Mapping the inhomogeneity of the U and Th distributions –using sample size concept in the field conditions

Indigenously fabricated portable gamma-ray spectrometer (PGRS) is used for the measurement of gamma activity of 214Bi (1.76 MeV) and 208TI (2.62 MeV), under field conditions in Mohar area, Shivpuri Distt. (MP). The energies are discriminated by using a Nal (TI) crystal of size 1.75" × 2". PGRS used to map the primordial elemental distributions shows reversals of concentration of thorium and uranium (represented by radium group) in field and lab analysis in many samples, which is attributed to the inhomogenity of distribution of these elements in the area. The concept of difference in the volume of dish shaped field sample and the randomly picked up sample from the field grid point (400 gm in lab analysis) is utilized to interpret the inhomogenity of these elements. However interpretations are based on the assumption that these primordial elements (U, Th) are in secular equilibrium and the terrain has low topographic relief.Madhulika Pathak, Shaibal Gupta, Debashis Bhattacharya, M K Rao and B K Bhaumik* Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, West Block VII, R K Puram, New Delhi-110 066, India E-mail : [email protected] Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Department of Atomic Energy, West Block VII, R K Puram, New Delhi-110 066, Indi

Synthesis of novel quinone-amino acid hybrids via cross-enyne metathesis and Diels-Alder reaction as key steps

A "Building Block Approach" for the synthesis of various quinone-amino acid hybrids through ethylene cross-enyne metathesis and Diels-Alder reaction as key steps is described. A library of comformationally constrained quinone-based phenylalanine derivatives and dicarba analogs of cystine have been generated starting from a common precursor using Grubbs' catalysts. This methodology has also been extended for the synthesis of fullerene-based dicarba analogs of cystine

Countercurrent Flow Distribution in Structured Packing Via Computed Tomography

A Newly Developed Γ-Ray Computed Tomography Scanner Was Implemented to Study Liquid Flow Distribution in a 30.48-Cm-Diameter Column Packed with Corrugated Structure using Countercurrent Air-Water Flow. Validation Experiments Confirm that Spatial Resolution of ∼2.5 Mm Can Be Achieved by the New CT Unit. within the Gas (0-10 Cm/s Superficial Velocity) and Liquid (0.6-2.5 Cm/s Superficial Velocity) Flow Ranges Investigated, a Good Liquid Distribution Was Observed at All Conditions, as Manifested by Uniformity Factor in Excess of 70%. the Liquid Saturation Increases with Increasing Superficial Liquid Velocity as Well as Down the Column Height. within the Conditions Studied, the Effect of Gas Velocity Was, in General, Found to Be Minimal. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All Rights Reserved

Associations Between Residential Proximity to Traffic and Vascular Disease in a Cardiac Catheterization Cohort

Objective— Exposure to mobile source emissions is nearly ubiquitous in developed nations and is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. There is an ongoing need to understand the specificity of traffic exposure associations with vascular outcomes, particularly in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Approach and Results— We performed a cross-sectional study using 2124 individuals residing in North Carolina, United States, who received a cardiac catheterization at the Duke University Medical Center. Traffic-related exposure was assessed via 2 metrics: (1) the distance between the primary residence and the nearest major roadway; and (2) location of the primary residence in regions defined based on local traffic patterns. We examined 4 cardiovascular disease outcomes: hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, the number of diseased coronary vessels, and recent myocardial infarction. Statistical models were adjusted for race, sex, smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus, body mass index, hyperlipidemia, and home value. Results are expressed in terms of the odds ratio (OR). A 23% decrease in residential distance to major roadways was associated with higher prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (OR=1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.55) and hypertension (OR=1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–1.31). Associations with peripheral arterial disease were strongest in men (OR=1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.17–1.74) while associations with hypertension were strongest in women (OR=1.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.99–1.49). Neither myocardial infarction nor the number of diseased coronary vessels were associated with traffic exposure. Conclusions— Traffic-related exposure is associated with peripheral arterial disease and hypertension while no associations are observed for 2 coronary-specific vascular outcomes