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)×1020 protons on target (POT) in (anti-)neutrino mode at the far detector (FD). Compared to the previous analysis, an additional 4.7×1020 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 sin2θ13 and the impact of priors on the δCP measurement. Both analyses prefer the normal mass ordering and upper octant of sin2θ23 with a nearly maximally CP-violating phase. Assuming the normal ordering and using the constraint on sin2θ13 from reactors, sin2θ23=0.561-0.032+0.021 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and Δm322=2.494-0.058+0.041×10-3eV2 using constant Δχ2 intervals. The CP-violating phase is constrained to δCP=-1.97-0.70+0.97 using Feldman-Cousins corrected intervals, and δCP=0,π is excluded at more than 90% confidence level. A Jarlskog invariant of zero is excluded at more than 2σ credible level using a flat prior in δCP, and just below 2σ using a flat prior in sinδCP. When the external constraint on sin2θ13 is removed, sin2θ13=28.0-6.5+2.8×10-3, in agreement with measurements from reactor experiments. These results are consistent with previous T2K analyses.

Silicea terra200cH evaluated by two different spectroscopy methods: a pilot study

Spectroscopy has been shown to bea useful method to study the physicochemical properties of homeopathic preparations. Aim: In this pilot study, we comparedtwo methods (photon scattering and visible-light spectroscopy) in the physicalevaluation of Silicea terra200cH. Methodology: Italian test: Two sampleshave been examinedand compared: Silicea terra200cH and Sac lac200cH, both preparedin water solution, diluted and succussed according to German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia(Cemon Lab, Italy).Lactose was includedbecause the first 3 potencies of Silicea terraaremadeby trituration in lactosepowder.Measurements were made using an innovative Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera developedby Daniele Gullà, called MIRA/CORA(proprietary name). Slight variations in chrominance and luminance due to micro-vibrational 3D phenomenawere analyzed.Allmeasurements have been performed in a dark room at a constant temperature of 22°C +/-0,2°C usingafilter with very narrow spectral bands (10 nm).The measurements have been repeated three times on both Silicea terra200cH and Sac lac200cHwithin a few minutes aftereach other.Brazilian test: In the second test, performed in Brazil, variations in absorbance were used to identify Silicea terra200cH compared with Sac lac200cH andcompared withanother control solution of non-succussed 30% alcohol, using six solvatochromic dyes, following the method developed by Cartwright [1,2]. Both homeopathic samples were imported from Italy(the same sample bottles used in the Italian test),in Brazil they have beendiluted 1:100 in 30% hydro-alcoholic solution, and submitted to 100 succussions using an automatic mechanical arm (Denise, AUTIC, Brazil) prior to being tested. Samples were inserted into dyes solutions and evaluated by visible spectroscopy (FEMTO Spectrophotometer, Brazil). Dyes were prepared in ethanol P.A., according to previous established methods [3]. Three series in triplicate were performed and the results were analyzed by ANOVA / Tukey, comparing both samples and the unsuccussed 30% hydroalcoholic control solution.Results: Italian test: Measurements of the mean entropy of the signals, statistically elaborated with T Student test,yielded a two tailed p value < 0.05, where the entropy of the signal recorded from the Silicea terra200cHsample was statistically lower than the 200cH Sac lacsample.Brazilian test: Among all tested dyes, only BDN(4-(Bis-(4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl)methylene)-1(4H)-naphthalenone) showed aninteraction with Silicea terra200cH, reproducing the conclusions obtained in [3].Conclusions: Two different spectroscopic methods were able to show signal differences betweenSilicea terra200cH andSac lac200cH, suggesting that changes in solvent organization could be involved in the homeopathic signaling process, along withchanges in dipole moments of solvent and dyes. The results are potentially in line witha recent publishedpaper [4], that supportsthe propositionthatthe lower entropy of the verum signal compared with controls could beexplained by increased coherent vibrations of the verum sample, as theoretically explained in previous literature [5].

Effect of In-vivo heat challenge on physiological parameters and function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in immune phenotyped dairy cattle.

The frequency of heat waves and hot days are increasing due to climate change, which leads to an increase in the occurrence of heat stress in dairy cattle. Previous studies have shown that dairy cattle identified as high immune responders have a reduced incidence of disease and improved vaccine response compared to average and low responders. Additionally, it has been observed that when cells from immune phenotyped cattle are exposed to in-vitro heat challenge, high immune responders exhibit increased heat tolerance compared to average and low immune responders. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate physiological parameters and the function of blood mononuclear cells of immune phenotyped dairy cattle exposed to in-vivo heat challenge. A total of 24 immune phenotyped lactating dairy cattle (8 high, 8 average and 8 low) were housed in the tie-stall area of the barn and exposed to an in-vivo heat challenge for 4 h on 2 subsequent days, where the temperature was set at 29 â„ƒ. Blood samples were taken both pre- and post-challenge each day and manual respiration rates and rectal temperatures were recorded pre challenge and every 30 min during the challenge. Temperature and humidity measurements were taken in correspondence with all respiration rate and rectal temperature measurements to calculate the temperature humidity index pre heat challenge and at 30-minute intervals during the heat challenge. Blood mononuclear cells were isolated from blood collected pre and post challenge and the concentration of heat shock protein 70 and cell proliferation were assessed. Results showed that average and low responders had significantly greater respiration rates compared to high responders at a temperature humidity index of 77 and above. No significant difference was observed between phenotypes for rectal temperature. High responders had a higher heat shock protein 70 concentration and greater cell proliferation after in-vivo heat challenges compared to average and low responders. These results paralleled those found during in-vitro heat challenge adding further credence to the concept that high responders may be more resilient to heat stress compared average and low responders.

Heat stress and immune response phenotype affect DNA methylation in blood mononuclear cells from Holstein dairy cows.

Heat stress negatively affects health and production in cows. Examining the cellular response to heat stress could reveal underlying protective molecular mechanisms associated with superior resilience and ultimately enable selection for more resilient cattle. This type of investigation is increasingly important as future predictions for the patterns of heat waves point to increases in frequency, severity, and duration. Cows identified as high immune responders based on High Immune Response technology (HIR) have lower disease occurrence compared to their average and low immune responder herd-mates. In this study, our goal was to identify epigenetic differences between high and low immune responder cows in response to heat stress. We examined genome-wide DNA methylation of blood mononuclear cells (BMCs) isolated from high and low cows, before and after in vitro heat stress. We identified differential methylation of promoter regions associated with a variety of biological processes including immune function, stress response, apoptosis, and cell signalling. The specific differentially methylated promoter regions differed between samples from high and low cows, and results revealed pathways associated with cellular protection during heat stress.

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.

Search for CP Violation in Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations by the T2K Experiment with 2.2×10

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}.

Short communication: Prevalence of digital dermatitis in Canadian dairy cattle classified as high, average, or low antibody- and cell-mediated immune responders.

Lameness is a major animal welfare issue affecting Canadian dairy producers, and it can lead to production, reproduction, and health problems in dairy cattle herds. Although several different lesions affect dairy cattle hooves, studies show that digital dermatitis is the most common lesion identified in Canadian dairy herds. It has also been shown that dairy cattle classified as having high immune response (IR) have lower incidence of disease compared with those animals with average and low IR; therefore, it has been hypothesized that IR plays a role in preventing infectious hoof lesions. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of digital dermatitis in Canadian dairy cattle that were classified for antibody-mediated (AMIR) and cell-mediated (CMIR) immune response. Cattle (n = 329) from 5 commercial dairy farms in Ontario were evaluated for IR using a patented test protocol that captures both AMIR and CMIR. Individuals were classified as high, average, or low responders based on standardized residuals for AMIR and CMIR. Residuals were calculated using a general linear model that included the effects of herd, parity, stage of lactation, and stage of pregnancy. Hoof health data were collected from 2011 to 2013 by the farm's hoof trimmer using Hoof Supervisor software (KS Dairy Consulting Inc., Dresser, WI). All trim events were included for each animal, and lesions were assessed as a binary trait at each trim event. Hoof health data were analyzed using a mixed model that included the effects of herd, stage of lactation (at trim date), parity (at trim date), IR category (high, average, and low), and the random effect of animal. All data were presented as prevalence within IR category. Results showed that cows with high AMIR had significantly lower prevalence of digital dermatitis than cattle with average and low AMIR. No significant difference in prevalence of digital dermatitis was observed between high, average, and low CMIR cows. These results indicate that having more robust AMIR is associated with lower prevalence of digital dermatitis hoof lesions.

Combined Analysis of Neutrino and Antineutrino Oscillations at T2K.

T2K reports its first results in the search for CP violation in neutrino oscillations using appearance and disappearance channels for neutrino- and antineutrino-mode beams. The data include all runs from January 2010 to May 2016 and comprise 7.482×10^{20} protons on target in neutrino mode, which yielded in the far detector 32 e-like and 135 µ-like events, and 7.471×10^{20} protons on target in antineutrino mode, which yielded 4 e-like and 66 µ-like events. Reactor measurements of sin^{2}2θ_{13} have been used as an additional constraint. The one-dimensional confidence interval at 90% for the phase δ_{CP} spans the range (-3.13, -0.39) for normal mass ordering. The CP conservation hypothesis (δ_{CP}=0, π) is excluded at 90% C.L.

Measurement of Coherent π

We report the first measurement of the flux-averaged cross section for charged current coherent π^{+} production on carbon for neutrino energies less than 1.5 GeV, and with a restriction on the final state phase space volume in the T2K near detector, ND280. Comparisons are made with predictions from the Rein-Sehgal coherent production model and the model by Alvarez-Ruso et al., the latter representing the first implementation of an instance of the new class of microscopic coherent models in a neutrino interaction Monte Carlo event generator. We observe a clear event excess above background, disagreeing with the null results reported by K2K and SciBooNE in a similar neutrino energy region. The measured flux-averaged cross sections are below those predicted by both the Rein-Sehgal and Alvarez-Ruso et al.

Surgicric 2: A comparative bench study with two established emergency cricothyroidotomy techniques in a porcine model.

BACKGROUND: 'Can't Intubate, Can't Oxygenate' is a rare but life threatening event. Anaesthetists must be trained and have appropriate equipment available for this. The ideal equipment is a topic of ongoing debate. To date cricothyroidotomy training for anaesthetists has concentrated on cannula techniques. However cases reported to the NAP4 audit illustrated that they were associated with a high failure rate. A recent editorial by Kristensen and colleagues suggested all anaesthetists must master a surgical technique. The surgical technique for cricothyroidotomy has been endorsed as the primary technique by the recent Difficult Airway Society 2015 guidelines. METHODS: We conducted a bench study comparing the updated Surgicric 2 device with a scalpel-bougie-tube surgical technique, and the Melker seldinger technique, using a porcine model. Twenty six senior anaesthetists (ST5+) participated. The primary outcome was insertion time. Secondary outcomes included success rate, ease of use, device preference and tracheal trauma. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (P<0.001) in the overall comparisons of the insertion times. The surgical technique had the fastest median time of 62 s. The surgical and Surgicric techniques were significantly faster to perform than the Melker (both P<0.001). The surgical technique had a success rate of 85% at first attempt, and 100% within two attempts, whereas the others had failed attempts. The surgical technique was ranked first by 50% participants and had the lowest grade of posterior tracheal wall trauma, significantly less than the Surgicric 2 (P=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports training in and the use of surgical cricothyroidotomy by anaesthetists.

Measurement of Muon Antineutrino Oscillations with an Accelerator-Produced Off-Axis Beam.

T2K reports its first measurements of the parameters governing the disappearance of ν[over ¯]_{µ} in an off-axis beam due to flavor change induced by neutrino oscillations. The quasimonochromatic ν[over ¯]_{µ} beam, produced with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV at J-PARC, is observed at the far detector Super-Kamiokande, 295 km away, where the ν[over ¯]_{µ} survival probability is expected to be minimal. Using a data set corresponding to 4.01×10^{20} protons on target, 34 fully contained µ-like events were observed. The best-fit oscillation parameters are sin^{2}(θ[over ¯]_{23})=0.45 and |Δm[over ¯]_{32}^{2}|=2.51×10^{-3} eV^{2} with 68% confidence intervals of 0.38-0.64 and 2.26-2.80×10^{-3} eV^{2}, respectively. These results are in agreement with existing antineutrino parameter measurements and also with the ν_{µ} disappearance parameters measured by T2K.

Short communication: Variation in production parameters among Canadian Holstein cows classified as high, average, and low immune responders.

Dairy cattle evaluated for immune responses and identified as high responders are known to have a lower occurrence of economically important diseases, including mastitis, metritis, ketosis, and retained placenta. These high immune responders have also been shown to make more antibody following vaccination and to have improved milk and colostrum quality. Therefore, breeding for improved immune response is expected to have several benefits in the dairy industry. However, a concern of such an approach to improve animal health is the potential cost of lost production due to an allocation of host resources to mount a robust immune response. The objective of this study was to evaluate early- and late-lactation production parameters in cattle classified as having high, average, or low estimated breeding values (EBV) for cell-mediated (CMIR), antibody-mediated (AMIR), and overall immune responses. A total of 561 cows from 6 herds were phenotyped for immune response and ranked based on EBV for CMIR and AMIR. A linear animal model was used to evaluate differences in milk, fat, and protein yields among immune response groups, and a regression analysis was conducted based on immune response EBV. Overall, no difference in production parameters was found based on immune response rank; however, some positive relationships with immune response EBV were found, suggesting that breeding for enhanced immune responsiveness as a prophylactic approach to improve animal health would not come at the cost of lost production.

Evaluation of a novel Surgicric® cricothyroidotomy device for emergency tracheal access in a porcine model.

A can't intubate, can't ventilate scenario can result in morbidity and death. Although a rare occurrence (1:50 000 general anaesthetics), it is crucial that anaesthetists maintain the skills necessary to perform cricothyroidotomy, and are well-equipped with appropriate tools. We undertook a bench study comparing a new device, Surgicric(®) , with two established techniques; the Melker Emergency Cricothyroidotomy, and a surgical technique. Twenty-five anaesthetists performed simulated emergency cricothyroidotomy on a porcine model, with the primary outcome measure being insertion time. Secondary outcomes included success rate, tracheal trauma and ease of use. The surgical technique was fastest. The median (IQR [range]) was 81 (62-126 [37-300]) s, followed by the Melker 124 (100-217 [71-300]) s, and the Surgicric 127 (68-171 [43-300]), p = 0.003. The Surgicric device was the most traumatic, as evaluated by a blinded Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon. Subsequently, the authors contacted the device manufacturer, who has now modified the kit in the hope that its clinical application might be improved. Further studies are required to evaluate the revised model.

Measurement of the inclusive electron neutrino charged current cross section on carbon with the T2K near detector.

The T2K off-axis near detector ND280 is used to make the first differential cross-section measurements of electron neutrino charged current interactions at energies ∼1 GeV as a function of electron momentum, electron scattering angle, and four-momentum transfer of the interaction. The total flux-averaged ν(e) charged current cross section on carbon is measured to be ⟨σ⟩(ϕ)=1.11±0.10(stat)±0.18(syst)×10⁻³8 cm²/nucleon. The differential and total cross-section measurements agree with the predictions of two leading neutrino interaction generators, NEUT and GENIE. The NEUT prediction is 1.23×10⁻³8 cm²/nucleon and the GENIE prediction is 1.08×10⁻³8 cm²/nucleon. The total ν(e) charged current cross-section result is also in agreement with data from the Gargamelle experiment.

An alternative approach to primary rhinoplasty using Walsham forceps.

BACKGROUND: The successful execution of lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty is an important step that can influence the functional and aesthetic outcome of the procedure. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes an alternative method for achieving mobilisation of the nasal bones by careful application of Walsham forceps during primary rhinoplasty.

Precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23 from muon neutrino disappearance in an off-axis beam.

New data from the T2K neutrino oscillation experiment produce the most precise measurement of the neutrino mixing parameter θ23. Using an off-axis neutrino beam with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV and a data set corresponding to 6.57×10(20) protons on target, T2K has fit the energy-dependent νµ oscillation probability to determine oscillation parameters. The 68% confidence limit on sin(2)(θ23) is 0.514(-0.056)(+0.055) (0.511±0.055), assuming normal (inverted) mass hierarchy. The best-fit mass-squared splitting for normal hierarchy is Δm32(2)=(2.51±0.10)×10(-3) eV(2)/c(4) (inverted hierarchy: Δm13(2)=(2.48±0.10)×10(-3) eV(2)/c(4)). Adding a model of multinucleon interactions that affect neutrino energy reconstruction is found to produce only small biases in neutrino oscillation parameter extraction at current levels of statistical uncertainty.

Observation of electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam.

The T2K experiment has observed electron neutrino appearance in a muon neutrino beam produced 295 km from the Super-Kamiokande detector with a peak energy of 0.6 GeV. A total of 28 electron neutrino events were detected with an energy distribution consistent with an appearance signal, corresponding to a significance of 7.3σ when compared to 4.92±0.55 expected background events. In the Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata mixing model, the electron neutrino appearance signal depends on several parameters including three mixing angles θ12, θ23, θ13, a mass difference Δm(32)(2) and a CP violating phase δ(CP). In this neutrino oscillation scenario, assuming |Δm(32)(2)|=2.4×10(-3) eV(2), sin(2)θ(23)=0.5, and Δm322>0 (Δm(32)(2)<0), a best-fit value of sin(2)2θ(13)=0.140(-0.032)(+0.038) (0.170(-0.037)(+0.045)) is obtained at δ(CP)=0. When combining the result with the current best knowledge of oscillation parameters including the world average value of θ(13) from reactor experiments, some values of δ(CP) are disfavored at the 90% C.L.