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At least 667 records · Page 37

East Tennessee Technology Park 2006 Illness and Injury Surveillance Report

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) commitment to assuring the health and safety of its workers includes the conduct of illness and injury surveillance activities that provide an early warning system to detect health problems among workers. The Illness and Injury Surveillance Program monitors illnesses and health conditions that result in an absence, occupational injuries and illnesses, and disabilities and deaths among current workers.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Long-Term Stability of Nicotinamide Cofactors in Common Aqueous Buffers: Implications for Cell-Free Biocatalysis

The use of nicotinamide cofactors in cell-free biocatalytic systems is necessitated by the high specificity that these enzymes show for their natural redox mediators. Unfortunately, isolation and use of natural cofactors is costly, which suggests that enhancing their stability is key to enabling their use in industrial processes. This study details NAD+ and NADH stability in three buffer systems (sodium phosphate, HEPES, and Tris) at 19 °C and 25 °C and for up to 43 d. In Tris, both NADH and NAD+ were found to be highly stable. NADH degradation rates of 4 μM/d (19 °C) and 11 μM/d (25 °C) were observed in Tris buffer, corresponding to >90% and 75% remaining after 43 d, respectively. Higher degradation rates (up to 34 μM/d) were observed when sodium phosphate or HEPES buffers were used. The effect of a mild increase in temperature was determined to be significant for long-term stability, and it was shown that degradation under these conditions can be easily monitored via UV–Vis, because the degradation proceeds via the oxidation/de-aromatization of the dihydropyridine ring. Overall, this work emphasizes that the choice of buffer system is consequential for bioreactor systems employing natural nicotinamide cofactors for extended periods of time.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

The Event Detection System in the NEXT-White Detector

This article describes the event detection system of the NEXT-White detector, a 5 kg high pressure xenon TPC with electroluminescent amplification, located in the Laboratorio Subterráneo de Canfranc (LSC), Spain. The detector is based on a plane of photomultipliers (PMTs) for energy measurements and a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) tracking plane for offline topological event filtering. The event detection system, based on the SRS-ATCA data acquisition system developed in the framework of the CERN RD51 collaboration, has been designed to detect multiple events based on online PMT signal energy measurements and a coincidence-detection algorithm. Implemented on FPGA, the system has been successfully running and evolving during NEXT-White operation. The event detection system brings some relevant and new functionalities in the field. A distributed double event processor has been implemented to detect simultaneously two different types of events thus allowing simultaneous calibration and physics runs. This special feature provides constant monitoring of the detector conditions, being especially relevant to the lifetime and geometrical map computations which are needed to correct high-energy physics events. Other features, like primary scintillation event rejection, or a double buffer associated with the type of event being searched, help reduce the unnecessary data throughput thus minimizing dead time and improving trigger efficiency.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Frequency division multiplex technique

A system for monitoring a plurality of condition responsive devices is described. It consists of a master control station and a remote station. The master control station is capable of transmitting command signals which includes a parity signal to a remote station which transmits the signals back to the command station so that such can be compared with the original signals in order to determine if there are any transmission errors. The system utilizes frequency sources which are 1.21 multiples of each other so that no linear combination of any harmonics will interfere with another frequency.

Brey, H.↗

Evaluate the application of ERTS-A data for detecting and mapping sea ice

The author has identified the following significant results. The results of the analysis of data collected during the spring and summer demonstrate that ERTS-1 imagery has a high potential for monitoring arctic sea ice conditions during the time for maximum ice extent through ice-breakup season. In the eastern Beaufort Sea area, the combination of ERTS-1 orbital overlap and a high incidence of cloud-free conditions during the spring assures a high frequency of repetitive satellite coverage. In the mid-Beaufort Sea, numerous fractures and leads can be identified, even in the early spring data. Ice features that can be identified include: development of fractures leading to the formation of distinct ice floes; growth and deterioration of leads; evidence of shearing movements of ice masses; formation of new grey ice within leads; distinction between grey, grey-white, and older forms of ice; and the deterioration of the ice surface evidenced by the formation of puddles, thaw holes, and drainage patterns. Ice conditions in the Bering Sea near St. Lawrence Island reported by aircraft observers participating in the Bering Sea Expedition are in close agreement with the ice conditions mapped from the corresponding ERTS-1 imagery. Ice features identified were: boundaries between grey ice and first year ice, shear leads, and occurrence of open water.

Barnes, J. C.↗

Development of a long wavelength spectrometer for the 24-channel multispectral scanner: Instructions for installation, start-up, and adjustment

The basic information is presented, which is required for start-up and operation of two long-wavelength focal-plane and cooler assemblies, including the amplifiers and temperature control systems. The focal plane systems, referred to as the long wavelength spectrometer (LWS) were developed for direct replacement of Arrays 3 and 4 into the multispectral scanner presently being operated by the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Facility, and Laboratory Support Branch. The equipment is comprised of two major sub-assemblies: Array 3 with three indium antimonide detector channels and Array 4 with seven mercury doped Germanium detector channels. Each array is mounted on a cryogenic cooler and includes the vacuum housings, mounting hardware (x, y, z translation and rotation stages) and detector signal conditioning, temperature control and monitoring electronics. The two arrays were designed to operate independently and do not share common equipment (viz power supplies, housings, mounts, etc.).

Source record↗

Preliminary analysis of an extensive one year survey of trace elements and compounds in the suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio

Beginning in 1971 a cooperative program has been carried on by the City of Cleveland Division of Air Pollution Control and NASA Lewis Research Center to study the trace element and compound concentrations in the ambient suspended particulate matter in Cleveland Ohio as a function of source, monitoring location and meteorological conditions. The major objectives were to determine the ambient concentration levels at representative urban sites and to develop a technique using trace element and compound data in conjunction with meteorological conditions to identify specific pollution sources which could be developed into a practical system that could be readily utilized by an enforcement agency.

King, R. B.↗

Preliminary analysis of an extensive one year survey of trace elements and compounds in the suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio

Preliminary review of a study of trace elements and compound concentrations in the ambient suspended particulate matter in Cleveland, Ohio, measured from August 1971 through June 1973, as a function of source, monitoring location, and meteorological conditions. The study is aimed at the development of techniques for identifying specific pollution sources which could be integrated into a practical system readily usable by an enforcement agency.

King, R. B.↗

Applied regional monitoring of the vernal advancement and retrogradation (Green wave effect) of natural vegetation in the Great Plains corridor

The author has identified the following significant results. LANDSAT 2 has shown that digital data products can be effectively employed on a regional basis to monitor changes in vegetation conditions. The TV16 was successfully applied to an extended test site and the Great Plains Corridor in tests of the ability to assess green forage biomass on rangelands as an index to vegetation condition. A strategy for using TV16 on a regional basis was developed and tested. These studies have shown that: (1) for rangelands with good vegetative cover, such as most of the Great Plains, and which are not heavily infested with brush or undesirable weed species, the LANDSAT digital data can provide a good estimate (within 250 kg/ha) of the quantity of green forage biomass, and (2) at least five levels of pasture and range feed conditions can be adequately mapped for extended regions.

Rouse, J. W., Jr.↗

The N.A.S.A. earth and ocean dynamics programme

Practical applications of NASA space systems, science, and technology to the study of oceans and solid earth are discussed. Goals involving earth dynamics include earthquake hazard assessment and alleviation, and global surveying and mapping, while goals involving ocean dynamics include the determination of ocean currents and circulation, and the monitoring of ocean surface conditions. Satellites used to obtain data are described, and projects such as the study of open ocean tides and earth motion determination are reviewed, with consideration given to the techniques (e.g., laser ranging, satellite-to-satellite track) used in these studies. Several physical phenomena, the extent to which they presently can be measured, and possible future requirements for more accurate measurements are examined.

Vonbun, F. O.↗

Absolute rate of the reaction of bromine atoms with ozone from 200-360 K

The rate constant for the reaction Br + O3 yields BrO + O2 was measured from 200 to 360 K by the technique of flash photolysis coupled to time resolved detection of bromine atoms by resonance fluorescence (FP-RF). Br atoms were produced by the flash photolysis of CH3Br at lambda 165nm.O3 was monitored continuously under reaction conditions by absorption at 253.7 nm. At each of five temperatures the results were independent of substantial variations in O3, total pressure and limited variations in flash intensity. The measured rate constants obeyed the Arrhenius expression, where the error quoted is two standard deviations. Results are compared with previous determinations which employed the discharge flow-mass spectrometric technique.

Michael, J. V.↗

Absolute rate of the reaction of bromine atoms with ozone from 200 to 360 K

The rate constant for the reaction Br + O3 yields BrO + O2 has been measured from 200 to 360 K by the technique of flash photolysis coupled to time resolved detection of bromine atoms by resonance fluorescence (FP-RF). Br atoms were produced by the flash photolysis of CH3Br at a wavelength of 165 nm. O3 concentration was monitored continuously under reaction conditions by absorption at 253.7 nm. At each of five temperatures the results were independent of substantial variations in O3 concentration, total pressure (Ar), and limited variations in flash intensity (i.e., initial Br concentration). The measured rate constants obey the Arrhenius expression, k = (7.74 plus or minus 0.50) x 10 to the -12th exp(-603 plus or minus 16/T) cu cm/molecule/sec, where the error quoted is two standard deviations.

Michael, J. V.↗

A software system for emission spectrometry

A computer system was developed for an emission spectrometry facility consisting of a direct current (DC) argon arc spectrograph optically coupled to an inductively coupled plasma multichannel spectrometer. Custom hardware and software were designed to control analytical functions and perform data acquisition. The software system was designed to make operation of the facility simple for routine operation and flexible for research and development. Special software was written to collect data under controlled conditions to characterize and monitor system response. One sequence collects intensity versus time data on all channels and displays the data graphically. These profiles are useful in studying the effects of operating parameters on measurement precision. Another special sequence performs calibration using a spline curve fit procedure. Routines were also written to measure dark currents and signals from a standard tungsten halogen lamp mounted in place of the DC arc. For quality control purposes, histories of these values are kept and monitored for excess scatter or drift.

Auping, J. V.↗

Study to assess the importance of errors introduced by applying NOAA 6 and NOAA 7 AVHRR data as an estimator of vegetative vigor: Feasibility study of data normalization

The use of NOAA AVHRR data to map and monitor vegetation types and conditions in near real-time can be enhanced by using a portion of each GAC image that is larger than the central 25% now considered. Enlargement of the cloud free image data set can permit development of a series of algorithms for correcting imagery for ground reflectance and for atmospheric scattering anisotropy within certain accuracy limits. Empirical correction algorithms used to normalize digital radiance or VIN data must contain factors for growth stage and for instrument spectral response. While it is not possible to correct for random fluctuations in target radiance, it is possible to estimate the necessary radiance difference between targets in order to provide target discrimination and quantification within predetermined limits of accuracy. A major difficulty lies in the lack of documentation of preprocessing algorithms used on AVHRR digital data.

Duggin, M. J.↗

The FAO/NASA/NLR Artemis system - An integrated concept for environmental monitoring by satellite in support of food/feed security and desert locust surveillance

The African real time environmental monitoring using imaging satellites (Artemis) system, which should monitor precipitation and vegetation conditions on a continental scale, is presented. The hardware and software characteristics of the system are illustrated and the Artemis databases are outlined. Plans for the system include the use of hourly digital Meteosat data and daily NOAA/AVHRR data to study environmental conditions. Planned mapping activities include monthly rainfall anomaly maps, normalized difference vegetation index maps for ten day and monthly periods with a spatial resolution of 7.6 km, ten day crop/rangeland moisture availability maps, and desert locust potential breeding activity factor maps for a plague prevention program.

Hielkema, J. U.↗