218 research outputs found
Simultaneous MMC readout using a tailored {\mu}MUX based readout system
Magnetic microcalorimeters (MMCs) are cryogenic, energy-dispersive
single-particle detectors providing excellent energy resolution, intrinsically
fast signal rise time, quantum efficiency close to 100\%, large dynamic range
as well as almost ideal linear response. One of the remaining challenges to be
overcome to ultimately allow for the utilization of large-scale MMC based
detector arrays with thousands to millions of individual pixels is the
realization of a SQUID based multiplexing technique particularly tailored for
MMC readout. Within this context, we report on the first truly multiplexed
readout of an MMC based detector array using a frequency-division multiplexing
approach realized by a custom microwave SQUID multiplexer based readout system.Comment: Conference: ASC2022 (accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on
Applied Superconductivity
Enhancing spectral quality in complex environmental matrices: Supporting suspect and non-target screening in zebra mussels with ion mobility
Identification of bioaccumulating contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) via suspect and non-target screening remains a challenging task. In this study, ion mobility separation with high-resolution mass spectrometry (IM-HRMS) was used to investigate the effects of drift time (DT) alignment on spectrum quality and peak annotation for screening of CECs in complex sample matrices using data independent acquisition (DIA). Data treatment approaches (Binary Sample Comparison) and prioritisation strategies (Halogen Match, co-occurrence of features in biota and the water phase) were explored in a case study on zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) in Lake Ma center dot laren, Sweden's largest drinking water reservoir. DT alignment evidently improved the fragment spectrum quality by increasing the similarity score to reference spectra from on average (+/- standard deviation) 0.33 +/- 0.31 to 0.64 +/- 0.30 points, thus positively influencing structure elucidation efforts. Thirty-two features were tenta-tively identified at confidence level 3 or higher using MetFrag coupled with the new PubChemLite database, which included predicted collision cross-section values from CCSbase. The implementation of predicted mobility data was found to support compound annotation. This study illustrates a quantitative assessment of the benefits of IM-HRMS on spectral quality, which will enhance the performance of future screening studies of CECs in complex environmental matrices
The Emotional Dilemma: Influence of a Human-like Robot on Trust and Cooperation
Increasing anthropomorphic robot behavioral design could affect trust and
cooperation positively. However, studies have shown contradicting results and
suggest a task-dependent relationship between robots that display emotions and
trust. Therefore, this study analyzes the effect of robots that display
human-like emotions on trust, cooperation, and participants' emotions. In the
between-group study, participants play the coin entrustment game with an
emotional and a non-emotional robot. The results show that the robot that
displays emotions induces more anxiety than the neutral robot. Accordingly, the
participants trust the emotional robot less and are less likely to cooperate.
Furthermore, the perceived intelligence of a robot increases trust, while a
desire to outcompete the robot can reduce trust and cooperation. Thus, the
design of robots expressing emotions should be task dependent to avoid adverse
effects that reduce trust and cooperation.Comment: Accepted at 2023 32nd IEEE International Conference on Robot and
Human Interactive Communication (RO-MAN
Are preserved coastal water bodies in Spanish Mediterranean basin impacted by human activity? Water quality evaluation using chemical and biological analyses
The Spanish Mediterranean basin is particularly susceptible to climate change and human activities, making it vulnerable to the influence of anthropogenic contaminants. Therefore, conducting comprehensive and exhaustive water quality assessment in relevant water bodies of this basin is pivotal. In this work, surface water samples from coastal lagoons or estuaries were collected across the Spanish Mediterranean coastline and subjected to target and suspect screening of 1,585 organic micropollutants by liquid chromatography coupled to ion mobility separation and high resolution mass spectrometry. In total, 91 organic micropollutants could be confirmed and 5 were tentatively identified, with pharmaceuticals and pesticides being the most prevalent groups of chemicals. Chemical analysis data was compared with data on bioanalysis of those samples (recurrent aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activation, and estrogenic receptor (ER) inhibition in wetland samples affected by wastewater streams). The number of identified organic contaminants containing aromatic rings could explain the AhR activation observed. For the ER antagonistic effects, predictions on estrogenic inhibition potency for the detected compounds were used to explain the activities observed. The integration of chemical analysis with bioanalytical observations allowed a comprehensive overview of the quality of the water bodies under study
High kinetic inductance NbTiN films for quantum limited travelling wave parametric amplifiers
A wide-bandwidth and low-noise amplification chain in the microwave regime is
crucial for the efficient read-out of quantum systems based on superconducting
detectors, such as Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors (MKIDs), Transition
Edge Sensors (TESs), Magnetic Microcalorimeters (MMCs), and RF cavities, as
well as qubits. Kinetic Inductance Travelling Wave Parametric Amplifiers
(KI-TWPAs) operated in a three-wave mixing fashion have demonstrated
exceptional dynamic range and low-noise performance, approaching the quantum
limit. These amplifiers can be fabricated using a single layer of a high
kinetic inductance film as weakly dispersive artificial transmission lines,
with the ability to control the phase-matched bandwidth through dispersion
engineering. In this study, we present the optimisation of the rf
sputter-deposition process of NbTiN films using a Nb80%T20 target, with the
goal of achieving precise control over film characteristics, resulting in high
kinetic inductance while maintaining a high transition temperature. The
parameter landscape related to the different sputtering conditions, such as
pressure, power, and nitrogen flow, has been explored and the film thickness
has been used as a fine-tuning parameter to adjust the properties of the final
NbTiN films used for the fabrication of KI-TWPAs. As a final result, we have
obtained a NbTiN film with a kinetic inductance of 8.5 pH/sq which we have
exploited to fabricate KI-TWPA prototype devices, showing promising
amplification performance
The Spin Structure of the Nucleon
We present an overview of recent experimental and theoretical advances in our
understanding of the spin structure of protons and neutrons.Comment: 84 pages, 29 figure
The Electron Capture in Ho Experiment - a Short Update
The definition of the absolute neutrino mass scale is one of the main goals of the Particle Physics today. The study of the end-point regions of the β- and electron capture (EC) spectrum offers a possibility to determine the effective electron (anti-)neutrino mass in a completely model independent way, as it only relies on the energy and momentum conservation.
The ECHo (Electron Capture in 163Ho) experiment has been designed in the attempt to measure the effective mass of the electron neutrino by performing high statistics and high energy resolution measurements of the 163 Ho electron capture spectrum. To achieve this goal, large arrays of low temperature metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs) implanted with with 163Ho are used. Here we report on the structure and the status of the experiment
National trends in total cholesterol obscure heterogeneous changes in HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio : a pooled analysis of 458 population-based studies in Asian and Western countries
Background: Although high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL cholesterol have opposite associations with coronary heart disease, multi-country reports of lipid trends only use total cholesterol (TC). Our aim was to compare trends in total, HDL and nonHDL cholesterol and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio in Asian and Western countries. Methods: We pooled 458 population-based studies with 82.1 million participants in 23 Asian and Western countries. We estimated changes in mean total, HDL and non-HDL cholesterol and mean total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio by country, sex and age group. Results: Since similar to 1980, mean TC increased in Asian countries. In Japan and South Korea, the TC rise was due to rising HDL cholesterol, which increased by up to 0.17 mmol/L per decade in Japanese women; in China, it was due to rising non-HDL cholesterol. TC declined in Western countries, except in Polish men. The decline was largest in Finland and Norway, at similar to 0.4 mmol/L per decade. The decline in TC in most Western countries was the net effect of an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decline in non-HDL cholesterol, with the HDL cholesterol increase largest in New Zealand and Switzerland. Mean total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio declined in Japan, South Korea and most Western countries, by as much as similar to 0.7 per decade in Swiss men (equivalent to similar to 26% decline in coronary heart disease risk per decade). The ratio increased in China. Conclusions: HDL cholesterol has risen and the total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio has declined in many Western countries, Japan and South Korea, with only a weak correlation with changes in TC or non-HDL cholesterol.Peer reviewe
- …