Search

The rare decay $K_L \!\to\! \pi^0 \nu \overline{\nu}$ was studied with the dataset taken at the J-PARC KOTO experiment in 2016, 2017, and 2018. With a single event sensitivity of $( 7.20 \pm 0.05_{\rm stat} \pm 0.66_{\rm syst} ) \times 10^{-10}$, three candidate events were observed in the signal region. After unveiling them, contaminations from $K^{\pm}$ and scattered $K_L$ decays were studied, and the total number of background events was estimated to be $1.22 \pm 0.26$. We conclude that the number of observed events is statistically consistent with the background expectation. For this dataset, we set an upper limit of $4.9 \times 10^{-9}$ on the branching fraction of $K_L \!\to\! \pi^0 \nu \overline{\nu}$ at the 90% confidence level.

We report the result from a search for charged-current coherent pion production induced by muon neutrinos with a mean energy of 1.3 GeV. The data are collected with a fully active scintillator detector in the K2K long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. No evidence for coherent pion production is observed and an upper limit of $0.60 \times 10^{-2}$ is set on the cross section ratio of coherent pion production to the total charged-current interaction at 90% confidence level. This is the first experimental limit for coherent charged pion production in the energy region of a few GeV., 5 pages, 4 figures

The rare decay K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] was studied with the dataset taken at the J-PARC KOTO experiment in 2016, 2017, and 2018. With a single event sensitivity of (7.20±0.05_{stat}±0.66_{syst})×10^{-10}, three candidate events were observed in the signal region. After unveiling them, contaminations from K^{±} and scattered K_{L} decays were studied, and the total number of background events was estimated to be 1.22±0.26. We conclude that the number of observed events is statistically consistent with the background expectation. For this dataset, we set an upper limit of 4.9×10^{-9} on the branching fraction of K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] at the 90% confidence level.

We report the first search for the KL→π0γ decay, which is forbidden by Lorentz invariance, using the data from 2016 to 2018 at the J-PARC KOTO experiment. With a single event sensitivity of (7.1±0.3stat±1.6syst)×10−8, no candidate event was observed in the signal region. The upper limit on the branching fraction was set to be 1.7×10−7 at the 90% confidence level.

Introduction: Three previous individual participant data meta-analyses (IPDMAs) reported that, compared to the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM (SCID), alternative reference standards, primarily the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), tended to misclassify major depression status, when controlling for depression symptom severity. However, there was an important lack of precision in the results. Objective: To compare the odds of the major depression classification based on the SCID, CIDI, and MINI. Methods: We included and standardized data from 3 IPDMA databases. For each IPDMA, separately, we fitted binomial generalized linear mixed models to compare the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of major depression classification, controlling for symptom severity and characteristics of participants, and the interaction between interview and symptom severity. Next, we synthesized results using a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects meta-analysis. Results: In total, 69,405 participants (7,574 [11%] with major depression) from 212 studies were included. Controlling for symptom severity and participant characteristics, the MINI (74 studies; 25,749 participants) classified major depression more often than the SCID (108 studies; 21,953 participants; aOR 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.11-1.92]). Classification odds for the CIDI (30 studies; 21,703 participants) and the SCID did not differ overall (aOR 1.19; 95% CI 0.79-1.75); however, as screening scores increased, the aOR increased less for the CIDI than the SCID (interaction aOR 0.64; 95% CI 0.52-0.80). Conclusions: Compared to the SCID, the MINI classified major depression more often. The odds of the depression classification with the CIDI increased less as symptom levels increased. Interpretation of research that uses diagnostic interviews to classify depression should consider the interview characteristics. © 2020

In high-frequency pulsed magnets, such as kickers in particle accelerators, it is essential to reduce eddy currents that could be induced in the magnet core during excitation not to distort and attenuate the magnetic field pulse. A novel iron lamination scheme with additional interlaminar insulation is proposed for the magnet core of such pulsed magnets. A laminated steel sheet core is formed by alternately stacking thin steel and insulation sheets. For application to matched kicker magnets for accelerators, test magnets with the new and conventional iron lamination were designed, assembled, and extensively evaluated. The pulsed magnetic field waveforms of two test magnets with the new lamination successfully matched to below 0.1% over the entire pulse duration, which was significantly better than those with the conventional lamination. Among the applications of the developed high-frequency pulsed magnets, beam injection kickers for the coming next generation light sources and future colliders, where suppression of the transient stored-beam oscillation during beam injection is crucial, are considered to be promising.

A search for the rare decay K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] was performed. With the data collected in 2015, corresponding to 2.2×10^{19} protons on target, a single event sensitivity of (1.30±0.01_{stat}±0.14_{syst})×10^{-9} was achieved and no candidate events were observed. We set an upper limit of 3.0×10^{-9} for the branching fraction of K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] at the 90% confidence level (C.L.), which improved the previous limit by almost an order of magnitude. An upper limit for K_{L}→π^{0}X^{0} was also set as 2.4×10^{-9} at the 90% C.L., where X^{0} is an invisible boson with a mass of 135 MeV/c^{2}.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T01:09:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Purpose: Compare maxillary labial frenum and lingual frenum topography, the ridges relationship and oral inclusion cysts occurrence between pre-term (PT) and full-term newborns (FT). Methods: This cross-sectional and comparative study was conducted through the evaluation of 74 PT and 100 FT. Data were collected from medical records: mother age, gestational age, gender, height, weight, and delivery type. The variables were verified by Chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test, at 5% significance level. Results: Bohn’s nodules and dental lamina cysts were more frequent in FT (P = 0.000). Epstein pearls occurrence was similar between FT and PT (P = 0.243). The lower alveolar ridge in distal position to the upper one was more prevalent in both groups. Abnormal upper labial frenum anatomy had been observed in 10.0% of FT. Upper labial frenum was attached in piriform papilla in 90.5% of PTG, whereas in FT, 61.0% were attached from crest of alveolar ridge to mucogingival line. Conclusions: PT oral cavity presented some peculiarities when compared with FT: maxillary labial frenum insertion in the Piriform papilla and palatal cysts more prevalent than alveolar cysts. Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health – School of Dentistry São Paulo State University (Unesp), 1193, Rua José Bonifácio, Vila Mendonça Department of Oral Medicine and Pediatric Dentistry State University of Londrina (UEL) Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Public Health – School of Dentistry São Paulo State University (Unesp), 1193, Rua José Bonifácio, Vila Mendonça

A search for the rare decay K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] was performed. With the data collected in 2015, corresponding to 2.2×10^{19} protons on target, a single event sensitivity of (1.30±0.01_{stat}±0.14_{syst})×10^{-9} was achieved and no candidate events were observed. We set an upper limit of 3.0×10^{-9} for the branching fraction of K_{L}→π^{0}νν[over ¯] at the 90% confidence level (C.L.), which improved the previous limit by almost an order of magnitude. An upper limit for K_{L}→π^{0}X^{0} was also set as 2.4×10^{-9} at the 90% C.L., where X^{0} is an invisible boson with a mass of 135 MeV/c^{2}.

The J-PARC KOTO experiment aims to explore new physics beyond the Standard Model through the K L → π 0 ν ν ¯ decay. We installed a new photon-veto detector, named the Inner Barrel (IB), to improve the detection efficiency and the timing resolution for photons in the region transverse to the neutral beam. The IB is a 2.8-m-long cylindrical detector with a 1.5 m inner diameter. The IB is a lead-scintillator sampling shower counter with a 5-radiation-length thickness and with a low mass support structure, and fits inside the 14-radiation-length-thick cylindrical detector. Scintillating light is read out from both ends via wavelength shifting fibers with a short decay time. The design, construction and performance of the IB are presented in this paper.

Although thyratrons are widely used as high voltage switch devices for pulsed power supplies, their aged degradation and short lifetime has been headache for large accelerator facilities. Especially for X-ray free electron laser (XFEL) facilities, an instability caused by the aged thyratron and a high maintenance cost of the thyratron replacement are the serious problem. In order to overcome this problem, we have developed a solid-state high voltage switch having a long lifetime for thyratron replacement. The high-voltage switch was designed to install to the oil-filled compact modulator for XFEL facility SACLA (Spring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser). It should run at a 60 pps (pulse per second) repetition rate and conducts a large current of 5 kA with a 5 us pulse width from the pulse forming network circuit charged at 50 kV in maximum. We employ a static-induction (SI) thyristor as the high-voltage switch, because it has suitable characteristics for the thyratron replacement. In total, 192 SI-thyristors (24 series, 8 parallel) are used for a 50 kV switch module. Since the modulator is filled with an insulation-oil, water cooling of the device is not suitable. Hence, we attach the SI-thyristors on aluminum heat sinks forcibly cooled by oil circulation. Performance check in high-voltage operation for the switch was carried out by connecting it to the actual klystron and modulator. The switch stably run at a 50 kV charging voltage, a 5 kA pulse current and a 60 pps repetition rate. A temperature rise of the SI-thyristor is about 7 degree, which is lower enough. Validity of employing the module for the high-voltage switching is well confirmed.

Future, large, multi-terminal HVDC networks are likely to require fast operating circuit breakers to allow stable operation. Several circuit breaker topologies have been developed for fill this purpose [1][2][3]. In this paper, a mechanical active resonant current zero topology DC breaker, capable of interrupting fault current within several milliseconds after tripping, is analysed. In this topology, it is critical that the mechanical interrupter unit is capable of withstanding both high di/dt prior to current zero and high dv/dt post current zero. The high frequency interruption capabilities of gas circuit breaker (GCB) and vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) are examined to assess their use for mechanical DC breaker applications. Comparison of the maximum di/dt capabilities demonstrated that vacuum interrupters are more appropriate for the task. The concept of residual plasma density at current zero was evaluated to explain the relationship between breaking current and di/dt capability.

Aerodynamic noise generated from a modern large-scale wind turbine was measured and analyzed from an engineering point of view. The measurement items were the sound, the sound pressure level (including the infrasound with extremely low-frequency band) and the corresponding physiological evaluation. Fifteen test subjects received various sound stimuli, including the recorded aerodynamic noise and a synthetic periodical sound, were examined with an electroencephalogram as a physiological evaluation. It was observed from the mapping patterns of brain waves that alpha 1 rhythm, which indicates a relaxed and concentrated state, after the sound stimulus with the frequency band of 20 Hz, showed the lowest value among the other cases. That is, the test subjects cannot keep relaxed and their concentration after hearing the sound stimulus at the frequency band of 20 Hz. The induced rate of alpha 1 rhythm almost decreased when the test subjects listened to all the sound stimuli, and further decreased with decreased frequency. Meanwhile, beta 1 rhythm, which shows a strain state, after the sound stimulus with the frequency band of 20 Hz, showed the highest value among the other cases. Therefore, the infrasound (e.g., low frequency and inaudible for human hearing) was considered to be an annoyance to the technicians who work in close proximity to a modern large-scale wind turbine.

Coherent electron spin dynamics is observed by tomographic Kerr rotation measurement in a GaAs/AlGaAs quantum well. Coherent measurement of the electron spin state prepared via the light-hole exciton was reported previously. In this study, we confirm that the electron spin state prepared via the heavy-hole exciton is also observable coherently and directly. Additionally, the magneto-optical spectrum is measured around the energy of the light-hole exciton under an in-plane magnetic field. These results lead us to better understanding of the tomographic Kerr rotation measurement.

Large lead/scintillator sandwich-type photon detectors, sensitive to visible energy depositions of 1 MeV, have been built for the K L 0 → π 0 ν ν ¯ experiment at the KEK 12-GeV proton synchrotron. The front barrel (FB) is composed of 16 modules with a length of 2.75 m, forming the 1.5 m-diameter cylinder. The main barrel (MB) is composed of 32 modules with a length of 5.5 m, forming a 3.5 m-diameter cylinder. Scintillation light is read out through wavelength-shifter (WLS) fibers. In this paper, the design, construction and performance of these detectors together with some R&D results are reported.

We demonstrate the ability of our cluster expansion approach (CEA) for cohesive energies of alloys, which allows one to study the chemical trends of the relative stability of different atomic structures of alloys, as an example, X dependence of the atomic structures of Al-rich AlX (X = Sc-Zn) alloys, including ordered structures (L12(Al3Sc), DO22 (Al3V)), a Mackay icosahedron (a local structure in the Al80Mn20 quasicrystal), and precipitate shapes in decomposition phases (Al1� cCuc ,A l 1� cZnc; c < 0:05). All the terms in the CEA for Al-rich AlX alloy can be determined uniquely and successively from low-order to high-order by using the total energies of isolated Al and X atoms, pure Al and X metals, and X impurities in Al metal. The total energies of impurity systems are calculated accurately by using the all-electron full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (FPKKR) Green’s function method, combined with the density-functional theory in the generalized-gradient approximation (GGA). We show: (1) the binding energies of X (X = Cu, Zn) impurities in Al are reproduced very well by the CEA including two- and three-body interaction energies of X impurities; (2) the chemical trends of structural stability among ordered structures (L12 ,D O 22, DO23 )o f Al 3X (X = Sc, Ti, V), being determined by use of the screened-FPKKR and GGA band-structure calculations, are reproduced by the CEA including only two-body (X-X) interaction energies in Al. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MJ200751]

Our hospital is a tertiary 1000-bed hospital. In 2011, rapid response system (RRS) was introduced in the hospital. Our rapid response team (RRT) includes critical care physicians, critical care nurses and physical therapists. Usually, team members are working at ICU. They also provides respiratory care or critical care interventions to the patients in the wards, after discharged from ICU. It is just like a Critical Care Outreach Team (CCOT), however, we call the system, Respiratory Support Team (RST) in our country. Once the RRS is activated, the team immediately responds to any type of call during 24 hours a day. The RRS is activated according to predefined criteria.

The KOTO ($K^0$ at Tokai) experiment aims to observe the CP-violating rare decay $K_L \rightarrow \pi^0 \nu \bar{\nu}$ by using a long-lived neutral-kaon beam produced by the 30 GeV proton beam at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex. The $K_L$ flux is an essential parameter for the measurement of the branching fraction. Three $K_L$ neutral decay modes, $K_L \rightarrow 3\pi^0$, $K_L \rightarrow 2\pi^0$, and $K_L \rightarrow 2\gamma$ were used to measure the $K_L$ flux in the beam line in the 2013 KOTO engineering run. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate the detector acceptance for these decays. Agreement was found between the simulation model and the experimental data, and the remaining systematic uncertainty was estimated at the 1.4\% level. The $K_L$ flux was measured as $(4.183 \pm 0.017_{\mathrm{stat.}} \pm 0.059_{\mathrm{sys.}}) \times 10^7$ $K_L$ per $2\times 10^{14}$ protons on a 66-mm-long Au target., Comment: 27 pages, 16 figures. To be appeared in Progress of Theoretical and Experimental Physics

Summary Background Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) is a transcriptional factor induced by ischaemic crisis in many tissues. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important growth factor that plays a major role in angiogenesis. Aim We examined the aetiology and pathophysiology of human ischaemic colitis and ulcerative colitis from the viewpoint of the expression of these two ischaemic factors. Methods Thirty-two patients with ischaemic colitis, 16 with ulcerative colitis and 25 normal controls underwent colonoscopy. Biopsy samples were taken from a colitis lesion and a normal region in the same patient. In the normal controls, four biopsy samples were obtained from each subject. Biopsy samples were subjected to real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Hypoxia-inducible factor and VEGF were overexpressed in ischaemic colitis lesions and quickly decreased to normal levels in the healing phase. In contrast, HIF but not VEGF was overexpressed in active ulcerative colitis lesions. In the remission phase of ulcerative colitis, VEGF decreased to low levels, although HIF was continuously overexpressed. Conclusions Overexpression of HIF and VEGF contribute to the tolerance of ischaemia in patients with active ischaemic colitis. The inconsistency in their expression might be associated with the chronic intestinal damage characteristic of ulcerative colitis.

We present measurements of nu_mu disappearance in K2K, the KEK to Kamioka long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. One hundred and twelve beam-originated neutrino events are observed in the fiducial volume of Super-Kamiokande with an expectation of 158.1^{+9.2}_{-8.6} events without oscillation. A distortion of the energy spectrum is also seen in 58 single-ring muon-like events with reconstructed energies. The probability that the observations are explained by the expectation for no neutrino oscillation is 0.0015% (4.3sigma). In a two flavor oscillation scenario, the allowed Delta m^2 region at sin^2(2theta) is between 1.9 and 3.5 x 10^{-3} eV^2 at the 90% C.L. with a best-fit value of 2.8 x 10^{-3} eV^2., Comment: 40 pages, 48 figures

The photon detection inefficiency of electromagnetic calorimeters due to photonuclear reactions has been studied at photon energies below 1 GeV using a tagged-photon beam at the KEK-Tanashi 1.3-GeV electron synchrotron. Photonuclear reactions are identified by detecting low-energy neutrons with liquid scintillation counters surrounding the sample calorimeter. For a Cesium Iodide (CsI) calorimeter with a detection threshold of 10 MeV, the inefficiency due to photonuclear reactions is 10 - 4 at E γ = 100 MeV , and decreases to 2 × 10 - 7 at E γ = 1 GeV . For a lead-scintillator sampling calorimeter, the inefficiency is larger than the above values by a factor of 2–3, reflecting the sampling effect after photonuclear reactions. By decreasing the detection threshold down to 1 MeV, the inefficiencies are reduced by a factor of 10 for both types of calorimeters.

The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a non-institutionalized Japanese elderly population. The subjects consisted of 8900 elderly people >65 years of age belonging to the Seniors Association in Izumo City in November 2000. The present study was conducted in two parts. The phase 1 investigation was a screening by mailed questionnaire and the phase 2 investigation was diagnosis by face-to-face interview. Subjects with possible cases of RLS in phase 1 proceeded to phase 2 and definite cases of RLS were then detected. In phase 1, a total of 3287 subjects completely answering all questionnaire items, were defined as the subjects of the present study. A total of 150 were classified as having 'probable RLS', resulting in a prevalence of 4.6%. These subjects with probable RLS in phase 1 were detected as the subjects of phase 2. By face-to-face interview and various clinical examinations, a total of 35 subjects (nine male, 26 female) were diagnosed as having definite RLS, resulting in a prevalence of 1.06%. Furthermore, seven subjects (two male, five female) with symptomatic RLS were detected and finally 28 subjects (seven male, 21 female) were diagnosed as having idiopathic RLS. It was significantly higher in women for both the total and idiopathic RLS groups (0.60% male vs 1.46% female; 0.46% male vs. 1.18% female, respectively). The prevalence of RLS may be lower in the Japanese elderly than that in Caucasian subjects. These results could enhance understanding of the differences in predisposition between the races.

A neutral beam line was constructed at the 12-GeV proton synchrotron of KEK for an experiment to study K L 0 → π 0 ν ν ¯ decay. It was designed to make a well-collimated K L 0 beam with small γ and neutron halos. In a series of beam-survey experiments, beam profiles and energy spectra of γ 's and neutrons were measured. It was confirmed that the beam was sharply collimated with a halo-to-core flux ratio lower than 10 - 4 . These experimental results were well reproduced by a Monte-Carlo simulation based on the GEANT-3 program.

An experiment of MOX codeposition from U–Pu–Ce containing molten salt in oxide -electrowinning reprocessing was performed. Composition of O 2 /Cl 2 /Ar mixed gas, Ce concentration and U/Pu concentration in the salt were chosen as variable parameters. Ten tests were performed in this experiment. Current efficiency in each test was about 60–99%, and apparent dependence of the current efficiency on concentration of Ce in the salt was not seen in this experiment. Recovered MOX deposits contained about 5–19 wt% of Pu and 0.5–2 wt% of Ce. Concentration of Pu and Ce in the MOX deposit was influenced by O 2 /Cl 2 /Ar mixed gas composition and Ce concentration in the salt, respectively. Microphotographs of cross-section show that the MOX deposit was a complex of small columnar crystals. Some parts of the cross-section were analyzed by EPMA. These results indicated that a U rich region (concentration of U: about 80 wt%) exists in central part of the crystal and Pu rich regions (concentration of Pu: about 80 wt%) scatter on its surface and Ce is distributed rather uniformly.

Absorption spectra in the visible to the near ultraviolet were measured on the Belgica chondrite B-7904 in a form of thin solid film made by the vacuum evaporation. The spectra obtained exhibit a sharp peak at 226 nm and a broad bump around 280nm. These features were found arising from the meteorite component FeS (troilite). The peak at 226 nm shows a doublet structure with the band-width considerably narrower than the 217.5 nm feature in the interstellar extinction. The absorption spectra obtained previously with the pulverized chondrites suspended in a liquid were also found reproducible by the pulverized FeS.

We made a series of surveys to obtain neutrino beam line direction toward SuperKamiokande (SK) at a distance of 250 km for the long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment at KEK. We found that the beam line is directed to SK within 0.03 mr and 0.09 mr (in sigma) in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. During beam operation, we monitored the muon distribution from secondary pions produced at the target and collected by a magnetic horn system. We found that the horn system functions like a lens of a point-to-parallel optics with magnification of approximately -100 and the focal length of 2.3 m. Namely, a small displacement of the primary beam position at the target is magnified about a factor -100 at the muon centroid, while the centroid position is almost stable against a change of the incident angle of the primary beam. Therefore, the muon centroid can be a useful monitor of the neutrino beam direction. We could determine the muon centroid within 6 mm and 12 mm in horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. This means that the neutrino beam direction could be controlled within 0.03 mr and 0.06 mr (in sigma) in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. We confirmed the beam direction with the neutrino distribution reconstructed at the near detector in KEK.

A polarized deuterium target was developed for the use of the first measurement of the so-called complete spin dependent cross-sections of the D → ( d → ,p)T nuclear reaction at 20 MeV . In order to minimize the energy losses of incident and emitted particles in the target materials, the target thickness should be as thin as possible. A deuterated polyethylene foil of 30– 50 μm thickness was used as polarized target. The deuterons contained in the foil are polarized by the dynamic nuclear polarization method in the magnetic field of 2.5 T . The polarized deuterium target system has been installed in the 1st experimental hall of the Tandem Accelerator Center at the University of Tsukuba. From the target asymmetry measurement of D → (d,d)D elastic scattering by a 20 MeV deuteron beam about 10% deuteron target polarization was confirmed.

We have developed a new photomultiplier tube (PMT) with high sensitivity for a wavelength-shifter fiber readout of plastic scintillators. Improvements of the photoelectron yield were made on a 2-in. PMT (Hamamatsu R329) by adopting (1) a prism-shaped photocathode, (2) an extended-green photocathode material, and (3) an optical mirror surface of the electrodes. As a result, the number of photoelectrons obtained by the new PMT has increased to be 1.8-times that by R329. Other PMT characteristics, such as uniformity of sensitivity, time response and darkcurrent are not so much different from those of R329 for practical applications.

The K L → π 0 η η decay is one of the most attractive phenomena for the study of the CP violation. The branching ratio can be calculated with a small theoretical ambiguity, which will provide a clean determination of a basic parameter of the present particle physics. It will also play an important role for the search of the new physics as well as for the fundamental unerstanding of the CP-violation. We will start a kind of pilot experiment using a present 12-GeV proton synchrotron (PS) at KEK from early 2004, which is the first dedicated experiment searching for the K L → π 0 η η decay.

Super-Kamiokande is the world's largest water Cherenkov detector, with net mass 50,000 tons. During the period April, 1996 to July, 2001, Super-Kamiokande I collected 1678 live-days of data, observing neutrinos from the Sun, Earth's atmosphere, and the K2K long-baseline neutrino beam with high efficiency. These data provided crucial information for our current understanding of neutrino oscillations, as well as setting stringent limits on nucleon decay. In this paper, we describe the detector in detail, including its site, configuration, data acquisition equipment, online and offline software, and calibration systems which were used during Super-Kamiokande I.

A flash analog to digital converter (FADC) board of low cost and power saving has been developed based on Compact Peripheral Component Interface (CompactPCI) for Drift Chamber Beta-ray Analyzer (DCBA), which is an experiment to study double-beta decay. This board has been designed and constructed with 8 channels, each of which has an 8-bit 100 MHz FADC chip and a double-buffered memory. The design philosophy using recent semiconductor technology is described together with the performance of the FADC board.

The K2K experiment observes indications of neutrino oscillation: a reduction of $\nu_\mu$ flux together with a distortion of the energy spectrum. Fifty-six beam neutrino events are observed in Super-Kamiokande (SK), 250 km from the neutrino production point, with an expectation of $80.1^{+6.2}_{-5.4}$. Twenty-nine one ring $\mu$-like events are used to reconstruct the neutrino energy spectrum, which is better matched to the expected spectrum with neutrino oscillation than without. The probability that the observed flux at SK is explained by statistical fluctuation without neutrino oscillation is less than 1%., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures embedded, LaTeX with RevTeX style, accepted for publication in PRL on December 13, 2002

This paper investingates what the magnetic characteristics of TbFeCo films would become if Ar and Kr were used as sputtering gases. The sample structure was glass / underlayer SiNx(u) / TbFeCo / protective layer SiNx(p), and the top three layers were deposited by magnetron sputtering. When Kr gas was used, the coercive force HC and effective perpendicular anisotropy Keff increased. The increase was not dependent on the difference in Curie temperature. The type of sputtering gas used was changed for deposition of the SiNx(u) and TbFeCo layers. Consequently, HC increased when TbFeCo was deposited by using Kr gas. Changing the kind of sputtering gas used seldom affected SiNx(u).

A 48-year-old woman with late infantile onset mental retardation developed megacolon. Although the patient had no typical clinical features of Hirschsprung disease-mental retardation syndrome, a new 3-base pair deletion, eliminating an Asn, was identified in the responsible gene ZFHX1B. This suggests that screening for ZFHX1B mutations is warranted even in the absence of typical clinical features of the syndrome.

A number of different fits to solar neutrino mixing and mass square difference were performed using 1496 days of Super-Kamiokande-I's solar neutrino data. These data select two allowed areas at large neutrino mixing when combined with either the solar $^8$B flux prediction of the standard solar model or the SNO interaction rate measurements. A global fit combining SK data with the solar neutrino interaction rates measured by Homestake, SNO, Gallex/GNO and SAGE prefers a single allowed area, the Large Mixing Angle solution, at the 98.9% confidence level. The mass square difference $\Delta m^2$ between the two mass eigenstates ranges from about 3 to $19\times10^{-5}$eV$^2$, while the mixing angle $\theta$ is in the range of $\tan^2\theta\approx$0.25--0.65., Comment: 10 Pages, 4 figures, submitted to Physics Letters B

We have searched for the decay K + →π + ν ν in the kinematic region with pion momentum below the K + → π + π 0 peak. One event was observed, consistent with the background estimate of 0.73±0.18. This implies an upper limit on B(K + →π + ν ν ) −9 (90% C.L.), consistent with the recently measured branching ratio of 1.57 +1.75 −0.82 ×10 −10 , obtained using the standard model spectrum and the kinematic region above the K + → π + π 0 peak. The same data were used to search for K + → π + X 0 , where X 0 is a weakly interacting neutral particle or system of particles with 150 M X 0 c 2 .

A Scintillator–Lucite Sandwich Detector (SLSD) has been developed for n/γ separation in the GeV energy region. An efficient n/γ separation is achieved by measuring a correlation between the scintillation and Cherenkov light yields. The basic performance of the detector has been tested with e, π and p beams with momenta between 0.5 and 2.0 GeV /c ; the results were compared with a Monte-Carlo simulation. The n/γ separation capability of this detector has been studied by simulations in the energy range from 5 MeV to 12 GeV . The SLSD detector was successfully used for a beam survey of the new K L 0 beam line built for a K L 0 → π 0 ν ν experiment at the KEK 12-GeV proton synchrotron.