Calibration of a Laser-Raman-System using gas samples of all hydrogen isotopologues for KATRIN

The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment aims to measure the effective electron anti-neutrino mass via high-precision spectroscopy of the energy spectrum of the β-electrons from tritium decay near the 18.6 keV endpoint. In order to achieve the design sensitivity of m(νₑ) = 0.2 eV (90% C.L.), KATRIN uses a high-luminosity Windowless Gaseous Tritium Source (WGTS), which is temperature and activity stabilised on the part-per-mille level. Due to technical reasons, the molecular T₂ inside the WGTS will always contain residues of other hydrogen isotopologues (H₂, HD, D₂, HT and DT). As the gas composition influences the shape of the β-spectrum, it must be considered in the neutrino mass analysis and hence continuously monitored. At the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe (TLK), tritium-compatible Laser Raman systems (LARA) were developed in order to meet the performance requirements of KATRIN. For quantitative composition analysis, the system- and isotopologue-specific response function must be obtained. The main focus of this work is the direct experimental validation of the KATRIN-relevant calibration factors for the radioactive isotopologues T₂, HT and DT. This was done by the design and construction of the Tritium Hydrogen Deuterium (TRIHYDE) experiment, which is capable of providing accurate gas samples of all six hydrogen isotopologues in chemical equilibrium, using a manometric method. Detailed investigations of the initial sample purity and the reaction kinematics of the radio-induced self-equilibration, e.g. T₂ + HD $\rightleftharpoons$ HT + DT, were carried out. It was shown that the experimentally derived calibration factors and theoretical values based on ab initio calculations agree within 2% for all six isotopologues; thus validating the already excellent accuracy of the source gas composition monitoring of the WGTS. In addition, a double fold reduction of the calibration uncertainty for the homonuclear isotopologues was achieved. In summary, using the TRIHYDE facility it was possible, for the first time, to prepare accurate gas samples of all six hydrogen isotopologues with tritium content on a technical scale, thus giving a valuable tool to further expand tritium analytics to in-situ calibration, characterisation and development of existing and forthcoming methods

Speed of Sound Measurement of Hydrogen Isotopologues Containing Tritium for Reference Gas Sample Verification

Accurate gas samples containing tritiated molecules are essential for the development of tritium monitoring tools and to study tritium-induced reaction dynamics. We prepared gas samples that may contain any of the six hydrogen isotopologues by manometrically mixing high-purity homonuclear isotopologues and forming the remaining isotopologues by chemical equilibration. In order to independently verify the relative isotopologue concentrations to the manometrically derived composition and thus validate the accuracy of the produced gas samples, we measured the effective speed of sound (SoS) in the gas mixtures, which are highly sensitive to small deviations in the relative molar fractions due to the large difference in the individual SoSs. We found that deviations between the manometrically derived and measured SoSs are on a 0.1% level, demonstrating the accuracy of the sample production procedure and the suitability of SoS measurements for inline composition monitoring in tritium applications

Funktionelle Charakterisierung des Retromer-vermittelten Proteintransports in Pflanzen

Das pflanzliche Retromer besteht aus einem großen Subkomplex aus den vakuolären Proteinsortierungsproteinen VPS26, VPS29 und VPS35 und einem kleinen Subkomplex, der sich vermutlich aus den Sorting Nexinen (SNX) SNX1, SNX2a und SNX2b zusammensetzt. Rezeptor-vermittelte Sortierungsprozesse im sekretorischen Transportweg eukaryontischer Zellen beruhen auf dem Mechanismus des Rezeptor-Rezyklierens, nachdem der Transport beendet wurde. In Pflanzen ist der vakuoläre Sortierungsrezeptor (VSR) BP80 an dem Transport von Molekülen zur lytischen Vakuole beteiligt. BP80 bindet vermutlich seine Liganden in dem Donor-Kompartiment trans-Golgi Netzwerk. Dieser Rezeptor-Liganden-Komplex wird danach mit Hilfe von Clathrin-Vesikeln zum prävakuolären Kompartiment (PVC) transportiert. Während die Liganden freigesetzt und zur lytischen Vakuole transportiert werden, wird der Rezeptor Retromer-vermittelt zurück zum TGN transportiert, um erneut Liganden transportieren zu können. Zur Analyse des Retromer-vermittelten Rezyklierens der VSRs wurden die Retromer-Komponenten SNX1, SNX2a, VPS29 und VPS35 zunächst lokalisiert. Diese Retromer-Komponenten befanden sich ausschließlich am trans-Golgi Netzwerk (TGN). Die Inhibierung der Retromer-Funktion durch die transiente Expression von SNX1- oder SNX2a-Mutanten führte zu einer Akkumulation des VSR BP80 im TGN. Quantitative Proteintransportuntersuchungen sowie konfokal-mikroskopische Analysen mit fluoreszierenden, vakuolären Markerproteinen zeigten, dass die Liganden unter diesen Bedingungen weiterhin die Vakuole erreichen konnten. Anhand dieser Ergebnisse erscheint das TGN als der Ort des Retromer-vermittelten Rezyklierens des VSRs. Außerdem ist der Transport zur lytischen Vakuole ab dem TGN Rezeptor-unabhängig und geschieht möglicherweise durch Reifung. Die komplette Hemmung der Retromer-Funktion entweder durch RNAi-„knock-down“ der SNXs oder durch Koexpression der SNX1- und SNX2a-Mutanten inhibierte spezifisch den ER-Export der VSRs und löslicher, vakuolärer Frachtmoleküle. Der COPII-vermittelte Transportweg wurde dabei nicht beeinflusst. Durch die Expression ER-verankerter BP80-Konstrukte konnte untersucht werden, ob die VSRs dazu in der Lage sind, ihre Liganden bereits im Lumen des Endoplasmatischen Retikulums (ER) zu binden. Diese Experimente führten zu einer Akkumulierung löslicher, vakuolärer Frachtmoleküle im ER. Dadurch konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Rezeptor-Liganden-Interaktion bereits im ER stattfindet und nicht erst im TGN. Darüber hinaus rezykliert Retromer die VSRs vermutlich vom TGN zurück zum ER

"Uso de retractor quirúrgico Alexis para disminución de la infección del sitio quirúrgico comparado con el no uso en pacientes del departamento de ginecología y obstetricia sometidas a cesárea en el Hospital Metropolitano de la ciudad de Quito - Ecuador en el periodo enero de 2015 a diciembre de 2015"

La cesárea en el procedimiento obstétrico más común realizado a nivel mundial, en el Ecuador alcanzó cifras del 42,1% en el año 2014. El retractor quirúrgico Alexis ha demostrado que disminuye la aparición de infección de la herida quirúrgica en cirugía de tracto biliar, colorrectal y apendicitis. Tipo de estudio: estudio de cohorte. El objetivo primario es la infección del sitio quirúrgico, definido según la DCD. Los resultados secundarios incluyen: sangrado intraoperatorio, tiempo quirúrgico, desgarros uterinos y lesión a órganos vecinos. El estudio se llevó a cabo, en el periodo Enero – Diciembre de 2015, en el Hospital Metropolitano Quito, se asignaron 260 participantes al grupo del retractor quirúrgico Alexis y 234 participantes al grupo que no uso ningún separador. Resultados: La evidencia demostró que el uso del retractor disminuyo significativamente la aparición de desgarros uterinos 0,2% vs. 1,8%. No se encontró evidencia que el retractor disminuya la aparición de infección del sitio quirúrgico, mejore el tiempo quirúrgico o el sangrado intraoperatorio. Conclusiones: El uso de retractor quirúrgico Alexis comparado con el no uso disminuyó la aparición de desgarros uterino en mujeres a partir de la segunda cesárea

Begrenzen Chinas Wasserressourcen seine wirtschaftliche Entwicklung?

Dieses Papier untersucht Probleme der Wasserverfügbarkeit in China. Es wird gezeigt, dass - geographisch bedingt - erhebliche regionale Unterschiede in der Verfügbarkeit von Wasser in China existieren. Eine empirische Analyse der regionalen Strukturen der Wasserverfügbarkeit und des Wasserverbrauches für den Konsum sowie die landwirtschaftliche und industrielle Produktion zeigt, dass insbesondere erhebliche Nutzungskonflikte zwischen Landwirtschaft und Industrie existieren. Ein Szenario zur möglichen künftigen Entwicklung zeigt darüber hinaus, dass sich diese Nutzungskonflikte weiter verschärfen werden. Die damit verbundenen Probleme lassen sich nur durch eine Verbesserung der Effizienz der Wassernutzung verbunden mit einem umfangreichen Transfer von Wasser aus dem Süden in den Norden des Landes lösen. Ohne diese Maßnahmen können die natürlichen Bedingungen zu einer bindenden Restriktion für die künftige wirtschaftliche Entwicklung Chinas werden.Wasserressourcen, wirtschaftliche Entwicklung, Umweltprobleme

µRA : A New Compact Easy-to-Use Raman System for All Hydrogen Isotopologues

We have developed a new compact and cost-efficient Laser-Raman system for the simultaneous measurement of all six hydrogen isotopologues. The focus of this research was set on producing a tool that can be implemented in virtually any existing setup providing in situ process control and analytics. The “micro Raman (µRA)” system is completely fiber-coupled for an easy setup consisting of (i) a spectrometer/CCD unit, (ii) a 532 nm laser, and (iii) a commercial Raman head coupled with a newly developed, tritium-compatible all-metal sealed DN16CF flange/Raman window serving as the process interface. To simplify the operation, we developed our own software suite for instrument control, data acquisition, and data evaluation in real-time. We have given a detailed description of the system, showing the system’s capabilities in terms of the lower level of detection, and presented the results of a dedicated campaign using the accurate reference mixtures of all of the hydrogen isotopologues benchmarking µRA against two of the most sensitive Raman systems for tritium operation. Due to its modular nature, modifications that allow for the detection of various other gas species can be easily implemented

Efecto del estrés laboral en la calidad de vida de funcionarios de auditoría – SRI.

El estrés ha sido denominado la enfermedad del siglo XXI y obedece en gran parte al acelerado ritmo de vida de nuestra sociedad. En el campo laboral, el trabajador debe desempeñar su rol profesional a cabalidad, pero esto no debería contraponerse o atentar contra el desarrollo personal, bienestar ni salud del individuo. El presente trabajo de investigación busca identificar si el estrés laboral es una de las causas que influye en la calidad de vida y en la salud de una muestra de 67 funcionarios públicos que trabajan en el departamento de auditoría del SRI de Guayaquil. Por ello, se diseñó y realizó una encuesta con el fin de conocer datos específicos sobre el estado de salud física, mental y psicosocial de los funcionarios que formaron parte de la muestra, y para conocer además, su percepción sobre las condiciones laborales en las que se desempeñan. La investigación se hizo con un enfoque mixto, fue no experimental y de diseño transeccional, descriptivo y correlativo. Se pudo evidenciar que muchos de los funcionarios que formaron parte de la muestra, padecen enfermedades de tipo físico, así como síntomas de ansiedad y depresión, que en gran medida han sido ocasionadas o influenciadas por motivos laborales. En conclusión, el estrés laboral que enfrentan en su vida cotidiana, está ocasionando el desmejoramiento en la salud de los funcionarios, y su desgaste físico y mental está teniendo incidencia directa en la disminución de su productividad laboral.Stress has been called the disease of the century and is largely due to the accelerated rhythm of life of our society, nowadays. In the workplace, the worker must play its role fully professional but this should not be weighed against or undermine personal development, welfare and health of the individual. This research seeks to identify if work-related stress is a cause that affects the quality of life and health of a sample of 67 tax officials working in the audit department of SRI in Guayaquil. In order to achieve this objective, it was necessary to design and make a survey with the final purpose of meeting specific data about the physical, mental and psychosocial health of tax officials who were part of the sample, and also to know their perception about working conditions in which they perform. The research was done with a no experimental mixed approach, with a transeccional, descriptive and correlative design. It was evident that many of the tax officials who were part of the sample, suffer from diseases physical, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, which have largely been caused or influenced by labor reasons. In conclusion, labor stress that workers face in their daily life, is causing a clear worsening in their health, and also their physical and mental tiredness are impacting directly in a reduction of their productivity

Cloud Computing in a Secured Environment: An Opportunity for Large and Small Contractor Partnerships

This slide presentation reviews the opportunities for contractor partnerships to develop secure environment cloud computing, from the perspective of a small business

The Generation and Analysis of Tritium-substituted Methane

An unavoidable category of molecular species in large-scale tritium applications, such as nuclear fusion, are tritium-substituted hydrocarbons; these form by radiochemical reactions in the presence of (circulating) tritium and carbon (mainly from the steel of vessels and tubing). Tritiumsubstituted methane species, CQ$_4$ (with Q = H , D , T), are often the precursor for higher-order reaction chains, and thus are of particular interest. Here we describe the controlled production of CQ$_4$ carried out in the CAPER facility of the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe (TLK), exploiting catalytic reactions and species-enrichment via the CAPER-integral permeator. CQ4 was generated in substantial quantity (>1000 cm$^3$ at ~850 mbar, with CQ$_4$ - content of up to ~20 %). These samples were analyzed using laser Raman and mass spectrometry, to determine the relative isotopologue composition and to trace the generation of tritiated chain-hydrocarbons.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. This article has been accepted for publication in Fusion Science and Technology, published by Taylor & Franci