Browsing by Author "Simpson, BRS"

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    Comparison of triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) efficiency calculations and uncertainty assessments for Tc-99
    (Elsevier, 2010-07) Zimmerman, BE; Altzitzoglou, T; Rodrigues, D; Broda, R; Cassette, P; Mo, L; Ratel, G; Simpson, BRS; van Wyngaardt, WM; Watjen, C
    A comparison exercise for data analysis was recently conducted by the Liquid Scintillation Counting Working Group (LSCWG) of the International Committee on Radionuclide Metrology (ICRM) to evaluate the uncertainties involved in applying different analysis methodologies (including computer programs) for the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method. The goals of the comparison were to (1) study differences in calculation results from different TDCR analysis programs, (2) investigate differences in analysis techniques and uncertainty assessment philosophies between laboratories, and (3) study the effect of not taking asymmetry of photomultiplier tube (PMT) efficiencies into account on the calculated activity. To achieve this, a single set of TDCR data for the pure beta emitter 99Tc, was distributed to the participants, who analyzed the data according to their normal procedures and report the activity concentration of the 99Tc solution from their results. The results indicate that the presently used programs are generally able to calculate the same activity values, assuming that the correct input parameters are used and that not taking PMT asymmetry into account in the calculations can lead to significant (0.6% for 99Tc) errors in reported results. The comparison also highlighted the need for a more rigorous approach to estimating and reporting uncertainties. © 2010, Elsevier Ltd.
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    Development of activity standard for 90Y microspheres
    (Elsevier, 2005-08) Mo, L; Avci, B; James, D; Simpson, BRS; van Wyngaardt, WM; Cessna, JT; Baldock, C
    90Y microspheres are important therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals used in the treatment of liver cancer through a process known as selective internal radiation therapy. SIR-spheres® is a radiopharmaceutical product that is comprised of 90Y microspheres suspended in sterile, pyrogen-free water for injection into patients. It is necessary to establish for the SIR-spheres® production the capability of accurately measuring the activity of this product to a traceable national measurement standard. An activity standard for SIR-spheres® was developed from a standard for 90Y solution, employing a highly quantifiable chemical digestion process. Calibration factors for the manufacturer's ionisation chambers were determined for 1 and 5 ml of the SIR-spheres® product placed in Wheaton vials, for both 34% and 44% of 90Y microsphere concentration. © 2005, Elsevier Ltd.
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    Evidence against solar influence on nuclear decay constants
    (Elsevier B. V., 2016-10-10) Pommé, S; Stroh, H; Paepen, J; Van Ammel, R; Marouli, M; Altzitzoglou, T; Hult, M; Kossert, K; Nähle, O; Schrader, H; Juget, F; Bailat, CJ; Nedjadi, Y; Bochud, F; Buchillier, T; Michotte, C; Courte, S; van Rooy, MW; van Staden, MJ; Lubbe, J; Simpson, BRS; Fazio, A; De Felice, P; Jackson, TW; van Wyngaardt, WM; Reinhard, MI; Golya, J; Bourke, S; Roy, T; Galea, R; Keightley, JD; Ferreira, KM; Collins, SM; Ceccatelli, A; Unterweger, MP; Fitzgerald, R; Bergeron, DE; Pibida, L; Verheyen, L; Bruggeman, M; Vodenik, B; Korun, M; Chisté, V; Amiot, MN
    The hypothesis that proximity to the Sun causes variation of decay constants at permille level has been tested and disproved. Repeated activity measurements of mono-radionuclide sources were performed over periods from 200 days up to four decades at 14 laboratories across the globe. Residuals from the exponential nuclear decay curves were inspected for annual oscillations. Systematic deviations from a purely exponential decay curve differ from one data set to another and are attributable to instabilities in the instrumentation and measurement conditions. The most stable activity measurements of alpha, beta-minus, electron capture, and beta-plus decaying sources set an upper limit of 0.0006% to 0.008% to the amplitude of annual oscillations in the decay rate. Oscillations in phase with Earth's orbital distance to the Sun could not be observed within a to range of precision. There are also no apparent modulations over periods of weeks or months. Consequently, there is no indication of a natural impediment against sub-permille accuracy in half-life determinations, renormalisation of activity to a distant reference date, application of nuclear dating for archaeology, geo- and cosmochronology, nor in establishing the SI unit becquerel and seeking international equivalence of activity standards. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.
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    On decay constants and orbital distance to the Sun—part I: alpha decay
    (IOP Publishing, 2016-11-28) Pommé, S; Stroh, H; Paepen, J; Van Ammel, R; Marouli, M; Altzitzoglou, A; Hult, M; Kossert, K; Nähle, O; Schrader, H; Juget, F; Bailat, C; Nedjadi, Y; Bochud, F; Buchillier, T; Michotte, M; Courte, S; van Rooy, MW; van Staden, MJ; Lubbe, L; Simpson, BRS; Fazio, A; De Felice, D; Jackson, TW; van Wyngaardt, WM; Reinhard, MI; Golya, J; Bourke, S; Roy, T; Galea, R; Keightley, JD; Ferreira, KM; Collins, SM; Ceccatelli, A; Verheyen, L; Bruggeman, M; Vodenik, M; Korun, M; Chisté, V; Amiot, MN
    Claims that proximity to the Sun causes variation of decay constants at permille level have been investigated for alpha decaying nuclides. Repeated decay rate measurements of 209Po, 226Ra, 228Th, 230U, and 241Am sources were performed over periods of 200 d up to two decades at various nuclear metrology institutes around the globe. Residuals from the exponential decay curves were inspected for annual oscillations. Systematic deviations from a purely exponential decay curve differ in amplitude and phase from one data set to another and appear attributable to instabilities in the instrumentation and measurement conditions. The most stable activity measurements of α decaying sources set an upper limit between 0.0006% and 0.006% to the amplitude of annual oscillations in the decay rate. There are no apparent indications for systematic oscillations at a level of weeks or months. Oscillations in phase with Earth's orbital distance to the sun could not be observed within 10−5–10−6 range precision. © The Authors CC BY 3.0 licence
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    On decay constants and orbital distance to the Sun—part II: beta minus decay
    (IOP Publishing, 2016-11-28) Pommé, S; Stroh, H; Paepen, J; Van Ammel, R; Marouli, M; Altzitzoglou, A; Hult, M; Kossert, K; Nähle, O; Schrader, H; Juget, F; Bailat, C; Nedjadi, Y; Bochud, F; Buchillier, T; Michotte, M; Courte, S; van Rooy, MW; van Staden, MJ; Lubbe, L; Simpson, BRS; Fazio, A; De Felice, D; Jackson, TW; van Wyngaardt, WM; Reinhard, MI; Golya, J; Bourke, S; Roy, T; Galea, R; Keightley, JD; Ferreira, KM; Collins, SM; Ceccatelli, A; Verheyen, L; Bruggeman, M; Vodenik, M; Korun, M; Chisté, V; Amiot, MN
    Claims that proximity to the Sun causes variations of decay constants at the permille level have been investigated for beta-minus decaying nuclides. Repeated activity measurements of 3H, 14C, 60Co, 85Kr, 90Sr, 124Sb, 134Cs, 137Cs, and 154Eu sources were performed over periods of 259 d up to 5 decades at various nuclear metrology institutes. Residuals from the exponential decay curves were inspected for annual oscillations. Systematic deviations from a purely exponential decay curve differ in amplitude and phase from one data set to another and appear attributable to instabilities in the instrumentation and measurement conditions. Oscillations in phase with Earth's orbital distance to the Sun could not be observed within 10−4–10−5 range precision. The most stable activity measurements of β− decaying sources set an upper limit of 0.003%–0.007% to the amplitude of annual oscillations in the decay rate. There are no apparent indications for systematic oscillations at a level of weeks or months. © The Authors CC BY 3.0 licence
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    On decay constants and orbital distance to the Sun—part III: beta plus and electron capture decay
    (IOP Publishing, 2016-11-28) Pommé, S; Stroh, H; Paepen, J; Van Ammel, R; Marouli, M; Altzitzoglou, T; Hult, M; Kossert, K; Nähle, O; Schrader, H; Juget, F; Bailat, C; Nedjadi, Y; Bochud, F; Buchillier, T; Michotte, C; Courte, S; van Rooy, MW; van Staden, MJ; Lubbe, J; Simpson, BRS; Fazio, A; De Felice, P; Jackson, TW; van Wyngaardt, WM; Reinhard, MI; Golya, J; Bourke, S; Roy, T; Galea, R; Keightley, JD; Ferreira, KM; Collins, SM; Ceccatelli, A; Verheyen, L; Bruggeman, M; Vodenik, B; Korun, M; Chisté, V; Amiot, MN
    The hypothesis that seasonal changes in proximity to the Sun cause variation of decay constants at permille level has been tested for radionuclides disintegrating through electron capture and beta plus decay. Activity measurements of 22Na, 54Mn, 55Fe, 57Co, 65Zn, 82+85Sr, 90Sr, 109Cd, 124Sb, 133Ba, 152Eu, and 207Bi sources were repeated over periods from 200 d up to more than four decades at 14 laboratories across the globe. Residuals from the exponential nuclear decay curves were inspected for annual oscillations. Systematic deviations from a purely exponential decay curve differ from one data set to another and appear attributable to instabilities in the instrumentation and measurement conditions. Oscillations in phase with Earth's orbital distance to the sun could not be observed within 10−4–10−5 range precision. The most stable activity measurements of β+ and EC decaying sources set an upper limit of 0.006% or less to the amplitude of annual oscillations in the decay rate. There are no apparent indications for systematic oscillations at a level of weeks or months. © The Authors CC BY 3.0 licence