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.

What are the caregivers' needs on dementia care? An integrated qualitative and quantitative assessment.

Dementia is one of the main causes of disability later in life. Interventions in support of patients with dementia aim at granting the highest level of independence in activities of daily living and at delivering the required facilities; formal and informal caregivers represent the interface between patients and health services. The aims of our study were to assess caregivers' perceived needs and to relate them to their own socio-cultural features and to patients' clinical characteristics. During three consecutive months, 50 caregivers of patients with dementia were interviewed about their needs in the assistance of subjects with dementia by means of three structured questionnaires (Caregiver Needs Assessment [CNA], Zarit Burden Inventory [ZBI], Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Questionnaire [NPI-Q]) and of two open-ended questions. Higher scores of CNA (suggestive of more needs) were associated with a major burden in caregiving and were related to a more severe behavioral and psychological profile of patients with dementia. ZBI was highly correlated with NPI distress score. Among caregivers, the children of patients reported more needs, particularly about information on disease and how to cope with it. CNA emerged as a complete and reliable instrument, with need for safety being the only item missing from the questionnaire and identified by means of the open-ended questions. Our results showed how the use of simple and brief instruments can increase the communication between health operators and caregivers and could thus improve the quality of formal and informal assistance.

Use of benzodiazepines and cognitive performance in primary care patients with first cognitive complaints.

ABSTRACTThe aim of the present study is to investigate the impact of benzodiazepine use on cognitive performance in primary care patients with first cognitive complaints. The association between the exposition to benzodiazepines (short and long half-life) and cognitive performance, evaluated through the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), was tested through analysis of the covariance and logistic regression models. Within the 4,249 participants (mean age 77.0 ± 8.2, 66.4% women), 732 (17%) were on benzodiazepines. When compared with non-users, short- and long-acting benzodiazepine users presented overlapping adjusted MMSE mean scores (respectively, mean MMSE score: 25.3, 95%CI 25.2-25.5; 25.4, 95%CI 25.1-25.7, and 25.9, 95%CI 25.3-26.4; p = 0.156). When tested according to the logistical regression model, after adjusting for potential confounders, no association was found between short and long acting benzodiazepine use and a MMSE < 24 (respectively, OR 0.9, 95%CI 0.7-1.2; OR 0.8, 95%CI 0.7-1.3) as compared with non-users. In conclusion, according to the results of our study, benzodiazepine use seems not to impact on cognitive performance- as assessed with the MMSE- of primary care patients referring to GPs for first cognitive complaints.

Role of anticholinergic burden in primary care patients with first cognitive complaints.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Drugs with anticholinergic properties might have a negative impact on cognition, but findings are still conflicting. The association was evaluated between anticholinergic drugs and cognitive performance in primary care patients with first cognitive complaints. METHODS: From April 2013 to March 2014, 353 general practitioners administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to patients presenting with first cognitive complaints. Drug history was collected and the anticholinergic cognitive burden (ACB) was scored and categorized as ACB 0, ACB 1 and ACB 2+. A mixed effect linear regression model was used to assess the association between ACB and MMSE score. RESULTS: Of 4249 subjects entering the study (mean age 77 ± 8.2 years, 66.4% women and mean years of schooling 8.9 ± 4.5), 25.8% received at least one drug with anticholinergic action. According to multivariate analysis, and after adjustment for several confounders, subjects with ACB 2+ had a statistically significant lower MMSE score compared with those with ACB 0 (ß -0.63; 95% confidence interval -1.19; -0.07). Subjects with ACB 1 had a non-statistically significant lower MMSE score than those with ACB 0 (ß -0.11; 95% confidence interval -0.37; 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: Anticholinergic medication might affect cognitive function in people with first cognitive complaints. Alternatives should be taken into account when possible, balancing the benefits and harms of these medications.

Adaptation and psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire for Parkinson's disease.

Although non-motor symptoms (NMS) of Parkinson's disease (PD) are very common also in early stages of the disease, they are still under-recognized. Screening tools for non-motor symptoms, such as non-motor symptoms questionnaire (NMSQuest), help clinicians to recognize NMS and to evaluate if patients could require further assessment or specific treatments. To validate an adapted Italian version of NMSQuest and study its psychometric properties, Italian PD patients self-completed Italian NMSQuest, and then underwent a standard clinical evaluation including motor assessment (by Hoehn and Yahr staging, unified Parkinson's disease rating scale part III) and non-motor assessment (by Montreal cognitive assessment, Beck depression inventory, neuropsychiatric inventory, Epworth sleepiness scale, scale for outcomes in Parkinson's disease-Autonomic and movement disorder society-sponsored revision of the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale part I). Somatic comorbidities were quantified using the modified cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS). Seventy-one subjects were assessed (mean age years 69.8 ± 9.6 SD; 31% women; mean duration of disease 6.3 ± 4.6 years; H&Y median 2). Italian NMSQuest showed adequate satisfactory clinimetrics in terms of data quality, precision, acceptability, internal consistency and reliability. A significant correlation was found between NMSQuest and most of non-motor assessment scales, while no significant correlation appeared with motor severity as well as with age of patients, disease duration, levodopa equivalent daily dose, L-DOPA/dopamine agonists assumption and CIRS total score. The Italian version of the NMSQuest resulted as a reliable instrument for screening NMS in Italian PD patients.

Reproductive performance and pre-weaning mortality: Preliminary analysis of 27,221 purebred female dogs and 204,537 puppies in France.

The objective of this study was to describe efficiency of reproduction of purebred dogs in field breeding conditions, from mating to weaning in France. Data were collected between 2010 and 2014 in 5,667 French breeding kennels via a reproduction management software (Breeding Management System, Royal Canin, Aimargues, France). Effect of breed size (Mini: adult body weight <10 kg; Medium: 10-25 kg; Maxi: 25-40 kg; Giant: >40 kg), age of dam and male on pregnancy rate, abortion rate and litter size were evaluated by multivariable models. Data on 45,913 heats (all with mating), from 27,221 bitches from 248 breeds, were analysed. At mating, mean age (±SD) was 3.1 ± 1.8 years for bitches and 3.3 ± 2.0 for males. Males originated from the same kennel as the females in 88.5% of the matings. Based on breeder's evaluation of the pregnancy status, pregnancy rate (number of pregnant females based on breeders declaration/number of heats) was 87.8% and abortion rate was 6.8%. Finally, 81.9% of the mated females gave birth to a litter. On 37,946 litters (204,537 puppies), mean litter size was 5.4 ± 2.8 puppies (range 1-24), which was influenced by breed size and dam age (p < .0001). Stillbirth rate was 7.4% and puppy mortality rate (stillbirth + mortality until 2 months of age) was 13.4%. Prolificacy and puppy mortality rates were affected by breed size and within a breed size, by breed. Despite probable approximations (as data originate from breeders declaration), this large-scale analysis provides reference values on reproductive performance in dogs.

Epidemiological analysis of reproductive performances and kitten mortality rates in 5,303 purebred queens of 45 different breeds and 28,065 kittens in France.

Reproduction management and performances are evaluated in the feline species only through a limited number of animals and studies. Our objective was to provide reference figures in purebred cats, from a large-scale sample. Data were collected from an online software dedicated to cattery management (Breeding Management System®, BMS, Royal Canin, Aimargues, France). Information was recorded on a voluntary basis by French breeders between 2011 and 2014. Data were anonymously transferred for analysis. A total of 9,063 oestrous periods (in contact with a male) from 5,303 queens (45 breeds) were recorded from 1,521 breeders. Most matings (70.1%) occurred during increasing day length periods. The mean age at mating (±SD) was 2.7 ± 1.6 years for queens and 2.9 ± 1.9 years for tomcats. Pregnancy rate (based on breeders declaration) was 85.2%. Among queens declared pregnant, 8.4% failed to maintain pregnancy. Globally, 78% of the mated females gave birth to 28,065 kittens within 7,075 L. Mean litter size was 4.0 ± 1.9 kittens among which 8.5% were stillborn. Neonatal and paediatric mortality rate was 8.2%. In total, 16.0% of kittens born died before weaning. The results of this study are based on the largest feline database ever analysed. The figures collected can thus be used as reference to define average reproductive performances in numerous breeds for cat breeders. Further analysis will identify factors influencing reproductive performances and early mortality in the feline species.

Natural and artificial hyperimmune solutions: Impact on health in puppies.

Colostrum and milk are complex mammary secretions providing the puppy with many nutritional and immunological factors, which play a crucial role for its correct development and survival. In the case of colostrum and/or milk intake deficiency, puppies are at increased risk of infectious diseases. This work reviews the various nutritional hyperimmune supplementations proposed to provide a passive immune protection and to positively impact puppies' health. Some strategies rely on canine immunoglobulins: canine colostrum banking and canine serum/plasma supplementation. Others involve heterologous sources of antibodies and other immune factors: bovine colostrum or hyperimmune egg powder. Among the different solutions evaluated from birth to weaning, canine plasma and hyperimmune egg powder showed promising beneficial effect on puppies' health. Canine plasma seems to positively impact not only growth (increased growth during the neonatal period), but also digestive health (higher species richness of intestinal microbiota) and the general health (tendency of lower morbidity). Puppies supplemented with hyperimmune egg powder presented increased neonatal growth and decreased risk of canine parvovirus infection. Nevertheless, natural canine maternal colostrum and milk ingestion remains the optimal guarantee for puppies' health and survival, as a source of immunity, energy and growth factors.

Effect of substrate polishing on the growth of graphene on 3C-SiC(111)/Si(111) by high temperature annealing.

We analyse the effects of substrate polishing and of the epilayer thickness on the quality of graphene layers grown by high temperature annealing on 3C-SiC(111)/Si(111) by scanning tunnelling microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction and high resolution angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy. The results provide a comprehensive set of data confirming the superior quality of the graphene layers obtained on polished substrates, and the limitations of the growth obtained on unpolished surfaces.

Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling in Image Potential States.

The search in two-dimensional condensed matter systems of Rashba-type spin-polarized electronic states is aimed by the possibility to control and manipulate the spin orientation. In this Letter, for the first time, we report on the experimental evidence of a Rashba-type spin splitting in the n=1 image potential state. The image potential state Rashba splitting here measured at the graphene/Ir(111) interface, as confirmed by theoretical considerations, can be detectable to any metal surface with a significant spin-orbit coupling.

Osmophobia in allodynic migraineurs: cause or consequence of central sensitization?

Migraine is a primary headache characterized by recurrent attacks of head pain associated with nausea or vomit, photophobia, phonophobia and osmophobia. The presence of osmophobia during migraine attacks seems to be a very specific complaint. Cutaneous allodynia (CA) is very common in migraineurs, and it is the most evident clinical manifestation of central sensitization, a mechanism involved in migraine chronification. This study was aimed at identifying the possible correlation between osmophobia and CA in migraineurs. 673 migraineurs were studied (492 episodic, 181 chronic). The prevalence of both CA and osmophobia was higher in chronic than in episodic migraineurs. The association between these two symptoms was significant in chronic migraineurs at Chi square test. The highlighted relationship between CA and osmophobia may be interpreted in different ways: central sensitization induced by recurrent pain stimulation may in parallel induce a distortion of both cutaneous sensitivity (CA) and olfaction (osmophobia); alternatively, the recurrent olfactory stimulation in subjects with a hypersensitivity to olfactory stimuli may co-work with repetitive pain stimulation to induce the central sensitization process.

Designing a new scoring system (QualyP Score) correlating the management of cardiopulmonary bypass to postoperative outcomes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to ascertain if a score, directly derived from CPB records, could correlate to major postoperative outcomes. METHODS: An additive score (QualyP Score) was created from 10 parameters: peak lactate value during CPB, peak VCO(2)i, lowest DO(2)i/VCO(2)i, peak respiratory quotient, CPB time, cross-clamp time, lowest CPB temperature, circulatory arrest, ultrafiltration during CPB, number of packed red cells transfused intraoperatively. The PerfSCORE was calculated, as well. Multivariable logistic regression models were built to detect the independent predictors of: peak lactate >3 mmol/L during the first three postoperative days; the incidence of acute kidney injury network (AKIN) 1-2-3; respiratory insufficiency; mortality. RESULTS: The mean score was 4.8±2.6 (0-10). A QualyP Score ≥1 was predictive of postoperative acidosis (OR=1.595). A score ≥2 was predictive of AKIN 2 (OR=1.268) and respiratory insufficiency (OR=1.526). A score ≥5 was predictive of AKIN 3 (OR=1.848) and mortality (OR=1.497). CONCLUSIONS: QualyP Score may help to provide a quality marker of perfusion, emphasizing the need for goal-directed perfusion strategies.

Is the brain of migraineurs "different" even in dreams?

Migraineurs brain is hyper-excitable and hypo-metabolic. Dreaming is a mental state characterized by hallucinatory features in which imagery, emotion, motor skills and memory are created de novo. To evaluate dreams in different kinds of headache. We included 219 controls; 148 migraineurs (66 with aura-MA, 82 without aura-MO); 45 tension type headache (TTH) patients. ICHD-II diagnostic criteria were used. Ad hoc questionnaire was used to evaluate oneiric activity. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, and the Patient Health Questionnaire were administered to evaluate anxiety and mood. The prevalence of dreamers was similar in different groups. Frequency of visual and auditory dreams was not different between groups. Migraineurs, particularly MA, had an increased frequency of taste dreams (present in 19.6 % of controls, 40.9 % of MA, 23.2 % of MO, 11.1 % of TTH, p < 0.01), and of olfactory dreams (present in 20 % of controls, 36 % of MA, 35 % of MO and 20 % of TTH, p < 0.01). Anxiety and mood did not influence these results. The increased frequency of taste and olfactory dreams among migraineurs seems to be specific, possibly reflecting a particular sensitivity of gustative and olfactory brain structures, as suggested by osmofobia and nausea, typical of migraine. This may suggest the role of some cerebral structures, such as amygdala and hypothalamus, which are known to be involved in migraine mechanisms as well in the biology of sleep and dreaming.

How reliable is assessment of true vocal cord-arytenoid unit mobility in patients affected by laryngeal cancer? a multi-institutional study on 366 patients from the ARYFIX collaborative group.

PURPOSE: In clinical practice the assessment of the "vocal cord-arytenoid unit" (VCAU) mobility is crucial in the staging, prognosis, and choice of treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). The aim of the present study was to measure repeatability and reliability of clinical assessment of VCAU mobility and radiologic analysis of posterior laryngeal extension. METHODS: In this multi-institutional retrospective study, patients with LSCC-induced impairment of VCAU mobility who received curative treatment were included; pre-treatment endoscopy and contrast-enhanced imaging were collected and evaluated by raters. According to their evaluations, concordance, number of assigned categories, and inter- and intra-rater agreement were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-two otorhinolaryngologists evaluated 366 videolaryngoscopies (total evaluations: 2170) and 6 radiologists evaluated 237 imaging studies (total evaluations: 477). The concordance of clinical rating was excellent in only 22.7% of cases. Overall, inter- and intra-rater agreement was weak. Supraglottic cancers and transoral endoscopy were associated with the lowest inter-observer reliability values. Radiologic inter-rater agreement was low and did not vary with imaging technique. Intra-rater reliability of radiologic evaluation was optimal. CONCLUSIONS: The current methods to assess VCAU mobility and posterior extension of LSCC are flawed by weak inter-observer agreement and reliability. Radiologic evaluation was characterized by very high intra-rater agreement, but weak inter-observer reliability. The relevance of VCAU mobility assessment in laryngeal oncology should be re-weighted. Patients affected by LSCC requiring imaging should be referred to dedicated radiologists with experience in head and neck oncology.

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

Comparative next-generation mapping of the Phytophthora infestans resistance gene Rpi-dlc2 in a European accession of Solanum dulcamara.

Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight, remains the main threat to potato production worldwide. Screening of 19 accessions of Solanum dulcamara with P. infestans isolate Ipo82001 in detached leaf assays revealed strong resistance in an individual belonging to accession A54750069-1. This plant was crossed with a susceptible genotype, and an F(1) population consisting of 63 individuals was obtained. This population segregated for resistance in 1:1 ratio, both in detached leaf assays and in an open-field experiment. Presence of the formerly mapped Rpi-dlc1 gene as the cause of the observed segregating resistance could be excluded. Subsequently, AFLP analyses using 128 primer combinations enabled identification of five markers linked to a novel resistance gene named Rpi-dlc2. AFLP markers did not show sequence similarity to the tomato and potato genomes, hampering comparative genetic positioning of the gene. For this reason we used next-generation mapping (NGM), an approach that exploits direct sequencing of DNA (in our case: cDNA) pools from bulked segregants to calculate the genetic distance between SNPs and the locus of interest. Plotting of these genetic distances on the tomato and potato genetic map and subsequent PCR-based marker analysis positioned the gene on chromosome 10, in a region overlapping with the Rpi-ber/ber1 and -ber2 loci from S. berthaultii. Pyramiding of Rpi-dlc2 and Rpi-dlc1 significantly increased resistance to P. infestans, compared with individuals containing only one of the genes, showing the usefulness of this strategy to enhance resistance against Phytophthora.

Central sensitization in photophobic and non-photophobic migraineurs: possible role of retino nuclear way in the central sensitization process.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible relationships between the presence of headache-related photophobia and migraine-associated allodynia--a hallmark of central sensitization--among patients with different migraine types. A sample of 456 migraineurs was studied. Our results showed that photophobia was present in a high proportion of patients, with similar figures in patients with episodic migraine or CM, and confirmed that the prevalence of allodynia was higher among CM patients than in those with episodic migraine. We found a clear association between migraine-related allodynia and photophobia only in CM patients. Overall, these findings suggest that light stimulation may contribute to central sensitization of pain pathways in migraineurs, possibly contributing to progression into chronic forms. The possible connections underlying this type of sensitization is offered by the recently published data on a non-image-forming visual retino-thalamo-cortical pathway which may allow photic signals to converge on a thalamic region which is selectively activated during migraine headache.