The Potential for Neutrino Physics at Muon Colliders and Dedicated High Current Muon Storage Rings

Conceptual design studies are underway for muon colliders and other high-current muon storage rings that have the potential to become the first true ``neutrino factories''. Muon decays in long straight sections of the storage rings would produce precisely characterized beams of electron and muon type neutrinos of unprecedented intensity. This article reviews the prospects for these facilities to greatly extend our capabilities for neutrino experiments, largely emphasizing the physics of neutrino interactions.Comment: 107 pages, 16 figures, to be published in Physics Report

Determination and speciation of heavy metals in sediments from the Cumbrian coast, NW England, UK

Chromium, manganese, nickel, vanadium and uranium have been determined in inter-tidal sediments collected from locations along the Cumbrian coast. Total concentrations of chromium, nickel and vanadium were determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Manganese was determined by flame AAS and uranium was quantified by alpha particle spectrometry with a surface barrier detector. Two alternative approaches to calibration were investigated in an attempt to obviate the need for routine use of the full standard additions procedure. It was found that the response following a single addition of standard solution, at a concentration 50% of the initial estimate, could be used to correct for the minor interference effects observed. Elevated levels of chromium (39.5 +/- 0.9 mu g g(-1)), vanadium (33.0 +/- 0.6 mu g g(-1)) and uranium (39.0 +/- 1.2 Bq kg(-1)) were observed at Whitehaven, whilst concentrations of manganese were highest in samples from more northerly locations. The uranium enhancement is due to the extraction of phosphates from ore naturally rich in radionuclides at the nearby Albright and Wilson 'Marchon' chemical manufacturing plant. The chromium contamination may also arise from chemical manufacturing, whilst the vanadium is thought to originate from oil spillage. Interferences associated with use of the European Communities Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction protocol were investigated, and the operationally-defined speciation of chromium, manganese, nickel and vanadium was then determined. Chromium, nickel and vanadium were found mainly in association with the residual sediment phase, except at Whitehaven and Maryport where increases in the oxidizable fractions were apparent. A large proportion of the manganese at all sites was present as exchangeable species, i.e., soluble in 0.11 mol l(-1) acetic acid, and this was not affected by sample drying (at 60 degrees C) nor by storage (for 6 months) prior to extraction

Isolated atrial fibrillation (IAF) after local anaesthesia with epinephrine in an anxious dental patient.

Cardiac arrhythmias are not uncommon in dental practice, depending on many factors, including patient features, dental treatment and drugs administered. We describe a case of isolated atrial fi brillation (IAF) developed, in a young patient, soon after a supraperiosteal injection. The patient was admitted to hospital and recovered spontaneously. Since stress is a possible cause of IAF, this may has been triggered by endogenous and/or exogenous epinephrine. We highlight the need for careful preoperative evaluation, including anxiety assessment and treatment in all dental patients