2,216 research outputs found
Atmospheric Neutrinos and the Oscillations Bonanza
New observations with atmospheric neutrinos from the underground experiments
SuperKamiokande, Soudan 2, and MACRO, together with earlier results from
Kamiokande and IMB, are reviewed. The most recent observations reconfirm
aspects of atmospheric flavor content and of zenith angle distributions which
appear anomalous in the context of null oscillations. The anomalous trends,
exhibited with high statistics in both sub-GeV and multi-GeV data of the
SuperKamiokande water Cherenkov experiment, occur also in event samples
recorded by the tracking calorimeters. The data are well-described by
disappearence of nu_mu flavor neutrinos arising in oscillations with dominant
two-state mixing, for which there exists a parameter region allowed by all
experiments. In a new analysis by SuperKamiokande, nu_mu -> nu_tau is favored
over nu_mu -> nu_s as the dominant oscillation based upon absence of
oscillation suppression from matter effects at high energies. The possibility
for sub-dominant nu_mu -> nu_e oscillations in atmospheric neutrinos which
arises with three-flavor mixing, is reviewed, and intriguing possibilities for
amplification of this oscillation by terrestrial matter-induced resonances are
discussed. Developments and future measurements which will enhance our
knowledge of the atmospheric neutrino fluxes are briefly noted.Comment: Plenary talk at the XIX Int. Symposium on Lepton and Photon
Interactions at High Energies, Stanford, Aug. 1999, 28 pages, 16 figures;
added a reference for section 1
Apparent multiple Delta m^2_32 in muon anti-neutrino and muon neutrino survival oscillations from non-standard interaction matter effect
Neutrinos propagating through matter may participate in forward coherent
neutral-current-like scattering arising from non-standard interactions as well
as from the Mikheyev-Smirnov-Wolfenstein matter potential . We show that
at fixed long baselines through matter of constant density, the non-standard
interaction potential can contribute an additional
term to the oscillation phase whose sign differs for \anumu versus \numu
propagation in matter. Its presence can cause different apparent
to be erroneously inferred on the basis of oscillations in vacuum, with values
lying above (for \anumu) or below (for \numu) the actual
for the case where is predominantly real-valued and of
sign opposite to . An NSI scenario invoking only
is shown to be capable of accounting for a disparity
recently reported between oscillation survival for \anumu and \numu fluxes
measured at by the MINOS experiment. Implications for mantle
traversal by atmospheric neutrinos are examined. The NSI matter potential with
non-maximal mixing could evade conventional atmospheric neutrino analyses which
do not distinguish \numu from \anumu on an event-by-event basis.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in Physical Review
Unified description of light- and strange-baryon spectra
We present a chiral constituent quark model for light and strange baryons
providing a unified description of their ground states and excitation spectra.
The model relies on constituent quarks and Goldstone bosons arising as
effective degrees of freedom of low-energy QCD from the spontaneous breaking of
chiral symmetry. The spectra of the three-quark systems are obtained from a
precise variational solution of the Schr\"odinger equation with a
semirelativistic Hamiltonian. The theoretical predictions are found in close
agreement with experiment.Comment: 9 pages, including 2 figure
Axial Vector Coupling Constant in Chiral Colour Dielectric Model
The axial vector coupling constants of the decay processes of neutron
and hyperon are calculated in SU(3) chiral colour dielectric model (CCDM).
Using these axial coupling constants of neutron and hyperon, in CCDM we
calculate the integrals of the spin dependent structure functions for proton
and neutron. Our result is similar to the results obtained by MIT bag and
Cloudy bag models.Comment: 9 pages, Latex file, no figure, to appear in Phys. Rev.
Trachoma Mapping in Gombe State, Nigeria: Results of 11 Local Government Area Surveys.
PURPOSE: To determine the need or otherwise for establishment of a trachoma elimination program in Gombe State, Nigeria, by estimating the population-based prevalence of trachoma in each Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe. METHODS: Using a multi-stage, systematic, random, and quasi-random sampling approach and Global Trachoma Mapping Project support, we selected 25 clusters in each LGA. In each cluster, we selected 25 households and all consenting residents aged 1 year and older were examined for trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) and trichiasis, using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme. RESULTS: No LGA in Gombe State had a TF prevalence ≥5% in 1-9-year-olds. All LGAs had trichiasis prevalences above the elimination threshold and should be targeted for community-based delivery of trichiasis surgery. Only three LGAs had household-level improved wash water access of greater than 80%. Access to improved sanitation facilities was also poor as household access to improved sanitation facilities was above 80% in only one LGA. CONCLUSION: A trachoma program focused on delivery of trichiasis surgery is required in Gombe. Improvements in water and sanitation, through engagement with other sectors, are necessary
Prevalence of Trachoma in Katsina State, Nigeria: Results of 34 District-Level Surveys.
PURPOSE: To determine the local government area (LGA)-level prevalence of trachoma in all 34 LGAs of Katsina State. METHODS: A population-based prevalence survey was conducted in each LGA of Katsina State, using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project methodology. We used a 3-stage cluster random sampling strategy to select 25 households from each of 25 clusters. We examined all residents of selected households aged 1 year and older for the clinical signs of trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF), trachomatous inflammation-intense and trichiasis, using the World Health Organization (WHO) simplified grading scheme. RESULTS: We examined 129,281 persons. Six LGAs had a TF prevalence ≥10%, and another six LGAs had a TF prevalence between 5% and 9.9%; all 12 require mass drug administration with azithromycin plus other interventions. The prevalence of trichiasis was ≥1.0% in 13 LGAs, and there is a need to perform trichiasis surgery in over 26,000 persons to reach targets set by the WHO for elimination of trichiasis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TF is generally low in Katsina state, but urgent steps must be taken to implement the full SAFE strategy (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental improvement) in at least 12 LGAs while also stepping up efforts to provide community-based trichiasis surgery throughout the whole state, in order to make trachoma elimination by 2020 a reality
Prevalence of Trachoma in Bauchi State, Nigeria: Results of 20 Local Government Area-Level Surveys.
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) and trichiasis in each of the 20 local government areas (LGAs) of Bauchi State, Nigeria. METHODS: We undertook a population-based prevalence survey in each LGA in Bauchi State, employing the Global Trachoma Mapping Project methodology. We used a 2-stage, systematic and quasi-random sampling strategy. Using probability proportional to size, we selected 25 clusters, in each of which 25 households were selected by random walk. All residents of selected households 1 year and older were examined for TF, trachomatous inflammation - intense, and trichiasis, using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme. RESULTS: Only two LGAs in Bauchi State had TF prevalences in 1-9-year-olds over 5%, with none having TF prevalences of 10% or greater. Only one LGA had a trichiasis prevalence in adults below the elimination threshold; all the others had trichiasis at levels suggestive of public health significance. In all 20 LGAs, more than 60% of households were within 1 km of an improved source of water for hygiene. CONCLUSION: Efforts need to be made in Bauchi State to provide trichiasis surgery in order to avert trachomatous blindness. Water supplies needs to be sustained and good personal hygiene practices assured so that elimination of trachoma as a public health problem will be achieved and sustained
Prevalence of Trachoma in Niger State, North Central Nigeria: Results of 25 Population-Based Prevalence Surveys Carried Out with the Global Trachoma Mapping Project.
PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of trachoma in each of the 25 local government areas (LGAs) of Niger State, Nigeria. METHODS: A population-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in each Niger State LGA between March and April 2014, as part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP). GTMP protocols were used in planning and conduct of the surveys. Using probability proportional to size, 25 clusters were selected; in each of these clusters, 25 households were enrolled for the survey. All residents aged 1 year and older were examined by GTMP-certified graders for trachomatous inflammation - follicular (TF) and trichiasis using the World Health Organization simplified grading scheme. Additionally, we collected data on household water and sanitation facilities. RESULTS: Only one LGA (Kontagora) had TF prevalence in 1-9-year-olds above 10%; one other LGA (Rafi) had TF prevalence between 5.0 and 9.9%. Six LGAs need trichiasis surgical services provided to achieve a prevalence of <1 case of trichiasis per 1000 total population. The proportion of households with access to improved water sources ranged from 23 to 100%, while household-level access to improved latrines ranged from 8 to 100% across the LGAs. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of trachoma is relatively low in most of Niger State. There is a need for community-based trichiasis surgical services in a small number of LGAs. The trachoma elimination program could engage water and sanitation agencies to augment access to improved water and sanitation facilities, for human rights reasons. Kontagora and Rafi need community-based interventions to reduce the prevalence of active trachoma
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