Improved Measurement of Muon Antineutrino Disappearance in MINOS

We report an improved measurement of (nu) over bar (mu) disappearance over a distance of 735 km using the MINOS detectors and the Fermilab Main Injector neutrino beam in a (nu) over bar (mu)-enhanced configuration. From a total exposure of 2.95 x 10(20) protons on target, of which 42% have not been previously analyzed, we make the most precise measurement of Delta(m) over bar (2) = [2.62(-0.28)(+0.31)(stat) +/- 0.09(syst)] x 10(-3) eV(2) and constrain the (nu) over bar (mu) mixing angle sin(2)(2 (theta) over bar) > 0.75 (90% C.L.). These values are in agreement with Delta m(2) and sin(2)(2 theta) measured for nu(mu), removing the tension reported in [P. Adamson et al. (MINOS), Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 021801 (2011).].

Large-Scale Population Analysis Challenges the Current Criteria for the Molecular Diagnosis of Fascioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a common hereditary myopathy causally linked to reduced numbers (<= 8) of 3.3 kilobase D4Z4 tandem repeats at 4q35. However, because individuals carrying D4Z4-reduced alleles and no FSHD and patients with FSHD and no short allele have been observed, additional markers have been proposed to support an FSHD molecular diagnosis. In particular a reduction in the number of D4Z4 elements combined with the 4A(159/161/168)PAS haplotype (which provides the possibility of expressing DUX4) is currently used as the genetic signature uniquely associated with FSHD. Here, we analyzed these DNA elements in more than 800 Italian and Brazilian samples of normal individuals unrelated to any FSHD patients. We find that 3% of healthy subjects carry alleles with a reduced number (4-8) of D4Z4 repeats on chromosome 4q and that one-third of these alleles, 1.3%, occur in combination with the 4A161PAS haplotype. We also systematically characterized the 4q35 haplotype in 253 unrelated FSHD patients. We find that only 127 of them (50.1%) carry alleles with 1-8 D4Z4 repeats associated with 4A161PAS, whereas the remaining FSHD probands carry different haplotypes or alleles with a greater number of D4Z4 repeats. The present study shows that the current genetic signature of FSHD is a common polymorphism and that only half of FSHD probands carry this molecular signature. Our results suggest that the genetic basis of FSHD, which is remarkably heterogeneous, should be revisited, because this has important implications for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis of at-risk families.

Evaluation of relative biological efficiency of additives in sugarcane ensiling

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of adding alkalis on the fermentative pattern, aerobic stability and nutritive value of the sugarcane silage. A completely randomized design with 6 additives in two concentrations (1 or 2%), plus a control group, totalizing 13 treatments [(6x2)+1] with four replications, was used. The additives were sodium hydroxide (NaOH), limestone (CaCO3), urea (CO(NH2)(2)), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), quicklime (CaO) and hydrated lime (Ca(OH)(2)). The material was ensiled in 52 laboratory silos using plastic buckets with 12 L of capacity. Silos were opened 60 days after ensiling, when organic acids concentration, aerobic stability and chemical composition were determined. The Relative Biological Efficiency (RBE) was calculated by the slope ratio method, using the data obtained from ratio between desirable and undesirable silage products, according to the equation: D/U ratio = [lactic/(ethanol + acetic + butyric)]. All additives affected dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber contents and buffering capacity. Except for urea and quicklime, all additives increased the in vitro dry matter digestibility. In general, these additives altered the fermentative pattern of sugarcane silage, inhibiting alcoholic fermentation and improving lactic acid production. The additive that showed the best RBE in relation to sodium hydroxide (100%) was limestone (89.4%). The RBE values of urea, sodium bicarbonate and hydrated lime were 49.2%, 47.7% and 34.3%, respectively.

Petrogenesis of syntectonic granites emplaced at the transition from thrusting to transcurrent tectonics in post-collisional setting: Whole-rock and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope geochemistry in the Neoproterozoic Quatro Ilhas and Mariscal Granites, Southern Brazil

The Neoproterozoic post-collisional period in southern Brazil (650-580 Ma) is characterized by substantial volumes of magma emplaced along the active shear zones that compose the Southern Brazilian Shear Belt. The early-phase syntectonic magmatism (630-610 Ma) is represented by the porphyritic, high-K, metaluminous to peraluminous Quatro Ilhas Granitoids and the younger heterogranular, slightly peraluminous Mariscal Granite. Quatro II has Granitoids include three main petrographic varieties (muscovite-biotite granodiorite mbg; biotite monzogranite - bmz: and leucogranite - lcg) that, although sharing some significant geochemical characteristics, are not strictly comagmatic, as shown by chemical and Sr-Nd-Pb isotope data. The most primitive muscovite-biotite granodiorite was produced by contamination of more mafic melts (possibly with some mantle component) with peraluminous crustal melts; the biotite monzogranite, although more felsic, has higher Ca, MgO,TiO2 and Ba, and lower K2O, FeOt, Sr and Rb contents, possibly reflecting some mixing with coeval mafic magmas of tholeiitic affinity; the leucogranite may be derived from pure crustal melts. The Mariscal Granite is formed by two main granite types which occur intimately associated in the same pluton, one with higher K (5-6.5 wt.% K2O) high Rb and lower CaO, Na2O, Ba and Zr as compared to the other (3-5 wt.% of K2O). The two Mariscal Granite varieties have compositional correspondence with fine-grained granites (fgg) that occur as tabular bodies which intruded the Quatro Ilhas Granoitoids before they were fully crystallized, and are inferred to correspond to the Mariscal Granite feeders, an interpretation that is reinforced by similar U-Pb zircon crystallization ages. The initial evolution of the post-collisional magmatism, marked by the emplacement of the Quatro Ilhas Granitoids varieties, activated sources that produced mantle and crustal magmas whose emplacement was controlled both by flat-lying and transcurrent structures. The transition from thrust to transcurrent-related tectonics coincides with the increase in the proportion of crustal-derived melts. The transcurrent tectonics seems to have played an essential role in the generation of mantle-derived magmas and may have facilitated their interaction with crustal melts which seem to be to a large extent the products of reworking of orthogneiss protoliths. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Credneramides A and B: Neuromodulatory Phenethylamine and Isopentylamine Derivatives of a Vinyl Chloride-Containing Fatty Acid from cf. Trichodesmium sp nov.

Credneramides A (1) and B (2), two vinyl chloride-containing metabolites, were isolated from a Papua New Guinea collection of cf. Trichodesmium sp. nov. and expand a recently described class of vinyl chloride-containing natural products. The precursor fatty acid, credneric acid (3), was isolated from both the aqueous and organic fractions of the parent fraction as well as from another geographically and phylogenetically distinct cyanobacterial collection (Panama). Credneramides A and B inhibited spontaneous calcium oscillations in murine cerebrocortical neurons at low micro-molar concentrations (1, IC50 4.0 mu M; 2, IC50 3.8 mu M).

Witzkeite: A new rare nitrate-sulphate mineral from a guano deposit at Punta de Lobos, Chile

Witzkeite, ideally Na4K4Ca(NO3)(2)(SO4)(4)center dot 2H(2)O, is a new mineral found in the oxidation zone of the guano mining field at Punta de Lobos, Tarapaca region, Chile. It occurs as colorless, tabular crystals up to 140 mu m in length, associated with dittmanite and nitratine. Witzkeite is colorless and transparent, with a white streak and a vitreous luster. It is brittle, with Molts hardness 2 and distinct cleavage on {001}. Measured density is 2.40(2) g/cm(3), calculated density is 2.403 g/cm(3). Witzkeite is biaxial (-) with refractive indexes alpha = 1.470(5), beta = 1.495(5), gamma = 1.510(5), measured 2V = 50-70 degrees. The empirical composition is (electron microprobe, mean of five analyses, H2O, CO2, and N2O5 by gas chromatography; wt%): Na2O 12.83, K2O 22.64, CaO 7.57, FeO 0.44, SO3 39.96, N2O5 12.7, H2O 4.5, total 100.64; CO2 was not detected. The chemical formula, calculated based on 24 O, is: Na3.40K3.95Ca1.11Fe0.05(NO3)(1.93)(SO4)(4.10)(H4.10O1.81). Witzkeite is monoclinic, space group C2/c, with unit-cell parameters: a = 24.902(2), b = 5.3323(4), c = 17.246(1) angstrom, beta = 94.281(7)degrees, V = 2283.6(3) angstrom(3) (Z = 4). The crystal structure was solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R-1(F) = 0.043. Witzkeite belongs to a new structure type and is noteworthy for the very rare simultaneous presence of sulfate and nitrate groups. The eight strongest X-ray powder-diffraction lines [d in angstrom (I in %) (h k l)] are: 12.38 (100) (2 0 0), 4.13 (19) (6 0 0), 3.10 (24) (8 0 0), 2.99 (7) ((8) over bar 02), 2.85 (6) (8 02), 2.69 (9) ((7) over bar 1 3), 2.48 (12) (10 0 0), and 2.07 (54) (12 0 0). The IR spectrum of witzkeite was collected in the range 390-4000 cm(-1). The spectrum shows the typical bands of SO42- ions (1192, 1154, 1116, 1101, 1084, 993, 634, and 617 cm(-1)) and of NO3- ions (1385, 1354, 830, 716, and 2775 cm(-1)). Moreover, a complex pattern of bands related to H2O is visible (bands at 3565, 3419, 3260, 2405, 2110, 1638, and 499 cm(-1)). The IR spectrum is discussed in detail.

Behavior of triple-gate Bulk FinFETs with and without DTMOS operation

In this paper, the combination of the Dynamic Threshold (DT) voltage technique with a non-planar structure is experimentally studied in triple-gate FinFETs. The drain current, transconductance, resistance, threshold voltage, subthreshold swing and Drain Induced Barrier Lowering (DIBL) will be analyzed in the DT mode and the standard biasing configuration. Moreover, for the first time, the important figures of merit for the analog performance such as transconductance-over-drain current, output conductance. Early voltage and intrinsic voltage gain will be studied experimentally and through three-dimensional (3-D) numerical simulations for different channel doping concentrations in triple-gate DTMOS FinFETs. The results indicate that the DTMOS FinFETs always yield superior characteristic; and larger transistor efficiency. In addition, DTMOS devices with a high channel doping concentration exhibit much better analog performance compared to the normal operation mode, which is desirable for high performance low-power/low-voltage applications. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

LARGE-SCALE DISTRIBUTION OF ARRIVAL DIRECTIONS OF COSMIC RAYS DETECTED ABOVE 10(18) eV AT THE PIERRE AUGER OBSERVATORY

A thorough search for large-scale anisotropies in the distribution of arrival directions of cosmic rays detected above 10(18) eV at the Pierre Auger Observatory is presented. This search is performed as a function of both declination and right ascension in several energy ranges above 10(18) eV, and reported in terms of dipolar and quadrupolar coefficients. Within the systematic uncertainties, no significant deviation from isotropy is revealed. Assuming that any cosmic-ray anisotropy is dominated by dipole and quadrupole moments in this energy range, upper limits on their amplitudes are derived. These upper limits allow us to test the origin of cosmic rays above 10(18) eV from stationary Galactic sources densely distributed in the Galactic disk and predominantly emitting light particles in all directions.

Carlosbarbosaite, ideally (UO2)(2)Nb2O6(OH)(2)center dot 2H(2)O, a new hydrated uranyl niobate mineral with tunnels from Jaguaracu, Minas Gerais, Brazil: description and crystal structure

Carlosbarbosaite, ideally (UO2)(2)Nb2O6(OH)(2)center dot 2H(2)O, is a new mineral which occurs as a late cavity filling in albite in the Jaguaracu pegmatite, Jaguaracu municipality, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The name honours Carlos do Prado Barbosa (1917-2003). Carlosbarbosaite forms long flattened lath-like crystals with a very simple orthorhombic morphology. The crystals are elongated along [001] and flattened on (100); they are up to 120 mu m long and 2-5 mu m thick. The colour is cream to pale yellow, the streak yellowish white and the lustre vitreous. The mineral is transparent (as individual crystals) to translucent (massive). It is not fluorescent under either long-wave or short-wave ultraviolet radiation. Carlosbarbosaite is biaxial(+) with alpha = 1.760(5), beta = 1.775(5), gamma = 1.795(5), 2V(meas) = 70(1)degrees, 2V(calc) = 83 degrees. The orientation is X parallel to a, Y parallel to b, Z parallel to c. Pleochroism is weak, in yellowish green shades, which are most intense in the Z direction. Two samples were analysed. For sample I, the composition is: UO3 54.52, CaO 2.07, Ce2O3 0.33, Nd2O3 0.49, Nb2O5 14.11, Ta2O5 15.25, TiO2 2.20, SiO2 2.14, Fe2O3 1.08, Al2O3 0.73, H2O (calc.) 11.49, total 104.41 wt.%; the empirical formula is (square 0.68Ca0.28Nd0.02Ce0.02)(Sigma=1.00)[U-1.44 square O-0.56(2.88)(H2O)(1.12)](Nb0.80Ta0.52Si0.27Ti0.21Al0.11Fe0.10)(Sigma=2.01) O-4.72(OH)(3.20)(H2O)(2.08). For sample 2, the composition is: UO3 41.83, CaO 2.10, Ce2O3 0.31, Nd2O3 1.12, Nb2O5 14.64, Ta2O5 16.34, TiO2 0.95, SiO2 3.55, Fe2O3 0.89, Al2O3 0.71, H2O (calc.) 14.99, total 97.43 wt.%; the empirical formula is (square 0.67Ca0.27Nd0.05Ce0.01)(Sigma=1.00)[U-1.04 square O-0.96(2.08)(H2O)(1.92)] (Nb0.79Ta0.53Si0.42Ti0.08Al0.10Fe0.08)(Sigma=2.00)O-4.00(OH)(3.96)(H2O)(2.04). The ideal endmember formula is (UO2)(2)Nb2O6(OH)(2)center dot 2H(2)O. Calculated densities are 4.713 g cm(-3) (sample 1) and 4.172 g cm(-3) (sample 2). Infrared spectra show that both (OH) and H2O are present. The strongest eight X-ray powder-diffraction lines [listed as d in angstrom(I)(hkl)] are: 8.405(8)(110), 7.081(10)(200), 4.201(9)(220), 3.333(6)(202), 3.053(8)(022), 2.931(7)(420), 2.803(6)(222) and 2.589(5)(040,402). The crystal structure was solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction (R = 0.037) which gave the following data: orthorhombic, Cmem, a = 14.150(6), b = 10.395(4), c = 7.529(3) angstrom, V = 1107(1) angstrom(3), Z = 4. The crystal structure contains a single U site with an appreciable deficiency in electron scattering, which is populated by U atoms and vacancies. The U site is surrounded by seven 0 atoms in a pentagonal bipyramidal arrangemet. The Nb site is coordinated by four 0 atoms and two OH groups in an octahedral arrangement. The half-occupied tunnel Ca site is coordinated by four 0 atoms and four H2O groups. Octahedrally coordinated Nb polyhedra share edges and comers to form Nb2O6(OH)(2) double chains, and edge-sharing pentagonal bipyramidal U polyhedra form UO5 chains. The Nb2O6(OH)(2) and UO5 chains share edges to form an open U-Nb-phi framework with tunnels along [001] that contain Ca(H2O)(4) clusters. Carlosbarbosaite is closely related to a family of synthetic U-Nb-O framework tunnel structures, it differs in that is has an (OH)-bearing framework and Ca(H2O)(4) tunnel occupant. The structure of carlosbarbosaite resembles that of holfertite.

Search for Lorentz invariance and CPT violation with muon antineutrinos in the MINOS Near Detector

We have searched for sidereal variations in the rate of antineutrino interactions in the MINOS Near Detector. Using antineutrinos produced by the NuMI beam, we find no statistically significant sidereal modulation in the rate. When this result is placed in the context of the Standard Model Extension theory we are able to place upper limits on the coefficients defining the theory. These limits are used in combination with the results from an earlier analysis of MINOS neutrino data to further constrain the coefficients.

Investigation of the pore blockage of a Brazilian dolomite during the sulfation reaction

The influence of the temperature and reaction time on the sulfation process of a dolomite is investigated in this paper. The sulfation effectiveness was evaluated and correlated with changes in the physical characteristics of a Brazilian dolomite during the reactive process. Calcination and sulfation experiments were performed under isothermal conditions for dolomite samples with average particle sizes of 545 mu m at temperatures of 750 degrees C, 850 degrees C and 950 degrees C at different times of sulfation. Thermogravimetric tests were applied to establish the reactivity variation of the dolomite in function of the time in the sulfation reaction and evaluate the methodology of the samples preparation. Porosimetry tests were performed to study the pore blockage of dolomite during the sulfation reaction. The highest values of BET surface area were 25.55 m(2)/g, 29.55 m(2)/g and 12.62 m(2)/g for calcined samples and after their sulfation processes, conversions of 51.5%, 61.9% and 42.8% were obtained at 750 degrees C, 850 degrees C and 950 degrees C, respectively. Considering the process as a whole, the best fit was provided by a first-order exponential decay equation. Moreover, the results have shown that it is possible to quantify the decreasing in the dolomite reactivity for sulfur dioxide sorption and understand the changes in the behavior of the sulfation process of limestones when applied to technologies, as fluidized bed combustor, in which sulfur dioxide is present. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

Measurements of atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos in the MINOS far detector

This paper reports measurements of atmospheric neutrino and antineutrino interactions in the MINOS Far Detector, based on 2553 live-days (37.9 kton-years) of data. A total of 2072 candidate events are observed. These are separated into 905 contained-vertex muons and 466 neutrino-induced rock-muons, both produced by charged-current nu(mu) and (nu) over bar (mu) interactions, and 701 contained-vertex showers, composed mainly of charged-current nu(e) and (nu) over bar (e) interactions and neutral-current interactions. The curvature of muon tracks in the magnetic field of the MINOS Far Detector is used to select separate samples of nu(mu) and (nu) over bar (mu) events. The observed ratio of (nu) over bar (mu) to v(mu) events is compared with the Monte Carlo ( MC) simulation, giving a double ratio of R((nu) over bar/nu)data/R(nu) over bar/nu MC = 1.03 +/- 0.08(stat) +/- 0.08(syst). The v(mu) and (nu) over bar (mu) data are separated into bins of L/E resolution, based on the reconstructed energy and direction of each event, and a maximum likelihood fit to the observed L/E distributions is used to determine the atmospheric neutrino oscillation parameters. This fit returns 90% confidence limits of |Delta m(2)| = (1.9 +/- 0.4) x 10(-3) eV(2) and sin(2)2 theta > 0.86. The fit is extended to incorporate separate nu(mu) and (nu) over bar mu oscillation parameters, returning 90% confidence limits of |Delta m(2)| - |Delta(m) over bar (2)| = 0.6(-0.8)(+2.4) x 10(-3) eV(2) on the difference between the squared-mass splittings for neutrinos and antineutrinos.

Characterization of calcium oxide in root perforation sealer materials

Root perforation represents an undesirable complication that may lead to an unfavorable prognosis. The aims of this study were to characterize and to compare the presence of calcium oxide (CaO) on the chemical composition of materials used for root perforation therapy: gray and white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC), gray MTA+5%CaO and gray MTA+10%CaO. The last two materials were analyzed to evaluate the increase of CaO in the final sample. CaO alone was used as a standard. Eighteen polyethylene tubes with an internal diameter of 3 mm and 3 mm in length were prepared, filled and then transferred to a chamber with 95% relative humidity and a temperature of 37ºC. The chemical compounds (particularly CaO) and the main components were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). EDX revealed the following concentrations of CaO: gray MTA: 59.28%, white MTA: 63.09%; PC: 72.51%; gray MTA+5%CaO: 63.48% and gray MTA+10%CaO: 67.55%. The tested materials presented different concentrations of CaO. Even with an increase of 5 and 10% CaO in gray MTA, the CaO levels found in the MTA samples were lower than those found in PC.

Viabilidade técnica da fabricação de cimento com mistura de escória de aciaria LD e resíduo de granito

Esse trabalho estuda a viabilidade técnica da fabricação de cimento com uma mistura de resíduo proveniente da serragem de blocos de granito e escória de aciaria LD. Para isso, foi preparada uma mistura desses materiais de modo que a relação %CaO / %SiO2 fosse 1,2. Essa mistura foi fundida e resfriada rapidamente em água. A amostra foi caracterizada e o difratograma de raios X mostrou um material amorfo e a presença das fases mineralógicas Akermanita e Gehlenita, as quais são consideradas como as fases mineralógicas ideais para a atividade hidráulica. Essa mistura foi adicionada ao clínquer para a fabricação de cimento. Com o cimento fabricado, foram feitos ensaios cujos resultados são apresentados e comparados com os valores obtidos para o cimento de alto-forno. Esses resultados indicam a viabilidade técnica da utilização da mistura na fabricação de cimento.