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We present the analysis of the binary gravitational microlensing event MOA-2015-BLG-020. The event has a fairly long timescale (∼63 days) and thus the light curve deviates significantly from the lensing model that is based on the rectilinear lens-source relative motion. This enables us to measure the microlensing parallax through the annual parallax effect. The microlensing parallax parameters constrained by the ground-based data are confirmed by the Spitzer observations through the satellite parallax method. By additionally measuring the angular Einstein radius from the analysis of the resolved caustic crossing, the physical parameters of the lens are determined. It is found that the binary lens is composed of two dwarf stars with masses and in the Galactic disk. Assuming that the source star is at the same distance as the bulge red clump stars, we find the lens is at a distance . We also provide a summary and short discussion of all of the published microlensing events in which the annual parallax effect is confirmed by other independent observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the results of the statistical analysis of planetary signals discovered in MOA-II microlensing survey alert system events from 2007 to 2012. We determine the survey sensitivity as a function of planet–star mass ratio, q, and projected planet–star separation, s, in Einstein radius units. We find that the mass-ratio function is not a single power law, but has a change in slope at q ∼ 10−4, corresponding to ∼20 M⊕ for the median host-star mass of ∼0.6 . We find significant planetary signals in 23 of the 1474 alert events that are well-characterized by the MOA-II survey data alone. Data from other groups are used only to characterize planetary signals that have been identified in the MOA data alone. The distribution of mass ratios and separations of the planets found in our sample are well fit by a broken power-law model of the form for q > qbr and for q < qbr, where qbr is the mass ratio of the break. We also combine this analysis with the previous analyses of Gould et al. and Cassan et al., bringing the total sample to 30 planets. This combined analysis yields , n = −0.93 ± 0.13, , and for qbr ≡ 1.7 × 10−4. The unbroken power-law model is disfavored with a p-value of 0.0022, which corresponds to a Bayes factor of 27 favoring the broken power-law model. These results imply that cold Neptunes are likely to be the most common type of planets beyond the snow line. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery of the first Neptune analog exoplanet or super-Earth with a Neptune-like orbit, MOA-2013-BLG-605Lb. This planet has a mass similar to that of Neptune or a super-Earth and it orbits at 9 ∼ 14 times the expected position of the snow line, asnow, which is similar to Neptune's separation of 11 asnow from the Sun. The planet/host-star mass ratio is q = (3.6 ± 0.7) × 10−4 and the projected separation normalized by the Einstein radius is s = 2.39 ± 0.05. There are three degenerate physical solutions and two of these are due to a new type of degeneracy in the microlensing parallax parameters, which we designate “the wide degeneracy.” The three models have (i) a Neptune-mass planet with a mass of orbiting a low-mass M-dwarf with a mass of , (ii) a mini-Neptune with orbiting a brown dwarf host with , and (iii) a super-Earth with orbiting a low-mass brown dwarf host with , which is slightly favored. The 3D planet–host separations are au, au, and au, which are , , or times larger than asnow for these models, respectively. Keck adaptive optics observations confirm that the lens is faint. This discovery suggests that low-mass planets with Neptune-like orbits are common. Therefore processes similar to the one that formed Neptune in our own solar system or cold super-Earths may be common in other solar systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, oral and dental issues for head and neck cancer patients were often not considered until after cancer treatment was complete. As a result, outcomes for oral rehabilitation were sometimes suboptimal. Inconsistencies in service delivery models and qualification, training and experience of staff delivering dental care often compounded this problem, making research and audit almost impossible. Collaborative working by consultants in restorative dentistry from all over the UK as part of a Restorative Dentistry-UK (RD UK) subgroup, renamed more recently as the RD-UK Head and Neck Cancer Clinical Excellence Network (CEN), has re-emphasised the importance of specialist restorative dentistry intervention at the outset of the head and neck cancer pathway to optimise outcomes of patient care. The CEN has driven several initiatives, reflecting Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) principles aimed at reducing unwarranted variation. This improved consistency in approach and optimised collaborative working of the team now presents a better environment for multicentre audit and research. Ultimately, this should result in a continued improvement in patient and carer experience., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background: High-quality colonoscopy is essential for investigating suspected colorectal cancer and relies on endoscopists meeting key performance indicator (KPI) targets. The rising demand for colonoscopy raises concerns that Māori populations could be under-served. This study aimed to compare rates of colonoscopy provision and colonoscopy KPIs between Māori and New Zealand (NZ) European patients., Methods: This retrospective comparative study was conducted at Whanganui Hospital (NZ). Consecutive colonoscopies performed between September 2016 and March 2020 were included. Primary outcome was the rate of colonoscopy provision for the population. Secondary outcomes were the colonoscopy completion rate (CCR), colonoscope withdrawal time (CWT), polyp detection rate (PDR) and adenoma detection rate (ADR). Subgroup analysis of ADR in index symptomatic colonoscopies was also performed., Results: A total of 2962 colonoscopies were analysed (385 Māori; 2577 NZ European). Rates of colonoscopy provision in participants aged ≥40 were significantly lower among Māori (6.1% versus 9.1%; P < 0.0001). The CCR (P = 1.00), CWT (P = 0.28) and PDR (P = 0.24) were similar. Whilst the ADR in the overall cohort was significantly lower in Māori (32.7% versus 40.0%; P = 0.028), this was not observed when stratified by 10-year age cohorts. The ADR was similar on subgroup analysis of index symptomatic colonoscopies (P = 0.42)., Conclusions: This study found inequities in access to colonoscopy services for Māori compared to NZ European patients. Among those that did receive colonoscopy, there were no differences in colonoscopy quality after age stratification. Improving equity will require the addition of colonoscopy provision rates to other mandatory KPIs and reporting these by ethnicity in all endoscopy units., (© 2021 Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.)

Radiation therapy plays an important role in the care of patients with head and neck cancer. When the oral cavity and the salivary glands are exposed to high doses of radiation, there can be dramatic effects on the patient's oral health. The clinical consequences of radiation can include mucositis, hyposalivation, taste loss, osteoradionecrosis, radiation caries and trismus. This paper looks at the available literature regarding the effects of radiotherapy on the oral environment and outlines practical clinical approaches to prevent or reduce the adverse side effects of treatment.

The management of adult dental patients with congenital bleeding disorders has caused a considerable number of problems to the dental profession. There is a need to simplify the process and identify what can be safely carried out on a 'shared care' basis in General Dental Practice or the Community Dental Service. Particular problems are discussed with special reference to those requiring hospital care. The Scottish Oral Health Group for Medically Compromised Patients has developed this clinical guidance in conjunction with the Scottish Haemophilia Directors. It is important that dental care is easily available for this group of patients, especially those living at some distance from the regional centres. The aim is to simplify planning dental care for this group of patients and remove a number of myths concerning their management. The hospital departments, both medical and dental, must be available for advice and to arrange for treatment that is inappropriate outside a specialist hospital.

The authors investigated (a) whether increased closeness and decreased closeness of a relationship are associated with better and poorer psychological health, respectively; and (b) whether poorer psychological health is related to perceiving oneself or to perceiving the other person as primarily responsible for decreased closeness. A sample of English undergraduate students (52 female, 52 male; 16-23 years of age) completed M. Rosenberg's (1965) Self-Esteem Scale, D. P. Goldberg's (1972) 12-item General Health Questionnaire, and a 6-item scale developed for this study to measure change in closeness and to identify the initiator(s) of the change. Decreased closeness was related to poorer psychological health in male participants' platonic relationships and in female participants' romantic relationships. Poorer psychological health was associated with (a) perceiving the other person as responsible for decreased closeness in male participants' platonic relationships and (b) perceiving both parties as mutually responsible for decreased closeness in female participants' romantic relationships.