Chemometric Comparison of Data Files Using Several Thermal Analytical Techniques for Dating Fossil Bones from Two Old Burial Sites.

Background:: The possibility of estimating the age of fossil bones using only classic thermogravimetry, on the basis of proper % mass loss ratio values, has been widely considered in the past years. Objective:: Our research has brought some innovations to the previous background, by using chemometric methods and by processing the numerical files of whole thermogravimetric curves. The objective of this paper is the selection, among the main thermal analysis methods available, i.e. thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermal dilatometry analysis (TDA), of the most suitable one, in order to evaluate the age of fossil bones. Methods:: Fossil bone samples from two ancient cemeteries in Sudan were analyzed using different thermal methods (TG, DTG, DTA and TDA). Data of whole recorded thermal curves have been processed by PCA analysis. Results:: A systematic comparison of several thermal analytical techniques allowed to conclude that TG or DTG curves can provide more appropriate information to determine how old fossil bones of different ages are, as evidenced by PCA processing of the entire file set of TG or DTG curves. Conclusion:: It can be concluded that the chemometric processing of TG or DTG curves data files is the best method, however, discussing other thermal analytical curves (DTA and TDA), can complete the information found by means of chemometric processing of whole TG and DTG curves.

On the mass of bootstrapped Newtonian sources

We show that the bootstrapped Newtonian potential generated by a uniform and isotropic source does not depend on the one-loop correction for the matter coupling to gravity. The latter, however, affects the relation between the proper mass and the Arnowitt–Deser–Misner (ADM) mass and, consequently, the pressure needed to keep the configuration stable.

The Clock Riddle and Einstein’s Third Postulate of Special Relativity

The present work calls attention to an undeclared assumption made by Einstein in his landmark paper [Ann. Physik 322 (10), 891 (1905)] in which he introduced the Special Theory of Relativity (STR). The emphasis in textbooks and periodicals is always on his two postulates of relativity [the Relativity Principle (RP) and the constancy of the speed of light in free space]. Yet, the well-known results of his theory such as Fitzgerald-Lorentz length contraction (FLC) and the symmetry of time dilation (two clocks in motion each running slower than the other) are based exclusively on this third postulate. It is shown that an alternative assumption of clock-rate proportionality (Newtonian Simultaneity) is also consistent with Einstein’s first two postulates and with the Relativistic Velocity Transformation (RVT), but that it leads to a fundamentally different space-time transformation than the Lorentz Transformation (LT) of STR. It is referred to as the Newton-Voigt Transformation (NVT). Its predictions regarding length and time measurements by moving observers differ sharply from those of the LT. A “clock riddle,” distinct from the well-known “clock paradox,” is presented to underscore the differences between these two versions of the relativistic space-time transformation. It is shown that the NVT is consistent with remote simultaneity and the impossibility of time inversion, and therefore does not rule out the existence of faster-than-c particles under the condition that they have null proper mass

Brain Volume Fractions in Mammals in Relation to Behavior in Carnivores, Primates, Ungulates, and Rodents

The volume fraction (VF) of a given brain region, or the proper mass, ought to reflect the importance of that region in the life of a given species. This study sought to examine the VF of various brain regions across 61 different species of mammals to discern if there were regularities or differences among mammalian orders. We examined the brains of carnivores (n = 17), ungulates (n = 8), rodents (n = 7), primates (n = 11), and other mammals (n = 18) from the online collections at the National Museum of Health and Medicine. We measured and obtained the VF of several brain regions: the striatum, thalamus, neocortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, and piriform area. We refined our analyses by using phylogenetic size correction, yielding the corrected (c)VF. Our groups showed marked differences in gross brain architecture. Primates and carnivores were divergent in some measures, particularly the cVF of the striatum, even though their overall brain size range was roughly the same. Rodents predictably had relatively large cVFs of subcortical structures due to the fact that their neocortical cVF was smaller, particularly when compared to primates. Not so predictably, rodents had the largest cerebellar cVF, and there were marked discrepancies in cerebellar data across groups. Ungulates had a larger piriform area than primates, perhaps due to their olfactory processing abilities. We provide interpretations of our results in the light of the comparative behavioral and neuroanatomical literature.

Heavy Military Land Vehicle Mass Properties Estimation Using Hoisting and Pendulum Motion Method

Mass properties such as the centre of gravity location, moments of inertia, and total mass are of great importance for vehicle stability studies and deployment. Certain parameters are required when these vehicles need to be arranged inside an aircraft for the carrier to achieve proper mass balance and stability during a flight. These parameters are also important for the design and modelling process of vehicle rollover crash studies. In this study, the mass properties of a military armoured vehicle were estimated using hoisting and pendulum method. The gross total weight, longitudinal and vertical measurements were recorded by lifting the vehicle using a mobile crane and the data were used to estimate the centre of gravity. The frequency of vehicle oscillation was measured by applying swing motion with a small angle of the vehicle as it is suspended on air. The centre of gravity and mass moment of inertia were calculated using the vector mechanics approach. The outcomes and limitations of the approach as discussed in details.

Loop Filling and Start Up With a Closed Loop sCO2 Brayton Cycle

Recent testing has been performed on a 1 MWe sCO2 closed loop recuperated cycle under funding from the US DOE Sunshot initiative and industry partners. Some of the goals of this funding included the development of a 1 MWe loop, a 10 MWe turbine, and performance and mechanical testing. One of the key challenges that presented itself was the filling, start-up, and shut down of the entire system. Understanding the loop transient performance is important when having to bring a turbine online, transitioning from peak to partial loading, and also managing routine and emergency shut downs. Due to large changes in density near the critical point for CO2 and its tendency to form dry ice when expanded to atmospheric pressure, managing loop filling and venting is critical in ensuring that components do not get damaged. Specific challenges were centered on protecting the dry gas seals, maintaining proper mass in the loop, and also thermal transients during trips. This paper will take a detailed look at the challenges encountered during start up and shut downs, and also the solutions that were implemented to successful transition between different phases of the testing.

Copper-Based Volumetric Filler Dedicated for Ag Paste for Depositing the Front Electrodes by Printing on Solar Si Cells

In this work we present research results on a new paste NPCuXX (where: NP—new paste, CuXX—component, XX—a modifier consisting of Ni and other important elements) based on a copper composite (CuXX) for fabrication of front electrodes in silicon solar cells. The CuXX composite is obtained by chemical processing of copper powder particles and can be used in two ways: as an additive to commercially available paste or as a base material for a new paste, NPCuXX. The CuXX offers the possibility to exchange up to 30 and 50 wt.% Ag into Cu, which significantly decreases the solar cells material costs, and therefore, the overall solar cell price. Emphasis was placed on a proper mass suitable fabrication process of the CuXX component. The NPCuXX paste has been applied both to conventional cell structures such as aluminum-back surface field (Al-BSF) and passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC), and finally solar cells with front electrodes deposited by screen-printing method were fabricated and characterized by current-voltage techniques. This paper reports the first implementation of the copper volumetric material into a screen print paste used in a high-temperature metallization process to fabricate the front contacts of Si solar cells with a highest fill factor of 77.92 and 77.69% for the abovementioned structures, respectively.

Diagnostic Analysis of Various Observation Impacts in the 3DVAR Assimilation System of Global GRAPES

Observation impact studies have received increasing amounts of research attention. The impacts of observations on numerical weather prediction (NWP) are highly dependent on assimilation algorithm, prediction system, and observation source. Therefore, the major NWP centers worldwide have each developed their own diagnostic techniques to assess observation impacts. However, similar diagnostic techniques have not yet been developed in China. In this study, a diagnostic technique was exploited with the randomized perturbation method in the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System (GRAPES) 3DVAR system, and then applied to evaluate observation impacts for various regions of the world. It was found that a reasonable and stable estimation could be obtained when the number of perturbations was greater than 15. Because of differences in observations in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, refractivity data from GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO), satellite radiance, and atmospheric motion vector data had more impact in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere. However, radiosonde data, aircraft, and surface data were more important in the Northern Hemisphere. Low-impact observation points were located in data-rich areas, whereas high-impact observation points were located in data-poor areas. In the equatorial region, the contributions of observations to the analysis were smaller than those in the nonequatorial regions because of the lack of proper mass–wind balance relationship. Radiosondes contributed the largest impact in China and its surrounding regions, with contributions of radiosondes and GNSS-RO data exceeding 60% of the total contributions, except for wind speed below 700 hPa.