Gelation with N-lauroyl-L-glutamic-α,γ-dibutylamide for liquid scintillation counting of low specific activities of35S and32P

A gelling agent, N-lauroyl-L-glutamic-,-dibutylamide, was applied for liquid scintillation counting of inorganic³²P and³⁵S. The gel with toluene cocktail is transparent and rigid for a long time. Several grams of ammonium magnesium phosphate or barium sulfate can easily be measured without complicating procedures.     

Preparation and properties of rare-earth containing oxide fluoride glasses

The preparation of the rare earth containing oxide fluoride glasses LnF₃ (Ln; Y through Lu)-BaF₂-AlF₃-GeO₂ in which the nominal content of LnF₃ reached 60 mol% in maximum and their basic properties such as density, refractive index and glass transition temperature were investigated and summarized in detail. Especially, in order to discuss the local structure around the rare earth ion in the glass, the Judd-Ofelt analysis (discussion with Ω parameters) of the HoF₃-BaF₂-AlF₃-GeO₂ glasses was carried out. The unique fluorescent behavior and the magnetic properties of LnF₃-BaF₂-AlF₃-GeO₂ glasses (Ln = Tb and/or Sm) were also studied.     

Indomethacin sustained-release suppositories containing sugar ester in polyethylene glycol base

Indomethacin (IM) sustained-release suppositories were prepared by the fusion method using sugar ester and polyethylene glycol 4000 (PEG). The suppositories were evaluated by in vitro release testing, X-ray analysis and in vivo absorption testing in rabbits. X-ray analysis showed that IM was amorphous in PEG-base suppositories. In a release test, slow-release was obtained when the sugar ester content of a suppository was 60%. The IM plasma level following the administration of the suppository was well sustained in the absorption test. The main slow-release mechanism is considered to be the release of IM from the matrix composed of sugar ester and PEG, which is represented by the Higuchi equation. A good correlation between the release test and the absorption test was obtained. It is considered that the amorphous state of IM in this type of sustained-release suppository would enhance the release and absorption of IM in the rectum of the rabbit, whose rectal fluid volume is small.     

An improved apparatus for the determination of krypton-85 and xenon-133 in an emergency situation

A simple and portable apparatus was developed for measurements of⁸⁵Kr and¹³³Xe that would be released into the atmosphere in an emergency situation of nuclear facilities. The method is based on cryogenic adsorption of these gases on charcoal followed by chromatographic separation from other gases. The⁸⁵Kr and¹³³Xe recovered from atmospheric air are determined separately by liquid scintillation counting. It takes about 1 hour for the stepwise determination of⁸⁵Kr and¹³³Xe. The atmospheric concentration of 3·10^–3 Ci per m³ air (1.1·10² Bq/m³ air) is measurable for both nuclides with 20% counting error.     

Public education in nuclear science at the Kyushu Museum of Energy in Japan

The Kyushu Museum of Energy, funded by the Kyushu Electric Power Company, Inc., was opened in September 1982. The planning and design were done by Dentsu, Inc., and the actual construction was shared among several construction and manufacturing companies. I was retained as the principal scientific advisor for the museum, both prior to its construction, throughhout the planning of the exhibits, and afterwards when it was opened to the public. This is an educational museum, which shows how people have developed and depended on energy and energy sources since the discovery of fire in prehistory. There are four major sections, devoted to fire itself, electricity, nuclear power by fission, and nuclear power by fusion. In addition, the museum will track visitors through the exhibits, in terms of The History of Energy as a beginning point for their tour, lead them through Present Energy Needs and Uses, and thence to Future Energy Developments and Needs. The museum is of a hands-on active display type design, with many large and attractive display panels, working models, pleasant mixes of sound, light, and images, and educational levels that encompass general public interest to semitechnical explanations that will satisfy the undergraduate with a technical, background. Visitors can not only operate the models themselves, but join in a variety of games based on energy consumption, usage, and needs. It is very much a participatory museum, and visitors are exposed to the many facets of day-to-day energy generation and consumption, as well as the estimated needs for the future, and possible ways to supply these needs. To date, there have been well over 200,000 visitors recorded. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A0653119 00004     

Loss of99Tc from seaweeds in the course of dry ashing

Loss of⁹⁹Tc in seaweed during dry ashing has been investigated. Two kinds of brown seaweeds labeled with⁹⁹Tc were ashed for 24 or 48 h at 400, 450 and 500 °C, showing no correlation between the loss of⁹⁹Tc and species, temperature and time of ashing. The averaged recovery of⁹⁹Tc was 91.0±4.0%, indicating that most of the⁹⁹Tc in the seaweed was retained within the matrix of the ash which was obtained under general conditions of ashing.