Measurement of the cosmic microwave background polarization lensing power spectrum with the POLARBEAR experiment.

Gravitational lensing due to the large-scale distribution of matter in the cosmos distorts the primordial cosmic microwave background (CMB) and thereby induces new, small-scale B-mode polarization. This signal carries detailed information about the distribution of all the gravitating matter between the observer and CMB last scattering surface. We report the first direct evidence for polarization lensing based on purely CMB information, from using the four-point correlations of even- and odd-parity E- and B-mode polarization mapped over ∼30 square degrees of the sky measured by the POLARBEAR experiment. These data were analyzed using a blind analysis framework and checked for spurious systematic contamination using null tests and simulations. Evidence for the signal of polarization lensing and lensing B modes is found at 4.2σ (stat+sys) significance. The amplitude of matter fluctuations is measured with a precision of 27%, and is found to be consistent with the Lambda cold dark matter cosmological model. This measurement demonstrates a new technique, capable of mapping all gravitating matter in the Universe, sensitive to the sum of neutrino masses, and essential for cleaning the lensing B-mode signal in searches for primordial gravitational waves.

Evidence for gravitational lensing of the cosmic microwave background polarization from cross-correlation with the cosmic infrared background.

We reconstruct the gravitational lensing convergence signal from cosmic microwave background (CMB) polarization data taken by the Polarbear experiment and cross-correlate it with cosmic infrared background maps from the Herschel satellite. From the cross spectra, we obtain evidence for gravitational lensing of the CMB polarization at a statistical significance of 4.0σ and indication of the presence of a lensing B-mode signal at a significance of 2.3σ. We demonstrate that our results are not biased by instrumental and astrophysical systematic errors by performing null tests, checks with simulated and real data, and analytical calculations. This measurement of polarization lensing, made via the robust cross-correlation channel, not only reinforces POLARBEAR auto-correlation measurements, but also represents one of the early steps towards establishing CMB polarization lensing as a powerful new probe of cosmology and astrophysics.

Arbovirus isolations from, and serological studies on, wild and domestic vertebrates from Kano Plain, Kenya.

Arbovirus infection and presence of haemagglutination-inhibiting antibodies in small mammals, birds and livestock were examined over a period of five years on the Kano Plain in western Kenya. Eleven isolations were made from mammals and birds. The viruses were identified as Arumowot and Germiston while three different agents could not be shown to be related to 188 African arboviruses. Prevalence of antibodies against arboviruses suspected of occurring in the area was generally low.

An economic comparison of Tubex injection systems with traditional ampuls and vials.

A time and motion study was performed at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania to measure and compare the direct and indirect costs of the original Tubex and Tubex Fast-Trak injection systems with comparable costs associated with single dose ampuls, vials, and multi-dose vials. Data collection involved observation of 170 injections prepared by 29 nurses on two oncology units over a 7-week period. The time and nondrug supply costs of the Tubex Fast-Trak were lower than those of all other injection systems observed, including the original Tubex. Although the drug acquisition component was higher for the Tubex systems than for conventional injection methods, an analysis of the total cost of the use of Tubex Fast-Trak demonstrated that on an annual basis, the system is nearly equal in cost to the use of single ampuls and vials. Important advantages of the prefilled cartridge system should be considered in addition to labor, supply, and drug costs when selecting cost-effective injection systems. Systems like Tubex offer advantages that may lower total cost of care, such as reduction in wastage, pilferage, contamination, dosage error, and improved cost allocation accuracy. When polled about their opinion, the majority of nurses who participated in the study indicated that Tubex Fast-Trek was their first choice over other injection methods observed.

Evaluation of a residential behavioral program for behaviorally disturbed, mentally retarded young adults.

The Adaptive Behavior Scale (ABS) was used to evaluate a three-level token economy designed to modify some aspects of the behavior of behaviorally disturbed young adults of borderline intelligence. The ABS was administered to all those referred to the program. Those admitted were retested upon discharge and 6 months later. Those not admitted, or rejected, were retested 12 months later. Results showed that initially there were few significant differences in scores between the accepted and rejected groups. Following treatment, however, large improvements occurred in those areas that were logically related to target behaviors within the token economy. These gains were maintained on follow-up. The rejected group showed no improvements over the same period.