Event reconstruction is a central step in many particle physics experiments, turning detector observables into parameter estimates; for example estimating the energy of an interaction given the ...sensor readout of a detector. A corresponding likelihood function is often intractable, and approximations need to be constructed. In our work, we first show how the full likelihood for a many-sensor detector can be broken apart into smaller terms, and secondly how we can train neural networks to approximate all terms solely based on forward simulation. Our technique results in a fast, flexible, and close-to-optimal surrogate model proportional to the likelihood and can be used in conjunction with standard inference techniques allowing for a consistent treatment of uncertainties. We illustrate our technique for parameter inference in neutrino telescopes based on maximum likelihood and Bayesian posterior sampling. Given its great flexibility, we also showcase our method for geometry optimization enabling to learn optimal detector designs. Lastly, we apply our method to realistic simulation of a ton-scale water-based liquid scintillator detector.
Kilometer-scale deep under-ice or -water Cherenkov neutrino detectors may detect muon and electron neutrinos from astrophysical sources at energies of a TeV and above. Tau neutrinos are also expected ...from these sources due to neutrino flavor oscillations in vacuum, and tau neutrinos are free of atmospheric background at a much lower energy than muon and electron neutrinos. Identification of tau neutrinos is expected to be possible above the PeV energy range through the “double bang” and “lollipop” signatures. We discuss another signature of tau in the PeV–EeV range, arising from the decay of tau leptons inside the detector to much brighter muons.
We present results of a Monte Carlo study of the sensitivity of the planned IceCube detector to predicted fluxes of muon neutrinos at TeV to PeV energies. A complete simulation of the detector and ...data analysis is used to study the detector’s capability to search for muon neutrinos from potential sources such as active galaxies and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). We study the effective area and the angular resolution of the detector as a function of muon energy and angle of incidence. We present detailed calculations of the sensitivity of the detector to both diffuse and pointlike neutrino fluxes, including an assessment of the sensitivity to neutrinos detected in coincidence with GRB observations. After three years of data taking, IceCube will be able to detect a point-source flux of
E
ν
2×d
N
ν
/d
E
ν
=7×10
−9 cm
−2
s
−1
GeV at a 5
σ significance, or, in the absence of a signal, place a 90% c.l. limit at a level of
E
ν
2×d
N
ν
/d
E
ν
=2×10
−9 cm
−2
s
−1
GeV. A diffuse
E
−2 flux would be detectable at a minimum strength of
E
ν
2×d
N
ν
/d
E
ν
=10
−8 cm
−2
s
−1
sr
−1
GeV. A GRB model following the formulation of Waxman and Bahcall would result in a 5
σ effect after the observation of 200 bursts in coincidence with satellite observations of the gamma rays.
Muon track reconstruction and data selection techniques in AMANDA Ahrens, J.; Bai, X.; Bay, R. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
05/2004, Volume:
524, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The Antarctic Muon And Neutrino Detector
Array (AMANDA) is a high-energy neutrino telescope operating at the geographic South Pole. It is a lattice of photo-multiplier tubes buried deep in the polar ...ice between 1500 and
2000
m
. The primary goal of this detector is to discover astrophysical sources of high-energy neutrinos. A high-energy muon neutrino coming through the earth from the Northern Hemisphere can be identified by the secondary muon moving upward through the detector.
The muon tracks are reconstructed with a maximum likelihood method. It models the arrival times and amplitudes of Cherenkov photons registered by the photo-multipliers. This paper describes the different methods of reconstruction, which have been successfully implemented within
AMANDA. Strategies for optimizing the reconstruction performance and rejecting background are presented. For a typical analysis procedure the direction of tracks are reconstructed with about 2° accuracy.
Kilometer-scale neutrino telescopes will detect muon and electron neutrinos from astrophysical sources at the TeV scale and above. Tau neutrinos are also expected from these sources due to neutrino ...oscillations over astrophysical baselines. Identification of tau neutrinos is expected to be possible above the PeV energy range through the "double bang" and "lollipop" signatures. We discuss another signature of tau in the PeV-EeV range, arising from the decay of tau leptons inside the detector to much brighter muons.
The optimal management strategy for men who have localized prostate cancer remains controversial. This study examines the extent to which suggested treatment based on the perspective of a group or ...society agrees with that derived from individual patients' preferences. A previously published decision analysis for localized prostate cancer was used to suggest the treatment that maximized quality-adjusted life expectancy. Two treatment recommendations were obtained for each patient: the first (group-level) was derived using the mean utilities of the cohort; the second (individual-level) used his own set of utilities. Group-level utilities misrepresented 25-48% of individuals' preferences depending on the grade of tumor modeled. The best kappa measure achieved between group and individual preferences was 0.11. The average quality-adjusted life years lost due to misrepresentation of preference was as high as 1.7 quality-adjusted life years. Use of aggregated utilities in a group-level decision analysis can ignore the substantial variability at the individual level. Caution is needed when applying a group-level recommendation to the treatment of localized prostate cancer in an individual patient.
The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory Boger, J; Hahn, R.L; Rowley, J.K ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
07/2000, Volume:
449, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
The Sudbury Neutrino Observatory is a second-generation water Cherenkov detector designed to determine whether the currently observed solar neutrino deficit is a result of neutrino oscillations. The ...detector is unique in its use of D
2O as a detection medium, permitting it to make a solar model-independent test of the neutrino oscillation hypothesis by comparison of the charged- and neutral-current interaction rates. In this paper the physical properties, construction, and preliminary operation of the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory are described. Data and predicted operating parameters are provided whenever possible.
Primary immunodeficiency update Pichard, Dominique C., MD; Freeman, Alexandra F., MD; Cowen, Edward W., MD, MHSc
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
September 2015, Volume:
73, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
In the past decade, the availability of powerful molecular techniques has accelerated the pace of discovery of several new primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) and revealed the biologic basis of other ...established PIDs. These genetic advances, in turn, have facilitated more precise phenotyping of associated skin and systemic manifestations and provide a unique opportunity to better understand the complex human immunologic response. These continuing medical education articles will provide an update of recent advances in PIDs that may be encountered by dermatologists through their association with eczematous dermatitis, infectious, and non-infectious cutaneous manifestations. Part I will discuss new primary immunodeficiencies that have an eczematous dermatitis. Part II will focus on primary immunodeficiencies that greatly increase susceptibility to fungal infection and the noninfectious presentations of PIDs.
Primary immunodeficiency update Pichard, Dominique C., MD; Freeman, Alexandra F., MD; Cowen, Edward W., MD, MHSc
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology,
September 2015, Volume:
73, Issue:
3
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Several primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) have recently been described that confer an elevated risk of fungal infections and noninfectious cutaneous manifestations. In addition, immunologic advances ...have provided new insights into our understanding of the pathophysiology of fungal infections in established PIDs. We reviewed PIDs that present with an eczematous dermatitis in part I. In part II of this continuing medical education article we discuss updates on PIDs associated with fungal infections, their biologic basis in PIDs, and noninfectious cutaneous manifestations.
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