Precision Constraints for Three-Flavor Neutrino Oscillations from the Full MINOS+ and MINOS Dataset.

We report the final measurement of the neutrino oscillation parameters Δm_{32}^{2} and sin^{2}θ_{23} using all data from the MINOS and MINOS+ experiments. These data were collected using a total exposure of 23.76×10^{20} protons on target producing ν_{µ} and ν[over ¯]_{µ} beams and 60.75 kt yr exposure to atmospheric neutrinos. The measurement of the disappearance of ν_{µ} and the appearance of ν_{e} events between the Near and Far detectors yields |Δm_{32}^{2}|=2.40_{-0.09}^{+0.08}(2.45_{-0.08}^{+0.07})×10^{-3} eV^{2} and sin^{2}θ_{23}=0.43_{-0.04}^{+0.20}(0.42_{-0.03}^{+0.07}) at 68% C.L. for normal (inverted) hierarchy.

Search for Sterile Neutrinos in MINOS and MINOS+ Using a Two-Detector Fit.

A search for mixing between active neutrinos and light sterile neutrinos has been performed by looking for muon neutrino disappearance in two detectors at baselines of 1.04 and 735 km, using a combined MINOS and MINOS+ exposure of 16.36×10^{20} protons on target. A simultaneous fit to the charged-current muon neutrino and neutral-current neutrino energy spectra in the two detectors yields no evidence for sterile neutrino mixing using a 3+1 model. The most stringent limit to date is set on the mixing parameter sin^{2}θ_{24} for most values of the sterile neutrino mass splitting Δm_{41}^{2}>10^{-4} eV^{2}.

Search for Sterile Neutrinos Mixing with Muon Neutrinos in MINOS.

We report results of a search for oscillations involving a light sterile neutrino over distances of 1.04 and 735 km in a ν_{µ}-dominated beam with a peak energy of 3 GeV. The data, from an exposure of 10.56×10^{20} protons on target, are analyzed using a phenomenological model with one sterile neutrino. We constrain the mixing parameters θ_{24} and Δm_{41}^{2} and set limits on parameters of the four-dimensional Pontecorvo-Maki-Nakagawa-Sakata matrix, |U_{µ4}|^{2} and |U_{τ4}|^{2}, under the assumption that mixing between ν_{e} and ν_{s} is negligible (|U_{e4}|^{2}=0). No evidence for ν_{µ}→ν_{s} transitions is found and we set a world-leading limit on θ_{24} for values of Δm_{41}^{2}≲1 eV^{2}.

Combined analysis of νµ disappearance and νµâ†’νe appearance in MINOS using accelerator and atmospheric neutrinos.

We report on a new analysis of neutrino oscillations in MINOS using the complete set of accelerator and atmospheric data. The analysis combines the ν(µ) disappearance and ν(e) appearance data using the three-flavor formalism. We measure |Δm(32)(2)| = [2.28-2.46] × 10(-3) eV(2) (68% C.L.) and sin(2)θ(23) = 0.35-0.65 (90% C.L.) in the normal hierarchy, and |Δm(32)(2)| = [2.32-2.53] × 10(-3) eV(2) (68% C.L.) and sin(2)θ(23) = 0.34-0.67 (90% C.L.) in the inverted hierarchy. The data also constrain δ(CP), the θ(23} octant degeneracy and the mass hierarchy; we disfavor 36% (11%) of this three-parameter space at 68% (90%) C.L.

Electron neutrino and antineutrino appearance in the full MINOS data sample.

We report on ν(e) and ν(e) appearance in ν(µ) and ν(µ) beams using the full MINOS data sample. The comparison of these ν(e) and ν(e) appearance data at a 735 km baseline with θ13 measurements by reactor experiments probes δ, the θ23 octant degeneracy, and the mass hierarchy. This analysis is the first use of this technique and includes the first accelerator long-baseline search for ν(µ) → ν(e). Our data disfavor 31% (5%) of the three-parameter space defined by δ, the octant of the θ23, and the mass hierarchy at the 68% (90%) C.L. We measure a value of 2sin(2)(2θ13)sin(2)(θ23) that is consistent with reactor experiments.

Measurement of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations using beam and atmospheric data in MINOS.

We report measurements of oscillation parameters from ν(µ) and ν(µ) disappearance using beam and atmospheric data from MINOS. The data comprise exposures of 10.71×10(20) protons on target in the ν(µ)-dominated beam, 3.36×10(20) protons on target in the ν(µ)-enhanced beam, and 37.88 kton yr of atmospheric neutrinos. Assuming identical ν and ν oscillation parameters, we measure |Δm2| = (2.41(-0.10)(+0.09))×10(-3) eV2 and sin2(2θ) = 0.950(-0.036)(+0.035). Allowing independent ν and ν oscillations, we measure antineutrino parameters of |Δm2| = (2.50(-0.25)(+0.23))×10(-3) eV2 and sin2(2θ) = 0.97(-0.08)(+0.03), with minimal change to the neutrino parameters.

Improved measurement of muon antineutrino disappearance in MINOS.

We report an improved measurement of ν(µ) disappearance over a distance of 735 km using the MINOS detectors and the Fermilab Main Injector neutrino beam in a ν(µ)-enhanced configuration. From a total exposure of 2.95×10(20) protons on target, of which 42% have not been previously analyzed, we make the most precise measurement of Δm2=[2.62(-0.28)(+0.31)(stat)±0.09(syst)]×10(-3) eV2 and constrain the ν(µ) mixing angle sin2(2θ)>0.75 (90% C.L.). These values are in agreement with Δm2 and sin2(2θ) measured for ν(µ), removing the tension reported in [P. Adamson et al. (MINOS), Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 021801 (2011).].

Measurement of the neutrino mass splitting and flavor mixing by MINOS.

Measurements of neutrino oscillations using the disappearance of muon neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI neutrino beam as observed by the two MINOS detectors are reported. New analysis methods have been applied to an enlarged data sample from an exposure of 7.25×10(20) protons on target. A fit to neutrino oscillations yields values of |Δm(2)|=(2.32(-0.08)(+0.12))×10(-3) eV(2) for the atmospheric mass splitting and sin(2)(2θ)>0.90 (90% C.L.) for the mixing angle. Pure neutrino decay and quantum decoherence hypotheses are excluded at 7 and 9 standard deviations, respectively.

Active to sterile neutrino mixing limits from neutral-current interactions in MINOS.

Results are reported from a search for active to sterile neutrino oscillations in the MINOS long-baseline experiment, based on the observation of neutral-current neutrino interactions, from an exposure to the NuMI neutrino beam of 7.07×10(20) protons on target. A total of 802 neutral-current event candidates is observed in the Far Detector, compared to an expected number of 754 ± 28(stat) ± 37(syst) for oscillations among three active flavors. The fraction f(s) of disappearing ν(µ) that may transition to ν(s) is found to be less than 22% at the 90% C.L.

First direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance.

This Letter reports the first direct observation of muon antineutrino disappearance. The MINOS experiment has taken data with an accelerator beam optimized for ν(µ) production, accumulating an exposure of 1.71 × 10²° protons on target. In the Far Detector, 97 charged current ν(µ) events are observed. The no-oscillation hypothesis predicts 156 events and is excluded at 6.3σ. The best fit to oscillation yields |Δm²| = [3.36(-0.40)(+0.46)(stat) ± 0.06(syst)] × 10⁻³ eV², sin²(2θ) = 0.86(-0.12)(+0.11)(stat) ± 0.01(syst). The MINOS ν(µ) and ν(µ) measurements are consistent at the 2.0% confidence level, assuming identical underlying oscillation parameters.

Improved search for Muon-neutrino to electron-neutrino oscillations in MINOS.

We report the results of a search for ν(e) appearance in a ν(µ) beam in the MINOS long-baseline neutrino experiment. With an improved analysis and an increased exposure of 8.2 × 10(20) protons on the NuMI target at Fermilab, we find that 2 sin(2) (θ(23))sin(2)(2θ(13))<0.12(0.20) at 90% confidence level for δ = 0 and the normal (inverted) neutrino mass hierarchy, with a best-fit of 2sin(2) (θ(23))sin(2)(2θ(13)) = 0.041(-0.031)(+0.047) (0.079(-0.053) (+0.071)). The θ(13) = 0 hypothesis is disfavored by the MINOS data at the 89% confidence level.

Search for Lorentz invariance and CPT violation with the MINOS far detector.

We searched for a sidereal modulation in the MINOS far detector neutrino rate. Such a signal would be a consequence of Lorentz and CPT violation as described by the standard-model extension framework. It also would be the first detection of a perturbative effect to conventional neutrino mass oscillations. We found no evidence for this sidereal signature, and the upper limits placed on the magnitudes of the Lorentz and CPT violating coefficients describing the theory are an improvement by factors of 20-510 over the current best limits found by using the MINOS near detector.

Diabetes-related changes in chromatin structure of brain, liver, and intestinal epithelium.

To determine whether diabetes alters chromatin structure in vivo, fluorometric analysis of alkali-induced DNA unwinding was carried out in various tissues of streptozocin-induced diabetic rats and genetically obese diabetic (db/db) mice. When zero-order kinetics were used to analyze the data, the percentage of double-stranded DNA (%dsDNA) unwinding in brain, liver, and intestinal epithelium of diabetic rats maintained for 4 wk was significantly reduced compared with vehicle-injected control rats (%dsDNA 0.37 +/- 0.05 vs. 0.73 +/- 0.02 for brain, 0.59 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.84 +/- 0.02 for liver, and 0.58 +/- 0.07 vs. 0.90 +/- 0.13 for intestinal epithelium). Insulin treatment of diabetic rats normalized the rate of DNA unwinding in liver (0.82 +/- 0.09 %dsDNA/min) and intestinal epithelium (1.05 +/- 0.09 %dsDNA/min), but the increase in the unwinding rate of brain DNA (0.51 +/- 0.06 %dsDNA/min) did not achieve control values. Similarly, alkali-induced DNA unwinding was significantly slower in brain and liver of db/db mice compared with homozygote controls. When first-order kinetics were used to analyze the data, fractional rate constants of DNA unwinding in brain and liver of diabetic rats or mice were significantly smaller than observed in nondiabetic control animals. The fractional rate constant of DNA unwinding in intestinal epithelium was not altered with diabetes. We conclude that chronic uncontrolled hyperglycemia can alter chromatin structure in vivo.

Comparison of the effects of pulsatile and continuous TRH infusion on TSH release in men.

Pulsatile secretion of hypothalamic releasing factors modulates the release of pituitary hormones. To compare the effects of pulsatile and continuous administration of TRH on TSH secretion, we studied six healthy euthyroid 20- to 38-year-old men by obtaining blood samples every 20 minutes for 12 hours (8 AM to 8 PM) during five days of study. TRH was administered according to the following schedule: day 1 (no TRH, control); day 2 and subsequent day 3 (20 micrograms IV bolus of TRH every 96 minutes); 6 to 17 days rest; then consecutive days 4 and 5 (continuous infusion of 20 micrograms TRH/96 minutes) for 12 hours on and 12 hours off. The highest mean serum TSH levels occurred on the first day of pulsatile TRH. Serum TSH on pulsatile days 1 and 2 and continuous day 1 was significantly greater than on the control day. Similarly, the mean TSH on each day of pulsatile TRH was greater than the mean TSH on the corresponding days of continuous TRH administration. The highest serum T4 and T3 levels were observed on pulsatile day 2, suggesting that the decrease in serum TSH on this day was due to thyroid hormone negative feedback at the pituitary. The mean T4 and T3 values on continuous day 1 and 2 did not differ significantly, suggesting that other factors, including "down-regulation" of the pituitary TRH receptors by the continuous TRH infusion may be involved in the further decline of TSH levels on continuous day 2. We conclude that pulsatile TRH infusion releases more TSH, T3, and T4 than the corresponding amount of TRH administered continuously.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The tissue specificity of the age-related changes in alkali-induced DNA-unwinding.

To determine if the age-related changes in chromatin digestibility are tissue-specific, fluorometric analysis of the alkali-induced DNA unwinding technique was adapted for soft-tissue chromatin studies. The rate of DNA unwinding in the brain and liver of young Fischer 344 male rats (3 months of age) was significantly greater than the rates measured in middle-aged (15 months) or aged rats (26 months). In contrast, the rate of DNA unwinding in the intestinal epithelium, a continuously replicating tissue, did not significantly vary with age. Although this assay is capable of detecting DNA strand breaks in vivo following N-nitrosodimethylamine administration, the age-related changes could not be attributed to reduced DNA strand lesions in the aged animals. The % double-stranded DNA at time 0 of incubation in alkali was lower in the brain and liver of aged rats indicating that DNA strand breaks may actually increase with aging. These results indicate that proliferative activity of the tissue is an important determinant of age-related changes in chromatin structure.

Testing Lorentz invariance and CPT conservation with NuMI neutrinos in the MINOS near detector.

A search for a sidereal modulation in the MINOS near detector neutrino data was performed. If present, this signature could be a consequence of Lorentz and CPT violation as predicted by the effective field theory called the standard-model extension. No evidence for a sidereal signal in the data set was found, implying that there is no significant change in neutrino propagation that depends on the direction of the neutrino beam in a sun-centered inertial frame. Upper limits on the magnitudes of the Lorentz and CPT violating terms in the standard-model extension lie between 10(-4) and 10(-2) of the maximum expected, assuming a suppression of these signatures by a factor of 10(-17).

Reduction of alkali-induced white blood cell DNA unwinding rate: a potential biomarker of aging.

The modification of DNA with aging or in diabetes mellitus has been proposed as a possible mechanism of cellular senescence. To test this hypothesis, we measured DNA strand breaks in human white blood cells (WBC) by fluorometric analysis of DNA unwinding in alkaline solutions. In a nondiabetic population with an age range 22-80 years, there was a significant negative correlation between the rate of DNA unwinding and the age of the individual with an r of 0.60 (p less than .001). The rate of alkaline digestion of double-stranded DNA (ds DNA) in the elderly diabetics (n = 26, 65-80 yrs) was significantly lower than that in the nondiabetic, age-matched ambulatory elderly. Within the healthy group studied, there was a statistically significant correlation between the rate of DNA unwinding and plasma glucose concentration (p less than .05) or glycosylated hemoglobin A1C levels (p less than .0001). The availability of WBC and the relative ease and rapidity of the technique employed make this a potentially useful biological marker of aging.