156 research outputs found
Recipe for single-pair-Weyl-points phonons carrying the same chiral charges
Recently, Wang et al. [Phys. Rev. B, 106, 195129 (2022)] challenged a widely
held belief in the field of Weyl physics, demonstrating that
single-pair-Weyl-points (SP-WPs) can exist in nonmagnetic spinless systems,
contrary to previous assumptions that they could only exist in magnetic
systems. Wang et al. observed that the SP-WPs with opposite and even chiral
charges (i.e., |C| = 2 or 4) could also exist in nonmagnetic spinless systems.
In this Letter, we present a novel finding in which SP-WPs have a partner,
namely a charged nodal surface, in nonmagnetic spinless systems. In contrast to
previous observations, we show that the SP-WPs can have uneven chiral charges
(i.e., |C| = 1). We identify 6 (out of 230) space groups (SGs) that contain
such SP-WPs by searching the encyclopedia of emergent particles in
three-dimensional crystals. Our finds were confirmed through the phonon spectra
of two specific materials Zr3O (with SG 182) and NaPH2NO3 (with SG 173). This
discovery broadens the range of materials that can host SP-WPs and applies to
other nonmagnetic spinless crystals
Spatial and temporal characteristics of dryness/wetness for grapevine in the Northeast of China between 1981-2020
The Northeast of China has a marked continental monsoon climate characterized by dry and wet hazards that have destructive impacts on wine grape yields and quality. The purpose of this study was to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of dryness/wetness of grapevines in the wine region of northeast China from 1981 to 2020. The Crop Water Surplus and Deficit Index (CWSDI) was used to characterize the dryness/wetness using meteorological data collected at 15 meteorological stations located in or near the wine region of northeast China from 1981–2020. Results showed that the multi-year average precipitation could satisfy the water requirement of grapevine with the average CWSDI of 43% (Bud burst), 35% (Shoot growth), 40% (Flowering), 73% (Berry development), 24% (Maturation) and 56% (Full growing stage) respectively for grapevine. Most growing stages experienced a wetting trend and varied discontinuously with the abrupt change in years. The drought-stricken areas were smaller than wet-stricken areas for each growing stage, especially for berry development and full growing stages. The drought and wet characteristics were stage-specific during the grapevine growth period. The precipitation, CWSDI, wet frequency, and wet risk increased from northwest to southeast for each growing stage, while crop evapotranspiration (ETc), drought frequency and drought risk showed the opposite characteristics. The drought risk was lower than wet risk in the Northeast wine region. These results can be used to develop strategies for mitigating and adapting dryness/wetness events in the wine regions of northeast China
Effect of Kangfuxin
Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Kangfuxin Solution, a pure Chinese herbal medicine, on mucositis induced by chemoradiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. Methods. A randomized, parallel-group, multicenter clinical study was performed. A total of 240 patients were randomized to receive either Kangfuxin Solution (test group) or compound borax gargle (control group) during chemoradiotherapy. Oral mucositis, upper gastrointestinal mucositis, and oral pain were evaluated by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v3.0 and the Verbal Rating Scale (VRS). Results. Of 240 patients enrolled, 215 were eligible for efficacy analysis. Compared with the control group, the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in the test group were significantly reduced (P=0.01). The time to different grade of oral mucositis occurrence (grade 1, 2, or 3) was longer in test group (P<0.01), and the accumulated radiation dose was also higher in test group comparing to the control group (P<0.05). The test group showed lower incidence of oral pain and gastrointestinal mucositis than the control group (P<0.01). No significant adverse events were observed. Conclusion. Kangfuxin Solution demonstrated its superiority to compound borax gargle on mucositis induced by chemoradiotherapy. Its safety is acceptable for clinical application
The Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment: Exploring Fundamental Symmetries of the Universe
The preponderance of matter over antimatter in the early Universe, the
dynamics of the supernova bursts that produced the heavy elements necessary for
life and whether protons eventually decay --- these mysteries at the forefront
of particle physics and astrophysics are key to understanding the early
evolution of our Universe, its current state and its eventual fate. The
Long-Baseline Neutrino Experiment (LBNE) represents an extensively developed
plan for a world-class experiment dedicated to addressing these questions. LBNE
is conceived around three central components: (1) a new, high-intensity
neutrino source generated from a megawatt-class proton accelerator at Fermi
National Accelerator Laboratory, (2) a near neutrino detector just downstream
of the source, and (3) a massive liquid argon time-projection chamber deployed
as a far detector deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research
Facility. This facility, located at the site of the former Homestake Mine in
Lead, South Dakota, is approximately 1,300 km from the neutrino source at
Fermilab -- a distance (baseline) that delivers optimal sensitivity to neutrino
charge-parity symmetry violation and mass ordering effects. This ambitious yet
cost-effective design incorporates scalability and flexibility and can
accommodate a variety of upgrades and contributions. With its exceptional
combination of experimental configuration, technical capabilities, and
potential for transformative discoveries, LBNE promises to be a vital facility
for the field of particle physics worldwide, providing physicists from around
the globe with opportunities to collaborate in a twenty to thirty year program
of exciting science. In this document we provide a comprehensive overview of
LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the landscape of neutrino physics
worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate and the capabilities it will
possess.Comment: Major update of previous version. This is the reference document for
LBNE science program and current status. Chapters 1, 3, and 9 provide a
comprehensive overview of LBNE's scientific objectives, its place in the
landscape of neutrino physics worldwide, the technologies it will incorporate
and the capabilities it will possess. 288 pages, 116 figure
The 2021 China report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change:Seizing the window of opportunity
The 2023 China report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: taking stock for a thriving future
Seizing the window of opportunity to mitigate the impact of climate change on the health of Chinese residents
The health threats posed by climate change in China are increasing rapidly. Each province faces different health risks. Without a timely and adequate response, climate change will impact lives and livelihoods at an accelerated rate and even prevent the achievement of the Healthy and Beautiful China initiatives. The 2021 China Report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change is the first annual update of China’s Report of the Lancet Countdown. It comprehensively assesses the impact of climate change on the health of Chinese households and the measures China has taken. Invited by the Lancet committee, Tsinghua University led the writing of the report and cooperated with 25 relevant institutions in and outside of China. The report includes 25 indicators within five major areas (climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement) and a policy brief. This 2021 China policy brief contains the most urgent and relevant indicators focusing on provincial data: The increasing health risks of climate change in China; mixed progress in responding to climate change. In 2020, the heatwave exposures per person in China increased by 4.51 d compared with the 1986–2005 average, resulting in an estimated 92% increase in heatwave-related deaths. The resulting economic cost of the estimated 14500 heatwave-related deaths in 2020 is US$176 million. Increased temperatures also caused a potential 31.5 billion h in lost work time in 2020, which is equivalent to 1.3% of the work hours of the total national workforce, with resulting economic losses estimated at 1.4% of China’s annual gross domestic product. For adaptation efforts, there has been steady progress in local adaptation planning and assessment in 2020, urban green space growth in 2020, and health emergency management in 2019. 12 of 30 provinces reported that they have completed, or were developing, provincial health adaptation plans. Urban green space, which is an important heat adaptation measure, has increased in 18 of 31 provinces in the past decade, and the capacity of China’s health emergency management increased in almost all provinces from 2018 to 2019. As a result of China’s persistent efforts to clean its energy structure and control air pollution, the premature deaths due to exposure to ambient particulate matter of 2.5 μm or less (PM2.5) and the resulting costs continue to decline. However, 98% of China’s cities still have annual average PM2.5 concentrations that are more than the WHO guideline standard of 10 μg/m3. It provides policymakers and the public with up-to-date information on China’s response to climate change and improvements in health outcomes and makes the following policy recommendations. (1) Promote systematic thinking in the related departments and strengthen multi-departmental cooperation. Sectors related to climate and development in China should incorporate health perspectives into their policymaking and actions, demonstrating WHO’s and President Xi Jinping’s so-called health-in-all-policies principle. (2) Include clear goals and timelines for climate-related health impact assessments and health adaptation plans at both the national and the regional levels in the National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy for 2035. (3) Strengthen China’s climate mitigation actions and ensure that health is included in China’s pathway to carbon neutrality. By promoting investments in zero-carbon technologies and reducing fossil fuel subsidies, the current rebounding trend in carbon emissions will be reversed and lead to a healthy, low-carbon future. (4) Increase awareness of the linkages between climate change and health at all levels. Health professionals, the academic community, and traditional and new media should raise the awareness of the public and policymakers on the important linkages between climate change and health.</p
Healthy cities initiative in China: Progress, challenges, and the way forward
Article discusses how China implemented the first phase of its National Healthy Cities pilot program from 2016-20. Authors recommend aligning the Healthy Cities initiative in China with strategic national and global level agendas such as Healthy China 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing an integrative governance framework to facilitate a coherent intersectoral program to systemically improve population health
Real-time Monitoring for the Next Core-Collapse Supernova in JUNO
Core-collapse supernova (CCSN) is one of the most energetic astrophysical
events in the Universe. The early and prompt detection of neutrinos before
(pre-SN) and during the SN burst is a unique opportunity to realize the
multi-messenger observation of the CCSN events. In this work, we describe the
monitoring concept and present the sensitivity of the system to the pre-SN and
SN neutrinos at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), which is
a 20 kton liquid scintillator detector under construction in South China. The
real-time monitoring system is designed with both the prompt monitors on the
electronic board and online monitors at the data acquisition stage, in order to
ensure both the alert speed and alert coverage of progenitor stars. By assuming
a false alert rate of 1 per year, this monitoring system can be sensitive to
the pre-SN neutrinos up to the distance of about 1.6 (0.9) kpc and SN neutrinos
up to about 370 (360) kpc for a progenitor mass of 30 for the case
of normal (inverted) mass ordering. The pointing ability of the CCSN is
evaluated by using the accumulated event anisotropy of the inverse beta decay
interactions from pre-SN or SN neutrinos, which, along with the early alert,
can play important roles for the followup multi-messenger observations of the
next Galactic or nearby extragalactic CCSN.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure
Search for single production of vector-like quarks decaying into Wb in pp collisions at TeV with the ATLAS detector
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