International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Feynman-#alpha# method was applied to measurement of reactivity and the ability of this method for a real-time reactivity monitoring system was assessed. In the experiment, all measured data by BF_3 detectors were stored in a multi-channel scaler controlled by a personal computer, and they were analyzed to obtain prompt neutron decay constant (#alpha#) and reactivity with consideration of dead time of detector. It was found that #alpha# could be obtained almost in a real-time even for both positive and negative reactivities by the present experimental technique. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

The theory of a method of determination of reactivity from power spectral density measurements with /sup 252/Cf and the results of experiments with a critical assembly mockup of a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR) and with uranium (93.2 wt % /sup 235/U) metal cylinders and a sphere are presented. This method of reactivity determination has an advantage over existing methods in that it determines the reactivity only from properties of the reactor at the subcritical state of interest and thus does not require a calibration near delayed criticality. In these experiments, the reactivity was varied by changing the fissile loading or the amount of neutron absorber inserted; for the LMFBR mockup, the reactivity varied to approximately 75 dollars subcritical, and for the uranium metal assemblies to approximately 30 dollars subcritical. These experiments verified ...

Science.gov (United States)

The method of reactivity determination using noise analysis correlation measurements with /sup 252/Cf was used to determine the reactivity for subcritical 17.77-cm-dia uranium (93.2 wt percent /sup 235/U) metal cylinders with reactivities as low as 25 dollars. Far subcritical tests were performed with right circular cylinders of uranium metal for which the subcritical reactivity was known from other inverse kinetics and prompt neutron decay constant measurements.

Science.gov (United States)

The theory of a method of determination of the reactivity from power spectral density measurements with /sup 252/Cf and the results of experiments with a critical assembly mock-up of a liquid-metal fast breeder reactor and with uranium (93.2 wt % /sup 235/U) metal cylinders and a sphere are presented. This method of reactivity determination has an advantage over existing methods in that it determines the reactivity only from properties of the reactor at the subcritical state of interest and thus does not require a calibration near delayed criticality. In these experiments the reactivity was varied by changing the fissile loading or the amount of neutron absorber inserted; for the LMFBR mock-up, the reactivity varied to approximately 75 dollars subcritical, and for the uranium metal assemblies, to approximately 30 dollars subcritical.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the wide range from brown coal to anthracite, an investigation was made of effects of heat treatment on physical/chemical properties and of coal rank dependence. For the experiment, 12 kinds of coal samples were used, and for heat treatment, the fluidized bed heated by the electric furnace and the infrared-ray gold image furnace were used. To examine characteristics of the heat-treated coal char, conducted were oxygen gasification, TPD measurement, XRD measurement, alkali metal measurement, and pore distribution measurement. The following were obtained from the experiment. The gasification reaction rate of the char heat-treated in the temperature range between 900{degree}C to 1700{degree}C decreases with a rise of the temperature of heat treatment, and the degree of decrease in the rate depends on coal rank. The order of gasification rate between coal ranks depends on the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Increased oxidative stress with elevated levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of many disease states. Increased ROS/RNS can...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Reactive sticking coefficients (RSCs) were measured for silane and disilane on polycrystalline silicon for a wide range of temperature and flux (pressure) conditions. The data were obtained from deposition-rate measurements using molecular beam scattering and a very low-pressure cold-wall reactor. The RSCs have nonlinear Arrhenius temperature dependencies and decrease with increasing flux at low (710 /sup 0/C) temperatures. Several simple models are proposed to explain these observations. The results are compared with previous studies of the SiH/sub 4//Si(s) reaction and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition-rate measurements.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An experiment was performed with a mock-up of the core of the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor to evaluate three reactivity measurement methods for application to liquid-metal fast breeder reactors (LMFBR): modified source multiplication measurements with the low-level flux monitor for refueling (35 dollars subcritical) of FFTF, noise analysis to 35 dollars subcritical, and inverse kinetics rod drop to 12 dollars subcritical. To investigate the spatial dependence of these measurement methods and to resolve discrepancies previously reported, detectors were placed in the core, reflector, and radial shield, and experimental data were collected with the reactivity at near delayed criticality to 35 dollars subcritical. Conclusions from this experiment are the following. Low-level flux monitors in the shield of the FFTF will be adequate for reactivity ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An irradiation head with sample holders is described and measurement geometry is reported. Measurements were made for optimizing the distance between the source and the sample and for optimizing the sample diameter. The optimal distance between the source and the sample does not depend on the collimator diameter. The sample diameter should not exceed 30 - 35 mm. Sensitivity and detection limits were determined for Zn, Pb and Br and calibration curves were plotted. (M.D.) 6 figs., 2 tabs., 4 refs.

Science.gov (United States)

... Since power spectral density measurements are the result of a statisti- cal sampling process, as are the probability measurements, we now ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper aims to study fundamentally the impacts of membrane properties on the reactive dye removal from dye/salt mixtures by nanofiltration membranes. To begin with, two types of nanofiltration membranes of similar pore size, namely asymmetric cellulose acetate membrane and thin-film composite polyamide membrane were fabricated, and their key physical, chemical and performance properties were characterized. After that, these resultant membranes were employed to perform dye removal experiments with aqueous solutions of reactive black 5 and NaCl under different operational parameters. The dye removal rate and steady permeate flux were determined and correlated with the measured membrane properties. It was found that there were significant differences between the dye removal performances o...

Science.gov (United States)

From nuclear science symposium; San Francisco, California, USA (14 Nov 1973). A digital Fourier analyzer was programmed to perform reactor neutron noise analysis measurements and on-line processing of the data to obtain the steady-state reactivity. The system is suitable for recovering cross spectral density with low correlatedsignal component and for repetitive measurements with efficient use of reactor time. (auth)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To evaluate the reactivity of the recombinant proteins expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3), a Western blot assay was performed by using a panel of 78 serum samples obtained,...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chlorine clearly inhibits the CO{sub 2}-gasification reaction of charcoal at 800{sup o}C. From this and other observations the picture emerges that the reduction in the gasification reactivity of the charcoal is intimately related to the deactivation of the catalytically active alkali metals residing in the wood due to the formation of the chloride salt. It is argued that the heavy metal chlorides will likely transfer the chlorine to the indigenous alkali metals during the pyrolysis stage of the wood. The fate of the thus formed alkali metal chlorides can then be either their removal from the sample (evaporation), or, when present at the gasification stage, re-activation (i.e., de-chlorination) under our gasification conditions. (author) 3 figs., 4 refs.

Science.gov (United States)

The objectives of this project are to support the DOE direct coal liquefaction process development program and to improve the useful application of analytical chemistry to direct coal liquefaction process development. Independent analyses by well-established methods will be obtained of samples produced in direct coal liquefaction processes under evaluation by DOE. Additionally, analytical instruments and techniques which are currently underutilized for the purpose of examining coal-derived samples will be evaluated. The data obtained from this study will be used to help guide current process development and to develop an improved data base on coal and coal liquids properties. A sample bank will be established and maintained for use in this project and will be available for use by other researchers. The reactivity of the non-distillable resids toward hydrocracking at liquefaction conditions (i.e., resid ...

CERN Document Server

A shockproof container for the transport and storage of fragile or reactive target foils

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We describe a procedure for correcting the systematic errors in the Moessbauer f-factor measurement due to non-homogeneous effective thickness of the sample. To be more precise, we show that, if the mass of the sample is determined by means of X- or {gamma}-ray absorption, it is possible to establish experimental conditions so that the error on f due to material non-homogeneity in the sample is minimized.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) was designed to test fast-reactor fuels and other nonfuel materials. In its 37 reactor cycles of operations, the FFTF reactor has performed very well and successfully completed all the irradiation testings with an operating efficiency factor as high as 98%. Since FFTF is an experimental reactor, its core loading changed from cycle to cycle. Depending on the number of test assemblies in the core and their location, the core loading can change significantly from an essentially homogeneous core loading to a relatively nonhomogeneous or even highly localized heterogeneous loading. Consequently, the core reload design and initial criticality analyses were required for each operating cycle. The zero power initial critical control rod bank height was predicted before each reactor startup. The initial critical prediction depends on the reactivity conditions at the end of the previous cycle, the temperature feedback ...

Scientific Electronic Library Online (English)

Abstract in english Previous studies have shown that women are more emotionally expressive than men. It is unclear, however, if women are also more susceptible to the emotional modulation of behavior imposed by an affective stimulus. To investigate this issue, we devised a task in which female subjects performed six sequential trials of visual target detection following the presentation of emotional (mutilation and erotic) or neutral pictures (domestic utensils and objects) and compared the (more) data obtained in the present study with those described in a previous study with male subjects. The experiment consisted of three blocks of 24 pictures and each block had an approximate duration of 4 min. Our sample consisted of 36 subjects (age range: 18 to 26 years) and each subject performed all blocks. Trials following the presentation of mutilation pictures (283 ms) had significantly slower reaction times than those following neutral (270 ms) pictures. None of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The paper abstracted gives a tabular survey of the suppliers and applications of measuring equipment. Equipment is available for the following fields of application: Continuous measuring instruments for stationary operation, laboratory equipment for sampling and hand equipment for mobile measurement, sampling equipment for examining emissions and gases, detectors, storage and evaluation equipment and meteorological instruments. (PW).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Lyme disease is a perfect model of the complex relationship between host, vector, and the vector-borne bacteria. Both dogs and horses in Romania are exposed to infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the seroreactivity against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs and horses from different regions of Romania. 276 samples from dogs and 260 samples from horses located in different regions of Romania were analyzed by ELISA and IFA, respectively. The effect of several factors potentially affecting seroreactivity (location, age, gender, occupation, and vector exposition risk) was evaluated using Fisher's exact test (R 2.12.0). The overall prevalence of anti-Borrelia antibodies was 6.52% (18/276) in dogs, with a significantly higher positivity (46.15%, 6/13, p=0.0005) re...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The reactive evaporation process was successfully used to deposit films of the A-15 Nb_3Ge phase. This is the first report, to the best of our knowledge, illustrating the use of such processes for the deposition of A-15 compounds. In this process, niobium vapors from an electron-beam-heated evaporation source react with germane gas introduced into the vacuum chamber at low partial pressures (approximately 10"-"4 Torr) to produce Nb_3Ge deposits. The process variables studied were the deposition temperature, the niobium-to-germanium impingement ratio on the substrate and the plasma-enhanced deposition, in this case the activated reactive evaporation process. At low deposition temperatures (below 450"0C) the deposit is amorphous (or microcrystalline) and can be crystallized to the Nb_3Ge phase by heat treatment, e.g. at 850"0C for 1 h in vacuum. The ratio of niobium to germanium in the deposit can be varied by changing the process parameters. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The verification of the subcriticality is of utmost importance for the safe transportation and storage of nuclear reactor fuels. Transportation containers and storage facilities are designed such that nuclear fuels remain in a subcritical state. Such designs often involve excess conservatism because of the lack of relevant experimental data to verify the accuracy of Monte Carlo codes used in nuclear criticality safety analyses. A joint experimental research program between Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Westinghouse Safety Management Solutions, Inc., and the University of Missouri was initiated to obtain measured quantities that could be directly related to the subcriticality of simple arrays of Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR) fuel elements. A series of measurement were performed to assess the reactivity of materials such as BORAL, stainless steel, aluminum, and lead that are typically used in the construction ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of different heats of Alloy 800 was evaluated by three different methods: the ASTM A 262 Practice E (or modified Strauss test), the Electrochemical Potentiokinetic Reactivation method, and by magnetic-susceptibility measurements. Reasonably good agreement was found between the sensitization areas as defined by the three methods in the TTS diagrams. In some cases the area defined by the Strauss test was slightly smaller than that determined by the other two tests. The differences might be explained by the fact that the methods present different sensitivities to the chromium concentration at the grain boundaries. 27 references, 11 figures, 3 tables.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have prepared high-quality, single crystals of SmB_6 under various conditions to improve sample quality. We have measured the resistivity and magnetic susceptibility from room to liquid-helium temperatures to sort samples. We have applied pulsed magnetic fields as high as 50 T at temperatures as low as 40 mK while measuring resistivity. Our samples are of higher quality than previously known. All solvent-grown, single-crystal samples should be etched to remove a surface conductivity. (orig.).

Science.gov (United States)

The progress of digital audio technology enabled the familiar use of the products such as CD and DAT in the acoustic measurement. For example, a signal reproduced with CD player is inputted into a subject of measurement and DAT recorder records its response. However, the sampling cannot be synchronized completely with the input signal although both nominal sample rates are set up equally, because player and recorder work independently. It is the most popular software solution to perform the synchronous addition after converting the recorded signal into the original sampling rate. However, the rate conversion also has the error due to the windowing in the high frequency region of processed signal. This paper proposes a new method for averaging asynchronous sampling data to solve these problems. To evaluate performance, the transfer function of only ...

Science.gov (United States)

A potentially new use for Illinois coal is as a fuel injected into a blast furnace to produce molten iron as the first step in steel production. Because of its increasing cost and decreasing availability, metallurgical coke is now being replaced by coal injected at the tuyere area of the furnace where the blast air enters. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the combustion of coal during the blast furnace injection process and to delineate the optimum properties of the feed coal. This investigation is significant to the use of Illinois coal in that the limited research to date suggests that coals of low fluidity and moderate to high sulfur and chlorine contents are suitable feedstocks for blast furnace injection. During the first phase of this project a number of the objectives were realized, specifically: (1) a blast furnace sampling system was developed and used successfully to collect samples inside an active furnace; (2) two sets of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

With an objective to learn reactivity of coal at its surface, surfaces of oxidized coal samples were investigated. Miike coal was oxidized by using {sup 18}O2 in a closed loop system. As the reaction progresses, proportion of CO2 including isotopes increased rapidly as a result of oxidation of CO sites existing in the coal and the newly generated C{sup 18}O sites. The oxidizing reaction progressed via oxygen adsorbing sites generated near the surface, and oxygen containing groups. An FT-IR analysis estimated the depth of the oxidized layer to be 10{mu}m or less from particle surface. The oxidized coal was pulverized to see its surface condition. Functional groups introduced by the oxidation enter into the vicinity of the surface in a form to desorb as CO. CO2 is trapped in inner pores. The coal surface was observed by using an atomic force microscope. No observable openings in the pore structure were discerned on the surface before the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this statement of work (SOW) is to establish laboratory analytical criteria and requirements for radioactive airborne emissions measurement sample and/or analysis activities.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper information about monograph construction is provided and some sample nomographs constructed by the author are included to encourage the use of these tools in operational health physics applications.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Surveillance of a population, such as a weapon stockpile, is needed to discover manufacturing defects as well as deterioration as the population ages. This article considers the risks of sampling rates for surveillance from three perspectives: detection probability of defects in a proportion of a population with pass/fail data, detection of a trend in a defective proportion of the population with pass/fail data, and detection of a trend with quantitative degradation measurements. Understanding of these risks will help the decision maker choose a sampling rate to protect against such problems of a specified size at a tolerable risk.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Understanding risks from exposures to carcinogens and other chemicals depends upon measurement of their dose to target tissues and their reactivity with critical macromolecules. The authors have used AMS detection of radio-isotopes to assess doses and reactivities at low, environmentally relevant doses. Several biomedical investigations show the effectiveness of quantification of biologically important events at extremely high sensitivity with AMS. Specifically, they have measured the addition of environmental carcinogens such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoaxaline (MelQx), a chemical found in cooked food, to DNA at concentrations relevant to human exposure. Other low level detection problems in biology, such as immunoassay assessment of small environmental chemicals, is being developed with attomole sensitivity. AMS also aids the assessment of genotoxic risks from chemicals by quantifying ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Measurements are reported of ultrasonic acoustic emissions (AEs) measured from sapwood samples of Thuja occidentalis L. and Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr. during air dehydration....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fractal dimensional analysis was employed to obtain a quantitative measure of the morphology of polymer networks formed by UV irradiation induced polymerization of photo-reactive mesogenic monomers dissolved in a liquid crystal host medium. The fractal dimensions obtained, may be interpreted by polymer network growth following a percolation-like model for monomer concentrations well below the solubility limit. On passing the solubility limit, the polymerization process changes from a (radical chain) solution polymerization to a dispersion polymerization, with fractal dimensions decreasing and suggesting a cluster-cluster aggregation process for monomer concentrations above the solubility limit, similar to the aggregation of colloidal particles.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

12 kind of environmental samples such as soil, underground water, seawater, etc. around the Nuclear Power Plants(NPP) and surface seawater around the Korea peninsula were sampled, For the samples of rain, pine-needle, air, seawater, underground water, chinese cabbage, grain of rice and milk sampled around NPP, and surface seawater and rain sampled all around country, tritium concentration was measured, The tritium concentration in the tap water and the gamma activity in the domestic and imported beef that were sampled at ward in the large city in Korea(Seoul, Pusan, Taegu, Taejun, Inchun, Kwangju) were analyzed for the meat and drinking waters. As the results of analyzing, tritium concentration in rain and tap water were very low all around country, but a little higher around the NPP than general surrounding. At the Wolsung NPP, tritium ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During the first and second quarters of 1994 air samples were collected and analyzed from 54 air particulate/halogen sampling stations, 10 noble gas sampling stations and 19 tritiated water vapor sampling stations. Surface water samples were collected and analyzed from 12 open water supply reservoirs, 8 natural springs, 2 wastewater containment ponds and 9 sewage lagoons. Groundwater samples were obtained brom 10 potable and 1 non-potable supply wells, and 8 drinking water consumption points. Ambient radiation levels were measured at 193 locations.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The pore structure of volcanic clasts is examined using measurements of porosity, permeability, and electrical properties. Permeability varies by several orders of magnitude among volcanic clasts and does not depend solely upon porosity. Electrical property measurements of saturated volcanic samples illustrate the influence of pathway tortuosity and pore shape on permeability. For equivalent eruption conditions, silicic samples show higher tortuosities, smaller vesicle sizes, and lower permeabilities than mafic samples. These differences are largely due to variations in vesiculation and crystallization history. Differences between explosive and effusive samples reflect the relative ability of bubbles to form and maintain connected pathways during bubble expansion and collapse. Isotropic sa...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report covers the progress made on the title project for the project period. Four major areas of inquiry are being pursued. Advanced solid state NMR methods are being developed to assay the distribution of the various important functional groups that determine the reactivity of coals. Special attention is being paid to methods that are compatible with the very high magic angle sample spinning rates needed for operation at the high magnetic field strengths available today. Polarization inversion methods utilizing the difference in heat capacities of small groups of spins are particularly promising. Methods combining proton-proton spin diffusion with [sup 13]C CPMAS readout are being developed to determine the connectivity of functional groups in coals in a high sensitivity relay type of experiment. Additional work is aimed at delineating the role of methyl group rotation in the proton NMR relaxation behavior of coals.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Several heats of Alloy 800 are included in a survey of materials being creep tested in a simulated HTR helium atmosphere in the temperature range 650 to 800degC. The results are, as yet, incomplete, but indicate wide variations in the influence of the atmosphere on creep properties. Some heats appear, from results so far available up to 10,000 hours duration, to have greater creep strength in helium than in air, but others have the strength reduced by as much as 20%. Metallographic examination of terminated creep test bars and of unstressed samples indicates that oxidation of reactive constituents takes place, forming a surface scale and sub-surface oxide penetration. Carburisation can also occur and at 750 to 800degC this can penetrate to a depth of up to 800 #mu# m after 5000 h. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Several recent experiments on micro- (or nano-) structured samples of ferromagnetic materials are introduced. Magnetization reversal phenomena are investigated on submicron wire samples of trilayer structure using the giant magnetoresistance effect. Domain wall movements are sensitively monitored by resistivity measurements and the velocity of propagation is determined. The contribution of domain wall to the resistivity is argued from the results on artificially designed samples of a spring-magnet system. In circular dots of permalloy, the existence of vortex magnetization is confirmed and the reversal of the vortex core magnetization is studied from magnetic force microscopy measurements. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This book examines some of the basic principles behind chemical reaction kinetics. Topics considered include the classical trajectory approach to reactive scattering; periodic orbits and theory of reactive scattering; and semiclassical reactive scattering.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: A Large Sample Neutron Activation Analysis (LSNAA) facility is under development at GRR-1 research reactor, NCSR 'Demokritos'. The LSNAA facility design incorporates sample irradiation in the reactor's graphite thermal neutron column and subsequent measurement of the activity induced at a gamma spectroscopy system with gamma ray transmission measurement options included. Monte Carlo neutron and photon transport code MCNP-4C was used to model the facility. Appropriate correction factors accounting for neutron field perturbation during sample irradiation, high purity germanium detector efficiency for the volume source and gamma ray self-absorption within the sample itself were derived. The results of the computations were experimentally verified by activation foil measurements for a set of known materials and a range of ...

Science.gov (United States)

We investigated possible mechanism(s) where honokiol induces apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells. MTT assay showed that honokiol has strong inhibition on SMMC-7721 cells in a dose-dependent manner. SMMC-7721 cells after honokiol treatment display morphological characteristics such as cell shrinkage, detachment from the culture plate, formation of apoptotic bodies, change to a round shape, and marked nuclear condensation and fragmentation after 32258 staining. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin-V/PI staining and alternatively, by the subG0/G1 percentage of the cell cycle analysis followed by FACS. An obvious loss of ??(m) and a quick burst of ROS was detected when honokiol reached 4?g/ml, which was coincident with the high apoptosis percentage in our previous research. Up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 were observed, suggesting that honokiol-induced apoptosis was associated with reactive oxygen species ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the present work the hydrogen desorption properties of nanostructured magnesium hydride (MgH2) synthesized by controlled reactive mechanical milling (CRMM) of elemental Mg powder under hydrogen are investigated. A profound effect of the particle size of synthesized MgH2 hydride on its hydrogen desorption characteristics measured by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC) has been found. All synthesized MgH2 powders are characterized by a double hydrogen desorption peak. Furthermore, below a certain threshold particle size the DSC desorption temperature of the peak doublet starts decreasing rapidly with decreasing of the mean hydride powder particle size (expressed as equivalent circle diameter-ECD). In contrast, the nanograin (crystallite) size of MgH2 does not seem to have apparent effect on the DSC desorption temperature. It is also observed that for powder particles smaller than some threshold value, X-ray diffraction shows the presence ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Antibodies to human native and denatured types I, II, III, IV, and V collagens were measured using 125I-radioimmunoassay. Mean levels of binding by sera from 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients were significantly higher than those from 20 normal subjects against all of the collagens tested. The relative antibody concentration was higher in synovial fluid than in simultaneously obtained serum. Many patients with gout or various other rheumatic diseases also had detectable anticollagen antibodies. With a few notable exceptions, the majority of the reactivity detected in all patient groups was directed against covalent structural determinants present on all of the denatured collagens, suggesting a secondary reaction to tissue injury.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Full text of publication follows: Large-scale problems such as nuclear waste disposal are increasingly recognized to be interconnected to small scale-mechanisms. Thus, synchrotron-based high-resolution analytical X-ray probes become important tools for exploring the micro-scale chemical reactivity of heterogeneous barrier materials used in nuclear waste repositories. In this study the layout of the micro-XAS beamline at the Swiss Light Source (SLS) will be presented. The beamline is optimized towards micro beam experiments ({approx}1 x 1 {mu}m{sup 2}) in the hard-X-ray regime (4 - {approx}22 keV) and allows to combine micro X-ray fluorescence (micro-XRF), micro X-ray absorption spectroscopy (micro- XAS), and micro X-ray diffraction (micro-XRD) investigations with radioactive samples. Furthermore, the potential of micro-XRF/XAS/XRD for acquiring spatially resolved molecular level information on the speciation and structural coordination ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Here we describe the use of low energy plasma immersion with active screen as a convenient approach for polypropylene (PP) surface modification. Employing a stainless steel cathodic cage coated with carbon in order to prevent the sputtering of iron from the grid and its deposition onto the polymer sample, the physical chemical properties of PP surface could be effectively modified through the plasma-induced incorporation/formation of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing species. The areal densities of these elements depended on the plasma excitation source, as determined by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS). Newly formed C-O, C-N, and C=O/O=C-O/N-C=O bonds along with C-C linkages from the PP backbone were identified at the near surface region of the specimens by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The insertion of such polar reactive functionalities was further confirmed by a substantial decrease in the water contact angle upon plasma ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Chemical-looping combustion is a promising technology for the combustion of gas or solid fuel with efficient use of energy and inherent separation of CO{sub 2}. Chemical-looping combustion of methane with calcium sulfate as a novel oxygen carrier was conducted in a laboratory scale fixed bed reactor. The effects of reaction temperature, gas flow rate, sample mass, and particle size on reduction reactions were investigated and an optimum operating condition was determined. The results show that this novel oxygen carrier has a high reduction reactivity and stability in a long-time reduction/oxidation test. The conversions of CH{sub 4} increased with a higher temperature, smaller gas flow rate, larger sample mass and smaller particle size. The suitable reaction temperature seems to be around 950 C. Low temperatures lead to a low CH{sub 4} conversion, but a significant SO{sub 2} formation was observed at a higher temperature. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the most important goals of the Italian survey, initiated in 1989, was to promote ad hoc policies to reduce radon exposure of the population. In the survey a statistical representative sample of 5000 dwellings was chosen; two six-month measurements were made of the indoor radon concentration, in combination with one six-month measurement of gamma exposure. The results of the radon concentration measurements are reported here: they refer to 80% of the sample. The annual mean value was 81.5Bq.m{sup -3}, which is higher than that reported for other industrialised countries. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper described the application of an AC surface probe, similar to presently used eddy current probes, to the measurement of DC transport critical currents and critical state dissipation in high T_c superconductors. It has been shown that the probe can provide quantitative measurement of the full field penetration in superconducting samples by measuring the response of AC induced screening currents for superconducting materials in the form of tapes with overlayers of silver. In this manner, the AC probe can be used to replace the contact DC probe for determining critical currents in a noncontacting and local manner suitable for scanning over or along the sample.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Traditional laboratory diffusion experiments in rock material are time consuming, and quite small samples are generally used. Electrical conductivity measurements, on the other hand, provide a fast means for examining transport properties in rock and allow measurements on larger samples as well. Laboratory measurements using electrical conductivity give results that compare well to those from traditional diffusion experiments. The measurement of the electrical resistivity in the rock surrounding a borehole is a standard method for the detection of water conducting fractures. If these data could be correlated to matrix diffusion properties, in-situ diffusion data from large areas could be obtained. This would be valuable because it would make it possible to obtain data very early in future investigations of potentially suitable sites for a repository. This study ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have obtained optically clear samples of LuAP:Ce from the Institute of Physical Research, Ashtarak, Armenia, measuring up to 5x5x40 mm{sup 3}. The photo electron yield for a number of theses samples was measured with a Philips XP2020Q photomultiplier tube, and 556 photo electrons per MeV was obtained for the best samples. This is comparable to what is obtained from BGO crystals under the same condition, but a factor of 5 less than what is obtained with an LSO sample of similar dimensions. The light in LuAP:Ce increases with cerium concentration between 0.13 and 0.47%.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Black pepper, white pepper, red pepper, ginger and turmeric were irradiated with 10 MeV electrons from a linear accelerator to a dose of 100 kGy and radioactivity was measured in order to estimate induced radioactivity in the irradiated foods. Induced radioactivity could not be detected significantly by #gamma#-ray spectrometry in the irradiated samples except for spiked samples which contain some photonuclear target nuclides in the list of photonuclear reactions which could produce radioactivity below 10 MeV. From the amount of observed radioactivities of short-lived photonuclear products in the spiked samples and calculation of H_5_0 according to ICRP Publication 30, it was concluded that the induced radioactivity and its biological effects in the 10 MeV electron-irradiated natural samples were negligible in comparison with natural radioactivity from "4"0K contained in the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A combined application of several microtechniques is presented and discussed with the Ti/TiO_2 and Zr/ZrO_2-systems as an example. All measurements were carried out on single grains of technical materials in order to detect and quantify the effect of substrate microstructure on the properties of anodic passive films formed potentiodynamically in 0.5 M H_2SO_4 (dU/dt = 20 mVs"-"1). Anisotropy-micro-ellipsometry (AME) was employed to determine the crystallographic orientation of the substrate grains along with passive film thickness and crystallinity in dependence on the anodization potential. Both the isotropic (amorphous) TiO_2- and the anisotropic (crystalline) ZrO_2-films exhibit a systematic dependence of film thickness on the grain orientation. Local LASER-scanning photocurrent measurements (#lambda#=257 nm) on the same grains likewise show a heterogeneity of the photoelectrochemical reactivity in all cases. This is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper studies the effect upon the thermoluminescence (TL) signal of four feldspar samples of exposing them to infrared stimulation, as occurs during infrared-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) measurement. Together with pulse annealing measurements these results are used to show which part of the TL signal is removed by exposure to IR and which part is directly related to the IRSL signal that is observed. When the samples are preheated prior to measurement in order to remove any low-temperature (< 200"oC) TL signals, a linear relationship is observed between the amount of TL that is lost and the IRSL light sum that is produced. The IRSL light sum is consistently four times larger than the amount of TL that is lost. Three possible explanations are proposed for this, but no conclusive evidence could be obtained to support any of them. A close similarity is observed in the pulse ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A total of 10 samples disks of 2024-T3 aluminum and 4130 ferrous steel were exposed to rocket-triggered lightning currents at the Kennedy Space Center test site in Florida during the summer of 1990. The experimental configuration was arranged so that the samples were not exposed to the preliminary streamer, wire-burn, or following currents that are associated with an upward-initiated rocket-triggered flash but which are a typical of naturally initiated lightning. Return-stroke currents and continuing currents actually attaching to the sample were measured, augmented by close-up video recordings of approximately 3 feet of the channel above the sample and by 16-mm movies with 5-ms resolution. From these data it was possible to correlate individual damage spots with streamer, return-stroke, and continuing currents that produced them. Substantial penetration of 80-mil aluminum was ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

(Materials and Methods) (I) VX/sub 2/ carcinoma was transplanted to the rabbit tibia, sup(99m)Tc-MDP was intravenously injected when bone destruction was radiologically seen. Preoperative scintigraphs, postoperative one of the resected tibia and fibra and scintigraphs of sliced tumor were compared with each other. Tissue fragments were collected from the sliced tumor, and RI was measured to compare concentration rates at different parts together with histological investigations. (II) Tetracycline was given to the rabbit of Experiment (I) to compare with the concentration of sup(99m)Tc-MDP. (III) Microautoradiography method was done on the experimental animals for investigation of the concentration of sup(99m)Tc-MDP. (Results) (I) Localization of sup(99m)Tc-MDP was increased at the sites of tumorous bone formation, of reactive bone formation at tumor edges, and of cartilage calcification, with little concentration at tumor cells or necrotic ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The response of the reactive flow detector (RFD) toward organometallic compounds of several transition metals has been explored, and several of its strong elemental responses have been characterized in detail. The RFDs minimum detectable flow (measured in picograms of metal per second at S/N_p_-_t_-_p=2) is 0.1 for ruthenium, 3 for chromium, 10 for manganese, 5 for nickel, 15 for iron, and 2 for osmium. Typically, the linearity of response spans four orders of magnitude, with atomic selectivity of metal versus carbon ranging from 2 to 3 orders. Response quenching by co-eluting hydrocarbons is not observed. As a demonstration experiment, the common analysis of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in gasoline is carried out on an RFD system modified for dual-channel operation. The results show that dual-channel operation of the RFD can increase the native elemental selectivity of manganese over carbon by a factor of 100, in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The behavior of MEMS devices is limited by the strength of critical features such as thin ligaments, oxide cuts joining layers, pin joints and hinges. Devices fabricated at Sandia's Microelectronic Development Laboratory have been successfully tested to investigate these features. A series of measurements were performed on samples with gage lengths of 15 to 1000 microns, using conventional and tungsten coated samples as well as samples that include the critical features of standard components in the test section. Specimens have a freely moving pin joint on one end that anchors the sample to the silicon die to allow rotation to reduce effects of bending. Each sample is loaded in uniaxial tension by pulling laterally with a flat tipped diamond in a computer-controlled Nanoindenter. Load is calculated by resolving the measured lateral ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis for nondestructive determination of Fe, Zn, Pb, and Br in air samples collected on nitrocellulose membrane filter Synpor 4 is described. A "2"3"8Pu source for the excitation and a semiconductor Si/Li detector for the detection of characteristic and L-fluorescent radiation of the above elements were used. A correction method based upon the measurements of simple or multiple Compton scattering for compensation of varying mass per unit area values in sample deposits was theoretically proposed and experimentally tested. The results obtained both with and without the correction were compared and good agreement with those given by atomic absorption spectrometry was observed. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Two methods for measuring indoor radon concentrations using activated charcoal have been tested. The first method is the well-known technique with direct gamma-measurements on the exposed canister after the sampling period. The other method uses a thermoluminescence dosemeter placed in the charcoal canister, giving an integrated value of the radon concentration.

Science.gov (United States)

Overloaded transmission lines are only part of the problem. The ability of the network to carry power is also limited by the supply of reactive power and by frequency stability. Reactive power problems must be corrected in minutes, frequency stability problems in seconds. There is no way that market forces can handle these problems. Reactive power must be supplied to all long transmission and distribution lines to compensate for the loss of reactive volt-amperes - and resulting voltage drop - in the reactance along the line`s length. 7 figs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The feasibility was studied of the application of radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis to the identification and determination of chemical elements in the air. A description of the method is presented, the main stages of the analysis are discussed (sample preparation and standards, selection of radioactive radiation sources, geometry of measurement and evaluation of results). The method is illustrated on the determination of elements Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, and Pb in air samples taken in the city of Prague. (author) 2 tabs., 2 figs., 14 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document describes measurements of the directional spectral emittance of four ceramic mold materials. The work was performed with the samples at {approximately} 900{degree}C in a vacuum vessel pumped to {approximately}3 {times} 10{sup {minus}6}Torr. Results conform to expectations derived from prior work done with similar samples.

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 rates were observed ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method to reduce the fuel composition heterogeneity effect on the core performance parameters has been studied for the DUPIC fuel which is made of spent pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuels by a dry refabrication process. This study focuses on the reactivity control method which uses either slightly enriched, depleted, or natural uranium to minimize the cost rise effect on the manufacturing of DUPIC fuel, when adjusting the excess reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, reactivity control by natural uranium for high reactivity spent PWR fuels, and reactivity control by natural uranium for linear reactivity spent PWR fuels. The results of this study have shown that the reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, all the spent PWR fuels can be utilized as the DUPIC fuel and the fraction of fresh ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Total hemispherical emittance was measured for the SP-100 reactor fuel cladding alloy (Nb-l% Zr). Based on a standard test method (ASTM C 835-82), experiments were conducted on a reference sample of oxidized stainless steel and then on a sample of actual cladding. The sample is heated in a vacuum by passing DC current through it until reaching equilibrium. Measurements are made of the electrical power dissipated in the sample and of the surface temperature. Using the Stefan-Boltzmann Law and some key assumptions concerning conductive and radiative heat transfer, the measured quantities are used to calculate emittance. Calculated values for unoxidized cladding range from 0.159 +/- 5.35% at 913 K to 0.200 +/- 4.51% at 1091 K. Highest value measured after onset of visible oxidation was 0.339 +/- 3.92% at 1269 K.... SP-100, ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe precision in carbon ion radiotherapy depends on the calibration of Hounsfield units (HU) as measured with computed tomography (CT) to water equivalence. This calibration...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Information from the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is used to identify which variables measured in 1981 successfully predict the severity of disease in 1989 and the eight year change in severity...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Total and differential leucocyte counts were measured in cord blood samples obtained by cordocentesis (n = 316) or at elective caesarean section (n = 11) from normal fetuses of between 18 and 40 weeks'...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Sensitivity and specificity measure inherent validity of a diagnostic test against a gold standard. Researchers develop new diagnostic methods to reduce the cost, risk, invasiveness, and time. Adequate...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The paper presents results of measurements of the natural radioactivity of tap water where samples were taken in front of, and behind the ceramic filter commonly used in houses for the purification of tap water. Altogether, 289 samples were taken, processed and measured during 1985-1986 in Kuwait. Results reveal the fact that ceramic filters reduce substantially the natural radioactivity in water (the 'gross' alpha activity reduced by the factor 2.18 #+-# 18%; the 'gross' beta by 1.53 #+-# 1.6%. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

Major contributions during this contract period have been in developing an analytical procedure for Pu measurement, and in applying the developed procedures to determining the plutonium concentration and distribution in coral from the Bikini Atoll. In conjunction with these contributions, measurements using the fission-track method have been made of the uranium distribution and concentrations in several carbonate samples from drill cores obtained from the Runit Island Enewetak Atoll. Petrographic studies on these drill core samples have been made to correlate the uranium data with the mineralogical data. (auth)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ozone is a principal component of photochemical air pollution endogenous to numerous metropolitan areas. It is primarily formed by the oxidation of NOx in the presence of sunlight and reactive organic compounds. Ozone is a highly active oxidizing agent capable of causing injury to the lung. Lung injury may take the form of irritant effects on the respiratory tract that impair pulmonary function and result in subjective symptoms of respiratory discomfort. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, cough and shortness of breath, and they can limit exercise performance. The effects of ozone observed in humans have been primarily limited to alterations in respiratory function, and a range of respiratory physiological parameters have been measured as a function of ozone exposure in adults and children. These affects have been observed under widely varying (clinical experimental and environmental settings) conditions

Environmental Research Database

ObjectivesTo determine the reaction rate of slag during curing and factors affecting reactivity.~%~~%~To measure the rates of chloride ingress into concrete and the extent of chloride binding.~%~~%~To determine conditions for pitting corrosion and the nature of corrosion products.~%~~%~To characterise the reactions in slag-calcium alumina cement hydration and the nature of the products.~%~DescriptionBlast-furnace slag has latent hydraulic properties, giving considerable potential for commercial use in addition to its widespread use as a partial replacement for Portland cement, notably in alkali-activated slag (AAS) and slag-calcium alumina cement (CAC) concretes. Use of AAS concretes is already well-established in China and the former USSR, but their further application is hindered by lack of research into setting, hydration and durability, Slag/CAC blends are new materials whose chemistr ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

There are no specific diagnostic tests or a gold standard method for measuring disease activity and outcome in spondyloarthropathies (SpA). Many different methods have been developed to assess the signs and symptoms in SpA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of scintigraphy, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Bath Ankilosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in the evaluation of disease activity in early axial SpA diagnosed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thirty early MRI-positive axial SpA patients (23 males, 7 females) with a median age of 35 (18?55) years and a median duration of inflammatory low back pain of 24 (8?60) months were included in the study. In the patients with sacroiliitis, the sensitivity, specificity, and pos...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The radiative heat loss from a surface is determined by its total hemispherical emittance, which consequently plays an important role in aerospace and solar applications. This study compares emittances measured calorimetrically with values derived from near normal incidence spectral reflectance measurements. This optical derivation is based on a number of assumptions which limit the accuracy if not sufficiency fulfilled. These assumptions include sample specularity, a straybody character beyond the range of measurement, only small variations of emittance with temperature, and a perfectly smooth sample surface. The comparison of calorimetrically and optically derived emittance performed in this study not only quantifies the errors introduced by insufficient fulfillment of the assumptions but also identifies which assumption causes the dominant error. The calorimetric emissometer, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A general space- and energy-dependent formalism is developed in order to analyze zero-power neutron noise experiments in fast reactor systems. A generalized dispersion equation is combined with theoretical expressions for the experimentally measured power spectral density and variance-to-mean ratio which makes it possible to express these quantities in terms of a double moment of the Laplace and Fourier transformed Green's function of a slowing-down operator rather than those of the full Boltzmann operator. Several spatial approximations are analyzed in the context of the general formalism. In each case, the power spectral density and variance-to-mean ratio are written in terms of an appropriate fast reactor dispersion law for the medium which can be calculated from the solution to a simple slowing-down equation. The resultant expression for the power spectral density are analyzed for various combinations of neutron migration descriptions, slowing-down ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Medicinal plants i.e. dried seeds of myristica argentea, myristica fragrans, coriandrum sativum and foeniculum vulgare were stored for 0 and 6 months, with and without gamma irradiation at 5 kGy. No detectable changes were seen in infrared and UV spectra, GLC chromatograms and refraction indices of steam distilled, essential oils from the irradiated medicinal plants. The same results were also obtained from irradiated samples stored for 6 months at ambient conditions. Storage for 6 months caused significant changes in the gas liquid chromatograms and UV spectra of all samples compared to non-stored samples. The moisture content of all samples packed in polyethylene bags seems to be constant after 6 months of storage. No measurable changes were found in the amount of essential oil content caused by irradiation.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The results of following the oxidative degradation of a plastic-bonded explosive (PBX 9501) are reported. Into over 1100 sealed containers were placed samples of PBX 9501 and combinations of its components and aged at relatively low temperatures to induce oxidative degradation of the samples. One of the components of the explosive is a poly(ester urethane) polymer and the oxidative degradation of the samples were following by measuring the molecular weight change of the polymer by gel permeation chromatography (coupled with both differential refractive index and multiangle laser light scattering detectors). Multiple temperatures between 40 and 64 degreeC were used to accelerate the aging of the samples. Interesting induction period behavior, along with both molecular weight increasing (cro...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A miniaturized spatial temperature gradient CE system with automated sample introduction for DNA mutation detection was established. Continuous electrokinetic sample injection was achieved by combining an automated slotted vial array sample introduction device to the spatial temperature gradient CE system. The temperature gradient was produced by a radiative heating system with a single graphite block heater, and the stability of the temperature gradient was investigated. The temperature variation of each measure point was 0.12 0.21% RSD (n=7) within 6 h. A 14 cm Teflon AF coated silica capillary was used both as the separation channel and as the liquid core waveguide tube of fluorescence signal. Under a temperature gradient from 54.8 to 59.5 C, a low range control mutation standa...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Composting of sawdust and paper mill sludge, using a 'Kneer' process reactor, was studied in an attempt to elaborate upon organic matter transformation during the process and to define parameters to measure the compost maturity level. Temperature, electron paramagnetic resonance data, ash and C, H, N and S contents, and a spectroscopic method using ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) for alkaline (pH = 8.5) and solid samples was used to study the maturity of the compost samples. These parameters were measured in 6 humic acids extracted from the compost samples during 29 days. The results of this work show that the 'Kneer' process is efficient in transforming ligno-celulitic residues in a short time (29 days), into an organic fertilizer material with application perspectives (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A Michelson interferometer and a CCD detector were used to measure the number of interference fringes related to the expansion length of rubber sample. The sample was situated in a microcryostat, and the temperature of the sample was varied from -200 .deg. C to +80 .deg. C. Various types of carbon black filled rubber (Duradene, Sn-SSBR) samples were used to determine the glass transition temperatures (T_g) and the thermal coeffcients (#alpha#). The mixing ratio was 0, 10, 30, 40, 50, or 70 parts per hundred of carbon black to Sn-SSBR rubber. For the unfilled rubber of Sn-SSBR, the T_g was about -24 .deg. C, and the thermal coeffcient was 1.18 X 10"-"4 .deg. C"-"1. The thermal coeffcients sharply increased around T_g for all samples, and decreased with increasing doping ratio of carbonblack from 0 .deg. C to 30 .deg. C. The volume resistivity was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Ringold Formation consists of lacustrine and fluvial deposits overlying the Columbia River Basalt. The Ringold Formation, because of its thickness, extent, and age, is an excellent unit in which to detect and possibly data the deformation that has occurred since deposition of the basalt. One objective of this study was to investigate the paleomagnetism of the upper Ringold unit exposed at one location in the White Bluffs in enough detail to resolve, with reasonable confidence, the magnetostratigraphy of the rock units sampled. The other objective was to evaluate, in a preliminary manner, the paleomagnetic favorability and magnetostratigraphy of the subsurface Ringold Formation in the Pasco Basin and at selected exposures outside the Pasco Basin. The scope of this study was the collection of 300 paleomagnetic samples, their measurement, and analysis. Samples were collected from the White Bluffs, from ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new method for the determination of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes in large soil samples has been developed that provides enhanced uranium removal to facilitate assay by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in large soil samples for the measurement of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes by ICP-MS. {sup 238}U can interfere with {sup 239}Pu measurement by ICP-MS as {sup 238}UH{sup +} mass overlap and {sup 237}Np via {sup 238}U peak tailing. The method provides enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin, then transferring Pu to DGA resin for additional purification. The decontamination factor for removal of uranium from plutonium for this method is greater than 1 x 10{sup 6}. Alpha spectrometry can also be applied so that the shorter-lived {sup 238}Pu isotope can be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured by the "1"3"3Xe inhalation method in patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID, N = 26), Alzheimer's dementia (AD, N = 19), and among age-matched, neurologically normal, healthy volunteers (N = 26). Cognitive performance was assessed in all subjects using the Cognitive Capacity Screening Examination (CCSE). Cerebral vasomotor responses were calculated from differences in values of mean hemispheric gray matter blood flow (Delta CBF) measured during inhalation of 100% oxygen (hyperoxia) compared with CBF measured while breathing room air. Significant correlations were found between CCSE performance and vasomotor responsiveness in patients with MID (P less than .01), but not in patients with AD or in neurologically normal volunteers. Loss of vasomotor responsiveness is an indicator of cerebrovascular disease with rigidity and/or loss of reactivity of cerebral vessels, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Six illitized samples from drillhole OL-KR12 in Olkiluoto were analyzed by helium gas methods for their diffusion coefficient, permeability and porosity. The diffusion coefficients measured varied in the range 2.1 x 10-10 - 3.5 x 10-8 m2/s, permeabilities in the range 6 x 10-21 - 5.8 x 10-16 m2, and porosities in the range 0.2 6.2%. Variations observed in these quantities were concluded to arise from the heterogeneous structure of the sample rock. A 4 mm x 4 mm x 4 mm subsample was sawed from each of the six samples for structural analysis by x-ray microtomography. The three-dimensional structure of tomographic reconstructions, and thereby that of the samples themselves, was analyzed visually, which confirmed their heterogeneity. Samples represent altered rock whose structure and thereby transport properties vary significantly depending on the local alteration ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In an attempt to obtain basic data for evaluation of exposure doses in Niigata Prefecture, the concentrations of tritium in atmospheric water, precipitation, river water, and tap water were measured. Samples of atmospheric water, river water, and tap water were collected once for 2 weeks; and precipitation collected for one week was used as sample. The concentration of atmospheric tritium depended on the concentration of tritium in moisture and the content of water in atmosphere. Tritium levels were high in May, November and March, and low in September. Regarding tritium concentrations, there was a good correlation between atmospheric water and precipitation. Tritium concentrations in both of them varied from sample to sample. The concentrations of tritium in river and tap water tended to be high during spring and low during summer and winter, although the variations were not so ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The carbon dioxide concentration has been measured in air samples collected approximately once per week at 22 globally distributed sites during 1981-1984. All samples were analyzed on the same non-dispersive infrared analyzer apparatus. The measured concentrations are directly traceable to the WMO primary CO/sub 2/ standards. Samples which do not contain well-mixed, regionally representative air or which have been contaminated during or subsequent to sampling, have been identified. The selected data have been analyzed using an objective curve fitting method which enables improved estimation of uncertainties associated with derived parameters. The latitudinal distribution of annual mean CO/sub 2/ concentration at the network sites shows significant interannual variability possibly related to the 1982-1983 El NinoSouthern Oscillation event. No evidence was found ...

CERN Document Server

A complete macromolecule modeling package must be able to solve the simplest structure prediction problems. Despite recent successes in high resolution structure modeling and design, the Rosetta software suite fares poorly on deceptively small protein and RNA puzzles, some as small as four residues. To illustrate these problems, this manuscript presents extensive Rosetta results for four well-defined test cases: the 20-residue mini-protein Trp cage, an even smaller disulfide-stabilized conotoxin, the reactive loop of a serine protease inhibitor, and a UUCG RNA tetraloop. In contrast to previous Rosetta studies, several lines of evidence indicate that conformational sampling is not the major bottleneck in modeling these small systems. Instead, approximations and omissions in the Rosetta all-atom energy function currently preclude discriminating experimentally observed conformations from de novo models at atomic resolution. These molecular ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Holmium doped barium based hexaferrites BaFe12-2xHo2xO19 with (x=0.0-1.0) were synthesized by solid state reaction method. Structural and magnetic characterization of these ferrites provide significant information about their reactive physical properties. X-ray analysis reveals that in all samples M-type structure exist with few secondary phases. Scanning electron microscope revealed the grain size of the specimen. The results show that grain size decreases with the substitution degree of Holmium. Thus rare earth element Holmium Ho^3^+ acts as a grain growth inhibitor. The magnetic hysteresis loops show the variation in the values of magnetic parameters like saturation magnetization (Ms), remanent magnetization (Mr) and coercivity (Hc) were observed by changing Ho^3^+ content in BaFe12-2xH...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The underground storage tanks at the Hanford Complex contain mixed wastes generated over many years from plutonium production and recovery processes. The chemical changes of the organic materials used in the extraction processes and disposed to the tanks have a direct bearing on several specific safety issues, including potential energy releases from these tanks. This paper will give details of a study that is directed towards elucidating thermal and radiological decomposition mechanisms and products of the organic contents of the tanks. The study is being conducted in two parts. The first part, an aging study, will determine kinetics and products of the degradation of a simulated waste subjected to #gamma#-radiation from an external source. Although the simulant will not contain radioactive elements, it will contain other representative inorganic compounds and the primary organic compounds thought to have been disposed to the tanks. The second part of the investigation will seek to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Microorganisms associated with fractured basalt core were compared to those suspended in groundwater pumped from the same well in the eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (Idaho, USA). Two wells influenced to different degrees by a mixed-waste plume in the fractured basalt aquifer were examined. In one well, an array of dialysis cells filled with either deionized water or crushed basalt was equilibrated to compare the microorganisms collected in this fashion with those from core and groundwater samples collected in a traditional manner from the same well. Analyses were performed to characterize these samples and to provide a basis for comparison. These included total cell counts by microscopy; total biomass by phospholipid fatty acid analysis; enumerations of viable aerobic heterotrophs, groups of putative aerobic co-metabolic TCE-degraders and aerobic H2-oxidizing bacteria; mineralization of 14C- labeled acetate; and enrichments for dissimilatory ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sulfate attack of cement-based materials remains an important problem for the durability assessment of containers and disposal engineering barriers dedicated to the long-term storage of radioactive wastes since underground water which may reach these elements contains small quantities of sulfates (7-31 mmol/1). This work contributes to the study of sulfate-induced damage mechanisms, to their understanding and modelling. The experimental phases of this study aimed at the understanding of the different physico-chemical phenomena involved during an external sulfate attack at following their evolution and their impact on the transport and mechanical properties of the material. Leaching experiments in pure water and in a solution of sodium sulfate (with a sulfate content of 15 mmol/1), have been performed simultaneously on OPC paste (w/c 0,4)in order to allow a comparison of test results. The frequent analysis of the leachant has shown a consumption of sulfate ions by the matrix, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Epitaxial cobalt disilicide (CoSi_2) layers are grown on n-Si_0_._8_3Ge_0_._1_7/n-Si(001) using a sacrificial Si capping layer at the growth temperature T_s=650 deg. C by reactive chemical vapor deposition using cyclopentadienyl dicarbonyl cobalt (Co(#eta#"5-C_5H_5)(CO)_2). Structural and electrical properties of epi-CoSi_2/Si_0_._8_3Ge_0_._1_7/Si(001) were measured by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy and sheet resistance measurement as a function of annealing temperature. The combined results showed that the epitaxial CoSi_2 phase by the reaction of Co with the Si capping layer was formed in the as-grown layers. Rapid thermal anneals for the investigation of thermal stability of the as-grown layers showed good thermal stability of the epitaxial CoSi_2 layers with the low sheet resistance value as low as congruent with 4.4 #OMEGA#/cm up to the annealing temperature as high as ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Here we report a new method for measuring the heterogeneous chemistry of submicron organic aerosol particles using a continuous flow stirred tank reactor. This approach is designed to quantify the real time heterogeneous kinetics, using a relative rate method, under conditions of low oxidant concentration and long reaction times that more closely mimic the real atmosphere. A general analytical expression, which couples the aerosol chemistry with the flow dynamics in the chamber is developed and applied to the heterogeneous oxidation of squalane particles by hydroxyl radicals (OH) in the presence of O2. The particle phase reaction is monitored via photoionization aerosol mass spectrometry and yields a reactive uptake coefficient of 0.51+-0.10, using OH concentrations of 1-7x108 molec cdot cm-3 and reaction times of 1.5+-3 hours. This uptake coefficient is larger than that found for the reaction carried out under high OH concentrations (~;;1x1010 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Aircraft constitute a unique environment which places stringent requirements on the instruments used to measure the concentrations of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols. Some of these requirements such as minimization of size, weight, and power consumption are general; others are specific to individual techniques. This review presents the basic principles and considerations governing the deployment of trace gas and aerosol instrumentation on an aircraft. An overview of common instruments illustrates these points and provides guidelines for designing and using instruments on aircraft-based measurement programs.

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements are made in horizontal planes in a simplified scale model of a spray dryer using water as fluid. The sample rate was sufficient to resolve phenomena at lower frequencies. Data reveal asymmetric velocity fields in both mean fields and dynamics. Data were analysed using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD). An important periodic event is an elongation of the jet core cross section that results in a downstream displacement of the jet towards the chamber wall.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

By means of neutron diffraction, using the standard polycrystalline sample of Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, measurements on three (of four spectrometers) already installed in the front of horizontal channels of MARIA reactor have been performed. Basing on these experiments as well as on activation measurements carried out earlier, the fluxes of monoenergetic neutrons have been estimated. These experiments allowed to determine (for a given geometry and kind of monochromators chosen) the resolution efficiency of instruments and high order contamination in the reflected beam. With the help of polycrystalline vanadium and TbBr{sub 3} sample, the possibility of studies using the inelastic scattering process have been tested. (author) 7 refs, 15 figs, 7 tabs

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short-duration measurements have been widely used to screen for exposures to elevated radon concentrations in individual houses or at state or regional levels. However, a number of factors, including spatial and temporal variability in radon concentrations, must be considered before comparison to concentration guidelines can be made. Daily variations in radon concentration can lead to inherent measurement uncertainties ranging from 20 to 100+ percent. Differences in radon concentration due to seasonal effects and/or sampling location are also variable, and do not appear to be regionally consistent. Winter/summer concentration ratios, for example, have been observed to vary by as much as a factor of 10 in basements and by a factor of 5 in first floors. In this paper the implications of these uncertainties on the use of short-term sampling for inferring long-term exposures are discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The activity concentrations of potassium, uranium and thorium in minerals and soil samples from a mining site in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria were measured using gamma ray spectroscopy method. Effective dose per annum has been calculated from the activity concentrations of dominant gamma-emitting natural radionuclides, potassium, uranium and thorium. Samples collected include minerals (beryl, quartz and feldspar), soil samples from the mining pits, heaps and undisturbed land around the mining site. The activity concentrations of {sup 40}K, {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th, respectively in Bq kg-1 in the mineral samples were as follows: 1985 +- 16, 4.8 +- 0.9 and 11.8 +- 5.8 for beryl sample, 115.1 +- 27.9, 5.0 +- 1.3 and 6.3 +- 5.0 for feldspar samples and 1421 +- 122, <4.8 and 20.1 +- 3.5 for quartz samples. For the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Low transition temperature (low-{Tc}) and high-{Tc} Superconducting QUantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) have been used to perform high-resolution magnetic measurements on samples whose temperatures are much higher than the operating temperatures of the devices. Part 1 of this work focuses on measurements of the rigidity of flux vortices in high-{Tc} superconductors using two low-{Tc} SQUIDs, one on either side of a thermally-insulated sample. The correlation between the signals of the SQUIDs is a direct measure of the extent of correlation between the movements of opposite ends of vortices. These measurements were conducted under the previously-unexplored experimental conditions of nominally-zero applied magnetic field, such that vortex-vortex interactions were unimportant, and with zero external current. At specific temperatures, the authors observed ...

Science.gov (United States)

Following the Hungerford Massacre the British Government imposed additional strict firearms legislation in 1988 that involved several classes of arms being placed into the prohibited category. By way of compensation a scheme was introduced to allow the unrestricted possession and transfer of the newly prohibited arms, other firearms and "prohibited weapons", if de-activated to a standard acceptable to the Secretary of State. Approved standards for firearm de-activation were drawn up in 1989. The inspection of the de-activated arms was devolved to the two Gun Barrel Proof Houses at London and Birmingham, as otherwise the task of inspecting the thousands of guns involved would have overloaded the firearms section at the Huntingdon Forensic Science Service Laboratory, who were already dealing with criminal firearms cases submitted by 41 of the 43 police forces throughout England and Wales, as well as providing technical assistance to the Home Office and Government Ministers. Members of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Moderator Temperature Coefficient of reactivity (MTC) was earlier proven to be properly determined via noise analysis when the neutron noise is measured locally and when the radial average of the moderator temperature noise is used. Nevertheless, measurements revealed that the MTC was correctly estimated on a much narrower frequency band (0.6 - 0.7 Hz) than expected (0.1 - 1.0 Hz). The present paper investigates the effect of the feedback on the MTC determination using this new MTC noise estimator (which could explain the deviation at low frequencies, i.e. between 0.1 - 0.5 Hz) and the effect of the detector time constants (which could explain the deviation at high frequencies, i.e. between 0.7 - 1.0 Hz). For that purpose, a coupled neutronic/thermalhydraulic model of the Ringhals-3 PWR is developed in the frequency-domain, based on a radial 2-dimensional heterogeneous representation of the core. The transfer function ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The hippocampus is thought to coordinate memory consolidation by reactivating traces from behavioral experience when the brain is not actively processing new input. In fact, during slow-wave...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Neuronal death is known to trigger reactive microgliosis. However, little is known regarding the manner by which microglia are activated by injured neurons and how microgliosis participates...Full Text Available

Wastenet

... Optimisation of reactive dye removal by sequential electrocoagulation-flocculation... The removal of Reactive Black 5 dye in an aqueous solution by electrocoagulation (EC) as well... »Read more By M. Mohsen Nourouzi, T. G. Chuah, Thomas S....

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have recently introduced several important improvements in the measurement of distillation curves for complex fluids. The modifications include a composition-explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for both qualitative and quantitative analysis) and corrosivity assessment of each distillate fraction. The composition-explicit information is achieved with a new sampling approach that allows precise qualitative as well as quantitative analyses of each fraction, on the fly. We have applied the new method to a variety of fluids, including simple n-alkanes, rocket propellant, gasoline, jet fuels, and a hydrocarbon fluid made corrosive with dissolved hydrogen sulfide. In the current contribution, we present the application of the advanced distillation curve method to two samples of crude oil. A primary motivation behind the work is to precisely measure the distillation curves of these oils using ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A series of ball-on-disc wear and friction measurements were made for surfaces which have a chemical vapour deposition carbon silicon alloy layer on a carbon substrate (fine grain POCO graphite). Nitrogen ion irradiation was used to improve the wear resistance of the carbon alloy surface. For comparison, measurements were also taken for alumina against alumina. It was found that the lowest friction coefficient and lowest wear occurred for ion irradiated coated samples containing 4% Si in the alloy and that the performance was superior to that of alumina. ((orig.)).

Science.gov (United States)

Neutron resonance interactions with /sup 100/Mo were studied at a time-of-flight facility. The transmission of two oxide samples (97.4% /sup 100/Mo) was measured at a 78.20 m flight path and the neutron capture cross section was measured at 40.12 m. Resonance analyses yielded parameters of 124 resonances. Capture ..gamma..-ray spectra from 11 resolved resonances were measured with a Ge(Li) detector at a 10.45 m flight path. In contrast to neighboring nuclei, partial radiation widths of strong p-wave resonances are not in agreement with valence model predictions.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The variations of measurements were estimated for microamounts SO_4"2"-, Br"-, I"- ions in samples of carnallite by ionchromatography method. The composition of carbonate eluent was verified. The investigated minima were about 0,004 %, 0,001 %, 0,01 % for SO_4"2"-, Br"-, I"- completively correspondingly. It was shown that the limit of ion-chromatography measurement would be decreased when Br"- and I"- ions were concentrated by extraction before. Besides the determination of I"- ion in carnallite was preformed by potentiometry with I"--ionselective electrode. 6 refs.; 3 tabs.

Science.gov (United States)

We outline the process for determining the morphology of subsurface epithelial cell nuclei using depth-resolved light scattering measurements. The measurements are accomplished using a second generation angle-resolved low coherence interferometry system. The new system greatly improves data acquisition and analysis times compared to the initial prototype system. The calibration of the new system is demonstrated in scattering studies to determine the size distribution of polystyrene microspheres in a turbid sample. The process for determining the size of cell nuclei is discussed by analyzing measurements of basal cells in a sub-surface layer of intact, unstained epithelial tissue.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A revision of some basic concepts related to the analysis of variance of repeated measures is presented within an ecological context topics such as the types of experiments in which the technique is applicable, the hypotheses of interest, and its preference over other traditional techniques such as regression and conventional analysis of variance, are discussed. As an example, the technique was successfully applied to an experiment carried out at Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta, Colombia, in which the concentration of cadmium #mu#g/g in leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans was measured in several monitoring stations and throughout several sampling intervals representing seasons.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Data which have been collected by Los Alamos National Laboratory waste management for the hydrologic characterization of the subsurface at the low level radioactive waste disposal facility, Area G, are reported and discussed briefly. The data includes Unsaturated Flow Apparatus measurements of the unsaturated conductivity in samples from borehole G-5. Analysis compares these values to the predictions from van Genuchten estimates, and the implications for transport and data matching are discussed, especially at the location of the Vapor Phase Notch (VPN). There, evaporation drives a significant vapor flux and the liquid flux cannot be measured accurately by the UFA device. Data also include hydrologic characterization of samples from borehole G-5, Area G surface soils, Los Alamos (Cerros de Rio) basalt, Tsankawi and Cerro-Toledo layers, the Vapor Phase Notch (VPN), and additional new ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radio frequency (RF) plasma nitriding using different input plasma processing powers (250-600 W) improves the surface of titanium by forming hard phases of TiN, Ti_2N, and Ti (N) into the surface. The characteristics of the compound layer have been investigated by optical microscopy, microhardness measurements, and X-ray diffraction. The effect of plasma power on the sample temperature, electron temperature, and plasma density was studied using Langmuir double probe. The measured surface hardness value of the compound layer is 2190 HV 0.1 for treated sample at plasma power 500 W. The compound thickness continuously increases as the plasma power increases. The highest nitriding rate of 5.88 #mu#m"2/s was recorded when the input plasma power was adjusted at 550 W. This high nitriding rate of treated titanium samples is ascribed to the high concentration of active nitrogen species in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurements have been made of radon ("2"2"2Rn), release from diverse quaternary samples collected from different sediment deposits in the Errachidia and Beni-Mellal areas (Morocco). The radon diffusion coefficient as one of some important parameters of radon transport in the soil has been measured using solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD). Radon #alpha#-activity, uranium content and radon exhalation rate have been determined in the studied samples. Uranium concentrations were found to vary from 0.14 to 9.52 ppm whereas the radon exhalation rate varied from 0.003 to 0.145 Bq x m"-"2 x h"-"1. A positive correlation has been found between radon exhalation rate and uranium content in the studied samples. The average radon diffusion coefficients were found to vary from (1.26 #+-# 0.09) x 10"-"6 m"2 x s"-"1 to (4.3 #+-# 0.36) x 10"-"6 m"2 x s"-"1. Furthermore, the correlation ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report is a compilation of the groundwater sampling results from the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS) including calendar year 2008 results. Each of the three Pilot Wells was sampled on March 11, 2008, and September 10, 2008. These wells were sampled for the following indicators of contamination: pH, specific conductance, total organic carbon, total organic halides, and tritium. Indicators of general water chemistry (cations and anions) were also monitored. Results from all samples collected in 2008 were within the limits established by agreement with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for each analyte. These data indicate that there has been no measurable impact to the uppermost aquifer from the Area 5 RWMS. There were no significant changes in measured groundwater parameters compared to previous years. Other information in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The effect of UV radiation in the wavelength region 230 nm to 302 nm on the ability of an irradiated mammalian cell to reactivate UV-irradiated mammalian virus was tested. An action spectrum for radiation enhanced reactivation (RER) is presented. The shape of the action spectrum points to a combined nucleic acid-protein target for UV radiation effects on this cellular parameter. An analysis of the results of others involving the biochemical and photobiological events involved in RER does not allow us to distinguish which macromolecule is the major contributor to this effect. Studies involving an analogous phenomenon in bacteris (Weigle reactivation) imply that RER and WR amy involve similar mechanisms. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

X-ray scattering from lyophilized proteins or protein-rich samples is characterized by the presence of two characteristic broad peaks at scattering angles equivalent to momentum transfer values of 0.27 and 0.6 nm{sup -1}, respectively. These peaks arise from the interference of coherently scattered photons. Once the conformation of a protein is changed, these two peaks reflect such change with considerable sensitivity. The present work examines the possibility of characterizing the most common cause of hemolytic anaemia in Egypt and many Mediterranean countries; {beta}-thalassemia, from its X-ray scattering profile. This disease emerges from a genetic defect causing reduced rate in the synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin. As a result, structurally abnormal hemoglobin molecules are formed. In order to detect such molecular disorder, hemoglobin samples of {beta}-thalassemia patients are collected, lyophilized and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Samples of air-dust-concentration- and air-dust-deposit measurements were digested by a standardized wet digestion procedure and the amounts of substances in the dust according to class I TA Luft by Atomic Emission Spectroscopy with Inductively Coupled Plasma (AES-ICP). The characteristic values for procedures according to VDI 2449, sheet 1, were determined for lead, vanadium, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc. By partial automatic control of the digestion procedure the personel expenditure of work could be reduced by a factor 13. Dust filter samples were analysed without sample preparation by evaporating the material with a solid state laser. The absolute detection limit was between 1 and 100 ng/cm"2 for the elements arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, antimony, selen and thallium. For sampling by means of the Beta-Staubmeter the relative detection limits for the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The EMP consists of a Compliance Monitoring Sampling Program and a Supplemental monitoring Sampling Program. The Compliance Monitoring Sampling Program will be conducted during a summer and a winter Baseline periods during the Pre-Construction/Construction phases of the Project and during a summer and a winter period following the successful Startup and Operational phase of the completed Project. compliance monitoring consist of conducting all the sampling and observation programs associated with existing required Federal, State, and Local Regulations, Permits and Orders. These include air, water, and waste monitoring and OSHA and NESHAP monitoring. The Supplemental Monitoring Program will also be conducted during a summer and a winter Baseline periods during the Pre-Construction/Construction phases of the Demonstration Facility and during a summer and a winter period following the successful startup ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new emissivity measurement device with inductive sample heating is described. The disc shaped samples can be measured between 800 C and 2000 C in vacuum or in each available gas atmosphere. Two kinds of surface temperature measurement methods are described, one by measuring in a blackbody hole and one by measuring at the surface without additional measures to correct emissivity. Total normal and spectral emissivity at wavelengths between 0,5 {mu}m and 8,3 {mu}m of various high temperature materials like platinum and Pt-Rh-alloys, siliconcarbide and molybdenum disilicide have been measured. From the investigated materials a few have been selected as reference samples for comparative emissivity measurements fullfilling the requirement of stability on air up ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An ion chromatograph has been modified to automatically sample ten liquid water streams from the secondary side of three pressurized water reactors, Calvert Cliffs, Unit One, Rancho Seco and McGuire, Unit 1. Sampling and measurement is semicontinuous with a cycle time of approximately five hours for 10 locations with sensitivities in the range of 0.1 to 0.5 ppb. The efficiency of the condensate polishing system and subsequent transport of sodium, chloride, and sulfate around the system can be readily followed. Sulfate has been shown to have unusual volatility into the steam phase from the steam generator as well as a tendency to pass through the condensate polisher.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This is a preliminary study on the sound absorption properties of two tropical hardwoods, Light Red Meranti and Ramin, and their wood-polymer composites. Sound absorption is measured using a standing wave apparatus. The samples are of one thickness (7 mm) and cut longitudinally. Wood-polymer composites are made by impregnating the samples with methyl methacrylate which is polymerized in situ through #gamma#-irradiation. Both woods and their composites are better sound absorbers at higher sound frequencies. With partial impregnation, the absorption coefficients are improved upon particularly in the region between 1-3 kHz. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

In this work, the half-lives of the beta-unstable nuclei {sup 101}Mo and {sup 101}Tc were studied using neutron-irradiated samples of {sup 100}Mo to produce {sup 101}Mo which in its turn generates {sup 101}Tc by beta decay. The gamma activity of each sample was followed for 5 consecutive half-lives in steps of 5 minutes. A total of 22 sources were measured and checked for dead-time influence, and the half-lives were obtained by weighted average. The results are statistically incompatible with the tabulated values.

CERN Document Server

A simple experiment to observe weak localization in thin Ag films is presented. A clear theoretical signature of weak localization is predicted in mangetoresistive measurements of thin films samples. We present a simple method for making thin Ag film samples, using evaporative deposition, and observing the small magnetoresistive signal, using a resistance bridge technique. Typical results from our students show that Ag films show the predicted behavior for weak localization with spin effects. These effects can be easily observed in a liquid helium dewar.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The individuality of production devices should be taken into account when statistical models are designed for parallelized devices. In the present work, a new clustering method, referred to as NC-spectral clustering, is proposed for discriminating the individuality of production devices. The key idea is to classify samples according to the differences of the correlation among measured variables, since the individuality of production devices is expressed by the correlation. In the proposed NC-spectral clustering, the nearest correlation (NC) method and spectral clustering are integrated. The NC method generates the weighted graph that expresses the correlation-based similarities between samples, and the constructed graph is partitioned by spectral clustering. A new statistical process monit...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of the method is described on powder samples before and after sintering with a La content of up to 1%. For excitation of the K series of La a /sup 241/Am source with an activity of 1.11 GBq was used. The obtained results showed that the method is sufficiently accurate (error 7%) at a short period of measurement (100 s). It gives satisfactory results even in the comparison of the experimental relative count rate and the theoretically calculated value despite the fact that the analytical signal comes from the sample surface.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We have measured the frequency-dependent dielectric function of semi-crystalline polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) in the terahertz region between 100?GHz and approximately 2.8?THz. A characteristic band is observed around 2.38?THz. The intensity of this band is a good indicator of the degree of crystallinity of the different samples. A potential assignment of this band is proposed, based on the comparison with spectroscopic data of the structurally very similar polyethylene terephtalate (PET). Furthermore, the frequency-dependent index of refraction of PBT reveals more insight about the morphology and different thermal history of the samples under investigation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We describe a fully automated bead puller system which uses stepping motors to position the bead, and an HP-8510 network analyzer to measure the resulting frequency shifts, both devices being under computer control. Longitudinal motion of the bead is used for measurement of cavity shunt impedance. In addition, azimuthal scans at fixed longitudinal position aid in determining the multipole character of higher-order modes. High sensitivity/accuracy is made possible by measuring phase shifts at the unperturbed resonant frequencies (rather than frequency shifts themselves), thereby permitting averaging factors of > 500 with only modest increases in data acquisition time. Sample measurements will be presented. A comprehensive analysis of the experimental results is presented in an accompanying paper.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this study, wood samples were exposed to light irradiations (direct sunlight, xenon lamp, mercury vapour lamp) and thermal treatments were carried out in dry- and in humid conditions at 90degreeC. One part of the samples was covered by an aluminium plate during light irradiation. The samples under the aluminium plate also suffered considerable chemical changes, monitored by infrared technique and colour measurement. The sunlight produced greater colour change under the aluminium plate than the artificial light sources. During light irradiation, the carbonyl band having two maximum at 1700 and 1746cm-1 increased and the peak of the aromatic skeletal vibration arising from lignin (1510cm-1) decreased together with the guaiacyl vibrations at 1275cm-1. There was absorption decrease at 1174c...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A diffuse-reflectance capability for the Fourier transform infrared spectrometer at the Y-12 Plant Laboratory has been implemented. A sample cell with a 25 to 400/sup 0/C temperature-controlled sample stage and an ultrahigh-vacuum-to-atmospheric pressure gas-handling capability has been developed. Absorbance of light from the spectrometer beam, resulting from the beam being scattered from a powder sample, can be measured. This capability of detecting molecular species on and in powders is to be used to study chemisorption on actinide and rare-earth metals, alloys, and compounds. Cell design is described along with experiments demonstrating its performance in detecting moisture absorption on uranium oxide, moisture and carbon dioxide absorption on the lithium hydride/hydroxide system, and carbon dioxide absorption on potassium borohydride. 13 figures.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This volume covers planning, design, and data analysis. It offers statistical methods for designing environmental sampling and monitoring programs as well as analyzing the resulting data. Statistical sample survey methods to problems of estimating average and total amounts of environmental pollution are presented in detail. The book also provides a broad array of statistical analysis methods for many purposes...numerous examples...three case studies...end-of-chapter questions...computer codes (showing what output looks like along with its interpretation)...a discussion of Kriging methods for estimating pollution concentration contours over space and/or time...nomographs for determining the number of samples required to detect hot spots with specified confidence...and a description and tables for conducting Rosner's test to identify outlaying (usually large) pollution measurements in a data set.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis for nondestructive determination of Fe, Zn, Pb, and Br in air samples collected on nitrocellulose membrane filter Synpor 4 is described. A /sup 238/Pu source for the excitation and a semiconductor Si/Li detector for the detection of characteristic and L-fluorescent radiation of the above elements were used. A correction method based upon the measurements of simple or multiple Compton scattering for compensation of varying mass per unit area values in sample deposits was theoretically proposed and experimentally tested. The results obtained both with and without the correction were compared and good agreement with those given by atomic absorption spectrometry was observed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Vignon, M. (2011) Inference in morphological taxonomy using collinear data and small sample sizes: Monogenean sclerites (Platyhelminthes) as a case study. -Zoologica Scripta, 40, 306-316. Taxonomists and evolutionary biologists frequently use a combination of morphological measurements to distinguish between species and investigate local adaptation. However, the entire set of characters often displays various degrees of collinearity. This paper discusses the effect of using collinear data in morphological taxonomy and ways to handle multicollinearity in a classification context, with special consideration for small sample size. In addition, I propose a robust and easy-to-use combination of dimension reduction using partial least squares (PLS) with traditional discriminant methods for morph...

Science.gov (United States)

Dislocation priming measurements were performed in the kHz range in ASARCO copper. The samples and irradiation facilities are constructed so as to allow successive irradiation of samples both with electrons and gamma rays. The gamma rays were produced by stopping 2.8-MeV electrons in a gold target. The change of the type of irradiation could be achieved without any handling of the sample. Thus it is possible to detect rather small differences between the two types of irradiation. Recovery experiments at 400 deg K after 75 deg K irradiation and pinning rates during irradiation at 400 deg K and 75 deg K were made. (GE)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Critical current density and dissipation of four sintered YBCO filaments were measured using a continuous DC power supply. Each sample exhibited somewhat different characteristics from the others even though 3 of the 4 samples are from the same batch. The data suggest that it is possible for the YBCO filament to be in a state of stable equilibrium when part of the filament is in the flux-flow state and part of the filament is in the normal state (local hot spots). This behavior may be advantageous for resistive fault current limiters because the intermediate state (partly flux-flow and partly normal) has an overall resistance much higher than that of the flux-flow state but it does not lead to thermal runaway (burnout) or excessive heating compared to a YBCO filament driven into normal state over its entire length. Two of the samples were broken as a result of local burnout.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The magnetic susceptibility of GaAs samples containing a large concentration of native defects was investigated by dc magnetization measurements. Thin GaAs films grown by molecular-beam epitaxy at very low temperatures and bulk GaAs:S samples irradiated with fast neutrons have been studied. For all samples, the susceptibility follows a Curie-Weiss law, indicating the presence of localized magnetic moments. These moments are attributed to unpaired spins located at the native defects. Negative Curie-Weiss temperatures found for both neutron-irradiated and low-temperature-grown GaAs is a clear manifestation of an antiferromagnetic interaction between the moments. The presence of a highly inhomogeneous distribution of native defects has to be assumed to account for the observed antiferromagnetic ordering.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fine ceramics center (JFCC) succeeded in the higher precision of thermal diffusivity measurement by the laser flash. This results are part of 'the research on thermophysical property measurement technique and standard substance of the functional material' by the intelligent establishing of a base promotion system of Science and Technology Agency. Cooperative research. thermal diffusivity with Natl. Res. Lab. of Metrology is one of the representative thermophysical property. The speed in which a heat transmits of the material is shown, and it is indispensable to the design of the high-temperature member subject. JFCC heralds the world as a standard substance for the thermal diffusivity measurement; 'TD-AL' using the alumina material is developed and is supplied in the spring in last year. Laser flash which uses laser beam for the heat source is general for the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study deals with testing the capability of the code PARET to simulate natural convection cooling phenomena under different boundary conditions. In addition to applying and testing some new options related to simulation of the control rod movement and studying the reactivity effect of thermal expansion fuel elements. The experiments of the simple thermal hydraulic loop of Missouri university about natural cooling phenomena in two narrow paralled channels were used to validate the code. The study indicate good results regarding the distribution of coolant flux velocity and clad temperature. In particular the heat transfer coefficient of natural convection has been calculated in good agreement with the experiment. On the other hand, the core of MNSR reactor has been modelled to simulate the reactor dynamic behaviour under natural convection cooling conditions for different initial power level. The observed oscillation during the initial phase vanishes gradually ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Based on the results obtained for C-N and Si-C-N films, a systematic investigation of reactive magnetron sputtering of hard quaternary Si-B-C-N materials has been carried out. The Si-B-C-N films were deposited on p-type Si(100) substrates by dc magnetron co-sputtering using a single C-Si-B target (at a fixed 20% boron fraction in the target erosion area) in nitrogen-argon gas mixtures. Elemental compositions of the films, their surface bonding structure and mechanical properties, together with their oxidation resistance in air, were controlled by the Si fraction (5-75%) in the magnetron target erosion area, the Ar fraction (0-75%) in the gas mixture, the rf induced negative substrate bias voltage (from a floating potential to -500 V) and the substrate temperature (180-350 deg. C). The total pressure and the discharge current on the magnetron target were held constant at 0.5 Pa and 1 A, respectively. The energy and flux of ions bombarding the growing films were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thermal diffusivity was measured with a laser flash method up to 2000 K for UO_2 pellets irradiated in a commercial reactor. Measurements were done on micro samples of disks (2 mm diameter) or regular prisms (1.5 or 2 mm square cross sections). Thermal diffusivity degraded on extending burnup in agreement with reported values for UO_2 irradiated in test reactors, and it showed hysteresis during the laser flash experiments. Thermal diffusivity began to recover above 750 K and almost completely recovered above 1400 K, which corresponded with the reported radiation damage recovery. The obtained data were in agreement with predictions applying the thermal conductivity expression for irradiated UO_2 proposed by Amaya and Hirai. The sample experiencing power ramp showed higher thermal diffusivity than that of the base irradiated sample and had no obvious hysteresis. This suggested that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Arsenic in soils from the Asarco lead smelter in East Helena, Montana was characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Arsenic oxidation state and geochemical speciation were analyzed as a function of depth (two sampling sites) and surface distribution. These results were compared with intensive desorption/dissolution experiments performed in a pH stat reactor for samples from the site with the highest degree of As heterogeneity. The objectives of the study were to investigate the solid-phase geochemical As speciation, assess the speciation of As in solutions equilibrated with the solids under controlled pH (pH=4 or 6) and Eh (using hydrogen or air) environments, observe the effects of phosphate on the release of As into solution, and examine the effects of phosphate on metal mobility in the systems. Arsenic was predominantly found in the As(V) valence state, though there was evidence that As(III) and As(0) were present also. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Maintaining uniformity of properties over long distances is one of the fabrication problems encountered with the new high {Tc} superconductors. Uniform properties are crucial in long tapes or wires with high critical current since local nonuniformities can limit the current carrying capacity of the whole piece. Transport critical currents in high {Tc} superconductors are conventionally measured with the contact 4-point probe DC current-voltage technique. This technique requires contact with the sample and and spatially averages over the region between the two voltage contacts. Two techniques have been used to infer the critical state model. The first uses the net magnetization of a suitably shaped sample in an external magnetic field. The second combines a DC magnetic field with AC induced currents to infer spatial flux profiles. The AC magnetization technique offers an advantage in that it is noncontacting; however, it ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Major advances in 'Energy and Materials Cycles' have been achieved in the removal of heavy metals from the solid residues of municipal waste incineration. It has been conclusively shown that the oxidation/reduction conditions established during the thermal treatment of filter ash have a decisive influence on the evaporation of groups of heavy metals. With respect to biomass gasification, studies have been carried out with respect to the best way of extracting pure hydrogen from the low calorific value gas that is typically obtained from a biomass gasifier. The overarching goal of the laboratory 'High Temperature Solar Technology' is the use of solar energy for the production of solar fuels, or for the reduction of CO{sub 2} emissions in large scale industrial processes that are conventionally carried out with the use of fossil fuels. In a short-term project targeted at the solar production of lime, highly encouraging results (98% degree of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The objective of this study is to examine the effects of pan-frying, boiling and cooking in a microwave on the amount of L-carnitine in meat and to look at its distribution in the surrounding fluid after food processing. Design/methodology/approach - Total carnitine, free carnitine and acylcarnitines were determined in meat samples from beef, pork and poultry (including ostrich) and in a liver sample from beef. The measurements were carried out before and after the specimens were subjected to different heat treatments. A radio-enzymatic assay was used for measurement of L-carnitine. Results are expressed per 100 gram dry matter and per 100 gram wet weight. Findings - Except for pan-frying, virtually no losses of carnitine occurred during the different procedures of heat treatment...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Polyester WPC (wood-polymer composite) systems are one of the promising materials for multiple uses increasing the mechanical properties, provided that their dimensional stability can be improved. Possibility was pursued for the improvement in the dimensional stability of the polyester WPC systems prepared by electron beam irradiation. The impregnation of the mixture of polyester and monomer into both oven-dried beech veneers and preswollen wood was followed by mutual irradiation process. Polymerization was carried out at total dosage of 6 Mrad to the respective surfaces of samples by an electron beam accelerator, and the reaction was completed by heating at 80 deg C for 24 hr. The dimensions of the samples were measured primarily in the tangential direction, and their dynamic modulus and loss modulus were measured by a Rheovibron DDV-2 and the vibrating reed method. The results and the discussion are ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The half-value thicknesses, linear and mass attenuation coefficients of biological samples such as bone, muscle, fat and water have been measured at 140, 364 and 662keV ?-ray energies by using the ATOMLABTM-930 medical spectrometer. The ?-rays were obtained from 99mTc, 131I and 137Cs ?-ray point sources. Also theoretical calculations have been performed in order to obtain the half-value thicknesses and, mass and linear attenuation coefficients at photon energies 0.001keV-20MeV for bone, muscle and water samples. The calculated value and the experimental results of this work and the other results in literature are found to be in good agreement.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new technique has been developed for the measurement of steam mass flowrate, water mass flowrate and total enthalpy of two-phase fluids produced from geothermal wells. The method involves precisely metered injection of liquid and vapor phase tracers into the two-phase production pipeline and concurrent sampling of each phase downstream of the injection point. Subsequent chemical analysis of the steam and water samples for tracer content enables the calculation of mass flowrate for each phase given the known mass injection rates of tracer. This technique has now been used extensively at the Coso geothermal project, owned and operated by California Energy Company. Initial validation of the method was performed at the Roosevelt Hot Springs geothermal project on wells producing to individual production separators equipped with orificeplate flowmeters for each phase.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The subcriticality of two interacting solution tanks was determined using /sup 252/Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis methods. These experiments were the first test of this method for an interacting system with materials (in this case, uranyl nitrate) typical of nuclear materials in processing plants. The experiments were performed to test the conclusions from previous interaction experiments with uranium metal discs for a fissile system with moderation, and to provide data to test theoretical models for coupled systems. The uranium metal experiments showed that the subcritical neutron multiplication factor, k/sub eff/, could be determined using point kinetics without any correction for spatial effects from measurements with the source and detectors located adjacent to the same cylinder, whereas for source-detector configurations with either the source and/or detectors adjacent to different cylinders, a model which incorporates the coupling is required to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ORNL high temperature isopiestic apparatus was adapted for adsorption measurements. The quantity of water retained by rock samples taken from three different wells of The Geysers was measured at 150 °C and at 200 °C as a function of pressure in the range 0.00 ≤ p/p₀ ≤ 0.98, where p₀ is the saturated water vapor pressure. The rocks were crushed and sieved into three fractions of different grain sizes (with different specific surface areas). Both adsorption (increasing pressure) and desorption (decreasing pressure) runs were made in order to investigate the nature and extent of the hysteresis. Additionally, BET surface area analyses were performed by Porous Materials Inc. on the same rock samples using nitrogen or krypton adsorption measurements at 77 K. Specific surface areas and pore volumes were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A simple and rapid method is described for the determination of major and trace elements in rock and sediment samples by wavelength dispersive XRF. Sample measured were made from cellulose powder pressed into 4 cm diameter aluminium ring 0.4 t cm"-"2, and then 1 g of powdered sample (0.08 g cm"-"2) was placed on the disk and repressed at 1.6 t cm"-"2. X-ray measurements were performed for total XRF intensity (I_p) at the characteristic line of each element and background intensity (I_b) in vicinity of the line. The correction of matrix effect was achieved by X-ray intensity ratio of peak to background for each element. Eight standard rock samples from Geological Survey of Japan were used as standard materials, and linear calibration curves were obtained by the plot of I_p - I_b vs. concentration for Ca, Na and Pb and by the plot of I_p/I_b ratio vs. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Critical experiments have been analyzed to verify a nuclear analysis system for fast reactors used in Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC). The experiments were performed in a collaboration work between JNC and the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering of Russia to dispose Russian surplus weapons plutonium, focusing on the effect of the introduction of uranium-plutonium mixed-dioxide (MOX) fuel and stainless steel reflector into the current BN-600 core that is comprised of UO_2 fuel and blanket. The analysis results agreed well with measured values on most of the nuclear characteristics. The accuracies are comparable to those obtained for the conventional MOX fueled fast reactors. It suggests that the JNC analysis system can analyze accurately nuclear characteristics in uranium fueled cores as well. A significant improvement was achieved on the sodium void reactivity by employing an ultra fine group cell calculation system. A ...

Environmental Research Database

ObjectivesThe overall aim of the project is to understand whether natural Mn oxides can be used to remediate land contaminated with both metals and POPs. The major objectives are:~%~~%~1.Establishment of whether and how metals, POPs and SOM compete for reactive Mn oxide surface.~%~~%~2.Delineate the mechanisms of contaminant immobilisation and degradation.~%~~%~3.Identify the fate of the contaminants in Mn oxide treated soils.~%~~%~4.Measure positive and/or negative effects in the soil system of addition [continued...]DescriptionLand is a valuable but finite resource. The Environment Agency estimates that there are approximately 300,000 hectares of land in the UK affected to some extent by contamination left by industrial activity and worldwide, the extent of the problem is much greater as contaminated land is inextricably linked to poverty. In the UK, the increasing demand ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stretch-out operation mode can deepen the reactor burnup when the boron concentration is near 0 mg/L, in which the additional reactivity is introduced by the reducing of the moderator temperature and the decreasing of the load. Stretch-out is used in many nuclear power plants all over the world. The first stretch-out operation has been used for the first time in China. As a specific operation mode, which outruns the original reactor core design, the related and specialized design argument and safety analysis is required. As a consequence of the continuous or stepwise reduction of load and moderator temperature, the neurotic measurement system and the reactor control and protection system parameters should be modified specially. Based on the schedule of the electricity production, the first stretch-out operation had been carried out from March 12 to March 21 2003. It successfully avoided the overlapping between 209 and 109 inspection shutdowns ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study aimed to reveal that severe disturbance of attachment relationship with primary care-giver can affect functional and anatomical brain development by measuring cerebral perfusion on "9"9"mTc-ECD brain SPECT and correlative MRI. We included 18 children aged 31 to 76 months who met the diagnostic criteria of RAD as defined in DSM-IV and ICD-10 and SSP and CARS. "9"9"mTc-ECD SPECT was performed using CERASPECT. MRI was performed in all patients. SPECT data were visually assessed. 15 of 18 children had abnormal perfusion on SPECT, revealing decreased perfusion of Lt.thalamus (7/15) and Rt.thalamus (3/15), and bilateral thalami (5/15). Perfusion of basal ganglia was decreased in 8 children. Decreased perfusion of Lt. parietal area was seen in 2. Whereas, all patients had normal MR findings. Perfusion abnormalities involving thalamus, BG in most children with RAD were found in this study. These results suggest that brain development of infant could be impeded ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Ga"+ focused ion beam (FIB) patterning was used to structure highly oriented pyrolytic graphite surfaces with square, periodic arrays of amorphous carbon defects (mesh sizes: 300 nm-2 #mu#m). Controlled oxygen etching of these arrays leads to matrices of uniform, orientationally aligned, nm-sized, hexagonal holes. The properties of the resulting hole assembly (hole depths and lateral hole dimensions) have been investigated by means of atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and FIB sectioning. The hole dimensions and uniformity both depend on the FIB parameters and etching conditions. Etching temperatures from 500 to 700 deg. C were applied. Initial etch rates of up to 10"6 C s"-"1 per individual hole were observed when using oxygen pressures of 200 mbar. For an etch temperature of 590 deg. C the rate of etching of individual holes was found to depend measurably on the inter-hole separation. This confirms that the associated reaction kinetics is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The open circuit potential (OCP) of stainless steels immersed in natural waters generally increases with time. This phenomenon is strongly linked to the formation of a bio-film on the surface. Several studies have proved that the bio-film modifies the reaction of reduction of dissolved oxygen and that it acts mainly on the cathodic processes. One of the hypotheses explaining the action of the bio-film involves certain bacteria which use dissolved oxygen and extracellular enzymes to produce reactive oxygen species. Among this kind of metabolites is hydrogen peroxide H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. This compound interacts with the passive layer of stainless steels and affects their electrochemical behaviour, even when the chloride concentration is low. The aim of this work is to study the influence of an enzymatic reaction (of the oxidoreductase type) on anodic and cathodic processes on AISI 316L stainless steel. Experiments are carried out in two artificial electrolytes ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The need for a hydrogen economy is driven by increasing fuel prices, depleting oil reserves and uncertainty over supplies, and concerns about global warming and environmental pollution. Alternative methods to portable energy sources such as fossil fuels are being developed that are more efficient and carbon-emission-neutral. A prospective method is to produce hydrogen as an energy carrier. This paper presented a study on the degradation of materials under conditions of the sulphur-iodine (SI) thermochemical cycle. The paper provided background information on the study and presented a schematic of the SI cycle. A literature review was presented along with materials selected, such as refractory metals, reactive metals, superalloys, glassy metals, ceramics, cermets, polymers, composites, and coatings. The experimental method was then described. A capsule method was developed to rapidly quantify the decomposition rate of the candidate materials under the target ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Uranium Hexafluoride is a material used in the various processes which comprise the front end of the nuclear fuel cycle (conversion, enrichment and fuel fabrication). Confinement of UF6 is a very important safety requirement since this material is highly reactive and presents safety hazards to humans. The present paper discusses the safety relevant aspects of accidental releases of UF6 inside process confinement buildings. Postulated accidental scenarios are analyzed and their consequences evaluated. Implant releases rates are estimated using computer code predictions. A time dependent homogeneous compartment model is used to predict concentrations of UF6, hydrogen fluoride and uranyl fluoride inside a confinement building, as well as to evaluate source terms released to the atmosphere. These source terms can be used as input to atmospheric dispersion models to evaluate consequences to the environment. The results can also be used to define adequate protective ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Sulfuric acid and its partially or completely neutralized salts with ammonia are believed to result from the oxidation of sulfur dioxide in cloud water and in other heterogeneous media present in the atmosphere. Due to the natural abundance of ammonia and the ubiquitous presence of sulfur in the atmosphere, (NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ is commonly the dominant chemical species in the ambient aerosol. The amounts of ammonium sulfates are expected to be very low in areas far removed from anthropogenic emissions of sulfur dioxide. The chemical composition of submicrometer aerosol particles was determined at the Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) on Mauna Loa in Hawaii during an eight-day period in August 1986. The MLO site was selected for this measurement because it is the only ground-based aerosol observatory in the remote Pacific Ocean that allows extended sampling of aerosols in the free troposphere. Measurements were made using ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Results related to the experimental measurement campaign to characterize atmospheric aerosol carried out near Avigliana (Turin) from 18 to 22 October 1994 are presented in this paper. In the frame of the project aimed at evaluating the impact of the mountain motor way A-32 Rivoli-Bardonecchia-Frejus on the Susa Valley environment and on man the present measurement campaign is the second, and last, one envisaged in the project. The sampling place is in the initial part of the Susa Valley while previous measurements were carried out in the high part of it. Mass mean concentrations result greater in the low than in the high part of the valley approximately by a factor of 3. It is not possible to prove a difference between the 3 sampling positions transversely placed from 20 to 80 m. in comparison with the motor way axis. Whereas mass mean concentrations dropped substantially due to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The development of attenuated response ({open_quotes}tolerance{close_quotes}) to daily ozone (O{sub 3}) exposures in the laboratory is well established in healthy adult volunteers. However, the capability of asthmatics to develop tolerance during multiday ozone exposures in unclear. We exposed 10 adult volunteers with mild asthma to 0.4 ppm O{sub 3} in filtered air for 3 h/d on 5 consecutive d. Two similar filtered-air exposures during the preceding week served as controls. Follow-up O{sub 3} exposures were performed 4 and 7 d after the most recent consecutive exposure. All exposures were performed in an environmental chamber at 31 {degrees}C and 35% relative humidity. The subjects performed moderate exercise (mean ventilation rate of 32 l/min) for 15 min of each half-hour. Responses were measured with spirometry and symptom evaluations before and after each exposure, and a bronchial reactivity test (methacholine challenge) was conducted after ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel system has been deployed to obtain geochemical samples of water and gas, at in situ pressure, during a geologic CO2 sequestration experiment conducted in the Frio brine aquifer in Liberty County, Texas. Project goals required high-frequency recovery of representative and uncontaminated aliquots of a rapidly changing two-phase (supercritical CO2-brine) fluid from 1.5 km depth. The datasets collected, using both the liquid and gas portions of the downhole samples, provide insights into the coupled hydro-geochemical issues affecting CO2 sequestration in brine-filled formations. While the basic premise underlying the U-Tube sampler is not new, the system is unique because careful consideration was given to the processing of the recovered two-phase fluids. In particular, strain gauges mounted beneath the high-pressure surface sample cylinders measured the ratio of recovered brine to supercritical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A series of experiments have been conducted on AISI 5140 low alloy steel using a hollow cathode discharge-assisted plasma nitriding apparatus with the aim of elucidating the role of substrate bias voltages in plasma nitriding process. For comparison, some samples were nitrided with applied substrate bias (-50 V) while other samples were nitrided at floating potential. Treatments were carried out in NH{sub 3} atmosphere of 150 Pa at temperatures ranging from 450 {sup o}C to 550 {sup o}C for 2 h, 4 h, and 6 h. The nitrided samples were characterized by optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and micro-hardness measurement. The corrosion behaviors were evaluated using anodic polarization tests in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results showed that the microstructure and phase constituents of the nitride layers were strongly influenced by the bias voltages. It was also demonstrated that the better corrosion ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Samples prepared using the focused ion beam (FIB) inevitably contain the surface damage induced by energetic Ga"+ ions. An effective method of removing the surface damage is demonstrated using a plasma cleaner, a device which is widely used to minimize the surface contamination in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Surface bombardment with low-energy Ar"+ ions was induced by biasing the sample immersed in the plasma source, so as to etch off the surface materials. The etch rates of SiO_2, measured with a bias voltage of 100-300 V, were found to vary linearly with both the time and bias and were able to be controlled from 1.4 to 9 nm/min. The removal of the Ga residue was confirmed using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) after the plasma processing of the FIB-prepared sample. When the FIB-prepared sample was processed via plasma etching for 10 min with a bias of 150 ...

Science.gov (United States)

Visual Sample Plan (VSP) is an easy-to-use visual and graphic statistically-based software tool being developed by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) to help determine the appropriate number and location of environmental samples so that environmental decisions can be made with the required confidence. The VSP software, which is available free at http://dqo.pnl.gov/vsp, is a significant aid in developing probability-based sampling designs (number and location of samples and measurements) using the Data Quality Objectives (DQO) planning process developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). VSP also has the capability of conducted statistical analyses to provide descriptive statistical summaries of data sets, to test whether data are normally distributed, and to compute upper confidence limits on means. This report is the latest in a series of reports that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A fast and simple flow-through optosensor was designed and characterized for the direct screening of four tetracycline (TCC) antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline and doxycycline) in water and bovine milk samples. The proposed optosensor provides rapid binary yes/no overall responses, being appropriate for the screening of this family of antibiotics above or below a pre-set concentration threshold. The experimental set-up is based on a flow-injection manifold coupled on-line to a phosphorescence detector. Aliquots of the samples are pretreated with Eu(III) to form room temperature phosphorescent metal chelates and injected in the flow manifold. Those chelates are then on-line retained on a conventional flow-cell (packed with polymeric Amberlite XAD-4 particles) which is placed inside the cell holder of the phosphorimeter. After the emission is registered, the antibiotic-metal complexes are eluted from the packed resin ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the early days of Moessbauer spectroscopy, it was demonstrated that coherent scattering of photons emitted by a Moessbauer source can be observed. In spite of the fact that scattering experiments could give information not accessible by the absorption method, they are not widely used. The reasons for this are, on the one hand, experimental difficulties, and on the other hand, the form of the samples, which should be large single crystals in most cases. In this work, we present a Moessbauer diffraction measurement on polycrystalline bcc iron where these problems have been overcome. We demonstrate that using the kinematical theory of gamma-ray diffraction, useful information on the relative orientation of the crystallographic axis to the hyperfine field directions can be subtracted. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report is a summary of the progress and research produced for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Research Program for calendar year 1996. Contributions from the individual investigators about their projects are included, specifically, physics: treatment planning software, real-time neutron beam measurement dosimetry, measurement of the Finnish research reactor epithermal neutron spectrum, BNCT accelerator technology; and chemistry: analysis of biological samples and preparation of {sup 10}B enriched decaborane.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Long-Range Alpha Detector (LRAD) systems are designed to monitor alpha contamination by measuring the number of ions in the air. Alpha particles are a form of ionizing radiation and a typical 5-MeV alpha particle will create about 150,000 ion pairs in air. Field tests at various DOE sites have shown that LRAD Surface Soil Monitors (SSM), Sample Monitors, and Object Monitors are faster and more sensitive than traditional alpha detectors for measuring alpha contamination. This paper discusses the various applications of LRAD technology to low-level radioactive waste management.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

As part of the national survey to evaluate natural radioactivity in the environment, concentration levels of natural uranium and "2"2"6Ra have been analyzed in over 300 drinking water samples taken from different locations in Argentina. "2"2"6Ra was determined by "2"2"2Rn emanation and liquid scintillation counting, and natural uranium by a fluorimetric procedure. Values ranging from 0.03 to 24 #mu#g.l"-"1 of natural uranium and from 0.06 to 50 #mu#g.l"-"1, were measured on drinking water samples taken from tap water systems and private wells, respectively. Concentrations up to 15 mBq.l"-"1 and to 22 mBq.l"-"1 of "2"2"6Ra were found in drinking water samples taken from tap water systems and private wells, respectively. These values are compared with the reference values accepted for drinking water. Based on the water intake rate, the age distribution and the measured concentrations, ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

The objectives of this study were to characterize the changes of VOC material emission profiles over time and develop a method to account for such changes in order to enhance a source identification technique that is based on the measurements of mixed air samples and the emission signatures of individual building materials determined by PTRMS. Source models, including powerlaw model, doubleexponential decay model and mechanistic diffusion model, were employed to track the change of individual material emission signatures by PTRMS over a ninemonth period. Samples of nine typical building materials were tested individually for nine months and later in combination to obtain actual mixture emissions. VOC emissions from each material were measured in a 50liter smallscale chamber. Chamber air was sampled by PTRMS over a 28day period to determine their emission rate decay characteristics ...

Science.gov (United States)

This report is a compilation of the groundwater sampling results from the Area 5 Radioactive Waste Management Site (RWMS) for calendar year 2006. Pilot wells UE5PW-1, UE5PW-2, and UE5PW-3 were sampled in April and October 2006 for the following indicators of contamination: pH, specific conductance, total organic carbon, total organic halides, and tritium. Indicators of general water chemistry (cations and anions) were also monitored. Results from all samples collected in 2006 were within the limits established by agreement with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection for each analyte. These data indicate that there has been no measurable impact to the uppermost aquifer from the Area 5 RWMS. There were no significant changes in measured groundwater parameters compared to previous years. Other information in the report includes an updated Cumulative Chronology for the Area 5 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Field data for validating plume models were collected in and around the Bull Run Steam Plant during two four-week periods between July and October, 1982. The field measurements were the second phase of the Plume Model Validation and Development (PMV and D) program. The Bull Run Steam Plant is located near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the area is described as the ''Moderately Complex Site'' to distinguish it from the ''Plains Site'' in eastern Illinois, which was the scene of the first phase of the PMV and D study conducted in 1980-81. The measurement program consisted of a set of meteorological, source, aerometric, and tracer measurements to track and characterize the plume. The tracer measurements constituted the largest portion of the total effort, and it involved the release of SF/sub 6/ tracer gas from the stack, and the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Azobenzene dyes are effective inhibitors for austenitic 304 L and 316 L stainless steel corrosion in high acidic medium up to 7N. A good efficiency is obtained from weight loss and electrochemical Rsub(p) measurements in hydrochloric acid, while no inhibition is observed in sulfuric solutions. Transformation from the primarily azobenzene to other compounds give rise to enhanced protection of steel samples, and probable structures of the inhibiting species are proposed in view of our results.