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At least 847 records · Page 47

Search for W' $\to $ tb decays in the lepton + jets final state in pp collisions at $\sqrt{s}$ = 8 TeV

Results are presented from a search for the production of a heavy gauge boson W' decaying into a top and a bottom quark, using a data set collected by the CMS experiment at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.5 inverse femtobarns. Various models of W'-boson production are studied by allowing for an arbitrary combination of left- and right-handed couplings. The analysis is based on the detection of events with a lepton (e, mu), jets, and missing transverse energy in the final state. No evidence for W'-boson production is found and 95% confidence level upper limits on the production cross section times branching fraction are obtained. For W' bosons with purely right-handed couplings, and for those with left-handed couplings assuming no interference effects, the observed 95% confidence level limit is M(W') > 2.05 TeV. For W' bosons with purely left-handed couplings, including interference effects, the observed 95% confidence level limit is M(W') > 1.84 TeV. The results presented in this paper are the most stringent limits published to date.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Probing the CP structure of the top quark Yukawa at the future muon collider

We study the top-Higgs coupling with a CP violating phase ξ at a future multi-TeV muon collider. We focus on processes that are directly sensitive to the top quark Yukawa coupling: $t$$\overline{t}$$h$, $tbhμν$, and $t$$\overline{t}$$h$$v$$\overline{v}$ with $h$ → $b$$\overline{b}$ and semileptonic top decays. At different energies, different processes dominate the cross section, providing complementary information. At and above an energy of $\mathcal{O}$(10) TeV, vector boson fusion processes dominate. As we show, in the Standard Model there is destructive interference in the vector boson fusion processes $t$$\overline{t}$$h$$v$$\overline{v}$ and $tbhμν$ between the top quark Yukawa and Higgs-gauge boson couplings. A CP-violating phase changes this interference, and the cross section measurement is very sensitive to the size of the CP-violating angle. Although we find that the cross sections are measured to $\mathcal{O}$(50%) statistical uncertainty at 1σ, a 10 and 30 TeV muon collider can bound the CP-violating angle |ξ| ≲ 9.0° and |ξ| ≲ 5.4°, respectively. However, cross section measurements are insensitive to the sign of the CP-violating angle. To determine that the coupling is truly CP violating, observables sensitive to CP-violation must be measured. We find in the $t$$\overline{t}$$h$ process the azimuthal angle between the $t$ + $\overline{t}$ plane and the initial state muon+Higgs plane shows good discrimination for ξ = ±0.1π.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Probing CP violation in e + e - production of the Higgs boson and toponia

We study the CP violation in the Higgs boson and toponia production process at the ILC where the toponia are produced near the threshold. With the approximation that the production vertex of the Higgs boson and toponia is contact, and neglecting the P-wave toponia, we analytically calculated the density matrix for the production and decay of the toponia. Under these assumptions, the production spectrum of the toponia is solely determined by the spin quantum number, therefore the toponia can be either singlet or triplet. We find that the production rate of the singlet toponium is highly suppressed, and behaves just like the production of a P-wave toponia. In the case of the triplet toponium, three completely independent CP observables, namely azimuthal angles of lepton and antilepton in the toponium rest-frame as well as their sum, are predicted based on our analytical results, and checked by using the tree-level event generator. The non-trivial correlations come from the longitudinal-transverse interferences for the azimuthal angles of leptons, and the transverse-transverse interference for their sum. These three observables are well defined at the ILC, where the rest frame of the toponium can be reconstructed directly. Furthermore, the QCD-strong corrections, which are important near the threshold region, are also studied with the approximation of spin-independent QCD-Coulomb potential. While the total cross section is enhanced, the spin correlations predicted in this paper are not affected.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

Spin correlations and new physics in τ -lepton decays at the LHC

We use spin correlations to constrain anomalous τ -lepton couplings at the LHC including its anomalous magnetic moment, electric dipole moment and weak dipole moments. Single spin correlations are ideal to probe interference terms between the SM and new dipole-type couplings as they are not suppressed by the τ -lepton mass. Double spin asymmetries give rise to T -odd correlations useful to probe CP violation purely within the new physics amplitudes, as their appearance from interference with the SM is suppressed by m τ . We compare our constraints to those obtained earlier on the basis of deviations from the Drell-Yan cross-section.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗

A Review of Global Radioxenon Background Research and Issues

Among the most important problems for the world-wide nuclear explosion monitoring is the interference of naturally occurring and man-made radionuclides. The International Monitoring System (IMS) of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) frequently detects these interferences using sensitive radionuclide measurement equipment. We commonly refer to the presence of radionuclides that are relevant to the CTBT but do not originate from a nuclear explosion as “background”. Backgrounds are highest near the sources but are known to have regional and global effects on the IMS. This review paper summarizes much of the relevant work in the area of background and discusses issues of interest for nuclear explosion detection.

98 NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT, SAFEGUARDS, AND PHYSICAL P↗

Acylation as a successful derivatization strategy for the analysis of pinacolyl alcohol in a glycerol-rich matrix by GC-MS: application during an OPCW Proficiency Test

A derivatization protocol based on the acylation of pinacolyl alcohol (PA), an important marker for the nerve agent soman, is presented. The procedure provides a convenient means of detecting, by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), PA when present at a low concentration in a complex glycerol/alcohol-rich matrix. While there are only two reports describing the specific analysis of PA in matrices at low concentrations, the protocol described herein represents the first of its kind in the analysis of PA in a highly reactive matrix. Two alternative paths for the protocol’s execution are presented. The first involves the direct derivatization of the PA with either acetyl or benzoyl chloride; both reactions yield ester products with significantly different retention times than those of the interferences of the reactive glycerol-rich matrix and in areas of the GC-chromatogram featuring lower levels of matrix interferences. A second procedure involved an initial diethyl ether/aqueous extraction of the matrix; while the extraction was found to substantially remove many of the hydrophilic matrix components and improve the overall derivatization, it also led to some loss of PA available for the derivatization. Both protocols were applied to the successful derivatization and analysis of PA by GC-MS when present at a 5 μg.mL -1 concentration in a glycerol-rich matrix sample administered during the 48th Proficiency Test administered by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Design and implementation of dynamic I/O control scheme for large scale distributed file systems

In this paper, we have analyzed the input/output (I/O) activities of Cori, which is a high-performance computing system at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Our analysis results indicate that most users do not adjust storage configurations but rather use the default settings. In addition, owing to the interference from many applications running simultaneously, the performance varies based on the system status. To configure file systems autonomously in complex environments, we developed DCA-IO, a dynamic distributed file system configuration adjustment algorithm that utilizes the system log information to adjust storage configurations automatically. Our scheme aims to improve the application performance and avoid interference from other applications without user intervention. Moreover, DCA-IO uses the existing system logs and does not require code modifications, an additional library, or user intervention. To demonstrate the effectiveness of DCA-IO, we performed experiments using I/O kernels of real applications in both an isolated small-sized Lustre environment and Cori. Our experimental results shows that our scheme can improve the performance of HPC applications by up to 263% with the default Lustre configuration.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗

Rapid determination of 210 Po in water samples

A new rapid method for the determination of 210 Po in water samples has been developed at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) that can be used for emergency response or routine water analyses. If a radiological dispersive device (RDD) event or a radiological attack associated with drinking water supplies occurs, there will be an urgent need for rapid analyses of water samples, including drinking water, ground water and other water effluents. Current analytical methods for the assay of 210 Po in water samples have typically involved spontaneous auto-deposition of 210 Po onto silver or other metal disks followed by counting by alpha spectrometry. The auto-deposition times range from 90 minutes to 24 hours or more, at times with yields that may be less than desirable. If sample interferences are present, decreased yields and degraded alpha spectrums can occur due to unpredictable thickening in the deposited layer. Separation methods have focused on the use of Sr Resin, often in combination with 210 Pb analysis. A new rapid method for 210 Po in water samples has been developed at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) that utilizes a rapid calcium phosphate co-precipitation method, separation using DGA Resin (N,N,N,N-tetraoctyldiglycolamide extractant-coated resin, Eichrom Technologies or Triskem-International), followed by rapid microprecipitation of 210 Po using bismuth phosphate for counting by alpha spectrometry. This new method can be performed quickly with excellent removal of interferences, high chemical yields and very good alpha peak resolution, eliminating any potential problems with the alpha source preparation for emergency or routine samples. A rapid sequential separation method to separate 210 Po and actinide isotopes was also developed. This new approach, rapid separation with DGA Resin plus microprecipitation for alpha source preparation, is a significant advance in radiochemistry for the rapid determination of 210 Po.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Comparison of irradiated foil measurements with activation calculations and HPGe simulations

Theoretical activation calculations for Fe, Ni, and stainless steel foils were compared against irradiated foil measurements from a critical assembly. Calculated/experiment values spanning 0.62-1.31 showed that the restricted approach used here is insufficient for experiment planning, with the collapsed cross-section being the primary source of error. The effect of decay time on gamma-ray spectroscopy measurement reliability was investigated using a Monte Carlo HPGe detector model. Simulations showed no correlation with decay time, absent interferences. Specific interferences for Fe-59 (Ni) and Co-60 (stainless steel) activation product ratios suggested optimal measurement windows having respective decay times of 9-11 days and 4-7 days.

46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ↗

Anticoincidence analysis for radioxenon detection

A number of beta-gamma coincidence detectors have been deployed for monitoring nuclear explosions. When 133Xe is present in a sample it causes interference in the calculation of the metastable isotopes. Therefore, an alternative method for activity quantification is to analyze the anticoincidence spectrum of the plastic detector to decrease interference from 133Xe. Simulated and experimental measurements were tested. The results show that the anticoincidence analysis produces more accurate results when quantifying the activity of 131mXe but is sometimes limited by the background increasing the minimum detectable activity.

Sivels, Ciara B.↗

The LLNL rabbit: determination of trace element levels in polyethylene

Rabbit facilities are systems that pneumatically transport a sample carrier (known as a rabbit) to and from a radiation source. However, trace impurities in the polyethylene (PE) rabbit may interfere with measurements of short-lived isotopes. Activated impurities with short half-lives as 28 Al interfere with the fission product γ-ray, therefore the rabbit cannot be measured immediately. Neutron activation analysis was performed on various PE samples obtained from different manufacturers and the highest quality PE was used to fabricate a high-purity PE rabbit. Here, the impurities identified in the PE study were 27 Al, 48 Ca, 37 Cl, 50 Cr, 65 Cu, 127 I, 26 Mg, 55 Mn, and 30 Si.

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEA↗

Analysis of an irradiated uranium sample for source attribution without chemical separation using microplasma ionization and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry

The use of element isotope ratios has great potential in not only determining the reactor type used to produce plutonium (Pu) but also in determining the burnup and the time since irradiation. While a powerful nuclear forensic technique, determining element isotope ratios is complicated by severe isobaric interferences when performed on typical inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers. Such analyses require extensive chemical separations prior to analysis to alleviate the inter-elemental isobars. Ultrahigh mass resolution spectrometry provides a potential alternative, greatly reducing the complexity of sample preparation and turnaround times for these critical measurements. To demonstrate the power of the approach, a sample of irradiated, depleted uranium was analyzed with the liquid sampling—atmospheric pressure glow discharge ion source coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The Orbitrap is augmented with an external data acquisition system, Spectroswiss’s FTMS-Booster X2T, allowing collection of extended ion transients, providing higher mass resolution. In using this approach, the 150 Sm/ 149 Sm and 152 Sm/ 149 Sm isotope ratios were found to be within 20% of predicted values without any chemical separations and without mass bias corrections. In addition, the 240 Pu/ 239 Pu isotope ratio was determined, free from the 238 UH + interferences common to the ICP-MS platforms, while at the same time allowing for the determination of U isotopic signatures. While these demonstrative results are from a single sample, the advantages of the microplasma/ultrahigh mass resolution approach to intra-element isotope ratio determinations are clear.

Fuel burnup↗

The Effect of Annealing Time on Microstructure and AC Corrosion Behavior of X80 Steel in Simulated Solution of Alkaline Soil

The alternating current (AC) corrosion behavior of X80 steels annealed for different times was investigated in an alkaline soil simulation solution by electrochemical measurement, immersion test and surface analysis technology. The results show that with or without AC interference, the steels annealed for various times have different corrosion resistance. The anticorrosion resistance of steel improves with an increase in annealing time. AC interference results in the evolution of the main cathodic reaction, and facilitates the corrosion of the steels. The steel annealed for 20 min presents a more severe corrosion degree with distinct pits. The corrosion behavior of the steels annealed for different times with AC application is closely related to the microstructure. A decrease in pearlite reduces the number of galvanic corrosion cells, decreasing the corrosion rate of steel. And the grain increase is beneficial for improving the corrosion resistance of the annealed steel.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Improved Precision and Accuracy of Quantification of Rare Earth Element Abundances via Medium-Resolution LA-ICP-MS

Laser ablation ICP-MS enables streamlined, high-sensitivity measurements of rare earth element (REE) abundances in geological materials. However, many REE isotope mass stations are plagued by isobaric interferences, particularly from diatomic oxides and argides. In this study, we compare REE abundances quantitated from mass spectra collected with low-resolution (m/Δm = 300 at 5% peak height) and medium-resolution (m/Δm = 2500) mass discrimination. A wide array of geological samples was analyzed, including USGS and NIST glasses ranging from mafic to felsic in composition, with NIST 610 employed as the bracketing calibrating reference material. The medium-resolution REE analyses are shown to be significantly more accurate and precise (at the 95% confidence level) than low-resolution analyses, particularly in samples characterized by low (<μg/g levels) REE abundances. A list of preferred mass stations that are least susceptible to isobaric interferences is reported. These findings impact the reliability of REE abundances derived from LA-ICP-MS methods, particularly those relying on mass analyzers that do not offer tuneable mass-resolution and/or collision cell technologies that can reduce oxide and/or argide formation. .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Production of Gas-Phase Uranium Fluoroanions Via Solubilization of Uranium Oxides in the [1-Ethyl-3-Methylimidazolium]{sup +}[F(HF){sub 2.3}]{sup −} Ionic Liquid

A new methodology for gas-phase uranium ion formation is described in which UO{sub 2} is dissolved in neat N-ethyl,N′-methylimidazolium fluorohydrogenate ionic liquid [EMIm{sup +}][F(HF){sub 2.3}{sup −}], yielding a blue-green solution. The solution was diluted with acetonitrile and then analyzed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. UF{sub 6}{sup −} (a U(V) species) was observed at m/z = 352, and other than cluster ions derived from the ionic liquid, nothing else was observed. When the sample was analyzed using infusion desorption chemical ionization, UF{sub 6}{sup −} was the base peak, and it was accompanied by a less intense UF{sub 5}{sup −} that most likely was formed by elimination of a fluorine radical from UF{sub 6}{sup −}. Formation of UF{sub 6}{sup −} required dissolution of UO{sub 2} followed by or concurrent with oxidation of uranium from the + 4 to the + 5 state and finally formation of the fluorouranate. Dissolution of UO{sub 3} produced a bright yellow solution indicative of a U(VI) species; however, electrospray ionization did not produce abundant U-containing ions. The abundant UF{sub 6}{sup −} provides a vehicle for accurate measurement of uranium isotopic abundances free from interference from minor isotopes of other elements and a convenient ion synthesis route that is needed gas-phase structure and reactivity studies like infrared multiphoton dissociation and ion-molecule dissociation and condensation reactions. The reactive fluorohydrogenate ionic liquid may also enable conversion of uranium in oxidic matrices into uranium fluorides that slowly oxidize to uranyl fluoride under ambient conditions, liberating the metal for facile measurement of isotope ratios without extensive chemical separations. .

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Measurement and Analysis of Gamma-Rays Emitted From Spent Nuclear Fuel Above 3 MeV

The gamma-ray spectrum of spent nuclear fuel in the 3- to 6-MeV energy range is important for active interrogation since emitted gamma rays emitted from nuclear decay are not expected to interfere with measurements in this energy region. There is, unfortunately, a dearth of empirical measurements from spent nuclear fuel in this region. This work is an initial attempt to partially ll this gap by presenting an analysis of gamma-ray spectra collected from a set of spent nuclear fuel sources using a high-purity germanium detector array. This multi-crystal array possesses a large collection volume, providing high energy resolution up to 16 MeV. The results of these measurements establish the continuum count-rate in the energy region between 3- and 6-MeV. Also assessed is the potential for peaks from passive emissions to interfere with peak measurements resulting from active interrogation delayed emissions. As one of the first documented empirical measurements of passive emissions from spent fuel for energies above 3 MeV, this work provides a foundation for active interrogation model validation and detector development.

delayed gamma rays↗

Novel rapid oxidizing fusion method to determine Polonium-210 in air filters

A rapid method for the determination of polonium-210 in air filters has been created for use following a radiological event and for routine environmental monitoring. Air filter samples, including cellulose and glass fiber, are fused with a sodium or potassium nitrate/sodium hydroxide flux material. The alkaline matrix minimizes polonium volatility during sample digestion steps, while efficiently dissolving the air filter and inorganic matter implanted on the filter. The addition of nitrate to the flux destroys organic material which can decrease Polonium recovery during precipitation, extraction and source preparation steps. Polonium is concentrated and separated from the sample matrix using an iron hydroxide precipitation and extraction chromatography with DGA Resin. Polonium-210 is subsequently measured by alpha spectrometry following rapid microprecipitation with bismuth phosphate. The new method employs extraction chromatographic purification to remove alpha emitting interferences and sample matrix constituents which can interfere with 210 Po measurements using alpha spectrometry. The novel blend of sodium hydroxide and alkali metal nitrate digests the air filters quickly and effectively.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

The splicing factor U2AF65 stabilizes TRF1 protein by inhibiting its ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis

Highlights: •Identification of U2AF65 as a novel TRF1-interacting protein. •U2AF65 stabilizes TRF1 protein by inhibiting its ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. •U2AF65 interferes with the interaction between TRF1 and Fbx4. •U2AF65 represents a new route for modulating TRF1 function at telomeres. -- Abstract: The human telomeric protein TRF1 is a component of the six-subunit protein complex shelterin, which provides telomere protection by organizing the telomere into a high-order structure. TRF1 functions as a negative regulator of telomere length by controlling the access of telomerase to telomeres. Thus, the cellular abundance of TRF1 at telomeres should be maintained and tightly regulated to ensure proper telomere function. Here, we identify U2 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) auxiliary factor 65 (U2AF65), an essential pre-mRNA splicing factor, as a novel TRF1-interacting protein. U2AF65 interacts with TRF1 in vitro and in vivo and is capable of stabilizing TRF1 protein by inhibiting its ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis. We also found that U2AF65 interferes with the interaction between TRF1 and Fbx4, an E3 ubiquitin ligase for TRF1. Depletion of endogenous U2AF65 expression by short interfering RNA (siRNA) reduced the stability of endogenous TRF1 whereas overexpression of U2AF65 significantly extended the half-life of TRF1. These findings demonstrate that U2AF65 plays a critical role in regulating the level of TRF1 through physical interaction and ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis. Hence, U2AF65 represents a new route for modulating TRF1 function at telomeres.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗