Decay Ratio Research Articles

Control of Unexpected Mucor lusitanicus in Litchi Fruit by Hydrocooling with Hypochlorous Acid and Cold Storage

Litchi fruit (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) is highly perishable because its shelf life is significantly limited by pericarp browning and microbial spoilage. While sulfur dioxide (SO2) fumigation has been traditionally used to preserve color and reduce spoilage, concerns over potential health risks have prompted the exploration of safer alternatives. This study investigated the application of hypochlorous acid (HClO) as an alternative treatment during postharvest processes to mitigate pathological decay, targeting Mucor lusitanicus, a fungus primarily responsible for litchi fruit rot in Taiwan. In vitro experiments demonstrated that M. lusitanicus growth was completely inhibited by HClO concentrations at 40 mg L−1 or higher, as well as by temperatures below 1 °C. In vivo experiments further revealed that disease symptoms in inoculated litchi fruit were fully suppressed at 25 °C for seven days after hydrocooling with HClO. When 40 mg L−1 HClO treatment was combined with hydrocooling and subsequent storage at 5 °C, the decay ratio of litchi fruit was reduced to below 3% after 21-day storage. The browning index and disease incidence of litchi fruit hydrocooled with an 8 h hydrocooling delay were significantly lower than those with a 12 h hydrocooling delay after 21 days at 5 °C, followed by 1 day at 26 °C. Therefore, hydrocooling within 8 h of harvest is recommended for commercial scales. This treatment effectively prevented pericarp browning and maintained total soluble solid levels, ensuring the quality. These findings suggest that integrating HClO with hydrocooling not only decreases spoilage and delays pericarp browning but also offers a viable alternative to traditional SO2 fumigation, optimizing the postharvest process and enhancing food safety. This approach can extend the storage ability of litchi fruit while maintaining its quality, providing a safer method for local and international markets.

Light quark loops in K±→π±νν¯ from vector meson dominance and update on the Kaon Unitarity Triangle

We use vector meson dominance to calculate non-perturbative contributions to the branching ratio of the rare decay K±→π±νν¯ stemming from matrix elements involving up-quark loops. The importance of this observable as well as of K0 → π0l+l− and of the direct CP violation parameter ϵK′ is then discussed in the context of a Unitarity Triangle sqtudy based on Kaon sector observables only.

Stability and bifurcation analysis of Oskarshamn-2 event with nuclear data and kinetic parameter uncertainties

The primary aim of the current research is to investigate the impact of nuclear data and kinetic parameters uncertainties on the stability and bifurcation behaviour of the Oskarshamn-2 core under unstable conditions. Utilizing the SHARK-X platform, nuclear data and kinetic parameter uncertainties are propagated in 2-D lattice calculations with CASMO5 and downstream to static and dynamic calculations using SIMULATE3 and SIMULATE-3 K. Results show that, the nuclear data uncertainties have a drastic effect on the stability behaviour of the core when the instability is triggered because the system become highly nonlinear at such conditions. However, more interesting is the qualitative effect on the stability behaviour where the nature of solution changes, i.e. occurrence of bifurcation, from a highly unstable state (diverging oscillation amplitudes) to a highly stable state (rapidly decreasing oscillation amplitudes). This change in the nature of behaviour, i.e. solution, is found to be due to the fact that the stability event occurs very close to the stability boundary of the system and therefore any change in any parameter could be enough to swing the system to the other side of the stability boundary. Concerning kinetic parameters, results show a clearly smaller impact compared to that of nuclear data, leading to uncertainties in the decay ratio and resonance frequency around 2.5 % and 0.2 % respectively. The main effect is variations in oscillation amplitude without altering the nature of the solution.

Bc\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\varvec{B_c}$$\\end{document} to A transition form factors and semileptonic decays in self-consistent covariant light-front approach

We present a comprehensive analysis of the semileptonic weak decays of Bc\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_c$$\\end{document} meson decaying to axial-vector (A) mesons for bottom-conserving and bottom-changing decay modes. We employ self-consistent covariant light-front quark model (CLF QM) that uses type-II correspondence to eliminate inconsistencies in the traditional type-I CLF QM. As a fresh attempt, we test the self-consistency in CLF QM through type-II correspondence for Bc→A\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_c \\rightarrow A$$\\end{document} meson transition form factors. We establish that in type-II correspondence the form factors for longitudinal and transverse polarization states are numerically equal and are free from zero-mode contributions, which confirms the self-consistency of type-II correspondence for Bc→A\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_c \\rightarrow A$$\\end{document} transition form factors. Furthermore, we ascertain that the problems of inconsistency and violation of covariance of CLF QM within the type-I correspondence are resolved in type-II correspondence for Bc→A\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_c \\rightarrow A$$\\end{document} transitions. We thoroughly investigate the effects of self-consistency between type-I and type-II schemes using a comparative analysis. In this investigation, we employ a direct calculation approach to determine the form factors within the space-like region. Subsequently, we employ a vector meson dominance (VMD)-inspired three-parameter form to extrapolate these form factors into the physically accessible region. This enables us to study the q2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$q^2$$\\end{document} dependence of the form factors in weak hadronic currents for the whole accessible kinematic range for both bottom-conserving as well as bottom-changing transitions. In addition, we extend our analysis to predict the branching ratios of the semileptonic weak decays of Bc\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$B_c$$\\end{document} meson involving axial-vector meson in the final state to quantify the effects of self-consistency in these decays that were not studied before. We evaluate the lepton mass effect on these branching ratios and various other important physical observables, such as forward-backward asymmetries, lepton-side convexity parameter, asymmetry parameter, and longitudinal polarization asymmetries and fractions. Finally, we obtain the lepton flavor universality ratios for various decays.

Genetic markers of late radiation toxicity in the era of image-guided radiotherapy: lower toxicity rates reduce the predictive value of γ-H2AX foci decay ratio in patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy

BackgroundA predictive assay for late radiation toxicity would allow more personalized treatment planning, reducing the burden of toxicity for the more sensitive minority, and improving the therapeutic index for the majority. In a previous study in prostate cancer patients, the γ-H2AX foci decay ratio (γ-FDR) was the strongest predictor of late radiation toxicity. The current study aimed to validate this finding in a more varied group of patients with pelvic cancer. Additionally, the potential correlation between the γ-FDR and patient-reported outcomes was investigated.MethodsProstate and gynecological cancer patients with ≥ 24 months of follow-up were included in the current analysis. Toxicity was evaluated by physician (CTCAE version 4) and patient (EORTC questionnaires). γ-FDRs were determined in ex vivo irradiated lymphocytes. Correlation between γ-FDR and toxicity was assessed using both linear and logistic regression analyses. The highest toxicity grade recorded during follow-up was used. The association between global quality of life and γ-FDR was tested by comparing the change in quality of life over time in patients with γ-FDR < or ≥ 3.41, a previously established threshold.ResultsEighty-eight patients were included. Physician-assessed and patient-reported cumulative grade ≥ 2 toxicity was 25% and 29%, respectively; which is much lower than in the previous cohort (i.e., 51% CTCAE grade ≥ 2). Patients with toxicity exhibited less favorable dose-volume parameters. In men, these parameters showed significant improvement compared to the previous cohort. The proportion of patients with a low γ-FDR increased with severity of toxicity, but this trend was not statistically significant. In addition, a γ-FDR < 3.41 was not correlated with the development of moderate to severe toxicity. Post-treatment decline in global quality of life was minimal, and similar for patients with γ-FDR < or ≥ 3.41.ConclusionsIn the present study, the γ-H2AX foci decay ratio could not be validated as a predictor of late radiation toxicity in patients with pelvic cancer. Improved radiotherapy techniques with smaller irradiated bladder and bowel volumes have probably resulted in less toxicities. Future studies on genetic markers of toxicity should be powered on these lower incidences. We further recommend taking persistency, next to severity, into consideration.

Characterization of the image plate multi-scan response to mono-energetic x-rays.

Image plates (IPs), or phosphor storage screens, are a technology employed frequently in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and high energy density plasma (HEDP) diagnostics because of their sensitivity to many types of radiation, including, x rays, protons, alphas, beta particles, and neutrons. Prior studies characterizing IPs are predicated on the signal level remaining below the scanner saturation threshold. Since the scanning process removes some signal from the IP via photostimulated luminescence, repeatedly scanning an IP can bring the signal level below the scanner saturation threshold. This process, in turn, raises concerns about the signal response of IPs after an arbitrary number of scans and whether such a process yields, for example, a constant ratio of signal between the nth and n + 1st scan. Here, the sensitivity of IPs is investigated when scanned multiple times. It is demonstrated that the ratio of signal decay is not a constant with the number of scans and that the signal decay depends on the x-ray energy. As such, repeatedly scanning an IP with a mixture of signal types (e.g., x ray, neutron, and protons) enables ICF and HEDP diagnostics employing IPs to better isolate a particular signal type.

Study of B(s) meson decays to D0*(2300) , Ds0*(2317) , Ds1(2460) and Ds1(2536) within the covariant light-front approach

In this work, we investigate the form factors of the transitions B(s)→D0*(2300),Ds0*(2317), Ds1(2460), and Ds1(2536) in the covariant light-front quark model (CLFQM), where these final states are considered as P-wave excited charmed mesons. In order to obtain the form factors for the physical transition processes, we extend these form factors from the spacelike region to the timelike region. The q2-dependence for each transition form factor is also plotted. Then, combined with those form factors, the branching ratios of the two-body nonleptonic decays B(s)→D(s)0*(2300,2317)M, Ds1(2460,2536)M with M being a light pseudoscalar (vector) meson or a charmed meson are calculated by considering the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) radiative corrections to the hadronic matrix elements within the QCD factorization approach. Most of our predictions are comparable to the results given by other theoretical approaches and the present available data. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Resolving the BWR Stability Paradox of Space-Dependent Decay Ratios

Noise signals obtained from local power range monitors and average power range monitors are routinely used for extracting stability information for boiling water reactors. The stability parameters of decay ratio (DR) and natural frequency are produced by signal processing algorithms. While theoretically a dynamical system like a reactor core composed of coherently coupled components possesses a unique DR, noise measurements from different detectors have been reported in several published works to produce different DRs, creating the impression that a DR is not unique at a given operating state but rather is space dependent. This paper is an attempt to reconcile theory with measurements and resolve the space-dependent DR paradox that was encountered afresh in the course of designing a new high-fidelity online stability monitor. As such, the issue of space dependence could not be overlooked as attributable to variability within the uncertainty of noise analysis algorithms.

Leptonic and semileptonic decays of mesons in the domain model of the QCD vacuum

The leptonic and semileptonic decays of mesons are investigated within the domain model of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) vacuum and hadronization. The domain model is the mean-field approach based on the statistical ensemble of almost everywhere homogeneous Abelian (anti-)self-dual gluon fields which reproduces main features of low-energy QCD and allows one to deduce a nonlocal effective meson action. Using this meson action, the leptonic decay constants, form factors and branching ratios of semileptonic decays are evaluated simultaneously with masses of mesons. The results are compared to experimental data or other approaches. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Digital horizontal crosstalk compensation in 8K LCD displays for enhanced image quality

AbstractAs ultra‐high‐definition displays have gained popularity, mitigating the horizontal crosstalk effect in 8K LCD panels is crucial. High display resolution requires narrower signal line integration, intensifying the coupling effect. Traditional methods like Vcom feedback and increasing analog voltage drain‐drain (AVDD) load are slower and less accurate, leading to increased power consumption. In response, we propose an advanced digital signal compensation method. In this study, we developed a predictive model and investigated the intricate relationships among AVDD, Vcom, and storage capacity (Cst) ripples on horizontal crosstalk. Optimizing the ripple change (∆G) by varying the compensation coefficient (a) and decay ratio (τ) significantly reduces crosstalk effects. The digital compensation method allows rapid and precise compensation without delays, reducing horizontal crosstalk in 8K LCD panels from 4% to below 0.9%. This surpasses the requirement of minimizing crosstalk to less than 2%, substantially enhancing the image quality of high‐resolution displays.

Optimization of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnet guideways with high-temperature stability

High-temperature superconducting (HTS) pinning Maglev systems are advantageous due to their ability to achieve large-scale passive-stabilized levitation. Elevated temperatures can lead to a reduction in the magnetic characteristics of the permanent magnet guideway (PMG), which may pose a risk to the safe functioning of HTS Maglev trains. In order to guarantee the secure and dependable functioning of HTS Maglev trains, it is necessary to augment the high-temperature stability of the PMG. This study involves simulating the high-temperature stability of present PMGs and developing a new PMG that exhibits greater performance. Magnetic field simulation is employed to compute the demagnetization of permanent magnets (PMs) in several typical PMGs, encompassing both reversible and irreversible scenarios, in order to examine the factors contributing to demagnetization and evaluate the thermal stability of the PMGs at elevated temperatures. The grade, size, and magnetization direction of the Halbach-type PMG are subsequently optimized and compared to the original Halbach-type PMG. Following this, ideas for further optimization are provided. The optimized Halbach-type PMG reduces the overall decay ratio of the highest magnetic flux density Bz by 5.77% compared to the existing Halbach-type PMG. Additionally, the irreversible decay ratio is decreased by 6.13% at 85 ℃. The levitation force decay ratio on the HTS bulks above the optimized Halbach-type PMG is decreased by 8.11% compared to the existing Halbach-type PMG. Additionally, the irreversible decay ratio is reduced by 9% at 85 ℃. This study provides valuable insights for enhancing the efficiency and performance of PMGs and HTS Maglev trains over extended periods of operation.

New results on the two-body decay of neutrons shed new light on neutron stars

In attempts to resolve the neutron lifetime puzzle, there was suggested a hypothetical decay of neutrons into some unspecified dark matter (DM) particles. Later there were performed studies on how the hypothetical decay of neutrons would affect neutron stars. Recently it was shown that with the allowance for the second solution of Dirac equation for hydrogen atoms, the theoretical branching ratio (BR) for the two-body decay of neutrons (compared to their three-body decay) is amplified by a factor of 3300 from 0.000004. So, the BR becomes about 1.3% in the excellent agreement with the “experimental” BR = (1.15 ± 0.27)% required for reconciling the two distinct experimental values of the neutron lifetime: one from the beam experiments, another from the trap experiments. This meant that the two-body decay of neutrons in the beam experiments (that count only the protons) plays a much more sizable part in the overestimation of the lifetime of neutrons in these experiments than previously thought. Hydrogen atoms corresponding to the second solution of Dirac equations are called the second flavor of hydrogen atoms (SFHA) by the analogy with the flavors of quarks. The existence of the SFHA is evidenced by four different types of atomic/molecular experiments. The primary feature of the SFHA is that due to having only the s-states, they do not emit or absorb the electromagnetic radiation (except for the 21 cm line): they are practically dark. The SFHA became a candidate for a part of DM for the first time after the SFHA-based successful qualitative and quantitative explanation of the perplexing observation by Bowman et al. of the anomalous absorption in the redshifted 21 cm line from the early Universe. In the present paper we analyzed how this neutron decay into the SFHA affects neutron stars. We showed that old neutron stars could very slowly generate the new specific, described in detail baryonic DM in the form of the SFHA. Some old neutron stars would release it into their tiny atmospheres, while some other old neutron stars would release it into the interstellar medium. Besides, mergers of a neutron star with another neutron star or with a black hole, accompanied by the ejection of neutron-rich material, can also lead to the formation of SFHA as the ejecta cools down. This is another interesting aspect of the multi-messenger astronomy focused on studying these mergers through the gravitational waves they generate. These mechanisms of generating new baryonic DM in the universe should have the fundamental importance. We point out the indirect observational evidence of the continuing generation of new baryonic DM. We hope that our results will stimulate a further research in this direction.

New approaches in pear preservation: Putrescine and modified atmosphere packaging applications to maintain fruit quality during cold storage.

Pear (P. communis L.), which is a climacteric fruit species, has a very short storage and shelf life, and significant losses occur due to high metabolic activity and the fruit's respiration rate after harvest. Therefore, preventing or reducing post-harvest quality losses in pear is one of the most basic problems awaiting solution. In this study, we planned for this purpose; the fruits of the Ankara pear cultivar treated with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), putrescine (1 mM), and MAP + putrescine were stored for 120 days at 1°C and 90 ± 5% relative humidity. The quality analyses and measurements, such as weight loss, decay rate, fruit firmness, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), total phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, organic acids, and specific phenolic compounds, were performed on the 30th, 60th, 90th, and 120th days. Weight loss and decay ratios were lower for putrescine and putrescine + MAP-applied fruit. With these applications, the softening of the fruit was slowed down, and the increasing SSC in the fruit and the decreasing TA rates were lower, and thus the ripening of the fruit was delayed. Changes in individual phenolic content and organic acids were lower in MAP and putrescine-applied fruit. The study revealed that MAP and putrescine applications in pear can be used effectively to maintain fruit quality after harvest.

A hierarchical optimization technique for placement of battery energy storage system to improve grid transient stability

AbstractA battery energy storage system (BESS), due to its very fast dynamic response, plays an essential role in improving the transient frequency stability of a grid. The performance of the BESS varies with the system's installation site. Hence, the optimal location of the BESS is of utmost importance for improving transient frequency stability. Therefore, this paper presents a hierarchical approach for optimizing the BESS placement to improve a grid's transient frequency stability. In most research, frequency nadir and rate of change of frequency (ROCOF) have been considered for studying frequency stability. This paper considers two more parameters, along with frequency nadir and ROCOF, to study the transient frequency stability, settling time, and decay ratio. A novel frequency stability index (FSI) using the four transient frequency parameters has been developed. After a significant disturbance in a benchmarked test system, the FSI was used to identify the optimal location of the BESS for stabilizing the frequency. It has been observed that, after a sudden generator outage, the ROCOF and the frequency nadir improve the best when the BESS is located at the bus closest to the generator experiencing the outage. However, considering the other two parameters as well, the value of the FSI is the minimum; that is, the optimum solution is when the BESS is located at the bus that is the second closest to the generator experiencing the outage. Results of similar studies validate the proposed FSI in indicating the optimal location of the BESS in improving the transient frequency behavior of the system.

How higher charmonia shape the puzzling data of the e+e−→ηJ/ψ cross section

Recently, the BESIII collaboration performed a precise measurement of the e+e−→ηJ/ψ cross section. It is puzzling that the resonance parameters of the reported Y(4230) show a substantial divergence from the previously measured results in both the open-charmed and hidden-charmed decay channels, and the line shape asymmetry of the data approaching 4.2 GeV also suggests that it might be difficult to characterize the details of the structure around 4.2 GeV by a single resonance. This has motivated our great curiosity about how the charmonium states are distributed in the measured energy range and how they shape the puzzling data of the e+e−→ηJ/ψ cross section. In this work, we use five theoretically constructed charmonia in the range of 4.0–4.5 GeV, i.e., ψ(4040), ψ(4160), ψ(4220), ψ(4380), and ψ(4415), to apply a combined fit to the data, in which their calculated decay ratios into ηJ/ψ via hadronic loop mechanism are taken as input. The fit results can reproduce the measured cross section data well, especially for the subtle line shape around 4.2 GeV, showing that the structure around 4.2 GeV is possible from the contribution of both ψ(4160) and ψ(4220). Published by the American Physical Society 2024

One-loop matching of the type-III seesaw model onto the Standard Model Effective Field Theory

In previous works [1, 2], we have performed the one-loop matching of both type-I and type-II seesaw models for neutrino masses onto the Standard Model Effective Field Theories (SMEFT). In the present paper, by matching the type-III seesaw model onto the SMEFT at the one-loop level, we complete this series of studies on the construction of low-energy effective field theories (EFTs) for the canonical seesaw models. After integrating out the heavy fermionic triplets in the type-III seesaw model via both functional and diagrammatic approaches, we find 33 dimension-six (dim-6) operators in the Warsaw basis and their Wilson coefficients, while the number of dim-6 operators is 31 (or 41) for the EFT of type-I (or type-II) seesaw model. Furthermore, we calculate the branching ratios of radiative decays of charged leptons in the EFT. Then, the relationship between the beta function of the quartic Higgs coupling λ in the full theory and that of λEFT in the EFT is clarified. Finally, we briefly discuss the phenomenological implications of three types of seesaw EFTs and propose working observables that are sensitive to the four-fermion operators, which could be used to distinguish among different seesaw models in collider experiments.

Chaplygin gas inspired warm inflation and swampland conjectures through various scalar potentials

In this paper, we analyze inflationary parameters and swampland conjectures in the presence of a scalar field and Chaplygin models. We examine inflationary parameters, such as slow-roll parameters, scalar and tensor power spectra, spectral index, and tensor-to-scalar ratio, in the presence of a scalar field and Chaplygin gas models. We also discuss recently proposed swampland conjectures. We assume that the inflationary expansion is driven by a standard scalar field with a decay ratio Γ that has a generic power-law dependence on the scalar field ϕ and that the temperature of the thermal bath T is given by , where is a dimensionless parameter and a is the inflation decay rate. In a scenario where our model operates within a robust dissipative environment , we analyze both fundamental and perturbative dynamics to extract key inflationary parameters. These include the scalar power spectrum , dissipative ratio R, scalar spectral index , tensor-to-scalar ratio r, running of the scalar spectral index , and generalized ratio of the swampland de-Sitter conjecture for three different potentials.

Understanding the Coupling Mechanism of Intercalation and Conversion Hybrid Storage in Lithium-Graphite Anode.

Anodes with high capacity and long lifespan play an important role in the advanced batteries. However, none of the existing anodes can meet these two requirements simultaneously. Lithium (Li)-graphite composite anode presents great potential in balancing these two requirements. Herein, the working mechanism of Li-graphite composite anode is comprehensively investigated. The capacity decay features of the composite anode are different from those of Li ion intercalation in Li ion batteries and Li metal deposition in Li metal batteries. An intercalation and conversion hybrid storage mechanism are proposed by analyzing the capacity decay ratios in the composite anode with different initial specific capacities. The capacity decay models can be divided into four stages including Capacity Retention Stage, Relatively Independent Operation Stage, Intercalation & Conversion Coupling Stage, Pure Li Intercalation Stage. When the specific capacity is between 340 and 450mAh g-1, its capacity decay ratio is between that of pure intercalation and conversion model. These results intensify the comprehensive understandings on the working principles in Li-graphite composite anode and present novel insights in the design of high-capacity and long-lifespan anode materials for the next-generation batteries.

Enhanced Photocatalytic and Filtration Performance of TiO2-Ag Composite-Coated Membrane Used for the Separation of Oil Emulsions

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were coated with TiO2 and TiO2-Ag to enhance their efficiency for oil-in-water emulsion separation. The photocatalytic activities of the two modified membranes and their filtration performances were compared in detail. The significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity of the TiO2-Ag composite was proved using a methyl orange (MO) solution (c = 10−5 M) and a crude oil emulsion (c = 50 mg·L−1). The TiO2-Ag-coated membrane reduced the MO concentration by 87%, whereas the TiO2-modified membrane reached only a 46% decomposition. The photocatalytic reduction in the chemical oxygen demand of the emulsion was also ~50% higher using the TiO2-Ag-coated membrane compared to that of the TiO2-coated membrane. The photoluminescence measurements demonstrated a reduced electron/hole recombination, achieved by the Ag nanoparticle addition (TiO2-Ag), which also explained the enhanced photocatalytic activity. A significant improvement in the oil separation performance with the TiO2-Ag-coated membrane was also demonstrated: a substantial increase in the flux and flux recovery ratio (up to 92.4%) was achieved, together with a notable reduction in the flux decay ratio and the irreversible filtration resistance. Furthermore, the purification efficiency was also enhanced (achieving 98.5% and 99.9% COD and turbidity reductions, respectively). Contact angle, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements were carried out to explain the results. SEM and AFM images revealed that on the TiO2-Ag-coated membrane, a less aggregated, more continuous, homogeneous, and smoother nanolayer was formed due to the ~50% more negative zeta potential of the TiO2-Ag nanocomposite compared to that of the TiO2. In summary, via Ag addition, a sufficiently hydrophilic, beneficially negatively charged, and homogeneous TiO2-Ag-coated PVDF membrane surface was achieved, which resulted in the presented advantageous filtration properties beyond the photocatalytic activity enhancement.

Semirelativistic study of the semileptonic decays of Bq mesons to orbital excited heavy tensors

Based on the method of solving the complete Salpeter equation, we study the semileptonic decays of a 0− heavy meson to 1P, 2P, or 3P heavy-tensor mesons, Bq→(c¯q)(nP)ℓ+νℓ (q=u,d,s,c;n=1,2,3). The obtained branching ratio of B(B→D2⋆(2460)ℓ+νℓ) agrees with the experimental data. We predict B(Bs0→Ds2⋆−(1P)ℓ+νℓ)=3.76×10−3 and B(Bc+→χc2(1P)ℓ+νℓ)=1.82×10−3. The branching ratios of decays to 2P and 3P final states are found to be very small. The ratios R(D¯2⋆0)=0.045, R(Ds2⋆)=0.048 and R(χc2)=0.059 are also obtained. This study focuses on the contribution of relativistic corrections. The wave function of the pseudoscalar includes nonrelativistic S-wave and relativistic P-wave. While for a tensor, it contains nonrelativistic P-wave and relativistic P-, D-, and F-waves in its wave function. We find the individual contributions of relativistic partial waves are significant in the decay B→D2⋆(2460)ℓ+νℓ, but the overall contribution of the relativistic effect is 24.4%, which is small due to cancellation. Similarly, for the decay Bs0→Ds2⋆−(1P)ℓ+νℓ, the contribution of the relativistic effect is 28.8%. While for Bc+→χc2(1P)ℓ+νℓ, the individual contributions of relativistic partial waves and the overall relativistic correction are both small, the later of which is 22.1%. Published by the American Physical Society 2024