engleski

ZAGRADA - the new Zagreb Radiocarbon Database

In the Radiocarbon and Tritium Laboratory at the Rudjer Boškovic Institute in Zagreb, Croatia, three different techniques for 14C dating have been used: gas proportional counting (GPC) ; liquid scintillation counting (LSC), both CO2 absorption and benzene synthesis method ; and preparation of milligram-sized samples for accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating. The use of several measuring techniques has initiated a need for development of a new relational database ZAGRADA (Zagreb Radiocarbon Database) since the existing software package CARBO, designed in 1988 for the GPC technique only, could not satisfy the requirements for parallel processing of several techniques. Using the SQL procedures, and constraints defined by primary and foreign keys, ZAGRADA enforces high data integrity and provides better performances in data filtering and sorting. The structural scheme of this database conceptually comprises 5 basic modules with data about samples, chemical pretreatment and preparation, measurements, results and data on standards. Additionally, the new database for 14C samples is a multi-user oriented application that can be accessed from remote computers in the workgroup, thus providing better efficiency of laboratory activities. In order to facilitate data handling and processing in ZAGRADA, the graphical user interface is designed to be user-friendly and to perform various actions on data like input, corrections, searching, sorting and output to printer. A new software package also provides the capability to export data regarding certain samples to an .xls file, which thereafter can be used as a custom-made report document in further correspondence with customers. All invalid actions performed in the user interface are registered with a short textual description of an error occurred and appearing on screen in message boxes. Unauthorized access is also prevented by login control and each application window has implemented support to track last changes made by the user. The implementation of a new database for 14C samples has significant contribution to scientific research performed in the Radiocarbon and Tritium Laboratory and to quality assurance and quality control, and will provide better and easier communication with customers.

radiocarbon dating; database

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