Measurement of the ν_{e}-Nucleus Charged-Current Double-Differential Cross Section at ⟨E_{ν}⟩=2.4 GeV Using NOvA.

The inclusive electron neutrino charged-current cross section is measured in the NOvA near detector using 8.02×10^{20} protons-on-target in the NuMI beam. The sample of GeV electron neutrino interactions is the largest analyzed to date and is limited by ≃17% systematic rather than the ≃7.4% statistical uncertainties. The double-differential cross section in final-state electron energy and angle is presented for the first time, together with the single-differential dependence on Q^{2} (squared four-momentum transfer) and energy, in the range 1 GeV≤E_{ν}<6 GeV. Detailed comparisons are made to the predictions of the GENIE, GiBUU, NEUT, and NuWro neutrino event generators. The data do not strongly favor a model over the others consistently across all three cross sections measured, though some models have especially good or poor agreement in the single differential cross section vs Q^{2}.

Search for Active-Sterile Antineutrino Mixing Using Neutral-Current Interactions with the NOvA Experiment.

This Letter reports results from the first long-baseline search for sterile antineutrinos mixing in an accelerator-based antineutrino-dominated beam. The rate of neutral-current interactions in the two NOvA detectors, at distances of 1 and 810 km from the beam source, is analyzed using an exposure of 12.51×10^{20} protons-on-target from the NuMI beam at Fermilab running in antineutrino mode. A total of 121 of neutral-current candidates are observed at the far detector, compared to a prediction of 122±11(stat.)±15(syst.) assuming mixing only between three active flavors. No evidence for ν[over ¯]_{µ}→ν[over ¯]_{s} oscillation is observed. Interpreting this result within a 3+1 model, constraints are placed on the mixing angles θ_{24}<25° and θ_{34}<32° at the 90% C.L. for 0.05 eV^{2}≤Δm_{41}^{2}≤0.5 eV^{2}, the range of mass splittings that produces no significant oscillations at the near detector. These are the first 3+1 confidence limits set using long-baseline accelerator antineutrinos.

First measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters using neutrinos and antineutrinos by NOvA.

The NOvA experiment has seen a 4.4σ signal of ν[over ¯]_{e} appearance in a 2 GeV ν[over ¯]_{µ} beam at a distance of 810 km. Using 12.33×10^{20} protons on target delivered to the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beamline, the experiment recorded 27 ν[over ¯]_{µ}→ν[over ¯]_{e} candidates with a background of 10.3 and 102 ν[over ¯]_{µ}→ν[over ¯]_{µ} candidates. This new antineutrino data are combined with neutrino data to measure the parameters |Δm_{32}^{2}|=2.48_{-0.06}^{+0.11}×10^{-3} eV^{2}/c^{4} and sin^{2}θ_{23} in the ranges from (0.53-0.60) and (0.45-0.48) in the normal neutrino mass hierarchy. The data exclude most values near δ_{CP}=π/2 for the inverted mass hierarchy by more than 3σ and favor the normal neutrino mass hierarchy by 1.9σ and θ_{23} values in the upper octant by 1.6σ.

Retinal tubulin binds macular carotenoids.

PURPOSE: To investigate the biochemical mechanisms responsible for the specific uptake, concentration, and stabilization of the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin in the macula. METHODS: Soluble extracts of bovine retina mixed with radioactive carotenoids were purified by hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, and gel filtration chromatography. Carotenoid-associated proteins in these purified preparations were identified through photoaffinity labeling and protein microsequencing. Similar purifications on human macular tissue without the addition of exogenous carotenoids also were performed. RESULTS: Experiments on bovine retinal tissue demonstrated that tubulin is the major soluble carotenoid-binding protein. When soluble extracts of human macular protein were examined, the endogenous carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin were found to copurify with tubulin. CONCLUSIONS: Tubulin is found in abundance in the receptor axon layer of the fovea, where it can serve as a locus for the deposition of the high concentrations of macular carotenoids found there. The binding interaction of carotenoids and tubulin in the Henle's fiber layer could play an important role in the photoprotective effects of the macular carotenoids against the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The association of carotenoids with tubulin, a protein that can form highly ordered linear arrays, may provide an explanation for the dichroic phenomenon of Haidinger's brushes.

Some characteristics of pre- and post-synaptic inhibitory receptors at the hermit crab neuromuscular junction.

1 The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), beta-guanidinopropionic acid (betaGP) and picrotoxin on the pre- and post-synaptic receptors of the hermit crab neuromuscular junction were studied quantitatively usine electrophysiological techniques. Reductions in excitatory junction potential (e.j.p.) amplitude and membrane resistance were measured simultaneously from the same cells. 2 The pre- and post-synaptic receptors were activated by the same order of concentration of GABA, whereas betaGP stimulated the pre-synaptic receptors at a concentration ten times lower than was required to affect the post-synaptic membrane. 3 Picrotoxin appeared to antagonize the pre-synaptic action of betaGP in a competitive manner. The affinity constants (+/- s.e. mean) for picrotoxin 5 times 10(-6)M and 2 times 10(-4)M were 6.80(+/-0.46) times 10(5)M-1 and 6.42(+/-1.8) times 10(5)M-1 respectively. 4 The effect of GABA on e.j.p. amplitude also appeared to be antagonized competitively by picrotoxin whereas the post-synaptic effect was antagonized in a non-competitive manner. 5 Possible differences in the nature of the pre- and post-synaptic receptors are discussed.

[Effect of sympathetic denervation on the outflow of intraocular fluid and the concentration of pyrocatechins in the fluids and tissues of the eye]. / Vliianie simpaticheskoi denervatsii na ottok vnutriglaznoi zhidkosti i soderzhanie pirokatekhinov v zhidkostiakh i tkaniakh glaza.

After removal of the supper cervical sympathetic ganglion in cats followed by increase of the intraocular pressure from 20 to 32 mm Hg, the outflow of intraocular fluid was sharply enhanced due to lowering tone of tissues of the eye drainage apparatus in the desympathised eye. Noradrenaline was found to reduce sharply by the 4th-5th day in the desympathised eye's tissues due to degenerative processes whereas accumulation of noradrenaline by the 6th-8th day occurred on account of humoral factors.

[The characteristics of the reactions of intact and sympathectomized microvessels of the rabbit mesentery to catecholamines]. / Osobennosti reaktsii intaktnykh i desimpatizirovannykh mikrososudov bryzheiki krolika na katekholaminy.

The sensitivity of smooth muscle cells' adrenoreceptors to noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) was studied in intact and desympathised arterial microvessels of the rabbit mesentery. The arterioles differed from each other in their sensitivity to catecholamines depending on their diameter. However, in conditions of chemical desympathisation, the sensitivity to NA and DA increased in all the microvessels whereas the degree of narrowing of the microvessels' lumen remained practically the same. These findings suggest a heterogeneous character of physiological properties of vascular smooth muscle cells within the arterial part of the microcirculatory module of the rabbit mesentery.

[The micro- and macrovascular reactivity of the arterial bed in renovascular hypertension in rats]. / Reaktivnost' mikro- i makrososudov arterial'nogo rusla pri renovaskuliarnoi gipertonii u krys.

In rats with experimental hypertension, mesenteric artery revealed a hypersensitivity to noradrenaline whereas aorta did not differ from normal values of this parameter. The sensitivity of femoral artery was lowered. The microarterioles of hypertensive animals manifested a lower sensitivity to noradrenaline as well. This data suggests that arterial vessels manifest a regional heterogeneity of their functional properties in chronic birenal renovascular hypertension.

[Effect of bilateral renal ischemia on the sodium, potassium ATPase activity of the kidneys and erythrocytes in rats]. / Vliianie dvukhstoronnei ishemii pochek u krys na aktivnos't Na,K-ATFazy v pochkakh i éritrotsitakh.

The renovascular hypertension in the Wistar rats was induced by clipping both renal arteries. Within 3-4 weeks arterial pressure (AP) increased to maximal values. According to AP, the rats were divided into two groups: with AP less than or equal to 170 mm Hg and greater than 170 mm Hg. In 5-6 or 10-11 weeks the animals were decapitated and the Na,K-ATPase activities in the wholesome erythrocytes, their ghosts, and the cortex and medulla of kidneys were studied. Changes of the enzyme activity were only found in the medulla. A decreased enzyme activity (-20%) was revealed in the rats with AP less than or equal to 170 mm Hg within 5-6 weeks after renal ischemia, the activity increasing again in 10-11 weeks after the operation. The decreasing of Na,K-ATPase activity within 5-6 weeks after renal ischemia could be a mechanism of adaptation of the salt-water balance in animals.

[Role of afferentation from mechanoreceptors of the aortic arch and carotid sinuses in the long-term control of sympathetic tone]. / O roli afferentatsii ot mekhanoretseptorov dugi aorty i karotidnykh sinusov v dlitel'nom kontrole simpaticheskogo tonusa.

In anesthetized cats, the enhancement of sympathetic activity and increase of the blood pressure in exclusion of afferents (section of vagosympathetic trunks and clamping of common carotid arteries) as well as the disappearance of the activity in enhanced afferentation, were shown to be transient and to disappear within a few minutes-scores of minutes in spite of the going on deafferentation or enhancement of afferentation. The afferent influences from the arterial baroreceptors seem to have no major significance for the long-term control of sympathetic tone.