... see and electrophysiological study and catheter ablation with 3D mapping. During the procedure, doctors look at the ... perform a electrophysiology study with ablation, using our 3D mapping system. Keep in mind, that during the ...
... catheter ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation procedure utilizing 3-D mapping and rotational intracardiac echocardiography. This program is ... of the MRI scan and then there's the 3-D image, which is generated from the pixels chosen ...
Acute pneumothorax is a frequent complication after percutaneous pulmonary radiofrequency (RF) ablation. In this study we present three cases showing delayed development of pneumothorax after pulmonary RF ablation in 34 patients. Our purpose is to draw attention to this delayed complication and to propose a possible approach to avoid this major complication. These three cases occurred subsequent to 44 CT-guided pulmonary RF ablationprocedures (6.8%) using either internally cooled or multitined expandable RF electrodes. In two patients, the pneumothorax, being initially absent at the end of the intervention, developed without symptoms. One of these patients required chest drain placement 32 h after RF ablation, and in the second patient therapy remained conservative. In the third patient, a slight pneumothorax at the end of the intervention gradually increased and led into tension ...
Objectives: To report six month outcome in patients undergoing their first pulmonary vein ablationprocedure for idiopathic atrial fibrillation (AF) at a “non-pioneering”...Full Text Available
BackgroundHeterogeneous results for research investigating health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients undergoing sphincter-ablatingprocedures for rectal cancer...Full Text Available
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 ...
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.
Micropatterned materials were obtained by a controlled laser ablation of a photoimmobilised homogeneous layer of hyaluronic acid (Hyal) and its sulphated derivative (HyalS). The photoimmobilisation was performed by coating the polysaccharide, adequately functionalised with a photoreactive group, on aminosilanised glass substrate and immobilising it on the surface under UV light. Hyal or HyalS photoimmobilised samples were then subjected to laser ablation with wavelengths in the UV regions in order to drill the pattern. Four different patterns with stripes of 100, 50, 25 and 10 {mu}m were generated. A chemical characterisation by attenuated total reflection/Fourier transform infrared (ATR/FT-IR) and time of flight-secondary ions mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) confirmed the success of the laser ablationprocedure and the presence of alternating stripes of polysaccharide and native glass. The exact ...
Radio-frequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of the distal pulmonary veins is increasingly being used to treat recurrent or refractory atrial fibrillation that doesn't respond to pharmacologic therapy or cardioversion. Successful RFCA of atrial al fibrillation depends on the pre-procedural understanding of the complex anatomy of the distal pulmonary veins and the left atrium. Aim of this parer is to describe the technical main features that characterise the multidetector helical computed tomography in the evaluation of this anatomic region before and after RFCA procedure. The 3D post-processing techniques useful for pre-RFCA planning are straightforward.
To assess the technical feasibility of a newly designed stent-like electrode in rabbits. A stent-like electrode was knitted from a single thread of nitinol wire and interconnected to a generator using similar wire. In order to gauge the extent of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), we measured the depth of the ablated area in cow liver using a combination of 180-sec time intervals and 20- watt power increments. For data processing, Cox regression analysis was used. RFA was also applied to the small intestine of rabbits using this stent-like electrode under six different sets of conditions: 10 watts for 1 min, 10 watts for 2 mins, 20 watts for 1 min, 20 watts for 2 mins, 30 watts for 1 min, and 30 watts for 2 mins. To determine the gross and microscopic findings, six animals were sacrificed immediately after the procedure and the results obtained under the different sets of conditions were correlated. Eight rabbits were monitored ...
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 ...
The Morris water maze is widely used to evaluate to evaluate the spatial learning ability of rodents under laboratory settings. The present study demonstrates that reproductive male meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, are able to acquire and retain a spatial water maze task using celestial cues. Voles were able to acquire a modified outdoor Morris water maze task over 4 trials per day, whereby they had to learn and remember the location of a submerged hidden platform, using the position of the sun and associated celestial cues. Their proficiency on this task was related to the availability of the celestial cues, with voles displaying significantly poorer spatial navigation on overcast than clear days and when the testing time (and position of the sun and associated celestial cues) was shifted from morning to afternoon. These findings with meadow voles support the ecological relevance of the water ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ablationprocedure 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 ablationprocedure ranged from 25% higher to 15% ...
... Accession Number : ADD431225. Title : Influence of Fiber Loading on Thermal Ablation of PTFE,. Corporate Author : Personal Author(s) : Letson,KN. ...
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) in a small, nonrandomized series. From February 2004 to July 2008, six patients (four men and two women; mean age 69.8 years [range 48 to 83]) with ICCA underwent percutaneous US-guided RFA. Preintervetional transarterial embolization was performed in two cases to decrease heat dispersion during RFA in order to increase the area of ablation. The efficacy of RFA was evaluated using contrast-enhanced dynamic computed tomography (CT) 1 month after treatment and then every 3 months thereafter. Nine RFA sessions were performed for six solid hepatic tumors in six patients. The duration of follow-up ranged from 13 to 21 months (mean 17.5). Posttreatment CT showed total necrosis in four of six tumors after one or two RFA sessions. Residual tumor was observed in two ...
Water-maze testing has been used to assess prenatal cocaine (PCOC)- induced deficits in behavioral studies of spatial navigation and memory abilities. Effects of PCOC in acquisition or in probe...Full Text Available
The present study investigated sex differences and the effect of a high level of estradiol in the female meadow vole on performance in the forced swim test (FST) and the Morris water maze in meadow voles. Female meadow voles were ovariectomized (OVX) and administered either vehicle (sesame oil) or estradiol for 2 days prior to performing the FST. Four days following the FST, all animals were run in the Morris water maze. Results indicated that estradiol-injected female meadow voles showed more 'depressive-like' behaviors in the FST (greater time spent immobile and less time spent swimming) than vehicle-treated female or male meadow voles. In addition, estradiol-treated females had impaired performance (greater latencies and distance swam to reach the hidden platform) than both vehicle-treated female and male meadow voles, consistent with previous data. Despite the fact that estradiol administration increased 'depressive-like' behaviors in the ...
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.
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 ...
BackgroundRadiofrequency ablation (RFA) of tumors by means of internally cooled electrodes (ICE) combined with interstitial infusion of saline may improve clinical results. To date,...Full Text Available
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
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
The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is taken as an example of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours, given the standard characteristics of this procedure, whatever the nature of the primitive tumour. Management of ZES includes: anatomical localization of gastrinoma and of possible metastases, in 60 % of cases this step conditioning therapeutic indications and chances of cure; search of a type 1-multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN A), in 25 % of cases; therapeutic indications: ablative surgery with curative intent in case of gastrinoma and of resectable liver metastases, palliative treatment otherwise: anti-secretory drugs, somatostatin analogues, chemotherapy and interferon {alpha}; long-term follow-up of patients with resected tumour. At each step, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium 111-pentetreotide does play a pivotal role. (author). 110 refs.
To assess the feasibility of transluminal radiofrequency thermal ablation using a stent-type electrode and to determine, by means of in-vivo and in-vivo animal studies, the appropriate parameters. In-vivo: the radiofrequency electrode used was a self-expandable nitinol stent with 1cm insulated ends. A stent was placed in the portal vein of bovine liver, and ablations at target temperatures of 70, 80, 90, and 100 .deg. C were performed. Ablated sizes were measured longitudinally. In vivo: four mongrel dogs were anesthetized, and a stent was inserted in the common bile duct under fluoroscopic guidance through an ultrasound-guided gall bladder puncture site. The ablation temperature was set at 80 .deg. C, and each dog underwent proximal and distal esophageal ablations lasting 12 minutes. They were sacrificed immediately. In-vivo: ablated sizes showed significant ...
The influence of ablation on stagnation region convective heating for ... and thermal properties of this fiber depend on the fluorination process ... However, these properties are between those of graphite and those of PTFE (Teflon). ...
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 ...
The influence of ablation on stagnation region convective heating for ... and thermal properties of this fiber depend on the fluorination process ... However, these properties are between those of graphite and those of PTFE (Teflon). ...
... with dynamic gridding capability to account for material ablation, as well as the addition of energy sources and heat transfer augmentation due to ...
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.
Nano-sized particles of a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte, LiTi{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}, were prepared by laser ablation. The obtained particles were ca. 10nm in diameter. X-ray powder diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed that they were amorphous with local structure similar to the crystalline counterpart. They were crystallized by the heating at ca. 630{sup o}C. (author)
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 ...
We demonstrate that the nanoparticle formation during laser ablation of metals by short (of a few tens of ps) laser pulses strongly depends on the concentration of surrounding gas. While, at vacuum conditions, nanoparticle formation shows very ''sharp'' atomic force microscope images of aggregated clusters, following with clear appearance of plasmon resonance on the absorption spectra of deposited films, an addition of gas particles starts to decrease the probability of cluster formation. This process shows a threshold for both helium (33 torr) and xenon (12 torr) above which no surface plasmon resonance and correspondingly no observable nanoparticles on the deposited surfaces were detected. The destruction of nanoparticle formation was attributed to the negative influence of surrounding gas particles on ablated particles aggregation. (orig.)
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
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
Cigarette smoke (CS) induces recruitment of inflammatory cells in the lungs leading to the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are involved in lung inflammation and injury. Nicotinamide...Full Text Available
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
Transgenic mouse models have contributed considerably to our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which androgens control spermatogenesis. Cell-selective ablation of the androgen...Full Text Available
BackgroundThere are various treatment options for congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), including surgical excision, dermabrasions, curettage, laser treatment, chemical peels and cryosurgery....Full Text Available
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is one of the most common environmental endocrine disrupters and has a wide range of effects on central nervous system. Adolescence is another important developmental period besides the early critical prenatal and neonatal periods. In the present study, we exposed mice to BPA (40, 400 mg/kg/d) between adolescence and young adulthood for 8 weeks and investigated its effects on the non-reproductive behaviors. In open field tests, rearing and grooming sex differences were abolished by BPA exposure. In the elevated plus maze test, the number of open arm entries, the time spent in open arms, and the number of unprotected head dips in the center area were reduced in males but increased in females by BPA at 40 or 400 mg/kg/d, thus eliminating or reversing sex differences in thes...
Purpose: To report on the nephron-sparing, percutaneous ablation of a large renal cell carcinoma by combined superselective embolization and percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. Materials and Methods: A 5 cm renal cell carcinoma of a 43-year-old drug abusing male with serologically proven HIV, hepatitis B and C infection, who refused surgery, was superselectively embolized using microspheres (size: 500 - 700 {mu}m) and a platinum coil under local anesthesia. Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation using a 7F LeVeen probe (size of expanded probe tip: 40 mm) and a 200 Watt generator was performed one day after transcatheter embolization under general anesthesia. Results: The combined treatment resulted in complete destruction of the tumor without relevant damage of the surrounding healthy renal tissue. The patient was discharged 24 hours after RF ablation. No complications like urinary leaks or fistulas ...
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 ...
Zinc oxide thin films were obtained by laser ablation of a Zn target in oxygen reactive atmosphere, the oxygen being supplied either by a standard gas inlet valve or from a radio-frequency (rf) oxygen plasma. Pt-coated silicon and MgO were used as substrates. The influence of the deposition parameters as laser wavelength (266, 355, 1064 nm), laser fluence (1.5-20 J/cm2) and oxygen pressure (1-60 Pa) was studied. The influence of the rf plasma beam addition on the morphological proprieties of zinc oxide films was particularly investigated, simultaneously with several configurations of the direction of the ablation plasma, the rf plasma beam and the substrate. The obtained films, with thicknesses in the range of 50 nm to 1 ?m have been characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
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.
A rapid and cost-effective assessment was required to provide advice to management on the connectivity between juvenile and adult life cycle stages of Baldchin Groper Choerodon rubescens, a labrid endemic to the west coast of Australia, which has high social value, but relatively low commercial fishery importance. To minimise costs we used laser ablation ICP-MS to analyse levels of a small suite of elements (Ca, Mg, Mn, Cu, Zn, Sr, Rb, Ba and Pb) at the margin (adult phase) and core (juvenile phase) of the same otoliths of adult C. rubescens, collected at ten locations in five management zones. The elemental composition of both otolith margins and cores differed significantly among management zones and in some cases among locations within zones. Similarity of the pattern of among-zone elem...
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...
The optical and nonlinear optical properties of colloidal solutions of silver obtained by laser ablation in water and ethanol are studied. It is shown that freshly prepared colloids experience a full or partial sedimentation by changing their nonlinear optical properties. Aqueous colloids undergo a partial sedimentation and their nonlinear optical absorption changes to nonlinear optical transmission. The obtained results are interpreted using the Drude model for metal particles taking the particle size into account and can be explained by the sedimentation of larger silver particles accompanied by the formation of a stable colloid containing silver nanoparticles with a tentatively silver oxide shell. The characteristic size of particles forming such a stable colloid is determined and its optical nonlinearity is estimated.
Prairie (Microtus ochrogaster) and meadow voles (M. pennsylvanicus) are closely related species that differ in life strategy and social behaviors, and thus provide an excellent comparative model for the study of neuronal and hormonal mechanisms underlying behavior. In the present study using the elevated plus maze (EPM) test, we found that male prairie voles entered the open arms of the EPM more and remained there longer, and showed a higher level of overall locomotor activity than did male meadow voles. In addition, two weeks of social isolation induced an increase in open arm entries in prairie, but not meadow, voles. Prairie voles also had a higher level of circulating corticosterone compared to meadow voles, and the EPM test increased circulating corticosterone in prairie voles. Finally, social isolation coupled with the EPM test influenced Fos-immunoreactive expression in several brain areas, including the medial preoptic area, ventromedial hypothalamus, ...
Beneath the harsh deserts of Saudi Arabia lie dark chambers and complex mazes filled with strange shapes and wondrous beauty. Radon concentration measurements have been carried out in the desert caves of Al-Somman Plateau in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Passive radon dosimeters, based on alpha particle etch track detectors with an inlet filter, were used in this study. A total of 59 dosimeters were placed in five caves for a period of six months. Out of 59 dosimeters, 37 could be collected for analysis. Measurements showed significant variations in radon concentrations in caves depending upon their natural ventilation. The results of the study show that the average radon concentration in the different caves ranges from 74 up to 451Bqm{sup -3}. The average radon concentration in four of the caves was low in the range 74-114Bqm{sup -3}. However, one cave showed an average radon concentration of 451Bqm{sup -3}. Radon is not a problem for tourists in the ...
Beneath the harsh deserts of Saudi Arabia lie dark chambers and complex mazes filled with strange shapes and wondrous beauty. Radon concentration measurements have been carried out in the desert caves of Al-Somman Plateau in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Passive radon dosimeters, based on alpha particle etch track detectors with an inlet filter, were used in this study. A total of 59 dosimeters were placed in five caves for a period of six months. Out of 59 dosimeters, 37 could be collected for analysis. Measurements showed significant variations in radon concentrations in caves depending upon their natural ventilation. The results of the study show that the average radon concentration in the different caves ranges from 74 up to 451Bqm"-"3. The average radon concentration in four of the caves was low in the range 74-114Bqm"-"3. However, one cave showed an average radon concentration of 451Bqm"-"3. Radon is not a problem for tourists in the majority of ...
A technique capable of measuring the electron energy fluence spectra in a scattering medium was designed. These measurements were performed by setting a bremsstrahlung conversion target on the surface of a phantom, at an intermediate depth, and at a depth equal to electron mean range. The bremsstrahlung produced by the deceleration of electrons in the target was passed through an air channel in the phantom and passed forward by a pinhole collimator into a Na(Tl) detector. The measured pulse height data were unfolded to correct for the distortion of the spectrometer system by using the FORIST unfolding code. The unfolded bremsstrahlung spectra represent the electron energy fluence spectra convolution with the bremsstrahlung produced in the target. To generate the electron energy fluence spectra, the unfolded bremsstrahlung spectra were deconvoluted by using the MAZE2 unfolding code. CYLTRAN, a coupled electron-photon Monte Carlo transport code, was used to produce ...
A new small size gamma irradiator is being set up at Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP), Brazil, with a revolutionary design. The developed technology for this facility consists of continuous tote box transport system, comprising a single concrete vault, where the automated transport system of products inside and outside of the irradiator utilizes a rotating door, integrated with the shielding, avoiding the traditional maze configuration. Covering 76 m{sup 2} of floor area, the irradiator design is product overlap sources and the maximum capacity of Cobalt-60 wet sources is 37 PBq (1 MCi). The irradiator is being installed in a Governmental Institution and it will be used as a demonstration facility for manufacturers, who need an economic and logistic in-house irradiation system alternative. Also, it will be useful for supporting the local scientific community on development of products and process using gamma radiation, assisting the ...
This book discusses the procedures applied for the clinical nuclear medicine laboratory. The procedures are presented as proven guidelines. The chapters are included on quality assurance, radionuclide handling, and radiation safety.
X-ray ablation of material from the first wall and other components of an ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) chamber is a major threat to the laser final optics. Material condensing on these optics after a shot may cause damage with subsequent laser shots. To ensure the successful operation of the ICF facility, removal rates must be predicted accurately. The goal for this dissertation is to develop an experimentally validated x-ray response model, with particular application to the National Ignition Facility (NIF). Accurate knowledge of the x-ray and debris emissions from ICF targets is a critical first step in the process of predicting the performance of the target chamber system. A number of 1-D numerical simulations of NIF targets have been run to characterize target output in terms of energy, angular distribution, spectrum, and pulse shape. Scaling of output characteristics with variations of both target yield and hohlraum wall thickness are also described. ...
The beams in electron linear colliders can be converted to nearly monochromatic photon beams by means of Compton backscattering of laser photons. The electron beams must then be diverted from the interaction point by some means, the best of which seems to be a plasma lens. This paper describes the constraints on the plasma lens in this application and shows how the ablation of solid hydrogen pellets might be able to produce plasmas to satisfy these constraints. ((orig.)).
Although matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is involved in cardiomyocytes contractility dysfunction, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-4 (TIMP-4) mitigates the effect of MMP-9, and proteinase-activated...Full Text Available
In laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS), the properties of laser-generated aerosols, such as size and composition, are crucial for matrix-independent quantification. In this study, the aerosol particle morphology and elemental composition generated by two state-of-the-art laser systems (ArF excimer nanosecond-UV laser and Ti:sapphire femtosecond-IR laser) were investigated by electron microscopic techniques. Electrostatic sampling of the aerosols directly onto transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids allowed us to study the morphology and elemental composition of the aerosols using TEM and TEM-EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analyses, respectively. The results of the electron microscopic studies were finally compared to the LA-ICPMS signals of the main matrix components. The investigations were carried out for non-conducting materials (glass and zircon), metallic samples (steel and brass) and semiconductors ...
The Guide is intended to provide guidelines for the initial preparation of FFTF Operating Procedures. The Procedures Preparation Guide was developed from the plan presented and approved in the FFTF Reactor Plant Procedures Plan, PC-1, Revision 3.
A new procedure for an efficient and sparing cleaning procedure of turbines was developed. The procedure uses cleaning and passivation chemicals that solve effectively and homogeneously salt and ferrous oxide coatings from turbines, avoiding attacks from corrosion, plugging and unbalances. In several high-pressure and condensation turbines the cleaning procedure has been already put into practice. (orig.)
Divided into diagnostic and treatment sections, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the most common medical procedures performed in modern clinical settings. Each section presents common names for the procedure; an outline of the disease or injury for which the procedure is performed; a brief review of the anatomical structures and physiological processes that are involved; staffing, equipment, and pre-procedure requirements; a detailed description of the procedure itself; and, a discussion of expected outcomes as well as potential complications. Each chapter includes a summary and
Free Electron Laser (FEL) with the wide wavelength tunability has been developed and used for various applications. The FEL gives high efficiency for the photo-induced ablation when the laser is tuned to an absorption maximum of the target. The FEL was tuned to 9.4 #mu#m, which is an absorption maximum of phosphoric acid ion, a known major component of dentine. The FEL pulse length was several ps. The average output power was varied from 5 to 20 mW by filters. The change of irradiated dentine surface was analyzed by mass spectroscopy and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Positive ions which correspond to Na"+, CO_3"+ and many phosphoric acid ions were measured. It was found that atomic ratio of P/Ca had reduced from 0.65-0.60. The atomic ratio of P/Ca, however had not changed with irradiation by Er:YAG laser (2.9 #mu#m), or CO_2 laser (10.6 #mu#m). These results indicate the selective ablation of phosphoric acid ion by the 9.4 mm FEL ...
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 ...
We found that the androgenic gland (AG) of Macrobrachium rosenbergii possesses three cell types. Type I cells are small polygonal shaped-cells (13.4 mu m in diameter), stain strongly with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), have abundant multilayered rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER), and nuclei containing mostly heterochromatin. Type II cells are slightly larger (18.6 mu m in diameter), stain lightly with H&E, have rER with dilated cisternae, and nuclei containing mostly euchromatin. Type III cells (previously undescribed) are similar in size and shape to type I cells, but the cytoplasm is unstained and they have a high amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) and mitochondria with tubular cristae. Bilateral eyestalk-ablation resulted in AG hypertrophy with a proliferation and predominance of ty...
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 ...
Original investigations of ablation of minerals, fullerene-like compounds, polymers and complicated biological macromolecules under the action of submillimeter radiation of the free-electron laser (FEL) developed and built at Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics [V.P. Bolotin et al., First experiments on high-power Novosibirsk terahertz free-electron laser, Budker INP, 2005, p. 37 [1
Determination of the trajectory of a phase transition front moving in a forward or reverse direction is reduced to the solution of an ordinary differential equation. A numerical check of the results shows the method to be highly accurate. The method was used recently over a period of several years to solve various problems connected with the thawing of frozen rocks and their refreezing; among the problems considered was that of the ablation of rocks during the channeling of well, in which the method invariably proved its effectiveness. This furnishes a basis for recommending it for broader usage.
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 ...
The purpose of this paper is to relate some of the commonly encountered problems with operational procedures in the nuclear industry and offer practical suggestions for their elimination. The paper is based on recent consultant experience in assisting industry clients with human performance related design and assessment initiatives. Operational procedures are a key part of an integrated system design. Procedures provide the specified instructions for actions people are to undertake in operating a facility to achieve production and safety goals. While organizations continue to make substantial investments in procedure development and maintenance, problems with procedures continue to occur, as evidenced through operating inefficiencies, errors, and events. The paper reviews the role procedures play in facility operations, comments on current development and ...
An IAEA databank lists a number of reported cases of illicitly trafficked nuclear or other radioactive materials. Apart from the traditional concern with nuclear proliferation, the post September 11th public is now wary of a possible attack by terrorists with a nuclear or radiation dispersion device (RDD). Until now, the seized quantities have not been sufficient to manufacture a nuclear explosive device, but they might be enough to construct an RDD. Recognizing the latent global challenge to public health and safety, the G8 States (Japan, USA, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Canada, and Russia) have called for 'joint international efforts to identify and suppress illicit supply' of, and demand for, nuclear material and to deter potential traffickers. One measure gaining in significance is to identify seized material and trace it back to its origin the objective of an emerging science known as nuclear forensics. Repeatedly nuclear or other radioactive material of unknown origin are ...
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 ...
Prostate biopsy is the current gold-standard procedure for prostate cancer diagnosis. Existing prostate biopsy procedures have been mostly focusing on detecting cancer presence. However, they...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: New surgical procedures designed to assist in the treatment of peritoneal surface malignancy were sought. BACKGROUND: Decisions regarding the treatment of cancer depend on the anatomic location...Full Text Available
The document presented defines the plan to be used to coordinate the preparation, review, approval, and issuance of the operating procedure documents required to ensure safe and efficient operation of FFTF.
The document presented defines the plan to be used to coordinate the preparation, review, approval, and issuance of the operating procedure documents required to ensure safe and efficient operation of FFTF.
RationaleProcedures for studying the effects of medications on satiation will assist the development of obesity medications.ObjectivesFull Text Available
The widespread use of tobacco and alcohol among adolescents might be related to the ability of nicotine and ethanol to facilitate social interactions. To investigate the neurobehavioral mechanisms underlying the prosocial effects of nicotine and ethanol, we focused on social play behavior, the most characteristic social activity in adolescent rats. Social play behavior is rewarding, and it is modulated through opioid, cannabinoid and dopaminergic neurotransmission, which are also involved in the reinforcing properties of nicotine and ethanol. We found that nicotine and ethanol increased social play, without affecting locomotion or social exploration. Their effects depended on the level of social activity of the partner, and were comparable in familiar and unfamiliar environments. At doses that increased social play, nicotine and ethanol had no anxiolytic effects in the elevated plus-maze. By contrast, the prototypical anxiolytic drug diazepam reduced social play at ...
This study investigated whether estradiol influenced the survival of new granule neurons, independent of altering cell proliferation, in the adult rodent dentate gyrus and whether estradiol-induced changes in new neuron number relate to any observed changes in hippocampus-dependent behavior. To test whether estradiol specifically promotes the survival of new neurons we injected castrated adult male meadow voles with the cell synthesis marker bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU; 50 mg/kg) twice on day 0 and then injected either estradiol (10 microg) or vehicle for 5 consecutive days either over days 1-5, days 6-10 or days 11-15 and perfused them on day 16. Estradiol doubled the number of hippocampal BrdU-labeled neurons but only when administered during a discrete period (days 6-10; P< or =0.01) when most new neurons extend their axons [J Comp Neurol 413 (1999) 146]. To test whether the estradiol-induced increase in new neuron number was related to hippocampus-dependent behavior, males were ...
The Radiation Technology Center from IPEN-CNEN/SP, Brazil, developed a revolutionary design and national technology, a small-sized continuous run and multipurpose industrial gamma irradiator, to be used as a demonstration facility for manufacturers and contract service companies, which need economical and logistical in-house irradiation system alternatives. Also, to be useful for supporting the local scientific community on development of products and process using gamma radiation, assisting the traditional and potential users on process validation, training and qualification of operators and radioprotection officers. The developed technology for this facility consists of a continuous tote box transport system, comprising a single concrete vault, where the automated transport system of products inside and outside of the irradiator utilizes a rotating door, integrated with the shielding, avoiding the traditional maze configuration. Covering 76 m"2 of floor area, the ...
Minimally invasive treatment for small renal cell carcinoma (RCC) can be necessary in selected patients and, anyway, is desirable. In situ ablation techniques, including RFA, have been developed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term local effectiveness of percutaneous US-guided RFA in a small series, as well as mid-term patient outcome. Thirteen patients with a total of 18 tumors (17 small lesions, 35 mm in size or less, and a larger one, 75 mm in size) underwent 19 RFA sessions. Seven patients had a solitary kidney, and three suffered from VHL disease, too. We treated four lesions in a patient with a bilateral tumor. In another patient, three lesions were ablated. Seventeen tumors were RCC; one was a metastasis from lung cancer. Eight lesions were parenchymal, six exophytic, two parenchymal/exophytic, one parenchymal/central and one central. A monopolar RF system with multitined expandable electrode ...
OBJECTIVE To present our initial experience of thulium laser resection via a flexible cystoscope for recurrent non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (ThuRBT), as transurethral resection for bladder tumour (TURBT) is regarded as the reference standard for treating this disease, but alternative laser resection or ablation is suitable especially for recurrent tumours. PATIENTS AND METHODS From January 2005 to October 2005, 32 patients with early recurrent bladder tumour (recurrent within a year after TURBT) were treated with ThuRBT via a flexible cystoscope. The follow-up included urine analysis, ultrasonography and cystoscopy every 3 months. RESULTS All patients were treated successfully with ThuRBT in one session, with no bladder haemorrhage, obturator nerve reflex or vesicle perforation. Rand...
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.
The goal of this research program is to determine whether pulsed laser deposition is an effective alternative method for growing TiCN thin films. Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is chosen because of its well-documented capability for growing uniform, stoichiometric films in ultra-high vacuum or gaseous environments. Processing of thin films by PLD is also achieved at relatively low temperatures compared with CVD processing. Given these attributes, the primary objectives in this article are to determine whether nitrogen may be readily incorporated into films resulting from the laser-ablation of TiC in an N{sub 2} environment, determine what effect nitrogen has on mechanical properties, and determine whether nitrogen incorporation is strongly influenced by processes unrelated to laser deposition (e.g., thermally-activated surface reactions).
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 ...
Effective localization of small magnets against a noisy, real world background can involve various methods to first identify the magnetic fields produced by the magnet of interest, then to filter out background noise, and then to analyze the available magnetic field data to localize the magnet. Here we discuss low cost techniques which allow localization of small magnets with field strengths in the milliGauss range against real world background fields in the range of hundreds of mG, which may be fluctuating by up to tens of mG. Such techniques allow magnet tracking to be used to localize catheters in place of more invasive and expensive methods, e.g. fluoroscopy, for a variety of applications, including drug infusion with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), laser ablation (TMR, PTMR) and introduction of pacemaker leads.
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...
The wavelength of the free electron laser (FEL) in Osaka University can be continuously varied in the range of 5.0-20.0 #mu#m. The FEL has a double-pulse structure, consisting of a train of macropulses of pulse duration 12 #mu#s. Each macropulse contains a train of 330 micropulses of pulse duration 5 ps. The tunability and picosecond pulses afford new medical and biological applications. However, a macropulse of long pulse duration leads to undesirable secondary effects. Precise control of the macropulse duration is essential for the high-precision applications of the FEL. An FEL pulse control system using acousto-optic modulators has been developed to investigate mechanical (shock-wave) effects of the FEL on living tissues. With this system, we have controlled photoinduced shock waves and determine the mechanism of interaction during FEL-induced tissue ablation.
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...
The paper describes novel analytical methods developed for the detection of previous neutron irradiation and reprocessing of illicit nuclear materials, which is an important characteristic of nuclear materials of unknown origin in nuclear forensics. Alpha spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma sector-field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS) using solution nebulization and direct, quasi-non-destructive laser ablation as sample introduction were applied for the measurement of trace-level "2"3"2U, "2"3"6U and plutonium isotopes deriving from previous neutron irradiation of uranium-containing nuclear materials. The measured radionuclides and isotope ratios give important information on the raw material used for fuel production and enable confirm the supposed provenance of illicit nuclear material.
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...
This chapter consists of some points including an introduction, the basic parts of mass spectroscope device, sample introduction into the inductively coupled plasma, pneumatic nebuliser, ultrasonic nebuliser, dry gas cloud system, laser ablation unit, inductively coupled plasma-ion source, extraction of ions from ion source, mass analysis, quad-polar mass spectrometer, dual assembly mass spectrometer, mass spectrometer by calculation of time of flight, ion interferences and the ability of resolution, ion counter, working conditions of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscope device, efficiency of ion transportation in an inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscope device and applications of analysis using mass spectroscope of induced plasma including nuclear, industrial, geological, environmental and archaeological applications, measurement of isotopes ratio and applications in tracing crimes.
Three alternative extraction procedures were carried out in order to separate the antioxidant components and isolate an efficient extract from Origanum dictamnus. Procedure A included sequential extractions with petroleum ether (PE), diethyl ether (DE) and ethanol; procedure B sequential extractions with PE and ethyl acetate (EAc); procedure C a single step extraction with ethanol. The most efficient radical scavengers, according to the DPPH method, were isolated in ethanol extract of procedure A (mainly rosmarinic acid), followed by ethanol extract of procedure C. However, both ethanol extracts had low solubility in oil and could not protect it. EAc and DE extracts, containing mainly apigenin and epirosmanol ethyl ether, presented lower radical scavenging activity but were very effective ...
In 1992, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) established a task force to develop a procedure for measuring electric energy consumption, all-electric range, fuel economy, and exhaust emissions for hybrid vehicles; the procedure will be submitted to regulatory agencies as representing the automotive industry`s recommendations. The draft procedure is currently being tested on hybrid vehicles. The University of Maryland`s parallel hybrid was tested in September 1994, and the University of California-Davis` parallel hybrid and the University of Illinois` series hybrid will be tested in November 1994 and January 1995, respectively. The procedure is being modified to incorporate any lessons learned, and the task force hopes to recommend the final procedure to the SAE by mid 1995.
A procedure for code Verification by the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS) is presented. Although the procedure requires a certain amount of creativity and skill, we show that MMS can be applied to a variety of engineering codes which numerically solve partial differential equations. This is illustrated by detailed examples from computational fluid dynamics. The strength of the MMS procedure is that it can identify any coding mistake that affects the order-of-accuracy of the numerical method. A set of examples which use a blind-test protocol demonstrates the kinds of coding mistakes that can (and cannot) be exposed via the MMS code Verification procedure. The principle advantage of the MMS procedure over traditional methods of code Verification is that code capabilities are tested in full generality. The procedure thus results in a high degree of confidence ...
The important role of thyroid hormones in growth and development, maintenance of body temperature, digestion, cardiac function, and normal brain development can be disrupted by environmental contaminants like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). Polychlorinated biphenyls are environmental contaminants that are widespread, persistent, lipophilic, and bioaccumulate through food webs, concentrating in adipose tissue. Placental and lactational PCB exposure of offspring causes metabolic and endocrine disruptions including hypothyroxinemia, spatial learning and memory deficits, neurochemical and neurobehavioral alterations, and reproductive problems. Previous studies in our lab using the individual congeners PCB 47 (2,2',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, ortho-substituted) and PCB 77 (3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, non-ortho-substituted) have demonstrated alterations in thyroid hormone levels, alterations in brain choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and spatial learning deficits. In the present ...
By contrast to the large mass, complexity and recirculating power of conventional drivers for inertial confinement fusion (ICF), antiproton annihilation offers a specific energy of 90MJ/{micro}g and thus a unique form of energy packaging and delivery. In principle, antiproton drivers could provide a profound reduction in system mass for advanced space propulsion by ICF. We examine the physics underlying the use of antiprotons ({bar p}) to drive various classes of high-yield ICF targets by the methods of volumetric ignition, hotspot ignition and fast ignition. The useable fraction of annihilation deposition energy is determined for both {bar p}-driven ablative compression and {bar p}-driven fast ignition, in association with 0-D and 1-D target burn models. Thereby, we deduce scaling laws for the number of injected antiprotons required per capsule, together with timing and focal spot requirements. The kinetic energy of the injected antiproton beam required to ...
... the major types of vascular access catheters: A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a long catheter that extends ... the procedure performed? A midline catheter and some peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines may be inserted at your ...
Midurethral tension-free sling procedure has become one of the most popular techniques for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. As the time elapsed, however, complications associated with a...Full Text Available
Up to this time the sigmoid colostomy has been widely accepted and conventional treatment for radiation-injured rectum, but patients without residual malignancy strongly desire to live without colostomy. We have tried to remove the involved rectal segments by sphincter-saving procedures. Four patients underwent these procedures, pull-through procedure in three and low anterior resection in one. Among sphincter-saving procedures, pull-through procedure was most adequate. Provided the following five conditions are fulfilled, pull-through procedure should be considered for severe radiation-injured rectum. (1) No recurrence of initial malignancy in the pelvis. (2) More than 2 cm intact rectal segment above dentate line may be preserved. (3) No radiation-injured segment in upper sigmoid. (4) No severe radiation damage in small intestine. (5) Patients under 70 ...
A report is made of operant conditoning procedures used in the determination of auditory, olfactory and visual acuity measures in the German Shepherd. An account is given of a procedure for semi-automatic training of dogs to search for, detect, and object...
This chapter provides an overview of the problem of response to a nuclear weapon accident, the fundamentals of response to an accident, and a summary of the NARP Manual. The manual provides a summary of procedural guidance, technical information, and DoD responsibilities, to assist DoD forces in preparing a response to a nuclear weapon accident.
The inflammatory and immune cell populations of the human lung parenchyma have not been characterized in detail. This report describes a novel and efficient procedure for their extraction. Histologically...Full Text Available
... A description of the National Safety Council's current cost estimating procedures may be found in the Technical Appendix ... the 1993 bulletin, the Council extensively revised its cost estimating procedures. New components were added, new benchmarks and ...
The procedure describes the procedures to be used in evaluating consumable and combustible cartridge cases. Included are ballistic tests, environmental tests, adverse condition tests, fungus resistance tests, drop tests and safety tests. (Author)
A Prospective randomised controlled study was done to determine statistical difference between the standard microsurgical discotomy (MC) and a minimally invasive microscopic procedure for disc prolapse...Full Text Available
BackgroundThis study assessed the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practice regarding disinfection procedures among nurses in Italian hospitals.MethodsA...Full Text Available
... TTP tactics, techniques, and procedures UCP Unified ... be sold or transferred to Pakistan, pursuant to ... substantial amounts of those funds being spent ...
... in tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP), such as ... flow across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, specifically ... The funds from the NATO ANA Trust ...
2.1.1 Levels of preservation and packaging and the levels of packing to be applied selectively are defined in MIL-STD-2073-1 and are mandatory for use or ...
The polymerization of vinyl pyrrolidinone on nylon 66, with the assistance of aqueous phenol and formic acid, was investigated by mutual and post irradiation procedures. Both solvents were found to greatly facilitate the polymerization with the post irradiation procedure, whereas neither presented any advantage with the mutual irradiation procedure. Tensile properties of the modified fibers were affected in similar ways by both the irradiation procedures and solvents in that the only notable changes were the somewhat higher extensions at yield and at break. The moisture regain values of the treated yarns and fabrics were increased up to three-fold. Surface morphology of the modified fibers was revealed by SEM.
In this paper we describe the reconstruction strategies, the calibration procedures and the detector performance results from the latest CMS operation.
This document describes payload control at LLNL to ensure that all shipments of CH-TRU waste in the TRUPACT-II (Transuranic Package Transporter-II) meet the requirements of the TRUPACT-II SARP (safety report for packaging). This document also provides specific instructions for the selection of authorized payloads once individual payload containers are qualified for transport. The physical assembly of the qualified payload and operating procedures for the use of the TRUPACT-II, including loading and unloading operations, are described in HWM Procedure No. 204, based on the information in the TRUPACT-II SARP. The LLNL TRAMPAC, along with the TRUPACT-II operating procedures contained in HWM Procedure No. 204, meet the documentation needs for the use of the TRUPACT-II at LLNL. Table 14-1 provides a summary of the LLNL waste generation and certification procedures as they relate to ...
A variable-compression ratio, direct-injection diesel engine (VCR) has been designed and assembled at Southwest Research Institute with the intention of examining the current procedures for rating the ignition quality of diesel fuels and the meaning of ignition delay as an indicator of ignition and combustion quality. Using a slightly modified ASTM D 613 procedure, the engine has been used to rate the ignition quality of 43 different test fuels. The ratings obtained in the VCR engine are compared to the corresponding rating obtained using the standard cetane rating procedure. Some of the problems associated with the standard procedure became apparent during these experiments. The experimental results are discussed in terms of the problems and the advantages of a proposed VCR-based rating procedure.
The manual provides design information for four groups of sediment control structures and treatments which are suitable for use on small areas in surface coal mining. A detailed design procedure is given for each group which will estimate the total amount of settleable solids from a small area with a sediment control structure or treatment for a specific design storm. A procedure is also given for estimating the mean annual sediment yield from a small area. Information on design, installation, maintenance and cost is given for each sediment control measure. Methods for determining the maximum allowable area for each sediment control measure and for design of combined sediment control systems are presented. The design procedures contain numerous nomographs, graphs, and worksheets to facilitate the use of the design procedure. The sediment control measures, design procedures, and ...
The manual provides design information for four groups of sediment control structures and treatments which are suitable for use on small areas in surface coal mining. A detailed design procedure is given for each group which will estimate the total amount of settleable solids from a small area with a sediment control structure or treatment for a specific design storm. A procedure is also given for estimating the mean annual sediment yield from a small area. Information on design, installation, maintenance and cost is given for each sediment control measure. Methods for determining the maximum allowable area for each sediment control measure and for design of combined sediment control systems are presented. The design procedures contain numerous nomographs, graphs, and worksheets to facilitate the use of the design procedure. The sediment control measures, design procedures, and ...
Abstract Purpose: We evaluated complications of urologic laparoscopic surgery at our institution. Patients and Methods: From December 1991 to January 2009, 1017 urologic laparoscopic surgical procedures were performed in Kansai Medical University, including 277 radical prostatectomies, 13 donor nephrectomies, 74 partial nephrectomies, 158 radical nephrectomies, 55 pyeloplasties, 97 nephrouretectomies, 54 simple nephrectomies, 128 adrenalectomies, 34 varicocelectomies, and 127 other procedures. Medical records of each procedure were retrospectively evaluated. The difficulty of each procedure was classified according to the European Scoring System (ESS). Intraoperative and postoperative complications were graded according to the Satava and Clavien classifications, respectively. Results: Amon...
The goal of this investigation is to research possible methodologies into automating the design of, specifically, nuclear power facilities; however, it is relevant to all thermal power systems. The strategy of this research has been to concentrate on individual areas of the thermal design process, investigate procedures performed, develop methodology to emulate that behavior, and prototype it in the form of a computer program. The design process has been generalized as follows: problem definition, design definition, component selection procedure, optimization and engineering analysis, testing and final design with the problem definition defining constraints that will be applied to the selection procedure as well as design definition. The result of this research is a prototype computer program applying an original procedure for the selection of the best set of real components that would be used in ...
A tissue-equivalent dosimetry system has been developed for use in absorbed dose determinations with physical models of Reference Man. The dosimeter used was a thermo-luminescent dosimeter (TLD) powder which was mixed with a 'tissue-equivalent' material and modeled to closely approximate an organ's geometry and absorption properties. A separation procedure was developed by which the TLD powder was washed and the 'tissue-equivalent' material, a wax, was dissolved and extracted following the irradiation of the model. The procedure was tested to determine losses of powder, homogeneity of the powder's distribution throughout the wax, the effects of the separation procedure upon the powder and the statistical behavior of the procedure. The results of these tests established the feasibility of the procedure. A full-scale model of the pancreas was tested and the results supported the ...
Section 7 of the Atomic Energy Act (AtG), section 4 of the Federal Emission Control Act (BImSchG), the Nuclear Installations Licensing Ordinance (AtVfV), and the Ninth Ordinance on the Implementation of the BImSchG (Principles of the licensing procedure) require participation of the public in the procedure before administrative provisions or decisions are issued. The book presents the legally prescribed steps at which participation of the public is mandatory, for the simple case (only one license on the agenda), and for the multi-stage licensing procedure: preliminary negotiations / filling of applications for a license and filing of documents / public announcement of projects / access to files / objections / preclusion of delayed objections / public hearing and other expert discussions / termination of procedure, decision-making by the authorities / decisions on subdivision of ...
Multilayer mirrors for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) are keyelements for numerous applications of coherent EUV sources such as newtabletop lasers and free-electron lasers. However the field ofapplications is limited by the radiation and thermal stability of themultilayers. Taking into account the growing power of EUV sources thestability of the optics becomes crucial. To overcome this problem it isnecessary to study the degradation of multilayers and try to increasetheir temporal and thermal stability. In this paper we report the resultsof detailed study of structural changes in Sc/Simultilayers when exposedto intense EUV laser pulses. Various types of surface damage such asmelting, boiling, shockwave creation and ablation were observed asirradiation fluencies increase. Cross-sectional TEM study revealed thatthe layer structure was completely destroyed in the upper part ofmultilayer, but still survived below. The layers adjacent tothe substrateremained intact even ...
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...
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.
Ferroelectric thin films such as BST, PZT and PLZT are extensively being studied for the fabrication of DRAMS since they have high dielectric constant. The large and reversible remnant polarization of these materials makes it attractive for nonvolatile ferroelectric RAM application. In this paper we report the characterization of Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3 (BST) thin films grown by pulsed laser ablation on oxide electrodes. The structural and electrical properties of the fabricated devices were studied. Growth of crystalline BST films was observed on La0.5Sr0.5CoO3 (LSCO) thin film electrodes at relatively low substrate temperature compared to BST grown on PtSi substrates. Electrical characterization was carried out by fabricating PtSi/LSCO/BST/LSCO heterostructures. The leakage current of the heteros...
In nuclear fuel, in approximately one quarter of the fissions, one of the two formed fission products is gaseous. These are mainly the noble gases xenon and krypton with isotopes of xenon contributing up to 90% of the product gases. These noble fission gases do not combine with other species, and have a low solubility in the normally used uranium oxide matrix. They can be dissolved in the fuel matrix or precipitate in nanometer-sized bubbles within the fuel grain, in micrometer-sized bubbles at the grain boundaries, and a fraction also precipitates in fuel pores, coming from fuel fabrication. A fraction of the gas can also be released into the plenum of the fuel rod. With increasing fission, and therefore burn-up, the ceramic fuel material experiences a transformation of its structure in the 'cooler' rim region of the fuel. A subdivision occurs of the original fuel grains of few microns size into thousands of small grains of sub-micron sizes. Additionally, larger ...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
A newly constructed Fourier transform microwave spectrometer has been used to record the pure rotational spectra of four isotopomers of SrS ({sup 88}Sr{sup 32}S, {sup 87}Sr{sup 32}S, {sup 86}Sr{sup 32}S, and {sup 88}Sr{sup 34}S) between 6 and 26 GHz. The molecules were produced by reacting laser ablated strontium with carbonyl sulfide (0.1% in argon). Pure rotational transitions in the ground, first and second vibrational states have been observed. The data set has enabled a multi-isotopomer fit. Born-Oppenheimer breakdown terms for both atoms have been determined. The {sup 87}Sr nuclear quadrupole coupling constant in {sup 87}Sr{sup 32}S has been determined for the first time.
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 ...
The aim of this work was to study the possibility of producing a fast switching optical thin film device to react to laser radiation in the visible/near infrared region of the spectrum. The switching mechanism was to be thermally driven. A computer program was written to enable the effects of changes of the refractive index of a component of a multilayer thin film stack to be modelled. Attempts to use the phase transition in vanadium dioxide were unsuccessful because, in the spectral region of interest, the 'open-state' absorption was too great. A class of materials known as 'the bronzes' was identified as being potentially useful. Attempts were made to produce thin films of bronze compounds of vanadium, tungsten and molybdenum by the techniques of conventional thermal evaporation and laser ablation for further studies. The former technique appeared to suffer from problems of decomposition of the source material. The latter technique showed greater promise although ...
We wanted to evaluate the procedural success after percutaneous treatment of thrombosed native arteriovenous dialysis fistula insufficiency and the efficacy of performing mechanical thrombectomy with using the stone basket. From March 2004 to June 2005, 36 thrombosed native hemodialysis access shunts in the upper limbs (brachiocephalic fistulas: 16 and radiocephalic fistulas: 20) were percutaneously treated in 30 patients. Declotting procedures were performed with using urokinase (100,00-200,000 unit) and manual catheter-directed thrombo-aspiration in all the patients. Angioplasty (6 mm in diameter and 4 cm in length) was performed at the identified area of the stenosis and /or with maceration of the thrombus. In 14 cases with massive thrombosis that was refractory to the above mentioned declotting procedures, mechanical thrombectomy with using a Wittich nitinol stone basket (Cook, Bloomington, IN) was performed. Data ...
The objective of the project was to provide a readily understandable and usable methodology for preliminary analysis of the economic benefit that can accrue from the use of thermal energy storage for building heating and cooling. The procedure was to be capable of providing an estimate of cooling plant and storage size, as well as the monthly savings that can be saved. The research focused on the development of a procedure for a limited class of commercial and institutional buildings in North Carolina. A simplified procedure for analyzing the potential for using thermal energy storage (TES) in such buildings in North Carolina was developed. The procedure developed consists of charts and nomographs that can be used for estimating the size of TES systems, and for estimating the monthly demand savings. The monthly demand savings can be combined with the applicable rate schedule to determine the annual cost ...
Two local repair procedures, one without (9) and the other with (14) a bulbocavernosus muscle graft were performed on 20 patients with a radiation induced rectovaginal fistula. Four patients had two procedures successively. The initial success rate of both procedures was 7/9 and 14/14 respectively. Though the initial result of the bulbocavernosus graft was obviously better, in many of the local repair procedures, subclinical radiation damage progressed, resulting in recurrence of rectovaginal fistula (5), rectovesical fistula (4), pararectal abscess (2) etc. After a mean follow up of around 10 years, the success rate of fistula repair decreased to 5/9 and 13/14 and only 2/9 and 6/14 finally remained without a colostomy. A local repair operation should be restricted to carefully selected cases. The musculus gracilis is proposed as a better vascular graft. If the general condition of the patient does not ...
The authors experimentally study the separate stages of the determination of iodine in thyroidin by the combustion method in a flask with oxygen. The monotypic, conventional procedures and the procedure of Kolii and Pakhomov were studied. With addition of potassium iodide, a sixfold amount (compared with the initial) of iodine is liberated. Further, the liberated iodine is titrated by sodium thiosulfate. The authors find the degree of influence of a high nitrogen content on the determination of iodine in organic compounds. The procedure developed for the quantitative determination of the iodine in thyroidin by the combustion method is simple, fairly rapid, and can be used for the reliable control of the quality of thyroidin preparations and its starting raw material.
This document describes testing and computation procedures used to generate a photovoltaic Module Energy Rating (MER). The MER consists of 10 estimates of the amount of energy a single module of a particular type (make and model) will produce in one day. Module energy values are calculated for each of five different sets of weather conditions (defined by location and date) and two load types. Because reproduction of these exact testing conditions in the field or laboratory is not feasible, limited testing and modeling procedures and assumptions are specified.
The procedure of charge-coupled devices (CCD) are investigated by using MOS capacitors for enhancing their ionizing radiation tolerance. Authors have found that the gate oxidation temperature, thickness of SiO_2 gate insulator and high temperature processes after gate oxidation are crucial for determining the radiation tolerance of the devices, and proposed to decrease the thickness of gate insulator, perform gate oxidation at 1000 deg C by means of dry oxidation and minimize the number of high temperature procedure steps after gate oxidation. All stated above is a necessary preparation for priducing radiation hardened charge-coupled devices.
The scenario of the development of a new procedure for cutting out the broken protective wells for thermocouples inside the deep holes in the tube plate in the moisture re-heater (MSR) at Daya Bay nuclear power station is presented. Focused in the innovation and improvement of the self-made tools, the new procedure produced an effective method to cut out swing long inserts stuck inside the deep holes. (authors)
... that operated in Pakistan, Dubai, and throughout the Middle East ... identifies 'funds' as one of eight major terrorist ... techniques, and procedures (TTP). ...
Mycosis fungoides (MF) in deep-seated lymph nodes, spleen or liver appears to be associated with a lack of response of the disease to topical external therapy. Fourteen patients with mycosis fungoides...Full Text Available
The Directive establishes a single manager for the Department of Defense Military Working Dog Program, provides policy, prescribes procedures, and assigns responsibilities.
A procedure was developed for separating rubidium from irradiated aluminum encapsulated uranium. The separations procedure produces a final ultra-high purity RbCl product for subsequent high performance mass spectrometric analysis. The procedure involves first removing most of the macro-components and fission products by strong base anion exchange using, first, concentrated HCl, then oxalic acid media and second, selectively separating rubidium from alkaline-earth ions and other alkali-metal ions, including cesium, using Bio-Rex-40 cation-exchange resin. The resultant RbCl is then put through a final vacuum sublimation step. Ultra-pure reagents and specially clean glassware are used throughout the procedure to minimize contamination by naturally-occurring rubidium.
A procedure was developed for separating rubidium from irradiated aluminum encapsulated uranium. The separations procedure produces a final ultra-high purity RbCl product for subsequent high performance mass spectrometric analysis. The procedure involves first removing most of the macro-components and fission products by strong base anion exchange using, first, concentrated HCl, then oxalic acid media and second, selectively separating rubidium from alkaline-earth ions and other alkali-metal ions, including cesium, using Bio-Rex-40 cation-exchange resin. The resultant RbCl is then put through a final vacuum sublimation step. Ultra-pure reagents and specially clean glassware are used throughout the procedure to minimize contamination by naturally-occurring rubidium.
A specific radiochemical procedure for indium determination in semiconductor-grade silicon, using an inorganic ion exchanger (cerium oxalate) is proposed.
This paper describes the results of a French-Lebanese scientific cooperation, between 2001 and 2005, about 'Rational use of energy in the residential buildings in Lebanon and adaptation of an energy certification procedure'. The aim of this project is to promote the energy efficiency in the existing residential buildings in Lebanon, using an energy certification procedure, and to evaluate the energy certification foresight with prospective methods. The paper first describes an energy investigation in Lebanese residential buildings, and the energy certification procedure. It presents the foresight methodology implemented to identify the key variables and the actors. Finally, the paper exposes the morphological method which allows to elaborate three scenarios of energy performance certification. These scenarios are presented in order to provide a decision making for the actors of the Lebanese energy policy.
Provisions (a) NPDES field personnel shall be currently trained and certified in CPR and basic first-aid procedures. (b) NPDES field personnel shall be aware of the...
The FFTF reactor is described. Procedures and equipment used to protect personnel from potential hazards of oxygen deficient environments are described.
Percutaneous renal biopsy (PRB) is a safe and effective tool in the diagnosis and management of renal disease. It is the gold standard for evaluating renal parenchymal disease. It is both useful for...Full Text Available
Market based pricing only applies to the extent it is consistent with these other requirements. For example: .... work, market based pricing does not apply. ...
Minimally invasive parathyroidectomy is the procedure of choice for primary hyperparathyroidism due to parathyroid adenoma. Localization of the offending adenoma in minimally invasive parathyroidectomy...Full Text Available
Arthroscopy, a minimally invasive alternative to standard open surgical techniques and now the most commonly performed orthopedic surgical procedure, was one of the greatest advances in orthopedic surgery...Full Text Available
Analytical procedures are described for the determination of organic compounds, metals and radioisotopes in environmental materials, human tissues, urine, feces, and waste water.
Development of the Technology and Control of Electron-Beam Welding Procedure and Production of Full Scale Sector of Endcap CMS Hadron Calorimeter. Preparation for Mass Production.
This Guideline provides a set of procedures for the measurement of organic contaminants and particles in producer gases from biomass gasifiers. The procedures are designed to cover different gasifier types (updraft or downdraft fixed bed or fluidised bed gasifiers), operating conditions (0 - 900C and 0.6-60 bars) and concentration ranges (1 mg/m{sub n}{sup 3} to 300 g/m{sub n}{sup 3}). The Guideline describes a modular sampling train, and a set of procedures, which include: planning and preparation of the sampling, sampling and post-sampling, analysis, calculations, error analysis and reporting. The modular sampling train consists of 4 modules. Module 1 is a preconditioning module for isokinetic sampling and gas cooling. Module 2 is a particle collection module including a heated filter. Module 3 is a tar collection module with a gas quench (optionally by circulating a liquid), impinger bottles and a backup adsorber. Module ...
Quantitative microscopy has been extensively used in biomedical research and has provided significant insights into structure and dynamics at the cell and tissue level. The entire procedure...Full Text Available
The management of risks of explosives are described. Administrative and procedural controls are considered. The safety management plan involves hazard identification, risk analysis, assessment and control. The current position of explosives safety is considered. 4 tabs.
... endometriosis can be seen is by doing a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to look at ... of the abdomen using special scopes. During a laparoscopy, the doctor is able to take small samples ...
Given growing interest in Functional Data Analysis (FDA) as a useful method for analyzing human movement data, it is critical to understand the effects of standard FDA procedures, including...Full Text Available
A case of intrathoracic lipoma in a child is presented. The diagnosis was made before operation by means of computer-assisted tomography, a non-interventional procedure.
In everyday radiotherapy we must carry out the determination of absorbed dose measurement according to JARP's protocol. We explained an outline of JARP's 1974 and 1986 protocol in electron beam therapy, and mentioned it about the matter that should examined. To use it easily in clinic, a simplified procedure based on precisely to JARP's 1986 protocol is practical, the character of this procedure settles briefly the determination of mean incident energy of electron beams and get ready to table of ionization to absorbed dose conversion factor for various ionization chamber. Also, this procedure almost not influence on the accuracy of determination. We described systematically practical procedure for requisite absorbed dose calculation in a patient in electron beam therapy. (author).
This report provides procedures for evaluating metal, consumable, and combustible cartridge cases. It identifies supporting tests, facilities, and equipment required. Subtests include weapon and ammunition preparation, initial inspection, ammunition chara...
In eight patients with Ewing's sarcoma bone scans were performed using "9"9"mTc-MDP. This procedure rendered possible the diagnosis of clinically or radiologically silent metastases. (orig.).
The feasibility of this procedure was investigated using minerals and ore specimens. The substances were ground then fused using LiBO/sub 2/, quenched with 3% HNO/sub 3/ or mixtures of the acid with 2.5% tartaric acid or 30% H/sub 2/O/sub 2/. The quenched melt was usually completely dissolved within 20 min by placing the beakers in an ultrasonic bath. If any residue was detected, appropriate changes were made in the procedure. Once the procedure has been optimized, any remaining black particles were filtered. If these particles disappeared upon subsequent ignition, they were presumed to have been graphite. Most of the refractory minerals investigated should be expected to be converted to soluble form by this process. 1 table.
replacing the KDP crystal, and introducing computer programs for accumulation of an almost unlimited number of frames. The calibration procedure using solar ...
New methods for the reduction and remediation of hazardous wastes like carcinogenic organic solvents, toxic materials, and nuclear contamination are vital to environmental health. Procedures for effective...Full Text Available
Previous research with individuals undergoing surgery or diagnostic procedures provided a conceptual framework for analysis of radiation therapy, a common form of cancer treatment. The present...Full Text Available
In this paper a new fuzzy decision-making procedure is developed. Two levels of weightings, called upper and lower weights, are proposed to calculate the fuzzy weightings of different criteria. The preference table is introduced to calculate the upper and lower weights. Also a new method is developed to determine the expected preference values of different alternatives. These values are used for generating the priority list of alternatives. The procedure is applied for providing an emergency electric power distribution, scheduling time table. The IEEE 14-bus standard system and a 14-bus system with four power plants are considered as case studies. Using fuzzy decision-making procedure, the regions with more priorities are more connected to the distribution net, while the maximum consumption criterion is also reasonably respected. (author)
BACKGROUNDOpen carpal tunnel release (OCTR) is the standard procedure for the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. With the advent of minimally invasive surgery, endoscopic...Full Text Available
The authors reviewed the literature on psychological and psychosocial outcomes for individuals undergoing cosmetic surgery, to address whether elective cosmetic procedures improve psychological...Full Text Available
...Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINEERS Dispute Resolution Procedures § 240.405 Processing qualification review petitions. (a)...
The paper describes the different methods, used in the MAGIC experiment, to unfold experimental energy distributions of cosmic ray particles ({gamma}-rays). Questions and problems related to the unfolding are discussed. Various procedures are proposed which can help to make the unfolding robust and reliable. The different methods and procedures are implemented in the MAGIC software and are used in most of the analyses.
We present a general procedure to construct the first law of thermodynamics on the apparent horizon and illustrate its validity by examining it in some extended gravity theories. Applying this procedure, we can describe the thermodynamics on the apparent horizon in Randall-Sundrum braneworld imbedded in a nontrivial bulk. We discuss the mass-like function which was used to link Friedmann equation to the first law of thermodynamics and obtain its special case which gives the generalized Misner-Sharp mass in Lovelock gravity.
This paper establishes a standardization procedure in which results are presented in ready-to-use charts for the economic evaluation of biogas plants. It is hoped this work will alleviate controversial reports on cost-effectiveness of biogas systems. Also, it is found that these systems are the most economic among renewable energy systems using a standardized procedure for their comparison augmented by the generated spider diagrams wherein most probable costing production values for each system are directly compared. (author).
A renormalization procedure is proposed which applies to lattice Feynman integrals containing zero-mass propagators and is analogous to the BPHZL renormalization procedure for continuum Feynman integrals. The renormalized diagrams are infrared convergent for non-exceptional external momenta, if the vertices of the theory satisfy a general infrared constraint. Under the same conditions as in the massive case, the continuum limit of the renormalized theory exists and is independent of the details of the lattice action.
The radiation dose to a series of adult and paediatric patients undergoing cardiac catheterisations and adults having percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been measured/determined directly using lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosemeters and indirectly using an air ionisation chamber which indicated exposure-area product. Somatic and genetic risks are estimated from the dosimetry results. It is suggested that the magnitude of the radiation hazard is negligible compared with other clinical hazards associated with these procedures. (author).
The invention concerns a procedure for operating reactors in nuclear power plants. It aims at utilizing power reserves in nuclear power plants. This can be achieved by a steam-side connection of the steam generators of two reactors. The amount of steam exchanged between the units is chosen in such a way that power changes at the steam turbines feedback mainly to the corresponding reactor. In order to realize a high power transfer it is necessary to return the amount of condensate produced in the steam receiving unit and corresponding to the power transferred to the feedwater system of the steam donating unit.
A survey to determine the annual genetically significant dose and mean bone-marrow dose to the Australian population from radiological procedures has been undertaken. For diagnostic radiology the following were carried out: determination of the frequency of a procedure; measurement of patient doses using TLD and processing of data and calculation of gonadal and bone-marrow doses.
One of the main goals in the operation of a cupola furnace is to keep the molten iron properties within prescribed bounds while maintaining the most economical operation for the cupola. In this paper the authors present a procedure to obtain the nominal values for the manipulated process variables. The nominal values are calculated by solving a constrained nonlinear programming optimization problem. Two different optimization problems are discussed and examples for using the procedure are presented.
The management procedure of a large PRISE (Primary-to-Secondary) leakage accident at Loviisa nuclear power plant taking into account the plant modifications which are expected to be realized during 1995-96 is described. The management procedure has been validated by performing thermal hydraulic analyses with the computer code RELAP5/MOD3 and the results from these analyses are also shortly discussed. (4 refs., 6 figs., 1 tab.).
A numerical calculation procedure applicable to cavity-type receiver configurations and flow conditions was developed. Flow visualization experiments were performed, and experimental measurements of quantities valuable for the development of the numerical calculation procedure were made. The investigation is focussed on a configuration which is strongly two-dimensional in the mean flow structure (but turbulent in a truly three-dimensional sense). (LEW)
We wanted to assess the usefulness of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography (US), i.e., real-time three-dimensional US, as an adjunct for performing various US-guided interventional procedures in superficial lesion. Thirty-three patients were referred for US-guided interventional procedures for superficial lesions, including core biopsy in 19, fine- needle aspriation in eight, therapeutic drug injection in four and needle puncture in two. The procedures were performed under 4D US guidance. We reviewed the pathologic/cytologic results of the core biopsies or needle aspirations, and also the outcomes of drug injection or needle puncture. For all the patients who underwent 4D US-guided core biopsy, the specimens were adequate for making the pathological diagnosis, and specimens were successfully obtained for those patients who underwent 4D US-guided aspiration. The patients treated with 4D US-guided therapeutic drug injection ...
Revisions at steam turbines should present a problem-free procedure due to the long use of these machines. Changes in the market result in difficulties during the inspection work. The shortage of qualified personnel and manufacturing capacities are the cause for these difficulties. Important procedures of revisions are described in detail in the VGB regulations. Direct contacts between the customers and the suppliers facilitate the expirations substantially. In the case of good planning and under consideration of the well-known regulations, a revision can be accomplished to the satisfaction of customers and suppliers.
The gamma scanning system which is installed in IMEF is the equipment obtaining the gamma ray spectrum from irradiated fuels. This equipment could afford the useful data relating spent fuels like as burn-up measurements. We describe the specifications of the equipment and its accessories, and also described its operation procedure so that an operator can use this report as the operation procedure. (author). 1 tab., 11 figs., 11 refs.
This paper describes a simple analysis procedure that transforms a set of beamline orbit data into a set of harmonic orbits of first, second, and third order or higher. Each harmonic orbit can be studied individually to identify errors of the specific order with minimum interference from other orders. Effectively these are orbits caused by kicks, due to harmonic errors, propagated through linear lattice. Examples from accelerator study will be presented. The application and inherent limitations of this analysis procedure are discussed.
These guidelines discuss in more detail the radiological design review process used by the Project Hanford Management Contractors as described in HNF-PRO-1622, Radiological Design Review Process. They are intended to supplement the procedure by providing background information on the design review process and providing a ready source of information to design reviewers. The guidelines are not intended to contain all the information in the procedure, but at points, in order to maintain continuity, they contain some of the same information.
A historical overview of corrosion problems found in power plant condensers and mitigation procedures is presented. The paper is organized according to alloy type and failure mode. Alloys considered are copper-base alloys, stainless steels and titanium. Failure modes discussed include erosion-corrosion, sulfide attack, environmentally assisted cracking, galvanic corrosion, steam condensate corrosion, pitting corrosion, and dealloying. Mitigation procedures discussed include cathodic protection, ferrous ion injection, as well as tube cleaning and layup practices.
The CT colonography or virtual coloscopy is a new diagnostic method that allows the presentation of the whole colon using minimal invasive procedures. The method allows the detection of colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinomas. The book includes the following chapters: indications for CT colonography, diagnostic procedures, data processing and interpretation, diagnostic findings, preparation of the diagnostic result description and documentation, screening.
An exhaustive compendium of normal and abnormal imaging is presented. The following systems and procedures are illustrated by over 2800 captioned illustrations: liver, spleen, and hepatobiliary imaging; perfusion and ventilation lung imaging; thyroid imaging; salivary gland imaging; bone imaging; brain imaging; radionuclide cisternography; blood flow studies; gallium imaging; nuclear cardiology; and renal imaging. Not included in the atlas are adrenal imaging procedures and emission computed tomography. (ERB)
DNA isolation procedures significantly influence the outcome of PCR-based detection of human pathogens. Unlike clinical samples, DNA isolation from food samples such as fresh and fresh-cut produce has remained a formidable task and has hampered the sensitivity and accuracy of molecular methods. We...
Licensing procedures are of great importance in the entire decision-making and planning process for erection of cogeneration power plants. The paper presented is a condensed version of the ASUE guide published in May 1999 and gives compact and topical information about legal and procedural aspects for orientation of people not yet familiar with the licensing procedures. An initial outline lists and characterises the procedures involved, which then are explained in greater detail, accompanied by flowsheets and diagrams. (orig./CB) [German] Genehmigungsverfahren besitzen im Entscheidungs- und Planungsprozess eine grosse Bedeutung. Um Planern, Bauherren und Behoerden hierzu einen kompakten und aktuellen Ueberblick bieten zu koennen, wurde dieses Referat als Kurzfassung der im Mai 1999 veroeffentlichten ASUE-Broschuere zusammengestellt. Sie bietet vor allem denjenigen eine Hilfestellung, die noch keine ...
By both increasing the optical iris of the video camera and removing the grid in fluoroscopic procedures involved in placement of a Dubbhoff feeding tube, the radiation dose to patients and staff was reduced by five to seven times. An average expected dose to a patient of about 300 mGy per procedure was reduced by two to three times when the grid was removed and by an additional three times when an iris of increased diameter was used. Because Dobbhoff procedures do not involve obtaining a diagnosis, the image degradation was acceptable and did not affect the total exposure times or ability to conduct the procedure. With the grid out, the difference between the mean exposure times of 5.1 minutes in 96 patient studies done with a normal iris opening and 4.0 minutes in 52 studies done with an enlarged iris was not statistically significant. The importance of reducing patient dose is reinforced by the ...
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 ...
Nowadays, different research teams are engaged on experimental and theoretical studies having as main aim the evaluation of seismic performance of sheathed cold-formed steel frame structures. Although a relatively large number of experimental and theoretical studies are available, the development of useful tools for the seismic design should be improved. As an attempt to overcome this lack, this paper aims to present a structural design procedure that allows, through the definition of three design nomographs, the screw spacing and all the shear walls components to be obtained on the basis of linear dynamic or nonlinear static seismic analysis. In addition, a procedure for the prediction of the whole pushover response curve of sheathed cold-formed steel shear walls, which can be advantageou...
For the determination of the thermal-hydraulic performances of rough surfaces, the method of evaluation is particularly important. In order to increase confidence in the results, a new evaluation procedure was introduced. This procedure is based on the transformation of simple channel experimental results to equal boundary conditions, and on the suitable application and confirmation of these transformed values in more complicated flow channel geometries. Existing methods, applied to the results obtained in an annular channel, do not fulfil all the transformation requirements. Thus a new, more complete transformation method, which uses the turbulent eddy diffusivity model, was developed. To check the quality of this transformation, within the scope of the new evaluation procedure, the results of experimental investigation in annular channels and in a bundle of hexagonal geometry were used together with the predictions of ...
There is a clear incentive, therefore, for early consideration of the measures required to meet noise and vibration standards. The platform or rig owner and the operator are jointly responsible for agreeing a noise and vibration control policy and approach at the conceptual design stage, and for then passing on their requirements to the engineering design teams. The engineering design teams and acoustic and vibration specialists for their part need to use all their skill and judgement to apply that policy to the intensely complex job of designing and fabricating topsides facilities. With these concerns as background, UEG started, and has nearly completed, a two-phase study to provide detailed guidance to project managers and designers to assist them to develop appropriate policy and procedures and to help them put those procedures into practice. This paper describes the development of UEG's study, its application and benefits.
This guide is intended to provide the necessary guidance to successfully manage the NAVMED Navy Occupational Health Information Management System (NOHIMS) at NAVMED sites and the NAVSEA Occupational Safety and Health Record Keeping System (OSHRKS) at NAVSEA sites. Outlines procedures to manage system operations, procedures to resolve hardware, software and communications problems, and procedures outside the realm of system operations that are required for a successful system. This guide is intended for the System and Functional Managers use. The System Manager is the individual designated to provide overall ADP management to the entire local configuration. Usually responsible for file backup, daily operations of the CPU, security, supplies, equipment, operating software and technical ADP guidance to the local functional users.
Bariatric surgical procedures have become important therapeutic options for treatment of morbid obesity in both adults and adolescents co-morbidities of obesity such as glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, steatohepatitis, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. These co-morbidities of obesity have significant impacts on the overall quality of life of the individual and our society at large. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and the relatively newer procedures of gastric banding (GB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) have proven to be efficacious in achieving rapid weight loss and reversing the comorbidities of obesity. Unfortunately, bariatric procedures are not without risks including micronutrient deficiency, failure to maintain lost weight, and mortalit...
The objective of the inspection qualification is to ensure that applied non-destructive methods (NDT) have the required performance. The approach of the qualification process is systematic and carefully documented and therefore some new requirements can be seen concerning the composition of the documentation. There are also new document types, that only application of the inspection qualification requires. The most important of these is the technical justification, that includes the documented evidences concerning the performance of the inspection system. This publication includes two reports: 'Compilation of the inspection procedure' and 'Essential/influential parameters in NDT qualification'. The former of these discusses the issues to be considered in an inspection procedure especially from the point of view of the mechanised ultrasonic testing. The later report explains the parameters formulated to ...
This report discusses the procedures that establish the configuration control processes for the Hanford Environmental Information System (HEIS) software. The procedures also provide the charter and function of the HEIS Configuration Control Board (CCB) for maintaining software. The software configuration control items covered under these procedures include the HEIS software and database structure. The configuration control processes include both administrative and audit functions. The administrative role includes maintaining the overall change schedule, ensuring consistency of proposed changes, negotiating change plan adjustments, setting priorities, and tracking the status of changes. The configuration control process audits to ensure that changes are performed to applicable standards.
The determination of conformational preferences in unfolded and disordered proteins is an important challenge in structural biology. We here describe an algorithm to optimize energy functions for the simulation of unfolded proteins. The procedure is based on the maximum likelihood principle and employs a fast and efficient gradient descent method to find the set of parameters of the energy function that best explain the experimental data. We first validate the method by using synthetic reference data, and subsequently apply the algorithms to data from nuclear magnetic resonance spin-labeling experiments on the Delta 131 Delta fragment of Staphylococcal nuclease. A significant strength of the procedure that we present is that it directly uses experimental data to optimize the energy parameters, without relying on the availability of high resolution structures. The procedure is fully general and can be applied to a range of ...
The introduction of tolerance to radiation (''radiation-hardness'') into large electronic systems is one of the major tasks to which this Handbook will be put. The practices recommended here for inculcating radiation-tolerance in equipment require advanced physical modeling techniques, precise engineering procedures, and firm assurance procedures. The degree to which these procedures should be used in an equipment project can be measured by the severity of the raw radiation environment, the desired reliability of the system, and the requirement of that project for radiation-sensitive technologies. The balance of device/circuit design versus shielding will depend on whether the radiation is highly penetrating -- as in isotope handling or military environments -- or readily attenuated, as in space. In this chapter the authors have attempted to summarize the essential features of the radiation hardening of large assemblies of ...
We discuss some methods to quantitatively investigate the properties of correlation matrices. Correlation matrices play an important role in portfolio optimization and in several other quantitative descriptions of asset price dynamics in financial markets. Specifically, we discuss how to define and obtain hierarchical trees, correlation based trees and networks from a correlation matrix. The hierarchical clustering and other procedures performed on the correlation matrix to detect statistically reliable aspects of the correlation matrix are seen as filtering procedures of the correlation matrix. We also discuss a method to associate a hierarchically nested factor model to a hierarchical tree obtained from a correlation matrix. The information retained in filtering procedures and its stability with respect to statistical fluctuations is quantified by using the Kullback-Leibler distance.
The conceptual design for MCP to be installed in the integral reactor SMART was carried out. Canned motor pump was adopted in the conceptual design of MCP. Three-dimensional modeling was performed to visualize the conceptual design of the MCP and to check interferences between the parts. The theoretical design procedure for the impeller was developed. The procedures for the flow field and structural analysis of impeller was also developed to assess the design validity and to verify its structural integrity. A computer program to analyze the dynamic characteristics of the rotor shaft of MCP was developed. The rotational speed sensor was designed and its performance test was conducted to verify the possibility of operation. A prototypes of the canned motor was manufactured and tested to confirm the validity of the design concept. The MCP design concept was also investigated for fabricability by establishing the manufacturing ...
A general purpose Emergency Generator Set (EGS) is considered for a methodological study and related reliability behavior is analyzed. In particular in a procedure of reliability and availability analysis of a EGS, dependent failure events need a complex mathematical model as state-space model to be a accurately evaluated. Furthermore these dependent failure events are one of the most important reliability characteristic of EGS. This paper suggests a procedure for reliability calculations in presence of dependent failure based on the evaluation of a equivalent failure rate that can be fitted to a network reduction method by simple mathematical calculations. The simplified models analyzed show a good accuracy for a wide range of variation of main reliability characteristics of EGS and utility. The advantages obtained are very useful on reliability evaluation because the possibility of use of network approach provides a shorter route to ...
Abstract Lysis and extraction of cells are essential sample processing steps for investigations pertaining to metabolism of xenobiotics in cell culture studies. Of particular importance to these procedures are maintaining high lysis efficiency and analyte integrity as they influence the qualitative and quantitative distribution of drug and toxicant metabolites in the intra- and extracellular milieus. In this study we have compared the efficiency of different procedures viz. homogenization, sonication, bead beating, and molecular grinding resin treatment for disruption of HT-29 colon cells exposed to benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compound and a suspected colon carcinogen. Also, we have evaluated the efficiency of various procedures for extracting BaP parent c...
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 ...
In order to fabricate high temperature superconducting tapes for power applications, the authors have analyzed different buffer layer architectures grown on textured Ni substrates suitable for YBCO deposition. Due to its optimal lattice matching the studied structures present as top layer a CeO{sub 2} film. The deposition of CeO{sub 2} on Ni substrates was performed by pulsed laser ablation and by e-beam evaporation at different temperatures. The films obtained by the two deposition techniques have not optimal structural properties, having a polycrystalline component. The misorientation of CeO{sub 2} is probably due to the formation of NiO at the interface between the film and the substrate during the deposition process even if no oxygen is introduced. In order to prevent Ni oxidation an intermediate 2000 {angstrom} Pd thick film was deposited by e-beam. Furthermore, the lattice mismatch between Pd and CeO{sub 2} is smaller than that between Ni and CeO{sub 2}. The ...
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 ...
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"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"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 (from 1951 ...
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 ...
This report is the 1992 annual progress report for the Energy Conversion and Storage Program, a part of the Energy and Environment Division of the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Work described falls into three broad areas: electrochemistry; chemical applications; and materials applications. The Energy Conversion and Storage Program applies principles of chemistry and materials science to solve problems in several areas: (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 chemical species, and (5) study and 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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 CO2). The experimental results highlight the matrix effects and the measurement inaccuracies due to the noise accumulated when low signals are ...
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 ...
... be able to watch the many intricate steps Dr. Richard Alexander must accomplish to remove the cancer. ... door to informed medical care. Now let's join Dr. Richard Alexander at the University of Maryland Medical ...
Osteoporotic vertebral fractures often lead to pain and disability. They can be successfully treated, and possibly prevented, by injecting cement into the vertebral body, a procedure known as vertebroplasty....Full Text Available
It is estimated that approximately a quarter of patients undergoing coronary intervention may have significant post-procedural creatinine (CK)/creatinine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB) elevations and...Full Text Available
A ten week old girl who had previously undergone a palliative procedure for the hypoplastic left heart syndrome had unrelieved aortic coarctation that did not respond to standard balloon dilatation....Full Text Available
Dual-fuel engines are modified diesel engines burning simultaneously two fuels inside the cylinder: a gaseous one, called the primary fuel and a liquid one, called the pilot fuel. The thermal efficiency of the dual-fuel engine and of the diesel engine are comparable; the level of emissions is lower compared to the diesel one. This article presents a new procedure for the combustion modeling in a LPG-diesel dual-fuel engine. The procedures deals with the ignition delay period and with the rate of heat release inside the cylinder. This procedure is validated using experimental data issued front a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology from Madras, India. The used engine is a single-cylinder one, air-cooled. The pilot fuel is direct injected inside the cylinder The engine was run at constant load and with different diesel substitutions, i.e. for different air to fuel ratios of the primary fuel-air mixture. The ...
Methanol dehydrogenases isolated from bacteria belonging to different classes of methylotrophs contain the same prosthetic group. A procedure for its purification from whole cells is given. The reduced...Full Text Available
This study describes procedures and outcomes in a functional analysis of problem behavior of 2 public school students. For a 13-year-old honors student, bizarre tacts (labeled as psychotic speech by...Full Text Available
Separate groups of rats received 500 trials of lever-press training under autoshaping (food delivery followed 10-second lever presentations, or occurred immediately following a response); operant conditioning...Full Text Available
BackgroundMedian sternotomy infection and bony nonunion are two commonly described complications which occur in 0.4 - 5.1% of cardiac procedures. Although relatively infrequent,...Full Text Available
Follicular unit transplant (FUT) is one of the surgical procedures which has been recently used to repigment a stable vitiligo patch. Single-hair FUT was done for a 30-year-old male with stable vitiligo...Full Text Available
This paper describes a radiation shield verification survey of a large hot cell at the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF). The following aspects of the shield test are discussed: description of the FFTF; description of the hot cell; the test procedures; radiation protection, and the test results.
A procedure was developed to monitor boundaries within which secondary mining operations can be applied. Principal techniques include instrument and operative-remote observations of earth shifts and aerial photography of displacements on the surface of the trough.
Percutaneous tracheostomy is a routine procedure in intensive care units. In cases of very low position of the larynx, cervical spine deformation, morbid obesity, or neck tumor, performance of the classic...Full Text Available
Product control procedures, the development of new technologies, and the extension of the applications of solid fuels are described. Hydrogasification and high-temperature Winkler gasification are discussed. The design and function of a continuous, semi-industrial plant for hydrogenating liquefaction in the sump phase are gone into. (MOS).
A procedure was developed to isolate polyribosomes from plant cell cultures. Tobacco callus extracted in 10 mm MgCl2, 80 mm KCl, 250 mm sucrose, and 140 mm...Full Text Available
Administrative procedure connecting for licensing new materials or consumer products appropriated to radiosterilization have been performed and explained. Also the organization of irradiation process for attaining the proper result have been described in detail. 4 refs, 1 tab.
Refractory ascites can occur in patients with various conditions. Although several procedures based on the reinfusion of ascitic fluid have been reported after the failure of bed rest, salt and water...Full Text Available
Radionuclide angiocardiography provides a noninvasive assessment of cardiac function and blood flow through the heart and lungs. During the past three years, this procedure has been used at the Duke...Full Text Available
We describe an efficient procedure for proving stabilization of biological systems modeled as qualitative networks or genetic regulatory networks. For scalability, our procedure uses modular proof techniques, where state-space exploration is applied only locally to small pieces of the system rather than the entire system as a whole. Our procedure exploits the observation that, in practice, the form of modular proofs can be restricted to a very limited set. For completeness, our technique falls back on a non-compositional counterexample search. Using our new procedure, we have solved a number of challenging published examples, including: a 3-D model of the mammalian epidermis; a model of metabolic networks operating in type-2 diabetes; a model of fate determination of vulval precursor cells in the C. elegans worm; and a model of pair-rule regulation during segmentation in the Drosophila embryo. Our ...
The goal of this project was to demonstrate that a new low-expanding ceramic (Ca{sub 0.6},Mg{sub 0.4})Zr{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}, hereafter referred to as CMZP, could be used as an exhaust manifold liner in off-road diesel engines and provide improved engine efficiency (by permitting higher engine operating temperature). This study has successfully demonstrated this improvement and further engine testing (and possible manufacturing) is presently underway at Caterpillar Inc. Laboratories. Basically this program involved two subcontracts: one to Virginia Tech to develop sintering procedures for CMZP, and one to Caterpillar, Inc. to develop slip casting procedures for CMZP. Nearly 100kg of CMZP were prepared by MATVA, Inc. and Virginia Tech for use by Caterpillar. Virginia Tech developed detailed sintering procedures for CMZP and Caterpillar developed slip casting procedures and manufactured several ...
BackgroundThis study aimed to assess whether endoscopic implantation of an injectable esophageal prosthesis, the Gatekeeper Reflux Repair System (GK), is a safe and effective therapy...Full Text Available
The development of soil cover with capillary effect required laboratory experiments where diffusion was studied. The effective diffusion coefficients D of materials in the different layers were determined, as well as the reaction constants of reactive materials. Once soil cover is in place, its efficiency can be controlled by oxygen burn up trials in situ. In the specific case where the materials that comprise the soil cover consume oxygen, even in small quantities, the usual interpretation of these trials is not applicable. In this poster presentation, the authors proposed different procedures for long term trials, in situ and in the laboratory, as well as a new interpretation method based on the use of numerical solutions to the modified Fick equations of diffusion for reactive materials. Special emphasis is placed on the proper enunciation of the laws and the solutions appropriate in such situations. The authors illustrated the procedure ...
In accordance with the Status Agreements with CERN, Switzerland and France facilitate the entry of members of the Organization’s personnel onto their territories. Where relevant, detailed procedures for obtaining visas apply. Within the framework of those procedures, only the following individuals are authorised to initiate the Note verbale procedure as well as to sign the Official Invitation Letters and the Protocoles d’accueil. Kirsti ASPOLA (PH – CMO) Oliver BRÜNING (BE – ABP) Michelle CONNOR (PH – AGS) Sylvie DETHURENS FAVEZ (HR – SPS) David FOSTER (IT – DI) Nathalie GRUB (PH – AGS) Tadeusz KURTYKA (DG – PRJ) Jean-Pol MATHEYS (BE – ASR) Cécile NOELS (DG – PRJ) Connie POTTER (PH – AGS) Maria QUINTAS (HR – SPS) Jeanne ...
Objectives:Cachexia is common in pancreatic cancer and may have an influence on longterm survival but few studies have investigated this in patients with operable tumours. Therefore,...Full Text Available
Chronic neurogenous pain is often an extremely difficult condition to manage. In the orofacial region, trauma from injury or dental procedures may lead to the development of severe neuralgic pains and...Full Text Available
IntroductionPatients undergoing selective minor emergency and elective procedures are followed up by a nurse-led structured telephone review six weeks post-operatively in our hospital....Full Text Available
The possibility of studying the adsorption of acetic acid vapour on coal by the method of multiple attenuated total internal reflection by two proposed procedures has been shown.
After treatment with NN-di[14C]methylnitrosamine, samples of DNA were isolated from rat livers by a conventional phenol procedure and examined for the presence of phosphotriesters. A method of capable...Full Text Available
In recent years, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become a well-established technique for the treatment of coronary artery disease. PCI improves symptoms in patients with coronary artery...Full Text Available
Plasma exchange (PE) is currently being used to treat a variety of disorders involving immune complexes, such as polyarteritis nodosa. This procedure removes endogenous toxic components that accumulate...Full Text Available
Percutaneous translumbar duodenostomy for enteral feeding was performed in one patient with nutritional difficulties. No complication was encountered. The procedure can be an alternative to percutaneous gastrostomy and jejunostomy for enteral feeding in special situations. (orig.).
A procedure for long lasting general anaesthesia in gulls (Larus sp.) is described. It is based on an initial basal intramuscular dose of pentobarbital sodium, supplemented if necessary by intravenous injection to effect of the same agent. Additional intr...
A cholinesterase was partially purified from bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) roots by using acridinium-based ligand affinity chromatography. The procedure gave a 78-fold increase in specific activity,...Full Text Available
A procedure is described for the purification of the enzyme indol-3-ylacetylglucose:myo-inositol indol-3-ylacetyltransferase (IAA-myo-inositol synthase). This enzyme...Full Text Available
The installation procedure, the fabrication, fitting up, positioning, adjustment and welding of piping, examinations, hydrostatics testing and insulation of piping for reactor primary circuit piping of Daya Bay Nuclear power Plant are briefly described.
Preventing tobacco use in youths may be an easier task than helping adults break the habit of smoking and overcome its ill effects. Using experimental procedures based on social work techniques,...Full Text Available
Nineteen of 69 patients undergoing coronary angioplasty required immediate coronary surgery after the procedure. Six of these operations were planned as a result of angioplasty that failed without producing...Full Text Available
The author derives to which of the three types an irreducible UA representation which is obtained with the procedure of generalised induction belongs. The question whether or not the irreducible induced UA representations are on standardform is analysed. The results hold as well for induced PUA representations. (Auth.).
The use of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is limited by procedural complications and the serious drawback of restenosis, but some new techniques have been developed in an attempt to...Full Text Available
and sick leave, and list of awardees. DESTROY WHEN 1. YEAR OLD. [GRS 1-12b] ...... FOR CSRS/FERS. RELATED. RECORDS,. DESTROY UPON. RECEIPT OF. OFFICIAL OPM ...
Introduction:Single-stream hydro-jet dissection is increasingly used in various laparoscopic procedures, but its use requires special equipment. We describe a simple method for using...Full Text Available
Laparoscopic colon surgery for select cancers is slowly evolving as the standard of care but minimally invasive approaches for rectal cancer have been viewed with significant skepticism. This procedure...Full Text Available
A high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) procedure suitable for the simultaneous determination of the molecular size and concentration of macromolecular hyaluronate and proteoglycans in synovial...Full Text Available
Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on procedural and declarative memory encoding in the evening prior to sleep, on memory...Full Text Available
This plan details the methods and procedures necessary to ensure a safe transition in the operation of the Light Duty Utility Arm (LDUA) System. The steps identified here outline the work scope and identify responsibilities to complete startup, and turnover of the LDUA to Characterization Project Operations (CPO).
[Leu]- and [Met]enkephalin from thoracic ganglia of the shore crab Carcinus maenas have been purified to homogeneity by a reversed-phase HPLC procedure. Automated gas-phase sequencing revealed a primary...Full Text Available
1. Interactions of pyrazole and ethanol were studied in three laboratory test procedures. They included sleeping time in mice, rotor rod balance in rats and lever pressing behaviour of rats. 2....Full Text Available
Bolus infusion of insulin along with a meal is a standard procedure with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. Modern insulin pumps allow applying this bolus in four different ways: infusion of...Full Text Available
Somatic radiation doses are recognized to be possible factors of carcinogenesis. In correctly performed mammography, however, even as screening test, the radiation dose does not reach such an order of magnitude that the benefit of the procedure as to prevention of breast cancer is called into question.
A percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy is a common procedure in the practice of pulmonology. An air embolism is a rare but potentially fatal complication of a percutaneous transthoracic needle biopsy....Full Text Available
A procedure has been developed for judging one-pile foundations for wind turbines. It appears that these foundations are good alternatives for block foundations. It is recommended to develop a program for testing one-pile foundations and to carry out a further research into their dynamic behavior.
Broth disk elution procedures represent one of the most practical means for clinical laboratories to perform routine antibiotic susceptibility tests on anaerobic bacteria. The accuracy of five disk...Full Text Available
ObjectiveAlthough endoscopic procedures for lumbar disc diseases have improved greatly, the postoperative outcomes for high grade inferior migrated discs are not satisfactory. Because...Full Text Available
When choosing an electromagnetic tracking system (EMTS) for image-guided procedures several factors must be taken into consideration. Among others these include the system’s refresh rate, the...Full Text Available
Choice procedures have indicated that the relative reinforcing effectiveness of opioid drugs increases during opioid withdrawal. The demand curve, an absolute measure of reinforcer value, has not been...Full Text Available
A rapid extraction procedure has been developed for speciation of arsenic in chicken tissue. Water, methanol-water (1:1), and methanol-chloroform (1:1) were tested as extraction media. Individual use of an ultrasonic bath, a microwave oven, or an ultrasonic probe was not sufficient for quantitative recovery of As(III), dimethylarsinate, monomethylarsonate, As(V), and arsenobetaine in spiked samples of chicken tissue. A new extraction procedure using a methanol-water mixture and a microwave oven then an ultrasonic probe enabled extraction of the arsenic species in 7 min with efficiencies ranging from 80 to 100%. HPLC-UV-HG-AFS was used for the determinations. The extraction procedure was 100% efficient when applied to real samples of chicken tissue. AsB (48{+-}5 {mu}g As kg {sup -1}) and one containing-arsenic feed additive, Nitarsone (227{+-}5 {mu}g As kg {sup -1}) were detected. (orig.)
The aim of this study is to develop an Automatic Post-processing Tool for four-dimensional (4D) treatment planning (APT4D) that enables the user to perform some necessary procedures related...Full Text Available
Modifications of the design and calibration procedure of a diffusion porometer permit determinations of stomatal resistance which agree well with results obtained by leaf energy balance. The energy...Full Text Available
Premature removal of the fixator after a lengthening procedure can result in gradual bending or acute fracture of the regenerate. We reviewed the records of 26 patients who underwent 28 limb lengthenings...Full Text Available
This design manual contains descriptions of design procedures and operating experience to date, including results obtained, for secondary flow pollution control devices. Two types of combined sewer overflow regulators are described: the swirl and the helical bend regulator/separa...
Nuclear transfer (NT) is a procedure by which genetically identical individuals can be created. The technology of pig somatic NT, including in vitro maturation of oocytes, isolation and treatment of...Full Text Available
BackgroundBlood sampling through heel lancing is the most common invasive painful procedure performed on newborn infants.Case PresentationWe report...Full Text Available
The procedure currently used for isolating legionellae from environmental samples recommend filtration through a 0.2-microns-pore-size polycarbonate filter. In this study we evaluated the performance...Full Text Available
Patellar tendon autografts are not suitable for multibundle ACL reconstruction, a procedure that reportedly enhances postoperative knee stability. Biomechanical studies recommend lateral placement of...Full Text Available
The manual describes a combined coal-cleaning and flue gas desulfurization (FGD) computerized design and cost-estimate model and gives detailed procedures for using it. All inputs and outputs are described, as well as the various options available. Design and economic premises ar...
BackgroundHip resurfacing arthroplasty (HRA) is considered a bone-preserving procedure and may eliminate proximal femoral stress shielding and osteolysis. However, in addition to...Full Text Available
Three experiments used pigeons in an autoshaping procedure and a single-subject design to examine compound stimulus control in classical conditioning. Experiment 1 examined the blocking effect, and...Full Text Available
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a widely used diagnostic and therapeutic modality in the management of biliary and pancreatic disease. Some of the complications of the procedure,...Full Text Available
The 17-metre DOE/Sandia VAWT began operation in March 1977. Since that time the turbine has been operated strictly by manual control for the purpose of data acquisition and performance analysis; this procedure has limited the VAWT operation time and power...
In biotechnology, acrylamide is being used in DNA and RNA analysis using the polyacrylamide gel electrophoreses procedure. Polymerized acrylamide is degraded into acrylamide through time; it is converted into a hazardous contaminant that is carcinogenic and neurotoxic to animals and humans. Because ...
The goal of assembly sequencing is to plan a feasible series of operations to construct a product from its individual parts. Previous research has thoroughly investigated assembly sequencing under the assumption that parts have nominal geometry. This paper considers the case where parts have toleranced geometry. Its main contribution is an efficient procedure that decides if a product admits an assembly sequence with infinite translations that is feasible for all possible instances of the components within the specified tolerances. If the product admits one such sequence, the procedure can also generate it. For the cases where there exists no such assembly sequence, another procedure is proposed which generates assembly sequences that are feasible only for some values of the toleranced dimensions. If this procedure produces no such sequence, then no instance of the product is assemblable. Finally, this ...
beta-Endorphin-like immunoreactivity in human ventricular cerebrospinal fluid was measured with a specific radioimmunoassay. The subjects were undergoing a surgical procedure for relief of chronic intractable...Full Text Available
The validation parameters for pharmaceutical analyses were examined for the accelerator mass spectrometry measurement of 14C/C ratio, independent of chemical separation procedures....Full Text Available
ObjectivesThis study was designed to evaluate the normal development of the nasal septum in Koreans using sagittal MRI for the valuable clinical information on septal procedures.MethodsTwo...Full Text Available
The use of sub-nanometer resolution electron density as spatial constraints for denovo and ab-initio structure prediction requires knowledge of protein boundaries...Full Text Available
A general procedure for stabilization of O2-labile enzymes exploiting "salting out" of oxygen from the microenvironment in the molecular layers immediately adjacent to charged surfaces of polyionic...Full Text Available
MOM22 is a component of the protein import complex of the mitochondrial outer membrane of Neurospora crassa. Using the newly developed procedure of 'sheltered disruption', we created a heterokaryotic...Full Text Available
This paper describes a proposed set of guidelines for analyzing the energy savings achieved by a package of retrofits or an extensive rehabilitation of an existing home. It also describes certain field test and audit methods that can help establish accurate building system performance characteristics that are needed for a meaningful simulation of whole-house energy use. Several sets of default efficiency values have been developed for older appliances that cannot be easily tested and for which published specifications are not readily available. These proposed analysis procedures are documented more comprehensively in NREL Technical Report TP-550-38238.
This report provides test results on the thermal performance of an Owens-Illinois Sunpak liquid, evacuated tube, solar collector under simulated conditions. The test was conducted using the Marshall Space Flight Center Solar Simulator in accordance with the test requirements specified in ASHRAE 93-77 (Method of Testing to Determine the Thermal Performance of Solar Collectors) and the procedures contained in MTCP-FA-SHAC-400 (Procedure for Operation of the MSFC Solar Simulator Facility). The tests were performed on a module used on the early demonstration projects. A current production module is undergoing tests with results to be in a subsequent report.
A simple highly efficient procedure has been developed for recovery of thallium radioisotopes from lead and bismuth targets irradiated by 1-GeV protons. The procedure is based on the use of extraction chromatography. The cross-sections have been determined for formation of {sup 200}Pb, {sup 201}Pb, {sup 202m}Pb, and {sup 203}Pb radioisotopes in targets from lead with natural isotopic composition, irradiated by 1-GeV protons.
A simple highly efficient procedure has been developed for recovery of thallium radioisotopes from lead and bismuth targets irradiated by 1-GeV protons. The procedure is based on the use of extraction chromatography. The cross-sections have been determined for formation of "2"0"0Pb, "2"0"1Pb, "2"0"2"mPb, and "2"0"3Pb radioisotopes in targets from lead with natural isotopic composition, irradiated by 1-GeV protons.
Surface doses received by patients and operators were measured during 30 interventional radiological procedures (ten percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainages, ten percutaneous nephrostomies, ten percutaneous transluminal angioplasties). In addition, organ doses to the patient were determined using an Alderson-Rando phantom. These served as a basis for calculating the so-called somatic dose indices. It was found that the somatic radiation risk to the patient is relatively small despite prolonged periods of fluoroscopy. However, exposure of the hands and lenses of the operator could easily reach the limits thought acceptable while carrying out these procedures with additional angiography. (orig).
This manual is a collection of various notes, memoranda and instructions on procedures for the evaluation of data in the Evaluated Nuclear Structure Data File (ENSDF). They were distributed at different times over the past few years to the evaluators of nuclear structure data and some of them were not readily avaialble. Hence, they have been collected in this manual for ease of reference by the evaluators of the international Nuclear Structure and Decay Data (NSDD) network contribute mass-chains to the ENSDF. Some new articles were written specifically for this manual and others are reivsions of earlier versions.
Positron-emission tomography (PET) and PET/CT (computed tomography) are becoming increasingly important for diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Clinically relevant changes can sometimes be seen on PET that are not seen on other imaging modalities. However, PET is not suitable for guiding biopsy as the images are not obtained in real-time. Therefore, our research group has begun developing a concept for PET/CT-guided interventional procedures. This paper presents the rationale for this concept, outlines our research plan, and includes an initial study to evaluate the relative sensitivity of CT and PET/CT in detecting suspicious lesions. (orig.)
Simple recursion formulas are derived for the multiplicities of the dominant weight vectors appearing in a class of irreducible highest weight representations of the indecomposable affine Kac-Moody algebras. This class is characterized by the appearance of exactly two distinct infinite sequences of dominant weight vectors. The general procedure used for the enumeration of these representations and for the derivation of the corresponding multiplicity formulas is that presented by Capps for the analysis of those irreducible representations containing exactly one such infinite sequence. This procedure includes the classification of representations in terms of congruence and the identification of Weyl orbits by the norm of the dominant weight. Some of the results presented have application to physical theories such as string field theories.
This paper presents the description of methodological procedure specially developed for manufacturing mini turbines. This procedure is used in the design of a Francis type mini turbine with 12.5 kW. The housing volute and the suction tube of this equipment are manufactured with using composed material based on glass fiber and its distributor system is manufactured with stainless steel and brass. At the end it is presented an estimate cost of design / manufacturing of such equipment and a comparison with other equipment in the market.
Procedures are described to mechanize partially harvesting, cleaning, and pretreatment of guayule achenes. Achenes are harvested with a vacuum insect net and cleaned by a series of screening, threshing, and forced air separations, then treated to overcome seed coat impermeability in a semiautomatic system that presoaks, treats with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite, and rinses. Achenes may be sown immediately or dried for storage. Procedures outlined involve commercially available equipment with a minimum of custom construction and are adaptable to small or large operations. (Refs. 11).
This plan outlines the procedures and operations used at LLNL's Site 300 for the management of the hazardous waste generated. This waste consists primarily of depleted uranium (a by-product of U-235 enrichment), beryllium, small quantities of analytical chemicals, industrial type waste such as solvents, cleaning acids, photographic chemicals, etc., and explosives. This plan details the operations generating this waste, the proper handling of this material and the procedures used to treat or dispose of the hazardous waste. A considerable amount of information found in this plan was extracted from the Site 300 Safety and Operational Manual written by Site 300 Facility personnel and the Hazards Control Department.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe the processes and procedures utilized by Jacksonville State University's Houston Cole Library to digitize an oral history collection and provide access to it through the Library's catalog, web presence, and the state-wide digital repository initiative, Alabama Mosaic (see www.alabamamosaic.org). Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on the Library's experiences in acquiring, digitizing, creating metadata for and making accessible a collection of oral histories. Findings - The paper describes the obstacles overcome, issues encountered, procedures established, and ramifications of the project. Practical implications - Many institutions are currently digitizing unique collections as part of repository initiatives, both institutiona...
Major contributions during this contract period have been in developing an analytical procedure for Pu measurement, and in applying the developed procedures to determining the plutonium concentration and distribution in coral from the Bikini Atoll. In conjunction with these contributions, measurements using the fission-track method have been made of the uranium distribution and concentrations in several carbonate samples from drill cores obtained from the Runit Island Enewetak Atoll. Petrographic studies on these drill core samples have been made to correlate the uranium data with the mineralogical data.
Major contributions during this contract period have been in developing an analytical procedure for Pu measurement, and in applying the developed procedures to determining the plutonium concentration and distribution in coral from the Bikini Atoll. In conjunction with these contributions, measurements using the fission-track method have been made of the uranium distribution and concentrations in several carbonate samples from drill cores obtained from the Runit Island Enewetak Atoll. Petrographic studies on these drill core samples have been made to correlate the uranium data with the mineralogical data. (auth)
This paper presents the status of development of Korea standard method for Human Reliability Analysis (HRA), and proposed a standard procedure and rules for the evaluation of diagnosis error probability. The quality of KSNP HRA was evaluated using the requirement of ASME PRA standard guideline, and the design requirement for the standard HRA method was defined. Analysis procedure and rules, developed so far, to analyze diagnosis error probability was suggested as a part of the standard method. And also a study of comprehensive application was performed to evaluate the suitability of the proposed rules.
Drawing on work in epistemology and the philosophy of science, this paper seeks to provide very general reasons for why a comparative perspective needs to be applied to the inferential procedures of research methodologies where these concern the issue of justifying knowledge claims. In particular, the paper explores the role of culture on a number of important patterns of reasoning that figure in inferential arguments in research methodologies. The patterns examined are induction, both enumerative and analytical, hypothetico-deductive reasoning, and abductive inference. In each case it is argued that substantive theories about the world, including cultures, significantly affect inferential procedures. Examples chosen to illustrate this in more detail mostly reflect the impact of Confucian ...
This article describes innovations in new-boiler startups, based on experiences at United Development Group`s 50-MW Niagra cogeneration facility, Niagra Falls, NY. The plant comprises: a circulating coal fluidized bed boiler supplying steam to a nearby factory and electricity to the grid. Before operation the system was flushed with demineralized water, and the boiler degreased, the steam blow relied on a new procedure involving a continuous flow of steam. Startup was then initiated, following manufacturers heatup rate and soak times closely. After startup boiler tube sections were checked, and cleaned if necessary. 1 fig.
This work describes a procedure for the adaptive time dependent Finite Element Method using an automatic mesh refinement (H-Version) that efficiently reduces estimated errors ( a posteriori) below pre-assigned limits. Classical model problem for steady-state heat transfer are investigated, and the results are compared with the analytical solution. Then some typical time-dependent problem are qualitatively analysed. (author) 10 refs., 7 figs.
In this paper the authors describe the design and development of an advanced NDA workstation, which fits into an integrated data evaluation scheme for safeguards. This kind of instrument must be sort of an intelligent assistant to the inspection procedure, be able to generate as correct as possible measurements, guide the inspector throughout the procedure, and report descriptive data to the data evaluation system. The problem of improving the quality of the measurement is tackled using a simple expert system, which should convey in the instrument some of the physicist knowledge. The authors describe the hardware and software resources which were included in their design to reach the intended goal. A prototype of the machine has been built, and a preliminary software for Plutonium Isotopic Composition is under development.
The SY-101 Equipment Removal System 100 Ton Hydraulic Trailer was designed and built by KAMP Systems, Inc. Performance of the Acceptance Test Procedure at KAMP`s facility in Ontario, California (termed Phase 1 in this report) was interrupted by discrepancies noted with the main hydraulic cylinder. The main cylinder was removed and sent to REMCO for repair while the trailer was sent to Lampson`s facility in Pasco, Washington. The Acceptance Test Procedure was modified and performance resumed at Lampson (termed Phase 2 in this report) after receipt of the repaired cylinder. At the successful conclusion of Phase 2 testing the trailer was accepted as meeting all the performance criteria specified.
A generalised procedure for quantifying the benefits of household biogas plants is presented. The sensitivity of the procedure to the uncertainty in input prices is reduced through the assumption of incremental benefits from the biogas plant. These benefits are quantified in terms of the quantity of fuelwood for which the biogas substitutes in cooking, the quantity of kerosene replaced through the use of biogas for lighting and the diesel fuel displaced through the use of a biogas fuelled dual-fuel engine for motive power. Sensitivity of the monetary benefits for these parameters is examined in order to identify variables which influence the viability of the technology to the end user. (author).
The subject of the 5th challenge proposed by the French Society of Operations Research and Decision Analysis (ROADEF) consists in scheduling technicians and interventions for telecommunications (http://www.g-scop.inpg.fr/ChallengeROADEF2007/ or http://www.roadef.org/). We detail the algorithm we proposed for this challenge which is a Greedy Randomized Adaptative Search Procedure (GRASP). Computational results led us to the 1st position in the Junior category and to the 4th position in All category of the Challenge ROADEF 2007.
Purpose of this work is to investigate the role of Helical CT and the usefulness of three-dimensional (3D) imaging for pre-operative planning and follow-up of reconstructive maxillofacial surgery with alloplastic material in neoplastic disease involving this region. From 1996 to 1999 eleven patients were examined with Helical CT and 3D images for planning of maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery for advanced cancer of this anatomically complex region. A 3D-modulated titanium mesh (100%) or micro nets was used to rebuild the anterior surface of maxillary bone and the orbital floor. The mesh was cut to the appropriate size and shape and curved where necessary. Within the residual sinusal cavity a siliconed filling was used surmounting an acrylic prosthesis with dental arch to rebuild the palate. A rehydrated bovine pericardium was affixed and moduled on the borders in two cases only. Three-dimensionally reconstructed CT images were obtained preoperatively and at least 6 months ...
Minimally invasive thermotherapies for focal tissue destruction on the basis of laser-, microwave-, focused ultrasound-, or cryogeninduced changes of tissue temperature represent an alternative to surgical tissue ablation, particularly in the treatment of tumors. The thermotherapy modalities listed necessitate indirect guidance and monitoring, since they often do not lend themselves to immediate visual control. In the brain, in head and neck tumors, in the liver, and in the prostate, MRI reliably and accurately delineates both the positions of interstitial thermotherapy applicators and - in contrast-enhanced, T1-weighted images - the perfusion defects in tissue necrosis induced by thermotherapy. The transfer of results of in-vitro and in-vivo model studies to assess interstitial temperature and lesion development during thermotherapy to the actual treatment of patients, however, is still in an initial phase. Further development of both rapid MRI sequences and MRI ...
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 ...
Purpose: The purpose of this course is to review the physical principles underlying design, clinical application and execution of interstitial and intracavitary implants in the classical low dose-rate (LDR) range. This year, the course will focus on quality assurance of sources, applicators and treatment planning software. In addition, development of procedures and QA checks designed optimize treatment delivery accuracy and patient safety during each individual procedure will be reviewed. The level of presentation will be designed to accommodate both physicists and physicians. Implementation of recently published AAPM Task Group reports (no. 40, 'Comprehensive Quality Assurance' and No. 43, 'Dosimetry of Interstitial Brachytherapy Sources') will be reviewed. Outline: (A) General Principles (1) QA endpoints: temporal accuracy, positional accuracy, dose delivery accuracy, and safety of the patient, personnel, and the institution (2) QA ...
To determine the effectiveness and patency of percutaneous intervention in insufficient native arteriovenous hemodialysis fistulae (AVFs). Between March 1997 and September 2001, 67 cases of insufficient native AVFs resulted from central vein lesion, PTA was performed in 48 cases, and thrombolytic therapy with or without PTA in 11. In eight of the cases, in which central vein stenosis had led to the insufficency, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) was performed, and in three of the eight, a stent was inserted. Angiography findings and complications, as well as success and patency rates in the non-thrombosis and thrombosis group, were evaluated; the central vein lesion group was analysed separately. Among 84 lesions observed at angiography, three were 54 cases of stenosis, 17 of occlusion, and 13 of combined thrombosis. The lesions were located in a proximal vein (n=51), distal vein (n=14), artery (n=6), and at the site of anastomosis (n=13). In the central vein lesion group ...
A procedure and software have been developed to transform the area distribution of the residual surface heights available from the measurement with the Micromap interferometric microscope into a two-dimensional (2D) power spectral density (PSD) distribution of the surface height. The procedure incorporates correction of one of the spectral distortions of the PSD measurement. The distortion appears as a shape difference between the tangential and sagittal PSD spectra deduced from the 2D PSD distribution for an isotropic surface. A detailed investigation of the origin of the anisotropy was performed, and a mathematical model was developed and used to correct the distortion. The correction employs a modulation transfer function (MTF) of the detector deduced analytically based on an experimentally confirmed assumption about the origin of the anisotropy due to the asymmetry of the read-out process of the instrument's CCD camera. The ...
There is currently considerable interest in identifying and quantifying the effects of welding procedure parameters and steel composition factors on the risk of cracking in pipeline girth welds that may be experienced during winter construction. Although low ambient temperatures, that may be experienced during winter construction, are generally assumed to increase the risk of cracking there has been little work to quantify the effects and to suggest how welding procedures should be modified for winter conditions. The present work was undertaken to calculate the effects of changes in welding parameters on the thermal cycle and the diffusion of hydrogen for a typical pipeline girth weld. A simple analytical method and the finite element method (FEM) were used. Both methods gave similar results but the simple method was very sensitive to the value of heat transfer coefficient. The results showed that the relation between the hydrogen diffusion ...
The author discusses the implementation in Germany of the EC Directive on Environmental Impact Statements in the light of the legal tradition and concepts of law in Germany, especially in the context of the nuclear licensing procedure. His analysis reveals some legal provisions and legal concepts in existing German law that will have to be ``sacrificed`` in order to do justice to the European Union, as in the formation of the body of EC law governing environmental issues, the Anglo-Saxon approach to regulatory law has been the prevailing line of orientation (the EU ecological audit being an example). On the whole, however, the implementation of the EU Directive will not lead to substantial changes beyond procedural modifications. (HP) [Deutsch] Der Autor diskutiert die Umsetzung der EG-Richtlinien in deutsche Rechtstraditionen und -vorstellungen, besonders beim atomrechtlichen Genehmigungsverfahren. Dabei seien Abstriche an deutsche ...
A transient stability program was developed for the Taiwan Power Company, which has a high proportion of nuclear generation in its power system. This program offers a new territory to investigate nuclear plant effects on the power system transient stability. This program also provides a high speed tool for the Taipower system operational planning. A generalized procedure of synchronous machine modeling for a large-scale stability study is presented. The merits and weaknesses of machine modeling can be comprehended through each item of this procedure. Three types of nonlinear synchronous machine modeling implemented into this stability program are derived by following this procedure. A robust subroutine was derived to perform the fourth order Runge-Kutta integration method, making the software programming neat and systematical. For simulating the nuclear plant influence on the system, this program implemented an additional ...
A transient stability program was developed for the Taiwan Power Company, which has a high proportion of nuclear generation in its power system. This program offers a new territory to investigate nuclear plant effects on the power system transient stability. This program also provides a high speed tool for the Taipower system operational planning. A generalized procedure of synchronous machine modeling for a large-scale stability study is presented. The merits and weaknesses of machine modeling can be comprehended through each item of this procedure. Three types of nonlinear synchronous machine modeling implemented into this stability program are derived by following this procedure. A robust subroutine was derived to perform the fourth order Runge-Kutta integration method, making the software programming neat and systematical. For simulating the nuclear plant influence on the system, this program implemented an additional ...
A ground-breaking study was recently completed as part of the Seabrook Level 2 PRA update. This study updates the post-core damage phenomena to be consistent with the most recent information and includes accident management activities that should be modeled in the Level 2 PRA. Overall, the result is a Level 2 PRA that fully meets the requirements of the ASME PRA Standard with respect to modeling accident management in the LERF assessment and NRC requirements in Regulatory Guide 1.174 for considering late containment failures. This technical paper deals only with the incorporation of operator actions into the Level 2 PRA based on a comprehensive study of the Seabrook Station accident response procedures and guidance. The paper describes the process used to identify the key operator actions that can influence the Level 2 PRA results and the development of success criteria for these key operator actions. This addresses a key requirement of the ASME PRA Standard for ...
A ground-breaking study was recently completed as part of the Seabrook Level 2 PRA update. This study updates the post-core damage phenomena to be consistent with the most recent information and includes accident management activities that should be modeled in the Level 2 PRA. Overall, the result is a Level 2 PRA that fully meets the requirements of the ASME PRA Standard with respect to modeling accident management in the LERF assessment and NRC requirements in Regulatory Guide 1.174 for considering late containment failures. This technical paper deals only with the incorporation of operator actions into the Level 2 PRA based on a comprehensive study of the Seabrook Station accident response procedures and guidance. The paper describes the process used to identify the key operator actions that can influence the Level 2 PRA results and the development of success criteria for these key operator actions. This addresses a key requirement of the ASME PRA Standard for ...
We recently found that many RNA polymerase II transcription factors are modified with N-acetylglucosamine residues. These sugar moieties confer upon transcription factors an ability to bind the lectin wheat germ agglutinin. We have taken advantage of this interaction to devise a purification procedure for the "GC-box" binding transcription factor Sp1. Crude nuclear extracts are first subjected to wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography and then subjected to sequence-specific DNA affinity chromatography. The Sp1 protein purified by this procedure is at least 95% pure, and the overall recovery is greater than 80%. In addition to yielding larger quantities of Sp1 than conventional schemes, the new purification procedure is also simpler and more rapid. We show that wheat germ agglutinin affinity chromatography can also be used to purify the glycosylated forms of the CCAAT-binding transcription factor. Thus, wheat germ ...
This report examines the use of probabilistic methods in dealing with the problem of potential earthquake-induced liquefaction of foundation soils at an example dam site located in the central United States, near the New Madrid earthquake zone. The example dam is assumed to be a 1-mile long rolled-filled embankment founded on a 100-ft deep deposit of interbedded alluvial gravels, sands, silts, and clays. The study is seen as an opportunity to examine probabilistic concepts and procedures in the framework of an example engineering project. In this context, the main practical value of a probabilistic approach is that it permits more informed decision making about further data acquisition, additional engineering analysis, and if necessary, remedial action. The specific aim of the study is to show how probabilistic procedures complement and help to reinterpret the results of deterministic (earthquake-induced) liquefaction analysis. The ...
Samples of air-dust-concentration- and air-dust-deposit measurements were digested by a standardized wet digestion procedure and the amounts of substances in the dust according to class I TA Luft by Atomic Emission Spectroscopy with Inductively Coupled Plasma (AES-ICP). The characteristic values for procedures according to VDI 2449, sheet 1, were determined for lead, vanadium, cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel and zinc. By partial automatic control of the digestion procedure the personel expenditure of work could be reduced by a factor 13. Dust filter samples were analysed without sample preparation by evaporating the material with a solid state laser. The absolute detection limit was between 1 and 100 ng/cm"2 for the elements arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, antimony, selen and thallium. For sampling by means of the Beta-Staubmeter the relative detection limits for the laser-ICP were 10-fold lower than by use ...
A preliminary guideline for the design and evaluation of LMR high temperature structure is presented based upon ASME B and PV Code, Section III, Subsection NH. The main contents of this guideline are the materials, general design, vessel, piping, core support structure, pumps, valves, fabrication, examination, and testing for the class 1 components. The ratcheting evaluation, enhanced creep assessment, welds design and evaluation, inelastic analysis approach, piping design alternatives, and bellows design method are described in appendices. A user of this guideline should follow the essential procedures and may refer to other pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations, or other pertinent documents when this guideline does not lead to proper design of the structure. While this guideline adopts major procedures of Subsection NH, it refers to the RCC-MR and/or DDS in some amount for the items where these codes have excellency to improve this ...
In consistency with the increasing requests from Member States for establishing radiotherapy programmes, an IAEA Technical Co-operation project was initiated in Latin America aimed at improving the physical aspects (as a complement to the clinical issues) of quality assurance in radiotherapy; this ARCAL XXX project (RLA/6/032) was classified as a Model Project of the IAEA. Among the important outcomes of the project were (i) the training of a considerable number of medical physicists in hospitals of the region, (ii) the development of a protocol for quality control procedures, and (iii) the organization of quality audit site visits (to the participant countries) where the implementation in hospitals of the developed quality control procedures is verified. The present publication is the protocol for quality control of the physical aspects of radiotherapy. It contains detailed procedures on what should be measured by a ...
Clinical circumstances often demand flexibility in electrodiagnostic procedures. We present a clinical case that required alteration of our routine full-field electroretinography technique. The patient presented with reports of allergy to Xylocaine (lidocaine) and refused the use of any type of topical anesthetic drops. This conflicted with our routine ERG method that combines the use of the Henkes Lovac hard contact lens and the topical anesthetic Alcaine (proparacaine hydrochloride). We acquired a successful electroretinogram without topical anesthesia by using a "piggy-back" system involving the interposition of a soft hydrophilic contact lens between the cornea and the recording hard lens. The procedure yielded excellent ERG recordings and was well tolerated. This non-routine technique was also compared to our standard ERG technique using a normal volunteer. It appears that this proposed "piggy-back" technique is a useful alternative to ...
Nanodimensional powders of cubic copper ferrite are synthesized by two-steps procedure of co-precipitation of copper and iron hydroxide carbonates, followed by mechanochemical treatment. X-ray powder diffraction, Moessbauer spectroscopy and temperature-programmed reduction are used for the characterization of the obtained materials. Their catalytic behavior is tested in methanol decomposition to hydrogen and CO and total oxidation of toluene. Formation of nanosized ferrite material is registered even after one hour of milling time. It is established that the prolonging of treatment procedure decreases the dispersion of the obtained product with the appearance of Fe2O3. It is demonstrated that the catalytic behavior of the samples depends not only on their initial phase composition, but on the concomitant ferrite phase transformations by the influence of the reaction medium. -- Graphical abstract: It is demonstrated that the catalytic behavior ...
The authors develop a procedure for the determination of the Al, Ti, V, Cu, Mn, Mo, and W content of nickel-base alloys by neutron activation analysis. An M-10 microtron with a beryllium target in a paraffin microtron (with a beryllium target) in a paraffin moderator served as the neutron source. In order to evaluate the procedure for quantitative analysis, the authors determined the contents of the above elements in five reference standards, the bulk density of which was 2.94-4.17 g/cm/sup 3/. The difference in the self-absorption of the gammaquanta was assessed by determining the number of gamma-quanta with energies in the range 60-1332 keV that had passed through the RS N4 and N8 which showed the greatest difference in their composition. The results of the determination are presented. The proposed procedure is simple and rapid and can be used to determine the alloying components of nickel-based alloys with satisfactory ...
The authors develop a procedure for the determination of the Al, Ti, V, Cu, Mn, Mo, and W content of nickel-base alloys by neutron activation analysis. An M-10 microtron with a beryllium target in a paraffin microtron (with a beryllium target) in a paraffin moderator served as the neutron source. In order to evaluate the procedure for quantitative analysis, the authors determined the contents of the above elements in five reference standards, the bulk density of which was 2.94-4.17 g/cm"3. The difference in the self-absorption of the gammaquanta was assessed by determining the number of gamma-quanta with energies in the range 60-1332 keV that had passed through the RS N4 and N8 which showed the greatest difference in their composition. The results of the determination are presented. The proposed procedure is simple and rapid and can be used to determine the alloying components of nickel-based alloys with satisfactory ...
A sensitive and rapid automated method has been developed for the selective analysis of acid extractable sulfide in environmental samples by combining gas dialysis separation techniques with methylene blue detection procedures. Acid extractable sulfide is separated from the sample matrix by the gas dialysis membrane and subsequently trapped in a dilute sodium hydroxide receiving stream. This stream is reacted with N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and ferric chloride to produce methylene blue which is then quantitated colorimetrically at 660 nm. For standards and nonturbid environmental samples, there is good agreement between the results obtained by this procedure and the standard methylene blue method. The effect of interferences on the accurate determination of sulfide by both methods was also examined and it was found that cupric ions significantly interfered with sulfide estimation. To obtain adequate sulfide recoveries in tap water and ...
While there have been many experimental and calculational investigations on absorbed dose distribution in the patient resulting from conventional X-ray procedures, such data for computerized tomography (CT) are still sparse. As this diagnostic procedure has shown a rapid increase in application during recent years, we have determined absorbed dose to body organs in a human phantom resulting from CT examinations. The exposure model consists of the heterogeneous MIRD-5 phantom and a suitable Monte-Carlo method to calculate absorbed dose to organs of interest. The exposure conditions are specified according to the exposure specifications of a CT-scanner currently in use. The calculations cover the range of body tissues of interest in terms of organ absorbed doses as well as a risk weighted absorbed dose. A detailed example showing the calculation of red bone marrow dose is given and a somatic effective dose equivalent Hsub(ES) is calculated for ...
The potential hazard of landfill wastes was previously evaluated by examining the extraction procedures for individual waste, although various wastes were co-disposed of in actual landfills. This paper investigates the reduction of extraction-procedure toxicity by co-disposing various combinations of two wastes. When two wastes are mixed homogeneously, the extraction of heavy metals from the waste mixture is critically affected by the extract pH. Thus, co-disposal wastes will have a resultant pH between the pH values of its constituent. The lower the resultant pH, the lower the concentrations of heavy metals in the extract. When these wastes are extracted sequentially, the latter extracted waste has a stronger influence on the final concentration of heavy metals in the extract. Small-scale lysimeter experiments confirm that when heavy-metal-bearing leachates Generated from hazardous-waste lysimeters are passed through a nonhazardous-waste ...
The paper presents the procedure of an investigation of WWER-1000 primary circuit temperature-stress field by the use of thermohydraulic computation data for a pressurized thermal shock event ''Core overcooling''. The procedure is based on a model of the plane stress state with ideal contact between wall and medium for the calculation. The computation data are calculated on the base of WWER-1000 thermohydraulic model by the RELAP5/MOD3 codes. This model was developed jointly by the Bulgarian and BNL/USA staff to provide an analytical tool for performing safety analysis. As a result of calculations by codes the computation data for temperature field law (linear laws of a few distinguished parts) and pressure of coolant at points on inner surface of WWER-1000 primary circuit equipment are received. Such calculations can be used as a base for determination of all-important load-carrying sections of the primary circuit pipes and vessels, which need ...
The author says ''barehand'' methods, where specially trained utility workers are called in conductive suits to equalize voltage over their bodies, to maintain high-voltage transmission lines are on the rise. Utilities are building lines at higher voltages and selling more power to other utilities, making it highly inconvenient to take the lines out of service. However, some unions view the barehand work with less than enthusiasm. Touching lines energized at hundreds of thousands of volts demands flawless equipment and rigid work procedures followed to the letter. Some local unions contend that adequate safety procedures and training, and appropriate penalties for workplace negligence, should be in place before utilities may do barehand work. The author discusses some of the methods of barehand work and the equipment used, i.e. steel-mesh lineman's suit, bucket truck's boom, helicopters, and robots.
WIPS (Whip and Impact of Piping Systems) is a special purpose computer code for the structural analysis of pipe whip dynamic effects following a postulated pipe rupture. WIPS has been developed primarily to provide support for the pipe whip analysis procedures described in Section 3.6.2 of the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission Standard Review Plan. This report summarizes the purpose and scope of the WIPS development effort, identifying those clauses in the Standard Review Plan which refer to pipe whip analysis, and indicating how the WIPS code can be used to provide supporting data. Detailed information on use of the code is contained in accompanying reports which cover: (1) user instructions; (2) theory; (3) programming procedures; and (4) verification examples.
We consider chemical reaction networks taken with mass action kinetics. The steady states of such a system are solutions to a system of polynomial equations. Even for small systems the task of finding the solutions is daunting. We develop an algebraic framework and procedure for linear elimination of variables. The procedure reduces the variables in the system to a set of "core" variables by eliminating variables corresponding to a set of non-interacting species. The steady states are parameterized algebraically by the core variables, and a graphical condition is given for when a steady state with positive core variables necessarily have all variables positive. Further, we characterize graphically the sets of eliminated variables that are constrained by a conservation law and show that this conservation law takes a specific form.
Radiation protection in medicine has unique aspects and is an essential element of medical practice. Medical uses of radiation occur throughout the world, from large cities to rural clinics. It has been estimated that the number of medical procedures using radiation grew from about 1.7 billion in 1980 to almost 4 billion in 2007. In spite of these large numbers, there are many parts of the world without adequate equipment, where the ability to perform additional medical procedures would likely result in a net benefit. Medicine accounts for more than 99.9% of the per caput effective dose from man-made sources. The goal in medical exposure is not to give the lowest dose, but to provide the correct dose to enable the practitioner to make the diagnosis or cure a tumour. Too little or too much ...
HLW disposal is one of the largest issue to utilize Nuclear power safely. In the past study, the concept, which buffer materials and Overpacked waste were transported into underground respectively, have shown. The concept of pre-assembled engineered barrier has advantage to simplify the logistics and emplacement procedure, however there are difficulties to support heavy weight of pre-assembled package by equipment under the condition of little clearance between tunnel and package. In this study, Combination of air bearing and two degree-of-freedom wheels were suggested for transportation, and air jack was suggested for unloading and emplacement system. Also, whole system for transportation and emplacement procedure was designed, and Scale model test was examined to evaluate the feasibility of these concept and functions. (author)
This paper addresses the unique structural requirements for successful conversion of tankers for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) or floating storage and offloading (FSO) service. A description is given of the steps undertaken during two recent and very different conversions of a highly optimized 1980s VLCC to FPSO service, and a typical robust 1970s ULCC to FSO service. The paper describes the steps needed for ensuring the FPSO or FSO requirements are successfully met during conversion of the two tankers - each having its own history, e.g. date of build, original design, material choices, class society, voyage history and repairs. Firstly, the paper describes the procedure and results of an early initial structural assessment procedure on the basis of an American Bureau o...
In the study, wind data from the Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) are used to determine atmospheric circulation changes which are empirically associated with the air temperature changes. Some understanding of the natural processes which produce climate change is anticipated from the study of these associations. Systematic changes of wind in US coastal regions with periods of climate warming and cooling suggest circulation changes, in addition to carbon dioxide-controlled radiation effects, could produce the climate changes indicated by air temperature. A statistical procedure for analyses of COADS was used to determine decade-period vector wind-field differences from the COADS record period. The statistical procedure for these analyses is explained and the wind differences are compared to summaries of mid-Atlantic coast island-station observations.
This is a thought piece on data-intensive science requirements for databases and science centers. It argues that peta-scale datasets will be housed by science centers that provide substantial storage and processing for scientists who access the data via smart notebooks. Next-generation science instruments and simulations will generate these peta-scale datasets. The need to publish and share data and the need for generic analysis and visualization tools will finally create a convergence on common metadata standards. Database systems will be judged by their support of these metadata standards and by their ability to manage and access peta-scale datasets. The procedural stream-of-bytes-file-centric approach to data analysis is both too cumbersome and too serial for such large datasets. Non-procedural query and analysis of schematized self-describing data is both easier to use and allows much more parallelism.
Robotic surgery will give surgeons the ability to perform essentially tremorless microsurgery in tiny spaces with delicate precision and may enable procedures never before possible on children, neonates, and fetuses. Collaboration with radiologists, engineers, and other scientists will permit refinement of image-guided technologies and allow the realization of truly remarkable concepts in minimally invasive surgery. While robotic surgery is now in clinical use in several surgical specialties (heart bypass, prostate removal, and various gastrointestinal procedures), the greatest promise of robotics lies in pediatric surgery. We will briefly review the history and background of robotic technology in surgery, discuss its present benefits and uses and those being explored, and speculate on the future, with attention to the current and potential involvement of imaging modalities and the role of image guidance. (orig.)
AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to review an experience with retroperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy (REA). This is the procedure of choice for adrenal tumours at this institution. Methods: Between 1997 and 2008, 112 REAs were performed in a single university centre. Data were retrieved retrospectively from a prospectively collected database, including information on patient demographics, surgical procedure, complications and hospital stay. Results: One hundred and twelve REAs were carried out successfully in 105 patients, including seven bilateral adrenalectomies. Thirty nine patients with unilateral adrenal disease had a phaeochromocytoma, of whom 16 had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, 21 patients had Cushing's disease and 20 had Conn's disease. Median body m...
In a fluoroscopic imaging system, image quality and patient dose are both affected by the optical system linking the image intensifier with the video camera. The effect on patient exposure of increasing the optical iris aperture size over that required for other procedures performed on the same imaging system was investigated for the air-contrast barium enema examination. Using a large-area transmission ionisation chamber to monitor the Roentgen-area-product of entrance exposure, a decrease in fluoroscopic radiation of greater than 50% was clinically documented for a fluoroscopic system utilising kVp and mA variable automatic brightness control. For this iris change, the video image was of acceptable quality for positioning and monitoring the patient, and no deleterious effect was detected in the conduct of the air-contrast exam. The availability of a variable-sized operator-selectable iris diaphragm would permit this dose-reduction approach to be extended to other ...
A study was performed to examine currently recommended meteorological measurement programs and atmospheric transport and diffusion prediction models for nuclear power plants to determine their adequacy for plants located in coastal zones where meteorological conditions are normally more complex than at inland sites and to make recommendations for changes to improve current procedures. Recommendations were based on an extensive literature review and on studies of coastal meteorology and diffusion. The study was focused on the following areas: coastal internal boundary layers; tower location; instrument heights; atmospheric stability classification; plume meander; and diffusion calculations. Each of the areas is discussed with appropriate recommendations which were made with respect to either the scientific or the regulation aspects of current procedures or both. Other potential problem areas are also pointed out.
Objective: To investigate the X-ray radiation dose patients dealt with the hepatic intervention. Methods: Thermoluminescence and tissue-equivalent anthropomorphic phantom were used to measure the X-ray radiation dose in patients dealt with the hepatic intervention in 85 patients. Results: The peak skin dose in the patients who accepted hepatic intervention was from 179.95 to 1759.00 mGy, effective dose approached 29.22 mSv (male), 29.27 mSv (female). Conclusion: Hepatic intervention is now regarded as an important therapeutic method for liver cancer. However, the patients were exposed to too much X-ray radiation during interventional procedures. Some more effective protection should be taken to decrease the X-ray radiation dose accepted by patients. (authors)
The existence of multipole components in the dipole and quadrupole magnets is one of the factors limiting the beam stability in the RHIC operations. So, a realistic non-linear model is crucial for understanding the beam behavior and to achieve the ultimate performance in RHIC. A procedure is developed to build a non-linear model using the available multipole component data obtained from measurements of RHIC magnets. We first discuss the measurements performed at different stages of manufacturing of the magnets in relation to their current state in RHIC. We then describe the procedure to implement these measurement data into tracking models, including the implementation of the multipole feed down effect due to the beam orbit offset from the magnet center. Finally, the field quality analysis in the RHIC interaction regions (IR) is presented.
Purpose - This paper aims to discuss the procedures and methods developed at Washington State University to digitize and make accessible historic moving images. Design/methodology/approach - The paper describes the selection and the use of low-cost technologies to transfer analog film to digital formats. Issues related to the conversion, description, and online hosting of digital films are also addressed. Findings - Though the steps involved in digitizing film are not trivial, the benefits of access both for the public and archives staff outweigh the expense and labor involved. The procedures described in this paper involve low upfront costs and are sustained through cost recovery fees. Research limitations/implications - The focus of this paper is on managing, describing, and providing on...
The practice of medical tourism depends on successfully informing potential patients about procedure options, treatment facilities, tourism opportunities, travel arrangements, and destination countries. The promotion of medical tourism includes a wide range of marketing materials such as flyers, booklets, and websites. Yet, there is a paucity of knowledge about the dissemination, content, and reception of these promotional materials. Drawing on a thematic content analysis of the promotional print material distributed at the first medical tourism trade show in Canada in 2009, the main purpose of this article is to identify and understand the messages and images that companies use to market India as a global destination. While researchers and news media frequently cite low cost procedures as...
The invention refers a procedure of radiation dose control in irradiated tissues during electron-beam therapy. It aims at meeting the planned radiation dose for diseased tissues and taking care of the healthy ones. Therefore, the dose distribution required is determined before irradiation in consideration of such factors as energy-dependence of detector sensitivity, self-absorption within the tissue, and relative biological effectiveness. Furthermore, the expected intensity distribution of secondary quantum radiation excited in the irradiated tissue is calculated. A radiation detector for local resolution is used for registration. During irradiation the calculated intensity distribution is compared with the measured one. The invention is applicable in radiation therapy with monoenergetic electron beams.
To evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous mechanical declotting. Using a 7-F Desilets-Hoffman sheath and the crossed-catheter technique, we aspirated the intragraft clot and pushed the residual clot into the central circulation with balloon catheters. The success rate, procedure time, complications and patency rates were evaluated. Technical success was achieved in 24 of 32 cases, with a procedure time of 30-240 (average, 111) minutes. In five of eight cases in which technical failure occurred, the guide wire failed to reach the stenotic site and in the other three, there was insufficient luminal dilatation. Complications included vein ruptures (n=2), arterial emboli (n=1) and arterial dissection (1), but there was no evidence of clinical symptoms of pulmonary embolism. The six-month patency rate was 67.8%. Mechanical declotting of thrombosed dialysis graft using a balloon catheter is relatively inexpensive, safe and fast, and is well ...
The aim of a joint effort by different research teams was to provide an improved procedure for enzyme activity profiling of field-sampled ectomycorrhizae, including recommendations on the best conditions and maximum duration for storage of ectomycorrhizal samples. A more simplified and efficient protocol compared to formerly published procedures was achieved by using manufactured 96-filter plates in combination with a vacuum manifold and by optimizing incubation times. Major improvements were achieved by performing the series of eight enzyme assays with a single series of root samples instead of two series, reducing the time needed for sample preparation, minimizing error-prone steps such as pipetting and morphotyping, and facilitating subsequent DNA analyses due to the reduced sequencing ...
The paper presents a procedure for the calculation of an absorption-refrigeration plant that uses an LiBr/ZnBr{sub 2}/CH{sub 3}OH solution and is driven throughout the year by heat received from a solar pond. The calculations for the solar pond are based on a finite-difference solution of the transient heat conduction differential equation during the year, and the operation of the refrigeration unit is simulated by the use of functions describing the thermodynamic behaviour of the working medium. On the basis of the procedure devised, correlations and nomographs are developed that describe the seasonally optimum operation of the proposed composite system. The nomographs may be employed for a first estimation in the design of such systems. (Author).
A multi-centre evaluation of the test strip analyser, Rapimat, was performed by four laboratories following the ECCLS 2nd draft guidelines for the evaluation of analysers in clinical chemistry. Using the Rapignost urine test strip with the test fields for bilirubin, urobilinogen, acetoacetate, ascorbic acid, glucose, protein, nitrite, pH and haemoglobin, the Rapimat was found to be analytically reliable in comparison with other, in most cases quantitative procedures. During the observation period of about 6 months no breakdown occurred in any laboratory. Interferences and sensitivity as discussed for the bilirubin and urobilinogen test field are more related to the test strip than to the instrument. Several improvements for further developments are suggested. This multi-centre study has shown that the ECCLS protocol is applicable to analytical procedures leading to discrete results. PMID:4056663
A study, based on a literature review was made to examine currently recommended meteorological measurement programs and diffusion prediction methods for nuclear power plants to determine their adequacy for plants located in coastal zones. Although procedures for handling the near-worst case (stable, light-wind situation) were judged adequately conservative, deficiencies in guidelines and procedures were found with respect to the following: failure to consider the role of coastal internal boundary layers; specifications for tower locations and instrument heights; methods of classifying atmospheric stability; methods of allowing credit for plume meander, and models specified for diffusion calculations. Recommendations were made for changes in the guidelines applicable to these topics. Areas in which additional research is needed were identified.
The initial series of laparoscopic single stage orchiopexy for the abdominal or emergent impalpable undescended testis is reported. The first laparoscopic orchiopexy was performed at our institution in October 1991. Between October 1991 and January 1993, 14 patients (16 testes) underwent minimally invasive surgery with 6 months of followup in all cases. No evidence of testicular loss or acute atrophy has occurred, with the entire procedure being accomplished by laparo-endoscopic techniques in all cases. Treatment of 3 of the 16 testicles consisted of stage 2 of staged orchiopexy, and to our knowledge these cases represent the first stage 2 orchiopexy completed by laparoscopic techniques. In those cases stage 1 was performed by laparoscopic clipping of the vessels. The details of the procedure as we now perform it are described. PMID:7915336
The purpose of this work is the elucidation of the f"n electronic structure of neutral mono base adducts derived from tris(#eta#"5-cyclopentadienyl)-lanthanide(III) (Cp_2Ln). The available data on related compounds like bis adducts and anionic mono adducts of the same moiety was also analyzed. The first aim was to derive the experimental crystal field splitting pattern from optical, magnetooptical and magnetochemical measurements and to reproduce it using an empirical Hamiltonian operator. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors obtained in this manner were used for a quantitative interpretation of the magnetochemical, EPR- and NMR-spectroscopic properties. For the latter subject it was necessary to develop an own procedure for the NMR analysis of paramagnetic compounds. This method is based on factor analysis and as demonstrated in the second part of this work, is clearly superior to all previous procedures. (orig.).
Background The Norwood procedure consists of three palliative operations, performed in neonates with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Especially the first stage (Norwood I) is associated with the highest mortality rates in paediatric cardiac surgery (up to 25%). During surgery, the aorta is reconstructed and a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt is applied. Originally the modified Blalock-Taussig shunt was used, but recently the right-ventricle-to-pulmonary-artery shunt is increasingly being employed. We reviewed the results of our operative strategy, where an individualised choice of shunt is made. Furthermore, attempts to reduce interstage mortality (between Norwood I and II) were assessed. Methods All neonates who underwent Norwood stage I palliation from August 2004 until November 2010 were in...
Selenium 79 is a beta emitter produced from (235)U fission and is one of the long half-life radionuclides of interest in nuclear waste disposal problematic because of its potential migration capacity to the surface environment. Measurement of (79)Se is particularly difficult due to its low activity in waste matrices (about 10(-3)Bqg(-1)). A radiochemical procedure based on ion exchange separations was already described in a previous paper. This work presents different applications of the radiochemical separation to waste samples and an improvement of this procedure, including a selective extraction of selenium as diethylselenium in an organic solvent followed by a re-extraction in aqueous medium. This additional step allows the decontamination factor to be increased with the aim of counting (79)Se by liquid scintillation counting. PMID:19071740
In this paper, we develop a batch fuzzy learning vector quantization algorithm that attempts to solve certain problems related to the implementation of fuzzy clustering in image compression. The algorithm's structure encompasses two basic components. First, a modified objective function of the fuzzy c-means method is reformulated and then is minimized by means of an iterative gradient-descent procedure. Second, the overall training procedure is equipped with a systematic strategy for the transition from fuzzy mode, where each training vector is assigned to more than one codebook vectors, to crisp mode, where each training vector is assigned to only one codebook vector. The algorithm is fast and easy to implement. Finally, the simulation results show that the method is efficient and appears...
The Level 1 probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for Wolsung(WS) 2/3/4 nuclear power plant (NPPs) in design stage is performed using the methodologies being equivalent to PWR PSA. Accident sequence evaluation program (ASEP) human reliability analysis (HRA) procedure and technique for human error rate prediction (THERR) are used in HRA of WS 2/3/4 NPPs PSA. The= purpose of this paper is to introduce the procedure and methodology of HRA in WS 2/3/4 NPPs PSA. Also, this paper describes the interim results of importance analysis for human actions modeled in WS 2/3/4 PSA and the findings and recommendations of administrative control of secondary control area from the view of human factors. (Author) 10 refs., 2 tabs.
The Level 1 probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) for Wolsong(WS) 2/3/4 nuclear power plant(NPPs) in design stage is performed using the methodologies being equivalent to PWR PSA. Accident sequence evaluation program (ASEF) human reliability analysis (HRA) procedure and technique for human error rate prediction (THERP) are used in HRA of WS 2/3/4 NPPs PSA. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the procedure and methodology of HRA in WS 2/3/4 NPPs PSA. Also, this paper describes the interim results of importance analysis for human actions modeled in WS 2/3/4 PSA and the findings and recommendations of administrative control of secondary control area from the view of human factors.
Sizewell B is Nuclear Electric's latest power station, and the Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) design on which it is based represents a ''first'' for the UK. One of the integral components of the plant is the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, which performs a contamination control and gaseous waste management function for the site. During the commissioning of Sizewell B Power Station the extract systems of the HVAC plant underwent a procedure known as ''fingerprinting''. This entailed the characterisation of the facilities provided to test the filtration plant during its lifetime. The assessment of their adequacy was then used to identify necessary modifications and/or to propose the manner in which future in situ performance testing would be carried out. The paper outlines the basic principles and procedure that was used to ''fingerprint'' test systems during the commissioning of Sizewell B. A specific example is ...
Background This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and follow-up results of endoscopic papilletomy (ESP) with pancreatic and biliary duct stent placement for ampullary tumors. The therapeutic approach to benign ampullary tumors remains unsettled. The ESP procedure is a curative treatment option for benign papillary tumors, but ESP raises concerns about a relatively high risk for procedure-related complications such as pancreatitis. A pancreatic stent may protect against complications. Methods Between September 2000 and June 2008, 36 patients with ampullary tumors confined to the mucosa and no intraductal tumor growth underwent ESP. The preprocedural diagnostic tools included endoscopic ultrasound, transpapillary intraductal ultrasound, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancr...
This manual is presented in 8 chapters plus appendices. Chapters 1 and 2 are included as background information. The economic insulation thickness is found using the following chapters: Chapter 3, cost of energy (heat and refrigeration); Chapter 4, cost of insulation, and Chapter 5, economic thickness determination. Each of these chapters contains a worksheet, which provides a step-by-step procedure for solving the problem. Nomographs are included in each section for simplifying the required calculations. For subambient temperature systems, the economic insulation thickness calculated with Chapters 3 to 5 should be compared to the thickness required to prevent condensation (sweating), as calculated with Chapter 6. Chapter 7 presents the procedure for calculating economic insulation for retrofit situations. Sample problems are included in Chapter 8.
Reasons for variation in transfusion practice in orthopedic surgery are not well understood. This systematic review identified and appraised the quality of the literature in this area to assess the impact of factors associated with the use of allogeneic red blood cell (RBC) transfusion in orthopedic procedures. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched for relevant English language publications. Articles containing a range of MeSH and text terms regarding ''blood transfusion,'' ''predictors,'' and ''multiple logistic regression'' were retrieved. Articles that focused on patients undergoing orthopedic procedures and that met prespecified inclusion criteria were appraised in terms of potential bias and the appropriateness of statistical approach. A total of 3641 citations were retrieved, an...
The National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) was implemented in 1997 to update and improve the quality of food composition data maintained by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). NFNAP was designed to sample and analyze frequently consumed foods in the U.S. food supply using statistically rigorous sampling plans, established sample handling procedures, and qualified analytical laboratories. Methods for careful handling of food samples from acquisition to analysis were developed to ensure the integrity of the samples and subsequent generation of accurate nutrient values. The infrastructure of NFNAP, under which over 1500 foods have been sampled, mandates tested sample handling protocols for a wide variety of foods. The majority of these foods were categorized into ...
Very high cobalt catalysts have been prepared on steamed and acid-washed y zeolite. These catalysts are very active. Some of them have proven to be very stable. Additionally, if provisions are made to control the temperature build up on the catalyst bed, low methane selectivities result. Additional work is indicated, for instance, perhaps even higher activity catalysts can result from higher levels of cobalt or changes in the catalyst preparation procedure. Since the issue of whether small amounts of ruthenium can promote the catalyst is not completely resolved, catalyst preparation procedure experiments should continue with ruthenium vs. ruthenium-free catalysts. For instance, different methods of impregnation and/or activation should be investigated.
The Reliability Data Management System (RDMS) for safety systems of PHWR type plants has been developed and utilized in the reliability analysis of the special safety systems of Wolsong Unit 1 with plant overhaul period lengthened. The RDMS is developed for the periodic efficient reliability analysis of the safety systems of Wolsong Unit 1. In addition, this system provides the function of analyzing the effects on safety system unavailability if the test period of a test procedure changes as well as the function of optimizing the test periods of safety-related test procedures. The RDMS can be utilized in handling the requests of the regulatory institute actively with regard to the reliability validation of safety systems.
Phenytoin (PHT), phenobarbital (PHB), lamotrigine (LTG), and topiramate (TPM) are some of the most widely used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Monitoring of their concentrations in serum is important for the treatment of epilepsy. A reference measurement procedure (RMP) for certification of PHT, PHB, LTG, and TPM in serum has been developed and critically evaluated. Isotopically labeled compounds of PHT, PHB, LTG, and TPM are used as internal standards for the four AEDs. The four drugs and their respective labeled internal standards are simultaneously extracted from serum using solid-phase extraction prior to reversed-phase liquid chromatography?tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Chromatographic separation was performed using a C18 column. Electrospray ionization (ESI) in the positive ion mo...
Evaluating the need for remedial cleanup at a waste site involves both finding the average contaminant concentration and identifying highly contaminated areas, or hot spots. A nomographic procedure to determine the sample configuration needed to locate a hot spot is presented. The technique can be used to develop a waste-site sampling plant - to determine either the grid spacing required to detect a hot spot at a given level of confidence, or the probability of finding a hot spot of a certain size, given a particular grid spacing. The method and computer program (ELIPGRID) were developed for locating geologic deposits, but the basic procedure can also be used to detect hot spots at chemical- or nuclear-waste disposal sites. Nomographs based on the original program are presented for three sampling-grid configurations - square, rectangular and triangular.
It was recognized from the early days of commissioning of Bruce B that Control Maintenance staff would require a level of expertise to be able to maintain Special Safety Systems in proper running order. In the early 80's this was achieved through hands on experience during the original commissioning, troubleshooting and placing of the various systems in service. Control maintenance procedures were developed and implemented as the new systems came available for commissioning, as were operating manuals,training manuals etc. Under the development of the Maintenance Manager, a Conduct of Maintenance section was organized. One of the responsibilities of this section was to develop a series of Maintenance Administrative Procedures (MAPs) that set the standards for maintenance activities including training.
In this paper we introduce free energy-based methods to constrain mutual information maximization, developed to realize competitive learning. The new method is introduced to simplify the computational procedures of mutual information and to improve the fidelity of representation and to stabilize learning. First, the free energy is effective in simplifying the computation procedures of mutual information because we need not directly compute mutual information, which needs heavy computation, but only deals with partition functions. With partition functions, computational complexity is significantly reduced. Second, fidelity to input patterns can be improved because training errors between input patterns and connection weights are implicitly incorporated. This means that mutual information is...
PurposeTo evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Zilver vascular stent in the treatment of de novo or restenotic lesions in the external and common iliac arteries.Materials and MethodsRegardless of the results of an initial percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), 151 consecutive patients were implanted with Zilver vascular stents (Cook, Bloomington, Ind) in up to two stenotic (?10 cm) or occluded (?5 cm) atherosclerotic lesions of the external or common iliac arteries. The primary endpoint was the rate of major adverse events within 9 months after the procedure. Major adverse events were defined as death, myocardial infarction, target lesion revascularization, and limb loss. Secondary endpoints included acute procedural success, 30-day clinical success, 9-month pat...
Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant is put into commercial operation in 1994 Until 1996, there are 368 human error events in operating and maintenance area, occupying 39% of total events. These events occurred mainly in the processes of maintenance, test equipment isolation and system on-line, in particular in refuelling and maintenance. The author analyses root causes for human errorievents, which are mainly operator omission or error procedure deficiency; procedure not followed; lack of training; communication failures; work management inadequacy. The protective measures and treatment principle for human error events are also discussed, and several examples applying them are given. Finally, it is put forward that key to prevent human error event lies in the coordination and management, person in charge of work, and good work habits of staffs.
Steel building frames are often analyzed for stability in an elastic way, while most of their columns behave inelastically at the buckling stage. Most column design provisions allow for inelastic behavior, but overall inelastic stability analysis is rarely performed. In this study the analysis philosophy is centered on the overall frame stability and its true safety factor. As many columns show inelastic behavior at the buckling stage, the proposed procedure takes due consideration of this fact. Once the overall buckling factor for the frame is obtained, individual column effective length factors, and their true slenderness ratios are computed, and used in the design relationships. This procedure circumvents the use of design nomographs and numerous formulas proposed in the past to allevia...
Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR) is a new system of digital radiography that is based on the latest computer technologies. We applied this FCR system to the X-ray diagnosis of the laryngeal disease. Twenty patients with various laryngeal diseases were evaluated by both FCR frontal tomography and conventional screen-film frontal tomography under the same exposure condition. Both tomograms were then compared on the subject of the clarity of delineation of laryngeal structures. As the result, FCR tomograms revealed the feature of the laryngeal lumen and cartilages more clearly than conventional tomograms. In addition, energy subtraction method, which is one of FCR image processing systems, was presented as a new technical procedure to extinguish cervical spine shadows in plain anteroposterior laryngeal X-photograph. We stress that FCR system is the suitable procedure for X-ray analysis of laryngeal diseases, especially in the region related with ...
A thermal analysis of the Omnium-G receiver is presented and the technique is shown to be generally applicable to solar thermal receivers utilizing a directly heated thermal mass. The thermal loss coefficient, including reradiation losses, is calculated and shown to agree quite well with the experimentally measured thermal loss coefficient. The rate of heat transfer to the working fluid is also analyzed and the analysis is used to show that the Omnium-G receiver is well matched to the water/steam working fluid because the steam outlet temperature is almost the same as the receiver temperature. A general procedure for calculating receiver performance is presented. With this procedure, the energy delivery to any working fluid, the delivered temperature of the working fluid, and the pressure drop through the receiver can be determined. An example of the calculation is also presented.
The effective approach to quantum dynamics allows a reformulation of the Dirac quantization procedure for constrained systems in terms of an infinite-dimensional constrained system of classical type. For semiclassical approximations, the quantum constrained system can be truncated to finite size and solved by the reduced phase space or gauge-fixing methods. In particular, the classical feasibility of local internal times is directly generalized to quantum systems, overcoming the main difficulties associated with the general problem of time in the semiclassical realm. The key features of local internal times and the procedure of patching global solutions using overlapping intervals of local internal times are described and illustrated by two quantum mechanical examples. The choice of time is tantamount to a choice of gauge at the effective level and changing the clock is, therefore, equivalent to a gauge transformation. This article complements ...
Background This study compares the expected 5-year costs for permanent sterilization in women between nonincisional hysteroscopic tubal occlusion with the Essure? system performed in an office setting and laparoscopic bilateral tubal ligation (LBTL). Study Design An economic decision tree is used to predict outcomes and costs to compare these two procedures from a US Medicaid perspective over a 5-year time horizon. Results Expected costs are $2367 for Essure? and $3545 for LBTL (Essure? saves $1178 or 33% of LBTL costs). Sensitivity analyses show Essure? has lower expected costs across all values considered. If the cost for a LBTL procedure were to decrease by 20% and the cost for Essure? to increase by 20%, Essure? would have still have lower expected costs. Conclusion Office-based steril...
There is increasing evidence that adolescence, like early life, is a sensitive period in which ongoing brain development can be influenced by environmental factors. This review describes our use of social instability as a model of mild adolescent social stress, its effects on social interactions and on hypothalamic?pituitary?adrenal function over the course of the procedure and in response to new stressors. The effects of social instability are sex-specific, with qualitative differences between the sexes on HPA function over the course of the stressor procedure, and with greater effects in males on behaviour observed during the social instability and greater effects in females on behavioural responses to drugs of abuse into adulthood, long after the stress exposure. The results from invest...
An adaptive power system stabilizer (APSS) employing a new self-optimizing pole shifting control strategy and its application to a power system are described in this paper. Based on an identified model of the system, the control is computed by an algorithm which shifts the closed-loop poles of the system to some optimal locations inside the unit circle in the z-domain to minimize a given performance criterion. With the self-optimization property, outside intervention in the controller design procedure is minimized, thus simplifying the tuning procedure during commissioning. Also, a new method of calculating the variable forgetting factor in real-time parameter identification is discussed. Studies show that the proposed APSS can provide good damping of the power system over a wide operating range and significantly improve the dynamic performance of the system.
A method for the determination of stereotaxic coordinates in radiography, e.g. angiography, pneumoencephalography or digital vascular radiography, is described. A special localization frame containing radiopaque structures and scales defines a diagnostic coordinate system. This frame is fixed to the X-ray-table prior to the radiographic procedure and two projections are obtained at arbitrary angles to each other. The focus-film distances do not have to be fixed. The target coordinates are then determined either by a simple graphical procedure or with the use of a digitizing x-y-table, by a computer. With the computer method the films are placed on the digitizing table and the target and a few reference points are marked using a cursor. From the relative positions the computer calculates the coordinates. With the special head fixation system, coordinates of structures visualized in radiographic examinations can be transferred to various ...
Objective: To establish a computer program for rapid calculation of internal committed effective close through inhalation and ingestion pathways under radiological emergency. Methods: Visual Basic 6.0 is used to compile the generic procedures of internal committed effective dose by inhalation and ingestion in IAEA-TECDOC-1162, Generic Procedures for Assessment and Response during a Radiological Emergency. Results: The assessment methodology of internal committed effective dose by inhalation and ingestion under radiological emergency in the report IAEA-TECDOC-1162 can be coded into a computer program. Conclusions: This research provides a rapid method of assessment for internal committed effective dose by inhalation and ingestion under radiological emergency, and it may provide needed dosimetry data for treatment under emergency response. (authors)
Following Hurricane Katrina, the study of cantilevered sheet pile I-wall with gap or partial gap has become one of the central elements of the ongoing investigation pertaining to the re-building of hurricane protection systems in New Orleans, LA. Historically, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) had mostly relied upon the Method of Planes (MOP) analysis procedure for slope stability analysis of I-wall systems. However MOP is a simplified procedure which does not satisfy total equilibrium. Nevertheless, MOP is still considered by USACE as a popular analysis tool because of its simplicity and ease of use in slope stability analysis. This paper demonstrates the applicability and suitability of MOP as a viable analysis tool for the analysis of New Orleans I-wall founded on layered cohesive ...
The most common causes of omental sac collections (OSC) are necrotic pancreatitis (90%) and pancreatic trauma (10%). Acute OSC is a form of local peritonitis in acute pancreatitis, subacute OSC are caused by internal pancreatic fistulas. The clinical and radiological signs, enzymatic activity of the exudate, morphological features of peritonitis were investigated. Treatment of acute OSC included conservative measures, of subacute OSC-surgical procedures. PMID:9163152
PCR detection of genetic material of the parasites present in faeces may be an alternative for microscopic and serological tests routinely used for diagnosing parasitic enteral infections. However, small amount of target DNA combined with low efficiency of total DNA extraction, and presence of PCR inhibitors in the samples to be amplified, may cause false negative detection results. The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of DNA isolation procedure used on the amplification of DNA fragments from the genomes of protozoan Cryptosporidium parvum and the nematode Trichinella spiralis. Two methods based on different principles of biological material lysis were evaluated; NucliSENS miniMAG employing simultaneously applied chemical lysis and mechanical disruption or mechanical disruption followed by enzymatic lysis in case of QIAamp DNA Stool Mini Kit. Both of the analyzed systems for nucleic acids purification allowed isolation of DNA from purified ...
BackgroundThe most recent ESC guidelines for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) recommend the use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors (GPI) in high risk patients with non-ST-segment...Full Text Available
We wanted to evaluate the usefulness of a new type of a complex expandable nitinol stent that was designed to reduce the stent's propensity to migration during the treatment of malignant gastroduodenal obstructions. Two types of expandable nitinol stent were constructed by weaving a single thread of 0.2mm nitinol wire in a tubular configuration: an uncovered stent 18mm in diameter and a covered stent 16mm in diameter. Both ends of the covered stent were fabricated by coaxially inserting the covered stent into the tubular uncovered stent and then attaching the two stents together with using nylon monofilament. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the stent was placed in 29 consecutive patients (20 men and 9 women, mean age: 65 years) who were suffering with malignant gastric outlet obstruction (n=20), duodenal obstruction (n=6) or combined obstruction (n=3). Clinical improvement was assessed by comparing the food intake capacity before and after the procedure. The ...
Total synthesis of cis-solamin A was accomplished without using protecting groups starting from (-)-muricatacin in 11 steps with an overall yield of 4.5%. The backbone of cis-solamin A was constructed by olefin cross-metathesis between the tetrahydrofuran moiety and g-lactone moiety. An enzymatic kinetic transesterification procedure was successfully applied to the synthesis of an optically pure g-lactone moiety.
To determine the usefulness of carbon dioxide(CO_2) indirect portography during TIPS procedure. We evalvated eight patients who had undergone TIPS due to variceal hemorrhage or ascites caused by portal hypertension. All patients but one with complete situs inversus underwent wedged right hepatic venography for visualization of the portal vein using CO_2. For CO_2 indirect portal venography, 50cc of CO_2 was injected by hand without prior injection of a small amount of CO_2. In three patients a 5-F angiographic catheter was wedged into the right hepatic vein, and in the other five a 9-F sheath from a Ring's transjugular access set was adjunctively wedged into the right hepatic vein over the 5-F catheter. The time required for portal vein puncture was defined as the time between the indirect portal venography procedure and the first procedure after successful portal vein puncture. All patients successfully underwent TIPS ...
Succinyl(carbadethia)-coenzyme A, a synthetic substrate for adenosylcobalamin-dependent methylmalonyl-CoA mutase, has been prepared by a simplified procedure. When recombinant mutase was mixed with...Full Text Available
The loss of lead in various kinds of biological materials after drying and ashing is studied by using "2"0"3Pb as tracer which is intravenously injected into mice. The experimental results show that although the oven ashing can be used for determining the lead in samples of lung, kidney, and liver, etc., the oxygen plasma and high pressure digestion are the most suitable methods for the determination of lead in biological materials. (author) 5 refs.; 2 tabs.
This articles deals with an approach that has given some key information about the mechanisms of the liquid phase oxidation of butane to acetic acid. This procedure has been developed over the last 34 years; however, much of what will be discussed represents a synthesis of previous insights. Many of the observations are relatively recent and have not been previously published. In principle, this approach should be applicable to many oxidation processes. (orig.)
Superconducting thin film particle detectors can be very attractive due to the low sensitivity to radiation damage. We describe the fabrication procedure and the characterization of Nb/Al bilayers as particle detectors. First steady and dynamical results are reported from tests of 5 MeV alpha-particle detection.
Off-shell amplitudes for the open bosonic string and the closed spinning string are considered. Due to the presence of corners on the open string world sheet, strict Weyl invariance is broken. A consistent gauge-fixing procedure to treat this anomaly is described. Factorization of amplitudes with one or two off-shell strings and any number of on-shell tachyons is established. An attempt is made to construct a propagator for the spinning string. The inherent ambiguities in the choice of boundary conditions for the fermionic coordinates are outlined.
A century of technical development put steam turbines on a high level regarding efficiency and reliability. This procedure is still ongoing. The technological-commercial point of view - influenced intensively by liberalisation of the energy-market - makes great demands on field services. Well suited concepts in service and modernization are the solutions, as shown in NPP Emsland upgrade.
A survey was conducted of experience with steam generator tubes at nuclear power stations during 1976. Failures were reported at 25 out of 68 water-cooled reactors. The causes of these failures and the repair and inspection procedures designed to cope with them are summarized. Examination of the data indicates that corrosion was the major cause of steam generator tube failures. Improvements are needed in steam generator design, condenser integrity and secondary water chemistry control. (author).
The optimum conditions of complex formation of rhenium(IV) with acetylacetone in water-ethanol medium were found, and a spectrophotometric method for determining rhenium with limit of detection 0.1 ..mu..g/ml was proposed. Rhenium can be determined in the presence of a 1000-fold excess of molybdenum. The procedure was tested on model solutions and used for the determination of rhenium in alloys.
The heterogeneous solid catalyst, mercaptopropylsilica (MPS), has been prepared by a modified procedure in water and its structure confirmed by solid state carbon-13 CP-MAS NMR spectrum. This catalyst has been efficiently utilized for the synthesis of a wide variety of tri-, tetrasubstituted imidazoles and their bis-analogues at room temperature. The protocol was further explored for the synthesis of the drug trifenagrel.
In 1991 the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) continued it efforts to restructure the electric utility industry, emphasizing market-based pricing of wholesale power transactions and transmission access and pricing. Other issues covered in this report include pricing and policy initiatives, filing procedures, the generic rate of return on common equity, the price squeeze, contract interpretation, and legislative developments.
Based on the reliability analysis methods of FMEA and FTA, according to the result of ETA of PRA in Daya by NPP, the top events of the fault trees of reactor protection system and the success criteria were established. By using RISK-SPECTRUM procedure, the unavailability and the minimal cut-sets (MCS) of the fault trees were obtained. The results of analysis was put into the visual risk analysis software of Daya bay NPP as the support of data
Two geriatic male rhesus monkeys were used for the radioisotope imaging in this research. Discussion of the radionuclide, materials, and method used to accomplish the neurologic examination and the results obtained, both during the procedure and confirmation of the results by necropsies were accompanied by color photos of scan images. Results were that the nuclear images provided accurate images of intracranial neoplasia.
For comparison of radiation exposure and risk in different diagnostic procedures for adults and children dose measurements and calculations of organs with special risk were carried out. Parameters of image formation influencing image quality as well as of exposure concerning infants and children are recorded and discussed as to radiation exposure and protection. Conclusions are drawn with respect to systems of image formation and to standards of examination and quality assurance.
The document reports the main issues discussed during the first course-debate on quality controls in radiotherapy, held in Rome in December 3-4, 1998 and May 3-5 1999 in collaboration between the Istituto Superiore di Sanita' and the Istituto Regina Elena. The points considered critical to the quality assurance in radiotherapy by the participants are presented in relation to the total radiotherapy procedure.
The document, based on European guidelines, was jointly developed by radiation oncologists, radiation physicists and radiation technologists. It contains the aims of the guidelines, professional profiles, roles and responsibilities, personnel and equipment requirements, procedures.
This EPRI sponsored report describes factors that influence the selection of drives in process industry. These factors include economics, safety aspects, speed control and the plant steam balance. Since the economics play a key-role in the decision, this report provides a quick way of estimating the economics of replacing steam turbines with electric motors. The tools to carry out economic analyses have been provided in the form of graphs and nomographs for quick estimation.
The Subseabed Disposal Project (SDP) was part of an international program that investigated the feasibility of high-level radioactive waste disposal in the deep ocean sediments. This report briefly describes the seven-step iterative performance assessment procedures used in this study and presents representative results of the last iteration. The results of the performance are compared to interim standards developed for the SDP, to other conceptual repositories, and to related metrics. The attributes, limitations, uncertainties, and remaining tasks in the SDP feasibility phase are discussed.
In this study, a novel compliant mechanism, ''partially compliant spatial slider-crank (RSSP)'' is proposed. All possible configurations of compliant RSSP mechanisms are classified and discussed. A method is derived to determine deflection of the multiple-axis flexural hinge for all positions of the crank. A design procedure for partially compliant RSSP mechanisms is introduced. In order to prove the feasibility of the proposed mathematical model, a real model is built and it is shown that results are consistent.
The relations between nuclear energy availability and nuclear plant safety are analyzed in the particular cases of naval propulsion nuclear boilers (aircraft carriers, submarines): safety objectives, present and potential risk analysis, optimization of the availability-safety couple, at the design stage and during operation (procedural rules related to the boiler state, real time decisions). 6 fig., 1 tab.
To determine the transient response of linear and time-invariant transmission systems which are only described for discret frequencies, it is possible to find a good functional approximation by means of the generalized impulse method, combined with the most important natural spline-interpolation functions of the first and the third degree. This procedure has been applied to calculate the step response of the transient behaviour of the zero-sequence impedance system of the high voltage transmission line.
To optimize the emergency care of patients with multiple injuries, a special emergency room with integrated radiological equipment has been developed. It consists of a linear array of a computed tomography system, a mobile C-arm with an integrated scattered radiation grid for conventional films and a C-arm fluorographic system. The intent is to avoid delay caused by transport and repositioning of the patient. It enables all necessary diagnostic procedures to be performed within a minimal amount of time. (orig./MG).
Stylized numerical models of the tooth are usually employed in qualification procedure related to Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance in long-term accidental contamination dose reconstruction. In this work a voxel model was developed from the microCT image data set of a human non contaminated molar tooth. A stylized model, reproducing the characteristics of the voxel model, was also created in order to investigate the level of accuracy that can be obtained in this kind of study.
Bariatric surgical procedures have become important therapeutic options for treatment of morbid obesity in both adults and adolescents co-morbidities of obesity such as glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, steatohepatitis, hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease. These co-morbidities of obesity have significant impacts on the overall quality of life of the individual and our society at large. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and the relatively newer procedures of gastric banding (GB) and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) have proven to be efficacious in achieving rapid weight loss and reversing the comorbidities of obesity. Unfortunately, bariatric procedures are not without risks including micronutrient deficiency, failure to maintain lost weight, and mortality. Further, the resolution of T2DM has long been understood to precede weight loss, and this finding provides important clues about the ...
The annual production of phosphate rock, on the order of about 30-40 million tons yearly, represents several million pounds of uranium. The present invention provides a process of purifying uranium tetrafluoride hydrate to produce a uranium (VI) peroxide product meeting 'yellow cake' standards using a double precipitation procedure. A fluoride complexing agent is used in the precipitation.
The complex formation of zirconium with biphenyl mono- and biscatecholyazo derivatives has been studied spectrophotometrically. The composition of the complexes, form and charge of complex-forming zirconium ions have been established. A procedure is suggested for calculation of molar absorptivities and stability constants for each of the complexes formed simultaneously in the system. Possible complex formation schemes have been studied. The data obtained were used to develop a spectrophotometric method of determining zirconium in the presence of large amounts of copper.
The US Geological survey is active in measuring time of travel in streams using dye tracers. This manual describes methods of measuring time of travel of water and waterborne solutes by dye tracing. The fluorescent dyes, measuring equipment used, and field and laboratory procedures are also described. Methods of analysis and presentation to illustrate time of travel of streams are provided.
We reported three cases of acute intracranial tuberculosis including miliary tuberculosis, basal meningitis, tuberculomas and neuritis of cranial nerves. All patients had native and contrast enhanced CT and MRI scans. MRI revealed more granulomas and a better imaging contrast in the detection of basal meningitis. Neuritis was diagnosed only with the MRI. MRI scans should be prefered as the imaging procedure in clinically presumed intracranial tuberculosis. (orig.).
The long-range correlation properties in the hourly time variability of geochemical signals measured in a 70 m depth well at Triponzo (Umbria region), are investigated by the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). DFA is a data processing method that allows for the detection of scaling behaviors in observational time series even in the presence of non-stationarities. The procedure adopted has allowed for the unambiguous identification of possible correlations among the recorded signals and local earthquakes.
These three volumes cover liposome technology in pharmacology and medicine. Contributors emphasize methodology used in their own laboratories, and include a brief introduction, coverage of relevant literature, applications and critical evaluations for the methods they describe. Volume II presents procedures for the entrapment of a number of drugs, including genetic material, into selected types of liposomes.
Forty-one patients with uncomplicated gall stone disease were laparoscopied with the object of cholecystectomy. The procedure was accomplished in 36 patients, but the operation had to be transformed to a conventional open operation in five: Fibrosis made dissection of the gall bladder hazardous in four and bleeding during the procedure made immediate laparotomy necessary in one patient, whose postoperative course was uneventful. The median operating time was 100 minutes, range was 60-250 minutes. The only operative complication was bleeding from a trocar puncture hole on the first postoperative day which stopped spontaneously in one patient. Eighteen were sent home on the first postoperative day and 12 patients on the second day. Peroperative cholangiography was performed employing the Olsen-Reddick cholangiography forceps. We have designed a special catheter, which greatly facilitates the procedure. The ...
ObjectiveWe wanted to assess the usefulness of four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography (US), i.e., real-time three-dimensional US, as an adjunct for performing various US-guided interventional...Full Text Available
The reports in this series are designed primarily to familiarize professional land use and resource planners with the range of possibilities and effective procedures for achieving integrated mining, reclamation, and land use planning. These reports are ba...
Existing test procedures for measuring and rating thermal performance require the determination of the angular response of collectors in order to account for nonnormal incident beam irradiance. Angular response measurements for four different types of collectors, each type tested by three different laboratories, are presented and analyzed. Substantial differences, both within and between laboratories, are reported for the same type collectors. An analysis of the measurement procedure shows that experimentally determined angular response parameters are subject to relatively large uncertainties. The problem results to a large extent from measuring collector efficiencies at non-normal incident angles where measurement uncertainty is of the same order of magnitude as the efficiency reduction attributable to these off-normal angles. Other factors which can affect angular response measurements and the method of correlating results are also discussed. ...
The in-core reload design procedure, computer codes, design contents and comparison between expected design values and measured values for Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station are presented. The in-core reload design for Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station performed by Nuclear Power Institute of China satisfies the requirements of safety and economy. The expected design values are fit well with measured values
This document, the Standards/Requirements Identification Document (S/RID) Phase 2 Assessment Report for the subject facility, represents the results of a Performance Assessment to determine whether procedures containing S/RID requirements are fully implemented by field personnel in the field. It contains a summary report and three attachments; an assessment schedule, performance objectives, and assessments for selected functional areas.
This document, the Standards/Requirements Identification Document (S/RID) Phase I Assessment Report for the subject facility, represents the results of an Administrative Assessment to determine whether S/RID requirements are fully addressed by existing policies, plans or procedures. It contains; compliance status, remedial actions, and an implementing manuals report linking S/RID elements to requirement source to implementing manual and section.
This document defines the requirements for the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) infrastructure as part of the Dutch Smart Meter Specification. In this document all requirements originating from the NTA 8130, or additionally surveyed by a delegation of the Dutch grid operators, are presented in tables. Each requirement is tightly connected to one or more business use cases presented in the document. The ultimate goal of this procedure is to reduce ambiguity of the requirements due to a better understanding of the requirements.
This document presents the activity of KiloFarad International (KFI), a trade association for the promotion of the interests of the international ultra-capacitor industry through education and representation. KFI provides a forum for the ultra-capacitor industry to work on non-competitive activities (standards, working groups, test procedures etc..). The rest of the document presents some informations about ultra-capacitors technology and some advanced applications in the automotive and telecommunication industries. (J.S.)
Summary20 years ago, in 1987, Edelson and co-workers published their first report on the effectiveness of a new procedure, called extracorporeal photochemotherapy (ECP), in patients...Full Text Available
A report is presented of a hearing conducted before the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy on August 27, 1976, to discuss the legal implications for reactor licensing resulting from court challenges to procedures for assessing the environmental impact of radioactive waste disposal. (DG)
The radial distribution function (RDF) derived from wide angle X-ray diffraction patterns gives additional information about the spatial distribution of atoms. Their radial distances and relative average coordination numbers can be calculated using appropriate mathematical procedures. 7 refs.
The results of research on the evaluation of the half-bead weld repair method for use on nuclear reactor components are reviewed from data obtained on thick-section test pieces and intermediate-size pressure vessels. Material properties, the magnitude of residual stresses and the structural behavior of flawed pressure vessels are being obtained to determine the adequacy of the weld repair method for application in thick-section components.
The authors describe their experience of endocavitary radiotherapy of adenomas and carcinomas of the lower rectum. The method is an alternative for patients who cannot undergo standard surgical procedure or do no want a permanent colostomy. This method is cheap, fast and causes little discomfort to the patients, gives reasonable long-term results and has low morbidity. 11 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
In this paper a prototype of Requirement Tracking and Verification System(RTVS) for a Distributed Control System was implemented and tested. The RTVS is a software design and verification tool. The main functions required by the RTVS are managing, tracking and verification of the software requirements listed in the documentation of the DCS. The analysis of DCS software design procedures and interfaces with documents were performed to define the user of the RTVS, and the design requirements for RTVS were developed. 4 refs., 3 figs. (Author)
A procedure for the determination of lead in soil samples by "2"0"3Pb radioisotope dilution substoichiometric method is described. Japan NIES No.2 river clay standard sample and 83-40 Tibet soil standard sample were determined. The obtained values were in good agreement with reference values. The standard deviation of the method was less then 5%. Detection limit was about 0.1 #mu#g Pb.
A procedure for the determination of lead in various biological and environmental samples by "2"0"3Pb radioisotope dilution substoichiometric method is presented. The accuracy of the method by comparison with the literature values of reference materials appears to be good. The standard deviation of the method is less than 10%, and detection limit is about 0.1 #mu#g of lead. (author) 5 refs.
We describe a procedure for correcting the systematic errors in the Moessbauer f-factor measurement due to non-homogeneous effective thickness of the sample. To be more precise, we show that, if the mass of the sample is determined by means of X- or {gamma}-ray absorption, it is possible to establish experimental conditions so that the error on f due to material non-homogeneity in the sample is minimized.
The paper presents a sequential procedure for coordinated stabilization of a multimachine power system with arbitrary complexity of the system model. The most effective machine to be equipped with a power system stabilizer is identified using eigenvalue analysis. The selection is based on the sensitivity of critical eigenvalues to increases in the coefficient of a damping term which is inserted in each equation of motion, in succession. The method is applied to a three-machine system and simulation studies show appreciable improvements in the small disturbance stability of the system.
Out of one hundred cases of the urinary bladder abnormalities examined by this method, CT staging and pathological correlations were investigated in 61 cases of the urinary bladder neoplasms. Accuracy of CT staging was 87% in this series with possible exception of 6 cases involving the bladder base and dome. CT scan using this method is the most reliable procedure to determine the treatment modalities of the urinary bladder tumors.
The paper discusses the status of coal as a raw material and energy source. After referring to coal preparation and the costs it involves the author deals with coal/liquid suspensions and their fueling uses. Access is given to different aspects concerning the use of coal for electric power and heat generation. They include pollution abatement measures, economic analyses and fuel engineering in the case of coal. Further sections are dedicated to upgrading procedures such as the gasification, liquefaction and coking of coal. A bibliography informs the reader about further publications available on the subject. (HAG).
We have measured, by {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), the percent deuteration, the tacticity and the purity of several polymers and one solvent used in the preparation of microcellular foams. The percent deuteration was measured for polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile and polyethylene. The tacticities of polystyrene and polyacrylonitrile were determined. The purity and degradation products of polyacrylonitrile and maleic anhydride were examined. This report documents the experimental procedures and results of these measurements.
The complex formation of astatine(I) cation with diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and characterization of the complexes were investigated by electromigration in free electrolytes and by gel-chromatography on Sephadex G 25. The conjugation procedure for the production of At-DTPA conjugated polyclonal antibodies is described. (author) 15 refs.; 2 figs.
In this paper, the adaptive optics (AO) system at Keck Observatory is characterized. The AO system is described in detail. The physical parameters of the lenslets, CCD and deformable mirror, the calibration procedures and the signal processing algorithms are explained. Results of sky performance tests are presented: the AO system is shown to deliver images with an average Strehl ratio of up to 0.37 at 1.59 {micro}m using a bright guide star. An error budget that is consistent with the observed image quality is presented.
The human causal factors for all human error licensing operational events on Daya Bay nuclear power station since 1993 to 2003 are categorized, the trend of these causal factors is analyzed. The emphasis is placed on analyzing the deficiencies on complying with and executing regulations and procedures. The results provide directional reference for nuclear power station to improve human performance. (author)
A technique has been developed for joining a large calcium fluoride crystal to a stainless-steel flange by means of a silver transition ring. The process involves both vacuum brazing using a copper-silver alloy and air brazing using silver chloride. This paper describes the procedure used in fabricating a high-vacuum leak-tight calcium fluoride window assembly.
Late somatic and genetic radiation effects are imperfectly understood, particularly in the human species. However the available information is sufficient to draw reasonably precise risk estimates in man for many types of damage by means of scientifically justifiable procedures and with the necessary caution. This overall absolute risk of major somatic and genetic damage may be set at around 10"-"4/rad of chronic whole-body doses.
Nuclear forensics is a relatively new scientific branch whose aim it is to read out material inherent information from nuclear material. On the basis of material taken in safe-keeping in Germany, the procedure is illustrated and the limits and possibilities of nuclear forensics are shown, in particular the statements that can be made concerning the material, and the relation of the material with respect to a certain location of origin or manufacturing process. (orig.)
Personal monitoring and dose assessment of all radiation workers is an essential regulatory requirement as per radiation safety procedures of AERB and operating stations. The occupational workers of TAPS 1 and 2 and TAPS 3 and 4 are monitored for internal contamination due to high energy gamma emitters by whole body counting
Theoretical and practical aspects of anodic protection for control of corrosion by a wide range of acidic and alkaline solutions are discussed. Chapters are included concerning strategic importance of metals and alloys in modern industry, applications to industrial equipment, descriptions of equipment used in the technique; design, operation and maintenance; economics, scientific principles, characteristics of potentiostats, laboratory tests and procedures, selected application examples and projected future uses. A section is devoted to electrochemical principles.
Abstract in english This paper presents an HP-Adaptive Procedure with Hierarchical formulation for the Boundary Element Method in 2-D Elasticity problems. Firstly, H, P and HP formulations are defined. Then, the hierarchical concept, which allows a substantial reduction in the dimension of equation system, is introduced. The error estimator used is based on the residual computation over each node inside an element. Finally, the HP strategy is defined and applied to two examples.
An algebraic formulation of the electromagnetic field in which various quantization procedures can be described was chosen to discuss perturbation calculations. It is shown that the Feynman rules and the second order calculation of the self-energy of the electron can be developed on the basis of the Fermi method of quantization. The algebraic approach clarifies the problems in defining the vacuum and other states which are associated with calculations in terms of field algebra operators. It is demonstrated that the vacuum state defined on the field algebra by Schwinger leads to incorrect results in the self-energy calculation.
CT-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is known to improve diagnosis of expansive abdominal lesions, especially relative to more invasive procedure like explorative laparotomy. FNAB in not commonly use in pediatric patients because of their poor collaboration and of associated risks. The authors investigated the feasibility of FNAB in the pediatric age.
DescriptionAt present, measurement of rumen pH for differnt diets and feeding regimes is only possible through direct sampling of the rumen fluid. Such invasive procedures are not practical at the farm level and they have ethical implications for research programmes. This approach also has limitations to its reliability due to spatial variations in acidity within the rumen. Mathematical modelling offers a non-invasive real-time alternative for monitoring rumen pH, and the purpose of the research propose [continued...
In a suicide committed using aluminium phosphide (AlP) the liberated toxic phosphine gas was detected in post-mortem specimens using a headspace gas chromatographic procedure with a nitrogen-phosphorous detector (HS-GC/NPD). At autopsy a direct sampling into airtight headspace vials for a later analysis is recommended. AlP has to be considered a potent pesticide and its use and availability should be restricted as much as possible.