Potential of Geo-neutrino Measurements at JUNO

The flux of geoneutrinos at any point on the Earth is a function of the abundance and distribution of radioactive elements within our planet. This flux has been successfully detected by the 1-kt KamLAND and 0.3-kt Borexino detectors with these measurements being limited by their low statistics. The planned 20-kt JUNO detector will provide an exciting opportunity to obtain a high statistics measurement, which will provide data to address several questions of geological importance. This paper presents the JUNO detector design concept, the expected geo-neutrino signal and corresponding backgrounds. The precision level of geo-neutrino measurements at JUNO is obtained with the standard least-squares method. The potential of the Th/U ratio and mantle measurements is also discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, an additional author added, final version to appear in Chin. Phys.

Self-driven electron enrichment of ultrafine PdAu nanoparticles for electrochemical CO₂ reduction:High applicability of work function as an activity descriptor

Highly coupled metal/dopant-incorporated carbon dyads provide a possibility to modulate the electron density of metallic materials by forming a rectifying interface, thus showing an enhanced activity in electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (ECRR). However, understanding the promotion effects of dopants for ECRR is limited to the prediction by theoretical interpretation and case-by-case studies. Herein, we report the direct experimental evidence that the work function, regulated by single structural factor-dopant contents, is significantly correlated to the ECRR reaction activity and kinetics. We prepared a series of PdAu/NxC electrocatalysts composed of ultrafine (∼5.7 nm) PdAu bimetallic nanoparticles and tailorable N-doped carbon supports. The wide range of the amount of N dopants allowed the modification of the band gap of the carbon easily. Using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) measurements, we demonstrate that the reactivity and kinetics trends of the PdAu/NxC in the ECRR can be intrinsically correlated with the work function of the catalysts. PdAu/N7.50C electrocatalyst with the highest N contents displays a 100% CO2-to-CO conversion and high conversion efficiency over a wide potential window, superior over other reported PdAu catalysts. This work provides a novel way to boost ECRR performance by deliberately lowering the work function of the metal/carbon electrocatalysts through the enhancement by dopants.</p

Probing Spin-Flip Scattering in Ballistic Nanosystems

Because spin-flip length is longer than the electron mean-free path in a metal, past studies of spin-flip scattering are limited to the diffusive regime. We propose to use a magnetic double barrier tunnel junction to study spin-flip scattering in the nanometer sized spacer layer near the ballistic limit. We extract the voltage and temperature dependence of the spin-flip conductance Gs in the spacer layer from magnetoresistance measurements. In addition to spin scattering information including the mean-free path (70 nm) and the spin-flip length (1:0–2:6 m) at 4.2 K, this technique also yields information on the density of states and quantum well resonance in the spacer laye

Oscillatory tunnel magnetoresistance in double barrier magnetic tunnel junctions

We report an unconventional oscillatory tunnel magnetoresistance as a function of the applied bias in double barrier magnetic tunnel junctions that were made of two Al2O3 barriers sandwiched by three ferromagnetic layers. When the center ferromagnetic layer is aligned antiparallel to the top and bottom magnetic layers, a distinct magnetoresistance oscillation appears with respect to the increase of the bias voltage at 4.2 K and at room temperature. The period of the oscillation is about 1.6 mV

Why isn't the solar constant a constant?

In order to probe the mechanism of variations of the Solar Constant on the inter-solar-cycle scale, total solar irradiance (TSI, the so-called Solar Constant) in the time interval of 7 November 1978 to 20 September 2010 is decomposed into three components through the empirical mode decomposition and time-frequency analyses. The first component is the rotation signal, counting up to 42.31% of the total variation of TSI, which is understood to be mainly caused by large magnetic structures, including sunspot groups. The second is an annual-variation signal, counting up to 15.17% of the total variation, the origin of which is not known at this point in time. Finally, the third is the inter-solar-cycle signal, counting up to 42.52%, which are inferred to be caused by the network magnetic elements in quiet regions, whose magnetic flux ranges from $(4.27-38.01)\times10^{19}$ Mx.Comment: to appear in Ap

Spatial disparities of ozone pollution in the Sichuan Basin spurred by extreme, hot weather

Under the influence of climate change, the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, has led to an enhanced frequency of ozone (O3) pollution issues. In August 2022, the Sichuan Basin (SCB), a typical large-scale geographical terrain located in southwestern China, experienced the most severe heatwave in the last 20 years. The heatwave led to substantial disparities in O3 levels across the region. Here, by integrating observations, machine learning, and numerical simulations, we aim to understand the diverse O3 formation mechanisms in two megacities, Chengdu (western location) and Chongqing (eastern location). Observational data showed that Chengdu experienced a consecutive 17 d period of O3 exceedance, in contrast to Chongqing, where O3 concentrations remained below the standard. Meteorological and precursor factors were assessed, highlighting high temperatures, intense solar radiation, and overnight accumulative pollutants as key contributors to O3 concentrations. The interplay of isoprene, temperature, and O3, alongside the observation-based box model and MEGAN simulations, underscored the significant role of intensified biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in O3 formation. Interestingly, Chongqing exhibited nearly double the BVOC emissions of Chengdu, yet contributed less to O3 concentrations. This discrepancy was addressed through CMAQ-DDM (Decoupled Direct Method) simulations and satellite diagnosis by investigating the O3–NOx–VOC sensitivity. Notably, Chengdu displayed a VOC-driven sensitivity, while Chongqing showed a transitional regime. Moreover, the regional transport also played a pivotal role in the spatial divergence of O3 pollution. Cross-regional transport predominantly influenced Chongqing (contributing ∼ 80 %), whereas Chengdu was mainly affected by the emissions within the basin. The local accumulated pollutants gave rise to the atmospheric oxidizing capacity, resulting in a substantial photochemical contribution to O3 levels (49.9 ppbv h−1) in Chengdu. This comparison of the difference provides insights into the complex interplay of meteorology, natural emissions, and anthropogenic sources during heatwaves, guiding the necessity of targeted pollution control measures on regional scales.</p

The All-Data-Based Evolutionary Hypothesis of Ciliated Protists with a Revised Classification of the Phylum Ciliophora (Eukaryota, Alveolata)

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