Intrinsically homogeneous sets,splitting times,and the big shift

Summary Let X be a strong Markov process. Let M be an optional set with the property that _1MoT (S)=1 _M (s+T) whenever s>0 and T is an optional time with [T]M. If L=sup{t>0 tM}M, we show that L is a splitting time of X: the pre-L events and the post-L events are conditionally independent given X _L . To prove this, we extend work of Sharpe's to show that the big shift operators _T and commute with optional projection and dual optional projection, respectively, whenever T is an optional time. Examples are given which are not contained within previous work of Millar and Getoor.     

Fabrication and characterization of an irradiation facility for large-sample geometry

An irradiation facility consisting of a modified beam port shielding plug has been designed, fabricated built and characterized for use in irradiating non-standard sample geometries. The shielding plug features a graphite moderator at the core end with a hole, or “well” drilled of sufficient diameter and depth to accommodate an eight ounce (227 gram) sample bottle. Added shielding behind the graphite consists of castable neutron- and -gamma-ray shielding. The modified shielding plug can be removed relatively quickly from its irradiation position to minimize personnel exposures. It is mounted in close proximity to the Ohio State University Research Reactor reactor core to allow performance of high-sensitivity neutron activation analysis studies. Using the SAND-II unfolding code, the energy-dependent neutron flux has been measured in the sample irradiation position. When operating at 100 % power, the total flux is 3.9 × 10¹² n/cm²/s. Of this, 55 % is thermal (<0.5 eV), 23 % is epithermal (>0.5 eV, <0.5 MeV), and 22 % is “fast” (>0.5 MeV). This makes the facility suitable for neutron activation studies. Recently it has been used for irradiation of filter papers collected in a study of particulate air pollution in the form of atmospheric particulate matter in an urban environment.     

Morphology of actinide-rich particles released from the BOMARC accident and collected from soil post remediation

The physical, chemical, and radiological characteristics of material released to the environment from accidents involving nuclear weapon components are dependent upon many factors, especially the manner in which the material is released and delivered to the environment. These characteristics will also be influenced by physical and chemical effects associated with weathering if the material remains exposed to the environment for a long period of time. This study evaluates the morphological characteristics of particles released to the environment as a result of the 1960 BOMARC incident and compares these characteristics to those described following similar incidents at Thule, Greenland (1968) and Palomares, Spain (1966). Each of these incidents involved unique circumstances and conditions that distributed actinide-rich particles to the environment with a range of distinctive morphological characteristics. Morphological and surface elemental analyses were conducted on a set of discrete particles isolated from samples of post-remediated soil collected at McGuire Air Force Base, the site of the BOMARC incident. Scanning electron microscopy and complimentary energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to perform the analyses. Non-destructive analysis of uranium and plutonium contained in each particle was measured using high-resolution gamma spectrometry. Unique characteristics of the BOMARC samples include some particles exhibiting a smooth, crystalline texture and varying elemental surface distribution of uranium and plutonium, dependent on the particle’s morphology.     

Preconcentration of trace environmental plutonium from iron oxide matrix using DIPEX® extractant

This paper summarizes a new method for preconcentration of rusty metal samples using DIPEX^® Actinide Resin from Eichrom Technologies prior to analysis for trace environmental actinides. This method allows for preconcentration of actinides for which the existing lanthanum coprecipitation method is ill-suited. The new and existing methods were shown to provide comparable results for plutonium analysis. Performance was compared for both lab-prepared controls and environmental samples. Using actinide resin, a mean ²³⁸Pu activity of 46 ± 13 % mBq (2σ) was measured, while ²³⁸Pu activity of 40 ± 6 % mBq (2σ) was measured using lanthanum coprecipitation. Small quantities of ^239+240Pu, likely attributable to fallout, were also detected.     

Tabu search for graph partitioning

In this paper, we develop a tabu search procedure for solving the uniform graph partitioning problem. Tabu search, an abstract heuristic search method, has been shown to have promise in solving several NP-hard problems, such as job shop and flow shop scheduling, vehicle routing, quadratic assignment, and maximum satisfiability. We compare tabu search to other heuristic procedures for graph partitioning, and demonstrate that tabu search is superior to other solution approaches for the uniform graph partitioning problem both with respect to solution quality and computational requirements.