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.

First measurement of neutrino and antineutrino coherent charged pion production on argon.

We report on the first cross section measurements for charged current coherent pion production by neutrinos and antineutrinos on argon. These measurements are performed using the ArgoNeuT detector exposed to the NuMI beam at Fermilab. The cross sections are measured to be 2.6(-1.0)(+1.2)(stat)(-0.4)(+0.3)(syst)×10(-38) cm(2)/Ar for neutrinos at a mean energy of 9.6 GeV and 5.5(-2.1)(+2.6)(stat)(-0.7)(+0.6)(syst)×10(-39) cm(2)/Ar for antineutrinos at a mean energy of 3.6 GeV.

First measurements of inclusive muon neutrino charged current differential cross sections on argon.

The ArgoNeuT Collaboration presents the first measurements of inclusive muon neutrino charged current differential cross sections on argon. Obtained in the NuMI neutrino beam line at Fermilab, the flux-integrated results are reported in terms of outgoing muon angle and momentum. The data are consistent with the Monte Carlo expectation across the full range of kinematics sampled, 0°<θ(µ)<36° and 0

Rapid tests reduce the burden of tuberculosis in Azerbaijan prisons: special emphasis on rifampicin-resistance.

AIMS: To evaluate the impact of addition of rapid tests for tuberculosis (TB) to mass screening and passive case finding on the burden of TB in high-incidence prisons of Azerbaijan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All new and relapse TB cases notified in 01.01.2009-31.12.2015 were retrospectively included. RESULTS: 2,315 TB patients were identified in 19 prisons. Implementation of the rapid tests to the case finding algorithms lead to 3-, 10- and 5-fold decrease in the annual rates of the notified, smear-positive and RIF-resistant TB cases, respectively. After introduction of rapid tests into the screening algorithms, there were significant linear trends towards decrease in the notified (p=0.009), smear-positive (p=0.011) and RIF-resistant TB cases (p=0.02) with the annual rates of decrease (95% confidence interval (CI)) being -435 (-614; -255), -356 (-517; -195), and -99 (-160; -38), respectively. Utilization of rapid tests also significantly increased treatment success with first-line drugs among all cases, cases detected by mass screening and those, detected by passive case finding [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95% CI:1.86-3.05, aOR=4.56, 95% CI:2.64-7.89 and aOR=2.60, 95% CI:1.81-3.75, respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: Introduction of rapid tests into the screening lead to decline in the burden of TB and RIF-resistance, and improved outcomes of treatment with first-line drugs in prisons.

Predictors of cure in rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in prison settings with low loss to follow-up.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the factors predictive of cure among inmates with pulmonary rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (R(R)-TB). DESIGN: A total of 444 new and previously treated patients with pulmonary R(R)-TB who started treatment with second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs in the penitentiary system of Azerbaijan during the period 1 April 2007-28 February 2013 were retrospectively subjected to multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of the 444 patients, 78.4% were cured. A higher number of effective bactericidal drugs in the regimen at months 7-12 and 13-18, normal chest X-ray and body mass index ⩾18.5 kg/m(2) at the treatment start significantly increased the chances of cure both in all cases (aOR 2.29, aOR 4.39, aOR 1.18, aOR 1.98 and aOR 1.97, respectively) and in retreatment cases (aOR 3.88, aOR 5.02, aOR 1.17, aOR 2.26 and aOR 1.90, respectively). There was no added benefit of using moxifloxacin (MFX) as compared to levofloxacin (LVX) in case of resistance to ofloxacin. CONCLUSION: The use of a higher number of effective bactericidal drugs after month 6 of treatment for R(R)-TB was found to be the main factor associated with cure. No added benefit of using MFX instead of LVX was found. High cure rates can be achieved among vulnerable population groups such as prisoners if comprehensive TB control measures are in place to ensure low loss to follow-up.