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At least 73 records · Page 4

2M17091769+3127589: A Mass-transfer Binary with an Extreme Mass Ratio

We present the orbital solution of a peculiar double-lined spectroscopic and eclipsing binary system, 2M17091769+3127589. This solution was obtained by a simultaneous fit of both APOGEE radial velocities and TESS and ASAS-SN light curves to determine masses and radii. This system consists of an M=0.256{sub -0.006}{sup +0.010} M {sub ⊙}, R=3.961{sub -0.032}{sup +0.049} R {sub ⊙} red giant and a hotter M=1.518{sub -0.031}{sup +0.057} M {sub ⊙}, R=2.608{sub -0.321}{sup +0.034} R {sub ⊙} subgiant. Modeling with the MESA evolutionary codes indicates that the system likely formed 5.26 Gyrs ago, with a M = 1.2 M {sub ⊙} primary that is now the system’s red giant and a M = 1.11 M {sub ⊙} secondary that is now a more massive subgiant. Due to Roche-lobe overflow as the primary ascends the red giant branch, the more evolved “primary” (i.e., originally the more massive star of the pair) is now only one sixth as massive as the “secondary.” Such a difference between the initial and the current mass ratio is one of the most extreme detected so far. Evolutionary modeling suggests the system is still engaged in mass transfer, at a rate of M-dot ~10{sup -9} M {sub ⊙}/yr, and it provides an example of a less evolved precursor to some of the systems that consist of white dwarfs and blue stragglers.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Comparison of δ 13 C analyses of individual foraminifer ( Orbulina universa ) shells by secondary ion mass spectrometry and gas source mass spectrometry

Rationale: The use of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) to perform micrometer-scale in situ carbon isotope (δ 13 C) analyses of shells of marine microfossils called planktic foraminifers holds promise to explore calcification and ecological processes. The potential of this technique, however, cannot be realized without comparison to traditional whole-shell δ 13 C values measured by gas source mass spectrometry (GSMS). Methods: Paired SIMS and GSMS δ 13 C values measured from final chamber fragments of the same shell of the planktic foraminifer Orbulina universa are compared. The SIMS–GSMS δ 13 C differences (Δ 13 C SIMS-GSMS ) were determined via paired analysis of hydrogen peroxide-cleaned fragments of modern cultured specimens and of fossil specimens from deep-sea sediments that were either untreated, sonicated, and cleaned with hydrogen peroxide or vacuum roasted. After treatment, fragments were analyzed by a CAMECA IMS 1280 SIMS instrument and either a ThermoScientific MAT-253 or a Fisons Optima isotope ratio mass spectrometer (GSMS). Results: Paired analyses of cleaned fragments of cultured specimens (n = 7) yield no SIMS–GSMS δ 13 C difference. However, paired analyses of untreated (n = 18) and cleaned (n = 12) fragments of fossil shells yield average Δ 13 C SIMS-GSMS values of 0.8‰ and 0.6‰ (±0.2‰, 2 SE), respectively, while vacuum roasting of fossil shell fragments (n = 11) removes the SIMS–GSMS δ 13 C difference. Conclusions: The noted Δ 13 C SIMS-GSMS values are most likely due to matrix effects causing sample–standard mismatch for SIMS analyses but may also be a combination of other factors such as SIMS measurement of chemically bound water. The volume of material analyzed via SIMS is ~10 5 times smaller than that analyzed by GSMS; hence, the extent to which these Δ 13 C SIMS-GSMS values represent differences in analyte or instrument factors remains unclear.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Installation protocol for charge transfer dissociation mass spectrometry on ion trapping mass spectrometers

Abstract Rationale Charge transfer dissociation (CTD) is a novel fragmentation technique that demonstrates enhanced structural characterization for a wide variety of molecules compared to standard fragmentation techniques like collision‐induced dissociation (CID). Alternative fragmentation techniques, such as electron transfer dissociation, electron capture dissociation, and ultraviolet photodissociation, also overcome many of the shortfalls of CID, but none of them are a silver bullet that can adequately characterize a wide variety of structures and charge states of target compounds. Given the diversity of structural classes and their occasional obstinance towards certain activation techniques, alternative fragmentation techniques are required that rely on novel or alternative modes of activation. Methods Herein, we present a step‐by‐step protocol for the installation of CTD on a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer and best practices for optimizing the signal‐to‐noise ratio and acquisition times for CTD mass spectra. Results In addition to two CTD installations in the Jackson laboratory, CTD has also been installed, and is currently in operation, on two 3D ion trap mass spectrometers in France: one in the laboratory of Dr. David Ropartz and Dr. Hélène Rogneaux at INRAE in Nantes, and the other in the laboratory of Dr. Jean‐Yves Salpin at Université d'Évry Val‐d'Essonne, part of the Paris‐Saclay University system. Conclusions Here, we provide a visual protocol to help others accomplish the instrument modification.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Measurement of the top-quark mass using a leptonic invariant mass in $pp$ collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

A measurement of the top-quark mass ($m_t$) in the $t\overline{t}$ → lepton+jets channel is presented, with an experimental technique which exploits semileptonic decays of $b$-hadrons produced in the top-quark decay chain. The distribution of the invariant mass $m_{{\ell}µ}$ of the lepton, $\ell$ (with $\ell$ = $e, µ$), from the $W$-boson decay and the muon, $µ$, originating from the b-hadron decay is reconstructed, and a binned-template profile likelihood fit is performed to extract $m_t$. The measurement is based on data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36.1 fb –1 of $\sqrt{s}$ = 13 TeV $pp$ collisions provided by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded by the ATLAS detector. The measured value of the top-quark mass is $m_t$ = 174.41 ± 0.39 (stat.) ± 0.66 (syst.) ± 0.25 (recoil) GeV, where the third uncertainty arises from changing the Pythia8 parton shower gluon-recoil scheme, used in top-quark decays, to a recently developed setup.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Energy dependence of $\textit{p}$ + 232 Th fission mass distributions: Mass-asymmetric standard I and standard II modes, and multichance fission

Background: The predominant mass-asymmetric fission of actinide nuclides occurs mainly through the so-called standard I and standard II modes. Though understood to be caused by shape-dependent shell structures encountered between the fission barrier deformation and scission, the most relevant shell gaps are still not firmly established. The standard I mode had been associated with the spherical doubly magic 132 Sn, and thus the $\textit{Z}$ = 50 proton shell, but recently it has been proposed that standard I and standard II are associated with quadrupole and octupole deformed gaps at $\textit{Z}$ = 52 and 56, respectively. Purpose: In this work, we investigate how the relative probabilities of the standard I and standard II modes vary with excitation energy near threshold, probing where the two modes bifurcate. Methods: The Australian National University Heavy Ion Accelerator Facility and CUBE fission spectrometer have been used to measure fission mass distributions for the $\textit{p}$ + 232 Th reaction (forming 233 Pa) at closely spaced bombarding energy intervals from 6.5 to 28 MeV. Results: A model-independent analysis of the energy dependence of the shape of the mass-asymmetric peak shows a strong dependence of the standard I and standard II relative probability on excitation energy near threshold. Conclusions: The results are consistent with the standard II mode having a lower fission barrier than standard I in 233 Pa, with the latter increasing continually in relative probability above its barrier energy. It is concluded that multichance fission, in particular last chance fission, plays a strong role in determining the observed energy dependence of all fission modes.

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS AND RADIATION PHYSICS↗

SDSS-IV MaNGA: The Effect of Stellar Mass and Halo Mass on the Assembly Histories of Satellite Galaxies

We combine an unprecedented MaNGA sample of over 3000 passive galaxies in the stellar mass range 10 9 –10 12 M ⊙ with the Sloan Digital Sky Survey group catalog by Tinker to quantify how central and satellite formation, quantified by radial profiles in stellar age, [Fe/H], and [Mg/Fe], depends on the stellar mass of the galaxy (M * ) and the mass of the host halo (M h ). After controlling for M * and M h , the stacked spectra of centrals and satellites beyond the effective radius (r e ) show small, yet significant differences in multiple spectral features at the 1% level. According to spectral fitting with the code alf , a primary driver of these differences appears to be [Mg/Fe] variations, suggesting that stellar populations in the outskirts of satellites formed more rapidly than the outer populations of centrals. To probe the physical mechanisms that may be responsible for this signal, we examined how satellite stellar populations depend on M h . We find that satellites in high-M h halos show older stellar ages, lower [Fe/H], and higher [Mg/Fe] compared to satellites in low-M h halos, especially for M * = 10 9.5 –10 10.5 M ⊙ . These signals lend support to environmentally driven processes that quench satellite galaxies, although variations in the merger histories of central and satellite galaxies also emerge as a viable explanation.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Analytical Assessment of Impurities Found in Process Gases using the InfiTOF, a High Resolution, Low Mass, Variable Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer

The JEOL InfiToF is a high-resolution, low mass (HRLM) mass spectrometer (MS) with the application potential to meet analytical needs for tritium handling systems, such as those at the Savannah River Tritium Facilities (SRTE) and those used in fusion research. The Service Level Agreement (SLA) #144 line 27 “InfiTOF R&D” has concluded its first year of efforts under Tritium Recycle and Renewal. The project goals for FY22 were: (1) Production of a finalized modification list for tritium hardened components in the InfiTOF, (2) perform an assessment on impurity gases commonly found in process gases from Tritium Facilities and (3) begin developing a set of standardized work instructions that will be used as a basis for operations on the InfiTOF.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Workflow for High-throughput Screening of Enzyme Mutant Libraries Using Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Escherichia coli Colonies

High-throughput molecular screening of microbial colonies and DNA libraries are critical procedures that enable applications such as directed evolution, functional genomics, microbial identification, and creation of engineered microbial strains to produce high-value molecules. A promising chemical screening approach is the measurement of products directly from microbial colonies via optically guided matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). Measuring the compounds from microbial colonies bypasses liquid culture with a screen that takes approximately 5 s per sample. We describe a protocol combining a dedicated informatics pipeline and sample preparation method that can prepare up to 3,000 colonies in under 3 h. The screening protocol starts from colonies grown on Petri dishes and then transferred onto MALDI plates via imprinting. The target plate with the colonies is imaged by a flatbed scanner and the colonies are located via custom software. The target plate is coated with MALDI matrix, MALDI-MS analyzes the colony locations, and data analysis enables the determination of colonies with the desired biochemical properties. This workflow screens thousands of colonies per day without requiring additional automation. The wide chemical coverage and the high sensitivity of MALDI-MS enable diverse screening projects such as modifying enzymes and functional genomics surveys of gene activation/inhibition libraries.

Choe, Kisurb↗

Advancing Aerosol Chemical Characterization and Vertical Profiling over the Southern Great Plains Using Uncrewed Aerial Sampling and Offline Aerosol Mass Spectrometry

Recent advancements in uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) and particulate matter (PM) analytical techniques have provided opportunities for atmospheric research. In this study, we deployed the Department of Energy’s fixed-wing ArcticShark UAS to examine PM 2.5 composition at varying altitudes─within and above the planetary boundary layer (PBL)─over the Southern Great Plains atmospheric observatory (SGP). A total of 22 flights were conducted across March, June, and August 2023. Composite filter samples were collected during each flight and analyzed with offline aerosol mass spectrometry (AMS), complemented by on-board real-time sensors and ground-based instrumentation, to provide a comprehensive view of regional aerosol characteristics. Results show clear vertical and seasonal differences in the aerosol composition. Relative to ground-level measurements, aloft samples exhibited shifts in the distribution of organic and inorganic PM, with the organic composition varying distinctly across seasons. Particulate organic nitrogen (ON) was elevated, with bulk compositions similar in March and June but strongly altered in August, likely driven by biomass burning and enhanced photochemical activity. Combined AMS and chemical ionization mass spectrometry analyses detected amines, amides, and amino acids. PM above the planetary boundary layer was enriched in oxidized organic aerosols, while ground-level PM contained higher nitrate and sulfate. Seasonal differences in aqueous-phase processing were also observed, which were strongest in March during persistent cloud cover and weaker in the drier August period, suggesting a shift from aqueous- to gas-phase SOA formation. In conclusion, these findings highlight the value of UAS in advancing PM measurements and vertical profiling of aerosol composition.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Pair Invariant Mass to Isolate Background in the Search for the Chiral Magnetic Effect in Au+Au Collisions at √sNN = 200 GeV

Quark interactions with topological gluon configurations can induce local chirality imbalance and parity violation in quantum chromodynamics, which can lead to the chiral magnetic effect (CME)-an electric charge separation along the strong magnetic field in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. The CME-sensitive azimuthal correlator observable (Delta gamma) is contaminated by background arising, in part, from resonance decays coupled with elliptic anisotropy (v(2)). We report here differential measurements of the correlator as a function of the pair invariant mass (m(inv)) in 20-50% centrality Au + Au collisions at root s(NN) = 200 GeV by the STAR experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. Strong resonance background contributions to Delta gamma. are observed. At large m(inv) where this background is significantly reduced, the Delta gamma. value is found to be significantly smaller. An event-shape-engineering technique is deployed to determine the v(2) background shape as a function of m(inv). We extract a v(2)-independent and m(inv)-averaged signal Delta gamma(sig) = (0.03 +/- 0.06 +/- 0.08) x 10(-4), or (2 +/- 4 +/- 5)% of the inclusive Delta gamma (m(inv) > 0.4 GeV/c(2)) = (1.58 +/- 0.02 +/- 0.02) x 10(-4), within pion p(T) = 0.2-0.8 GeV/c and averaged over pseudorapidity ranges of -1 < eta < -0.05 and 0.05 < eta < 1. This represents an upper limit of 0.23 x 10(-4), or 15% of the inclusive result, at 95% confidence level for the m(inv)-integrated CME contribution.

Adam, J.↗

Dark Energy Survey Year 3 results: Simulation-based cosmological inference with wavelet harmonics, scattering transforms, and moments of weak lensing mass maps. II. cosmological results

Here, we present a simulation-based cosmological analysis using a combination of Gaussian and non-Gaussian statistics of the weak lensing mass (convergence) maps from the first three years of the Dark Energy Survey. We implement the following: (1) second and third moments; (2) wavelet phase harmonics; (3) the scattering transform. Our analysis is fully based on simulations, spans a space of seven 𝑤 Cold Dark Matter (𝑤⁢ CDM) cosmological parameters, and forward models the most relevant sources of systematics inherent in the data: masks, noise variations, clustering of the sources, intrinsic alignments, and shear and redshift calibration. We implement a neural network compression of the summary statistics, and we estimate the parameter posteriors using a simulation-based inference approach. Including and combining different non-Gaussian statistics is a powerful tool that strongly improves constraints over Gaussian statistics (in our case, the second moments); in particular, the figure of merit (𝑆 8 , Ω m ) is improved by 70% (Λ ⁢CDM) and 90% (𝑤 ⁢CDM). When all the summary statistics are combined, we achieve a 2% constraint on the amplitude of fluctuations parameter 𝑆 8 ≡ 𝜎 8 ⁢(Ω m /0.3) 0.5 , obtaining 𝑆 8 = 0.794 ±0.017 (Λ⁢ CDM) and 𝑆 8 = 0.817 ±0.021 (𝑤 ⁢CDM), and a ∼10% constraint on Ω m , obtaining Ω m =0.259 ±0.025 (Λ ⁢CDM) and Ω m = 0.273 ±0.029 (𝑤⁢ CDM). In the context of the 𝑤⁢ CDM scenario, these statistics also strengthen the constraints on the parameter 𝑤, obtaining 𝑤 <−0.72. The constraints from different statistics are shown to be internally consistent (with a 𝑝-value>0.1 for all combinations of statistics examined). We compare our results to other weak lensing results from the first three years of the Dark Energy Survey data, finding good consistency; we also compare with results from external datasets, such as planck constraints from the cosmic microwave background, finding statistical agreement, with discrepancies no greater than <2.2⁢𝜎.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Mass measurement systems and related methods for measuring mass of solids within a liquid

A measurement system includes a vessel for containing a fluid and at least one solid material and a probe assembly for disposing partially into the fluid within the vessel. The probe assembly includes a hollow tube having an open lower longitudinal end and at least one pressure sensor within the hollow tube, the at least one pressure sensor configured to measure pressures of the fluid within the hollow tube at at least two different elevations. A method of measuring a mass of suspended solids within a fluid, the method includes receiving pressure measurements representing two different elevations of the fluid within a hollow tube and substantially free of the suspended solids and based at least partially on the received pressure measurements, determining a mass of the suspended solids.

Galbreth, Gregory G.↗

Scalable Frontal Oligomerization: Insights from Advanced Mass Analysis

Linear oligomers of dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) are reactive precursors for thermoplastic and thermoset materials. Unlike the foul-smelling parent monomer, oligomers composed of DCPD are odorless. With appropriate modification of the end-group or backbone chemistry, telechelic DCPD oligomers have potential utility as cross-linkers and as macromonomer precursors for block and graft copolymers. Most existing methods to produce oligo-DCPD, however, require solvent, are relatively slow, and necessitate air-free techniques. Here we show that frontal ring-opening metathesis oligomerization (FROMO) of neat DCPD and other norbornene derivatives rapidly generates hundreds of grams of material in minutes with catalyst loadings of 0.5 mM. This energy-efficient catalytic process utilizes the heat generated by the reaction to self-propagate oligomerization throughout the liquid monomer. FROMO employs a terminal olefin (e.g., styrene) in which a cross-metathesis reaction (i.e., chain transfer) competes with ring-opening metathesis (i.e., propagation). Kendrick mass analysis enables rapid identification and assignment of all the chain-end types present and quantifies the degree of branching resulting from the infrequent cyclopentene ring-opening reaction. This analytical technique also detects oligomer species derived from trace impurities in the monomer or chain-transfer agent that are otherwise difficult to observe with other characterization methods. Here, the obtained oligomers possess well-defined chain-ends and molecular weight distributions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

String Theory Bounds on the Cosmological Constant, the Higgs Mass, and the Quark and Lepton Masses

In this paper, we elaborate on the new understanding of the cosmological constant and the gauge hierarchy problems in the context of string theory in its metastring formulation, based on the concepts of modular spacetime and Born geometry. The interplay of phase space (and Born geometry), the Bekenstein bound, the mixing between ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) physics and modular invariance in string theory is emphasized. This new viewpoint is fundamentally rooted in quantum contextuality and not in statistical observer bias (anthropic principle). We also discuss the extension of this point of view to the problem of masses of quarks and leptons and their respective mixing matrices.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗