Search

We report on the strategy used to optimize the sensitivity of our search for a neutron electric dipole moment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Measurements were made upon ultracold neutrons stored within a single chamber at the heart of our apparatus. A mercury cohabiting magnetometer together with an array of cesium magnetometers were used to monitor the magnetic field, which was controlled and shaped by a series of precision field coils. In addition to details of the setup itself, we describe the chosen path to realize an appropriate balance between achieving the highest statistical sensitivity alongside the necessary control on systematic effects. The resulting irreducible sensitivity is better than 1 × 10−26e cm. This contribution summarizes in a single coherent picture the results of the most recent publications of the collaboration.

The neutron and its hypothetical mirror counterpart, a sterile state degenerate in mass, could spontaneously mix in a process much faster than the neutron β-decay. Two groups have performed a series of experiments in search of neutron – mirror-neutron (n − n′) oscillations. They reported no evidence, thereby setting stringent limits on the oscillation time τnn′. Later, these data sets have been further analyzed by Berezhiani et al.(2009–2017), and signals, compatible with n − n′ oscillations in the presence of mirror magnetic fields, have been reported. The Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Collaboration based at the Paul Scherrer Institute performed a new series of experiments to further test these signals. In this paper, we describe and motivate our choice of run configurations with an optimal filling time of 29 s, storage times of 180 s and 380 s, and applied magnetic fields of 10 μT and 20 μT. The choice of these run configurations ensures a reliable overlap in settings with the previous efforts and also improves the sensitivity to test the signals. We also elaborate on the technique of normalizing the neutron counts, making such a counting experiment at the ultra-cold neutron source at the Paul Scherrer Institute possible. Furthermore, the magnetic field characterization to meet the requirements of this n − n′ oscillation search is demonstrated. Finally, we show that this effort has a statistical sensitivity to n − n′ oscillations comparable to the current leading constraints for B′ = 0.

We present the new spectrometer for the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) search at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), called n2EDM. The setup is at room temperature in vacuum using ultracold neutrons. n2EDM features a large UCN double storage chamber design with neutron transport adapted to the PSI UCN source. The design builds on experience gained from the previous apparatus operated at PSI until 2017. An order of magnitude increase in sensitivity is calculated for the new baseline setup based on scalable results from the previous apparatus, and the UCN source performance achieved in 2016.

Modern science is developing at a rapid pace and today, especially during the epidemic situation, scientific events are in demand, which allow us to consider topical issues that interest participants from different areas, individual ways to solve the same problem, listen to lectures by invited experts, and establish valuable contacts. On May 27-31, 2021 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on the premises of the al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Higher School of Medicine, the Department of Fundamental Medicine, and the Eurasian Association of Morphologists held the XXVII International Symposium of Morphological Sciences ISMS 2021. This Morphological Congress was held, the first time, in 1971, in Mexico City, with the subsequent editions organized every two years in Argentina, Israel, the USA, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, Japan and many other countries (https://www.symposiamorphologica.com/). The decision to hold the Symposium in 2020 in Kazakhstan was made at the meeting of the International Committee of Symposia on Morphological Sciences (ICSMS) on June 5, 2018 in Prague (Czech Republic) as a part of the XXVI International Symposium of Morphological Sciences. The advantage of votes over other candidate countries (South Africa, Argentina) allowed Kazakhstan to take a huge responsibility for holding this Forum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the prostatic arterial supply with multidetector Angio CT and Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA).Methods: DSA was performed in 21 male patients (7 of these also underwent Pelvic Angio CT); a further 4 patients only underwent Angio CT. Prostatic arteries were classified according to their origin, direction, number of pedicles, termination and anastomoses with surrounding arteries in 50 pelvic sides.Results: The most frequent origin was the internal pudendal artery (n = 28; 56%) with the common gluteal-pudendal trunk the next commonest (n = 14; 28%). Less frequent origins were the obturator artery (n = 6; 12%) or the inferior gluteal artery (n = 2; 4%). Two separate vascular pedicles were found in 12 pelvic sides (24%). There were anastomoses with the termination of the internal pudendal artery in 24% of cases (n = 12), with the contra-lateral prostatic arteries in 6 cases (12%), and to the superior vesical artery in 4 cases (8%).Conclusions: Defining prostatic artery origin and direction is paramount to allow selective catheterisation. Angio CT is very useful as a pre-intervention tool. The number of independent vascular pedicles and the presence of anastomoses with surrounding arteries should be taken into account when planning prostatic arterial embolisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmaniosis is an anthropozoonosis caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a wide spectrum of diseases in humans and dogs worldwide. In the Mediterranean basin, Portugal, Central and South America, and in the Middle East, visceral leishmaniosis is caused by Leishmania infantum. In these areas, dogs are believed to be the natural reservoirs of this parasite. In the case of visceral leishmaniosis, the spleen is one of the several hematopoietic and immunocompetent organs involved. Since this viscera is a blood filter, the authors investigated the expression of the morphological and microvascular environment and modifications of the spleen cell population related to immunological responses to this parasitic condition. The tools used to perform this study were scanning electronic microscopy of intact tissue and corrosion casts, transmission electronic microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry. The results reveal three important modifications concerning the spleen's microvascular architecture when compared with its normal pattern, independently of the serological titer obtained with indirect immunofluorescence. (1) A marked scarcity of the sinusoidal system sheet that surrounds the central artery/arteriole of the white pulp; (2) A huge development of pulp venules and veins; (3) The presence of a surprising development of reticular fibers. The authors postulate that independent of the virulence of the parasite involved and the type of immunity prevalent in a particular host, the spleen develops blood dynamic conditions that permit reduction in the speed of blood flow so that cells involved in immunological processes can proliferate and differentiate, and also contributes to trapping lymphocytes within the area through the differentiation of characteristics that resemble those of HEV endothelial cells. Microsc. Res. Tech. 69:227-235, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Numerous studies have been made regarding circulation via the red pulp of the spleen, and intense controversy surrounds the question as to whether or not endothelial continuity exists between arterial and venous vessels. Aware of this intense controversy, and in order to perform investigation over the spleen of dogs infected with a parasitic disease (future reports shall be done), the authors studied the vascularization of the normal dog spleen in order to define its normal pattern and evaluate the eventual changes of the circulation pattern under the parasitic condition. These studies led us to report, unequivocally, using complementary vascular replective techniques, that the normal dog's intermediary circulation is morphologically closed and of the open kind also. These findings are contrary to the thesis that defends the existence of a physiologically closed and morphologically open circulation in the dog spleen. Lymphatic vessels in the spleen of the dog are also demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leishmaniases are a globally widespread group of parasitic diseases from the group of anthropozoonoses. They are caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes a wide spectrum of diseases in humans and dogs worldwide. In fact, the dog is considered one of the most important reservoir. The spleen is one of the several haematopoietic and immunocompetent organs involved. As this organ is a blood filter, the authors looked for the expression of this infection over the microvascular environment and modifications of the spleen cell population related to immunological responses to this parasitic condition. Tools: Scanning electronic microscopy over intact tissue and corrosion casts, transmission electronic microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry (MAC 387 and CD3). Results: Our results show three important modifications concerning the microvascular architecture of the spleen when compared to the normal pattern. A striking scarcity of the sinusoidal system sheath that surrounds the central arteries of the white pulp, a huge development of pulp venules and veins, differentiation of typical features of high endothelial venular cells. Remarks: According to our results it seems that independent of the virulence of the parasite involved and the kind of immunity prevalent in a particular host, the spleen develops blood dynamic conditions that allows a sluggish blood flow so that cells involved in immunological processes can proliferate and differentiate and it also contributes to the trapping of lymphocytes to the area through the differentiation of typical characteristics of HEV endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]