Determining the bubble nucleation efficiency of low-energy nuclear recoils in superheated C3F8 dark matter detectors
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
The bubble nucleation efficiency of low-energy nuclear recoils in superheated liquids plays a crucial role in interpreting results from direct searches for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter. The PICO collaboration presents the results of the efficiencies for bubble nucleation from carbon and fluorine recoils in superheated C3F8 from calibration data taken with five distinct neutron spectra at various thermodynamic thresholds
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, Nov. 10 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
The bubble nucleation efficiency of low-energy nuclear recoils in superheated liquids plays a crucial role in interpreting results from direct searches for weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) dark matter. The PICO collaboration presents the results of the efficiencies for bubble nucleation from carbon and fluorine recoils in superheated C3F8 from calibration data taken with five distinct neutron spectra at various thermodynamic thresholdsranging from 2.1 to 3.9 keV.
Instead of assuming any particular functional forms for the nuclear recoil efficiency, a generalized piecewise linear model is proposed with systematic errors included as nuisance parameters to minimize model-introduced uncertainties. A Markov chain Monte Carlo routine is applied to sample the nuclear recoil efficiency for fluorine and carbon at 2.45 and 3.29 keV thermodynamic thresholds simultaneously.
The nucleation efficiency for fluorine was found to be =50% for nuclear recoils of 3.3 keV (3.7 keV) at a thermodynamic Seitz threshold of 2.45 keV (3.29 keV), and for carbon the efficiency was found to be =50% for recoils of 10.6 keV (11.1 keV) at a threshold of 2.45 keV (3.29 keV). Simulated datasets are used to calculate a p value for the fit, confirming that the model used is compatible with the data. The fit paradigm is also assessed for potential systematic biases, which although small, are corrected for. Additional steps are performed to calculate the expected interaction rates of WIMPs in the PICO-60 detector, a requirement for calculating WIMP exclusion limits.
A sensitivity analysis of twinning crystal plasticity finite element model using single crystal and poly crystal Zircaloy
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
The popularity of crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) models is increasing due to their ability to predict the mechanical response of crystalline materials such as metals and metal alloys more accurately than traditional continuum mechanics models. Two main challenges faced by engineers and researchers while using CPFEM models are the need for large computational resources and the difficulty in calibrating a large number of material
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, Nov. 8 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory issued the following abstract of a journal article:
The popularity of crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM) models is increasing due to their ability to predict the mechanical response of crystalline materials such as metals and metal alloys more accurately than traditional continuum mechanics models. Two main challenges faced by engineers and researchers while using CPFEM models are the need for large computational resources and the difficulty in calibrating a large number of materialparameters. In this paper, a CPFEM code is developed to include the twinning induced grain reorientation and subsequent crystallographic slip in these grains. Developed code is incorporated in a large-scale, parallelized nonlinear solver WARP3D.
A sensitivity analysis with respect to 22 material parameters was then conducted using single crystal and polycrystal Zircaloy RVE. Loading was applied along five different crystallographic orientations for single crystal RVE and along three directions namely, rolling (RD), transverse (TD), and normal (ND) direction for polycrystal RVE. Results obtained from the sensitivity analysis were used for the calibration of material parameters for Zircaloy. Finally, developed code along with calibrated material parameters was used to investigate the effect of the hydride phase formation in Zircaloy which is a typical case observed for nuclear applications. It was found that the volume fraction of the hydride phase has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of Zircaloy.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission Gathers Feedback From Board Members Ahead of 2024 General Election
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Election Assistance Commission issued the following news release on April 22, 2024:
Last week, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) convened the Standards Board and Board of Advisors in Kansas City, Missouri for the respective boards' annual meetings. Panel discussions covered lessons from the presidential primaries, planning for the general election, artificial intelligence, elections in the territories, communications, ethical standards for election administration, and updates on EAC programs and resources.
The Standards Board is made up of 110 state
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Election Assistance Commission issued the following news release on April 22, 2024:
Last week, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) convened the Standards Board and Board of Advisors in Kansas City, Missouri for the respective boards' annual meetings. Panel discussions covered lessons from the presidential primaries, planning for the general election, artificial intelligence, elections in the territories, communications, ethical standards for election administration, and updates on EAC programs and resources.
The Standards Board is made up of 110 stateand local election officials from the 50 states, four territories, and the District of Columbia. The board consists of 55 state election officials selected by their respective chief state election official, and 55 local election officials chosen through a process supervised by the chief state election official. HAVA prohibits any two members representing the same state to be members of the same political party. More information and a roster of members can be found here.
The Board of Advisors is a 35-member board composed of representatives appointed by members of congress, federal agencies, and national organizations. A full list of appointing authorities and a roster of members can be found here (https://www.eac.gov/about/board_of_advisors).
EAC Chairman Ben Hovland, Vice Chair Donald Palmer, Commissioner Thomas Hicks, and Commissioner Christy McCormick issues the following joint statement:
These meetings were a timely opportunity to directly hear what election officials from across the country are facing and compile information on how the EAC can serve them for the rest of the year and into 2025. This is an incredibly busy time for election officials, and we appreciate all of the members who were able to join and provide such valuable feedback. Common areas of focus for board members were the security of voting systems and election equipment, the physical security of election officials, as well as the need for consistent funding for elections. The meeting was an opportunity to share updates on EAC programs and understand what members need from the Commissioners and EAC staff. As our primary stakeholders, this feedback is invaluable.
The Board of Advisors elected board leaders at their annual meeting. The new Board of Advisors Executive Officers are:
* Chair - Ricky Hatch, Weber County (UT) Clerk/Auditor
* Chair-Elect - Secretary of State Scott Schwab, Kansas
* Secretary - Christine Walker, Jackson County (OR) Clerk
* * *
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). It is an independent, bipartisan commission charged with ensuring secure, accurate, and accessible elections by developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration. The EAC also accredits testing laboratories and certifies voting systems, as well as administers the use of HAVA funds.
Ky. U.S. Attorney: Louisville Pediatrician Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges of Murder-for-Hire and Aiding and Abetting Interstate Stalking
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky, April 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release:
Stephanie M. Russell entered a plea of guilty to two counts of a federal indictment charging her with using a facility in interstate commerce, or causing another person to travel in interstate commerce, in the attempted murder-for-hire of her ex-husband, as well as aiding and abetting interstate stalking of her ex-husband. Russell entered her guilty plea this morning, on the same day her jury trial was scheduled to commence.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett
... Show Full ArticleLOUISVILLE, Kentucky, April 23 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky issued the following news release:
Stephanie M. Russell entered a plea of guilty to two counts of a federal indictment charging her with using a facility in interstate commerce, or causing another person to travel in interstate commerce, in the attempted murder-for-hire of her ex-husband, as well as aiding and abetting interstate stalking of her ex-husband. Russell entered her guilty plea this morning, on the same day her jury trial was scheduled to commence.
U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennettof the Western District of Kentucky, and Special Agent in Charge Michael E. Stansbury of the FBI Louisville Field Office, made the announcement.
According to court records, Stephanie M. Russell, 53, a pediatrician, owned and ran KidzLife Pediatrics in Norton Commons, in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning in July 2021, Russell caused another to travel in interstate commerce, and used a telephone, a facility of interstate commerce, with the intent that the murder of her former husband, R.C., be committed in violation of the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky and offered to pay for that murder.
In July 2021, during a contentious custody battle with her ex-husband, R.C., Russell began soliciting multiple KidzLife employees, asking if they knew someone who would be willing to kill R.C. In the spring of 2022, the FBI was notified of Russell's solicitations, and began an investigation. As part of that investigation, a cooperating witness provided Russell with the telephone number of a purported hitman from the Chicago area. That hitman was an FBI Special Agent working undercover. Beginning on May 15, 2022, Russell had several recorded telephone conversations with the purported hitman. In one call, Russell and the purported hitman had the following exchange:
Russell: I want him to be completely gone from my life, yes . . . .
Hitman: Well I mean that can be in the Bahamas, but I don't think we're talking a vacation away. I think we're talking in the ground.
Russell: I mean, do you like, do they disappear? Do you like shoot them on the road? Like what happens? Or should I just not know?
Hitman: It really depends on, I mean, price dictates. That's just how that goes. The more work I got to do, the more it's going to cost you, but it could be, do you want it to look like a suicide? Do you want it to . . .
Russell: Yes, that would be amazing.
Russell ultimately agreed to pay the purported hitman $7,000, with half due up front. On May 18, 2022, Russell was caught on surveillance video leaving $3,500 in a specimen box outside the KidzLife building for the hitman to retrieve. The purported hitman drove to Louisville from Illinois and was videotaped as he picked up the payment. The FBI arrested Russell the next day.
Further, according to court documents and evidence presented at the change of plea hearing, between December 1, 2018, and August 9, 2019, during custody litigation, Russell, aided and abetted by J.S., a person who traveled to Louisville from Michigan, engaged in conduct that caused and attempted to cause her former husband substantial emotional distress, and Russell did so with the intent to harass and intimidate him. Specifically, Russell encouraged J.S. to harass R.C., and provided J.S. with a burner phone to use while doing so. The harassing conduct included visiting R.C.'s office unannounced, pretending to be a WAVE-3 reporter and leaving R.C. accusatory voicemails from the phone provided by Russell on R.C.'s phone, entering R.C.'s garage and leaving a note inside the garage pretending to be a reporter writing a derogatory story that could involve R.C., and by leaving fliers, with R.C.'s photograph and other personal identifying information, on cars at R.C.'s office. The fliers contained defamatory allegations of misconduct and were intended to be viewed by R.C.'s co-workers, supervisors, and potentially clients.
Russell is scheduled for sentencing on July 31, 2024, in the United States District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Russell remains detained pending sentencing. She faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
There is no parole in the federal system.
The FBI investigated the case, with assistance from the Louisville Metro Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Ford and David Weiser are prosecuting the case, with assistance from paralegal specialist Adela Alic.
Department of the Navy Kicks Off Energy, Installations, and Environment Week With Earth Day
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news release:
Department of the Navy (DON) is celebrating the portfolio of its Energy, Installation, and Environment (EI&E) team with "EI&E Week" starting on Earth Day, April 22, with events focused on serving the nation by enhancing combat capabilities for the warfighter through a focus on communities, critical infrastructure, and climate action.
Specifically, the EI&E portfolio focuses on renewable, reliable, resilient energy sources, sustainability and construction, maintenance and sustainment of infrastructure, protecting the safety
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Navy issued the following news release:
Department of the Navy (DON) is celebrating the portfolio of its Energy, Installation, and Environment (EI&E) team with "EI&E Week" starting on Earth Day, April 22, with events focused on serving the nation by enhancing combat capabilities for the warfighter through a focus on communities, critical infrastructure, and climate action.
Specifically, the EI&E portfolio focuses on renewable, reliable, resilient energy sources, sustainability and construction, maintenance and sustainment of infrastructure, protecting the safetyand occupational health of military and civilian personnel; environmental protection in support of mission readiness, planning and restoration ashore and afloat; and conservation of natural and cultural resources.
Earth Day is a worldwide event celebrated annually on April 22. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson and others as a grassroots effort to raise environmental awareness and involve citizens and communities. The DON theme for Earth Day 2024 is "Communities, Critical Infrastructure, and Climate Action".
"We are focused each day on the communities where we live, train, and operate in, ensuring resilient climate action supports our critical infrastructure and mission success," said Meredith Berger, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Energy, Installations, and Environment. "We are taking this week to celebrate our accomplishments and reinforce the critical work in the portfolio that advances the priorities that serve our Sailors, Marines, and our defense communities."
Communities represent the ecosystems that Sailors and Marines rely on for mission accomplishment, the commands they are a part of, and the work installations do with the local community to address shared challenges.
Critical infrastructure is about enhancing installation resilience, improving the efficiency of systems and facilities ashore, while ensuring energy, water, and control systems are strengthened against threats and hazards.
Climate action is how the Department of the Navy ensures mission readiness. In May of 2022, the Department of the Navy released Climate Action 2030 in which Secretary Del Toro recognized climate change as one of the most destabilizing forces of our time and charged the Department with building a climate-ready force. To achieve these goals, we are building off our tradition of stewardship, on our bases and in defense communities. We are funding projects to replant forests, regenerate arid rangelands, and restore wetlands and marshlands to sequester carbon and improve the environmental resiliency of our lands.
To implement Climate Action 2030, the Department Chief Sustainability Officer has also issued five memos on key priorities: infrastructure, water resilience, nature-based resilience, sustainable acquisition and procurement, and shore energy. Climate Action 2030 and these memos, as well Earth Day 2024 guidance are found on the Energy, Installations, and the Environment public site: https://www.secnav.navy.mil/climate/pages/resources.aspx
Since the 1990s, the Department of the Navy (DON) and other military services have celebrated Earth Day annually, organizing events that are open to the public and/or military personnel, conducting educational outreach activities, and highlighting Navy/Marine Corps environmental and energy programs.
The DON ensures the values of Earth Day are upheld every day through continued dedication to environmental stewardship. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps take a proactive role in maintaining and improving environmental quality on installations and ranges to ensure that we have a force that is trained and safe in an environment that is protected. This raises \quality of life for Sailors, Marines, their families, and the local community. Clean air, water, and land are essential to the safety and health of our military and civilian personnel, families, and our neighboring communities; and are central to the ability of our installations and ranges to continue to meet mission critical functions.
"EI&E Week" will be marked not just by Earth Day and Arbor Day ceremonies and events, but throughout the week by speaking engagements, panels, resilience workshops, and safety seminars across the National Capital Region and country that highlights departmental accomplishments in Communities, Critical Infrastructure, and Climate Action.
"EI&E Week" will conclude with Arbor Day on April 26, the annual holiday that celebrate nature conservancy and the planting of trees.
Army Engineer Research & Development Center Hosts Over 100 Local Students During Annual Earth Day Celebration
VICKSBURG, Mississippi, April 23 -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center issued the following news story:
By Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist
Spreading awareness to the next generation about the importance of protecting planet Earth was the overall message of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) annual Earth Day event.
More than 100 students from the Academy of Innovation, Porter's Chapel, and St. Aloysious High School attended ERDC's annual Earth Day Celebration Monday, April 8, in the ERDC Headquarters Building Auditorium. Engineers from several
... Show Full ArticleVICKSBURG, Mississippi, April 23 -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center issued the following news story:
By Justus Reed, Public Affairs Specialist
Spreading awareness to the next generation about the importance of protecting planet Earth was the overall message of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) annual Earth Day event.
More than 100 students from the Academy of Innovation, Porter's Chapel, and St. Aloysious High School attended ERDC's annual Earth Day Celebration Monday, April 8, in the ERDC Headquarters Building Auditorium. Engineers from severalof ERDC's laboratories set up displays in the Atrium and spread information to the local students about how they can help keep the Earth healthy while also introducing them to the work done at the agency.
Protecting and preserving our environment is an enduring mission for the ERDC and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). More than 10% of USACE's workforce specializes in environmental disciplines, working alongside the rest of our diverse team to shape a sustainable future for current and future generations. USACE's global team is planning, designing, building and operating projects and facilities with safety and sustainability at the forefront of our actions.
Robert "Bobby" McComas, chemical engineer and environmental protection manager with ERDC's Safety and Environmental Management Office, gave the students tips on how they can better take care of the planet.
"People around the world unite to reflect on the planet and ways we can work together to protect Earth for future generations," said McComas. "We should be good stewards of this amazing planet by reducing, reusing and recycling plastic, conserving water by being mindful of our water usage by turning off water when we're not using it, conserving energy by cutting off lights when we leave a room, unplugging chargers to prevent them from using energy when not being used and much more. Earth is home to a variety of plants and animals, so we should respect their habitats by being conscious of how our activities impact their homes."
Visiting teachers applauded ERDC for inviting students to the event to broaden their knowledge on caring for the planet and how they could impact Earth's well-being. Jerrica Wells, an eighth-grade math teacher at the Academy of Innovation, thought the event was ideal for her students to see how classroom lessons are applied to real-world situations.
"This is an amazing opportunity for our youth," said Wells. "These are some things that our students have been exposed to in our classrooms, so them seeing how it translates to real life is great for them."
Each year, teachers mark their calendars for ERDC's annual Earth Day celebration and are eager to see displays from some the agency's brightest scientists and engineers. Stacey Lambiotte, an 11th-grade science teacher at St. Aloysious High School, praised ERDC for their educational presentations.
"Every year, I look forward to getting the invite from ERDC to attend this event," said Lambiotte. "This event is always spectacularly set up, and they provide several educational stations for our student to visit and learn about Earth Day and its theme. It also teaches our students the role that engineering plays in taking care of our planet in a way that's applicable to our students."
Exposing students to innovative practices in science and engineering is part of ERDC's mission to attract prospective employees to the agency. Nancy McClain, a guidance counselor at Porter's Chapel Academy, believes the Earth Day event inspires students to take a deeper look into science and engineering to see its worldwide impact.
"We never miss this event because it exposes our students to new ways of thinking and new scientific and mathematic activities and technology," said McClain. "This event is always inspiring."
A collective effort is needed to care for the planet according to Kathleen Harris, a research civil engineer with ERDC's Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL)/River and Estuarine Engineering Branch. Harris believes that collectively doing acts that seem small results in making Earth a stronger and healthier planet.
"There's a Mother Teresa quote that says, 'Do ordinary things with extraordinary love,' and that message is the motivating principle that led me to become an engineer who works to find positive ways to impact our environment," said Harris. "Protecting the environment is a community effort, and we should aspire to make a bigger impact on Earth's wellness."
We try to stick with Army or USACE messaging for observations such as this unless the outside organization is a partner/sponsor of the event.
WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) issued the following news release:
Amtrak is excited to announce renovations at the Durham Station are now complete. The $1.5 million project to improve the station is part of the ongoing and companywide commitment at Amtrak to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers.
The Amtrak Carolinian and Piedmont provide daily service to the station at 601 W. Main Street. The services are sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and operated by Amtrak and paid for through state
... Show Full ArticleWASHINGTON, April 23 -- The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) issued the following news release:
Amtrak is excited to announce renovations at the Durham Station are now complete. The $1.5 million project to improve the station is part of the ongoing and companywide commitment at Amtrak to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers.
The Amtrak Carolinian and Piedmont provide daily service to the station at 601 W. Main Street. The services are sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation and operated by Amtrak and paid for through statefunding and passenger fares. The trains operate between Raleigh and Charlotte, with the Carolinian continuing service to New York.
"Providing an accessible travel experience is a priority and we're actively advancing construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across our national network," Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility Dr. David Handera said. "We are pleased we delivered these improvements to the Durham station and for our customers and community."
The renovation project included the installation of new doors and an automatic system for customers to enter and exit the station, and upgrades to the men's and women's restrooms. A new fire alarm system and signs were installed. A cane detection rail, a horizontal bar, was installed at the bottom of the ticket counter. The bar is detectable by a person who uses a cane, and it will alert them the counter is within their path.
Customers will access new accessible pathways extending from the parking lot to the station and platform, and accessible parking spaces. The station features new signs along the platform, parking lot and customer drop off area.
"The Federal Railroad Administration is excited about the upgrades completed at Durham Station, and we are proud of our work with Amtrak to ensure more Americans have access to the passenger rail service they need and deserve, which very much includes Americans with disabilities, our aging population, and others who rely on and benefit from accessible and convenient passenger rail," FRA Administrator Amit Bose said. "As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal government is investing well over a billion dollars in rail projects and planning activities across North Carolina, and we will continue to invest even more across the country."
Amtrak has invested more than $850 million since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 120 stations across the national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities. The improvements include repairs and upgrades to platforms, ramps and sidewalks, and renovations to entranceways and restrooms, with 20 stations brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act last year. Another 35 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year at a forecasted investment of $165 million.
Our program is advancing 140 station designs and 43 station construction projects as part of Amtrak's ongoing commitment to providing accessibility by working toward 100% completion by 2029.
"Accessibility to everyone is an important part of the total passenger experience," Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division director said. "Working with Amtrak and local partners to ensure safe, accessible and convenient travel guarantee future growth and success of passenger rail in North Carolina and beyond."
Reactions:
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
"The upgrades at Durham Station will make North Carolinians experience traveling on Amtrak easier, safer, and more accessible," Senator Thom Tillis said. "Amtrak's investment in Durham is another example of their commitment to improving customer experience and rail service across our state."
Leonardo Williams, Durham Mayor
"The Durham Station provides many of our residents an alternative mode of transportation across the state and beyond. I am excited about these renovations, as these upgrades will increase accessibility and enhance rail travel for those in need here in Durham," Mayor Leonardo Williams said.
