Search

A measurement of the final state distribution of the 8B ß decay, obtained by implanting a 8B beam in a double-sided silicon strip detector, is reported here. The present spectrum is consistent with a recent independent precise measurement performed by our collaboration at the IGISOL facility, Jyväskylä [O. S. Kirsebom et al., Phys. Rev. C 83, 065802 (2011)]. It shows discrepancies with previously measured spectra, leading to differences in the derived neutrino spectrum. Thanks to a low detection threshold, the neutrino spectrum is for the first time directly extracted from the measured final state distribution, thus avoiding the uncertainties related to the extrapolation of matrix fits. Combined with the IGISOL data, this leads to an improvement of the overall errors and the extension of the neutrino spectrum at high energy. The new unperturbed neutrino spectrum represents a benchmark for future measurements of the solar neutrino flux as a function of energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The hyperfine structure of short-lived trapped 211,209Ra+ ions was investigated by means of laser spectroscopy. The hyperfine structure constants A and B of the level were determined. There is a 2.2 standard deviation difference between the theoretical and the more accurate experimental value for the B coefficient of 211Ra+. These measurements provide a test for the atomic theory required for upcoming experiments on atomic parity violation and atomic clocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Radioactive isotopes produced by the in-flight method are converted into low-energy ions with a thermal ionizer (TI) ion catcher, the operation of which is based on a hot cavity ion source. The extraction efficiency of the TI for different alkali and alkali-earth elements has been studied and compared to a model based on diffusion only. The model describes the stationary limit, i.e. the extraction efficiency, as well as the dynamic response of the TI output when the primary beam is switched on and off. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Recently the spin–lattice relaxation time T 1 of hyperpolarized (HP)- 129 Xe was significantly improved by using uncoated and Rb-free storage vessels of GE180 glass. For these cells, a simple procedure was established to obtain reproducible wall relaxation times of about 18 h. Then the limiting relaxation mechanism in pure Xe is due to the coupling between the nuclear spins and the angular momentum of the Xe–Xe van-der-Waals-molecules. This mechanism can be significantly reduced by using different buffer gases of which CO 2 was discovered to be the most efficient so far. From these values, it was estimated that for a 1:1 mixture of HP-Xe with CO 2 a longitudinal relaxation time of about 7 h can be expected, sufficient to transport HP-Xe from a production to a remote application site. This prediction was verified for such a mixture at a total pressure of about 1 bar in a 10 cm glass cell showing a storage time of T 1 ≈ 9 h (for T 1 wall = ( 34 ± 9 ) h) which was transported inside a magnetic box over a distance of about 200 km by car. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the Kernfysisch Versneller Instituut a new facility (TRIμP) is under development which aims to investigate fundamental interactions using radioactive ions. A spectrum of radioactive isotopes will be produced in inverse-kinematics and fragmentation reactions using heavy-ion beams from the superconducting cyclotron AGOR. The reaction products will be separated from the primary beam in a dual-mode recoil and fragment separator. The beam of isotopes of interest will be transformed into a low-energy, high-quality, bunched beam and, after neutralization, stored in an atom trap. The emphasis will be put on studying the origin of parity violation via β–ν angular correlations and the search for permanent electric dipole moments of atoms and nuclei. The facility will be open to outside users; suggestions for collaborations to extend the scientific program are encouraged. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report on the electrostatic trapping of neutral SrF molecules. The molecules are captured from a cryogenic buffer-gas beam source into the moving traps of a 4.5-m-long traveling-wave Stark decelerator. The SrF molecules in X²Σ+(v = 0, N = 1) state are brought to rest as the velocity of the moving traps is gradually reduced from 190     m / s to zero. The molecules are held for up to 50 ms in multiple electric traps of the decelerator. The trapped packets have a volume (FWHM) of 1 mm³ and a velocity spread of 5 (1) m / s, which corresponds to a temperature of 60(20) mK. Our result demonstrates a factor 3 increase in the molecular mass that has been Stark decelerated and trapped. Heavy molecules (mass > 100     amu) offer a highly increased sensitivity to probe physics beyond the standard model. This work significantly extends the species of neutral molecules of which slow beams can be created for collision studies, precision measurement, and trapping experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lorentz invariance is key in our understanding of nature, yet relatively few experiments have tested Lorentz invariance in weak interactions. Purpose: Our goal is to obtain limits on Lorentz-invariance violation in weak interactions, in particular rotational invariance in β decay. Method: We search for a dependence of the lifetime of 20Na nuclei on the nuclear spin direction. Such directional dependence would be evidence for Lorentz-invariance violation in weak interactions. A difference in lifetime between nuclei that are polarized in the east and west direction is searched for. This difference is maximally sensitive to the rotation of the Earth, while the sidereal dependence is free from most systematic errors. Results: The experiment sets a limit of 2×10-4 at 90% C.L. on the amplitude of the sidereal variation of the relative lifetime differences, an improvement by a factor 15 compared to an earlier result. Conclusions: No significant violation of Lorentz invariance is found. The result sets limits on parameters of theories describing Lorentz-invariance violation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The NL-eEDM collaboration is building an experimental setup to search for the permanent electric dipole moment of the electron in a slow beam of cold barium fluoride molecules [NL-eEDM Collaboration, Eur. Phys. J. D 72, 197 (2018)]. Knowledge of the molecular properties of BaF is thus needed to plan the measurements and, in particular, to determine the optimal laser-cooling scheme. Accurate and reliable theoretical predictions of these properties require the incorporation of both high-order correlation and relativistic effects in the calculations. In this work, theoretical investigations of the ground and lowest excited states of BaF and its lighter homologs, CaF and SrF, are carried out in the framework of the relativistic Fock-space coupled cluster and multireference configuration interaction methods. Using the calculated molecular properties, we determine the Franck-Condon factors (FCFs) for the A 2 Π 1/2 →X 2 Σ 1/2 + transition, which was successfully used for cooling CaF and SrF and is now considered for BaF. For all three species, the FCFs are found to be highly diagonal. Calculations are also performed for the B 2 Σ 1/2 + →X 2 Σ 1/2 + transition recently exploited for laser-cooling of CaF; it is shown that this transition is not suitable for laser-cooling of BaF, due to the nondiagonal nature of the FCFs in this system. Special attention is given to the properties of the A' 2 Δ state, which in the case of BaF causes a leak channel, in contrast to CaF and SrF species where this state is energetically above the excited states used in laser-cooling. We also present the dipole moments of the ground and excited states of the three molecules and the transition dipole moments (TDMs) between the different states. Finally, using the calculated FCFs and TDMs, we determine that the A 2 Π 1/2 →X 2 Σ 1/2 + transition is suitable for transverse cooling in BaF.

Chlorotonil A is a novel polyketide isolated from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum So ce1525 that features a unique gem-dichloro-1,3-dione moiety. It exhibits potent bioactivity, most notably against the problematic malaria pathogen Plasmodium falciparum in the nanomolar range. In addition, strong antibacterial and moderate antifungal activity were determined. The outstanding biological activity of chlorotonil A as well as its unusual chemical structure triggered our interest in elucidating its biosynthesis, a prerequisite for alteration of the scaffold by synthetic biology approaches. This endeavor was facilitated by a recent report describing the strikingly similar structure of anthracimycin from a marine streptomycete, a compound of considerable interest due to its potent antibacterial activity. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of the chlorotonil A biosynthetic gene cluster from So ce1525 and compare it with that for anthracimycin biosynthesis. Access to both gene clusters allowed us to highlight commonalities between the two pathways and revealed striking differences, some of which can plausibly explain the structural differences observed between these intriguing natural products.

The spin precession frequency of muons stored in the (g-2) storage ring has been analyzed for evidence of Lorentz and CPT violation. Two Lorentz and CPT violation signatures were searched for a nonzero delta omega a(=omega a mu+ - omega a mu-) and a sidereal variation of omega a mu+/-). No significant effect is found, and the following limits on the standard-model extension parameters are obtained: bZ = -(1.0+/-1.1) x 10(-23) GeV; (m mu dZ0 + HXY)=(1.8+/-6.0) x 10(-23) GeV; and the 95% confidence level limits b perpendicular mu+ <1.4 x 10(-24) GeV and b perpendicular mu- <2.6 x 10(-24) GeV.

The etiology of upper airway collapsibility in patients with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains unclear. Structural mucosal changes could be contributory factors. The objective of this study was to determine whether pathologic changes in the epithelium or the epithelial-connective tissue interface are present in patients with snoring and/or OSA by means of scanning electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Uvulae were obtained by uvulopalatopharyngoplasty from three patients with habitual snoring and nine patients with mild to severe OSA, as well as by dissection from 43 nonsnoring body donors. Scanning electron microscopy revealed structural changes in the epithelial-connective tissue boundary that significantly differed from age-related changes in the control subjects. The immunohistochemical staining with antibodies against epithelial cytokeratins showed differences in the expression pattern of cytokeratin 13 between patients and control subjects. No differences were found in the distribution pattern of laminin. Analysis of defense cells revealed a significant diffuse infiltration of leukocytes, mainly T cells, inside the lamina propria of the patient group, which was not observed in the control group. In conclusion, these results support the hypothesis that progressive structural changes in the mucosa caused by the trauma of snoring are a possible contributory factor to upper airway collapsibility.

Background: In some cases of closed head injuries after minor blunt trauma, an amaurosis can occur. Our knowledge concerning the pathophysiological mechanisms of traumatic optic neuropathy is limited. The aim of this study is to analyze the morphology of the optic canal in order to understand the effect of mechanical forces in the optic canal and the consecutive injuries., Methods: Forty-one optic canals from body donors were analyzed by light microscopic, polarization microscopic, immunohistochemical and scanning electron microscopic techniques., Results: In the optic canal, collagen fibrils of the dural sheath are organized in a scissor-like pattern. Within this collagen network multiple vessels are integrated. The main component of the extracellular matrix is collagen type I. The dural sheath and pial sheath are connected by collagen bundles. Parallel to these bundles, small vessels form anastomoses between the dural and pial vessel systems. In the arachnoidea, no blood vessels can be detected by immunohistochemical techniques., Conclusions: Based on morphological findings, the following pathophysiological mechanisms can be discussed in cases of blunt closed head injury with consecutive amaurosis: 1. Squeezing and rupture of nutritive vessels by transduction of shearing forces via the scissor-like collagen network. 2. Atrophy by pressure of the optic nerve after injury to the microvasculature followed by formation of microhematomas and reactive edema. 3. Direct injury of axons of the optic nerve by shearing forces within the optic canal. These mechanisms should be studied further in the future.

Following a suggestion from Kostelecký et al., we evaluated a test of CPT and Lorentz invariance from the microwave spectroscopy of muonium. Hamiltonian terms beyond the standard model violating CPT and Lorentz invariance would contribute frequency shifts deltanu(12) and deltanu(34) to nu(12) and nu(34), the two transitions involving muon spin flip, which were precisely measured in ground state muonium in a strong magnetic field of 1.7 T. The shifts would be indicated by anticorrelated oscillations in nu(12) and nu(34) at the Earth's sidereal frequency. No time dependence was found in nu(12) or nu(34) at the level of 20 Hz, limiting the size of some CPT and Lorentz-violating parameters at the level of 2x10(-23) GeV.

Fifty-five hospital-treated patients with the ICD-10 diagnosis of 'recurrent depressive episode(s)' were classified according to the Newcastle Depressive Diagnostic Scale as having either psychogenic (n = 25) or endogenous (n = 30) depression and interviewed using several inventories on personality and psychopathology (Composite International Diagnostic Interview, Symptom Check List, Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, IIP, NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory, Social Adjustment Scale, Questionnaire of the Motivation to Seek Psychotherapy). Except for the IIP, individual subscales disclosed significant differences between the two groups. In light of these results, the grouping of these two disorders into one diagnostic group in the ICD-10 is critically discussed., (Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Impaired movement of the cricoarytenoid joint with hoarseness and immobility of the vocal ligament may occur as a consequence of laryngeal trauma and joint disease. Little is known to date about the cricoarytenoid joint capsule and its role in joint pathology., Methods: The present study analyses the structure of the cricoarytenoid joint capsule by means of histological, immunohistochemical, and scanning electron microscopical methods. Investigations are performed on larynges of 17 male and 16 female., Results: The cricoarytenoid joint was found to be lined by a wide and lax joint capsule consisting of a fibrous and a synovial membrane. The capsule was strengthened posteriorly by the cricoarytenoid ligament. As like the fibrous membrane the cricoarytenoid ligament consisted mainly of collagen types I and III. Moreover the ligament was found to be rich in elastic fibers. Unexpected large and intensively vascularized synovial folds projected into the joint cavity., Conclusion: The capsule of the cricoarytenoid joint can be compared with the joint capsules of the limbs despite its structure and its involvement in joint pathology. Based on the laxity of the joint capsule it was concluded that invasive interventions at the respiratory tract with dislocation of the arytenoid cartilage can lead to incarceration of the synovial folds. After a trauma aero-synovitis or formation of hemarthrosis may occur, with subsequent fixation of the arytenoid in an abnormal position.

The 1s-2s interval has been measured in the muonium (&mgr;(+)e(-)) atom by Doppler-free two-photon pulsed laser spectroscopy. The frequency separation of the states was determined to be 2 455 528 941.0(9.8) MHz, in good agreement with quantum electrodynamics. The result may be interpreted as a measurement of the muon-electron charge ratio as -1-1.1(2.1)x10(-9). We expect significantly higher accuracy at future high flux muon sources and from cw laser technology.

Unlabelled: Impaired movement of the cricoarytenoid joint with hoarseness and immobility of the vocal ligament may occur as a consequence of endotracheal intubation. Little is known about the cricoarytenoid joint capsule and its role in intubation. We investigated the joint capsules of 48 cricoarytenoid joints by means of gross anatomy microscopy, histology, and scanning electron microscopy; 30 unfixed cadaver larynges were also subjected to attempts to simulate traumata such as those that may occur during intubation trials. The larynges were intubated with the arytenoid tip entering the lumen of the tracheal tube or extubated with the cuff of the tube only partially deflated. Subsequently, i.e., after dissecting the left and right cricoarytenoid joint from each larynx, the morphologic changes induced experimentally were analyzed by using histologic methods. The cricoarytenoid joint was found to be lined by a wide joint capsule. Unexpectedly large and intensively vascularized synovial folds projected into the joint cavity. After simulation of intubation and extubation, histologic analysis revealed injuries to the synovial folds and joint surface impressions, but no trauma or rupture of the outer joint capsule. We conclude that laxity of the joint capsule and the large synovial folds are predisposing factors for intubation trauma of the cricoarytenoid joint, potentially leading to hemarthros and finally to cricoarytenoid joint dysfunction., Implications: The present study illustrates by morphological investigations and intubation experiments that laxity of the joint capsule and large synovial folds are predisposing factors for intubation trauma of the cricoarytenoid joint, potentially leading to hemarthrosis and finally to cricoarytenoid joint dysfunction.