Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Details of the interaction of photons with tissue phantoms are elucidated using Monte Carlo simulations. In particular, photon sampling volumes and photon pathlengths are determined for a variety of scattering and absorption parameters. The Monte Carlo simulations are specifically designed to model light delivery and collection geometries relevant to clinical applications of optical biopsy techniques. The Monte Carlo simulations assume that light is delivered and collected by two, nearly-adjacent optical fibers and take into account the numerical aperture of the fibers as well as reflectance and refraction at interfaces between different media. To determine the validity of the Monte Carlo simulations for modeling the interactions between the photons and the tissue phantom in these geometries, the simulations were compared to measurements of aqueous suspensions of polystyrene microspheres in the ...

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 sampling ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) was designed to expand the quantity and improve the quality of data in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) food composition databases through the collection and analysis of nationally representative samples of foods and beverages. This paper describes some of the findings from the NFNAP and its impact on the food composition databases produced by USDA. The NFNAP employs statistically valid sampling plans, comprehensive quality control, and USDA analytical oversight to generate new and updated analytical data for food components. USDA food consumption and composition data were used to target those foods that are major contributors of nutrients of public health significance to the U.S. diet (454 Key Foods). Foods were ran...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the field of international human resource management, studies have seldom examined organizational justice, social exchange, and psychological contract together as important factors in influencing the expatriate adjustment process. The purpose of this research is to fill the research gap by examining these factors and their relationships with expatriate adjustment. The researcher conducted a survey of Taiwanese business expatriates during the first quarter of 2007, collecting 219 valid samples for analysis. A hierarchical regression model was used to test the research framework hypotheses, which showed that expatriates' perception of organizational justice has a positive influence both on their perceptions of social exchange and on their psychological contract fulfillment. Expatriates' p...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As part of the demonstration testing of the Purge Water Management System (PWMS) technology at the Savannah River Site (SRS), four wells were equipped with PWMS units in 1997 and a series of sampling events were conducted at each during 1997-1998. Three of the wells were located in A/M Area while the fourth was located at the Old Radioactive Waste Burial Ground in the General Separations Area.The PWMS is a ''closed-loop'', non-contact, system used to collect and return purge water to the originating aquifer after a sampling event without having significantly altered the water quality. One of the primary concerns as to its applicability at SRS, and elsewhere, is whether the PWMS might resample groundwater that is returned to the aquifer during the previous sampling event. The purpose of the present investigation was to compare groundwater chemical analysis data ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To diagnose asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV), self-sampled vaginal smears were collected during a study of risk factors for preterm birth in African American women. More than 90% of those...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A non-recursive model is proposed and empirically tested with data of opponents of nuclear power. In explaining conventional and unconventional participation the theory of collective action is applied and modified in two respects: the perceived influence on the elimination of collective evils are taken into account; the selective incentives considered are non-material ones. These modifications proved to be valid: the collective good variables and non-material incentives were important determinants for the two forms of participation. Another result was that there is a reciprocal causal relationship between conventional and unconventional participation.

Science.gov (United States)

Based on the cruise data collected in the Pearl River estuary (PRE) in May 2008, an empirical two-band model by using the ratio of R (rs) at 629 and 671 nm was established to retrieve total suspended matter (TSM) concentration with the determination coefficient (R(2)) of 0.854, mean relative error (MRE) of 7.483%, and root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 1.295 mg L(?-?1). To match with medium resolution imaging spectrometer (MERIS) bands, in situ remote sensing reflectance was re-sampled to the bandwidth of 10 nm. The relationship between TSM and re-sampled R (rs) at 620 nm (MERIS band 6) and 665 nm (MERIS band 7) are obtained (R(2) = 0.748, RMSE = 1.697 mg L(?-?1), MRE = 8.785%, n = 13). Additionally, to map the spatial distribution of TSM in the PRE, MERIS level_1B data were calibrated using a multiple linear regression model based on in situ R (rs). Another dataset collected in the PRE in January 2004 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

ESH-19 personnel collected soil and single-stage water samples around the perimeter of Area G at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) during FY 95 to characterize possible radionuclide movement out of Area G through surface water and entrained sediment runoff. Soil samples were analyzed for tritium, total uranium, isotopic plutonium, americium-241, and cesium-137. The single-stage water samples were analyzed for tritium and plutonium isotopes. All radiochemical data was compared with analogous samples collected during FY 93 and 94 and reported in LA-12986 and LA-13165-PR. Six surface soils were also submitted for metal analyses. These data were included with similar data generated for soil samples collected during FY 94 and compared with metals in background samples collected at ...

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

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of the Arabic translation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) among a sample of male Muslim prisoners (N = 107) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a two-factor model to be the best fit of the data. Good internal reliability (a =.91) and predictive validity were also observed. While the limitations of the study are observed, these promising results suggest that the Arabic version of the AUDIT is a reliable and sound measure of alcohol use disorders among prisoners in the UAE.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

I. S. Kirbis, P. Maxwell, M. S. Flear, K. Miller and M. Ibrahim External quality control for immunocytochemistry on cytology samples: a review of UK NEQAS ICC (cytology module) results Objective:- To date, external quality control for immunocytochemistry on cytology samples is provided only by the United Kingdom national external quality assessment service for immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation (UK NEQAS ICC & ISH). For the purpose of this study a retrospective analysis of a comprehensive collection of quality-related data regarding immunocytochemistry on cytology samples collected through this service was analysed. Methods:- The quality of immunocytochemical reactions, using on-line collected data, was analysed for the last 23 UK NEQAS ICC cytology module external quality asses...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose To examine the reliability and validity of the Japanese-language version of the PedsQL? Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and to investigate the agreement between child self-reported fatigue and parent proxy-reported fatigue. Methods The Japanese-language version of the PedsQL? Multidimensional Fatigue Scale was administered to 652 preschoolers and schoolchildren aged 5?12 and their parents, and to 91 parents of preschool children aged 1?4. Results Internal consistency reliability was 0.62?0.87 for children and 0.81?0.93 for parents. Known-group validity was examined between a group of healthy samples (n?=?530) and chronic condition sample (n?=?102); the chronically ill group reported a significantly higher perceived fatigue problem. Correlations between child self- and parent proxy r...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This Guideline provides a set of procedures for the measurement of organic contaminants and particles in producer gases from biomass gasifiers. The procedures are designed to cover different gasifier types (updraft or downdraft fixed bed or fluidised bed gasifiers), operating conditions (0 - 900C and 0.6-60 bars) and concentration ranges (1 mg/m{sub n}{sup 3} to 300 g/m{sub n}{sup 3}). The Guideline describes a modular sampling train, and a set of procedures, which include: planning and preparation of the sampling, sampling and post-sampling, analysis, calculations, error analysis and reporting. The modular sampling train consists of 4 modules. Module 1 is a preconditioning module for isokinetic sampling and gas cooling. Module 2 is a particle collection module including a heated filter. Module 3 is a tar collection ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study illustrates the way to perform protocols, collect samples, and conduct laboratory analyses in order to characterize the physical properties of wood used in the industrial sector of the Valle de Aburra metropalitan area and the gains obtained by characterizing the properties of the most frequently used woods. In this investigation some of the most important sampling parameters are presented, such as taking samples in piles or accumulations of waste, handling of these samples in the laboratory and others of great importance such as the ignition point. the proposed methodology is based upon some of the international astm coal norms, for the similarity it has with wood and for the lack of information on sampling this type in wood

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A total of 6360 mud samples were obtained, in 62 collections made with an exhaustive sampling device, from banana drains on the West Indian island of St Lucia during fortnightly samplings over a 2½-year...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We find dosage of gamma emitters radionuclides of samples collected in the environment of the Chinon nuclear power plant for 2002 and 2003, these results are presented in two tables: concentrations in gamma emitter radionuclides of samples collected in the terrestrial environment (soils) and aquatic environment (sediments) of the site of Chinon in june 2002 in the frame of the annual surveillance, the second table concerns the concentrations in gamma emitter radionuclides of samples collected in the terrestrial environment (soils and lichens) of the site of Chinon in may 2003 in the frame of the annual surveillance. We find also the dosage of free tritium in the water of the Loire river for 2002 and 2003, upstream and downstream to the power plant of Chinon. (N.C.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report documents the results of a project funded by DoD's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) on the science behind development of predictive models for soot emission from gas turbine engines. Measurements of soot formation were performed in laminar flat premixed flames and turbulent non-premixed jet flames at 1 atm pressure and in turbulent liquid spray flames under representative conditions for takeoff in a gas turbine engine. The laminar flames and open jet flames used both ethylene and a prevaporized JP-8 surrogate fuel composed of n-dodecane and m-xylene. The pressurized turbulent jet flame measurements used the JP-8 surrogate fuel and compared its combustion and sooting characteristics to a world-average JP-8 fuel sample. The pressurized jet flame measurements demonstrated that the surrogate was representative of JP-8, with a somewhat higher tendency to soot formation. The premixed flame measurements revealed that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Alpha continuous air monitors (CAMs) will be used at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to measure airborne transuranic radioactivity that might be present in air exhaust or in work-place areas. WIPP CAMs are important to health and safety because they are used to alert workers to airborne radioactivity, to actuate air-effluent filtration systems, and to detect airborne radioactivity so that the radioactivity can be confined in a limited area. In 1993, the Environmental Evaluation Group (EEG) reported that CAM operational performance was affected by salt aerosol, and subsequently, the WIPP CAM design and usage were modified. In this report, operational data and current theories on aerosol collection were reviewed to determine CAM quantitative performance limitations. Since 1993, the overall CAM performance appears to have improved, but anomalous alpha spectra are present when sampling-filter salt deposits are at normal to high levels. This ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A total of 295 ceftiofur-resistant Escherichia coli isolates were obtained from 489 cloacal samples collected at five different Belgian broiler farms with the aim to evaluate the diversity...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Plasma samples were collected from mice infected with Trypanosoma musculi at different times postinfection and administered to naive recipient mice either before or during T. musculi infection. The...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Many monitoring activities require the collection of whole air samples over an extended time interval without loss or concentration of any atmospheric constituents. Described is the development and laboratory testing of a whole air sampler capable of collecting a 100 liter sample over a period of 0.63 days. The sampler has an empty weight of 7.79 kg and an overall size of 20.8-cm {times} 20.8-cm {times} 66.1-cm. The conceptual design for the development of smaller, higher-performance whole air samplers is also reported.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Two studies (N = 420) were conducted to develop and validate the instructional dissent scale (IDS) for use in the college classroom. Participants in study 1 were 210 students who completed the IDS pilot inventory which was subjected to an exploratory factor analysis yielding three distinct factors of dissent (i.e., expressive, rhetorical, vengeful). Concurrent validity support was provided as perceived teacher misbehaviors were associated positively with students' likelihood of engaging in dissent and students reported fewer learning outcomes when they dissented. Participants in study 2 were from a different sample of 210 students who completed the IDS along with measures of classroom justice and student challenge behavior. A confirmatory factor analysis provided support for the hypothesiz...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paperwork explain the method of water sampling to obtain the precipitate of BaCO3 solutions that will be used to analyze 13C from field work in Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Langkawi, Kedah and Taiping, Perak. The sampling involves collecting of water samples for groundwater from boreholes and surface water from canal, river, pond and ex-mining pond from several locations at the study sites. This study also elaborates the instruments and chemicals used. The main purpose of this sampling is to obtain the precipitate of BaCO3 for 13C analysis of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC). A correct sampling method according to standard is very important to ensure an accurate and precise result. With this, the data from the laboratory analysis result can be fully utilized to make the interpretation of the pollutants movement. (Author)

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.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In Tarapur Atomic Power Station unit-3 and 4, which is 540 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor, tritium is produced in primary heat transport system and moderator system. Tritium is a major contributor to the internal dose. Internal dose contributes about 30% of the collective dose. Internal dose monitoring and its control are important to control the collective dose. Estimation of internal dose is done by analysis of bioassay samples of radiation workers. In a month, about 7000 bioassay samples are analysed for the internal dose assessment during normal operation, and about 12000 during the biennial shut down of the reactor. To enhance the sample preparation and counting performance, minimize the entry errors and reduce the processing time, barcode based label generation system was developed for the internal dose monitoring. This paper discusses about the use of barcode system in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An automated Time Resolved Aerosol Collector (TRAC) has been developed for sequential sampling of field-collected aerosols for laboratory-based Computer Controlled Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersed X-ray (CCSEM/EDX) single particle analysis. The collector is optimized for use of grid-supported 20 nm carbon films as deposition substrates. The carbon films have low enough X-ray background to permit EDX analysis down to 0.1-0.2 ?m particles, including detection of low-Z elements: C, N, & O. The TRAC provides unattended sampling onto a set of 151 individual grids, at sequential time intervals as short as 1 min. After collection, the samples are sealed and refrigerated pending analysis. The utility of the TRAC-CCSEM/EDX approach is exemplified using the aerosol samples collected during the Texas 2000 Air Quality Studies (Aug. 15 ? ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Results of monitoring milk and tap water in New York City are presented. The New York City sample is a monthly composite of pasteurized milk purchased daily at retail stores. The monthly "9"0Sr to calcium ratios for New York City since the inception of the sampling program in 1954 are presented. Samples of New York City tap water are taken daily, so that by the end of the month, approximately 100 liters have been collected. The available cesium-137 data expressed as the "1"3"7Cs to "9"0Sr ratio are also given.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Theft, illegal possession, smuggling, or attempted unauthorized sale of nuclear and radiological materials remains a worldwide problem. The Nuclear Smuggling International Technical Working Group (ITWG) has adopted a model action plan to guide investigation of these cases through a systematic approach to nuclear forensics. The model action plan was recently documented and provides recommendations concerning incident response, collection of evidence in conformance with required legal standards, laboratory sampling and distribution of samples, radioactive materials analysis, including categorization and characterization of samples, forensics analysis of conventional evidence, and case development including interpretation of forensic signatures. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Supplementing the collection of artificial neural network methodologies devised for monitoring energy producing installations, a general regression artificial neural network is proposed for the identification of the two-phase flow that occurs in the coolant channels of boiling water reactors. The utilization of a limited number of image features derived from radiography images affords the proposed approach with efficiency and non-invasiveness. Additionally, the application of counter-clustering to the input patterns prior to training accomplishes an 80% reduction in network size as well as in training and test time. Cross-validation tests confirm accurate on-line flow regime identification.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Monte Carlo calculations performed to validate observed capture reaction rates of "1"2"9I and "2"3"7Np were in a reasonable agreement with experimental data obtained by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research. The most significant discrepancy between the measurements and calculations (within a factor of 3) was observed for the NpO_2 sample and Pb target at 3.7 GeV proton energy

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The SRP Baseline Hydrogeologic Investigation was implemented for the purpose of updating and improving the knowledge and understanding of the hydrogeologic systems underlying the SRP site. Phase III, which is discussed in this report, includes the drilling of 7 deep coreholes (sites P-24 through P-30) and the installation of 53 observation wells ranging in depth from approximately 50 ft to more than 970 ft below the ground surface. In addition to the collection of geologic cores for lithologic and stratigraphic study, samples were also collected for the determination of physical characteristics of the sediments and for the identification of microorganisms.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Production treatment chemicals represent a diverse collection of chemical classes, added at various points from the wellhead to the final flotation cell, to prevent operational upsets and enhance the separation of oil from water. Information in the literature indicates that while many treatment chemicals are thought to partition into oil and not into the produced water, there are cases where a sufficiently water soluble treatment chemical is added at high enough concentrations to suggest that the treatment chemical may add to the aquatic toxicity of the produced water. A study was conducted to evaluate the potential effect of production treatment chemicals on the toxicity of produced waters using the US EPA Seven-day Mysidopsis bahia Survival, Growth and Fecundity Test. Samples of produced water were collected and tested for toxicity from three platforms under normal operating conditions, followed by repeated ...

CERN Document Server

With the advancement of technology and reduced storage costs, individuals and organizations are tending towards the usage of electronic media for storing textual information and documents. It is time consuming for readers to retrieve relevant information from unstructured document collection. It is easier and less time consuming to find documents from a large collection when the collection is ordered or classified by group or category. The problem of finding best such grouping is still there. This paper discusses the implementation of k-Means clustering algorithm for clustering unstructured text documents that we implemented, beginning with the representation of unstructured text and reaching the resulting set of clusters. Based on the analysis of resulting clusters for a sample set of documents, we have also proposed a technique to represent documents that can further improve the clustering result.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The biological treatment process was selected by Gaz de France (GDF), the French national gas utility, for the de-pollution of an old gas works where the main pollutants are coal tars containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microorganism-based biological treatment techniques may involve bio-reactors, static ground knolls (where oxygen is brought through drains) and dynamic knolls (where oxygenation is carried out by turning up the soil). Issues on sampling, sorting, process testing, site preparation, process control, etc. are reviewed

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Environmental information has been described as central to the issues of solid waste management and disposal. This study investigated the availability and accessibility of environmental information to the solid waste policy formulators and implementors with regard to the media/channels used for disseminating environmental information to the public. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample and the method produced 205 respondents that consisted of 185 Policy Implementors and 20 Policy Formulators. A total of 147 cases were finally analyzed, which included 16 Policy Formulators (80% of total sample) and 131 Policy Implementors (71% of total sample). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as perc...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A set of 35 uranium ore and 10 yellow cake samples, collected worldwide from different mines and production sites, were analyzed for their impurity spectrum by ICP-MS. Pattern recognition techniques such as cluster analysis were applied to the data set in order to characterize samples with relation to their geographical origin. The results obtained show a clear relationship between samples taken from the same geological origin and constitute a satisfactory fingerprint for establishing the origin of the material. In addition to the impurity data, data on the isotopic composition of radiogenic lead is used to resolve ambiguity when impurity cluster analysis fails to deliver unambiguous origin data. (author)

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 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

For each sample, one 30-gallon drum containing approximately 90 lb of coal at {minus}1/4 inch was designated for headspace oxygen analysis and coal quality monitoring at yearly intervals. Headspace oxygen analysis and retrieval of a 5-lb sample for coal analysis have begun. Headspace oxygen contents are shown in Table 1. Preparation and analysis of these samples for the second yearly quality evaluation is in progress. We have initiated a study of different means of storage in preventing sample deterioration and in maintaining an inert headspace atmosphere. The work was performed with support from the Penn State Cooperative Program in Coal Research. A run-of-mine sample of medium-volatile bituminous Lower Kittanning coal was collected as PSOC-1536 and promptly processed. Gieseler fluidity FSI, alkali extraction and preparation of petrographic pellets were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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 "4"0K, "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th, 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)

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 samples from the ...

CERN Document Server

The Electromagnetic Calorimeter (ECAL) of the AMS-02 experiment is a lead-scintillating fibers sampling calorimeter characterized by high granularity that allows to image the longitudinal and lateral showers development, a key issue to provide high electron/hadron discrimination. The light collection system and the FE electronics are designed to let the calorimeter operate over a wide energy range from few GeV up to 1 TeV. A full-scale prototype of the e.m. calorimeter was tested at CERN in October 2001 using electrons and pions beams with energy ranging from 3 to 100 GeV. Effective sampling thickness, linearity and energy resolution were measured. (8 refs).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report provides analytical results for groundwater collected during four characterization-sampling rounds conducted at well R-22 from March 2001 through March 2002. Characterization well R-22 was sampled from March 6 through 13, 2001; June 19 through 26, 2001; November 30 through December 10, 2001; and February 27 through March 7, 2002. The goal of the characterization efforts was to assess the hydrochemistry and to determine whether or not contaminants are present in the regional aquifer in the vicinity of the well. A geochemical evaluation of the analytical results for the well is also presented in this report.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The determination of the banned anabolic substance zeranol and the metabolites taleranol and zearalanone in bovine urine is complicated by the occurrence of the structurally-related mycotoxin zearalenone and the corresponding {alpha}- and {beta}-zearalenol metabolites which possess similar estrogenic properties. A liquid chromatography-negative ion electrospray tandem mass spectrometric method is presented for the confirmatory analysis of all six resorcylic acid lactones ('zeranols') in urine samples using deuterium-labelled internal standards. The method was validated as a confirmatory method for bovine urine samples according to new draft EU guidelines and showed good precision and linearity, and CC{alpha} and CC{beta} values of 0.02-0.30 and <1.0 ng ml{sup -1}, respectively. The applicability was demonstrated by comparing the results of an incurred sample with previous ...

Science.gov (United States)

The MonoPrep Pap Test (MPPT; MonoGen, Lincolnshire, IL) is a novel, liquid-based specimen collection and processing technology for cytologic and molecular testing. Its usefulness in the detection of cervical cancer and its precursors was evaluated in a multicenter, masked, adjudicated, split-sample study of 10,739 samples. After preparation of a conventional smear, the residuum on the collection device was rinsed into a collection vial from which an MPPT slide was prepared. Accuracy was assessed by masked reference interpretation by an independent pathologist. Slides prepared by MPPT, compared with smears, yielded statistically significant increases in relative sensitivity for atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and worse, atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion/atypical glandular cells and worse, and low-grade squamous ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An analyzer-based X-ray phase-contrast imaging (ABI) setup has been mounted at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS) for multiple imaging radiography (MIR) purposes. The algorithm employed for treating the MIR data collected at LNLS is described, and its reliability in extracting the distinct types of contrast that can be obtained with MIR is demonstrated by analyzing a test sample (thin polyamide wire). As a practical application, the possibility of studying ophthalmic tissues, corneal sequestra in this case, via MIR is investigated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Physico-chemical studies were carried out on a sample of red mud collected from NALCO, Orissa, after calcination up to 1,200 C at an interval of 100 C. The observed change in properties like surface area, particle size, bulk density and mineral phases etc., can be profitably used while finding an appropriate application of this polluting waste from alumina plants.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Integrated Status and Effectiveness Monitoring Program (ISEMP - BPA project No.2003-0017) has been created as a cost effective means of developing protocols and new technologies, novel indicators, sample designs, analytical, data management and communication tools and skills, and restoration experiments that support the development of a region-wide Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RME) program to assess the status of anadromous salmonid populations, their tributary habitat and restoration and management actions. The most straightforward approach to developing a regional-scale monitoring and evaluation program would be to increase standardization among status and trend monitoring programs. However, the diversity of species and their habitat, as well as the overwhelming uncertainty surrounding indicators, metrics, and data interpretation methods, requires the testing of multiple approaches. Thus, the approach ISEMP has adopted is to develop a broad template ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Some diagnostics at the National Ignition Facility (NIF), including the Gamma Reaction History (GRH) diagnostic, require multiple channels of data to achieve the required dynamic range. These channels need to be stitched together into a single time series, and they may have non-uniform and redundant time samples. We chose to apply the popular cubic smoothing spline technique to our stitching problem because we needed a general non-parametric method. We adapted one of the algorithms in the literature, by Hutchinson and deHoog, to our needs. The modified algorithm and the resulting code perform a cubic smoothing spline fit to multiple data channels with redundant time samples and missing data points. The data channels can have different, time-varying, zero-mean white noise characteristics. The method we employ automatically determines an optimal smoothing level by minimizing the Generalized Cross Validation (GCV) score. In ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using standards on phenol-formaldehyde resin base for assaying-activation analysis of geological specimens for gold and silver has bee the advantage of uniformly distributing Au and Ag in spesimens and possible preparing tablets of practically any form or size. The validity and accuracy of these standards have been studied for the cases of short irradiation. Conventional point standards were used as reference standards. The experiments carried out have shown that tablet resol standards are suitable for a mass assaying-activation analysis for gold and silver at practically any concentrations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An apparatus was designed and built for the purpose of exposing samples of solid polymers to varying temperatures, atmospheres and stress levels while quantitatively recording the resulting chemiluminescence. Preliminary data were acquired with this apparatus that show a correlation between an enhanced chemiluminescence signal at a low level of applied stress and a decrease in tensile strength for the most commonly used epoxy resin in high performance fiber composites, TGMDA DDS. The studies with cellular silicone cushions (which are used to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction) have defined the temperature regimes in which accelerated aging tests are valid for extrapolation to ambient temperature. Preliminary data on Kevlar fibers is also discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Using high-resolution y-rays spectrometry, the natural radioactivity of 14 samples of natural and o manufactured Egyptian building materials have been investigated. The samples were collected from local market and construction sites. From the measured gamma-ray spectra, specific activities were determined. The radium equivalent activity in each sample was estimated. Radiological evaluations of these materials indicate that all materials meet the external gamma-ray dose limitation. Calculation of concentration indices by assuming a Markkanen room model is constructed from these materials, to find the excess gamma-ray dose taken over that received from the outdoors. The Austrian Standard ONORM S 5200 is used in testing the building materials.

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.

Science.gov (United States)

An in/depth industrial hygiene survey of exposures to phosphine during the use of aluminum phosphide was conducted as part of a survey on exposure to grain fumigants. Area monitoring and breathing-zone sampling for phosphine were conducted during the addition of aluminum phosphide to grain during turning operations; source samples and peak personal exposures were also analyzed. Major sources of personal exposure included the escape of air from the bin headspace during filling with treated grain, filling and emptying of the phosphide pellet dispenser, and infiltration from the treated grain bin and from the pellet dispenser itself into adjacent air space. Relatively good dust control was indicated by the total dust samples collected during the survey. Measures recommended by the author are in the report.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Summary 1.-The presence of Brucella abortus within free-ranging wildlife populations is an important conservation and management issue because of the risk of brucellosis transmission between wildlife and livestock. Predicting wildlife distributions is necessary to forecast wildlife and livestock spatial overlap and the potential for brucellosis transmission. 2.-We used Global Positioning System data collected from telemetry-collared female elk Cervus elaphus to develop resource selection function (RSF) models during the brucellosis transmission risk period (the abortion and calving periods). We validated extrapolation of predictive models at two nearby elk ranges within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Additionally, we integrated extrapolated RSF maps and domestic livestock distributions...

Science.gov (United States)

The purpose of this column is to present the results of the 2007 Professional Practice Analysis (PPA) of the field of nurse anesthesia, conducted by the Council on Certification of Nurse Anesthetists. The PPA used survey and rating scale methodologies to collect data regarding the relative emphasis of various aspects of the nurse anesthesia knowledge domain and competencies. A total of 3,805 survey responses were analyzed using the Rasch rating scale model, which aggregates and transforms ordinal (rating scale) responses into linear measures of relative importance and frequency. Summaries of respondent demographics and educational and professional background are provided, as well as descriptions of how the survey results are used to develop test specifications. The results of this analysis provide evidence for the content outline and test specifications (content percentages) and thus serve as a basis of content validation for the National ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To more accurately measure fluorescent signals from microarrays, we calibrated our acquisition and analysis systems by using groundtruth samples comprised of known quantities of red and green gene-specific DNA probes hybridized to cDNA targets. We imaged the slides with a full-field, white light CCD imager and analyzed them with our custom analysis software. Here we compare, for multiple genes, results obtained with and without preprocessing (alignment, color crosstalk compensation, dark field subtraction, and integration time). We also evaluate the accuracy of various image processing and analysis techniques (background subtraction, segmentation, quantitation and normalization). This methodology calibrates and validates our system for accurate quantitative measurement of microarrays. Specifically, we show that preprocessing the images produces results significantly closer to the known ground-truth for these samples.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The objectives of this study were to develop an accurate and precise method for cholesterol quantification in meat samples based on modifications made to an existing procedure (AOAC Official Method 994.10), and to apply this modified method to evaluate cholesterol levels in longissimus muscles (LM) from Angus (AN, n=5), Brahman (BR, n=4), and Romosinuano (RM, n=9) breeds. Validation of this method was performed using a meat homogenate (Standard Reference Material 1546) from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and LM samples from the three breeds with fat contents ranging from 2.4% to 9.3%. The results indicated that the modified method was accurate with cholesterol recovery exceeding 95%. The method was also found to be precise with an average coefficient of variation of...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Historical information about the F-Area Railroad Crosstie Pile is limited. The unit is believed to have been a borrow area for earth fill that began receiving railroad crossties during the 1960s. The number of crossties at the unit began to increase significantly in 1984 when major repair of the SRS rail system was initiated. An estimated 100,000 used railroad crossties have accumulated at the unit since 1984. In an effort to determine the impact of the railroad crossties on the environment a total of 28 soil samples were collected from four test borings in March of 1991. Sample depths ranged from ground surface to 21.5 feet. Three of the borings were extended to the water table and groundwater samples were collected, one in an upgradient background'' area, and two downgradient from the unit. Few analytes were reported above detection limits. Test results are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The mobility of metals in ground water is an important consideration for evaluating remedial options at the Asarco smelter site. Tacoma, Washington. One factor in assessing metal mobility is the degree of secondary mineralization in a slag-fill aquifer extending into the intertidal zone along the Puget Sound shoreline. Samples of aquifer material were collected for mineralogical analysis from borehole MW-206 at five-foot intervals within the slag fill from 5 to 25 feet below the ground surface, and in the underlying marine sand and gravel at 27 feet. Grab samples of slag fragments with visually apparent secondary minerals were also collected at five intermediate depths between 12 and 19 feet. Samples were analyzed by a variety of techniques including hydride generation/atomic absorption for arsenic concentration, scanning electron microscopy/electron microprobe for mineralogical ...

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 and normal forces into the applied tensile ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study analyzed the atmospheric emissions produced by the live firing of a 155 mm Howitzer gun. The study was conducted during a live firing training exercise at a Canadian Forces Base. Air emissions were sampled continuously for 3 hours. Particles and chemicals were accumulated on sampling media during the firing of 69 rounds. A single round was fired using 4 bags of propellants, and an additional 3 rounds were fired using 5 bags of propellant. Samples included particulate matter; hydrogen cyanide; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); dinitrotoluene compounds; benzene; toluene; ethylbenzene; xylene; metals; aldehydes; nitric acid; nitric oxide; nitrogen dioxide; hydrogen sulphide; and sulphur dioxide. Samples were collected at 8 m to the left of the gun as well as at 22 m in front of the gun muzzle in the line of fire. Results of the study showed that 60 per cent of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

With the increased usage of dispersion models that require stack top wind information, such as the Complex Terrain Dispersion Model (CTDM), the need for a reliable method to collect elevated wind data has also increased. Doppler Sound Detection and Ranging (SODAR) instruments have gained recognition as a viable means of collecting such data. SODAR technology has improved greatly over the last decade and is now a cost effective alternative to tall meteorological towers. SODARs are remote sensing devices that sample the atmosphere and calculate wind speed and wind direction data at different altitudes. This is accomplished by measuring the doppler shift of an acoustic pulse emitted by a ground level antenna.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In recent years, cobia has become an emerging farmed species in Asia due to its quick growth and high economic value. This study collects biological and economic data affecting the economic performance of cobia farming in three countries, namely Taiwan, China, and Vietnam. The data are collected by questionnaire sampling and analyzed by multivariate statistical analysis in order to compare the key factors affecting the production and economy of cobia farming in these three countries. The results show that Taiwan, China, and Vietnam have significant differences in input intensities and profitability. China has the highest input intensity (3372.42?TWD/m3), as its high stocking density increases feed input. Taiwan has the highest unit input cost (103.44?TWD/kg), as the high quality of the pro...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Several studies have shown that migratory birds play an important role in the ecology, circulation and dissemination of pathogenic organisms. In October 2006, a health status evaluation was performed on a large population of migratory birds passing through the territory of Ustica (Italy), an island located on the migration route of many species of birds to Africa, and various laboratory tests were conducted. In total, 218 faecal swabs and the internal organs of 21 subjects found dead in nets were collected for bacteriological and virological examination, including avian influenza and Newcastle disease. In addition, 19 pooled fresh faecal samples were collected for mycological examination. The bacteriological analysis produced 183 strains belonging to 28 different species of the Enterobacte...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Having know of four more natural hot spring located in Amphur Phipun, Nakorn Si Thammarat Province, the present investigators went on July 27, 2005 to collect water samples from the four new hot springs in Ampur Phipun, Nakorn Si Thammarat Province. The methods of collection and the determination of radon gas and free-living amoeba were the same as those employed in previous studies. The results revealed radon concentrations higher than the drinking safety limits of 11 Bq/L in specimens from Baan Huaysai Kow (32.30 Bq/L) and Baan Hunob (31.18 Bq/L; both naegleria and acanthamoeba were present in the specimens of the above two sites, whereas only naegleria recovered from Baan Huaysai Kow (Nai Nukul place) and none from Baan Nong Bua.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The groundwater flow and transport model of the Faultless underground nuclear test conducted at the Central Nevada Test Area (CNTA) was accepted by the state regulator and the environmental remediation efforts at the site have progressed to the stages of model validation and long-term monitoring design. This report discusses the long-term monitoring strategy developed for CNTA. Subsurface monitoring is an expensive and time-consuming process, and the design approach should be based on a solid foundation. As such, a thorough literature review of monitoring network design is first presented. Monitoring well networks can be designed for a number of objectives including aquifer characterization, parameter estimation, compliance monitoring, detection monitoring, ambient monitoring, and research monitoring, to name a few. Design methodologies also range from simple hydrogeologic intuition-based tools to sophisticated statistical- and optimization-based tools. When ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Leaded gasoline has been used as fuel for trucks and automobiles in the United States since 1924; it has been implicated as a source of lead that is deposited on the soil and eventually can be ingested by small children, contributing to their burden of this toxic metal. The lead content of 667 surface-soil samples (taken at depths of 0-5 cm) and 159 subsurface-soil samples (from depths of 25-30 cm) collected from Illinois play areas near roads was measured and related to traffic variables. The samples were collected between June and October of 1985, and their measured lead levels exceeded the average natural background level for Illinois soil. The highest lead concentrations were found in samples from the six-county metropolitan Chicago region, where both traffic volume and traffic density are higher than in the rest of the state. Regression analysis showed ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

During the last years, boron dilution events with the potential of reactivity transients were an important issue of German PWR safety analyses. A coolant with a low-boron concentration could be collected in localized areas of the reactor coolant system, e.g., by separation of a borated reactor coolant into highly concentrated and diluted fractions (inherent dilution) which can occur during reflux-condenser heat transfer after a small break loss of coolant accident with a limited availability of the emergency core cooling systems. During the course of follower core assessments, TUV NORD SysTec appraises safety analyses of boron dilution events presented by the utilities. These analyses are based on the simulation of boron dilution and transport processes in conjunction with a number of dedicated experiments. The analyses demonstrate that boron dilution events cannot lead to recriticality of the core. Hence, the boron concentration at the core inlet has to be ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents the characteristics of selected parameters of organic matter of the Tertiary coal samples and organic matter of Carboniferous rock samples from the Spitsbergen. The coal samples were taken from Central Coal Basin (the Longyearbyen region) and from the Forlandsundet Basin (Oscar II Land, the Kaffioyra region). Samples of dispersed organic matter were collected from Suffolk Pynten and Sergeijevfjellet area in Sorkapp Land. The optical properties of coal samples are different from properties of dispersed organic matter. Macerals of vitrinite group dominate in all of the samples. The average content of vitrinite group macerals is much lower in dipersed organic matter samples than it is in coals. The average content of liptinite group macerals is a little lower, and inertinite group macerals is much ...

Science.gov (United States)

The identification of crystallographic phases in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been limited by the lack of a simple way to obtain electron diffraction data of an unknown while observing the micro structure of the specimen. With the development of Charge Coupled Device (CCD) based detectors, backscattered electron Kikuchi patterns (BEKP), alternately referred to as electron backscattered diffraction patterns (EBSP), can be easily collected. Previously, BEKP has been limited to crystallographic orientation studies due to the poor pattern quality collected with video rate detector systems. With CCD detectors, a typical BEKP can now be acquired from a micron or sub-micron-sized crystal using an exposure time of 1-10 seconds with an accelerating voltage of 10-40 kV and a beam current as low as 0.1 nA. Crystallographic phase analysis using BEKP is unique in that the properly equipped SEM permits high magnification images, BEKP`s, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In rare instances, carbon monoxide (CO) levels in houses can reach dangerously high concentrations, causing adverse health effects ranging from mild headaches to, under extreme conditions, death. Hundreds of fatal accidental carbon monoxide poisonings occur each year primarily due to the indoor operation of motor vehicles, the indoor use of charcoal for cooking, the operation of malfunctioning vented and unvented combustion appliances, and the misuse combustion appliances. Because there is a lack of simple, inexpensive, and accurate field sampling instrumentation, it is difficult for gas utilities and researchers to conduct field research studies designed to quantify the concentrations of CO in residences. Determining the concentration of CO in residences is the first step towards identifying the high risk appliances and high-CO environments which pose health risks. Thus, there exists an urgent need to develop and field-validate a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The main object of the present study was to obtain the relationship of primary, secondary and index properties; compressibility; and angle of repose of coal ash. Representative samples of coal ash from different storage locations of Ropar thermal power plant, Punjab, were analysed. Based on test results of various primary characteristics of ash, the following observations have been made. (1) Ashes sampled for the study have a common mineralogical origin. The uniformity coefficient increases for ash collected near location of discharge compared to ash collected far from the location. (2) The void ratio extent, that is, a different of emax. or a ratio of emax. and emin. decreases with an increase of mean size. The maximum dry density obtained in dry vibration and proctor test differs for fine ash. Maximum dry density decreases and optimum moisture content increases with increase in mean size. Permeability ...

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)

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 for significant ...

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 the report includes an ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study evaluated surface characteristics and overlaying properties of wood plastic composite (WPC) panels made from dry-blended rubber wood fiber-polypropylene (PP) powder formulations using a conventional flat-press process under laboratory conditions. Three levels of rubberwood fibers (Hevea brasiliensis), 40%, 50%, and 60%, based on the composition by weight, were mixed with the PP powder without and with 3% (based on weight) maleic anhydride grafted PP (MAPP) as a coupling agent. Contact angle measurements on the WPC samples were performed using a goniometer connected with a digital camera which collected one image per second. Roughness measurements, average roughness (R a), mean peak-to-valley height (R z), and maximum roughness (R y), were taken from the sanded samples along and ...

CERN Document Server

We report the first observation of $\\mPJpsi \\to \\mPeta\\mPKst\\mAPKst$ decay in a $\\mPJpsi$ sample of 58 million events collected with the BESII detector. The branching fraction is determined to be $(1.15 \\pm 0.13 \\pm 0.22)\\times 10^{-3}$. The selected signal event sample is further used to search for the $\\mPY$ resonance through $\\mPJpsi \\to \\mPeta \\mPY, \\mPY\\to\\mPKst\\mAPKst$. No evidence of a signal is seen. An upper limit of \\mathrm{Br}(\\mPJpsi \\to \\mPeta \\mPY)\\cdot\\mathrm{Br}(\\mPY\\to\\mPKst\\mAPKst) < 2.52\\times 10^{-4} is set at the 90% confidence level.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study investigated the occurrence of free-living amoebae (FLA) in immunodeficiency wards of hospitals in Tehran, Iran. A total of 70 dust and biofilm samples from wards serving transplant, pediatric (malignancies), HIV, leukemia and oncology patients of five university hospitals were collected and examined for the presence of FLA using culturing and molecular approaches. Based on the morphology of the amoebae in plate cultures, primer sets were applied for molecular identification of Acanthamoeba, vahlkampfiid amoebae and Hartmannella. Out of 70 samples, 37 (52.9%) were positive for FLA. Acanthamoeba belonged to the T4 genotype was the most prevalent isolate. Presence of the T4 genotype on medical instruments, including an oxygen mask in an isolation room of an immunodeficiency pediat...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Human activities in the karst Ozark Plateaus can impact water quality of springs where surface water is rapidly transferred to subsurface conduits. Bennett Spring, in southern Missouri, is the fourth largest spring in the state and supports local tourism activities. Questions regarding poorly functioning on-site wastewater systems (OWS) have raised concerns over the long-term water quality of the spring. This study reports the results of a surface water quality monitoring program in the recharge area where monthly samples were collected at base flow to identify potential pollution sources to the spring. Base flow hydrology of the recharge area was highly variable over the study period, which was drier than normal, causing an incomplete sampling record due to no flow conditions at some site...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Determination of the radiocarbon (14C) content of airborne particulate matter yields insight into the proportion of the carbonaceous material derived from fossil and contemporary carbon sources. Daily samples of PM2.5 were collected by high-volume sampler at an urban background site in Birmingham, UK, and the fraction of 14C in both the total carbon, and in the organic and elemental carbon fractions, determined by two-stage combustion to CO2, graphitisation and quantification by accelerator mass spectrometry. OC and EC content was also determined by Sunset Analyzer. The mean fraction contemporary TC in the PM2.5 samples was 0.50 (range 0.27-0.66, n=26). There was no seasonality to the data, but there was a positive trend between fraction contemporary TC and magnitude of SOC/TC ratio and fo...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) requested that Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) evaluate the treatment process currently employed at the Department's Stringfellow Superfund Site Pretreatment Plant (PTP) site to determine if wastes originating from the site were properly managed with regards to their radioactivity. In order to evaluate the current management strategy, LLNL suggested that DTSC characterize the effluents from the waste treatment system for radionuclide content. A sampling plan was developed; samples were collected and analyzed for radioactive constituents. Following is brief summary of those results and what implications for waste characterization may be made. (1) The sampling and analysis provides strong evidence that the radionuclides present are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). (2) The greatest source of radioactivity in the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Samples of some domestic and imported food products of nutritive importance to both the child population and the adult population in Nigeria were collected and analysed in order to determine their radionuclide contents. The samples were collected from open markets in major commercial cities in the country. Gamma-ray spectrometry was employed in the determination of the radionuclide contents in the products. The gamma-ray peaks observed with reliable regularity in all the samples analysed belong to naturally occurring radionuclides, namely {sup 226}Ra, {sup 228}Th and {sup 40}K. The activity concentrations of these radionuclides in both the domestic and imported products were observed to be not significantly different. Essentially radioactive elements such as {sup 137}Cs were not detected in any of the samples. The non-detection of {sup 137}Cs in the imported ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A total of 272 tap water samples were collected from 68 homes throughout the city of Tehran. Analysis for cadmium, zinc, lead, copper, arsenic, iron and manganese showed some accumulation of these metals in household piping overnight. However, the concentration of all metals was in the parts per billion (ug/l) range and well below international standards. Heavy metals in Tehran's drinking water therefore, do not pose a significant acute health hazard. 19 references, 2 tables.

CERN Document Server

The CP violating processes J/psi-->K_S K_S and psi(2S)-->K_S K_S are searched for using samples of 58 million J/psi and 14 million psi(2S) events collected with the Beijing Spectrometer at the Beijing Electron Positron Collider. No signal is observed, and upper limits on the decay branching ratios are determined to be BR(J/psi-->K_S K_S) K_S K_S) < 4.6x10^{-6} at the 95% confidence level.

Science.gov (United States)

Progress is reported in several areas of research. The following cellulosic raw materials were selected for study: wheat, barley, and rice straws, rice hulls, sorghum, corn stover, cotton gin trash, newsprint, ground wood, and masonite steam-treated Douglas fir and redwood. Samples were collected, prepared, and analyzed for hexosans, pentosans, lignin, ash, and protein. Results of acid extraction and enzymatic hydrolysis are discussed. Yields of glucose, polyglucose, xylose, and arabinose are reported. Progress in process design and economic studies, as well as pilot plant process development and design studies, is summarized. (JGB)

CERN Document Server

The Dalitz plot of $\\eta^{\\prime} \\to \\eta \\pi^+ \\pi^-$ decay is studied using $(225.2\\pm2.8)\\times 10^6$ $\\jpsi$ events collected with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII $e^+e^-$ collider. With the largest sample of $\\eta^{\\prime}$ decays to date, the parameters of the Dalitz plot are determined in a generalized and a linear representation. Also the branching fraction of $\\jpsi \\to \\gamma \\eta^{\\prime}$ is determined to be $(4.84\\pm0.03\\pm0.24)\\times 10^{-3}$, where the first error is statistical and the second systematic.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The role of robotics and remote handling equipment in future nuclear power plant maintenance activities is discussed in the context of artificial intelligence applications. Special requirements manipulators, control systems, and man-machine interfaces for nuclear applications are noted. Tasks might include inspection with cameras, eddy current probes, and leak detectors; the collection of material samples; radiation monitoring; and the disassembly, repair and reassembly of a variety of system components. A robot with vision and force sensing and an intelligent control system that can access a knowledge base is schematically described. Recent advances in image interpretation systems are also discussed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Activity concentrations of some anthropogenic radionuclides (90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239+240Pu and 241Am) have been measured in the surface of marine sediments along the Saudi coast of the Arabian (Persian) Gulf. The samples were collected at different locations and water depths. The spatial distribution of the concentrations of the measured radionuclides showed a heterogeneous pattern and is independent of location or water depth. The obtained results are discussed and some conclusions are drawn.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A novel continuous powder introduction microwave-induced plasma atomic emission spectrometry method (CPI-MIP-AES) has been developed for trace determination of metals in ground and tap water samples after preconcentration on activated carbon. The experimental setup consisted of integrated rectangular cavity TE_1_0_1 and vertically positioned plasma torch. The technical arrangement of the sample introduction system has been designed based on the fluidized bed concept. The satisfactory signal stability required for sequential analysis was attained owing to the vertical plasma configuration, as well as the plasma gas flow rate compatibility with sample introduction flow rate. The elements of interest (Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Pb, Zn) were preconcentrated in a batch procedure at pH 8-8.5 after addition of activated carbon and then, after filtering and drying of the activated carbon suspension, introduced to the MIP by the CPI ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An average of 9 million gallons per day of oil-contaminated ballast water off loaded from tankers are treated at the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company Ballast Water Treatment Facility at the terminus of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline in Port Valdez, Alaska. This paper focuses on the results of 2 Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council monitoring programs which detail changes in the chemical composition of treated ballast water as it moves from tankers through the facility and subsequently traces the effluent hydrocarbons into the receiving environment of Port Valdez. The treatment facility involves gravity separation tanks, dissolved air flotation cells and biological treatment tanks. Effluent containing traces of volatile aromatics, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes, low levels of oil, saturated hydrocarbons and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is being continuously discharged to Port Valdez. Because of the extremely large average flow rate, low ...

Science.gov (United States)

The urine test strip is the most common test used to detect ketones in veterinary patients, but it can underestimate the degree of ketonuria and hence, ketonemia. Additionally, adequate urine samples for analysis may be difficult to obtain from dehydrated animals. The standard method used to detect and monitor ketonemia in human medicine is measurement of serum or whole blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (?HOB). A point-of-care (POC) analyzer has been validated for this purpose in humans. This study compared the accuracy of the POC device to an enzymatic reaction laboratory method for measurement of ?HOB in dogs. Although the POC sensor tended to overestimate ?HOB concentrations, there was good correlation (R(2) = 0.96) and good agreement between the 2 methods with a bias +/- precision of 0.0860 +/- 0.3410 mmol/L ?HOB. The POC ?HOB sensor can be useful for assessing ketonemia in dogs. PMID:21119867

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Women treated of localised stages of cervix cancer have a very good prognosis. But do health care professionals have a tendency to underestimate the potential need for rehabilitation of this group? To be able to answer this question this study aimed to develop knowledge concerning these women's own perception of their health during a long period after surgical cancer treatment. A total of 398 women who underwent radical hysterectomy in the period from the 1 January 1983 to 31 December 2000 participated in the study at Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby in Denmark 2001-2003. All patients initially filled in an internally validated questionnaire. Subsequently a sample of 100 women filled in the questionnaires Short Form -36 and Sense of Coherence to evaluate their self-reported health. Analy...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A simple, sensitive and rapid method for analysis of granisetron in human plasma, utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), has been developed and validated to satisfy FDA guidelines for bioanalytical methods. The analyte and internal standard (IS) were isolated from 100ml plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). A Varian 1200l tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source was operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 313.4/138 for granisetron and m/z 270/201 for the IS used for quantitation. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.02-20ng/ml for granisetron in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02ng/ml with a relative standard deviati...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stress chemiluminescence (SCL) is a novel technique for monitoring aging reactions of polymeric materials under stress. A special apparatus for detecting the chemiluminescence of solid polymers has been designed and built. There is a correlation between an enhanced chemiluminescence signal at low levels of applied stress and subsequent premature mechanical failure of samples of tetraglycidyl-4,4'-methylenedianiline (TGMDA) cured with 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS) the most commonly used epoxy in high performance fiber composites. Chemiluminescence data from silicone cushions is used to validate accelerated aging tests and preliminary results from Kevlar fibers are reported. The technique will be extended to other polymeric materials including fiber composites. 22 references, 7 figures, 1 table.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique (CEA, French Atomic Energy Commission) has set up over the last 10 years an innovative methodology aiming at characterizing radiological contaminations. The application of the latter relies on various tools such as expertise vehicles with impressive detection performances (VEgAS) and recently developed software platform called Kartotrak. A Geographic Information System tailored to radiological needs constitutes the heart of the platform; it is surrounded by several modules aiming at sampling optimization (Stratege), data analysis and geostatistical modeling (Krigeo), real-time monitoring (Kartotrak- RT) and validation of cleaning efficiency (Pescar). This paper presents the different tools which provide exhaustive instruments for the follow-up of decontamination projects, from doubt removal to the verification of the decontamination process. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This present study evaluated the effect of gamma radiation on the fungal survival in packed medicinal plants, purchased from wholesale and retail market, in different period (0 and 30 days) after the treatment. Five kind of medicinal plants (Peumus boldus, Camellia sinensis, Maytenus ilicifolia, Paullinia cupana and Cassia angustifolia), were collected from different cities of Sao Paulo State, and submitted to irradiation treatment using a 60Co source (type Gammacell 220) with doses of 5,0 kGy and 10 kGy and at dose rate of 3.0 kGy/h. Non-irradiated samples (control group) were used for fungal counts and serial dilutions from 10-1 to 10-6 of the samples were seeded in duplicates and plated using the surface culture method in Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar (DG 18) and were counted after five days at 25 deg C. The control group revealed the presence of genera Aspergillus and Penicillium, which are known as toxigenic fungi and a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High concentrations of Cs-137 were detected in the muscles of Walleye Pollack (Theragra chalcogramm) collected from Kitamiyamato banks (sampling on 25 Jul. 2000), Kamui area (16 Oct. 2000) and Niigata coasts (31 Jan. 2001). The concentrations were 0.35 #+-# 0.01, 0.41 #+-# 0.01, and 0.63 #+-# 0.02 Bq/kg-wet, respectively. The average concentration in our past investigations was about 0.25 #+-# 0.01 Bq/kg-wet. Samples from other areas, the coat of Kushiro (8 May 2001), North Tishima (13 Nov. 2000) and the Sea of Okhotsk (6 May 2001), had the average concentrations. There were no such high concentrations of Cs-137 in other fish species collected from Kitamiyamato banks, Kamui area, and Niigata coasts. Fish samples with high concentrations all make the migration in the north of Japan sea. These results would indicated that samples took in Cs-137 elements from ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this study, liquid flame spray (LFS) was used to produce titania, silver and silver-titania deposits of nanoparticles. Titanium(IV)ethoxide (TEOT) and silver nitrate in ethanol solutions were used as precursors and sprayed into turbulent hydrogen-oxygen flame. Production rates of 1.5-40 mg/min of titania were used with silver additions of 1, 2, 4, and 8 wt% compared to titania. Nanoparticle deposits were collected by thermophoretic sampling at six different axial distances from the flame torch head: 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, and 20 cm, of which the all but the last one occurred inside the flame. The deposit samples were analysed by TEM and SAED analysis. The powder samples of the particles were also collected by electric precipitator to XPS and specific surface area analysis. Particle size and effective density after the flame in the aerosol were analysed with SMPS and ELPI. The results ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Beach rocks are observed frequently on the tropical and subtropical sandy beaches where they express thin beds dipping seaward at less than 15 degrees. They consist of beach sediments including fossil shells, fragments of corals, diatoms and other biocarbonates, and are well cemented within the inter-tidal zone with calcium carbonate originated in sea water. Therefore, they are not only good indicators which show the past sea level, but also provide good sample material for radiocarbon dating. The locations of beach rocks give us an optimum condition studying a carbon cycle between land and marine environment by analyzing their isotope fractionations. In order to estimate the origin of calcium carbonate which worked as an adhesive when beach rocks were formed and to estimate the formative ages of beach rocks, a total of 330 fossil corals, fossil shells and calcarenite or calcirdite samples were collected from 128 sites of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Vibration signature analysis has been commonly used for the machine condition monitoring and the control of errors. However, it has been rarely employed for the analysis of the precision instruments such as an atomic force microscope (AFM). In this work, an AFM was used to collect vibration data from a sample positioning stage under different suspension and support conditions. Certain structural characteristics of the sample positioning stage show up as a result of the vibration signature analysis of the surface height images measured using an AFM. It is important to understand these vibration characteristics in order to reduce vibrational uncertainty, improve the damping and structural design, and to eliminate the imaging imperfections. The choice of method applied for vibration analysis may affect the results. Two methods, the data dependent systems (DDS) analysis and the Welch`s periodogram averaging method were ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project (HEDR) is to estimate the potential radiation doses received by people living within the sphere of influence of the Hanford Site. A potential critical pathway for human radiation exposure is through the consumption of waterfowl that frequent onsite waste-water ponds or through eating of fish, shellfish, and waterfowl that reside in/on the Columbia River and its tributaries downstream of the reactors. This document summarizes information on fish, shellfish, and waterfowl radiation contamination for samples collected by Hanford monitoring personnel and offsite agencies for the period 1945 to 1972. Specific information includes the types of organisms sampled, the kinds of tissues and organs analyzed, the sampling locations, and the radionuclides reported. Some tissue concentrations are also included. We anticipate that these yearly ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project (HEDR) is to estimate the potential radiation doses received by people living within the sphere of influence of the Hanford Site. A potential critical pathway for human radiation exposure is through the consumption of waterfowl that frequent onsite waste-water ponds or through eating of fish, shellfish, and waterfowl that reside in/on the Columbia River and its tributaries downstream of the reactors. This document summarizes information on fish, shellfish, and waterfowl radiation contamination for samples collected by Hanford monitoring personnel and offsite agencies for the period 1945 to 1972. Specific information includes the types of organisms sampled, the kinds of tissues and organs analyzed, the sampling locations, and the radionuclides reported. Some tissue concentrations are also included. We anticipate that these yearly ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Gene analysis was used to determined the presence, abundance and phylogenetic affiliation of methanogens that exist in gas-hydrate-bearing sediment samples obtained from 23 drill cores from the JAPEX/JNOC/GSC et al. Mallik 5L-38 gas hydrate research well. Rates of methane production were examined using sediment-inoculated enrichments containing {sup 14}C-labeled carbon substrates, carbon dioxide and acetate. Archaeal 16S rDNA was only detected in 6 of the samples, resulting in 8 sequences with relationships to the Miscellaneous Crenarchaeotic Group (7 clones) and the Subsurface Euryarchaeotic Group (1 clone). The single Euryarchaeota sequence did not appear to be related to methanogens. Subsamples from the cores showed variable results upon DNA extraction and amplification. Methanogenic Coenzyme M (CoM) was detected in 13 of the 20 cores, but methanogenic methyl CoM reductase genes were not amplified from the samples when ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Determining the time of most recent fault movement is an important part of assessing a possible site for a nuclear power plant. The purpose of this paper is not to present research information but to provide a practical guide to some of the dating techniques available to the engineering geologist working on nuclear power plant siting. Emphasis is placed on the practical aspects, such as usable minerals, conditions necessary for them to yield correct dates, degree of accuracy, sample collection, sample size, and sample packaging. In this paper, the usual geologic field techniques are taken for granted (such as those used in stratigraphy, paleontology, and structural analysis) for assessing fault history. Laboratory techniques used in conjunction with or supplemental to field methods are discussed. The specific radiometric methods discussed are "1"4C(carbon-14), fission track, K-Ar (potassium-argon), ...

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 RWMS Groundwater ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the method of Allan variance and its application to the characterization of a Ring Laser Gyro`s (RLG) performance. Allan variance, a time domain analysis technique, is an accepted IEEE standard for gyro specifications. The method was initially developed by David Allan of the National Bureau of Standards to quantify the error statistics of a Cesium beam frequency standard employed as the US Frequency Standards in 1960`s. The method can, in general, be applied to analyze the error characteristics of any precision measurement instrument. The key attribute of the method is that it allows for a finer, easier characterization and identification of error sources and their contribution to the overall noise statistics. This report presents an overview of the method, explains the relationship between Allan variance and power spectral density distribution of underlying noise sources, describes the batch and recursive implementation approaches, validates ...

Science.gov (United States)

In this article, we describe the development and preliminary psychometric properties of the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO), a semistructured interview designed for the dimensional assessment of identity, primitive defenses, and reality testing, the three primary content domains in the model of personality health and disorder elaborated by Kernberg (1984; Kernberg & Caligor, 2005). Results of this investigation, conducted in a clinical sample representing a broad range of personality pathology, indicate that identity and primitive defenses as operationalized in the STIPO are internally consistent and that interrater reliability for all 3 content domains is adequate. Validity findings suggest that the assessment of one's sense of self and significant others (Identity) is predictive of measures of positive and negative affect, whereas the maladaptive ways in which the subject uses his or her objects for purposes of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radon exposure assessment in case-control studies on radon and lung cancer is generally based on contemporary radon concentration measurements, which can be affected by significant changes in the building structures or in living habits. Another method to estimate the radon exposure of the subjects is the recently developed retrospective dosimetry technique based on the {sup 210}Po surface activity from glass objects. In order to compare the results obtained by the two methods, a study has been carried out in a sample of 26 dwellings in Rome, with radon concentration values ranging from 28 to 623 Bq m{sup -3}. Retrospective detectors based on CR-39 and LR 115 were exposed on 50 glass objects in bedrooms and living rooms. The correlation factor between the two sets of data, after removing six extreme values, is 0.67, which is similar to results obtained in other validation studies of similar sample size. The correlation ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Some crops of important nutritive requirements have been collected from farmlands located in Bitsichi an old tin mining town in north central region of Nigeria. The food crops were analyzed in order to determine trace element concentrations level using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The activity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in the food samples and soil samples collected within the root zone of the crops were also determined using gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS). The NAA results obtained showed higher concentration of Potassium among the essential elements in all the crops. Calcium concentration in both maize and Guinea corn was below detection limit and also Zn in Green beans, sweet potato and cassava. The trace elements; Sc, Hf, Sm, and Th, were below detection limit in all the crops except in Green beans. Rubidium (Rb) and lanthanum (La) were below detection limits only in Cabbage. The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the summer of 1990, an accidental spill from the TA-3 Power Plant Environment Tank released more than 3,785 liters of sulfuric acid into upper Sandia Canyon. The Biological Resource Evaluation Team (BRET) of EM-8 at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has collected aquatic samples from the stream within Sandia Canyon since then. These field studies gather water quality measurements and collect macroinvertebrates from permanent sampling sites. An earlier report by Bennett (1994) discusses previous BRET aquatic studies in Sandia Canyon. This report updates and expands Bennett's initial findings. During 1993, BRET collected water quality data and aquatic macroinvertebrates at five permanent stations within the canyon. The substrates of the upper three stations are largely sands and silts while the substrates of the two lower stations are largely rock and cobbles. The two upstream ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method for enrichment of the ppb level of cadmium in water by using the coagulation of soybean protein by adding acids or its complex-forming character with heavy metal ions was investigated. After adding fixed amounts of soybean milk and 2% sodium diethyldithiocarbamate(DDTC) aqueous solution and a suitable amount of delta-gluconic lactone (delta-GL) to a sample solution, the mixture was heated to boiling in order to coagulate the protein. The coagulum(soybean curd) was separated from the suspension by centrifugation and burned to ashes with a low temperature plasma asher. Then the cadmium enriched in it was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Various factors such as the pH of the sample solution, the amounts of soybean milk and the collection additives, and the concentration of NaCl in the sample solution on the recovery of cadmium were examined systematically. The best recovery was ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During the last years one focus of German PWR safety analysis was boron dilution events with the potential of reactivity transients. Coolant with a low boron concentration could be collected in localized areas of the reactor coolant system e.g. by separation of borated reactor coolant into highly concentrated and diluted fractions (inherent dilution) which can occur during reflux- condenser heat transfer after a small break loss of coolant accident with a limited availability of the emergency core cooling systems. The TUeV NORD SysTec was charged by German supervisory authorities with the assessment of the safety analyses of boron dilution events presented by the utilities. These analyses are based on the simulation of boron dilution and transport processes in conjunction with a number of dedicated experiments. The analyses shall demonstrate that boron dilution events cannot lead to recriticality of the core. Hence the boron concentration at the core inlet has to ...

Science.gov (United States)

This research validates a novel approach for source tracking based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis of DNA extracted from Escherichia coli isolates. Escherichia coli from different animal sources and from river samples upstream from, at, and downstream of a combined sewer overflow were subjected to DGGE to determine sequence variations within the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region (ISR) of the rrnB ribosomal operon. The ISR was analyzed to determine if E. coli isolates from various animal sources could be differentiated from each other. DNA isolated from the E. coli animal sources was PCR amplified to isolate the rrnB operon. To prevent amplification of all 7 E. coli ribosomal operons by PCR amplification using universal primers, sequence-specific primers were utilized for the rrnB operon. Another primer set was then used to prepare samples of the 16S-23S ISR for DGGE. Comparison of PCR-DGGE results ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This award provided for an automated computer-controlled goniometer/diffractometer/manipulator with hot and cold stages and data acquisition system that was interfaced with the high resolution Scienta ESCA-300 X-ray photoelectron spectrometer at Lehigh University. The automation allows angular dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) data to be accurately and rapidly collected without the very time-consuming and labor-intensive manual method that was previously required. It also provides for automated multi-sample analyses, collecting both wide survey scans and selected binding energy range analyses, with complete computer control and data storage. This allows 24 hour data collection without requiring the continuous presence of operators. The overall result is a greater productivity for the XPS laboratory, approximately doubling the output of the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this research work has been the estimation of the stochastic risk for five barium examinations. The sample was the population attending the Radiological Service of the 'Nuestra Senora de la Victoria' University Hospital, who had been treated with some barium examinations, set in five different groups: oesophagus tract, oesophagus-gastric-duodenal tract, intestinal tract, enteroclysis and double enema. To estimate the stochastic risk, it is necessary to know the organ dose. This can be calculated from the dose-area product which allows us to determine the effective dose using software. The dose-area product is the most suitable quantity to measure in these types of examination. We have evaluated the contribution that each procedure provides to the genetically significant dose, somatically significant dose, collective effective dose, annual effective dose 'per capita' and detriment, which are useful for assessing the population risk of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The study area is located in the Bekaa plain of Lebanon totaling about 12753 ha. It lies between the eastern foothills of Mount Lebanon chain and expands across the Litani River towards the foothills of the eastern Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Its characteristics, i.e. natural terrain, climate and socio-economy, make it vulnerable especially due to soil pollution. This paper tries to identify the nature and level of soil pollution by heavy metals. Valley slopes represent a complex landform and lithology that contributed to the formation of different soil. Agriculture in the plain is being practiced mainly with cash, field crops and vegetables. Throughout the central part of the plain, groundwater table is abundant and relatively high (<1.0 m. locally) that multiplies the vulnerability of the soil-groundwater system. There are different sources of pollution, such as industrial (tanneries, batteries, leather manufacturing), solid and liquid wastes, and agricultural due to uncontrolled ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Independent isomeric yield ratios of {sup 131}Te, {sup 133}Te and {sup 134}I have been determined at five different energies in the range of 25-44 MeV alpha particle induced fission of {sup 238}U using radiochemical and gamma spectrometric techniques. From the independent isomeric yield ratios, fragment angular momenta (J{sub rms}) have been deduced using a statistical model analysis. The J{sub rms} were also calculated theoretically based on thermal equilibration of various collective modes after considering the occurrence of multichance fission. These data and the literature data for various fragments in the mass region 126-136 in {sup 238}U ({alpha},f), {sup 238}U (p,f) and {sup 238}U ({gamma},f) show the following important features: (i) Both the entrance channel excitation energy and input angular momentum affect the fragment angular momentum in the exit channel. (ii) There are two groups of fission products from the point of view of change of fragment angular ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The traditional process for developing large-scale simulations is cumbersome, time consuming, costly, and in some cases, inadequate. The topics of software components and component-based software engineering are being explored by software professionals in academic and industrial settings. A component is a well-delineated, relatively independent, and replaceable part of a software system that performs a specific function. Many researchers have addressed the potential to derive a component-based approach to simulations in general, and a few have focused on military simulations in particular. In a component-based approach, functional or logical blocks of the simulation entities are represented as coherent collections of components satisfying explicitly defined interface requirements. A simulation is a top-level aggregate comprised of a collection of components that interact with each other in the context of a simulated environment. A component may ...

Science.gov (United States)

Water Mites collected by Dr.Taiji Imamura...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The evaluation of biological markers is recognized as necessary to the future of toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative risk assessment. For biological markers to become widely accepted, their validity...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... Standards Validation Group National Computer Systems Laboratory National Institute of Standards and Technology ... STANDARD. ... (See test Ci )i3A. ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Agricultural runoff is a major non-point source pollutant and is the leading impairment of streams and rivers in the USA. This study examined the effects of agricultural, forest and urban land cover on water quality at the watershed level. Forty-three catchments ranging from 12 to 50?km2 were selected based on a land cover gradient within Lower Kaskaskia River Watershed in Illinois. Grab samples were collected and analyzed for nutrients, bacteria, and total suspended solids (TSS). Forest land cover was included in six of the ten regression models produced. Four of these regression models were for base flow conditions, suggesting that forest land cover had a significant impact on base flow water quality. Urban land cover was also included in six of the regression models. However, the majori...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In order to investigate the potential role of arctic geese in the epidemiology, the spatial and temporal spread of selected avian diseases, in autumn 2002, a virological and serological survey designed as capture-mark-resighting study was conducted in one of the most important coastal resting sites for migratory waterfowl in Germany. Oropharyngeal, cloacal swabs and blood samples were collected from a total of 147 birds comprising of three different arctic geese species including White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Tundra Bean Goose (Anser fabalis rossicus), Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) as well as from 29 non-migratory Canada Geese (Branta canadensis). Altogether, six adeno-like viruses (ALV; 95% CI, 1.74?9.92%) and two avian paramyxoviruses (APMV-4; 95% CI, 0.19?5.53%) were...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors present the results of a search for W{prime} boson decaying to electron-neutrino pairs in p{bar p} collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 1.96 TeV, using a data sample corresponding to 205 pb{sup -1} of integrated luminosity collected by the CDF II detector at Fermilab. They observe no evidence for this decay mode and set limits on the production cross section times branching fraction, assuming the neutrinos from W{prime} boson decays to be light. If they assume the manifest left-right symmetric model, they exclude a W{prime} boson with mass less than 788 GeV/c{sup 2} at the 95% confidence level.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

It is acknowledged that fluorescence line height (FLH) algorithms are still hampered by the uncertainty of fluorescence peak position. The fluorescence peak moves to longer wavelengths with the increase of chlorophyll a concentration. In this article, the fluorescence enveloped area (FEA), which integrates the fluorescence height and the fluorescence peak position, was used to estimate the chlorophyll a concentration in the coastal waters of the Pearl River Estuary. The FEA algorithm was developed from in situ data of chlorophyll a concentration, total suspended matter (TSM) concentration and above-water remote sensing reflectance, which were collected at 37 sampling stations in the Pearl River Estuary during two cruises. The results showed that the FEA algorithm made a better estimation o...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Reference failures, and their increase in affectively negative conditions (known as affective reactivity of speech), are more frequently observed in schizophrenia patients than in normal controls, but no information is available comparing schizophrenia with depression, ie, a mental disorder closely linked to the concept of affective reactivity. To address this gap in the literature, the present study compared 24 schizophrenia inpatients, 21 unipolar depression inpatients and 21 normal controls. Two 10-minute conversational speech samples (1 on negative and 1 on positive memories) were collected from each patient. The transcripts of the audiotaped interviews were analyzed blindly for frequencies of 6 types of referential failures, employing the Communication Disturbances Index, adapted for ...

CERN Document Server

Decays of $\\chi_{c0,2}\\ar\\ww$ are observed for the first time using a sample of $14.0\\times 10^6$ $\\psi(2S)$ events collected with the BESII detector. The branching ratios are determined to be ${\\cal B}(\\chi_{c0}\\ar \\ww)=(2.29\\pm 0.58\\pm 0.41)\\times 10^{-3}$ and ${\\cal B}(\\chi_{c2}\\ar\\ww)=(1.77\\pm 0.47\\pm 0.36)\\times 10^{-3}$, where the first errors are statistical and the second systematic. The significances of the two signals are $4.4\\sigma$ and $4.7\\sigma$, respectively.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The occurrence of persistent organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in breast milk samples collected from mothers from twelve provinces in mainland China was investigated. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were the most prevalent agent, followed by HCHs and HCB, whereas levels of chlordane compounds, drins and mirex were lower. The relatively lower DDE/DDT ratio in the Fujian rural area suggested more recent exposure to DDT than in other areas. The mean level of DDTs in breast milk from the southern China was higher than those from northern China (p < 0.05). A positive correlation was observed between concentration of DDTs in human milk and consumption of animal-origin food, suggesting that this parameter could play an important part in influencing OCPs burdens in lactating women. The mean...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Systematically review risks of an infant being born with low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB) or small for gestational age (SGA) among married and unmarried women. Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and bibliographies of identified articles were searched for English language studies. Studies reporting birth outcomes of married and unmarried (single and cohabitant) were included. Two reviewers independently collected data and assessed the quality of the studies for biases in sample selection, exposure assessment, confounder, analytical, outcome assessments, and attrition. Meta-analyses were performed using random effect model for both unadjusted and adjusted data and odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Twenty-one studies of low to moderate risk of bias were inclu...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Human breast milk samples collected in 2007?2008 from four countries, Vietnam (Hanoi), China (Beijing), Korea (Seoul) and Japan (Sendai, Kyoto and Takayama), were analyzed for persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane-related compounds (CHLs), hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). Comparing with previous surveys, the present study indicates that the DDTs in breast milk from China and Vietnam had gradually decreased during the last decade, but were still 5?10 times higher than those in other nations. The ratios of p,p?-DDE/p,p?-DDT and o,p?-DDT/p,p?-DDT were higher in Beijing than in the other countries, suggesting that there...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses are the most important infections transmitted by the parenteral route in patients receiving maintenance dialysis. The prevalence varies markedly from country to country. The aim of this study is to review the efficacy of the strategies to reduce the incidence of these infections and the trend of results in Iran. As a routine, all hemodialysis patients in Iran have biannual blood samples for assessment of serum HBSAg, HBS Abs, and HCV Abs. The data are collected in the Ministry of Health. For statistical analysis, prevalence, and incidence were calculated. There is an increasing prevalence/incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in Iran, from 238/49.9 pmp in 2000 to 357/63.8 pmp in 2006. The prevalence of positive HBSAg and HCV Abs decrease...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The gilthead seabream, Sparus aurata, represents an important economic resource for Mediterranean aquaculture. In spite of its wide geographic distribution and economic importance, only recently studies have been carried out on the genetic composition of natural populations, which have revealed a picture of a heterogeneous degree of genetic differentiation among S. aurata populations. In this study an allozyme analysis of samples from six different collecting sites along the Italian and Croatian coasts was carried out, covering an area in the Central Mediterranean sea that has yet to be investigated through gene-enzyme systems. Data on 26 gene loci, 10 of which are polymorphic, indicate a slight but significant genetic structure (FST = 0.0167) of the species. A hierarchical analysis of pop...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Environmental data were collected for most environmental media including air, Columbia River water, external radiation, foodstuffs (milk, beef, eggs, poultry, and produce) and wildlife (deer, fish, and game birds), as well as soil and vegetation samples. In general, offsite levels of radionuclides attributable to Hanford operations during 1979 were indistinguishable from background levels. The data are summarized in the following highlights. Air quality measurements of NO/sub 2/ in the vicinity of the Hanford Site and releases of SO/sub 2/ onsite were well within the applicable federal and state standards. Particulate air concentrations exceed the standards primarily because of agricultural activities in the area. Discharges of waste water from Hanford facilities in the Columbia River under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit were all within the parameter limits on the permit.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Quantifying HIV levels in mucosal secretions is essential to study compartmentalized expression of HIV and facilitate development of intervention strategies to prevent disease progression and transmission. Objectives: To develop a sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective technique to quantify HIV from blood and vaginal secretions that is compatible with efficient implementation in clinical research environments. Study design: A sensitive, reliable, internally-controlled real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR assay, which uses the HIV-1 pol gene as a target (Hpol assay) was developed to quantify HIV levels in plasma and genital secretions, and compared to the widely used Roche Amplicor(TM) HIV-1 Monitor assay. In addition, a simplified method of sample collection and processing...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study focuses on comparing reports of nicotine withdrawal, craving, and depressive symptoms obtained using an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system and several questionnaires. As part of a smoking cessation trial, daily reports of withdrawal, craving, and negative mood were collected using an IVR system for 7 days after participants attempted to quit smoking, and several pencil and paper questionnaires (i.e., the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale, the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges, and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression) were completed a week after the target quit date. The sample was composed of 378 daily smokers. Moderate to high correlations were found between the research questionnaires obtained at the end of the week and the corresponding daily IVR reports of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

SummaryThis paper examines the sensitivity and uncertainty of evaporation estimates from Nasser Lake, south of Egypt using data collected at the floating station Raft, 2km upstream of the Aswan High Dam, and 12 evaporation models. Based on their approach the evaporation models were ranked in five classes, respectively the Bowen ratio energy budget (BREB) approach, three energy-aerodynamic based methods, a mass transfer method, two temperature and five solar radiation-temperature approaches. State dependent parameter models were used to estimate the sensitivity indices of the different evaporation estimation methods at daily and monthly frequencies. A drastic reduction in the cost of the sensitivity analysis was obtained when coupled with efficient sampling methods, producing quasi-Monte Ca...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Fermi National Laboratory (Fermilab) operates the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider at a center-of-mass energy of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, the is therefore the only collider which is today able to produce the heaviest known particle, the top quark. The top quark was discovered at the Tevatron by the CDF and D0 collaborations in 1995. At the Tevatron, most top quarks are produced via the strong interaction, whereby quark-antiquark annihilation dominates with 85%, and gluon fusion contributes with 15%. Considering next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions in the cross section of top-antitop quark production, leads to a slight positive asymmetry in the differential distribution of the production angle {alpha} of the top quarks. This asymmetry is due to the interference of certain NLO contributions. The charge asymmetry A in the cosine of {alpha} is predicted [14] to amount to 4-6%. Information about the partonic rest frame, necessary for a measurement of A in the observable cos ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ion Beam Induced Luminescence (IBIL) and Ion Beam Induced Charge Collection (IBICC) have been applied in the study of the luminescence emission efficiency and investigation of the homogeneity of the luminescence emission in phosphors. The IBIL imaging was performed by using sharply focused ion beams or broad/partially-focused ion beams. The luminescence emission homogeneity in samples was examined to reveal possible distributed crystal-defects that may lead to the inhomogeneity of the luminescence emission in samples.The purpose of the study is to search for suitable luminescent thin films that have high homogeneity of luminescence emission, large IBIL efficiency under heavy ion excitation, and can be placed as a thin layer on the top of microelectronic devices to be analyzed with Ion Photon Emission Microscopy (IPEM). The emission yield was found to be low for organic materials, due to saturation of the light output ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document defines analytical services the Waste Sampling and Characterization Facility (WSCF) shall provide the Environmental Compliance Program (ECP) throughout calendar year (CY) 2000. Two organizations within ECP are responsible for monitoring liquid and gaseous effluents and the environment immediately around facilities that contain or may contain radioactive and hazardous materials. Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), of Fluor Hanford Environmental Services, is responsible for effluent monitoring data, and Environmental Monitoring & Investigations (EMI), of Waste Management Technical Services, Inc., for near-facility environmental monitoring data. These organizations serve numerous projects, some of which are managed by other companies such as CH2M HILL and Bechtel Hanford, Inc. Monitoring data are collected and evaluated to determine their state of compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and permits, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The project was designed to quantify the impacts of longwall mine subsidence (LWMS) on the production and quality of agricultural vegetated environments. This project utilised a variety of traditional ground based sampling techniques including biomass harvests and estimates, leaf area index (LAI), pasture height, species composition and soil sampling along with proximal sensor data capture using a Crop Circle{trademark} and an EM38. Satellite imagery was collected using the Quickbird satellite and the high resolution imagery was used to monitor large areas of LWMS affected areas and adjacent un-mined land. Two landscapes were investigated using a whole of mine site technique including remote sensing, ground survey and traditional agricultural monitoring methods. The landscapes were at the Kestrel site in Emerald, QLD including a forage sorghum and an improved pasture and at Beltana in the Hunter Valley, NSW including an ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Natural radioactive materials under certain conditions can reach hazardous radiological levels. The natural radionuclide ({sup 238}U, {sup 232}Th, {sup 40}K) contents of rock samples at various locations in the North Tushki area were investigated using gamma-spectrometric analysis. Estimates of the measured radionuclide content have been made for the absorbed dose rate of gamma radiation. The equivalent radium (R{sub eq}) and the external hazard index (H{sub ex}) which resulted from the natural radionuclides in soil are also calculated and tabulated. The studied samples have been collected from various rock exposures in the North Tushki area. The distribution of major oxides, U and Th were studied. It is found that the enrichment and depletion of the major oxides are mainly due to the effect of hydrothermal alteration, which caused mobility of some major oxides, which increases some elements and decreases others. It is ...

Science.gov (United States)

The influence of the sulfur dioxide emissions from a large copper smelter in Tacoma, Washington, USA, was studied by measuring the chemical composition of rainwater collected upwind and downwind of the source, before and after permanent closure of the smelter in 1985. Data analysis was based on a statistical model that accounted for variability associated with location of 25 sampling sites within three geographic regions, smelter operation, ten individual rain events observed over 2 years, and measurement uncertainty. After smelter closure, the upwind-downwind differences in mean hydrogen ion and excess sulfate ion concentrations within a 600 km/sup 2/ region extending to 25 km downwind of the source had decreased significantly compared to the pre-closure value. No significant decreases in mean ion concentrations were observed farther downwind in the Seattle, urban area. During five events sampled prior to smelter closure, ...

Science.gov (United States)

The Potomac Electric Power Company generating station at Chalk Point, MD, utilizes brackish water in its natural draft cooling tower and, consequently, releases saline aerosol into the atmosphere. A research and monitoring project was established in 1974 to evaluate the effects of this drift on native perennial vegetation. Leaf samples have been collected form dogwood, Cornys florida, Virginia pine, Pinus virginiana, black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, and sassafras, Sassafras albidum, located at 12 different sites in the vicinity of the power plant. Sampling was begun prior to the operation of the cooling tower, 1974, and continued through 1978. Complete results from monthly monitoring of foliar chloride in the four native tree species is documented for May through September 1978. Results from salt spray experiments indicate chloride and sodium concentrations in the wood of dogwood trees increases with increased spraying ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis consists of an introduction and five included papers. Of these, four papers are published in international journals and the fifth was submitted for review in April 2000. Emphasis has been placed on both naturally and artificially generated light hydrocarbons in petroleum fluids and their proposed source rocks as well as direct application of light hydrocarbons to oil/source rock correlations. Collectively, these papers describe a strategy for interpreting the source of the light hydrocarbons in original oils and condensates as well as the source of the asphaltene fractions from the reservoir fluids. The influence of maturity on light hydrocarbon composition has also been evaluated. The papers include (1) compositional data on the light hydrocarbons from thermal extracts and kerogen pyrolysates of sediment samples, (2) light hydrocarbon data of oils and condensates as well as the pyrolysis products of the asphaltenes from these ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In summary, a scaling analysis of a water-cooled Reactor Cavity Cooling System (RCCS) system was performed based on generic information on the RCCS design of PBMR. The analysis demonstrates that the water-cooled RCCS can be simulated at the ANL NSTF facility at a prototypic scale in the lateral direction and about half scale in the vertical direction. Because, by necessity, the scaling is based on a number of approximations, and because no analytical information is available on the performance of a reference water-cooled RCCS, the scaling analysis presented here needs to be 'validated' by analysis of the steady state and transient performance of a reference water-cooled RCCS design. The analysis of the RCCS performance by CFD and system codes presents a number of challenges including: strong 3-D effects in the cavity and the RCCS tubes; simulation of turbulence in flows characterized by natural circulation, high Rayleigh numbers and low Reynolds numbers; ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... collective model hamiltonians iridium 187 matrix elements nuclear cores

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Current methods to calculate dose distributions with organ motion can be broadly classified as 'dose convolution' and 'fluence convolution' methods. In the former, a static dose distribution is convolved with the probability distribution function (PDF) that characterizes the motion. However, artifacts are produced near the surface and around inhomogeneities because the method assumes shift invariance. Fluence convolution avoids these artifacts by convolving the PDF with the incident fluence instead of the patient dose. In this paper we present an alternative method that improves the accuracy, generality as well as the speed of dose calculation with organ motion. The algorithm starts by sampling an isocenter point from a parametrically defined space curve corresponding to the patient-specific motion trajectory. Then a photon is sampled in the linac head and propagated through the three-dimensional (3-D) collimator structure corresponding to a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tarapur Atomic Power Station Unit-4 is first 540 MWe pressurized heavy water reactor in India. It achieved criticality on 06th March 2005 and then operated at full power i.e 500 MWe. Radiation workers during the normal operation and reactor shutdown are exposed to radiation field. The control of dose rates and the collective dose of the radiation workers is most important for the best performance of the reactor. Experience gained during the operation of the 220 MWe reactors has shown that the Moderator system, primary heat transport system, annulus gas system and moderator cover gas system are the main systems contributing to the dose rate and collective dose. In order to identify the radio nuclides contributing to the radiation field, study was undertaken at TAPS Unit-4. Various samples from the Moderator, primary heat transport system, annulus gas system and moderator cover gas system were collected ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Non-first order (FO) kinetics models are of three types; second order (SO), general order (GO) and mixed order (MO). It is shown that all three of these have constraints in their energy level schemes and their applicable parameter values. In nature such restrictions are not expected to exist. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow peaks produced by these models shift their position and change their shape as the trap occupancies change. Such characteristics are very unlike those found in samples of real materials. In these models, in general, retrapping predominates over recombination. It is shown that the quasi-equilibrium (QE) assumption implied in the derivation of the TL equation of these models is quite valid, thus disproving earlier workers' conclusion that QE cannot be held under retrapping dominant conditions. However notwithstanding their validity, they suffer from the shortcomings as stated above and have ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work describes the radon in soil gas measurements performed during the last two years in cooperation between the Laboratory of Applied Nuclear Physics of the Federal University of Technology (UTFPR), the Nuclear Technology Development Center (CDTN) and the Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry (IRD) from the Brazilian Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN). Following previously concluded measurements of radon concentration in dwellings and the measurements of 222Rn activity in drinking water collected at artesian bores of Curitiba urban area, present step of activities has been dedicated to measurements of radon concentration in soil gas. Experimental setup was based on the Professional Radon Monitor (ALPHA GUARD) connected to specially developed for such measurements Soil Gas Probe through the air pump and filter system. After the Probe was inserted, the ground has been tamped down around the probe, to prevent air from moving vertically along the outside ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A relational database capable of storing and manipulating the large volumes of data on air toxic metals has been developed for the Center for Air Toxic Metals at the Energy and Environmental Research Center (EERC) of the University of North Dakota. The database provides information to researchers, managers, and operations personnel to aid in their decision making and long-term planning of issues related to air toxic metals. A personal computer-based graphical user interface is used to access the data located on a UNIX workstation at the EERC. With security codes and software issued by the EERC and an Internet service provider in place, the database can be accessed externally through the Internet. Currently the database contains over 3000 analytical measurements from nine full-scale systems and several bench-scale operations. Data are available on gas, solid, and liquid stream samples as well as relevant engineering parameters, including process data. Data will be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The first radon soil gas survey in Serbia, using passive detectors (SSNTD, CR-39), was carried out in June 2005 at field sites in Niska Banja town. The aim of the survey was to identify risk zones characterised by high levels of this radioactive gas. Radon measurements were made at the depth of 50 cm, in the ground according to a systematic grid pattern. Furthermore, at all 48 measurement points, the surface gamma dose rates in the air was also measured at the same locations and soil samples were collected for gamma spectrometric analysis for the radionuclides "2"2"6Ra, "2"2"8Th and "4"0K. Radon concentrations were found to range from 1270 to 155000Bqm"-"3 with an average of 33765Bqm"-"3 and a median value of 12626Bqm"-"3. The geometrical mean value and geometrical standard deviation were calculated as 16160Bqm"-"3 and 3.5Bqm"-"3, respectively. Gamma dose rate varies from 92 to 316nGyh"-"1, with an average of 132nGyh"-"1. The radium content in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To help confirm correct functioning of an epithermal neutron sonde, we measured tightly bonded water content of selected Nevada Test Site (NTS) drill holes. Tuff and alluvium samples were dried overnight at 105/sup 0/C. The samples were then heated for 45 min in a split tube furnace at 700/sup 0/C. The water that came off due to this heating was collected and the amount recorded. The error in this procedure is +- 0.59 wt %. Total water can be calculated for samples from analyses of free and tightly bonded water contents. The maximum error in this calculation is equivalent to the error in determining the more tightly bonded water. Average total water content values have been assigned to geologic units. These values, in weight fraction, are alluvium 0.14 +- .05 and tuff 0.19 +- .04. Further division of the tuff gives values of Rainier Mesa 0.15 +- .01, Paintbrush 0.18 +- .03, Tunnel Beds 0.20 +- .04, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study examines various aspects of natural radioactive materials in the atmosphere over Perth in order to characterise the behaviour of these radionuclides. Data for this study was provided by the surface air sampling program (SASP) of the U.S. Department of Energy, which focuses on the lowest 2 metre layer of air; sampling being at 1.6 metres above the surface. The study particularly aimed to interpret correlation between existing radionuclide concentration data and meteorological data; which has been achieved in a qualitative sense. A general conclusion drawn form the observed results is that long-term averages of radionuclide concentrations have the highest correlation with climatic data; correlations between sample readings and contemporaneous weather data have the lowest correlation coefficients. Limitations in both the radionuclide and meteorological data were realised early in the project. The focus of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) initiated the Augmented Fish Health Monitoring project in 1986. This project was a five year interagency project involving fish rearing agencies in the Columbia Basin. Participating agencies included: Washington Department of Fisheries (WDF), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This is the final data report for the Augmented Fish Health Monitoring project. Data collected and sampling results for 1990 and 1991 are presented within this report. An evaluation of this project can be found in Augmented Fish Health Monitoring, Volume 1, Completion Report.'' May, 1991. Pathogen detection methods remained the same from methods described in Augmented Fish Health Monitoring, Annual Report 1989,'' May, 1990. From January 1, 1990 to June 30, 1991 fish health monitoring ...

Science.gov (United States)

The blinded study of CBUE (cytobacteriological urine examination) test strips was carried out in 100 patients (65 women, 35 men), mean age 85.52 +/- 6.28 years, admitted for a short stay in a geriatrics department. Urinary infection was present in 19% of the cases. Typical clinical signs (pollakiuria, dysuria, hematuria, burning upon voiding) were rare, less than 10%. General signs, such as deterioration of general status (65% of the cases) and loss of autonomy (53% of the cases), on the other hand, were predominant and their relatively unspecific nature required a reliable screening test for urinary infection. Good results of sensitivity (89.5%), specificity (98.7%), and the leukocytes/nitrites values, confirmed the validity of the urine test strip in hospitalized elderly patients. In addition, the negative predictive value of the combination leukocytes and nitrites (90.8%) would have prevented 71 samples from being sent to the laboratory for ...

Science.gov (United States)

We develop a 3-D model to simulate the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) image formation process of an undulated vegetation canopy such as corn grown in fields with large periodic drainage reliefs. We explain how the simulated SAR image of undulated vegetation medium is obtained by the convolution of a 2-D slice of the 3-D simulated SAR system point spread function [(PSF), emulating the SAR beam modeled by a cosine modulated Gaussian], with the 2-D projection of the observed undulated vegetation canopy (modeled with scatterers randomly distributed in 3-D undulated space) followed by the extraction of each look envelope, the summation of looks, and sampling in azimuthal and range directions. Our model is useful to study the parameters involved in the formation and the analysis of SAR images of undulated vegetation medium. Validation of simulations made with actual SAR images shows that undulated corn crop canopies are well characterized by the mean ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Lander Quadrangle, Wyoming, was evaluated to a depth of 1500 m to identify environments and delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the the occurrence of uranium deposits. The evaluation used criteria established for the National Uranium Resources Evaluation program. The methods of surface investigations included evaluation of aerial radiometric and hydrogeochemical stream-sediment reconnaissance data, verification of some reported uranium occurrences, and general field geology with rock, water, and sediment sampling. The subsurface evaluation was accomplished through the use of 230 various oil-well logs. The results of this investigation identified three environments favorable for sandstone uranium deposits in Eocene fluvial sediments. These environments are within the Battle Spring and upper Fort Union Formations of the northern Great Divide Basin and within the Wind River and the Wagon Bed Formations of the southwest Wind River Basin. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this work is to the application of a methodology to evaluate the energy associated to the industrial solid wastes in the metropolitan region of Campinas. The methodological route proposed is: the characterization of the research area and the production/management of the industrial solid wastes; the energetic classification and the qualitative/quantitative research of the energy associated to the industrial solid wastes; and, the valuation of the applicability of the energetic utilization mechanisms proposed to the region. This methodology when applied at the Campinas metropolitan region proved to be valid and it resulted in a synthetically presentation of the social and environmental reality of the industrial sector and the destination of the wastes, as well as it indicated the potentialities related to the energetic utilization of the industrial solid waste in the region. With the obtained results it was shown the importance of the the production and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Many types of pipe whip restraints are installed to protect the structural components from the anticipated pipe whip phenomena of high energy lines in nuclear power plants. It is necessary to investigate these phenomena accurately in order to design the pipe whip restraints properly and/or to evaluate the acceptability of the pipe whip restraint design. Various research programs have been conducted in many countries to develop analytical methods and to verify the validity of the methods. In this study, various types of finite elements in ANSYS, the general purpose finite element computer grogram, was used to simulate the postulated pipe whips to obtain impact loads and the calculted results were compared with the specific experimental results from the sample pipe whip test for the U-chaped pipe whip restraints. Some calculational models, having the gap element or the spring element between the pipe whip restraint and the pipe line, give ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Many types of pipe whip restraints are installed to protect the structural components from the anticipated pipe whip phenomena of high energy lines in nuclear power plants. It is necessary to investigate these phenomena accurately in order to evaluate the acceptability of the pipe whip restraint design. Various research programs have been conducted in many countries to develop analytical methods and to verify the validity of the methods. In this study, various calculational models in ANSYS code and in ADLPIPE code, the general purpose finite element computer programs, were used to simulate the postulated pipe whips to obtain impact loads and the calculated results were compared with the specific experimental results from the sample pipe whip test for the U-shaped pipe whip restraints. Some calculational models, having the spring element between the pipe whip restraint and the pipe line, give reasonably good transient responses of the restraint ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A beta microprobe was successfully applied to monitor arterial input function for quantification of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the monkey brain with {sup 15}O-water and positron emission tomography (PET). The sensitivity of the probe was approximately 0.83 to 1.67 cps/kBq/ml depending on the studies. A preliminary study was performed to find a suitable use and to evaluate the performance of the system and data analysis procedure. The results showed that dispersion correction of measured input function was unnecessary if microprobes were connected directly to the arterial catheter. Then multiple CBF measurements were done in three monkeys under anesthesia. Identical regions of interest were placed with the aid of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of each monkey and rCBF values were estimated. Estimated rCBFs were reproducible for several measurements. The mean CBF value for a pentobarbital anesthetized monkey was 46.0 ml/min/100 g (PaCO{sub 2}=46.3 mmHg). This shows that the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The application of neural networks, alone or in conjunction with other advanced technologies (expert systems, fuzzy logic, and/or genetic algorithms), to some of the problems of complex engineering systems has the potential to enhance the safety, reliability, and operability of these systems. Typically, the measured variables from the systems are analog variables that must be sampled and normalized to expected peak values before they are introduced into neural networks. Often data must be processed to put it into a form more acceptable to the neural network (e.g., a fast Fourier transformation of the time-series data to produce a spectral plot of the data). Specific applications described include: (1) Diagnostics: State of the Plant (2) Hybrid System for Transient Identification, (3) Sensor Validation, (4) Plant-Wide Monitoring, (5) Monitoring of Performance and Efficiency, and (6) Analysis of Vibrations. Although specific examples described ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Radiochemical results ("2"3"4U, "2"3"8U, "2"2"6Ra and "2"2"8Ra activities; "2"3"4U/"2"3"8U, "2"2"8Ra/"2"2"6Ra and "2"2"6Ra/"2"3"8U activity ratios) are reported for 31 drinking water samples collected from 8 wells, 12 hot mineral springs, 5 cold springs, and 6 tap water samples. Activities of the Ra isotopes were measured by gamma spectrometry using a low background and high efficiency well type germanium detector. The U isotopes were counted in an alpha spectrometer. The results show that "2"3"8U activity varies between 4.46 and about 308 mBq l"-"1 in wells, 0.59 and 17.88 mBq l"-"1 in hot springs, 2.19 and 3.21 mBq l"-"1 in cold springs, and between 2.5 and 15.70 mBq l"-"1 in tap water samples. "2"3"4U/"2"3"8U activity ratio is generally higher than 1 which is the equilibrium activity ratio value in closed systems. It varies in the ranges 0.79-2.11 in wells, 0.97-7.39 in hot springs, 2.53-8.30 in cold ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The ''Enabling & Information Technology To Increase RAM for Advanced Powerplants'' program, by DOE request, was re-directed, de-scoped to two tasks, shortened to a 2-year period of performance, and refocused to develop, validate and accelerate the commercial use of enabling materials technologies and sensors for coal/IGCC powerplants. The new program was re-titled ''Enabling Technology for Monitoring & Predicting Gas Turbine Health & Performance in IGCC Powerplants''. This final report summarizes the work accomplished from March 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004 on the four original tasks, and the work accomplished from April 1, 2004 to July 30, 2005 on the two re-directed tasks. The program Tasks are summarized below: Task 1--IGCC Environmental Impact on high Temperature Materials: The first task was refocused to address IGCC environmental impacts on high temperature materials used in gas ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An estimate of the tritium dose to the public in the vicinity of the heavy water research reactor facility at AECL-Chalk River Laboratories, Ontario, Canada, has largely been accomplished from analyses on regularly-collected samples of air, precipitation, drinking water and foodstuffs (pasture, fruit, vegetables and milk) and environmental dose models. To increase the confidence with which public doses are calculated, tritium doses were estimated directly from the ratio of tritiated species in urine samples from members of the general public. Single cumulative 24 h urine samples from a few adults living in the vicinity of the heavy-water research reactor facility at Chalk River Laboratories, Canada were collected and analysed for tritiated water and organically bound tritium. The participants were from Ottawa (200 km east), Deep River (10 km west) and Chalk River Laboratories. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Planning is an important part of computational model verification and validation (V&V) and the requisite planning document is vital for effectively executing the plan. The document provides a means of communicating intent to the typically large group of people, from program management to analysts to test engineers, who must work together to complete the validation activities. This report provides guidelines for writing a validation plan. It describes the components of such a plan and includes important references and resources. While the initial target audience is the DART Full System Model teams in the nuclear weapons program, the guidelines are generally applicable to other modeling efforts. Our goal in writing this document is to provide a framework for consistency in validation plans across weapon systems, different types of models, and different scenarios. Specific details contained in any ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The polycrystalline samples of Y_2_-_xHo_xO_3 (0.10#<=#x#<=#1.80) were synthesized by ceramic technology. The X-ray powder diffraction data were collected and the crystal structures were refined by the Rietveld method for the samples Y_2_-_xHo_xO_3 (x=0.00, 0.20, 0.40, 1.20, 1.80, 2.00). Holmium ions Ho"3"+ were randomly distributed over two cationic sites 8b and 24d in the space group Ia3 in all refined structures. Cation-anion-cation bonds important for superexchange interaction were determined. Magnetic susceptibility measurements were done by the Faraday method in the temperature range 290 to 620 K and a behaviour in accordance with the Curie-Weiss law was obtained. The molar Curie's constants linearly depend on concentration. The effective magnetic moments of Ho"3"+ ions were smaller than the free ion value. The Curie-Weiss paramagnetic temperatures indicated antiferromagnetic interaction. The gram ion ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Department of Energy (DOE) Subsurface Contamination Focus Area (SCFA) sponsored a technology demonstration of non-traditional in situ vitrification (NTISV) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The project team for this demonstration included MSE Technology Applications, Inc., Geosafe Corporation, and LANL. The technology demonstration involved the performance of two large-scale test melts. The first, referred to as the ''cold'' test, was performed on a simulated absorption bed that contained surrogate contaminants. The cold test was conducted in April 1999. The second demonstration, referred to as the ''hot'' test, took place at LANL's Material Disposal Area (MDA) V in April 2000. The hot test was conducted on a portion of an absorption bed that received radionuclide and metal-contaminated wastewater from a laundry facility and a research laboratory from the mid-1940s to the early 1960s. This ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The use of environmental monitoring as a technique to identify activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle has been proposed by international safeguards organizations. The elements specific for each kind of nuclear activity, or 'nuclear signatures', inserted in the ecosystem can be intercepted by different live organisms. This work demonstrates the technical viability of using pine needles as bioindicators of nuclear signatures associated with uranium enrichment activities. Additionally, it proposes the use of HR-ICP-MS to identify the signature corresponding to that kind of activities in the ecosystem. Nitric acid solutions, used to wash pine needles sampled near nuclear facilities and containing only 0.1 #mu#g x kg"-"1 of uranium, exhibit a n("2"3"5U)/n("2"3"8U) isotopic abundance ratio of 0.0092#+-#0.0002, while solutions originated from samples collected at places located more than 200 km far from activities related to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

CNPT-3 is the laboratory designation of a strain of bacteria that reproduces best at deep-sea pressures. It was isolated from a sample collected at a 5800 m depth of the Pacific Ocean. This isolation was achieved from a sample that had been retrieved without warning. This year we demonstrated that there are similarly behaving bacteria that can be isolated from samples even when retrieved with decompression. The purpose of this project was to define the temperatures and pressures over which CNPT-3 can exist and function. (1) At 2"0C CNPT-3 is eurybathic from about 1000 to 6500 m, as judged from an only slightly pressure dependent generation time. (2) CNPT-3 is unquestionably barophilic at 2"0C, with doubling times of 9 hours at 580 bars and over 18 hours at 1 bar. (3) At 10"0C, reproduction is adversely affected at 1 bar to the extent that CNPT-3 becomes obligately barophilic at 10"0C. Yet reproduction ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Background: In an effort to standardise radiological practices in the Republic of Ireland, current legislation states that 'written protocols for every type of standard radiological practice shall be established'. In order to fulfil this requirement the Irish Medical Council recommends the protocols issued by the Commission of European Communitees (CEC) for adoption in the country. Whilst this document does provide good guidance with regard to various radiographic factors, patient shielding instructions are notably ambiguous. The aim of this study was to remove some of this ambiguity by defining the optimal method of positioning patient shielding in antero-posterior (AP) and lateral lumbar spine radiographic examinations. These projections were chosen on the basis of their area of coverage being in close to and in some cases including the reproductive organs. They also represent the highest source of collective population dose of any conventional ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis presents the work achieved to instrument the ATLAS software framework, ATHENA, with a library of tools and utensils for the physics analysis as well as the extraction of the jet energy scale using physics events (in-situ calibration). The software part presents the various components of the ATHENA framework which handles the simulated and reconstructed data flow as well as the different stages of this process, before and during the data taking. The building of a library of tools easing the reconstruction of physics objects, their association with Monte-Carlo particles and their API is then explained. The need for common language and collaboration-wide utensils is emphasised as it allows to share the workload of validating these tools and to get reproducible physics results. The analysis part deals with the implementation of a light jet energy scale calibration algorithm within the C++ framework. This calibration algorithm makes use of W bosons decaying ...

Science.gov (United States)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Defense (DoD), and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) are jointly acquiring the next-generation weather and environmental satellite system; the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS). NPOESS replaces the current Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) managed by NOAA and the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) managed by the DoD. The NPOESS satellites carry a suite of sensors that collect meteorological, oceanographic, climatological, and solar-geophysical observations of the earth, atmosphere, and space. The NPOESS design allows centralized mission management and delivers high quality environmental products to military, civil and scientific users. The ground data processing segment for NPOESS is the Interface Data Processing Segment (IDPS), developed by Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems. IDPS ...

Science.gov (United States)

This paper describes the design of a test rig, which is used to apply a representative pressure load to a full-scale composite sandwich secondary aircraft structure. A generic panel was designed with features to represent those in the composite sandwich secondary aircraft structure. To provide full-field strain data from the panels, the test rig was designed for use with optical measurement techniques such as thermoelastic stress analysis (TSA) and digital image correlation (DIC). TSA requires a cyclic load to be applied to a structure for the measurement of the strain state; therefore, the test rig has been designed to be mounted on a standard servo-hydraulic test machine. As both TSA and DIC require an uninterrupted view of the surface of the test panel, an important consideration in the design is facilitating the optical access for the two techniques. To aid the test rig design a finite element (FE) model was produced. The model provides information on the deflections that must be ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There are a multitude of cost centers in the typical coal mine, and almost as many ways to calculate their individual and collective effect on the bottom line. The costs of explosives is, in some ways, very difficult to determine without consideration of drilling, loading, hauling and breaking costs. Saving a nickel in explosive costs, for example, could end up costing a dollar more in crushing expenses. Typically, mines request quotations for explosives products on a weight basis. Were the market one of pure commodities, this would give a valid comparison. However, the energy being purchased often is not considered. The cost of any explosive should be considered in light of the work it can do, not the air it displaces or the price per pound. Consider in essence, the purchase of explosive energy as you would the sale of coal, in terms of dollars per Btu. Recent new developments in explosives technology make the economic implications of blast ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This report is a summary of the Steam Generator Group Project progress for 1985. Statistical analyses are presented of data from nondestructive examination (NDE) round robin tests that were performed on the Surry generator in 1984. In the first round robin, teams acquired and analyzed their own data on a selected 10% subset of tubes. In the second round robin, analysts from each participating team analyzed identical sets of data which were provided to them by the Project. Results from several examinations utilizing advanced/alternate NDE technologies including alternate eddy current probes and techniques, ultrasonics, and profilometry are also reported. Criteria are listed for selecting tube specimens that will be removed from the generator. A sampling plan based on these criteria is detailed graphically in the report. The initial steps that have been taken to carry out the plan are described; tooling fabricated for the sample removals is ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to develop and validate a daily electronic Endometriosis Pain and Bleeding Diary (EPBD) for assessing treatment-related changes in endometriosis...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The validation parameters for pharmaceutical analyses were examined for the accelerator mass spectrometry measurement of ¹⁴C/C ratio, independent of chemical separation procedures....Full Text Available

CERN Document Server

Using $\\gamma \\gamma J/\\psi, J/\\psi \\ra e^+ e^-$ and $\\mu^+ \\mu^-$ events from a sample of $14.0\\times 10^6$ $\\psip$ decays collected with the BESII detector, the branching fractions for $\\psip\\ra \\pi^0\\J$, $\\eta\\J$, and $\\psi(2S)\\ar\\gamma\\chi_{c1},\\gamma\\chi_{c2}\\ar\\gamma\\gamma\\jpsi$ are measured to be $B(\\psip\\ra \\pi^0\\J) = (1.43\\pm0.14\\pm0.13)\\times 10^{-3}$, $B(\\psip\\ra \\eta\\J) = (2.98\\pm0.09\\pm0.23)%$, $B(\\psi(2S)\\ar\\gamma\\chi_{c1}\\ar\\gamma\\gamma\\jpsi) = (2.81\\pm0.05\\pm 0.23)%$, and $B(\\psi(2S)\\ar\\gamma\\chi_{c2}\\ar\\gamma\\gamma\\jpsi) = (1.62\\pm0.04\\pm 0.12)%$.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The role of atmospheric urea on the biogeochemical cycle of Water Soluble Organic Nitrogen (WSON) in the Eastern Mediterranean was assessed by collecting and analyzing wet and dry deposition samples and size segregated aerosols during a one year period (2006). In rain water volume weighted mean (VWM) concentration of urea was found equal to 5.5mM. In atmospheric particles the average concentration of urea in coarse and fine mode was 0.9+/-1.9nmolNm^-^3 (median 0.0nmolNm^-^3) and 2.2+/-3.0nmolNm^-^3 (median 1.1nmolNm^-^3), respectively. The percentage contribution of urea to WSON fraction was 0% and 20% in coarse and fine particles respectively. On an annual basis 0.81mmolm^-^2 and 1.78mmolm^-^2 of urea were deposited via wet and dry deposition, contributing to WSON by 10% and 11% respectiv...