The PROSPECT physics program Ashenfelter, J; Balantekin, A B; Band, H R ...
Journal of physics. G, Nuclear and particle physics,
10/2016, Letnik:
43, Številka:
11
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The precision reactor oscillation and spectrum experiment, PROSPECT, is designed to make a precise measurement of the antineutrino spectrum from a highly-enriched uranium reactor and probe eV-scale ...sterile neutrinos by searching for neutrino oscillations over a distance of several meters. PROSPECT is conceived as a 2-phase experiment utilizing segmented 6Li-doped liquid scintillator detectors for both efficient detection of reactor antineutrinos through the inverse beta decay reaction and excellent background discrimination. PROSPECT Phase I consists of a movable 3 ton antineutrino detector at distances of 7-12 m from the reactor core. It will probe the best-fit point of the e disappearance experiments at 4 in 1 year and the favored region of the sterile neutrino parameter space at > 3 in 3 years. With a second antineutrino detector at 15-19 m from the reactor, Phase II of PROSPECT can probe the entire allowed parameter space below 10 eV2 at 5 in 3 additional years. The measurement of the reactor antineutrino spectrum and the search for short-baseline oscillations with PROSPECT will test the origin of the spectral deviations observed in recent θ 13 experiments, search for sterile neutrinos, and conclusively address the hypothesis of sterile neutrinos as an explanation of the reactor anomaly.
Multiple genome-wide association analyses have investigated susceptibility to bovine paratuberculosis, but few loci have been identified across independent cattle populations. A SNP-based gene set ...enrichment analysis (GSEA–SNP) allows expanded identification of genes with moderate effects on a trait through the enrichment of gene sets instead of identifying only few loci with large effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify genes that were moderately associated with
Mycobacterium avium
ssp.
paratuberculosis
(
Map
) tissue infection using GSEA–SNP in Holstein cattle from the Pacific Northwest (PNW;
n
= 205) and from the PNW and Northeast (PNW+NE;
n
= 245) which were previously genotyped with the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip. The GSEA–SNP utilized 4389 gene sets from five databases. For each annotated gene in the UMD3.1 assembly (
n
= 19,723), the most significant SNP within each gene and its surrounding region (10 kb up- and downstream) was selected as a proxy for that gene. Any gene set with a normalized enrichment score > 2.5 was considered enriched. Thirteen gene sets (8 PNW GSEA–SNP; 5 PNW+NE) were enriched in these analyses and all have functions that relate to nuclear factor kappa beta. Nuclear factor kappa beta is critical to gut immune responses, implicated in host immune responses to other mycobacterial diseases, and has established roles in inflammation as well as cancer. Gene sets and genes moderately associated with
Map
infection could be used in genomic selection to allow producers to select for less susceptible cattle, lower the prevalence of the disease, and reduce economic losses.
Abstract
Johne's disease is a contagious bacterial infection of cattle caused by Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (Map). A previous genome-wide association analysis (GWAA) in Holstein cattle ...identified QTL on BTA3 and BTA9 that were highly associated (P < 5 · 10-7) and on BTA1, BTA16, and BTA21 that were moderately associated (P < 5 · 10-5) with Map tissue infection. The objectives of this study were to validate previous GWAA results in Jersey cattle (n = 57), Holstein cattle from the Pacific Northwest (PNW, n = 205) and a combined Holstein population from the PNW and the Northeast (PNW + NE, n = 423), and also identify new loci associated with Map tissue infection. DNA was genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip, and the PNW + NE data was also imputed to whole genome sequence level using Run4 of the 1000 Bull Genomes project with Beagle v 4.1 and FImpute. Cases were ileocecal node positive and controls were negative for Map by quantitative PCR (qPCR). Individuals were removed for SNP call rate < 90%, and SNP were removed for genotype call rate < 90% or minor allele frequency < 1%. For the Jersey, PNW, and PNW + NE, GWAA were conducted using an allelic dosage model. For the PNW and the PNW + NE, an additional efficient mixed-model association eXpedited (EMMAX) analysis was performed using additive, dominance and recessive models. Seven QTL on BTA22 were identified in the Jersey population with the most significant (P = 4.45 · 10-6) located at 21.7 megabases (Mb). Six QTL were associated in the PNW and the PNW + NE analyses, including a QTL previously identified on BTA16 in the NE population. The most significant locus for the PNW was located on BTA21 at 61 Mb (P = 8.61 · 10-8) while the most significant locus for the PNW + NE was on BTA12 at 90 Mb (P = 2.33 · 10-5). No additional QTL were identified with the imputed GWAA. Putative positional candidate genes were identified within 50 kb 5' and 3' of each QTL. Two positional candidate genes were identified in Jersey cattle, 1 identified in the PNW and 8 in the PNW + NE populations. Many identified positional candidate genes are involved in signal transduction, have immunological functions, or have putative functional relevance in Map entry into host cells. This study supported 2 previously identified SNP within a QTL on BTA16 and identified 16 new QTL, including 2 found in the PNW and the PNW+NE, associated with Map tissue infection.
Diphtheria is an uncommon disease in the UK due to an effective immunization programme; consequently when cases do arise, there can be delays in diagnosis and case-fatality rates remain high. We ...reviewed 102 patients with infections caused by toxigenic corynebacteria (an average of four per year) reported in the UK between 1986 and 2008: 42 Corynebacterium diphtheriae, 59 C. ulcerans and one C. pseudotuberculosis, as well as 23 asymptomatic carriers. Five fatalities were reported, all in unvaccinated patients. The major risk factor for C. diphtheriae infection continued to be travel to an endemic country. C. ulcerans infections became more common than C. diphtheriae infections in the UK; they were associated with contact with companion animals. The occurrence of indigenous severe C. ulcerans infections and imported C. diphtheriae cases highlights the need to maintain UK routine vaccination coverage at the 95% level in the UK, as recommended by the World Health Organization.
Summary
Background
Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasing but its residual impact on the pro‐inflammatory milieu in cirrhosis, which is associated with gut dysbiosis, is unclear.
Aim
To ...define the impact of sustained virological response (SVR) on gut dysbiosis and systemic inflammation in HCV cirrhosis patients.
Methods
Cirrhotic out‐patients with HCV with/without SVR (achieved >1 year prior) and age‐matched healthy controls underwent serum and stool collection. Serum was analysed for IL‐6, TNF‐α and endotoxin while stool microbiota analysis was performed using multitagged pyrosequencing. Microbial comparisons were made using UNIFRAC and cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio (lower score indicates dysbiosis). Comparisons were performed between cirrhotics with/without SVR and controls vs. cirrhotic patients.
Results
A total of 105 HCV cirrhotics and 45 age‐matched healthy controls were enrolled. Twenty‐one patients had achieved SVR using pegylated interferon + ribavrin a median of 15 months prior. No significant differences on demographics, cirrhosis severity, concomitant medications or diabetes were seen between cirrhotics with/without SVR. There was no significant difference in overall microbiota composition (UNIFRAC P = 0.3) overall or within specific microbial families (cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio median 1.3 vs. 1.0, P = 0.45) between groups with/without SVR. This also extended towards IL‐6, TNF‐α and endotoxin levels. Both cirrhosis groups, however, had significant dysbiosis compared to healthy controls UNIFRAC P = 0.01, cirrhosis dysbiosis ratio (1.1 vs. 2.9, P < 0.001) along with higher levels of endotoxin, IL‐6 and TNF‐α.
Conclusions
Gut dysbiosis and a pro‐inflammatory systemic milieu, are found in HCV cirrhosis regardless of SVR. This persistent dysbiosis could contribute towards varying rates of improvement after HCV eradication in cirrhosis.
ABSTRACT We present a carefully vetted equatorial ( 30 decl.) sample of all known single (within 4″) mid M dwarfs (M2.5 V-M8.0 V) extending out to 10 pc; their proximity and low masses make them ...ideal targets for planet searches. For this sample of 58 stars, we provide VJ, RKC, and IKC photometry, new low-dispersion optical (6000-9000 ) spectra from which uniform spectral types are determined, multi-epoch H equivalent widths, and gravity-sensitive Na i indices. For 12 of these 58 stars, strict limits are placed on the presence of stellar and substellar companions based on a pioneering program described here that utilizes precise infrared radial velocities (RVs) and optical astrometric measurements in an effort to search for Jupiter-mass, brown dwarf, and stellar-mass companions. Our infrared RV precision using CSHELL at NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility is ∼90 m s−1 over timescales from 13 days to 5 yr. With our spectroscopic results the mean companion masses that we rule out of existence are 1.5 MJUP or greater in 10 day orbital periods and 7 MJUP or greater in 100 day orbital periods. We use these spectra to determine rotational velocities and absolute RVs of these 12 stars. Our mean astrometric precision using Research Consortium on Nearby Stars (RECONS; www.recons.org) data from the 0.9 m telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory is ∼3 mas over baselines ranging from 9 to 13 yr. With our astrometric results the mean companion masses that we rule out of existence are greater than 11.5 MJUP with an orbital period of 4 yr and greater than 7.5 MJUP with an orbital period of 8 yr. Although we do not detect companions around our subsample of 12 stars, we demonstrate that our two techniques probe a regime that is commonly missed in other companion searches of late-type stars.
This Letter reports the first measurement of the 235U $\bar{ν}$e energy spectrum by PROSPECT, the Precision Reactor Oscillation and Spectrum experiment, operating 7.9 m from the 85 MWth highly ...enriched uranium (HEU) High Flux Isotope Reactor. With a surface-based, segmented detector, PROSPECT has observed 31678±304(stat) $\bar{ν}$e-induced inverse beta decays, the largest sample from HEU fission to date, 99% of which are attributed to 235U. Despite broad agreement, comparison of the Huber 235U model to the measured spectrum produces a χ2/ndf=51.4/31, driven primarily by deviations in two localized energy regions. The measured 235U spectrum shape is consistent with a deviation relative to prediction equal in size to that observed at low-enriched uranium power reactors in the $\bar{ν}$e energy region of 5–7 MeV.
Proton-nucleus (p+A) collisions have long been recognized as a crucial component of the physics program with nuclear beams at high energies, in particular for their reference role to interpret and ...understand nucleus-nucleus data as well as for their potential to elucidate the partonic structure of matter at low parton fractional momenta (small-x). Here, we summarize the main motivations that make a proton-nucleus run a decisive ingredient for a successful heavy-ion program at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and we present unique scientific opportunities arising from these collisions. We also review the status of ongoing discussions about operation plans for the p+A mode at the LHC.
Two deep ice cores from central Greenland, drilled in the 1990s, have played a key role in climate reconstructions of the Northern Hemisphere, but the oldest sections of the cores were disturbed in ...chronology owing to ice folding near the bedrock. Here we present an undisturbed climate record from a North Greenland ice core, which extends back to 123,000 years before the present, within the last interglacial period. The oxygen isotopes in the ice imply that climate was stable during the last interglacial period, with temperatures 5 degrees C warmer than today. We find unexpectedly large temperature differences between our new record from northern Greenland and the undisturbed sections of the cores from central Greenland, suggesting that the extent of ice in the Northern Hemisphere modulated the latitudinal temperature gradients in Greenland. This record shows a slow decline in temperatures that marked the initiation of the last glacial period. Our record reveals a hitherto unrecognized warm period initiated by an abrupt climate warming about 115,000 years ago, before glacial conditions were fully developed. This event does not appear to have an immediate Antarctic counterpart, suggesting that the climate see-saw between the hemispheres (which dominated the last glacial period) was not operating at this time.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Diphtheria is now rare in most European countries but, when cases do arise, the case fatality rate is high (5–10%). Because few countries continue to routinely screen for the causative organisms of ...diphtheria, the extent to which they are circulating amongst different European populations is largely unknown. During 2007–2008, ten European countries each screened between 968 and 8551 throat swabs from patients with upper respiratory tract infections. Six toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae were identified: two from symptomatic patients in Latvia (the country with the highest reported incidence of diphtheria in the European Union) and four from Lithuania (two cases, two carriers); the last reported case of diphtheria in Lithuania was in 2002. Carriage rates of non-toxigenic organisms ranged from 0 (Bulgaria, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Italy) to 4.0 per 1000 (95% CI 2.0–7.1) in Turkey. A total of 28 non-toxigenic strains were identified during the study (26 C. diphtheriae, one Corynebacterium ulcerans, one Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis). The non-toxigenic C. ulcerans strain was isolated from the UK, the country with the highest reported incidence of cases due to C. ulcerans. Of the eleven ribotypes detected, Cluj was seen most frequently in the non-toxigenic isolates and, amongst toxigenic isolates, the major epidemic clone, Sankt-Petersburg, is still in circulation. Isolation of toxigenic C. diphtheriae and non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans in highly-vaccinated populations highlights the need to maintain microbiological surveillance, laboratory expertise and an awareness of these organisms amongst public health specialists, microbiologists and clinicians.
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