Coincident Signals Research Articles

Orbital angular momentum entangled states of vortex beam pump in non-Kolmogorov turbulence channel

The effects of non-Kolmogorov turbulence on orbital angular momentum entangled states generated by the parametric down-conversion of vortex beam pump and propagating in slant atmospheric channel are analyzed. Our results demonstrate that both the coincidence probability and signal photon detection probability decrease with the increase of channel zenith angle, topological charge, channel length and increase of non-Kolmogorov parameter α from 3 to 4.

Assessment of a three-dimensional line-of-response probability density function system matrix for PET

To achieve optimal PET image reconstruction through better system modeling, we developed a system matrix that is based on the probability density function for each line of response (LOR-PDF). The LOR-PDFs are grouped by LOR-to-detector incident angles to form a highly compact system matrix. The system matrix was implemented in the MOLAR list mode reconstruction algorithm for a small animal PET scanner. The impact of LOR-PDF on reconstructed image quality was assessed qualitatively as well as quantitatively in terms of contrast recovery coefficient (CRC) and coefficient of variance (COV), and its performance was compared with a fixed Gaussian (iso-Gaussian) line spread function. The LOR-PDFs of three coincidence signal emitting sources, (1) ideal positron emitter that emits perfect back-to-back γ rays (γγ) in air; (2) fluorine-18 (18F) nuclide in water; and (3) oxygen-15 (15O) nuclide in water, were derived, and assessed with simulated and experimental phantom data. The derived LOR-PDFs showed anisotropic and asymmetric characteristics dependent on LOR-detector angle, coincidence emitting source, and the medium, consistent with common PET physical principles. The comparison of the iso-Gaussian function and LOR-PDF showed that: (1) without positron range and acollinearity effects, the LOR-PDF achieved better or similar trade-offs of contrast recovery and noise for objects of 4 mm radius or larger, and this advantage extended to smaller objects (e.g. 2 mm radius sphere, 0.6 mm radius hot-rods) at higher iteration numbers; and (2) with positron range and acollinearity effects, the iso-Gaussian achieved similar or better resolution recovery depending on the significance of positron range effect. We conclude that the 3D LOR-PDF approach is an effective method to generate an accurate and compact system matrix. However, when used directly in expectation–maximization based list-mode iterative reconstruction algorithms such as MOLAR, its superiority is not clear. For this application, using an iso-Gaussian function in MOLAR is a simple but effective technique for PET reconstruction.

Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase γ Protects Against Catecholamine-Induced Ventricular Arrhythmia Through Protein Kinase A–Mediated Regulation of Distinct Phosphodiesterases

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) signaling engaged by β-adrenergic receptors is pivotal in the regulation of myocardial contractility and remodeling. However, the role of PI3Kγ in catecholamine-induced arrhythmia is currently unknown. Mice lacking PI3Kγ (PI3Kγ(-/-)) showed runs of premature ventricular contractions on adrenergic stimulation that could be rescued by a selective β(2)-adrenergic receptor blocker and developed sustained ventricular tachycardia after transverse aortic constriction. Consistently, fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes revealed abnormal cAMP accumulation after β(2)-adrenergic receptor activation in PI3Kγ(-/-) cardiomyocytes that depended on the loss of the scaffold but not of the catalytic activity of PI3Kγ. Downstream from β-adrenergic receptors, PI3Kγ was found to participate in multiprotein complexes linking protein kinase A to the activation of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3A, PDE4A, and PDE4B but not of PDE4D. These PI3Kγ-regulated PDEs lowered cAMP and limited protein kinase A-mediated phosphorylation of L-type calcium channel (Ca(v)1.2) and phospholamban. In PI3Kγ(-/-) cardiomyocytes, Ca(v)1.2 and phospholamban were hyperphosphorylated, leading to increased Ca(2+) spark occurrence and amplitude on adrenergic stimulation. Furthermore, PI3Kγ(-/-) cardiomyocytes showed spontaneous Ca(2+) release events and developed arrhythmic calcium transients. PI3Kγ coordinates the coincident signaling of the major cardiac PDE3 and PDE4 isoforms, thus orchestrating a feedback loop that prevents calcium-dependent ventricular arrhythmia.

Empirical correction of crosstalk in a low-background germanium γ–γ analysis system

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is currently developing a custom software suite capable of automating many of the tasks required to accurately analyze coincident signals within gamma spectrometer arrays. During the course of this work, significant crosstalk was identified in the energy determination for spectra collected with a new low-background intrinsic germanium (HPGe) array at PNNL. The HPGe array is designed for high detection efficiency, ultra-low-background performance, and sensitive γ–γ coincidence detection. The first half of the array, a single cryostat containing seven HPGe crystals, was recently installed into a new shallow underground laboratory facility. This update will present a brief review of the germanium array, describe the observed crosstalk, and present a straight-forward empirical correction that significantly reduces the impact of this crosstalk on the spectroscopic performance of the system.

Electron pair emission from a highly correlated material

Electron pair emission spectroscopy ($e,2e$) is a tool well suited to probe the electron correlations. The probability of the electron pair emission depends in a crucial way on the localization properties of the electron wave functions describing the initial state of the system. One expects an enhanced coincidence signal from the localized electron states in oxides compared to that of itinerant states in metals. Our comparative ($e,2e$) study of the Ag(001) and NiO/Ag(001) system confirms this observation. We demonstrate that the intensity of the pair emission increases by an order of magnitude after the deposition of 15 monolayers of NiO onto the Ag(001) substrate.

SU-F-BRCD-02: Activity Assay of a Y-90 Microsphere Sample Using a Coincidence Detection System.

This work takes advantage of a newly-determined, low-uncertainty branching ratio of the internal pair production component of Y-90 decay to spectroscopically assay the activity of a Y-90 microsphere sample with a coincidence detection system (CDS). The CDS pairs a HPGe detector with a large NaI detector. The system is able to electronically filter the bremsstrahlung continuum from the photon spectrum by gating the energy signal from the HPGe with the coincidence signal. This reduces the uncertainty in the spectra measurement compared to measurements with a single HPGe detector. A series of pulsers were used to correct for counting losses. A geometric characterization was completed to find the optimal source position for measurements. An efficiency calibration of the CDS was completed using a Na-22 standard source. To validate the measurement accuracy of the CDS, the activity of a Y-90 standard activity solution from the NIST SRM program was determined and compared to the value given by NIST. The CDS was then used to determine the activity of a Y-90 microsphere sample. This value was compared to the 3.0 GBq value given by the manufacturer. The activity determined with the CDS was within 2.6% from the given activity of the NIST SRM source, which is within the expanded uncertainty associated with the CDS measurement. The activity of the Y-90 microsphere sample was determined to be 3.72 GBq +/- 1.9%. This is 19% higher than the manufacturer-stated activity of 3 GBq. This is outside the manufacturer-stated uncertainty of +/-10%. The ability of CDS to determine the activity of a Y-90 source has been validated with comparison to a NIST Y-90 standard activity solution. The use of the CDS has been extended to determine the activity of a Y-90 microsphere sample.

Intra-axonal Translation of SMAD1/5/8 Mediates Retrograde Regulation of Trigeminal Ganglia Subtype Specification

In many cases, neurons acquire distinct identities as their axons navigate toward target cells and encounter target-derived signaling molecules. These molecules generate retrograde signals that activate subtype-specific gene transcription. Mechanisms by which axons convert the complex milieu of signaling molecules into retrograde signals are not fully understood. Here, we examine retrograde signaling mechanisms that specify neuronal identity in the trigeminal ganglia, which relays sensory information from the face to the brain. We find that neuron specification requires the sequential action of two target-derived factors, BDNF and BMP4. BDNF induces the translation of axonally localized SMAD1/5/8 transcripts. Axon-derived SMAD1/5/8 is translocated to the cell body, where it is phosphorylated to a transcriptionally active form by BMP4-induced signaling endosomes and mediates the transcriptional effects of target-derived BDNF and BMP4. Thus, local translation functions as a mechanism by which coincident signals are converted into a retrograde signal that elicits a specific transcriptional response.

Performance of a 3 mm×3 mm silicon photomultiplier for use on the X-ray calibration system of the SVOM gamma ray monitor

The calibration detector of a gamma ray monitor (GRM) is designed to detect alpha particles from 241Am and to send out the coincidence signal to the GRM X-ray detector. The silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), as a novel photon device, is a good candidate to convert alpha-exciting fluorescent photons into electric signals. Three types of SiPMs from SSPM and MPPC, each having an active area of 3 mm×3 mm, were compared in the matter of the spectra from low-intensity light, dark count, crosstalk probability and I-V curve. The temperature coefficient of SSPM-0710G9MM was also characterized. The application of a SiPM on the GRM has been proved to be feasible.

Doubly excited states of ammonia by scattered electron–ion coincidence measurements

To obtain information on the optically forbidden doubly excited states of ammonia (NH3), we performed scattered electron–ion coincidence measurements. First, we observed scattered electrons using electron energy-loss spectroscopy and determined the generalized oscillator strength distribution (GOSD) under 200 eV incident electron energy at a scattering angle of 8°. Ionic GOSDs were also determined by combination with the coincidence signal, which was observed by the time-of-flight mass spectrometer at each energy-loss value, for each ion. The total and partial ionic GOSDs were compared with the experimental results of both photon and fast electron impact. Moreover, the neutral GOSD determined by subtracting the total ionic GOSD from the total was compared with previous results. In addition to the optically forbidden doubly excited states, which were identified by Kato et al (2003 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 36 3541) and Ishikawa et al (2008 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 41 195204), we found a new optically forbidden doubly excited state at around 35 eV.

On the sensitivity of the HAWC observatory to gamma-ray bursts

We present the sensitivity of HAWC to gamma ray bursts (GRBs). HAWC is a very high-energy gamma-ray observatory currently under construction in Mexico at an altitude of 4100m. It will observe atmospheric air showers via the water Cherenkov method. HAWC will consist of 300 large water tanks instrumented with 4 photomultipliers each. HAWC has two data acquisition (DAQ) systems. The main DAQ system reads out coincident signals in the tanks and reconstructs the direction and energy of individual atmospheric showers. The scaler DAQ counts the hits in each photomultiplier tube (PMT) in the detector and searches for a statistical excess over the noise of all PMTs. We show that HAWC has a realistic opportunity to observe the high-energy power law components of GRBs that extend at least up to 30GeV, as it has been observed by Fermi LAT. The two DAQ systems have an energy threshold that is low enough to observe events similar to GRB 090510 and GRB 090902b with the characteristics observed by Fermi LAT. HAWC will provide information about the high-energy spectra of GRBs which in turn could help to understanding about e-pair attenuation in GRB jets, extragalactic background light absorption, as well as establishing the highest energy to which GRBs accelerate particles.

Cinderella User's Manual

Cinderella is a software solution for the quantitative comparison of time series in the frequency domain. It assigns probabilities to coincident peaks in the DFT amplidude spectra of the datasets under consideration. Two different modes are available. In conditional mode, Cinderella examines target and comparison datasets on the assumption that the latter contain artifacts only, returning the conditional probability of a target signal, although there is a coincident signal in the comparison data within the frequency resolution. In composed mode, the probability of coincident signal components in both target and comparison data is evaluated. Cinderella permits to examine multiple target and comparison datasets at once.

The study of time-resolved measurement using ICCD positioning cosmic rays

Double layers of 150 mm?150 mm plastic scintillator arrays are used to locate the cosmic ray. Both layers of arrays are read out by wavelength-shifting fibers, which are bundled and coupled to image intensifier and ICCD camera. The light signal is delayed more than 200 ns by the image intensifier, so the ICCD can be pre-triggered by an external fast coincident signal. This cosmic ray positioning system is used to measure the time resolution and photon transfer time of the time-of-fly detector for the common test platform based on cosmic ray. Compared with traditional cosmic rays test, the data-taking efficiency of this system increases more than 30 times because of multi-point readout and higher position resolution. The test results show that the time resolution of the time-of-fly detector is better than 200 ps, which satisfies the requirement of the common platform based on cosmic ray.

Investigating the Factors Affecting the Aggregation of Alpha-Synuclein using Single Molecule Fluorescence and Fast Flow Microfluidics

The conversion of α-synuclein (αs) into oligomeric and fibrillar species and its deposition into Lewy bodies is the pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). It is therefore of great importance to understand the mechanism of αs aggregation and its relationship to PD pathogenesis. We use single molecule fluorescence techniques with fast flow microfluidics to follow the early stages of this process in vitro. The methodology is based on the detection of fluorescent bursts from red or blue fluorophore-tagged αs species as they flow through a blue confocal laser volume. Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) occurs between blue and red fluorescently-tagged αs within the oligomers, giving rise to a signal in both the acceptor and donor channels. As only oligomers generate a coincident signal, they can be isolated from a solution which is >99% monomer, allowing their size and structure to be determined. By taking regular time-points, the kinetics of the aggregation can be deduced.This technique has allowed us to gain a unique insight into the effects of nanobodies and molecular chaperones on the aggregation of both the wild-type and pathological mutants of αs.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide

Endogenous adenosine contributes to renal sympathetic neurotransmission via postjunctional A1receptor-mediated coincident signaling

Adenosine A(1) receptor antagonists have diuretic/natriuretic activity and may be useful for treating sodium-retaining diseases, many of which are associated with increased renal sympathetic tone. Therefore, it is important to determine whether A(1) receptor antagonists alter renal sympathetic neurotransmission. In isolated, perfused rat kidneys, renal vasoconstriction induced by renal sympathetic nerve simulation was attenuated by 1) 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine (xanthine analog that is a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, but is cell membrane impermeable and thus does not block intracellular phosphodiesterases), 2) xanthine amine congener (xanthine analog that is a selective A(1) receptor antagonist), 3) 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (xanthine analog that is a highly selective A(1) receptor antagonist), and 4) FK453 (nonxanthine analog that is a highly selective A(1) receptor antagonist). In contrast, FR113452 (enantiomer of FK453 that does not block A(1) receptors), MRS-1754 (selective A(2B) receptor antagonist), and VUF-5574 (selective A(3) receptor antagonist) did not alter responses to renal sympathetic nerve stimulation, and ZM-241385 (selective A(2A) receptor antagonist) enhanced responses. Antagonism of A(1) receptors did not alter renal spillover of norepinephrine. 2-Chloro-N(6)-cyclopentyladenosine (highly selective A(1) receptor agonist) increased renal vasoconstriction induced by exogenous norepinephrine, an effect that was blocked by 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine, U73122 (phospholipase C inhibitor), GF109203X (protein kinase C inhibitor), PP1 (c-src inhibitor), wortmannin (phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor), and OSU-03012 (3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 inhibitor). These results indicate that adenosine formed during renal sympathetic nerve stimulation enhances the postjunctional effects of released norepinephrine via coincident signaling and contributes to renal sympathetic neurotransmission. Likely, the coincident signaling pathway is: phospholipase C → protein kinase C → c-src → phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase → 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1.

δ-Opioid Receptors Stimulate the Metabolic Sensor AMP-Activated Protein Kinase through Coincident Signaling with Gq/11-Coupled Receptors

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and δ-opioid receptors (DORs) are both involved in controlling cell survival, energy metabolism, and food intake, but little is known on the interaction between these two signaling molecules. Here we show that activation of human DORs stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells increased AMPK activity and AMPK phosphorylation on Thr172. DOR-induced AMPK phosphorylation was prevented by pertussis toxin, reduced by protein kinase A (PKA) activators, and unaffected by PKA, transforming growth factor-β-activated kinase 1, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and protein kinase C inhibitors. Conversely, the DOR effect was reduced by Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase (CaMKK) inhibition, apyrase treatment, G(q/11) antagonism, and blockade of P2 purinergic receptors. Apyrase treatment also depressed DOR stimulation of intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, whereas P2 receptor antagonism blocked DOR stimulation of inositol phosphate accumulation. In SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and primary olfactory bulb neurons, DOR activation failed to affect AMPK phosphorylation per se but potentiated the stimulation by either muscarinic agonists or 2-methyl-thio-ADP. Sequestration of G protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) blocked the DOR potentiation of AMPK phosphorylation induced by oxotremorine-M. In CHO cells, the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide1-β-D-ribonucleoside stimulated AMPK phosphorylation and glucose uptake, whereas pharmacological inhibition of AMPK, expression of a dominant-negative mutant of AMPKα1, and P2Y receptor blockade reduced DOR-stimulated glucose uptake. The data indicate that in different cell systems, DOR activation up-regulates AMPK through a Gβγ-dependent synergistic interaction with G(q/11)-coupled receptors, potentiating Ca(2+) release and CaMKKβ-dependent AMPK phosphorylation. In CHO cells, this coincident signaling mechanism is involved in DOR-induced glucose uptake.

Comparison of signals from gravitational wave detectors with instantaneous time–frequency maps

Gravitational wave astronomy relies on the use of multiple detectors, so that coincident detections may distinguish real signals from instrumental artifacts, and also so that relative timing of signals can provide the sky position of sources. We show that the comparison of instantaneous time–frequency and time–amplitude maps provided by the Hilbert–Huang Transform (HHT) can be used effectively for relative signal timing of common signals, to discriminate between the case of identical coincident signals and random noise coincidences and to provide a classification of signals based on their time–frequency trajectories. The comparison is done with a χ2 goodness-of-fit method which includes contributions from both the instantaneous amplitude and frequency components of the HHT to match two signals in the time domain. This approach naturally allows the analysis of waveforms with strong frequency modulation.

Modeling neural immune signaling of episodic and chronic migraine using spreading depression in vitro.

Migraine and its transformation to chronic migraine are healthcare burdens in need of improved treatment options. We seek to define how neural immune signaling modulates the susceptibility to migraine, modeled in vitro using spreading depression (SD), as a means to develop novel therapeutic targets for episodic and chronic migraine. SD is the likely cause of migraine aura and migraine pain. It is a paroxysmal loss of neuronal function triggered by initially increased neuronal activity, which slowly propagates within susceptible brain regions. Normal brain function is exquisitely sensitive to, and relies on, coincident low-level immune signaling. Thus, neural immune signaling likely affects electrical activity of SD, and therefore migraine. Pain perception studies of SD in whole animals are fraught with difficulties, but whole animals are well suited to examine systems biology aspects of migraine since SD activates trigeminal nociceptive pathways. However, whole animal studies alone cannot be used to decipher the cellular and neural circuit mechanisms of SD. Instead, in vitro preparations where environmental conditions can be controlled are necessary. Here, it is important to recognize limitations of acute slices and distinct advantages of hippocampal slice cultures. Acute brain slices cannot reveal subtle changes in immune signaling since preparing the slices alone triggers: pro-inflammatory changes that last days, epileptiform behavior due to high levels of oxygen tension needed to vitalize the slices, and irreversible cell injury at anoxic slice centers. In contrast, we examine immune signaling in mature hippocampal slice cultures since the cultures closely parallel their in vivo counterpart with mature trisynaptic function; show quiescent astrocytes, microglia, and cytokine levels; and SD is easily induced in an unanesthetized preparation. Furthermore, the slices are long-lived and SD can be induced on consecutive days without injury, making this preparation the sole means to-date capable of modeling the neuroimmune consequences of chronic SD, and thus perhaps chronic migraine. We use electrophysiological techniques and non-invasive imaging to measure neuronal cell and circuit functions coincident with SD. Neural immune gene expression variables are measured with qPCR screening, qPCR arrays, and, importantly, use of cDNA preamplification for detection of ultra-low level targets such as interferon-gamma using whole, regional, or specific cell enhanced (via laser dissection microscopy) sampling. Cytokine cascade signaling is further assessed with multiplexed phosphoprotein related targets with gene expression and phosphoprotein changes confirmed via cell-specific immunostaining. Pharmacological and siRNA strategies are used to mimic and modulate SD immune signaling.

Modeling Neural Immune Signaling of Episodic and Chronic Migraine Using Spreading Depression <em>In Vitro</em>

Migraine and its transformation to chronic migraine are healthcare burdens in need of improved treatment options. We seek to define how neural immune signaling modulates the susceptibility to migraine, modeled in vitro using spreading depression (SD), as a means to develop novel therapeutic targets for episodic and chronic migraine. SD is the likely cause of migraine aura and migraine pain. It is a paroxysmal loss of neuronal function triggered by initially increased neuronal activity, which slowly propagates within susceptible brain regions. Normal brain function is exquisitely sensitive to, and relies on, coincident low-level immune signaling. Thus, neural immune signaling likely affects electrical activity of SD, and therefore migraine. Pain perception studies of SD in whole animals are fraught with difficulties, but whole animals are well suited to examine systems biology aspects of migraine since SD activates trigeminal nociceptive pathways. However, whole animal studies alone cannot be used to decipher the cellular and neural circuit mechanisms of SD. Instead, in vitro preparations where environmental conditions can be controlled are necessary. Here, it is important to recognize limitations of acute slices and distinct advantages of hippocampal slice cultures. Acute brain slices cannot reveal subtle changes in immune signaling since preparing the slices alone triggers: pro-inflammatory changes that last days, epileptiform behavior due to high levels of oxygen tension needed to vitalize the slices, and irreversible cell injury at anoxic slice centers. In contrast, we examine immune signaling in mature hippocampal slice cultures since the cultures closely parallel their in vivo counterpart with mature trisynaptic function; show quiescent astrocytes, microglia, and cytokine levels; and SD is easily induced in an unanesthetized preparation. Furthermore, the slices are long-lived and SD can be induced on consecutive days without injury, making this preparation the sole means to-date capable of modeling the neuroimmune consequences of chronic SD, and thus perhaps chronic migraine. We use electrophysiological techniques and non-invasive imaging to measure neuronal cell and circuit functions coincident with SD. Neural immune gene expression variables are measured with qPCR screening, qPCR arrays, and, importantly, use of cDNA preamplification for detection of ultra-low level targets such as interferon-gamma using whole, regional, or specific cell enhanced (via laser dissection microscopy) sampling. Cytokine cascade signaling is further assessed with multiplexed phosphoprotein related targets with gene expression and phosphoprotein changes confirmed via cell-specific immunostaining. Pharmacological and siRNA strategies are used to mimic and modulate SD immune signaling.

Two-photon observations of dielectronic recombination processes

We present here coincidence measurements for two K x-rays emitted in the dielectronic recombination process of hydrogen-like krypton. We report the first observation of clear coincidence signals obtained from two Ge detectors placed in such a way that the Tokyo electron beam ion trap was between them. The doubly differential cross section is obtained by normalizing the coincidence counts to the radiative recombination x-ray counts.

Quantification of 235U and 238U activity concentrations for undeclared nuclear materials by a digital gamma–gamma coincidence spectroscopy

The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of verifying depleted uranium (DU), natural uranium (NU), low enriched uranium (LEU) and high enriched uranium (HEU) by a developed digital gamma-gamma coincidence spectroscopy. The spectroscopy consists of two NaI(Tl) scintillators and XIA LLC Digital Gamma Finder (DGF)/Pixie-4 software and card package. The results demonstrate that the spectroscopy provides an effective method of (235)U and (238)U quantification based on the count rate of their gamma-gamma coincidence counting signatures. The main advantages of this approach over the conventional gamma spectrometry include the facts of low background continuum near coincident signatures of (235)U and (238)U, less interference from other radionuclides by the gamma-gamma coincidence counting, and region-of-interest (ROI) imagine analysis for uranium enrichment determination. Compared to conventional gamma spectrometry, the method offers additional advantage of requiring minimal calibrations for (235)U and (238)U quantification at different sample geometries.