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At least 343 records · Page 19

Precision Timing in CMS at the HL-LHC: Current Progress on Validation and Production

During the High Luminosity phase of LHC, up to 200 proton-proton collisions per bunch crossing will bring severe challenges for event reconstruction. To mitigate pileup effects, an extended upgrade program of the CMS experiment is expected. Among which, a new timing layer, the MIP Timing Detector (MTD), will be integrated between the tracker and the calorimeters. With a time resolution of 30-60 ps, the MTD will enable 4D vertexing, bringing significant improvements in track-to-vertex association and object identification. The MTD is composed of two subsystems based on different technologies: the Barrel Timing Layer (BTL) consists of LYSO:Ce scintillating crystals readout by SiPMs, and the Endcap Timing Layer (ETL) is made of Low-Gain Avalanche Diodes. The BTL is currently under production, while ETL sensor prototyping and validation are ongoing. Recent system tests have confirmed the performance of the full acquisition chain. This talk will provide an overview of the MTD design, along with the physics motivation, and the current status of BTL construction and ETL development.

Safdari, Murtaza [Fermilab] (ORCID:000000018323731↗

From atomistic models to machine learning: Predictive design of nanocarbons under extreme conditions

The formation of technologically valuable nanocarbon structures under extreme conditions, such as those produced during high-explosive detonations, remains poorly understood but holds significant potential for the development of controlled synthesis pathways. While detonation shockwaves provide the high-pressure, high-temperature environment required for nanodiamond formation, subsequent cooling and decompression dictate whether the diamond phase is preserved or transformed into other nanocarbon structures. Here, in this study, we employ GPU-accelerated reactive molecular dynamics (ReaxFF) simulations to investigate the graphitization and structural remodeling of detonation nanodiamond under nonlinear quench and pressure-release trajectories. We further investigate how the initial nanodiamond morphology; cuboctahedral, octahedral, or hexagonal prism influences the resulting transformation products. Evolution of nanostructure, allotrope (via simulated x-ray diffraction), carbon hybridization, and ring statistics are tracked during a two-stage quench from 5000 K to 60 GPa. Rapid cooling combined with slow decompression optimizes cubic diamond retention, whereas slow cooling with rapid pressure release promotes surface-to-core graphitization, producing concentric sp 2 -hybridized layers and hollowed inner shells. Octahedral nanodiamonds evolve into carbon nano-onions, initially forming bucky diamonds that progressively transform into fully sp 2 -hybridized structures, while hexagonal prisms preferentially form parallel-stacked graphite layers resembling carbon dots. Transient hexagonal diamond (lonsdaleite) emerges as an interfacial phase, suggesting potential reversibility in the shock-induced graphite-to-diamond transformation pathway transformation route. To extend predictive capabilities, we trained machine learning (ML) regressors on over 10 5 node-hours of molecular dynamics (MD) trajectories. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) model reliably predicts the number of graphitized layers from temperature–pressure trajectories with a coefficient of determination (R 2 ) exceeding 0.90. This high predictive fidelity enables efficient, high-throughput mapping of the synthesis parameter space for optimized graphitization outcomes. Collectively, morphological control combined with optimized quench–decompression conditions promote the selective synthesis of nanocarbon allotropes. This work establishes a data-driven framework for the rational, a priori design of carbon nanomaterials for applications in energy storage, sensing, and biomedicine.

Detonation nanodiamond remodeling↗

Is $50/MWh solar for real? Falling project prices and rising capacity factors drive utility-scale PV toward economic competitiveness

Recently announced low-priced power purchase agreements (PPAs) for US utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) projects suggest $50/MWh solar might be viable under certain conditions. To explore this possibility, this paper draws on an increasing wealth of empirical data to analyze trends in three of the most important PPA price drivers: upfront installed project prices, operations, and maintenance (O&M) costs, and capacity factors. Average installed prices among a sample of utility-scale PV projects declined by more than one third (from 5.8/W AC to 3.7/WAC) from the 2007–2009 period through 2013, even as costlier systems with crystalline-silicon modules, sun tracking, and higher inverter loading ratios (ILRs) have constituted an increasing proportion of total utility-scale PV capacity (all values shown here are in 2013 dollars). Actual and projected O&M costs from a very small sample of projects appear to range from $20–$40/kW AC -year. Furthermore, the average net capacity factor is 30% for projects installed in 2012, up from 24% for projects installed in 2010, owing to better solar resources, higher ILRs, and greater use of tracking among the more recent projects. Based on these trends, a pro-forma financial model suggests that $50/MWh utility-scale PV is achievable using a combination of aggressive-but-achievable technical and financial input parameters (including receipt of the 30% federal investment tax credit). Although the US utility-scale PV market is still young, the rapid progress in the key metrics documented in this paper has made PV a viable competitor against other utility-scale renewable generators, and even conventional peaking generators, in certain regions of the country.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗

The Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab

Precision measurements of the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon a are a stringent test of the Standard Model. The last measurement of a at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) diers from the Standard Model prediction by 3-4: a possible indication of new physics. A successor to that experi- ment has been constructed at Fermilab, with the aim of reducing the experimental uncertainty by a factor of four to 140 ppb. The measurement technique continues to use the storage ring concept from BNL, with muons circulating in a highly uni- form magnetic dipole eld. The spin precession frequency is extracted by analysing the modulation of the rate of higher-energy positrons from muon decays, which are detected by 24 calorimeters around the inside of the ring. Compared to the previous experiment, signicant improvements have been made in the areas of muon beam preparation, storage ring hardware, eld measuring equipment, and detector and electronics systems. In these proceedings, I report on the status of the experiment as of June 2018, presenting an overview of the experiment's progress, some initial data from the rst run, and the anticipated timeline for a new result.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

CMS Endcap Timing Layer: System Validation and Assembly

The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) will operate at unprecedented luminosities, resulting in up to 200 simultaneous interactions per bunch crossing. To mitigate the resulting pileup challenges, the CMS experiment is implementing the MIP Timing Detector (MTD), designed to provide precise timing information with a resolution of 30 – 40 picoseconds per track. The MTD consists of the Barrel Timing Layer (BTL) and the Endcap Timing Layer (ETL), each optimized for different regions of the detector. The ETL, comprising two double-sided disks, utilizes Low-Gain Avalanche Diode (LGAD) sensors coupled with the Endcap Timing Readout Chip (ETROC) to achieve high-precision timing measurements in the forward region. Significant progress has been made toward the realization of the ETL through extensive system-level validation of the ETROC readout chain and the development of scalable module assembly procedures. This presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the ETL and highlight recent advances in system validation and module assembly, emphasizing their roles in ensuring the detector readiness for HL-LHC operation.

Lee, Dongyub [Kyungpook Natl. U.] (ORCID:000000034↗

Quarterly Progress Report Q1 FY2019 Oct-Dec 2018 for Gamma-ray mirrors project

Our main activity this quarter was focused on scheduling and preparing for the experiment at the Irradiated Fuel Examination Laboratory (IFEL) at ORNL in order to “Carry out the experimental campaign with the three-mirror system” in the second quarter of FY19 as described in Phase 1/Task 1/Task1.1. Access to the IFEL beam port was finalized in December and the experiment is scheduled from January 22 to February 1st 2019. We are on track to complete our first technical milestone by the end of the second quarter.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

Computational and empirical studies predict Mycobacterium tuberculosis -specific T cells as a biomarker for infection outcome

Identifying biomarkers for tuberculosis (TB) is an ongoing challenge in developing immunological correlates of infection outcome and protection. Biomarker discovery is also necessary for aiding design and testing of new treatments and vaccines. To effectively predict biomarkers for infection progression in any disease, including TB, large amounts of experimental data are required to reach statistical power and make accurate predictions. We took a two-pronged approach using both experimental and computational modeling to address this problem. We first collected 200 blood samples over a 2-year period from 28 non-human primates (NHP) infected with a low dose of Mycobacterium tuberculosis . We identified T cells and the cytokines that they were producing (single and multiple) from each sample along with monkey status and infection progression data. Machine learning techniques were used to interrogate the experimental NHP datasets without identifying any potential TB biomarker. In parallel, we used our extensive novel NHP datasets to build and calibrate a multi-organ computational model that combines what is occurring at the site of infection (e.g., lung) at a single granuloma scale with blood level readouts that can be tracked in monkeys and humans. We then generated a large in silico repository of in silico granulomas coupled to lymph node and blood dynamics and developed an in silico tool to scale granuloma level results to a full host scale to identify what best predicts Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection outcomes. The analysis of in silico blood measures identifies Mtb -specific frequencies of effector T cell phenotypes at various time points post infection as promising indicators of infection outcome. As a result, we emphasize that pairing wetlab and computational approaches holds great promise to accelerate TB biomarker discovery.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Superiority of compensatory reserve measurement compared with the Shock index for early and accurate detection of reduced central blood volume status

Shock index (SI) equals the ratio of heart rate (HR) to systolic blood pressure (SBP) with clinical evidence that it is more sensitive for trauma patient status assessment and prediction of outcome compared with either HR or SBP alone. We used lower body negative pressure (LBNP) as a human model of central hypovolemia and compensatory reserve measurement (CRM) validated for accurate tracking of reduced central blood volume to test the hypotheses that SI: (1) presents a late signal of central blood volume status; (2) displays poor sensitivity and specificity for predicting the onset of hemodynamic decompensation; and (3) cannot identify individuals at greatest risk for the onset of circulatory shock. We measured HR, SBP, and CRM in 172 human subjects (19–55 years) during progressive LBNP designed to determine tolerance to central hypovolemia as a model of hemorrhage. Subjects were subsequently divided into those with high tolerance (HT) (n = 118) and low tolerance (LT) (n = 54) based on completion of 60 mm Hg LBNP. The time course relationship between SI and CRM was determined and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for sensitivity and specificity of CRM and SI to predict hemodynamic decompensation using clinically defined thresholds of 40% for CRM and 0.9 for SI. The time and level of LBNP required to reach a SI = 0.9 (~60 mm Hg LBNP) was significantly greater (p < 0.001) compared with CRM that reached 40% at ~40 mm Hg LBNP. Shock index did not differ between HT and LT subjects at 45 mm Hg LBNP levels. ROC AUC for CRM was 0.95 (95% CI = 0.94–0.97) compared with 0.91 (0.89–0.94) for SI (p = 0.0002). Despite high sensitivity and specificity, SI delays time to detect reductions in central blood volume with failure to distinguish individuals with varying tolerances to central hypovolemia.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Three-dimensional Core-collapse Supernova Simulations with 160 Isotopic Species Evolved to Shock Breakout

We present three-dimensional simulations of core-collapse supernovae using the FLASH code that follow the progression of the explosion to the stellar surface, starting from neutrino radiation hydrodynamic simulations of the neutrino-driven phase performed with the Chimera code. We consider a 9.6 M ⊙ zero-metallicity progenitor starting from both 2D and 3D Chimera models and a 10 M ⊙ solar-metallicity progenitor starting from a 2D Chimera model, all simulated until shock breakout in 3D while tracking 160 nuclear species. The relative velocity difference between the supernova shock and the metal-rich Rayleigh–Taylor (R-T) "bullets" determines how the metal-rich ejecta evolves as it propagates through the density profile of the progenitor and dictates the final morphology of the explosion. We find maximum 56 Ni velocities of ~1950 and ~1750 km s -1 at shock breakout from 2D and 3D 9.6 M ⊙ Chimera models, respectively, due to the bullets' ability to penetrate the He/H shell. When mapping from 2D, we find that the development of higher-velocity structures is suppressed when the 2D Chimera model and 3D FLASH model meshes are aligned. The development of faster-growing spherical-bubble structures, as opposed to the slower-growing toroidal structure imposed by axisymmetry, allows for interaction of the bullets with the shock and seeds further R-T instabilities at the He/H interface. We see similar effects in the 10 M ⊙ model, which achieves maximum 56 Ni velocities of ~2500 km s -1 at shock breakout.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

The role of memory in non-genetic inheritance and its impact on cancer treatment resistance

Intra-tumour heterogeneity is a leading cause of treatment failure and disease progression in cancer. While genetic mutations have long been accepted as a primary mechanism of generating this heterogeneity, the role of phenotypic plasticity is becoming increasingly apparent as a driver of intra-tumour heterogeneity. Consequently, understanding the role of this plasticity in treatment resistance and failure is a key component of improving cancer therapy. We develop a mathematical model of stochastic phenotype switching that tracks the evolution of drug-sensitive and drug-tolerant subpopulations to clarify the role of phenotype switching on population growth rates and tumour persistence. By including cytotoxic therapy in the model, we show that, depending on the strategy of the drug-tolerant subpopulation, stochastic phenotype switching can lead to either transient or permanent drug resistance. We study the role of phenotypic heterogeneity in a drug-resistant, genetically homogeneous population of non-small cell lung cancer cells to derive a rational treatment schedule that drives population extinction and avoids competitive release of the drug-tolerant sub-population. This model-informed therapeutic schedule results in increased treatment efficacy when compared against periodic therapy, and, most importantly, sustained tumour decay without the development of resistance.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Recent Measurement of Flavor Asymmetry of Antiquarks in the Proton by Drell–Yan Experiment SeaQuest at Fermilab

A measurement of the flavor asymmetry of the antiquarks ($\bar{d}$ and $\bar{u}$) in the proton is described in this thesis. The proton consists of three valence quarks, sea quarks, and gluons. Antiquarks in the proton are sea quarks. They are generated from the gluon splitting: g → q + $\bar{q}$. According to QCD (Quantum Chromodynamics), the gluon splitting is independent of quark flavor. It suggests that the amounts of $\bar{d}$ and $\bar{u}$ should be the same in the proton. However, the NMC experiment at CERN found that the amount of $\bar{d}$ is larger than that of $\bar{u}$ in the proton using the deep inelastic scattering in 1991. This result is obtained for $\bar{d}$ and $\bar{u}$ integrated over Bjorken x. Bjorken x is the fraction of the momentum of the parton to that of the proton. The NA51 experiment (x ~ 0.2) at CERN and E866/NuSea experiment (0.015 < x < 0.35) at Fermilab measured the flavor asymmetry of the antiquarks ($\bar{d}$/$\bar{u}$) in the proton as a function of x using Drell–Yan process. The experiments reported that the flavor symmetry is broken over all measured x values. Understanding the flavor asymmetry of the antiquarks in the proton is a challenge of the QCD. The theo- retical investigation from the first principle of QCD such as lattice QCD calculation is important. In addition, the QCD effective models and hadron models such as the meson cloud model can also be tested with the flavor asymmetry of antiquarks. From the experimental side, it is important to measure with higher accuracy and in a wider x range. The SeaQuest (E906) experiment measures $\bar{d}$/$\bar{u}$ at large x (0.15 < x < 0.45) accurately to understand its behavior. The SeaQuest experiment is a Drell–Yan experiment at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). In the Drell–Yan process of proton-proton reaction, an antiquark in a proton and a quark in another proton annihilate and create a virtual photon, which then decays into a muon pair (q$\bar{q}$ → γ* → µ + µ - ). The SeaQuest experiment uses a 120 GeV proton beam extracted from Fermilab’s Main Injector. The proton beam interacts with hydrogen and deuterium targets. The SeaQuest spectrometer detects the muon pairs from the Drell–Yan process. The $\bar{d}$/$\bar{u}$ ratio at 0.1 < x < 0.58 is extracted from the number of detected Drell–Yan muon pairs. After the detector construction, commissioning run and detector upgrade, the SeaQuest experiment started the physics data acquisition from 2013. We finished so far three periods of physics data acquisition. The fourth period is in progress. The detector construction, detector performance evaluation, data taking and data analysis for the flavor asymmetry of the antiquarks $\bar{d}$/$\bar{u}$ in the proton are my contribution to SeaQuest. The cross section ratio of Drell–Yan process in p- p and p-d reactions is obtained from dimuon yields. In the experiment with high beam intensity, it is important to control the tracking efficiency of charged particles through the magnetic spectrometer. The tracking efficiency depends on the chamber occupancy, and the appropriate method for the correction is important. The chamber occupancy is the number of hits in drift chambers. A new method of the correction for the tracking efficiency is developed based on the occupancy, and applied to the data. This method reflects the real response of the drift chambers. Therefore, the systematic error is well controlled by this method. The flavor asymmetry of antiquarks is obtained at 0.1 < x < 0.58. At 0.1 < x < 0.45, the result is $\bar{d}$/$\bar{u}$ > 1. The result at 0.1 < x < 0.24 agrees with the E866 result. The result at x > 0.24, however, disagrees with the E866 result. The result at 0.45 < x < 0 the statistical errors. u¯ results extracted from experiments are used to investigate the validity of the theoretical models. The present experimental result provides the data points in wide x region. It is useful for understanding the proton structure in the light of QCD and effective hadron models. The present result has a practical application as well. Antiquark distributions are important as inputs to simulations of hadron reactions such as W± production in various experiments. The new knowledge on antiquark distributions helps to improve the precision of the simulations.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Utah FORGE 3-2417: Fiber-Optic Geophysical Monitoring of Reservoir Evolution - Workshop Presentation

This is a presentation on the Fiber-Optic Geophysical Monitoring of Reservoir Evolution at the Utah FORGE Milford Site project by Rice University, presented by Prof. Jonathan Ajo-Franklin. The project's objective was to develop an end-to-end fiber-optic sensing approach for EGS to track the initial zone of fracture creation, zones of connected mechanically compliant fractures, and zones of flowing fractures linking the injection/production well pair. This approach would also be used to integrate data into an improved thermo-hydro-mechanical model (THM). This presentation was featured in the Utah FORGE R&D Annual Workshop on September 8, 2023. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to explore the progress made in each of the 17 Research and Development projects funded under Solicitation 2020-1 which aim to enhance our understanding of the crucial factors influencing the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) reservoirs and resources.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

The future of the NPT: REVCON and beyond

The Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), with its quinquennial review conferences (RevCons), has become the foundation of the international nonproliferation regime over the course of its 50-year history. With more states parties than any other arms control agreement (currently 191), the Treaty provides a legally binding framework for all states parties, constraining proliferation of nuclear weapons and committing the five recognized states who possess nuclear weapons to work toward disarmament. The NPT has enjoyed wide success in constraining the spread of nuclear weapons. Only one state party has left the agreement and gone on to acquire these weapons, and the overall track record of compliance with IAEA safeguards has been robust. However, for all its effectiveness in the area of nonproliferation, its achievements on the disarmament front have been relatively unimpressive. While the NWS – most notably the United States and the Soviet Union/Russia – have decreased the overall size of their nuclear arsenals significantly since 1970, these arsenals have remained an important feature of NWS security policies. The limited progress towards disarmament has created friction between the NNWS and NWS and has been the source of mounting tension within the NPT regime. The 2020 RevCon, the 50th anniversary of the NPT and 25th anniversary of its indefinite extension, faces a range of contentious challenges, old and new, which call into question the Treaty’s future viability.

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY↗

Long Term Damage Testing (NREL)

DOE's Regional Test Center program has fielded several strings of PV modules as part of their Long Term Testing program. Some of these modules have been installed since 2016 and have been exposed to severe weather events. A key to developing long lifespans for PV modules (in excess of 30 years) is understanding how damage and defects develop, propagate and progress. Researchers at the NREL Regional Test Center have started developing testing procedures and analysis tools in order to characterize modules in a controlled manner with the goal of understanding how damage spreads under normal operations. Characterization methods include EL and IR imaging, outdoor and indoor IV curves, and long term exposure monitoring. Modules to be evaluated will be chosen based on severity of defect, ability to track changes in defect and space requirements. The samples will be loaded at maximum power using grid-tied inverters or other means. Gathering and reporting on this data may help engineers and scientists design for damage and improve long-term performance.

crack damage↗

TRACKING LIGNOCELLULOSIC BREAKDOWN BY ANAEROBIC FUNGI AND FUNGAL CELLULOSOMES

Anaerobic fungi degrade plant biomass through invasive, filamentous growth, and the secretion of multi-protein biomass-degrading complexes called fungal cellulosomes. This project developed new tools for anaerobic, non-destructive, real-time imaging of cellulosomes across spatial and temporal scales. Novel nanobody tools were synthesized and deployed to image native fungal cellulosomes. Antibodies raised against key fungal cellulosome components were also used to define the localization patterns of cellulosomes in mature fungal mats vs. fungal zoospores, and revealed direct connections between cellular life stage progression and the regulation of cellulosome production. New procedures were developed to purify native cellulosomes and study their morphology and sub-structures, and genetic engineering tools were also developed and applied to anaerobic fungi to advance in vivo labeling capabilities. A cryoEM structure of a native fungal cellulosome was achieved, as well as a proof of concept for transformation of fungi with flavin-based anaerobic reporter proteins for in vivo labeling of cellulosome components.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

A U.S. scientific community review of carbon cycle science gaps and opportunities to better support earth system science and carbon management

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions continue to grow, while natural carbon reservoirs are becoming increasingly vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures, climate extremes, and disturbance. These changes are impacting humans, ecosystems, and natural resources worldwide. Tracking and mitigating GHG emissions require a pivot to operational monitoring of regional carbon flux and stock changes. The current GHG observing system is addressing needs at two distinct scales: 1) Local scale (< 1 km), related to anthropogenic point source emissions, and 2) global scales (> 1000 km), related to land and ocean carbon sinks. More focus on intermediate (10–1000 km) scales is needed to more effectively monitor progress in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing removals, and maintaining sinks. Representatives from carbon cycle biomass and flux communities across United States government agencies and academic institutions met in September 2024 to discuss the rationale and scientific context for more effectively implementing an operational system for GHG monitoring in support of urban and national carbon management needs. To guide development of this system, we propose a multi-tiered global spaceborne observing framework for carbon flux and stock, prioritizing: 1) frequent GHG partial columns for carbon emissions and removals; 2) continuous time series and data fusion of biomass from Lidar and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for carbon stocks, and 3) expanded coverage of tropical, high latitude, and oceanic regions to monitor carbon cycle tipping points and feedbacks. This system should be complemented by expanded surface and airborne networks for oceanic and terrestrial/aquatic ecosystems for calibration, ground truthing, and study of under-sampled regions.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Muon Beam Tracking and Spin-Orbit Correlations for Precision g-2 Measurements

The main goal of the Muon g-2 Experiment (g-2) at Fermilab is to measure the muon anomalous magnetic moment to unprecedented precision. This new measurement will allow to test the completeness of the Standard Model (SM) and to validate other theoretical models beyond the SM. The close interplay of the understanding of particle beam dynamics and the preparation of the beam properties with the experimental measurement is tantamount to the reduction of systematic errors in the determination of the muon anomalous magnetic moment. We describe progress in developing detailed calculations and modeling of the muon beam delivery system in order to obtain a better understanding of spin-orbit correlations, nonlinearities, and more realistic aspects that contribute to the systematic errors of the g-2 measurement. Our simulation is meant to provide statistical studies of error effects and quick analyses of running conditions for when g-2 is taking beam, among others. We are using COSY, a differential algebra solver developed at Michigan State University that will also serve as an alternative to compare results obtained by other simulation teams of the g-2 Collaboration.

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS↗