991 research outputs found
The OLYMPUS Internal Hydrogen Target
An internal hydrogen target system was developed for the OLYMPUS experiment
at DESY, in Hamburg, Germany. The target consisted of a long, thin-walled,
tubular cell within an aluminum scattering chamber. Hydrogen entered at the
center of the cell and exited through the ends, where it was removed from the
beamline by a multistage pumping system. A cryogenic coldhead cooled the target
cell to counteract heating from the beam and increase the density of hydrogen
in the target. A fixed collimator protected the cell from synchrotron radiation
and the beam halo. A series of wakefield suppressors reduced heating from beam
wakefields. The target system was installed within the DORIS storage ring and
was successfully operated during the course of the OLYMPUS experiment in 2012.
Information on the design, fabrication, and performance of the target system is
reported.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figure
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Intercomparison of regional loss estimates from global synthetic tropical cyclone models
Tropical cyclones (TCs) cause devastating damage to life and property. Historical TC data is scarce, complicating adequate TC risk assessments. Synthetic TC models are specifically designed to overcome this scarcity. While these models have been evaluated on their ability to simulate TC activity, no study to date has focused on model performance and applicability in TC risk assessments. This study performs the intercomparison of four different global-scale synthetic TC datasets in the impact space, comparing impact return period curves, probability of rare events, and hazard intensity distribution over land. We find that the model choice influences the costliest events, particularly in basins with limited TC activity. Modelled direct economic damages in the North Indian Ocean, for instance, range from 40 to 246 billion USD for the 100-yr event over the four hazard sets. We furthermore provide guidelines for the suitability of the different synthetic models for various research purposes
Measuring the Polarization of a Rapidly Precessing Deuteron Beam
This paper describes a time-marking system that enables a measurement of the
in-plane (horizontal) polarization of a 0.97-GeV/c deuteron beam circulating in
the Cooler Synchrotron (COSY) at the Forschungszentrum J\"ulich. The clock time
of each polarimeter event is used to unfold the 120-kHz spin precession and
assign events to bins according to the direction of the horizontal
polarization. After accumulation for one or more seconds, the down-up
scattering asymmetry can be calculated for each direction and matched to a
sinusoidal function whose magnitude is proportional to the horizontal
polarization. This requires prior knowledge of the spin tune or polarization
precession rate. An initial estimate is refined by re-sorting the events as the
spin tune is adjusted across a narrow range and searching for the maximum
polarization magnitude. The result is biased toward polarization values that
are too large, in part because of statistical fluctuations but also because
sinusoidal fits to even random data will produce sizeable magnitudes when the
phase is left free to vary. An analysis procedure is described that matches the
time dependence of the horizontal polarization to templates based on
emittance-driven polarization loss while correcting for the positive bias. This
information will be used to study ways to extend the horizontal polarization
lifetime by correcting spin tune spread using ring sextupole fields and thereby
to support the feasibility of searching for an intrinsic electric dipole moment
using polarized beams in a storage ring. This paper is a combined effort of the
Storage Ring EDM Collaboration and the JEDI Collaboration.Comment: 28 pages, 15 figures, prepared for Physical Review ST - Accelerators
and Beam
Inflammatory extracellular vesicles prompt heart dysfunction via TRL4-dependent NF-κB activation.
Background: After myocardial infarction, necrotic cardiomyocytes release damage-associated proteins that stimulate innate immune pathways and macrophage tissue infiltration, which drives inflammation and myocardial remodeling. Circulating inflammatory extracellular vesicles play a crucial role in the acute and chronic phases of ischemia, in terms of inflammatory progression. In this study, we hypothesize that the paracrine effect mediated by these vesicles induces direct cytotoxicity in cardiomyocytes. Thus, we examined whether reducing the generation of inflammatory vesicles within the first few hours after the ischemic event ameliorates cardiac outcome at short and long time points. Methods: Myocardial infarction was induced in rats that were previously injected intraperitoneally with a chemical inhibitor of extracellular-vesicle biogenesis. Heart global function was assessed by echocardiography performed at 7, 14 and 28 days after MI. Cardiac outcome was also evaluated by hemodynamic analysis at sacrifice. Cytotoxic effects of circulating EV were evaluated ex-vivo in a Langendorff, system by measuring the level of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in the perfusate. Mechanisms undergoing cytotoxic effects of EV derived from pro-inflammatory macrophages (M1) were studied in-vitro in primary rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. Results: Inflammatory response following myocardial infarction dramatically increased the number of circulating extracellular vesicles carrying alarmins such as IL-1α, IL-1β and Rantes. Reducing the boost in inflammatory vesicles during the acute phase of ischemia resulted in preserved left ventricular ejection fraction in vivo. Hemodynamic analysis confirmed functional recovery by displaying higher velocity of left ventricular relaxation and improved contractility. When added to the perfusate of isolated hearts, post-infarction circulating vesicles induced significantly more cell death in adult cardiomyocytes, as assessed by cTnI release, comparing to circulating vesicles isolated from healthy (non-infarcted) rats. In vitro inflammatory extracellular vesicles induce cell death by driving nuclear translocation of NF-κB into nuclei of cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Our data suggest that targeting circulating extracellular vesicles during the acute phase of myocardial infarction may offer an effective therapeutic approach to preserve function of ischemic heart
Differential Fiscal Performances of Plausible Disaster Events: A Storyline Approach for the Caribbean and Central American Governments under CCRIF
Fiscal resilience against disasters is vital for the recovery in the aftermath of climate hazards. Without swift access to available funds for disaster relief, damages to human and the economy would be further exacerbated. How insurance may influence fiscal performance over time and can increase fiscal resilience for today and under a future climate has not been looked at yet in detail. Focusing on the Caribbean region and on the fiscal performance of governments after disaster events, we empirically analyze the effectiveness of the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) regarding the reduction of short-term fiscal effects. We embed this analysis within a novel climate impact storyline approach where we produce past plausible events and investigate the usefulness of insurance under such events. The storylines were modified according to global and climate change related boundary conditions to address the issue whether the CCRIF is fit for purpose or will need to be adapted in the future. We found that both hurricane strikes and the CCRIF affect fiscal outcomes of Caribbean countries. Furthermore, there are indications that CCRIF can counteract the negative fiscal consequences over the short term period induced by the disaster. Our analysis should shed some light on the current discussions on how development related assistance can be structured to enhance climate resilience in highly exposed countries for both direct and fiscal impacts of disasters
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Perspectives on tipping points in integrated models of the natural and human earth system: cascading effects and telecoupling
© Copyright 2022 The Author(s). The Earth system and the human system are intrinsically linked. Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have led to the climate crisis, which is causing unprecedented extreme events and could trigger Earth system tipping elements. Physical and social forces can lead to tipping points and cascading effects via feedbacks and telecoupling, but the current generation of climate-economy models do not generally take account of these interactions and feedbacks. Here, we show the importance of the interplay between human societies and Earth systems in creating tipping points and cascading effects and the way they in turn affect sustainability and security. The lack of modeling of these links can lead to an underestimation of climate and societal risks as well as how societal tipping points can be harnessed to moderate physical impacts. This calls for the systematic development of models for a better integration and understanding of Earth and human systems at different spatial and temporal scales, specifically those that enable decision-making to reduce the likelihood of crossing local or global tipping points.Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Republic of Korea, under IBS-R028-D1; European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 820712 (REmote Climate Effects and their Impact on European sustainability, Policy and Trade (RECEIPT)); CLICCS Cluster of Excellence (Grant ID: 2037) funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG)
Genetics of VEGF Serum Variation in Human Isolated Populations of Cilento: Importance of VEGF Polymorphisms
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is the main player in angiogenesis. Because of its crucial role in this process, the study of the genetic factors controlling VEGF variability may be of particular interest for many angiogenesis-associated diseases. Although some polymorphisms in the VEGF gene have been associated with a susceptibility to several disorders, no genome-wide search on VEGF serum levels has been reported so far. We carried out a genome-wide linkage analysis in three isolated populations and we detected a strong linkage between VEGF serum levels and the 6p21.1 VEGF region in all samples. A new locus on chromosome 3p26.3 significantly linked to VEGF serum levels was also detected in a combined population sample. A sequencing of the gene followed by an association study identified three common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) influencing VEGF serum levels in one population (Campora), two already reported in the literature (rs3025039, rs25648) and one new signal (rs3025020). A fourth SNP (rs41282644) was found to affect VEGF serum levels in another population (Cardile). All the identified SNPs contribute to the related population linkages (35% of the linkage explained in Campora and 15% in Cardile). Interestingly, none of the SNPs influencing VEGF serum levels in one population was found to be associated in the two other populations. These results allow us to exclude the hypothesis that the common variants located in the exons, intron-exon junctions, promoter and regulative regions of the VEGF gene may have a causal effect on the VEGF variation. The data support the alternative hypothesis of a multiple rare variant model, possibly consisting in distinct variants in different populations, influencing VEGF serum levels
Phase Measurement for Driven Spin Oscillations in a Storage Ring
This paper reports the first simultaneous measurement of the horizontal and
vertical components of the polarization vector in a storage ring under the
influence of a radio frequency (rf) solenoid. The experiments were performed at
the Cooler Synchrotron COSY in J\"ulich using a vector polarized, bunched
deuteron beam. Using the new spin feedback system, we
set the initial phase difference between the solenoid field and the precession
of the polarization vector to a predefined value. The feedback system was then
switched off, allowing the phase difference to change over time, and the
solenoid was switched on to rotate the polarization vector. We observed an
oscillation of the vertical polarization component and the phase difference.
The oscillations can be described using an analytical model. The results of
this experiment also apply to other rf devices with horizontal magnetic fields,
such as Wien filters. The precise manipulation of particle spins in storage
rings is a prerequisite for measuring the electric dipole moment (EDM) of
charged particles
Spin tune mapping as a novel tool to probe the spin dynamics in storage rings
Precision experiments, such as the search for electric dipole moments of
charged particles using storage rings, demand for an understanding of the spin
dynamics with unprecedented accuracy. The ultimate aim is to measure the
electric dipole moments with a sensitivity up to 15 orders in magnitude better
than the magnetic dipole moment of the stored particles. This formidable task
requires an understanding of the background to the signal of the electric
dipole from rotations of the spins in the spurious magnetic fields of a storage
ring. One of the observables, especially sensitive to the imperfection magnetic
fields in the ring is the angular orientation of stable spin axis. Up to now,
the stable spin axis has never been determined experimentally, and in addition,
the JEDI collaboration for the first time succeeded to quantify the background
signals that stem from false rotations of the magnetic dipole moments in the
horizontal and longitudinal imperfection magnetic fields of the storage ring.
To this end, we developed a new method based on the spin tune response of a
machine to artificially applied longitudinal magnetic fields. This novel
technique, called \textit{spin tune mapping}, emerges as a very powerful tool
to probe the spin dynamics in storage rings. The technique was experimentally
tested in 2014 at the cooler synchrotron COSY, and for the first time, the
angular orientation of the stable spin axis at two different locations in the
ring has been determined to an unprecedented accuracy of better than
rad.Comment: 32 pages, 15 figures, 7 table
Hard Two-Photon Contribution to Elastic Lepton-Proton Scattering: Determined by the OLYMPUS Experiment
The OLYMPUS collaboration reports on a precision measurement of the
positron-proton to electron-proton elastic cross section ratio, ,
a direct measure of the contribution of hard two-photon exchange to the elastic
cross section. In the OLYMPUS measurement, 2.01~GeV electron and positron beams
were directed through a hydrogen gas target internal to the DORIS storage ring
at DESY. A toroidal magnetic spectrometer instrumented with drift chambers and
time-of-flight scintillators detected elastically scattered leptons in
coincidence with recoiling protons over a scattering angle range of to . The relative luminosity between the two beam species
was monitored using tracking telescopes of interleaved GEM and MWPC detectors
at , as well as symmetric M{\o}ller/Bhabha calorimeters at
. A total integrated luminosity of 4.5~fb was collected. In
the extraction of , radiative effects were taken into account
using a Monte Carlo generator to simulate the convolutions of internal
bremsstrahlung with experiment-specific conditions such as detector acceptance
and reconstruction efficiency. The resulting values of , presented
here for a wide range of virtual photon polarization ,
are smaller than some hadronic two-photon exchange calculations predict, but
are in reasonable agreement with a subtracted dispersion model and a
phenomenological fit to the form factor data.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, 2 table
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