Electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance in the full MINOS data sample

We report on ν(e) and ν(e) appearance in ν(μ) and ν(μ) beams using the full MINOS data sample. The comparison of these ν(e) and ν(e) appearance data at a 735 km baseline with θ13 measurements by reactor experiments probes δ, the θ23 octant degeneracy, and the mass hierarchy. This analysis is the first use of this technique and includes the first accelerator long-baseline search for ν(μ) → ν(e). Our data disfavor 31% (5%) of the three-parameter space defined by δ, the octant of the θ23, and the mass hierarchy at the 68% (90%) C.L. We measure a value of 2sin(2)(2θ13)sin(2)(θ23) that is consistent with reactor experiments.

Molecular modeling and spectral comparison for the change in methyl position of nitrophenol compounds 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol: a density functional theoretical study

FT-IR and FT-Raman spectra of 2-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNOC) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC) were recorded and analyzed in the solid phase in the region 4000-400 cm(-1) and 3500-50 cm(-1) respectively. Molecular modeling of the compounds PNOC and PNMC were done by the density functional theoretical (DFT) method using Becke's three parameter exchange functional combined with the Lee-Yang-Parr correlation functional with 6-31G(d) as basis set. Vibrational assignments of the two compounds have been carried out with the help of Normal coordinate analyses (NCA) followed by the Scaled Quantum Mechanical Force Field calculations (SQMFF). Intra-molecular charge transfer and delocalization within the molecule is confirmed with the aid of natural bond orbital analysis (NBO). PNOC and PNMC are similar compounds with same functional groups, only the position of the methyl group is different. The effect of the position change of the methyl group was interpreted with the vibrational spectra.

Theoretical and experimental vibrational study of the phenyl urea herbicide 1-(4-bromo-3-chlorophenyl)-3-methoxy-3-methylurea

FT-Raman and IR spectra of the herbicidal compound chlorbromuron have been recorded and analyzed. The detailed interpretation of the vibrational spectra has been carried out with the aid of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology. The various intramolecular interactions which are responsible for the stabilization of the molecule were revealed by natural bond orbital analysis. The Mulliken population analysis on atomic charges and the HOMO-LUMO energy were also calculated. The presence of strong NH⋯O intermolecular hydrogen bonding was clearly exposed from the IR spectrum by the red shifting of NH stretching wavenumber.

Improved measurement of muon antineutrino disappearance in MINOS

We report an improved measurement of ν(μ) disappearance over a distance of 735 km using the MINOS detectors and the Fermilab Main Injector neutrino beam in a ν(μ)-enhanced configuration. From a total exposure of 2.95×10(20) protons on target, of which 42% have not been previously analyzed, we make the most precise measurement of Δm2=[2.62(-0.28)(+0.31)(stat)±0.09(syst)]×10(-3)  eV2 and constrain the ν(μ) mixing angle sin2(2θ)>0.75 (90% C.L.). These values are in agreement with Δm2 and sin2(2θ) measured for ν(μ), removing the tension reported in [P. Adamson et al. (MINOS), Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 021801 (2011).].

First measurements of inclusive muon neutrino charged current differential cross sections on argon

The ArgoNeuT Collaboration presents the first measurements of inclusive muon neutrino charged current differential cross sections on argon. Obtained in the NuMI neutrino beam line at Fermilab, the flux-integrated results are reported in terms of outgoing muon angle and momentum. The data are consistent with the Monte Carlo expectation across the full range of kinematics sampled, 0°<θ(μ)<36° and 0<P(μ)<25 GeV/c. Along with confirming the viability of liquid argon time projection chamber technology for neutrino detection, the measurements allow tests of low-energy neutrino scattering models important for interpreting results from long baseline neutrino oscillation experiments designed to investigate CP violation and the orientation of the neutrino mass hierarchy.

Improved search for Muon-neutrino to electron-neutrino oscillations in MINOS

We report the results of a search for ν(e) appearance in a ν(μ) beam in the MINOS long-baseline neutrino experiment. With an improved analysis and an increased exposure of 8.2 × 10(20) protons on the NuMI target at Fermilab, we find that 2 sin(2) (θ(23))sin(2)(2θ(13))<0.12(0.20) at 90% confidence level for δ = 0 and the normal (inverted) neutrino mass hierarchy, with a best-fit of 2sin(2) (θ(23))sin(2)(2θ(13)) = 0.041(-0.031)(+0.047) (0.079(-0.053) (+0.071)). The θ(13) = 0 hypothesis is disfavored by the MINOS data at the 89% confidence level.

Application of an impedance matching transformer to a plasma focus

A plasma focus was constructed using an impedance matching transformer to improve power transfer between the pulse power and the dynamic plasma load. The system relied on two switches and twelve transformer cores to produce a 100 kA pulse in short circuit on the secondary at 27 kV on the primary with 110 J stored. With the two transformer systems in parallel, the Thevenin equivalent circuit parameters on the secondary side of the driver are: C = 10.9 μF, V(0) = 4.5 kV, L = 17 nH, and R = 5 mΩ. An equivalent direct drive circuit would require a large number of switches in parallel, to achieve the same Thevenin equivalent. The benefits of this approach are replacement of consumable switches with non-consumable transformer cores, reduction of the driver inductance and resistance as viewed by the dynamic load, and reduction of the stored energy to produce a given peak current. The system is designed to operate at 100 Hz, so minimizing the stored energy results in less load on the thermal management system. When operated at 1 Hz, the neutron yield from the transformer matched plasma focus was similar to the neutron yield from a conventional (directly driven) plasma focus at the same peak current.

Cognitive regulation of emotion in bipolar I disorder and unaffected biological relatives

OBJECTIVE

We examined the use of particular cognitive strategies for regulating negative emotion in relation to mood and temperament in BD-I, unaffected relatives of bipolar patients (UR), and healthy controls (HC).

METHOD

Participants were 105 patients with BD-I, 124 UR, and 63 HC; all participants completed the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS), and the Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS).

RESULTS

The BD-I group reported more frequent use of rumination, catastrophizing and self-blame, and less frequent use of putting into perspective, in response to negative life events, relative to the UR and HC groups. In BD-I, more frequent use of rumination was associated with increased DASS and HPS scores. By contrast, within the UR group, more frequent use of catastrophizing and self-blame were associated with increased DASS and HPS scores. In all participants, less frequent use of adaptive cognitive reframing strategies (e.g. putting into perspective) were associated with increased DASS scores.

CONCLUSION

Both BD-I and UR groups reported more frequent use of maladaptive regulatory strategies previously associated with depression. Emotion regulation strategies of catastrophizing, self-blame, and cognitive reframing techniques may be associated with vulnerability for mood disorders, with the latter active within the general population regardless of biological vulnerability to disorder.

First direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance

This Letter reports the first direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance. The MINOS experiment has taken data with an accelerator beam optimized for ν(μ) production, accumulating an exposure of 1.71 × 10²⁰ protons on target. In the Far Detector, 97 charged current ν(μ) events are observed. The no-oscillation hypothesis predicts 156 events and is excluded at 6.3σ. The best fit to oscillation yields |Δm²| = [3.36(-0.40)(+0.46)(stat) ± 0.06(syst)] × 10⁻³ eV², sin²(2θ) = 0.86(-0.12)(+0.11)(stat) ± 0.01(syst). The MINOS ν(μ) and ν(μ) measurements are consistent at the 2.0% confidence level, assuming identical underlying oscillation parameters.

Active to sterile neutrino mixing limits from neutral-current interactions in MINOS

Results are reported from a search for active to sterile neutrino oscillations in the MINOS long-baseline experiment, based on the observation of neutral-current neutrino interactions, from an exposure to the NuMI neutrino beam of 7.07×10(20) protons on target. A total of 802 neutral-current event candidates is observed in the Far Detector, compared to an expected number of 754 ± 28(stat) ± 37(syst) for oscillations among three active flavors. The fraction f(s) of disappearing ν(μ) that may transition to ν(s) is found to be less than 22% at the 90% C.L.

Measurement of the neutrino mass splitting and flavor mixing by MINOS

Measurements of neutrino oscillations using the disappearance of muon neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beam as observed by the two MINOS detectors are reported. New analysis methods have been applied to an enlarged data sample from an exposure of 7.25×10(20) protons on target. A fit to neutrino oscillations yields values of |Δm(2)|=(2.32(-0.08)(+0.12))×10(-3) eV(2) for the atmospheric mass splitting and sin(2)(2θ)>0.90 (90% C.L.) for the mixing angle. Pure neutrino decay and quantum decoherence hypotheses are excluded at 7 and 9 standard deviations, respectively.

Vibrational spectra and natural bond orbital analysis of the herbicidal molecule 2(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl propionic acid

The herbicide 2(4-chlorophenoxy)-2-methyl propionic acid (MCPP) has been subjected to NIR FT-Raman and infrared spectral studies. The optimized molecular structure, vibrational wavenumbers, IR intensities and Raman activities have been calculated by using density functional method (B3LYP) with the standard 6-31G(d) basis set. The calculated molecular geometry has been compared with the XRD data. The detailed assignments of the normal modes have been performed based on the potential energy distribution (PED) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field (SQMFF) methodology. The IR and Raman spectra have been plotted for the calculated wavenumbers. The simulated spectra satisfactorily coincide with the experimental spectra. The strong hyperconjugative interaction and charge delocalization that leads to the stability of the molecule have been investigated with the aid of natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis.

Voice discrimination in cochlear-implanted deaf subjects

The human voice is important for social communication because voices carry speech and other information such as a person's physical characteristics and affective state. Further restricted temporal cortical regions are specifically involved in voice processing. In cochlear-implanted deaf patients, the processor alters the spectral cues which are crucial for the perception of the paralinguistic information of human voices. The aim of this study was to assess the abilities of voice discrimination in cochlear-implant (CI) users and in normal-hearing subjects (NHS) using a CI simulation (vocoder). In NHS the performance in voice discrimination decreased when reducing the spectral information by decreasing the number of channels of the vocoder. In CI patients with different delays after implantation we observed a strong impairment in voice discrimination at time of activation of the neuroprosthesis. No significant improvement can be detected in patients after two years of experience of the implant while they have reached a higher level of recovery of speech perception, suggesting a dissociation in the dynamic of functional recuperation of speech and voice processing. In addition to the lack of spectral cues due to the implant processor, we hypothesized that the origin of such deficit could derive from a crossmodal reorganization of the temporal voice areas in CI patients.

Transgenic, inducible RNAi in megakaryocytes and platelets in mice

BACKGROUND

RNA interference (RNAi) is a powerful tool for suppressing gene function. The tetracycline (tet)-regulated expression system has recently been adapted to allow inducible RNAi in mice, however its efficiency in a particular cell type in vivo depends on a transgenic tet transactivator expression pattern and is often highly variable.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to establish a transgenic strategy that allows efficient and inducible gene knockdown in particular hematopoietic lineages in mice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Using a tet-regulated reporter gene strategy, we found that transgenic mice expressing the rtTA (tet-on) transactivator under control of the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter (CMV-rtTA mice) display inducible reporter gene expression with unusual and near-complete efficiency in megakaryocytes and platelets. To test whether the CMV-rtTA transgene can drive inducible and efficient gene knockdown within this lineage, we generated a novel mouse strain harboring a tet-regulated short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Bcl-x(L) , a pro-survival Bcl-2 family member known to be essential for maintaining platelet survival. Doxycycline treatment of adult mice carrying both transgenes induces shRNA expression, depletes Bcl-x(L) in megakaryocytes and triggers severe thrombocytopenia, whereas doxycycline withdrawal shuts off shRNA expression, normalizes Bcl-x(L) levels and restores platelet numbers. These effects are akin to those observed with drugs that target Bcl-x(L) , clearly demonstrating that this transgenic system allows efficient and inducible inhibition of genes in megakaryocytes and platelets.

CONCLUSIONS

We have established a novel transgenic strategy for inducible gene knockdown in megakaryocytes and platelets that will be useful for characterizing genes involved in platelet production and function in adult mice.

Search for Lorentz invariance and CPT violation with the MINOS far detector

We searched for a sidereal modulation in the MINOS far detector neutrino rate. Such a signal would be a consequence of Lorentz and CPT violation as described by the standard-model extension framework. It also would be the first detection of a perturbative effect to conventional neutrino mass oscillations. We found no evidence for this sidereal signature, and the upper limits placed on the magnitudes of the Lorentz and CPT violating coefficients describing the theory are an improvement by factors of 20-510 over the current best limits found by using the MINOS near detector.

Methotrexate use and alcohol

A literature review was performed to look at the interactions between alcohol and methotrexate in non-malignant disease. The evidence from research into psoriasis and inflammatory arthritis, and an overview of international and national guidelines, was amalgamated into some consensus recommendations.

Practice patterns for antibiotic de-escalation in culture-negative healthcare-associated pneumonia

Background

Published guidelines for the treatment of healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP) recommend initial broad-spectrum antibiotics with appropriate de-escalation based on culture results. Guideline recommendations are based on data from intubated patients, in whom cultures are easily obtained. The approach to antibiotic de-escalation for culture-negative patients has not been addressed. Consequently, there are no published reports that describe the current standard of practice.

Patients and methods

All patients admitted to a university hospital with a diagnosis of HCAP, as defined by use of a pneumonia orderset, were identified retrospectively over a 2-year period. Antibiotics prescribed on admission, during hospital stay, and on discharge were recorded. De-escalation was defined as a change in the initial antibiotic therapy from broad- to narrow-spectrum coverage within 14 days of the initial prescription. The Pneumonia Severity Index was used for risk-adjustment.

Results

A total of 102 patients were included in the analysis; of these, 72% (n = 73) were culture-negative. There were more males in the culture-negative than culture-positive group; otherwise, baseline characteristics were similar. Antibiotic therapy was de-escalated in 75% of the culture-negative group and 77% of the culture-positive group (p = 1.00). Culture-negative patients were de-escalated approximately 1 day earlier than culture-positive patients (3.93 vs. 5.04 days, p = 0.03). Culture-negative patients who were de-escalated had a shorter length of hospitalization, lower hospital costs, and lower mortality rates. In 70% of the culture-negative patients, a respiratory fluoroquinolone was chosen for de-escalation.

Conclusion

In this single-center study, most of the patients with culture-negative HCAP were safely de-escalated to a respiratory fluoroquinolone.

Ex-vivo expansion of CFU-GM and BFU-E in unselected PBMC cultures with Flt3L is enhanced by autologous plasma

BACKGROUND

Previous ex-vivo expansion studies in our laboratory, comparing unselected and CD34(+)-selected PBMC, have shown no advantage for CD34(+) cell selection, in terms of the expansion achieved. Our goal was to develop procedures for consistent generation of large numbers of hematopoietic progenitor and post-progenitor cells from unselected PBMC.

METHODS

Unselected PBMC, collected from cancer patients undergoing apheresis prior to high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue, were expanded ex vivo in static cultures, without a stromal layer, in the presence of Flt3 ligand (Flt3L), a recombinant GM-CSF/IL-3 fusion protein (PIXY321), G-CSF and GM-CSF for 10 days.

RESULTS

The addition of 2% autologous plasma to this cytokine combination enhanced expansion of total cell numbers (3.2 fold versus 1.9 fold; p < 0.01), colony-forming units granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) (22.0 fold versus 8.1 fold, p < 0.01) and burst-forming units erythroid (BFU-E) (17.6 fold versus 7.0 fold, 0.01 < p < 0.02). The optimal seeding density for a given specimen was inversely related to the frequency of CD34(+) cells in the sample. CFU-GM expansion with the Flt3L-containing cytokine cocktail was equivalent to that obtained with IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF and SCF, whether or not the cultures were supplemented with autologous plasma. In plasma-free cultures, BFU-E expansion was significantly higher with IL-3, IL-6, G-CSF and SCF than with Flt3L, PIXY321, G-CSF and GM-CSF. In the presence of autologous plasma, however BFU-E expansion was higher in the Flt3L-containing media. In comparison studies, autologous plasma suppressed BFU-E expansion in SCF-containing cultures. Consistent with our colony assay results, dual-parameter flow cytometric analysis of the expanded cell population revealed that supplementation with autologous plasma yielded a significant increase in the numbers of myeloid progenitors in Flt3L-containing cultures.

DISCUSSION

Unselected PBMC from cancer patients can be effectively expanded ex vivo in Flt3L, PIXY321, G-CSF and GM-CSF, supplemented with autologous plasma, yielding high numbers of myeloid and erythroid progenitors.

The pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of S-tenatoprazole-Na 30 mg, 60 mg and 90 mg vs. esomeprazole 40 mg in healthy male subjects

BACKGROUND

Racemic tenatoprazole 40 mg/day provides more prolonged acid suppression than esomeprazole 40 mg/day.

AIM

To compare pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profiles of tenatoprazole and esomeprazole.

METHODS

A single-centre, double-blind, double-dummy, randomized, 4-way, cross-over study was conducted in 32 healthy male subjects. S-tenatoprazole-Na 30, 60 or 90 mg, or esomeprazole 40 mg was administered once daily for 5 days with 10-day washout intervals. The 24-h intragastric pH was recorded at baseline and on day 5 of each period.

RESULTS

On day 5, median pH (5.34 +/- 0.45 and 5.19 +/- 0.52 vs. 4.76 +/- 0.82, respectively, P < 0.002) and percentage time with pH > 4 (80 +/- 11 and 77 +/- 12, vs. 63 +/- 11 respectively, P < 0.0001) for 24-h were higher with S-tenatoprazole-Na 90 mg and 60 mg than esomeprazole. In nocturnal periods, S-tenatoprazole-Na 90 mg, 60 mg and 30 mg were superior to esomeprazole with regard to median pH (5.14 +/- 0.64, 4.94 +/- 0.65, 4.65 +/- 0.86 and 3.69 +/- 1.18 respectively, P < 0.0001) and percentage time with pH > 4 (77 +/- 12, 73 +/- 17, 64 +/- 17 and 46 +/- 17 respectively, P < 0.0001). Proportion of subjects with nocturnal acid breakthrough with S-tenatoprazole-Na 90 mg, 60 mg and 30 mg was significantly less than with esomeprazole (54.8, 43.3, 56.7 and 90.3 respectively, P < 0.04). The proportion of subjects with >16 hrs with pH >4 was significantly higher with S-tenatoprazole-Na 90 mg and 60 mg than with esomeprazole (87.1%, 83.3% and 41.9% respectively, P < 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

S-tenatoprazole-Na produced significantly greater and more prolonged dose-dependent 24-h and nocturnal acid suppression than esomeprazole. S-tenatoprazole-Na may provide greater clinical efficacy compared with current PPIs for patients with ineffective once-daily therapy.

Trial-to-Trial Variability in Evoked Neural Responses Exhibits a Very Low Frequency Temporal Signature

In functional magnetic resonance (fMRI) studies, the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal displays intrinsic spontaneous and task-independent very low frequency (VLF) oscillations (< 0.1 Hz). Most prominent during rest, when they persist into task sessions they can predict trial-to-trial variability in both evoked behavior and brain responses by providing a baseline onto which deterministic responses elicited by the task are superimposed. Moreover, evidence in the literature tentatively suggests that this VLF activity may not be present in the data as distinct, independent source(s) per se, but rather as a mechanism that modulates and perhaps even governs underlying brain processes. Here, we use electrophysiology to investigate the intertrial variability observed in magnetoencephalographic (MEG) event-related field (ERF) components, and to examine whether this variability exhibits a VLF time signature in order to indirectly infer information about the underlying slow waves. The focus is on the visual component, the M100, understood to be regulated by attention. We also explored whether individual differences in the M100 VLF pattern varies as a function of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by comparing 11 cases against 11 controls. The M100 component was extracted from the data using a recently introduced blind-source separation technique – space-time independent component analysis (ST-ICA) – which allowed trial-by-trial analysis to be performed on the M100 for proper assessment of VLF modulation. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, the ability of this signal-processing method to isolate relevant components from multidimensional, noisy, ERF data recorded from a highly dense 148-channel MEG system. The intertrial variability in the amplitude and latency of the M100 responses exhibits a slow wave pattern (< 0.1 Hz). However, there was no evidence that the degree of VLF modulation was different in ADHD participants. The role of this VLF activity in brain function is discussed.

Search for muon-neutrino to electron-neutrino transitions in MINOS

This Letter reports on a search for nu(mu) --> nu(e) transitions by the MINOS experiment based on a 3.14x10(20) protons-on-target exposure in the Fermilab NuMI beam. We observe 35 events in the Far Detector with a background of 27+/-5(stat)+/-2(syst) events predicted by the measurements in the Near Detector. If interpreted in terms of nu(mu) --> nu(e) oscillations, this 1.5sigma excess of events is consistent with sin2(2theta(13)) comparable to the CHOOZ limit when |Delta m2|=2.43x10(-3) eV2 and sin2(2theta(23))=1.0 are assumed.

Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia

Hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HH) occurs as a consequence of unregulated insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells. In the newborn period it is the most common cause of severe and persistent hypoglycaemia. As HH is a major risk factor for brain injury and subsequent neurodevelopment handicap, the identification, rapid diagnosis and prompt management of patients with HH is essential if brain damage is to be avoided. Advances in molecular genetics, radiological imaging techniques (such as fluorine-18 L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine positron emission tomography ((18F)DOPA-PET) scanning) and laparoscopic surgery have completely changed the clinical approach to infants with the severe congenital forms of HH. This review gives an outline of the clinical presentation, the diagnostic cascade, the underlying molecular mechanisms and the management of HH with a particular focus on congenital forms of hyperinsulinism.

The genetic basis of congenital hyperinsulinism

Congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) is biochemically characterised by the dysregulated secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta-cells. It is a major cause of persistent hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemia (HH) in the newborn and infancy period. Genetically CHI is a heterogeneous condition with mutations in seven different genes described. The genetic basis of CHI involves defects in key genes which regulate insulin secretion from beta-cells. Recessive inactivating mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11 (which encode the two subunits of the adenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium channels (ATP sensitive K(ATP) channels)) in beta-cells are the most common cause of CHI. The other recessive form of CHI is due to mutations in HADH (encoding for-3-hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase). Dominant forms of CHI are due to inactivating mutations in ABCC8 and KCNJ11, and activating mutations in GLUD1 (encoding glutamate dehydrogenase) and GCK (encoding glucokinase). Recently dominant mutations in HNF4A (encoding hepatocyte nuclear factor 4alpha) and SLC16A1 (encoding monocarboxylate transporter 1) have been described which lead to HH. Mutations in all these genes account for about 50% of the known causes of CHI. Histologically there are three (possibly others which have not been characterised yet) major subtypes of CHI: diffuse, focal and atypical forms. The diffuse form is inherited in an autosomal recessive (or dominant manner), the focal form being sporadic in inheritance. The diffuse form of the disease may require a near total pancreatectomy whereas the focal form requires a limited pancreatectomy potentially curing the patient. Understanding the genetic basis of CHI has not only provided novel insights into beta-cell physiology but also aided in patient management and genetic counselling.

Search for active neutrino disappearance using neutral-current interactions in the MINOS long-baseline experiment

We report the first detailed comparisons of the rates and spectra of neutral-current neutrino interactions at two widely separated locations. A depletion in the rate at the far site would indicate mixing between nu(mu) and a sterile particle. No anomalous depletion in the reconstructed energy spectrum is observed. Assuming oscillations occur at a single mass-squared splitting, a fit to the neutral- and charged-current energy spectra limits the fraction of nu(mu) oscillating to a sterile neutrino to be below 0.68 at 90% confidence level. A less stringent limit due to a possible contribution to the measured neutral-current event rate at the far site from nu(e) appearance at the current experimental limit is also presented.

Analysis of vibrational spectra of L-alanylglycine based on density functional theory calculations

FT Raman and IR spectra of the crystallized biologically active molecule, L-alanylglycine (L-Ala-Gly) have been recorded and analyzed. The equilibrium geometry, bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of L-Ala-Gly have been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) method. The calculated molecular geometry has been compared with the experimental data. The assignments of the vibrational spectra have been carried out with the help of normal coordinate analysis (NCA) following the scaled quantum mechanical force field methodology (SQMFF). The optimized geometry shows the non-planarity of the peptide group of the molecule. Potential energy surface (PES) scan studies has also been carried out by ab initio calculations with B3LYP/6-311+G** basis set. The red shifting of NH3+ stretching wavenumber indicates the formation of N-H...O hydrogen bonding. The change in electron density (ED) in the sigma* antibonding orbitals and E2 energies have been calculated by natural bond orbital analysis (NBO) using DFT method. The NBO analysis confirms the occurrence of strong intermolecular hydrogen bonding in the molecule.

Testing Lorentz invariance and CPT conservation with NuMI neutrinos in the MINOS near detector

A search for a sidereal modulation in the MINOS near detector neutrino data was performed. If present, this signature could be a consequence of Lorentz and CPT violation as predicted by the effective field theory called the standard-model extension. No evidence for a sidereal signal in the data set was found, implying that there is no significant change in neutrino propagation that depends on the direction of the neutrino beam in a sun-centered inertial frame. Upper limits on the magnitudes of the Lorentz and CPT violating terms in the standard-model extension lie between 10(-4) and 10(-2) of the maximum expected, assuming a suppression of these signatures by a factor of 10(-17).

Vibrational spectra and ab initio molecular orbital calculations of the novel anti-cancer drug combretastatin A-4 prodrug

The NIR-FT Raman and FT-IR spectral studies of the novel antineoplastic and antiangiogenesis substance comprestatin A-4 prodrug (CA4P) were carried out. The equilibrium geometry, various bonding features and harmonic vibrational frequencies of CA4P have been investigated with the help of B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) method. The most preferred cis-configuration for its bioactivity has been demonstrated on the basis of torsional potential energy surface (PES) scan studies. Stability of the molecule arising from hyperconjugative interactions leading to its bioactivity, charge delocalization and mesomeric effects have been analyzed using natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Detailed assignments of the vibrational spectra have been made with the aid of theoretically predicted vibrational frequencies. The optimized geometry shows near-planarity of phenyl rings and perpendicular conformation of meta substituted methoxy group. The vibrational analysis confirms the differently acting ring modes, steric repulsion, pi conjugation and back-donation.

Measurement of neutrino oscillations with the MINOS detectors in the NuMI beam

This Letter reports new results from the MINOS experiment based on a two-year exposure to muon neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI beam. Our data are consistent with quantum-mechanical oscillations of neutrino flavor with mass splitting |Deltam2| = (2.43+/-0.13) x 10(-3) eV2 (68% C.L.) and mixing angle sin2(2theta) > 0.90 (90% C.L.). Our data disfavor two alternative explanations for the disappearance of neutrinos in flight: namely, neutrino decays into lighter particles and quantum decoherence of neutrinos, at the 3.7 and 5.7 standard-deviation levels, respectively.

A novel computer-assisted technique for pedicle screw insertion

BACKGROUND

Commercially available systems for computer-assisted pedicle screw placement are prohibitively expensive, even in advanced countries. The advantage of the great accuracy of computer-assisted systems for pedicle screw insertion makes them highly desirable and essential for current spinal surgeries.

METHODS

We have tried to develop a new software for pedicle screw placement, based on paired point matching.

RESULTS

The newly developed software is much less expensive and is an excellent educational tool. Its accuracy has been established by a cadaveric study, described in this paper.

CONCLUSIONS

The cadaveric study supports the view that computer-assisted pedicle screw fixation using the newly developed software is superior to the conventional fluoroscopic method, especially with regard to the thoracic spine, where a higher degree of accuracy is needed. Further clinical studies are planned and the software needs further refinement for complex clinical situations.