Retrieval and validation of forest background reflectivity from daily MODIS bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) data across European forests.

Information about forest background reflectance is needed for accurate biophysical parameter retrieval from forest canopies (overstory) with remote sensing. Separating under- and overstory signals would enable more accurate modeling of forest carbon and energy fluxes. We retrieved values of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of the forest understory with the multi-angular Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF)/albedo data (gridded 500 m daily Collection 6 product), using a method originally developed for boreal forests. The forest floor background reflectance estimates from the MODIS data were compared with in situ understory reflectance measurements carried out at an extensive set of forest ecosystem experimental sites across Europe. The reflectance estimates from MODIS data were, hence, tested across diverse forest conditions and phenological phases during the growing season to examine their applicability for ecosystems other than boreal forests. Here we report that the method can deliver good retrievals, especially over different forest types with open canopies (low foliage cover). The performance of the method was found to be limited over forests with closed canopies (high foliage cover), where the signal from understory becomes too attenuated. The spatial heterogeneity of individual field sites and the limitations and documented quality of the MODIS BRDF product are shown to be important for the correct assessment and validation of the retrievals obtained with remote sensin

Framework TDR for the LHCb Upgrade: Technical Design Report

This document is a Framework Technical Design Report for the upgrade of the LHCb experiment. It adds to the information in the Letter of Intent, in particular concerning the foreseen schedule, cost and participating institutes. Updates are given for the physics performance, based on the experience gained with the first full year of data taking, on the detector requirements and the progress of the sub-system R&D. Within the framework presented here, it is expected that the individual sub-system TDRs will follow on completion of the R&D phase in the next year

Framework TDR for the LHCb Upgrade

This document is a Framework Technical Design Report for the upgrade of the LHCb experiment. It adds to the information in the Letter of Intent, in particular concerning the foreseen schedule, cost and participating institutes. Updates are given for the physics performance, based on the experience gained with the first full year of data taking, on the detector requirements and the progress of the sub-system R&D. Within the framework presented here, it is expected that the individual sub-system TDRs will follow on completion of the R&D phase in the next year

Implications of LHCb measurements and future prospects

During 2011 the LHCb experiment at CERN collected 1.0 fb−1 of s√=7~TeV pp collisions. Due to the large heavy quark production cross-sections, these data provide unprecedented samples of heavy flavoured hadrons. The first results from LHCb have made a significant impact on the flavour physics landscape and have definitively proved the concept of a dedicated experiment in the forward region at a hadron collider. This document discusses the implications of these first measurements on classes of extensions to the Standard Model, bearing in mind the interplay with the results of searches for on-shell production of new particles at ATLAS and CMS. The physics potential of an upgrade to the LHCb detector, which would allow an order of magnitude more data to be collected, is emphasised