Wimp searches with gamma rays in the Fermi era: Challenges,methods and results

The launch of the gamma-ray telescope Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT) started a pivotal period in indirect detection of dark matter. By outperforming expectations, for the first time a robust and stringent test of the paradigm of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) is within reach. In this paper, we discuss astrophysical targets for WIMP detection and the challenges they present, review the analysis tools which have been employed to tackle these challenges, and summarize the status of constraints on and the claimed detections in the WIMP parameter space. Methods and results will be discussed in comparison to Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes. We also provide an outlook on short term and longer term developments.     

Fatigue life enhancement by irradiation of 12Cr1MoV steel with a Zr<Superscript>+</Superscript> ion beam. Mesoscale deformation and fracture

The structure and properties of 12Cr1MoV steel irradiated with a zirconium ion beam were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and micro- and nanoindentation. It is shown that the modification covers the entire cross-section of the irradiated specimens to a depth of 1 mm. The data on irradiation-induced structural changes are used to interpret the changes in mechanical properties of the irradiated specimens under static and cyclic loading. Particular attention is given to analysis of strain estimation by the digital image correlation method.     

Metabolic profiles of dioscin in rats revealed by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

Dioscin (DIS), one of the most abundant bioactive steroidal saponins in Dioscorea sp., is used as a complementary medicine to treat coronary disease and angina pectoris in China. Although the pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetics of DIS have been well demonstrated, information regarding the final metabolic fates is very limited. This study investigated the in vivo metabolic profiles of DIS after oral administration by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry method. The structures of the metabolites were identified and tentatively characterized by means of comparing the molecular mass, retention time and fragmentation pattern of the analytes with those of the parent compound. A total of eight metabolites, including seven phase I and one phase II metabolites, were detected and tentatively identified for the first time. Oxidation, deglycosylation and glucuronidation were found to be the major metabolic processes of the compound in rats. In addition, a possible metabolic pathway on the biotransformation of DIS in vivo was proposed. This study provides valuable and new information on the metabolism of DIS, which will be helpful for further understanding its mechanism of action. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Experimental study for adsorption and photocatalytic reaction of ethyl methylphosphonate molecule as organophosphorus compound adsorbed at surface of titanium dioxide under UV irradiation in ambient condition

The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of Ethyl methylphosphonate (EMPA) on powdery TiO₂ film has experimentally investigated using attenuated total reflection-infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) in ambient condition. Characteristic IR frequency as P-O-C vibration mode as EtO was observed by EMPA adsorbed at the surface of TiO₂. By TiO₂ photocatalysis, the adsorbed EMPA was decomposed to methyl phosphonic acid and phosphoric acid. The increment of IR intensity of which is assigned to Ti–O-P-O-Ti of EMPA was accompanied with increasing the IR peak intensity assigned to MPA. About that, we suggest that the appearance of the Ti–O-P-O-Ti of EMPA by the TiO₂ photocatalysis is regarded as acceleration of the hydrolysis of EMPA by the surface OH groups of TiO₂. The plausible adsorption structure and the photocatalytic reaction mechanism of EMPA at the surface of TiO₂ photocatalyst were elucidated.

     

Thermal management of modern electric vehicle battery systems (MEVBS)

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The operating temperature of Li-ion batteries used in modern electric vehicles should be maintained within an allowable range to avoid thermal runaway...