Tests of the Standard Model Using Muon Polarization Asymmetries in Kaon Decays

We have examined the physics and the experimental feasibility of studying various kaon decay processes in which the polarization of a muon in the final state is measured. Valuable information on CP violation, the quark mixing (CKM) matrix, and new physics can be obtained from such measurements. We have considered muon polarization in K_L to mu+ mu- and K to pi mu+ mu- decays. Although the effects are small, or difficult to measure because of the small branching ratios involved, these studies could provide clean measurements of the CKM parameters. The experimental difficulty appears comparable to the observation of K to pi nu barnu. New sources of physics, involving non-standard CP violation, could produce effects observable in these measurements. Limits from new results on the neutron and electron electric dipole moment, and epsilon-prime over epsilon in neutral kaon decays, do not eliminate certain models that could contribute to the signal. A detailed examination of muon polarization out of the decay plane in KMU3 and radiative KMU2 decays also appears to be of interest. With current kaon beams and detector techniques, it is possible to measure the T-violating polarization for KMU3 with uncertainties approaching 0.0001. This level of sensitivity would provide an interesting probe of new physics.Comment: 24 pages, 3 figures, To be published in the International Journal of Modern Physics

Analysis of a Large Sample of Neutrino-Induced Muons with the ArgoNeuT Detector

ArgoNeuT, or Argon Neutrino Test, is a 170 liter liquid argon time projection chamber designed to collect neutrino interactions from the NuMI beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. ArgoNeuT operated in the NuMI low-energy beam line directly upstream of the MINOS Near Detector from September 2009 to February 2010, during which thousands of neutrino and antineutrino events were collected. The MINOS Near Detector was used to measure muons downstream of ArgoNeuT. Though ArgoNeuT is primarily an R&D project, the data collected provide a unique opportunity to measure neutrino cross sections in the 0.1-10 GeV energy range. Fully reconstructing the muon from these interactions is imperative for these measurements. This paper focuses on the complete kinematic reconstruction of neutrino-induced through-going muons tracks. Analysis of this high statistics sample of minimum ionizing tracks demonstrates the reliability of the geometric and calorimetric reconstruction in the ArgoNeuT detector

The ArgoNeuT Detector in the NuMI Low-Energy beam line at Fermilab

The ArgoNeuT liquid argon time projection chamber has collected thousands of neutrino and antineutrino events during an extended run period in the NuMI beam-line at Fermilab. This paper focuses on the main aspects of the detector layout and related technical features, including the cryogenic equipment, time projection chamber, read-out electronics, and off-line data treatment. The detector commissioning phase, physics run, and first neutrino event displays are also reported. The characterization of the main working parameters of the detector during data-taking, the ionization electron drift velocity and lifetime in liquid argon, as obtained from through-going muon data complete the present report.Comment: 43 pages, 27 figures, 5 tables - update referenc

The polyAT, intronic IVS11-6 and Lys939Gln XPC polymorphisms are not associated with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Chemical carcinogens from cigarette smoking and occupational exposure are risk factors for bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C (XPC) gene is essential for repair of bulky adducts from carcinogens. The Xeroderma Pigmentosum Group C gene polymorphisms may alter DNA repair capacity (DRC), thus giving rise to genetic predisposition to bladder cancer. Recent studies have demonstrated linkage disequilibrium between three polymorphisms in the XPC gene (polyAT, IVS11-6 and Lys939Gln) and these have been shown to influence the DRC, as well as to be associated with bladder cancer risk. We analysed all three XPC polymorphisms in 547 bladder TCC patients and 579 cancer-free controls to investigate the association between these polymorphisms and bladder cancer susceptibility, and we also attempted to assess gene–environmental interactions. We confirmed strong linkage disequilibrium among the polymorphisms (Lewontin's D′>0.99). Using logistic regression adjusting for smoking, occupational and family history, neither the heterozygote nor the homozygote variants of these polymorphisms were associated with increased bladder cancer risk (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for heterozygote 0.82 [0.63–1.07], 0.82 [0.63–1.08] and 0.83 [0.63–1.08] for PolyAT, IVS11-6 and Lys939Gln, respectively and homozygote variant, 0.98 [0.68–1.42], 0.99 [0.69–1.43] and 1.01 [0.70–1.46]). Moreover, we did not find any significant interaction between these XPC polymorphisms and environmental exposure to cigarette smoking and occupational carcinogens

Changes in vitamin and mineral supplement use after breast cancer diagnosis in the Pathways Study: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Vitamin and mineral supplement use after a breast cancer diagnosis is common and controversial. Dosages used and the timing of initiation and/or discontinuation of supplements have not been clearly described. METHODS: We prospectively examined changes in use of 17 vitamin/mineral supplements in the first six months following breast cancer diagnosis among 2,596 members (28% non-white) of Kaiser Permanente Northern California. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine demographic, clinical, and lifestyle predictors of initiation and discontinuation. RESULTS: Most women used vitamin/mineral supplements before (84%) and after (82%) diagnosis, with average doses far in excess of Institute of Medicine reference intakes. Over half (60.2%) reported initiating a vitamin/mineral following diagnosis, 46.3% discontinuing a vitamin/mineral, 65.6% using a vitamin/mineral continuously, and only 7.2% not using any vitamin/mineral supplement before or after diagnosis. The most commonly initiated supplements were calcium (38.2%), vitamin D (32.01%), vitamin B6 (12.3%) and magnesium (11.31%); the most commonly discontinued supplements were multivitamins (17.14%), vitamin C (15.97%) and vitamin E (45.62%). Higher education, higher intake of fruits/vegetables, and receipt of chemotherapy were associated with initiation (p-values <0.05). Younger age and breast-conserving surgery were associated with discontinuation (p-values <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this large cohort of ethnically diverse breast cancer patients, high numbers of women used vitamin/mineral supplements in the 6 months following breast cancer diagnosis, often at high doses and in combination with other supplements. The immediate period after diagnosis is a critical time for clinicians to counsel women on supplement use