SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL AEROSPACE REPORTS

A Biweekly Publication of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
VOLUME 44, ISSUE 13 - JULY 5, 2006

73 NUCLEAR PHYSICS
Includes nuclear particles; and reactor theory.

For space radiation see 93 Space Radiation.

For atomic and molecular physics see 72 Atomic and Molecular Physics.

For elementary particle physics see 77 Physics of Elementary Particles and Fields.

For nuclear astrophysics see 90 Astrophysics.

20060016578 City Coll. of the City Univ. of New York, NY USA

Prostate Cancer Detection Using Near Infrared Spectral Polarization Imaging

Alfano, Robert; Wang, W B; Jul 2005; 72 pp.; In English; Original contains color illustrations Contract(s)/Grant(s): DAMD17-01-1-0084 Report No.(s): AD-A444082; No Copyright; ONLINE: http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA444082; Avail.: CASI: A04, Hardcopy

Specific aims: The objective of this grant is to develop a near infrared (NIR) spectral polarization imaging technique for prostate cancer detection. The technique is based on the spectral and polarization properties of light scattered, absorbed and emitted from prostate cancerous and normal tissues, and contrast agents targeted to the prostate cancers.

Results of finding% and their significance%: All of the six specific tasks listed in the revised work statement were performed successfully: (1) NIR spectral polarization imaging measurements were performed on human rectum-membrane-prostate tissue samples (task #1), and the results show that small objects hidden inside host prostate tissues can be imaged and identified through a rectum-and-membrane tissues; (2) imaging measurements of in-vitro prostate cancerous-normal tissue samples (task #2) based on water absorption, and a cancer-receptor-targeted contrast agent (Cybesin) were performed. The results show that the water content may be used for prostate cancer detection, and prostate cancerous tissues takes up more Cybesin agent than that of normal tissues that makes Cybesin a potential candidate maker for prostate cancer detection; (3) a breadboard rectal optical probe used for the prostate NIR scanning imaging unit was designed, built and tested (task #3); (4) the absorption spectra of prostate cancerous and normal tissues were measured (task #4), and the results show that prostate cancerous tissue has less absorption than that of normal tissue at water absorption peaks indicating cancer tissue has less water content than that of normal tissue; (5) preliminary integrating sphere measurements were performed to Investigate the difference of scattering length between prostate cancerous and normal tissue (task #5); and (6) steady-state and time-resolved spectral measurements for Cybesin (Task #6) were performed. DTIC

Cancer; Infrared Imagery; Infrared Spectra; Near Infrared Radiation; Prostate Gland; Spectra

20060017302 Library of Congress, Washington, DC USA

Nuclear Power Plants: Vulnerability to Terrorists Attack

Behrens, Carl; Holt, Mark; Aug 9, 2005; 7 pp.; In English Report No.(s): AD-A444804; CRS-RS21131; No Copyright; ONLINE: http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA444804; Avail.: CASI: A02, Hardcopy

Protection of nuclear power plants from land-based assaults, deliberate aircraft crashes, and other terrorist acts has been a heightened national priority since the attacks of September 11, 2001. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has strengthened its regulations on nuclear reactor security, but critics contend that implementation by the industry has been too slow and that further measures are needed. Several provisions to increase nuclear reactor security are included in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, signed August 8, 2005. The new law requires NRC to conduct 'force on force' security exercises at nuclear power plants at least once every 3 years and to revise the 'design-basis threat' that nuclear plant security forces must be able to meet, among other measures. This report will be updated as events warrant. DTIC

Law (Jurisprudence); Nuclear Power Plants; Nuclear Vulnerability; Personnel; Requirements; Security; Terrorism

20060018608 Geological Survey, Washington, DC USA

Water-Quality, Well-Construction, and Ground-Water Level Data for an Investigation of Radionuclides in Ground Water, Hickman and Maury Counties, Tennessee

Hileman, Gregg E; Jan 1990; 19 pp.; In English Report No.(s): AD-A445516; USGS-OFR-90-190; No Copyright; ONLINE: http://hdl.handle.net/100.2/ADA445516; Avail.: CASI: A03, Hardcopy

Water-quality, well-construction, and ground-water level data were collected for an investigation of radionuclides in ground water in Maury and Hickman Counties, Tennessee. Seventeen wells and 3 springs were sampled in Hickman County, and 20 wells were sampled in Maury County. Data are presented in tables. Maps of each county show the Location of the data-collection sites. Samples from each site were analyzed for radionuclides, common and trace inorganic ions, indicators of redox conditions, selected nutrients, total organic carbon, and selected physical characteristics. Well-construction data were obtained to help determine the source of the water. Where possible, ground-water Level measurements were made for each well sampled. Samples were collected from May 1989 through mid-August 1989. DTIC

Construction; Ground Water; Radioactive Isotopes; Water Quality

20060018905 Tokyo Inst. of Tech., Tokyo, Japan

Stationary Population Inversion in an Expanding Argon Plasma Jet by Helium Puffing

Akatsuka, H; Kano, K; Jul 13, 2005; 7 pp.; In English Report No.(s): AD-A445956; No Copyright; Avail.: CASI: A02, Hardcopy

An experiment of He gas-contact for generating population inversion in a recombining Ar plasma jet is carried out. Population inversion between Ar I excited states 5s'-\g4p'[1/2]1 and 5s'-\g4p[3/2]1,2, [5/2]2,3 is created by helium gas-contact cooling of electrons, whereas it is not created without gas-contact. Ar I lines 1.14 m, 1.34 m, and 1.09 m are strongly enhanced due to the He gas cooling. It is experimentally found that helium gas contact effectively lowers electron temperature of the Ar plasma jet. The mechanisms giving rise to population inversion are discussed in terms of atomic collisional processes of the recombining plasma. The experimental results of electron temperature and population densities are discussed by simple numerical analysis which we previously developed. It is shown that the experimental results are well explained by our modeling quantitatively for the case without gas contact, except that the agreement of number densities of lower lying non-LTE levels is qualitative for the case with the gas contact. DTIC

Argon; Argon Plasma; Helium Plasma; Inversions; Plasma Jets; Population Inversion

Source: NASA