Probing exotic phenomena at the interface of nuclear and particle physics with the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms: A unique window to hadronic and semi-leptonic CP violation

The current status of electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms which involves the synergy between atomic experiments and three different theoretical areas -- particle, nuclear and atomic is reviewed. Various models of particle physics that predict CP violation, which is necessary for the existence of such electric dipole moments, are presented. These include the standard model of particle physics and various extensions of it. Effective hadron level combined charge conjugation (C) and parity (P) symmetry violating interactions are derived taking into consideration different ways in which a nucleon interacts with other nucleons as well as with electrons. Nuclear structure calculations of the CP-odd nuclear Schiff moment are discussed using the shell model and other theoretical approaches. Results of the calculations of atomic electric dipole moments due to the interaction of the nuclear Schiff moment with the electrons and the P and time-reversal (T) symmetry violating tensor-pseudotensor electron-nucleus are elucidated using different relativistic many-body theories. The principles of the measurement of the electric dipole moments of diamagnetic atoms are outlined. Upper limits for the nuclear Schiff moment and tensor-pseudotensor coupling constant are obtained combining the results of atomic experiments and relativistic many-body theories. The coefficients for the different sources of CP violation have been estimated at the elementary particle level for all the diamagnetic atoms of current experimental interest and their implications for physics beyond the standard model is discussed. Possible improvements of the current results of the measurements as well as quantum chromodynamics, nuclear and atomic calculations are suggested.Comment: 46 pages, 19 tables and 16 figures. A review article accepted for EPJ

Oxidative Modifications of Rat Liver Cell Components During Fasciola hepatica Infection

The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of Fasciola hepatica infection on oxidative modifications of rat liver cell components such as proteins and lipids. Wistar rats were infected per os with 30 metacercariae of F. hepatica. Activities and concentrations of liver damage markers were determined in the 4th, 7th, and 10th week postinfection (wpi). A decrease in antioxidant capacity of the host liver, manifested by a decrease in total antioxidant status (TAS), was observed. Diminution of antioxidant abilities resulted in enhanced oxidative modifications of lipids and proteins. F. hepatica infection enhanced lipid peroxidation, which was visible in the statistically significant increase in the level of different lipid peroxidation products such as conjugated dienes (CDs), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). The level of protein modification markers in the rat liver was also significantly changed and the most intensified changes were observed at seventh week postinfection. Concentration of carbonyl groups and dityrosine was significantly increased, whereas the level of tryptophan and sulfhydryl and amino groups was decreased. Changes in the antioxidant abilities of the liver and in the lipid and protein structure of the cell components resulted in destruction of the function of the liver. F. hepatica infection was accompanied by raising serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as markers of liver damage. A significant decrease in lysosomal as well as in the total activity of cathepsin B during fasciolosis was also observed

Physics with the KLOE-2 experiment at the upgraded DAϕ\phiNE

Investigation at a $\phi$--factory can shed light on several debated issues in particle physics. We discuss: i) recent theoretical development and experimental progress in kaon physics relevant for the Standard Model tests in the flavor sector, ii) the sensitivity we can reach in probing CPT and Quantum Mechanics from time evolution of entangled kaon states, iii) the interest for improving on the present measurements of non-leptonic and radiative decays of kaons and eta/eta$^\prime$ mesons, iv) the contribution to understand the nature of light scalar mesons, and v) the opportunity to search for narrow di-lepton resonances suggested by recent models proposing a hidden dark-matter sector. We also report on the $e^+ e^-$ physics in the continuum with the measurements of (multi)hadronic cross sections and the study of gamma gamma processes.Comment: 60 pages, 41 figures; added affiliation for one of the authors; added reference to section