Performance measurement of the 8-input SQUIDs for TES frequency domain multiplexing

金沢大学大学院理工研究域数物科学系We report on performance of 8-input superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) for multiplexing transition-edge sensor signals by using frequency-domain multiplexing. We found the typical critical current and the flux noise to be 17-19 μA and 0.7-1.1 μΦ0/Hz, respectively. We also measured the crosstalk current between the input coils of the SQUIDs, and found that the mutual inductance was consistent with the design value, 800 pH. We confirmed that the cross talk current due to the mutual inductance was reduced by the flux-locked-loop (FLL) feedback, and its reduction rate was consistent with 1/(1+L), where L is the FLL feedback gain. We also show the result of 2-channel DC-driven TES signals readout using the 8-input SQUIDs. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008

Energy input from the exterior cusp into the ionosphere: Correlated ground-based and satellite observations

The energy transport from the exterior cusp into the ionosphere is investigated using coordinated ground-based (EISCAT and MIRACLE) and satellite ( Cluster) observations. EISCAT and MIRACLE data are used to estimate the plasma heating in the F-region and the Joule heating in the E-region. Cluster measurements are used to derive the electromagnetic and particle energy fluxes at the high altitudes. These fluxes are then compared with the energy deposition into the ionospheric cusp during a 30 minutes long time interval in which Cluster and EISCAT are nearly conjugated. It is shown that the particles seen at about 9 Re in the exterior cusp carry an earthward energy flux that corresponds to the observed heating of the F-region. The estimated earthward Poynting flux is more than enough to account for the Joule heating in the E-region

Charged nanograins in the Enceladus plume

There have been three Cassini encounters with the south-pole eruptive plume of Enceladus for which the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) had viewing in the spacecraft ram direction. In each case, CAPS detected a cold dense population of heavy charged particles having mass-to-charge (m/q) ratios up to the maximum detectable by CAPS ( 104 amu/e). These particles are interpreted as singly charged nanometer-sized water-ice grains. Although they are detected with both negative and positive net charges, the former greatly outnumber the latter, at least in the m/q range accessible to CAPS. On the most distant available encounter (E3, March 2008) we derive a net (negative) charge density of up to 2600 e/cm3 for nanograins, far exceeding the ambient plasma number density, but less than the net (positive) charge density inferred from the RPWS Langmuir probe data during the same plume encounter. Comparison of the CAPS data from the three available encounters is consistent with the idea that the nanograins leave the surface vents largely uncharged, but become increasingly negatively charged by plasma electron impact as they move farther from the satellite. These nanograin

Protein Phosphatase Magnesium Dependent 1A (PPM1A) Plays a Role in the Differentiation and Survival Processes of Nerve Cells

The serine/threonine phosphatase type 2C (PPM1A) has a broad range of substrates, and its role in regulating stress response is well established. We have investigated the involvement of PPM1A in the survival and differentiation processes of PC6-3 cells, a subclone of the PC12 cell line. This cell line can differentiate into neuron like cells upon exposure to nerve growth factor (NGF). Overexpression of PPM1A in naive PC6-3 cells caused cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase followed by apoptosis. Interestingly, PPM1A overexpression did not affect fully differentiated cells. Using PPM1A overexpressing cells and PPM1A knockdown cells, we show that this phosphatase affects NGF signaling in PC6-3 cells and is engaged in neurite outgrowth. In addition, the ablation of PPM1A interferes with NGF-induced growth arrest during differentiation of PC6-3 cells

Investigating Mercury's Environment with the Two-Spacecraft BepiColombo Mission

The ESA-JAXA BepiColombo mission will provide simultaneous measurements from two spacecraft, offering an unprecedented opportunity to investigate magnetospheric and exospheric dynamics at Mercury as well as their interactions with the solar wind, radiation, and interplanetary dust. Many scientific instruments onboard the two spacecraft will be completely, or partially devoted to study the near-space environment of Mercury as well as the complex processes that govern it. Many issues remain unsolved even after the MESSENGER mission that ended in 2015. The specific orbits of the two spacecraft, MPO and Mio, and the comprehensive scientific payload allow a wider range of scientific questions to be addressed than those that could be achieved by the individual instruments acting alone, or by previous missions. These joint observations are of key importance because many phenomena in Mercury's environment are highly temporally and spatially variable. Examples of possible coordinated observations are described in this article, analysing the required geometrical conditions, pointing, resolutions and operation timing of different BepiColombo instruments sensors.Peer reviewe