Development Toward a Ground-Based Interferometric Phased Array for Radio Detection of High Energy Neutrinos

The in-ice radio interferometric phased array technique for detection of high energy neutrinos looks for Askaryan emission from neutrinos interacting in large volumes of glacial ice, and is being developed as a way to achieve a low energy threshold and a large effective volume at high energies. The technique is based on coherently summing the impulsive Askaryan signal from multiple antennas, which increases the signal-to-noise ratio for weak signals. We report here on measurements and a simulation of thermal noise correlations between nearby antennas, beamforming of impulsive signals, and a measurement of the expected improvement in trigger efficiency through the phased array technique. We also discuss the noise environment observed with an analog phased array at Summit Station, Greenland, a possible site for an interferometric phased array for radio detection of high energy neutrinos.Comment: 13 Pages, 14 Figure

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Cancer Recurrence and Survival in CALGB 89803 (Alliance)

Background: In colon cancer patients, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high dietary glycemic load have been associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence. High sugar-sweetened beverage intake has been associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardio-metabolic diseases, but the influence on colon cancer survival is unknown. Methods: We assessed the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption on cancer recurrence and mortality in 1,011 stage III colon cancer patients who completed food frequency questionnaires as part of a U.S. National Cancer Institute-sponsored adjuvant chemotherapy trial. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Patients consuming ≥2 servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per day experienced an adjusted HR for disease recurrence or mortality of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.04–2.68), compared with those consuming <2 servings per month (Ptrend = 0.02). The association of sugar-sweetened beverages on cancer recurrence or mortality appeared greater among patients who were both overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and less physically active (metabolic equivalent task-hours per week <18) (HR = 2.22; 95% CI, 1.29–3.81, Ptrend = 0.0025). Conclusion: Higher sugar-sweetened beverage intake was associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer recurrence and mortality in stage III colon cancer patients

Fe-Mn carbonate concretions in the Reno-Limentra fluvial deposits near Vergato (Bologna province, Northern Apennines): A petrographic and geochemical study

Ferromanganese carbonate concretions of extremely variable compositions mineralogical, petrographic and geochemical features. The obtained results lead to a genetic model by which concretions appear to be diagenetic rather than hydrogenic or hydrothermal. This origin is particularly supported by trace metal concentrations, REE patterns and stable isotope compositions

Monte Cavaloro: Small differences in outcrop lithology (Fe-Ti-P diorite) of a complex olistolith (Apennines Bologna)

At Monte Cavaloro near Bologna, outcrops a small olistolith of the ophiolite sequences of the Northern Apeninnes. This small outcrop is known in the geological literature as Bombicci (1868) find out a new type of rock which he named "oligoclasite". Cappellini (1878) studying the same outcrop, named the rock "Cavalorite". These two terms are still present (although obsclete) in the geological nomenclature. The same outcrop was studied by various authors which gave contrasting description of the mineralogy and recognized different rock types, from oligoclase bearing gabbro to quartzdiorite. The last study was by Gazzi (1961) who recognized the presence of stilpnomelane and classified the rock as stilpnomelane-oligoclase bearing gabbro. The present work lead us to the finding of several litothypes in the Monte Cavaloro olistolith: Fe-gabbros, Fe-gabbrobrodiorites, Fe-Ti-P diorites, Fe-Ti-P meladiorites, quartzdiorites and amphibole bearing albitite dikes. The Fe-Ti-P diorites are made up by oligoclase, ferroaugite, ferrohortonolite, ferrosilite, apatite, titanomagnetite and Fe-edenite and appear to be the product of cumulus processes from Fe-rich andesitic magmas which concentrate Fe-Ti oxides when apatite appeared as a liquidus phase. The other associated rocks are genetically linked through flow differentiation processes which generated the Fe-Ti-P meladiorites and the zircon rich quartzdiorites. The differentiation processes, took place in a closed system under low oxygen fugacity; during the late magmatic stages the high volatile content promoted the formation of hydrous minerals (mainly amphiboles) and the peculiar association biotite, cummingtonite-grunerite, stilpnomelane, chlorite. Stilpnomelane is variable in composition and in spite of its chemical features, it may correspond to that find in late stage granophyre of the Skaergaard pluton. This fact is a clear indication of the highly evoluted nature of our stilpnomelane bearing rock in keeping with the presence of stilpnomelane relics in the quartzdiorites. REE and trace elements abundances and composition of apatites and titano-magnetites agree with this genetic interpretation. Liquid immiscibility, as responsible of Fe-Ti-P rock, would seem to be not a viable genetic mechanism. The amphibole bearing albitite dikes represent a late injection of a slightly evolved gabbric magma

Impact of Physical Activity After Cancer Diagnosis on Survival in Patients With Recurrent Colon Cancer: Findings From CALGB 89803/Alliance

BackgroundThe impact of physical activity on survival outcomes in patients with recurrent colon cancer has not been studied. We tested the association between the level of postdiagnosis physical activity and survival outcomes of patients with recurrent colon cancer.Patients and methodsWe conducted a prospective observational study of 237 patients with stage III colon cancer who had recurrence of disease. Physical activity was measured approximately 6 months after the completion of therapy (14 months after surgical resection) but before detection of recurrent disease. The primary end point of the study was survival time after recurrence.ResultsThe hazard ratio comparing patients who reported at least 18 metabolic equivalent task (MET) hours per week of physical activity with those engaging in &lt; 3 MET hours per week was 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.46-1.11). Increasing total MET hours of physical activity per week was associated with a borderline statistical significance trend for improved survival after recurrence (P = .052). The benefit of physical activity on survival was not significantly modified by sex, body mass index (BMI), number of positive lymph nodes, age, baseline performance status, adjuvant chemotherapy regimen, or recurrence-free survival period.ConclusionTo our knowledge, this is the first study investigating the association of physical activity with survival outcome of patients with recurrent colon cancer. Although the association exceeded our predefined P trend &lt; .05 for statistical significance, these findings warrant further studies of physical activity in patients with recurrent colorectal cancer

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Cancer Recurrence and Survival in CALGB 89803 (Alliance)

Background: In colon cancer patients, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and high dietary glycemic load have been associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence. High sugar-sweetened beverage intake has been associated with obesity, diabetes, and cardio-metabolic diseases, but the influence on colon cancer survival is unknown.Methods: We assessed the association between sugar-sweetened beverage consumption on cancer recurrence and mortality in 1,011 stage III colon cancer patients who completed food frequency questionnaires as part of a U.S. National Cancer Institute-sponsored adjuvant chemotherapy trial. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with Cox proportional hazard models.Results: Patients consuming ≥2 servings of sugar-sweetened beverages per day experienced an adjusted HR for disease recurrence or mortality of 1.67 (95% CI, 1.04–2.68), compared with those consuming Ptrend = 0.02). The association of sugar-sweetened beverages on cancer recurrence or mortality appeared greater among patients who were both overweight (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) and less physically active (metabolic equivalent task-hours per week Ptrend = 0.0025).Conclusion: Higher sugar-sweetened beverage intake was associated with a significantly increased risk of cancer recurrence and mortality in stage III colon cancer patients.</p

Coffee Intake, Recurrence, and Mortality in Stage III Colon Cancer: Results From CALGB 89803 (Alliance)

PurposeObservational studies have demonstrated increased colon cancer recurrence in states of relative hyperinsulinemia, including sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and increased dietary glycemic load. Greater coffee consumption has been associated with decreased risk of type 2 diabetes and increased insulin sensitivity. The effect of coffee on colon cancer recurrence and survival is unknown.Patients and methodsDuring and 6 months after adjuvant chemotherapy, 953 patients with stage III colon cancer prospectively reported dietary intake of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and nonherbal tea, as well as 128 other items. We examined the influence of coffee, nonherbal tea, and caffeine on cancer recurrence and mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsPatients consuming 4 cups/d or more of total coffee experienced an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for colon cancer recurrence or mortality of 0.58 (95% CI, 0.34 to 0.99), compared with never drinkers (Ptrend = .002). Patients consuming 4 cups/d or more of caffeinated coffee experienced significantly reduced cancer recurrence or mortality risk compared with abstainers (HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.91; Ptrend = .002), and increasing caffeine intake also conferred a significant reduction in cancer recurrence or mortality (HR, 0.66 across extreme quintiles; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.93; Ptrend = .006). Nonherbal tea and decaffeinated coffee were not associated with patient outcome. The association of total coffee intake with improved outcomes seemed consistent across other predictors of cancer recurrence and mortality.ConclusionHigher coffee intake may be associated with significantly reduced cancer recurrence and death in patients with stage III colon cancer