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In the present work the results of an extensive experimental campaign in which laser-shocks were used to assess the mechanical strength of graphitic materials are presented. The aim of the project was to study innovative advanced materials used in high energy particle accelerators for beam intercepting devices (BIDs), such as collimators, absorber blocks and dumps. In this framework, thin targets of graphitic materials relevant for the use as particle accelerator BIDs were submitted to high-power laser driven shocks at the PHELIX laser facility in GSI. Online diagnostics such as shadowgraphy and laser velocimetry were deployed together with post-mortem analysis on collected debris and shocked specimens.The experimental results were compared with results obtained in literature. In this work the data acquired for the performed shots are presented with a focus on graphite samples. The testing campaign provided large amount of information to cross-check and validate the models implemented for laser-matter interaction, shockwave propagation and spall strength concerning a wide range of materials, all relevant for the use in beam intercepting devices of particle accelerators.

Abstract Optical stimulation and control of muscle cell contraction opens up a number of interesting applications in hybrid robotic and medicine. Here we show that recently designed molecular phototransducer can be used to stimulate C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, properly grown to exhibit collective behaviour. C2C12 is a skeletal muscle cell line that does not require animal sacrifice Furthermore, it is an ideal cell model for evaluating the phototransducer pacing ability due to its negligible spontaneous activity. We study the stimulation process and analyse the distribution of responses in multinuclear cells, in particular looking at the consistency between stimulus and contraction. Contractions are detected by using an imaging software for object recognition. We find a deterministic response to light stimuli, yet with a certain distribution of erratic behaviour that is quantified and correlated to light intensity or stimulation frequency. Finally, we compare our optical stimulation with electrical stimulation showing advantages of the optical approach, like the reduced cell stress.

Abstract A muon collider would enable the big jump ahead in energy reach that is needed for a fruitful exploration of fundamental interactions. The challenges of producing muon collisions at high luminosity and 10 TeV centre of mass energy are being investigated by the recently-formed International Muon Collider Collaboration. This Review summarises the status and the recent advances on muon colliders design, physics and detector studies. The aim is to provide a global perspective of the field and to outline directions for future work.

In high intensity and high energy colliders, such as the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and its future high-luminosity upgrade, interactions between the two beams around the different interaction points impose machine performance limitations. In fact, their effect reduces the beam lifetime, and therefore, the collider’s luminosity reach. Those interactions are called beam-beam long-range (BBLR) interactions, and a possible mitigation of their effect using dc wires was proposed for the first time in the early 2000’s. This solution is currently being studied as an option for enhancing the HL-LHC performance. In 2017 and 2018, four demonstrators of wire compensators have been installed in the LHC. A 2-yearlong experimental campaign followed in order to validate the possibility to mitigate the BBLR interactions in the LHC. During this campaign, a proof-of-concept was completed and motivated an additional set of experiments, successfully demonstrating the mitigation of BBLR interactions effects in beam conditions compatible with the operational configuration. This paper reports in detail the preparation of the experimental campaign, including the corresponding tracking simulations and the obtained results, and draws some perspectives for the future.

Light is recognized as an accurate and noninvasive tool for stimulating excitable cells. Here, we report on a non-genetic approach based on organic molecular phototransducers that allows wiring- and electrode-free tissue modulation. As a proof of concept, we show photostimulation of an in vitro cardiac microphysiological model mediated by an amphiphilic azobenzene compound that preferentially dwells in the cell membrane. Exploiting this optical based stimulation technology could be a disruptive approach for highly resolved cardiac tissue stimulation.

The 100CrMo7, commonly employed for bearings in rotating machinery, relies on precise heat treatment parameters to ensure an optimal microstructure and, in turn, mechanical properties. Typically, an austenitizing treatment, followed by rapid cooling in a salt bath for martempering or austempering, is crucial in achieving the desired microstructure and hardness. The present industrial-scale study involved a comparative analysis between martempering and austempering routes regarding the hardness and microstructure evolution of EN 100CrMo7 large-size rings. The investigation delves into the effects of austempering temperatures, holding times, and austenitizing temperature. Furthermore, the role of tempering in reducing the amount of retained austenite was also considered. The results indicate that martempering yielded the highest hardness values while austempering exhibited a decrease in hardness at the center of the rings, though a lower amount of retained austenite (in the range of 3.0–4.9 vol.%) was detected in comparison with martempering. In addition, a 850 °C austenitizing temperature reduced the hardness by 16% in the center of the rings and promoted a high content of upper bainite, thus suggesting its inefficacy for the involved large-size rings. In contrast, a 880 °C austenitizing temperature maintained consistently high HRC values across the ring’s height. Lastly, the analysis highlighted that the cooling rate played a more crucial role than the austempering holding time. Such industrial-scale investigations performed on real components improve the knowledge and control of heat treatment parameters in comparison with the nominal guidelines provided by steel suppliers. These outcomes offer insights for optimizing industrial heat treatment parameters, with practical implications for enhancing steel bearings’ microstructural and mechanical performance and lifespan.

Abstract Recent studies have shown that bacterial membrane potential is dynamic and plays signaling roles. Yet, little is still known about the mechanisms of membrane potential dynamics regulation—owing to a scarcity of appropriate research tools. Optical modulation of bacterial membrane potential could fill this gap and provide a new approach for studying and controlling bacterial physiology and electrical signaling. Here, the authors show that a membrane‐targeted azobenzene (Ziapin2) can be used to photo‐modulate the membrane potential in cells of the Gram‐positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. It is found that upon exposure to blue–green light (λ = 470 nm), isomerization of Ziapin2 in the bacteria membrane induces hyperpolarization of the potential. To investigate the origin of this phenomenon, ion‐channel‐deletion strains and ion channel blockers are examined. The authors found that in presence of the chloride channel blocker idanyloxyacetic acid‐94 (IAA‐94) or in absence of KtrAB potassium transporter, the hyperpolarization response is attenuated. These results reveal that the Ziapin2 isomerization can induce ion channel opening in the bacterial membrane and suggest that Ziapin2 can be used for studying and controlling bacterial electrical signaling. This new optical tool could contribute to better understand various microbial phenomena, such as biofilm electric signaling and antimicrobial resistance.

Summary: Non-genetic photostimulation is a novel and rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that aims to induce light-sensitivity in living systems by exploiting exogeneous phototransducers. Here, we propose an intramembrane photoswitch, based on an azobenzene derivative (Ziapin2), for optical pacing of human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs). The light-mediated stimulation process has been studied by applying several techniques to detect the effect on the cell properties. In particular, we recorded changes in membrane capacitance, in membrane potential (Vm), and modulation of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Finally, cell contractility was analyzed using a custom MATLAB algorithm. Photostimulation of intramembrane Ziapin2 causes a transient Vm hyperpolarization followed by a delayed depolarization and action potential firing. The observed initial electrical modulation nicely correlates with changes in Ca2+ dynamics and contraction rate. This work represents the proof of principle that Ziapin2 can modulate electrical activity and contractility in hiPSC-CMs, opening up a future development in cardiac physiology.

In the context of wave propagation in solids caused by particle-matter interactions, the composite structure of copper diamond is believed to have a significant impact on the material’s response. This limits the accuracy of isotropic homogeneous elastic and elastic-plastic models used in earlier studies modeling the material’s behavior under such conditions. This study aims to investigate the mesoscopic behavior of the copper diamond and discusses the advantages and limitations of modeling the internal composite structure of the material. The material response of CuCD was modeled in a 2D finite element simulation, considering internal wave propagation as a result of external impact and an internal thermal shock. Various homogeneous models were considered and compared with a mesoscopic model. The homogeneous models tested were found to be able to capture wave propagation effects in the material, and the inclusion of a hardening model allowed their performance to approach that of the mesoscale model considered, which is significantly more computationally demanding.

In this work, we use UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy to correlate the intensity of selected transitions to the onset of aggregation phenomena. Through TDDFT calculations, we rationalize the formation of H-aggregates and their influence on the observed changes in the UV-Vis spectra. A correlation between Raman intensity and the molar absorption coefficient is experimentally observed and theoretically rationalized. We develop this method by considering Disperse Orange 3 (DO3), a well-known push–pull azobenzene dye with strong optical absorption in the blue–green region of the visible spectrum, and the known tendency to form H-aggregates.

Resenha do livro: ALTSCHUL, Nadia R. Politics of temporalization: medievalism and orientalism in nineteenth-century South America. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2020.

Non-genetic photostimulation, which allows for control over cellular activity via the use of cell-targeting phototransducers, is widely used nowadays to study and modulate/restore biological functions. This approach relies on non-covalent interactions between the phototransducer and the cell membrane, thus implying that cell conditions and membrane status can dictate the effectiveness of the method. For instance, although immortalized cell lines are traditionally used in photostimulation experiments, it has been demonstrated that the number of passages they undergo is correlated to the worsening of cell conditions. In principle, this could impact cell responsivity against exogenous stressors, including photostimulation. However, these aspects have usually been neglected in previous experiments. In this work, we investigated whether cell passages could affect membrane properties (such as polarity and fluidity). We applied optical spectroscopy and electrophysiological measurements in two different biological models: (i) an epithelial immortalized cell line (HEK-293T cells) and (ii) liposomes. Different numbers of cell passages were compared to a different morphology in the liposome membrane. We demonstrated that cell membranes show a significant decrease in ordered domains upon increasing the passage number. Furthermore, we observed that cell responsivity against external stressors is markedly different between aged and non-aged cells. Firstly, we noted that the thermal-disordering effect that is usually observed in membranes is more evident in aged cells than in non-aged ones. We then set up a photostimulation experiment by using a membrane-targeted azobenzene as a phototransducer (Ziapin2). As an example of a functional consequence of such a condition, we showed that the rate of isomerization of an intramembrane molecular transducer is significantly impaired in aged cells. The reduction in the photoisomerization rate translates in cells with a sustained reduction of the Ziapin2-related hyperpolarization of the membrane potential and an overall increase in the molecule fluorescence. Overall, our results suggest that membrane stimulation strongly depends on membrane order, highlighting the importance of cell passage during the characterization of the stimulation tools. This study can shine light on the correlation between aging and the development of diseases driven by membrane degradation as well as on the different cell responsivities against external stressors, such as temperature and photostimulation.

We present an overview of the studies on the Middle Ages that exceeds the traditional chronological milestones of the period. Initially, we present the historiography on the Long Middle Ages, a construct that postulates the idea of a medieval world found in the present and thus, beyond the 15th century and the European continent. In contrast, we seek to present the theory of Medievalism which emphasizes the relationship between the contemporary world and the discursive appropriations of the medieval period. This theory is not quite familiar in the Brazilian academic context, but it offers great possibilities to approach the Middle Ages from a more autonomous perspective, rather than the European historiography, on which, historically, medieval studies have been grounded.

We present a thorough structural characterization of Graphene Nano Particles (GNPs) prepared by means of physical procedures, i.e., ball milling and ultra-sonication of high-purity synthetic graphite. UV-vis absorption/extinction spectroscopy, Dynamic Light Scattering, Transmission Electron Microscopy, IR and Raman spectroscopies were performed. Particles with small size were obtained, with an average lateral size = 70–120 nm, formed by few = 1–10 stacked layers, and with a small number of carboxylic groups on the edges. GNPs relatively more functionalized were separated by centrifugation, which formed stable water dispersions without the need for any surfactant. A critical reading and unified interpretation of a wide set of spectroscopic data was provided, which demonstrated the potential of Specular Reflectance Infrared Spectroscopy for the diagnosis and quantification of chemical functionalization of GNPs. Raman parameters commonly adopted for the characterization of graphitic materials do not always follow a monotonic trend, e.g., with the particle size and shape, thus unveiling some limitations of the available spectroscopic metrics. This issue was overcome thanks to a comparative spectra analysis, including spectra deconvolution by means of curve fitting procedures, experiments on reference materials and the exploitation of complementary characterization techniques.

Aligned polymer nanofibres are prepared by means of the electrospinning of a chlorobenzene solution containing regioregular poly(3-hexyltiophene-2,5-diyl), P3HT, and poly(ethylene oxide), PEO. The PEO scaffold is easily dissolved with acetonitrile, leaving pure P3HT fibres, which do not show structural modification. Polymer fibres, either with or without the PEO supporting polymer, are effectively doped by exposure to iodine vapours. Doping is monitored following the changes in the doping-induced vibrational bands (IRAVs) observed in the infrared spectra and by means of Raman spectroscopy. Molecular orientation inside the fibres has been assessed by means of IR experiments in polarised light, clearly demonstrating that electrospinning induces the orientation of the polymer chains along the fibre axis as well as of the defects introduced by doping. This work illustrates a case study that contributes to the fundamental knowledge of the vibrational properties of the doping-induced defects—charged polarons—of P3HT. Moreover, it provides experimental protocols for a thorough spectroscopic characterisation of the P3HT nanofibres, and of doped conjugated polymers in general, opening the way for the control of the material structure when the doped polymer is confined in a one-dimensional architecture.

Abstract We review the physics opportunities of the Future Circular Collider, covering its e+e-, pp, ep and heavy ion programmes. We describe the measurement capabilities of each FCC component, addressing the study of electroweak, Higgs and strong interactions, the top quark and flavour, as well as phenomena beyond the Standard Model. We highlight the synergy and complementarity of the different colliders, which will contribute to a uniquely coherent and ambitious research programme, providing an unmatchable combination of precision and sensitivity to new physics.

Carbon fiber composites (CFC) are, among other applications, already in use as low-impedance collimating elements for intercepting TeV-level protons machines, like the CERN Large Hadron Collider. Towards a comprehensive understanding of these materials’ properties and behavior, a series of radiation damage campaigns have been undertaken in order to quantitively investigate the response of AC-150 K CFC to high proton fluences. The CFCs dimensional changes, stability, micro-structural evolution, and structural integrity below and above 5 × 1020 p/cm2 fluence threshold were studied. The irradiating particles were protons of kinetic energies in the range of 130–200 MeV. The effects of the irradiation temperature (~90–180 °C and 280–500 °C) combined with the proton fluence on the dimensional stability and the microstructural evolution of this anisotropic two-dimensional composite structure were studied using precision dilatometry and X-ray diffraction. Our results shed light on the fluence-based limitations for these composite materials. Furthermore, we compare these results with reference unirradiated graphite, and we discuss the similarities and differences in the dimensional changes and post-irradiation annealing properties.

We present a series of cationic membrane-targeted azobenzene molecules, with the aim to understand how variations in molecular architecture influence the relative optical and biological properties. 1,4-Amino-substituted azobenzene was chosen as the switching unit while the number of linked alkyl chains and their cationic end-group were systematically varied. Their photophysics, membrane partitioning, and electrophysiological efficacy were studied. We found that the polar end group is a key-factor determining the interaction with the phospholipid heads in the plasma membrane bilayer and consequently the ability to dimerize. The monosubstituted photoswitch with a pyridinium-terminated alkyl chain was found to be the best candidate for photostimulation. This study provides a structure-property investigation that can guide the chemical engineering of a new generation of molecular photo-actuators.

The High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider upgrade at CERN will result in an increase in the energy stored in the circulating particle beams, making it necessary to assess the thermomechanical performance of currently used and newly developed materials for use in beam intercepting devices such as collimators and absorbers. This study describes the thermomechanical characterisation of a novel copper diamond grade selected for use in tertiary collimators of the HL-LHC. The data obtained are used to build an elastoplastic material model and implemented in numerical simulations performed to benchmark experimental data obtained from the recently completed MultiMat experiment conducted at CERN’s HiRadMat facility, where various materials shaped as slender rods were tested under particle beam impact. The analyses focus on the dynamic longitudinal and flexural response of the material, with results showing that the material model is capable of replicating the material behaviour to a satisfactory level in both thermal and structural domains, accurately matching experimental measurements in terms of temperature, frequency content, and amplitude.

Este artigo é uma contribuição ao debate surgido no interior dos estudos sobre medievalismo: a relação entre a religião como campo de reflexão e a teoria sobre as apropriações da idade média no período pós-medieval. Pensamos a respeito da dificuldade de abordar temas e objetos vindos do âmbito religioso, particularmente, a relação sincrônica com o tempo, invocada como obstáculo ao avanço das pesquisas, dentro dos trabalhos acerca do medievalism. Na primeira parte, há um diálogo com Richard Utz, nela, propomos uma abordagem teórica apresentando saídas para resolver as possíveis dificuldades de pensar a relação entre os dois campos de estudo. Na segunda parte do artigo, realizamos uma aplicação prática da discussão inicial analisando a missa Urbi et Orbi do Papa Francisco, ocorrida no dia 27 de março de 2020, no Vaticano. Argumentamos que, por meio de categorias de análise como multitemporalidade e auctoritas, invocadas como possibilidades para se pensar a relação entre medievalism e religião, é possível compreender a missa como uma liturgia medievalizante.

Abstract The non‐covalent affinity of photoresponsive molecules to biotargets represents an attractive tool for achieving effective cell photo‐stimulation. Here, an amphiphilic azobenzene that preferentially dwells within the plasma membrane is studied. In particular, its isomerization dynamics in different media is investigated. It is found that in molecular aggregates formed in water, the isomerization reaction is hindered, while radiative deactivation is favored. However, once protected by a lipid shell, the photochromic molecule reacquires its ultrafast photoisomerization capacity. This behavior is explained considering collective excited states that may form in aggregates, locking the conformational dynamics and redistributing the oscillator strength. By applying the pump probe technique in different media, an isomerization time in the order of 10 ps is identified and the deactivation in the aggregate in water is also characterized. Finally, it is demonstrated that the reversible modulation of membrane potential of HEK293 cells via illumination with visible light can be indeed related to the recovered trans→cis photoreaction in lipid membrane. These data fully account for the recently reported experiments in neurons, showing that the amphiphilic azobenzenes, once partitioned in the cell membrane, are effective light actuators for the modification of the electrical state of the membrane.

Pakistan’s national tuberculosis control programme (NTP) is among the many programmes worldwide that value the importance of subnational tuberculosis (TB) burden estimates to support disease control efforts, but do not have reliable estimates. A hackathon was thus organised to solicit the development and comparison of several models for small area estimation of TB. The TB hackathon was launched in April 2019. Participating teams were requested to produce district-level estimates of bacteriologically positive TB prevalence among adults (over 15 years of age) for 2018. The NTP provided case-based data from their 2010–2011 TB prevalence survey, along with data relating to TB screening, testing and treatment for the period between 2010–2011 and 2018. Five teams submitted district-level TB prevalence estimates, methodological details and programming code. Although the geographical distribution of TB prevalence varied considerably across models, we identified several districts with consistently low notification-to-prevalence ratios. The hackathon highlighted the challenges of generating granular spatiotemporal TB prevalence forecasts based on a cross-sectional prevalence survey data and other data sources. Nevertheless, it provided a range of approaches to subnational disease modelling. The NTP’s use and plans for these outputs shows that, limitations notwithstanding, they can be valuable for programme planning.

The High-Luminosity LHC Project aims to increase the integrated luminosity that will be collected by the Large Hadron Collider for the needs of the high energy physics frontier by the end of its Run 3 by more than a factor ten. This will require doubling the beam intensity, and in order to ensure coherent stability until the brighter beams are put in collision, the transverse impedance of the machine has to be reduced. As the major portion of the ring impedance is generated by its collimation system, several low resistivity jaw materials have been considered to lower the collimator impedance and a special collimator has been built and installed in the machine to study their effect. In order to assess the performance of each material we performed a series of tune shift measurements with LHC beams. The results show a significant reduction of the resistive wall tune shift with novel materials, in good agreement with the impedance model and the bench impedance and resistivity measurements. The largest improvement is obtained with a molybdenum coating of a molybdenum-graphite jaw. This coating, applied to the most critical collimators, is estimated to lower the machine impedance by up to 30% and the stabilizing Landau octupole threshold by up to 240 A after accounting for uncertainties of the model and other destabilising effects. A half of the overall improvement can be obtained by coating the jaws of a subset of 4 out of 11 collimators identified as the highest contributors to machine impedance. This subset of low-impedance collimators is being installed during the Long Shutdown 2 in 2019-2020.

We report on the isomerization dynamics of an amphiphilic azobenzene that dwells within the plasma membrane. We found that in aggregates formed in water, the isomerization reaction is hindered, while radiative deactivation is favoured. However, once in the membrane, the molecule reacquires its isomerisation capacity. These data fully account for the recently reported experiments in neurons, showing that the amphiphilic azobenzenes are effective light actuators for the modification of the electrical state of the membrane.

A rotatable-jaw collimator design was conceived as a solution to recover from catastrophic beam impacts which would damage a collimator at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) or its High-Luminosity upgrade (HL-LHC). One such rotatable collimator prototype was designed and built at SLAC and delivered to CERN for tests with LHC-type circulating beams in the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS). This was followed by destructive tests at the dedicated High Radiation to Materials (HiRadMat) facility to validate the design and rotation functionality. An overview of the collimator design, together with results from tests without and with beam are presented.

The design of machine protection systems for high-energy accelerators with high-intensity beams requires analyzing a large number of failures leading to beam loss. One of the most serious failures is an accidental impact of a large number of bunches at one location, for example, due to a deflection of the particle beams by the extraction kicker magnets with the wrong strength. The numerical assessment of such an event requires an iterative execution of an energy-deposition code and a hydrodynamic code, in case the hydrodynamic tunneling effect plays an important role in the beam-matter interactions. Such calculations have been performed for the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), since the energy stored in the LHC beams exceeds previous accelerators by 2 orders of magnitude. This was done using the particle shower code fluka and the hydrodynamic code big2 [Tahir et al., Phys. Rev. ST Accel. Beams 15, 051003 (2012)PRABFM1098-440210.1103/PhysRevSTAB.15.051003]. Later, simulations for a number of cases for other accelerators at CERN and the Future Circular Collider (FCC) were performed [Tahir et al., Phys. Rev. Accel. Beams 19, 081002 (2016)PRABCJ2469-988810.1103/PhysRevAccelBeams.19.081002]. These simulations showed that the penetration depth of the beam in copper or graphite could be an order of magnitude deeper when considering the hydrodynamic tunneling, compared to a static approximation. big2 is very efficient and used at GSI. It is always advantageous to cross-check the simulation results with different codes, because dedicated experiments are very complex or even impossible to carry out. For this purpose, it was decided to study the use of a commercial tool (Autodyn) for such calculations and to compare the results with previous work. This paper reports a benchmarking study against beam experiments performed at the HiRadMat (High-Radiation to Materials) facility using beams at 440 GeV from the Super Proton Synchrotron. Good agreement has been found between the simulation results and the experiments as well as previous simulations with fluka and big2 [Tahir et al., Phys. Rev. E 90, 063112 (2014)PRESCM1539-375510.1103/PhysRevE.90.063112], particularly in terms of the penetration depth of the beam in copper. This makes the coupling of fluka and Autodyn an alternative solution to the simulation of the hydrodynamic tunneling, at least in the parameter range of this case study. Studies with other parameters are planned for FCC and other high-beam-power accelerators.

Analytical solutions detailing the propagation of longitudinal waves in slender rods subjected to a sudden increase of internal energy provide simple tools for the calculation of the temperature distribution in impacted rods as well as the resulting mechanical response. The topic is of great interest in particle accelerator technology, especially with regards to collimation systems, where beam intercepting devices can be generally approximated to one-dimensional (1D) elements potentially subjected, in accidental scenarios, to abrupt thermal energy depositions induced by the impacting particles. In this study, two finite element numerical models are presented and compared to the analytical solutions by Bertarelli, Dallocchio and Kurtyka, discussing the rapid temperature increase in slender rods due to particle beam impacts and the resulting dynamic longitudinal response. The first model is a sequentially coupled thermomechanical analysis; the second is based on a modal analysis to find the harmonic response of the system. The results indicate that phenomena neglected in analytical solutions, primarily dispersion of the longitudinal wave due to interactions with the free external surface of the rod, can be included in numerical models and can be observed in simulation results. The study further shows how numerical methods can be utilized to predict the frequencies and amplitudes of high-frequency disturbances in the longitudinal wave signal, and how these effects can be mitigated in preparation for experimental scenarios by fine-tuning the geometry of the rod and varying the duration of the pulse. This is especially useful with regards to experiments conducted in the HiRadMat facility at CERN, such as the recently conducted HRMT36 experiment, where high-frequency components can distort the signal to be observed.

The CERN Large Hadron Collider is currently being upgraded to operate at a stored beam energy of 680 MJ through the High Luminosity upgrade. The LHC performance is dependent on the functionality of beam collimation systems, essential for safe beam cleaning and machine protection. A dedicated beam experiment at the CERN High Radiation to Materials facility is created under the HRMT-23 experimental campaign. This experiment investigates the behavior of three collimation jaws having novel composite absorbers made of copper diamond, molybdenum carbide graphite, and carbon fiber carbon, experiencing accidental scenarios involving the direct beam impact on the material. Material characterization is imperative for the design, execution, and analysis of such experiments. This paper presents new data and analysis of the thermostructural characteristics of some of the absorber materials commissioned within CERN facilities. In turn, characterized elastic properties are optimized through the development and implementation of a mixed numerical-experimental optimization technique.

This paper aims at presenting compositional procedures to soundscapes, based on conceptual thoughts supported by phenomenology. Authors such as Merleau-Ponty, Varela and Maturana have developed a new way of understanding human perception. New in many aspects, this paradigm has not yet been assimilated by some areas related to perception, such as music. We will start with a historical review of the development of the idea of soundscape in the context of contemporary music, presenting a set of core concepts involved in its design procedures. We will summarize then some philosophical ideas about perception, especially in the area of phenomenology. Finally, we will suggest some compositional procedures to soundscapes supported by Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology and also by the post-pontynian phenomenology of Maturana and Varela. In this sense, we hope to contribute to the development of soundscape composition, bringing the philosophical support of phenomenology in order to understand the central concepts of musical production.

Recently, water-gated organic field-effect transistors (WGOFET) have been intensively studied for their application in the biological field. Surprisingly, a very limited number of conjugated polymers have been reported so far. Here, we systematically explore a series of polythiophene derivatives, presenting different alkyl side chains lengths and orientation, and characterized by various morphologies: comparative evaluation of their performances allows highlighting the critical role played by alkyl side chains, which significantly affects the polymer/water interface capacitance. Reported results provide useful guidelines towards further development of WGOFETs and represent a step forward in the understanding of the polymer/water interface phenomena.

Modern hadron machines with high beam intensity may suffer from material damage in the case of large beam losses and even beam-intercepting devices, such as collimators, can be harmed. A systematic method to evaluate thresholds of damage owing to the impact of high energy particles is therefore crucial for safe operation and for predicting possible limitations in the overall machine performance. For this, a three-step simulation approach is presented, based on tracking simulations followed by calculations of energy deposited in the impacted material and hydrodynamic simulations to predict the thermomechanical effect of the impact. This approach is applied to metallic collimators at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which in standard operation intercept halo protons, but risk to be damaged in the case of extraction kicker malfunction. In particular, tertiary collimators protect the aperture bottlenecks, their settings constrain the reach in β^{*} and hence the achievable luminosity at the LHC experiments. Our calculated damage levels provide a very important input on how close to the beam these collimators can be operated without risk of damage. The results of this approach have been used already to push further the performance of the present machine. The risk of damage is even higher in the upgraded high-luminosity LHC with higher beam intensity, for which we quantify existing margins before equipment damage for the proposed baseline settings.

En este artículo nos proponemos abordar un conjunto de discusiones en torno al concepto de identidad de género, recuperando los análisis producidos a lo largo del trabajo de campo de dos investigaciones realizadas en Córdoba, Argentina. Mostramos cómo un grupo de jóvenes asumen de manera situacional posicionamientos de género no necesariamente contradictorios. Posicionamientos que son, más bien, contingentes en la medida que dependen de las demandas identitarias que emergen en distintos escenarios de interacción aún en un mismo ámbito como la escuela. En suma, consideramos las identidades como plurales, situacionales y en transformación, a partir del análisis de relaciones sociales situadas.

A comprehensive study on the effects of energetic protons on carbon-fiber composites and compounds under consideration for use as low-Z pion production targets in future high-power accelerators and low-impedance collimating elements for intercepting TeV-level protons at the Large Hadron Collider has been undertaken addressing two key areas, namely, thermal shock absorption and resistance to irradiation damage. Carbon-fiber composites of various fiber weaves have been widely used in aerospace industries due to their unique combination of high temperature stability, low density, and high strength. The performance of carbon-carbon composites and compounds under intense proton beams and long-term irradiation have been studied in a series of experiments and compared with the performance of graphite. The 24-GeV proton beam experiments confirmed the inherent ability of a 3D C/C fiber composite to withstand a thermal shock. A series of irradiation damage campaigns explored the response of different C/C structures as a function of the proton fluence and irradiating environment. Radiolytic oxidation resulting from the interaction of oxygen molecules, the result of beam-induced radiolysis encountered during some of the irradiation campaigns, with carbon atoms during irradiation with the presence of a water coolant emerged as a dominant contributor to the observed structural integrity loss at proton fluences ≥5×10^{20} p/cm^{2}. The carbon-fiber composites were shown to exhibit significant anisotropy in their dimensional stability driven by the fiber weave and the microstructural behavior of the fiber and carbon matrix accompanied by the presence of manufacturing porosity and defects. Carbon-fiber-reinforced molybdenum-graphite compounds (MoGRCF) selected for their impedance properties in the Large Hadron Collider beam collimation exhibited significant decrease in postirradiation load-displacement behavior even after low dose levels (∼5×10^{18} p cm^{−2}). In addition, the studied MoGRCF compound grade suffered a high degree of structural degradation while being irradiated in a vacuum after a fluence ∼5×10^{20} p cm^{−2}. Finally, x-ray diffraction studies on irradiated C/C composites and a carbon-fiber-reinforced Mo-graphite compound revealed (a) low graphitization in the “as-received” 3D C/C and high graphitization in the MoGRCF compound, (b) irradiation-induced graphitization of the least crystallized phases in the carbon fibers of the 2D and 3D C/C composites, (c) increased interplanar distances along the c axis of the graphite crystal with increasing fluence, and (d) coalescence of interstitial clusters after irradiation forming new crystalline planes between basal planes and excellent agreement with fast neutron irradiation effects.

The CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is designed to accelerate and bring into collision high-energy protons as well as heavy ions. Accidents involving direct beam impacts on collimators can happen in both cases. The LHC collimation system is designed to handle the demanding requirements of high-intensity proton beams. Although proton beams have 100 times higher beam power than the nominal LHC lead ion beams, specific problems might arise in case of ion losses due to different particle-collimator interaction mechanisms when compared to protons. This paper investigates and compares direct ion and proton beam impacts on collimators, in particular tertiary collimators (TCTs), made of the tungsten heavy alloy INERMET® 180. Recent measurements of the mechanical behavior of this alloy under static and dynamic loading conditions at different temperatures have been done and used for realistic estimates of the collimator response to beam impact. Using these new measurements, a numerical finite element method (FEM) approach is presented in this paper. Sequential fast-transient thermostructural analyses are performed in the elastic-plastic domain in order to evaluate and compare the thermomechanical response of TCTs in case of critical beam load cases involving proton and heavy ion beam impacts.

The correct functioning of a collimation system is crucial to safely and successfully operate high-energy particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). However, the requirements to handle high-intensity beams can be demanding, and accident scenarios must be well studied in order to assess if the collimator design is robust against possible error scenarios. One of the catastrophic, though not very probable, accident scenarios identified within the LHC is an asynchronous beam dump. In this case, one (or more) of the 15 precharged kicker circuits fires out of time with the abort gap, spraying beam pulses onto LHC machine elements before the machine protection system can fire the remaining kicker circuits and bring the beam to the dump. If a proton bunch directly hits a collimator during such an event, severe beam-induced damage such as magnet quenches and other equipment damage might result, with consequent downtime for the machine. This study investigates a number of newly defined jaw error cases, which include angular misalignment errors of the collimator jaw. A numerical finite element method approach is presented in order to precisely evaluate the thermomechanical response of tertiary collimators to beam impact. We identify the most critical and interesting cases, and show that a tilt of the jaw can actually mitigate the effect of an asynchronous dump on the collimators. Relevant collimator damage limits are taken into account, with the aim to identify optimal operational conditions for the LHC.

The correct functioning of a collimation system is crucial to safely operate highly energetic particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The requirements to handle high intensity beams can be demanding. In this respect, investigating the consequences of LHC particle beams hitting tertiary collimators (TCTs) in the experimental regions is a fundamental issue for machine protection. An experimental test was designed to investigate the robustness and effects of beam accidents on a fully assembled collimator, based on accident scenarios in the LHC. This experiment, carried out at the CERN High-Radiation to Materials (HiRadMat) facility, involved 440 GeV proton beam impacts of different intensities on the jaws of a horizontal TCT. This paper presents the experimental setup and the preliminary results obtained, together with some first outcomes from visual inspection and a comparison of such results with numerical simulations.