Technical design of the phase I Mu3e experiment

The Mu3e experiment aims to find or exclude the lepton flavour violating decay μ→eee at branching fractions above 10−16. A first phase of the experiment using an existing beamline at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) is designed to reach a single event sensitivity of 2⋅10−15. We present an overview of all aspects of the technical design and expected performance of the phase I Mu3e detector. The high rate of up to 108 muon decays per second and the low momenta of the decay electrons and positrons pose a unique set of challenges, which we tackle using an ultra thin tracking detector based on high-voltage monolithic active pixel sensors combined with scintillating fibres and tiles for precise timing measurements

Influences of Domestication and Island Evolution on Dental Growth in Sheep

Funder: Department of Zoology, University of CambridgeFunder: Leverhulme Trust; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000275Abstract: Domestication and island evolution can lead to changes of life history along the slow-fast gradient. Shifts of life history patterns, in turn, are potentially related to alterations of patterns and timing of tooth eruption. Schultz’s rule predicts an earlier eruption of molars relative to premolars as fecundity increases during the domestication process. On the other hand, evolution on a predator-free, resource limited island might lead to a generally slow life history and delayed tooth eruption, as in the Plio-Pleistocene Balearic caprine Myotragus. In this study, we investigate tooth eruption and its relation to life history in a unique sheep population that is an example of both domestication and island evolution: the ancient and feral Soay sheep (Ovis aries) of the St. Kilda archipelago, Scotland. Tooth eruption timing and sequence is investigated in a comparative framework featuring new data on other domestic sheep (O. aries), including European mouflon (O. a. musimon), as well as wild sheep (O. vignei, O. cycloceros, O. arkal, O. orientalis, O. ammon). These data indicate that the order of eruption is similar in wild and domestic sheep, despite the fundamental life history changes that came about with domestication. However, in contrast to other domestic sheep breeds, Soay sheep erupt their teeth at an absolute older age and also tend to grow more slowly, which resembles the evolutionary trend in island-adapted Myotragus. Despite these similarities, Soay sheep do not share the slow life history pattern inferred for Myotragus, highlighting the distinctive nature of tooth eruption in Soay sheep

Effectiveness and safety of valsartan in children aged 6 to 16 years with hypertension

The effectiveness and safety of valsartan have not been assessed in hypertensive children. Therefore, hypertensive patients aged 6 to 16 years (n=261) were randomized to receive weight‐stratified low‐ (10/20 mg), medium‐ (40/80 mg), or high‐dose (80/160 mg) valsartan for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, patients were randomized to a 2‐week placebo‐controlled withdrawal phase. Dose‐dependent reductions in sitting systolic blood pressure (SSBP) and sitting diastolic blood pressure (SDBP) were observed after 2 weeks (low dose, −7.9/−4.6 mm Hg; medium dose, −9.6/−5.8 mm Hg; high dose, −11.5/−7.4 mm Hg [P<.0001 for all groups]). During the withdrawal phase, SSBP and SDBP were both lower in the pooled valsartan group than in the pooled placebo group (SSBP, −2.7 mm Hg [P=.0368]; SDBP, −3.0 mm Hg [P=.0047]). Similar efficacy was observed in all subgroups. Valsartan was well tolerated and headache was the most commonly observed adverse event during both the double‐blind and 52‐week open‐label phases. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:357–365. ©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Pacientes portadores da doença de Parkinson: significado de suas vivências Pacientes portadores de la enfermedad del Parkinson: el significado de sus vivencias Patients' experience with Parkinson's disease

OBJETIVO: Conhecer o significado do impacto que a doença de Parkinson (DP) exerce na vida de seu portador e da vivência como história de enfrentamentos em condição de cronicidade. MÉTODOS: A coleta de dados mediante história oral temática de Meihy, foi guiada por questões norteadoras abertas. Oito idosos integrantes do Grupo de Ajuda Mútua da Extensão da UFSC se dispuseram a participar do estudo no primeiro semestre de 2005. O projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa com seres humanos, segundo Resolução n.º196/96 do Ministério da Saúde. RESULTADOS: Das histórias, emergiram quatro grandes temas significativos: "Ouvir o diagnóstico de Parkinson é sempre um impacto." "Conviver com Parkinson?... tem que se esforçar!" "A doença deve ser assumida em família." "Conviver em grupo de pares ajuda, anima, socializa." CONCLUSÃO: O significado de ter e de viver com a DP revelado pelos portadores forneceram pistas relevantes para rever e expandir programas de saúde consentâneos com as reais necessidades de atenção do binômio portador de DP e família cuidadora.<br>OBJETIVO: Conocer el significado del impacto que el Mal de Parkinson produce en el portador del mismo y la vivencia como historia de enfrentamientos en condiciones crónicas. MÉTODOS: La recolección de datos mediante la Historia Oral Temática de Meihy, fue guiada por medio de preguntas abiertas. Ocho ancianos integrantes del Grupo de Ayuda Mutua de Extensión de UFSC, se ofrecieron para participar del estudio en el primer semestre del año 2005. El proyecto fue aprobado por el Comité de Ética en Investigación con Seres Humanos: CONEP/MS-UFSC. RESULTADOS: De la narración de historias emergieron grandes temas significativos: "Escuchar el diagnóstico del Mal de Parkinson siempre es un impacto"; "Convivir con Parkinson? ... tiene que esforzarse!"; "La enfermedad tiene que ser asumida en familia"; "Convivir en grupos de compañeros ayuda, anima y socializa". CONCLUSIÓN: El significado de tener y vivir con el Mal de Parkinson manifestados por sus portadores han proporcionado apreciaciones relevantes para la revisión y expansión de los Programas de Salud coherentes con las necesidades reales para la atención del binomio: portador de Parkinson y familia cuidadora.<br>OBJECTIVES: To understand the impact of Parkinson's disease (PD) on Patients' life and the approaches available and used to cope with this chronic condition. METHODS: Data were collected with unstructured interviews using Meihy's oral history methodology. The sample consisted of eight elders from the UFSC Extension Mutual Help Group. Data were collected in the first academic semester of 2005. The project has been approved by the Ethics Committee on human subjects, Resolution n.º196/96 of the Ministry of Health. RESULTS: Four important topics have emerged: "Learn about the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease always cause a great impact". "Living with Parkinson's Disease? ...you have to do your utmost!" "The diagnosis must be shared with the family". "Living with patients with Parkinson's disease may be beneficial for them; it may encourage and socialize them". CONCLUSIONS: The meaning of having or living with patients with Parkinson's disease may suggest new strategies regarding the revision and expansion of health programs to attend the needs of patients with Parkinson's disease and their family members