Monday, April 1, 2013

Stocks slide with slowdown in manufacturing growth

Stocks opened April on a weak note, ending slightly lower after an industry group reported that US manufacturing growth cooled in March.?Industrial stocks fell the most in the S&P 500.

By Steve Rothwell,?AP Markets Writer / April 1, 2013

Traders work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange Monday. The main catalyst for the dip in stocks was a slowdown in US manufacturing growth last month.

Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Enlarge

The stock market got off to a slow start in April, edging lower after the Standard and Poor's 500 index eclipsed its all-time high last week.

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The main catalyst was a slowdown in U.S. manufacturing growth last month. The decline in the Institute for Supply Management's benchmark manufacturing index for March was worse than economists had forecast. Stocks started falling shortly after the report came out at 10 a.m. and stayed lower the rest of the day.

The Dow Jones industrial average closed 5.69 points, or 0.04 percent, lower at 14,572.85. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 7.02 points, or 0.5 percent, to 1,562.17.

Industrial companies fell 1 percent, the most in the S&P. 3M, which makes Post-it notes, industrial products and construction materials, fell 66 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $105.65. Caterpillar, a maker of construction and mining equipment, dropped $1.33, or 1.5 percent, to $85.64.

Investors have raised their expectations for the U.S. economy as the market has climbed this year, said JJ Kinahan, chief derivatives strategist at TD Ameritrade. The Dow is up 11.2 percent in 2013, the S&P 9.5 percent.

"The numbers have to be outstanding in order to drive the market higher," Kinahan said. "It's a different mindset when we're at these levels."

The S&P 500 closed the first quarter at an all-time high of 1,569.19, surpassing its previous record close of 1,565.15 set on Oct. 9, 2007. The index has recaptured all of its losses from the financial crisis and the Great Recession. The Dow broke through its previous all-time high March 5.

The market has risen this year because of optimism that housing is recovering and that employers and starting to hire again. Strong company earnings and continuing stimulus from the Federal Reserve have also increased demand for stocks.

Small stocks fared worse than large ones Monday.

The Russell 2000, a benchmark of small-company stocks, fell 1.3 percent to 938.78, paring its gain for the year to 10.5 percent. It was the index's biggest decline in more than a month. The Nasdaq composite fell 28.35 points, or 0.9 percent, to 3,239.17.

April is historically the second-strongest month for stocks, Deutsche Bank analysts said in report released Monday. The S&P 500 has gained an average of 1.4 percent in April, based on returns since 1960, making it the second strongest month after December.

The last meaningful setback for stocks started before November's election. The market slid 6 percent between Oct. 1 and Nov. 15 in the run-up to the vote and immediately afterwards on concerns that Washington would be unable to enact reforms to keep the economy growing.

Evidence that growth is continuing, despite the political tensions in Washington, have kept stocks on an upward trajectory since then, leaving investors waiting for dips to add to their holdings.

"I'd love to have some sort of a pullback here because I'd think it's an opportunity," said Scott Wren, an equity strategist at Wells Fargo Advisors. "But it doesn't feel like we're going to have one in the near term."

The yield on the 10-year Treasury note, which moves inversely to its price, fell to 1.84 percent from 1.85 percent.

Markets were closed in observance of Good Friday last week. European markets were closed Monday for Easter.

Among other stocks making big moves:

? Tesla Motors jumped $6.04, or 16 percent, to $43.93 after the electric car company said sales are running ahead of schedule. The Palo Alto, Calif., company said Sunday night that first-quarter sales have exceeded 4,750 Model S sedans, above its previous forecast of 4,500.

? DFC Global, a finance company that provides loans to consumers without bank accounts, fell $3.60, or 22 percent, to $13.04 after slashing its earnings estimate for its fiscal year because of increasing loan defaults in its business in Britain.

? American Greetings rose $1.95, or 12 percent, to $18.05 after the company agreed to be taken private for about $602 million by a group led by some of its top executives.

Source: http://rss.csmonitor.com/~r/feeds/csm/~3/Tg8aC8PjB_Y/Stocks-slide-with-slowdown-in-manufacturing-growth

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Syria accuses rebels of setting fire to oil wells

BEIRUT (AP) ? Heavy shelling in a neighborhood in the northern city of Aleppo sent civilians fleeing for their lives on Sunday, and the state news agency accused rebels trying to topple the government of setting fire to three oil wells.

Syria's civil war has battered the country's infrastructure and torn its social fabric. After more than two years of conflict, neither President Bashar Assad's regime nor the rebels fighting for his ouster appear close to victory.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said civilians were vacating the Sheikh Maqsoud neighborhood of Aleppo under heavy shelling by government forces. Rebels took over parts of the neighborhood late last week and were still clashing with Assad's troops who are trying to push them out. The Observatory, which relies on a network of contacts inside Syria, said four people, including two children, were killed in the shelling.

In the east, the state news agency, SANA, said rebels had set fire to three oil wells in the province of Deir al-Zour, causing a daily loss of 4,670 barrels of oil and 52 cubic meters of natural gas. It accused "terrorists," the government's term for rebels, of setting the fires after fighting among themselves about how to divide the oil.

Rebels battling Assad have seized large areas of territory in Syria's oil-rich east, including a number of oil fields. Although they lack the ability to exploit them, their loss represents a setback to the cash-strapped government they are trying to overthrow.

SANA said rebels have burned a total of nine wells in recent months. The three set ablaze on Sunday are the only ones still burning.

Also on Sunday, the government and the opposition blamed each other for killing a group of people found dead near the Lebanese border.

The Observatory said the bodies of 11 people, including eight women, were found near the town of Talkalakh in Homs province. The group said they were killed when government forces stormed the area. But SANA blamed rebels for the "massacre," saying they stormed the area, killed 10 people and looted homes and shops.

In another development, the head of the Syrian opposition's umbrella body said the group's military chief planned to visit Arab countries to solicit military aid. The trip follows a declaration last week by the Arab League that its member nations have a "right" to aid the Syrian opposition. Mouaz al-Khatib, the head of the Syrian National Coalition, told the Qatari daily Al Sharq of Gen. Salim Idris's travel plans, but did not say which countries he would visit.

Syria's conflict began in March 2011 with protests calling for Assad's ouster. It has since become a civil war, with hundreds of independent rebel groups across Syria fighting Assad's forces. The government says the war is an international conspiracy to weaken Syrian being carried out by terrorists on the ground. The U.N. says more than 70,000 people have been killed.

___

Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, and Brian Murphy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/syria-accuses-rebels-setting-fire-oil-wells-142049239.html

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Sunday, March 31, 2013

IMF team to arrive in Egypt on Wednesday for loan talks

By Ulf Laessing

CAIRO (Reuters) - An IMF delegation will arrive in Egypt on Wednesday for talks with the government on a $4.8 billion loan, a government spokesman said on Sunday, as Cairo seeks to conclude a deal vital to easing a deep economic crisis.

Spokesman Alaa El Hadidi added that Egypt would not seek any emergency loan from the International Monetary Fund and faced no "crisis" in funding the import of essential commodities.

The most populous Arab country has been seeking a loan from the Fund to ease economic strains after two years of political upheaval. Reserves of foreign currency have fallen to critically low levels, threatening Egypt's ability to buy in supplies of wheat, of which it is the world's biggest importer, and fuel.

President Mohamed Mursi's government initialed a deal with the IMF last November but postponed final ratification in December in the face of unrest triggered by a political row over the extent of his powers.

Hadidi, seeking to allay public concerns over power cuts and long queues at petrol stations, ruled out an emergency loan, as suggested by the IMF. He added that the country was still able to buy essential imports.

"(The supply) of wheat and loaves of bread is safe," he told reporters. He added that indications of a higher harvest this year meant Egypt would use locally-grown wheat in the place of wheat that would otherwise have been imported.

He played down as "speculation" repeated media reports that Egypt was seeking aid from Arab states Libya and Iraq. "Egypt seeks to boost investment from these countries and an opening of their labor markets (for Egyptians)," Hadidi said.

WEAK CURRENCY

The IMF said last week a technical delegation would visit Cairo in the "first days of April".

Masood Ahmed, director of the IMF's Middle East and Central Asia department, visited Cairo on March 17, saying the Fund would continue talks aimed at agreeing possible financial aid.

Any deal with the IMF is likely to require Egypt to commit to austerity measures, a very sensitive issue at a time when Mursi is facing protests over his management of the country.

Shortages of subsidized diesel have paralyzed transport in parts of Egypt, as the Egyptian pound has lost 9 percent of its value against the dollar since late last year.

The government is working on an economic program where it plans to cut back on subsidies of fuel. Last year it eliminated subsidies on 95-octane gasoline, the highest grade available, and it raised fuel prices in many sectors last month.

Mursi's cabinet has said it plans to implement a subsidized fuel rationing system at the beginning of July, though local media reports have said the plan, already delayed several times, could be pushed back to January.

The unrest of the past two years has driven away tourists whose spending accounted for around a tenth of GDP before the uprising. Hadidi said the number of tourists in February was 845,000, a 12 percent increase compared with a year earlier.

(Writing by Ulf Laessing; Editing by Catherine Evans)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/imf-team-arrive-egypt-wednesday-loan-talks-103424340--business.html

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RolePlayGateway?

Long Short Story: Before The Day is Done

The Races Need To Know Information!

Vampires

* Can be turned and passed down.

Description-

Vampires are un-dead immortals who feed and survive on the blood of a living.

Transitioning-

Humans who have consumed vampire blood and died within 42 hours of doing so will rise un-dead. The nature of the human's death is irrelevant however the body must be preserved and able to function. If the Vampire turn's the person by choice, they will most likely brake their neck or or block their airways. When the new vampire is awakened they will need blood right away, from either a human or a vampire.

Food-

Blood is the main component of a vampire's diet, whether it be animal or human. If vampires fail to drink blood, their bodies will become severely weak, and will ultimately disintegrate into mummification. Blood (especially human blood) will not only satisfy a vampire's thirst, but will also increase and their physical capabilities. The longer a vampire abstains from blood, the more likely the vampire will lose all sense of their humanity and rationality until they finally give into their blood lust. Due to their acute senses, a vampire can detect whether or not a human has recently consumed alcohol or drugs, because their blood tastes unclean and can leave a vampire with a nasty aftertaste. Through animal blood would keep a vampire alive, it will not make them as strong as they would be from drinking human blood, nor will it stop the burning in their throat. Human blood is the best option.

Nature-

Vampires themselves are extremely feral, predatory creatures, and far more savage and beast-like than their human appearance suggests. They growl, hiss, snarl, and curl their lips back baring their fangs as signs of aggression when provoked. When they sense danger, they will immediately evade the area or per pair for battle. 99% of Vampire population feed off of humans rather than animals.

The bite of a vampire can sever the limbs of both animals and humans, as vampires are known for having extremely sharp and strong teeth. Despite their nature, vampires are also capable of human emotions, such as compassion, love, and self-control. However the emotions of vampires are far more intense than the emotions of humans; anger, happiness, hate, love, etc. are more powerful and much more overwhelming than when they were human. Whenever a vampire is faced with a powerful feeling (such as hunger) their faces transform into a paler complexion, while the pupils from their eye's will expand into their iris's, making their eyes look black. Their canine teeth will lengthen into fangs, giving them a more predatory look to scare off or threaten their prey.

Vampire's also feel bonds to certain humans, which will cause them to either kill the human or keep them as a pet, or even turn them when they feel the time comes. When a human drink's their, blood, the bond get's stronger and the Vampire will be able to feel their emotions and if they are in pain and or danger. This bond means that they are their soul mate, and they end up together no matter what, unless the vampire kills the human, of course.

Powers/Abilities-

Compulsion: The supernatural ability to control and manipulate the body, mind, and soul of an animal or human. However a vampire cant compel any other creature besides a human.

Healing: The supernatural ability to heal all illnesses, injuries, and wounds at superhuman speed. As well as heal other species when the vampire feeds them their own blood.

Immortality: The supernatural ability of eternal life, beauty and youth.

Super Senses: The supernatural ability to hear, see, smell, and taste beyond the human extent. The small of human blood is like a drug to them, the sweeter the better.

Super Speed: The supernatural ability to jump, move and run at superhuman velocity.

Super Strength: The supernatural ability of superhuman stamina.

Super Agility: Vampires possess superhuman agility. They can move, jump, climb, and run incredibly fast without difficulty or exhaustion.

Super Durability: Vampires can take far more trauma than Humans can without much discomfort or injury. they can also exert themselves without much tire

Supernatural Abilities Some vampires will have a supernatural power to call their own, through it is rare, it does happen often to the older vampires.

Weaknesses-

Decapitation: The act of dismembering or removing the head of a vampire will result in permanent death.

Fire: The act of exposing a vampire to fire will result in permanent death,Vampires do not die when exposed to sunlight, but thier powers will weaken if they are exposed for to long, and they tend to get horrible sun burn and head aches.

Heart Extraction: The act of removing a vampire's heart will result in permanent death.

The Seraph

Dark Seraph- Only can be turned by I violent death and the deep need for revenge

Light Seraph- Only can be turned by a peaceful death, and the need to do good, or a violent death and the need for justice, instead of revenge.

Dark Seraph?s- Dark Seraph?s are malevolent spiritual entities created by a violent death and the need for revenge. They are corrupted human souls after extensive torture in Hell, they're extremely evil and have a strong hate for human kind.

Transformation-
Humans who have had done bad things in their past such as murder, drug use, or had a violent death and want revenge. Once they have died and have paid for their sins they will turn into dark Seraph?s or as some believe demons.

Light Seraph?s-
The Light Seraph?s bring light and peace, everywhere they go, and they take care of their angels comrades help them at times of need. They like human kind, and their will to live, and they wish to keep them alive and help them re-build after the war.

Transformation-
Humans who have done good things in their life time like saving someone?s life, choosing to never do drugs, has a big heart or died a violent death and want to end all evil out in the world or if they are murdered or die from a disease without having them deserve to die are re-made as a light Seraph.

Powers/Abilities-

Dream Walking: Seraph can appear in people's dreams, they usually use this to communicate, when they can't find the person their looking for, or want to talk privately.

Immortality: Seraph don't age and cannot be killed by diseases. Nor, can they reproduce.

Sedation: Seraph are able to render humans unconscious with a touch or make them unconscious by using their feathers.

Superhuman Stamina: Seraph never tire, and they do not require food, water, oxygen, or sleep to sustain themselves.

Super Strength: Strong enough to punch a person through two wide buildings made of bricks.

Supernatural Perception: They are able to see all supernatural activity around them.

Telekinesis: They are able to telekinetically move beings and objects with their mind.

Telepathy: They can read the minds of Humans.

Teleportation: They are able to travel from one place to another, instantly, without occupying the space in between. They can also summon or send other beings.

Flying: Seraph can fly by making their wings grow or expand. Normally Seraph?s hide their wings or make them shrink in size, unless they?re in battle. They can also use their wings as a shield by wrapping them around themselves and another person?s body.

Weaknesses-

In Love: They're in touch with their human side when they fall in love with a human, some consider this bad and or good.

Ice: When a witch freezes their wings or them they will be unable to move and weak when attacked.

Darkness: Unless they have a orb of light, they are fearful of complete and otter darkness in small spaces. Most of them have orb?s of light through.

Wicans/Witches

*Can be turned by deal with devil and can be passed down.

Description-

A person can be turned by making a deal with the devil and can be passed down to those with the spirit.

A witch is a person with the power to effect change by magical means ("Witchcraft"). A witch can be either male or female, as they connect with the elements and forces of nature, in order to practice sorcery, they uses these powers for either good or bad, it is fully their choice.

Humans who are genetically born with magical powers are called "witches". The origin of witchcraft remains a mystery through people believe it came from making deals with the devil, it is also known that witches have existed for many centuries, passing down their knowledge and skills through generations in family lines.

Magic-

Magic, or Witchcraft, is the power to effect change by magical means. Magic can often be split into dark and light, though depending on the situation can also be neutral. Magic is mostly a genetic heredity that connects a witch to the elements and forces of nature in order to practice sorcery. If a person makes a deal with the devil to gain the power of Witchcraft, they will uses their powers for evil.

Powers/Abilities-

Seers: Seers, for example, have the skill of insight into future events. They may garner this insight through visions and dreams or through scrying physical objects like tea dregs, tarot cards, and crystal balls.

Animagi: While some witches have the ability to turn into animals, it is not an inherent power, but rather a trained technique.

Metamorphmagi: Other witches may have the ability to change only their physical appearance rather than their bodily form. This type of wizard is termed a Metamorphmagus. Such a witch can change the shape of their noses, hair color, and other physical attributes.

Communicating with Animals: Some witches have the ability to talk to animals.

Legilmens: Legilimens are people who can perform Legilimency. These people can tune into other people's minds, but have difficulty reading the minds of those people who can perform Occlumency.

Occulmens:[i] Some witches, and other supernatural being's have the ability to protect their minds from others who can perform Legilimency. This ability is called Occlumency, and it is also known that some humans have the unknown ability to protect their minds.

Weaknesses-

-They have to observe a special personal taboo to maintain their status.

-They have to protect a certain object as it is bound up with their spirit, soul, powers, etc.

-When they undergo a transformation for to long, they become weaker.

-They must respect nature as much as possible.

Shapeshifters

*Cannot be turned, must be passed down in order to be one.

Powers/Abilities-

[i]Animal Morphing: A special type of Shapeshifting where the user can only turn into animals.

Biomorphing: The ability to transform only into living things (Animals, Bacteria, possibly even Humans or Plants)

Doppelganger: Users may become people they have seen, they may need to have a similar body mass of the person they are turning into.

Enhanced Regeneration: By altering cellular structure, one can rejuvenate cells to regenerate, and even maintain youth, granting eternal youth, when they stop shifting they will age like a normal human, but each time they shift they take on that age, through their mental age stays the same and grows over time.

Size Manipulation: The ability to alter ones own size and mass by shifting additional mass from an outside source.

Weaknesses-

-Users may revert back to original form when unconscious.

-Users may require visual or genetic source material for a copy to be made.

-May be unable to return to original form unless unconscious.

-May be unable to assume the voice and accent of the person he/she shifts into (rare cases).

-Users may retain characteristics of their original form in their new shape (i.e., color scheme, birthmarks, scars, etc.).

Werewolves

*Can be turned and passed down.

Description-

Not much is known about the history of werewolves except that they existed before vampires were created. Who created them, how they were created, when exactly they were created and the reason for their creation is currently unknown.

Psychological characteristics-

Werewolves are known to be aggressive, strong and fast even in human form. Those with the werewolf curse still latent can exhibit some supernatural traits which can be triggered by aggression, along with unusual physical strength for the person's given size and age but they cannot fully transform and they also black out they go blind with rage when provoked. Also werewolves have a higher body temperature than humans. This high temperature allows the werewolves to withstand very cold weather and makes it difficult for them to become overheated. It also makes it very difficult for vampires to harm them in combat, due to vampires being extremely sensitive to high temperatures. The wolves bear an animal scent that makes them unappetizing to vampires, making it easier for vampires to resist the temptation caused by their blood.

Food-

Like normal people, werewolves can eat normal food if they choose to. However, because they turn into ferocious beasts at will, they are flesh eating creatures. When they feed, it is absorbed throughout the body and they need to consume organs or body parts, but they do not have to feed in order to prolong their existence like Vampires. There is no known side effects in the absence of devouring victims in werewolf form. Werewolves have not been seen to attack each other in human or wolf form, but have been known to hunt both human and vampire prey while transformed until they joined sides with Vampires.

Code of Loyalty-

Werewolves are very similar to Witches when it comes to their own kind. Unlike the vampires, werewolves are more sworn to loyalty and may bond with other werewolves they meet. They work with each other as sort of an extended family. The bond of loyalty between werewolves is strangely strong, the only things they do not attack are other werewolves.

Appearance-

Werewolves in their wolf form have the appearances of an ordinary wolf, but with a much larger and brute-like appearance. The fur color of wolf forms differs from one to the other. Each wolf's distinctive color and characteristics correlates with each wolf's soul. No real explanation of this phenomenon is given; none, perhaps, should be sought for - variability is the one fundamental of living beings. The "monstrous size" of these creatures is emphasized repeatedly. As humans, they are between 6'0" and 7'0" tall, and after phasing become bigger, more muscular, and harder in look and substance. Their voices also deepen considerably. The wolves become similar in their human forms, partly due to their appearances (hard-muscled bodies, and unusual height) and the synchronization of their movements, so that they could be mistaken for biological siblings. While their skin is much more durable than that of a human being, it is not granite hard like a vampire's.

Werewolf Transformation-

The first transformation at the age of 17 is quite slow and the person is subjected to at least five hours of intense pain before transforming. After the first transformation it will get faster but still hurt. During the transformation, the body of the person is twisted in an unnatural manner as bones reshape and shift to form a wolf skeleton, causing the person immense pain. A werewolf changes at will, and turns back at will, unless they get wounded horribly. Older werewolves or more powerful werewolves can control themselves when angry and turn at will, faster than a less experienced being.

Pack Behavior-

In their wolf forms, pack members are telepathically linked with each other, enhancing their coordination during hunts and fights but allowing little or no privacy at any time. The Alphas of two different packs are able to communicate telepathically, and can control what thoughts they share, while the subordinates of different packs don't show this ability. The dominant male/female, the Alpha, can force the other pack members to obey his/her orders against their will. So can the Beta, though he/she can't command his/her own Alpha. Though implied, it is unknown whether this characteristic is also extended down the pack hierarchy. Alpha status is related to lineage, the born Alpha, having no interest in leading the pack. By having the rest of the pack agree to his/her decision, they can select a new candidate to lead the pack. Though possible, it is unclear whether a lower-ranking pack member can challenge the Alpha for status.

Powers/Abilities-

Alpha's Voice: A werewolf Alpha can use this on the other pack members to make them follow his orders willingly.(Only the alpha has of course)

Super Strength: Werewolves are much stronger than any human. They are not as strong as a vampire whilst in human form but when transformed they are at equal's with Vampires.

Telepathy: Werewolves can hear each other pack member's thoughts in wolf form, but only if those pack members are from the same pack.

Super Speed: Werewolves are extremely faster than any human and vampire or other supernatural beings other than Vampires. Werewolves can use this ability in either Human or wolf form.

Super Agility: Werewolves possess superhuman agility. They can move, jump, climb, and run incredibly fast without difficulty or exhaustion.

Super Senses: Werewolves have the extremely keen senses of smell, sight, taste, and hearing inherent in all canines, but not as strong as vampires.

Healing Factor: Werewolves possess superhuman regenerative abilities, meaning if ever injured, their bodies will heal near instantaneously. Werewolves have also been said to heal exactly as fast as vampires. Even in human form.

Shapeshifting: Willingly turn into wolves whenever they want or when they get angry.

Anger: When a Werewolf is furious, their anger increase all their powers and abilities for a short period of time, as well as can have an advantage over a Vampire.

Weaknesses-

Broken Neck: By breaking a werewolf's neck, it results in instant death. While their healing factor is identical to a vampire's, they are alive. Not un-dead.

Heart Extraction: If a werewolves heart is ripped out, it will cause instant death.

Decapitation: By removing the head of a werewolves, he dies.

Wolfs bane: Wolfs bane is an herb that which brought upon a werewolf, they will become weak and feverish.

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/RolePlayGateway

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From the Editor's Desk: We're going to Facebook - but first, a few questions

Facebook

So we'll be at Facebook HQ on Thursday morning to find out about its "New home in Mobile." I've seen countless headlines (mostly rewrites of what probably are controlled leaks) full of possible answers about what we'll see on Thursday morning.

We'll be there, of course, to check it out. Liveblogs are inevitable, but Facebook should be streaming it live, if history repeats.

I don't have answers. But I do have a few questions. Will they be answered on Thursday? Or will we leave California once again asking "Why, Facebook? Why?"

A few thoughts worth exploring ...

read more



Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/androidcentral/~3/xHhnBD4wvFI/story01.htm

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A road map: High efficiency bulk-micromegas based neutron imaging detector

A road map: High efficiency bulk-micromegas based neutron imaging detector [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 31-Mar-2013
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Contact: YAN Bei
yanbei@scichina.org
86-106-400-8316
Science China Press

To increase the neutron detection efficiency of Bulk-Micromegas (MICRO-MEsh GAseous Structure) neutron detectors, researchers from Lanzhou University (China), IRFU-CEA (France), and the University of Tennesse-Knoxville (USA) have proposed three novel converters (Fig. 1). When validated using Monte Carlo simulations, the design shown in Fig.1 C results in a threefold increase in neutron detection efficiencies. This work is described in detail in SCI CHINA: Tech. Sci. 2013, 43?3?.

The team have now made a Bulk-Micromegas based neutron imaging detector with a traditional thin-film neutron convertor. The dimensions of the detector's sensitive area is 57.4 mm 88.6 mm, which is composed of 1,728 rectangular pads (36 pads in the X direction and 48 pads in the Y direction). Each pad has an area of 1.50 mm 1.75 mm (http://mpgd.lzu.edu.cn/research.html). Although the detector has a relatively low neutron detection efficiency, very good mask images are obtained (Fig. 2). Without any modification, the detector can be used as a 2D neutron beam monitor for projects that require low detection efficiency (detectors with high detection efficiency cannot operate with high intensity neutron beams). At the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, CA, USA (2012), Dr. Xiaodong Zhang presented this work on behalf of the FNI collaboration.

The team is currently collaborating with companies to make detectors using micro-machining and new printed circuit board techniques.

Additionally, the novel detectors can be used to improve thermal neutron, cold neutron and ultra-cold neutron efficiencies, through simply changing the detection conversion material from polyethylene to boron-10, or lithium-7. Dr. Zhang is optimistic about the impact of these detectors in different research fields: "By choosing different conversion materials I envisage that at least a 10% detection efficiency can be achieved for thermal neutron detection. Our detectors can be used to replace the current neutron detectors which use helium-3, and hence reduce the demand for helium-3." Currently, his team is developing this technique at Spalation Neutron Source in Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

###

Corresponding Author:

ZHANG, XiaoDong on behalf of FNI collaboration* xzhang39@utk.edu zhangxd@lzu.edu.cn

See the article: AN LvXing, SHEN HuaYa, ZHANG ChunHui, WAN ChengLiang, CHEN YongHao, HO ZhanYing and ZHANG XiaoDong. Optimization of neutron convertor inside Bulk-Micromegas based fast neutron imaging system with Geant4 simulation. SCI CHINA Tech. Sci, 2013, 43(3): 315-319.doi: 10.1360/092012-1271

http://tech.scichina.com:8082/sciE/CN/abstract/abstract510294.shtml

* FNI (Fast Neutron Imager) collaboration: 1) ZHANG XiaoDong, WAN ChengLiang, ZHANG ChunHui, WANG WenXin, SHEN HuaYa, AN LvXing, CHEN YongHao, HE ZhanYing, and WEI Kun, School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China; 2) ZHANG XiaoDong, Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA, 37996; 3) Paul Colas, David Attie, WANG WenxXin, M. Rillot, IRFU-CEA, Saclay, 91191, France.

Science China Press Co., Ltd. (SCP) is a scientific journal publishing company of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). For 50 years, SCP takes its mission to present to the world the best achievements by Chinese scientists on various fields of natural sciences researches.

http://www.scichina.com/



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A road map: High efficiency bulk-micromegas based neutron imaging detector [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 31-Mar-2013
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Contact: YAN Bei
yanbei@scichina.org
86-106-400-8316
Science China Press

To increase the neutron detection efficiency of Bulk-Micromegas (MICRO-MEsh GAseous Structure) neutron detectors, researchers from Lanzhou University (China), IRFU-CEA (France), and the University of Tennesse-Knoxville (USA) have proposed three novel converters (Fig. 1). When validated using Monte Carlo simulations, the design shown in Fig.1 C results in a threefold increase in neutron detection efficiencies. This work is described in detail in SCI CHINA: Tech. Sci. 2013, 43?3?.

The team have now made a Bulk-Micromegas based neutron imaging detector with a traditional thin-film neutron convertor. The dimensions of the detector's sensitive area is 57.4 mm 88.6 mm, which is composed of 1,728 rectangular pads (36 pads in the X direction and 48 pads in the Y direction). Each pad has an area of 1.50 mm 1.75 mm (http://mpgd.lzu.edu.cn/research.html). Although the detector has a relatively low neutron detection efficiency, very good mask images are obtained (Fig. 2). Without any modification, the detector can be used as a 2D neutron beam monitor for projects that require low detection efficiency (detectors with high detection efficiency cannot operate with high intensity neutron beams). At the IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference, CA, USA (2012), Dr. Xiaodong Zhang presented this work on behalf of the FNI collaboration.

The team is currently collaborating with companies to make detectors using micro-machining and new printed circuit board techniques.

Additionally, the novel detectors can be used to improve thermal neutron, cold neutron and ultra-cold neutron efficiencies, through simply changing the detection conversion material from polyethylene to boron-10, or lithium-7. Dr. Zhang is optimistic about the impact of these detectors in different research fields: "By choosing different conversion materials I envisage that at least a 10% detection efficiency can be achieved for thermal neutron detection. Our detectors can be used to replace the current neutron detectors which use helium-3, and hence reduce the demand for helium-3." Currently, his team is developing this technique at Spalation Neutron Source in Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.

###

Corresponding Author:

ZHANG, XiaoDong on behalf of FNI collaboration* xzhang39@utk.edu zhangxd@lzu.edu.cn

See the article: AN LvXing, SHEN HuaYa, ZHANG ChunHui, WAN ChengLiang, CHEN YongHao, HO ZhanYing and ZHANG XiaoDong. Optimization of neutron convertor inside Bulk-Micromegas based fast neutron imaging system with Geant4 simulation. SCI CHINA Tech. Sci, 2013, 43(3): 315-319.doi: 10.1360/092012-1271

http://tech.scichina.com:8082/sciE/CN/abstract/abstract510294.shtml

* FNI (Fast Neutron Imager) collaboration: 1) ZHANG XiaoDong, WAN ChengLiang, ZHANG ChunHui, WANG WenXin, SHEN HuaYa, AN LvXing, CHEN YongHao, HE ZhanYing, and WEI Kun, School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, P.R. China; 2) ZHANG XiaoDong, Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA, 37996; 3) Paul Colas, David Attie, WANG WenxXin, M. Rillot, IRFU-CEA, Saclay, 91191, France.

Science China Press Co., Ltd. (SCP) is a scientific journal publishing company of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). For 50 years, SCP takes its mission to present to the world the best achievements by Chinese scientists on various fields of natural sciences researches.

http://www.scichina.com/



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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-03/scp-arm032513.php

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Bashir to make first visit to South Sudan since split

KHARTOUM/JUBA (Reuters) - Sudan's President Omar Hassan al-Bashir will visit his long-time foe South Sudan for the first time since its independence next week, an official said on Friday, cementing new deals on oil and border security between the two countries.

The African neighbours agreed this month to resume cross-border oil flows and defuse tensions that have plagued them since South Sudan seceded in July 2011 following an agreement which ended decades of civil war.

Bashir had originally planned to visit Juba a year ago but canceled the trip when border skirmishes between the countries' armies in April brought them close to a full-blown conflict.

He has now accepted an invitation from his southern counterpart Salva Kiir to go to South Sudan's capital Juba next week, Bashir's spokesman Imad Said told Reuters. He gave no date.

The two countries went their separate ways without resolving a long list of disputes over the ownership of disputed territory, the legal status of each others' citizens and how much the landlocked south should pay to transport its oil through Sudan.

Juba shut down its entire oil output of 350,000 barrels a day in January last year at the height of the dispute over pipeline fees - a closure that had a devastating effect on both struggling economies.

Under the new deals, both sides agreed to restart the oil flow, grant their citizens free residency in the other country, boost border trade and encourage close cooperation between their central banks.

They also withdrew their troops from their shared border as agreed in a deal brokered by the African Union in September.

Both sides still need to decide on who owns Abyei and other disputed regions.

Bashir last visited Juba on July 9, 2011 to attend the ceremony marking South Sudan's separation.

Around two million died in the decades-long civil war between Khartoum and Sudan's south, fueled by religion, oil, ethnicity and ideology. It ended in a 2005 peace deal that paved the way for the southern secession.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/bashir-first-visit-south-sudan-since-split-131457433.html

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