Improved plutonium identification and characterization results with NaI(Tl) detector using ASEDRA

ABSTRACT The ASEDRA algorithm (Advanced Synthetically Enhanced Detector Resolution Algorithm) is a tool developed at the University of Florida to synthetically enhance the resolved photopeaks derived from a characteristically poor resolution spectra collected at room temperature from scintillator crystal-photomultiplier detector, such as a NaI(Tl) system. This work reports on analysis of a side-by-side test comparing the identification capabilities of ASEDRA applied to a NaI(Tl) detector with HPGe results for a Plutonium Beryllium (PuBe) source containing approximately 47 year old weaponsgrade plutonium (WGPu), a test case of real-world interest with a complex spectra including plutonium isotopes and 241 Am decay products. The analysis included a comparison of photopeaks identified and photopeak energies between the ASEDRA and HPGe detector systems, and the known energies of the plutonium isotopes. ASEDRA's performance in peak area accuracy, also important in isotope identification as well as plutonium quality and age determination, was evaluated for key energy lines by comparing the observed relative ratios of peak areas, adjusted for efficiency and attenuation due to source shielding, to the predicted ratios from known energy line branching and source isotopics. The results show that ASEDRA has identified over 20 lines also found by the HPGe and directly correlated to WGPu energies

Nodal collocation method for the multidimensional PL equations applied to neutron transport source problems

A PL spherical harmonics-nodal collocation method is applied to the solution of the multidimensional neutron source transport equation. Vacuum boundary conditions are approximated by setting Marshak's conditions. The method is applied to several 1D, 2D and 3D problems with isotropic fixed source and with isotropic and anisotropic scattering. These problems are chosen to test this method in limit conditions, showing that in some cases a high order $P_L$ approximation is required to obtain accurate results and convergence. Results are also compared with the ones provided by several reference codes showing good agreement. It is also shown that Marshak's approximation to vacuum boundary conditions gives the same results that simulating vacuum with a purely absorbing medium and setting zero flux boundary conditions.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad under project ENE2011-22823, and the Generalitat Valenciana under project PROMETEO11/2014/008.Capilla Romá, MT.; Talavera Usano, CF.; Ginestar Peiro, D.; Verdú Martín, GJ. (2016). Nodal collocation method for the multidimensional PL equations applied to neutron transport source problems. Annals of Nuclear Energy. 87:89-100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2015.07.040S891008

Inter- and intraobserver reliability of the MTM-classification for proximal humeral fractures: A prospective study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A precise modular topographic-morphological (MTM) classification for proximal humeral fractures may address current classification problems. The classification was developed to evaluate whether a very detailed classification exceeding the analysis of fractured parts may be a valuable tool.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three observers classified plain radiographs of 22 fractures using both a simple version (fracture displacement, number of parts) and an extensive version (individual topographic fracture type and morphology) of the MTM classification. Kappa-statistics were used to determine reliability.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An acceptable reliability was found for the simple version classifying fracture displacement and fractured main parts. Fair interobserver agreement was found for the extensive version with individual topographic fracture type and morphology.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the MTM-classification covers a wide spectrum of fracture types, our results indicate that the precise topographic and morphological description is not delivering reproducible results. Therefore, simplicity in fracture classification may be more useful than extensive approaches, which are not adequately reliable to address current classification problems.</p

Cartesian Meshing Impacts for PWR Assemblies in Multigroup Monte Carlo and Sn Transport

Hybrid methods of neutron transport have increased greatly in use, for example, in applications of using both Monte Carlo and deterministic transport to calculate quantities of interest, such as flux and eigenvalue in a nuclear reactor. Many 3D parallel Sn codes apply a Cartesian mesh, and thus for nuclear reactors the representation of curved fuels (cylinder, sphere, etc.) are impacted in the representation of proper fuel inventory (both in deviation of mass and exact geometry representation). For a PWR assembly eigenvalue problem, we explore the errors associated with this Cartesian discrete mesh representation, and perform an analysis to calculate a slope parameter that relates the pcm to the percent areal/volumetric deviation (areal corresponds to 2D and volumetric to 3D, respectively). Our initial analysis demonstrates a linear relationship between pcm change and areal/volumetric deviation using Multigroup MCNP on a PWR assembly compared to a reference exact combinatorial MCNP geometry calculation. For the same multigroup problems, we also intend to characterize this linear relationship in discrete ordinates (3D PENTRAN) and discuss issues related to transport cross-comparison. In addition, we discuss auto-conversion techniques with our 3D Cartesian mesh generation tools to allow for full generation of MCNP5 inputs (Cartesian mesh and Multigroup XS) from a basis PENTRAN Sn model

Corynebacterium capitovis sp. nov., from a sheep

An unknown Gram-positive rod-shaped bacterium was isolated from skin scrapings from the infected head of a sheep and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of straight-chain and monounsaturated fatty acids and short-chain (C32-C36) mycolic acids consistent with the genus Corynebacterium. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing confirmed that the unknown rod was a member of the genus Corynebacterium, with the organism forming a distinct sub-line and displaying greater than 3% sequence divergence with established species. The unknown Corynebacterium isolate was readily distinguished from recognized species of the genus by biochemical tests and electrophoretic analysis of whole-cell proteins. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic evidence, it is proposed that the unknown bacterium from a sheep be classified in the genus Corynebacterium, as Corynebacterium capitovis sp. nov. The type strain of Corynebacterium capitovis is CCUG 39779T (= CIP 106739T)