A next-generation liquid xenon observatory for dark matter and neutrino physics

The nature of dark matter and properties of neutrinos are among the most pressing issues in contemporary particle physics. The dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber is the leading technology to cover the available parameter space for weakly interacting massive particles, while featuring extensive sensitivity to many alternative dark matter candidates. These detectors can also study neutrinos through neutrinoless double-beta decay and through a variety of astrophysical sources. A next-generation xenon-based detector will therefore be a true multi-purpose observatory to significantly advance particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, solar physics, and cosmology. This review article presents the science cases for such a detector

Fine-scale effects of boat moorings on soft sediment communities masked in large-scale comparisons

Population growth is driving the demand for recreational marine infrastructure, resulting in extensive coastal habitat modification. Boat moorings, for example, are popular for vessel storage and are known to damage seagrass communities, yet little is known about how they influence unvegetated sediment habitats. Here we investigate the effects of boat moorings on sediment infauna using metrics of community composition, diversity, total abundance and abundances of individual functional groups and dominant taxa. Metrics were compared at fine and larger spatial scales, to investigate how spatial variability affects the ecological assessments in soft-sedimentary environments. Fine-scale models revealed changes in community composition and mollusk abundance with the distance from moorings, while sediment grain size was also an important predictor for composition, bivalve and polychaete abundances, although the direction of effects varied. When the same metrics were compared at larger scales (i.e., boating infrastructure present or lacking) we found that spatial variability among locations was detected, but no effect for moorings. With increased urbanization and industrialization of coastal areas there is a clear need to account for the scale of potential ecological effects in investigations of coastal infrastructure developments

Calibration and Monitoring of the Pierre Auger Observatory

Reports on the atmospheric monitoring, calibration, and other operating systems of the Pierre Auger Observatory. Contributions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland, July 2009

Operations of and Future Plans for the Pierre Auger Observatory

Contributions to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland, July 2009International audienceTechnical reports on operations and features of the Pierre Auger Observatory, including ongoing and planned enhancements and the status of the future northern hemisphere portion of the Observatory. Contributions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland, July 2009

Astrophysical Sources of Cosmic Rays and Related Measurements with the Pierre Auger Observatory

Studies of the correlations of ultra-high energy cosmic ray directions with extra-Galactic objects, of general anisotropy, of photons and neutrinos, and of other astrophysical effects, with the Pierre Auger Observatory. Contributions to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland, July 2009

A next-generation liquid xenon observatory for dark matter and neutrino physics

Abstract The nature of dark matter and properties of neutrinos are among the most pressing issues in contemporary particle physics. The dual-phase xenon time-projection chamber is the leading technology to cover the available parameter space for weakly interacting massive particles, while featuring extensive sensitivity to many alternative dark matter candidates. These detectors can also study neutrinos through neutrinoless double-beta decay and through a variety of astrophysical sources. A next-generation xenon-based detector will therefore be a true multi-purpose observatory to significantly advance particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, solar physics, and cosmology. This review article presents the science cases for such a detector.</jats:p

Studies of Cosmic Ray Composition and Air Shower Structure with the Pierre Auger Observatory

Submissions to the 31st International Cosmic Ray Conference, Lodz, Poland (July 2009)International audienceStudies of the composition of the highest energy cosmic rays with the Pierre Auger Observatory, including examination of hadronic physics effects on the structure of extensive air showers. Submissions to the 31st ICRC, Lodz, Poland (July 2009)