The Maastrichtian-Danian in the SW Zagros Fold-Thrust Belt(S. Iran):An Integration of Planktonic Foraminiferal Biostratigraphy and Gamma-Ray Spectrometry

In this study, the Maastrichtian-Danian boundary was measured and sampled in two stratigraphic sections, the north and south flanks of the Dehnow anticline in Coastal Fars, Southern Iran. This boundary was also investigated in the drilled exploratory well-1 in the same region. The lithology of the Maastrichtian-Danian deposits consists of glauconitic, phosphatic argillaceous limestones and marlstones. 30 genera and 77 species of planktonic foraminifera have been determined. The recognized biozones are the Gansserina gansseri Interval Zone, and the Contusotruncana contusa Interval Zone, which indicates latest Campanian to middle Maastrichtian age for the upper part of the Gurpi Formation. In addition, the Eoglobigerina edita(P1) Partial Range Zone, Praemurica uncinata(P2) Lowest Occurrence Zone, Morozovella angulata(P3) Lowest Occurrence Zone and Globanomalina psudomenardii(P4) Taxon Range Zone represent a Danian to Thanetian age for the lower part of the Pabdeh Formation. From the absence of the Abathomphalus mayaroensis Interval Zone, Pseudoguembelina hariaensis Interval Zone, Pseudotextularia elegans Interval Zone, Plummerita hantkeninoides Interval Zone, Guembelitria cretacea(P0) Partial Range Zone and Parvularugoglobigerina eugubina(Pα) Total Range Zone, it can be deduced that there is a paraconformity across the Maastrichtian–Danian boundary in the studied area, this hiatus encompassing the late Maastrichtian and the earliest Danian. Danian deposits from the study area contain reworked glauconitized macrofossils, planktonic and benthic foraminifera of the Cretaceous. The obtained surface gamma-ray spectrometry logs resemble the exploratory well-1 gamma-ray wireline log.

Investigating the minimum detectable activity concentration and contributing factors in airborne gamma-ray spectrometry

In this study,the theory of minimum detectable activity concentration(MDAC)for airborne gamma-ray spectrometry(AGS)was derived,and the relationship between the MDAC and the intrinsic effi-ciency of a scintillation counter,volume,and energy res-olution of scintillation crystals,and flight altitude of an aircraft was investigated.To verify this theory,experi-mental devices based on NaI and CeBr 3 scintillation counters were prepared,and the potassium,uranium,and thorium contents in calibration pads obtained via the stripping ratio method and theory were compared.The MDACs of AGS under different conditions were calculated and analyzed using the proposed theory and the Monte Carlo method.The relative errors found via a comparison of the experimental and theoretical results were less than 4%.The theory of MDAC can guide the work of AGS in probing areas with low radioactivity.

Performances of different efficiency calibration methods of high-purity-germanium gamma-ray spectrometry in an inter-comparison exercise

This study reports the performances of efficiency calibrations for high-purity-germanium gamma-ray spectrometry using the source-, Laboratory Sourceless Object Calibration Software(LabSOCS)-and ANGLE-based methods in an inter-comparison exercise. Although the results of LabSOCS and ANGLE for ^(241)Am emitting lowenergy gamma rays were not very satisfactory, all of the three efficiency calibration methods passed acceptance criteria. The results confirmed the reliability of the calculation codes ANGLE and LabSOCS as alternative efficiency calibration methods in high-purity-germanium gamma spectrometry. This study is likely to promote the further application of the ANGLE and LabSOCS calculation codes in radioactivity measurements.

Gamma-Ray Spectrometry and Induced Polarization Studies for El Atshan-II Uranium Prospect Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

Gamma-ray spectrometry and induced polarization (IP) studies were carried out to determine the radioactive anomalous zones and to follow their lateral and vertical extensions in El Atshan-II uranium prospect area, central Eastern Desert, Egypt. This area and its surroundings are covered by different Precambrian basement rocks, which intruded by younger bostonite rock, andesite dykes and carbonate veins. Data of the gamma-ray spectrometry have been analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by applying specific interpretation techniques. These data revealed a wide radioactivity range oscillating from 15.0 to 2362.0 Ur, 0.5 to 307.2 ppm, 0.1 to 55.1 ppm and 0.3 to 22.0% for the total count (Tc), equivalent uranium (eU), equivalent thorium (eTh) and potassium (K), respectively. The constructed radioelement concentration maps and eU-composite image of the study area showed that the anomalously high radioactivity levels are mainly associated with outcrops of the bostonite rock. The induced polarization data were mathematically inverted to produce the true resistivity and chargeability values of cross-sections below the surveyed lines traverse in the area. The resistivity values are varied both vertically and horizontally from 7.83 to more than 1042.0 ohm·m, while the chargeability values are ranged from 0.195 to more than 204.0 mV/V, suggesting variation of the rocks facies and mineralizations. Integration of the resistivity and chargeability data indicates the presence of some mineralized zones, mainly associated with the bostonite rock, with depths varied from the near-surface to more than 70 m. Therefore, a core drilling is recommended at some stations along three selected profiles to a depth of 70 - 100 m to test the depth, structural model and grade of mineralization in the area.

Simulation study of the performance of the Very Large Area gamma-ray Space Telescope

The Very Large Area gamma-ray Space Telescope(VLAST)is a mission concept proposed to detect gamma-ray photons through both Compton scattering and electron–positron pair production mechanisms,thus enabling the detection of photons with energies ranging from MeV to TeV.This project aims to conduct a comprehensive survey of the gamma-ray sky from a low-Earth orbit using an anti-coincidence detector,a tracker detector that also serves as a low-energy calorimeter,and a high-energy imaging calorimeter.We developed a Monte Carlo simulation application of the detector using the GEANT4 toolkit to evaluate the instrument performance,including the effective area,angular resolution,and energy resolution,and explored specific optimizations of the detector configuration.Our simulation-based analysis indicates that the current design of the VLAST is physically feasible,with an acceptance above 10 m^(2)sr which is four times larger than that of the Fermi-LAT,an energy resolution better than 2%at 10 GeV,and an angular resolution better than 0.2◦at 10 GeV.The VLAST project promises to make significant contributions to the field of gamma-ray astronomy and enhance our understanding of the cosmos.

Stepped-up development of accelerator mass spectrometry method for the detection of ^(60)Fe with the HI-13 tandem accelerator

The Moon provides a unique environment for investigating nearby astrophysical events such as supernovae.Lunar samples retain valuable information from these events,via detectable long-lived“fingerprint”radionuclides such as^(60)Fe.In this work,we stepped up the development of an accelerator mass spectrometry(AMS)method for detecting^(60)Fe using the HI-13tandem accelerator at the China Institute of Atomic Energy(CIAE).Since interferences could not be sufficiently removed solely with the existing magnetic systems of the tandem accelerator and the following Q3D magnetic spectrograph,a Wien filter with a maximum voltage of±60 kV and a maximum magnetic field of 0.3 T was installed after the accelerator magnetic systems to lower the detection background for the low abundance nuclide^(60)Fe.A 1μm thick Si_(3)N_(4) foil was installed in front of the Q3D as an energy degrader.For particle detection,a multi-anode gas ionization chamber was mounted at the center of the focal plane of the spectrograph.Finally,an^(60)Fe sample with an abundance of 1.125×10^(-10)was used to test the new AMS system.These results indicate that^(60)Fe can be clearly distinguished from the isobar^(60)Ni.The sensitivity was assessed to be better than 4.3×10^(-14)based on blank sample measurements lasting 5.8 h,and the sensitivity could,in principle,be expected to be approximately 2.5×10^(-15)when the data were accumulated for 100 h,which is feasible for future lunar sample measurements because the main contaminants were sufficiently separated.

GRB 200612A:An Ultralong Gamma-Ray Burst Powered by Magnetar Spinning Down

GRB 200612A could be classified as an ultralong gamma-ray burst due to its prompt emission lasting up to~1020 s and the true timescale of the central engine activity t_(burst)≥4×10^(4) s.The late X-ray light curve with a decay index ofα=7.53 is steeper than the steepest possible decay from an external shock model.We propose that this X-ray afterglow can be driven by dipolar radiation from the magnetar spindown during its early stage,while the magnetar collapsed into the black hole before its spindown,resulting in a very steep decay of the late X-ray light curve.The optical data show that the light curve is still rising after 1.1 ks,suggesting a late onset.We show that GRB 200612A’s optical afterglow light curve is fitted with the forward shock model by Gaussian structured off-axis jet.This is a special case among GRBs,as it may be an ultralong gamma-ray burst powered by a magnetar in an off-axis observation scenario.

First Digit Distributions of Gamma-Ray Bursts

The occurrence of the first significant digits from real world sources is usually not equally distributed,but is consistent with a logarithmic distribution instead,known as Benford’s law.In this work,we perform a comprehensive investigation on the first digit distributions of the duration,fluence,and energy flux of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) for the first time.For a complete GRB sample detected by the Fermi satellite,we find that the first digits of the duration and fluence adhere to Benford’s law.However,the energy flux shows a significant departure from this law,which may be due to the fact that a considerable part of the energy flux measurements is restricted by lack of spectral information.Based on the conventional duration classification scheme,we also check if the durations and fluences of long and short GRBs (with duration T_(90)>2 s and T_(90)≤2 s,respectively) obey Benford’s law.We find that the fluences of both long and short GRBs still agree with the Benford distribution,but their durations do not follow Benford’s law.Our results hint that the long–short GRB classification scheme does not directly represent the intrinsic physical classification scheme.

Time-resolved Spectral Properties of Fermi-GBM Bright Long Gamma-Ray Bursts

The prompt emission mechanism of gamma-ray bursts(GRBs)is still unclear,and the time-resolved spectral analysis of GRBs is a powerful tool for studying their underlying physical processes.We performed a detailed time-resolved spectral analysis of 78 bright long GRB samples detected by Fermi/Gamma-ray Burst Monitor.A total of 1490 spectra were obtained and their properties were studied using a typical Band-shape model.First,the parameter distributions of the time-resolved spectrum are given as follows:the low-energy spectral indexα~-0.72,high-energy spectral indexβ~2.42,the peak energy E_(p)~221.69 keV,and the energy flux F~7.49×10^(-6)erg cm^(-2)s^(-1).More than 80%of the bursts exhibit the hardest low-energy spectral indexα_(max),exceeding the synchrotron limit(-2/3).Second,the evolution patterns of a and E_(p)were statistically analyzed.The results show that for multi-pulse GRBs the intensity-tracking pattern is more common than the hard-to-soft pattern in the evolution of both E_(p)andα.The hard-to-soft pattern is generally shown in single-pulse GRBs or in the initial pulse of multi-pulse GRBs.Finally,we found a significant positive correlation between F and E_(p),with half of the samples exhibiting a positive correlation between F andα.We discussed the spectral evolution of different radiation models.The diversity of spectral evolution patterns indicates that there may be more than one radiation mechanism occurring in the GRB radiation process,including photo spheric radiation and synchrotron radiation.However,it may also involve only one radiation mechanism,but more complicated physical details need to be considered.

Simulation Study on Constraining Gravitational Wave Propagation Speed by Gravitational Wave and Gamma-ray Burst Joint Observation on Binary Neutron Star Mergers

Theories of modified gravity suggest that the propagation speed of gravitational waves(GW)v_gmay deviate from the speed of light c.A constraint can be placed on the difference between c and v_gwith a simple method that uses the arrival time delay between GW and electromagnetic wave simultaneously emitted from a burst event.We simulated the joint observation of GW and short gamma-ray burst signals from binary neutron star merger events in different observation campaigns,involving advanced LIGO(aLIGO)in design sensitivity and Einstein Telescope(ET)joint-detected with Fermi/GBM.As a result,the relative precision of constraint on v_gcan reach~10~(-17)(aLIGO)and~10^(-18)(ET),which are one and two orders of magnitude better than that from GW170817,respectively.We continue to obtain the bound of graviton mass m_g≤7.1(3.2)×10~(-20)eV with aLIGO(ET).Applying the Standard-Model Extension test framework,the constraint on v_gallows us to study the Lorentz violation in the nondispersive,nonbirefringent limit of the gravitational sector.We obtain the constraints of the dimensionless isotropic coefficients S_(00)^(4)at mass dimension d=4,which are-1×10^(-15)<S_(00)^(4)<9×10^(-17)for aLIGO and-4×10^(-16)<s_(00)^(4<8<10^(-18))for ET.

Probing the Gamma-Ray Emission Region of Five TeV Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars

The location ofγ-ray emission of blazars remains a contested topic,inspiring the development of numerous investigative techniques to address this issue.In this work,we analyzed Fermiγ-ray light curves in the GeV and MeV bands,employing the discrete cross-correlation function method to discern time lags between the two bands.For 4C+21.35,Ton 599,B21420+32,and PKS 1510-089,we identified a time lag spanning several days,while for PKS 1441+25,the time lag was not statistically found.The results imply that the soft photons necessary for inverse Compton scattering predominantly originate from the dusty torus in the first four sources,whereas for PKS1441+25,they seem to be sourced mainly from the broad-line region.Further analysis of the opacity(τγγ)and the GeV spectra study supports the conclusion that the location of the dissipation region must be beyond the BLR to avoid significant absorption.Notably,for PKS 1441+25,the emission region is also posited to lie outside yet proximate to the BLR.The parameters of describing the emission region were obtained by fitting broadband spectral energy distribution with contemporaneous observation data.Our findings suggest that for the five TeV FSRQs,during Te V flaring events,the jet appears to maintain an equilibrium between the energy density of the magnetic field and that of the particles for all investigated sources,with the exceptions of 4C+21.35 and PKS1441+25.In terms of the overall jet power,particle energy is the dominant contributor,and the observed blazar radiation cannot be solely attributed to the magnetic field,except in the case of 4C+21.35.Consequently,magnetic reconnection is unlikely to be the primary mechanism behind particle acceleration in these systems.

A Localization Method of High Energy Transients for All-sky Gamma-ray Monitor

Fast and reliable localization of high-energy transients is crucial for characterizing the burst properties and guiding the follow-up observations.Localization based on the relative counts of different detectors has been widely used for all-sky gamma-ray monitors.There are two major methods for this count distribution localization:χ^(2)minimization method and the Bayesian method.Here we propose a modified Bayesian method that could take advantage of both the accuracy of the Bayesian method and the simplicity of the χ^(2)method.With comprehensive simulations,we find that our Bayesian method with Poisson likelihood is generally more applicable for various bursts than the χ^(2)method,especially for weak bursts.We further proposed a location-spectrum iteration approach based on the Bayesian inference,which could alleviate the problems caused by the spectral difference between the burst and location templates.Our method is very suitable for scenarios with limited computation resources or timesensitive applications,such as in-flight localization software,and low-latency localization for rapidly follow-up observations.

In-flight Energy Calibration of the GECAM Gamma-ray Detectors

The Gravitational wave high-energy Electromagnetic Counterpart All-sky Monitor(GECAM)mission is designed to monitor the Gamma-Ray Bursts(GRBs)associated with gravitational waves and other high-energy transient sources.The mission consists of two microsatellites which are planned to operate at the opposite sides of the Earth.Each GECAM satellite could detect and localize GRBs in about 8 keV-5 MeV with its 25 Gamma-Ray Detectors(GRDs).In this work,we report the in-flight energy calibration of GRDs using the characteristic gamma-ray lines in the background spectra,and show their performance evolution during the commissioning phase.Besides,a preliminary cross-calibration of energy response with Fermi GBM data is also presented,validating the energy response of GRDs.

Determination of 14 Organophosphorus Pesticide Residues in Mutton by Gel Permeation Chromatography-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GPC-GC-MS)

[Objectives]This study was conducted to purify mutton samples by gel permeation chromatography(GPC).[Methods]Fourteen organophosphorus pesticide residues in samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS)in selective ion scanning mode(SIM).[Results]The organophosphorus pesticide standard solutions showed good linearity in the mass concentration range of 0.1-10.0μg/ml with correlation coefficients(r)not lower than 0.999,and the detection limits(S=3 N)ranged from 0.01 to 0.05 mg/kg.The average recovery values were in the range of 80.2%-99.7%,with relative standard deviations(RSDs,n=3)in the range of 1.8%-6.3%,at the addition levels of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg.[Conclusions]The method is simple,sensitive and accurate,and can be used for the determination of organophosphorus pesticide residues in mutton.

Revisit of GeV Gamma-Ray Emission from Orion B with the Fermi Large Area Telescope

We revisit the γ-ray emission above 300 Me V towards the massive star-forming region of Orion B by adopting14 yr observations with the Fermi Large Area Telescope and utilizing the updated software tools.The extended γ-ray emission region around Orion B is resolved into two components(region Ⅰ and region Ⅱ).The γ-ray spectrum of region I agrees with the predicted γ-ray spectrum assuming the cosmic ray(CR)density is the same as that of Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer(AMS-02)measured locally.Theγ-ray emissivity of region II appears to be deficit at low energy band(E<3 GeV).Through modeling we find that CR densities exhibit a significant deficit below 20 Ge V,which may be caused by a slow diffusion inside the dense region.This is probably caused by an increased magnetic field whose strength increases with the gas density.

Research on the Upper Limit of Accuracy for Predicting Theoretical Tandem Mass Spectrometry

In recent years, numerous theoretical tandem mass spectrometry prediction methods have been proposed, yet a systematic study and evaluation of their theoretical accuracy limits have not been conducted. If the accuracy of current methods approaches this limit, further exploration of new prediction techniques may become redundant. Conversely, a need for more precise prediction methods or models may be indicated. In this study, we have experimentally analyzed the limits of accuracy at different numbers of ions and parameters using repeated spectral pairs and integrating various similarity metrics. Results show significant achievements in accuracy for backbone ion methods with room for improvement. In contrast, full-spectrum prediction methods exhibit greater potential relative to the theoretical accuracy limit. Additionally, findings highlight the significant impact of normalized collision energy and instrument type on prediction accuracy, underscoring the importance of considering these factors in future theoretical tandem mass spectrometry predictions.

Chemical profiling of bioactive compounds in the methanolic extract of wild leaf and callus of Vitex negundo using gas chromatographymass spectrometry

BACKGROUND The investigation of plant-based therapeutic agents in medicinal plants has revealed their presence in the extracts and provides the vision to formulate novel techniques for drug therapy.Vitex negundo(V.negundo),a perennial herb belonging to the Varbanaceae family,is extensively used in conventional medication.AIM To determine the existence of therapeutic components in leaf and callus extracts from wild V.negundo plants using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GCMS).METHODS In this study,we conducted GC-MS on wild plant leaf extracts and correlated the presence of constituents with those in callus extracts.Various growth regulators such as 6-benzylaminopurine(BAP),2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid(2,4-D),α-naphthylacetic acid(NAA),and di-phenylurea(DPU)were added to plant leaves and in-vitro callus and grown on MS medium.RESULTS The results clearly indicated that the addition of BAP(2.0 mg/L),2,4-D(0.2 mg/mL),DPU(2.0 mg/L)and 2,4-D(0.2 mg/mL)in MS medium resulted in rapid callus development.The plant profile of Vitex extracts by GC-MS analysis showed that 24,10,and 14 bioactive constituents were detected in the methanolic extract of leaf,green callus and the methanolic extract of white loose callus,respectively.CONCLUSION Octadecadienoic acid,hexadecanoic acid and methyl ester were the major constituents in the leaf and callus methanolic extract.Octadecadienoic acid was the most common constituent in all samples.The maximum concentration of octadecadienoic acid in leaves,green callus and white loose callus was 21.93%,47.79%and 40.38%,respectively.These findings demonstrate that the concentration of octadecadienoic acid doubles in-vitro compared to in-vivo.In addition to octadecadienoic acid;butyric acid,benzene,1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl),dospan,tridecanedialdehyde,methylcyclohexenylbutanol,chlorpyrifos,n-secondary terpene diester,anflunine and other important active compounds were also detected.All these components were only available in callus formed in-vitro.This study showed that the callus contained additional botanical characteristics compared with wild plants.Due to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds,the medical use of Vitex for various diseases has been accepted and the plant is considered an important source of therapeutics for research and development.

Refinement of the Proposed Gamma-Ray Burst Time Delay Model

This paper is the second instalment in our study of the observed time delay in the arrival times of radio photons emanating from Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs). The mundane assumption in contemporary physics as to the cause of these pondersome time delays is that they are a result of the photon being endowed with a non-zero mass. While we do not rule out the possibility of a non-zero mass for the photon, our working assumption is that the major cause of these time delays may very well be that these photons are travelling in a rarefied cosmic plasma in which the medium’s electrons interact with the electric component of the Photon, thus generating tiny currents that lead to dispersion, hence, a frequency-dependent speed of Light (FDSL). In the present instalment, we “improve” on the model presented in the first instalment by dropping the assumption that the resultant pairs of these radio photons leave the shock front simultaneously. The new assumption of a non-simultaneous— albeit systematic—emission of these photon pairs allows us to obtain a much more convincing and stronger correlation in the time delay. This new correlation allows us to build a unified model for the four GRBs in our sample using a relative distance correction mechanism. The new unified model allows us to obtain as our most significant result a value for the frequency equivalence of the interstellar medium (ISM)’s conductance ν* ~ 1.500 ± 0.009 Hzand also an independent distance measure to the GRBs where we obtain for our four GRB samples an average distance of: ~69.40 ± 0.10, 40.00 ± 0.00, 58.40 ± 0.40, and 86.00 ± 1.00 Mpc, for GRB 030329, 980425, 000418 and 021004 respectively.

Determination of Ten Kinds of Alpha-2 Agonists Residues in Animal Derived Food by UHPLC-Triple Quadrupole/Composite Linear Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry

[Objectives]The paper was to establish an ultra high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole/linear ion trap complex mass spectrometry for the determination of 10 kinds ofα2-receptor agonists in animal derived food.[Methods]The samples were extracted with sodium carbonate buffer solution and ethyl acetate,and analyzed by mass spectrometry after solid phase extraction and high performance liquid chromatography separation.[Results]Ten kinds ofα2-receptor agonists showed a good linear relationship in the range of 1-100μg/mL,with the average recovery of over 69%and the relative standard deviation less than 8.32%.The detection limit of 10 kinds of α_(2)-receptor agonists was up to 1μg/kg.[Conclusions]The method has good selectivity and strong anti-interference ability,and can meet the requirements of 10 kinds ofα2-receptor agonists residues in animal derived food.

Neurotoxicity mechanism of aconitine in HT22 cells studied by microfluidic chip-mass spectrometry

Aconitine,a common and main toxic component of Aconitum,is toxic to the central nervous system.However,the mechanism of aconitine neurotoxicity is not yet clear.In this work,we had the hypothesis that excitatory amino acids can trigger excitotoxicity as a pointcut to explore the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by aconitine.HT22 cells were simulated by aconitine and the changes of target cell metabolites were real-time online investigated based on a microfluidic chip-mass spectrometry system.Meanwhile,to confirm the metabolic mechanism of aconitine toxicity on HT22 cells,the levels of lactate dehydrogenase,intracellular Ca^(2+),reactive oxygen species,glutathione and superoxide dismutase,and ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein were detected by molecular biotechnology.Integration of the detected results revealed that neurotoxicity induced by aconitine was associated with the process of excitotoxicity caused by glutamic acid and aspartic acid,which was followed by the accumulation of lactic acid and reduction of glucose.The surge of extracellular glutamic acid could further lead to a series of cascade reactions including intracellular Ca^(2+)overload and oxidative stress,and eventually result in cell apoptosis.In general,we illustrated a new mechanism of aconitine neurotoxicity and presented a novel analysis strategy that real-time online monitoring of cell metabolites can provide a new approach to mechanism analysis.