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Superstrong shock waves of multimegabar level generated during ablation of an aluminum surface by intense (<1 PW/cm2) femtosecond laser pulses have been detected by observing the propagation of a shock wave in air from the ablated surface to a broadband piezoelectric receiver. The estimated initial pressure and velocity of the shock wave (ablation plume) agree well with data obtained earlier by various methods for shock waves propagating inside ablated targets.

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Insulated pressure vessels are cryogenic-capable pressure vessels that can be fueled with liquid hydrogen (LIQ) or ambient-temperature compressed hydrogen (CH2). Insulated pressure vessels offer the advantages of liquid hydrogen tanks (low weight and volume), with reduced disadvantages (lower energy requirement for hydrogen liquefaction and reduced evaporative losses). This paper shows an evaluation of the applicability of the insulated pressure vessels for light-duty vehicles. The paper shows an evaluation of evaporative losses and insulation requirements and a description of the current experimental plans for testing insulated pressure vessels. The results show significant advantages to the use of insulated pressure vessels for light-duty vehicles.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

When withdrawing a fluid sample (for additional chromatographic analyses) from an apparatus operated at a reduced pressure, a typical syringe proves to be ineffective (even if it is equipped with a gas tight plunger). It simply does not create enough pressure differential to remove a fluid sample from a reduced pressure environment. We encountered such a situation as part of efforts to extend the operation of the advanced distillation curve protocol to reduced pressures. The problem was solved by the development of a pressure balance syringe that allows reliable and precise sampling from an apparatus operating at sub-ambient pressures. This new device uses an external vacuum source to evacuate a syringe barrel, allowing a user to withdraw fluid samples from environments with pressures as l...

Science.gov (United States)

When withdrawing a fluid sample (for additional chromatographic analyses) from an apparatus operated at a reduced pressure, a typical syringe proves to be ineffective (even if it is equipped with a gas tight plunger). It simply does not create enough pressure differential to remove a fluid sample from a reduced pressure environment. We encountered such a situation as part of efforts to extend the operation of the advanced distillation curve protocol to reduced pressures. The problem was solved by the development of a pressure balance syringe that allows reliable and precise sampling from an apparatus operating at sub-ambient pressures. This new device uses an external vacuum source to evacuate a syringe barrel, allowing a user to withdraw fluid samples from environments with pressures as low as 0.5kPa. To demonstrate the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The development of a new configuration of chemical ionization (CI)-based ion source is presented. The ambient air containing the gaseous sample is sniffed into an enclosed ionization chamber which is of sub-ambient pressure, and is subsequently mixed with metastable species in front of the ion inlet of the mass spectrometer. Metastable helium atoms (He*) are used in this study as the primary ionizing agents and are generated from a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) source. The DBD is powered by an AC high-voltage supply and the configuration of the electrodes is in such a way that the generated plasma is confined within the discharge tube and is not extended into the ionization chamber. The construction of the ion source is simple, and volatile compounds released from the bulky sample can...

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In the food, chemical and safety industry there is a demand for gas detectors for process control applications, like quality control of food or leakage control in chemical plants. Gas sensor array systems have the potential to be used in this areas, with the advantage of being also affordable systems compared to other systems like gaschromatographs (GC) or infrared detectors (NIR, FTIR). One of the main drawbacks of the gas sensors is their response to non interesting ambient factors like temperature, pressure and humidity. Metal oxide sensors (MOS) have a low ambient temperature and pressure dependency. Some of them (SnO + dopands) have some sensitivity to humidity. In many cases the response of the sensors is often non-linear, which implies a concentration dependant pattern of the samples. (orig.)

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Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is typically performed at ambient Earth atmospheric conditions. However, interest in LIBS in other atmospheric conditions has increased in recent years, especially for use in space exploration (e.g., Mars and Lunar) or to improve resolution for isotopic signatures. This review focuses on what has been reported about the performance of LIBS in reduced pressure environments as well as in various gases other than air.

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Hepatocellular Carcinoma

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Medline Plus

... 2009) Arrhythmia Electrophysiological Study and Catheter Ablation with 3D Mapping (Mercy Hospital, Miami, FL, 11/15/2007) ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The structural stability, electronic and elastic properties of ScN under high pressure were investigated by using full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave (FP-LAPW) method. Our calculations indicate that there exists a pressure-induced structural phase transformation from the ambient rock-salt (B1) phase to CsCl-type (B2) phase above 335 GPa. The origin of moderate high bulk modulus, mechanical and high melting point was analyzed by electronic properties. The variations of elastic constants (C_i_j) with volume and pressure have been investigated. Moreover, the volume dependencies of Debye temperature, the longitudinal and transverse elastic wave velocities have been presented.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The tribological properties of gas pressure sintered SiAlON and its composite with 18wt% silicon carbide (SiC) against two different mating materials, i.e., alumina and SiAlON are evaluated. SiAlON and SiAlON-18%SiC composite ceramics were prepared by pressure less sintering and gas pressure sintering. Fretting wear tests were carried out under dry unlubricated ambient conditions (room temperature 23-25^oC; relative humidity 50-55%) with a load of 8N for 45,000 cycles. Friction and wear properties of SiAlON-SiC proved better than the monolithic SiAlON. The formation of silica roll like structure on the composite worn surface was observed.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is the treatment of choice for osteoid osteoma of the appendicular skeleton. However, difficulties in localizing the lesion in the spine and its proximity to neural...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Catheter ablation is a first line treatment for many cardiac arrhythmias and is generally performed under x-ray fluoroscopy guidance. However, current techniques for ablating complex arrhythmias such...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this work an experimental study is carried out to determine the thermo-hydraulic performance of an intercooler (IC) with flat tubes provided with triangular plain internal fins and louvered external fins when it is used on a car equipped with a low pressure EGR. The main unknowns to be answered are the thermo-hydraulic characteristics of the IC working under humid conditions induced by EGR, the conditions under which the water content in the mixture of air and exhaust gases begins to condense and the conditions under which the condensed water will be retained inside the IC. The exhaust gases are here replaced by a mixture of dry air and water vapour which are mixed upstream of the IC. The IC is submitted at the following testing conditions: on the ambient air side, the air temperature i...

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From the beginning of the 90s the analysis of the relationships between economic growth and environmental pressures has been influenced by the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis or inverted-U shaped relationship between environmental pressure and per capita income. Following this hypothesis, once achieved certain income level, more economic growth is followed by environmental quality improvement. In this paper, we analyse and discuss the theories that support this hypothesis as well as the empirical evidence on this subject. Further on we analyse the relationship between per capita income and the main environmental pollutants for the case does not support the hypothesis. The empirical evidence shows that economic growth, by itself, does not entail a pollution reduction. (Author) 35 refs.

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The amorphization of a quenched sample of the GaSb-II high-pressure phase was studied at ambient pressure by real-time neutron diffraction in the course of the sample heating from 100 K to room temperature at a rate of 0.4 K min{sup -1}. The transformation to the amorphous state begins at 140 K and is completed near room temperature. The {beta}-Sn type structure was shown to represent only the mean lattice of the high-pressure GaSb-II phase. The superstructure of this phase widely varied with temperature and is caused by the ordered displacement of atoms. The temperature range of the metastable crystalline phase relaxation is divided into three intervals according to the temperature dependence of the tetragonality ratio (c/a). At the boundaries of these temperature intervals, i.e. temperatures T = 170 and 230 K, two second-order phase transitions are observed. Anomalous heat and volumetric effects were ...

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Plasma nitriding of a Ti substrate is carried out under a low ambient pressure below 3kPa, and a plasma torch is prepared on a trial basis which is provided with a supersonic expansion nozzle considered to expand plasma jet optimally and to be effective for suppressing the occurrence of shock wave. The system used for the study is provided with a specimen holder having the function of adjusting the distance between the nozzle outlet and the substrate inside the vacuum chamber which is provided with a plasma torch in the flange member. The plasma torch is so structured that a supersonic expansion nozzle can be installed at the tip of the plasma torch. In this process wherein plasma jet is employed, hard nitrided layer can be formed by plasma irradiation for a short time even under such low pressure as less than 3kPa by setting adequate experimental conditions. It is made clear that the use of a supersonic nozzle ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Gross Decontamination Experiment was conducted on various levels and surfaces of the TMI-2 Reactor Building during February and March 1982 and was designed to investigate the effectiveness of various surface decontamination techniques. The polar crane, D-rings, missile shields, refueling canal, fueling bridge, major equipment, floors and some walls were flushed with low pressure water. Water lances were directed manually and applied water at temperatures between ambient and 60"0C at a flow rate of about 95 liters per minute. In addition, floor surfaces on the 305-ft elevation and floor surfaces and major equipment on the 347-ft elevation were sprayed with high pressure water (floors in the Reactor Building are designated by their elevations above sea level). The water pressure in this case varied between 13.8 and 41.4 mPa and water temperature was at a maximum 60"0C. Certain surfaces were also ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Under eons of evolutionary and environmental pressure, biological systems have developed strong and lightweight peptide-based polymeric materials by using the 20 naturally occurring amino acids as principal monomeric units. These materials outperform their man-made counterparts in the following ways: 1)-multifunctionality/tunability, 2)-adaptability/stimuli-responsiveness, 3)-synthesis and processing under ambient and aqueous conditions, and 4)-recyclability and biodegradability. The universal design strategy that affords these advanced properties involves -bottom-up- synthesis and modular, hierarchical organization both within and across multiple length-scales. The field of -biomimicry--elucidating and co-opting nature-s basic material design principles and molecular building blo...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Tank calibration experiments have been carried out using a mock-up input accountancy tank with the object of developing a high accuracy solution volume measurement technique for Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP). The experimental parameters such as temperature, solution density, off gas pressure and so on have been fluctuated in the calibration experiments in order to evaluate the influence on the solution volume measurement. As a result, it was confirmed that the solution volume measurement error of the mock-up tank was within #+-#0.04% (at full volume) using careful data correction technique for measured data. For the high accuracy volume measurement at RRP, it is important to correct data properly taking account of the actual conditions such as uncontrollable ambient temperature that are different from the experiment. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Steam Generator (SG) serves as an interface between primary and secondary cycle in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). Failure of steam generator tubes result in leaking of active heavy water in the secondary closed loop. In Tarapur Atomic Power Station-3 and 4 (TAPS- 3 and 4), Scintillator detectors are provided to detect on line heavy water leakages in SG and moderator heat exchangers by monitoring Nitrogen-16 (16N) and Oxygen-19 (19O) activities. Efficacy of detection of these activities at designed detector position on SG blow down line in presence of background radiation field is analysed theoretically. The count rate of 19O and 16N estimated at the detector position inside Reactor Building (RB) shows that detectors only respond to very high leak rates due to presence of high ambient radiation level even though sensitivity is appreciably good. For detector position in RB in the accessible areas and out side the RE containment, the ...

Science.gov (United States)

A common reinforced liner material is a cloth formed of PTFE fibers and fiber of ... and ablation protection provided. All of these methods of thermal ..... The influence of fiber content on the microstructures of the composites is ...

Science.gov (United States)

... with dynamic gridding capability to account for material ablation, as well as the addition of energy sources and heat transfer augmentation due to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Experiments were completed to study intermittent coal-water slurry (CWS) fuel sprays injected from an electronically-controlled accumulator injector system. A new synchronization technique was developed using the light extinction signal as a triggering source for the data taking initiation with a laser diffraction particle analyzing (LDPA) technique. This technique allowed measurement of SMDs near the spray tip where the light extinction was low and the data were free from the multiscattering bias. Coal-water slurry fuel with 50% coal loading in mass containing 5 {mu}m mass median diameter coal particulates was considered. A correlation of the SMD with the injection conditions was determined which should show a satisfactory agreement with the measured SMD data. The spray SMD showed an increase with the distance of the axial measurement location and with the ambient gas density, and showed a decrease with increasing injection pressure.

Science.gov (United States)

For visible-light-emitting laser diodes, InGaAsP double heterostructures have been grown on GaAs substrates using liquid-phase epitaxy. As the growth temperature is as high as about 780 /sup 0/C, a large amount of phosphorus evaporates from the solutions for the cladding layers during the growth process. The phosphorus vapor disturbs the solution composition for the active layer, so that very thin and uniform active layers cannot be obtained. By using In-P-Sn solution and supplying the phosphorus partial pressure around the graphite boat, the influence of phosphorus vapor ambient for InGaAsP (lambda/sub P//sub L/ = 805 nm) growth is confirmed. When the phosphorus partial pressure increases, the surface of epitaxial layer becomes rough and the substrate is partly etched back. From x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectral measurements, the composition of the grown layer is also found to be changed. As a result of ...

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The invention relates to a pulsed laser ablation method of metals and/or dielectric films from the surface of a wafer, printed circuit board or a hybrid substrate. By utilizing a high-energy ultra-short pulses of laser light, such a method can be used to manufacture electronic circuits and/or electro-mechanical assemblies without affecting the material adjacent to the ablation zone.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Efficient and precise ablation of soft tissue is needed for non-invasive dermatological and corneal surgeries. Previous research has revealed that smooth and efficient cutting of certain soft tissues and gelatin is possible using a Free Electron Laser (FEL) with a wavelength of #lambda#=6.45 #mu#m, tuned to the amide-II band of protein. Gelatin ablation experiments have been carried out using a mid-infrared FEL within the waveband #lambda#=5.6-6.7 #mu#m by changing the primary absorbers such as water (#lambda#=6.1 #mu#m) and protein (#lambda#=6.45 #mu#m). The gelatin with 80 wt% water was efficiently ablated by FEL irradiation with the waveband #lambda#=#approx#5.95-6.19 #mu#m. On the other hand, using irradiation within #lambda#=#approx#6.4-6.6 #mu#m, many small bubbles were observed in the irradiated volume, and the gelatin was not ablated but significantly melted. Thus, it was found that the most ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Steam Generator (SG) serves as an interface between primary and secondary cycle in Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). Failure of steam generator tubes result in leaking of active heavy water in the secondary closed loop. In Tarapur Atomic Power Station-3 and 4 (TAPS- 3 and 4), Scintillator detectors are provided to detect on line heavy water leakages in SG and moderator heat exchangers by monitoring Nitrogen-16 ("1"6N) and Oxygen-19 ("1"90) activities. Efficacy of detection of these activities at designed detector position on SG blow down line in presence of background radiation field is analysed theoretically. The count rate of "1"9O and "1"6N estimated at the detector position inside Reactor Building (RB) shows that detectors only respond to very high leak rates due to presence of high background even though sensitivity is appreciably good. For detector position out side the RB containment, the travel time for the feed water becomes very long resulting ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There has been considerable interest in producing and studying nanoparticle materials because of the effect of size on their structure, physical and chemical structure. Most studied nanoparticle semiconductors belong to the II-VI group, as they are relatively easy to synthesize and are generally prepared as particulates or in thin film form. Among II-VI compounds, CdS is one of the most studied materials. There are different ways to synthesize CdS nanoparticles such as colloidal particles, chemical decomposition, sol-gel, gas evaporation, magnetron sputtering, electrostatic deposition, and etc. {gamma}-irradiation is one of the effective methods for synthesis of nanomaterials. These nonomaterials have been extensively used in the preparation of nanocrystalline metals, metal oxides, and metal-polymer composites. However, The preparation of CdS nanoparticle and CdS/ polyacrylonitrile nanocomposite by {gamma}-irradiation method at room temperature and ambient ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A one-dimensional numerical model for the expansion of impact-produced vapor clouds is used to investigate magnetic field generation mechanisms in events such as meteor collisions with the moon. The resulting cloud properties, such as ionization fraction, electrical conductivity, radial expansion velocity, mass density, and energy density are estimated. The model is initiated with the peak shock states and pressure thresholds for incipient and complete vaporization of anorthosite lunar surface materials by iron and GA composition meteorites. The expansion of the spherical gas cloud into a vacuum was traced with a one-dimensional explicit lagrangian hydrodynamic code. The hypervelocity impact plasmas produced are found to be significant in the amplitudes and orientations of the magnetic fields generated. An ambient magnetic field could have been provided by the core dynamo, which would have interacted with the expanding plasmas and formed ...

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The plasma plume generated by a new type of high energy Janitor known as the railplug, is examined. The railplug is a miniaturized railgun that has the potential for improving ignition characteristics of combustible mixtures in engines. The objective of the study is to gain an uderstanding of the characteristics of the plasma created by a transparent railplug, and to validate a multidimensional computer simulation of the plasma and shock fronts. The nature of the plume emitted by the railplug was examined for three levels of electrical energy while firing into air at a pressure of 1 atm. The computer model is to be used to predict trends in railplug performance for various railplug designs, energies, and ambient conditions. The velocity of the plasma movement inside a transparent railplug was measured, as well as the velocity of the plume ejected from the cavity. A shock is produced at the initiation point of the arc and propagates down the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Tumour ablation with radiofrequency (RF) energy is a relatively new procedure for the treatment of focal malignant disease. At our institution this is currently being used in the treatment of certain liver and lung lesions with the patients involved being enrolled in clinical trials. The poster describes the technique used at our institution for the placement of the radiofrequency ablation electrode using CT fluoroscopy. Criteria for patient selection are included. Complications from the procedure are described, as well as follow up appearances and results. Our results from the treatment of primary and secondary lesions in the liver correlate well with published literature. Treatment is still not as successful as surgical resection but there is significantly less morbidity. Where this method may be appropriate is when the patient is not a candidate for surgical resection. The treatment of colorectal metastases in the lung shows early ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background:Liver resection of large hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), measuring at least 10 cm remains a controversial debate. Multiple studies on HCCs treated with surgical resection...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an established endoscopic technique for ablating Barrett’s esophagus with high-grade dysplasia or early-stage intraepithelial neoplasia. The most common clinically...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) M33 gene is conserved among all betaherpesviruses and encodes a homologue of seven-transmembrane receptors (7TMR) with the capacity for constitutive signaling. Previous...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThere are various treatment options for congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), including surgical excision, dermabrasions, curettage, laser treatment, chemical peels and cryosurgery....Full Text Available

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Procedures for {sup 131}I ablation in renal failure are not known. In one patient receiving dialysis, detailed dosimetry and health safety aspects were obtained. The results showed insignificant contamination of equipment, but a surprisingly significant reduction in biologic half-life of {sup 131}I due to efficient dialysis extraction. The data indicate that {sup 131}I ablation can be done safely and easily during dialysis but that much higher {sup 131}I doses must be used to achieve equivalent results to those obtained in patients with normal renal function.

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The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and the optimal conditions of radiofrequency (RF) ablation by using the stent-type electrode upon the saphenous vein of goats for the endovenous treatment of varicose veins. A self-expandable nitinol stent electrode (6 mm diameter, 2 cm length, cell size; 1.3 x 2 mm) was designed to expose the distal 1 cm segment to allow for contact with the venous wall. The proximal part of the electrode was connected to the RF generator by insulated copper wires located within the stent electrode introducer. Initially, to optimize the power setting, ablation of 6 saphenous veins in 3 goats was performed with power settings of 10, 20 and 30 W. Pull back rate of the electrode was 2 and 4 cm/min for each power level, respectively. The goats were sacrificed 4-6 weeks later and histologic examinations of the saphenous veins were done. For the second part of the experiment, RF ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Path analysis was used to determine the interrelationships between ambient temperature, age at calving, postpartum reproductive events and reproductive performance in dairy cows. The data used in the...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Biosynthesis and uptake of siderophores in Aspergillus nidulans are regulated not only by iron availability but also by ambient pH: expression of this high-affinity iron uptake system...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Plant biomass, stem juice and stem sugar were determined for four sugarcane cultivars grown for three months at daytime [CO2] of 360 (ambient) and 720 (doubled) ppm and temperatures (T) of 1.5 (near-ambient) and 6.0C higher than outside ambient T. Leaf area and biomass, stem biomass, stem juice and ...

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A new diffuser/permeator design has been proposed for a new Savannah River Site tritium project. The use of a single heater well in the center of the shell had raised concerns that the Pd/Ag coils may be shielding radiative heat transfer to the walls thus reducing Pd/Ag tube temperatures near the shell below the recommended minimum operating temperature. The diffuser was fitted with thermocouples to measure shell temperatures during testing. Tests were run with the shell evacuated, helium feed flows of 0, 1000, and 2000 sccm; bleed pressures ranging from 0 to 203 kPa, and heater temperatures of 650, 675, and 700 degrees C. Hydrogen permeation tests were run with two hydrogen/helium mixtures and feed rates to simulate 1st and 2nd stage diffuser operations. Approximately 20 hours were required to bring the diffuser from ambient temperature to steady-state conditions. For tests with a heater temperature of 675 degrees C and no hydrogen flow, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The energy spectra of energetic confined alpha particles are being measured using the pellet charge exchange method [R. K. Fisher, J. S. Leffler, A. M. Howald, and P. B. Parks, Fusion Technol. 13, 536 (1988)]. The technique uses the dense ablation cloud surrounding an injected impurity pellet to neutralize a fraction of the incident alpha particles, allowing them to escape from the plasma where their energy spectrum can be measured using a neutral particle analyzer. The signal calculations given in the above-mentioned reference disregarded the effects of the alpha particles' helical Larmor orbits, which causes the alphas to make multiple passes through the cloud. Other effects such as electron ionization by plasma and ablation cloud electrons and the effect of the charge state composition of the cloud, were also neglected. This report considers these issues, reformulates the signal level calculation, and uses a Monte-Carlo approach to calculate ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Pulsed atomic beams produced in vacuum by laser induced ablation from a lithium target are analyzed by laser induced fluorescence (LIF). The 1-mixing processes induced in the n = 9, 10 Li Rydberg states by collisions with CO_2 molecules illustrate the application of the method. Resolution is limited by the 1 mm diameter of the probe laser beam. Combining LIF and absorption measurements gives n_L_i as a function of time at various distances from the target surface. The investigation of the Li-C0_2 1-mixing process in a heat pipe oven proved impossible due to the high reactivity of Li with C0_2. This problem was solved by renewing the Li atoms at each laser shot. Values obtained for n = 9, n = 10 are k = 17 x 10"-"8 and 15 x 10"-"8 cc/sec, respectively.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Residual limb pain (RLP) and phantom limb pain (PLP) can be debilitating and can prevent functional gains following amputation. High correlations have been reported between RLP and the stump neuromas following amputation. Many treatment methods including physical therapy, medications, and interventions, have been used with limited success. Pulsed radiofrequency ablation (PRFA) has shown promise in treating neuropathic pain because of the inhibition of evoked synaptic activity. We present 4 amputees who were treated with PRFA after failing conservative management for their RLP and PLP. All 4 patients underwent PRFA and demonstrated at least 80% relief of RLP for over 6 months. One patient reported a complete resolution of phantom sensation while another patient had significantly de...

Science.gov (United States)

... 2. K. Dorenwendt, "Das verhalten kommerzieller Casium-Atomuhren und die Zeitskalen der PTBn, Proceedings of the 31st International Congress ...

Science.gov (United States)

... that are hosts of tephritids (Diptera) and sweetpotatoes, Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam, at risk of carrying three ... ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Field-grown snap bean plants were treated with simulated acidic rain applied either alone or in combination with ambient rain and the effects on growth and yield were determined. In plots where ambient rain was excluded, a retractable canopy was activated to shield the crop. Four levels of acidity at pH values of 5.0, 4.2, 3.4 and 2.6 were applied in four replicate treatments and the experiment was conducted in two successive years (1981 and 1982). In plots that received only simulated rain, yield was not adversely affected by acidic rain; in 1981, a positive linear relationship was present between acidity of simulated rain and yield, but in 1981, no effect was found. In contrast, in plots that received both simulated and ambient rain, a negative linear relationship between acidity in simulated rain and yield was observed in both years.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis deals with the analysis of dominant loss mechanisms in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC) and hydrogen fed polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEFC) by means of experimental characterization and modeling work. Due to different fuels used in these two fuel cell types, the dominant loss mechanisms are different in their nature. All in-situ characterization techniques that are used in this work are based on a novel test fuel cell with embedded reference electrodes. The first part of this work presents a new concept for realizing a reference electrode configuration in a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell by means of laser ablation. The laser beam is used to evaporate a small gap into the electrode surface of a catalyst coated membrane (CCM) to isolate the reference electrode from the working/counter electrode (WE/CE). This method enables the simultaneous ablation of the electrodes on both sides of the CCM because the membrane is ...

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The integrity of a pipeline system is determined by its weakest links which may be the joints. Heat fusion is the most common method for joining gas distribution polyethylene (PE) piping. There are procedural, thermal, and mechanical aspects of making fusion joints. Acceptable procedural aspects, such as heater calibration and cleanliness, can be assured by rigorous training and certification of the operators. Thermal and mechanical aspects consist of specifying joining conditions such as the heater temperature, heating time, and joining pressure. In the absence of procedural errors, the strength of a fusion joint should depend on the pipe material, pipe dimensions, and the thermal and mechanical joining conditions. Socket heat fusion was studied both experimentally and analytically to determine how the strength of the joint varied with the conditions under which it was made. The standard tensile impact test was modified to test socket fusion joint samples in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The helium-cooled HTGR (High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor) will take an important position in the global energy strategy. It is expected to supply not only electricity but also high quality thermal energy for various industries and local utilities without exhausting any green house effect gas or acid rain gas. The key R and D issue of the HTGR is economical competitiveness, particularly against light water reactors. Due to the poor heat transfer of the single phase helium, the HTGR's volumetric power density is restricted to tenth of corresponding PWR's value so that increasing the power density by improving heat transfer is strongly desired. The standstill can be broken through by adopting gas-solid suspension medium. Its heat transfer performance is quite excellent. Its heat capacity can be increased drastically without excessive pressurization. Although the thermal radiation is a dominant heat transfer mode in high temperature region, the helium which is ...

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The intermetallic phase NiAl is a potential material for high-temperature applications; however, its technical application was prevented so far by its high brittleness at room temperature. This problem may be solved by incorporating relatively high-ductility particles into the NiAl matrix. Controlled crack propagation experiments, tensile and pressure tests were carried out in order to analyze the toughness and deformation characteristics of NiAl composite materials containing niobium or molybdenum particles at room temperature and in ambient atmosphere. Both the niobium and the molybdenum particles increase the toughness as compared to the pure NiAl matrix, but no ductilisation was observed in the composite materials investigated. Model experiments in consideration of experimental data suggest, hovewer, that the toughness and ductility of NiAl may be enhanced by optimizing the microstructural and production parameters of the incorporated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

DMT has developed what is called the stepped reforming process. This is an allothermal gasification process which uses hydrogen for a gasification medium. First the biomass is pyrolised by means of a heat transfer material. The escaping gaseous and condensable constituents are hydrogenated, heated in a reforming stage and are made to react to a hydrogen-rich product gas by means of homogeneous gasification. The heat required for this is provided by burning the pyrolysis coke. This makes it possible to dispense with process stages that would involve gasification of solid material and hence require higher pressure levels. The present process also works at ambient pressure. Moreover, stepped reforming promises a number of additional advantages: low-tar product gas containing 60% hydrogen, high cold gas efficiency, no wastewater arisings, robust operating behaviour. This paper outlines the basic ideas that led to the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this study was to compare a double freeze-thaw protocol to a triple freeze-thaw protocol for pulmonary cryoablation utilizing an in vivo porcine lung model. A total of 18 cryoablations were performed in normal porcine lung utilizing percutaneous technique with 9 each in a double- (10-5-10) and triple-freeze (3-3-7-7-5) protocol. Serial noncontrast CT images were obtained during the ablation. CT imaging findings and pathology were reviewed. No imaging changes were identified during the initial freeze cycle with either protocol. However, during the first thaw cycle, a region of ground glass opacity developed around the probe with both protocols. Because the initial freeze was shorter with the triple freeze-thaw protocol, the imaging findings were apparent sooner with this protocol (6 vs. 13 min). Also, despite a shorter total freeze time (15 vs. 20 min), the ablation zone identified with the triple freeze-thaw protocol was not ...

Science.gov (United States)

... hydrostatic pressures up to 700 MPa. The effect of pressure on the ultimate compressive strength is shown. The effect of size on ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Advanced lithium batteries presently under development operate either at the high temperatures associated with the LiCl-KCl molten salt (350-450/degree/C), or at ambient temperatures employing organic solvent based electrolytes. An intermediate temperature lithium battery is proposed as an alternative if it reduces corrosion problems present at high temperatures and improved kinetic performance with respect to ambient temperature cells. 17 refs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The properties of ZnO films were investigated as functions of annealing temperatures in H2/Ar and vacuum. The resistivities and mobilities of ZnO films decreased with increase of annealing temperatures in vacuum and H2/Ar ambients. However, the carrier densities of ZnO films increased with increase of annealing temperatures in vacuum and H2/Ar ambients. The resistivities of ZnO2 films annealed at 300degreeC were 2186cm and 798cm in H2/Ar and vacuum ambients, respectively. The resistivities of ZnO films annealed in vacuum and H2/Ar ambients at 600degreeC were similar with 0.040cm and 0.035cm, respectively. The hydrogen donor was more dominant than the oxygen vacancy or Zn interstitial donor in ZnO films annealed in ambient H2/Ar at low temperatures. The average optical transmission was >82%...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A mission to the surface of Venus would have high scientific value, but most electronic devices and sensors cannot operate at the 450degreeC ambient surface temperature of Venus. Power and cooling systems were analyzed for Venus surface operation. A radioisotope power and cooling system was designed to provide electrical power for a probe operating on the surface of Venus. For a mission duration of substantial length, the use of thermal mass to maintain an operable temperature range is likely impractical, and active refrigeration may be required to keep components at a temperature below ambient. Due to the high thermal convection of the high-density atmosphere, the heat rejection temperature was assumed to be at a 500degreeC radiator temperature, 50degreeC above ambient. The radioisotope S...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A suite of numerical experiments is conducted to extend our previous studies to explore the effects of linear, ambient wind shear on simulated mammatus-like clouds. Increasing values of unidirectional shear result in banded cloud bases, and for the strongest shears roll-type quasi-two-dimensional convection results rather than three-dimensional lobe morphology. Two observed soundings were used, and the sounding with a drier, shallower sub-cloud layer appeared to be most strongly affected by the presence of the ambient shear. The drier sounding also had less snow in the mammatus lobes owing to sublimation. Copyright Copyright 2009 Royal Meteorological Society

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Energy consumption is a perennial issue in the design of wireless sensor networks (WSNs) which typically rely on portable sources like batteries for power. Recent advances in ambient energy harvesting technology have made it a potential and promising alternative source of energy for powering WSNs. By using energy harvesters with supercapacitors, WSNs are able to operate perpetually until hardware failure and in places where batteries are hard or impossible to replace. In this paper, we study the performance of different medium access control (MAC) schemes based on CSMA and polling techniques for WSNs which are solely powered by ambient energy harvesting using energy harvesters. We base the study on (i) network throughput (S), which is the rate of sensor data received by the sink, (ii) fair...

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Tetracycline is an antibiotic that absorbs ultraviolet light at 355 nm and preferentially binds to atherosclerotic plaque both in vitro and in vivo. Tetracycline-treated human cadaveric aorta was compared with untreated aorta using several techniques: absorptive spectrophotometry; and tissue uptake of radiolabeled tetracycline, which showed 4-fold greater uptake by atheroma than by normal vessel. In addition, intravenous tetracycline administered to patients undergoing vascular surgery demonstrated characteristic fluorescence in surgically excised diseased arteries. Because of tetracycline's unique properties, the authors exposed tetracycline-treated and untreated aorta to ultraviolet laser radiation at a wavelength of 355 nm. They found enhanced ablation of tetracycline-treated atheroma compared with untreated atheroma. The plaque ablation caused by ultraviolet laser radiation was twice as extensive in tetracycline-treated vs ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: The isotopic assay instrument under development at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is capable of rapid prescreening to detect small and rare particles containing high concentrations of uranium in a heterogeneous sample. The isotopic measurement concept is based on laser vaporization of solid samples followed by sensitive isotope-specific detection using either uranium atomic fluorescence emission or uranium atomic absorbance. Both isotopes are measured concurrently, following a single ablation laser pulse using two external-cavity violet diode lasers. The simultaneous measurement of both isotopes enables the correlation of the fluorescence and absorbance signals on a shot-to-shot basis. This measurement approach demonstrated negligible channel crosstalk between isotopes. Scanning the heterogeneous samples provides high-resolution imagery of sample isotopic fluorescence and absorbance. Isotopically selective excitation of uranium vapor also ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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 ...

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Clinical studies have proved the effectiveness of local ablading methods in pations with non-resectable liver metastases of a colorectal carcinoma. RF ablation and LITT are a potentially curative therapy option and an alternative to systemic chemotherapy; the latter is carried out primarily for reducing tumour size with the goal of secondary resectability. The number of R0-sesectable metastases can be enhanced by a combined therapy of surgery and local ablading methods, e.g. by preoperative, intraoperative or postoperative ablasion of further non-resectable tumours during surgery. Systemic chemotherapy combined with surgery as an adjuvant method is not recommended unless in cases of non-abladable tumour recidivation. Currently, systemic chemotherapy is used as a neo-adjuvant therapy for tumour size reduction with the goal of secondary resectability or, in case of inoperability, local ablation. (orig.) [German] Abladierende Verfahren. Klinische ...

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A great deal of current research is directed to finding a way to minimize thermal injury in the esophagus during radiofrequency catheter ablation of the atrium. A recent clinical study employing a cooling intraesophageal balloon reported a reduction of the temperature in the esophageal lumen. However, it could not be determined whether the deeper muscular layer of the esophagus was cooled enough to prevent injury. We built a model based on an agar phantom in order to experimentally study the thermal behavior of this balloon by measuring the temperature not only on the balloon, but also at a hypothetical point between the esophageal lumen and myocardium (2 mm distant). Controlled temperature (55 {sup 0}C) ablations were conducted for 120 s. The results showed that (1) the cooling balloon provides a reduction in the final temperature reached, both on the balloon surface and at a distance of 2 mm; (2) coolant temperature has a significant effect ...

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The effect of ionizing radiation (2, 5, and 10 KGy of gamma rays) on muscle ultrastructure of grass shrimps (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) tails at ambient or frozen (-18{sup 0}C) temperature was investigated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). No significant change was found in muscle ultrastructure of shrimp meat irradiated at doses of 2 or 5 KGy and then stored at 4{sup 0}C for 0 and 8 days. However, in shrimps which were irradiated at ambient temperature at a dose of 10 KGy, the margin of A-band of the myofibrils in longitudinal sections exhibited an irregular zig-zag pattern. In cross section some myosin filaments in the A-band regions were missing. A possible interpretation of these results would be that 10 KGy gamma irradiation dose at ambient temperature depolymerized myosin in the A-band from the tail of thick filament. Actin damage was also observed in some cross sections. Irradiation damage of sarcoplasmic ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Temperature sensing is crucial for homeotherms, including human beings, to maintain a stable body core temperature and respond to the ambient environment. A group of exquisitely temperature-sensitive...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

OPERATE AT SOUTH POLE WINTER AMBIENTS, GIVEN THE PROJECT'S BUDGET AND TIME LINES . ... 17 MAXIMUM ELECTRICAL LENGHT CONSTRAINED BY Ku-BAND AT 50 FT. ... A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 50 FEET HAS BEEN SPECIFIED BY THE SYSTEM LINK CALCULATIONS TO ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Production of dissolved macromolecules by ambient autotrophic and heterotrophic microbial populations was measured in a eutrophic Florida reservoir by in situ labeling with various radioactive substrates....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Sustainable management of toilet waste must prevent disease transmission but allow reuse of plant nutrients. Inactivation of uterus-derived Ascaris suum eggs was studied in relation...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The causality of observed associations between air pollution and respiratory health in children is still subject to debate. If reduced air pollution exposure resulted in improved respiratory health...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

During complementary chromatic adaptation (CCA), cyanobacterial light harvesting structures called phycobilisomes are restructured in response to ambient light quality shifts. Transcription of genes...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

In the prevention of atmospheric pollution by sulfur dioxide emissions from acid absorbers in contact process sulfuric acid plants in which the unconverted SO/sub 2/ is accumulated by adsorption in a zeolite adsorbent bed and desorbed back into the acid production system, it is found that ambient moist air, after partial dehydration in an acid scrubber is suitably used both to cool down and hot purge desorb the zeolite beds. In addition the pure water derived from the ambient air is advantageously used in the acid-making system.

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Carbon steel, copper, zinc and aluminium samples were exposed in different sizes with known ambient parameters in Gran Canaria Island and atmospheric corrosion was investigated. Weight-loss measurements used to determine corrosion damage were complemented with metallographic and XP S determination in order to characterize the structure and morphology of surface corrosion products. The ambient aggressiveness could be well evaluated from meteorological and pollution data. All atmospheric corrosion and environmental data were statistically processed for establishing general corrosion damage functions for carbon steel, copper, aluminium and zinc in terms of Gran Canaria extreme meteorological and pollution parameters. (Author)

Science.gov (United States)

Not Available

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When completed, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's (LLNL) National Ignition Facility (NIF) will be the world's largest laser with experimental capabilities applicable to stockpile stewardship, energy research, science and astrophysics. As construction of the conventional facilities nears completion, operations supporting the installation of specialized laser equipment have come online. Playing a critical role in the precision cleaning of mechanical parts from the NIF beamline are three pieces of aqueous cleaning equipment. Housed in the Optics Assembly Building (OAB), adjacent to NIF's laser bay, are the large mechanical parts gross cleaner (LMPGC), the large mechanical parts precision cleaner (LMPPC), and the small mechanical parts gross and precision cleaner (SMPGPC). These aqueous units, designed and built by Sonic Systems, Inc., of Newtown, Pennsylvania, not only accommodate parts that vary greatly in size, weight, geometry, surface finish and ...

Science.gov (United States)

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a relatively sensitive explosive used in many electroexplosive devices as well as in medicine. Of primary interest to LLNL is its use in items such as exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonators and exploding bridge foil initiators (EFI). In these devices the crystalline powder is pressed into a granular, low-density compact that can be initiated by an exploding wire or foil. The long-term stability of this pressed compact is of interest to weapon stockpile lifetime prediction studies. Key points about potential aging mechanisms can be summarized as follows: (1) There are a number of factors that can contribute to PETN instability. These include particle size, polymorphic phase transitions, crystal structure, impurities, moisture, occlusions, chemical incompatibility and biological (microorganism) action. of these factors the most important for long-term aging of high surface area powders used in detonators appears to be that of particle size growth. ...

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The feasibility of spectroscopic measurement of the velocity distribution of alpha particle using the ablation cloud of a lithium or boron pellet was tested in the DT experiment of TFTR. The measurement was performed using a 10-channel narrow-band filtered spectrometer in the wavelength covering the 3.5 MeV alpha particle Doppler broadening region of the He II 468.6 nm line and its vicinity. The spectra from a lithium pellet consists of the continuum bremsstrahlung background, lithium line emissions and possibly a 468.6 nm helium line. However, no clear evidence of alpha particles was observed, even when boron pellets were injected. (orig.) 4 refs.

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In general, macroscopic material failure is a manifestation of irreversible changes at the microscopic level. Many tissues, which may appear to be macroscopically homogeneous, are, at a fundamental microscopic level, a composite material. For example, cornea is composed of a hyaluronic acid matrix in which layers of collagen fibers are overlaid in a crossing pattern. The points where the collagen fibers intersect are potential nucleation sites for microscopic defects, which under the action of tensile stress, nucleate, grow and coalesce to form macroscopic failure planes, or spall planes. Using a model based on microstructural evolution, this paper examines the failure process during photoablation. Specifically, the paper describes a physically motivated, micromechanical model based on the nucleation and growth of spherical voids. This model is then used to simulate photoablation of cornea. Potential for using this model to predict the stress wave and material damage measured by ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective To report the clinical response to image-guided percutaneous cryotherapy (IPC) for the palliative management of localized metastases in patients with gynecologic malignancies. Methods Institutional review board approval and patient consent were obtained. Gynecologic oncology patients were identified from our institution's cryotherapy database from August 2003 to August 2007. Cryotherapy was performed with 2.4?mm diameter probes (Endocare, Irvine, CA) with ultrasound or computerized tomography (CT) guidance under conscious sedation and local anesthesia. Follow-up was conducted by imaging studies and clinical encounters, using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST criteria). Results Twenty-eight ablation sessions were performed for 41 metastatic foci in 15 patients w...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Ventricular repolarization (VR) is strongly influenced by heart rate (HR) and autonomic nervous activity, both of which also are important for arrhythmogenesis. Their relative influence on VR is difficult to separate, but might be crucial for understanding while some but not other individuals are at risk for life-threatening arrhythmias at a certain HR. This study was therefore designed to assess the -pure- effect of HR increase by atrial pacing on the ventricular gradient (VG) and other vectorcardiographically (VCG) derived VR parameters during an otherwise unchanged condition. Methods: In 19 patients with structurally normal hearts, a protocol with stepwise increased atrial pacing was performed after successful arrhythmia ablation. Conduction intervals were measured on averag...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

TP63, a member of the TP53 gene family, is a nuclear marker of myoepithelial cells. Antibody against p63 is frequently used to aid in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma, as well as in the identification of myoepithelial cells in other tissues including the breast. p63 is also a marker for squamous cell carcinoma. Recently, it was found that all p53 family members are involved in regulating the process of muscle differentiation through the retinoblastoma (RB) protein. Ablation of these p53 family functions blocks the differentiation program and promotes malignant transformation by enabling cooperating oncogenes to transform myoblasts. We therefore studied p63 expression in a number of neoplasms with myogenic differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining for p63 was performed on paraffin se...

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A novel two-phase flow management process useful for active thermal power rejection in space is introduced. The process serves as a condenser in a Rankine cycle and is applicable for thermal energy management needs in low gravity environments. Benefit is derived from the ability to utilize the high specific energy transport capability of two-phase flow, while not requiring mass-intensive solutions nor complex control strategies to maintain design energy balance integrity. Initial design calculations for a hypothetical space vapor cycle demonstration experiment were done and a steady-state computer model of the novel condensing process was created and used to evaluate its potential to maintain the design energy balance of the experiment. The experiment (approximately 28 kg) was a supercritical organic thermal loop operating between 500 and 400 Kelvin at a mass flow of 1 grain per second; using R-113 as the working fluid and rejecting all of its generated thermal energy to space ...

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Concerning the gamma emitters, the only analysis on soils put in evidence the presence of cesium-137 ({sup 137}Cs), that does not come from the cyclotron functioning but from past man action as the Chernobylsk accident and the nuclear weapon tests in atmosphere. Independently of the functioning of the installation, we observe an increase of the ambient gamma radiation only near radioactive waste storage. It results of the storage of the former cyclotron elements. The induced increase is moderated because at 5 meters the values do not exceed the background noise. In relation with the functioning of the installation an increase of the ambient gamma radiation is noticed. Two causes are to considered: the release of radionuclides in atmosphere with gaseous effluents and the radiance of radiation sources inside the building. After the stopping of the installation (48 h at least), no increase of gamma radiation is observed. About the neutrons ...

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In field O{sub 3}-enrichment experiments increased herbivore densities have been reported, which could be due to negatively affected host location behavior of natural enemies. We addressed the impact of doubling background O{sub 3} on the host location of the parasitoid Cotesia plutellae by conducting 24-h trials in an open-air O{sub 3}-fumigation system during two consecutive years. Two circles (radii 1.40 and 4.00 m) of Plutella xylostella-infested potted cabbage plants were placed in the O{sub 3} and ambient plots. Female wasps were released into each plot from the center, and observed 5 times over a 24-h period to assess their host location capability. Thereafter, plants were kept in laboratory conditions until larvae pupation to determine parasitism rates. No significant differences were detected between ambient and O{sub 3}-enriched environments either in the number of wasps found in the field, or in the percentages of parasitized larvae. ...

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The need to operate electric vehicles in warm, summer conditions and also provide for long periods of standby in cold climates is a challenging problem for any battery system. All advanced batteries of high specific energy require active cooling systems because adiabatic heating will raise the temperature to a level that is deleterious to cycle life. This cooling requires efficient paths for escape of heat to cooled surfaces; cooling the exterior of modules is insufficient. If a battery is heated by its own energy, and insulated to withstand exposure to a cold climate, only vacuum insulation will afford an appreciable reduction (>10{degrees}C) in the ambient temperature that can be tolerated. Standard insulations are of little use for this purpose because the heat loss rate causes too high a drain on the battery energy even for near-ambient temperature batteries.

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The solubility of Sn(IV) oxide was determined in a dilute NaClO{sub 4} solution with pH 2 through 12 at ambient temperature. Both oversaturation and undersaturation experiments were carried out in an inert gas glovebox where the concentration of the oxygen and carbon dioxide were less than 1 ppm. The solubility of Sn(IV) oxide was 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}8} mol/l at neutral pH, and increased at pH > 7.5. Equilibrium constants of soluble reactions were calculated from the experimental data, using curve fitting method. The study suggests that the solubility of Sn(IV) oxide would be higher than that provisionally used in current safety assessments of HLW disposal sites.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Biopharmaceutical R&D complexes are major emission sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may pose potential health risks for staff on site and residents nearby. In this paper health risk assessments were performed for the VOCs in the ambient air of a typical biopharmaceutical R&D complex in China. Results showed halogenated and alkyl compounds were dominant components among 24 major VOCs from 9 selected sampling sites, inside or around the complex. The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated VOCs were generated predominantly from the biopharmaceutical research activities (factor 1 (F1), 71.6%) and traffic vehicles (factor 2 (F2), 15.4%), which were confirmed by contour maps of five selected VOCs (benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride and n-hexane) simulated...

Science.gov (United States)

This report is a compilation of the Chalk Point surface weather and ambient atmospheric profile data for the second intensive test period, June 14-24, 1976. The atmospheric profiles were made using rawinsonde instrumentation. The compilation includes the 0700 EST daily weather chart, hourly surface observations from Chalk Point, Patuxent River Naval Test Center, MD and Andrews Air Force Base, MD. Temperature, relative humidity, dew point, wind speed and wind direction are presented in graphical profiles. All other data are presented in tabular form.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The determination of the dose to organs from diagnostic x rays has become important because of reports of radiation injury to patients from fluoroscopically guided interventional procedures. We have modified a convolution/superposition-based treatment planning system to compute the dose distribution for kilovoltage beams. We computed lung doses using this system and compared them to those calculated using the CDI3 organ dose calculation program. We also computed average lung doses from a simulated radiofrequency ablation procedure and compared our results to published doses for a similar procedure. Doses calculated using this system were an average of 20% lower for AP beams and 7% higher for PA beams than those obtained using CDI3. The ratio of the average dose to the lungs to the skin dose from the simulated ablation procedure ranged from 25% higher to 15% lower than that determined by other authors. Our results show that a treatment planning ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A new method is described for continuously measuring cell turgor pressure (P), hydraulic conductivity (L_p), and volumetric elastic modulus (ε) in higher plant cells, using a pressure...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVE: The risk of cardiovascular and renal diseases has been shown to be higher for systolic blood pressure than diastolic blood pressure. The aim of this study was to assess the differential control...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The hydraulic characteristics of flow control multiorifice plate assemblies designed for the FFTF reactor were investigated. The pressure drop flowrate characteristics determined in the test are presented. (JWR)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to determine middle ear pressure changes during the operation performed under anaesthesia induced by isoflurane or desflurane. This was a prospective,...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Circular cylindrical shells with support subjected to lateral or hydrostatic pressure, using Koiter postbuckling theory

Science.gov (United States)

... 2.2.1 Polymerization of DVB Under Pressure DVB was polymerized at 300*C in thin-walled Pd-Ag capsules at pressures up to 60,000 psi. ...

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aerodynamic force and moment values. Only the solid and the 25 percent porous dishes were tested for the static pressure values used primarily to determine ...

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Two extruded magnesium alloys, AZ31 and AZ61 were selected to evaluate the influence of process parameters on the material forgeability. The processing parameters considered for forging magnesium alloys were: compression load in the range 55 KN to 60 KN and forging temperature, in the range of ambient temperature to 300 C. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted to establish the strain-temperature relationship. The influences of process parameters on the microstructure were also evaluated. (orig.)

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This study was intended to help explain individual differences in susceptibility to irritant effects of ozone (O3), by determining whether prior ambient O3 exposures and/or recent acute respiratory illness modified response to laboratory O3 exposures. Response was measured in terms of lung function changes and irritant symptoms. Initially, 59 adult volunteer Los Angeles area residents underwent screening exposures in spring, before the season of frequent high ambient O3 levels. Unusually responsive and nonresponsive individuals (N = 12 and 13 respectively) underwent followup exposures in autumn (late in the high-O3 season) and in winter (low-O3 season). All exposures were to 0.18 ppm O3 for 2 hr with intermittent heavy exercise at 31 degrees C and 35% relative humidity. Nonresponders tended to remain nonresponsive throughout. In fall, responders had lost much of their reactivity, as if they had adapted to summer ambient O3 ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The effects of H, Ca, and anaerobiosis upon loss of K to ambient solutions, upon changes in the fine structure, and upon the respiration of corn root tissue were studied. In the pH range 5.5 to 8.0...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The capacity of bones to adjust their mass and architecture to withstand the loads of everyday activity derives from the ability of their resident cells to respond appropriately to the strains engendered....Full Text Available

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Ammonia is a common and highly toxic pollutant which, in sufficient quantities, will adversely affect aquatic organisms. This ammonia criteria document for salt water will allow establishment of regulatory standards for ammonia discharge into estuaries, near coastal zones and oceans. Possible adverse impacts in highly sensitive and abundant ecosystems such as estuaries make regulation particularly important.

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No abstract prepared.

Science.gov (United States)

Orbital maintenance parameters for individual satellites or groups of satellites have traditionally

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

... amplification exhaust systems fluidic control devices gloveboxes pressure

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In the year 2008, the high pressure partial turbine and two low pressure partial turbines in the hard coal power station Bergkamen (Federal Republic of Germany) were modernized. A three-dimensional blade design and innovative seals were used. This resulted into a distinct increase in efficiency among other things.

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... TEMPERATURE, PRESSURE MEASUREMENT, GUN CHAMBERS, COMPACTING, COMBUSTIBLE CARTRIDGE CASES, FLASH RADIOGRAPHY ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report resistivity and thermopower measurements of the heavy fermion compound CePd_2Si_2 at pressures up to 56 kbar. At pressures from 21 to 34.5 kbar, we measured the resistivity down to 30 mK, for all other pressure steps the temperature range was 1.2-300 K. (orig.).

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Science.gov (United States)

PMID:19208697

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The relationship of lead exposure to blood pressure has been examined in a longitudinal study of a cohort of 89 Boston, Massachusetts, policemen. At the baseline examination, subjects had a blood lead determination and three consecutive blood pressure measurements. Triplicate blood pressure measurements were also taken at years 3, 4, and 5. Multivariate analysis revealed that, after correction for previous systolic blood pressure, body mass index, age, and smoking, a high level of blood lead was a significant predictor of subsequent elevation of systolic pressure. Bootstrap simulations of these models provided supporting evidence for the observed associations. These data suggest that lead exposure can significantly affect systolic pressure.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Material degradation of pressure tubes, which are the most important components in CANDU fuel channel, can only be evaluated by removing and examining them(material surveillance). This study aimed at establishment of overall evaluation technology including the evaluation of the material degradation for the integrity of pressure tubes of Wolsung units. Material tests for pressure tubes were performed as follows; (1) Evaluation on life limiting factors of pressure tubes (2) Review on leak-before-break and integrity maintenance technology of pressure tubes (3) Survey on selection criteria for tubes to be inspected and on related regulations for material surveillance (4) Analysis of material surveillance test procedure (5) Basic examinations of Wolsung unit 1 pressure tube material(TEM, texture, chemical component etc) (6) Manufacture of test equipments and test ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The optical pressure exerted o a thin film, which is locked in the evanescent field formed at the plane interface with a totally-reflected Gaussian beam, is investigated. Some calculations of the pressure on the film caused by the evanescent field are presented in the different conditions of film thickness, film position, incident angle and polarization of a gaussian beam. The results show that the pressure exertion on the thin film can change from pushing to pulling as the parameters are varied. In particular, we find that the direction of optical pressure can act oppositely at the different positions of the film surface in the evanescent field.

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Several fast neutral pressure gauges have been installed on NSTX [National Spherical Torus Experiment] to measure the vessel and divertor pressure during inductive and coaxial helicity injected (CHI) plasma operations. Modified, PDX [Poloidal Divertor Experiment]-type Penning gauges have been installed on the upper and lower divertors. Neutral pressure measurements during plasma operations from these and from two shielded fast Micro ion gauges at different toroidal locations on the vessel mid-plane are described. A new unshielded ion gauge, referred to as the In-vessel Neutral Pressure (INP) gauge is under development.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

SommarioScopo In questo studio riportiamo i dati relativi all'ablazione percutanea con Radiofrequenza (RF) di HCC e trombosi neoplastica dei vasi portali. Pazienti e metodi Dieci pazienti (pz) cirrotici, 7 maschi e 3 femmine, eta media 68 anni, con 10 noduli di HCC e trombosi neoplastica dei vasi portali sono stati sottoposti ad ablazione percutanea con RF del trombo neoplastico e dell'HCC. La RF veniva ritenuta efficace quando alla TC con mdc si osservava la necrosi completa dell'HCC e al Color Doppler si osservava la ricanalizzazione completa dei vasi portali. Risultati La necrosi completa dell'HCC e la ricanalizzazione completa dei vasi portali si osservava in 7 (70%) dei 10 pazienti. Nei rimanenti 3 (30%) la necrosi dell'HCC e la ricanalizzazione dei vasi portali non risultavano comple...

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Both (001)- and (111)-oriented CeO[sub 2] thin films have been grown on amorphous fused silica (SiO[sub 2]) substrates by ion-beam assisted pulsed laser ablation of a polycrystalline CeO[sub 2] target. Using 200 eV Ar[sup +] ions incident at 55[degree] to the substrate normal, the preferred orientation for CeO[sub 2] film growth is (001) at room temperature, but changes to (111) for temperatures [ge]300 [degree]C. Furthermore, the ion-beam assisted CeO[sub 2] films exhibit strong in-plane crystallographic alignment. In contrast, CeO[sub 2] films grown without ion-beam assistance exhibit a mixture of polycrystalline orientations with the relative amounts depending on growth temperature. Under optimum conditions, off-normal-incidence Ar[sup +] ions produce a (111)-oriented crystalline CeO[sub 2] film that is aligned with respect to a single in-plane axis, on an amorphous substrate.

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Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is known for its capacity to reproduce a target composition on a substrate. The authors have used this deposition technique to produce thin films of transition metal chalcogenides. However, the deposits were always deficient in Te relative to the starting material (composed by a refractory metal (niobium) and a chalcogene (tellurium)). Variations of the interreticular distances have been observed with respect to fluence and substrate temperature. The authors show that spatial composition of the films is determined by a degree of crystallinity of deposit and by the reaction of formation of Te{sub 2} molecule within laser induced plume. Two kinds of deposits have been obtained: Nb{sub 5}Te{sub 4}-type thin films which have a one-dimensional structure and NbTe{sub 2}-type thin films which have a two-dimensional structure. While NbTe{sub 2} films have been realized by sputtering, it is the first time that Nb{sub 5}Te{sub 4} films have been deposited.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of this paper is offering a critical review of Calibration-Free Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (CF-LIBS), the approach of multi-elemental quantitative analysis of LIBS spectra, based on the measurement of line intensities and plasma properties (plasma electron density and temperature) and on the assumption of a Boltzmann population of excited levels, which does not require the use of calibration curves or matrix-matched standards. The first part of this review focuses on the applications of the CF-LIBS method. Quantitative results reported in the literature, obtained in the analysis of various materials and in a wide range of experimental conditions, are summarized, with a special emphasis on the departure from nominal composition values. The second part is a discussion of the simplifying assumptions which lie at the basis of the CF-LIBS algorithm (stoichiometric ablation and complete atomization, thermal equilibrium, homogeneous plasma, thin ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

For many centuries paper was the main material for recording cultural achievements all over the world. Paper is mostly made from cellulose with small amounts of organic and inorganic additives, which allow its identification and characterization and may also contribute to its degradation. Prior to 1850, paper was made entirely from rags, using hemp, flax and cotton fibres. After this period, due to the enormous increase in demand, wood pulp began to be commonly used as raw material, resulting in rapid degradation of paper. Spectroscopic techniques represent one of the most powerful tools to investigate the constituents of paper documents in order to establish its identification and its state of degradation. This review describes the application of selected spectroscopic techniques used for paper characterization and conservation. The spectroscopic techniques that have been used and will be reviewed include: Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A new two-phase friction multiplier correlation has been developed to predict the pressure profile in two-phase flow with heat addition. The main difference from other pressure drop prediction routines is that in addition to the effect of quality, the effects of system pressure, heat and mass flux on the two-phase multiplier are included. The inception of two-phase flow is defined to occur at the onset of significant void in the subcooled boiling regime instead of the boundary between negative and positive thermodynamic equilibrium quality. Pressure drop data from an experiment with a fully segmented 6-metre long, 37-element fuel string were used to optimize the constants and exponents of this correlation for the friction multiplier. This pressure drop prediction technique was shown to successfully predict the measured pressure profiles. The more than one ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have investigated the characteristics of ion-beam-induced spontaneous etching (IBISE) of GaAs in Cl_2 ambient by using a Ga-focused ion beam (FIB) with an energy ranging from 3 to 15 keV. The etched depth of the irradiated region was more than 20 times greater than that of unirradiated region. When the sputtered depth by FIB irradiation amounted to around 8 A at each ion energy, the etched depth in Cl_2 ambient for 1 hour became saturated. The saturated etched depths were 450, 550, 750 and 800 A at the ion energy of 3, 5, 10 and 15 keV, respectively. The residual damage of the etched surface was also investigated by photoluminescence (PL) measurement. The maximal PL intensity was obtained at around the threshold dose of IBISE and increased with decreasing ion energy. The full recovery of PL intensity was observed at the ion energy of 3 keV after annealing at 400degC. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Research performed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory on the equilibrium and stability of a new class of ambient-temperature passive bearing systems is described. The basic concepts involved are: (1) Stability of the rotating system is only achieved in the rotating state. That is, disengaging mechanical systems are used to insure stable levitation at rest (when Earnshaw`s theorem applies). (2) Stable levitation by passive magnetic elements can be achieved if the vector sum of the force derivatives of the several elements of the system is net negative (i.e. restoring) for axial, transverse, and tilt-type perturbations from equilibrium. To satisfy the requirements of (2) using only permanent magnet elements we have employed periodic ``Halbach arrays.`` These interact with passive inductive loaded circuits and act as stabilizers, with the primary forces arising from axially symmetric permanent-magnet elements. Stabilizers and other elements needed to create ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To resolve the central thermal safety issue for spent fuel dry storage concrete canister design or Wolsung (CANDU) nuclear power plant unit 1, a thermal analysis method has been developed for the complicated geometry of rod bundles and the multi-dimensional and multi-mode heat transfer phenomena. The canister geometry is simplified and combined heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation is considered through effective heat transfer coefficients. Mean temperature distributions of the fuel bundles within the fuel basket are obtained by solving the heat transfer problem using an existing computer code HEATING5. The measured steady state temperature distribution within a mock-up of a storage basket is compared to the calculated result. Steady state and/or transient fuel temperature distributions have been calculated for various ambient conditions at the canister exterior surface.

Science.gov (United States)

Ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plants discharge large volumes of cold water into the upper ocean. A three-dimensional, limited-area model was developed to investigate the regional influence of the far-field effluent plume created by the negatively buoyant discharge. The model was applied to discharges from a 40-MW/sub e/ OTEC plant into coastal waters characterized by various ambient ocean conditions. A typical ambient temperature structure and nutrient distribution, as well as the behavior of the effluent plume itself, were strongly modified by the discharge-induced circulation. Although temperature perturbations in the plume were small, upward entrainment of nutrients from below the thermocline was significant. The regional influence of discharges from an 80-MW/sub e/ OTEC plant, the interactions between the discharges from two adjacent 40-MW/sub e/ OTEC plants, and the effects of coastal boundary and bottom discharge were examined ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Fresh and fresh-cut tomatoes have been associated with numerous outbreaks of salmonellosis in recent years. One effective post harvest treatment to reduce Salmonella enterica in tomatoes may be high pressure processing (HPP). The objectives of the study were to determine the potential for HPP to reduce S. enterica serovars Newport, Javiana, Braenderup and Anatum in tryptic soy broth (TSB) and to determine the effect of HPP to reduce the most pressure resistant of the four serovars from fresh diced and whole tomatoes. To evaluate pressure resistance, TSB containing 8 log CFU/ml of one of the four serovars was packaged in sterile stomacher bags and subjected to one of three different pressures (350, 450 or 550MPa) for 120s. The most pressure resistant S. enterica serovar evaluated was Braend...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Measurements of the statistical characteristics of channel wall static pressure fluctuations in parallel one-component boiling flow are reported. The measurements span a wide range of local subcooling and vapor volume fraction, and correspond to flow regimes ranging from highly subcooled bubbly to saturated slug-annular. Vapor volume fraction measurements at the pressure measurement station are also reported in conjunction with visual observation of the flow structure. Variation of static pressure fluctuation intensity and spectral content with local thermal-hydraulic condition is demonstrated. Finally, it is suggested that diagnosis of local two-phase flow regime on the basis of (i) statistical characteristics of the pressure data, and (ii) time trace of pressure signal, may be possible. 15 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Apparatus for minimizing thermal loss in a windowless, open cavity solar receiver due to airflow at the receiver aperture includes means for deflecting wind away from the cavity opening such that flow stream reattachment occurs away from the receiver aperture to provide a dead air zone at the cavity opening. This prevents turbulent-mixing airflow exchange between ambient air and heated air within the solar receiver. The wind deflector apparatus includes either a passive annular deflection foil at the receiver aperture, or an active device for producing an outwardly projected air jet at the receiver aperture.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper presents the results of experimental study carried out to know whether the salicylic acid used as an additive during the precipitation of zirconium using ammonium hydroxide solution goes into the filtrate, remains in the hydrated zirconia or gets distributed between the both under the ambient conditions of precipitation. Keeping its simplicity and amenability to adopt on a routine basis, spectrophotometric method has been chosen for the purpose among the many methods available and the problems associated in determining salicylic acid in the presence of zirconium and the medial measures to circumvent the same have been brought out in detail. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) program provided important information on the behavior of clouds of plasma artificially injected into the solar wind and the earth's magnetosphere. Now that the releases are over, data from the satellites are being analyzed to investigate the processes by which the ambient solar wind mass, momentum, and energy are transferred to the magnetosphere. Work in progress at APL indicates that the solar wind is much more inhomogeneous than previously believed, that the solar wind constantly buffets the magnetosphere, and that ground observers may remotely sense these interactions as geomagnetic pulsations. 8 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A rocket borne experiment to measure the temperature structure of the inner solar corona via the doppler broadening of the resonance hydrogen Lyman-..cap alpha.. (lambda1216A) radiation scattered by ambient neutral hydrogen atoms was attempted during the 16 Feb 1980 solar eclipse. Two Nike-Black Brant V sounding rockets carrying instrumented payloads were launched into the path of the advancing eclipse umbra from the San Marco satellite launch platform 3 miles off the east coast of Kenya.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Once again residual austenite as one component of the microstructure of steels is the basis for discussion among experts. Very often the phenomen of the stabilisation of residual austenite is the focus of interest. In this paper the influence of ageing on residual austenite transformations is discussed, with ageing taking place in a temperature range between ambient and M/sub s/-temperature after quenching from different austenitizing temperatures by means of subzero refrigeration. Results which are typical for 100Cr6 steel are presented and discussed.

Science.gov (United States)

Intermetallic compounds are regarded as highly promising for applications as high temperature structural materials. However, recent studies have demonstrated that a number of ordered alloys exhibit environmental embrittlement when tested in various environments at ambient temperature. When exposed to hydrogen gas or electrolytically charged with hydrogen, a significant ductility loss has been reported. The reaction of water vapor with reactive elements in the crack tip results in the generation of atomic hydrogen which diffuses from the surface to the interior and causes embrittlement. In this paper, the authors try to analyze the sensitivity of hydrogen embrittlement of ordered alloys based upon energetical considerations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. has developed a gas turbine combined cycle and cogeneration plant computer aided engineering (CAE) system, which creates cycle heat balance automatically on given configurations of gas turbines, heat recovery boilers, steam turbines and auxiliaries. The system can predict the performance of the plant as a function of control set points, loads, process steam requirements and ambient conditions, which enables accurate and fast design of gas turbine combined cycle and cogeneration plants. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Intensive measurements of organic acids, inorganic acids, aldehydes and peroxyacetyl nitrate (PAN) in urban air were carried out at a Southern California smog receptor site, Glendora, CA, August 12-22, 1986. The objective of this project was to augment the data base regarding organic acids in urban air and to assess their role with emphasis on ambient levels, diurnal variations, phase distribution, emissions, in-situ formation and removal. The relative abundance of organic acids and inorganic acids was determined for the first time from simultaneous measurements carried out during this study.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper reported on a study in which designs for Chinese and Indian fixed-dome anaerobic digesters were modified in an effort to produce smaller and more affordable digesters. While these types of systems are common in tropical regions of developing countries, they have not been used in colder climates because of the low biogas yield during the winter months. Although there is evidence that sufficient biogas production can be maintained in colder temperatures through design and operational changes, there is a lack of knowledge about the seasonal changes in the composition of the microbial communities in ambient temperature digesters. More knowledge is needed to design and operate systems for maximum biogas yield in temperate climates. The purpose of this study was to cultivate a microbial community that maximizes biogas production at psychrophilic temperatures. The study was conducted on a 300 gallon experimental anaerobic digester on the campus of Ohio State ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The diverse microenvironments of foods, changing with processing and preservation, might provide conditions that would enhance the growth of microorganisms which are the principal cause of spoilage, off-odor and unpleasant flavor in foods. Radiation is a potential process which may provide a product with far superior microbial quality for food preservation, by reduction of microbial population; elimination of food-borne pathogens; extension of shelf-life; and reduction of spoilage. The aim of irradiation at low dose level is to eliminate certain microorganisms, especially spoilage types and those of public health significance. But, the radurization dose allows the outgrowth of radioresistant bacteria. Certain strains of Moraxella-Acinetobacter (M-A) groups have been recognized as radioresistant bacteria (Welch and Maxcy, 1975), which may have gone unnoticed by food microbiologists, since these bacteria have not been associated with problems and are present in relatively small numbers. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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. ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

OBJECTIVE--To examine the effect of a reduced sodium and increased potassium and magnesium intake on blood pressure. DESIGN--Randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. SETTING--General population...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This patent describes a nuclear system comprising a containment airspace in which a nuclear reactor pressure vessel is disposed there being a reactor core within the pressure vessel. It comprises a heat exchanger elevated a distance above the pressure vessel; a pool of water surrounding the heat exchanger; means for venting the pool of water to an environment outside the containment; a heat exchanger entry conduit within the containment, the entry conduit having an open lower end communicating with the containment space, and an upper end connected to the heat exchanger, water-containing heated fluid present in the containment airspace incident a pressure vessel loss of coolant event entering and flowing through the entry conduit into the heat exchanger for cooling the fluid to convert water vapor therein to a condensate and separate non-condensable gasses therefrom; a gravity driven cooling water ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

INTRODUCTION:Gynura procumbens has been shown to decrease blood pressure via inhibition of the angiotensin‐converting enzyme. However, other mechanisms that...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Purpose.To determine the effects of vasodilators on intraocular pressure (IOP) and the protein content of sheep aqueous humor (AH), because the vasodilators may increase fluid leakage...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AbstractX-ray diffraction analysis of pressure-induced structural changes in the Aequorea yellow fluorescent protein Citrine reveals the structural basis for the continuous...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A single-crystal x-ray study under pressure reveals a phase transition from an in-plane 2x2 commensurate potassium superstructure to a new ..sqrt..3x..sqrt..3 commensurate superstructure. This is the first such transition to be observed; it is related to the recently discovered staging transition of KC/sub 8/ under pressure. In addition this staging transition was observed to occur more slowly and at much lower pressures than in the reported neutron-scattering experiment on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite samples. 13 references, 2 figures.

Science.gov (United States)

... more and better sensors to be ... all the continuously incoming data, which ... RANGE RECEIVER THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY ,# PRESSURE SENSOR ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... 2-22 Page 31. The mercury barometer operates on the principle of air pressure forcing the mercury column up an evacuated tube. ...

KoreaScience (Korea)

Full Text Available

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Udgivelsesdato: 2008-Sep

Science.gov (United States)

extravehicular activity; an exploding bridgewire firing unit for rocket engines ; a pressure transducer that can withstand the 6000 OF temperiiture ...

Medline Plus

... energy. It consists of a stack of piezoelectric ceramics sandwiched under high pressure between two metal cylinders. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method is described for increasing pressure in geologic oil-bearing structures by gas production due to microbial activity. There is added to an oil-bearing structure an anaerobic micro-organism (Methanobacterium termoautotroficum), a culture medium and formic acid. The formic acid is converted to carbon dioxide and methane gases resulting in increased pressure in the structures. Methanobacterium termoautotroficum cannot split formic acid into CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/ but it can produce methane from these 2 gases. 4 claims.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The requirements of high-pressure compressors increase. The customers wish still larger quantities of delivery with smaller employment of achievement, minimal oil consumption, service amenability, long intervals of maintenance and so forth. For this, the author of the contribution under consideration presents two series of modular developed high-pressure compressors in compact design for industrial air and technical gases which exactly fulfil these requirements.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The use of oil-filled high-pressure electric cables has increased significantly. In recent years, the electric cable industry has developed new designs, manufacturing technology, and has mastered the production of 110 to 220 kV cables without using a temporary lead sheath. The design, fabrication, and performance of high-pressure electric cables for power systems are discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nanocrystalline powders of GaN with grain sizes ranging from 2 to 30 nm were examined under high external pressures by in situ diffraction techniques in a diamond anvil cell at DESY (HASYLAB, Station F3). The experiments on densification of pure powders under high pressure were performed without a pressure medium. The mechanism of generation and relaxation of internal strains and their distribution in nanoparticles was deduced from Bragg reflections recorded in situ under high pressures at room temperature. The microstrain was calculated from the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) values of the Bragg lines. It was found that microstrains in GaN crystallites are generated and subsequently relaxed by two mechanisms: generation of stacking faults and change of the size and shape of the grains occurring under external stress. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To secure the reactor operation safety by the provision of a fluid pressure detecting section for control rod driving fluid and a control rod interlock at the midway of the flow pass for supplying driving fluid to the control rod drives. Constitution: Between a driving line and a direction control valve are provided a pressure detecting portion, an alarm generating device, and a control rod inhibition interlock. The driving fluid from a driving fluid source is discharged by way of a pump and a manual valve into the reactor in which the control rods and reactor fuels are contained. In addition, when the direction control valve is switched and the control rods are inserted and extracted by the control rod drives, the pressure in the driving line is always detected by the pressure detection section, whereby if abnormal pressure is resulted, the alarm generating device is ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The method is related to hydrodynamic methods for studying wells and may be used in the prospecting and mapping of gas and gas condensate deposits and formations. The method consits of drilling exploratory wells and measurement of the physical parameters of the stratum liquid. The piezometric levels are periodically determined simultaneously in all the observation wells during a change in the atmospheric pressure, and the presence of a remoteness of the gas deposit from the well is judged from the size of the increments in the piezometric levels intime. The determinations of the piezometric levels in the wells are conducted during an abrupt change in atmospheric pressure, for instance, during the replacement of a cyclone by an anticyclone or the reverse. The atmospheric pressure is measured by a barograph, while the piezometric levels are measured by high precision level meters or pressure gauges of low ...

Science.gov (United States)

In massive star formation (gsim 40 M sun) by core accretion, the direct stellar radiation pressure acting on the dust particles exceeds the gravitational force and interferes with mass accretion at the dust sublimation front, the first absorption site. Ram pressure generated by high accretion rates of 10-3 M sun yr-1 is thought to be required to overcome the direct stellar radiation pressure. We investigate the direct stellar irradiation on the dust sublimation front, including the inner accretion disk structure. We show that the ram pressure of the accretion disk is lower than the stellar radiation pressure at the dust sublimation front. Thus, another mechanism must overcome the direct stellar radiation pressure. We suggest that the inner hot dust-free region is optically thick, shielding the dust sublimation front from direct stellar irradiation. Thus, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The aim of this study was to investigate whether sub-ablative pulsed C0{sub 2} laser (1 0,6 {mu}m) irradiation is capable of reducing the susceptibility of the dental enamel to demineralization, and thus achieving a potential caries-protective effect. The crowns of 51 bovine front teeth, embedded in acrylic resin and polished until exposure of flat enamel surface, were used. The samples were cut in cubes of 10x10 mm, and totally coated with acid-resistant nail varnish, except for an enamel exposed window of 16 mm square. Three groups (n=17) were obtained: control group (CG) not irradiated; group laser A (LA) and group laser B (LB) where the samples were irradiated. The conditions were 60 mJ, 100 Hz, 0,3 J/cm{sup 2} for LA and 135 mJ, 10 Hz, 0,7 J/cm{sup 2} for LB. Two samples of each group were submitted to SEM analysis and fifteen to demineralization in 3 ml acetate buffer solution (0,1 mol/L) with pH 4,5 for 24h at 37 deg C, with regular agitation. After the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In relation to coal gasification and combustion under high pressure as highly efficient coal utilization, the effect of total pressure and sintering on the SO2 capture ability of Ca-ion exchanged coal and other desulfurizing agents were studied. In experiment, specimens were filled into a small pressurized reactor to heat them under high-pressure N2 atmosphere. After the completion of combustion reaction of char at 850{degree}C, SO2, CO2 and CO gases were measured at an outlet while flowing SO2/N2. As the experimental result, all of the S content in Ca-ion exchanged coal was not absorbed by Ca content in coal during pyrolysis and combustion, resulting in discharge of 36% of the S content. Since Ca-ion exchanged coal is fast in combustion reaction, most of the S content was desulfurized by coal ash. The ash content yielded from Ca-ion exchanged coal was more excellent in SO2 capture ability than ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

The multiple responses of fishes to changes in dissolved oxygen saturations have been studied widely in the laboratory. In contrast only few studies have included field observations. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a novel acoustic dissolved oxygen transmitter for field biotelemetry. The results demonstrated that the output of the transmitter was unaffected by three different temperatures (10 to 30 degrees C) and described the dissolved oxygen saturation with high accuracy (r(2) > 0.99) over the entire range of 0 to 191% saturation. The response time (>= 90% of end value) of the transmitter was 12 s both in terms of decreasing (100 to 0%) and increasing (0 to 100%) oxygen saturations. When externally attached to fishes the present findings support the use of the transmitter for reliable dissolved oxygen measurements on individuals living in environments that may change both temporally and spatially with regard to ambient ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Recent advances in nanoscience have raised interest in the minimum bit size required for classical information storage. This bit size is determined by the necessity for bistability with suppressed quantum tunnelling and energy barriers that exceed ambient temperatures. In the case of magnetic information storage, much attention has centred on molecular magnets with bits consisting of about 100 atoms, magnetic uniaxial anisotropy energy barriers of about 50?K and very slow relaxation at low temperatures. Here, we draw attention to the remarkable magnetic properties of some transition-metal dimers, which have energy barriers approaching 500?K with only two atoms. The spin dynamics of these ultrasmall nanomagnets is strongly affected by a Berry phase, which arises from quasi-degen...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

New York City data indicate that seasonal and annual variations in dispersion-normalized air pollutant concentrations appear to accurately reflect changes in source emission patterns. The normalized concentrations make it possible to observe the impact of regulatory changes on ambient air quality without these impacts being obscured by meteorological fluctuations. It is found that numerical modeling techniques and regression analysis can be powerful tools for extracting information from large sets of air quality data. The use of differential, as opposed to absolute, pollutant concentration values will reduce artifact correlations caused by seasonal, weekly, or daily meteorological fluctuations and will permit more accurate estimation of the regression coefficients. This technique was successfully applied to a set of daily pollution measurements whose absolute concentrations were found not to yield a statistically significant fit by multiple regression.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new class of one-dimensional active acoustic metamaterials (AAMMs) with programmable effective densities is presented. The proposed AAMM is capable of producing densities that are orders of magnitudes lower or higher than the ambient fluid. Such characteristics are achieved by using an array of fluid cavities separated by piezoelectric diaphragms that are controlled to generate constant densities over wide frequency bands. The piezodiaphragms are augmented with passive electrical components to broaden the operating frequency bandwidth and enable densities higher than the fluid medium to be generated. The use of these components is shown to be essential to maintain the closed-loop compliance of the piezodiaphragm away from the zone of elastic instabilities. The values of the passive components are selected on a rational basis in order to ensure a balance between the frequency bandwidth and control voltage. With this unique structure of the AAMM, physically ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Medicinal plants i.e. dried seeds of myristica argentea, myristica fragrans, coriandrum sativum and foeniculum vulgare were stored for 0 and 6 months, with and without gamma irradiation at 5 kGy. No detectable changes were seen in infrared and UV spectra, GLC chromatograms and refraction indices of steam distilled, essential oils from the irradiated medicinal plants. The same results were also obtained from irradiated samples stored for 6 months at ambient conditions. Storage for 6 months caused significant changes in the gas liquid chromatograms and UV spectra of all samples compared to non-stored samples. The moisture content of all samples packed in polyethylene bags seems to be constant after 6 months of storage. No measurable changes were found in the amount of essential oil content caused by irradiation.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Many new technologies and approaches to the provision of comfort inside buildings such as displacement ventilation, mixed-mode strategies, personally controllable (task-ambient) designs, chilled beams as well as some old but recently fashionable ones such as natural ventilation are prompting a rethink of the accepted comfort wisdom. How can a single combination of thermal environmental parameters be deemed unacceptable in a conventional heating ventilation and air-conditioning setting, and yet be regarded as acceptable, or even pleasant, in a naturally ventilated or mixed-mode setting? Why do current comfort standards prescribe static and isothermal conditions for comfort in one building, and dynamic and spatially variable indoor climates for comfort in another? The phenomenon of alliesthe...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Environmental radon monitoring activities at the DOE Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP) have been conducted extensively since the early 1980`s. Monitoring has been conducted at ambient concentration levels (< 1 pCi/L Rn-222), inside buildings, and at significantly elevated levels (hundreds of thousands pCi/L Rn-222) within the K-65 silo that store concentrated radium bearing wastes. The purpose of this paper/presentation is to present and discuss some of the difficulties encountered/solutions (e.g. reliability, detection limits, affects of environmental factors, data transfer, etc.) that have been discovered while taking measurements using both alpha track-etch passive integrating detectors and alpha scintillation real-time detectors. A short summary and conclusion section is provided following each topic presented.

CERN Document Server

Relativistic strongly magnetized winds outflowing from fast-rotating compact objects like millisecond pulsars with surface magnetic fields of $\\sim 10^{15}-10^{16}$ G are plausible sources of cosmological $\\gamma$-ray bursts. In such winds, there are at least three regions where extremely powerful X-ray and $\\gamma$-ray emission may be generated. The first radiating region is the wind photosphere that is at a distance of $\\sim 10^9$ cm from the compact object. The second radiating region is at a distance of $\\sim 10^{13}-10^{14}$ cm. In this region, the striped component of the wind field is transformed into large-amplitude electromagnetic waves. The third radiating region is at a distance of $\\sim 10^{16}-10^{17}$ cm, where deceleration of the wind due to its interaction with an ambient medium becomes important. Radiation from all these regions is considered.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, established requirements for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to develop rules for the establishment of enhanced ozone monitoring networks or Photochemical Assessment Monitoring Stations (PAMS) in ozone nonattainment areas designated as serious, severe, and extreme. The subsequent rules require these stations to collect ambient air measurements for a target list of volatile organic compounds including several carbonyls, oxides of nitrogen, ozone, and meteorological measurements, both surface and upper air. Twenty-two areas in the US are obligated to install and operate PAMS stations to aid in the identification, development, and implementation of effective ozone control strategies. This paper will examine the specific requirements of the PAMS rules and will provide information regarding the current status of the networks and overall implementation issues.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In support of the efforts to apply ceramics to advanced heat engines, a study is being performed of the performance of ceramics at the ring/cylinder interface of advanced (low heat rejection) engines. The objective of the study, managed by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, is to understand the basic mechanisms controlling the wear of ceramics and thereby identify means for applying ceramics effectively. Attempts to operate three different zirconias, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and plasma-sprayed ceramic coatings without lubrication have not been successful because of excessive friction and high wear rates. Silicon carbide and silicon nitride perform well at ambient temperatures with fully formulated mineral oil lubrication, but are limited to temperatures of 500F because of the lack of suitable liquid lubricants for higher temperatures.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this research was to develop a methodology for sizing integrated renewable energy systems, useful for rural areas, using simulation and optimization tools developed in MATLAB 6.0. The sizing model produces a system with minimum cost and high reliability level, based on the concept of loss of power supply probability (LPSP) for consecutive hours. An optimization model is presented and three different sizing scenarios are calculated and compared, showing flexibility in the elaboration of different project conceptions. The obtained results show a complete sizing of the energy conversion devices and a long-term cost evaluation. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a theoretical analysis based on the second law of thermodynamics for estimating the minimum work required for air dehumidification process to produce potable water in a humidification-dehumidification (HD) desalination cycle. The general air dehumidification process is analyzed through an equivalent path consisting of an isothermal dehumidification followed by a sensible cooling Dehumidification is treated as separation process of an ideal mixture consisting of two components, namely air and water vapor. The present analysis assumes the dead state to be the dry ambient and the final state for complete dehumidification to be saturated air at 0.01?C. Contours of the minimum work are plotted on psychrometric chart and presented as a handy engineering tool to estimate the p...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Materials for the construction of cold neutron sources must satisfy a range of demands. The cryogenic temperature and irradiation create a severe environment. Candidate materials are identified and existing cold sources are briefly surveyed to determine which materials may be used. Aluminum- and magnesium-based alloys are the preferred materials. Existing data for the effects of cryogenic temperature and near-ambient irradiation on the mechanical properties of these alloys are briefly reviewed, and the very limited information on the effects of cryogenic irradiation are outlined. Generating mechanical property data under cold source operating conditions is a daunting prospect. It is clear that the cold source material will be degraded by neutron irradiation, and so the cold source must be designed as a brittle vessel. The continued effective operation of many different cold sources at a number of reactors makes it clear that this can be accomplished. 46 refs., 8 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It has recently been shown that the superconducting properties of Nb-base A-15 compounds, A_3B, are severely degraded when exposed to high-energy (E>1 MeV) neutron irradiation at ambient reactor temperatures. In each case, superconducting transition temperatures, Tsub(c), and the Bragg Williams order parameters, S, were observed to decrease steadily with irradiations in excess of 10"1"8 nvt. During irradiation the A-15 structure is retained and subsequent isothermal annealing restores almost completely the compound's original Tsub(c) value. In this letter a correlation between B atom diameter and the recovery rates of Tsub(c) for the irradiated materials Nb_3Ge, Nb_3Ga, Nb_3Al and Nb_3Sn is reported. (Auth.).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Summary 1. Plants express multiple defensive traits, but little is known about the genetic stability and phenotypic plasticity of these traits in nature. To investigate sources of variation and their potential ecological consequences for herbivores, we combined field observations of cyanogenic lima bean with laboratory experiments. 2. Field studies in South Mexico revealed a distinct variability of cyanogenic traits within and among wild lima bean populations. To differentiate among genetic variation and the impact of ambient conditions on plant phenotypes, we used seed grown plants as well as clones propagated from high (HC) and low cyanogenic (LC) wild type plants. 3. In growth chamber experiments, we cultivated plants under three intensities each of drought and salt stress, nutrient sup...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The article deals with a novel electrochemical method of preparing long-lived silver nanoparticles suspended in aqueous solution as well as silver powders. The method does not involve the use of any chemical stabilising agents. The morphology of the silver nanoparticles obtained was studied using transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering measurements. Silver nanoparticles suspended in water solution that were produced by the present technique are nearly spherical and their size distribution lies in the range of 2 to 20 nm, the average size being about 7 nm. Silver nanoparticles synthesised by the proposed method were sufficiently stable for more than 7 years even under ambient conditions. Silver crystal growth on the surface of the cathode in the electrochemical process used was shown to result in micron-sized structures consisting of agglomerated silver nanoparticles with the sizes below 40 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

With the combination of source ventilation and ceiling cooling for air-conditioning of working and recreation rooms, a ventilation system is available which fulfills the highest demands regarding thermal comfort. In order to utilize the advantages of this ventilation system with regard to air quality and thermal comfort to an optimum, the influence of the radiation exchange between cooling ceiling and walls on the flow in the room is investigated experimentally. Energy transfer from the walls to the cooled ceiling may result in an insufficient temperature of the walls compared to ambient air and in an upward flow on the wall surfaces (downward flow of) driven by gravity, which influences the flow pattern in the case of source ventilation. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The lower condition factors for two catfish species in water heated by effluents from APCo's Glen Lyn, Virginia plant as compared to control areas probably is not due to lack of food as evidenced by macroinvertebrate sampling and the fact that only 4.3 percent of the catfish stomachs were empty. Results suggested that young-of-the-year channel catfish were nonselectively eating food organisms present at both control and heated stations. The difference between stomach contents of flatheat catfish from the heated site and fauna available at that site indicated that fish were either moving out of the heated area to feed or were selectively feeding on organisms (particularly mayflies) which were in the substrate or drifted into the heated area. Stomach contents of the two species and distribution and abundance of the macroinvertebrate benthos community are detailed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A study has been made of B transient enhanced diffusion (TED) in heavily P-doped Si using secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). The P-doped silicon was implanted with boron ions of 40 keV energy to a dose of 3 x 10"1"4 cm"-"2, and then annealed at temperatures ranging from 700--1,000 C in a N_2 ambient for varying durations. As P doping concentration increased from 3 x 10"1"9 to 1 x 10"2"0 cm"-"3, boron diffusivity and the immobile boron fraction decreased. The experimental results are inconsistent with the predictions of the Fermi-level model and suggest that the clustering between B atoms and Si interstitials should be invoked in order to explain the immobile portion of the B peak during TED.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Developing a test standard/protocol for solar box type cookers has drawn a considerable interest among the researchers throughout the world. Recent publications on solar cookers emphasize the need of introducing the thermal performance indicators determined through exergy analysis. In the present paper, the time variation of instantaneous exergy output and energy output as function of its temperature and also of the instantaneous ambient temperature have been reported for truncated pyramid type solar box cooker and compared with those of box type cooker. Further, variations in the exergy lost with temperature difference have been depicted for the selected water temperature range from 60 degreeC to 95 degreeC. Based on this study, quality factor, exergy temperature difference gap product, a...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The published literature is reviewed and supplemented by current information from the author's laboratory, to show the influence of various compositional, heat treatment and thermomechanical factors on the structural characteristics of Alloy 800. The features discussed include carbon, aluminium, titanium and boron, solution treatment, ageing treatments with and without applied strain, and cold working. Examples of the aspects reviewed include the effect of heat treatment and service or testing temperature on the austenite grain size, and the relative importance of M_2_3C_6 and TiC, the influence of carbon level on gamma prime, the effect of residual or steady stress combined with time at temperature on changes in carbide or gamma prime morphology, and on the appearance of sigma or other intermetallic phases. The questions posed by these features are discussed generally, in terms of their effect on the mechanical properties at ambient and elevated temperatures and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Highly water-repellent surfaces have been prepared from arrayed nanowires of zinc oxide (ZnO) by a treatment with stearic acid. The layers are electrochemically deposited on a nanocrystalline seed layer from an oxygenated aqueous zinc chloride solution. An advancing contact angle (CA) as high as 176{sup 0} is obtained with a very small hysteresis {approx}1{sup 0}. These results, supplemented by infrared spectroscopy, show that the stearic acid forms a very well-packed self-assembled monolayer. The CA measurements show a very good stability of the treated surface even when exposed to harsh conditions or long-term ambient illumination.

Science.gov (United States)

Over the past few years there has been a great deal of interest in reducing experimental systems to a lab-on-a-chip scale. There has been particular interest in conducting high-throughput screening studies using microscale devices, for example in stem cell research. Microwells have emerged as the structure of choice for such tests. Most manufacturing approaches for microwell fabrication are based on photolithography, soft lithography, and etching. However, some of these approaches require extensive equipment, lengthy fabrication process, and modifications to the existing microwell patterns are costly. Here we show a convenient, fast, and low-cost method for fabricating microwells for cell culture applications by laser ablation of a polyester film coated with silicone glue. Microwell diameter was controlled by adjusting the laser power and speed, and the well depth by stacking several layers of film. By using this setup, a device containing hundreds of microwells ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Siberian Altai covers about 70% of the area of all south Siberian glaciers, which provide fresh water to the upper tributaries of the Ob and Yenisey rivers. The observed air temperature has increased by 1.2 deg. C over northern Eurasia during the last 120 years, affecting the degradation of the Siberian Altai glaciers. In this study, we estimated glacier area changes in the Aktru River basin (44.8 km{sup 2}), located in the central Altai mountains. We used the 1952, 1966, 1975 and 2006 remote sensed images with 0.6-3.0 m spatial resolution (aerial photographs, Corona and PRISM satellite images) and differential GPS (DGPS) data. From 1952 to 2006, the total glacier area in the Aktru basin shrank by 7.2% (1.2 km{sup 2}). During the last three decades, the rate of glacier area loss increased by a factor of 1.8, thus resembling trends in other mountain systems of Eurasia (Alps, Tien Shan). The glacier area changes were caused mainly by increase of summer air temperature by 1.03 deg. C ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Full text: Based on experience with nuclear material confiscated in Hungary from illicit trafficking activities in the nineties it has been decided that traditional gamma-spectrometry should be complemented by destructive analytical techniques. The 17/1996 (I. 31.) Korm. Governmental Decree delegated the identification, categorization and characterization tasks to the Institute of Isotopes, Budapest. Routine gamma-spectrometric methods have been further developed aiming at the i) age (production date) determination of seized samples and complete (nondismountable) uranium-bearing items (such as fresh fuel bundles and fission chambers) by HRGS technique, ii) improvement of measurement accuracy and reliability. Starting in 2005 mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) and scanning electron microscopy have been implemented to characterize nuclear samples in more detail and to analyze environmental samples both for isotopic and elemental composition focusing on long-lived radioactive isotopes including ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Energy Conversion and Storage Program applies chemistry and materials science principles to solve problems in (1) production of new synthetic fuels, (2) development of high-performance rechargeable batteries and fuel cells, (3) development of advanced thermochemical processes for energy conversion, (4) characterization of complex chemical processes, and (5) application of novel materials for energy conversion and transmission. Projects focus on transport-process principles, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, separation processes, organic and physical chemistry, novel materials, and advanced methods of analysis. Electrochemistry research aims to develop advanced power systems for electric vehicle and stationary energy storage applications. Topics include identification of new electrochemical couples for advanced rechargeable batteries, improvements in battery and fuel-cell materials, and the establishment of engineering principles applicable to electrochemical energy storage and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy was selected by NASA as part of the ChemCam instrument package for the Mars Science Laboratory rover to be launched in 2009. ChemCam's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument will ablate surface coatings from materials and measure the elemental composition of underlying rocks and soils at distances from 1 up to 10 m. The purpose of our studies is to develop an analytical methodology enabling identification and quantitative analysis of these geological materials in the context of the ChemCam's Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy instrument performance. The study presented here focuses on several terrestrial rock samples which were analyzed by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy at an intermediate stand-off distance (3 m) and in an atmosphere similar to the Martian one (9 mbar CO{sub 2}). The experimental results highlight the matrix effects and the measurement inaccuracies due to the noise accumulated ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The quantitative determination of oxide concentration by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy is relevant in various fields of applications (e.g.: analysis of ores, concrete, slag). Calibration free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and the multivariate calibration are among the methods employed for quantitative concentration analysis of complex materials. We measured the intensity of neutral and ionized atomic emission lines of oxide materials by laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and we modified the calibration free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy method to increase the accuracy. The concentration of oxides was obtained by using stoichiometric relations. Sample materials were prepared from oxide powder (Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, MgO, CaO) by mixing and pressing. The concentration was 9.8-33.3 wt.% Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, 7.6-33.3 wt.% MgO and 33.3-81.2 wt.% CaO for different samples. Nd:YAG laser (wavelength 1064 nm, pulse duration {approx} 6 ns) ablation was ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

TaC and TaC-1wt.% B4C powders were consolidated using spark plasma sintering (SPS) at 1850^oC and varying pressure of 100, 255 and 363MPa. The effect of pressure on the densification and grain size is evaluated. The role of nano-sized B4C as sintering aid and grain growth inhibitor is studied by means of XRD, SEM and high resolution TEM. Fully dense TaC samples were produced at a pressure of 255MPa and higher at 1850^oC. The increasing pressure also resulted in an increase in TaC grain size. Addition of B4C leads to an increase in the density of 100MPa sample from 89% to 97%. B4C nano-powder resists grain growth even at high pressure of 363MPa. The formation of TaB2/Carbon at TaC grain boundaries helps in pinning the grain boundary and inhibiting grain growth. The effect of B4C addition on...