Low-energy three-body charge transfer reactions with Coulomb interaction in the final state

Three-body charge transfer reactions with Coulomb interaction in the final state are considered in the framework of coordinate-space integro-differential Faddeev-Hahn-type equations within two- and six-state close coupling approximations. The method is employed to study direct muon transfer in low-energy collisions of the muonic hydrogen H$_\mu$ by helium (He$^{++}$) and lithium (Li$^{+++}$) nuclei. The experimentally observed isotopic dependence is reproduced.Comment: 14 pages REVTeX, accepted for publication in Journal of Physics

Low-energy quenching of positronium by helium

Very low-energy scattering of orthopositronium by helium has been investigated for simultaneous study of elastic cross section and pick-off quenching rate using a model exchange potential. The present calculational scheme, while agrees with the measured cross section of Skalsey et al, reproduces successfully the parameter ^ 1Z_{\makebox{eff}}, the effective number of electrons per atom in a singlet state relative to the positron. Together with the fact that this model potential also leads to an agreement with measured medium energy cross sections of this system, this study seems to resolve the long-standing discrepancy at low energies among different theoretical calculations and experimental measurements.Comment: 4 latex pages, 3 postscript figure

Separation Efficiency of Water/Oil Mixtures by Hydrophilic and Oleophobic Membranes Based on Stainless Steel Meshes with Openings of Various Sizes

This article is focused on development of hydrophilic and oleophobic composition which serves as a coating for substrate presented by stainless steel meshes with different sizes of their openings. Membranes obtained by dip-coating method are hydrophilic and oleophobic and this may be applied for efficient separation of organic liquids and water by simple and inexpensive gravitational separation. Investigations presented in the article show that the size of openings of meshes influence on the formation of hydrophilicity and oleophobicity of membrane, as well as the nature of used polymers, which serve as a coating, since membranes based on 400 mesh coated with Poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA)/ pentadecafluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)/SiO2 demonstrate different wettability in regard to organic liquids of different densities. In particular, membrane based on mesh 400 coated with PDDA/PFOA/SiO2 exhibits strong oleophobicity to less dense non-polar organic solvents – kerosene, which does not penetrate the membrane, while more dense liquids, such as vacuum pump oil, are able to penetrate it, but the rate of penetration is rather slow, 10 ml per 21 min. Obtaining of membranes with uniform coating by hydrophilic-oleophobic compositions without clogging of their openings and creation of openings of required sizes for a particular case is also a subject of study of this article

Economic and health burden of brucellosis in Kazakhstan

Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic disease considered as an emerging and re-emerging disease with a resulting threat of public health and animal health. Official reports document an animal incidence in Kazakhstan of about 0.6% per year, and the country still registers high number of human cases annually . The main objective of this paper was to evaluate the distribution and economic impact of brucellosis in Kazakhstan. We analysed human disease incidence data obtained from the Government Sanitary & Epidemiological Service with the aim to estimate the burden of disease in terms of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). We also estimated the economic impact in terms of monetary losses. Additionally, we mapped the geographical distribution of the disease throughout Kazakhstan. In total, 1,334 human cases of brucellosis were registered in 2015 in Kazakhstan that resulted in 713 DALYs. Around US Dollar 21 million was spent on compensation for animals that had to be slaughtered due to brucellosis, and an additional US Dollar 24 million was spent on testing animals. Animal brucellosis and human brucellosis occur throughout the whole country, some trends of which are reviewed in this paper. We estimated the burden of the disease and explored possible explanation for high human incidence rates. This paper is the first to estimate the human burden of disease and the economic costs in Kazakhstan. Both of these are substantial

Study of Asphaltene Structure Precipitated from Oil Sands

In the paper microscopic structure and physicochemical characteristics of asphaltenes were investigated. Asphaltene was precipitated from natural bitumen of oil sand of Munaily-Mola deposit using organic solvent of petroleum ether. According to results of our work, we found that the largest yield of asphaltens was reached by using the petroleum ether in 40-fold amount in relation to the initial hitch of bitumen. Chemical composition of precipitated asphaltenes aggregates were studied on FT-Infra red spectrometer Spectrum-65 at 450-4000 cm-1. At the Infrared spectrum, that the broad absorption band of asphaltenes at 3000-3600 cm-1 are characterizing the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and aliphatic chains in the samples of asphaltens. Elemental composition of the samples of asphaltenes on the installation of x-ray fluorescent spectrometer "Focus-M2". Also found the presence of two crystalline phases. One - quartz content is less than one percent. Another phase is also present in very small quantities and is represented by a single line of diffraction d = 4.158 Å. The microstructures and microanalysis of asphaltenes were investigated with an scanning electron microscopy (Quanta 3D 200i) at an accelerated voltage of 20 kV and a pressure of 0.003 Pa at National Nanotechnological Laboratory of Open Type of Kazakh National University. Microscopic images showed that the asphaltenes have a medium-ordered structure, the main component of the surface is represented by amorphous carbon

Operational experience with the GEM detector assembly lines for the CMS forward muon upgrade

The CMS Collaboration has been developing large-area triple-gas electron multiplier (GEM) detectors to be installed in the muon Endcap regions of the CMS experiment in 2019 to maintain forward muon trigger and tracking performance at the High-Luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC); 10 preproduction detectors were built at CERN to commission the first assembly line and the quality controls (QCs). These were installed in the CMS detector in early 2017 and participated in the 2017 LHC run. The collaboration has prepared several additional assembly and QC lines for distributed mass production of 160 GEM detectors at various sites worldwide. In 2017, these additional production sites have optimized construction techniques and QC procedures and validated them against common specifications by constructing additional preproduction detectors. Using the specific experience from one production site as an example, we discuss how the QCs make use of independent hardware and trained personnel to ensure fast and reliable production. Preliminary results on the construction status of CMS GEM detectors are presented with details of the assembly sites involvement

Aerogels Based on Graphene Oxide with Addition of Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis and Properties

Nowadays numerous sorbents based on graphene and other carbon nanomaterials have been synthesized for the removal or collecting of oil remains due to its unique physico-chemical properties. Obtaining of aerogels based on graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes with addition of chitosan solution as a binder component is shown in this paper. Aerogels were synthesized by reduction of aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide using the reducing agents, followed by ultrasonic and thermal treatment. Ultrasound destroys the graphene layers, decreasing them in size, thereby exposing new layers to form edges that already have no stabilizing carboxyl groups, which are located at the edges, and participate in the formation of bonds. The surface morphology of obtained aerogels was studied by SEM. The study of the sorption capacity showed that graphene/CNTs aerogel is characterized by short absorption time and high sorption ability that depend on densities of the used solvents. All experimental results show the possibility of using the aerogels based on graphene and CNTs as sorbents for collection of oil residues

Simulation of the CMS Resistive Plate Chambers

The Resistive Plate Chamber (RPC) muon subsystem contributes significantly to the formation of the trigger decision and reconstruction of the muon trajectory parameters. Simulation of the RPC response is a crucial part of the entire CMS Monte Carlo software and directly influences the final physical results. An algorithm based on the parametrization of RPC efficiency, noise, cluster size and timing for every strip has been developed. Experimental data obtained from cosmic and proton-proton collisions at $\sqrt{s}=7$ TeV have been used for determination of the parameters. A dedicated validation procedure has been developed. A good agreement between the simulated and experimental data has been achieved.Comment: to be published in JINS

Development and performance of Triple-GEM detectors for the upgrade of the muon system of the CMS experiment

The CMS Collaboration is evaluating GEM detectors for the upgrade of the muon system. This contribution will focus on the R&D performed on chambers design features and will discuss the performance of the upgraded detector

A novel application of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in MPGD

We present a novel application of Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) sensors in the construction and characterisation of Micro Pattern Gaseous Detector (MPGD), with particular attention to the realisation of the largest triple (Gas electron Multiplier) GEM chambers so far operated, the GE1/1 chambers of the CMS experiment at LHC. The GE1/1 CMS project consists of 144 GEM chambers of about 0.5 m2 active area each, employing three GEM foils per chamber, to be installed in the forward region of the CMS endcap during the long shutdown of LHC in 2108-2019. The large active area of each GE1/1 chamber consists of GEM foils that are mechanically stretched in order to secure their flatness and the consequent uniform performance of the GE1/1 chamber across its whole active surface. So far FBGs have been used in high energy physics mainly as high precision positioning and re-positioning sensors and as low cost, easy to mount, low space consuming temperature sensors. FBGs are also commonly used for very precise strain measurements in material studies. In this work we present a novel use of FBGs as flatness and mechanical tensioning sensors applied to the wide GEM foils of the GE1/1 chambers. A network of FBG sensors have been used to determine the optimal mechanical tension applied and to characterise the mechanical tension that should be applied to the foils. We discuss the results of the test done on a full-sized GE1/1 final prototype, the studies done to fully characterise the GEM material, how this information was used to define a standard assembly procedure and possible future developments.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, presented by Luigi Benussi at MPGD 2015 (Trieste, Italy). arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1512.0848