ZAGRADA - A New Radiocarbon Database

In the Radiocarbon and Tritium Laboratory at the Rudjer Boskovic Institute three different techniques for 14C dating have been used: Gas Proportional Counting (GPC), Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) and preparation of milligram-sized samples for AMS dating (Accelerator Mass Spectrometry). The use of several measurement techniques has initiated a need for development of a new relational database ZAGRADA (Zagreb Radiocarbon Database) since the existing software package CARBO could not satisfy the requirements for parallel processing/using 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. Additionally, the new database for 14C samples is a multi-user oriented application that can be accessed from remote computers in the work group providing thus 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. All invalid actions performed in user interface are registered with 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 will provide better and easier communication with customers.(author)