RAPID SEPARATION METHOD FOR ACTINIDES IN EMERGENCY AIR FILTER SAMPLES

A new rapid method for the determination of actinides and strontium in air filter samples has been developed at the Savannah River Site Environmental Lab (Aiken, SC, USA) that can be used in emergency response situations. The actinides and strontium in air filter method utilizes a rapid acid digestion method and a streamlined column separation process with stacked TEVA, TRU and Sr Resin cartridges. Vacuum box technology and rapid flow rates are used to reduce analytical time. Alpha emitters are prepared using cerium fluoride microprecipitation for counting by alpha spectrometry. The purified {sup 90}Sr fractions are mounted directly on planchets and counted by gas flow proportional counting. The method showed high chemical recoveries and effective removal of interferences. This new procedure was applied to emergency air filter samples received in the NRIP Emergency Response exercise administered by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) in April, 2009. The actinide and {sup 90}Sr in air filter results were reported in {approx}4 hours with excellent quality

Draft genome sequences of 25 Listeria monocytogenes isolates associated with human clinical Listeriosis in Ireland

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that is the causative agent of listeriosis. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 25 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from patients with clinical listeriosis in the Republic of Ireland between 2013 and 201

Prospective study of an ultra-lightweight polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy

Abstract Introduction and hypothesis To prospectively evaluate the use of a particular polypropylene Y mesh for robotic sacrocolpopexy. Methods This was a prospective study of 120 patients who underwent robotic sacrocolpopexy. We compared preoperative and 12-month postoperative objective and subjective assessments via the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification (POP-Q), the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory, Short Form 20 (PFDI-20); the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire, Short Form 7 (PFIQ-7); and the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire 12 (PISQ-12). Objective "anatomical success" was defined as POP-Q stage 0 or 1 at all postoperative intervals. We further defined "clinical cure" by simultaneously considering POP-Q points and subjective measures. To be considered a "clinical cure," a given patient had to have all POP-Q points ≤0, apical POP-Q point C ≤5, no reported pelvic organ prolapse symptoms on the PFDI-20, and no reoperation for prolapse at all postoperative intervals. Results Of the 120 patients, 118 patients completed the 1-year follow-up. The objective "anatomical success" rate was 89 % and the "clinical cure" rate was 94 %. The PFDI-20 mean score improved from 100.4 at baseline to 21.0 at 12 months (p<0.0001); PFIQ-7 scores improved from 61.6 to 8.0 (p<0.0001); and PISQ-12 scores improved from 35.7 to 38.6 (p <0.0009). No mesh erosions or mesh-related complications occurred. Conclusion The use of this ultra-lightweight Y mesh for sacrocolpopexy, eliminated the mesh-related complications in the first postoperative year, and provided significant improvement in subjective and objective outcomes

Results of a multicentre UK-wide compassionate use programme evaluating the efficacy of idelalisib monotherapy in relapsed, refractory follicular lymphoma.

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is an indolent B-cell malignancy with a variable course. Standard immuno-chemotherapy incorporate alkylator and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody as first line (Rummel et al, 2013) commonly followed by 24 months rituximab maintenance (Salles et al, 2008). Anthracycline, purine analogue, and alkylator combination are used at relapse and younger patients may have remissions consolidated with autologous or allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (alloSCT) (Kothari et al, 2014). Relapsed or refractory (R/R) FL in patients unfit for transplantation or post-transplantation is incurable, and remains an unmet need

Grid-Competitive Residential and Commercial Fully Automated PV Systems Technology: Final technical Report, August 2011

Under DOE's Technology Pathway Partnership program, SunPower Corporation developed turn-key, high-efficiency residential and commercial systems that are cost effective. Key program objectives include a reduction in LCOE values to 9-12 cents/kWh and 13-18 cents/kWh respectively for the commercial and residential markets. Target LCOE values for the commercial ground, commercial roof, and residential markets are 10, 11, and 13 cents/kWh. For this effort, SunPower collaborated with a variety of suppliers and partners to complete the tasks below. Subcontractors included: Solaicx, SiGen, Ribbon Technology, Dow Corning, Xantrex, Tigo Energy, and Solar Bridge. SunPower's TPP addressed nearly the complete PV value chain: from ingot growth through system deployment. Throughout the award period of performance, SunPower has made progress toward achieving these reduced costs through the development of 20%+ efficient modules, increased cell efficiency through the understanding of loss mechanisms and improved manufacturing technologies, novel module development, automated design tools and techniques, and reduced system development and installation time. Based on an LCOE assessment using NREL's Solar Advisor Model, SunPower achieved the 2010 target range, as well as progress toward 2015 targets

Induced pseudoscalar coupling of the proton weak interaction

The induced pseudoscalar coupling $g_p$ is the least well known of the weak coupling constants of the proton's charged--current interaction. Its size is dictated by chiral symmetry arguments, and its measurement represents an important test of quantum chromodynamics at low energies. During the past decade a large body of new data relevant to the coupling $g_p$ has been accumulated. This data includes measurements of radiative and non radiative muon capture on targets ranging from hydrogen and few--nucleon systems to complex nuclei. Herein the authors review the theoretical underpinnings of $g_p$, the experimental studies of $g_p$, and the procedures and uncertainties in extracting the coupling from data. Current puzzles are highlighted and future opportunities are discussed.Comment: 58 pages, Latex, Revtex4, prepared for Reviews of Modern Physic