Precise Observations Research Articles

Dimension-8 SMEFT analysis of minimal scalar field extensions of the Standard Model

We analyze the constraints obtainable from present data using the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) on extensions of the Standard Model with additional electroweak singlet or triplet scalar fields. We compare results obtained using only contributions that are linear in dimension-6 operator coefficients with those obtained including terms quadratic in these coefficients as well as contributions that are linear in dimension-8 operator coefficients. We also implement theoretical constraints arising from the stability of the electroweak vacuum and perturbative unitarity. Analyzing the models at the dimension-8 level constrains scalar couplings that are not bounded at the dimension-6 level. The strongest experimental constraints on the singlet model are provided by Higgs coupling measurements, whereas electroweak precision observables provide the strongest constraints on the triplet model. In the singlet model the present di-Higgs constraints already play a significant role. We find that the current constraints on model parameters are already competitive with those anticipated from future di- and tri-Higgs measurements. We compare our results with calculations in the full model, exhibiting the improvements when higher-order SMEFT terms are included. We also identify regions in parameter space where the SMEFT approximation appears to break down. We find that the combination of current constraints with the theoretical bounds still admits regions where the SMEFT approach is not valid, particularly for lower scalar boson masses.

Long-period radial velocity variations of nine M red giants

Context. Certain periodic variations of radial velocities (RVs) of wobbling giants originate from exoplanets. A number of exoplanets have been discovered around giant stars. Aims. The purpose of our study is to find low-amplitude and long-period RV variations around bright M (super) giants in the red giant branch (or asymptotic giant branch) stage, which are long-period variables (LPVs) or high proper motion stars. Methods. The high-resolution fiber-fed Bohyunsan Observatory Echelle Spectrograph (BOES) at the Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory (BOAO) was used to record numerous spectra of nine giants. The observation period for the targets spanned 16 yr, from 2005 to 2022. Results. We found two substellar companions from the precise RV observations of nine M giants. One companion has a 28.26−2.17+2.05 MJ orbiting period of 663.87−4.31+4.61 days at a distance of 2.03−0.01+0.01 AU (HD 6860), and the other has a 15.83−2.74+2.33 MJ orbiting period of 466.63−1.28+1.47 days at a distance of 1.33−0.11+0.08 AU (HD 112300). Our estimate of the stellar parameters for HD 6860 makes it the currently largest star with a substellar companion. We also found RV variations mimicking a planetary companion in HD 18884 and confirmed LPVs in two stars, HD 39801 and HD 42995. The RV variations of some stars seem to be associated with stellar activities rather than reflex orbital motion due to their companions. Variations like this are also detected for HD 6860 and HD 112300, which host substellar companions.

Three-Dimensional Culture of Human Dental Pulp Tissue: A Preliminary Experimental In Vitro Model for Regenerative Endodontic Procedures

Introduction: Dental pulp regeneration is fundamental in dentistry and endodontics; however, few in vitro experimental models are available to study its biological process. This study aimed to develop a three-dimensional (3D) culture model of human dental pulp-like tissue mimicking the possible complexity of human pulp tissue. This new and innovative human-like tissue model could be used for testing drugs and materials, particularly those involved in regenerative endodontics. Methods: Vital pulp tissue samples were obtained from human third molars (n = 4) immediately after extraction and cultured in a 3D fibrin matrix to create a sustainable ex vivo experimental model. The angiogenesis degrees and the nitric oxide levels were evaluated following the culture of pulp-like tissues in the fibrin matrix for 21 days. The expression of Transforming growth factor- beta (TGF-β1), TGF-β2, TGF-β3, and their relevant receptors, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) was evaluated using a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results: Pulp tissue angiogenesis was initiated, and completed on days 7 and 21, and pulp-like tissue cells expressed TGF-β1, TGF-β2, TGF-β3, and their relevant receptors, TNF and VEGFA. Conclusion: This model provided a precise observation of dental pulp angiogenesis at early stages.

Optimized temporal binning of comparison star measurements for differential photometry

ABSTRACT Ground-based, high precision observations of the light curves of objects such as transiting exoplanets rely on the application of differential photometry. The flux of the target object is measured relative to a comparison star in the same field, allowing correction for systematic trends in the light curve, mainly due to atmospheric effects including the variation of extinction with airmass. However, the precision of the light curve is then limited by the random noise for the measurements of both the target object and the comparison star. For time-resolved photometry using short exposure times of up to a few tens of seconds, the time-scale of the systematic variations due to atmospheric (or other) effects can be much longer than the cadence of the observations. In this case, the overall signal-to-noise ratio of the observation may be improved significantly by applying some temporal binning to the measurements of the comparison star, before comparison with the target object, without reducing the cadence of the overall light curve. In this paper, we will describe a data reduction pipeline for implementing this method which optimizes the number of frames to be binned for the comparison star, and we present example results for time-resolved photometric data. An example of applying the technique on an exoplanet transit light curve of WASP-166b is presented using four comparison stars of different magnitudes.

SN 2021gno: a calcium-rich transient with double-peaked light curves

ABSTRACT We present extensive ultraviolet (UV) and optical photometric and optical spectroscopic follow-up of supernova (SN) 2021gno by the ‘Precision Observations of Infant Supernova Explosions’ (POISE) project, starting less than 2 d after the explosion. Given its intermediate luminosity, fast photometric evolution, and quick transition to the nebular phase with spectra dominated by [Ca ii] lines, SN 2021gno belongs to the small family of Calcium-rich transients. Moreover, it shows double-peaked light curves, a phenomenon shared with only four other Calcium-rich events. The projected distance from the centre of the host galaxy is not as large as other objects in this family. The initial optical light-curve peaks coincide with a very quick decline of the UV flux, indicating a fast initial cooling phase. Through hydrodynamical modelling of the bolometric light curve and line velocity evolution, we found that the observations are compatible with the explosion of a highly stripped massive star with an ejecta mass of $0.8\, M_\odot$ and a 56Ni mass of 0.024 M⊙. The initial cooling phase (first light-curve peak) is explained by the presence of an extended circumstellar material comprising ∼$10^{-2}\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$ with an extension of $1100\, R_{\odot }$. We discuss if hydrogen features are present in both maximum-light and nebular spectra, and their implications in terms of the proposed progenitor scenarios for Calcium-rich transients.

Evaluation of COSMIC-2 performance in detecting atmospheric boundary layer height and analysis of its variation

The atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) height (ABLH) is an essential index for climate and weather studies in the troposphere. Obtaining abundant and precise observations is crucial for modeling the top of the ABL. The radio occultation can provide observation data of Earth’s atmosphere with high vertical resolution and comprehensive spatial coverage, benefiting from its measurement mode. Thanks to the improved quality of Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC)-2 lower atmosphere observations, its substantial amount and higher-quality atmospheric profile data are well suited for ABLH detection. Therefore, 1.4 million COSMIC-2 refractivity profiles from October 2019 to September 2020 were employed to determine the ABLH, and its retrieval performance is assessed using the official COSMIC-2 product (zbalmax) and radiosonde data. The retrieval results show that most of the effectively detected ABLH occultation events occur over the ocean. Comparing COSMIC-2 ABLH and zbalmax, consistent accuracy is found with a standard deviation of 0.22 km. Similar biases are observed each month. And the inversion accuracy in the Northern Hemisphere is higher than in the Southern Hemisphere. The ABLH derived from radiosonde data and COSMIC-2 has a high correlation coefficient of no less than 0.75. The better accuracy happened in the DJF (i.e. from December to February) for both comparisons with two datasets. Additionally, the distribution and seasonal variations were revealed by modeling verified COSMIC-2 ABLH. The fifth generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) atmospheric reanalysis of the global climate (ERA5) surface temperature and self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index are used to analyze the impact of temperature and drought on ABLH. The results indicate that higher surface temperatures lead to a smaller ABLH, whereas drought at the surface leads to a larger ABLH. Therefore, the higher precision ABLH can be derived from COSMIC-2 after verification, and we can reveal its seasonal variation and influencing factors on this basis.

Characterization of environmental radiological parameters on dose coefficient - Realistic dosimetry compared with epidemiological dosimetry models

Radiation exposure due to all-natural sources amounts to about 2.4 mSv per year. However, this amount might be changed to over 3 mSv y−1 according to the recently introduced ICRP radon dose coefficient factor. Previously, the radon contribution to the total dose from natural sources was about 1.2 mSv y−1. However, after the latest introduced dose conversion factor by ICRP, this value could technically be increased to around 2 mSv y−1. This paper attempts to address the following questions: (i) whether reducing radon concentration to the recommended level could address concerns about radiation exposure in underground workplaces, and (ii) the effects of the difference between the epidemiological dosimetry models and realistic dose estimation. The actual dose conversion factor (DCF) was calculated using measured annual average unattached and equilibrium factors, ranging from 16 ± 9 to 25 ± 10 mSv·WLM−1. Then, the estimated inhalation dose, both from self-calculated DCF and the value reported by ICRP-137, was compared: 5.6 ± 0.7–7.6 ± 0.9 mSv y−1 and 3.3 ± 0.4–3.6 ± 0.5 mSv y−1, respectively. It can be observed that exposure to a radon concentration lower than the recommended level does not guarantee a lower dose than the recommended value. The estimated dose was at least two times greater than the dose using pre-estimated values from epidemiological dosimetry models, specifically in this case study. Further experiments in different underground working environments, excluding caves, are needed for more precise observations. It might also be time to update the data regarding the dose contribution from natural radiation sources, as the radon contribution increased according to ICRP.

TOI-4600 b and c: Two Long-period Giant Planets Orbiting an Early K Dwarf

We report the discovery and validation of two long-period giant exoplanets orbiting the early K dwarf TOI-4600 (V = 12.6, T = 11.9), first detected using observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) by the TESS Single Transit Planet Candidate Working Group. The inner planet, TOI-4600 b, has a radius of 6.80 ± 0.31 R ⊕ and an orbital period of 82.69 days. The outer planet, TOI-4600 c, has a radius of 9.42 ± 0.42 R ⊕ and an orbital period of 482.82 days, making it the longest-period confirmed or validated planet discovered by TESS to date. We combine TESS photometry and ground-based spectroscopy, photometry, and high-resolution imaging to validate the two planets. With equilibrium temperatures of 347 K and 191 K, respectively, TOI-4600 b and c add to the small but growing population of temperate giant exoplanets that bridge the gap between hot/warm Jupiters and the solar system’s gas giants. TOI-4600 is a promising target for further transit and precise RV observations to measure the masses and orbits of the planets as well as search for additional nontransiting planets. Additionally, with Transit Spectroscopy Metric values of ∼30, both planets are amenable for atmospheric characterization with JWST. Together, these will lend insight into the formation and evolution of planet systems with multiple giant exoplanets.

Heterogeneous grain growth and vertical mass transfer within a snow layer under a temperature gradient

Abstract. Inside a snow cover, metamorphism plays a key role in snow evolution at different scales. This study focuses on the impact of temperature gradient metamorphism on a snow layer in its vertical extent. To this end, two cold-laboratory experiments were conducted to monitor a snow layer evolving under a temperature gradient of 100 K m−1 using X-ray tomography and environmental sensors. The first experiment shows that snow evolves differently in the vertical: in the end, coarser depth hoar is found in the center part of the layer, with covariance lengths about 50 % higher compared to the top and bottom areas. We show that this heterogeneous grain growth could be related to the temperature profile, to the associated crystal growth regimes, and to the local vapor supersaturation. In the second experiment, a non-disturbing sampling method was applied to enable a precise observation of the basal mass transfer in the case of dry boundary conditions. An air gap, characterized by a sharp drop in density, developed at the base and reached more than 3 mm after a month. The two reported phenomena, heterogeneous grain growth and basal mass loss, create heterogeneities in snow – in terms of density, grain and pore size, and ice morphology – from an initial homogeneous layer. Finally, we report the formation of hard depth hoar associated with an increase in specific surface area (SSA) observed in the second experiment with higher initial density. These microscale effects may strongly impact the snowpack behavior, e.g., for snow transport processes or snow mechanics.

Bounds on lepton non-unitarity and heavy neutrino mixing

We present an updated and improved global fit analysis of current flavour and electroweak precision observables to derive bounds on unitarity deviations of the leptonic mixing matrix and on the mixing of heavy neutrinos with the active flavours. This new analysis is motivated by new and updated experimental results on key observables such as Vud, the invisible decay width of the Z boson and the W boson mass. It also improves upon previous studies by considering the full correlations among the different observables and explicitly calibrating the test statistic, which may present significant deviations from a χ2 distribution. The results are provided for three different Type-I seesaw scenarios: the minimal scenario with only two additional right-handed neutrinos, the next to minimal one with three extra neutrinos, and the most general one with an arbitrary number of heavy neutrinos that we parametrise via a generic deviation from a unitary leptonic mixing matrix. Additionally, we also analyze the case of generic deviations from unitarity of the leptonic mixing matrix, not necessarily induced by the presence of additional neutrinos. This last case relaxes some correlations among the parameters and is able to provide a better fit to the data. Nevertheless, inducing only leptonic unitarity deviations avoiding both the correlations implied by the right-handed neutrino extension as well as more strongly constrained operators is challenging and would imply significantly more complex UV completions.

Tri-hypercharge: a separate gauged weak hypercharge for each fermion family as the origin of flavour

We propose a tri-hypercharge (TH) extension of the Standard Model (SM) in which a separate gauged weak hypercharge is associated with each fermion family. In this way, every quark and lepton multiplet carries unique gauge quantum numbers under the extended gauge group, providing the starting point for a theory of flavour. If the Higgs doublets only carry third family hypercharge, then only third family renormalisable Yukawa couplings are allowed. However, non-renormalisable Yukawa couplings may be induced by the high scale Higgs fields (hyperons) which break the three hypercharges down to the SM hypercharge, providing an explanation for fermion mass hierarchies and the smallness of CKM quark mixing. Following a similar methodology, we study the origin of neutrino masses and mixing in this model. Due to the TH gauge symmetry, the implementation of a seesaw mechanism naturally leads to a low scale seesaw, where the right-handed neutrinos in the model may be as light as the TeV scale. We present simple examples of hyperon fields which can reproduce all quark and lepton (including neutrino) masses and mixing. After a preliminary phenomenological study, we conclude that one of the massive Z′ bosons can be as light as a few TeV, with implications for flavour-violating observables, LHC physics and electroweak precision observables.

Plasticity of Dendritic Spines Underlies Fear Memory.

The brain has the powerful ability to transform experiences into anatomic maps and continuously integrate massive amounts of information to form new memories. The manner in which the brain performs these processes has been investigated extensively for decades. Emerging reports suggest that dendritic spines are the structural basis of information storage. The complex orchestration of functional and structural dynamics of dendritic spines is associated with learning and memory. Owing to advancements in techniques, more precise observations and manipulation enable the investigation of dendritic spines and provide clues to the challenging question of how memories reside in dendritic spines. In this review, we summarize the remarkable progress made in revealing the role of dendritic spines in fear memory and the techniques used in this field.

Discovery and characterization of two Neptune-mass planets orbiting HD 212729 with TESS

ABSTRACT We report the discovery of two exoplanets orbiting around HD 212729 (TOI 1052, TIC 317060587), a Teff = 6146 K star with V = 9.51 observed by TESS in Sectors 1 and 13. One exoplanet, TOI-1052b, is Neptune-mass and transits the star, and an additional planet TOI-1052c is observed in radial velocities but not seen to transit. We confirm the planetary nature of TOI-1052b using precise radial velocity observations from HARPS and determined its parameters in a joint RV and photometry analysis. TOI-1052b has a radius of $2.87^{+0.29}_{-0.24}$ R⊕, a mass of 16.9 ± 1.7 M⊕, and an orbital period of 9.14 d. TOI-1052c does not show any transits in the TESS data, and has a minimum mass of $34.3^{+4.1}_{-3.7}$ M⊕ and an orbital period of 35.8 d, placing it just interior to the 4:1 mean-motion resonance. Both planets are best fit by relatively high but only marginally significant eccentricities of $0.18^{+0.09}_{-0.07}$ for planet b and $0.24^{+0.09}_{-0.08}$ for planet c. We perform a dynamical analysis and internal structure model of the planets as well as deriving stellar parameters and chemical abundances. The mean density of TOI-1052b is $3.9^{+1.7}_{-1.3}$ g cm−3 consistent with an internal structure similar to Neptune. A nearby star is observed in Gaia DR3 with the same distance and proper motion as TOI-1052, at a sky projected separation of $\scriptstyle \sim$1500 au, making this a potential wide binary star system.

Comparative Analysis of Russian, Georgian and Turkish Phraseological Units

In the language of every nation, there are apt expressions that convey the national flavor of the language; they constitute a set of judgments about the life of the people, a system of precise characteristics, observations, and generalizations made by people. Centuries-old human experience, enshrined in works of art and folk wisdom, did not leave any problem without attention, including the problem of human interaction. Along with words, phraseological units are widely used in communication, making speech more diverse and rich.Keywords: Phraseological units, comparative analysis, language picture

Low-redshift estimates of the absolute scale of baryon acoustic oscillations

Measurements of the characteristic length scale r_s of the baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO) provide a robust determination of the distance-redshift relation. Currently, the best (sub-per cent) estimate of r_s at the drag epoch is provided by Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) observations assuming the validity of the standard Lambda CDM model at z sim 1000. Therefore, inferring r_s from low-z observations in a model-independent way and comparing its value with CMB estimates provides a consistency test of the standard cosmology and its assumptions at high-z. In this paper, we address this question and estimate the absolute BAO scale combining angular BAO measurements and type Ia Supernovae data. Our analysis uses two different methods to connect these data sets and finds a good agreement between the low-z estimates of r_{s} with the CMB sound horizon at drag epoch, regardless of the value of the Hubble constant H_0 considered. These results highlight the robustness of the standard cosmology at the same time that they also reinforce the need for more precise cosmological observations at low-z.

Impact of dimension-eight SMEFT operators in the electroweak precision observables and triple gauge couplings analysis in universal SMEFT

We perform a complete study of the electroweak precision observables and electroweak gauge boson pair production in terms of the SMEFT up to ${\cal O}(1/\Lambda^4)$ under the assumption of universal, C and P conserving new physics. We show that the analysis of data from those two sectors allows us to obtain closed constraints in the relevant parameter space in this scenario. In particular we find that the Large Hadron Collider data can independently constrain the Wilson coefficients of the dimension-six and -eight operators directly contributing to the triple gauge boson vertices. Our results show that the impact of dimension-eight operators in the study of triple gauge couplings is small.

APLIKASI PENGENALAN ANATOMI SISTEM PENCERNAAN PADA TUBUH MANUSIA MENGGUNAKAN TEKNOLOGI AUGMENTED REALITY

Natural Sciences (IPA) is a science related to human endeavors in understanding and finding out about the universe through precise observations and using procedures that can be explained by reasoning so as to get a clear conclusion. There are 5 main branches in Natural Sciences, namely Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, and Physics. Science learning should be able to provide direct experience so as to increase the ability to understand and apply the concepts that have been learned. Anatomy is a branch of biology that deals with the structure of living things, in the anatomy of the human body, there are organs that support the formation of the body as a whole. The organs of the body such as bones, joints, skeletal muscles, brain, digestive system, and circulatory system and other organs. The digestive system is a process of mechanically and chemically breaking food into a form that is easier for the body to absorb. interactively in real time. The existence of technology in the form of Augmented Reality will facilitate the process of introducing information and displaying Anatomy Learning objects. This research aims to introduce anatomy to a digestive system in the human body using Augmented Reality technology which can facilitate students in the learning process. The software development method used to design and implement traditional musical instrument recognition applications is the Rational Unified Process method. Application testing is carried out using black-box testing and user testing. User testing was carried out by distributing questionnaires at SMP Negeri 2 Pedamaran Timur. Testing user satisfaction is calculated using a Likert scale and the results of questionnaire questions which can have a final score of 87% which is included in the strongly agree category

Seismo-Hydrogeodynamic Effects in Groundwater Pressure Changes: A Case Study of the YuZ-5 Well on the Kamchatka Peninsula

Seismo-hydrogeodynamic effects (SHGEs) in groundwater level (pressure) variations in a range of periods from minutes to hours and days during local and teleseismic earthquakes were considered based on the data of precision observations in a deep piezometric well located in a seismically active region. With the use of the tidal analysis and frequency dependence of the barometric response of the water level, a static confined response of groundwater pressure in a range of periods from hours to the first tens of days was established. The annual water level trend was characterized by the seasonal function of a hydrostatic head change in the well. In the groundwater pressure, changes were detected due to several types of seismo-hydrogeodynamic effects: 1—the coseismic fluctuations during the first tens of seconds and minutes after the arrival of seismic waves from the earthquakes with magnitudes of 5.3–9.1 at epicentral distances of 80–700 km; 2—the supposed hydrogeodynamic precursors of the two strongest events; 3—the four types of variations under the vibration impact of seismic waves from Mw = 6.8–9.1 earthquakes at epicentral distances of 80–14,600 km. The dependence of the distinguished types of SHGEs on the earthquake parameters, the intensity of the seismic impact in the well area and the amplitude-frequency composition of seismic waves were considered.

Towards precise constraints in modified gravity: bounds on alternative coupling gravity using white dwarf mass-radius measurements

Tests have to be performed to rule out proposals for gravity modification. We propose a new idea for constraining alternative theories of gravity using temperature-dependent white dwarf (WD) mass-radius (MR) observational data. We have shown that several alternatives to general relativity (GR), which modified GR only within matter, might be reduced to the well-known Poisson equation similar to that of Eddington-inspired Born Infeld (EiBI) and Minimal Exponential Measure (MEMe) gravity. Retaining EiBI notation, we constrain the value of the coupling constant, kappa , using a high-precision model-independent measurement of WD MR observations. We have demonstrated that the WD model should include detailed physics to achieve good precision. The model should include their temperature and evolutionary aspects, which may be computationally expensive. To overcome this issue, we construct a semi-analytical surrogate model based on Mestel’s model, calibrated with tabulated, detailed realistic models, to correct the zero-temperature radius. We have shown that the best-fit value of kappa depends on the WD model, with the ’thick’ envelope models more consistent in describing data. The tightest bound obtained from the most precise MR measurement, QS Vir, with -0.19lesssim kappa lesssim 0.22 in 10^3 m^5kg^{-1} s^{-2} for 2sigma (sim 95%) credibility. Overall, we assert that the recent precise WD MR measurements, combined with our current understanding of WD structure, are insufficient to see the deviation from the one predicted by GR. Both more precise observation data and detailed WD modelling are required to rule out gravity modification.

The importance of flavor in SMEFT Electroweak Precision Fits

Effective field theory tools are essential for exploring non-Standard Model physics at the LHC in the absence of the discovery of new light particles. Predictions for observables are typically made at the lowest order in the QCD and electroweak expansions in the Standard Model effective field theory (SMEFT) and often ignore the effects of flavor. Here, we present results for electroweak precision observables (EWPOs) at the next-to-leading order QCD and electroweak expansions (NLO) of the SMEFT with an arbitrary flavor structure for the fermion operators. Numerical NLO SMEFT fits to EWPOs have a strong dependence on the assumed flavor structures and we demonstrate this using various popular assumptions for flavor symmetries.