3,848 research outputs found
Neutrino masses and mixings: Status of known and unknown parameters
Within the standard 3nu mass-mixing framework, we present an up-to-date
global analysis of neutrino oscillation data (as of January 2016), including
the latest available results from experiments with atmospheric neutrinos
(Super-Kamiokande and IceCube DeepCore), at accelerators (first T2K anti-nu and
NOvA nu runs in both appearance and disappearance mode), and at short-baseline
reactors (Daya Bay and RENO far/near spectral ratios), as well as a reanalysis
of older KamLAND data in the light of the "bump" feature recently observed in
reactor spectra. We discuss improved constraints on the five known oscillation
parameters (delta m^2, |Delta m^2|, sin^2theta_12, sin^2theta_13,
sin^2theta_23), and the status of the three remaining unknown parameters: the
mass hierarchy, the theta_23 octant, and the possible CP-violating phase delta.
With respect to previous global fits, we find that the reanalysis of KamLAND
data induces a slight decrease of both delta m^2 and sin^2theta_12, while the
latest accelerator and atmospheric data induce a slight increase of |Delta
m^2|. Concerning the unknown parameters, we confirm the previous intriguing
preference for negative values of sin(delta) [with best-fit values around
sin(delta) ~ -0.9], but we find no statistically significant indication about
the theta_23 octant or the mass hierarchy (normal or inverted). Assuming an
alternative (so-called LEM) analysis of NOvA data, some delta ranges can be
excluded at >3 sigma, and the normal mass hierarchy appears to be slightly
favored at 90% C.L. We also describe in detail the covariances of selected
pairs of oscillation parameters. Finally, we briefly discuss the implications
of the above results on the three non-oscillation observables sensitive to the
(unknown) absolute nu mass scale: the sum of nu masses, the effective nu_e
mass, and the effective Majorana mass.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figures, 2 tables. Invited contribution prepared for the
Nuclear Physics B Special Issue on "Neutrino Oscillations" celebrating the
Nobel Prize in Physics 201
Addendum to: Model-dependent and -independent implications of the first Sudbury Neutrino Observatory results
In the light of recent experimental and theoretical improvements, we review
our previous model-independent comparison [hep-ph/0106247] of the
Super-Kamiokande (SK) and Sudbury Neutrino Observatory (SNO) solar neutrino
event rates, including updated values for the ``equalized'' SK datum and for
the reference Standard Solar Model (SSM) B neutrino flux. We find that the
joint SK+SNO evidence for active neutrino flavor transitions is confirmed at
the level of 3.3 standard deviations, independently of possible transitions to
sterile states. Barring sterile neutrinos, we estimate the 3-sigma range for
the B neutrino flux (normalized to SSM) as f_B=0.96 +0.54-0.55.
Accordingly, the 3-sigma range for the energy-averaged nu_e survival
probability is found to be = 0.31 +0.55-0.16, independently of the
functional form of P_ee. An increase of the reference nu_e + d --> p + p + e
cross section by ~3%, as suggested by recent theoretical calculations, would
slightly shift the central values of f_B and of to ~1.00 and ~0.29,
respectively, and would strengthen the model-independent evidence for nu_e
transitions into active states at the level of ~3.6 sigma.Comment: 6 pages + 2 figures. Addendum to hep-ph/010624
Atmospheric, Solar, and CHOOZ neutrinos: a global three generation analysis
We perform a global three generation analysis of the current solar and
atmospheric evidence in favor of neutrino oscillations. We also include the
negative results coming from CHOOZ to constrain the nu_e mixing. We study the
zones of mass-mixing oscillations parameters compatible with all the data. It
is shown that almost pure nu_mu nu_tau oscillations are required to
explain the atmospheric neutrino anomaly and almost pure nu_1 nu_2
oscillations to account for the solar neutrino deficit.Comment: 4 pages, talk given at 36th Rencontres de Moriond: Electroweak
Interactions and Unified Theories, Les Arcs, France, 10-17 Mar 200
Status of three-neutrino oscillation parameters, circa 2013
The standard three-neutrino (3nu) oscillation framework is being increasingly
refined by results coming from different sets of experiments, using neutrinos
from solar, atmospheric, accelerator and reactor sources. At present, each of
the known oscillation parameters [the two squared mass gaps (delta m^2, Delta
m^2) and the three mixing angles (theta_12}, theta_13, theta_23)] is dominantly
determined by a single class of experiments. Conversely, the unknown parameters
[the mass hierarchy, the theta_23 octant and the CP-violating phase delta] can
be currently constrained only through a combined analysis of various
(eventually all) classes of experiments. In the light of recent new results
coming from reactor and accelerator experiments, and of their interplay with
solar and atmospheric data, we update the estimated N-sigma ranges of the known
3nu parameters, and revisit the status of the unknown ones. Concerning the
hierarchy, no significant difference emerges between normal and inverted mass
ordering. A slight overall preference is found for theta_23 in the first octant
and for nonzero CP violation with sin delta < 0; however, for both parameters,
such preference exceeds 1 sigma only for normal hierarchy. We also discuss the
correlations and stability of the oscillation parameters within different
combinations of data sets.Comment: Updated and revised version, accepted for publication in PRD. The
analysis includes the latest (March 2014) T2K disappearance data: all the
figures and the numerical results have been updated, and parts of the text
have been revised accordingl
Sterile neutrinos as subdominant warm dark matter
In light of recent findings which seem to disfavor a scenario with (warm)
dark matter entirely constituted of sterile neutrinos produced via the
Dodelson-Widrow (DW) mechanism, we investigate the constraints attainable for
this mechanism by relaxing the usual hypothesis that the relic neutrino
abundance must necessarily account for all of the dark matter. We first study
how to reinterpret the limits attainable from X-ray non-detection and
Lyman-alpha forest measurements in the case that sterile neutrinos constitute
only a fraction fs of the total amount of dark matter. Then, assuming that
sterile neutrinos are generated in the early universe solely through the DW
mechanism, we show how the X-ray and Lyman-alpha results jointly constrain the
mass-mixing parameters governing their production. Furthermore, we show how the
same data allow us to set a robust upper limit fs < 0.7 at the 2 sigma level,
rejecting the case of dominant dark matter (fs = 1) at the ~ 3 sigma level.Comment: Minor changes; added references; version accepted for publication in
Phys. Rev.
Breast cancer metastases to the thyroid gland - An uncommon sentinel for diffuse metastatic disease: A case report and literature review.
Background Metastases to the thyroid are rare. The most common primary cancer to metastasize to the thyroid is renal cell carcinoma, followed by malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, and skin, with breast cancer metastases to the thyroid being rare. Overall, the outcomes in malignancies that have metastasized to the thyroid are poor. There are no prospective studies addressing the role of surgery in metastatic disease of the thyroid. Isolated thyroidectomy has been proposed as a local disease control option to palliate and prevent the potential morbidity of tumor extension related to the airway. Here, we present a case of a patient with breast cancer metastases to the thyroid gland and discuss the role of thyroidectomy in the context of the current literature. Case presentation A 62-year-old Afro-Caribbean woman was diagnosed as having bilateral breast carcinoma in 2004, for which she underwent bilateral mastectomy. The pathology revealed multifocal disease on the right, T2N0(0/20)M0 grade 1 and 2 invasive ductal carcinoma, and on the left side, T3N1(2/18)M0 grade 1 invasive ductal carcinoma. Surgery was followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and regional radiotherapy. The disease was under control on hormonal therapy until 2016, when she developed cervical lymphadenopathy. The fine-needle aspiration cytology of the thyroid was reported as papillary thyroid cancer; and the fine-needle biopsy of the left lateral nodal disease was more suggestive of breast malignancy. She underwent a total thyroidectomy and a clearance of the central compartment lymph nodes and a biopsy of the lateral nodal disease. The histopathological analysis was consistent with metastatic breast cancer in the thyroid and lymph nodes with no evidence of a primary thyroid malignancy. Conclusions A past history of a malignancy elsewhere should raise the index of suspicion of metastatic disease in patients presenting with thyroid lumps with or without cervical lymphadenopathy. Detection of metastases to the thyroid generally indicates poor prognosis, obviating the need of surgery in an already compromised patient. An empirical thyroidectomy should be considered in select patients for local disease control
Global fits to neutrino oscillations: status and prospects
In this work we review our present knowledge of the neutrino oscillation parameters. In a threeneutrino framework, neutrino oscillations depend on six parameters, two squared mass differences (Δm2,δm2), three mixing angles (θ12, θ13, θ23) and one phase δ. Five out of these six parameters have been measured by a number of experiments and only the CP-violating phase δ remains unknown. Moreover, the octant of the mixing angle θ23 and the neutrino mass hierarchy are still undetermined. We update our previous 2014 analysis, by adding to the global fit the recent results of the antineutrino running of T2K and the first results of the NOvA experiment
Quasi-vacuum solar neutrino oscillations
We discuss in detail solar neutrino oscillations with \delta m^2/E in the range [10^-10,10^-7] eV^2/MeV. In this range, which interpolates smoothly between the so-called ``just-so'' and ``Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein'' oscillation regimes, neutrino flavor transitions are increasingly affected by matter effects as \delta m^2/E increases. As a consequence, the usual vacuum approximation has to be improved through the matter-induced corrections, leading to a ``quasi-vacuum'' oscillation regime. We perform accurate numerical calculations of such corrections, using both the true solar density profile and its exponential approximation. Matter effects are shown to be somewhat overestimated in the latter case. We also discuss the role of Earth crossing and of energy smearing. Prescriptions are given to implement the leading corrections in the quasi-vacuum oscillation range. Finally, the results are applied to a global analysis of solar nu data in a three-flavor framework
Neutrino Oscillation Physics
Comment: LaTex, 11 pages, 1 figure; Complementary to lectures given at ISAPP 2011 and ESHEP 201
Effects of Lippia citriodora leaf extract on lipid and oxidative blood profile of volunteers with hypercholesterolemia: A preliminary study
Lippia citriodora is a plant traditionally used for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antispasmodic effects, as well as for additional biological activities proven in cell culture, animal studies and a small number of human clinical trials. The plant has also shown a marked improvement in blood lipid profile in some animal species. In the present preliminary study, we investigated the effect of a leaf extract on lipid and oxidative blood profile of hypercholesterolemic volunteers. Twelve adults received Lippia citriodora extract caps, containing 23% phenylpropanoids, (100 mg, once a day) for 16 weeks. Selected blood lipids and plasma oxidative markers were measured at baseline and after 4, 8 and 16 weeks of treatment. Compared with baseline, total cholesterol levels significantly decreased and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides showed only a downward trend. Oxidative status was improved due to a decrease in the concentration of total oxidant status, reactive oxygen metabolites and malondialdehyde, and a significant increase in ferric reducing ability of plasma, vitamin A and vitamin E. These preliminary results suggest that dietary supplementation with Lippia citriodora extract can improve the lipid profile, enhance blood antioxidant power, and could be a valuable natural compound for the management of human hypercholesterolemia
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