Controlling Cherenkov Radiation with Transformation-Optical Metamaterials

In high energy physics, unknown particles are identified by determining their mass from the Cherenkov radiation cone that is emitted as they pass through the detector apparatus. However, at higher particle momentum, the angle of the Cherenkov cone saturates to a value independent of the mass of the generating particle, making it difficult to effectively distinguish between different particles. Here, we show how the geometric formalism of transformation optics can be applied to describe the Cherenkov cone in an arbitrary anisotropic medium. On the basis of these results, we propose a specific anisotropic metamaterial to control Cherenkov radiation, leading to enhanced sensitivity for particle identification at higher momentum

Transforming Cherenkov radiation in metamaterials

In this contribution, we explore the generation of light in transformation-optical media. When charged particles move through a transformation-optical material with a speed larger than the phase velocity of light in the medium, Cherenkov light is emitted. We show that the emitted Cherenkov cone can be modified with longitudinal and transverse stretching of the coordinates. Transverse coordinates stretching alters only the dimensions of the cone, whereas longitudinal stretching also changes the apparent velocity of the charged particle. These results demonstrate that the geometric formalism of transformation optics can be used not only for the manipulation of light beam trajectories, but also for controlling the emission of light, here for describing the Cherenkov cone in an arbitrary anisotropic medium. Subsequently, we illustrate this point by designing a radiator for a ring imaging Cherenkov radiator. Cherenkov radiators are used to identify unknown elementary particles by determining their mass from the Cherenkov radiation cone that is emitted as they pass through the detector apparatus. However, at higher particle momentum, the angle of the Cherenkov cone saturates to a value independent of the mass of the generating particle, making it difficult to effectively distinguish between different particles. Using our transformation optics description, we show how the Cherenkov cone and the cut-off can be controlled to yield a radiator medium with enhanced sensitivity for particle identification at higher momentum [Phys. Rey. Lett. 113, 167402 (2014)]

Motion and Evolution of Binary Tropical Cyclones in a Coupled Atmosphere–Ocean Numerical Model

The interaction of binary tropical cyclones (TC) is investigated using a coupled TC-ocean movable nested-grid model. The model consists of an eight-layer atmospheric model in the sigma coordinate system and a three-layer primitive equation ocean model. There are five meshes in the TC model. The outermost domain (3840 km × 3840 km) is motionless. For the description of each TC in a TC pair, two telescopically nested meshes of finer resolution are used. The pair of the middle (1600 km × 1600 km) and innermost (800 km × 800 km) meshes move with the center of a corresponding TC. The space increments of the outermost domain and the middle and finest meshes are 160, 80, and 40 km. The oceanic domain contains 107 × 107 grid points, with the spatial increment of 40 km. In all numerical experiments a pair of equal strength axisymmetric vortices was located at different separation distances

Impact of tropical cyclones on a baroclinic jet in the ocean

The initial evolution of a baroclinic jet under influence of a barotropic flow induced by the tropical cyclones is considered using a two-layer model and the thin-jet approximation. In spite of antisymmetric structure of the barotropic flow, the jet meander growth due to the barotropic flow advection is shown to favor an anticyclonic meander to the right of the storm track. This enhancement of the anticyclonic meander is found to be related to the dispersion properties of frontal waves along the jet described by the thin-jet theory and coupling with deep eddies developing in the lower layer during the jet meandering.У рамках двошарової моделі та в наближенні тонкого струменя розглядається еволюція бароклинного струменя, викликаного баротропною течією, індукованою тропічним циклоном. Показано, що, не дивлячись на антисиметричну структуру баротропної течії, її адвекція призводить до меандрування бароклинного струменя та до зростання головним чином антициклонічного меандру праворуч від штормтрека. Знайдено, що посилення антициклонічного меандру пов'язане з дисперсійними властивостями фронтальних хвиль (які описуються у рамках теорії тонкого струменя) і з взаємодією з глибинними вихорами, які розвиваються в нижньому шарі океану при меандруванні бароклинного струменю.В рамках двухслойной модели и в приближении тонкой струи рассматривается эволюция бароклинной струи, вызванной баротропным течением, индуцированным тропическим циклоном. Показано, что, несмотря на антисимметричную структуру баротропного течения, его адвекция приводит к меандрированию бароклинной струи и к росту главным образом антициклонического меандра справа от штормтрека. Обнаружено, что усиление антициклонического меандра связано с дисперсионными свойствами фронтальных волн (описываемых в рамках теории тонкой струи) и с взаимодействием с глубинными вихрями, развивающимися в нижнем слое океана при меандрировании бароклинной струи

Controlling Cherenkov angles with resonance transition radiation

Cherenkov radiation provides a valuable way to identify high energy particles in a wide momentum range, through the relation between the particle velocity and the Cherenkov angle. However, since the Cherenkov angle depends only on material's permittivity, the material unavoidably sets a fundamental limit to the momentum coverage and sensitivity of Cherenkov detectors. For example, Ring Imaging Cherenkov detectors must employ materials transparent to the frequency of interest as well as possessing permittivities close to unity to identify particles in the multi GeV range, and thus are often limited to large gas chambers. It would be extremely important albeit challenging to lift this fundamental limit and control Cherenkov angles as preferred. Here we propose a new mechanism that uses constructive interference of resonance transition radiation from photonic crystals to generate both forward and backward Cherenkov radiation. This mechanism can control Cherenkov angles in a flexible way with high sensitivity to any desired range of velocities. Photonic crystals thus overcome the severe material limit for Cherenkov detectors, enabling the use of transparent materials with arbitrary values of permittivity, and provide a promising option suited for identification of particles at high energy with enhanced sensitivity.Comment: There are 16 pages and 4 figures for the manuscript. Supplementary information with 18 pages and 5 figures, appended at the end of the file with the manuscript. Source files in Word format converted to PDF. Submitted to Nature Physic

Maximal Spontaneous Photon Emission and Energy Loss from Free Electrons

Free electron radiation such as Cerenkov, Smith--Purcell, and transition radiation can be greatly affected by structured optical environments, as has been demonstrated in a variety of polaritonic, photonic-crystal, and metamaterial systems. However, the amount of radiation that can ultimately be extracted from free electrons near an arbitrary material structure has remained elusive. Here we derive a fundamental upper limit to the spontaneous photon emission and energy loss of free electrons, regardless of geometry, which illuminates the effects of material properties and electron velocities. We obtain experimental evidence for our theory with quantitative measurements of Smith--Purcell radiation. Our framework allows us to make two predictions. One is a new regime of radiation operation---at subwavelength separations, slower (nonrelativistic) electrons can achieve stronger radiation than fast (relativistic) electrons. The second is a divergence of the emission probability in the limit of lossless materials. We further reveal that such divergences can be approached by coupling free electrons to photonic bound states in the continuum (BICs). Our findings suggest that compact and efficient free-electron radiation sources from microwaves to the soft X-ray regime may be achievable without requiring ultrahigh accelerating voltages.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure

Replication Timing: A Fingerprint for Cell Identity and Pluripotency

Many types of epigenetic profiling have been used to classify stem cells, stages of cellular differentiation, and cancer subtypes. Existing methods focus on local chromatin features such as DNA methylation and histone modifications that require extensive analysis for genome-wide coverage. Replication timing has emerged as a highly stable cell type-specific epigenetic feature that is regulated at the megabase-level and is easily and comprehensively analyzed genome-wide. Here, we describe a cell classification method using 67 individual replication profiles from 34 mouse and human cell lines and stem cell-derived tissues, including new data for mesendoderm, definitive endoderm, mesoderm and smooth muscle. Using a Monte-Carlo approach for selecting features of replication profiles conserved in each cell type, we identify “replication timing fingerprints” unique to each cell type and apply a k nearest neighbor approach to predict known and unknown cell types. Our method correctly classifies 67/67 independent replication-timing profiles, including those derived from closely related intermediate stages. We also apply this method to derive fingerprints for pluripotency in human and mouse cells. Interestingly, the mouse pluripotency fingerprint overlaps almost completely with previously identified genomic segments that switch from early to late replication as pluripotency is lost. Thereafter, replication timing and transcription within these regions become difficult to reprogram back to pluripotency, suggesting these regions highlight an epigenetic barrier to reprogramming. In addition, the major histone cluster Hist1 consistently becomes later replicating in committed cell types, and several histone H1 genes in this cluster are downregulated during differentiation, suggesting a possible instrument for the chromatin compaction observed during differentiation. Finally, we demonstrate that unknown samples can be classified independently using site-specific PCR against fingerprint regions. In sum, replication fingerprints provide a comprehensive means for cell characterization and are a promising tool for identifying regions with cell type-specific organization

The role of peer physical activity champions in the workplace: a qualitative study

Aims: Peer health champions are suggested as an important component of multilevel workplace interventions to promote healthy behaviours such as physical activity. There is accumulating quantitative evidence of their effectiveness but as yet little exploration of why and how champions influence the behaviour of their peers. The current study explores the role of peer physical activity champions (PPACs) in influencing colleagues’ physical activity behaviour from the perspectives of both champions and colleagues. Methods: Seven months after the introduction of a workplace physical activity programme in 17 small and medium sized enterprices (SMEs) two focus groups were held with PPACs and four with programme participants. Focus groups were semi-structured and topics covered included: the influence of PPACs and other colleagues on their physical activity, characteristics of an effective PPAC and feelings about the PPAC role. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Three overarching themes emerged: how PPACs encourage physical activity; valuable PPAC characteristics; and sustaining motivation for the PPAC role. Both direct encouragement from PPACs and facilitation of wider physical activity supportive social networks within the workplace encouraged behaviour change. Physical activity behaviour change is a delicate subject and it was important that PPACs provided enthusiastic and persistent encouragement without seeming judgemental. Being a physical activity role model was also a valuable characteristic. The PPACs found it satisfying to see positive changes in their colleagues who had become more active. However, colleagues often did not engage in suggested activities and PPACs required resilience to maintain personal motivation for the role despite this. Conclusions: The results indicate that it is feasible to incorporate PPACs into SME based physical activity interventions. Given the importance that participants attached to feeling part of a group of individuals with a common aim of increasing their physical activity, it is recommended that PPAC training includes suggestions for facilitating social connections between colleagues. Sensitivity is required when initiating and engaging in conversations with colleagues about increasing their physical activity and therefore brief motivational interviewing training may be helpful for PPACs. Programmes should ensure PPACs themselves are provided with social support, especially from others in the same role, to help sustain motivation for their role. These findings will be useful to health-promotion professionals developing workplace health programmes. Future research should explore the processes by which peer health champions facilitate changes in a range of health behaviours to identify common and behaviour specific recommendations

The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis and its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 have a neuroprotective effect in the central nervous system

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cerebral cortical neurons have a high vulnerability to the harmful effects of hypoxia. However, the brain has the ability to detect and accommodate to hypoxic conditions. This phenomenon, known as preconditioning, is a natural adaptive process highly preserved among species whereby exposure to sub-lethal hypoxia promotes the acquisition of tolerance to a subsequent lethal hypoxic injury. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) and its receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) are found in neurons and their expression is induced by exposure to sub-lethal hypoxia. Accordingly, in this work we tested the hypothesis that the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 induces tolerance to lethal hypoxic and ischemic conditions.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Here we used <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo </it>models of hypoxic and ischemic preconditioning, an animal model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion and mice and neurons genetically deficient in TWEAK, Fn14, or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) to investigate whether treatment with recombinant TWEAK or an increase in the expression of endogenous TWEAK renders neurons tolerant to lethal hypoxia. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to study the effect of TWEAK on the expression of neuronal TNF-α, Western blot analysis to investigate whether the effect of TWEAK was mediated by activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and immunohistochemical techniques and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis to study the effect of TWEAK on apoptotic cell death.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that either treatment with recombinant TWEAK or an increase in the expression of TWEAK and Fn14 induce hypoxic and ischemic tolerance <it>in vivo </it>and <it>in vitro</it>. This protective effect is mediated by neuronal TNF-α and activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 pathway via phosphorylation and inactivation of the B-cell lymphoma 2-associated death promoter protein.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our work indicate that the interaction between TWEAK and Fn14 triggers the activation of a cell signaling pathway that results in the induction of tolerance to lethal hypoxia and ischemia. These data indicate that TWEAK may be a potential therapeutic strategy to protect the brain from the devastating effects of an ischemic injury.</p