ZnMoO4: a promising bolometer for neutrinoless double beta decay searches

We investigate the performances of two ZnMoO4 scintillating crystals operated as bolometers, in view of a next generation experiment to search the neutrinoless double beta decay of Mo-100. We present the results of the alpha vs beta/gamma discrimination, obtained through the scintillation light as well as through the study of the shape of the thermal signal alone. The discrimination capability obtained at the 2615 keV line of Tl-208 is 8 sigma, using the heat-light scatter plot, while it exceeds 20 sigma using the shape of the thermal pulse alone. The achieved FWHM energy resolution ranges from 2.4 keV (at 238 keV) to 5.7 keV (at 2615 keV). The internal radioactive contaminations of the ZnMoO4 crystals were evaluated through a 407 hours background measurement. The obtained limit is < 32 microBq/kg for Th-228 and Ra-226. These values were used for a Monte Carlo simulation aimed at evaluating the achievable background level of a possible, future array of enriched ZnMoO4 crystals.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figure

Skarn-related gold deposits in Tian Shan, Kyrgyzstan

Skarn-related gold deposits are widely distributed in Kyrgyzstan. These deposits account for about 10% of gold reserves of the country, and they include large deposits with the gold reserves exceeding 70 tons. Three geodynamic settings are distinguished associated with formation of this type gold deposits: early Paleozoic island arcs, Carboniferous active continental margins and settings transitional to collisional, and Permian intraplate tectono-magmatic reactivation. This article characterizes several gold deposits and describes their structural features. A conception of the formation and correlation of large, medium, and small skarn-related gold deposits is proposed. Of important significance for the gold mineralization formation are wallrock metasomatites superimposed on the skarns and their surrounding rocks. A number of the deposits are characterized by the presence of rare and unconventional types of the gold-bearing metasomatites, such as quartz-feldspar ones and hydrothermal (aposkarn) serpentinites, that serve as the prospecting guides and criteria for gold mineralization in areas of distribution of skarn-type ore deposits

2-(4-Meth­oxy­phen­yl)-4H-1,3,2-benzoxathia­phosphinine 2-sulfide

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C14H13O2PS2, contains two crystallographically independent mol­ecules, which differ in the conformation of the 1,3,2-benzoxathia­phosphinine moieties (screw boat in the first mol­ecule and envelope in the second mol­ecule). In the crystal, neither classical nor non-classical hydrogen bonds are found. Weak inter­actions (about 2.9–3.0 Å) between the lone pair of the terminal S atoms with H atoms occur. This compound was further characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectroscopy

Cause of Death and Predictors of All-Cause Mortality in Anticoagulated Patients With Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation : Data From ROCKET AF

M. Kaste on työryhmän ROCKET AF Steering Comm jäsen.Background-Atrial fibrillation is associated with higher mortality. Identification of causes of death and contemporary risk factors for all-cause mortality may guide interventions. Methods and Results-In the Rivaroxaban Once Daily Oral Direct Factor Xa Inhibition Compared with Vitamin K Antagonism for Prevention of Stroke and Embolism Trial in Atrial Fibrillation (ROCKET AF) study, patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation were randomized to rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted warfarin. Cox proportional hazards regression with backward elimination identified factors at randomization that were independently associated with all-cause mortality in the 14 171 participants in the intention-to-treat population. The median age was 73 years, and the mean CHADS(2) score was 3.5. Over 1.9 years of median follow-up, 1214 (8.6%) patients died. Kaplan-Meier mortality rates were 4.2% at 1 year and 8.9% at 2 years. The majority of classified deaths (1081) were cardiovascular (72%), whereas only 6% were nonhemorrhagic stroke or systemic embolism. No significant difference in all-cause mortality was observed between the rivaroxaban and warfarin arms (P=0.15). Heart failure (hazard ratio 1.51, 95% CI 1.33-1.70, P= 75 years (hazard ratio 1.69, 95% CI 1.51-1.90, P Conclusions-In a large population of patients anticoagulated for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, approximate to 7 in 10 deaths were cardiovascular, whereasPeer reviewe

Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on the Effectiveness of Companies' Business Activities

Background: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has a great influence on the sustainability of company development, so it can be considered a business model for business effectiveness. Objective: The objective of the research is to determine the mutual influence of real-estate companies’ activities and CSR effectiveness in different countries. This study examines indicators for assessing companies’ financial stability, CSR, and working capital management's influence on the activity effectiveness of real-estate companies. Methods/Analysis: Questionnaires, the principal component method, the Sobel test, and linear regression analysis are used to evaluate the relationship between CSR and the business performance of autocratic management-style companies. The authors’ algorithm for assessing a company’s financial stability, CSR, and capital management, which affect the efficiency of companies, is proposed. Findings: Empirical analysis has shown that management has no mediating effect on CSR and enterprise performance relationships for companies with high financial stability and working capital, though it has a stimulating effect for low financial stability companies. CSR and business performance have positive relationships in companies, but despite financial stability growing, the autocratic leadership style reduces interest in CSR development. This paper conceptualizes the impacts of CSR on the effectiveness of companies. Novelty: The novelty of this study is to create theoretical and practical provisions aimed at laws and regulations. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-03-08 Full Text: PD

Are We Speaking the Same Language? Recommendations for a Definition and Categorization Framework for Plastic Debris

The accumulation of plastic litter in natural environments is a global issue. Concerns over potential negative impacts on the economy, wildlife, and human health provide strong incentives for improving the sustainable use of plastics. Despite the many voices raised on the issue, we lack a consensus on how to define and categorize plastic debris. This is evident for microplastics, where inconsistent size classes are used and where the materials to be included are under debate. While this is inherent in an emerging research field, an ambiguous terminology results in confusion and miscommunication that may compromise progress in research and mitigation measures. Therefore, we need to be explicit on what exactly we consider plastic debris. Thus, we critically discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a unified terminology, propose a definition and categorization framework, and highlight areas of uncertainty. Going beyond size classes, our framework includes physicochemical properties (polymer composition, solid state, solubility) as defining criteria and size, shape, color, and origin as classifiers for categorization. Acknowledging the rapid evolution of our knowledge on plastic pollution, our framework will promote consensus building within the scientific and regulatory community based on a solid scientific foundation

Improving the economic performance of Russia's energy system based on the development of alternative energy sources

An upward trend in conventional energy consumption and the exhaustibility of its resources, volatility of the prices for hydrocarbons in the global energy market update the development of scientific approaches to justification of the commercial efficiency of alternative energy in the Russian Federation. Integrated economic performance and environmental safety coefficients for generating companies in Russia were calculated through taxonomic analysis. Trends in the expenditure level for energy production in the context of alternative and conventional energy resources were forecasted by means of neural modeling technologies. Using an integrated assessment method, global priorities for the use of energy resources in Russia that would enhance the national energy system operation efficiency were identified. A forecasting integrated model of the Russian energy system development was elaborated, taking into account the commercial efficiency of alternative energy. Measures to stimulate energy production based on the use of alternative energy sources were proposed. Practical implementation of the research findings would contribute to Russia's energy system restructuring and meeting the energy needs of the national economy to the fullest extent possible. Keywords: Alternative Energy Sources, Alternative Energy, Energy System, Economic Performance of Energy Production, Energy Resources, Conventional Energy JEL Classifications: L98; L16; O25 DOI: https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.702

Midlife Cardiovascular Health and Robust Versus Frail Late-Life Status: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background: We examined the relationship of midlife cardiovascular health (CVH) with late-life robustness among men and women and the impact of survivorship bias on sex differences in robustness. Methods: Prospective analysis of 15 744 participants aged 45-64 (visit 1 median age: 54 years, 55% female, 27% Black) in 1987-1989 from the population-based Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. CVH was operationalized according to the Life's Simple 7 (LS7) metric of health behaviors (smoking, weight, physical activity, diet, cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose); each behavior was scored as ideal (2 points), intermediate (1 point), or poor (0 points) and summed. Late-life robust/prefrail/frailty was defined at visit 5 (2011-2013). Multinomial regression estimated relative prevalence ratios (RPRs) of late-life robustness/prefrailty/frailty/death across overall midlife LS7 score and components, for the full visit 1 sample. Separate analyses considered visit 5 survivors-only. Results: For each 1-unit greater midlife LS7 score, participants had a 37% higher relative prevalence of being robust versus frail (overall RPR = 1.37 [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.30-1.44]; women = 1.45 [1.36-1.54]; men = 1.24 [1.13-1.36]). Among the full visit 1 sample, women had a similar 1-level higher robustness category prevalence (RPR = 1.35 [95% CI: 1.32-1.39]) than men (RPR = 1.31 [95% CI: 1.27-1.35]) for every 1-unit higher midlife LS7 score. Among survivors, men were more likely to be robust than women at lower LS7 levels; differences were attenuated and not statistically different at higher midlife LS7 levels. Conclusions: Midlife CVH is positively associated with robustness in late life among men and women. Accounting for mortality in part explains documented sex differences in robustness across all levels of LS7