Artificial neural network algorithm for pulse shape discrimination in 2πα and 2πβ particle surface emission rate measurements

To enhance the accuracy of 2πα and 2πβ particle surface emission rate measurements and address the identification issues of nuclides in conventional methods, this study introduces two artificial neural network(ANN) algorithms: back-propagation(BP) and genetic algorithm-based back-propagation(GA-BP). These algorithms classify pulse signals from distinct α and β particles. Their discrimination efficacy is assessed by simulating standard pulse signals and those produced by contaminated sources, mixing α and β particles within the detector. This study initially showcases energy spectrum measurement outcomes, subsequently tests the ANNs on the measurement and validation datasets, and contrasts the pulse shape discrimination efficacy of both algorithms. Experimental findings reveal that the proportional counter's energy resolution is not ideal, thus rendering energy analysis insufficient for distinguishing between 2πα and 2πβ particles. The BP neural network realizes approximately 99% accuracy for 2πα particles and approximately 95% for 2πβ particles, thus surpassing the GA-BP's performance. Additionally, the results suggest enhancing β particle discrimination accuracy by increasing the digital acquisition card's threshold lower limit. This study offers an advanced solution for the 2πα and 2πβ surface emission rate measurement method, presenting superior adaptability and scalability over conventional techniques.

Modification of spontaneous emission rate of micrometer-sized light sources using hollow-core photonic crystal fibers

We investigate numerically and experimentally the modification of the spontaneous emission rate for micrometersized light sources embedded in a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber （HCPCF）. The diameter of the light source is deliberately chosen such that they could be easily introduced into the central hole of the hollow-core photonic crystal fiber by capillary force. The photoluminescence from the microparticles is measured by using an inverted microscope in combination with a spectrometer. The modification of the spontaneous emission rate is observed in a wavelength region where there is no band gap. The experimental observations are consistent with the simulation results obtained by the plane wave expansion and finite-difference time-domain techniques.

Monte Carlo method for evaluation of surface emission rate measurement uncertainty

The aim of this study is to evaluate the uncertainty of 2πα and 2πβ surface emission rates using the windowless multiwire proportional counter method.This study used the Monte Carlo method (MCM) to validate the conventional Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) method.A dead time measurement model for the two-source method was established based on the characteristics of a single-channel measurement system,and the voltage threshold correction factor measurement function was indirectly obtained by fitting the threshold correction curve.The uncertainty in the surface emission rate was calculated using the GUM method and the law of propagation of uncertainty.The MCM provided clear definitions for each input quantity and its uncertainty distribution,and the simulation training was realized with a complete and complex mathematical model.The results of the surface emission rate uncertainty evaluation for four radioactive plane sources using both methods showed the uncertainty’s consistency E_(n)<0.070 for the comparison of each source,and the uncertainty results of the GUM were all lower than those of the MCM.However,the MCM has a more objective evaluation process and can serve as a validation tool for GUM results.

Sensitivity analysis of project level MOVES running emission rates for light and heavy duty vehicles

In order to understand how the uncertainties in the output can be apportioned to different sources of uncertainties in its inputs, it is critical to investigate the sensitivity of MOVES model. The MOVES model sensitivity for regional level has been well studied. However, the uncertainty analysis for project level running emissions has not been well understood. In this research, the MOVES model project level sensitivity tests on running emissions were conducted thru the analysis of vehicle specific power （VSP）, scaled tractive power （STP）, and MOVES emission rates versus speed curves. This study tested the speed, acceleration, and grade-three most critical variables for vehicle specific power for light duty vehicles and scaled tractive power for heavy duty vehicles. For the testing of STP, four regulatory classes of heavy duty vehicles including light heavy duty （LHD）, medium heavy duty （MHD）, heavy heavy duty （HHD） and bus were selected. MOVES project running emission rates were also tested for CO, PM2.5, NOx, and VOC versus the operating speeds. A Latin Hypercube （LH） sampling based on method for estimation of the ＂Sobal＂ sensitivity indices shows that the speed is the most critical variable among the three inputs for both VSP and STP. Acceleration and grades show lower response to the main effects and sensitivity indices. MOVES emission rates versus speeds curves for light duty vehicles show that highest emission occurs at lower speed range. No significant differences on emission rates among the regulatory classes of heavy duty vehicles are identified.

A measurement system for alpha and beta surface emission rate using MWPC

We have developed a large area multi-wire proportional counter （MWPC） as a standard for the measurement of alpha and beta surface emission rate at the Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology （SIMT）. To shorten the preparation time for chamber gas refilling, a self-designed gas control unit was adopted. Various characteristics of the system have been studied. The uncertainties were analysed. Three certified alpha plane sources （Am-241） and six certified beta plane sources （T1-204 and Sr-90/Y-90） were measured by this system, The results show excellent agreement with the surface emission rate reported by the National Institute of Measuring, China （NIM） that En values of all measured sources are within ±1.

The Turbulent Schmidt Number for Transient Contaminant Dispersion in a Large Ventilated Room Using a Realizable k-εModel

Buildings with large open spaces in which chemicals are handled are often exposed to the risk of explosions.Computational fluid dynamics is a useful and convenient way to investigate contaminant dispersion in such large spaces.The turbulent Schmidt number(Sc_(t))concept has typically been used in this regard,and most studies have adopted a default value.We studied the concentration distribution for sulfur hexafluoride(SF_(6))assuming different emission rates and considering the effect of Sc_(t).Then we examined the same problem for a light gas by assuming hydrogen gas(H_(2))as the contaminant.When SF_(6) was considered as the contaminant gas,a variation in the emission rate completely changed the concentration distribution.When the emission rate was low,the gravitational effect did not take place.For both low and high emission rates,an increase in S_(ct) accelerated the transport rate of SF_(6).In contrast,for H_(2) as the contaminant gas,a larger S_(ct) could induce a decrease in the H_(2) transport rate.

Determination of Particulate Matter Emissions from Cattle Feedlots Using Wind-Trax and the Flux-Gradient Technique

Large commercial cattle feedlots are significant sources of particulate matter (PM) emissions. This research compared WindTrax and the flux-gradient technique in estimating emissions of PM with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm (PM10) from cattle feedlots. Meteorological conditions were measured and PM10 concentrations were profiled vertically (i.e., 2.0 to 7.62 m) at a large commercial beef cattle feedlot in Kansas from May through September 2011. Results show that between the two methods evaluated, WindTrax was least sensitive to changes in heights and number of heights used in the emission estimation, with calculated PM10 emission rates varying by up to 18% only. On the other hand, PM10 emission rates produced by the flux-gradient technique varied by almost 56% when changing either heights and/or number of heights in emission calculation. Both methods were sensitive to height settings, with their respective PM10 emission rates higher when the lowest height setting (2.0 m) was included. Calculating PM10 emission rates with the 7.62-m height led to lower estimates for the flux-gradient technique but no significant change in estimates was observed for WindTrax. As demonstrated in this study, for the flux-gradient technique, settings for the lowest and highest heights were the most critical in emission estimation;exclusion of other heights in between showed only to 2% to 6% change in calculated PM10 emission rates. In general, the higher PM10 emission rates were obtained with the flux-gradient technique. However, eliminating the lowest height (2.0 m) in the calculation and, at the same time, using a specific set of formulations for the flux-gradient technique made its calculated PM10 emission rates slightly lower (but not significantly different) than those from WindTrax.

Wind tunnel experiments on dust emissions from different landform types

The measurement and assessment of dust emissions from different landforms are important to understand the atmospheric loading of PM10 （particulate matter ≤10 μm aerodynamic diameter） and to assess natural sources of dust; however, the methodology and technique for determining the dust still present significant research challenges. In the past, specialized field observation and field wind tunnel studies have been used to understand the dust emission. A series of wind tunnel tests were carried out to identify natural sources of dust and measure the magnitudes of dust emissions from different landforms. The method used in this study allowed the measurement of the PM10 emission rate using a laboratory based environmental boundary layer wind tunnel. Results indicated that PM10 emissions demonstrated strong temporal variation and were primarily driven by aerodynamic entrainment. Sand dunes, playa, and alluvial fans had the largest dust emission rates （0.8-5.4 mg/（me.s）） while sandy gravel, Gobi desert and abandoned lands had the lowest emission rates （0.003-0.126 mg/（m2.s））. Dust emissions were heavily dependent on the surface conditions, especially the availability of loose surface dust. High dust emissions were a result of the availability of dust- particle materials for entrainment while low dust emissions were a result of surface crusts and gravel cover. Soil surface property （surface crusts and gravel cover） plays an important role in controlling the availability of dust-sized particles for entrainment. The dust emission rate depended not only on the surface conditions but also on the friction velocity. The emission rate of PM10 varies as a power function of the friction velocity. Although dynamic abrasion processes have a strong influence on the amount of dust entrainment, aerodynamic entrainment may provide an important mechanism for dust emissions. Large volumes of dust entrained by aerodynamic entrainment cannot only occur at low shear velocity without saltation, but may dominate the entrainment process in many arid and semi-arid environments. So it may also be responsible for large magnitude dust storms. Playa and alluvial fan landforms, prior to developing a surface crust, may be the main sources of dust storms in Qinghai Province.

Effect of spatially nonlocal versus local optical response of a gold nanorod on modification of the spontaneous emission

The spontaneous emission rate of a two-level quantum emitter(QE)near a gold nanorod is numerically investigated.Three different optical response models for the free-electron gas are adopted,including the classical Drude local response approximation,the nonlocal hydrodynamic model,and the generalized nonlocal optical response model.Nonlocal optical response leads to a blueshift and a reduction in the enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate.Within all the three models,the resonance frequency is largely determined by the aspect ratio(the ratio of the nanorod length to the radius)and increases sharply with decreasing aspect ratio.For nanorod with a fixed length,it is found that the larger the radius is,the higher the resonance frequency is,and the smaller the enhancement is.However,if the length of the nanorod increases,the peak frequency falls sharply,while the spontaneous emission enhancement grows rapidly.For nanorod with a fixed aspect ratio,the peak frequency decreases slowly with increasing nanorod size.Larger nanorod shows smaller nonlocal effect.At a certain frequency,there is an optimal size to maximize the enhancement of the spontaneous emission rate.Higher order modes are more affected by the nonlocal smearing of the induced charges,leading to larger blueshift and greater reduction in the enhancement.These results should be significant for investigating the spontaneous emission rate of a QE around a gold nanorod.

The airborne contagiousness of respiratory viruses:A comparative analysis and implications for mitigation

The infectious emission rate is a fundamental input parameter for airborne transmission risk assessment,but data are limited due to reliance on estimates from chance superspreading events.This study assesses the strength of a predictive estimation approach developed by the authors for SARS-CoV-2 and uses novel estimates to compare the contagiousness of respiratory pathogens.We applied the approach to SARS-CoV-1,SARS-CoV-2,MERS,measles virus,adenovirus,rhinovirus,coxsackievirus,seasonal influenza virus and Mycobacterium tuberculosis(TB)and compared quanta emission rate(ER)estimates to literature values.We calculated infection risk in a prototypical classroom and barracks to assess the relative ability of ventilation to mitigate airborne transmission.Our median standing and speaking ERestimate for SARS-CoV-2(2.7 quanta h)is similar to active,untreated TB(3.1 quanta h),higher than seasonal influenza(0.17 quanta h-1),and lower than measles virus(15 quanta h).We calculated event reproduction numbers above 1 for SARS-CoV-2,measles virus,and untreated TB in both the classroom and barracks for an activity level of standing and speaking at low,medium and high ventilation rates of 2.3,6.6 and 14 L per second per person(L sp),respectively.Our predictive ERestimates are consistent with the range of values reported over decades of research.In congregate settings,current ventilation standards are unlikely to control the spread of viruses with upper quartile ERqvalues above 10 quanta h,such as SARS-CoV-2,indicating the need for additional control measures.

Quantum Aspects of the Joule-Lenz Law

Quantum aspects of the Joule-Lenz law for the dissipation energy have been studied. In the first step, in an analysis of the energy-time principle of uncertainty, this gives a lower limit of the time interval and an upper limit of the energy interval which can be admitted in a quantum transition process. Moreover, for the low energy excitations, the transition time between the levels is found to be close to the oscillation time periods characteristic for these levels. A reference obtained among the transition time Δt, transition energy ΔE and the Planck constant h indicates that Δt should approach approximately the time period of the electromagnetic wave produced in course of the transition.

Separating emitted dust from the total suspension in airflow based on the characteristics of PM10 vertical concentration profiles on a Gobi surface in northwestern China

During aeolian processes,the two most critical factors related to dust emissions are soil particle and aggregate saltation,which greatly affect the vertical profiles of near-surface dust concentrations.In this study,we measured PM10 concentrations at four different heights(0.10,0.50,1.00 and 2.00 m)with and without continuous and simultaneous aeolian saltation processes on a Gobi surface in northwestern China from 31 March to 10 April,2017.We found that the vertical concentration profiles of suspended PM10 matched the log-law model well when there was no aeolian saltation.For the erosion process with saltation,we divided the vertical concentration profiles of PM10 into the saltation-affected layer and the airflow-transport layer according to two different dust sources(i.e.,locally emitted PM10 and upwind transported PM10).The transition height between the saltation-affected layer and the airflow-transport layer was not fixed and varied with saltation intensity.From this new perspective,we calculated the airflow-transport layer and the dust emission rate at different times during a wind erosion event occurred on 5 April 2017.We found that dust emissions during wind erosion are primarily controlled by saltation intensity,contributing little to PM10 concentrations above the ground surface compared to PM10 concentrations transported from upwind directions.As erosion progresses,the surface supply of erodible grains is the most crucial factor for saltation intensity.When there was a sufficient amount of erodible grains,there was a significant correlation among the friction velocity,saltation intensity and dust emission rate.However,when supply is limited by factors such as surface renewal or an increase in soil moisture,the friction velocity will not necessarily correlate with the other two factors.Therefore,for the Gobi surface,compared to limiting dust emissions from upwind directions,restricting the transport of suspended dust in its path is by far a more efficient and realistic option for small areas that are often exposed to dust storms.This study provides some theoretical basis for correctly estimating PM10 concentrations in the Gobi areas.

Quantum and Classical Approach Applied to the Motion of a Celestial Body in the Solar System

According to the classical mechanics the energy of a celestial body circulating in the solar system is a constant term. This energy is defined by the masses product of the larger and smaller body entering into a mutual attraction as well as the size of the major semiaxis characteristic for the corresponding Kepler orbit. A special situation concerns the planet interaction with the Sun because of a systematic decrease of the Sun mass due to the luminosity effect. The aim of the paper is to point out that even in the case of perfectly constant interacting masses the energy of the moving body should decrease when a quantum treatment of the body motion is considered. The rate of the energy decrease is extremely small, nevertheless it gives a shortening of the distance between the interacting bodies leading to a final effect of a touch of the larger body and a smaller one.

Chemical and olfactive impacts of organic matters on odor emission patterns from the simulated construction and demolition waste landfills

The explosive increase of construction and demolition waste(CDW) caused the insufficient source separation and emergency disposal at domestic waste landfills in many developing countries. Some organic fractions were introduced to the CDW landfill process and resulted in serious odor pollution. To comprehensively explore the impacts of organic matters on odor emission patterns, five CDW landfills(OIL), with organic matters/inert CDW components(O/I) from 5% to 30%, and the control group only with inert components(IL) or organics(OL) were simulated at the laboratory. The chemical and olfactive characters of odors were evaluated using the emission rate of 94 odorants content(ER_(total)), theory odor concentration(TOC_(total)), and e-nose concentration(ER_(ENC)), and their correlations with waste properties were also analyzed. It was found that the main contributors to ER_(total)(IL: 93.0% NH_(3);OIL: 41.6% sulfides, 31.0% NH_(3), 25.9% oxygenated compounds) and TOC_(total)(IL: 64.1% CH_3SH, 28.2% NH_(3);OIL: 71.7% CH_(3)SH, 24.8% H_(2)S) changed significantly. With the rise of O/I, ER_(total), TOC_(total), and ER_(ENC) increased by 10.9, 20.6, and 2.1 times, respectively. And the organics content in CDW should be less than 10%(i.e., DOC < 101.3 mg/L). The good regressions between waste properties(DOC, DN, pH) and ER_(total),( r = 0.86, 0.86,-0.88, p < 0.05), TOC_(total),( r = 0.82, 0.79, -0.82, p < 0.05) implied that the carbon sources and acidic substances relating to organics degradation might result in that increase. Besides, the correlation analysis results( ER_(ENC) vs. TOC_(total,, r = 0.96, p < 0.01;vs. ER_(ENC), r = 0.86, p < 0.05) indicated that e-nose perhaps was a reliable odor continuous monitoring tool for CDW landfills.

Turnover of dissolved organic carbon fuels nocturnal CO_(2) emissions from a headwater catchment reservoir, Southeastern China: Effects of ecosystem metabolism on source partitioning of CO2 emissions

Dam reservoirs in headwater catchments, as critical zones for their proximity to terrestrial sources, play important roles in dissolved organic carbon(DOC) cycling. However, the effects of ecosystem metabolism(EM) on DOC cycling are not well known. Here, in-situ diurnal and monthly observations were conducted to measure EM(including gross primary production(GPP), ecosystem respiration(ER) and heterotrophic respiration(HR)), DOC turnover and CO_(2)emissions in a headwater catchment reservoir in Southeastern China in 2020. Our study showed the nocturnal CO_(2)emission rate was about twice as high as in daytime, and was strongly driven by EM. The values for DOC turnover velocity ranged from 0.10 to 1.59 m/day,and the average DOC turnover rate was 0.13 day-1, with the average removal efficiency of 12%. The contribution of respired DOC to daily CO_(2)emissions ranged from 17% to 61%. The accumulated efficiencies were estimated to be 13% for the selected 15 reservoirs throughout the Changjiang River network, corresponding to about 0.34 Tg C/year of the respired DOC.The modified CO_(2)flux was 0.75 Tg C/year, and respired DOC accounted for about 45% of total emitted CO_(2)from the 15 larger reservoirs. Our research emphasizes the necessity of incorporating the effects of EM into studies of reservoir DOC removal and COemissions.