International Reference System Research Articles

BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Zn-65 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 65Zn for the BARC (India) with linked results for the CCRI(II)-K2.Zn-65 comparison

A new participation in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Zn-65 comparison has been added to the previous results. A link has been made to the CCRI(II)-K2.Zn-65 comparison held in 2003 through the measurement of all ampoules of the K2 comparison in the International Reference System (SIR) at the BIPM before dispatch to the participants. This has produced a revised value for the key comparison reference value (KCRV), calculated using the power-moderated weighted mean. Six NMIs used the K2 comparison to update their degrees of equivalence. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table for the remaining two NMIs in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Zn-65 comparison and the 17 other participants in the CCRI(II)-K2.Zn-65 comparison. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ho-166m activity measurements of the radionuclide 166mHo for the PTB (Germany), with linked results for the EURAMET.RI(II)-K2.Ho-166m comparison

The PTB submitted directly to the SIR one ampoule of 166mHo prepared from a dilution of the solution distributed to four laboratories participating in the EURAMET.RI(II)-K2.Ho-166m comparison in 2013. No attempt to evaluate a new KCRV has been made and the usual procedure was applied to link the results of the comparison to the usual SIR entries through the PTB. One NMI used this K2 comparison to update its previous degree of equivalence which is older than 20 years. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the International Reference System (SIR) and the KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table for the four remaining laboratories in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ho166m comparison, the six laboratories in the regional comparison APMP.RI(II)-K2.Ho166m and the four laboratories in the regional EURAMET.RI(II)-K2.Ho-166m comparison. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Bi-207 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 207Bi to include the 2010 result of the LNE-LNHB (France)

In 2010, the Laboratoire National de Métrologie et d'Essais–Laboratoire National Henri Becquerel (LNE–LNHB) submitted one sample of known activity of 207Bi to the International Reference System for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures, with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Bi-207. The value of the activity submitted was about 180 kBq. There is now one result in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Bi-207 comparison. The key comparison reference value (KCRV) has been evaluated for the first time using the LNE–LNHB result and a PTB result dating 1982. The degree of equivalence between the LNE–LNHB equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the KCRV has been calculated and is reported.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Sr-85 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 85Sr to include the 2009 result of the POLATOM (Poland)

Since 1975, ten laboratories have submitted 27 samples of known activity of 85Sr to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Sr-85. The values of the activity submitted were between about 0.2 MBq and 19 MBq. The key comparison reference value (KCRV) has been recalculated to include the primary standardization result for the POLATOM, Poland. There are now four results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Sr-85 comparison. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the updated KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table. A graphical presentation is also given.Main textTo reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Participation of the NPL in 2008 in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Mn-56 comparisonof activity measurements of the radionuclide 56Mn

In 2008, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) submitted one sample of known activity of 56Mn to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Mn-56. The value of the activity submitted was about 290 kBq. There is now one result in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Mn-56 comparison. The key comparison reference value (KCRV) has been evaluated for the first time using the NPL result and a BIPM result dating November 1978. The degree of equivalence between the NPL equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the KCRV has been calculated and is reported.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Systematyka Gleb Polski - Stan Aktualny i Dalszy Rozwój

StreszczeniePiąte wydanie Systematyki gleb Polski umacnia zasadę klasyfikacji gleb w oparciu o ilościowo zdefiniowane poziomy i właściwości diagnostyczne. Nowe kryteria klasyfikacji bazują na podziałach międzynarodowych, jednak jednoczesne stosowanie rozwiązań zaczerpniętych z FAO-WRB i US Soil Taxonomy albo niekonsekwentne stosowanie ustalonych definicji jest powodem wewnętrznej niespójności klasyfikacji. Dalsze doskonalenie systematyki gleb Polski powinno objąć: wybórjednego międzynarodowego systemu referencyjnego dla poziomów i właściwości diagnostycznych, ustalenie hierarchii priorytetów klasyfikacyjnych i klucza do klasyfikacji gleb, doprecyzowanie definicji unikalnych poziomów diagnostycznych, opracowanie uniwersalnych zasad wyróżniania podtypów oraz doprecyzowanie kryteriów ilościowych na styku j ednostek. Należy również podj ąć próbę zmniej -szenia liczby typów i podtypów gleb, co może ułatwić odbiór, zrozumienie oraz nauczanie systematyki.

Dose calibrator manufacturer-dependent bias in assays of 123I

Calibration factors for commercial ionization chambers (i.e. dose calibrators) were determined for a solution of 123I; the activity was based on the 1976 NBS standard. A link between the NIST standard and the International Reference System (SIR) was established. The two major U.S. dose calibrator manufacturers recommend oppositely biased calibration factors, giving a spread of 11.3% in measured activities. With modern quantitative imaging techniques capable of ≤10% accuracy, this bias for a SPECT nuclide is highly significant.

Activity determination of 59Fe

Iron-59 was measured in three commercial and two custom-built liquid scintillation counters. The counting efficiencies were determined using CIEMAT/NIST efficiency tracing and the triple-to-double coincidence ratio (TDCR) method, respectively.The efficiency computation for the TDCR method was realized by means of the MICELLE2 program, applying a stochastic model for the computation of electron emission spectra. The program was extended to make calculations of spectra originating from complex decay schemes possible. In addition, a new parameterization of electron stopping powers for 10 commercial liquid scintillation cocktails was included in the software.The activities determined with the two methods were in very good agreement; the relative standard uncertainty of the combined result was found to be 0.16%. It was used to calibrate a 4π ionization chamber at PTB for future calibrations of this isotope which is used for investigations of iron metabolism.A standardized solution was submitted to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) to be measured in the ionization chambers of the International Reference System (SIR) for comparison purposes.The liquid scintillation samples were also measured in a new portable TDCR system with three channel photomultipliers. Although this system has a much lower counting efficiency, the activity was in satisfactory agreement with the conventional TDCR system. The usage of the portable TDCR system, thus, provides an important test of the free parameter model.

BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Lu-177 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 177Lu for the NPL (UK) and the IRMM (EU), with linked results for the comparison CCRI(II)-K2.Lu-177

Two new participations in the comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Lu-177 have been added to the previous results and this has produced a revised value for the key comparison reference value (KCRV), calculated using the power-moderated weighted mean. A link has been made to the comparison CCRI(II)-K2.Lu-177 held in 2009 through the NPL and IRMM who participated in both comparisons. Two NMIs used the K2 comparison to update their degree of equivalence. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the International Reference System (SIR) and the KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table for the remaining two NMIs in the comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Lu-177 and the nine other participants in the comparison CCRI(II)-K2.Lu-177. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Results of the EURAMET.RI(II)-K2.Ho-166m activity comparison

In 2013, five laboratories took part in the EURAMET.RI(II)-K2.Ho-166m comparison of activity concentration measurements of 166mHo. The activity measurements of this comparison are part of the joint research project 'Metrology for Radioactive Waste Management' of the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP). One aim of this project is a new determination of the 166mHo half-life.The results were found to be in good agreement and no outlier could be identified. A comparison reference value (CRV) has been calculated as the power-moderated mean (PMM) of all final laboratory results and was found to be 119.27(10) kBq g-1. Preliminary degrees of equivalence based on the Comparison Refeence Value were also calculated for each reporting laboratory. The Key Comparison Reference Value and final degrees of equivalence will be calculated by the BIPM from the data contained herein and data from measurements made in the International Reference System (SIR). Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.I-131 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 131I for the NMIJ (Japan), the NIST (USA) and the LNE-LNHB (France), with linked results for the APMP.RI(II)-K2.I-131 comparison

Three new participations in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.I-131 comparison have been added to the previous results and this has produced a revised value for the key comparison reference value (KCRV), calculated using the power-moderated weighted mean. A link has been made to the APMP.RI(II)-K2.I-131 comparison held in 2009 through the NMIJ who participated in both comparisons. Three national metrology institutes (NMIs) used the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP) comparison to update their degree of equivalence. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the International Reference System (SIR) and the KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table for twelve NMIs in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.I-131 comparison and five other participants in the APMP.RI(II)-K2.I-131 comparison. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

International comparison CCRI(II)-S7 on the analysis of uncertainty budgets for 4πβγ coincidence counting

Detailed uncertainty reporting is imperative for proficiency tests and comparison exercises because uncertainties need to be comparable and trusted by all the participants. Even though participants do their best to follow the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, ambiguities and divergences about uncertainty evaluation remain. Consequently, to analyze the situation, the CCRI (II) Uncertainties Working Group proposed a comparison exercise (CCRI(II)-S7) about the uncertainty evaluation of a relatively simple primary activity measurement: the standardization of a 60Co source by coincidence counting.To be able to understand how various NMIs calculate coincidence counting uncertainties, our study focused on two of the dominant uncertainty components commonly quoted for 4πβ-γ coincidence counting in the International Reference System (SIR) submissions and Key Comparison exercises: efficiency-extrapolation and weighing. Participants from twelve different laboratories were sent the same set of measurement data from the analysis of a 60Co solution standardized at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). Our study demonstrated the extent of the different interpretations of the uncertainty components. Some factors causing large discrepancies were isolated and are discussed. Further studies of other techniques using a similar approach would be beneficial for the metrology community. Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Eu-152 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 152Eu for the VNIIM (Russia), the LNE–LNHB (France) and the CNEA (Argentina), with linked results for the COOMET.RI(II)-K2.Eu-152 comparison

Three new participants in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Eu-152 comparison have been added to the previous results and this has produced a revised value for the key comparison reference value (KCRV), calculated using the power-moderated weighted mean. A link has been made to the COOMET.RI(II)-K2.Eu-152 comparison held in 2010 through the VNIIM who participated in both comparisons. Three National Metrology Institutes (NMIs) used the K1 or K2 comparisons to update their degree of equivalence. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the International Reference System (SIR) and the KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table for four NMIs in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Eu-152 comparison, three participants in the COOMET.RI(II)-K2.Eu-152 comparison and the 18 other participants in the previous CCRI(II)-K2.Eu-152 comparison. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ba-133 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 133Ba to include the 2009 result of the IRA (Switzerland) and the 2012 results of the LNE-LNHB (France) and BEV (Austria)

Since 2009, three national metrology institutes (NMI) have submitted three samples of known activity of 133Ba to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ba-133, to update their earlier result dating more than 15 years ago. The values of the activity submitted were between about 2 MBq and 3 MBq. There are now nine results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Ba-133 comparison. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the key comparison reference value (KCRV) have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Activity measurements of the radionuclide 99mTc for the IFIN-HH, Romania in the ongoing comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K4.Tc-99m

In 2013, a comparison of activity measurements of 99mTc using the Transfer Instrument of the International Reference System (SIRTI) took place at the Institutul National de Cercetare – Dezvoltare in Fizica si Inginerie Nucleara – 'Horia Hulubei' (IFIN-HH, Romania). Ampoules containing about 21 kBq and 40 kBq of a 99mTc solution were measured in the SIRTI for, respectively, one and three half-lives. The comparison, identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K4.Tc-99m, is linked to the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Tc-99m comparison and the degrees of equivalence with the key comparison reference value and between the present IFIN-HH result, the other K4 participants and the six participants in the K1 comparison have been evaluated.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

“Realisation of the becquerel”—reducing the impact of equipment failure

The goal of the CCRI(II) “Realisation of the becquerel” project is to design a reproducible radioactivity standard which will increase the robustness of the current international reference system for radioactivity measurements. Tests performed with a first prototype ionisation chamber of this project, built in 2005, are presented. Based on experience with the first prototype, a new design was proposed in 2010 aiming at achieving the very ambitious project goals. The article discusses the status of the project and the advantages of the new design.

Report of the CCRI comparison CCRI(II)-K2.Lu-177

An international key comparison of 177Lu was performed in 2009, with identifier CCRI(II)-K2.Lu-177. A total of twelve laboratories performed assays for radioactivity content on aliquots of a common master solution of 177Lu, leading to eleven results submitted for entry into the Key Comparison Database. A proposed Comparison Reference Value was calculated to be 3.288(5) MBq g−1 using all eleven results. Preliminary degrees of equivalence were calculated for each reporting laboratory based on the Comparison Reference Value. The Key Comparison Reference Value and final degrees of equivalence will be calculated from the data contained herein and data from measurements made in the International Reference System (SIR) held at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM).Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cs-134 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 134Cs to include the 2008 results of the BEV (Austria), the 2009 result of the IRA (Switzerland) and the 2010 results of the NMISA (South Africa)

Since 2008, three national metrology institutes have submitted ampoules for the measurement of 134Cs in the International Reference System (SIR). The values of the activity submitted were between about 0.17 MBq and 2.3 MBq. The primary standardization result for the IRA, Switzerland, replaces their earlier result of 1978 but no change is proposed for the key comparison reference value at the present time. There are now 14 results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cs-134 comparison.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cu-64 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 64Cu to include the 2009 results of the CMI–IIR (Czech Rep.) and the NPL (UK), the 2010 result of the LNE–LNHB (France) and the 2011 result of the ENEA–INMRI (Italy)

Since 2009, four national metrology institutes (NMI) have submitted four samples of known activity of 64Cu to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cu-64. The values of the activity submitted were between about 3 MBq and 260 MBq. There are now five results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cu-64 comparison. A key comparison reference value (KCRV) has been calculated for the first time for this nuclide. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the KCRV have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table. A graphical presentation is also given.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cs-137 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 137Cs to include the 2007 results of the VNIIM (Russia), the 2009 result of the IFIN-HH (Romania), the 2010 result of the NMISA (South Africa) and the 2011 result of the BEV (Austria)

Since 2007, four national metrology institutes (NMI) have submitted four samples of known activity of 137Cs to the International Reference System (SIR) for activity comparison at the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM), with comparison identifier BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cs-137. The values of the activity submitted were between about 1.4 MBq and 3.6 MBq. The results for the IFIN-HH, Romania, the NMISA, South Africa and the BEV, Austria, replace their earlier results in the key comparison database (KCDB). There are now fourteen results in the BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cs-137 comparison to which three results of the COOMET.RI(II)-K2.Cs-137 are linked through the VNIIM, Russia, who participated in both comparisons. The degrees of equivalence between each equivalent activity measured in the SIR and the revised key comparison reference value (KCRV) have been calculated and the results are given in the form of a table and a graph, together with those of the previous participants.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).