Detection of stratospheric X-rays with a novel microscintillator sensor

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Aplin ◽  
Graeme Marlton ◽  
Victoria Race ◽  
Clare Watt
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Geiger Counter ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Bremsstrahlung Radiation ◽  
Particle Count ◽  
Measurement Capability ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Scintillator Crystal

<p>A new energetic particle detector based on a 1 cm<sup>3</sup> CsI(Tl) scintillator crystal responds to both particle count and energy. This offers increased measurement capability over the long-established Geiger counter technology for investigating the role of energetic particles in the atmosphere during meteorological radiosonde flights. Here we present results from three flights over the UK in 2017-18 where the detector was flown alongside Geiger counters to test its capability for measuring ionising radiation in the atmosphere. Operation of the microscintillator detector was verified by both it and the Geiger counters showing the anticipated Regener-Pfotzer maximum at around 17km. Unexpectedly however, two of the flights also detected lower energy signals at 10-100 keV. Laboratory experiments investigating the thermal response of the microscintillator, in combination with careful error analysis, can be used to show that the signals detected do not originate from instrument artefacts, and are statistically significant. These are most likely to be stratospheric X rays, usually associated with bremsstrahlung radiation generated by precipitating electrons from the radiation belts.</p>

Digital x-ray mapping of nanometer-size supported bimetallic catalysts

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 530-531
Author(s):  
L. T. Germinario
Keyword(s):  
Background Radiation ◽  
Metal Cluster ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Beam Diameter ◽  
X Rays ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Major Interest ◽  
Induced Changes

Understanding the role of metal cluster composition in determining catalytic selectivity and activity is of major interest in heterogeneous catalysis. The electron microscope is well established as a powerful tool for ultrastructural and compositional characterization of support and catalyst. Because the spatial resolution of x-ray microanalysis is defined by the smallest beam diameter into which the required number of electrons can be focused, the dedicated STEM with FEG is the instrument of choice. The main sources of errors in energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDS) are: (1) beam-induced changes in specimen composition, (2) specimen drift, (3) instrumental factors which produce background radiation, and (4) basic statistical limitations which result in the detection of a finite number of x-ray photons. Digital beam techniques have been described for supported single-element metal clusters with spatial resolutions of about 10 nm. However, the detection of spurious characteristic x-rays away from catalyst particles produced images requiring several image processing steps.

Management of deradicalisation in the UK: reflections of a clinical psychologist

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Feryad A. Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Psychologist ◽  
Healthcare Team ◽  
Psychosocial Issues ◽  
Muslim Community ◽  
Home Office ◽  
Terrorist Groups ◽  
Violent Action ◽  
Clinical Counselling ◽  
The Uk

Radicalisation to violent action is not just a problem in foreign lands. Research has identified numerous politico–psychosocial factors to explain why young people from the UK are now joining terrorist groups such as ISIS. Our understanding has been expanded by the accounts of “returnees” who have subsequently either self-deradicalised or joined a government deradicalisation programme in the role of an Intervention Provider (IP). These individuals are now key to the deradicalisation programme. This article presents the reflections of a clinical psychologist who worked within a social healthcare team managing psychosocial issues related to radicalisation, in conjunction with an allocated IP. The project involved individuals from the Muslim community and, as such, issues discussed are specific to this group. It is acknowledged that the process in general is universally applicable to all groups though specifics may vary (under Trust agreement, details may not be discussed). This article also aims to share basic information on the current Home Office deradicalisation programme and raises questions about the current intervention. It also offers reflections on how the work of IPs may be facilitated and supported by clinical/counselling psychologists and psychotherapists.

Monitoring the marine environment for small round structured viruses (SRSVS): a new approach to combating the transmission of these viruses by molluscan shellfish

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (12) ◽  
pp. 51-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Henshilwood ◽  
J. Green ◽  
D. N. Lees
Keyword(s):  
Enteric Virus ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cloning And Sequencing ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Human Enteric Virus ◽  
Different Strains ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Public Health Protection

This study investigates human enteric virus contamination of a shellfish harvesting area. Samples were analysed over a 14-month period for Small Round Structured Viruses (SRSVs) using a previously developed nested RT-PCR. A clear seasonal difference was observed with the largest numbers of positive samples obtained during the winter period (October to March). This data concurs with the known winter association of gastroenteric illness due to oyster consumption in the UK and also with the majority of the outbreaks associated with shellfish harvested from this area during the study period. RT-PCR positive amplicons were further characterised by cloning and sequencing. Sequence analysis of the positive samples identified eleven SRSV strains, of both Genogroup I and Genogroup II, occurring throughout the study period. Many shellfish samples contained a mixture of strains with a few samples containing up to three different strains with both Genogroups represented. The observed common occurrence of strain mixtures may have implications for the role of shellfish as a vector for dissemination of SRSV strains. These results show that nested RT-PCR can identify SRSV contamination in shellfish harvesting areas. Virus monitoring of shellfish harvesting areas by specialist laboratories using RT-PCR is a possible approach to combating the transmission of SRSVs by molluscan shellfish and could potentially offer significantly enhanced levels of public health protection.

Observation and Experimentation

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Di Ventra
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Experiments ◽  
The Difference

This chapter expands on the previous one on the role of experiments in Science. It explains the difference between observations of phenomena and controlled laboratory experiments.

Sticky ends in a self-assembling ABA triblock copolymer: the role of ureas in stimuli-responsive hydrogels

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan T. Shafranek ◽  
Joel D. Leger ◽  
Song Zhang ◽  
Munira Khalil ◽  
Xiaodan Gu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Self Assembly ◽  
Viscoelastic Properties ◽  
Triblock Copolymer ◽  
Thermal Response ◽  
Stimuli Responsive ◽  
Self Assembling ◽  
Polymeric Hydrogels ◽  
Aba Triblock Copolymer ◽  
Responsive Hydrogels

Directed self-assembly in polymeric hydrogels allows tunability of thermal response and viscoelastic properties.

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