The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Diabetic foot syndrome in patients with diabetes : a multicenter German/Austrian DPV analysis on 33 870 patients

Aims: The diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) is a serious complication in patients with diabetes increasing the risk for minor/major amputations. This analysis aimed to examine differences in diabetes patients with or without DFS stratified by type 1 (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Material and Methods: Adult patients (≥20y of age) with diabetes from the German/Austrian diabetes patients follow‐up registry (DPV) were included. The cross‐sectional study comprised 45 722 subjects with T1D (nDFS= 2966) and 313 264 with T2D (nDFS= 30 904). In DFS, minor/major amputations were analysed. To compare HbA1C, neuropathy, nephropathy, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and macrovascular complications between patients with or without DFS, regression models were conducted. Confounders: age, sex, diabetes duration. Results: In patients with DFS, a minor amputation was documented in 27.2% (T1D) and 25.9% (T2D), a major amputation in 10.2% (T1D) and 11.3% (T2D). Regression models revealed that neuropathy was more frequent in subjects with DFS compared with patients without DFS (T1D: 70.7 vs 29.8%; T2D: 59.4% vs 36.9%; both P< 0.0001). Hypertension, nephropathy, peripheral vascular disease, stroke, or myocardial infarction was more common compared with patients without DFS (all P< 0.0001). In T1D with DFS, a slightly higher HbA1C (8.11% vs 7.95%; P< 0.0001) and in T2D with DFS a lower HbA1C (7.49% vs 7.69%; P< 0.0001)was observed. Conclusions: One third of the patients with DFS had an amputation of the lower extremity. Especially neuropathy or peripheral vascular disease was more prevalent in patients with DFS. New concepts to prevent DFS‐induced amputations and to reduce cardiovascular risk factors before the occurrence of DFS are necessary. © In Copyright http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0

Achievement of treatment goals for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction or stroke in 29,325 patients with type 2 diabetes: A German/Austrian DPV-multicenter analysis.

BACKGROUND: To analyze whether medical care is in accordance with guidelines for secondary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes from Germany and Austria. METHODS: 29,325 patients (&ge;20&nbsp;years of age) with type 2 diabetes and MI, or stroke, documented between 2006 and 2015 were selected from the Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdokumentation database. We analyzed medication, clinical characteristics, and lifestyle factors according to national secondary prevention guidelines in patients with MI, or stroke, separately. RESULTS: HbA1C &lt;7.5&nbsp;% was achieved in 64.9&nbsp;% (MI), and in 61.1&nbsp;% (stroke) of patients. LDL &lt;100&nbsp;mg/dl was documented in 56.2&nbsp;% (MI), and in 42.2&nbsp;% (stroke). Non-smoking was reported in 92.0&nbsp;% (MI), and in 93.1&nbsp;% (stroke), physical activity in 9.6&nbsp;% (MI), and 5.5&nbsp;% (stroke). Target values of blood pressure (&lt;130/80&nbsp;mmHg in MI, 120/70-140/90 in stroke) were reached in 67.0&nbsp;% (MI), and in 89.9&nbsp;% (stroke). Prescription prevalence of inhibitors of platelet aggregation (IPA) was 50.7&nbsp;% (MI), and 31.7&nbsp;% (stroke). 57.0&nbsp;% (MI), and 40.1&nbsp;% (stroke) used statins, 65.1&nbsp;% (MI), and 65.8&nbsp;% (stroke) used any type of antihypertensives, and ACE inhibitors were prescribed in 49.7&nbsp;% (MI), and 41.3&nbsp;% (stroke). A body mass index (BMI) &lt;27&nbsp;kg/m(2) and the use of beta blockers were only recommended in subjects with MI. Of the patients with MI, 32.0&nbsp;% had a BMI &lt;27&nbsp;kg/m(2), and 59.5&nbsp;% used beta blockers. CONCLUSIONS: Achievement of treatment goals in secondary prevention of MI, or stroke in subjects with type 2 diabetes needs improvement. Target goals were met more frequently in patients with MI compared to subjects with stroke. Especially the use of IPA was very low in patients with stroke. There remains great potential to reduce the risk of repeated macrovascular events and premature death, as well as to increase patients&#39; quality of life

Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Near Detector Conceptual Design Report

International audienceThe Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) is an international, world-class experiment aimed at exploring fundamental questions about the universe that are at the forefront of astrophysics and particle physics research. DUNE will study questions pertaining to the preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early universe, the dynamics of supernovae, the subtleties of neutrino interaction physics, and a number of beyond the Standard Model topics accessible in a powerful neutrino beam. A critical component of the DUNE physics program involves the study of changes in a powerful beam of neutrinos, i.e., neutrino oscillations, as the neutrinos propagate a long distance. The experiment consists of a near detector, sited close to the source of the beam, and a far detector, sited along the beam at a large distance. This document, the DUNE Near Detector Conceptual Design Report (CDR), describes the design of the DUNE near detector and the science program that drives the design and technology choices. The goals and requirements underlying the design, along with projected performance are given. It serves as a starting point for a more detailed design that will be described in future documents

Reconstruction of interactions in the ProtoDUNE-SP detector with Pandora

International audienceThe Pandora Software Development Kit and algorithm libraries provide pattern-recognition logic essential to the reconstruction of particle interactions in liquid argon time projection chamber detectors. Pandora is the primary event reconstruction software used at ProtoDUNE-SP, a prototype for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment far detector. ProtoDUNE-SP, located at CERN, is exposed to a charged-particle test beam. This paper gives an overview of the Pandora reconstruction algorithms and how they have been tailored for use at ProtoDUNE-SP. In complex events with numerous cosmic-ray and beam background particles, the simulated reconstruction and identification efficiency for triggered test-beam particles is above 80% for the majority of particle type and beam momentum combinations. Specifically, simulated 1 GeV/$c$ charged pions and protons are correctly reconstructed and identified with efficiencies of 86.1$\pm0.6$% and 84.1$\pm0.6$%, respectively. The efficiencies measured for test-beam data are shown to be within 5% of those predicted by the simulation

Separation of track- and shower-like energy deposits in ProtoDUNE-SP using a convolutional neural network

International audienceLiquid argon time projection chamber detector technology provides high spatial and calorimetric resolutions on the charged particles traversing liquid argon. As a result, the technology has been used in a number of recent neutrino experiments, and is the technology of choice for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE). In order to perform high precision measurements of neutrinos in the detector, final state particles need to be effectively identified, and their energy accurately reconstructed. This article proposes an algorithm based on a convolutional neural network to perform the classification of energy deposits and reconstructed particles as track-like or arising from electromagnetic cascades. Results from testing the algorithm on experimental data from ProtoDUNE-SP, a prototype of the DUNE far detector, are presented. The network identifies track- and shower-like particles, as well as Michel electrons, with high efficiency. The performance of the algorithm is consistent between experimental data and simulation