Ultrahigh energy neutrinos at the pierre auger observatory

The observation of ultrahigh energy neutrinos (UHEs) has become a priority in experimental astroparticle physics. UHEs can be detected with a variety of techniques. In particular, neutrinos can interact in the atmosphere (downward-going ) or in the Earth crust (Earth-skimming ), producing air showers that can be observed with arrays of detectors at the ground. With the surface detector array of the Pierre Auger Observatory we can detect these types of cascades. The distinguishing signature for neutrino events is the presence of very inclined showers produced close to the ground (i.e., after having traversed a large amount of atmosphere). In this work we review the procedure and criteria established to search for UHEs in the data collected with the ground array of the Pierre Auger Observatory.This includes Earth-skimming as well as downward-going neutrinos. No neutrino candidates have been found, which allows us to place competitive limits to the diffuse flux of UHEs in the EeV range and above

Symptom phenotype during chemotherapy

Some oncology outpatients experience a higher number of and more severe symptoms during chemotherapy (CTX). However, little is known about whether this high risk phenotype persists over time. Latent transition analysis (LTA) was used to examine the probability that patients remained in the same symptom class when assessed prior to the administration of and following their next dose of CTX. For the patients whose class membership remained consistent, differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated. The Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS) was used to evaluate symptom burden. LTA was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct symptom experiences based on the occurrence of the MSAS symptoms. Of the 906 patients evaluated, 83.9% were classified in the same symptom occurrence class at both assessments. Of these 760 patients, 25.0% were classified as Low-Low, 44.1% as Moderate-Moderate and 30.9% as High-High. Compared to the Low-Low class, the other two classes were younger, more likely to be women and to report child care responsibilities, and had a lower functional status and a higher comorbidity scores. The two higher classes reported lower QOL scores. The use of LTA could assist clinicians to identify higher risk patients and initiate more aggressive interventions.European Commission - Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)US National Cancer Institut

A survey investigation of the effects of music listening on chronic pain

Research interest into alternatives to analgesic medication has grown substantially during the past two decades. Moreover, a number of studies have provided empirical evidence that music listening, and in particular listening to our own preferred music, may provide an emotionally engaging distraction capable of reducing both the sensation of pain itself and the accompanying negative affective experience. The current study is a survey of 318 chronic pain sufferers, which aimed to (i) give a detailed description of the music listening behaviour of this group and relate this to experience of pain and quality of life, and (ii) indicate the numbers who consider music listening to be part of their pain management and investigate their perceptions of the benefits. Results indicated distraction and relaxation to be the most frequently perceived benefits of music reported by participants. Both frequent music listening and a perception of music as personally important were further found to relate to higher quality of life. Also, personal importance of music was significantly related to listening to help pain. These findings suggest beneficial effects of music listening to long-term pain

eSMART: A European RCT Evaluating Electronic Symptom Management Using the Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS) During Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Background: ASyMS is a mobile‐phone based remote‐monitoring and alert system that enables real‐time monitoring of patients' chemotherapy (CT)–related symptoms. Aims: eSMART aims to evaluate the short‐ and long‐term impact of ASyMS, compared with standard care, on patient reported outcomes and the delivery of care. Additionally, eSMART includes economic evaluation and the development of predictive risk models for experiencing CT‐related symptoms to enable personalised and anticipatory care. Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with breast, haematological, or colorectal cancer and scheduled to receive at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy are recruited across 5 countries and 13 clinical sites. A total of 1108 patients will be randomised to either ASyMS or standard care. Patient demographic and clinical data are collected at baseline, and standardised PROMS are completed at baseline, during 6 cycles of chemotherapy and every 3 months for up to 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Secondary measures include: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General, Supportive Care Needs Survey‐Short Form 34, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Communication and Attitudinal Self‐Efficacy scale for cancer, Work limitations Questionnaire, EuroQol, and Client Services‐Receipt Inventory. Results: RCT data collection started in May 2016, and to date, 537 patients have been recruited. This presentation will provide an overview of the trial aims and design and reflect on study progress and challenges within the United Kingdom and wider European context. Conclusions: Setting up this multicentre study has been challenging, but eSMART is breaking new ground in multinational ehealth research. Patients are willing to accept randomisation into the study, and recruitment is ongoing

eSMART: A European RCT Evaluating Electronic Symptom Management Using the Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS) During Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Background: ASyMS is a mobile‐phone based remote‐monitoring and alert system that enables real‐time monitoring of patients' chemotherapy (CT)–related symptoms. Aims: eSMART aims to evaluate the short‐ and long‐term impact of ASyMS, compared with standard care, on patient reported outcomes and the delivery of care. Additionally, eSMART includes economic evaluation and the development of predictive risk models for experiencing CT‐related symptoms to enable personalised and anticipatory care. Methods: Patients newly diagnosed with breast, haematological, or colorectal cancer and scheduled to receive at least 3 cycles of chemotherapy are recruited across 5 countries and 13 clinical sites. A total of 1108 patients will be randomised to either ASyMS or standard care. Patient demographic and clinical data are collected at baseline, and standardised PROMS are completed at baseline, during 6 cycles of chemotherapy and every 3 months for up to 12 months. The primary outcome measure is the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Secondary measures include: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy‐General, Supportive Care Needs Survey‐Short Form 34, State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory, Communication and Attitudinal Self‐Efficacy scale for cancer, Work limitations Questionnaire, EuroQol, and Client Services‐Receipt Inventory. Results: RCT data collection started in May 2016, and to date, 537 patients have been recruited. This presentation will provide an overview of the trial aims and design and reflect on study progress and challenges within the United Kingdom and wider European context. Conclusions: Setting up this multicentre study has been challenging, but eSMART is breaking new ground in multinational ehealth research. Patients are willing to accept randomisation into the study, and recruitment is ongoing

An empirical investigation of the anxiolytic and pain reducing effects of music

This article reports two empirical experiments investigating the anxiety and pain reducing effects of listening to music via personal stereo following surgical procedures involving general anaesthetic. Both experiments involved participants selecting music of their own choice. In Experiment 1, following minor surgery on the foot, 20 participants in an experimental group listened to music while 20 participants in a control group did not. Results indicate that the music group felt significantly less anxiety than the control group. No differences in pain measurements between the two groups were found. Experiment 2 involved a music listening group of 30 females and a no music control group of 28 females. Both groups underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy. Postoperative measures of pain, anxiety and patient-controlled analgesia were taken. No differences between the groups were obtained on these measurements. The results of both experiments are discussed with reference to subjective responses to musical stimuli