Measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters from the T2K experiment using 3.6×1021 protons on target

The T2K experiment presents new measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters using 19.7 ( 16.3 ) × 10 20 protons on target (POT) in (anti-)neutrino mode at the far detector (FD). Compared to the previous analysis, an additional 4.7 × 10 20 POT neutrino data was collected at the FD. Significant improvements were made to the analysis methodology, with the near-detector analysis introducing new selections and using more than double the data. Additionally, this is the first T2K oscillation analysis to use NA61/SHINE data on a replica of the T2K target to tune the neutrino flux model, and the neutrino interaction model was improved to include new nuclear effects and calculations. Frequentist and Bayesian analyses are presented, including results on sin 2 θ 13 and the impact of priors on the δ CP measurement. Both analyses prefer the normal mass ordering and upper octant of sin 2 θ 23 with a nearly maximally CP-violating phase. Assuming the normal ordering and using the constraint on sin 2 θ 13 from reactors, sin 2 θ 23 = 0 . 561 - 0.032 + 0.021 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and Δ m 32 2 = 2 . 494 - 0.058 + 0.041 × 10 - 3 eV 2 using constant Δ χ 2 intervals. The CP-violating phase is constrained to δ CP = - 1 . 97 - 0.70 + 0.97 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and δ CP = 0 , π is excluded at more than 90% confidence level. A Jarlskog invariant of zero is excluded at more than 2 σ credible level using a flat prior in δ CP , and just below 2 σ using a flat prior in sin δ CP . When the external constraint on sin 2 θ 13 is removed, sin 2 θ 13 = 28 . 0 - 6.5 + 2.8 × 10 - 3 , in agreement with measurements from reactor experiments. These results are consistent with previous T2K analyses.

Search for Electron Antineutrino Appearance in a Long-Baseline Muon Antineutrino Beam

Electron antineutrino appearance is measured by the T2K experiment in an accelerator-produced antineutrino beam, using additional neutrino beam operation to constrain parameters of the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata (PMNS) mixing matrix. T2K observes 15 candidate electron antineutrino events with a background expectation of 9.3 events. Including information from the kinematic distribution of observed events, the hypothesis of no electron antineutrino appearance is disfavored with a significance of 2.40σ and no discrepancy between data and PMNS predictions is found. A complementary analysis that introduces an additional free parameter which allows non-PMNS values of electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance also finds no discrepancy between data and PMNS predictions.

Valor nutritivo de gramíneas do gênero Cynodon consorciadas com amendoim forrageiro

RESUMO O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o valor nutritivo do consórcio forrageiro entre gramíneas do gênero Cynodon (cv. tifton 85 ou coastcross) com Arachis pintoi (amendoim forrageiro). O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná, Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, em área de aproximadamente 3000m2. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos ao acaso, com quatro tratamentos e três repetições. Os tratamentos foram: tifton 85 e coastcross em cultivo estreme, tifton 85 + AF e coastcross + AF. Foram avaliados os teores de PB, FDN, FDA, DIVMS, MM e MS das lâminas foliares, colmo+bainha, amendoim forrageiro e da MF disponível da simulação de pastejo. Foi observado que a coastcross tem menor teor de fibra, independentemente do tratamento. O avanço das estações do ano proporcionou menores valores de PB e DIVMS em todos os tratamentos. A simulação de pastejo demonstrou que a tifton 85 tem maiores teores de MS, assim como valores inferiores são encontrados para os consórcios. Quando consorciado com as gramíneas, o amendoim forrageiro reduziu os compostos fibrosos na pastagem, acrescentando maiores teores de PB em pastagem de gramíneas no final do ciclo produtivo.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10^{21} Protons on Target

The T2K experiment measures muon neutrino disappearance and electron neutrino appearance in accelerator-produced neutrino and antineutrino beams. With an exposure of 14.7(7.6)×10^{20} protons on target in the neutrino (antineutrino) mode, 89 ν_{e} candidates and seven anti-ν_{e} candidates are observed, while 67.5 and 9.0 are expected for δ_{CP}=0 and normal mass ordering. The obtained 2σ confidence interval for the CP-violating phase, δ_{CP}, does not include the CP-conserving cases (δ_{CP}=0, π). The best-fit values of other parameters are sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.526_{-0.036}^{+0.032} and Δm_{32}^{2}=2.463_{-0.070}^{+0.071}×10^{-3}  eV^{2}/c^{4}.

Significance of epithelial membrane antigen in the work-up of problematic serous effusions

Differentiation of reactive and/or atypical mesothelial cells from malignant epithelial cells in serous effusions remains a frequent diagnostic problem. Since epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) positive malignant cells in serous effusions have been reported in almost all adenocarcinomas and most malignant mesotheliomas, immunoreactivity for EMA is felt to be less useful than other antibodies in the workup of problematic serous effusions. However, immunostaining of reactive and/or atypical benign mesothelial cells for EMA has not been well studied, with only a few series reporting either weak or negative staining for EMA. This study was undertaken to evaluate how often reactive and/or atypical appearing mesothelial cells stain positively for EMA. One hundred eighty serous effusions (115 pleural, 55 peritoneal, and 10 pericardial) from 123 females and 57 males ages 20 to 89 yr were evaluated in which an antibody panel including EMA was performed on cell blocks (141 cases), cytospins (36 cases), or both (3 cases). Of the 100 cytologically positive cases, EMA immunoreactivity was present in 97/100 (97%) cases. One EMA negative case suspicious for a metastatic renal cell carcinoma was lost to follow-up and not included in the analysis. The remaining three negative cases consisted of malignancies not expected to have EMA positive cells (small cell carcinoma, neuroblastoma, and synovial sarcoma). Therefore, EMA was positive in virtually 100% of the remaining malignant cases. In the 78 cytologically negative cases, EMA positivity was present in 3/78 (3.8%) cases. Clinical follow-up of up to 14 mo in these three cases revealed no evidence of malignancy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Significance of giant cells in fine-needle aspiration biopsies of benign and malignant lesions of the pancreas

The cytologic results of 44 consecutive fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of the pancreas are reported. The series consisted of 27 women and 17 men with an age range of 31-89 yr (mean, 61.5). Excluding insufficient cases, the sensitivity of the procedure was 88%, specificity was 100%, positive predicative value (PV) was 100%, negative PV was 69%, and efficiency of the test was 90%. There were 29 true-positive, four false-negative, and nine true-negative diagnoses. Two specimens were insufficient for diagnosis. Giant cells of varying types were seen in both the malignant and benign cases. Two of the benign cases demonstrated rare multinucleated foreign body-type giant cells, most likely representing the changes seen in pancreatitis. In 13 malignant cases, multinucleated tumor cells were present, while six additional cases had multinucleated benign histiocytes reflecting the associated pancreatitis. Two malignant cases each had tumor giant cells and benign multinucleated histiocytes. Three of the malignant cases had numerous multinucleated tumor giant cells arranged in a dissociative fashion with evidence of cytophagocytosis consistent with a pleomorphic giant-cell carcinoma of the pancreas. One additional case demonstrated numerous multinucleated osteoclastic-like cells consistent with an osteoclastic tumor of the pancreas. This article documents the accuracy of FNA biopsy of the pancreas and notes that giant cells of varying types can be found in pancreatic FNA biopsies. Appreciation of the various types of giant cells in pancreatic FNA biopsy is important for diagnostic accuracy and prognosis.

Cytopathology of neoplasms of the central nervous system in specimens obtained by the Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator

The Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator (CUSA) is a dissecting system that removes tissue by vibration, irrigation and suction; fluid and particulate matter from tumors are aspirated and subsquently deposited in a canister. The CUSA permits the neurosurgeon to remove large tumors by debulking them quickly and effectively, without traction or manipulation and with minimal transmission of movement to adjacent normal tissues. The cytomorphologic appearances of 22 central nervous system tumors in CUSA samples were evaluated and compared with the findings in biopsy or resection specimens. Papanicolaou-stained and Diff-Quik-stained Cytospin preparations were prepared from the saline irrigation fluid along with a cell block in every case. Three specimens (13.6%) were insufficient for interpretation. Of the materials from seven astrocytic neoplasms examined, two were insufficient for diagnosis. The other insufficient case was tissue obtained from an ependymoma. All 11 meningiomas had diagnostic material in the slides and cell blocks. In general, the cytologic smears and cell block preparations were best preserved in meningiomas and schwannomas. Varying degrees of degeneration were noted in the glial neoplasms. Since tissue obtained from the CUSA may represent the bulk of the specimen, the examination of cytologic smears and especially cell blocks from the tissue that "went down the sucker" and were previously discarded may be quite useful.

Control of a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a maternity hospital

During the period between October 1984 and January 1985, an outbreak of Serratia marcescens took place in the Serlin Maternity Hospital in Tel-Aviv. Four major and six minor infections were noted in newborn and preterm infants. An additional group of 24 neonates were asymptomatic carriers of S. marcescens. Extensive control measures were undertaken, including closing the SCBU to further admissions and the opening of a new SCBU. Other measures included maintaining babies in cohort groups, strict handwashing, and use of gloves and gowns. There was also intensified encouragement of breast feeding and thorough cleansing and disinfection of the SCBU and nurseries. After 3 months, the outbreak was controlled. No identified source for the outbreak was detected. We feel that the extensive measures employed were responsible for controlling the outbreak within a relatively short time.

Peculiar odours in newborns and maternal prenatal ingestion of spicy food

A peculiar odour in an infant may raise the possibility of several important syndromes. Four cases of newborn infants with peculiar smells are described. In two, the sharp odour was identified as cumin, one smelled of fenu-greek and one of curry. All these babies were born to mothers who ingested spicy food prior to delivery. In one case, the foul smelling amniotic fluid led to a spurious suspicion of amniotitis.

Comparison of the effects of colestipol hydrochloride and clofibrate on plasma lipids and lipoproteins in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia

The effects of colestipol HCl resin and clofibrate on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were compared in 65 patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with colestipol (in progressive doses of 15, 20, and 30 g/day), clofibrate (2 g/day), or placebo resin; lipoprotein levels were determined at months 0, 2, 4, 6, and 9. The colestipol group received both colestipol and clofibrate during months 7 through 9 of the study. After 6 months of treatment, mean plasma total cholesterol fell from 333 to 266 (P less than 0.01) on colestipol, and from 329 to 270 (P less than 0.05) on clofibrate. More patients responded, however, to colestipol than to clofibrate. Both drugs also produced significant reductions in LDL cholesterol levels, and clofibrate lowered plasma triglycerides as well. HDL cholesterol level did not change significantly on either medication. The placebo group showed no change in any of the parameters studied. A significant difference was not observed between the effects of 15 g/day of colestipol and those of the higher doses studies. Addition of clofibrate to colestipol did not enhance the latter's hypocholesterolemic action.

Serum lipids and lipoprotein concentrations during the acute phase of myocardial infarction

The concentrations of serum lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol were measured serially during the acute phase (14 days) following myocardial infarction (MI) in 13 male survivors. All patients were re-examined at least two months after discharge from hospital. A significant increase in serum triglyceride (TG) concentration occurred during the acute phase, with values returning to baseline two months after recovery. No changes in the concentrations of the other lipids or lipoprotein cholesterol were observed.

Increase in platelet aggregation following a rise in plasma free fatty acids

Platelet aggregation was studied following intravenous injection of heparin to nine healthy adults. Heparin is known to produce an increase in the concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) within 10 minutes of intravenous injection. A significant correlation was found between the intensity of primary platelet aggregation and changes in plasma FFA levels. No correlation was found between plasma FFA levels and the intensity of secondary platelet aggregation.