A precise 3D beam dynamics model of the PSI Injector II

We have developed a precise beam dynamics model of the PSI Injector II, a high intensity separate-sector isochronous cyclotron operating at 2.2 mA current. A particle distribution with an intensity of 9.5 mA (DC) is injected into the central region and shaped by a sophisticated collimator system. This defines the initial condition for the subsequent formation of a round stationary bunch. The intensity limits are estimated based on the developed models, additionally supported by fitted scaling laws and measurements. In this research we consider two configurations: production and upgraded (adding two new cavities). The model is based on the OPAL (Object Oriented Parallel Accelerator Library) simulation code, a tool for charged-particle optics calculations in large accelerator structures and beam lines, including 3D space charge. Even though Injector II has been successfully operating for years, we do not know if the current production configuration is the best possible. Since we would like to extract as much current as possible with minimal losses, detailed simulations are needed to estimate those limits. This gives us possibility to look into the operation after the upgrade. This is the first attempt to model Injector II using powerful computing, allowing multi-particle space charge simulations. We have been able to perform more detailed analysis of the bunch parameters and halo development than any previous study. Also optimisation techniques enable better matching of the simulation set-up with Injector II parameters and measurements. We have found that the production configuration current scales to the power of four with the beam size, setting the limit to approximately 3 mA. Further analysis of the upgraded configuration suggests that intensities up to 5 mA could be produced with an adjusted collimation scheme

The activity of human telomerase in the cells of acute leukaemias

Telomeres are the end fragments of chromosomes formed by a number of non-coding double-stranded TTAGGG repeats in vertebrates. During cell division the number of repeats decreases, leading to cell senescence or apoptosis. In immortal cells, including cancer cells, the telomere length is stable and maintained by, among other factors, telomerase. The aim of the study is to compare telomerase activity in normal lymphocytes and in leukaemic cells. Samples of acute leukaemia cells, HL 60 cell line and the lymphocytes of healthy volunteers were examined. Telomerase analysis was performed using TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISAplus (Roche). The relative telomerase activities (RTA) in leukaemic and normal cells were analysed. A high level of RTA was observed in leukaemic cells

Cdc42 protein acts upstream of IQGAP1 and regulates cytokinesis in mouse oocytes and embryos

AbstractCdc42 and Rac1 Rho family GTPases, and their interacting protein IQGAP1 are the key regulators of cell polarity. We examined the role of Cdc42 and IQGAP1 in establishing the polarity of mouse oocyte and regulation of meiotic and mitotic divisions. We showed that Cdc42 was localized on the microtubules of meiotic and mitotic spindle and in the cortex of mouse oocytes and cleaving embryos. IQGAP1 was present in the cytoplasm and cortex of growing and fully-grown oocytes. During maturation it disappeared from the cortex and during meiotic and mitotic cytokinesis it concentrated in the contractile ring. Toxin B inhibition of the binding activity of Cdc42 changed the localization of IQGAP1, inhibited emission of the first polar body, and caused disappearance of the cortical actin without affecting the migration of meiotic spindle. This indicates, that in maturing oocytes accumulation of cortical actin is not indispensable for spindle migration. In zygotes treated with toxin B actin cytoskeleton was rearranged and the first and/or subsequent cytokinesis were inhibited. Our results indicate that Cdc42 acts upstream of IQGAP1 and is involved in regulation of cytokinesis in mouse oocytes and cleaving embryos, rather than in establishing the polarity of the oocyte

High Power Cyclotrons for the Neutrino Experiments DAEδALUS and IsoDAR

DAEδALUS (Decay At rest Experiment for δcp At a Laboratory for Underground Science) has been proposed to measure the value of the CP violating phase delta through the oscillation of low energy muon anti-neutrinos to electron antineutrinos. With a single large detector, three accelerators at different distances enable the oscillation to be measured with sufficient accuracy. We have proposed the superconducting multi-megawatt DAEδALUS Supercinducting Ring Cyclotron (DSRC) as the means of producing the 800 MeV 12 mA protons required, through the acceleration of H2+, ions with highly efficient stripping extraction. The DSRC comprises twin ion sources and injector cyclotrons, followed by a booster. The injector cyclotron can also be used for a separate experiment, IsoDAR (Isotope Decay At Rest) in which low energy protons produce Lithium 8, and thus a very pure electron antineutrino source which can be used to measure, or rule out, short range oscillation to a sterile neutrino. We describe recent developments in the designs of the injector and the booster, and the prospects for the two experiments

Anxiety disorders pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods of therapy

Introduction and purpose: Anxiety disorders are a heterogeneous cluster of common mental health disorders typically characterized by hyperarousal, excessive fear and worry. Unfortunately, a large portion of the world's population does not have access to traditional mental health care, this is influenced by the paucity of available psychiatric services, particularly in many low- and middle-income countries. This article will discuss how patients suffering from depression or anxiety disorders turn to non-pharmacological and unconventional interventions such as exercise, yoga, meditation, aromatherapy or music therapy. The aim of study: The purpose of this literature review was to assemble and analyse the available data about anxiety disorders. Material and method: Standard criteria were used to review the literature data. The search of articles in Pubmed database was carried out using following keywords: Anxiety disorders; depression; mental illness; alternative treatment methods. Description of the State of Knowledge: Pathologically increased anxiety is found not only in anxiety disorders per se, but also in most other types of mental illness. The first-line methods are pharmacotherapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy. Of particular interest is the use of physical activity and exercise in the treatment of anxiety disorders. This treatment is inexpensive and has few undesired effects. Exercises such as yoga, meditation, tai chi or qi gong are becoming more and more popular. Summary: Anxiety disorders can now be treated effectively. Current research focuses on individualized forms. We hope that even more effective methods of therapy will be developed than those currently available. Keywords: Anxiety disorders; depression; mental illness; alternative treatment methods

Machine detector interface for the e+e−e^+e^- future circular collider

The international Future Circular Collider (FCC) study aims at a design of $pp$, $e^+e^-$, $ep$ colliders to be built in a new 100 km tunnel in the Geneva region. The $e^+e^-$ collider (FCC-ee) has a centre of mass energy range between 90 (Z-pole) and 375 GeV (tt_bar). To reach such unprecedented energies and luminosities, the design of the interaction region is crucial. The crab-waist collision scheme has been chosen for the design and it will be compatible with all beam energies. In this paper we will describe the machine detector interface layout including the solenoid compensation scheme. We will describe how this layout fulfills all the requirements set by the parameters table and by the physical constraints. We will summarize the studies of the impact of the synchrotron radiation, the analysis of trapped modes and of the backgrounds induced by single beam and luminosity effects giving an estimate of the losses in the interaction region and in the detector.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, 62th ICFA ABDW on High Luminosity Circular $e^+e^-$ Colliders, eeFACT2018, Hong Kong, Chin

Comparison of Physicochemical, Mechanical, and (Micro-)Biological Properties of Sintered Scaffolds Based on Natural- and Synthetic Hydroxyapatite Supplemented with Selected Dopants

The specific combinations of materials and dopants presented in this work have not been previously described. The main goal of the presented work was to prepare and compare the different properties of newly developed composite materials manufactured by sintering. The synthetic-(SHAP) or natural- (NHAP) hydroxyapatite serves as a matrix and was doped with: (i) organic: multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), fullerenes C60, (ii) inorganic: Cu nanowires. Research undertaken was aimed at seeking novel candidates for bone replacement biomaterials based on hydroxyapatite—the main inorganic component of bone, because bone reconstructive surgery is currently mostly carried out with the use of autografts; titanium or other non-hydroxyapatite -based materials. The physicomechanical properties of the developed biomaterials were tested by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Dielectric Spectroscopy (BSD), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), as well as microhardness using Vickers method. The results showed that despite obtaining porous sinters. The highest microhardness was achieved for composite materials based on NHAP. Based on NMR spectroscopy, residue organic substances could be observed in NHAP composites, probably due to the organic structures that make up the tooth. Microbiology investigations showed that the selected samples exhibit bacteriostatic properties against Gram-positive reference bacterial strain S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228); however, the property was much less pronounced against Gram-negative reference strain E. coli (ATCC 25922). Both NHAP and SHAP, as well as their doped derivates, displayed in good general compatibility, with the exception of Cu-nanowire doped derivates

A Precise Beam Dynamics Model of the PSI Injector 2 to Estimate the Intensity Limit

We describe a precise beam dynamics model of the production set up of the Injector 2 Cyclotron at the Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI). Injector 2 is a 72 MeV separate-sector cyclotron producing a high intensity proton beam up to 3 mA CW, which is then injected into the 590 MeV Ring Cyclotron. The model includes space charge and is calculated for matched initial conditions. The presented steps are required to estimate the limits to the intensity obtainable from Injector 2. The precise beam dynamics model is based on the OPAL (Object Oriented Parallel Accelerator Library) simulation code, a tool for charged-particle optics calculations in large accelerator structures and beam lines including 3D space charge

A precise Beam Dynamics model of the PSI Injector 2

The injector 2 at PSI is a 72 MeV separate sector cyclotron producing a high intensity proton beam up to 3 mA CW, which is subsequently injected to the 590 MeV Ring Cyclotro