The CCM.FF-K1.2022 comparison was organized to determine the degree of equivalence of national standards for liquid flow in the range from 0.1 μL/min to 10.0 μL/min. A Coriolis mass flow meter and a thermal flow meter were used as transfer standards. Six laboratories from three regional metrology organizations (RMOs) participated between April 2023 and December 2023; EURAMET: METAS (Switzerland), CETIAT (France), IPQ (Portugal); SIM: NIST (United States of America); APMP: CMS (Taiwan, R.O.C.), NMIJ (Japan). METAS was the pilot laboratory and performed preliminary tests of the transfer standards to quantify their repeatability and reproducibility and to assess the stability of the artifacts. The key comparison reference values (KCRVs) were determined at each flow set point following the procedure presented by M. G. Cox and the χ2 consistency check. The degree of equivalence with the KCRV was calculated for each flow and laboratory.

ABSTRACT The authors present protocols for making fast, accurate, 3D velocity measurements in the stacks of coal-fired power plants. The measurements are traceable to internationally-recognized standards; therefore, they provide a rigorous basis for measuring and/or regulating the emissions from stacks. The authors used novel, five-hole, hemispherical, differential-pressure probes optimized for non-nulling (no-probe rotation) measurements. The probes resist plugging from ash and water droplets. Integrating the differential pressures for only 5 seconds determined the axial velocity V a with an expanded relative uncertainty U r(V a) ≤ 2% of the axial velocity at the probe’s location, the flow’s pitch (α) and yaw (β) angles with expanded uncertainties U(α) = U(β) = 1 °, and the static pressure p s with U r(p s) = 0.1% of the static pressure. This accuracy was achieved 1) by calibrating each probe in a wind tunnel at 130, strategically-chosen values of (V a, α, β) spanning the conditions found in the majority of stacks (|α| ≤ 20 °; |β| ≤ 40 °; 4.5 m/s ≤ V a ≤27 m/s), and 2) by using a long-forgotten definition of the pseudo-dynamic pressure that scales with the dynamic pressure. The resulting calibration functions span the probe-diameter Reynolds number range from 7,600 to 45,000. Implications: The continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS) that measure the flue gas flow rate in coal-fired power plant smokestacks are calibrated (at least) annually by a velocity profiling method. The stack axial velocity profile is measured by traversing S-type pitot probes (or one of the other EPA-sanctioned pitot probes) across two orthogonal, diametric chords in the stack cross-section. The average area-weighted axial velocity calculated from the pitot traverse quantifies the accuracy of the CEMS flow monitor. Therefore, the flow measurement accuracy of coal-fired power plants greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions depends on the accuracy of pitot probe velocity measurements. Coal-fired power plants overwhelmingly calibrate CEMS flow monitors using S-type pitot probes. Almost always, stack testers measure the velocity without rotating or nulling the probe (i.e., the non-nulling method). These 1D non-nulling velocity measurements take significantly less time than the corresponding 2D nulling measurements (or 3D nulling measurements for other probe types). However, the accuracy of the 1D non-nulling velocity measurements made using S-type probes depends on the pitch and yaw angles of the flow. Measured axial velocities are accurate at pitch and yaw angles near zero, but the accuracy degrades at larger pitch and yaw angles. The authors developed a 5-hole hemispherical pitot probe that accurately measures the velocity vector in coal-fired smokestacks without needing to rotate or null the probe. This non-nulling, 3D probe is designed with large diameter pressure ports to prevent water droplets (or particulates) from obstructing its pressure ports when applied in stack flow measurement applications. This manuscript presents a wind tunnel calibration procedure to determine the non-nulling calibration curves for 1) dynamic pressure; 2) pitch angle; 3) yaw angle; and 4) static pressure. These calibration curves are used to determine axial velocities from 6 m/s to 27 m/s, yaw angles between ±40°, and pitch angles between ±20°. The uncertainties at the 95% confidence limit for axial velocity, yaw angle, and pitch angle are 2% (or less), 1°, and 1°, respectively. Therefore, in contrast to existing EPA-sanctioned probes, the non-nulling hemispherical probe provides fast, low uncertainty velocity measurements independent of the pitch and yaw angles of the stack flow.

We review primary and working gas flow standards that are used to calibrate gas flow meters. For each type of primary standard, we describe the principles and practical considerations of its operation and describe one example implementation. We identify the practical limits of the example’s performance, and, in many instances, we provide an uncertainty budget for a typical flow. The reviewed standards span the flow range 2.2 × 10 −7 g s −1 to 520 kg s −1 . The references point to standards that operate at higher and at lower flows. The reviewed standards include volumetric flow standards (piston and bell provers, pressure–volume–temperature–time standards, rate of rise standards), static and dynamic gravimetric flow standards, and velocity × area standards such as critical flow venturis, laser doppler anemometer surveys, and multipath-ultrasonic meters. Finally, we describe working standard flow meters used in parallel to attain higher flows than economically practical via primary methods.

The primary purpose of inter-laboratory comparisons is to verify the CMC claims of the participating labora-tories. The most commonly used evaluation criterion, the normalized error |Eni|, has flaws, particularly if the comparison uncertainty ucomp,i is large relative to the reference standards being compared. According to the recommendations of CIPM Working Group for Fluid Flow, the uncertainty ucomp,i should be considered by including the uncertainty of the transfer standard and the repeatability of the calibrations. A review of previous comparison reports shows the importance of this task for many other measurands beside the field of fluid flow. In this paper, we propose the use of comparison uncertainty ucomp,i as a better tool for assessing the power of the comparison. We applied the comparison evaluation criteria to recent comparison results to illustrate their benefits over the |Eni|<= 1 criterion. A probability-based approach evaluates the comparison results and we recommend its usage in future comparisons.

Main text The CCM.FF-K6.2017 comparison was organised for the purpose of determination of the degree of equivalence of the national standards for low-pressure gas flow measurement over the range 2 mL/min to 10 L/min. Four molbloc-L flow elements and a molbox1+ were used as the transfer standards. Ten laboratories from three RMOs participated between August 2017 and January 2020 - EURAMET: INRIM (Italy); LNE (France); PTB (Germany); METAS (Switzerland); CMI (Czech Republic); SIM: NIST (USA); APMP: NMIJ/AIST (Japan); KRISS (Korea); NMIA (Australia); CMS (Chinese Taipei). The measurements were provided at prescribed reference pressure and temperature conditions. All results were used in the determination of the key comparison reference value (KCRV) and the uncertainty of the KCRV. The reference value was determined at each flow separately following the procedure presented by M G Cox [1]. The degree of equivalence with the KCRV was calculated for each flow and laboratory. This KCRV can now be used in further regional comparisons. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Data for interpreting virus inactivation on N95 face filtering respirators (FFRs) by ultraviolet (UV) radiation are important in developing UV strategies for N95 FFR disinfection and reuse for any situation, whether it be everyday practices, contingency planning for expected shortages, or crisis planning for known shortages. Data regarding the integrity, form, fit, and function of N95 FFR materials following UV radiation exposure are equally important. This article provides these data for N95 FFRs following UV-C irradiation (200 nm to 280 nm) in a commercial UV-C enclosure. Viral inactivation was determined by examining the inactivation of OC43, a betacoronavirus, inoculated on N95 FFRs. Different metrological approaches were used to examine irradiated N95 FFRs to determine if there were any discernible physical differences between non-irradiated N95 FFRs and those irradiated using the UV-C enclosure. Material integrity was examined using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy. Form, fit, and function were examined using flow resistance, tensile strength, and particle filtration measurements. A separate examination of filter efficiency, fit, and strap tensile stress measurements was performed by the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. Data from these metrological examinations provide evidence that N95 FFR disinfection and reuse using the UV-C enclosure can be effective.

The goal of this study is to determine how bulk vibrational properties and interfacial structure affect thermal transport at interfaces in wide band gap semiconductor systems. Time-domain thermoreflectance measurements of thermal conductance G are reported for interfaces between nitride metals and group IV (diamond, SiC, Si, and Ge) and group III–V (AlN, GaN, and cubic BN) materials. Group IV and group III–V semiconductors have systematic differences in vibrational properties. Similarly, HfN and TiN are also vibrationally distinct from each other. Therefore, comparing G of interfaces formed from these materials provides a systematic test of how vibrational similarity between two materials affects interfacial transport. For HfN interfaces, we observe conductances between 140 and 300 MW m–2 K–1, whereas conductances between 200 and 800 MW m–2 K–1 are observed for TiN interfaces. TiN forms exceptionally conductive interfaces with GaN, AlN, and diamond, that is, G > 400 MW m–2 K–1. Surprisingly, interfaces formed between vibrationally similar and dissimilar materials are similarly conductive. Thus, vibrational similarity between two materials is not a necessary requirement for high G. Instead, the time-domain thermoreflectance experiment (TDTR) data, an analysis of bulk vibrational properties, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) suggest that G depends on two other material properties, namely, the bulk phonon properties of the vibrationally softer of the two materials and the interfacial structure. To determine how G depends on interfacial structure, TDTR and TEM measurements were conducted on a series of TiN/AlN samples prepared in different ways. Interfacial disorder at a TiN/AlN interface adds a thermal resistance equivalent to ∼1 nm of amorphous material. Our findings improve fundamental understanding of what material properties are most important for thermally conductive interfaces. They also provide benchmarks for the thermal conductance of interfaces with wide band gap semiconductors.

Quality care for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients depends on both thorough staging and guideline-concordant treatment. We evaluated the relative survival impact of thorough staging and appropriate treatment in a community-based cohort. Prospective observational cohort of NSCLC patients diagnosed from 2014-2019 treated at the Baptist Cancer Center, Memphis, TN. Invasive staging (IS) included any minimally-invasive staging or mediastinoscopy (including those the same day as surgery). Stage-appropriate treatment (SAT) was defined as concordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network treatment guidelines. Patients were grouped as to whether they received IS only, SAT only, both, or neither. Overall survival (measured from the date of diagnosis) was evaluated with Kaplan-Meier curves and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Sensitivity analyses excluded subjects with poor performance status (PS). The 1217 patients were 49% female; 67% white. The stage I/II/III/IV distribution was 33%/10%/26%/31%. 55% of patients received both IS+SAT, 14% received IS but no SAT, 21% received SAT only, and 10% received neither. These 4 groups of patients did not differ significantly by age, sex, insurance, or race. Patients receiving both SAT and IS as well as SAT only had the fewest co-morbidities (p=0.003) and better PS (p=0.0005). Patients who received SAT had significantly better survival than those who did not (log-rank p<0.0001). After adjusting for age, sex, race, insurance, number of comorbidities, and histology, patients receiving both IS and SAT had a 48% reduction in the risk of death compared to those receiving neither (HR= 0.52 (0.41, 0.68)). Patients receiving only SAT (HR= 0.55 (0.41, 0.75)) had significantly better survival than those receiving neither, while those receiving only IS did not significantly differ from neither (HR= 0.90 (0.66, 1.23)). Results remained comparable even after excluding patients with poor PS. NSCLC survival depends more on appropriate treatment delivery than thorough staging.

We improve the usefulness of small (diameter < 10 mm) critical flow venturis (CFVs) as transfer standards for gas flow by measuring and explaining how their discharge coefficients depend on the temperature T of their environment. At Reynolds numbers Re < 2.5 x 10(5) (e.g., a 2 mm diameter throat; inlet air at 1 MPa), CFVs exhibit sensitivity to the environmental temperature of approximately 0.02 % K-1 due to biased measurements of the stagnation temperature T-0 (temperature "sampling" error) and from ignoring the low-density, annular, thermal boundary layer generated by heat transfer from the CFV's body to the gas flowing through the CFV. To reduce temperature sampling errors, we used a non-metallic approach pipe and a temperature sensor with a low stem conduction error. To correct for thermal boundary layer effects on the flow, we used Geropp's functional form: C-T = 1 + KTRe-1/2[Delta T/T-0] where Delta(T) is the difference between the CFV's inner wall temperature and the stagnation temperature. For CFVs made of stainless steel and copper with diameters of d = 0.56 mm, 1.1 mm, and 3.2 mm we measured K-T approximate to -7 while theoretical predictions of K-T by Geropp and Ding et al. are -1.7 and -3.845 respectively. Introducing the correction for room temperature changes (C-T) measured in this work, reduces the room temperature sensitivity of the flow measured with the 0.56 mm diameter CFVs from 0.02 % K-1 to less than 0.003 % K-1. Smaller, but significant, improvements are achieved with larger CFVs.

The electronic structure of heterointerfaces is a pivotal factor for their device functionality. We use soft x-ray angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy to directly measure the momentum-resolved electronic band structures on both sides of the Schottky heterointerface formed by epitaxial films of the superconducting NbN on semiconducting GaN, and determine their momentum-dependent interfacial band offset as well as the band-bending profile. We find, in particular, that the Fermi states in NbN are well separated in energy and momentum from the states in GaN, excluding any notable electronic cross-talk of the superconducting states in NbN to GaN. We support the experimental findings with first-principles calculations for bulk NbN and GaN. The Schottky barrier height obtained from photoemission is corroborated by electronic transport and optical measurements. The momentum-resolved understanding of electronic properties of interfaces elucidated in our work opens up new frontiers for the quantum materials where interfacial states play a defining role.

................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 Description of Measurement Services .............................................................................................. 3 3.0 Procedures for Submitting a Flow Meter for Calibration ................................................................. 4 4.0 Description of the Liquid Flow Standard ......................................................................................... 4 4.1 Flow generation, control, and stabilization .................................................................................. 6 4.2 Dynamic weighing system ........................................................................................................... 6 4.3 Test section ................................................................................................................................... 8 5.0 Flow Measurement Principle of Dynamic Weighing ....................................................................... 8 5.1 Mass flow due to storage effects in the connecting volume ....................................................... 11 6.0 Processing the Mass and Time Data to Calculate Flow ................................................................. 12 7.0 Comparison to NIST’s Existing Liquid Flow Standards ................................................................ 13 8.0 Uncertainty ..................................................................................................................................... 14 8.1 Techniques for uncertainty analysis ........................................................................................... 16 8.2 Contributions to the relative standard uncertainties of the mass and volume flow .................... 17 8.2.a. Mass and time measurements ............................................................................................. 17 8.2.b. Buoyancy corrections ......................................................................................................... 22 8.2.c. Mass storage in the connecting volume .............................................................................. 22 ...................................................................................................................................................... 24 8.2.d. Water density at the MUT .................................................................................................. 25 8.3 Combined uncertainty of the LFS mass and volume flow ......................................................... 25 8.4 Combined and expanded uncertainty of the calibration factor ................................................... 26 8.5 Uncertainty considerations for a customer meter under test ...................................................... 28 9.0 Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 29 10.0 References .................................................................................................................................... 30 Appendix A: Sample Calibration Report ............................................................................................. 32 Appendix B: Formulas for Sensitivity Coefficient Equations .............................................................. 36 Appendix C: Nomenclature .................................................................................................................. 38

Early detection of lung cancer is critical for improving individual-level survival probability and population-level mortality statistics. We simultaneously implemented Low-Dose CT lung cancer screening (LDCT) and an Incidental Lung Nodule Program (ILNP) in a large community healthcare system. LDCT used US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2013 eligibility criteria and Lung-RADS for decision-making; ILNP used Fleischner Society guidelines for nodule management. We compared patients diagnosed with lung cancer through LDCT and ILNP to those in our Multidisciplinary Clinic (MDC) who were diagnosed through neither program, using chi-square tests. All three programs included rigorous prospective data collection. We evaluated overall survival (OS) from date of cancer diagnosis with Kaplan-Meier analysis, proportional hazards models with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). From 2015-2020, LDCT identified 130 patients from 4,797 screened (2.7%), ILNP identified 667 from 13,710 (4.9%), and MDC had 953 lung cancer patients. LDCT had less racial diversity (80% White/19% Black) versus ILNP (65%/29%) versus MDC (66%/31%) (Table 1). Lung cancer was more frequently stage I in LDCT (54%) or ILNP (49%) compared to MDC (27%; p<0.0001). Surgical resection was most frequent with LDCT (47%) followed by ILNP (40%) and MDC (32%, p<0.0001). Adjuvant treatment was most frequently used in MDC (54%) compared to LDCT (32%) or ILNP (24%, p<0.0001). We found no significant differences in treatment with radiation alone (13%/12%/10%, p=0.46) or chemotherapy alone (12%/12%/15%, p=0.31). Aggregate 3-year OS was 78% (68%-88%) LDCT versus 63% (58%-68%) ILNP versus 43% (39%-47%) MDC (p<0.0001). This translated into 63% and 35% reductions in the overall hazard of death for patients with lung cancer diagnosed by LDCT or ILNP compared to MDC (HR: 0.37 [0.23-0.60], 0.65 [0.54-0.77], Table 1). Stage-stratified survival probability was also significantly different in Stage I patients with LDCT>ILNP>MDC (p=0.0049, Table 1). Using USPSTF 2013 criteria, only 41% of ILNP and 45% of MDC lung cancer patients would have qualified for LDCT.Table 1VariableLDCTILNPMDCP-valueNumber of patients130667953Age, median (Q1-Q3)65 (60 -70)64 (52-73)66 (57 - 73)<0.0001Female sex, n (%)2379 (50)7603 (55)895 (52)<0.0001Race, n (%)<0.0001Caucasian3839 (80)8855 (65)1139 (66)Black or African American894 (19)4004 (29)540 (31)Other26 (1)136 (1)13 (1)Insurance (n, %)<0.0001Medicare3192 (66.54)7011 (51.14)579 (33.72)Medicaid692 (14.43)1428 (10.42)267 (15.55)Commercial2669 (55.64)7790 (56.82)800 (46.59)Charlson Comorbidity Score<0.000101333 (28)5554 (41)451 (26)12277 (48)5106 (37)835 (49)21187 (25)3050 (22)431 (25)Histology, n (%)<0.0001Adenocarcinoma64 (49)260 (39)464 (45)Squamous35 (27)127 (19)315 (33)Small cell12 (9)50 (8)92 (10)Other9 (7)105 (16)82 (9)Clinical stage, n (%)<0.0001I70 (54)329 (49)255 (27)II11 (8)51 (8)112 (19)III18 (14)112 (17)254 (28)IV25 (19)106 (16)298 (31)Median primary tumor size in mm, (Q1 – Q3)20 (13 - 34)25 ( 16 - 40)35 (22 - 54)<0.0001Treatment<0.0001Surgery (+ Other Treatment Modalities)19 (15)63 (9)166 (17)Surgery Alone41 (32)205 (31)141 (15)Radiation47 (36)197 (30)454 (48)Chemotherapy56 (43)242 (36)591 (62)Postoperative mortality, N (%)0.677830-days023 (3.45)8 (2.61)60-days023 (3.45)9 (2.93)90-days024 (3.60)13 (4.23)Years of follow-up from date of abnormal CT scan, median (Q1 – Q3)1.56 (0.72 - 2.56)1.79 (0.79 - 3.17)1.02 (0.53 - 2.24)0.0002Eligibility for LDCT lung cancer screening, n (%)USPSTF 2013 criteria273 (41)431 (45)<0.0001USPSTF 2020 criteria315 (47)540 (57)<0.00013-year OS (95% CI)Aggregate78 (68, 88)63 (58, 68)43 (39, 47)<0.0001Stage I93 (86, 100)79 (74, 85)64 (58, 72)0.0049Stage II68 (38, 100)57 (42, 77)55 (45, 67)0.7642Stage III70 (48, 100)39 (29, 52)40 (33, 49)0.2797Stage IV43 (22, 87)38 (29, 51)22 (17, 28)0.3331Hazard Ratio (95% CI)ReferenceAggregate0.37 (0.23, 0.60)0.65 (0.54, 0.77)1 (---)<0.0001Stage I0.30 (0.14, 0.81)0.64 (0.44, 0.91)1 (---)0.005Stage II0.59 (0.14, 2.46)0.94 (0.52, 1.70)1 (---)0.8Stage III0.55 (0.17, 1.73)1.20 (0.87, 1.64)1 (---)0.3Stage IV0.61 (0.31, 1.19)1.00 (0.73, 1.36)1 (---)0.3 Open table in a new tab ILNP complements LDCT, identifying lung cancer in a higher proportion of patients than LDCT, even though majority of ILNP patients would not have been eligible for LDCT. ILNP provided access to early detection to a higher proportion of racial minorities. Both early detection programs led to earlier-stage diagnoses, more opportunity for surgical resection, less need for adjuvant therapy, and longer survival compared to MDC. For maximal impact on population-level lung cancer survival, ILNP should be implemented in tandem with LDCT programs.

Room temperature ferroelectricity is observed in lattice-matched ~18% ScAlN/GaN heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy on single-crystal GaN substrates. The epitaxial films have smooth surface morphologies and high crystallinity. Pulsed current-voltage measurements confirm stable and repeatable polarization switching in such ferroelectric/semiconductor structures at several measurement conditions, and in multiple samples. The measured coercive field values are Ec~0.7 MV/cm at room temperature, with remnant polarization Pr~10 {\mu}C/cm2 for ~100 nm thick ScAlN layers. These values are substantially lower than comparable ScAlN control layers deposited by sputtering. Importantly, the coercive field of MBE ScAlN is smaller than the critical breakdown field of GaN, offering the potential for low voltage ferroelectric switching. The low coercive field ferroelectricity of ScAlN on GaN heralds the possibility of new forms of electronic and photonic devices with epitaxially integrated ferroelectric/semiconductor heterostructures that take advantage of the GaN electronic and photonic semiconductor platform, where the underlying semiconductors themselves exhibit spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization.

Early detection of lung cancer is important for improving long-term survival. Systematic management of incidentally detected pulmonary nodules can improve early detection; however, most persons with a pulmonary nodule do not have lung cancer. We investigated clinical and demographic characteristics associated with diagnosis of cancer in the granuloma-endemic Mississippi Delta region of the US.