New 2D barcode solution based on computer generated holograms: Holographic barcode

Actually, two-dimensional (2D) barcodes are readable not only by scanners, but also by camera phones. A number of common problems are encountered in the process of scanning and decoding barcode, such as various types of noise, blur, uneven lighting, and in particular the presence of extraneous information surrounding the image. In this paper we introduce a new 2D barcode namely HoloBarcode. The proposed barcode is developed as a computer generated hologram (CGH). Exploiting the ownerships of the holography, this new 2D barcode is able to provide the embedded information even in the presence of damaged surface. In particular, HoloBarcode is particularly robust in presence of extraneous information overlapping the image. For these reasons, this new barcode can be a valid alternative in all those applications where we have possibility of "important" damages of the code itself. Measurements of robustness to such manipulations were made, on 2D HoloBarcode against the popular Data Matrix code. Comparisons between the two different 2D Barcodes are highlighted

Sintesi totali stereoselettive di diterpeni biciclo [3.2.1] ottanici

Vengono presentate alcune applicazioni del riarrangiamento dei solfonati di biciclo [2.2.2] ottan-2-ile a biciclo [3.2.1] ottan-1-oli, che procede con la migrazione stereospecifica del legame antiperiplanare al gruppo uscente, alla sintesi di prodotti naturali contenenti un sistema biciclo [3.2.1] ottanico

Experimental and Monte Carlo simulation on new manganese bath facility for absolute neutron source emission rate measurement at ENEA-INMRI

This work deals with the absolute measurement of the neutron emission rate from a Am-241-Be source by means of the manganese sulphate bath technique, which is the principal method for the absolute determination of the neutron emission rate from radionuclide neutron sources. The facility consists of a spherical container filled with an aqueous solution of manganese sulphate with a Am-241-Be neutron source placed at the center. As well known, neutrons from the source, after having been thermalized by the aqueous solution, undergo neutron capture by hydrogen, manganese, sulphur, and oxygen nuclei, thus inducing a certain activity to the solution. Subsequent gamma spectrometry measurements of Mn-56 activity generated by Mn-55 neutron activation allows to determine the neutron emission rate of the source, The experimental activity has involved a variety of measurement techniques and calculation procedures, ranging from neutron reactor activation to liquid scintillation counting and Monte Carlo calculations. Neutron activations of Mn-55 samples has been carried out with the TRIGA reactor of the ENEA-Casaccia Research Centre, and Mn-56 activated samples were subsequently characterized by liquid scintillation counting, in order to obtain reference standards for the calibration of the NaI(Tl) scintillation detectors utilized to record gamma-ray emission from Mn-56. Monte Carlo calculations, carried out by the MCNPX code, were required to calculate neutron transport within the sulphate manganese bath, in particular to determine Mn-55 neutron capture probability, and (n, alpha) and (n, p) concurrent reactions, as well as the neutron leakage. Such a procedure has allowed to maintaining the neutron emission rate uncertainty well below 1 %. All the measurements have been carried out at the ENEA-Casaccia Research Centre by the Italian National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology

Uranium groundwater anomalies and active normal faulting

The ability to predict earthquakes is one of the greatest challenges for Earth Sciences. Radon has been suggested as one possible precursor, and its groundwater anomalies associated with earthquakes and water-rock interactions were proposed in several seismogenic areas worldwide as due to possible transport of radon through microfractures, or due to crustal gas fluxes along active faults. However, the use of radon as a possible earthquake's precursor is not clearly linked to crustal deformation. It is shown in this paper that uranium groundwater anomalies, which were observed in cataclastic rocks crossing the underground Gran Sasso National Laboratory, can be used as a possible strain meter in domains where continental lithosphere is subducted. Measurements evidence clear, sharp anomalies from July, 2008 to the end of March, 2009, related to a preparation phase of the seismic swarm, which occurred near L'Aquila, Italy, from October, 2008 to April, 2009. On April 6th, 2009 an earthquake (M(w) = 6.3) occurred at 01:33 UT in the same area, with normal faulting on a NW-SE oriented structure about 15 km long, dipping toward SW. In the framework of the geophysical and geochemical models of the area, these measurements indicate that uranium may be used as a possible strain meter in extensional tectonic settings similar to those where the L'Aquila earthquake occurred

Radioactive waste management: Review on clearance levels and acceptance criteria legislation, requirements and standards

International audienceIn 2011 the joint research project Metrology for Radioactive Waste Management (MetroRWM)1 of the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) started with a total duration of three years. Within this project, new metrological resources for the assessment of radioactive waste, including their calibration with new reference materials traceable to national standards will be developed.This paper gives a review on national, European and international strategies as basis for science-based metrological requirements in clearance and acceptance of radioactive waste