France has committed herself to keep in 2010 the same levels of greenhouse gas emissions as those of 1990, i.e. 144 millions of tons of carbon equivalent (MtCe). However, taking into account the existing pollution abatement measures and the measurements performed so far, the greenhouse gases level should reach 160 MtCe in 2010. Therefore, the inter-ministry commission on greenhouse effect decided on November 27, 1998 to elaborate a new national plan of fight against greenhouse effect. The elaboration of the new plan has fallen under the responsibility of the inter-ministry mission of greenhouse effect (MIES). The new plan was presented by the prime minister, L. Jospin, on January 19, 2000. This document summarises the content of the new plan: architecture (modalities of elaboration, content), measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (industry, transportation sector, buildings, agriculture-forestry, wastes valorization, development of renewable ...
Climate change is not only dangerous but also expensive. On the other hand, air pollution abatement measures are costly as well. Scientists of the Microeconomics Department investigated how air pollution abatement and cost efficiency can best be combined. (orig.)
Air pollution abatement measures are not an end in themselves, and undesirable side effects should be taken into account. The proposed emission index takes into account the total emissions caused by a technical project as well as the effects of the individual pollutants.
Structural engineering implies four factors particularly relevant to sonics: airborne noise abatement, insulation of plumbing, by-pass insulation and noise absorption (noise abatement). These are exemplified with special regard to methodical and/or product-specific noise pollution abatement measures. Besides, reference is made to DIN standards 4109 providing both engineers with practical advice and pipe fitters or plumbers with concrete examples for application. VDI recommendations 3733 convey essential knowledge of how to properly apply sonic principles in the planning, design and installation of pipes. (BR).
The major inquiry of the political party 'Die Gruenen' touches all problems connected with air pollution. The Federal Government states that an extensive air pollution abatement program, i.e. the revision of existing regulations and implementation of new ones has been allowing the realization of all essential environmental aims originally headed for three years ago in the field of air pollution abatement. Achievements such as these will bring about another obvious improvement of the air quality of the Federal Republic of Germany in the coming years. The recent development of energy economy has also proved to be having an obivously positive effect on the environment and pollution abatement. (HSCH).
The development of emmissions, the measures planned and carried out and the present state of research in the Federal Republic of Germany into air pollution effects and abatement technology is reported. Possible starting points and solutions for air pollution abatement measures are explored within the legal framework.
The booklet presents general information and practical hints for the task of acquiring and evaluating the data describing investments and other expenditure and activities for pollution abatement measures taken by electric utilities. The information is intended as an aid for establishing standard criteria for assignment and evaluation, and for comparison and classification of pollution abatement measures. As a line of orientation, a catalogue of pollution control measures is given, arranged into the following sections: Fossil-fueled power plants; nuclear power plants (BWR and PWR); hydroelectric power plants; power transmission and distribution. (HSCH)
The first part of the study goes into the determination of efficient strategies for the reduction of air pollutants. The developed method is not only derived theoretically but is tested with the concrete example of emissions sources of a German state. The second part goes into the question what the government can do in order to attain that air pollution abatement measures recognized as being efficient will be put into practice. As market economy mechanisms have advantages over central state planning in the allocation of economic resources the question arises if not also for environmental protection market economy tools may contribute to an improvement of the efficiency of air pollution abatement. Therefore the suitability of different tools of environmental policy for the realization of efficient air pollution abatement is investigated and evaluated. This is again not done abstractly but with existing emission sources. ...
Apart from presenting the marginal legal conditions the research program contains a brief description of current pollution abatement measures, representative heating systems and individually suitable pollution abatement technologies and an account of the determination of the concentration of major pollutants. The comparative evaluation of heating systems assesses their environmental effects, i.e. air pollution caused by heating systems. The determination of the costs of available heat is followed by an overall evaluation of the results obtained with special regard to the costs involved by pollution abatement measures.
To mitigate damages caused by agricultural runoff, private lake owners' associations are paying for inlake and instream pollution abatement measures and on land-conservation practices. This phenomenon supports the notion that individuals who benefit from improved water quality should be willing to pay part of the abatement costs. The research suggests that on land-conservation measures can substantially reduce sediment delivery at low cost. The Sediment Economics (SEDEC) model was modified and then used to select and to site management systems that achieved stated sediment goals at least cost. Other resource policies such as T value, no-till, and contouring were compared with the least-cost frontier and shown to be more costly. The noncropland areas substantially reduced sediment delivery to water channels and lowered abatement costs. Further research is needed for long-range watershed-planning models such as ...
sur la médiatisation des élections Il s'est ouverte le 16 septembre 2011 à Matadi dans le Bas-Congo une formation sur la médiatisation des questions électorales,...
Lectures were held on forest and wood management, the forest as an energy source and the emission problem of wood combustion, future emission limitating regulations for wood firing, influence of firing technique on air pollution abatement and constructive and operational air pollution abatement measures with manually and continuously fuelled furnaces.
The author cites the example of Gelsenkirchen in order to illustrate the measures taken in the field of power supply with regard to air pollution abatement. (orig.) [Deutsch] Der Verfasser gibt am Beispiel der Stadt Gelsenkirchen einen Ueberblick darueber, was hinsichtlich des Klimaschutzes - und zwar bezogen auf die Energieversorgung - in den letzten Jahren in Gelsenkirchen getan wurde. (orig.)
A brief survey of present air pollution abatement requirements relevant to domestic heating systems is followed by a comparative evaluation of the latest results worked out on the part of boiler and burner manufacturers, and the legal requirements and existing regulations. Details are given on the limiting values required by law, the regulations valid for domestic heating systems, and the values fixed according to scientific knowledge and research results (development of NO{sub x} and CO, flame temperature dependence, table comparing CO and NO{sub x} limiting values for different types of burners and boilers). Access is given to primary air pollution abatement measures (cooling of flames, absorber rods, influence of mixing pressure), modern burner and boiler systems, and secondary measures suited for smaller boilers. (HWJ).
Le Club d’Orientation du CERN vous propose de venir participer à la cinquième étape de la coupe d’automne Genevoise. Celle-ci sera organisée samedi 16 octobre par le club de Lausanne-Jorat (Canton de Vaud). Un fléchage depuis le Mont-sur-Lausanne en direction de Cugy vous conduira au Chalet à Gobet. 5 circuits seront proposés sur la carte Le Flon. Les inscriptions et les départs se feront sur place de 13h à 15h. Il est prévu une initiation à 13h30 pour les débutants. Les deux dernières étapes de la coupe d’automne sont prévues pour vendredi 22 octobre au soir et samedi 23 octobre après-midi. Le Club d’Orientation du CERN Informations sur ...
operations and defense, personnel misconduct (PM), law enforcement (LE), and counterintelligence (CI) investigations.- At any time, the USG may inspect and seize data stored on...
The aim was to assess options and cost of reducing emissions of greenhouse gases (with emphasis on carbon dioxide) from human activity in Zimbabwe. A brief description of the country's economy and energy sector, policy and pricing and regulations is given...
Chapter 1 reviews the current and projected air pollution abatement measures of the Federal Government. Chapter 2 describes the development, status, and projected measures in industrial plant safety. Chapter 3 lists the points of emphasis of noise abatement; it presents the legal fundamentals and the resulting measures of the Federal Government. Each chapters starts by summarizing the present situation and then gives an outlook on tasks to cope with in the future. (orig.). [Deutsch] Kapitel 1 befasst sich mit dem Bereich der Luftreinhaltung und beschreibt die Massnahmen der Bundesregierung, die sie im Rahmen ihrer Umweltvorsorgepolitik bisher getroffen hat und fuer die Zukunft noch geplant sind. Kapitel 2 beschreibt die Entwicklung, den derzeitigen Stand und die kuenftigen Massnahmen im Bereich der Sicherheit industrieller Anlagen. Kapitel 3 nennt die Schwerpunkte der Laermbekaempfung und stellt die gesetzlichen Grundlagen sowie die daraus ...
The 7 conference papers in Vol. 9 review the implications of environmental problems and discuss the consequences of pollution abatement measures, especially for the economics of energy conversion. The future developments of pollutant emissions are assessed.
Survey report: The Petroleum Association for the Conservation of the Canadian Environment is an organization of petroleum refiners that works closely with the Canadian government to set realistic air pollution control standards for refinery emissions. To date, the refiners have made a substantial investment in pollution abatement equipment. As a result, there have been no major pollution incidents traceable to refinery emissions. In the future, it will be essential that refiners continue to invest in air pollution abatement measures and continue to cooperate with the government in setting achievable pollution control standards. (1 photo, 1 table)
Much as it is accepted for pollution control reasons air pollution abatement still is the subject of heated debates. Pollutant emissions can considerably be reduced with the help of electric power supplies. In order not to prejudice electric power users tariffs have to be adapted to the prices of other energy sources available on the market. There is a general need for energy conservation, resource conservation and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. Thermal insulation is among the remedial measures. Fundamental air pollution abatement measures will have to be avoiding smog warnings which are known to considerably interfere with both economic and private activities.
The lowest excited level in Ni-like ions, 3d{sup 9}4s {sup 3}D{sub 3}, decays only via a magnetic octupole (M3) decay. They present calculated values of transition wavelengths and rates for ions with 30 {le} Z {le} 100. They have observed this line in Xe{sup 26+}, using the Livermore EBIT-I electron beam ion trap and a microcalorimeter, as well as a high-resolution flat-field grating spectrometer.
The purpose of this work is to describe the radiological appearance of overlooked malignant pulmonary lesions at CT and to analyze the reasons of misdiagnosis. Ten patient with pulmonary lesion (PML) overlooked at forst CT examination were selected among patients with lung cancer. Endobronchial location of the tumors and their small size were the most frequent causes of misdiagnosis of PML at chest CT in the series. However, a systematic evaluation of CT scans can reduce the percentage of missed lesions. [Italian] Scopo del presente lavoro e' di descrivere le caratteristiche radiologiche delle lesioni polmonari maligne non identificate con la Tomografia Computerizzata (TC) e definire le possibili cause di errore. Sono stati esaminato 10 pazienti con tumore polmonare. Le sedi endobronchiale e centrale nonche' le piccole dimensioni delle lesioni polmonari maligne rappresentano ...
Magnetization, specific heat, and electrical resistivity measurements were made on single crystals of the filled skutterudite compound PrOs{sub 4}As{sub 12}. Specific heat measurements indicate an electronic specific heat coefficient {gamma} {approx} 50-200 mJ/mol K{sup 2} at temperatures 10 K {le} T {le} 18 K, and {approx} 1 J/mol K{sup 2} for t {le} 1.6 K. Magnetization, specific heat, and electrical resistivity measurements reveal the presence of two, or possibly three, ordered phases at temperatures below {approx} 2.3 K and in fields below {approx} 3 T. The low temperature phase displays antiferromagnetic characteristics, while the nature of the ordering in the other phase(s) has yet to be determined.
Aim of the work was to describe computerised tomography (CT) findings of calcified renal metastases focusing on differential diagnosis problems. Abdominal CT scans of 8000 patients with tumor, performed from 1984 to 1998, have been retrospectively reviewed. [Italian] Scopo del lavoro e' quello di descrivere gli aspetti con tomografia computerizzata delle metastasi renali calcificate enfatizzando le problematiche diagnostico differenziali. Sono state valutate retrospettivamente le indagini TC addominali di 8000 pazienti affetti da tumore nel periodo 1984-1998, analizzando le lesioni calcificate riscontrate.
In May 1985, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit was issued for the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, a nuclear weapons components production facility located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and operated by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., for the US Department of Energy. As a condition of the permit, a Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP) was developed to demonstrate that the effluent limitations established for the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant protect the classified uses of the receiving stream (East Fork Poplar Creek), in particular, the growth and propagation of fish and aquatic life, as designated by the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment. A second purpose for the BMAP is to document the ecological effects resulting from implementation of a water pollution control program that will include construction of nine new wastewater treatment facilities over the next 4 years. Because of the complex nature of the effluent discharged to East ...
As part of its long-term control plan for combined sewer overflow (CSO) abatement, the city of Buffalo, New York, maintained a network of Hydrolab Datasondes (Hydrolab-Hach Company, Loveland, Colorado) to assess receiving water-quality effects by continuously logging dissolved oxygen, pH, temperature, conductivity, and turbidity. Although the effect of individual CSOs could be visualized, turbidity levels entering the Buffalo River from the upper watershed often were greater than from CSO discharges. Turbidity data showed that the Buffalo River was a net-sediment sink. Low dissolved oxygen levels were observed in the summer during dry weather, baseflow, and watershed-wide storms and CSO events. Some CSOs did not produce dissolved oxygen sags in the receiving waters, but others did. This information, together with the sampling done for organic and inorganic contaminants, can aid the decisionmaking process when prioritizing outfalls for abatement ...
Based on the air pollution values typical of brown coal furnaces the paper discusses pollution abatement measures on the part of fuel engineering and flue gas technology. Fuel engineering contributes to air pollution abatement by measures such as stepped air supply, stepped fuel supply and flue gas draw-in. Flue gas technology largely relies on measures such as the SCR method using different catalytic converters, the noncatalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides, the simultaneous separation of sulfur dioxides and nitrogen oxides, and the Denox-Luvo method. The paper concludes with remarks on the RWE brown coal power plant retrofitting scheme planning to have all power plants equipped with adequate denitrification systems until the end of 1989 at the latest. (orig./PW)
Efforts in industry concerning pollution abatement up to nowadays were aimed at: solid particles contained in gaseous effluents, SO_2 effluent reduction, nitrogen oxide effluent limitation through combustion technology enhancement. Various CO_2 emission scenarios with different energy production means (same or increased nuclear plant number, energy consumption reduction) show that energy conservation schemes for the developed countries are the best solution to CO_2 control. Different solutions for greenhouse gas abatement from industrial plant are reviewed: effluent processing, burner technological enhancement, heat transfer optimization on industrial processes, computer assisted management for industrial processes, plasma technic for refining, substitution of gas to oil in chemistry, etc.
The paper discusses a number of recent studies investigating into the energy conservation and environmental impacts of electric heating systems (off-peak storage systems). In future, i.e. in and after 1993, off-peak storage systems will be evaluated through comparative analyses of oil-fired heating systems, pollutant emission analyses, the eventual success of pollution abatement measures designed for power plant emissions to keep within the legal limiting values, and the possible abandonment of pollution abatement measures abroad. Opposing the electric heating studies submitted by the electric power industry the author refutes their favourable results referring to the palliative selection of inadequate or vague parameters. Assuming average power plant pollutant emissions of 180 mg/standard/sup 3/ the nitrogen oxide emissions of oil-fired heating systems (134.1 kg/Tj) are found to be below those of off-peak storage systems (242.5 kg/Tj).
The cost incurred every year in West Germany due to air pollution is investigated. Damage to buildings, materials, and vegetation are evaluated as well as the cost of additional cleaning work and changes of location with the objective of getting a picture of the economic value of air pollution abatement. The findings are based on data of immission damage in high-exposure areas. Damage is assessed in consideration of the frequency of repair measures in industrial and country atmosphere. Further research will be necessary in view of the many problems concerning methods and availability of basic statistical data. The sequential cost estimated for a few selected cases of damage show that economic losses due to air pollution amount to several thousand million DM. Air pollution abatement measures thus do not only improve our quality of life but also help to save considerable cost to our national economy.
Current decisions on greenhouse gas emissions may have effects on human well being for centuries. This project has aimed to extend the economic models designed for analyzing this particular issue. A closely related topic follows from the fact that emitting CO{sub 2} can be interpreted as a utilization of a free access resource, i.e., when countries gain from utilizing cheap fossil fuels (relative to noncarbon energy sources), the possible loss any country suffers from climate change is only a negligible fraction of the total loss of all countries. Thus, from a global point of view, the incentives for an individual country to abate emissions is low. Economic understanding of these problems calls for dynamic game-theoretical models
Returns singular values (sigma), ;left field (x) vectors, ..... n) do begin point=ngbrs(i) if (point+tau le nt-1) then begin if (x(point+tau,0) ne q) then .... ;FILTER ;applies a gaussian filter in the frequency domain function filter, x ...
Sep 1, 2011 ... Title: THINEX - an expert system for estimating forest harvesting productivity and cost. Author: LeDoux, C. B.; Gopalakrishnan, B.; Pabba, R. S. ...
The activated charcoal is very appreciates for the water treatment. It do not generate by-product of treatment. In return it is saturated after some time and may releases pollutant compounds. When and how to get to its regeneration?.
The advanced technologies of Ka-Band systems such as high gain spot .... sometimes used based on link requirements for a specific application. .... received at NASA LeRC from a Ku-band satellite and retransmitted to the USAT at Ka-Band. .... and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project ...
ResumeObjectif determiner dans une etude randomisee l'impact d'un enregistrement continu du glucose sous-cutane pendant 48 heures sur le controle glycemique trois mois plus tard chez des patients presentant un diabete de type 1 (DT1) ou de type 2 (DT2). Methodes Quarante-huit patients avec un mauvais equilibre glycemique (HbA1c : 8-10,5 %) ont beneficie d'un enregistrement continu du glucose sous-cutane pendant 48 heures avec le systeme GlucoDay (A. Menarini Diagnostics) et ont ete randomises en deux groupes : ajustement de traitement en fonction de l'autosurveillance glycemique capillaire (groupe ASG) ou du profil d'enregistrement continu du glucose sous-cutane (groupe CGM). Le dosage d'HbA1c et le port du GlucoDay ont ete renouveles trois mois plus tard. Resultats Trente-quatre patients ...
Aqu? va a poder aprender acerca de la Dros?fila Melanogaster, a la cual se le conoce como la mosca de la fruta! Usted podr?. Interpretar por qu? las moscas ...
This course is based upon lectures in physics given by Professor Feynman at the California institute of technology during 1961 and 1962. This volume is dedicated to quantum physics, semiconductors, symmetry and advanced principles of physics.
This article describes a hierarchical and functional model for continuous process control aid. The expertise is represented by graphs from a simple functional restructuring of the Grafcet, which is the formalism used by the designers of the command-control program. The new structure is familiar to the operator, and it is settled in an expert system. The application built on the basis of this method detects some default types which are not detected by the control-command. It proposes a diagnosis to the operator, and can explain and justify the state of the process. (authors) 9 refs.
The article surveys studies into the global warming which have found that the OECD countries are responsible for less than half of the total registered warming. Calculation and analysis methods for estimating the global contributions from the blocks of OECD, Africa/America/Middle East, Asia and former Soviet Union/Eastern Europe are presented. The results and some pollution abatement measures are discussed.
The Danish Ministry of Transportation has prepared a national plan of transportation, for the years until 2005. Official policy concerning land, maritime and air transport, personal and cargo transportation, investments and expenditures is outlined. Environmental impacts of energy consumption and air pollution abatement measures are considered. (EG)
'Within 15 years the energy consumption bottleneck has shifted from the supply side to emissions, i.e. to the waste side.' Reflecting this statement one may realize the importance of lending more weight to energy conservation but may also be induced to critically analyze the corresponding measures. First results of such reflections are given with regard to the payback periods of air pollution abatement measures relative to the additional emissions they cause. (orig.).
Some general topical information (generating capacity and electric power generation, development and structure of electric power consumption, frequency and peak load, exchange of electricity) is followed by an account of the situation of coal-fired power plants, hydroelectric power plants and nuclear power plants, and a brief discussion of the environmental situation (emissions and wastes, immissions, and air pollution abatement measures for power plants). (orig./UA).
Energy sector is relatively easy to evaluate economically. There have existed reliable statistics on energy systems and consumption and the planning has been based on them. However the environmental factors have been integrated into the Danish energy policy first in the nineties, and the new socio-economic evaluations have to take the pollution abatement measures into account. (EG)
HEW is operating one of the biggest district heating networks of the Federal Republic of Germany. The paper discusses a number of projects which in recent years have been engaged in extensive air pollution abatement measures to make district heating an environmentally compatible energy source. Emphasis is placed on the hot gas cleanup system of block 2 of the harbor power plant. The system is the first of its kind to have realized an SCR system connected with the desulfurization system for industrial denitrification purposes.
The abatement of CO{sub 2} emissions is a huge technical and economical challenge. Fossil fuels, which represent 88% of the world primary energy consumption, are the main source of the 25 billions of CO{sub 2} released each year in the atmosphere. The mastery of CO{sub 2} emissions cannot come from a single technology but must result from the simultaneous implementation of several means, like the development of carbon-free energies and the mastery of fossil fuel emissions. The opportunities of progress are numerous and compatible with the economic development. This document presents, first, the different greenhouse gases, the CO{sub 2} emissions per country and the main sources of CO{sub 2} emissions (power and heat generation, transports). Then it presents different ways of abatement of CO{sub 2} emissions: clean coal technologies, gas combined cycles, CO{sub 2} sequestration, reduction of fuel consumption in transports, development of ...
At the University of Karlsruhe experiments were carried out from 1997 to 1999 to get fundamentals of flow characteristics of pneumatic extracted materials. The results could be used to develop a concept for demolition suitable for extraction and removing high-density concrete. The concept fulfills all demands of a closed nuclear area, especially of dust abatement. (orig.)
The document reports the results of a cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative water pollution control regulations of the battery manufacturing industry. These regulations include effluent limitations and standards based on best practical control technology currently available, best available technology economically achievable, and pretreatment standards for new sources. For each of these regulations, EPA has identified several pollution control options, each with different levels of pollution abatement and compliance cost. The analysis is a tool for evaluating the options.
The paper discusses the status of coal as a raw material and energy source. After referring to coal preparation and the costs it involves the author deals with coal/liquid suspensions and their fueling uses. Access is given to different aspects concerning the use of coal for electric power and heat generation. They include pollution abatement measures, economic analyses and fuel engineering in the case of coal. Further sections are dedicated to upgrading procedures such as the gasification, liquefaction and coking of coal. A bibliography informs the reader about further publications available on the subject. (HAG).
We proposed that a new type of the electrostatic microwiggler with a wiggler period (0.1 mm {le}1{sub w}{le}1 mm) and the wiggler field strength (E{sub w}{le} 100 kV/m) can be produced on the surface of a PZT when a high power and high frequency ultrasonic wave travels through a PZT bar. Numerical simulations in the linear and nonlinear gain regime show that a weak microwiggler (E{sub w}100 kV/m,{lambda}{sub w}{approx}100 periods), operating in magnetoresonance with a strong guide field (B{sub o}{approx} 3.6T), can generate a millimeter and submillimeter radiations with medium electronic efficiency of few percents. It is shown that the maximum output power of the compact FEL using the wiggler system generated on the surface of the piezoelectric material may be upto a few Watts with a relatively low energy and low current electron beam (Ew {approx}100 keV and I{sub b}1 mA).
Over the last 30 years, a program of R-matrix analyses has been carried out at Los Alamos in the mass range 2 {le} A {le} 18 that gives useful information about the light systems. These analyses provide data for astrophysics, as well as for neutronic and thermonuclear applications, and can yield important constraints from the experimental measurements on the nature of few-body interactions. Following a brief introduction to R-matrix theory, I will describe recent work on reactions in the A=2 (NN) and A=4 systems. Finally, some comments will be made about extending the theory to complex energies in order to obtain information about resonances and other types of S-matrix singularities.
Biological monitoring has been conducted in industrially impacted streams near US Department of Energy facilities in Tennessee and Kentucky for almost ten years. A comprehensive Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program, which was developed to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit requirements, includes tasks on (1 ) toxicity testing; (2) bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial biota; (3) bioindicators of fish health; and (4) fish, macroinvertebrate, and periphyton community surveys. These studies have been used successfully to characterize spatial trends and demonstrate temporal recovery resulting from remedial actions and pollution abatement activities, identify contaminant sources, and provide data for conducting ecological risk assessments. The program uses multiple lines of evidence to evaluate stream recovery and illustrates the importance of using an integrated approach when determining stream health. An ...
The power sector in Thailand is the largest contributor to CO{sub 2} emissions. There is high potential to mitigate CO{sub 2} emission via alternative power generating plants. Alternative plants considered in this study include nuclear plants, integrated gasification combined cycle plants, biomass-based plants and supercritical thermal power plants. The biomass-based plants considered here are fueled with four types of biomass; paddy husk, municipal solid waste (MSW), fuel wood and corncob. The methodology for the optimal expansion plan of the power generating system over the planning horizon is based on the least-cost approach. The results from the least-cost planning analyses show that the nuclear alternative has the highest potential to mitigate not only CO{sub 2} but also other airborne emissions. Moreover, the nuclear option is the most effective abatement strategy for CO{sub 2} reduction due to its negative incremental cost of CO{sub 2} reduction.
The use of concentrated solar energy for co-producing Zn and synthesis gas from Zn O and natural gas upgrades the calorific value of the initial reactants by 39% and, when compared to the traditional carbothermic reduction of Zn O, has the potential of reducing CO{sub 2} emissions by up to 78%. An economic assessment for an industrial thermochemical plant, 30 to 51 MW solar input, indicates that the cost of solar production of zinc ranges between 89-133 $/t (excluding the cost of Zn O feed and credit for pollution abatement), and thus might be competitive with conventional fossil-fuel-based processes at current fuel prices. The cost of solar H{sub 2}, produced by splitting water with zinc, is estimated to be in the range 0.10-0.14 $/kWh, and it is a favorable long term prospect once the cost of energy will account for the environmental externalities from fossil fuel burning such as the costs for CO{sub 2} mitigation and pollution abatement. ...
Finland has set up several national air pollution control programmes in order to implement international conventions. As a rule these programmes have focused on one pollutant. The national second carbon dioxide commission is at present working on a new programme to curb carbon dioxide emissions, and this will unavoidably affect other programmes, too. This study presents the existing programmes and their respective implementation costs. The aim has been to focus on the interaction between different air pollution combatting measures and the possibilities of setting priorities on a cost basis. The main result is that it will be difficult to integrate overall aims for general welfare and subsequent energy consumption with environmental considerations, especially in air pollution control. If the increase in energy generation follows current scenarios, the costs for air pollution abatement measures will require a considerable portion of the increase in the national ...
Since June 1990, the IMA ``CO2 Reduction`` has been working on a German air pollution abatement programme. Four reports were submitted in this period. The contribution presents the fourth of these reports. The measures taken, their state of implementation and the expected effects in 2000 and 2005 are presented in table form. (orig.) [Deutsch] Seit Juni 1990 befasst sich die Interministerielle Arbeitsgruppe ``CO2-Reduktion`` (IMA ``CO2-Reduktion``) mit dem deutschen Klimavorsorgeprogramm und hat seither vier Berichte vorgelegt. Im Folgenden werden neben der Ausgangslage und den Grundlagen fuer den 4.Bericht der IMA ``CO2-Reduktion`` die wesentlichen Inhalte des 4.IMA-Berichts dargelegt. In Tabellenform werden die einzelnen Massnahmen, ihre Art, der Umsetzungsstand sowie der erwartete Effekt in 2000 bzw. 2005 dargestellt.
SO/sub 2/ concentrations in the Stuttgart air have been measured continuously since 1965. The two measuring points were located at the bottom of the Stuttgart city basin and 900 m east on the side of one of the surrounding hills. Long-term curves of pollutant loads have been established in consideration of meteorological parameters, as well as curves showing the average daily, weekly, and yearly pollution. The information thus gained may help to plan air pollution abatement measures in city planning.
While the expenses of pollution abatement measures are clearly defined at least by orders of magnitude there are no similar - not even internationally comprehensive and methodologically secured data available on the total economic cost of environmental pollution. The research program ' the cost of environmental pollution (efficiency of environmental policies)' aims at establishing a reliable data base. It is expected to be terminated in 1988. Evaluations are being complicated by a still incomplete knowledge and information. It is therefore obvious that economic losses as a result of air pollution can at present not be expressed in concrete figures and that extrapolations, too, are out of the question. (org./HSCH).
Since 1983, about 600 research projects received a total of DM 250 million public funds for the following tasks: - Development of scientific fundamentals for monitoring and observation of forest decline and its ecological and economic consequences. - Investigation of the cause-effect relationship of forest damage, with particular regard to the involvement of the various compartments of the forest ecosystem and to the contribution of different pollutants. - Development of the scientific fundamentals required for forestry measures to accompany the air pollution abatement measures. The investigations comprised both laboratory and field tests. The findings and conclusion are summarized. (orig./MG).
Air pollution abatement measures are being intensified at the moment: Power plants and district heating systems are being retrofitted with high-efficiency desulphurisation and NO/sub 2/ reduction systems, the 3rd amendment of the Clean Air Technical Guide sets more rigid emission limits, and unleaded petrol and catalysts will significantly reduce car exhaust emissions. The author presents pollutant balances from 1966 to 1982 to contradict the popular notion that pollutant emitters formerly failed to take preventive measures.
The exergy method is used to compare different production processes and various methods for emission abatement with respect to their overall environmental impact. Some ammonium nitrate production processes are studied as examples, because the pollutants (ammonia and ammonium nitrate), emitted from these processes into the air and/or into the water, are really a feedstock and a product from the production process. Therefore, the essential result of the waste flows treatment is the recycling of the pollutants (ammonia and ammonium nitrate) back into the production process, decreasing simultaneously the exergy input and cumulative exergy consumption. (author)
Experts tend to disagree about the economic effects of air pollution abatement measures. This book, which addresses also non-experts, explains the analytical background on the basis of available data. The authors conclude that there is a wide range of political options for achieving the goal of air pollution abatement. They differentiate between the various levels of discussion and show how misinterpretations of scientific results come about, thus making an important contribution to a discussion that is based on facts rather than emotions. [German] Die Einschaetzungen zur wirtschaftlichen Bewertung von Klimaschutzmassnahmen, insbesondere zur Steigerung der Energieeffizienz, sind sehr widerspruechlich. Dieses Buch erlaeutert anhand von Zahlenmaterial die analytischen Hintergruende und ist auch fuer Nicht-Oekonomen verstaendlich geschrieben. Die Autoren kommen zu dem Schluss, dass in vielen Bereichen rentable Energiesparpotentiale nicht erkannt ...
Transcription for a hybrid SV40 promoter-beta globin coding sequence recombinant initiates from both early-early (EE) and late-early (LE) SV40 start sites (EES and LES) in the absence of DNA replication....Full Text Available
This publication of the Areva Group, a world nuclear industry leader, provides information on the energy in many domains. This issue deals with the nuclear fuel cycle, the biofuels, the everyday geothermal power, the Unites States energy supply and types, the Bertrand Picard solar aircraft, the kyoto protocol and the wind power leaders. A special chapter is devoted to the renaissance of solar homes. (A.L.B.)
The molybdenum iron-sulphur protein originally isolated from Desulfovibrio gigas by Moura, Xavier, Bruschi, Le Gall, Hall & Cammack [(1976) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 72, 782-789] has been...Full Text Available
During its jubilee, the French building technical and scientific centre (CSTB) has organized a colloquium about the future tendencies of buildings evolution in the 20 forthcoming years: autonomy in energy production and wastes or effluents management, reduction of water consumption and management of water, hot water production and space heating, bio-sensors for the management of indoor air-quality, control of noise environment using active acoustic systems etc.. (J.S.)
This paper deals with the control of an electromechanical valves engine. The control uses neural networks in order to build a non-linear model of engine filing which depends on the driven inlets. The aim is to build this real-time model and to integrate this model to a control system which performs an iterative inversion. (J.S.)
This autumn, Nice welcomed the thirteen European photovoltaic conference. It was the occasion for the world of solar energy to measure technical progress which were carried out and the market which are still to win. If developing countries are a reserve of new markets, they are not solvent and programmes depend on North/South negotiations. (N.C.).
... Producers and their Impacts on Women in Central Java, IndonesiaActions basées sur des scénarios visant à élever ... impact sur les femmes dans le centre de Java, en IndonésieInvestigación-acción basada en...
Brachytherapy consists of sealed radioactive source implantation. The diversity in the nature of radioelements, in their energy and activity requires strict implantation and utilization rules. These rules include radioactive source physical parameters check, after-loading machine and treatment planning system quality assurance and safe and reproducible dosimetric systems. Patient and medical workers information guarantee radioprotection and prevention of accidental exposures. (authors)
In this article, the authors recall the factors apt to influence image quality in NMR Imaging and present the european works that have been developed in MRIQA to set 5 quality assurance tests: EUROSPIN 1 to 5.
This device has and head-race pipe with an external part and a coaxial inner part. A measuring head is mounted movable between these 2 parts and has at least a thermocouple and a mobile grid for varying the section and the sodium flow to facilitate the impurities dissolution. This ensemble is completed by a longitudinal body containing the main parts of the indicator and surrounded by a thermal exchanger to cool the sodium.
The neutron detector is cased in a metal envelop and has one detector with a very sensitive fission chamber and a second detector with a fission chamber less sensitive that the first one and a boron coated ionisation chamber for reducing gamma radiation detection.
The proposed aim of the work is to verify the effects produced on different kinds of environmental pollutants after exposure to a low frequency radiation such as microwaves. They have proved capable of producing minimum heating of the matrix as well as modifications in the structure of the molecules at the level of simple bonds. Steps were also taken ti check whether the degradation action of the microwaves could be boosted by sunlight. For this reason tests were run also on samples irradiated using microwaves and a lamp capable of simulating the sun's spectrum, as well as in the presence of a single lamp. [Italian] Lo scopo di questa ricerca e' di verificare gli effetti prodotti su inquinanti ambientali, di diversa natura, a seguito di un'esposizione ad una radiazione a bassa frequenza come le microonde. Le microonde possono produrre minimi riscladamenti della matrice e modificazioni della struttura delle molecole, a ...
In this article, the author presents the main technological solutions, available or in development, on X-ray detectors in order to obtain a digital image in biomedical radiography or in industrial radiography: linear x-ray detectors and bidimensional x-ray detectors (memory radioluminescent screens, matrix plan detectors).
The authors present electric-field dependent electroreflectance and photocurrent spectra of visible-bandgap In{sub x}(Al{sub y}Ga{sub 1{minus}y}){sub 1{minus}x}P/In{sub x{prime}}(Al{sub y{prime}}Ga{sub 1{minus}y{prime}}){sub 1{minus}x{prime}}P multiple-quantum-well (MQW) structures. These structures, grown by metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy on 6{degrees}-misoriented (100) GaAs substrates, have undoped MQWs sandwiched between doped In{sub 0.5}Al{sub 0.5}P layers, forming p-i-n diodes. Quantum-well compositions in the range 0.46{le}x{le}0.52 and 0{le}y{le}0.4, corresponding to bandgaps in the red to yellow-green range, were used. The Stark shifts in these various samples were measured and found to depend on the details of the Mg p-type doping profile, confirming important diffusion effects, in agreement with secondary ion mass spectrometry and capacitance-voltage data. The results show that these new materials are promising for ...
The device is made by a tool at the end of a flexible cable, a motor for the rotation of the flexible, a linear drive with a guide for it between the winder and the tube.
In the last issue of 'L'Industrie ceramique et verriere', we presented the first part of this study. We describe in this issue the experimental procedure, the results and the conclusions of this work. (authors)
In order to conserve vaccines in hot countries a solar refrigerator has been made by a French university. It is a photothermal refrigerator without batteries. It uses two gases: ammonia and calcium chloride. The refrigerator is autonomous and can work eleven days without sun. (N.C.)
Political leaders in numerous nations argue for an upper limit of the global average surface temperature of 2 K above the pre-industrial level, in order to attempt to avoid the most serious impacts of climate change. This paper analyzes what this limit implies in terms of radiative forcing, emissions pathways and abatement costs, for a range of assumptions on rate of ocean heat uptake and climate sensitivity. The primary aim is to analyze the importance of ocean heat uptake for radiative forcing pathways that temporarily overshoot the long-run stabilization forcing, yet keep the temperature increase at or below the 2 K limit. In order to generate such pathways, an integrated climate-economy model, MiMiC, is used, in which the emissions pathways generated represent the least-cost solution o...
The article has three sections. The first discusses the environmental problems the tanker traffic poses to the Norwegian coastal waters and shores. Various precautionary measures and requirements are briefly presented. The size of the present marine transportation and the future Russian marine petroleum activity in the Barents area are briefly mentioned. The second named, conflicting exploration drilling, presents the conflicting interests regarding exploratory drilling in the Barents Sea in Norway. The environmental problems are large and have lead to an on-going reevaluation. Some pollution abatement measures are mentioned. The regional economic development is briefly outlined. The third deals with the Norwegian governmental safety activities and presents a brief survey of the official safety activities in the petroleum sector in Norway and the international cooperation particularly with the Russian Federation. The emphasis is on the maritime security, the safety ...
To elucidate biosorption mechanism and removal efficiency of plant residues as a biosorbent to abate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in wastewater, sorption of PAHs onto wood chips (WC), ryegrass roots (RR), orange peels (OP), bamboo leaves (BL), and pine needles (PN) were investigated. The structural characterization of the biosorbents was analyzed by elemental composition, BET-N2 surface area, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. PAHs sorption to the selected biosorbents were compared and correlated with their structures. Biosorption isotherms fit well with Freundlich equation and the mechanism was dominated by partition process. The magnitude of phenanthrene partition coefficients (Kd) followed the order of PN>BL>OP>RR>WC, ranged from 2484+/-24.24 to 5306+/-92.49L/kg. Ex...
The dogmatic and constitutional basis as well as points of definition concerning the Technical Code Clean Air (TA Luft) are explained at first, followed by an assessment of the air pollution concentrations within the overall complex of the air pollution abatement measures, and an analyses of air pollution concentrations as a concretization of the state-of-the-art. In connection with the differentiation of the various applicability levels of TA Luft, the inhouse validy for authorities, the importance for law courts and, finally, the external binding effect for plant operators and possible third parties are discussed. At the center of attention are questions concerning validity claims and validity possibilities. (HSCH).
Since August 1984, the MITRE Corporation has been supporting the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) and the Naval Medical Command (NAVMEDCOM) in their joint efforts to enhance the Navy Occupational Health Information Management System (NOHIMS). The goal of the enhancement effort was to create a comprehensive occupational health and safety system for Navy industrial facilities by expanding upon the original NOHIMS functions and adding modules for hazard deficiency abatement, hazardous-material control, injury claims and compensation, and safety and health training. To meet this goal, MITRE developed an enhanced industrial subsystem, referred to as the Occupational Safety and Health Record Keeping System (OSHRKS), using a prototyping approach and a public-domain data base-management software package, the Veterans Administration's (VA's) FileManager (FileMan).
The production of atmospheric pollutants in combustion processes depends on plant characteristic, combustion conditions and fuel quality. The influence of fuel quality on the emission of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, dust and carbon dioxide and on the emission of some toxic pollutants, such as heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, is analysed. The comparison between the emission limits, fixed by the Italian legislation, and the uncontrolled pollutant emissions, produced by fossil fuel combustion in power plants and industrial use, shows that, in order to comply with the limits, a reduction of pollutant emissions is required through the use of abatement systems and cleaner fuels where natural gas has a primary role. The use of cleaner fuels is particularly required in heating plants and appliances for the residential sector, where the development of new gas technologies further increases the environmental advantages of natural gas in ...
Over 170 participants from 60 countries met for three days in Copenhagen from 7 to 9 June 1994 to discuss howe the aims of the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change can be translated into practical action. The Conference was organised by the UNEP collaborating Centre on Energy and Environment (UCCEE), with financial support from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Risoe National Laboratory, Denmark. The main objective of the conference was to identify common approaches to national mitigation analysis for countries to use in meeting their commitments under the FCCC, and in setting priorities for national actions. Although addressing a broader theme, the conference marked the completion and publication of the second phase on UNEP Greenhouse Gas Abatement Costing Study. (au)
New market based approaches are becoming increasingly important as instruments of environmental policy. The two main market approaches, i.e., transferable pollution permits (experimented in America), and 'green' energy surcharges (European philosophy), are described and discussed. An analysis of information on their state of implementation shows that, in the case of the former method, the greatest sources of difficulty arise in the determination of acceptable ceiling levels of emissions, in the distribution of permits among the various polluting firms, and in the legality of granting rights to pollute. Instead, the European experience has evidenced that energy surcharges motivated by environmental policy cannot have an appreciable positive impact on consumers or the economic system in general unless they are accompanied by well defined measures geared towards the promotion or creation of alternative solutions such as to stimulate radical change in social behaviour ...
This publication contains the Ordinance on Heating Costs, the Ordinance on Heating Installations, and the 1st Federal Ordinance on Emission Control (BImSchV) concerning Small-Scale Furnaces, in each case with notes and explanations. All these ordinances aim at reducing energy consumption in connection with heating; the 1st BImSchV also at air pollution abatement by lowering the permissible limiting values for soot and flue gas. The three ordinances also apply to housing property. (HSCH).
The authors explain the bankers' point of view of the financial and economic aspects of developments in the energy sector, discussing the financing of natural gas pipelines (Muro, Megal, etc.), of nuclear power plant construction, of projects in the oil supply sector, and of pollution abatement measures and equipment for the power industry and other industries. The different financial situations of small firms or large firms supplying pollution control equipment are discussed referring to the financing schemes to be set up, explaining among other things the profitability assessment taking into account long-term development or delays in return on capital investment from borrowed funds as induced, e.g., by delays in the licensing procedure. Future demand for borrowed capital for pollution control or nuclear power plant development is difficult to assess by the banking circles. (orig./RST).
This book is mainly a comparison of the cost of pollution with the cost of environmental protection. As to the causes of pollution, a difference is made between pollutants that accumulate and pollutants that do not accumulate. Because of pollutant accumulation it is necessary to carry out both subsequent pollution abatement measures and to take preventive action which helps to avoid pollutant emission. Growth models serve to substantiate why such preventive action is both ecologically and economically useful as a rule. Finally the study makes a comparison between some tools of environmental protection. It stresses in particular that, if a duty on emissions is levied, the polluter has to bear all the cost of the pollution, while at the same time the quality of the environment can be more successfully improved than by emission standards alone.
The optimization of the safety characteristics of electrical installations in industrial plants with explosion or fire hazards can be obtained only through a careful interdisciplinary study and analysis carried out at the onset of the plant project design phase. The least complex and costly and safest solutions are those which are born from plant designs which take into account the typology of the industrial process or technology, or which incorporate pollution abatement measures and adequate safety measures for the electrical installations. This paper provides examples to illustrate how the global plant economy is fundamentally dependant upon a multi-disciplinary initial effort in design analyses. Comments are made relevant to the adequacy of the safety requirements established by existing and planned Italian norms in dealing with safety and fire protection for high-tech industrial plant electrical installations.
The study abstracted aims at analyzing the economic effects of energy policies using simulations. Emphasis is on assessing the effects of decisions in favour of an expanding electric power industry based on nuclear energy and hard coal. The study discusses alternative assumptions concerning the cost involved, pollution abatement measures, shutdown and dismantling costs etc. Input-output analyses make the simulation model a consistent vehicle. Besides, the model in question is characterized by its explaining the investment demand of the different sectors by referring to the continuous annual development of innovative technologies.
Japanese companies have developed suitable cleansing technologies and export their know-how. Some original technologies are developed today, like: in-situ chemical oxidation, iron confinement, hot-soil process, low-temperature catalytic decomposition or dechlorination of dioxins. However, some pollutions are still poorly considered (nitrates) or badly mastered (dioxins). This situation is partly due to late legal decisions and to limited pollution abatement measures. Japan is also very active in bio-cleansing research, and this, despite the lack of dialogue and directives at the national level. Several research programs with important funds have started since 1995. However, Japan is still at the preliminary stage in open-field applications of cleansing methods. (J.S.)
The report presents details of the distributions of air pollution in the Berlin area and the developments of the past 20 years. Highly polluted areas are indicated in which air pollution reduction measures are particularly urgent. The report therefore intends not only to inform but also to point out the deficiencies of air pollution abatement measures, so that political consequences can be derived and measures can be taken. In all, data were recorded by 39 measuring stations in West Berlin, 16 in East Berlin, and 7 in Potsdam and Frankfurt/Oder. In most stations, sulphur dioxide and airborne dust were measured; 14 stations in West Berlin and one in East Berlin measured carbon monoxide and nitric oxides; 8 stations in West Berlin recorded ozone concentrations. (orig./KW).
A new prototype model system named AirGIS has been developed to support local authorities in air quality management for big Danish cities. The system is based on the Danish operational street pollution model (OSPM), technical and cadastral digital maps and Danish national administrative databases on buildings, cadastres and populations. It applies a geographic information system (GIS). AirGIS estimates ambient air pollution levels at high temporal and spatial resolutions. The model system enables mapping of traffic emissions, air quality levels and human exposures at residence addresses, at workplace addresses and in streets. Mapping and scenario results can be compared with air quality limits. Impact assessment of traffic air pollution abatement measures can also be carried out. (author)
This paper reports some technical contributes related to the Kyoto Protocol and its application in Italian decision making policy. [Italian] Il presente volume raccoglie una decina di contributi tecnici originariamente preparati o commissionati dall'ENEA, Ente Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e l'Ambiente, in vista della Conferenza Nazionale Energia e Ambiente. Questa fotografia di una situazione in rapida evoluzione e' stata preparata da esperti del settore che contribuiscono a redigere il materiale tecnico di base utilizzato dai negoziatori nazionali durante le trattative internazionali e dai responsabili nazionali per avviare il processo di presa di decisioni in materia.
We summarize results of recent studies of heavy quarkonia correlators and spectral functions at finite temperatures from lattice QCD and systematic T-matrix studies using QCD motivated finite-temperature potentials. We argue that heavy quarkonia dissociation shall occur in the temperature range $1.2 \\le T_d/T_c \\le 1.5$ by the interplay of both screening and absorption in the strongly correlated plasma medium. We discuss these effects on the quantum mechanical evolution of quarkonia states within a time-dependent harmonic oscillator model with complex oscillator strength and compare the results with data for $R_{\\rm AA}/R_{\\rm AA}^{\\rm CNM}$ from RHIC and SPS experiments. We speculate whether the suppression pattern of the rather precise NA60 data from In-In collisions may be related to the recently discovered X(3872) state. Theoretical support for this hypothesis comes from the cluster expansion of the plasma Hamiltonian for heavy ...
Magnetic properties of single crystals of nonstoichiometric fluorides M[sub 1-x]R[sub x]F[sub 2+x] (M = Ca, Sr, Ba; R = Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb; with 0.05 [le] x [le] 0.28) with the fluorite-type structure have been studied for the first time. The magnetic susceptibility was measured using a Faraday balance in the 15-300 K temperature range. The samples are paramagnetic following the Curie-Weiss law. The values of paramagnetic Curie temperatures and effective magnetic moments of rare-earth ions have been found. Deviations of the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility from the Curie-Weiss law are observed for some nonstoichiometric fluorides at temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 K. Possible reaons for these deviations are discussed. Measurements of magnetic susceptibility provide an effective technique for a rapid and accurate determination of the concentration of rare-earth ions in nonstoichiometric fluorides.
Vanadium doped manganese bi-oxide has been obtained from a solution containing both cations. The X-ray diffraction of this material indicates a rutile-type phase but the enlargement of some lines supports the existence of several lattice defects. Also the particle size of the doped material is significantly smaller than the one of the non-doped material obtained in the same conditions. The presence of pentavalent vanadium inside the lattice leads to a small amount of trivalent manganese. Electron microscopy shows the existence of defects which have a tendency of becoming well-ordered and to stabilize a sur-structure. At ambient temperature, the electrochemical behaviour of doped manganese bi-oxide is greatly improved when compared to the non-doped phase. This behaviour is due to the presence of numerous lattice defects and to the smaller size of crystallites. In polymer batteries, the behaviour is similar the one of the non-doped material for which the kinetics performances are ...
Al{sub x}Ga{sub 1{minus}x}P layers (0 {le} x {le} 0.7), with thicknesses of {ge}1 {micro}m were grown on Si (100) wafers by metal-organic molecular beam epitaxy (MOMBE) at 450 C. Transmission electron micrographs of the single crystal films revealed that the microstructure contains stacking faults and microtwins especially near the interface as well as both threading and misfit dislocations. Hardness and elastic modulus were measured using a Nanotest 500 indenter, which can probe the film properties without influence from the substrate. The hardness H varies linearly according to (11.8 {minus} 2.3x) GPa. The absence of alloy hardening is due to the fact that there is no difference in atomic size of Al and Ga. The indentation modulus E/(1{minus}v{sup 2}) decreases monotonically from 136 GPa for GaP to 129 GPa for Al{sub 0.7}Ga{sub 0.3}P and bows only slightly (about 2%) below the straight line of linear interpolation.
The magnetic susceptibility and high-field magnetization have been measured for the intermediate valence system Eu(Pd{sub 1{minus}x}Pt{sub x}){sub 2}Si{sub 2} with 0{le}x{le}0.15. A first-order valence transition is observed for all the compounds under high field of 100 T at low temperatures. This valence transition is of first order accompanied with a large hysteresis, which is in contrast to a continuous valence change against temperature. Based on the interconfigurational fluctuation (ICF) model, the temperature- and field-induced valence transitions are discussed. It is found that a first-order valence transition can be induced by magnetic field, even if the system shows a continuous valence transition against temperature. Metamagnetic behavior at finite temperatures is also understood qualitatively by the ICF model. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
The study compares the doses absorbed by the dentomaxillary area in spiral CT and panoramic examinations. The dose measurements demonstrate that patients receive smaller doses with panoramic radiography than with spiral CT with Dentascan. After following for some variations from instrumental differences, they are in substantial agreement with literature data. Further investigations are needed considering the radiobiological risk related to the growing spread of Dentascan examinations. [Italian] Questo lavoro intende confrontare le dosi assorbite nel distretto dento-mascellare, con le due principali tecniche utilizzate in questo campo: TC spirale e ortopantomografia. Emerge come l'esame panoramico delle arcate dentarie eseguito con l'ortopantomografo comporti la'ssorbimento di dosi inferiori rispetto a quelle dell'esame TC spirale con programma Dentascan. Questi dati, pur essendo soggetti a ...
We model the transport of cosmic ray nuclei in the Galaxy by means of a new numerical code. Differently from previous numerical models we account for a generic spatial distribution of the diffusion coefficient. We found that in the case of radially uniform diffusion, the main secondary/primary ratios (B/C, N/O and sub-Fe/Fe) and the modulated antiproton spectrum match consistently the available observations. Convection and re-acceleration do not seem to be required in the energy range we consider: $1 \\le E \\le 10^3$ GeV/nucleon. We generalize these results accounting for radial dependence of the diffusion coefficient, which is assumed to trace that of supernova remnants. While this does not affect the prediction of secondary/primary ratios, the simulated longitude profile of the diffuse $\\gamma$-ray emission is significantly different from the uniform case and may agree with EGRET measurements without invoking {\\it ad hoc} assumptions on ...
Purpose - The purpose of the paper is to draw together the salient issues surrounding customer loyalty and customer relationship management (CRM) into a single coherent discussion. Various schools of academic thought are examined. The paper concludes with practical implications for managers. Design/methodology/approach - The literature surrounding customer loyalty, customer satisfaction, effective CRM and managing loyalty in a profitable manner are all reviewed. The paper allows managers to consider a wide range of material in the context of their business. Findings - The need for businesses to retain customers is an important issue in today's global marketplace. To retain customers, a business must forge loyal and long-term relationships with profitable customers. Reasons why customers le...
Thermodynamic states encountered during combustion of Aluminum powder in Shock-Dispersed-Fuel (SDF) explosions were analyzed with the Cheetah code. Results are displayed in the Le Chatelier diagram: the locus of states of specific internal energy versus temperature. Accuracy of the results was confirmed by comparing the fuel and products curves with the heats of detonation and combustion, and species composition as measured in bomb calorimeter experiments. Results were fit with analytic functions u = f(T) suitable for specifying the thermodynamic properties required for gas-dynamic models of combustion in explosions.
This document provides information and presents data on the energy situation in many regions of Canada. The first part deals with the petroleum and the bitumen shales of Alberta (reserves, exploitation and production, environmental impacts), the second part discusses with the hydroelectricity choice of Quebec and the 2004 crisis. The nuclear situation of Ontario is presented in the third part (nuclear park, programs, uranium reserves, research and development on Candu reactors), while the fourth part deals with the renewable energies (wind power and biomass). The canadian situation facing the Kyoto protocol is discussed in the last part. (A.L.B.)
Although the oil price is still far from its historical maximum, the oil market is today in crisis. To explain this situation the author discusses the nature of the supply constraints. The reserves are today better known and so more plentiful than at a previous period of the oil history and the russian production since 2004 is stagnating. The main factor seems to be the OPEC policy and in particular the will of limiting the oil production to defend upper prices. (A.L.B.)
The French office for technical studies and control of big dams (BETCGB), has recently reedited the `guidebook for the control of dams in exploitation`. The aim of this document is to provide to the regional directions of industry, research and environment (DRIRE) a methodological help for their control actions of hydroelectric dams granted for exploitation. It comprises 6 chapters dealing with: the different type of dams, the inspection, the surveillance, the floods evacuation, the flood instructions, and the particular emergency plans. (J.S.)
The authors present a guide to the imaging of facial fractures. It is illustrated with conventional radiographs and computed tomograms; the magnetic resonance images primarily suggest the potential applications of this technique. This book provides a source of imaging information on facial trauma. A section on pertinent anatomy is followed by a systematic discussion of the common isolated and complex facial fractures. Perspectives are offered on some commonly seen but infrequently described relationships, such as the tripod-LeFort II association. Consideration is also given to related soft-tissue injuries. The book includes a brief chapter on the type and utility of supplementary imaging studies in the evaluation of those intracranial injuries that may occur concurrently.
A major component of the 1990 recommendations of ICRP (ICRP, 1991a) was the revision of the dose limits. But other changes were introduced which necessitated a review of earlier guidance. In particular, ICRP set up a Task Group in 1993 to prepare a report on the principles for the protection of workers. The report was adopted in 1997 and has now been published as ICRP Publication 75 (ICRP, 1997). It is for others to judge the real significance of the guidance provided; what follows are some of the main points. (author)
Preliminary results of studies into penetrant testing at high surface temperature (up to 200 deg.C), are presented. Tests were performed to assess the effectiveness of red dye penetrants using Al and NiCr samples containing artificial as well as natural discontinuities. The test results will be used in due course to formulate a specification for non-destructive testing procedure qualification at non-standard (i.e. outside 16-52 deg.C) temperatures.
We propose a new approach to study Koszul cohomology of general $g^r_d$'s on general curves via degenerations and deformations. As an application of this new method, we prove projective normality for general line bundles $L$ on general curves with $h^1(L)\\le1$ and degree greater than roughly $(5/4)g$. This improves the bound in a classical theorem of Green and Lazarsfeld. Also we give some partial results on vanishing of higher syzygies for line bundles with $h^1(L)=1$.
... A better understanding of the links between nutrients, the gut microbiome and the intestinal immune system is likely to pave the way to the development of innovative approaches that target activation of specific immunological pathways for promoting the hostrsquo;s gut defense. Such knowledge should positively impact on the development of vaccine formulations and intervention strategies for improved control of enteric infections in developing countries. Registration fees # The Registration Fee is $715.00 on and before September 7, 2011. # After September 7, 2011, the ...
Since the mid-1980s the number of scientists from all over the world using CERN's facilities has increased enormously. Currently more than 6,000 users, over half of the planet's high-energy physicists, carry out fundamental research at CERN. This user community is living proof that CERN welcomes inter- regional collaboration which benefits all and boosts the progress of science. The LHC, the only machine capable of addressing problems way beyond today's frontiers of high energy physics, offers an unique opportunity for extending world wide collaboration.
A 2D matrix allows a fairly rapid verification of irradiation parameters transferred on computer processing equipment without expanding the dosimetry means to implement. Associated to 'Multicheck and Verisoft' software it will handle some of the regulatory recommendations of the A.F.S.S.A.P.S. for quality control of accelerators and ensure the traceability of testing carried out. (N.C.)
The paper investigates the yield and the role of the computerized tomography in diagnosing abdominal gunshot wounds, with their rich and varied radiological signs and associated injuries, and subsequently used in the diagnosis. [Italian] Scopo del lavoro e' riportare l'esperienza personale nell'uso della tomografia computerizzata per riconoscere le lesioni da arma da fuoco dell'addome e nelle fasi successive dell'approfondimento diagnostico.
The Purex process and the fluorescence spectrometry are first recalled, then uranyl fluorescence is studied in a pure nitric medium without other elements to establish a theoretical model, allowing the description of uranium fluorescence signal with a general equation. The influence of different parameters (temperature, inhibitors, dynamic quenching of iron and cerium) is investigated to develop the model. A quantitative analysis method without addition of reagents is proposed to validate the model.
CYRANO3 is the new EDF thermomechanical code developed to evaluate the overall fuel rod behavior under irradiation. In that context, this paper presents the phenomena to be simulated and the correlations adopted for modelling purposes. The empirical models presented are taken from the CYRANO2 code and a compilation of the relevant literature. The present revision corrects and supplements version B on the basis of its use during the software coding phase from January 1991 to May 1993. (authors). figs., tabs., 120 refs.
We prove a cosmic no-hair theorem for Bianchi models in power-law inflation. Provided that the potential of an inflaton {phi} is exp({minus}{lambda}{kappa}{phi}) with 0{le}{lambda}{lt} {radical}2/3 , we find that the isotropic power-law solution is the unique attractor for any initially expanding Bianchi-type models except type IX. For Bianchi type IX, this conclusion is also true if the initial ratio of the vacuum energy to the maximum three-curvature is larger than one half.
This work gives a global view of legislations in which are included metals chemical states, briefly recalls the conditions to be respected for the CRM (Certified Reference Materials), and describes the results of some current plans for the Norms, Measures and Tests program. (O.M.) 23 refs.
Bone integrity and mineral status were studied with a noninvasive method in uremic patients with severe secondary hyperparathyroidism undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. [Italian] Gli autori propongono un metodo non invasivo per studiare la densita' minerale e le caratteristiche geometriche e biomeccaniche dell'osso nei pazienti uremici affetti da iperparatiroidismo secondario grave.
Resistance to abrupt and gradual cold shock was determined in bioassays with pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), and a northwestern crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) acclimated to higher temperatures at 5 C increments. Test criteria were median tolerance limits (TLm) for 96-h exposures after abrupt cold shock, and 50 percent loss of equilibrium (LE50) for decline rates of 18, 15, 10, 5, and 1 C/h during gradual cold shock. Cold resistance depended on original acclimation temperature (AT) and varied among species under both test conditions in the order: pumpkinseed less than rainbow trout less than crayfish. The lower TLm limit for pumpkinseed was 12.3 C at 30 C AT, 9.6 C at 25 C AT, 4.5 C at 20 C AT, and 2.7 C at 15 C AT. Rainbow trout at 20, 15 and 10 C AT survived abrupt exposures to cold down to 3.3, 1.4 and 0.5 C, respectively. Crayfish at 25, 20 and 15 C AT survived exposures down to 2.5, 0.4 and 0.0 C, respectively. TLm values ...
According to the LeChatelier-Braun principle, when a closed quiescent system initially in an equilibrium or unstressed steady state is subjected to an externally imposed ``stress'' it responds in a manner tending to alleviate that stress. Use of this entropically based qualitative rule, in combination with the notion of Maxwell thermal stresses existing in nonisothermal gases and liquids, enables one to (i) derive Maxwell's thermal-creep boundary condition prevailing at the boundary between a solid and a fluid (either gas or liquid) and (ii) rationalize the phenomenon of thermophoresis in liquids, for which, in contrast with the case of gases, an elementary explanation is currently lacking. These two objectives are achieved by quantitatively interpreting the heretofore qualitative LeChatelier-Braun notion of stress in the present context as being the fluid's stress tensor, the latter including Maxwell's thermal stress. In effect, thermophoretic ...
Most environmental policies provide for special emergency measures to be taken during phases of high pollution, such as smog alarm regulations. These measures serve several purposes and can have various impacts. First of all, they act as a warning to those parts of the population immediately threatened by health hazards (Warnfunktion). They may be directed at short-term pollution reduction via pollution abatement measures proscribed during smog alarm situations (unmittelbare Steuerungsfunktion). In addition, the announcement of emergency measures may signal that pollution levels in general have been too high, indicating that the environmental policies normally pursued do not sufficiently or effectively protect human beings and the environment from harm (Signalfunktion). Emergency measures often contain special regulations obliging industrial polluters to switch to costly, less polluting production processes, or to stop production altogether. This may act as an ...
A high-temperature flow reactor and different technical plants were tested within the framework of this research project. Anthropogenic N{sub 2}O emissions form during secondary flue gas or waste gas purification as secondary emissions during denitrification and pollution abatement measures. N{sub 2}O forms as an intermediate product as NO is reduced to N{sub 2}. Under certain operating conditions N{sub 2}O is not decomposed completely. Different secondary flue gas purification measures, i.e. selective noncatalytic reduction (SNCR), selective catalytic reduction (SCR), and nonselective catalytic reduction (NSCR) were investigated testing several technical plants and the high-temperature flow reactor. (orig./EF) [Deutsch] Das Forschungsprojekt ``Messung der N{sub 2}O-Emissionen von Verbrennungsanlagen und Untersuchung von Moeglichkeiten zur Emissionsminderung`` wurde an einem Hochtemperatur-Stroemungsreaktor und an verschiedenen technischen Anlagen durchgefuehrt. ...
Feasibility study is conducted for introduction of a top pressure recovery turbine (TRT) in China's Panzhihua Iron and Steel (Group) Company, Sichuan Province, for the potential project to simultaneously contribute to abatement of the greenhouse effect gases and to sustainable economic development of the counterpart country. This project considers to adopt the TRTs in 3 blast furnaces (No.1 to 3) of the 4 furnaces in service at the works, producing 2,500,000 t/y of crude steel, where the No.4 furnace is already provided with the model system and not considered in this project. According to the feasibility study results, the total fund required is 5.46 billion yen (Japan-made facilities: 4.172 billion yen, and China-made facilities: 1.288 billion yen), energy-saving effect is 36,467 t/y as crude, greenhouse effect gas emission abatement effect: 112,830 t/y as CO2, and pay-off period is 8.3 years. This plan considers to adopt almost the ...
Due to the 'novel forest diseases' the political parties of the Federal Republic of Germany unanimously attend to the reduction of emissions. The transportation sector is considered to be a major emission source. A study discussed in the publication abstracted did therefore aim at giving a detailed account and description of the recently ratified technical requirements and tax credits expected to reduce vehicle exhaust gas air pollution. Moreover, the study researches into the regulations' importance as to the low emission properties of individual automobiles. Based on the results obtained the study arrives at assumptions as to emissions to be expected from the transportation sector. It tries to assess the financial import with respect to the individual citizen, overall internal revenues and federal motor vehicle taxes. The introductory chapter is followed by a review of emissions caused by vehicle exhaust gases along with a description of their historical ...
The kraft recovery boiler is of critical importance for the paper and pulp industry. From only energy point of view, kraft recovery boilers supply more than 50% of total thermal energy consumed in the paper and pulp industry. A kraft recovery boiler has two main functions: firstly to recover the inorganic cooking chemicals in the black liquor for reuse in the pulping process, and secondly to make use of the chemical energy in the organic portion of the black liquor to generate super-heated steam for the plant. The twin objectives of recovering chemicals and energy makes the recovery boiler design and operation more complex than virtually any other boiler application. Thus there is a demand for development of an analytical tool that can be used to predict the performance of a kraft recovery boiler. This paper presents the results achieved from a project jointly financed by Swedish National Energy Administration and the industry (Iggesund Paperboard). In this project, a three-dimensional ...
For millions of people general noise and especially traffic noise are the main sources of environmental pollution. The increasingly stricter noise pollution abatement limiting values laid down by the law call for motor vehicle noise pollution abatement measures. Within the framework of today`s cost- and performance-oriented automobile and engine development developing engineers are required to reduce noise levels. The present state of the art is described and future possibilities of combustion engine structure-borne noise calculation and optimization are discussed from the point of view of K + P Computerunterstuetzte Strukturanalysen GmbH. (orig.) [Deutsch] Laerm allgemein und dabei speziell wiederum der Verkehrslaerm steht fuer Millionen von Menschen an allererster Stelle der persoenlichen Belastung durch die Umwelt. Zur Minderung der Laermbelastung werden vom Gesetzgeber immer schaerfere Grenzwerte vorgeschrieben, die dazu zwingen, Massnahmen ...
The paper present the results of the study on D.U. (depleted uranium) contamination in the environment and possible effects on animal healths in the region o f Bujanovac. Samples of soil, feed, leaves, grass, lichen, moss, honey and water were collected randomly in 2003/2004 in the vicinity of the target area (500-1000 m) and 5 km from the target area. Activity of the radionuclides ({sup 226}Ra, {sup 232}Th, {sup 40}K, {sup 210}Pb, {sup 238}U, {sup 235}U, {sup 137}Cs, {sup 7}Be) in soils, grass, lichen, moss and honey was determined on Hp Ge detector (Canberra, relative efficiency 23%) by standard gamma spectrometry. Total alpha and beta activity in water was determined on proportional alpha/beta counter (Canberra 2400, efficiency for alpha emitters 11%, efficiency for beta emitters 30%). Non significantly higher values of concentrations of {sup 226}Ra, {sup 232}Th, {sup 238}U and {sup 235}U were measured in the immediate vicinity of the targeted site, but {sup 235}U/{sup 238}U ...
The patient positioning and repositioning control in radiation therapy all along the treatment can be conducted using a variety of X-ray sources and imaging detector devices. The development of image guided radiation therapy techniques leads to more frequent use of this imaging control. In this article we summarize the current methods for measuring the dose delivered by X-ray imaging devices used in radiation therapy, as well as basic proposals to take account of these imaging doses for prescribing, recording and reporting radiation therapy treatment. (authors)
Building complex knowledge based applications requires encoding large amounts of domain knowledge. After acquiring knowledge from domain experts, much of the effort in building a knowledge base goes into verifying that the knowledge is encoded correctly. We consider the problem of verifying hybrid knowledge bases that contain both Horn rules and a terminology in a description logic. Our approach to the verification problem is based on showing a close relationship to the problem of query containment. Our first contribution, based on this relationship, is presenting a thorough analysis of the decidability and complexity of the verification problem, for knowledge bases containing recursive rules and the interpreted predicates =, {le}, < and {ne}. Second, we show that important new classes of constraints on correct inputs and outputs can be expressed in a hybrid setting, in which a description logic class hierarchy is also considered, and we present the first ...
In order to avoid the use of catalysts in the process of auto-thermal reforming, it is possible to adopt a running at high temperature. In this study are presented the results of simulations of an auto-thermal/recuperator hybrid reforming system; these results are obtained with the oxidation model of alkanes developed by Ranzi and Faravelli. An isothermal configuration at high temperature improves the hydrogen yield and avoids the formation of soots. The analysis of the powers to be furnished to assure such an experimental mode, and the global approach of the fuel cell system show that the management of the heat exchanges is a key parameter in this process. (O.M.)
ObjectiveTo characterize global structural features of large-scale biomedical terminologies using currently emerging statistical approaches.DesignGiven rapid growth of terminologies, this research was designed to address scalability. We selected 16 terminologies covering a variety of domains from the UMLS Metathesaurus, a collection of terminological systems. Each was modeled as a network in which nodes were atomic concepts and links were relationships asserted by the source vocabulary. For comparison against each terminology we created three random networks of equivalent size and density.MeasurementsAverage node degree, node degree distribution, clustering coefficient, average path length.ResultsEight of 16 terminologies exhibited the small-world characteristics of a short average path le...
This article presents numerical study of 3-D thermosolutale mixed convection (TSMC) in horizontal rectangular channels. The contribution of this work is to characterize the travelling wave's appearance and to generalize the behavior of Poiseuille-Rayleigh-Benard (PRB) systems for a broad range of dimensionless parameters, which control the double diffusive mixed convection. The numerical results consist of analyzing the flow regimes of the steady longitudinal thermoconvectives rolls for the case of purely thermal mixed convection (TMC) and for both thermal and mass transfer (TSMC). The transition from opposed volume forces to cooperating ones at fixed Rayleigh (Ra), Reynolds (Re), and Lewis (Le) numbers, considerably affects the birth and the development of the longitudinal rolls (noted R/...
Energy projects are extremely capitalistic and the costs involved have a significant weight on the balance sheets of companies. This paper describes the general rules of financing policies used by companies from the natural gas and petroleum industries: constraints (external and financial markets, partnership, warranties..); implication of financiers; risk analysis (political (nationalization, civil or military troubles, difficult transfer of profits outside the project..), financial (property developer, nature of the project, delay, cost overruns, performance, market..)); financial instruments (proper funds and debt, bankers and insurers, loans etc..). These rules are illustrated with several examples of recent projects of gas pipelines and exploitation of oil fields abroad. (J.S.)
The opportunity of use self-maintained plasma-beam discharge in an extended pulsing plasma diode of low pressure for making powerful sources of the soft X-rays is investigated. Conditions of formation of the self-maintained plasma-beam discharge are determined. The mode of making of dense high-temperature plasma on the basis of stannum ions in the discharge is shown. The stannum ions are used as a working element of a radiation sources at pulsing power of electron beam P?10...100 MW. Results of the examination on formation of the dense (np?1016 cm3), small sizes (le?100 eV in conditions of working material evaporation from the anode are given. The total contribution of energy to the discharge has made W < 20 J.
Solar thermophotovoltaics (STPV) potentially have high system power efficiency together with other attractive attributes for both space and terrestrial applications. This paper presents a summary of work that has been conducted by NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace (MDA). The paper discusses analytical modeling and subsystem testing, laboratory, and field testing that has been conducted. The features which make solar thermophotovoltaics attractive for both space and terrestrial applications are discussed. Based upon these investigations and the work of others, a conceptual design has been formulated, and an estimate of system performance is presented. This estimate indicates a solar thermophotovoltaics system can result in competitive energy costs for the utility electrical market applications and a high power-to-mass ratio for space power applications.
DVR project concerns the creation of a virtual reality OpenGL system for desktop applications in archaeology. The main goal is the creation of a 3D information system using the real time interaction of OpenGL environments. The first case study implemented is the Vettii House, one of the most important and outstanding monuments in Pompei. The virtual reconstruction of these architectural models is based on very detailed photogrammetric surveys and it is connected with information layers and archaeometric data-bases regarding the state of conservation of walls, structures and any type of materials of the monument. A full 3D interface characterizes the system, comprising a high resolution texturing with detailed volumetric and geometric data. Finally, for the future, the project plans to fit the system for scientific and end users through the installation of stations on site.
Radon ({sup 222}Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and can be used as a tracer in hydrogeologic studies. Radon concentration measurements have been achieved in ground-air and in groundwater by means of nuclear track detectors to estimate long-term variations. Continuous measurements have been conducted using an electronic automatic probe, to evaluate short-term variations. The results obtained from bore-holes show a good correlation between the aquifer`s structural characteristics and the radon concentrations. The continuous measurements specify rainfall influence. (author). 10 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
SummaryPermeable pavement functions as a porous infrastructure interface allowing the infiltration and evaporation of rainfall-runoff while functioning as a relatively smooth load-bearing surface for vehicular transport. Hydraulic conductivity (k) of permeable pavement is an important hydraulic property and is a function of the pore structure. This study examines k for a cementitious permeable pavement (CPP) through a series of pore-structure models. Measurements utilized include hydraulic head as well as total porosity, (t), effective porosity (e), tortuosity (Le/L) and pore size distribution (PSD) indices generated through X-ray tomography (XRT). XRT results indicate that the permeable pavement pore matrix is hetero-disperse, with high tortuosity and t!=e. Power law models of k-t and k-e...
The biological treatment process was selected by Gaz de France (GDF), the French national gas utility, for the de-pollution of an old gas works where the main pollutants are coal tars containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microorganism-based biological treatment techniques may involve bio-reactors, static ground knolls (where oxygen is brought through drains) and dynamic knolls (where oxygenation is carried out by turning up the soil). Issues on sampling, sorting, process testing, site preparation, process control, etc. are reviewed
New Non Destructive Testing techniques are currently being developed for the inspection of two groups of components in the FA3 EPR nuclear reactor at Flamanville. The first group of components to be controlled is constituted by the welds of the (89) rod cluster control assemblies' containment; two control types are to be used: an ultrasonic technique (UT) evaluation from the outside of the flange-casing weld, and an ET control from the inside of the three other welds. The second group of components is formed by the 44 welded joints of the primary circuit, which will be inspected through ultrasonic testing. Details of the components, control devices and sensors are given and some test results are presented
Two constructions due to Dr\\'apal produce a group by modifying exactly one quarter of the Cayley table of another group. We present these constructions in a compact way, and generalize them to Moufang loops, using loop extensions. Both constructions preserve associators, the associator subloop, and the nucleus. We conjecture that two Moufang 2-loops of finite order $n$ with equivalent associator can be connected by a series of constructions similar to ours, and offer empirical evidence that this is so for $n=16$, 24, 32; the only interesting cases with $n\\le 32$. We further investigate the way the constructions affect code loops and loops of type $M(G, 2)$. The paper closes with several conjectures and research questions concerning the distance of Moufang loops, classification of small Moufang loops, and generalizations of the two constructions.
This poster presentation details the procedure that was followed for the development of the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) manual. This manual was developed to provide a detailed summary of the important results obtained through studies sponsored by the MEND program and other studies conducted on topics related to acid mine drainage. The manual was divided into volumes dealing with topics such as summary, sampling and analysis, predictions, prevention and control, treatment, and monitoring. Details concerning the format, research conducted under the auspices of MEND, utilization and limitations, methodology, variations, costs, and references were also discussed. The author stated that the manual is to be used as a guide. The proposed English publication dates for the volumes were indicated, and they ranged from the fall of 2000 for volumes 3, 5, and 6, to the CD-ROM publication in March 2001. The French publication is expected to be in print by mid 2001. 26 figs.
Visualization of a liquid metal flow and image processing methods to measure the vector field are carried out by real-time neutron radiography. The JRR-3M real-time thermal neutron radiography facility in the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute was used. Lead-bismuth eutectic was used as a working fluid. Particles made from a gold-cadmium intermetallic compound (AuCd{sub 3}) were used as the tracer for the visualization. The flow vector field was obtained by image processing methods. It was shown that the liquid metal flow vector field was obtainable by real-time neutron radiography when the attenuation of neutron rays due to the liquid metal was less than l/e and the particle size of the tracer was larger than one image element size digitized for the image processing. (orig.).
Visualization of a liquid metal flow and image processing methods to measure the vector field are carried out by real-time neutron radiography. The JRR-3M real-time thermal neutron radiography facility in the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute was used. Lead-bismuth eutectic was used as a working fluid. Particles made from a gold-cadmium intermetallic compound (AuCd_3) were used as the tracer for the visualization. The flow vector field was obtained by image processing methods. It was shown that the liquid metal flow vector field was obtainable by real-time neutron radiography when the attenuation of neutron rays due to the liquid metal was less than l/e and the particle size of the tracer was larger than one image element size digitized for the image processing. (orig.).
The steam generator inspection and maintenance device has an articulated arm formed at least by two rigid segments connected by a pivot and two plates on the ends of the arms by articulated joints which enable them to rotate about two orthogonal axis. One of the axis is parralel to the axis of the pivot between the arm sections while the other is perpendicular to the surface of the corresponding plate. Each of the plates carries coupling elements which are able to engage with the perforations of the heat exchanger tube plates and also a support for a maintenance tool.
The renovation programme of the Phenix nuclear power plant (fast neutrons reactor situated at Marcoule) has for objective to ensure the reactor operation lengthening. In this frame, expertise and monitoring operation in situ of materials have been started. The presence of sodium and a temperature at the cold breakdown of the primary circuit between 150 and 180 degrees (Celsius) imply, for fast reactors, very special conditions. In this context, Framatome has realised three intervening in the area of nondestructive testing: the inspection of the cone-shaped support ring, the monitoring of the upper part of the primary vessel and the monitoring of the intermediary exchanger equipment. (N.C.)
The paper describes the latest developments in STRASSY (Strategy Assistance System), the strategy assistance system for the inspection of nuclear materials. The user can now select the fuel cycle he wishes to investigate from an initial range of 19 facilities. An inspection interface has been developed to enable the details and dates of inspections to be modified. One of the special features of the application of STRASSY in international safeguards is the taking into account of timeliness of detection; certain aspects of the time manager algorithms are presented and analysed, including the guaranteed existence of a solution. The results of a study of diversion paths in a simplified cycle consisting of our facilities are presented. Finally, the modifications necessary to enable STRASSY to be used for a posterior analysis of inspection results are discussed. (authors). 7 refs., 3 figs.
The EU-home team is in charge of the R and D related to the ITER baffle first wall. Five small-scale mock-ups, using Be, CFC and W tiles and different armour/heat-sink material joints under development, have been fabricated and thermomechanically tested in FE200 (Le Creusot) and JUDITH (Juelich) electron beam facilities. The small-scale mock-ups have been submitted to thermo-mechanical fatigue tests (up to failure using accelerating techniques). The objective was to determine the performances of the armour material joints under high heat flux cycles. (orig.)
The last developments in lithium batteries design have demonstrated the advantages of graphite: competitive cost, flat output curve, high capacity thanks to the obtention of a final compound close to LiC{sub 6}, good behaviour during cycling and a high mass energy. However, these advantages are slightly tarnished by parasite secondary reactions during the evolution of the element. Two different cases are encountered: the formation of a passivation layer (loss of Li ions and formation of irreversible bounds) and the formation of a passivation layer with a reaction between graphite and the solvent (partial destruction of the graphite crystal lattice). In the first case, the theoretical graphite insertion capacity remains at 372 mAh/g while in the second case the insertion capacity is greatly reduced. Abstract only. (J.S.)
To gain in efficiency, lightness and volume, the hybrid and electric-powered cars will certainly follow the cellular phone path. The key of success of todays hybrid cars is the Ni-MH battery developed by Matsushita (87.5% of the market in 2004). The lithium-ion batteries will be the next step and would allow to supply 80 to 100% of the energy of the vehicle, the thermal engine becoming just an auxiliary system for additional power, autonomy and air-conditioning. Prototypes can reach today 200 to 450 km of autonomy and 130 km/h speeds with batteries of about 200 kg. If most of the safety problems linked with the Li technology have been solved, the main drawback remains the cost of the Li-ion technology. Short paper. (J.S.)
This research deals with in the study of the use of innovating magnetic sensors in eddy current non destructive inspection. The author reports an analysis survey of magnetic sensor performances. This survey enables the selection of magnetic sensor technologies used in non destructive inspection. He presents the state-of-the-art of eddy current probes exploiting the qualities of innovating magnetic sensors, and describes the methods enabling the use of these magnetic sensors in non destructive testing. Two main applications of innovating magnetic sensors are identified: the detection of very small defects by means of magneto-resistive sensors, and the detection of deep defects by means of giant magneto-impedances. Based on the use of modelling, optimization, signal processing tools, probes are manufactured for these both applications.
Petrographical analysis is a microscopical analytical tool which allows definition of the exact nature of the components of different concrete mixes, as well as definition of internal structures and alteration processes. In order to improve the precision and the swiftness of the petrographical analysis, an automated image analysis system has been developed. In the next stage of this study, which consisted in the testing of new concrete mixes containing fluidised bed ashes, petrography has been used, not only to identify the nature of the mix components, but also assess the behaviour of these new concrete mixes when exposed to aggressive conditions.
In the framework of the plutonium production optimization in the PWR, many solutions are studied to decrease or recycle the plutonium of the nuclear fuels. Among these solutions, the inert matrix fuels (IMF) are proposed in this thesis. In seven chapters the author presents, the context and the state of the art, the different matrix, the calculi codes such as APOLLO2 or TRIPOLI4 needed to the neutronic analysis, the different fuel assemblies (CERMET UO{sub 2}, MOX, PuO{sub 2} and PuO{sub 2}-UO{sub 2}), the efficiency of the control rods in the case of the PWR, the cross sections problem, preliminary reflexions on critical accidents. (A.L.B.)
Intelligent and decision aiding systems as support to operators are becoming increasingly a necessity in nuclear installations and in nuclear reactors in particular, specially after the Tree Mile Island. Development of new technologies based on linguistic approaches such as fuzzy logic has given rise to much interest during the last years. Fuzzy logic controller (FLC) has many advantage compared to conventional controllers using classical techniques. The aim of the present work is to use a fuzzy logic controller in parallel to actual semi-automatic controller in order to supervise in real time the operation of the research nuclear reactor. The principal of this controller is based on rules which are established previous from experiment using the semi-automatic controller and from the knowledge of the operators. (authors)
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are being proposed for many applications including surveillance, mapping and atmospheric studies. These applications require a lightweight, low speed, medium to long duration airplane. Due to the weight, speed, and altitude constraints imposed on such aircraft, solar array generated electric power is a viable alternative to air-breathing engines. Development of such aircraft is currently being funded under the Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program. NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) is currently building a Solar Electric Airplane to demonstrate UAV technology. This aircraft utilizes high efficiency Applied Solar Energy Corporation (ASEC) GaAs/Ge space solar cells. The cells have been provided by the Air Force through the ManTech Office. Expected completion of the plane is early 1995, with the airplane currently undergoing flight testing using battery power.
In these years Information Technology has been used in activities that require an intelligent intervention. In this context take placing Decision Support Systems, since they use Information Technology to support users in decision processes, that is problems of logical level greater then problems normally treated by traditional information systems. The purpose of this work is to describe Decision Support Systems specifying what they are, their functionally and structure, identifying, furthermore, user types referred to and interaction modality between them; and to present a prototype of these systems. From a preliminary analyses phase of ENEA being and its Information Systems to understand which topics can be supported by systems of this type, it deals with one of these topics: weighing of new project, finding parameters, or key quantity, that affect and determine decisions. It describes, then, models, conceived form parameters, that permit to the user, through a simple representation ...
This paper presents the current status and future prospects of rocket propellants and the development of rocket engines. The combinated rocket propellant of liquid oxygen (LO/sub 2/) and liquid hydrogen (LH/sub 2/) is so much effective that it is typically used for the main engine of the space shuttle of the U.S. LE-7 engine with the thrust output of 100 tons is being developed for H-2 launcher following H-1 launcher in Japan. Meanwhile, HM-60 engine is being developed for ARIANE-5 launcher in Europe. Although the LO/sub 2//LH/sub 2/ engine predominates in this field at present, a dual fuel engine combining LO/sub 2//LH/sub 2/ and LO/sub 2//hydrocarbon will be realized in near future. The fuel such as LNG (methane) and LPG (propane) will be used for rocket and ramjet engines. (10 refs, 2 figs, 3 tabs)
The objective of this project was to implement a centralised data base of internal quality control in radiotherapy according to the criteria of the decree of A.f.s.s.a.p.s. (French agency of sanitary safety of health products on 27 july 2007, about the internal quality control of external radiotherapy facilities. The software on one year meets the objectives: compliance by comparison with A.f.s.s.a.p.s. criteria but particularly optimization of the centralisation and analysis of the internal quality controls. (N.C.)
Purpose Nonpoint sources (NPS) pollution has been an important cause for water quality impairment worldwide. To take the temporal variations of both NPS pollution and in-stream attenuation into consideration, an inverse modeling approach and the load duration curve (LDC) method were combined for variable nutrient total maximum daily load (TMDL) development. Methods Water quality and hydrological parameters were monitored monthly along the ChangLe River system in 2004?2008. The catchment NPS export load (EL) and TMDL for total nitrogen (TN) were estimated by the inverse format of an existing stream nutrient transport equation. The LDC method was used to describe the variability of EL, TMDL, requiring load (RLR) and percent (the ratio between the RLR and the EL, RPR) reduction, and then to s...
A closed economic system was assumed for the Veneto Region (Italy) in order to define an appropriate input-output model and assess the future economic and environmental impacts of proposed actions for energy source development and economic growth. Present and forecasted energy demands (to the year 2000) were determined by energy source, e.g., natural gas, coal, petroleum and hydropower for the different consuming sectors - agriculture, transportation, industry, etc. Forecasts were made of the air pollution expected as a result of different types of energy and technology inputs for each sector. These considered planned retrofits towards clean combustion systems. Costs were estimated for the implementation of proposed pollution abatement measures, as well as, for the effects of energy use related environmental damage and measures to restore the environment. Some of the factors taken into account were: the regional impacts of the Italian National Energy Plan; the ...
The bulk of the results from this project, besides being found in the research reports, are in the form of two theses presented for advanced degrees by two different students at two different institutions. Francis E. Porbeni is a Master`s Degree student in Chemistry at Clark Atlanta University and has prepared his Master`s Thesis entitled Simultaneous SO{sub 2} Oxidation and NO Decomposition over Copper Oxide on {gamma}-Alumina Catalysts: An Infrared Diffuse Reflectance Study. Sumit Rao, a Ph.D. student in Chemical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology has defended his thesis entitled Role of Copper Ensemble Size in Silica and Zeolite Supported Catalysts for Nitric Oxide Decomposition. These two documents, which will be forwarded when final copies are available, provide the details of the bulk of the research accomplished over the duration of this project. These two documents are summarized, and other results from the project are given.
Studies are made on coal in terms of its effective utilization, coal cleaning, fluidization and production of new fuel, and issues globally raised. Coal is abundant in reserves and high in supply stability and economic efficiency. However, it is much in CO2 emission per calorific value. To control as much CO2 emission as possible, effective utilization such as increasing of power generation efficiency has been proceeded with. In addition to ultra supercritical pressure and fluidized bed combustion, cited are coal gasification combined cycle power generation and high temperature type fuel cell. Coal has 5-20% ash and impurities like sulfur/nitrogen. Coal should be used clean by pollution abatement measures such as dust collecting, desulfurization and denitrification. Japan is at a world top level of these technologies. Coal is solid, and therefore, is more difficult to handle than liquid fuel. To use it easily, coal is liquefied into slurry such as COM and CWM, and ...
This paper presents the results of a study carried out at three sites in Madurai, India in order to assess ambient air quality levels and their impact on public health in urban areas. Indicators of public health were sought through primary and secondary health data and blood lead concentrations of male and female inhabitants and shopkeepers. Lean concentrations in blood samples were examined according to distance from the road, age, smoking status, hours of stay per day in the city, and period of stay in years in Madurai. Ambient air quality level indicators included the level of gaseous and particulate pollution using Central Pollution Control Board standard estimation methods. Observed atmospheric conditions across the three sites are examined according to mean solar insolation, mean temperature, mean relative humidity and mean wind velocity. The study concluded that pollution abatement measures must be implemented to safeguard public health in Madurai. 5 refs., ...
In Romania, the nuclear power is an element of sustainable development, being competitive, efficient and viable in the market economy. Fuel supply is ensured as nuclear fuel is manufactured in the country out of local uranium resources available in Romania. As for the environmental protection, it is known that, unlike the thermal power plants, the nuclear power plants do not release sulfur and nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and do not generate slag and ashes. The operation of nuclear power units does not release pollutants and, accordingly, these stations can contribute to the limitation and the abatement of environmental pollution. After seven years of Cernavoda NPP Unit 1 operation, a facility for storing low and medium level nuclear fuel wastes was built at the plant site as well as an intermediate dry storage for spent nuclear fuel whose first modules were commissioned in July 2003. They shall provide safe storage conditions for nuclear fuel wastes for many ...
Discusses the Methodological Directions for Expected Noise Calculation and Noise Reduction Design in Coal Preparation Plants developed at the Institute of Solid Fuel Preparation. Calculation of expected sound pressure levels is described. An exemplary chart of noise levels in the coal feed section of the coal preparation plant at the Taldinskii surface mine is presented. Procedures for planning noise pollution abatement measures and checking the expected noise levels are considered and explained on the example of the project of the coal crushing section in the Taldinskii plant (Kemerovugol' association) designed by Sibgiproshakht. A SMD-117 jaw crusher, 300 mm screen and a conveyor are to work in a space of 45,820 m{sup 3} with 30 m ceiling height. The expected noise level calculated for the working place of the crusher operator is 93-95 dBA without noise isolation and 85.5 dBA with noise isolation. A block diagram of a FORTRAN program for calculation of ...
The performance of the new combustor was tested. Experiments showed that this combustor has superior insulating quality than the previous one. Measured radial concentrations indicated uniform distribution of the primary fuel (coal) inside the fire tube resulting in reasonably flat concentration profiles. However, measured radial concentrations after the addition of the reburn fuel showed uneven distribution of the fuel resulting in parabolic concentration profiles, an indication of insufficient mixing in the reburn zone. In order to study mechanisms of nitrogenous species destruction in the reburn zone, it is necessary to achieve adequate mixing if the assumption of one dimensional plug flow behavior is to be valid. Thus, it became necessary to modify the injector design and the injection mode of the reburn fuel to achieve an adequate level of mixing which is the focus of this report. The results show that a minimum reburn fuel jet velocity of 15 m/s (standard conditions) was required ...
Natural resource valuation has always had a fundamental role in the practice of cost-benefit analysis of health, safety, and environmental issues. Today, this role is becoming all the more apparent in the conduct of natural resource damage assessments (NRDA) and cost-benefit analyses of environmental restoration (ER) and waste management (WM) activities. As such, environmental professionals are more interested in how natural resource values are affected by ER and WM activities. This professional interest extends to the use of NRDA values as measures of liability and legal causes of action under such environmental status as the Clean Water Act (CWA); the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA, as amended); and the Oil Pollution Act (OPA) of 1990. Also, environmental professionals are paying closer attention to NRDA values in cost-benefit analyses of risk and pollution-abatement standards, and in meeting environmental ...
Petroleum is the unchallenged energy market leader in West Germany,having a share of 42%; natural gas accounts for 16-17%. West Germany imports 29% of its natural gas from the Soviet Union, 28% from the Netherlands, 14% from Norway, and 1% from Denmark. In West Germany many-branched natural gas distribution system is operated, equipped with a.o. 21 installations for underground storage which results in a great flexibility of the system. Because of the preferential treatment given to the use of coal as fuel for power plants the share of natural gas has decreased to the present 6% in the last ten years. In the indutrial sector the share is 18%. Strict air pollution abatement measures ('TA-Luft') favour the use of natural gas. However, duty has been levied on the use of natural gas per January 1st, 1989. For space heating of houses and commercial buildings the share of natural gas is 27%. 7 figs., 9 ills.
Various pollution abatement measures available to combat oil spills were reviewed with emphasis on biodegradation. Microorganisms naturally found in soils and groundwater can efficiently degrade a variety of organic contaminants. For certain sites, local temperature allows the microorganisms to reduce the contaminant concentrations without human intervention. In April 1994, a diesel fuel leak was found at a telecommunication station located in a park. The leak had already contaminated the surrounding soil. The first step of the clean-up procedure was to excavate the contaminated soil, followed by an evaluation to determine the extent of the remaining contamination. It was concluded that by using natural attenuation the deforestation of the remaining affected area could be prevented. In this instance, the natural attenuation process is expected to take five years for completion. 4 refs., 1 tab., 1 fig.
An overview is given of several computer models in use in the Netherlands to determine and analyze the quality of air and the effect of air pollution abatement measures. [Dutch] Voor het vaststellen van de luchtkwaliteit of het bepalen van het effect van emissiereducerende maatregelen op die luchtkwaliteit zijn in ons land meerdere computermodellen beschikbaar. In het kader van het Vooronderzoek Innovatieprogramma Luchtkwaliteit (VIPL) wilde het ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat meer inzicht in de betrouwbaarheid en specifieke eigenschappen van deze modellen. Deze studie geeft daarom een overzicht en analyse van de verschillen, overeenkomsten en voor- en nadelen van de meest gangbare Nederlandse computermodellen om de luchtkwaliteit rond snelwegen te bepalen. Dit zijn: Het Voorspellingssysteem Luchtkwaliteit Wegtraces (VLW); CAR-II; Het TNO-verkeersmodel; Het Heaven-model van TNO; Urbis (air); en NNM+ (KEMA-STACKS)
Pollution abatement measures against impulsive low frequency noises including mine blasting noise require precise measurement of sound waveforms, but no instruments have been designed for that purpose, nor commercially available. This paper describes investigations on such instruments as noise level meters currently available commercially on their instrumental characteristics using indoor experiments and field measurements. The following matters were clarified: An instrument combining a microphone with an amplifier can not determine the response from the measuring system from the respective frequency characteristics alone, and requires a discussion on the overall response from the measuring system. A preferred noise level meter would be an instrument that has the lower limit for the frequency characteristics of the microphone extended to several hertz, and measures noises without passing through a filter to interrupt frequencies lower than 20 Hz. A mine blasting ...
The report outlines the role of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R and D Programme, gives details of participants and of publications and summarises achievements of 1998. A successful conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies was held in Interlaken, Switzerland. Technical studies reported include novel power generation concepts for removing carbon dioxide prior to or after combustion, using seawater for CO{sub 2} capture, investigating carbon dioxide sequestration in conjunction with enhanced coalbed methane recovery and applying retrofitting to power plants and to offshore oil and gas platforms. Systems studies taking a broader view include investigating the potential for combined energy systems (power generation with district heating, power with district cooling etc.) to reduce CO{sub 2} abatement cost, studies on the LNG/power generation fuel cycle, assessing the potential of methanol as an energy carrier investigating methods of making natural gas usable by the ...
High-throughput synthesis and screening methods have been developed for the discovery of highly active catalysts for the control of emissions from stationary and mobile sources. Low temperature CO oxidation, CO methanation, NOx abatement and the destruction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) will be discussed. The discovery libraries for primary screening consisted of both 11x11 and 16x16 catalyst arrays on 3 inch and 4 inch quartz wafers, respectively. Catalysts were prepared by robotic liquid dispensing techniques and screened for catalytic activity in Symyx's Scanning Mass Spectrometer. The screening protocols encompassed mixed metal oxides, perovskites and supported base and noble metals. Active hits were further optimized in focus libraries using shallower compositional gradients. The ScanMS is a fast serial screening tool that uses flat wafer catalyst surfaces, local laser heating, a scanning/sniffing nozzle and a quadrupolar mass spectrometer to ...
Introduction of geothermal heat pump systems, which depend on temperature differential, is investigated for urban areas, which have large energy demands. Results of the surveys on the current situations of geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems indicate that they have already numbered 300,000 units in USA and totaled more than 50,000 units in Switzerland and Northern European countries, and that they are increasing at an annual rate of higher than 10%. The results also indicate that introduction of these systems are well feasible in Japan, which generally has better topographical conditions than American and European countries, and the GHP system with vertical ground heat exchanger is investigated for its topographical and environmental considerations. These systems could annually abate approximately 52 million tons of CO2 (4.3% decrease), if disseminated to all households. They are also expected to help control the heat island phenomenon, and reduce peak power ...
One of the most densely populated urban regions in the world is the Sao Paulo Metropolitan region (SPMR) in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Air pollution is a real problem, mainly caused by vehicle exhaust fumes. The air pollution abatement measures adopted in the SPMR, such as the addition of ethanol to gasoline, the use of cars running on pure alcohol, the restrictions in the circulation of vehicles and the utilization of electronic fuel injection and catalyst have had a positive effect on the environment. The 25,000 buses and approximately 400,000 trucks, all operating on diesel, have not been affected by these measures, and it is believed that SPMR is the ideal location for testing new vehicular pollution reduction technologies. A project to this effect was launched by the Ministry of Mines and Energy in conjunction with a host of other partners, and it involved the operation of a fuel cell bus using hydrogen produced by electrolysis. The project was divided ...
The criterion the study is based on in evaluating environmental risks is the possibility of harmful changes in air, water and soils rather than the harmful environmental impacts these changes are caused by. The two significant criteria, i.e. the evaluated environmental hazards potentials or 'value parameters', and the evaluated damage-to-the-environment probabilities or 'safety parameters', reveal the respective environmental risks or 'risk factors'. These risk factors are classified by 23 environmental risk parameters for differentiation between low-risk and high-aid for pollution abatement measures provided that one fixes acceptance limits for the environmental parameters. As a rule the environmental risks of technical facilities which handle hazardous materials can be evaluated appropriately and the results can be compared. (orig./HSCH).
A wider use of renewable energy sources is considered to be the solution to fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution. This paper discusses various design considerations for line focussing technology to achieve high efficiency and the possibility of generating power in the megawatt range based on solar thermal technologies. The impacts on the environment of conventional thermal power plants is outlined and an estimate made of the cost of pollution abatement measures. A cost benefit analysis is made using a typical 200 megawatt solar thermal plant, 500 km from the load centre, compared with a 220 megawatt coal fired and a similar capacity gas fired power plant, as examples. The results indicated that the energy from the solar thermal power plant is almost twice as expensive compared to conventionally generated electricity. If, however, impacts on the environment and notional cost associated with are considered, electricity from coal plants becomes either ...
A wider use of renewable energy sources is considered to be the solution to fossil fuel depletion and environmental pollution. This paper discusses various design considerations for line focussing technology to achieve high efficiency and the possibility of generating power in the megawatt range based on solar thermal technologies. The impacts on the environment of conventional thermal power plants is outlined and an estimate made of the cost of pollution abatement measures. A cost benefit analysis is made using a typical 200 megawatt solar thermal plant, 500 km from the load centre, compared with a 220 megawatt coal fired and a similar capacity gas fired power plant, as examples. The results indicated that the energy from the solar thermal power plant is almost twice as expensive compared to conventionally generated electricity. If, however, impacts on the environment and notional cost associated with are considered, electricity from coal plants becomes either ...
This paper investigates the relationship between economic growth and pollutant emissions for a small and open developing country, Tunisia, during the period 1961-2004. The investigation is made on the basis of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, using time series data and cointegration analysis. Carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and sulfur dioxide (SO{sub 2}) are used as the environmental indicators, and GDP as the economic indicator. Our results show that there is a long-run cointegrating relationship between the per capita emissions of two pollutants and the per capita GDP. An inverted U relationship between SO{sub 2} emissions and GDP has been found, with income turning point approximately equals to $1200 (constant 2000 prices) or to $3700 (in PPP, constant 2000 prices). However, a monotonically increasing relationship with GDP is found more appropriate for CO{sub 2} emissions. Furthermore, the causality results show that the relationship between income and pollution in Tunisia is ...
This paper investigates the relationship between economic growth and pollutant emissions for a small and open developing country, Tunisia, during the period 1961-2004. The investigation is made on the basis of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, using time series data and cointegration analysis. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) are used as the environmental indicators, and GDP as the economic indicator. Our results show that there is a long-run cointegrating relationship between the per capita emissions of two pollutants and the per capita GDP. An inverted U relationship between SO2 emissions and GDP has been found, with income turning point approximately equals to $1200 (constant 2000 prices) or to $3700 (in PPP, constant 2000 prices). However, a monotonically increasing relationship with GDP is found more appropriate for CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the causality results show that the relationship between income and pollution in Tunisia is one of unidirectional ...
This paper investigates the relationship between economic growth and pollutant emissions for a small and open developing country, Tunisia, during the period 1961-2004. The investigation is made on the basis of the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, using time series data and cointegration analysis. Carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) and sulfur dioxide (SO{sub 2}) are used as the environmental indicators, and GDP as the economic indicator. Our results show that there is a long-run cointegrating relationship between the per capita emissions of two pollutants and the per capita GDP. An inverted U relationship between SO{sub 2} emissions and GDP has been found, with income turning point approximately equals to 1200 (constant 2000 prices) or to 3700 (in PPP, constant 2000 prices). However, a monotonically increasing relationship with GDP is found more appropriate for CO{sub 2} emissions. Furthermore, the causality results show that the relationship between income and pollution in Tunisia is ...
Ontario's Countdown Acid Rain program was formulated in 1985 and placed an annual SO{sub 2} emissions cap of 885 kilotonnes over the province from 1994. Caps were placed on emissions from the Inco nickel/copper smelter in Sudbury, the Falconbridge nickel/copper smelter in Sudbury, the Algoma iron ore sintering plant in Wawa, and Ontario Hydro fossil-fuel plants province-wide. Semi-annual reports are required of the companies, with the 6th report outlining the final planning phase and the 7th and later reports outlining implementation progress. This document summarizes the contents of the 7th set of reports and the responses of the government review team to each company's efforts. All companies have begun implementing abatement plans outlined in the final planning phase reports of December 1988 at a rapid pace and are generally on track in controlling emissions. However, all 4 company reports lack the necessary detail for a complete review of the ...
The current discussion on worldwide climate change suggests that the current situation is unusual or extreme, and that climate changes never - or hardly ever - occurred in the centuries before. The author discusses whether this is really the case, and whether air pollution abatement measures can really help. His answers are based on the findings of palaeoclimatology. [German] Verfolgt man die Diskussion um den derzeitigen Klimawandel, so gewinnt man den Eindruck, Aussergewoehnliches und Extremes wuerde geschehen, und man bekommt zudem ueber Beratungsgremien und Medien vermittelt, dass sich in den Jahrhunderten vor dem heutigen Klimawandel das Klima nicht oder nur wenig geaendert hat. Es wird auch der Eindruck erweckt, man koenne das Klima stabilisieren und durch Emissionsminderungsmassnahmen das Klima schuetzen. Ist Klimaschutz eine loesbare Herausforderung oder ueberschaetzen wir Menschen unsere Moeglichkeiten? Man kann versuchen, sich an die Beantwortung dieser ...
In 1990, 176 million tonnes (mt) of air-traffic fuel was burned, which produced about 550 mt CO{sub 2}, 220 mt water, 3.5 mt NO{sub x} amd 0.18 mt SO{sub 2}. NO{sub x} emissions from air traffic may, by increasing ozone concentrations, be responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse warming. In the stratosphere NO{sub x} from aircraft is partly responsible for ozone depletion. With present technology 500 aircraft in the stratosphere would cause global ozone losses of 20%. Water vapour added by aircraft also contributes to global warming. In the form of ice crystals between 8 to 13 km above sea level, it acts as cirrus clouds. Probably the least damaging cruising altitude for aircraft is 9 km above sea level. Fuel consumption by aircraft is increasing. Air pollution abatement measures include substituting hydrogen fuel for kerosene, developing engines that emit less NO{sub x} and the introduction of internationally negotiated taxes on kerosene. 30 refs.
Renewable energy sources have been attracting the attention of a sensitized public since general pollution abatement measures have been taken, since efforts have been going into the protection of the earth atmosphere, the preservation of the vital ozone layer, and the conservation of fossil energy sources, and since nuclear power risks have been recognized and discussed. In addition to wind power and solar energy solid biomass, e.g. wood, wood wastes, vegetable residues and plants cultivated for the purpose of energy production, is among the topical alternatives. Agriculture and silviculture are important end-users of potential decentralized energy supplies and are cut out for supplying biomass for energy utilization. Additional income sources will open up for farmers. Based on these facts this KTBL working paper describes the biomass energy potential and feasible harvesting and solid-fuel processing and combustion techniques. Energy cost prices are compared and ...
Fundamental investigations into the biosorption of environmentally relevant heavy metals were carried out with different microbial adsorbents, and processes were proposed for industrial effluents. In order to improve the technology of biosorption processes, attempts were made to improve the sorption efficiency of biological sorbents, and investigations were carried out on the immobilisation of biological adsorbents. (orig.) [Deutsch] Es wurden Grundlagenuntersuchungen zur Biosorption von umweltrelevanten Schwermetallen mit verschiedenen mikrobiellen Adsorbentien durchgefuehrt und an technischen Abwaessern Technologievorschlaege erarbeitet. Zur Verbesserung der Technologie von Biosorptionsprozessen wurden Moeglichkeiten der Steigerung der Sorptionsleistung von Biosorbentien erarbeitet und Untersuchungen zur Immobilisierung der biologischen Adsorbentien durchgefuehrt. (orig.)
Recently there has been considerable interest in the Cu-ZSM-5 catalysts for the selective reduction of NO by light hydrocarbons for the purpose of atmospheric pollution abatement. Isobutane and n-pentane cracking were studied over Cu zeolite catalysts and these results were compared with their HY analogues at low conversions and at temperatures of 673 K and below. Three forms of the catalysts were used: those reduced in CO at 773 K; those reduced with H[sub 2] at 473 K; and those in the oxidic form (following flushing with He at 773 K). In contrast with an earlier publication, very little difference in activity was found between the two reduced forms of the catalysts did not differ significantly from each other nor from the H-form of the zeolite. They are typical of a Bronsted acid catalysis. The oxidic form of the catalyst produced excess H[sub 2] in increasing amounts with time on stream. This could be quantitatively accounted for by the coking of the catalyst. ...
Dust detection and control in real time, represent one of the most challenging problem in all those environments where fine and ultrafine airborne particulate solids products are present. The presence of such products can be linked to several factors, often directly related and influenced by the working-production actions performed. Independently from the causes generating dust, airborne contaminants are an occupational problem of increasing interest as they are related to a wide number of diseases. In particular, airborne dusts are well known to be associated with several classical occupational lung diseases, such as the pneumoconiosis, especially at high levels of exposure. Nowadays there is also an increasing interest in other dust related diseases, from the most serious as cancer and asthma, to those related with allergies or irritation and other illnesses, also occurring at lower levels of exposure. Among the different critical factors influencing health risk for airborne dust ...
This report describes recent extensions to the energy-systems GMM (Global Multiregional MARKAL) model undertaken by the Energy Economics Group (EEG) of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland (hereon referred to as PSI-EEG) in the context of the SAPIENTIA project sponsored by the European Commission (DG Research) and the Swiss National Centre for Competence in Research on Climate (NCCR-Climate). GMM is a multi-regional 'bottom-up' energy-systems optimization model that endogenizes technology learning. The model has been developed and is used at PSI-EEG. The main extensions undertaken here concern the incorporation of a clusters approach to technology learning, the introduction of an improved representation of the transportation sector with emphasis on the passenger sub-sector and the implementation of marginal abatement curves for CH4 and N2O, two main non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Also, a linear representation of the atmospheric concentration of CO2, CH4 and ...
We report the first visible (657 nm) vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser. The photopumped undoped structure was grown using low-pressure metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy in a single-growth sequence on misoriented GaAs substrates. The optical cavity consists of an In{sub 0.54}Ga{sub 0.46}P/In{sub 0.48}(Al{sub 0.7}Ga{sub 0.3}){sub 0.52} P strained quantum-well active region and a lattice-matched In{sub 0.48}(Al{sub {ital y}}Ga{sub 1{minus}{ital y}}){sub 0.52} P (0.7{le}{ital y}{le}1.0) graded spacer region, while the distributed Bragg reflectors are composed of Al{sub 0.5}Ga{sub 0.5}As/AlAs quarter-wave stacks. Room-temperature optically pumped lasing was achieved with a very low-threshold power, clearly demonstrating the viability of this new technology. These results provide the foundation for visible semiconductor laser-diode arrays for a number of applications including laser projection displays, holographic memories, and plastic fiber ...
The article provides a 1998 updated picture of Italy's and the world's photovoltaic market in terms of produced modules and total installed capacity, as well as market growth forecasts up to 2010. After a short description of the state-of-the-art of cell and module manufacturing, ana analysis of the cost of producing a photovoltaic kw is reported for different plant types: stand-alone plants with energy storage batteries, plants connected to low low voltage networks or intended for supporting medium voltage networks, hybrid plants with diesel sets. The article is concluded by illustrating ENEL's (Electric Power Production Company) engagement in the field of photovoltaic solar energy as regards theoretical studies, research and testing of new technologies, and installing plants; over nearly twenty years of activity, ENEL has designed and built a few hundreds of photovoltaic plants for a total capacity of about 4.000 kw, and is currently in the process of ...
The dependence of the photoluminescent properties of In{sub 0.48}(Al{sub {ital y}}Ga{sub 1{minus}{ital y}}){sub 0.52}P alloys (0{le}{ital y}{le}0.5) on growth temperature and substrate misorientation off GaAs(100) has been studied. Samples were grown using low-pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. By studying the dependence of ordering behavior in InGaP as a function of substrate misorientation and growth temperature simultaneously, a very large range in low-temperature photoluminescence emission energy---135 meV---has been obtained. The photoluminescence linewidth exhibits a strong, continuous dependence on the extent of atomic ordering (the emission energy) in the alloys. The results indicate that inhomogeneity in the microstructure of the material (i.e., between ordered'' domains and the disordered'' matrix) is the dominant photoluminescence broadening mechanism. This investigation has allowed a ...
The dependence of the photoluminescent properties of In{sub 0.48}(Al{sub {ital y}}Ga{sub 1{minus}{ital y}}){sub 0.52}P alloys (0{le}{ital y}{le}0.5) on growth temperature and substrate misorientation off GaAs(100) has been studied. Samples were grown using low-pressure metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. By studying the dependence of ordering behavior in InGaP as a function of substrate misorientation and growth temperature simultaneously, a very large range in low-temperature photoluminescence emission energy---135 meV---has been obtained. The photoluminescence linewidth exhibits a strong, continuous dependence on the extent of atomic ordering (the emission energy) in the alloys. The results indicate that inhomogeneity in the microstructure of the material (i.e., between ordered'' domains and the disordered'' matrix) is the dominant photoluminescence broadening mechanism. This investigation has allowed a ...
The ORNL high temperature isopiestic apparatus was adapted for adsorption measurements. The quantity of water retained by rock samples taken from three different wells of The Geysers was measured at 150 °C and at 200 °C as a function of pressure in the range 0.00 ≤ p/p0 ≤ 0.98, where p0 is the saturated water vapor pressure. The rocks were crushed and sieved into three fractions of different grain sizes (with different specific surface areas). Both adsorption (increasing pressure) and desorption (decreasing pressure) runs were made in order to investigate the nature and extent of the hysteresis. Additionally, BET surface area analyses were performed by Porous Materials Inc. on the same rock samples using nitrogen or krypton adsorption measurements at 77 K. Specific surface areas and pore volumes were determined. These parameters are important in estimating water ...
A study has been made of the reaction [sup 86]Kr + [sup 63]Cu at incident energies of 486, 550, 640, and 730 MeV. Measurements include cross sections, angular distributions, and energy spectra for light charged particles ([sup 1,2,3]H and [sup 4]He), intermediate mass fragments (IMF) (4 [le] Z [le] 17), and heavy fragments (Z [ge] 18). Coincidences between light charged particles and between particles and fragments have been measured to obtain cross sections, energy spectra, and angular distributions. Statistical model analysis of the energy spectra for [sup 1]H and [sup 4]He detected in coincidence with the fragments has allowed estimation of [sup 1]H and [sup 4]He multiplicities associated with the evaporation residues, fragments, and composite nuclei prior to scission. A comparison of cross sections, energy spectra, angular distributions, and particle multiplicities for these matched entrance channels has provided the means for a detailed ...
The rare-earth based nickelates RNiO{sub 3} (R = Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, and Pr{sub 1-x}La{sub x}, 0{<=}x{<=}0.7) were studied by inelastic neutron scattering. Energy splittings due to the crystalline-electric-field (CEF) interaction at the R{sup 3+} site within the electronic ground-state J multiplet (for R = Pr, Nd, and Pr{sub 1-x}La{sub x}) as well as within the two lowest-lying J multiplets (for R = Sm and Eu) were directly observed, and the corresponding CEF energy-level schemes were reconstructed. The latter were rationalized in terms of CEF parameters, which vary smoothly over the rare-earth series and give magnetic properties associated with the R sublattice in agreement with results from neutron powder diffraction experiments. Across the metal-insulator transition, a continuous change in the electronic part of the CEF parameters is observed. However, an attempt to quantify a charge transfer from the observed variation of the CEF parameters in an effective point charge ...
Silicon carbide (SiC) based electronic devices are of great importance for applications under the condition of high temperature, high power and high radiation. Schottky diodes of Palladium/SiC are good candidates for hydrogen and hydrocarbon gas sensors at elevated temperature. The detection sensibility of the diodes has been found heavily temperature dependent. In this work, the electrical and chemical properties of Pd/SiC Schottky contacts were studied by XPS and AES at different annealing temperatures. Schottky diodes were made by depositing ultra-thin palladium films onto a silicon carbide substrate. No significant change in the Schottky barrier height of the Pd/SiC contact was found in the temperature range of 300-673K. Palladium diffusion into SiC and the formation of palladium silicides were observed at room temperature and became significant at 300^oC and higher temperature. The mechanism of diffusion and reaction at the Pd/SiC interface will be discussed. The XPS/AES results ...
Numerical solutions given by a vorticity-velocity method are presented for combined free and forced laminar convection in the thermal entrance region of a horizontal rectangular channel without the assumptions of large Prandtl number and small Grashof number. The channel wall is heated with a uniform wall heat flux. Typical developments of temperature profile, secondary flow, and axial velocity at various axial positions in the entrance region are presented. Local friction factor and Nusselt number variations are shown for Rayleigh numbers Ra = 10{sup 4}, 3 {times} 10{sup 4}, 6 {times} 10{sup 4}, and 10{sup 5} with the Prandtl number as a parameter. The solution for the limiting case of large Prandtl number and small Grashof number obtained from the present study confirms the data of existing literature. It is observed that the large Prandtl number assumption is valid for Pr = 10 when Ra {le} 3 {times} 10{sup 4} but for a larger Prandtl number when the Rayleigh ...
The urban zone needs clean air to assure public health. To achieve this goal several filter samples were collected in different sites in Algiers city. Toxic elements such as: Na, Mg, Cl, Sc, Cr, Ti, V, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Se, Br, Ag, Sb, Ce, La, Hf, Ta and Hg have been measured in the filters using neutron activation analysis technique. Irradiation of filter samples and standards were carried out in Es-Salem reactor. The experimental procedure and the results are discussed. We noted during this work that the upper limit values for suspended dusts and the high concentrations for some toxic elements found are due to the weather conditions and intense road traffic around collecting sites. (authors)
The tribo characteristics of self-lubricating 40-mm-bore ball bearings with a retainer of glass cloth-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) laminate, which has elliptical pockets with a large pocket clearance, were tested under thrust loads at speeds up to 50,000 rpm, 2 million DN, in liquid hydrogen (LH2) and in liquid nitrogen (LN2). During testing, the bearing torque, outer-race temperature, and electric resistance between the inner and outer races were monitored to verify the formation and rupture of a PTFE transfer film. Testing showed that the bearings having the elliptical retainer pockets were superior to the conventional bearings with circular pockets. It was determined that, at the maximum inner race spinning velocity of about 5 m/s, a PTFE transfer film could sustain the maximum Hertz stress, up to about 2000 N/sq mm, in LH2, without severe film rupture resulting in bearing seizure. In LN2, the critical load capacity of PTFE transfer film with bearing seizure was about 2700 N/sq ...
R?sum? La rate baladeuse est une anomalie rare chez l?enfant. Elle est souvent d?crite chez l?adulte, particuli?rement la femme enceinte. Elle est due ? un d?faut de fixit? anatomique de la rate avec les organes de voisinage. Ses manifestations cliniques sont variables, mais la complication la plus redoutable est la survenue d?une torsion du p?dicule spl?nique. Nous rapportons le cas d?une fille de 11 ans qui s?est pr?sent?e avec des douleurs abdominales aigu?s et des vomissements. Les examens radiologiques ont montr? une absence de la vascularisation spl?nique. ? l?exploration chirurgicale, on a d?couvert une torsion du p?dicule spl?nique avec une isch?mie tissulaire avanc?e. La rate ?tait d?pourvue d?attaches ligamentaires. La d?torsion n?a pas permis de sauvegarder la rate, et une spl?n...
The report published in 2003 by the European committee on the risk of irradiation (C.E.R.I.) criticizes a part of the ICRP recommendations relative to the internal contaminations.Consequently, I.R.S.N. wishes to supply its own analysis. The present report points the questions linked to the internal contamination and to the difficulties inherent to the risk incurred after chronic exposure.Consequently it does not treat all the problems of the workers and populations radiation protection. (N.C.)
The relative contributions of interstitials and vacancies to diffusion of a dopant A in silicon are specified by the interstitial fraction of diffusivity, f{sub A}. Accurate knowledge of f{sub A} is required for predictive simulations of Si processing during which the point defect population is perturbed, such as transient enhanced diffusion. While experimental determination of f{sub A} is traditionally based on an underdetermined system of equations, we show here that it is actually possible to derive expressions that give meaningful bounds on f{sub A} without any further assumptions but that of local equilibrium. By employing a pair of dopants under the same point-defect perturbance, and by utilizing perturbances very far from equilibrium, we obtain experimentally f{sub Sb}{le}0.012 and f{sub B}{ge}0.98 at temperatures of {approximately}800{degree}C, which are the strictest bounds reported to date. Our results are in agreement with a theoretical expectation that ...
LiNiO{sub 2} is one of the most promising material for positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. However, its behaviour during cycling and the existence of several phase transitions induced by the lithium ions de-intercalation process has not been explained so far. A transition electron microscopy study of various Li{sub x}NiO{sub 2} (0.25
Under the auspices of the Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND) Program, several waste rock piles were monitored and characterized. Acid rock drainage (ARD) became a mechanism better understood based on the data acquired during these projects. Numerical simulation was used to better comprehend the quantitative issues associated with the characterization of three specific sites for the purpose of this study. The sites selected were the south waste rock pile of the Doyon Mine in Quebec, the Northdale of the mining district of Ronnenberg in Germany, and the waste rock pile of the Sugar Shack South of the Questa mine in New Mexico. The observed and simulated conditions were very distinct from one mine to another, even if the same mechanisms were involved. The dominant oxygen and heat transfer mechanisms displayed the most varied behavior between the sites. ARD control or site rehabilitation decisions were based on the quantitative understanding gained from the monitoring and led to ...
The German voluntary standard 'Passivhaus' (passive house) leads to buildings with practically no energy consumption. The first residential buildings of this type were built in 1998 and the first tertiary buildings in 2000. Such a passive house must fulfill 5 efficiency criteria: annual space heating needs {<=} 15 kWh/m{sup 2}, U{sub v} envelope coefficient lower than 0.15 W/(m{sup 2}.K), U{sub v} of openings lower than 0.8 W/(m{sup 2}.K), airtightness {<=} 0.6 volume/hour, and total energy needs (space heating, hot water, ventilation, lighting and domestic uses) measured at the meter lower than 42 kWh/m{sup 2}.year. This article makes a status of the effective efficiency of existing passive buildings both in the residential and tertiary sectors and presents some possible ways of improvement. (J.S.)
This work presents the development of a streak camera 'jitter free' sweep unit synchronized on a femtosecond laser. This application of high voltage photoconductive switches ('High voltage Auston switch') yields subpicosecond resolution for accumulated images on streak camera on a few hundreds micro joule femtosecond laser. Two others applications of these photoconductive switches are studied: - ultrafast optical commutation by a Pockels cell directly driven by a photoconductive switch (rising edge < 100 ps and jitter < 2 ps), - laser pulse energy self-stabilization experimentally proving that driving a Pockels cell by a photoconductive switch can increase the stability of the laser pulse energy from 7 % to 0.7 % rms. Additionally, the application of the acoustic-optical programmable dispersive filter (Dazzler) to the self referenced spectral phase measurement is presented. As these measurements require a linear filter combined with a ...
The properties of the triplet of low-lying states in {sup 101}Mo have been studied through spectroscopy of the {gamma} radation following thermal neutron capture in {sup 100}Mo and {beta}-decay of {sup 101}Nb and through a measurement of the proton angular distributions in the {sup 100}Mo(d, p) reaction with 14 MeV deuteron energy. The half-lives of the 13.5 keV state and the 57.0 keV 5/2{sup +} state have been measured as 226(7) and 133(7) ns, respectively. These values and the quadrupole/dipole mixing ratios of the 13.5 keV and 43.5 keV transitions yield spin and parity 3/2{sup +} for the 13.5 keV level. The E2 components in the 13.5 (3/2{sup +}->1/2{sup +}) and 43.5 keV (5/2{sup +}->3/2{sup +}) transitions are {le} 8x10{sup -4} and 54(9)%, respectively. The possibility of an additional state near to the 57.0 keV level is discussed. IBFM/PTQM calculations, taking into consideration the transitional character of the {sup 100}Mo boson core, account for the ...
This document gathers the presentations given at the first French national meetings of solar energy for the development of solar systems in buildings. The meeting was organized over two days. The first day comprises 4 workshops about: urbanism and planning, cultural acceptability of solar energy in buildings (the OPAC 38 housing association, point of view on an energy information point, the Freiburg (Germany) solar region and marketing examples), technical integration to the structure (Clipsol solutions), and economical criteria (compared impacts of R and D public photovoltaic programs (USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy), financing of rehabilitation projects, global approach of solar photovoltaic energy, technical solutions and strategy of products development, why and how to make an economical analysis of solar energy applications in the building industry). The second day comprises a plenary session and a round table: global status of solar energy development in Europe, status of ...
The durability of ball bearings, 32-mm- and 45-mm-bore, with a retainer or glass cloth-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) laminate was tested under a high radial load at a speed of 20,000 rpm in LOX or LN2. The retainers were characterized as good self-lubricators because the abrasive glass-cloth fiber tips exposed on the retainer were chemicaly etched away with hydrofluoric acid (HF). During testing, the bearing-cartridge-acceleration was monitored to detect bearing damage. Testing in LOX for about 2.2 hr showed that excellent lubricating conditions were obtained for all bearings. Testing in LN2 for about 5.1 hr detected that the fatigue life of the bearing was about the same as the calculated B10 fatigue life. The HF chemical treatment resulted in a reacted fluoride-oxide material which remained in the etched part of the glass fiber. Several chemical products, particularly MgO, CaO, and CaCO3, enhanced adhesion of PTFE transfer film to the counterface, resulting in the formation of a ...
The present study treats only the collective risk of ex-utero leukaemia associated with the routine releases of the nuclear industrial installations of the North Cotentin (0.0009 cases over the considered period) the uncertainty on the contribution to the collective risk of the incidents and the accidents of the nuclear installations (notably the drilling of the pipe of release in sea arisen in 1979-1980 and the fire of the waste silo on January 6. 1981, for the reprocessing plant of La Hague has not been considered. Only 45% of the risk are taken into account by the study. Every calculated value remains very inferior to the number of leukemia cases observed (4 cases observed for two expected cases) and to the risk of radioinduced leukemia any merged exposure sources, that is to say 0.84 cases. It appears thus not very probable that the nuclear installations of the North - Cotentin can explain the tendency to the excess of observed leukaemia. The limits of the study become attached for ...
This issue of Barrages newsletter comprises three articles. The first article treats of the quality approach relative to the organization of the inspections of big and medium size dams. It summarizes the improvements of this approach added in 2003 after analysis of the experience feedback. The second article presents the conclusions of the decennial and annual inspections of dams in exploitation. Only the observations requiring a special follow-up are reported. The last article summarizes the activities of the control services for the third quarter of 2003: decennial and annual visits, important facts, administrative instructions, studies, projects and works, organization of services, technical studies etc.. (J.S.)
The quality insurance in radiotherapy in the frame of highly complex technical process as Intensity modulated radiotherapy (I.M.R.T.) needs independent control of the delivered dose to the patient. Actually, up to now, most of the radiotherapy treatments rely only on computed dosimetry through a rather complicated series of linked simulation tool. This dosimetry approach requires also qualified treatment means based on cautious quality insurance procedures. However, erroneous parameters could be difficult to detect and systematical errors could happen leading to radiotherapy accidents. In this context, in vivo dosimetry has a critical role of final control of the delivered dose. As many beam incidences and ports are used for any photon therapy treatment, external control could be very tedious and time consuming. Therefore, innovations are needed for in vivo dosimetry to provide ergonomic and efficient tools for these controls. This paper presents a review of technologies and products ...
Solid-state fermentation of soybean hulls supplemented with wheat bran using a co-culture of Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus oryzae was performed. Three parameters - initial moisture content, incubation temperature, and initial pH - were optimized in culture flasks using response surface methodology. Parameter optimization was carried out with respect to filter paper activity and b-glucosidase activity in the culture. Temperature of 30^oC, pH of 5, and moisture content of 70% were found to be optimum. Optimized parameters were used for laboratory scale-up in static tray fermenters. The maximum filter paper activity of 10.7FPU/g-ds and b-glucosidase of 10.7IU/g-ds were obtained after 96-h incubation period in static tray fermenters in agreement with optimized activities at shake flask le...
Controls of welds by radiographies are an efficient non destructive technique but it can be dangerous if not managed following a strict set of rules. EDF acts to avoid risks via several ways (adapted tools, best practices) and seeks for an integration of the radiographies with respect to the other maintenance operations, in order to raise the ratio of availability of the electricity production unit. This study explores an original analysis of industrial radiography: the influence of the representations of the workplace and its utilizations. This document supports the utilization of some space constraints as explanations of difficulties in the industrial radiography activity. The document proposes innovative points of view coming for on-site observations and from a theoretical background 'cognitive sciences' completed by technical propositions. (author)
The plastic flow behavior of a #beta#-titanium alloy (Ti-15% Mo) was investigated over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates covering those conditions where the #omega#-phase forms dynamically. Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect was observed in this alloy at temperatures between 575 and 775 K at a strain rate of 1.31 x 10"-"4 s"-"1. The serrated flow behavior of this alloy could be suppressed by rendering the matrix #beta#-phase more stable against the #beta# to #omega# transformation. PLC bands formed in this alloy, studied at different levels of magnification using light, scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy, showed a high density of deformation bands within the macroscopic PLC band. The following mechanism of serrated flow is proposed; the load drop is ascribed to the sudden flow associated with the formation of deformation bands within which #omega#-particles were destroyed while the subsequent load rise results from pinning of ...
The European demonstration project Hip Hip (house integrated photovoltaic high-tech in public) led the French photovoltaic market to reach a level comparable to those of the other European countries in terms of relevance of implemented solutions and costs. This document presents the best realizations and the experience gained through the Hip Hip project. Its aim is to convince the designers and managers of building projects of the advantages of photovoltaic installations integrated to the structure and connected to the power distribution grid: 1 - presentation of the technology; 2 - status of the Hip Hip demonstration project (goals, results: main innovations and impact on the French market); 3 - different possibilities of integration to the building structure; 4 - examples of projects realized in France in the framework of the Hip Hip project: integration in glass roof, frontage, added elements, fitting on roofs. (J.S.)
Passive films formed anodically on titanium (Ti) plates in 0.5 M sulfuric acid were corroded in aqueous solutions of H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} in the dark and under illumination of a 250-W mercury lamp. The corrosion depth was determined by calculating the thickness of the oxide layers from interference patterns of reflection spectra in the visible region. Corrosion was observed at pH {le} 3, with the corrosion rate increasing exponentially with decreasing pH and achieving a maximum value at pH {approximately} 1. Photocorrosion generally was quicker than corrosion occurring in the dark in all cases (i.e., open-circuit, short-circuit, bias conditions) and increased under anodic polarization of the oxide electrode together with the photocurrent. Corrosion occurring in the dark decreased very weakly under anodic polarization. Long-term corrosion experiments indicated the initial corrosion rate for a thick anodic oxide was higher than the later rates, probably because of the ...
Une enfant drepanocytaire homozygote SS de 14 ans (sans deficit en G6PD), non transfusee anterieurement, a une cholecystectomie pour lithiase decouverte a un bilan systematique. L'intervention est encadree de 2 transfusions de concentres erythrocytaires (CGR) phenotypes ABO Rh Kell, compatibilises. Quinze jours apres, elle presente une hemolyse aigue associant fievre, ictere, insuffisance renale tubulaire, hemoglobinurie et anemie profonde (Hb 3,6 g/dL). Les RAI deviennent positives avec, entre autres, un auto anticorps anti D suspecte, le test de Coombs direct est positif de type mixte. L'enfant n'est pas retransfusee, mais recoit 1 mg/kg/j de corticoides IV pendant 10 jours. L'hemoglobine retrouve sa valeur de base (9 g/dL) apres 15 jours. Un antigene RH1(D) partiel de type DAR est ulter...
The progress made in particle detection, particularly the design of multi-detectors, like INDRA, that cover a solid angle of almost 4{pi}, have given a new impetus to heavy ion collisions. These detectors are demanding for an efficient way of selecting events that have a common history or similar features, for instance the events representing the de-excitation of a unique emitter. The problem is to find the adequate variable on which the discrimination can be based. Different methods are proposed in this work, the common point is that they require efficient models to reproduce and analyse experimental data in order to apprehend the equation of state of nuclear matter. Most of these models are based on the numerically solving of the nuclear Boltzmann equation. The application to the Ni + Ni reaction with an energy ranging from a few A.MeV to more than 50 A.MeV illustrates this work. (A.C.)
This poster presentation dealt with a brief overview of the practices in effect in British Columbia related to metal leaching and acid mine drainage. The metals mined in the province include coal, gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, lead, and zinc. Some mines operate under the surface, while others are strip mines, etc. under a variety of climactic conditions and a host of different mining companies, such as Cominco, Placer Dome and Noranda. The primary objective is the prevention of negative environmental impacts on land and in the water. Salmon and other fish need to be protected. A secondary objective is the minimization of impacts on the biota, which requires a detailed study of ecological risks. The solution often lies in soil covering. To illustrate, the author described the situation at Huckleberry Mines Ltd. and the remedial action that was implemented, and discussed the results on the beavers. In conclusion, the author discussed the strategies implemented by the British Columbia ...
Purpose of this item is to report the CT patterns of pancreatic mesenchymal lesions and to investigate the capabilities and limitations of this technique in terms of characterization. In selected cases, CT can provide virtually diagnostic information (lipoma and teratoma), or at least highly suggestive findings (NHL, plexiform neurofibroma, lymphangioma). Moreover, knowledge of the variable morphostructural patterns of mesenchymal hisototypes (SCH, Sarcoma etc.) permits to include them in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic masses. [Italian] Scopo di questo rapporto e' descrivere gli aspetti semeiologici dei tumori mesenchimali del pancreas con la TC verificandone le possibilita e i limiti per la caratterizzazione. Pur nella rarita' dei reperti considerati, la TC puo' consentire l'effettiva caratterizzazione in alcuni casi (lipoma, neurofibroma plessiforme, linfangioma) o includere anche istotipi meno comuni (Schwannoma, ...
This work concerns the study of the nuclear superdeformation phenomenon in the rare earth region (A {approx} 150). The superdeformed (SD) states in Gadolinium and Dysprosium isotopes were produced via heavy-ion induced reactions and studied with the (EUROGAM EUROpean GAmma-ray Microscope) gamma multidetector array. Precise level attenuation method (DSAM). From the derived quadrupole moments, we find large differences in deformation between the yrast bands in neighbour nuclei explained in terms of the case of nuclei corresponding to an axis ratio of 2:1, the shell gaps are not fixed at a specific particle number and deformation. Furthermore the present results indicate that the deformations associated with identical bands are different supporting the picture that mass and deformation changes tend to compensate in SB bands with the same moments of inertia. (author). 114 refs.
This study examines some radiation accidents occurred in the past. This information has been systematically assessed to get global lessons. The experience feedback shows that the most of accidents happened in certain conditions. These conditions can be distributed in four categories: 1- perception and vigilance in occupation: accidental exposure happened by lack of vigilance in details and lack of vigilance and perception; 2- procedures: accidental exposure happened following a lack of procedures or control that were not enough complete, not enough documented or not completely implemented; 3- training and understanding: accidental exposures happened because the personnel was not enough qualified and educated, did not get the general training nor the the necessary specialized training; 4- liabilities: accidental exposures happened following lacks and ambiguity in the definition of functions of the personnel and in the hierarchy liabilities. In these precise cases the safety tasks have ...
This project of law concerns an additional protocol to the agreement of warranties signed on September 22, 1998 between France, the European atomic energy community and the IAEA. This agreement concerns the declaration of all information relative to the R and D activities linked with the fuel cycle and involving the cooperation with a foreign country non endowed with nuclear weapons. These information include the trade and processing of nuclear and non-nuclear materials and equipments devoted to nuclear reactors (pressure vessels, fuel loading/unloading systems, control rods, force and zirconium tubes, primary coolant pumps, deuterium and heavy water, nuclear-grade graphite), to fuel reprocessing plants, to isotope separation plants (gaseous diffusion, laser enrichment, plasma separation, electromagnetic enrichment), to heavy water and deuterium production plants, and to uranium conversion plants. (J.S.)
RESUME: Cet article propose une tude du r le croissant que joue l valuation dans la gouvernance des services domicile en Europe. L introduction de quasi march s dans plusieurs pays europ ens va de pair avec un processus d autonomisation de la fonction d valuation qui devient un v ritable outil de r gulation de la concurrence. Une analyse compar e des situations en Belgique, France et Royaume Uni, tant de la demande que de l offre de services, met en vidence les tensions r currentes dans les objectifs de l valuation (qualit des services, ma trise des budgets sociaux, cr ation d emploi), la faible prise en compte de la qualit de l emploi ainsi que les limites des dispositifs standardis s d valuation au regard de la rh torique du libre choix de l usager (consommateur).
Aim: The study aimed to analyze blood pressure (BP) responses in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) over a 24h period following resistance (RES) and aerobic (AER) exercise. Methods: Ten adults with T2D (age: 55.8+/-7.7 years; weight: 79.4+/-14.0kg; fasting glucose: 133.0+/-36.7mg.dL^-^1) underwent: (1) AER: 20min of cycling at 90% lactate threshold (90% LT); (2) RES: three laps of a circuit of six exercises with eight repetitions at 70% 1-RM and 40s of recovery; and (3) a control session of no exercise. Heart rate (HR), and systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), mean arterial (MAP) and pulse (PP) BP, as well as lactataemia (Lac), VO2, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at rest, during exercise and control (CON) periods, and 60min after interve...
SommarioScopo Valutare limpatto clinico negli anni dellecografia intraoperatoria (IOUS) nella identificazione delle metastasi epatiche rispetto alle altre metodiche di imaging. Materiali e metodi risultati delle ecografie intraoperatorie effettuate per lidentificazione delle metastasi epatiche in un periodo compreso tra gli anni 2000 e 2006 sono stati retrospettivamente revisionati e comparati con le metodiche di imaging preoperatorio: Ecografia (US), Tomografia Computerizzata (TC) e/o Risonanza Magnetica (RM). Tutti i casi sono stati patologicamente provati. Sono stati calcolati per anno i casi discordanti in termini di presenza/assenza di lesione focale epatica. Il confronto statistico e stato effettuato con il test di McNemar. Un valore del p<0,05 e stato considerato statisticamente sig...
Increasingly stringent pollution regulations have spurred a broad interest in the reduction of engine emissions. Two strategies can be considered: after-treatment or engine emissions reduction. For Diesel engines, after-treatment has a high cost induced by the required technology and implementation issues. In this context, the Highly Premixed Combustion combustion mode (HP C) has emerged as a topic of major interest in recent years. It represents one of the most promising ways for new generation of CI engines using high Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) rates. Experimentation on the test bench brought the proof of significant emission reduction. However, actual vehicle implementation implies frequent transient which fall far beyond steady state experimentation on the test bench. Several key challenges have to be addressed. With this combustion technology; accurate torque balancing at all engine modes is a requirement. Even slight unbalance between the cylinders can have dramatic ...
The purpose of this work is to investigate the possible role of Helical CT defecography in pelvic floor disorders by comparing the results of the investigations with those of conventional defecography. The series analyzed consisted of 90 patients, namely 62 women and 28 men, ranging in age 24-82 years. They were all submitted to conventional defecography, and 18 questionable cases were also studied with Helical CT defecography. The conventional examination was performed during the 4 standard phases of resting, squeezing, Valsalva and straining; it is used a remote-control unit. The parameters for Helical CT defecography were: 5 mm beam collimation, pitch 2, 120 KV, 250 m As and 18-20 degrees gantry inclination to acquire coronal images of the pelvic floor. The rectal ampulla was distended with a bolus of 300 mL nonionic iodinated contrast agent (dilution: 3g/cc). The patient wore a napkin and was seated on the table, except for those who could not hold the position and were thus ...
This paper elucidates morphological characteristics, reproduction forms and ecological characteristics of Plectus sp. and Rhabditis sp. which are most frequently detected nematodes separated from tap water. The paper also discussed experimentally establishment of cultivating conditions for these nematodes, and behavior and reproduction characteristics of nematodes under widely ranging conditions of temperatures, bacteria concentrations and pH. Plectus sp. grows in hermaphroditic individuals, while Rhabditis sp. grows only in female. An LE culture medium can cultivate nematodes that appear in tap water, and is suitable for subculture of nematodes. Conditions of temperatures from 20{degree}C to 25{degree}C, pH and inoculated concentration of bacteria at 10{sup 8} cell {center_dot} ml{sup -1} are suitable for reproduction of Plectus sp. and Rhabditis sp. Plectus sp. and Rhabditis sp. prefer mild temperatures for reproduction, cannot reproduce below about 5{degree}C, ...
Gastric stromal tumors are an ill-defined group of lesions arising from muscle wall cells and characterized by extremely variable biological patterns. Thanks to modern immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques, four main classes of these lesions have been identified, namely: (1) tumors with differentiation toward smooth muscle cells; (2) tumors with differentiation toward neural elements; (3) tumors with differentiation toward neural elements; (3) tumors with dual differentiation toward either cell type. It was investigated the yield of CT in diagnosing and characterizing gastric stromal tumors. It was retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of 38 patients (15 men and 23 women; mean age 51 years) with pathologically proven gastric stromal tumors, namely 31 of myoid origin, 4 of neural origin, 2 with both muscle and neural differentiation, 1 lacking differentiation with either cell type. The myoid tumors involved gastric fundus in 9/13 and 5/7 benign lesions and lesions with ...
If the first (PopIII) stars were very massive, their final fate is to collapse into very massive black holes. Once a proto-black hole has formed into the stellar core, accretion continues through a disk. It is widely accepted, although not confirmed, that magnetic fields drive an energetic jet which produces a burst of TeV neutrinos by photon-meson interaction, and eventually breaks out of the stellar envelope appearing as a Gamma Ray Burst (GRB). Based on recent numerical simulations and neutrino emission models, we predict the expected neutrino diffuse flux from these PopIII GRBs and compare it with the capabilities of present and planned detectors as AMANDA and IceCube. If beamed into 1% of the sky, we find that the rate of PopIII GRBs is $\\le 4 \\times 10^6$ yr$^{-1}$. High energy neutrinos from PopIII GRBs could dominate the overall flux in two energy bands [$10^4 - 10^5$] GeV and [$10^5 - 10^6$] GeV of neutrino telescopes. The enhanced sensitivities of ...
Cooperation for low carbon and energy efficient development is a high priority for France, in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. France contributes to tackling climate change by working with its partners on all continents to implement projects both to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change. Within the framework of the Marrakech Accords, France also encourages the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism, in particular between French business and non-Annex I countries; this mechanism will facilitate the financing of mitigation projects and contribute to the sustainable development of host countries in the South. At multilateral level, France is a major donor. At a bilateral level, an initial analysis of cooperation projects which are strongly linked to tackling climate change identified public support of 136 millions euros per year, as an average over the past few years. Some project examples, mostly ...
Introduction: We have evaluated the ability of a semi-automated, optomotor reflex method to assess drug-induced visual dysfunction, in albino and pigmented rats and mice. Methods: Male Han Wistar (HW) and Long Evans (LE) rats and mice (CD-1 and C57BL/6) were tested in a chamber formed by 4 computer monitors displaying a rotating vertical grating, to elicit head-tracking movements. The highest visible grating frequency was taken as the threshold of visual acuity, in cycles per degree (c/d). Animals received an intravenous infusion of either sodium iodate (50mg/kg) or 0.9% w/v NaCl (aq). They were tested 2h later, then re-tested daily for a further 3days. The time course of the effect was assessed in HW rats over a 6-week period, including electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical analysi...
The open circuit potential (OCP) of stainless steels immersed in natural waters generally increases with time. This phenomenon is strongly linked to the formation of a bio-film on the surface. Several studies have proved that the bio-film modifies the reaction of reduction of dissolved oxygen and that it acts mainly on the cathodic processes. One of the hypotheses explaining the action of the bio-film involves certain bacteria which use dissolved oxygen and extracellular enzymes to produce reactive oxygen species. Among this kind of metabolites is hydrogen peroxide H{sub 2}O{sub 2}. This compound interacts with the passive layer of stainless steels and affects their electrochemical behaviour, even when the chloride concentration is low. The aim of this work is to study the influence of an enzymatic reaction (of the oxidoreductase type) on anodic and cathodic processes on AISI 316L stainless steel. Experiments are carried out in two artificial electrolytes simulating natural fresh ...
Different experimental measurements (Theology, granulometry, XRD) were carried out in order to study the main properties of bentonite suspensions in presence of anionic additives at different concentrations. These additives are: Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) as surfactant, a flexible polymer (Sodium Carboxy Methyl Cellulose, CMC) and a semi-rigid polymer (Xanthan gum). It has been shown that the structural nature of anionic additive influences directly the mixtures viscoelastic and flow behavior. The steric effect of the surfactant modifies the Face-Edge interactions and yields changes of the mixtures rheological behavior at low deformation rates. Polymers act by coating each clay particle and prevent their agglomeration. Therefore, bentonite has no direct effect on the rheological behavior of the mixtures: the additives are responsible for the mechanisms of de-structuration and structure reorganization as well as the mixtures viscous and viscoelastic behavior. (author)
Steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants are periodically checked by means of eddy current probes. The output of a probe is composed of three types of signals: known events (rolling zone, support plates, U-bend part), noise (mainly metallurgical noise) and possible flaws. The latter are random transients, both in arrival time and in shape: they have to be detected and then estimated, before to be fed to the high level stages of a diagnostics system. The objective of the study presented is to develop a semi-automatic system, which could manage and process more than 1 M-bytes of data per tube and provide an operator with reliable diagnostics proposals within a few minutes. This can be achieved only by cooperation of several digital signal processing techniques: detection, segmentation, estimation, noise subtraction, adaptive filtering, modelization, pattern recognition. The paper describes some of these items.
Steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants are periodically checked by means of eddy current probes. The output of a probe is composed of three types of signals: known events (rolling zone, support plates, U-bend part), noise (mainly metallurgical noise) and possible flaws. The latter are random transients, both in arrival time and in shape: they have to be detected and then estimated, before to be fed to the high level stages of a diagnostic system. The objective of the study presented is to develop a semi-automatic system, which could manage and process more than 1 M-bytes of data per tube and provide an operator with reliable diagnostics proposals within a few minutes. This can be achieved only by cooperation of several digital signal processing techniques: detection, segmentation, estimation, noise subtraction, adaptive filtering, modelization, pattern recognition. The paper describes some of these items.
The diagnostic imaging findings in hepatic amoebiasis and the capabilities of percutaneous drainage have already been described but some debate is open on both diagnosis and treatment. It is reported the experience with the ultrasound (US) and Computed Tomography (CT) studies of the hepatic amoebic abscess and its management. [Italian] I reperti con diagnostica per immagini nell'amebiasi epatica e le possibilita' del drenaggio percutaneo sono stati gia' illustrati; esistono tuttavia controversie sul piano sia diagnostico che terapeutico. Obiettivo di questo lavoro e' quello di riportare l'esperienza personale nella diagnostica con ecografia e tomografia computerizzata (TC) e nel trattamento degli ascessi amebici del fegato.
After a short review of the classical simplified expressions able to evaluate the seepage path in the core of a river levee, this paper first discusses the results obtained assuming the Dupuit approximation. Dimensionless nomographs are then showed, obtained by means of numerical integration of the seepage equations, These nomographs allow a quick levee design to be developed, after the definition of flood hydrography, seepage and embankment characteristics. [Italian] Dopo un sintetico richiamo di alcune classiche formulazioni semplificate per la determinazione dell'andamento della linea di infiltrazioner in un rilevato arginale, nell'articolo vengono presentati e discussi i risultati conseguiti prima assumendo la sola ipotesi di Dupuit e, successivamente, risolvendo l'equazione completa del moto di filtrazione. In particolare, vengono forniti abachi adimensionali che consentono, una volta fissate le caratteristiche ...
The photodegradation of two well known recalcitrant compounds was studied. At this aim, a photosystem constituted by titanium dioxide and polyaniline, both immobilised in a PVC membrane, and a sunlight simulating irradiation source was used. The optimisation of the experimental conditions, ph, ionic strength and, when operating on soils, humic acid concentration, allowed the photodegradation of Paraquat at a nearly 100% extent, while, an oxidation by hypochlorite was needed to degrade cyanuric acid. [Italian] E' stata studiata la fotodegradazione di due composti notoriamente recalcitranti a questo tipo di rimozione. Con un sistema fotocatalitico costituito da biossido di titanio e polianilina immobilizzati in una membrana di PVC ed operando con luce solare simulata e' possibile, ottimizzando le condizioni sperimentali di pH, forza ionica e - operando su terreno - concentrazione di acidi umici, ottenere la degradazione del paraquat fino a valori ...
Yet designed to measure charged component of the cosmic rays, the foreseen Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) could also release {gamma}-ray studies, in the energy range from GeV to TeV, using the tracker system, for {gamma}-rays converted in e{sup +}e{sup -} pair, and the electromagnetic calorimeter. In the first part of the thesis are described the calibrations and the performances of the engineering model of the calorimeter, obtained from the analysis of data taken during a test-beam performed at CERN in July 2002. In the second part of the thesis, the AMS-02 discovery potential for {gamma}-astrophysics is presented. While exposure maps of the {gamma}--sky are computed for one year of data taking with the {gamma}--detectors, the acceptance of the calorimeter is obtained from Monte-Carlo simulations. The AMS-02 potential is then estimated for signals from the Vela pulsar and for some supersymmetric signals from the Galactic Center. (author)
The finest particle size fractions ({le} 25 {mu}m) in four fly ash samples from fluidised bed combustion of three biomass based fuels and a municipal solid waste fuel were size separated using a centrifugal SPLITT fractionation cell. The ashes were separated into different size fractions and the cadmium concentration, partition and speciation in each separated fraction were then investigated in relation to their possible leaching. The fractionation was evaluated by environmental scanning electron microscopy, which also provided indications of the associations between Cd and other main elements on the particles through the use of X-ray fluorescence mapping. The total concentration of Cd in each fraction was determined by AAS analysis which showed different dependence on the ash particle size in the case of biomass or waste fuels. In addition, the speciation of Cd in each fraction, investigated by sequential chemical extractions and X-ray powder diffraction analysis, ...
This article, published in issue 80 of 'l'ACROnique du nucleaire', aims to retrace the early steps in the consideration of the possibility of a nuclear accident in France, with the inclusion of 'non-institutional' participants and applying the lessons learned in Belarus in the contaminated territories around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. After a review of the origin of the involvement of the Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l'Ouest (ACRO) in addressing post-accident issues alongside the populations living in an environment polluted by radioactivity, it discusses, from the critical viewpoint of an NGO, the context and the working method adopted for this examination. This is followed by some key elements of the programme and unresolved questions about the available body of knowledge which motivates research and about the method adopted for the work. The conclusion, moderately optimistic, ...
The European gas market is continuing to expand due to increased industrial, domestic and power generation demand. As a result of this demand, and the trend toward liberalization of the market, the need for storage of gas is also increasing. One key segment of the large scale storage of gas is underground storage, either in partially depleted gas or oil fields, naturally occurring caverns, aquifers and salt cavities. In most cases the gas produced after storage requires conditioning to meet the water of hydrocarbon dew point specification of the gas transmission system. For that reason export gas from storage will require gas conditioning in order to meet pipeline specifications. Adsorption as a feasible and reliable process will be presented in detail and especially in regards to hydrocarbon dew-pointing compared with other process options. (author)
Aim of the work was to describe the noninvasive assessment of bone mineral density, geometrical and biochemical properties in premenopausal women with dietary intake of phytoestrogens and comparison of these parameters with those of age-matched female subjects with Mediterranean dietary intake lacking in these substances. Volumetric cortical, trabecular and total mineral density and bone geometrical properties were evaluated with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) at the distal radius of the non dominant forearm. pQCT showed higher bone mineral density (total and trabecular) and SSI values in premenopausal with dietary intake of phytoestrogens. Despite the lack of statistical significance, these preliminary results, should further support the few literature findings about the potential role of phytoestrogens consumption in preventing trabecular bone loss. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate definitively postmenopausal osteoporosis. [Italian] Scopo del ...
Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) of lung perfusions permits to map functioning lung parenchyma with higher sensitivity than CT. Delivering higher radiations doses it used to increase local control in lung carcinoma; this strategy is based on radiobiological and clinical studies. Lung parenchyma is a dose-limiting tissue in patients irradiated for lung cancer. Functional mapping based on SPECT and CT findings permits to design radiation beams such as to minimize irradiation of functioning lung. [Italian] L'integrazione delle immagini diagnostiche aventi diverso contenuto informativo anatomico-funzionale puo' essere utilizzata nella radioterapia per migliorare le procedure diagnostiche e ottimizzare la geometria dell'irraggiamento. I sistemi per l'elaborazione di piani di radioterapia oggi in uso sono direttamente interfacciati con gli apparecchi di Tomografia Computerizzata (TC) e l'impiego di immagini ...
This update of a system concept entitled ``Maritime hazard prevention and water protection`` makes full use of the technical room for maneuver while considering that reasonable financial and economic conditions must be provided. The update allows on to continue or start the exploitation of feasible technical, logistic and information-technology development potentials. The same applies to the national maritime traffic safety measures developed for the German waterways. Considering the maritime hazards that have been prevailing in the coastal areas of the German North Sea, the conducted damage risk investigations suggest that a large-scale, disastrous oil contamination of the mud flats ecosystem cannot be excluded or controlled definitely in spite of the numerous measures taken. (orig.) [Deutsch] Mit der vorgelegten Fortschreibung zum Systemkonzept ``Gefahrenabwehr und Gewaesserschutz im Seeverkehr`` werden die technisch realisierten Handlungsspielraeume unter Beachtung der finanziellen ...
This 7th edition reveals the progress in steam engineering and the great future potential of steam engineering applications. Pollution abatement and design experiences gained during the operation of existing plants, and experiences gained in waste incineration are of environmental relevance. Recent materials developments and knowledge, e.g. as regards pipes and fittings, have been making significant contributions to supercritical-steam efficiency improvements. Emphasis is also placed on automation, control engineering, water chemistry etc., and on regulations, licensing procedures, and the training of the staff of plants. (orig./KOW) [Deutsch] Die nunmehr vorliegende 7. Ausgabe zeigt den Fortschritt und das zukuenftig noch erhebliche Potential dieser Technik auf. Erfahrungen mit den nun schon seit Jahren laufenden Anlagen zur Schadstoffminderung, Konstruktion und Auslegung sowie Betriebserfahrungen zur thermischen Abfallverwertung sind Schwerpunkte im ...
Except nuclear industry, diverse structures (hospitals, of research or manufacturers) can have appeal to the use of radioisotopes conditioned under unsealed shape. Such practices lead to tolerate releases in environment in the respect of a statutory device. So the collective network can contain radioisotopes the future of which is going to depend partially on the cleaning applied to waste water. This study through the analysis of a concrete case, has for objective to inform about the future of gamma radioelements present in waste water treated by a wastewater treatment plant. The contamination of the network is essentially due to Tc{sup 99} and I{sup 131}, radioelements present whatever the working day and the hour considered. The total estimated in-load for a day is important, of the order of 4000 MBq for Tc{sup 99} and 15 to 300 MBq for I{sup 131}. The assessment of cleaning of the station shows that this one plays a role towards this pollution through these stages of treatment. ...
In a case study of the River Lahn, Hessen, Germany, the ecological impact of effluents from sewage treatment plants was investigated. These emissions have a significant impact on the receiving water quality with ammonia, nitrite, phosphorus and the eutrophication as most important factors. Current legislation standards seem to be sufficent for the sanitation of the nitrogen load. The potential of phosphorus removal in sewage treatment plants however may not reach the demand for eutrophication abatement. Therefore, integrated and immission oriented strategies are required including in site measures of river restoration. (orig.) [Deutsch] An der hessischen Lahn wurde in einem mehrjaehrigen Forschungsvorhabens die Bedeutung von Abwasserereinleitungen aus Klaeranlagen hinsichtlich ihrer gewaesseroekologischen Relevanz untersucht. Wesentliche Belastungen beziehen sich auf die Parameter Ammonium, Nitrit und Phosphor sowie eutrophierungsbedingte Folgeerscheinungen. ...
Insect host/parasitoid interactions are co-evolved systems in which host defenses are balanced by parasitoid mechanisms to disable or hide from host immune effectors. Although there is a rich literature on these systems, parasitoid immune-disabling mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Here we report on a newly discovered immune-disabling mechanism in the Pieris rapae/Pteromalus puparum host/parasitoid system. Because venom injections and parasitization suppresses host phagocytosis, we turned attention to the P. rapae scavenger receptor (Pr-SR), posing the hypothesis that P. puparum venom suppresses expression of the host Pr-SR gene. To test our hypothesis, we cloned a full-length cDNA of the Pr-SR. Multiple sequences alignment showed the deduced amino acid sequence of Pr-SR is similar to scavenger receptors of other lepidopterans. Bacterial and bead injections induced Pr-SR mRNA and protein expression, which peaked at 4h post-bead injection. Venom injection inhibited Pr-SR ...
Lower East Fork Poplar Creek (LEFPC) and its floodplain are contaminated with mercury (Hg) from ongoing and historical releases from the US Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. A remedial investigation and feasibility study of LEFPC resulted in the signing of a Record of Decision (ROD) in August 1995. In response to the ROD, soil contaminated with mercury above 400 mg/kg was removed from two sites in LEFPC and the floodplain during a recently completed remedial action (RA). The Postremediation Monitoring Program (PMP) outlined in the LEFPC Monitoring Plan was envisioned to occur in two phases: (1) a baseline assessment prior to remediation and (2) postremediation monitoring. The current report summarizes the results of the baseline assessment of soil, water, biota, and groundwater usage in LEFPC and its floodplain conducted in 1995 and 1996 by personnel of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory Biological Monitoring and Abatement Program (BMAP). This report ...
Compared to the reference year of 1990, CO{sub 2} emissions of the Federal Republic of Germany have been curbed by about 12%, primarily as a result of industrial backfitting and pollution abatement measures accomplished in the industrial infrastructure of the new Federal Laender of Germany. Federal Government policy sticks to the previous commitment, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% by the year 2005. Current forecasts and scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions show that only immediate adherence to a very stringent reduction policy might ensure that this ambitious goal will be achieved. In this context, any change of the baseline data and scenarios hitherto used for progonostic assessments is a crucial factor, so that the article here discusses the impacts of a change in the nuclear generation scenario, as recently ventilated by the German Federal Government, and expected effects on public power supply. (orig./CB) [Deutsch] Ausgehend von dem ...
In order to illustrate morphological features and variations of temperature in the upper thermosphere, we performed numerical simulations with a whole atmosphere general circulation model (GCM) for the solar minimum and geomagnetically quiet conditions in March, June, September, and December. In previous GCMs, tidal effects were imposed at the lower boundaries assuming dominant diurnal and semi-diurnal tidal modes. Since the GCM used in the present study covers all the atmospheric regions, the atmospheric tides with various modes are generated within the GCM. The global temperature distributions obtained from the GCM are in agreement with ones obtained from NRLMSISE-00. In addition, the GCM also represents localised temperature structures which are superimposed on the global day-night distributions. These localised structures, which vary from hour to hour, would be observed as variations with periods of about 2-3 h at a single site. The amplitudes of the 2-3 h variations are ...
Since 1984 the Environmental Protection Agency (LfU) of the State of Baden-Wuerttemberg has been investigating the heavy metal burden of earthworms from representative long-term forest observation plots. These investigations are aimed at elucidating and assessing adverse effects of pollutants on the soil biocenosis. Methods: At first only lead and cadmium were measured in the worms; in repetitive measurements over the years further metals or metalloid elements such as aluminum, arsenic, chromium, cobalt, copper, manganese, mercury, nickel, thallium, vanadium, and zinc were added to the agenda. Results and conclusion: The frequency distribution of the metals in the earthworms was characterized statistically. For the first time state-wide background values, normal values and threshold values were established for all the elements measured. A comparable study with a similar range of parameters is known neither nationally nor internationally. Time trend studies have been available for lead ...
Shortened excerpt from the head notes: The emission limits laid down in the TA Luft concretize the scope of the measures ordered by the law to provide for protection against harmful effects on the environment. Air pollution abatement measures imposed by the competent authority as post-licensing requirements based on the BImSchG (German Federal Emission Control Act) in general are in compliance with the principle of reasonableness considering the terms allowed by the TA Luft for backfitting measures. With this decision, the court qualified the emission limits defined in the TA Luft to be substantial and legally binding standards, to be applied by the competent authorities in licensing and post-licensing administrative procedures, also in order to fulfill the intended task of concretizing the less definite concepts of law laid down in the relevant legislation. (orig./CB) [Deutsch] Verkuerzte Zitierung aus den Leitsaetzen: Die in der TA Luft aufgestellten ...
Extensive research into the treatment and control of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from semiconductor industry manufacturing processes has identified the need for alternatives to existing combustion devices. Specifically, semiconductor manufacturing design is moving toward exploiting effective, small-scale, abatement control technologies for specific point-of-use (POU) waste streams associated with a particular component or manufacturing tool. The Silent Discharge Plasma (SDP) developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory is a nonthermal plasma technology created by a dielectric-ballasted electrical discharge. Influent gas-phase pollutants are destroyed in the reactor by the free radicals or electrons generated by the plasma. This paper examines the potential for SDP to be used in niche circumstances for POU control of VOC exhaust streams specific to the semiconductor industry. A sensitivity analysis is presented, showing how SDP cost of ownership is affected by ...
Increased use of wetlands for habitat and water quality improvement emphasize the need for further study of abiotic-biotic interactions in these systems. This research examined contaminant assimilation within the water column of two newly created Colorado prairie wetlands (RMA3 and RMA4). To examine the influence of abiotic factors (e.g., alkalinity, suspended solids), ten chronic toxicity tests were performed from December 1991 through November 1993. In the first set of tests, Ceriodaphnia dubia were exposed to water from the two wetlands which was spiked with various concentrations of zinc. These tests suggested that water from RMA4 had higher contaminant assimilative capacity than water from RMA3. Preliminary analysis suggested suspended solids, pH, conductivity, and temperature were important factors affecting neonate production by C. dubia when exposed to zinc-spiked wetland water. To test the importance of suspended solids in contaminant assimilation, C. dubia were exposed to ...
Geological carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is currently seriously considered for addressing, in the near term, the problem of climate change. CCS technology is available today and is expected to become an increasingly affordable CO2 abatement alternative. Whereas the rapidly growing scientific literature on CCS as well as experimental and commercial practice demonstrate the technological and economic feasibility of implementing this clean fossil fuel option on a large scale, relatively little attention has been paid so far to the risks and environmental externalities of geological storage of CO2. This paper assesses the effects of including CCS damage costs in a long-term energy scenario analysis for Europe. An external cost sensitivity analysis is performed with a bottom-up energy technology model that accounts not only for CCS technologies but also for their external costs. Our main conclusion is that in a business-as-usual scenario (i.e. without climate ...
Like other Central European countries, Poland faces the twin challenges of improving environmental quality while also fostering sustainable economic development. In this study we examine the costs of different standards for air pollution control, and the cost savings from using incentive-based policy instruments in lieu of more rigid command-and-control policies. The comparisons are based on the results of a simulation model of energy use and air pollution control for the Polish economy over 1990-2015. The model simulates least-cost energy supply decisions under different environmental policy assumptions, the corresponding emissions, and the cost of achieving the specified policy objectives. The model results suggest that incentive-based policies will have efficiency gains over command policies that are at least worthy of consideration and may be quite substantial. The size of the gains in practice depends in part on how much flexibility is built into the command approach, e.g., ...
As part of its air quality monitoring activities, Alberta Environment conducts unannounced mobile air quality surveys each year using the Department's Mobile Air Monitoring Laboratory (MAML). This laboratory provides a snapshot of the air quality at the location monitored for a particular time and space. The MAML measures several pollutants in the air including ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, particulate matter, reduced sulphur compounds and sulphur dioxide. Alberta Environment conducted a series of ambient air quality monitoring surveys in the Lloydminster Area in 2002, 2003 and 2004. This report presents the results of the five monitored locations over eight seasons of monitoring, which were selected in consultation with stakeholders and staff from Alberta Environment's Central Region office. Canister samples were also collected during these surveys for later laboratory analyses of volatile organic compounds. Results from other ...
This paper presents an integrated exposure monitoring system, based on an expansion of existing air quality monitoring systems using dispersion modelling. The system allows: (1) identifying geographical areas whose inhabitants are most exposed to ambient pollution; (2) identifying how many people in an area are exposed to concentrations of pollution exceeding air quality guidelines: (3) describing the exposure of population subgroups (e.g. children): (4) planning pollution abatement measures and quantifying their effects; (5) establishing risk assessment and management programs, and (6) investigating the short- and long-term effects of both pollutants and pollution sources on public health. The effect of pollution is rarely very large and in order to discover it, exposure estimation must provide data that reflects both spatial and temporal variations. Estimates of pollution exposure are obtained using an integrated approach that combines results of measurements ...
Penetrating liver wounds are related to many causes and rank second after blunt abdominal and liver trauma. In this report are examined the clinical and radiological findings of personal series of patients with penetrating trauma, especially by firearms and stab and cut wounds. It will also tried to define the diagnostic workup of these traumas, which is especially based on CT signs of liver damage and associated changes and which is of basic importance for following treatment, both surgical or conservative. In the last seven years it was retrospectively reviewed 31 cases of penetrating liver trauma. The patients were 19 men and 12 women, ranging in age 18 to 73 (mean 42), with penetrating liver injuries from firearms (16 patients) and stab (9 cases) wounds; 6 patients had injuries from different cases. Abdominal CT was carried out in emergency with the CT Angiography (CTA) technique in all patients. In the patients with suspected chest and abdomen involvement CT was performed from the ...
The purpose of this work is to investigate whether any morphometric or densitometric are detectable in the kidneys of type 2 diabetic patients. 40 diabetic patients were examined and of 20 non-diabetics (the control group) were submitted to triphasic helical CT for different abdominal conditions. The type 2 diabetic patients were 23 men and 17 women, mean age 62 years, while the nondiabetic controls were 12 men and 8 women, mean age 58 years. All the CT images were analyzed using the Multiplanar Reconstruction (MPR) software. It was evaluated morphometric features, such as the presence of parenchymal or vascular calcifications, axial and coronal renal diameters, coronal renal area, and cortico medullary ratio, and densitometric and functional features, such as unenhanced renal density, cortical and medullary density in the arterial phase, parenchymal density in the nephrographic phase, and contrast elimination. It was also compared the results in the subgroups of patients with those in ...
One of ENEA's many activities consists in dealing with the analysis of information strategies. In this case the analysis concerns an environmental issue, the ozone hole which, in spite of the consideration given by the media, is not sufficiently highlighted, as well as in the case of climate changes issue. A survey of the coverage of four daily newspapers was realized; the time period covered by the analysis spans form January 1996 to December 1997, 77 articles in total. The newspapers involved are: La Repubblica, Il Corriere della Sera, L'Unita' on a national scale, and Il Resto del Carlino on a regional scale. The number of articles analyzed is divided as follows: 26 for the Repubblica, 24 for the Corriere della Sera, 21 for the Unita', 6 for the Resto del Carlino. The purpose of the work was to detect quality and quantity indicators of the Italian press about the ozone hole issue and possible environmental risks conveyed to the public, using the ...
Purpose: To report on the nephron-sparing, percutaneous ablation of a large renal cell carcinoma by combined superselective embolization and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Materials and Methods: A 5 cm renal cell carcinoma of a 43-year-old drug abusing male with serologically proven HIV, hepatitis B and C infection, who refused surgery, was superselectively embolized using microspheres (size: 500 - 700 {mu}m) and a platinum coil under local anesthesia. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using a 7F LeVeen probe (size of expanded probe tip: 40 mm) and a 200 Watt generator was performed one day after transcatheter embolization under general anesthesia. Results: The combined treatment resulted in complete destruction of the tumor without relevant damage of the surrounding healthy renal tissue. The patient was discharged 24 hours after RF ablation. No complications like urinary leaks or fistulas were observed and follow up CT one day and 4 weeks after the ...
Already in 1998, the city of Hanover, the Stadtwerke Hannover and six further cities of the region initiated the funding programme 'Hannover proKlim' for promoting energy-relevant modernization measures in domestic buildings. One year later, the social marketing campaign 'Haus-Partner Hannover / Der (H)Eissbaer'' was started, which addresses building owners in Hanover with the intention to induce them to action. The 'Energiepass Hannover' is another important instrument of the campaign. This report takes stock of the results achieved so far. [German] Beim Klimaschutz im Gebaeudebestand lassen sich in Hannover drei Ansaetze hervorheben, die parallel zueinander entwickelt wurden und die in besonderer Weise dazu beitragen, die CO{sub 2}-Emissionen im Gebaeudebestand zu reduzieren: Bereits 1998 hat die Landeshauptstadt Hannover gemeinsam mit den Stadtwerken Hannover und sechs weiteren Staedten der Region den Klimaschutz-Fonds ...
The paper gives an overview on the technologies and applications of automatic wood furnaces. The combustion systems are defined by the flow condition: With increasing gas velocity, fixed bed, stationary fluidized bed (SFB), circulating fluidized bed (CFB), and entrained flow reactors are distinguished. The furnace design and typical applications are described. Further, a comparison is presented which gives data of the typical size range and fuel types for the different combustion systems. The most common fixed bed reactors are under-stoker and grate furnaces. While under-stoker furnaces are applied in the size range from 20 kW to 2.5 MW, grate furnaces cover the size range from a few 100 kW up to more than 50 MW. Under-stoker furnaces are well suited for wood fuel with low ash content, moderate water content and limited fuel size. Grate furnaces are also suited for fuel with high ash and water content and large fuel sizes. Hence grate furnaces are nowadays most common. Due to the ...
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are an important group of pollutants with adverse effects on humans and the environment. Primary air pollution abatement measures aim at prevention or reduction of pollutant production in industrial production processes, e.g. by improved processes but also by other methods (closed cycle processes, different process materials, etc.). If these measures have been implemented and emissions are still too high, an off-air purification unit must be installed. Biological purification is the method of choice for low pollutant concentrations. Biological purification processes are based on the activity of microorganisms which are capable of biochemical oxidation of organic and some inorganic gaseous compounds into non-polluting or non-odorous compounds. These processes have the advantage that they work at ambient conditions and therefore remove relatively low pollutant concentrations at low investment and operating cost. Lately, biological ...
Chemical looping combustion is a novel technology that can be used to meet the demand on energy production without CO{sub 2} emission. To improve CO{sub 2} capture efficiency in the process of chemical looping combustion of coal, a prototype configuration for chemical looping combustion of coal is made in this study. It comprises a fast fluidized bed as an air reactor, a cyclone, a spout-fluid bed as a fuel reactor and a loop-seal. The loop-seal connects the spout-fluid bed with the fast fluidized bed and is fluidized by steam to prevent the contamination of the flue gas between the two reactors. The performance of chemical looping combustion of coal is experimentally investigated with a NiO/Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} oxygen carrier in a 1 kW{sub th} prototype. The experimental results show that the configuration can minimize the amount of residual char entering into the air reactor from the fuel reactor with the external circulation of oxygen carrier particles giving up to 95% of CO{sub 2} ...
The growing concern of the population with regards to the problem of atmospheric pollution has induced a change in the role of air quality monitoring networks, especially those monitoring air pollution in large cities which suffer from summer smog. The population is no longer satisfied with real-time measurements but wants to be warmed of high pollutants concentrations in advance. Some countries have been forecasting air pollution, and especially ozone, for a large number of years. Although most of them use statistical models based on the analyses of past conditions which induced high pollution episodes, some predict ozone levels using only their knowledge of the meteorological situation. Nowadays two trends appear regarding ozone forecasting: either very basic statistical methods, such as regression, or more sophisticated ones, such as neural networks. The paper then reviews several behaviours common to most forecasting models: the uncertainly due to the great dependence upon the ...
In this work some examples of studies performed with the use of microzooplankton as biological indicator are reported. [Italian] Scopo del lavoro e' quello di dimostrare come lo studio della distribuzione del microzooplancton in ambienti aquatici, possa permettere la caratterizzazione trofica dell'ambiente oggetto di studio. Il microzooplancton, infatti, essendo un componente fondamentale della catena trofica di differenti ambienti acquatici, puo' essere considerato un buon {sup i}ndicatore biologico{sup .} E' quindi riportata un'ampia ed approfondita analisi sistematica, necessaria al fine di individuarne le diverse specie dalla cui presenza (oltreche' dal numero degli esemplari) e' possibile desumere lo stato chimico-fisico e trofico di un determinato ambiente acquatico. Sono poi indicati i diversi metodi per il campionamento, la conservazione, la concentrazione ed il conteggio del microzooplancton; ...
The phenomenon of global warming, its causes and implications for the future, and the relationship between global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer are discussed. The Shindell model of the greenhouse effect, which is responsible for planetary warming, also contributes to the high altitude thinning of the ozone layer. While greenhouse gas emissions contribute to retaining infrared radiation, thus warming the surface of the earth, their effect is reduced at stratospheric altitudes resulting in reduced temperatures in this region. At this altitude temperatures can reach minus 90 degrees C, creating a whirlwind effect, with ice crystals forming at the heart of the vortex, causing the surface to accelerate chemical reactions which in turn leads to destruction of ozone. Although since the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 the industrialized countries have significantly reduced their emissions of refrigerating gas (chlorofluorocarbons or CFC), which were considered to have ...
In this paper, the analysis of carbonate depositional systems, using high resolution sequence stratigraphy, studies the ratio between change in accommodation space and skeletal carbonate production. This approach establishes the concurrent change in nature of facies belts (expansion, retraction and type) and fossil communities, within the detailed time frame in accommodation. Carbonate production is generally considered to be a fairly simple function of environmental conditions such as climate and water depth. However, data from several case studies also show a covariance between change in stratigraphic architecture of carbonate systems (the seaward or landward stepping stacking patterns of stratigraphic units) and charge in facies. Case studies include Carboniferous algal mound development in the Paradox Basin (USA), Devonian stromatoporoid reef development in Alberta (Canada), and Cenomanian rudistid shoal development in Oman. The hypotheses are tested on cases taken from the ...
As a financial institution o the European Union, The European Investment Bank is working and to add substance to the commitments made by the Union and its Member States at Kyoto and subsequently at Johannesburg. Over the last two years, renewable energy sources have attracted funding of more than 1.1 billion from the bank, equivalent to 14% of the total loans granted to the energy sector 7.8 billion), compared to an average o 7.9 % over the previous five years. In order to obviate the detrimental characteristics presented by these investments from a financial viewpoint, in March, 2004 the bank set up a 'CCFF' (Climate Change Financing Facility) of 500 million. Additionally, along with the other financial institutions, the EIB is looking into he possibility of supporting the establishment of European carbon credit trading hubs. Where the economic assessment of these projects is concerned, the bank has decided to take account of external environmental and technological ...
ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and the Environment) is conducting a large research and development programme on innovative vehicles with high energy efficiency and low environmental impact. In particular conducts activities on electric and hybrid vehicles. Testing and evaluation activities play a strong role in this programme. A complete characterization chain has been then defined and set up with a network of facilities which covers main testing needs for single components, subsystems and complete vehicles, in simulated and real operating conditions. The test facility which has been realised is able to experiment and fully characterise complete drive-trains (and subsystems) for pure electric and hybrid vehicles. It is composed by a different section for each subsystem: 1) power generation; 2) energy storage and management; 3) driving motors. Each section acts as an experimental island, able to operate alone or jointly with the other sections. In fact, all ...
Reinforcement of the legislation concerning the emission of atmospheric pollutants, aerosols, refrigerants, solvents etc and the reduction of the greenhouse effect, has led to the development of performing instruments for the survey and control of ambient air quality and for the limitation of exhaust gases, combustion products, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulates and noxious compounds in the atmosphere. This study is divided in 4 main parts. The first part describes the context of the air quality control: the problems linked with the environment and health, the pollutants characteristics, the pollution levels and the detection sensitivity of instruments according to the different type of pollutants (petroleum products, VOCs, ozone compounds, particulates, smells..), the protocols of air pollution measurements and their application (chimney smokes, industrial volatile compounds, indoor and ambient air quality, exhaust gases from automobiles), and the French, European and ...
In this work a flat receiver of self construction is shown with relatively low cost and easy manufacture, but with a thermal efficiency superior to 40% for applications at temperatures less than 60 degrees Celsius, that allows satisfying international standards in this respect. The heater has been matter of study in open courses distributed in the Universidad Autonoma de la Ciudad de Mexico (UACM) oriented to that the participants construct their own system, in addition to its installation and tests. The obtained results have been excellent. The massive use of efficient solar receivers of self-construction can truly help to the decreasing of the gas discharges of greenhouse effect. [Spanish] En este trabajo se presenta un captador plano de auto construccion con relativamente bajo costo y facil manufactura, pero con un rendimiento termico superior a 40% para aplicaciones a temperatura menos de 60 grados centigrados que le permite satisfacer estandares ...
The present thesis presents two different aspects of my work in the L3 experiment, which are on one side the search for supersymmetric particles, the scalar leptons, in two different topologies 'electron + X + E' and '2 leptons + 2 photons + E', each of them being related to two theoretical SUSY models, m-SUGRA and GMSB. On the other side my work has been completed by the study of the BGO crystal electromagnetic calorimeter of L3, and the calibration of the electromagnetic calorimeter EGAP. After the essential motivations being reviewed, the production and disintegration modes are detailed concerning the scalar lepton sector at LEP. Then one presents the analysis techniques which I used to perform my selection, and also the results obtained from the data collected by L3 for center of mass energies between {radical} S =183 GeV and 202 GeV. The selection criteria that allow to isolate the events I looked for, including efficiencies but also the ...
Although the standard model of particle physics agrees perfectly with experimental data, it is unlikely the final theory describing particles and their interactions. New phenomena has been searched in the jets and missing transverse energy topology. Such phenomena may be due to the pair production of leptoquarks decaying into a quark and a neutrino or the pair production of stops decaying into a charm and a neutralino which is assumed to be the lightest supersymmetric particle. These searches have been performed with the Ddiamter detector at hadronic collider TeVatron with a center of mass energy of 1.96 TeV. This kind of searches needs a good understanding of the jet energy calibration. The determination of the relative jet energy scale has allowed us to reduce the systematic uncertainties on the jet energy measurement when comparing the data and the simulation. Moreover a new method has been developed in order to correct simulated jets for the differences observed in the jet energy ...
The 24 papers presented at the conference on Neutralisation des eaux de drainage dans l'environnement minier (NEDEM) (Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND)) 2000 symposium on research on innovative methods to control acid mine drainage, covered eight sessions with both technical and general interest papers. The technical papers covered the topics of acid mine drainage and remediation measures, such as flooding, soil cover with various materials, encapsulation, and others. Other topics discussed included the freeze-thaw cycle and its effect on the performance of soil covers. The environmental impacts of acid mine drainage were also described. Some case studies were included to further illustrate the environmental impacts of acid mine drainage and to demonstrate the effectiveness of remedial actions in specific situations. Most of the cases studied were mines located in Quebec and Northern Ontario, with some in British Columbia. The general interest papers discussed topics ...
We analyze the timing of photons observed by the MAGIC telescope during a flare of the active galactic nucleus Mkn 501 for a possible correlation with energy, as suggested by some models of quantum gravity (QG), which predict a vacuum refractive index {approx_equal}1+(E/M{sub QGn}){sup n}, n=1,2. Parametrizing the delay between {gamma}-rays of different energies as {delta}t={+-}{tau}{sub l}E or {delta}t={+-}{tau}{sub q}E{sup 2}, we find {tau}{sub l}=(0.030{+-}0.012) s/GeV at the 2.5-{sigma} level, and {tau}{sub q}=(3.71{+-}2.57)x10{sup -6} s/GeV{sup 2}, respectively. We use these results to establish lower limits M{sub QG1}>0.21x10{sup 18} GeV and M{sub QG2}>0.26x10{sup 11} GeV at the 95% C.L. Monte Carlo studies confirm the MAGIC sensitivity to propagation effects at these levels. Thermal plasma effects in the source are negligible, but we cannot exclude the importance of some other source effect.
This paper reports that high-dielectric ceramics with the composition (94.7% {minus} x) (Ba,Sr)TiO{sub 3} + PbZrO{sub 3} + 5Bi{sub 2}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 9} + 0.3MnO{sub 2}, where the ration (Ba)/(Sr) = 1.25 and x {le} 15 mol%, have been developed for high-voltage capacitors. The dielectric constant of the ceramics is in the range 1200 to 1900 at room temperature, and the room-temperature dielectric loss, tan{delta}, is less than 0.3%, except when 15 mol% PbZrO{sub 3} is added with sintering at 1180{degrees}C to 1240{degrees}C for 2 h. Ceramics with more than 8 mol% zirconate show the Y5S characteristic of capacitance, and those with less than 8 mol% additive exhibit the Z5S characteristic. The dielectric constant gradually increases with increment in the ac signal voltage at 60 Hz, but decreases beyond a threshold value that varies with zirconate content and sintering conditions. The variation of the dielectric constant at 2 kVrms/mm (with respect to 0.25 kVrms/mm) is ...
Nuclear magnetic resonance is a powerful technique that can be used in a wide range of applications, such as the structural characterization of high molecular weight molecules, conformational studies on enzymes in solution, enzyme-substrate or DNA-protein interactions, monitoring of cell metabolism in vivo, and for diagnostic purposes, employing spectroscopic and imaging techniques. This course was organized in order to introduce the participants to the fundamentals of NMR spectroscopy, and offer practical advice on performing NMR experiments on cell systems, cell and tissue extracts and animal models. The main implications regarding human experiments were also discussed. Finally the quantification of information and the interpretation of data were considered with regard to the main nuclei observed. [Italiano] La risonanza magnetica nucleare e` una delle tecniche spettroscopiche che meglio risponde all`ampio spettro di condizioni imposto dalla ricerca in biofisica e biomedicina. Il ...
In Spiral CT, the pitch is the ratio of the distance to tabletop travels per 360 degrees rotation to nominal slice width, expressed in mm. Performing Spiral CT examination with pitch 2 allows to reduce examination time, exposure and contrast dose, and X-ray tube overload. The authors investigated the yield of pitch 2 in lung parenchyma studies, particular relative to diagnostic image quality. [Italian] Nella Tomografia Computerizzata (TC) spirale il rapporto tra la distanza percorsa dal lettino portapaziente in una rotazione e lo spessore nominale dello strato, entrambi espressi in millimetri, si definische pitch. Se i due valori del rapporto coincidono si avra' pitch uguale a 1, mentre raddoppiando la distanza percorsa dal lettino portapaziente, per il medesimo spessore nominale, conseguentemente raddoppia il pitch (pitch 2). Eseguire gli esami TC spirale utilizzando pitch 2, consente di ridurre la durata dell'esame, la dose di esposizione, il consumo mdc e ...
Leukodystrophies are inherited white matter diseases due to abnormalities occurring in myelin synthesis and/or maintenance. The most common types of these rare childhood conditions are represented by adrenoleukodystrophy, metachromatic leukodystrophy, Canavan's, Alexander's, Krabbe's, and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher's diseases. Most of them are lethal during childhood, with the exception of the adrenoleukodystrophy-adrenomyeloneuropathy complex, which sometimes, during its early phases, may be cured with a dietary therapy. The aims of this paper are: 1) the description of inheritance factors, pathogenesis, pathological and clinical findings of each of the most frequent childhood leukodystrophies; 2) the description of the most common patterns of these conditions on CT and MR imaging; 3) the evaluation of the diagnostic capabilities of these two imaging techniques and the comparison of their results. Finally, some of the therapies suggested for the mild forms of these conditions are discussed. ...
In situ scanning tunneling microscopy has been used to study the nucleation and growth mechanisms and the structure of passive films formed on Cu(111) surfaces in 0.1 M borate buffer solution (pH 9.3). A surface topography characterized by terraces with monoatomic steps is obtained after potentiodynamic reduction down to {minus}1.12 V/standard hydrogen electrode (SHE), of the electropolished surface exposed to air. The formation of a single Cu{sub 2}O passive layer at 0.03 V/SHE proceeds first by a roughening of the steps assigned to a locally blocked step flow process due to a competition between dissolution and preferential nucleation of the oxide at the steps. The observed oxide nuclei are 2--3 nm wide and about one atomic plane high. This process leads to the complete coverage of the terraces by a grain-like structure of the oxide film. The initial terrace topography is completely altered. Thickening of this oxide layer leads to unstable scanning tunneling microscope imaging, ...
Samples from three mine tailings, the Hemlo Mine (located in Northern Ontario), the Louvicourt Mine, and the Laronde Mine (both located in Northwestern Quebec) and four different types of hydraulic binder in three different proportions (3, 4.5, 6 per cent of total dry weight of tailings) were used to prepare 33 recipes for cement caulk. The sulphur content of the three tailings is, respectively, 5 per cent, 16 per cent, and 32 per cent. Three of the four hydraulic binders are in fact a mix of two cement types: binder based on Portland cement (CP), binder based on fly ash (FA), and binder based on dross (CL). The fourth binder is based mainly on dross. The coupons of caulk dykes were flushed at 14, 28, 56, and 91 days in a humid chamber. At each of these steps, the samples were characterized for chemical, geochemical, physical, microstructural, and mechanical attributes to better understand the hydrogeochemical properties of the caulk dykes. The geochemical characterization indicated no ...
The aim of this work is to account for the effects of the high temperature oxidation of metals on their microstructure and their mechanical properties. 'Model' materials like pure nickel, pure iron and the Ni-20Cr alloy are studied. Nickel foils have been oxidised at 1000 C on one side only in laboratory air, the other side being protected from oxidation by a reducing atmosphere. After the oxidation treatment, the unoxidized face was carefully examined by using an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). Grain boundaries grooves were characterised and their depth were compared to the ones obtained on the same sample heat treated in the reducing atmosphere during the same time. They are found to be much deeper in the case of the single side oxidised samples. It is shown that this additional grooving is directly linked to the growth of the oxide scale on the opposite side and that it can be explained by the diffusion of the vacancies produced at the oxide scale - metal interface, ...
The objective of the research is first to build a highly parallel processing system using 100 personal computers and an ATM switch. The former is a commodity for computer, while the latter can be regarded as a commodity for future communication systems. Second is to implement parallel relational database management system and parallel data mining system over the 100-PC cluster system. Third is to run decision-support queries typicalto data warehouses, to run association rule mining, and to prove the effectiveness of the proposed architecture as a next generation parallel database/datamining server. Performance/cost ratio of PC is significantly improved compared with workstations and proprietry systems due to its mass production. The cost of ATM switch is also considerably decreasing since ATM is being widely accepted as a communication-on infrastructure. By combining 100 PCs as computing commodities and ATM switch as a communication commodity, we built large sca-le ...
Nowadays, unlike in the past, companies have to operate in a context of sustainable development, in which the economic and social development, production and consumption have to take into account the medium and long term impact on environment. The article sets forth some considerations about these subjects, which are assuming a growing importance in the management of companies: the variable environment may for instance be a factor of discrimination between being competitive or not. In order to characterise the context within which the environmental management has to be applied, some basic concepts about environmental management systems, Life Cycle Assessment, and Eco labeling are illustrated. As an example of application of the methodology described, a brief reference to the Italgas Group Environmental Report is given. [Italian] Oggi, a differenza del passato, le imprese si trovano ad operare in un contesto di sviluppo sostenibile, nel quale l'evoluzione ...
The total and state-specific electron-ion recombination rate coefficients are obtained for FeI. The calculations are carried out using a new ab initio method that incorporates both the radiative and the dielectronic recombination processes in an unified and self-consistent manner. The computations employ the close coupling approximation and the R-matrix method from atomic collision theory. A 52 state close coupling eigenfunction expansion dominated by the states of the ground 3d{sup 6}4s and excited 3d{sup 7}, 3d{sup 6}4p, 3d{sup 5}4s{sup 2}, and 3d{sup 5}4s4p configurations of FeII are used in the present calculations. The important electron correlation and radiation damping effects are included via explicit coupling of autoionization and radiative channels. This is the first detailed atomic calculation for the recombination rates for FeI. The present rates are considerably higher than the radiative recombination rates being used currently in the low-temperature region, ...
The new industrial political tools based on the Sustainable development of productive activities and originating at the Rio Conference in 1992, late introduced by the EU, the Government and voluntary organizations (ISO, CEM, UNI) are gradually entering the market, thereby underlying their effect in terms of industrial competitiveness. The main tools were examined in this report and mostly refer to the voluntary ones which, in surpassing the Command and Control logic, increasingly tend to get close to traditional fiscal, tariff and financial ones. [Italian] I nuovi strumenti di politica industriale orientali allo Sviluppo Sostenibile delle attivita' produttive che traggono origine dalla Conferenza di Rio del 1992 e sono stati introdotti successivamente da pare della Comunita' Europea, dal Governo e dagli Organismi di normazione volontaria (ISO, CEN, UNI), stanno gradualmente penetrando sul mercato facendo valere i loro effetti in termini di competitivita' ...
Faced with increasing indications for the use of iodine-131 labelled lipiodol in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), it appears essential to develop an individualized dosimetrY so we can predict the potential effectiveness of this treatment and adjust the activity to be injected. We developed a dosimetric protocol based on imagery and dedicated to calculation of the tumoral dose during the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by iodine-131 labelled lipiodol. This concept was developed on a SPECT- CT gantry, and integrates corrections for the phenomena of attenuation, diffusion and dead time. The dose is calculated according to the formalism proposed by the Medical Internal Radiation Dose Committee (MIRD). This protocol was applied to a series of 41 patients in the framework of a retrospective study. The results obtained in terms of biodistribution are compatible with previously published data. The total biological response rate is 42% (n= 41) for the first treatment and ...
One of the Eddy Current Testing issues in aeronautics is the inspection of fastened structures to detect flaws nearby rivets which can grow because of mechanical stress. EADS and the CEA LIST have started a collaborative work with the support of the Ile-de-France Region to develop a simulation tool of EC fastened structures testing, integrated to the CIVA platform, aimed at conceiving testing methods, optimizing and qualifying it. The volume integral method using the Green dyadics formalism has been chosen in order to get a fast resolution of Maxwell equations. A first milestone was to build a simulation model of multilayer structures testing, thanks to the use of the multilayer Green dyads. Because of the rivet volume, 60 times bigger than the one of a typical flaw, a large number of discretization cells are needed. Therefore an iterative method has been developed in order to numerically solve large calculation zones. Finally, the flaw response simulation mostly has to cope with a ...
After having recalled the formal convergence of the semi-classical multi-species Boltzmann equations toward the multi-species Euler system (i.e. mixture of gases having the same velocity), we generalize to this system the closure relations proposed by B. Despres and by F. Lagoutiere for the multi-components Euler system (i.e. mixture of non miscible fluids having the same velocity). Then, we extend the energy relaxation schemes proposed by F. Coquel and by B. Perthame for the numerical resolution of the mono-species Euler system to the multi-species isothermal Euler system and to the multi-components isobar-isothermal Euler system. This allows to obtain a class of entropic schemes under a CFL criteria. In the multi-components case, this class of entropic schemes is perhaps a way for the treatment of interface problems and, then, for the treatment of the numerical mixture area by using a Lagrange + projection scheme. Nevertheless, we have to find a good projection stage in the ...
This third report covers the period October 1 to November 30, 1991. During this period the authors: (1) fabricated a test fixture for studying hybrid armature brush behavior, (2) reactivated a 140kJ, 1MA capacitor bank, (3) reactivated 25 channels digital data acquisition and reduction system and (4) concluded the use of a DNA funded railgun would serve as the most expedient means to acquire a railgun test bed. Fabrication of a plasma brush test fixture for studying the formation, evolution and stability of plasma brushes was completed. The fixture will serve to study plasma brush parameters, such as brush length and voltage drop, as a function of initial solid foil mass, gap size and current concentration. A 4OkV, 168{mu}f, 140kJ capacitor bank capable of providing more than 1MA of current was reactivated. (The LLNL bank had been developed for opening switch research which was successfully completed.) The bank will be used to power the test fixture with 10{mu}s, flat top current ...
A variety of surveillance operations require the ability to track vehicles over a long period of time using sequences of images taken from a camera mounted on an airborne or similar platform. In order to be able to see and track a vehicle for any length of time, either a persistent surveillance imager is needed that can image wide fields of view over a long time-span or a highly maneuverable smaller field-of-view imager is needed that can follow the vehicle of interest. The algorithm described here was designed for the persistence surveillance case. In turns out that most vehicle tracking algorithms described in the literature[1,2,3,4] are designed for higher frame rates (> 5 FPS) and relatively short ground sampling distances (GSD) and resolutions ({approx} few cm to a couple tens of cm). But for our datasets, we are restricted to lower resolutions and GSD's ({ge}0.5 m) and limited frame-rates ({le}2.0 Hz). As a consequence, we designed our own ...
The first volume of the report covers the state of implementation of primary and secondary measures for SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} control applied in the most important industrial sectors in Germany. Integrated pollution abatement techniques, called primary measures in this report, such as process integrated measures and low emission processes, have gained increased importance in recent years. The end-of-pipe processes, described here as secondary measures, are generally highly effective. They represent mature technologies, which are capable of achieving significant reductions in SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} emissions, and which have been used in particular for retrofitting existing plants. At first, an overview is given regarding the development of SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} emissions in selected European countries during the last 20 years and in Europe. Current national and European emission limits and emission guidelines on SO{sub 2}- and NO{sub x} emissions from ...
The aim of this work is to provide a comprehensive and consistent description of the complexity of laws regulating the field of biotechnology, mainly focusing on the definition of items to be patented, which is one of the most important and also controversial issues within the new 98/44/EC set of rules. As biotechnology is a specialist and multidisciplinary field, it has begun by giving a general description of the field, outlining the grounds for the new rules, and then thoroughly examined and evaluated previous national and international laws especially with regard to patenting. This was followed by an evaluation of what can be patented according to the new instructions by systematically assessing the section defining items to be patented in the field of biotechnology. It is used to be a matter of opinion whether biotechnological material was to be considered a discovery or an invention, the former being impatentable according to patenting laws. The new law pays particular attention ...
CT is a valuable tool in assessing thoracic gunshot wounds. CT is also the method of choice in emergency, because it permits rapid depiction of bullet damage to the chest and to other body districts. This in turn permits correct assessment of the main thoracic injuries, plus adequate and prompt planning of surgical treatment or support intensive care. It is reported on the role of CT in diagnosing the complex pleuropulmonary, cardiovascular and thoracic wall injuries caused by gunshot wounds, with their specific and acute signs which differ greatly fro those of other types of chest trauma. In the last 4 years, it was observed an amount of 76 cases of gunshot injury, twenty-six of them involved the chest. The patients, 25 men and 1 woman (mean age: 32 years, range: 17-48), were all submitted to emergency CT with iv contrast agent injection and the CT-angiography technique. The reanimator was always presented to monitor the patients' vital functions and shock state. CT of the ...
Rectus sheath hematomas are a frequent but sometimes misdiagnosed disease in patients under anticoagulative drugs, hemodialysis, or simply in the elderly. The most frequent localization is in the lower part of the abdomen: the explanation lies in the anatomy of the abdominal wall, especially in the arcuate line of the rectus sheath. Aim of this work is to explain the reason of the almost constant location correlating the anatomy with the CT features. The rectus abdominis muscle lies between the aponeuroses of the transverse and oblique muscles which form the so called rectus sheath. This arrangement is found from the costal arch to a level approximately between the umbilicus and the pubic symphisis, where the rear layer of the rectus sheath ends with a curved edge, called the arcuate or semicircular line of Douglas. Beneath this line the aponeuroses of the three muscles pass in front of the rectus which is separated from the peritoneum only by the fascia trasversalis, a thin connective ...
Computed Tomography (CT) and, more recently, ultrasound (US), have proved excellent tools for quantifying adipose tissue distribution. Body fat distribution is an important factor in the treatment of obesity and its complications. In this work it is investigated the correlation between CT and US measurements in pediatric obesity. Forty obese children and adolescents aged 4.1-14.8 years were submitted to CT and US. Intra-abdominal, subcutaneous and total body fat were calculated (in cm{sup 2}), with the CT image analysis software. The rectus muscle-spine and rectus muscle-aorta distances, as indicative of visceral fat thickness, were measured on US images with(out) compression. The distance between skin fat and fat-rectus muscle interfaces was measured as subcutaneous fat thickness. US-CT findings have been compared with other morphometric variables-i.e., patient's (ideal) body weight and skin fold measures. A statistically significant correlation was found between the CT ...
Mycobacterium xenopi is one of the most common agents responsible for nontubercolar mycobacterial pulmonary disease on AIDS patients. These lesions have been studied with conventional radiography while CT has been used in patients with aspecific mycobacterioses or non-AIDS pulmonary conditions from Mycobacterium xenopi. 12 AIDS patients were examined. They had pulmonary lesions from Mycobacterium xenopi, patients age ranged 30 to 46 years. All patients had CD4 blood levels lower than 250 cells/mL and Mycobacterium xenopi in the sputum. All patients underwent a standard chest radiograph and a CT examination. CT images were evaluated by three radiologists independently and the definitive diagnosis was made in the presence of a fourth radiologist. Chest CT showed parenchymal consolidation in 66% of cases, associated with bilateral basal bands in 16% of cases. Consolidation was unilateral in 41% of cases and most frequently involved the right lower lobe. Bilateral reticular interstitial ...
Some crops of important nutritive requirements have been collected from farmlands located in Bitsichi an old tin mining town in north central region of Nigeria. The food crops were analyzed in order to determine trace element concentrations level using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The activity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in the food samples and soil samples collected within the root zone of the crops were also determined using gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS). The NAA results obtained showed higher concentration of Potassium among the essential elements in all the crops. Calcium concentration in both maize and Guinea corn was below detection limit and also Zn in Green beans, sweet potato and cassava. The trace elements; Sc, Hf, Sm, and Th, were below detection limit in all the crops except in Green beans. Rubidium (Rb) and lanthanum (La) were below detection limits only in Cabbage. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides in the food samples were found ...
With the aim of demonstrating the usefulness of computerised tomography (CT) findings in the planning of brain neurosurgery in gunshot victims, for prompt and successful treatment, 30 patients with brain gunshot wounds were examined with CT over 5 years. The mortality rate of firearm wounds of the skull base was 34% higher than that of the hemisphere; this is due to carotid hemorrhage and midbrain damage. Such traumas require emergency radiological diagnosis and neurosurgical treatment because of their severity and early irreversible complications. Complex operations and skilled surgeons may prevent disabling postoperative sequels. CT findings are indispensable and must be correctly interpreted. The radiologist and the neurosurgeon must collaborate closely and both must consider several diagnostic factors affecting surgical planning. [Italian] Scopo dello studio e' stato quello di dimostrare l'utilita' della semeiologia della tomografia computerizzata in ...
Since the beginning of the sixties, France has developed a fleet of nuclear powered vessels. Insofar as the ships of the 2. generation are being built, the older ones are decommissioned and enter the dismantling process. The average rate is presently one submarine decommissioned every two or three years. The overall strategy for the decommissioning of French nuclear submarines can be brought down to 3 phases: 1. Level 1 dismantling which essentially consists in: - unloading the spent fuel and storing it in a pool ; - possibly emptying the circuits which contain radioactive liquids. The level 1 is easily achieved, as it is not very different from the plant situation during ship overhaul or major refits. 2. Level 2 dismantling which consists in isolating the nuclear reactor compartment from the rest of the submarine and conditioning it for interim storage on a ground facility located inside Cherbourg Naval Dockyard. The rest of the ship is decontaminated, controlled and set for scrap ...
Sulfate attack of cement-based materials remains an important problem for the durability assessment of containers and disposal engineering barriers dedicated to the long-term storage of radioactive wastes since underground water which may reach these elements contains small quantities of sulfates (7-31 mmol/1). This work contributes to the study of sulfate-induced damage mechanisms, to their understanding and modelling. The experimental phases of this study aimed at the understanding of the different physico-chemical phenomena involved during an external sulfate attack at following their evolution and their impact on the transport and mechanical properties of the material. Leaching experiments in pure water and in a solution of sodium sulfate (with a sulfate content of 15 mmol/1), have been performed simultaneously on OPC paste (w/c 0,4)in order to allow a comparison of test results. The frequent analysis of the leachant has shown a consumption of sulfate ions by the matrix, ...
A.C.R.O. (Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l'Ouest) is a French non governmental organisation that operates a laboratory for radioactivity analysis. It was created in 1986 as a response to people demands for information and reliable, independent testing. The organisation mainly carries out missions of information and training for its correspondents and more generally for a wide audience, particularly for people who worry about problems of environment, health, management of radioactive waste and emissions. Thanks to its structure, it enables citizens to involve themselves together with scientists so as to gain access to information that was hither to reserved to specialists. The organisation can vouchsafe its independence from the diversity of its members and volunteers, as well as from the diversity of its money resources. Besides its headquarters situated on the city of Caen area (Normandy), three branches situated in North Normandy, ...
Acute thoracic aortic injuries account for up to 10-20% of fatalities in high-speed deceleration road accidents and have an estimated immediate fatality rate of 80-90%. Untreated survivors to acute trauma (10-20%) have a dismal prognosis: 30% of them die within 6 hours, 40-50% die within 24 hours, and 90% within 4 months. It was investigated the diagnostic accuracy of Helical Computed Tomography (Helical CT) in acute traumatic injuries of the thoracic aorta, and the role of this technique in the diagnostic management of trauma patients with a strong suspicion of aortic rupture. It was compared retrospectively the chest Helical CT findings of 256 trauma patients examined June 1995 through August 1999. Chest Helical CT examinations were performed according to trauma score, to associated traumatic lesions and to plain chest radiographic findings. All the examinations were performed with no intravenous contrast agent administration and the pitch 2 technique. After a previous baseline ...
Aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography) in the identification of colorectal cancer and to define the limitations and the advantages of this imaging modality, as well as indications to the examination. It was examined prospectively 62 symptomatic patients aged 36 to 82 years (28 women and 34 men). All patients underwent both conventional and virtual colonoscopy on the same day; the conventional examination allowed exploration of the entire colon. Conventional colonoscopy identified 89 lesions 3-50 mm in diameter, namely 84 benign and 5 malignant lesions. No lesions were identified in 12 patients. CT colonography identified 52 of the 89 lesions, with 57.1% diagnostic accuracy. They were 11 false positives (82.5% positive predictive value and 52.2% specificity) and 37 false negatives (24.5% negative predictive value and 58.4% sensitivity). Sensitivity was significantly higher (85.7%) for polyps {>=} 1 cm. Virtual colonoscopy is an ...
The purpose of this work is to characterize the role of the financial institutions in achieving sustainable development meaning a process of development which leaves at least the same amount of capital, natural and man-made, to future generations as current generations have access to. This makes it clear that sustainable development is about capital allocation and thus should be at the core of financial markets activity. On a more practical level the different ways banks affect environment are analyzed: as investors - supplying the investments with environmental perspective; as lenders - developing new financial products to encourage sustainable development; as valuers - estimating risks and opportunities in project-financing; as powerful stake holders - as shareholders and lenders they can exercise considerable influence over companies; - as polluters - while not dirty industries, financial institutions do consume natural resources. By the study of these environmental aspects it comes ...
A.C.R.O. (Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l Ouest) is a French non governmental organisation that operates a laboratory for radioactivity analysis. It was created in 1986 as a response to people demands for information and reliable, independent testing. The organisation mainly carries out missions of information and training for its correspondents and more generally for a wide audience, particularly for people who worry about problems of environment, health, management of radioactive waste and emissions. Thanks to its structure, it enables citizens to involve themselves together with scientists so as to gain access to information that was hither to reserved to specialists. The organisation can vouchsafe its independence from the diversity of its members and volunteers, as well as from the diversity of its money resources. Besides its headquarters situated on the city of Caen area (Normandy), three branches situated in North Normandy, in ...
Purpose: Cardiomyopathy is one of the major complications of {beta} thalassaemia major as a result of transfusion iron overload. The aim of our study is to evaluate with MR if there is any difference of iron deposition signal intensity (SI) or distribution between non-cardiopatic and cardiopatic thalassaemic patients in order to establish if there is a relationship between cardiopathy and iron deposition. Materials and methods: We studied 20 patients affected by {beta} thalassaemia major, of whom 10 cardiopatic and 10 non-cardiopatic, and 10 healthy volunteers as control group. Serum ferritin and left ventricular ejection fraction were calculated in thalassaemic patients. All patients were examinated using a 1.5 MR unit with ECG-gated GE cine-MR T2*-weighted, SE T1-weighted and GE T2*-weighted sequences. In all cases, using an adequate ROI, the myocardial and skeletal muscle signal intensity (SI), the myocardial/skeletal muscle signal intensity radio (SIR) and the SI average of the ...
The main purpose of this work is to report the personal experience with addition of contrast-enhanced multiphase helical CT to unenhanced CT (Lipiodol CT) in the evaluation of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with chemoembolization and to analyze the present role of oily agent CT. It has been retrospectively reviewed the examinations of 42 consecutive patients submitted to global chemoembolization over a 2-year period. CT was performed 18-30 days after the treatment. The Lipiodol CT study was carried out with volume acquisitions. It has been considered as nodules all well-defined areas with dense oily agent uptake; uptake itself was classified as: 0=absent, I=lower than 10% of the tumor volume; II=lower than 50%, III=50%, IV=homogeneous. Contrast-enhanced helical CT was performed with the 2-phase technique in 28 patients and with the 3-phase technique in 14; it has been considered as nodules all well-defined and relatively homogeneous areas with hyper attenuation in the ...
In this article is reviewed the role of Computed Tomography (CT) in thoracic complications following ortho topic liver transplantation (OLT). In a post-OLT population of 567 patients transplanted in the Italian institutions, 100 patients (17.6%) were examined with chest CT. It was reviewed data relative to the total number of examinations, clinical and/or radiographic indications, the CT technique-i.e., conventional (with (out) intravenous, i.v., contrast material) or high-resolution (HRCT). It also reviewed the radiologic patterns and their correlation with the other clinical, bronchoscopic and/or laboratory results. Of 152 chest CT examinations, 45 (29.6%) were performed because of clinical indications, 31 (20.4%) because of a radiographic abnormality, 64 (42.1%) because of clinical and radiographic abnormality, 64 (42.1%) because of clinical and radiographic indications, while in 12 cases (7.9%) the reasons were unknown; 133/152 (87.5%) examinations had been performed with ...
Carbon monoxide can be produced in severe accidents from interaction of ex-vessel molten core with concrete. Depending on the particular core-melt scenario, the type of concrete and geometric factors affecting the interaction, the quantities of carbon monoxide produced can vary widely, up to several volume percent in the containment. Carbon monoxide is a combustible gas. The carbon monoxide thus produced is in addition to the hydrogen produced by metal-water reactions and by radiolysis, and represents a possibly significant contribution to the combustible gas inventory in the containment. Assessment of possible accident loads to containment thus requires knowledge of the combustion properties of both CO and H_2 in the containment atmosphere. Extensive studies have been carried out and are still continuing in the nuclear industry to assess the threat of hydrogen in a severe reactor accident. However the contribution of carbon monoxide to the combustion threat has received less ...
Purpose of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness and role of CT in blunt diaphragmatic injuries by reviewing our 8-year experience. It is reviewed the preoperative CT findings of 35 patients with surgically confirmed diaphragmatic rupture. Surgical repair was performed in the acute setting (within 12 hours of trauma) in 22 cases, and late (8 months-5 years) in 13 cases. Twenty-eight patients (80%) were examined with conventional CT and 7 (20%) with Helical CT. Of the 13 patients examined long after trauma, the left hemi diaphragm was ruptured in 12 cases (with visceral herniation in 4), and the right hemi diaphragm in 1, with no herniation. The diaphragmatic rent was found in the dome (15 cases, 43%), muscolotendinous junction (11 cases, 31%), muscular portion (8 cases, 23%), and at the muscular attachments on the ribs (1 case, 3%). As for the site of diaphragmatic injury, CT never depicted the diaphragmatic rent in the dome and at the muscolotendinous junction (74%), not even ...
The purpose of this paper is to report the personal experience with helical CT evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with various percutaneous interventional procedures. From December 1996 to September 1998 it were examined with helical CT 41 patients (73 nodules in all) with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with percutaneous ablation therapies: conventional ethanol injection in 18 subjects (31 nodules), one-shot ethanol injection 3 (8 nodules), radiofrequency thermal ablation in 16 (25 nodules), and combined chemo embolization and ethanol injection in 4 (9 nodules). CT performed was 4-27 days after the last session, acquiring biphasic volumetric images in 14 patients and triphasic volumetric images in 27. A second treatment with subsequent CT study was performed for 28 lesions; 15 underwent 3 serial studies and 6 underwent 4 studies. Compared with pretreatment findings, the diameter was unchanged in 62% of the nodules and increased in 38%. Morphology was unchanged in 63% of ...
The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the role of CT in identifying other morphological signs of met static lymph node involvement from non small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. This is done to improve N staging, a critical step in this disease. In fact, since diameter is the only criterion used to distinguish normal form abnormal lymph nodes, mediastinal CT only has 80% diagnostic accuracy. 137 patients with known or suspected lung cancer were examined with Helical CT during early and late arterial phases (2 min. delay, 3 mm thickness, 5 mm inter slice gap) to depict node characteristics. Mediastinal lymph nodes, located according to the American Thoracic Society mapping, were considered normal when they were not visible or, if visible, less than 1 cm in diameter and of homogeneous density; lymph nodes over 1 cm in diameter and homogenous density were considered reactive. A lymph node was considered metastatic when, independent of size, the following signs were found: central hypo ...