Search

A new method for the direct measurement of 237Np/238U ratio in irradiated UO2 pellets by multicollection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (MC-ICP-MS) is proposed. It allows the determination of ratios down to 10 × 10–6 mol·mol−1 using ion counter and Faraday cup. This approach was validated by intercomparison with the usual two-step-method (Quadrupole ICP-MS for 237Np determination and isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IDMS) for 238U). For ratios between 10 × 10–6 and 100 × 10–6 mol·mol−1, expanded uncertainties (k = 2) varied from 2.75% to 0.81%, twice lower than the uncertainties determined by the usual method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In France, the surveillance of hospitalized cases of pandemic influenza was implemented in July 2009 and restricted to intensive-care unit (ICU) patients in November. We described the characteristics of the 1065 adult patients admitted to ICUs and analysed risk factors for severe outcome (mechanical ventilation or death). Eighty-seven percent of cases were aged 15–64 years. The case-fatality ratio was 20%. The risk for severe outcome increased with age and obesity while this association was negative for chronic respiratory disease. Late antiviral therapy was associated with a severe outcome in ICU patients with risk factors (adjusted OR 2·0, 95% CI 1·4–3·0). This study confirms the considerable contribution of young adults to A(H1N1) 2009 mortality. It shows the role of obesity as an independent risk factor for severe disease, and of early antiviral therapy as a protective factor, at least in patients with risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A one step Cs, lanthanides (Ln), Pu and U separation using TRU resin (Eichrom), for subsequent isotopic analyses, is presented for samples of transmutation targets containing a predominant matrix of steel elements. Cs, Ln, Pu and U are successively eluted using minor volumes (<12 mL) of 2M HNO3, 4M HCl, 0.075M oxalic acid in 1M HCl media and 0.1M ammonium hydrogen oxalate in 0.02M HNO3 media, respectively. Accurate and precise isotopic compositions obtained for these elements by thermal ionization mass spectrometry or multiple collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry show neither significant fractionation nor contamination during the complete analytical process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]