[en] The existence of a curve of homoclinic connections that bi-spirals around a T-point has been recently reported in an autonomous three-dimensional system. In this Letter we propose a model that considers a nontransversal intersection between the two-dimensional manifolds of the saddle-focus equilibria involved in such a T-point. The study of this model shows the presence of bi-spiraling curves of homoclinic connections in the parameter plane. The predictions deduced from this model strongly agree with the numerical results obtained in Roessler equations and in a modified van der Pol-Duffing electronic oscillator

[en] The objective of the present work is to evaluate as much the type as the consideration algorithm in the estimate of the pharmacokinetics parameters after the administration of a intravenous dose of the synthetic peptide ⁹⁹ Tc labelled X300 in the rat. The plasmatic data have been adjusted to a bicompartmental model after intravenous administration with one elimination of first order by means of non lineal regression (for we have used it the one computer packages WinNonlin v2.1). The estimate of the pharmacokinetics parameters have been carried out giving the same specific weight to each experimental value (that is to say, without pondering) or using 1/Y as consideration schema . This consideration factor is the one that should be used when the experimental values follow a distribution of Poisson, like it happens when the numeric value of the plasmatic concentration to a time certain drift of a radioactive measure. The results show that the consideration with the factor 1/Y are adapted in this type of studies

[en] As a part of the International Remote Monitoring Project, during March 1995, a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) was installed at the Embalse Nuclear Power Station in Embalse, Argentina. This system monitors the status of four typical Candu spent fuel dry storage silos. The monitoring equipment for each silo consists of analog sensors for temperature and gamma radiation measurement; digital sensors for motion detection; and electronic fiber-optic seals. The monitoring system for each silo is connected to a wireless Authenticate Item Monitoring System (AIMS). This paper describes the operation of the RMS during the first year of the trial and presents the results of the signals reported by the system compared with the on site inspections conducted by the regulatory bodies, ABACC, IAEA, ENREN. As an additional security feature, each sensor periodically transmits authenticated State-of-Health (SOH) messages. This feature provides assurance that all sensors are operational and have not been tampered with. The details of the transmitted information and the incidents of loss of SOH, referred to as Missing SOH Event, and the possible causes which produced the MSOHE are described. The RMS at the embalse facility uses gamma radiation detectors in a strong radiation field of spent fuel dry storage silos. The detectors are Geiger Muller tubes and Silicon solid state diodes. The study of the thermal drift of electronics in GM detectors and the possible radiation damage in silicon detectors is shown. Since the initial installation, the system has been successfully interrogated from Buenos Aires and Albuquerque. The experience gained, and the small changes made in the hardware in order to improve the performance of the system is presented

[en] The Scientific and Technical Support Department of the Argentine National Board of Nuclear Regulation (ENREN) has developed a Remote Monitoring and Surveillance System (RMSS) that provides a media to verify state of variables related to the monitoring and surveillance activities of nuclear facilities, mainly safeguard applications. RMSS includes a variety of on site installed sensors, an authenticated radiofrequency communication link, a receiver processing unit, an active vision set and a user friendly personal computer interface to collect, view and store pertinent histories of events. A real time data base allows consulting, maintenance, updating and checking activities. RMSS could be integrated into a LAN or WAN via modem for use in a remote operation scheme. In this paper a description of the RMSS is provided. Also, an overview of the RMSS operation at one facility under safeguards belonging to the National Commission of Atomic Energy (CNEA) is presented. Results and conclusions of the system associated with this facility are given. (author). 37 figs

[en] As part of the International Remote Monitoring Project field trials, during the month of March, 1995 a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) was installed at the Embalse Nuclear Power Station in Embalse, Argentina. This system monitors the status of four typical Candu spent fuel dry storage silos. The monitoring equipment for each silo consists of analog temperature and gamma radiation sensors and digital motion and electronic fiber-optic seals connected to a wireless Authenticate Item Monitoring System (AIMS). All sensor data are authenticated and transmitted via RF link to Receiver Processor Units (RPU) coupled to Remote Monitoring System equipment located in a nearby IAEA/ENREN inspector office. One of these RPUs is connected to Remote Monitoring equipment capable of information transmission (via commercial telephone links) to Data Review Stations (DRS) at ENREN laboratories in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The other RPU is used for on-site data storage and analysis. It is anticipated that this information will soon be transmitted to a DRS at the ABACC facility in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During these trials site data will be collected and analyzed periodically from Buenos Aires, Albuquerque, and Rio de Janeiro. Installation detail and data analysis will be presented in this paper

[en] Due to the financial limitations of hospitals in Cuba since the 1990s, and using CENTIS's coverage of a licensed laboratory for working with radioactive substances, an experienced staff made it possible a centralized analytical service (SDA) was considered by the RIA / IRMA method, which would help to alleviate the unmet demand for analysis, and in accordance with the requirements established by the Good Clinical Laboratory Practices (BPLC 03- 2009). An SDA Quality System was designed as a complement to the CENTIS Quality System, which would guarantee the reliability of the results. In order to ensure the traceability of the samples and their results through all stages of service execution, a computer system was designed as a reliable tool, in addition to the use of certified reference materials, reagent sets, periodic and constant calibration of the samples. Means of measurement (pipettes, metering equipment), training and evaluation of personnel in RIA // IRMA test techniques applied. The new potentialities of SDA are directed towards the introduction of tumor markers. Tumor markers are currently used primarily to evaluate the cancer reaction to treatment and to control relapse, although its role in the early detection and diagnosis of cancer is still being studied.

[en] Within the framework of the Introduction of Technologies for the Diagnosis and Treatment of cancer in our country, since the last quarter of 2011 work began on the Cyclotron Project of Cuba, which included the structural design of the building where an accelerator will be installed of medium energy particles and the rest of equipment destined to the production of PET radiopharmaceuticals, the elaboration of the production plan, the identification of the support equipment required for the areas of microbiology and quality control, as well as the selection of resources necessary for the operation of the installation. It is the first time in Cuba that a center for the production of PET radiopharmaceuticals will be set up, which is subject to compliance with specific radiological safety requirements and good practices so that the facility is safe and sustainable over time. This work exposes the experience carried out during six years to design and build a production center that complies with national regulations and international recommendations, covering the production expectations of MINSAP to improve the capabilities of early diagnosis of cancer. As a result, a building is being built in Havana where an 18 MeV Cyclotron will be installed this year, which will soon be providing the country with a production capacity to distribute PET radiopharmaceuticals to Havana and other provinces of the country. (author)

[en] The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is the next-generation atmospheric Cherenkov gamma-ray observatory. The Observation Execution System (OES) team within the CTA project is designing and prototyping the software to execute the observations and to handle the acquisition of scientific data at GB/s rates. In this contribution we show the OES system as it is being designed using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and Systems Modeling (SysML) formalisms. In addition, we present the status of the associated prototyping activities. (paper)

[en] Highlights: • Microcosms experiment was used for assessing MPs effects on zooplankton community. • MPs did not promote significant effect in zooplankton community. • No significant changes on any physico-chemical or biological drivers were found. • MPs can be proposed as a promising tool for removing P. -- Abstract: Magnetic microparticles (MPs) have been recently proposed as innovative and promising dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) adsorbents. However, before using them in a whole-lake restoration project, it is essential to assess their toxicological effects (direct and indirect) on aquatic biota. In the present study we hypothesized that zooplankton community is affected by MPs used for lake restoration. To test our hypothesis we designed a microcosms experiment (n = 15) containing lake water and surface sediment from a hypertrophic lake. Temporal changes (70 days) on physico-chemical conditions and on zooplankton structure (rotifers, copepods and branchiopods) were monitored under different scenarios. In particular, three different treatments were considered: no addition of MPs (control) and MPs addition (1.4 g MPs L⁻¹) on the surface water layer (T-W) and on the sediment (T-S). After 24 h of contact time, MPs were removed with a magnetic rake. A total of 15 zooplankton species (12 rotifers, 1 branchiopod and 2 copepods) were recorded and a high abundance of zooplankton was registered during the experiment for all treatments. No significant differences (RM-ANOVA test; p > 0.05) in total abundance, species richness and species diversity among treatments were found. The absence of any effect of MPs on zooplankton can be explained because MPs did not significantly alter any of its physico-chemical (e.g. temperature, pH, O₂) or biological (e.g. food quantity and quality) drivers. These results confirm the suitability of MPs as a promising tool for removing DIP in eutrophic aquatic ecosystems.