Experimental characterization of anomalous strong scattering of mm-waves in TEXTOR plasmas with rotating islands

Anomalous scattering of high power millimetre waves from gyrotrons at 140 and 110 GHz is investigated for plasma with rotating islands at TEXTOR. The magnetic field and plasma density influence the spectral content of the scattered waves and their power levels significantly. Anomalous strong scattering occurs in two density regimes, one at low densities and one at high densities, that also depend on the magnetic field. The two regimes are separated by a quiescent regime without anomalous scattering. Investigations suggest that scattering in the high-density regime is generated at the low-field side intersection of the gyrotron beam and the island position. The transition from the quiescent regime to the high-density regime occurs when the gyrotron frequency is twice the upper hybrid frequency at this position. There is some evidence that the scattering in the low-density regime is generated near the plasma centre. Under this assumption all the observed scattering is generated when the gyrotron frequency is near or below twice the upper hybrid frequency

Crystal growth, characterization and electronic band structure of TiSeS

Layered semimetallic van der Waals materials TiSe2 has attracted a lot of attention because of interplay of a charge density wave (CDW) state and superconductivity. Its sister compound TiS2, being isovalent to TiSe2 and having the same crystal structure, shows a semiconducting behavior. The natural rises what happens at the transition point in TiSe2-xSx, which is expected for x close to 1. Here we report the growth and characterization of TiSeS single crystals and the study of the electronic structure using density functional theory (DFT) and angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES). We show that TiSeS single crystals have the same morphology as TiSe2. Transport measurements reveal a metallic state, no evidence of CDW was found. DFT calculations suggest that the electronic band structure in TiSeS is similar to that of TiSe2, but the electron and hole pockets in TiSeS are much smaller. The ARPES results are in good agreement with the calculations.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figure

Solar neutrino detection in a large volume double-phase liquid argon experiment

Precision measurements of solar neutrinos emitted by specific nuclear reaction chains in the Sun are of great interest for developing an improved understanding of star formation and evolution. Given the expected neutrino fluxes and known detection reactions, such measurements require detectors capable of collecting neutrino-electron scattering data in exposures on the order of 1 ktonne yr, with good energy resolution and extremely low background. Two-phase liquid argon time projection chambers (LAr TPCs) are under development for direct Dark Matter WIMP searches, which possess very large sensitive mass, high scintillation light yield, good energy resolution, and good spatial resolution in all three cartesian directions. While enabling Dark Matter searches with sensitivity extending to the "neutrino floor" (given by the rate of nuclear recoil events from solar neutrino coherent scattering), such detectors could also enable precision measurements of solar neutrino fluxes using the neutrino-electron elastic scattering events. Modeling results are presented for the cosmogenic and radiogenic backgrounds affecting solar neutrino detection in a 300 tonne (100 tonne fiducial) LAr TPC operating at LNGS depth (3,800 meters of water equivalent). The results show that such a detector could measure the CNO neutrino rate with ~15% precision, and significantly improve the precision of the 7Be and pep neutrino rates compared to the currently available results from the Borexino organic liquid scintillator detector.Comment: 21 pages, 7 figures, 6 table

Impact of anxiety and depression disorders on adherence to anticoagulant therapy among patients with atrial fibrillation

Aim. To determine the possible impact of anxiety and depression disorders on the adherence of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) to anticoagulant the rapy.Material and methods. The study included outpatients with AF of any type. After signing the informed consent, patients filled out questionnaires and scales that determined the level of anxiety and personal predisposition (MMAS-8, MMAS-4, SF-36, SHAI, STAI, HADS, NEO-FFI).Results. A total of 117 outpatients treated for AF were included. The mean age of patients was 74±5 years (men, 38%). Based on MMAS-4 and MMAS-8 results, adherent and non-adherent cohorts of patients were formed. Low adherence group had significantly higher situational anxiety according to STAI (45,9±9,9 vs 41,1±10,7, p=0,045) and depression according to HADS (7,9±3,6 vs 5,9±3,5, p=0,018). SF 36 showed that non-adherent patients had a lower general health (41,6±12,9 vs 52,2±20,0, p=0,01). Five-factor model revealed an association between low compliance and low extraversion (21,3±6,6 vs 26,4±7,2, p=0,002). Pharmacokinetic data on blood concentrations of anticoagulants or its metabolites at the second visit were available in 76 (67%) patients. Assessment of pharmacokinetic and compliance data revealed a moderate direct correlation (Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC), 0,345) and a weak direct correlation with the MMAS-8 (MCC, 0,177). The difference in MMAS-4 and MMAS-8 scores between high and low pharmacokinetic adherence groups was significant on both scales (p=0,011 and 0,015, respectively).Conclusion. The rationale for widespread introduction of standardized questionnaires and scales (MMAS 4, MMAS 8, STAI, HADS, SF 36, Big 5) was shown in order to early identify patients with low adherence to treatment. The results highlight the need for further study of the contribution of psychiatric disorders to low compliance to anticoagulant therapy

Search for electron antineutrino interactions with the Borexino Counting Test Facility at Gran Sasso

Electron antineutrino interactions above the inverse beta decay energy of protons (E_\bar{\nu}_e>1.8) where looked for with the Borexino Counting Test Facility (CTF). One candidate event survived after rejection of background, which included muon-induced neutrons and random coincidences. An upper limit on the solar $\bar{\nu}_{e}$ flux, assumed having the $^8$B solar neutrino energy spectrum, of 1.1$\times10^{5}$ cm$^{-2}$~s$^{-1}$ (90% C.L.) was set with a 7.8 ton $\times$ year exposure. This upper limit corresponds to a solar neutrino transition probability, $\nu_{e} \to \bar{\nu}_{e}$, of 0.02 (90% C.L.). Predictions for antineutrino detection with Borexino, including geoneutrinos, are discussed on the basis of background measurements performed with the CTF.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 5 table

Baby MIND: A magnetised spectrometer for the WAGASCI experiment

The WAGASCI experiment being built at the J-PARC neutrino beam line will measure the difference in cross sections from neutrinos interacting with a water and scintillator targets, in order to constrain neutrino cross sections, essential for the T2K neutrino oscillation measurements. A prototype Magnetised Iron Neutrino Detector (MIND), called Baby MIND, is being constructed at CERN to act as a magnetic spectrometer behind the main WAGASCI target to be able to measure the charge and momentum of the outgoing muon from neutrino charged current interactions.Comment: Poster presented at NuPhys2016 (London, 12-14 December 2016). Title + 4 pages, LaTeX, 6 figure

Evaluation of probiotic lactobacillus as adjuvants for nasal immunization with chimeric pneumococcal vaccine

Vaccine protection against photogenic gram-positive bacteria including different species ofstreptococci is an important problem of contemporary molecular biology. Streptococcal infections are mostcommon bacterial infections surpassing by the economic losses all the infections excluding influenza. The gatesof streptococcal infection, oral cavity or vagina, are covered with immune and non-immune mucosal cells thatare the first line of defenses. Subcutaneous immunization not always stimulate the local immunity on mucosalsurfaces. On the other hand, mucosal vaccination can provide an appropriate local immune response togetherwith systemic protection. However, mucosal immunization often requires usage of special and effectiveadjuvants especially in case of vaccines based on recombinant proteins.For protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection, two chimeric recombinant proteins (PSPF andPSP) have been tested as vaccines. Recombinant proteins PSPF and PSP carry immunogenic epitopes fromthe respiratory pathogen including PspA, Spr1875 and PsaA. PSPF structure also carries a fraction of flagellin-FliC molecule in comparison with PSP, which does not have this fragment. This portion of PSPF was includedas internal adjuvant intended for the stimulation of Toll-like receptor 5.In this work, the adjuvant capacity of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 andL. rhamnosus L32 was evaluated. It was demonstrated that both lactic acid bacteria strains were able to provideadjuvant effects by enhancing the mucosal and systemic immune responses after their co-administration withthe recombinant chimeric protein PSPF. The adjuvant effect of both Lactobacillus strains was significantlydecreased after their thermal inactivation. However, the cell walls of bacteria showed a marked adjuvant activity.An improved protection against several S. pneumoniae serotypes after mucosal immunization of infant micewith PSPF vaccine with probiotic strains or their cell walls was also demonstrated here.The recombinant chimeric protein PSPF administered with immunomodulatory probiotic strains or theirbacterial components would be a promising vaccine for immunization of humans against S. pneumoniae,particularly in children.Одной из наиболее актуальных задач медико-биологической науки является создание вакцинных препаратов против патогенных стрептококков – самых распространенных бактериаль-ных возбудителей заболеваний человека, экономический ущерб от которых уступает лишь потерям от гриппозной инфекции. Входными воротами стрептококковой инфекции являются слизистые обо-лочки респираторного и мочеполового тракта. Парентеральный способ введения вакцин не всегда позволяет добиваться одинаково эффектив-ной стимуляции местного иммунитета на слизистых оболочках, а вакцины, вводимые через слизи-стые оболочки, способны эффективно стимулировать иммунную защиту в области введения, а также обеспечить развитие системного иммунного ответа. Введение через слизистые оболочки вакцинных препаратов белковой природы требует исполь-зования специальных эффективных и безопасных адъювантов, поскольку рекомбинантные белки обычно проявляют недостаточную ммуногенность при таком способе введения. В работе в качестве вакцинных адъювантов при мукозальной иммунизации лабораторных животных пневмококковыми химерными рекомбинантными белками PSPF и PSP были апробированы два штамма пробиотиков – Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 и L32. Рекомбинантные химерные белки PSPF и PSP несут в своей структуре несколько иммуногенных эпитопов PspA, Spr1875, PsaA и предназначены для вакцинации против инфекции Streptococcus pneumoniae. Белки, отличие которых связано с присутствием в струк-туре PSPF участка молекулы флагеллина – FliC, по-разному стимулировали иммунный ответ при совместном введении с двумя штаммами пробиотиков. Установлено, что оба исследованных штам-ма L. rhamnosus были способны оказывать адъювантный эффект при интраназальном введении вак-цинных белков, проявлявшийся в усилении секреторного и гуморального иммунного ответа на со-вместно введенный рекомбинантный химерный белок PSPF. Выраженной стимуляции продукции специфических IgA носовых смывов и IgG сыворотки крови на PSP под влиянием L. rhamnosus L32 не происходило. Адъювантный эффект от вводимых лактобациллярных препаратов существенно сни-жался после температурной инактивации бактерий, однако препарат клеточных стенок L. rhamnosus CRL1505 проявлял выраженную активность. Стимуляция иммунного ответа адъювантами приводила к усилению протективного эффекта вакцины в экспериментах на лабораторных животных, инфици-рованных S. pneumoniae. Установлено, что некоторые штаммы лактобацилл, в частности Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 и L32, могут быть использованы в качестве адъювантов в составе мукозальных вакцин, однако эта способность зависит от свойств вакцинного препарата и формы введения пробиотиков.Fil: Leontieva, G. F.. Institute of Experimental Medicine; RusiaFil: Kramskaya, T. A.. Institute of Experimental Medicine; RusiaFil: Grabovskaya, K. B.. Institute of Experimental Medicine; Rusia; RusiaFil: Filimonova, V. Yu.. Institute of Experimental Medicine; Rusia; RusiaFil: Laiño, Jonathan Emiliano. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Villena, Julio Cesar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Alvarez, Gladis Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Centro de Referencia para Lactobacilos; ArgentinaFil: Danilenko, V. N.. Academy of Sciences. Institute of General Genetics. Head, Division of Fundamental Genetic Studies in Biotechnology; RusiaFil: Suvorov, A. N.. St. Peterburg State University; Rusia. Institute of Experimental Medicine. Head, Division of Molecular Microbiology; Rusi

Baby MIND Experiment Construction Status

Baby MIND is a magnetized iron neutrino detector, with novel design features, and is planned to serve as a downstream magnetized muon spectrometer for the WAGASCI experiment on the T2K neutrino beam line in Japan. One of the main goals of this experiment is to reduce systematic uncertainties relevant to CP-violation searches, by measuring the neutrino contamination in the anti-neutrino beam mode of T2K. Baby MIND is currently being constructed at CERN, and is planned to be operational in Japan in October 2017.Comment: Poster presented at NuPhys2016 (London, 12-14 December 2016). 4 pages, LaTeX, 7 figure

Synchronization of the Distributed Readout Frontend Electronics of the Baby MIND Detector

Baby MIND is a new downstream muon range detector for the WGASCI experiment. This article discusses the distributed readout system and its timing requirements. The paper presents the design of the synchronization subsystem and the results of its test

Solar neutrino with Borexino: results and perspectives

Borexino is a unique detector able to perform measurement of solar neutrinos fluxes in the energy region around 1 MeV or below due to its low level of radioactive background. It was constructed at the LNGS underground laboratory with a goal of solar $^{7}$Be neutrino flux measurement with 5\% precision. The goal has been successfully achieved marking the end of the first stage of the experiment. A number of other important measurements of solar neutrino fluxes have been performed during the first stage. Recently the collaboration conducted successful liquid scintillator repurification campaign aiming to reduce main contaminants in the sub-MeV energy range. With the new levels of radiopurity Borexino can improve existing and challenge a number of new measurements including: improvement of the results on the Solar and terrestrial neutrino fluxes measurements; measurement of pp and CNO solar neutrino fluxes; search for non-standard interactions of neutrino; study of the neutrino oscillations on the short baseline with an artificial neutrino source (search for sterile neutrino) in context of SOX project.Comment: 15 pages, 4 figure