The CRESST-II direct Dark Matter search is located in the Gran Sasso underground laboratories, Italy. CaWO4 crystals are used as scintillating targets for WIMP (weakly interacting massive particle) interactions. They are operated as cryogenic calorimeters in combination with a second cryogenic detector used to measure the scintillation light produced in the target crystal. For each particle interaction, the combination of phonon and light signals provides an event by event discrimination which allows to distinguish known particles (alphas, betas, gammas, neutrons) from the expected signal of WIMPs. A major upgrade of the setup comprises modifications of the shielding, installation of a muon-veto, and new read out electronics, as well as a new detector-support structure to accommodate up to 33 detector modules, i.e. 10 kg of target mass. The experiment was thereafter successfully commissioned in 2007. Data obtained during this commissioning phase from 2 detector modules are presented here. Combining the data collected with these two detector modules with data from one single module obtained during the CRESST-I phase, the experiment could already place a limit of ~6 × 10-7 pb for the spin independent WIMP-nucleon scattering cross section at a WIMP mass of ~60 GeV/c2.

EURECA (European Underground Rare Event Calorimeter Array) is an astro-particle physics facility aiming to directly detect galactic dark matter. The Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane has been selected as host laboratory. The EURECA collaboration unites CRESST, EDELWEISS and the Spanish-French experiment ROSEBUD, thus concentrating and focussing effort on cryogenic detector research in Europe into a single facility. EURECA will use a target mass of up to one ton, enough to explore WIMP – nucleon scalar scattering cross sections in the region of 10-9 – 10-10 picobarn. A major advantage of EURECA is the planned use of more than just one target material (multi target experiment for WIMP identification).

In this study the lead and cadmium concentrations in the liver, intestine, muscle and gonad of the shark Carcharhinus dussumieri and its parasites, Anthobothrium sp. and Paraorigmatobothrium sp. (Cestoda), were measured and compared. Tissue samples were collected from Iranian coastal waters of the Persian Gulf. After tissue preparation, the cadmium and lead concentrations were analysed using the Inductively Coupled Plasma technique. The results revealed that lead and cadmium concentrations in both parasite species were many times higher than in the host tissues. The results strongly support the view that helminth parasites are extremely sensitive early warning bioindicators, particularly in sensitive environments under threat but where pollution levels are presently low. They may also have a beneficial effect on the health of their hosts by acting as heavy metal filters.

An experiment was conducted with 42 Montbéliard steers to determine if nutritionally induced interrupted growth could influence muscle characteristics of steers and hence meat quality. A restriction/refeeding path was designed in order to induce a discontinuous growth path. At 9 months of age, 21 steers were given a restricted amount of diet for 3 months and were then slaughtered (R steers; no. = 10; intake: 5·28 kg dry matter (DM) per day) or subjected to a 4-month ad libitum refeeding period (R/F steers; no. = 11; intake: 8·99 kg DM per day) with the same diet (11·03 to 11·12 MJ metabolizable energy (ME) per kg DM) prior to slaughter. An additional 21 control steers were offered the same diet but in amounts that allowed them to gain continuously between 9 and 12 months of age, and were then slaughtered (C steers; no. = 10; intake: 7·08 kg DM per day) or maintained on a continuous feeding protocol through to 16 months of age prior to slaughter (C/C steers; no. = 11; intake: 8·07 kg DM per day). M. semitendinosus (ST), m. longisssimus thoracis and m. triceps brachii (TB) were collected for biochemical and histochemical analyses. R steers had a lower average daily gain (ADG; P 0·001), a lower final weight (P 0·01) and a leaner carcass (P 0·01) than C steers. Upon refeeding, R/F steers had a higher ADG than C/C steers (P 0·05) and underwent compensatory growth resulting in compensation of body weight and composition at 16 months. In muscles, glycolytic lactate dehydrogenase activity was lower in R steers (P 0·01) and restored in R/F steers compared with control steers. Among oxidative enzymes, cytochrome-c oxidase activity was higher in the TB of R/F compared with C/C steers (P 0·001) indicating a muscle-specific metabolic adaptation to the feeding level. There was little effect of the nutritional treatment on muscle fibre size and type except for an increase in the frequency of hybrid fibres in R and R/F groups (P 0·05). Total and insoluble collagen content were affected by restriction (P 0·001) in a muscle-specific manner: insoluble collagen content was lower in ST, but total and insoluble collagen contents were higher in TB of R compared with C animals at 12 months of age. No differences were recorded in lipid contents nor in proteasome activities. The data suggest that an alternation of relatively mild nutritional restriction and ad libitumfeeding had only a small effect on muscle characteristics. However, muscles respond differentially to changes in feeding level.

The transport of ions through cement pastes and mortars with variable contents of fly ashes and granulated blast-furnace slag from different sources and with variable composition has been investigated. The research included the determination of chloride diffusion rate and chloride permeability in relation to microstructure development. The median pore size generally was much diminished in mature blended material compared with Portland cement (PC) pastes and mortars. It appears that, at the same age, a finer microstructure is generally developed in blended specimens compared to PC specimens. Also, it was found that the microstructure approaches a limiting value at longer ages of hydration. That limiting value may be reached at earlier ages with the blends. The chloride diffusion rates and permeabilities in the blends were significantly lower than PC mixes. A comparison between the blends containing fly ashes and those containing slag was made.

The transport of ions through cement pastes and mortars with variable contents of fly ashes and granulated blast-furnace slag from different sources and with variable composition has been investigated. The research included the determination of chloride diffusion rate and chloride permeability in relation to microstructure development. The median pore size generally was much diminished in mature blended material compared with Portland cement (PC) pastes and mortars. It appears that, at the same age, a finer microstructure is generally developed in blended specimens compared to PC specimens. Also, it was found that the microstructure approaches a limiting value at longer ages of hydration. That limiting value may be reached at earlier ages with the blends. The chloride diffusion rates and permeabilities in the blends were significantly lower than PC mixes. A comparison between the blends containing fly ashes and those containing slag was made.

The development of an improved method of trimethylsilylation [1] made possible the assessment of different polysilicate fractions in hydrated cement pastes, as a means of structural characterization. Several laboratories have presented various gas-liquid chromatographic data on the polysilicate derivatives of C-S-H [2–5]. Identification of the different molecular weight fractions has been made, in most laboratories, by matching the gasliquid chromatographic peaks with the gel permeation chromatographic peaks. The success of this matching process is always dependent on type of instruments, length of columns and temperature range.

In the present investigation, a mass spectrometer, in direct contact with the gas-liquid chromatograph, was used to identify the molecular weight of each of the fractions separated from the chromatograph. The technique was applied to determine the molecular weights and abundances of different polysilicate species in hydrated fly ash pastes.

Fly ash-cement pastes are known to develop fine pore structures that may retard the transport of ionic species. The rapid chloride permeability technique for studying the Cl- ion diffusion in hydrated fly ash/cement pastes, mortars and concrete was used. The technique applies an electrical potential across a cylindrical sample and measures the charge passed in a certain period of time. The results obtained on pastes and mortars cured for 28 days were reported previously and contrasted with those of neat cement pastes and mortars. The present paper reports more extensive studies made to examine the chloride permeabilities of pastes and mortars cured for up to 90 days. In addition, the effect of variable fly ash contents was examined. Concrete samples were included in the test scheme and the data were compared with pastes and mortars. Two important factors controlling the test results are discussed: first the mix design and curing conditions; second the experimental conditions during Cl- permeability measurements. In the second factor, the amount and rate of heat build up and the chloride ion concentrations are compared with the current passed. In addition, measuring current versus resistivity are critically discussed in terms of the voltage-current varistic characteristics of cement matrices.

Fly ash-cement pastes are known to develop fine pore structures that may retard the transport of ionic species. The rapid chloride permeability technique for studying the Cl− ion diffusion in hydrated fly ash/cement pastes, mortars and concrete was used. The technique applies an electrical potential across a cylindrical sample and measures the charge passed in a certain period of time. The results obtained on pastes and mortars cured for 28 days were reported previously and contrasted with those of neat cement pastes and mortars. The present paper reports more extensive studies made to examine the chloride permeabilities of pastes and mortars cured for up to 90 days. In addition, the effect of variable fly ash contents was examined. Concrete samples were included in the test scheme and the data were compared with pastes and mortars. Two important factors controlling the test results are discussed: first the mix design and curing conditions; second the experimental conditions during Cl− permeability measurements. In the second factor, the amount and rate of heat build up and the chloride ion concentrations are compared with the current passed. In addition, measuring current versus resistivity are critically discussed in terms of the voltage-current varistic characteristics of cement matrices.

Fly ashes having three distinctly different levels of calcium, designated low-calcium (Class F), intermediate-calcium (Class F/C), and high-calcium (Class C) comprised the basic material for the present study. Pastes and mortars were made out of the three types of fly ashes and one type of cement (Type I) at various levels of replacement as well as different water/solid ratios (w/c). Chloride ion diffusion was measured by applying an electrical potential across cured cylindrical samples and measuring the amount of current passed in a certain period of time (proportional to amount of Cl− passed in this time). Other supportive measurements were made, e.g., porosity and pore size distribution, water permeability and surface area. The Cl− ion diffusivities were correlated with the chemical composition of fly ash (FA), mix proportioning, and water permeabilities of the tested hardened pastes or mortars.

Effective particle dispersion is believed to play a significant role in hydration reactivity of slag/cement blends and consequently on the development of physical and mechanical properties of the hardened pastes. The effects of various factors (superplasticizer and mixing time) on the particle dispersion were evaluated using a computer controlled scanning electron microscope. Backscattered electron signals and elemental maps were resolved for polished mounts of slag and cement particle mixtures. The adequacy of dispersion of slag and cement particles was determined by analyzing about 1000 particles per analysis with appropriate calculations and statistical treatment. These results were related to the hydration behavior of the slag/cement blends. The results obtained can be used to evaluate some of the physical phenomena and the kinetics of slag-cement hydration.

The predominant spherical shape of fly ash particles combined with mainly glassy composition and texture of its surfaces have a special effect on rheology of cement pastes containing fly ash. The early ages rheological behavior of cement pastes (ASTM Type I) incorporating 30% low-calcium fly ash was monitored by measuring viscosity of the fresh pastes prior to initial hardening and stiffening (up to −2 hours) as a function of time. The viscosities were determined using a co-axial rotoviscometer (HAAKE). The effects of fly ash content, water to cement ratio, and presence and concentration of superplasticizer, were evaluated. In addition, the dispersivity of fly ash spheres was evaluated by determining the zeta-potential of fly ash suspensions in water using a microelectrophoresis technique and the results were correlated to the chemical composition of fly ash as well as the viscosities of fresh pastes.

The electrochemical stability in fly ash/cement beds is of major concern to the durability of construction metals (iron or steel) embedded in the matrix as well as the stabilization (fixation) of toxic elements. The electrochemical stabilities were evaluated by measuring the redox potential as a function of both time and leach solution. For simulating the field conditions, the measurements were made on leachates of a prepared solution simulating rain composition in the area of application and results were contrasted to those obtained on leachates of standard deionized water. Two leaching techniques were used: the standard EPA-EP test; a test developed at MRL/PSU for simulating field conditions in which leaching fluids are pumped up a fly ash/cement column. The redox potentials (based on hydrogen scale), Eh's, were plotted vs. pH of the leachates and the regions of stability of various construction materials and toxic elements were predicted. Tafel plots were also constructed for iron in contact with different leachates, and its corrosion rate was estimated.

Fly ashes having three distinctly different levels of calcium, designated low-calcium (Class F), intermediate-calcium (Class F/C), and high-calcium (Class C), comprised the basic material for the present study. Pastes and mortars were made using cement and one of three types of fly ashes at various levels of replacement and water-solid ratios. Chloride ion diffusion was measured by applying an electrical potential across cured cylindrical samples and measuring the amount of current passed in a certain period of time (proportional to amount of CE” passed in this time). Other supportive measurements were made, e.g. porosity, pore size distribution, water permeability and surface area. The Cl− ion diffusivity was correlated with the chemical composition of fly ash, mix proportion, and water permeability of the hardened paste or mortar.

Low-calcium fly ashes from eastern Pennsylvania power plants, stabilized with Portland cement, have a potential application as a pipeline bedding material. A typical fly ash, and a cement-stabilized material made with this fly ash, were subjected to extensive physical and chemical characterization. Two procedures were used to investigate whether leachates from the bedding materials were nonhazardous according to the criteria of the regulatory agencies. The first was the short-term EPA test, used to define a hazardous waste under the RCRA regulations, and the second was a long-term flow-through test developed at MRL/PSU. In the second test, driving pressure, flow rate and permeability were monitored during the experiment. Calculations showed that this flow-through technique simulates rain water percolation in a similar sized bed for about 25 years. The leaching fluids in both methods were deionized water (EPA procedure) and simulated rain water. Analyses for seventeen metals by DC plasma emission spectrometry and for seven anions by ion chromatography were performed. Concentrations of the leachates from the two procedures were well below the levels that define a hazardous waste. Considerable insight into the long term leaching mechanisms of various elements was obtained from the flow-through experiments.

Chloride ions, when present at sufficient concentration in the concrete pore fluid, may be associated with corrosion of the reinforcing steel even in normally passivative environments. The effectiveness of fly ash containing pastes in trapping chloride ions was studied. A paste was prepared containing 30% low-calcium fly ash and 70% type I cement, with mixing water (50% by weight) containing 0.4% C1− with respect to the solid. Samples were cured at 25°C and 38°lC at 95% R.H. At designated times extending over a six-month period, the pore fluids were expressed from the hardened pastes using a squeezing cell designed for this purpose. Special precautions were taken to avoid carbonation of the fluids; contact with the atmosphere was minimized. The expressed fluids were analyzed by DC plasma emission spectrometry for cations and by automated selective ion exchange chromatography for anions. Other studies (XRD, thermal analysis) were carried out to identify the compounds formed and determine their mechanisms of formation. Investigations indicated that the mechanism of trapping chloride ion is partly chemical and partly physical through adsorption on the surface of fly ash particles (initially physical and subsequently chemical).

The zeta-potentials of two fly ashes were studied (high-calcium and low-calcium). It was found that they possess a point of charge reversal at pH = 10.5 to 12. The point of zero charge (low-calcium fly ash) was found to be at pH = 5. Furthermore, it shifted to more acidic values after the fly ash is aged in several calcium-containing solutions. The surficial changes that could happen when mixing fly ashes with cement and concrete were further evaluated by aging fly ashes in different solutions: Ca(OH)2, CaSO4·2H2O, NaOH and water solutions. Information from analyses for different ionic species in the solutions and characterization of the solid residues (XRD and SEM) was used in tentative explanations for the different behavior of the two types of fly ash in cementitious mixtures and concrete.

The interaction of tuff rock and cement was studied to evaluate the effectiveness of sealing of tuff boreholes with cementitious grouts. Previous studies indicated chemical bond formation between tuff and cement. Dissolution studies were carried out on Topopah Spring member tuff and on tuff with cement. The results indicate the formation of calcium silicate and calcium aluminosilicate hydrates; phase identification is confirmed by XRD studies. The significance of the results obtained and their implications on properties of the interfacial region are included.