Achieving ultra-low and -uniform residual magnetic fields in a very large magnetically shielded room for fundamental physics experiments

High-precision searches for an electric dipole moment of the neutron (nEDM) require stable and uniform magnetic field environments. We present the recent achievements of degaussing and equilibrating the magnetically shielded room (MSR) for the n2EDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. We present the final degaussing configuration that will be used for n2EDM after numerous studies. The optimized procedure results in a residual magnetic field that has been reduced by a factor of two. The ultra-low field is achieved with the full magnetic-field-coil system, and a large vacuum vessel installed, both in the MSR. In the inner volume of ∼ 1.4 m 3 , the field is now more uniform and below 300 pT. In addition, the procedure is faster and dissipates less heat into the magnetic environment, which in turn, reduces its thermal relaxation time from 12 h down to 1.5 h .

A large 'Active Magnetic Shield' for a high-precision experiment: nEDM collaboration

We present a novel Active Magnetic Shield (AMS), designed and implemented for the n2EDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. The experiment will perform a high-sensitivity search for the electric dipole moment of the neutron. Magnetic-field stability and control is of key importance for n2EDM. A large, cubic, 5 m side length, magnetically shielded room (MSR) provides a passive, quasi-static shielding-factor of about 10 5 for its inner sensitive volume. The AMS consists of a system of eight complex, feedback-controlled compensation coils constructed on an irregular grid spanned on a volume of less than 1000 m3 around the MSR. The AMS is designed to provide a stable and uniform magnetic-field environment around the MSR, while being reasonably compact. The system can compensate static and variable magnetic fields up to ± 50 μ T (homogeneous components) and ± 5 μ T/m (first-order gradients), suppressing them to a few μ T in the sub-Hertz frequency range. The presented design concept and implementation of the AMS fulfills the requirements of the n2EDM experiment and can be useful for other applications, where magnetically silent environments are important and spatial constraints inhibit simpler geometrical solutions.

Additional opportunities for antihypertensive therapy improvement in young patients with arterial hypertension and concomitant obesity

 

The high prevalence of arterial hypertension (AH) and concomitant obesity in young patients is not only a medical but also a social problem. It is important to develop additional modern approaches to the management of young patients with AH and obesity, which will increase the effectiveness of existing antihypertensive (anti-AH) medical therapy and prevent early damage of target organs and complications.

The purpose of the research was to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of the proposed complex treatment and its impact on quality of life in young patients with AH and obesity (or overweight).

Material and methods

123 patients with AH (ESC 2018), of young age 18–44 (mean age 32.81±0.58) y.o. were examined, among them the overweight was in 40 patients, obesity - in 42 patients. The average BMI was (28.34±0.45) kg/m2. All patients were divided into 2 groups depending on the treatment: Group 1 – standard anti-AH treatment, Group 2 – modified combined therapy, which included on the background of standard anti-AH medications the dosed controlled physical exercises with its obligatory registration, a modified DASH diet with increased intake of Ca-containing products and Metformin in the presence of insulin resistance according to the HOMA index (with correction of dose depending on BMI). In dynamics the patients were performed daily blood pressure monitoring (BPM) was performed and the SF-36 questionnaire was used to assess the quality of life (QOL).

Results and discussion

According to BPM data in the Group 1 the average 24-hour value of SBP decreased by 12.5% (p=0.01), in Group 2 – by 20.2% (p=0.001), DBP - by 11.2% (p=0.03) and by 18.8% (p=0.01) respectively (the difference between the groups for SBP and DBP was p=0.032 and p=0.041, respectively). Assessing the degree of nocturnal blood pressure decreasing, in the Group 1 the percentage of patients with insufficient nocturnal blood pressure decreasing (non-dipper) and stable increasing (night peaker) decreased non-significantly (p=0.086), unlike the Group 2, where there was a significant (p=0.02) positive dynamics in relation to these unfavorable types of blood pressure profile. Evaluating the indicators of QOL according to SF-36, the physical component of health in the Group 1 increased by 16.7%, in Group 2 – by 33.4% (p=0.001), the mental component of health – by 13.5% and 28.9%, respectively (p=0.001).

Thus, the additional use of the proposed treatment complex with the inclusion of dosed registered exercises, increased consumption of Ca-containing products and correction of insulinresistance significantly increases the effectiveness of antihypertensive medical therapy and has a positive effect on physical and mental components of QOL in young patients with AH and obesity or overweight.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The very large n2EDM magnetically shielded room with an exceptional performance for fundamental physics measurements

We present the magnetically shielded room (MSR) for the n2EDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute, which features an interior cubic volume with each side of length 2.92 m, thus providing an accessible space of 25 m³. The MSR has 87 openings of diameter up to 220 mm for operating the experimental apparatus inside and an intermediate space between the layers for housing sensitive signal processing electronics. The characterization measurements show a remanent magnetic field in the central 1 m³ below 100 pT and a field below 600 pT in the entire inner volume, up to 4 cm to the walls. The quasi-static shielding factor at 0.01 Hz measured with a sinusoidal 2 μT peak-to-peak signal is about 100 000 in all three spatial directions and increases rapidly with frequency to reach 10⁸ above 1 Hz.

ALDOSTERONE SYNTHASE GENE С-344Т POLYMORPHISM AS A RISK FACTOR OF EARLY LEFT VENTRICULAR REMODELING IN YOUNG HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS WITH OBESITY

The purposes of the research were to study the prevalence of C-344T polymorphism and the distribution of aldosterone synthase gene (CYP11B2) genotypes, to analyze the association of aldosterone concentration with aldosterone synthase gene genotypes, to study the features of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) by echocardioscopy and identify their association with different genotypes of the aldosterone synthase gene in young patients with arterial hypertension (AH), depending on the presence or absence of concomitant obesity (or overweight). 123 young patients with essential AH (18-44 years old) were examined, the average age was (32,83±0,58) years old, the male/female ratio was 72/51 respectively. All patients were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n=41) with normal body weight; group 2 (n=40) with overweight; group 3 (n=42) -with obesity. It was revealed that the "pathological" genotypes (CC+CT) of the aldosterone synthase gene C-344T polymorphism were significantly more frequent in patients as with normal body weight and with concomitant obesity or overweight. In concomitant overweight and obesity the average blood aldosterone concentration was significantly higher, that confirms the presence of additional activation of aldosterone synthesis in such comorbid combination and requires further study of the exact mechanism of this type of hyperaldosteronism. Concomitant overweight and obesity significantly influenced on the echocardiographic parameters characterizing LVH processes in young patients with AH with the significant increased proportion of eccentric LVH. "Pathological" genotypes (CT+TT) of the C-344T polymorphism of the aldosterone synthase gene are associated with a higher blood aldosterone concentration and more expressed LVH processes in young patients with AH.

Excessive accumulation of candidate gene polymorphisms in young hypertensive patients as a factor of increasing incidence of arterial hypertension at a young age

 

The concept of accumulation of candidate genes (CG) polymorphisms in the realization of the hypertensive phenotype is perspective both in understanding about the arterial hypertension (AH) formation as a disease with a constant increasing incidence, and in prognosis and early prevention.

The purpose of the research was to check the hypothesis of excessive accumulation of genetic polymorphisms in young hypertensive patients compared with older hypertensive patients and non-hypertensive patients as a factor of the increasing morbidity of AH at a young age in the modern population. The prevalence of AH-associated polymorphisms in these groups was studied with the calculation of gene modification index (GMI).

Methods

204 patients with AH (mean age 42,4 [18–75], m/f 108/96), (ESC/ISH 2018) and 102 patients without AH (mean age 40,1 [18–69], m/f 55/47) were examined. Hypertensive patients (HP) were divided into 2 groups depending on age (WHO, 2016): group 1 – young age from 18 to 44 y.o. (n=98, m/f 54/44); group 2 – older age – 45 y.o. and more (n=106, m/f 54/52); group 3 (control) – non-hypertensive patients (non-HP). Patients were analysed on the following CG polymorphisms by PCR: ADD1:1378, AGT:704, AGT:521, AGTR1:1166, AGTR2:1675, CYP11B2:-344, GNB3:825, NOS3:-786, NOS3:894. The GMI represents the percentage of “pathological” genotypes. The GMI from 0 to 20% was considered as low genetic risk (GR), from 21 to 40% – moderate GR, from 41 to 70% – high GR, from 71 to 100% – very high GR.

Results

In group 1 of young HP the average GMI was 60,2% [CI 95%, 24–79], while 7 (7.1%) patients had low GR, 22 (22,4%) patients had moderate GR, high GR – in 42 (42,9%), very high GR - in 27 (27,6%) patients. In group 2 of older HP the average GMI was 39,1% [CI 95%, 18–70], while 27 (25,5%) patients had low GR, 37 (34,9%) patients had moderate GR, high GR – in 25 (23,6%), very high GR – in 17 (16,0%) patients. In group 3 of non-HP the average GMI was 20,1% [CI 95%, 11–48], low GR was in 84 (82,4%) patients, moderate GR – in 13 (12,7%), high GR – in 5 (4,9%), very high GR was absent. Analyzing the indicators between the groups, a natural high significant difference of GR levels and the average GMI between HP and non-HP was revealed. So, the average GMI between groups 1 and 3 – (60,2% vs 20,1%, p=0,0002), between groups 2 and 3 – (39,1% vs 20,1%, p=0,002). Also, a significant difference of GR levels and average GMI was revealed between HP of young age and older age. Thus, the frequency of low GR was (7,1% vs 25,5%, p=0,004), high GR – (42,9% vs 23,6%, p=0,009).

Conclusions

The research has revealed a significantly higher accumulation of gene polymorphisms associated with AH at a young age compared to hypertensive patients of an older age and non-hypertensive patients, which is a strong factor influencing on the increasing incidence of AH at a young age and in the future can be used for the prognosis of the disease progress and early prevention.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The design of the n2EDM experiment: nEDM Collaboration

We present the design of a next-generation experiment, n2EDM, currently under construction at the ultracold neutron source at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) with the aim of carrying out a high-precision search for an electric dipole moment of the neutron. The project builds on experience gained with the previous apparatus operated at PSI until 2017, and is expected to deliver an order of magnitude better sensitivity with provision for further substantial improvements. An overview is of the experimental method and setup is given, the sensitivity requirements for the apparatus are derived, and its technical design is described.

Data blinding for the nEDM experiment at PSI

Psychological bias towards, or away from, prior measurements or theory predictions is an intrinsic threat to any data analysis. While various methods can be used to try to avoid such a bias, e.g. actively avoiding looking at the result, only data blinding is a traceable and trustworthy method that can circumvent the bias and convince a public audience that there is not even an accidental psychological bias. Data blinding is nowadays a standard practice in particle physics, but it is particularly difficult for experiments searching for the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM), as several cross measurements, in particular of the magnetic field, create a self-consistent network into which it is hard to inject a false signal. We present an algorithm that modifies the data without influencing the experiment. Results of an automated analysis of the data are used to change the recorded spin state of a few neutrons within each measurement cycle. The flexible algorithm may be applied twice (or more) to the data, thus providing the option of sequentially applying various blinding offsets for separate analysis steps with independent teams. The subtle manner in which the data are modified allows one subsequently to adjust the algorithm and to produce a re-blinded data set without revealing the initial blinding offset. The method was designed for the 2015/2016 measurement campaign of the nEDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. However, it can be re-used with minor modification for the follow-up experiment n2EDM, and may be suitable for comparable projects elsewhere.

Integrative assessment of candidate gene polymorphisms distribution by forming a gene modification index in arterial hypertension with and without obesity: a new perspective in cardiology management

 

The concept of evolutionary accumulation of candidate gene polymorphisms in the realization of the hypertensive phenotype becomes promising in understanding of arterial hypertension (AH). A large amount of data about genetic polymorphisms in population have been accumulated and perspective approaches to their integrative assessment are being formulated for practical management.

The purpose of the research was to analyze and compare the proportion of modified candidate genes (CG) in the group of hypertensive patients with and without obesity with the group of non-hypertensive patients by calculating the gene modification index (GMI) for the assessment of possible usage of genetic stratification in the management of AH.

Methods

106 patients with AH and obesity (age 46.2 [24–72], m/f 79/27), (group 1), 96 hypertensive patients without obesity (age 48.3 [26–75], m/f 72/24), (group 2) and 98 non-hypertensive patients (age 41.6 [26–69], m/f 39/59), (group 3) (ESC/ISH 2018, WHO 1997) were examined. The analysis of polymorphisms of the following CG by PCR was perfomed: ADD1: 1378, AGT: 704, AGT: 521, AGTR1: 1166, AGTR2: 1675, CYP11B2: −344, GNB3: 825, NOS3: −786, NOS3: 894. The GMI which represents the percentage of “pathological” genotypes was formed and calculated by the formula: GMI = (N/13.5) × 100, where N is the sum of points of present GP (“pathological” homozygous was 1,5 points, heterozygous – 1 point, “normal” genotype – 0 points); 13.5 – maximum number of points. The GMI from 0 to 20% was considered as low genetic risk (GR), from 21 to 40% – moderate GR, from 41 to 70% – high GR, from 71 to 100% – very high GR.

Results

In patients with AH and obesity, a low GR was in 4 (3.8%), in the group of hypertensive patients without obesity – 13 (13.5%), in normotensive patients – in 81 (82.7%) (p1–3 = 0.0001, p2–3 = 0.0001, p1–2 = 0.02). Moderate GR was observed in 21 (19.8%) patients of the 1st group, in 25 (26%) patients of the 2nd group and in 12 (12.2%) patients of the 3rd group (p1–3 = 0.07, p2–3 = 0.01, p1–2 = 0.02). 54 (50.9%) patients of group 1, 41 (42.7%) patients of group 2 and 5 (5.1%) of patients of group 3 had a high GR (p1–3 = 0.0001, p2–3 = 0.0001, p1–2 = 0.08); a very high GR was in 27 (25.5%) patients of the 1st group, in 17 (17.8%) of the 2nd group and was absent in the patients of the 3rd group (p1–3 = 0.0001, p2–3 = 0.0001, p1–2 = 0.02). The average GMI in group 1 was 66.2% [CI 95%, 20–78], in group 2 – 56.4% [CI 95%, 18–72], in group 3 – 22% [CI 95% 5–41], (p1–3 = 0.0001, p2–3 = 0.0001, p1–2 = 0.04).

Conclusions

It was revealed a strong significant predominance of the proportion of modified CG in hypertensive patients with and without obesity compared with non-hypertensive patients. There was a moderate significant difference between hypertensive patients, depending on the presence of obesity. Evaluation of GMI is a perspective direction in the diagnosis and prevention of AH and can be used in practical management.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Demonstration of Muon-Beam Transverse Phase-Space Compression

We demonstrate efficient transverse compression of a 12.5  MeV/c muon beam stopped in a helium gas target featuring a vertical density gradient and crossed electric and magnetic fields. The muon stop distribution extending vertically over 14 mm was reduced to a 0.25 mm size (rms) within 3.5  μs. The simulation including cross sections for low-energy μ^{+}-He elastic and charge exchange (μ^{+}↔ muonium) collisions describes the measurements well. By combining the transverse compression stage with a previously demonstrated longitudinal compression stage, we can improve the phase space density of a μ^{+} beam by a factor of 10^{10} with 10^{-3} efficiency.

Measurement of the Permanent Electric Dipole Moment of the Neutron

We present the result of an experiment to measure the electric dipole moment (EDM) of the neutron at the Paul Scherrer Institute using Ramsey's method of separated oscillating magnetic fields with ultracold neutrons. Our measurement stands in the long history of EDM experiments probing physics violating time-reversal invariance. The salient features of this experiment were the use of a ^{199}Hg comagnetometer and an array of optically pumped cesium vapor magnetometers to cancel and correct for magnetic-field changes. The statistical analysis was performed on blinded datasets by two separate groups, while the estimation of systematic effects profited from an unprecedented knowledge of the magnetic field. The measured value of the neutron EDM is d_{n}=(0.0±1.1_{stat}±0.2_{sys})×10^{-26}  e.cm.

nEDM experiment at PSI: Data-taking strategy and sensitivity of the dataset

We report on the strategy used to optimize the sensitivity of our search for a neutron electric dipole moment at the Paul Scherrer Institute. Measurements were made upon ultracold neutrons stored within a single chamber at the heart of our apparatus. A mercury cohabiting magnetometer together with an array of cesium magnetometers were used to monitor the magnetic field, which was controlled and shaped by a series of precision field coils. In addition to details of the setup itself, we describe the chosen path to realize an appropriate balance between achieving the highest statistical sensitivity alongside the necessary control on systematic effects. The resulting irreducible sensitivity is better than 1 × 10−26e cm. This contribution summarizes in a single coherent picture the results of the most recent publications of the collaboration.

Statistical sensitivity of the nEDM apparatus at PSI to n − n′ oscillations

The neutron and its hypothetical mirror counterpart, a sterile state degenerate in mass, could spontaneously mix in a process much faster than the neutron β-decay. Two groups have performed a series of experiments in search of neutron – mirror-neutron (n − n′) oscillations. They reported no evidence, thereby setting stringent limits on the oscillation time τnn′. Later, these data sets have been further analyzed by Berezhiani et al.(2009–2017), and signals, compatible with n − n′ oscillations in the presence of mirror magnetic fields, have been reported. The Neutron Electric Dipole Moment Collaboration based at the Paul Scherrer Institute performed a new series of experiments to further test these signals. In this paper, we describe and motivate our choice of run configurations with an optimal filling time of 29 s, storage times of 180 s and 380 s, and applied magnetic fields of 10 μT and 20 μT. The choice of these run configurations ensures a reliable overlap in settings with the previous efforts and also improves the sensitivity to test the signals. We also elaborate on the technique of normalizing the neutron counts, making such a counting experiment at the ultra-cold neutron source at the Paul Scherrer Institute possible. Furthermore, the magnetic field characterization to meet the requirements of this n − n′ oscillation search is demonstrated. Finally, we show that this effort has a statistical sensitivity to n − n′ oscillations comparable to the current leading constraints for B′ = 0.

The n2EDM experiment at the Paul Scherrer Institute

We present the new spectrometer for the neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM) search at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), called n2EDM. The setup is at room temperature in vacuum using ultracold neutrons. n2EDM features a large UCN double storage chamber design with neutron transport adapted to the PSI UCN source. The design builds on experience gained from the previous apparatus operated at PSI until 2017. An order of magnitude increase in sensitivity is calculated for the new baseline setup based on scalable results from the previous apparatus, and the UCN source performance achieved in 2016.

[CURRENT TRENDS IN THE PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF RHEUMATIC FEVER AND RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE (REVIEW)]

The purpose of the work is to analyze the evolution of the clinical course, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and chronic rheumatic heart disease (RHD), antibiotic therapy of streptococcal infection, using modern analysis of modern literature and our own observations. Diagnostic criteria for the disease were revised. Improving the capabilities of echocardiography can improve the prognosis of the disease through the early use of treatment and prevention. The level of ORL / RHD correlates with the economic development of countries. Mutation of the etiological factor of rheumatism - ß-HSA, the formation of antibiotic resistance, increased migration, tourist activity in countries with high morbidity due to ß-HSA can lead to new outbreaks of this infection. Prevention ARF/RHD is multistage. Thus, using the experience of healthcare in different countries, new approaches to prevention can improve disease control.

Evaluation of serial crystallographic structure determination within megahertz pulse trains

The new European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (European XFEL) is the first X-ray free-electron laser capable of delivering intense X-ray pulses with a megahertz interpulse spacing in a wavelength range suitable for atomic resolution structure determination. An outstanding but crucial question is whether the use of a pulse repetition rate nearly four orders of magnitude higher than previously possible results in unwanted structural changes due to either radiation damage or systematic effects on data quality. Here, separate structures from the first and subsequent pulses in the European XFEL pulse train were determined, showing that there is essentially no difference between structures determined from different pulses under currently available operating conditions at the European XFEL.

P3560Prospects for the use of integrated assessment of gene-candidates polymorphisms in the management of arterial hypertension: let's start

Methods

180 patients with AH (age 54,2 [43–75], male/female 86/94) and 82 non-hypertensive patients (age 52,6 [42–71], male/female 38/44) were examined (ESC/ISH 2018). For comparative significance in the conducted research the patients under 40 years old were not included. Patients of both groups were perfomed the analysis of polymorphisms of the following candidate genes by PCR: ADD1:1378, AGT: 704, AGT: 521, AGTR1:1166, AGTR2: 1675, CYP11B2:-344, GNB3:825, NOS3:-786, NOS3:894. Then the GMI was formed where the proportion of “pathological” homozygous polymorphism of one gene was 1.5 points, the heterozygous polymorphism – 1 point, “normal” genotype – 0 points. Then points were summed up and formed the GMI as proportion of the “pathological” genotypes, expressed as a percentage. GMI is calculated by the formula: GMI = (N/13,5) × 100, where N is the sum of points of present genetic polymorphisms; N = n1 + n2 + n3 + n4 + n5 + n6 + n7 + n8 + n9; 13,5 – the maximum number of points of present genetic polymorphisms. The GMI from 0 to 20% was considered as low genetic risk, from 21 to 40% – moderate risk, from 41 to 70% – high risk, from 71 to 100% – very high risk.

Results

In hypertensive patients the low genetic risk was in 5% of cases, in the group of non-hypertensive patients - in 85.4% (p=0.0001); moderate genetic risk was observed in 22.2% of patients with AH and in 13.4% patients without AH (p=0.14); 52.2% of hypertensive patients and 1.2% of non-hypertensive patients had a high genetic risk (p=0.0001); a very high risk was in 20.6% of patients with AH and was absent in patients without AH (p=0.0001). The average mean of GMI in the group with AH was 64.2% [CI 95%, 30–78], in the group of non-hypertensive patients - 22% [CI 95%, 5–30], (p=0.0001). At the same time in GMI less than 25% there was no case of the presence of AH.

Conclusions

In the conducted research the representative data was obtained: the proportion of the modified gene-candidates significantly exceeded the proportion of the modified genes in non-hypertensive patients. It demonstratively shows the perspectivity of GMI using in the diagnostic and preventive management of patients with AH. GMI up to 25% mostly is not phenotypically realized and the probability of hypertension developing in these patients is extremely low.

The Karabo distributed control system

The Karabo distributed control system has been developed to address the challenging requirements of the European X-ray Free Electron Laser facility, including complex and custom-made hardware, high data rates and volumes, and close integration of data analysis for distributed processing and rapid feedback. Karabo is a pluggable, distributed application management system forming a supervisory control and data acquisition environment as part of a distributed control system. Karabo provides integrated control of hardware, monitoring, data acquisition and data analysis on distributed hardware, allowing rapid control feedback based on complex algorithms. Services exist for access control, data logging, configuration management and situational awareness through alarm indicators. The flexible framework enables quick response to the changing requirements in control and analysis, and provides an efficient environment for development, and a single interface to make all changes immediately available to operators and experimentalists.

Sensitive and stable vector magnetometer for operation in zero and finite fields

We report on an optically pumped magnetometer that uses multiple laser beams to pump and probe spin-polarized Cs atoms. The selected sensor geometry allows for operation in finite magnetic fields as well as close to zero field. In finite fields the magnetometer employs free spin precession signals to determine the field modulus and direction as described in a separate publication. This publication focuses on the magnetometer operation close to zero field, which is based on a ground state Hanle resonance. The four laser beams permit the simultaneous measurement of two orthogonal magnetic field components in a differential detection scheme that greatly suppresses technical laser power noise. Sensitivities better than 54 fT/Hz^1/2 could be demonstrated simultaneously for both measurement channels in a well shielded environment. A minimum Allan deviation, limited by residual field fluctuations, of better than 40 fT was observed for integration times of 2s. The magnetometer achieves high sensitivity and stability in offset fields as well as close to zero field and is, thus, a universal tool for low frequency magnetic field measurements.