Impact of initial fluctuations and nuclear deformations in isobar collisions

Relativistic isobar^(96)_(44)Ru+^(96)_(44)Ru and^(96)_(40)Zr+^(96)_(40)Zrcollisions have revealed intricate differences in their nuclear size and shape,inspiring unconventional studies of nuclear structure using relativistic heavy ion collisions.In this study,we investigate the relative differences in the mean multiplicityR_(<Nch>)and the secondR_(ε2)and third-order eccentricityR_(ε3)between isobar collisions using initial state Glauber models.It is found that initial fluctuations and nuclear deformations have negligible effects on R_(<Nch>)in most central collisions,while both are important for the R_(ε2)and R_(ε3),the degree of which is sensitive to the underlying nucleonic or sub-nucleonic degree of freedom.These features,compared to real data,may probe the particle production mechanism and the physics underlying nuclear structure.

The ALMA-QUARKS Survey.Ⅰ.Survey Description and Data Reduction

This paper presents an overview of the QUARKS survey,which stands for Querying Underlying mechanisms of massive star formation with ALMA-Resolved gas Kinematics and Structures."The QUARKS survey is observing139 massive clumps covered by 156 pointings at Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array(ALMA)Band 6(λ~1.3 mm).In conjunction with data obtained from the ALMA-ATOMS survey at Band 3(λ~3 mm),QUARKS aims to carry out an unbiased statistical investigation of massive star formation process within protoclusters down to a scale of 1000 au.This overview paper describes the observations and data reduction of the QUARKS survey,and gives a first look at an exemplar source,the mini-starburst Sgr B2(M).The wide-b and width(7.5 GHz)and high-angular-resolution(~0."3)observations of the QUARKS survey allow for the resolution of much more compact cores than those could be done by the ATOMS survey,and to detect previously unrevealed fainter filamentary structures.The spectral windows cover transitions of species including CO,SO,N_(2)D^(+),SiO,H_(30)α,H_(2)CO,CH_(3)CN,and many other complex organic molecules,tracing gas components with different temperatures and spatial extents.QUARKS aims to deepen our understanding of several scientific topics of massive star formation,such as the mass transport within protoclusters by(hub-)filamentary structures,the existence of massive starless cores,the physical and chemical properties of dense cores within protoclusters,and the feedback from already formed high-mass young protostars.

风成沉积物红外及绿光释光测年比较研究

中国沙漠黄土边界带是地质时期东亚季风气候变化的敏感地带 ,其风成沉积物记录了东亚季风气候的变迁。对处于沙漠黄土边界带的吉林省太平川剖面进行了钾长石红外释光及石英绿光释光测年的比较研究 ,详细阐述了粗颗粒技术样品的前处理方法及钾长石和石英单矿物的分离过程 ,对于预热而导致的热转移信号对光释光测年中等效剂量的影响作了探讨 。

Application of Ce-V/sol-gel composite coating for corrosion protection of AM60B magnesium alloy

Application of a composite coating on AM60B magnesium alloy consisting of cerium-vanadium conversion coating and a hybrid sol-gel layer was investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses revealed a cracked nodular structure for the cerium-vanadium conversion coating which was mainly composed of O, Ce, V, and Mg atoms. All the cracks in the conversion coating were completely sealed by a thin, compact and defect-free hybrid sol？gel film. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy experiments in Harrison’s solution showed that the cerium-vanadium conversion coating provides minimal protection against corrosion while the composite coating significantly increases the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy. Sol-gel film provides protection against corrosion by sealing cracks in the cerium-vanadium conversion coating and acting as a barrier. Scanning electron microscopy analyses after polarization tests confirmed the results obtained by the electrochemical tests.

Application of novel sol-gel composites on magnesium alloy

Application o f defect-free,adherent,and corrosion protective sol-gel film on the magnesium alloys is generally difficult.In this study,two novel sol-gel/conversion coating composites were successfully deposited on AM60B magnesium alloy in order to provide sufficient protection against the corrosion.The first composite(Ti-Zr/hybrid)was obtained via combination o f a hybrid sol-gel film(synthesized by mixing tetraethoxysilane(TEOS),and 3-glycidyloxypropyl-trimethoxysilane(GPTMS))as outer layer and Ti-Zr conversion coating as primer.Also,the second composite(Ti-Zr/PTMS)was applied in a similar manner by combination o f phenyl-trimethoxysilane(PTMS)so lgel film with the Ti-Zr conversion coating.The morphology and elemental composition of the Ti-Zr conversion film were assessed by the Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy(EDS),respectively.A cracky conversion film was applied on the alloy surface after immersion in the Ti-Zr conversion coating bath which was mainly composed of MgO,T i02,Zr02,and MgF2 compounds.Uniform,but not-adherent PTMS and hybrid sol-gel films(pure sol-gel films)with obvious defects were directly deposited onto the magnesium alloy without the Ti-Zr pretreatment which were morphologically characterized by the SEM.However,formation o f relatively uniform and completely defect-free Ti-Zr/hybrid and Ti-Zr/PTMS composites after using the Ti-Zr conversion coating as pretreatment was revealed by the SEM observations.In addition,the defects of the Ti-Zr conversion coating were completely filled by the sol-gel layers.The Ti-Zr/PTMS and Ti-Zr/hybrid composite coatings were provided much better corrosion protection capacity than the pure PTMS and hybrid sol-gel films,respectively which was confirmed by the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy(EIS)and Potentiodynamic Polarization(PDP)examinations in 0.05 M NaCl solution.

Socio-economic and Environmental Implications of the Hydroelectric Projects in Uttarakhand Himalaya, India

This paper deals with de the fiasco created by the Tehri Uttarakhand, India, particularly resettlement and rehabilitation tailed analysis of High Dam in in terms of of the local inhabitants. Aspects pertaining to the environmental issues are also discussed. Currently, the river valleys in Uttarakhand state of India are the targets of increasing hydroelectric projects. Virtually all rivers are being exploited for generating environmental friendly power. Having being learned the hard lesson from Tehri Dam, it has been decided to opt for such schemes in which comparatively little submergence hnd tempering with the fragile eco-systems is involved However, our observations suggest that even in such schemes if due care is not taken they may turn out to be a failure.

Corrosion inhibition effect of N, N′-bis(2-pyridylmethylidene)-1,2-diiminoethane on AZ91D magnesium alloy in acidic media

The inhibition effect of electrochemical noise, EIS and surface analysis to evaluate N'-bis (2-pyridylmethylidene)- 1,2-diiminoethane (BPIE) Schiff base against AZ91D alloy corrosion in 0.01 mol/L HCl was investigated by different electrochemical methods. Potentiodynamic polarization curves revealed that the BPIE acts as a mixed-type corrosion inhibitor. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements confirmed the corrosion inhibition effect of the BPIE. As the inhibitor concentration increased, the charge transfer resistance increased and the double layer capacitance decreased due to more inhibitor adsorption on the surface. The results obtained by analysis of electrochemical noise (EN) data in time and frequency domains are in good agreement with EIS and polarization results. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) were used to investigate the corrosion inhibition of the BPIE. SEM images showed that the corrosion damage of the alloy surface reduced in the presence of BPIE. The intensity of the XRD peaks corresponding to magnesium-rich α phase increased in the presence of BPIE, indicating lower corrosion of alloy sample. Also, EDX analysis approved the corrosion inhibition performance of the BPIE. The studied Schiff base compound acts by physical adsorption on the alloy surface and its adsorption obeys the Langmuir isotherm.

Corrosion protection of AZ91 magnesium alloy in cooling systems

The effect of a salicylic Schiff base componnd （Salcn） on the corrosion of AZ91 alloy in 30% ethylene glycol aqueous solution （30% EG/W） was investigated by electrochemical methods. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the alloy surface in corrosive solution before and after the addition of inhibitor. There was no significant corrosion inhibition at the room temperature but high inhibition efficiencies were obtained at elevated temperatures due to the formation of chemisorbed inhibitor monolayer. As the inhibitor concentration increased, the inhibition efficiency increased probably due to more inhibitor adsorption on the alloy surface.

A study of the relation between intensity oscillations and magnetic field parameters in a sunspot: Hinode observations

We present properties of intensity oscillations of a sunspot in the photo- sphere and chromosphere using G band and Ca u H filtergrams from Hinode. Intensity power maps as function of magnetic field strength and frequency reveal reduction of power in the G band with an increase in photospheric magnetic field strength at all frequencies. In Ca II H, however, stronger fields exhibit more power at high frequen- cies, particularly in the 4.5-8.0 mHz band. Power distributions in different locations of the active region show that the oscillations in Ca II H exhibit more power compared to that of the G band. We also relate the power in intensity oscillations with differ- ent components of the photospheric vector magnetic field using near simultaneous spectro-polarimetric observations of the sunspot from the Hinode spectropolarime- ter. The photospheric umbral power is strongly anti-correlated with the magnetic field strength and its line-of-sight component but there is a good correlation with the trans- verse component. A reversal of this trend is observed in the chromosphere except at low frequencies （V≤ 1.5 mHz）. The power in sunspot penumbrae is anti-correlated with the magnetic field parameters at all frequencies （1.0 ≤ v ≤ 8.0 mHz） in both the photosphere and chromosphere, except that the chromospheric power shows a strong correlation in the frequency range 3-3.5 mHz.

Resource potential and planning for exploration of the Hebrus Valles, Mars

Mars is the only extraterrestrial body which could host primitive lifeforms and also has the potential to host a human base in the near future. Towards fulfilling these objectives, several remote sensing missions and rover based missions have been sent to Mars. Still, confirmation of existing or extinct life on this planet in any form has not been achieved and possibly human missions at selected sites in the future are the key to addressing this problem. Here, we have used remote sensing data from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter(MRO;NASA), Mars Global Surveyor(MGS;NASA), Mars Odyssey(NASA) and Mars Express(MEX;ESA) to devise an exploration strategy for one such area known as Hebrus Valles, which is a potential site for human exploration of the surface of Mars. A geological context map of the Hebrus Valles and Hephaestus Fossae region has been prepared and a candidate landing site has been proposed in the Hebrus Valles region. Suitable rover paths have been worked out from the proposed landing site for harnessing the science and resource potential of the region. The proposed landing site is located in the equatorial region at(20?40′N, 126?23′E) and due to its proximity to the Potential Subsurface Access Candidates(PSACs) in the region, such as sinkholes and skylights and also other resources such as crater ejecta, silicate material and fluvial channels, the site is appropriate for exploration of the region.

Impact of surface Albedo on Martian photochemistry

Solar energy is the primary driving force behind a planet’s climate system,and surface albedo plays a key role in determining the energy budget of the planet.Coupling the Snow,Ice,and Aerosol Radiation(SNICAR)with the Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique(LMD)Mars General Circulation Model(MGCM)to create a new coupled model leads to an approximately 4%drop in the net CO2 ice deposition on Mars.Newly simulated surface albedo affects the concentration of gaseous species in the Martian atmosphere(condensation-sublimation cycle).The new set-up also impacts the solar energy available in the atmosphere.These two effects together lead to subsequent and significant changes in other chemical species in the Martian atmosphere.Compared with results of the MGCM model alone,in the new coupled model CO2(gas)and O3 show a drop of about 1.17%and 8.59%in their respective concentrations,while H2O(vapor)and CO show an increase of about 13.63%and 0.56%in their respective concentrations.Among trace species,OH shows a maximum increase of about 29.44%,while the maximum drop of 11.5%is observed in the O concentration.Photochemically neutral species such as Ar and N2 remain unaffected by the albedo changes.

Mountain highway stability threading on the fragile terrain of upper Ganga catchment(Uttarakhand Himalaya),India

Roads are the most critical means of connectivity in Himalayan villages.However,the terrain is inherently fragile with varied geological,geomorphological,ecological,and climate regimes,that result in frequent slope failure and disruption in connectivity.The risk is further to be increased by extreme events-generated hazards,which are expected to rise in frequency and magnitude with ongoing intervention,however,can improve the sustainability of road networks.The present study attempts to analyse and quantify the impacts of a major road widening project initiated in 2018 in the upper Ganga catchment,Uttarakhand Himalaya which has destabilised valley slopes along the widened segments.Also,a large quantity of excavated sediments is dumped down slopes,which is posing a threat to aquatic biodiversity.The estimates are based on Google Earth imagery of a few representative road segments recently widened in the upper Ganga catchment,which indicate a substantial increase in the landslide and unstable slope area following the road widening.The increase in unstable slope area is attributed to improper road widening approaches and poor slope management in seismically active Himalayan terrain.Further,the mean velocity plots of Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar(PSInSAR)indicate that the segments undergoing road widening are coherent with areas of significant earth surface change.A broad correlation between the road width and sediment yield indicates that even a slight increase in road width can result in a large-scale mass removal from the toe of the hillslope,inflicting cascading impact on hillslopes.The study recommends a more flexible road construction approach based on the environmental and geological aspects of the terrain for sustainable road networks.Further,the impact of climate change is looming over the Himalayas,and the relation between climate change and its potential effects on the stability of slopes remains an open issue.

印度纳尔玛达地区发现的粗壮智人化石及其与亚洲直立人的连续性

1999年,在印度西部的纳尔玛达(Narmada)河的一条支流——奥尔桑(Orsang)河谷发现了一具孤立的智人头骨,这对于了解印度人类进化历史和南亚直立人与最古老的亚洲智人(或AMH,解剖学上现代的人)之间的联系有着重要的意义。化石是在古老的河流沉积物中发现的。对主体沉积和颅内沉积物的红外光释光(IRSL)测年结果显示,其年代为3—5万年。然而,对化石的直接测年(放射性碳加速器质谱测年AMS)结果表明,其年代最小为4981—5579年前。头骨被归类为圆颅型智人。头骨上最引人注意的特征是颅外有亚洲直立人头后部很发达的角圆枕。头骨最宽处在下部(颞骨)如直立人,这样的情况从来不见于智人。这可能是由于乳突的气窦化而形成的。乳突上脊发育,从破损的眉间区(20mm)可以看到很宽的额窦。所有这些粗壮的特征都表明Orsang头骨和晚期亚洲直立人之间具有遗传连续性。

High-Precision GC-MS Analysis of Atmospheric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) and Isomer Ratios from Biomass Burning Emissions

This manuscript describes an analytical method for the quantitative determination of 16-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), followed by purification on a silica cartridge, and subsequent measurement by gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS). The solvent extraction parameters (T = 100 oC, P = 1500 psi, t = 30 min, V = 30 ml) are optimized with dichloromethane (DCM) in order to avoid fractionation effect, thereby achieving quantitative mass recovery of PAHs. The purification of PAHs on silica cartridge eliminates the matrix effect, facilitates their enrichment from extracted solution and quantitative deter-mination in presence of an internal-standard (Pyrene-D10). The analytical protocol has been successfully used for the quantification of 16-PAHs and their isomer ratios in atmospheric aerosols collected from northern India dominated by agricultural- waste (post-harvest paddy and wheat residue) burning emissions. Based on the analysis of ambient aerosols, collected from different sites, the overall recovery efficiency for 2- to 3-ring PAHs is 85% and near 100% recovery for 4- to 6-ring compounds.

A Comparison of SuperDARN-Derived Plasma Convection and DMSP Ion Drift Measurements

Recently several studies indicated possible deterioration of accuracy in the SuperDARN convection measurements at large distances （〉2 500 km）. In this study, the SuperDARN-derived convection was compared with ion drift measurements given by the DMSP satellites, focused on SuperDARN far-range measurements, to investigate the above-mentioned problem. Two different procedures of SuperDARN convection estimation were applied. An overall reasonable agreement between two observation systems were found though individual points in some passes show significant differences. Besides, a tendency is also clear that the SuperDARN-derived velocities were slightly smaller than those of DMSP ion drift measurements. Potential factors contributing to the velocity differences were explained.

Newly established autonomous adaptive low-power instrument platform(AAL-PIP) chain on East Antarctic Plateau and operation

An autonomous adaptive low-power instrument platform(AAL-PIP)chain of six stations has been newly established on East Antarctic Plateau along the 40°geomagnetic meridian,to investigate interhemispheric geomagnetically conjugate current systems,waves,and other space weather phenomena in Polar Regions.These six stations,PG0 to PG5,which host low-power magnetometers(Fluxgate and Searchcoil),dual frequency GPS receivers,HF radio experiment,and run autonomously with solar power and two-way satellite communication,are designated at the geomagnetically conjugate(based on the International Geomagnetic Reference Field)locations of the West Greenland geomagnetic chain covering magnetic latitudes from 70°to 80°.We present the development,deployment,and operation of this chain,as well as the data collected by the chain and some preliminary scientific results showing evidence of interhemispheric asymmetries,which are important to better understand Solar Wind–Magnetosphere–Ionosphere(SWMI)coupling in Polar Regions.Recent investigations focus on magnetic impulse(MI)events,traveling convection vortices(TCVs),and ultra-low frequency(ULF)waves in the coupled southern and northern hemispheres.

A Simplified Approach for Interpreting Principal Component Images

Principal component transformation is a standard technique for multi-dimensional data analysis. The purpose of the present article is to elucidate the procedure for interpreting PC images. The discussion focuses on logically explaining how the negative/positive PC eigenvectors (loadings) in combination with strong reflection/absorption spectral behavior at different pixels affect the DN values in the output PC images. It is an explanatory article so that fuller potential of the PCT applications can be realized.

Effects of Food Diet Preparation Techniques on Radionuclide Intake and Its Implications for Individual Ingestion Effective Dose in Abeokuta, Southwestern Nigeria

The radioactivity measurements in food crops and their diet derivatives and farm soil samples from Abeokuta, one of the elevated background radiation areas in Nigeria have been carried out in order to determine the concentration levels of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th). The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides in the samples were determined via gamma-ray spectrometry using a 76 mm × 76 mm NaI(Tl) detector. Different common food crops representing the major sources of dietary requirements to the local population were collected for the measurements. The collected food crops were prepared into their different derivable composite diets using preparation techniques locale to the population. Using available food consumption data and the activity concentrations of the radionuclides, the ingestion effective doses were evaluated for the food crops and diet types per preparation techniques. For the tuberous food crop samples, the annual ingestion effective doses in the raw and different composite diets were 0.02 - 0.04 μSv and cumulatively 0.04 - 0.05 μSv while in the non-tuberous crops the doses were 0.44 - 0.70 μSv and cumulatively greater than 1 μSv respectively. Results of the study indicate that method of diet preparation is seen to play a major role in population ingestion dose reduction especially for tuberous crops than in non-tuberous crops. The study also showed that more ingestion dose could be incurred in diets prepared by roasting techniques. The result of the study will serve as a useful radiometric data for future epidemiological studies in the area and for food safety regulations and policy implementations in the country.

Suzaku observation of Be / X-ray binary pulsar EXO 2030+375

We study the timing and spectral properties of Be/X-ray binary pulsar EXO 2030＋375 using a Suzaku observation taken on 2012 May 23, during a less intense Type I outburst. Pulsations were clearly detected in the X-ray light curves at a barycentric period of 41.2852 s, which suggest that the pulsar is spinning-up. The pulse profiles were found to be peculiar, e.g. unlike those obtained from the earlier Suzaku observation acquired on 2007 May 14. A single-peaked narrow profile at soft X-rays （0.5-10 keV range） changed to a double-peaked broad profile in the 12-55 keV energy range and again reverted back to a smooth single-peaked profile at hard X-rays （55-70 keV range）. The 1.0-100.0 keV broadband spectrum of the pulsar was found to be well described by three continuum models described as （i） a partial covering high energy cut-off power-law model, （ii） a partially absorbed power-law with high- energy exponential rolloff and （iii） a partial covering Negative and Positive power law with EXponential （NPEX） continuum model. Unlike the earlier Suzaku observation during which several low energy emission lines were detected, a weak and narrow Iron Ka emission line at 6.4 keV was only present in the pulsar spectrum during the 2012 May outburst. Non-detection of any absorption like feature in the 1-100 keV energy range supports the claim of the absence of the cyclotron resonance scattering feature in EXO 2030＋375 from the earlier Suzaku observation. Pulse-phase resolved spectroscopy revealed the presence of additional dense matter causing the absence of a second peak from the soft X-ray pulse profiles. The details of the results are described in the paper.

Flux emergence in the solar active region NOAA 11158: the evolution of net current

We present a detailed investigation of the evolution of observed net vertical current using a time series of vector magnetograms of the active region （AR） NOAA 11158 obtained from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager. We also discuss the relation of net current to the observed eruptive events. The AR evolved from the βγ to βγδ3 configuration over a period of six days. The AR had two sub-regions of activity with opposite chirality： one dominated by sunspot rotation producing a strong CME, and the other showing large shear motions producing a strong flare. The net current in each polarity over the CME producing sub-region increased to a maximum and then decreased when the sunspots were separated. The time profile of net current in this sub-region followed the time profile of the rotation rate of the south-polarity sunspot in the same sub-region. The net current in the flaring sub-region showed a sudden increase at the time of the strong flare and remained unchanged until the end of the observation, while the sunspots maintained their close proximity. The systematic evo- lution of the observed net current is seen to follow the time evolution of total length of strongly sheared polarity inversion lines in both of the sub-regions. The observed photospheric net current could be explained as an inevitable product of the emergence of a twisted flux rope, from a higher pressure confinement below the photosphere into the lower pressure environment of the photosphere.