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.

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.

Highly stable atomic vector magnetometer based on free spin precession.

We present a magnetometer based on optically pumped Cs atoms that measures the magnitude and direction of a 1 µT magnetic field. Multiple circularly polarized laser beams were used to probe the free spin precession of the Cs atoms. The design was optimized for long-time stability and achieves a scalar resolution better than 300 fT for integration times ranging from 80 ms to 1000 s. The best scalar resolution of less than 80 fT was reached with integration times of 1.6 to 6 s. We were able to measure the magnetic field direction with a resolution better than 10 µrad for integration times from 10 s up to 2000 s.

Observation of Gravitationally Induced Vertical Striation of Polarized Ultracold Neutrons by Spin-Echo Spectroscopy.

We describe a spin-echo method for ultracold neutrons (UCNs) confined in a precession chamber and exposed to a |B0|=1 µT magnetic field. We have demonstrated that the analysis of UCN spin-echo resonance signals in combination with knowledge of the ambient magnetic field provides an excellent method by which to reconstruct the energy spectrum of a confined ensemble of neutrons. The method takes advantage of the relative dephasing of spins arising from a gravitationally induced striation of stored UCNs of different energies, and also permits an improved determination of the vertical magnetic-field gradient with an exceptional accuracy of 1.1 pT/cm. This novel combination of a well-known nuclear resonance method and gravitationally induced vertical striation is unique in the realm of nuclear and particle physics and should prove to be invaluable for the assessment of systematic effects in precision experiments such as searches for an electric dipole moment of the neutron or the measurement of the neutron lifetime.

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 ∼1.4m3, 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 12h down to 1.5h.

Ultrasound assessment of cervical status compared to the Bishop score - predicting the success of labor induction using a machine learning-based model.

OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to develop a machine-learning-based model for predicting the success of labor induction (IOL). To that end, the clinical and ultrasound parameters that affect the successfulness of labor induction were assessed. Then, a new ultrasound scoring system (USS) was developed and assessed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study included 192 term women who underwent induction of labor. First, a wide range of clinical and ultrasound pre-induction parameters were recorded. The induction was initiated by endocervical administration of dinoprostone gel (for Bishop score ≤5) or intravenous oxytocin (for Bishop score ≥6). After evaluating ultrasound parameters, we created an ultrasound scoring system and compared it with the Bishop score and clinical parameters. Finally, a comprehensive model using machine learning algorithms for predicting the success of the induction of labor was developed. RESULTS: In terms of clinical parameters, this study found that IOL correlates with parity, body mass index (BMI) (both at p<0.05), and the Bishop score (p<0.001). All ultrasound parameters were statistically significant (p<0.05) apart from the posterior cervical angle. However, compared to the Bishop score, the new USS showed a slightly lower sensitivity (0.55 compared to 0.64) but much higher specificity (0.75 compared to 0.44) at a cut-off of 1.66. The proposed model, which can predict 83% of the events correctly, encompasses the Bishop score, USS, and clinical parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The findings imply that the model developed in this study, which takes into account clinical parameters (parity, BMI), the ultrasound parameters and the Bishop score and uses machine learning algorithms, yields better results than models using other parameters.

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 105 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 ±50µT (homogeneous components) and ±5µT/m (first-order gradients), suppressing them to a few µT 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.

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.

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.

Enhancement of electromagnetically induced absorption with elliptically polarized light--laser intensity dependent coherence effect.

Using the (2)S(1/2)F(g) = 2 --> (2)P(3/2)F(e) = 3 transition in (87)Rb vapor at room temperature, we study effect of the laser light polarization on the electromagnetically induced absorption (EIA). This work extends the recent study of the behavior of the EIA as a function of the laser ellipticity (Brazhnikov et. al., JETP Lett. 83, 64, 2006). We have shown that such behavior strongly depends on the laser power. For the low laser power EIA amplitude has maximum for linearly polarized light, while for high laser power elliptically polarized light of ellipticity 15-20 degrees generates maximum of the EIA amplitude. EIA width varies slowly with the laser ellipticity at lower laser power, and much stronger at higher laser power. Through our theoretical model we attributed observed results to combined effect of the laser ellipticity and power on the population of ground state Zeeman sublevels.

An arbitrary-function light power controller.

We describe the design, applications, and performance of a simple light power controller. The device is built on a fiber-coupled electro-optic modulator with an active electronic feedback. It can be used to actively stabilize laser power or to impress an arbitrary waveform onto the power. The bandwidth of the device is ∼70 kHz.

On non-vanishing amplitude of Hanle electromagnetically induced absorption in Rb.

Amplitude and linewidts of the Hanle EIA, obtained from transmission of the laser locked to closed F(g) ? F(e) = F(g) +1 transitions in (85)Rb and(87)Rb, have maximum values at few mW/cm2. Amplitude of the EIA reaches steady value different from zero for higher laser intensities, even for laser intensities of 40 mW/cm(2). Theoretical model of EIA, for the same atomic system as in the experiment, show that the laser intensity, at which maximum of amplitudes and widths occur, depends on the laser detuning. For smaller laser detuning of a few tens of MHz, EIA has a maximum and then vanishes at higher laser intensities. For larger laser detuning of the order of hundreds MHz (but still in the range of Doppler broadening) amplitude of the EIA has very broad maximum and remains above zero for intensities above 40 mW/cm(2). Such theoretical results indicate that Hanle absorption peak remains in the experimental results, regardless of the laser intensities, due to Doppler effect.

Prostaglandin E2, trace elements and levels of oxidative processes in spontaneous miscarriages.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the significance of prostaglandin (PG)E2, trace elements level, pro-oxidative and antioxidative parameters changes in spontaneous miscarriages. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the 125 first trimester pregnancies, 35 with complete spontaneous abortion (group S), 40 with missed abortion (M) and 50 healthy (H), PGE2 plasma concentrations were analysed by commercial ELISA kits, plasma trace elements colorimetrically, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidative enzyme activities in hemolysate by commercial sets. Student's t-test and ANOVA were applied. RESULTS: Average PGE2 plasma concentration in the group H was higher than in S and M (p < 0.05). The higher average plasma Cu concentration, glutathione peroxidase and catalase contents were in the group H than in groups S and M (p < 0.01). Significantly lower value of lipid peroxidation was in the group H than in the groups S and M (p < 0.01). The lowest superoxide dismutase (SOD) content was in the group H and the highest in group S (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with abortions significantly lower levels of plasma PGE2, plasma Cu and anti-oxidative enzymes, except SOD, and significantly higher level of lipid peroxidation products than in healthy pregnancies may be important for miscarriage etiology and prevention.

Apolipoprotein E genotypes in primary progressive aphasia.

We obtained apolipoprotein E genotyping in a population of 12 consecutive patients who fulfilled rigorous criteria for the clinical diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). The allele frequencies were 4% for E2, 83% for E3, and 13% for E4. This pattern of allele distribution was significantly different from the pattern seen in groups of patients either with the clinical diagnosis of probable Alzheimer's disease (PRAD) or the histopathologic diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The E4 allele frequency in the group of patients with PPA was in the range seen in control populations and was much lower than the one reported in populations of patients with PRAD or AD. The E4 allele is therefore not a significant risk factor for developing PPA. These results provide neurobiological support for the syndromic distinction of PPA from PRAD and are in keeping with neuropathologic evidence showing that the vast majority of patients with PPA do not have the histopathology of AD. Although we do not yet have neuropathologic information on our patients, these results indicate that the clinical diagnosis of PPA has biological validity in that it identifies a population that is genetically different from the population of patients with a clinical diagnosis of PRAD.

Dopamine agonists reorient visual exploration away from the neglected hemispace.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, on visual search. BACKGROUND: The anatomic substrate of spatial attention takes the form of a distributed network with interconnected cortical (frontal, parietal, and cingulate) and subcortical (striatal and thalamic) components. Dopamine appears to exert a modulatory effect on the function of this network. METHODS: Seven consecutive right-handed subjects with right-sided cerebral lesions were studied using a computerized target search paradigm. Eye movements were recorded. RESULTS: Bromocriptine caused the subjects to spend more time exploring the ipsilesional hemispace and therefore increased the relative neglect of the contralesional left hemispace. However, target detection accuracy did not change. Bromocriptine thus had a differential impact on the exploratory-motor versus sensory-perceptual components of directed attention. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that bromocriptine may worsen some aspects of hemispatial neglect in patients with lesions that include the postsynaptic components of ascending dopaminergic pathways.

5-Hydroxytryptamine induces endothelium-independent relaxations of sheep pulmonary vein: role of cyclic nucleotide.

5-Hydroxytryptamine produced concentration-dependent relaxations in isolated sheep pulmonary vein, which were insensitive to removal of the endothelium. 5-Hydroxytryptamine stimulated concentration-dependent increases of cyclic AMP levels in the pulmonary vein, and there was a significant linear correlation between relaxations elicited by 5-hydroxytryptamine and tissue cyclic AMP formations. The soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (10 microM) failed to block 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced relaxations. The results suggest that 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced relaxations of sheep pulmonary vein are mediated, at least in part, by increases of tissue cyclic AMP levels.

Influence of pregnancy on ceftriaxone, cefazolin and gentamicin pharmacokinetics in caesarean vs. non-pregnant sectioned women.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of pregnancy on postoperative ceftriaxone, cefazolin and gentamicin elimination rate constant, half-life, volume of distribution and systemic clearance. METHODS: Fifty-four patients undergoing caesarean section and 12 undergoing gynaecological surgery were given intravenous dose of ceftriaxone, cefazolin or gentamicin immediately before the operation, for chemoprophylaxis. The levels of antibiotics were measured in blood plasma, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood plasma by HPLC for the cephalosporins and by fluorescence polarization immunoassay for gentamicin. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using a one-compartment model. RESULTS: Pregnancy significantly influenced the pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone and gentamicin, but not that of cefazolin. Ceftriaxone constant of elimination decreased statistically significantly in caesarean-sectioned women relative to the non-pregnant subjects. Gentamicin constant of elimination increased significantly in caesarean-sectioned women relative to the controls. The concentrations of antibiotics in umbilical cord blood were higher, whereas they were substantially lower in amniotic fluid than in maternal plasma. Six hours after antibiotic administration, only the cefazolin concentrations exceeded the MIC for sensitive bacteria both in pregnant and in non-pregnant patients. CONCLUSION: Analysis of the pharmacokinetic data suggests that a single-dose of cefazolin may well be the optimal preoperative prophylactic treatment for obstetrical and gynaecological surgical procedures.

Collaborative study on drug use in pregnancy: the results of the follow-up 10 years after (Novi Sad Centre).

An international multicenter study entitled Collaborative Study on Drug Use in Pregnancy (DUP) was initiated in 1987 by the Mario Negri Institute (Milano) and co-sponsored by the WHO Regional Office for Europe (Copenhagen). The study covered the use of medicines during pregnancy, labour and postpartum period. The Novi Sad centre contributed with 296 questionnaires. The aim of the study was to evaluate the pharmacotherapy by means of comparison, to identify problems in a particular settings and to plan actions toward improvement. The prescribing of some medicines in the Novi Sad center was found to be at the extreme, being among the lowest in the use of iron preparations during pregnancy and among the highest in the use of ergot alkaloids in the postpartum period. Educational efforts have been made to change this practice after the conclusion of the study in 1989. Ten years later, in 1999, the same questionnaire was applied to 100 women in the postpartum period in the same nursery, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Novi Sad. The results have shown a distinct improvement with the increase of iron prescribing during pregnancy and almost complete abandonment of postpartum use of ergot alkaloids. In the second study period some other inconsistencies with accepted therapeutical principles were identified. For example, although the use of analgesics fell from 22.3 to 8%, the selection changed towards the high use of metamizole (noraminophenazone) and no use of paracetamol (acetaminophen). It was concluded that international pharmacoepidemiological studies such as DUP, could substantially contribute to the improvement of pharmacotherapy if followed by appropriate actions in changing the prescribing behaviour of the physicians and information directed to the target population.

[Microalbuminuria in diabetics treated with insulin for more than 30 years]. / Mikroalbuminurija u dijabeticara lecenih insulinom preko 30 godina.

Microalbuminuria was determined in the urine of 6 diabetics who had been treated with Insulin for over 30 years an had a normal kidney function. The values gained by the radial immunodiffusion method (VLC--Partigen Albumin) range from 0.001 gr/l to 0.008 gr/l of albumins in the urine. These values are much below the risky ones (over 0.020 gr/l), which signalize the evolution to the macroproteinuria and the development of the diabetic nephropathy. Over 30 years duration of the insulin-dependent diabetes, with no macroproteinuria pretors on the expression of diabetic nephropathy. 5 locus which is known to have the influence on the intensity of the immunological response.