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Small-angle differential cross sections of proton elastic scattering off Kr78 with a collision energy of 152.7 MeV/u were measured at the experimental Cooler Storage Ring of the Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou (HIRFL-CSR). Low energy recoil protons from the elastic scattering were counted by a silicon-strip detector to determine relative differential cross sections. A model-dependent root-mean-square matter radius of 4.16(12) fm for the Kr78 nucleus was deduced by employing the Glauber model. Compared to the proton radius of 4.13 fm for Kr78, our center value of matter radius is slightly larger. This finding in Kr78 is opposite to the known results of Kr76,80, where the matter radii are smaller than the corresponding proton radii. However, considering the relatively large radius error of Kr78, the difference is not statistically significant, and further experiments are necessary.

To accelerate the design and production of porous carbons targeting desired performance characteristics, we propose to incorporate machine learning (ML) regression into pore size distribution (PSD) analysis. Here, we implemented a ML algorithm for predicting paracetamol adsorption capacity of porous carbons from two pore structure parameters: total surface area and surface area of supermicropores-mesopores. These structural parameters of porous carbons are accessible from the software provided with automatic volumetric gas adsorption analyzers. It was shown that theoretical paracetamol capacities of porous carbons predicted using the ML algorithm lies within the range of experimental uncertainty. Nanoporous carbon beads with a high surface area of supermicropores (997 m2/g) and mesopores (628 m2/g) had the highest adsorption capacity of paracetamol (experiment: 480 ± 24 mg/g, ML predicted: 498 mg/g). The novel strategy for designing of porous carbon adsorbents using ML-PSD approach has a great potential to facilitate production of novel carbon adsorbents optimized for purification of aqueous solutions from non-electrolyte contaminates.

85% of the world’s polymers production is made up of thermoplastics, and among them, one can find: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In this study, these three polymers were applied for the first time as supports for superhydrophobic and anti-icing surfaces created using single walled carbon nanohorns (SWCNH). A facile method of thermal “feathering” was used and the obtained materials were deeply characterized using thermal (thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry) and microscopic (scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, confocal microscopy) methods as well as tribological and nanoindentation tests. We show that, depending on the polymer, the process of thermal “bulk” or “surface feathering” occurs. The results supported by Hansen Solubility Parameters calculation combined with Molecular Dynamics Simulations allow to explain the stability of surfaces as well as the wetting behavior revealing that all new materials are superhydrophobic. Moreover, some of them exhibit ice-phobic properties, while droplet freezing process is well described by the dynamic growth angle model. Finally, by discussing the mechanical stability, superhydrophobic and anti-icing properties two optimal surfaces (PP + SWCNH 5 min, PE + SWCNH 10 min) are chosen. Both of them possess intermediate values of Young’s modulus and show intermediate values of static contact angle hysteresis. Since the PE-based solids show enhanced tribological performance, tests, PE + SWCNH 10 min sample emerges as the most perspective in practical hydrophobic and anti-icing applications.

Porosity and surface area analysis play a prominent role in modern materials science. At the heart of this sits the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory, which has been a remarkably successful contribution to the field of materials science. The BET method was developed in the 1930s for open surfaces but is now the most widely used metric for the estimation of surface areas of micro- and mesoporous materials. Despite its widespread use, the calculation of BET surface areas causes a spread in reported areas, resulting in reproducibility problems in both academia and industry. To prove this, for this analysis, 18 already-measured raw adsorption isotherms were provided to sixty-one labs, who were asked to calculate the corresponding BET areas. This round-robin exercise resulted in a wide range of values. Here, the reproducibility of BET area determination from identical isotherms is demonstrated to be a largely ignored issue, raising critical concerns over the reliability of reported BET areas. To solve this major issue, a new computational approach to accurately and systematically determine the BET area of nanoporous materials is developed. The software, called ""BET surface identification"" (BETSI), expands on the well-known Rouquerol criteria and makes an unambiguous BET area assignment possible., European Union (EU); Horizon 2020; European Research Council (ERC); Research and Innovation Programme; NanoMOFdeli; COFLeaf; ERC-2016-COG; SCoTMOF; ERC-2015-StG; COSMOS; 2017-StG; European Commission (EC); H2020-MSCA-RISE-2019 Program; ZEOBIOCHEM; Innovate UK; EPSRC IAA; U.S. Department of Energy; Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Materials Sciences and Engineering Division; SERB; Spanish MICINN; AEI/FEDER; University of Alicante; Severo Ochoa Program; Spanish MINECO; Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (FWO); EPSRC Cambridge NanoDTC; National Research Foundation of Korea; Indonesian Endowment Fund for Education-LPDP;Cambridge International Scholarship; Trinity-Henry Barlow Scholarship (Honorary); U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office; Hydrogen Storage Materials Advanced Research Consortium (HyMARC); Alexander von Humboldt Foundation; Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH); Sandia National Laboratories; Official contribution of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

Graphene Oxide (GO) is widely applied as an adsorbent for adsorption from solution. We show that GO undergoes transformation from micro to nanoscale and forms nanoscale GO (nanoGO) while it is subjected to adsorbed particular organic molecules. This phenomenon has been observed by the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) measurements. A new model is proposed to take nanosizing into account. DFT calculations explain why some adsorbates can be captured from solution on GO and some are not adsorbed. This GO-nanoGO transformation is evidently supported by marked changes in the surface area of GO on liquid phase adsorption of organic molecules on different procedures.

Graphene Oxide (GO) is widely applied as an adsorbent for adsorption from solution. We show that GO undergoes transformation from micro to nanoscale and forms nanoscale GO (nanoGO) while it is subjected to adsorbed particular organic molecules. This phenomenon has been observed by the Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), zeta potential, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) measurements. A new model is proposed to take nanosizing into account. DFT calculations explain why some adsorbates can be captured from solution on GO and some are not adsorbed. This GO-nanoGO transformation is evidently supported by marked changes in the surface area of GO on liquid phase adsorption of organic molecules on different procedures.

Widespread peatland and wetland distribution is common in eastern Hokkaido, Japan. However, few studies of paleoenvironmental transition history in small alluvial lowland wetland systems located on the Konsen plateau have been conducted. A major obstacle is the reconstruction of a robust age model. Bulk radiocarbon dating, generally used for determining age of peat, must be employed with caution in selection of samples since peat and wetland sediments contain both plant remains at the time of sedimentation and various organic materials such as roots that are mixed from the layer above after sedimentation (Shinozaki, 2013). Radiocarbon dating on macrofossils and marker tephra provide accurate ages, but they cannot always be found from wetland sediments. On the other hand, pollen fossils show accurate radiocarbon dates (e.g. Brown et al., 1992). In this study, we measured radiocarbon from pollen fossils contained in a sediment core taken from a wetland of Chanai region on the Konsen Plateau, eastern Hokkaido, Japan. This study marks the first use of pollen to measure radiocarbon concentrations of peat by using flowcytometry, which allows for substantially more efficient pollen screening compared to conventional methods. To reconstruct paleoenvironments, we conducted high resolution elemental analysis on samples to interpret the origin of the wetland sediments and their decomposition rate. Tephra stratigraphic analysis of the core indicates that the transition to a wetland setting occurred between ca. 7.5-2.5 ka. Bulk radiocarbon dates suggest that the core sample preserved mostly continuous sediments from about 5.0 ka to the present. Results from elemental analysis showed that Total Organic Carbon (TOC) fluctuated between 20 and 40% at 90 to 60 cm below surface (cmbs), and between 40 and 50% at 40 to 5 cmbs, with a peak of 53% at 36 cmbs. The resulted carbon and nitrogen (C/N) ratios were about 14-20 between 90 and 40 cmbs, and were about 25 in the upper 40 cm of the

Isotopes of heavier gases including carbon (13C/14C), nitrogen (13N), and oxygen (18O) are highly important because they can be substituted for naturally occurring atoms without significantly perturbing the biochemical properties of the radiolabelled parent molecules. These labelled molecules are employed in clinical radiopharmaceuticals, in studies of brain disease and as imaging probes for advanced medical imaging techniques such as positron-emission tomography (PET). Established distillation-based isotope gas separation methods have a separation factor (S) below 1.05 and incur very high operating costs due to high energy consumption and long processing times, highlighting the need for new separation technologies. Here, we show a rapid and highly selective adsorption-based separation of 18O2 from 16O2 with S above 60 using nanoporous adsorbents operating near the boiling point of methane (112 K), which is accessible through cryogenic liquefied-natural-gas technology. A collective-nuclear-quantum effect difference between the ordered 18O2 and 16O2 molecular assemblies confined in subnanometer pores can explain the observed equilibrium separation and is applicable to other isotopic gases.

We summarize recent advances in application of MOFs as therapeutic agents, drug carriers, imaging agents and biosensors in cancer biomedicine. A holistic perspective is adopted to produce a comprehensive, critical and readable document useful to a broad community in chemistry, material science, medical fields etc. None of the previous articles adopted a holistic approach focusing on a specific disease or area, such as cancer. MOFs have a tremendous potential in cancer diagnostics and treatment. Although a new field, the amount of literature and data accumulated in this area is vast, quickly growing and requires some systematization and processing. We propose a broad overview of MOF-related literature in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. In our study, we set: (i) to consolidate the most important and up to date information from the field of MOFs applications in medicine, particularly in anticancer therapy; and to reflect these developments in one, comprehensive study, (ii) to highlight new and emerging topics in the field, (iii) to tabulate the large number of the application examples and case studies to make the information more accessible and easy to follow, (iv) and finally, to broadly reflect on the potential of MOFs in application to cancer treatment, including the existing challenges and emerging opportunities.

Detonation nanodiamonds (DND) form fractal-like aggregates composed of polydisperse DND particles. We present a novel methodology for the visualisation and characterisation of fractal clusters of DND from one-dimensional small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) intensity. The fractal nature and polydispersity of DND are modelled by combining a diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) process implemented in Monte Carlo simulations with the distribution of DND sizes measured from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The radius of gyration (42–44 nm), aggregation number (850–1150), and the maximum dimension (226–242 nm) of DND fractal clusters were obtained from the fitting of the synchrotron-based SAXS data (q∼0.11–4.75 1/nm) measured for two samples of commercialized DND powders by the developed theoretical model.

Construction of atomic-scale three-dimensional (3D) molecular models of unoxidized and oxidized activated carbon fiber (ACF) nanoregions is of substantial scientific and technological interest as it allows in-depth analysis of complex interfacial process. The influence of oxygen functionalities on the specific interactions with guest particles is an important factor that controls wettability, competitive adsorption of fluid mixtures, interfacial transport, reactions, or nucleation processes. We combine experimental techniques of wide-angle X-ray scattering and nitrogen adsorption porosimetry with advanced molecular modelling to construct reliable 3D molecular models of unoxidized and oxidized pitch-based ACF-5 nanoregions. ACF-5 is a ultramicroporous carbon molecular sieve with an average pore size of 0.46 ± 0.2 nm. Narrow hydrophobic nanospaces are formed between defective and slightly curved graphene-like sheets. By atomistic-scale modelling of formaldehyde adsorption at room temperature and different values of the relative humidities, we show that oxygen functionalities and water co-adsorption impact the mechanism and uptake of formaldehyde. Our simulation data indicate that hydrophobic nanopores are preferable to adsorb formaldehyde efficiently in the presence of humidity.

Detonation nanodiamonds (DND) form fractal-like aggregates composed of polydisperse DND particles. We present a novel methodology for the visualisation and characterisation of fractal clusters of DND from one-dimensional small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) intensity. The fractal nature and polydispersity of DND are modelled by combining a diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) process implemented in Monte Carlo simulations with the distribution of DND sizes measured from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The radius of gyration (42–44 nm), aggregation number (850–1150), and the maximum dimension (226–242 nm) of DND fractal clusters were obtained from the fitting of the synchrotron-based SAXS data (q∼0.11–4.75 1/nm) measured for two samples of commercialized DND powders by the developed theoretical model.

We summarize recent advances in application of MOFs as therapeutic agents, drug carriers, imaging agents and biosensors in cancer biomedicine. A holistic perspective is adopted to produce a comprehensive, critical and readable document useful to a broad community in chemistry, material science, medical fields etc. None of the previous articles adopted a holistic approach focusing on a specific disease or area, such as cancer. MOFs have a tremendous potential in cancer diagnostics and treatment. Although a new field, the amount of literature and data accumulated in this area is vast, quickly growing and requires some systematization and processing. We propose a broad overview of MOF-related literature in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer. In our study, we set: (i) to consolidate the most important and up to date information from the field of MOFs applications in medicine, particularly in anticancer therapy; and to reflect these developments in one, comprehensive study, (ii) to highlight new and emerging topics in the field, (iii) to tabulate the large number of the application examples and case studies to make the information more accessible and easy to follow, (iv) and finally, to broadly reflect on the potential of MOFs in application to cancer treatment, including the existing challenges and emerging opportunities.

Construction of atomic-scale three-dimensional (3D) molecular models of unoxidized and oxidized activated carbon fiber (ACF) nanoregions is of substantial scientific and technological interest as it allows in-depth analysis of complex interfacial process. The influence of oxygen functionalities on the specific interactions with guest particles is an important factor that controls wettability, competitive adsorption of fluid mixtures, interfacial transport, reactions, or nucleation processes. We combine experimental techniques of wide-angle X-ray scattering and nitrogen adsorption porosimetry with advanced molecular modelling to construct reliable 3D molecular models of unoxidized and oxidized pitch-based ACF-5 nanoregions. ACF-5 is a ultramicroporous carbon molecular sieve with an average pore size of 0.46 ± 0.2 nm. Narrow hydrophobic nanospaces are formed between defective and slightly curved graphene-like sheets. By atomistic-scale modelling of formaldehyde adsorption at room temperature and different values of the relative humidities, we show that oxygen functionalities and water co-adsorption impact the mechanism and uptake of formaldehyde. Our simulation data indicate that hydrophobic nanopores are preferable to adsorb formaldehyde efficiently in the presence of humidity.

ALMA has been operating since 2011, but has not yet been populated with the full suite of intended frequency bands. In particular, ALMA Band 2 (67-90 GHz) is the final band in the original ALMA band definition to be approved for production. We aim to produce a wideband, tuneable, sideband-separating receiver with 28 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth per polarisation operating in the sky frequency range 67-116 GHz. Our design anticipates new ALMA requirements following the recommendations in the 2030 ALMA Development Roadmap. The cryogenic cartridge is designed to be compatible with the ALMA Band 2 cartridge slot, where the coldest components -- the feedhorns, orthomode transducers, and cryogenic low noise amplifiers -- operate at a temperature of 15 K. We use multiple simulation methods and tools to optimise our designs for both the passive optics and the active components. The cryogenic cartridge interfaces with a room temperature cartridge hosting the local oscillator (LO) and the downconverter module. This warm cartridge is largely based on GaAs semiconductor technology and is optimised to match the cryogenic receiver bandwidth with the required instantaneous LO tuning range. Our collaboration has designed, fabricated, and tested multiple technical solutions for each of the components, producing a state-of-the-art receiver covering the full ALMA Band 2 & 3 atmospheric window. The receiver is suitable for deployment on ALMA in the coming years, and is capable of dual-polarisation, sideband-separating observations in intermediate frequency bands spanning 4-18 GHz, for a total of 28 GHz on-sky bandwidth per polarisation channel. We conclude that the 67-116 GHz wideband implementation for ALMA Band 2 is now feasible, and this receiver is a compelling instrumental upgrade that will enhance observational capabilities and scientific reach., Comment: 23 pages, accepted for publication in A&A on 20 Dec 2019. This version corrects the affiliations of 2 co-authors

ALMA has been operating since 2011, but has not yet been populated with the full suite of intended frequency bands. In particular, ALMA Band 2 (67-90 GHz) is the final band in the original ALMA band definition to be approved for production. We aim to produce a wideband, tuneable, sideband-separating receiver with 28 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth per polarisation operating in the sky frequency range 67-116 GHz. Our design anticipates new ALMA requirements following the recommendations in the 2030 ALMA Development Roadmap. The cryogenic cartridge is designed to be compatible with the ALMA Band 2 cartridge slot, where the coldest components -- the feedhorns, orthomode transducers, and cryogenic low noise amplifiers -- operate at a temperature of 15 K. We use multiple simulation methods and tools to optimise our designs for both the passive optics and the active components. The cryogenic cartridge interfaces with a room temperature cartridge hosting the local oscillator (LO) and the downconverter module. This warm cartridge is largely based on GaAs semiconductor technology and is optimised to match the cryogenic receiver bandwidth with the required instantaneous LO tuning range. Our collaboration has designed, fabricated, and tested multiple technical solutions for each of the components, producing a state-of-the-art receiver covering the full ALMA Band 2 & 3 atmospheric window. The receiver is suitable for deployment on ALMA in the coming years, and is capable of dual-polarisation, sideband-separating observations in intermediate frequency bands spanning 4-18 GHz, for a total of 28 GHz on-sky bandwidth per polarisation channel. We conclude that the 67-116 GHz wideband implementation for ALMA Band 2 is now feasible, and this receiver is a compelling instrumental upgrade that will enhance observational capabilities and scientific reach., Comment: 23 pages, accepted for publication in A&A on 20 Dec 2019. This version corrects the affiliations of 2 co-authors

The Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) is already revolutionising our understanding of the Universe. However, ALMA is not yet equipped with all of its originally planned receiver bands, which will allow it to observe over the full range of frequencies from 35-950 GHz accessible through the Earth's atmosphere. In particular Band 2 (67-90 GHz) has not yet been approved for construction. Recent technological developments in cryogenic monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) amplifier and orthomode transducer (OMT) design provide an opportunity to extend the originally planned on-sky bandwidth, combining ALMA Bands 2 and 3 into one receiver cartridge covering 67-116 GHz. The IF band definition for the ALMA project took place two decades ago, when 8 GHz of on-sky bandwidth per polarisation channel was an ambitious goal. The new receiver design we present here allows the opportunity to expand ALMA's wideband capabilities, anticipating future upgrades across the entire observatory. Expanding ALMA's instantaneous bandwidth is a high priority, and provides a number of observational advantages, including lower noise in continuum observations, the ability to probe larger portions of an astronomical spectrum for, e.g., widely spaced molecular transitions, and the ability to scan efficiently in frequency space to perform surveys where the redshift or chemical complexity of the object is not known a priori. Wider IF bandwidth also reduces uncertainties in calibration and continuum subtraction that might otherwise compromise science objectives. Here we provide an overview of the component development and overall design for this wideband 67-116 GHz cryogenic receiver cartridge, designed to operate from the Band 2 receiver cartridge slot in the current ALMA front end receiver cryostat., Comment: 8 pages, proceedings from the 8th ESA Workshop on Millimetre-Wave Technology and Applications (https://atpi.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/millimetre-wave/mm-wave)

Despite extensive research over the last several decades, the microscopic characterization of topological phases of adsorbed phenol from aqueous solutions in carbon micropores (pore size < 2.0 nm), which are believed to exhibit a solid and quasi-solid character, has not been reported. Here, we present a combined experimental and molecular level study of phenol adsorption from neutral water solutions in graphitic carbon micropores. Theoretical and experimental results show high adsorption of phenol and negligible coadsorption of water in hydrophobic graphitic micropores (super-sieving effect). Graphic processing unit-accelerated molecular dynamics simulation of phenol adsorption from water solutions in a realistic model of carbon micropores reveal the formation of two-dimensional phenol crystals with a peculiar pattern of hydrophilic–hydrophobic stripes in 0.8 nm supermicropores. In wider micropores, disordered phenol assemblies with water clusters, linear chains, and cavities of various sizes are found. The highest surface density of phenol is computed in 1.8 nm supermicropores. The percolating water cluster spanning the entire pore space is found in 2.0 nm supermicropores. Our findings open the door for the design of better materials for purification of aqueous solutions from nonelectrolyte micropollution.

Removal of aromatic contaminants, like phenol, from water can be efficiently achieved by preferential adsorption on porous carbons which exhibit molecular sieving properties. Here, we present nanoporous carbon beads exhibiting an outstanding sieving effect in phenol adsorption from aqueous solution at neutral pH, which is evidenced experimentally and theoretically. The molecular sieving with pure phenol adsorbed phase is achieved by tuning the pore size and surface chemistry of the adsorbent. This study elucidates the essential role of hydrophobic interactions in narrow carbon micropores in removal and clean-up of water from organic pollutants. Furthermore, we suggest a new theoretical approach for evaluation of phenol adsorption capacity that is based on the Monte Carlo simulation of phenol adsorption with the relevance to the pore size distribution function determined by the density functional theory method from low temperature nitrogen adsorption.

Removal of aromatic contaminants, like phenol, from water can be efficiently achieved by preferential adsorption on porous carbons which exhibit molecular sieving properties. Here, we present nanoporous carbon beads exhibiting an outstanding sieving effect in phenol adsorption from aqueous solution at neutral pH, which is evidenced experimentally and theoretically. The molecular sieving with pure phenol adsorbed phase is achieved by tuning the pore size and surface chemistry of the adsorbent. This study elucidates the essential role of hydrophobic interactions in narrow carbon micropores in removal and clean-up of water from organic pollutants. Furthermore, we suggest a new theoretical approach for evaluation of phenol adsorption capacity that is based on the Monte Carlo simulation of phenol adsorption with the relevance to the pore size distribution function determined by the density functional theory method from low temperature nitrogen adsorption.

Despite extensive research over the last several decades, the microscopic characterization of topological phases of adsorbed phenol from aqueous solutions in carbon micropores (pore size < 2.0 nm), which are believed to exhibit a solid and quasi-solid character, has not been reported. Here, we present a combined experimental and molecular level study of phenol adsorption from neutral water solutions in graphitic carbon micropores. Theoretical and experimental results show high adsorption of phenol and negligible coadsorption of water in hydrophobic graphitic micropores (super-sieving effect). Graphic processing unit-accelerated molecular dynamics simulation of phenol adsorption from water solutions in a realistic model of carbon micropores reveal the formation of two-dimensional phenol crystals with a peculiar pattern of hydrophilic–hydrophobic stripes in 0.8 nm supermicropores. In wider micropores, disordered phenol assemblies with water clusters, linear chains, and cavities of various sizes are found. The highest surface density of phenol is computed in 1.8 nm supermicropores. The percolating water cluster spanning the entire pore space is found in 2.0 nm supermicropores. Our findings open the door for the design of better materials for purification of aqueous solutions from nonelectrolyte micropollution.

The Atacama Large Millimeter/sub-millimeter Array (ALMA) is already revolutionising our understanding of the Universe. However, ALMA is not yet equipped with all of its originally planned receiver bands, which will allow it to observe over the full range of frequencies from 35-950 GHz accessible through the Earth's atmosphere. In particular Band 2 (67-90 GHz) has not yet been approved for construction. Recent technological developments in cryogenic monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) amplifier and orthomode transducer (OMT) design provide an opportunity to extend the originally planned on-sky bandwidth, combining ALMA Bands 2 and 3 into one receiver cartridge covering 67-116 GHz. The IF band definition for the ALMA project took place two decades ago, when 8 GHz of on-sky bandwidth per polarisation channel was an ambitious goal. The new receiver design we present here allows the opportunity to expand ALMA's wideband capabilities, anticipating future upgrades across the entire observatory. Expanding ALMA's instantaneous bandwidth is a high priority, and provides a number of observational advantages, including lower noise in continuum observations, the ability to probe larger portions of an astronomical spectrum for, e.g., widely spaced molecular transitions, and the ability to scan efficiently in frequency space to perform surveys where the redshift or chemical complexity of the object is not known a priori. Wider IF bandwidth also reduces uncertainties in calibration and continuum subtraction that might otherwise compromise science objectives. Here we provide an overview of the component development and overall design for this wideband 67-116 GHz cryogenic receiver cartridge, designed to operate from the Band 2 receiver cartridge slot in the current ALMA front end receiver cryostat., Comment: 8 pages, proceedings from the 8th ESA Workshop on Millimetre-Wave Technology and Applications (https://atpi.eventsair.com/QuickEventWebsitePortal/millimetre-wave/mm-wave)

In this opinion piece, we discuss how to place evolution in the context of origin-of-life research. Our discussion starts with a popular definition: 'life is a self-sustained chemical system capable of undergoing Darwinian evolution'. According to this definition, the origin of life is the same as the origin of evolution: evolution is the 'end' of the origin of life. This perspective, however, has a limitation, in that the ability of evolution in and of itself is insufficient to explain the origin of life as we know it, as indicated by Spiegelman's and Lincoln and Joyce's experiments. This limitation provokes a crucial question: What conditions are required for replicating systems to evolve into life? From this perspective, the origin of life includes the emergence of life through evolution: evolution is a 'means' of the origin of life. After reviewing Eigen's pioneering work on this question, we mention our ongoing work suggesting that a key condition might be conflicting multi-level evolution. Taken together, there are thus two questions regarding the origin of life: how evolution gets started, and how evolution produces life. Evolution is, therefore, at the centre of the origin of life, where the two lines of enquiry must meet.This article is part of the themed issue 'Reconceptualizing the origins of life'.

The detonation nanodiamonds form the aggregate having interparticle voids, giving a marked hygroscopic property. As the relationship between pore structure and water adsorption of aggregated nanodiamonds is not well understood yet, adsorption isotherms of N2 at 77 K and of water vapor at 298 K of the well-characterized aggregated nanodiamonds were measured. HR-TEM and X-ray diffraction showed that the nanodiamonds were highly crystalline and their average crystallite size was 4.5 nm. The presence of the graphitic layers on the nanodiamond particle surface was confirmed by the EELS examination. The pore size distribution analysis showed that nanodiamonds had a few ultramicropores with predominant mesopores of 4.5 nm in average size. The water vapor adsorption isotherm of IUPAC Type V indicates the hydrophobicity of the nanodiamond aggregates, with the presence of hydrophilic sites. Then the hygroscopic nature of nanodiamonds should be associated with the surface functionalities of the graphitic shell and the ultramicropores on the mesopore walls.

Although recent experimental studies have demonstrated that doping of nanoporous carbons with nitrogen is an effective strategy for highly diluted formaldehyde capture, the impact of carbon surface chemistry and the pore size on formaldehyde capture at ∼ppm concentrations is still poorly understood and controversial. This work presents a combined theoretical and experimental study on dynamic formaldehyde adsorption on pure and oxidized nanocarbons. We find using Monte Carlo simulations and confirm experimentally that cooperative effects of pore size and oxygen surface chemistry have profound impacts on the breakthrough time of formaldehyde. Molecular modeling of formaldehyde adsorption on pure and oxidized model nanoporous carbons at ∼ppm pressures reveals that high adsorption of formaldehyde ppm concentrations in narrow ultramicropores <6 Å decorated with phenolic and carboxylic groups is correlated with long formaldehyde breakthrough times measured in the columns packed with specially prepared oxidized activated carbon fiber adsorbents with the pore size of ∼5 Å.

The beta decay of the odd-odd nucleus Br-70 has been investigated with the BigRIPS and EURICA setups at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center. The T = 0(J(pi) = 9(+)) and T = 1(J(pi) = 0(+)) isomers have both been produced in in-flight fragmentation of Kr-78 with ratios of 41.6(8)% and 58.4(8)%, respectively. A half-life of t(1/2) = 2157(-49)(+53) ms has been measured for the J pi = 9(+) isomer from gamma-ray time decay analysis. Based on this result, we provide a new value of the half-life for the J pi = 0(+) ground state of Br-70, t(1/2) = 78.42 +/- 0.51 ms, which is slightly more precise, and in excellent agreement, with the best measurement reported hitherto in the literature. For this decay, we provide the first estimate of the total branching fraction decaying through the 2(1)(+) state in the daughter nucleus Se-70, R(2(1)(+)) = 1.3 +/- 1.1%. We also report four new low-intensity gamma-ray transitions at 661, 1103, 1561, and 1749 keV following the beta decay of the J pi = 9(+) isomer. Based on their coincidence relationships, we tentatively propose two new excited states at 3945 and 4752 keV in 70Se with most probable spins and parities of J(pi) = (6(+)) and (8(+)), respectively. The observed structure is interpreted with the help of shell-model calculations, which predict a complex interplay between oblate and prolate configurations at low excitation energies.

Although recent experimental studies have demonstrated that doping of nanoporous carbons with nitrogen is an effective strategy for highly diluted formaldehyde capture, the impact of carbon surface chemistry and the pore size on formaldehyde capture at ∼ppm concentrations is still poorly understood and controversial. This work presents a combined theoretical and experimental study on dynamic formaldehyde adsorption on pure and oxidized nanocarbons. We find using Monte Carlo simulations and confirm experimentally that cooperative effects of pore size and oxygen surface chemistry have profound impacts on the breakthrough time of formaldehyde. Molecular modeling of formaldehyde adsorption on pure and oxidized model nanoporous carbons at ∼ppm pressures reveals that high adsorption of formaldehyde ppm concentrations in narrow ultramicropores <6 Å decorated with phenolic and carboxylic groups is correlated with long formaldehyde breakthrough times measured in the columns packed with specially prepared oxidized activated carbon fiber adsorbents with the pore size of ∼5 Å.

The detonation nanodiamonds form the aggregate having interparticle voids, giving a marked hygroscopic property. As the relationship between pore structure and water adsorption of aggregated nanodiamonds is not well understood yet, adsorption isotherms of N2 at 77 K and of water vapor at 298 K of the well-characterized aggregated nanodiamonds were measured. HR-TEM and X-ray diffraction showed that the nanodiamonds were highly crystalline and their average crystallite size was 4.5 nm. The presence of the graphitic layers on the nanodiamond particle surface was confirmed by the EELS examination. The pore size distribution analysis showed that nanodiamonds had a few ultramicropores with predominant mesopores of 4.5 nm in average size. The water vapor adsorption isotherm of IUPAC Type V indicates the hydrophobicity of the nanodiamond aggregates, with the presence of hydrophilic sites. Then the hygroscopic nature of nanodiamonds should be associated with the surface functionalities of the graphitic shell and the ultramicropores on the mesopore walls.

2017 MMIJ Spring Meeting of Hokkaido Branch. June 16 2017, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan., Lignite seams of the Tempoku coalfield in Hokkaido, Japan, are being considered to produce biomethane by subsurface cultivation and gasification method (SCG, Aramaki et al., 2015). Formation of low-molecularweight- organic-acids (LMWOC) by induced oxidation using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the first stage of this method. Subsequent stages include methanogen cultivation to produce biomethane, using the LMWOC as a substrate, and the last stage corresponds to gas recovery. This study focuses on the influence of the formation of LMWOC via chemical reactions on the tensile strength of the lignite, from an engineering perspective.

Lignite seams of the Tempoku coalfield in Hokkaido, Japan, are being considered to produce biomethane by subsurface cultivation and gasification method (SCG, Aramaki et al., 2015). Formation of low-molecularweight- organic-acids (LMWOC) by induced oxidation using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is the first stage of this method. Subsequent stages include methanogen cultivation to produce biomethane, using the LMWOC as a substrate, and the last stage corresponds to gas recovery. This study focuses on the influence of the formation of LMWOC via chemical reactions on the tensile strength of the lignite, from an engineering perspective., 2017 MMIJ Spring Meeting of Hokkaido Branch. June 16 2017, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.

The beta decay of the odd-odd nucleus Br-70 has been investigated with the BigRIPS and EURICA setups at the Radioactive Ion Beam Factory (RIBF) of the RIKEN Nishina Center. The T = 0(J(pi) = 9(+)) and T = 1(J(pi) = 0(+)) isomers have both been produced in in-flight fragmentation of Kr-78 with ratios of 41.6(8)% and 58.4(8)%, respectively. A half-life of t(1/2) = 2157(-49)(+53) ms has been measured for the J pi = 9(+) isomer from gamma-ray time decay analysis. Based on this result, we provide a new value of the half-life for the J pi = 0(+) ground state of Br-70, t(1/2) = 78.42 +/- 0.51 ms, which is slightly more precise, and in excellent agreement, with the best measurement reported hitherto in the literature. For this decay, we provide the first estimate of the total branching fraction decaying through the 2(1)(+) state in the daughter nucleus Se-70, R(2(1)(+)) = 1.3 +/- 1.1%. We also report four new low-intensity gamma-ray transitions at 661, 1103, 1561, and 1749 keV following the beta decay of the J pi = 9(+) isomer. Based on their coincidence relationships, we tentatively propose two new excited states at 3945 and 4752 keV in 70Se with most probable spins and parities of J(pi) = (6(+)) and (8(+)), respectively. The observed structure is interpreted with the help of shell-model calculations, which predict a complex interplay between oblate and prolate configurations at low excitation energies.

Carbide-derived carbons (CDCs) are nanoporous carbons with a tunable pore size, making them desirable for their adsorption properties. Despite their applicability, reliable structural models are difficult to construct due to the interplay between strong short-range order and long-range disorder. Here, a mimetic methodology is developed to generate atomistic models of CDCs using Molecular Dynamics and the Environment Dependent Interaction Potential. This approach reproduces the main characteristics of experimentally-prepared CDCs, including microstructure, porosity at the nanometre scale, and graphitization with increasing temperature. An Arrhenius-based approach is used to bridge the timescale gap between Molecular Dynamics and experiment and build a connection between the simulation and synthesis temperatures. The method is robust, easy to implement, and enables a fast exploration of the adsorption properties of CDCs.

The evolution of animal segmentation is a major research focus within the field of evolutionary–developmental biology. Most studied segmented animals generate their segments in a repetitive, anterior-to-posterior fashion coordinated with the extension of the body axis from a posterior growth zone. In the current study we ask which selection pressures and ordering of evolutionary events may have contributed to the evolution of this specific segmentation mode. To answer this question we extend a previous in silico simulation model of the evolution of segmentation by allowing the tissue growth pattern to freely evolve. We then determine the likelihood of evolving oscillatory sequential segmentation combined with posterior growth under various conditions, such as the presence or absence of a posterior morphogen gradient or selection for determinate growth. We find that posterior growth with sequential segmentation is the predominant outcome of our simulations only if a posterior morphogen gradient is assumed to have already evolved and selection for determinate growth occurs secondarily. Otherwise, an alternative segmentation mechanism dominates, in which divisions occur in large bursts through the entire tissue and all segments are created simultaneously. Our study suggests that the ancestry of a posterior signalling centre has played an important role in the evolution of sequential segmentation. In addition, it suggests that determinate growth evolved secondarily, after the evolution of posterior growth. More generally, we demonstrate the potential of evo-devo simulation models that allow us to vary conditions as well as the onset of selection pressures to infer a likely order of evolutionary innovations.