IAEA regional intercomparison of in vivo measurements of 131I in the thyroid: the Latin American and Caribbean experience

An in vivo intercomparison exercise, organised in the scope of the IAEA Regional Latin American (RLA) Project 9066, was carried out in 2009 aimed to harmonise measurement procedures on the measurement of (131)I in the thyroid among Latin American and Caribbean countries. The exercise consisted in the measurement of an anthropomorphic thyroid phantom spiked with a certified source of (133)Ba. The phantom was supplied by the In Vivo Monitoring Laboratory of Institute for Radiation Protection and Dosimetry (IRD) to 17 Institutions from 12 countries of the regions. Among these, 13 Institutions from 10 countries returned their measurement results as well as a standard report form containing detailed information about their respective counting facilities. All participants reported activities within an acceptable range, considering American National Standard Institute (ANSI) limits. Uncertainties varied from 0.04 to 12.9 %. Although results show that the general performance was acceptable in terms of accuracy, the need for additional action towards the standardisation of uncertainty estimation in this type of measurement in the region should be highlighted.

Fluorescence and phosphorescence properties of new long-lasting phosphor Ba4(Si3O8)2:Eu2+, Dy3+

A novel long-lasting phosphorescence (LLP) material Ba4(Si3O8)2:Eu2+, Dy3+ with high chemical stability was achieved successfully. Two emission centers (Eu (I) and Eu (II)) were found in Ba4(Si3O8)2 due to the substitution of Eu2+ in different Ba2+ sites. Both 
Eu (I) and Eu (II) had contribution to the afterglow process, however, the decay rate of Eu (I) was higher than that of Eu (II). Ba3.982(Si3O8)2: 0.008Eu2+, 0.01Dy3+ exhibited a long-lasting phosphorescence whose duration was more than 24 h. Through the analysis of the thermoluminescence (TL) curves, we found that Eu2+ single doped Ba4(Si3O8)2 has a possibility to be a kind of storage phosphor. This work provides a new and efficient candidate for LLP and storage materials.

Water splitting over new niobate photocatalysts with tungsten-bronze-type structure and effect of transition metal-doping

Photophysical properties and photocatalytic activities for water splitting over KM(2)Nb(5)O(15) (M = Sr and Ba) and K(2)LnNb(5)O(15) (Ln = La, Pr, Nd, and Sm) with tungsten bronze-type structure were investigated. Single phases of KM(2)Nb(5)O(15) and K(2)LnNb(5)O(15) were successfully prepared by solid-state reaction (SSR) method and polymerizable complex (PC) method. The band gaps of these niobates were estimated to be 3.1-3.5 eV. These metal oxides loaded with an activated NiO(x) cocatalyst showed photocatalytic activities for water splitting into H(2) and O(2) under UV irradiation. When K(2)LaNb(5)O(15) was doped by Rh ions, a new visible-light absorption band was observed around 400-500 nm in addition to the band gap absorption band of the K(2)LaNb(5)O(15) host. K(2)LaNb(5)O(15):Rh showed photocatalytic activities for H(2) or O(2) evolution from an aqueous solution containing a sacrificial reagent under visible-light irradiation.

Local measurement of the superfluid density in the pnictide superconductor Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))(2)As(2) across the superconducting dome

We measure the penetration depth λab(T) in Ba(Fe(1-x)Co(x))(2)As(2) using local techniques that do not average over the sample. The superfluid density ρs(T) ≡ 1/λab(T)2 has three main features. First, ρs (T = 0) falls sharply on the underdoped side of the dome. Second, λab(T) is flat at low T at optimal doping, indicating fully gapped superconductivity, but varies more strongly in underdoped and overdoped samples, consistent with either a power law or a small second gap. Third, ρs (T) varies steeply near Tc for optimal and underdoping. These observations are consistent with an interplay between magnetic and superconducting phases.

Behavior of inorganic elements during sludge ozonation and their effects on sludge solubilization

The behavior of inorganic elements (including phosphorus, nitrogen, and metals) during sludge ozonation was investigated using batch tests and the effects of metals on sludge solubilization were elucidated. A decrease of ∼ 50% in the ratio of sludge solubilization was found to relate to a high iron content 80-120 mgFe/gSS than that of 4.7-7.4 mgFe/gSS. During sludge ozonation, the pH decreased from 7 to 5, which resulted in the dissolution of chemically precipitated metals and phosphorus. Based on experimental results and thermodynamic calculation, phosphate precipitated by iron and aluminum was more difficult to release while that by calcium released with decrease in pH. The release of barium, manganese, and chrome did not exceed 10% and was much lower than COD solubilization; however, that of nickel, copper, and zinc was similar to COD solubilization. The ratio of nitrogen solubilization was 1.2 times higher than that of COD solubilization (R(2)=0.85). Of the total nitrogen solubilized, 80% was organic nitrogen. Because of their high accumulation potential and negative effect on sludge solubilization, high levels of iron and aluminum in both sewage and sludge should be considered carefully for the application of the advanced sewage treatment process with sludge ozonation and phosphorus crystallization.

Characterization of lead, barium and strontium leachability from foam glasses elaborated using waste cathode ray-tube glasses

Foam glass manufacture is a promising mode for re-using cathode ray tube (CRT) glasses. Nevertheless, because CRTs employ glasses containing heavy metals such as lead, barium and strontium, the leaching behaviour of foam glasses fabricated from CRTs must be understood. Using the AFNOR X 31-210 leaching assessment procedure, the degree of element inertization in foam glasses synthesized from waste CRT glasses (funnel and panel glasses, containing lead and barium/strontium respectively) were determined. The amount of leached lead from foam glasses prepared from funnel glass depends on the nature and concentration of the reducing agent. The effects of the reducing agents on the generation of cellular structure in the fabrication of foam glass were studied. The fraction of lead released from foam glass was less than those extracted from funnel glass and was lower than the statutory limit. Leached concentrations of barium and strontium were found to be approximately constant in various tests and were also below regulatory limits.

Thermally stable green Ba(3)Y(PO(4))3:Ce(3+),Tb(3+) and red Ca(3)Y(AlO)(3)(BO(3))4:Eu(3+) phosphors for white-light fluorescent lamps

A class of thermal stable of green-emitting phosphors Ba(3)Y(PO(4))(3):Ce(3+),Tb(3+) (BYP:Ce(3+),Tb(3+)) and red-emitting phosphors Ca(3)Y(AlO)(3)(BO(3))(4):Eu(3+) (CYAB:Eu(3+)) for white-light fluorescent lamps were synthesized by high temperature solid-state reaction. We observed a decay of only 3% at 150 °C for BYP:0.25Ce3+,0.25Tb3+ (3% for LaPO4:Ce(3+),Tb(3+)), and a decay of 4% for CYAB:0.5Eu(3+) (7% for Y(2)O(3):Eu(3+), 24% for Y(2)O(2)S:Eu(3+)). The emission intensity of composition-optimized Ba(3)(Y(0.5)Ce(0.25)Tb(0.25))(PO(4))(3) is 70% of that of commercial LaPO(4):Ce(3+),Tb(3+) phosphors, and the CIE chromaticity coordinates are found to be (0.323, 0.534). The emission intensity of Ca(3)(Y(0.5)Eu(0.5))(AlO)(3)(BO(3))(4) is 70% and 83% of those of Y(2)O(3):Eu(3+) and Y(2)O(2)S:Eu(3+) phosphors, respectively, and the CIE chromaticity coordinates are redder (0.652, 0.342) than those of Y(2)O(3):Eu(3+) (0.645, 0.347) and Y(2)O(2)S:Eu(3+) (0.647, 0.343). A white-light fluorescent lamp is fabricated using composition-optimized Ba(3)(Y(0.5)Ce(0.25)Tb(0.25))(PO(4))(3) and Ca(3)(Y(0.5)Eu(0.5))(AlO)(3)(BO(3))(4) phosphors and matching blue-emitting phosphors. The results indicate that the quality of the brightness and color reproduction is suitable for application in shortwave UV fluorescent lamps. The white-light fluorescent lamp displays CIE chromaticity coordinates of x = 0.33, y = 0.35, a warm white light with a correlated color temperature of 5646 K, and a color-rendering index of Ra = 70.

Preparation methods and thermal stability of Ba-Mn-Ce oxide catalyst for NO(x)-assisted soot oxidation

Manganese oxide-loaded and -doped ceria as well as the corresponding barium-modified oxide catalysts were prepared for soot oxidation in the presence of NO(x), and were characterized by using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and NO temperature-programmed oxidation measurements. The activity of catalyst depended strongly on the NO2 production capacity, and the importance of surface nitrates was weakened without heat transfer limitations. The formation of perovskite-type oxides after the high-temperature calcination caused the loss of NO(x) storage capacity for the Ba-modified catalysts, but did not seem to affect the NO oxidation activity obviously. The addition of barium did not prevent the phase separation of MnO(x)-CeO2 solid solutions, whereas it inhibited the sintering of oxide crystallites effectively. This, as well as the relatively high surface area, resulted in a small increase in soot oxidation temperature for the thermally aged Ba/Mn-Ce catalyst.

Raman spectroscopic study of mixed carbonate materials

The main parameters for precipitation of mixed carbonate materials have been studied by Raman microscopy. These carbonates are compounds of barium, strontium and calcium. It has been shown that the Raman spectrum of a sample is exclusively controlled by its composition, the precipitation parameters do not affect the crystal structure. Even at relatively low levels, the calcium content of a sample can dominate the vibrational frequencies as measured by Raman spectroscopy. Calcium contents greater than 17% show this effect to a considerable degree, and give the broadest or two Raman peaks and thus the least uniform unit cells. The analysis of the lattice modes demonstrates that each Raman shift observed for a mixed carbonate sample corresponds to a specific crystal structure. Some peaks lie within two or three shifts that are observed for different crystal structures.

Coral Ba/Ca records of sediment input to the fringing reef of the southshore of Moloka'i, Hawai'i over the last several decades

The fringing reef of southern Moloka'i is perceived to be in decline because of land-based pollution. In the absence of historical records of sediment pollution, ratios of coral Ba/Ca were used to test the hypothesis that sedimentation has increased over time. Baseline Ba/Ca ratios co-vary with the abundance of red, terrigenous sediment visible in recent imagery. The highest values at One Ali'i are near one of the muddiest parts of the reef. This co-varies with the lowest growth rate of all the sites, perhaps because the upstream Kawela watershed was historically leveed all the way to the nearshore, providing a fast-path for sediment delivery. Sites adjacent to small, steep watersheds have ∼decadal periodicities whereas sites adjacent to mangrove forests have shorter-period fluctuations that correspond to the periodicity of sediment transport in the nearshore, rather than the watershed. All four sites show a statistically significant upward trend in Ba/Ca.

Nitrate storage behavior of Ba/MnOx-CeO2 catalyst and its activity for soot oxidation with heat transfer limitations

A BaMnCe ternary catalyst was prepared by impregnating barium acetate on MnO(x)-CeO(2) mixed oxides, with the monoxide supported catalysts and the solid solution support as references. The activities of the catalysts for soot oxidation were evaluated in the presence of NO under an energy transference controlled regime. BaMnCe presented the lowest maximal soot oxidation rate temperature at 393 degrees C among the catalysts investigated. Although BaMnCe experienced a loss in the specific surface area and low-temperature redox property due to blocking of the support pores by barium carbonate, its superior soot oxidation activity highlighted the importance of relatively stable bidentate/monodentate nitrates coordinated to Mn(x+) and Ce(x+) sites and more stable ionic barium nitrate. About half of the nitrates stored on this catalyst decomposed within the temperature interval of 350-450 degrees C, and the ignition temperature of soot decreased significantly with involvement of the nitrates or NO(2) released.

Spectroscopic study of Er:Sm doped barium fluorotellurite glass

In this paper, we report the physical and spectroscopic properties of Er(3+), Sm(3+) and Er(3+):Sm(3+) ions codoped barium fluorotellurite (BFT) glasses. Different Stokes and anti-Stokes emissions were observed under 532 nm and 976 nm laser excitations. Energy transfer from Er(3+) ion to Sm(3+) ion was confirmed on the basis of luminescence intensity variation and decay curve analysis in both the cases. Under green (532 nm) excitation emission intensity of Sm(3+) ion bands improves whereas on NIR (976 nm) excitation new emission bands of Sm(3+) ions were observed in Er:Sm codoped samples. Ion interactions and the different energy transfer parameters were also calculated.

Ionization behavior, stoichiometry of association, and accessibility of functional groups in the active layers of reverse osmosis and nanofiltration membranes

We characterized the fully aromatic polyamide (PA) active layers of six commercial reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes and found that in contrast to their similar elemental composition, total concentration of functional groups, and degree of polymerization, the ionization behavior and spatial distribution of carboxylic (R-COOH) groups within the active layers can be significantly different. We also studied the steric effects experienced by barium ion (Ba2+) in the active layers by determining the fraction of carboxylate (R-COO-) groups accessible to Ba2+; such fraction, referred to as the accessibility ratio (AR), was found to vary within the range AR=0.40-0.81, and to be generally independent of external solution pH. Additionally, we studied an NF membrane with a sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) active layer, and found that the concentration of sulfonate (R-SO3-) groups in the active layer was 1.67 M, independent of external solution pH and approximately three times higher than the maximum concentration (approximately 0.45+/-0.25 M) of R-COO- groups in PA active layers. The R-SO3- groups were found to be highly accessible to Ba2+ (AR=0.95+/-0.01).

Validation of an in situ solidification/stabilization technique for hazardous barium and cyanide waste for safe disposal into a secured landfill

The aim of the present study was to devise and validate an appropriate treatment process for disposal of hazardous barium and cyanide waste into a landfill at a Common Hazardous Waste Treatment Storage Disposal Facility (CHWTSDF). The waste was generated during the process of hardening of steel components and contains cyanide (reactive) and barium (toxic) as major contaminants. In the present study chemical fixation of the contaminants was carried out. The cyanide was treated by alkali chlorination with calcium hypochlorite and barium by precipitation with sodium sulfate as barium sulfate. The pretreated mixture was then solidified and stabilized by binding with a combination of slag cement, ordinary Portland cement and fly ash, molded into blocks (5 x 5 x 5 cm) and cured for a period of 3, 7 and 28 days. The final experiments were conducted with 18 recipe mixtures of waste + additive:binder (W:B) ratios. The W:B ratios were taken as 80:20, 70:30 and 50:50. The optimum proportions of additives and binders were finalized on the basis of the criteria of unconfined compressive strength and leachability. The leachability studies were conducted using the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure. The blocks were analyzed for various physical and leachable chemical parameters at the end of each curing period. Based on the results of the analysis, two recipe mixtures, with compositions - 50% of [waste + (120 g Ca(OCl)(2) + 290 g Na(2)SO(4)) kg(-1) of waste] + 50% of binders, were validated for in situ stabilization into a secured landfill of CHWTSDF.

Generation of hybrid polarization-orbital angular momentum entangled states

Hybrid entangled states exhibit entanglement between different degrees of freedom of a particle pair and thus could be useful for asymmetric optical quantum network where the communication channels are characterized by different properties. We report the first experimental realization of hybrid polarization-orbital angular momentum (OAM) entangled states by adopting a spontaneous parametric down conversion source of polarization entangled states and a polarization-OAM transferrer. The generated quantum states have been characterized through quantum state tomography. Finally, the violation of Bell's inequalities with the hybrid two photon system has been observed.

Dynamics of a paired optical vortex generated by second-harmonic generation

We study the dynamics of a paired optical vortex (OV) generated by second-harmonic generation (SHG) using sub-picosecond pulses. By changing the position of a thin nonlinear crystal along the propagation direction, we observe a rotation of two vortices with changing separation distance. The dynamics is well explained by SHG with a beam walk-off, which introduces a contamination of zero-order Laguerre-Gaussian beam (LG(0)) together with topological charge doubling. The quantitative analysis indicates that the rotation angle of the OVs manifests the Gouy phase while the splitting provides the walk-off angle of the crystal. We also show that the subtraction of LG(0) is realized by the superposition of LG(0) with an anti-balanced phase in the pump.

The influence of strain on the polarization of epitaxial (Ba(0.70)Sr(0.30))TiO(3) ultrathin film obtained from first principles

A first-principles-derived approach is used to investigate the temperature-versus-misfit strain phase diagram of (Ba(0.70)Sr(0.30))TiO(3) ultrathin film. Our predicted phase diagram is qualitatively similar to those developed by Shirokov et al (2009 Phys. Rev. B 79 144118) and Ban and Alpay (2002 J. Appl. Phys. 91 9288). However, there are some quantitative differences that are microscopically revealed and explained. The results also indicate that the electrical polarization is very sensitive to the applied strain. Moreover, the polarization components show a strong dependence on the surface/interface, thickness, and electrical boundary conditions.

The role of electron correlations in the binding properties of Ca, Sr, and Ba

In order to apply wavefunction-based correlation methods to solids it is necessary to have reliable Hartree-Fock (HF) results for the infinite system of interest. We performed Hartree-Fock calculations for the group 2 heavy alkali-earth metals Ca, Sr, and Ba. For that, basis sets of valence-double-ζ quality have been optimized for the periodic systems. In all cases small-core pseudopotentials were used to deal with the scalar-relativistic effects. We determine the cohesive energies, the equilibrium volumes and the bulk moduli of the systems at the Hartree-Fock level and compare them with experimental data as well as the results of density functional theory calculations. Relativistic effects in the case of Ba are estimated by using a non-relativistic pseudopotential. The comparative HF versus the density functional theory (DFT) study of the electronic structures of Ca, Sr, and Ba has been performed.

Electronic correlations in vanadium chalcogenides: BaV Se(3) versus BaV S(3)

Albeit structurally and electronically very similar, at low temperature the quasi-one-dimensional vanadium sulfide BaV S(3) shows a metal-to-insulator transition via the appearance of a charge-density-wave state, while BaV Se(3) apparently remains metallic down to zero temperature. This different behavior upon cooling is studied by means of density functional theory and its combination with the dynamical mean-field theory and the rotationally invariant slave-boson method. We reveal several subtle differences between these chalcogenides that provide indications for the deviant behavior of BaV Se(3) at low temperature. In this regard, a smaller Hubbard U in line with an increased relevance of the Hund's exchange J plays a vital role.

Poly (acrylic acid)-capped lanthanide-doped BaFCl nanocrystals: synthesis and optical properties

Water-soluble lanthanide-doped BaFCl nanophosphors with the surface functionalized by a layer of poly (acrylic acid) are synthesized via a facile one-step solvothermal method. Intense long-lived luminescence is realized from visible to near-infrared (NIR) by doping with different lanthanide ions. The emission and excitation spectra of Eu(3+) indicate that the doped lanthanide ions occupy a site close to the surface of the nanoparticles. Strong NIR emissions of Nd(3+) and green luminescence of Tb(3+) using Ce(3+) as sensitizers are also achieved in BaFCl nanoparticles. The synthesized nanoparticles featuring long-lived luminescence in either visible or NIR regions may have potential applications as luminescent labels for biological applications.

Optical second-harmonic scattering from a non-diffusive random distribution of nonlinear domains

We show that the weak second harmonic light generated from a random distribution of nonlinear domains of transparent Strontium Barium Niobate crystals can display a particularly intense generation in the forward direction. By using a theoretical model able to analyze the optical response of arbitrary distributions of three-dimensional nonlinear volumes of any shape, we found that the physical origin of this observation can be explained in terms of the scattering of light by a single nonlinear domain.

Adsorption of Ba2+ by Ca-exchange clinoptilolite tuff and montmorillonite clay

The adsorption of barium by Ca-exchanged clinoptilolite and montmorillonite is presented. The kinetics of adsorption of Ba(2+) were evaluated contacting 1g portion of each adsorber with 100mL 0.1N BaCl(2) for 200 h. Adsorption by Ca-clinoptilolite is defined by second-order kinetics of rate constant K(v) 8.232 x 10(-2) g mg(-1)h(-1) and maximum removal of 71.885 mg g(-1). It is a two-stage process initiated by a rapid uptake of Ba(2+) followed by more moderate kinetics. The adsorption isotherms were determined contacting 0.2g of each adsorber with 10 mL 0.1-0.005N BaCl(2)+CaCl(2) solution, Ba(2+)/Ca(2+) ratio 1, for periods of 7 days for the tuff and 2 days for the clay. The equilibrium adsorption is described by the Langmuir model, of equilibrium constant K 0.0151 L mg(-1) and maximum adsorption of 15.29 mg g(-1). The adsorption of Ba(2+) by Ca-exchanged montmorillonite also follows a second-order reaction of rate constant K(v) 3.179 x 10(-2) g mg(-1)h(-1), and calculated separation of 36.74 mg g(-1); the Langmuir isotherm is defined by the constant K 0.034 L mg(-1) and maximum adsorption of 15.29 mg g(-1). X-ray diffraction shows that the exchange of Ba(2+) modifies the d(001) of Ca-montmorillonite from 15.4 to 12.4A.

Structure and physical properties for a new layered pnictide-oxide: BaTi₂As₂O

We have successfully synthesized a new layered pnictide-oxide: BaTi(2)As(2)O. It shares similar characteristics with Na(2)Ti(2)Sb(2)O. The crystal has a layered structure with a tetragonal P4/nmm group (a = 4.047(3) Å, c = 7.275(4) Å). The resistivity shows an anomaly at 200 K, which should be ascribed to an SDW or structural transition. The SDW or structural transition is confirmed by magnetic susceptibility and heat capacity measurements. These behaviors are very similar to those observed in parent compounds of high-T(c) iron-based pnictide superconductors, in which the superconductivity shows up when the anomaly due to the SDW or structural transition is suppressed. Therefore, the new layered pnictide-oxide, BaTi(2)As(2)O, could be a potential parent compound for superconductivity. It is found that Li( + ) doping significantly suppresses the anomaly, but no superconductivity emerges so far.

Electronic excitations in the correlated metal BaV(0.98)Ti(0.02)S(3) studied using resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering

Electronic excitations in the correlated metal BaTi(0.02)V(0.98)S(3) have been studied using resonant inelastic soft x-ray scattering at the V L edge. The intensities of the intra-atomic d-d(*) excitations and the elastic x-ray scattering feature are found to be temperature dependent, with the intensity increasing with decreasing temperature until saturation is reached near 100 K. The behavior of the spectral features is interpreted as evidence of a shift in the 3d electrons from more band-like states at higher temperature to more localized states at low temperature.