International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A brief survey is presented of the methods of preparation and of the applications of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with short-lived positron radionuclides "1"1C, "1"8F, "1"3N and "1"5O which, thanks to their energy level schemes, short half-life and the 511 keV photon radiation energy are almost ideal tracers in modern nuclear medicine and pharmacology. In conjunction with computerized tomography, they represent one of the most sensitive diagnostic imaging methods, the so-called positron emission tomography. In addition, their incorporation in the molecule of a pharmaceutical does not change the biological and chemical properties of the original molecule unlike those of radiopharmaceuticals labelled with technetium, iodine, etc. (author). 125 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A beta microprobe was successfully applied to monitor arterial input function for quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the monkey brain with {sup 15}O-water and positron emission tomography (PET). The sensitivity of the probe was approximately 0.83 to 1.67 cps/kBq/ml depending on the studies. A preliminary study was performed to find a suitable use and to evaluate the performance of the system and data analysis procedure. The results showed that dispersion correction of measured input function was unnecessary if microprobes were connected directly to the arterial catheter. Then multiple CBF measurements were done in three monkeys under anesthesia. Identical regions of interest were placed with the aid of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each monkey and rCBF values were estimated. Estimated rCBFs were reproducible for several measurements. The mean CBF value for a pentobarbital anesthetized monkey was ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Combination agents comprising two different pharmacophores with the same biological target have the potential to show additive or synergistic activity. Bis(thiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) complexes (e.g. 64Cu-ATSM) and nitroimidazoles (e.g. 18F-MISO) are classes of tracer used for the delineation of tumor hypoxia by positron emission tomography (PET). Three nitroimidazole-bis(thiosemicarbazonato)copper(II) conjugates were produced in order to investigate their potential as combination hypoxia imaging agents. Two were derived from the known bifunctional bis(thiosemicarbazone) H2ATSM/A and the third from the new precursor diacetyl-2-(4-N-methyl-3-thiosemicarbazone)-3-(4-N-ethylamino-3-thiosem icarbazone) - H2ATSM/en. Oxygen-dependent uptake studies were performed using the 64Cu radiolabelled ...

Science.gov (United States)

Breast Cancer

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description of program or function: Continuous energy cross-section data library for the Monte Carlo program MCNP based on the ENDF/B-VI Release 3 evaluated nuclear data library (ACE Format). Format: ACE; Number of groups: Continuous energy; Nuclides (107): H-1, H-2, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat, N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, Na-23, Mg-nat, Al-27, Si-nat, Cl-nat, Ti-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-94, Zr-96, Zr-nat, Nb-93, Mo-94, Mo-95, Mo-96, Mo-97, Mo-nat, Tc-99, Ru-101, Ru-102, Ru-104, Rh-103, Pd-105, Pd-107, Ag-109, I-129, Xe-131, Cs-133, Pr-141, Nd-143, Nd-145, Pm-147, Sm-147, Sm-149, Sm-150, Sm-151, Sm-152, Eu-153, Gd-154, Gd-155, Gd-156, Gd-157, Gd-158, Gd-160, Hf-174, Hf-176, Hf-177, Hf-178, Hf-179, Hf-180, Hf-nat, Pb-206, Pb-207, Pb-208, Bi-209, Th-232,U-233, U-234, U-235, U-236, ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Histone H2AX phosphorylation on a serine four residues from the carboxyl terminus (producing γH2AX) is a sensitive marker for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). DSBs may lead to cancer...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Results of an augmented-plane-wave calculation of the positron lifetime and the angular-correlation curves for aluminum, both in the vacancy-free crystal and in the crystal with a vacancy, are presented. The environment of the vacancy was simulated by a face-centered-cubic supercell with a volume 27 times that of the standard primitive unit cell of the Al lattice. The calculated positron-vacancy binding energy is 3.36 eV at room temperature. The temperature dependences of the trapping potential, the positron-vacancy binding energy, and the positron lifetime both in the Bloch state and in the vacancy-trapped state, associated only with the static thermal expansion of the lattice, have been calculated. It is found that the fractional increase in positron lifetime in the Bloch state is only approx.80% of the fractional increase in the volume of the lattice. The lifetime in the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report ab initio calculations of positron wave functions in the high-T/sub c/ superconductors YBa_2Cu_3O_7, Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8, and Tl_2Ba_2CaCu_2O_8 using the general potential linearized augmented plane-wave method. The calculated positron wave functions are fairly insensitive to whether or not electron-positron correlation is included in the calculation for YBa_2Cu_3O_7 and Tl_2Ba_2CaCu_2O_8, but the calculated positron density is quite sensitive to correlation in Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8. While the positron wave function samples primarily the chain region in YBa_2Cu_3O_7, the results indicate that positrons should be good probes of the Cu-O layer-derived electronic states near the Fermi energy in Tl_2Ba_2CaCu_2O_8 since a large overlap with these states is predicted.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Electronic energy bands of LaH"2 and NdH"2 have been calculated by the composite-wave variational version of the augmented plane wave method. Crystal potentials for both the hydrides were constructed by the superposition of the atomic potentials of Herman and Skillman. From the band structure data, density of states, joint density of states, optical absorption spectra and Fermi surfaces of these two hydrides have been calculated. The results of the optical studies have been successfully compared with the experimental results of Weaver et al. From the theoretical point of view the present results for LaH"2 have been satisfactorily compared with the results of Gupta et al. Since no theoretical calculation exists for ndH"2, theoretical comparison, in this case, was not possible for ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Behavior to hydrogen damage caused by stress corrosion in a H_2S medium (SSC) and to intergranular corrosion (IGC) in different mediums, such as oxalic acid (C_2H_2.2H_2O), iron sulphate-50% sulfuric acid (Fe_2(SO_4)_3-50% H_2SO_4), nitric acid (HNO_3), copper sulphate-16% sulfuric acid (CuSO_4.5H_2O-16% H_2SO_4) and cooper sulphate-50% sulfuric acid (CuSO_4.5H_2O-50% H_2SO_4), is studied in an AISI 347 austenitic stainless steel stabilized with 0.61 mass % Nb and hot rolled to a seamless pipe with 273.1 mm in diameter and 18.2 mm in thickness. (Author) 12 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The "8"8Y decay has been studied with the aim to discover emission of monohromatic positrons (MP). The "8"8Sr(d,2N) reaction was used for production of "8"8Y (#beta#"+, Tsub(1/2)=106.6 days) nuclides. The prismatic beta spectrometer has been used to measure spectra of electrons and positrons. No MPs have been found. The resulting upper bound for their emission rate turned out to be lower than theoretically expected one.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is built and tested a transition radiation detector (TRD) to discriminate positrons from protons in the balloon flight TS 93 experiment. It is presented the TRD performance using flight data obtaining a proton-positron rejection factor of the order of 10{sup -3}. During the 24 hour flight, the data in the momentum range 4-50 GeV/c are collected. Using the TRD together with the Silicon calorimeter, it is achieved an overall rejection factor of about 10{sup -5} of positron against the proton background over the entire momentum range.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

(1 Oct 1979). German Democratic Republic Alekseeva, OK Onishchuk, VA

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BACKGROUND: H2-histamine receptors mediate a wide range of physiological functions extending from stimulation of gastric acid secretion to induction of human promyelocyte differentiation. We have previously...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The utilization of wood-shaving bottom ash (WBA) for the removal of Red Reactive 141 (RR141), an azo reactive dye, was investigated. WBA/H(2)O and WBA/H(2)SO(4) were made by treating WBA with water and 0.1M H(2)SO(4), respectively, to increase adsorption capacity. Adsorption of RR141 from reactive dye solution (RDS) and reactive dye wastewater (RDW) by WBA/H(2)O and WBA/H(2)SO(4) involved the BET surface area and pore size diameter. Properties of adsorbents, effect of contact time, initial pH of solution, dissolved metals and elution studies indicated that the decolorisation mechanism involved both chemical adsorption and precipitation with calcium ions. In addition, the WBA/H(2)SO(4) surface might contain sulphate-cation complexes that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Lithium-ion batteries are now considered to be the technology of choice for future hybrid electric and full electric vehicles to address global warming. LiCoO{sub 2} has been the most widely used cathode material in commercial lithium-ion batteries. Since LiCoO{sub 2} has economic and environmental issues, intensive research has been directed towards the development of alternative low cost, environmentally friendly cathode materials as possible replacement of LiCoO{sub 2}. Among them, spinel LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4} material is one of the promising and attractive cathode materials for next generation lithium-ion batteries because of its high voltage (4.7 V), acceptable stability, and good cycling performance. Research advances in high voltage spinel LiNi{sub 0.5}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4} are reviewed in this paper. Developments in synthesis, structural characterization, effect of doping, and effect of coating are presented. In addition to conventional synthesis methods, several ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using the linearized augmented-plane-wave (LAPW) -calculated electron and positron charge densities for YBa_2Cu_3O_7, the Brillouin-zone-reduced electron-positron momentum density is computed and the zone-reduced two-dimensional angular correlation of annihilation radiation (2D ACAR) spectrum is produced. The calculations show that the relative weights of the Fermi-surface discontinuities are substantially altered due to the positron preferentially sampling the Cu-O chain region. In addition, the reduced 2D ACAR spectrum contains large k-dependent wave-function effects. The theoretical zone-reduced 2D ACAR spectrum is compared to the several existing experimental spectra. It is concluded that, at present, positron-annihilation experiments do not provide consistent and clear evidence for the existence and shapes of Fermi surfaces in YBa_2Cu_3O_7.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In order to obtain the electronic structure of leucine (Leu) in aqueous solution, we studied three systems: Leu+7H2O, Leu+8H2O and Leu+9H2O. The results indicated that the system Leu+8H2O was the only choice which was both acceptable and doable: its computational effort was affordable, and it could simulate a main part of the solvent effect on the electronic structure of Leu in solution. Based on the system Leu+8H2O, all-electron, ab initio calculations were performed to construct an equivalent potential of water for the electronic structure of Leu with dipoles. The results showed that the main effect of water on the electronic structure of Leu was raising the occupied states about 0.0824 Ry on average, and broadening the energy gap by 11%. The water effect on the electronic ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The properties of ZnO films were investigated as functions of annealing temperatures in H2/Ar and vacuum. The resistivities and mobilities of ZnO films decreased with increase of annealing temperatures in vacuum and H2/Ar ambients. However, the carrier densities of ZnO films increased with increase of annealing temperatures in vacuum and H2/Ar ambients. The resistivities of ZnO2 films annealed at 300degreeC were 2186cm and 798cm in H2/Ar and vacuum ambients, respectively. The resistivities of ZnO films annealed in vacuum and H2/Ar ambients at 600degreeC were similar with 0.040cm and 0.035cm, respectively. The hydrogen donor was more dominant than the oxygen vacancy or Zn interstitial donor in ZnO films annealed in ambient H2/Ar at low ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To investigate the variation in the fine structure of polyamide thin-film composite (TFC) membranes prepared via two different interfacial polymerization conditions (IP-I and IP-II), experiments on Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), water contact angle, and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) coupled to a slow positron beam were conducted. Polyamide TFC membranes were prepared via the interfacial polymerization reaction between triethylenetetramine (TETA) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on the surface of a modified polyacrylonitrile (mPAN) membrane. Compared with the polyamide TFC membrane prepared via IP-I, the polyamide layer prepared via IP-II showed a shorter S plateau length (thinner thickness), a higher o-Ps intensity I3 value (higher free-volume con...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A simple electromagnetic transport system was constructed to identify very rare positrons produced in a powerful laser beam interaction with a target. Testing experiments were carried out with CO[sub 2]-laser (10[sup 12] W/cm[sup 2]) beam pulses ([tau] = 50 ns, f = 0.01 Hz) focused on the copper target, as well as with a 96 MeV alpha-particle beam irradiated carbon target. The results showed that the developed system could be effectively used for positron identification and evaluation of their energy by means of a time-of-flight method. The computerized system to deal with this problem, together with others related to the power laser beam interaction with targets, has been constructed. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This talk summarizes recent progress in top quark physics studies for high energy linear electron-positron colliders as presented at the LCWS2000 Workshop at Fermilab. New results were presented for top pair production at threshold and in the continuum, as well as for top production at #gamma##gamma# colliders.

CERN Document Server

Recent preliminary results from the PAMELA satellite indicate the presence of a large flux of positrons (relative to electrons) in the cosmic ray spectrum between approximately 10 and 50 GeV. As annihilating dark matter particles in many models are predicted to contribute to the cosmic ray positron spectrum in this energy range, a great deal of interest has resulted from this observation. Here, we consider pulsars (rapidly spinning, magnetized neutron stars) as an alternative source of this signal. After calculating the contribution to the cosmic ray positron and electron spectra from pulsars, we find that the spectrum observed by PAMELA could plausibly originate from such sources. In particular, a significant contribution is expected from the sum of all mature pulsars throughout the Milky Way, as well as from the most nearby mature pulsars (such as Geminga and B0656+14). The signal from nearby pulsars is expected to ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundIn vitro data suggest that changes in myocardial substrate metabolism may contribute to impaired myocardial function in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM)....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study a modified solid state synthesis (auto-ignition method) is used to form nanosized spinel type material LiMg{sub 0.05}Ni{sub 0.45}Mn{sub 1.5}O{sub 4}. This material presents a high voltage plateau at 4.75 V vs. Li/Li{sup +}. Structural and electrochemical characterisations have been performed using a wide range of techniques (TEM, neutron diffraction, galvanostatic measurements, and impedance spectroscopy). Besides, in situ XAS has been performed to monitor the evolution of Ni and Mn oxidation state during Li intercalation. The material presents an ordered cubic spinel structure, good capacity retention upon cycling (131 mAh g{sup -1} at C/10 and 117 mAh g{sup -1} at 1C) and good electronic conductivity (10{sup -6} S cm{sup -1} at RT). The simultaneous presence of Mn{sup 3+}/Mn{sup 4+} in the structure has been investigated and explained by inclusion of disordered nanodomains in the structure. (author)

CERN Document Server

We provide a scenario in which a hidden U(1) gauge boson constitutes dark matter of the Universe and decays into the standard-model particles through a kinetic mixing with an $U(1)_{B-L}$ gauge boson. Interestingly, our model can naturally account for the steep rise in the positron fraction recently reported by PAMELA. Moreover, we find that due to the charge assignment of $U(1)_{B-L}$, only a small amount of antiprotons are produced in the decay, which is also consistent with the PAMELA and other observational data.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electron momentum density is measured applying positron annihilation and Compton spectroscopy in order to get information about electron wave functions. Compton spectroscopic measurements of Pd-Ag and Cu-Zn alloy systems are carried out taking into account crystal structure, mixability, and order state. Three-dimensional momentum densities of silicon are determined in order to get better information about its electronic structure. The momentum density and the spin density of ferromagnetic nickel are investigated using angular correlation curves.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The addition of a thermionic rf gun [1] and a photocathode rf gun will allow the Advanced Photon Source (APS) linear accelerator (linac) [2] [3] to become a free-electron laser (FEL) driver [4]. As the FEL project progresses, the existing high-charge DC thermionic gun will no longer be critical to APS operation and could be used to generate high-energy or low-energy electrons to drive a slow-positron source. We investigated possibilities to create a useful low-energy source that could operate semi-independently and would have a low neutron background.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objectives of this study were to estimate symbiotic nitrogen fixation by two common pasture legumes, Trifolium subterraneum L. and Medicago truncatula Gaertn., and an Australian native legume, Acacia dealbata Link, growing in pots using an indirect isotopic method. This method was also used to calibrate the C2H2 reduction assay of the intact plants. In addition, hydrogen evolution was measured in an attempt to explain the variations in C2H2:N2 ratios between the species. 25 refs.; 1 figure; 4 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

The fuel cell control problem was studied. Attempts were made to control the output current of the fuel cell by starving it of hydrogen and oxygen. The motivation of this work was to increase efficiency by minimizing waste of fuel. The following findings were obtained: H2 starvation works better than O2 starvation; An optimal H2 to O2 ratio exists for combined H2&O2 starvation; The control scheme for H2&O2 starvation works well for 3 different disturbance tests and at 25 degrees C, 60 degrees C, and 80 degrees C; Fuel cell under reactant starvation is stable for at least 72 hrs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Positron annihilation experiments on Fe-Cu model dilute alloys of nuclear reactor pressure vessel (RPV) steels have been performed after neutron irradiation in JMTR. Nanovoids whose inner surfaces were covered by Cu atoms were clearly observed. The nanovoids transformed to ultrafine Cu precipitates by dissociating their vacancies after annealing at around 400degC. The nanovoids and the ultrafine Cu precipitates are strongly suggested to be responsible for irradiation-induced embrittlement of RPV steels. Effects of Ni, Mn and P addition on the nanovoid and Cu precipitate formations were also studied. The nanovoid formation was enhanced by Ni and P, but suppressed by Mn. The Cu precipitates after annealing around 400degC were almost free from these doping elements and hence were pure Cu in the chemical composition. Furthermore the Fermi surface of the 'embedded' Cu precipitates with a body centered cubic crystal structure was obtained from two ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of this work is to develop sealing materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). A suitable sealant must form strong, dense bonds with SOFC components, be chemically and mechanically compatible with the components, be stable at 1000 degrees C in the operating environment of the SOFC (H_2 and H_2O on the anode side, O_2 on the cathode side), and must be nonconductive.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The H-D exchange reaction has been measured with the D2-H2O system, for Rhodobacter capsulatus JP91, which lacks the hupSL-encoded hydrogenase, and R. capsulatus BSE16, which lacks the HupUV proteins....Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on the chemical looping combustion of coal-derived synthesis gas with bentonite-supported metal oxidesssuch as iron oxide, nickel oxide, manganese oxide, and copper oxideswas investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, mass spectrometry, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). During the reaction with synthesis gas containing H2S, metal-oxide oxygen carriers were first reduced by carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and then interacted with H2S to form metal sulfide, which resulted in a weight gain during the reduction/sulfidation step. The reduced/sulfurized compounds could be regenerated to form sulfur dioxide and oxides during the oxidation reaction with air. The reduction/oxidation capacities of iron oxide and nickel oxide were not affected by the presence of H2S, but both ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

During the last decade, new radiopharmaceutical have been introduced for brain imaging. The marked differences of these tracers in tissue specificity within the brain and their increasing use for diagnostic studies support the need for a more anthropomorphic model of the human brain and head. Brain and head models developed in the past have been only simplistic representations of this anatomic region. For example, the brain within the phantom of MIRD Pamphlet No. 5 Revised is modeled simply as a single ellipsoid of tissue With no differentiation of its internal structures. To address this need, the MIRD Committee established a Task Group in 1992 to construct a more detailed brain model to include the cerebral cortex, the white matter, the cerebellum, the thalamus, the caudate nucleus, the lentiform nucleus, the cerebral spinal fluid, the lateral ventricles, and the third ventricle. This brain model has been included within a slightly modified version of the head model developed by ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

1 - Description of program or function: MCB-JEF2.2 is a continuous-energy cross section libraries in ACE Format suitable for the MCB-1C and MCNP codes. Libraries for various materials were generated at six different Temperatures, and cover the energy range up to 20 MeV. Format: ACE. Number of groups: Continuous energy. Nuclides: H-1, H-2, H-3, He-3, He-4, Li-6, Li-7, Be-9, B-10, B-11, C-nat., N-14, N-15, O-16, O-17, Na-23, F-19, Mg-nat., Al-27, Si-nat., P-31, S-32, S-33, S-34, S-36, Cl-nat, K-nat, Ca-nat., Ti-nat, V-nat, Cr-50, Cr-52, Cr-53, Cr-54, Mn-55, Fe-54, Fe-56, Fe-57, Fe-58, Co-59, Ni-58, Ni-59, Ni-60, Ni-61, Ni-62, Ni-64, Cu-nat, Ga-nat, Ge-72, Ge-73, Ge-74, Ge-76, As-75, Se-74, Se-76, Se-77, Se-78, Se-80, Se-82, Br-79, Br-81, Kr-78, Kr-80, Kr-82, Kr-83, Kr-84, Kr-85, Kr-86, Rb-85, Rb-86, Rb-87, Sr-84, Sr-86, Sr-87, Sr-88, Sr-89, Sr-90, Y-89, Y-90, Y-91, Zr-nat, Zr-90, Zr-91, Zr-92, Zr-93, ...

CERN Document Server

Anti-proton and positron Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) spectra are among the key targets for indirect detection of dark matter (DM). The boost factors, corresponding to an enhancement of the signal|linked to the clumpiness properties of the dark matter distribution|, have been taken as high as thousands in the past. The dramatic impact of these boost factors for indirect detection of antiparticles, for instance with the PAMELA satellite or the coming AMS-02 experiment, asks for their detailed calculation. We take into account the state-of-the-art results of high resolution N-body dark matter simulations to calculate the most likely energy dependent boost factors|linked to the GCR propagation properties|, for anti-protons and positrons. The results from extreme, but still possible, configurations of the clumpy dark matter component is also discussed. Starting from the mass and space distributions of sub-halos, the anti-proton and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The macrotemporal structure of the Super-ACO Storage ring free-electron laser (FEL) can be either continuous, pulsed, or chaotic, and can present some rapid fluctuations. The temporal evolution of a storage ring FEL involves both the longitudinal motion of the positron beam (especially the synchrotron oscillations) and the FEL dynamics, as in a coupled system. Studies on the dynamics of the positron beam are performed here, in the goal to have a stable source for FEL applications, and to determine the conditions for a stable Q-switching experiment. The employed method is to study the influence of a controlled change of the radio frequency (RF) (modulation or frequency jump) on the beam. A simple theoretical model taking into account the perturbed RF system is presented to help the understanding of the experimental data. The different methods of measurement are described. Then, the results are given for several experimental conditions and the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Most plans for the disposition of surplus nuclear materials involve storage in sealed containers where the evolution of gases from reactions of adsorbed water could present both pressure and flammability hazards[l] . Despite efforts such as calcining the material to minimize the water content prior to packaging, both residual moisture and readsorbed water may be present in the final containers . Given the anticipated temperature excursions during transportation and storage, this water may thermally desorb, increasing the pressure, and/or thermally dissociate to produce H2 gas, increasing flammability hazards . In addition, the radiation from the nuclear material may induce radiolysis of the water with the likely products being water vapor, H2, 02 and H2O2. In order to better understand the relative importance of the thermal- and radiationinduced chemistry, we ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The synthesis and structures of three new compounds are reported. [Mg2{PhP(Se,O)Se-Se(O,Se)PPh}2(thf)7(H2O)3] (1), [Mg{PhP(Se,O)Se-Se(O,Se)PPh}(thf)3(H2O)] (2), and [Mn{PhP(Se,O)Se-Se(O,Se)PPh}(thf)3(H2O)] (3) were prepared by treatment of Woollins reagent [PhP(Se)(m-Se)]2 with the corresponding hydrated metal acetates.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of chemical pretreatments using NaOH, H2O2, and Ca(OH)2 on Empty Palm Fruit Bunches (EPFB) to degrade EPFB lignin before pyrolyis was investigated. Spectrophotometer analysis proved consecutive addition of NaOH and H2O2 decomposed almost 100% of EPFB lignin compared to 44% for the Ca(OH)2, H2O2 system while NaOH and Ca(OH)2 used exclusively could not alter lignin much. Next, the pretreated EPFB was catalytically pyrolyzed. Experimental results indicated the phenolic yields over Al-MCM-41 and HZSM-5 catalysts were 90wt% and 80wt%, respectively compared to 67wt% yield for the untreated sample under the same set of conditions. Meanwhile, the experiments with HY zeolite yielded 70wt% phenols.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The systems CH_3COHNC_6H_4CH_3-HI-H_2O, CH_3CONHC_6H_4CH_3-HIO_3-H_2O, CH_3CONHC_6H_4CH_3-H_5IO_6-H_2O have been studied by the solubility method. It has been ascertained that the systems containing periodic and iodic acids are referred to systems of simple eutonic type. Formation of compound of o-methylacetanilide with iodic acid of equimolecular composition has been proved. Concentrational boundaries of its existence in solutions have been established, its certain physicochemical characteristics being determined.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A mechanism is proposed for the previously observed [1] jump in erythrocyte fluidity through a microcapillary 1.3 ?m in diameter at a temperature of 36.6?0.3?C. Our interpretation is based on the experimental evidence both for existence of ortho and para H2O isomers in water and on spin-selective interaction of proteins with para H2O isomers as hydration shells of biomolecules are being formed [2]. It is important that the formation of hydration shells of proteins and DNA in aqueous solutions is accompanied by an increase in the Brillouin shift to 0.4 cm?1 (?0.25 cm?1 in water), which points to the formation of icelike structures. We believe that the coincidence of the translational energy kT of the Brownian motion and the energy of the rotational quanta for the 313?202 transition of para ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The detectors used in the TS93 balloon flight produced a large volume of information for each cosmic ray trigger. Some of the data was visual in nature, other portions contained energy deposition and timing information. The data sets are amenable to conventional analysis techniques but there is no assurance that conventional techniques make full use of subtle correlations and relations amongst the detector responses. With the advent of neural network technologies, particularly adept at classification of complex phenomena, it would seem appropriate to explore the utility of neural network techniques to classify particles observed with the instruments. In this paper neural network based methodology for signal/background discrimination in a cosmic ray space experiment is discussed. Results are presented for electron and positron classification in the TS93 flight data set and will be compared to conventional analyses.

CERN Document Server

Dark Matter annihilation (DMA) may yield an excess of gamma rays and antimatter particles, like antiprotons and positrons, above the background from cosmic ray interactions. Several signatures, ranging from the positron excess, as observed by HEAT, AMS-01 and PAMELA, the gamma ray excess, as observed by the EGRET spectrometer, the WMAP-haze, and constraints from antiprotons, as observed by CAPRICE, BESS and PAMELA, have been discussed in the literature. Unfortunately, the different signatures all lead to different WIMP masses, indicating that at least some of these interpretations are likely to be incorrect. Here we review them and discuss their relative merits and uncertainties. New x-ray data from ROSAT suggests non-negligible convection in our Galaxy, which leads to an order of magnitude uncertainty in the yield of charged particles from DMA, since even a rather small convection will let drift the charged particles in the halo to outer ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The subject of cosmic ray antiproton production is reexamined by considering other choices for the nature of the Majorana fermion chi other than the photino considered in a previous article. The calculations are extended to include cosmic-ray positrons and cosmic gamma rays as annihilation products. Taking chi to be a generic higgsino or simply a heavy Majorana neutrino with standard couplings to the Z-zero boson allows the previous interpretation of the cosmic antiproton data to be maintained. In this case also, the annihilation cross section can be calculated independently of unknown particle physics parameters. Whereas the relic density of photinos with the choice of parameters in the previous paper turned out to be only a few percent of the closure density, the corresponding value for Omega in the generic higgsino or Majorana case is about 0.2, in excellent agreement with the value associated with galaxies and one which is sufficient to give the halo mass. 52 ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Absorption coefficient data are presented for molecular oxygen at temperatures between 1100 and 2000K and discrete wavelengths between 211 and 235nm. Measurements were made behind reflected shock waves using broad-linewidth ultraviolet laser radiation generated from a frequency-quadrupled, tunable, pulsed Ti:Sapphire laser. Test mixtures consisting of 15% O"2, 15% He and balance Ar were used to minimize the influence of vibrational relaxation on the reflected shock temperature. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations and confirm that discrete features from the Schumann-Runge system dominate between 211 and 235nm at temperatures higher than 1100K.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The pentenary compound semiconductor Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 is one of the most attractive materials for high-efficiency solar cells due to its tunable band gap to match well the solar spectrum. In this study, semiconducting Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 thin films were prepared by a classical two-step growth process, which involves the selenization and/or sulfurization of In/Cu?Ga precursor. During the precursor formation step metallic In/Cu?Ga alloys were deposited onto the Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrates by DC magnetron sputter process. The respective precursors were subsequently reacted with H2Se and/or H2S gasses, at elevated temperatures. By optimizing the selenization parameters, such as the gas concentrations, reaction time, reaction temperature, and the flow of H2Se and H2S, high quality, single...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One regenerative path to produce hydrogen is the photo-biological hydrogen production by the green micro-alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. This process can be divided into three phases: a growth phase, a phase in which the algae adapt from oxygen production and CO2-fixation to fermentative H2 production, and a phase in which H2 is produced. In a research project carried out at Ruhr-Universitat Bochum, a new developed flat panel bioreactor was investigated. A system analysis was conducted and energetic and environmental key figures were determined. The intention of this assessment on a very early technological stage was to collect first technical data in order to classify the current technological status of the photo-biological H2 production to identify future potentials and to uncover weaknesses. For this reason the key figures were evaluated for the status quo ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We describe the characteristics of the rapidly rotating molecular disk in the nucleus of the mildly active galaxy NGC4258. The morphology and kinematics of the disk are delineated by the point-like...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Normal cells, both in vivo and in vitro, become quiescent after serial cell proliferation. During this process, cells can develop immortality with genomic instability,...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Magnetic moment and susceptibility of single crystals of rare earth tartrates of the type R(C4H4O6)(C4H5O6)3H2O (where R = Gd, Ho, and Yb), using a vibration sample magnetometer are reported. The experimental values of molar susceptibilities for Gd(C4H4O6)(C4H5O6)3H2O, Ho(C4H4O6)(C4H5O6)3H2O, and Yb(C4H4O6)(C4H5O6)3H2O are 2.58x10-2, 4.66x10-2, and 8.03x10-3 (in cgs em units), respectively. The calculated effective magnetic moments are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions on rare earth ions.

CERN Document Server

Ultra-luminous infrared galaxies are among the most luminous objects in the local universe and are thought to be powered by intense star formation. It has been shown that in these objects the rotational spectral lines of molecular hydrogen observed at mid-infrared wavelengths are not affected by dust obscuration, leaving unresolved the source of excitation of this emission. Here I report an analysis of archival Spitzer Space Telescope data on ultra-luminous infrared galaxies and demonstrate that star formation regions are buried inside optically thick clouds of gas and dust, so that dust obscuration affects star-formation indicators but not molecular hydrogen. I thereby establish that the emission of H_2 is not co-spatial with the buried starburst activity and originates outside the obscured regions. This is rather surprising in light of the standard view that H_2 emission is directly associated with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The conditions of production and the stability regions have been studied for the following crystallohydrates of trisubstituted uranyl orthophosphates: (UO_2)_3(PO_4)_2x6H_2O, (UO_2)_3(PO_4)_2x4H_2O, and (UO_2)_3(PO_4)_2xH_2O. Their thermal stability has been studied. It is shown that thermal dehydration of high-water hydrates at 220-240 deg C gives (UO_2)_3(PO_4)_2xH_2O. The anion composition and crystal structure of the compound remain constant up to 1000 deg C. The mixture of the composition of U_3O_8xU_3(PO_4)_4 is the final product of decomposition at 1000 deg C. The thermodynamic constants of dehydration processes have been calculated. A conclusion has been made about the polymer structure of the compound in which water is located between the uranylphosphate layers.

Science.gov (United States)

May 31, 2011 ... Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Novel Indium Mercapto Derivative [Clln(SCH2(CO)O)2]2-[(4-MepyH)2]2+. 284. System Mass ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Six uranyl coordination compounds, UO_2(OH)(PYCA) (1), UO_2(PYCA)_2(H_2O).2H_2O (2), UO_2(PIC)_2 (3), UO_2(H_2O)_2(NIC)_2 (4), UO_2(OH)(HINIC)(INIC) (5), and UO_2(PYTAC)_2(H_2O)_2 (6) were grown as single crystals via hydrothermal synthesis (PYCA - pyrazine-2-carboxylate, PIC - picolinate, NIC - nicotinate, INIC - iso-nicotinate, and PYTAC - 2-(pyridin-4-yl)thiazole-5-carboxylate) to study their optical properties. All six compounds have been identified via single crystal X-ray diffraction and fully characterized via powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Three of the complexes, 1, 3, and 6, represent new structures, and their synthesis and structural characterization is detailed within. The structures of 2, 4, and 5 have previously been reported in the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) was used to study outgassing from polycrystalline SiGe (poly-SiGe), SiC and SiO"2 films used for poly-SiGe-based MEMS thin film vacuum package technology. Primary desorption products were found to be H"2, H"2O and CO"2. The CO"2 outgassing could be correlated with CF"4 plasma interface cleaning used for thick SiGe PECVD, which can leave carbon at the CF"4-plasma-cleaned interface.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We characterized the absorption and short-term translocation of cadmium (Cd) in rice (Oryza sativa ‘Nipponbare’) quantitatively using serial images observed with a positron-emitting...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

By the methods of the angular distribution of photon annihilation, time distribution of photon annihilation, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Fourier IR-spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy the detail information on relation of the structural and physical properties of the porous nano-structures is obtained. Study of pores sizes in a different nano-porous materials, such as the porous silicon, porous anode aluminium oxide, porous solids exposed to light atoms ion implantation (hydrogen, deuterium, helium) is carried out.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies were performed on a case of neuro-Behcet's syndrome. In accordance with the clinical signs, FDG PET (using /sup 18/F-labeled 2-F-2'-desoxyglucose) revealed disseminated storage defects in the cerebrum and cerebellum. Focal regions of enhanced signal intensity were demonstrated in the parietal white matter of the cerebrum in T2-weighted images and in the brain stem by MRI. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A model for generating the observed cosmic-ray antiproton spectrum in plasma consisting mainly of electron--positron pairs (n/sub plus-or-minus//n/sub p/> or approx. =10) is discussed. Coulomb collisions in the plasma would cause additional energy losses, significantly enhancing the antiproton flux at energies < or approx. =1 GeV. The computed p-bar/p ratio satisfactorily fits the observations.

CERN Document Server

Using data collected with the BESII detector at $e^{+}e^{-}$ storage ring Beijing Electron Positron Collider, the measurements of relative branching fractions for seven Cabibbo suppressed hadronic weak decays $D^0 \\to K^- K^+$, $\\pi^+ \\pi^-$, $K^- K^+ \\pi^+ \\pi^-$ and $\\pi^+ \\pi^+ \\pi^- \\pi^-$, $D^+ \\to \\bar{K^0} K^+$, $K^- K^+ \\pi^+$ and $\\pi^- \\pi^+ \\pi^+$ are presented.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A possibility of short-lived isotopes production in inter-tank section between the first and the second drift tube tanks (20.45 MeV) in INR linac is considered. At the initial stage the main efforts are concentrated on production of fluorine-18 used for positron emission tomography. The results of beam forming calculations, target heating calculations, equipment activation calculations as well as installation configuration and design are presented.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We present our plans for a Monte-Carlo code simulating all possible combinations of (electromagnetic) interactions between colliding electron, positron, and both high-energy and laser photon beams, based, on the ABEL code for beam-beam interaction. The implementation and first results for the laser-e"- interaction are described.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carbon monoxide can be produced in severe accidents from interaction of ex-vessel molten core with concrete. Depending on the particular core-melt scenario, the type of concrete and geometric factors affecting the interaction, the quantities of carbon monoxide produced can vary widely, up to several volume percent in the containment. Carbon monoxide is a combustible gas. The carbon monoxide thus produced is in addition to the hydrogen produced by metal-water reactions and by radiolysis, and represents a possibly significant contribution to the combustible gas inventory in the containment. Assessment of possible accident loads to containment thus requires knowledge of the combustion properties of both CO and H_2 in the containment atmosphere. Extensive studies have been carried out and are still continuing in the nuclear industry to assess the threat of hydrogen in a severe reactor accident. However the contribution of carbon monoxide to the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thermo-reactive diffusion chromizing followed by pulsed plasma nitriding were carried out on AISI 52100 and 8620 bearing steels. The chromized samples were pulse-plasma nitrided for 5 h at 500 deg. C in various N_2-H_2 gas mixtures. The coated steels were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and microhardness testing. The unlubricated wear behaviors of only chromized and duplex treated steels were investigated in ball-on-disc system tests at room temperature. X-ray diffraction patterns of the duplex treated samples containing H_2 indicated the formation of dominant CrN and Cr_2N nitrides as well as the formation of Cr_3C_2 and Cr_7C_3 carbides. Gas mixtures in the plasma nitriding, which was performed after chromizing, have a significant influence on the wear rate of the duplex treated steels. The wear and friction tests showed that the lowest friction coefficient and wear ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We investigate the relationship between spiral arms and star formation in the grand-design spirals NGC 5194 and NGC 628 and in the flocculent spiral NGC 6946. Filtered maps of near-IR (3.6 #mu#m) emission allow us to identify 'arm regions' that should correspond to regions of stellar mass density enhancements. The two grand-design spirals show a clear two-armed structure, while NGC 6946 is more complex. We examine these arm and interarm regions, looking at maps that trace recent star formation-far-ultraviolet (GALEX NGS) and 24 #mu#m emission (Spitzer SINGS)-and cold gas-CO (HERACLES) and H I (THINGS). We find the star formation tracers and CO more concentrated in the spiral arms than the stellar 3.6 #mu#m flux. If we define the spiral arms as the 25% highest pixels in the filtered 3.6 #mu#m images, we find that the majority (60%) of star formation tracers occur in the interarm regions; this result persists qualitatively even when considering the potential impact of finite data ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Vanadium(V) in aqueous HCl, HNO_3 or H_2SO_4 solutions is extracted with 2-carbethoxy-5-hydroxy-1-(4-tolyl)-4-pyridone (HA) dissolved in CHCl_3 and determined spectrophotometrically, Depending on the composition of the aqueous phase, two complexes are formed. At pH 1 (HCl, HNO_3, H_2SO_4) VO_2A(HA)_2 is formed with maximal absorption at 478 nm. However, from 4-5 M HCl, VO_2Cl(HA)_3 is extracted, and has maximal absorption at 615 nm. The same complex is extracted from 2-3 M HNO_3 or 3-4 M H_2SO_4 if enough chloride is added. Solutions of both complexes follow Beer's law and the molar extinction coefficients are 4.15x10"3 1.mole"-"1cm"-"1 at 478 nm and 5.10x10"3 at 615 nm. The determination of vanadium at both wavelengths is very simple, fast and selective. The composition of the complexes was established by the usual methods as well as by characterization of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High general corrosion resistance of high-alloy OCTG (oil country tubular goods) to CO_2 may be limited by pitting corrosion in presence of chlorides and sulfides. The pitting resistance of 13% Cr steel, duplex and high Ni austenitic stainless steels have been examined by electrochemical measurements in a high temperature, high pressure autoclave simulating the well conditions. Each steel shows the pitting potential in CO_2-NaCl-H_2O system, the value of which being less noble as the Cl"- concentration and the temperature increase. The presence of H_2S is also detrimental. High alloying additions of Cr and Mo enhance pitting resistance whether or not H_2S is present. The corrosion potentials of these steels in the simulating well conditions in which oxygen is absent do not exceed the pitting potential. Therefore, pitting corrosion can not occur by the passivity ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Single crystal tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles were prepared via a microwave-assisted method. Electrochemical activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on WO3 supported on carbon black (WO3/C) electrocatalyst was first studied in acid solution (0.5 M H2SO4) and alkaline solution (1.0 M KOH) at room temperature. The overall experimental results revealed that the electrocatalytic activity for HER on WO3/C is one order magnitude higher than those obtained with carbon black in 0.5 M H2SO4 and is six times than in the case of carbon black in 1.0 M KOH. These results demonstrated that WO3 could enhance the electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction in acid solution (0.5 M H2SO4) and alkaline solution (1.0 M KOH). On the other hand, the kinetic reaction mechanisms were disc...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The symmetric noncoplanar (e,2e) cross sections (momentum profiles) of H_2 and D_2 for the transitions to the 2p#sigma#_u and 2s#sigma#_g excited ion states have been measured, relative to the ground-state ion transition, using a high-sensitivity multichannel momentum-dispersive electron momentum spectrometer (EMS) at an impact energy of 1200 eV. Newly calculated plane-wave impulse approximation (PWIA) cross sections, based on a full-configuration-interaction H_2 wave function, are compared to the experimental results. These calculations are in better agreement with the experimental results for the transition to the 2s#sigma#_g ion state than the earlier theoretical work of Liu and Smith, Jr. [Phys. Rev. A 31, 3003 (1985)] which has been found to be in error. Nevertheless, significant discrepancies between the relative experimental and theoretical cross sections are observed for the transitions to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Two plasma chemistries, i.e., CH_4/H_2/Ar and Cl_2/Ar, were compared for the etching of InGaP, AlInP, and AlGaP under inductively coupled plasma (ICP) conditions. While the etching with CH_4/H_2/Ar discharges appears to be ion driven, Cl_2/Ar discharges showed an additional strong chemical enhancement. The highest etch rate (#approx#1 #mu#m/min) for InGaP was achieved at high ICP source power (#>=#750 W) with the Cl_2/Ar chemistry. Cl_2/Ar discharges provided very smooth surfaces in all three materials with root-mean-square roughness measured by atomic force microscopy around 2 nm. This result may be due to the efficient ion-assisted product desorption in this chemistry. The etched near-surface region of InGaP (#approx#100 Angstrom) with Cl_2/Ar maintained almost the same stoichiometry as that of the unetched control. By contrast, the CH_4/H_2/Ar plasma ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The work scope of 'Biological Research for the Radiation Protection' had contained the research about ornithine decarboxylase and its controlling proteins, thioredoxin, peroxiredoxin, S-adenosymethionine decarboxylase, and glutamate decarboxylase 67KD effect on the cell death triggered ionizing radiation and H_2O_2(toxic agents). In this study, to elucidate the role of these proteins in the ionizing radiation (or H_2O_2)-induced apoptotic cell death, we utilized sensesed (or antisensed) cells, which overexpress (or down-regulate) RNAs associated with these proteins biosynthesis, and investigated the effects of these genes on the cytotoxicity caused by ionizing radiation and H_2O_2(or paraquat). We also investigated whether genisteine(or thiamine) may enhance the cytotoxic efficacy of tumor cells caused by ionizing radiation (may enhance the preventing effect ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper reports measurements of absolute differential cross sections for the direct scattering of oxygen atoms by He, Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe, H_2, N_2, O_2, CO, CO_2, H_2O, SO_2, NH_3, CH_4, CF_4, and SF_6 targets. The measured cross sections include contributions from all elastic and inelastic processes that result in a fast neutral oxygen atom product. Cross sections are presented for 0.5- and 1.5-keV projectile energies over the laboratory angular range 0.2 degree endash 5 degree. When compared in the center-of-mass reference frame, these cross sections exhibit a high degree of similarity in both amplitude and angular dependence. The cross sections for N_2, CO, CO_2, and H_2O are inverted using a partial-wave analysis to yield empirical interaction potentials, which can then be used to extrapolate the measurements down to lower energies. Using these potentials, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

When a highly collimated beam of particles is aimed along the atomic rows of an aligned single crystal, the averaging effect of high speed motion results, to the lowest order of approximation, in crystal electric fields which are transverse to the atomic rows. The enormous magnitude of the crystal transverse electric fields is unsurpassed by any other known earth-bound macroscopic sources. For example, the field strengths along the <100> axis of tungsten at 77 K approach 9{center dot}10{sup 13}V/m. Thus quantum electrodynamic (QED) processes in strong fields which are thought to occur only in the extra-terrestrial environment can now be investigated in the laboratory. Here we review the results of measurements performed at the SPS facility in CERN using highly collimated beams of electrons, positrons and photons in the 20-200 GeV range, and germanium crystals cooled to 77 K with thicknesses ranging from 0.07 mm to 1.40 mm. The focus is on the simplest ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The production of radiopharmaceuticals used in positron emission tomography (PET) can require large amounts of activity at the start of synthesis in order to yield sufficient labeled material for clinical studies. Several investigators have developed remote and automated systems for the routine production of PET radiopharmaceuticals in order to reduce radiation exposure to personnel. Such devices, however, suffer from limited flexibility and can be relatively complicated in design. These systems are also limited to the production of a single or a few closely related compounds. Furthermore, changes in chemistry would require considerable modifications in hardware and/or software in order to bring the device back into operation. To circumvent the above limitations associated with the remote production of PET radiopharmaceuticals, the authors have investigated the use of laboratory robotics as a flexible alternative to the synthesis of several short-lived ...

CERN Document Server

AMS is a particle detector designed to perform high precision measurements of the cosmic rays fluxes with the main goals of searching for anti-nuclei, as remnants of primordial anti-matter, and of measuring the faintest components of the cosmic flux, anti- protons, positrons and high energy photons. To fulfill the requirements of large acceptance, long exposure time and excellent particle identification needed to achieve the intended results, AMS will operate in space as an attached payload to the International Space Station (ISS), being the first full featured particle physics experiment to operate in the Earth orbit. The AMS-02 accurate measurements of cosmic-ray nuclei, protons, antiprotons, electrons and positrons will be completed by high energy gamma rays detection. The experiment will detect gamma-rays, either by reconstructing e+e? pairs generated by photons converted upstream the tracker (conversion mode), or based on direct ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In cases of obstructive colorectal cancer (CRC), preoperative diagnosis of the proximal lesion is often difficult when the primary lesion impedes the passage of the endoscope. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in such cases. A total of 52 obstructive CRC patients who underwent preoperative FDG-PET and subsequent surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. The correlation between characteristics of the proximal lesion and FDG-PET findings was analyzed statistically. There was a significant correlation between the proximal lesion size and the maximum standardized uptake value (P=0.00016). Abnormal FDG accumulation in the proximal colon indicated the existence of proximal cancer or adenoma with a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 100%. There was a significant difference in the distribution of tumor size between the cases with proximal abnormal accumulation and those ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Depth resolved positron annihilation studies on Pd/Si thin film system have been carried out to investigate silicide phase formation and vacancy defect production induced by thermal annealing. The evolution of defect sensitive S-parameter clearly indicates the presence of divacancy defects across the interface, due to enhanced Si diffusion beyond 870 K consequent to silicide formation. Corroborative glancing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) have elucidated the aspects related to silicide phase formation and Si surface segregation.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We discuss polarizing a proton beam in a storage ring, either by selective removal or by spin flip of the stored ions. Prompted by recent, conflicting calculations, we have carried out a measurement of the spin-flip cross section in low-energy electron-proton scattering. The experiment uses the cooling electron beam at COSY as an electron target. The measured cross sections are too small for making spin flip a viable tool in polarizing a stored beam. This invalidates a recent proposal to use co-moving polarized positrons to polarize a stored antiproton beam.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) performed with PET/CT cameras allow us to obtain concurrently information on the presence and degree of alterations of myocardial perfusion and metabolism and on coronary arteries calcification. Furthermore, by gated myocardial perfusion studies, PET may provide crucial information on regional coronary blood flow reserve and endothelial dysfunction. A number of recent papers provide some insight on the potential of PET/CT in cardiology and in the assessment of various cardiovascular diseases including various types of vasculitis and metabolic diseases.

CERN Document Server

The branching ratio of J/psi-->K_S K_L is measured with improved precision to be B(J/psi-->K_S K_L) = (1.82\\pm 0.04\\pm 0.13)\\times 10^{-4}. using J/psi data collected with the Beijing Spectrometer (BESII) at the Beijing Electron-Positron Collider. This result is used to test the perturbative QCD ``12%'' rule between psi(2S) and J/psi decays and to investigate the relative phase between the three-gluon and one-photon annihilation amplitudes in J/psi decays.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We provide two examples to illustrate how electronic structure calculations contribute to our understanding of vacancies and their role in determining material properties. Diffusion and elctromigration in aluminium are known to depend strongly on vacancies. Electronic structure calculations show that the vacancy-impurity interaction oscillates with distance, and this leads to an explanation for both the increased elctromigration resistance and the slow impurity diffusion for copper in aluminium. Calculations of vacancies in plutonium have been used in conjunction with positron annihilation lifetime measurements to identify the presence of helium-filled vacanies. Helium stabilization of vacancies can provide the precursors for subsequent vacancy-related changes in materials properties.

CERN Document Server

PAMELA is a space telescope orbiting around the Earth since June 2006. The scientific objectives addressed by the mission are the measurement of the antiprotons and positrons spectra in cosmic rays, the hunt for anti-nuclei as well as the determination of light nuclei fluxes from Hydrogen to Oxygen in a wide energy range and with very high statistics. In this paper the charge discrimination capabilities of the PAMELA Time-Of-Flight system for light nuclei, determined during a beam test calibration, will be presented.

CERN Document Server

We entertain the idea that a suitable background of cold (very low momentum) pseudoscalar particles or condensate, may trigger a background that effectively generates Lorentz-invariance violation. This aether-like background induces a Chern-Simons modification of QED. Physics is different in different frames and, in the rest frame of the pseudoscalar background, high momentum photons can decay into pairs. The threshold for such decay depends quadratically on the rest mass of the particles. This mechanism could explain in a natural way why antiprotons are absent in recent cosmic ray measurements. A similar signal could be used as a probe of pseudoscalar condensation in heavy ion collisions.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Corrosion inhibition of iron in H2SO4 by polyacrylic acid (PAA) was investigated using electrochemical techniques at 30degreeC. Results obtained indicate that PAA inhibited the corrosion of iron in the acid medium. Inhibition efficiency increases with increase in PAA concentration and synergistically enhanced on addition of iodide ions. Potentiodynamic polarization results suggest that PAA functions as a modest cathodic inhibitor. The adsorption of PAA onto the iron surface followed Temkin adsorption isotherm. FTIR analysis revealed that the synergistic effect due to co-adsorption of iodide ions and PAA is co-operative in nature.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

P-implantation (10"1"7 ions cm"-"2, 40 KeV) into 304 stainless steel (ss) has been carried out, and an amorphous surface alloy was formed. Polarization studies in deaerated 1N H_2SO_4+ 2% NaCl showed that P-implantation improved both the general and localized corrosion resistance of 304 ss. A comparative study has been carried out between the implanted and unimplanted steel to determine what influence P-implantation has upon the properties of the passive film formed 1N H_2SO_4. The influence of Cl ions on pre-formed passive films was also studied. RHEED, XPS and AES were used to evaluate the nature of the passive films formed in these studies.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optical emission of excited H reflected from clean Cu(110) after impingement of H"+ and H_2"+ in the energy range of 250 eV to 20 keV per nucleon at 70"0 angle of incidence to the surface normal was measured. For incident 10 keV H_2"+, the highest excited hydrogen state detected was the n=10 level. The Hsub(#alpha#) yield was found to be fluence and energy dependent. This effect is attributed either to fast sputtered hydrogen, surface roughness or to an increase with hydrogen concentration in electron states of p-like symmetry near the Fermi level of copper. The Hsub(#alpha#) yield per reflected nucleon shows approximately an exponential dependence on both projectile energy per nucleon and scattered particle reciprocal velocity perpendicular to the surface. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In a sufficiently large cluster of several polar molecules, collective interactions lead to localization or 'solvation' of electrons. The existence of the solvated electron is known since 1863 in liquid ammonia and since 1962 for liquid water. In 1984, electron localization in clusters was experimentally demonstrated in (H_2O)_N_#>=#_1_1 and (NH_3)_N_#>=#_3_4 clusters. In cooperation with K. Bowen, we recently initiated a test of the theory of electron binding by a dipole and a new ground state dipole bound dimer anion, (H_2O..NH_3), was predicted and observed. We here describe results of a search for new dipole-bound and solvated electron systems. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurements of absolute differential cross sections for H"+-H_2 direct, single-, and double-charge-transfer scattering at 0.5, 1.5, and 5.0 keV are reported at laboratory scattering angles less than 1 degree with an angular resolution of approximately 0.02 degree. The cross sections exhibit deep interference oscillations in single-charge-transfer scattering, but no such oscillations are present in direct and double-charge-transfer scattering. Theoretical cross sections derived using the diatoms-in-molecules method to describe the molecular states in a semiclassical molecular-orbital three-state close-coupling model within a semiclassical framework agree satisfactorily with the experimental results.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Potential of spent biomass of a cyanobacterium, Nostoc linckia HA 46, from a hydrogen bioreactor was studied for biosorption of a textile dye, reactive red 198. The waste biomass was immobilized in calcium alginate and used for biosorption of the dye from aqueous solution using response surface methodology (RSM). Kinetics of the dye in aqueous solution was studied in batch mode. Interactive effects of initial dye concentration (100-500mg/L), pH (2-6) and temperature (25-45^oC) on dye removal were examined using Box-Behnken design. Maximum adsorption capacity of the immobilized biomass was 93.5mg/g at pH 2.0, initial concentration of 100mg/L and 35^oC temperature, when 94% of the dye was removed. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) studies revealed that biosorption was mainly mediated by fun...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Hydrogen (H) plasma treatment, oxygen (O) plasma treatment and water (H_2O)-vapor heat treatment for polycrystalline-silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) have been analyzed by separately extracting trap density at a front silicon-oxide interface (D_F) and trap density at a back interface (D_B). It is found that the H plasma treatment is apt to generate D_F and D_B. The O plasma treatment reduces D_F, while the H_2O-vapor heat treatment reduces both D_F and D_B. Improvement of transistor characteristics of poly-Si TFTs depends on understanding these results.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Austenitic stainless steel AISI 304 has been nitrided by radio frequency (rf) plasma containing various nitrogen-hydrogen gas mixtures, in order to study the effect of hydrogen on structure and magnetic properties of the formed compound layer. The thermal temperature has been measured at the vicinity of the samples. The compound layer thus produced has been characterized using, X-ray diffractometer and vibration sample magnetometer. Providing the total pressure of nitrogen and hydrogen is held constant, the addition of hydrogen up to 50% gives new structural phases. The magnetization values of the plasma treated samples are strongly dependent on the percentage of H_2 in the gas phase. An excessive amount of hydrogen (#approx#75%) on the other hand, retards the nitriding process. The surface temperature of the sample and plasma condition is crucial factors for nitriding process.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) was used to analyze in vivo antagonist binding to human myocardial muscarinic cholinergic receptor. The methiodide salt of the muscarinic antagonist, quinuclidinyl benzilate (MQNB), was labeled with the positron emitter, Carbon-11, and injected intravenously to 8 normal subjects. /sup 11/C-MQNB concentration was determined in vivo in the ventricular septum from 40 cross-sectional images acquired at the same transverse level over a period of 70 minutes. In 4 subjects, various amounts of unlabeled atropine were rapidly injected at 20 minutes to study whether atropine competitively inhibited MQNB. The kinetics of binding of /sup 11/C-MQNB were not the same in vivo and in vitro. The apparent dissociation rate of /sup 11/C-MQNB in vivo was much slower (by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude) than that observed in vitro with /sup 3/H-QNB. After atropine injection, /sup 11/C-MQNB dissociated from its binding sites at a rate ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Consideration is given to results of investigation into thorium complexing with morin (H_2Mor) in extraction systems containing different carboxylic acids as well as different salt background. The obtained data enabled to suggest the method of photometric determination of thorium in the form of Th(HMor)_2Benz_2 different-ligand complex (where Benz-anion of benzilic acid) with 0.25 #mu#g/ml detection limit.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The concept of the modern data acquisition system and some functional specialties of the programming software--Visual Basic 6.0 are introduced. The construction and theory of the hardware and the designing principle of the software are described. Experimental results showed that the real-time data acquisition rate was as high as 10 times per second in the system. And the relative standard uncertainty of the measurement was less than 0.5%. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The nanocrystallization process of amorphous Fe_7_3_._5Si_1_3_._5B_9Nb_3Cu_1 was investigated by active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) treatment at temperatures ranging from 410 "oC to 560 "oC for 3 h in two gas mixtures of 75% N_2-25% H_2 and 25% N_2-75% H_2 at 5 mbar atmosphere. The amorphous ribbons were then annealed under vacuum at the same time and temperatures mentioned above. The structure of the samples was analyzed using various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Microhardness measurements, electrical resistivity and Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) were used to study mechanical, electrical and magnetic properties of the samples, respectively. It was observed that the ASPN treatment leads to finer grain size and higher crystalline volume fraction and modifies the structural features of Fe(Si) phase. The ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Bovine microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) were able to degrade the H2O2 generated by phorbol myristate acetate-activated bovine neutrophils or by glucose oxidase with a maximal capacity of 4.0 +/-...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Biased above threshold (VT), pulsed photocurrent (u) measurements on windowed silicon Pd gate MOS capacitors are shifted (DV) negatively by H2/N2, whereas Au gates shift positively under NO2/air. Below VT, the shifts are reversed by adjustments of interface state population. Minor temperature increases may coax the device from inversion to depletion, inducing sign reversal of the chemical response.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are a diverse group of food-borne pathogens with various levels of virulence for humans. In this study, we describe the use...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We have purified and characterized two peptides, named KAaH1 and KAaH2 (AaH polypeptides 1 and 2 active on K⁺ channels, where AaH stands for Androctonus australis Hector),...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Observational evidence is presented for the nucleation of condensation nuclei (CN) in the clear air adjacent to an isolated, marine, cumulus cloud. Two separate regions of particle nucleation are identified: one located above the cloud top, and the second located downwind of the cloud near the level of the anvil outflow. The regions of high CN concentrations were located in extremely clean marine air, with unactivated aerosol surface area (excluding the nucleation mode) less than 2 sq micrometers/cu cm, air temperature -31 C, and higher relative humidities than the undisturbed environment. Vertical profile measurements downwind of the cloud showed that CN concentrations at the level of the anvil outflow (4.9 km) were 8 times greater than at any other level between the surface and 5.3 km. A conceptual model is formulated in which aerosol particles, sulfur dioxide (SO2), sulfuric acid vapor (H2SO4), dimethyl sulfide (DMS), and ozone (O3) from the ...

CERN Document Server

PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range (protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antinuclei with a precision of the order of $10^{-8}$). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, $15^{th}$ 2006 in a $350\\times 600 km$ orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. In this work we describe the scientific objectives and the performance of PAMELA in its first two years of operation. Data on protons of trapped, secondary and galactic nature - as well as measurements of the December $13^{th}$ 2006 Solar Particle Event - are also provided.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

On the 15th of June 2006 the PAMELA experiment, mounted on the Resurs DK1 satellite, was launched from the Baikonur cosmodrome and it has been collecting data since July 2006. PAMELA is a satellite-borne apparatus designed to study charged particles in the cosmic radiation, to investigate the nature of dark matter, measuring the cosmic-ray antiproton and positron spectra over the largest energy range ever achieved, and to search for antinuclei with unprecedented sensitivity. The apparatus comprises a time-of-flight system, a silicon-microstrip magnetic spectrometer, a silicon-tungsten electromagnetic calorimeter, an anticoincidence system, a shower tail catcher scintillator and a neutron detector. The combination of these devices allows charged particle identification over a wide energy range.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The nitrogen content of 10 medicinal plant species has been determined by fast-neutron activation analysis (FNAA). Correction factors for the effects of the /sup 16/O(p,..cap alpha..)/sup 13/N knock-on proton-induced reaction and the (n,2n) reactions, which produce interfering positron-emitting radionuclides, have also been determined. The total relative interference from the /sup 16/O(p,..cap alpha..)/sup 13/N and (n,2n) reactions of K, Cl, Fe and Br was found to be 5.1 to 32.1% for the plant samples.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We consider the electron-positron pair creation by a photon in an external constant electric field. The presented treatment is based on a purely quasiclassical calculation of the imaginary part of the on-shell photon polarization operator. By using this approach we find the pair production rate for photons with polarization parallel as well as orthogonal to the external electric field in the leading order in the parameter eE/m"2, which has been recently found by other methods. For the orthogonal polarization we also find a new contribution to the rate, which is leading in the ratio of the photon energy to the electron mass #omega#/m. We also reproduce by a purely geometrical calculation the exponential factor in the probability of the stimulated pair creation at arbitrary energy of the photon.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have studied the features of formation and the possible stationary structures of a self-consistent magnetic field in a relativistic collisionless plasma, which are characteristic of a simple geometry of the Weibel instability that is well known in the nonrelativistic case. The universal condition is established, the growth rate is determined, and the criteria of saturation of the Weibel instability are analyzed for a broad class of anisotropic particle distribution functions (for definiteness, in application to an electron-positron plasma). A nonlinear equation of the Grad-Shafranov type describing the potential current structures is derived and its solutions are analytically studied. Special attention is paid to spatially harmonic, nonlinear current configurations with parameters determined by the properties of the initial homogeneous plasma subject to the Weibel instability. It is demonstrated that the magnetic field energy density in the obtained solutions ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The combination of functional and morphological imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) has shown its value in the clinical and preclinical field. However, CT provides only very limited soft-tissue contrast and exposes the examined patient or laboratory animal to a high X-ray radiation dose. In comparison to CT, magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) provides excellent soft-tissue contrast and allows for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) or functional MRI (fMRI). Thus, the combination of PET and MRI has been pursued for several years. First approaches have succeeded using conventional photo multiplier tube (PMT) technology together with light fibers to transfer scintillation light away from the high magnetic field. Latest...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The clinical use of "1"8F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography in monitoring anticancer treatment is expanding. At the same time a number of radiotracers aiming to image different aspects of tumour biology such as proliferation and apoptosis are being developed. However, the factors determining changes of radiotracer uptake parameters in response to treatment are not well understood. In many cases, cellularity may be the primary determinant of changes of FDG uptake and may confound the interpretation of metabolic changes. Early imaging assessments have in some cases showed transient increases of uptake parameters, commonly termed 'flares', which are likely to be unaffected by cellularity and directly reflect pharmacodynamics at a cellular level. In this review a number of settings where molecular imaging 'flares' have been described are discussed. Such changes may often be clinically informative and warrant careful study as potential predictive ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The inverse Compton scattering between positron bunches and the Free Electron Laser (FEL) of the SuperAco storage ring generates a collimated and tunable gamma-ray beam. The use of the FEL instead of a conventional laser, automatically provides the transverse alignment and synchronisation of the electron and optical beams. The Super-ACO FEL is operated in the 300-430 nm range at 800 MeV with a high repetition rate (8 MHz) and an average transmitted power of 300 mW at 350 nm. High energy gamma rays of 35 MeV are produced with a rate of 1.5 10 7 photons/second and good monocromaticity (about 10%). Applications of the SuperAco FEL installation for diamond irradiation and biological studies are envisaged. (author)

CERN Document Server

Particle accelerators are constructed and operated for a wide variety of applications. In particle physics - the branch of physics that studies the elementary constituents of matter and forces between them - high energy accelerators are used to look deep into the structure of matter. Medical particle accelerators are used for example in medicine to treat tumours [31], in imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) [24], or for the radio-isotopes production. They also serve in many other industrial branches, e.g. geology, radiocarbon dating [39], molecular complex spectroscopy, lithography, food preservation etc. The eld of accelerator technology draws knowledge and expertise from a wide range of scientic disciplines and uses the latest technical knowledge. The incomplete list of covered disciplines includes mathematics, physics, electronics, computing, electromagnetic eld technology, microwave technology, cryogenics, vacuum technology, special ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Advanced Photon Source injector synchrotron is a 7-GeV positron machine with a standard alternating gradient lattice. The calculated effect of dipole magnet strength errors on the orbit distortion, simulated by Monte Carlo, was reduced by sorting pairs of magnets having the closest simulated measured strengths to reduce the driving the term of the integer resonance nearest the operating point. This method resulted in a factor of four average reduction in the rms orbit distortion when all 68 magnets were sorted at once. The simulated effect of magnet measurement experimental resolution was found to limit the actual improvement. The {Beta}-beat factors were similarly reduced by sorting the quadrupole magnets according to their gradients.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A number of difficult technical challenges need to be solved in the fields of accelerator and free-electron laser (FEL) technologies in order to build an X-ray FEL. One of the tasks well suited to the Advanced Photon Source Low Energy Undulator Test Line (LEUTL) is to take the intermediate step of solving some of the problems of single-pass FEL operation in the ultraviolet range. The existing Advanced Photon Source (APS) linac, in addition to its role of supply positrons for the APS storage ring, will also be used to generate the particle beam for the LEUTL. Here, the design of the magnetic system for the high gain soft x-ray free electron laser is described.

CERN Document Server

A new calculation of the $\\bar{p}/p$ ratio in cosmic rays is compared to the recent PAMELA data. The good match up to 100 GeV allows to set constraints on exotic contributions from thermal WIMP dark matter candidates. We derive stringent limits on possible enhancements of the WIMP \\pbar flux: a $m_{\\rm WIMP}$=100 GeV (1 TeV) signal cannot be increased by more than a factor 6 (40) without overrunning PAMELA data. Annihilation through the $W^+W^-$ channel is also inspected and cross-checked with $e^+/(e^-+e^+)$ data. This scenario is strongly disfavored as it fails to simultaneously reproduce positron and antiproton measurements.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper proposes a model to explain tritium release behavior of an irradiated Li_4SiO_4 sample made by Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe. The release curves were obtained in a series of experiments carried out using out-pile temperature programmed desorption techniques in the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR). Tritium release curves obtained for different purge gas compositions (N_2, N_2 + H_2, N_2 + H_2O) were compared for selection of suitable conditions to determine the apparent diffusivity of tritium in a crystal grain of Li_4SiO_4.In the model formation, some mass transfer steps in the bulk of the crystal grain and those on the surface of the grain were taken into account, which were diffusion of tritium in the grain, adsorption and desorption of water on the surface of the grain, two types of isotope exchange reactions, and water formation reaction by the addition of hydrogen to the purge ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Reaction between [V^I^VO(acac)2] and the ONN donor Schiff base Hpydx-aepy (I) (Hpydx-aepy=Schiff base obtained by the condensation of pyridoxal and 2-aminoethylpyridine) resulted in the formation of a complex [V^I^VO(acac)(pydx-aepy)] (1). Addition of aqueous 30% H2O2 to 1 yields the poor stable oxidoperoxidovanadium(V) complex [V^VO(O2)(pydx-aepy)] (2). Its formation has also been demonstrated in solution by treating 1 with H2O2 in methanol. Reaction of vanadium exchanged zeolite-Y with I in methanol followed by aerial oxidation gave zeolite-Y encapsulated dioxidovanadium(V) complex, abbreviated as [V^VO2(pydx-aepy)]-Y (4). The crystal and molecular structure of 1 has been determined, confirming the ONN binding mode of the ligand. The encapsulated complex [V^VO2(pydx-aepy)]-Y (4) catalyse...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Spectroscopic properties of Er"3"+ : CBS (CdSO_4 + B_2O_3 and R_2SO_4 + CdSO_4 + B_2O_3, R_2SO_4 = Li_2SO_4.H_2O, Na_2SO_4, K_2SO_4 and Gd_2(SO_4)_3.8H_2O) glasses are reported. The assigned energy level data of Er"3"+(4f"1"1) in these glasses are analysed in terms of a parametrized model Hamiltonian. The standard deviations of the data fits are between 39 and 47 cm"-"1 so that the energy level schemes of the Er"3"+(4f"1"1) ions in borosulphate (CBS) glasses are reasonably well reproduced. Radiative properties for the fluorescent levels of Er"3"+ : CBS glasses are determined by using the Judd-Ofelt theory. The potential laser transitions are identified with the help of predicted radiative properties which are compared and discussed with similar results. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The pozzolanic behaviour of compound-activated red mud-coal gangue has been investigated through TG, DTA, XRD, FTIR and 27Al MAS NMR. From viewpoint of reaction kinetics, it is found that the pozzolanic reaction mechanism of the compound-activated red mud-coal gangue - lime system is clearly consistent with diffusion control up to 14 days, and the reaction rate constant calculated from Jander equation decreases with the increase of CaO addition in the system. The hydration products formed in the red mud-coal gangue - lime systems at ambient temperature are essentially aluminous C-S-H and Ca3Al2O6.xH2O. From TG analysis results, it is thought that the high amount of Ca(OH)2 in the pastes of studied system is not conducive to the continual increase of non-evaporable water content of the hydration products. Of particular interest, 27Al MAS NMR proved to be an effective technique to obtain valuable information of Al[4] in C-S-H and Al[6] in ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The interfacial tension g of the hexane solution of 1H,1H,10H,10H-perfluorodecane-1,10-diol (FC10diol) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecanol (TFC12OH) mixture against water was measured as a function of the total molality m and composition of TFC12OH in the mixture X2 at 298.15K under atmospheric pressure. The interfacial pressure p vs. mean area per adsorbed molecule A curves and the phase diagram of adsorption (PDA) were constructed in order to shed light on the effect of the molecular orientation on the state of and the miscibility of FC10diol and TFC12OH in the adsorbed film. The p vs. A curves demonstrated that the mixed system exhibits three kinds of film states, parallel-condensed, normal-condensed, and multilayer states, depending on m and X2. The PDA indicated that film composition X...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A variety of platinum(II) complexes of methimazole (2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole; HImS=neutral form and ImS=thiolate form), coordinated in both thione and thiolate forms, have been isolated by reacting methimazole with [PtCl(terpy)]Cl (terpy=2,2prime:6prime,2Prime terpyridine), [PtCl2(bipy)] (bipy=bipyridine), [PtCl2(o-phen)] (o-phen=o-phenanthroline), [PtCl2(CH3CN)2] and [PtCl2(COD)] (COD=1,5-cyclooctadiene). These complexes were characterized by electronic absorption, IR and NMR (1H, 13C, 195Pt) spectroscopies. Molecular structure of [Pt(bipy)(HImS)2]Cl23H2O (3a3H2O) has been established by single crystal X-ray crystallography. Platinum thiolate complex, [Pt(ImS)2(HImS)2] (5), could be obtained by treatment of [Pt(HImS)4]Cl2 with sodium methoxide in methanol. The solution of 5 in organic...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

One salt and two Cu(II) complexes (H2hsm)(ox), 1, [Cu(hsm)(ox)], 2, and [Cu(hsm)(ox)H2O], 3, have been synthesized and X-ray characterized (hsm is histamine and ox2? is the oxalate dianion). Starting from the prochiral tetracoordinated complex 2, pentacoordinated complex 3 crystallizes as a racemic mixture of the enantiomeric ? and ? isomers, in space group P21/c. In all cases, the side chain of the hsm group is gauche, allowing the formation of strong hydrogen bonds in the salt 1, and to chelate the metal center in complexes 2 and 3. The combination hsm/ox seems to favor the formation of 2D supramolecular structures (planes or wavy planes), through efficient networks of N?H???O hydrogen bonds. Cell parameters: 1, P21/c, a?=?6.260 (2) ?, b?=?11.500 (4) ?, c?=?12.525 (4) ?, ??=?104.047 (17)...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The PERMCAT process chosen for the final clean-up stage of the Tokamak Exhaust Processing system of the ITER tritium plant combines in a single component a catalytic reactor and a permeator using Pd/Ag membranes. This study covers the mechanical behaviour of a Pd/Ag membrane under different operating conditions. The consequences of hydrogen uptake by the membrane during nominal operation but also during off-normal events are presented. Depending on the operating conditions, expansions around 2% and significant deformations are observed. Different mechanical designs of PERMCAT reactors are then discussed. The first generation comprises finger-type membranes and two new mechanical designs use either additional edge welded bellows or a special corrugated Pd/Ag membrane. These upgraded designs improve the robustness and simplify the geometry of the component. The experimental validation of these new units has been carried out based on the measurements of the processing capabilities with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The addition of paraquat (methyl viologen) to a growing culture of Escherichia coli K-12 led within 1 hr to a 10- to 20-fold increase in the level of endonuclease IV, a DNase for apurinic/apyrimidinic sites. The induction was blocked by chloramphenicol. Increases of 3-fold or more were also seen with plumbagin, menadione, and phenazine methosulfate. H_2O_2 produced no more than a 2-fold increase in endonuclease IV activity. The following agents had no significant effect: streptonigrin, nitrofurantoin, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, #gamma# rays, 260-nm UV radiation, methyl methanesulfonate, mitomycin C, and ascorbate. Paraquat, plumbagin, menadione, and phenazine methosulfate are known to generate superoxide radical anions via redox cycling in vivo. A mutant lacking superoxide dismutase was unusually sensitive to induction by paraquat. In addition, endonuclease IV could be induced by merely growing the mutant in pure O_2. The levels of endonuclease ...

CERN Document Server

We present ultraviolet spectra of Mira's companion star from the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) instrument on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The companion is generally assumed to be a white dwarf surrounded by an accretion disk fed by Mira's wind, which dominates the UV emission from the system. The STIS UV spectrum is dominated by numerous, narrow H2 lines fluoresced by H I Ly-alpha, which were not detected in any of the numerous observations of Mira B by the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE). The high temperature lines detected by IUE (e.g., C IV 1550) still exist in the STIS spectrum but with dramatically lower fluxes. The continuum fluxes in the STIS spectra are also much lower, being more than an order of magnitude lower than ever observed by IUE, and also an order of magnitude lower than fluxes observed in more recent HST Faint Object Camera objective prism spectra from 1995. Thus, the accretion rate onto Mira ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Hydrogen production from desugared molasses (DM) was investigated in both batch and continuous reactors using thermophilic mixed cultures enriched from digested manure by load shock (loading with DM concentration of 50.1 g-sugar/L) to suppress methanogens. H"2 gas, free of methane, was produced during batch cultivations, at different (DM) concentrations ranging from 1.5 g-sugars/L to 50.1 g-sugars/L. The highest yield of 237 ml-H"2/g-sugar was achieved during the DM batch fermentation at concentration of 2.1 g-sugars/L, whereafter the yield decreased with increasing DM concentration. The enriched hydrogen producing mixed culture achieved from the 16.7 g-sugars/L DM batch cultivation was immobilized on heat treated anaerobic sludge granules in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reac...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have performed a detailed analysis of water clustering and percolation in hydrated Nafion configurations generated by classical molecular dynamics simulations. Our results show that at low hydration levels H2O molecules are isolated and a continuous hydrogen-bonded network forms as the hydration level is increased. Our quantitative analysis has established a hydration level (?) between 5 and 6 H2O/SO3- as the percolation threshold of Nafion. We have also examined the effect of such a network on proton transport by studying the structural diffusion of protons using the quantum hopping molecular dynamics method. The mean residence time of the proton on a water molecule decreases by two orders of magnitude when the ? value is increased from 5 to 15. The proton diffusion coefficient in Nafion at a ? value of 15 is about 1.1x10-5 cm2/s in agreement with experiment. The results provide quantitative ...

Science.gov (United States)

We have constructed a 27-kDa hTERT C-terminal polypeptide (hTERTC27) devoid of domains required for telomerase activity and demonstrated that it is capable of nuclear translocation/telomere-end targeting. Here we showed that expression of a low level of hTERTC27 renders hTERT positive HeLa cells sensitive to H(2)O(2)-induced oxidative stress and subsequent cell senescence. The senescence-associated gene, the cyclin/cdk inhibitor p21(Waf1), was up-regulated. This occurs without changing the expression of endogenous hTERT, causing significant telomere shortening or inhibiting telomerase activity. Results from this study suggest for the first time that in addition to telomerase activity, the C-terminus of hTERT also plays a role in hTERT-mediated cellular resistance to oxidative stress. PMID:12565825

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During solvent extraction of At"-, [At(H_2O)_2]"+, AtCl, AtCl_2"- as well as of astatine compounds with higher oxidation states like AtO_n"-, the astatine species are changed into astatine of the oxidation state zero at the phase boundary independent on the organic solvent used. At(O) probably reacts with components of the organic phase or with decomposition products formed by chemical reactions or by radiolysis. The extraction coefficients of the astatine species depend on the experimental conditions applied, the redox potential, and on complex forming reactions or associations, resp., occuring in the aqueous phase. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We evaluate the sphere level S-matrix element of two tachyons and two massless NS states, the S-matrix element of four tachyons, and the S-matrix element of two tachyons and two Ramond-Ramond vertex operators, in type 0 theory. We then find an expansion for theses amplitudes that their leading order terms correspond to a covariant tachyon action. To the order considered, there are no T4, T2(-bar T)2, T2H2, nor T2R tachyon couplings, whereas, the tachyon couplings FF-bar T and T2F2 are non-zero.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Recovery of uranium by ion-exchange processes from impure acid leach liquors is described, which produce a concentrated and pure eluate employing 10% sulphuric acid elution. In situations where resin is loaded to 45 g/ltr or more the acid consumption at ambient temperature is less than 4 kg of H_2SO_4 per kilogram of U_3O_8. Precipitation with an alkali such as ammonia or magnesia produces a yellow cake of high purity. (author).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Doped ultrafine silicon dioxide powder with a narrow particle size distribution was obtained by RF discharge-stimulated dichlorosilane (SiH2C) oxidation at a low pressure using isobutylene as the combustion inhibitor and chromium hexacarbonyl (Cr(CO)6) as the dopant. The formation and morphology of the ultrafine particles are governed by the parameters of the RF discharge and by the chemical mechanism of the combustion reaction yielding the aerosol. Submicron-sized filamentous carbon structures can be obtained by isobutylene decomposition under spark discharge conditions in the presence of a molybdenum metal catalyst.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Photoluminescence spectra for solutions containing Sm"3"+ isotope ions in heavy and normal water were studied in the wave length #lambda# = 500-700 nm and for absorption spectra and photoluminescence excitation spectra within the range of #lambda# = 260-600 nm. Differences in molar extinction coefficients for "1"4"4Sm"3"+ and "1"5"4Sm"3"+ were established both in the solutions with D_2O and by transition from the solutions with D_2O to the solutions with H_2O. New possible causes of the identified effects are discussed

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Equivalent circuit and electrical parameters for H-doped NH_4UO_2PO_4.3H_2O self supported membranes have been determined by impedance spectroscopy. The measurements were carried out with a dry membrane, at different temperatures, and a wet membrane in contact with different electrolyte solutions. Resistance values for the dry membrane decrease with temperature increase, which agrees with the weak protonic character of the H-doped ammonium uranylphosphate. On the other hand, differences in the electrical parameters, depending on the electrolyte considered were also obtained and are attributed to different conduction mechanisms. (Author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reaction of At(I) with triphenylphosphine, triethylphosphite and tri-n-octylphosphine oxide was investigated in ethanolic solution by means of electromigration. A cationic complex with triphenylphosphine was identified being stable at pH = 1,9 in the concentration range of the ligand between c = 10{sup -5} to 10{sup -3} M. At a higher ligand concentration and at pH>2, the reduction effect of phosphine is superimposed on the complex formation. Complex formation is confirmed by ligand exchange reactions with Br{sup -} and I{sup -}. A comparatively weak complex is formed by triethylphosphite and At(I). No compound is formed by tri-n-octylphosphine oxide and At(I). (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Effect of scale on determination of 12Kh18N10T steel tendency to intergranular corrosion (IGC) by rapid electrochemical techniques in solution of 10 % H_2SO_4+0.0025 g/l KCNS was investigated. It is shown that scale presence of steel surface accelerates anode dissolving, activates grain boundaries. All this results to the effect of tendency to IGC in steels, not inclined to it. The scale is not completely removed from the surface, but remains partially along grain boundaries in result of successive pickling of scale and then a surface layer of metal. This also couses the effect of tendency to IGC.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Procedure determining the concentrations of total rare earth and their determination with a new reagent, tribromochlorophosphonazo (CPA-tB), that is 7-[1-(2, 4, 6-tribromo-phenyl) azo]-2-[1-(2-phosphono-4-chloro-phenyl) azo]-chromotropic acid, in high-level liquid waste and some characters of CPA-tB are studied. CPA-tB and its complexes of rare earth elements are stable in the glycol-H_2O system. Adding glycol shifts the absorption spectrum to left and increases the molar extinction coefficient. The molar extinction coefficients are respectively 7.16 x 10"4 (Y), 11.9 x 10"4 (La), 11.7 x 10"4 (Ce, Pr), 11.9 x 10"4 (Nd), 11.6 x 10"4 (Sm, Eu), 11.4 x 10"4 (Gd) and 11.4 x 10"4 (RE) in the glycol-H_2C_2O_4-H_3PO_4-H_2O system at 643 nm. Th interferes severely the determination of total rare earth, and other elements, U(<100 #mu#g), Al(<20 #mu#g), Fe(<400 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The theoretical and experimental investigation of the mechanism of SO2 and H2S removal by CaCO3 -based sorbents (limestones and dolomites) in pressurized uidized-bed coal combustors (PFBC) and high pressure gasiers, respectively, is the main objective of this study. It is planned to carry out reactivity evolution experiments under simulated high pressure conditions or in high pressure thermogravimetric and, if needed, uidized- bed reactor (high pressure) arrangements. The pore structure of fresh, heat-treated, and half-calcined solids (dolomites) will be analyzed using a variety of methods. Our work will focus on limestones and dolomites whose reaction with SO2 or H2S under atmospheric conditions has been studied by us or other research groups in past studies. Several theoret- ical tools will be employed to analyze the obtained experimental data including a variable diusivity shrinking-core model and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effects of catalytic metal additives on the hydrogen desorption properties of the submicrocrystalline magnesium hydride (#beta#-MgH_2) formed after hydrogenation of the Mg + 10 wt.%X (X = V, Y, Zr) mechanically (ball) milled composites were studied. The composites with catalytic metals were processed by controlled mechanical milling (CMM) in the magneto-mill Uni Ball Mill 5 under protective Ar atmosphere. X-ray diffraction of the milled powders revealed the formation of Mg nanograins (50-60 nm range) interdispersed with the nanograined metal additives within the powder particles. Scanning electron microscopy showed particle size reduction after milling. After activation and hydrogenation in a Sieverts-type apparatus under about 2 MPa pressure of hydrogen, the tetragonal #beta#-MgH_2 hydride co-exists with the small amount of retained unreacted Mg phase and the small amount of MgO in all three ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Four advanced oxidation processes (UV/TiO2, UV/IO4^-, UV/S2O8^2^-, and UV/H2O2) were tested for their ability to mineralize naphthenic acids to inorganic carbon in a model oil sands process water containing high dissolved and suspended solids at pH values ranging from 8 to 12. A medium pressure mercury (Hg) lamp was used, and a Quartz immersion well surrounded the lamp. The treatment goal of 5mg/L naphthenic acids (3.4mg/L total organic carbon (TOC)) was achieved under four conditions: UV/S2O8^2^- (20mM) at pH 8 and 10, and UV/H2O2 (50mM) at pH 8 (all with the Quartz immersion well). Values of electrical energy required to meet the treatment goal were about equal for UV/S2O8^2^- (20mM) and UV/H2O2 (50mM) at pH 8, but three to four times larger for treatment by UV/S2O8^2^- (20mM) at pH 10. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent studies in elementary particle physics have made the need for an e{sup +}e{sup -} linear collider able to reach energies of 500 GeV and above with high luminosity more compelling than ever [1]. Observations and measurements completed in the last five years at the SLC (SLAC), LEP (CERN), and the Tevatron (FNAL) can be explained only by the existence of at least one particle or interaction that has not yet been directly observed in experiment. The Higgs boson of the Standard Model could be that particle. The data point strongly to a mass for the Higgs boson that is just beyond the reach of existing colliders. This brings great urgency and excitement to the potential for discovery at the upgraded Tevatron early in this decade, and almost assures that later experiments at the LHC will find new physics. But the next generation of experiments to be mounted by the world-wide particle physics community must not only find this new physics, they must find out what it is. These experiments ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A post-irradiation annealing study was conducted with use of reactor pressure vessel(RPV) steel A533B C1.1 base metal irradiated to a dose of 4.84x10"1"8 n/cm"2 at about 380 deg C. Microhardness and positron annihilation (PA) methods were used to obtain better understanding of the recovery of radiation hardening. Isochronal anneal experiments indicated that two recovery processes occur during annealing of irradiated specimens. The first recovery process occurs in the temperature of 280-305 deg C. The variations of Ip, Iw and R parameters indicated that the formation of vacancy clusters by vacancy aggromeration and the annihilation parameters measured indicated that the dissolution of carbon atoms decorated around vacancy-type defects and possible precipitates, and the annihilation of monovacancies give rise to the second recovery process. It was further indicated that radiation anneal hardening (RAH) in the range of 305-405 deg C between the temperature ranges for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the framework of the RIM (Russian Italian mission) program, PAMELA is the experiment devoted to the accurate measurement of the positron and antiproton spectra from the very low energy thresh-old of 100 MeV up to more than 50 GeV, and to hunt antinuclei with sensitivity better than 10{sup -7} in the helium/helium ratio. A permanent magnet equipped by microstrip silicon sensors, measures the particle momentum with MDR=400 GV/c on GF=25 cm{sup 2} sr. An accurate ToF system, a 19 X{sub o} deep imaging calorimeter, an aerogel Cherenkov counter and a TRD detector complement the spectrometer in order an efficient e{sup +-}/p{sup +-} separation and some light isotope identification capability. The PAMELA experiment will be carried out on a 700 km high polar orbit, on board of the Earth-observation meteor-3A satellite, to be launched at the end of 1988.

CERN Document Server

PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range (protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antimatter with a precision of the order of $10^{-8}$). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, 15 2006 in a $350\\times 600 km$ orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. The detector is composed of a series of scintillator counters arranged at the extremities of a permanent magnet spectrometer to provide charge, Time-of-Flight and rigidity information. Lepton/hadron identification is performed by a Silicon-Tungsten calorimeter and a Neutron detector placed at the bottom of the device. An Anticounter system is used offline to reject false triggers coming from the satellite. In self-trigger ...

CERN Document Server

The PEP-II storage rings at SLAC each have 3492 'buckets' into which electrons and positrons can be injected into the high- and low-energy rings. Equipment to measure the currents of all the individual buckets was originally provided by the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory and is implemented in VXI-based hardware. Data from this equipment as well as high precision direct current measurement provide the hard data for the Bunch Injection Controller. A large number of parameters determined by injection design considerations as well as set by operators for different circumstances are also used by the software algorithms to determine the desired bucket injection order and charge quantity for each injection pulse. These requests are then passed on to the venerable SLAC master pattern generator, which provides beams for other applications as well. This highly visible and highly successful system is implemented using the EPICS toolkit, and fits well into the merged SLAC ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brain glucose metabolism was evaluated in four patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) dementia complex using ["1"8F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans at the beginning of therapy with 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT, zidovudine), and later in the course of therapy. In two patients, baseline, large focal cortical abnormalities of glucose utilization were reversed during the course of therapy. In the other two patients, the initial PET study did not reveal pronounced focal alterations, while the post-treatment scans showed markedly increased cortical glucose metabolism. The improved cortical glucose utilization was accompanied in all patients by immunologic and neurologic improvement. PET-FDG studies can detect cortical metabolic abnormalities associated with AIDS dementia complex, and may be used to monitor the metabolic improvement in response to AZT treatment.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The radioiodine-labeled amines currently available as brain-imaging agents, based on our previous work and that of others, are prepared either by exchange labeling or by direct iodination of a protected intermediate. The intrinsic slowness of these processes limits their potential for use with the positron-emitting 122I, as it has a half-life of only 3.6 min. This isotope has advantages of a low dose to the patient and availability from a generator containing the parent 20-h 122Xe. To develop a radiopharmaceutical in which 122I could be utilized, we prepared a number of secondary and tertiary amines (maintaining the 2,5-dimethoxy substitution pattern which allows direct iodination at the 4-position) with 131I. The organ distributions of these compounds were studied, and the best properties were found in the N,N-dimethyl homologue (2,5-dimethoxy-N,N-dimethyl-4-iodoamphetamine). This compound was successfully synthesized in a matter of seconds, with a chemical yield ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Geological clay formations are investigated for use as final underground deposit for heat producing nuclear waste. Special kinds of clay (e.g. bentonite) can also be used for the construction of geotechnical barriers. For the long time safety prognosis of the nuclear waste repositories the development of geochemical transport models is indispensable. The transport of aqueous solutions in clay is a complex process. The three-layer-minerals bentonite and illite swell by the adsorption of water, if the volume is restricted a high swelling pressure develops. The excellent barrier effect of natural clay formations and geotechnical clay barriers is based on the high swelling pressure and the high adsorption capacity for radionuclides and other pollutants. The two-layer-mineral kaolinite has no swelling capacity. In contrast to sandy layers a special geochemical transport potential exists in clay besides the well known matrix potential which influences essentially the transport process. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The combination of functional and morphological imaging technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) and X-ray computed tomography (CT) has shown its value in the clinical and preclinical field. However, CT provides only very limited soft-tissue contrast and exposes the examined patient or laboratory animal to a high X-ray radiation dose. In comparison to CT, magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) provides excellent soft-tissue contrast and allows for nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMRS) or functional MRI (fMRI). Thus, the combination of PET and MRI has been pursued for several years. First approaches have succeeded using conventional photo multiplier tube (PMT) technology together with light fibers to transfer scintillation light away from the high magnetic field. Latest PET/MRI developments use solid-state light detectors that can be operated even at high magnetic fields. Initial pilot studies with prototype animal PET/MRI systems have shown ...

CERN Document Server

We study the impact of very light sterile neutrinos (Delta m^2_new around 1 to 10 times 10^(-2) eV^2, sin^2 2theta_new<10^(-1)) on upcoming theta_13-driven reactor antineutrino experiments like Double-CHOOZ and Daya Bay. Oscillations driven by these vales of Delta m^2_new affect data in the near and far detectors differently and hence potentially modify the capability of these experimental setups to constrain and measure sin^2 2theta_13. We find that the hypothesis theta_new different from zero negatively impacts one's ability to either place an upper bound on sin^2 2theta_13 in the advent of no oscillation signal or measure sin^2 2theta_13 if a theta_13-driven signal is observed. The impact of sterile neutrino effects, however, depends significantly on one's ability to measure the recoil positron energy spectrum. If sin^2 2theta_new is larger than 10^(-2), upcoming theta_13-driven reactor antineutrino experiments should be able to measure sin^2 2theta_new and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fe-Cu binary alloys are often used to mimic the behaviour of reactor pressure vessel steels. Their study allows identifying some of the defects responsible for irradiation-induced hardening. But recently the influence of manganese and nickel in low-Cu steels has been found to be important as well. In contrast with existing models found in the literature, which predict that hardening saturates after a certain dose, Fe alloys containing nickel and manganese irradiated in a material test reactor (BR2) show a continuous increase of hardening, up to doses equivalent to about 40 years of operation. Considerations based on positron annihilation spectroscopy analyses suggest that the main objects causing hardening in Cu-free alloys are most probably self-interstitial clusters decorated with manganese. In low-Cu reactor pressure vessel steels and in Fe-CuMnNi alloys, the main effect is still due to Cu-rich precipitates at low doses, but the role of manganese-related ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Premature fusion of multiple cranial sutures has been associated with increased intracranial pressure and the potential for mental impairment. Isolated craniosynostosis, however, is considered a benign condition primarily reconstructed for aesthetic purposes. A comparative analysis, to assess the differences between pre- and post operatory cerebral perfusion of patients who underwent surgery for simple cranisynostosis, was performed using single positron emission computed tomography ''SPECT'' Images. Cerebral blood flow studies were performed using "9"9"mTc-HMPAO SPECT in children with simple cranisynotoses. The subjects were 8 children with craniosynostosis (age, 2 months-9 years). Preoperative revealed regional hypovascularity in the cerebral hemisphere in 5 cases (62%). In 6 patients the cerebral blood flow normalized or increased after craniofacial reconstruction. We demonstrated the presence of regional hypovascularity in the cerebral hemisphere of simple ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Operating the Stanford Linear Collider (SLC) at 120Hz repetition rate requires the presence of two bunches in both the electron and the positron damping ring. The {pi}-mode instability, a coupled bunch instability where the two bunches oscillate with a phase difference of 180{degrees}, had been observed in both rings with low current thresholds of 7{sup *}10{sup 9} particles per bunch. To avoid the instability, the RF system had to be operated in ways which in general reduced the cavity gap voltages and required constant operational attention. For the 1992 running cycle a passive cavity was installed and successfully tested. It is tuned to the frequency of the lower synchrotron oscillation sideband of an odd revolution harmonic. The impedance of the cavity then damps {pi}-mode oscillations very similar to the Robinson damping provided by the main RF cavities which damps O-mode synchrotron oscillations. In this report we describe the motivation and physical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Modern imaging technologies visualize different aspects of disease in a non-invasive way. Considerable progress has been made in the fusion of images from different imaging modalities using software approaches. One goal of fusion software is to align anatomical and functional images and allow improved spatial localization of abnormalities. The resulting correlation of the anatomical and functional images may clarify the nature of the abnormality and help diagnose or stage the underlying disease. Whereas successful image fusion software has been developed for the brain, only limited success has been achieved for image alignment in other parts of the body. The development and current status of alternative approaches are presented. Dual-modality imaging is described with devices where two modalities are combined and mounted in a single gantry. The use of existing scanner technology ensures that no compromises are made in the clinical efficacy of either the anatomical or functional imaging ...

CERN Document Server

The idea to couple the Treatment Planning System (TPS) to the information on the real boron distribution in the patient is the main added value of the new methodology set-up at DIMNP of University of Pisa, in collaboration with the JRC of Petten (NL). The methodology has been implemented in the new TPS, called BDTPS (Boron Distribution Treatment Planning System), which takes into account the actual boron distribution in the patient brain, while the standard TPS assumes a uniform boron distribution, absolutely far from the reality. Nowadays, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is able to provide this in vivo information. The new TPS, based on the Monte Carlo technique, has been validated comparing the main BNCT parameters (thermal flux, boron dose, etc.) as measured during the irradiation of a special heterogeneous boron phantom (HEBOM), ad hoc designed, as calculated by the BDTPS and by the standard TPS SERA. An evident SERA overestimation of the thermal neutron ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cardiac disease research relies increasingly on small animal models and non-invasive imaging methods such as positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) using gadolinium-based contrast agents appear to be a visualizing infracted myocardium with high spatial resolution. Polar map (or bull's-eye image) was used to determination of the myocardial infarction area. Polar map is a comprehensive interpretation of the left ventricle. The infarct size was computed as the fraction of the total polar map areas. The threshold was computed as the percentage of mean intensity of the normal region. In other study, 50% predefined threshold value in varying range (30?70%) was most commonly use. However, predefined threshold value isn't acceptance in all case. The purpose of this study was to investigate methodological approach for automatic measurement of rat myocardial infarct size using PET and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A future e{sup -}-e{sup +} (electron-positron) linear collider can be configured with perhaps minimal modification to serve as an {gamma}-{gamma} (gamma-gamma) or a e{sup -}-{gamma} collider. This is accomplished by Compton-backscattering low energy photons (from a laser source) off of the high-energy electron beams prior to the crossing of the electron beams. However, to be competitive with the e{sup -}-e{sup +} configuration, the luminosity cannot be compromised in the process. This requires that the laser source deliver a sufficient number of photons per pulse with a pulse format and rate matching that of the electron beams. As it turns out, this requires an average optical power of 5-15 kW from the laser which is beyond the current state of the art. In this paper, we address how to generate the required pulse format and how the high average power requirement can be met with conventional laser technology. We also address concerns about the survivability of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Integration of positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (MR) has become a topic of increasing interest to the imaging community over the past two years. In this text, the authors attempt to distinguish facts from fiction concerning such integrated systems. Analysis of existing information of combined imaging on existing brain PET/MR systems and imaging experience with PET-computed tomography (CT) is reviewed. Various types of system integration of PET and MR are discussed with completely independent systems on one hand and completely integrated systems with the possibility of simultaneous data acquisition on the other hand. Furthermore, it is discussed, what simultaneous data acquisition with nuclear imaging systems combined with MR or CT really means, as technical simultaneity may not be relevant in light of the pharmacokinetics of the nuclear tracers used. The authors conclude that combining PET/MR is an interesting research endeavor with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recent studies in elementary particle physics have made the need for an e{sup +}e{sup -} linear collider able to reach energies of 500 GeV and above with high luminosity more compelling than ever [1]. Observations and measurements completed in the last five years at the SLC (SLAC), LEP (CERN), and the Tevatron (FNAL) can be explained only by the existence of at least one particle or interaction that has not yet been directly observed in experiment. The Higgs boson of the Standard Model could be that particle. The data point strongly to a mass for the Higgs boson that is just beyond the reach of existing colliders. This brings great urgency and excitement to the potential for discovery at the upgraded Tevatron early in this decade, and almost assures that later experiments at the LHC will find new physics. But the next generation of experiments to be mounted by the world-wide particle physics community must not only find this new physics, they must find out what it is. These experiments ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To evaluate the role of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) in staging and determining early treatment response to chemotherapy in children with neuroblastoma (NB) and its correlation with the final outcome. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients of NB with mean age of 51.5 months (age range 2-132 months; 14 males, 3 females) underwent serial "1"8F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT imaging. All 17 patients were for staging before any treatment. Twelve of 17 patients underwent "1"3"1I meta-iodobezylguanidine (MIBG) scan and bone scan. MIBG uptake was seen in the primary lesion in 11/12 patients. MIBG uptake in bones was seen in 3/12 patients. All bone lesions were concordant on MIBG and bone scan. Early response to chemotherapy was evaluated after two cycles using PET-CT. A 30% reduction in longest diameter was taken as cut-off value for response on CT based on the response evaluation criteria in solid tumors criteria. Response on PET-CT was ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We fabricate a low noise erbium-doped fiber ring laser that can be continuously tuned over 102nm by insertion of the fiber Fabry-Perot tunable filter (FFP-TF) in the ring cavity with a novel cavity structure and the optimal gain medium length. As an application of this fiber ring laser, we performed the absorption spectroscopy of acetylene (13C2H2) and hydrogen cyanide (H13C14N) and measure the absorption spectra of more than 50 transition lines of these gases with an excellent signal to noise ratio (SNR). The pressure broadening coefficients of four acetylene transition lines are obtained using this fiber ring laser and an external cavity laser diode.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A time-of-flight mass spectrometer has been constructed to measure the energy spectra of particles scattered by 10"0 with primary energies between 200 eV and 15 keV. The energy resolution #DELTA#E/E of the system is between 0.1 and 0.4%. Energy spectra of scattered molecules and their dissociation products are shown for 570 eV H_2"+ and 4430 eV N_2"+ as projectiles. Electron capture into unbound states of the neutral molecule, with perhaps some contribution from mutual scattering within the molecule, appears to explain the observed dissociation product energy spectra peak widths. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of ion implantation on the aqueous corrosion resistance of Zr-4 in deaerated 1N H_2SO_4 was studied with the potentiokinetic technique. The Zr-4 alloy was bombarded with 5x10"1"4-2x10"1"6 Ar/cm"2 of 190 keV. It was found that the passive current density of Zr-4 decreases with increasing implantation dose. Photoelectrochemical results show that the ion implantation of Ar in Zr-4 raises the flatband potential of its passive film. AES was employed to analyze the surface of the passive film of Zr-4. The decrease in passive current density may be attributed to a thickening oxide layer on Zr-4 and a decrease in concentration of oxygen vacancies in its passive film. ((orig.)).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Starting from commercial 4-chloro-3-nitroaniline, through a 5 step synthesis, 3-azido-4-chlorophenylisothiocyanate was prepared and reacted with ["3H]-methylamine. The latter was obtained by three methods: (i) ["3H]-LiA1T_4 reduction of benzylcarbamate gave rise to ["3H]-methylamine (S.A.: > 70 Ci/mmol). (ii) Catalytic reduction of HCN with "3H_2 lead to ["3H]-CH_3NH_2 (S.A.: 0.7 Ci/mmol). (III) Schmidt rearrangement of ["3H]-sodium acetate gave ["3H]-CH_3NH_2 (S.A.: 29 Ci/mmol). (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The synthetic process of polyethylene cation exchange capillary via radiation grafting polystyrene by simultaneous irradiation with "6"0Co #gamma#-ray source and sulfonation with concentrated H_2SO_4 was studied. The effects of dose, dose rate, monomer concentration, solvents, temperature and crosslinking agents on the graft copolymerization of styrene with polyethylene capillary were illustrated. The relationship between the radiation grafting conditions and the properties of ion-exchange capillary were examined. A polyethylene cation exchange capillary with I.D. 0.8 mm, length 20 m, exchange capacity 0.7 Meq/g 60% capacity in 10 s (flow rate 20 ml/min) was prepared. No significant loss of copacity was found from this ion-exchange capillary after 200 adsorption/regeneration cycles.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The solubility of Sn(IV) oxide was determined in a dilute NaClO{sub 4} solution with pH 2 through 12 at ambient temperature. Both oversaturation and undersaturation experiments were carried out in an inert gas glovebox where the concentration of the oxygen and carbon dioxide were less than 1 ppm. The solubility of Sn(IV) oxide was 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}8} mol/l at neutral pH, and increased at pH > 7.5. Equilibrium constants of soluble reactions were calculated from the experimental data, using curve fitting method. The study suggests that the solubility of Sn(IV) oxide would be higher than that provisionally used in current safety assessments of HLW disposal sites.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

An experimental investigation on the thermal decomposition of CH4 into C and H2 was carried out using a 5kW particle-flow solar chemical reactor tested in a solar furnace in the 1300-1600K range. The reactor features a continuous flow of CH4 laden with mm-sized carbon black particles, confined to a cavity receiver and directly exposed to concentrated solar irradiation of up to 1720 suns. The reactor performance was examined for varying operational parameters, namely the solar power input, seed particle volume fraction, gas volume flow rate, and CH4 molar concentration. Methane conversion and hydrogen yield exceeding 95% were obtained at residence times of less than 2.0s. A solar-to-chemical energy conversion efficiency of 16% was experimentally reached, and a maximum value of 31% was numer...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Wood-plastic composites from Syrian tree species (white poplar, cypress tree, and white willow) were prepared using gamma-ray irradiation. Dry wood was impregnated with acrylamide or butylmethacrylate at various methanol compositions as the swelling solvent. Effect of inorganic additives and co-additives such as lithium nitrate (LiNO_3), copper sulfate (CuSO_4) and sulfuric acid (H_2SO_4), used at a very low concentration (1%), on the polymer loading (PL) and the compression strength (CS) was also investigated. It has been found that all the additives and co-additives, except Cu"2"+, increase the PL values and only Li"+ has a positive effect on CS. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study started with a comprehensive and critical review of the published information of relevance to the different methods to produce uranium dioxide from raw materials. we have chosen this method 'flame denitration' or flame process to produce Uo_2. from its compounds, uranyl nitrate Uo_2 ( NO_3) _2 .6H_2o) prepared from raw uranium 'yellow cake'. This method in short produces uranium dioxide from aqueous uranyl nitrate by contacting the atomized liquid which has 40 #mu# in diameter with hot reducing gases (butane and oxygen mixture) till we obtain a suitable and yellow red colour light for the flame and this is a prof that there is carbon monoxide and hydrogen, the temperature of the reactor at is least 950 degree C.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present investigation, the properties of plasma nitrided AISI 304 steel were studied by changing the presence of nitrogen in the gas mixture. The plasma nitriding was performed at temperature -560 deg C, pressure -4 mbar and duration 24 hours. The nitrided samples were characterized by evaluating the phase composition, micro hardness, and diffusion layer thickness. The phase analysis indicates the mixed phases of CrN and Fe_3N, Fe_3N and Fe_4N which has the highest intensity. The results show the glow discharge plasma nitriding in presence of N_2 (80 vol. %) and H_2 (rest) produced higher hardness as well as higher case depth. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The dependence of the inhibiting action of some surface active organic substances (SAOS) on the pitting- formation potential epsilonsub(p) has been investigated for the steel Kh25T. The study has been performed by potentiostatic method using the H_2SO_4 0.1-n-solution doped by NaCl, Na_2SO_4, in the presence of SAOS of different classes. As epsilonsub(p) shifts in positive direction from +0.6 to +1.1 V, the inhibiting action of the SAOS series (o-oxyquinoline) increases gradually till some critical potential above which SAOS favour pitting destruction of steel. This phenomenon should be considered in anodic protection in SAOS-doped solutions.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

MINER?A is a high resolution, fully active detector designed to study neutrino interactions on nuclei in the NuMI beam at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. The active volume of the detector consists of 3 tons of plastic scintillator and includes embedded targets of 4He, C, H2O, Fe and Pb. The MINER?A collaboration expects to perform precision, A-dependent neutrino cross section measurements in the 1?10 GeV region, measure the axial form factor, and study nuclear shadowing of F2, quark-hadron duality and coherent pion production, among other topics. MINER?A began data taking in the fall of 2009. This paper describes the MINER?A experiment and provides an overview of the physics objectives along with estimated uncertainties of the measurements and the tentative projected schedule of dat...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

By choosing appropriate microemulsion systems, hexagonal cobalt (Co) and cobalt-nickel (1:1) alloy nanoparticles have been obtained with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a cationic surfactant at 500degreeC. This method thus stabilizes the hcp cobalt even at sizes (<10nm) at which normally fcc cobalt is predicted to be stable. On annealing the hcp cobalt nanoparticles in H2 at 700degreeC we could transform them to fcc cobalt nanoparticles. Microscopy studies show the formation of spherical nanoparticles of hexagonal and cubic forms of cobalt and Co-Ni (1:1) alloy nanoparticles with the average size of 4, 8 and 20nm, respectively. Electrochemical studies show that the catalytic property towards oxygen evolution is dependent on the applied voltage. At low voltage (less than 0.65V) the Co (he...

CERN Document Server

An effect of laser-cooling of water was observed for the first time with a temperature decrease dT = -2.2 K after irradiation of liquid water surface by a powerful Ar-Xe pulse laser with a pulse energy of about 1 J and wavelength L = 1.73, 2.63 and 2.65 um. The discovered effect can apparently be ascribed to the optical excitation of vibrational states of H2O molecules followed by an endothermic consolidation of chemically active excited molecules into a quasi-stable cluster-like structure. The measured time dependences of the cooling effect show that a typical life time of the new state of water amounts to hours. It has also been shown that the life time of the excited vibrational molecular states due to a radiation trapping effect can be estimated to at least hundreds of seconds.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The response regulator protein is a core element of two-component signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated functions of BRRG-1 of Botrytis cinerea, a gene that encodes a putative response regulator protein, which is homologous to Rrg-1 in Neurospora crassa. The BRRG-1 gene deletion mutant ?Brrg1-62 was unable to produce conidia. The mutant showed increased sensitivity to osmotic stress mediated by NaCl and KCl, and to oxidative stress generated by H2O2. Additionally, the mutant was more sensitive to the fungicides iprodione, fludioxonil, and triadimefon than the parental strain. Western-blot analysis showed that the Bos-2 protein, the putative downstream component of Brrg-1, was not phosphorylated in the ?Brrg1-62. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays showed that expression ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of alloying low carbon 18Cr-30Ni steel with silicon (up to 5.1%), copper (up to 5.4%), cobalt (up to 15.3%) on the resistance to corrosion cracking and pitting corrosion, is studied. Tests on uniaxial tension are carried out in 42% MgCl_2 solution and gravimetric studies in 10% FeCl_3x6H_2O. It is established that alloying steel of the Kh18N30 type with silicon increases strength and resistance to corrosion cracking. Copper and cobalt decrease a resistance to pitting corrosion but somewhat increase a resistance to corrosion cracking.

CERN Document Server

In this paper we develop an analytical framework for the study of electrochemical impedance of mixed ionic and electronic conductors (MIEC). The framework is based on first-principles and it features the coupling of electrochemical reactions, surface transport and bulk transport processes. We utilize this work to analyze two dimensional systems relevant for fuel cell science via finite element method (FEM). Alternate current Impedance Spectroscopy (IS) of a ceria symmetric cell is simulated near equilibrium condition (zero bias) for a wide array of working conditions including variations of temperature and $H_2$ partial pressure on a two dimensional fuel cell sample with patterned metal electrodes. The model shows agreement of IS curves with the experimental literature with the relative error on the impedance being consistently below 2%. Important two-dimensional effects such the effects of thickness decrease and the influence of variable ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

''Hybrid'' hydrogen storage, where hydrogen is stored in both the solid material and as a high pressure gas in the void volume of the tank can improve overall system efficiency by up to 50% compared to either compressed hydrogen or solid materials alone. Thermodynamically, high equilibrium hydrogen pressures in metal-hydrogen systems correspond to low enthalpies of hydrogen absorption-desorption. This decreases the calorimetric effects of the hydride formation-decomposition processes which can assist in achieving high rates of heat exchange during hydrogen loading-removing the bottleneck in achieving low charging times and improving overall hydrogen storage efficiency of large hydrogen stores. Two systems with hydrogenation enthalpies close to -20kJ/mol H2 were studied to investigate the h...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Monte-Carlo transport code MCNP was used to evaluate possible arrangements of cores for the MIT Reactor using monolithic LEU fuel. Plate and moderator thicknesses were varied, and fixed absorbers and inner reflectors added in an effort to maximize available neutron fluxes at in-core and ex-core locations of experimental facilities. Addition of D_2O in the H_2O moderator was also evaluated. Comparisons of the fast, epithermal, and thermal fluxes were made at selected locations. Keff was also evaluated and critical blade heights compared with the existing HEU core. Results indicate that the LEU fluxes could approach HEU values with the use of a fueled in-core experimental facility, a fixed boron absorber spider and an inner beryllium reflector. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

AISI 5140 steel was plasma nitrided at various gas mixtures of nitrogen, hydrogen, and argon to investigate the actions of hydrogen and argon on plasma nitriding. The structural and mechanical properties of ion-nitrided AISI 5140 steel have been assessed by evaluating composition of phases, surface hardness, compound layer thickness, and case depth by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was found that the growth of compound layer can be controlled and the diffusion improved when the gas mixture includes H_2 gas. Additionally, it was determined that the amount of Ar in dual gas mixture must be at 20% minimum to obtain distinctive surface hardness and compound layer thickness.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of complexing agents DTPA and H2C2O4 on the extraction-chemical behavior of Tc, as applied to extractive splitting of U and Pu in the Purex process, was studied. The kinetic relationships of catalytic decomposition of N2H5NO3 under the action of Tc in the presence of these agents were determined. Variation of the ratio of the oxidized and reduced Tc species in the course of this process at various HNO3 concentrations was examined. In the final step of the reaction of N2H5NO3 with Tc in a nitric acid solution, when the reductant content is stabilized, the oxidation of reduced Tc also stops or continues at a considerably lower rate than before stabilization. The presence of DTPA decreases the rate of Tc(IV) oxidation owing to its binding in a complex and decreases the fraction of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Direct electrochemistry and electrocatalysis of catalase (Cat) was studied based on a nano-composite film consisting of amine functionalized graphene and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified glassy carbon electrode. Graphene was synthesized chemically by Hummers and Offeman method and then was functionalized with amino groups via chemical modification of carboxyl groups introduced on the graphene surface. The nano-composite film showed an obvious promotion of the direct electron transfer between Cat and the underlying electrode, which attributed to the synergistic effect of graphene-NH2 and AuNPs. The resultant bioelectrode retained its biocatalytic activity and offered fast and sensitive H2O2 quantification. Under the optimized experimental conditions, hydrogen peroxide was detected in the...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

#epsilon#_m(Ce"4"+) values of the ceric-cereus system have been measured and the experimental procedure is described. Both routine titration method and electrochemical measurement were used. Some interference factors, such as ultraviolet, acidity and temperature, were studied as well. The temperature coefficient of #epsilon#_m(Ce"4"+) value in this experiment is about -0.1% degree C"-"1. A statistic analysis was made for 24 experimental values of #epsilon#_m(Ce"4"+) and a Gaussian distribution was found. Ultimately, an average molar extinction coefficient of 553.2 +- 1.3 m"2#centre dot#mol"-"1 was obtained at #approx#320 nm in 0.4 mol/L H_2SO_4 system, with a relative standard deviation of 0.24% (95% confidence level) and a total uncertainty of 1.5%.