1,570 research outputs found
Kagom\'{e} ice state in the dipolar spin ice Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7}
We have investigated the kagom\'{e} ice behavior of the dipolar spin-ice
compound Dy_{2}Ti_{2}O_{7} in magnetic field along a [111] direction using
neutron scattering and Monte Carlo simulations. The spin correlations show that
the kagom\'{e} ice behavior predicted for the nearest-neighbor (NN) interacting
model, where the field induces dimensional reduction and spins are frustrated
in each two-dimensional kagom\'{e} lattice, occurs in the dipole interacting
system. The spins freeze at low temperatures within the macroscopically
degenerate ground states of the NN model.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, submitted to PR
Improving Motor Imagination with Support of RealTime LORETA Neurofeedback
Recording cortical activity during imagined leg movement is a challenging task due to cortical
representation of legs deeper within the central sulcus. Therefore Brain Computer Interface (BCI) studies
typically rely on imagined movement of both legs [1]. Activity of deeper cortical structures can be estimated offline
from multichannel Electroencephalography (EEG) by using LORETA numerical method [2]. LORETA can
also be calculated in real time to provide an instantaneous estimate of brain activity, but currently available
solution supports only up to 19 channels (BrainAvatar, BrainMaster, Inc). In this study we propose a custom
designed real time LORETA neurofeedback based on multichannel EEG to increase cortical activity at the
central sulcus during continuous imagining tapping with one leg only. This strategy could be useful in
neurorehabilitation of hemiplegia (i.e. stroke)
Observation of Modulated Quadrupolar Structures in PrPb3
Neutron diffraction measurements have been performed on the cubic compound
PrPb3 in a [001] magnetic field to examine the quadrupolar ordering.
Antiferromagnetic components with q=(1/2+-d 1/2 0), (1/2 1/2+-d 0) (d~1/8) are
observed below the transition temperature TQ (0.4 K at H=0) whose amplitudes
vary linear with H and vanish at zero field, providing the first evidence for a
modulated quadrupolar phase. For H<1 T, a non-square modulated state persists
even below 100 mK suggesting quadrupole moments associated with a Gamma3
doublet ground state to be partially quenched by hybridization with conduction
electrons.Comment: Physical Review Letters, in press. 4 pages, 4 figure
Chronic stress and impaired glutamate function elicit a depressive-like phenotype and common changes in gene expression in the mouse frontal cortex
Major depression might originate from both environmental and genetic risk factors. The environmental chronic mild stress (CMS) model mimics some environmental factors contributing to human depression and induces anhedonia and helplessness. Mice heterozygous for the synaptic vesicle protein (SVP) vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) have been proposed as a genetic model of deficient glutamate function linked to depressive-like behaviour. Here, we aimed to identify, in these two experimental models, gene expression changes in the frontal cortex, common to stress and impaired glutamate function.
Both VGLUT1+/- and CMS mice showed helpless and anhedonic-like behavior. Microarray studies in VGLUT1+/- mice revealed regulation of genes involved in apoptosis, neurogenesis, synaptic transmission, protein metabolic process or learning and memory. In addition, RT-PCR studies confirmed gene expression changes in several glutamate, GABA, dopamine and serotonin neurotransmitter receptors. On the other hand, CMS affected the regulation of 147 transcripts, some of them involved in response to stress and oxidoreductase activity. Interestingly, 52 genes were similarly regulated in both models. Specifically, a dowregulation in genes that promote cell proliferation (Anapc7), cell growth (CsnK1g1), cell survival (Hdac3), inhibition of apoptosis (Dido1) was observed. Genes linked to cytoskeleton (Hspg2, Invs), psychiatric disorders (Grin1, MapK12) or an antioxidant enzyme (Gpx2) were also downregulated. Moreover, genes that inhibit the MAPK pathways (Dusp14), stimulate oxidative metabolism (Eif4a2) and enhance glutamate transmission (Rab8b) were upregulated.
We suggest that these genes could form part of the altered “molecular context” underlying depressive-like behaviour in animal models. The clinical relevance of these findings is discussed
Dissipative intraplate faulting during the 2016 M_w 6.2 Tottori, Japan earthquake
The 2016 M_w 6.2 Tottori earthquake occurred on 21 October 2016 and produced thousands of aftershocks. Here we analyze high-resolution-relocated seismicity together with source properties of the mainshock to better understand the rupture process and energy budget. We use a matched-filter algorithm to detect and precisely locate >10,000 previously unidentified aftershocks, which delineate a network of sharp subparallel lineations exhibiting significant branching and segmentation. Seismicity below 8 km depth forms highly localized fault structures subparallel to the mainshock strike. Shallow seismicity near the main rupture plane forms more diffuse clusters and lineations that often are at a high angle (in map view) to the mainshock strike. An empirical Green's function technique is used to derive apparent source time functions for the mainshock, which show a large amplitude pulse 2–4 s long. We invert the apparent source time functions for a slip distribution and observe a ~16 km^2 patch with average slip ~3.2 m. 93% of the seismic moment is below 8 km depth, which is approximately the depth below which the seismicity becomes very localized. These observations suggest that the mainshock rupture area was entirely within the lower half of the seismogenic zone. The radiated seismic energy is estimated to be 5.7 × 10^(13) J, while the static stress drop is estimated to be 18–27 MPa. These values yield a radiation efficiency of 5–7%, which indicates that the Tottori mainshock was extremely dissipative. We conclude that this inefficiency in energy radiation is likely a product of the immature intraplate environment and the underlying geometric complexity
Joint searches between gravitational-wave interferometers and high-energy neutrino telescopes: science reach and analysis strategies
Many of the astrophysical sources and violent phenomena observed in our
Universe are potential emitters of gravitational waves (GWs) and high-energy
neutrinos (HENs). A network of GW detectors such as LIGO and Virgo can
determine the direction/time of GW bursts while the IceCube and ANTARES
neutrino telescopes can also provide accurate directional information for HEN
events. Requiring the consistency between both, totally independent, detection
channels shall enable new searches for cosmic events arriving from potential
common sources, of which many extra-galactic objects.Comment: 4 pages. To appear in the Proceedings of the 2d Heidelberg Workshop:
"High-Energy Gamma-rays and Neutrinos from Extra-Galactic Sources",
Heidelberg (Germany), January 13-16, 200
Accurate calibration of test mass displacement in the LIGO interferometers
We describe three fundamentally different methods we have applied to
calibrate the test mass displacement actuators to search for systematic errors
in the calibration of the LIGO gravitational-wave detectors. The actuation
frequencies tested range from 90 Hz to 1 kHz and the actuation amplitudes range
from 1e-6 m to 1e-18 m. For each of the four test mass actuators measured, the
weighted mean coefficient over all frequencies for each technique deviates from
the average actuation coefficient for all three techniques by less than 4%.
This result indicates that systematic errors in the calibration of the
responses of the LIGO detectors to differential length variations are within
the stated uncertainties.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, submitted on 31 October 2009 to Classical and
Quantum Gravity for the proceedings of 8th Edoardo Amaldi Conference on
Gravitational Wave
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