Geant4 model validation of Compton suppressed system for process monitoring of spent fuel

Nuclear material accountancy is of continuous concern for the regulatory, safeguards, and verification communities. In particular, spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities pose one of the most difficult accountancy challenges: monitoring highly radioactive, fluid sample streams in near real-time. The Multi-Isotope Process monitor will allow for near-real-time indication of process alterations using passive gamma-ray detection coupled with multivariate analysis techniques to guard against potential material diversion or to enhance domestic process monitoring. The Compton continuum from the dominant 661.7 keV ¹³⁷Cs fission product peak obscures lower energy lines which could be used for spectral and multivariate analysis. Compton suppression may be able to mitigate the challenges posed by the high continuum caused by scattering. A Monte Carlo simulation using the Geant4 toolkit is being developed to predict the expected suppressed spectrum from spent fuel samples to estimate the reduction in the Compton continuum. Despite the lack of timing information between decay events in the particle management of Geant4, encouraging results were recorded utilizing only the information within individual decays without accounting for accidental coincidences. The model has been validated with single and cascade decay emitters in two steps: as an unsuppressed system and with suppression activated. Results of the Geant4 model validation will be presented.     

铝硅酸盐钙钛矿的晶格参数

 本文根据MgSiO₃－CaSiO₃－Al₂O₃系统在高温超高压下（p>40 GPa，T~1 500 ℃）合成铝硅酸盐钙钛矿的实验结果，并通过(Mg,Al)(Si,Al)O₃钙钛矿和(Mg,Fe)SiO₃钙钛矿的对比，研究组分对钙钛矿的晶格常数、畸变和稳定性的影响。查明在650 km的地震波速度不连续面以下的地幔中，Al₂O₃和CaO的存在形式。     

Investigation of nano-mechanical properties of annulus fibrosus using atomic force microscopy

We describe the use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate the nanomechanical properties of annulus fibrosus (AF)-the outer fibrous layer of an intervertebral disc (IVD) encapsulating the inner jelly-like mass known as the nucleus pulposus (NP). Disk disease, degenerated discs, slipped discs, and herniated discs are common terms often linked to back pain and are caused due to degeneration of IVD. Due to the variations in the structure and biochemical composition of the IVD, studies of macromechanical properties in the motion segment or AF may lack all significant nanomechanical responses or behaviors. Existing studies do not report the micro or nano level of mechanics of IVD components and whether the nanomechanics of this tissue mimic its macromechanical behavior is not known. Our studies used AFM to investigate the regional micromechanical properties of the AF that have been otherwise difficult due to small sample size of the tissue. Five different zones including peripheral and central were tested mechanically as well as biochemically. Qualitative biochemical staining and quantitative values of nanomechanical properties of different zones are compared and discussed in detail. The results of nanomechanical investigations described in this study not only reveal its mimic at macroscopic level, they represent an important step towards establishing a framework for testing and comparing tissue engineered IVD replacements with native tissues.     

Characterization of soil,sediment, and wastewater samples from hydraulic fracturing processes using the comparative NAA method

Regulatory monitoring of oil and gas development requires the accurate multi-elemental analysis of wellbore samples on a regular basis. In this study, an unconventional method, comparative neutron activation analysis (comparative NAA), was applied for the multi-elemental characterization of solid and liquid hydraulic fracturing samples at the ppm level. The obtained values from three wastewater samples were compared with the most probable values determined via an inter-laboratory study, which involved 15 different laboratories from the United States, Canada, and Germany. The comparison showed that 15 out of 19 comparative NAA trace element concentration values were considered acceptable, providing a new technique to determine elemental concentrations in high salinity hydraulic fracturing samples.

     

砒霜——亦敌亦友,千年情仇

It's believed that everyone is familiar with arsenic trioxide. It has been one of the most famous poisons since ancient time. Because of this, it is largely unfairly described. In this article, we combine research results with clear chemical knowledge and terms, in order to prove that arsenic trioxide can also be useful in human life and production.     

Characterization of varietal differences in essential oil components of hops (Humulus lupulus) by SFC-FTIR spectroscopy

A supercritical fluid chromatographic method combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy detection (SFC-FTIR) was developed for determination of varietal differences in essential oil constituents in hops (Humulus lupulus). Infrared spectra (IR) of the major constituents of essential oil of hops were taken as films deposited on AgCl discs and compared with those obtained after chromatographic separation in the IR flow-cell with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). Spectra from AgCl discs were comparable to those in scCO2, but in scCO2 most of the bands appeared approximately 8-10 cm-1 to higher wave numbers. Open-tubular SFC-FTIR analysis of the essential oil of 4 different hop varieties was performed. The SFC-FTIR chromatograms showed differences in the location and relative intensity of the peaks depending on the variety, which was further confirmed by consideration of their FTIR spectra.     

Synthesis and Characterization Performance of Amphiphilic ZnO,a Novel Photocatalyst Suitable for Degradation of Contaminants in Oil–Water Two Phase System

Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A - Amphiphilic zinc oxide (ZnO) was successfully prepared by modifing neat ZnO with silane coupling reagent KH-570. The modified ZnO and neat ZnO were...