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53. Determination of the multiple-scattering correction factor and its cross-sensitivity to scattering and wavelength dependence for different AE33 Aethalometer filter tapes : a multi-instrumental approachJesús Yus-Díez, Vera Bernardoni, Griša Močnik, Andrés Alastuey, Davide Ciniglia, Matic Ivančič, Xavier Querol, Noemí Perez, Cristina Reche, Martin Rigler, Roberta Vecchi, Sara Valentini, Marco Pandolfi, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Providing reliable observations of aerosol particles' absorption properties at spatial and temporal resolutions suited to climate models is of utter importance to better understand the effects that atmospheric particles have on climate. Nowadays, one of the instruments most widely used in international monitoring networks for in situ surface measurements of light absorption properties of atmospheric aerosol particles is the multi-wavelength dual-spot Aethalometer, AE33. The AE33 derives the absorption coefficients of aerosol particles at seven different wavelengths from the measurements of the optical attenuation of light through a filter where particles are continuously collected. An accurate determination of the absorption coefficients from the AE33 instrument relies on the quantification of the non-linear processes related to the sample collection on the filter. The multiple-scattering correction factor (C), which depends on the filter tape used and on the optical properties of the collected particles, is the parameter with both the greatest uncertainty and the greatest impact on the absorption coefficients derived from the AE33 measurements.
Here we present an in-depth analysis of the AE33 multiple-scattering correction factor C and its wavelength dependence for two different and widely used filter tapes, namely the old, and most referenced, TFE-coated glass, or M8020, filter tape and the currently, and most widely used, M8060 filter tape. For performing this analysis, we compared the attenuation measurements from AE33 with the absorption coefficients measured with different filter-based techniques. On-line co-located multi-angle absorption photometer (MAAP) measurements and off-line PP_UniMI polar photometer measurements were employed as reference absorption measurements for this work. To this aim, we used data from three different measurement stations located in the north-east of Spain, namely an urban background station (Barcelona, BCN), a regional background station (Montseny, MSY) and a mountaintop station (Montsec d'Ares, MSA). The median C values (at 637 nm) measured at the three stations ranged between 2.29 (at BCN and MSY, lowest 5th percentile of 1.97 and highest 95th percentile of 2.68) and 2.51 (at MSA, lowest 5th percentile of 2.06 and highest 95th percentile of 3.06). The analysis of the cross-sensitivity to scattering, for the two filter tapes considered here, revealed a large increase in the C factor when the single-scattering albedo (SSA) of the collected particles was above a given threshold, up to a 3-fold increase above the average C values. The SSA threshold appeared to be site dependent and ranged between 0.90 to 0.95 for the stations considered in the study. The results of the cross-sensitivity to scattering displayed a fitted constant multiple-scattering parameter, Cf, of 2.21 and 1.96, and a cross-sensitivity factor, ms, of 1.8 % and 3.4 % for the MSY and MSA stations, respectively, for the TFE-coated glass filter tape. For the M8060 filter tape, Cf values of 2.50, 1.96 and 1.82 and ms values of 1.6 %, 3.0 % and 4.9 % for the BCN, MSY and MSA stations, respectively, were obtained. SSA variations also influenced the spectral dependence of C, which showed an increase with wavelength when SSA was above the site-dependent threshold. Below the SSA threshold, no statistically significant dependence of C on the wavelength was observed. For the measurement stations considered here, the wavelength dependence of C was to some extent driven by the presence of dust particles during Saharan dust outbreaks that had the potential to increase the SSA above the average values. At the mountaintop station, an omission of the wavelength dependence of the C factor led to an underestimation of the absorption Ångström exponent (AAE) by up to 12 %. Differences in the absorption coefficient determined from AE33 measurements at BCN, MSY and MSA of around 35 %–40 % can be expected when using the site-dependent experimentally obtained C value instead of the nominal C value. Due to the fundamental role that the SSA of the particles collected on the filter tape has in the multiple-scattering parameter C, we present a methodology that allows the recognition of the conditions upon which the use of a constant and wavelength-independent C is feasible.
Keywords: black carbon, aerosol absorption, filter photometer, artifact
Published in RUNG: 01.10.2021; Views: 1947; Downloads: 0
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54. Identification of environmental stress conditions by comparative analysis of peroxidase activity in betulla pendula and pinus sp. : Group project reportPatrik Cingerli, Katarina Erker, Nina Žvab-Pernat, Darian Rampih, Miroslav Štrbac, Hena Zukić, Kenan Kapetanović, 2021, treatise, preliminary study, study Abstract: The study investigated the possibility of developing a biomarker to evaluate the stress level in trees. The analyses have been performed on tree samples appertaining to two different tree species and collected at two locations in Slovenia. The presence and the activity of the proteins – peroxidases was measured by the qualitative method of the agarose gel electrophoresis and the quantitative method of spectrometry. It was found out that by measuring the presence of the biomarkers and pigments in the tree samples we can determine the stress levels and thus the health status of trees.
Keywords: biomarkers, environmental stress, pigments, peroxidase
Published in RUNG: 29.09.2021; Views: 2116; Downloads: 0
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55. Silica coated Bi[sub]2Se[sub]3 topological insulator nanoplatelets : the way of making them colloidally stable but preserving their optical propertiesBlaž Belec, Nina Kostevšek, Sebastjan Nemec, Slavko Kralj, Sandra Gardonio, Mattia Fanetti, Matjaž Valant, 2021, published scientific conference contribution abstract Keywords: topological insulator, optical properties, topological surface states, silica-coated
Published in RUNG: 27.09.2021; Views: 2306; Downloads: 0
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56. CDR1 composition can affect nanobody recombinant expression yieldsMarco Orlando, Sara Fortuna, Sandra Oloketuyi, Gregor Bajc, Adi Goldenzweig, Ario De Marco, 2021, original scientific article Keywords: nanobodies, in silico engineering, mutagenesis
Published in RUNG: 15.09.2021; Views: 1726; Downloads: 42
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57. Chemical (in)stability of an interface between metals and Bi[sub]2Se[sub]3 topological insulatorKatja Ferfolja, Mattia Fanetti, Sandra Gardonio, Matjaž Valant, 2019, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Our research is dedicated to a study of an interface between a Bi2Se3 topological insulator (TI) and various metals due to the essential need for providing a metal contact for devices. The main objective is to characterize structural and chemical properties at the interface, where the electronic properties of the TI can be affected. The structure of the interface and processes happening at it are investigated by microscopy (SEM, TEM, STM) and spectroscopy techniques (EDX, XPS).
The research started with the noble metals: Ag, Au and Pt. A good stability was observed for Au and Pt, whereas Ag reacted with Bi2Se3 already at room temperature, producing Ag2Se and AgBiSe2 phase. Interface stability was also checked at high temperature and results showed that the Au coating undergoes a coalescence process starting from 100 °C whereas the interface with Pt does not show any change at least up to 350 °C.
At present we are focused on the interface with Ti, a metal which is regularly used as an adhesive layer in electrical contacts. At low coverage (<30 nm) Ti forms an extremely flat film, smoother than Au, Ag or Pt. At higher coverage the film undergoes buckle delamination, likely induced by stress release. The observed morphology indicates that a chemical interaction leads to the growth of the initial smooth Ti epitaxial film. Se interdiffusion and formation of interfacial TixSey phase is envisaged, as suggested from preliminary TEM observations of the interface structure.
The presented results show the importance of the processes happening at the interface, especially solid-state chemical reactions, which are often neglected in the study of systems with metal/TI interfaces. Such instability has to be taken into account since the produced phases can affect transport properties of the material, increase a contact resistance or affect functionality of devices.
Keywords: Bi2Se3, interface, topological insulator, chemical instability
Published in RUNG: 20.08.2021; Views: 1891; Downloads: 12
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58. Chemical (in)stability of interfaces between different metals and Bi[sub]2Se[sub]3 topological insulatorKatja Ferfolja, Mattia Fanetti, Sandra Gardonio, Matjaž Valant, 2018, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: In recent years a classification of materials based on their topological order gained popularity due to the discovery of materials with special topological character – topological insulators (TI). TI have different band structure than regular insulators or conductors. They are characterized by a band gap in the bulk of the material, but at the surface they possess conductive topological surface states (TSS) that cross the Fermi level. TSS are a consequence of the non-trivial bulk band structure and have properties that differ from ordinary surface states. They are robust toward contamination and deformation of the surface. Additionally, they are also spin polarized, which means that an electron spin is locked to a crystal momentum and, therefore, backscattering during transport is suppressed [1]. Due to their specific properties the TI could be used in fields of spintronics, quantum computing and catalysis [2].
The investigation of the interfaces between metals and the TI has not been given much attention even though its characterization is interesting from fundamental physics and applicative point of view. (In)stability of the contacts with metal electrodes, in a form of a chemical reaction or diffusion, has to be taken into account since it can affect the transport properties of the material or increase the contact resistance. Our research is dedicated to the study of the metal/TI interfaces, in particular to Bi2Se3 with deposited metals that are relevant for electrical contacts (Au, Ag, Pt, Cr, Ti). The thermal and chemical stability of the interfaces are of fundamental importance for understanding the contact behavior, therefore, we focused our work to the characterization of these properties. The metal/TI interfaces are investigated mainly with an electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, STM), EDX microanalysis and XRD. Our previous studies showed that the interface between Bi2Se3, and Ag deposited either chemically or from a vapor phase, results in the formation of new phases already at room temperature [3]. On the contrary, Au deposited on the Bi2Se3 surface shows very limited reactivity and is stable at RT, but diffusion and coalescence of the metal are observed starting from 100 °C [4]. In this contribution, we will present further characterization on the evolution of the Ag/Bi2Se3 and Au/Bi2Se3 interfaces, show preliminary results about recently investigated systems (Pt/Bi2Se3, Ti/Bi2Se3) and compare the thermal and chemical stability of the systems under investigation.
Keywords: thermal lens spectrometry, photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy, dye remediation, photothermal technique, photocatalytic degradation, reactive blue 19, TiO2 modification
Published in RUNG: 20.08.2021; Views: 2284; Downloads: 0
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59. Room-temperature solid-state reaction at the Ag/Bi[sub]2Se[sub]3 interfaceKatja Ferfolja, Mattia Fanetti, Iuliia Mikulska, Sandra Gardonio, Matjaž Valant, 2017, published scientific conference contribution abstract Abstract: Topological insulators (TI) are materials that, while having a forbidden bandgap in bulk, are conductors at their surface due to presence of surface-localized electronic states crossing the band gap. [1] TIs are possible because of a time reversal symmetry and spin-orbit coupling, which invert bulk band states in their energy positions and make the bulk band structure non trivial. Consequently, the topological surface states (TSS) emerge on the surface of these materials. Unlike ordinary surface states, TSS cannot be destroyed by contamination or defects on the surface. Additionally, TSS are also spin polarized, which means that when applying current to TI, the current will have a well defined direction of the electron spins.
The topological insulators - a relatively new class of materials - are being widely studied not only from fundamental aspects, but also from their applicative perspectives. It has been predicted that TIs could be used in fields of spintronics, electronics and catalysis. [2,3] Interestingly, only a few studies about metal/TI interfaces have been reported. This is surprising since integration of TI in the applications will often necessitate an interface with the metal, therefore, detailed knowledge on chemistry and electrical conditions at the interface will be required.
In this contribution results on research on the chemistry of the Ag/Bi2Se interface will be presented, in particularonthesolid-statereactionbetweennanoparticles.IthasbeenobservedthatwhenBi2Se3 andAgare put in contact a chemical reaction occurs at the interface, producing AgBiSe2 and Ag2Se. Interestingly, the reaction already occurs at room temperature, which is not usual for solid-state reactions. In literature this reaction has not been properly described. The authors rather described it as intercalation of the silver atoms, which we have disproved and showed that recrystallization of the new phases occurs. [3,4,5] The results will alsobediscussedincomparisonwithothertwoAg/Bi2Se3 systemsunderourinvestigation:i)Agdepositedby achemicalrouteonBi2Se3 nanoflakesandii)AgdepositedfromavapourphaseinvacuumonaBi2Se3.single crystal
Keywords: topological insulators, topological surface states, solid-state reaction, TI/metal interface
Published in RUNG: 20.08.2021; Views: 2067; Downloads: 0
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60. Bilinguhildren's use of the Maximiza Presupposition PrinciplePenka Stateva, Sara Andreetta, Anne Reboul, Arthur Stepanov, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: This article reports the results of an experimental study that examines the influence of bilingualism on the acquisition and use of the Maximize Presupposition principle in the context of speakers’ choices among propositional attitude predicates (equivalent to) know and think. We compared the performance of monolingual Slovenian- and
Italian-speaking school children to that of age-matched early bilingual children speaking both languages. Our findings suggest that while all children demonstrate adherence to Maximize Presupposition in an adult-like manner, bilingualism may enhance performance in pragmatic tasks that bear on this principle, and therefore constitutes a potential advantage in the relevant area.
Keywords: Maximize Presupposition, implicature, presupposition, Italian, Slovenian, bilingualism
Published in RUNG: 12.07.2021; Views: 2116; Downloads: 51
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