This report discusses the monthly progress of the Power Burst Facility/Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (PBF/BNLT) program for cancer treatment. Highlights of the PBF/BNCT Program during July 1990 include progress within the areas of: Gross boron analysis in tissue, blood, and urine; noninvasive boron quantitative determination; analytical radiation transport and interaction modeling for BNCT; large animal model studies; neutron source and facility preparation; administration and common support and PBF operations.

This monthly bulletin describes activities in the following project areas during this reporting period: supporting technology development, large animal model studies, neutron source and facility preparation, administration and common support, and PBF operations. (FI)

This report discusses monthly progress in the Power Boron Facility/Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (PBF/BNCT) Program for Cancer Treatment. Highlights of the PBF/BNCT Program during August 1990 include progress within the areas of: Gross Boron Analysis in Tissue, Blood, and Urine, boron microscopic (subcellular) analytical development, noninvasive boron quantitative determination, analytical radiation transport and interaction modeling for BNCT, large animal model studies, neutron source and facility preparation, administration and common support and PBF operations.

This report summarizes the advanced development of the Spectrum Sciences Model 5005-TF, Single-Event Test Fixture. The Model 5005-TF uses a Californium-252 (Cf-252) fission-fragment source to test integrated circuits and other devices for the effects of single-event phenomena. Particle identification methods commonly used in high-energy physics research and nuclear engineering have been incorporated into the Model 5005-TF for estimating the particle charge, mass, and energy parameters. All single-event phenomena observed in a device under test (DUT) are correlated with an identified fission fragment, and its linear energy transfer (LET) and range in the semiconductor material of the DUT.

A suite of 41 thermal and nonthermal waters in the Zunil-Quetzaltenango region, Guatemala, were collected as part of a well logging operation conducted by the Instituto Nacional de Electrificacion (INDE) and Los Alamos National Laboratory. Both in situ and weirbox samples were collected in the Zunil geothermal field. The various data suggest that the reservoir at Zunil is geochemically inhomogeneous. Stable isotope data suggest recharge to the field comes primarily from the north and east whereas tritium data indicate that the reservoir waters may be 500 to 7500 years old. 14 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.

Los Alamos research activities are currently directed at the application of the shielded hydrogen plasma torch to the direct production of actinide metals from a UF{sub 6} feedstock. Two broad classes of thermal plasma reactors are currently in widespread use: the direct current (dc) arc jet system and the radio frequency (rf) inductively coupled system. Los Alamos has improved upon the basic rf plasma tube design using the concept of a transformer. The unique feature of the Los Alamos tube is a segmented, cooled, internal radiation shield. The Los Alamos shielded plasma torch routinely achieves temperatures exceeding 10,000 K and electron densities of 10{sup 16}/cm{sup 3} when operated continuously at one atmosphere of argon. These highly energetic conditions are sufficient to dissociate most chemical compounds into their constituent atoms. Based upon these characteristics, Los Alamos is currently investigating the application of the shielded plasma torch technology to the destruction of organic and mixed hazardous wastes, as well as the direct production of actinide metals from the halides and oxides, without the cogeneration of contaminated wastes. 5 refs., 4 figs.

Improvement of spray nozzles for black liquor injection into kraft recovery furnaces is expected to result from obtaining a controlled, well-defined droplet size distribution. Work this year has centered on defining the capabilities of commercial black liquor nozzles currently in use. Considerations of the observed mechanism of droplet formation suggest a major revision is needed in the theory of how droplets form from these nozzles. High resolution, high sensitivity video has been shown to be superior to flash x-ray as a technique for measuring the droplet size distribution as well as the formation history. An environmentally sound spray facility capable of spraying black liquor at temperatures up to normal firing conditions is being constructed before data acquisition continues. Preliminary correlations have been developed between liquor properties, nozzle design, and droplet size. Three aspects of nozzle design have been investigated: droplet size distribution, fluid sheet thickness, and flow and pressure drop characteristics. The standard deviation about the median droplet size for black liquor is nearly the same as the for a wide variety of other fluids and nozzle types. Preliminary correlation for fluid sheet thickness on the plate of a splashplate nozzle show the strong similarities of black liquor to other …

This report documents the Environmental Transport Section`s (ETS) two-dimensional, sequential gaussian puff transport and dispersion model for emergency response. The sequential puff scheme is described, and the dispersion equations are presented. The advantages of this model over the ETS`s PUFF/PLUME model are discussed. Options are calculating a two-dimensional wind field, interpolation procedures, and the wind field grid are described. The various grid systems for puff transport calculations and dose estimates are also described. A flow diagram for the modules comprising the 2DPUF code and a description of each module is presented.

This report documents the Environmental Transport Section's (ETS) two-dimensional, sequential gaussian puff transport and dispersion model for emergency response. The sequential puff scheme is described, and the dispersion equations are presented. The advantages of this model over the ETS's PUFF/PLUME model are discussed. Options are calculating a two-dimensional wind field, interpolation procedures, and the wind field grid are described. The various grid systems for puff transport calculations and dose estimates are also described. A flow diagram for the modules comprising the 2DPUF code and a description of each module is presented.

Volatile organic compounds such as petroleum hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbon solvents are common contaminants of the subsurface environment. Although immiscible with water, many of these organics have large enough aqueous phase solubilities to significantly degrade the quality of groundwater with which they come in contact. In addition, many of these substances exhibit high vapor pressures, causing them to partition strongly into the gas phase in their surroundings. Because of these properties, a volatile organic compound (VOC), once introduced into the subsurface may be transported as a solute, a vapor, or as a constituent in a non- aqueous phase liquid (NAPL). This implies that at some sits, an adequate description of the migration of these contaminants in the subsurface would necessarily involve three phases, -- gas, aqueous and NAPL. For example, to design an effective aquifer remediation scheme for a site where NAPL is present, it would be wrong to focus solely on the aqueous phase while ignoring either the gas phase or the NAPL phase. In the present work, we use a simulator developed by Falta et al. (1990a), known as STMVOC,'' which models true three-phase flow in which NAPL, gas and aqueous phases can move in response to pressure, …

A fully licensed transportation system for Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators and Light-Weight Radioisotope Heater Units is currently being designed and built. The system will comply with all applicable US Department of Transportation regulations without the use of a DOE Alternative.'' The US Department of Transportation has special double containment'' requirements for plutonium. The system packaging uses a doubly contained bell jar'' concept. A refrigerated trailer is used for cooling the high-heat payloads. The same packaging is used for both high- and low-heat payloads. The system is scheduled to be available for use by mid-1992. 4 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.

Investigation of ultrasonic waves, especially the slow compressional wave, with fluid-saturated porous solids, especially rocks. This research effort should fine applications in the geophysical evaluation of fluid-bearing porous rocks where parameters such as tortuosity, permeability, saturation level, and internal impurities are difficult to measure by conventional techniques. The proposed investigation may be divided into three major subtasks: Experimental study of surface wave propagation on fluid-saturated porous materials. A new, so-called direct excitation technique will be used on both air- and water-saturated samples; further development of the Lamb wave technique recently introduced to study guided wave propagation in thin fluid-saturated porous plates. The analytical treatment will be extended to account for viscous losses and scattering inhomogeneities; and theoretical and experimental study of slow wave propagation in fluid-saturated natural rocks. A new technique based on the transmission of airborne ultrasound through air-saturated porous plates will be used to determine properties such as tortuosity, permeability, etc. 22 refs., 37 figs., 3 tabs.

We report results on the use of neural nets, and the closely related radial basis nets'', to analyze experimental time series from electro-chemical systems. We show how the nets may be used to derive a map that describes the nonlinear system, and how reserving an extra input line'' of the network allows one to learn the system behavior dependent on a control variable. Pruning'' of the network after training appears to result in elimination of spurious connection weights and enhanced predictive accuracy. Subsequent analysis of the learned map using techniques of bifurcation theory allows both nonlinear system identification and accurate and efficient predictions of long-term system behavior. The electrochemical system that was used involved the electrodissolution of copper in phosphoric acid. This system exhibits interesting low dimensional dynamics such transitions from steady state to oscillatory behavior and from period-one to period-two oscillations. This analysis provides an example of methodology that can be fruitful in understanding systems for which no adequate phenomenological model exists, or for which predictions of system behavior given a large scale, complicated model is inherently impractical. 17 refs., 2 figs.

The amount of data generated by CT scanners is enormous, making the reconstruction operation slow, especially for 3-D and limited-data scans requiring iterative algorithms. The Radon transform and its inverse, commonly used for CT image reconstruction from projections, are computationally burdensome for today's single-processor computer architectures. If the processing times for the forward and inverse Radon transforms were comparatively small, a large set of new CT algorithms would become feasible, especially those for 3-D and iterative tomographic image reconstructions. In addition to image reconstruction, a fast Radon Transform Computer'' could be naturally applied in other areas of multidimensional signal processing including 2-D power spectrum estimation, modeling of human perception, Hough transforms, image representation, synthetic aperture radar processing, and others. A high speed processor for this operation is likely to motivate new algorithms for general multidimensional signal processing using the Radon transform. In the proposed workshop paper, we will first describe interpolation schemes useful in computation of the discrete Radon transform and backprojection and compare their errors and hardware complexities. We then will evaluate through statistical means the fixed-point number system required to accept and generate 12-bit input and output data with acceptable error using the linear interpolation scheme selected. These …

A three-dimensional spectral radiation transport model has been developed for assessing the impact of burning deeply cleaned coals on heat absorption patterns in pulverized coal (PC) furnaces. Spectroscopic data are used for calculating the absorption coefficients of participating gases. Mie theory is invoked for determining the extinction and scattering efficiencies of combustion particulates. The optical constants of char, ash and soot are obtained from dispersion relations derived from reflectivity, transmissivity and extinction measurements. 8 refs., 2 figs., 3 tabs.

The characteristics of PIN diodes have been determined. These diodes have lower leakage currents and noise than other types of Si radiation detectors. The energy resolutions (FWHM) of a 1 cm{sup 2} {times} 0.5 mm PIN diode measured with a pulser, 122.0 keV gamma rays, 193 keV electrons, and 5.5-MeV alpha particles were 2.6, 2.8, 2.9, and 11.0 keV, respectively. For a 6 mm {times} 6 mm {times} 0.2 mm PIN diode, the resolutions (FWHM) for a pulser, 60 keV {gamma}-rays, 193 keV electrons, and 5.5-MeV, {alpha}-particles were 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, and 10.8 keV, respectively. 11 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.

Neutron single-particle states above the N=152 subshell have been studied by high-resolution (d,p) reaction on a {sup 250}Cf target. All of the orbitals between N=152 and N=164 subshells have been identified. A tentative assignment has been made for the 1/2-(750) Nilsson state. 10 refs.

A mathematical model has been developed to simulate the electrochemistry and thermal hydraulics in a monolithic solid oxide fuel cell (MSOFC). Dividing a single cell layer into a number of nodes, the model sets up the steady-state heat and mass transfer equations for each node in a cell layer. Based on the average thermal and compositional conditions at each node and a specified cell voltage, the model calculates the Nernst potential and the resultant current, heat generation, and heat removal rates at each node. These calculations yield the temperature and the fuel and oxidant compositions and partial pressure matrices for the entire cell. The simulation also provides related performance data for the fuel cell stack, such as energy efficiency, fuel utilization, and power density. The model can be used to simulate operation with different fuel gases, such as hydrogen, coal gas, and methanol reformate. A mathematical model such as this can be used to examine the effects of changing one or more of the various design variables and to evaluate the effectiveness of fabrication improvements in technology development. In the design phase, the model can be used to determine the size of the stack that will be required for a …

This paper presents the numerical results of an analytical study for mass transfer and transport of radionuclides released from a cylindrical waste solid into water-saturated fractured porous rock. The purposes of this study are (1) to predict the diffusive mass flux from a cylindrical waste solid into a planar fracture and the surrounding rock matrix for the low-flow conditions wherein near-field mass transfer is expected to be controlled by molecular diffusion and (2) to investigate the effects of cylindrical geometry and of multidimensional matrix diffusion including diffusion in the directions parallel to the fracture plane. In the paper are presented the derivation of an analytical solution for the time-dependent mass transfer from the cylinder for low-flow conditions and computer-code implementation and numerical results. The problem was first proposed and solved analytically by Chambre. Numerical results are shown for (1) the diffusive mass fluxes from the cylindrical waste solid into the fracture and into the rock matrix, (2) the diffusive mass flux across the rock/fracture interface, and (3) the instantaneous concentration isopleths in the fracture and in the rock matrix. Comparison of the present cylindrical model with previous planar models, wherein contaminant was assumed to be released only into the fracture …

Fermilab experiment 665 has taken deep-inelastic muon scattering data at a beam energy of 490 GeV/c, on H{sub 2}, D{sub 2} and Xe targets. Two triggers have been used: a large scattering-angle trigger (LAT), sensitive to a minimum scattering angle of 3 mrad, and a small scattering-angle trigger which can accept a scattering angle down to 0.5 mrad. The neutron to proton ratio is reported for x{sub bj} above 0.002, and it shows consistency with 1 as x{sub bj} goes to 0. The Xe to D{sub 3} cross-section ratio is reported for x{sub bj} above 0.001 and it shows evidence of shadowing. 5 refs., 5 figs.

We have constructed a uranium liquid argon calorimeter which serves as the end calorimeter electromagnetic module for the DO experiment at Fermilab. We present details of the construction and the results of the tests made using electron beams ranging from 10 GeV to 150 GeV. We find the energy resolution is 15.5%/{radical}E(GeV) with a small constant term of {approximately}0.5% and the response is linear to better than {plus minus}0.5%. 5 refs., 7 figs.

The major goals of noninvasive studies of the human visual cortex are: to increase knowledge of the functional organization of cortical visual pathways; and to develop noninvasive clinical tests for the assessment of cortical function. Noninvasive techniques suitable for studies of the structure and function of human visual cortex include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission tomography (SPECT), scalp recorded event-related potentials (ERPs), and event-related magnetic fields (ERFs). The primary challenge faced by noninvasive functional measures is to optimize the spatial and temporal resolution of the measurement and analytic techniques in order to effectively characterize the spatial and temporal variations in patterns of neuronal activity. In this paper we review the use of neuromagnetic techniques for this purpose. 8 refs., 3 figs.

A high-temperature flaw assessment procedure is described. This procedure is a result of a collaborative effort between Electric Power Research Institute in the United States, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in Japan, and Nuclear Electric plc in the United Kingdom. The procedure addresses preexisting defects subject to creep-fatigue loading conditions. Laws employed to calculate the crack growth per cycle are defined in terms of fracture mechanics parameters and constants related to the component material. The crack-growth laws can be integrated to calculate the remaining life of a component or to predict the amount of crack extension in a given period. Fatigue and creep crack growth per cycle are calculated separately, and the total crack extension is taken as the simple sum of the two contributions. An interaction between the two propagation modes is accounted for in the material properties in the separate calculations. In producing the procedure, limitations of the approach have been identified. 25 refs., 1 fig.

An interim high-temperature flaw assessment procedure is described. This is a result of a collaborative effort between Electric Power Research Institute in the USA, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry in Japan, and Nuclear Electric plc in the UK. The procedure addresses preexisting defects subject to creep-fatigue loading conditions. Laws employed to calculate the crack growth per cycle are defined in terms of fracture mechanics parameters and constants related to the component material. The crack growth laws may be integrated to calculate the remaining life of a component or to predict the amount of crack extension in a given period. Fatigue and creep crack growth per cycle are calculated separately, and the total crack extension is taken as the simple sum of the two contributions. An interaction between the two propagation modes is accounted for in the material properties in the separate calculations. In producing the procedure, limitations of the approach have been identified. Some of these limitations are to be addressed in an extension of the current collaborative program. 20 refs.