The term biological motion is often used by researchers studying the patterns of movement generated by living forms and in sports. We studied a pattern recognition system of motion in sport using biological motion data. Biological motion data are acquired using a 3D motion capture system. However, 3D motion capture systems are very expensive. In this article, a biological motion capture system was built using acceleration sensors. Our proposed system uses the technique of Gaussian fitting and regression analysis. We tested our proposed system in pattern recognition of outdoor tennis and its evaluations.
Measuring gene expression using microarrays is relevant to many areas of biology and medicine, such as follow up of developmental stages and diseases onset, and treatment study. Since there can be tens of thousands of distinct probes on an array, each micro array experiment can accomplish the equivalent number of genetic tests in parallel. Arrays have therefore dramatically accelerated many types of investigations. For example, microarrays can be used to identify stress response genes by comparing gene expression in challenged versus normal cells. In the Molecular and Cellular Biology lab (MCB), the micro array experiments are performed within the Genomic Platform, fully equipped to analyse either the behaviour of bacteria during long space flight, the effect of low dose ionising radiation on the developing organism in mice, or the human individual radiation sensitivity. For the low dose effect, two ...
Increasingly, governments enact more stringent regulations governing nitrogen and phosphorus in the discharge effluent of wastewater treatment plants. Scientists know that nitrogen and phosphorus accelerates the eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs and stimulates algal growth. Ammonia has proven to be toxic to aquatic life forms, including fish. Engineers favour Biological Nutrient Removal (BNR) over chemical addition to wastewater treatment. Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs), a type of bioreactor requiring less land, provide the anaerobic, anoxic, and aerobic zones necessary for BNR. Methanol was used as an effective external source of carbon for denitrification but lacked research. The authors remedied this situation and some of the results were available. They indicated that the addition of methanol in the SBR increased solids production in the SBR, leading to increased sludge wasting to the aerobic digester. All ...
Biological membranes are lamellar structures composed of two leaflets capable of supporting different mechanical stresses. Stress differences between leaflets were generated during micromechanical experiments...Full Text Available
We review the status of free electron laser (FEL) research being conducted at LBL and LLNL as part of a broader program of research on two beam accelerators (TBAs). Induction accelerator-driven FELs for use as power sources for high-gradient accelerators are discussed, along with preliminary cost estimates for this type of power source. Finally, a promising new version of an FEL/TBA is described. 25 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
The aim of our experiment was the testing of effects of common ammunition on usable and slightly accessible biological tissue thereby to create fundamental simple biological model for trials of wounded ballistic. Like objective tissue was elected biological material - pork and beef hind-limbs, pork head, pork bodily cavity. It was discovered that objective tissue is able to react to singles types of shots in all spectrum results namely simple smooth penetration wound as well as splintery fracture in dependence on kind of using ammunition. Pork hind-limb was evaluated like the most suitable biological material for given object. PMID:17172163
The biological age (BA) of the majority of the liquidators of the consequences of the radiation accidents in the Navy and of the liquidators of the Chernobyl' APS accident exceeds the medium standard and the DBA (due BA). The index of the BA can be a characteristic of the influence of the social-hygienic factors on the health condition of the Special Risk Subunit--the liquidators of the consequences of the radiation accidents. It was established, that the radiation influence concerns to the factors dramatically increasing the BA and the rate of senescence of the liquidators of the consequences of the radiation accidents. PMID:21809627
This report is a brief review of biological and medical applications of ion-track membranes. The review aims at informing nuclear physicists about alternative (i.e. non-fundamental-science) use of heavy ion accelerators such as production of micro- and nano-porous materials. The ion-track membranes produced this way are employed in life sciences and numerous technological applications. The author focuses on recent results from the Flerov laboratory in co-operation with other scientific institutions and industrial partners.
Wild-type viruses from the ViroLogic phenotype-genotype database were evaluated to determine the upper confidence limit of the drug susceptibility distributions, or “biological cutoffs,”...Full Text Available
Biological motors generally fall into two categories: (1) those that convert chemical into mechanical energy via hydrolysis of a nucleoside triphosphate, usually adenosine triphosphate, regarded as life's chemical currency of energy and (2) membrane bound motors driven directly by an ion gradient and/or membrane potential. Here we argue that electrostatic interactions play a vital role for both types of motors and, therefore, the tools of physics can greatly contribute to understanding biological motors.
An overview of different Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) techniques is given. Examples of applications of the PIXE techniques to various types of samples are presented. (author)
For the study of radiation biology and its application to radiotherapy, the double differential cross section of electron emission from water vapor induced by 6.0 MeV alpha particle beam is measured. The energy spectra of electrons ranging 7- 10000 eV are detected by the electrostatic analyzer and micro channel plate. The measurements are made at angles between 20 and 160 degrees. With use of this data set, the radial dose distribution in water is calculated by using KURBUC code. It is the Monte Carlo type code of the electron transport process, where the track of the electron is simulated through each individual interactions including elastic scattering, ionization cross section and total excitation cross section in case that electrons with certain energy are put in the liquid-density water. In order to understand the effect of radiation when the particle flux is injected in the human body like radiotherapy using ...
The collaboration between the Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Bureau of Standards (NBS), started in 1979, has led to the development of an advanced c-w microtron accelerator design. The four 2380-MHz NBS accelerating structures, containing a total of 184 accelerating cavities, have been fabricated and delivered. New fabrication methods, coupled with refinements of hydrogen-furnace brazing techniques described in this paper, allow efficient production of side-coupled structures. Success with the NBS RTM led to Los Alamos efforts on similar 2450-MHz accelerators for the microtron accelerator operated by the Nuclear Physics Department of the University of Illinois. Two accelerators (each with 17 cavities) have been fabricated; in 1986, a 45-cavity accelerator is being fabricated by private industry with some assistance from Los ...
The construction of Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) at the National Institute of Radiological Sciences was completed in December 1993. HIMAC consists of an injector linac, two synchrotron rings, a high energy beam transport system and a beam irradiation system. Its accelerator parameters are based on the medical requirement, and helium, carbon, neon, silicon and argon were selected as the accelerated ion species. It has 3 therapy rooms (A{approx}C). Room A has a vertical irradiation system, Room C horizontal and Room B both vertical and horizontal. Two rings can supply beams independently to the vertical and horizontal irradiation systems. Clinical trial started on June 21 1994, after several basic biological and physics experiments lasting about 2 months. Cancer is the top cause of death in Japan since 1981, and people expect good treatment results at HIMAC. Proton and heavy ion ...
A confocal microscopy imaging system was devised to selectively detect Second harmonic signals generated by biological tissues. Several types of biological tissues were examined using this imaging system, including human teeth, bovine blood vessels, and chicken skin. All these tissues generated strong second harmonic signals. There is considerable evidence that the source of these signals in tissue is collagen. Collagen, the predominant component of most tissues, is known to have second order nonlinear susceptibility. This technique may have diagnostic usefulness in pathophysiological conditions characterized by changes in collagen structure including malignant transformation of nevi, progression of diabetic complications, and abnormalities in wound healing.
Characteristics of the Ukrainian NSA NRI radiation facility for scientific researches and developments of industrial radiation technology are performed. Parts of the facility, design peculiarities of technical tools are described. Biological protection of the facility and radiation protection system, transport line, systems of technical provision and radiation measurements are discussed
Constructive and combinatorial relationships between order-isomorphisms and order-equivalence classes within the generalized genetic code are presented, not only for the biologically relevant groups of order 4, but also for finite groups of arbitrary order. The main result is the derivation of the number (and types) or order-equivalence classes for a group of order n. Finally, an extension of this work to all biologically admissible alternative codes is discussed.
Analytical and numerical calculations are presented for a reflexing electron beam type of collective ion accelerator. These results are then compared to those obtained through experiment. By constraining one free parameter to experimental conditions, the self-similar solution of the ion energy distribution agrees closely with the experimental distribution. Hence the reflexing beam model appears to be a valid model for explaining the experimental data. Simulation shows in addition to the agreement with the experimental ion distribution that synchronization between accelerated ions and electric field is phase unstable. This instability seems to further restrict the maximum ion energy to several times the electron energy.
Cryptic invasions are a largely unrecognized type of biological invasion that lead to underestimation of the total numbers and impacts of invaders because of the difficulty in detecting them. The distribution...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe MYC transcription factors are known to be involved in the biology of many human cancer types. But little is known about the Myc/microRNAs cooperation in the regulation...Full Text Available
We investigate the profound relation between the equations of biological evolution and quantum mechanics by writing a biologically inspired equation for the stochastic dynamics of an ensemble of particles. Interesting behavior is observed which is related to a new type of stochastic quantization. We find that the probability distribution of the ensemble of particles can be decomposed into eigenfunctions associated to a discrete spectrum of eigenvalues. In absence of interactions between the particles, the out-of-equilibrium dynamics asymptotically relaxes towards the fundamental state. This phenomenon can be related with the Fisher theorem in biology. On the contrary, in presence of scattering processes the evolution reaches a steady state in which the distribution of the ensemble of particles is characterized by a Bose-Einstein statistics. In order to show a concrete example of this stochastic ...
We consider a unified model of Fe ion acceleration in the solar corona. The model comprises charge-changing processes, Coulomb energy losses, and both regular and stochastic acceleration. At a given acceleration scenario, the type of acceleration is found to have a minor effect on the mean charge states, but the shapes of the charge-state distributions produced by regular acceleration and by stochastic acceleration are different. During a continual acceleration at coronal temperatures, iron ions typically follow rising trajectories on the charge-energy plane. These trajectories are situated below the mean equilibrium charge curve defined from the balance of ionization and recombination at fixed energy. During stopping, the iron ions cross the equilibrium charge curve and run through a series of charge states above the ...
A new type of radiation which occurs when particles are accelerated in the field of a longitudinal wave and in a transverse magnetic field is studied. The characteristics of such spontaneous radiation are obtained, and the influence of collective effects on the radiation is analyzed. The application of the findings to the theory of free electron lasers is discussed. 8 references.
Obesity and metabolic syndrome result from excess calorie intake and genetic predisposition and are mechanistically linked to type II diabetes and accelerated body aging; abnormal nutrient and insulin...Full Text Available
The review provides a general idea about the types of metallic alloys and the pure metals used as implant materials in dental and orthopedic surgery. Their corrosive behavior in both real solutions and various media that model human biological fluids is described. Based on the literature data, it is concluded that multicomponent alloys containing titanium, niobium, zirconium, tungsten, molybdenum, aluminum, and silicon are the most resistant to corrosion. Implants made of different types of stainless steel are preferred when manufacturing orthopedic devices for short-term use.
A nonlinear relationship between the time of accelerated aging of Lupine seeds and the indices of its survival as well as the single-strand DNA amount in cells from these seeds is established. The character of this relationship is essentially altered in chronically irradiated lupine seeds from the Chernobyl NPP exclusion zone and seems more complicated. The possible role of repair systems in these effects is discussed. The fact that chronic irradiation in low doses can modify the course of senescence in lupine seeds reflects its high biological efficiency comparing with acute irradiation.
This report is a summary of the progress and research produced for the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Research Program for calendar year 1996. Contributions from the individual investigators about their projects are included, specifically, physics: treatment planning software, real-time neutron beam measurement dosimetry, measurement of the Finnish research reactor epithermal neutron spectrum, BNCT accelerator technology; and chemistry: analysis of biological samples and preparation of {sup 10}B enriched decaborane.
Understanding risks from exposures to carcinogens and other chemicals depends upon measurement of their dose to target tissues and their reactivity with critical macromolecules. The authors have used AMS detection of radio-isotopes to assess doses and reactivities at low, environmentally relevant doses. Several biomedical investigations show the effectiveness of quantification of biologically important events at extremely high sensitivity with AMS. Specifically, they have measured the addition of environmental carcinogens such as 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]-quinoaxaline (MelQx), a chemical found in cooked food, to DNA at concentrations relevant to human exposure. Other low level detection problems in biology, such as immunoassay assessment of small environmental chemicals, is being developed with attomole sensitivity. AMS also aids the assessment of genotoxic risks from chemicals by quantifying the binding of labeled chemicals to DNA. ...
The observation that Type Ia supernovae are fainter than expected given their red shifts has led to the conclusion that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. The widely accepted hypothesis is that this acceleration is caused by a cosmological constant or, more generally, some dark energy field that pervades the universe. This hypothesis presents a challenge to physics so severe that one is motivated to explore alternative explanations. In this paper, we explore whether the data from Type Ia supernovae can be explained with an idea that is almost as old as that of the cosmological constant, namely, that the strength of gravity varies on a cosmic timescale. This topic is an ideal one for investigation by an undergraduate physics major because the entire chain of reasoning from models to data analysis is well within the mathematical and conceptual sophistication of a motivated undergraduate.
Special beam extraction channel is used at INR linac for isotope production. It starts from 160 MeV measuring and matching area of accelerator. This choice of beam extraction enables to direct to the target of isotope complex a proton beam of wide energy range up to 160 MeV. It is important for production of different types of nuclides. The measuring results of proton beam behavior in this region are presented. Required beam forming in 160 MeV measuring and matching area of accelerator and in beam extraction channel is discussed.
This paper describes the experimental results of accelerated aging tests conducted on three different types of polymer materials. Salt fog chamber tests were used to study the surface degradation modes for all materials. The work presented here was performed using a newly constructed fog chamber system that was able to control both chamber humidity and UV radiation. The changes in the surface morphology, material structure and leakage current were examined to study the influence of environmental humidity.
This paper describes the dielectric and accelerated aging tests on prototype {plus minus}500 kV dc oil-filled self-contained cables. The extensive test program was required to evaluate the High-Voltage cables for the St. Lawrence river crossing of the {plus minus}500 kV Quebec-New England HVDC power transmission system. The paper relates the main elements of the test program. It describes the required insulation levels, the characteristics of the cables supplied by three different manufacturers, as well as the cables' installation for the type tests and accelerated aging tests. Details of the test program and procedures followed to carry out the tests are given. Findings of the tests are also reported.
Coherent Smith-Purcell radiation, emitted from short-bunched electrons passing by a lamellar-type grating of aluminum, has been observed in the millimeter wave region. The energy of the electrons is either 42 MeV when they are accelerated by an L-band linear accelerator or 150 MeV accelerated by an S-band one. The intensity of the radiation is proportional to the square of the beam current. The radiation is linearly polarized, and the electric vector of the radiation is in the plane defined by the observing point and the beam trajectory. The intensity decreases with the beam height, i.e. the distance of the beam from the surface of the grating, in accordance with the modified Bessel function of zeroth order. copyright 1996 American Institute of Physics.
Data from Monte Carlo transport codes are used to model radiobiological effects. We previously reported the Fourier analysis of ionization data generated by simulating a 500-keV proton traversing water. Here, we extend Fourier analysis to energy transfer data of another radiation type, a 14-MeV #alpha#-particle. A radiobiological model based on this frequency-domain analysis views cell as an information processing system . It lends itself naturally to traditional engineering analyses. One engineering principle-the output response of a linear system to random signal-is applied here to explain the fact that there is measurable difference in the magnitude of the biological effectiveness when a given biological system is irradiated with two different radiation types of the same Linear Energy Transfer (LET).
Radiotherapy with high-energy carbon ion beams can be more advantageous compared to photons because of better physical dose distribution and higher biological efficiency in tumour cell sterilization. Despite enhanced normal tissue sparing, damage incurred by normal cells at the beam entrance is unavoidable and may affect the progeny of surviving cells in the form of inheritable cytogenetic alterations. Furthermore, the quality of the beam along the Bragg curve is modified by nuclear fragmentation of projectile and target nuclei in the body. We present an experimental approach based on the use of a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) phantom that allows the simultaneous exposure to a particle beam of several biological samples positioned at various depths along the beam path. The device was used to measure the biological effectiveness of a 60 MeV/amu carbon-ion beam at inducing chromosomal aberrations in G{sub 0}-human peripheral ...
Gastrin and its carboxyl-terminal homolog cholecystokinin (CCK) exert a variety of biological actions in the brain and gastrointestinal tract that are mediated in part through one or more G protein-coupled...Full Text Available
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a serious health problem linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes. To investigate the biological outcome and therapeutic potential of hepatic fatty acid uptake inhibition,...Full Text Available
Extensive sequence repeats have been observed in a biologically active fragment of type 24 streptococcal M protein, namely Pep M24 [Beachey, E. H., Sayer, J. M. & Kang, A. H. (1978) Proc....Full Text Available
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.
{sup 14}C is a is a long-lived beta-emitting nuclide (T{sub 1/2} = 5730 years) produced naturally in the upper atmosphere as a result of reactions between neutrons and stable {sup 14}N({sup 14}N(n,p){sup 14}C). Although in a lesser extent, nuclear power plants produce {sup 14}C as well during their routine operation. Since it is converted in {sup 14}CO{sub 2} and mixed throughout the atmosphere, it is incorporated into plant tissues, via photosynthesis process, and hence in food chain. Because of the biological importance of {sup 14}C and long half-life, it is of interest to quantify the amounts released by nuclear industry. The Brazilian nuclear central named Nuclear Central Admiral Alvaro Alberto (CNAAA) has two nuclear reactors of PWR type in operation, Angra I (657 MWe) and Angra II (1350 MWe), and one under construction, Angra III (1309 MWe PWR). The aim of this study was to determine the strength of the sources and the {sup 14}C content ...
The role of natural enemies in the regulation of populations is one of the major questions facing population ecologists. Simplification have led to two theoretical ways of incorporating the role of natural enemies in single ecological models: diffusion models and patch-type models. The predictions of the models are different because of the way variability is incorporated. Three equations are presented for diffusion models and one for patch models. Since the two types of models apply at different combinations of spatial and temporal scales, the right model(s) to choose for a particular study requires careful assessment. A continuing dialogue between experimentalists and theoreticians will lead to a better understanding of natural systems such as those that occur in biological control.
The present report addresses several aspects of the free electron laser (FEL) and accelerator, including their features, potentials, mechanisms, beams emitted from undulator, FEL produced by helical mangnetic field, major problems with FEL, etc. In FEL, relativistic electron beams interact with an electromagnetic field with periodically changing intensity to produce coherent electromagnetic waves with variable wavelength. The capability of varying its wavelength represents the greatest advantage over conventional lasers. Any periodic magnetic field can serve as a wiggler. A wiggler can be used both in an amplifier and oscillator. A periodic magnetic field used may be either of a parallel type or of a helical type. The polarization of emitted beams depends on the shape of the magnet regardless of whether its field is parallel or helical. An equation is derived in the report which expresses the wavelength of an ...
This publication provides a broad overview of the research programs and efforts being conducted, built, designed, and planned at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This work covers a broad range of scientific disciplines. Major facilities include the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS), with its newly completed booster, the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR), and the RHIC, which is under construction. Departments within the laboratory include the AGS department, accelerator development, physics, chemistry, biology, NSLS, medical, nuclear energy, and interdepartmental research efforts. Research ranges from the pure sciences, in nuclear physics and high energy physics as one example, to environmental work in applied science to study climatic effects, from efforts in biology which are a component of the human genome project to the study, production, and characterization of new ...
This publication provides a broad overview of the research programs and efforts being conducted, built, designed, and planned at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This work covers a broad range of scientific disciplines. Major facilities include the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS), with its newly completed booster, the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR), and the RHIC, which is under construction. Departments within the laboratory include the AGS department, accelerator development, physics, chemistry, biology, NSLS, medical, nuclear energy, and interdepartmental research efforts. Research ranges from the pure sciences, in nuclear physics and high energy physics as one example, to environmental work in applied science to study climatic effects, from efforts in biology which are a component of the human genome project to the study, production, and characterization of new ...
The space environment consists of a varying field of radiation particles including high-energy ions, with spacecraft shielding material providing the only major protection to astronauts from harmful exposure. Unlike low-linear energy transfer (LET) {gamma} or X-rays, the presence of shielding does not always reduce the radiation risks for energetic charged particle exposure, since the dose delivered by the charged particle increases sharply as the particle approaches the end of its range, a position known as the Bragg peak. The Bragg curve does not necessarily represent the biological damage along the particle traversal, and the 'biological Bragg curve' is dependent on the energy and the type of the primary particle, and may vary for different biological endpoints. Here we used a unique irradiation geometry to measure the biological response across the Bragg curve ...
The quantitative estimation of various trace element concentrations in medicinal plants is necessary for determining their effectiveness in treating various diseases and for understanding their pharmacological action. Elemental concentrations of some selected medicinal plants of north east India was measured by proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and proton induced {gamma}-ray emission (PIGE) techniques. PIXE measurements were carried out using 2.4 MeV collimated protons from the 3 MV tandetron accelerator of NCCCM, Hyderabad (India) while the PIGE measurements were carried out using 3 MeV protons from the same accelerator in the same laboratory. Accuracy and precision of the techniques were assured by analyzing certified reference materials in the same experimental conditions. Various elements of biological importance in man's metabolism were found to be present in varying concentrations in the studied medicinal ...
The Paul Scherrer Institute is a centre for multidisciplinary research in the natural and engineering sciences. It collaborates closely with universities, other research institutions, technical colleges, and industry, both in Switzerland and abroad. It is the largest research institute in Switzerland, with about 1'200 members of staff. Its particular areas of specialisation are solid-state research and material sciences, elementary particle physics and astrophysics, biology and medicine, and energy and environmental research. This annual report presents an overview of the work performed by the PSI research departments including information on new developments connected with the various accelerators and on the status of the Swiss Light Source project (SLS). Details on the organizational and financial structure of the Institute are also provided.
Black pepper, white pepper, red pepper, ginger and turmeric were irradiated with 10 MeV electrons from a linear accelerator to a dose of 100 kGy and radioactivity was measured in order to estimate induced radioactivity in the irradiated foods. Induced radioactivity could not be detected significantly by #gamma#-ray spectrometry in the irradiated samples except for spiked samples which contain some photonuclear target nuclides in the list of photonuclear reactions which could produce radioactivity below 10 MeV. From the amount of observed radioactivities of short-lived photonuclear products in the spiked samples and calculation of H_5_0 according to ICRP Publication 30, it was concluded that the induced radioactivity and its biological effects in the 10 MeV electron-irradiated natural samples were negligible in comparison with natural radioactivity from "4"0K contained in the samples. (author).
A detailed examination of the aging processes that may take place in solid-dielectric extruded-type high voltage transmission cables under dry conditions is presented. Particular emphasis is placed on the aging process as affected by the separate and simultaneous action of four main aging factors, namely the electrical, mechanical and thermal stresses, and the physical and chemical environment. A number of pertinent aging models are considered and their validity and applicability to accelerated aging tests on solid-type transmission cables are discussed.
The effect of aging on the microstructure and tensile properties of a type 316LN stainless steel/Alloy 800 joint, welded with 16-8-2 stainless steel consumable, has been studied to characterize and evaluate the joint for long-term elevated temperature service. The joint was subjected to accelerated againg heat treatments at 873 K up to 5000 h to simulate long-term service exposures. Analysis of the results from this investigation shows that this joint has adequate stability of microstructure and tensile properties even after prolonged exposure at elevated temperatures. (orig.)
The nuclear power plants with WWER type reactors are characterized by horizontally situated steam generators (SG). During seismic event the horizontal and vertical ground accelerations induce fluid motion in directions of longitudinal and transversal axis. Resulting dynamic forces act on the SG attachment and could cause the failure of screws. In obvious PSA scenarios, these phenomena are classified as a indirect induced LOCA. In this paper the effects of transversal sloshing of fluid are analyzed.
We demonstrate the existence of shear-free cosmological models with rotation and expansion which support inflationary scenarios. The corresponding metrics belong to the family of spatially homogeneous models with the geometry of the closed universe (Bianchi type IX). We show that the global vorticity does not prevent inflation and can even accelerate it.
In order to facilitate observations of low energy nuclear reactions, a new type recoil mass-separator together with a new gas-jet target system is being developed at the tandem accelerator facility in Kyushu University. The expected mass-resolving power of the separator is 220 for a solid angle of 10 msr and the practical thickness of the gas-jet target will exceed 0.1 atm#centre dot#cm for the light elements of H and He. (author).
The selection and design of an MEOR process for application in a specific field involves geological, reservoir, and biological characterization. Microbially mediated oil recovery mechanisms (bigenic gas, biopolymers, and biosurfactants) are defined by the types of microorganisms used. The engineering and biological character of a given reservoir must be understood to correctly select a microbial system to enhance oil recovery. This paper discusses the methods used to evaluate three fields with distinct characteristics and production problems for the applicability of MEOR would not be applicable in two of the three fields considered. The development of a microbial oil recovery process for the third field appeared promising. Development of a bacterial consortium capable of producing the desired metabolites was initiated, and field isolates were characterized.
The types of investigations undertaken to test for possible biological effects of extremely low frequency electric fields have been numerous. However, neither animal and plant experimentation nor clinical studies nor experience with operating extremely high voltage transmission lines have to date provided convincing evidence of a harmful effect from exposure to electric fields associated with transmission lines in spite of numerous attempts to find such effects. Analysis of internal fields and currents supports these observations as the levels appear to be too low to affect mammalian cells. Thus, while one can never prove the negative (i.e. that there is no effect), the overwhelming body of evidence indicates that the electric fields associated with high-voltage lines have no deleterious biological effects. (author).
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, myocytes, adipocytes, and a variety of other cell types. Several studies have been directed toward using MSCs from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) for cartilage repair, not only because these are the ones that will require a source of autologous stem cells if biological repair of cartilage lesions is to be a therapeutic option, but also to further an understanding of stem cell differentiation. Previous studies have shown that a major drawback of current cartilage and intervertebral disc tissue repair is that human MSCs from OA patients express type X collagen (COL X). COL X, a marker of late-stage chondrocyte hypertrophy, is implicated in endochondral ossification. However, those st...
A robust fusion of the agricultural, industrial biotechnology, and energy industries can create a new strategic national capability for energy independence and climate protection. In his State of the Union Address (Bush 2006), President George W. Bush outlined the Advanced Energy Initiative, which seeks to reduce our national dependence on imported oil by accelerating the development of domestic, renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel fuels. The president has set a national goal of developing cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable alternative energy sources to substantially replace oil imports in the coming years. Fuels derived from cellulosic biomass - the fibrous, woody, and generally inedible portions of plant matter - offer one such alternative to conventional energy sources that can dramatically impact national economic growth, national energy security, and environmental goals. Cellulosic biomass is an attractive energy feedstock because it is an abundant, ...
Interesting developments in linear accelerators have been attained over the past 45 years. The status of linear accelerators and future possibilities are described in context of demanding applications and technology maturity. Features of industrial or `factory`-type applications are high availability, economic operations, low investment cost and ease of running a facility. All features have been demonstrated in one manner or another at large operating facilities for the research community; within a different context that has been argued in the past to be not as demanding as for `factory` installation. In addition, comments are made relative to intense beam power levels and choices that can be made for power levels below 10 MW, on the assumption that a cw beam is required. 1 fig., 1 tab.
In Randall-Sundrum-type brane-world cosmologies, the dynamical equations on the three-brane differ from the general relativity equations by terms that carry the effects of imbedding and of the free gravitational field in the five-dimensional bulk. Instead of starting from an ansatz for the metric, we derive the covariant nonlinear dynamical equations for the gravitational and matter fields on the brane. The local energy-momentum corrections are significant only at very high energies, and in this regime we show that fluid world-lines have a non-gravitational acceleration off the brane. The imprint on the brane of the nonlocal gravitational field in the bulk is more subtle, and we provide a careful decomposition of this effect. The nonlocal energy density determines the tidal acceleration in the off-brane direction, and can oppose singularity formation via the generalized Raychaudhuri equation. Unlike the nonlocal energy ...
In a work studying the corrosion and tarnishing properties of a variety of copper alloys, the alloy Cu-A110-Sn5 was found to show an excellent corrosion resistance in neutral solutions, where copper and most conventional Cu alloys are covered by thick nonprotective surface layers. The passive films formed on this alloy were characterized with electrochemical and photoelectrochemical methods. The pH dependence of the passivation and of the photocurrent behavior of the Cu-A110-Sn5 alloy clearly indicates that the passivity of this alloy in neutral solutions is due to a formation of passive film enriched with aluminum oxide. At corrosion potential a strong increase in the corrosion resistance with time is due to a gradual enrichment of the surface with aluminum oxide. This can be seen in the photocurrent spectra which change from cooper-type to aluminum-type with time. At higher applied potentials the formation of an ...
The wind turbines with a flanged-diffuser shroud-so called ?wind lens turbine??-are developed as one of high performance wind turbines by Ohya et al. In order to investigate the flow characteristics and flow acceleration, the paper presents the flow velocity measurements of a long-type and a compact-type wind turbines with a flanged-diffuser shroud by particle image velocimetry. In the case of the long type wind turbine, the velocity vectors of the inner flow field of the diffuser for turbine blades rotating and no blades rotating are presented at Reynolds number, 0.9?105. Furthermore the flow fields between with and without rotating are compared. Through the PIV measurement results, one can realize that the turbine blades rotating affects as suppress the disturbance and the flow separatio...
We analytically work out the orbital effects caused by a Rindlertype extra-acceleration ARin which naturally arises in some recent models of modified gravity at large distances. In particular, we focus on the perturbations induced by it on the two-body range {\\rho} and range-rate {\\rho}\\cdot which are commonly used in satellite and planetary investigations as primary observable quantities. The constraints obtained for ARin by comparing our calculations with the currently available range and range-rate residuals for some of the major bodies of the solar system, obtained without explicitly modeling ARin, are 1 - 2 \\times 10-13 m s-2 (Mercury and Venus), 1 \\times 10-14 m s-2 (Saturn), 1 \\times 10-15 m s-2 (Mars), while for a terrestrial Rindler acceleration we have 5 \\times 10-16 m s-2 (Moon). Another approach which could be followed consists of taking into account ARin in re-processing all the available data sets with accordingly modified ...
The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) now under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will use the 25-MV tandem accelerator for the acceleration of radioactive ion beams to energies appropriate for research in nuclear physics; negative ion beams are, therefore, required for injection into the tandem accelerator. Because charge exchange is an efficient means for converting initially positive ion beams to negative ion beams, both positive and negative ion sources are viable options for use at the facility; the choice of the type of ion source will depend on the overall efficiency for generating the radioactive species of interest. A high-temperature version of the CERN-ISOLDE positive ion source has been selected and a modified version of the source designed and fabricated for initial use at the HRIBF because of its low emittance, relatively high ionization efficiencies and ...
The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) now under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will use the 25-MV tandem accelerator for the acceleration of radioactive ion beams to energies appropriate for research in nuclear physics; negative ion beams are, therefore, required for injection into the tandem accelerator. Because charge exchange is an efficient means for converting initially positive ion beams to negative ion beams, both positive and negative ion sources are viable options for use at the facility; the choice of the type of ion source will depend on the overall efficiency for generating the radioactive species of interest. A high-temperature version of the CERN-ISOLDE positive ion source has been selected and a modified version of the source designed and fabricated for initial use at the HRIBF because of its low emittance, relatively high ionization efficiencies and ...
The fundamental mechanisms underlying the chemical degradation of polymers can change as a function of environmental stress level. When this occurs, it greatly complicates any attempt to use accelerated tests for predicting long-term material degradation behaviors. Understanding how degradation mechanisms can change at different stress levels facilitates both the design and the interpretation of aging tests. Oxidative degradation is a predominant mechanism for many polymers exposed to a variety of different environments in the presence of air, and there are two mechanistic considerations which are widely applicable to material oxidation. One involves a physical process, oxygen diffusion, as a rate-limiting step. This mechanism can predominate at high stress levels. The second is a chemical process, the time-dependent decomposition of peroxide species. This leads to chain branching and can become a rate-controlling factor at lower stress levels involving time-scales ...
A survey is presented of the consequences of the irradiation of the population with ionizing radiation. There is an increased incidence of leukemia in irradiated population groups. Among the inhabitants of Hiroshima and Nagasaki maximum death of leukemia was observed in the years 1951 to 1952. The results are summed up of the observation of carcinoma of the breast, lungs and bronchi, bones, and carcinoma of the thyroid. The effect of radiation on experimental animals is described. It was found that the scatter of the dependence of the incidence of various types of cancer on the dose equivalent apparently reflects differences in the biological mechanism of this incidence and that a proportional relationship cannot be expected between the primary damage of cells during irradiation and the actual manifestation of the disease. (E.S.).
An investigation of the intensity of electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength of 185nm emitted by a General Electric mercury discharge, germicidal lamp is described. From the measurement of the transmission of light as a function of wavelength from 185nm to 360nm, it was concluded that this type of germicidal lamp does not produce any biological or chemical effects through the 185nm line; the intensity of the 185nm line transmitted by the lamp was less than 0.1% of that for the 254nm line. Consequently, there was no discernable ozone production. (U.K.).
The evaluation of biological markers is recognized as necessary to the future of toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative risk assessment. For biological markers to become widely accepted, their validity...Full Text Available
A number of biological agents are available or being investigated for the treatment of asthma and rhinitis. The safety profiles of these biologic agents, which may modify allergic and immunological...Full Text Available
The BNL Neutral Beam Development Group has been active in the program for the development of high energy, high power neutral beam systems since 1973. These injectors are based on the production, acceleration and neutralization of negative hydrogen or deuterium ions and are supposed to be used for plasma heating and current drive in the next generation of fusion devices. Over the span of 10 years the group has studied plasma-surface type of negative hydrogen ion sources, transport and acceleration of negative ion beams and neutralization of negative ions in gases and plasmas. As the required source parameters (current, pulse length, efficiency) were changing over this period of time, the group developed several types of sources, resulting finally in the design of a steady state device operating with an excellent gas efficiency and having the possibility of scaling-up to the size necessary for a high ...
The RF system for the SuperHILAC injector linac was designed and constructed for minimum system complexity, wide dynamic range, and ease of maintenance. The final amplifier is close coupled to the linac and operates in an efficient semilinear mode, eliminating troublesome transmission lines, modulators, and high level regulators. The system has been operated at over 250 kW, 23 MHz with good regulation. The low level RF electronics are contained in a single chassis adjacent to the RF control computer, which monitors all important operating parameters. A unique 360/sup 0/ phase and amplitude modular is used for precise control and regulation of the accelerating voltage.
The activities of the radiochemical section (part of the Analytical Chemistry Group) deal mostly with problems of composition. Activation analysis with thermal neutrons serves for most of the trace element analyses either with or without chemical separations. Ge(Li) spectrometry has been increasingly automated so that many analyses can now be performed by relatively unskilled personnel. In a number of analyses an A.V.F.-cyclotron was employed: such an accelerator can deliver not only different types of charged particles at variable energies but also fast neutrons. (T.G.).
The requirements for transporting high-current, negative-ion beams are presented with particular emphasis on applications involving negative-hydrogen-ion beams. In addition to the usual matching and steering problems, particular attention must be paid to beam emittance growth in the transport system. Depending on the application, a number of approaches have been developed using both magnetic and electric lenses. I discuss the design considerations for transporting and matching these beams to radiofrequency quadrupole accelerators, and present a survey of the various types of beamlines now used for negative-ion beams.
The requirements for transporting high-current, negative-ion beams are presented with particular emphasis on applications involving negative-hydrogen-ion beams. In addition to the usual matching and steering problems, particular attention must be paid to beam emittance growth in the transport system. Depending on the application, a number of approaches have been developed using both magnetic and electric lenses. I discuss the design considerations for transporting and matching these beams to radio-frequency quadrupole accelerators, and present a survey of the various types of beamlines now used for negative-ion beams.
The requirements for transporting high-current, negative-ion beams are presented with particular emphasis on applications involving negative-hydrogen-ion beams. In addition to the usual matching and steering problems, particular attention must be paid to beam emittance growth in the transport system. Depending on the application, a number of approaches have been developed using both magnetic and electric lenses. I discuss the design considerations for transporting and matching these beams to radiofrequency quadrupole accelerators, and present a survey of the various types of beamlines now used for negative-ion beams.
In terms of the kinetic theory of the interaction between the high-power short-time laser pulses with plasma based on the propagator plotting for the plasma particle distribution functions one studied the generation of the hot electrons and of the fast ions as the relativistic femtosecond laser pulses travelled through the supercritical density plasma. One performed calculations based on the various values of the laser pulse intensity, types of the multiple-charged ions, the plasma inhomogeneity degree. One studied the acceleration mechanisms both of the plasma electrons and ions
The effects of temperature and the use of macroreticular resins were studied in lithium isotope separation by an ion-exchange method. The isotope separation factors obtained decreased by increasing the temperature, and the factors for macroreticular resins were identical with those for the usual gel-type resins. However, the performance of isotope separation per unit band length in displacement chromatography was found to be improved by increasing the temperature and using macroreticular resins, because accelerating the interphase mass transfer caused the reduction of HETP (Height Equivalent to a Theoretical Plate).
The main physical processes allowing negative ion production by surface sputtering for further acceleration in tandem acceleration are briefly reviewed. The sputtering yield and the probability of negative ion ejection are discussed. The properties of negative ion beams for an efficient acceleration in tandem accelerators are also discussed, with an emphasis on space charge problems. The main features and performances of the heavy negative ion injector of the Bucharest tandem accelerator are given.
Nuclear energy provides a third of Europe's electricity with nearly no greenhouse-gas emissions. Sustained efforts are now being conducted to harmonize regulations all over Europe through WENRA and to converge on technical nuclear safety practices within the TSO network ETSON (European Technical Safety Organizations Network). In CANDU type NPP the tritiated water occurs by the neutron bombardment of deuterium. The tritiated water vapors imply health hazard (in the critical organs of the body the water presents a 10 day average biological half-life) and the early detection in nuclear plants of tritium emissions is important because the tritiated water vapors have the same characteristics as of atmospheric water vapors. By detecting tritiated vapors, the monitoring system ensures the following objectives: (a) indicates levels of tritium generally due to heavy water leakage, (b) reduces the possibility of health hazard. In order to attain this ...
High energy physics is a basic research domain with a well established European and international cooperation. Cooperation can be of different type depending on the size of the facilities involved (accelerators), on their financing, and on the type of experiments that use these facilities. The CERN, the European center for nuclear research, created in October 1954, is the best example of such a cooperation. This article examines first the juridical and scientifical structure of the CERN and the mode of organization of big experiments. Then, it presents the role of international committees in the establishment of a common scientific policy in Europe and in the rest of the world. Finally, the possible future evolution of the CERN towards a worldwide project is evoked. (J.S.)
We performed hybrid-DFT calculations for La2/3?xLi3xTiO3 (LLT) with lithium ion conductivity, in order to investigate the detailed lithium ion conductive mechanism from the viewpoint of molecular orbital (MO) method. It was concluded that the very ionic lithium ion in bottleneck accelerates the lithium ion conduction. The calculated MO shows no chemical bonding between lithium ion and other ions. In comparison with the perovskite-type trivalent titanium oxide of LaTiO3, the effect of the titanium's reduction was also investigated. We showed the possibility of the high lithium conductivity in LaTiO3.
The effect of helium on the mechanical properties and fracture behaviors of a type 316 austenitic steel is presented. Helium implantation was performed by 30-MeV #alpha#-particle injection on very small, thin specimens, using a cyclotron accelerator. Average helium content in the He-deposited region was 50 to 2000 appm He. These specimens showed the transition of fracture mode from transgranular to intergranular fracture in elevated temperature tests. The transition temperature decreased with increase in the amount of implanted helium. For example, in the case of 2000 appm and 500 appm He implantation, the transition temperatures were between 773 and 873 K and 873 and 973 K, respectively. (orig.).
The radiation induced reactions in LDPE in the presence of phenolic type antioxidants have been studied. It was shown that various antioxidants can influence the polyethylene network formation and the radical yield in different ways. The dependence of network structure on absorbed doses was determined by gel analysis, hot-set test and extraction of antioxidants for samples irradiated with accelerated electrons. It was found that the antioxidants eluted from polyethylene in higher percentage influence polymer crosslinking to a smaller degree. The ESR studies of #gamma#-irradiated blends of polyethylene with antioxidant indicate the presence of alkyl and phenoxyl radicals. The role of antioxidant molecules on radiation induced reactions in polyethylene-antioxidant systems is considered. The correlation between the network structure and the type of additive in polyethylene is also discussed. (author).
Abstract Recent work (Schawinski et al.) indicates that star-forming early-type galaxies residing in the blue cloud migrate rapidly to the red sequence within around a Gyr, passing through several phases of increasingly strong active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity in the process. We show that natural depletion of the cold gas reservoir through star formation (i.e. in the absence of any feedback from the AGN) induces a blue-to-red reddening rate that is several factors lower than that observed by Schawinski et al. This is because the gas depletion rate due to star formation alone is too slow, implying that another process needs to be invoked to remove cold gas from the system and accelerate the reddening rate. We develop a simple phenomenological model, in which a fraction of the AGN-s lum...
... the high current induction linear accelerator of the nanosecond range, meant to be used as injector in the collective ion accelerator, are presented. ...
The development of colorimetry and spectroscopy in the nineteenth century is described. An account is given of the application of their techniques to biological chemistry during that period.
The Synchrotron Resource of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute will be dedicated to structural analyses of biological macromolecules, primarily through crystallography. This facility is under construction at the X4 port of the National Synchrotron Light Source at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and it will comprise three beamlines. The first line to be built has been devised to apply the multiwavelength anomalous diffraction method which provides direct estimates for the phases of reflections. The second line will be devoted to rapid and essentially routine diffraction measurements, mainly through the rotation method. These two experimental stations are contained within refrigerated radiation enclosures that will maintain clean environments, narrowly defined constant temperatures, and protection against biohazard at biosafety level BL-2. At the same time as the second line will be developed, the swath center is planned to first serve as a monitor of the white ...
A large amount of industrial water is used for cooling the various process fluids in the petroleum purification factories as well as petroleum chemistry factories. Consequently, a lot of heat exchangers as the necessary constitutional instruments are made of carbon steel. Due to the most of the corrosions of the carbon steel occurring in such cooling water systems are pitting corrosions, the inhibition thereof is extremely important for the elongation of the life of the plants and the stable operation. In this paper, the influences of water quality fractions on pitting corrosion of carbon steel in cooling water circumstance are examined aiming at the fouling in the cooling water. The fouling in the cooling water does not only increase the amount of occurrence of pitting corrosion but also accelerates the progress of pitting corrosion enlarging the rust due to its deposition near the anode. Since only the inhibitor is not sufficient to inhibit the pitting corrosion ...
We present the latest developments for the radiation laboratory curriculum at the Department of Physics and Astronomy of Western Kentucky University. During the last decade, the Applied Physics Institute (API) at WKU accumulated various equipment for radiation experimentation. This includes various neutron sources (computer controlled d-t and d-d neutron generators, and isotopic 252 Cf and PuBe sources), the set of gamma sources with various intensities, gamma detectors with various energy resolutions (NaI, BGO, GSO, LaBr and HPGe) and the 2.5-MeV Van de Graaff particle accelerator. XRF and XRD apparatuses are also available for students and members at the API. This equipment is currently used in numerous scientific and teaching activities. Members of the API also developed a set of laboratory activities for undergraduate students taking classes from the physics curriculum (Nuclear Physics, Atomic Physics, and Radiation Biophysics). Our goal is to develop a set of ...
Radioactive ion beams (RIBs) of short-lived isotopes of fluorine are in demand for investigating astrophysical phenomena related to the hot CNO cycle and rp processes responsible for stellar nucleosynthesis. Since negative ion beams are required for injection into tandem electrostatic accelerators, such as the 25 MV tandem accelerator used for post acceleration of RIBs for the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) research program at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), efficient, direct-formation F{sup -} ion sources are highly desirable for RIB applications involving this type of post-accelerator. We have conceived and evaluated a direct extraction F{sup -} source for potential RIB applications which is predicated on the reverse polarity operation of a positive electron-beam-plasma target/ion source (EBPTIS) while simultaneously feeding fluorine rich compounds and ...
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 results show many orders of magnitude speedup ...
Ballistics involves the study of the scientific properties of projectiles, their behavior and their terminal effects on biological tissues and other materials. Wound ballistics deals with the analysis of injuries caused by projectiles and the behavior of projectiles within human or other biological tissues. The nineteenth century witnessed the development of both of these areas with Kocher's hydrodynamic theory and the understanding of the significance of bullet deformation in causing tissue injury. The degree of traumatic disruption of tissues and organs was also related to direct energy transfer from projectiles. While subsequent research has concentrated on elucidating further mechanisms of injury, the exact cause of remote tissue damage from high energy projectiles is still the subject of ongoing research. Much of the contemporary literature regarding wound ballistics concentrates on the forensic aspects and their application for legal ...
The functioning of even a simple system is much more complicated than the sum of its genes, proteins and metabolites. A premise of systems biology is that molecular profiling will lead to the discovery and characterization of important disease pathways. However, as multiple levels of effector pathway regulation appear to be the norm rather than the exception, a significant challenge presented by high-throughput genomics and proteomics technologies is to extract the biological implications of complex data. Thus, integration of heterogeneous types of data generated from diverse global technology platforms represents the first challenge in developing the necessary foundational databases needed for predictive modeling of cell and tissue responses. Given the apparent difficulty in defining the correspondence between gene expression and protein abundance measured in several systems to date, how do we make sense of these data and ...
In an earlier publication we considered acceleration of plasma rings (Compact Torus). Several possible accelerator configurations were suggested and the possibility of focusing the accelerated rings was discussed. In this paper we consider one scheme, acceleration of a ring between coaxial electrodes by a B/sub theta/ field as in a coaxial rail-gun. If the electrodes are conical, a ring accelerated towards the apex of the cone undergoes self-similar compression (focusing) during acceleration. Because the allowable acceleration force, F/sub a/ = kappaU/sub m//R where (kappa < 1), increases as R/sup -2/, the accelerating distance for conical electrodes is considerably shortened over that required for coaxial electrodes. In either case, however, since the accelerating flux can expand as the ring ...
This picture shows one of the 2 new cavities installed in 1978-1979. The main RF-system of the SPS comprises four cavities: two of 20 m length and two of 16.5 m length. They are all installed in one long straight section (LSS 3). These cavities are of the travelling-wave type operating at a centre frequency of 200.2 MHz. They are wideband, filling time about 700 ns and untuned. The power amplifiers, using tetrodes are installed in a surface building 200 m from the cavities. Initially only two cavities were installed, a third cavity was installed in 1978 and a forth one in 1979. The number of power amplifiers was also increased: to the first 2 MW plant a second 2 MW plant was added and by end 1979 there were 8 500 kW units combined in pairs to feed each of the 4 cavities with up to about 1 MW RF power, resulting in a total accelerating voltage of about 8 MV. See also 7412016X, 7412017X, 7411048X
The industrial radiation processing using low energy electron beam (EB) accelerators lower than 300 keV offers high speed, safe technologies for the chemical conversion of thin layer coatings. Because of the nonselective mode of initiating chain reaction polymerization involving free radicals in synthetic coating layers and suitable substrates, the EB curing of the coatings on woods and papers has particular advantage. Hungary decided to start an up-to-date EB line to process cement-bound (CB) wood chipboards with pigmented acrylic coatings. The CB wood chipboards contain more than 60 % of portland cement and up to 40 % of wood particles. They are produced as large boads of 6 - 16 mm thickness. In their fireproof character and other aspects, they are similar to asbestos-cement boards without containing carcinagenic asbestos, and are stable against moisture and atmospheric influences. EB-cured acrylate coating improved further those properties, and makes them ...
The personal neutron dosimetry becomes more important with the increasing use of nuclear and accelerator facilities. The solid state track detector, film badge and thermo-luminescent dosimeter have widely been used as passive-type personal neutron dosimeters, but the real-time neutron dosimeter is strongly needed. A real time personal dosimeter which could give neutron dose equivalent over wide energy range from thermal to 10 odd MeV by using two neutron sensors has been developed by our group. For practical commercial product, some changes from these prototype sensors have recently been done by Fuji Electric Co. Ltd. The purpose of this work is the final performance test of the dosimeter just before sale. We checked again about the sensitivity in the monoenergetic neutron field from 8 keV to 15 MeV and in the neutron fields around a few accelerator facilities. (author)
The design of a small injection linac for a compact medical synchrotron is discussed. The linac design is based on interdigital H-type (IH) drift-tube structure with alternative phase focusing (APhF). A high acceleration rate and an absence of magnetic lenses inside drift-tubes reduce the cost and length of APhF-IH linac in comparison with HIMAC linac based on Alvarez structure with magnet quadrupoles inside drift-tubes. To reduce effects of emittance growth, the RFQ structure is used in front of the APhF linac. In such linac layout, the current transmission of a carbon beam can reach up to 90-100%. In this report, the basic parameters of whole linac are presented, while the design of APhF structure is considered in details. Two reference designs of 4 MeV/u 200 MHz APhF linacs with different voltage distributions along the whole tank have been generated and analyzed numerically. For the first design, a constant voltage distribution along the ...
We have already developed three conventional and one periodic permanent (PPM) type 50-MW class klystrons, a smart modulator, and the first HOM-free accelerator structure (Choke-mode type, full-scale high power model). A very stable ceramic high voltage monitor was successfully tested up to 367-kV with a 4.5-#mu#sec pulse. A new C-band SiC type high power rf-load, advancing the power handling capability up to 50-MW is now being designed. It should have excellent mass production characteristics as it uses circularly symmetric TM_0_1_1 chained cavities. The first high power prototype of an rf compressor cavity made of a low thermal expansion material (super Invar) was designed to provide stable operation even with a very high Q of 200-k, it was successfully tested the output rf power up to 135-MW, 0.5-#mu#sec pulse width and 50-pps repetition rate. The C-band linac rf-system will be used for the SASE-FEL ...
Candidate materials for components of a fluidized-bed waste heat recovery system (FBWHRS) include plain carbon steel, types 405 and 316 stainless steel, and alloy 800. These materials were exposed to synthetic flue gas at anticipated FBWHRS temperatures and higher for 3000 h to determine corrosion rates. The synthetic flue gas was a combustion atmosphere to which Cl/sub 2/ and HCl were added. The projected annual corrosion rate for plain carbon steel is about 0.08 mm/year (0.003 in./year) at 250 to 290/sup 0/C, but it would exceed 0.5 mm/year (0.02 in./year) at 560/sup 0/C. The projected annual corrosion rates of the other materials were less than 0.25 mm/year (0.01 in./year) at the maximum test temperatures of 560, 660, and 665/sup 0/C for type 405, type 316, and alloy 800, respectively. These results indicate that corrosion of candidate FBWHRS materials will not be significant at anticipated operating temperatures for ...
The necessary conditions to design the methanol-fueled direct injection diesel engine with a reservoir type glow plug were cleared up from the points of view to prevent the air contamination and to use as an alternative oil for automotives, and as a result the good engine performance and emission characteristics could be obtained under the wide operating condition. The following facts were clarified: It is necessary to arrange the glow plug on the line of atomizing axis near the nozzle hole to ensure the ignitability under a wide operating condition. The reservoir type glow plug which reserves the premixed gas around the glow plug can shorten the ignition delay time and improve the combustion stability and the net thermal efficiency in the light load region. The combustion in the light load region was accelerated, NO{sub x} emission rate was suppressed and moreover, the net thermal efficiency and catalyst conversion rate ...
A multi-stage, multi-disk type seismic source was developed as a downhole seismic source. The seismic source is an improved version of the downhole seismic source of a system in which an elastic wave is generated by a weight accelerated by restitutive force of a spring striking the upper part of a laminated structure consisted of metal disks and elastic bodies installed in water in a well. Enhancing the vibration exciting efficiency requires impedance radiated from the disks to be increased. The multi-disk structure was adopted because of restrictions on the disk area under the limiting condition of being inside the well. Further limitation has still existed, which led to finally structuring the multi-disk type to a multi-stage construction to increase the radiated impedance. In order to increase average velocity on the radiation surface, mass relationship between the hammer and the anvil was sought so that the maximum ...
The immune system modulates many key biological processes in humans. However, the exact role of the immune system in particle-associated periprosthetic osteolysis is controversial. Human tissue retrieval studies, in vivo and in vitro experiments suggest that the immune response to polymer particles is non-specific and macrophage-mediated. Lymphocytes may modulate this response. However direct lymphocyte activation by polymer particle-protein complexes seems unlikely. However, metallic byproducts may complex with serum proteins and lead to a Type IV, lymphocyte-mediated immune reaction. In predisposed individuals, this reaction may rarely lead to persistent painful joint effusions, necessitating debridement and excision of the bearing surfaces of the prosthesis. In these patients, retrieved...
Probable risks for the occurrence of somatic effects due to diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine are summarised. The biological background of radiation carcinogenesis and epidemiological results are discussed. At the Leiden University Medical Centre the average effective dose per examination due to diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine amount to 0.95 and 4.4 mSv, respectively. These values correspond well with the average values of 0.82 and 3.0 mSv reported for The Netherlands as a whole. Since radiological examinations are performed at a much larger frequency than nuclear medicine the relative collective dose for the first type of examinations is higher than the latter. Risk for occurency of malignancies are at least one order of magnitude lower than the hypothetical risk due to the background radiation typical of The Netherlands.
This book gives an overview of the entire field of radiation protection with the subject areas radioactivity, X-rays, UV radiation, laser beams and high-frequency electromagnetic fields. It deals graphically with the most important physical notions, the incidence, origin, properties and biological effects of types of radiation, administrative and practical protection measures and the code of rules governing them. Apart from fundamentals of radiation protection the emphasis on the following: natural radiation exposure, radiation exposure to radon, disaster relief plans in the environment of nuclear plant, the precautionary radiation protection system evolved after Chernobyl, radiation exposure through UV radiation devices, radio, RF communication, radar, microwave ovens and high-voltage transmission lines as well as computer work-places. (orig.).
Heavy ions used for biomedical studies fragment when they pass through matter. It is known that different fragments cause different types of biological damage. In this paper, results pertaining to differrent kinds of secondary fragments produced by a /sup 28/Si beam at 463 MeV/nucleon in its interaction with nuclear emulsion are presented. It is observed that the production frequencies of secondary fragments are independent of the target. Partial production cross sections and fluences of the secondary fragments are also discussed. The partial production cross sections for different fragments at three lower energy ranges are practically the same within their statistical errors except for the cross section for Li fragments, which is larger by almost a factor of 1.5 at the lowest energy investigated. The dose contributions of the primary Si beam and its components at different points of the Bragg curve are presented for two different energy ...
The interaction energies between the different types of bases of a single strand of DNA molecule have been calculated. Using these original values of energies the harmonic behavior of a number of base patterns of DNA has been studied. In view of the great interest aroused by the discovery of the role of the telomere segment of the DNA in the replication process and its possible link with the aging process, we have investigated, with simple models, the harmonic behavior of the telomeric pattern of bases as well as the thermodynamic response in the biological system. With these results a conclusion on the probable role of the telomeric pattern on aging has also been drawn. Here the calculated values of harmonic frequencies of the telomeric pattern of bases and of other possible patterns show that the telomeric pattern is associated with the highest vibrational frequency among all patterns of base combinations at the replication end of DNA. This ...
Abstract The Eiffel Tower edifice is situated in the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field at a mean depth of 1690-m on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR). At this 11-m-high hydrothermal structure, different faunal assemblages, varying in visibly dominant species (mussels and shrimp), in mussel size and in density of mussel coverage, were sampled biologically and chemically. Temperature and sulphide (-S) were measured on the different types of mussel-based assemblages and on a shrimp-dominated assemblage. Temperature was used as a proxy for calculating total concentrations of CH4. Based on the physico-chemical measurements, two microhabitats were identified, corresponding to (i) a more variable habitat featuring the greatest fluctuations in environmental variables and (ii) a second, more stable, ...
Glucagon plays critical roles in regulating glucose homeostasis, mainly by counteracting the effects of insulin. Consequently, the dysregulated glucagon secretion that is evident in type 2 diabetes has significant implications in the pathophysiology of the disease. Glucagon secretion from pancreatic -cells has been suggested to be modulated by blood glucose, signals from the nervous system and endocrine components. In addition to these regulators, intraislet factors acting in a paracrine manner from neighbouring -cells are emerging as central modulator(s) of -cell biology. One of the most important of these paracrine factors, insulin, modulates glucagon secretion. Indeed, the -cell-specific insulin receptor knockout (IRKO) mouse manifests hypersecretion of glucagon in the postprandial stag...
The energy dispersive beamline X6A at the National Synchrotron Light Source employs a curved crystal monochromator (polychromator) which focuses a range ([similar to]1 keV) of x-ray energies into a narrow (100--120 [mu]m) line image. Although this beamline was constructed primarily for time-dependent EXAFS experiments, we have begun to explore the use of this instrument for energy dispersive diffraction experiments with different types of sample including macromolecular crystals. The tunability ([ital E]=6.5 to 21 keV) and flexibility ([Delta][ital E]=100--1000 eV) of the instrument makes the beamline ideal as a test bed for the application of polychromatic single-crystal diffraction techniques to different chemical or biological materials.
The discovery of extra-solar planets is one of the greatest achievements of modern astronomy. There are now more than 200 such objects known, and the recent detection of planets with masses approximately 5 times that of Earth demonstrates that extra-solar planets of low mass exist. In addition to providing a wealth of scientific information on the formation and structure of planetary systems, these discoveries capture the interest of both scientists and the wider public with the profound prospect of the search for life in the Universe. We propose an L-type mission, called Darwin, whose primary goal is the study of terrestrial extrasolar planets and the search for life on them. By its very nature, Darwin advances the first Grand Theme of ESA Cosmic Vision. Accomplishing the mission objectives will require collaborative science across disciplines ranging from planet formation and atmospheres to chemistry and biology, and these disciplines will ...
In the present study, human neonatal fibroblasts were isolated from a two-month-old human male. The purpose of the present investigation was the analysis of the morphology (light and transmission electron microscopy), karyotype and growth characteristics of the human neonatal fibroblast cell culture B-HNF-1. Moreover, STR typing and mitochondrial DNA amplification and sequencing was also performed. Analysis of chromosomes count showed that B-HNF-1 cell culture is diploid and has normal male karyotype 46, XY, which was stable during cultivation. The transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the ultra-structure of the B-HNF-1 cells; they have typical morphological features of proteosynthesis-active cells. Large number of fibroblasts bearing different shapes and surface characteristics ad...
In this work was made an assessment of the supramolecular structures presents into human breast tissue normal and pathological samples, as well as into two types of animals samples (tendon chicken and pork fat) using the small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) technique. The scattering profiles of the samples were determined at the momentum transfer range O.150nm{sup -1}<=5:q(=4pi.sin({theta}/2)/{lambda})<=8.500nm{sup -1}. In this range, it was possible identify structures corresponding to collagen fibrils (glandular tissue) and to triacylglycerides (adipose tissue) from the correlation between the information extracted from the human breast tissues scattering profiles and those extracted from animals samples. (author)
Gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) belongs to a family of small ubiquitin-like adaptor proteins implicated in intracellular vesicle trafficking and autophagy. We have used diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the temperature and concentration dependence of the diffusion properties of GABARAP. Our data suggest the presence of distinct conformational states and provide support for self-association of GABARAP molecules. Assuming a monomer-dimer equilibrium, a temperature-dependent dissociation constant could be derived. Based on a temperature series of {sup 1}H{sup 15}N heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectra, we propose residues potentially involved in GABARAP self-interaction. The possible biological significance of these observations is discussed with respect to alternative scenarios of oligomerization.
Beside yeasts, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are the most abundant microbes in must during vinification. Whereas Oenococcos oeni is commercially used as a starter culture for the biological acid reduction in wines, other species are responsible for different types of wine spoilage. Members of the genera Pediococcus, Weissella, Leuconostoc, and Lactobacillus are producers of exopolysaccharide slimes, biogenic amines, acetic acid, and other off-flavors. In order to control microbial growth, different procedures such as heating of must and addition of sulfite or lysozyme from egg white are generally applied. Yet, because of health risks, the application of sulfite should be reduced and lysozyme is not effective against all LAB. In this study, we describe exoenzymes from a Streptomyces sp. strain...
In addition to the ability to solve the static transport equation, we have also incorporated time dependence into our parallel 3-D S{sub {ital N}} code DANTSYS/MPI. Using a semi-implicit scheme, DANTSYS/MPI is capable of performing time-dependent calculations for both fissioning and pure source driven problems. We have applied this to various types of problems such as nuclear well logging and prompt fission experiments. This paper describes the form of the time- dependent equations implemented, their solution strategies in DANTSYS/MPI including iteration acceleration, and the strategies used for time-step control. Results are presented for a model nuclear well logging calculation.
LiNi{sub 0.8}Co{sub 0.2}O{sub 2} particles from high-power lithium-ion cells were examined to determine material changes that result from accelerated aging tests. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) data indicated a Li{sub x}Ni{sub 1-x}O-type layer on the particle surfaces. The greater thickness on particles from high-power fade cells indicate that these surface layers are a significant contributor to cathode impedance rise observed during cell tests.
Monte Carlo calculations of proton irradiation of permanent magnets for the TRADE experiment have been performed. An irradiation dose of about 4´106 Gy/yr/mA has been estimated due to beam losses in normal operating conditions. Existing experimental results indicate that this irradiation level may induce a considerable demagnetization: in fact, a dose of 6´107 Gy induces a remanence loss of 0.3 % on samples of Sm2Co17 magnets, which are the most resistant type. More detailed calculations with the final design of the magnets and of the beam line are suggested, to determine if the irradiation levels allowed a reliable operation of the permanent magnets for the entire duration of the TRADE experiment. Damage and gas production rates have also been calculated; the values obtained are very low, thus confirming that the demagnetization process is in great part reversible.
This paper presents the test results of a research program to investigate the performance of polymeric insulators for 15-kV dead-end applications on distribution systems. The test program involved both new insulators from five different manufacturers and naturally-aged insulators removed from service on the distribution system of Pennsylvania Power and Light. The test series to evaluate the new insulators included: preconditioning treatments, salt fog and tracking wheel accelerated aging tests, electrical tests, and material and physical tests. The tests for the naturally-aged insulators were mainly limited to the electrical tests and the material and physical tests.
Making use of a lead slowing-down spectrometer coupled to a 46 MeV electron linear accelerator and a back-to-back type double fission chamber, the fission cross sections of Am-241, Am-242m and Am-243 have been measured relative to that of U-235 from 0.1 eV to 10 keV with the energy resolution of about 40 % full width at half maximum. Each of the measured result has been compared with (1) the evaluated nuclear data in ENDF/B-VI and JENDL-3.2, and (2) the existing experimental data, for which the evaluated and the experimental data were broadened by the energy resolution function of the spectrometer. (author)
Making use of a back-to-back type double fission chamber and a lead slowing-down spectrometer driven by a 46 MeV electron linear accelerator, the fission cross sections of Am-241, Am-242m and Am-243 have been measured relative to that of U-235 from 0.1 eV to 10 keV with the energy resolution of about 40 % full width at half maximum. Each of the measured result has been compared with (1) the evaluated nuclear data in ENDF/B-VI and JENDL-3.2, and (2) the existing experimental data, whose evaluated and measured data were broadened by the energy resolution function of the spectrometer.
Making use of a back-to-back type double fission chamber and a lead slowing-down spectrometer driven by a 46 MeV electron linear accelerator, the fission cross sections of Am-241, Am-242m and Am-243 have been measured relative to that of U-235 from 0.1 eV to 10 keV with the energy resolution of about 40% full width at half maximum. Each of the measured result has been compared with (1) the evaluated nuclear data in ENDF/B-VI and JENDL-3.2, and (2) the existing experimental data, whose evaluated and measured data were broadened by the energy resolution function of the spectrometer. (author)
In this paper we present results of using parallel supercomputers to simulate beam dynamics in next-generation high intensity ion linacs. Our approach uses a three-dimensional space charge calculation with six types of boundary conditions. The simulations use a hybrid approach involving transfer maps to treat externally applied fields (including rf cavities) and parallel particle-in-cell techniques to treat the space-charge fields. The large-scale simulation results presented here represent a three order of magnitude improvement in simulation capability, in terms of problem size and speed of execution, compared with typical two-dimensional serial simulations. Specific examples will be presented, including simulation of the spallation neutron source (SNS) linac and the Low Energy Demonstrator Accelerator (LEDA) beam halo experiment.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) need long-lived high-power batteries as energy storage devices. Batteries based on lithium-ion technology can meet the high-power goals but have been unable to meet HEV calendar-life requirements. As part of the US Department of Energy's Advanced Technology Development (ATD) Program, diagnostic studies are being conducted on 18650-type lithium-ion cells that were subjected to accelerated aging tests at temperatures ranging from 40 to 70 C. This article summarizes data obtained by gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy and electrochemical techniques, and identifies cell components that are responsible for the observed impedance rise and power fade.
The critical part of the trimetallic transition joint (type 304 stainless steel/Alloy 800/2.25 Cr-1 Mo steel), the Alloy 800/2.25 Cr-1 Mo steel joint welded with Inconel 182, was subjected to thermal cycling between room temperature and 873 K. The thermal cycling test procedure used produces accelerated failures in transition joints similar to those observed in steam generators of operating power plants. On thermal cycling, precipitation at the weld/ferritic steel interface decreased on post-weld heat treatment. This precipitation increased with increased prior ageing and applied stress. The results of these tests indicated a considerable improvement in performance of the trimetallic transition joint compared to the direct (bimetallic) transition joint. (orig.).
A core-wide in-phase neutron flux oscillation, which took place, for example, at LaSalle-2 in the USA in 1988, is one of the nuclear-coupled thermal hydraulic instabilities in boiling water reactors (BWRs). In this study, an analysis has been performed focusing on the excitation of this type of instability in BWRs due to seismically induced resonance, within the scope of a point kinetics model. For this purpose, the TRAC-BF1 code has been modified to take into account the external acceleration in addition to gravity. As a result of this analysis, it is shown that reactivity insertion can occur accompanied by in-surge of the coolant into the core resulting from excitation. It is also shown that the amount of reactivity inserted largely depends on the degree of stability of the initial state and the amplitude of the seismic wave, whose frequency is the same as the characteristic frequency of the instability. (orig.).
A core-wide in-phase neutron flux oscillation, which took place, for example, at LaSalle-2 in the USA in 1988, is one of the nuclear-coupled thermal hydraulic instabilities in boiling water reactors (BWRs). In this study, an analysis has been performed focusing on the excitation of this type of instability in BWRs due to seismically induced resonance, within the scope of a point kinetics model. For this purpose, the TRAC-BF1 code has been modified to take into account the external acceleration in addition to gravity. As a result of this analysis, it is shown that reactivity insertion can occur accompanied by in-surge of the coolant into the core resulting from excitation. It is also shown that the amount of reactivity inserted largely depends on the degree of stability of the initial state and the amplitude of the seismic wave, whose frequency is the same as the characteristic frequency of the instability. (orig.).
The results that can be expected by e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders in future are summarized. e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders have many fine possibilities, and are the economical selection for utilizing future e"+e"- colliders more effectively. e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders were proposed by former USSR researchers at the beginning of 1980s, but recently, the prospect of realizing future e"+e"- collision type linear accelerator projects has become high, they have become to be considered seriously as the option of remodeling them. The high energy photon beam of e#gamma# and #gamma##gamma# colliders is obtained by causing Compton reverse scattering, irradiating laser beam to the electron beam of e"+e"- accelerators. The production of #gamma#-beam is explained. As for the physics noteworthy in e#gamma# colliders, abnormal gauge coupling, the formation of Higgs particles, excited leptons, lepto-quark, ...
The Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility now under construction at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory will use the 25 MV tandem accelerator for the acceleration of radioactive ion beams to energies appropriate for research in nuclear physics; negative ion beams are, therefore, required for injection into the tandem accelerator. Because charge exchange is an efficient means for converting initially positive ion beams to negative ion beams, both positive and negative ion sources are viable options for use at the facility. The choice of the type of ion source will depend on the overall efficiency for generating the radioactive species of interest. Although direct-extraction negative ion sources are clearly desirable, the ion formation efficiencies are often too low for practical consideration; for this situation, positive ion sources, in combination with charge exchange, are the logical choice. The ...
The results that can be expected by e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders in future are summarized. e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders have many fine possibilities, and are the economical selection for utilizing future e{sup +}e{sup -} colliders more effectively. e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders were proposed by former USSR researchers at the beginning of 1980s, but recently, the prospect of realizing future e{sup +}e{sup -} collision type linear accelerator projects has become high, they have become to be considered seriously as the option of remodeling them. The high energy photon beam of e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders is obtained by causing Compton reverse scattering, irradiating laser beam to the electron beam of e{sup +}e{sup -} accelerators. The production of {gamma}-beam is explained. As for the physics noteworthy in e{gamma} colliders, abnormal gauge coupling, the formation of Higgs particles, excited ...
International standards and guidelines for calibrating high-dose dosimetry systems to be used in industrial radiation processing recommend that dose-rate effects on dosimeters be evaluated under conditions of use. This is important when the irradiation relies on high-current electron accelerators, which usually provide very high dose-rates. However, most dosimeter calibration facilities use low-intensity gamma radiation or low-current electron accelerators, which deliver comparatively low dose-rates. Because of issues of thermal conductivity and response, portable calorimeters cannot be practically used with high-current accelerators, where product conveyor speeds under an electron beam can exceed several meters per second and the calorimeter is not suitable for use with product handling systems. As an alternative, Monte Carlo calculations can give theoretical estimates of the absorbed dose in materials with flat or complex ...
Systems biology is a rapidly expanding field that integrates diverse areas of science such as physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and biology toward the goal of elucidating the underlying...Full Text Available
...and biological processes acting on recruitment and post-recruitment EU-Agrinet - Project sheet: Biological performance testing methodology to evaluate the durability of plywood as a quality indicator ... Project sheet: Biological performance testing methodology to evaluate the durability of plywood as a quali EU-Agrinet - Project sheet: Genetic evaluation of European ...
Hair is preserved for millennia in permafrost; it enshrines a record of biologic rhythms and offers a glimpse at chronobiology as it was in extinct animals. Here we compare biologic rhythms gleaned...Full Text Available
Since microwaves are used in human cancer therapy, information on specific biological effects of microwaves at elevated temperatures is important. To help supply this information, we exposed mammalian cells (CHO) and bacteria (Serratia marcescens) to hyperthermal temperatures (43, 44, and 45/sup o/C for CHO and 48, 49, and 50/sup o/C for the bacteria) with and without microwave irradiation. Temperature control was maintained by a refrigeration-reheat system and high-velocity water recirculation. The 2450-MHz microwave source was operated in a pulsed mode with power density up to 500 mW/cm/sup 2/. As expected, the survival curve slopes for both cell types increased rapidly with temperature, doubling for each degree Celsius. Microwave irradiation produced no significant change in extrapolation number for either cell type. However, survival curves of CHO cells which received microwaves were steeper by a factor of 1.25 than ...
A technique for delivering genes carried by recombinant retroviruses into specific cell types could have numerous applications in oncology, developmental biology, and gene therapy. As a first step toward this remote goal the authors designed a procedure allowing in vitro cell targeting by retroviruses. Biotinylated antibodies against the viral envelope protein on one side, and against specific cell membrane markers on the other side, were bridged by streptavidin and used to link the virus to the host. The method was successfully used to infect human cells with ecotropic murine retroviruses by means of major histocompatibility complex class I and class II antigens and appears easily adaptable to other cell, membrane markers. Moreover, the sequential protocol they design, although allowing infection of human cells, requires less stringent safety constraints than would handling of amphotropic virus stocks.
A semi-empirical relation which can be used to determine the total attenuation cross sections of samples containing H, C, N and O in the energy range 145-1332 keV has been derived based on the total attenuation cross sections of several sugars, amino acids and fatty acids. The cross sections have been measured by performing transmission experiments in a narrow beam good geometry set-up by employing a high-resolution hyperpure germanium detector at seven energies of biological importance such as 145.4 keV, 279.2 keV, 514 keV, 661.6 keV, 1115.5 keV, 1173.2 keV and 1332.1 keV. The semi-empirical relation can reproduce the experimental values within 1-2%. The total attenuation cross sections of five elements carbon, aluminium, titanium, copper and zirconium measured in the same experimental set-up at the energies mentioned above have been used in a new matrix method to evaluate the effective atomic numbers and the effective electron densities of samples such as ...
The authors emphasize the importance of stability in biological standards and discuss the steps taken to ensure the stability of International Standards and the theoretical basis of the various stability...Full Text Available
... L. Sutton. 2000. Is the aquatic weed hygrophila, Hygrophila polysperma (Polemoniales: Acanthaceae), a suitable target for classical biological ... ...
The basic biology of the menstrual cycle is a complex, coordinated sequence of events involving the hypothalamus, anterior pituitary, ovary, and endometrium. The menstrual cycle with all its...Full Text Available
Models can be useful at many different levels when considering complex issues such as biological control of mosquitoes. At an early stage, exploratory models are valuable in exploring the characteristics...Full Text Available
The Liver Carcinogenesis Section uses the modern technologies of molecular biology, cell biology, protein chemistry and genetics to investigate the biochemical and genetic pathways involved in human liver cancer.
Aging is a biological process that affects most cells, organisms and species. Human aging is associated with increased susceptibility to a variety of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease,...Full Text Available
Genetics, Genomics, and Molecular Biology USGS scientists develop and integrate new genetic and molecular techniques into systematic analyses to describe individuals and populations of fish .....
The production methods for seven radioisotopes, Ga-67, Sr-85, Pd-103, In-111, Tu-167, Hg-197 and Pb-203, by using a classical 1.5m cyclotron in the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, USSR, are described. At present, more than 50 cyclotrons in different countries are used for the production of radioisotopes applied to medicine. Radioisotopes are produced with the cyclotron in the I.Ph.P.E. in the form of irradiated targets, which are delivered to Moscow radiopharmaceutical factory, where radiopharmaceuticals are produced on the base of these targets. The cyclotron is operated in two regimes providing the acceleration of protons, deuterons and alpha -particles. Two types of target assemblies are used for irradiation, the one is intended for the internal beam, and the other is for the external beam. The reactions used for the production of seven radioisotopes described above, the types of targets, particle ...
The production methods for seven radioisotopes, Ga-67, Sr-85, Pd-103, In-111, Tm-167, Hg-197 and Pb-203, by using a classical 1.5m cyclotron in the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, USSR, are described. At present, more than 50 cyclotrons in different countries are used for the production of radioisotopes applied to medicine. Radioisotopes are produced with the cyclotron in the I.Ph.P.E. in the form of irradiated targets, which are delivered to Moscow radiopharmaceutical factory, where radiopharmaceuticals are produced on the base of these targets. The cyclotron is operated in two regimes providing the acceleration of protons, deuterons and alpha -particles. Two types of target assemblies are used for irradiation, the one is intended for the internal beam, and the other is for the external beam. The reactions used for the production of seven radioisotopes described above, the types of targets, particle ...
The purpose of the study is to investigate the heat transfer augmentation method for a wavy channel type heat exchanger. Experimental studies were carried out, by installation of flow guide-plates with simple structure, to clarify the effects on the augmentation whether the effects are brought by the flow acceleration or by the increase of intensity of turbulence due to the flow seperation, and to determine optimum shape of flow guide-plates. The shape and dimensions of the experimental apparatus are as follows; channel width H of 30 mm, rectangular section with breadth of 300 mm, wavy duct with a bend angle of 60/sup 0/ and straight pipe of 2H length. Air stream was flowed through the duct with Reynolds number of 1.7 x 10/sup 4/ only. As the results, following conclusions were obtained. (1) Wavy duct with large bend angle and without inserting flow guide-plates could not be expected large effects on the heat transfer augmentation. (2) An ...
The purpose of this study is to determine the suitability of producing agro-fiber reinforced plastic composite (agro-FRPC) from rubber wood fiber blended in polypropylene matrix. The effects of varying fiber dimension and fiber content on the physical and mechanical properties of the composite were evaluated to provide an insight into the fiber matrix adhesion. The effects of reactive additives on the physical and mechanical properties of the composite were evaluated which provides the insight on the reinforcement of the composite. Rubber wood fiber used in this study is currently being used in the manufacturing of medium density fiber (MDF) board. Two sizes of rubber wood fiber were used i.e. 0.5-1.0 mm and 1.0-2.0 mm. Homopolymer polypropylene of MFI 14.0 was used as a matrix. The irradiation work was carried out using electron beam accelerator, 3.0 MeV, 3.0 mA. Various types of reactive additives (RA) with mono-functional, di-functional, ...
Authors developed a C-arm type radiosurgery system of the linear accelerator suitable for stereotactic radiation therapy and a software for arranging 3-dimensional therapy in the system. In this system, the gantry far conical irradiation of 4 MV (0.6-3 Gy/min) and 6 MV (0.9-4.5 Gy/min) X ray or electron beam for the therapy was connected to a newly designed C-arm and was made capable of rotating around either of the axes crossing vertically. With this system, it became unnecessary to move the bed table of the patient for getting suitable distribution of radiation dose. The local accuracy which was measured by the CCD videocamera on the gantry, was within 0.5 mm from the radiation center. The system made it possible to shorten the irradiation time and to improve the local accuracy of irradiating site. The clinical trial was begun from June, 1996. (K.H.)
Optimization of radiation shielding for a medium energy accelerator with 60 MeV alpha ions is carried out using the cost-benefit approach. Cost optimum shield thicknesses are estimated for different operating conditions of the accelerator. (author). 5 refs, 1 tab.
Based on the assumption that an accelerated proliferation process prevails in tumour cell residues after surgery, the possibility that treatment acceleration would offer a therapeutic advantage in postoperative...Full Text Available
A general model for wakefield-generated instabilities in linear accelerators, originally developed for cumulative beam breakup [1], is applied to the resistive wall instability. The general solution for various bunch charge distributions and application to various accelerator configurations are presented.
Ion acceleration has now been demonstrated with the IFA-2 collective ion accelerator system. The IFA-2 system is described, photoionization experiments are summarized, and ion results are presented. Using a 1 MeV electron beam and a 30 cm acceleration length, IFA-2 has produced 5 MeV H/sup +/, 10 MeV D/sup +/, and 20 MeV He/sup + +/. This means that accelerating fields of 33 MV/m over 30 cm have been achieved with a controlled collective accelerator for the first time.
The major projects of the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Accelerator Technology Division are discussed, covering activities that occurred during the first six months of calendar 1982.
-Ecophysiological and floristic study of the lichen communities in .... Plasticity of the Lichen Catillaria corymbosa in Different Microhabitats of the ...
With the aim of preparing carrier-free "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca simultaneously, Ti, V and Fe targets were examined by irradiating with high-energy ions of "1"2C, "1"4N and "1"6O accelerated by the RIKEN ring cyclotron. Among the targets, V gave the highest cross section for the formation of both "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca irrespective of the kind of beams. The cross section for the formation of "2"8Mg by the reactions of Ti, V and Fe targets with ion beams increased in the order of "1"2C<"1"6O<"1"4N. On the other hand, the three beams exhibited almost the same cross sections for the formation of "4"7Ca by the reaction of a given target. Titanium and V were selected as prospective targets and "1"4N as a suitable beam for the production of "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca. Chemical separation procedures of the radiotracers in carrier- and salt-free states have been established by using cation exchange resins. The recovery yields of "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca from Ti target were 70 and 90%, ...
The number of reports concerning the chemical toxicology of metals which are released in the environment by natural as well as anthropogenic sources, have been increasing constantly. Lead, cadmium, and manganese have found a variety of uses in industry, craft, and agriculture owing to their physical and chemical properties. The environmental burden of heavy metals has been rising substantially by smelter emission in air and waste sewage in water. Further, organic compounds of lead and manganese used as antiknock substances in gasoline are emitted into the atmosphere by automobile exhaustion. Such environmental contamination of air, water, soil, and food is a serious threat to all living kinds. Although these metals are known to produce their toxic effects on a variety of body systems, much emphasis has been placed on their effects on the nervous system owing to apparent association of relatively low or ''subclinical'' levels of metallic exposure with ...
A study of mine-waste contamination effects on Methow River habitat on the eastern slopes of the north Cascade Mountains in Washington state, U.S.A., revealed impacts at ecosystem, community, population, individual, tissue, and cellular levels. Ore deposits in the area were mined for gold, silver, copper and zinc until the early 1950's, but the mines are now inactive. An above-and-below-mine approach was used to compare potentially impacted to control sites. The concentrations of eleven trace elements (i.e., Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn) in Methow River sediments downstream from the abandoned mine sites were higher than background levels. Exposed trout and caddisfly larvae in the Methow River showed reduced growth compared to controls. Samples of liver from juvenile trout and small intestine from exposed caddisfly larvae were examined for evidence of metal accumulation, cytopathological change, and chemical toxicity. Morphological changes that are ...
Apoptosis is a pattern of cell death involving nuclear pycnosis, cytoplasmic condensation, and karyorrhexis. Apoptosis induced by continuous irradiation with gamma rays (externally given by a 137Cs source) or with beta rays (from tritiated water injected ip) was quantified in the crypts of two portions of mouse bowel, the small intestine and descending colon. The time-course change in the incidence of apoptosis after each type of radiation could be explained on the basis of the innate circadian rhythm of the cells susceptible to apoptotic death and of the excretion of tritiated water (HTO) from the body. For 6-h continuous gamma irradiation at various dose rates (0.6-480 mGy/h) and for 6 h after injection of HTO of various radioactivities (0.15-150 GBq per kg body wt), the relationships between dose and incidence of apoptosis were obtained. Survival curves were then constructed from the curves for dose vs incidence of apoptosis. For the calculation of the absorbed ...
Linearly polarized laser radiation accelerates electrons to very high velocities and these electron form a sheath layer on the rear side of thin targets where preferentially protons are accelerated. When mass-limited targets are used, the lateral transport of the absorbed laser energy is reduced and the accelerating field is enhanced. For targets consisting of two ion species, heavier ions facilitate formation of quasi-monoenergetic bunch of lighter ions. For circularly polarized light, fast electron production is suppressed by the absence of the oscillatory component of the ponderomotive force. Ions are accelerated on the front side by the separation field and very thin foil can be accelerated as one massive quasi-neutral block. As all ion species acquire the same velocity, this acceleration mechanism is preferred for heavier ions.
Recently, various types of allogeneic skin substitutes including cultured epidermal substitute (CES), cultured dermal substitute (CDS), and cultured skin substitute (CSS), which are composed of keratinocytes and/or fibroblasts as the cellular component(s), have been used as biological wound dressings. In our study, the allogeneic CDS was prepared by plating fibroblasts on a spongy collagen. The clinical evaluation was conducted using fresh or cryopreserved allogeneic CDS. In 145 of our clinical cases, 95% (138/145) of various wounds were evaluated as achieving good or excellent results, including 96% (22/23) of deep dermal burns (DDB) and dermal burns (DB), 100% (53/53) of partial-thickness donor wounds, 91% (21/23) of traumatic skin defects, 100% (5/5) of pressure ulcers, 82% (9/11) of chronic skin ulcers, 100% (6/6) of coverage for debrided DB, and 92% (22/24) of coverage for autologous meshed graft. The results obtained in our study suggest ...
Delusional beliefs are characteristic of psychosis and, of the delusions, the paranoid delusion is the single most common type associated with psychosis. The many years of research focused on neurocognition in schizophrenia, using standardized neurocognitive tests, have failed to find conclusive cognitive deficits in relation to positive symptoms. However, UK-based psychological research has identified sociocognitive anomalies in relation to paranoid thinking in the form of theory of mind (ToM), causal reasoning and threat-related processing anomalies. Drawing from recent neuroscientific research on the default mode network, this paper asserts that the common theme running through the psychological tests that are sensitive to the cognitive impairment of paranoia is the need to cognitively project the self through time, referred to as mental time travel. Such an understanding of the cognitive roots of paranoid ideation provides a synthesis between psychological and ...
The potential to increase the productivity of fuel straw harvest and transportation was examined. When harvesting straw for energy purposes, only the long fraction is currently collected. However, technological improvements have now rendered it possible to harvest chaff, thus increasing the amount of harvest residues and bale density. The purpose of this study was to determine how harvest yield, bale density, field-drying behaviour and combustion characteristics are affected by the simultaneous harvest of straw and chaff. Field experiments were conducted in 2009 for long- and short-stalked winter wheat crops. Combine harvesting was carried out with 2 different types of combine harvesters. A high-density baler was used to bale the crop residues. Mixing chaff in with the straw swath by combine harvesting gave a lower initial moisture content compared with straw only. The density and the weight of each bale were not affected by the treatments. However, the added chaff ...
The Earth`s troposphere and hydrosphere contain abundant naturally generated dust. The ultimate source materials from which the terrestrially produced dust is generated are the various rock types exposed at the Earth`s surface. Natural dust is a composite of (1) lithic, primary mineral grains; (2) mineral grains formed by secondary chemical reactions; (3) volcanic ash and dust; (4) salts from sea sprays; (5) extra-terrestrial dust; and (6) biologic materials. In this paper the various pathways to the natural generation of dust (via the hydrologic cycle) will be discussed, and two geologically well-known natural dust sources will be described, paying particular attention to quantitative measurements of the dusts from these areas. General dust studies that provide data on possibly global background levels will be presented as well.. A few general aspects of the mineralogical characterization of dust particles and a discussion of some of the ...
The preliminary study of the {sup 129}I distribution has allowed to underline the limits of use of a Homalotecium sericeum type terrestrial moss as biological indicator. However, this preliminary study allowed all the same to give a spatial distribution of this radioelement around La Hague reprocessing plant (source term) that underlines the existence of four geographic areas in function of collected activities. The levels are generally under 99 Bq/kg dry. It is recommended to improve the knowledge that we can have of transfers and quantity of iodine 129 from the marine environment to the terrestrial environment, but also, the one that we can have of factors able to modify the spatial distribution of this radionuclide. (N.C.)
Advanced proteomic research efforts involving areas such as systems biology or biomarker discovery are enabled by the use of high level informatics tools that allow the effective analysis of large quantities of differing types of data originating from various studies. Performing such analyses on a large scale is not feasible without a computational platform that performs data processing and management tasks. Such a platform must be able to provide high-throughput operation while having sufficient flexibility to accommodate evolving data analysis tools and methodologies. The Proteomics Research Information Storage and Management System (PRISM) provides a platform that serves the needs of the accurate mass and time tag approach developed at PNNL. PRISM incorporates a diverse set of analysis tools and allows a wide range of operations to be incorporated by using a state machine that is accessible to independent, distributed computational nodes. ...
The Project ``Middle School Integrated Science, Mathematics and Technology Curriculum`` had two goals: (1) to survey the literature of energy education; and (2) to develop a theme for a possible integrated middle school energy based curriculum. We aimed to respond to the challenge of developing thematic integrated curricula as advocated by the NSTA, AAAS and other organizations analyzing the future of American science and mathematics education. The survey of middle school energy curriculum materials has been completed. A list of the resources surveyed are included in this report. Though many energy based curriculum materials have been produced, none of them appears to be broadly disseminated throughout the country. Some energy based curriculum materials are far less well developed than others. We found that an integrated set of modular materials concerning the energy based theme of light and optics does not now exist. If they were developed, they could be broadly disseminated ...
Gas transmission pipelines are susceptible to both internal (gas side) and external (soil side) corrosion attack. Internal corrosion is caused by the presence of salt laden moisture, CO{sub 2}, H{sub 2}S, and perhaps O{sub 2} in the natural gas. Internal corrosion usually manifests itself as general corrosion. However, the presence of chlorides in entrained water also can lead to pitting corrosion damage. The electrochemical noise technique can differentiate general from localized corrosion and provide estimates of corrosion rates without external perturbation of the corroding system. It is increasingly being applied to field and industrial installations for in situ corrosion monitoring. It has been used here to determine its suitability for monitoring internal and external corrosion damage on gas transmission pipelines. Corrosion measurements were made in three types of environments: (1) aqueous solutions typical of those found within gas pipelines in equilibrium ...
Emissions of nitric oxide from soils of equatorial rain forest were measured in the Dimonika Natural Park (4 degrees 30'S, 12 degrees 30'E) in the Mayombe Forest in Congo. Three research campaigns were carried out in June and July 1991 and in February 1992. Fluxes were measured by dynamic chamber techniques using a chemiluminescence instrument Scintrex LMA3. NO fluxes measured on natural soils are in between 5 and 17x10[sup 9] molecules cm[sup -2]s[sup -1]; they are of the same order of magnitude as those observed in similar tropical forest media. Soil treatment experiments show that the auto-decomposition of HNO[sub 2] in these acid soils (pH 4) (chemodenitrification) is a potentially important cause of nitric oxide production in this type of ecosystem. Nitrous acid comes from autotrophic nitrification all the year around, and also from biological denitrification, shown by N[sub 2]O emissions, during the rainy season. The ...
Mining lakes are of a world-wide challenging problem caused by the well known acid mine drainage (AMD) and the dynamics of it. In the past, there was no possibility to monitor these mining lakes for an investigation of chemical and biological parameters. But, in general, remote sensing methods are suitable for a monitoring of natural lakes, and now, at the first time, those can be used for a distinction of acid mining lakes in central Germany into different types. In acid mining lakes unusual absorption and scattering properties exist due to the water constituents which are quite different in their optical properties to those of natural lakes. The artificial lakes show high concentrations of metal ions and compounds. This fact was used to discriminate the mining lakes into initial stage, early stage, transitional state and late state. The result is a map of the area where the mining lakes are presented at their current stage. The present method ...
For the purpose of risk estimates from radiation carcinogenesis including leukemogenesis and radiation genetic effects, the biological significant dose is not the tissue kerma in air but the absorbed dose in organ or tissue with respect to carcinogenic and leukemogenic effects or genetic effects. In order to estimate organ or tissue dose from the tissue kerma in air, a ratio of the organ or tissue dose to the tissue kerma in air for survivors in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was calculated with the aid of the Snyder's mathematical phantoms constructed so as to simulate the body shape of survivors aged 5, 10 years old and adult at the time of atomic bomb detonations. The ratios were corrected for the angular distribution of atomic bomb radiations, assuming an anisotropic angular distribution for the survivors exposed to the atomic bombs in open air and the isotropic distribution for the survivors incide a Japanese house or other structures. The resultant ratios are ...
Vegetation is a key compartment of ecosystems. It contains a large part of the biodiversity at the species level. For the evaluation of critical loads, we have to separate different receptors: lower plants (algae, fungi, lichens and mosses) and vascular plants. Trees must be distinguished due to their economic value. We analyze the different changes that pollution produces on vegetation: the state of health of individuals, changes in the biology and genetics at the population level, changes in the biodiversity or the specific composition at the community level. Calculation of critical loads is based on observational or experimental studies, in more or less controlled environments. However, they cannot yet be obtained through models of vegetation changes. Some results have been acquired at the European level, mainly for critical loads for nitrogen, but these results have come mostly from Northern Europe. Moreover, only heathlands and acidic forests have been studied ...
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in concern over the health and safety aspects of high voltage transmission lines (HVTL). The majority of research has focused on effects directly or indirectly involved with the central nervous system, including physiological, ultrastructural, and biochemical alterations, changes in blood composition, behaviour, reproduction, and development. Several recent epidemiological reports have presented preliminary data suggesting an increase in the incidence of cancer among children and adults exposed to magnetic fields through living close to various types of electrical power lines or devices. With the increase in environmental concerns there has been a concomitant consideration of biological effects and health implications related to presently existing HVTL and those planned in the future. It was concluded that the electric and magnetic field strengths and the electrical discharges are the most ...
Persons with a thermolabile form of the enzyme 5,10 methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) have reduced enzyme activity and increased plasma homocysteine which can be lowered by supplemental folic acid. Thermolability of the enzyme has recently been shown to be caused by a common mutation (677C{sup {r_arrow}}T) in the MTHFR gene. We studied 41 fibroblast cultures from NTD-affected fetuses and compared their genotypes with those of 109 blood specimens from individuals in the general population. 677C{sup {r_arrow}}T homozygosity was associated with a 7.2 fold increased risk for NTDs (95% confidence interval: 1.8-30.3; p value: 0.001). These preliminary data suggest that the 677C{sup {r_arrow}}T polymorphism of the MTHFR gene is a risk factor for spina bifida and anencephaly that may provide a partial biologic explanation for why folic acid prevents these types of NTD. 13 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
Crenarchaea are ubiquitous and abundant microbial constituents of soils, sediments, lakes and ocean waters, yet relatively little is known about their fundamental evolutionary, ecological, and physiological properties. To better describe the ubiquitous nonthermophilic Crenarchaea, we analyzed the genome sequence of one representative, the uncultivated sponge symbiont, Cenarchaeum symbiosum. C. symbiosum genotypes coinhabiting the same host partitioned into two dominant populations, corresponding to previously described a- and b-type ribosomal RNA variants. Although synthetic, overlapping a- and b-type ribotypes harbored significant genetic variability. A single tiling path comprising the dominant a-type genotype was assembled, and used to explore the biological properties of C. symbiosum and its planktonic relatives. Out of a total of 2,066 predicted open reading frames, 36% were more highly conserved ...
In Korea, the Proton Engineering Frontier Project (PEFP) is building a proton linear accelerator facility with energy up to 100MeV and a beam current of 20mA. In this study, a radiation field after shutdown in the accelerator facility of the PEFP was evaluated for the purpose of the radiation shielding by using MCNPX code. A facility modeling was performed for the accelerator tunnel building, accelerator chain, target rooms and beam experiment hall. And radiation source terms were evaluated in the facility. With this facility, model and radiation source terms, the concentration of 41Ar was evaluated and the cooling time satisfying regulation in Korea was calculated.
The current status of research and development in the realm of physics and technology of collective ion acceleration in systems with a virtual cathode (VC) is reviewed. Three major acceleration methods and devices developed on their basis are considered: reflex triodes and their modifications, gas-filled vircators, and vacuum vircators with a Luce diode. Experimental data are outlined and the principal physical models interpreting these data are described. New ion acceleration techniques whose realization involves the production and disappearance of the VC are also discussed. All methods of collective ion acceleration are compared and the possible ways for the further development of this promising scientific field are highlighted. (reviews of topical problems)
The detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus from various kinds of field samples (tissue extract and cell culture isolate) was studied using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The gene selected for diagnosis was the polymerase gene and an amplification target product of 454 bp in length was produced using AP5/AP6 primer sets. The PCR product was further examined by NcoI endonuclease digestion. The presence of the internal restriction site was confirmed by demonstration of two small fragments of 330 bp and 124 bp in length. Forty-nine samples that gave positive and negative results by ELISA typing and were positive by the PCR test were tested by NcoI digestion to confirm the results. About 10% of PCR products could not be confirmed by the method. Furthermore the FMD RNA polymerase gene could be detected by the PCR method in samples negative in both ELISA typing and the virus isolation test. A total of 23 samples were examined ...
Full text: An adaptive response is a decreased biological effect induced by a priming radiation dose given prior to a challenge dose. Adaptive responses contradict the linear-nothreshold model of risk estimation. The pKZ1 mouse chromosomal inversion assay is an extremely sensitive assay for studying the mutagenic effect of low dose radiation. A non-linear dose response for chromosomal inversion has been observed in pKZ1 spleen and prostate after a single whole body irradiation with doses between 1?Gy and 10mGy. Doses between 5-10?Gy resulted in an induction in inversions and doses between 1-10mGy resulted in a reduction below endogenous inversion frequency. These results suggest that doses in the 1-10 mGy range cause host responses which overcompensate by not only preventing inversions that would normally occur as a result of the low doses of radiation but also by preventing some of the endogenous inversions that would have occurred in the absence of radiation. It ...
The Advanced Photon Source consists of five accelerators. The injection timing system provides the signals required to cause a bunch emitted from the electron gun to navigate through intermediate accelerators to a specific bucket (1 out of 1296) within the storage ring. Two linacs and a positron accumulator ring operate at 60Hz while a booster synchrotron ramps and injects into the storage ring at 2Hz. The distributed, modular VME/VXI-based injection timing system is controlled by two EPICS-based input/output controllers (IOCs). Over 40 VME/VXI cards have been developed to implement the system. Card types range from 352MHz VXI timing modules to VME-based fiber optic fanouts and logic translators/drivers. All timing is distributed with fiber optics. Timing references are derived directly from machine low-level rf of 9.77MHz and 352MHz. The timing references provide triggers to programmable delay generators. Three grades of ...
Vacuum insulation panels (VIP) offer excellent thermal resistance properties that can enhance the energy efficiency of insulating systems, save space and contribute to energy consumption reductions. However, VIPs are not used much in Canada, and new commitments to carbon dioxide reductions has created the need to study the prospect of using VIPs in various components of a building envelope. For that reason, assessment methods for the applicability and sustainability of VIPs for use in building envelope construction were developed. There are practical aspects regarding the long-term performance and application of VIPs in building construction. Air molecules and water molecules can permeate through the foil and seams of the VIPs, causing a reduction in thermal resistance. This paper addresses some of the test methods that may accelerate long term changes in thermal resistance. Results were presented from tests using elevated pressure, relative humidity and ...
In radiotherapy treatment planning, convolution/superposition algorithms currently represent the best practical approach for accurate photon dose calculation in heterogeneous tissues. In this work, the implementation, accuracy and performance of the FFT convolution (FFTC) and multigrid superposition (MGS) algorithms are presented. The FFTC and MGS models use the same 'TERMA' calculation and are commissioned using the same parameters. Both models use the same spectra, incorporate the same off-axis softening and base incident lateral fluence on the same measurements. In addition, corrections are explicitly applied to the polyenergetic and parallel kernel approximations, and electron contamination is modelled. Spectra generated by Monte Carlo (MC) modelling of treatment heads are used. Calculations using the MC spectra were in excellent agreement with measurements for many linear acceleratortypes. To speed up the calculations, a number of ...
A 450 MeV Synchrotron Radiation Source, Indus-1 is being constructed at Centre for Advanced Technology at Indore in central India. This paper narrates our experience in construction and alignment of synchrotron machines which was first of its kind for most of us. Careful design, planning and execution of the work yielded modest results so that alignment accuracies between 0.1 to 0.3 mm could be achieved (in booster synchrotron) and, which have proved to be adequate up till now. The building of the SRS complex was constructed such that machine rings have their foundations isolated from rest of the building. A number of 100 x 150 mm size steel plates were embedded in the concrete of floor and walls to serve as base for reference surveying marks which were established later. The pre-injector and booster ring are enclosed in a radiation shielding zone with separate ventilation system. Dipoles, quadrupoles and a few sextupoles were fiducialised during their field mappings; on a CNC ...
Understanding the dependence and interplay between architecture and function in biological networks has great relevance to disease progression, biological fabrication and biological systems in general. Recent research in complex systems and networks, presents methods to properly mine the architectural interdependence in networks. Guided by such work, we propose methods to associate organism characteristics with network topology by analyzing a large number of architectural patterns. We adopt an automated approach using 11 topological metrics from complex networks to characterize a collection of various kinds of biological networks. Principal component analysis and clustering allow us to extract the indispensable, independent and informative metrics. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we observe that organism characteristics associate with these metrics, surprisingly well. This work can serve as a ...
This paper describes the structure of dynamic neuronal ensembles (DNEs). DNEs represent a new paradigm for learning, based on biological neural networks that use variable structures. We present a computational neural element that demonstrates biological neuron functionality such as neurotransmitter feedback absolute refractory period and multiple output potentials. More specifically, we will develop a network of neural elements that have the ability to dynamically strengthen, weaken, add and remove interconnections. We demonstrate that the DNE is capable of performing dynamic modifications to neuron connections and exhibiting biological neuron functionality. In addition to its applications for learning, DNEs provide an excellent environment for testing and analysis of biological neural systems. An example of habituation and hyper-sensitization in biological systems, using a neural ...
Since the mid-1990s, nuclear power plants in Korea have experienced wall thinning, leaks, and ruptures of secondary side piping caused by flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC). The pipe failures have increased as operating time progresses. In order to prevent the FAC-induced pipe failures and to develop an effective FAC management strategy, KEPRI and KOPEC have conducted a study for developing systematic FAC management technology for secondary side piping of all Korean nuclear power plants. As a part of the study, FAC analyses were performed using the CHECWORKS code. The analysis results were used to select components for inspection and to determine inspection intervals on each nuclear power plant. This paper describes the introduction of the FAC analysis method and the wall thinning trend analysis results by reactor type, system, and water treatment amine. This paper also represents the site application feasibility for secondary side piping ...
When the history of neutrons is considered, three large discoveries are recalled, that is, the discovery of neutrons by Chadwick in 1932, the discovery of the nuclear fission of uranium by Hahn and Strassmann in 1938, and the continuation of chain reaction in nuclear fission by Fermi and others in 1942. In neutron capture reaction, the reaction cross section can become very large. The fields of research, to which neutrons have contributed most as the experimental probe, are neutron activation analysis and neutron diffraction. The development of the prompt gamma ray analyzer at the JRR-3M in Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute is reported. This method eliminates the various defects in ordinary neutron activation analysis. By installing the cold neutron source with hydrogen cooling in the JRR-3M, the new field of research was opened. As the combination of a lead-moderated spectrometer and an electron beam typeaccelerator, the Kyoto University ...
The authors report that the replacement of Leu-93 in bacteriorhodopsin by Ala (L93A) or Thr (L93T) slows down the photocycle by approximately 100-fold relative to wild-type bacteriorhodopsin. Time-resolved visible absorption spectroscopy and resonance Raman experiments, respectively, show the presence of long-lived O-like and N-like intermediates in the photocycles of the above mutants. We infer the existence of an equilibrium between the N and O intermediates in the photocycles of these mutants. The L93A and L93T mutants exhibit normal proton pumping under continuous illumination, suggesting that the decay of the N and/or O intermediate, and consequently, proton translocation, can be accelerated by the absorption of a second photon. Since the 13-cis----all-trans reisomerization of retinal is completed during the decay of the N and O intermediates, they conclude that the interaction of Leu-93 with retinal is important in this phase of the ...
The canonical quantum theory of gravity-quantum geometrodynamics (QG)-is applied to the homogeneous Bianchi type IX cosmological model. As a result, a framework for the quantum theory of homogeneous cosmologies is developed. We show that the theory is internally consistent and prove that it possesses the correct classical limit (the theory of general relativity). To emphasize the special role that the constraints play in this new theory, we compare it to the traditional ADM square-root and Wheeler-DeWitt quantization schemes. We show that, unlike traditional approaches, QG leads to a well-defined Schroedinger equation for the wavefunction of the universe that is inherently coupled to the expectation value of the constraint equations. This coupling to the constraints is responsible for the appearance of a coherent spacetime picture. Thus, the physical meaning of the constraints of the theory is quite different from Dirac's interpretation. In light of this ...
The canonical quantum theory of gravity-quantum geometrodynamics (QG)-is applied to the homogeneous Bianchi type IX cosmological model. As a result, a framework for the quantum theory of homogeneous cosmologies is developed. We show that the theory is internally consistent and prove that it possesses the correct classical limit (the theory of general relativity). To emphasize the special role that the constraints play in this new theory, we compare it to the traditional ADM square-root and Wheeler-DeWitt quantization schemes. We show that, unlike traditional approaches, QG leads to a well-defined Schroedinger equation for the wavefunction of the universe that is inherently coupled to the expectation value of the constraint equations. This coupling to the constraints is responsible for the appearance of a coherent spacetime picture. Thus, the physical meaning of the constraints of the theory is quite different from Dirac's interpretation. In light of this ...
In a PWR type reactor, a primary coolant circuit system using a steam generator is adopted in order to accelerate depressurization of a primary coolant circuit upon small rupture LOCA in which the pressure of the primary coolant circuit is moderately depressurized. A secondary coolant circuit depressurization valve is disposed to a main steam pipeline. The valve has a performance of automatically opening to remove heat by evaporation of water stored in SG for a short period of time when the pressure in the primary circuit is decreased to about 50kg/cm[sup 2] upon occurrence of LOCA or the like. Then, the secondary side of the SG is depressurized to about atmospheric pressure and gravitational water injection from a condensate tank is started. Further, a gas vent valve is disposed to a water chamber of the steam generator. The valve has a performance of automatically opening to discharge incondensible gas mixed to the primary coolant circuit to ...
A complete heavy ion identification system in heavy ion reaction studies consists, in general, of: 1) a position sensitive avalanche counter, and 2) ionization chamber to obtain total energy as well as a heavy ion identifier signal (such as the E#DELTA#E signal from a E-#DELTA#E type detector or the height of the Bragg peak that scales as Z of the heavy ion in a Bragg curve ionization chamber). In addition, a time-of-flight information may be needed to resolve the masses of the ions. With this motivation in mind, a composite detector system consisting of a Bragg curve spectroscopy ionization chamber (BCS-IC) and a one dimensional position sensitive parallel grid avalanche counter (XPS-PGAC) has been developed and used successfully at the BARC-TIFR pelletron accelerator facility. The design and performance of this gas detector system are reported. (author). 4 refs., 2 figs.
Dehydrins, a subfamily of group 2 LEA proteins, are intrinsically unstructured plant proteins that accumulate in the late stages of seed development and in vegetative tissues subjected to water deficit, salinity, low temperature, or abscisic acid treatment. In this study, we isolated and characterized ZmDHN2b, a maize dehydrin gene. The genomic organization of the ZmDHN2b gene and its expression in maize seedlings were analyzed. To investigate the function of ZmDHN2b, we generated transgenic tobacco plants constitutively overexpressing ZmDHN2b. Ectopic expression of ZmDHN2b in tobacco accelerated seed germination and seedling growth at 15?C. Furthermore, ZmDHN2b-overexpressing lines had lower levels of cold-induced malondialdehyde and less electrolyte leakage than wild-type tobacco at 4?C....
Constraints on the original Cardassian model and the modified polytropic Cardassian model are examined from the latest derived 397 Type Ia supernova (SNe Ia) data, the size of baryonic acoustic oscillation peak from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the position of first acoustic peak of the Cosmic Microwave Background radiation (CMB) from the five years Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), the x-ray gas mass fractions in clusters of galaxies, and the observational H(z) data. In the original Cardassian model with these combined data set, we find $\\Omega_{m0}=0.271^{+0.014}_{-0.014}, n=0.035^{+0.049}_{-0.049}$ at $1 \\sigma$ confidence level. And in the modified polytropic Cardassian model, we find that $\\Omega_{m0}=0.271^{+0.014}_{-0.015}$, $n=-0.091^{+0.331}_{-1.908}$ and $\\beta=0.824^{+0.750}_{-0.622}$ within $1\\sigma$ confidence level. According to these observations, the acceleration of the universe begins at ...
LOCA (Loss of coolant accident) resistant heat-shrinkable polymeric products are widely used for the connection of LV cables for class 1E systems inside the containment area of nuclear power plants. The paper/presentation describes the verification of a reformulated compound for these products, where certain components of the compound formulation had to be substituted. A qualification programme with this so-called reformulated compound was undertaken to proof the equivalency of the products to the products made out of the original compound. The basic elements of this requalification project were material qualification tests including accelerated aging tests according to the arrhenius method and type tests in accordance to IEEE 383, including flammability tests. The test results showed that the products made out of the reformulated compound were similar in fit, form and function to the original products. Additional tests have also proven higher ...
In order to improve the long term reliability of lead-salt diode lasers, ohmic contacts of multilayer, thin-film structures consisting of In plus Au, Pt, Ni, and Pd have been studied. Diode lasers of PbSnTe fabricated with a variety of contacts were tested during room-temperature storage and during accelerated aging tests. The results show that contact reliablility can be improved when multiple overlapping films are used. After 4500 h of baking at 60 /sup 0/C, lasers with In-Au-Pd-Au contacts on both sides showed the least resistance increase (10%). For lasers with In-Au-Pt-Au contacts, 1 h of baking at 60 /sup 0/C is equivalent to 2 d storage at room temperature. Extrapolating these results, a 70% increase in contact resistance is expected for this type of laser after 9000 d of storage at room temperture. Our data also suggests that a smaller increase in contact resistance can be expected for lasers fabricated with In-Au-Ni-Au and In-Au-Pd-Au ...
Perforated thermoplastic masks are used to provide patients immobilization. This procedure inserts a material in the path of the radiation beam, that attenuates and modifies the beam fluence and flatness. The present study evaluates the increase in skin dose as a result of using thermoplastic masks. Relative doses were measured on the surface of a solid water phantom, in the presence and absence of masks. These masks were stretched according to deformation patterns observed in clinical routine. The measurements were obtained with a plane-parallel chamber (Markus type 23343) and radiochromic film (EBT Gafchromic) for 6MV X-rays from a linear accelerator, and for a radiation beam from a cobalt therapy unit. The results showed that thermoplastic masks, whose thickness varied between 2 and 3 mm, increased the dose on the surface by a factor of 3. Due to the variations in the skin dose distribution, clinical procedures were suggested to minimize ...
Perforated thermoplastic masks are used to provide patients immobilization. This procedure inserts a material in the path of the radiation beam, that attenuates and modifies the beam fluence and flatness. The present study evaluates the increase in skin dose as a result of using thermoplastic masks. Relative doses were measured on the surface of a solid water phantom, in the presence and absence of masks. These masks were stretched according to deformation patterns observed in clinical routine. The measurements were obtained with a plane-parallel chamber (Markus type 23343) and radiochromic film (EBT Gafchromic) for 6MV X-rays from a linear accelerator, and for a radiation beam from a cobalt therapy unit. The results showed that thermoplastic masks, whose thickness varied between 2 and 3 mm, increased the dose on the surface by a factor of 3. Due to the variations in the skin dose distribution, clinical procedures were suggested to minimize ...
The authors have designed and constructed four types of electron-beam diodes for the new 4-MV RLA injector: a non-immersed foilless diode, a magnetically immersed foilless diode, a foil diode and an ion-focused foilless diode, They are tailored to fit the new injector cavity. The design goals were to produce high quality 10-kA to 20-kA electron beams with a #beta# perpendicular smaller than 0.2 and a beam radius of the order of 2 cm. These beams will be matched to the RLA IFR channel so #beta# perpendicular must be equal to or smaller than the square root of the ratio of the beam current versus Alfven current for f_e = 1. A reentrant anode geometry was selected for the injector cavity design, because it offers substantial savings on the required amount of feromagnetic cores. The inner radius of the outside shell, now only 30 cm, would have been twice as large (60 cm) if a coaxial non-reentrant geometry had been adopted. The shape of the anode and cathode electrodes ...
One of the issues identified in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission`s Nuclear Plant Aging Research program plan is the need to understand the state of ``mothballed`` or other out-of-service equipment to ensure subsequent safe operation. Programs for proper storage and preservation of materials and components are required by NRC regulations (10 CFR 50, Appendix B). However, materials and components have been seriously degraded due to improper storage, protection, or layup, at facilities under construction as well as those with operating licenses. Pacific Northwest Laboratory has evaluated management of aging for unstarted or mothballed nuclear power plants. The investigations revealed that no uniform guidance in the industry addresses reactor layup. In each case investigated, layup was not initiated in a timely manner, primarily because of schedule uncertainty. Hence, it is reasonable to assume that this delay resulted in accelerated aging of some ...
Experimental discussions were given on effect of V and W addition on the high temperature strength properties of 12% Cr-15% Mn austenite steels. The test samples were added with W at 0% to 3.5% and V at 0% to 0.5% in addition to C and N, and were given aging treatment or solution treatment. This paper describes the following matters on the results of high-temperature strength measurements and structural observation: A remarkable trend was observed that M23 Cb type carbides precipitate in the aging treatment, wherein aging hardening appears prominently which is attributable to ultra-fine deposits of vanadium nitride (VN) in the V-added material; the V addition is very effective in increasing the high-temperature tensile strength and creep fracture strength as compared with single W addition, wherein the said carbides that accelerate the precipitation as a result of the V addition make a large contribution, in addition to that by ultra-fine VN ...
A demonstration of the first mobile 'on-off' neutron radiography system, developed by Vought Corporation Advanced Technology Center, has been conducted at McClellan Air Force Base. On-site neutron radiography operations with the engineering model were carried out to demonstrate the potential of such a system for in situ detection of hidden moisture and corrosion in aircraft structures, and to assess the performance of the unique hardware system in a depot environment. Inspections were performed on F-111 and F-106 aircraft, and several structures removed from T-39 and A-10 aircraft were also inspected. The effectiveness of the new N-ray system for imaging moisture and corrosion was confirmed after subsequent removal of skins from some of the F-111 structures. Excellent correlation of radiographic images with actual moisture and corrosion damage was attained. Both film and real time/near real time neutron imaging were demonstrated. These results, coupled with the ...
The opportunity of exposure to high-energy radiation up to GeV is increasing as in civilian aircrafts and at particle accelerators. The transport of such energetic particle is still difficult to describe precisely and thus verification by measurement using a well characterized instrument is indispensable for reliable dosimetry. However, no reference calibration field has been established for the high-energy range. We thus propose to use a facility at the summit of Mt. Fuji (3776 m in altitude; N35.36o, E138.73o), the highest place in Japan, for characterization of radiation instruments that are possibly used in high-energy radiation fields. For demonstration of the effectiveness, two moderator-type neutron monitors (NCN1 and WENDI-II) having different energy response functions were employed for cosmic-ray neutron measurements in the summer of 2009. In comparison with numerically simulated values, it was found that the extended energy neutron ...
BackgroundPCR amplification for the detection of pathogens in biological material is generally considered a rapid and informative diagnostic technique. Invasive Salmonella...Full Text Available
Early on, intriguing biological activities were found associated with the EETs using in vitro systems. Although the EETs other than the 5,6-isomer, are quite stable chemically,...Full Text Available
... biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by high-voltage transmission lines have come under intense scrutiny, mostly with respect ... biological effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs...
In this study, we report the physico-chemical and biological properties of a novel biodegradable composite scaffold made of nano-hydroxyapatite and natural derived polymers of chitosan and carboxymethyl...Full Text Available
Cleavage of membrane-associated proteins with the release of biologically active macromolecules is an emerging theme in biology. However, little is known about the nature and regulation of the involved...Full Text Available
The polarity of biological mediums controls a host of physiological processes such as digestion, signaling, transportation, metabolism, and excretion. With the recent widespread use of near-infrared...Full Text Available
The plasma metabolic clearance of biologically active luteinizing hormone (bioactive LH) was studied using the rat interstitial cell testosterone (RICT) bioassay in six hypogonadotropic men after single...Full Text Available
The effective population size (Ne) is an important parameter in ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. It is, however, notoriously difficult to estimate,...Full Text Available
Electron spin resonance spectroscopy can provide a powerful approach to the study of radiation effects in biological materials. This memorandum gives an overview of current and future research. (author).
This study compared the effectiveness of collaborative group composition and instructional method on reasoning gains and achievement in college biology. Based on initial student reasoning ability (i.e.,...Full Text Available
AbstractThree biologic dressings [split-thickness allogeneic skin (STS)], allogeneic peritoneum (P), and xenogenic porcine small intestinal submucosa (PSIS)] were...Full Text Available
CF-23“The biggest stumbling block for biological sciences turned out to be synthetic organic chemistry” – Elias A. Zerhouni, Former NIH Director in Chemical...Full Text Available
The consequences of structural modifications at the 5'-OH ribofuranotide moiety of quinoline modified B12 derivatives are discussed in regard of the coordination chemistry, the electrochemical properties and the biological behaviour of the compound. PMID:21850334
One of the central questions of molecular biology is the discovery of the semantics of DNA. This discovery relies in a critical way on a variety of expensive computations. In order to solve these computations, both parallel computers and special-purpose hardware play a major role.
We review the application of C. elegans as a model system to understand key aspects of stem cell biology. The only bona fide stem cells in C. elegans...Full Text Available
Current pesticide health risk assessments in the United States require the characterization of aggregate exposure and cumulative risk in the setting of food tolerances. Biologic monitoring can aggregate...Full Text Available
Consistent holistic view of sexual species as the highest form of biological existence is presented. The Weismann's idea that sex and recombination provide the variation for the natural...Full Text Available
BackgroundNetwork visualization would serve as a useful first step for analysis. However, current graph layout algorithms for biological pathways are insensitive to biologically...Full Text Available
This article reports on a one-semester Advanced Cell Biology course that endeavors to bridge the gap between gaining basic textbook knowledge about cell biology and learning to think and work as a researcher....Full Text Available
... A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Kaijende Highlands, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. RAP Bulletin of Biological ... A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Kaijende Highlands, Enga Province, Papua New...
The development and occurrence of new electron accelerators and applications are according to the human society development law, as a whole. The period of economic standstill is generating an intense creative activity in the domain of science and engineering which also resulting in great achievements in the field of electron accelerators. This paper presents the basic principle of the electron beam applications and the accelerators required characteristics for their present and potential applications in the domains: radiation sources, diagnostics, radiation processing, energetics, environment, defense and basic sciences. All these are correlated to the new generation of accelerators which, for the acceleration process, may employ electromagnetic fields generated by standard sources, atomic lasers, free electron lasers, Cerenkov effect, Smith - Purcell effect, electron beams, plasma, ...
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 meeting focussed on the study of the structure and dynamics of biological molecules, with particular emphasis on neutron and complementary methods as well as related enabling technologies. The program covered biological problems that are being addressed by neutron scattering and those where there is the potential to do so in the future. This document provides the abstracts of the different presentations. (A.L.B.)
The mechanisms underlying life machinery are still not completely understood. Something is known, something is ?probably? known, other things are still unknown. Scientists all over the world are working very hard to clarify the processes regulating the cell life cycle and bioinformaticians try to support them by developing specialized automated tools. Within the plethora of applications devoted to the study of life mechanisms, tools for the analysis and comparison of biological networks are catching the attention of many researchers. It is interesting to investigate why.
The total interaction cross sections (#sigma#_t) of some sugars and amino acids and five elements: lithium, carbon, oxygen, aluminium and calcium have been measured for 6.4 keV, 13.95 keV, 14.4 keV, 17.74 keV, 24.14 keV, 30.8 keV, 35 keV, 59.54 keV, 81 keV, 122 keV and 136 keV photons in a narrow beam good geometry set up, by using high resolution detectors such as a Si-PIN diode detector and a high purity germanium detector. The #sigma#_t values have been used in a matrix method to evaluate the effective atomic numbers Z_e_f_f of the samples from their effective atomic cross sections #sigma#_a. The effective atomic cross section of a sample #sigma#_a is the total interaction cross section divided by the total number of atoms of all types in it. Further, a quantity called the effective atomic weight A_e_f_f of a sample was defined as the ratio of the molecular weight A to the total number of atoms of all types in it. The variation of Z_e_f_f ...
Full text: A novel protocol based on electrospray ionization (ESI) multiple stage high capacity ion trap (HCT) mass spectrometry (MS) was developed for glycosphingolipidomic surveys. The method was optimized for detailed structural elucidation of human brain gangliosides and particularly applied to human hippocampus-associated structures. The multiple stage MS experiments allowed for a complete structural characterization of GM1 ganglioside species, which was achieved by elucidation of the oligosaccharide sequence, identification of the GM1 a structural isomer from the data upon sialic acid localization along the sugar backbone and determination of the d18:1/18:0 of fatty acid/sphingoid base composition of the ceramide moiety. The methodology developed here is of general practical applicability for glycolipids and represents a step forward in the implementation of the advanced and most modern MS methods in glycomics. Gangliosides are glycosphingolipids, which consist of a mono- to ...
About ten years ago microbiologically influenced corrosion manifested on stainless steel pipes used with river water for cooling a chemical plant. The pipe material was similar to Type 316 L. After only six weeks of operation pinhole leaks occurred nearly simultaneously at several welded joints of the pipe. The material degradation was simulated in laboratory and field corrosion tests. Microbiologically influenced corrosion failures also appeared on the pipes of a tubular heat exchanger of duplex steel Type 31803 and on carbon and stainless steel pipes in industrial waste water purification plants after these plants had been modernized with a biological purification unit. The basics of microbiologically influenced corrosion phenomena and typical corrosion failures of pipes will be described. (orig.) [German] Vor etwa zehn Jahren sind in einer neu errichteten chemischen Produktionsanlage an einer mit Flusswasser ...
"American dominance in the study and development of high-energy particle physics may be seriously compromised, according to a report issued by the National Academy of Sciences, unless efforts are made to ensure that the next high-energy particle accelerator - the International Linear Collider (ILC) - will be constructed in the U.S.
Several compact proton accelerator systems for use in proton therapy have recently been proposed. Of paramount importance to the development of such an accelerator system is the maximum kinetic energy...Full Text Available
We describe the lethal, recessive accelerated-cell-death11 Arabidopsis mutant (acd11). Cell death in acd11 exhibits characteristics of animal apoptosis...Full Text Available
A linear induction accelerator that produces a beam of energetic heavy ions (T -- 10 GeV, A -- 200 amu) is a prime candidate as a driver for an inertial fusion power plant. Some early perceptions were that heavy-ion drive fusion would not be cost-competitive with other power sources because of the high cost of the accelerators. However, improved understanding of the physics of heavy-ion transport and acceleration (supported by experimental results), combined with advances in accelerator technology, have resulted in accelerator design costs -- 50% of previous estimates. As a result, heavy-ion drive fusion power plants are now projected to be cost-competitive with other conceptual fusion power plants. A brief formulation of transport and acceleration physics is presented here, along with a description of the induction Linac cost optimization code LIACEP. Cost ...
A linear induction accelerator that produces a beam of energetic heavy ions (T #approx =# 10 GeV, A #approx =# 200 am#mu#) is a prime candidate as a driver for an inertial fusion power plant. Some early perceptions were that heavy-ion driven fusion would not be cost-competitive with other power sources because of the high cost of the accelerators. However, improved understanding of the physics of heavy-ion transport and acceleration (supported by experimental results), combined with advances in accelerator technology, have resulted in accelerator design costs -- 50% of previous estimates. As a result, heavy-ion driven fusion power plants conceptual fusion power plants. A brief formulation of transport and acceleration physics is presented here, along with a description of the induction Linac cost optimization code LIACEP. Cost trends are presented and discussed, ...
This paper describes the needs, reasoning, approaches, and technical details to establish a practical accelerated weathering test (AWT) protocol for indoor testing of the photothermal stability of encapsulation materials and encapsulated solar cells and minimodules.
A simple beam-forming system is described for the electrostatic accelerator of the Scientific-Research Institute of Nuclear Physics of Moscow State University. The system allows the beam to be focused on targets at various distances for a conductor potential of from 1 to 4 MV and beam currents of up to 35 #mu# A.
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
The major projects of the Los Alamos National Laboratory's Accelerator Technology Division are discussed, covering activities that occurred during the first six months of calendar 1982.
There are several on-going projects of e"+e"- colliders. If they are constructed, we can convert them into photon-photon (#gamma#-#gamma#) colliders by converting electron beams into #gamma# beams, irradiating laser beams just before the interaction point. In this report we discuss the technical issues on the accelerator.
OBJECTIVE: To increase cost-efficiency while maintaining the standard of medical care, an accelerated surgical stay program for patients having breast surgery was instituted. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:...Full Text Available
Amorphous metals have an atomic structure resembling that of glass, and have high strength, toughness, and excellent magnetic properties for transformer applications. This type of metal has the potential to reduce the core losses of electromagnetic apparatus by 70-75% compared to the best grain-oriented silicon iron currently used. If all 4 million distribution transformers now in service in Canada were replaced by the more efficient amorphous units, it is estimated that over 5.25 billion kWh of energy could be saved annually. The experience of the General Electric (GE) Company and other researchers with operation of amorphous transformers is described. GE first tried operating amorphous metal transformers on a utility distribution system in April 1982. The shell-type cruciform design showed stable, low-loss performance over eight years of service. GE and the Electric Power Research Institute cooperated on manufacturing and installing 25 ...
Pipe whip restraints are used in nuclear power plants in order to limit the consequences of ruptured pipe whip effects and are thus an important part of the plant safety concept. The design of these devices is based on the choice of adequate construction and computational analysis supported by experimental investigation. Pipe whip restraints should, by means of deforming components, be able to absorb the energy of a ruptured pipe accelerated by the fluid reaction force. Since the elastic deformation of the restraint material is not sufficient for this purpose, or would result in excessive anchor loads, pipe whip restraints must generally be designed to work in the plastic range. Two types of restraints are presented in this paper, including the description of their mode of operation, design and computation. A comparison and critical evaluation of the calculation methods presently available are also given. The range of methods covers those ...
Type 304 stainless steel (SS) specimens sensitised at 873 K and 973 K for 1, 10 and 100 hours respectively were ion implanted using a 150 keV accelerator at an energy of 70 keV in two different doses of nitrogen namely 1 x 10"1"6 to 1 x 10"1"7 ions/cm"2. Ion implantation at 1 x 10"1"6 ions/cm"2 did not show any improvement in pitting resistance, however, the specimens implanted at 1 x 10"1"7 ions/cm"2 showed significant increase in pitting corrosion resistance when potentiodynamic anodic polarisation studies were carried out in acidic chloride medium. For specimens aged at 873 K, nitrogen ion implantation at 1 x 10"1"6 ions/cm"2 increased the intergranular corrosion susceptibility compared to that of unimplanted specimens. However, at the dose of 1 x 10"1"7 ions/cm"2, insignificant IGC attack was noticed. The IGC resistance increased with increase in the dose for all the specimens aged at 973 K, and the reduction in the electrochemical ...
A large matrix of simple alloys and complex commercial type steels was irradiated over a range of fluxes at 60 FC up to a fast fluence of about 3 x 10"2"2 n/m"2. Combined with data in the literature, these results show a negligible effect of flux on irradiation hardening in the range of 2 x 10"1"3 to 5 x 10"1"8 n/m"2-s. This observation lends indirect support to the proposal that the accelerated embrittlement in the High Flux Isotope Reactor surveillance steels was due to an anomalously high level of damage from gamma rays. A weak dependence of hardening on a number of elements, including copper, nickel, phosphorus, molybdenum and manganese, can be described by a simple empirical chemistry factor. Particular combinations of elements resulted in hardening differences of up to about 60% in the complex commercial type steels and up to about 100% in simple model alloys. Direct effects of microstructure appear to be minimal. ...
Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) and the High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) are promoting the joint project integrating both the Neutron Science Project (NSP) of JAERI and the Japan Hadron Facility Project (JHF) of KEK for comprehensive studies on basic science and technology using high-intensity proton accelerator. This document describes the joint project prepared by the Joint Project Team of JAERI and KEK to construct accelerators and research facilities necessary both for the NSP and the JHF at the site of JAERI Tokai Establishment. It was originally written in English and translated into Japanese with some corrections. (author)
Initial design parameters and early operational results of a 50 MeV high brightness electron linear accelerator are described. The system utilizes a radio frequency electron gun operating at a frequency of 2.856 GHz and a nominal output energy of 4.5 MeV followed by two, 2#pi#/3 mode, disc loaded, traveling wave accelerating sections. The gun cathode is photo excited with short (6 psec) laser pulses giving design peak currents of a few hundred amperes. The system will be utilized to carry out infra-red FEL studies and investigation of new high gradient accelerating structures.
The two model MP Tandem Van de Graaff accelerators at Brookhaven have been used in a four-stage accel-decel configuration to produce highly stripped low energy heavy ions. The performance in this mode of operation has now been substantially improved by modifications of the second accelerator. The inclined field acceleration tube electrodes at the exit of this accelerator were replaced by straight electrodes, the vacuum was improved and the maximum negative terminal potential was increased. Higher intensity beams of heavier highly stripped ions can now be produced at lower energies than before.
The motivation for using a tandem electrostatic accelerator as an electron accelerator for a free electron laser (FEL) is presented. The adaptation of the HVEC EN tandem at the Weizmann Institute for this purpose, electron beam optics and nonlinear FEL computation relevant for this FEL realization are described. In the tandem configuration the terminal is held at a positive potential. The electron beam is accelerated from ground potential to the terminal in one beam tube and then decelerated down the other beam tube. The FEL wiggler and cavity are at the terminal. Due to the beam energy recovery this scheme produces a high power beam at the terminal with a small investment in electrical power. (orig.).
The book examines current experimental and clinical knowledge concerning the biological and biophysical effects of electromagnetic radiation, particularly that in the microwave range. The biophysical bases of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter are reviewed with emphasis on biological systems, and the effects of radiation on critical biological systems, including the nervous, reproductive, visual and blood-forming systems are compared. Data concerning the lethal effects of nonionizing radiation is presented and characteristics of the effects of electromagnetic radiation on the whole mammalian organisms are examined. Various reactions of the neuroendocrine system to electromagnetic radiation are described, with particular attention given to the adrenal system, and the combined effects of ionizing and microwave radiation in the flight environment are discussed. Results are also presented of a series of ...
Tthe acceleration of a liquid from a cylindrical container by the products of instantaneous detonation of a superimposed explosive charge (implosion method) is studies numerically in a two-dimensional formulation. Analytical formulas for the asymptotic velocities of liquid expansion and acceleration of the container body were obtained using numerical calculations in a one-dimensional approximation. The effect of the fracture of the body on the velocity of liquid expansion was studied in a two-dimensional formulation.
The SciDAC2 accelerator project at SLAC aims to simulate an entire three-cryomodule radio frequency (RF) unit of the International Linear Collider (ILC) main Linac. Petascale computing resources supported by advances in Applied Mathematics (AM) and Computer Science (CS) and INCITE Program are essential to enable such very large-scale electromagnetic accelerator simulations required by the ILC Global Design Effort. This poster presents the recent advances and achievements in the areas of CS/AM through collaborations.
A prototype of a muffin-tin accelerating structure operating at 32 times the SLAC frequency (2.856 GHz) was built for research in high gradient acceleration. A traveling-wave design with single input and output feeds was chosen for the prototype which was fabricated by wire electrodischarge machining. Features of the mechanical design for the prototype are described. Design improvements are presented including considerations of cooling and vacuum.
The original purpose of this research was an investigation into the use of slow space charge waves on weakly relativistic electron beams for ion acceleration. The work had three main objectives namely, the development of a suitable ion injector, the growth and study of the properties of slow space charge waves on an electron beam, and a combination of the two components parts into a suitable proof of principle demonstration of the wave accelerator. This work focusses on the first two of these objectives.
For the step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) technique, the combination of high dose rate, multiple beam segments and low dose per segment can lead to significant differences between the planned dose and the dose delivered to the patient. In this technique, a dose delivery inaccuracy known as the 'overshoot' effect is caused by the dose servo control system. This typically occurs in the first and last beam segments and causes an over- and underdose, respectively. Some dose positional error in the segment sequence is also possible there. Commercial ionization chambers (RK-type) and radiographic Kodak films were used for the measurements. The reported results were obtained using the Pinnacle{sup 3}-V6.2 treatment planning system and a Varian Clinac 21 EX linear accelerator equipped with a 120-leaf Millennium MLC. The dose inaccuracy measurements were based on the comparison of the dose and profiles for ...
The dielectric wall accelerator (DWA) system being developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) uses fast switched high voltage transmission lines to generate pulsed electric fields on the inside of a high gradient insulating (HGI) acceleration tube. High electric field gradients are achieved by the use of alternating insulators and conductors and short pulse times. The system is capable of accelerating any charge to mass ratio particle. Applications of high gradient proton and electron versions of this accelerator will be discussed. The status of the developmental new technologies that make the compact system possible will be reviewed. These include, high gradient vacuum insulators, solid dielectric materials, photoconductive switches and compact proton sources.
A new area-wide pest control strategy using the pink bollworm, Pectinophora gossypiella (Saunders) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), genetically transformed with a conditionally lethal gene, is under development. Conditional lethality of several transgenic pink bollworm strains was demonstrated in a series of laboratory rearing experiments. Pink bollworms were transformed with genetic constructs using the RIDL technology (Release of Insects with a Dominant Lethal gene) for development of an autocidal biological control system for possible supplement or replacement of radiation based sterile insect release. LA1124 is a lethal construct controlled by a tetracycline repressible transactivator protein (tTA), in which binding of tTA to its specific target sequence tetO drives production of more tTA. In the absence of tetracycline, this leads to lethality by high expression of tTA. When tetracycline is present, tTA does not bind tetO, and so the positive feedback cycle is not ...
Compact dielectric wall (DWA) accelerator technology is being developed at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The DWA accelerator uses fast switched high voltage transmission lines to generate pulsed electric fields on the inside of a high gradient insulating (HGI) acceleration tube. Its high electric field gradients are achieved by the use of alternating insulators and conductors and short pulse times. The DWA concept can be applied to accelerate charge particle beams with any charge to mass ratio and energy. Based on the DWA system, a novel compact proton therapy accelerator is being developed. This proton therapy system will produce individual pulses that can be varied in intensity, energy and spot width. The system will be capable of being sited in a conventional linac vault and provide intensity modulated rotational therapy. The status of the developmental new ...
The ''biotechnology 2000'' project is supervised by the project sponsor ''biology, energy, ecology'' at Forschungszentrum Juelich on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology. The project activities cover the development of techniques and methods, cell biology, gene structure and gene regulation, photosynthetic production processes, biological hydrogen production, synthetic biology, protein design, neurobiological research, biosystems, plant breeding, phytomedicine and plant protection, the biology of waste disposal methods, research into methods which replace animal experiments, biological safety research, technology risk assessment, and ethical aspects. A general survey introduces the promoted projects, and standardized data sheets briefly introduce the individual ...
Hyperphosphorylated and aggregated human protein tau constitutes a hallmark of a multitude of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies, exemplified by Alzheimer's disease. In spite of an enormous amount of research performed on tau biology, several crucial questions concerning the mechanisms of tau toxicity remain unanswered. In this paper we will highlight some of the processes involved in tau biology and pathology, focusing on tau phosphorylation and the interplay with oxidative stress. In addition, we will introduce the development of a human tau-expressing yeast model, and discuss some crucial results obtained in this model, highlighting its potential in the elucidation of cellular processes leading to tau toxicity.
Hydantoin (imidazolidine-2,4-dione) is a 2,4-diketotetrahydroimidazole discovered by Baeyer in 1861. Thiohydantoins and derivatives were prepared, having chemical properties similar to the corresponding carbonyl compounds. Some biological activities (antimicrobial, anticonvulsant, schistosomicidal) are attributed to the chemical reactivity and consequent affinity of hydantoinic rings towards biomacromolecules. Therefore, knowledge about the chemistry of hydantoins has increased enormously. In this review, we present important aspects such as reactivity of hydantoins, acidity of hydantoins, spectroscopy and crystallographic properties, and biological activities of hydantoin and its derivatives. (author)
An extension of the Hodgkin-Huxley mathematical model for the propagation of nerve signal which takes into account dynamical heat transfer in biological tissue is derived and fine tuned with existing experimental data. The medium is heated by Joule's effect associated with action potential propagation, leading to characteristic thermal patterns in association with spiral and scroll waves. The introduction of heat transfer-necessary on physical grounds-provides a novel way to directly observe the movement, regular or chaotic, of the tip of spiral waves in numerical simulations and possibly in experiments regarding different biological excitable media.
The first candidate rotavirus vaccine was a live attenuated oral vaccine made by the classical empirical method of serial passage of virus in tissue culture cells. Current tetravalent vaccine candidates that are in the final stages of efficacy testing in the United States were made by genetic reassortment. This article briefly highlights how advances in the basic understanding of the molecular biology of rotaviruses have facilitated vaccine development. New approaches for second-generation vaccines and improvements in vaccine efficacy based on further exploitation of the tools and knowledge of rotavirus molecular biology and pathogenesis are discussed. PMID:8752289
In the discussion of environmental architecture, we are conjoining two disciplines, the subject of architecture and that of ecology. At their best, green buildings are examples of applied ecology, where designers understand the constitution, organization, and structure of ecosystems, and the impacts of architecture are considered from an environmental perspective. By utilizing the concepts, methods, and language of ecology, designers can create architecture that intentionally engages the natural systems of a site. The establishment of assessment criteria implies the definition of building design criteria. If we establish criteria that are based on our best scientific understanding of environmental capacity, we will begin to develop a building stock that is sustainable. To do this we must quantify the link between the resulting environmental impacts and their cause in building production and use. This is not done in traditional building environmental impact assessment methods, which are ...
The field of stem cell research was revolutionized with the advent of induced pluripotent stem cells. By reprogramming somatic cells to pluripotent stem cells, most ethical concerns associated with the use of embryonic stem cells are overcome, such that many hopes from the stem cell field now seem a step closer to reality. Several methods and cell sources have been described to create induced pluripotent stem cells and we discuss their characteristics in terms of feasibility and efficiency. From these cells, cardiac progenitors and cardiomyocytes can be derived by several protocols and most recent advances as well as remaining limitations are being discussed. However in the short time period this technology has been around, evidence emerges that induced pluripotent stem cells may be more prone to genetic defects and maintain an epigenetic memory and thus may not be entirely the same as embryonic stem cells. Despite the lack of a complete fundamental understanding of stem cell ...
Although polybrominated naphthalenes (PBNs) are contaminants of the commercial fire retardant fireMaster BP-6, the individual PBN isomers have not been identified. In order to study PBNs possessing an analogous level of bromination to those found in fireMaster BP-6, three synthetic PBN mixtures, averaging 5.0, 5.3, and 5.6 bromines per naphthalene were synthetized and partially characterized. The PBN mixtures were administered to immature male Wistar rats and found to be potent inducers of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases. At the lowest dose tested, 30 mumol X kg-1, each PBN mixture caused maximal induction of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity. On the basis of enzyme activities, ligand-binding spectra and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the PBN mixtures were determined to be 3-methylcholanthrene-type inducers of cytochrome P-450 (P-448), resembling qualitatively the most toxic polyhalogenated biphenyls, dibenzofurans, and ...
The overall purpose of this project is to evaluate the biological and economic feasibility of restoring high-quality forests on mined land, and to measure carbon sequestration and wood production benefits that would be achieved from forest restoration procedures. In this quarterly report, we present a preliminary comparison of the carbon sequestration potential of forests growing on 14 mined sites in a seven-state region in the Midwestern and Eastern Coalfields. Carbon contents of these forests were compared to adjacent forests on non-mined land. The study was installed as a 3 x 3 factorial in a random complete block design with three replications at each location. The treatments include three forest types (white pine, hybrid poplar, mixed hardwood) and three silvicultural regimes (competition control, competition control plus tillage, competition control plus tillage plus fertilization). Each individual treatment plot is 0.5 acres. Each block ...
The Creating Wetlands in the Oil Sands Reclamation workshop was held to solicit expert views from leading authorities in a number of disciplines related to the creation and study of wetlands, as well as to investigate challenges in the creation of wetlands in reclaimed oil sands landscapes. This document provided a detailed transcript of each presentation and all discussions that followed. The workshop was divided into 5 sessions: (1) wetlands background information; (2) groundwater conditions and boreal wetlands; (3) creating wetland types; (4) wildlife in boreal wetlands and traditional environmental knowledge; and (5) treatment wetlands. An expert panel overview provided presentations on post-mining restoration of boreal landscapes in oil sands regions; the creation of fens, marshes and shallow water wetlands at oil sands sites and the restoration of damaged peatlands. A outline of the physical scale of the oil sands mining disturbances was provided during the ...
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 physiologic underpinnings of the ...
Incorporation of tritium into body constituent molecules from tritiated water and its in vivo behaviors were studies using rats. In single administration of HTO, "3H behaviors were studied in lipids that are rich in hydrogen. Incorporation of "3H into the lipid fraction from HTO and its release differed by each organ and by the type of lipid components. Of routes of administration, the oral and parenteral routes showed same results, and no prominent difference was noted by inhalation. By consecutive administration, the urine "3H concentration showed no difference according to the route, but increased as the concentration of administered HTO increased. When administration was discontinued after the urine "3H concentration reached a plateau, the biological half-life was about 4.5 days, almost in agreement with the value by single administration. In relation to water intake, increase in the urine volume and accompanying promotion of urine "3H ...
Biosorption of heavy metals by various biological materials has been studied extensively in the last decade due to its potential particularly in wastewater treatment. The presence of a large number of metals in industrial metal-bearing solutions makes it necessary to investigate their effect on the final metal uptake by individual biosorbent materials. Nonliving biomass of Sargassum, a brown marine alga, is capable of binding more than 10% of its dry weight in toxic cadmium ions. Although ubiquitous iron interferes with Cd uptake, only approximately 4.5% of it is sequestered (biomass dry weight). Biosorption of both metals at pH 4.5 could be described by Langmuir-type isotherms with b, the affinity-related coefficient (Cd: b = 0.015; Fe: b = 0.027). The interference of Fe with Cd uptake, and vice versa, was assessed by deriving three-dimensional equilibrium two-metal sorption isotherm surfaces, smoothed and cut to reveal the inhibition effect ...
Optogenetics, the ability to use light to activate and silence specific neuron types within neural networks in vivo and in vitro, is revolutionizing neuroscientists' capacity to understand how defined neural circuit elements contribute to normal and pathological brain functions. Typically, awake behaving experiments are conducted by inserting an optical fiber into the brain, tethered to a remote laser, or by utilizing an implanted light-emitting diode (LED), tethered to a remote power source. A fully wireless system would enable chronic or longitudinal experiments where long duration tethering is impractical, and would also support high-throughput experimentation. However, the high power requirements of light sources (LEDs, lasers), especially in the context of the extended illumination periods often desired in experiments, precludes battery-powered approaches from being widely applicable. We have developed a headborne device weighing 2 g capable of wirelessly ...
The effects of D-amino acids at Asp"2"3 and Ser"2"6 residues on the conformational preference of #beta#-amyloid (A#beta#) peptide fragment (A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9) have been studied using different spectroscopic techniques, namely vibrational circular dichroism (VCD), vibrational absorption, and electronic circular dichroism. To study the structure of the A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9, [D-Asp"2"3]A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9, and [D-Ser"2"6]A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9 peptides under different conditions, the spectra were measured in 10 mM acetate buffer (pH 3) and in 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). The spectroscopic results indicated that at pH 3, A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9 peptide takes random coil with #beta#-turn structure, while [D-Ser"2"6]A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9 peptide adopts significant amount of polyproline II (PPII) type structure along with #beta#-turn contribution and D-Asp-substituted peptide ([D-Asp"2"3]A#beta#_2_0_-_2_9) adopts predominantly PPII type structure. The increased ...
Why we sleep remains one of the enduring unanswered questions in biology. At its core, sleep can be defined behaviorally as a homeostatically regulated state of reduced movement and sensory...Full Text Available
Advances in molecular technologies challenge the different concepts of causality in biology, epidemiology and multistage mathematical models. The lack of integration of the different aspects of causality...Full Text Available
-Evaluacion de la fotosintesis y respiracion de especies de macroliquenes significativas en la tundra antartica. -Estudio de las isoenzimas en liquenes ...
The molecular structure, chemical properties, and biological function of the xyloglucan polysaccharide isolated from cell walls of suspension-cultured sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)...Full Text Available
... Astronomy & Space Biology Chemistry & Materials Computing Earth & Environment Education ... Materials Research Center at the University of Chicago, one of nearly 30 NSF-supported Materials ...
The WHO Expert Committee on Biological Standardization authorized the National Institute for Medical Research to establish an International Reference Preparation of Erythropoietin on the basis of the...Full Text Available
As the amount of biological data grows, so does the need for biologists to store and access this information in central repositories in a free and unambiguous manner. The European Bioinformatics Institute...Full Text Available
Some biological effects of hypoglycin-A, a compound isolated from the fruit of Blighia sapida, have been investigated. Administration of this compound to animals caused drowsiness...Full Text Available
During their catalytic cycle, proteins involved in biological signal transduction undergo unexpectedly large conformational changes, which are at the core of their biological functioning. Until now it has been extremely difficult to obtain experimental insight into the nature of these conformational changes. Mathematical modeling and time-resolved X-ray crystallography have resulted in probable routes along which these conformational changes may take place, but so far this fundamental biological phenomenon has hardly been tackled experimentally. Here, we report on an attempt to observe structural changes in Photoactive Yellow Protein with time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering using diffractometer D22 at the high-flux reactor of the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France.
During their catalytic cycle, proteins involved in biological signal transduction undergo unexpectedly large conformational changes, which are at the core of their biological functioning. Until now it has been extremely difficult to obtain experimental insight into the nature of these conformational changes. Mathematical modeling and time-resolved X-ray crystallography have resulted in probable routes along which these conformational changes may take place, but so far this fundamental biological phenomenon has hardly been tackled experimentally. Here, we report on an attempt to observe structural changes in Photoactive Yellow Protein with time-resolved small-angle neutron scattering using diffractometer D22 at the high-flux reactor of the Institut Laue-Langevin, Grenoble, France
... kinematic model for the robots and designed ... theoretic approach for modeling mobile robot teamn formations". ... "UUV teams, control from a biological ...
There is an urgent need in aquaculture to develop microbial control strategies, since disease outbreaks are recognized as important constraints to aquaculture production and trade and since the development...Full Text Available
Orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are receptors lacking endogenous ligands. Found by molecular biological analyses, they became the roots of reverse pharmacology, in which receptors are attempted...Full Text Available
Histamine and the histamine receptors are important regulators of a plethora of biological processes, including immediate hypersensitivity reactions and acid secretion in the stomach. In these...Full Text Available
Cellular actions of thyroid hormone may be initiated within the cell nucleus, at the plasma membrane, in cytoplasm, and at the mitochondrion. Thyroid hormone nuclear receptors (TRs) mediate the biological...Full Text Available
SummaryThe polarized nature of neurons as well as the size and density of synapses complicates the manipulation and visualization of cell biological processes that control synaptic...Full Text Available
Motivation: Inference of haplotypes from genotype data is crucial and challenging for many vitally important studies. The first, and most critical step, is the ascertainment of a biologically...Full Text Available
Hie synthesis of diverse biologically important compounds, under condi- tions which existed on the earth in the initial period of its evolution, ha; ...
Congruence is a broadly applied notion in evolutionary biology used to justify multigene phylogeny or phylogenomics, as well as in studies of coevolution, lateral gene transfer, and as evidence for...Full Text Available
The biological half-life of "1"3"7Cs in the total body of human subjects was determined in 23 individuals of Japanese male adult in their normal works by measuring amount of "1"3"7Cs in both their total body and daily urine in the same period. For the group, the value was determined by averaging the half-lives for individuals, by comparing the mean body burden and the mean daily urinary excretion, or by applying a curve fitting method to the body burden estimate. The biological half-life averaged 86 days, ranging from 50 to 161 days. The averages of the biological half-lives for the group were 83, 87 and 82 days in the different periods of observation. By the curve fitting method, 85 days was found for the group. The biological half-life for the individuals depended on both body weight and age, to a lesser extent, of the subjects. (author).
High-throughput genomic and proteomic technologies have generated a wealth of publicly available data on ageing. Easy access to these data, and their computational analysis, is of great importance in...Full Text Available
A tunable diode laser is used to obtain infrared spectra of carbon dioxide in biological materials. The spectral resolution is sufficient to readily distinguish differing isotopic species. The technique may prove useful in clinical tests.
CAAX proteins are widely involved in global cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and carcinogenesis. As an important modulator of biological activity, signal transduction via protein...Full Text Available
Breast cancer in the elderly has attracted considerable interest in recent years for three main reasons. Firstly, information concerning the profile (clinical and biological) of the disease in the geriatric...Full Text Available
... view on the utility of such attacks, see JH Rothschild, Tomorrow's Weapons ... Aum Shinrikyo may have had a stolen vaccine anthrax strain incapable ...
-Estudio sobre la fijacion de nitrogeno, fotosintesis y reconolizacion ... - Fotosintesis y relaciones hidricas en liquenes nanofruticulosos antarticos. ...
Pseudomonas stutzeri is a nonfluorescent denitrifying bacterium widely distributed in the environment, and it has also been isolated as an opportunistic pathogen from humans. Over the...Full Text Available
... abundance though an effect on escapement. The lobster aquaculture model continues to be updated as new biological ... become available. A monograph on the economics of aquaculture is near completion....
BackgroundMany difficult problems in evolutionary genomics are related to mutations that have weak effects on fitness, as the consequences of mutations with large effects are often...Full Text Available
Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) is a relatively sensitive explosive used in many electroexplosive devices as well as in medicine. Of primary interest to LLNL is its use in items such as exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonators and exploding bridge foil initiators (EFI). In these devices the crystalline powder is pressed into a granular, low-density compact that can be initiated by an exploding wire or foil. The long-term stability of this pressed compact is of interest to weapon stockpile lifetime prediction studies. Key points about potential aging mechanisms can be summarized as follows: (1) There are a number of factors that can contribute to PETN instability. These include particle size, polymorphic phase transitions, crystal structure, impurities, moisture, occlusions, chemical incompatibility and biological (microorganism) action. of these factors the most important for long-term aging of high surface area powders used in detonators appears to be that of ...
The inner part of a fusion reactor will have to operate at very high neutron loads. In steady-state reactors the minimum fluence before the scheduled replacement of the reactor core should be at least l0-15 Mw.yr/m2. A more frequent replacement of the core is hardly compatible with economic constraints. A most recent summary of the discussions of these issues is presented in Ref. [l]. If and when times come to build a commercial fusion reactor, the availability of information on the behavior of materials and components at such fluences will become mandatory for making a final decision. This makes it necessary an early development and construction of a neutron source for fusion material and component testing. In this paper, we present information on one very attractive concept of such a source: a source based on a so called Gas Dynamic Trap. This neutron source was proposed in the mid 1980s (Ref. [2]; see also a survey [3] with discussion of the early stage of the ...
Radiation-and-thermal-combined degradation of ethylene-propylene rubber (EP rubber) and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) as cable insulating and jacketing materials were evaluated by accelerated aging tests and a method to assess the lifetime of these materials under practical application was studied. EP rubber and CSM of experimental formulation were degraded at accelerated rates, that are 50 [approx] 1000 times the degradation rate under a standard condition (1Gy/h, 50degC). The degradation was investigated by measuring the tensile properties. In the accelerated aging tests, rates of elongation decrease owing to degradation for both EP rubber and CSM were in proportion to increase in accelerated rate. Behaviors of elongation changes showed little difference with accelerated rate. EP rubber lifetime estimated from sequential aging test had a tendency to extend beyond that from ...
Radiation-and-thermal-combined degradation of ethylene-propylene rubber (EP rubber) and chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSM) as cable insulating and jacketing materials were evaluated by accelerated aging tests and a method to assess the lifetime of these materials under practical application was studied. EP rubber and CSM of experimental formulation were degraded at accelerated rates, that are 50 #approx# 1000 times the degradation rate under a standard condition (1Gy/h, 50degC). The degradation was investigated by measuring the tensile properties. In the accelerated aging tests, rates of elongation decrease owing to degradation for both EP rubber and CSM were in proportion to increase in accelerated rate. Behaviors of elongation changes showed little difference with accelerated rate. EP rubber lifetime estimated from sequential aging test had a tendency to extend beyond that from ...
Particle physics is driven by five great topics. Neutrino oscillations and masses are now at the fore. The standard model with extensions to supersymmetry and a Higgs to generate mass explains much of the field. The origins of CP violation are not understood. The possibility of extra dimensions has raised tantalizing new questions. A fifth topic lurking in the background is the possibility of something totally different. Many of the questions raised by these topics require powerful new accelerators. It is not an overstatement to say that for some of the issues, the accelerator is almost the experiment. Indeed some of the questions require machines beyond our present capability. As this volume attests, there are parts of the particle physics program that have been significantly advanced without the use of accelerators such as the subject of neutrino oscillations and many aspects of the particle-cosmology interface. At this ...
A study was conducted under the auspices of the Coordinating Research Council, Inc. (CRC) to assess the potential effects of gasoline octane quality on vehicle acceleration performance. Twelve participating laboratories, representing both the oil and the automotive industries, tested a total of 182 vehicles as part of the 1989 CRC Octane Number Requirement Survey. The vehicles consisted of 78 with electronic knock control systems and 104 without. All testing was performed using the 1989/1990 CRC FBRU fuel series. The results showed that acceleration performance of vehicles with knock sensors was significantly affected by gasoline octane quality. Octane effects on acceleration performance were most pronounced at maximum-throttle (detent) conditions and at octane levels below the vehicles' octane requirements; however, some knock-sensor vehicles did show improved acceleration performance with ...
Toyota's introduction of a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) named ''Prius'' in Japan and Honda's proposed introduction of an HEV in the United States have generated considerable interest in the long-term viability of such fuel-efficient vehicles. A performance and cost projection model developed entirely at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is used here to estimate costs. ANL staff developed fuel economy estimates by extending conventional vehicle (CV) modeling done primarily under the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. Together, these estimates are employed to analyze dollar costs vs. benefits of two of many possible HEV technologies. We project incremental costs and fuel savings for a Prius-type low-performance hybrid (14.3 seconds zero to 60 mph acceleration, 260 time) and a higher-performance ''mild'' hybrid vehicle, or MHV (11 seconds 260 ...
The study concerns 1984-1991. The wind park consists of 18 three-bladed 300 kW horizontal axis wind turbines of 35 meters height, and a rotor diameter of 30 meters, seven meteorological towers, and three cluster and control buildings. Aspects studied included disturbance of breeding, resting or feeding, and migrating birds, behavior of birds approaching the wind turbines during the day and night, and bird victims due to collision with the wind turbines and the meteorological towers. The flight behavior of birds approaching the wind park system during daylight is also dealt with. For at least a fifth of the observations it was noted whether the birds passing within 100 meters distance of a turbine showed a reaction or not. The proportion of the reactions was related to the wind park in operation or not in operation, and to the distance between the wind turbines, species, flight height, the passing distance, wind direction and wind force. Secondly the flight path of birds approaching the ...
A study trip to a biomass gasification plant in Germany took place from 13-15 November 2000. The goal of the trip was to obtain information on German developments, experience, and possibilities in the field of biomass gasification. The participants were representatives of Dutch parties in the energy sector: waste sector, manufacturers, producers, policy makers and consultants. The most important feature was the visit to plants that were in operation. Due in particular to the new EEG (Emeuerbare-Energien-Gesetz/Renewable Energy) legislation, German policy makers have created an initial market for sustainable energy with a degree of success. The key feature is that EEG makes projects 'bankable' by guaranteeing a return delivery compensation. An EEG-type scheme designed to accelerate the development of sustainable energy could be an interesting instrument also for the Netherlands. The plan was to visit four plants and have a number of ...
An electron moving over the surface of a diffraction grating will transfer a part of its kinetic energy to radiation via a velocity synchronous coupling with a slow space harmonic component of the field. Since the phase velocity of a slow space harmonic is less than the speed of light, the slow components decay exponentially, or evanesce, with distance above the grating and the evanescence scale is determined by the product of the relative velocity, #beta#, the relative energy, #gamma#, and the wavelength #lambda#. Thus, in the relativistic regime, good electron - grating coupling can be maintained at beam heights that are greater than the emitted wavelength. In order to explore this regime a series of experiments have been carried out with moderately energetic beams and an experiment with the 70-MeV beam at the Accelerator Test Facility is in the planning stage. The work has two basic goals: the first is to explore the characteristics of the spontaneous emission ...
Promoting the exchange of information related to implementation of the As Low as Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) philosophy is a continuing objective for the Department of Energy (DOE). This report was prepared by the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) ALARA Center for the DOE Office of Health. It contains the fifth in a series of bibliographies on dose reduction at DOE facilities. The BNL ALARA Center was originally established in 1983 under the sponsorship of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to monitor dose-reduction research and ALARA activities at nuclear power plants. This effort was expanded in 1988 by the DOE`s Office of Environment, Safety and Health, to include DOE nuclear facilities. This bibliography contains abstracts relating to various aspects of ALARA program implementation and dose-reduction activities, with a specific focus on DOE facilities. Abstracts included in this bibliography were selected from proceedings of technical meetings, journals, research reports, ...
Experiments are reported in which a methane plasma is created, and the methyl ions and hydrogen ions are accelerated within a microchannel array so that they interact with neutral methane molecules on the inside surfaces of the microchannels. No catalysts are used, and the device operates at room temperature. Impact energies of the ions are in the range of 10 eV to greater than 100 eV, and the energy delivered in the interaction at the surfaces causes the production of larger hydrocarbon molecules, such as C{sub 2}H{sub 2}, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}, and C{sub 2}H{sub 6}, along with C{sub 3}, C{sub 4}, C{sub 5}m C{sub 6}, C{sub 7}m and C{sub 8} molecules. There is a decreasing percentage of larger molecules produced, in comparison with the C{sub 2} and C{sub 3} types. Conversion effectiveness is greater at higher pressure, due to the increased ionic activity. The yield of the higher hydrocarbons depends upon the external voltage used, and voltage can be ...
The study of tropospheric kinetics underlies global change because key greenhouse gases are photochemically active. Modeling of tropospheric chemistry on a global scale is essential because some indirect greenhouse gases are short-lived and interact in a non-linear fashion. It is also extremely challenging, however; the global change grid is extensive in both the physical and temporal domains, and critical lower atmospheric species include the organics and their oxidized derivatives, which are numerous. Several types of optimization may be incorporated into kinetics modules to enhance their ability to simulate the complete lower atmospheric gas phase chemical system. (1) The photochemical integrator can be accelerated by avoiding matrix and iterative solutions and by establishing families. Accuracy and mass conservation are sacrificed in the absence of iteration, but atom balancing is restorable post hoc. (2) Chemistry can be arranged upon the ...
The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE), through Argonne National Laboratory, and in cooperation with Natural Resources-Canada and Chrysler Canada, sponsored and organized the 1996 Propane Vehicle Challenge (PVC). For this competition , 13 university teams from North America each received a stock Chrysler minivan to be converted to dedicated propane operation while maintaining maximum production feasibility. The converted vehicles were tested for performance (driveability, cold- and hot-start, acceleration, range, and fuel economy) and exhaust emissions. Of the 13 entries for the 1996 PVC, 10 completed all of the events scheduled, including the emissions test. The schools used a variety of fuel-management, fuel-phase and engine-control strategies, but their strategies can be summarized as three main types: liquid fuel-injection, gaseous fuel-injection, and gaseous carburetor. The converted vehicles performed similarly to the gasoline minivan. ...
The steam generator (SG) is one of the most critical components of the heat transfer system in nuclear generation stations. Testing the structural integrity of SG tubing and SG internals is a key element of the fitness-for-service assessments to assure the safe and continuous operation of nuclear power plants. Recent eddy current (ET) inspections of two nuclear power plants revealed degradation of some of the tube support plate (TSP) structures, which was also confirmed by visual inspection. The phenomena was described as metal loss, caused by flow-accelerated corrosion of the carbon steel trefoil support plate and varying from minor to complete loss of the ligaments. This loss of TSP ligaments results in lack of support for the adjacent tubes making them more susceptible to fretting-wear damage and fatigue cracking. A signal analysis method, based on the responses at low frequency of two types of eddy current probes, has been developed to ...
CuO/bentonite and CuO-BHA nanocomposites were studied as oxygen carriers in chemical-looping combustion (CLC) of simulated synthesis gas. Global reaction rates of reduction and oxidation, as the function of reaction conversion, were calculated from 10-cycle oxidation/reduction tests utilizing thermogravimetric analysis at atmospheric pressure between 700 and 900{degree}C. It was found that the reduction reactions are always faster than oxidation reactions; reaction temperature and particle size do not significantly affect the reaction performance of CuO/bentonite. Multicycle CLC tests conducted in a high-pressure flow reactor showed stable reactivity for production of CO{sub 2} from fuel gas at 800 and 900{degree}C and full consumption of hydrogen during the reaction. Results of the tapered element oscillating microbalance showed a negative effect of pressure on the global rates of reduction-oxidation reactions at higher fractional conversions. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed the ...
High energy physics facilities must monitor the radiation doses received by their personnel. This monitoring can only be effective if the radiation detection devices can be calibrated with a good degree of accuracy. Radiation fields are usually composed of several types of radiation, including gamma rays, beta radiation, neutrons, etc. The neutron detection instruments respond not only to the neutrons coming directly from the source but also those scattered from the floor, walls, and ceiling. The amount of neutron scattering varies from site to site depending on the construction materials and layout of the building. The purpose of this study was to determine the scattered neutron fraction in the central volume of the calibration mezzanine of the Radiation Physics Calibration Facility (RPCF) at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). At Fermilab, radiation workers dosimeters use CR39 for neutron detection, which are sent to an ...
High energy physics facilities must monitor the radiation doses received by their personnel. This monitoring can only be effective if the radiation detection devices can be calibrated with a good degree of accuracy. Radiation fields are usually composed of several types of radiation, including gamma rays, beta radiation, neutrons, etc. The neutron detection instruments respond not only to the neutrons coming directly from the source but also those scattered from the floor, walls, and ceiling. The amount of neutron scattering varies from site to site depending on the construction materials and layout of the building. The purpose of this study was to determine the scattered neutron fraction in the central volume of the calibration mezzanine of the Radiation Physics Calibration Facility (RPCF) at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab). At Fermilab, radiation workers dosimeters use CR39 for neutron detection, which are sent to an ...
This paper presents results of a laboratory and field study of naphthenic acid corrosion and the development of an effective chemical inhibitor for this type of corrosive attack. In the laboratory corrosion test, which involved 20 hour weight loss measurements in high flash solvent with a total acid number (TAN) of 16 mg KOH/gm at a temperature of 600 F (316 C), blank corrosion rates averaged 140 to 150 mpy (3.56 to 3.81 mm/y). Inhibited rates averaged about 10 to 12 mpy (0.254 to 0.305 mm/y). The field test was carried out on a heavy vacuum gas oil (HVGO) stream at 550 F (288 C) . Blanks varied from a high of 425 mpy (10.79 mm/y) for a 24 hour test to a low of about 100 mpy (2.54 mm/y) for a 150 hour test. Both electrical resistance (ER) probes and weight loss coupons showed corrosion rates below 5 mpy (0.127 mm/y) as long as they were adequately passivated. Passivation consisted of exposing the coupons to a high inhibitor dosage for a relatively short time to ...
The field of ion acceleration to higher energies has grown rapidly in the last years. Many new facilities as well as substantial upgrades of existing facilities have extended the mass and energy range of available beams. Perhaps more significant for the long-term development of the field has been the expansion in the applications of these beams, and the building of facilities dedicated to areas outside of nuclear physics. This review will cover many of these new developments. Emphasis will be placed on accelerators with final energies above 50 MeV/amu. Facilities such as superconducting cyclotrons and storage rings are adequately covered in other review papers, and so will not be covered here.
This paper describes the results obtained from two large experimental facilities built at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. FLAME (Flame Acceleration Measurements and Experiments) is a large horizontal rectangular channel designed to study flame acceleration, transition to detonation, simulation of combustion in containment geometries, component heating, and other problems in hydrogen combustion relevant to reactor safety. The Heated Detonation Tube has been designed to study detonations in hydrogen-air-steam mixtures. Both facilities have been in operation for just over a year. 12 figures.
This paper describes the results obtained from two large experimental facilities built at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM. FLAME (Flame Acceleration Measurements and Experiments) is a large horizontal rectangular channel designed to study flame acceleration, transition to detonation, simulation of combustion in containment geometries, component heating, and other problems in hydrogen combustion relevant to reactor safety. The Heated Detonation Tube has been designed to study detonations in hydrogen-air-steam mixtures. Both facilities have been in operation for just over a year. 12 figures.
A one parameter family of iterative methods for the simultaneous approximation of simple complex zeros of a polynomial, based on a cubically convergent Hansen-Patricks family, is studied. We show that the convergence of the basic family of the fourth order can be increased to five and six using Newtons and Halleys corrections, respectively. Since these corrections use the already calculated values, the computational efficiency of the accelerated methods is significantly increased. Further acceleration is achieved by applying the Gauss-Seidel approach (single-step mode). One of the most important problems in solving nonlinear equations, the construction of initial conditions which provide both the guaranteed and fast convergence, is considered for the proposed accelerated family. These cond...
and propels the projectile to a velocity sufficient to reach ..... CLF3 + N2 4 .... 5 inches or greater accelerates a finned projectile to the veloc ...
The superconducting Tevatron accelerator at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) has surpassed twenty years of operation. The Tevatron is still the highest energy particle accelerator in the world and will remain so until the commissioning of the LHC in Europe later this decade. The Tevatron has operated in a Fixed Target mode, accelerating a proton beam into stationary targets/detectors, as well as a Colliding Beam mode, continuously colliding counter rotating beams of protons and antiprotons. Upon completion, the Tevatron cryogenic system became the world's largest helium refrigeration system. In 1993, the Tevatron cryogenic system was given the designation of International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. The operational history, experiences and statistics of the Tevatron, with an emphasis on the cryogenic system, is ...
We study a two-level atom in interaction with a real massless scalar quantum field in a spacetime with a reflecting boundary. The presence of the boundary modifies the quantum fluctuations of the scalar field, which in turn modifies the radiative properties of atoms. We calculate the rate of change of the mean atomic energy of the atom for both inertial motion and uniform acceleration. It is found that the modifications induced by the presence of a boundary make the spontaneous radiation rate of an excited inertial atom oscillate near the boundary and this oscillatory behavior may offer a possible opportunity for experimental tests for geometrical (boundary) effects in flat spacetime. While for accelerated atoms, the transitions from ground states to excited states are found to be possible even in a vacuum due to changes in the vacuum fluctuations induced by both the presence of the boundary and the acceleration of atoms, ...
An almost linear optimization problem of importance in vibration isolation has been identified and algorithms were developed to minimize the forced vibrational response of structural systems. The constraints can be either displacements of accelerations. T...
A design of a compact free-electron laser (FEL), generating ultra-fast, high-peak flux, XUV pulses is presented. The FEL is driven by ahigh-current, 0.5 GeV electron beam from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) laser-plasma accelerator, whose active acceleration length is only a few centimeters. The proposed ultra-fast source (~;;10 fs) would be intrinsically temporally synchronized to the drive laser pulse, enabling pump-probe studies in ultra-fast science. Owing to the high current (>10 kA) of the laser-plasma-accelerated electron beams, saturated output fluxes are potentially greater than 10^13 photons/pulse. Devices based both on self-amplified spontaneous emission and high-harmonic generated input seeds, to reduce undulator length and fluctuations, are considered.
Particle accelerators are constructed and operated for a wide variety of applications. In particle physics - the branch of physics that studies the elementary constituents of matter and forces between them - high energy accelerators are used to look deep into the structure of matter. Medical particle accelerators are used for example in medicine to treat tumours [31], in imaging techniques such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) [24], or for the radio-isotopes production. They also serve in many other industrial branches, e.g. geology, radiocarbon dating [39], molecular complex spectroscopy, lithography, food preservation etc. The eld of accelerator technology draws knowledge and expertise from a wide range of scientic disciplines and uses the latest technical knowledge. The incomplete list of covered disciplines includes mathematics, physics, electronics, computing, electromagnetic eld technology, ...
Modern day accelerator development encompasses a myriad technologies required for their diverse needs. Whereas RF, high voltage, vacuum, cryogenics etc., technologies meet their functional requirements, high finish lapping processes, ceramic-metal joining, oven brazing, spark erosion or wire cutting etc., are a must to meet their fabrication requirements. Electromagnetic (EM) forming technique falls in the latter category and is developed as a special technology. It is currently catering to the development as a nuclear reactor technology, but has the potential to meet accelerator requirements too. This paper highlights the general principle of its working, simple design guidelines, advantages, and suggests some specific areas where this could benefit accelerator technologies
A compact proton accelerator for medical applications is being developed at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The accelerator architecture is based on the dielectric wall accelerator (DWA) concept. One critical area to consider is the switch region. Electric field simulations and thermal calculations of the switch area were performed to help determine the operating limits of rmed SiC switches. Different geometries were considered for the field simulation including the shape of the thin Indium solder meniscus between the electrodes and SiC. Electric field simulations were also utilized to demonstrate how the field stress could be reduced. Both transient and steady steady-state thermal simulations were analyzed to find the average power capability of the switches.
Mini-LIA is a miniature of a linear induction accelerator developed by China Academy of Engineering Physics and Tsinghua University in 2007. It has been constructed with a thermionic cathode in an electron injector and a metglas core in the induction accelerator cavities. A double-pulsed electron beam was produced for the first time in China on the Mini-LIA with a thermionic cathode in the electron gun and a metglas core in the induction accelerator cavities. A double-pulsed beam current of more than 1.1A was obtained on condition of 80 kV double-pulsed high voltage produced by pulsed power system supplying to the injector and accelerating modules. Some primary experiments for measuring the parameters of Mini-LIA has been performed, and some beam characterizations of Mini-LIA are presented. Further improvement is underway. (authors)
Government policies that encourage exploitation--in particular excessive logging and clearing for ranches and farms--are largely to blame for the accelerating destruction of tropical forests. This paper surveys the problem in detail and briefly recommends potential solutions.
FELs require tight control of the amplitudes and phase of the fields in two linear accelerator tanks to obtain stable lasing. The accelerator control loops must establish constant, stable, repeatable amplitudes and phases of the rf fields and must have excellent bandwidth to control high-frequency noise components. A model of the feedback loops has been developed that agrees well with measurements and allows easy substitution of components and circuits, thus reducing breadboarding requirements. The model permits both frequency and time-domain analysis. The accelerator control scheme and model are described and the control of noise in feedback loops is discussed, showing how low-frequency-noise components (errors) can be corrected, but high-frequency-noise components (errors) are actually amplified by the feedback circuit. Measurements of noise in both open- and closed-loop modes is shown and comparison is made with results ...
The next generation of particle accelerator is currently being designed at CERN. An understanding of the market forces in the computer industry will play a crucial role in the success of the project.
added to provide resistance to UV degradation, and vulcanization control. ...Sulphur is used to vulcanize the rubber ...additives and solvents age resistors, processing aids, accelerators, vulcanizing agents, softeners and fillers
This volume is based on the proceedings of the CERN Accelerator School's course on Applied Geodesy for Particle Accelerators held in April 1986. The purpose was to record and disseminate the knowledge gained in recent years on the geodesy of accelerators and other large systems. The latest methods for positioning equipment to sub-millimetric accuracy in deep underground tunnels several tens of kilometers long are described, as well as such sophisticated techniques as the Navstar Global Positioning System and the Terrameter. Automation of better known instruments such as the gyroscope and Distinvar is also treated along with the highly evolved treatment of components in a modern accelerator. Use of the methods described can be of great benefit in many areas of research and industrial geodesy such as surveying, nautical and aeronautical engineering, astronomical radio-interferometry, metrology of ...
magnet research at several national laboratories through its Advanced Accelerator Technology Program. The HEP Conductor Development Program, a collaboration among national...
The book is divided into two approximately equal parts. The first four chapters are relatively lengthy and cover the basic principles of radiation biology, carcinogenesis and therapy, along with a brief introduction to radiological physics to orient the reader without background in this specialized related discipline. The remainder consists of twenty-four relatively brief chapters, each covering the radiation biology of a specific organ, tissue, or systems tissues, with emphasis on the tumorigenic and tumoricidal action of ionizing radiations.
The work is devoted to a microscopic analysis of the reactive capacity of chitin. An algorithm for modeling the deacetylation reaction in a monomeric unit of chitin is described. The reaction coordinate and the potential energy surface topography are determined taking into account the electron-vibrational interaction and low-symmetry perturbations within Jahn-Teller theory. Based on this algorithm, the topological modeling of the deacetylation process is performed for the first time and a mechanism of the biological activity of chitosan is proposed.
The application of kinetic probes that allow one to determine relative reactivities of biologically relevant substrates with oxidizing intermediates in the Fenton reagent (H2O2 plus Fe2+ in acidic aqueous...Full Text Available
The physical foundations and methodology are described of radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis. The sources are listed of air, water and soil pollution, and the transfer of impurities into biological materials is described. A detailed description is presented of the sampling of air, soil and biological materials and their preparation for analysis. Greatest attention is devoted to radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis of the components of the environment. (ES).
New standardization techniques of samples in multielement instrumental neutron-activation analysis (INAA) of biological materials (BM) are considered. New methodical developments of sample preparation techniques, BM tableting, creation of comparison standards and standardization of packing material are suggested. Correlated data on concentration of different elements in standard specimens-comparison standards are presented for mass INAA, that is: for phenol-formaldehyde resin-base and human blood-base synthetic standards. 7 refs.; 3 tabs.
Data on a technology for the manufacture of a new biologically active humic preparation based on the Neogene brown coals deposited in Belarus are presented. The physicochemical properties of the preparation are given, and its biological activity is evaluated; the results of plant cultivation tests in the basic crops of the region?potatoes and grain crops?are also considered.
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.
This book presents the current knowledge about the effects of electromagnetic fields on living matter. The three-part format covers dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of biological materials; effects of direct current and low frequency fields; and effects of radio frequency (including microwave) fields. The parts are designed to be consulted independently or in sequence, depending upon the needs of the reader. Useful appendixes on measurement units and safety standards are also included.
Current investigations into the biological solubilization of coal with microorganisms focus on the production of solubilizing activity in fungi. Test organisms for this work include a species of the yeast Candida previously isolated from a lignite outcrop, and P. chrysosporium, a filamentous higher fungus which has played a major role in lignin biodegradation research. The studies described are primarily exploratory in nature, and are fundamental to the design of more sophisticated inquiries into the physiology of fungal coal solubilization.
Efforts during the past year by the US Department of Energy and the Electric Power Research Institute-funded laboratories to investigate the biological effects from electric fields are described in resume form. Investigations generally have been summarized with objectives, accomplishments of the past year, and some indication of projected studies.
The LLNL Chemical & Biological National Security Program (CBNP) provides science, technology and integrated systems for chemical and biological security. Our approach is to develop and field advanced strategies that dramatically improve the nation's capabilities to prevent, prepare for, detect, and respond to terrorist use of chemical or biological weapons. Recent events show the importance of civilian defense against terrorism. The 1995 nerve gas attack in Tokyo's subway served to catalyze and focus the early LLNL program on civilian counter terrorism. In the same year, LLNL began CBNP using Laboratory-Directed R&D investments and a focus on biodetection. The Nunn-Lugar-Domenici Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act, passed in 1996, initiated a number of U.S. nonproliferation and counter-terrorism programs including the DOE (now NNSA) Chemical and Biological ...
A survey is presented of studies dealing with radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis (RXFA) of impurities in the air, water, soil, sediments and biological materials, mainly blood, urine, hair, soft tissues and bones. Tabulated are lists of published works on RXFA of the air, water and biological materials. (ES).
The Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on 2004 Gordon Research Conference on Reversible Associations in Structure & Molecular Biology was held at Four Points Sheraton, CA, 1/25-30/2004. The Conference was well attended with 82 participants (attendees list attached). The attendees represented the spectrum of endeavor in this field coming from academia, industry, and government laboratories, both U.S. and foreign scientists, senior researchers, young investigators, and students.
TlGaSe_2 compound belongs to group of layered semiconductors of A"3B"3C_2"6-type. Photoelectric and optical properties of TlGaSe_2 single crystals were investigated in detail. Influence of gamma-, electron and neutron radiation on photoelectric properties of TlGaSe_2 single crystals is investigated too. The present work deals with experimental results relative to X-ray dosimetric characteristics of TlGaSe_2 crystals at 300 K. X-ray conductivity and X-ray dosimetric characteristic measurements are carried out in low load resistance regime. The source of X-ray radiation is the installation of X-ray diffraction analysis (URS-55a) with the BCV-2(Cu). Intensity of X-ray radiation (E) is regulated by measurement with current variation in tube at each given value of X-ray radiation dose E (R/min) are measured by crystal dosimeter DRGZ-02. X-ray conductivity coefficients K_#sigma# characterising X-ray sensitivity of investigated crystals are determined as the relative ...
The use of the ratio of the characteristic intensity to the continuum background intensity (P/B ratio) of the X-ray spectrum for a quantitative ion microprobe (IMP) or PIXE (particle induced X-ray emission) analysis of thin biological specimens was proposed previously. The IMP analysis of thick biological specimens is also of considerable practical use. In this paper, the possibility of using the P/B ratio to quantify minor elements in thick biological specimens is investigated. The epoxy resin based standards with gradual concentrations of KCNS up to 0.6 mol/kg and NBS bovine liver were analyzed by a 27 MeV {alpha} particle microprobe. The measured peak to background ratios (between 4.4 to 5.7 keV) agreed well with the theoretical calculations. The calculations showed that the concentration dependence of the P/B ratios was determined mainly by the absorption of X-rays in specimens. The results indicate that the P/B method ...
This study was designed to compare the levels of chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn) in scalp hair, blood, and urine of night blindness in children age ranged (3-7) and (8-12) years of both genders, comparing them to sex- and age-matched controls. A microwave-assisted wet acid digestion procedure, was developed as a sample pretreatment, for the determination of Cr and Mn in biological samples of night blindness children. The proposed method was validated by using conventional wet digestion and certified reference samples of hair, blood and urine. The digests of all biological samples were analyzed for Cr and Mn by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The results indicated significantly higher levels of Cr, whilst low level of Mn in the biological samples (blood and scalp hair) of male and female night blindness children, compared with control subjects of both genders. These data present guidance to clinicians and ...
WASAG DECON developed a concept for the biological in situ remediation of an TNT-contaminated former seepage pond. This pond is located on the site of an ammunition factory in Lower Saxony. Unit 1982 all the waste water from the production buildings was directed into this pond, including TNT-contaminated water from the flushing of shells. Due to this practice, the sediment of the pond, the underlying soil and the groundwater became contaminated with TNT. The area of the soil contamination adds to abut 2.000 m{sup 2}. The remediation concept includes three steps: 1. Excavation of the most highly contaminated soil with TNT-concentrations above 1000 mg/kg. 2. Reduction of the remaining contamination by a biological in situ treatment using organic and inorganic amendments and mechanical tillage. After about to years of treatment, remediation goals of 50 mg/kg are expected to be reached on most of the area. 3. Contaminations eventually remaining in ...
Heat production in biological materials due to absorption of radiowaves and microwaves can be used in applications as diverse as cancer treatment and cooking. However, the hazards of overexposure range from hyperthermia to cataracts and internal burns. To maximize the clinical benefits and minimize potential hazards, the biological effects of radiowaves and microwaves must be understood. Dielectric measurements can be used to determine the extent of such effects in various applications and at various levels of exposure. The values of maximum permissible exposure levels that are likely to be recommended aeat production in biological materials due to absorption of radiowaves and microwaves can be used in applications as diverse as cancer treatment and cooking. However, the hazards of overexposure range from hyperthermia to cataracts and internal burns. To maximize the clinical benefits and minimize potential hazards, the ...
This paper extends the development of a new formulation of the theory of tachyons to encompass the dynamics of tachyons. Energy and momentum are discussed along with the proper mass of a tachyon. The transformation of force in extended relativity (ER) is derived. Acceleration in ER is also discussed, as well as the relationship between force and acceleration. Two simple examples relating to the motion of a charged tachyon are discussed, followed by a brief explanation of why tachyons cannot emit Cerenkov radiation in a vacuum. 13 refs., 3 figs.
Neutral beam systems for the next generation of magnetic fusion devices will be based on negative ions. Development are progressing steadily, and large negative ion-based systems are prepared for JT60-U and LHD, and are being considered for ITER. An overview of the physics of the production, acceleration and neutralization of large negative ion beams is given. the present state of the art in Research and Development is also surveyed. (author). 55 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.
Neutral beam systems for the next generation of magnetic fusion devices will be based on negative ions. Developments are progressing steadily, and large negative ion-based systems are under preparation for JT60-U and LHD, and are being considered for ITER. An overview of the physics of the production, acceleration and neutralization of large negative ion beams is given. The present state of the art in R and D is also surveyed. (Author).
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has implemented a computer control system for operation of an FN tandem accelerator. The control software utilized is the Thaumaturgic Automated Control Logic (TACL) written by the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility and co-developed with LLNL. Details of the design philosophy, hardware configuration, control software, and special control algorithms will be presented. 2 refs., 4 figs.
The salient features of the near-infrared free-electron laser (FEL) that is under construction at the new Darmstadt superconducting 130-MeV electron accelerator are discussed. Special attention is given to the layout and the parameters of the accelerator, the layout of the planned FEL experiment, the characteristics of the electron gun, the subharmonic chopper-buncher system, and the hybrid undulator system of the Darmstadt FEL. A comparison of the planned Darmstadt FEL with conventional lasers, with respect to the pulse and wavelength region, is presented. 15 refs.
The motion of an accelerated charge in a vacuum is analyzed, via the superposition principle and Fourier analysis, into uniform-motion components, which include bradyonic as well as tachyonic contributions. It is shown that the former contribute only to the induction fields whereas the latter are the source of the radiation emitted by the charge, via the Sommerfeld-Cerenkov mechanism. This result calls for a reexamination of some recently formulated theories of superluminal particles.
The structure of the P-2, S-1 accelerator mode with one step, S-1, on double period, P-2 for systems, described by the Harper mapping as well as by standard mapping, is analyzed. Detailed analysis of stability criteria is given and comparison with the results of numerical analysis is performed. Three-period compression of the P-2, S-1 island is revealed in the standard mapping. Refs. 7, figs. 7.
Modern particle accelerators offer new opportunities to dramatically reshape the way we think about nuclear energy, and challenge some of the thorniest problems linked to its industrial use, e.g. nuclear waste. A powerful proton accelerator driving a sub-critical fission reactor could be used for producing energy more safely and burning up the extra spent fuel which so far has been stored in geological repositories.
High energy muon colliders, such as the TeV-scale conceptual designs now being considered, are found to produce enough high energy neutrinos to constitute a potentially serious off-site radiation hazard in the neighbourhood of the accelerator site. A general characterization of this radiation hazard is given, followed by an order-of-magnitude calculation for the off-site annual radiation dose and a discussion of accelerator design and site selection strategies to minimize the radiation hazard.
We report acceleration of electrons moving in free space near an active Nd:YAG slab. The power of a non-relativistic beam of electrons has increased by more than 30% when the medium was excited. It is demonstrated experimentally that the energy gained by the electrons is linearly proportional to the energy stored in the medium. Moreover, the energy gain traces closely the population inversion inferred by monitoring the spontaneous radiation.
This paper describes the conversion from an existing production control computer, an SEL 840, to a DEC VAX 11/780. The plan is to add a layer of hardware to accomplish a smooth and gradual transition from the 840 to the VAX while leaving the underlying equipment unchanged. The architecture of the control system software is discussed for a large linear accelerator from the standpoint of its requirements and the particular design philosophy chosen.
Two accelerated aging test procedures are proposed for use on solid dielectric extruded distribution cables under wet conditions. One test method is a fixed time duration test in which the degree of cable specimen aging is assessed in terms of breakdown tests, while the other test method is a time to breakdown test in which the cable specimens are voltage stressed until failure ensues.
This annual report describes research activities which have been performed with the JAERI tandem accelerator and the Van de Graaff accelerator from April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001. Summary reports of 46 papers, and lists of publication, personnel and cooperative research with universities are contained. (author)
Free-electron-laser (FEL) oscillators require a train of high-brightness bunches. Conventional subharmonic bunchers are currently used with rf linacs to generate pulse trains, but the resulting dilution of the transverse phase space and lower beam brightness are unacceptable for high-performance FELs. Recent developments suggest that photoemitters of high quantum efficiency combined with rapid acceleration can produce pulse trains of higher brightness than has been achieved before.
Accelerated aging tests such as high temperature burn-in, which are in current use on Bendix Kansas City Division's (BKC) purchased small and medium scale integrated circuits, were evaluated to determine if they are effective and necessary to ensure the required reliability. A theoretical analysis, a literature search, and a study of lot acceptance results were used to assess the value of integrated circuit burn-in.
Present-day requirements for radiotherapy equipment are considered. The recently developed linacs of LUE-5, LUE-25, LUE-15MM models, as well as a newly designed unified series of medical linacs of LUER-5M, LUER-20M, LUER-40M models are described in brief. The main scientific and technical problems that were solved during their construction, namely, development of accelerating structures, a radiation head, dosimetry equipment, a programming unit, a magnetic mirror etc. are described.
Characterization of the electron beam's properties will be a major task after the upgrade of the Los Alamos Free-Electron Laser (FEL) Facility with a photoelectric injector (PEI) and increased acceleration capability to 40 MeV. Adjustments to the previous diagnostics package that address the lower beam emittance, higher energy, and wakefield source reduction issues will be discussed. 6 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.
An electron accelerator unit is described for electron beam therapy, comprising: a source of an electron beam; means for finally directing at least a portion of the beam to a therapy site, the directing means being mechanically independent of, and electrically isolated from, the source, and having a target area; and means for aligning the source with the directing means, the aligning means comprising means for projecting at least one beam of light from the source toward the target area.
An electron accelerator unit is described for electron beam therapy, comprising: a source of an electron beam; means for finally directing at least a portion of the beam to a therapy site, the directing means being mechanically independent of, and electrically isolated from, the source, and having a target area; and means for aligning the source with the directing means, the aligning means comprising means for projecting at least one beam of light from the source toward the target area.
This paper describes the problems and solutions in using 18 MeV linear accelerator, with minimum 6 MeV electron capability, for total skin irradiation for mycosis fungoides. The 6 MeV electron energy...Full Text Available
Using an anti-receptor mAb that blocks the attachment of echovirus 7 and related viruses (echoviruses 13, 21, 29 and 33), we have isolated a complementary DNA clone that encodes the human decay-accelerating...Full Text Available
Accelerators can not be improved without the development of adequate beam instruments and diagnostic tools. This year this statement is particularly right: a lot of contributions are dedicated to beam monitoring and to the design of new beam monitors based on original technologies. This document gathers about 100 contributions.
We argue that the occurrence of late-time acceleration can conveniently be described by first-order general relativity covariantly coupled to fermions. Dark energy arises as a gravitationally driven BCS condensate of fermions which forms in the early universe. At late times, the gap and chemical potential evolve to have an equation of state with effective negative pressure, thus naturally leading to acceleration.
The contribution of pulsar accelerated nuclei to the cosmic rays inside the Galaxy is calculated assuming that a significant part of the pulsar rotational energy is lost on acceleration of iron nuclei extracted from the surface of the neutron star. Different models of the galactic pulsar population are discussed. It is shown that the best description of the observed cosmic ray spectrum and the mass composition between a few 10{sup 15} eV and a few 10{sup 18} eV is obtained for the model B of Lorimer et al. (1993)
The accelerating flow of a lighter continuous phase through a heavier one is considered. Small nonuniformities grow into large ones due to the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. An experiment exemplifying the large bubble formation due to Rayleigh-Taylor instability was performed and simulated using the PHOENICS 84 computer code. The same numerical procedure was applied to the two-phase flow in a gun barrel. It shows that the acceleration provided by the movement of the projectile can cause initial nonuniformities to grow with time.
Proceeding from analysis of the influence of parameters of the target-filter system on radiation-physical characteristics of braking radiation, some recommendations were issued for assessment of the forming systems of medical accelerators of electrons. A new criterion - a coefficient of the forming system efficacy - was introduced, characterizing a beam formation tract with relation to a whole set of radiotherapeutic problems.
A bibliography is presented of unclassified published and in-house technical material written by members of the Accelerator Technology Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, since its inception in January, 1978. The author and subject concordances in this report provide cross-reference to detailed citations kept in a computer database and a microfilm file of the documents. The citations include an abstract and other notes, and can be searched for key words and phrases.
Recent experiments have explored the use of a free-electron laser (FEL) as a buncher for a microwave two-beam accelerator, and the subsequent driving of a standing-wave rf output cavity. Here the authors present a deeper analysis of the longitudinal dynamics of the electron bunches as they are transported from the end of the FEL and through the output cavity. In particular, the authors examine the effect of the transport region and cavity aperture to filter the bunched portion of the beam.
An S-brane solution with two non-composite electric branes and a set of l scalar fields is considered. The intersection rule for branes corresponds to the Lie algebra A_2. The solution contains five factor spaces with the fifth one interpreted as ``our'' 3-dimensional space. It is shown that there exists a time interval where accelerating expansion of ``our'' 3-dimensional space is compatible with small enough value of effective gravitational ``constant'' variation.
There are several on-going projects of e{sup +}e{sup -} colliders. If they are constructed, we can convert them into photon-photon ({gamma}-{gamma}) colliders by converting electron beams into {gamma} beams, irradiating laser beams just before the interaction point. In this report we discuss the technical issues on the accelerator.
The applicability of Broyden's second method for accelerating the convergence of self-consistent electronic-structure calculations based on the linearized augmented-plane-wave method is discussed in terms of a W(001) surface calculation. It is found that its use results in a significant improvement in the convergence of the calculation, and based on this it is concluded that its use should increase the size of the systems for which such calculations are feasible.
The author discusses the accelerated aging tests performed using Hondo and Maya as aging resids with a commercial large pore hydrotreating catalyst. The results from these tests were compared with those obtained under a normal full life test. The test resid was a sample of a typical refinery charge and the activities for sulfur and vanadium removal were determined at 720"0F after successive brief periods of exposure to the heavier oils.
Safety-related instrument in nuclear power plants must be checked for reliability over their projected operating life. A method of conducting accelerated aging tests is presentd. It uses the Arrhenius activation energy concept and manipulation of the parameters of the test e.g. by raising test temperature, by relying on a model characterizing the chemical-related reactions of materials.
Pollen morphology of 30 species of the family Acanthaceae belonging to 11 genera has been investigated using light and scanning electron microscope. Acanthaceae is a eurypalynous family. Pollen are usually radially symmetrical, isopolar, sub-prolate to prolate rarely prolate-spheroidal or sub-oblate to oblate-spheroidal, generally tricolporate or heterocolporate rarely colpate or porate. Exine ornamentation varies from medium to coarse reticulate, or often lopho-reticulate with luminae perforated to baculate or scabrate. On the basis of apertural type, exine ornamentation and colpal membrane eight distinct pollen types have been recognized viz., Pollen type-I: Barleria cristata-type, Pollen type-II: Blepharis ciliaris-type, Pollen type-III: Hygrophila polysperma - type, Pollen type-IV: Justicia ...
It is widely accepted that the prompt transient signal in the 10 keV - 10 GeV band from gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) arises from multiple shocks internal to the ultra-relativistic expansion. The detailed understanding of the dissipation and accompanying acceleration at these shocks is a currently topical subject. This paper explores the relationship between GRB prompt emission spectra and the electron (or ion) acceleration properties at the relativistic shocks that pertain to GRB models. The focus is on the array of possible high-energy power-law indices in accelerated populations, highlighting how spectra above 1 MeV can probe the field obliquity in GRB internal shocks, and the character of hydromagnetic turbulence in their environs. It is emphasized that diffusive shock acceleration theory generates no canonical spectrum at relativistic MHD discontinuities. This diversity is commensurate with the ...
Multi-beamlet focusing of an intense negative ion beam has been performed using the beamlet steering by the aperture displacement. The apertures of the grounded grid were displaced as all beamlets of 270 (18 x 15) in the area of 25 cm x 26 cm would be steered to a common point (a focal point) in both the two-stage and the single-stage accelerators. The multi-beamlets were successfully focused and the e-folding half width of 10 cm was achieved 11.2 m downstream from the ion source in both the accelerators. The corresponding gross divergence angle is 9 mrad. The negative ion beamlets are deflected by the magnetic field for the electron deflection at the extraction grid and the deflection direction oppositely changes line by line, resulting in the beam split in the deflection direction. This beamlet deflection was well compensated also using the beamlet steering by the aperture displacement of the grounded grid. The beam ...
Radiation-and-thermal-combined degradation of some kinds of cable insulating and jacketing materials was evaluated by accelerated aging tests. Plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone rubber, crosslinked and non-crosslinked halogen-free flame-retardant polyolefins (NH-XLPO and NH-PO) and ethylene-propylene rubber (EP rubber) of experimental formulation were degraded at accelerated rates, that are 50-1000 times the degradation rate under standard conditions (e.g.; 1Gy/h, 50degC), and a method to assess the lifetime of these materials under standard conditions was studied. The degradation was investigated by measuring tensile properties. In the accelerated aging tests, rates of elongation decrease owing to degradation for these materials were in proportion to the increase in accelerated rate. The PVC lifetime estimated from sequential aging tests had a tendency to extend beyond that from ...
The purpose of this paper is to present a summary of new methods, employing Lie algebraic tools, for characterizing beam dynamics in charged-particle optical systems. These methods are applicable to accelerator design, charged-particle beam transport, electron microscopes, and also light optics. The new methods represent the action of each separate element of a compound optical system, including all departures from paraxial optics, by a certain operator. The operators for the various elements can then be concatenated, following well-defined rules, to obtain a resultant operator that characterizes the entire system. This paper deals mostly with accelerator design and charged-particle beam transport. The application of Lie algebraic methods to light optics and electron microscopes is described elsewhere (1, see also 44). To keep its scope within reasonable bounds, they restrict their treatment of accelerator design and ...
Gastric stromal tumors are an ill-defined group of lesions arising from muscle wall cells and characterized by extremely variable biological patterns. Thanks to modern immunohistochemical and ultrastructural techniques, four main classes of these lesions have been identified, namely: (1) tumors with differentiation toward smooth muscle cells; (2) tumors with differentiation toward neural elements; (3) tumors with differentiation toward neural elements; (3) tumors with dual differentiation toward either cell type. It was investigated the yield of CT in diagnosing and characterizing gastric stromal tumors. It was retrospectively reviewed the CT findings of 38 patients (15 men and 23 women; mean age 51 years) with pathologically proven gastric stromal tumors, namely 31 of myoid origin, 4 of neural origin, 2 with both muscle and neural differentiation, 1 lacking differentiation with either cell type. The myoid tumors involved ...
THE GFS WILL BE THAT THE DEFAULT PRECIPITATION TYPE ALGORITHM WILL CHANGE FROM THE BALDWIN METHOD TO THE DOMINANT PRECIPITATION TYPE. THE DOMINANT PRECIPITATION TYPE IS...
The biomedical and ecological interest for the microwave impact on the Earth biosphere is continuously increased since the industrial, military and communication activities strongly contribute to the electromagnetic stress of living bodies. In the next the authors present some of the main results obtained regarding the microwave exposure of various types of biological material: bacteria, fungi, young plant seedlings, dry seeds, animal tissues. The electromagnetic exposure was carried out in open space in well controlled environmental conditions by using 10.75 GHz/1 m W cm{sup -2} microwaves. Biochemical assays and cytogenetic tests have been carried out to reveal the changes induced post irradiation. The response of some pathogen bacteria, have been emphasized by means of turbidimetric measurements - the stimulatory effect being noticed at the level of the microbial population density (the stimulation of the human body microbial flora seems to ...
This paper presents the concept of a biological inspired reconfigurable hardware cell architecture which supports self-organisation and self-healing. Two fundamental processes in biology, namely fertilization-to-birth and cell self-healing have inspired the development of this cell architecture. In biology as well as in our hardware cell architecture it is the DNA which enables these processes. We propose a platform based on the electronic DNA (eDNA) and show through simulation, its capabilities as a new generation of robust reconfigurable hardware platforms. We have created a Java based simulator to simulate our self-organisation and self-healing algorithms and the results obtained from this looks promising.
Biological control agents can be more effective if their populations are genetically diverse, particularly when the target invasive plant comprises a range of genotypes with different susceptibilities and occurs across various microclimates. We report on the use of an efficient approach to find, in the native range, diverse isolates of a rust fungus for biological control. An outdoor trap garden containing various clones of invasive European blackberry (Rubus fruticosus agg.) collected in Australia, each with a different DNA phenotype, was established in France. Within 4?weeks of establishment, the leaf-rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum was recovered from all clones in the garden. Molecular analyses of eight recovered and purified isolates of the fungus from the garden revealed that they w...
Native to Southeast Asia, Hygrophila polysperma is an invasive aquatic weed of lotic habitats in the southern United States and Mexico. An increase in the number of water bodies invaded by hygrophila since 1990 suggests that current methods employed to control this weed are inadequate. Classical biological control may be a viable option for long term regulation of hygrophila in the invaded range. In this study, we used the Maximum Entropy Species Distribution Model (MaxEnt) to prioritize climatically suitable native habitats in India and Bangladesh for conducting exploratory surveys to collect biological control agents. In total, 164 point occurrences from the United States and Mexico and 20 predictor variables, including 19 bioclimatic variables and altitude, were used to predict the nati...
This pilot project was carried out for the purpose of testing methods for active biological monitoring. It covered a period of three years (until September 1994), including two years of exposure. The measurements served to determine pollutant levels in plants used as animal fodder and dust-borne heavy metal concentrations in different sites and, on this basis, to obtain indirect information on human exposure. Among others, the pilot project investigated the suitability of Italian rye-grass as a biological indicator for aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron, mercury, magnesium, manganese, nickel, lead, platinum, antimony, titanium, and zinc. (orig./GL).
Abstract Objectives- Cyclodextrins are useful solubilizing excipients that have gained currency in the formulator's armamentarium based on their ability to temporarily camouflage undesirable physicochemical properties. In this context cyclodextrins can increase oral bioavailability, stabilize compounds to chemical and enzymatic degradation and can affect permeability through biological membranes under certain circumstances. This latter property is examined herein as a function of the published literature as well as work completed in our laboratories. Key findings- Cyclodextrins can increase the uptake of drugs through biological barriers if the limiting barrier component is the unstirred water layer (UWL) that exists between the membrane and bulk water. This means that cyclodextrins are mo...
The biological treatment process was selected by Gaz de France (GDF), the French national gas utility, for the de-pollution of an old gas works where the main pollutants are coal tars containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Microorganism-based biological treatment techniques may involve bio-reactors, static ground knolls (where oxygen is brought through drains) and dynamic knolls (where oxygenation is carried out by turning up the soil). Issues on sampling, sorting, process testing, site preparation, process control, etc. are reviewed
This paper reviews the molecular biology of the renin-angiotensin system. The renin gene structure is analyzed in detail, including an examination of the putative regulatory regions. The combined action of these regulatory sequences would result in the complex, tissue-specific expression and regulation observed in vivo. The expression of the tissue renin-angiotensin systems, which may have important physiological functions, is also described. In addition, the pathway of renin biosynthesis and secretion is reviewed. This includes speculation on the fate of circulating prorenin and the physiological role of multiple renin forms and secretory pathways. The molecular approaches described in this paper have greatly advanced our knowledge of the biology of the renin-angiotensin system. Future studies using these and other approaches should provide further insight into this complex system.
Motivation: High-throughput transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics methods have revolutionized our knowledge of biological systems. To gain knowledge from comparative omics studies, strong data integration and visualization features are required. Knowledge gained from these studies is often available in the form of graphs, and their visualization is especially useful in a wide range of systems biology topics, including pathway analysis, interaction networks or gene models. Especially, it is necessary to compare biological models with measured data. This allows the identification of new models and new insights into existing ones. Results: We present MGV, a versatile generic graph viewer for multiomics data. MGV is integrated into Mayday (Battke et al., 2010). It extends Maydays visual...
Biological wound dressings sterilized with gamma radiation, such as amnion and pig skin, are a reality in Mexico. These tissues are currently processed in the tissue bank and sterilized in the Gamma Industrial Irradiation Plant; both facilities belong to the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ) (National Institute of Nuclear Research). With the strong support of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the bank was established at the ININ and the Mexican Ministry of Health issued its sanitary license on July 7, 1999. The Quality Management System of the bank was certified by ISO 9001:2000 on August 1, 2003; the scope of the system is "Research, Development and Processing of Biological Tissues Sterilized with Gamma Radiation". At present, more than 150 patients from 16 hosp...
Research and bioethical policies are increasingly seen to facilitate, rather than to impede, scientific progress. Bioethical structures, nonetheless, often fail to account for or to shape the specific social surrounds in which scientific research is conducted. In Taiwan, a perceived shortage in human biological donations threatens to hamper stem cell research progress. This paper considers the stalled national biobank project and the lack of a reliable embryo supply for stem cell research, and suggests that one must look beyond regulatory structures in seeking explanations for such shortages. Specific aspects of Taiwan's democratization and social changes combine with problematic relations between patients and physicians to shape the terrain upon which human biologicals are given or withhe...
We present two applications of CR-39 to estimate biological effects of heavy ion irradiation. The accurate measurement of fluence of ions using CR-39 is indispensable to calculate the action cross sections for biological effects. Ions with 6 MeV/n at the Medium Energy Beam Course, HIMAC (NIRS) were extracted to the air, and degraded with the air. DNA and living cells were irradiated by ions with various specific energies at several air columns along with the Bragg curve. DNA strand breaks and cell killing were measured and the results were converted to the action cross sections using the fluence measured with CR-39 at the irradiation positions. Another example of the application of CR-39 is to identify whether the ions with a specific energy pass through the cell or stop within the cell. (author)
In this article we evaluate a US Forest Service plan to mitigate damages from an invasive insect on public, forested land. We develop a dynamic model of infestation and control to explicitly account for biological interactions, baseline conditions, and uncertainty, thus creating a more complete picture of policy impacts than a static cost benefit analysis could provide. We combine the results of the dynamic model with an empirical study of nonmarket forest benefits to create a bioeconomic model of ecosystem management. Estimating the empirical model in a Bayesian framework allows us to treat the economic coefficients of the dynamic model as random variables. We specify distributions for the biological parameters and examine the effects of both biological and economic uncertainty on the pre...
A study trip to a biomass gasification plant in Germany took place from 13-15 November 2000. The goal of the trip was to obtain information on German developments, experience, and possibilities in the field of biomass gasification. The participants were representatives of Dutch parties in the energy sector: waste sector, manufacturers, producers, policy makers and consultants. The most important feature was the visit to plants that were in operation. Due in particular to the new EEG (Emeuerbare-Energien-Gesetz/Renewable Energy) legislation, German policy makers have created an initial market for sustainable energy with a degree of success. The key feature is that EEG makes projects 'bankable' by guaranteeing a return delivery compensation. An EEG-type scheme designed to accelerate the development of sustainable energy could be an interesting instrument also for the Netherlands. The plan was to visit four plants and have a ...
Snake envenomation employs three well integrated strategies: prey immobilization via hypotension, prey immobilization via paralysis, and prey digestion. Purines (adenosine, guanosine and inosine) evidently play a central role in the envenomation strategies of most advanced snakes. Purines constitute the perfect multifunctional toxins, participating simultaneously in all three envenomation strategies. Because they are endogenous regulatory compounds in all vertebrates, it is impossible for any prey organism to develop resistance to them. Purine generation from endogenous precursors in the prey explains the presence of many hitherto unexplained enzyme activities in snake venoms: 5'-nucleotidase, endonucleases (including ribonuclease), phosphodiesterase, ATPase, ADPase, phosphomonoesterase, and NADase. Phospholipases A(2), cytotoxins, myotoxins, and heparinase also participate in purine liberation, in addition to their better known functions. Adenosine contributes to prey immobilization ...