bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Slip Blinds at Pressures Causing Permanent Deformation
Authors: Taagepera Jaan , Seipp Trevor G.
Published: May 2007

Slip blinds are frequently used for hydrotesting piping. In addition, when maintaining equipment or piping, the equipment or piping must be isolated to ensure a safe working environment. Separating flange pairs and inserting a blind flange against the process side prevents hazardous substances from entering the work area. Slip blinds are often used for this type of service. However, slip blinds are generally limited to low-pressure service since at excessive pressures the blind will become dished and may leak or become impossible to remove. For this paper, slip blinds of various sizes and thicknesses were hydrostatically tested to determine their deformation as a function of pressure. Nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) was used to analytically determine the deformation of slip blinds. The goal of the testing and FEA was to determine allowable pressures that would limit permanent deformation of the blinds to specified values.
Modeling of the Behavior of a Welded Joint Subjected to Reverse Bending Moment at High Temperature
Authors: Ponter Alan R. S. , Chen Haofeng
Published: May 2007

The paper is concerned with the modeling of the behaviour of welds when subjected to severe thermal and mechanical loads where the maximum temperature during dwell periods lies in the creep range. The methodology of the life assessment method R5 is applied where the detailed calculations are carried out using the linear matching method (LMM), with the objective of generating an analytic model. The linear matching method has been developed to allow accurate predictions using the methodology of R5, the UK life assessment method. The method is here applied to a set of weld endurance tests, where reverse bending is interrupted by creep dwell periods. The weld and parent material are both Type 316L(N) material, and data were available for fatigue tests and tests with 1 and 5h dwell periods to failure. The elastic, plastic, and creep behavior of the weld geometry is predicted with the LMM using the best available understanding of the properties of the weld and parent material. The numerical results are translated into a semi-analytic model. Using the R5 standard creep/fatigue model, the predicted life of the experimental welds specimens are compared with experimental data. The analysis shows that the most severe conditions occur at the weld/parent material interface, with fatigue damage concentrated predominantly in the parent material, whereas the creep damage occurs predominantly in the weld material. Hence, creep and fatigue damage proceed relatively independently. The predictions of the model are good, except that the reduction in fatigue life due to the presence of the weld is underestimated. This is attributed to the lack of separate fatigue date for the weld and parent material and the lack of information concerning the heat affected zone. With an adjustment of a single factor in the model, the predictions are very good. The analysis in this paper demonstrates that the primary properties of weld structures may be understood through a number of structural parameters, defined by cyclic analysis using the linear matching method and through the choice of appropriate material data. The physical assumptions adopted conform to those of the R5 life assessment procedure. The resulting semi-analytic model provides a more secure method for extrapolation of experimental data than previously available.
Steady-State Thermal Simulation of Weld Applied to a Practical Axisymmetric Weldment
Authors: Uchida Ken , Sumiya Rie , Murofushi Tadashi , Jimbo Masakazu
Published: May 2007

Steady-state Eulerian analysis on thermal simulation of welds using moving coordinates is known as a very computationally efficient method. This paper presents a method of Eulerian analysis that uses commercial computational fluid dynamics code. In order to show the practical availability of the Eulerian method, the method is applied to an analysis of a circumferential weld of a core shroud in a boiling water reactor. In this analysis, the double ellipsoidal power density distribution model proposed by Goldak, Chakravarti, and Bibby (1984, Metall. Trans. B, 15B, pp. 299–305) is applied for the weld heat source, the temperature dependency of thermal properties is considered, and the effect of latent heat is treated by enthalpy method. Comparison of the analyzed temperature histories at several locations on the surface of the weldment to the measured results shows that the numerical results reproduce the measured results well.
Limit Loads of Pressure Components Using the Reference Two-Bar Structure
Authors: Seshadri R. , Adibi-Asl R.
Published: May 2007

Limit loads for mechanical components and structures are determined in this paper by invoking the concept of equivalence of “static indeterminacy,” which relates a multidimensional pressure component configuration to a “reference two-bar structure.” Simple scaling relationships are developed that enable the rapid determination of limit loads. The reference two-bar structure method is applied to a number of pressure component configurations with or without notches.
Shakedown Limits of a 90-Degree Pipe Bend Using Small and Large Displacement Formulations
Authors: Abdalla Hany F. , Megahed Mohammad M. , Younan Maher Y. A.
Published: May 2007

In this paper the shakedown limit load is determined for a long radius 90-deg pipe bend using two different techniques. The first technique is a simplified technique which utilizes small displacement formulation and elastic–perfectly plastic material model. The second technique is an iterative based technique which uses the same elastic–perfectly plastic material model, but incorporates large displacement effects accounting for geometric nonlinearity. Both techniques use the finite element method for analysis. The pipe bend is subjected to constant internal pressure magnitudes and cyclic bending moments. The cyclic bending loading includes three different loading patterns, namely, in-plane closing, in-plane opening, and out-of-plane bending. The simplified technique determines the shakedown limit load (moment) without the need to perform full cyclic loading simulations or conventional iterative elastic techniques. Instead, the shakedown limit moment is determined by performing two analyses, namely, an elastic analysis and an elastic–plastic analysis. By extracting the results of the two analyses, the shakedown limit moment is determined through the calculation of the residual stresses developed in the pipe bend. The iterative large displacement technique determines the shakedown limit moment in an iterative manner by performing a series of full elastic–plastic cyclic loading simulations. The shakedown limit moment output by the simplified technique (small displacement) is used by the iterative large displacement technique as an initial iterative value. The iterations proceed until an applied moment guarantees a structure developed residual stress, at load removal, equal to or slightly less than the material yield strength. The shakedown limit moments output by both techniques are used to generate shakedown diagrams of the pipe bend for a spectrum of constant internal pressure magnitudes for the three loading patterns stated earlier. The maximum moment carrying capacity (limit moment) the pipe bend can withstand and the elastic limit are also determined and imposed on the shakedown diagram of the pipe bend. Comparison between the shakedown diagrams generated by the two techniques, for the three loading patterns, is presented.
Local Limit-Load Analysis Using the mβ Method
Authors: Adibi-Asl R. , Seshadri R.
Published: May 2007

Several upper-bound limit-load multipliers based on elastic modulus adjustment procedures converge to the lowest upper-bound value after several linear elastic iterations. However, pressure component design requires the use of lower-bound multipliers. Local limit loads are obtained in this paper by invoking the concept of “reference volume” in conjunction with the mβ multiplier method. The lower-bound limit loads obtained compare well to inelastic finite element analysis results for several pressure component configurations.
Mode-I Stress-Intensity Factors for a Cracked Slab Under an Arbitrary Thermal Shock
Authors: Segall A. E. , Meeker J.
Published: May 2007

A stress intensity factor solution for a cracked slab subjected to an arbitrary thermal shock on one surface has been derived. As a first step, the transient temperature distribution was calculated for an arbitrary surface loading through the use of Duhamul’s integral relationship and the unit response for a slab that is insulated on the other face. The arbitrary nature of the transient surface loading was accommodated by a versatile polynomial containing both integral- and half-order terms. Once the resulting transient stress states were determined via elasticity theory, the resulting stress intensification for an arbitrary crack was approximated using a weight-function approach. The procedure was checked with known stress intensity solutions for an edge-cracked plate subjected to a linear down shock followed by a constant temperature soak. Excellent agreement was observed for this test case for a variety of crack lengths.
An integrated physiological and performance profile of professional tennis
Authors: Hornery Daniel J , Farrow Damian , Mujika Iñigo , Young Warren
Published: May 2007

Objective:To describe the physiological responses to tournament tennis in relation to prevailing environmental conditions, match notation, and skills that underpin performance.

Design:14 male professional tennis players (mean (SD) age, 21.4 (2.6) years; height, 183.0 (6.9) cm; body mass, 79.2 (6.4) kg) were studied while contesting international tennis tournaments. Environmental conditions, match notation, physiological (core temperature, hydration status, heart rate, blood variables), and performance indices (serve kinematics, serve velocity, error rates) were recorded.

Results:Hard and clay court tournaments elicited similar peak core temperature (38.9 (0.3)v38.5 (0.6)°C) and average heart rate (152 (15)v146 (19) beats/min) but different body mass deficit (1.05 (0.49)v0.32 (0.56)%, p<0.05). Average pre-match urine specific gravity was 1.022 (0.004). Time between points was longer during hard court matches (25.1 (4.3)v17.2 (3.3) s, p<0.05). Qualitative analysis of first and second serves revealed inverse relations between the position of the tossing arm at ball release and the position of the ball toss and progressive match time (respectively,r = −0.74 andr = −0.73, p<0.05) and incurred body mass deficit (r = 0.73 andr = 0.73, p<0.05).

Conclusions:Participants began matches in a poor state of hydration, and experienced moderate thermoregulatory strain and dehydration during competition. These adverse physiological conditions may compromise performance and influence notational analyses.
Effect of long haul travel on maximal sprint performance and diurnal variations in elite skeleton athletes
Authors: Bullock Nicola , Martin David T , Ross Angus , Rosemond Doug , Marino Frank E
Published: May 2007

Objective:

To quantify the impact of eastward long haul travel on diurnal variations in cortisol, psychological sensations and daily measurements of physical performance.

Methods:

Five elite Australian skeleton athletes undertook a long haul eastward flight from Australia to Canada (LHtravel), while seven elite Canadian skeleton athletes did not travel (NOtravel). Salivary cortisol was measured on awakening, 60 min and 120 min after awakening. Psychological sensations were measured with a questionnaire, and maximal 30 m sprints were performed once a day between 09:30 and 11:00 h local time.

Results:

Compared with baseline, average (SD) resting salivary cortisol decreased by 67% immediately after long haul travel (23.43 (5.71) nMol/l) (mean±90% confidence interval) in the LHtravelgroup (p = 0.03), while no changes were found in the NOtravelgroup (p = 0.74). There were no significant differences in 30 m sprint time between baseline and post-flight tests in the LHtravelgroup (p>0.05). The LHtravelgroup perceived themselves as “jet lagged” for up to 2 days after the flight (p = 0.01 for both midday lunch and evening dinner).

Conclusions:

Despite a distinct phase change in salivary cortisol rhythmicity and the athletes perceiving themselves as “jet lagged”, minimal disturbances in “one-off” maximal sprinting ability between 09:30 and 11:00 h local time were seen in a group of elite skeleton athletes after long haul eastward travel from Australia to Canada.
Incidence and determinants of lower extremity running injuries in long distance runners: a systematic review
Authors: van Gent R N , Siem D , van Middelkoop M , van Os A G , Bierma-Zeinstra S M A , Koes B W
Published: May 2007

The purpose of this study was to present a systematic overview of published reports on the incidence and associated potential risk factors of lower extremity running injuries in long distance runners. An electronic database search was conducted using the PubMed–Medline database. Two observers independently assessed the quality of the studies and a best evidence synthesis was used to summarise the results. The incidence of lower extremity running injuries ranged from 19.4% to 79.3%. The predominant site of these injuries was the knee. There was strong evidence that a long training distance per week in male runners and a history of previous injuries were risk factors for injuries, and that an increase in training distance per week was a protective factor for knee injuries.
Doping prevalence among preadolescent athletes: a 4-year follow-up
Authors: Laure P , Binsinger C
Published: May 2007

Objective:

To describe the prevalence of doping and its progression in a cohort of preadolescent athletes during a 4-year follow-up.

Design and settings:

Prospective cohort study. Self-questionnaire survey.

Participants:

All of the pupils entering the first year of secondary school (sixth grade) in the Vosges Département (east France) and followed for 4 years.

Main outcome measurements:

Drug use (prohibited substances, tobacco, alcohol, cannabis), intention to use, reported health hazards, perceived drug effectiveness, self-esteem, trait anxiety.

Results:

At the beginning of the study, 1.2% (95% CI 0.8 to 1.6) stated that they had taken doping agents at least once in the preceding 6 months, and this had risen to 3.0% (95% CI 2.3–3.7) 4 years later (p<0.001). Of those who had used doping agents, 4% reported that they had experienced a health problem related to doping, and 44% reported that they had won at least one sports event as a result of using the drug. Use of doping agents is linked to the number of hours of practice per week, intention to use, use of other drugs, self-esteem and trait anxiety.

Conclusions:

The results show that doping does exist in preadolescent athletes who train every day. This fact should to be taken into account in preventive actions.
PROVENANCE OF OBSIDIAN ARTIFACTS STUDIED BY PIXE FROM LAGUNILLAS, AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE IN MICHOACÁN, MÉXICO
Authors: Esparza R. , Tenorio D. , Jiménez-Reyes M. , Murillo G. , Torres-Montes L.
Published: May 2007

PIXE technique has been utilized to analyze some obsidian artifacts found in the Southern Platform of the ceremonial center of Lagunillas, Michoacán, México. According to their chemical composition, the provenance of obsidian was established, thereby confirming the commercial routes of the Lagunillas region during Early (A. D. 900-1200) and Late Postclassical periods (A. D. 1200-1523).
EDXRF ANALYSIS OF SOME INDIAN TOBACCO PRODUCTS AND BLOOD ELEMENTS OF TOBACCO USERS
Authors: HOTA PRADEEP KUMAR , VIJAYAN V. , SINGH LAMBODAR PRASAD
Published: May 2007

Seventy-five samples of some Indian tobacco-products, 48 blood samples drawn from some tobacco- users and 14 blood samples from some healthy persons without having any tobacco habits were analysed for elements such as K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Sr, Se, As and Pb using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry at the Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar. Comparison was made between the results from this work and the reported literature values. Tobacco-products were found to be enriched with multi-elements, and it was observed that the human blood-elements were slowly decreasing with respect to their increasing habits of tobacco.
IMPROVEMENT IN THE PRECISION AND THE FACILITY OF CHEMICAL SHIFT MEASUREMENTS USING A POSITION-SENSITIVE CRYSTAL SPECTROMETER FOR PIXE
Authors: MAEDA KUNIKO , TONOMURA ATSURO , HAMANAKA HIROMI , HASEGAWA KENICHI
Published: May 2007

A narrow entrance slit was attached to an in-air high-resolution PIXE system composed of a flat analyzing crystal and a position-sensitive proportional counter. Chemical shift measurements were carried out for Si, P and S Kα1,2 lines from various sample targets. The precision of measurements is much improved compared with that obtained by the position-sensitive crystal spectrometer system without the entrance slit. The new system equipped with the entrance slit does not require exact sample positioning. It is applicable to non-flat targets. Chemical shift measurements are also possible while moving the targets.
CALCULATION OF THE CROSS SECTIONS OF M-SHELL ATOMIC BREMSSTRAHLUNG
Authors: Satoh T. , Ishii K.
Published: May 2007

Cross sections of atomic bremsstrahlung of 3p- and 3d- electrons were calculated on the basis of PWBA approximation. By use of present results and formulae previously presented for 1s-, 2s-, 2p-, and 3s- shell electrons, an x-ray spectrum which consists of characteristic x-ray and atomic bremsstrahlung can be obtained theoretically for the element of Z ≤ 50. This method will be very helpful for peak fitting in the PIXE spectrum.
COLORATION OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET) FILM BY 3MeV PROTON BEAMS
Authors: Matsuyama S. , Ishii K. , Yamazaki H. , Endoh H. , Yuki H. , Satoh T. , Sugihara S. , Amartaivan Ts. , Tanaka A. , Komori H. , Orihara H.
Published: May 2007

Coloration of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films by using 3 MeV proton beams was studied by means of absorption spectroscopy, electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared absorption (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Absorbance of the films increased with the dose and faded in time. Absorbance changes are caused by formation of color centers. The color centers had three components: permanent, long-lived and short-lived. Long-lived and short-lived color centers were formed by reactive species such as radicals. Annealing of color center is well explained by a proposed sequential process.
CHARACTERIZATION OF TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE (TSP) ALONG HIGHWAY IN MIDSIZE CITY IN NORTHERN JAPAN
Authors: SAITOH KATSUMI , IWATA YOSHIHIRO , SERA KOICHIRO , HIRANO KOICHIRO , SUZUKI HIDEO
Published: May 2007

Total suspended particulate (TSP) samples were collected along a highway (Barajima air pollution monitoring station) in the center of Akita City in northern Japan, from 9 – 11 May, 1996 (non-snow-clad period) and 7 – 9 February, 1997 (snow-clad period), with a one-hour sampling interval, The elemental composition and particle shape of TSP samples were determined and / or observed by Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) combined with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. In the hourly TSP samples collected during the non-snow-clad period, 26 elements were determined. Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca and Fe are the major components. On the other hand, 24 elements, excluding As, Rb and Nb, are found in the snow-clad period samples, and Gallium is only found in the snow-clad period samples. Dominant elements, i.e., major components, of the snow-clad period were the same as the non-snow-clad period. Comparing the arithmetic means of major elemental concentrations in TSP for the non-snow-clad and snow-clad periods, Na, Mg, Al, Si and Fe are similar. However, S and Ca levels in the non-snow-clad period samples were 4 and 6 times higher than those in the snow-clad period samples, respectively, while Cl and K levels in the snow-clad period samples were 1.5 and 2 times higher than those in the non-snow-clad period, respectively. In the non-snow-clad period, the temporal variation pattern of total elemental amount was consistent with the variation pattern of NO and CO, which are pollutants used to observe the effects of automobile exhaust gas, and it was comparatively consistent with the variation pattern of SPM. On the other hand, in the snow-clad period, the temporal variation pattern of total elemental amount was not consistent with the variation pattern of NO and CO when the wind was blowing from the southeast, so the TSP may be strongly influenced by wind direction and wind velocity in addition to automobile traffic. Factor analysis allowed us to identify four major sources, with automobile emission, industry and soil being the major contributors. With the aid of SEM and EDX analysis, aggregates of diesel exhaust particles (DEP), soil particles and small silicon-rich spherical particles were observed in the non-snow-clad and snow-clad period samples.
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BLOOD IN ORAL CANCER
Authors: RAUTRAY T. R. , VIJAYAN V. , HOTA P. K.
Published: May 2007

Fluctuations of the concentration levels of trace elements play an egregious role in enhancing carcinogenic effect in healthy persons and in the pathogenesis of oral malignancies. Epidemiological studies regarding the role of external carcinogenic agents in oral cancer have documented the involvement of certain trace elements either directly or indirectly. An analysis of trace elements like K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, Se And Pb was done in seventeen oral cancer patients having tobacco habits by drawing their whole blood and determining their concentrations using Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) spectroscopic technique at Institute of Physics. Bhubaneswar, India which is rapid, efficient, multi-elemental and non-destructive in nature and in principle sensitive to all elements from Na to U. Fifteen healthy non-cancerous persons with tobacco habits were also taken as control. The results of the study group when compared with the control group illustrated that K, Cu and Se concentrations were significantly higher in the oral cancer patients as an effect of deleterious tobacco upon their blood whereas the rest of the elements like Ca, Zn, Fe and Pb did not reveal significant changes.
TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATION OF LEAF AND ASH FROM A WASTE POND AT FANKOU MINE, CHINA
Authors: Murao S. , Sera K. , Futatsugawa S. , Chen B. , Sun X.
Published: May 2007

A PIXE analysis was performed at Nishina Memorial Cyclotron Center (NMCC) for some leaf and ash samples from bottom of a waste pond at the Fankou Pb-Zn mine, Guangdong, China. The ash is the product after burning "Luzhu" that is planted by the mine for the environmental cleaning purpose in the waste pond. The PIXE detected high level of zinc and lead for both of the samples. As Fankou is one of the largest Pb-Zn producer in Asia, careful and urgent treatment is necessary for the deposited ash in the pond. This analysis was performed due to a request of analysis of the Fankou mine to promote environmental protection of the area.
TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF TAILINGS FROM AN INDIGENOUS MINING COMMUNITY, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES
Authors: Murao S. , Futatsugawa S. , Sera K. , Maglambayan V. B.
Published: May 2007

Tailings from an indigenous mining community were analyzed by PIXE to study the residual amount of gold and to check the relative increase in mercury content after the mineral dressing. The result showed that gold is sometimes left in the tailings at ore-grade concentration up to 30 ppm, and that relative mercury content is not increasing drastically. Since the tailings are trade target in the local community, it would be necessary for stakeholders to have a common and fair facility where they can assay gold content of the tailing at regular interval.
ANALYSIS OF LIQUID WASTE USING PIXE
Authors: FUTATSUGAWA S. , HATAKEYAMA S. , SAITOH Y. , MATSUSHITA M. , INOUE H. , SERA K.
Published: May 2007

Non-radioactive liquid waste generated in the Kaya Memorial Takizawa Laboratory was analyzed using the PIXE system established at the Nishina Memorial Cyclotron Center. Samples of the liquid waste were collected at several stages of the non-radioactive liquid waste purifying process. A simple sample preparation method for liquid sample was adopted. Liquid sample was dropped and dried directly on the backing film after adding the internal standard element, which produced appropriate targets to be analyzed by PIXE. Sodium, silicon, sulfur, chlorine, potassium, calcium, iron and so on in the liquid sample were detected. The PIXE method used in this study showed outstanding properties for analyzing the liquid sample.
PROBING FOR STRONTIUM PATTERNS IN OTOLITHS OF COMMON BULLIES FROM THE CLUTHA RIVER, NEW ZEALAND
Authors: MARKWITZ A. , BARRY B. , CLOSS G. , SMITH M.
Published: May 2007

Common bullies, Gobiomorphus cotidianus, are a widespread small New Zealand freshwater fish, with a life-cycle that may include an optional juvenile marine phase. We used the strontium variation in fish otoliths in an attempt to track the life history of the individual fish since the interlayer variation reflect the exposure of fish to background environmental levels of Sr at the time of deposition. One possible mechanism by which Sr can be enriched in otoliths is by seawater, which usually has a higher Sr/Ca ratio than fresh water. Locally resolved elemental measurements with a proton microprobe enable therefore the detection of variation in Sr that may reflect single or multiple migrations of freshwater fish into seawater. The most striking feature of this study is the observation of high Sr/Ca ratios in the cores of all otoliths, including those from fish caught 50 km inland. This suggests different environments in the life cycle of common bullies in the lower reaches of the Clutha river. A marine juvenile phase may be a common feature. Preliminary area scans were used to select suitable transects for detailed line scans which gave greatly improved statistics.
TRACE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF THE ORAL MUCOSA OF 22 PATIENTS WITH ORAL LICHEN PLANUS BY THE PIXE METHOD
Authors: SUGIYAMA Y. , ISHIBASHI S. , SEKIYAMA S. , SERA K. , FUTATSUGAWA S.
Published: May 2007

We made a comparative study of the trace elements in the oral mucosa of 22 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and of 100 healthy persons by the PIXE method. Samples were excised from the oral mucosa of the OLP patients (OLP group) and from the buccal mucosa of healthy persons (control group). The results were as follows: Seventeen trace elements and 11 contaminating elements were detected in those oral mucosae. Al , Ti and Pb , which are contaminating elements, were detected in more than 65% of samples from both groups. The mean values of Se and Rb were significantly lower in the OLP group than in the control group. The mean values of the other elements did not differ significantly between the groups. As for the females over 30 years old, the OLP group showed significantly higher values of Zn and Sr than the control group. Their mean values of the other essential and contaminating elements did not differ significantly between the groups, although there was a trend toward higher values in the OLP group. We found by the PIXE method that Zn , Fe and Pd , which are d-transitional elements considered to cause allergic reaction, showed higher values in the oral mucosae of the OLP patients than in those of the healthy persons.
THE ROLE OF PIXE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND EDUCATION OF SMALL-SCALE MINERS OF GOLD
Authors: MURAO S. , SERA K. , MAGLAMBAYAN V. B. , DAISA E. , FUTATSUGAWA S. , YUKAWA M. , TAKEDA S. , IMASEKI H.
Published: May 2007

Artisanal/small-scale gold mining is one of the important livelhood for deprived people in many countries. The activity is expected to support people's life and activate local economy. However amalgamation method is common to recover gold in this type of mining, and due to this practice, mercury is being released into the natural environment. During the ore treatment process, miners uptake mercury not only by inhalation of the vapor but also by absorption of liquid mercury through the skin. In order to cope with health problems and environmental damages arising from the use of mercury, there should be coordination between national/local government, aid agencies and scientific institutes. In addition, the environmental education and risk communication are keys to mitigate the environmental damage by the miners. For such purpose, quick and precise trace element analysis as a base of discussion on occupational health risk is indispensable and our trial proved that PIXE is one of the most flexible and versatile system. In this paper examples of trial through a Japan-Philippines partnership will be presented.
ION MICROBEAM STUDIES OF SPELEOTHEMS IN STALAGMITES FROM SLOVENIAN KARST
Authors: PELICON P. , KAVČIČ M. , BUDNAR M. , SIMČIČ J. , ŠMIT Ž. , MIHEVC A. , DUGGAN J. L. , MCDANIEL F. D.
Published: May 2007

Elemental concentrations of Sr , Fe , Zn and Cr have been measured by in-air and microbeam PIXE to track the changes during the stalagmite growth. The objective was to find the optimal parameters for the measurements of available isotope-dated stalagmite cuts from Slovenian Karst. Significant concentration fluctuations of Fe , Sr and Cr at the scale of several millimetres have been observed by in-air PIXE. Fluctuations of trace elements observed by microbeam PIXE are contributed to the sub annual periods of growth. As demonstrated, a two-dimensional Ca , Sr , Fe and secondary electron mapping is required to avoid regions with mineral inclusions and surface irregularities during line scans over the speleothems. Optimal measuring parameters for microbeam PIXE mapping of large stalagmite cuts already mapped by isotope dating are given. These measurements would account for sub-annual growth fluctuations.
HEAVY METAL POLLUTION STUDIES OF SUSPENDED SEDIMENTS IN WAIWHETU STREAM WATER BY PIXE
Authors: KENNEDY V. J. , MARKWITZ A.
Published: May 2007

PIXE measurements on filtered water samples were conducted to investigate the possibility of using nuclear based analytical techniques to measure elemental concentrations of heavy metals in suspended sediments in the Waiwhetu Stream (Lower Hutt, New Zealand). It was found that most of the elements detected have a concentration of around 100 ppm by weight with 10 percent variation. Heavy metals like Cu , Zn , Pb and Cd were also present at higher than normal concentrations in the stream. Previous studies of the sediments collected from the Waiwhetu stream had showed that high levels of heavy metals were present at locations close to industrial sites, Nowadays, industries are no longer permitted to dump their waste into the stream. However, high-levels of heavy metals were found to be still present in the water samples indicating that these elements are slowly washed out of the sediments into the surface waters. The present results of Waiwhetu stream water samples revealed that heavy metals are distributed throughout the stream indicating that industrial wastes from industry discharges still linger after 30-40 years.
MONITORING RIVER WATER AND SEDIMENT SAMPLES BY BOTH PIXE ANALYSIS AND RADIOACTIVITY DETERMINATION
Authors: ZHANG YUANXUN , LI DEYI , WANG YINSONG , SHEN WAIGUO , ZHI MIN , ZHANG GUILIN , LI YAN , LIN ERHKANG , YU YUEHCHUNG , WANG CHANGWAN
Published: May 2007

In cooperation with the Shanghai Environmental Specimen Bank (SESB) research project and in support of the Shanghai government's comprehensive plan to harness the Suzhou River, we collected water and sediment samples in the every spring season since 1998. The elemental analysis of sediment and water samples was performed by the PIXE technique using the 3 × 2 MeV NEC Tandem accelerator at the Taipei Institute of Physics. The characterization of á and â radioactive levels for water and sediment samples was performed using BH1216, low-background, radioactivity instrument at the Shanghai Institute of Nuclear Research. PIXE results showed that the content of Cl , K , Ca , Cr , Mn , Fe , Zn and Pb in river water gradually decreased with the rising tide. At high tide, their concentrations were minimum, and then once again increased toward the ebb tide. The analysis also demonstrated that the radioactivity of water samples had been gradually decreasing year by year. It was found that the decreasing rate of á radioactivity was a little quicker than that of â radioactivity. Further aspects of environmental data evaluation and assessment are also discussed in detail.
METAL DEPOSITION IN A FLAT GREEN ROOF SYSTEM IN A MEXICO CITY BUILDING
Authors: ASPIAZU F. JUAN A. , LOPEZ M. JOSE , RAMIREZ T. JESUS , VILLASEÑOR S. PEDRO , DEL C. ALICIA GALNARES , GARCIA Z. ANA M.
Published: May 2007

It is well known that green roof systems are being used to improve the environment by reducing the summer temperatures inside the houses and to capture atmospheric contaminants. The Universidad Autónoma de Chapingo had begun a project to test the latter possibility in Mexico City, were some roofs were covered with the plant Sedum praealtum L. By PIXE analysis, metal concentrations were determined in ashes of the leaves and stems. The concentrations were compared with those of the substrata and plantations grown in a greenhouse, which were used as a reference. Preliminary results are presented.
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT IRANIAN LUSTER DECORATED POTTERY
Authors: SHOKOUHI F. , OLIAIY P. , RAHIGHI J. , LAMEHI-RACHTI M. , ROOHFAR Z. , DURALI S.
Published: May 2007

Luster is a special type of decoration, which gives ceramics a particular iridescent gold translucency and was applied to the medieval surface of glazed pottery. In this work the PIXE technique has been applied to luster pottery dated back from the 10th to the 13th centuries, excavated in Neishabur, Ray and Kashan, located in the northeast and in the central part of Iran. The principal elements of the glaze were detected, as well as the elements which characterize the luster, such as Cu and Ag . The elemental concentrations of Ti , Mn , Fe , Co , Cu , Zn , Ag , Sn and Pb were also obtained from the PIXE analysis. This study clearly demonstrates that in addition to firing conditions and the presence of impurities in glaze, the ratio of Cu 2 O/Ag 2 O determines the color effect of luster.
COMPARATIVE STUDIES OF TRACE ELEMENTS IN TWO KINDS OF HUMAN GALLSTONES
Authors: VATANKHAH S. , MOOSAVI K. , PEYROVAN H. , SALIMI J.
Published: May 2007

Structural composition of 11 trace elements with Z greater than 13 ( Al , P , Si , K , Ca , Mn , Fe , Cu , Zn , Mo , I ) was analyzed for the two main groups of human gallstones according to their cholesterol and pigment types by PIXE (Proton Induced X - ray Emission). In both types of stones, the shell and the center were analyzed separately. The gallstones were obtained from 12 patients in wide age group from 22 to 78 years of age during surgical operation. The results show relatively higher values of heavy elements for ages greater than 40. The values of phosphorous in cholesterol type stones are significantly higher than in those of pigment stones. The concentration of calcium in the center of stones is large in comparison with that in the shells. In this paper, a correlation between stone structure and trace elemental concentration has been presented. Comparison of the two essential types of stones (cholesterol and pigment) shows that the center of the pigment stones is very similar to that of the cholesterol type.
PIXE AND NAA ANALYSIS OF MERCURY IN A STANDARD SET OF SOUTHERN MAGNOLIA WOOD SAMPLES
Authors: HOLLERMAN WILLIAM A. , GLASS GARY A. , GRECO RICHARD , LIAO CHANGGENG , O'KELLY DONNA J.
Published: May 2007

Several southern magnolia (magnolia grandiflora) tree samples, with known concentrations of mercury, were analyzed using particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) and neutron activation analysis (NAA). Results from the PIXE measurements indicate that the average mercury absorption percentage was found to be 85 ± 4%. The distribution of mercury was found to be reasonably homogeneous over the sample surface. However, small variations in mercury concentration are most likely caused by the structure of cellulose in the wood. Mercury in the samples appears to be stable to a total integrated charge of 10 μC. Three mercury L-shell x-rays are easily observed in the resulting PIXE spectrum. Using PIXE, the mercury detection limit was calculated to be approximately 1 ppm. With one exception, the measured NAA mercury concentrations were larger than the corresponding mass-based values. The NAA mercury detection limit for the southern magnolia samples was estimated to be about 0.017 ppm (17 ppb).
ANALYSIS OF AIRBORNE PARTICULATE MATTER COLLECTED AFTER AN ERUPTION EPISODE OF THE POPOCATÉPETL VOLCANO
Authors: ALDAPE F. , FLORES M. J.
Published: May 2007

Samples of airborne particulate matter were collected in four sites along an east-west line from the Popocatépetl volcano after the eruption episode of June 30, 1997. The Popocatépetl volcano, with variable activity since it was known, is currently under low but continuous activity prolonged for almost one decade, with occasional moderate eruption episodes producing mainly fumes, ashes and volcanic dusts. The main objective of this study is to determine whether or not some elements have increased their presence in the atmosphere as a result of the volcanic activity, and also if some others, not usually found in urban aerosols, have appeared because of the same reason. In addition, the information obtained will be a source of scientific data for health risk assessment of the population exposed to volcanic emanations. The sample collection was performed on alternate days from July 10 to August 13 1997 in Puebla and Atlixco in Puebla State. Tlalpan within Mexico City, and Salazar in the State of Mexico. Two samples a day were taken in two periods: 7-19 h and 19-7 h. The samplers separated particles into two particle size fractions. PM25 and PM15. Elemental concentrations were determined by PIXE and the results obtained showed increased concentrations of mainly Ti and Fe in all sampling sites, thus indicating a long range transportation of volcanic dusts in both particle size fractions. Concentrations of Ti were found clearly above the average values of urban areas such as Mexico City, and although this element can be considered of low toxicity, the biological, metabolic and toxic effects on human beings are still under investigation.
PIXE ANALYSIS OF NIST URBAN PARTICULATE MATTER COLLECTED ON A POLYCARBONATE MEMBRANE FILTER
Authors: SAITOH KATSUMI , SERA KOICHIRO , SHIMOMURA KOUICHI
Published: May 2007

In order to confirm the accuracy of direct analysis of filter samples containing atmospheric aerosol particles collected on a polycarbonate membrane filter by PIXE, we carried out PIXE analysis on a polycarbonate membrane filter (Nuclepore®, pore size: 0.8 μm) on which was collected National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, USA) urban particulate matter (SRM 1648). We also investigated whether a polycarbonate membrane filter would possibly bias elemental quality determined by PIXE analysis. We found that the polycarbonate membrane filter did not bias values determined by PIXE. In the case of filter sample A in which the powder sample (urban particulate matter mixed with palladium-carbon powder (5% Pd )) was collected under dry conditions, elemental quantitative values were 80–110% relative to NIST certified and non-certified values except for Mn and Fe . On the other hand, in the case of filter sample B in which the powder sample was collected under wet conditions, elemental quantitative values were 70–110% relative to NIST certified and non-certified values except for Cl and Zn . Determined values for Mn and Fe in the case of filter sample A and Cl and Zn in the case of filter sample B were clearly lower than NIST certified and/or non-certified values, but this is believed to be attributable to the sampling procedure rather than a problem associated with PIXE analysis. Direct analysis of a filter sample containing aerosol particles by PIXE provided sufficient elemental quantity accuracy.
THE ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT INDIAN COINS OF KUSANAS AND EARLY MEDIEVAL PERIOD USING PROTON INDUCED X-RAY EMISSION (PIXE) TECHNIQUE
Authors: PURI N. K. , HAJIVALIEI M. , BEDI S. C. , SINGH N. , GOVIL I. M. , GARG M. L. , HANDA D. K. , GOVIL K. L. , ROUT B. , VIJAYAN V.
Published: May 2007

As part of the study of trace elemental analysis of ancient Indian coins, twenty-five coins belonging to medieval period (11th-14th century A.D) and fifty-nine coins belonging to Kusanas (78-250 A.D) from India have been analysed using Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) technique. The elements S , Ca , Fe , Cu , Ag , Sn , Pb were detected in 11th-14th century A.D. coins while elements namely S , Cl , K , Ca , Ti , Cr , Mn , Fe , Ni , Cu , As and Zn were detected in most of the Kusanas coins. Based on the elemental analysis different hypotheses put forward in the earlier literature were examined. The presence of Pb determined in medieval period coins does not rule out the utilization of local source of silver extracted from argentiferous galena instead of the Faranjal mines of Afghanistan as normally accepted. From the consistent concentration of Ag in these coins despite the change of Kingdoms it is confirmed that beside the rulers the commercial communities had a great influence in the currency of medieval period. This is the first attempt where reasonable number of ancient coins belonging to different periods were analysed by modern non destructive multi-elemental technique such as PIXE and has put the importance of the elemental analysis of ancient Indian coins in the proper perspective.
MEXICAN OBSIDIAN SAMPLES ANALYSED BY PIXE AND AAS
Authors: Tenorio D. , Jiménez-Reyes M. , Lagarde G.
Published: May 2007

Proton induced X ray emission analysis results are reported for obsidian artifacts from different sites of the State of Mexico: Teotenango, Calixtlahuaca, La Marqueza, Malinalco and Tonatico. Twenty elements were analysed by PIXE and some of them were verified by AAS. The results show that the samples came from three different sources: Teotenango and Calixtlahuaca samples from the first, La Marqueza and Malinalco samples from the second and Tonatico samples from the third.
ESSENTIAL METAL CONTENTS IN THE LIVER OF DTPA-TREATED PREGNANT MICE AND THEIR FETUSES
Authors: SATO I. , MATSUSAKA N. , SUZUKI T. , KOBAYASHI H. , SERA K. , FUTATSUGAWA S.
Published: May 2007

Ca -DTPA or Zn -DTPA was injected subcutaneously to pregnant mice once a day for 5 consecutive days from the 13th day to the 17th day of gestation. Maternal and fetal livers were collected 20 hours after the final injection of DTPA, and essential metal contents in the liver samples were determined by PIXE.

Both Ca -DTPA and Zn -DTPA don't affect any essential metals in the maternal liver, but Ca -DTPA decreases copper and zinc contents in the fetal liver to 2/3 and 1/2 of the control values, respectively. Although Zn -DTPA does not affect fetal zinc content, it decreases that of copper. It could not be determined whether DTPA affects fetal manganese content or not because the fetal liver contains no detectable amount of manganese.
ANALYSIS OF BONE MARROW STROMAL CELL TRANSFERRED BACTERIAL β - GALACTOSIDASE GENE BY PIXE
Authors: KUMAKAWA TOSHIRO , HIBINO HITOSHI , TANI KENZABURO , ASANO SHIGETAKA , FUTATSUGAWA SHOUJI , SERA KOUICHIRO
Published: May 2007

PIXE, Particle Induced X-ray Emission, is a Powerful, multi-elemental analysis method which has many distinguishing features and has been used in varies research fields. Recently the method of applying baby cyclotrons for nuclear medicine to PIXE has been developed. This enables us to study biomedical phenomena from the physical point of view. Mouse bone marrow stromal cells were transferred bacterial β -galactosidase gene (LacZ gene) by murine retroviral vectors. Analysis of the bone marrow stromal cells with the LacZ gene by PIXE revealed remarkable changes of intracellular trace elements compared with the normal control cells. These results indicate that gene transfer by retroviral vectors may bring about a dynamic change of intracellular circumstances of the target cell.
X-RAY ANALYSES OF ELEMENTAL CONCENTRATIONS IN FEATHERS: COMPARISON OF XRF AND PIXE
Authors: CAHILL THOMAS M. , PERLEY BRIAN P. , ANDERSON DANIEL W.
Published: May 2007

The X-ray analysis techniques of X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and Particle-Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE) were tested for their sensitivity, precision, and accuracy in conducting elemental analyses on feathers. XRF could detect 21 elements directly in the sample matrix with minimum detectable limits of 0.5 to 1 μg/g for most elements. Due to the feather's thickness, a correction factor was applied to account for X-rays absorbed within the sample matrix. To confirm the results obtained by XRF, atomic absorption spectroscopy was conducted for mercury on four samples analyzed by XRF and the results were consistent between the two analytical techniques. The feathers, which ranged from 3 to 7 mg/cm2in areal density, proved too thick for straightforward analysis by PIXE. While corrections could have been applied, the feather's structure makes the task difficult and the beam attenuation correction would compound the already large X-ray absorption correction factor.

The XRF system was then tested for its effectiveness in two field studies. The first project used XRF to determine geographic differences between two populations of brown pelicans where nine of the fourteen elements routinely detected varied between the populations. The second project used XRF to trace mercury contamination in birds at Clear Lake, CA. The feathers showed elevated mercury concentrations while other potential contaminants were low.
METHOD OF QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS MAKING USE OF BROMINE IN A NUCLEPORE FILTER
Authors: SERA K. , FUTATSUGAWA S. , SAITOH K.
Published: May 2007

Nuclepore filters have been widely used for collecting atmospheric aerosols and such samples are quite convenient for PIXE since they can be analyzed without any treatment. However, some special methods, (which is somewhat different from existing standard methods for general samples), must be applied in order to perform quantitative analysis. We have developed a method of quantitative analysis for all elements making use of bromine, which is almost uniformly contained in general Nuclepore filters, as an internal standard. Then, for quantitative analysis of light elements, the standard-free method, which makes use of total yield of continuous x-rays, has been applied and it is found that this method can be successfully applied to practical aerosol samples. Moreover, the method was applied to bio-samples prepared by cutting frozen samples with a microtome, and the result is almost satisfactory. It is found that the present method can be successfully applied to any sample which can be made uniform.