A Magneto-Gravitational Neutron Trap for the Measurement of the Neutron Lifetime

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Indiana University, Physics, 2015Neutron decay is the simplest example of nuclear beta-decay. The mean decay lifetime is a key input for predicting the abundance of light elements in the early universe. A precise measurement of the neutron lifetime, when combined with other neutron decay observables, can test for physics beyond the standard model in a way that is complimentary to, and potentially competitive with, results from high energy collider experiments. Many previous measurements of the neutron lifetime used ultracold neutrons (UCN) confined in material bottles. In a material bottle experiment, UCN are loaded into the apparatus, stored for varying times, and the surviving UCN are emptied and counted. These measurements are in poor agreement with experiments that use neutron beams, and new experiments are needed to resolve the discrepancy and precisely determine the lifetime. Here we present an experiment that uses a bowl-shaped array of NdFeB magnets to confine neutrons without material wall interactions. The trap shape is designed to rapidly remove higher energy UCN that might slowly leak from the top of the trap, and can facilitate new techniques to count surviving UCN within the trap. We review the scientific motivation for a precise measurement of the neutron lifetime, and present the commissioning of the trap. Data are presented using a vanadium activation technique to count UCN within the trap, providing an alternative method to emptying neutrons from the trap and into a counter. Potential systematic effects in the experiment are then discussed and estimated using analytical and numerical techniques. We also investigate solid nitrogen-15 as a source of UCN using neutron time-of-flight spectroscopy. We conclude with a discussion of forthcoming research and development for UCN detection and UCN sources

Omecamtiv mecarbil in chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, GALACTIC‐HF: baseline characteristics and comparison with contemporary clinical trials

Aims: The safety and efficacy of the novel selective cardiac myosin activator, omecamtiv mecarbil, in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is tested in the Global Approach to Lowering Adverse Cardiac outcomes Through Improving Contractility in Heart Failure (GALACTIC‐HF) trial. Here we describe the baseline characteristics of participants in GALACTIC‐HF and how these compare with other contemporary trials. Methods and Results: Adults with established HFrEF, New York Heart Association functional class (NYHA) ≥ II, EF ≤35%, elevated natriuretic peptides and either current hospitalization for HF or history of hospitalization/ emergency department visit for HF within a year were randomized to either placebo or omecamtiv mecarbil (pharmacokinetic‐guided dosing: 25, 37.5 or 50 mg bid). 8256 patients [male (79%), non‐white (22%), mean age 65 years] were enrolled with a mean EF 27%, ischemic etiology in 54%, NYHA II 53% and III/IV 47%, and median NT‐proBNP 1971 pg/mL. HF therapies at baseline were among the most effectively employed in contemporary HF trials. GALACTIC‐HF randomized patients representative of recent HF registries and trials with substantial numbers of patients also having characteristics understudied in previous trials including more from North America (n = 1386), enrolled as inpatients (n = 2084), systolic blood pressure < 100 mmHg (n = 1127), estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30 mL/min/1.73 m2 (n = 528), and treated with sacubitril‐valsartan at baseline (n = 1594). Conclusions: GALACTIC‐HF enrolled a well‐treated, high‐risk population from both inpatient and outpatient settings, which will provide a definitive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of this novel therapy, as well as informing its potential future implementation

Eugène Martin-Chabot. La Chanson de la croisade albigeoise. Tome I : La Chanson de Guillaume de Tudèle

Salvat Joseph. Eugène Martin-Chabot. La Chanson de la croisade albigeoise. Tome I : La Chanson de Guillaume de Tudèle. In: Revue d'histoire de l'Église de France, tome 19, n°83, 1933. pp. 226-234

Provençal ou Occitan ?

Salvat Joseph. Provençal ou Occitan ?. In: Annales du Midi : revue archéologique, historique et philologique de la France méridionale, Tome 1, N°1, 1989. Langue et littérature d'oc et histoire médiévale. pp. 18-30

Eugène Martin-Chabot. La Chanson de la croisade albigeoise. Tome I : La Chanson de Guillaume de Tudèle

Salvat Joseph. Eugène Martin-Chabot. La Chanson de la croisade albigeoise. Tome I : La Chanson de Guillaume de Tudèle. In: Revue d'histoire de l'Église de France, tome 19, n°83, 1933. pp. 226-234

Provençal ou occitan ?

Salvat Joseph. Provençal ou occitan ?. In: Annales du Midi : revue archéologique, historique et philologique de la France méridionale, Tome 66, N°27, 1954. Hommage à la mémoire d'Alfred Jeanroy. pp. 229-241

Eugène Martin-Chabot. La Chanson de la croisade albigeoise. Tome I : La Chanson de Guillaume de Tudèle

Salvat Joseph. Eugène Martin-Chabot. La Chanson de la croisade albigeoise. Tome I : La Chanson de Guillaume de Tudèle. In: Revue d'histoire de l'Église de France, tome 19, n°83, 1933. pp. 226-234

Cançoner dels Masdovelles. (Ms. n° 11 de la Biblioteca de Catalunya) publicat per R. Aramon i Serra, Barcelona,1938. (Institut d'Estudis Catalans.)

Calmette Joseph, Salvat Joseph. Cançoner dels Masdovelles. (Ms. n° 11 de la Biblioteca de Catalunya) publicat per R. Aramon i Serra, Barcelona,1938. (Institut d'Estudis Catalans.). In: Annales du Midi : revue archéologique, historique et philologique de la France méridionale, Tome 51, N°204, 1939. pp. 428-431

À propos d'une strophe de N'At de Mons

Anglade J., Salvat J. À propos d'une strophe de N'At de Mons. In: Romania, tome 52 n°208, 1926. pp. 508-510

Cançoner dels Masdovelles. (Ms. n° 11 de la Biblioteca de Catalunya) publicat per R. Aramon i Serra, Barcelona,1938. (Institut d'Estudis Catalans.)

Calmette Joseph, Salvat Joseph. Cançoner dels Masdovelles. (Ms. n° 11 de la Biblioteca de Catalunya) publicat per R. Aramon i Serra, Barcelona,1938. (Institut d'Estudis Catalans.). In: Annales du Midi : revue archéologique, historique et philologique de la France méridionale, Tome 51, N°204, 1939. pp. 428-431