bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reactions of C+ + Cl−, Br−, and I−—A comparison of theory and experiment
Authors: Sawyer Jordan C. , Hedvall Patrik , Miller Thomas M. , Engeling Kenneth W. , Larson Åsa , Orel Ann E. , Viggiano Albert A. , Shuman Nicholas S.
Published: December 2019

Rate constants for the reactions of C+ + Cl−, Br−, and I− were measured at 300 K using the variable electron and neutral density electron attachment mass spectrometry technique in a flowing afterglow Langmuir probe apparatus. Upper bounds of <10−8 cm3 s−1 were found for the reaction of C+ with Br− and I−, and a rate constant of 4.2 ± 1.1 × 10−9 cm3 s−1 was measured for the reaction with Cl−. The C+ + Cl− mutual neutralization reaction was studied theoretically from first principles, and a rate constant of 3.9 × 10−10 cm3 s−1, an order of magnitude smaller than experiment, was obtained with spin-orbit interactions included using a semiempirical model. The discrepancy between the measured and calculated rate constants could be explained by the fact that in the experiment, the total loss of C+ ions was measured, while the theoretical treatment did not include the associative ionization channel. The charge transfer was found to take place at small internuclear distances, and the spin-orbit interaction was found to have a minor effect on the rate constant.
Memory embedded non-intrusive reduced order modeling of non-ergodic flows
Authors: Ahmed Shady E. , Rahman Sk. Mashfiqur , San Omer , Rasheed Adil , Navon Ionel M.
Published: December 2019

Generating a digital twin of any complex system requires modeling and computational approaches that are efficient, accurate, and modular. Traditional reduced order modeling techniques are targeted at only the first two, but the novel nonintrusive approach presented in this study is an attempt at taking all three into account effectively compared to their traditional counterparts. Based on dimensionality reduction using proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), we introduce a long short-term memory neural network architecture together with a principal interval decomposition (PID) framework as an enabler to account for localized modal deformation. As an effective partitioning tool for breaking the Kolmogorov barrier, our PID framework, therefore, can be considered a key element in the accurate reduced order modeling of convective flows. Our applications for convection-dominated systems governed by Burgers, Navier-Stokes, and Boussinesq equations demonstrate that the proposed approach yields significantly more accurate predictions than the POD-Galerkin method and could be a key enabler toward near real-time predictions of unsteady flows.
High energy product of MnBi by field annealing and Sn alloying
Authors: Zhang Wenyong , Balasubramanian Balamurugan , Kharel Parashu , Pahari Rabindra , Valloppilly Shah R. , Li Xingzhong , Yue Lanping , Skomski Ralph , Sellmyer David J.
Published: December 2019

Permanent-magnet materials are one cornerstone of today’s technology, abundant in disk drives, motors, medical equipment, wind generators, and cars. A continuing challenge has been to reconcile high permanent-magnet performance with low raw-material costs. This work reports a Mn-Bi-Sn alloy exclusively made from inexpensive elements, exhibiting high values of Curie-temperature, magnetization, anisotropy, coercivity, and energy product. The samples are produced by field annealing of rapidly quenched Sn-containing MnBi alloys, where the improvement of the magnetic properties is caused by the substitutional occupancy of the 2c sites in the hexagonal NiAs structure by Sn. The substitution modifies the electronic structure of the compound and enhances the magnetocrystalline anisotropy, thereby improving the coercivity of the compound. The energy product reaches 114 kJ/m3 (14.3 MGOe) at room temperature and 86 kJ/m3 (10.8 MGOe) at 200 °C; this value is similar to that of the Dy-free Nd2Fe14B and exceeds that of other rare-earth-free permanent-magnet bulk alloys, as encountered in automotive applications.
Effect of doping on nanoindentation induced incipient plasticity in InP crystal
Authors: Chrobak Dariusz , Chrobak Artur , Nowak Roman
Published: December 2019

This article is concerned with incipient plasticity in an InP crystal studied by nanoindentation experiments and ab initio simulations. We consider dislocation-nucleation phenomena and pressure-induced phase transformation to be the alternative mechanisms that govern the elastic-plastic transition displayed by the InP crystal. The ab initio calculations have shown that S- and Zn-doping of the low-pressure zinc blende structure of InP decreases the pressure of phase transformation of the rock-salt structure. The nanoindentation examination of undoped as well as S- and Zn-doped crystals of (001) and (111) orientation revealed an increase in contact pressure at the onset of plastic behavior (pop-in) for doped specimens. As they are contrary to the outcomes of the ab initio simulations, the results of nanoindentation experiments point toward dislocation nucleation as an origin of InP incipient plasticity. Additional investigations were performed on an undoped as well as Si-doped GaAs crystal, which showed that the contact pressure at the pop-in event takes a lower value for the Si-doped sample than the undoped sample. This result is in contrast to the case of the InP crystal displaying phase transformation-steered incipient plasticity of GaAs. Our investigations exhibit the complexity of the semiconductor’s nanodeformation simultaneously providing a convenient way to identify its incipient plasticity mechanism.
Rheological behavior for laponite and bentonite suspensions in shear flow
Authors: Lin Yuan , Zhu Hai , Wang Wei , Chen Jiawang , Phan-Thien Nhan , Pan Dingyi
Published: December 2019

The viscometric behavior of laponite and bentonite suspensions at different concentrations in shear flow is studied. It is discovered that in the equilibrium state, a master curve of viscosity can be constructed when the applied shear stress is normalized by the respective suspension’s yield stress. The interparticle interaction controlling the yield behavior at the gel state also dominates the behavior of particles at the equilibrium flowing state. A constitutive framework is developed to describe the master curve of viscosity as a function of the shear stress normalized by the yield stress. Based on the proposed model, the effect of concentration on the viscosity of clay suspensions can be estimated via their yield stress.
Magnetotransport of SrIrO3 films on (110) DyScO3
Authors: Jaiswal A. K. , Zaitsev A. G. , Singh R. , Schneider R. , Fuchs D.
Published: December 2019

Epitaxial perovskite (110) oriented SrIrO3 (SIO) thin films were grown by pulsed laser deposition on (110) oriented DyScO3 (DSO) substrates with various film thickness t (2 nm < t < 50 nm). All the films were produced with stoichiometric composition, orthorhombic phase, and with high crystallinity. The nearly perfect in-plane lattice matching of DSO with respect to SIO and same symmetry result in a full epitaxial in-plane alignment, i.e., the c-axis of DSO and SIO are parallel to each other with only slightly enlarged d110 out-of-plane lattice spacing (+0.38%) due to the small in-plane compressive strain caused by the DSO substrate. Measurements of the magnetoresistance MR were carried out for current flow along the [001] and [1-10] direction of SIO and magnetic field perpendicular to the film plane. MR appears to be distinctly different for both directions. The anisotropy MR001/MR1-10 > 1 increases with decreasing T and is especially pronounced for the thinnest films, which likewise display a hysteretic field dependence below T* ≈ 3 K. The coercive field Hc amounts to 2-5 T. Both, T* and Hc are very similar to the magnetic ordering temperature and coercivity of DSO which strongly suggests substrate-induced mechanism as a reason for the anisotropic magnetotransport in the SIO films.
Precession damping in [Co60Fe40/Pt]5 multilayers with varying magnetic homogeneity investigated with femtosecond laser pulses
Authors: Tavares M. A. B. , Andrade L. H. F. , Martins M. D. , Gomes G. F. M. , Fernandez-Outon L. E. , Matinaga F. M.
Published: December 2019

We report on the ultrafast magnetization dynamics of [Co60Fe40/Pt]5 multilayers studied with femtosecond laser pulses. The samples were grown at room temperature by DC magnetron sputtering with Ta capping and Pt buffer layers and present the same thickness and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy as determined by vibrating sample magnetometry. Controlled growth rate of the Pt buffer layer modified the anisotropy fields and magnetic domain sizes as measured by magnetic force microscopy (MFM). An estimation of the average magnetic domain sizes was obtained from the profile of the self-correlation transform of the MFM images. For multilayers having an average magnetic domain size of 490 nm, we report a damped precession of the magnetization which decays with a time constant of ∼100 ps and which has a frequency which varies from 8.4 GHz to 17.0 GHz as the external field increases from 192 mT to 398 mT. Fitting the precession dynamics with the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation we evaluated the damping α, which decreases from 0.18 to 0.05 with increasing magnetic domain sizes (127 nm to 490 nm). These α values are higher than for single layers suggesting an enhanced scattering and spin pumping effects from the Pt adjacent layers. In addition, the precession frequency increases from 2.04 GHz to 11.50 GHz as the anisotropy field of the multilayers increases from 6.5 kOe to 13.0 kOe. Finally, a comparative analysis between micromagnetic simulations and MFM images allowed us to determine the exchange stiffness (Aex) in the [Co60Fe40/Pt]5 multilayers.
Two-step cycling process alternating implantation and remote plasma etching for topographically selective etching: Application to Si3N4 spacer etching
Authors: Renaud Vincent , Petit-Etienne Camille , Barnes Jean-Paul , Bisserier Jérémie , Joubert Olivier , Pargon Erwine
Published: December 2019

This article proposes an original method to achieve topographically selective etching. It relies on cycling a two-step process comprising a plasma implantation step and a removal etching step using remote plasma source process. Both steps can be achieved in the same reactor prototype chamber, which has the capability to produce both capacitively coupled plasma and remote plasma (RP) discharges. It is shown that in RP processes, an incubation time exists before the etching starts. The introduction of a plasma implantation step prior to the RP step allows us to selectively functionalize the horizontal surfaces of the material with respect to the vertical surfaces, thanks to the ion directionality. The modifications induced by the implantation allow us to modify the incubation time between an implanted and a nonimplanted material offering a process window with infinite etch selectivity between horizontal and vertical surfaces. This approach has been demonstrated on Si3N4 blanket films with the perspective to be applied to the Si3N4 spacer etching process in which etch selectivity is a key issue. For this particular application, a cycling process comprising an H2 plasma implantation and a He/NH3/NF3 remote plasma process has been developed. The H2 implantation modifies the Si3N4 surface state by incorporating oxygen contaminants coming from the reactor wall and creating dangling bonds. This surface functionalization considerably reduces the incubation time. New insights into the etching mechanisms of Si3N4 films exposed to NH3/NF3 remote plasma are proposed and explain why the presence of Si–O bonds is mandatory for the initiation of the etching.
Diagrammatic method for tunable interactions in colloidal suspensions in rotating electric or magnetic fields
Authors: Komarov Kirill A. , Yarkov Andrey V. , Yurchenko Stanislav O.
Published: December 2019

Tunable interactions in colloids, induced by rotating electric or magnetic fields, provide a flexible and promising tool for self-assembly of soft materials, as well as for fundamental particle-resolved studies of phase transitions and other generic phenomena in condensed matter. In the case of two-dimensional systems and the in-plane rotating fields, the interactions are known to have a long-range (dipolar) attraction and an expressed three-body part at short distances, but still remain poorly understood. Here, we show that the interactions and polarization mechanisms governing the tunable interactions can be described, calculated, and analyzed in detail with the diagrammatic method we proposed. The diagrams yield a clear illustration of different polarization processes contributing to the Keesom, Debye, London, self, and external energies, classified in colloids similarly to intermolecular interactions. The real tunable interactions, obtained with the boundary element method, can be simply and accurately interpolated with the set of basis of the diagrams attributed to different physically clear polarization processes. Calculation of large-distance behavior and interpolation of the many-body interactions (and analysis of the leading mechanisms contributing to them) excellently illustrate that the diagrammatic method provides deep insights into the nature of tunable interactions. The method can be generalized for multicomponent systems, suspensions of particles with a composite structure and a complicated shape. The results provide significant advance in theoretical methods for detailed analysis of tunable interactions in colloids and, therefore, the method is of broad interest in condensed matter, chemical physics, physical chemistry, materials science, and soft matter.
A method for analyzing two-dimensional lithium ion concentration in the nano silicon films
Authors: Chen Hao-Sen , Han Yu , Yang Le , Bao Yin-Hua , Chen Jian , Li Xiang , Pang Jing , Song Wei-Li , Fang Dai-Ning
Published: December 2019

With the variation of thickness and composition, the color of the nanosilicon film electrode in lithium ion batteries would be changed during lithium ion intercalation and deintercalation. Based on such phenomenon, here we present a method for evaluating the two-dimensional lithium ion concentration in the nanosilicon film. In the demonstration of a silicon film with thickness ∼115 nm, the correlation between tristimulus values and lithium ion concentration is established. In a piece of a large silicon film, the inhomogeneous lithium ion concentration could be obtained, highlighting a fast and noncontact method for in situ observation and analyses of the kinetic process of ion intercalation and deintercalation in nanosilicon films.
A long-lived capacitively shunted flux qubit embedded in a 3D cavity
Authors: Abdurakhimov Leonid V. , Mahboob Imran , Toida Hiraku , Kakuyanagi Kousuke , Saito Shiro
Published: December 2019

We report the experimental realization of a 3D capacitively shunt superconducting flux qubit with long coherence times. At the optimal flux bias point, the qubit demonstrates energy relaxation times in the range of 60–90 μs and a Hahn-echo coherence time of about 80 μs, which can be further improved by dynamical decoupling. Qubit energy relaxation can be attributed to quasiparticle tunneling and unwanted two-level-system defects, while qubit dephasing is caused by flux noise away from the optimal point. Our results show that 3D c-shunt flux qubits demonstrate improved performance over other types of flux qubits, which is advantageous for applications such as quantum magnetometry and spin sensing.
Genetic diversity patterns in an endangered desert shrub from north-western China: implications for conservation
Authors: Su Zhihao , Wang Liuqiang , Zhuo Li , Jiang Xiaolong , Li Wenjun
Published: December 2019

Tamarix taklamakanensis is an endangered shrub endemic to the Tarim Basin and adjacent Kumtag Desert in north-western China. Here, we used two chloroplast DNA sequences, namely, psbA-trnH and trnS-trnG, to examine the genetic diversity patterns of this species across its entire covered range. A total of nineteen haplotypes were detected. The total gene diversity within the species is high. Genetic variation mainly occurred among populations, SAMOVA groups, and geographic regions. The test for isolation-by-distance showed a significant correlation between genetic and geographical distances, and the genetic landscape shape analysis showed a significant genetic divergence between the Tarim Basin and Kumtag Desert. T. taklamakanensis likely had a potential geographic range during the Last Glacial Maximum period that was much smaller than the present range predicted by ecological niche modelling. The cold and dry climate during the glacial periods of the Quaternary might be a driver of the genetic isolation and divergence detected within T. taklamakanensis, and climatic oscillations might account for the habitat fragmentation of the species. Within the inner of the basin, populations have a higher level of genetic diversity and harbor most of this genetic diversity, thus a nature reserves should be set up in this area for the in situ conservation. In addition, five genetically distinct groups within T. taklamakanensis should be treated as different management units (MUs) when implementing conservation activities.
The importance of fire in the success of a 15 hectare subtropical heathland translocation
Authors: Dufourq Peter , Shapcott Alison
Published: December 2019

Fire is a key factor in the maintenance of many ecosystems; however, little is known on how it affects the success of translocated fire-dependent plant species and communities. Further, translocation success is currently limited, creating uncertainty around the effectiveness of translocations in mitigating the negative impacts of urbanisation on biodiversity. Translocation evaluations may improve future outcomes by providing vital information: therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term success of a large-scale subtropical heathland translocation as well as the impacts of a fire management regime eight years after it was completed. Original performance criteria and monitoring data combined with new site surveys were utilised to assess the ongoing success of the translocation. Specifically, the structure and composition of the heath vegetation and the population size and demographic structure of five specific threatened plant species were assessed. Results showed that translocation still met the performance criteria requirements and so can continue to be classed as a success. Fire played a key role in enabling the vegetation to meet the performance criteria by promoting regeneration of target species and maintaining community composition. This was likely supported by the immediate availability of seed through the preservation of the seedbank. Long-term success in translocated fire-dependent plant species and communities will depend largely on the application of appropriate fire regimes.
Harnessing leaf photosynthetic traits and antioxidant defence for multiple stress tolerance in three premium indigenous rice landraces of Jeypore tract of Odisha, India
Authors: Panda Debabrata , Mohanty Biswajeet , Behera Prafulla K. , Barik Jijnasa , Mishra Swati S.
Published: December 2019

The aim of the present research was to compare the effects of different abiotic stresses (drought, salinity and submergence) on growth, photosynthesis and PSII activity along with antioxidant defence of three premium rice landraces, namely Kalajeera, Machhakanta and Haladichudi from Jeypore tract of Odisha, India to evaluate their performance under multiple stresses and possibility of using in the pre-breeding programs. Results showed that drought, salinity and submergence significantly reduced plant growth, leaf photosynthesis, water use efficiency (WUE), carboxylation efficiency (CE), PSII activity and SPAD chlorophyll index, and the highest effect was observed in susceptible check variety (IR64). In addition, the indigenous rice lines showed better stomatal traits such as stomatal density (SD), stomatal size (SS) and stomatal number per leaf area (S/LA). Notably, higher activities of antioxidative enzymes and proline accumulation was observed in studied indigenous rice landraces and were found comparable with the drought and salinity tolerant (N22) and submergence tolerant (FR13A) check varieties. Based on our findings it was revealed that these landraces can be expected to possess an adequate level of tolerance to drought, salinity and submergence and showed adaptive fitness to multiple stresses during seedling stage. These landraces can be considered as potential donor for future rice pre-breeding program.
Conservation in the wake of myrtle rust – a case study on two critically endangered Australian rainforest plants
Authors: Sommerville K. D. , Cuneo P. , Errington G. , Makinson R. O. , Pederson S. , Phillips G. , Rollason A. , Viler V. , Offord C. A.
Published: December 2019

We investigated ex situ conservation options for two Australian rainforest species severely affected by myrtle rust in the wild – Rhodamnia rubescens (Benth.) Miq. and Rhodomyrtus psidioides (G.Don) Benth. Both species were successfully initiated into tissue culture though the rate of contamination was high and not significantly improved by the disinfection techniques tested. Explants surviving initiation grew well on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS; pH 6.0) with 30gL−1 sucrose, 1 µm benzyl adenine and 0.2 µm indole-3-butyric acid. Culture of R. rubescens for eight weeks on MS with 0, 5, 10 or 20 µm indole-3-butyric acid resulted in root production for some plantlets, and successful transfer to potting mix; no significant differences in root production among treatments were detected. Both species were successfully propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings with strike rates of 0–67% for R. rubescens and 0–75% for R. psidioides. For R. rubescens, pretreatment of cuttings with Zaleton® and incubation in Preforma® plugs reduced the time to root development and significantly improved the strike rate (P=0.001). R. rubescens seed proved to be orthodox and suitable for standard seedbanking; R. psidioides seed proved to be freezing sensitive but suitable for storage at 4°C. As the two species now produce few viable seeds in the wild, however, conservation by seedbanking will first require the establishment of a seed orchard from vegetatively propagated plants. We recommend swift action to conserve species in the Pacific similarly affected by myrtle rust before their growth and reproductive capacity are seriously diminished.
Los universales de localización
Authors: Casado Valenzuela Alicia
Published: December 2019

Dans cet article, le nouveau concept de « localisation universelle » a été établi après avoir trouvé la présence d’universels de traduction dans le domaine de la localisation de jeux vidéo, c’est-à-dire leur traduction et leur adaptation à d’autres marchés, indépendamment de leur pays d’origine. Après avoir revu le concept des universels de traduction et défini la méthodologie de l’article, les universels de localisation ont été illustrés à l’aide d’un corpus créé en utilisant les images de différents jeux vidéo. Le corpus inclut plus particulièrement les jeux vidéo Pokémon Sapphire et Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, sortis en 2002 et 2014. Ils ont été analysés à l’aide du logiciel d’analyse de données qualitatives et quantitatives, connu sous le nom de MAXQDA. Celui-ci a permis de créer et d’annoter des corpus d’images et de démontrer l’existence d’universels de localisation et d’en tirer des conclusions intéressantes.
Genomics of hardwoods.
Authors: Meilan R. , Kirst M.
Published: December 2019

This chapter discusses the genomics of hardwoods, which are non-coniferous woody perennial trees that belong to the plant division Angiospermae, also known as the flowering plants. Hardwoods include some of the most economically and ecologically important tree species worldwide, including those from the genera Populus and Eucalyptus.
Engineering pest tolerance.
Authors: Meilan R. , Kirst M.
Published: December 2019

This chapter summarizes the ways in which genetic engineering has been used to improve the survival, growth, and defence against various pests of poplar (Populus spp.).
Centromere-localized Aurora B kinase is required for the fidelity of chromosome segregation
Authors: Liang Cai , Zhang Zhenlei , Chen Qinfu , Yan Haiyan , Zhang Miao , Zhou Linli , Xu Junfen , Lu Weiguo , Wang Fangwei
Published: December 2019

Aurora B kinase plays an essential role in chromosome bi-orientation, which is a prerequisite for equal segregation of chromosomes during mitosis. However, it remains largely unclear whether centromere-localized Aurora B is required for faithful chromosome segregation. Here we show that histone H3 Thr-3 phosphorylation (H3pT3) and H2A Thr-120 phosphorylation (H2ApT120) can independently recruit Aurora B. Disrupting H3pT3-mediated localization of Aurora B at the inner centromere impedes the decline in H2ApT120 during metaphase and causes H2ApT120-dependent accumulation of Aurora B at the kinetochore-proximal centromere. Consequently, silencing of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) is delayed, whereas the fidelity of chromosome segregation is negligibly affected. Further eliminating an H2ApT120-dependent pool of Aurora B restores proper timing for SAC silencing but increases chromosome missegregation. Our data indicate that H2ApT120-mediated localization of Aurora B compensates for the loss of an H3pT3-dependent pool of Aurora B to correct improper kinetochore–microtubule attachments. This study provides important insights into how centromeric Aurora B regulates SAC and kinetochore attachment to microtubules to ensure error-free chromosome segregation.
ORP5 regulates PI(4)P on the lipid droplet: Novel players on the monolayer
Authors: Renne Mike F. , Emerling Brooke M.
Published: December 2019

How the distinct lipid composition of organelles is determined and maintained is still poorly understood. In this issue, Du et al. (2019. J. Cell Biol.https://doi.org/10.1083/jcb.201905162) show that the lipid transfer protein ORP5 functions at ER–LD contact sites, regulating lipid droplet levels of phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate.
Report of APMP comparison of the activity measurements of Fe-59 (APMP.RI(II)-K2.Fe-59)
Authors: Yunoki A , Sato Y , Joseph L , Ravindra A , Kulkarni D B , Yuan M , Lee K B , Lee J M , Agusbudman A , Park T-S , Cruz P da , Silva C da , Iwahara A , Zhang M , Liang J C , Liu H R , Staden M J van , Lubbe J , Rooy M W van , Simpson B R S , Paukkachane P , Sastri N , Soodprasert T , Marsoem P , Holnisar H , Wurdiyanto G
Published: December 2019

The international comparison of activity measurements of 59Fe, APMP.RI(II)-K2.Fe-59, was carried out within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP). Nine institutes took part in the comparison, and eight institutes of them undertook absolute measurements. One ampoule prepared using the same radioactive solution as that used in the comparison was sent to the BIPM/SIR in order to link the comparison to the BIPM key comparison reference value (KCRV).

Main text

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Measurement uncertainty and corresponding risk of false decisions
Authors: Oganyan N G
Published: December 2019

The work describes a relationship between risks of false decisions in conformity assessment and measurement uncertainty, shows that minimization of measurement uncertainty decreases the risks.
The research of the possibility to apply the ionchromatographic method to the monitoring metrological characteristics of the working standards of ion activity
Authors: Prokunin Sergey , Galkina Lidiya , Dobrovolskiy Vladimir , Oganyan Narine
Published: December 2019

In this work have been researched the possibility to apply the ionchromatography method for the process of controlling and producing of the Working Standards of Ion Activity.
The development of the standards of the EPR-spectrum using the quartz monocrystal the morion
Authors: Kuvykina M B , Trotsenko N P , Leskov A S
Published: December 2019

The results of the development of the standard of the EPR-spectrum are represented. This standard is used for determination of EPR-spectrometer resolution. This standard can be used as a work standard, providing traceability to the State primary standard.
Metrological support of ion-selective electrodes
Authors: Prokunin Sergey , Dobrovolskyi Vladimir , Galkina Lidiya , Vengina Daria
Published: December 2019

In this paper the determination of calcium ions concentration in drinking water using ion-selective electrodes are presented
Development and validation of secondary method for pH measurement of buffer solutions
Authors: Dimitrova Lyudmila , Koleva Boryana
Published: December 2019

This paper presents the development of a secondary pH measurement standard and the design of the most critical part of the measurement standard - the secondary cell. The parameters affecting the measurement accuracy are discussed. The validation of the method together with a full uncertainty budget is described. The intended use of the secondary pH measurement standard by the Bulgarian Institute of Metrology (BIM) is also presented.
CRMs of surface density, thickness and mass fraction of tin-bismuth alloy coating on copper developed by UNIIM
Authors: Kazantsev V V , Vasilyev A S
Published: December 2019

Provided results of CRMs certification. Tested CRMs of surface density, thickness and mass fraction of tin-bismuth alloy coating on copper using the state primary measurement standard of surface density and mass fraction of coatings GET 168-2015.
The choice of material for the creation of reference materials based on crystalline hydrates of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts
Authors: Sergeeva Anna , Kasiliunas Anastasia , Medvedevskikh Mariya , Medvedevskikh Sergei
Published: December 2019

The paper describes a study of chemically stable materials based on crystalline hydrates of alkali and alkaline earth metal salts for the subsequent development them as RMs
Wildfire risk science facilitates adaptation of fire-prone social-ecological systems to the new fire reality
Authors: Dunn Christopher J , O’Connor Christopher D , Abrams Jesse , Thompson Matthew P , Calkin Dave E , Johnston James D , Stratton Rick , Gilbertson-Day Julie
Published: December 2019

Large and severe wildfires are an observable consequence of an increasingly arid American West. There is increasing consensus that human communities, land managers, and fire managers need to adapt and learn to live with wildfires. However, a myriad of human and ecological factors constrain adaptation, and existing science-based management strategies are not sufficient to address fire as both a problem and solution. To that end, we present a novel risk-science approach that aligns wildfire response decisions, mitigation opportunities, and land management objectives by consciously integrating social, ecological and fire management system needs. We use fire-prone landscapes of the US Pacific Northwest as our study area, and report on and describe how three complementary risk-based analytic tools—quantitative wildfire risk assessment, mapping of suppression difficulty, and atlases of potential control locations—can form the foundation for adaptive governance in fire management. Together, these tools integrate wildfire risk with fire management difficulties and opportunities, providing a more complete picture of the wildfire risk management challenge. Leveraging recent and ongoing experience integrating local experiential knowledge with these tools, we provide examples and discuss how these geospatial datasets create a risk-based planning structure that spans multiple spatial scales and uses. These uses include pre-planning strategic wildfire response, implementing safe wildfire response balancing risk with likelihood of success, and alignment of non-wildfire mitigation opportunities to support wildfire risk management more directly. We explicitly focus on multi-jurisdictional landscapes to demonstrate how these tools highlight the shared responsibility of wildfire risk mitigation. By integrating quantitative risk science, expert judgement and adaptive co-management, this process provides a much-needed pathway to transform fire-prone social ecological systems to be more responsive and adaptable to change and live with fire in an increasingly arid American West.
A comprehensive India-wide social vulnerability analysis: highlighting its influence on hydro-climatic risk
Authors: H Vittal , Karmakar Subhankar , Ghosh Subimal , Murtugudde Raghu
Published: December 2019

The impacts of hazard events such as extreme rainfall, heatwaves, and droughts are substantial and represent an increasing threat over India. Effective adaptations to these hazards require an in-depth understanding of their physical and socioeconomic drivers. While hazard characteristic models have been substantially improved, compelling evidence of the spatio-temporal analysis of social vulnerability (SoV) throughout India are still lacking. Here, we provide the first analysis of the SoV to disasters at a national-scale for the past two decades using a robust data envelopment analysis framework, which eliminates subjectivity associated with indicator weighting. An interesting result is that SoV has decreased over past decade, which is primarily due to an increase in literacy rate and conversion rate of marginalized groups to main working population, and a decrease in child population due to use of birth control. Contrarily, while analyzing hydro-climatic hazards over India, we notice an increase in probability of their occurrence over significantly large portions all over India, particularly in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, North-Eastern states and Telangana. The spatial pattern of increase is surprisingly similar for all three considered hazards, viz. extreme precipitation, heatwaves, and drought. Combining the information from SoV and hazard analysis, we further estimate the risk to hydro-climatic extremes. A notable observation is the synchronized increase in hazard and risk in these regions, indicating that hazards are contributing significantly to the increasing risk and not SoV. Further analyses of mortalities induced by different hazards indicate that deaths per million on a decadal-scale have either decreased or remained constant in recent decades, which suggests that mortality is decreasing despite the increasing risk of hazards over India. This also indicates an enhanced capacity for adaptation, which can be attributed to the decadal decrease in SoV observed in the present study.
Comments on anomalies in supersymmetric theories*
Authors: Kuzenko Sergei M , Schwimmer Adam , Theisen Stefan
Published: December 2019

We analyse the relation between anomalies in their manifestly supersymmetric formulation in superspace and their formulation in Wess–Zumino (WZ) gauges. We show that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the solutions of the cohomology problem in the two formulations and that they are related by a particular choice of a superspace counterterm (‘scheme’). Any apparent violation of Q-supersymmetry is due to an explicit violation by the counterterm which defines the scheme equivalent to the WZ gauge. It is therefore removable.
Larvae Density and Environmental Condition as Risk Factors to Dengue Incidence in Semarang City, Indonesia
Authors: Martini M , Annisa J , Saraswati LD , Hestiningsih R , Kusariana N , Yuliawati S
Published: December 2019

Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) is a disease caused by a virus transmitted by a mosquito vector of Aedes. As Semarang city of Indonesia has dense population and is located in a low altitude area, Semarang is identified to be a high endemic area of DHF. The objective of this study was to describe the risk factors of DHF, specifically larva density and environmental condition, using spatial analysis. The descriptively observational research with cross sectional approach was used and samples were taken using proportional stratified random sampling technique in Tembalang sub-district on 100 households. Data obtained through questionnaires, observations, and measurements were analyzed by spatial method. The result showed that the description of the risk factor was as follows: larva density (CI) was still above the national standard of Indonesia by 5%. The behavior of respondent of Semarang city belonged to the category of poor, and the majority of respondents were not routinely doing elimination of mosquito breeding sites.
Effects of asymmetrical biotic interactions on multispecies dynamics
Authors: Ojonubah J O , Mohd M H
Published: December 2019

One of the key challenges in ecology is to predict multispecies spatial distributions in the future. The influence of biotic interactions in the form of competition and environmental change such as climate are thought to have significant impacts on the distribution of species. To ascertain this, we study a multispecies community assembly with asymmetrical competition across heterogeneous environments using mathematical modelling. With the aid of analytical and simulation analyses, we achieved the predictions of the species range margins (comprising the geographic boundary beyond which a species is not present). We also perform bifurcation analysis in order to understand the competitive dynamics across location. Our results show that the combined influence of the biotic and abiotic factors lead to coexistence of species when competition is relatively weak and existence of single dominant species territory during aggressive competitions. Also, the threshold values observed in the bifurcation analysis correspond to transcritical bifurcation points.
Implementation of a jig control system at BUDRYK Coal Mine
Authors: Jendrysik S , Jasiulek D , Stankiewicz K , Babczyński J
Published: December 2019

The article presents conceptual assumptions and achieved functional-utility effects concerning the implementation of control and visualization system of operation of pulsating jigs in the Coal Mechanical Processing Plant of BUDRYK Coal Mine. The system includes six OSM medium-grain and two OM fine jigs. The communication structure of the control system, including the connection with the master controller, is presented. The process of selecting the controller settings, to stabilize the quality parameters of the coal beneficiation, is discussed.
Test of manoeuvring haulage unit with battery drive conducted within operational trials in the conditions of the mine working
Authors: Kaczmarczyk K
Published: December 2019

Suspended manoeuvring haulage units are commonly used for a realization of manoeuvring operations in mine workings. Their application minimizes a necessity of performing manual transportation operations and improves work safety of miners. The PCA-1 battery driven haulage unit, developed at the KOMAG Institute, can be an example of such a haulage unit. Due to lack of experience in using battery-driven equipment of this type in the mine workings, it was indispensable to conduct a series of test, among others, in in-situ conditions. The results of these tests and some observations, made during them, are presented in the article.
The simulation of fluid flow in safety elements of longwall shield support hydraulic legs
Authors: Rajwa S , Janoszek T , Świątek J
Published: December 2019

The paper presents the research on pressure variation in elements securing the shield support against overloading. The chosen constructions of connecting pipe were analysed and its flow characteristic were determined. The operational parameters of different connections were also considered in light of their interaction with whole hydraulic control system. The results allowed to determine of the optimal connecting pipe curve with regard to the pressure in whole pressure safety system.
Mechanical and tribological properties of composite made of marble dust-reinforced C93200 copper alloy
Authors: Rajak Santosh Kumar , Aherwar Amit , Pruncu Catalin I
Published: December 2019

Composite materials are unique because reveal great physical, mechanical and thermal properties. However, there is yet huge potential to enhance their features by adding specific reinforcement in the matrix in order to reach the requirements of a particular application. This paper presents detailed research on the impact of marble dust reinforcement to mechanical and tribological features of copper based metal alloy (C93200 series) composites dedicated for bearing applications. The novel composites made with marble dust reinforcement (1.5 to 6.0 wt%) were manufactured using the liquid metal stir casting technique. A micro-hardness tester and universal testing machine (Instron-5967) were used to obtain the mechanical properties. While, the POD tribometer was engaged to detect the wear features by simulating various operating conditions by setting the temperature constant (35 °C). The Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the wear mechanisms produced at the hard contact between the composites with different marble content against an EN-31 hardened steel disc. The data gathered in this research proves an improvement in the mechanical properties, especially for a higher reinforcement ratio of novel composite, in respect to the matrix alloy. Furthermore, the novel marble dust reinforced composites reveal much better wear resistance in respect to un-reinforced composite that make it suitable for bearing application.
Nanorods of cerium oxide as an improved electrocatalyst for enhanced oxygen reduction in single-chambered microbial biofuel cells
Authors: Das Suparna , Dutta Kingshuk , Enotiadis Apostolos , Papiya Farhan , Kundu Patit P , Bhattacharya Swapan K , Giannelis Emmanuel P
Published: December 2019

This paper reports the synthesis and utilization of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanorods as a cathode catalyst and a potential, low-cost replacement of platinum for microbial biofuel cells (MBFCs). The nanorod electrocatalyst had exhibited significant improvements over Pt nanoparticles in terms of forward and backward onset potentials and peak current densities, electronic conductivity, charge transfer resistance, stability in 0.1 M phosphate buffer solution, and cost. It had also demonstrated a more stable forward peak current density at the 100th steady cycle, as well as, higher current density values up to 7,200 s. In addition, the synthesized CeO2 nanorods also produced ∼103 times higher exchange current density over the synthesized Pt nanoparticles. Furthermore, in a single-chamber MBFC, the CeO2 nanorods exhibited higher open circuit voltage (+0.80 V after 14 days), and output current (3613 mAm−2 at +0.3 V) and power (1084 mWm−2) densities in comparison to Pt nanoparticles.
Effect of W doping on phase transition behavior and dielectric relaxation of CuMoO4 obtained by a modified sol-gel method
Authors: Wu Xiusheng , Fu Chao , Cao Jufang , Gu Chunye , Liu Wei
Published: December 2019

Tungsten (W)-doped copper molybdate (CuMo1−xWxO4, x = 0∼0.12) compounds were prepared by the sol-gel method. The effects of doping content on the phase transition behavior and dielectric properties of CuMo1−xWxO4 (x = 0∼0.12) were investigated. X-ray diffraction and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy clarified that W doping facilitated the transition of green α-phase to brown γ-phase. The chemical composition and structure of the CuMo1−xWxO4 (x = 0∼0.12) were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and Raman spectra. The dielectric spectra of CuMo1−xWxO4 at −130 °C∼150 °C and the color-change of CuMo0.94W0.06O4 at 20 °C∼50 °C illustrated that the phase-transition temperature moves toward high temperature with increasing W. The functional relationship between the electrical modulus M’ and the frequency (1 Hz∼10 MHz) indicated that there are two dielectric relaxation mechanisms for CuMo1−xWxO4, which correspond to the polarization relaxation caused by hopping motion of polaron at low-temperature region (R1) and the relaxation dominated by oxygen vacancies at high temperatures (R2). It has also been confirmed that the phase transition of relaxation type exists in CuMo1−xWxO4, and that R1 occurs in γ-phase and R2 occurs in α-phase. It is of great significance to establish the dielectric relationship between phase transition and relaxation. With the content of W, the intensity of relaxation peak and activation energy of R1 did not change too much, but the relaxation behavior of R2 was inhibited and the activation energy increased gradually. The above results show that dielectric spectra are an important discovery as a new method to study the phase transition of materials, and is conducive to exploring the motion state of micro-particles. The control of phase-transition temperature is of great significance for this thermochromic material as a temperature sensor.
Effect of defocused plane on entrance and exit hole geometry of high grade steel 18CrNi8 during percussion drilling by Nd:YAG millisecond laser system
Authors: Nawaz Saad , Kashif Muhammad , Abbas Naseem , Farooq Muhammad , Farhan Muhammad , Amjad Muhammad , Noor Fahad , Naqvi Rizwan Ali
Published: December 2019

Modern manufacturing industries prefer laser drilling processes owing to the adequate controlled drilling in comparison with existing alternatives. The presented experimental study mainly accounts defocusing impact along with other technical parameters and optimization of Nd:YAG millisecond pulsed laser drilling; and finally their influence on the entrance and exit holes profile. The key technical parameters such as pulse frequency, pulse width and assisting gas pressure with respect to different defocused focal plane are explored experimentally for the percussion laser drilling of high grade steel 18CrNi8. Experiment results revealed that increase in defocusing distance has caused an increment in hole entrance diameter; however, with different defocusing distance, the entrance diameter increasing rate keep changing. Different trends of increasing and decreasing diameter at entrance and exit are recorded and investigated with respect to work-piece defocusing positions. The defocusing variation of laser beam has been investigated with the hole profile, changing from straight hole to tapered blind hole. Which leads to conclusive and optimized results for obtaining optimal hole profile (at entrance and exit). The optimum parametric combinations for attaining lower heat treatment effects are also discussed for superior hole quality.
Relationship Between Olfactory Disturbance After Acute Ischemic Stroke and Latent Thalamic Hypoperfusion
Authors: Okamoto Kazuhiro , Shiga Hideaki , Nakamura Hisako , Matsui Makoto , Miwa Takaki
Published: December 2019

Odor detection, recognition, and identification were assessed in 19 acute ischemic stroke patients who had no magnetic resonance imaging-detectable thalamic lesions but in whom technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single photon emission tomography revealed thalamic hypoperfusion. Although these patients were unaware of reduced olfactory function, they exhibited significantly lower scores in tests for odor identification and recognition threshold as compared with 9 ischemic stroke controls that had normal thalamic hypoperfusion. However, absolute odor detection thresholds were similar in the 2 groups. These results demonstrate the usefulness of cerebral perfusion scintigraphy in assessing sensory loss after ischemic stroke and provide further evidence for the role of the thalamus in olfaction.