2,992 research outputs found
Boundary between the thermal and statistical polarization regimes in a nuclear spin ensemble
As the number of spins in an ensemble is reduced, the statistical uctuations
in its polarization eventually exceed the mean thermal polarization. This
transition has now been surpassed in a number of recent nuclear magnetic
resonance experiments, which achieve nanometer-scale detection volumes. Here,
we measure nanometer- scale ensembles of nuclear spins in a KPF6 sample using
magnetic resonance force microscopy. In particular, we investigate the
transition between regimes dominated by thermal and statistical nuclear
polarization. The ratio between the two types of polarization provides a
measure of the number of spins in the detected ensemble
On the validation of rainfall retrieval algorithms for satellite microwave data
The Algorithm Intercomparison Project utilises rainfall estimates derived from radar data to validate the algorithms developed for rainfall retrievals from satellite microwave data. Since seven minutes are needed in order to have a complete radar scan, while the acquisition of the corresponding satellite microwave image needs only a few seconds, the same pixel can be sensed by radar as much as
seven minutes later. Within this time delay the raining cells can be displaced and the consequent mismatch can cause a decrease in the correlation coefficient of the
comparison. A method to reveal this time-lag effect is presented and a possible approach to take it into account in the validation process for future missions is suggested
On the validation of rainfall retrieval algorithms for satellite microwave data
The Algorithm Intercomparison Project utilises rainfall estimates derived from radar data to validate the algorithms developed for rainfall retrievals from satellite microwave data. Since seven minutes are needed in order to have a complete radar scan, while the acquisition of the corresponding satellite microwave image needs only a few seconds, the same pixel can be sensed by radar as much as
seven minutes later. Within this time delay the raining cells can be displaced and the consequent mismatch can cause a decrease in the correlation coefficient of the
comparison. A method to reveal this time-lag effect is presented and a possible approach to take it into account in the validation process for future missions is suggested
Increased absorption by coarse aerosol particles over the Gangetic–Himalayan region
Each atmospheric aerosol type has distinctive light-absorption
characteristics related to its physical/chemical properties. Climate models
treat black carbon as the main light-absorbing component of carbonaceous
atmospheric aerosols, while absorption by some organic aerosols is also
considered, particularly at ultraviolet wavelengths. Most absorbing aerosols
are assumed to be < 1 μm in diameter (sub-micron). Here we
present results from a recent field study in India, primarily during the
post-monsoon season (October–November), suggesting the presence of absorbing
aerosols sized 1–10 μm. Absorption due to super-micron-sized
particles was nearly 30% greater than that due to smaller particles.
Periods of increased absorption by larger particles ranged from a week to a
month. Radiative forcing calculations under clear-sky conditions show that
super-micron particles account for nearly 44% of the total
aerosol forcing. The origin of the large aerosols is unknown, but
meteorological conditions indicate that they are of local origin. Such
economic and habitation conditions exist throughout much of the
developing world. Hence, large absorbing particles could be an important
component of the regional-scale atmospheric energy balance
Acute stress impairs sensorimotor gating via the neurosteroid allopregnanolone in the prefrontal cortex
Ample evidence indicates that environmental stress impairs information processing, yet the underlying mechanisms remain partially elusive. We showed that, in several rodent models of psychopathology, the neurosteroid allopregnanolone (AP) reduces the prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the startle, a well-validated index of sensorimotor gating. Since this GABAA receptor activator is synthesized in response to acute stress, we hypothesized its participation in stress-induced PPI deficits. Systemic AP administration reduced PPI in C57BL/6J mice and Long-Evans, but not Sprague-Dawley rats. These effects were reversed by isoallopregnanolone (isoAP), an endogenous AP antagonist, and the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline and mimicked by AP infusions in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Building on these findings, we tested AP's implication in the PPI deficits produced by several complementary regimens of acute and short-term stress (footshock, restraint, predator exposure, and sleep deprivation). PPI was reduced by acute footshock, sleep deprivation as well as the combination of restraint and predator exposure in a time- and intensity-dependent fashion. Acute stress increased AP concentrations in the mPFC, and its detrimental effects on PPI were countered by systemic and intra-mPFC administration of isoAP. These results collectively indicate that acute stress impairs PPI by increasing AP content in the mPFC. The confirmation of these mechanisms across distinct animal models and several acute stressors strongly supports the translational value of these findings and warrants future research on the role of AP in information processing
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Joint retrievals of cloud and drizzle in marine boundary layer clouds using ground-based radar, lidar and zenith radiances
Active remote sensing of marine boundary-layer clouds is challenging as drizzle drops often dominate the observed radar reflectivity. We present a new method to simultaneously retrieve cloud and drizzle vertical profiles in drizzling boundary-layer clouds using surface-based observations of radar reflectivity, lidar attenuated backscatter, and zenith radiances under conditions when precipitation does not reach the surface. Specifically, the vertical structure of droplet size and water content of both cloud and drizzle is characterised throughout the cloud. An ensemble optimal estimation approach provides full error statistics given the uncertainty in the observations. To evaluate the new method, we first perform retrievals using synthetic measurements from large-eddy simulation snapshots of cumulus under stratocumulus, where cloud water path is retrieved with an error of 31 g m−2 . The method also performs well in non-drizzling clouds where no assumption of the cloud profile is required. We then apply the method to observations of marine stratocumulus obtained during the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement MAGIC deployment in the Northeast Pacific. Here, retrieved cloud water path agrees well with independent three-channel microwave radiometer retrievals, with a root mean square difference of 10–20 g m−2
Measurement of the front-end dead-time of the LHCb muon detector and evaluation of its contribution to the muon detection inefficiency
A method is described which allows to deduce the dead-time of the front-end
electronics of the LHCb muon detector from a series of measurements performed
at different luminosities at a bunch-crossing rate of 20 MHz. The measured
values of the dead-time range from 70 ns to 100 ns. These results allow to
estimate the performance of the muon detector at the future bunch-crossing rate
of 40 MHz and at higher luminosity
Performance of the Muon Identification at LHCb
The performance of the muon identification in LHCb is extracted from data
using muons and hadrons produced in J/\psi->\mu\mu, \Lambda->p\pi and
D^{\star}->\pi D0(K\pi) decays. The muon identification procedure is based on
the pattern of hits in the muon chambers. A momentum dependent binary
requirement is used to reduce the probability of hadrons to be misidentified as
muons to the level of 1%, keeping the muon efficiency in the range of 95-98%.
As further refinement, a likelihood is built for the muon and non-muon
hypotheses. Adding a requirement on this likelihood that provides a total muon
efficiency at the level of 93%, the hadron misidentification rates are below
0.6%.Comment: 17 pages, 10 figure
Universal Vectorial and Ultrasensitive Nanomechanical Force Field Sensor
Miniaturization of force probes into nanomechanical oscillators enables
ultrasensitive investigations of forces on dimensions smaller than their
characteristic length scale. Meanwhile it also unravels the force field
vectorial character and how its topology impacts the measurement. Here we
expose an ultrasensitive method to image 2D vectorial force fields by
optomechanically following the bidimensional Brownian motion of a singly
clamped nanowire. This novel approach relies on angular and spectral tomography
of its quasi frequency-degenerated transverse mechanical polarizations:
immersing the nanoresonator in a vectorial force field does not only shift its
eigenfrequencies but also rotate eigenmodes orientation as a nano-compass. This
universal method is employed to map a tunable electrostatic force field whose
spatial gradients can even take precedence over the intrinsic nanowire
properties. Enabling vectorial force fields imaging with demonstrated
sensitivities of attonewton variations over the nanoprobe Brownian trajectory
will have strong impact on scientific exploration at the nanoscale
Performance of the LHCb muon system
The performance of the LHCb Muon system and its stability across the full
2010 data taking with LHC running at ps = 7 TeV energy is studied. The
optimization of the detector setting and the time calibration performed with
the first collisions delivered by LHC is described. Particle rates, measured
for the wide range of luminosities and beam operation conditions experienced
during the run, are compared with the values expected from simulation. The
space and time alignment of the detectors, chamber efficiency, time resolution
and cluster size are evaluated. The detector performance is found to be as
expected from specifications or better. Notably the overall efficiency is well
above the design requirementsComment: JINST_015P_1112 201
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