Abstract BACKGROUND: Nitrate leaching and the resulting groundwater contamination from intensive cereal production has become a major concern for long-term farmland efficiency and environmental sustainability in northern China. The aim of this study was to evaluate a water-saving super-absorbent polymer (SAP) for minimising NO3- leaching from soil and optimising corn growth and yield. Thirty-six undisturbed soil lysimeters were installed in a field lysimeter facility in drought-affected northern China to study the growth and yield characteristics of summer corn (Zea mays L.) as well as the amount of NO3-leaching losses under different fertiliser (standard, medium or 75% and low, or 50% of conventional fertilisation rate) and SAP (control, 0; level-1, 15 kg ha-1 and level-2, 30 kg ha-1) tre...
BackgroundThe production of high yields of recombinant proteins is an enduring bottleneck in the post-genomic sciences that has yet to be addressed in a truly rational manner. Typically...Full Text Available
BackgroundHealth service databases of administrative type can be a useful tool for the study of progression of a disease, but the data reported in such sources could be affected...Full Text Available
BackgroundChanges in levels of estradiol and progesterone that occur with the transition to reproductive senescence may influence nociception or affect.Full Text Available
BackgroundMalaria is one of the most important tropical diseases that affects people globally. The influence of environmental conditions in the patterns of temporal distribution...Full Text Available
The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average "2"4"2Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average "2"4"2Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.
The current methods used by the tissue analysis program at LASL for the determination of americium and plutonium in autopsy tissue are described. Problems affecting radiochemical yield are discussed. Included are problems associated with sample preparation, separation of plutonium from large amounts of bone ash, and reagent contamination. The average /sup 242/Pu tracer yield for 1800 Pu determinations is 78 +- 12%. The average /sup 242/Am tracer yield is 85 +- 7% for 40 determinations.
Several examples of the 14-membered, para-bridged ring system of the cyclopeptide alkaloids have been synthesized via an active ester cyclization. The yield of monomeric cyclopeptide varied from 1 to 33% and was affected by the amino acid substitution pat...
Field-grown snap bean plants were treated with simulated acidic rain applied either alone or in combination with ambient rain and the effects on growth and yield were determined. In plots where ambient rain was excluded, a retractable canopy was activated to shield the crop. Four levels of acidity at pH values of 5.0, 4.2, 3.4 and 2.6 were applied in four replicate treatments and the experiment was conducted in two successive years (1981 and 1982). In plots that received only simulated rain, yield was not adversely affected by acidic rain; in 1981, a positive linear relationship was present between acidity of simulated rain and yield, but in 1981, no effect was found. In contrast, in plots that received both simulated and ambient rain, a negative linear relationship between acidity in simulated rain and yield was observed in both years.
BackgroundInferring regulatory interactions between genes from transcriptomics time-resolved data, yielding reverse engineered gene regulatory networks, is of paramount importance...Full Text Available
BackgroundPerichondrium is recognized as a tissue with chondrogenic potential yielding cells which can be used for osteochondral repair. Factors which influence the proliferative...Full Text Available
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The capacity to maintain internal ion homeostasis amidst changing conditions is particularly important for teleost fishes whose reproductive cycle is dependent upon movement from freshwater to seawater. Although the physiology of seawater osmoregulation in mitochondria-rich cells of fish gill epithelium is well understood, less is known about the underlying causes of inter- and intraspecific variation in salinity tolerance. We used a genome-scan approach in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) correlated with variation in four salinity tolerance performance traits and six body size traits. Comparative genomics approaches allowed us to infer whether allelic variation at candidate gene loci (e.g., ATP1alpha1b, NKCC1, CFTR, and cldn10e) could have underlain observed variation. RESULTS: Combined parental analyses yielded genome-wide significant QTL on linkage groups 8, 14 and 20 for salinity ...
This investigation was carried out during the two seasons of 1998/1999 and 1999/2000 at the experimental farm belonging to the plant research department, nuclear research center, atomic energy authority in Inshas to evaluate four lupin mutant lines (L_1, L_2, L_3 and L_4) along with their original mother varieties giza 1 and giza 2 under different levels and nitrogen fertilizer levels. The results indicated that seed yield/ plant and its effective components number and weight of pods/plant were significantly higher in all the mutant lines as compared to their parents either in the first or second seasons. Concerning the effect of irrigation intervals on yield and its components for developed mutants and their mother varieties as well as the results gave an evidence that the wider interval showed the lesser values for yield and most of yield components. Obtained data also revealed that ...
We investigate the possibility of observing strong interactions of longitudinally polarized weak vector bosons in the process {gamma}{gamma}{yields}ZZ at a photon linear collider. We make use of polarization of the photon beams and cuts on the decay products of the Z bosons to enhance the signal relative to the background of transversely polarized ZZ pairs. We find that the background overwhelms the signal unless there are strong resonant effects, as for instance from a technicolor analogue of the hadronic f{sub 2}(1270) meson. ((orig.)).
We investigate the possibility of observing strong interactions of longitudinally polarized weak vector bosons in the process {gamma}{gamma} {yields} ZZ at a photon linear collider. We make use of polarization of the photon beams and cuts on the decay products of the Z bosons to enhance the signal relative to the background of transversely polarized ZZ pairs. We find that the background overwhelms the signal unless there are strong resonant effects, as for instance from a technicolor analogue of the hadronic f{sub 2}(1270) meson.
BackgroundWhile the gene flow in some organisms is strongly affected by physical barriers and geographical distance, other highly mobile species are able to overcome such constraints....Full Text Available
BackgroundDuring the last ten years, major advances have been made in characterizing and understanding the evolution of mitochondrial DNA, the most popular marker of molecular biodiversity....Full Text Available
BackgroundThe link between maternal factors and birth outcomes is well established. Substantial changes in society and medical care over time have influenced women's reproductive...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn many of the European countries affected by Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), case clustering patterns have been observed. Most of these patterns have been interpreted...Full Text Available
BackgroundUnderstanding the interactions between ion channels and blockers remains an important goal that has implications for delineating the basic mechanisms of ion channel function...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND:Canadian chronic pain prevalence estimates range from 11% to 66%, are affected by sampling and measurement bias, and largely represent urban settings.OBJECTIVES:To...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeasonal influenza A infection affects a significant cohort of the global population annually, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. Therapeutic strategies...Full Text Available
BackgroundMass treatment to trachoma endemic communities is a critical part of the World Health Organization SAFE strategy. However, non-participation may not be at random, affecting...Full Text Available
BackgroundLead poisoning affects many organs in the body. Lead inhibits δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), an enzyme with two co-dominantly expressed alleles, ALAD1...Full Text Available
BackgroundDespite concerns that facilitating informed choice would decrease diabetes screening uptake, 'informed choice' invitations that increased knowledge did not affect attendance...Full Text Available
BackgroundGene regulation is a key mechanism in higher eukaryotic cellular processes. One of the major challenges in gene regulation studies is to identify regulators affecting the...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe hard clam, Mercenaria mercenaria, has been affected by severe mortality episodes associated with the protistan parasite QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown)...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe motivation for this study was to investigate how role stress among nurses could affect their job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and whether the job rotation...Full Text Available
BackgroundPerfluorocarbons (PFC) are used to improve gas exchange in diseased lungs. PFC have been shown to affect various cell types. Thus, effects on alveolar type II (ATII) cells...Full Text Available
Background:Continuous renal replacement therapy is used to manage fluid and solute imbalances in critically ill patients but may affect the clearance of concurrently administered...Full Text Available
BackgroundThough long known to affect smooth muscle biology, recent studies indicate that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) is also expressed in myocardium. Recognizing that the regulation...Full Text Available
BackgroundOsteoporosis affects over 200 million people worldwide, and represents a significant cost burden. Although guidelines are available for best practice in osteoporosis, evidence...Full Text Available
Background:We analyzed the effects of a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplementation in patients affected with late onset Stargardt disease (STGD).Methods:DHA...Full Text Available
Background. It is currently recommended that diet of pregnant mothers contain 200–300 mg DHA/day. Aim. To determine whether DHA supplementation...Full Text Available
BackgroundWhite spot syndrome (WSS) is a viral disease that affects most of the commercially important shrimps and causes serious economic losses to the shrimp farming industry worldwide....Full Text Available
BackgroundSelenium is a trace element performing important biological functions in many organisms including humans. It usually affects organisms in a strictly dosage-dependent manner...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: DNA prenatal diagnosis for cystic fibrosis (CF) has been available for parents of affected children since late 1985. METHODS: Using anonymous questionnaires, we surveyed 395 parents of children...Full Text Available
Background: The causes of elevated B-Type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are multifactorial. Renal dysfunction has been shown to affect BNP levels in some studies and...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: Angiosarcoma of the scalp is a rare, aggressive, and deadly cancer that affects mainly elderly Caucasian men. OBJECTIVES: The insidious and masquerading presentation of angiosarcoma poses...Full Text Available
BackgroundCystic ovarian disease is an important cause of infertility that affects bovine, ovine, caprine and porcine species and even human beings. Alterations in the ovarian micro-environment...Full Text Available
BackgroundSocial isolation affects a significant proportion of older people and is associated with poor health outcomes. The current evidence base regarding the effectiveness of...Full Text Available
BackgroundBreast-feeding may affect the risk of developing allergy during childhood and may also cause exposure to immunotoxicants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which...Full Text Available
BackgroundAdhesive Capsulitis (AC) affects patient of all ages, and stretching protocols are commonly prescribed for this condition. Dynamic splinting has been shown effective in...Full Text Available
BackgroundTraffic injuries can cause physical, psychological, and economical impairment, and affected individuals may also experience shortcomings in their post-accident care and...Full Text Available
Precipitation-hardened single crystals of a beta (bcc) Ti--40 at. percent V--1.0 at. percent Si alloy were deformed in compression at 77 and 298"0K. The dependence of the yield stress upon aging time at 843"0K for solution-treated crystals shows two maxima which are caused by silicide precipitates. The orientation dependence of the yield stress and of the active macroscopic slip plane were determined as a function of aging time. The solution-treated as well as aged crystals exhibit an asymmetry of both the yield stress and the plane of slip, the degree of asymmetry being larger at 77 than at 298"0K. The asymmetry of slip and yielding is not affected by the presence of precipitation hardening. Results indicate that the effect of the dislocation core structure on dislocation motion is independent of the presence of precipitates. (auth).
BackgroundType 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) affects persons of all ages, while also placing heavy economic burdens on national economies and healthcare systems. The study aims to investigate...Full Text Available
Pyrolysis of Greek fir wood samples in a fluidized bed reactor was studied. The experimental conditions selected control the yield of gaseous, liquid and solid products. The factors examined were: pyrolysis temperature, mean particle size, pressure, residence time of volatiles, lignin content of biomass and moisture content. The experiments were performed on the basis of a 12-run Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the pyrolysis temperature is the main factor affecting the distribution of the yields of liquids, their phenolic fraction and gases in the range of experimental conditions tested. Empirical expressions were obtained from linear regression giving the yields of liquids, phenols and gases in terms of temperature. The maximum predicted yields were 56 and 12 wt.% on a moisture-free basis at 520 C and 545 C for liquids and ...
The penetrance of Lebers hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in families with primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is very complex. Matrilineal and nuclear genetic background, as well as environmental factors, have been reported to be involved in different affected pedigrees. Here we describe two large Chinese families that show a striking difference in the penetrance of LHON, in which 53.3% and 15.0% of members were affected (Pin vivo mitochondrial oxidative metabolism as described in a previous study. Evolutionary analysis failed to indicate any putatively pathogenic mutation that cosegregated with G11778A in these two pedigrees. Our results suggest that the variable penetrance of LHON in the two Chinese families is independent of both their mtDNA haplotype background and a seconda...
We investigate the sparticle production processes e{gamma} {yields} e tilde(Z tilde){sub 1} and {gamma}{gamma} {yields} (f tilde)(f tilde and bar) at high energy e{gamma} and {gamma}{gamma} colliders in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). It will be shown that the e{gamma} colliders would be more suitable in searching for the heavy selectrons than ee colliders because of the low mass threshold of the process e{gamma} {yields} (e tilde)(Z tilde){sub 1}. We show that the standard background processes e{gamma} {yields} {nu}W and eZ can be suppressed in terms of initial beam polarization as well as the kinematical cuts on the energy and angle of the final electron. Moreover, it will be argued that the experimental measurements of the cross sections for the processes e{gamma} {yields} (e tilde)(Z tilde){sub 1} and {gamma}{gamma} ...
Typhoons Aere (2004) and Matsa (2005) caused high nephelometric turbidity in the Shihmen reservoir in northern Taiwan, jeopardizing the operation of the reservoir for several days, and ultimately impacting the living conditions and economy of the downstream residents. The torrential rains caused landslides and debris flows in upland areas, and flowed into riverbeds, likely contributing significantly to the suspended sediment yields in the reservoir. This investigation elucidates how upland landslides affect sediment attributes in the reservoir basin. Study methods including field observations, spatial analysis in GIS and aerial photo interpretation are adopted to trace the sediment sources and contributing factors to the landslide. Torrential rains induced landslides and debris-flows uplan...
We have studied the signals for a heavy Higgs boson in the processes {gamma}{gamma}{yields}WWWW, and {gamma}{gamma}{yields}WWZZ at a photon linear collider. The results are based on the first complete tree-level calculation for these reactions. We show that, with a forward ``spectator`` W tag, and a central ``spectator`` W veto to suppress backgrounds from transverse W, Z production, the invariant mass spectrum of central WW, ZZ pairs is sensitive to Higgs bosons with a mass up to 1 TeV in a 2-TeV linear collider. ((orig.)).
We investigate the chargino production process {gamma}{gamma} {yields} (W-tilde){sup +}(W-tilde){sup -} at high energy {gamma}{gamma} colliders in the framework of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). Here the high energy {gamma} beams are obtained by the backward Compton scattering of the laser flush by the electron in the basic linear TeV ee colliders. We consider the polarization of the laser photons as well as the electron beams. Appropriate beam polarization could be effective to enhance the cross section to for us extract the signal from the dominant background {gamma}{gamma} {yields} W{sup +}W{sup -}. (author).
New five complexes of the type of [RuL sub(3-x)(dmby) sub(x)]X sub(2)(x = 1,2,3, L = 2,2'-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline, dmby = 3,3'-dimethy1-2,2'-bipyridyl, X = halide ion) have been synthesized in order to investigate the effects of two methyl groups of dmby on the absorption and emission spectra, luminescence quantum yields, and lifetimes. Values of the radiative and nonradiative rate constants have been calculated from these data at 77K. Although the absorption and emission maxima and the lifetimes are not much affected by the dmby ligand substitution, the molar extinction coefficients and emission quantum yields are decreased compared with trischelated complexes of the parent bipyridyl or phenanthroline ligands. At 25"0C the emission yields of the complexes containing dmby decrease by 3 - 4 orders of magnitude than at 77K. Possible causes of the decrease in the quantum ...
Several examples of the 14-membered, para-bridged ring system of the cyclopeptide alkaloids have been synthesized via an active ester cyclization. The yield of monomeric cyclopeptide varied from 1 to 33% and was affected by the amino acid substitution pattern and amide conformation of the linear peptide precursors. Both the synthetic models and a naturally occurring cyclopeptide alkaloid, ceanothine B, bind monovalent (Li"+) and divalent (Ca"2"+, Mg"2"+) cations. 4 figures, 1 table.
The most relevant aspects of research and service experience with environmentally-assisted cracking (EAC) of carbon (C) and low-alloy steels (LAS) in high-temperature (HT) water are reviewed, with special emphasis on the primary pressure boundary components of boiling water reactors (BWRs). The main factors controlling the susceptibility to EAC under light water reactor (LWR) conditions are discussed with respect to crack initiation and crack growth. The adequacy and conservatism of the current BWRVIP-60 stress corrosion cracking (SCC) disposition lines (DLs), ASME III fatigue design curves, and ASME XI reference fatigue crack growth curves, as well as of the GE EAC crack growth model are evaluated in the context of recent research results. The operating experience is summarized and compared to the experimental/mechanistic background knowledge. Finally, open questions and possible topics for further research are identified. Laboratory investigations revealed ...
The potential to increase the productivity of fuel straw harvest and transportation was examined. When harvesting straw for energy purposes, only the long fraction is currently collected. However, technological improvements have now rendered it possible to harvest chaff, thus increasing the amount of harvest residues and bale density. The purpose of this study was to determine how harvest yield, bale density, field-drying behaviour and combustion characteristics are affected by the simultaneous harvest of straw and chaff. Field experiments were conducted in 2009 for long- and short-stalked winter wheat crops. Combine harvesting was carried out with 2 different types of combine harvesters. A high-density baler was used to bale the crop residues. Mixing chaff in with the straw swath by combine harvesting gave a lower initial moisture content compared with straw only. The density and the weight of each bale were not affected ...
The relationships between soil salinization and the zonal and provincial bioclimatic conditions, the lithological composition of the sediments, and the geomorphic features of the territory have been analyzed for the Southern federal okrug of Russia. It is shown that the lithological and geomorphic conditions (relief, salinity of parent materials, degree of drainage, and the depth of saline groundwater) play an important role in the distribution of salt-affected soils against the background of the more general regularities specified by the climate. The participation of salt-affected soils in the soil cover of the Southern federal okrug increases in the eastward direction from the forest-steppe zone to the semidesert zone in agreement with an increase in the aridity and continentality of the...
None of the materials presently in common use for polarized proton targets has a pure carbon nuclear background. The alcohols and diols contain some oxygen, and the ammonia and amine-based materials contain nitrogen and/or other noncarbon species. In the latter cases the noncarbon nuclei are measurably polarized as a concomitant of the process used to polarize the hydrogen nuclei. The relative simplicity of a pure carbon background would be advantageous for most types of scattering experiments and perhaps crucial for some. In addition to simplifying the kinematics of background events, pure carbon is relatively easy to prepare as a dummy'' target for background subtraction. Also, in such a target material, [sup 13]C-enrichment would yield a clean polarized [sup 13]C material. In this note I explore the possibilities for such materials, touching upon only what I ...
This thesis describes the analysis of the semileptonic decay D{sup 0} {yields} {bar K}{sup 0} {pi}{sup -} {mu}{sup +}{nu} using FOCUS data. FOCUS is a fixed target experiment at Fermilab that studies the physics of the charm quark. Particles containing charm are produced by photon-gluon fusion from the collision of a photon beam on a BeO target. The experiment is characterized by excellent vertex resolution and particle identification. The spectrometer consists of three systems for track reconstruction (two silicon systems and one multiwire proportional chamber system) and two magnets of opposite polarity. The polarity of the magnet is such that the events of e{sup +}e{sup -} pairs produced in the target (which constitutes the main background) travel through a central opening in the detectors without interactions. Particle momentum is measured from the deflection angle in the magnets. Three multicell Cerenkov counters are used for charged ...
BackgroundComplaints of arm, neck and/or shoulders (CANS) affects millions of computer office workers. However its prevalence and associated risk factors in developing countries...Full Text Available
BackgroundMalaria is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in Nigeria. It is not known how user fees introduced under the Bamako Initiative (BI) system affect healthcare...Full Text Available
BackgroundLimited information has been published regarding how specific processes for event adjudication can affect event rates in trials. We reviewed nonfatal myocardial infarctions...Full Text Available
BackgroundInfertility affects ∼20% of couples in Europe and in 50% of cases the problem lies with the male partner. The impact of damaged DNA originating...Full Text Available
Annual wormwood interference on soybean crop growth and yield may result from competition and allelopathy, which are modulated by crop management. Allelochemicals released by annual wormwood (e.g. artemisinin) may affect the crop directly or indirectly through the effect on the nitrogen fixing symbiont, Bradyrhizobium japonicum. The objectives were (i) to quantify the crop response (i.e. biomass production, nodulation and yield) to weed interference and (ii) to determinate the relative change of competition and allelopathy interferences, when a sublethal dose of herbicide is applied. Two split plot field experiments with three replications were used. The experiment involved a factorial combination of five weed-crop density (soybean/annual wormwood, plantsm^-^2) levels: D1, pure soybean, 40...
The dd{yields}{sup 4}He{eta} reaction has been investigated near threshold using the ANKE facility at COSY-Juelich. Both total and differential cross-sections have been measured at two excess energies, Q=2.6 MeV and 7.7 MeV, with a subthreshold measurement being undertaken at Q=-2.6 MeV to study the physical background. While consistent with isotropy at the lower energy, the angular distribution reveals a pronounced anisotropy at the higher one, indicating the presence of higher partial waves. Options for the decomposition into partial amplitudes and their consequences for the determination of the s-wave {eta}{alpha} scattering length are discussed. (orig.)
Dark Matter annihilation (DMA) may yield an excess of gamma rays and antimatter particles, like antiprotons and positrons, above the background from cosmic ray interactions. The excess of diffuse Galactic Gamma Rays from EGRET shows all the features expected from DMA. The new precise measurements of the antiproton and positron fractions from PAMELA are compared with the EGRET excess. It is shown that the charged particles are strongly dependent on the propagation model used. The usual propagation models with isotropic propagation models are incompatible with the recently observed convection in our Galaxy. Convection leads to an order of magnitude uncertainty in the yield of charged particles from DMA, since even a rather small convection will let drift the charged particles in the halo to outer space. It is shown that such anisotropic propagation models including convection prefer a contribution from DMA for the ...
Dark Matter annihilation (DMA) may yield an excess of gamma rays and antimatter particles, like antiprotons and positrons, above the background from cosmic ray interactions. Several signatures, ranging from the positron excess, as observed by HEAT, AMS-01 and PAMELA, the gamma ray excess, as observed by the EGRET spectrometer, the WMAP-haze, and constraints from antiprotons, as observed by CAPRICE, BESS and PAMELA, have been discussed in the literature. Unfortunately, the different signatures all lead to different WIMP masses, indicating that at least some of these interpretations are likely to be incorrect. Here we review them and discuss their relative merits and uncertainties. New x-ray data from ROSAT suggests non-negligible convection in our Galaxy, which leads to an order of magnitude uncertainty in the yield of charged particles from DMA, since even a rather small convection will let drift the charged particles in ...
SummaryBackground The choice of sampling techniques in bronchoscopy with sampling from a visible lesion will depend on the expected diagnostic yields and the costs of the sampling techniques. Aims The aim of this study was to determine the most economical combination of sampling techniques when approaching endobronchial visible lesions. Methods A cost minimization analysis was performed. All bronchoscopies from 2003 and 2004 at Haukeland university hospital, Bergen, Norway, were reviewed retrospectively for diagnostic yields. 162 patients with endobronchial disease were included. Potential sampling techniques used were biopsy, brushing, endobronchial needle aspiration (EBNA) and washings. Costs were estimated based on registration of equipment costs and personnel costs. Sensitivity analyse...
The {delta} {yields} {alpha}{prime} martensitic transformation in Pu-1.9 at.% Ga occurs when the alloy is cooled below about -100 C. This transformation exhibits anomalous behavior, where the isothermal transformation proceeds atypically with double-C kinetics. Recent work has revealed that an ambient temperature isothermal hold (referred to as conditioning) prior to the transformation has different effects depending on whether transformation proceeds in the upper- or lower-C of the double-C: the amount of transformation is increased with conditioning in the upper-C, while the transformation in the lower-C seems to be engendered by conditioning. The mechanism by which conditioning affects the low-temperature {delta} {yields} {alpha}{prime} transformation is thus of great importance to understanding the transformation itself as well as the general circumstances that can affect a martensitic phase ...
BackgroundThe interactions between torus and several factors such as age, gender, and dental status have not been studied comprehensively. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of gender on the mandibular cortical index (MCI) and to investigate a possible association between torus mandibularis (TM) and MCI.MethodsThe study consisted of 189 consecutive patients referred to Department of Oral Diagnosis and Radiology of Hacettepe University within 30 workdays. Patients who did not have systemic disorders affecting bone density were included; and the age, gender, dental status and existing TM of the patients were recorded. Morphology of the mandibular inferior cortex was determined according to Klemitti's classification on panoramic radiographs.ResultsMCI was affected by age and gender (P 0.05).ConclusionIn the study population, MCI was affected by age and gender. As age increased, ...
We studied two-photon exchange for elastic electron-proton scattering at low Q{sup 2}. Compact approximate formulas for the amplitudes were obtained. Numerical calculations were done for Q{sup 2}{<=}0.1 GeV{sup 2} with several realistic form factor parametrizations, yielding similar results. They indicate that the corrections to the magnetic form factor can visibly affect the cross-section and proton radii. For low-Q{sup 2} electron-neutron scattering two-photon exchange corrections were shown to be negligibly small00.
The effectiveness of the acridines ethidium bromide (EB) and acriflavine in inducing plasmon mutations was compared with the alkylating agents ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) and diethyl sulphate and to #gamma#-rays. The growth habit (trailing versus bunch) of peanuts (A. hypogaea), controlled by genic-cytoplasmic interactions, was utilized. Breeding tests distinguishing nuclear from plasmon mutations were developed and are described in detail. Plasmon mutations were induced, but there were differences in mutation yields between the cultivars and the mutagens. (Auth.).
The polymerization of vinyl pyrrolidinone on nylon 66, with the assistance of aqueous phenol and formic acid, was investigated by mutual and post irradiation procedures. Both solvents were found to greatly facilitate the polymerization with the post irradiation procedure, whereas neither presented any advantage with the mutual irradiation procedure. Tensile properties of the modified fibers were affected in similar ways by both the irradiation procedures and solvents in that the only notable changes were the somewhat higher extensions at yield and at break. The moisture regain values of the treated yarns and fabrics were increased up to three-fold. Surface morphology of the modified fibers was revealed by SEM.
Malnutrition?in the form of insufficient energy intakes?affects millions of people worldwide and the negative impact of this kind of hunger is well acknowledged, not least by agronomists trying to increase yields to ensure a sufficient supply of food. This review focuses on another, more particular and ?hidden? form of malnutrition, namely mineral malnutrition. It illustrates the burden of disease that is caused by mineral deficiencies and the social and economic consequences they bring about. Mineral malnutrition has a considerable negative impact on individual well-being, social welfare and economic productivity. Agricultural scientists should keep the nutritional qualities of food in mind and?next to optimizing the agricultural properties of crops that are paramount for their adoption b...
The various factors that affect the open-circuit voltage ([ital V][sub oc]) of a two-terminal GaInP[sub 2]/GaAs tandem cell are examined. These include a) an anomalous problem associated with the GaAs bottom cell and b) back surface passivation of the thin GaInP[sub 2] top cell. Solutions to these problems are presented and yield tandem [ital V][sub oc]s close to the practical theoretical limits.
A general method for stable-isotope labeling of large proteins is introduced and applied for studies of the E. coli GroE chaperone proteins by solution NMR. In addition to enabling the residue-specific {sup 15}N-labeling of proteins on a highly deuterated background, it is also an efficient approach for uniform labeling. The method meets the requirements of high-level deuteration, minimal cross-labeling and high protein yield, which are crucial for NMR studies of structures with sizes above 150 kDa. The results obtained with the new protocol are compared to other strategies for protein labeling, and evaluated with regard to the influence of external factors on the resulting isotope labeling patterns. Applications with the GroE system show that these strategies are efficient tools for studies of structure, dynamics and intermolecular interactions in large supramolecular complexes, when combined with TROSY- and CRINEPT-based experimental NMR ...
As with other areas of biomedical research, the expectation is that the results of genome research will yield commercially valuable products of benefits to human health. The report, analyzes universities`, companies`, and researchers` experiences and perspectives since enactment of federal laws to enhance technology transfer--especially as it pertains to research funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy, the agencies funding U.S. efforts in the Human Genome Project. OTA prepared this background paper with the assistance of a panel of advisors and reviewers selected for their expertise and diverse points of view. Additionally, hundreds of individuals cooperated with OTA staff through interviews or by providing written material. These authorities were drawn from government, academia, industry, and professional societies worldwide.
Yields of light fission products (A = 68, 70-84, 87, 88, 94, 96, 98, 102 and 106-108), their kinetic energies and nuclear charge distributions (A 71-84, 87 and 88) in the thermal neutron induced fission of the odd-Z nucleus {sup 242m}Am(Z = 95) were measured using the mass-separator Lohengrin at the Institute Laue-Langevin in Grenoble (France). The mass yield curve shows a fine structure at A = 70, probably due to shell and/or odd-even effects affecting also the nuclear charge distribution. The analysis of isotopic chain yields gives evidence for a very low excitation energy of the lightest fission fragments observed. A preferential formation of fragments with even Z is found for this odd-Z compound nucleus. Calculated values for the local odd-even effect are comparable with those for the neighbouring even-Z fissile nuclides and increase from 13% to 30% with increasing asymmetry of the mass split (A{sub ...
The future e{sup +}e{sup -} linear colliders can also operate in the e{gamma} or {gamma}{gamma} modes. In the context of the top-color assisted technicolor (TC2) model, we study the single charged top-pion production process {gamma}{gamma} {yields} tb-bar{pi}{sub t}{sup -}. The results show that the production rates can reach the level of tens fb with reasonable parameter values. So one can expect that enough signals could be produced in future high-energy linear collider experiments. Furthermore, the flavor-changing (FC) decay mode {pi}{sub t}{sup -} {yields} bc-bar is the best channel to detect the charged top pion due to the clean standard model background. With a large number of events and the clean background, the charged top pion should be observable at future linear colliders operating in {gamma}{gamma} mode at the TeV energy scale.
Spectroscopy of antihydrogen has the potential to yield high-precision tests of the CPT theorem and shed light on the matter-antimatter imbalance in the Universe. The ALPHA antihydrogen trap at CERN's Antiproton Decelerator aims to prepare a sample of antihydrogen atoms confined in an octupole-based Ioffe trap and to measure the frequency of several atomic transitions. We describe our techniques to directly measure the antiproton temperature and a new technique to cool them to below 10 K. We also show how our unique position-sensitive annihilation detector provides us with a highly sensitive method of identifying antiproton annihilations and effectively rejecting the cosmic-ray background.
Alpha particle confinement is necessary for ignition of a D-T tokamak fusion plasma and for first wall protection. Due to high radiation backgrounds and temperatures, scintillators and semiconductor detectors may not be used to study alpha particles which are lost to the first wall during the D-T programs on JET and ITER. An alternative method of charged particle spectrometry capable of operation in these harsh environments, is proposed: it consists of thin foils of electrically isolated conductors with the flux of alpha particles determined by the positive current flowing from the foils. 2 refs., 3 figs.
Backgrounds and Aims The stem growth habit, determinate or indeterminate, of soybean, Glycine max, varieties affects various plant morphological and developmental traits. The objective of this study is to identify the effect of stem growth habit in soybean on the stomatal conductance of single leaves in relation to their leaf morphology in order to better understand the ecological and agronomic significance of this plant trait. Methods The stomatal conductance of leaves on the main stem was measured periodically under favourable field conditions to evaluate gmax, defined as the maximum stomatal conductance at full leaf expansion, for four varieties of soybean and their respective determinate or indeterminate near isogenic lines (NILs). Leaf morphological traits including stomatal density, ...
Background: Apheresis is a procedure to selectively obtain blood components. For the collection process citrate is routinely used. It inhibits coagulation by binding to ionized calcium and leads to metabolic alkalosis. Objective: Whether regular apheresis affects bone and mineral metabolism is unknown. The intention of this study was to investigate 1) the acute effects of apheresis on acid-base balance, bone and mineral metabolism and 2) to compare bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine and hip of donors to matched control subjects. Design: In this open, observational, single-center, cross-sectional study we enrolled 102 regular plasma and thrombocyte donors to pursue objective 1) and compared those to 102 matched controls (CTR) for objective 2). Results: Platelet donation led to s...
Brucella melitensis is a Gram-negative coccobacillus bacteria belonging to the Alphaproteobacteria subclass. It is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes brucellosis, a disease affecting sheep, cattle, and sometimes humans. The B. melitensis strain M5-90, a live attenuated vaccine cultured from the B. melitensis virulent strain M28, has been an effective tool to control brucellosis in goats and sheep in China. Here we report the complete genome sequences of B. melitensis M28 and M5-90, strains with different virulence backgrounds, which will serve as a valuable reference for future studies. PMID:21478357
Major forecast errors on the background error covariance from initial conditions, atmospheric forcing, model open boundary conditions, and the river discharges are examined in a coastal model of northern South China Sea. The analysis of background error covariance matrix produced by model ensemble shows that the perturbations of the initial conditions and atmospheric forcing play major roles in producing and maintaining the amplitude of ensemble spread except for the sea surface height (SSH) field. The perturbation of model open boundary conditions can influence ensemble spread of all variables and covariance between temperature and velocity or between temperature and SSH. The perturbation of river discharge mainly affects the covariance of salinity in river estuary. A data assimilation ex...
An investigation on the hydrogen generation by reacting ball-milled Mg-based materials in different alcoholic solutions (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol) was performed. The MgH{sub 2} reactivity in methanol is very low (maximum conversion yield <10%) and no improvement is induced by the ball milling treatment. In contrast, the ball milling affects greatly the Mg reactivity in methanol. The Mg powder milled for 30min displays a maximum conversion yield of 47% compared to 3% for unmilled Mg powder. Its high reactivity is ascribed to the creation of numerous defects and fresh surfaces during the initial stage of the milling process, favoring the corrosion of Mg in methanol. In addition, the presence of water in the methanol solution inhibits drastically the alcoholysis reaction despite its low amount (0.3vol%). The higher hydrogen production is obtained with the composite Mg-10at% Ni milled for 30min leading to a ...
We have constructed a Monte Carlo generator (the corresponding FORTRAN code can be obtained from the authors upon request) for lowest-order predictions for the processes {gamma}{gamma}{yields}4f and {gamma}{gamma}{yields}4f{gamma} in the standard model and extensions thereof by an effective {gamma}{gamma}H coupling as well as anomalous triple and quartic gauge-boson couplings. Polarization is fully supported, and a realistic photon beam spectrum can be taken into account. For the processes {gamma}{gamma}{yields}4f all helicity amplitudes are explicitly given in a compact form. The presented numerical results contain, in particular, a survey of cross sections for representative final states and their comparison to results obtained with the program package Whizard/Madgraph. The impact of a realistic beam spectrum on cross sections and distributions is illustrated. Moreover, the size of various contributions to cross sections, ...
The penetrance of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in families with primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is very complex. Matrilineal and nuclear genetic background, as well as environmental factors, have been reported to be involved in different affected pedigrees. Here we describe two large Chinese families that show a striking difference in the penetrance of LHON, in which 53.3% and 15.0% of members were affected (P < 0.02), respectively. Analysis of the complete mtDNA genome of the two families revealed the presence of the primary mutation G11778A and several other variants suggesting the same haplogroup status G2a. The family with higher penetrance contained a previously described secondary mutation G13708A, which presents a polymorphism in normal Chinese samples and does not affect in vivo mitochondrial oxidative metabolism as described in a previous study. ...
The penetrance of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in families with primary mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations is very complex. Matrilineal and nuclear genetic background, as well as environmental factors, have been reported to be involved in different affected pedigrees. Here we describe two large Chinese families that show a striking difference in the penetrance of LHON, in which 53.3% and 15.0% of members were affected (P < 0.02), respectively. Analysis of the complete mtDNA genome of the two families revealed the presence of the primary mutation G11778A and several other variants suggesting the same haplogroup status G2a. The family with higher penetrance contained a previously described secondary mutation G13708A, which presents a polymorphism in normal Chinese samples and does not affect in vivo mitochondrial oxidative metabolism as described in a previous study. Evolutionary ...
In field O{sub 3}-enrichment experiments increased herbivore densities have been reported, which could be due to negatively affected host location behavior of natural enemies. We addressed the impact of doubling background O{sub 3} on the host location of the parasitoid Cotesia plutellae by conducting 24-h trials in an open-air O{sub 3}-fumigation system during two consecutive years. Two circles (radii 1.40 and 4.00 m) of Plutella xylostella-infested potted cabbage plants were placed in the O{sub 3} and ambient plots. Female wasps were released into each plot from the center, and observed 5 times over a 24-h period to assess their host location capability. Thereafter, plants were kept in laboratory conditions until larvae pupation to determine parasitism rates. No significant differences were detected between ambient and O{sub 3}-enriched environments either in the number of wasps found in the field, or in the percentages of parasitized larvae. ...
Investigation of co-gasification of biomass-coal blends in oxygen-containing atmosphere was carried out in a pressurized fluidized bed gasifier. Different biomass materials including wood and energy crop were used in the study, whereas the coal used was in bituminous rank from UK, The gasifier used was a Laboratory Development Unit (LDU) with an inner diameter of 144 mm. The operation temperature and pressure were varied in the investigation. The research was part of the European Union's Joule Ill clean coal technology programme. The study was focused on possible synergies in the thermochemical treatment of the fuel blends. The char formed was examined. The tar produced in the process was analyzed. The environmentally concerned nitrogen compounds emitted from the process were detected. Interesting synergies were observed in the experimental study. The blends of the fuels and their char formed in situ demonstrated unexpected high reaction rate of gasification under the studied ...
Fabry Perot interferometry is a method of determining instantaneous velocities of an object in motion. The interferometer system is composed of the Fabry Perot interferometer, a laser, an electronic streak camera, and several focusing lenses. The first tests discussed were done on exploding bridgewire devices. During these tests, several system parameters were changed. These changes did not seem to affect the data, which appeared to be consistent. The second tests performed focused on slapper-type devices. It was determined that sandblasted, vapor-deposited aluminum on the slapper material would be required to yield quality data. Streak camera failure prevented much data from being collected. An effort is being made to replace the current streak camera. After it is replaced, a Fabry Perot and velocity interferometry system for any reflector comparison will be made. The results will be published as the conclusion to this report.
Ozone is the most important regional-scale air pollutant causing risks for vegetation and human health in many parts of the world. Ozone impacts on yield and quality of crops and pastures depend on precursor emissions, atmospheric transport and leaf uptake and on the plant?s biochemical defence capacity, all of which are influenced by changing climatic conditions, increasing atmospheric CO2 and altered emission patterns. In this article, recent findings about ozone effects under current conditions and trends in regional ozone levels and in climatic factors affecting the plant?s sensitivity to ozone are reviewed in order to assess implications of these developments for future regional ozone risks. Based on pessimistic IPCC emission scenarios for many cropland regions elevated mean ozone lev...
Degradation of blast furnace coke during handling and transport can produce up to 5% of -10 mm size and so reduce the +80 mm component to less than 2-4%. In shatter tests the action is one of crushing, creating smaller pieces out of a large piece and so, in effect, increasing uniformity and strength. Different size cokes differ in strength and physico-chemical properties, and are also affected by the quenching method (wet or dry) used. The most important parameter as far as blast furnace coke is concerned, in the interests of uniform size and sustained strength, is the M10 index, showing the yield of -10 mm fines, as it is these which detract from furnace performance. (9 refs.)
Development drilling from Chevron-operated Platform Hermosa, located on OCS-P 0316 of the Point Arguello field, began on January 30, 1987. To date, seven development wells have been drilled in to the northwest-southeast-trending, doubly plunging anticlinal structure. The results from drilling have confirmed the presence of intense folding and fracturing in the targeted Monterey Formation. Over 700 ft of conventional core were recovered from the B-2 well in the lower Sisquoc and Monterey Formations. Analysis of the core material has yielded important information on lithologic variations and fracture patterns in the productive Monterey Formation. Initial results of core studies, DST data, and wireline studies indicate a correlation between rock type and fracturing. Fracture trends and directional permeability suggested by drill-stem testing may affect future drilling patterns in the field.
In this paper, it is shown that (In1?xAlx)2S3 thin films can be grown through the co-evaporation of elemental indium, aluminum and sulfur. It is nevertheless observed that the introduction of aluminum within the indium sulfide thin films hinders the crystallites size and even yields almost amorphous films when x is 0.2. The investigations of the optical properties of the films reveal that contrary to what could be expected, the band gap increase is low; the highest values measured do not exceed 2.2eV. However, as suggested by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, such widening most probably affects the lower conduction band states.
In the Mediterranean arc, vines for wine production are mainly grown without the support of irrigation. Under such conditions, site variables affecting the extent and seasonal timing of water deficits are the dominant environmental constraints for grape production. Moreover, water availability and vine water status are the factors most comprehensively determining fruit composition and, thus, wine quality. Therefore, monitoring the extent of water stress in vines might be a valuable tool for the optimisation of grape yield and quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using the reflectance based Water Index (WI) to estimate vine water status at the leaf and canopy levels. The study was conducted on Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay potted plants submitted to contra...
The economic attractiveness and negative environmental impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pastures depend on the N use efficiency in the soil-plant system. However, the recovery of urea-{sup 15}N by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, one of the most widely used forage species in intensified pastoral systems, is still unknown. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 of N-urea) and three replications, to determine the recovery of {sup 15}N urea by Tanzania grass. Forage production, total N content and N yield were not affected by fertilization (p > 0.05), reflecting the high losses of applied N under the experimental conditions. The recovery of {sup 15}N urea (% of applied N) in forage and roots was not affected by fertilization levels (p > 0.05), but decreased exponentially in the soil and soil-plant system (p < 0.05) ...
The economic attractiveness and negative environmental impact of nitrogen (N) fertilization in pastures depend on the N use efficiency in the soil-plant system. However, the recovery of urea-"1"5N by Panicum maximum cv. Tanzania pastures, one of the most widely used forage species in intensified pastoral systems, is still unknown. This experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with four treatments (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1 of N-urea) and three replications, to determine the recovery of "1"5N urea by Tanzania grass. Forage production, total N content and N yield were not affected by fertilization (p > 0.05), reflecting the high losses of applied N under the experimental conditions. The recovery of "1"5N urea (% of applied N) in forage and roots was not affected by fertilization levels (p > 0.05), but decreased exponentially in the soil and soil-plant system (p < 0.05) with increasing urea ...
High surface ozone concentration is increasingly being recognized as a factor that negatively affects crop yields in Asia. However, little progress has been made in developing ozone-tolerant genotypes of rice-Asias major staple crop. This study aimed to identify possible tolerance mechanisms by characterizing two quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that were previously shown to influence visible leaf symptoms under ozone exposure (120 nl l-1, 7 h d-1, 13 d). Two chromosome segment substitution lines (SL15 and SL41) that carried introgressions of the QTLs OzT3 and OzT9, respectively, were exposed to ozone at 120 nl l-1 along with their parent Nipponbare. In accordance with the expected QTL effect, SL15 showed stronger visible symptoms of ozone damage than Nipponbare, whereas SL41 had fewer sympt...
A field study (1993-96) assessed the benefits of applying unusually high rates of coal fly ash from power plants as a soil amendment to enhance water retention of soils without adversely affecting growth and marketability of the turf species, centipedegrass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.) A Latin Square plot design was employed that included 0 (control, no fly ash applied), 280, 560 and 1120 MgHa {sup -1} application rates of unweathered precipitator fly ash. The fly ash was spread evenly over each plot area, rototilled, and allowed to weather under natural conditions for 8 months before seeding. High levels of soluble salts, indicated by the electrical conductivity of soil extracts, in tandem with an apparent phytotoxic effect from boron, apparently inhibited initial plant establishment as shown by substantially lower germination counts in treated soil. However, plant height and rooting depth were not adversely affected, as were the dry ...
Past elastic-plastic fracture studies for leak-before-break (LBB) assessment of low alloy steel pipings have been focused mostly on the behavior of base metals and their weld metals. In contrast, the heat-affected zone (HAZ) of a welded pipe has not been studied in detail primarily because the size of the HAZ is too small to make specimens for mechanical properties measurements. In this study, microstructural analyses, microhardness tests, tensile tests and J-R tests have been conducted as a function of distance from a fusion line and temperature for HAZ materials of SA106Gr.C low alloy piping steels. For the ferrite-pearlite steels such as SA106Gr.C, the HAZ specimens showed a higher yield strength and fracture toughness compared with those of its base metal. These characteristics, despite of grain coarsening, can be explained by cleaner microstructures of HAZ materials with a finer morphology of carbides compared with pearlitic-ferritic base ...
As yet, the role of Computed Tomography (CT) as a routine imaging technique in the staging and follow-up of thoracic Hodgkin's disease has not been assessed. The authors reported the results obtained in 120 patients affected with thoracic Hodgkin's disease, staged and followed by means af chest X-rays and CT. CT better identified intrathoracic involvement of mediastinal nodes, of lung parenchyma, of pleura, and of pericarcial and chest walls in 54/120 patients (45%), with staging modifications in 18 (15%) of them only. Treatment was changed only in 12 patients (19%) where radiation therapy had been planned. The clinical value of the additional information yielded by CT was especially evident in the follow-up: CT allowed the correct evaluation of persistent/ recurrent disease in 51/117 patients (43.5%), a figure high enough to suggest the use of CT in the routive follow-up of patients affected with thoracic Hodgkin's ...
Although experimental results so far agree with predictions of the standard model, it is widely felt to be incomplete. Many prospective theories beyond the standard model predict extra neutral gauge bosons, denoted by Z', which might be light enough to be accessible at the LHC. Observables sensitive to the properties of these extra gauge bosons might be used to discriminate between the different theories beyond the standard model. In the present work several of these observables (total decay width, leptonic cross-section and forward-backward asymmetries) are studied at generation level and with a full simulation in the ATLAS detector. The Z' {yields} e{sup +}e{sup -} decay channel was chosen and 2 values for the mass of Z': 1.5 TeV and 4 TeV. Background is studied as well and it is confirmed that a Z' boson could easily be discovered at the chosen masses. It is shown that even in full simulation the studied ...
Recent data from CREAM seem to confirm early suggestions that primary cosmic ray spectra at few TeV/nucleon are harder than in the 10-100 GeV range. Also, helium and heavier nuclei spectra appear systematically harder than the proton fluxes at corresponding energies. We note here that if the measurements reflect intrinsic features in the interstellar fluxes, appreciable modifications are expected in the sub-TeV range for the secondary yields, such as antiprotons and diffuse gamma-rays. Presently, this effect represents a systematic error in the extraction of astrophysical parameters as well as for background estimates for indirect dark matter searches. We find that the spectral modifications are appreciable above 100 GeV, and can be responsible for ~30% effects for antiprotons at energies close to 1 TeV or for gamma's at energies close to 300 GeV, compared to currently considered predictions based on simple extrapolation of input fluxes from ...
We review the current status of resolved X-ray emission associated with extragalactic radio jets and hotspots. The primary question for any particular jet is to decide if the X-rays come from the synchrotron process or from inverse Compton scattering. There is considerable evidence supporting synchrotron emission for knots in the jets of FRI galaxies. For FRII terminal hotspots detected in the X-ray band, synchrotron self-Compton emission continues to provide viable models with one possible exception (so far). Inverse Compton scattering on photons of the cosmic microwave background is indicated for a few powerful jets, and is expected to be an important contributor if not the dominating mechanism for higher redshift objects. The application of a model generally yields physical parameters and in many cases, these include the Doppler boosting factor.
Associated production of a baryonic Z' boson with the W boson can account for the excess in Wjj production observed by the CDF collaboration at the Tevatron. We analyze other possible channels of this Z' at the Tevatron and at the LHC, including \\gamma Z' and Z Z' with the Z' -> jj. We show that the chances of confirming this baryonic Z' is better at the Tevatron than at the LHC because of the faster growing backgrounds at the LHC. Unfortunately the current systematic uncertainties of the order of 10% cannot yield any significant excess in both \\gamma Z' and Z Z' channels at the Tevatron and also at the LHC. Nevertheless the search using the b\\bar b decay mode of Z' is much more feasible at the LHC, provided that the branching ratio B(Z' -> b\\bar b) > 0.1. In particular, the W Z' -> l \
A previous note reviewed methods for the paramagnetic doping of materials for spin-polarized solid targets and some of the history of attempts to apply those methods to hydrocarbons. Since the earlier work on hydrocarbons had yielded, at best, rather mediocre results, that note also speculated on some ways to extend and, possibly, to improve upon the earlier work. The sharpest focus was on the light (number of carbons less than six) alkanes, since these are the hydrocarbons that have the highest hydrogen contents ([approx gt] 17wt %) and therefore require the least degree of polarization to be interesting. This present note summarizes the subsequent work done, to date, exploring some of the issues related to the chemical doping method. The main areas of progress have been in the literature search, experimental results on glass formation by alkanes, and a polarizing test of a prototype'' hydrocarbon.
A previous note reviewed methods for the paramagnetic doping of materials for spin-polarized solid targets and some of the history of attempts to apply those methods to hydrocarbons. Since the earlier work on hydrocarbons had yielded, at best, rather mediocre results, that note also speculated on some ways to extend and, possibly, to improve upon the earlier work. The sharpest focus was on the light (number of carbons less than six) alkanes, since these are the hydrocarbons that have the highest hydrogen contents ([approx gt] 17wt %) and therefore require the least degree of polarization to be interesting. This present note summarizes the subsequent work done, to date, exploring some of the issues related to the chemical doping method. The main areas of progress have been in the literature search, experimental results on glass formation by alkanes, and a polarizing test of a prototype'' hydrocarbon.
A previous note reviewed methods for the paramagnetic doping of materials for spin-polarized solid targets and some of the history of attempts to apply those methods to hydrocarbons. Since the earlier work on hydrocarbons had yielded, at best, rather mediocre results, that note also speculated on some ways to extend and, possibly, to improve upon the earlier work. The sharpest focus was on the light (number of carbons less than six) alkanes, since these are the hydrocarbons that have the highest hydrogen contents ({approx_gt} 17wt %) and therefore require the least degree of polarization to be interesting. This present note summarizes the subsequent work done, to date, exploring some of the issues related to the chemical doping method. The main areas of progress have been in the literature search, experimental results on glass formation by alkanes, and a polarizing test of a ``prototype`` hydrocarbon.
We study D-branes in a two-dimensional lorentzian orbifold R{sup 1,1}/{gamma} with a discrete boost {gamma}. This space is known as Misner or Milne space, and includes big crunch/big bang singularity. In this space, there are D0-branes in spiral orbits and D1-branes with or without flux on them. In particular, we observe imaginary parts of partition functions, and interpret them as the rates of open string pair creation for D0-branes and emission of winding closed strings for D1-branes. These phenomena occur due to the time-dependence of the background. Open string 2{yields}2 scattering amplitude on a D1-brane is also computed and found to be less singular than closed string case.
Determination of the radiocarbon (14C) content of airborne particulate matter yields insight into the proportion of the carbonaceous material derived from fossil and contemporary carbon sources. Daily samples of PM2.5 were collected by high-volume sampler at an urban background site in Birmingham, UK, and the fraction of 14C in both the total carbon, and in the organic and elemental carbon fractions, determined by two-stage combustion to CO2, graphitisation and quantification by accelerator mass spectrometry. OC and EC content was also determined by Sunset Analyzer. The mean fraction contemporary TC in the PM2.5 samples was 0.50 (range 0.27-0.66, n=26). There was no seasonality to the data, but there was a positive trend between fraction contemporary TC and magnitude of SOC/TC ratio and fo...
The Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste-Management in the Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for disposing of this nation`s spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste in a manner that protects the health and safety of the public and the quality of the environment. Although embodied in the Federal repository program that began with studies in the late 1950s, this mission was explicitly established by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 and reaffirmed by the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987. To fulfill our mission, we are developing a waste management system consisting of a geologic repository for permanent disposal deep beneath the surface of the earth, a facility for monitored retrievable storage, and a system for transporting the waste. This discussion draft was developed to help involve parties affected by or interested in the waste-management program in the formulation of the basic principles on which the program will be based. It reviews ...
Twenty-four patients were studied with both /sup 201/Tl-thallus chloride and /sup 99m/Tc-TBI scintigraphy following exercise. Comparison of the two agents in detecting segmental myocardial ischemia and scar was made in 18 patients with evidence of coronary artery disease on /sup 201/Tl-thallous chloride scintigraphy. Agreement between the two studies was observed in 77% (125 of 162) of left ventricular segments, suggesting that /sup 99m/Tc-TBI can be used as a myocardial perfusion agent. Limitations were related to early high background activity from lungs and liver. The high lung activity and early myocardial redistribution within the 1st hour contributed to the failure of /sup 99m/Tc-TBI to detect 16 segmental defects seen in the immediate post-exercise thallous chloride scan. Persistently high liver activity additionally affected accurate interpretation in the left ventricular segments close to the diaphragm. Improvement in the accuracy of ...
Observations show the ubiquitous presence of propagating magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) kink waves in the solar atmosphere. Waves and flows are often observed simultaneously. Due to plasma inhomogeneity in the perpendicular direction to the magnetic field, kink waves are spatially damped by resonant absorption. The presence of flow may affect the wave spatial damping. Here, we investigate the effect of longitudinal background flow on the propagation and spatial damping of resonant kink waves in transversely nonuniform magnetic flux tubes. We combine approximate analytical theory with numerical investigation. The analytical theory uses the thin tube (TT) and thin boundary (TB) approximations to obtain expressions for the wavelength and the damping length. Numerically, we verify the previously obtained analytical expressions by means of the full solution of the resistive MHD eigenvalue problem beyond the TT and TB approximations. We find that the ...
Background:- Only one study has used a prospective method to analyze the diagnostic stability of first psychotic episodes in children and adolescents. The Child and Adolescent First-Episode Psychosis Study (CAFEPS) is a 2-year, prospective longitudinal study of early-onset first episodes of psychosis (EO-FEP). Aim:- To describe diagnostic stability and the variables related to diagnostic changes. Methods:- Participants were 83 patients (aged 9-17-years) with an EO-FEP consecutively attended. They were assessed with a structured interview (Kiddie-Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia, Present and Lifetime version) and clinical scales at baseline and after 2-years. Results:- The global consistency for all diagnoses was 63.9%. The small group of bipolar disorder had high stabilit...
A stratigraphic and geochemical study of alpine soils, which formed in later Pleistocene (late glacial) and Neoglacial deposits in the Wind River Mountains of western Wyoming, indicates that these soils are affected by air-fall in flux of inorganic pollutants. Arsenic, bromine and antimony appear to have been deposited in surface soils by incorporation of aeolian materials which were presumably transported by winds from industrial sources, including coal-burning operations. As vanadium was not found in surface soils at concentrations above site-specific background levels, oil-fired energy generating stations were not found to be significant sources of surface soil pollution in the region. Acid-rain effects were not observed in the soils. (author) 32 refs.; 2 figs.; 3 tabs.
Methods for improving the sensitivity of scintillation cells for radon concentration measurements were studied with emphasis on improving light collection efficiency. This allows the length and hence the volume of the cell to be increased. Variables studied were choice of scintillator material, its method of application and thickness, length of cell, cell material, type and configuration of reflectors, choice of photomultipliers, and factors affectingbackground. Response from various areas of the cell surface was studied with an alpha source and with radon filling. Coating the window with phosphor was found to be counter-productive. The optimum results obtained were with the inside of the cell (other than the window) covered with a thick layer of ZnS(Ag), or with a thick layer of reflective material coated with a thin layer of phosphor. With it, a 10 cm diameter plexiglass cell can be extended to at least 50 cm length without difficulty from ...
Methods for improving the sensitivity of scintillation cells for radon concentration measurements were studied with emphasis on improving light collection efficiency. This allows the length and hence the volume of the cell to be increased. Variables studied were choice of scintillator material, its method of application and thickness, length of cell, cell material, type and configuration of reflectors, choice of photomultipliers, and factors affectingbackground. Response from various areas of the cell surface was studied with an alphy source and with radon filling. Coating the window with phosphor was found to be counter-productive. The optimum results obtained were with the inside of the cell (other than the window) covered with a thick layer of ZnS(Ag), or with a thick layer of reflective material coated with a thin layer of phosphor. With it, a 10 cm diameter plexiglass cell can be extended to at least 50 cm length without difficulty from ...
Laboratory studies have been carried out to determine the toxicity of methiocarb pellets to wild trapped wood mice in order to provide some background data prior to any further evaluation of hazard in the field. In this study, wood mice were exposed to dry and to dampened methiocarb pellets in order to reproduce field trial application conditions. Field observations of methiocarb pellets indicate that the physical character changes under dry and wet weather conditions. This may affect their relative attractiveness and potential toxicity to wood mice. The laboratory assessment of exposed wood mice included measurement of brain esterase activities, methiocarb residues in selected mouse tissue, carcasses, and histological evaluation of kidney, liver and lungs.
Abstract Background and Purpose: During laser lithotripsy, working instruments are often in close proximity to the distal fiber tip and may be damaged accidentally or even intentionally. The aim of this study was to compare the amount of damage to a standard guidewire and the nitinol wires of endourologic retrieval baskets that were affected by three different clinically available laser systems. Materials and Methods: The impact of pulsed laser irradiation on a standard hydrophilic guidewire and a retrieval basket were investigated. One infrared (IR) laser system (holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet [Ho:YAG]: ????=???2100???nm) and two laser systems emitting light in the visible (VIS) spectral range (frequency-doubled double-pulse neodymium:YAG [FREDDY]: ????=???532???nm/1064???nm and flashl...
BACKGROUND: It was previously reported that dendrosomes, i.e. neutral, biodegradable, covalent or self-assembled, hyperbranched, spheroidal nano-particles with a size ranging from 15 to 100 nm, provide a convenient and efficient means of gene delivery into various kinds of cells such as human hepatoma and kidney cells as well as animal models.RESULTS: New studies via circular dichroism show that hydrophilic and amphipathic dendrosomes either do not affect the DNA structure or moderately transform it from B- to A-conformation. Gene delivery into human liver, kidney, and endothelial cells as well as other animal cells like Bowes, U-937, Raw, CCRF-CEM, MOLT-4, K562, Huh-7 and VERO reveal that the genes are efficiently expressed and in comparison with other gene porters like Lipofectin or bact...
Background Photopolymerizable poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels offer a platform to deliver cells in vivo and support three-dimensional cell culture but should be designed to degrade in sync with neotissue development and endure the physiologic environment. Questions/purposes We asked whether (1) incorporation of degradation into PEG hydrogels facilitates tissue development comprised of essential cartilage macromolecules; (2) with early loading before pericellular matrix formation, the duration of load affects matrix production; and (3) dynamic loading in general influences macroscopic tissue development. Methods Primary bovine chondrocytes were encapsulated in hydrogels (n?=?3 for each condition). The independent variables were hydrogel degradation (nondegrading PEG and degrading olig...
Abstract Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects health and quality of life and it has great impact on both health-care costs and costs to the society. Objectives The objective of this study was to develop a model to analyse the cost-effectiveness of a barrier-strengthening moisturizing cream as maintenance therapy compared with no treatment after initial treatment with betamethasone valerate in adult patients with AD in Sweden. A further aim was to apply a similar health-economic analysis for Denmark, Norway and Finland. Methods A Markov simulation model was developed including data from three sources: (i) efficacy data from a randomized controlled trial including patients with moderate AD treated with either a moisturizing cream or no treatment, (ii) resource utilization and quality of...
ALLEYNE G., HANCOCK C. & HUGHES P. (2011) Chronic and non-communicable diseases: a critical challenge for nurses globally. International Nursing Review58, 328-331 Background:- Chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a growing and enormous challenge that faces countries across the world. Low- and middle-income countries are disproportionately affected. Contributory factors:- Three risk factors - tobacco use, poor diet (including excessive alcohol intake) and lack of physical activity - contribute to four major chronic diseases - cardiovascular, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes and some cancers, which are responsible for over 50% of deaths worldwide. Potential solutions:- International governmental and non-governmental agencies are becoming increasingly concerned and ...
This summary report outlines the work that was performed to gain a more complete understanding of denting corrosion of steam generators in PWRs. Background laboratory and plant data on denting were compiled, reviewed and correlated to determine how various exposure conditions affect denting. Two high-temperature chemistry analytical models were reviewed and evaluated by experimental simulation of impurity concentration in the heat transfer and isothermal capsule tests. Simulation of impurity concentration for three cooling waters (lake, river, and cooling tower) was evaluated. The effects of species concentration (Cu/sup + +/, Cl/sup -/, O/sub 2/, and H/sup +/), contaminant thresholds (established by isothermal and heat transfer tests), and heat flux as indicated by superheat on denting were examined. A discussion of several pertinent observations and conclusions drawn from these tasks (as they pertain to plant operation) is presented.
Background:- Diagnoses of paediatric bipolar disorder have increased over the last two decades in the United States, where high levels of comorbidity with ADHD have also been reported. Aims:- To explore how British clinicians apply these diagnoses. Method:- We compared 378 young people under the age of 18 who received a diagnosis of bipolar disorder and/or ADHD from a large NHS mental health trust between 1992 and 2007. Results:- Children with bipolar disorder were rare in this sample (n-=-35, 1.0%), particularly under the age of 13 (n-=-9, 0.3%). Children with bipolar disorder presented more often with affective and psychotic symptoms than children with ADHD. Irritability was common in both disorders. Core ADHD symptoms were prevalent in both conditions but occurred in a greater proportio...
Luminosity-driven channeling extraction has been observed for the first time in a 900 GeV study at the Fermilab Tevatron. This experiment, Fermilab E853, demonstrated that useful TeV level beams can be extracted from a superconducting accelerator during high luminosity collider operations without unduly affecting the background at the collider detectors. Multi-turn extraction was found to increase significantly the efficiency of the process. The beam extraction efficiency was about 25%. Studies of time dependent effects found that the turn-to-turn structure was governed mainly by accelerator beam dynamics. An investigation of a pre-scatterer using the accelerator flying wire system showed that a fiber could produce a significant extracted flux, consistent with expectations. Based on these results, it is feasible to construct a parasitic 5-10 MHz proton beam from the Tevatron collider.
The beneficial effect of compost application to the sandy soil on dry matter production of shoots and fruits as well as its effect on l5N-uptake and nitrogen utilization percent of cucumber plant (Cucumis sativus L.) were studied under field conditions. Two types of natural compost (i.e. sugar cane bagasse (SC) and beet compost (BC)) with three levels (2, 4, 6 ton/fed) in addition to check treatment for each kind of compost (sheep manure with rate of 20 in/fed) combined with three rates of nitrogen fertilizer rates (50, 75, 100% from the recommended rate, i.e. 75 kg /fed) were used. The bagasse compost in both seasons gave a significantly higher response than the beet compost. There was a greet reduction in cucumber dry weight, N yield, Ndff%, FN yield and N utilization % of shoots and fruits as the level of compost application decreased. However, cucumber plants grown on high compost application level (6 ton/fed) were similar in their ...
In the investigations reported here, a helium-jet/tape-transport system was used for the rapid transfer of fission products to a low-background environment where their aggregate beta and gamma-ray spectra were measured as a function of delay time after neutron induced fission of {sup 235}U, {sup 238}U and {sup 239}Pu. Beta and gamma-ray energy distributions have been deduced for delay times as short as 0.2 s and extending out to 100,000s. Instrumentation development during the initial phase of the project included: (1) assembly and characterization of a NaI(Tl) spectrometer for determining aggregate gamma-ray energy distributions, (2) development and characterization of a beta spectrometer (having excellent gamma-ray rejection) for measuring aggregate beta-particle energy distributions, (3) assembly and characterization of a Compton-suppressed HPGe spectrometer for determining gamma-ray intensities of individual fission products to deduce fission-product ...
In this thesis, increased hemicellulose retention during kraft pulping has been studied. The work has been divided into three parts: i) Development of an accessible and reliable method for determination of carbohydrate composition of kraft pulps ii) Investigation of the composition and molecular mass distributions of the carbohydrates in kraft pulps with increased hemicellulose content iii) Investigation of the effect of increased hemicellulose content on the sheet properties of kraft pulps with increased hemicellulose content. A method for carbohydrate determination was developed. In this method, enzymes are used to hydrolyse the pulp into monosaccharides. A relatively mild acid hydrolysis is performed prior to detection on an HPLC with an RI-detector. The pulp is not derivatized and no pre-treatment (mechanical or chemical) is needed to determine the carbohydrate composition using the method developed here. Peak deconvolution software is used to improve the accuracy. Polysulphide and ...
The influence of reconstituting a murine monoclonal IgG_1 antibody kit with pertechnetate Tc99m on antibody distribution in the liver, spleen and sternal bone marrow of patients was examined. The "9"9"mTc-labelled antibody used is directed against non-specific cross-reacting antigen (NCA-95) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and has been successfully applied for imaging tissue inflammation and bone marrow scanning. Radioactivity uptake was determined in the liver, spleen, bone marrow and a precordial background region in a consecutive series of 25 patients, examined with an antibody preparation, routinely radiolabelled according to the manufacturer's recommendations and in 14 patients, in whom the antibody was reconstituted with special care, avoiding bubble formation and dropping of buffer into the antibody-containing vial. Gentle compared with routine antibody reconstitution caused a highly significant reduction of the antibody uptake in the liver, as determined ...
This paper examines the correlation between mechanical properties and the density, phase, and hydrogen content of deposited alumina layers, and compares them to those of sapphire and amorphous alumina synthesized through ion-beam irradiation of sapphire. Alumina films were deposited using electron beam evaporation of aluminum and co-bombardment with O{sub 2}{sup +} ions (30-230 eV) from an electron cyclotron resonance (ECR) plasma. The H content and phase were controlled by varying the deposition temperature and the ion energy. Sapphire was amorphized at 84 K by irradiation with Al and O ions (in stoichiometric ratio) to a defect level of 4 dpa in order to form an amorphous layer 370 nm thick. Nanoindentation was performed to determine the elastic modulus, yield strength and hardness of all materials. Sapphire and amorphized sapphire have a higher density and exhibit superior mechanical properties in comparison to the deposited alumina films. Density was determined ...
NMR and CD studies indicate that Mg/sup 2 +/ and Ca/sup 2 +/ are able to change the conformation of tetracycline in DMSO solution. This may affect the in vivo effect of tetracycline. Using /sup 23/Na NMR, the formation constant of NaLAS (LAS represents the anion of lasalocid A) was found to be 80 M/sup -1/ which is much smaller than that in less polar solvents. Spin-lattice relaxation measurements were made to study the binding sites of Gd/sup 3 +/ on Las in ChCl/sub 3/-DMF mixed solvent system. No intermediate conformation (between cyclic and open-chain) was found. LAS was found to be a good second-sphere ligand to inert transition-metal amines. NMR studies suggest that LAS is in cyclic conformation when bound to these metal amines. A new method for the synthesis of spin-labeled anticancer Pt(II) complexes was developed. It is very simple and gives high yield of pure spin-labeled Pt(II) complexes.
Three inclined tubular digesters of 13- to 15-litre volume were operated at temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees C with hydraulic retention times of 10-15 days on pig slurry of 10%, 5% and 2.5% Total Solids content. Tube inclination of 16-20 degrees gave no scumming problems. Solids were retained, giving improved gas yields when compared with literature values for conventional stirred digesters. Solids retention is affected by the size of the digester exit and appears to be greater with slurry of low solids content. There is a link between the movement of solids and gas along, and out of, the digester which can lead to unstable oscillating gas production. Tracer studies showed soluble components of the slurry mixed throughout the whole volume of the digester in 25% of the hydraulic retention time or less. Solids moved in well dispersed plug flow. Gas production (both intrinsic and after the addition of acetate) was most rapid in the central ...
In this paper we present results of our investigation into the relationship between urban microclimate and the local density of tree cover as measured in Sacramento, California. These results were obtained through analysis of data collected in a two-month long monitoring program with automatic weather stations installed at 15 residential locations throughout the city. Measured wind speeds showed a highly negative correlation with respect to tree cover. Daily peak air temperatures showed significant variation often differing from site to site by 2 to 4{degrees}C ({approx}3.5 to 7{degrees}F). A complex interaction between several competing factors is discussed leading to the conclusion that additional tree cover may actually increase urban air temperatures on synoptically cool days. It is suggested that this does not have a significant adverse affect in terms of overall summer urban cooling load. This is supported by an integrated analysis of the temperature data ...
Full text: Red blood cells (RBCs) labeled with "9"9"mTc are commonly used in the evaluation of cardiac function, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, red blood cell volume or splenic sequestration. Generally stannous ion is used as reducing agent. A proposed mechanism is that once the stannous ion (Sn) and the pertechnetate ("9"9"mTc) reach the interior of the RBC, the radionuclide is mainly house in the #beta#-chain of hemoglobin. The aim of this study was to determine if hemoglobin content reduction, an indicator of iron deficiency anemia, could affect the efficiency of RBC labeling and the biological distribution of this radiopharmaceutical. We studied 30 rats fed for 3 weeks after weaning with diets with iron contents of 6.5 ppm (group A), 18 ppm (group B) and 100 ppm (control). For all groups, the labeling yields were always higher than 97%; the percentage of radioactivity was mostly founded in blood with almost negligible radioactivity the ...
Ozone formation by a pulse positive corona discharge generated in the gas phase between a planar high voltage electrode made from reticulated vitreous carbon and a water surface with an immersed ground stainless steel plate electrode was investigated under various operating conditions. The effects of gas flow rate (0.5-3 litre min"-"1), discharge gap spacing (2.5-10 mm), applied input power (2-45 W) and gas composition (oxygen containing argon or nitrogen) on ozone production were determined. Ozone concentration increased with increasing power input and with increasing discharge gap. The production of ozone was significantly affected by the presence of water vapour formed through vaporization of water at the gas-liquid interface by the action of the gas phase discharge. The highest energy efficiency for ozone production was obtained using high voltage pulses of approximately 150 ns duration in Ar/O_2 mixtures with the maximum efficiency (energy ...
In the present study, new light weight nano-composites (AZ31B-3.3Al2O3-Cu) based on magnesium alloy AZ31B are developed using disintegrated melt deposition technique. Microstructural characterization studies revealed grain refinement and significant increase in amount of second phases as a result of increasing presence of copper. All the samples exhibited minimal porosity and good matrix-second phase interfacial integrity. The results also showed that addition of both nano-Al2O3 and Cu led to a simultaneous improvement in 0.2% yield compressive strength (0.2%YCS), ultimate compressive strength (UCS) and work of fracture (WoF) of the AZ31B magnesium alloy while failure strain was marginally affected. The results of this study clearly illustrate the capability of AZ31B-Al2O3-Cu formulations ...
Deformation mechanisms of Mg-Al-Zn (AZ31) alloys were investigated by performing tensile test at room temperature. In fine grain Mg alloys deformed at room temperature, nonbasal slip systems were found to be active as well as basal slip systems because of grain-boundary compatibility effect. Slip-induced grain-boundary sliding occurred as a complementary deformation mechanism to give rise to c-axis component of strain. With increasing grain size, the activation of the nonbasal slip systems was limited near grain boundaries. Instead of grain-boundary sliding, twinning occurred as a complementary deformation mechanism in large grained samples. Orientation analysis of twins indicated that twinning is induced by stress concentration due to the pile up of basal dislocations. The grain-size dependence on deformation mechanism was found to affectyielding behavior both microscopically and macroscopically which can influence various mechanical ...
The primary objective of this task was to perform a variability study of the high activity waste (HAW) acidic feed to determine the impact of feed variability on the quality of the final grout and on the mixability of the salt solution into the dry powders. The HAW acidic feeds were processed through the neutralization/pH process, targeting a final pH of 12. These fluids were then blended with the dry materials to make the final waste forms. A secondary objective was to determine if elemental substitution for cost prohibitive or toxic elements in the simulant affects the mixing response, thus providing a more economical simulant for use in full scale tests. Though not an objective, the HAW simulant used in the full scale tests was also tested and compared to the results from this task. A statistically designed test matrix was developed based on the maximum molarity inputs used to make the acidic solutions. The maximum molarity inputs were: 7.39 HNO{sub 3}, 0.11618 ...
Independent isomeric yield ratios of {sup 131}Te, {sup 133}Te and {sup 134}I have been determined at five different energies in the range of 25-44 MeV alpha particle induced fission of {sup 238}U using radiochemical and gamma spectrometric techniques. From the independent isomeric yield ratios, fragment angular momenta (J{sub rms}) have been deduced using a statistical model analysis. The J{sub rms} were also calculated theoretically based on thermal equilibration of various collective modes after considering the occurrence of multichance fission. These data and the literature data for various fragments in the mass region 126-136 in {sup 238}U ({alpha},f), {sup 238}U (p,f) and {sup 238}U ({gamma},f) show the following important features: (i) Both the entrance channel excitation energy and input angular momentum affect the fragment angular momentum in the exit channel. (ii) There are two groups of fission products from the ...
The process of infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) of molecules is of great fundamental importance and has practical significance, such as isotope separation etc. Unfortunately, a clear insight into the process has been hindered by the bewildering array of important variables affecting MPD. The dissociation probability #gamma#(#phi#) i.e. the yield has been found to be a sensitive function of laser fluence #phi# along with numerous other parameters like laser frequency, gas pressure etc. We have shown that in single frequency IRMPD an accurate quantitative characterization of the dissociation probability can be adequately expressed by a 'power law' model with two fitting parameters namely critical fluence, #phi#c and multi photon order, m. This model was exploited in analysing our MPD results on various systems. However, the small isotope shift encountered in heavy elements and the sticking phenomenon observed in small light molecules ...
Energy balances are analysed from a life-cycle perspective for biogas systems based on 8 different raw materials. The analysis is based on published data and relates to Swedish conditions. The results show that the energy input into biogas systems (i.e. large-scale biogas plants) overall corresponds to 20-40% (on average approximately 30%) of the energy content in the biogas produced. The net energy output turns negative when transport distances exceed approximately 200 km (manure), or up to 700 km (slaughterhouse waste). Large variations exist in energy efficiency among the biogas systems studied. These variations depend both on the properties of the raw materials studied and on the system design and allocation methods chosen. The net energy output from biogas systems based on raw materials that have high water content and low biogas yield (e.g. manure) is relatively low. When energy-demanding handling of the raw materials is required, the energy input increases ...
We present a forward modelling technique for calculating the surface X-ray spectra for a variety of lunar terrains. Our calculations considered variations in solar fluxes from solar quiescent condition to large flare activity (M1 flare), and expected elemental concentrations in the target, as well as yield, instrumental, and viewing geometry parameters for X-ray induced fluorescence from the lunar surface. Additionally, we present estimates of anticipated XRF signals from prominent Ka lines observable by a collimated 14cm2 X-ray detector from a 100km lunar orbit with 20km spatial resolution. Our results show that Mg, Al and Si characteristic Ka lines can be observed for all solar conditions. The Ca Ka lines line can be differentiated from a fixed background during more energetic solar cond...
In future collider experiments, where a background radiation level is estimated to be very high, e.g. around 10"2 #approx# 10"5 Gy/yr and 10"1"1 #approx# 10"1"4 n/cm"2/yr at SSC, the detectors operating around the collision point in the experiments will encounter a considerable amount of radiation. Therefore, the detectors, especially the calorimeter, are required to be resistive against high radiation levels. From this point of view, it is of great importance to study the effects of radiation damage on the performance of the detectors. The authors report preliminary results of measurements of radiation hardness of the plastic scintillating fiber Kuraray SCSF-81 against irradiation with fast neutrons and "6"0Co #gamma#-rays in the region of the neutron fluence from 1 x 10"1"1 to 5 x 10"1"3 n/cm"2 and the integrated #gamma#-ray dose from 890 to 10"5 Gy, respectively. Deterioration of both intrinsic light yield and light transmittance of the ...
Weak lensing measurements are entering a precision era to statistically map the distribution of matter in the universe. The most common measurement has been of the variance of the projected surface density of matter, which corresponds to the induced correlation in alignments of background galaxies. This measurement of the fluctuations is insensitive to the total mass content, like using waves on the ocean to measure its depths. But when the depth is shallow as happens near a beach, waves become skewed. Similarly, a measurement of skewness in the projected matter distribution directly measures the total matter content of the universe. While skewness has already been convincingly detected, its constraint on cosmology is still weak. We address optimal analyses for the CFHT Legacy Survey in the presence of noise. We show that a compensated Gaussian filter with a width of 2.5 arc minutes optimizes the cosmological constraint, yielding $\\Delta ...
The NPDGamma Experiment measures the parity-violating correlation A{sub {Gamma}Y} between neutron spin and photon momentum in the reaction {rvec n} + p {yields} d + {gamma}. Knowledge of A{sub {Gamma}Y} and other parity-violating observables in few-body nuclear systems will provide constraints for a parameterized description of {Delta}S = 0 parity-violating phenomena free from complications of nuclear structure. The NPDGamma experiment uses a polarized cold pulsed neutron beam, a liquid parahydrogen target, and a cylindrical array of 48 CsI(Tl) scintillation detectors operated in current mode to search for the asymmetry. NPDGamma recently completed the first phase of the program to measure A{sub {Gamma}Y} at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center with the preliminary result A{sub {Gamma}Y} = (-1.2 {+-} 2.1(stat.) {+-} 0.1(sys.)) x 10{sup -7}, reproducing the previous upper limit from a measurement at a reactor facility. We discuss the theoretical ...
The LHCb experiment that is being settled in CERN is dedicated to the study of CP violation and rare decays in the field of beauty hadrons. The phenomenological background necessary to an adequate understanding of the physics of flavor is presented in the first chapter, it is shown how the flavordynamics can open the way to new physics. The second chapter is dedicated to a brief presentation of the LHCb detector. Two aspects of the design of the muon trigger are more detailed: the radiation resistance of the opto-electronic transmitters and the simulated performances of the trigger. The third chapter reviews the tasks linked to the tagging of the savors of B mesons which will be an important step in all the experiments made at LHCb. The recent progress in heavy savor physics as well as the expected contribution of LHCb in this field are presented in the fourth chapter, especially the search for new physics in penguin diagrams b {yields} s.
We have examined the dust photoelectric heating in the intergalactic medium (IGM). The heating rate in a typical radiation field of the IGM is represented by $\\Gamma_{\\rm pe} = 1.2\\times10^{-34}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-3}$ $({\\cal D}/10^{-4})(n_{\\rm H}/10^{-5} {\\rm cm^{-3}})^{4/3} (J_{\\rm L}/10^{-21} {\\rm erg s^{-1} cm^{-2} Hz^{-1} sr^{-1}})^{2/3} (T/10^4 {\\rm K})^{-1/6}$, where ${\\cal D}$ is the dust-to-gas mass ratio, $n_{\\rm H}$ is the hydrogen number density, $J_{\\rm L}$ is the mean intensity at the hydrogen Lyman limit of the background radiation, and $T$ is the gas temperature, if we assume the new X-ray photoelectric yield model by Weingartner et al. (2006) and the dust size distribution in the Milky Way by Mathis, Rumpl, & Nordsieck (1977). This heating rate dominates the HI and HeII photoionization heating rates when the hydrogen number density is less than $\\sim10^{-6}$ cm$^{-3}$ if ${\\cal D}=10^{-4}$ which is 1% of that ...
Optical measurement of the Doppler shift of laser backscatter, using a near-IR, visible, or ultraviolet laser, is potentially more robust and field reliable than coherent, heterodyne measurement with an IR laser. The direct measurement of the displacement of Fabry-Perot interference fringes is possible, but entails expensive, technically challenging, imaging detectors. The 'edge technique' permits Doppler shift measurements with relatively simple detectors and detector electronics, and has been implemented with Fabry-Perot etalons and with atomic line filters. Simple analytical models of the fringe imaging and edge detection techniques are presented, permitting ready calculation of the potential performance of either, for various atmospheric conditions and for various lidar hardware configurations. The predictions of the analytical models are confirmed by computer models, which in turn allow more detailed considerations of complicating factors such as solar ...
In this study, flue gas desulfurization (FGD) byproducts are used to ameliorate alkali soil. The average application rates for soils with low exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP), mid ESP, and high ESP are 20.9, 30.6, and 59.3 Mg ha(-1), respectively. The experimental results obtained for 3 consecutive years reveal that the emergence ratios and yields of the crops were 1.1-7.6 times and 1.1-13.9 times those of the untreated control, respectively. The concentrations of Cr, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg in the treated soils are far below the background values stipulated by the Environmental Quality Standard for Soils (GB15618-1995). Their concentrations in the seeds of corn and alfalfa grown in the treated soils are far below the tolerance limits regulated by National Food Standards of China. The results of this research demonstrate that the amelioration of alkali soils using FGD byproducts is promising. PMID:17412469
Cassava is cultivated almost all over the world and it is considered one of the most important nutritious sources of calories in the human diet. Cassava is a viable food against starvation in several poor areas of the world because it is an extremely resistant culture and may reach satisfactory economical yield. We utilized vacuum packed industrialized cassava irradiated with 0,1 kGy, 3kGy and 5kGy and stored under refrigeration for 1, 21, 30 and 50 days. Our objective was to analyse the synergistic effect of vacuum packing, irradiation and refrigeration on the preservation of minimally processed cassava. The samples were analyzed for pH, acidity, weight, humidity, texture and color. The irradiation did not affect the chemical characteristics of the cassava. Neither the pH nor the acidity, the most relevant variables to verify deterioration in cassava, presented significant alterations during the period of storage. Comparing the irradiated ...
Background: Pleural biopsy and cytology are standard procedures for the investigation of pleural disease. Recent medical literature has suggested that image-guided pleural biopsy shows improved sensitivity for the diagnosis of pleural malignancy, when compared with the more commonly performed reverse bevel needle biopsy such as Abrams' needle. In our centre there has been an increasing trend towards performing image-guided pleural biopsies, and to our knowledge there is no large published series documenting the complication rate and diagnostic yield. Methods: The radiology and pathology databases were searched for all image-guided [computed tomography (CT) and ultrasound (US)] pleural biopsies from January 2001 to December 2004. All imaging and histology were reviewed, and final diagnostic information about patients was obtained from the respiratory multidisciplinary team database and patient notes. A record was made of complications following ...
A 16 l liquid parahydrogen target has been developed for a measurement of the parity-violating {gamma}-asymmetry in the capture of polarized cold neutrons on protons in the {rvec n} + p {yields} d + {gamma} reaction by the NPDGamma collaboration. The target system was carefully designed to meet the stringent requirements on systematic effects for the experiment and also to satisfy hydrogen safety requirements. The target was designed to preserve the neutron polarization during neutron scattering on liquid hydrogen (LH{sub 2}), optimize the statistical sensitivity to the {rvec n} + p {yields} d + {gamma} reaction, minimize backgrounds coming from neutron interaction with the beam windows of the target cryostat, minimize LH{sub 2} density fluctuations which can introduce extra noise in the gamma asymmetry signal, and control systematic effects. The target incorporates two mechanical refrigerators, two ortho-para convertors, ...
A balloon-borne instrument has measured the cosmic-ray antiproton flux between 130 and 320 MeV and searched for antihelium between 130 and 370 MeV per nuclear. These particles were selected from the background of normal-matter cosmic rays by combining a selective trigger with a detailed spark chamber visualization of each recorded event. Antiprotons are identified by their characteristic annihilatin radiation. Residue from background processes meeting the selection criteria is small. The observed 14 antiprotons yield a measured differential flux of 1.7 +- 0.5 x 10/sup -4/ antiprotons m/sup -2/ sr/sup -1/ s/sup -1/ MeV/sup -1/ at the top of the atmosphere. The corresponding antiproton/proton ratio is 2.2 +- 0.6 x 10/sup -4/,, only slightly smaller than the ratio observed by other experiments at higher energies. Thus the antiprotons have a spectral shape similar to the protons, at least down to about 100 MeV. The expected ...
Locomotion is a complex behavior affected by many different brain- and spinal cord systems, as well as by variations in the peripheral nervous system. Recently, we found increased gene expression for EphA4, a gene intricately involved in motor neuron development, between high-active parental strain C57BL/6J and the low-active chromosome substitution strain 1 (CSS1). CSS1 mice carry chromosome 1 from A/J mice in a C57BL/6J genetic background, allowing localization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 1. To find out whether differences in motor neuron anatomy, possibly related to the changes in EphA4 expression, are involved in the motor activity differences observed in these strains, motor performance in various behavioral paradigms and anatomical differences in the ventral roots ...
The studies reported here used genetic differences in susceptibility of C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice and exacerbation of the disease by nitrogen dioxide (NO/sub 2/) as tools in assessing the role of early host responses in the pathogenesis of MRM. The two strains did not differ in susceptibility to infection, but C3H/HeN mice were more susceptible to and had increased severity of lung lesions 14 days after intranasal inoculation as determined by 50% biological endpoints and morphometric analysis of tissues. Exposure to NO/sub 2/ for 4 hours prior to exposure to infectious aerosols exacerbated murine respiratory mycoplasmosis (MRM) by 7 days after exposure in both mouse strains. NO/sub 2/ appeared to affect host lung defense mechanisms responsible for limiting mycoplasmal growth in the lungs. The NO/sub 2/ exposure concentration required for this effect varied with the genetic background of the host, the dose of mycoplasmas administered, and the ...
In VHTGR (Very High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor), the radiation plays an important role in heat transfer through the cavity in RCCS (Reactor Cavity Cooling System). We performed the series of experiments to measure the emissivity using the infrared thermometer with wavelength range of 8#approx#14 #mu#m. As the first step, the transmittance of Zinc Selenide (ZnSe) window was measured to estimate the emissivity that can compensate the attenuation effect of window. The kind of gas with various concentrations in the cavity will be released during postulated accidents to the coolant type, so it is essential to estimate the effects of gas on the measurement of emissivity. In this manner we measured the emissivity with the air, the helium and the steam inside chamber. The results represent that the concentration of the air and the helium do not affect the emissivity significantly while the steam decreases the measured emissivity relatively. It means that the air and ...
SummaryIntended Outputs: Documentation demonstrating an improved biophysical understanding of the role of forests on low flows in the arid zone regions of India through the development and outputs from hydrological models such as Hyluc and SWAT.A documented analysis of the impacts on the poor of historical and current water management policies, including the investigation through PRA techniques of people's perceptions and beliefs of land-use/hydrological interactions, and the implications o [continued...]ObjectivesTo establish a better understanding of forest impacts on low flows and the social impact of water resources management in arid zone regions of India, and to develop tools which allow this improved understanding to be disseminated directly to stakeholders.DescriptionProject Background: Reducing river flows and groundwater tables, especially during the dry season, constitutes a major problem causing great hardship to large numbers of rural and urban poor ...
This report provides an assessment of the designs of turret and swivel systems for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels and floating storage Units (FSU) which are either purpose built or converted from tankers. Use of FPSO and FSO in the North Sea with the move to subsea and deepwater production is discussed, and the background to FPSO and FSU turret systems is traced. Details are given of general issues relating to ship structure, systems affecting the turret, swivel systems, mooring systems, turret loading, scaffolding and support structure, on-board personnel, and construction standards. Turret system components and types are described, and failure modes, operation and safety relevant components are examined. Inspection and maintenance, examples of good and poor practice, and applicable regulations are considered. Annexes list UK installations and present information on individual turret design, fluid transfer systems, ...
Temporal developments of the photoluminescence (PL) intensity at temperatures of 7, 100, and 294 K are analyzed using the rate equations including the exciton dissociation and association terms for an Al_0_._5_3In_0_._4_7P/Ga_0_._5_2In_0_._4_8P/Al_0_._5_3In_0_._4_7P-quantum well structure. At 7 K, the nonexponential time dependence of the PL intensity is caused by the exciton dissociation process. At 7 and 100 K, PL intensity is dominated by the exciton recombination even if the exciton density is smaller than the dissociated carrier density. The thermally excited background carriers affect the recombination processes at 100 and 294 K. At 294 K, the rise part of the PL intensity is dominated by the exciton recombination, though the dissociated carrier density dominates. [copyright] 2001 American Institute of Physics.
The relevance of the teacher to the success of any education innovation is not open to contention. Equally incontentious is the relevance of education and training to the success of the teacher in the attainment of his/her professional goals. It is against this background that this paper examines the continuing education imperatives in the present basic education crusade in Nigeria. Here continuing education is conceptualized as a process for developing teacher's skill for coping with changing demands of the job through regular exposure to professional renewal programmes. The paper contends that inasmuch as the teacher will continue to play a pivotal role in the execution of educational innovations, then further education and training as it affects him/her must receive priority attention in the conceptualization and implementation of such innovations. To this end, the paper advocates: teacher exchange programmes between Nigeria and other ...
Background: Accountability demands are increasingly pushing school leaders to explore more data and do more sophisticated analyses. Data-driven decision making (DDDM) has become an emerging field of practice for school leadership and a central focus of education policy and practice. Purpose: This study examined principals' DDDM practices and identified the factors influencing DDDM using the theoretical frame of information use environments. Participants: Participants were 183 public high school principals in a Midwestern state. Research Design: The research design was cross-sectional survey research. Data Collection and Analysis: Survey instruments were developed and administered to principals. Structural equation modeling was conducted to determine what factors significantly affect principals' DDDM practices in different leadership dimensions. Findings: Principals used data more frequently in instructional and organization operational ...
Since the 1970 innovations have allowed both active and passive neutron techniques to address various safeguards and waste measurement needs in the DOE complex. Much research was focused on satisfjring the 100-nCi/g detection limit for TRU waste in 208-liter drums. The emphasis on measuring drum-sized containers for disposal at WIPP has resulted in improved waste assay capability that now needs to be extended to larger containers. The desire to expedite the decontamination and decommissioning of certtain DOE facilities, and the large waste encountered in that process, has prompted the need for increasingly large disposal containers. Instruments have recently been built to accommodate crates that are nearly 100 cubic feet in volume, such as a B-25 box or Standard Waste 13ox. The density of hydrogen inside a waste container profoundly affects the accuracy of neutron measurements, and the metal content greatly affects sensitivity. Depending on the ...
Background: Recent studies have developed a murine model of IgE-mediated food allergy based on oral coadministration of antigen and cholera toxin (CT) to establish a maximal response for studying immunopathogenic mechanisms and immunotherapeutic strategies. However, for studying subtle immunomodulating factors or factors effective during response initiation, this maximal response-based model is less suitable due to a lack of sensitivity. Therefore, in attempts to identify essential parameters to fine-tune the immune response towards a submaximal level, potentially more sensitive, we were interested in characterizing the individual effects of the parameters in the CT-based model: CT dose, antigen type and dose, and number of immunizations. Methods: BALB/c mice were orally sensitized weekly for 3 or 7 weeks with graded doses of CT and various food antigens (soy-trypsin inhibitor, ovalbumin or ovomucoid). Antigen-specific lgG1, IgG2a, IgA and IgE were monitored by ...
Background and purpose: stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and also fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) offer high local control (LC) rates (> 90%). This study aimed to evaluate three-dimensional (3-D) tumor volume (TV) shrinkage and to assess quality of life (QoL) after SRS/SRT. Patients and methods: from 1999 to 2005, 35/74 patients were treated with SRS, and 39/74 with SRT. Median age was 60 years. Treatment was delivered by a linear accelerator. Median single dose was 13 Gy (SRS) or 54 Gy (SRT). Patients were followed up ? 12 months after SRS/SRT. LC and toxicity were evaluated by clinical examinations and magnetic resonance imaging. 3-D TV shrinkage was evaluated with the planning system. QoL was assessed using the questionnaire Short Form-36. Results: Median follow-up was 50/36 months (SRS/SRT). Actuarial 5-year freedom from progression/overall survival was 88.1%/100% (SRS), and 87.5%/87.2% (SRT). TV shrinkage was 15.1%/40.7% (SRS/SRT; p = 0.01). ...
The first analysis of inelastic J/{psi} meson production in photoproduction (Q{sup 2}<2.5 GeV{sup 2}) of the H1 experiment for the second phase of HERA (HERA II) is presented. The analysis is carried out at low and medium elasticities. The production of heavy quarks (charm, or bottom) is of special interest since the mass of the quarks provides a hard scale for the application of perturbative QCD. The muonic decay channel is used to select the J/{psi} mesons. The data was collected by the H1 detector during the period 2003-2005, and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 133 pb{sup -1}. However only a subset of this data could be analysed. At the start of HERA II the trigger system was affected by a sizeable background. Then a fault was introduced in the trigger software during the summer 2004 and was only discovered and solved in April 2006. This means that approximately 80 % of the triggered events at medium elasticities and 65 % ...
A prediction of delayed neutron yields for actinides which are important in the nuclear energy field is given. The prediction is based on a correlation related to a suggested cluster structure of the nucleus. (author).
This paper presents the regulatory experience gained from Wolsong Units 2,3 and 4 - Special Safety System Instrumentation Uncertainty for Trip Setpoint and Allowable Values. The equipment diversity method for the defense against common mode failure was applied to the transmitters of shutdown system number 2. However the Units experienced an unexpected drift problem with which the performance did not meet the Technical Specification (Tech Spec) Surveillance Requirements (SR). Discussed are the background, status and corrective actions, regulatory positions and issues to be solved for the drift problem. It was an instrument uncertainty methodology that the designer of safety system should have shown when the drift problem occurred. For deeper understanding of the problem, we present the background of Tech Spec SR for setpoints in Korean PWR and in CANDU reactors. The Setpoint Verification Test(SVT) and Calibration Test(CT) shall be achieved by ...
The goal of the present work was to determine the impact of N3-methyladenine (3-mA), an important lesion generated by many environmental agents and anticancer drugs, on in vivo DNA replication and in vitro RNA transcription. Due to 3-mA chemical instability, the stable isostere 3-methyl-3-deazaadenine (3-m-c(3)A) was site specifically positioned into an oligodeoxynucleotide. The oligomer was, then incorporated into a vector system that is rapidly converted to ssDNA inside yeast cells and requires DNA replication opposite the lesion for plasmid clonal selection. For control purposes, an adenine or a stable apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP)-lesion was placed at the same site. The presence of each lesion in the oligonucleotide was confirmed by MALDI-TOF analysis. Plasmids were then transfected into yeast cells. While the AP-site dramatically reduced plasmid replication in all strains, the 3-m-c(3)A had a slight effect in the rad30 background which significantly increased ...
The proton beam has an advantage of the sharp dose falloff in dose distribution called Bragg peak while conventional radiation therapy modalities such as photons exhibit considerable amount of exit dose. To take advantage of this property it is important to know the exact location of the distal dose falloff. An error can cause overdose to the normal tissue or underdose to the tumor volume. The only way of finding out the dose distribution in-situ in particle therapy is to measure the gammas produced by nuclear reactions with tissue materials. Two kinds of gammas can be used: one is prompt gamma and the other is coincident gamma from the positron-emission isotopes. We chose to detect prompt gammas, and developed a prompt gamma scanning system (PGS). The proton beams of the proton therapy facility at National Cancer Center were used. The gamma distribution was compared to the dose distribution measured by an ionization chamber at three different energies of 100, 150, 200 MeV's. ...
Analysis of steady-state and transient photoconductivity measurements at room temperature performed on c-axis oriented GaN nanowires yielded estimates of free carrier concentration, drift mobility, surface band bending, and surface capture coefficient for electrons. Samples grown (unintentionally n-type) by nitrogen-plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy primarily from two separate growth runs were examined. The results revealed carrier concentration in the range of (3-6)x10"1"6 cm"-"3 for one growth run, roughly 5x10"1"4-1x10"1"5 cm"-"3 for the second, and drift mobility in the range of 500-700 cm"2/(V s) for both. Nanowires were dispersed onto insulating substrates and contacted forming single-wire, two-terminal structures with typical electrode gaps of #approx =#3-5 #mu#m. When biased at 1 V bias and illuminated at 360 nm (3.6 mW/cm"2) the thinner (#approx =#100 nm diameter) nanowires with the higher background doping showed an abrupt ...
A method is presented for estimating the background at a given location on a sky map by interpolating the estimated background from a set of concentric annuli which surround this location. If the background is nonuniform but smoothly varying, this method provides a more accurate (though less precise) estimate than can be obtained with a single annulus. Several applications of multi-annulus background estimation are discussed, including direct testing for point sources in the presence of a nonuniform background, the generation of "surrogate maps" for characterizing false alarm rates, and precise testing of the null hypothesis that the background is uniform.
Although some polymer conductors of electricity (ex. Polyanilines) are materials known for more than 100 years, only recently have the interesting chemical, electrical and optic properties of their insulating and conducting forms been recognized. Advances made in the chemistry of polymer conductors have also led to improvements in processing them. This work studies a practical application of these materials: the use of polymer conductors for the remote welding of insulating thermoplastic polymers, using energy from microwaves for the local heating of the union. Many thermoplastics (for ex. Polyethylene) do not absorb, or absorb very little, energy from microwaves. Different conductor materials (conductor polymers, carbon nanotubes), however, heavily absorb energy from microwaves with the resulting heating. In this way the welding zone can be heated without affecting the rest of the piece. Conductor polymers (polyanilines) were synthesized chemically and they were ...
Research over a three year time span involved the study of multiphase flow useful to understanding the scaleup of coal liquefaction reactors. We attempted to establish the flow patterns and their boundaries in which a direct coal liquefaction, large diameter, bubble column operates. A flow map has been proposed in which coal slurry properties can be input to determine the flow pattern boundaries at reactor operating conditions. Gas holdup and bubble diameters have been measured under different conditions of gas and liquid flow rate. These have been used to determine interfacial area in bubble columns. An equation for the estimation of interfacial area in the bubble-slug flow pattern has been proposed. It has also been established that gas holdup and thus interfacial area depends strongly on the gas distribution in the column. Porous plate gas distributors can yield gas holdups twice as large as sieve plate distributors. Measurements using aqueous solutions (carboxy ...
Two electroactive polymeric arylene bisimides, namely poly[(4,7,10-trioxatrideca-1,13-diyl)-(1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic bisimide-N,N'-diyl)] and its perylene analogue - poly[(4,7,10-trioxatrideca-1,13-diyl)-(3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic bisimide-N,N'-diyl)] have been synthesized and studied by cyclic voltammetry, UV-vis-NIR as well as Raman spectroeletrochemistry. Contrary to low molecular weight arylene bisimides, which show a clear two electron, double-step electrochemical reduction (neutral form to radical anion and from radical anion to dianion), in the synthesized polymers multielectron transfers are observed, accompanied with a strong electrochromic effect. However, as probed by cyclic voltammetry, their first reduction step is retarded and covers a wider potential range. We attribute this effect to macromolecular nature of the compounds being reduced and their structural inhomogeneity caused by ?-stacking induced nanoaggregation of bisimide segments of the polymer ...
The coalbed methane (CBM) geology, resource and production potential in the Weibei Coalfield, southeastern Ordos Basin are studied based on geological surveys and laboratory measurements. The results showed that coal rank varies both laterally and vertically and changes from volatile bituminous coals in the margin to anthracites towards the basin (1.6-2.5% R{sub o}). Coals are composed of 60-85% vitrinite, 15-40% inertinite and a trace amount of minerals. Methane isothermal adsorption measurements of 20 coal samples revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity (on a dry and ash-free basis) of coals, which are affected by coal rank, coal maceral, coal lithotype and especially to the moisture content, varies from 13.91 to 29.54 m{sup 3}/t. Estimated gas contents range from 0 to 15 m{sup 3}/t. These data yield an estimated in-place CBM resource of 2.5 x 10{sup 11} m{sup 3} for the Weibei Coalfield. In combination with the geological information, ...
A new series of heteroleptic cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes Pt-1a-f was synthesized, employing 2-arylpyridine (or 1-arylisoquinoline) (HC{sup L}AMDAN-1) and 1,3-bis(3,4-dibutoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-dione (HO{sup L}AMDAO-1) for cyclometalation and as ancillary ligands, respectively, and photoluminescent properties were investigated. Focusing on red-shifted phosphorescence, C{sup L}AMDAN ligands containing pi-extended aromatics and electron-rich heterocycles were examined. All obtained complexes exhibited photoluminescence at ambient temperature, and the emission maxima ranged from green (lambda{sub PL}=518 nm) to far red (lambda{sub PL}=708 nm). The large Stokes shifts of more than 100 nm and sub-microsecond or microsecond emission lifetimes revealed that these complexes are phosphorescent emissive. The quantum yield of Pt-1 ranged from 0.02 to 0.59 at ambient temperature and decreased as the emission maximum was red-shifted. In comparison with the reference ...
For commercial use of the entomopathogenic nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae and Steinernema feltiae in biological control of insect pests, they are produced in liquid culture on artificial media pre-incubated with their symbiotic bacteria Xenorhabdus nematophila and Xenorhabdus bovienii, respectively. After 1 day of the bacterial culture, nematode dauer juveniles (DJs) are inoculated, which recover development. The adult nematodes produce DJ offspring, which are harvested and can be sprayed. This study determined optimal temperatures to obtain high DJ progeny within a short process time. Temperatures assessed were 23 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 27 degrees C, and 29 degrees C for S. carpocapsae and 20 degrees C, 23 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 27 degrees C for S. feltiae. The recovery of inoculated DJs was hardly affected and was reduced only in S. carpocapsae at 29 degrees C. The fecundity (eggs in uterus) in S. carpocapsae reached a maximum at 27 degrees C; whereas, ...
The simultaneous diffusion of Si and the dopants B, P, and As has been studied by the use of a multilayer structure of isotopically enriched Si. This structure, consisting of 5 pairs of 120 nm thick natural Si and {sup 28}Si enriched layers, enables the observation of {sup 30}Si self-diffusion from the natural layers into the {sup 28}Si enriched layers, as well as dopant diffusion from an implanted source in an amorphous Si cap layer, via Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). The dopant diffusion created regions of the multilayer structure that were extrinsic at the diffusion temperatures. In these regions, the Fermi level shift due to the extrinsic condition altered the concentration and charge state of the native defects involved in the diffusion process, which affected the dopant and self-diffusion. The simultaneously recorded diffusion profiles enabled the modeling of the coupled dopant and self-diffusion. From the modeling of the simultaneous diffusion, the ...
Thermoplastic polymer materials and the compounds made with them are being used more frequently for industrial components and for general use. However, the application of these materials for the production of complex shaped or relatively large pieces is limited, because of the difficulty and cost of making the necessary tool kit for the job. One solution is the use of the welding process. But the safe and reliable union of different thermoplastic material parts is not a simple process, even less so in the case of unions of large components. Welding by microwaves using polymer conductors can help, since the large scale equipment is available, and methods for continuous processes by microwave have been developed, that can be used to weld large and small components. Many thermoplastics (ex. polyethylene) do not absorb, or absorb very little, energy from microwaves. Polymer conductors, however, heavily absorb from microwaves with the consequent heating. Therefore the welding zone can be ...
Effect of two organic chemicals viz., 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazone (C_1) and naphthyl ethylene diamine (C_2) was studied by their application alone and together (Csub(1+2) at the rate of 10 ppm by growing wheat on a loamy soil (Typic ustochrept) containing recently immobilized fertilizes N of "1"5N - urea applied at 60, 120 and 180 ppm N to preceding rice under greenhouse conditions of a rice-wheat sequence. The application of C_1 and C_2 alone; and their combined application (Csub(1+2) produced 12, 15 and 18 per cent higher wheat grain yield over no-chemical application i.e. Co (3.50 g/pot). The chemicals also showed their beneficial effect on utilization of recently immobilized fertilizer N, as was evidenced by significantly higher "1"5N recovery values in wheat with C_1, C_2 and Csub(1+2)(2.84, 3.63 and 3.54 per cent, respectively) than that of Co (2.29 per cent). The soil N fractions were affected by chemical application during wheat as ...
The disposal of municipal solid waste in an environmentally sound manner is a major problem worldwide. The composting of the organic fraction of refuse transforms it into soil amendment that can be recycled on agricultural lands. In order to promote the use of compost among farmers, agronomic investigations have to evaluate the impact of its use on soil properties and plant growth. In a greenhouse experiment, a sample of locally produced compost was applied to a sandy clay soil at rates equivalent to 0, 25, 50, 100, and 200 t/ha with supplemental addition of NH_4 NO_3 at levels equivalent to 0, 25, 50 and 100 Kg N/ha. Barley (Hordium vulgare L.) and corn (Zea mays L. indentata) were grown as indicator crops and soil properties were determined over a period of 150 days. Plant growth was affected by N starvation until the compost was stabilized in the soil. Nitrogen starvation persisted for a longer period with increasing applications of compost. Supplemental ...
Full text of publication follows: Low activation ferritic/martensitic steels are receiving a high priority in the European long term materials research. Although extensively investigated, the available experimental data do not cover all required parameter ranges and cannot unambiguously be used to produce hardening/embrittlement trend curves. Therefore, the main objective of this work is to provide a physically-based engineering model offering a rational to experimental observations. From the literature, experimental data were selected to establish a database that mainly consists of 8 to 9Cr-steels irradiated in the range of 50 to 600 deg. C up to 30 dpa and with a He-content up to 5000 appm. The database includes neutron and proton irradiations, He-implanted as well as B- and Ni-doped steels. Because of the difficulty of interpretation inherent to the Charpy impact test, only tensile data were considered. The difficulty stems from the large range of specimen sizes that are used, the ...
Prompt fission neutron energy spectra for "2"3"5U and "2"3"9Pu have been measured for fission neutron energies greater than the energy of the incident neutrons inducing fission. The measurements were undertaken to investigate the shape dependence of the fission neutron spectra upon both the incident neutron energy and the mass of the nucleus undergoing fission. Measurements were made for both nuclides at incident neutron energies of 0.50, 1.50, 2.50 and 3.50 MeV. The data are presented either as relative yields or as ratios of measured spectra to that of "2"3"5U at 0.50 MeV. Incident neutrons were produced by the "7Li(p,n)"7Be reaction using a pulsed, bunched proton beam from the 5.5 MV Van de Graaff accelerator at the University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Laboratory. Fission neutrons were detected by a thin liquid scintillator with good time resolution capabilities. Neutron energies were determined by time-of-flight techniques with pulse-shape ...
Oil/electric heating systems and energy measuring instrumentation were installed in 50 houses in Deep River, Ontario. These were operated and monitored for two heating seasons to demonstrate their performance and determine the percentage oil placement as a function of heater capacity and control system. All experimental data was stored and processed by computer. It was found that oil furnace utilization efficiency varied from 48 to 59% for an average of 53.5%. Oil displacement ranged from 49 to 83% for 2.5 and 5.0 kW electric heaters controlled by two-stage indoor thermostats. Fuel costs for oil/electric hybrid heating, with 5.0 kW plenum heaters and indoor two-stage thermostats, were 20% less than for oil heating, based on average furnace efficency and 1983 January retail fuel prices. Annual load factors above 37% were achieved for plenum heaters compared to 11.9% for all-electric systems. Space heating requirements were proportional to heating degree days calculated with a balance ...
The effect that different chemical and physical atomic environments can have on the relative intensities of radiative electron transitions from the filling of K shell vacancies was investigated. The method used involved the detection of photoionization induced X-ray fluorescence. An experimental system based on a hyper pure germanium detector (HPGE) was used to measure the relative K-L and K-M X-ray yields from the photofluorescence of a series of lanthanide elements and compounds. A background subtraction and peak integration strategy was employed which accounted for scattering in the samples and scattering of the flux from the radioisotope photoionization sources. Analysis of the data resulted in a tabulation of relative K/sub ..beta..//K/sub ..cap alpha../ X-ray intensity ratios. The measured relative K/sub ..beta..//K/sub ..cap alpha../ X-ray intensity ratios were compared to the calculated values predicted by the theoretical development of ...
The effect that different chemical and physical atomic environments can have on the relative intensities of radiative electron transitions from the filling of K shell vacancies was investigated. The method used involved the detection of photoionization induced X-ray fluorescence. An experimental system based on a hyper pure germanium detector (HPGE) was used to measure the relative K-L and K-M X-ray yields from the photofluorescence of a series of lanthanide elements and compounds. A background subtraction and peak integration strategy was employed which accounted for scattering in the samples and scattering of the flux from the radioisotope photoionization sources. Analysis of the data resulted in a tabulation of relative K/sub #beta#//K/sub #alpha#/ X-ray intensity ratios. The measured relative K/sub #beta#//K/sub #alpha#/ X-ray intensity ratios were compared to the calculated values predicted by the theoretical development of Scofield and ...
In this paper, we present an iterative filtering method to estimate the background of noisy spectroscopic data. The proposed method avoids the calculation of the average full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the whole spectrum and the peak regions, and it can estimate the background efficiently, especially for spectroscopic data with the Compton continuum.
BackgroundThis study investigated the knowledge of depression and preference for professional help, medications and treatment methods among Australians of Chinese-speaking background,...Full Text Available
We have made preliminary estimates of charged particles background at the 100x100 GeV Photon Linear Collider with ultimate luminosity. The charged particles background due to electromagnetic processes is located mainly in the small-angle range of the detector. At large angles, the number of background particles is much smaller. Analysis of the background (at least, in the range under consideration) shows that background conditions for the VLEPP-based Photon Linear Collider are better than at the VLEPP electron-positron collider. ((orig.)).
BackgroundA large and increasing part of the European population has a history of migration. Germany, for example, is home to about 15 million people with migrant background, which...Full Text Available
The language used by chronic benign pain patients to characterize their pain complaint was analyzed to determine the best predictor of psychiatric disturbance. Using the 78 adjectives provided by the McGill Pain Questionnaire, the number of affective descriptors used was the best predictor of psychiatric disturbance. Addition of sensory descriptors either to augment the total number of descriptors used (magnitude) or as a pattern of sensory greater than affective or sensory less than affective failed to increase predictive strength. PMID:6877847
Using bremsstrahlung, the resonance fluorescence yield has been measured for the 1.836-MeV 2"+_1 level in "8"8Sr. The observed yield corresponds to a level width GAMMA = 2.94 +- 0.15 meV.
The present investigation was conducted at Ismaillia Research Station-Agricultural Research Center, Ismaillia Governorate, during the two successive seasons of 2000 and 2001. Two varieties of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L) namely Giza 4 and Giza 5 were treated with gamma ray doses; 10,15, 20, 25 Kr in order to induce genetic variability and to study the importance of the relative contribution of peanut yield components by employing some statistical procedures, i.e. simple correlation, multiple linear regression and stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that, there was significant positive correlation between seed yield/plant and no. of pods/plant, 100 seed weight, shelling percentage and pod yield/plant, and there was significant positive correlation between pod yield/plant and no of seed/plant,100 pod weight and 100 seed weight. The multiple linear regression analysis clearly showed that the ...
The beneficial effect of improving yeast redox response by increasing thioredoxin levels has been shown. Decreased lipid and protein oxidation is reflected in an increased biomass yield. In addition,...Full Text Available
An eddy current inspection has been applied for a pre-service and in-service examination of a steam generator in nuclear power plants. The experience from the inspection of steam generators showed that many plants had an excessive number of tubes with eddy current noise signals over several hundreds, which originated from manufacturing anomalies. The plants in U.S suffered significant downstream inspection costs, history reviews, and diagnostic testing because some signals resembled flaws and others masked a flaw. These lessens learned resulted in issuing the guidelines for steam generator tubing specifications and repair, in order to reduce the number of anomalous signals in the tubes and also to provide the requirement of a signal to noise ratio by applying a field type examination with bobbin coil eddy current probes at a manufacturing process. Besides the noise signals of a bobbin coil eddy current probe from manufacturing anomalies, the excessive background ...
Background: Despite the fact that adverse health effects are not confirmed for exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RFEMF) levels below the limit values, as defined in the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, many persons are worried about possible adverse health effects caused by the RF-EMF emitted from mobile phone base stations, or they attribute their unspecific health complaints like headache or sleep disturbances to these fields. Method: In the framework of a cross-sectional study a questionnaire was sent to 4150 persons living in predominantly urban areas. Participants were asked whether base stations affected their health. Health complaints were measured with standardized health questionnaires for sleep disturbances, headache, health complaints and mental and physical health. 3,526 persons responded (85%) to the questionnaire and 1,808 (51%) agreed to dosimetric measurements in ...
The Creating Wetlands in the Oil Sands Reclamation workshop was held to solicit expert views from leading authorities in a number of disciplines related to the creation and study of wetlands, as well as to investigate challenges in the creation of wetlands in reclaimed oil sands landscapes. This document provided a detailed transcript of each presentation and all discussions that followed. The workshop was divided into 5 sessions: (1) wetlands background information; (2) groundwater conditions and boreal wetlands; (3) creating wetland types; (4) wildlife in boreal wetlands and traditional environmental knowledge; and (5) treatment wetlands. An expert panel overview provided presentations on post-mining restoration of boreal landscapes in oil sands regions; the creation of fens, marshes and shallow water wetlands at oil sands sites and the restoration of damaged peatlands. A outline of the physical scale of the oil sands mining disturbances was provided during the ...
Leaded gasoline has been used as fuel for trucks and automobiles in the United States since 1924; it has been implicated as a source of lead that is deposited on the soil and eventually can be ingested by small children, contributing to their burden of this toxic metal. The lead content of 667 surface-soil samples (taken at depths of 0-5 cm) and 159 subsurface-soil samples (from depths of 25-30 cm) collected from Illinois play areas near roads was measured and related to traffic variables. The samples were collected between June and October of 1985, and their measured lead levels exceeded the average natural background level for Illinois soil. The highest lead concentrations were found in samples from the six-county metropolitan Chicago region, where both traffic volume and traffic density are higher than in the rest of the state. Regression analysis showed significant correlation of lead concentration in the top 5 cm of soil with three variables (traffic density, ...
Objective: To survey the data for the state of health in the ambient residents of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, and provide the background data to evaluate the state of health affected by fallout of nuclear power plant. Methods: The datas were collected by a radiation epidemiology. The investigation was carried out in the area within 20 km of radius from Daya Bay Nuclear' Power Plant, and the subjects who had lived there for three years or longer before January. 1,1993 and covered by the Household Registry were recruited to a cohort. Results: The mortality rate of overall cancer (per 100 000 PYr) was 88.57 (the standard mortality rate was 79.77 ), the mortality rate of leukemia (per 100 000 PYr) was 3.24 (the standard mortality rate was 2.94), the palpation rate of the goiter in 7-14 years old was 8.34%(9.69% in B ultrasonic), the morbidity rate of newborn's defect (per 100 00 P) was 82.33. The mortality of all cancers or leukemia was similar ...
BackgroundDespite an ever-improving understanding of the molecular biology of cancer, the treatment of most cancers has not changed dramatically in the past three decades and drugs that do not discriminate between tumor cells and normal tissues remain the mainstays of anticancer therapy. Since Hsp90 is typically involved in cell proliferation and survival, this is thought to play a key role in cancer, and Hsp90 has attracted considerable interest in recent years as a potential therapeutic target.MethodsWe focused on the interaction of Hsp90 with its cofactor protein p60/Hop, and engineered a cell-permeable peptidomimetic, termed "hybrid Antp-TPR peptide", modeled on the binding interface between the molecular chaperone Hsp90 and the TPR2A domain of Hop.ResultsIt was demonstrated that this designed hybrid Antp-TPR peptide inhibited the interaction of Hsp90 with the TPR2A domain, inducing cell death of breast, pancreatic, renal, lung, prostate, and gastric cancer ...
In order to gain an overall picture of the genetic effects of an increased level of background radiation it is necessary to study the results of protracted exposures to embryonic and immature germ-cell stages as well as to stages found in the mature organism. For this purpose, litters produced by female mice, kept in a 10 or 20 rad/day /sup 60/Co ..gamma..-irradiation field, were kept in the same fields from conception until about 60 days later, having absorbed doses of 526 and 1078 rad respectively. Tests on exposed female offspring showed them to be sterile. Eight weeks after removal from the gamma field, mean testis masses of males in the 20 rad/day series were only half normal but those receiving 10 rad/day were little affected. Frequencies of translocations in spermatocytes at diakinesis/metaphase I were only slightly increased in the exposed series, differences not being significant. Estimated rates of translocation induction were around ...
The release of {sup 14}C as {sup 14}CO{sub 2} from partly failed spent fuel containers has been analyzed by the flow of gases into and out of the containers. This flow of gases is driven by pressure differences, which are in turn caused by heating by the spent fuel. In this analysis, the timing and size of holes in the containers are assumed to be given. A better means of predicting the time distribution and sizes of penetrations in nuclear waste containers is needed. For the purposes of far-field transport calculations, we have adopted release rates that are shown to be bonding for the large range of hole sizes studied. The transport of released {sup 14}CO{sub 2} has been analyzed by transport in equivalent porous medium. The peak {sup 14}CO{sub 2} concentration in pore gas at 350 m above the repository does not depend on the time of hole occurrence, although the time of penetration obviously affects the arrival and duration of exposure to {sup 14}C. Nor does ...
Three possibilities to observe the Higgs-top interaction at future {gamma}{gamma}-colliders are discussed: (a) associated Higss production via the {gamma}{gamma}{yields}tanti tH reaction, (b) Higgs obliged radiative correction to the {gamma}{gamma}{yields}tanti t channel, (c) Higgs resonance production via {gamma}{gamma}{yields}H{yields}ZZ. The results obtained show windows of the Higss mass where the Yukawa interaction of the Higss with the top quark can be studied at {gamma}{gamma}-colliders. (orig.).
The first measurement of the pn{yields}d{omega} total cross-section has been achieved at mean excess energies Q{approx}28 and 57 MeV by using a deuterium cluster-jet target. The momentum of the fast deuteron was measured in the ANKE spectrometer at COSY-Juelich and that of the slow ''spectator'' proton (p{sub sp}) from the pd{yields}p{sub sp}d{omega} reaction in a silicon telescope placed close to the target. The cross-sections lie above those measured for pp{yields}pp{omega} but seem to be below theoretical predictions. (orig.)
Correct prediction of the fission products inventory in irradiated nuclear fuels is essential for accurate estimation of fuel burnup, establishing proper requirements for spent fuel transportation and storage, materials accountability and nuclear forensics. Such prediction is impossible without accurate knowledge of neutron induced fission yields. The uncertainty of the fission yields reported in the ENDF/B-VII.0 library is not uniform across all of the data and much of the improvement is desired for certain fissioning isotopes and fission products. We discuss our measurements of cumulative fission yields in nuclear fuels irradiated in thermal and fast reactor spectra using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. (author)
Correct prediction of the fission products inventory in irradiated nuclear fuels is essential for accurate estimation of fuel burnup, establishing proper requirements for spent fuel transportation and storage, materials accountability and nuclear forensics. Such prediction is impossible without accurate knowledge of neutron induced fission yields. The uncertainty of the fission yields reported in the ENDF/B-VII.0 library is not uniform across all of the data and much of the improvement is desired for certain fissioning isotopes and fission products. We discuss our measurements of cumulative fission yields in nuclear fuels irradiated in thermal and fast reactor spectra using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.
The wet and dry venom yields for most Australian native dangerous snakes and a number of non-Australian species are presented. Snakes from the Pseudonaja genus yielded higher than previously published amounts and suggest reconsideration be given to increasing the volume of antivenom in each vial. Higher percentage solids were obtained from venoms from the 4 cobra species (Naja) and Pseudechis genus included in this series. PMID:16937075
Grain yield is a major goal for the improvement of durum wheat, particularly in drought-prone areas. In this study, the genetic basis of grain yield (GY), heading date (HD), and plant height (PH) was...Full Text Available
Effects of gamma irradiation on hygienic quality and extraction yields in twenty-one kinds of Korean medicinal herbs were investigated. Gamma irradiation at 5-10 kGy inactivated contaminating microorganisms. The total extraction yield in fifteen kinds of the investigated medicinal herbs increased by 5-25% by a dose of 10 kGy. (author)
Sputter-removal rates of overlayer and interfacial species on silicon are analyzed to determine sputtering yields for the species involved. Sputtering yields up to two orders of magnitude lower than those measured for silicon are found, and the results are interpreted in terms of a cascade mixing process which continually reburies much of the overlayer material beyond the escape depth of the sputtered atoms.
Sputter-removal rates of overlayer and interfacial species on silicon are analyzed to determine sputtering yields for the species involved. Sputtering yields up to two orders of magnitude lower than those measured for silicon are found, and the results are interpreted in terms of a cascade mixing process which continually reburies much of the overlayer material beyond the escape depth of the sputtered atoms.
Two experiments used the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) to examine the affective dimension of pain in patients whose pain was secondary to malignancy. In experiment I, segregating groups of cancer patients on the basis of extreme scores (high versus low) on the MPQ failed to produce segregation on independent measures of affect and infirmity. This outcome contrasts with earlier work with chronic benign pain patients. Experiment II compared cancer pain patients matched with benign pain patients on intensity of pain report on the affective dimension of the MPQ. Cancer pain patients reported a reliably higher affective loading to their pain. These data suggest that cancer pain patients employ different criteria than benign pain patients in selecting affective pain descriptors. Possible explanations for this difference are discussed. PMID:7070825
The Median Tectonic Zone (MTZ) of New Zealand is a generally north trending belt of Mesozoic subduction related I-type plutonic, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks in South Island and Stewart Island that separates Permian strata of the Eastern Province Brook Street Terrane from lower to mid Gondwana margin assemblages of the Western Province. High precision isotope dilution U/Pb ages of zircons from 30 rocks are reported. Pre-digestion leaching of zircon in hydrofluoric acid yielded significantly more concordant residues by removing common Pb and dissolving more soluble high-U domains that have been more affected by relatively recent Pb loss. The results show that MTZ magmatism ranges in age from at least Early Triassic to Early Cretaceous (247-131 Ma), with a pronounced gap in the Middle Jurassic. Triassic plutons tend to occur on the eastern side of the MTZ, and they intrude volcanic/sedimentary sequences of the MTZ in Nelson and eastern ...
The study examines the isothermal fatigue properties of novel ODS iron-base or nickel-base superalloys at temperatures of 850 C and 1050 C. The materials are different in grain structure and texture, so that particularly the effects of grain structures and textures can be studied. In order to also perform examinations of creep-fatigue interactions, various load cycles are applied. It is shown that the LCF-affected life of the grain structures of both alloy types is determined by the elastic modulus. The cyclic lifetimes determined by the conventional Manson-Coffin method for both alloy types exhibit differences of up to two orders of magnitude. Using the product of the total strain range and the elastic modulus, however, will yield precise life predictions. Under conditions of LCF stress only, the grain structure has no effect on the materials` service life, other than in the case of creep-fatigue, but the grain structure has a decisive ...
Laser spectroscopy measurements have been performed on neutron-deficient and stable Ir isotopes using the COMPLIS experimental setup installed at ISOLDE-CERN. The radioactive Ir atoms were obtained from successive decays of a mass-separated Hg beam deposited onto a carbon substrate after deceleration to 1kV and subsequently laser desorbed. A three-color, two-step resonant scheme was used to selectively ionize the desorbed Ir atoms. The hyperfine structure (HFS) and isotope shift (IS) of the first transition of the ionization path 5d{sup 7}6s{sup 24}F{sub 9/2}{yields}5d{sup 7}6s6p{sup 6}F{sub 11/2} at 351.5nm were measured for {sup 182-189}Ir, {sup 186}Ir{sup m} and the stable {sup 191,193}Ir. The nuclear magnetic moments {mu}{sub I} and the spectroscopic quadrupole moments Q{sub s} were obtained from the HFS spectra and the change of the mean square charge radii from the IS measurements. The sign of {mu}{sub I} was experimentally determined for the first time for ...
The renewed CDF II experiment recently re-started data taking. The data collected lately already provides insight in the heavy flavor capabilities of this p{bar p} experiment. As a benchmark of these possibilities we present two preliminary results: the measurement of the branching fractions BR(D{sup o} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -}) and BR(D{sup o} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -}) relative to BR(D{sup o} {yields} K{sup {+-}} {pi}{sup {-+}}) and the measurement of the invariant mass difference between D{sub s}{sup {+-}} {yields} {phi}{pi}{sup {+-}}, {phi} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -} and D{sup {+-}} {yields} {phi}{pi}{sup {+-}}, {phi} {yields} K{sup +}K{sup -}. The preliminary results are BR(D{sup o} {yields} {pi}{sup +}{pi}{sup -})/BR(D{sup o} {yields} K{sup {+-}} {pi}{sup {-+}}) = 3.37 {+-} 0.20(stat) ...
The interpretation of soil amelioration experiments with peanuts is made difficult by the unpredictibility of the crop and by the many factors altered when ameliorating acid soils. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of lime and gypsum applications on peanut kernel yield via the three first order yield components, pods per ha, kernels per pod, and kernel mass. On an acid medium sandy loam soil (typic Plinthustult), liming resulted in a highly significant kernel yield increase of 117% whereas gypsum applications were of no significant benefit. As indicated by path coefficient analysis, an increase in the number of pods per ha was markedly more important in increasing yield than an increase in either the number of kernels per pod or kernel mass. Furthermore, exch. Al was found to be particularly detrimental to pod number. It was postulated that poor peanut ...
Background and purpose: The low density of lung tissue causes a reduced attenuation of photons and an increased range of secondary electrons, which is inaccurately predicted by the algorithms incorporated in some commonly available treatment planning systems (TPSs). This study evaluates the differences in dose in normal lung tissue computed using a simple and a more correct algorithm. We also studied the consequences of these differences on the dose-effect relations for radiation-induced lung injury. Materials and methods: The treatment plans of 68 lung cancer patients initially produced in a TPS using a calculation model that incorporates the equivalent-pathlength (EPL) inhomogeneity-correction algorithm, were recalculated in a TPS with the convolution-superposition (CS) algorithm. The higher accuracy of the CS algorithm is well-established. Dose distributions in lung were compared using isodoses, dose-volume histograms (DVHs), the mean lung dose (MLD) and the ...
Here, we show that the consequences of deficient micronutrient (β-carotene) intake during larval stages of Manduca sexta are carried across metamorphosis, affecting adult behaviour....Full Text Available
Various factors affecting the aggregation of Actinomyces naeslundii strain 12104 were studied. When the pH of glucose-supplemented growth medium fell below 5.5, the cells aggregated and formed microbial...Full Text Available
Knowledge of factors affecting variation in birth weight is especially important given the relationship of birth weight to neonatal and adult health. The present study utilises two large contemporary...Full Text Available
This study reports the observation of the decays B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)+}{sub S}{pi}{sup -} and B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)-}K{sup +} in a sample of 230 x 10{sup 6} {Upsilon}(4S) {yields} B{bar B} events collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II asymmetric-energy e{sup +}e{sup -} storage ring, located at the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. The branching fractions {beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} D{sup +}{sub S}{pi}{sup -}) = (1.3 {+-} 0.3 (stat) {+-} 0.2 (syst)) x 10{sup -5}, {beta}(B{sup 0} {yields} D{sup +}{sub S}K{sup +}) = (2.5 {+-} 0.4 (stat) {+-} 0.4 (syst)) x 10{sup -5}, {beta}(B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)+}{sub S}{pi}{sup -}) = (2.8 {+-} 0.6 (stat) {+-} 0.5 (syst)) x 10{sup -5}, and {beta}(B{sup 0}{yields}D{sup (*)-}K{sup +}) = (2.0 {+-} 0.5 (stat) {+-} 0.4 (syst)) x 10{sup -5} are measured. The significance of the measurements to ...
This report forms part of an independent review of the specifications, execution and results of Task 6 of the Aespoe Task Force on Modelling of Groundwater Flow and Transport of Solutes, which is seeking to provide a bridge between site characterization (SC) and performance assessment (PA) approaches to solute transport in fractured rock. The present report is concerned solely with Task 6C, which relates to the construction and parametrisation of a block-scale hydrostructural model of the TRUE Block Scale region of the Aespoe Hard Rock laboratory. The task objectives, specifications and outcome are summarised and reviewed. Also, consideration is given to how the hydrostructural model might affect the outcomes of Task 6D and 6E. The main conclusions of this review are summarised below: The Task 6C hydrostructural model is a more comprehensive approach to quantitatively describing a volume of fractured rock than has been achieved hitherto. The idea of including ...
The e{sup +}e{sup -}{yields}pp cross section is determined over a range of pp masses, from threshold to 4.5 GeV/c{sup 2}, by studying the e{sup +}e{sup -}{yields}pp{gamma} process. The data set corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 232 fb{sup -1}, collected with the BABAR detector at the PEP-II storage ring, at an e{sup +}e{sup -} center-of-mass energy of 10.6 GeV. The mass dependence of the ratio of electric and magnetic form factors, G{sub E}/G{sub M}, is measured for pp masses below 3 GeV/c{sup 2}; its value is found to be significantly larger than 1 for masses up to 2.2 GeV/c{sup 2}. We also measure J/{psi}{yields}pp and {psi}(2S){yields}pp branching fractions and set an upper limit on Y(4260){yields}pp production and decay.
Process solvent was hydrogenated in the brown coal liquefaction, to investigate the influence of it on the prethermal treatment and liquefaction. Consequently, it was found that the n-hexane soluble (HS) yield was improved. In this study, capacity of hydrogen transfer from solvent during prethermal treatment and effects of catalyst were investigated. Since prethermal treatment in oil was effective for improving the oil yield in the presence of hydrogen/catalyst or high hydrogen-donor solvent, influence of hydrogen-donor performance of solvent or addition of catalyst on the hydrogenation behavior of coal and the characteristics of products during prethermal treatment were investigated in relation to successive liquefaction results. As a result, it was found that the increase of HS yield was due to the acceleration of conversion of THF-insoluble using high hydrogen-donor solvent and/or by adding catalyst. It was also found ...
For developing coal liquefaction processes, it is an important problem to improve the light oil yield with increased oil yield. It was previously reported that distillate mainly containing lighter fraction can be produced with high oil yield by reducing the iron/sulfur catalyst addition in slurry, by recycling gas in the process operation, by utilizing these effects, and by using heavy oil as recycling solvent. In this study, the maximum distillate yield of Victorian brown coal was investigated through continuous liquefaction using a bench scale unit. In addition, operation conditions for obtaining sufficient oil yield were investigated under the reduced catalyst addition into one-third. Consequently, it was confirmed that the maximum content of lighter fraction in distillate product was obtained with reduced catalyst addition by using heavy oil as recycling solvent, by adopting new ...
Maintenance energy expenditures were mesured for five rumen bacteria, Selenomonas ruminantium, Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens, Bacteroides ruminicola, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Streptococcus bovis, by using a complex medium with glucose as the carbon source. Large differences (as high as 8.5-fold) in maintenance energy expenditures were seen among these bacteria. The suggestion is made that maintenance requirements could be a significant determinant of bacterial competition in the rumen. Theoretical maximum growth yields, calculated from double reciprocal plots of yield versus dilution rate, were compared to theoretical Y(ATP) values in order to estimate minimum molar adenosine 5'-triphosphate yields from glucose for each bacterium. Results showed that relative yield among the bacteria was growth rate dependent. At high dilution rates, both S. ruminantium and S. bovis produced lactate as their principal ...
Ecosystems worldwide are experiencing unprecedented nitrogen enrichment through fertilization and pollution. While longterm ecological consequences are difficult to predict, it seems that plants and animals adapted to nitrogen-limited environments are at particular risk from these changes. This report summarizes the limited body of literature which addresses this important topic. From a herbivoreAes perspective, fertilization increases the nutritional quality of host plant tissues. In some cases fertilization has lead to decreased production of defensive compounds. How this affects populations of insects is unclear because fertilization affects not only herbivores but their natural enemies. This report outlines how fertilization affects tree processes such as growth, photosynthesis, and production of defensive compounds. The many factors that affect insect repsonse to fertilization and the difficulties ...
Doubly-excited 2s{sup -1}2p{sup -1}3pnp autoionizing resonance series of Ne atom as well as autoionizing resonances in the 2s region of Na and Mg atoms have been studied with monochromatized synchrotron radiation. Use of charge-separated photoion-yield method allowed us to detect these weak resonances in a clarified way in the yield curves of doubly-charged ions. The observed resonance states have been interpreted with the help of MCDF calculations, and the decay processes of these resonance states are discussed briefly.
Doubly-excited 2s-12p-13pnp autoionizing resonance series of Ne atom as well as autoionizing resonances in the 2s region of Na and Mg atoms have been studied with monochromatized synchrotron radiation. Use of charge-separated photoion-yield method allowed us to detect these weak resonances in a clarified way in the yield curves of doubly-charged ions. The observed resonance states have been interpreted with the help of MCDF calculations, and the decay processes of these resonance states are discussed briefly.
There is proposed the nonlinear model of dose dependence saturation of the yield strength on the base of the vacancy and interstitial barrier interaction in this work. Processes of mutual recombination of vacancy and interstitial barriers and formation of vacancy and interstitial clusters are taken into consideration. In the framework of the model, the analytical equations corresponding to the evolution of the barrier densities and yield strength are obtained. It is shown that the yield strength of irradiated materials decreases with the increasing intensity of barrier recombination processes, the dependence being nonlinear. Also it is shown that the model is valid both for low doses and large doses on the stage of radiation hardening.
An improved method for the synthesis of (/sup 15/N) 16-Doxyl stearate, a fatty-acid spin label, is reported. The method requires only one mole of (/sup 15/N) 2-amino-2-methyl propanol per mole of methyl keto stearate with an overall yield of about 50%. In contrast, the previous method produced only 1-3% yield. The great improvement in yield was achieved mainly through the reduction of reaction volume which increases the reaction rate by the law of mass action.
This paper reviews and elaborates on the issue of the dilaton transformation under the usual {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau} target space duality and its non-static generalization (or {sigma}-model duality). It is found that the transformation law {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau}, {phi} {yields} {phi} In ({tau}/{alpha}{prime}) which guarantees duality at the one-loop {sigma}-model level should be modified at two (and higher) loop order. The non-static duality is illustrated on the example of cosmological solutions in D {ge} 2 with time-dependent radii of space torus.
BackgroundMany commercial banana varieties lack sources of resistance to pests and diseases, as a consequence of sterility and narrow genetic background. Fertile wild relatives,...Full Text Available
Triacontanol (TRIA) has been realized as a potent plant growth promoting substance for a number of agricultural and horticultural crops. Out of a large number of essential oil bearing plants, mint (Mentha arvensis L.) constitutes the most important source of therapeutic agents used in the alternative systems of medicine. The mint plant has marvelous medicinal properties. In view of enhancing growth, yield and quality of this medicinally important plant, a pot experiment was conducted according to simple randomized block design. The experiment was aimed at studying the effect of four concentrations of TRIA (10?0, 10?7, 10?6 and 10?5?M) on the performance of mint with regard to growth and other physiological attributes, crop yield and quality attributes and the yield and contents of active c...
Nat'l Training Center Contact Us Directory Email Us BLM > Socioeconomic Impacts > Timber Print Page Socioeconomic Impacts from Timber BLM-administered lands yielded $337...
The nature of some baryonic resonances is still an unresolved issue. The case of the N{sup *}(1535) is particularly interesting in this respect due to the nearby {eta} N threshold and interference with the N{sup *}(1650). The N{sup *}(1535) has been described as a threshold effect, as a genuine 3-quark resonance, or as dynamically generated from the interaction of the octet of baryons with the octet of mesons. In the scheme of dynamical generation, predictions for the interaction of the N{sup *}(1535) with the photon can be made. In this study, we simultaneously analyze the role of the N{sup *}(1535) in the {pi}N{yields}{pi}N and {gamma}N{yields}{pi}N reactions and compare to the respective amplitudes from partial-wave analyses. This test is very sensitive to the meson-baryon components of the N{sup *}(1535). (orig.)
A new evaluation (UKFY2) has been prepared of the independent and cumulative yields of the products of fission induced by thermal, fast, and 14 MeV neutrons in nuclides important for reactor design and operation and for fuel and waste management. Three spontaneously fissioning nuclides were also considered. The evaluation used a database that is considered to be complete up to early 1989. Careful study was made of experimental uncertainties and discrepancies, emphasizing the need for further measurements. Gaps in the data were filled by interpolation and extrapolation, using fits to empirical models. The yields were subsequently adjusted to fit physical constraints of the fissioning process. This paper describes the evaluation, which was submitted and accepted for inclusion in the JEF2 file. The file was produced in January 1990 and a revision of cumulative yield uncertainties distributed in January 1991.
Iodine-125 labelled vinyl and aryl iodides are formed via the reaction of sodium iodide-125 with vinyl- and arylboronic acids. Good yields of isomerically pure products are obtained.
Elaboration of a Modern Technology for Operational Agrometeorological Soil Moisture Monitoring Spring Wheat, Yield and Disease Damage Forecasting and Recommendations for Plant Protection on the Kazakhstan Territory
The reaction {gamma}d{yields}{pi}{sup +}nn is calculated up to order {chi}{sup 5/2} in chiral perturbation theory, where {chi} denotes the ratio of the pion to the nucleon mass. Special emphasis is put on the role of nucleon recoil corrections that are the source of contributions with fractional power in {chi}. Using the known near-threshold production amplitude for {gamma}p{yields}{pi}{sup +}n as the only input, the total cross-section for {gamma}d{yields}{pi}{sup +}nn is described very well. A conservative estimate suggests that the theoretical uncertainty for the transition operator amounts to 3% for the computed amplitude near threshold. (orig.)
We perform an optimal-observable analysis of the final charged-lepton/b-quark momentum distributions in {gamma}{gamma}{yields}t t-bar {yields}lX/bX for various beam polarizations in order to study possible anomalous t t-bar {gamma}, tbW and {gamma}{gamma}H couplings, which could be generated by SU(2) x U(1) gauge-invariant dimension-6 effective operators. We find optimal beam polarizations that will minimize the uncertainty in determination of those non-standard couplings. We also compare e e-bar and {gamma}{gamma} colliders from the viewpoint of the anomalous-top-quark-coupling determination.
Neutron yield from the "6","7Li + d reaction has been investigated. The results obtained are compared with the published data with some theoretical models.
Evolution in Space Radio Telescopes Reveal Youngest Stellar Corpse Gas Clouds in Whirlpool Galaxy Yield Important Clues Supporting Theory on Spiral Arms Starbust-driven Winds...
Mangroves are disappearing rapidly worldwide despite their well documented biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. Failure to link ecological processes and their societal benefits has...Full Text Available
... these features and yields results which are two orders of magnitude faster than those available using conventional numerical ray tracing techniques ...
Pulse radiolysis studies of the formation kinetics and the yields of various phenylcarbenium ions from several different solutes in 1,2-dichloroethane solution have been carried out. The results indicate that there are two kinetically distinguishable cationic species of the solvent which react selectively with the different solutes to form the phenylcarbenium ions. It is suggested that one is a cation radical (yield 0.68 molecule/100 eV) and the other a carbocation (yield 0.20 molecule/100 eV). Rate constants for their separate reactions with selected aromatic compounds and with ammonia have been determined. Molar extinction coefficients have been estimated for benzyl cation, diphenyl cation radical, and anthracene cation radical. 6 figures, 1 table.
Pulse radiolysis studies of the formation kinetics and the yields of various phenylcarbenium ions from several different solutes in 1,2-dichloroethane solution have been carried out. The results indicate that there are two kinetically distinguishable cationic species of the solvent which react selectively with the different solutes to form the phenylcarbenium ions. It is suggested that one is a cation radical (yield 0.68 molecule/100 eV) and the other a carbocation (yield 0.20 molecule/100 eV). Rate constants for their separate reactions with selected aromatic compounds and with ammonia have been determined. Molar extinction coefficients have been estimated for benzyl cation, diphenyl cation radical, and anthracene cation radical. 6 figures, 1 table.
Good performance in extended lactations of dairy cattle may have a beneficial effect on food costs, health, and fertility. Because data for extended lactation performance is scarce, lactation persistency has been suggested as a suitable selection criterion. Persistency phenotypes were calculated in several ways: P1 was yield relative to an approximate peak, P2 was the slope after peak production, and P3 was a measure derived to be phenotypically uncorrelated to yield and calculated as a function of linear regressions on test-day deviations of days in milk. Phenotypes P1, P2, and P3 were calculated for sires as solutions estimated from a random regression model fitted to milk yield. Because total milk yield, calculated as the sum of daily sire solutions, was correlated to P1 and P2 (r=0.30 ...
The authors would like to determine |V{sub cb}| from the exclusive semi-leptonic decay B{yields}D*lv. The differential decay rate is d{Lambda}/dw = G{sub F}{sup 2}/4{pi}{sup 3}(w{sup 2}-1){sup 1/2}m{sub D*}{sup 3} (m{sub B}-m{sub D*}){sup 2}G(w)|V{sub cb}|{sup 2}|F{sub B{yields}D*}(w)|{sup 2}, where w = v {center_dot} v{prime} and G(1) = 1. At zero recoil (w = 1) heavy-quark symmetry requires F{sub B{yields}D*}(1) to be close to 1. So, |V{sub cb}| is determined by dividing measurements of d{Lambda}/dw by the phase space and well-known factors, and extrapolating to w {yields} 1. This yields |V{sub cb}|F{sub B{yields}D*}(1), and F{sub B{yields}D*}(1) is taken from ''theory''. To date models [1] or a combination of a rigorous inequality plus judgement [2] have been used to estimate F{sub ...
Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of tef, a major staple crop in Ethiopia, is very low, either caused by untimely use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers or lack of other essential nutrients like sulphur (S). The average grain yield of this crop is low, averaging ?1 in farmer?s fields of the semi-arid conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to see the effect of the timing of combined N and S fertilization on the yield, yield components, and N and S concentration in the plant parts of the crop. A factorial combination of three rates of N (0, 70, and 105?kg?ha?1) with four rates of S (0, 16, 32, and 48?kg?ha?1) was applied in randomized complete blocks in three replications. The experiment was carried out in the 2004 and 2005 cropping seasons in the Cambisols of the semi-arid area of Ethi...
The delayed neutrons from neutron-induced fission in /sup 232/U, /sup 237/Np, /sup 238/Pu, /sup 241/Am, /sup 242/Am/sup m/, /sup 245/Cm, and /sup 249/Cf were studied for the first time; those from /sup 232/Th, /sup 233/U, /sup 235/U, /sup 238/U, /sup 239/Pu, /sup 241/Pu, and /sup 242/Pu were measured again. The data were used to develop an expression for the prediction of the absolute delayed neutron yield, and the prediction of delayed neutron emission with time. This approach accurately predicts observed delayed neutron yields and decay characteristics. A fission product yield model was used in conjunction with delayed neutron emission probability to analytically predict delayed neutron characteristics. The results of this analysis are in excellent agreement with experimental values.
The measurements of the total delayed neutron yield from fast neutron induced fission of sup 2 sup 3 sup 8 U were made. The experimental method based on the periodic irradiation of the fissionable sample by neutrons from a suitable nuclear reaction had been employed. The preliminary results on the energy dependence of the total delayed neutron yield from fission of sup 2 sup 3 sup 8 U are obtained. According to the comparison of experimental data with our prediction based on correlation properties of delayed neutron characteristics, it is concluded that the value of the total delayed neutron yield near the threshold of (n,f) reaction is not a constant.
A validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computer code, ICRKFLO, was used to investigate the scale-up effects on the coke yields of thermal cracking riser factors. Comparisons were made for calculated coke yields of pilot- and commercial-scales riser units. Computational results show that the riser aspect ratio, reaction temperature, particle residence time, and particle/oil ratio have major impacts on the coke yield. A computational experiment was conducted to determine optimal operating conditions for a conceptual design of a commercial-scale riser unit. This experiment showed that the performance loss in scale-up from pilot to commercial scale may be almost completely recovered through optimizing the operating conditions after scale-up using the CFD simulations as a guide.
I summarize the extant direct and indirect data on the sky background SNAP will see at the North Ecliptic Pole over the wavelength range 0.4 < {lambda} < 1.7 {micro}m. At the spatial resolution of SNAP the sky background due to stars and galaxies is resolved, so the only source considered is zodiacal light. Several models are explored to provide interpolation in wavelength between the broadband data from HST and COBE observations. I believe the input data are now established well enough that the accuracy of the sky background presented here is sufficient for SNAP simulations, and that it will stand up to scrutiny by reviewers.
Before working at JPL he was the Chief Engineer for the Milstar Satellite Avionics and several Military space programs. His technical background is in ...
LUCIFER (Low-background Underground Cryogenic Installation For Elusive Rates) is a new project for the study of neutrinoless Double Beta Decay, based on the technology of scintillating bolometers. These devices promise a very efficient rejection of the alpha background, opening the way to a virtual background-free experiment if candidates with a transition energy higher than 2615 keV are investigated. The baseline candidate for LUCIFER is 82Se. This isotope will be embedded in ZnSe crystals grown with enriched selenium and operated as scintillating bolometers in a low-radioactivity underground dilution refrigerator. In this paper, the LUCIFER concept will be introduced. The sensitivity and the very promising prospects related to this project will be discussed.
Continuum events represent an eminent source of background in any e+e- experiment. As these have a higher branching ratio than BB-bar events (at BaBar this ratio is estimated to about 3.5) or ?+?- events, efficient continuum background suppression is essential in many analyses. Using Artificial Neural Networks and the Nearest Neighbor Method we developed several selectors which, based only on the global event shape variables, efficiently tag BB-bar events and ?+?- events against the continuum background. These selectors could then be combined with the channel specific information in various types of analyses. The study was done using a parametric Monte Carlo.
We entertain the idea that a suitable background of cold (very low momentum) pseudoscalar particles or condensate, may trigger a background that effectively generates Lorentz-invariance violation. This aether-like background induces a Chern-Simons modification of QED. Physics is different in different frames and, in the rest frame of the pseudoscalar background, high momentum photons can decay into pairs. The threshold for such decay depends quadratically on the rest mass of the particles. This mechanism could explain in a natural way why antiprotons are absent in recent cosmic ray measurements. A similar signal could be used as a probe of pseudoscalar condensation in heavy ion collisions.
Properties of the multi-species electromagnetic Weibel and electrostatic two-stream instabilities are investigated for an intense ion beam propagating through background plasma. Assuming that the background plasma electrons provide complete charge and current neutralization, detailed linear stability properties are calculated within the framework of a macroscopic cold-fluid model for a wide range of system parameters.
...this page document analysis carried out during the policy development of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme. policy, background, carbon, reduction,...commitment, energy efficiency, CRC, Policy background Spending Review Announcement In the October 2010 Spending Review, the UK Government announced that the CRC ... Revenue from the sale of CRC allowances, totalling ٟ billion a year by 2014/15, will be used to support ... The implications of this announcement for CRC are: In order to clarify the price signal to participants and to support the public ...
Full text: Pigments possessing the ability to confer high solar reflectance have received considerable attention in recent years. The inorganic class of NIR reflective pigments are mainly metal oxides and are primarily employed in two applications: (i) visual camouflage and (ii) reducing heat build up. More than half of the solar radiation consists of near-infrared radiation (52%), the remaining being 43% visible light and 5% ultraviolet radiation. Over heating due to solar radiation negatively affects comfort in the built environment and contributes substantially to electrical consumption for air conditioning and release of green house gases. A pigment which has strong reflections in the NIR region (780-2500 nm) can be referred to as a 'cool' pigment. However, most of the NIR reflective inorganic pigments particularly yellow (eg. cadmium yellow, lead chromate, chrome titanate yellow etc.) contain toxic metals and hence their consumption is being limited. Replacing ...
Understanding climate development in the central Andes is important in determining the relationship between mountain range uplift and climate change. Recent work along the western margin of the central Andes has led to the development of two competing hypotheses: 1) that climate change is directly responsible for uplift or 2) that uplift controls climate change. In the first scenario, uplift results from increased friction at the plate boundary due to sediment-starvation of the trench which is a function of decreased run-off (particularly post 14 Ma) due to global cooling. In the second scenario progressive uplift of the Andean Cordillera during the Miocene resulted in a strong orographic effect with a concomitant rainshadow west of the Andes. To determine the relationship between climate change and uplift it is necessary to ascertain precisely, when the climate changed, the nature of that change and when uplift occurred. With respect to climate change a key question that has been ...
The existence of a cosmic neutrino background - the analogue of the cosmic microwave background - is a fundamental prediction of standard big bang cosmology. Up to now, the observational evidence for its existence is rather indirect and rests entirely on cosmological observations of, e.g., the light elemental abundances, the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background, and the large scale distribution of matter. Here, we review more direct, weak interaction based detection techniques for the cosmic neutrino background in the present epoch and in our local neighbourhood. We show that, with current technology, all proposals are still off by some orders of magnitude in sensitivity to lead to a guaranteed detection of the relic neutrinos. The most promising laboratory search, based on neutrino capture on beta decaying nuclei, may be done in future experiments designed to measure the neutrino mass ...
Description or function: WLUP contains validated WIMS-D formatted cross section libraries in 69 and 172 energy group structures for nuclear reactor calculations. Materials from recently released evaluated nuclear data libraries are included. The NJOY nuclear data processing system was applied for generating the cross section files following the models and conventions built into the WIMS-D lattice code. The relevant features for the WIMS users are: - Energy group structures: 69 and 172 energy groups. - List of materials: WIMS ID, general information, source of data. - Cross sections: 69 and 172 group plots. - Resonance data: WIMS ID, temperature, background cross sections. - Goldstein-Cohen factors: Goldstein-Cohen lambda values. - Thermal scattering data: thermal scattering laws and P1 matrixes. - Fission spectrum: fission spectrum data. - Burnup data: burnup chains. - Fission product yields: fission yield tables. - Pseudo ...
Using bremsstrahlung, the resonance fluorescence yield has been measured for the 1.836-MeV 2/sup +//sub 1/ level in /sup 88/Sr. The observed yield corresponds to a level width GAMMA = 2.94 +- 0.15 meV.
Surface-sensitive UV photoelectron yield spectroscopy was employed to study electron acceptor levels at surfaces of chalcopyrite structure Cu-In-Se thin films. Surface Fermi level pinning was observed for Cu-rich films. Shallow acceptor levels ascribable to defects Cu_I_n and V_C_u were observed for near-stoichiometric and In-rich films respectively. (orig.).
Theoretical x-ray transition energies, lifetimes and partial multiplet fluorescence yields are presented for all spectroscopic terms of electron configurations with a single K-shell vacancy and varying number of electrons in the L-shell and M/sub 1/-subshell for multiply-ionized silicon. 9 tables.
In the framework of the equivalence theorem the one-loop helicity amplitudes and cross section for the double Higgs production process {gamma}{gamma}{yields}HH are calculated. It is shown that the cross section is measurable at TeV {gamma}{gamma} colliders and is marginally sensitive to the triple-Higgs variation. (orig.).
A review of fission product yields and delayed neutron data for Np-237, Pu-242, Am-242m, Am-243, Cm-243 and Cm-245 has been undertaken. Gaps in understanding and inconsistencies in existing data were identified and priority areas for further experimental, theoretical and evaluation investigation detailed. (author)
A review of fission product yields and delayed neutron data for Np-237, Pu-242, Am-242m, Am-243, Cm-243 and Cm-245 has been undertaken. Gaps in understanding and inconsistencies in existing data were identified and priority areas for further experimental, theoretical and evaluation investigation detailed. (author)
Decomposition yields of tetracycline sulphate and oxytetracycline sulphate were determined in argon saturated 0.1N H/sub 2/SO/sub 4/ solutions. The decomposition yields of teracyclines decrease in the presence of the Cl/sup -/ ions. The reaction rate constants of the OH radicals with tetracyclines were also determined.
Phospholipid vesicles were found to be lysed by exposure to free radicals derived from irradiated glycine and galactose. The decomposition yield increased with vesicle concentration, and attained values of 0.0006 vesicles destroyed per radical added. Ionic charge at the phospholipid end groups was found to be more important than degree of unsaturation in determining this yield. Radicals derived from irradiated serine and alanine had no detectable lytic action at the vesicle concentrations tested.
Results of tests on the 1 kg/h continuous reactor for the hydroliquefaction of coal are described. The reactor was operated at 415-435 C and 21 MPa using a continuous stirred reactor with a retention time of about 2 hours. All product oils were recovered by distillation. Sub-bituminous coal was found to give the best product yield. Tests using 5% red mud and 3% improved red mud showed significant increases in oil yield. (4 refs.)
Ratio of the fissile isomers and prompt fissions yields has been measured in processes of neutron capture by /sup 241/Am and /sup 243/Am nuclei in the neutron energy interval from 0.2 up to 1.3 MeV. The present data and the previous results suggest that the fission Am isomers are spin structure isomers rather than shape isomers.
A large IMF- and event characterizing multidetector system (CHICSI) is under development for storage ring experiments. In ''test'' experiments with telescopes of CHICSI type the IMF production has been measured for "1"4N induced reactions at 14A and 32A MeV. Detailed information about the emission sources, particularly from the IMF yield in reactions with isotope separated targets and from isobaric yield ratios in the sub-Coulomb region is discussed. (orig.).
Sugarcane orange rust is an economically important disease in Florida and has caused yield losses in the major cultivar, CP 80-1743 since it was introduced in 2007. Orange rust has caused susceptible cultivars to be discarded from the CP-cultivar development program and is also causing yield losses....
Planar channeling effects are studied in such well-oriented polycrystalline layers as NiSi_2 and Pb_2Si layers formed on single crystalline Si. Crystalline perfection of such layers is discussed by using the energy- and angular dependences of the axial and planar channeling yields. It has been shown that, in suitable conditions, the energy dependence of the planar yield is more sensitive to the spread of crystallite orientations in polycrystals than that of the axial one. (Auth.).
Complete calculations of the accelerator related background in the muon spectrometer of the CMS detector at the Large Hadron Collider are presented. The simulations have been performed with the STRUCT multi-turn tracking code and the MARS and FLUKA cascade codes taking into account latest information of the LHC lattice, vacuum conditions, beam cleaning system and the shielding and layout of the CMS experiment. Beam loss distributions in the interaction regions and their vicinities and their contribution to the background levels in the muon spectrometer of CMS are analyzed. The studies show that hadronic and electromagnetic components of machine background are efficiently suppressed by the proposed CMS shielding. High energy muons penetrate through the shielding, but in positions of significance they do not contribute more than a few percent compared to the background generated by the pp-collisions. It ...
We examined, using thermo analytical methods, the effects of 2000 deg. C heat-treated graphite powders and heating rate of cure after impregnation on the thermal stability and carbon yield of furfuryl alcohol, which is frequently used not only as an impregnation but also as a matrix precursor for carbon fiber-reinforced carbon composites. It was founded that the addition of 30 wt%. graphite powders of furfuryl alcohol and the heating rate 35 deg. C/min showed the highest thermal stability of furfuryl alcohol/graphite powder mixture. The carbon yield above 1000 deg. C was enhanced more than 10% in comparison with the absence of graphite powders. It would be expected that this result can contribute to some extent to reduce the repeating number of processing cycle (carbonization {yields} impregnation {yields} cure {yields} re-carbonization) required to density a carbonaceous composite. ...
For the coal liquefaction, improvement of liquefaction conditions and increase of liquefied oil yield are expected by suppressing the recombination through rapid stabilization of pyrolytic radicals which are formed at the initial stage of liquefaction. Two-stage liquefaction combining prethermal treatment and liquefaction was performed under various conditions, to investigate the effects of reaction conditions on the yields and properties of products as well as to increase liquefied oil yield. Consequently, it was found that the catalyst contributes greatly to the hydrogen transfer to coal at the prethermal treatment. High yield of n-hexane soluble fraction with products having low condensation degree could be obtained by combining the prethermal treatment in the presence of hydrogen and catalyst with the concentration of slurry after the treatment. This was considered to be caused by the synergetic ...
A new separation process of saturated fatty acids (lauric acid-myristic acid) using crystallization from an aqueous ethanol solution has been examined. There were two vessels in this separation process: an extraction vessel and a crystallization vessel. The fatty acids in the aqueous phase were first extracted from their organic phase (melt) in the extraction vessel. The fatty acids in the aqueous phase were continuously introduced to the crystallization vessel, and then the fatty acids were crystallized there. The crystals of the fatty acids were collected continuously above the aqueous phase in the crystallization vessel. In this process, the yield and the purity of the crystals over time were measured, and it was found that the purity of lauric acid increased unsteadily up to 0.98 mole fraction of lauric acid with an increase in the yield of the low yield range. The mole fraction of ethanol in the aqueous phase could be ...
We examine the virtual effects of Kaluza-Klein (KK) states on Higgs physics in universal extra dimension models. We study the partial widths {Lambda}{sub h{yields}gg}, {Lambda}{sub h{yields}{gamma}{gamma}}, and {Lambda}{sub h{yields}{gamma}Z}, which are relevant for Higgs production and detection in future collider experiments. These interactions occur at one loop in the Standard Model, as do the KK contributions. We find that the deviations induced by the KK exchanges can be significant; for one extra dimension, the gg {yields} h production rate is increased by 10% - 85% for the mass of the first KK state in the range 500 {approx}> m{sub 1} {approx}> 1500 GeV, a region untested by current direct search and precision measurement constraints. The h {yields} {gamma}{gamma} decay width is decreased by {approx}< 20% in the same mass range. For two or more universal ...
Ground level ozone concentrations, in combination with the prevailing climate, at the estate Oestads Saeteri in southwestern Sweden were estimated to reduce the yield of wheat and potato ranging between 5% and 10%. Occasionally, in years with the highest ozone concentrations and/or climatic conditions favoring high rates of ozone uptake to the leaves, yield loss levels above 10% may occur. Based on simple extrapolation, these ozone-induced reductions of crop yields at Oestads Saeteri represent a potential total annual yield loss in Sweden in the range of 24.5 million Euro for wheat and 7.3 million Euro for potato, respectively. A simulation of forest growth at Oestads Saeteri predicted that prevailing mean ozone exposure during 1993-2003 had the potential to reduce forest growth by 2.2% and the economic return of forest production by 2.6%. Using this value for extrapolation to the national level, the ...
The relationship between coal properties and liquefaction or gasification characteristics was analyzed by using the analysis and test results and liquefaction characteristics in the coal data base. On liquefaction reaction, the close relation between an oil yield and coal constituent composition or a coal rank is well-known. Various multivariable regression analyses were conducted by using 6 factors as variables such as calorific value, volatile component, O/C and H/C atomic ratios, exinite+vitrinite content and vitrinite reflectance, and liquefaction characteristics as variate. On liquefaction characteristics, the oil yield of dehydrated and deashed coals, asphaltene yield, hydrogen consumption, produced water and gas quantities, and oil+asphaltene yield were predicted. The theoretical gasification efficiency of each specimen was calculated to evaluate the liquefaction reaction obtained. As a result, ...
After some observations about the tests of the research exposed in the literature, authors illustrate the tests for 142 patients divided into 5 groups: a) patients affected with acute viral hepatitis; b) patients affected with praegressa acute viral hepatitis; c) relatives of patients with acute viral hepatitis; d) volunteers; e) patients affected with chronic uraemia under dialisis periodic treatment. After the testing control, authors, conclude with an hipotesis: a possible epidemic function of faeces, urine saliva, in the passage of the acute viral hepatitis. PMID:488577
BACKGROUNDHirsutism is the presence of excess body or facial terminal (coarse) hair growth in females in a male-like pattern, affects 5–15% of women, and is an important...Full Text Available
The objective of this study was to evaluate how the vehicles of choice affect the pharmacokinetics of orally administered Fluoranthene [FLA] in rats. Fluoranthene is a member of the family of...Full Text Available
Selection of the appropriate radiation quality is an important aspect of optimisation for every clinical imaging task in radiology, since it affects both image quality and patient dose. Spreadsheet...Full Text Available
Recessive mutations of the early phase change (epc) gene in maize affect several aspects of plant development. These mutations were identified initially because of...Full Text Available
Mitochondria are the major sites where energy is produced in the cell. Functions of organs such as the heart which has high energy demand are seriously affected by dysfunction of mitochondria....Full Text Available
... 500 ppm, boron increases the 0.2% offset strength; results show that boron doping does not appreciably affect ultimate compressive strength; for 0 ...
IntroductionShoulder pain covers a wide range of problems and affects up to 20% of the population. It is not a specific diagnosis. Shoulder pain can be caused by problems with the...Full Text Available
Reference failures, and their increase in affectively negative conditions (known as affective reactivity of speech), are more frequently observed in schizophrenia patients than in normal controls, but no information is available comparing schizophrenia with depression, ie, a mental disorder closely linked to the concept of affective reactivity. To address this gap in the literature, the present study compared 24 schizophrenia inpatients, 21 unipolar depression inpatients and 21 normal controls. Two 10-minute conversational speech samples (1 on negative and 1 on positive memories) were collected from each patient. The transcripts of the audiotaped interviews were analyzed blindly for frequencies of 6 types of referential failures, employing the Communication Disturbances Index, adapted for ...
ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of complicating and concurrent morbidities in older diabetic patients and to evaluate to what extent their occurrence affects the burden of...Full Text Available
Synthetic polymers and nanomaterials display selective phenotypic effects in cells and in the body that affect signal transduction mechanisms involved in inflammation, differentiation, proliferation,...Full Text Available
BACKGROUNDThe reproductive health of children born of infertile couples may be affected by infertility treatment or factors associated with infertility. We examined sexual maturation...Full Text Available
The purpose of this article is to critically review the available evidence pertaining to occupational, environmental, and individual factors that can affect the development of occupational asthma (OA)....Full Text Available
The temporal synchrony of auditory and visual signals is known to affect the perception of an external event, yet it is unclear what neural mechanisms underlie the influence of temporal synchrony...Full Text Available
... System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). ... retirement, thrift savings plan, annual and sick leave, severance pay and ...
The physical demands of performing on musical instruments can cause pain, sensory loss, and lack of coordination. Five cases illustrate common problems. Knowledge of the interaction between the technique...Full Text Available
Jan 22, 2011 ... Abstract: Land use changes and deforestation in tropical rainforests are among the major factors affecting the overall function of the global ...
Lichen striatus begins similarly to lichen planus, with small bumps (papules), but over a period of days expands to form a long streak or band of affected ...
Aging is a biological process that affects most cells, organisms and species. Human aging is associated with increased susceptibility to a variety of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease,...Full Text Available
where I was in El Paso, I could always look up and see the smokestacks of the old Asarco smelter looming. The facility affected the city in more ways than that constant visual...
where I was in El Paso, I could always look up and see the smokestacks of the old Asarco smelter looming. The facility affected the city in more ways than that constant visual...
... 2. Help women become accepted by providing job-related training, creating flexible work groups with good climates, and encourage supervisors to ...
Periodontitis is an infectious process characterized by inflammation affecting the supporting structures of the teeth. Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major oral bacterial species implicated...Full Text Available
... content of the environment) are significant factors affecting the useful service life of adhesive bonded plastic composite sandwich panels at 650 F ...
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) persists as a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease and is characterized by the production of autoantibodies and immune complexes that affects multiple organs....Full Text Available
There is conflicting evidence about the effect of parental consanguinity on fetal growth. Previous studies have not always allowed for other factors that are known to affect birth weight, in particular,...Full Text Available
SummaryCongenital lobar emphysema (CLE) characterized by over distension and air-trapping in the affected lobe is one of the causes of infantile respiratory distress requiring...Full Text Available
... Deepwater Program is a 25-year, $24 billion plan to replace or modernize its fleet of vessels, aircraft, and information management capabilities. ...
Primary cardiac angiosarcoma is a rare cardiac tumor. The initial clinical course is often asymptomatic, and metastatic disease is present in a majority of affected patients at diagnosis. We present...Full Text Available
Sep 1, 2011 ... Title: Application of chloropicrin to Douglas-fir stumps to control laminated root rot does not affect infection or growth of regeneration 16 growing ...
Hypertension affects most hemodialysis patients and is often poorly controlled. Adequate control of blood pressure is difficult with conventional hemodialysis alone but is important to improve...Full Text Available
Aerosol particles are ubiquitous in the troposphere and exert an important influence on global climate and the environment. They affect climate through scattering, transmission, and absorption of...Full Text Available
In 1998, EU legislation initiated a liberalisation process among European energy markets. The process of market opening has significantly changed the functioning of the markets and the competition conditions of the energy sector. At the same time, the industry witnessed a surge of mergers and far-reaching changes in the structure of German electricity and natural gas markets occurred. Against this background, the doctoral thesis at hand surveys the merger activities in the energy sector as well as the merger control policy of the German Federal Cartel Office during the first years of liberalisation. The study starts with a portrayal of the institutional framework of the German merger control regime and a survey of the relevant economic literature on horizontal and vertical mergers. Subsequent to the legal and theoretical considerations, the merger activities and the merger control policy of the German Federal Cartel Office are investigated empirically. The data set ...
This study was undertaken during 1991 - 1998 to identify the origin of plutonium uranium in northern New Mexico Rio Grande and tributary stream sediments. Isotopic fingerprinting techniques help distinguish radioactivity from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and from global fallout or natural sources. The geographic area covered by the study extended from the headwaters of the Rio Grande in southern Colorado to Elephant Butte Reservoir in southern New Mexico. Over 100 samples of stream channel and reservoir bottom sediments were analyzed for the atom ratios of plutonium and uranium isotopes using thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS). Comparison of these ratios against those for fallout or natural sources allowed for quantification of the Laboratory impact. Of the seven major drainages crossing LANL, movement of LANL plutonium into the Rio Grande can only be traced via Los Alamos Canyon. The majority of sampled locations within and adjacent to LANL have little or no input of ...
We report on a recent search for {bar {nu}}{sub e} appearance from stopped {pi}{sup +} {yields} {mu}{sup +}{nu}{sub {mu}} and {mu}{sup +} {yields} e{sup +}{nu}{sub e}{bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} decay made by the LAMPF experiment E645. The appearance of {bar {nu}}{sub e} may occur from {bar {nu}}{sub {mu}} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub e}, {nu}{sub e} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub eL}, or {nu}{sub {mu}} {yields} {bar {nu}}{sub eL} oscillations. Appearance may also occur from rare {mu}{sup +} {yields} e{sup +}{bar {nu}}{sub e}{nu}{sub {mu}} decay, which is allowed by a multiplicative lepton charge conservation law. The neutrino energies range from E{sub {nu}} = 0 to 52.8MeV. The neutrino detector, which is located 26.1 meters from the neutrino source, consists of a segmented liquid scintillator and proportional drift tube central detector surrounded by both active and passive ...
We present the general properties of the far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1370-1720A) continuum background over most of the sky, obtained with the Spectroscopy of Plasma Evolution from Astrophysical Radiation instrument (SPEAR, also known as FIMS), flown aboard the STSAT-1 satellite mission. We find that the diffuse FUV continuum intensity is well correlated with N_{HI}, 100 $\\mu$m, and H-alpha intensities but anti-correlated with soft X-ray. The strongest correlation is with the H-alpha emission, and the correlation of the diffuse background with the direct stellar flux is weaker than the correlation with other parameters. The continuum spectra are relatively flat. However, a weak softening of the FUV spectra toward some sight lines, mostly at high Galactic latitudes, is found not only in direct-stellar but also in diffuse background spectra. The diffuse background is relatively softer that the direct stellar ...
Defect cluster formation in 14-MeV neutron irradiated polycrystalline copper has been observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and correlated with the increase in yield stress. The measurements indicate that the radiation hardening component of the yield strength in polycrystals is not directly additive to the unirradiated yield strength. A transitional behavior was observed for radiation hardening at low fluences, which produces an anomalous variation of the defect cluster barrier strength with fluence. The behavior is attributed to the effect of grain boundaries on slip band transmission. An upper limit for the room temperature barrier strength of defect clusters in neutron-irradiated copper was determined to be #alpha#=0.23. (orig.).
The effect of chemical pretreatments using NaOH, H2O2, and Ca(OH)2 on Empty Palm Fruit Bunches (EPFB) to degrade EPFB lignin before pyrolyis was investigated. Spectrophotometer analysis proved consecutive addition of NaOH and H2O2 decomposed almost 100% of EPFB lignin compared to 44% for the Ca(OH)2, H2O2 system while NaOH and Ca(OH)2 used exclusively could not alter lignin much. Next, the pretreated EPFB was catalytically pyrolyzed. Experimental results indicated the phenolic yields over Al-MCM-41 and HZSM-5 catalysts were 90wt% and 80wt%, respectively compared to 67wt% yield for the untreated sample under the same set of conditions. Meanwhile, the experiments with HY zeolite yielded 70wt% phenols.
Summary Pectin was extracted from passion fruit peel using three different acids (citric, hydrochloric or nitric) at different temperatures (40-90 degreeC), pH (1.2-2.6) and extraction times (10-90 min), with and without skins using a 24 factorial design. Temperature, pH and extraction time had highly significant effects on the pectin yield. A central composite design with face centring was used to optimise the extraction process conditions for citric acid without skins. Pectin yields varied from 10% to 70%. The optimal conditions for maximisation of pectin yield were the use of citric acid at 80 degreeC and pH 1 with an extraction time of 10 min considering model extrapolation.
The effect of asymmetric laser pulses on electron yield from a laser wakefield accelerator has been experimentally studied using > 10{sup 19} cm{sup -3} plasmas and a 10 TW, > 45 fs, Ti:Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} laser. Laser pulse shape was controlled through non-linear chirp with a grating pair compressor. Pulses (76 fs FWHM) with a steep rise and positive chirp were found to significantly enhance the electron yield compared to pulses with a gentle rise and negative chirp. Theory and simulation show that fast rising pulses can generate larger amplitude wakes that seed the growth of the self-modulation instability and that frequency chirp is of minimal importance for the experimental parameters.
The LAHET code system calculations and experimental results for proton interactions with an energy <50 MeV are compared. For these energies, the theories behind the LAHET models are not applicable. Three quantities compared are (a) the magnitude of the neutron yield generated through proton interactions, (b) the energy and angular distributions of the resultant neutrons, and (c) the residual nuclei produced by proton interactions (spallation products). The comparisons are for protons incident on iron and copper, except in the case of the energy and angular distributions, which are calculated only for iron. The neutron yields predicted by LAHET agree with published measurements to within 50% for both materials. For iron, the predicted energy and angular distributions agree to within a factor of 3. Finally, the predicted spallation product yields of both materials agree with measurements to within a factor of 4.
Analysis of the pattern of the chromosomal localization of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is necessary for comprehensively understanding their functions. The chromosomal localization of QTLs controlling milk production traits has been studied in cattle chromosomes. The distribution of QTLs between chromosomes has proved to be binomial. Their distribution along each chromosome was, in general, uniform, except for the QTLs controlling the somatic cell score (SCS), which tended towards telomeric location. However, there are chromosomes either enriched with or particularly poor in QTLs. The QTL distribution patters are the most similar for the milk yield (M) and milk protein yield (P) and for milk fat yield (F) and milk fat content (%F). The pattern of the SCS QTLs stands out among those of ot...
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae is considered an emerging veterinary pathogen causing pneumonia in sheep and goats worldwide. Currently it has not been possible to define a growth medium that yields the maximum growth of M. ovipneumoniae within a short incubation period. Growth yields of M. ovipneumoniae in Eatons medium are variable and not as consistently high as those seen with other Mycoplasma spp. This study investigated the ability of different M. ovipneumoniae field strains to grow in various media formulations, where PPLO broth was replaced by a vegetable protein source, and comparisons were made in terms of strain viability in Eatons medium. Studies were also conducted to determine the optimal carbohydrate source for use in the M. ovipneumoniae medium. Generally, it was found that differ...
It has been proposed that a hidden conformal field theory (CFT) governs the dynamics of low frequency scattering in a general Kerr black hole background. We further investigate this correspondence by mapping higher order corrections to the massless wave equations in a Kerr background to an expansion within the CFT in terms of higher dimension operators. This implies the presence of infinite towers of CFT primary operators with positive conformal dimensions compatible with unitarity. The exact Kerr background softly breaks the conformal symmetry and the scaling dimensions of these operators run with frequency. The scale-invariant fixed point is dual to a degenerate case of flat spacetime.
In many industrialised societies, women remain underrepresented in the sciences, which can be predicted by the gender gap in math achievement at school. Using PISA 2006 data, we explore the role of family background and single-sex schooling in girls' disadvantage in maths in South Korea and Hong Kong. This disadvantage is found to be associated with single-sex schooling, but not with family background. Attending a girls' school confers a benefit only in South Korea, whereas the gendered curriculum counteracts the selectivity advantage of girls' schools in Hong Kong. We find that a gendered social structure prevalent in both societies.
... All rickettsial diseases respond to treatment with antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline As of 10 May, the Government of South Africa has reported 186 confirmed cases of RVF in humans, including 18 deaths, in Free State Province, Eastern Cape Province, Northern Cape Province, Western Cape, and North West Province. RVF is a viral disease that primarily affects animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and camels). The disease can also affect humans. The main mode of transmission of RVF ...
Eight patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were examined preoperative to locate the affected parathyroid glands. The localisation was done with technetium 99m and thallium 201. This new method seems to be of great value to locate preoperative the affected parathyroid glands. (R.B.).
Within the tight binding framework, a study is made of how the disorder affects the electronic properties of A-15 compounds. In particular it is shown that for compounds of two transition metals in the A-15 structure, the vacancy formation affects the density of states only in the low energy region or in the high energy region, in opposition with the isolated chain model of Labbe and Friedel. It is concluded that interchain interactions are important. (U.K.).
BackgroundApproximately 25% of ischemic stroke patients awaken with neurological deficits. In these patients, in whom the time from symptom onset is uncertain, brain imaging is a...Full Text Available
BackgroundOxidative stress has been proposed as a mechanism linking the poor placental perfusion characteristic of preeclampsia with the clinical manifestations of...Full Text Available
Background. The role of vitamin D in the body's ability to fight influenza and URI's may be dependent on regulation of specific cytokines that participate in the host inflammatory...Full Text Available
BackgroundVisual acuity, the ability of the visual system to distinguish two separate objects at a given angular distance, is influenced by the optical and neuronal properties of...Full Text Available
Background and ObjectivePulsed dye laser (PDL) treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions is associated with variable and unpredictable efficacy. Thus, alternative treatment...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) to the pituitary is performed by ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgeons in collaboration with neurosurgeons but also...Full Text Available
BackgroundIncrease in the incidence of hyperuricemia associated with gout as well as hypertension, renal diseases and cardiovascular diseases has been a public health concern. We...Full Text Available
In this survey paper, we present open problems and conjectures on visibility graphs of points, segments and polygons along with necessary backgrounds for understanding them.
BackgroundLate-onset sepsis in the premature infant is frequently revealed by severe, unusual and recurrent bradycardias. In view of the high morbidity and mortality...Full Text Available
BackgroundFeature selection is an important pre-processing task in the analysis of complex data. Selecting an appropriate subset of features can improve classification or clustering...Full Text Available
BackgroundSister species divergence and reproductive isolation commonly results from ecological adaptation. In mimetic Heliconius butterflies, shifts in colour pattern...Full Text Available
BackgroundOver the past decade, many investigators have used sophisticated time series tools for the analysis of genomic sequences. Specifically, the correlation of the nucleotide...Full Text Available
BackgroundCharacterization of the innate immune repertoire of extant cnidarians is of both fundamental and applied interest - it not only provides insights into the basic immunological...Full Text Available
Background:To encourage evidence-based practice, an Annals of Internal Medicine editorial called for a new professional on clinical teams: an informationist trained...Full Text Available
BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition and one the most common causes of disability in the developed nations. Anecdotally, there is a general...Full Text Available
BackgroundBlindness due to trachoma is avoidable through Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene and Environmental improvements (SAFE). Recent surveys have shown trachoma to be a serious...Full Text Available
BackgroundUnderstanding the mechanisms that control rates of disease progression in humans and other species is an important area of research relevant to epidemiology and to translating...Full Text Available
Background:Prolonged mechanical ventilation is increasingly common. It is expensive and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Our objective is to comprehensively characterize...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe routine removal of orthopaedic fixation devices after fracture healing remains an issue of debate. There are no evidence-based guidelines on this matter, and little...Full Text Available
BackgroundWith the exception of vertebrates, most organisms have plasma membrane associated ammonium transporters which primarily serve to import a source of nitrogen for nutritional...Full Text Available
Background:Solid pseudopapillary tumor is a rare pancreatic neoplasm with uncertain to low malignant potential. This is an uncommon neoplasm with many pseudonyms, occurring...Full Text Available
BackgroundTacrolimus (FK-506) is an immunosuppressant that binds to a specific immunophilin, resulting in the suppression of the cellular immune response during transplant rejection....Full Text Available
BackgroundCystic neoplasms of the pancreas are less common than solid tumors, and portend a better prognosis. They can be divided into serous and mucinous subtypes, with the former...Full Text Available
BackgroundTo identify the differential tuberculosis (TB) characteristics within the immigrant population with respect to natives in Spain.Methodology/Principal...Full Text Available
BackgroundTo investigate the significance of Aurora B expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).MethodsThe Aurora B and Aurora...Full Text Available
BackgroundAlternative splicing is an important mechanism mediating the diversified functions of genes in multicellular organisms, and such event occurs in around 40-60% of human...Full Text Available
Background The Internet is becoming an increasingly important resource for health-information seekers. However, consumers often do not use effective search...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND: An approach to the study of the pharmacokinetics of drugs in the lung is to measure their concentrations in bronchial biopsy specimens. The main criticism of this technique is that bronchial...Full Text Available
BackgroundBrucellosis is a zoonosis of veterinary, public health and economic significance in most developing countries. Human brucellosis is a severely debilitating disease that...Full Text Available
BackgroundProvision of consumer information and patient education are considered an essential part of chronic disease management programmes developed for patients with heart failure....Full Text Available
BackgroundWhether psychological resilience correlates with neurocognitive performance is largely unknown. Therefore, we assessed association between neurocognitive...Full Text Available
BackgroundOrthology analysis is an important part of data analysis in many areas of bioinformatics such as comparative genomics and molecular phylogenetics. The ever-increasing flood...Full Text Available
BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame retardant compounds that are persistent and bioaccumulative and therefore have become ubiquitous environment...Full Text Available
BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is a high-production-volume chemical commonly used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic. Low-level concentrations of BPA in animals and possibly...Full Text Available
BackgroundPlasmodium falciparum is the most malignant agent of human malaria. It belongs to the taxon Laverania, which includes other ape-infecting Plasmodium...Full Text Available
BackgroundSection Calochroi is one of the most species-rich lineages in the genus Cortinarius (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) and is widely distributed...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe monolignol biosynthetic pathway interconnects with the biosynthesis of other secondary phenolic metabolites, such as cinnamic acid derivatives, flavonoids and condensed...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVE: New surgical procedures designed to assist in the treatment of peritoneal surface malignancy were sought. BACKGROUND: Decisions regarding the treatment of cancer depend on the anatomic location...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeveral studies have suggested an association between periodontal disease and prematurity but this finding has not been consistently observed.MethodsCase...Full Text Available
Background:Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) has gained an increasing acceptance as an alternative to the conventional surgical tracheostomy (ST). In experienced hands, and with...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND:In adults, it is well known that high levels of pain catastrophizing are related to increased pain and disability as well as to heightened anxiety and depression. However,...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND:Despite increasing attention to the epidemiology of pain, relatively little is known about the association between pain and health in children. In particular, no studies...Full Text Available
BackgroundMedication errors are common among inpatients and many are preventable with computerized prescribing. Relatively little is known about outpatient prescribing errors or...Full Text Available
BackgroundTitanium and titanium alloys are widely used for fabrication of dental implants. Since the material composition and the surface topography of a biomaterial play a fundamental...Full Text Available
BackgroundBisphenol A (BPA) is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics, including infant formula bottles.ObjectivesBased on the...Full Text Available
BackgroundPrior research links optimism to physical health, but the strength of the association has not been systematically evaluated.PurposeFull Text Available
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated, in a large, heterogeneous population, the outcome of open cholecystectomy as it is currently practiced. SUMMARY BACKGROUND AND DATA: Although cholecystectomy has been...Full Text Available
BackgroundMovement regularities are inherently present in automated goal-directed motions of the primate's arm system. They can provide important signatures of intentional behaviours...Full Text Available
BackgroundCo-flowering plant species frequently share pollinators. Pollinator sharing is often detrimental to one or more of these species, leading to competition for pollination....Full Text Available
BackgroundThe ongoing epidemiological transition in Mexico minimizes the relative impact of neurocysticercosis (NC) on public health. However, hard data on the disease frequency...Full Text Available
... and support cost, and post-retirement disposal cost) of ... from reactors, and the reactors and other ... the ship's hull and reactor compartment enough to ...
Background and PurposeHemodynamic insults at arterial bifurcations are hypothesized to play a key role in intracranial aneurysm formation. This study investigates...Full Text Available
BackgroundMucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) of the pancreas is basically cystic epithelial neoplasm, unilocular or multilocular, occurring almost exclusively in women.Case...Full Text Available
BackgroundStump and phantom pains are debilitating sequelae of amputations that are often resistant to treatment. The efficacy of pharmacologic therapies, including...Full Text Available
BackgroundBorrelia lonestari infects Amblyomma americanum, the tick species that is the most common cause of tick bites in southeast...Full Text Available
BackgroundMolecular genetic studies of Bombyx mori have led to profound advances in our understanding of the regulation of development. Bombyx mori brain,...Full Text Available
BackgroundAs long-term nursing home care is likely to increase with the aging of the population, identifying chronic medical conditions is of particular interest. Although need factors...Full Text Available
Background: Contamination of autologous grafts unfortunately occurs in plastic surgery, but the literature provides no guidance for management of such incidents. Methods: American...Full Text Available
Background. The coexistence of neoplasm and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) presents a real management challenge. This paper reviews the literature on the prevalence, diagnosis,...Full Text Available
Effective localization of small magnets against a noisy, real world background can involve various methods to first identify the magnetic fields produced by the magnet of interest, then to filter out background noise, and then to analyze the available magnetic field data to localize the magnet. Here we discuss low cost techniques which allow localization of small magnets with field strengths in the milliGauss range against real world background fields in the range of hundreds of mG, which may be fluctuating by up to tens of mG. Such techniques allow magnet tracking to be used to localize catheters in place of more invasive and expensive methods, e.g. fluoroscopy, for a variety of applications, including drug infusion with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), laser ablation (TMR, PTMR) and introduction of pacemaker leads.
BackgroundAlthough local excision (ampullectomy) was first described by Halsted in 1899, its adequacy as an alternative surgical treatment for the ampullary tumors is still a matter...Full Text Available
BackgroundLymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a rare lung disease characterised by progressive airflow obstruction. No effective medical treatment is available but therapy with sirolimus...Full Text Available
BackgroundIt is well established that Legionella pneumophila is a waterborne pathogen; by contrast, the mode of Helicobacter pylori transmission...Full Text Available
Background An increasing number of people have access to the Internet, and more people are seeking tobacco cessation resources online every year. Despite the...Full Text Available
• Background and Aims The occurrence of stomata in seed coats is uncommon and there is limited information about their function(s). The aim of this study was to verify the distribution...Full Text Available
BackgroundWhereas there is increasing evidence that loss of expression and/or function of the thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) could result in a selective advantage for tumor development,...Full Text Available
BackgroundIn biomedical ontologies, mereological relations have always been subject to special interest due to their high relevance in structural descriptions of anatomical entities,...Full Text Available
BackgroundGender is a critically important moderator of psychopathology. However, gender similarities and differences in body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) have received...Full Text Available
BackgroundSeveral fractal and non-fractal parameters have been considered for the quantitative assessment of the vascular architecture, using a variety of test specimens and of computational...Full Text Available
Background and AimsAnnonaceae are one of the largest families of Magnoliales. This study investigates the comparative floral development of 15 species to understand the basis for...Full Text Available
Background and objectives: Despite potential significance of fatigue and its underlying components in the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases, epidemiologic data showing the link are virtually limited....Full Text Available
BackgroundEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a standard immunoassay to estimate a protein's concentration in a sample. Deploying ELISA in a microarray format permits simultaneous...Full Text Available
BackgroundThrough differentiation processes, keratinocytes provide a physical barrier to our bodies and control skin features such as moisturization, wrinkles and pigmentation. Keratinocyte...Full Text Available
Background:Since first reported in 1996, endoscopic minimally invasive surgery of the cervical region has been shown to be safe and effective in the treatment of benign thyroid and...Full Text Available
BackgroundMutations that disrupt the conversion of prelamin A to mature lamin A cause the rare genetic disorder Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome and a group of laminopathies....Full Text Available
Background:People with severe and persistent mental illness need help in most aspects of their lives, as the disability associated with these diseases can be debilitating....Full Text Available
BackgroundTo investigate the effects of intravenous lignocaine infusions (IV lignocaine) in fibromyalgia.MethodsProspective study...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe National Cancer Institute has concluded that exposure to smoking in movies causes adolescent smoking and there are similar results for young adults.Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of this report was to describe duodenal obstruction caused by a rubber foreign body in a cow.Case PresentationThe clinical, biochemical...Full Text Available
BackgroundThere is no data documenting the existence of a risk of infection transmission in ambulatory healthcare settings but concern remains. Our objective was to determine the...Full Text Available
BackgroundPerfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are found globally in wildlife and humans and are suspected to act as endocrine disruptors. There are no previous reports of PFAA levels in...Full Text Available
Does the cultural background influence the success with which genetically unrelated individuals cooperate in social dilemma situations? In this paper, we provide an answer by analysing the data of Full Text Available
BackgroundInternet-based depression communities provide a forum for individuals to communicate and share information and ideas. There has been little research into the health status...Full Text Available
BackgroundAlthough advances in rehydration therapy have made cholera a treatable disease with low case-fatality in settings with appropriate medical care, cholera continues...Full Text Available
BackgroundClostridium botulinum produces seven distinct serotypes of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs). The genes encoding different subtype neurotoxins of serotypes...Full Text Available
BackgroundPublicly available DNA sequence databases such as GenBank are large, and are growing at an exponential rate. The sheer volume of data being dealt with presents serious...Full Text Available
BackgroundHypertension is a common non communicable condition worldwide. In developing countries (including Nigeria), the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common....Full Text Available
BackgroundNucleotide sequences and the gene arrangements of mitochondrial genomes are effective tools for resolving phylogenetic problems. Hemipteroid insects are known to possess...Full Text Available
BackgroundA mycovirus previously identified in brown discolored fruiting bodies of the cultivated mushroom Flammulina velutipes was characterized. We tentatively...Full Text Available
Background:Cemented hip arthroplasty is an established treatment for femoral neck fracture in the mobile elderly. Cement pressurization raises intramedullary pressure and...Full Text Available
Background Increasing numbers of cancer patients are using the Internet, but little is known about their attitudes toward online health care.Full Text Available
BackgroundOsseointegration is crucial for the long-term success of dental implants and depends on the tissue reaction at the tissue-implant interface. Mechanical properties and biocompatibility...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe metagenomic analysis of microbial communities holds the potential to improve our understanding of the role of microbes in clinical conditions. Recent, dramatic improvements...Full Text Available
BackgroundMeasures of attachment style are often used to appraise social and emotional health. In developmental literature, the concept of attachment is used to explain...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe purpose of this research was to examine whether waterpipe smokers experience increased risk of motor vehicle crashes.MethodsIn a telephone...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity and mechanism of action of Noscapine alone and in combination with Doxorubicin against triple negative...Full Text Available
BackgroundArtocarpus communis is used traditionally in Cameroon to treat several ailments, including infectious and associated diseases. This work was therefore...Full Text Available
BackgroundPoliovirus, the causative agent of poliomyelitis, is a human enterovirus and a member of the family of Picornaviridae and among the most rapidly evolving viruses known....Full Text Available
BackgroundHearing loss is a common sensory disorder, yet prospective data on potentially modifiable risk factors are limited. Regularly used analgesics, the most...Full Text Available
Background:Antimicrobial agents have been used as a chemotherapeutic agent to improve oral health. This in vitro study was carried out to determine the antimicrobial activity...Full Text Available
BackgroundFunction exertion of specific proteins are key factors in disease progression, thus the systematical identification of those specific proteins is a prerequisite to understand...Full Text Available
SummaryBackgroundMalaria, a non-fatal disease if detected promptly and treated properly, still causes many deaths in malaria-endemic countries with...Full Text Available
BackgroundGhana has not conducted a national tuberculin survey or tuberculosis prevalence survey since the establishment of the National Tuberculosis Control Programme. The primary...Full Text Available
BackgroundMultilevelness is a defining characteristic of complex systems. For example, in the intestinal tissue the epithelial lining is organized into crypts that are maintained...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe evaluation of interventions and policies designed to promote resilience, and research to understand the determinants and associations, require reliable and valid measures...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes is a decisive event in apoptosis or necrosis culminating in cell death. One fundamental mechanism by which...Full Text Available
BackgroundMultiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy associated with the development of a destructive osteolytic bone disease.ResultsMathematical...Full Text Available
BackgroundAmino-terminal signal peptides (SPs) are short regions that guide the targeting of secretory proteins to the correct subcellular compartments in the cell. They are cleaved...Full Text Available
BackgroundAdequate pain assessment is critical for evaluating the efficacy of analgesic treatment in clinical practice and during the development of new therapies. Yet the currently...Full Text Available
BackgroundMycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis causes systemic infection and chronic intestinal inflammation in many species including...Full Text Available