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The Influence of Reactor Parameters on the Boron Nitride-Catalyzed Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane
In this contribution, we investigate the effect of various reactor parameters on the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of propane using a hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) heterogeneous catalyst. Here, the analysis begins with an assessment of the influence of mass and heat transport on the observed ODH activity. Unexpected experimental results during this analysis prompted us to investigate the use of SiC as an inert catalyst diluent, and we found an increase in propane conversion with increasing diluent content in the reactor. Control experiments suggested that SiC itself is catalytically inactive and that there may be a significant influence of gas-phase chemistry on the observed reactivity.
Simultaneous-trajectory surface hopping: A parameter-free algorithm for implementing decoherence in nonadiabatic dynamics
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High-pressure structural parameters and equation of state of osmium to 207 GPa
We studied the most incompressible transition metal osmium (Os) under high pressure. There is significant interest in Os because of the structural anomalies attributed to topological transitions in the Fermi surface for valence electrons in the hexagonal close-packed phase. We report on measurements of structural parameters and equation of state on Os metal to a pressure of 207 GPa at ambient temperature using platinum as a pressure standard. We also obtained angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction data at a synchrotron source with closely spaced pressure intervals to observe any discontinuities or anomalies in the axial c/a ratio at high pressures. Rietveld refinements of X-ray diffraction data show a slowly varying axial ratio (c/a) with a broad minimum at 75 GPa. Our data do not provide any evidence of anomalous behavior in the c/a ratio in Os at 25 or 150 GPa as have been reported in previous studies. These experimental results are in agreement with theoretical calculations that do not predict any anomalous behavior in c/a ratio in Os under extreme conditions. We present an equation of state for Os to 207 GPa (V/V 0 = 0.761) at ambient temperature and compare our results with the previously published data.
TESTING MODELS OF INTRINSIC BRIGHTNESS VARIATIONS IN TYPE Ia SUPERNOVAE AND THEIR IMPACT ON MEASURING COSMOLOGICAL PARAMETERS
For spectroscopically confirmed Type Ia supernovae we evaluate models of intrinsic brightness variations with detailed data/Monte Carlo comparisons of the dispersion in the following quantities: Hubble-diagram scatter, color difference (B - V - c) between the true B - V color and the fitted color (c) from the SALT-II light curve model, and photometric redshift residual. The data sample includes 251 ugriz light curves from the three-season Sloan Digital Sky Survey-II and 191 griz light curves from the Supernova Legacy Survey 3 year data release. We find that the simplest model of a wavelength-independent (coherent) scatter is not adequate, and that to describe the data the intrinsic-scatter model must have wavelength-dependent variations resulting in a {approx}0.02 mag scatter in B - V - c. Relatively weak constraints are obtained on the nature of intrinsic scatter because a variety of different models can reasonably describe this photometric data sample. We use Monte Carlo simulations to examine the standard approach of adding a coherent-scatter term in quadrature to the distance-modulus uncertainty in order to bring the reduced {chi}{sup 2} to unity when fitting a Hubble diagram. If the light curve fits include model uncertainties with the correct wavelength dependence of the scatter, we find that this approach is valid and that the bias on the dark energy equation-of-state parameter w is much smaller ({approx}0.001) than current systematic uncertainties. However, incorrect model uncertainties can lead to a significant bias on the distance moduli, with up to {approx}0.05 mag redshift-dependent variation. This bias is roughly reduced in half after applying a Malmquist bias correction. For the recent SNLS3 cosmology results, we estimate that this effect introduces an additional systematic uncertainty on w of {approx}0.02, well below the total uncertainty. This uncertainty depends on the choice of viable scatter models and the choice of supernova (SN) samples, and thus this small w-uncertainty is not guaranteed in future cosmology results. For example, the w-uncertainty for SDSS+SNLS (dropping the nearby SNe) increases to {approx}0.04.
Elemental and lattice-parameter mapping of binary oxide superlattices of (LaNiO 3 ) 4 /(LaMnO 3 ) 2 at atomic resolution
We construct the elemental distribution and lattice strain maps from the measured atomic column positions in a (LaNiO3)(4)/(LaMnO3)(2) superlattice over a large field of view. The correlation between the distribution of B-cations and the lattice parameter in the form of Vegard's law is validated using atomic resolution energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The maps show negligible Mn intermixing in the LaNiO3 layer, while Ni intermixing in the LaMnO3 layer improves away from the substrate interface to 9.5 atomic% from the 8th period onwards, indicating that the superlattice interfacial sharpness is established as the distance from the substrate increases. The maps allow an observation of the compositional defects of the B-sites, which is not possible by Z-contrast alone. Thus, this study demonstrates a promising approach for atomic scale correlative study of lattice strain and composition, and a method for the calibration of atomic resolution EDS maps.
Microscopic parameters from high-resolution specific heat measurements on superoptimally substituted BaFe 2 ( As 1 - x P x ) 2 single crystals
We investigate the electronic specific heat of superoptimally substituted BaFe 2 (As 1-x P x ) 2 single crystals in the superconducting state using high-resolution nanocalorimetry. From the measurements, we extract the substitution dependence of the condensation energy, superconducting gap Δ, and related microscopic parameters. We find that the anomalous scaling of the specific heat jump ΔC ∝ to T$3\atop{c}$ , found in many iron-based superconductors, in this system originates from a T c -dependent ratio Delta/k B T c in combination with a substitution-dependent density of states N(epsilon(F)). A clear enhancement is seen in the effective mass m* as the composition approaches the value that has been associated with a quantum critical point at optimum substitution. However, a simultaneous increase in the superconducting carrier concentration n s yields a penetration depth lambda that decreases with increasing T c without sharp divergence at the quantum critical point. Uemura scaling indicates that T c is governed by the Fermi temperature T F for this multiband system.
Imaging the spatial form of a superconducting order parameter via Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy
Motivated by recent experiments, we investigate Josephson scanning tunneling spectroscopy in an s-wave superconductor. Here, we demonstrate that the spatial oscillations in the superconducting order parameter induced by defects can be spatially imaged through local measurements of the critical Josephson current, providing unprecedented insight into the nature of superconductivity. The spatial form of the Josephson current reflects the nature of the defects, and can be used to probe defect-induced phase transitions from an S = 0 to an S = 1/2 ground state.
Deviation from quark number scaling of the anisotropy parameter v2 of pions, kaons, and protons in Au + Au collisions at root s=200 GeV
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Bayesian analysis of inflation: Parameter estimation for single field models
Future astrophysical data sets promise to strengthen constraints on models of inflation, and extracting these constraints requires methods and tools commensurate with the quality of the data. In this paper we describe ModeCode, a new, publicly available code that computes the primordial scalar and tensor power spectra for single-field inflationary models. ModeCode solves the inflationary mode equations numerically, avoiding the slow roll approximation. It is interfaced with CAMB and CosmoMC to compute cosmic microwave background angular power spectra and perform likelihood analysis and parameter estimation. ModeCode is easily extendable to additional models of inflation, and future updates will include Bayesian model comparison. Errors from ModeCode contribute negligibly to the error budget for analyses of data from Planck or other next generation experiments. We constrain representative single-field models ({phi}{sup n} with n=2/3, 1, 2, and 4, natural inflation, and 'hilltop' inflation) using current data, and provide forecasts for Planck. From current data, we obtain weak but nontrivial limits on the post-inflationary physics, which is a significant source of uncertainty in the predictions of inflationary models, while we find that Planck will dramatically improve these constraints. In particular, Planck will link the inflationary dynamics with the post-inflationary growth of the horizon, and thus begin to probe the ''primordial dark ages'' between TeV and grand unified theory scale energies.
Measurement of the direct C P -violating parameter A C P in the decay D + → K - π + π +
We measure the direct C P -violating parameter A C P for the decay of the charged charm meson, D + → K - π + π + (and charge conjugate), using the full 10.4 fb - 1 sample of p p ¯ collisions at s = 1.96 TeV collected by the D0 detector at the Fermilab Tevatron collider. We extract the raw reconstructed charge asymmetry by fitting the invariant mass distributions for the sum and difference of charge-specific samples. This quantity is then corrected for detector-related asymmetries using data-driven methods and for possible physics asymmetries (from B → D processes) using input from Monte Carlo simulation. We measure A C P = [ - 0.16 ± 0.15 ( stat ) ± 0.09 ( syst ) ] % , which is consistent with zero, as expected from the standard model prediction of C P conservation, and is the most precise measurement of this quantity to date.
New constraints on oscillation parameters from {nu}e appearance and {nu}{mu} disappearance in the NOvA experiment
We present updated results from the NOvA experiment for v(mu) -> v(mu) and v(mu) -> v(e) oscillations from an exposure of 8.85 x 10(20) protons on target, which represents an increase of 46% compared to our previous publication. The results utilize significant improvements in both the simulations and analysis of the data. A joint fit to the data for v(mu) disappearance and v(e) appearance gives the best-fit point as normal mass hierarchy, Delta m(32)(2) = 2.44 x 10(-3) eV(2)/c(4), sin(2) theta(23) = 0.56, and delta(CP) = 1.21 pi. The 68.3% confidence intervals in the normal mass hierarchy are Delta m(32)(2) is an element of[2.37, 2.52] x 10(-3) eV(2)/c(4) , sin(2) theta(23) is an element of [0.43; 0.51] boolean OR [0.52; 0.60], and delta(CP) is an element of [0, 0.21 pi] boolean OR [0.91 pi, 2 pi]. The inverted mass hierarchy is disfavored at the 95% confidence level for all choices of the other oscillation parameters.
NPQ (T) : a chlorophyll fluorescence parameter for rapid estimation and imaging of non-photochemical quenching of excitons in photosystem-II-associated antenna complexes: New, rapid probe of non-photochemical quenching
In photosynthesis, light energy is absorbed by light-harvesting complexes and used to drive photochemistry. However, a fraction of absorbed light is lost to non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) that reflects several important photosynthetic processes to dissipate excess energy. Currently, estimates of NPQ and its individual components (q E , q I , q Z and q T ) are measured from pulse-amplitude-modulation (PAM) measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence yield and require measurements of the maximal yield of fluorescence in fully dark-adapted material (F m ), when NPQ is assumed to be negligible. Unfortunately, this approach requires extensive dark acclimation, often precluding widespread or high-throughput use, particularly under field conditions or in imaging applications, while introducing artefacts when F m is measured in the presence of residual photodamaged centres. To address these limitations, we derived and characterized a new set of parameters, NPQ (T) , and its components that can be (1) measured in a few seconds, allowing for high-throughput and field applications; (2) does not require full relaxation of quenching processes and thus can be applied to photoinhibited materials; (3) can distinguish between NPQ and chloroplast movements; and (4) can be used to image NPQ in plants with large leaf movements. Finally, we discuss the applications benefits and caveats of both approaches.
High-temperature all-fiber non-destructive multi-parameter sensing system with consistent performance
A high-temperature all-fiber non-destructive multi-parameter sensing system is developed. The system can operate consistently in a wide range of temperature changes by specially designed active signal generation and detection units. It is capable of monitoring temperature up to 600°C and cracks on metal pipes with an acoustic wave generation unit and an acoustic detection unit. A gold-coated multi-mode fiber is used to deliver a laser pulse for acoustic excitation while minimizing parasitic acoustic signals at high temperature. An in-fiber Fabry–Perot fiber Bragg grating (FP-FBG) is fabricated in another single-mode fiber and bonded to the test object for acoustic detection. The FP-FBG avoids strain redistribution inside the bonder at high temperature to ensure consistent operation. The feasibility of the system for temperature monitoring and crack detection in real-world applications is also demonstrated on an industry-standard P91 pipe.