Utilization of signal spaces for improvement of efficiency of metallurgical process

The contribution deals with some questions associated with utilization of mathematical spaces, especially Hilbert spaces, in the area of process control. The authors of the paper point out the possible method of prediction of undesirable leaks of CO gas in oxygen converter in steel production. This prediction is based upon monitoring concurrent vibrations of the converter that are processed in abstract Hilbert space. To the current state of the process corresponds a point in the space. To the critical state of the process then corresponds a particular point of its trajectory. The structures of abstract space enable to visualize the trajectory of the process in the converter and quantitatively specify the distance of the process from the critical point

VHMPID: a new detector for the ALICE experiment at LHC

This article presents the basic idea of VHMPID, an upgrade detector for the ALICE experiment at LHC, CERN. The main goal of this detector is to extend the particle identification capabilities of ALICE to give more insight into the evolution of the hot and dense matter created in Pb-Pb collisions. Starting from the physics motivations and working principles the challenges and current status of development is detailed.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures. To be published in EPJ Web of Conference

Thallium Labeled Citrate-Coated Prussian Blue Nanoparticles as Potential Imaging Agent

Background. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize a nanoparticle-based image-contrast platform which is biocompatible, chemically stable, and accessible for radiolabeling with 201Tl. We explored whether this nanoparticle enhanced the T1 signal which might make it an MRI contrast agent as well. Methods. The physical properties of citrate-coated Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) (iron(II);iron(III);octadecacyanide) doped with 201Tl isotope were characterized with atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurement. PBNP biodistribution was determined by using SPECT and MRI following intravenous administration into C57BL6 mice. Activity concentrations (MBq/cm3) were calculated from the SPECT scans for each dedicated volume of interest (VOI) of liver, kidneys, salivary glands, heart, lungs, and brain. Results. PBNP accumulation peaked at 2 hours after injection predominantly in the kidneys and the liver followed by a gradual decrease in activity in later time points. Conclusion. We synthetized, characterized, and radiolabeled a Prussian blue-based nanoparticle platform for contrast material applications. Its in vivo radiochemical stability and biodistribution open up the way for further diagnostic applications

Noble gas and carbon isotope systematics at the seemingly inactive Ciomadul volcano (Eastern‐Central Europe, Romania): evidence for volcanic degassing

Ciomadul is the youngest volcano in the Carpathian-Pannonian Region, Eastern-Central Europe, which last erupted 30 ka. This volcano is considered to be inactive, however, combined evidence from petrologic and magnetotelluric data, as well as seismic tomography studies suggest the existence of a subvolcanic crystal mush with variable melt content. The volcanic area is characterized by high CO2 gas output rate, with a minimum of 8.7 × 103 t yr-1. We investigated 31 gas emissions at Ciomadul to constrain the origin of the volatiles. The δ13C-CO2 and 3He/4He compositions suggest the outgassing of a significant component of mantle-derived fluids. The He isotope signature in the outgassing fluids (up to 3.10 Ra) is lower than the values in the peridotite xenoliths of the nearby alkaline basalt volcanic field (R/Ra 5.95Ra±0.01) which are representative of a continental lithospheric mantle and significantly lower than MORB values. Considering the chemical characteristics of the Ciomadul dacite, including trace element and Sr- Nd and O isotope compositions, an upper crustal contamination is less probable, whereas the primary magmas could have been derived from an enriched mantle source. The low He isotopic ratios could indicate a strongly metasomatized mantle lithosphere. This could be due to infiltration of subduction-related fluids and postmetasomatic ingrowth of radiogenic He. The metasomatic fluids are inferred to have contained subducted carbonate material resulting in a heavier carbon isotope composition (13C is in the range of -1.4 to -4.6 ‰) and an increase of CO2/3He ratio. Our study shows the magmatic contribution to the emitted gases

ALICE: Physics Performance Report, Volume I

ALICE is a general-purpose heavy-ion experiment designed to study the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma in nucleus-nucleus collisions at the LHC. It currently includes more than 900 physicists and senior engineers, from both nuclear and high-energy physics, from about 80 institutions in 28 countries. The experiment was approved in February 1997. The detailed design of the different detector systems has been laid down in a number of Technical Design Reports issued between mid-1998 and the end of 2001 and construction has started for most detectors. Since the last comprehensive information on detector and physics performance was published in the ALICE Technical Proposal in 1996, the detector as well as simulation, reconstruction and analysis software have undergone significant development. The Physics Performance Report (PPR) will give an updated and comprehensive summary of the current status and performance of the various ALICE subsystems, including updates to the Technical Design Reports, where appropriate, as well as a description of systems which have not been published in a Technical Design Report. The PPR will be published in two volumes. The current Volume I contains: 1. a short theoretical overview and an extensive reference list concerning the physics topics of interest to ALICE, 2. relevant experimental conditions at the LHC, 3. a short summary and update of the subsystem designs, and 4. a description of the offline framework and Monte Carlo generators. Volume II, which will be published separately, will contain detailed simulations of combined detector performance, event reconstruction, and analysis of a representative sample of relevant physics observables from global event characteristics to hard processes

Distribution of Primula auricula in the Transdanubian Mts (Hungary) — With a new record in the Keszthely Mts

In Hungary Primula auricula is a relict species of some dolomite areas of the Transdanubian Mountains. This paper reviews the history of the recognition of the known occurrences, and the knowledge about the populations and habitats. The authors demonstrate some problems from the natural protection point of view in connection with uncertainties of an unpublished occurrence (Rezi: Meleg-hegy, Keszthely Mts)

Period estimation and using multivariable data analysis methods in Lake Balaton time-series

The time-series ofδ18O values measured weekly in Lake Balaton gave a chance to estimate the period time. To do this, we used a recently worked-out psd estimation method, the Lomb-Scargle periodogram (Lomb 1976, Press et al. 1992), in which the type of distribution can be given exactly to the power values, so confidence interval can be calculated. The result, however, is only a characteristic mean value of the time-interval examined, so the changes of the period-time were examined by demodulation. The essence of the method is that the process (time-series) is let through a filter that is permeable at merely one frequency, all the other frequency components are filtered out, so the difference from the mean period time can be placed in time. We also examined to what extent the water samples coming from one bay of Lake Balaton are representative of the whole lake. Hierarchical clustering was carried out on the hydrobiological and hydrochemical parameters of water samples coming from ten sites of Lake Balaton to determine the similar sampling sites. After the clustering, part of the sampling sites fell into different groups in the examined 16 sampling times. So the groups were marked in all the 16 sampling times with a code that shows to which group that actual sampling site belongs. In this way, each sampling site was placed in a 16-dimension space. Thus, another clustering became possible, so the grouping related to the given time period could be determined. The result was checked by statistical calculations

Monitoring of Atmospheric Excess 14C Around Paks Nuclear Power Plant, Hungary

From the 19th International Radiocarbon Conference held in Keble College, Oxford, England, April 3-7, 2006.The activity of radiocarbon in 14CO2 and 14CnHm chemical forms is measured in the vicinity of Paks nuclear power plant (NPP), Hungary, by sampling environmental air. Four differential sampling units at different sites collected samples less than 2 km away from the 100-m-high stacks of Paks NPP, and for reference a sampler was operated at a station ~30 km away from Paks NPP. We present the results of continuous observations at the 5 stations covering the time span from 2000 to 2005. The samples have been analyzed by a proportional counting technique. During a cleaning tank incident at unit 2 of Paks NPP in April 2003, a significant release of radioactive isotopes took place from the damaged fuel assemblies, and gaseous products escaped through the chimney. We evaluate the possible short- and long-term impact of this incident on the 14C content of the atmosphere in the surroundings of Paks NPP. Comparing our 14CO2 measurements with data sets from Jungfraujoch and Schauinsland, as well as from Koetice (Czech Republic), we demonstrate that the incident had no definite influence on the 14C content of the atmosphere.The Radiocarbon archives are made available by Radiocarbon and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact [email protected] for further information.Migrated from OJS platform February 202

Period estimation and using multivariable data analysis methods in Lake Balaton time-series

The time-series ofδ18O values measured weekly in Lake Balaton gave a chance to estimate the period time. To do this, we used a recently worked-out psd estimation method, the Lomb-Scargle periodogram (Lomb 1976, Press et al. 1992), in which the type of distribution can be given exactly to the power values, so confidence interval can be calculated. The result, however, is only a characteristic mean value of the time-interval examined, so the changes of the period-time were examined by demodulation. The essence of the method is that the process (time-series) is let through a filter that is permeable at merely one frequency, all the other frequency components are filtered out, so the difference from the mean period time can be placed in time. We also examined to what extent the water samples coming from one bay of Lake Balaton are representative of the whole lake. Hierarchical clustering was carried out on the hydrobiological and hydrochemical parameters of water samples coming from ten sites of Lake Balaton to determine the similar sampling sites. After the clustering, part of the sampling sites fell into different groups in the examined 16 sampling times. So the groups were marked in all the 16 sampling times with a code that shows to which group that actual sampling site belongs. In this way, each sampling site was placed in a 16-dimension space. Thus, another clustering became possible, so the grouping related to the given time period could be determined. The result was checked by statistical calculations