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The efficacy of biodiesel as a co-solvent for copper naphthenate wood preservative treating solutions was evaluated using two fungal decay methodologies (AWPA E10-09, British Standard Method EN113). Four fungal species (Gloeophyllum trabeum, Trametes versicolor, Poria xantha, Postia placenta) and three wood species (Douglas fir, Southern yellow pine, Western red cedar) with six replicates were utilized in both studies. Two levels of biodiesel: diesel (30:70 and 50:50) were compared to diesel-only solvent systems for copper naphthenate treating systems and treated to AWPA recommended retentions. No differences in decay efficacy between the biodiesel blends and diesel-only treatment in either the AWPA or the EN113 decay studies were detected for either standard method. Copper distribution was evaluated using SEM-EDX and no differences were noted with either solvent system. It was determined that the presence of biodiesel did not have a negative impact upon the efficacy of copper naphthenate as a wood preservative.

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The document describes a search for the rare decay B¯ → K¯vv̄ in a data set of about 230 millions of BB̄ pairs recorded by the BABAR detector at the PEP-II B Factory, via the process e⁺e⁻ → ϒ(4S) → BB̄. The method used selects events in which the B+ meson is fully reconstructed, and looks for a K¯ in the rest of the event. This is accomplished by applying kinematical and topological restrictions that select B¯ → K¯vv̄ events with the largest possible efficiency, while rejecting a maximum amount of background events. The number of background events is estimated from data and from simulated events, while the value of the selection efficiency relies solely on the simulation of B¯ → K¯vv̄ decays in the BABAR detector. These two numbers are required in order to set an upper limit on the branching ratio. We analyze a subset of the data sample and provide an interpretation of the result.

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A solid-state DE-E telescope beta spectrometer has been built and used to study beta-minus spectra. The system consists of a 15 mm x 500 mm$ sp2$ hyperpure germanium (HPGe) E-detector and a 300 $ mu$m x 200 mm$ sp2$ Si DE-detector with a special "keyhole" design. / The response function of the system has been determined experimentally using mono-energetic electron beams with incident energies ranging from 1 to 12 MeV. / The beta endpoint energies of 25 nuclei, namely, $ sp{32}$P, $ sp{88}$Rb, $ sp{91-99}$Rb, $ sp{91-96}$Sr, $ sp{99-100}$Sr, $ sp{92-96}$Y and $ sp{100}$Y have been measured. The Q-beta values and mass excesses for A = 91-100 have been determined. The results for $ sp{99}$Rb, $ sp{99-100}$Sr and $ sp{100}$Y have been obtained for the first time. / The beta strength functions for odd mass Rb isotopes, namely $ sp{91-99}$Rb have been measured for the first time from direct beta spectroscopy with a solid-state telescope system. The experimental results have been compared to calculations using the Brown-Bolsterli (B-B) model.

An accurate response function for a superconducting solenoid beta spectrometer for electrons up to 5.5 MeV has been found using Monte Carlo calculations and measurements of standard spectra. Experimental conditions affecting the response function have been studied and corrections for source scattering and pileup devised. / An anomalous shift in the electron energy calibration caused by the magnetic field has been discovered and explained. / The beta spectrum of ('32)P, ('90)Y, ('28)Al, ('42)K, ('38)Cl and ('88)Rb have been studied. Systematic uncertainties in endpoint, branch intensity and shape factor measurements have been estimated. / A beta spectra analysis program has been written to calculate endpoints, branch intensities and shape factors in a multi-branch spectrum. / The beta spectra of ('141)La, ('142)La, ('139)Ba, ('141)Ba, ('142)Ba, ('138)Cs and ('139)Cs have been studied. Q(,(beta))-values, intensities for all branches and some shape factors have been measured. / The shape factor of the ('20)F beta spectrum has been measured. The value found for the linear coefficient, a = 0.006 (+OR-) .002 (mc('2))('-1), supports the "weak magnetism" predictions of the Conserved Vector Current theory.

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