Concurrent concentration declines in groundwater-dissolved radon,methane and ethane precursory to 2011 MW 5.0 Chimei earthquake

Radon volatilization mechanism into the gas phase was hypothesized to explain the anomalous declines in groundwater radon precursory to three major earthquakes – (1) 2003 M_W = 6.8 Chengkung, (2) 2006 M_W = 6.1 Taitung, and (3) 2008 M_W = 5.4 Antung in Taiwan. The epicenters were located 24 km, 52 km, and 13 km from the Antung radon-monitoring well D1, respectively. To verify the mechanism of in situ volatilization, we monitored groundwater-dissolved ethane in addition to radon and methane at well D1 in the Antung hot spring since November 30, 2010. The mechanism of in situ radon volatilization has been corroborated by the simultaneous concentration declines in groundwater-dissolved radon, methane, and ethane precursory to the 2011 M_W 5.0 Chimei earthquake. The epicenter was located 32 km from the Antung radon-monitoring well D1. Observations at the Antung hot spring also suggest that radon is the best-choice tracer among the groundwater-dissolved gases for strain changes in the crust preceding an earthquake. On the southern segment of the Chihshang fault, the observed radon minima decrease as the earthquake magnitude increases.     

Radon anomalies precursory to the 2003 Mw = 6.8 Chengkung and 2006 Mw = 6.1 Taitung earthquakes in Taiwan

Contrary to the normally observed increase in groundwater radon that occurs prior to earthquakes, we have measured anomalous decreases in radon concentration prior to the 2003 M_W = 6.8 Chengkung and 2006 M_W = 6.1 Taitung earthquakes that occurred within a 55 km radius from the Antung D1 monitoring well in eastern Taiwan. The v-shaped pattern of radon anomalies recognized at Antung is valuable for detecting the aseismic strain precursory to potentially disastrous earthquakes in a fractured aquifer surrounded by ductile aquitard in seismotectonic environments in this area.     

Seasonal and location dependence of indoor and soil radon concentrations in two villages,Najran region,Saudi Arabia

Seasonal (winter-summer) indoor and soil radon comparison is made in two villages in Najran region, south west of Saudi Arabia, using CR-39 Dosimeter. Summer indoor radon concentrations were measured in the villages of Fara Al-Jabal and Hadadah. The respective winter-summer average values of 42 ± 4 Bq m⁻³ and 74 ± 5 Bq m⁻³ are measured in Fara Al-Jable village and the average values of 47 ± 4 Bq m⁻³ and 76 ± 5 Bq m⁻³ are measured in Hadadah village. The respective winter-summer soil values are 1.40 ± 0.21 kBq m⁻³ and 0.99 ± 0.04 kBq m⁻³ in Fara Al-Jabal village while those measured in Hadadah village are 2.90 ± 0.17 kBq m⁻³ and 1.40 ± 0.66 kBq m⁻³. Indoor radon levels are found to be seasonal dependent while that of soil are found seasonal and location dependent. Meteorological and geological factors are expected to have caused the measured significant differences in radon levels in dwellings and soil in the two villages.     

Radon exhalation and gamma radioactivity levels in soil and radiation hazard assessment in the surrounding area of National Thermal Power Corporation,Dadri (U.P.), India

In the present study soil samples were collected from the region around a National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Dadri (U.P.), India. Radon activity and radon exhalation rates were measured by using “sealed can technique” using LR 115-type II nuclear track detectors. Radon activities are found to vary from 177.5 ± 23.1 to 583.4 ± 4.9 Bq m⁻³ with an average value of 330.5 ± 30.4 Bq m⁻³. Surface exhalation rates in these samples vary from 63.9 ± 8.3 to 210.2 ± 15.1 mBq m⁻² h⁻¹ with an average value of 119.1 ± 11.1 mBq m⁻² h⁻¹, whereas mass exhalation rates vary from 2.5 ± 0.3 to 8.1 ± 0.6 mBq kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ with an average of 4.6 ± 0.4 mBq kg⁻¹ h⁻¹.Activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) were also measured in these soil samples using high resolution γ–ray spectroscopic system. Activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K vary from 32.2 ± 6.0 to120.9 ± 4.5 Bq kg⁻¹, 19.3 ± 0.9 to 44.6 ± 1.5 Bq kg⁻¹ and 195.4 ± 2.8 to 505.4 ± 6.3 Bq kg⁻¹ with overall mean values of 70.0 ± 8.9 Bq kg⁻¹, 34.8 ± 1.2 Bq kg⁻¹ and 436.1 ± 5.6 Bq kg⁻¹ respectively. From the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) and the external hazard index (H_ex) were calculated and found to vary from 73.4 to 214.7 Bq kg⁻¹ and from 0.2 to 0.6 respectively.     

Atmospheric 222Rn concentration and source term at El Arenosillo 100 m meteorological tower in southwest Spain

²²²Rn concentration time series at 10 m and at 100 m have been measured hourly for one year at the meteorological station, El Arenosillo, on the Spanish southwest coast. A ²²²Rn flux characterization was also done.A seasonal analysis of atmospheric ²²²Rn concentration was performed and results for each season present evidence associated with the origin of air masses reaching the El Arenosillo station. An increase in ²²²Rn concentration was observed when the wind came from Morocco, the Sierra Morena and the Guadalquivir valley areas. On the other hand, a net ²²²Rn concentration decrease was found when the wind came from the Atlantic Ocean and the South of Portugal.Low ²²²Rn flux of 4 Bq m^?2 h^?1 was measured. This result makes this station a useful site for studies related to remote ²²²Rn source contributions because of low local ²²²Rn background. The measured annual average concentration of ²²²Rn gas at the El Arenosillo station is 3.51 ± 0.05 Bq m^?3 at 10 m and 2.61 ± 0.05 Bq m^?3 at 100 m.     

The influence of annealing temperature and tellurium (Te) on electrical and dielectrical properties of Al/p-CIGSeTe/Mo Schottky diodes

p-CuIn_0.7Ga_0.3(Se_(1?x)Te_x)₂ type thin films were synthesized by thermal evaporation method on Mo coated glass substrates. To obtain Al/CuIn_0.7Ga_0.3(Se_(1?x)Te_x)₂/Mo Schottky diode structure for two compositions of x = 0.0 and 0.6, Al metal was evaporated on upper surface of CuIn_0.7Ga_0.3(Se_(1?x)Te_x)₂ as a front contact. Al/p-CuIn_0.7Ga_0.3(Se_(1?x)Te_x)₂/Mo structures were annealed temperature range from 150 °C to 300 °C for 10 min under vacuum. The electrical and dielectrical properties of Al/p-CuIn_0.7Ga_0.3(Se_(1?x)Te_x)₂ (CIGSeTe) Schottky barrier diodes (SBD) have been investigated. Capacitance–Voltage (C–V) characteristics, Conductance–Voltage (G/w–V) characteristics and interface state density were studied in order to obtain electrical and dielectrical parameters. The effects of interface state density (N_ss), series resistance (R_s), the dielectric constant (?′), dielectric loss (?″), dielectric loss tangent (tan δ), ac electrical conductivity (σ_ac) and carrier doping densities were calculated from the C–V and G/w–V measurements and plotted as a function of annealing temperature. It was observed that the values of carrier doping density N_A for annealing temperature at 150 °C decreased from 2.83 × 10⁺¹⁵ cm^?3 to 2.87 × 10⁺¹⁴ cm^?3 with increasing Te content from x = 0.0 to 0.6. The series resistance for x = 0.0 found to be between 10 and 75 Ω and between 50 and 230 Ω for x = 0.6 in the range of annealing temperature at 150–300 °C.     

Observation of fallout deposition in an outdoor swimming pool 50 km away from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

After the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant (NPP), outdoor school swimming pools at Fukushima were decontaminated to curb the redistribution of radioactivity into downstream farmlands. In the process, the radioactivity concentrations of the pool water and sediment substances (residue) were measured to estimate the deposition density of the fallout. At a pool situated 50 km away from the NPP, the average concentrations of radiocesium (^134+137Cs) for the water and residue were quantified as 170 Bq L⁻¹ and 3.6 × 10⁵ Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. Taking account of the radioactivity concentrations and of the water balance in and around the pool, the deposition density of radiocesium, as of August 2011, was precisely determined to be 0.32 ± 0.03 MBq m⁻² (k = 1). The density corroborated the previous results obtained by other methods, i.e., airborne surveys, in-situ Ge surveys and soil samplings at neighboring locations. Other than radiocesium, the only gamma-emitting nuclide detected was ^110mAg, with a concentration of 560 Bq kg⁻¹ in the residue. The radioactivity concentrations of ⁸⁹Sr, ⁹⁰Sr, ²³⁸Pu and ^239+240Pu in the water were all less than the minimum detectable activities – 2, 0.1, 0.002 and 0.002 Bq L⁻¹, respectively.     

Some nuclear and atomic properties of201Hg determined by conversion electron spectroscopy

Conversion electron measurements with an electrostatic spectrometer proved the existence of the 1,565±6 eV transition in²⁰¹Hg. The conversion intensity ratios,N ₁/N ₂ =1.2±0.2,N ₁/N ₃=1.1±0.2,N ₂/N ₃=0.92±0.15,N ₄/N ₃=0.03± 0.02 andN ₅/N ₃=0.04 ±0.02 were determined. These values agree with our calculations for the M1±E2 multipolarity with theE2/M1 mixing ratioδ ²=(l.l±0.3)xl0^?4 and exclude all pure multipolarities withL≦4. The total conversion coefficient for the aboveM1 +E2 mixture was evaluated to be (4.7±0.7)× 10⁴. The reducedB(M1, 1/2→3/2) probability was derived to be (3.9 ±1.2) × 10^?3 (e?/2Mc)². The natural widths of theN-subshell conversion lines in mercury were found to beΓ(N ₁)=8.3± 1.5,Γ(N ₂) =5.8±1.5 and Γ(N ₃) =6.5±1.0 eV. Monte Carlo calculations of electron scattering in matter yielded the conversion line shapes in qualitative agreement with the experiment.     

A study of the adsorption of oxygen on Ni(111) using auger electron spectroscopy: Chemical shifts and valence spectra

Auger electron spectra have been recorded when oxygen is adsorbed on a Ni(111) single crystal surface. For the coverage range θ < 1, an analysis of the plot of the peak to peak height (H) of the oxygen KVV (516 eV) transition versus the total number of molecules cm^2? impinging on the surface (molecular beam dosing) shows agreement with the kinetic mechanism proposed by Morgan and King [Surface Sci. 23 (1970) 259] for the adsorption of oxygen on polycrystalline nickel films. In this coverage range, no energy shifts of the nickel or oxygen Auger peaks were recorded.At coverages θ > 1 (standard dosing procedure) shifts in the valence spectra M_{2, 3}VV (61 eV) and L₃M_{2, 3}V (782 eV) of ?2.3 eV and ?1.8eV respectively are recorded at 1.4 × 10^?2 torr-sec. Up to these coverages no shift of the L₃VV transition (849 eV) is observed. A chemical shift of ?2.1 eV is recorded in the L₃M_{2, 3}M_{2, 3} Auger transition (716 eV) at 1.4 × 10^?2 torr-sec.In the coverage range θ > 1, shifts in the energy of the oxygen Auger peaks are observed. At 5.8 × 10^?3 torr-sec. the KVV (516 eV) and KL₁V (495.2 ± 0.3 eV) transitions show shifts of ?1.5 eV and ?(1.0 ±0.3) eV respectively. No shift up to this coverage is recorded in the KL₁L₁ (480.6 ± 0.3 eV) transition.     

Variation of radon flux along active fault zones in association with earthquake occurrence

Radon flux measurements were carried out at three radon stations along an active fault zone in the Langadas basin, Northern Greece by various techniques for earthquake prediction studies. Specially made devices with alpha track-etch detectors (ATDs) were installed by using LR-115, type II, non-strippable cellulose nitrate films (integrating method of measurements). Continuous monitoring of radon gas exhaling from the ground was also performed by using silicon diode detectors, Barasol and Clipperton type, in association with various probes and sensors including simultaneously registration of the meteorological parameters, such as precipitation height (rainfall events), temperature and barometric pressure. The obtained radon data were studied in parallel with the data of seismic events, such as the magnitude, M_L of earthquakes, the epicentral distance, the hypocentral distance and the energy released during the earthquake event occurred at the fault zone during the period of measurements to find out any association between the rad on flux and the meteorological and seismological parameters. Seismic events with magnitude M_L ≥ 4.0 appeared to be preceded by large precursory signals produced a well-defined “anomaly” (peak) of radon flux prior to the event. In the results, the radon peaks in the obtained spectra appeared to be sharp and narrow. The rise time of a radon peak, that is the time period from the onset of a radon peak until the time of radon flux maximum is about a week, while the after time, that is the time interval between the time of radon flux maximum and the time of a seismic event ranges from about 3 weeks or more.     

The kinetics and mechanism of the homogeneous,unimolecular gas‐phase elimination of 2‐(4‐substituted‐phenoxy)tetrahydro‐2H‐pyranes

The gas‐phase elimination kinetics of tetrahydropyranyl phenoxy ethers: 2‐phenoxytetrahydro‐2H‐pyran, 2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran, and 2‐(4‐tert‐butylphenoxy)tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran were determined in a static system, with the vessels deactivated with allyl bromide, and in the presence of the free radical inhibitor toluene. The working temperature and pressure were 330 to 390°C and 25 to 89 Torr, respectively. The reactions yielded DHP and the corresponding 4‐substituted phenol. The eliminations are homogeneous, unimolecular, and satisfy a first‐order rate law. The Arrhenius equations for decompositions were found as follows:

• 2‐phenoxytetrahydro‐2H‐pyran
• log k₁ (s^?1) = (14.18 ± 0.21) ? (211.6 ± 0.4) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• 2‐(4‐methoxyphenoxy)tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran
• log k₁ (s^?1) = (14.11 ± 0.18) ? (203.6 ± 0.3) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1
• 2‐(4‐tert‐butylphenoxy)tetrahydro‐2H‐pyran
• log k₁ (s^?1) = (14.08 ± 0.08) ? (205.9 ± 1.0) kJ mol^?1 (2.303 RT)^?1

The analysis of kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for thermal elimination of 2‐(4‐substituted‐phenoxy)tetrahydro‐2H‐pyranes suggests that the reaction proceeds via 4‐member cyclic transition state. The results obtained confirm a slight increase of rate constant with increasing electron donating ability groups in the phenoxy ring. The pyran hydrogen abstraction by the oxygen of the phenoxy group appears to be the determinant factor in the reaction rate.     

MeanM-subshell fluorescence yields atZ=88, 90, 92, and 94

M x-ray —L x-ray coincidence measurements with high resolution, cooled Si(Li) x-ray detectors were made on transitions following the alpha decays of²²⁸Th,²³²U,²³⁸Pu, and²⁴⁴Cm, in order to determine the meanM-subshell fluorescence yields. The values obtained are:v ₄ ^M =0.032±0.002, andv ₅ ^M =0.024±0.002 atZ=88;v ₁ ^M =0.038±0.003,v ₄ ^M =0.042±0.002, andv ₅ ^M =0.038±0.002 atZ=90;v ₁ ^M =0.047±0.002,v ₄ ^M =0.048±0.002, andv ₅ ^M =0.044±0.002 atZ=92;v ₁ ^M =0.066±0.002,v ₄ ^M =0.062±0.002, andv ₅ ^M =0.063±0.002 atZ=94. The quantityΩ ₁ ^M +f ₁₂ ^MΩ ₂ ^M was measured as (56±10)×10^?4, (62±12)×10^?4, (99±18) ×10^?4, and (93±15)×10^?4 forZ=88, 90, 92, and 94, respectively, which agree well with the calculations of McGuire. The radiativeL ₁-L ₃ transition intensity was measured for the four atomic numbers and found to be consistently less than the calculations of Scofield by about 45 percent.     

Weinberg angle in the neutrino-electron scattering

According to my recent analysis, in which the use ofM _z has been found to give a more precise sin² θ _w than the use ofG _F inv _μ e→v _μ e scattering, I make calculations of sin² θ w in this process withM _z input including the full one-loop and all the leading log corrections. The result from the present data of cross-section σ(v _μ e) = (1.55±0.20)x10^?42 E _v andZ boson massM _z =92.6±1.7 GeV is sin² θ _w =0.228±0.016, which is in good agreement with the value 0.227±0.014 derived through the usual method from the data of \(v_\mu ,\bar v_\mu e\) and \(v_e ,\bar v_e e\) scatterings, and quite consistent with the world-average sin² θ w=0.228±0.004.     

Interaction of dioxouranium(VI) ion with EDTA at different ionic strengths

The formation of complex species of dioxouranium(VI) ion with EDTA was studied in the pH range of 1–3.5 and at 25 °C using a combination of potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques. Results showed evidence for formation of the following species: [UO₂H₄EDTA]²⁺, [UO₂H₃EDTA]⁺, and [UO₂H₂EDTA]. Investigations were performed in sodium perchlorate as background electrolyte at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mol dm^? 3. The parameters based on the formation constants were calculated, and the dependences of protonation and the stability constants on ionic strength are described. The dependence on ionic strength of the formation constants was analyzed using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT) model. The stability constant values at infinite dilution, obtained using SIT model, are log β°₁₄₁ = 6.77, log β°₁₃₁ = 5.99 and log β°₁₂₁ = 9.29, where indexes for the overall stability constant, β_pqr, refer to the equilibrium pUO₂²⁺ + qH⁺ + rL^4? ? M_pH_qL_r^{(2p + q ? 4r)}. The specific interaction coefficients are also reported.     

Dissociation of dimethyl ether at high temperatures

The decomposition of dimethyl ether (CH₃OCH₃) has been investigated behind incident shock waves in a diaphragmless shock tube using laser schlieren densitometry, LS (T = 1500–2450 K, P = 57 ± 4, 125 ± 5 and 253 ± 12 Torr). The LS density gradient profiles were simulated and excellent agreement was found between the simulations and experimental profiles. Rate coefficients for CH₃OCH₃ → CH₃O + CH₃ were obtained. They showed strong fall-off, and at the lower end of the experimental temperature range are close to the low pressure limit. First order rate coefficient expressions were determined over 1500 < T < 2450 K. k_57Torr = (3.10 ± 1.0) × 10⁷⁹T^?19.03 exp(?54417/T) s^?1, k_125Torr = (1.12 ± 0.3) × 10⁸³T^?19.94 exp(?55554/T) s^?1and k_253Torr = (1.02 ± 0.3) × 10⁷³T^?17.09 exp(?51500/T) s^?1. The effect of a roaming channel for decomposition of dimethyl ether was assessed and the best agreement was obtained with 1% dissociation of DME via the roaming path.     

Spectroscopy of the <Superscript>5</Superscript>H superheavy hydrogen isotope

The formation of the ⁵H superheavy hydrogen isotope was experimentally sought in the reactions induced by stopped π^? mesons absorbed by ⁹Be nuclei. Peaks in missing-mass spectra were observed in two reaction channels, ⁹Be(π^?, pt)X and ⁹Be(π^?, dd)X, and were attributed to the ⁵H resonance states. The lowest state has parameters Er=5.5±0.2 MeV and Г=5.4±0.5 MeV [E_r is the resonance energy measured from the (triton + two neutrons) threshold]. Therefore, ⁵H is bound more weakly than ⁴H. Excited states of ⁵H were also observed. All three resonance levels (E_1r=10.6±0.3 MeV, Г_1r=6.8±0.5 MeV; E_2r=18.5±0.4 MeV, Г_2r=4.8±1.3 MeV; E_3r=26.7±0.4 MeV, Г_3r=3.6±1.3 MeV) can decay into five free nucleons.     

First observation ofΩ * resonances

In a experiment at the CERN SPS charged hyperon beam using incident Ξ^?, we have obtained evidence for the production of two Ω^* resonances decaying into Ξ^?π⁺ K ^?, with the following parameters:M ₁=2251±12,Γ ₁=48±20 MeV/c², 78 ±23 events, andM ₂=2284±12,Γ ₂=26±23 MeV/c² 45±10 events. The first state is also observed as a 4.2σ effect in a subsample which contains an additionalK ⁺ orK ⁰ in the final state. Production cross sections and branching ratios to Ξ^* K ^? and Ξ^? K ^* are presented.     

The concentrations and exposure doses of radon and thoron in residences of the rural areas of Kosovo and Metohija

This paper deals with the results of indoor radon and thoron concentrations and exposure doses obtained for 63 dwellings out of the 14 rural communities of Central Kosovo, North Kosovo and Prizren region. These research activities are part of overall radiological research that has systematically been carried out since 1986, particularly in Kosovo and Metohija regions. Passive radon/thoron discriminative detectors, exposed for three months, were used. The arithmetic mean concentrations of indoor radon and thoron are C_Rn = 429 Bq m^?3 C_Tn = 85 Bq m^?3.     

Room temperature phosphorescence lifetime and quantum yield of erythrosine B and rose bengal in aerobic alkaline aqueous solution

The room-temperature phosphorescence behavior of erythrosine B (ER) and rose bengal (RB) in aerobic aqueous solution at pH 10 (10^?4 M NaOH) is investigated. The samples were excited with sliced second harmonic pulses of a Q-switched Nd:glass laser. A gated photomultiplier tube was used for instantaneous fluorescence signal discrimination and a digital oscilloscope was used for signal recording. For phosphorescence lifetime measurement the oscilloscope response time was adjusted to appropriate time resolution and sensitivity by the ohmic input resistance. In the case of phosphorescence quantum yield determination the gated photomultiplier – oscilloscope arrangement was operated in integration mode using 10 MΩ input resistance. Phosphorescence quantum yield calibration was achieved with erythrosine B and rose bengal doped starch films of known quantum yields. The determined phosphorescence lifetimes (quantum yields) of ER and RB in 0.1 mM NaOH are τ_P=1.92±0.1 μs (?_P=(1.5±0.3)×10^?5) and 2.40±0.1 μs ((5.7±0.9)×10^?5), respectively. The results are discussed in terms of triplet state deactivation by dissolved molecular oxygen.     

Structure and conductivity investigations of alkaline earth substituted uranium oxide,U1 − xMxO2 ± δ (M = Mg,Ca, Sr) for solid oxide fuel cell applications

Alkaline earth substituted UO₂ (U_1 − xM_xO_2 ± δ; M = Mg, Ca, Sr; 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.525) with fluorite structure was synthesized in reducing atmosphere. Structure and conductivity properties of U_1 − xM_xO_2 ± δ fluorites were investigated for possible application in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC). At room temperature and ambient atmosphere the materials are stable; however they decompose at an oxygen partial pressure p_O2 > 10^− 4 atm and temperatures higher than 600 °C. The total conductivity measured for the best conducting U_1 − xM_xO_2 ± δ material with M = Ca and x = 0.177 is as high as 3 S/cm at p_O2 < 10^− 4 atm at 600 °C. The relatively low ionic transference number (t_i∼0.02) is disadvantageous for potential use as electrolyte material for SOFC applications. The high conductivity and possible depolarization effects suggest potential use as anode materials in SOFC.