Isotropic Source Research Articles

Microstructure‐Informed Myelin Mapping (MIMM) from routine multi‐echo gradient echo data using multiscale physics modeling of iron and myelin effects and QSM

AbstractPurposeMyelin quantification is used in the study of demyelination in neurodegenerative diseases. A novel noninvasive MRI method, Microstructure‐Informed Myelin Mapping (MIMM), is proposed to quantify the myelin volume fraction (MVF) from a routine multi‐gradient echo sequence (mGRE) using a multiscale biophysical signal model of the effects of microstructural myelin and iron.Theory and MethodsIn MIMM, the effects of myelin are modeled based on the Hollow Cylinder Fiber Model accounting for anisotropy, while iron is considered as an isotropic paramagnetic point source. This model is used to create a dictionary of mGRE magnitude signal evolution and total voxel susceptibility using finite elements of size 0.2 μm. Next, voxel‐by‐voxel stochastic matching pursuit between acquired mGRE data (magnitude+QSM) and the pre‐computed dictionary generates quantitative MVF and iron susceptibility maps. Dictionary matching was evaluated under three conditions: (1) without fiber orientation (basic), (2) with fiber orientation obtained using DTI, and (3) with fiber orientation obtained using an atlas (atlas). MIMM was compared with the three‐pool complex fitting (3PCF) using T2‐relaxometry myelin water fraction (MWF) map as reference.ResultsThe DTI MIMM and atlas MIMM approaches were equally effective in reducing the overestimation of MVF in certain white matter tracts observed in the basic MIMM approach, and they both showed good agreement with T2‐relaxometry MWF. MIMM MVF reduced myelin overestimation of globus pallidus observed in 3PCF MWF.ConclusionMIMM processing of mGRE data can provide MVF maps from routine clinical scans without requiring special sequences.

Particle identification in high-granularity 3D calorimeters for space-borne applications

High granularity 3D calorimeters offer the potential to precisely reconstruct the 3D topology of electromagnetic and hadronic showers originating from isotropic sources. This distinctive capability creates the opportunity for applying reconstruction and analysis methods that could yield additional information compared to those based on the traditional layer-by-layer energy deposit analysis common in particle and astroparticle physics experiments utilizing calorimeters with layer segmentation. In this study, we present a strategy for analyzing the energy deposit in a crystal array calorimeter, utilizing the 3D parametrization of both longitudinal and transversal shapes of showers to implement likelihood tests on single events. While this analysis was developed using the High Energy cosmic Radiation Detector (HERD) calorimeter as a case study, its applicability may extend to any high granularity, homogeneous, isotropic calorimeter employed in particle physics experiments.

Approximate P3 equation analysis in multi-layer slab media: Steady-state and time-domain based on the diffusion model

This study aimed to establish a steady-state and time-domain solutions for the approximate P3 equation in arbitrary multi-layer slab media for light propagation, based on a diffusion model with an isotropic point source in the first layer and extrapolated boundary conditions. Spatially resolved diffuse reflectance and transmittance were calculated using the steady-state approximation of the P3 equation, whereas temporally resolved diffuse reflectance and transmittance were derived from the time-domain approximation. The validity of the approximate P3 solutions was confirmed by comparing their results with Monte Carlo simulations. In steady-state analysis, the approximate P3 equation demonstrated superior accuracy to the diffusion equation for reflectance, particularly at smaller thicknesses. Accuracy further improved as the absorption coefficient and detection distance increased. For transmittance, the approximate P3 equation closely matched the diffusion equation at low thickness, but divergence occurred with higher absorption. In time-domain analysis, the approximate P3 equation aligned closely with Monte Carlo simulations at peak values, while its numerical values were close approximations of the diffusion equation away from the peak. The potential application of the approximate P3 equation in multi-layer media offers significant advancements for optical non-invasive detection and treatment techniques, enabling the extraction of optical parameters from such media.

Global active noise control using SIMO near-field systems - Simulation and technical implementation

The technical implementation of a single-input multiple-output (SIMO) active near-field noise control (ANC) system designed for global low-frequency noise control is presented. The SIMO control strategy is motivated by noise control simulations based on a direct boundary element method (BEM) ansatz formulated in this paper. The suitability of the chosen BEM formulation and SIMO control strategy is accompanied and confirmed by extensive experiments and comparison to analytical calculations based on isotropic sources. The influence of parameters such as the positioning of the error microphone, the membrane velocity required for optimal global reduction, the effects of phase inaccuracies and the number of actuators on global reduction are investigated. The real-time control of the SIMO system is technically implemented on field programmable gate array (FPGA) hardware using a frequency domain block FxLMS algorithm. The iterative algorithm converges in less than 0.1 s for the examined frequency range from 100 Hz to 1000 Hz. Measurements using various circular SIMO array configurations showed reductions in sound power of up to 85\%, aligning closely with the numerical results.

Charged wormhole solutions in 4D Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet gravity

In the present work, we construct models of static wormholes in 4-dimensional Einstein-Gauss-Bonnet (4D EGB) gravity with an (an)isotropic energy momentum tensor (EMT) and a Maxwell field as supporting matters for the wormhole geometry assuming a constant redshift function. We obtain exact spherically symmetric wormhole solutions in 4D EGB gravity for isotropic and anisotropic matter sources under the effect of electric charge. The solutions are more generalized in the sense of incorporating the charge contributions. Furthermore, we examine the null, weak and strong energy conditions at the wormhole throat of radius r=r0. We demonstrate that at the wormhole throat, the classical energy conditions are violated by arbitrary small amount. Additionally, we analyze the wormhole geometry incorporating semiclassical corrections through embedding diagrams. We discover that the wormhole solutions are in equilibrium as the anisotropic and hydrostatic forces cancel each other.

A Double Legendre Polynomial Order N Benchmark Solution for the 1D Monoenergetic Neutron Transport Equation in Plane Geometry

As more and more numerical and analytical solutions to the linear neutron transport equation become available, verification of the numerical results becomes increasingly important. This presentation concerns the development of another benchmark for the linear neutron transport equation in a benchmark series, each employing a different method of solution. In 1D, there are numerous ways of analytically solving the monoenergetic transport equation, such as the Wiener–Hopf method, based on the analyticity of the solution, the method of singular eigenfunctions, inversion of the Laplace and Fourier transform solution, and analytical discrete ordinates in the limit, which is arguably one of the most straightforward, to name a few. Another potential method is the PN (Legendre polynomial order N) method, where one expands the solution in terms of full-range orthogonal Legendre polynomials, and with orthogonality and series truncation, the moments form an open set of first-order ODEs. Because of the half-range boundary conditions for incoming particles, however, full-range Legendre expansions are inaccurate near material discontinuities. For this reason, a double PN (DPN) expansion in half-range Legendre polynomials is more appropriate, where one separately expands incoming and exiting flux distributions to preserve the discontinuity at material interfaces. Here, we propose and demonstrate a new method of solution for the DPN equations for an isotropically scattering medium. In comparison to a well-established fully analytical response matrix/discrete ordinate solution (RM/DOM) benchmark using an entirely different method of solution for a non-absorbing 1 mfp thick slab with both isotropic and beam sources, the DPN algorithm achieves nearly 8- and 7-place precision, respectively.

Traversable wormholes in 4D EGB gravity

In this work, the spherically symmetric wormhole solutions have been obtained in the four-dimensional Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet (4D EGB) gravity with isotropic and anisotropic matter sources. With each type of source, the traversable wormholes satisfying asymptotic flatness and flare-out conditions are developed. Further, the energy conditions explaining the nature of the matter in the interior of the wormhole are tested and the stability of wormhole solutions has been analyzed.

Neutron emission from a source moving in a gravitational field

This work is devoted to the problem of neutron field formation near elliptical orbits of space objects equipped with nuclear power plants. The high-energy part of the fission spectrum is not affected by the gravitational field. Radiation safety is ensured by the triad fair for a point source: activity-distance-time. The connection between space object orbit parameters and neutron flux density occurs for the thermal (near-thermal) part of the spectrum. The possibility of formation of a stable neutron trace in the volume of a «torus» around the orbit of a space object is considered. The paper presents theoretical and numerical evidence of the validity of the hypothesis put forward. The introduction considers the separation effect of Galileo's relativity principle in the case of rectilinear uniform motion of a point isotropic neutron source on a plane. The occurrence of angular asymmetry of the neutron distribution in a stationary coordinate system when their relative velocity is close to the transport velocity of the source is illustrated. Under these conditions, a significant velocity dispersion of initially monochromatic neutrons is also recorded. This expected fundamental kinematic effect determines the characteristic distribution of neutrons in the gravitational field when the source moves along the Kepler orbit. The solution of the problem is carried out in the velocity space. It is argued that if the distribution of neutrons in the velocity space is such that their velocities are collinear to the orbital velocity of the source, this indicates the existence of a neutron flux near the orbit. The problem is analysed on the example of one revolution of a hypothetical space station by simulation modelling. For this purpose, thermal neutron packets with isotropic angular distribution were generated at eight points of an elliptical orbit. The neutron and source velocity fluxes at the selected points of the orbit were compared in a coordinate system related to the earth. The obtained data made it possible to calculate the densities of neutron velocity fluxes to the front and rear hemispheres relative to the source orbital motion as a function of the polar angle, while the value of the determinant of the correlation matrix – an indicator of collinearity of neutron velocity vectors in the flux - was fixed. The results of the studies confirm the hypothesis put forward about the possibility of formation of a «trace» in the orbit of a thermal neutron source, which determines the need to take it into account as a significant component of radiation risk.

Constraints on Bianchi-I type universe with SH0ES anchored Pantheon+ SNIa data

We study the Bianchi-I cosmological model motivated by signals of statistical isotropy violation seen in cosmic microwave background (CMB) observations and others. To that end, we consider various kinds of anisotropic matter that source anisotropy in our model, specifically Cosmic strings, Magnetic fields, Domain walls and Lorentz violation generated magnetic fields. These anisotropic matter sources, taking one at a time, are studied for their co-evolution with standard model (isotropic) sources viz., dust-like (dark/normal) matter, and dark energy modelled as cosmological constant. We constrain the Hubble parameter, density fractions of anisotropic matter, cold dark matter (CDM), and dark energy (Λ) in a Bianchi-I universe with planar symmetry i.e., which has a global ellipsoidal geometry, and try to find signatures of a cosmic preferred axis if any.The latest compilation of Type Ia Supernova (SNIa) data from Pantheon+SH0ES collaboration is used in our analysis to obtain constraints on cosmological parameters and any preferred axis for our universe.In our analysis, we found mild evidence for a cosmic preferred axis. It is interesting to note that this preferred axis lies broadly in the vicinity of other prominent cosmic anisotropy axes reported in the literature from diverse data sets.Also we find some evidence for non-zero (negative) cosmic shear and eccentricity that characterize different expansion rates in different directions and deviation from an isotropic scale factor respectively.The energy density fractions of two of the sources considered are found to be non-zero at a2σ confidence level.To be more conclusive, we require more SNIa host galaxy data for tighter constraints on distance and absolute magnitude calibration which are expected to be available from the future JWST observations and others.

Calculation method for novel upright CT scanner isodose curves.

A computational method based on Monte-Carlo calculations is presented and used to calculate isodose curves for a new upright and tilting CT scanner useful for radiation protection purposes. The TOPAS code platform with imported CAD files for key components was used to construct a calculation space for the scanner. A sphere of water acts as the patient would by creating scatter out of the bore. Maximum intensity dose maps are calculated for various possible tilt angles to make sure radiation protection for site planning uses the maximum possible dose everywhere. The resulting maximum intensity isodose lines are more rounded than ones for just a single tilt angle and so closer to isotropic. These maximum intensity curves are closer to the isotropic assumption used in CTDI or DLP based methods of site planning and radiation protection. The isodose lines are similar to those of a standard CT scanner, just tilted upwards. There is more metal above the beam that lessens the dose above versus below isocenter. Aside from the orientation, this upright scanner is very similar to a typical CT scanner, and nothing different for shielding needs to be done for this new upright tilting CT scanner, because an isotropic scatter source is often assumed for any CT scanner.

Aeroacoustic Source Potential Based on Poisson’s Equation

Poisson’s equation is an important equation to postprocess the aerodynamic fields into linearized momentum modes and was recently found to be important for the computation of an isotropic pressure-like source for scalar aeroacoustic wave models, like the aeroacoustic wave equation based on Pierce’s operator (AWE-PO). Mathematically viable boundary conditions of the Poisson equation, which computes the AWE-PO source, are investigated. For the different source fields, the wave propagation is computed using the AWE-PO, and the details of the sound prediction results are compared to a reference direct numerical simulation of a mixing layer. The different boundary conditions of the Poisson equation were found to have a minor influence on the overall sound prediction characteristics of the AWE-PO equation. The AWE-PO is reformulated into a simplified version of the Phillips’s equation, which mitigates the intermediate step of computing an isotropic source potential. By doing so, a previously obtained interference radiation valley in the radiated acoustic intensity of the AWE-PO results is attributed to a missing shear-noise source term.

Convergence Study of 2D Transport Method for Multigroup k-Eigenvalue Problems with High-Order Scattering Source Using Fourier Analysis

The convergence behavior of a two-dimensional (2D) transport method has been derived by Fourier analysis for single-group problems with isotropic sources. However, in real calculation, to pursue precision, a high-order scattering source is a common option, and its influence on convergence performance is worth investigating. No theoretical convergence study of a 2D transport method for multigroup problems with high-order scattering sources was previously performed, but it is important work that would complement existing studies. This study presents a Fourier analysis for solving multigroup problems with high-order scattering. First, the influences of the number of inner iterations for the multigroup isotropic scattering problem are analyzed. It is found that with an increase of the number of inner iterations, the spectral radius decreases and finally reaches an asymptotic value. When the scattering ratio is increased, more inner iterations are required to reach the asymptotic value. Then, the influences of high-order scattering are analyzed. The Fourier analysis results show that for high-order scattering source problems, the influence of the number of inner iterations is different from the isotropic scattering case. The influences of first-order scattering and second-order scattering are not the same. With an increase of first-order scattering, the spectral radius first decreases in the small optical thickness region and then increases in the large optical thickness region, which may lead to the divergence of iterations. If second-order scattering is not too large, an increase of second-order scattering decreases the spectral radius for all optical thickness regions. First-order scattering and second-order scattering that are too large may result in an unpredictable slope of the spectral radius for optical thicknesses between 10−1 and 1.

Simple numerical X-ray polarization models of reflecting axially symmetric structures around accreting compact objects

ABSTRACT We present a series of numerical models suitable for X-ray polarimetry of accreting systems. First, we provide a spectropolarimetric routine that integrates reflection from inner optically thick walls of a geometrical torus of arbitrary size viewed under general inclination. In the studied example, the equatorial torus is illuminated by a central isotropic source of X-ray power-law emission, representing a hot corona. Nearly neutral reprocessing inside the walls is precomputed by Monte Carlo code stokes that incorporates both line and continuum processes, including multiple scatterings and absorption. We created a new xspec model, called xsstokes, which in this version enables efficient X-ray polarimetric fitting of the torus parameters, observer’s inclination and primary emission properties, interpolating for arbitrary state of primary polarization. Comparison of the results to a Monte Carlo simulation allowing partial transparency shows that the no-transparency condition may induce different polarization by tens of per cent. Allowing partial transparency leads to lower/higher polarization fraction, if the resulting polarization orientation is perpendicular/parallel to the rotation axis. We provide another version of xsstokes that is suitable for approximating nearly neutral reflection from a distant optically thick disc of small geometrical thickness. It assumes local illumination averaged for a selected range of incident angles, representing a toy model of a diffuse corona of various physical extent. Assessing both xsstokes variants, we conclude that the resulting polarization can be tens of per cent and perpendicularly/parallelly oriented towards the rotation axis, if the reflecting medium is rather vertically/equatorially distributed with respect to a compact central source.

Directional wave spectrum evolution modelling of ship noise

A new underwater acoustic propagation model that is well suited to modelling ship noise is described. The model describes the spatio-temporal evolution of the directional energy spectrum of a sound field. The governing equation can be thought of as an advection-diffusion equation for spectral energy in phase space (position, angle). Numerical simulations of sound fields excited by both isotropic compact sources and by highly anisotropic ship noise provide confidence that the model works well, with caveats that will be discussed. [Work supported by ONR.]

Boosting the Performances of Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaics via Synergetic Near-Infrared Light Management.

Semitransparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs) offer promising prospects for application in building-integrated photovoltaic systems and greenhouses, but further improvement of their performance faces a delicate trade-off between the two competing indexes of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmittance (AVT). Herein, the authors take advantage of coupling plasmonics with the optical design of ST-OPVs to enhance near-infrared absorption and hence simultaneously improve efficiency and visible transparency to the maximum extent. By integrating core-bishell PdCu@Au@SiO2 nanotripods that act as optically isotropic Lambertian sources with near-infrared-customized localized surface plasmon resonance in an optimal ternary PM6:BTP-eC9:L8-BO-based ST-OPV, it is shown that their interplay with a multilayer optical coupling layer, consisting of ZnS(130nm)/Na3AlF6(60nm)/WO3(100nm)/LaF3(50nm) identified from high-throughput optical screening, leads to a record-high PCE of 16.14% (certified as 15.90%) along with an excellent AVT of 33.02%. The strong enhancement of the light utilization efficiency by ≈50% as compared to the counterpart device without optical engineering provides an encouraging and universal pathway for promoting breakthroughs in ST-OPVs from meticulous optical design.

Exposure Buildup Factors in Concrete, Lead for Point Isotropic and Unidirectional Photon Sources in the Energy Range from 10 to 50 MeV

Abstract The exposure buildup factors in concrete and lead for a point isotropic and flat unidirectional photon source in the energy range from 10 to 50 MeV were determined using Monte Carlo simulation “FLUKA” software. The exposure buildup factors were also obtained for different material thickness up to 40 mpf. The calculations were done in a barrier geometry where the contributions of all photon-matter interactions were taken into account in the performed calculations. Amendments for the barrier-geometry effect for both materials under study were deduced. The results showed that barrier-effect amendments were independent of the material thickness, material type, and energy of the photon source

Gravitationally decoupled charged anisotropic solutions in Rastall gravity

This paper develops the stellar interior geometry for charged anisotropic spherical matter distribution by developing an exact solution of the field equations of Rastall gravity using the notion of gravitational decoupling. The main purpose of this investigation is the extension of the well-known isotropic model within the context of charged isotropic Rastall gravity solutions. The second aim of this work is to apply gravitational decoupling via a minimal geometric deformation scheme in Rastall gravity. Finally, the third one is to derive an anisotropic version of the charged isotropic model previously obtained by applying gravitational decoupling technology. We construct the field equations which are divided into two sets by employing the geometric deformation in radial metric function. The first set corresponds to the seed (charged isotropic) source, while the other one relates the deformation function with an extra source. We choose a known isotropic solution for spherical matter configuration including electromagnetic effects and extend it to an anisotropic model by finding the solution of the field equations associated with a new source. We construct two anisotropic models by adopting some physical constraints on the additional source. To evaluate the unknown constants, we use the matching of interior and exterior spacetimes. We investigate the physical feasibility of the constructed charged anisotropic solutions by the graphical analysis of the metric functions, density, pressure, anisotropy parameter, energy conditions, stability criterion, mass function, compactness, and redshift parameters. For the considered choice of parameters, it is concluded that the developed solutions are physically acceptable as all the physical aspects are well-behaved.

A probabilistic algorithm for optimising the steady-state diffusional flux into a partially absorbing body

Cells in an aqueous environment absorb diffusing nutrient molecules through nanoscale protein channels in their outer membranes. Assuming that there are constraints on the number of such channels a cell can produce, we ask the question: given a nondepleting source of nutrients, what is the optimal distribution of these channels over the cell surface? We coarse-grain this problem, phrasing it as a diffusion problem with position-dependent Robin boundary conditions on the surface. The aim is to maximize the steady-state total flux through the partially absorbing surface under an integral constraint on the local reactivities. We develop an algorithm to tackle this problem that uses the stored and processed results of a particle-based simulation with reflective boundary conditions to a posteriori estimate absorption flux at essentially negligible additional computational cost. We validate the algorithm against a few cases for which analytical or semi-analytical results are available. We apply it to two examples: a spherical cell in the presence of a point source and a spheroidal cell with an isotropic source at infinity. In the former case, there is a significant gain relative to the homogeneous case, while in the latter case the gain is only 1%\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$1\\%$$\\end{document}.

Design, simulation, and measurement of near-zero-index shells for electromagnetic beam generation

We present design and simulation of three-dimensional (3D) shell structures, which generate directional radiation patterns from isotropic sources thanks to their near-zero-index (NZI) characteristics, as well as realizations of these shells via low-cost 3D printing. Throughout the design process of NZI beam generators, both homogenized structures, for which near-zero relative permittivity and/or permeability values are enforced, and actual models involving periodic arrangements of dielectric rods are considered. Solutions of the electromagnetic problems are obtained by using rigorous implementations of the state-of-the-art surface-integral-equation (SIE) formulations in frequency domain. Iterative solutions of matrix equations derived from SIEs are accelerated by different forms of the multilevel fast multipole algorithm (MLFMA) and suitable preconditioners, when necessary. In the design process of NZI shells, alternative strategies are employed to obtain customized radiation patterns. In this context, various cavities with strong resonance behaviors are designed as source regions. At the same time, outer surfaces are modified to either enhance or suppress outgoing electromagnetic fields. In addition to comprehensive simulations and analyses of NZI beam generators, their capabilities are verified by measurements, specifically at 10.3 GHz, on different prototypes fabricated via 3D printing. Measurements of diverse NZI shell structures are presented to demonstrate that NZI properties can successfully be achieved by well-designed arrangements of dielectric rods with proper materials. The results demonstrate the feasibility of efficient, effective, low-cost, and reconfigurable NZI shells to generate alternative beam configurations that can be useful in a plethora of microwave applications.

Annihilation-gamma-based diagnostic techniques for magnetically confined electron–positron pair plasma

Efforts are underway to magnetically confine electron–positron pair plasmas to study their unique behaviour, which is characterized by significant changes in plasma time and length scales, supported waves and unstable modes. However, use of conventional plasma diagnostics presents challenges with these low-density and annihilating matter–antimatter plasmas. To address this problem, we propose to develop techniques based on the distinct emission provided by annihilation. This emission exhibits two spatial correlations: the distance attenuation of isotropic sources and the back-to-back propagation of momentum-preserving 2 $\gamma$ annihilation. We present the results of our analysis of the $\gamma$ emission rate and the spatial profile of the annihilation in a magnetized pair plasma from direct pair collisions, from the formation and decay of positronium as well as from transport processes. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of annihilation-based techniques, we tested them on annular $\gamma$ emission profiles produced by a $\beta ^+$ radioisotope on a rotating turntable. Direct and positronium-mediated annihilation result in overlapping volumetric $\gamma$ sources, and the 2 $\gamma$ emission from these volumetric sources can be tomographically reconstructed from coincident counts in multiple detectors. Transport processes result in localized annihilation where field lines intersect walls, limiters or internal magnets. These localized sources can be identified by the fractional $\gamma$ counts on spatially distributed detectors.