First Leptophobic Dark Matter Search from the Coherent-CAPTAIN-Mills Liquid Argon Detector.

We report the first results of a search for leptophobic dark matter (DM) from the Coherent-CAPTAIN-Mills (CCM) liquid argon (LAr) detector. An engineering run with 120 photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) and 17.9×10^{20} protons on target (POT) was performed in fall 2019 to study the characteristics of the CCM detector. The operation of this 10-ton detector was strictly light based with a threshold of 50 keV and used coherent elastic scattering off argon nuclei to detect DM. Despite only 1.5 months of accumulated luminosity, contaminated LAr, and nonoptimized shielding, CCM's first engineering run has already achieved sensitivity to previously unexplored parameter space of light dark matter models with a baryonic vector portal. With an expected background of 115 005 events, we observe 115 005+16.5 events which is compatible with background expectations. For a benchmark mediator-to-DM mass ratio of m_{V_{B}}/m_{χ}=2.1, DM masses within the range 9 MeV≲m_{χ}≲50 MeV are excluded at 90% C. L. in the leptophobic model after applying the Feldman-Cousins test statistic. CCM's upgraded run with 200 PMTs, filtered LAr, improved shielding, and 10 times more POT will be able to exclude the remaining thermal relic density parameter space of this model, as well as probe new parameter space of other leptophobic DM models.

Computational analysis of mechanical behavior and potential energy of thermoresponsive copper-tantalum nanoalloy.

Temperature, strain rate, and defects are important considerations in determining the mechanical properties of materials. The mechanical properties of nanocrystalline copper-tantalum (Cu-Ta) alloy are investigated using classical molecular dynamics simulation approach in which embedded atom method of potential with periodic boundary conditions in all directions has been adopted. Numerical simulation has been performed to predict the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline copper-tantalum alloy. The virtual tensile test has been conducted at a fixed strain rate and increasing temperature where the discreet change in temperature from 50 to 1600 K has been used as a controlling parameter. The strain rate is fixed in the direction of the principal crystallographic planes and has not been affected by the change in temperature. The mechanical properties of the Cu-Ta nanocrystalline alloy such as yield strength, ultimate strength, and Young's modulus are observed. Further, simulations are carried out to analyze the vacancy formation energy with vacancy concentration and potential energy response at discrete temperatures. Nanocrystalline Cu-Ta alloy is observed to be more susceptible to failure at high temperatures. Particularly at 300 K, the strength of nanocrystalline Cu-Ta is 6 GPa which decreases to 4 GPa at 1200 K.

Erratum: First Dark Matter Constraints from a SuperCDMS Single-Charge Sensitive Detector [Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 051301 (2018)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.121.051301.

First Dark Matter Constraints from a SuperCDMS Single-Charge Sensitive Detector.

We present the first limits on inelastic electron-scattering dark matter and dark photon absorption using a prototype SuperCDMS detector having a charge resolution of 0.1 electron-hole pairs (CDMS HVeV, a 0.93 g CDMS high-voltage device). These electron-recoil limits significantly improve experimental constraints on dark matter particles with masses as low as 1 MeV/c^{2}. We demonstrate a sensitivity to dark photons competitive with other leading approaches but using substantially less exposure (0.49 g d). These results demonstrate the scientific potential of phonon-mediated semiconductor detectors that are sensitive to single electronic excitations.

In vivo cell-mediated immune, hemagglutination inhibition response, hematological and biochemical values in native vs. exotic chicken breeds.

Birds (364) of both sexes, 11-wk-old, belonging to 2 native (Brown Nicobari and Ghagus) breeds and 1 exotic breed (Dahlem Red) were evaluated for cell-mediated immune response (CMI) by phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA-P), hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) antigen (LaSota stock virus), flow cytometric analysis of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and hematology and biochemical assays. The cutaneous basophil hypersensitivity response PHA-P% increase in wattle thickness (mm) was highest in Ghagus (431.14 ± 22.56) which differed significantly with that of Brown Nicobari (269.1 ± 22.66) and Dahlem Red (218.42 ± 22.30). Sex-wise observation showed that females are having significantly higher response than males. Hemagglutination inhibition test was performed to determine the serum antibodies against Newcastle disease (ND) virus. Brown Nicobari showed highest HI antibody titer than Ghagus and Dahlem Red to similar vaccination program after booster NDV dose. Flow cytometry assay revealed significantly higher CTLs proliferation in Brown Nicobari than Ghagus and Dahlem Red. Moreover, CTLs were found to be higher in control group than the treatment group. Other hematological parameters (103/µL) significant difference was found in white blood cell count between Dahlem Red (38.41 ± 1.03) with that of Brown Nicobari (35.28 ± 1.04) and Ghagus (34.57 ± 1.04) in treatment groups. Same trend was observed in the Lymphocyte treatment group. However, in Granulocyte treatment group, Brown Nicobari (11.04 ± 0.35) was found to be significantly different from Dahlem Red (8.68 ± 0.34) and Ghagus (9.27 ± 0.35). Correlations between body weight at 11 wk of age and CMI, HI, cytotoxic T cell were -0.093, 0.047, and -0.036, respectively. Egg weight was found to be positively correlated with that of chick weight. Serum biochemical values showed that Dahlem Red was having significantly higher creatinine levels compared to Ghagus. Triglycerides level was also significantly higher in Ghagus compared to Dahlem Red. No significant breed effect was observed for alkaline phosphate, aspartate transaminase, and alanine transaminase. Cholesterol and total serum protein levels were significantly higher in Dahlem Red compared to Brown Nicobari.

Clinical characteristics of renal cell carcinoma: Five years review from a tertiary hospital in Eastern India.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the one of the dreadful urological carcinoma. In comparison to the West, it is very rarely seen in Asia as well in India. Very small number of studies is available in this geographical area. AIMS: We studied the demographic pattern, presentation, risk factors and survival of RCC in an Eastern Indian institution. We characterized and compared these data with available literature Settings and Design: Retrospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 81 patients of RCC from January 2008 to December 2012 were enrolled. Their pre-operative data were reviewed. They were followed as per institutional follow-up protocol. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Kaplan-Meier plot was constructed for survival analysis. Comparison of survival curves was performed by Logrank test. P < 0.05 was considered to be significant. RESULTS: A total of 75 patients were analyzed with a mean follow-up of 26.3 ± 17.7 months. The mean age of presentation in our study was 52.79 years with a peak at 5th decade. Nearly 73.33% patients having one or more risk factors. 9 out of 10 had presented with some symptoms. The survival for localized RCC was 100% and significantly greater than advanced RCC (P < 0.0001). Similarly in the stage III, significant greater survival (P < 0.0001) was noted compare to stage IV. CONCLUSIONS: The age of presentation of RCC in India has been found in 5th decade, which is a decade earlier than the western countries. Symptomatic RCC is still majority in India. Organ confined tumors have good prognosis. When it metastasizes to lymph node or distant organ, the outcome is poor. Our results may form the basis for further studies and it may be used as future reference.

New Results from the Search for Low-Mass Weakly Interacting Massive Particles with the CDMS Low Ionization Threshold Experiment.

The CDMS low ionization threshold experiment (CDMSlite) uses cryogenic germanium detectors operated at a relatively high bias voltage to amplify the phonon signal in the search for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs). Results are presented from the second CDMSlite run with an exposure of 70 kg day, which reached an energy threshold for electron recoils as low as 56 eV. A fiducialization cut reduces backgrounds below those previously reported by CDMSlite. New parameter space for the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent cross section is excluded for WIMP masses between 1.6 and 5.5 GeV/c^{2}.

First direct limits on lightly ionizing particles with electric charge less than e/6.

While the standard model of particle physics does not include free particles with fractional charge, experimental searches have not ruled out their existence. We report results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment that give the first direct-detection limits for cosmogenically produced relativistic particles with electric charge lower than e/6. A search for tracks in the six stacked detectors of each of two of the CDMS II towers finds no candidates, thereby excluding new parameter space for particles with electric charges between e/6 and e/200.

Search for low-mass weakly interacting massive particles using voltage-assisted calorimetric ionization detection in the SuperCDMS experiment.

SuperCDMS is an experiment designed to directly detect weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), a favored candidate for dark matter ubiquitous in the Universe. In this Letter, we present WIMP-search results using a calorimetric technique we call CDMSlite, which relies on voltage-assisted Luke-Neganov amplification of the ionization energy deposited by particle interactions. The data were collected with a single 0.6 kg germanium detector running for ten live days at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. A low energy threshold of 170 eVee (electron equivalent) was obtained, which allows us to constrain new WIMP-nucleon spin-independent parameter space for WIMP masses below 6 GeV/c2.

Expression of leptin and its receptor in corpus luteum during estrous cycle in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Leptin is supposed to play a crucial role in ovarian luteal dynamics. The present study was aimed to investigate the importance of leptin and its receptors in buffalo corpus luteum (CL) obtained from different stages of the estrous cycle. Real-time RT-PCR (qPCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry techniques were applied to investigate mRNA expression, protein expression and localization of examined factors. Additionally to assess the contribution of leptin in progesterone production the expression profiles of StAR, P450scc and HSD were also investigated. In general, we demonstrated presence of leptin and its receptors in buffalo CL during the estrous cycle. The mRNA levels of leptin and its receptors were significantly up regulated in (P<0.05) in all the stages and highest levels were observed in mid and late luteal stages consistent with in vivo luteinization of buffalo CL and declined coincidental to luteal regression. The expression of StAR, P450scc and HSD factors maintained low in early luteal phase, after that level of expression increased steadily to show a significant rise (P<0.05) in mid luteal phase followed by gradual decline in late luteal phase and regressed CL and this correlates well with the Ob and ObR receptor activity, verifying their key role in progesterone and other steroids production in functional CL. As revealed by immunohistochemistry, leptin protein was localized predominantly in large luteal cells however leptin receptor (Ob-R) was localized in large luteal cells as well as in endothelial cells. It can be concluded from our study that leptin via its autocrine/paracrine effects play a significant role in promoting angiogenesis, steroidogenesis and also acts as key survival factor in bubaline CL.

Alterations in follicular fluid estradiol, progesterone and insulin concentrations during ovarian acyclicity in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

Ovarian acyclicity is one of the most important causes of infertility in water buffalo. Recent studies have indicated alterations in the composition of follicular fluid during the condition. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in follicular fluid concentrations of estradiol, progesterone and insulin during ovarian acyclicity in water buffalo. Ovaries were collected from 50 acyclic and 95 cyclic (control) buffaloes and follicular fluid was aspirated from small (5.0-6.9 mm), medium (7.0-9.9 mm) and large (≥10.0 mm) sized follicles. Estradiol concentration was lower (P<0.0001) in acyclic (1.4 ± 0.09 ng/ml) than in cyclic (3.3 ± 0.18 ng/ml) buffaloes. Regardless of the ovarian cyclic status, there was an increase (P<0.01) in estradiol concentration with the increase in follicle size; the mean concentrations were 2.4 ± 0.16 ng/ml, 2.8 ± 0.29 ng/ml and 3.5 ± 0.41 ng/ml in small, medium and large follicles, respectively. A higher (P<0.001) progesterone concentration was recorded in acyclic (24.3 ± 2.61 ng/ml) compared to the cyclic (7.6 ± 0.79 ng/ml) group. Furthermore, acyclic buffaloes had a lower (P<0.05) concentration of insulin in the follicular fluid than that of cyclic buffaloes (15.2 ± 1.55 µIU/ml versus 25.9 ± 2.78 µIU/ml, respectively). In conclusion, acyclic buffaloes have lower concentrations of estradiol and insulin concurrent with higher concentrations of progesterone in the follicular fluid. These hormonal changes in the follicular microenvironment are possibly a manifestation of the disturbances in the normal follicular development leading to anovulation and anestrus in acyclic buffaloes.

Effect of age and season on semen quality parameters in Sahiwal bulls.

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of season, period, age, bull, and ejaculate on semen quality in Sahiwal bulls. Semen production records from 1996 to 2006 of 5,483 ejaculates from 46 Sahiwal bulls maintained at Artificial Breeding Complex, NDRI, Karnal, India were analyzed using least square analysis of variance by LSML software package. The overall least squares means of ejaculate volume (VOL), total volume per day (VOLD), mass activity (MA), initial motility (IM), sperm concentration per ml (SPC), and sperm concentration per ejaculate (SPCE) were 3.79 ± 0.02 ml, 5.81 ± 0.06 ml, 2.32 ± 0.01, 55.47 ± 0.001%, 766.69 ± 5.50 × 10(6)/ml and 3023.25 ± 30.15 × 10(6), respectively. All semen traits (VOL, VOLD, MA, IM and SPCE) were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by age groups, season and period, whereas season had significant effect on VOL at 5% level. During hot-humid season, highest value of VOL, VOLD, MA, IM, SPC, and SPCE were observed followed by summer and cold season. Highest value of VOL, VOLD, IM, and SPCE were observed during period-3 (2004-2006), whereas highest value of MA and SPC were observed during period-1 (1996-1999). However, lowest magnitude of MA, IM, SPC, and SPCE during period-2 (2000-2003) was observed. Ejaculate characteristics like VOL, VOLD, and SPCE increased with the increasing age of bull up to 5 years and then decreased. Significant (P < 0.01) bull to bull variation was found in VOL, VOLD, MA, IM, SPC, and SPCE traits. First ejaculate had significantly (P < 0.01) higher MA, IM, SPC, and SPCE. Hence, it could be concluded that during rainy season and period-1 and period-3 the quality of semen is quantitatively and qualitatively good. Better quality semen was obtained up to 5 years of age in Sahiwal bulls.

Results from a low-energy analysis of the CDMS II germanium data.

We report results from a reanalysis of data from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. Data taken between October 2006 and September 2008 using eight germanium detectors are reanalyzed with a lowered, 2 keV recoil-energy threshold, to give increased sensitivity to interactions from weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) with masses below ∼10 GeV/c(2). This analysis provides stronger constraints than previous CDMS II results for WIMP masses below 9 GeV/c(2) and excludes parameter space associated with possible low-mass WIMP signals from the DAMA/LIBRA and CoGeNT experiments.

Effect of FMD vaccination on semen quality parameters in Karan Fries and Murrah buffalo bulls.

Effect of Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) vaccination was studied on semen quality parameters of 19 Karan Fries (KF) and eight Murrah (MU) breeding bulls during the period 2002 to 2004 at Artificial Breeding Complex, NDRI, Karnal. A total of non-vaccinated 155 KF and 72 MU bulls' ejaculates were taken as control, while 169 KF and 51 MU bulls' ejaculates, collected after vaccination, were used to study the effect of vaccination stress. The results showed that FMD vaccination had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on ejaculate volume and total volume per day of semen in both KF and MU bulls. Volume of semen increased slightly during post-vaccination period in both the breeds. After FMD vaccination, there was significant (P < 0.01) decrease in mass activity (2.27 +/- 0.06 vs. 1.67 +/- 0.07 and 2.49 +/- 0.09. vs. 1.75 +/- 0.10, for KF and MU, respectively), initial motility (56.89 +/- 0.03% vs. 44.62 +/- 0.02% and 62.26 +/- 0.04% vs. 47.08 +/- 0.05%, for KF and MU, respectively), sperm concentration (754.19 +/- 23.96 vs. 554.14 +/- 22.95 x 10(6)/ml and 848.61 +/- 33.65 vs. 571.57 +/- 39.99 x 10(6)/ml, for KF and MU, respectively), and total sperm output per ejaculate (3,685.94 +/- 158.40 vs. 2,781.54 +/- 151.70 x 10(6) and 2,218.75 +/- 133.14 vs. 1,582.84 +/- 158.20 x 10(6), for KF and MU, respectively). Application of FMD vaccine had significantly (P < 0.05) adverse effect on most of the seminal attributes during post-vaccination in KF and MU buffalo bulls. So, the spermiograms affected following vaccination suggest that in bovines, the semen collection and preservation should be suspended till normal fertility of sperm is restored to avoid the failure of conception from artificial insemination using such semen.

Dark matter search results from the CDMS II experiment.

Astrophysical observations indicate that dark matter constitutes most of the mass in our universe, but its nature remains unknown. Over the past decade, the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS II) experiment has provided world-leading sensitivity for the direct detection of weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter. The final exposure of our low-temperature germanium particle detectors at the Soudan Underground Laboratory yielded two candidate events, with an expected background of 0.9 +/- 0.2 events. This is not statistically significant evidence for a WIMP signal. The combined CDMS II data place the strongest constraints on the WIMP-nucleon spin-independent scattering cross section for a wide range of WIMP masses and exclude new parameter space in inelastic dark matter models.

Molecular Characterization of Heat Shock Protein 70-1 Gene of Goat (Capra hircus).

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70) plays a vital role by bestowing cytoprotection against diverse kinds of stresses. The ubiquitous HSP 70 proteins are the most abundant and temperature sensitive among all the HSPs. The present paper has characterized HSP70-1 cDNA in goat (Capra hircus). Total RNA isolated from goat peripheral blood mononuclear cells was reverse transcribed to cDNA that was used for amplification of HSP 70-1 gene. PCR product (1926 bp) was cloned in pGEM-T easy vector and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed 1926-bp-long open reading frame of HSP 70-1 gene encoding 641 amino acids in goat, as reported in cattle. At nucleotide level, goat HSP 70-1 was found to be 96-99% similar to that of sheep (partial), cattle, and buffalo whereas the similarity at amino acid level was 95-100%. Nonsynonymous substitutions exceeding synonymous substitutions indicate the evolution of this protein through positive selection among domestic animals. Goat and sheep appear to have diverged from a common ancestor in phylogenetic analysis. Predicted protein structures of goat HSP 70 protein obtained from deduced amino acid sequence indicated that the functional amino acids involved in chaperoning through ATPase hydrolytic cycle and in uncoating of clathrin coated vesicles are highly conserved.

Search for axions with the CDMS experiment.

We report on the first axion search results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search (CDMS) experiment at the Soudan Underground Laboratory. An energy threshold of 2 keV for electron-recoil events allows a search for possible solar axion conversion into photons or local galactic axion conversion into electrons in the germanium crystal detectors. The solar axion search sets an upper limit on the Primakov coupling g(agammagamma) of 2.4x10(-9) GeV-1 at the 95% confidence level for an axion mass less than 0.1 keV/c2. This limit benefits from the first precise measurement of the absolute crystal plane orientations in this type of experiment. The galactic axion search analysis sets a world-leading experimental upper limit on the axioelectric coupling g(aee) of 1.4x10(-12) at the 90% confidence level for an axion mass of 2.5 keV/c2.

Search for weakly interacting massive particles with the first five-tower data from the cryogenic dark matter search at the soudan underground laboratory.

We report results from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search at the Soudan Underground Laboratory (CDMS II) featuring the full complement of 30 detectors. A blind analysis of data taken between October 2006 and July 2007 sets an upper limit on the weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) nucleon spin-independent cross section of 6.6x10;{-44} cm;{2} (4.6x10;{-44} cm;{2} when combined with previous CDMS II data) at the 90% confidence level for a WIMP mass of 60 GeV/c;{2}. This achieves the best sensitivity for dark matter WIMPs with masses above 44 GeV/c;{2}, and significantly restricts the parameter space for some favored supersymmetric models.

Maternal expectations and birth-related experiences: a survey of pregnant women of mixed parity from Calcutta, India.

BACKGROUND: In India, as in other parts of the world with high birthrates, there is an imbalance between maternal expectations and provision of labor pain services. Maternal experience may have an impact on attitudes toward the mode of future deliveries and on cesarean section rates. Maternal expectations regarding labor and delivery, and attitudes towards cesarean section were assessed in women of mixed parity during an antenatal visit at a charitable non-governmental hospital in Calcutta. METHODS: Structured interviews based on a questionnaire were conducted with 205 women. RESULTS: The majority of the 205 women were nulliparous (71%); the average previous cesarean section rate among the parous minority (29%) was 38.8%. Expectation of labor pain was very common. In the absence of an idea of its severity (78%), a majority were ready to tolerate it as a natural phenomenon (71%). For most interviewees, information about epidural labor analgesia was new (97%), although they were prepared to ask for effective pain relief (98%) and pay for epidural analgesia, if available (95%). Nearly a quarter (24%) of subjects considered cesarean section as an option to avoid labor pain, while most (99%) perceived cesarean section to be safer for the baby than vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that information on what to expect during labor and delivery, the potential role of epidural labor analgesia, and the impact of cesarean section on neonatal outcome should be the focus of services instituted to improve antenatal and perinatal care.

A study on staging bone scans in newly diagnosed prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the role of bone scan as a staging investigation in newly diagnosed untreated prostate cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bone scan results in patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer were reviewed and correlated with clinical stage, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and Gleason scores from the biopsy specimen. RESULTS: In all, 124 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria with an age range of 51-94 (mean 72.3) years. Pre-biopsy PSA ranged from 2.2 to 5,864 with a median of 21.1 ng/ml. Clinical stage was T0-T1c 14.5%, T2a 41.9%, T2b 17.7%, T3 16.9%, and T4 9%. A Gleason score of 7 was found in 31%. Four patients' samples were not suitable for Gleason scoring. Twenty patients (16.1%) had a positive bone scan with a mean age of 79.4 years (median 83). Two patients with PSA<20 ng/ml were positive. Of the 44 scans performed in the patients with PSA