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}.
Galaxy clusters are being assembled today in the most energetic phase of hierarchical structure formation which manifests itself in powerful shocks that contribute to a substantial energy density of ...cosmic rays (CRs). Hence, clusters are expected to be luminous gamma-ray emitters since they also act as energy reservoirs for additional CR sources, such as active galactic nuclei and supernova-driven galactic winds. To detect the gamma-ray emission from CR interactions with the ambient cluster gas, we conducted the deepest to date observational campaign targeting a galaxy cluster at very high-energy gamma-rays and observed the Perseus cluster with the MAGIC Cherenkov telescopes for a total of ~85 h of effective observing time. This campaign resulted in the detection of the central radio galaxy NGC 1275 at energies E > 100 GeV with a very steep energy spectrum. Here, we restrict our analysis to energies E > 630 GeV and detect no significant gamma-ray excess. This constrains the average CR-to-thermal pressure ratio to be ≲1–2%, depending on assumptions and the model for CR emission. Comparing these gamma-ray upper limits to models inferred from cosmological cluster simulations that include CRs constrains the maximum CR acceleration efficiency at structure formation shocks to be <50%.Alternatively, this may argue for non-negligible CR transport processes such as CR streaming and diffusion into the outer cluster regions. Finally, we derive lower limits on the magnetic field distribution assuming that the Perseus radio mini-halo is generated by secondary electrons/positrons that are created in hadronic CR interactions: assuming a spectrum of E-2.2 around TeV energies as implied by cluster simulations, we limit the central magnetic field to be >4–9 μG, depending on the rate of decline of the magnetic field strength toward larger radii. This range is well below field strengths inferred from Faraday rotation measurements in cool cores. Hence, the hadronic model remains a plausible explanation of the Perseus radio mini-halo.
Context. 3C 279, the first quasar discovered to emit VHE γ-rays by the MAGIC telescope in 2006, was reobserved by MAGIC in January 2007 during a major optical flare and from December 2008 to April ...2009 following an alert from the Fermi space telescope on an exceptionally high γ-ray state. Aims. The January 2007 observations resulted in a detection on January 16 with significance 5.4σ, corresponding to a F (>150 GeV) (3.8 ± 0.8) × 10-11 ph cm-2 s-1 while the overall data sample does not show significant signal. The December 2008–April 2009 observations did not detect the source. We study the multiwavelength behaviour of the source at the epochs of MAGIC observations, collecting quasi-simultaneous data at optical and X-ray frequencies and for 2009 also γ-ray data from Fermi. Methods. We study the light curves and spectral energy distribution of the source. The spectral energy distributions of three observing epochs (including the February 2006, which has been previously published) are modelled with one-zone inverse Compton models and the emission on January 16, 2007 also with two zone model and with a lepto-hadronic model. Results. We find that the VHE γ-ray emission detected in 2006 and 2007 challenges standard one-zone model, based on relativistic electrons in a jet scattering broad line region photons, while the other studied models fit the observed spectral energy distribution more satisfactorily.
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.
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.
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.
We present results from a case study comparing different multivariate classification methods. The input is a set of Monte Carlo data, generated and approximately triggered and pre-processed for an ...imaging gamma-ray Cherenkov telescope. Such data belong to two classes, originating either from incident gamma rays or caused by hadronic showers. There is only a weak discrimination between signal (gamma) and background (hadrons), making the data an excellent proving ground for classification techniques.
The data and methods are described, and a comparison of the results is made. Several methods give results comparable in quality within small fluctuations, suggesting that they perform at or close to the Bayesian limit of achievable separation. Other methods give clearly inferior or inconclusive results. Some problems that this study can not address are also discussed.
Aims.We searched for very high energy (VHE) γ-ray emission from the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A Methods.The shell-type supernova remnant Cassiopeia A was observed with the 17 m MAGIC telescope ...between July 2006 and January 2007 for a total time of 47 h. Results.The source was detected above an energy of 250 GeV with a significance of 5.2σ and a photon flux above 1 TeV of (7.3 ± $0.7_{\rm stat}$ ± $2.2_{\rm sys})$ $\times$ 10-13 cm-2s-1. The photon spectrum is compatible with a power law dN/dE $\propto$ $E^{-\Gamma}$ with a photon index Γ = 2.3 ± $0.2_{\rm stat}$ ± $0.2_{\rm sys}$. The source is point-like within the angular resolution of the telescope.
Context. Part of the very high energy γ-ray radiation coming from extragalactic sources is absorbed through the pair production process on the extragalactic background light photons. Extragalactic ...magnetic fields alter the trajectories of these cascade pairs and, in turn, convert cosmic background photons to γ-ray energies by inverse Compton scattering. These secondary photons can form an extended halo around bright VHE sources. Aims. We searched for an extended emission around the bright blazars Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 using the MAGIC telescope data. Methods. If extended emission is present, the angular distribution of reconstructed γ-ray arrival directions around the source is broader than for a point-like source. In the analysis of a few tens of hours of observational data taken from Mrk 421 and Mrk 501 we used a newly developed method that provides better angular resolution. This method is based on the usage of multidimensional decision trees. Comparing the measured shapes of angular distributions with those expected from a point-like source one can detect or constrain possible extended emission around the source. We also studied the influence of different types of systematic errors on the shape of the distribution of reconstructed γ-ray arrival directions for a point source. Results. We present upper limits for an extended emission calculated for both sources for various source extensions and emission profiles. We obtain upper limits on the extended emission around the Mrk 421 (Mrk 501) on the level of <5% (<4%) of the Crab Nebula flux above the energy threshold of 300 GeV. Using these results we discuss possible constraints on the extragalactic magnetic fields strength around a few times 10-15 G.
Abstract
Background
To improve research and care for patients with post-COVID-19 condition more insight into different subtypes of post-COVID-19 condition and their risk factors is urgently needed. ...We aimed to identify risk factors of post-COVID-19 condition in general and for specific symptom profiles.
Methods
This study is based on data collected within the Lifelines Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cohort (N = 76 503). Mean pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 infection symptom scores were compared to classify post-COVID-19 condition. Latent Profile Analysis was used to identify symptom profiles. Logistic and multinomial regression analyses were used to examine the association between demographic, lifestyle and health-related risk factors and post-COVID-19 condition, and symptom profiles, respectively.
Results
Of the 3465 participants having had COVID-19, 18.5% (n = 642) classified for post-COVID-19 condition. Four symptom profiles were identified: muscle pain, fatigue, cardiorespiratory and ageusia/anosmia. Female sex was a risk factor for the muscle pain and fatigue profiles. Being overweight or obese increased risk for all profiles, except the fatigue profile. Having a chronic disease increased the risk for all profiles except the ageusia/anosmia profile, with the cardiorespiratory profile being only significant in case of multimorbidity. Being unvaccinated increased risk of the ageusia/anosmia profile.
Conclusions
Findings from this study suggest that Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may trigger different pathophysiological mechanisms that may result in different subtypes of post-COVID-19 condition. These subtypes have shared and unique risk factors. Further characterization of symptom profiles and quantification of the individual and societal impact of specific symptom profiles are pressing challenges for future research.