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- Schael, S, et al.
(author)
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Precision electroweak measurements on the Z resonance
- 2006
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In: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 427:5-6, s. 257-454
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the final electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the Z resonance by the experiments operating at the electron-positron colliders SLC and LEP. The data consist of 17 million Z decays accumulated by the ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL experiments at LEP, and 600 thousand Z decays by the SLID experiment using a polarised beam at SLC. The measurements include cross-sections, forward-backward asymmetries and polarised asymmetries. The mass and width of the Z boson, m(Z) and Gamma(Z), and its couplings to fermions, for example the p parameter and the effective electroweak mixing angle for leptons, are precisely measured: m(Z) = 91.1875 +/- 0.0021 GeV, Gamma(Z) = 2.4952 +/- 0.0023 GeV, rho(l) = 1.0050 +/- 0.0010, sin(2)theta(eff)(lept) = 0.23153 +/- 0.00016. The number of light neutrino species is determined to be 2.9840 +/- 0.0082, in agreement with the three observed generations of fundamental fermions. The results are compared to the predictions of the Standard Model (SM). At the Z-pole, electroweak radiative corrections beyond the running of the QED and QCD coupling constants are observed with a significance of five standard deviations, and in agreement with the Standard Model. Of the many Z-pole measurements, the forward-backward asymmetry in b-quark production shows the largest difference with respect to its SM expectation, at the level of 2.8 standard deviations. Through radiative corrections evaluated in the framework of the Standard Model, the Z-pole data are also used to predict the mass of the top quark, m(t) = 173(+10)(+13) GeV, and the mass of the W boson, m(W) = 80.363 +/- 0.032 GeV. These indirect constraints are compared to the direct measurements, providing a stringent test of the SM. Using in addition the direct measurements of m(t) and m(W), the mass of the as yet unobserved SM Higgs boson is predicted with a relative uncertainty of about 50% and found to be less than 285 GeV at 95% confidence level. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Förster, A, et al.
(author)
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Baseline characterization of the CO2SINK geological storage site at Ketzin, Germany
- 2006
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In: Environmental Geosciences. - : American Association of Petroleum Geologists AAPG/Datapages. - 1075-9565 .- 1526-0984. ; 13:3, s. 145-161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Since April 2004, preparatory work prior to CO2injection hasbeen conducted in the CO2SINK Project, the European Union’sfirst research and development activity on the in-situ testing ofgeological storage of CO2near the town of Ketzin, Germany.Carbon dioxide will be injected into a saline aquifer of the TriassicStuttgart Formation in an anticlinal structure of the northeastGerman Basin. The drilling of one injection and two observationwells will commence at the end of 2006. The predrilling phasefocuses on the baseline geological parameters of the anticline. TheStuttgart Formation is lithologically heterogeneous; it consists ofsandy channel-(string)-facies rocks, with good reservoir propertiesalternating with muddy flood-plain-facies rocks of poor reservoirquality. Playa-type rocks form the immediate cap rock above theCO2SINK reservoir. A geostatistical approach has been applied todescribe the reservoir architecture between and beyond well con-trol. This model forms the basis for the generation of reservoir-dynamic models of CO2injection that assist in the planning ofinjection operations and in the understanding of CO2plume evo-lution. A verification of the geometry of the reservoir and thestructural situation of its overburden is expected from a three-dimensional baseline seismic survey that was conducted in theautumn of 2005. Laboratory experiments under simulated in-situconditions were performed to evaluate the geophysical signatureof rocks saturated with CO2. The chemical composition of thegroundwater and the CO2flux in the soil were analyzed across theKetzin anticline, providing the baseline for a monitoring programduring and after injection of CO2, targeted at the detection ofpotential CO2leakage from the storage reservoir.
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| 6. |
- Irwin, D. E., et al.
(author)
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Overactive bladder is associated with erectile dysfunction and reduced sexual quality of life in men
- 2008
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In: Journal of Sexual Medicine. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1743-6109 .- 1743-6095. ; 5:12, s. 2904-10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction, including erectile dysfunction (ED), is greater in men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), including overactive bladder (OAB), than in men without LUTS. Aim. To evaluate the prevalence of ED, the impact of urinary symptoms on sexual activity and sexual enjoyment, and sexual satisfaction in men with OAB. Methods. A nested case-control analysis was performed on data from a subset of men with (cases) and without (controls) OAB frequency-matched for age (5-year age strata) and country from the EPIC study. Respondents were asked about OAB symptoms (using the 2002 International Continence Society [ICS] definitions) and sexual activity. Sexually active respondents were asked about ED, sexual enjoyment, and overall satisfaction with their sex lives. Conditional logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with ED. Main Outcome Measures. The percentage of cases and controls reporting ED, a reduction in the frequency of sexual activity or enjoyment of sexual activity because of urinary symptoms, and overall satisfaction with their sex lives was determined for cases and controls. Results. A total of 502 cases and 502 controls were matched for age strata and country. Significantly more cases (14%) reported reduced sexual activity because of urinary symptoms compared with controls (4%; P
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| 8. |
- Kopp, J, et al.
(author)
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Regulation of neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors by testosterone in vascular smooth muscle cells in rat testis
- 2008
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In: Neuroendocrinology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0194 .- 0028-3835. ; 88:3, s. 216-226
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It is well established that testosterone and neuropeptide Y (NPY), via its Y1 receptor (Y1R), are involved in the central control of the gonadotrope axis in male rats. Here we examined if a similar interaction also occurs in the male peripheral reproductive target organ, the testes. Expression of the Y1R transcript and protein and changes in testicular microcirculation were studied in normal rats and 12 days following hypophysectomy with and without testosterone substitution (1 or 25 mg s.c.). In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry showed strong expression of, respectively, Y1R messenger RNA (Y1R mRNA) and Y1R-like immunoreactivity (Y1R-LI) in vascular smooth muscles in the testes of control and hypophysectomized rats treated with testosterone, but was not seen without testosterone substitution. In parallel, control animals and hypophysectomized, testosterone-supplemented rats showed a strong (approximately 40%) decrease in testicular blood flow following intratesticular (i.t.) injection of the Y1-R agonists, [Leu<sup>31</sup>, Pro<sup>34</sup>]NPY, [<i>D</i>-Arg<sup>25</sup>]NPY or NPY, an effect which was completely blocked by prior intravenous administration of the Y1R antagonist, BIBP3226. No significant change in testicular blood flow following i.t. injection of NPY was seen in hypophysectomized rats without testosterone substitution. These findings suggest that the high levels of Y1R mRNA and Y1R-LI in the testes reflect expression of functional Y1Rs mediating vasoconstriction, and that testosterone regulates expression of functional Y1Rs.
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| 10. |
- Kopp, S, et al.
(author)
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Reduction of temporomandibular joint pain after treatment with a combination of methotrexate and infliximab is associated with changes in synovial fluid and plasma cytokines in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2005
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In: Cells, tissues, organs. - : S. Karger AG. - 1422-6405 .- 1422-6421. ; 180:1, s. 22-30
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aims were to investigate the effect of intravenous infusions of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) antibody infliximab on symptoms and signs of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) involvement in relation to effects on synovial fluid and plasma proinflammatory TNF-α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 as well as antiinflam matory soluble TNF receptor II (TNF-sRII), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), soluble IL-1 receptor II (IL-1sRII) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Nineteen patients with TMJ involvement taking methotrexate were included in the study. TMJ and general joint pain intensity as well as pain on mandibular movements, tenderness to digital palpation, pressure pain threshold and maximum mouth-opening capacity were assessed in a clinical examination. The effect of infliximab was assessed after 2 and 14 or 22 weeks. TMJ synovial fluid and venous blood were collected for cytokine analysis at all occasions while determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were performed at baseline and at long-term follow-up only. Reduction of TMJ pain was associated with raised levels of synovial fluid TNF-sRII and IL-1sRII as well as raised plasma levels of IL-1ra and IL-10. Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate was associated with decreased tenderness to digital palpation. Reduced general joint pain intensity was associated with reduced plasma levels of IL-6 and C-reactive protein. In conclusion, systemic treatment with a combination of infliximab and methotrexate reduces TMJ pain in RA in association with an increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines and receptors in synovial fluid and plasma.
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