MiniBooNE and MicroBooNE Combined Fit to a 3+1 Sterile Neutrino Scenario.

This Letter presents the results from the MiniBooNE experiment within a full "3+1" scenario where one sterile neutrino is introduced to the three-active-neutrino picture. In addition to electron-neutrino appearance at short baselines, this scenario also allows for disappearance of the muon-neutrino and electron-neutrino fluxes in the Booster Neutrino Beam, which is shared by the MicroBooNE experiment. We present the 3+1 fit to the MiniBooNE electron-(anti)neutrino and muon-(anti)neutrino data alone and in combination with MicroBooNE electron-neutrino data. The best-fit parameters of the combined fit with the exclusive charged-current quasielastic analysis (inclusive analysis) are Δm^{2}=0.209 eV^{2}(0.033 eV^{2}), |U_{e4}|^{2}=0.016(0.500), |U_{µ4}|^{2}=0.500(0.500), and sin^{2}(2θ_{µe})=0.0316(1.0). Comparing the no-oscillation scenario to the 3+1 model, the data prefer the 3+1 model with a Δχ^{2}/d.o.f.=24.7/3(17.3/3), a 4.3σ(3.4σ) preference assuming the asymptotic approximation given by Wilks's theorem.

Significant Excess of Electronlike Events in the MiniBooNE Short-Baseline Neutrino Experiment.

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from an analysis of ν_{e} appearance data from 12.84×10^{20} protons on target in neutrino mode, an increase of approximately a factor of 2 over previously reported results. A ν_{e} charged-current quasielastic event excess of 381.2±85.2 events (4.5σ) is observed in the energy range 200

First Measurement of Monoenergetic Muon Neutrino Charged Current Interactions.

We report the first measurement of monoenergetic muon neutrino charged current interactions. MiniBooNE has isolated 236 MeV muon neutrino events originating from charged kaon decay at rest (K^{+}→µ^{+}ν_{µ}) at the NuMI beamline absorber. These signal ν_{µ}-carbon events are distinguished from primarily pion decay in flight ν_{µ} and ν[over ¯]_{µ} backgrounds produced at the target station and decay pipe using their arrival time and reconstructed muon energy. The significance of the signal observation is at the 3.9σ level. The muon kinetic energy, neutrino-nucleus energy transfer (ω=E_{ν}-E_{µ}), and total cross section for these events are extracted. This result is the first known-energy, weak-interaction-only probe of the nucleus to yield a measurement of ω using neutrinos, a quantity thus far only accessible through electron scattering.

Dark Matter Search in a Proton Beam Dump with MiniBooNE.

The MiniBooNE-DM Collaboration searched for vector-boson mediated production of dark matter using the Fermilab 8-GeV Booster proton beam in a dedicated run with 1.86×10^{20} protons delivered to a steel beam dump. The MiniBooNE detector, 490 m downstream, is sensitive to dark matter via elastic scattering with nucleons in the detector mineral oil. Analysis methods developed for previous MiniBooNE scattering results were employed, and several constraining data sets were simultaneously analyzed to minimize systematic errors from neutrino flux and interaction rates. No excess of events over background was observed, leading to a 90% confidence limit on the dark matter cross section parameter, Y=ε^{2}α_{D}(m_{χ}/m_{V})^{4}≲10^{-8}, for α_{D}=0.5 and for dark matter masses of 0.01

Patients concerns inventory highlights perceived needs and concerns in head and neck cancer survivors and its impact on health-related quality of life.

Currently, the head and neck cancer Patients' Concerns Inventory (HNC-PCI), a holistic, self-reported tool to help patients disclose needs and concerns during consultations, is not organised into domains. We used a Delphi approach to generate domains and applied them to an existing HNC-PCI database to assess association with health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The expert panel comprised 10 experts in head and neck cancer who were selected ad hoc. The HNC-PCI checklist was analysed and fed back to the panel for 3 rounds until consensus was achieved. Five domains were generated (A=Physical and functional; B=Psychological and emotional or spiritual well-being; C=Social care and well-being; D=Treatment-related; and E=Other) and were applied to a database compiled from 674 patients who had completed the PCI on 1276 occasions. On first completing the inventory (median 32 months after treatment) 81% selected items under domain A and 58% under domain B. Fewer items were selected/domain thereafter. Younger patients were more likely to select from domains B and C. Those treated by radiotherapy and adjuvant radiotherapy were more likely to select from domains A and C, respectively. Patients with laryngeal cancer tended to select from domain C, and those with poor HRQoL outcomes were significantly more likely to indicate more items of concern. The items selected under the HNC-PCI domains showed that certain clinical, pathological, and HRQoL factors were associated with specific patterns of needs or concerns.

How often do head and neck cancer patients raise concerns related to intimacy and sexuality in routine follow-up clinics?

Intimacy and sexuality problems are underreported in head and neck cancer patients. The aim of this study was to collate the various prompts available in a routine follow-up clinic through the use of an intimacy screening question and Patient's Concerns Inventory (PCI), and to identify how often these problems were raised by patients and what possible actions took place as a consequence. 177 patients completed the intimacy screening question, PCI and UW-QOLv.4 at follow-up clinics, from October 2008 to January 2011. Case note review identified if intimacy was mentioned in clinic letters and if referral for support was made. On the intimacy screening question, 15 % (26) reported problems of considerable/some concern (24) or selected intimacy/sexuality on the PCI (2). The PCI identified that 9 of the 24 reporting the worst problems wanted the topic discussed in clinic, and clinic letters suggested that 5 of these discussed the issue in clinic with 4 being referred on, 3 to a clinical psychologist and 1 to a clinical nurse specialist. Intimacy problems are underreported in clinic reviews. It is a difficult subject to discuss. It will remain a potential unmet need unless attempts are made to advance the opportunities for patient screening, information leaflets, staff training on how to talk about such sensitive issues and referral for counselling.

Evaluating a systematic voiding programme for patients with urinary incontinence after stroke in secondary care using soft systems analysis and Normalisation Process Theory: findings from the ICONS case study phase.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) affects between 40 and 60% of people in hospital after stroke, but is often poorly managed in stroke units. OBJECTIVES: To inform an exploratory trial by three methods: identifying the organisational context for embedding the SVP; exploring health professionals' views around embedding the SVP and measuring presence/absence of UI and frequency of UI episodes at baseline and six weeks post-stroke. DESIGN: A mixed methods single case study included analysis of organisational context using interviews with clinical leaders analysed with soft systems methodology, a process evaluation using interviews with staff delivering the intervention and analysed with Normalisation Process Theory, and outcome evaluation using data from patients receiving the SVP and analysed using descriptive statistics. SETTING: An 18 bed acute stroke unit in a large Foundation Trust (a 'not for profit' privately controlled entity not accountable to the UK Department of Health) serving a population of 370,000. PARTICIPANTS: Health professionals and clinical leaders with a role in either delivering the SVP or linking with it in any capacity were recruited following informed consent. Patients were recruited meeting the following inclusion criteria: aged 18 or over with a diagnosis of stroke; urinary incontinence (UI) as defined by the International Continence Society; conscious; medically stable as judged by the clinical team and with incontinence classified as stress, urge, mixed or 'functional'. All patients admitted to the unit during the intervention period were screened for eligibility; informed consent to collect baseline and outcome data was sought from all eligible patients. RESULTS: Organisational context: 18 health professionals took part in four group interviews. Findings suggest an environment not conducive to therapeutic continence management and a focus on containment of UI. Embedding the SVP into practice: 21 nursing staff took part in six group interviews. Initial confusion gave way to embedding of processes facilitated by new routines and procedures. Patient outcome: 43 patients were recruited; 28 of these commenced the SVP. Of these, 6/28 (21%) were continent at six weeks post-stroke or discharge. CONCLUSION: It was possible to embed the SVP into practice despite an organisational context not conducive to therapeutic continence care. Recommendations are made for introducing the SVP in a trial context.

Improved search for ν¯(µ)→ν¯(e) oscillations in the MiniBooNE experiment.

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from an analysis of ν[over ¯](e) appearance data from 11.27×10(20) protons on target in the antineutrino mode, an increase of approximately a factor of 2 over the previously reported results. An event excess of 78.4±28.5 events (2.8σ) is observed in the energy range 200

Lead bioaccessibility in topsoils from lead mineralisation and urban domains, UK.

Predictive linear regression (LR) modelling indicates that total Pb is the only highly significant independent variable for estimating Pb bioaccessibility in "mineralisation domains" located in limestone (high pH) and partly peat covered (low pH) shale-sandstone terrains in England. Manganese is a significant minor predictor in the limestone terrain, whilst organic matter and sulphur explain 0.5% and 2% of the variance of bioaccessible Pb in the peat-shale-sandstone terrain, compared with 93% explained by total Pb. Bootstrap resampling shows that LR confidence limits overlap for the two mineralised terrains but the limestone terrain has a significantly lower bioaccessible Pb to total Pb slope than the urban domain. A comparison of the absolute values of stomach and combined stomach-intestine bioaccessibility provides some insight into the geochemical controls on bioaccessibility in the contrasting soil types.

Uncovering patients' concerns in routine head and neck oncology follow up clinics: an exploratory study.

The Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI) is a tool that enables patients to highlight issues they wish to discuss, and helps to uncover concerns that might otherwise be missed. Previous PCI studies have involved direct observation of a consultation by one assessor using a coding method based rigidly on items listed on the inventory. This pilot study explores the feasibility of developing a standardised method of scoring which can be used to evaluate it. We prospectively recruited 40 disease-free patients attending 42 routine outpatient consultations after treatment for head and neck cancer. Before the consultation they completed the University of Washington quality of life questionnaire and the PCI. Nineteen consultations were audio-recorded and transcribed, and 2 assessors used a thematic framework to analyse the content of the consultation to find the number and types of concerns, the professionals involved, and the clinical outcomes. The assessors were in agreement about 80% (65/81) of the audio-recordings. The mean number of items of concern highlighted on the PCI before consultation was 5.95, median (IQR) 4(3-8) in contrast to 6.47, median (IQR) 6(4-9) for those discussed; for involvement of professionals it was 0.74, median (IQR) 0(0-1) in contrast to 2.63, median (IQR) 3(1-4), respectively. We identified 4 new themes for the working thematic framework, which provided a dynamic, standardised, and comprehensive approach based on the observation and responses of those studied. This approach gave an insight into the way the PCI mediates consultations, and how patients do not always understand the support that specific professionals can provide. Overall, patients were satisfied with the consultations.

Soil-plant interactions and the uptake of Pb at abandoned mining sites in the Rookhope catchment of the N. Pennines, UK--a Pb isotope study.

This paper examines Pb concentrations and sources in soil, grass and heather from the Rookhope catchment in the North Pennines, UK, an area of historical Pb and Zn mining and smelting. Currently, the area has extensive livestock and sports shooting industries. Risk assessment, using the source-pathway-receptor paradigm, requires the quantification of source terms and an understanding of the many factors determining the concentration of Pb in plants. A paired soil and vegetation (grass and heather) geochemical survey was undertaken. Results showed no direct correlation between soil (total or EDTA extractable Pb) and vegetation Pb concentration. However, regression modelling based on the Free-Ion Activity Model (FIAM) suggested that the underlying mechanism determining grass Pb concentration across the catchment was largely through root uptake. Spatial patterns of (206/207)Pb isotopes suggested greater aerosol deposition of Pb on high moorland and prevailing wind facing slopes. This was evident in the isotopic ratios of the heather plants. Pb isotope analysis showed that new growth heather tips typically had (206/207)Pb values of ~1.14, whilst grass shoots typically had values ~1.16 and bulk soil and peat ~1.18. However, the (206/207)Pb ratio in the top few cm of peat was ~1.16 suggesting that grass was accessing Pb from a historical/recent pool of Pb in soil/peat profiles and consisting of both Pennine ore Pb and long-range Pb deposition. Isotope Dilution assays on the peat showed a lability of between 40 and 60%. A simple source apportionment model applied to samples where the isotope ratios was not within the range of the local Pennine Pb, suggested that grass samples contained up to 31% of non-Pennine Pb. This suggests that the historical/recent reservoir of non-Pennine Pb accessed by roots continues to be a persistent contaminant source despite the principal petrol Pb source being phased out over a decade ago.

Quality of life in older people with oral cancer.

There is a growing elderly population presenting with, and surviving, oral cancer. Making decisions about treatment is complex, and is influenced in part by prognosis and expected outcomes for health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We used the University of Washington Head and Neck Quality of Life scale (UWQoL) to compare HRQoL in patients by age group at a time closest to one year after primary surgery. Survival was analysed using data from the Office for National Statistics. A consecutive series of 1091 patients treated curatively for oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at the regional maxillofacial unit at Aintree University Hospital between 1992 and 2009 were included in the main analysis. UWQoL data for 638 patients were available from about one year after treatment. Older patients (65 years or over) reported better physical and emotional function notably in regard to appearance, speech, saliva (75 years and over), pain, shoulder, mood, and anxiety than younger patients with head and neck cancer treated by operation. In conclusion, older patients seem to cope and adjust well to treatment and this is reflected in their HRQoL scores, which are higher in many domains than those of younger patients with head and neck cancer.

Rumen microbial population dynamics during adaptation to a high-grain diet.

High-grain adaptation programs are widely used with feedlot cattle to balance enhanced growth performance against the risk of acidosis. This adaptation to a high-grain diet from a high-forage diet is known to change the rumen microbial population structure and help establish a stable microbial population within the rumen. Therefore, to evaluate bacterial population dynamics during adaptation to a high-grain diet, 4 ruminally cannulated beef steers were adapted to a high-grain diet using a step-up diet regimen containing grain and hay at ratios of 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, and 80:20. The rumen bacterial populations were evaluated at each stage of the step-up diet after 1 week of adaptation, before the steers were transitioned to the next stage of the diet, using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, 16S rRNA gene libraries, and quantitative real-time PCR. The T-RFLP analysis displayed a shift in the rumen microbial population structure during the final two stages of the step-up diet. The 16S rRNA gene libraries demonstrated two distinct rumen microbial populations in hay-fed and high-grain-fed animals and detected only 24 common operational taxonomic units out of 398 and 315, respectively. The 16S rRNA gene libraries of hay-fed animals contained a significantly higher number of bacteria belonging to the phylum Fibrobacteres, whereas the 16S rRNA gene libraries of grain-fed animals contained a significantly higher number of bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidetes. Real-time PCR analysis detected significant fold increases in the Megasphaera elsdenii, Streptococcus bovis, Selenomonas ruminantium, and Prevotella bryantii populations during adaptation to the high-concentrate (high-grain) diet, whereas the Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens and Fibrobacter succinogenes populations gradually decreased as the animals were adapted to the high-concentrate diet. This study evaluates the rumen microbial population using several molecular approaches and presents a broader picture of the rumen microbial population structure during adaptation to a high-grain diet from a forage diet.

Synoptic monitoring as an approach to discriminating between point and diffuse source contributions to zinc loads in mining impacted catchments.

One of the global legacies of industrialisation is the environmental impacts of historic mineral exploitation. Recent national initiatives to manage the impacts on ground and surface waters have driven the need to develop better techniques for assessing understanding of the catchment-scale distribution and characterisation of the relative contribution of point and diffuse contaminant sources. The benefits of a detailed, multidisciplinary investigation are highlighted through a case study focused on the Rookhope Burn, a tributary of the River Wear, which falls within a significantly mine impacted area of the North Pennines Orefield, UK. Zinc (Zn) has been identified as the contaminant of concern within this catchment, which is judged by the Environment Agency to be at risk of failing to achieve good water quality status in the context of the Water Framework Directive. The results of synoptic flow monitoring and sampling for chemical determinations of major and trace elements have been used to calculate mass balances of instream and inflow chemical loads in the Rookhope Burn. Despite a dominant impact on the water quality from a mine outburst (especially Zn [1.45 to 2.42 mg/l], Fe [2.18 to 3.97 mg/l], Mn [3.69 to 6.77 mg/l], F [3.99 to 4.80 mg/l] and SO(4) [178 to 299 mg/l]), mass balance calculations combined with geological mapping have facilitated the identification of significant, previously unknown, subsurface contributions of Zn contaminated groundwater (with Zn concentrations in excess of 0.4 to 0.9 mg/l and 0.18 to 0.36 mg/l) to the Burn. The subsurface contributions exhibit spatial correspondence to mine workings with associated mineral veins and adits, or to points of suspected karst groundwater resurgence. These findings reiterate the challenges posed in decision making with respect to remediation, in this case in the context of the management of significant subsurface contributions.

Comparative analysis of detoxification enzymes in Acyrthosiphon pisum and Myzus persicae.

Herbivorous insects use detoxification enzymes, including cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferases, and carboxy/cholinesterases, to metabolize otherwise deleterious plant secondary metabolites. Whereas Acyrthosiphon pisum (pea aphid) feeds almost exclusively from the Fabaceae, Myzus persicae (green peach aphid) feeds from hundreds of species in more than forty plant families. Therefore, M. persicae as a species would be exposed to a greater diversity of plant secondary metabolites than A. pisum, and has been predicted to require a larger complement of detoxification enzymes. A comparison of M. persicae cDNA and A. pisum genomic sequences is partially consistent with this hypothesis. There is evidence of at least 40% more cytochrome P450 genes in M. persicae than in A. pisum. In contrast, no major differences were found between the two species in the numbers of glutathione S-transferases, and carboxy/cholinesterases. However, given the incomplete M. persicae cDNA data set, the number of identified detoxification genes in this species is likely to be an underestimate.

Event excess in the MiniBooNE search for ¯νµâ†’¯νe oscillations.

The MiniBooNE experiment at Fermilab reports results from a search for ¯ν_{µ}→¯ν_{e} oscillations, using a data sample corresponding to 5.66×10²° protons on target. An excess of 20.9±14.0 events is observed in the energy range 475

Search for electron antineutrino appearance at the deltam(2) approximately 1 eV(2) Scale.

The MiniBooNE Collaboration reports initial results from a search for nu(mu)-->nu(e) oscillations. A signal-blind analysis was performed using a data sample corresponding to 3.39x10(20) protons on target. The data are consistent with background prediction across the full range of neutrino energy reconstructed assuming quasielastic scattering, 200

A database of expressed genes from Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae).

We used an expressed sequence tag and 454 pyrosequencing approach to initiate a study of the genome of the screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Two normalized cDNA libraries were constructed from RNA isolated from embryos and second instar larvae from the Panama 95 strain. Approximately 5,400 clones from each library were sequenced from both the 5' and 3' directions using the Sanger method. In addition, double-stranded cDNA was prepared from random-primed polyA RNA purified from embryos, second-instar larvae, adult males, and adult females. These four cDNA samples were used for 454 pyrosequencing that produced approximately 300,000 independent sequences. Sequences were assembled into a database of assembled contigs and singletons and used to search public protein databases and annotate the sequences. The full database consists of 6,076 contigs and 58,221 singletons assembled from both the traditional expressed sequence tag (EST) and 454 sequences. Annotation of the data led to the identification of several gene coding regions with possible roles in sex determination in the screwworm. This database will facilitate the design of microarray and other experiments to study screwworm gene expression on a larger scale than previously possible.

Systematic review of respite care in the frail elderly.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of breaks in care in improving the well-being of informal carers of frail and disabled older people living in the community and to identify carer needs and barriers to uptake of respite services. DATA SOURCES: Major electronic databases were searched from the earliest possible date to April 2008. REVIEW METHODS: Selected studies were assessed and subjected to extraction of numerical data for meta-analysis of quantitative studies and extraction of text for thematic analysis of qualitative studies. Quality of the studies was assessed using checklists specifically designed for the current review. RESULTS: In total, 104 papers were identified for inclusion in the quantitative synthesis, 16 of which were appropriate for meta-analysis. Carer burden was reduced at 2-6 months' follow-up in single-sample studies but not in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies. Depression was reduced in RCTs in the short term and for home care but not for day care. These effects, however, were not significant in random-effects models. There was a trend for longer interventions to have more positive effects than shorter interventions. There was no effect of respite on anxiety, but it had positive effects on morale and anger and hostility. Single-group studies suggested that quality of life was worse after respite use. There were increased rates of institutionalisation after respite use; however, this does not establish a causal relationship as it may be a result of respite being provided late in the caregiving career. A total of 70 papers were identified for inclusion in the qualitative synthesis. Uptake of respite care was influenced by: carer attitudes to caring and respite provision; the caregiving relationship; knowledge of, and availability of, services; the acceptability to, and impact of respite care on, care recipients; hassles resulting from the use of respite care; quality of respite care; and the appropriateness and flexibility of service provision. Carers expressed needs for active information provision about services, support offered early in the caregiving career, access to a variety of services with flexible provision, reliable transport services, continuity of care, good-quality care, appropriate environments, care that provides benefits for care recipients (socialisation and stimulation), and appropriate activities for care recipients' levels of abilities and interests. CONCLUSIONS: There was some evidence to support respite having a positive effect on carers but the evidence was limited and weak. It is difficult, therefore, to make recommendations as to the most appropriate form of delivery of respite, apart from the suggestion that a range of services is probably most appropriate, to provide flexibility of respite provision and responsiveness to carer and care recipient characteristics and needs and also changes in those needs over time. There is a need for further high-quality larger trials that include economic evaluations.

Transcriptome analysis of the salivary glands of the female tick Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae).

Ticks infest a wide range of hosts while bypassing their immune, inflammatory and haemostatic responses during their extended feeding, which may last for more than two weeks. Here, we present a transcriptome analysis of 3868 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from three cDNA libraries generated from the salivary glands of adult female Ambyomma americanum ticks at different stages of feeding. We applied a normalization step for one library, significantly decreasing the abundance of mitochondrial sequences amongst the 2292 sequences from the normalized library. Our ESTs include homologues that may modulate haemostatic, immune and inflammatory responses of the hosts. Other ESTs probably represent important components of the highly efficient secretory pathways for salivary proteins and concomitantly transmitted pathogens.