1,161 research outputs found
Coexistence of bulk and surface states probed by Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in BiSe with high charge-carrier density
Topological insulators are ideally represented as having an insulating bulk
with topologically protected, spin-textured surface states. However, it is
increasingly becoming clear that these surface transport channels can be
accompanied by a finite conducting bulk, as well as additional topologically
trivial surface states. To investigate these parallel conduction transport
channels, we studied Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in BiSe thin films,
in high magnetic fields up to 30 T so as to access channels with a lower
mobility. We identify a clear Zeeman-split bulk contribution to the
oscillations from a comparison between the charge-carrier densities extracted
from the magnetoresistance and the oscillations. Furthermore, our analyses
indicate the presence of a two-dimensional state and signatures of additional
states the origin of which cannot be conclusively determined. Our findings
underpin the necessity of theoretical studies on the origin of and the
interplay between these parallel conduction channels for a careful analysis of
the material's performance.Comment: Manuscript including supplemental materia
Hepatitis B and C co-Infection are independent predictors of progressive kidney disease in HIV-positive, antiretroviral-treated adults
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive individuals. Hepatitis C (HCV) co-infection has been associated with increased risk of CKD, but prior studies lack information on potential mechanisms. We evaluated the association between HCV or hepatitis B (HBV) co-infection and progressive CKD among 3,441 antiretroviral-treated clinical trial participants. Progressive CKD was defined as the composite of end-stage renal disease, renal death, or significant glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline (25% decline to eGFR 800,000 IU/ml had increased odds (OR 3.07; 95% CI 1.60–5.90). Interleukin-6, hyaluronic acid, and the FIB-4 hepatic fibrosis index were higher among participants who developed progressive CKD, but were no longer associated with progressive CKD after adjustment. Future studies should validate the relationship between HCV viremia and CKD
Calibration and Irradiation Study of the BGO Background Monitor for the BEAST II Experiment
Beam commissioning of the SuperKEKB collider began in 2016. The Beam Exorcism
for A STable experiment II (BEAST II) project is particularly designed to
measure the beam backgrounds around the interaction point of the SuperKEKB
collider for the Belle II experiment. We develop a system using bismuth
germanium oxide (BGO) crystals with optical fibers connecting to a multianode
photomultiplier tube (MAPMT) and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)
embedded readout board for monitoring the real-time beam backgrounds in BEAST
II. The overall radiation sensitivity of this system is estimated to be
Gy/ADU (analog-to-digital unit) with the standard
10 m fibers for transmission and the MAPMT operating at 700 V. Our -ray
irradiation study of the BGO system shows that the exposure of BGO crystals to
Co -ray doses of 1 krad has led to immediate light output
reductions of 25--40%, and the light outputs further drop by 30--45% after the
crystals receive doses of 2--4 krad. Our findings agree with those of the
previous studies on the radiation hard (RH) BGO crystals grown by the low
thermal gradient Czochralski (LTG Cz) technology. The absolute dose from the
BGO system is also consistent with the simulation, and is estimated to be about
1.18 times the equivalent dose. These results prove that the BGO system is able
to monitor the background dose rate in real time under extreme high radiation
conditions. This study concludes that the BGO system is reliable for the beam
background study in BEAST II
Strategies for Reducing Moisture Content in Forest Residues at the Harvest Site
The moisture content (MC) of biomass derived from forest residues can pose a challenge to biomass utilization. It plays a significant role in determining the cost of transportation and subsequent market price. Additionally, emerging biomass conversion technologies, such as gasification, torrefaction, and briquetting, have very narrow specifications for the MC (e.g., \u3c15%) in their feedstocks. The goal of this study was to develop strategies for reducing moisture content by evaluating different arrangement patterns of forest residues and its effect on MC reduction at the harvest site. The study compared four different arrangement patterns including criss-cross, teepees, traditional piling (processor piled), and scattered residues in three different timber harvest units in northern California. Two of the arrangement patterns (criss-cross and processor piled) were also covered with a plastic cover. Samples were collected from each treatment using a transect method and were recorded for 12 months. There was an overall drop of MC from 52% (freshly cut) to 12% between all arrangements over the study period. The cost of construction per pile, averaged 41, and $48 for teepees, criss-cross, and processor piles, respectively. Even though, there was no significant difference in MC reduction between piles (except scattered), each pile arrangement of forest residues directly affected biomass feedstock operations, logistics, and costs
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