137CS gamma-ray detection at Summit, Greenland

Global fall-out from atmospheric testing of thermonuclear weapons produced horizon markers corresponding to the initiation of testing in 1953 and the maximum fall-out in 1963. The radioactive isotope 137Cs associated with these events has a half-life of 30.2 years. Therefore, with the appropriate radiation detectors, this fall-out can be used as a long-term temporal indicator in glaciers and snowpack. A prototype γ-ray detector system was successfully tested and was used to make in-situ measurements of the 137Cs marker in a borehole at Summit, Greenland. The system consisted of a 7.6 cm by 7.6 cm NaI (Tl) scintillation crystal/photomultiplier detector, commercial pre-amplifier, amplifier and power supplies, and a microcomputer-based pulse-height analyzer. The measurements were made in boreholes of 25.4 cm and 12.7 cm diameter to depths of 22 m. Based on the results reported here, the γ-ray detection technique promises to be a powerful way to locate quickly horizon markers in the field. -Author

Study of SMM flares in gamma-rays and neutrons

This report summarizes the results of the research supported by NASA grant NAGW-2755 and lists the papers and publications produced through the grant. The objective of the work was to study solar flares that produced observable signals from high-energy (greater than 10 MeV) gamma-rays and neutrons in the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS). In 3 of 4 flares that had been studied previously, most of the neutrons and neutral pions appear to have been produced after the 'main' impulsive phase as determined from hard x-rays and gamma-rays. We, therefore, proposed to analyze the timing of the high-energy radiation, and its implications for the acceleration, trapping, and transport of flare particles. It was equally important to characterize the spectral shapes of the interacting energetic electrons and protons - another key factor in constraining possible particle acceleration mechanisms. In section 2.0, we discuss the goals of the research. In section 3.0, we summarize the results of the research. In section 4.0, we list the papers and publications produced under the grant. Preprints or reprints of the publications are attached as appendices

Analysis of the 0.511 MeV radiation at the OSO-7 satellite

Observations of the 0.511 MeV positron annihilation, gamma ray on the OSO-7 satellite are presented. Variables which affect the counting rate are discussed. An upper limit flux of .0076 photons/sq cm/sec is obtained for the quiet sun and a positive solar flux of .063(+ or - .0002) photons/sq cm/sec is obtained for the 3B flare of 4 August 1972. The width of this annihilation line gives an upper limit temperature for the annihilation region of approximately 6 million K. An analysis of the line width and position also shows that the contribution to the line from positronium annihilation is less than 100% at the 99% confidence level. An upper limit is also found for an isotropic cosmic flux

The effect of explicitly differentiated reading instruction groups on eighth-grade students\u27 achievement, behavior, and engagement in a school seeking to reestablish adequate yearly progress benchmarks

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of explicitly differentiated reading instruction groups on eighth-grade students’ achievement, behavior, and engagement in a school seeking to reestablish adequate yearly progress benchmarks. The results of this study supported student participation in explicitly differentiated reading instruction groups. Because students in High Reading Ability (n = 25), Middle Reading Ability (n = 25), and Low Reading Ability (n = 25) groups maintained average to above average achievement test scores on several measures with commensurate classroom grade performance, and appropriate behavior and engagement to support school success during eighth grade, the results suggest continued implementation of explicitly differentiated reading instruction classrooms. Faced with the imperative to acquire literacy skills adequate to meet the academic demands of the high school educational process and post-secondary life as either college student or working adult, learning must be accelerated for all segments of the student population. Additionally, this acceleration is fundamental to the school’s ability to meet No Child Left Behind requirements and attain levels of student achievement commensurate with legislative expectations. Researchers have clearly developed answers for pedagogical questions surrounding which instructional components enable and accelerate the development of critical reading skills that include differentiated instruction that is intensive and frequent. Moreover, practitioners are cautioned that traditional classroom instruction may not provide enough of these components to accelerate learning and skills acquisition. The results of this study suggest that when these critical components are present in the daily educational routine, supported by the student schedule and teacher roster assignment, achievement can be significantly positively influenced

Cosmic and solar gamma ray and neutron experiments

This report summarizes the results of the research supported by NASA grant NAGW-2734 and lists the papers and publications produced through the grant. The basic goal of the work was to complete analysis of data from exposure of a large NaI scintillation detector to fast neutrons and to disseminate the results of the analysis. A secondary goal was to compare the measured detector response to neutrons with Monte Carlo calculations of the response. In Section 2.0, we discuss the goals of the research. In Section 3.0, we summarize the results of the research. In Section 4.0, we list the papers and publications produced under the grant. Preprints or reprints of the publications are attached as appendices

Spectroscopy and Imaging Performance of the Liquid Xenon Gamma-Ray Imaging Telescope (LXeGRIT)

LXeGRIT is a balloon-borne Compton telescope based on a liquid xenon time projection chamber (LXeTPC) for imaging cosmic \g-rays in the energy band of 0.2-20 MeV. The detector, with 400 cm$^2$ area and 7 cm drift gap, is filled with high purity LXe. Both ionization and scintillation light signals are detected to measure the energy deposits and the three spatial coordinates of individual \g -ray interactions within the sensitive volume. The TPC has been characterized with repeated measurements of its spectral and Compton imaging response to \g -rays from radioactive sources such as \na, \cs, \yt and Am-Be. The detector shows a linear response to \g -rays in the energy range 511 keV -4.4 MeV, with an energy resolution (FWHM) of \Delta E/E=8.8% \: \sqrt{1\MeV /E}. Compton imaging of \yt \g -ray events with two detected interactions is consistent with an angular resolution of $\sim$ 3 degrees (RMS) at 1.8 MeV.Comment: To appear in: Hard X-Ray, Gamma-Ray and Neutron Detector Physics XI, 2000; Proc. SPIE, vol. 4140; K.A. Flanagan & O.H. Siegmund, ed

Energy system transition through stakeholder activation, education and skills development - energy system visioning and low-carbon configurations

The ENTRUST project focuses on the social dimension of the energy system, moving beyond the 'energy as a commodity' paradigm. Developing the concept of energy citizenship, the project takes an intersectional approach to analysing the effects gender, age, and socioeconomic status have on transitioning to a low carbon energy system. It aims to: Broaden understanding of public perceptions and attitudes to energy related technologies; Ascertain current practices and attitudes to developing transition pathways to a low carbon economy; Analyse the significance of gender and its role in energy-related practices and attitudes; Directly engage with the public in the transformation process to a more efficient, low-carbon energy system; Develop methods and tools to stimulate public dialogue on energy policy and innovation at a European level

Project delivery configuration for satisficing building energy renovation activities

The essence of this thesis is a transdisciplinary exploration of value within building energy renovation projects. How it is understood, from which activities it is derived, who is responsible for its creation, how it is distributed. The temporary multi-firm configurations that coalesce to deliver such renovations are central to the research. Adopting a life cycle perspective and selecting three primary measures of success – energy savings, avoided greenhouse gas emissions and financial return – the thesis examines how achieving these objectives can be incentivised. It looks at how project success (and increased renovation market capacity) can be encouraged through delivering adequate value, in whatever shape that may take, to key stakeholders in the value chain(s) associated with buildings and their renovation. This research required understanding of both construction activities, and the groups of entities that deliver energy renovations. This is achieved through the application of a transdisciplinary methodology that combines engineering and social scientific knowledge. In addition to knowledge about the construction activities, it requires the use of methodological understandings and approaches from the human and social sciences which are used to theorise, conceptualise, contextualise, and actualise the required research. This thesis posits that these groups are fundamentally social constructs, albeit guided by ‘rules’ in the form of contracts or governmental regulations. Acknowledging the social nature of the configurations, the research in the thesis draws on an anti-foundationalist ontology, and adopts a social-constructivist epistemology. Accordingly, in addition to significant review of the literature, qualitative data gathering and analysis techniques are used to understand the objectives of building energy renovation projects, the nature of the groups of stakeholders that deliver them, and the workings of the value chains within which the stakeholders operate. To understand construction and related functions involved with renovation projects, the lifecycle of a building was disaggregated to identify all the various activities which occur throughout a building’s life. These undertakings were then grouped into six phases of activity, which are labelled hubs of activity. This model was used to map stakeholders across the lifecycle of a building, this identification and characterisation facilitated an in-depth engagement with key stakeholders throughout the value chains that deliver building energy renovation. This engagement constituted face-to-face semi-structured interviews i.e., comprising open-ended questions which allow respondents to tell ‘their story’. The interviews were recorded and transcribed to form a valuable qualitative dataset. The interview transcripts were thematically analysed as a means of understanding stakeholder interactions, determining how key stakeholders define ‘value’ and to exploring ‘flows’ through the energy supply chain, including value, practices, norms and influences. The need to develop business models for building renovation which offer adequate value (i.e., satisfice) for stakeholders is recognised, as is the imperative that key stakeholders be incentivised to align their objectives with that of the energy renovation project. Simon (1955, 1956) coined the term ‘satisfice’, a combination of the words satisfy and suffice, for an alternative decision-making strategy that seeks to find an acceptable choice under a limited set of considered options. Findings from the interviews are presented with an exploration of the stakeholder relationships, power flows, drivers, conflicts, and potential synergies within building energy renovation projects. These findings are then discussed in the context of configuring project delivery of building energy renovation activities, such that the interests of all (important) stakeholders are satisficed and that they are appropriately incentivised to align their objectives with that of the project and in doing so deliver successful renovation projects