We compute the one-loop contributions of the chronological products for massless gravity in the second order of the perturbation theory. We prove that the loop contributions are coboundaries i.e. expressions which give zero when averaged on physical states. We conjecture that such a result should be true in higher orders of the perturbation theory also. This result should make easier the problem of constructive quantum field theory.

We describe the Markovian dynamics of the Gaussian interferometric power of two-mode Gaussian states, for a system composed of two bosonic modes, each one interacting with its squeezed thermal bath, in the framework of the theory of open systems based on completely positive quantum dynamical semigroups. The time evolution of the interferometric power is described in terms of the covariance matrix for Gaussian initial states. The behaviour of the Gaussian interferometric power depends on the initial state of the subsystem (squeezing parameter and thermal photon numbers) and on the parameters characterizing the squeezed thermal reservoirs (temperatures, dissipation coefficient, squeezed parameters of the baths and squeezing angle). We show that, independently of the initial state, the Gaussian interferometric power is monotonically decreasing in time, and in the limit of large times it asymptotically decreases to a zero value.

The main aim of suspension system is to provide excellent ride quality and this cannot be achieved except by controlling the actuator forces. In this paper, we consider the proportional integral derivative control of fractional-order, which is a generalized form of classical proportional integral derivative control. For this purpose, we present a new approach for the quarter-vehicle action suspension system. In this procedure, using the expansion and approximation, we convert equations system, related to action suspension system, into the Sylvester matrix equations system. Then, we obtain the solution of the Sylvester matrix equations system. In the end, we made a comparison between the fractional-order proportional integral derivative controller and the classical proportional integral derivative controller, to show the better performance of fractional-order proportional integral derivative controller.

In this study, the 1D and 3D Schrödinger equations have been solved using Numerov method for linear potential. Eigenvalues of linear potential for different quantum states have been computed. Additionally, $<x>$, $<p>$, $<x^2>$, and $<p^2>$ expectation values have been calculated for 1D and 3D states. It has been observed that linear potential confirmed the uncertainty principle.

Possible configurations of deposited atomic clusters are calculated within the macroscopic-microscopic method. The deformation energy is obtained from the liquid drop type term and the shell correction as the micropscopic contribution. The two-center shell model, developed for binary processes, is employed to obtain the shell corrections. The equilibrium states are obtained as the minima within the deformation energy on surfaces. The atom number goes up to a few hundreds.

We discuss the elastic scattering ⁴He + ²⁴Mg at 50 MeV as a good example of a whole range of phenomena that compete in heavy ion reactions and can be identified in elastic scattering data. The reaction is dominated by deep optical potentials and shows all characteristics of a strongly refractive scattering: Fraunhofer diffractive oscillations at very forward angles, shallow Airy oscillation forward to a rainbow bump, significant increase of the cross section at large angles. Primitive evaluation of the deflection function indicates a strong orbiting singularity. The lowest order eikonal expansion of the scattering phase suggests a typical rainbow pattern, though the rainbow angle lies far beyond the physical angular range. The semiclassical uniform multireflection expansion of the scattering amplitude tells that the strong refractive effects associated with orbiting are carried by the internal barrier component which retains contributions from trajectories refracted by the spherical well. A complementary analysis in terms of unitary Regge pole amplitudes shows that the effects associated with the break in the exponential decay of the rainbow tail could be interpreted as simple diffraction due to pole(s) in the S-matrix. This strengthen the conjecture that orbiting and Regge poles are dual aspects of heavy ion scattering. The similarity with the Fresnel clothoide for light diffraction is exemplified with a schematic model that allows an almost exact calculation of the scattering amplitude.

Lithium-indium oxide (LiInO₂) compound is a potential scintillator for solar neutrinos detection, as well as an efficient phosphor candidate. Here we report the properties of LiInO₂ for photocatalytic degradation of selected pharmaceutically active compounds under two types of irradiation and examine the possibility of its improvement by Mo-doping. For this investigation, we prepared nanocrystalline LiInO2 powders with 0, 3, and 6 at% of Mo⁶⁺ using a two-step mechanochemical procedure with final annealing. X-ray diffraction measurements confirmed that the tetragonal structure is formed (space group: I4₁/amd), with no additional phases. The microstructure observations and elemental composition determination of obtained powders were performed by scanning electron microscopy. From the diffuse reflectance spectrum, the optical band gap of 3.8 eV (pure LiInO₂) was estimated. Photocatalytic activity of these powders was investigated in the degradation of pharmaceutically active compounds (alprazolam, amitriptyline, and ciprofloxacin) under UV and simulated solar irradiation.

Sodium alginate (NaAlg) hydrogels cross-linked with calcium ions (Ca²⁺) are widely employed in industrial applications like food, chemical, and pharmaceutical
industries [1-3]. In this work we examined changes in the material properties of NaAlg hydrogel films when are cross-linked with different calcium chloride (CaCl₂) concentrations. Chemical interactions were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to assess possible ionic binding between the Ca²⁺ and the NaAlg chains. The morphology changes were evaluated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). The atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides information on surface structure and roughness for the sample films. The results obtained show that the properties of the NaAlg hydrogel films are dependent on CaCl₂ concentration. This study may provide a hopeful solution for food, pharmaceutical or tissue engineering applications.

Homogenous nanoELISA technique based on nanoimmunosorbents: nanoparticles from different materials functionalized with antibodies or antigens can be an alternative for classical ELISA technique, having a high specific area of the nanoimmunosorbents 100 ÷ 200 m²/g. Due to the fact that nanoparticles are in suspension kinetics of the assay is faster, and the stability of the nanoimmunosorbent is given to covalent linking. We used nanoELISA technique to evaluate kinetics parameter like association and dissociation constants between the antibody and homologue antigen, the equilibrium constant and free Gibbs energy of the immune complex. All these parameters are the main characteristics of the nanoELISA technique.

Release of a drug in a controlled manner is important in increasing its therapeutic efficacy. Synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) with desired size included in polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix and preliminary characterization by UV-Vis and fluorescence methods was performed. The UV-Vis spectra show peaks at 212 nm and 529 nm assigned to polymer and Au NPs absorption. The spectral position of the absorption peak corresponds to a size of the nanoparticles of 30 nm. Excitation of the Au NPs-PEG systems with 230 and 529 nm excitation wavelengths is followed by fluorescence emission in the domain 408–414 nm and 610–641 nm, respectively. This emission could be used for initiation of the release of medical drugs included in this matrix. Such behavior is suitable for the fabrication of pharmaceutical systems with controlled drug release.

The response of radon diffusion chambers that use polymer membranes or small gaps/holes as anti-thoron barriers at different temperatures is studied. A theoretical model of radon diffusion through polymer foils is presented. Experiments were made at 2°C, 21.5°C and 45°C. Results show that polymer foils introduce significant temperature dependence in radon response. The chambers with small gaps/holes do not show significant temperature dependence but their response may be affected by humidity and air turbulence. A novel approach to overcome these problems and design chambers with efficient anti-thoron and anti-humidity barrier as well as compensated temperature dependence is discussed.

This paper is focused on determination of activity concentration of gamma emitters in surface layer of soil, in surrounding of the coal-fired power plant complex. Also, the impact of coal-fired power plant emissions on certain of physical and chemical properties of the soil was studied. The results of this study indicated that the operation of the power plant has no significant negative impact on the environment in terms of the content of radionuclides. The effect of the coal-fired power plant emissions on soil is a function of the pollutant gradient existing in the area. The increased soil acidity can adversely affect the microbiological and pedogenetic processes in soil which cause cation-anion imbalance and microbe population reduction to affect soil fertility.

Nowadays, a global trend towards increasing the performance of a building is the reduction in energy consumption. In this respect, for existing residential buildings the most common techniques are the application of a thermal insulation layer to the exterior wall of the building and / or window replacements. Unfortunately, their application without proper education of those involved may have a negative effect on the indoor air quality. The use of a continuous monitoring device can give the owner the ability to understand the impact of his behaviour on indoor air quality and, as such, to adjust his routine in order to maintain the indoor air quality at the desired level. This paper introduces a prototype, called ICA system, for continuous, real-time indoor air quality monitoring. The ICA system presents sensors for monitoring the concentration of radon, CO₂, CO, VOCs, as well as meteorological parameters, such as temperature, pressure, and relative humidity. Experiments were performed both in laboratory and in situ conditions for testing and validating the proposed system.

The EC Directive 2013/51/EURATOM of 22 October 2013 represents the first time that a radon limit for drinking water has been proposed. Transposition of this Directive into Spanish legislation was by means of the recent RD 314/2016 which sets a limit value of 500 Bq l⁻¹ for radon (²²²Rn) in water for human consumption while that in Romanian legislation the Law 301/2015 provides a limit value of 100 Bq l^-1 for ²²²Rn concentration in water for human consumption as well as a total effective dose of 0.1 mSv y^-1 from all radionuclides present in water (same dose value established by Spanish law).
For several years, both in Romania and in Spain, there have been campaigns to measure the concentration of ²²²Rn in waters of different origins in order to determine the possible exposure of the population through this irradiation path, and also to use the presence of radon dissolved in water as a source of indoor radon in thermal spa facilities, and also as a tracer of dynamic processes (C. Sainy et al., Sci. Tot. Envir. 543, 460 (2016); 1).
In this article, an assessment of the results from measurement campaigns in both countries will be presented and compared. In addition, the different measurement techniques used will be described, and the description of an intercomparison exercise on radon measurement in water organized by the Environmental Radioactivity Laboratory of the University of Cantabria (LaRUC) will be presented, in order to evaluate the quality of the performance of the techniques used.

Building materials with increased content of natural radionuclides ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K can represent a health hazard for the public due to the exposure to gamma radiation as well as ²²²Rn. The paper presents the results of a radiometric analysis of 80 ceramic tiles used in Serbian buildings, produced in Serbia and 9 other countries in the world. The mean activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K was 67 ± 4 Bq kg^-1, 50 ± 3 Bq kg^-1, and 500 ± 26 Bq kg^-1, respectively. The radium equivalent index, gamma indices, gamma dose rates and annual effective doses for public exposure were estimated. The results were compared to the national and international legislation, as well with the results obtained in the world in similar studies. The obtained results suggest the use of analyzed ceramic tiles in buildings does not represent a significant exposure to radiation.

Leaching tests were carried out in the aqueous medium of ¹³⁷Cs from mortar matrices prepared with recycled concrete aggregates in comparison with the matrices prepared with natural aggregates (river sand). The influence of different parameters (e.g. aggregate type, particle size distribution, mortar curing time, pH, aqueous medium conductivity) on the value of the leaching fraction was studied. The activity of the leachate was measured at about 2 years by gamma-ray spectrometry method. Leaching fraction is higher for recycled concrete aggregates than the natural aggregates. The pH and conductivity of the leaching medium confirm mortars structure influence on the leaching fraction.

Based on V1742 CAEN digitizer, a digital positron lifetime spectrometer has been developed. It includes two ORTEC scintillation detectors, a CAEN VME controller and a CAEN VME rack together with a PC computer. Tests reveal a 240 ps time resolution and a 220 ps positron lifetime in silicon, comparable with conventional analog lifetime spectrometers using the same type of detector.