We present results of an archival coincidence analysis between Fermi LAT gamma-ray data and public neutrino data from the IceCube neutrino observatory's 40-string (IC40) and 59-string (IC59) ...observing runs. Our analysis has the potential to detect either a statistical excess of neutrino + gamma-ray (\(\nu\)+\(\gamma\)) emitting transients or, alternatively, individual high gamma-multiplicity events, as might be produced by a neutrino observed by IceCube coinciding with a LAT-detected gamma-ray burst. Dividing the neutrino data into three datasets by hemisphere (IC40, IC59-North, and IC59-South), we construct uncorrelated null distributions by Monte Carlo scrambling of the neutrino datasets. We carry out signal-injection studies against these null distributions, demonstrating sensitivity to individual \(\nu\)+\(\gamma\) events of sufficient gamma-ray multiplicity, and to \(\nu\)+\(\gamma\) transient populations responsible for \(>\)14% (IC40), \(>\)9% (IC59-North), or \(>\)8% (IC59-South) of the gamma-coincident neutrinos observed in these datasets, respectively. Analyzing the unscrambled neutrino data, we identify no individual high-significance neutrino + high gamma-multiplicity events, and no significant deviations from the test statistic null distributions. However, we observe a similar and unexpected pattern in the IC59-North and IC59-South residual distributions that we conclude reflects a possible correlation (\(p=7.0\%\)) between IC59 neutrino positions and persistently bright portions of the Fermi gamma-ray sky. This possible correlation should be readily testable using eight years of further data already collected by IceCube. We are currently working with Astrophysical Multimessenger Observatory Network (AMON) partner facilities to generate low-latency \(\nu\)+\(\gamma\) alerts from Fermi LAT gamma-ray, IceCube and ANTARES neutrino data and distribute these in real time to AMON follow-up partners.
Haploinsufficiency of the hematopoietic transcription factor GATA2 underlies monocytopenia and mycobacterial infections; dendritic cell, monocyte, B, and natural killer (NK) lymphoid deficiency; ...familial myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)/acute myeloid leukemia (AML); and Emberger syndrome (primary lymphedema with MDS). A comprehensive examination of the clinical features of GATA2 deficiency is currently lacking. We reviewed the medical records of 57 patients with GATA2 deficiency evaluated at the National Institutes of Health from January 1, 1992, to March 1, 2013, and categorized mutations as missense, null, or regulatory to identify genotype-phenotype associations. We identified a broad spectrum of disease: hematologic (MDS 84%, AML 14%, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia 8%), infectious (severe viral 70%, disseminated mycobacterial 53%, and invasive fungal infections 16%), pulmonary (diffusion 79% and ventilatory defects 63%, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis 18%, pulmonary arterial hypertension 9%), dermatologic (warts 53%, panniculitis 30%), neoplastic (human papillomavirus+ tumors 35%, Epstein-Barr virus+ tumors 4%), vascular/lymphatic (venous thrombosis 25%, lymphedema 11%), sensorineural hearing loss 76%, miscarriage 33%, and hypothyroidism 14%. Viral infections and lymphedema were more common in individuals with null mutations (P = .038 and P = .006, respectively). Monocytopenia, B, NK, and CD4 lymphocytopenia correlated with the presence of disease (P < .001). GATA2 deficiency unites susceptibility to MDS/AML, immunodeficiency, pulmonary disease, and vascular/lymphatic dysfunction. Early genetic diagnosis is critical to direct clinical management, preventive care, and family screening.
•GATA2 deficiency has a broad phenotype encompassing immunodeficiency, MDS/AML, pulmonary disease, and vascular/lymphatic dysfunction.•Early genetic diagnosis is critical to direct clinical management, prophylaxis, transplantation, and family screening.
We report on a search for electro-magnetic and/or hadronic showers (cascades) induced by high-energy neutrinos in the data collected with the AMANDA II detector during the year 2000. The observed ...event rates are consistent with the expectations for atmospheric neutrinos and muons. We place upper limits on a diffuse flux of extraterrestrial electron, tau and muon neutrinos. A flux of neutrinos with a spectrum Φ∝E−2 which consists of an equal mix of all flavors, is limited to E2Φ(E)=8.6×10−7 GeVcm−2s−1sr−1 at a 90% confidence level for a neutrino energy range 50 TeV to 5 PeV. We present bounds for specific extraterrestrial neutrino flux predictions. Several of these models are ruled out.
When monitoring a reactor site for nuclear nonproliferation purposes, the presence of an unknown or hidden nuclear reactor could be obscured by the activities of a known reactor of much greater power ...nearby. Thus when monitoring reactor activities by the observation of antineutrino emissions, one must discriminate known background reactor fluxes from possible unknown reactor signals under investigation. To quantify this discrimination, we find the confidence to reject the (null) hypothesis of a single proximal reactor, by exploiting directional antineutrino signals in the presence of a second, unknown reactor. In particular, we simulate the inverse beta decay (IBD) response of a detector filled with a 1 kT fiducial mass of Gadolinium-doped liquid scintillator in mineral oil. We base the detector geometry on that of WATCHMAN, an upcoming antineutrino monitoring experiment soon to be deployed at the Boulby mine in the United Kingdom whose design and deployment will be detailed in a forthcoming white paper. From this simulation, we construct an analytical model of the IBD event distribution for the case of one \(4\mathrm{\ GWt}\pm2\%\) reactor 25 km away from the detector site, and for an additional, unknown, 35 MWt reactor 3 to 5 km away. The effects of natural-background rejection cuts are approximated. Applying the model, we predict \(3\sigma\) confidence to detect the presence of an unknown reactor within five weeks, at standoffs of 3 km or nearer. For more distant unknown reactors, the \(3\sigma\) detection time increases significantly. However, the relative significance of directional sensitivity also increases, providing up to an eight week speedup to detect an unknown reactor at 5 km away. Therefore, directionally sensitive antineutrino monitoring can accelerate the mid-field detection of unknown reactors whose operation might otherwise be masked by more powerful reactors in the vicinity.
Sea-Floor Spreading Event Captured by Seismometers Tolstoy, M; Cowen, J.P; Baker, E.T ...
Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science),
12/2006, Volume:
314, Issue:
5807
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Two-thirds of Earth's surface is formed at mid-ocean ridges, yet sea-floor spreading events are poorly understood because they occur far beneath the ocean surface. At 9°50'N on the East Pacific Rise, ...ocean-bottom seismometers recently recorded the microearthquake character of a mid-ocean ridge eruption, including precursory activity. A gradual ramp-up in activity rates since seismic monitoring began at this site in October 2003 suggests that eruptions may be forecast in the fast-spreading environment. The pattern culminates in an intense but brief (~6-hour) inferred diking event on 22 January 2006, followed by rapid tapering to markedly decreased levels of seismicity.
We used artificial eggs containing miniature temperature loggers to quantify nest attendance patterns by breeding Rhinoceros Auklets Cerorhinca monocerata over two seasons. The first year coincided ...with a strong El Nino event and low breeding success, while the second was one of La Nina conditions and high colony-wide productivity. Logger data revealed highly variable patterns of parental nest attendance between the two years. In 1998, we recorded 0-17 periods of neglect per breeding pair (n = 7), as well as nest abandonment part way through the incubation period. In 1999, the number of periods of egg neglect ranged from 0-3 (n = 13), and no monitored nests were abandoned. As in other seabird species, more pairs (62%) exhibited neglect during the first third of incubation than during the subsequent two-thirds. The longest period an egg was left unattended was nearly 3 d (69 h); the shortest was 9 h. We conclude that incubating Rhinoceros Auklets were able to modulate nest attendance behaviour in response to changing oceanographic conditions and prey availability, likely mediated via their own body condition. We recommend use of similar egg models for future studies on avian nest attendance.
We used high-frequency surveillance radar as a non-intrusive method to census nocturnal burrow-nesting Cassin's Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) on the world's largest colony, Triangle Island, ...British Columbia. In the largest subcolony, West Bay, the radar unit was operated 2200-0510 h nightly from 30 Apr.-11 May 1996 during the onset of hatching. Radar images were stored on video cassette for subsequent image analysis. We report total nightly activity based upon cumulative samples from the tapes at 30-s intervals to determine the percent of bird activity within a fixed area. Estimates of the average image size of an individual bird were used to develop conservative counts of birds in the sample area. Activity at the colony began approximately 1.5 h after sunset and ended at least 15 min before sunrise. Activity levels increased over the study period and showed considerably nightly variation. Nightly activity was continuous at low levels through the sampling period from 30 Apr. to 3 May. Late evening peaks of activity around 2300 h were evident and tended to increase in intensity from 3 May onward. Nightly activity at the colony was correlated with the number of chicks hatched the following day. The maximum estimate of individual birds detected was 156,327 on 10 May. Radar has great potential to elucidate patterns of seasonal activity. We contrast and evaluate the use of radar and traditional methods based on burrow counts and identify several major advantages for radar in long-term population monitoring and seabird research programs. /// Utilizamos radares de seguimiento de alta frecuencia como un método no intrusivo para censar individuos de Ptychoramphus aleuticus anidando en huecos en la colonia más grande del mundo, en la Isla del Triángulo, Columbia Británica. En la subcolonia más grande, West Bay, la unidad de radar se operó de 2200 a 0510 h todas las noches desde abril 30 hasta mayo 11 del 1996 durante el comienzo del empollamiento. Se almacenaron las imágenes de radar en cintas de video para analizarlas luego. Reportamos actividad nocturna total basándonos en muestras acumuladas de las cintas a intérvalos de 30 s para determinar el porcentaje de actividad de las aves dentro de un área fija. Los estimados del tamaño de imagen promedio de un ave individual se usaron para desarrollar conteos conservativos de aves en el área de muestreo. La actividad en la colonia comenzó cerca de 1.5 h después del anochecer y terminaba al menos 15 min antes del amanecer. Los niveles de actividad aumentaron a través del período de estudio y mostraron una variación nocturna considerable. De noche, la actividad fué continua (a bajos niveles) a través del período de muestreo de abril 30 al 3 de mayo. Los picos de actividad tarde en la noche fueron evidentes cerca de las 2300 h y de mayo 3 en adelante hubo la tendencia de aumentar en intensidad. Se correlacionó la actividad nocturna con el número de pichones eclosionados el día después. El estimado máximo de aves individuales detectados fué de 156,327 en mayo 10. El uso de radares tiene un gran potencial para elucidar patrones de actividad estacional. Contrastamos y evaluamos el uso de radares y métodos tradicionales basados en conteos de huecos e identificamos varias ventajas importantes para el uso de radares en programas a largo plazo de monitoreo de poblaciones y de investigación de aves marinas.
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