The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe

The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure

Surface Quality Assessment of Explanted Keratoprostheses Using Confocal and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Purpose To evaluate the effects of the irregular surfaces of Boston Type I keratoprostheses after explanation using confocal and scanning electron microscopy. MethodsFailed Boston Type I Keratoprostheses (KPro) were collected from patients undergoing KPro explantation or exchange at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami, FL, USA. In the operating room, the KPro samples were placed in a container with balanced salt solution immediately after removal. Fluorescent confocal microscopy was performed on the fresh, un-fixed KPro samples to visualize the microbial adherence and cellular growth. A live/dead green/red fluorescent stain was used along with a Leica 5PS confocal microscope. Images were taken across the entire anterior and posterior surfaces of the KPro samples to characterize the complete KPro surface. The optical surfaces of the KPro were imaged with bright field illumination of the confocal microscopy. After confocal microscopy, the KPro sample is fixed in 10% formalin, immersed in PBS buffer, dehydrated in a graded series of ethanol, dried in HMDS, and sputter-coated with Palladium for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Images of the anterior and posterior surfaces of the KPro were obtained using SEM at multiple magnifications (30x-5000x). Results Confocal microscopy and SEM images showed rough surfaces on all regions of the keratoprostheses. The confocal microcopy revealed cellular growth in areas of more irregularities. The high magnification SEM images showed many bacteria and biofilm colonies attached to the KPros. In one case, the patient also had an intraocular lens (IOL) which was analyzed as was the KPro to relate surface features to microbial adherence. The IOL had super polished surfaces with almost no microbial adherence. Conclusions Dual imaging approaches in this ongoing study enabled an accurate evaluation of the failed keratoprostheses, and thus better elucidated the mechanisms that lead to their explantation