Phase-dependent photometric and spectroscopic characterization of the MASTER-Net Optical Transient J212444.87+321738.3: an oxygen rich Mira

We describe the time-dependent properties of a new spectroscopically confirmed Mira variable, which was discovered in 2013 as MASTER-Net Optical Transient (OT) J212444.87+321738.3 towards the Cygnus constellation. We have performed long-term optical/near-infrared (NIR) photometric and spectroscopic observations to characterize the object. From the optical/NIR light curves, we estimate a variability period of 465 $\pm$ 30 days. The wavelength-dependent amplitudes of the observed light-curves range from $\Delta$I$\sim$4 mag to $\Delta$K$\sim$1.5 mag. The (J-K) color-index varies from 1.78 to 2.62 mag over phases. Interestingly, a phase lag of $\sim$60 days between optical and NIR light curves is also seen, as in other Miras. Our optical/NIR spectra show molecular features of TiO, VO, CO, and strong water bands which are a typical signature of oxygen-rich Mira. We rule out S- or C-type as ZrO bands at 1.03 and 1.06 $\mu$m and $C_2$ band at 1.77 $\mu$m are absent. We estimate the effective temperature of the object from the SED, and distance and luminosity from standard Period-Luminosity relations. The optical/NIR spectra display time-dependent atomic and molecular features (e.g. TiO, NaI, CaI, H$_2$O,CO), as commonly observed in Miras. Such spectroscopic observations are useful for studying pulsation variability in Miras.Comment: 17 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

Quality control and beam test of GEM detectors for future upgrades of the CMS muon high rate region at the LHC

Gas Electron Multipliers (GEM) are a proven position sensitive gas detector technology which nowadays is becoming more widely used in High Energy Physics. GEMs offer an excellent spatial resolution and a high particle rate capability, with a close to 100% detection efficiency. In view of the high luminosity phase of the CERN Large Hadron Collider, these aforementioned features make GEMs suitable candidates for the future upgrades of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector. In particular, the CMS GEM Collaboration proposes to cover the high-eta region of the muon system with large-area triple-GEM detectors, which have the ability to provide robust and redundant tracking and triggering functions. In this contribution, after a general introduction and overview of the project, the construction of full-size trapezoidal triple-GEM prototypes will be described in more detail. The procedures for the quality control of the GEM foils, including gain uniformity measurements with an x-ray source will be presented. In the past few years, several CMS triple-GEM prototype detectors were operated with test beams at the CERN SPS. The results of these test beam campaigns will be summarised

Performance of a Large-Area GEM Detector Prototype for the Upgrade of the CMS Muon Endcap System

Gas Electron Multiplier (GEM) technology is being considered for the forward muon upgrade of the CMS experiment in Phase 2 of the CERN LHC. Its first implementation is planned for the GE1/1 system in the $1.5 < \mid\eta\mid < 2.2$ region of the muon endcap mainly to control muon level-1 trigger rates after the second long LHC shutdown. A GE1/1 triple-GEM detector is read out by 3,072 radial strips with 455 $\mu$rad pitch arranged in eight $\eta$-sectors. We assembled a full-size GE1/1 prototype of 1m length at Florida Tech and tested it in 20-120 GeV hadron beams at Fermilab using Ar/CO$_{2}$ 70:30 and the RD51 scalable readout system. Four small GEM detectors with 2-D readout and an average measured azimuthal resolution of 36 $\mu$rad provided precise reference tracks. Construction of this largest GEM detector built to-date is described. Strip cluster parameters, detection efficiency, and spatial resolution are studied with position and high voltage scans. The plateau detection efficiency is [97.1 $\pm$ 0.2 (stat)]\%. The azimuthal resolution is found to be [123.5 $\pm$ 1.6 (stat)] $\mu$rad when operating in the center of the efficiency plateau and using full pulse height information. The resolution can be slightly improved by $\sim$ 10 $\mu$rad when correcting for the bias due to discrete readout strips. The CMS upgrade design calls for readout electronics with binary hit output. When strip clusters are formed correspondingly without charge-weighting and with fixed hit thresholds, a position resolution of [136.8 $\pm$ 2.5 stat] $\mu$rad is measured, consistent with the expected resolution of strip-pitch/$\sqrt{12}$ = 131.3 $\mu$rad. Other $\eta$-sectors of the detector show similar response and performance.Comment: 8 pages, 32 figures, submitted to Proc. 2014 IEEE Nucl. Sci. Symposium, Seattle, WA, reference adde

Discrete population balance models of random agglomeration and cleavage in polymer pyrolysis

The processes of random agglomeration and cleavage (both of which are important for the development of new models of polymer combustion, but are also applicable in a wide range of fields including atmospheric physics, radiation modelling and astrophysics) are analysed using population balance methods. The evolution of a discrete distribution of particles is considered within this framework, resulting in a set of ordinary differential equations for the individual particle concentrations. Exact solutions for these equations are derived, together with moment generating functions. Application of the discrete Laplace transform (analogous to the Z-transform) is found to be effective in these problems, providing both exact solutions for particle concentrations and moment generating functions. The combined agglomeration-cleavage problem is also considered. Unfortunately, it has been impossible to find an exact solution for the full problem, but a stable steady state has been identified and computed

A Concise Review Based on Analytical Method Development and Validation of Apremilast in Bulk and Marketed Dosage Form

Apremilast is used for treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It&nbsp;may&nbsp;also&nbsp;be&nbsp;beneficial&nbsp;for&nbsp;other&nbsp;inflammatory diseases&nbsp;relevant to&nbsp;the&nbsp;immune&nbsp;system. The&nbsp;drug&nbsp;functions as&nbsp;a selective enzyme phosphodiesterase&nbsp;4&nbsp;(PDE4) inhibitor and avoids the spontaneous development of&nbsp;TNF-alpha&nbsp;from&nbsp;human&nbsp;synovial&nbsp;rheumatoid&nbsp;cells. The present review assesses the different approaches for evaluation of apremilast in bulk material as well as different formulations. A concise review consists of compile and discuss about over 30 methods for analysing apremilast in the biological matrices, the samples of bulk and in different dosage formulations including HPLC, HPTLC, UPLC, LC-MS and UV-spectrophotometry. A concise review represents the compilation and discussion of about more than 30 analytical methods which includes HPLC, HPTLC, UPLC, LC-MS and UV-Spectrophotometry methods implemented for investigation of apremilast in biological matrices, bulk samples and in different dosage formulations. This detailed review will be of great help to the researcher who is working on apremilast. Keywords: Apremilast; Analytical Profile; HPLC; HPTLC; Bioanalytical; Stability indicatin

Dual mechanism model for fluid particle breakup in the entire turbulent spectrum

This work provides an in-depth understanding of different breakup mechanisms for fluid particles in turbulent flows. All the disruptive and cohesive stresses are considered for the entire turbulent energy spectrum and their contributions to the breakup are evaluated. A new modeling framework is presented that bridges across turbulent subranges. The model entails different mechanisms for breakup by abandoning the classical limitation of inertial models. The predictions are validated with experiments encompassing both breakup regimes for droplets stabilized by internal viscosity and interfacial tension down to the micrometer length scale, which covers both the inertial and dissipation subranges. The model performance ensures the reliability of the framework, which involves different mechanisms. It retains the breakup rate for inertial models, improves the predictions for the transition region from inertia to dissipation, and bridges seamlessly to Kolmogorov-sized droplets

Relationship between food security, agriculture and the sustainable development goals: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose. Given the urgent need to save the planet, countries are striving to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Agriculture is one of the sectors that contributes to the achievement of these goals on a global scale. As practices in this sector change, direct impacts on soil, air and water are evident, calling into question the sustainability of these practices. Furthermore, food security or food availability is also directly linked to the achievement of the SDGs. With limited research, this study examines the relationship between food security, agriculture, and SDGs. Methodology / approach. This research conducted a bibliometrics analysis from two databases, Web of Science (WoS), with 1450 papers and Scopus 463 documents for 10 years from 2014 to May 2024. Key parameters are identified and ranked, including highly productive authors, countries, disciplines, and institutions. The bibliometric software VOSviewer was used to perform co-word analysis and identify research clusters. Results. The research findings indicate that the United States, followed by India and China, have demonstrated the highest levels of publication activity within the field. The literature predominantly emphasises the SDGs, particularly Zero Hunger, Climate Action, and Life on Land, through the lens of agriculture and food security. The study underscores the leadership of the United States, India, and China in agricultural research, highlighting the critical necessity for concerted collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to foster a transformative food system globally. The findings suggest that agriculture is crucial in attaining food security by guaranteeing sustainable food production, combating hunger, and encouraging activities that improve environmental conservation – all critical for long-term food availability –because of SDG 2: Zero Hunger. Originality / scientific novelty. This paper stands out for its originality as, by using bibliometric analysis, the study systematically maps the scientific literature and uncovers nuanced connections between food security, agriculture, and SDGs. Such an analysis has not yet been widely documented. This study contributed to a deeper understanding of the relationships and dynamics shaping global efforts to achieve food security and sustainable agriculture. Practical value / implications. This study offers a new perspective on how these critical areas of food security, agriculture, and SDGs interplay and evolve, providing crucial insights for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners alike. Moreover, the paper contributes to the academic discourse by synthesising trends, identifying gaps, and suggesting future research directions, paving the way for informed decision-making and impactful interventions in global food security and sustainable agriculture efforts