Medium Mass Research Articles

Performance investigation of a building-integrated collector based on spectrum splitting technology

Based on solar spectrum splitting technology, a novel concentrating photovoltaic/thermal (CPV/T) solar collector is proposed, which primarily composed of six Fresnel collector units with separate photovoltaic and photothermal modules. The compact overall structure is optimally designed that can be effectively integrated with ordinary buildings while supply both electrical and thermal energy. The proposed collector achieves the maximum annual average optical efficiency when installed north–south axially with a tilt angle approximately equal to the installation latitude, as a 64.97 % in Nanjing (32°N). Simulation analysis shows that the main influencing factors of the system performance are direct solar irradiance, working medium mass flow, and optical efficiency, the theoretical outlet working medium temperature can reach 150 °C while the photovoltaic and photothermal efficiencies are 12.37 % and 39.74 % when the normalized temperature difference T* is 0.06. Further, to verify the theoretical/simulation analysis results, the outdoor experimental tests are conducted and show that the optimal inlet working medium mass flow is 10.8 kg/h, while the efficiencies are 5.99 % and 27.59 %, respectively, that is, the proposed system comprehensive thermal efficiency can reach 43.35 %. The comparative analysis of theoretical research and experimental tests shows that the proposed system has rationality and practical value, which can provide guidance for practical engineering.

A Combined Physical-Mechanical and Hydrometallurgical Approach for Recovering Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-ion Batteries

In this work, the chemical composition of electrode materials from two samples of lithium-ion batteries (LiB) is comprehensively investigated. The material balance of the physical and mechanical processing of the LiBs mixture is determined. The developed dry process scheme made it possible to extract the following components (wt.%): 15.6 plastic (ABS), 1.89 electronic materials (PP), 59.1 black mass (three types), 6.43 plastic (PVC), 2.97 Al, 6.31 Cu and 7.1 magnetic fraction (Fe). The thermodynamics of reductive leaching of LiCoO<sub>2</sub> in the H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-HCOOH system was studied. It was calculated that the Gibbs energy of the leaching reaction at 363 K is -327.4 kJ/mol, the equilibrium constant is 2.02×10<sup>44</sup>. All these factors showed the potential of using formic acid as a reducing agent instead of the commonly used hydrogen peroxide solution. It is known to be unstable, since when the solution is heated from 20 to 50<sup>0</sup> C, the decomposition of H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> increases 20 times, and the presence of copper sulfate, which usually accompanies the decomposition of the black mass in a sulfuric acid medium, leads to the destruction of 76% of hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, from a practical point of view, it was of interest to study the kinetics of cobalt dissolution from the cathode material in the H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>-HCOOH system. It was shown that the Crank-Ginstling-Braunstein equation agrees satisfactorily with the experimental data, which indicates intra-diffusion limitation of dissolution. The activation energy was determined. The optimal composition and conditions of the leaching solution for dissolving cobalt, lithium and associated transition metals from the black mass were determined. The thermodynamics and kinetics of dissolution of Ag, Au and Pd from electrode materials in a bromide-bromine solution were also studied.

Increasing the Efficiency of Ecological Solar Panels Combined with the Building’s Roof

This article is devoted to increasing the efficiency of ecological solar panels with their combination with the house’s roof. A solar panel construction that combines both the solar collector and the building cover is considered. This work investigates the efficiency of solar panels depending on the type of coating, heat-carrying medium mass flow rate, tube diameter, and the distance between the tubes. Among the coatings, Grafplast PDA roofing material is the most effective. Prandelli/Tuborama tubes with a diameter of 16 mm are recommended. The diameter of the tubes significantly affects the efficiency of the solar panel only at low intensity of solar radiation.

Understanding the multi-wavelength thermal dust polarisation from the Orion molecular cloud in light of the radiative torque paradigm

Dust grains play a key role in various astrophysical processes and serve as indicators of interstellar medium structures, density, and mass. Understanding their physical properties and chemical composition is a crucial goal in astrophysics. Dust polarisation is a valuable tool for studying these properties. The radiative torque (RAT) paradigm, which includes radiative torque alignment (RAT-A) and radiative torque disruption (RAT-D), is essential to interpreting the dust polarisation data and constraining the fundamental properties of dust grains. However, it has been used primarily to interpret observations at a single wavelength. In this study, we analyse the thermal dust polarisation spectrum obtained from observations with SOFIA/HAWC+ and JCMT/POL-2 in the Orion molecular cloud 1 (OMC-1) region and compare the observational data with our numerical results using the RAT paradigm. In general, we show that the dense gas exhibits a positive spectral slope, whereas the warm regions show a negative one. We demonstrate that a one-layer dust (one-phase) model can only reproduce the observed spectra at certain locations and cannot match those with prominent V-shaped spectra (for which the degree of polarisation initially decreases with wavelength from 54 to ~300µm and then increases at longer wavelengths). To address this, we improved our model by incorporating two dust components (warm and cold) along the line of sight, resulting in a two-phase model. This improved model successfully reproduces the V-shaped spectra. The best model corresponds to a mixture composition of silicate and carbonaceous grains in the cold medium. Finally, by assuming the plausible model of grain alignment, we were able to infer the inclination angle of the magnetic fields in OMC-1. This approach is an important step towards a better understanding the physics of grain alignment and constraining 3D magnetic fields using dust polarisation spectra.

Collective model description of parity-doublet bands in odd mass nuclei

The yrast parity doublet rotational bands in odd medium mass and heavy nuclei are described by a quadrupole–octupole axially symmetric collective model within the strong coupling assumption regarding the odd nucleon. Energy levels of the same spin and opposite parity are interpreted as symmetric and antisymmetric quantum states of the quadrupole–octupole shape fluctuation. The energy spectrum and the associated electromagnetic transitions of the parity doublet bands observed in 21 selected nuclei, are reproduced with a very good accuracy. Predictions are performed for energies of unobserved states and electromagnetic properties. The model parameters are used to establish the static or dynamic nature of the octupole correlations in the ground state and their evolution with spin. A general systematization of the octupole effects as a function of nucleon numbers is realized in conjunction with results on even–even nuclei.

A Study on Profile Characteristics of Stakeholders of Rythu Bharosa Kendras (RBKs)

In this modern era, farmers encounter difficulties in receiving timely services from extension agents. So, technological advancement in quality of services, speed in deliverables and precision actions are possible by creating proper interface between farmers, scientists, extension officers, service providers etc. and by bringing innovation/sustainable interventions in agriculture and allied sector. With this context as a new extension reform, Government of Andhra Pradesh has launched Rythu Bharosa Kendras. The study was carried out in Srikakulam, Prakasam and Chittoor districts of Andhra Pradesh. A total of 409 stakeholders were selected, among them 361 were farmers and 12 were scientis, 24 MAOs/DAOs, 12VAAs were selected for the study. The objective of the study was to know the profile of stakeholders of RBKs. The results of the study showed that majority of the farmers had medium extension contact (41.83%), medium mass media exposure (39.33%), medium innovativeness (42.66%), medium training undergone (38.23%), medium digital literacy (45.43%), medium possession of digital tools (44.88%), medium frequency of use of digital tools (44.32%), medium perception on RBKs(43.77% ), medium information sharing behaviour (45.16%). In case of stakeholders most of them had high mass media exposure (45.63%), medium innovatveness (64.58%), medium training undergone (72.92%),high digital literacy (50.00%),medium possession of digital tools (45.83%),high frequency of use of digital tools (50.00%), medium perception on RBKs (52.08%) and medium information sharing behaviour (56.25%) and the chi-square were done to know the siginificance difference. From the above results it is clear that most of the farmers were belonged to medium to high level so there is a need to enhance their knowledge and use of digital technologies which helps to provide better connections and communication among these farmers to get up-to-date information with the latest agricultural practices and innovations. Regarding stakeholders most of them belonged to medium to high level because it enables them to access and disseminate information more effectively by using digital tools and also helps in bridging the information gap. This dual approach will facilitate a more integrated and efficient agricultural information system, ultimately benefiting the entire agricultural community.

H i content at cosmic noon – a millimetre-wavelength perspective

ABSTRACT In order to understand galaxy growth evolution, it is critical to constrain the evolution of its building block: gas. Mostly comprised by Hydrogen in its neutral (H i) and molecular (H$_2$) phases, the latter is the one mostly directly associated to star formation, while the neutral phase is considered the long-term gas reservoir. In this work, we make use of an empirical relation between dust emission at millimetre wavelengths and total gas mass in the interstellar medium (M$_{\rm HI}$ plus M$_{\rm H_2}$) in order to retrieve the H i content in galaxies. We assemble an heterogeneous sample of 335 galaxies at $0.01\lt z\lt 6.4$ detected in both mm-continuum and carbon monoxide (CO), with special focus on a blindly selected sample to retrieve H i cosmological content when the Universe was $\sim 2-6\,$ Gyr old ($1\lt z\lt 3$). We find no significant evolution with redshift of the M$_{\rm HI}$/M$_{\rm H_2}$ ratio, which is about $1-3$ (depending on the relation used to estimate M$_{\rm HI}$). This also shows that M$_{\rm H_2}$-based gas depletion times are underestimated overall by a factor of $2-4$. Compared to local Universe H i mass functions, we find that the number density of galaxies with M$_{\rm HI}\gtrsim 10^{10.5}\,$M$_\odot$ significantly decreased since 8–12 Gyr ago. The specific sample used for this analysis is associated to 20–50 per cent of the total cosmic H i content as estimated via Damped Lyman-$\alpha$ Absorbers. In IR luminous galaxies, H i mass content decreases between $z\sim 2.5$ and $z\sim 1.5$, while H$_2$ seems to increase. We also show source detection expectations for SKA surveys.

MALDI Mass Spectrometry on High-Density Droplet Arrays: Matrix Deposition, Selective Removal, and Recrystallization.

High-density droplet arrays are emerging as a powerful tool for high-throughput bioanalytical applications. These arrays are formed of thousands of nanoliter droplets, which can be analyzed by various optical and spectroscopic methods as well as label-free matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). However, special precautions are required for the massive number of small droplets, particularly in the deposition of matrix compounds. Here, we introduce a new workflow for the analytical preparation of an array comprising 6048 droplets, which significantly improves the intensity of the MALDI-MS signals. We deposited matrix compounds in a custom-made sublimation chamber followed by a recrystallization step to achieve significant signal intensity increases for three model proteins with low, medium, and large masses, respectively. Furthermore, selective removal of the matrix before recrystallization enhanced the spatial resolution and increased the signal intensity by an average of 57%. This method can be easily standardized and upscaled for the preparation of an even larger number of droplets per array for MS analysis.

Asymmetry, Gap Opening, and a High Accretion Rate on DM Tau: A Hypothesis Based on the Interaction of Magnetized Disk Wind with Planets

Over 200 protoplanetary disk systems have been resolved by the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), and the vast majority suggest the presence of planets. The dust gaps in transition disks are considered evidence of giant planets sculpting gas and dust under appropriate disk viscosity. However, the unusually high accretion rates in many T Tauri stars hosting transition disks challenge this theory. As the only disk currently observed with high turbulence, the high accretion rate (∼10−8.3 M ⊙ yr−1) observed in DM Tau indicates the presence of strong turbulence within the system. Considering the recent theoretical advancements in magnetized disk winds are challenging the traditional gap-opening theories and viscosity-driven accretion models, our study presents a pioneering simulation incorporating a simplified magnetized disk wind model to explain the observed features in DM Tau. Employing multifluid simulations with an embedded medium mass planet, we successfully replicate the gap formation and asymmetric structures evident in ALMA Band 6 and the recent Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array 7 mm observations. Our results suggest that when magnetized disk wind dominates the accretion mode of the system, it is entirely possible for a planet with a medium mass to exist within the gap inside 20 au of DM Tau. This means that DM Tau may not be as turbulent as imagined. However, viscosity within the disk should also contribute a little turbulence to maintain disk stability.

Microscopic derivation of the octupole magic numbers from symmetry considerations

The valence shells of medium mass and heavy nuclei consist of the normal and the intruder parity orbitals; therefore the Shell Model SU(3) symmetry of Elliott cannot have a straightforward application on them. The proxy-SU(3) can be applied instead, since it uses a unitary transformation, meant to act on the intruder orbitals to alter their parity and transform them to their proxy orbitals. The inverse unitary operator transforms the proxy orbitals back to the intruder ones. The highest weight proxy-SU(3) irreducible representations (irreps) allows one to determine the corresponding number of occupied intruder orbitals. In this way we obtain the so-called ‘octupole magic numbers’ 32, 56, 90, 134 and 194 without any parameter. Moreover, the proxy (unitary) mapping and its inverse transformation make the proxy space eligible for the calculation of observables associated with octupole deformation and the relevant treatment of mixed parity states. The implemented study validates the proxy-SU(3) approach with respect to the octupole deformation and suggests its full applicability in the corresponding mass regions.

CORRECTION OF PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES IN SALIVARY GLANDS OF ANIMALS WITH PACLITAXEL-INDUCED NEUROPATHY

Background. Paclitaxel is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent used to treat breast, ovarian, and other cancers. At the same time, paclitaxel causes peripheral neuropathy as a side effect in 45%—70% of patients. Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy on the development of pathological changes in the salivary glands of animals and to explore the possibility of correction of the identified changes with vitamin B/ATP complex. Materials and Methods. To simulate toxic neuropathy, animals were injected i/p with paclitaxel 2 mg/kg for 4 days. In order to correct the identified changes, rats were injected i/m with vitamin B/ATP complex (1 mg/ kg) for 9 days. In the homogenate of the submandibular salivary glands, α-amylase activity, total proteolytic activity, total antitryptic activity, the content of medium mass molecules, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), oxidatively modified proteins, and catalase activity were determined. Results. A significant increase in the content of oxidatively modified proteins, medium mass molecules, and the content of TBARS and significant decrease in the activity of catalase and amylase were determined in the salivary glands of animals with toxic neuropathy compared to these parameters in intact animals. Administration of vitamin B/ATP complex for 9 days against the background of paclitaxel-induced neuropathy led to normalization of antitryptic activity and amylase activity, a significant decrease in the content of oxidatively modified proteins, medium mass molecules, and TBARS along with a significant increase in catalase activity in the salivary glands of animals compared to the untreated rats with neuropathy. Conclusion. Paclitaxel-induced neuropathy caused the development of pathological changes in the salivary glands of rats, which was evidenced by a carbonyl- oxidative stress and impaired protein synthetic function. The correction with vitamin B/ATP complex restored the protein-synthetic function and the proteinase-inhibitor balance, suppressed the oxidative stress and normalized free radical processes in the salivary glands of rats.

Effect of basket mesh size on the hydrodynamics of a partially filled (500 mL) USP rotating basket dissolution testing Apparatus 1

The USP Rotating Basket Dissolution Testing Apparatus 1 is listed in the USP as one of the tools to assess dissolution of oral solid dosage forms. Baskets of different mesh sizes can be used to differentiate between dissolution profiles of different formulations. Here, we used Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) to study the hydrodynamics of the USP Apparatus 1 using baskets with different mesh openings (10-, 20- and 40-mesh) revolving at 100 rpm, when the vessel was filled with 500 mL. The velocity profiles throughout the liquid were found to vary significantly using baskets of different mesh sizes, typically increasing with increased size of the opening of the basket mesh, especially for axial and radial velocities. This, in turn, resulted in a significantly different flow rate through the basket, which can be expected to significantly impact the dissolution rate of the drug product. A comparison between the results of this work with those of a previous study with a 900-mL fill volume (Sirasitthichoke et al., Intern. J. Pharmaceutics, 2021, 607: 120976), shows that although the hydrodynamics in the USP Apparatus 1 changed with fill level in the vessel, the flow rate through the basket was not significantly affected. This implies that tablets dissolving in the two systems would experience similar tablet-liquid medium mass transfer coefficients, and therefore similar initial dissolution rates, but different dissolution profiles because of the difference in volume.

In-situ forming PLGA implants: Towards less toxic solvents

In-situ forming poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) implants offer a great potential for controlled drug delivery for a variety of applications, e.g. periodontitis treatment. The polymer is dissolved in a water-miscible solvent. The drug is dissolved or dispersed in this solution. Upon contact with aqueous body fluids, the solvent diffuses into the surrounding tissue and water penetrates into the formulation. Consequently, PLGA precipitates, trapping the drug. Often, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidine (NMP) is used as a water-miscible solvent. However, parenteral administration of NMP raises toxicity concerns. The aim of this study was to identify less toxic alternative solvent systems for in-situ forming PLGA implants. Various blends of polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400), triethyl citrate (TEC) and ethanol were used to prepare liquid formulations containing PLGA, ibuprofen (as an anti-inflammatory drug) and/or chlorhexidine dihydrochloride (as an antiseptic agent). Implant formation and drug release kinetics were monitored upon exposure to phosphate buffer pH 6.8 at 37 °C. Furthermore, the syringeability of the liquids, antimicrobial activity of the implants, and dynamic changes in the latter’s wet mass and pH of the release medium were studied. Importantly, 85:10:5 and 60:30:10 PEG 400:TEC:ethanol blends provided good syringeability and allowed for rapid implant formation. The latter controlled ibuprofen and chlorhexidine release over several weeks and assured efficient antimicrobial activity. Interestingly, fundamental differences were observed concerning the underlying release mechanisms of the two drugs: Ibuprofen was dissolved in the solvent mixtures and partially leached out together with the solvents during implant formation, resulting in relatively pronounced burst effects. In contrast, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride was dispersed in the liquids in the form of tiny particles, which were effectively trapped by precipitating PLGA during implant formation, leading to initial lag-phases for drug release.

Squeezing effect on D+∕D− with nonzero chemical potential

The medium mass modification may lead to a squeezing effect. In the baryonic medium, the mass of D meson was expected to reduce and the in-medium masses of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] may show a splitting effect, and the chemical potential of D meson may be not zero. We study the squeezing effect on the yield ratio [Formula: see text] with nonzero chemical potential. Due to the in-medium mass splitting, the squeezing effect on the momentum distributions of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are different. Without the squeezing effect, the yield ratio [Formula: see text] remains constant as the transverse momentum increases. The yield ratio [Formula: see text] is affected by the squeezing effect, resulting in a dependence on transverse momentum. An increase in transverse momentum leads to a decrease in the yield ratio, especially when there is a high chemical potential. Additionally, the in-medium mass splitting amplifies this phenomenon. The yield ratio [Formula: see text] with nonzero chemical potential approaches 1 when there is a large average in-medium mass reduction, which becomes more evident at higher transverse momentum. The study of the squeezing effect on the yield ratio [Formula: see text] with nonzero chemical potential may be meaningful for the CBM and PANDA experiments of the FAIR project at GSI.

Propaganda channels and their comparative effectiveness: The case of Russia’s war in Ukraine

Since Lasswell, propaganda has been considered one of three chief implements of warfare, along with military and economic pressure. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine revives public and scholarly interest in war propaganda. The Russian political leader frames the war as an imperial war. The Ukrainian political leader frames it as a war of national liberation. The discursive battle thus complements the military combat. The outcome of the discursive combat depends on the effectiveness of propaganda deployed by the parties involved. Propaganda effectiveness is the propagation of war-related messages stated by political leaders through various media with no or few distortions. The effectiveness of propaganda is compared (1) across countries, with a particular focus on two belligerents, Russia and Ukraine, (2) in the function of the medium (mass media, digital media), and (iii) using two different methods (content analysis and survey research). Data were collected during the first year of the large-scale invasion (February 2022 to February 2023). Survey data allowed measuring the degree of the target audience’s agreement with key propagated messages.

A study of trends of neutron skin thickness and proton radii of mirror nuclei within the framework of covariant density functional theory

The neutron skin of atomic nuclei impacts the structure of neutron-rich nuclei, but its accurate measurement is quite challenging. We present predictions for neutron skins and proton radii for light to medium mass nuclei by employing Covariant Density Functional Theory (CDFT) based on density-dependent meson-exchange interaction. Using our microscopic predictions, we find a linear correlation between the neutron skin and the isospin asymmetry. The calculations are also extended to find a linear relationship between proton and neutron radii of mirror nuclei. Using the charge symmetry property of nuclear forces, a correlation between the neutron skin of neutron-rich nuclei and difference between the proton radii of the corresponding mirror pair has also been investigated. The inclusion of ISB term is found to affect the mirror difference charge radii of [Formula: see text]Ca-[Formula: see text]Ni mirror pair.

Investigation of Light Baryons in Hot QCD

We investigate the behavior of light baryons in hot QCD. To this aim, we evaluate the light baryons mass and residue in hot medium using the thermal correlation function with two-point by means of the thermal QCD sum rule. In sum rule calculations, we consider the additional thermal condensates appearing in Wilson expansion at T≠0. We determine the thermal continuum threshold using obtained sum rules expressions to analyze numerically. We observe that the masses and residues of light baryons stay approximately the same until the temperature reaches a certain value and then they fall with the temperature increase. We see that vacuum values of parameters in our calculations are in good consistency with other studies in the literature. Also, we define the fit functions that show how the spectroscopic parameters for light baryons behave at T≠0.

Quadrupole-octupole collective excitations in medium mass nuclei

A quadrupole-octupole axially symmetric collective model is used to describe the alternate parity bands observed in even–even medium mass nuclei. The nature of the octupole correlations in considered nuclei is ascertained from the phenomenology of the adopted model and the obtained parameters. It is found that the model parameters have a regular evolution as a function of neutron number, suggesting that the shape phase transition around N = 90 from low to well deformed shapes is also accompanied by the increase of the vibrational character for the octupole deformation. Model extrapolations are performed for various types of excited states and electromagnetic properties of measured energy levels.

Towards Precision Muonic X-ray Measurements of Charge Radii of Light Nuclei

We, the QUARTET Collaboration, propose an experiment to measure the nuclear charge radii of light elements with up to 20 times higher accuracy. These are essential both for understanding nuclear physics at low energies, and for experimental and theoretical applications in simple atomic systems. Such comparisons advance the understanding of bound-state quantum electrodynamics and are useful for searching for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The energy levels of muonic atoms are highly susceptible to nuclear structure, especially to the mean square charge radius. The radii of the lightest nuclei (with the atomic number, Z=1,2) have been determined with high accuracy using laser spectroscopy in muonic atoms, while those of medium mass and above were determined using X-ray spectroscopy with semiconductor detectors. In this communication, we present a new experiment, aiming to obtain precision measurements of the radii of light nuclei 3≤Z≤10 using single-photon energy measurements with cryogenic microcalorimeters; a quantum-sensing technology capable of high efficiency with outstanding resolution for low-energy X-rays.

Minced Beef Meat Paste Characteristics: Gel Properties, Water Distribution, and Microstructures Regulated by Medium Molecular Mass of γ-Poly-Glutamic Acid.

The influences of various m-γ-PGA (0.08-0.20%, w/w) concentrations on the properties of minced beef meat paste in terms of rheological properties, texture, moisture distribution, and microstructures were evaluated. The results indicated that m-γ-PGA enhanced the water-holding capacity, gel strength, texture, and whiteness of the minced beef meat paste. Based on the microstructural results, m-γ-PGA helped form a more organized and compact gel, thereby limiting the migration of water through the gel matrix. In contrast to the control group, the water-holding property, gel strength, and whiteness of minced meat paste gels with m-γ-PGA content of 0.12% increased from 75.89%, 584.51 g·cm, and 61.83 to 79.91%, 780.87 g·cm, and 62.54, respectively (p < 0.05), exhibiting the highest water-holding property and gel strength. Thus, m-γ-PGA exhibits great potential for minced meat paste products as a healthy gel water retainer and enhancer in low-fat meat products.