers (alkaline phospahatase, OCT-4, NANOG and SOX-2) from the amnion of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). The cells showed no apparent abnormalities in their chromosomal profiles before and after cryopreservation. The cytochemical staining revealed that pluripotent cells were capable of undergoing directed differentiation in vitro into osteocytes. It could be inferred that amnion-derived pluripotent stem cell-like cells can be isolated, cultured for many passages and differentiated into mesoderm lineage, and may be an alternative source to mesenchymal stem cells. These cells can have applications in assisted reproduction, developmental biological and regenerative medicine.
Cytotechnology 07/2012; · 1.21 Impact Factor
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S Chatrchyan,
V Khachatryan,
A M Sirunyan,
A Tumasyan,
W Adam,
T Bergauer,
M Dragicevic,
J Erö,
C Fabjan,
M Friedl, [......],
C Lazaridis,
J Leonard,
R Loveless,
A Mohapatra,
I Ojalvo,
G A Pierro,
I Ross,
A Savin,
W H Smith,
J Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The azimuthal anisotropy of charged particles in Pb-Pb collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=2.76 TeV is measured with the CMS detector at the LHC over an extended transverse momentum (p_{T}) range up to approximately 60 GeV/c. The data cover both the low-p_{T} region associated with hydrodynamic flow phenomena and the high-p_{T} region where the anisotropies may reflect the path-length dependence of parton energy loss in the created medium. The anisotropy parameter (v_{2}) of the particles is extracted by correlating charged tracks with respect to the event-plane reconstructed by using the energy deposited in forward-angle calorimeters. For the six bins of collision centrality studied, spanning the range of 0-60% most-central events, the observed v_{2} values are found to first increase with p_{T}, reaching a maximum around p_{T}=3 GeV/c, and then to gradually decrease to almost zero, with the decline persisting up to at least p_{T}=40 GeV/c over the full centrality range measured.
Physical Review Letters 07/2012; 109(2):022301. · 7.37 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The current paper describes the successful establishment of high pressure pneumatic secondary standard for the realization of national pneumatic pressure scale up to 40 MPa from the previously existing 12 MPa. The traceability as well as the uncertainty in measurement was established through a continuous chain of measurements from very low pressures starting with the ultrasonic interferometer manometer and successive extension in overlapping pressure ranges. For this purpose a piston cylinder assembly designated as NPLI-40, with a pressure range of 0.2–40 MPa was coupled to a mechanical gas booster through a high gas pressure controller. We have experimentally estimated the zero pressure effective area of piston as well as the distortion coefficient which is traceable to the international system of unit SI. The CMC for the same is now on the BIPM website. The results obtained are discussed in detail.
MAPAN-Journal of Metrology Society of India 06/2012; 27(2):113. · 0.31 Impact Factor
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S. CMS Collaboration Chatrchyan,
V. Khachatryan,
A. M. Sirunyan,
A. Tumasyan,
W. Adam,
T. Bergauer,
M. Dragicevic,
J. Erö,
C. Fabjan,
M. Friedl, [......],
C. Lazaridis,
J. Leonard,
R. Loveless,
A. Mohapatra,
I. Ojalvo,
G. A. Pierro,
I. Ross,
A. Savin,
W. H. Smith,
J. Swanson
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A search for neutral Higgs bosons decaying to tau pairs at a
center-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is performed using a dataset
corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 4.6 fb-1
recorded by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The search is sensitive to
both the standard model Higgs boson and to the neutral Higgs bosons
predicted by the minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model
(MSSM). No excess of events is observed in the tau-pair invariant-mass
spectrum. For a standard model Higgs boson in the mass range of
110-145 GeV upper limits at 95% confidence level (CL) on the
production cross section are determined. We exclude a Higgs boson with
mH=115 GeV with a production cross section 3.2 times of
that predicted by the standard model. In the MSSM, upper limits on the
neutral Higgs boson production cross section times branching fraction to
tau pairs, as a function of the pseudoscalar Higgs boson mass,
mA, sets stringent new bounds in the parameter space,
excluding at 95% CL values of tan β as low as 7.1 at
mA=160 GeV in the mhmax benchmark scenario.
Physics Letters B 05/2012; 713:68-90. · 3.95 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Initial studies of the ovaries were based on postmortem anatomic descriptions, followed by histologic and endocrine approaches. The introduction of high-resolution ultrasonography provided a long-awaited tool to image the reproductive tissues in situ in both animals and humans. Critical studies of the characteristics and control of ovarian follicular and luteal dynamics in nonhuman primates, rodents, and domestic farm animals have involved frequent (i.e., daily or multiple times a day) blood sampling and ultrasonography. Studies of this nature in women are difficult, and often unethical to conduct. Differences in antral folliculogenesis between humans and animals appear to be more in detail rather than in essence, and may reflect differences in intrinsic physiology or merely differences in our ability to detect changes in a given species. In women, the presence of endometrial shedding and symmetric luteal and follicular phases are different from that observed during the estrous cycles of domestic farm animals but despite these differences, general similarities in antral follicular dynamics exist. A continuous pattern of antral follicle development was originally proposed in domestic livestock species; however, the use of frequent serial ultrasonography and simultaneous endocrine profiling in these animal species has resulted in a broad understanding of follicular wave dynamics. Follicular waves have now been described in every species in which this approach has been used, including humans. The relatively large diameters of antral follicles in cows and mares, compared with monkeys, sheep, and rodents provide greater feasibility for characterizing antral follicular dynamics ultrasonographically. While the use of large animal models has increased our understanding of ovarian function and provides the hypothetical basis for studies in women, differences in vocabulary, culture, and research methodologies has hampered knowledge translation. These differences represent a systemic impediment to a broad understanding of ovarian function and limits progress and innovation in the development of safer and more efficacious treatments for infertility and contraception.
Theriogenology 05/2012; 78(8):1733-48. · 1.96 Impact Factor
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The CMS Collaboration,
S. Chatrchyan,
V. Khachatryan,
A. M. Sirunyan,
A. Tumasyan,
W. Adam,
T. Bergauer,
M. Dragicevic,
J. Erö,
C. Fabjan, [......],
J. Leonard,
R. Loveless,
A. Mohapatra,
F. Palmonari,
D. Reeder,
I. Ross,
A. Savin,
W. H. Smith,
J. Swanson,
M. Weinberg
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A search for new physics is presented based on an event signature of at least three jets accompanied by large missing transverse
momentum, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb−1 collected in proton-proton collisions at Ös = 7 \sqrt {s} = 7 TeV with the CMS detector at the LHC. No excess of events is observed above the expected standard model backgrounds, which
are all estimated from the data. Exclusion limits are presented for the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the
standard model. Cross section limits are also presented using simplified models with new particles decaying to an undetected
particle and one or two jets.
KeywordsHadron-Hadron Scattering
Journal of High Energy Physics 04/2012; 2011(8):1-46. · 5.83 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The two non-CO2 greenhouse gases (GHGs) nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) comprise 54.8% of total New Zealand emissions. Nitrous oxide is mainly generated from mineral N originating from animal
dung and urine, applied fertiliser N, biologically fixed N2, and mineralisation of soil organic N. Even though about 96% of the anthropogenic CH4 emitted in New Zealand is from ruminant animals (methanogenesis), methane uptake by aerobic soils (methanotrophy) can significantly
contribute to the removal of CH4 from the atmpsphere, as the global estimates confirm. Both the net uptake of CH4 by soils and N2O emissions from soils are strongly influenced by changes in land use and land management. Quantitative information on the
fluxes of these two non-CO2 GHGs is required for a range of land-use and land-management ecosystems to determine their contribution to the national emissions
inventory, and for assessing the potential of mitigation options. Here we report soil N2O fluxes and CH4 uptake for a range of land-use and land-management systems collated from published and unpublished New Zealand studies. Nitrous
oxide emissions are highest in dairy-grazed pastures (10–12kg N2O–N ha−1 year−
1), intermediate in sheep-grazed pastures, (4–6kg N2O–N ha−1 year−1), and lowest in forest, shrubland and ungrazed pasture soils (1–2kg N2O–N ha−1 year−1). N deposited in the form of animal urine and dung, and N applied as fertiliser, are the principal sources of N2O production. Generally, N2O emissions from grazed pasture soils are high when the soil water-filled pore-space is above field capacity, and net CH4 uptake is low or absent. Although nitrification inhibitors have shown some promise in reducing N2O emissions from grazed pasture systems, their efficacy as an integral part of farm management has yet to be tested. Methane
uptake was highest for a New Zealand Beech forest soil (10–11kg CH4 ha−1 year−1), intermediate in some pine forest soils (4–6kg CH4 ha−1 year−1), and lowest in most pasture (<1kg CH4 ha−1 year−1) and cropped soils (1.5kg CH4 ha−1 year−1). Afforestation /reforestation of pastures results in increases in soil CH4 uptake, largely as a result of increases in soil aeration status and changes in the population and activities of methanotrophs.
Soil CH4 uptake is also seasonally dependent, being about two to three times higher in a dry summer and autumn than in a wet winter.
There are no practical ways yet available to reduce CH4 emissions from agricultural systems. The mitigation options to reduce gaseous emissions are discussed and future research
needs identified.
Plant and Soil 04/2012; 309(1):25-42. · 2.73 Impact Factor
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[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Vitiligo is an acquired pigmentary disorder resulting from loss of melanocytes. Interleukin (IL)-4 has been shown to stimulate B-cell proliferation, to regulate immunoglobulin class switching (IgG1 and IgE) and to promote T-cell development. Polymorphisms in the IL4 gene are known to increase its expression, thereby implicating its role in vitiligo susceptibility.
To explore intron 3 VNTR (IVS3) and -590 C/T (rs2243250) promoter polymorphisms in the IL4 gene and to correlate them with the IL4 transcript, serum IL-4 and IgE levels to achieve genotype-phenotype correlation in patients with vitiligo from Gujarat. A replication study was done in a North Indian population.
The case-control study was performed to investigate these polymorphisms in 505 patients and 744 controls in Gujarat, and 596 patients and 397 controls in North India by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. IL4 transcript levels were monitored by real-time PCR. Serum IL-4 and IgE levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and electrochemiluminescence immunoassay, respectively.
The genotype frequencies differed significantly between patients with generalized vitiligo and controls for both the polymorphisms in both populations. Allele frequencies significantly differed between patients with generalized vitiligo and controls for both the polymorphisms in the population from Gujarat. Interestingly, genotype and allele frequencies for -590 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism were significantly different between patients with localized vitiligo and controls in both the populations. The study revealed significantly increased IL4 mRNA, serum IL-4 and IgE levels in patients from Gujarat. Age of onset analysis of disease in patients suggested that the TTR2R2, TTR1R2 and CTR2R2 haplotypes had a profound effect in the early onset of the disease.
Our results suggest that these polymorphisms of the IL4 gene may be genetic risk factors for susceptibility towards vitiligo and the upregulation of the IL4 transcript, protein and IgE levels in individuals with susceptible haplotypes reveal the crucial role of IL-4 in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
British Journal of Dermatology 04/2012; 167(2):314-23. · 3.67 Impact Factor
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The CMS collaboration,
S. Chatrchyan,
V. Khachatryan,
A. M. Sirunyan,
A. Tumasyan,
W. Adam,
T. Bergauer,
M. Dragicevic,
J. Erö,
C. Fabjan, [......],
J. Leonard,
R. Loveless,
A. Mohapatra,
I. Ojalvo,
D. Reeder,
I. Ross,
A. Savin,
W. H. Smith,
J. Swanson,
M. Weinberg
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: A measurement of inclusive W and Z production cross sections in pp collisions at Ös = 7 \sqrt {s} = 7 TeV is presented. The electron and muon decay channels are analyzed in a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the
LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb−1. The measured inclusive cross sections are σ(pp → WX) ×
B( \textW ® ln ) \mathcal{B}\left( {{\text{W}} \to \ell \nu } \right) = 10.31 ± 0.02 (stat.) ± 0.09 (syst.) ± 0.10 (th.) ± 0.41 (lumi.) nb and σ(pp → ZX) ×
B( \textZ ® l+ l- ) \mathcal{B}\left( {{\text{Z}} \to {\ell^{+} }{\ell^{-} }} \right) = 0.974 ± 0.007 (stat.) ± 0.007 (syst.) ± 0.018 (th.) ± 0.039 (lumi.) nb, limited to the dilepton invariant mass range 60 to 120GeV. The luminosity-independent cross section ratios
are (σ(pp → WX) ×
B( \textW ® ln ) \mathcal{B}\left( {{\text{W}} \to \ell \nu } \right) /(σ(pp → ZX) ×
B( \textZ ® l+ l- ) \mathcal{B}\left( {{\text{Z}} \to {\ell^{+} }{\ell^{-} }} \right) = 10.54 ± 0.07 (stat.) ± 0.08 (syst.) ± 0.16 (th.) and (σ(pp → W+
X) ×
B( \textW + ® l+ n ) \mathcal{B}\left( {{{\text{W}}^{ + }} \to {\ell^{+} }\nu } \right) /(σ(pp → W−
X) ×
B( \textW- ® l- [`(n)] ) \mathcal{B}\left( {{{\text{W}}^{-} } \to {\ell^{-} }\bar{\nu }} \right) = 1.421 ± 0.006 (stat.) ± 0.014 (syst.) ± 0.029 (th.). The measured values agree with next-to-next-to-leading order QCD cross
section calculations based on recent parton distribution functions.
KeywordsHadron-Hadron Scattering
Journal of High Energy Physics 04/2012; 2011(10):1-76. · 5.83 Impact Factor
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The CMS collaboration,
S. Chatrchyan,
V. Khachatryan,
A. M. Sirunyan,
A. Tumasyan,
W. Adam,
T. Bergauer,
M. Dragicevic,
J. Erö,
C. Fabjan, [......],
J. Leonard,
R. Loveless,
A. Mohapatra,
F. Palmonari,
D. Reeder,
I. Ross,
A. Savin,
W. H. Smith,
J. Swanson,
M. Weinberg
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The t[`(t)] {{\rm t}\bar{\rm t}} production cross section and top quark mass are measured in proton-proton collisions at Ös = 7 \sqrt {s} = 7 TeV in a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 pb−1 collected by the CMS experiment. The measurements are performed in events with two leptons (electrons or muons) in the final
state. Results of the cross section measurement in events with and without b-quark identification are obtained and combined.
The measured value is
\upsigmat[`(t)] {\upsigma_{{{\rm t}\bar{\rm t}}}} = 168 ± 18 (stat.) ± 14 (syst.) ± 7 (lumi.) pb, consistent with predictions from the standard model. The top quark mass m
top is reconstructed with two different methods, a full kinematic analysis and a matrix weighting technique. The combination
yields a measurement of m
top = 175.5 ± 4.6 (stat.) ± 4.6 (syst.) GeV/c
2.
KeywordsHadron-Hadron Scattering
Journal of High Energy Physics 04/2012; 2011(7):1-49. · 5.83 Impact Factor
