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Abstract:- Two motorcycle riders lost control of their vehicle, fell, and hit a guardrail, which acted as a blade and led to a rapid, fatal outcome. In one case, the high velocity of the body at the time of the impact resulted in complete detachment of the trunk. Reconstruction of the accident dynamics enabled the guardrail post to be identified as the means of injury in both cases. The two accidents occurred over a short period of time, highlighting a dangerous phenomenon that in less severe cases is presumably associated with different degrees of survivor disability. The accidents deserve mention, because a different design of the impact surface of the guardrail post might have prevented the lethal outcome. There is an urgent need for legislators to pass regulations that modify crash bar...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The focus of the Chernobyl Studies Project has now turned to the issue of health effects from the Chernobyl accident. Currently, we are involved in and making progress on the case-control and co-hort studies of thyroid diseases among Belarussian children. Dosimetric aspects are a fundamental part of these studies. We are working to implement similar studies in Ukraine. A major part of the effort of these projects is supporting these studies, both by providing methods and applications of dose reconstruction and by providing support and equipment for the medical teams.

Science.gov (United States)

Accidents Accident Preparedness, Accident Prevention, Chemical Accidents, Radiation Accidents Characterization Contingency Plans National Contingency Plan (NCP), Oil Removal...

Science.gov (United States)

Accidents Accident Preparedness, Accident Prevention, Chemical Accidents, Radiation Accidents Characterization Contingency Plans National Contingency Plan (NCP), Oil Removal...

Science.gov (United States)

Accidents Accident Preparedness, Accident Prevention, Chemical Accidents, Radiation Accidents Characterization Contingency Plans National Contingency Plan (NCP), Oil Removal...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short communication.

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Phase I feasibility study has focused on determining the availability of information for estimating exposures of the public to chemicals and radionuclides released as a result of historical operation of the facilities at the Oak Ridge Reservation (ORR). The estimation of such past exposures is frequently called dose reconstruction. The initial project tasks, Tasks 1 and 2 were designed to identify and collect information that documents the history of activities at the ORR that resulted in the release of contamination and to characterize the availability of data that could be used to estimate the magnitude of the contaminant releases or public exposures. A history of operations that are likely to have generated off-site releases has been documented as a result of Task 1 activities. The activities required to perform this task involved the extensive review of historical operation records and interviews with present and past employees as well as other ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the early period after the Chernobyl accident, analysis of patterns of "1"3"1I exposure of the human thyroid showed that contaminated milk was the basic source of "1"3"1I intake among the inhabitants of Russia. The equipment and techniques used for measurement of the "1"3"1I content in the thyroids of these individuals are described in this work. A model of the "1"3"1I intake, taking into account protective actions, and a method of thyroid dose calculation are discussed. The mean thyroid dose and frequency distributions of the thyroid doses to inhabitants of towns and villages of the Bryansk, Tula and Orel regions of Russia are presented. The mean dose to the thyroids of children living in the villages was 2 to 5 times higher than the dose to adult thyroids; for children living in the towns, the mean dose was 1.5 to 12 times higher. The mean thyroid mass in adult inhabitants of the Bryansk region was 27 g, which exceeded the value for a standard man (20 g) and ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Objective:To evaluate the effect of urethral reconstructive surgery on sexual drive, erectile function and ejaculation.Materials and Methods:The...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This chapter provides an overview of the problem of response to a nuclear weapon accident, the fundamentals of response to an accident, and a summary of the NARP Manual. The manual provides a summary of procedural guidance, technical information, and DoD responsibilities, to assist DoD forces in preparing a response to a nuclear weapon accident.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short communication.

Science.gov (United States)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Population residing in the northern part of the Chelyabinsk oblast and the south eastern part of the Sverdlovsk oblast of Russia affected to accidental exposure since 1957. The territory (East Ural Radioactive Trace - EURT) was contaminated after explosion of container with highly radioactive wastes at the Mayak Production Association. Studies of health effects of exposure in the southern, head part of EURT are conducted in the Ural Research and Practical Center of Radiation Medicine (U.R.P.R.M.). In the 1990's U.R.P.C.R.M. formed a cohort of EURT within Chelyabinsk oblast (14,500 cases and 19,400 external controls). The cohort was followed in 1957-1987 and the results of the study are discussed by Crestinina et al. First results of study on exposure late health effects among rural population in the northern part of the EURT are presented in this paper. Firstly, or the period 1958-2000 a statistically significant increase in cancer mortality associated with accidental exposure ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Accidents from three main practices: medical applications, industrial radiography and industrial irradiators are used to illustrate some common causes of accidents and the main lessons to be learned. A brief description of some of these accidents is given. Lessons learned from the described accidents are approached by subjects covering: safety culture, quality assurance, human factors, good engineering practice, defence in depth, security of sources, safety assessment and monitoring and verification compliance. (author)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Objective: To determine the experience of junior doctors cited as witnesses at fatal accident inquiries (FAIs). Design: Retrospective questionnaire study. Setting...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The report gives general principles of treatment and care of casualties caused by radiation accidents or nuclear explosions.

Science.gov (United States)

... radiation during clinical therapy and exposures due to radiation accidents or attacks, in which the doses are uncontrolled ... only be used off-label in victims of radiation accidents or attacks. The idea...

Science.gov (United States)

In addition, for breast cancer, a fifth field, Reconstruction--First Course is recorded. V.02.E Reconstruction--First Course (breast only) 1 digit These codes for these fields are included as Appendix C of this manual.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The number of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) in individual nuclei of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined by computer-aided reconstruction of entire nuclei from electron...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In this review we attempt to reconstruct the evolutionary history of hominin life history from extant and fossil evidence. We utilize demographic life history theory and distinguish life history variables,...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... 036[0598:DMBRSP]2.0.CO;2 Dendrochronological Mass Balance Reconstruction, Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, British ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Patellar tendon autografts are not suitable for multibundle ACL reconstruction, a procedure that reportedly enhances postoperative knee stability. Biomechanical studies recommend lateral placement of...Full Text Available

CERN Document Server

In this paper we describe the reconstruction strategies, the calibration procedures and the detector performance results from the latest CMS operation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper we establish that every quantum field theory satisfying some basic axioms possesses a weak quasi Hopf algebra as gauge symmetry. We use a reconstruction theorem to find this symmetry algebra and show how it is sed to build a gauge covariant field algebra. We investigate the question of why this generality is necessary. The non-uniqueness of the reconstruction process is interpreted and a cohomological classification of possible global gauge symmetries is given. (author)

Science.gov (United States)

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

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The consumption of food products obtained in areas subjected to radioactive contamination as a consequence of a radiation accident appears to be the most significant source of irradiation for the population. At the same time, this route can be regulated very effectively. The regularities of contamination of agricultural production, peculiar features of internal dose formation in the population and the effectiveness of countermeasures in agriculture have been analysed using the experience of two major accidents in the former USSR - in the South Urals (Kyshtym accident) in 1957, and at the Chernobyl NPP in 1986. (Author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Short communication.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

With the exception of the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear weapon explosions and the 1986 Tchernobyl reactor accident, most of the radiation accidents concerns the medical and the traditional industrial sectors. The seriousness of the accident is directly function of the absorbed dose. The paper, first, gives the definition of a radiologic accident with its specific criteria and pathological manifestations. Then, some famous historical accidents are reviewed from the discovery of X-rays to recent acute irradiations due to the careless manipulation of radiation sources. From this analysis, three main causes are put forward: the dysfunction of nuclear medicine apparatuses, the victims` lack of training and knowledge of the risks, and the non-identification or the loss of radiation sources. (J.S.). 1 photo.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Severe accident management can be defined as the use of existing and alternative resources, systems, and actions to prevent or mitigate a core-melt accident in nuclear power plants. TRAIN (Training pRogram for AMP In NPP), developed for training control room staff and the technical group, is introduced in this report. The TRAIN composes of phenomenological knowledge base (KB), accident sequence KB and accident management procedures with AM strategy control diagrams and information needs. This TRAIN might contribute to training them by obtaining phenomenological knowledge of severe accidents, understanding plant vulnerabilities, and solving problems under high stress. 24 refs., 76 figs., 102 tabs. (Author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Severe accident analysis has been performed for the Wolsung nuclear power plants in Korea to investigate severe accident phenomena of CANDU-600 reactors as a part of Level II PSA study. The accident sequence analyzed in this paper is loss of active heat sinks (LOAH) which is caused by loss of off-site power, diesel generators, and DC power, ISAAC(Integrated Severe Accident Analysis Code) computer code developed by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) was used in this analysis. This paper describes the important thermal-hydraulics and source term behaviors in the primary system and inside containment, and the failure mechanisms of calandria vessel and containment. In addition, some insights for accident management program (AMP) are also given.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Following the 1986 Chernobyl accident there was an understandable increase in public interest in nuclear accidents and emergency planning for them. It became clear that the broad nature, timing and scale of the radiological hazard presented by such accidents was, however, little understood. This Paper sets out in simple terms the basic features of the radiological hazard to persons in the vicinity of a nuclear power plant should a serious accident occur. The Paper starts by stressing the difference between faults -events that may occur relatively frequently - and accidents -unplanned releases of radioactivity that are by design extremely unlikely events. The Paper examines the significance of different exposure pathways and relates them to the protective measures (countermeasures) that may be taken. These countermeasures include sheltering, evacuation and the consumption of stable ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Considering the hardware characteristics of the laser-induced plasma X-ray source and the limitations of the conventional cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, a general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm has been developed at our laboratory, in which the motion locus of the X-ray source is an arbitrary curve corresponding to at least a 2{pi} continuous horizontal angular displacement in the coordinate system of the specimen. The preliminary simulation shows that the general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm consistently results in visually satisfactory images.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Despite a complex cascade of cellular events to reconstruct the damaged extracellular matrix, ligament healing results in a mechanically inferior scarred ligament. During normal healing, granulation...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: High satisfaction rates have been reported after autologous breast reconstruction. Yet, most mastectomy patients receive implant reconstructions (ImBR). Independent and active decision makers have shown mainly to choose for autologous reconstructions, such as the Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap (DiepBR). To further explore the decision making to opt for either ImBR or DiepBR, we investigated patient knowledge, informational resources used, effect of plastic surgeons' advice, coping style and personal independence. Methods: A total of 153 women, who were planned for DiepBR or ImBR preoperatively, completed a study-specific and standardised validated psychological questionnaire. Analyses were aimed at information-seeking behaviour, personal independence and coping...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In dynamic cardiac SPECT estimates of kinetic parameters ofa one-compartment perfusion model are usually obtained in a two stepprocess: 1) first a MAP iterative algorithm, which properly models thePoisson statistics and the physics of the data acquisition, reconstructsa sequence of dynamic reconstructions, 2) then kinetic parameters areestimated from time activity curves generated from the dynamicreconstructions. This paper provides a method for calculating thecovariance matrix of the kinetic parameters, which are determined usingweighted least squares fitting that incorporates the estimated varianceand covariance of the dynamic reconstructions. For each transaxial slicesets of sequential tomographic projections are reconstructed into asequence of transaxial reconstructions usingfor each reconstruction inthe time sequence an iterative MAP reconstruction to ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose To evaluate the methods of applicator reconstruction in 3D MR-based planning for brachytherapy of cervical cancer, and to investigate applicator shifts and changes in DVH parameters during PDR treatment. Methods For each application MR scans with applicator in situ were made: three T2-weighted (4.5mm slices) Turbo Spin Echo (TSE) scans and a balanced Steady State Free Precession scan (1.5mm). Three observers tested two applicator reconstruction methods: (A) directly on the bSSFP scan and (B) on a resampled combination of the three T2-weighted scans. For 10 patients MR imaging was repeated on the second day of each PDR fraction to determine applicator shifts and changes in DVH parameters. Results For both applicator reconstruction methods the interobserver variation for the DVH para...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Computed tomography (CT) has been incorporated in an industrial Diode-Array Digital Radiography (DADR) system. An input data size of 512 pixel points x 400 projections yielded a 400x400 output image matrix. Reconstruction algorithms used are the filtered backprojection (FBP) and the direct Fourier reconstruction (DFR). Various filters were used in the FBP reconstruction process and their effects on image quality were evaluated. A spatial resolution of 100 {mu}m was measured with a block of plates and a minimum detectable feature size in the range of 10-100 {mu}m was measured using thin wires. Industrial specimens imaged have included ceramic samples, ball bearings and integrated circuits. A number of engineering problems have been solved, such as adjustment of the X-ray source, centering of the rotator spindle in the view field and beam-hardening corrections. (orig.).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A screening questionnaire designed to take an alcohol history was used on 996 patients attending the London Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. Questions concerned with 'binge' drinking detected...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The chapter presents the nuclear energy development in 20th century and the most important radiation accidents happened from the point of view of technological risk and high impact consequences: Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

Science.gov (United States)

A post-accident-heat-removal structural effects analysis for the steel liner in the FFTF concrete containment structure is presented. (JWR)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report draws an account of the consequences of Chernobyl accident 14 years after the disaster. It is made up of 8 chapters whose titles are: (1) Some figures about Chernobyl accident, (2) Chernobyl nuclear power plant, (3)Sanitary consequences of Chernobyl accident, (4) The management of contaminated lands, (5) The impact in France of Chernobyl fallout, (6) International cooperation, (7) More information about Chernobyl and (8) Glossary.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Surry low power and shutdown probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) is an ongoing project at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to identify and quantify potential accident scenarios that may occur in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) during low power and shutdown. It was initiated as a result of various incidents and accidents that have occurred within the United States and overseas. The project involves review and evaluation of PWR experience at shutdown, identification of accident scenarios, determination of methods to mitigate the accidents, and performance a level 1 PRA. An evaluation of accident progression, source terms and consequences has also been initiated. The results will be used to address issues related to shutdown conditions. The objective of this paper is to provide a progress report on the project, and to present the approach used as well as the preliminary results ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The information given in the present report about the Chernobyl accident and its radiological consequences indicates a serious crisis of the international radiation community. The following signs of this crises can be discerned: The international radiation community did not recognize the real reasons of the accident for a long time. It could not make a correct assessment of the damage to the thyroid of the affected populations of Belarus, Russia and the Ukraine. Up to present time it rejects the reliable data on hereditary malformations. It is not able to accept reliable data on the increase in the incidence in all categories of people affected by the Chernobyl accident. The international radiation community supported the Soviet authorities in their attempts to play down the radiological consequences of the Chernobyl accident for a long time. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Probabilistic risk assessment is a technique used to systematically analyze complex technical systems, such as nuclear waste management facilities, in order to identify and measure their public health, environmental, and economic risks. Probabilistic techniques have been utilized at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico, to evaluate the probability of a catastrophic waste hoist accident. A probability model was developed to represent the hoisting system, and fault trees were constructed to identify potential sequences of events that could result in a hoist accident. Quantification of the fault trees using statistics compiled by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) indicated that the annual probability of a catastrophic hoist accident at WIPP is less than one in 60 million. This result allowed classification of a catastrophic hoist accident as ''not credible'' at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The reconstruction of steel lining of the FFTF reactor building is described. The cold part of the lining has a simple structure and represents a steel sheet of 6.35 mm thickness welded to I-shaped imbedded in concrete, the hot part is meant for resisting the hot sodium contacting with it. The reconstruction has been reduced to the substitution of usual lining, the sheets of which are fixed in such a way that dangerous strains in metal arising at evaporation are excluded by the new structure admitting sheet deformation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The NUclear Power Engineering Corporation (NUPEC) has developed IMPACT-SAMPSON code to analyze integral behavior of light water nuclear power plants under severe accident conditions. IMPACT-SAMPSON's distinguishing features include interconnected hierarchical modules and mechanistic models covering a wide spectrum of scenarios ranging from normal operation to severe accident events, and high-speed simulation on parallel processing computers. The integral plant behaviors of typical PWR and BWR under severe accident conditions have been analyzed with the IMPACT-SAMPSON code. The PWR plant analyzed was the three-loop, steel-dry containment type with 2,440 MWt. The AE accident scenario was supposed, that is, LOCA by 6-inch hot leg failure followed by accumulated water injection, but no ECCS and containment spray activation. The BWR plant analyzed was the 3,293 MWt BWR-5, Mark-II containment type. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper describes the activities for improving the Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) quality in the human reliability analysis (HRA) of the pre-accident human errors for the Korea Standard Nuclear Power Plant (KSNP). We evaluate the HRA results of the PSA for the KSNP and identify the items to be improved using the ASME PRA Standard. Evaluation results show that the ratio of items to be improved for pre-accident human errors is relatively high when compared with the ratio of those for post-accident human errors. They also show that more than 50% of the items to be improved for pre-accident human errors are related to the identification and screening analysis for them. In this paper, we develop the modeling guidelines for pre-accident human errors and apply them to the auxiliary feedwater system of the KSNP. Application results show that more than 50% of the items to be ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, using the ANS low power and shutdown (LPSD) probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) Standard, evaluated the LPSD PSA model of the KSNP, Yonggwang Units 5 and 6, and identified the items to be improved. The evaluation results of human reliability analysis (HRA) of the post-accident human errors in the LPSD PSA model for the KSNP showed that 10 items among 19 items of supporting requirements for those in the ANS PRA Standard were identified as them to be improved. Thus, we newly carried out a HRA for post-accident human errors in the LPSD PSA model for the KSNP. Following tasks are the improvements in the HRA of post-accident human errors of the LPSD PSA model for the KSNP compared with the previous one: Interviews with operators in the interpretation of the procedure, modeling of operator actions, and the quantification results of human errors, site visit. Applications of limiting value to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A method of reconstructing three-dimensional, in vivo dose distributions delivered by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is presented. A proof-of-principle experiment is described where an inverse-planned IMRT treatment is delivered to an anthropomorphic phantom. The exact position of the phantom at the time of treatment is measured by acquiring megavoltage CT data with the treatment beam and a research prototype, flat-panel, electronic portal imaging device. Immediately following CT imaging, the planned IMRT beams are delivered using the multiple-static field technique. The delivered fluence is sampled using the same detector as for the CT data. The signal measured by the portal imaging device is converted to primary fluence using an iterative phantom-scatter estimation technique. This primary fluence is back-projected through the previously acquired megavoltage CT model of the phantom, with inverse attenuation correction, to yield an input fluence map. The ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Sinus lifting and reconstruction of localized alveolar defects are often required after closure of a large oroantral fistula (OAF) to allow for subsequent implant installation. This study describes a combined surgical technique that involves sinus lifting, bony closure, and reconstruction of the alveolar defect at the site of an OAF. The sinus membrane was reconstructed as a continuous layer by combining the residual sinus membrane with a rotated part of oral mucosa around the OAF. Autogenous bone from the chin and/or ramus was grafted into the prepared sinus space and alveolar defect, and the graft was covered by a buccal advancement flap. This technique was used to treat 8 patients who had large OAFs in the posterior maxillary region. The treatment was successful in all cases, and the te...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The developed system is intended for use at a collimated thermal neutron beam with a flux of about 10"6 n/cm"2 s. The system works with a cooled CCD array (192 x 165 pixels) and an intensifier for light from a NE426 scintillator with traditional optical coupling. A fine mechanical regulation system allows an accurate positioning of the tomographer, also ensuring the alignment of the CCD array with the rotation and translation axes. The acquisition of 200 projections is carried out in about 30 min with a reconstruction time (40 min max) depending on the reconstruction-matrix order. Radiography and tomography of significant objects are illustrated. The reconstruction algorithm, including spatial and temporal inhomogeneity corrections and filters, was tested with good results for projections up to 512 x 512 pixels. (orig.)

Science.gov (United States)

A ground-breaking study was recently completed as part of the Seabrook Level 2 PRA update. This study updates the post-core damage phenomena to be consistent with the most recent information and includes accident management activities that should be modeled in the Level 2 PRA. Overall, the result is a Level 2 PRA that fully meets the requirements of the ASME PRA Standard with respect to modeling accident management in the LERF assessment and NRC requirements in Regulatory Guide 1.174 for considering late containment failures. This technical paper deals only with the incorporation of operator actions into the Level 2 PRA based on a comprehensive study of the Seabrook Station accident response procedures and guidance. The paper describes the process used to identify the key operator actions that can influence the Level 2 PRA results and the development of success criteria for these key operator actions. This addresses a key ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A lot of recent experimental results show that cladding failure limits to the RCCA ejection accident will be changed because of the impact of the high irradiation on the fuel rod behavior in the reactor. The maximal assembly discharge burnup in Daya Bay unit 1 and 2 will reach up to 52 GMd/tU with 18 month fuel cycle. It is necessary to perform the specific RCCA ejection accident analysis for the high burnup fuel assembly in order to evaluate the maximal enthalpy in the fuel rods. There is no definite design limit of maximal enthalpy for high burnup assembly during the RCCA ejection accident. One could perform the rod ejection accident analysis for the high burnup assemblies and compare the analytical results with the specific experimental results. The RCCA ejection accident analysis for the high burnup assemblies for Daya Bay NPS has been performed based on the conventional ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspects domestic and imported meat and poultry food products to assure the public that they are safe, wholesome, not economically adulterated and properly labeled. The Service also monitors the activities of meat and poultry plants and related activities in allied industries, and establishes standards and approves labels for meat and poultry products. As part of its responsibility, shortly after the Chernobyl accident occurred, FSIS developed a plan to assess this accident's impact on domestically produced and imported meat and poultry

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The potential public safety impacts from accidents in conceptual fusion power plants were investigated. Fusion was found to have some potential for accidents, as does any energy generating system. Functions of fusion power plants were identified that possess sufficient potential for an accidental release of toxic materials to the environment. An assessment was made of the impact of the potential accidents and recommendations are included for R and D that will allow incorporation of safety concerns in fusion power plant design. This work was based on a review of information available in conceptual design documents of fusion reactor systems.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The authors suggested a conceptual model of automatic processing the data on radioactive environment contamination (REC) after the accidents at the plants with nuclear fuel cycle. The possibilities of mathematic methods of processing the data on REC in automatic-control systems of radiation situation. It is stated that the following 2 methods most of all satisfy the existing requirements: linear interpolation on the locally homogenous fields and successive parametric adaptation. As an example there are demonstrated the results of estimation of the actual radiation situation in the region of accident at Siberian Chemical Plant (town Tomsk-7) in April, 1993. 6 refs.; 2 figs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Russian 2004 p. 50-51 Russian Federation Kalyakin, SG Kapinos,

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the revised GCFR Safety Program Plan a quantitative risk limit line has been adopted to establish requirements for the safety related functions and systems. The risk limit line is derived from an interpretation of NRC established licensing requirements, including those for LMFBR's. Multiple barriers to the progression of accident sequences are defined in the form of six Lines of Protection (LOPs). LOPs-1 to 3 are dedicated to accident prevention and represent the normal operating systems, the dedicated safety systems and the inherent design features, respectively. LOPs-4 to 6 are dedicated to the mitigation of core melt accident consequences and include in-vessel accident containment, secondary containment integrity and radiological attenuation, respectively. Cumulative frequency limits and consequence limits are established for each LOP. Design features associated with each LOP are described and the ...

Science.gov (United States)

Feb 6, 2003 ... Director, Plans and Programs, Headquarters Air Force Materiel Command, .... Commander of the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia at Prince ...

Science.gov (United States)

our exploration of space, in a manner with improved safety. ... a new Space Transportation System. ... Columbia launches as STS-107 on January 16, 2003. ...

CERN Document Server

We present an alternative, Bayesian method for large-scale reconstruction from observed peculiar velocity data. The method stresses a rigorous treatment of the random errors and it allows extrapolation into poorly sampled regions in real space or in k-space. A likelihood analysis is used to determine the fluctuation power spectrum, followed by a Wiener Filter (WF) analysis to obtain the minimum-variance mean fields of velocity and mass density. Constrained Realizations (CR) are then used to sample the statistical scatter about the WF mean field. The WF/CR method is applied as a demonstration to the Mark III data with 1200 km/s, 900 km/s, and 500 km/s resolutions. The main reconstructed structures are consistent with those extracted by the POTENT method. A comparison with the structures in the distribution of IRAS 1.2Jy galaxies yields a general agreement. The reconstructed velocity field is decomposed into its divergent and ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in clinical material cannot replicate efficiently in vitro until it has adapted by mutation. Consequently, wild-type HCMV differ fundamentally from the passaged strains...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The phylogeny and taxonomy of mammalian species were originally based upon shared or derived morphological characteristics. However, genetic analyses have more recently played an increasingly important...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Nowadays, percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation is a successful alternative to surgery for patients requiring treatment of pulmonary valve dysfunction. However, owing to the wide variety of implantation...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Agriculture is a specialized form of symbiosis that is known to have evolved in only four animal groups: humans, bark beetles, termites, and ants. Here, we reconstruct the major evolutionary transitions...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeThe objective of this study is to evaluate the continence rate following reconstruction of the posterior urethral plate in robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We analyse the relation between the exchange algebra and the separation of the chiralities in classical Toda field theory. We show that there exists a conformally covariant Bloch wave basis such that the two chiralities commute. In terms of this basis we then reconstruct the periodic and local solution of Toda field theory. (orig.).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

SUMMARYEstrogen has an important role in the reconstruction of a new vascular network in the endometrium during each menstrual cycle; however, the underlying mechanisms...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Computed tomography allows today to reconstruct three-dimensional (eD) images fram axial scans. The authors report their experience in cranio-facial pathology achived in two Departments of Radiology (University of Trieste, Italy and University of Standford, California). 3D images have been realized using two different softwares, one of which allows to reconstruct both soft tissue and bone structures. The application in maxillo-facial traumas, cranio-facial malformations and head tumours are disscussed. 3D images turned out to be very useful for the optimal visualization and for the spatial demostration of the lesion and have potential applications in cranio-facial surgery and radiotherapy.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT This article proposes a philosophical reconstruction of the subject of the educator as the agent of curriculum. Starting from recent work in critical theory and philosophy, it describes the process of the existential crisis of the educator as the first step toward a truly critical education. The article argues that philosophy of curriculum must be concerned not just with forms of thought but also with forms of being-with the very ground of the subject and its real. This political ontology of the subject suggests a process of reconstruction consisting of several stages: the disclosure of ideology and complicity, the investigation of the process of interpellation, and the creation of a fundamentally collective educational practice. It is only on the basis of the effective staging of...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Until April 2007 the Major Atmospheric Gamma ray Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) telescope used a 300 MSamples/s flash analog-to-digital converter (FADC) system to sample the shaped photomultiplier tube (PMT) signals produced by the captured Cherenkov photons of air showers. Different algorithms to reconstruct the signal from the read-out samples (extractors) have been implemented and are described and compared. Criteria based on the obtained charge and time resolution/bias are defined and used to judge the different extractors, by applying them to calibration, cosmic and pedestal signals. The achievable charge and time resolution have been derived as functions of the number of incident photo-electrons.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The risk perception of the public consists of two components: the objectively factual component and the subjectively irrational component. The two strategies adopted by the German gas supply industry are the internal and the external communication strategy. Concepts and measures of accident precaution, registration and analysis of accident data (installation and operating errors, defects on flue systems, pipelines and valves, subsequent installation of gas appliances) are discussed. (R.P.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The volume contains reports on plant technology, on systems organisation with the aim to minimize the risk (human error), on the problem of seismic risk, on core-disruptive accidents and on accident consequence models with different release categories and a comparison of the potential damage incurred. Mr. Webb; one of the authors, attempts to disprove the objections to his two earliest SNR statements by experts of Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Centre.

Science.gov (United States)

Only a small number of radiation accidents in the United States have been severe enough to result in multi-organ failure (MOF). Medical details of selected medical misadministration and criticality cases are reviewed, with an emphasis on pathophysiology. The four criticality cases are particularly relevant for analysis of MOF, since medical treatment was supportive and did not appreciably alter the clinical evolution of radiation injury. PMID:15975871

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Medico-biological aspects of Chernobyl accident among suffered children and adult population in Ukraine are exposed. Health condition of children irradiated in postnatal period and born from irradiated parents are described. Results of the most important organs and systems monitoring in different categories of suffered adults and data about non-stochastic and stochastic effects are given. Special attention is given to neuropsychiatric and endocrinological effects, conditions of visceral systems

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objectives of this paper are to discuss the following aspects of physiopathology of iodine nutrition related to thyroid irradiation by nuclear accidents: (1) The cycle of iodine in nature, the dietary sources of iodine and the recommended dietary allowances for iodine. (2) The anomalies of thyroid metabolism induced by iodine deficiency. The caricatural situation as seen in endemic goitre will be used as mode. (3) The specific paediatric aspects of adaptation to iodine deficiency. (4) The present status of iodine nutrition in Europe. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This book presents the papers given at a symposium on occupational safety in coal mines. Topics considered at the symposium included human factors, causes and prevention of personal injuries, remote sensing for ground control, respirable dust generation by continuous miners, accident analysis, hazard analysis of mining equipment, coal mine blasting accidents, coal mine respirable dust sampling, and noise in the mining industry.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Chernobyl reactor accident has pronupted all European countries to rehabilitate their existing measurement and monitoring systems and to design and erect new ones. These systems are meant to ensure a rapid overview on the situation in case of an accident to adopt suitable actions for protection or prevention. 6 papers report on the state of such measurement systems in Europe, inparticular those in France (TELERAY), in Germany (IMIS) and in Switzerland (RADAIR). The IMIS-system is discussed for its extension to Eastern Germany. (HP).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Traditionally, probabilistic risk analyses [PRA] of severe accidents in nuclear power plants have limited themselves to consideration of the set of initiating events occurring during full power operation. However, some analyses of accident initiators during low power, shutdown, and other modes of plant operation other than full power have been performed. These studies as well as the Chernobyl accident and recent operating experience at U.S. pressurized water reactors suggested that risks during low power and shutdown could be significant. As such, the analysis of the frequencies, consequences, and risks of these accidents was identified as one task in the Nuclear Regulatory Commission staff's study of the implications of the Chernobyl accident to U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. The surry PRA project is an ongoing high priority effort at BNL [Brookhaven National Laboratory] ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The leakage behavior of containments beyond design conditions and knowledge of failure modes is required for evaluation of mitigation strategies for severe accidents, risk studies, emergency preparedness planning, and siting. These studies are directed towards assessing the risk and consequences of severe accidents. An accident sequence analysis conducted on a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR), Mark I (MK I), indicated very high temperatures in the dry-well region, which is the location of the majority of electrical penetration assemblies. Because of the high temperatures, it was postulated in the ORNL study that the sealants would fail and all the electrical penetration assemblies would leak before structural failure would occur. Since other containments had similar electrical penetration assemblies, it was concluded that all containments would experience the same type of failure. The results of this study, however, show that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Temperature and concentration profiles of CO in a laminar, axisymmetric, premixed methane-air Bunsen flame are measured using line-of-sight diode laser absorption spectroscopy and computer tomographic (CT) reconstruction. Absorption spectra for P(20) (v=2<-1) and P(27) (v=1<-0) vibrotational transitions of CO were measured at 21 evenly spaced positions over a 1.33 cm span for a 1.3 cm radius flame. CT reconstruction algorithm was based on Fourier convolution. The tomographically reconstructed normalized transmission profiles derived from absorption spectra, in conjunction with a quantum mechanical model for vibrotational behavior of CO, yielded both temperature and concentration profiles. The Bunsen flame had 3 distinct zones: an inner rich-premixed flame zone, an outer non-premixed flame zone and an unburnt core region. The reconstructed temperature profile showed that the core region temperature ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The results of a scoping study of onsite radiation exposures which could take place in each of three types of postulated reactor accidents are presented. The accident types are (1) a fuel handling accident at a Mark III BWR; an interfacing system LOCA or V sequence at a PWR; and and Anticipated Transient Without Scram (ATWS) at a Mark I BWR. Both external and internal dose pathways are considered. The results of the study indicate the prohibitively high radiation doses could be received in some plant areas if personnel were to remain there. However, times of the order of a few minutes to a few hours, depending on the type of accident, would be available before life-threatening doses would be accumulated assuming that the provided full face respiratory protection equipment were used promptly. Special attention was given radiation doses possibly received by control room personnel for several control room ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Stable boiloff of core water during a severe LWR accident, that is, boiloff driven only by the decay power generated below the water level, is tractable analytically and is relatively insensitive to axial power distribution. As might be expected, calculated accident event times are sensitive to the fidelity of the decay power model. During later stages of boiloff, heat transfer or transport of energy from above the water level to the residual water can result in an unstable condition during which the boiloff rate increases greatly. The unstable boiloff phenomenon illustrates the highly nonlinear influence of core heat transfer during meltdown and emphasizes the great accuracy requirements which attend the modeling of the accident during periods of enhanced heat transfer when significant zirconium oxidation is possible.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The results of nine years of study of the 237 patients who suffered from acute radiation syndrome (ARS) as a consequence of the Chernobyl accident are reported. Thirty-eight of these patients have died, 28 in the acute period in 1986, 5 in 1987-90 and 5 in 1992-93. The reasons for death show no clear tendencies. They include: gangrene of the lung, organic disease of the brain and spinal chord, hypoplasia of haematopoeisis, coronary heart disease, sarcoma and an automobile accident. Investigations have been carried out on an annual obligatory basis of the patients` haemopoietic, immune, nervous and endocrine systems. An analysis of the data is presented. Histograms are included showing the incidence of digestive tract, nervous system, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders, the frequency and degree of disablement and serum prolactin concentration. The types of skin damage sustained by 39 of the patients are listed. (6 figures, 3 tables). (UK).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We report on severe accident scenarios consequences evaluation in connection to the applied emergency countermeasures and use of the PC COSYMA code. We present some of the results for the reactor core melt accident assumed to happen at the 632 MWE PWR Krsko Nuclear Power Plant in Slovenia. The efficiency of several potential countermeasures in limiting the late health effects was studied. Regarding the source term, the majority of release parameters are as specified for category 2 in the German Risk Study. Site specific data were used. As the outside (meteorologic) conditions during the potential accident onset can be very different, the study limited to the deterministic runs, assuming the wind direction upstream the Sava river into the WNW direction, wind speed of 5 ms -1 and the C Pasquill stability category. The population distribution file was formed from the NEK-FSAR data for the 1991. (author)

CERN Document Server

First results are presented from an analysis of data from the DRIFT-IIa and DRIFT-IIb directional dark matter detectors at Boulby Mine in which alpha particle tracks were reconstructed and used to characterise detector performance--an important step towards optimising directional technology. The drift velocity in DRIFT-IIa was [59.3 +/- 0.2 (stat) +/- 7.5 (sys)] m/s based on an analysis of naturally-occurring alpha-emitting background. The drift velocity in DRIFT-IIb was [57 +/- 1 (stat) +/- 3 (sys)] m/s determined by the analysis of alpha particle tracks from a Po-210 source. 3D range reconstruction and energy spectra were used to identify alpha particles from the decay of Rn-222, Po-218, Rn-220 and Po-216. This study found that (22 +/- 2)% of Po-218 progeny (from Rn-222 decay) are produced with no net charge in 40 Torr CS2. For Po-216 progeny (from Rn-220 decay) the uncharged fraction is (100 +0 -35)%.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The use of cathode ray irradiated arterial allografts on the reconstruction of small peripheral arteries is described. The fate of irradiated arterial allografts implanted subcutaneously in rats was compared histologically with that of allografts which were fresh, frozen or stored in 70% alcohol. Follow-up studies were made of 10 dogs in which irradiated arterial allografts had been implanted in the femoral artery to be evaluated; long term patency by arteriography, gross and histologic changes of the implanted allografts, and the luminal surface of the implanted allografts by scanning electron microscopic studies. For the purpose of antigenic studies, extracts of canine arteries which had been irradiated, frozen or stored in 70% alcohol, were prepared and tested by the following immunological methods: precipitation, Ouchterlony gel diffusion, and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. From the results obtained in these experiments, it was concluded that, compared with ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The CDF II eXtremely Fast Tracker (XFT) is the trigger processor which reconstructs charged particle tracks in the CDF II central outer tracking chamber. The XFT tracks are also extrapolated to the electromagnetic calorimeter and muon chambers and are associated to electromagnetic clusters and muon stubs to generate trigger electron and muon candidates. The steady increase of the Tevatron instantaneous luminosity and the resulting higher occupancy of the chamber demanded an upgrade of the original system, which performed tracking only in the transverse plane of the chamber and was consequently affected by a significant level of fake tracks. In the upgraded XFT, tracking is reinforced by using additional data from the stereo layers of the chamber to reduce the level of fake tracks and to perform three-dimensional track reconstruction. A review of this upgrade is presented.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

DVR project concerns the creation of a virtual reality OpenGL system for desktop applications in archaeology. The main goal is the creation of a 3D information system using the real time interaction of OpenGL environments. The first case study implemented is the Vettii House, one of the most important and outstanding monuments in Pompei. The virtual reconstruction of these architectural models is based on very detailed photogrammetric surveys and it is connected with information layers and archaeometric data-bases regarding the state of conservation of walls, structures and any type of materials of the monument. A full 3D interface characterizes the system, comprising a high resolution texturing with detailed volumetric and geometric data. Finally, for the future, the project plans to fit the system for scientific and end users through the installation of stations on site.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An ultrasonic signal processing technique is applied to multi-mode arrival time estimation from Lamb waveforms. The basic tool is a simplified time-scale projection called a dynamic wavelet fingerprint (DWFP) which enables direct observation of the variation of features of interest in non-stationary ultrasonic signals. The DWFP technique was used to automatically detect and evaluate each candidate through-transmitted Lamb mode. The area of the dynamic wavelet fingerprint was then used as a feature to distinguish false modes caused by noise and other interference from the true modes of interest. The set of estimated arrival times were then used as inputs for tomographic reconstruction. The Lamb wave tomography images generated with these estimated arrival times were able to indicate different defects in aluminum plates.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Little is known about the rates of establishment and clonal spread of invasive plants on a landscape scale. This knowledge is necessary for reconstructing and predicting invasions, for example of the alien shrub Rosa rugosa. A series of aerial photographs (1986, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006) were used to map the species in coastal dunes of north-western Denmark (2354ha), and all R. rugosa patches (1321) were recorded with GPS in 2004 and 2007. The 2004 records were used to digitize 82-161 distinct patches on the photographs. The increase in patch sizes from the older to the younger photographs was used to calculate a lateral clonal spread rate (0.42myear^-^1). Relative area increment by clonal spread was 16.4% per year, decreasing exponentially with patch size due to constant clonal lateral spre...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Here we present a revision of the fossil record of chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) of Late Pleistocene and Holocene marine deposits of Uruguay and discuss their potential for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction. Chitons were recorded as isolated valves in bivalve- and gastropod-rich assemblages. They are represented by the species Chaetopleura angulata (Spengler), C. isabellei (d'Orbigny), C. asperrima (Gould) and Ischnochiton striolatus (Gray). The last two species are recorded for the first time as fossils not only in Uruguay but also in South America. Exclusively recorded for the Late Pleistocene is the warm water species I. striolatus, whose current southern range limit is located in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Higher temperatures than at present are inferred for the Uruguayan coast duri...

CERN Document Server

A simple and efficient method for characterization of multidimensional Gaussian states is suggested and experimentally demonstrated. Our scheme shows analogies with tomography of finite dimensional quantum states, with the covariance matrix playing the role of the density matrix and homodyne detection providing Stern-Gerlach-like projections. The major difference stems from a different character of relevant noises: while the statistics of Stern-Gerlach-like measurements is governed by binomial statistics, the detection of quadrature variances correspond to chi-square statistics. For Gaussian and near Gaussian states the suggested method provides, compared to standard tomography techniques, more stable and reliable reconstructions. In addition, by putting together reconstruction methods for Gaussian and arbitrary states, we obtain a tool to detect the non-Gaussian character of optical signals.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A patient is presented with a cervical spinal cord transection which occurred after a motor vehicle accident in which the air bag deployed and the seat belt was not in use. The patient had complete...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes a functional slide rule that provides a readily usable ?in-hand? method for estimating nuclear criticality accident information from sliding graphs, thereby permitting (1) the rapid estimation of pertinent criticality accident information without laborious or sophisticated calculations in a nuclear criticality emergency situation, (2) the appraisal of potential fission yields and external personnel radiation exposures for facility safety analyses, and (3) a technical basis for emergency preparedness and training programs at nonreactor nuclear facilities. The slide rule permits the estimation of neutron and gamma dose rates and integrated doses based upon estimated fission yields, distance from the fission source, and time-after criticality accidents for five different critical systems. Another sliding graph permits the estimation of critical solution fission yields based upon fissile material ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The SCDAP/RELAP5 code has been developed for best estimate transient simulation of light water reactor coolant systems during a severe accident. The code models the coupled behavior of the reactor coolant system, core, fission product released during a severe accident transient as well as large and small break loss of coolant accidents, operational transients such as anticipated transient without SCRAM, loss of off-site power, loss of feedwater, and loss of flow. A generic modeling approach is used that permits as much of a particular system to be modeled as necessary. Control system and secondary system components are included to permit modeling of plant controls, turbines, condensers, and secondary feedwater conditioning systems. This volume describes the organization and manner of the interface between severe accident models which are resident in the SCDAP portion of the code and hydrodynamic models ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the current fitness of an area ambulance service based in Belfast and to quantify the physiological demands of accident and emergency work. From a total...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

NUPEC has carried out hydrogen mixing tests to investigate hydrogen distribution behavior within a model containment and to provide a set of experimental data for validation of severe accident analysis codes.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Blunt chest-wall trauma is common; however, resultant tricuspid valve rupture is rare and can be subtle in its presentation. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a key role in diagnosis.Herein,...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This guidebook organizes the profusion of rules and regulations surrounding radiation protection into a single-volume reference. Employee and public protection, accident prevention, and emergency preparedness are included in this comprehensive coverage. Whenever possible, information is presented in convenient checklists, tables, or outlines that enable you to locate information quickly.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This article, published in issue 80 of 'l'ACROnique du nucleaire', aims to retrace the early steps in the consideration of the possibility of a nuclear accident in France, with the inclusion of 'non-institutional' participants and applying the lessons learned in Belarus in the contaminated territories around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. After a review of the origin of the involvement of the Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l'Ouest (ACRO) in addressing post-accident issues alongside the populations living in an environment polluted by radioactivity, it discusses, from the critical viewpoint of an NGO, the context and the working method adopted for this examination. This is followed by some key elements of the programme and unresolved questions about the available body of knowledge which motivates research and about the method adopted for the work. The conclusion, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The major feed-water line break accident is re-analyzed, which is based on Guangdong Daya Bay nuclear power station final safety analysis report, to justify the impacts of the decreasing of auxiliary feed-water flow rate on the safety margin in Daya Bay. The results showed that the accident analysis can meet the demands of acceptance criteria with the auxiliary feed-water flowrate decreasing from 45 m"3/h to 41.8 m"3/h, and enough safety margin is still retained

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An experimental technique is described which allows for parametric investigations of transient behavior of mobile core materials in a fuel bundle geometry. For the out-of-pile simulation of energy releases resulting from mild TOP- or LOF-accidents the exothermic reaction of an aluminium-oxide-thermite is used. Transient material relocation inside the test section is recorded by X-ray-cinematography. Results of some experiments recently performed close to conditions expected to be achieved during mild TOP-accidents are described in detail.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Within the APROS simulation environment we have built a thermo-hydraulic model of a conceptual fusion power plant which is water cooled and uses lithium-lead for tritium breeding. For the safety assessment of this design we have studied an accident sequence which starts from a loss or coolant flow then leads to first wall breach and pressurisation of the vacuum vessel. Simulations have revealed strong pressure transients which can be alleviated by design changes. One goal is to verify the adequacy of the containment design: it remains intact at least 14 h without any mitigating efforts. Estimates for radioactive releases are obtained. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document contains the accident sequence analysis of internally initiated events for Grand Gulf, Unit 1 as it operates in the Low Power and Shutdown Plant Operational State 5 during a refueling outage. The report documents the methodology used during the analysis, describes the results from the application of the methodology, and compares the results with the results from two full power analyses performed on Grand Gulf.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A semi-mechanistic model for calculating solid radionuclide release rates from bubbling pools of sodium was developed. The influence of particle spacial and size distributions on the decontamination of the releases was analysed and found significant. Decontamination factors are shown as a function of pool depth, bubbling characteristics and particle size distribution. The calculation of a decontamination factor for estimating the source term of large scale hypothetical core disruptive accidents is presented. The decontamination factor for a large scale accident was found to be two orders of magnitude greater than results obtained from small scale experiments conducted with uniform particle distributions. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In order to understand the detail transient two-phase flow structure, more advanced two-phase flow instrumentation is required. One advanced technique for flow visualization is real-time neutron radiography. Reconstruction method of visualized radiographic image of liquid metal two-phase flow generated by the real-time neutron radiography system is proposed in this paper. Image processing techniques for noise reduction and image enhancement are discussed in detail. (author).

CERN Document Server

The method of spectral disentangling has now created the opportunity for studying the chemical composition in previously inaccessible components of binary and multiple stars. This in turn makes it possible to trace their chemical evolution, a vital aspect in understanding the evolution of stellar systems. We review different ways to reconstruct individual spectra from eclipsing and non-eclipsing systems, and then concentrate on some recent applications to detached binaries with high-mass and intermediate-mass stars, and Algol-type mass-transfer systems.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

It is shown that de-noising a measured time signal by wavelet technique produces a rather good result in time domain, while it has unwanted consequences in spectrum estimation. Therefore it can be used for reconstruction of the picture of the physical process, but it should be avoided, when the aim is to reveal eigenfrequencies or transient behaviour of the spectra.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stylized numerical models of the tooth are usually employed in qualification procedure related to Electronic Paramagnetic Resonance in long-term accidental contamination dose reconstruction. In this work a voxel model was developed from the microCT image data set of a human non contaminated molar tooth. A stylized model, reproducing the characteristics of the voxel model, was also created in order to investigate the level of accuracy that can be obtained in this kind of study.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Several recently introduced 'new' techniques in computed tomography - iterative reconstruction, gated cardiac CT, multiple-source, and dual-energy CT - actually date back to the early days of CT. We review the historic origins and evolution of these techniques, which may provide some insight into the latest innovations in commercial CT systems. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report describes the basis, results, and related risk implications of an analysis performed by an ad hoc working group of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to assess the containment bypass potential attributable to steam generator tube rupture (SGTR) induced by severe accident conditions. The SGTR Severe Accident Working Group, comprised of staff members from the NRC`s Offices of Nuclear Reactor Regulation (NRR) and Nuclear Regulatory Research (RES), undertook the analysis beginning in December 1995 to support a proposed steam generator integrity rule. The work drew upon previous risk and thermal-hydraulic analyses of core damage sequences, with a focus on the Surry plant as a representative example. This analysis yielded new results, however, derived by predicting thermal-hydraulic conditions of selected severe accident scenarios using the SCDAP/RELAP5 computer code, flawed tube failure modeling, and tube ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper a comparison between severe accident calculations performed for a WWER 1000 with the ASTEC1.1v0 and MELCOR 1.8.5 computer codes for a small break LOCA (ID 60 mm) without intervention of hydro accumulators is presented. This investigation has been performed in the framework of the SARNET project under the EURATOM 6th framework program. Once the accident sequence scenario is specified, both codes (MELCORE and ASTEC) are able to determine the core and containment damaged states, to estimate the release of radionuclides from the fuel as well as from the primary circuit and containment. Theses results are used to estimate the maximum period of the time during which the personnel could still take particular decisions in order to mitigate such an accident. The aim of the performed analysis is to estimate the discrepancy between ASTEC and MELCORE 1.8.5 calculations. Such discrepancies will be studied, if the case, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

On March 28, 1979, the Pennsylvania Three Mile Island nuclear power plant Unit 2 (TMI-2) suffered a partial fuel-melt accident. During this accident, over 20,000 lb of molten fuel flowed through holes melted through the baffle plates and through the lower-core support assembly (LCSA). The molten fuel subsequently resolidified in the bottom of the reactor vessel. The lower-core support assembly of the TMI-2 reactor was not structurally damaged during the accident. In order to permit defueling of that region of the core, the LCSA was cut to permit access. A five-axis teleoperator was developed to deliver plasma arc cutting, rotary grinding and abrasive waterjet cutting of end effectors to the LCSA. Complex geometry sectioning was completed in a mock-up facility at chemistry and pressure conditions simulating those of the vessel, prior to actual in-vessel operations. In-vessel activities began in early May 1988 and were ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The RADionuclide Transport, Removal, And Dose (RADTRAD) code is designed for US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) use to calculate the radiological consequences to the offsite population and to control room operators following a design-basis accident at Light Water Reactor (LWR) power plants. This code utilizes updated reactor accident source terms published in draft NUREG-1465, ``Accident Source Terms for Light-Water Nuclear Power Plants.`` The code will track the transport of radionuclides as they are released from the reactor pressure vessel, travel through the primary containment and other buildings, and are released to the environment. As the radioactive material is transported through the primary containment and other buildings, credit for several removal mechanisms may be taken including sprays, suppression pools, overlying pools, filters, and natural deposition. Simple models are available for these different ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

During the past 2 yr, significant progress has been made in several areas related to the safety and environmental (S and E) aspects of inertial fusion energy (IFE). An updated methodology has been developed, and accident analyses have been performed for two IFE conceptual power plants and a target fabrication facility. Parallel to the consequence analyses of different accident scenarios, ongoing studies of accident initiating events are being used to support safety assessment and create a basic framework of types of events to consider in future risk characterization of new plant designs. Target designers/fabrication specialists have been provided with ranking information related to the S and E characteristics of candidate target materials. We have revisited waste management options for IFE, introducing the concept of clearance versus the traditional shallow land burial. A brief summary of results in each of these activities ...

Science.gov (United States)

The long operating cycle simplified boiling water reactor is a reactor concept that pursues both safety and the economy by employing a natural circulation reactor core without a refueling, a passive decay heat removal, and an integrated building for the reactor and turbine. Throughout the entire spectrum of the design basis accident, the reactor core is kept covered by the passive emergency core cooling system. The decay heat is removed by the conventional active low-pressure residual heat removal system. As for a postulated severe accident, the suppression pool water floods the lower part of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) in the case when core damage occurs, and the in-vessel retention that keeps the melt inside the RPV is achieved by supplying the coolant. The containment adopts a parallel-double-steel-plate structure similar to a hull structure, which contains coolant between the inner and outer walls to absorb the heat transferred from ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the VEGA program on radionuclide release from irradiated fuel under severe accident conditions, 10 tests in total were performed at JAEA from 1999 to 2004 under inert and steam atmospheres including the highest pressure or temperature conditions. These tests showed the increase in release rate above 2,800 K or at the fuel liquefaction and the decrease in release rate under elevated pressure, which was a first observation in the world. The data on low-volatility radionuclide release, release from MOX fuel, effect of fuel oxidation, and eutectic reaction with cladding on release were obtained from the tests. The mechanism of pressure effect on release was examined and a new release model with pressure effect was proposed. In addition, the pressure effect on source term evaluation and effectiveness of accident management measures were investigated. This article summarizes the major outcomes described above that have already been published and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This hazard analysis (HA) has been prepared for the 300 Area N Reactor Fuel Fabrication and Storage Facility (Facility), in compliance with the requirements of Westinghouse Hanford Company (Westinghouse Hanford) controlled manual WHC-CM-4-46, Nonreactor Facility Safety Analysis Manual, and to the direction of WHC-IP-0690, Safety Analysis and Regulation Desk Instructions, (WHC 1992). An HA identifies potentially hazardous conditions in a facility and the associated potential accident scenarios. Unlike the Facility hazard classification documented in WHC-SD-NR-HC-004, Hazard Classification for 300 Area N Reactor Fuel Fabrication and Storage Facility, (Huang 1993), which is based on unmitigated consequences, credit is taken in an HA for administrative controls or engineered safety features planned or in place. The HA is the foundation for the accident analysis. The significant event scenarios identified by this HA will be further evaluated in a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Feedwater System supplies feedwater to the steam generator at the required pressure, temperature and flow rate during the plant start-up, normal power operation, shutdown. When the Feedwater System is inoperable or unavailable, the Auxiliary Feedwater System supplies emergency feedwater to the steam generator. If main steam line break occurs, the increase of feedwater flow rate of the faulted steam generator due to decrease of the pressure in the faulted steam generator results in adverse effects in aspect of overcooling the Reactor Coolant System and increased containment pressure/temperature. To optimize the containment mass/energy analysis, this paper evaluates the maximum feedwater and auxiliary feedwater flow rate delivered to the faulted steam generator at each stage of pressure decrease in the faulted steam generator after a main steam line break accident. Calculated Feedwater flows are applied to calculate mass and energy release following MSLB ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Plasma surface interactions in tokamaks are known to create significant quantities of dust, which settles onto surfaces and accumulates in the vacuum vessel. In ITER, a loss of vacuum accident may result in the release of dust which will be radioactive and/or toxic, and provides increased surface area for chemical reactions or dust explosion. A new method of analysis has been developed for modeling dust resuspension and transport in loss of vacuum accidents. The aerosol dynamic equation is solved via the user defined scalar (UDS) capability in the commercial CFD code Fluent. Fluent solves up to 50 generic transport equations for user defined scalars, and allows customization of terms in these equations through user defined functions (UDF). This allows calculation of diffusion coefficients based on local flow properties, inclusion of body forces such as gravity and thermophoresis in the convection term, and user defined source terms. The code ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The program package COSYMA for assessing the radiological and economic consequences of nuclear accidents, developed with the support of the European Commission, was applied to investigate the health effects and risks from accidental releases of radioactive material from the Daya Bay nuclear power plant. Population distribution data in the range of 80 km around the site and hourly meteorological data for the year 1985 representative of accident consequence analysis were used. The results showed that early effects are more important at distances closer to the site, while the number of fatal cancers is closely related to the population density and the late effects are still important at distances larger than 50 km from the site. The mean annual expected values for early mortality and late mortality estimated for the population within a circle of 80 km around the Daya Bay nuclear power plant are 4.5x10"-"3 and 0.1 yr"-"1, respectively.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Contamination of certain areas of Europe with radiocaesium from the Chernobyl accident led to a higher {sup 137}Cs accumulation (i.e. 300-600 Bq kg{sup -1}) in grain and to potential post-accident contamination of broiler chickens. In future, such contamination may require a simple determination of the {sup 137}Cs activity concentration in broiler chicken meat which would lead to measures for preventing the recommended limits of radionuclide contamination of the meat for human consumption from being exceeded. This paper describes the development of a rapid method for the in vivo monitoring of the broiler chicken using a lead-shielded sodium iodide detector. The method enables simply fixed live chicken to be monitored, the results showing a good correlation (R{sup 2}=0.98) with measurements of meat from chicken previously monitored in vivo prior to slaughter.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This standard provides requirements and guidelines for installation, inspection and testing activities that assure the quality of important mechanical parts of a nuclear power plant not covered by the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Section III, during construction. These parts include those mechanical systems and components whose satisfactory performance is required: for the plant to operate reliably; to prevent accidents that could cause undue risk to the health and safety of the public; or to mitigate the consequences of such accidents if they were to occur. The requirements of this standard deal with the protection and control necessary to assure that the requisite quality of those important parts of the plant are preserved from the time items are removed from storage or receiving until they are incorporated into the plant up to but not including fuel loading for PWR plants and the completion of cold functional testing for BWR and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The probability of damage and the potential resulting hazards are analyzed for a representative rail shipping container for three severe rail accident scenarios. The scenarios are: (1) the rupture of closure bolts and resulting opening of closure lid due to a severe impact, (2) the puncture of container by an impacting rail-car coupler, and (3) the yielding of container due to side impact on a rigid uneven surface. The analysis results indicate that scenario 2 is a physically unreasonable event while the probabilities of a significant loss of containment in scenarios 1 and 3 are extremely small. Before assessing the potential risk for the last two scenarios, the uncertainties in predicting complex phenomena for rare, high- consequence hazards needs to be addressed using a rigorous methodology.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Through an international collaborative effort, a special version of the CONTAIN code is being developed for integrated mechanistic analysis of the conditions in liquid metal reactor (LMR) containments during severe accidents. The capabilities of the most recent code version, CONTAIN LMR/1B-Mod.1, are discussed. These include new models for the treatment of two condensables, sodium condensation on aerosols, chemical reactions, hygroscopic aerosols, and concrete outgassing. This code version also incorporates all of the previously released LMR model enhancements. The results of an integral demonstration calculation of a sever core-melt accident scenario are given to illustrate the features of this code version. 11 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Dr. Rudolf Schulten of West Germany and expert witnesses from national laboratories, utilities, and the nuclear industry testified on reactor safety issues as they relate to the Chernobyl accident and public concern that modern technology has not paid enough attention to public safety. Each of the witnesses contributed safety-related information based on what has been learned from the Soviet incident. Particular focus went to similarities and differences between the Chernobyl and US reactors in safety design and engineering and to the environmental effects of the accident. The N reactor near Richland and a commercial reactor at Fort St. Vrain, Colorado are the only two operating graphite reactors, but neither is a boiling water reactor.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The present paper deals with the experimental determination of pressure drop across a four-cusped vertical channel. This geometry represents, ideally, the blockage condition in a typical pressurized water reactor with core degraded by accident. Experiments were performed for both single and two-phase flow. Water was utilized for the single-phase measurements whilst simultaneous flow of air and water simulated the steam-water flow. Observation of the prevailing two-phase flow regime was carried out, so that its mechanism could be fully understood. The averaged void fraction was also measured, by the gamma-ray attenuation technique. A wide range of water and air mass flow rates was covered, so that all flow conditions, possible to exist in a reactor with LOCA, could be investigated. New correlations for pressure drop are proposed. (Author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Integrated Leakage Rate Test (ILRT) of containment system plays a very important role in safety of a Nuclear Power Plant. Containment system constitutes the last physical barrier to release of radioactivity from the core and is called upon to mitigate the consequences of not only accidents within the design basis, but also some of the highly unlikely severe accidents. Hence, leak tightness of containment becomes uttermost priority for the safety of plant personnel and public. The containment and associated ESFs are tested before the first criticality and there after periodically during service. The pre-operational integrated leakage rate is carried out at LOCA based design pressure, at periodic test pressure and at some intermediate pressure points to assess the leakage characteristics. This paper summarizes the various requirements and activities relevant to the ILRT of the Indian Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) containment system. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Possible accident scenarios for a fusion reactor include breaches in the vacuum or cooling system. Intruding air or steam could react with structural or plasma facing materials, possibly mobilizing radioactive isotopes. Safety assessments must consider the early dose at the site boundary from the release of these activated materials. Previous calculations have indicated that cobalt isotopes dominate dose calculations for designs using stainless steel. Values used in these calculations, however, had been largely determined by the measurement limits of the chemical analysis methodology instead of measured releases. The purpose of the current study was to refine the analytical method to reduce the limit for detecting cobalt, and then test PCA steel in air and steam between 973 and 1473 K. Goals were to obtain more accurate measurements of cobalt mobilization in terms of g/m{sup 2}{center_dot}h and insight into the mobilization mechanisms.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This association participated in different working groups: North Cotentin radioecology group, groups of expertise on the uranium mines of Limousin, executive committee for the management of the post accidental phase of a nuclear accident or a radiological emergency situation, radioactive waste management, radiological surveillance of the territory, radiation protection mission by the Asn, radiological surveillance of the environment of the Chinon nuclear power plant, study of the presence of {sup 235}U around the site of Brennilis, study of the radioactive waste management at the Manche plant, radiological surveillance of the Cyceron cyclotron at Caen, Aurengo commission on the consequences in France of the Chernobylsk accident. Actions of information, regular publications, meeting with public are also a part of the work of this association. (N.C.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of the Hanford Environmental Dose Reconstruction Project (HEDR) is to estimate the potential radiation doses received by people living within the sphere of influence of the Hanford Site. A potential critical pathway for human radiation exposure is through the consumption of waterfowl that frequent onsite waste-water ponds or through eating of fish, shellfish, and waterfowl that reside in/on the Columbia River and its tributaries downstream of the reactors. This document summarizes information on fish, shellfish, and waterfowl radiation contamination for samples collected by Hanford monitoring personnel and offsite agencies for the period 1945 to 1972. Specific information includes the types of organisms sampled, the kinds of tissues and organs analyzed, the sampling locations, and the radionuclides reported. Some tissue concentrations are also included. We anticipate that these yearly summaries will be helpful to individuals and organizations ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This article considers a hypothetical imaging device with a spinning slat collimator that measures parallel-planar-integral data from an object. This device rotates around the object 180 deg. and stops at N positions uniformly distributed over this 180 deg. . At each stop, the device spins on its own axis 180 deg. and acquires measurements at M positions uniformly distributed over this 180 deg. . For a fixed total imaging time, an optimal distribution of the scanning time among the data measurement locations is searched by a nonlinear programming method: Nelder-Mead's simplex method. The optimal dwell time is approximately proportional to the weighting factor in the backprojector of the reconstruction algorithm. By using an optimal dwell-time profile, the reconstruction signal-to-noise ratio has a gain of 23%-24% for the filtered backprojection algorithm and a gain of 10%-18% for the iterative algorithms, compared with the situation when a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Theoretical prediction of nuclear masses is analyzed as a pattern recognition problem on the N-Z plane. A global pattern is observed by plotting the differences between measured masses and Liquid Drop Model (LDM) predictions. After unfolding the data by removing the smooth LDM mass contributions, the remaining microscopic effects have proved difficult to model, although they display a striking pattern. These deviations carry information related to shell closures, nuc]ear deformation and the residual nuclear interactions. In the present work the more than 2000 known nuclear masses are studied as an array in the N-Z plane viewed through a mask, behind which the approximately 7000 unknown unstable nuclei that can exist between the proton and neutron drip lines are hidden. We show here that employing a Fourier transform deconvolution method these by masses can be predicted with similar accuracy than standard methods. We believe that a more general approach needs to be implemented, however, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We have created quasiprojectiles of varying isospin via peripheral reactions of {sup 28}Si+{sup 112}Sn and {sup 124}Sn at 30 and 50 MeV/nucleon. The quasiprojectiles have been reconstructed from completely isotopically identified fragments. The difference in N/Z of the reconstructed quasiprojectiles allows the investigation of the disassembly as a function of the isospin of the fragmenting system. The isobaric yield ratio {sup 3}H/{sup 3}He depends strongly on N/Z ratio of quasiprojectiles. The dependences of mean fragment multiplicity and mean N/Z ratio of the fragments on N/Z ratio of the quasiprojectile are different for light charged particles and intermediate mass fragments. Observation of a different N/Z ratio of light charged particles and intermediate mass fragments is consistent with an inhomogeneous distribution of isospin in the fragmenting system.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Particularly high coherence of the x-ray beam is associated, on the ID19 beamline at ESRF, with the small angular size of the source as seen from a point of the sample (0.1-1 #mu#rad). This feature makes the imaging of phase objects extremely simple, by using a 'propagation' technique. The physical principle involved is Fresnel diffraction. Phase imaging is being simultaneously developed as a technique and used as a tool to investigate light natural or artificial materials introducing phase variations across the transmitted x-ray beam. They include polymers, wood, crystals, alloys, composites or ceramics, exhibiting inclusions, holes, cracks, ... . 'Tomographic' three-dimensional reconstruction can be performed with a filtered back-projection algorithm either on the images processed as in attenuation tomography, or on the phase maps retrieved from the images with a reconstruction procedure similar to that used for electron microscopy. The ...

CERN Document Server

Graphs with high symmetry or regularity are the main source for experimentally hard instances of the notoriously difficult graph isomorphism problem. In this paper, we study the computational complexity of isomorphism testing for line graphs of $t$-$(v,k,\\lambda)$ designs. For this class of highly regular graphs, we obtain a worst-case running time of $O(v^{\\log v + O(1)})$ for bounded parameters $t,k,\\lambda$. In a first step, our approach makes use of the Babai--Luks algorithm to compute canonical forms of $t$-designs. In a second step, we show that $t$-designs can be reconstructed from their line graphs in polynomial-time. The first is algebraic in nature, the second purely combinatorial. For both, profound structural knowledge in design theory is required. Our results extend earlier complexity results about isomorphism testing of graphs generated from Steiner triple systems and block designs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

We performed experimental studies on the convolution/superposition method reported in the former companion paper (Iwasaki in Radiol Phys Technol 4, 2011) using 10-MV X-ray beams from open-jaw-collimated fields. The method uses primary and scatter dose kernels formed for energy bins of X-ray spectra reconstructed as a function of off-axis distance. We made a comparison of calculations and measurements in water phantoms and thorax-like phantoms with respect to percentage depth dose curves, tissue???phantom ratio curves, and dose profiles. We made the dose calculation by taking into account the beam-hardening effect with depth and the off-axis radiation-softening effect. We found that the method could be used, in general, for performing accurate dose calculations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the last two years, the VDMA work group 'Functional security' compiled a qualitative and quantitative procedure for the determination and evaluation of turbo-machine specific risks. With the calibrated risk graph for turbo-machines the requirements (Safety Integrity Level SIL) to the protective functions for turbo-machines (steam turbines, gas turbines, generators and compressors) were determined. With consideration of the legislation, the work group compiled a recommendation for the renewal and/or reconstruction of protective functions with old facilities.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The patch and voxel methods are representative examples of the ways in which multi-slice images may be displayed three-dimensionally by means of computer-graphics. Each of them have advantages and disadvantages and they are mutually complementary. We have developed algorithms for a modified voxel method which incorporates the advantages of the patch methods. We have applied this to the three-dimensional image display of brain tumor with excellent results. The three-dimensional reconstructions used for clinical application in this study were derived from X-ray CT images.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Advanced techniques for focused-ion-beam (FIB) device modification have been developed for complex, multistep modifications to circuitry on planar chip technology. Applying gas-assisted etching (GAE) techniques for high-aspect-ratio milling and the selective milling of both conductive and insulating films enhances process latitude. Localized ion-beam-induced deposition of an insulating film provides reconstructive capability in previously modified areas. The application of both techniques for complex device modification on VSLI devices fabricated with CMOS process technology is reviewed. (UK).

Scientific Electronic Library Online (English)

Abstract in english We consider the three dimensional electromagnetic inverse scattering problem of determining information about a buried coated object from a knowledge of the electric and magnetic fields measured on the surface of the earth corresponding to time harmonic electric dipoles as incident fields. We assume that the buried object is a perfect conductor that is (possibly) partially coated by a thin dielectric layer. No a priori assumption is made on the extent of the coating, i.e. (more) the object can be fully coated, partially coated or not coated at all. We present an algorithm based on the linear sampling method and reciprocity gap functional for reconstructing the shape of the scattering obstacle together with an estimate of the surface impedance of the coating.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The origin of life is a long-standing mystery puzzling many people. This mystery possesses not only philosophical but also important biological significance. To unveil this mystery, the searches for the root of life, or the last universal common ancestor (LUCA), based on comparative-genomic analysis have been intensively performed on rRNAs, tRNAs and proteins sequences. The current search pointed to a Methanopyrus-proximal LUCA, which opens up the reconstruction of Lucan biology and helps to delineate the evolutionary pathways.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Nuclear forensics is the analysis of nuclear materials recovered from either the capture of unused materials, or from the radioactive debris following a nuclear explosion and can contribute significantly to the identification of the sources of the materials and the industrial processes used to obtain them. In the case of an explosion, nuclear forensics can also reconstruct key features of the nuclear device. Nuclear forensic analysis works best in conjunction with other law enforcement, radiological protection dosimetry, traditional forensics, and intelligence work to provide the basis for attributing the materials and/or nuclear device to its originators. Nuclear forensics is a piece of the overall attribution process, not a stand-alone activity

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The atlas presents sequences of MRI sections parallel to the orbito-meatal plane in children from birth through the age of sixteen years. Each child was studied horizontally and sagitally and three-dimensional brain images were reconstructed to facilitate accurate identification of sulci and gyri. The images show crucial aspects of brain development such as the constancy of the brain stem and primitive brain from birth onward; the development of the telencephalon, characterized by deepening of sulci and growth of the cerebral cortex surface; and the different stages of white matter myelinization.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An interferometric technique for hard X-rays is presented. It is based on two transmission gratings and a phase-stepping technique, and it provides separate radiographs of the phase and absorption profiles of bulk samples. Tomographic reconstruction yields quantitative three-dimensional maps of the X-ray refractive index and of the attenuation coefficient, with a spatial resolution down to a few microns. The method is mechanically robust, it requires little monochromaticity, and can be scaled up to large fields of view. These are important prerequisites for use with laboratory X-ray sources. Numerous applications ranging from wave front sensing to medical radiography are presently under investigation.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The global neutronic activity fields of a nuclear core can be reconstructed using data assimilation. Indeed, data assimilation allows to combine both measurements from instruments and information from a model, to evaluate the best possible neutronic activity within the core. We present and apply a specific procedure which evaluates the influence of measures by adding or removing instruments in a given measurement network (possibly empty). The study of various network configurations for the instruments in the nuclear core establishes that the influence of the instruments depends both on the independent instrumentation location and on the chosen network.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this book the notion of time in classical physics and relativity theory is discussed. After a criticism of the absolute time some alternative measures of time in mechanics are considered. Thereafter the problem of equal time at different points of the space as well as the time in different inertial systems are considered. In this framework the clock paradox is discussed. Then the Lorentz transformation is considered. Thereafter the reconstruction of the absolute time in relativity theory is described. Finally the notion of time in general relativity theory is considered.

CERN Document Server

The coherent $\\omega$-meson photoproduction from nuclei is proposed as a phenomenological method to evaluate the momentum dependence of $\\omega$-meson mass shift and width in nuclear matter. We analyze available data on un-separated coherent and incoherent $\\omega$-meson photoproduction from nuclei and extract the imaginary part of the the complex forward $\\omega{N}$ scattering amplitude, which is proportional to the in-medium $\\omega$-meson width. The accuracy of the currently available data is not sufficient to evaluate the real part of forward $\\omega{N}$ scattering amplitude and reconstruct the momentum dependence of the mass shift of the $\\omega$-meson.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Recently the real-time neutron radiography system of the Kyoto University Reactor (KUR) has been developed and practically applied to penetrating the side plates of the MTR type reactor fuels and investigation of moving objects. In this paper an application of the KUR neutron TV system to neutron computed tomography (NCT) is described. By using the NTV system, projection data can be acquired in a single measurement and simultaneously the projection image can be observed on a CRT monitor. The Fourier-convolution technique is used to produce the reconstructed image and its image has a good enough quality for revealing water in a small hole of 1.5 mm in diameter.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The work is devoted to the construction of a viable of locally anisotropic, i.e. Finslerian, space-time and to the generalization, on this basis, of the relativistic theory of gravitation. Arguments in favour of this model are considered. From physical considerations the concrete form of the Finslerian metric has been reconstructed and within the framework of the correspondence principle a formalism of the theory has been developed. The approach suggested is aimed at developing unified gauge theories of all fundamental interactions. Much attention is given to the nontrivial physical manifestations of local space anisotropy and to the possibility of its experimental detection. (orig.)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose. To validate a protocol for creating virtual models to be used in the construction of solid prototypes useful for the planning-simulation of maxillo-facial surgery, in particular for very complex anatomical and pathologic problems. To optimize communications between the radiology, engineering and surgical laboratories. Methods and materials. We studied 16 patients with different clinical problems of the maxillo-facial district. Exams were performed with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and single slice computed tomography (SDCT) with axial scans and collimation of 0.5-2 mm, and reconstruction interval of 1 mm. Subsequently we performed 2D multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume-rendering reconstructions. We exported the DICOM images to the engineering laboratory, to recognize and isolate the bony structures by software. With these data the solid prototypes were generated using stereolitography. To date, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This thesis is concerned with the optimization and development of the production of nanofocusing refractive X-ray lenses. These optics made of either silicon or diamond are well-suited for high resolution X-ray microscopy. The goal of this work is the design of a reproducible manufacturing process which allows the production of silicon lenses with high precision, high quality and high piece number. Furthermore a process for the production of diamond lenses is to be developed and established. In this work, the theoretical basics of X-rays and their interaction with matter are described. Especially, aspects of synchrotron radiation are emphasized. Important in X-ray microscopy are the different optics. The details, advantages and disadvantages, in particular those of refractive lenses are given. To achieve small X-ray beams well beyond the 100 nm range a small focal length is required. This is achieved in refractive lenses by moving to a compact lens design where several single lenses ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate time management and workflow for multidetector-row helical CT (MDCT). Time for patient and data handling of at total of 580 patients were evaluated at two different time periods (December 1999, August 2000), each for the following baseline measurements: (a) change of clothes/instruction; (b) patient placement on the CT table/i.v. catheter; (c) CT planning and programming; (d) CT data acquisition; (e) CT data reconstruction; (f) CT data storage/printing. All imaging was performed on a Somatom Volume Zoom (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany). Time measurements summarized for different CT protocols revealed the following: (a) 5:01 min (#+-#2.06 min); (b) 4:36 min (#+-#2.43 min); (c) 4:11 min (#+-#2.55 min); (d) 0:43 min (#+-#0.15 min); (e) 6:59 min (#+-#2.39 min); (f) 09:51 min (#+-#3.51 min). Planning and programming was most time-consuming for CT angiography, whereas chest and abdominal CT needed only 3:26 and 3:30 min, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

January, 1992, to October, 1995, sixty-four patients with advanced head and neck cancer underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery using myocutaneous or revascularized flaps; in the same period, all patients were consecutively examined with CT and MRI. Myocutaneous flaps were used in 26 patients: 12 flaps were tubular and 14 linear. Revascularized flaps were used in 38 patients: to repair a large defect in 26 patients (14 latissimus dorsi flaps and 12 temporal muscle flaps) and to repair an oral damage in 12 patients (5 revascularized radial and 7 jejunal flaps). CT and MR images of myocutaneous flaps showed the flaps as fatty areas, repairing large surgical defects, hypodense at CT and hyperintense at MRI, with no post-contrast enhancement. The appearance of revascularized flaps at CT and MRI depends on the characteristics of the structure used to repair the surgical defect: jejunal and radial flaps appeared as mostly fatty thickened layers with both imaging ...

Science.gov (United States)

A novel phantom has been developed to measure the modulation transfer function (MTF) in 3D for x-ray computed tomography. The phantom consists of three tungsten wires, positioned nearly orthogonal to each other. Simultaneous measurements of the MTF are taken at various locations along the three orthogonal reconstructed planes. Our computed mammotomography (CmT) system uses a Varian Paxscan 2520 digital x-ray detector which can be positioned anywhere in ~2pi steradian band and can have arbitrary trajectories. With a half-cone beam geometry and with the phantom positioned near the center of rotation, projection images are acquired over 360 degrees. Various 3D orbits are evaluated including vertical axis of rotation and saddle. Reconstructions were performed using an iterative ordered-subsets transmission algorithm on rebinned projection images, using various numbers of iterations. Rotation of reconstructed slices isolated ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Information is presented concerning new trends in licensing; seismic considerations and system structural behavior; TMI-2 risk assessment and thermal hydraulics; statistical assessment of potential accidents and verification of computational methods; issues with respect to improved safety; human factors in nuclear power plant operation; diagnostics and activities in support of recovery; LOCA transient analysis; unresolved safety issues and other safety considerations; and fission product transport.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The possibility of using Direct Flow Control (DFC) to avoid catastrophic accidents due to containment breaches in chemical plant is discussed. Recommendations are made for locating fluidic elements, and the effectiveness of simple DFC protection is analysed. More powerful methods of protection are outlined using spin diversion and the complementary properties of fluidic and conventional valves are exploited. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The petroleum and petroleum products increase offer a real development opportunity to the alternative fuels. In the context of the french energy accounting increase, the energy independence notion incites the government to promote these new fuels. If the LPG seems declining because of the accident risks fear, the fuel cell is not for today. Near these two sectors what is the future of the biofuels and the natural gas vehicle or the electric cars? (A.L.B.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This document presents the analysis of the simulation of the loss of coolant accident at uprate power conditions, that is 2027 MWt (105% of the current rated power of 1931MWt). This power was reached allowing an increase in the turbine steam flow rate without changing the steam dome pressure value at its rated conditions (1020 psiaJ. There are also presented the results of the simulation of the main steam isolation va/ve transient at overpressure conditions 1065 psia and 1067 MWt), for Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Station. Both simulations were performed with the best estimate computer code TRA C BF1. The results obtained in the loss of coolant accident show that the emergency core coolant systems can recover the water level in the core before fuel temperature increases excessively, and that the peak pressure reached in the drywell is always below its design pressure. Therefore it is concluded that the integrity of the containment is not ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

'Small radioactive source results in big accident' have occurred repeatedly in China and worldwide alike. Radioactive source management is one of the key activities for a nuclear power plant to maintain its good safety record and image to the public. From aspects of establishing the management system, centralized storage, periodic accounting, performing whole process control to the source usage and experience feedback etc., the author reports the practice and experience of radioactive source management in Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The study of the melting of combustible rods is of great importance for the safety analysis of nuclear reactors. Due to the special characteristics of the problem, a sharp interface between the solid and liquid region does not exist, but appears a 'mushy' region in which the material is partially melted. The Finite Element Method is employed here, together with a regularized enthalpy formulation. Finally, the results obtained are presented and discussed. (Author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Since 1945, more than 1.8 x 10"2"1 Bq of artificial radionuclides have been released into the atmosphere. Approximately 2.04 x 10"1"8B, i.e. approx. 0.11%, are the result of accidents at nuclear industrial facilities. This percentage is causing increased interest among researchers. This is due to the fact that in the wake of accidental release radionuclides become distributed unevenly across the Earth's surface, and the associated exposures, fluctuating from background level to several grays, an induce both stochastic and deterministic effects in the irradiated population. A comparative analysis of the medical consequences of the twentieth century's most serious nuclear events, namely the authorized dumping of high level radioactive waste into the river Techa in 1950, the explosion of a storage tank containing long lived radioactive waste in the Southern Urals in 1957, the fire at Sellafield in 1957 and the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the case of a release of residual power and fragmenting following a hypothetical accident the applied powers are small. The boiling in the fluid in the bed promotes leveling and the angles of repose obtained are very small. For a specific power in water of 3.1 W/cm_3 a limiting angle of repose of less than 2 degrees is obtained after a time interval of between 1 and 3 hours. EDULCOREE-and ETABUL-research programs are carried out. (DG).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Following a postulated meltdown accident, the integrity of containment building structural material under attack by hot molten core debris and the safeguard of environment against radiological releases constitutes the final line of defense in PAHR safety assessment. Such assessment requires a good knowledge of UO/sub 2//interaction and penetration with different types of concrete. The present study focuses on the phenomena associated with core debris interaction/penetration with substrate basalt concrete.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objective: To develop a computerized method of internal dose estimation on radiation protection. Methods: Based on MIRD mathematic model of the organs and by means of the programming language of MS Visual Basic 6.0, a computer program of dose estimation in internal radiation was developed for radiation protection. Results: The computerized method of dose estimation for internal radiation was completed. Conclusions: This computerized method is very convenient for internal radiation dose estimation of several aspects. It can also be used in radiation accident. (authors)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

A 21-year-old male patient was transferred to the emergency room of our hospital after suffering seat belt abdominal injury in a traffic accident. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a massive hematoma...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To estimate the success criteria of an operator's action time for a probabilistic safety/risk assessment (PSA/PRA) of a nuclear power plant, the information from a safety analysis report (SAR) and/or that by using a simplified simulation code such as the MAAP code has been used in a conventional PSA. However, the information from these is often too conservative to perform a realistic PSA for a risk-informed application. To reduce the undue conservatism, the use of a best-estimate thermal hydraulic code has become an essential issue in the latest PSA and it is now recognized as a suitable tool. In the same context, the 'ASME PRA standard' also recommends the use of a best-estimate code to improve the quality of a PSA. In Korea, a platform to use a best-estimate thermal hydraulic code called the MARS code has been developed for the PSA of the Korea standard nuclear power plant (KSNP). This study has proposed an estimation method for an operator's ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Mutation C1494T in mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene was recently reported in two large Chinese families with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic hearing loss (AINHL) and was claimed to be pathogenic. This mutation, however, was first reported in a sample from central China in our previous study that was aimed to reconstruct East Asian mtDNA phylogeny. All these three mtDNAs formed a subclade defined by mutation C1494T in mtDNA haplogroup A. It thus seems that mutation C1494T is a haplogroup A-associated mutation and this matrilineal background may contribute a high risk for the penetrance of mutation C1494T in Chinese with AINHL. To test this hypothesis, we first genotyped mutation C1494T in 553 unrelated individuals from three regional Chinese populations and performed an extensive search ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We present a novel preparation method for studies of in vitro reconstituted mitotic chromosomes from Xenopus laevis egg extracts. This method involves a gentle adsorption of chromosomes from the extracts using surface affinity enrichment, followed by plunge freezing, freeze-substitution and cryo-embedding before examination by EM tomography. For comparison, chromosomes were also prepared by a conventional method, which included immobilization of chromosomes in agarose and a room-temperature dehydration (embedding) protocol. Three-dimensional reconstructions showed that samples prepared with the new method have a greater interconnectivity of sub-structural features and a higher compaction ratio together with an apparently less perturbed chromatin structure than those prepared using the conventional approach. The implications of the new method for the preparation of other difficult samples and additional application possibilities are discussed.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper describes a new time-resolved three-dimensional, three-component (3D-3C) measurement technique called wall-PIV. It was developed to assess near wall flow fields and shear rates near non-planar surfaces. The method is based on light absorption according to Beer-Lambert's law. The fluid containing a molecular dye and seeded with buoyant particles is illuminated by a monochromatic, diffuse light. Due to the dye, the depth of view is limited to the near wall layer. The three-dimensional particle positions can be reconstructed by the intensities of the particle's projection on an image sensor. The flow estimation is performed by a new algorithm, based on learned particle trajectories. Possible sources of measurement errors related to the wall-PIV technique are analyzed. The accuracy analysis was based on single particle experiments and a three-dimensional artificial data set simulating a rotating sphere. (orig.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study uses data from a random sample of births in the Netherlands during the period 1850-1922 to examine the relationships between social class, social mobility and mortality at middle and old age. Population registers and personal cards covering the period from 1850 to 2004 for all Dutch provinces were used to reconstruct individual life histories of 14,900 births. For men we did not find an effect of the social class of origin (using two different SES-classifications) on mortality in age group 18 to 35. We also did not observe an effect of own social class on mortality after age 35. For women effects of social class of origin and social class of husband were generally absent as well. Our conclusion is that the standard ideas about the negative effects of processes of industrializati...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pilot-plant irradiation began in Hungary in 1969 with the construction of a high-activity multi-purpose /sup 60/Co facility. Technologies for radiation sterilization, food handling, plastics irradiation as well as chemical dosimetry, semiconductor instrumental dosimetry, computer-based construction and control methods have been developed. Our chlorobenzene dose-meter system is used in Hungary and abroad; as a result of an IAEA-organized dosimetric intercomparison the system was adopted as a reference system. The institute has developed into a basic institute for the reconstruction and re-load of old ..gamma..-facilities as well as it serves for the planning, construction and launching of new ones in Hungary.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The identification of the unknown parameters of the Duffing's mechanical system, based on an algebraic approach, is presented. This approach is fast, accurate, and simple to numerically implement. Also, the method, combined with a suitable invariant filter, can became robust against high frequency output measurement noises. Our method uses the availability of one measurable output and produces an exact formula for the unknown parameters, which may be realized in terms of iterated convolutions. First, we show that the Duffing's system parameters are linearly identifiable with respect to the position variable, then we obtain a linear system where the unknowns are the unavailable parameters. Suitable algebraic operations on the output differential equations makes the identification schema independent of the unavailable initial conditions of the underlying nonlinear dynamical system.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a dynamic displacement influence line method for moving load identification on bridge. The finite element model of Poyang Lake continuous truss bridge-train systems is established and the dispersed modal shapes are acquired by modal analysis. Multi-axle moving train loads are identified with simulated annealing genetic algorithm by minimizing the errors between the measured displacements and the reconstructed displacements from the identified moving loads. In the identification process, the dynamic displacement influence line technique is used to calculate the time history displacement responses of the bridge to avoid solving equations of motion of the bridge repetitively. Several important parameters of the bridge-train system are discussed to investigate their effects...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Monocelis lineata is a complex of cryptic species (three in the Mediterranean and one in the Atlantic) widespread in midlittoral habitats. Throughout the range, populations with or without an ocular pigmented shield are found. We investigated the genetic structure of the North-East Atlantic populations with the aim of shedding light on their phylogeography and reconstructing possible patterns of recolonization after the Wrmian glaciation. Fourteen samples were investigated using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 13 by inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs). COI did not exhibit a clear pattern of decreased genetic diversity along a latitudinal gradient. Populations from Ferrol (Spain), Doolin (Ireland), and Helsingr (Denmark) showed a higher genetic variability, whereas a reduction in...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In a retrospective single-centre study 170 consecutive patients were included who received a Kotz modular prosthesis after resection of bone tumours of the proximal femur to evaluate the management of prosthetic infection. Infection occurred in 12 of 166 patients available for follow-up (six males; six females; mean age, 47?years; range, ten to 75?years) after a mean of 39?months (range, one to 166?months; infection rate, 7.2%). Mean follow-up was 54?months (range, four to 200?months). One patient died of septic shock. Two patients were treated by wound revision only. Treatment of infection in the remaining patients was one-stage revision in eight and hip disarticulation in one. Infection control by one-stage revision was achieved in five of eight patients; re-infection occurred in three p...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The treatment of acetabular bone defects presents a great challenge in revision total hip arthroplasty (THA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcome of revision THA using jumbo cups for acetabular reconstruction after applying the bone-grafting technique. We studied 17?patients with acetabular defects ranging from Type 2A to Type 3A according to Paprosky`s classification. According to the AAOS-score twelve patients were classified as Type II and five patients as Type III. Uncemented press-fit cups with an outer diameter larger than 64?mm were used in all cases. Fifteen patients received morselized bone allografts. In eight patients an additional screw fixation was necessary. The mean follow-up period was 82?months (range 33?149). The mean Harris Hip...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has been developed at the University of Texas reactor. The facility produced a good-quality radiographs and two-dimensional tomograms. Further developments have been recently accomplished. Further developments have been recently accomplished. A computer software has been developed to automate and expedite the data acquisition and reconstruction processes. Volume tomographic visualization using Interactive Data Language (IDL) software has been demonstrated and will be further developed. Volume tomography provides the additional flexibility of producing slices of the object using software and thus avoids redoing the measurements.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

An improved singular value decomposition method of gear fault identification based on Hilbert-Huang transform was proposed to overcome the problem of reconstructing a feature matrix of singular value decomposition. The method includes three steps. First, the instantaneous frequency and amplitude matrices were acquired by Hilbert-Huang transform from faulted gear signals. Second, after the matrices were decomposed by singular value decomposition, the defined distances of singular value vectors and the optimal threshold of the distance for classification were calculated. Third, the fault characteristics of a gearbox were identified and classified by the threshold of the distances. The result demonstrates that the proposed method effectively identifies the gear fault and can realize an automa...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Around the world there is a small industry of non-governmental organisations that provide health care in niche areas that cannot be met by national health care provision. One topic is facial deformity that can have a dramatic effect on quality of life. In this study we investigate the morbidity and outcome of a British surgical team working for a 2-week period in Ethiopia. Thirty-five patients who presented with facial deformities had 47 operations during a 2-week period. Data were recorded for a minimum of 3 weeks postoperatively. Operative techniques were classified as simple or complex. Postoperative complications were assessed and classified as major, intermediate, and minor. In addition, the character of each complication was recorded and the cause elucidated. After 3 weeks the clinic...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective:EEG source imaging provides important information regarding the underlying neural activity from noninvasive electrophysiological measurements. The aim of the present study was to evaluate source reconstruction techniques by means of the intracranial electrocorticograms (ECoGs) and functional MRI.Methods:Five source imaging algorithms, including the minimum norm least square (MNLS), LORETA with Lp-norm (p equal to 1, 1.5 and 2), sLORETA, the minimum Lp-norm (p equal to 1 and 1.5; when p=2, the MNLS method is mathematically equivalent to the minimum Lp-norm) and L1-norm (the linear programming) methods, were evaluated in a group of 10 human subjects, in a paradigm with somatosensory stimulation. Cortical current density (CCD) distributions were estimated from the scalp somatosensor...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Background: Superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap has a great advantage over other flaps of the area, that is, readily non-existent donor-site problems. The main reason why the SIEA flap has never been extensively used in breast reconstruction is the small diameter and variable anatomy of its donor artery. This study presents a possibility of enlarging the SIEA diameter using the delay-phenomenon mechanism. Methods: A prospective clinical study of 26 patients was undertaken. Prior to surgery, ultrasound examinations were performed, measuring the diameter of SIEA and the velocity of blood flow in SIEA. The ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric artery (DIEA) was then ligated in all patients who had a measurable SIEA preoperatively. Two weeks later, measurements were repeated. The...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Brain CT images were reviewed of 98 schizophrenic patients and 90 healthy persons in relation to handedness and aging. CT images were further reconstructed to examine morphologically subtle changes in each region. Schizophrenic patients had progressive brain atrophy and dilated lateral ventricles, especially on the left side and in the posterior part of the lateral ventricle. These findings were more marked in left-handed than in right-handed schizophrenic patients. According to age groups, there were significant differences between schizophrenic and normal persons over the age of 40. The incidence of left handedness was significantly higher in schizophrenic patients in their fourties than the age-matched normal persons (31.4% vs 15.1%). Morphological abnormality and laterality might be due to the same pathologic consequences. (N.K.).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This study assessed coastal erosion vulnerability along a 90-km sector, which included both erosional and accretionary beaches, and different levels of human occupation. Two aerial photogrammetric flights were used to reconstruct coastal evolution between 1977 and 1999. During this period, extensive accretion was recorded updrift of human structures at harbors and ports, e.g., Scoglitti (105.6?m), Donnalucata (52.8?m), and Pozzallo (94.6?m). Conversely, erosion was recorded in downdrift areas, with maximum values at Modica Stream mouth (63.8?m) and Point Castellazzo (35.2?m). Assessments were subsequently divided into four categories ranging from ?high erosion?? to ?accretion.?? Several sources were examined to assess human activities and land use. The latter was mapped and divided into fo...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The set of nonlinear equations describing the standard model kinematics of the top quark antiquark production system in the dilepton decay channel has at most a fourfold ambiguity due to two not fully reconstructed neutrinos. Its most precise solution is of major importance for measurements of top quark properties like the top quark mass and tt spin correlations. Simple algebraic operations allow one to transform the nonlinear equations into a system of two polynomial equations with two unknowns. These two polynomials of multidegree eight can in turn be analytically reduced to one polynomial with one unknown by means of resultants. The obtained univariate polynomial is of degree 16. The number of its real solutions is determined analytically by means of Sturm's theorem, which is as well used to isolate each real solution into a unique pairwise disjoint interval. The solutions are polished by seeking the sign change of the polynomial in a given interval through ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To reconstruct the profiles of heavy metal levels in the South Ocean ecosystem of Antarctica, the concentrations of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in seal hairs and lake sediments spanning the past 1500?years from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and in weathering lake sediments from Nelson Island of West Antarctica were determined. The lead contents in the seal hairs and the weathering sediments show a sharp increase since the late 1800s, very likely due to anthropogenic contamination from modern industries. After the 1980s, the Pb content in seal hairs dropped by one-third, apparently due to the reduced usage of leaded gasoline in the Southern Hemisphere. Copper arises mainly from the weathering process, and its level may be substantially affected...

Science.gov (United States)

Automatic weapons such as machine guns and submachine guns are found in the German-speaking region only in special army and police units and appear accordingly rarely in homicides, suicides and accidents. In the following, the findings in two cases of death with the use of machine and submachine guns are presented. The first case was a fatal accident during shooting on a training area (current machine gun of the German army, calibre 7.62 x 51 mm), the second case was a killing during a physical conflict (submachine gun MP 40 from World War II, calibre 9 x 19 mm). In the case with the machine gun autopsy disclosed typical entry holes corresponding to the calibre, but unusually large exit wounds with tissue bridges in the wound ground, measuring 4 x 2.5 cm in diameter. By contrast, the second case (submachine gun) showed "normal" entry and exit wounds. The differences are mainly caused by deviating ballistic data of the ammunition used. They are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Preventing recurrence of surface mining accidents in the coal industry remains a top priority requiring constant vigilance and a substantial commitment from all involved in open pit mining operations. Open pit wall failures, loose rocks rolling down slopes, ground water and stockpiling procedures are common sources of risks in open cut coal operations. This video aims to equip workers with the necessary skills and knowledge to assess and react to the geomechanics hazards in open pit coal operations. Workers need to have the competencies to manage geomechanics hazards to facilitate their own and their workmates' safety. No matter how good the operating systems are, the first line of defence against accidents is the experience, skill and knowledge-based judgment of each individual mine worker. The video covers: Open pit coal mine risk management and geomechanical issues; Terminology, mining cycle, and explanation of pit slope hazards; ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The RADionuclide Transport, Removal, And Dose (RAD-TRAD) code is designed for U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) use to calculate the radiological consequences to the off-site population and to control room operators following a design-basis accident at light water reactor (LWR) power plants. This code utilizes updated reactor accident source terms published in draft NUREG-1465. The code will track the transport of radionuclides as they are released from the reactor pressure vessel, travel through the primary containment and other buildings, and are released to the environment. As the radioactive material is transported through the primary containment and other buildings, credit for several removal mechanisms may be taken, including sprays, suppression pools, overlying pools, filters, and natural deposition. Simple models are available for these different removal mechanisms that use, as input, information about the conditions in the ...