No abstract available

[en] This study investigates the effect of count density, pixel size and smoothing on the ability of six uniformity indices to detect the presence of a variety of artefacts in gamma camera flood images. The results show that the sensitivity (the ability to detect changes) of each index improves with count density for all pixel sizes. For images acquired on a 64 x 64 matrix, smoothing improves sensitivity at low count densities (< 6 million counts/image) but can degrade it for high count densities (> 10 million counts/image). The National Electrical Manufacturers' Association's (NEMA) specifications for the acquisition and analysis of flood images is not the most sensitive method for detecting changes in camera non-uniformity. The results show that the sensitivity of the technique can be improved by either acquiring higher image count densities or by using coarser image matrices (32 x 32 or 21 x 21). (author)

[en] The fascinating topic of small nuclear is becoming more prevalent on the nuclear agenda. The discussions are generally focused within the country of technical origin. In this presentation 'The global outlook for small reactors' Rolls-Royce along with energy business analysts Douglas-Westwood present their shared views on the global opportunities for Small Reactor deployment in the context of the wider energy market. The presentation will: provide a compressive overview of trends and dynamics relating to Small Reactors in the context of the current world energy market, identify specific Small Reactor opportunities and areas of interest, address the challenges and potential solutions for Small Reactor deployment and operation.(author).

[en] During large-scale disasters it is not uncommon for Public Safety Answering Points (e.g., 9-1-1) to encounter service disruptions or become overloaded due to call volume. As observed in the two past United States hurricane seasons, citizens are increasingly turning to social media whether as a consequence of their inability to reach 9-1-1, or as a preferential means of communications. Relying on past research that has examined social media use in disasters, combined with the practical knowledge of the first-hand disaster response experiences, this paper develops a knowledge-driven framework containing parameters useful in identifying patterns of shared information on social media when citizens need help. This effort explores the feasibility of determining differences, similarities, common themes, and time-specific discoveries of social media calls for help associated with hurricane evacuations. At a future date, validation of this framework will be demonstrated using datasets from multiple disasters. The results will lead to recommendations on how the framework can be modified to make it applicable as a generic disaster-type characterization tool.

[en] A triphenylbromoethylene, 1,1-bis(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-bromo-2-phenylethylene, Br-BHPE, and a bromosteroidal estrogen, 17α- bromovinylestradiol, BrVE₂, were labeled with the Auger electron emitting nuclide bromine-80m, prepared by the [p,n] reaction with ⁸⁰Se. To assess their potential as estrogen receptor (ER) directed therapeutic substrates the bromine-80m labeled estrogens were injected into immature female rats and the tissue distribution studied at 0.5 and 2 hours. Both radiobromoestrogens showed substantial diethylstilbesterol (DES)-inhibitable localization in the ER rich tissues, uterus, pituitary, ovary and vagina at both time points. While the percent dose per gram tissue was higher for the Br-BHPE, the BrVE₂ showed higher tissue to blood ratios, especially at 2 hr, reflecting the lower blood concentrations of radiobromine following administration of the steroidal bromoestrogen. Comparing intraperitoneal, intravenous and subcutaneous routes of administration for the radiobromine labeled Br-BHPE, the intraperitoneal route was particularly advantageous to provide maximum, DES-inhibitable concentrations in the peritoneal, ER-rich target organs, the uterus, ovary and vagina. While uterine concentrations after BrBHPE were from 10--48% dose/g and after BrVE₂ were 15--25% dose/g, similar treatment with /sup 80m/Br as sodium bromide showed uniform low concentrations in all tissues at about the levels seen in blood. The effective specific activity of [/sup 80m/Br]BrBHPE, assayed by specific binding to ER in rat uterine cytosol, was 8700 Ci/mmole. 23 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs

[en] Measurements were performed on three γ-cameras. All four uniformity indices investigated showed a marked dependence on count density over a range of 1-30 million counts/image. The indices were significantly lower for images containing 30 million counts than for images containing up to 10 million counts. By acquiring images containing 5, 10 and 30 million counts on ten consecutive working days, daily variability of the indices was evaluated. It was found that the percentage standard deviation of the indices increased with increasing count density over the range tested. Using a computer-generated 'cold spot' artefact of the same size as a PMT, sensitivity of indices to degradations in camera uniformity was evaluated. The cold spot was detected most readily in the 30 million count images. The uniformity of two of the cameras tested deteriorated at photon energies other than 140 keV and when an asymmetric PHA window was used. Although these cameras were equipped with energy correction facilities, their use could not restore the level of non-uniformity to that for ⁹⁹Tcsup(m) photons and only one correction module was capable of compensating for the effect of window asymmetry. (author)

[en] Social Media contain a wealth of information that could improve the situational awareness of Emergency Managers during a crisis, but many barriers stand in the way. These include information overload, making it impossible to deal with the flood of raw posts, and lack of trust in unverified crowdsourced data. The purpose of this project is to build a communications bridge between emergency responders and technologists who can provide the advances needed to realize social media’s full potential. We are employing a Delphi study survey design, which is a technique for exploring and developing consensus among a group of experts around a particular topic. participants include emergency managers and technologists with experience in software to support the use of social media in crisis response, from many countries. The topics of the study are described and preliminary, partial results presented for Round 1 of the study, based on 33 responses.

[en] On 17 July 1990, the U.S Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) issued for public comment its proposed rule for renewing the operating licenses of nuclear power plants (55 FR 29043). This solicitation marked the fourth time that NRC has Invited public comments on its efforts to develop regulatory requirements for re licensing nuclear power plants. Previously, NRC solicited public comments on establishing a policy statement on plant life extension, and on the issues and options for license renewal discussed in NUREG-1317. On 13-14 November 1989, NRC held a public workshop where the NRC staff discussed a conceptual approach to the rule and solicited written comments on the regulatory philosophy, conceptual rule, and on certain questions. NRC is taking into account all comments received in its development of the final rule which is scheduled for issuance in the summer of 1991

[en] The plasma binding of newly absorbed, radioactively labelled vitamin B₁₂ was studied during a urinary excretion (Schilling) test. Vitamin B₁₂, after being absorbed from the gut, enters blood attached to transcobalamin II, which seemed to be derived from the ileal enterocyte. The absorbed B₁₂ re-entered the blood stream after the transcobalamin II-B₁₂ complex was cleared by the liver and it was then excreted into the urine during the Schilling test. (author)

[en] The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is developing a policy for renewing the operating licenses of commercial nuclear power plants. Several license renewal issues have been identified as a result of NRC's public comment process and its own consideration of the regulatory requirements for relicensing. This paper provides a discussion of the safety issues associated with license renewal and of the options identified to address those issues. The key safety issues are related to the age-related degradation, licensing design basis, and operations and management aspects of plants to be relicensed. The regulatory options are described in terms of the technical information needed for safety review of license renewal applications. The options are intended to be further evaluated and integrated to provide a basis for license renewal policy development