Relative Performance of a TGS for the Assay of Drummed Waste as Function of Collimator Opening

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Kane ◽  
S. Croft ◽  
P. McClay ◽  
R. Venkataraman ◽  
M. F. Villani
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Photon Emission ◽  
High Energy ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
High Energy Resolution ◽  
Waste Forms ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Scan Pattern

Improving the safety, accuracy and overall cost effectiveness of the processes and methods used to characterize and handle radioactive waste is an on-going mission for the nuclear industry. An important contributor to this goal is the development of superior non-destructive assay instruments. The Tomographic Gamma Scanner (TGS) is a case in point. The TGS applies low spatial resolution experimental computed tomograghy (CT) linear attenuation coefficient maps with three-dimensional high-energy resolution single photon emission reconstructions. The results are presented as quantitative matrix attenuation corrected images and assay values for gamma-emitting radionuclides. Depending on a number of operational factors, this extends the diversity of waste forms that can be assayed, to a given accuracy, to items containing more heterogeneous matrix distributions and less uniform emission activity distributions. Recent advances have significantly extended the capability to a broader range of matrix density and to a wider dynamic range of surface dose rate. Automated systems sense the operational conditions, including the container type, and configure themselves accordingly. The TGS also provides a flexible data acquisition platform and can be used to perform far-field style measurements, classical segmented gamma scanner measurements, or to implement hybrid methods, such as reconstructions that use a priori knowledge to constrain the image reconstruction or the underlying energy dependence of the attenuation. A single, yet flexible, general purpose instrument of this kind adds several tiers of strategic and tactical value to facilities challenged by a diverse and difficult to assay waste streams. The TGS is still in the early phase of industrial uptake. There are only a small number of general purpose TGS systems operating worldwide, most being configured to automatically select between a few configurations appropriate for routine operations. For special investigations, one may wish to widen the repertoire but there is currently little guidance as to the trade-offs involved. In this work, we address this weakness by studying the performance of a typical TGS arrangement as a function of collimator opening, scan pattern and scan time for a representative selection of simulated waste forms. Our focus is on assessing the impact on the precision and accuracy of the quantitative assay result but we also report the utility of the imaging information in confirming acceptable knowledge about the packages.

scholarly journals High-resolution and low-background $$^{163}$$Ho spectrum: interpretation of the resonance tails

2019 ◽  
Vol 79 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Velte ◽  
F. Ahrens ◽  
A. Barth ◽  
K. Blaum ◽  
M. Braß ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Capture ◽  
Neutrino Mass ◽  
Line Shape ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Electron Neutrino ◽  
High Energy Resolution ◽  
Precise Description ◽  
Effective Electron ◽  
Low Background ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThe determination of the effective electron neutrino mass via kinematic analysis of beta and electron capture spectra is considered to be model-independent since it relies on energy and momentum conservation. At the same time the precise description of the expected spectrum goes beyond the simple phase space term. In particular for electron capture processes, many-body electron-electron interactions lead to additional structures besides the main resonances in calorimetrically measured spectra. A precise description of the $$^{163}$$163Ho spectrum is fundamental for understanding the impact of low intensity structures at the endpoint region where a finite neutrino mass affects the shape most strongly. We present a low-background and high-energy resolution measurement of the $$^{163}$$163Ho spectrum obtained in the framework of the ECHo experiment. We study the line shape of the main resonances and multiplets with intensities spanning three orders of magnitude. We discuss the need to introduce an asymmetric line shape contribution due to Auger–Meitner decay of states above the auto-ionisation threshold. With this we determine an enhancement of count rate at the endpoint region of about a factor of 2, which in turn leads to an equal reduction in the required exposure of the experiment to achieve a given sensitivity on the effective electron neutrino mass.

LATEST PHOTOEMISSION DEVELOPMENTS: TIME RESOLUTION, MICROANALYSIS, ORDER PARAMETERS

1997 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
pp. 695-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. COMELLI ◽  
M. KISKINOVA ◽  
G. PAOLUCCI ◽  
K. C. PRINCE ◽  
A. SAVOIA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Time Resolution ◽  
Short Review ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Resolution ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Surface And Interface ◽  
The Third ◽  
High Lateral Resolution ◽  
Interface Science ◽  
The Impact

The third generation sources of soft X-rays, ALS and ELETTRA, have been producing data in surface and interface science for over two years. The impact of their ultrahigh brightness is quite evident, particularly as far as photoemission techniques are concerned. We illustrate this point with a short review of very recent examples from ELETTRA, in the specific domains of time resolution, high lateral resolution and high energy resolution.

High energy resolution spectrometer for the dedicated STEM

1984 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 558-559 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.E. Batson
Keyword(s):  
Collection Efficiency ◽  
Core Loss ◽  
Beam Current ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Resolution ◽  
Acquisition Time ◽  
Good Definition ◽  
Loss Analysis ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Acceleration Voltage

Use of the STEM to obtain precise electronic information has been hampered by the lack of energy loss analysis capable of a resolution and accuracy comparable to the 0.3eV energy width of the Field Emission Source. Recent work by Park, et. al. and earlier by Crewe, et. al. have promised magnetic sector devices that are capable of about 0.75eV resolution at collection angles (about 15mR) which are great enough to allow efficient use of the STEM probe current. These devices are also capable of 0.3eV resolution at smaller collection angles (4-5mR). The problem that arises, however, lies in the fact that, even with the collection efficiency approaching 1.0, several minutes of collection time are necessary for a good definition of a typical core loss or electronic transition. This is a result of the relatively small total beam current (1-10nA) that is available in the dedicated STEM. During this acquisition time, the STEM acceleration voltage may fluctuate by as much as 0.5-1.0V.

scholarly journals Carbon Dynamics in the Northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau from 1990 to 2030 Using Landsat Land Use/Cover Change Data

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingye Li ◽  
Jian Gong ◽  
Jean-Michel Guldmann ◽  
Shicheng Li ◽  
Jie Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Sharp Decrease ◽  
Total Carbon ◽  
Qinghai Lake ◽  
Lake Basin ◽  
Ecosystem Carbon ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
The Impact

Land use/cover change (LUCC) has an important impact on the terrestrial carbon cycle. The spatial distribution of regional carbon reserves can provide the scientific basis for the management of ecosystem carbon storage and the formulation of ecological and environmental policies. This paper proposes a method combining the CA-based FLUS model and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model to assess the temporal and spatial changes in ecosystem carbon storage due to land-use changes over 1990–2015 in the Qinghai Lake Basin (QLB). Furthermore, future ecosystem carbon storage is simulated and evaluated over 2020–2030 under three scenarios of natural growth (NG), cropland protection (CP), and ecological protection (EP). The long-term spatial variations in carbon storage in the QLB are discussed. The results show that: (1) Carbon storage in the QLB decreased at first (1990–2000) and increased later (2000–2010), with total carbon storage increasing by 1.60 Tg C (Teragram: a unit of mass equal to 1012 g). From 2010 to 2015, carbon storage displayed a downward trend, with a sharp decrease in wetlands and croplands as the main cause; (2) Under the NG scenario, carbon reserves decrease by 0.69 Tg C over 2020–2030. These reserves increase significantly by 6.77 Tg C and 7.54 Tg C under the CP and EP scenarios, respectively, thus promoting the benign development of the regional ecological environment. This study improves our understanding on the impact of land-use change on carbon storage for the QLB in the northeastern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP).

scholarly journals Shock interactions in inviscid air and $$\hbox {CO}_2$$–$$\hbox {N}_2$$ flows in thermochemical non-equilibrium

Shock Waves ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Garbacz ◽  
W. T. Maier ◽  
J. B. Scoggins ◽  
T. D. Economon ◽  
T. Magin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Species ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Ideal Gas ◽  
Shock Interaction ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Shock Interactions ◽  
Wave Interference ◽  
Type V ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Non Equilibrium

AbstractThe present study aims at providing insights into shock wave interference patterns in gas flows when a mixture different than air is considered. High-energy non-equilibrium flows of air and $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 –$$\hbox {N}_2$$ N 2 over a double-wedge geometry are studied numerically. The impact of freestream temperature on the non-equilibrium shock interaction patterns is investigated by simulating two different sets of freestream conditions. To this purpose, the SU2 solver has been extended to account for the conservation of chemical species as well as multiple energies and coupled to the Mutation++ library (Multicomponent Thermodynamic And Transport properties for IONized gases in C++) that provides all the necessary thermochemical properties of the mixture and chemical species. An analysis of the shock interference patterns is presented with respect to the existing taxonomy of interactions. A comparison between calorically perfect ideal gas and non-equilibrium simulations confirms that non-equilibrium effects greatly influence the shock interaction patterns. When thermochemical relaxation is considered, a type VI interaction is obtained for the $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 -dominated flow, for both freestream temperatures of 300 K and 1000 K; for air, a type V six-shock interaction and a type VI interaction are obtained, respectively. We conclude that the increase in freestream temperature has a large impact on the shock interaction pattern of the air flow, whereas for the $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 –$$\hbox {N}_2$$ N 2 flow the pattern does not change.

scholarly journals Functional Design of a Hybrid Leg-Wheel-Track Ground Mobile Robot

Machines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10
Author(s):  
Luca Bruzzone ◽  
Mario Baggetta ◽  
Shahab E. Nodehi ◽  
Pietro Bilancia ◽  
Pietro Fanghella
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Robot ◽  
High Energy ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Stair Climbing ◽  
Functional Design ◽  
Multibody Simulation ◽  
Embodiment Design ◽  
Locomotion System ◽  
Hybrid Locomotion ◽  
Wheel Track

This paper presents the conceptual and functional design of a novel hybrid leg-wheel-track ground mobile robot for surveillance and inspection, named WheTLHLoc (Wheel-Track-Leg Hybrid Locomotion). The aim of the work is the development of a general-purpose platform capable of combining tracked locomotion on irregular and yielding terrains, wheeled locomotion with high energy efficiency on flat and compact grounds, and stair climbing/descent ability. The architecture of the hybrid locomotion system is firstly outlined, then the validation of its stair climbing maneuver capabilities by means of multibody simulation is presented. The embodiment design and the internal mechanical layout are then discussed.

scholarly journals Coir Fibers Treated with Henna as a Potential Reinforcing Filler in the Synthesis of Polyurethane Composites

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1128
Author(s):  
Sylwia Członka ◽  
Anna Strąkowska ◽  
Agnė Kairytė
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Dynamic Mechanical Properties ◽  
Milling Process ◽  
Coir Fiber ◽  
Lawsonia Inermis ◽  
Coir Fibers ◽  
Mechanical Performances ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Reinforcing Filler

In this study, coir fibers were successfully modified with henna (derived from the Lawsonia inermis plant) using a high-energy ball-milling process. In the next step, such developed filler was used as a reinforcing filler in the production of rigid polyurethane (PUR) foams. The impact of 1, 2, and 5 wt % of coir-fiber filler on structural and physico-mechanical properties was evaluated. Among all modified series of PUR composites, the greatest improvement in physico-mechanical performances was observed for PUR composites reinforced with 1 wt % of the coir-fiber filler. For example, on the addition of 1 wt % of coir-fiber filler, the compression strength was improved by 23%, while the flexural strength increased by 9%. Similar dependence was observed in the case of dynamic-mechanical properties—on the addition of 1 wt % of the filler, the value of glass transition temperature increased from 149 °C to 178 °C, while the value of storage modulus increased by ~80%. It was found that PUR composites reinforced with coir-fiber filler were characterized by better mechanical performances after the UV-aging.

scholarly journals Discrete choice experiment for eliciting preference for health services for patients with ALS and their informal caregivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy Tobin ◽  
Sinead Maguire ◽  
Bernie Corr ◽  
Charles Normand ◽  
Orla Hardiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Discrete Choice Experiment ◽  
Discrete Choice ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Strong Preference ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Als Patients ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition with a mean life expectancy of 3 years from first symptom. Understanding the factors that are important to both patients and their caregivers has the potential to enhance service delivery and engagement, and improve efficiency. The Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) is a stated preferences method which asks service users to make trade-offs for various attributes of health services. This method is used to quantify preferences and shows the relative importance of the attributes in the experiment, to the service user. Methods A DCE with nine choice sets was developed to measure the preferences for health services of ALS patients and their caregivers and the relative importance of various aspects of care, such as timing of care, availability of services, and decision making. The DCE was presented to patients with ALS, and their caregivers, recruited from a national multidisciplinary clinic. A random effects probit model was applied to estimate the impact of each attribute on a participant’s choice. Results Patients demonstrated the strongest preferences about timing of receiving information about ALS. A strong preference was also placed on seeing the hospice care team later rather than early on in the illness. Patients also indicated their willingness to consider the use of communication devices. Grouping by stage of disease, patients who were in earlier stages of disease showed a strong preference for receipt of extensive information about ALS at the time of diagnosis. Caregivers showed a strong preference for engagement with healthcare professionals, an attribute that was not prioritised by patients. Conclusions The DCE method can be useful in uncovering priorities of patients and caregivers with ALS. Patients and caregivers have different priorities relating to health services and the provision of care in ALS, and patient preferences differ based on the stage and duration of their illness. Multidisciplinary teams must calibrate the delivery of care in the context of the differing expectations, needs and priorities of the patient/caregiver dyad.

scholarly journals Body Mass, Physical Activity and Eating Habits Changes during the First COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5682
Author(s):  
Hubert Dobrowolski ◽  
Dariusz Włodarek
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Body Weight ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
High Energy ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Study Participants ◽  
The Impact

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic caused a number of changes in social life around the world. In response to the growing number of infections, some countries have introduced restrictions that may have resulted in the change of the lifestyle. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of the lockdown on body weight, physical activity and some eating habits of the society. The survey involving 183 people was conducted using a proprietary questionnaire. The mean age of the study participants was 33 ± 11 and mean height 169 ± 8 cm. An average increase in body weight was observed in 49.18% by 0.63 ± 3.7 kg which was the result of a decrease in physical activity and an increase in food consumption. We also observed a decrease in PAL from 1.64 ± 0.15 to 1.58 ± 0.13 and changes in the amount of food and individual groups of products consumption, including alcohol. Among the study participants who did not lose body mass, there was an average weight gain of 2.25 ± 2.5 kg. In conclusion, an increase of weight was shown in about half of the respondents in the study group which was associated with a decrease in physical activity and an increase in the consumption of total food and high energy density products.

scholarly journals Modeling Energy Communities with Collective Photovoltaic Self-Consumption: Synergies between a Small City and a Winery in Portugal

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 323
Author(s):  
Guilherme Pontes Luz ◽  
Rodrigo Amaro e Silva
Keyword(s):  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Small City ◽  
Total System ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Southern Portugal ◽  
Energy Community ◽  
Individual Self ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The City ◽  
Modest Reduction

The recently approved regulation on Energy Communities in Europe is paving the way for new collective forms of energy consumption and production, mainly based on photovoltaics. However, energy modeling approaches that can adequately evaluate the impact of these new regulations on energy community configurations are still lacking, particularly with regards to the grid tariffs imposed on collective systems. Thus, the present work models three different energy community configurations sustained on collective photovoltaics self-consumption for a small city in southern Portugal. This energy community, which integrates the city consumers and a local winery, was modeled using the Python-based Calliope framework. Using real electricity demand data from power transformers and an actual winery, the techno-economic feasibility of each configuration was assessed. Results show that all collective arrangements can promote a higher penetration of photovoltaic capacity (up to 23%) and a modest reduction in the overall cost of electricity (up to 8%). However, there are clear trade-offs between the different pathways: more centralized configurations have 53% lower installation costs but are more sensitive to grid use costs (which can represent up to 74% of the total system costs). Moreover, key actor’s individual self-consumption rate may decrease by 10% in order to benefit the energy community as a whole.

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