Measurement of the antineutrino neutral-current elastic differential cross section

arXiv:1309.7257v1 [hep-ex

IFNAR1-Signalling Obstructs ICOS-mediated Humoral Immunity during Non-lethal Blood-Stage Plasmodium Infection

Funding: This work was funded by a Career Development Fellowship (1028634) and a project grant (GRNT1028641) awarded to AHa by the Australian National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC). IS was supported by The University of Queensland Centennial and IPRS Scholarships. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Search for Gravitational Waves from Primordial Black Hole Binary Coalescences in the Galactic Halo

We use data from the second science run of the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors to search for the gravitational waves from primordial black hole (PBH) binary coalescence with component masses in the range 0.2--$1.0 M_\odot$. The analysis requires a signal to be found in the data from both LIGO observatories, according to a set of coincidence criteria. No inspiral signals were found. Assuming a spherical halo with core radius 5 kpc extending to 50 kpc containing non-spinning black holes with masses in the range 0.2--$1.0 M_\odot$, we place an observational upper limit on the rate of PBH coalescence of 63 per year per Milky Way halo (MWH) with 90% confidence.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, to be submitted to Phys. Rev.

Soil Microbiomes With the Genetic Capacity for Atmospheric Chemosynthesis Are Widespread Across the Poles and Are Associated With Moisture, Carbon, and Nitrogen Limitation

Soil microbiomes within oligotrophic cold deserts are extraordinarily diverse. Increasingly, oligotrophic sites with low levels of phototrophic primary producers are reported, leading researchers to question their carbon and energy sources. A novel microbial carbon fixation process termed atmospheric chemosynthesis recently filled this gap as it was shown to be supporting primary production at two Eastern Antarctic deserts. Atmospheric chemosynthesis uses energy liberated from the oxidation of atmospheric hydrogen to drive the Calvin-Benson-Bassham (CBB) cycle through a new chemotrophic form of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), designated IE. Here, we propose that the genetic determinants of this process; RuBisCO type IE (rbcL1E) and high affinity group 1h-[NiFe]-hydrogenase (hhyL) are widespread across cold desert soils and that this process is linked to dry and nutrient-poor environments. We used quantitative PCR (qPCR) to quantify these genes in 122 soil microbiomes across the three poles; spanning the Tibetan Plateau, 10 Antarctic and three high Arctic sites. Both genes were ubiquitous, being present at variable abundances in all 122 soils examined (rbcL1E, 6.25 × 103–1.66 × 109 copies/g soil; hhyL, 6.84 × 103–5.07 × 108 copies/g soil). For the Antarctic and Arctic sites, random forest and correlation analysis against 26 measured soil physicochemical parameters revealed that rbcL1E and hhyL genes were associated with lower soil moisture, carbon and nitrogen content. While further studies are required to quantify the rates of trace gas carbon fixation and the organisms involved, we highlight the global potential of desert soil microbiomes to be supported by this new minimalistic mode of carbon fixation, particularly throughout dry oligotrophic environments, which encompass more than 35% of the Earth’s surface

Interleukin-17D and Nrf2 mediate initial innate immune cell recruitment and restrict MCMV infection.

Innate immune cells quickly infiltrate the site of pathogen entry and not only stave off infection but also initiate antigen presentation and promote adaptive immunity. The recruitment of innate leukocytes has been well studied in the context of extracellular bacterial and fungal infection but less during viral infections. We have recently shown that the understudied cytokine Interleukin (IL)-17D can mediate neutrophil, natural killer (NK) cell and monocyte infiltration in sterile inflammation and cancer. Herein, we show that early immune cell accumulation at the peritoneal site of infection by mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is mediated by IL-17D. Mice deficient in IL-17D or the transcription factor Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), an inducer of IL-17D, featured an early decreased number of innate immune cells at the point of viral entry and were more susceptible to MCMV infection. Interestingly, we were able to artificially induce innate leukocyte infiltration by applying the Nrf2 activator tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), which rendered mice less susceptible to MCMV infection. Our results implicate the Nrf2/IL-17D axis as a sensor of viral infection and suggest therapeutic benefit in boosting this pathway to promote innate antiviral responses

Aspects of Non-minimal Gauge Mediation

A large class of non-minimal gauge mediation models, such as (semi-)direct gauge mediation, predict a hierarchy between the masses of the supersymmetric standard model gauginos and those of scalar particles. We perform a comprehensive study of these non-minimal gauge mediation models, including mass calculations in semi-direct gauge mediation, to illustrate these features, and discuss the phenomenology of the models. We point out that the cosmological gravitino problem places stringent constraints on mass splittings, when the Bino is the NLSP. However, the GUT relation of the gaugino masses is broken unlike the case of minimal gauge mediation, and an NLSP other than the Bino (especially the gluino NLSP) becomes possible, relaxing the cosmological constraints. We also discuss the collider signals of the models.Comment: 56 pages, 8 figures; v2:minor corrections, references added; v3:minor correction

Using L/E Oscillation Probability Distributions

This paper explores the use of $L/E$ oscillation probability distributions to compare experimental measurements and to evaluate oscillation models. In this case, $L$ is the distance of neutrino travel and $E$ is a measure of the interacting neutrino's energy. While comparisons using allowed and excluded regions for oscillation model parameters are likely the only rigorous method for these comparisons, the $L/E$ distributions are shown to give qualitative information on the agreement of an experiment's data with a simple two-neutrino oscillation model. In more detail, this paper also outlines how the $L/E$ distributions can be best calculated and used for model comparisons. Specifically, the paper presents the $L/E$ data points for the final MiniBooNE data samples and, in the Appendix, explains and corrects the mistaken analysis published by the ICARUS collaboration

Quantitative RT-PCR analysis of differentially expressed genes in Quercus suber in response to Phytophthora cinnamomi infection

cDNA-AFLP methodology was used to gain insight into gene fragments differentially present in the mRNA profiles of Quercus suber roots infected with zoospores of Phytophthora cinnamomi at different post challenge time points. Fifty-three transcript-derived fragments (TDFs) were identified and sequenced. Six candidate genes were selected based on their expression patterns and homology to genes known to play a role in defence. They encode a cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase2 (QsCAD2), a protein disulphide isomerase (QsPDI), a CC-NBS-LRR resistance protein (QsRPc), a thaumatin-like protein (QsTLP), a chitinase (QsCHI) and a 1,3-β-glucanase (QsGlu). Evaluation of the expression of these genes by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) revealed that transcript levels of QsRPc, QsCHI, QsCAD2 and QsPDI increased during the first 24 h post-inoculation, while those of thaumatin-like protein decreased. No differential expression was observed for 1,3-β-glucanase (QsGlu).Four candidate reference genes, polymerase II (QsRPII), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (QsEIF-5A), β-tubulin (QsTUB) and a medium subunit family protein of clathrin adaptor complexes (QsCACs) were assessed to determine the most stable internal references for qRT-PCR normalization in the Phytophthora-Q. suber pathosystem in root tissues. Those found to be more stable, QsRPII and QsCACs, were used as internal reference in the present work.Knowledge on the Quercus defence mechanisms against biotic stress is scarce. This study provides an insight into the gene profiling of a few important genes of Q. suber in response to P. cinnamomi infection contributing to the knowledge of the molecular interactions involving Quercus and root pathogens that can be useful in the future to understand the mechanisms underlying oak resistance to soil-borne oomycetes.Peer Reviewe

Kombinasi Format Factory, U-lead dan Microsoft Office Powerpoint dalam Upaya Meningkatkan Kualitas Media Pembelajaran

Peserta didik mempunyai gaya belajar yang berbeda-beda. Gaya belajar tersebut meliputi auditori, visual dan kinestetik (VAK). Seorang guru harus mampu memenuhi kebutuhan masing-masing gaya belajar peserta didik tersebut. Salah satu cara yang dapat dilakukan adalah dengan menggunakan media pembelajaran berbasis VAK. Media pembelajaran berbasis VAK dapat dipenuhi dengan menyisipkan file video di dalamnya. Selain itu, penggunaan file video sebagai media pembelajaran mendukung implementasi pembelajaran saintifik pada kurikulum 2013. Namun, belum semua guru memiliki kemampuan untuk mengemas file video tersebut dalam bentuk media pembelajaran. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk meningkatkan kemampuan guru-guru di SMA Negeri 1 Teras dan SMA Negeri 1 Boyolali dalam membuat media pembelajaran berbasis VAK dengan kombinasi software Format Factory, U-Lead dan PowerPoint. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terjadi peningkatan kemampuan para guru di SMA Negeri 1 Teras dan SMA Negeri 1 Boyolali dalam membuat media pembelajaran. Peningkatan kemampuan guru-guru tersebut berada di atas target yang direncanakan. Rerata peningkatan kemampuan guru-guru di SMA Negeri 1 Teras 7,87% di atas target, sedangkan di SMA Negeri 1 Boyolali 9,58% di atas target. Kata kunci: Media Pembelajaran, Format Factory, U-Lead, PowerPoint Students have different learning styles. Learning styles include visual learners, auditory learners, and kinesthetic learners. A teacher must be able to fulfill the needs of individual students\u27 learning styles. One way that can be applied is using Visual, Audio and Kinesthetic (VAK) learning media based. VAK-learning media based can be created by inserting video files on it. In addition, using video file as a learning media can support the implementation of scientific learning on the 2013 curriculum. However, not all teachers have the ability to use video files into a learning media. The purpose of this study is to improve the teachers\u27 ability at SMA Negeri 1 Teras and SMAN 1 Boyolali on making VAK-learning media based with a combination of Format Factory, U-Lead and PowerPoint software. The results showed that the teachers\u27 ability on making VAK-learning media based was increased. Increased the teachers\u27 ability was above planned target score. The mean score of the teachers\u27 ability at SMA Negeri 1 Teras 7.87% above the target, while at SMAN 1 Boyolali 9.58% above the target

The speed of parietal theta frequency drives visuospatial working memory capacity

The speed of theta brain oscillatory activity is thought to play a key role in determining working memory (WM) capacity. Individual differences in the length of a theta cycle (ranging between 4 and 7 Hz) might determine how many gamma cycles (>30 Hz) can be nested into a theta wave. Gamma cycles are thought to represent single memory items; therefore, this interplay could determine individual memory capacity. We directly tested this hypothesis by means of parietal transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) set at slower (4 Hz) and faster (7 Hz) theta frequencies during a visuospatial WM paradigm. Accordingly, we found that 4-Hz tACS enhanced WM capacity, while 7-Hz tACS reduced WM capacity. Notably, these effects were found only for items presented to the hemifield contralateral to the stimulation site. This provides causal evidence for a frequency-dependent and spatially specific organization of WM storage, supporting the theta–gamma phase coupling theory of WM capacity