Stoppa, F., Vreeswijk, P., Bloemen, S., Bhattacharyya, S., Caron, S., Johannesson, G., et al. (2022). AutoSourceID-Light Fast optical source localization via U-Net and Laplacian of Gaussian. Astron. Astrophys., 662, A109–8pp.
Abstract: Aims. With the ever-increasing survey speed of optical wide-field telescopes and the importance of discovering transients when they are still young, rapid and reliable source localization is paramount. We present AutoSourceID-Light (ASID-L), an innovative framework that uses computer vision techniques that can naturally deal with large amounts of data and rapidly localize sources in optical images. Methods. We show that the ASID-L algorithm based on U-shaped networks and enhanced with a Laplacian of Gaussian filter provides outstanding performance in the localization of sources. A U-Net network discerns the sources in the images from many different artifacts and passes the result to a Laplacian of Gaussian filter that then estimates the exact location. Results. Using ASID-L on the optical images of the MeerLICHT telescope demonstrates the great speed and localization power of the method. We compare the results with SExtractor and show that our method outperforms this more widely used method. ASID-L rapidly detects more sources not only in low- and mid-density fields, but particularly in areas with more than 150 sources per square arcminute. The training set and code used in this paper are publicly available.
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Hirn, J., Garcia, J. E., Montesinos-Navarro, A., Sanchez-Martin, R., Sanz, V., & Verdu, M. (2022). A deep Generative Artificial Intelligence system to predict species coexistence patterns. Methods Ecol. Evol., 13, 1052–1061.
Abstract: Predicting coexistence patterns is a current challenge to understand diversity maintenance, especially in rich communities where these patterns' complexity is magnified through indirect interactions that prevent their approximation with classical experimental approaches. We explore cutting-edge Machine Learning techniques called Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to predict species coexistence patterns in vegetation patches, training generative adversarial networks (GAN) and variational AutoEncoders (VAE) that are then used to unravel some of the mechanisms behind community assemblage. The GAN accurately reproduces real patches' species composition and plant species' affinity to different soil types, and the VAE also reaches a high level of accuracy, above 99%. Using the artificially generated patches, we found that high-order interactions tend to suppress the positive effects of low-order interactions. Finally, by reconstructing successional trajectories, we could identify the pioneer species with larger potential to generate a high diversity of distinct patches in terms of species composition. Understanding the complexity of species coexistence patterns in diverse ecological communities requires new approaches beyond heuristic rules. Generative Artificial Intelligence can be a powerful tool to this end as it allows to overcome the inherent dimensionality of this challenge.
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ANTARES Collaboration(Albert, A. et al), Alves, S., Calvo, D., Carretero, V., Gozzini, R., Hernandez-Rey, J. J., et al. (2022). Search for magnetic monopoles with ten years of the ANTARES neutrino telescope. J. High Energy Astrophys., 34, 1–8.
Abstract: This work presents a new search for magnetic monopoles using data taken with the ANTARES neutrino telescope over a period of 10 years (January 2008 to December 2017). Compared to previous ANTARES searches, this analysis uses a run-by-run simulation strategy, with a larger exposure as well as a new simulation of magnetic monopoles taking into account the Kasama, Yang and Goldhaber model for their interaction cross-section with matter. No signal compatible with the passage of relativistic magnetic monopoles is observed, and upper limits on the flux of magnetic monopoles with beta = v/c & nbsp;>=& nbsp;0.55, are presented. For ultra-relativistic magnetic monopoles the flux limit is similar to 7 x 10(-18) cm(-2) s(-1) sr(-1). (C)& nbsp;2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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LHCb Collaboration(Aaij, R. et al), Jashal, B. K., Martinez-Vidal, F., Oyanguren, A., Remon Alepuz, C., & Ruiz Vidal, J. (2022). Identification of charm jets at LHCb. J. Instrum., 17(2), P02028–23pp.
Abstract: The identification of charm jets is achieved at LHCb for data collected in 2015-2018 using a method based on the properties of displaced vertices reconstructed and matched with jets. The performance of this method is determined using a dijet calibration dataset recorded by the LHCb detector and selected such that the jets are unbiased in quantities used in the tagging algorithm. The charm-tagging efficiency is reported as a function of the transverse momentum of the jet. The measured efficiencies are compared to those obtained from simulation and found to be in good agreement.
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Mistry, A. K. et al, Tain, J. L., Agramunt, J., Algora, A., Guadilla, V., Morales, A. I., et al. (2022). The DESPEC setup for GSI and FAIR. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A, 1033, 166662–18pp.
Abstract: The DEcay SPECtroscopy (DESPEC) setup for nuclear structure investigations was developed and commissioned at GSI, Germany in preparation for a full campaign of experiments at the FRS and Super-FRS. In this paper, we report on the first employment of the setup in the hybrid configuration with the AIDA implanter coupled to the FATIMA LaBr3(Ce) fast-timing array, and high-purity germanium detectors. Initial results are shown from the first experiments carried out with the setup. An overview of the setup and function is discussed, including technical advancements along the path.
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SCiMMA and SNEWS Collaborations(Baxter, A. L. et al), & Colomer, M. (2022). Collaborative experience between scientific software projects using Agile Scrum development. Softw.-Pract. Exp., 52, 2077–2096.
Abstract: Developing sustainable software for the scientific community requires expertise in software engineering and domain science. This can be challenging due to the unique needs of scientific software, the insufficient resources for software engineering practices in the scientific community, and the complexity of developing for evolving scientific contexts. While open-source software can partially address these concerns, it can introduce complicating dependencies and delay development. These issues can be reduced if scientists and software developers collaborate. We present a case study wherein scientists from the SuperNova Early Warning System collaborated with software developers from the Scalable Cyberinfrastructure for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics project. The collaboration addressed the difficulties of open-source software development, but presented additional risks to each team. For the scientists, there was a concern of relying on external systems and lacking control in the development process. For the developers, there was a risk in supporting a user-group while maintaining core development. These issues were mitigated by creating a second Agile Scrum framework in parallel with the developers' ongoing Agile Scrum process. This Agile collaboration promoted communication, ensured that the scientists had an active role in development, and allowed the developers to evaluate and implement the scientists' software requirements. The collaboration provided benefits for each group: the scientists actuated their development by using an existing platform, and the developers utilized the scientists' use-case to improve their systems. This case study suggests that scientists and software developers can avoid scientific computing issues by collaborating and that Agile Scrum methods can address emergent concerns.
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Gariazzo, S., Di Valentino, E., Mena, O., & Nunes, R. C. (2022). Late-time interacting cosmologies and the Hubble constant tension. Phys. Rev. D, 106(2), 023530–12pp.
Abstract: In this manuscript we reassess the potential of interacting dark matter-dark energy models in solving the Hubble constant tension. These models have been proposed but also questioned as possible solutions to the H0 problem. Here we examine several interacting scenarios against cosmological observations, focusing on the important role played by the calibration of supernovae data. In order to reassess the ability of interacting dark matter-dark energy scenarios in easing the Hubble constant tension, we systematically confront their theoretical predictions using a prior on the supernovae Ia absolute magnitude MB, which has been argued to be more robust and certainly less controversial than using a prior on the Hubble constant H0. While some data combinations do not show any preference for interacting dark sectors and in some of these scenarios the clustering sigma 8 tension worsens, interacting cosmologies with a dark energy equation of state w < -1 are preferred over the canonical lambda CDM picture even with cosmic microwave background data alone and also provide values of sigma 8 in perfect agreement with those from weak lensing surveys. Future cosmological surveys will test these exotic dark energy cosmologies by accurately measuring the dark energy equation of state and its putative redshift evolution.
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Morales, A. I., & Tuzon, P. (2022). Misconceptions, Knowledge, and Attitudes Towards the Phenomenon of Radioactivity. Sci. Educ., 31, 405–426.
Abstract: The teaching of the phenomenon of radioactivity is considered a key ingredient in the path towards developing critical thinking skills in many secondary science education curricula. Despite being one of the basic concepts in general physics courses, the scientific teaching literature of the last 40 years reports a great deal of misconceptions and conceptual errors related to radioactivity that seemingly appear regardless of the educational level and context. This study reports the first cross-sectional diagnostic study in Spain to secondary education students and pre-service teachers. Data were collected in the year 2019 through a questionnaire adapted from a previously validated one to explore the main misconceptions, attitudes, and knowledge status on the topic on a sample of 191 secondary school students and 29 Physics-and-Chemistry trainee teachers in the Spanish region of Valencia. Open and closed questions were used to categorize the entity itself, its properties, and the main misconceptions related to radioactivity. The responses were analysed using conventional statistical methods. The results indicate an evolution from a widespread dissenting notion on the phenomenon, which is staunchly related to danger, hazard, and destruction in the lowest educational levels, towards a more rational, relative, and multidimensional perspective in the highest ones. On the other hand, the ideas, emotions, and attitudes of the inquired individuals are in good agreement with the main misconceptions reported in the literature.
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Roca, L., Liang, W. H., & Oset, E. (2022). Inconsistency of the data on the K-1(1270) -> pi K-0*(1430) decay width. Phys. Lett. B, 824, 136827–3pp.
Abstract: We show, using the same Lagrangian for the K-1(1270) -> pi K-0*(1430) and K-0*(1430) -> K-1 (1270)pi decays, that the present PDG data on the partial decay width of K-1 (1270) -> pi K-0*(1430) implies a width for K-0*(1430) -> K-1 (1270)pi decay which is about one order of magnitude larger than the total K-0*(1430) width. A discussion on this inconsistency is done, stressing its relationship to the existence of two K-1(1270) states obtained with the chiral unitary theory, which are not considered in the experimental analyses of K pi pi data.
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ATLAS Collaboration(Aad, G. et al), Aparisi Pozo, J. A., Bailey, A. J., Cabrera Urban, S., Cardillo, F., Castillo, F. L., et al. (2022). Performance of the ATLAS Level-1 topological trigger in Run 2. Eur. Phys. J. C, 82(1), 7–26pp.
Abstract: During LHC Run 2 (2015-2018) the ATLAS Level-1 topological trigger allowed efficient data-taking by the ATLAS experiment at luminosities up to 2.1 x10(34) cm(-2) s(-1), which exceeds the design value by a factor of two. The system was installed in 2016 and operated in 2017 and 2018. It uses Field Programmable Gate Array processors to select interesting events by placing kinematic and angular requirements on electromagnetic clusters, jets, tau-leptons, muons and the missing transverse energy. It allowed to significantly improve the background event rejection and signal event acceptance, in particular for Higgs and B-physics processes.
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