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In this paper we describe in detail the implementation and main properties of a new inversion code for the polarized radiative transfer equation (VFISV: Very Fast Inversion of the Stokes Vector). VFISV will routinely analyze pipeline data from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) on-board of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). It will provide full-disk maps (4096×4096 pixels) of the magnetic field vector on the Solar Photosphere every ten minutes. For this reason VFISV is optimized to achieve an inversion speed that will allow it to invert sixteen million pixels every ten minutes with a modest number (approx. 50) of CPUs. Here we focus on describing a number of important details, simplifications and tweaks that have allowed us to significantly speed up the inversion process. We also give details on tests performed with data from the spectropolarimeter on-board of the Hinode spacecraft.

The joint Japan/US/UK Hinode mission includes the first large-aperture visible-light solar telescope flown in space. One component of the Focal Plane Package of that telescope is a precision spectro-polarimeter designed to measure full Stokes spectra with the intent of using those spectra to infer the magnetic-field vector at high precision in the solar photosphere. This article describes the characteristics of the flight hardware of the Hinode Spectro-Polarimeter , and summarizes its in-flight performance.

In order to study the effect of muonic-Li on the µ − SR spectrum for Li battery materials, the transverse field (TF) µ − SR spectra have been measured for natural Li metal and 6 Li metal samples in the temperature range between 5 and 300 K. Here, TF denotes the magnetic field perpendicular to the initial µ − spin polarization. For both samples, the TF- µ − SR spectrum showed a clear oscillation without relaxation down to the lowest temperature measured: i.e., about 5 K. This clearly excludes the scenario that the muonic-Li starts to diffuse at a certain temperature between 5 and 300 K. Although the mechanism on such a zero TF relaxation rate is not fully understood, we could ignore the contribution from the muonic Li on the asymmetry spectrum for the Li-ion battery materials at temperatures above 5 K.

In situ observation of the atmospheric CO2, CH4, and CO mixing ratios at Hateruma Island (HAT, 24.05 degree N, 123.80 degree E) often show synoptic-scale variations with correlative elevations during winter, associated with air transport from the East Asian countries. We examine winter (November- March) trends in Delta CH4 / Delta CO2, Delta CO / Delta CO2, and Delta CO / Delta CH4 observed at Hateruma over the period 1999 to 2010. To investigate the relationship between the East Asian emissions and the short-term variations in the atmospheric mixing ratios, we use the FLEXPART Lagrangian particle dispersion model (LPDM). The observed ratios Delta CH4 / Delta CO2 and Delta CO / Delta CO2 both show an overall gradual decrease over the study period due to a recent rapid increase in fossil fuel consumption in China. We note, however, that the decreasing rates of Delta CH4 / Delta CO2 and Delta CO / Delta CO2 show gradual decrease and increase, respectively, during the entire observation periods used in this study. The Delta CO / Delta CH4 slope, on the other hand, shows an increasing trend during 1999-2004 but a decrease during 2005-2010. Calculation of the concentration footprint for the atmospheric observation at HAT by using the FLEXPART LPDM indicates that most of the short-term variations are caused by emission variations from northern and eastern China. Combined with a set of reported emission maps, we have estimated the temporal changes in the annual CH4 and CO emissions from China under the assumption that the estimate of the fossil-fuel-derived CO2 emissions based on the energy statistics are accurate. The estimated annual CH4 emissions, corresponding to nonseasonal sources or anthropogenic sources without rice fields, show a nearly constant value of 39 plus or minus 7 TgCH4 yr-1 during 1998-2002, and then gradually increase to 46 plus or minus 8 TgCH4 yr-1 in 2009/2010. The estimated annual CO emissions increase from 134 plus or minus 32 TgCO yr-1 in 1998/1999 to 182 plus or minus 42 TgCO yr-1 in 2004/2005, level off after 2005, and then slightly decrease to less than 160 TgCO yr-1 in 2008-2010.

The Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) aboard the Solar-B satellite ( Hinode ) is designed to perform high-precision photometric and polarimetric observations of the Sun in visible light spectra (388 – 668 nm) with a spatial resolution of 0.2 – 0.3 arcsec. The SOT consists of two optically separable components: the Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA), consisting of a 50-cm aperture Gregorian with a collimating lens unit and an active tip-tilt mirror, and an accompanying Focal Plane Package (FPP), housing two filtergraphs and a spectro-polarimeter. The optomechanical and optothermal performance of the OTA is crucial to attain unprecedented high-quality solar observations. We describe in detail the instrument design and expected stable diffraction-limited on-orbit performance of the OTA, the largest state-of-the-art solar telescope yet flown in space.

Cosmological simulations predict that the Universe contains a network of intergalactic gas filaments, within which galaxies form and evolve. However, the faintness of any emission from these filaments has limited tests of this prediction. We report the detection of rest-frame ultraviolet Lyman-α radiation from multiple filaments extending more than one megaparsec between galaxies within the SSA22 protocluster at a redshift of 3.1. Intense star formation and supermassive black-hole activity is occurring within the galaxies embedded in these structures, which are the likely sources of the elevated ionizing radiation powering the observed Lyman-α emission. Our observations map the gas in filamentary structures of the type thought to fuel the growth of galaxies and black holes in massive protoclusters.

The recent development of the intense pulsed muon source at J-PARC MUSE, Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex/MUon Science Establishment (10 6  s −1 for a momentum of 60 MeV/c), enabled us to pioneer a new frontier in analytical sciences. Here, we report a non-destructive elemental analysis using µ − capture. Controlling muon momentum from 32.5 to 57.5 MeV/c, we successfully demonstrate a depth-profile analysis of light elements (B, C, N and O) from several mm-thick layered materials and non-destructive bulk analyses of meteorites containing organic materials. Muon beam analysis, enabling a bulk analysis of light to heavy elements without severe radioactivation, is a unique analytical method complementary to other non-destructive analyses. Furthermore, this technology can be used as a powerful tool to identify the content and distribution of organic components in future asteroidal return samples.

A nanoscale thermometry technique that uses coherent manipulation of the electronic spin associated with nitrogen–vacancy colour centres in diamond makes it possible to detect temperature variations as small as 1.8 millikelvin in ultrapure samples and to control and map temperature gradients within living cells. A nanothermometer for cells A nanoscale thermometer capable of subdegree temperature resolution and of integration within living cells could provide a powerful new tool for many areas of biological and medical research. This paper describes a new probe for nanoscale thermometry that achieves just that. The device uses quantum manipulation of nitrogen–vacancy colour centres in diamond nanocrystals. These harbour single electron spins and have specific fluorescence properties that are sensitively dependent on the local temperature. The authors show that they can be accurately measured with a spatial resolution down to 200 nm. By introducing both nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles into a single human embryonic fibroblast, they demonstrate temperature-gradient control and mapping at the subcellular level. Sensitive probing of temperature variations on nanometre scales is an outstanding challenge in many areas of modern science and technology 1 . In particular, a thermometer capable of subdegree temperature resolution over a large range of temperatures as well as integration within a living system could provide a powerful new tool in many areas of biological, physical and chemical research. Possibilities range from the temperature-induced control of gene expression 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 and tumour metabolism 6 to the cell-selective treatment of disease 7 , 8 and the study of heat dissipation in integrated circuits 1 . By combining local light-induced heat sources with sensitive nanoscale thermometry, it may also be possible to engineer biological processes at the subcellular level 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 . Here we demonstrate a new approach to nanoscale thermometry that uses coherent manipulation of the electronic spin associated with nitrogen–vacancy colour centres in diamond. Our technique makes it possible to detect temperature variations as small as 1.8 mK (a sensitivity of 9 mK Hz −1/2 ) in an ultrapure bulk diamond sample. Using nitrogen–vacancy centres in diamond nanocrystals (nanodiamonds), we directly measure the local thermal environment on length scales as short as 200 nanometres. Finally, by introducing both nanodiamonds and gold nanoparticles into a single human embryonic fibroblast, we demonstrate temperature-gradient control and mapping at the subcellular level, enabling unique potential applications in life sciences.

A genome-wide association (GWA) study of treatment outcomes (response and remission) of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) was conducted using 529 subjects with major depressive disorder. While no SNP associations reached the genome-wide level of significance, 14 SNPs of interest were identified for functional analysis. The rs11144870 SNP in the riboflavin kinase ( RFK ) gene on chromosome 9 was associated with 8-week treatment response (odds ratio (OR)=0.42, P =1.04 × 10 −6 ). The rs915120 SNP in the G protein-coupled receptor kinase 5 ( GRK5 ) gene on chromosome 10 was associated with 8-week remission (OR=0.50, P =1.15 × 10 −5 ). Both SNPs were shown to influence transcription by a reporter gene assay and to alter nuclear protein binding using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. This report represents an example of joining functional genomics with traditional GWA study results derived from a GWA analysis of SSRI treatment outcomes. The goal of this analytical strategy is to provide insights into the potential relevance of biologically plausible observed associations.

Spectro-polarimetric observations in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) range are currently the only means to measure magnetic fields in the upper chromosphere and transition region of the solar atmosphere. The Chromospheric Lyman-Alpha Spectro-Polarimeter (CLASP) aims to measure linear polarization at the hydrogen Lyman- α line (121.6 nm). This measurement requires a polarization sensitivity better than 0.1 %, which is unprecedented in the VUV range. We here present a strategy with which to realize such high-precision spectro-polarimetry. This involves the optimization of instrument design, testing of optical components, extensive analyses of polarization errors, polarization calibration of the instrument, and calibration with onboard data. We expect that this strategy will aid the development of other advanced high-precision polarimeters in the UV as well as in other wavelength ranges.