High Frequency Energy Research Articles

The glow of axion quark nugget dark matter

Context. The existence of axion quark nuggets is a potential consequence of the axion field, which provides a possible solution to the charge-conjugation parity violation in quantum chromodynamics. In addition to explaining the cosmological discrepancy of matter-antimatter asymmetry and a visible-to-dark-matter ratio of Ωdark/Ωvisible ≃ 5, these composite compact objects are expected to represent a potentially ubiquitous electromagnetic background radiation by interacting with ordinary baryonic matter. We conducted an in-depth analysis of axion quark nugget-baryonic matter interactions in the environment of the intracluster medium in the constrained cosmological Simulation of the LOcal Web (SLOW). Aims. Here, we aim to provide upper limit predictions on electromagnetic counterparts of axion quark nuggets in the environment of galaxy clusters by inferring their thermal and non-thermal emission spectrum originating from axion quark nugget-cluster gas interactions. Methods. We analyzed the emission of axion quark nuggets in a large sample of 161 simulated galaxy clusters using the SLOW simulation. These clusters are divided into a sub-sample of 150 galaxy clusters, ordered in five mass bins ranging from 0.8 to 31.7 × 1014 M⊙, along with 11 cross-identified galaxy clusters from observations. We investigated dark matter-baryonic matter interactions in galaxy clusters in their present stage at the redshift of z = 0 by assuming all dark matter consists of axion quark nuggets. The resulting electromagnetic signatures were compared to thermal Bremsstrahlung and non-thermal cosmic ray (CR) synchrotron emission in each galaxy cluster. We further investigated individual frequency bands imitating the observable range of the WMAP, Planck, Euclid, and XRISM telescopes for the most promising cross-identified galaxy clusters hosting detectable signatures of axion quark nugget emission. Results. We observed a positive excess in the low- and high-energy frequency windows, where thermal and non-thermal axion quark nugget emission can significantly contribute to (or even outshine) the emission of the intracluster medium (ICM) in frequencies up to νT ≲ 3842.19 GHz and νT ϵ [3.97, 10.99] × 1010GHz, respectively. Emission signatures of axion quark nuggets are found to be observable if CR synchrotron emission of individual clusters is sufficiently low. The degeneracy in the parameters contributing to an emission excess makes it challenging to offer predictions with respect to pinpointing specific regions of a positive axion quark nugget excess; however, a general increase in the total galaxy cluster emission is expected based on this dark matter model. Axion quark nuggets constitute an increment of 4.80% of the total galaxy cluster emission in the low-energy regime of νT ≲ 3842.19 GHz for a selection of cross-identified galaxy clusters. We propose that the Fornax and Virgo clusters represent the most promising candidates in the search for axion quark nugget emission signatures. Conclusions. The results from our simulations point towards the possibility of detecting an axion quark nugget excess in galaxy clusters in observations if their signatures can be sufficiently disentangled from the ICM radiation. While this model proposes a promising explanation for the composition of dark matter, with the potential to have this outcome verified by observations, we propose further changes that are aimed at refining our methods. Our ultimate goal is to identify the extracted electromagnetic counterparts of axion quark nuggets with even greater precision in the near future.

Characterize the influences of hydraulic fracturing on preventing rock burst from the stress and vibration fields

The thick and hard roof (THR) is a significant factor that induces rock burst incidents. Traditional deep-hole blasting methods struggle to effectively relieve pressure for the high-level THR on a large scale. Although the horizontal staged hydraulic fracturing technology can crack high-level rock stratas, its impact on roof fracture still needs to be clarified, and there need to be more effective methods to evaluate its pressure relief effect. This paper conducted a comparative engineering test of local hydraulic fracturing pressure relief and load reduction on the working face to address this gap. The key layer theory and mine earthquake distribution were used to identify potential hazards of rock strata and the fracturing strata. Revealed the spatial and temporal evolution rules of microseisms induced by mining work, the failure mechanism of high-energy mine earthquakes, the evolution characteristics of source mechanical parameters, and the evolution characteristics of the stope stress field. The results indicate that after fracturing microseisms during mining presented exhibit a uniform distribution of high frequency and low energy. The fracture fragmentation of the roof rock was reduced, and the range of mining disturbance was minimized. High-energy mine earthquakes induced by mining are transferred to the goaf. Simultaneously, the corner frequency and stress decrease while the rupture radius and the shear component of the failure mechanism increase. The integrity of the THR is compromised, and fracture propagates and slips along the pre-crack. The roof of the working face experiences localized pressure, with decreased periodicity and intensity, reducing the overall static load level of the coal seam under the fracturing area. The research findings serve as a valuable reference for further investigations into the mechanism and risk assessment of hydraulic fracturing in preventing and controlling rock burst.

Near-infrared spectral behavior of space-weathered olivine with varying iron content

Context. Space weathering alters the surfaces of airless celestial bodies, thereby modifying their spectra significantly. Olivine plays a crucial role in responding to space weathering on silicate planets. However, the spectral variations that occur in olivine with varying iron content as a result of space weathering conditions remain unclear. Aims. We aim to systematically characterize the spectral variability of surface iron-rich olivine in the space weathering environments of Phobos and the Moon. Methods. We conducted nanosecond pulsed laser irradiation experiments on a set of synthetic Fe-rich olivine (Fa29, Fa50, Fa71, and Fa100). The energy levels were simulated for Phobos and the Moon. We analyzed the available near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Results. We find that olivine with higher Fe content undergoes stronger weathering under the same irradiation energy, shifting absorption centers around 1.08 µm and 1.35 µm to longer wavelengths. When comparing the high energy and low frequency, spectral changes are more pronounced at low energy and high frequency. The olivine with the same iron content exhibits a more noticeable shift around 1.08 µm under various irradiation levels, while the band center around 1.35 µm remains stable. Conclusions. When the same amount of radiation energy is received, changes in the spectrum are more noticeable at low energy and high impact frequency than at high energy and low impact frequency. The absorption position at ~1.35 µm is a good indicator of the Mg# value of space-weathered olivine.

Unsteady numerical study on the effects of inlet distortion parameters on the aerodynamic instability of the centrifugal compressor

Total pressure inlet distortion significantly impairs the aerodynamic performance and flow stability of centrifugal compressors. This paper presents a full annulus unsteady numerical simulation to investigate the flow mechanisms under varying inlet distortion parameters. First, the flow characteristics of a uniform inflow is studied as a baseline for comparison with distorted inlet conditions. Results indicate that the interaction between shock waves and tip leakage flow is a primary factor leading to aerodynamic instability. The instability signal in this region is detected through fast Fourier transform and frequency slice wavelet transform (FSWT). Under near stall condition, different distortion parameters are set to research the effects on aerodynamic performance, flow mechanisms, and instability characteristics. The results reveal that distortion intensity has the most significant impact, causing a maximum stall margin loss of 55.43%, followed by distortion angle with a maximum stall margin loss of 43.02%. Total pressure inlet distortion leads to a deterioration in aerodynamic performance, primarily due to premature occurrences of unstable flow phenomena such as leading-edge spillage and trailing-edge backflow. The onset key features triggering aerodynamic instability are identified as leading-edge spillage vortex, tip leakage vortex, and passage vortex. The continuous disintegration of the tip leakage vortex results in low-frequency fluctuating energy exhibiting multipeak characteristics, with pulsation peaks centered around 0.5 BPF, related to the spike stall of the compressor. The high-energy frequency band dissipates over time in the time–frequency spectrum, as shown by FSWT results, indicating the characteristics of instability in the flow.

Heterogeneous high frequency seismic radiation from complex ruptures

Fault geometric heterogeneities such as roughness, stepovers, or other irregularities are known to affect the spectra of radiated waves during an earthquake. To investigate the effect of normal stress heterogeneity on radiated spectra, we utilized a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) laboratory fault with a single, localized bump. By varying the normal stress on the bump and the fault-average normal stress, we produced earthquake-like ruptures that ranged from smooth, continuous ruptures to complex ruptures with variable rupture propagation velocity, slip distribution, and stress drop. High prominence bumps produced complex events that radiated more high frequency energy, relative to low frequency energy, than continuous events without a bump. In complex ruptures, the high frequency energy showed significant spatial variation correlated with heterogeneous peak slip rate and maximum local stress drop caused by the bump. Continuous ruptures emitted spatially uniform bursts of high frequency energy. Near-field peak ground acceleration (PGA) measurements of complex ruptures show nearly an order-of-magnitude higher PGA near the bump than elsewhere. We propose that for natural faults, geometric heterogeneities may be a plausible explanation for commonly observed order-of-magnitude variations in near-fault PGA.

Video exposure through virtual reality can improve older people's ability to manage postural instability caused by distortive visual environments.

In older adults, age-related degenerative processes and disorders often degrade some sensory systems more than others, which can make postural control disproportionally dependent on one kind of sensory information. The study aims were to investigate 1) the postural stability when healthy older adults were repeatedly exposed to a video in an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment, and 2) the relationship between stability during VR video exposure and self-reported physical activity, balance confidence, and nausea during VR. Twenty-seven older adults (18 females, mean age 71.3 years (SD 4.4)) watched a 120-second VR video 5 times with 10 minutes between sessions, while standing on a force platform recording their stability. The first VR video session produced a marked stability challenge, reflected by significantly increased use of anteroposterior and lateral total (p<0.001) and high frequency (p<0.001) energy compared with the control test quiet stance eyes open. However, repeated VR video sessions produced a multidimensional decrease in used total (p<0.001), low (p = 0.002), and high frequency energy (p<0.001). Participants used more energy in anteroposterior compared with lateral direction across sessions within all spectral ranges (p<0.001). Participants with higher physical activity level used less low frequency energy in anteroposterior direction during VR video session 1 (p = 0.033). No association was seen between balance confidence or nausea during VR and energy used during VR video sessions 1 and 5. Healthy older adults adapt fast to distortive visual environments, and thus, CNS can utilize the information provided by a few repeated VR video sessions into suitable movement strategies that have a simultaneous multidimensionally positive effect. VR may introduce numerous opportunities to customize novel rehabilitation approaches to address when the visual system causes and/or suffers from issues. However, a common problem for the older adult was that about 33% of the participants became nauseated by the VR video stimuli.

On the experimental full scale vibrational response analysis of a large pleasure yacht

This paper presents an experimental investigation carried out on a large pleasure yacht during a sea trial using vibration signal processing methods to characterize its dynamic operational behaviour and to identify contributions of the main sources acting on the system including the onset of the propeller cavitation phenomenon.Synchronous averages were computed to isolate vibration components associated with a specific source acting on the system. Their use jointly with variance computation allowed the detection of the rise of cavitation. Spectral Kurtosis analysis suggested optimal-bandwidth of the filter for system response demodulation and so better identify the rise of high frequency energy of bursting contents induced from cavitation strictly linked to propeller rotation.Cyclic modulation spectrum was also adopted, which allows to extract the modulation features of cyclostationary signals, shows the rise of an interaction between high frequency contents and blade passage phenomenon approaching cavitating condition.The results seem to provide an interesting solution based on the vessel vibrational response to define source contribution to the targets for a better identification of the dynamic system. Moreover, the proposed diagnostic methods reveal reliable tools for real time condition-based monitoring of the marine propeller to distinguish cavitation and wake energy contribution using vibrational response measured on the hull instead of hydrophone arrays.

Bio-based epoxy resin demonstrating high breakdown strength and low dielectric loss via intrinsic molecular charge traps construction

In the ultra-high voltage, ultra-high capacity and high frequency energy systems, epoxy-based dielectric materials demonstrating high breakdown strength and low dielectric loss are urgently needed. This work reports a strategy to modulate the charge trap depth in bio-based epoxy dielectric materials by tailoring the local molecular chain structures, ultimately leading to the significant suppression of high-field conductivity and dielectric loss. With the introduction of octa (dimethylsiloxy)octasilsiloxane (POSS) as the intrinsic molecular charge traps, our synthesized epoxy dielectric material exhibits a high breakdown strength of Eb-DC = 81.5 kV/mm, 37 % higher than the traditional bisphenol A epoxy resin (DGEBA), and low dielectric loss of tan δ = 0.0022, 45 % lower than that DGEBA. Furthermore, simulation results give the structure-property relationships, guiding the molecular design. Specifically, the dielectric properties are positively correlated with the LUMO energy difference and charge separation index of the polymer molecular chains. This work provides a promising pathway to enhance the dielectric properties of polymers by building intrinsic molecular charge traps, which is prospective for practical electronics and electrical power systems.

HF/HR VSP acquisition, processing, and interpretation in the deviated section of the high angle geothermal borehole of Grigny GGR5, targeting intra Dogger thin, porous beds.

Defining 5m thin, or even thinner, porous reservoir beds was the feasibility objective assigned to the High Frequency/High Resolution (HF/HR) look ahead VSP survey to be recorded in the deviated section of a geothermal production well drilled down to the top of the carbonate Dogger aquifer in the Paris basin, around 1500m in vertical depth, with a landing angle of 65°. The idea was to predict the depth of the first porous bed(s) to be drilled at high angle, and to determine the minimal DLS (Dog Leg Severity) to be applied by the driller after setting a production casing at the top Dogger level and changing the drilling fluid composition, so as to avoid directional drilling with sharp angles. A 50-100m vertical depth range was targeted for the acoustic impedance to be predicted below the top Dogger carbonate aquifer. Besides, a Pilot Hole (PH) was drilled prior to the high angle leg to assess with full reliability the depth of productive thin beds to be subsequently drilled at high angle. These actions were undertaken within a global R&amp;D project named “SISMOSUB” aiming reservoir characterisation, conducted by the reservoir and drilling engineers of GEOFLUID/GPCIP, in a partnership with IFPEN, and partially financed by ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition). High Frequency (HF) VSP still represents a frontier seismic domain to investigate, for which technical difficulties are piling up: First, the surface fix source needs to be extremely repeatable and preferably deliver an increased amount of HF energy to compensate somehow for the higher loss of seismic amplitudes with high frequency. Second, downhole receiver tool or toolstring may not present constant vector fidelity of 3 component reception over the whole recording frequency range, mainly in high frequency, due to mechanical coupling characteristics of the VSP tool hardware and the open borehole ruggedness; in cased hole, the mechanical coupling of the VSP tool to the formation is insured by a good cementing quality between casing and borehole wall. Third, the physics of the seismic attenuation is not fully understood and depends on several factors, mainly viscoelasticity and heterogeneity, potentially variable in depth and laterally to the wellbore. Additionally, the geometrical spreading represents the main factor of amplitude decay, independent from frequency, and can be estimated at processing stage. Surprisingly, the VSP image produced underneath the deviated hole section evidenced a faulted structure. A remarkable abrupt amplitude loss of high frequencies above 120Hz occurs where the direct P-wave ray crosses one of the confirmed minor faults before reaching Total Depth (TD); secondary downgoing arrivals appear locally in depth, mainly in the high frequencies, which are not strictly parallel to the first P-wave arrival...

Comparison study of food, energy and nutrient intake by 24-hour dietary recall method on two consecutive days versus three consecutive days

To compare the differences in estimated food, energy, and nutrient intakes between the consecutive 3 days 24-hour dietary recall(24HR)(referred to as the 3-day method) and consecutive 2 days 24HR(referred to as the 2-day method) to provide a basis for the use of consecutive 2 days 24HR in China nutrition surveillance. Using objective sampling to select participants in northern and southern provinces, dietary data were obtained through consecutive 3 days 24HR, and the average intakes of food, energy and nutrients were calculated for three days from Thursday to Saturday and two days on Friday and Saturday, respectively. The 3-day method was considered as the reference standard method to evaluate the performance of the 2-day method for estimating food, energy and nutrient intakes. Among 778 participants aged 18-60 years in urban and rural areas of two provinces, the errors of the mean and median of 2-day method for estimating the intake of four major food categories less than 6% compared with the 3-day method, and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences in four major food categories group(P&gt;0.05). Of the 24 food groups estimated by the 2-day method, 17 had mean errors within 5%, the largest error was in animal offal(13.45%) and the smallest in fruit(0.15%), and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences in seven food groups(P&gt;0.05). For energy and nutrients, the mean and median errors of energy were less than 0.5% and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences for energy(P&gt;0.05). Among the 25 nutrients, except sodium, iodine and vitamin E, the mean and median errors of the other 22 nutrients were less than 5%, and there were significant equivalencies(P&lt;0.025) and no significant differences in 16 nutrients(P&gt;0.05). There was little difference between the two survey method in assessing the intake of high consumption frequency foods, energy and most nutrients at group level, the 2-day method can be used as an alternative to the 3-day method to collect dietary intake data with high consumption rates in the population.

All-PM Yb-doped mode-locked fiber laser with high single pulse energy and high repetition frequency

We demonstrate an all-polarization-maintaining (PM) ytterbium (Yb)-doped fiber laser with a figure-of-9 structure to generate mode-locked pulses with high single pulse energy and high repetition frequency. By exploiting the nonlinear amplifying loop mirror, a stably self-started mode-locking is achieved with a spectrum bandwidth of 13 nm and a pulse duration of 4.53 ps. The fundamental frequency is 97.966 MHz at the maximum output power of 143 mW in single pulse mode-locked operation, corresponding to the single pulse energy is 1.46 nJ. The output pulses maintain both high repetition frequency and high single-pulse energy. This laser oscillator can be an ideal seed source for applications such as high-energy amplifiers.

Optimization of dielectric response in BiFeO3–CoFe2O4 nanocomposites for high frequency energy storage devices

The rapid development of smart and sophisticated miniaturized electronic devices put a high demand for high permittivity material. In the current report, we analyze structural, morphological, and dielectric response of spinel-perovskite composites consisting of CoFe2O4 (CFO) as the spinel phase and BiFeO3 (BFO) as the perovskites phase. Here pristine BFO and CFO are fabricated using Sol—Gel auto-combustion route and their composites with a recipe (1-x) BiFeO3 - (x) CoFe2O4 (x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) using solid-state reaction technique. Structural investigation identifies presence of rhombohedral perovskite phase of BFO and cubic spinel phase of CFO and thus guarantees the formation of the composite. The crystallite size increases from 16 to 36 nm for BFO and 39.5–54 nm for CFO. The distribution of well-shaped particles with a reduction in grain size in range of 50–400 nm is witnessed in morphological analysis with the increment of CFO contents in composites. Elemental purity and the presence of various elements according to their stoichiometric ratio are witnessed during elemental investigation. A detailed analysis of the dielectric permittivity, electric modulus, and impedance of these compositions is carried out to investigate their suitability for electronic and energy storage devices. The nanocomposites under study exhibit a dielectric constant of 1126 at 100 Hz for x = 0.3, which decreases to 102 at 1 MHz. Concurrently, the tangent loss for x = 0.3 is observed to be 3.37 at 100 Hz, decreasing to 0.31 at 1 MHz. However, a decrease in dielectric loss and increase in impedance is noticed when the concentration of CFO in BFO nano-composite is increased which reflects the reduction in power losses and better control in electronic conductivity and thus highlights the role of these compositions for advanced energy storage electronic devices.

Analysis of precursor response characteristics and time-frequency vibration parameters of rock failure: a laboratory experimental method

ABSTRACT To explore the vibration characteristics of rock failure precursors, a vibration optical force combined monitoring method was adopted. In this study, quasi-sandstone and granite samples were selected for uniaxial loading experiments to monitor the surface crack propagation and vibration. The variations in acceleration, displacement, energy, and waveform characteristics of quasi-sandstone and granite were studied from the perspective of the time domain. Additionally, a warning parameter SKE (Skewness, Kurtosis and Energy) based on waveform characteristics and energy was proposed. From the perspective of time-frequency analysis, a warning parameter CFEFD (Center Frequency Energy and Frequency Difference) is proposed by comprehensively utilising short-time Fourier analysis and statistical methods. The prediction effectiveness of both parameters was evaluated. It was observed that the vibration acceleration, energy, and displacement of rocks can all reflect the propagation of rock cracks. Prior to reaching the peak stress, the vibration acceleration and energy of rocks undergo sudden changes. The development of rock fractures releases energy, leading to high-energy frequency diffusion. Before reaching the peak stress, the range and energy level of high-energy frequency diffusion show significant improvement. Finally, it was found that both the SKE and CFEFD warning indicators can provide a certain degree of warning effect.

Spatial energy evolution of focused waves generated in numerical wave tank

This paper numerically investigates the energy evolution of the focused wave and its correlation with input parameters for the wave generation. The focused wave is numerically generated based on the fully nonlinear potential wave theory which is solved by the Quasi Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian-Finite Element Method. The investigation is performed by dividing the generated wave energy into three categories according to their frequency intervals, i.e., the initially assigned frequency interval [f1fN], the frequencies lower (f < f1) and higher (f > fN) than the initial interval. The amount of the generated energy falling into three energy categories and the energy distribution in the initial frequency interval are analysed against amplitude parameters and frequency bands under three amplitude spectra. Four indicators are proposed to indicate the actual energy variations comparing to the initial design. It is found that for all the three frequency intervals the energies increase when the amplitude parameters increases or the given frequency shifts towards the lower frequency domain. The choice of wave amplitude spectrum plays a significant role to maintain the distribution of the energy in the design frequency range and to minimise the energies out of the design frequency range. The results from the second-order wave group theory are used to assist analyses of the mechanism of the energy evolution alongside the focused wave generation. It is found that the lower-frequency energy in the vicinity of the focusing point is dominated by the second-order difference waves, whereas the higher-frequency energy is mainly produced by the wave flap. The waves which are higher than the second-order and the complex interactions not considered by the second-order wave theory are found significantly disturbing the energy distribution in the originally assigned wave-frequency interval.

The role of spectral analysis of cough sounds in the diagnosis of COVID-19

To evaluate the possibility of using spectral analysis of cough sounds in the diagnosis of a new coronavirus infection COVID-19. Spectral toussophonobarography was performed in 218 patients with COVID-19 [48.56% men, 51.44% women, average age 40.2 (32.4; 51.0)], in 60 healthy individuals [50% men, 50% women, average age 41.7 (32.2; 53.0)] with induced cough (by inhalation of citric acid solution at a concentration of 20 g/l through a nebulizer). The recording was made using a contact microphone located on a special tripod at a distance of 15-20 cm from the face of the subject. The resulting recordings were processed in a computer program, after which spectral analysis of cough sounds was performed using Fourier transform algorithms. The following parameters of cough sounds were evaluated: the duration of the cough act (ms), the ratio of the energy of low frequencies (60-600 Hz) to the energy of high frequencies (600-6000 Hz), the frequency of the maximum energy of the cough sound (Hz). After statistical processing, it was found out that the parameters of the cough sound of COVID-19 patients differ from the cough of healthy individuals. The obtained data were substituted into the developed regression equation. Rounded to integers, the resulting number had the following interpretation: "0" - there is no COVID-19, "1" - there is COVID-19. The technique showed high levels of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, the method is characterized by sufficient ease of use and does not require expensive equipment, therefore it can be used in practice for timely diagnosis of COVID-19.

Design of A GaN Based High Frequency Inverter for Electrosurgery

Electrosurgery performs cutting and coagulation procedures using high energy and high frequency electric current. It reduces bleeding during surgical interventions, shortens the operation time and accelerates the healing process. In this study, a GaN based high frequency full bridge class DE resonant inverter design is proposed for use in electrosurgery. The proposed inverter provides AC voltage at high frequencies and the switches operate with ZVS (Zero Voltage Switching) at low voltage stress. In addition, the use of GaN elements provides high efficiency and high-power density. The operating frequency is selected as 500 kHz for three different cutting modes of electrosurgery. After the technical analysis and simulation studies of the high frequency class DE resonant inverter, an experimental setup was designed and implemented in a laboratory environment. The efficiency performance over a variable load range is analysed. Finally, pure cutting, blend and coagulation modes are tested on the different loads, potato - chicken breast - liver, simulating real tissue. On the potato load for pure cutting mode, the output voltage is 39.9 V and the output current is 0.7 A while an efficiency of 35%.

Characterization of seismicity from different glacial bed types: machine learning classification of laboratory stick-slip acoustic emissions

Abstract Subglacial seismicity presents the opportunity to monitor inaccessible glacial beds at the epicentral location and time. Glaciers can be underlain by rock or till, a first order control on bed mechanics. Velocity-weakening, necessary for unstable slip, has been shown for each bed type, but is much stronger and evolves over more than an order of magnitude longer distances for till beds. Utilizing a de-stiffened double direct shear apparatus, we found conditions for instability at freezing temperatures and high slip rates for both bed types. During stick–slip stress-drops, we recorded acoustic emissions with piezoelectric transducers frozen into the ice. The two populations of event waveforms appear visually similar and overlap in their statistical features. We implemented a suite of supervised machine learning algorithms to classify the bed type of recorded waveforms and spectra, with prediction accuracy between 65–80%. The Random Forest Classifier is interpretable, showing the importance of initial oscillation peaks and higher frequency energy. Till beds have generally higher friction and resulting stress-drops, with more impulsive first arrivals and more high frequency content compared to rock emissions, but rock beds can produce many till-like events. Seismic signatures could enhance interpretation of bed conditions and mechanics from subglacial seismicity.

A Combined Method of Seismic Monitoring and Transient Electromagnetic Detection for the Evaluation of Hydraulic Fracturing Effect in Coal Burst Prevention.

In order to mitigate the risk of roof-dominated coal burst in underground coal mining, horizontal long borehole staged hydraulic fracturing technology has been prevailingly employed to facilitate the weakening treatment of the hard roof in advance. Such weakening effect, however, can hardly be evaluated, which leads to a lack of a basis in which to design the schemes and parameters of hydraulic fracturing. In this study, a combined underground-ground integrated microseismic monitoring and transient electromagnetic detection method was utilized to carry out simultaneous evaluations of the seismic responses to each staged fracturing and the apparent resistivity changes before and after all finished fracturing. On this basis, the comparable and applicable fracturing effects on coal burst prevention were evaluated and validated by the distribution of microseismic events and their energy magnitude during the mining process. Results show that the observed mining-induced seismic events are consistent with the evaluation results obtained from the combined seismic-electromagnetic detection method. However, there is a limited reduction effect on resistivity near the fractured section that induces far-field seismic events. Mining-induced seismic events are concentrated primarily within specific areas, while microseismic events in the fractured area exhibit high frequency but low energy overall. This study validates the rationality of combined seismic-electromagnetic detection results and provides valuable insights for optimizing fracturing construction schemes as well as comprehensively evaluating outcomes associated with underground directional long borehole staged hydraulic fracturing.

Multiple timescales of context shape the perceptual sensitivity to natural pairings of musical pitch and timbre

Musical pitch and timbre (specifically, spectral shape) covary perceptually: lower pitches are associated with darker timbres (less higher-frequency energy) and higher pitches are associated with brighter timbres (more higher-frequency energy). We examined this relationship at multiple timescales of context: trial-level (rates of performance improvement within a testing block), block-level (differences in performance across blocks), session- level (performance as a function of testing block order), and longer-term experience (musical training / background). Musical pitches were labeled as low (C4) or high (G4) from various instruments (trumpet, oboe, trombone, tuba). Testing blocks paired pitch and timbre together to either respect (Consistent) or violate (Reversed) their covariance. All timescales of context contributed to performance, producing clear patterns across experiments. Pitch labeling was poorer in Reversed blocks, but showed steeper rates of improvement than did Consistent blocks (which were often near/at ceiling levels). These patterns were moderated by which condition was tested first in the experiment and by the introduction of trial-by-trial feedback. Greater musical training was consistently correlated with higher accuracy, but adding feedback extinguished this pattern for Consistent blocks. Thus, context on a host of timescales shapes perceptual sensitivity to the natural covariance between musical pitch and timbre.

Safety Parameters for the Use of Holmium:YAG Laser in the Treatment of Biliary Calculi: The Ex-Vivo Model.

Background and Objectives: While studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cholangioscopy-guided Holmium-Yttrium aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) laser lithotripsy for the treatment of refractory bile duct stones, data regarding the safety of the operating parameters for laser lithotripsy are lacking. The aim of this study was to determine safe, yet effective, energy settings for Ho:YAG laser in the ex-vivo model. Materials and Methods: This ex vivo experimental study utilized the Ho:YAG laser on porcine bile duct epithelium and human gallstones. Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy was applied in different power settings from 8 to 15 Watts (W) to six explanted porcine bile ducts. Settings that appeared safe were then utilized to fragment seventy-three human gallstones. Results: The median bile duct perforation times with the Ho:YAG laser between 8-15 W were: >60 s (8 W); 23 s (9 W); 29 s (10 W); 27 s (12 W); 12 s (14 W); and 8 s (15 W). Statistically significant differences in the median perforation times were noted between 8 W vs. 15 W, 9 W vs. 15 W, 10 W vs. 15 W, and 12 W vs. 15 W (p < 0.05). When using a 365 µm Ho:YAG laser probe at 8-12 W, the fragmentation rates on various size stones were: 100% (<1.5 cm); 80-100% (1.6-2.0 cm) and 0-32% (>2.0 cm). Optimal fragmentation was seen utilizing 12 W with high energy (2.4 J) and low frequency (5 Hz) settings. Using a larger 550 µm probe at these settings resulted in 100% fragmentation of stones larger than 2 cm. Conclusions: The Ho:YAG laser appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of large bile duct stones when used between 8-12 W in 5 s bursts in an ex vivo model utilizing porcine bile ducts and human gallstones.