A Fast Splitting Method for efficient Split Bregman Iterations

In this paper we propose a new fast splitting algorithm to solve the Weighted Split Bregman minimization problem in the backward step of an accelerated Forward-Backward algorithm. Beside proving the convergence of the method, numerical tests, carried out on different imaging applications, prove the accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed algorithm

A probabilistic approach to quantifying hydrologic thresholds regulating migration of adult Atlantic salmon into spawning streams

Acknowledgment Data to support this study are provided by the Marine Scotland Science Freshwater Laboratory (MSS-FL) and are available for free download on line [Glover and Malcolm, 2015a, 2015b].Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Long-term dynamics of Methone, Anthe and Pallene

We numerically investigate the long-term dynamics of the Saturn's small satellites Methone (S/2004 S1), Anthe (S/2007 S4) and Pallene (S/2004 S2). In our numerical integrations, these satellites are disturbed by non-spherical shape of Saturn and the six nearest regular satellites. The stability of the small bodies is studied here by analyzing long-term evolution of their orbital elements. We show that long-term evolution of Pallene is dictated by a quasi secular resonance involving the ascending nodes ($\Omega$) and longitudes of pericentric distances ($\varpi$) of Mimas (subscript 1) and Pallene (subscript 2), which critical argument is $\varpi_2-\varpi_1-\Omega_1+\Omega_2$. Long-term orbital evolution of Methone and Anthe are probably chaotic since: i) their orbits randomly cross the orbit of Mimas in time scales of thousands years); ii) numerical simulations involving both small satellites are strongly affected by small changes in the initial conditions.Comment: 9 pages; 4 figures. Submitted to Proceedings IAU Symposium No. S263, 200

A dynamical and observational study of an unstable TNO: 59358 (1999CL158)

Context: The physical surface properties of a trans-Neptunian Object is believed to be mainly produced as a result of interplay between irradiation from different kinds of cosmic rays and collisions. Objects recently resurfaced by collisions are likely to have very different physical properties from those of the bulk population. In particular, pristine ices from the interior are expected to be present on the surface. A possible way to identify a trans-Neptunian object that has suffered a major collision is by investigating the lifetime of the orbit near its present location. If the lifetime is very short, a physical encounter is a possible way by which the TNO has evolved into such a short lived orbit. Aims: The goal of this investigation is to search for tracers of a young surface on objects with very short orbital lifetimes in the trans-Neptunian Belt. We are looking for any evidence that indicates that they reached their current unstable orbits through collisions. In particular, we have studied the case of 59358 (1999CL{158}), a trans-Neptunian object that currently has the most chaotic orbit in the Classical Belt. Methods: By numerically integration its orbit, we estimate that 59358 (1999CL{158}) has resided near its location for about 10 Myr. We have also obtained a near-infrared spectrum of 59358 (1999CL{158}) in the region between 1.43-1.96 microns using the near infrared imager and spectrograph, NIRI, at Gemini North 8-m telescope. These NIR observations are of the faintest and smallest TNO so far observed. Results: We present the results of the search of ice-bands, such as CH4 and H2O, having found evidence of the presence of the first mentioned molecule. Conclusions: The detection of methane implies that it must be an abundant component of this object. Methane is also evidence of a young surface, therefore we conclude that it is likely that 59358 (1999CL{158}) has experienced a recent collision or collisions. Based on observations obtained at the Gemini Observatory, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under a cooperative agreement with the NSF on behalf of the Gemini partnership: the National Science Foundation (United States), the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council (UK), the National Research Council (Canada), CONICYT (Chile), the Australian Research Council (Australia), CNPq (Brazil) and CONICET (Argentina).Fil: Alvarez Candal, A.. Ministério de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacao. Observatorio Nacional; BrasilFil: Jones, D.. University Of London; Reino UnidoFil: Lazzaro, D.. Ministério de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacao. Observatorio Nacional; BrasilFil: Williams, I. P.. University Of London; Reino UnidoFil: Melita, Mario Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciónes Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio. - Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio; Argentin

Mitigation of 42^{42}Ar/42^{42}K background for the GERDA Phase II experiment

Background coming from the $^{42}$Ar decay chain is considered to be one of the most relevant for the GERDA experiment, which aims to search of the neutrinoless double beta decay of $^{76}$Ge. The sensitivity strongly relies on the absence of background around the Q-value of the decay. Background coming from $^{42}$K, a progeny of $^{42}$Ar, can contribute to that background via electrons from the continuous spectrum with an endpoint of 3.5 MeV. Research and development on the suppression methods targeting this source of background were performed at the low-background test facility LArGe. It was demonstrated that by reducing $^{42}$K ion collection on the surfaces of the broad energy germanium detectors in combination with pulse shape discrimination techniques and an argon scintillation veto, it is possible to suppress the $^{42}$K background by three orders of magnitude. This is sufficient for Phase II of the GERDA experiment

Giant Liquid Argon Observatory for Proton Decay, Neutrino Astrophysics and CP-violation in the Lepton Sector (GLACIER)

GLACIER (Giant Liquid Argon Charge Imaging ExpeRiment) is a large underground observatory for proton decay search, neutrino astrophysics and CP-violation studies in the lepton sector. Possible underground sites are studied within the FP7 LAGUNA project (Europe) and along the JPARC neutrino beam in collaboration with KEK (Japan). The concept is scalable to very large masses.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, Contribution to the Workshop "European Strategy for Future Neutrino Physics", CERN, Oct. 200

Cross Sections for the Reactions e+e- --> K+ K- pi+pi-, K+ K- pi0pi0, and K+ K- K+ K- Measured Using Initial-State Radiation Events

We study the processes e+e- --> K+ K- pi+pi-gamma, K+ K- pi0pi0gamma, and K+ K- K+ K-gamma, where the photon is radiated from the initial state. About 84000, 8000, and 4200 fully reconstructed events, respectively, are selected from 454 fb-1 of BaBar data. The invariant mass of the hadronic final state defines the \epem center-of-mass energy, so that the K+ K- pi+pi- data can be compared with direct measurements of the e+e- --> K+ K- pi+pi- reaction. No direct measurements exist for the e+e- --> K+ K-pi0pi0 or e+e- --> K+ K-K+ K- reactions, and we present an update of our previous result with doubled statistics. Studying the structure of these events, we find contributions from a number of intermediate states, and extract their cross sections. In particular, we perform a more detailed study of the e+e- --> phi(1020)pipigamma reaction, and confirm the presence of the Y(2175) resonance in the phi(1020) f0(980) and K+K-f0(980) modes. In the charmonium region, we observe the J/psi in all three final states and in several intermediate states, as well as the psi(2S) in some modes, and measure the corresponding product of branching fraction and electron width.Comment: 35 pages, 42 figure

First results on light readout from the 1-ton ArDM liquid argon detector for dark matter searches

ArDM-1t is the prototype for a next generation WIMP detector measuring both the scintillation light and the ionization charge from nuclear recoils in a 1-ton liquid argon target. The goal is to reach a minimum recoil energy of 30\,keVr to detect recoiling nuclei. In this paper we describe the experimental concept and present results on the light detection system, tested for the first time in ArDM on the surface at CERN. With a preliminary and incomplete set of PMTs, the light yield at zero electric field is found to be between 0.3-0.5 phe/keVee depending on the position within the detector volume, confirming our expectations based on smaller detector setups.Comment: 14 pages, 10 figures, v2 accepted for publication in JINS

Evidence for the η_b(1S) Meson in Radiative Υ(2S) Decay

We have performed a search for the η_b(1S) meson in the radiative decay of the Υ(2S) resonance using a sample of 91.6 × 10^6 Υ(2S) events recorded with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B factory at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. We observe a peak in the photon energy spectrum at E_γ = 609.3^(+4.6)_(-4.5)(stat)±1.9(syst) MeV, corresponding to an η_b(1S) mass of 9394.2^(+4.8)_(-4.9)(stat) ± 2.0(syst) MeV/c^2. The branching fraction for the decay Υ(2S) → γη_b(1S) is determined to be [3.9 ± 1.1(stat)^(+1.1)_(-0.9)(syst)] × 10^(-4). We find the ratio of branching fractions B[Υ(2S) → γη_b(1S)]/B[Υ(3S) → γη_b(1S)]= 0.82 ± 0.24(stat)^(+0.20)_(-0.19)(syst)