Quick algorithms for real-time discrimination of neutrons and gamma rays

Several new methods for the digital discrimination of neutrons and gamma-rays in a mixed radiation field are presented. The methods introduced discriminate neutrons and gamma rays successfully in the digital domain. They are mathematically simple and exploit samples during the life time of the pulse, hence appropriate for field measurements. All these methods are applied to a set of mixed neutron and photon signals from a stilbene scintillator and their discrimination qualities are compared.V článku je prezentováno několik nových metod pro digitální diskriminace neutronů a gama záření ve směsném radiačním poli. Klasické metody diskriminace neutronů a gama záření pracují úspěšně v digitální doméně. Jsou matematicky jednoduché a využívat vzorků během doby trvání impulsu (odezvy) a jsou tedy vhodné pro měření v terénu. Všechny tyto metody jsou aplikovány na řadu odezev smíšených polí neutronového a fotonového záření ze scintilátoru typu stilben a jejich separační vlastnosti jsou porovnány.Several new methods for the digital discrimination of neutrons and gamma-rays in a mixed radiation field are presented. The methods introduced discriminate neutrons and gamma rays successfully in the digital domain. They are mathematically simple and exploit samples during the life time of the pulse, hence appropriate for field measurements. All these methods are applied to a set of mixed neutron and photon signals from a stilbene scintillator and their discrimination qualities are compared

Bonding Experiences in Mothers of Infants with Severe Congenital Heart Disease

Mothers who have an infant with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) face an uncertain and emotionally challenging postpartum period as their baby is hospitalised and undergoes life-saving cardiac surgical treatment. There are many potential risk factors to mother-infant bonding, that is, the emotional tie a mother develops with her baby, in the context of infant illness. Having an infant with a diagnosis of severe CHD could be seen as a threat to the mother’s experience of bonding. However, there is limited understanding about the maternal perception of bonding with an infant with severe CHD. This study aimed to explore mothers’ bonding with their infant with severe CHD throughout antenatal, perinatal and postnatal periods and how they coped with any challenges to this bond. Interviews were conducted with eight mothers of infants aged between eight and fifteen months with severe CHD, who were recruited from a children’s hospital and who were diagnosed either antenatally or postnatally. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to identify themes across the mothers’ accounts. Four superordinant themes were identified: ‘An Emotional Start to Motherhood and the Mother-Infant Bond’, ‘Losing Control in the Context of CHD’, ‘Keeping Connected to the Baby’ and ‘Moving on Together’. The findings identify mother-infant bonding as a process that can withstand challenges such as maternal-infant separation, potential loss of the infant and maternal feelings of disconnection from the baby. Practical strategies were used by mothers to maintain their bond with their infant following diagnosis and during hospitalisation. These included being close to their infant and taking over caregiving duties from the nurses. Mothers described strength and resilience from the experience and a process of increasingly feeling closer to their infant. Several potential research implications and clinical recommendations for healthcare professionals are suggested

Measurement of air under high pressure by orifice method

The measuring of compressed air, under high pressures, by means of observing the drop in pressure on passing thru an orifice, is in a new field of endeavor. The necessity of measuring compressed air, in order to handle it economically, is obvious. Hence, the importance of a simple device by which this may be done. A device, which may be duplicated at any time, at any place, with very little expense, and ordinary materials --Introduction, page iii

Cupola practice in modern gray iron foundry

Cupola practice, as described in this paper, will include only the practical operation of a cupola and the details of the work necessary in daily routine, and very little of the theory of combustion, or history of cupola development, is presented. A brief description of the cupola will give an idea of its construction, and the names of the parts may be found on the sketch herewith --page 1

The Community College Professoriate: Expanding the Dialogue about Faculty Roles

Community college faculty are urged to play a central role in the current dialogue about changing facultyroles through expanding definitions of scholarship to include teaching. Suggesting a provisional definition of scholarly teaching, the article explores the current shape of the community college professoriate and how scholarly teaching might clarify the academic function of its faculty, strengthen ties between two and four year faculty, and enhance community college faculty s response to a changing world

Characterization of Neonectria, Nectria, and Sarocladium spp. on pome fruit in the Pacific Northwest

Neonectria fruit rot (NFR) is known to be caused mainly by Neonectria ditissima, the causal agent of European canker in many regions where apples are grown worldwide. NFR-like symptoms were observed in about 35% of 600 grower lots surveyed from 24 apple and pear packinghouses in Washington and Oregon from 2013 to 2018. We used morphological characteristics on several agar media under various photoperiods, molecular phylogenetic analyses, and pathogenicity tests to characterize 56 Neonectria and Nectria isolates collected from 6 apple and 3 pear cultivars. Multisequence analyses of four DNA regions, i.e., ß-TUB, TEF1, LSU, and ITS rDNA, confirmed that NFR of apple and pear in the PNW is caused by N. ramulariae (syn. N. candida, anamorph Cylindrocarpon obtusiusculum). This species was pathogenic on Fuji apples and Green d’Anjou pears at 1.5 and 0.5°C, respectively, and at 22°C with NFR incidences ranging from 6 to 100%. We report for the first time that three Nectria species, i.e., Nectria nigrescens, Nectria cinnabarina, and Nectria dematiosa, can cause NFR-like rot on detached apples and pear at both cold and ambient temperatures. The effects of lighting conditions and agar medium on the growth and sporulation of representative isolates of N. ramulariae and Nectria spp. were investigated to better understand the biology of these species. Although some differences were observed, N. ramulariae and Nectria spp. isolates showed the ability to grow and sporulate on nutrient-poor and nutrient-rich media under different photoperiods. In this study, we also investigated and characterized 85 Sarocladium spp. isolates collected from apples and pears. Phylogenetic analyses revealed occurrence of Sarocladium kiliense and S. mali on several apple and pear cultivars. S. kiliense and S. mali caused brown halos of 2.8 mm diameter on Fuji apple and Green d’Anjou pear at 0 to 41% incidences when incubated at 0.5 and 1.5°C, and 0 to 55% incidences when incubated at 22°C. It is not clear whether Sarocladium spp. are true pathogens or part of endophytic populations on pome fruit. The potential for emergence of N. ramulariae and Sarocladium spp. as additional postharvest pathogens in the PNW may constitute additional challenges to fruit growers and packers. This study is the first step towards species characterization and understanding their biology and epidemiology to develop effective management approaches