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)..
Air pollution and health Ayres, Jon; Maynard, Robert; Richards, Roy
2006., 2006, 20060915, 2006-09-15, Letnik:
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eBook
This invaluable volume, the third in the series Air Pollution Reviews, addresses particular questions relating to air pollution and its effect on health. It deals with the impact of nasal disease on ...lung exposure, how pollutants are distributed within the lung, and the uncertainties with regard to defining the dose to the lung. It takes a tangential look at the lung dose by exploring the possibility of obtaining clues from occupational medicine.Toxicologically, the book examines the possible methodology for exploring how particles and their toxicity can be investigated, and looks into the cardio-toxic effects of air pollution. The effects of pollutant mixtures are compared with those of individual pollutants. In addition, the question of the importance of acid aerosols is tackled.Epidemiologically, the book deals with the problems associated with point sources as opposed to diffuse sources of air pollution, and considers whether the health effects of air pollution can be adequately quantified.These areas, though difficult, need to be addressed, in order to develop our knowledge of the health effects of air pollution. In this volume, a strong panel of authors treat the issues. They have raised questions but at the same time succeeded in solving a number of problems.
Employment rates among those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are lower than those without COPD, but little is known about the factors that affect COPD patients' ability to work.
...Multivariable analysis of the Birmingham COPD Cohort Study baseline data was used to assess the associations between lifestyle, clinical, and occupational characteristics and likelihood of being in paid employment among working-age COPD patients.
In total, 608 of 1,889 COPD participants were of working age, of whom 248 (40.8%) were in work. Older age (60-64 years vs 30-49 years: odds ratio OR =0.28; 95% confidence interval CI =0.12-0.65), lower educational level (no formal qualification vs degree/higher level: OR =0.43; 95% CI =0.19-0.97), poorer prognostic score (highest vs lowest quartile of modified body mass index, airflow obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise (BODE) score: OR =0.10; 95% CI =0.03-0.33), and history of high occupational exposure to vapors, gases, dusts, or fumes (VGDF; high VGDF vs no VGDF exposure: OR =0.32; 95% CI =0.12-0.85) were associated with a lower probability of being employed. Only the degree of breathlessness of BODE was significantly associated with employment.
This is the first study to comprehensively assess the characteristics associated with employment in a community sample of people with COPD. Future interventions should focus on managing breathlessness and reducing occupational exposures to VGDF to improve the work capability among those with COPD.
This Letter reports new results from the MINOS experiment based on a two-year exposure to muon neutrinos from the Fermilab NuMI beam. Our data are consistent with quantum-mechanical oscillations of ...neutrino flavor with mass splitting |Deltam2| = (2.43+/-0.13) x 10(-3) eV2 (68% C.L.) and mixing angle sin2(2theta) > 0.90 (90% C.L.). Our data disfavor two alternative explanations for the disappearance of neutrinos in flight: namely, neutrino decays into lighter particles and quantum decoherence of neutrinos, at the 3.7 and 5.7 standard-deviation levels, respectively.
Recovery plans for endangered southern resident killer whales Orcinus orca have identified reduced prey availability as a risk to the population. In order to better assess this risk, we studied prey ...selection from 2004 to 2008 in 2 regions of the whales' summer range: San Juan Islands, Washington and the western Strait of Juan de Fuca, British Columbia. Following the whales in a small boat, we collected fish scales and tissue remains from predation events, and feces, using a fine mesh net. Visual fish scale analysis and molecular genetic methods were used to identify the species consumed. Chinook salmon, a relatively rare species, was by far the most frequent prey item, confirming previous studies. For Chinook salmon prey, we used genetic identification methods to estimate the spawning region of origin. Of the Chinook salmon sampled, 80 to 90% were inferred to have originated from the Fraser River, and only 6 to 14% were inferred to have originated from Puget Sound area rivers. Within the Fraser River, the Upper Fraser, Middle Fraser, South Thompson River and Lower Fraser stocks were inferred to currently be sequentially important sources of Chinook salmon prey through the summer. This information will be of significant value in guiding management actions to recover the southern resident killer whale population.
Background: Home Energy Efficiency guidelines recommend domestic indoor temperatures of 21°C for at least 9 h per day in living areas. Is health status of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary ...Disease (COPD) associated with maintaining this level of warmth in their homes? Methods: In a cross-sectional observational study of patients, living in their own homes, living room (LR) and bedroom (BR) temperatures were measured at 30 min intervals over 1 week using electronic dataloggers. Health status was measured with the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and EuroQol: EQ VAS. Outdoor temperatures were provided by Met Office. Results: One hundred and forty eight patients consented to temperature monitoring. Patients’ mean age was 69 (SD 8.5) years, 67 (45%) male, mean percentage of predicted Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1) 41.7 (SD 17.4). Fifty-eight (39%) were current smokers. Independent of age, lung function, smoking and outdoor temperatures, poorer respiratory health status was significantly associated (P = 0.01) with fewer days with 9 h of warmth at 21°C in the LR. A sub analysis showed that patients who smoked experienced more health effects than non-smokers (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Maintaining the warmth guideline of 21°C in living areas for at least 9 h per day was associated with better health status for COPD patients. Patients who were continuing smokers were more vulnerable to reduction in warmth.
We report results from the first search for ν_{μ}→ν_{e} transitions by the NOvA experiment. In an exposure equivalent to 2.74×10^{20} protons on target in the upgraded NuMI beam at Fermilab, we ...observe 6 events in the Far Detector, compared to a background expectation of 0.99±0.11(syst) events based on the Near Detector measurement. A secondary analysis observes 11 events with a background of 1.07±0.14(syst). The 3.3σ excess of events observed in the primary analysis disfavors 0.1π<δ_{CP}<0.5π in the inverted mass hierarchy at the 90% C.L.
Objectives:To investigate preclinical adverse effects of ambient particulate air pollution and nitrogen oxides in patients with heart failure.Methods:A cohort of 132 non-smoking patients living in ...Aberdeen, Scotland, with stable chronic heart failure were enrolled in a repeated-measures panel study. Patients with atrial fibrillation or pacemakers were excluded. Participants were studied for 3 days every 2 months for up to 1 year with monitoring of pollutant exposure and concurrent measurements of pathophysiological responses. Measurements included daily area concentration of particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of <10 micrometres (PM10), particle number concentration (PNC) and nitrogen oxides; daily estimated personal concentration of particulate matter with a median aerodynamic diameter of <2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) and PNC exposures; and 3-day cumulative personal nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Concurrent meteorological data were recorded. Blood was taken at the end of each 3-day block for assays of markers of endothelial activation, inflammation and coagulation. Cardiac rhythm was monitored by ambulatory Holter monitor during the final 24 h of each block.Results:The average 24 h background ambient PM10 ranged from 7.4 to 68 μg.m−3 and PNC from 454 to 11 283 particles.cm−3. No associations were demonstrated between the incidence of arrhythmias, heart rate variability or haematological/biochemical measures and any variations in pollutant exposures at any lags.Conclusion:Assuming that low-level pollution affects the parameters measured, these findings may suggest a beneficial effect of modern cardioprotective therapy, which may modify responses to external risk factors. Widespread use of such drugs in susceptible populations may in future reduce the adverse effects of air pollution on the heart.
Non-invasive ventilation is first-line treatment for patients with acutely decompensated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but endotracheal intubation, involving admission to an intensive ...care unit, may sometimes be required. Decisions to admit to an intensive care unit are commonly based on predicted survival and quality of life, but the information base for these decisions is limited and there is some evidence that clinicians tend to be pessimistic. This study examined the outcomes in patients with COPD admitted to the intensive care unit for decompensated type II respiratory failure.
A prospective cohort study was carried out in 92 intensive care units and 3 respiratory high dependency units in the UK. Patients aged 45 years and older with breathlessness, respiratory failure or change in mental status due to an exacerbation of COPD, asthma or a combination of the two were recruited. Outcomes included survival and quality of life at 180 days.
Of the 832 patients recruited, 517 (62%) survived to 180 days. Of the survivors, 421 (81%) responded to a questionnaire. Of the respondents, 73% considered their quality of life to be the same as or better than it had been in the stable period before they were admitted, and 96% would choose similar treatment again. Function during the stable pre-admission period was a reasonable indicator of function reported by those who survived 180 days.
Most patients with COPD who survive to 180 days after treatment in an intensive care unit have a heavy burden of symptoms, but almost all of them-including those who have been intubated-would want similar intensive care again under similar circumstances.
Little is known about the prevalence and pattern of hepatitis B virus (HBV) mutations in HIV/HBV co-infected individuals on long-term lamivudine (3TC) therapy.
HBV polymerase/envelope/basal core ...promoter/pre-core sequences from 81 HIV-HBV co-infected persons who received at least 6 months 3TC were compared to HBV reference sequences. Host and viral characteristics associated with HBV mutations were determined.
HBV viraemia was detected in 53 persons (65%) and was associated with lower CD4 cell count nadir and higher HIV RNA at the time of testing but not with 3TC duration. Known 3TC-resistant mutations occurred in 50% and 94% of viremic patients with < 2 years and > 4 years 3TC, respectively. The CD4 cell count at testing was significantly higher in those with 3TC-resistant mutations. The triple polymerase mutant (rtL173V, rtL180M, rtM204V), which behaves as a vaccine escape mutant in vitro, occurred in 17% of viraemic patients. Polymerase mutations that may confer resistance to other anti-HBV agents were also detected.
In HIV-HBV co-infected patients, greater immunocompromise is associated with continued HBV viraemia while on 3TC, and development of 3TC-resistant mutations are inevitable with prolonged 3TC use. These mutant viruses may limit future therapeutic options due to cross-resistance or may produce HBV vaccine escape mutants. Thus, timing and selection of antiretroviral therapy is critical in this population.
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