RESUME: Cet article propose une tude du r le croissant que joue l valuation dans la gouvernance des services domicile en Europe. L introduction de quasi march s dans plusieurs pays europ ens va de pair avec un processus d autonomisation de la fonction d valuation qui devient un v ritable outil de r gulation de la concurrence. Une analyse compar e des situations en Belgique, France et Royaume Uni, tant de la demande que de l offre de services, met en vidence les tensions r currentes dansles objectifs de l valuation (qualit des services, ma trise des budgets sociaux, cr ation d emploi), la faible prise en compte de la qualit de l emploi ainsi que les limites des dispositifs standardis s d valuation au regard de la rh torique du libre choix de l usager (consommateur).
In addition to their use in high-speed ovens, microwaves are also finding applications in industrial manufacture, quality control and storage - anywhere where the high-frequency transmission or reflection properties of a material can be exploited. Microwaves are also being used in medical applications for the characterization of certain type of tumours. They are also being used in research into ultrasonic cavitation. (authors) 5 refs.
The study had three objectives: to collect information that explain the impact of the Aube storage center (C.S.A.) on environment and allow to evaluate the consequences for man, secondly, to build a referential for any future inquiry or follow-up, thirdly, to allow to the local commission of information to elaborate an information towards the side residents and local actors that take into account their questions. Trees, waters, sediments, soils, grass, products of gardens and vineyards were the object of sampling, their dosimetry is given in this report. Other dosimetry measures were made along the nuclear site and the results are equally in this report. (N.C.)
Lithium hexa-fluoro-phosphate LiPF{sub 6} is recommended for the replacement of the toxic LiAsF{sub 6} and the explosive perchlorates (like LiClO{sub 4}) in rechargeable lithium electrochemical generators. The aim of this work is to develop a new method of synthesis of this salt and to check its stability with respect to carbonated solvents: ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC) and dimethyl-carbonate (DMC) in already optimized EC/DMC and PC/DMC binary mixtures. Two methods using HPF{sub 6} are proposed: the first one uses the direct neutralization of this commercial acid by LiOH in aqueous, alcoholic or acetonitrile environment, while in the second one LiPF{sub 6} is obtained from pyridinium hexa-fluoro-phosphate synthesized from HPF{sub 6} using a new and simple protocol. (J.S.) 24 refs.
This article, published in issue 80 of 'l'ACROnique du nucleaire', aims to retrace the early steps in the consideration of the possibility of a nuclear accident in France, with the inclusion of 'non-institutional' participants and applying the lessons learned in Belarus in the contaminated territories around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. After a review of the origin of the involvement of the Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l'Ouest (ACRO) in addressing post-accident issues alongside the populations living in an environment polluted by radioactivity, it discusses, from the critical viewpoint of an NGO, the context and the working method adopted for this examination. This is followed by some key elements of the programme and unresolved questions about the available body of knowledge which motivates research and about the method adopted for the work. The conclusion, ...
L'invention concerne un procede de triage de cristaux irradies. Ce procede non destructeur comporte l'irradiation des cristaux par un rayonnement ionisant pendant une duree et avec une intensite telles qu'il se forme des centres colores distinctifs dansles matieres contenant des ions aluminium. Les cristaux colores qui correspondent en teinte et en profondeur de couleur a des teneurs en aluminium en dehors de la teneur desiree peuvent etre separes. On peut isoler ainsi des matieres de quartz, de verre, de silicates exemptes d'aluminium dans un melange, ou bien on peut choisir des fractions de ces matieres, chacune contenant une teneur uniforme en aluminium.
... Producers and their Impacts on Women in Central Java, IndonesiaActions basées sur des scénarios visant à élever ... impact sur les femmes dans le centre de Java, en IndonésieInvestigación-acción basada en...
After a presentation of methods and tools for the basic and extensive characterization of polluted sites and the study of evolution and transfer of current organic pollutants in the ground, the example of the rehabilitation of an old Rhone-Poulenc site (at Chauny, France) polluted with metals and arsenic, is described: soil and aquifer diagnosis, risk analysis and determination of migration schemes
In order to conserve vaccines in hot countries a solar refrigerator has been made by a French university. It is a photothermal refrigerator without batteries. It uses two gases: ammonia and calcium chloride. The refrigerator is autonomous and can work eleven days without sun. (N.C.)
The mass generation in the Standard Model of Particles Physics relies on a spontaneous symmetry breaking mechanism. Its implementation is recalled, along with its constraints, both theoretical (Naturalness, Stability, Triviality, Unitarity) and experimental (limits of direct and indirect searches, prospects). Calculation techniques for observables evaluation in Perturbative Field Theory are described, particularly Helicity Amplitude method, which is given in details: fermions and vector bosons, massless and massive. Monte-Carlo integration, and structure functions approximations (which allows non-perturbative calculations) are also detailed. With these tools, a process giving to Physics beyond the Standard Model is studied: it leads to an experimental prediction for the LEP collision ring, taking the classical background into account. Technical aspects of a future photon linear collider are reviewed. The production of heavy vector bosons, either the classical Z for the hypothetical ...
This study resumes the discovery of an excess of actinium 227 found around by EL4 nuclear reactor actually in dismantling. The search for the origin of this excess revealed a real inquiry of investigation during three years. Because a nuclear reactor existed in this area a particular attention will have concerned this region. The doubt became the line of conduct to find the answer to the human or natural origin of this excess. Finally and against any evidence, it appears that the origin of this phenomenon was natural, consequence of the particular local geology. The detail of the different investigations is given: search of a possible correlation with the composition of elevations constituent of lanes, search (and underlining) of new sites in the surroundings of the Rusquec pond and the Plouenez station, study of the atmospheric deposits under winds of the nuclear power plant and in the east direction, search of a possible relationship with the gaseous effluents of the nuclear power ...
In order to promote the use of natural gas air-conditioning systems in the tertiary sector, Gaz de France (the French gas utility) in association with Electricite de France (EdF) and the French chamber of council engineers (CICF) have created the Acerclim organization which aims at certifying the quality of the design, realization and exploitation of air processing and air-conditioning installations according to the ISO 9001 criteria. This article describes this quality procedure named 'CHSB Air'. (J.S.)
The Purex process and the fluorescence spectrometry are first recalled, then uranyl fluorescence is studied in a pure nitric medium without other elements to establish a theoretical model, allowing the description of uranium fluorescence signal with a general equation. The influence of different parameters (temperature, inhibitors, dynamic quenching of iron and cerium) is investigated to develop the model. A quantitative analysis method without addition of reagents is proposed to validate the model.
The new generation of performing rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (``rocking-chair``-type) are penalized by important self-output phenomena linked with the use of highly oxidizing positive electrodes. In order to limit this problem in LiMn{sub 2}O{sub 4}/C batteries, two different passivation techniques were used in order to limit the surface contact between the positive electrode and the electrolyte. Thanks to these treatments, a significant reduction of the percentage of irreversible capacity losses is effectively observed. (J.S.) 3 refs.
Radon ({sup 222}Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and can be used as a tracer in hydrogeologic studies. Radon concentration measurements have been achieved in ground-air and in groundwater by means of nuclear track detectors to estimate long-term variations. Continuous measurements have been conducted using an electronic automatic probe, to evaluate short-term variations. The results obtained from bore-holes show a good correlation between the aquifer`s structural characteristics and the radon concentrations. The continuous measurements specify rainfall influence. (author). 10 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
The last developments in lithium batteries design have demonstrated the advantages of graphite: competitive cost, flat output curve, high capacity thanks to the obtention of a final compound close to LiC{sub 6}, good behaviour during cycling and a high mass energy. However, these advantages are slightly tarnished by parasite secondary reactions during the evolution of the element. Two different cases are encountered: the formation of a passivation layer (loss of Li ions and formation of irreversible bounds) and the formation of a passivation layer with a reaction between graphite and the solvent (partial destruction of the graphite crystal lattice). In the first case, the theoretical graphite insertion capacity remains at 372 mAh/g while in the second case the insertion capacity is greatly reduced. Abstract only. (J.S.)
This book brings together the 103 presentations given at the 2. conference of the international institute of refrigeration (IIF/IIR) about air conditioning in high rise office buildings. The main themes are: design of air conditioning equipment for high buildings; air quality and thermal comfort inside these buildings; constraints and possible improvements of the refrigeration equipment used; energy conservation; fire protection and smokes detection. All themes are presented both on the technical and economical points of view and concern more particularly the buildings of Chinese cities. This publication is available both on the book and CD-Rom forms. (J.S.)
This two-tomes book brings together the 108 presentations given at the first conference of the international institute of refrigeration (IIF/IIR) about air conditioning in high rise office buildings. The main themes are: general design and control systems, including split systems, radiant panels, fluctuating and gravity ventilation etc..; energy consumption, optimization and heat recovery; cold storage for peak shaving, including ice slurry circulation; indoor air quality; fire and smokes protection, protection against chimney effects and lighting spots; use of fuzzy logic and of neural networks. It includes also a description of the high rise building situation and works in progress in China, Japan and in some other countries. (J.S.)
We will examine modeling data for various orbits using modeling software and compare this with actual satellite flight result. In particular, we will discuss the contributions of trapped protons to total dose and the effectiveness of shielding.
This book brings recommendations and information on the choice and the operating of heating systems and domestic hot water production in order to better choose the house, to better use the heating and to preserve the environment. General notions on the different heating systems and their operating on the renewable energies used and the heating emitters offer advices for the purchase of a house. (A.L.B.)
The critical concentrations correspond to contamination thresholds of environments over which noxious effects can occur and deteriorate soils, water and vegetation. They are defined according to the type of pollutants and their mode of action. The aim of this document is to provide a scientific framework to the policies of reduction of atmospheric pollution negotiated at Geneva`s convention. The methodology of evaluation, the results obtained for surface waters and forest soils, the perspectives of French research and the integration of French knowledge in the European database are presented. (J.S.)
Dual-fuel engines are modified diesel engines burning simultaneously two fuels inside the cylinder: a gaseous one, called the primary fuel and a liquid one, called the pilot fuel. The thermal efficiency of the dual-fuel engine and of the diesel engine are comparable; the level of emissions is lower compared to the diesel one. This article presents a new procedure for the combustion modeling in a LPG-diesel dual-fuel engine. The procedures deals with the ignition delay period and with the rate of heat release inside the cylinder. This procedure is validated using experimental data issued front a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology from Madras, India. The used engine is a single-cylinder one, air-cooled. The pilot fuel is direct injected inside the cylinder The engine was run at constant load and with different diesel substitutions, i.e. for different air to fuel ratios of the primary fuel-air mixture. The general error of the procedure is below 10%. (authors)
Simplifying hypotheses are required when combustion and aerodynamic phenomena are considered simultaneously. In this paper, a turbulent combustion model is proposed, in which the combustion chemistry is reduced to a single reaction. In this way, only two variables are needed to describe the problem and combustion can be characterized by the consumption of one of the two reactive species. In a first step, the instantaneous consumption rate is obtained using the Lagrangian form of the mass fraction equation of the species under consideration, and by considering the equilibrium state only. This state is determined in order to preserve the consistency with results that should be obtained using a complete kinetics scheme. In a second step, the average rate is determined using the instantaneous consumption term and a probabilistic density function. This model was tested on various configurations and in particular on an experimental main chamber and on a reheating chamber. Results indicate ...
Passive films, formed on annealed and cold worked AISI 304 stainless steel in hot chloride media, were examined using polarization resistance and impedance measurements. The obtained results show the influence of cold work on film conductivity, which can be correlated to conditions of susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking. Capacitance measurements, using the Mott-Schottky approach, revealed that a change from n to p type semi-conductivity is associated to susceptible conditions with an increase in the doping density estimated for cold worked samples in the presence of chloride. It is assumed that p-type semi-conductivity of the passive film together with the position of the flat band potential has a strong influence on the dissolution processes at the corrosion potential. Based on this analysis the influence of plastic deformation, at the dislocation scale, is discussed. (authors)
The suitability of the turbulent combustion flamelets model in order to predict the index of NO{sub x} production in turbulent flames of hydrogen diffusion is analyzed. In the flamelet approach, the turbulent flame is equivalent to a group of laminar flames submitted to a mechanical stretching which generates a chemical disequilibrium. This effect can be described by the stretching or by the scalar dissipation ratio. A numerical modeling is performed in order to evaluate the advantages of both approaches and to compare the behaviour of the NO{sub x} emission index with the experiments of Chen and Driscoll. This study shows that predictions of NO{sub x} emission indexes have a correct behaviour with respect to the Damkoehler number only when the scalar dissipation ratio is used as a parameter to describe the chemical state outside equilibrium. Predictions of the flamelet models are improving when the Damkoehler number increases. On the other hand, the absolute NO{sub x} concentrations ...
The deposition of platinum on various carbon blacks was carried out by forming active functional groups on the surface of the carbon support, and exchanging these active groups with different platinum complexes. Using H{sub 2}PtCl{sub 6} solution, an impregnation rather than an exchange takes place. However, using divalent platinum complexes [Pt(NH{sub 3}){sub 4}]{sup 2+}, a fast exchange takes place which leads to extremely small platinum particles highly dispersed on the surface of carbon black. A comparison of the catalytic activities of platinum supported on various carbon blacks was also carried out. The performances of PEFC (Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell) based on the process of the ion exchange are reported. (authors) 3 refs.
Various pollution abatement measures available to combat oil spills were reviewed with emphasis on biodegradation. Microorganisms naturally found in soils and groundwater can efficiently degrade a variety of organic contaminants. For certain sites, local temperature allows the microorganisms to reduce the contaminant concentrations without human intervention. In April 1994, a diesel fuel leak was found at a telecommunication station located in a park. The leak had already contaminated the surrounding soil. The first step of the clean-up procedure was to excavate the contaminated soil, followed by an evaluation to determine the extent of the remaining contamination. It was concluded that by using natural attenuation the deforestation of the remaining affected area could be prevented. In this instance, the natural attenuation process is expected to take five years for completion. 4 refs., 1 tab., 1 fig.
The progress made in particle detection, particularly the design of multi-detectors, like INDRA, that cover a solid angle of almost 4{pi}, have given a new impetus to heavy ion collisions. These detectors are demanding for an efficient way of selecting events that have a common history or similar features, for instance the events representing the de-excitation of a unique emitter. The problem is to find the adequate variable on which the discrimination can be based. Different methods are proposed in this work, the common point is that they require efficient models to reproduce and analyse experimental data in order to apprehend the equation of state of nuclear matter. Most of these models are based on the numerically solving of the nuclear Boltzmann equation. The application to the Ni + Ni reaction with an energy ranging from a few A.MeV to more than 50 A.MeV illustrates this work. (A.C.)
The detection limit of Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA), about a few microgram per kg, is not sufficient to determine iridium concentrations in most geological samples. Use of the coincidence counting of the 316 and 468 keV gamma-rays emitted during the decay of {sup 192}Ir, improved the sensitivity (0.01 microgram per kg). The high iridium content of the clay layers from the Cretaceous-Tertiary transition (KTB) has been considered as an evidence of the extra-terrestrial origin of the KTB mass extinction. However some results indicate that a significant part of the iridium content in sediments has a volcanic origin. Radiochemical Neutron Activation Analysis (RNAA) in some KTB samples and in basic and ultra-basic rocks show that, unlike in volcanic products, no PGE (platinoids) fractionation appears in KTB samples. The nearby chondritic PGE pattern supports an extra-terrestrial origin for the KTB iridium anomaly. 2 figs., 2 tabs., 37 refs.
the development of lithium metal batteries is hindered by the bad reversibility of the Li{sup +}/Li pair, due to dendrites formation which limits the amount of active matter and can generate short-circuits. The chemical and electrochemical phenomena which take place at the electrode/organic electrolyte interface lead to the formation of a complex passivation film which is of prime importance for the functioning of this type of batteries. The in-situ infrared reflection spectroscopy is well adapted to the chemical study of the passivation layer. Two different techniques were used: the substraction normalized interfacial transform infrared spectroscopy (SNIFTIRS) and the electro-chemically modulated infrared reflectance spectroscopy. These methods have shown that the passivation layer that develops on the surface of the lithium electrode in contact with organic solutions (propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate and dimethoxyethane) is mainly made of lithium alkyl carbonates (ROCO{sub ...
Freezing and thaw have an effect on soils, and the effect of the freeze-thaw cycle on soil covers used in the control of acid mine drainage was discussed in this poster presentation. The purpose of soil covers in cases involving acid mine drainage (AMD) is to reduce the exposure of tailings to oxygen which cause AMD. The effect of this freezing-thaw cycle on soft materials used in soil covers with capillary effect was studied. Some laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the properties of the moisture retention layer. The preliminary results were presented. The results indicated that the freeze-thaw cycle might affect the performance of soil covers in the long term, depending on the type of materials selected. Further research is undergoing. 26 figs.
Steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants are periodically checked by means of eddy current probes. The output of a probe is composed of three types of signals: known events (rolling zone, support plates, U-bend part), noise (mainly metallurgical noise) and possible flaws. The latter are random transients, both in arrival time and in shape: they have to be detected and then estimated, before to be fed to the high level stages of a diagnostics system. The objective of the study presented is to develop a semi-automatic system, which could manage and process more than 1 M-bytes of data per tube and provide an operator with reliable diagnostics proposals within a few minutes. This can be achieved only by cooperation of several digital signal processing techniques: detection, segmentation, estimation, noise subtraction, adaptive filtering, modelization, pattern recognition. The paper describes some of these items.
Steam generator tubes in nuclear power plants are periodically checked by means of eddy current probes. The output of a probe is composed of three types of signals: known events (rolling zone, support plates, U-bend part), noise (mainly metallurgical noise) and possible flaws. The latter are random transients, both in arrival time and in shape: they have to be detected and then estimated, before to be fed to the high level stages of a diagnostic system. The objective of the study presented is to develop a semi-automatic system, which could manage and process more than 1 M-bytes of data per tube and provide an operator with reliable diagnostics proposals within a few minutes. This can be achieved only by cooperation of several digital signal processing techniques: detection, segmentation, estimation, noise subtraction, adaptive filtering, modelization, pattern recognition. The paper describes some of these items.
The development of rechargeable lithium batteries with a high mass capacity, made with non-toxic and low cost materials is an important industrial challenge. Morphological and structural modifications occurring in the electrode materials during charge-output cycles should not lower the electrochemical characteristics and the cycling properties of the battery. Thus the structure of electrode materials must be sufficiently deformable and stable to support the constraints linked with lithium intercalation and de-intercalation (ions and electrons absorption/extraction). The aim of this work is to explain some characteristics (mass capacity, ions and electrons mobility, cycling) using the relation between some mechanisms of lithium insertion (sites occupation, lattice reduction mods) and the nature of atoms and chemical bonds (covalence, ionicity). This approach is developed on 2-D models of crystallized and vitreous sulfur compounds (CdI{sub 2} type) with a large inter-sheet distance, and ...
This work gives a global view of legislations in which are included metals chemical states, briefly recalls the conditions to be respected for the CRM (Certified Reference Materials), and describes the results of some current plans for the Norms, Measures and Tests program. (O.M.) 23 refs.
The Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology (CANMET) is a research organization dedicated to the advancement of the Canadian mining industry. It specializes in the development of new technologies and the coordination of scientific partnerships in the fields of mines, metallurgical processes, and the environment. CANMET supports a number of research and development activities related to the mining industry. In this poster presentation, the author described the mandate of CANMET by first introducing the organization chart with a special emphasis placed on the Mining and Mineral Sciences Laboratories. A description of the different types of partnerships was included, followed by specific details concerning all the projects related to the mining industry, such as terrain control, automation of mines, underground mining environment, processes and services, analytical support, environmental programs, mine effluent, waste rock and tailings, ...
ACRO, a NGO equipped with a laboratory to measure radioactivity, runs the Citizen Watchdog of Radioactivity in the Environment. Involving many volunteers, it monitors regularly the French coast of the Channel and many rivers of the North half of France. It also makes investigations in other places. Such an action is aimed to supplement the official monitoring, not to replace it, in order to answer to the worries of the population. This monitoring shows that some radioelements, such as iodine 129, cobalt 60, tritium, etc. released in the environment by nuclear facilities can be detected on very large areas. Carbon 14 was detected up to almost 4 times the background in vegetables around the reprocessing plant of La Hague. ACRO also sits in many official committees to transmit the point of view of the populations exposed to the radioactive pollution. It is lobbying for a decrease of the release authorization, especially for the elements that are ...
{sup 60}Co is produced as an activation product and is present in the low-level aqueous radioactive waste released from the La Hague plant. At present, the concentration in the sea (non filtered at 0.45 {mu}m) at the Goury site are close to or even below, the detection limit: 0.2 mBq.l{sup -1}. The {sup 60}Co speciation depends on the type of effluent considered: in the effluent A ('active'), the cobalt is in the form of a stable trivalent complex; in the effluent V (to be checked), the cobalt is in majority (50% of the activity release) in the form of particles (>0.45 {mu}m), and then in the form of two soluble species: ionic divalent (Co{sup 2+}) and some stable complexes. The evolution of the reprocessing techniques used does not affect the speciation. So, since the nuclear reprocessing plant started at the La Hague plant in 1966, the chemical species discharged in the sea shows time variation related to the evolution of the type of effluent discharged. ...
The preliminary study of the {sup 129}I distribution has allowed to underline the limits of use of a Homalotecium sericeum type terrestrial moss as biological indicator. However, this preliminary study allowed all the same to give a spatial distribution of this radioelement around La Hague reprocessing plant (source term) that underlines the existence of four geographic areas in function of collected activities. The levels are generally under 99 Bq/kg dry. It is recommended to improve the knowledge that we can have of transfers and quantity of iodine 129 from the marine environment to the terrestrial environment, but also, the one that we can have of factors able to modify the spatial distribution of this radionuclide. (N.C.)
In cooling systems, an improved control of scale deposit and corrosion processes is a major challenge and an realistic evaluation tool for water treatments is of the utmost economic importance. In this study, a channel flow cell was used to allow in-situ electrochemical measurements in well defined electrolyte tube flowing conditions. An expression of the mass transfer towards the electrode was established where the diffusion-limited current is a function of Re{sup 1/3} in the laminar regime and was verified experimentally using the redox couples Fe[CN]{sub 6}{sup 4-}/ Fe[CN]{sub 6}{sup 3-} and O{sub 2}/OH{sup -}. This hydrodynamically controlled experimental device was developed to investigate scale deposit processes and to evaluate scale inhibitor efficiency using a electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance. Experiments were performed on three different waters, at various flow rates and temperatures. The efficiency of a well known phosphonate (HEDP) was tested at different ...
The present thesis presents two different aspects of my work in the L3 experiment, which are on one side the search for supersymmetric particles, the scalar leptons, in two different topologies 'electron + X + E' and '2 leptons + 2 photons + E', each of them being related to two theoretical SUSY models, m-SUGRA and GMSB. On the other side my work has been completed by the study of the BGO crystal electromagnetic calorimeter of L3, and the calibration of the electromagnetic calorimeter EGAP. After the essential motivations being reviewed, the production and disintegration modes are detailed concerning the scalar lepton sector at LEP. Then one presents the analysis techniques which I used to perform my selection, and also the results obtained from the data collected by L3 for center of mass energies between {radical} S =183 GeV and 202 GeV. The selection criteria that allow to isolate the events I looked for, including efficiencies but also the ...
In front of the risks linked with the increase of the greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, the decision makers must take into consideration first, the scientific advice of climatic change experts, and second, the considerable inertia of the climatic system. Thus, any action implemented so far will have an impact all along the 21. century and later whatever the future human activities. The aim of this memento is to sensibilize the decision makers about the possible consequences of their choice in terms of volume of greenhouse gases and of medium- and long-term evolution: 1 - stakes, role of local decision-makers (greenhouse effect and climatic change, France's international commitment, stakes, liabilities of local decision makers, decentralization laws, local plans of fight against greenhouse effect, public information and dialogue); 2 - urbanism and transports (urban displacements, alternatives to individual cars, collective transportation systems, parking, inter-region ...
V{sub 2}O{sub 5} based compounds are interesting low potential materials for rechargeable cathodes of lithium electrochemical generators. However, the ionic conductivity and the reversibility of electrochemical cycling of V{sub 2}O{sub 5} are limited by the possibilities of lithium insertion. This work shows that the doping of vanadium pentoxide by a M{sup 3+} trivalent transition element (M Fe, Al, Cr or La) allows to intercalate a more important amount of lithium and to improve the behaviour of the material during cycling. These materials of M{sub 0.11}V{sub 2}O{sub 5.16} formula are obtained by sol-gel synthesis. the electrochemical study of the Fe compound has shown that it is a mixed oxide with a behaviour similar to V{sub 2}O{sub 5}. The maximum capacity is of about 2 F/mole in the case of Fe, Al and Cr compounds and of about 1.7 F/mole in the case of La. The structural evolution of the Fe compound has been followed during the chemical insertion of Li and the same succession of ...
This research has two main goals. First, we wanted to introduce optimization tools in the diffusion code DONJON, mostly for fuel management. The second objective is more practical. The optimization capabilities are applied to the fuel management problem for different CANDU reactors at refueling equilibrium state. Two kinds of approaches are considered and implemented in this study to solve optimization problems in the code DONJON. The first methods are based on gradients and on the quasi-linear mathematical programming. The method initially developed in the code OPTEX is implemented as a reference approach for the gradient based methods. However, this approach has a major drawback. Indeed, the starting point has to be a feasible point. Then, several approaches have been developed to be more general and not limited by the initial point choice. Among the different methods we developed, two were found to be very efficient: the multi-step method and the mixte method. The second kind of ...
The FVM-LES-acoustic analogy method (FVM-LES-AAM), which is a hybrid prediction technique for the acoustical property computation, is presented and performed in this paper. The FVM-LES-AAM was developed by combining the finite volume method (FVM), the large eddy simulation (LES), and the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings analogy algorithm (FWH-AA). To predict the acoustical properties of induction cookers, the FVM is used for discretizing the calculation field and building numerical equations, and the LES and FWH-AA are performed for computing the sound sources and predicting the far-field sound, respectively. Using the FVM with the unstructured grids method to discretize the control equation of Navier-Stokes was introduced for illuminating the above numerical simulation procedure. To prove the FVM...
The aim of the present study was to describe the distribution and remobilization of plutonium (Pu) in the sediments off the Rhone river mouth. Most of the {sup 238}Pu and {sup 239,240}Pu isotopes introduced into the Rhone River were discharged by the liquid effluents released from the Marcoule reprocessing plant, located 120 km upstream the river mouth. Due to its high affinity for particles and its long half life, {sup 238}Pu is a promising tracer to follow the dispersion of particulate matter from the Rhone River to the Mediterranean Sea. During the 3 REMORA cruises, sediment samples were specifically collected in the Rhone pro-delta area and more offshore on the whole continental shelf of the Gulf of Lions. The measurements of alpha emitters gave a first detailed spatial distribution of Pu isotope concentrations in surface sediments off the Rhone mouth. Using {sup 137}Cs concentrations and their correlations with Pu isotopes, we were able to give a first estimate of Pu inventories ...
A model-base expert system is presented for the processing of alarm messages in power networks' control centers. This alarm processor, called GESTAL, generates concise diagnoses identifying the causes(s) of network disturbances and describing the operation of the protection and alarm systems which operate to isolate faulty components. Essentially, the alarm processor is an agenda driven expert system which is composed of a model of the power network's alarm and protection systems as well as several sets of rules. Based on the nextwork model, graph structures are constructed which represent relationships between alarms as they are received. These graph structures are then analysed in order to diagnose the disturbances(s). The alarm processor has been developed using the ART 3.0 programming language in a Symbolics Lisp-machine environment. Background material on expert systems, electric power networks, and alarm processing software is included, as ...
Mining operations took place at the Sullivan Mine, located at Sullivan, Abitibi, Quebec between 1930 and 1967 and generated large quantities of tailings. These tailings now represent a waste rock pile in the shape of a delta on the shore of De Montigny Lake. The area covers approximately 50 hectares. When the waste rock pile was first established, several terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems were lost forever. In addition, the very nature of the tailings, combined to the action of the wind and lake, further slow the natural site regeneration. The Ministere des Ressources naturelles du Quebec (Quebec Natural Resources Department) asked Les Consultants en Environnement Argus to prepare a site remediation plan to stimulate the natural regeneration of the ecosystems. It would enable the local fauna to resume its occupation of the territory, while ensuring its proper integration in the environment. The authors described in detail the proposed plan ...
Modelization of crack propagation and theoretical prediction of rupture are the two main objectives of researchers in stress corrosion cracking. Nevertheless, to reach this aim, the behavior of the passive film which appears spontaneously on the substrate in contact with an environment has to be known. This structural and mechanical characterization is all the more difficult because the number of parameters is important: crystallinity rate, defects concentration, thickness (about a few nanometers), electric field, chemical composition (a lot of oxides are present), peeling layers (atomic structure for example) and some hypothesis can be made about their multi-layer structure, their chemical composition or their epitaxial character... Passive films formed on 316L or 304L stainless steels in different aqueous solutions (in ambient air, in MgCl{sub 2} at 117 deg. C...) have been studied and some important remarks about their mechanical properties are made (brittle ...
A large part of mechanical and durability characteristics of cement-based materials comes from the performances of the hydrated cement, cohesive matrix surrounding the granular skeleton. Experimental studies, in situ or in laboratory, associated to models, have notably enhanced knowledge on the cement material and led to adapted formulations to specific applications or particularly aggressive environments. Nevertheless, these models, developed for precise cases, do not permit to specifically conclude for other experimental conclusions. To extend its applicability domain, we propose a new evolutive approach, based on reactive transport expressed at the microstructure scale of the cement. In a general point of view, the evolution of the solid compounds of the cement matrix, by dissolutions or precipitations, during chemical aggressions can be related to the pore solution evolution, and this one relied to the ionic exchanges with the external ...
A.C.R.O. (Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l'Ouest) is a French non governmental organisation that operates a laboratory for radioactivity analysis. It was created in 1986 as a response to people demands for information and reliable, independent testing. The organisation mainly carries out missions of information and training for its correspondents and more generally for a wide audience, particularly for people who worry about problems of environment, health, management of radioactive waste and emissions. Thanks to its structure, it enables citizens to involve themselves together with scientists so as to gain access to information that was hither to reserved to specialists. The organisation can vouchsafe its independence from the diversity of its members and volunteers, as well as from the diversity of its money resources. Besides its headquarters situated on the city of Caen area (Normandy), three branches ...
The 24 papers presented at the conference on Neutralisation des eaux de drainage dans l'environnement minier (NEDEM) (Mine Environment Neutral Drainage (MEND)) 2000 symposium on research on innovative methods to control acid mine drainage, covered eight sessions with both technical and general interest papers. The technical papers covered the topics of acid mine drainage and remediation measures, such as flooding, soil cover with various materials, encapsulation, and others. Other topics discussed included the freeze-thaw cycle and its effect on the performance of soil covers. The environmental impacts of acid mine drainage were also described. Some case studies were included to further illustrate the environmental impacts of acid mine drainage and to demonstrate the effectiveness of remedial actions in specific situations. Most of the cases studied were mines located in Quebec and Northern Ontario, with some in British Columbia. The ...
Idiopathic achalasia is a primary esophageal motor disorder characterized by esophageal aperistalsis and abnormal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in response to deglutition. It is a rare...Full Text Available
This 2001 status on the use of renewable energies in France makes a synthesis of the electric and heat productions of renewable origin. It lists the primary or secondary productions of renewable energies, and details the uses corresponding to each renewable energy production source and their respective satisfaction of consumer's needs (residential, industry and agriculture sectors). A detail statistical status for 1999, 2000 and 2001 is presented in tables. (J.S.)
Samples of Parmelia sulcata and Xanthoria parietina from different biotopes have been analysed for elements of the series of uranium 238 and thorium 232. These species have been used as bio-monitors in different cases : urban areas, coal fired power plant, tip for uranium-mining residues. The concentration of most of these elements in lichens is decreasing as follows: radium waste-disposal site > area with uranium-rich soil > urban area > rural area. Road traffic was not found to increase notably the presence of radioactive lead in the environment. The two foliose lichens seem to have a comparable concentration ability, but Parmelia sulcata appeared to be more reliable. Some of the elements under investigation could be particularly problematic from a sanitary point of view: the intake limits in case of inhalation are very low and the atmospheric deposition is not negligible; this is particularly so for lead 210 and thorium 228. These elements should not ...
The school building complex Waterland in The Hague, Netherlands, was built with a hybrid ventilation system. The indoor environment and energy consumption were monitored for one year. Air quality and thermal comfort are of a high quality and the consumption of energy for heating is circa 35% lower than normal. The Waterland project was one of eight demonstration projects, carried out within the framework of the ECBS-Annex 35: Hybrid ventilation in New and retrofitted Office Buildings. ECBS stands for the IEA-program Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems. [Dutch] In ECBCs-annex 35 (ECBS staat voor het IEA-programma Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems) is uitgebreid onderzoek gedaan naar hybride ventilatiesystemen in kantoren en scholen. Dit project heeft geleid tot acht internationale voorbeeldprojecten, waarvan scholencomplex Waterland te Den Haag er een van is. Het scholencomplex is in 2003 opgeleverd met een hybride ...
A.C.R.O. (Association pour le Controle de la Radioactivite dans l Ouest) is a French non governmental organisation that operates a laboratory for radioactivity analysis. It was created in 1986 as a response to people demands for information and reliable, independent testing. The organisation mainly carries out missions of information and training for its correspondents and more generally for a wide audience, particularly for people who worry about problems of environment, health, management of radioactive waste and emissions. Thanks to its structure, it enables citizens to involve themselves together with scientists so as to gain access to information that was hither to reserved to specialists. The organisation can vouchsafe its independence from the diversity of its members and volunteers, as well as from the diversity of its money resources. Besides its headquarters situated on the city of Caen area (Normandy), three branches situated in ...
The objective of this manuscript is to fully derive a geophysical multiphase model able to ''accommodate'' different multiphase turbulence approaches; viz., the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS), the Large Eddy Simulation (LES), or hybrid RANSLES. This manuscript is the first part of a larger geophysical multiphase project--lead by LANL--that aims to develop comprehensive modeling tools for large-scale, atmospheric, transient-buoyancy dusty jets and plume (e.g., plinian clouds, nuclear ''mushrooms'', ''supercell'' forest fire plumes) and for boundary-dominated geophysical multiphase gravity currents (e.g., dusty surges, diluted pyroclastic flows, dusty gravity currents in street canyons). LES is a partially deterministic approach constructed on either a spatial- or a temporal-separation between the large and small scales of the flow, ...
Ramjet burners are known to produce highly unsteady operating conditions with strong couplings between combustion, acoustics and flow dynamics. Predicting such operating limit-cycles still remains a difficult task for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) although recent use of Large Eddy Simulation (LES) clearly opens new possibilities. The main difficulties for LES are to properly address numerically specific flow features at the same time. For example, a proper representation of the acoustic ramjet eigenmodes necessitates for the solver to be able to treat shocks often present at the inflow conditions without interfering with the low Mach number flow in the region of combustion. Chemistry modelling is another difficulty and it is still not clear what level of description is sufficient to r...
Ethnopharmacological relevanceHLXL is a traditional Chinese medicine that has long been used in folk medicine for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases....Full Text Available
sur la médiatisation des élections Il s'est ouverte le 16 septembre 2011 à Matadi dans le Bas-Congo une formation sur la médiatisation des questions électorales,...
isotherme, dans un courant d'azote ou sous vide entretenu. I t. Comptes Rendus Scientific Academy, Paris, Vol. 265 pyrolyse du carbonate de calcium, ...
The results make appear that the cesium 137 would be eliminated less quick than what the ICRP considered for its models. Pectin would accelerate the cesium elimination but less quick than what is announced by its promotors. Politically speaking, the pectin is ignored by the officials of medicine and radiation protection at the pretext that its efficiency is not proved but no study is made. (N.C.)
French English ... Orig. Title Imagerie IRM des lesions focales hepatiques avec les antennes de surface en reseau phase (phased array): apnee ou imagerie haute resolution?.
Le Club d’Orientation du CERN vous propose de venir participer à la cinquième étape de la coupe d’automne Genevoise. Celle-ci sera organisée samedi 16 octobre par le club de Lausanne-Jorat (Canton de Vaud). Un fléchage depuis le Mont-sur-Lausanne en direction de Cugy vous conduira au Chalet à Gobet. 5 circuits seront proposés sur la carte Le Flon. Les inscriptions et les départs se feront sur place de 13h à 15h. Il est prévu une initiation à 13h30 pour les débutants. Les deux dernières étapes de la coupe d’automne sont prévues pour vendredi 22 octobre au soir et samedi 23 octobre après-midi. Le Club d’Orientation du CERN Informations sur le site ...
Thermal striping is identified as one of the causes of thermal fatigue failure in nuclear power plants. Numerical studies of thermal striping require three-dimensional, unsteady turbulent modeling that resolves both large and small-scale turbulent motions. Benchmark studies were carried out using the LES turbulence model solved by the commercial CFD code FLUENT. Two types of mixing tee configurations were modeled to evaluate the performance of the CFD code. The simulation results presented in normalized average temperature and normalized fluctuating temperatures are in good agreement with measurements.
The increasing sophistication of modern cars and todays tendency of developing compact vehicles more adapted to urban traffic have led to increased performance requirements from alternators and their bearings. This paper describes todays criteria for the design of alternators and of their bearings (improvement of tightness, design of race, grease, specific steels) and the final validation of the products. The last part of the paper describes the new CARB toroidal roller bearing developed by SKF which can support misalignments and internal axial displacements under high rotation speeds. (J.S.)
The unsteady flow and heat transfer are simulated using LES and DNS for a channel with two angled ribs as a vee-shaped vortex generator to augment heat transfer. The vortex generators are attached on the bottom wall of the channel and their angles in respect to the main flow are between 10"o and 30"o. The Prandtl number is 0.71 and the Reynolds numbers based on the inflow velocity and the height of channel are from 200 to 2000. Based on the results of this work, the variations of the Nusselt number, pressure coefficient, bulk temperature, friction factor and Colburn factor with the Reynolds numbers and the incidence angles are provided. The relation between the key parameters of the velocity (friction factor f) and thermal (Colburn factor J) boundary layers is calculated for all cases and their values are compared with the predicted values by the Chilton-Colburn analogy. A comparison between the DNS and LES results is performed and it is found ...
The patient positioning and repositioning control in radiation therapy all along the treatment can be conducted using a variety of X-ray sources and imaging detector devices. The development of image guided radiation therapy techniques leads to more frequent use of this imaging control. In this article we summarize the current methods for measuring the dose delivered by X-ray imaging devices used in radiation therapy, as well as basic proposals to take account of these imaging doses for prescribing, recording and reporting radiation therapy treatment. (authors)
This poster presentation covered a number of issues related to the new regulations concerning information on new substances derived from the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). The authors described the background, and the objectives of the research project. A brief overview of the Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) process was provided, as well as the sulphate reduction process. The general methodology was explained, and the results of the bioactivation presented. The process followed for the bioaugmentation and the results obtained were presented. The regulations concerning information on new substances derived from the CEPA were described. The authors then presented their conclusions and perspectives. 26 figs.
This paper details the design of a premixed, swirl-stabilized combustor that was designed and built for the express purpose of obtaining validation-quality data for the development of large eddy simulations (LES) of gas turbine combustors. The combustor features nonambiguous boundary conditions, a geometrically simple design that retains the essential fluid dynamics and thermochemical processes that occur in actual gas turbine combustors, and unrestrictive access for laser and optical diagnostic measurements. After discussing the design detail, a preliminary investigation of the performance and operating envelope of the combustor is presented. With the combustor operating on premixed methane/air, both the equivalence ratio and the inlet velocity were systematically varied and the flame structure was recorded via digital photography. Interesting lean flame blowout and resonance characteristics were observed. In addition, the combustor exhibited a large region of ...
The TTT diagrams describing the beta to alpha isothermal transformation have been made by isothermal dilatometry for pure uranium and 21 alloys based on chromium, silicon, molybdenum, iron, aluminium, zirconium. The thermal cycle preceeding the isothermal...
Transcription for a hybrid SV40 promoter-beta globin coding sequence recombinant initiates from both early-early (EE) and late-early (LE) SV40 start sites (EES and LES) in the absence of DNA replication....Full Text Available
The present report concerns a research for the tritium and for the carbon 14 in lichens in a spirit of bio-indication: the first results appear in Daillant and al (2004 ) and additional results were presented to the congress B.I.O.M.A.P. in Slovenia, organized collectively by the institute Josef Stefan from Ljubljana and the international atomic energy agency from Vienna (Daillant and al 2003). (N.C.)
This document presents the integrated reactors concepts by a presentation of four reactors: PIUS, SIR, IRIS and CAREM. The core conception, the operating, the safety, the economical aspects and the possible users are detailed. From the performance of the classical integrated PWR, the necessity of new innovative fuels utilization, the research of a simplified design to make easier the safety and the KWh cost decrease, a new integrated reactor is presented: SCAR 600. (A.L.B.)
The petroleum and petroleum products increase offer a real development opportunity to the alternative fuels. In the context of the french energy accounting increase, the energy independence notion incites the government to promote these new fuels. If the LPG seems declining because of the accident risks fear, the fuel cell is not for today. Near these two sectors what is the future of the biofuels and the natural gas vehicle or the electric cars? (A.L.B.)
At the beginning of the seventies, physicists discovered a new scale in the matter structure. Protons and neutrons, components of the atomic nucleus, seemed to be constituted by even more elementar particles: the quarks. But while they seemed to move freely inside the protons, it was impossible to isolate one of these quarks. The Nobel Prize for physics rewarded the explanation of this phenomenon (3 pages)
The relations between nuclear energy availability and nuclear plant safety are analyzed in the particular cases of naval propulsion nuclear boilers (aircraft carriers, submarines): safety objectives, present and potential risk analysis, optimization of the availability-safety couple, at the design stage and during operation (procedural rules related to the boiler state, real time decisions). 6 fig., 1 tab.
HyPac is a french platform on the hydrogen and fuel cells applications, created in 2008. the authors presents the opportunities of the french platform HyPac, the objectives, the participants and the budget. (A.L.B.)
In this article, the author presents the main technological solutions, available or in development, on X-ray detectors in order to obtain a digital image in biomedical radiography or in industrial radiography: linear x-ray detectors and bidimensional x-ray detectors (memory radioluminescent screens, matrix plan detectors).
The European gas market is continuing to expand due to increased industrial, domestic and power generation demand. As a result of this demand, and the trend toward liberalization of the market, the need for storage of gas is also increasing. One key segment of the large scale storage of gas is underground storage, either in partially depleted gas or oil fields, naturally occurring caverns, aquifers and salt cavities. In most cases the gas produced after storage requires conditioning to meet the water of hydrocarbon dew point specification of the gas transmission system. For that reason export gas from storage will require gas conditioning in order to meet pipeline specifications. Adsorption as a feasible and reliable process will be presented in detail and especially in regards to hydrocarbon dew-pointing compared with other process options. (author)
Although clinic environments are a primary location for exchanging information with clinicians, patients experience these spaces as harsh environments to access, use, exchange, and manage information....Full Text Available
An environmental study was done to examine the prevalence of Vibrio mimicus in some aquatic environments of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and of Okayama, Japan. Water samples from Dhaka environments and water...Full Text Available
Since several years, several manufacturers of circuit breakers from various countries (South Africa, UK, The Netherlands, USA..) try to impose in accommodations a highly sensitive electronic-type of differential circuit-breaker initially devoted to industrial installations where qualified and experienced professionals are present. This technical paper presents first the principles of the classical electromechanical circuit breakers and of the electronic circuit breaker, and then compares their relative efficiency and level of safety in residential use conditions (grounding schemes, voltage drops, rupture of the neutral conductor, rupture of the phase conductor, overvoltages). (J.S.)
The in-situ observation of dendritic growth in lithium/polymer electrolyte-LiTFSI/lithium battery cells shows that dendrites grow up with about the same rate as anion migration. Memory effects have been evidenced in cycling experiments and limit the dendrites length. An overall movement of the electrolyte due to variations of electrolyte concentration in the vicinity of the electrodes has been observed too. (J.S.) 13 refs.
CYRANO3 is the new EDF thermomechanical code developed to evaluate the overall fuel rod behavior under irradiation. In that context, this paper presents the phenomena to be simulated and the correlations adopted for modelling purposes. The empirical models presented are taken from the CYRANO2 code and a compilation of the relevant literature. The present revision corrects and supplements version B on the basis of its use during the software coding phase from January 1991 to May 1993. (authors). figs., tabs., 120 refs.
This final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy looks at the possibilities for improved waste water utilization in the Lavey-les-Bains thermal spa, Switzerland. According to the regulations in force, the temperature of the waste water rejected into the Rhone river shall not exceed 30 {sup o}C, what is currently not the case. Also the operational cost shall be reduced and the waste water quality improved. The installations are presented. From the two geothermal wells, mineral water comes out at an average flow rate of 940 l/min and a temperature of 63 {sup o}C. Actual waste water data are reported. The measured thermal water consumption data, including seasonal variations, are analysed by computerized simulation and measures to reduce the consumed volume by the optimization of internal procedures are evaluated. Measures to reduce the quantity of the rejected free chlorine are discussed. Several possible adaptations of the existing space heating, domestic ...
This final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy looks at the possibilities for improved waste water utilization in the Lavey-les-Bains thermal spa, Switzerland. According to the regulations in force, the temperature of the waste water rejected into the Rhone river shall not exceed 30 "oC, what is currently not the case. Also the operational cost shall be reduced and the waste water quality improved. The installations are presented. From the two geothermal wells, mineral water comes out at an average flow rate of 940 l/min and a temperature of 63 "oC. Actual waste water data are reported. The measured thermal water consumption data, including seasonal variations, are analysed by computerized simulation and measures to reduce the consumed volume by the optimization of internal procedures are evaluated. Measures to reduce the quantity of the rejected free chlorine are discussed. Several possible adaptations of the existing space heating, domestic water ...
R?sum? La rate baladeuse est une anomalie rare chez l?enfant. Elle est souvent d?crite chez l?adulte, particuli?rement la femme enceinte. Elle est due ? un d?faut de fixit? anatomique de la rate avec les organes de voisinage. Ses manifestations cliniques sont variables, mais la complication la plus redoutable est la survenue d?une torsion du p?dicule spl?nique. Nous rapportons le cas d?une fille de 11 ans qui s?est pr?sent?e avec des douleurs abdominales aigu?s et des vomissements. Les examens radiologiques ont montr? une absence de la vascularisation spl?nique. ? l?exploration chirurgicale, on a d?couvert une torsion du p?dicule spl?nique avec une isch?mie tissulaire avanc?e. La rate ?tait d?pourvue d?attaches ligamentaires. La d?torsion n?a pas permis de sauvegarder la rate, et une spl?n...
Abuzakuk T, Coward P, Shenava Y, Kumar VS, Skinner JA. The management of wounds following primary lower limb arthroplasty: a prospective, randomised study comparing hydrofibre and central pad dressings. Pris en charge des plaies apres arthroplastie primaire du member inferieur: une etude randomisee prospective comparant hydrofibre et pansements central pad La prise en charge des plaies apres arthroplastie du member inferieur n'a pas fait l'objet de recherches approfondies, essentiellement car ces plaies cicatrisent habituellement sans complications. Cependant, lorsque des implants prothetiques sont utilizes, les serieux problemes de plaies peuvent devenir desastreux. Nous rapportons les resultants d'une etude prospective, randomisee, controlee comparant un hydrofibre et un pasnement centra...
Fluid dynamic analysis of a commercial, counter-flow Ranque-Hilsch Vortex Tube (Rh vt), Ex air 25 s cfm, has been performed in this work both experimentally and numerically; in particular Rh vt cooling power and temperature separation performances have been tested in both direct cooling employment (jet impingement) and indirect cooling employment (supplying cold plates). Experimental techniques, used in this work, revealed several difficulties to produce detailed information about velocity and temperature fields inside the tube and at both the exits. Hence numerical simulation of the flow inside the tube has been conducted using the commercial Cfd code Fluent 6.3.26. Compressible, turbulent, high swirling flow inside Rh vt has been simulated by using both Rans and Les approaches. In particular several turbulence closures have been used in the Rans simulations and results have been compared with Les ones. Large Eddy Simulations have been ...
This report presents the main conclusions of 15 years of researches managed by the CEA. This report is the preliminary version of the 2005 final report. It presents the main conclusions of the actions on the axis 1 and 3 of the law of the 30 December 1991. The synthesis report on the axis 1 concerns results obtained on the long lived radionuclides separation and transmutation in high level and long lived radioactive wastes. the synthesis report on the axis 3 presents results obtained by the processes of conditioning and of ground and underground long term storage. (A.L.B.)
The survey of radiation protection programmes for transport has been jointly performed by three scientific organisations I.P.S.N. (France), G.R.S. ( Germany), and N.R.P.B. (United kingdom) on behalf of the European Commission and the pertaining documentation summarises the findings and conclusions of the work that was undertaken with the principal objectives to provide guidance on the establishment, implementation and application of radiation protection programmes for the transport of radioactive materials by operators and the assessment and evaluation of such programmes by the competent authority and to review currently existing radiation protection programmes for the transport of radioactive materials. (N.C.)
The accuracy of the carbon 14 dating method is dependent on the fluctuations of carbon 14 in the atmosphere over long periods of time. Fossil corals that are dated by both carbon 14 and uranium-thorium methods allows the setting of calibration curves for the carbon 14 method for the last 50.000 years. The uranium-thorium method is based on the measurement of the ratio of 2 isotopes: thorium 230 and uranium 234 that are both present in the decay chain of uranium 238. (A.C.)
This paper presents fundamental researches based on the electronic structure calculations and X absorption spectroscopy, allowing the knowledge on nuclear fuels at an atomic scale. They bring a better understanding of these material behavior to accurate the macroscopic simulation. The calculation methods, the experimental techniques of validation and the ab initio calculations results are detailed. (A.L.B.)
The measurement of air pollutants is no more sufficient. It is necessary to assess the risk induced by air pollution, and then to put in place actions to reduce it. The air quality monitoring takes into account different pollutants: nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulates for the traffic; sulfur dioxide and particulates for use of fuel or coal or chemical transformations in air; ozone and nitrogen dioxide from hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxides emissions; the use of simulation methods allow to calculate the concentrations levels for these pollutants taken as indicators. (N.C.)
This report documents the results of a project funded by DoD's Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) on the science behind development of predictive models for soot emission from gas turbine engines. Measurements of soot formation were performed in laminar flat premixed flames and turbulent non-premixed jet flames at 1 atm pressure and in turbulent liquid spray flames under representative conditions for takeoff in a gas turbine engine. The laminar flames and open jet flames used both ethylene and a prevaporized JP-8 surrogate fuel composed of n-dodecane and m-xylene. The pressurized turbulent jet flame measurements used the JP-8 surrogate fuel and compared its combustion and sooting characteristics to a world-average JP-8 fuel sample. The pressurized jet flame measurements demonstrated that the surrogate was representative of JP-8, with a somewhat higher tendency to soot formation. The premixed flame measurements revealed that flame temperature has a ...
In order to avoid the use of catalysts in the process of auto-thermal reforming, it is possible to adopt a running at high temperature. In this study are presented the results of simulations of an auto-thermal/recuperator hybrid reforming system; these results are obtained with the oxidation model of alkanes developed by Ranzi and Faravelli. An isothermal configuration at high temperature improves the hydrogen yield and avoids the formation of soots. The analysis of the powers to be furnished to assure such an experimental mode, and the global approach of the fuel cell system show that the management of the heat exchanges is a key parameter in this process. (O.M.)
Similar to many other countries, an educational reform anchored in a managerial discourse was proposed in Israel in 2004 by the Dovrat Committee, encouraged by the 'inter-state education gap' social problem that economist Dan Ben-David formulated on the basis of international examinations, such as PISA and TIMMS. Through a neo-Weberian approach this study follows the construction of a managerial discourse from the 1970s onwards that led to the Dovrat report. In the first period, managerial discourse was constructed around decentralization, parent choice and school autonomy 'social objects' by an expanding reformist network of educational scholars and figures from the Ministry of Education and local authorities. The pervasion of managerial discourse paved the way for the nomination of Shlom...
This poster presentation gave an overview of the subaqueous deposition of reactive mine tailings in the open trench Don Rouyn, located near Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The author began by providing a brief background of subaqueous mine tailing storage, and discussed the interest of the Don Rouyn trench. The site was described according to geomorphological and geological aspects. The hydrology conditions existing at the site were mentioned, and the results of the hydrology analysis performed were indicated. Close monitoring of the situation was maintained, and the chemical and physical stability of the tailings were evaluated. The conditions that prevailed both before and after the flooding of the site were explained. Water quality is being monitored, and the results obtained at this site might be used at other locations. 40 figs.
We have studied freshly prepared lysozyme solutions in heavy water for two NaCl concentrations as a function of temperature. Lysozyme solubilities in this solvent are determined by static light scattering. By small angle neutron scattering, we evidence that interactions between lysozyme molecules are characterized by a second virial coefficient A{sub 2} whether the solution is under-saturated or supersaturated. From the variation of A{sub 2} as a function of temperature we have evaluated the enthalpy corresponding to the interaction between lysozyme molecules. We show that the interactions between protein molecules are higher in heavy water than in light water. (authors). 13 refs., 3 figs.
The elastic behaviour of YBaCuO specimens has been studied by very low-frequency isothermal internal-friction measurements. A relaxation peak is observed which is attributed to oxygen atom jumps, between A(1/2 0 0) and B(0 1/2 0) sites, in the CuO planes of the orthorhombic phase. A limit relaxation time {tau}{sub 0}, 2.6 {center dot} 10{sup -15}s, and an activation energy, 1.3eV, have been obtained from the shift of the maximum damping frequency observed when the measurement temperature is changed. The proposed values for the limit relaxation time and the activation energy are in good agreement with those previously proposed in the literature.
Today, component oriented middlewares are used to design, develop and deploy easily distributed applications, by ensuring the heterogeneity, interoperability, and reuse of the software modules, and the separation between the business code encapsulated in the components and the system code managed by the containers. Several standards answer this definition such as: CCM (CORBA Component Model), EJB (Enterprise Java Beans) and .Net. However these standards offer a limited and fixed number of system services, removing any possibility to add system services or to reconfigure dynamically the middleware. Our works propose mechanisms to add and to adapt dynamically the system services, based on a reconfiguration language which is dynamically adaptable to the need of the reconfiguration, and on a tool of dynamic reconfiguration, a prototype was achieved for the OpenCCM platform, that is an implementation of the CCM specification. This work was partially financed by the european project ...
ResumeLa convergence des solutions faibles du systeme de Navier-Stokes-Fourier-Poisson compressible avec un terme de frottement est etudiee dans la limite dun frottement infini, la loi de pression incluant, comme cas particulier, celle correspondant aux particules de Fermi-Dirac. La limite se trouve etre une solution faible dun systeme de Smoluchowski-Poisson non isotherme, la temperature ne dependant que de la variable temporelle et etant determinee par la conservation de lenergie totale.
More and more reforms in public administrations are being conducted that are based on the principles and instruments of ''new public management''. They have set off protest and collective actions by several professional groups in various sectors (health, education, justice, social work, research...), whence questions about the future of professional groups in public services, in particular about their autonomy, which these reforms threaten. The opposition between this new public management and certain professional groups, is not the final explanation to draw from an analysis of this situation. Should these changes be seen as the decline of professional groups and of their autonomy, as a mutation of professional models, an overhaul of professionalism, etc.? These questions, which current ev...
At the 7th Healthy Buildings Conference, which was held in Singapore, 7-11 December 2003, more than 500 articles to improve public health and productivity of workers in buildings and the performance of installations. Special attention is paid to indoor air quality and thermal comfort in relation to energy efficiency. [Dutch] Op de laatste Healthy Buildings conferentie, december 2003 in Singapore, werden meer dan 500 artikelen gepresenteerd over het creeren van gezonde, productiviteit verhogende gebouwen en installaties. Deze keer lag de nadruk op binnenluchtkwaliteit en thermisch binnenklimaat, onder andere op het aspect energiezuinigheid. Opvallend was ook de aandacht die de problemen met binnenluchtkwaliteit in ontwikkelingslanden kreeg.
The aim of this economic study is the wording of a synthetic document for the public information in the framework of the 98/30/CE european directive transposition to the gas internal market. It is writing in four main chapters, one for each country concerned: the Germany, the Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Each one presents the historical context, the actors of the natural gas industry and the main provisions. (A.L.B.)
Industrial premises bear more and more important thermal constraints which can commonly reach 150 W/m{sup 2} and more. The reason is the general development of automation and automatic devices and the better thermal insulation of buildings. Production quality requires also more and more strict ambient conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality, air flow etc..). Thus, the air-conditioning market in the industrial sector is more linked to economic factors such as productivity and profit than to thermal comfort of workers. However, the air-conditioning potentialities in the industrial sector remains under-exploited in France. This paper analyzes the reasons of this situation in terms of investments and equipments. (J.S.)
...wood smoke, emissions, pollution, heaters, environment, Earthbeat - 25/5/2002: Woodsmoke, Health & the Environment Love that Planet All in the Mind The Buzz Health Report In Conversation Ockhams Razor Science Show The Lab Health Matters Catalyst Quantum ...
A historical review on insulated cables for power transmission, is presented, beginning with impregnated paper insulation, oil filled cables and natural rubber cables. High density and chemically reticulated polyethylene were then used for high voltage and very high voltage cables; the advantages of polyethylene compared to impregnated paper cables are discussed, which led to research programs at EDF on various themes concerning the optimization of polyethylene cables: dielectric properties and reliability, thermomechanical behaviour, thermal ageing of materials, testing methods (acceptance dielectric test and long duration temperature test); utilization of low- and high-density and chemically reticulated polyethylene for 225 kV cables is discussed
Sasol, a South-African company, has converted coal into synthetic fuels for 40 years; in order to increase by 6 pc its annual production (40 Mt coal are processed), Sasol has launched the Sky High project and intends to replace the ancient Sasol Synthol reactors by Advanced Synthol reactors using conventional fluidized beds instead of circulating fluidized beds. Coal is first gasified under high pressure and high temperature conditions (the Secunda site uses the Fischer-Tropsch conversion process) and is then processed in the reactor through a single phase process using an iron-base catalyst, leading to significant cost reductions.
The passive films formed on 316L stainless steel in various NaCl solutions have been investigated by capacitance measurements (Mott-Schottky). Pitting parameters have been determined using the galvano-kinetic polarisation method. The obtained results reveal the existence of a shallow and a deep donor level localised in the band gap of the semiconducting oxide film. These energy levels are due to iron ions in the tetrahedral and octahedral positions. It also appears that the participation of the deep donor level effects the electric field. The study developed allows us to compare characteristic parameters of the electronic structure of the passive film to those related to pitting susceptibility. (authors) 25 refs.
The law of the 30 December 1991 on the high activity long lived radioactive wastes reached the end. This synthesis final document presents the scientific and technological results, obtained still the end of 2005, on the separation and the transmutation of long lived radionuclides of high activity long lived radioactive wastes. It is organized in five chapters: a presentation of the context and the historical aspects, the researches, the objectives and the strategy of the axis 1, the researches results on the advanced separation, the researches results on the transmutation, the scenario of separation-transmutation and their environmental, technical and economical impacts. (A.L.B.)
Ichnogenera belonging to cleft-foot and wedge-foot bivalves can in most cases be distinguished. This paper addresses the taxonomy of locomotion traces made by wedge-foot bivalves. Ichnogenera Ptychoplasma Fenton and Fenton and Oravaichnium Plicka and Uhrova are reviewed together with related ichnotaxa. Both are interpreted as the locomotion traces of non-cleft, wedge-foot bivalves. Both are usually preserved as hypichnial ridges that include a distinctive bioprint of amygdaloid segments. Ptychoplasma is dominated by amygdaloid segments whereas Oravaichnium is wall-like with only sporadic amygdaloid segments. Ichnospecies of Ptychoplasma are distinguished on the basis of their continuity: P. excelsum Fenton and Fenton (the type) is a relatively continuous trace fossil consisting largely of ...
Turbulent shear flows on shallow continental shelves (here shallow means that the interaction with the solid, no-slip bottom is important) are of great importance because tide- and wind-driven flows on the shelf are drivers of the transfer of momentum, heat, and mass (gas) across the air?sea interface. These turbulent flows play an important role because vertical mixing and current are vectors for the transport of sediment and bioactive material on continental shelves. Understanding the dynamics of this class of flows presents complications because of the presence of a free surface and also because the flow can be driven by a pressure gradient (a tidal current), a stress at the free surface (a wind-driven current), or a combination of both. In addition, the flow can be modified by the pres...
With the exception of the 1945 Hiroshima and Nagasaki nuclear weapon explosions and the 1986 Tchernobyl reactor accident, most of the radiation accidents concerns the medical and the traditional industrial sectors. The seriousness of the accident is directly function of the absorbed dose. The paper, first, gives the definition of a radiologic accident with its specific criteria and pathological manifestations. Then, some famous historical accidents are reviewed from the discovery of X-rays to recent acute irradiations due to the careless manipulation of radiation sources. From this analysis, three main causes are put forward: the dysfunction of nuclear medicine apparatuses, the victims` lack of training and knowledge of the risks, and the non-identification or the loss of radiation sources. (J.S.). 1 photo.
A classic sum rule by Das et al. is extended to seven of the low-energy constant K{sub i}, introduced by Urech, which parameterizes electromagnetic corrections at chiral order O(e{sup 2}p{sup 2}). Using the spurion formalism, a simple convolution representation is shown to hold and the structure in terms of the chiral renormalization scale, QCD renormalization scale and the QED gauge parameter is displayed. The role of the resonances is studied as providing rational interpolants to relevant QCD n-point functions in the Euclidean domain. A variety of asymptotic constraints must be implemented which have phenomenological consequences. A current assumption concerning the dominance of the lowest-lying resonances is shown clearly to fail in some cases. (author)
May 11, 2011 ... The Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measures the type, amount, energy, and ...
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
Accurate prediction of ribbed duct flow and heat transfer is of importance to the gas turbine industry. The present study comprehensively validates the use of large eddy simulations (LES) for predicting flow and heat transfer with measured flowfield data in a stationary duct with 90"o ribs and elucidates on the detailed physics encountered in the developing flow region, the fully developed region, and the 180"o bend region. Among the major flow features predicted with accuracy are flow transition at the entrance of the duct; the distribution of mean and turbulent quantities in the developing, fully developed, and 180"o bend; the development of secondary flows in the duct cross-section and the 180"o bend; and friction and heat transfer augmentation. At the duct inlet, both the computations and experiments show that the peak turbulence intensities reach values as high as 40% in the streamwise and spanwise directions and 32% in the vertical direction, and a comparison ...
In support of a project on lifetime calculation experiments were carried out to evaluate the resistance to environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) of steam generator tubes during operation. Estimations of the incubation period for crack initiation and the threshold K value, K{sup Iscc}, and the crack growth rate were made to predict evolution of damage in tube walls. The paper summarizes results of experiments of C ring specimen for the initiation testing and results of SENT (single edge notch tensile) specimen for the crack growth rate (CGR) testing. The specimens were exposed to concentrated environments at elevated temperatures simulating crevice environments in secondary side crevices in horizontal steam generators. The results show that the material of SG tubes is sensitive to transgranular environmentally assisted cracking in the three basic concentrated environments used, alkaline, neutral and acid. The most ...
In support of a project on lifetime calculation experiments were carried out to evaluate the resistance to environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) of steam generator tubes during operation. Estimations of the incubation period for crack initiation and the threshold K value, K"I"s"c"c, and the crack growth rate were made to predict evolution of damage in tube walls. The paper summarizes results of experiments of C ring specimen for the initiation testing and results of SENT (single edge notch tensile) specimen for the crack growth rate (CGR) testing. The specimens were exposed to concentrated environments at elevated temperatures simulating crevice environments in secondary side crevices in horizontal steam generators. The results show that the material of SG tubes is sensitive to transgranular environmentally assisted cracking in the three basic concentrated environments used, alkaline, neutral and acid. The most corrosive ...
Acid mine drainage represents one of the most important environmental problem facing the mining industry. If the tailings contain sulphur, acid mine drainage will be generated as soon as the tailings are exposed to oxygen. In this paper, the authors discussed a technique for the storage of acid mine drainage generating tailings that delays and even eliminates the occurrence. It was suggested that tailings should be piled by incorporating, at regular intervals, compacted waste rock. Thermal convection and diffusion will prevent oxygen from reaching the tailings, and limit water circulation. The modelling of transfer processes (heat, water, oxygen) in a well known tailings dump, the Doyon Mine, was performed, and the results compared to the modelling where compacted waste rock had been incorporated at regular intervals. The results indicated that by remaining saturated, the layers acted as capillary barriers preventing oxygen from reaching the tailings, therefore reducing significantly ...
Lithium ion batteries use an oxide as a positive electrode and a carbon material as a negative electrode. The performances of carbon electrodes have rapidly evolved during the last years thanks to the substitution of soft carbons of Conoco or MCMB-2510 type by graphites (F-399, MCMB-2528) and then by hard carbons. These high capacity carbons (700 mAh/g) have higher service life and volume capacity than graphites but their irreversible losses are greater (>20%). In this work, materials with similar electrochemical performances are prepared by mechanical crushing. Mechanical crushing allows to obtain a wide range of carbon materials with various morphologies, specific surfaces and levels of disorder. The formation of the passivation film is directly linked with the surface of materials. A reaction scheme of the reversible and irreversible capacities has been defined and has permitted to obtain compounds with reversible capacities of 720 mAh/g (2 lithium for 6 carbon). (J.S.)
This work presents the development of a streak camera 'jitter free' sweep unit synchronized on a femtosecond laser. This application of high voltage photoconductive switches ('High voltage Auston switch') yields subpicosecond resolution for accumulated images on streak camera on a few hundreds micro joule femtosecond laser. Two others applications of these photoconductive switches are studied: - ultrafast optical commutation by a Pockels cell directly driven by a photoconductive switch (rising edge < 100 ps and jitter < 2 ps), - laser pulse energy self-stabilization experimentally proving that driving a Pockels cell by a photoconductive switch can increase the stability of the laser pulse energy from 7 % to 0.7 % rms. Additionally, the application of the acoustic-optical programmable dispersive filter (Dazzler) to the self referenced spectral phase measurement is presented. As these measurements require a linear filter combined with a ...
The aim of this thesis is to study the coherent transport in semiconducting-superconducting junctions. The SnPb-GaAs system has been studied. It has been shown that the behaviour of this junction is controlled by the disordered area induced by the annealing of the connection near the interface. For a few resistant junction, a conductance anomaly under the gap has been observed and has been explained by a mesoscopic effect in the limit of the very high disorders. The conductance of more resistant junctions has only been bound to the properties of the very disordered area of the semiconductor. The part of the electron-electron interactions on the phase coherence length and on the conductance has been studied. The evolving of the correction of the conductance due to interactions in magnetic field has been followed. The effect of the spin degeneration suppression in CdTe and the GaAs sign inversion in Shubnikov de Haas oscillations rate has been observed. At last has been studied the ...
This document gathers the presentations given at the first French national meetings of solar energy for the development of solar systems in buildings. The meeting was organized over two days. The first day comprises 4 workshops about: urbanism and planning, cultural acceptability of solar energy in buildings (the OPAC 38 housing association, point of view on an energy information point, the Freiburg (Germany) solar region and marketing examples), technical integration to the structure (Clipsol solutions), and economical criteria (compared impacts of R and D public photovoltaic programs (USA, Japan, Germany, France, Italy), financing of rehabilitation projects, global approach of solar photovoltaic energy, technical solutions and strategy of products development, why and how to make an economical analysis of solar energy applications in the building industry). The second day comprises a plenary session and a round table: global status of solar energy development in Europe, status of ...
The control of nitrogen oxides (NO{sub x}) emissions will become a major challenge in the forthcoming years, in the domain of automotive industry or industrial burners. Pulsed combustion offers an imaginative solution which does not affect the combustion efficiency. In this paper, the efficiency of this method is demonstrated using the burner of a 20 kW domestic boiler. The actuator is simply installed on the air intake. Two types of actuators have been tested successfully: a loudspeaker and a rotative valve. Both can produce 100 to 1000 Hz frequencies and can lead to a reduction of 20% of NO{sub x} emissions. The feasibility of the concept is also demonstrated on a 840 kW liquid fuel-oil burner. The mechanisms involved during an excitation are explained using the CH{sup *} radical imaging. Results show an important reorganization of the flow and of the flame structure. During each excitation cycle, an annular swirl occurs at the leading edge of the flame catching and develops during ...
The European demonstration project Hip Hip (house integrated photovoltaic high-tech in public) led the French photovoltaic market to reach a level comparable to those of the other European countries in terms of relevance of implemented solutions and costs. This document presents the best realizations and the experience gained through the Hip Hip project. Its aim is to convince the designers and managers of building projects of the advantages of photovoltaic installations integrated to the structure and connected to the power distribution grid: 1 - presentation of the technology; 2 - status of the Hip Hip demonstration project (goals, results: main innovations and impact on the French market); 3 - different possibilities of integration to the building structure; 4 - examples of projects realized in France in the framework of the Hip Hip project: integration in glass roof, frontage, added elements, fitting on roofs. (J.S.)
ResumeObjectif determiner dans une etude randomisee l'impact d'un enregistrement continu du glucose sous-cutane pendant 48 heures sur le controle glycemique trois mois plus tard chez des patients presentant un diabete de type 1 (DT1) ou de type 2 (DT2). Methodes Quarante-huit patients avec un mauvais equilibre glycemique (HbA1c : 8-10,5 %) ont beneficie d'un enregistrement continu du glucose sous-cutane pendant 48 heures avec le systeme GlucoDay (A. Menarini Diagnostics) et ont ete randomises en deux groupes : ajustement de traitement en fonction de l'autosurveillance glycemique capillaire (groupe ASG) ou du profil d'enregistrement continu du glucose sous-cutane (groupe CGM). Le dosage d'HbA1c et le port du GlucoDay ont ete renouveles trois mois plus tard. Resultats Trente-quatre patients ...
ABO{sub 3} perovskite-type oxides having vacancies in the A-sites of their structure are interesting candidates for solid electrolytes when their A-sites are occupied by Li{sup +} ions having a high mobility. This is the case with the [Li{sub 3x}La{sub 2/3-x}]TiO{sub 3} solid solution compound which has a 10{sup -3} S cm{sup -1} ionic conductivity at ambient temperature. Electrochemical intercalation in this material is possible thanks to the presence of Ti{sup 4+} but the small amount of vacancies (0.33 maximum) leads to a low intercalation rate. In order to solve this problem, the LiLaNb{sub 2}O{sub 7} material which has a greater amount of vacancies has been studied and the results relative to the electrochemical intercalation of lithium in this perovskite are presented. The thermodynamical and kinetics properties of the lithium intercalation reaction have been studied by intermittent galvano-static discharges and impedance spectroscopy in LiClO{sub 4}-propylene carbonate medium. ...
This study examines some radiation accidents occurred in the past. This information has been systematically assessed to get global lessons. The experience feedback shows that the most of accidents happened in certain conditions. These conditions can be distributed in four categories: 1- perception and vigilance in occupation: accidental exposure happened by lack of vigilance in details and lack of vigilance and perception; 2- procedures: accidental exposure happened following a lack of procedures or control that were not enough complete, not enough documented or not completely implemented; 3- training and understanding: accidental exposures happened because the personnel was not enough qualified and educated, did not get the general training nor the the necessary specialized training; 4- liabilities: accidental exposures happened following lacks and ambiguity in the definition of functions of the personnel and in the hierarchy liabilities. In these precise cases the safety tasks have ...
Individual monitoring of personal exposure to inhalation of uranium oxides throughout the manufacture of fuel for pressurized water reactor (PWR) includes lung gamma-spectrometry, fecal analysis and urine analysis. Examination of the results shows the following: internal exposure is the consequence of repeated intake incidents as revealed by early peaks of urinary and particularly fecal elimination; a shift is often observed with the results of aerosol concentration measured through air collectors; the measured variations of uranium lung incorporations are relatively fast (apparent mean period 165 d). Correct evaluation of the effective dose equivalent from inhalation requires further information concerning the aerosol size distribution at work stations, the physico-chemical characteristics of the product leading to an estimate of its actual biological solubility, and the measurement of the fraction of aerosol liable to intake with an individual portable collector.
Cooperation for low carbon and energy efficient development is a high priority for France, in line with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. France contributes to tackling climate change by working with its partners on all continents to implement projects both to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to climate change. Within the framework of the Marrakech Accords, France also encourages the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol Clean Development Mechanism, in particular between French business and non-Annex I countries; this mechanism will facilitate the financing of mitigation projects and contribute to the sustainable development of host countries in the South. At multilateral level, France is a major donor. At a bilateral level, an initial analysis of cooperation projects which are strongly linked to tackling climate change identified public support of 136 millions euros per year, as an average over the past few years. Some project examples, mostly ...
In the first part of the nineties many office buildings were equipped with indoor climate installations which do not meet present standards. Several options are available to improve such installations for ventilation capacity, cooling capacity, thermal comfort and air quality. One of the options concern the installation of an air conditioner in combination with heat recovery. In this article attention is paid to the renovation of the air conditioning system in the Printer house, an office building in Zwolle, Netherlands. [Dutch] Begin jaren negentig zijn veel kantoorpanden gebouwd waarvan de klimaatinstallatie tegenwoordig niet meer voldoet. De ventilatiecapaciteit is ontoereikend en koeling is mondjesmaat aanwezig, of slechts als topkoeling. Het comfort en de luchtkwaliteit zijn dan ook onder de maat. Er zijn verschillende mogelijkheden om dit te verbeteren. Plaatsing van een nieuwe luchtbehandelingskast met warmteterugwinning is daar een van. In dit artikel wordt ...
The development of comfort in buildings throughout the centuries was influenced by the demand for progress, wealth and innovation in various respects. At present, it seems that progress may only be possible by taking into account the environment and creating methods of reducing further damage to the environment. The innovative feature of future progress my be reducing the impact on the environment from human and building activities by using appropriate technology. As it is impossible to build without any impact on the environment and this is likely to be so in the future, the objective is and will be to find solutions for buildings which are more compatible with the environment. The objective is to demonstrate that it is viable to design buildings with minimized impact on the environment, while still maintaining appropriate comfort levels.
We investigate decoherence in quantum systems coupled via dephasing-type interactions to an arbitrary environment with chaotic underlying classical dynamics. The coherences of the reduced state of the central system written in the preferential energy eigenbasis are quantum Loschmidt echoes, which in the strong coupling regime are characterized at long times scales by fluctuations around a constant mean value. We show that due to the chaotic dynamics of the environment, the mean value and the width of the Loschmidt echo fluctuations are inversely proportional to the quantity we define as the effective Hilbert space dimension of the environment, which in general is smaller than the dimension of the entire available Hilbert space. Nevertheless, in the semiclassical regime this effective Hilbert space dimension is in general large, in which case even a chaotic environment with few degrees of freedom ...
Some crops of important nutritive requirements have been collected from farmlands located in Bitsichi an old tin mining town in north central region of Nigeria. The food crops were analyzed in order to determine trace element concentrations level using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The activity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in the food samples and soil samples collected within the root zone of the crops were also determined using gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS). The NAA results obtained showed higher concentration of Potassium among the essential elements in all the crops. Calcium concentration in both maize and Guinea corn was below detection limit and also Zn in Green beans, sweet potato and cassava. The trace elements; Sc, Hf, Sm, and Th, were below detection limit in all the crops except in Green beans. Rubidium (Rb) and lanthanum (La) were below detection limits only in Cabbage. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides in the food samples were found ...
This presentation outlined the corporate history of the Ohmega Group, a small company from Gaspe, Quebec which offers consulting services to the automation and telecommunication sector. It was created in 1982 and has been involved with the wind power industry since 1996. The main services provided by Ohmega Group include electrical and mechanical construction and maintenance services. This paper also reviewed the benefits of using Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems in the wind power industry to monitor, control and collect data from wind turbines. The Ohmega Group has provided consulting services to Cartier Wind Energy Inc., a company that was awarded several wind turbine projects by Hydro-Quebec Distribution. The Ohmega Group applied the SCADA system at the Baie des Sables, Anse a Valleau and Carleton wind turbine arrays. The typical architecture of SCADA systems on a wind farm was presented along with Hydro-Quebec's specifications for data acquisition. ...
The report published in 2003 by the European committee on the risk of irradiation (C.E.R.I.) criticizes a part of the ICRP recommendations relative to the internal contaminations.Consequently, I.R.S.N. wishes to supply its own analysis. The present report points the questions linked to the internal contamination and to the difficulties inherent to the risk incurred after chronic exposure.Consequently it does not treat all the problems of the workers and populations radiation protection. (N.C.)
This work, carried out by the parliamentary office for the evaluation of scientific and technological choices on request of the French National Assembly and Senate, takes stock of the present day situation and technical perspectives of development of renewable energy sources and of research needs of the French industry in this domain: 1 - renewable energies: key-technologies for the energy supply of developing countries and for a rational consumption in transportation systems and accommodations of developed countries (energies technically different from fossil or nuclear energies; fundamental energy sources for a developing world; different national goals in Europe depending on the available natural resources and on the political realities; a minor interest in France for the domestic power generation but a major interest for transports, residential and tertiary sectors and export); 2 - priority choices given to the French renewable energy resources: renewable electricity (photovoltaic, ...
We consider an admissible fibration $\\pi:X\\to\\mathbb{P}^1$ over a curve over a number field, of which the generic fiber $X_\\eta$ is geometrically rationally connected. We suppose that there exists a generalized Hilbertian subset $\\textsf{Hil}$ of $\\mathbb{P}^1$, such that the Brauer-Manin obstruction is the only obstruction to the Hasse principle (resp. to the weak approximation) for $X_\\theta(\\theta\\in \\textsf{Hil}).$ We prove that the Brauer-Manin obstruction is the only obstruction to the Hasse principle (resp. to the strong approximation) for zero-cycles of degree 1 on $X$ in the following cases: $(B_1)$ the index of the generic fibre $X_\\eta$ is equal to 1; $(B_2)$ all fibers are geometrically integral. Then, we obtain some similar results for certain fibrations over $\\mathbb{P}^n$. As a consequence, we obtain the following result: let $X$ be a smooth projective geometrically rationally connected variety over a number field $k$, if the Brauer-Manin obstruction is the ...
The Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES) is taken as an example of the diagnostic and therapeutic strategy in gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours, given the standard characteristics of this procedure, whatever the nature of the primitive tumour. Management of ZES includes: anatomical localization of gastrinoma and of possible metastases, in 60 % of cases this step conditioning therapeutic indications and chances of cure; search of a type 1-multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN A), in 25 % of cases; therapeutic indications: ablative surgery with curative intent in case of gastrinoma and of resectable liver metastases, palliative treatment otherwise: anti-secretory drugs, somatostatin analogues, chemotherapy and interferon {alpha}; long-term follow-up of patients with resected tumour. At each step, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy with indium 111-pentetreotide does play a pivotal role. (author). 110 refs.
Une enfant drepanocytaire homozygote SS de 14 ans (sans deficit en G6PD), non transfusee anterieurement, a une cholecystectomie pour lithiase decouverte a un bilan systematique. L'intervention est encadree de 2 transfusions de concentres erythrocytaires (CGR) phenotypes ABO Rh Kell, compatibilises. Quinze jours apres, elle presente une hemolyse aigue associant fievre, ictere, insuffisance renale tubulaire, hemoglobinurie et anemie profonde (Hb 3,6 g/dL). Les RAI deviennent positives avec, entre autres, un auto anticorps anti D suspecte, le test de Coombs direct est positif de type mixte. L'enfant n'est pas retransfusee, mais recoit 1 mg/kg/j de corticoides IV pendant 10 jours. L'hemoglobine retrouve sa valeur de base (9 g/dL) apres 15 jours. Un antigene RH1(D) partiel de type DAR est ulter...
With its 527 217 m{sup 3} of low and medium activity wastes put in storage between 1969 and 1994, the C.S.M.( center of storage of Manche) is and remains to this day a necessary element to understand the problems posed by the eternal storage of nuclear materials and the limits of the notion of reversibility. There are therefore teachings to be drawn. We cannot repeat past mistakes in particular with high activity wastes which we wish to bury deep underground. This report is based on the analysis of the existing bibliography, of the internal A.N.D.R.A. documents which we released to the public, of the lessons drawn from our participation in the official concerting and work groups, and finally of the data obtained after inquiries were done in the region in the framework of R.I.V.I.E;R.E. (citizens network of radioecological surveillance, information and evaluation). In spite of all efforts produced, many questions remain unanswered regarding this site so it is sometimes difficult to be ...
This report deals with the renewable energies and the local development called the territory intelligence in action. Taking into account the place of the electricity in the french energy accounting and the part of the nuclear in its production, the local authorities have to act in the heat domain, which is the first energy need in France, far in front of the specific electricity (those which cannot be replace by other type of energy). But 80% of the heat is today covered by fossil energies. No actions to change this situation will be done without a real implication of the local government. The authors preconize an ambitious objective: cover 50% of the heat needs from renewable energies in the next generat This objective must rely on a program called ''alternative energies''. In this framework the authors provide recommendations on the implementation of the renewable energies as an essential challenge for the local authorities. (A.L.B.)
This report documents a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the economy of Haiti, emphasizing energy use in agriculture. CGE models compare favorably with econometric models for developing countries in terms of their ability to take advantage of available data. The model of Haiti contains ten production sectors: manufacturing, services, transportation, electricity, rice, coffee, sugar cane, sugar refining, general agriculture, and fuelwood and charcoal. All production functions use functional forms which permit factor substitution. Consumption is specified for three income categories of consumers and a government sector with a linear expenditure system (LES) of demand equations. The economy exports four categories of products and imports six. Balanced trade and capital accounts are required for equilibrium. Total sectoral allocations of land, labor and capital are constrained to equal the quantities of these inputs in the Haitian economy as of the early ...
Swift heavy ion-solid interaction leads in volume to track creation and on the surface to the ejection of particles into the vacuum. To learn more about initial mechanisms of track formation, we are focused on the sputtering of uranium dioxide by fast heavy ions. This present study is exclusively devoted to the influence of the electronic stopping power on the emission of neutral particles and especially on their angular distribution. These measurements are completed by those of the ions emitted from UO{sub 2} targets bombarded with swift heavy ions. The whole experimental results give access to: i) the nature of the sputtered particles; ii) the charge state of the emitted particles; iii) the direction of ejection of the sputtered particles ; iv) the sputtering yields deduced from the angular distributions. These results are compared to the prediction of the sputtering models proposed in the literature and it seems that the supersonic gas flow model is well suited to describe our ...
Direct radionuclide cystography is known to be sensitive and safe in children with suspected vesical-ureteral reflux. In this study we have investigated the utility of direct radionuclide cystography in renal transplant recipients with a recent history of pyelonephritis or recurrent urinary infections. Direct radionuclide cystography is a simple test, however it requires a rigorous methodology in order to obtain images during fill-in as well as during voiding in both men and women. The images must be interpreted using a rigorous image display methodology. Twenty-eight radionuclide cystographies were performed in 17 patients. Among the 17 tests performed for the initial diagnosis of reflux , 12 were positive. Four patients with positive results and four patients with negative results were also investigated by radiologic cystography. Similar results were obtained in those patients. Nine scintigraphies were done after treatment by surgery or teflon injection ; six of them were negative. ...
The spontaneous ionic polymerization of 4-vinyl-pyridine in presence of mono-tosylated or bromated short chains of poly(ethylene oxide)-(PEO) is used to prepare amorphous comb-like poly-cations with low Tg. The polymer electrolyte properties of these new structures have been studied without any addition of salts. The ionic conductivity of these fixed cation poly-electrolytes depends on the length of the grafted PEO and varies from 10{sup -7} to 10{sup -4} S/cm between 25 and 80 deg. C. It is only weakly dependent on the nature of the cation but it is controlled by the movements of the pyridinium cation which are facilitated by the plastifying effect of the POE chains which do not directly participate to the ionic transport. (J.S.) 17 refs.
Research reported here reveals that the reduction of CO{sub 2} emissions into the atmosphere, is mainly dependent on the decrease of the use of fossil fuels, but also on the development of environment-friendly technology and greening of the environment. 2 refs.
Plastics debris in the marine environment, including resin pellets, fragments and microscopic plastic fragments, contain organic contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic...Full Text Available
Although genetic engineering techniques for baker's yeast might improve the yeast's fermentation characteristics, the lack of scientific data on the survival of such strains in natural environments...Full Text Available
The brain maintains internal models of its environment to interpret sensory inputs and prepare actions. While behavioral studies demonstrated that these internal models are optimally adapted...Full Text Available
AimsTo describe nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction, and quality of care in Japanese hospitals, and to determine how these outcomes are associated with work environment...Full Text Available
The global problem concerning contamination of the environment because of human activities is increasing. Most of the environmental contaminants are chemical by-products and heavy metals such as lead (Pb). Lead released into the environment makes its way into the air, soil and water. Lead contribute...
A rebreathing method was developed for measuring diffusing lung capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) in a hyperbaric environment. Twenty two professional naval divers with normal lung function were included...Full Text Available
The future lubricants could be vegetable oils in order to replace the petroleum products. Vegetable oils are biodegradable and inoffensive for environment and for people. The main uses of vegetable oils are indicated. (O.L.). 3 refs., 3 tabs.
Policies and regulations in the current health care environment have impacted the manner in which patient data - especially protected health information (PHI) - are handled in the clinical and...Full Text Available
...October 2006 - present: University of Leeds, UK PhD Candidate in Geochemistry Thesis Title: Magnetite formation in reducing natural environments Supervisors: Dr Liane G. Benning ...Germany Bachelor of Science in Geosciences and Astrophysics Project Details Project Title: \\
Detectors for a photon-photon collider are envisaged using as guide-lines the physics goals and the interaction point environment. Production of SUSY Higgs scalar and pseudo-scalar is emphasized. Some aspects of the interaction point environment are discussed. ((orig.)).
It is well established that changes to the chemical environment can impair development, physiology and reproductive biology; by contrast, impacts on communication have not been widely reported. This...Full Text Available
Full text of publication follows: General simulation objectives of any fire analysis are macroscopic in nature and deals with the grass data in respect of fire/smoke spread, structural behaviour, environmental conditions etc. However, the accuracy of predicting such macroscopic parameters is a strong function of several other microscopic parameters which govern the overall macroscopic behaviour. Some of the microscopic parameters of interesting such analysis could be buoyancy induced stable/unstable flows, relative flame behaviour, baroclinic velocity distribution etc. Only the field based fire modelling approach is capable of calculating several of these by way of detailed CFD based field modelling. One of the best known tool that could be employed for such studies is the Fire Dynamics simulator (FDS) from NIST with its popular LES based fire modelling approach. Advanced LES based fire modelling scores over the conventional RANS based ...
Thermodynamic Stable Metal Compositions for Improvement of an Operational Safety of Constructional Materials under Conditions of Multifactor Loadings of an Aggressive Environment
We take the point of view of a particle performing random walk with bounded jumps on Z^d in a stationary and ergodic random environment. We prove the quenched large deviation principle (LDP) for the pair empirical measure of the environment Markov chain. By the contraction principle, we deduce the quenched LDP for the mean velocity of the particle and obtain a variational formula for the corresponding rate function. We propose an Ansatz for the minimizer of this formula. We verify this Ansatz for nearest-neighbor walks on Z. As a separate result, we give a probabilistic formula for the ergodic invariant density of the environment Markov chain in the case of ballistic random walk with bounded jumps on Z.
16 papers are presented covering: remote sensing - an aid to environment management; remote sensing application; monitoring environmental changes over iron ore mining areas; monitoring and management of environmental degradation due to geological factors; use of Landsat multispectral scanner data in environmental monitoring; geotechnical engineering problems with abandoned limestone mines; photogrammetric monitoring of mining environment; slope monitoring in open cast mines using close range remote sensing method; geobotanical remote sensing and mineral prospecting; geographical information in study of geo-environment through remote sensing; and alteration mapping in cuprite mining district.
...Species - see CITES Trade of Dangerous Chemicals Transport and Environment U Urban Environment Use of natural resources V Volatile Organic Compounds W Waste Landfills Waste electrical and electronic equipment - see WEEE Waste incineration Waste legislation - reporting Waste management planning Waste oils Waste shipments Waste water - see Urban waste water Water Bathing Water Drinking water Floods Marine environment Urban waste water Water Framework Directive WEEE - Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment Wildlife ...
As an International Organization, one the most important issues that CERN has to respect and guarantee is the protection of the environment. Several of ST activities and operations have a direct impact on the environment: civil engineering works, electrical (transformers) and air-cooling operation, chemical products storage, various waste disposal etc.... Important measures, taken in the past, have to be kept and new ones should be applied in order to insure the conformity of the infrastructure with existing legislation, the correct operation of equipment and systems, the constant monitoring of the different situations and the traceability of the events. Moreover good management of the environment would bring large savings to CERN.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of how the internet is used as a strategic tool in electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) in the football sector. In particular, the research questions this paper addresses are: How can the online environment be described? How are the customers served in this online environment? The first research question provides an overview of the online environment and the second research question describes the services offered in this online environment. Design/methodology/approach - The qualitative research is the appropriate approach, in order to collect the required data, as the particular research characterizes a complete and comprehensive view and understanding of a phenomenon in its entity. The research is base...
...Keeping chickens: a beginner's guide : Directgov - Environment and greener living chickens, feeding chickens, egg marking, registering a ...flock, battery hens Chickens; Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Registrations; Animals; Livestock; Local government; Local ...authorities A guide for people keeping chickens on the laws for registering and feeding them, and how to spot key diseases. A ...guide for people keeping chickens on the laws for registering and feeding them, and how to spot key diseases. Keeping chickens: ...
Interactions between spacecraft systems and the space charged particle environment are reviewed and recommendations are presented for both near-term and far-term research considerations. Transient environment models, large space structures, solar and nuclear power systems/environment interactions, single event upsets, material degradation, and planetary missions are addressed.
In 1996 the actions of EDF in the domain of environment have recorded FF 4 billions (FF 3.5 billion in 1995), representing about 2% of the EDF's turnover. The EDF keeps on its efforts for reducing the impact of its activities upon environment. Several applications of an environment protective electricity generation are promoted by the company. The company brings services and technical solutions to its clients which meet their energy needs and conserving at the same time the life conditions. Furthermore, EDF participates in the activity of numerous national and international organisms, intervening in the environmental questions, in decision making, participating in studies and actions and following continually the direction of a durable economic and social development. The report is structured in three chapters: 1. an industrial responsibility; 2. services and techniques for environment; 3. ...
We find dosage of gamma emitters radionuclides of samples collected in the environment of the Chinon nuclear power plant for 2002 and 2003, these results are presented in two tables: concentrations in gamma emitter radionuclides of samples collected in the terrestrial environment (soils) and aquatic environment (sediments) of the site of Chinon in june 2002 in the frame of the annual surveillance, the second table concerns the concentrations in gamma emitter radionuclides of samples collected in the terrestrial environment (soils and lichens) of the site of Chinon in may 2003 in the frame of the annual surveillance. We find also the dosage of free tritium in the water of the Loire river for 2002 and 2003, upstream and downstream to the power plant of Chinon. (N.C.)
This evaluation has for object to inform about the levels in carbon 14 in the environment of the factories of La Hague. Two sectors were differentiated on one hand the terrestrial environment, and on the other hand the marine environment. The investigations concerned first and foremost food products stemming as the vegetable culture (vegetables) or individual breeding (milk, eggs) but also foodstuffs stemming from the local agriculture (cereal). In touch with the second sector, the marine environment, the sampling concerned the accessible products of the sea by all and those locally marketed (fishes, molluscs, shellfishes). The different results are presented in tables. (N.C.)
This report is an appraisal of the state of the European Union`s environment. It was requested by the European Commission as part of the review process of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme `Toward sustainability`. Main sections of the report are headed: societal developments and driving forces; environmental themes and topics; integration economy and environment. Themes covered are: climate change, ozone depletion, acidification, air pollution and quality, waste management, urban-issues, inland water resources, coastal zones and marine waters, risk management, soil quality, and nature and diversity. The main conclusions of this report are that the European Union is making progress towards reducing certain pressures on the environment, though this is not enough to improve the general quality of the environment and represents even less progress towards sustainability. Without accelerated policies, ...
The technology for performance testing and improvement of materials which are durable at space environment is a military related technology and veiled and securely regulated in advanced countries such as US and Russia. This core technology cannot be easily transferred to other country too. Therefore, this technology is the most fundamental and necessary research area for the successful establishment of space environment system. Since the task for evaluating the effects of space materials and components by space radiation plays important role in satellite lifetime extension and running failure percentage decrease, it is necessary to establish simulated space radiation facility and systematic testing procedure. This report has dealt with the status of the technology to enable the simulation of space environment effects, including the effect of space radiation on space materials. This information such as the fundamental ...
The Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) Distance Computing (DisCom) Wide Area Network (WAN) is a high performance, long distance network environment that is based on the ubiquitous TCP/IP protocol set. However, the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and the algorithms that govern its operation were defined almost two decades ago for a network environment vastly different from the DisCom WAN. In this paper we explore and evaluate possible modifications to TCP that purport to improve TCP performance in environments like the DisCom WAN. We also examine a much newer protocol, SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) that claims to provide reliable network transport while also implementing multi-streaming, multi-homing capabilities that are appealing in the DisCom high performance network environment. We provide performance comparisons and recommendations for continued development that will lead to ...
The work opened by the A.C.R.O. is in line with in an initiative of evaluation of the radiological quality of marine and continental waters of the Normandy coast. In this perspective, measures of radioactivity were made, not near an emissary (already very watched environment) but in more large scale because in marine environment, more than 640 km of coast are concerned. It was a question of supplying a representative assessment of the radioecological situation, for one year,of the marine environment (along the Normandy coast) and main streams which supplies it. (N.C.)
The dynamics of the controlled environment conditions in the SVET-4 space greenhouse model were investigated, using computerized equipment to continuously measure and collect the values of the inside environment parameters, which were then sent to earth. The on-ground analysis of telemetric data for the first 29 days indicated that radishes and the Chinese cabbage plants planted in SVET-4 grew under normal temperature conditions, but in insufficient substrate moisture. After supplying the necessary quantity of water, the analysis of the first 54 days of experiment is continuing. 2 refs.
This report is the first revision to a series of reports on radionuclides inn the SRS environment. Tritium was chosen as the first radionuclide in the series because the calculations used to assess the dose to the offsite population from SRS releases indicate that the dose due to tritium, through of small consequence, is one of the most important the radionuclides. This was recognized early in the site operation, and extensive measurements of tritium in the atmosphere, surface water, and ground water exist due to the effort of the Environmental Monitoring Section. In addition, research into the transport and fate of tritium in the environment has been supported at the SRS by both the local Department of Energy (DOE) Office and DOE`s Office of Health and Environmental Research.
Full text of publication follows: The Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are always designed for the highest level of safety against postulated accidents which may be initiated due to internal or external causes. One of the external/internal causes, which may lead to accident in the reactor and its associated systems, is fire in certain vital areas of the plant. Conventionally, the fire containment approach and/or the fire confinement approach is used in designing the fire protection systems of NPPs. Indian NPPs (PHWRs) follow the combined approach to ensure plant safety and all newly designed plants are required to comply with the provisions of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) fire safety Guide. In respect of older plants, the reassessment of adequacy of fire safety provisions in the light of current advances has becomes essential so as to decide upon the steps for retrofitting. Keeping this in mind the deterministic fire hazard analysis was carried out for the Madras Atomic Power ...
The environments on the drip shield and waste package outer barrier are controlled by the compositions of the waters that contact these components. the temperature (T) of these components, and the effective relative humidity (RH) at these components. Because the composition of the waters that are expected to enter the emplacement drifts (either by seepage flow or by episodic flow) have not been specified: well J13 water was chosen as the reference water (Harrar 1990). Section 6.2 discusses the accessible RH for the temperatures of interest at the repository horizon. Section 6.3 discusses the adsorption of water on metal alloys in the absence of hygroscopic salts. Because the temperatures of the DSs and the WPOBs are higher than those of the surrounding near-field environment, the relative humidity at the DSs and the WPOBs will be lower than that of the surrounding near-field environment. This difference is a result of the ...
... UGV), in the air (UAV), or underwater (UUV) -across ... Figure 2 Tactical Mobile Robot MOUT concept: ... 10 robots to clear 20 rooms in 60 minutes ...
May 11, 2011 ... The Particle Environment Monitor (PEM) on NASA's Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) measures the type, amount, energy, and ...
The primary determinants of pulmonary disease are environmental. The same thinness and delicacy of the air-blood barrier which allows rapid exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide also reduce its effectiveness...Full Text Available
... Astronomy & Space Biology Chemistry & Materials Computing Earth & Environment Education ... Materials Research Center at the University of Chicago, one of nearly 30 NSF-supported Materials ...
The oviduct is an exquisitely designed organ that functions in picking-up ovulated oocytes, transporting gametes in opposite directions to the site of fertilization, providing a suitable environment...Full Text Available
Legionella pneumophila is a gram-negative bacterial species that is ubiquitous in almost any aqueous environment. It is the agent of Legionnaires’ disease, an acute and often...Full Text Available
Described as the body's largest organ, the skin is strategically located at the interface with the external environment where it has evolved to detect, integrate and respond to a diverse range...Full Text Available
Sensory systems must form stable representations of the external environment in the presence of self-induced variations in sensory signals. It is also possible that the variations themselves may provide...Full Text Available
The Python programming language is steadily increasing in popularity as the language of choice for scientific computing. The ability of this scripting environment to access a huge code base in various...Full Text Available
The FFTF reactor is described. Procedures and equipment used to protect personnel from potential hazards of oxygen deficient environments are described.
BackgroundPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are widely used flame retardant compounds that are persistent and bioaccumulative and therefore have become ubiquitous environment...Full Text Available
Composite Sandwich Panels under Different Thermal Environments, Composite Structures, Vol. 25,. July 1993, pp. 227239. 11. Ko, William L., Mechanical and ...
the environment, with the 2006 release of a GM pink bollworm moth (a pest of cotton), ...Use of Genetically Engineered Fruit Fly and Pink Bollworm in APHIS Plant Pest Control Programs 6 Gould,
... This paper presents our research in neural learning for predicting ... Denote this feature set as F4. ... can be observed that the SOC curves generated by ...
Nature of tube degradation was studied in support of horizontal steam generator lifetime calculations. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the resistance to environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) of steam generator tubes during operation. Estimations of the incubation period for crack initiation and the threshold K value, K(ISCC), and the crack growth rate were made to predict evolution of damage in tube walls. Experimental results were compared with in-service inspections experience. The paper summarizes results of experiments of C ring specimen for the initiation testing and results of SENT (single edge notch tensile) specimen for the crack growth rate (CGR) testing. The specimens were exposed to concentrated environments at elevated temperatures simulating crevice environments in secondary side crevices in horizontal steam generators. The results show that material of SG (steam generator) tubes is sensitive to transgranular ...
Nature of tube degradation was studied in support of horizontal steam generator lifetime calculations. Experiments were carried out to evaluate the resistance to environmentally assisted cracking (EAC) of steam generator tubes during operation. Estimations of the incubation period for crack initiation and the threshold K value, K(ISCC), and the crack growth rate were made to predict evolution of damage in tube walls. Experimental results were compared with in-service inspections experience. The paper summarizes results of experiments of C ring specimen for the initiation testing and results of SENT (single edge notch tensile) specimen for the crack growth rate (CGR) testing. The specimens were exposed to concentrated environments at elevated temperatures simulating crevice environments in secondary side crevices in horizontal steam generators. The results show that material of SG (steam generator) tubes is sensitive to transgranular ...
Jun 10, 2011 ... The PSSC is a picosatellite designed to test the space environment by providing a testbed to gather data on new solar cell technologies.
Mice are an ideal mammalian model for studying the genetics of aging: considerable resources are available, the generation time is short, and the environment can be easily controlled, an important...Full Text Available
The study concerns the assessment of the state of the environment in Lebanon and the identification of policy options has three specific objectives namely to determine the conditions of the environment in Lebanon after years of wars (1975-1992); to identify environmentals trends associated with Lebanon's development and to assess their sustainability; to identify policy options for environmental management. Issues of the environment concerned are both the brown issues e.g. the management of wastes and effluent arising from human activitiesand green issues, the natural resource base defined through main receptors:air, water (including coastal waters), land and terrestrial ecology sectors such as agriculture, industry, energy, transport, tourism and fisheries, population and human settlements are also studied
A historical account of the important landmarks in man's experience with the high altitude environment is followed by comments on the important stages in the understanding of its physiological effects....Full Text Available
There is a rapidly growing need to evaluate sensor network functionality and performance in the context of the larger environment of infrastructure and applications in which the sensor network is organically embedded. This need, which is motivated by complex applications related to national security operations, leads to a paradigm fundamentally different from that of traditional data networks. In the sensor networks of interest to us, the network dynamics depend strongly on sensor activity, which in turn is triggered by events in the environment. Because the behavior of sensor networks is sensitive to these driving phenomena, the integrity of the sensed observations, measurements and resource usage by the network can widely vary. It is therefore imperative to accurately capture the environmental phenomena, and drive the simulation of the sensor network operation by accounting fully for the environment effects. In this ...
The primary responsibility of the Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Division at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is to provide comprehensive occupational health and safety programs, waste processing, and environment protection. These activities are designed to protect the worker, the public, and the environment. Many disciplines are required to meet the responsibilities, including radiation protection, industrial hygiene, safety, occupational medicine, environmental science, epidemiology, and waste management. New and challenging health and safety problems arise occasionally from the diverse research and development work of the Laboratory. Research programs in HSE Division often stem from these applied needs. These programs continue but are also extended, as needed to study specific problems for the Department of Energy and to help develop better occupational health and safety practices.
In the context of governance of human–environment interactions, a panacea refers to a blueprint for a single type of governance system (e.g., government ownership, privatization, community property)...Full Text Available
... s guides and "how-to" videos and other materials, and 7. Receive continuing support from GLOBE's ... and educational materials that result from international proposals in its materials and support ...
... non- emissive guidance and collision alert, automated transport in dynamic environments, and assembly and inspection. Foveal Vision, Autonomous Agents, ...
of the familiar fire triangle, namely, fuel, ignition, and oxygen. Fuel is minimized ... The third element of the fire triangle, oxygen, is obviously ...
... content of the environment) are significant factors affecting the useful service life of adhesive bonded plastic composite sandwich panels at 650 F ...
In natural ecosystems, hundreds of species typically share the same environment and are connected by a dense network of interactions such as predation or competition for resources. Much is known about...Full Text Available
Development of New Methods and Means of Assessing of Consequences of Radionuclide and Heavy Metal Salt Effect, Criteria of Forecasting Physiological State and Productivity of the Farm Animals under Conditions of Ecological Pollution of Environment
Numerous bacteria from a salt-marsh environment are capable of degrading malathion, an organophosphate insecticide, when supplied with additional nutrients as energy and carbon sources. Seven isolates...Full Text Available
Nov 5, 2010 ... PEM. The Particle Environment Monitor measures the type, amount, energy, ... info, Daily PEM HEPS and MEPS data at the original sensor ...
Both cultural inheritance and cultural diversification of diets may play an important role in animal evolution. Here we studied how diet innovation and cultural change relate to cultural inheritance in a changing environment. We did this by studying diet cultures in group foragers adapting to environmental change through learning, and the consequences this has for diet differentiation between groups. We used an individual-based model of `monkeys' that learn what to eat in a rich environment, and we changed resource species that are available in the environment. Relative to social influences on learning that arise spontaneously in groups, we found that more direct social learning, in the sense of observing another individual and copying what it eats, helps groups deal with high levels of en...
Changing the direction of the line of sight is essential for the visual exploration of our environment. When the head does not move, re-orientation of the visual axis is accomplished with high...Full Text Available
... being designed for projected Minotaur IV launch load environments, with design objectives of light weight, integrated vibration isolation, low shock ...
Pseudomonas stutzeri is a nonfluorescent denitrifying bacterium widely distributed in the environment, and it has also been isolated as an opportunistic pathogen from humans. Over the...Full Text Available
Vibrios are ubiquitous and abundant in the aquatic environment. A high abundance of vibrios is also detected in tissues and/or organs of various marine algae and animals, e.g., abalones, bivalves, corals,...Full Text Available
... Development for Envir Activities Materials Use: Sci, Eng, & Society Synopsis of Program: This ... for Environmental Activities (IDEA); Materials Use: Science, Engineering, & Society (MUSES). In all ...
... with the ability to capture imagery in raw 24-bit format, combined with large memory storage devices enable high resolution imagery to be captured ...
A comprehensive review was conducted of primary helium coolant chemistry data, based on current and past operating histories of helium-cooled, high-temperature reactors (HTGRs), including the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) HTGR. A reference observed FSV reactor coolant environment was identified. Further, a slightly drier expected FSV coolant chemistry was predicted for reactor operation at 100% of full power. The expected environment was compared with helium test environments used in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. Based on a comprehensive review and analysis of mechanical property data reported for Alloy 800 tested in controlled-impurity helium environments (and in air when appropriate for comparison), an assessment was made of the effect of FSV expected helium chemistry on material properties of alloy 800, with emphasis on design properties of the Alloy 800 material utilized in the FSV ...
A comprehensive review was conducted of primary helium coolant chemistry data, based on current and past operating histories of helium-cooled, high-temperature reactors (HTGRs), including the Fort St. Vrain (FSV) HTGR. A reference observed FSV reactor coolant environment was identified. Further, a slightly drier expected FSV coolant chemistry was predicted for reactor operation at 100% of full power. The expected environment was compared with helium test environments used in the US, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan. Based on a comprehensive review and analysis of mechanical property data reported for Alloy 800 tested in controlled-impurity helium environments (and in air when appropriate for comparison), an assessment was made of the effect of FSV expected helium chemistry on material properties of alloy 800, with emphasis on design properties of the Alloy 800 material utilized in the FSV ...
Most commercially based activated charcoal radon collectors were designed for use in indoor environments. However, at present, they are often used for research in radon surveys in unique environments, such as in the bathrooms, underground areas, mines, caves and tunnels. In these environments, the relative humidity would be around 100%, and a change in the sensitivity of cpm(Bq m{sup -3}){sup -1}(radon) would occur. For this study, the reduction in the sensitivity of activated charcoal radon collector due to environmental humidity was investigated, and the data correction was discussed. Here, ST-100 (Pico-Rad) was selected as an example of a familiar activated charcoal radon collector. According to our performance test, the humidity of 90% (20 deg. C) resulted in a 15% reduction of the sensitivity for 24 h collection. The ST-100 user should discuss the necessity of data correction by comparing the change of sensitivity with ...
In the safety assessment of a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) disposal system, it is required to estimate radiological impacts on future human beings arising from potential radionuclide releases from a deep repository into the surface environment. In order to estimated the impacts, a biosphere model is developed by reasonably assuming radionuclide migration processes in the surface environment and relevant human lifestyles. It is important to modify the present biosphere models or to develop alternative biosphere models applying the biosphere models according to quality and quantify of the information acquired through the siting process for constructing the repository. In this study, alternative biosphere models were developed taking geosphere-biosphere interface of marine environment into account. Moreover, the flux to dose conversion factors calculated by these alternative biosphere models was compared with those by ...
Information search in a distributed environment is an interactive process between the user and the artifact. How the information is distributed across the user and the artifact determines the efficacy...Full Text Available
Cyanobacteria have become a major model system for analyzing clock phenomena. The temporal program in this organism enhances fitness in rhythmic environments and is truly global—essentially...Full Text Available
transmitted to the Ozone Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) its sixth nomination for a critical use exemption (CUE) from the phaseout of methyl...
Sep 19, 2005 ... within a sealed tube to control the environment to which a sample mounts are better suited to handling the very small crystal is exposed. ...
The growing concern of the population with regards to the problem of atmospheric pollution has induced a change in the role of air quality monitoring networks, especially those monitoring air pollution in large cities which suffer from summer smog. The population is no longer satisfied with real-time measurements but wants to be warmed of high pollutants concentrations in advance. Some countries have been forecasting air pollution, and especially ozone, for a large number of years. Although most of them use statistical models based on the analyses of past conditions which induced high pollution episodes, some predict ozone levels using only their knowledge of the meteorological situation. Nowadays two trends appear regarding ozone forecasting: either very basic statistical methods, such as regression, or more sophisticated ones, such as neural networks. The paper then reviews several behaviours common to most forecasting models: the uncertainly due to the great dependence upon the ...
When liquids are confined in nano-scopic dimensions, their properties differ from the corresponding bulk liquid, due to their reduced dimensionality and surface effects. Phase transition temperatures and pressures are often shifted from the bulk values and new phases can appear due to the strong interactions of the molecules with the confining walls. We have studied the structural and dynamical properties of aromatic liquids such as benzene, toluene, and ortho-terphenyl confined in nano-porous materials, MCM-41 and SBA-15, synthesized and characterized in our laboratory. A non-trivial dependence of the glass transition temperature, T{sub g}, on the pore size and surface treatment of nano-porous materials is confirmed and interpreted as resulting from a competition between the fluid-wall and fluid-fluid intermolecular interactions. An increase of T{sub g} is observed for small pore sizes and attractive surface while T{sub g} decreases for non attractive surface, whatever the pore size. ...
This thesis presents the work achieved to instrument the ATLAS software framework, ATHENA, with a library of tools and utensils for the physics analysis as well as the extraction of the jet energy scale using physics events (in-situ calibration). The software part presents the various components of the ATHENA framework which handles the simulated and reconstructed data flow as well as the different stages of this process, before and during the data taking. The building of a library of tools easing the reconstruction of physics objects, their association with Monte-Carlo particles and their API is then explained. The need for common language and collaboration-wide utensils is emphasised as it allows to share the workload of validating these tools and to get reproducible physics results. The analysis part deals with the implementation of a light jet energy scale calibration algorithm within the C++ framework. This calibration algorithm makes use of W bosons decaying into light jets ...
Although the standard model of particle physics agrees perfectly with experimental data, it is unlikely the final theory describing particles and their interactions. New phenomena has been searched in the jets and missing transverse energy topology. Such phenomena may be due to the pair production of leptoquarks decaying into a quark and a neutrino or the pair production of stops decaying into a charm and a neutralino which is assumed to be the lightest supersymmetric particle. These searches have been performed with the Ddiamter detector at hadronic collider TeVatron with a center of mass energy of 1.96 TeV. This kind of searches needs a good understanding of the jet energy calibration. The determination of the relative jet energy scale has allowed us to reduce the systematic uncertainties on the jet energy measurement when comparing the data and the simulation. Moreover a new method has been developed in order to correct simulated jets for the differences observed in the jet energy ...
The aim of this study concerns the use of numerical methods for the resolution of the Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations adapted to the simulation of the cooling of the trailing edge of a stator in a high pressure turbine. These methods, based on the elsA solver developed at ONERA, use a four steps Runge Kutta time discretization scheme and a Jameson centered space discretization scheme. The scheme is applied through a finite volume approach on control volume centered on the cells of a multi-block structured mesh. Turbulence is simulated either through the algebraic Michel model, or through the one-transport-equation Spalart-Allmaras model, or through the two-transport-equations k 1, k {omega} and k {epsilon} models, and through ASM model. A simulation of the flow in a bidimensional stator, without cooling, is carried out. The cooling, which is realized with trailing edge slots, is then simulated on a bidimensional stator. Because the slot is represented by meshes overlapping ...
The central topic of this work is the study of the properties and the implementation of a Paul trap used for the measurement of the beta-neutrino angular correlation parameter in the decay of {sup 6}He. This coefficient provides a signature of the nature of the interactions involved in the weak interaction. The value of this coefficient can be deduced from the kinematical distribution of the decay events. An electromagnetic trap is used for the trapping of {sup 6}He{sup +} ions in a small volume. This trap has an open geometry that enables the detection in coincidence of the electron and the recoil ion emitted in the beta decay. A dedicated detection set up is used for the measurement of the electron energy, the ion time of flight and the position of the two particles for each event. A general description of the LPCTrap facility and of its performances is presented and shows that this set up is able to fulfill the proposed measurement. Especially, a comparison is made between the ...
This document deals with the couplings between the W boson and Z and gamma particles. WWZ and WW{gamma} vertex are predicted by the electroweak theory based on the symmetry group SU(2){sub L}*U(1){sub Y}, their existence is confirmed by the measurement of the production cross-section of W pairs at LEP. The effective values of the couplings are modified by the introduction of standard model particle loops at the vertex level, the impact on the coupling value is assessed to reach 10{sup -3}. These loops can also include beyond-the-standard-model particles, their impact is in the magnitude order of 10{sup -3} for most models. The fully description of these loops requires the values of 14 complex parameters whose measurement will give information about the existence of new particles. Nevertheless the number of events at LEP is not sufficient to measure all the parameters simultaneously. As a consequence the analysis is limited to the 3 most promising parameters: g{sub 1}{sup Z}, ...
Qualitative interpretation of data of different nature and sources, based on segmentation techniques such as discriminant analysis, is useful to characterize and monitor hydrocarbon reservoirs. In order to make this interpretation more reliable, it is necessary to characterize uncertainties attached to data and then, to propagate them in the interpretation work-flow. In this thesis, uncertainties are represented by intervals, because usually, little is known about input data errors. The uncertainty characterization issue is dealt with specifically for each case study. The uncertainty propagation issue is treated by a new technique, based on interval analysis, which consists in extending to intervals various popular approaches (non parametric, quadratic and linear) to discriminant analysis: Firstly, a learning phase allows calibrating an imprecise classifying model on the basis of pre-interpreted data. If the quality of this model is good enough, it is used to interpret the whole set of ...
This short survey focuses on the main radiation-induced base lesions that have been identified within cellular DNA. For this purpose, sensitive assays that are aimed at measuring a few modifications per 10{sup 7} normal bases were set-up. In that respect high performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (CLHP-MS/MS) was found to be able to single out the formation of 9 oxidized nucleosides and two modified nucleo-bases out of the 70 oxidative base lesions that have been identified in model systems. As a striking result, it was found that in the DNA of {gamma}-irradiated human monocytes, the formamide-pyrimidine derivative of guanine is produced in a higher yield than the ubiquitous 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-guanine damage, both arising from the same radical precursor. However, relatively high doses of ionizing radiation (> 20 Gy) have to be applied in order to detect an increase in the level of the damage. This is due to the low efficiency for both low and high LET ...
Since mid-March the Commission on Water Management, with the assistance of the appropriate ministries, visited all regions of the province in order to acquaint themselves first hand with regional water management problems. During the month of June, the Commission also organized a series of ten workshops, attended by a limited number of experts, to explore in depth certain specific questions in the area of water management. During these public sessions the Commission hoped to discuss specifically the specific questions relating to water management problems of First Nations communities, bearing in mind the essential nature of water in maintaining traditional activities. The workshop took place on the Montanard reserve of Mashteuiatsh (Pointe-Bleu). The morning session was devoted to presentations by invited experts, followed by an exchange of views between the experts and the Commissioners, with opportunity for participants to address question to the experts. This document was compiled ...
The abatement of CO{sub 2} emissions is a huge technical and economical challenge. Fossil fuels, which represent 88% of the world primary energy consumption, are the main source of the 25 billions of CO{sub 2} released each year in the atmosphere. The mastery of CO{sub 2} emissions cannot come from a single technology but must result from the simultaneous implementation of several means, like the development of carbon-free energies and the mastery of fossil fuel emissions. The opportunities of progress are numerous and compatible with the economic development. This document presents, first, the different greenhouse gases, the CO{sub 2} emissions per country and the main sources of CO{sub 2} emissions (power and heat generation, transports). Then it presents different ways of abatement of CO{sub 2} emissions: clean coal technologies, gas combined cycles, CO{sub 2} sequestration, reduction of fuel consumption in transports, development of carbon-free energies: wind power, solar ...
The increasing complexity of the real-time data acquisition and processing systems (TDAQ: the so called Trigger and Data AcQuisition systems) in high energy physics calls for an appropriate evolution of development tools. This work is about the interplay between in principle specifications of TDAQ systems and their actual design and realization on a concrete hardware and software platform. The basis of our work is to define a methodology for the development of TDAQ systems that meets the specific demands for the development of such systems. The result is the detailed specification of a 'methodological framework' based on the Unified Modeling Language (UML) and designed to manage a development process. The use of this UML-based methodological framework progressively leads to the setting up of a 'home-made' framework, i.e. a development tool that comprises reusable components and generic architectural elements adapted to TDAQ systems. The main parts of ...
Large-eddy-simulations are performed for the heat transfer and the wake flow of a thin rotating disk subjected to an outer parallel passing stream of air. Above a critical value for the angular velocity of the disk, heat transfer augmentation sets on. This is strongly related to a flow instability that leads to a periodic vortex generation at the counter-moving disk side. The resulting phenomena are captured by the classical Landau model. For higher angular velocities the wake becomes fully turbulent, and here the transition to turbulence seems to be very abrupt. In this regime, a periodic vortex generation is observable at the co-moving disk side, too. (orig.) [German] Grobstruktur-Simulationen werden fuer die Waermeuebertragung und die Nachlaufstroemung fuer eine duenne rotierende Scheibe in einem aeusseren parallelen Luftstrom durchgefuehrt. Oberhalb eines kritischen Wertes fuer die Rotationsgeschwindigkeit setzt eine Verstaerkung der Waermeuebertragung ein. Dies ist eng mit einer ...
... This course is jointly taught between the School of Civil Engineering and the Environment and the School of Ocean and Earth Sciences. Scholarships 2 UK/EU fees only Scholarships are available for the academic year 2010/11. Awards will be given on the basis of merit. Flexible part-time study route available Back to top Home | About Us | Prospective Students |...
DescriptionThis project investigates in silico the interactive consequences of breeding for parasite resistance and nutritional environment on livestock productivity. The thesis of the work is that conflicting evidence regarding the consequences of breeding for parasite resistance arises from the failure to consider the interactions between host genetics and nutritional environment. Starting with a framework that accounts for the consequences of host nutrition on the development of parasitism, we will (1 [continued...
DescriptionThis new research programme activity on Urban Atmospheric Science will deliver aspects of the NERC strategy: Next Generation Science for Planet Earth. It has been developed as part of the Environment, Pollution & Human Health theme. Research in the Environment, Pollution & Human Health theme is directed at elucidating key environmental processes that form part of a causal pathway between an environmental hazard and disease outcome, and providing a predictive capability of the risk to human heal [continued...
This paper addresses the background and the continuously evolving topics of hardening and electronic components. Typical radiation environments from 1960 are described. Examples of a civilian satellite and of future particle physics colliders help illustrate hardening problems. Effects in components, limits of shielding, and three methods of providing components are described. The authors conclude by focusing on both future trends of radiation environments and anticipated progress in electronics. (authors). 10 refs., 9 figs., 4 tabs.
In order to meet the needs of remote servicing performed in nuclear power plants, in fuel reprocessing plants and in atomic research centers three companies: - STMI, subsidiary of CEA, EDF and SGN, specialized in decontamination and dismantling, - La Calhene, subsidiary of CEA and SGN, specialized in robotics, - Inspectronic, manufacturer of closed circuit television cameras, have combined to create the Visionic Society, the main objectives of which are observation by television and inspections in radioactive environment.
Steam generators (SGs) in PWRs and CANDUs are designed for at least a 30-year operating life. However, in the 15-25 years that SGs tubed with Alloy 600 have operated commercially, they have experienced reduced reliability, mainly due to SG tubing degradation. One of the degradation mechanisms that Alloy 600 SG tubing has suffered from is lead-induced stress corrosion cracking (PbSCC) in AVT and near-neutral SG environments. In contrast to Alloy 600 tubing, test data obtained in high temperature water indicate that Alloy 800 is resistant to cracking by lead and lead compounds. For Alloy 800 (cold worked, shot peened), the most aggressive environment is reported to be alkaline with minor concentration of PbO (80 ppm). Work by Max Helie et al. also concluded that Alloy 800 is not sensitive to lead assisted SCC for pH values close to neutrality, whereas it could be affected in high alkaline conditions. The work reported here investigated the ...
Steam generators (SGs) in PWRs and CANDUs are designed for at least a 30-year operating life. However, in the 15-25 years that SGs tubed with Alloy 600 have operated commercially, they have experienced reduced reliability, mainly due to SG tubing degradation. One of the degradation mechanisms that Alloy 600 SG tubing has suffered from is lead-induced stress corrosion cracking (PbSCC) in AVT and near-neutral SG environments. In contrast to Alloy 600 tubing, test data obtained in high temperature water indicate that Alloy 800 is resistant to cracking by lead and lead compounds. For Alloy 800 (cold worked, shot peened), the most aggressive environment is reported to be alkaline with minor concentration of PbO (80 ppm). Work by Max Helie et al. also concluded that Alloy 800 is not sensitive to lead assisted SCC for pH values close to neutrality, whereas it could be affected in high alkaline conditions. The work reported here investigated the ...
DescriptionAbstract of Research Proposal The root environment has a major effect on crop growth, both directly through the supply of water and nutrients to the shoot, and indirectly through root to shoot signalling. Better management of crop root systems through agronomic and genetic means has the potential to improve the efficiency of water and nutrient uptake, and limit root restrictions to crop growth. However, progress in this area is currently limited by the lack of sensors for in situ estimates of [continued...
Literature summarizing a study on the Saudi Arabian solar controlled environment agriculture system is presented. Specifications and performance requirements for the system components are revealed. Detailed performance and cost analyses are used to determine the optimum design. A preliminary design of an engineering field test is included. Some weather data are provided for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (BCS)
...Korea 2008 NOx charges as feebate in Sweden Pilot Project on Solid Waste Management in Khulna City: Community Organisation and Management Plastic Bag ban in Dhaka City, Bangladesh Policies on Conservation of the DMZ District Ecosystem Ministry of Environment Republic of Korea 2007 Policies on Promoting Environmental Industries and International Cooperation ...
The physical foundations and methodology are described of radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis. The sources are listed of air, water and soil pollution, and the transfer of impurities into biological materials is described. A detailed description is presented of the sampling of air, soil and biological materials and their preparation for analysis. Greatest attention is devoted to radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis of the components of the environment. (ES).
This book contains the proceedings of the International Topical Meeting on Remote Systems and Robotics in Hostile Environments. It is organized under the following sessions: Worldwide Applications Overview; Operating Mobile Systems; Sensors and Control Systems; Space Applications; Reactor Operations and Surveillance; Remote Equipment for Hazardous Operations; Future Mobile System; Mining and Construction Operations; Special Applications; Hot Cell Applications; Processing; Reactor Operations and Maintenance; Decontamination and Waste Handling; Remote Handling Development and Demonstration.
This chapter discusses the types of natural radioactive materials in the environment that include primordial natural radioactive materials such as K-40, U and Th, and daughters of their decay series. The discussion also includes secondary natural radioactive material generated through cosmic radiation interaction with nucleus of materials in the atmosphere. The dispersion of these radioactive materials to environment will also be part of the discussion. (Author)
DescriptionFossil fuels have a detrimental effect on the environment. They lead to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide which has been documented over the last 150 years. In contrast, some sources of renewable energy are near carbon neutral. Renewable energy produced from biomass constitutes such a type of energy and so has many potential advantages. The Energy White Paper (DTI et al., 2003) identifies bioenergy as an important means of meeting the Government's energy and environment objectives, in [continued...
This study evaluated the heat strain induced by six configurations of a new modular body armor (MBA) design. Tests were conducted in two environments differing only by wind speed. The environments were 40 deg C (104 deg F), 20% rh, wind speeds 1.0 msec-1 ...
Projects associated with this grant for studying hazardous materials in aquatic environments of the Mississippi River Basin are reviewed and goals, progress and research results are discussed. New, one-year initiation projects are described briefly.
...htm Waste Framework Directive 75/442/EEC (amended by Directive 91/156/EEC) and Waste Management Planning http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/plans/index.htm Selected EC commissioned/supported projects including LCA IPP Pilot Product exercise on mobile phones and on tropical garden furniture http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ipp/pilot.htm \\
This book contains the Proceedings of the Conference on Climate and Water under the following groupings: Impacts of climatic variability and change-resulting from the changes in hydrological variables; Aquatic environment; Terrestrial environment; Coastal zones and navigation; Urban and industrial water supply and drainage; Energy production; Intropogenic changes of climate and water management problems; Flood potential; Irrigation and land drainage.
This book contains the Proceedings of the Conference on Climate and Water under the following groupings: Impacts of climatic variability and change-resulting from the changes in hydrological variables; Aquatic environment; Terrestrial environment; Coastal zones and navigation; Urban and industrial water supply and drainage; Energy production; Intropogenic changes of climate and water management problems; Flood potential; Irrigation and land drainage.
An overview is given of techniques to analyze all kinds of complaints from occupants of office buildings about their working environment: headaches, lethargy, eye irritation, respiratory problems, and complaints about the temperature and draught. Special attention is paid to the sensory evaluation of air quality. 4 figs., 7 refs.
A total of nine papers were presented at the course with the following titles: peat accumulation and coal basins; coal composition; coal quality; sedimentary environments of coal; generation, storage and migration of natural gas in coal bed reservoirs; geophysical log interpretation; the Ardley coal zone of central Alberta; stratigraphy and sedimentary environment of the Coalspur Formation; and the coal-bearing Luscar Group of western Alberta. All of these papers have been abstracted separately.
Increasingly, utility organizations recognize the value of sharing data and applications among their computing environments. A typical utility`s computing environment may consist of disparate computer platforms. The focus of this paper is to highlight importance of a documented information technology architecture for identifying business perspectives for interoperability, and to brief utility management about the Electric Power Research Institute`s (EPRI) accomplishment along these same lines.
New studies document a positive impact of IAQ on human productivity and health. A paradigm shift is foreseen with much greater emphasis on excellent indoor environments. The air should be perceived as fresh, pleasant and stimulating. Essential elements in the predicted paradigm shift are suggested and discussed. (orig.)
The first step in the protection of the environment is the control of pollutant level in the components of the environment. The application is compared of radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis (RXFA) used for this purpose with polarographic and nuclear analytical techniques. The advantage of RXFA is its high sensitivity and selectivity, its low time and cost exactingness. The origins and development of RXFA are described. (Ha).
As the Electric Power Industry is actively preparing for a restructured future where retail wheeling is practiced ideally and efficiently in a competitive market-based environment, concerns may arise legitimately on how system reliability and integrity can be ensured in an environment where markets have an enhanced role. As these concerns may be justified, at least for a transition period, this paper presents a proposal which outlines how the generally accepted requisite capacity, energy, and ancillary services standards may be satisfied through market reliance and minimal coordination by a Reliability Monitoring and Ancillary Services Managing Entity or Independent System Operator. A Strawman detailing one -- and by no means the only -- future scenario inspired by the recent NEPOOL restructuring discussions in New England is presented to demonstrate that market-based competition and flexibility are compatible with a reliable Power System.
According to the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis, environmental degradation increases in the early stages of growth, but it eventually decreases as income exceeds a threshold level. It is thus often argued that if international trade increases incomes then it can also have a positive impact on environmental quality. So far, these hypotheses have been widely empirically tested for the developed countries. However, it is still uncertain whether positive effects of international trade on growth and on the environment may also hold in developing countries. One of the major difficulties in testing these relations in developing countries is the poor quality of environment related data. In this analysis this problem is reduced by constructing a structural equation model (SEM) with three la...
ObjectivesThe primary aim is to enable China to address its energy and infrastructure issues in a sustainable manner, without hindering economic progress, with the UK benefiting from an enhanced uptake of its technology, knowledge and expertise through enhanced business opportunities and strengthened collaboration with key Chinese Institutions. ~%~~%~Objectives~%~1) To build capacity and capability in technology transfer and knowledge exploitation in Chinese and UK business and industry through practical, [continued...]DescriptionThe Chinese 11th Five-Year Plan considers Sustainable Energy Supply and Sustainable Built Environment as crucial for achieving sustainable development. Recognising the potential benefits, the UK government has actively encouraged international collaborations with China. Two Engineering Schools at Queen's University Belfast (QUB), with internationally recognised research excellence in the Built ...
The objective of this study is development of technology on chicken yard design and its environment control. For this objective, the micro processor interface techniques and related programming techniques have been surveyed, and the chicken yard environment monitoring system has been developed that equipped with micro computer and signal measurement module. Software has also been developed that operated the system and analyzes measured data. By using micro computer and signal input/output module, the system can have various functions, such as monitoring, alarm, and data analysis function. Three dimensional graphic modeling of a chicken yard is performed using graphic package in this study. Application of three dimensional modeling technique make it easy to design chicken yard. 9 figs. (Author)
A three-level approach to viability is developed, considering (1) living systems, (2) a niche, understood as the area within the reach of their actions, and (3) an environment. A systematic analysis of the interrelations between these levels shows that living systems emerge with matter/energy processing systems. These can add controller structures when producing excess energy. A three-sensor controller structure enables a living system to deal with unfavourable and scarce environments. Further evolution of these controller structures offers improved ways to act on niches. Maintaining niches in scarce environments can require technology or economy. So social systems emerge, which are understood as aggregates of living systems. Basic patterns of interactions within social systems are analyse...
Modern HENP experiments such as CMS and Atlas involve as many as 2000 collaborators around the world. Collaborations this large will be unable to meet often enough to support working closely together. Many of the tools currently available for collaboration focus on heavy-weight applications such as videoconferencing tools. While these are important, there is a more basic need for tools that support connecting physicists to work together on an ad hoc or continuous basis. Tools that support the day-to-day connectivity and underlying needs of a group of collaborators are important for providing light-weight, non-intrusive, and flexible ways to work collaboratively. Some example tools include messaging, file-sharing, and shared plot viewers. An important component of the environment is a scalable underlying communication framework. In this paper we will describe our current progress on building a dynamic and ad hoc collaboration environment and our ...
Storage of thermal energy in aquifers has obvious benefits of saving energy and decreasing the consumption of fossil fuels. However, aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), which involves groundwater aquifers as the storage medium for heat or chill, impinges on the environment. A literature review of pertinent microbiology publications (Hicks and Stewart, 1988) identified the potential for the interaction of ATES systems and microbiological processes to create a source of infectious diseases and the potential for damage to the environment. In addition, the review identified a potential for microbiological processes to develop conditions that would interfere with the operation of an ATES system. As a result of this research effort, investigators from Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States have examined several ATES systems in operation and have observed that the ATES systems studied do not contribute to infectious disease ...
Storage of thermal energy in aquifers has obvious benefits of saving energy and decreasing the consumption of fossil fuels. However, aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES), which involves groundwater aquifers as the storage medium for heat or chill, impinges on the environment. A literature review of pertinent microbiology publications (Hicks and Stewart, 1988) identified the potential for the interaction of ATES systems and microbiological processes to create a source of infectious diseases and the potential for damage to the environment. In addition, the review identified a potential for microbiological processes to develop conditions that would interfere with the operation of an ATES system. As a result of this research effort, investigators from Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and the United States have examined several ATES systems in operation and have observed that the ATES systems studied do not contribute to infectious disease ...
In this paper we discuss a number of astrophysical environments and how improved nuclear data could facilitate a better understanding of them. One area of interest includes proton and alpha-particle reactions with unstable nuclei which are necessary for understanding the nucleosynthesis and energy generation in hot hydrogen-burning environments. Efforts underway at LLNL and elsewhere to develop the technology for the measurement of these reaction rates are discussed. Heavy-element nucleosynthesis in the late stages of red-giant stars and supernovae requires a complete network of neutron capture rates and beta-decay rates for nuclei near and far from stability. Experimental and theoretical efforts at LLNL to supply the input data and to model the nucleosynthetic environments will be outlined. Suggestions are made as to which nuclear data are most critical for the various scenarios. 42 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.
The laboratory environment existing outside the test situation itself can have a substantial influence on results of some behavioral tests with mice, and the extent of these influences sometimes depends on genotype. For alcohol research, the principal issue is whether genotype-related ethanol effects will themselves be altered by common variations in the lab environment or instead will be essentially the same across a wide range of lab environments. Data from 20 inbred strains were used to reduce an original battery of seven tests of alcohol intoxication to a compact battery of four tests: the balance beam and grip strength with a 1.25g/kg ethanol dose and the accelerating rotarod and open-field activation tests with 1.75g/kg. The abbreviated battery was then used to study eight inbred str...
This is a continuation of our paper [Liu, M., Wang, K., 2010. Persistence and extinction of a stochastic single-species model under regime switching in a polluted environment, J. Theor. Biol. 264, 934-944]. Taking both white noise and colored noise into account, a stochastic single-species model under regime switching in a polluted environment is studied. Sufficient conditions for extinction, stochastic nonpersistence in the mean, stochastic weak persistence and stochastic permanence are established. The threshold between stochastic weak persistence and extinction is obtained. The results show that a different type of noise has a different effect on the survival results. PMID:20816991
Solid-state single-photon sources have many desirable features that make them attractive for applications in quantum information processing. However, the phase coherence of such devices can be severely compromised by coupling to the solid-state environment. Here, we study the effects of realistic dephasing environments on a pair of solid-state single photon sources in the context of quantum interference effects such as the Hong-Ou-Mandel dip. By means of exact solutions for the non-Markovian dynamics of the sources, we show that the resulting loss of visibility depends crucially on the timing of photon detection events. Our results demonstrate that the effective visibility can be improved via temporal post-selection, and also that time-resolved interference can be a useful probe of the interaction between the emitter and its host environment.
Over 170 participants from 60 countries met for three days in Copenhagen from 7 to 9 June 1994 to discuss howe the aims of the United Nations Framework convention on Climate Change can be translated into practical action. The Conference was organised by the UNEP collaborating Centre on Energy and Environment (UCCEE), with financial support from the Danish International Development Agency (Danida), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Risoe National Laboratory, Denmark. The main objective of the conference was to identify common approaches to national mitigation analysis for countries to use in meeting their commitments under the FCCC, and in setting priorities for national actions. Although addressing a broader theme, the conference marked the completion and publication of the second phase on UNEP Greenhouse Gas Abatement Costing Study. (au)
An effect of load conditions on Corrosion Fatigue Crack Propagation (CFCP) behavior of High Performance Steel (HPS) under seawater environment was investigated. Fatigue crack propagation tests under several load conditions including stress ratio and load frequency were conducted in air and 3.5% NaCl solution environments. Corrosion/fatigue ratio factor, C/F, particularly was defined to analyze the effect of such conditions. As shown in the results, a decrease of load ratio and frequency leads to an increase of C/F factor. Consequently, under lower loading frequency and stress ratio, the seawater condition causes much more significant effect on CFCP behavior of HPS.
This paper describes the Knowledge Encapsulation Framework (KEF), a suite of tools to enable knowledge inputs (relevant, domain-specific facts) to modeling and simulation projects, as well as other domains that require effective collaborative workspaces for knowledge-based task. This framework can be used to capture evidence (e.g., trusted material such as journal articles and government reports), discover new evidence (covering both trusted and social media), enable discussions surrounding domain-specific topics and provide automatically generated semantic annotations for improved corpus investigation. The current KEF implementation is presented within a wiki environment, providing a simple but powerful collaborative space for team members to review, annotate, discuss and align evidence with their modeling frameworks. The novelty in this approach lies in the combination of automatically tagged and user-vetted resources, which increases user trust in the ...
Mining affects the environment in different ways depending on the physical context in which the mining occurs. In mining areas with an arid environment, mining affects plants? growth by changing the amount of available water. This paper discusses the effects of mining on two important determinants of plant growth?soil moisture and groundwater table (GWT)?which were investigated using an integrated approach involving a field sampling investigation with remote sensing (RS) and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). To calculate and map the distribution of soil moisture for a target area, we initially analyzed four models for regression analysis between soil moisture and apparent thermal inertia and finally selected a linear model for modeling the soil moisture at a depth 10?cm; the relative error o...
This paper aims to explore consumer preference for fresh vegetables labelled as organic in combination with health and environment related quality traits. The study decomposes organic farming into its main quality aspects and measures consumers' preference structure for organic, in general, and for specific organic quality traits in particular. By means of stated choice preference modelling, the following hypotheses are tested: consumers prefer health over environment related quality traits; the organic label plays a significant role in consumers' choice for organic products; organic farming is perceived as healthier and more environmentally friendly than conventional farming; purchase intention is mainly driven by health related quality traits; both health and environmental concerns influ...
Current Intrusion Detection System (IDS) technology is not suited to be widely deployed inside a Supervisory, Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) environment. Anomaly- and signature-based IDS technologies have developed methods to cover information technology-based networks activity and protocols effectively. However, these IDS technologies do not include the fine protocol granularity required to ensure network security inside an environment with weak protocols lacking authentication and encryption. By implementing a more specific and more intelligent packet inspection mechanism, tailored traffic flow analysis, and unique packet tampering detection, IDS technology developed specifically for SCADA environments can be deployed with confidence in detecting malicious activity.
The nuclear complex in Tarapur, Maharashtra is a multi facility nuclear site comprising of power reactors and research facilities. Each facility has independent liquid effluent discharge line to Arabian Sea. Experimental studies were conducted to evaluate dilution factors in the aquatic environment using liquid effluent releases as tracer from one of the facilities. 3H and 137Cs radioisotopes present in the routine releases were used as simulated tracer nuclides. The dilution factors(D.F) observed for tritium were in the range of 20-20000 in a distance range of 10 m to 1500 m respectively and for 137Cs the D.F. were in the range of 50 to 900 over a distance range of 10-200 m. The paper describes the analytical methodology and sampling scenarios and the results of dilution factors obtained for Tarapur aquatic environment. (author)
The LHCb experiment has chosen to use the SAM framework (Service Availability Monitoring Environment from EGEE-II) [1] make extensive tests of the LHCb environment at all the accessible grid resources. The availability and the proper definition of the local Computing and Storage Elements, user interfaces as well as the WLCG software environment are checked. The SAM framework is also used to pre-install the LHCb applications in the shared software area provided by each site. The deployment of the LHCb applications is based on a python tool developed inside the experiment. It is used for software management including incremental installation of interdependent packages and clean package removal. After the application software is installed a validation test of the whole MC chain is run. According to the results of the experiment specific SAM tests, the sites are (re)integrated into the LHCb production system managed by DIRAC ...
During the last years, large-scale simulations of realistic physical environments which support the interaction of multiple participants over the Internet have become increasingly available and economically significant, most notably in the computer gaming industry. Such systems, commonly called networked virtual environments (NVEs), are usually based on a client-server architecture where for performance reasons and bandwidth restrictions, the simulation is partially deferred to the clients. This inevitable architectural choice renders the simulation vulnerable to attacks against the semantic integrity of the simulation: malicious clients may attempt to compromise the physical and logical laws governing the simulation, or to alter the causality of events a posteriori. In this paper, we initiate the systematic study of semantic integrity in NVEs from a security point of view. We argue that naive policies to enforce semantic integrity involve ...
Passive films formed on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Mott-Schottky approach. Passive current density and donor density of the passive films increase with increasing temperature, due to increased diffusion rates of metallic ions and dehydration of hydroxide phases. The passive films show a duplex structure including an inner layer of fine-grained Cr oxide or spinel oxide and an outer layer of Ni-Fe spinel oxide and Ni hydroxide. A growth model of the passive films on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments is proposed and discussed.
Passive films formed on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments were investigated by potentiodynamic polarization, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Mott-Schottky approach. Passive current density and donor density of the passive films increase with increasing temperature, due to increased diffusion rates of metallic ions and dehydration of hydroxide phases. The passive films show a duplex structure including an inner layer of fine-grained Cr oxide or spinel oxide and an outer layer of Ni-Fe spinel oxide and Ni hydroxide. A growth model of the passive films on Alloy 690 in high-temperature alkaline environments is proposed and discussed.
The diagnostic designs for the Laser Megajoule (LMJ) will require components to operate in environments far more severe than those encountered in present facilities. This harsh environment will be induced by fluxes of neutrons, gamma rays, energetic ions, electromagnetic radiations, and, in some cases, debris and shrapnel, at levels several orders of magnitude higher than those experienced today on existing facilities. The lessons learned about the vulnerabilities of present diagnostic parts fielded mainly on OMEGA for many years, have been very useful guide for the design of future LMJ diagnostics. The present and future LMJ diagnostic designs including this vulnerability approach and their main mitigation techniques will be presented together with the main characteristics of the LMJ facility that provide for diagnostic protection.
The aim of this paper is to analyze the influence of the legal and institutional environment on bidder firm returns around the announcement date of cross-border Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As). The database includes 469 M&As of European (221 cross-border and 248 domestic) listed firms, with target firms being worldwide public or private firms (40 countries), over the 2002-2006 period. Shareholders of acquiring firms place greater value on cross-border M&A announcements than on domestic ones. The stronger (weaker) the legal and institutional environment of the acquirer firm country in comparison with that of the target firm country, the more positive (negative) the effect on acquiring-firm shareholders' valuation of M&As.
Due to the well-establish corrosion problems of Alloy 600 as a steam-generator material and the subsequent focus on thermally treated (TT) Alloy 690 and Alloy 800 as alternative materials, a systematic analysis of the corrosion behavior of these two latter alloys is warranted. Corrosion test results for Alloys 690 TT and 800 were collected and organized in the form of corrosion mode diagrams. Selected data for mill annealed (MA) Alloy 600 were also included for reference. The corrosion mode diagrams correlate the modes of corrosion degradation observed in tests as functions of the environment pH and electrochemical potential (ECP). The diagrams confirm that Alloys 690TT shows some susceptibility in caustic environments, and Alloy 800 shows susceptibility in both caustic and highly acidic environments. (authors). 6 figs., 5 refs.
Due to the well-establish corrosion problems of Alloy 600 as a steam-generator material and the subsequent focus on thermally treated (TT) Alloy 690 and Alloy 800 as alternative materials, a systematic analysis of the corrosion behavior of these two latter alloys is warranted. Corrosion test results for Alloys 690 TT and 800 were collected and organized in the form of corrosion mode diagrams. Selected data for mill annealed (MA) Alloy 600 were also included for reference. The corrosion mode diagrams correlate the modes of corrosion degradation observed in tests as functions of the environment pH and electrochemical potential (ECP). The diagrams confirm that Alloys 690TT shows some susceptibility in caustic environments, and Alloy 800 shows susceptibility in both caustic and highly acidic environments. (authors). 6 figs., 5 refs.
Titanium stabilized austenitic steel is sensitive to SCC in the secondary water under the horizontal steam generator operating conditions. SCC was observed under crevice conditions both at the primary collector flanges and the heat exchange tubes. In the crevice environment sulfates and chlorides as aggressive species and silicates and alumino-silicates as ''non-aggressive'' species are present in significant amounts. Local water chemistry parameters were evaluated using the MULTEQ Code. SCC experiments were carried out by rising displacement tests ar 275 deg C in an environment simulating the crevice conditions. Crack growth rate and K{sub IS}8C{sub C} were determined for the environment where contents of some species were from 10{sup 2} to 10{sup 4} times higher than in blowdowns. (authors)
Titanium stabilized austenitic steel is sensitive to SCC in the secondary water under the horizontal steam generator operating conditions. SCC was observed under crevice conditions both at the primary collector flanges and the heat exchange tubes. In the crevice environment sulfates and chlorides as aggressive species and silicates and alumino-silicates as ''non-aggressive'' species are present in significant amounts. Local water chemistry parameters were evaluated using the MULTEQ Code. SCC experiments were carried out by rising displacement tests ar 275 deg C in an environment simulating the crevice conditions. Crack growth rate and K_I_S8C_C were determined for the environment where contents of some species were from 10"2 to 10"4 times higher than in blowdowns. (authors)
Four general topics are covered in respect to the natural space radiation environment: (1) particles trapped by the earth`s magnetic field, (2) cosmic rays, (3) radiation environment inside a spacecraft, (4) laboratory radiation sources. The interaction of radiation with materials is described by ionization effects and displacement effects. Total-dose effects on MOS devices is discussed with respect to: measurement techniques, electron-hole yield, hole transport, oxide traps, interface traps, border traps, device properties, case studies and special concerns for commercial devices. Other device types considered for total-dose effects are SOI devices and nitrided oxide devices. Lastly, single event phenomena are discussed with respect to charge collection mechanisms and hard errors. (GHH)
The necessity of supporting more and more social interaction (and not only the mere information sharing) in online environments is the disruptive force upon which phenomena ascribed to the Web2.0 paradigm continuously bud. People interacting in online socio-technical environments mould technology on their needs, seamlessly integrating it into their everyday life. MUVEs (Multi User Virtual Environments) are no exception and, in several cases, represent the new frontier in this field. In this work we analyze if and how MUVEs can be considered a mean for augmenting communities (and more in general people) life. We trace a framework of analysis based on four main observations, and through these lenses we look at Second Life and at several projects we are currently developing in that synthetic world.
Many species of entomophagous arthropods have been introduced either intentionally (through the practice of biological control) or unintentionally to new regions. We examine interactions of these aliens with their new environments in the context of rapid global change linked to human activity. We consider effects of such interactions on establishment and spread of the alien species and effects on indigenous biota and ecosystems. Major elements of global change that affect alien-environment interactions include landscape modifications by humans (e.g., cultivation, habitat loss and fragmentation) and increases in atmospheric CO2 and other gases resulting in climate change and other effects (e.g., changes in food quality for herbivores that affect higher trophic levels as well). Alien arthrop...
In recent years, offshore reservoirs have been developed in deeper and deeper water environments. Steel catenary risers (SCRs) are being considered in deepwater development such as Northern North Sea. SCRs used in conjunction with a semi-submersible or floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) in deepwater harsh environments present significant design challenges. The large vertical motions at the semi or FPSO induce severe riser response, which results in difficulty meeting strength and fatigue criteria at the hang off and touch down point locations. To improve the understanding of SCR behaviour and increase the confidence in the design of such systems in deepwater harsh environments, a parametric study on a SCR connected to a semi-submersible was carried out in this paper to deal...
ObjectivesFirst comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical properties of an epoxy adhesive in different environments using a nano-indenter. ~%~~%~Use AFM/SEM and finite element modelling to generate knowledge of the precise mechanism of indentation in the epoxy adhesive. ~%~~%~Develop an improved data reduction algorithm for generating meaningful mechanical property data from indentation tests for adhesive materials.~%~ ~%~Validate the nano-indentation method of generating mechanical property data against [continued...]DescriptionThis project aims to address the problem of insufficient data on adhesive materials for effective modelling of joint behaviour in different environments. The methodology to be used is based on depth sensing indentation tests at different loads and rates and in different environments. Post-indentation deformation and recovery will be monitored by AFM and SEM and ...
Note the waste water ponds, road network, disturbed land, and undisturbed land. Credit: Image courtesy of NASA GSFC, MITI, ERSDAC, JAROS, and U.S./Japan ...
are you exchanging data or metadata through specific agreements with a defined number of partners? or are you intending to make data or metadata available in a more "open" environment, with the expectation that it may be used by a potentially unlimited number of services? ...
Wildlife Monitoring System Schematic .......................... 40 ...... sentinel species - healthy fish are placed in an environment of water (where they arc not .... The way ir! which data for the fnre mdor study groups will be gathered tor managciacilt ...... Earth Resources Aircraft Program (ERAP) Camera ...
Man-made endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) present a threat to biodiversity, even in remote areas. To date, numerous wildlife species have been affected by EDCs in the environment, but it is likely...Full Text Available
Background and AimsIn spatially heterogeneous environments, a trade-off between seedling survival and relative growth rate may promote the coexistence of plant species. In temperate...Full Text Available
N-substituted aromatics are important priority pollutants entering the environment primarily through anthropogenic activities associated with the industrial production of dyes, explosives, pesticides,...Full Text Available
Temperature sensing is crucial for homeotherms, including human beings, to maintain a stable body core temperature and respond to the ambient environment. A group of exquisitely temperature-sensitive...Full Text Available
The purpose of this new industrial chair is to ensure the continuation and development of new research activities in the field of environment protection as it relates to the good management of mine tailings. The mining industry plays a vital role in the economy of a number of regions in both Quebec and Canada and also causes environmental problems due to the generation of liquid, solid, and gaseous wastes. Mine tailings can cause acid mine drainage. This acid mine drainage (AMD) can have detrimental effects on the ecosystems adjoining tailings or waste rock piles. We must remain aware that some of the remedial measures instituted to contain AMD might cause problems due to their possible instability. Despite the fact that instability is a rare occurrence, it can have disastrous effects on the environment as demonstrated in Spain, Guyana, and the Philippines during the last few years. The creation of this chair in environment ...
As the Medical Library Association (MLA) enters its second century, its role in providing leadership and focus for the education of health information professionals in a changing environment will be...Full Text Available
... The main goal was the analysis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for the Czech Republic. A paper by Bruha and Scasny, accepted to the European Society of Ecological Economics, ( Lisbon June 2005), analyses driving forces (including economic policy) on ...
This fact sheet highlights how renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies can and are being used to reduce air emissions and meet environmental goals, showcasing case studies and technology-specific topics.
The public expects that the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) will operate in a manner that prevents negative impacts to the environment and protects the safety and health of its employees and the public. To achieve this goal within budget, the Department of Energy (DOE) and LANL must develop new and improved environment, safety, and health (ES and H) technologies and implement innovative, more cost-effective ES and H approaches to operations. In FY95, the Environment, Safety, and Health (ESH) Division initiated a Technology Development, Evaluation, and Application (TDEA) program. The purpose of this unique program is to test and develop technologies that solve LANL ES and H problems and improve the safety of LANL operations. This progress report presents the results of 10 projects funded in FY97 by the TDEA Committee of the Environment, Safety, and Health Division. Products generated from the ...
...of stations and a number of components, and meta information on air quality monitoring networks and stations. Access the database Producer Europe Environment Agency Content ...of stations and a number of components, and meta information on air quality monitoring networks and stations. Coverage National (Europe) Number of records...
Gas exchange between the plant and the environment is severely hampered when plants are submerged, leading to oxygen and energy deficits. A straightforward way to reduce these shortages of oxygen and...Full Text Available
The likelihood that past experience will produce correct guides to current practice depends on the signal-to-noise ratio for the clinical problem of interest. If the signal-to-noise ratio is high, the...Full Text Available
The cell wall envelopes of gram-positive bacteria represent a surface organelle that not only functions as a cytoskeletal element but also promotes interactions between bacteria and their environment....Full Text Available
This paper assesses the hypothesis that depressive syndrome is associated with socioeconomic status, using longitudinal data from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Followup. Socioeconomic...Full Text Available
This article examines social stratification in individual health trajectories for multiple cohorts in the context of China’s dramatically changing macro-social environment. Using data...Full Text Available
Biomass fuel burning leads to high levels of suspended particulate matter and hazardous chemicals in the indoor environment in countries where it is in common use, contributing significantly to indoor...Full Text Available
This paper describes the graphical simulation of a traffic environment. The environment includes streets leading to an intersection, the intersection, vehicle traffic, and signal lights in the intersection controlled by different methods. The simulation allows for the study of parameters affecting traffic environments and the study of different control strategies for traffic signal lights, including conventional, fuzzy, and adaptive control methods. Realistic traffic environments are simulated including a cross intersection, with one or more lanes of traffic in each direction, with and without turn lanes. Vehicle traffic patterns are a mixture of cars going straight and making right or left turns. The free velocities of vehicles follow a normal distribution with a mean of the ``posted`` speed limit. Actual velocities depend on such factors as the proximity and velocity of surrounding traffic, approaches ...
This paper states the concept of a heat-resistant structure of the HOPE airframe having a 10 ton weight when lifting off and also the research situation of heat-resistant structural materials. To study the structure, established are design conditions for lift-off, reentry to the atmosphere and landing. As to the load condition, the load at the time of lift-off is most critical. Relating to the temperature environment condition, thermal analysis is made of the time when a HOPE is on the orbit (low-temperature range) and reenters the atmosphere (high-temperature range), when the temperature environment is critical. The analysis shows that the temrerature environment is in a {minus}80-1700{degree}C (range). The heat-resistant structural materials are developed so as to meet these conditions. The paper describes distribution of the airframe surface temperature by aerodynamic heating at the reentry, conceptual figures of the ...
This report presents the full texts of the allocution delivered during the colloquium on the renewable energies and the public policies. It takes stock on the strategical environment and the political will of the renewable energies, the tracks of development in France and the necessity of a law on the renewable energies. (A.L.B.)
Gene expression is a unique way of characterizing how cells and organisms adapt to changes in the external environment. The measurements of gene expression levels upon exposure to a chemical can be...Full Text Available
The present study answers at the request of the Inspection of the classified installations to see the operator of the G.I.P. Cyceron setting up a plan of environmental radiological surveillance around its installations and including, at a minimal level, the following data: Measures of radioactivity on representative biological indicators and measures of dose rate in the environment close to installations in functioning. Further to the radiological assessment of the terrestrial environment of the G.I.P. Cyceron installations realized at the end of 2003, within the framework of a project of the installations extension, the A.C.R.O. was again required for the implementation of this radiological surveillance for year 2005. The first purpose is to supply elements of appreciation about the impact of these installations on environment and persons. This evaluation participates in radiation protection and allows to make sure that ...
Previous studies on knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention have used surveys. This study used the question box method to create a safe environment for collecting information on knowledge...Full Text Available
More than 2 years after the Gulf conflict, scientists are continuing to keep a close watch on marine pollution stemming from the war. Following the conflict in early 1991, major concern was raised worldwide when an estimated four to eight million barrels of crude oil were directly released into the Persian Gulf from the Sea Island terminal in Kuwait. Such amounts clearly made it the largest oil spill in history. The catastrophe was exacerbated when Kuwaiti oil fields were ignited. The magnitude of the pollution, and the types of toxic contaminants involved, led to a worldwide response through the United Nations system. An inter-agency plan of action was developed quickly. As one of its steps, the co-ordinating agency - the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) - asked the IAEA's Marine Environment Laboratory (MEL) in Monaco to help make a preliminary assessment of the situation. The Laboratory's main goal in initial surveys was to map the ...
This chapter summarizes research progress in development of phytoremediation technologies. Some soils have become contaminated by trace elements enough to kill plants, inhibit soil organisms, and/or threaten wildlife, humans or the environment. Traditional remediation by dig and haul methods are v...
The development of three-dimensional (3D) biomimetic scaffolds which provide an optimal environment for cells adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, and guide new tissue formation has...Full Text Available
Adaptive radiation is the rapid origination of multiple species from a single ancestor as the result of concurrent adaptation to disparate environments. This fundamental evolutionary process is considered...Full Text Available
Effects of physical environment on plasma membrane semipermeability and osmotic induction of changes in aqueous cytoplasmic volume were studied in vegetative and spore cells of a plant pathogenic fungus,...Full Text Available
... Austrian Environment Minister Nikolaus Berlakovich called for such stress tests on Sunday (13 March) to make sure that nuclear power stations were quake-proof following Japan's massive earthquake and tsunami. Austria, a mountainous country rich in geothermal energy, has no NPPs and no plans to develop ...
Hospitals as research environments are crucial in advancing evidence-based practice and translational research. The authors discuss issues related to hospital-based nursing research such as...Full Text Available
What if Norway will arrange for a large-scale investment in electric cars? In 2020 the regular Norwegian drive around in an electric car. She does it because it pays, because it is better for the environment - and because it is practically feasible. This is the starting point for a four-year research work led by SINTEF. (AG)
The Lander Quadrangle, Wyoming, was evaluated to a depth of 1500 m to identify environments and delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the the occurrence of uranium deposits. The evaluation used criteria established for the National Uranium Resources Evaluation program. The methods of surface investigations included evaluation of aerial radiometric and hydrogeochemical stream-sediment reconnaissance data, verification of some reported uranium occurrences, and general field geology with rock, water, and sediment sampling. The subsurface evaluation was accomplished through the use of 230 various oil-well logs. The results of this investigation identified three environments favorable for sandstone uranium deposits in Eocene fluvial sediments. These environments are within the Battle Spring and upper Fort Union Formations of the northern Great Divide Basin and within the Wind River and the Wagon Bed ...
The Lander Quadrangle, Wyoming, was evaluated to a depth of 1500 m to identify environments and delineate areas that exhibit characteristics favorable for the the occurrence of uranium deposits. The evaluation used criteria established for the National Uranium Resources Evaluation program. The methods of surface investigations included evaluation of aerial radiometric and hydrogeochemical stream-sediment reconnaissance data, verification of some reported uranium occurrences, and general field geology with rock, water, and sediment sampling. The subsurface evaluation was accomplished through the use of 230 various oil-well logs. The results of this investigation identified three environments favorable for sandstone uranium deposits in Eocene fluvial sediments. These environments are within the Battle Spring and upper Fort Union Formations of the northern Great Divide Basin and within the Wind River and the Wagon Bed ...
Myelination is an important process in brain development, and delays or abnormalities in this process have been associated with a number of conditions including autism, developmental delay,...Full Text Available
BackgroundLong-term vegetation changes in hyper-arid areas have long been neglected. Mortality, recruitment and change in populations of the ecologically and culturally important...Full Text Available
The effect of spatial auditory information on a listener's ability to detect, identify, and monitor multiple simultaneous speech signals was evaluated using virtual audio technology. Factorial combinations of three variables - the number of localized spee...
Microorganisms in the environment can often adapt to use xenobiotic chemicals as novel growth and energy substrates. Specialized enzyme systems and metabolic pathways for the degradation of man-made...Full Text Available
To elucidate problems with microfungal infestation in indoor environments, a multidisciplinary collaborative pilot study, supported by a grant from the Danish Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs,...Full Text Available
The successful development of coal-fired combined cycle power generation systems require that all component parts are manufactured from appropriate materials and that these materials give predictable in-service performance. High temperature corrosion resulting from coal-derived particulates, deposition and gaseous species, is potentially life limiting for many components in these systems. Realistic laboratory test methods are outlined for gasifier and gas turbine environments and these have been combined with a materials assessment method based on accurate dimensional metrology. Such tests have allowed the production of models of materials performance as well as accurate comparisons between laboratory and plant derived data. These initial models predict the performance of materials well in the gas turbine environment, but tend to under-predict the damage observed in real gasifier environments. The differences found between ...
The methods of surface modification of Ti-Zr alloy by laser treatment are considered. Characteristics of laser modification without- and with surface melting and with melting in different gaseous environments and with nickel microalloying are presented. Maximum depth, hardness and corrosion resistance are observed under nickel laser alloying.
Metallic components within or immediately adjacent to gasifiers, such as gas distributors, thermowells, transfer lines, and cyclones, are subjected to severe of temperature, pressure, and hostile multicomponent gas environments. Metallic heat exchangers/waste-heat boilers resistant to sulfidation, corrosion. and erosion in low- and medium-Btu gas environments are essential components in large-scale gasification schemes, in both dry ash and slogging type gasifiers. Components, in general. must be resistant to corrosion, erosion, and high-temperature creep. A substantial data base is needed on the mechanical properties of materials exposed to complex gas environments to provide a more viable basis for establishing long-term reliability of components. This work examines high-temperature creep of Alloy 800, a high-chromium alloy widely used in coal conversion systems, after exposure to oxygen and oxygen/sulfur mixed-gas ...
Typical aircraft types supported include F4-Phantom, Tornado, MiG-29 ...... attempt to develop a theoretical explanation for learning phenomena [16]. ..... perspective, a primary reason for this is that an exponential curve approximates ...
Convolutive mixtures of signals, which are common in acoustic environments, can be difficult to separate into their component sources. Here we present a uniform probabilistic framework to separate...Full Text Available
User acceptance of a computer system depends on a number of factors, including broad social and professional concerns regarding the system's impact on the work environment. This observation is especially...Full Text Available
Habituation is one of the most fundamental learning processes that allow animals to adapt to dynamic environments. It is ubiquitous and often thought of as a simple form of non-associative learning....Full Text Available
We previously demonstrated the ability to create engineered arteries by carefully controlling the mechanical environment of intact arteries perfused ex vivo, yielding engineered arteries...Full Text Available
Bacteria have the ability to adapt to different growth conditions and to survive in various environments. They have also the capacity to enter into dormant states and some bacteria form spores when...Full Text Available
1. Rates and rate coefficients of glucose utilization and replacement in post-absorptive rats, either conscious or under halothane anaesthesia, were determined in a thermoneutral environment by using...Full Text Available
... Contrary to this definition, abiotic environmental factors are those in which no organisms participate - e.g. the geological underground, light, temperature and heat. Biotope The biotope is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals....
Harmful algal blooms, caused by rapid growth and accumulation of certain microalgae in the ocean, pose considerable impacts on marine environments, aquatic industries and even public health. Here, we...Full Text Available
Despite the recent success of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) in identifying loci consistently associated with coronary artery disease (CAD), a large proportion of the genetic components of...Full Text Available
Concern is building about high rates of schizophrenia in large cities, and among immigrants, cannabis users, and traumatized individuals, some of which likely reflects the causal influence of environmental...Full Text Available
Most human diseases are related in some way to the loss or gain in gene functions. Regulation of gene expression is a complex process. In addition to genetic mechanisms, epigenetic causes are...Full Text Available
Peer relationships are commonly thought to be critical for adolescent socialization, including the development of negative health behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco use. The interplay between...Full Text Available
Emergency Departments (ED) are fast-paced, information-intensive environments where patient care team members must address their information needs quickly and accurately. We conducted a qualitative...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
To successfully grow, neurons need to overcome the effects of hostile environments, such as the inhibitory action of myelin. We have evaluated the potential of exercise to overcome the intrinsic...Full Text Available
Loss of biological diversity because of extinction is one of the most pronounced changes to the global environment. For several decades, researchers have tried to understand how changes in biodiversity...Full Text Available
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVESNon-invasive longitudinal imaging of tumor vasculature could provide new insights into the development of solid tumors, facilitating efficient...Full Text Available
The benefit of wearing hearing aids in multitalker, reverberant listening environments was evaluated in a study of speech-on-speech masking with two groups of listeners with hearing loss (younger/older)....Full Text Available
The development of comfort in buildings throughout the centuries was influenced by the demand for progress, wealth and innovation in various respects. At present, it seems that progress may only be possible by taking into account the environment and creat...
Geometric (HOMA) and magnetic (NICS) indices of aromaticity were estimated for aromatic rings of amino acids and nucleobases. Cartesian coordinates were taken directly either from PDB files deposited...Full Text Available
Trypanothione reductase (TryR) is a key enzyme involved in the oxidative stress management of the Trypanosoma and Leishmania parasites, which helps to maintain an intracellular reducing environment...Full Text Available
When choosing an electromagnetic tracking system (EMTS) for image-guided procedures several factors must be taken into consideration. Among others these include the system’s refresh rate, the...Full Text Available
Presentation of electromagnetic sources constituted by various radio transmitters contributing to different radio communication services in the environment. Results of a measures campaign to assess the electromagnetic field in the close neighbourhood of various stations. Analysis by frequency domains. (author)
Methyl fluoride is frequently used to specifically inhibit acetoclastic methanogenesis, thus allowing determination of the relative contribution of acetate versus H2/CO2 to total...Full Text Available
... 03, 2001 | Rate It Lake Superior Streams http://www.lakesuperiorstreams.org/ (1 vote) interactively examine real-time water quality data from 5 ...north shore Lake Superior trout streams and learn about other streams in the region, how they \\
... In recent years workers in this field have focused on nucleation by nano-porous materials . This was in part motivated by a theoretical study by Page and Sear (2006) who proposed a two step model for nucleation in pores which suggest that there is ...
The most commonly studied laboratory rodents possess a specialized form of fat called brown adipose tissue (BAT) that generates heat to help maintain body temperature in cold environments. In...Full Text Available
Bacillus thuringiensis was isolated from 36 of 50 residue samples obtained from an animal feed mill (a stored-product environment). Of 710 selected colonies having Bacillus...Full Text Available
A microscopic description of an open system is generally expressed by the Hamiltonian of the form: H{sub tot} = H{sub sys} + H{sub environ} + H{sub sys-environ}. We developed a microscopic theory of entropy and derived a general formula, so-called 'entropy-Hamiltonian relation' (EHR), that connects the entropy of the system to the interaction Hamiltonian represented by H{sub sys-environ} for a nonequilibrium open quantum system. To derive the EHR formula, we mapped the open quantum system to the representation space of the Liouville-space formulation or thermo field dynamics (TFD), and thus worked on the representation space L := H x H-tilde, where H denotes the ordinary Hilbert space while H-tilde the tilde Hilbert space conjugates to H. We show that the natural transformation (mapping) of nonequilibrium open quantum systems is accomplished within the theoretical structure of TFD. By using the obtained ...
While pleiotropic adaptive mutations are thought to be central for evolution, little is known on the downstream molecular effects allowing adaptation to complex ecologically relevant environments. Here...Full Text Available
This paper hopes to share the insights we experienced during designing, building, and running an indexing solution for a large set of radiological reports and images in a production environment for...Full Text Available
Polypeptides exiting the ribosome must fold and assemble in the crowded environment of the cell. Chaperones and other protein homeostasis factors interact with newly translated polypeptides to facilitate...Full Text Available
The occurrence of outbreaks of cholera in Africa in 1970 and in Latin America in 1991, mainly in coastal communities, and the appearance of the new serotype Vibrio cholerae O139 in...Full Text Available
...Corps' tunnel 'expands' understanding of Permafrost Program News Home Warfighter Support Installations Environment Water Resources Information Technology About Us Partnering Opportunities About Us ...News Releases Program News Corps' tunnel 'expands' understanding of Permafrost Corps' tunnel \\
... After completing a review into direct coal liquefaction research carried out in Australia and internationally, CSIRO has identified potential new science and technology developments that may improve the cost and viability of CTL in a greenhouse gas-constrained environment. We are conducting research to: determine the optimum ...
Objective: The paper describes and evaluates the use of Clinical Digital Libraries Project (CDLP) digital library collections in terms of their facilitation of timely clinical information...Full Text Available
To sensitize the public opinion and change the energy consumption habits, the ADEME (french Agency for the environment and the energy mastership) published a document on the climatic change problem and its consequences. A state of the art of the situation, the international agreements and solutions are provided. (A.L.B.)
K_#beta#/ K_#alpha# x-ray intensity ratio of chromium were measured in different chromium compounds. The results show the variation of the intensity ratio as a function of the chemical environment around the metal ion. (author)
Investigations of psychrotrophic microorganisms have been limited even though the dominant environment of the Earth is cold and enzymes with high activities at low temperatures could have commercial...Full Text Available
A program was conducted to develop a pop-up artificial-foliage system compatible with the rural Maryland (summertime) background environment. The result of this Phase I effort was a self-expanding leaf module, a number of which are stored flat in a simple...
Multibeam backscatter imagery extracted from gridded bathymetry of Rose Island, American Samoa, South Pacific. These data provide coverage between 20 ... ...
BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality in the United States as well as globally. Epidemiological studies show that regular fruit and vegetable consumption...Full Text Available
Fish living in contaminated environments accumulate toxic chemicals in their tissues. Biomarkers are needed to identify the resulting health effects, particularly focusing on early changes at a subcellular...Full Text Available
BackgroundOceans are iron-deficient and nutrient-poor environments. These conditions impart limitations on our understanding of and our ability to identify microorganisms from the...Full Text Available
Probabilistic broadcast has been widely used as a flooding optimization mechanism to alleviate the effect of broadcast storm problem (BSP) in mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs). Many research studies have been carried-out to develop and evaluate the performance of this mechanism in an error-free (noiseless) environment. In reality, wireless communication channels in MANETs are an error-prone and suffer from high packet-loss due to presence of noise, i.e., noisy environment. In this paper, we propose a simulation model that can be used to evaluate the performance of probabilistic broadcast for flooding in noisy environment. In the proposed model, the noise-level is represented by a generic name, probability of reception (pc) (0<=pc<=1), where pc=1 for noiseless and <1 for noisy environment. The effect of noise is determined randomly by generating a random number \\zeta (0<=\\zeta<1); if ...
Aerobacter cloacae UW-C83 and Escherichia coli K-12 were grown under various anaerobic environments. Yatp values were calculated by determination...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
The adhesive proteins secreted by marine mussels form a natural glue that cures rapidly to form strong and durable bonds in aqueous environments. These mussel adhesive proteins contain an unusual...Full Text Available
Sperm competition theory predicts that males should invest prudently in ejaculates according to levels of female promiscuity. Males may therefore be sensitive to cues in their social environment associated...Full Text Available
Saccharococcus sacchari is the primary colonizer of the developing “sterile” tissue between the leaf sheath and stem of sugar cane. The honeydew secreted by the mealybugs...Full Text Available
Cells of the terrestrial plant species bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.) are not naturally adapted to withstand the hydrostatic pressures encountered in aquatic environments. However,...Full Text Available
A brief description is given of some commercially-available wear-resistant products suitable for use in mine environments. The materials are cast basalt, cast or sintered alumina, and a heat-treated martensitic iron, and they can be used as linings for pipes, bunkers and chutes.
The accumulation of α-1,4-polyglucans is an important strategy to cope with transient starvation conditions in the environment. In bacteria and plants, the synthesis of glycogen and starch occurs...Full Text Available
Recent health care policies and regulations have impacted the manner in which patient data – especially protected health information (PHI) – are handled in both the clinical...Full Text Available
... A Rapid Biological Assessment of the Kaijende Highlands, Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. RAP Bulletin of Biological ... A Rapid Biodiversity Assessment of the Kaijende Highlands, Enga Province, Papua New...
...COMCAM forces document Air Force and air component activities...supported unified command or joint task force commander, through the...Force COMCAM forces in a joint environment. If an...share of Unified Command headquarters COMCAM and visual...
... At the Vintage at Goodwood festival we're curating this summer, we intend to demonstrate how sustainability can be cool without being hippy in 2010. It really can - I'm the living embodiment of that . . .\\
The activity concentrations of potassium, uranium and thorium in minerals and soil samples from a mining site in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria were measured using gamma ray spectroscopy method. Effective dose per annum has been calculated from the activity concentrations of dominant gamma-emitting natural radionuclides, potassium, uranium and thorium. Samples collected include minerals (beryl, quartz and feldspar), soil samples from the mining pits, heaps and undisturbed land around the mining site. The activity concentrations of {sup 40}K, {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th, respectively in Bq kg-1 in the mineral samples were as follows: 1985 +- 16, 4.8 +- 0.9 and 11.8 +- 5.8 for beryl sample, 115.1 +- 27.9, 5.0 +- 1.3 and 6.3 +- 5.0 for feldspar samples and 1421 +- 122, <4.8 and 20.1 +- 3.5 for quartz samples. For the soil samples, the mean activity concentrations of {sup 40}K, {sup 238}U and {sup 232}Th, respectively, were 314.2 +- 5.7, 27.7 +- 2.6 and 11.5 +- 5.9 Bq kg-1 for soil ...
Sulfate attack of cement-based materials remains an important problem for the durability assessment of containers and disposal engineering barriers dedicated to the long-term storage of radioactive wastes since underground water which may reach these elements contains small quantities of sulfates (7-31 mmol/1). This work contributes to the study of sulfate-induced damage mechanisms, to their understanding and modelling. The experimental phases of this study aimed at the understanding of the different physico-chemical phenomena involved during an external sulfate attack at following their evolution and their impact on the transport and mechanical properties of the material. Leaching experiments in pure water and in a solution of sodium sulfate (with a sulfate content of 15 mmol/1), have been performed simultaneously on OPC paste (w/c 0,4)in order to allow a comparison of test results. The frequent analysis of the leachant has shown a consumption of sulfate ions by the matrix, ...
This report is a compilation of worksheets from the waste management units of Savannah River Plant. Information is presented on the following: Solid Waste Management Units having received hazardous waste or hazardous constituents with a known release to the environment; Solid Waste Management Units having received hazardous waste or hazardous constituents with no known release to the environment; Solid Waste Management Units having received no hazardous waste or hazardous constituents; Waste Management Units having received source; and special nuclear, or byproduct material only.
Electrochemical corrosion rate probes were constructed and tested along with mass loss coupons in a N2/O2/CO2 plus water vapor environment. Temperatures ranged from 450 to 600 C. Corrosion rates for ash-covered mild steel, 304L SS, and 316L SS probes using electrochemical techniques were a function of time, temperature, and process environment. Correlation between electrochemical and mass loss corrosion rates was good.
There has been increased theoretical and experimental research interest in autonomous mobile robots exhibiting cooperative behaviour. This paper provides consistent quantitative measures of organizational degree of a two-dimensional environment. We proved, by the way of numerical simulations, that the theoretically derived values of the feature are reliable measures of aggregation degree. The slope of the feature's dependence on memory radius leads to an optimization criterion for stochastic functional self-organization. We also described the intellectual heritages that have guided our research, as well as possible future developments. (author)
This paper describes two research programs which are currently underway in the author's laboratory to investigate the effect of fluid flow on the degradation of power plant materials in high temperature/high pressure aqueous environments. These programs include the design and operation of a controlled hydrodynamic corrosion testing apparatus that can be used to study the general and localized corrosion characteristics of alloys in simulated nuclear reactor environments, and a study of the effect of flow velocity on the stress corrosion cracking of ASTM A508 C1.2 steel and Type 304SS in simulated BWR heat transport fluids.
The online communicative environment is expected to revolutionize political discourse as it expands to cover underrepresented groups and ideas. In this platform, marginalized groups such as indigenous communities from the developing world can articulate claims, strategically mobilize and participate in the forms of meaning-making that constitute them. However, there is skepticism on the actual value of online spaces in effecting agency in an internet-mediated environment. Using James Scott's notion of 'hidden transcripts' and Andrew Feenberg's 'democratic rationalization of technology', the paper explores strategic approaches and historical, social, and political conditions embedded in the construction, negotiation, and transformation of indigenous online activist media. In-depth interview...
The Regulation 761/2001 EMAS (Environmental Management and Audit Scheme), introduced by the 1836/93 Community regulation, is one of the tools activated by the European Union in order to apply the 5. and 6. Community Environmental Programme, in the field of firm-environment interactions at first (overcoming the old Command and Control logic), then by extending its applicability to ali Organisations. EMAS is a voluntary tool that enables Organisations to evaluate their own interaction with the Environment, to plan and check the yearly improvement of their environmental performance, providing the public documented relevant information. The report illustrates the procedure far applying this regulation, its implementation and new application trends in Italy and the advantages far firms.
Transformation of row material to the consumption goods proceeds by the succession of various technologies using energy and chemicals. Relative contribution of both factors is broadly varied. The chemical reagents are not per se consumption goods and their production is auxiliary. Maximal usage of chemicals is observed in conventional technologies. On the contrary radiation technology does not need chemicals. Therefore usage of radiation technology leads to diminution of chemical processing and hence to the attenuation of the technological press on the environment. As examples the radiation technological methods in conversion of coal and biomass are considered. (author).
The depositional environments of the Mesaverde Group of the Piceance Creek basin in northwestern Colorado have determined the basic morphology and characteristics of the tight gas sands reservoirs in the three Multi-Well Experiment wells. The three morphologies, in ascending stratigraphic order, are a blanket type of reservoir (marine to shoreline environment), a lenticular type of reservoir (the paludal and coastal zones of the lower and upper delta plain), and an irregular tabular/elongate reservoir produced by meandering fluvial systems. Internal reservoir discontinuities vary among these types of reservoirs, but consist primarily of permeability barriers and conduits caused by shale breaks and fractures. 10 references, 5 figures.
This document outlines the major steps that must be taken by the Savannah River Site (SRS) to migrate the SRS information technology (IT) environment to the new architecture described in the Savannah River Site Computing Architecture. This document proposes an IT environment that is {open_quotes}...standards-based, data-driven, and workstation-oriented, with larger systems being utilized for the delivery of needed information to users in a client-server relationship.{close_quotes} Achieving this vision will require many substantial changes in the computing applications, systems, and supporting infrastructure at the site. This document consists of a set of roadmaps which provide explanations of the necessary changes for IT at the site and describes the milestones that must be completed to finish the migration.
The results of weekly radon concentration measurements in an office environment using a novel envelope-type radon monitor for short-term exposure periods are presented. The commercially available LR-115 damage track detectors are used and the chemically etched sheets are spark counted. The measurements were made over a period of one year. The indoor radon concentration varies from {approx} 20 Bq.m{sup -3} to {approx} 300 Bq.m{sup -3} with the average of 130, 81 and 73 Bq.m{sup -3} for three different rooms resulting in the annual dose of 4.5, 2.8 and 2.5 mSv, respectively. (author)
Oil and gas industry is the largest user of radioactive materials in Nigeria. They make use of radiation generators, sealed and unsealed radioactive sources.Some of these are potentially dangerous to human health and environment if not properly controlled. here is also the need to maintain control over occupational exposures to radiation, as well as to protect the public and the environment through proper management of wastes that may be radiologically hazardous. To minimize these, effective regulatory infrastructure is being put in place.For a smooth take-off of the nuclear power program, the National Nuclear Regulatory Authority and other stake holders in the nuclear industry need to start to put together licensing procedure for these.
... Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu) - National Heritage - New South Wales http://www.environment.gov.au/heritage/places/...national/brewarrina/index.html Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu) - National Heritage - New South Wales Change text size Skip to ...Search You are here: Environment home »Heritage »Heritage places »National heritage places Brewarrina Aboriginal Fish Traps (Baiame's Ngunnhu), New South Wales ... The Brewarrina fish traps continue to be visible in the Darling River today and were included in the National Heritage List on 3 ...
Microorganisms are ubiquitous in subsurface environments although their populations sizes and metabolic activities can vary considerably depending on energy and nutrient inputs. As a result of their metabolic activities and the chemical properties of their cell surfaces and the exopolymers they produce, microorganisms can directly or indirectly facilitate the biotransformation of radionuclides, thus altering their solubility and overall fate and transport in the environment. Although biosorption to cell surfaces and exopolymers can be an important factor modifying the solubility of some radionuclides under specific conditions, oxidation state is often considered the single most important factor controlling their speciation and, therefore, environmental behavior.
The Marine Technology Society 1994 conference was held in Washington, D.C., September 7-9, 1994. Titled Challenges and Opportunities in the Marine Environment, the conference offered a wide variety of presentations. State-of-the-art technology, government policies and regulations, and environmental concerns were addressed. Offshore mining, coastal zone management, marine engineering, oceanographic research, educational issues, and global climate change were also well represented in the presentations. The conference proceedings are organized around the daily sessions and roughly 70% of the papers are included.
Increased use of natural gas has positive effects for the environment and the climate, because it primarily replaces petroleum products. Moreover, the natural gas does not pose a threat to bio fuel in Norway. But introducing CO2 taxes on natural gas will significantly increase the emission of greenhouse gases, concludes a report conducted by Norsk Energi (Norwegian Energy) on behalf of Norsk Naturgassforening (Norwegian Natural Gas Association) and Norsk Gassforum (Norwegian Gasforum). A brief presentation of the main conclusions in the report (ml)
The carbon cycle is an important part of major biogeochemical cycles. Many techniques may be used to characterize carbon amounts and sources in the environment. Here we first review the most popular techniques for the determination of organic and inorganic carbon concentrations. Decarbonatation techniques are also reviewed in details since it is often an important part of organic carbon analysis. The second part of this paper addresses the use of carbon stable isotopes to characterize organic carbon sources and processes in the environment. An overview of general stable isotopes background and terminology is given as well as the most popular analytical techniques.
Electrochemical cyclic potentiodynamic polarization experiments were performed on several candidate waste package container materials to evaluate their susceptibility to pitting corrosion at 90 degrees C in aqueous environments relevant to the potential underground high-level nuclear waste repository. Results indicate that of all the materials tested, Alloy C-22 and Ti Grade-12 exhibited the maximum corrosion resistance, showing no pitting or observable corrosion in any environment tested. Efforts were also made to study the effect of chloride ion concentration and pH on the measured corrosion potential (Ecorr), critical pitting and protection potential values.
The importance that must be attached to the phenomenon of stress corrosion cracking of austenitic alloys is emphasized. The relation between chemical composition of various alloys and their sensitivity to cracking is shown with particular reference to the behaviour of Alloy 800. The different effects of alkaline anc chloride environments are discussed. Studies are reported of the general corrosion of Alloy 800 and other alloys in an environment representative of the primary coolant of PWR reactors; and of the behaviour of various alloys (including Alloy 800) in the conditions envisaged for their use for steam generators with superheat up to about 550 deg.C. (U.K.).
The authors suggested a conceptual model of automatic processing the data on radioactive environment contamination (REC) after the accidents at the plants with nuclear fuel cycle. The possibilities of mathematic methods of processing the data on REC in automatic-control systems of radiation situation. It is stated that the following 2 methods most of all satisfy the existing requirements: linear interpolation on the locally homogenous fields and successive parametric adaptation. As an example there are demonstrated the results of estimation of the actual radiation situation in the region of accident at Siberian Chemical Plant (town Tomsk-7) in April, 1993. 6 refs.; 2 figs.
This paper is intended to describe how the citizens who are living near power plants or more generally nuclear facilities can be involved in the radiological control of their environment. Through the experience of the last twenty years, the article describes the conditions of the progressive setting up of a non- governmental system of control to build its principles of action and put them into practice. Three kinds of actions are described, the first two dealing with the problems in France and the last one related to a post-accidental situation in the contaminated areas of Belarus. The conclusion underlines how important it is to encourage this kind of involvement in order to increase public awareness of nuclear activities and their consequences. (authors)
Examples are given of reference materials for radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis (RXFA) of the environment processed by the National Bureau of Standards and the IAEA. Methods are described used for preparing standard materials for RXFA. For determining air pollutants the sample is prepared by dry or wet mineralization. Water samples have to be preserved prior to analysis. Insoluble components are separated by filtration or centrifugation. Biological materials must be dehydrated and homogenized. Samples of soil, sludges, sediments and solid wastes will sometimes have to be converted into a solution in some cases a leachate will have to be obtained. (ES).
The Gulf of California represents one of the most productive and unique marginal seas in the world. The mouth of the Gulf captures warm equatorial water while annual wind patterns assure major upwelling of nutrient-rich water leading to a rich marine biota. These conditions have created a wide array of tropical through warm temperate carbonate environments. The most unusual of these environments is located in the La Paz region of Baja California Sur where tropical-subtropical water temperatures and low rainfall have allowed growth of corals, calcareous red algae, and other shelled invertebrates to form a carbonate bank environment. Sampling and mapping transacts in shallow bays north of La Paz and on the adjacent Espiritu Santo island have revealed a full spectrum of subenvironments including mangrove bordered, terrigenous mud dominated coastal zones, which grade into carbonate tidal flats. In addition, single coral heads ...
Previous AIX development environment experience with ASC White and Early Delivery systems UV and UM was leveraged to provide a smooth and robust transition to the Purple development environment. Still, there were three major changes that initially caused serious problems for Purple users. The first was making 64-bit builds of executables the default instead of 32-bit. The second was requiring all executables to use large page memory. The third was the phase-out of the popular, but now defunct, third-party C++ compiler KCC, which required the migration of many codes to IBM's xlC C++ compiler. On Purple, the default build environment changed from 32-bit builds to 64-bit builds in order to enable executables to use the 4GB per processor (32GB per node) memory available, and in order for the MPI library to do collective optimizations that required the larger 64-bit address space. The 64-bit build ...
Manganese model complexes, relevant to the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) in photosynthesis, were studied with Mn K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES), Mn Kb X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), and vibrational spectroscopy. A more detailed understanding was obtained of the influence of nuclearity, overall structure, oxidation state, and ligand environment of the Mn atoms on the spectra from these methods. This refined understanding is necessary for improving the interpretation of spectra of the OEC. Mn XANES and Kb XES were used to study a di-(mu)-oxo and a mono-(mu)-oxo di-nuclear Mn compound in the (III,III), (III,IV), and (IV,IV) oxidation states. XANES spectra show energy shifts of 0.8 - 2.2 eV for 1-electron oxidation-state changes and 0.4 - 1.8 eV for ligand-environment changes. The shifts observed for Mn XES spectra were approximately 0.21 eV for oxidation state-changes and only approximately 0.04 eV for ...
The titanium stabilized austenitic steel similar to the type of 321 is sensitive to the stress corrosion crackingunder horizontal steam generator operating condition. SCC was observed under crevice corrosion parameters and has resulted in the transgranular or intergranular cracking at the both, components primary collectors and heat exchange tubes. The crevice environment is characterized by aggressive impurities and 'non aggressive' compounds. Sulfates and chlorides as aggressive species and silicates and alumino-silicates as 'non aggressive' species on the other hand are present in significant amount in the crevice environment under operating condition. Local water chemistry parameters were evaluated with MULTEQ Code. As input data the measured operational values of local and bulk environments have been used. The determined parameters were compared with the results of thread hole ...
This final report of the Manitoba Round Table on Environment and Economy (MRTEE) chronicles its history, objectives, accomplishments and ongoing challenges from 1988-1997. MRTEE`s mandate was to promote environmentally sustainable economic development in Manitoba through policies and programs that combine environmental concerns with economic decisions. The seven main objectives of the MRTEE were: (1) the implementation of a sustainable development strategy for Manitoba, (2) the design of a communications program on environment-economy integration and an action plan to upgrade environmental education, (3) implementation of market-driven and incentive programs to promote environmental protection by business, agriculture and resource users, (4) implementation of sustainable development within the public sector, (5) encouragement of individual businesses, farms and resource users to adopt codes of environmental practice, (6) encouragement of ...
The gotten concentrations of radon-222 in the installations of the IEN had been determined using the active and passive methods. The active method consisted on the use of the alpha spectrometry with a portable equipment Tracerlab Instruments WLM- Plus. In the determination for the passive method, one used detectors of nuclear strokes of type LEXAN. The raised values had been gotten in the wastes deposit and its annexes, room of the press and laboratory of wastes handling. It was observed, in this sector, an instantaneous measure of alpha spectrometry, concentrations around 1000 Bq.m-3, which had over all to the function of storage, the sector, a great volume of natural radioactive materials, especially of radium-226. This determination was carried through in an extreme situation of ventilation zero, where the gates had been kept closed during the execution of the same one. It was observed, however, a considerable fall, with values ten times inferior, after to submit the ...
The work of this association is cut according to 6 axes. Three publications: radiological quality of marine and continental waters of the Normandy coast (synthesis 1997 and 1998); preliminary study of the iodine 129 distribution in the environment of the reprocessing plant of La Hague with terrestrial moss (Homalotecium sericeum); radiological surveillance of the aquatic environment of the nuclear facilities on the area of La Hague (1997 and 1998). The second axis concerns the radiation protection with a campaign of radon measures in a school of the Vire rural district (june 1999). The third part is devoted to the radioecology with the surveillance of radioactivity in the aquatic continental environment of nuclear facilities and the radioecological surveillance (1999) of the building site of Cogema la Hague in the area of tidal range of the Moulinets cove. The fourth part concerns the radioactive waste and ...
In order to practice a design-by-analysis of thermohydraulics design of BWR fuel rod bundles, the subchannel analysis would play a major role. There, the immediate concern is improvement in its predictive capability of CHF due in particular to the film dryout (boiling transition phenomena: BT) on the fuel rod surface. Constitutive equations in the subchannel analysis formulation are responsible for the quality of calculated results. The constitutive equations are a result of integration of the local and instantaneous description of two-phase flows over the subchannel control volume. In general, they are expressed in terms of subchannel-control-volume- as well as area-averaged two-phase flow state variables. In principle the information on local and instantaneous physical phenomena taking place inside subchannels must be counted for in the algebraic form of the equations on the basis of a more mechanistic modeling approach. They should include also influences of the multi-dimensional ...
The main conclusion of the study on the title subject is that the impacts of climatic change in the Netherlands are still limited. However, the impacts will be stronger in the next decades and will be even problematic at the end of this century. In this book an overview is given of probable changes in the climate for the Netherlands, danger for flooding in specific areas of the Netherlands, changes of the nature, impacts for agriculture, tourism and recreation, and industry and businesses, and risks for public health. [Dutch] De effecten van klimaatverandering in Nederland zijn nu nog beperkt. Ze zullen echter de komende decennia toenemen, maar pas tegen het eind van deze eeuw problematisch worden. Dat is de hoofdboodschap van de titelstudie. De studie is opgesteld in samenwerking met een reeks instellingen, die zijn verenigd in het Platform Communicatie Klimaatverandering (PCCC). Het klimaat verandert: de zeespiegel stijgt, de afvoeren van de rivieren nemen toe. De natuur reageert al ...
The influence of small amounts of alloying elements (0.36% Cu and 0.47% Cr) on the semiconducting properties of passive films formed on weathering steels was investigated either in tetraborate/boric acid buffer solution (pH 9.2) or artificial atmospheric environment (SO{sub 2}-containing environment). The electrochemical behaviour was assessed by potentiodynamic polarisation, capacitance measurements and photoelectrochemistry. The chemical characterisation of the films was carried by Auger electron spectroscopy. The polarization results obtained in the buffer solution show that the addition of chromium decreases the passive current density. The capacitance results show that the films behave as an n-type semiconductor with shallow and deep donor levels situated in the forbidden gap. The presence of copper seems to affect the density of the shallow and of the deep donor levels in the forbidden gap, and as chromium, it also decreases the doping ...
The influence of small amounts of alloying elements (0.36% Cu and 0.47% Cr) on the semiconducting properties of passive films formed on weathering steels was investigated either in tetraborate/boric acid buffer solution (pH 9.2) or artificial atmospheric environment (SO_2-containing environment). The electrochemical behaviour was assessed by potentiodynamic polarisation, capacitance measurements and photoelectrochemistry. The chemical characterisation of the films was carried by Auger electron spectroscopy. The polarization results obtained in the buffer solution show that the addition of chromium decreases the passive current density. The capacitance results show that the films behave as an n-type semiconductor with shallow and deep donor levels situated in the forbidden gap. The presence of copper seems to affect the density of the shallow and of the deep donor levels in the forbidden gap, and as chromium, it also decreases the doping density ...
Basic studies of the oxidation resistance of Fe-Cr binary and Fe-Cr-Ni ternary alloys in pure oxygen have shown that the excellent corrosion resistance of Alloy 800 is explicable in terms of the low defect concentrations and diffusion rates in the oxide forming on alloys of this composition in sufficiently oxidising environments. The performance of Alloy 800 in environments of particular importance to nuclear power generation is briefly reviewed to determine to what extent ideas derived from the basic studies of Fe-Cr-Ni ternary alloys are borne out in practice. The good corrosion resistance of Alloy 800 in steam and CO_2 and, to some extent, in molten salt environments is in agreement with the behaviour of ternary alloys in oxygen. Minor aliovalent alloying additions are only expected to have a significant effect on the oxidation resistance of Alloy 800 if they favour the formation of breakthrough duplex oxidation. In ...
A phaseout of nuclear power in Sweden is supposed to be accomplished by year 2010. This study is an economic analysis of the questions that are parts of the nuclear dilemma. Even though the economic questions are in focus, the important environmental, health and safety questions are also treated. The basic argument is that Sweden should choose an energy system that allows its citizens to maximize their consumption in a long-term perspective. Consumption is here given a meaning that includes elements outside the market, such as environmental, health and safety aspects valued in a reasonable way. Considerations must also be given to international aspects like global environment, a free and open system of trade and the value of a stable set of rules and proprietary rights. The study compares the economic pros and cons of different energy systems within this general frame. A detailed model of the Swedish energy and power sectors was developed for the study, called the ...
We present new 12CO J=3-2 and HCN J=3-2 molecular line maps of the region surrounding the young star AR 6 using the 15 metre James Clerk Maxwell Telescope. AR 6 was previously found to be a double source with both components exhibiting several characteristics of FU Orionis (FUor) eruptive variable stars. Our data indicates that AR 6, like FU Orionis itself, does not possess a CO outflow and likewise, does not show evidence for large amounts of molecular g as in its circumstellar environment. We conclude that from the near-IR to the sub-mm, AR 6 is similar to FU Orionis in several respects. We interpret the lack of significant dust and molecular gas in the circumstellar environment of AR 6, together with the large near-IR thermal excess, as evidence that the sources have exhausted their natal envelopes, that they have at least small hot circumstellar disks, and that they are more evolved than Class I protostars. This, in itself, suggests that, ...
This report outlines on the corrosive damage which is inherent to a high temperature environment and introduces on thermal spraying system taking an example of a gas turbine. The recent coatings by thermal spraying for high temperature environment are positively used in such applications as a hearth roll for continuous annealing, a roll for hot dipped steelplate, a solid electrolyte for fuel cell, boilers and rockets. The coating formed will be positively used because of a convenient thermal spraying and availability of various sprayable materials. This report describes the following items. Corrosive damage under the high temperature environment. Types of high temperature corrosive coating by a thermal spraying and utilization thereof. Outline of MCrAlX alloy, and merits thereof. Coating to a turbine wing by rduced pressure plasma thermal spraying. In general, it is urgently needed to establish the methods of ...
The authors present arguments against nuclear energy and pro renewable energy sources. Thus, the water used in Uranium mining and primary ore processing becomes contaminated in long lived radioisotopes and so a threat for local ecosystems and communities. Then, during the fabrication, enrichment, and handling of nuclear fuel the workers are exposed to radiations and dangerous accidental radioactive leaks can occur. But, by far, the most menacing aspect of nuclear power exploitation remains the human errors in operating the nuclear plants which can result in major accidents like that from Chernobyl which spread radioactivity all over the Europe. The equipment used in nuclear facilities which is highly contaminated as well as the burned fuel implies transportation and long term storage which also present high risks. The major advantage of the nuclear energy consists in its very low environment impact and its null contribution to the greenhouse effect. In contrast, ...
The Grand Canyon Quadrangle (2/sup 0/), northwestern Arizona, was evaluated to identify environments and delineate areas favorable for the occurrence of uranium deposits. This was done using criteria developed for the National Uranium Resource Evaluation. General surface reconnaissance and geochemical sampling were carried out in all geologic environments within the quadrangle. Aerial radiometric and hydrochemical and stream-sediment reconnaissance surveys were performed, although results were not available in time for field checking. The results of this investigation indicate environments favorable for: channel-controlled, peneconcordant sandstone deposits in the Petrified Forest Member of the Chinle Formation in the north-central part of the quadrangle, vein-type deposits in collapse breccias in all areas underlain by the Redwall Limestone, and unconformity-related deposits in the metasediments of the Vishnu Group within ...
Quantitative trait loci (QTL) for growth traits, water use efficiency and tolerance/resistance against metals and herbivores have been identified. A hybrid F2 population originating from a cross between a Salix dasyclados-clone (SW901290) and a S. viminalis-clone ('Jorunn') was used for the different studies in this project. The growth response was analyzed in a greenhouse experiment with two water treatments, normal and drought. In addition, three field experiments with contrasting soils and climates were established. QTL specific for each treatment or field environment but also QTL stable over the treatments or field environments were detected. Each QTL explained from 8 to 29 % of the phenotypic variation depending on trait, treatment or field environment. Clusters of QTL for different traits were mapped indicating a common genetic base or tightly-linked QTL. Stable QTL identified for dryweight can be ...
In mammals and insects, paracellular blood barriers isolate the nervous system from the rest of the animal. Glia and accessory cells of the nervous system use pumps, channels, cotransporters, and exchangers collectively to maintain the extracellular ion environment and osmotic balance in the nervous system. At present, the molecular mechanisms that regulate this process remain unclear. In humans, loss of extracellular ion and volume regulation in the nervous system poses serious health threats. Drosophila is a model genetic organism with a proven track record for uncovering molecular mechanisms relevant to human health and disease. Here, we review what is known about extracellular ion and volume regulation in larval abdominal nerves, present some new data about the impact of neural activity on the extracellular environment, and relate the findings to mammalian systems. Homologies have been found at the level of morphology, physiology, molecular ...
Gas transmission pipelines are susceptible to both internal (gas side) and external (soil side) corrosion attack. Internal corrosion is caused by the presence of salt laden moisture, CO{sub 2}, H{sub 2}S, and perhaps O{sub 2} in the natural gas. Internal corrosion usually manifests itself as general corrosion. However, the presence of chlorides in entrained water also can lead to pitting corrosion damage. The electrochemical noise technique can differentiate general from localized corrosion and provide estimates of corrosion rates without external perturbation of the corroding system. It is increasingly being applied to field and industrial installations for in situ corrosion monitoring. It has been used here to determine its suitability for monitoring internal and external corrosion damage on gas transmission pipelines. Corrosion measurements were made in three types of environments: (1) aqueous solutions typical of those found within gas pipelines in equilibrium ...
Using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the FIRST (Faint Images of the Radio Sky at Twenty Centimeters) catalogs, we examined the optical environments around double-lobed radio sources. Previous studies have shown that multi-component radio sources exhibiting some degree of bending between components are likely to be found in galaxy clusters. Often this radio emission is associated with a cD-type galaxy at the center of a cluster. We cross-correlated the SDSS with the FIRST catalog and measured the richness of the cluster environments surrounding both bent and straight multi-component sources. This led to the discovery and classification of a large number of galaxy clusters out to a redshift of z ~ 0.5. We divided our sample into smaller subgroups based on their optical and radio properties. We find that FR I radio sources are more likely to be found in galaxy clusters than FR II sources. Further, we find that bent radio sources are more ...
E-35 reported the specific air flow analysis program using a CFSV model (including a human body model) to develop a high-accuracy evaluation simulator for heterogeneous thermal environment based on human thermal physiological conditions. E-36 reported development of the radiation heat transfer analysis module by using a numerical integral method to calculate shape factors. Radiation heat transfer characteristics every body part were clarified quantitatively by this module. E-37 reported the results on continuous measurement of physiological conditions and thermal environment factors every monitor under controlled indoor thermal environment, to collect measurement data necessary for improving the accuracy of a prediction program for human body temperatures. E-38 reported the study result on physiological reaction and subjective evaluation through an examinee experiment in a blood controlled region, to collect basic data for ...
The aim of our project is to develop high-performance processor architectures for both general purpose and application-specific purpose. We also plan to develop basic softwares, such as compliers, and various design aid tools for those architectures. We are particularly interested in performance evaluation at architecture design phase, design optimization, automatic generation of compliers from processor designs, and architecture design methodologies combined with circuit layout. We have investigated both microprocessor architectures and design methodologies / environments for the processors. Our goal is to establish design technologies for high-performance, low-power, low-cost and highly-reliable systems in system-on-silicon era. We have proposed PPRAM architecture for high-performance system using DRAM and logic mixture technology, Softcore processor architecture for special purpose processors in embedded systems, and Power-Pro architecture for low power systems. ...
Sulfur pollution can lead to serious problems in freshwater wetlands, including phosphorus eutrophication and sulfide toxicity. We tested the effects of anaerobic iron-rich groundwater discharge in fens, simulated by iron injection, on two characteristic species (Juncus effusus and Caltha palustris) in a sulfidic environment. Biomass production of C. palustris roots showed an optimum response to the combined addition of iron and sulfide, with highest values at intermediate concentrations of both substances. Iron deficiency apparently occurred at low iron concentrations, while at high iron concentrations, growth was decreased. For J. effusus, in contrast, no toxic effects were found of both iron and sulfide. This could be explained by larger radial oxygen loss (ROL) of J. effusus and could not be explained by differences in phosphorous concentrations. The results of our experiments confirm that iron-rich groundwater discharge has the potential to affect vegetation ...
The release rate of a nuclide from a reactor or a radioactive waste disposal plant at the accident is not steady, but varies with time. The various parameters of a nuclide migration into environment vary also day after day, or with the seasons. In such cases, dynamic behavior of the nuclide in the environment must be taken into consideration. It is difficult for a mathematical model to involve all of mechanisms for the nuclide migration. The environment for evaluation of doses are usually divided into some of compartments in which a nuclide concentration is uniform. Time variations of the nuclide concentration in the compartment are described in simultaneous differential equations. The nuclide concentration can be solved as a time function, and the radiation doses, therefore, can be estimated as a time function. Generic analysis code for dynamic compartment model (GACOM) is developed for the nuclide migration and the ...
Concerns over the environment and energy security have recently prompted renewed interest in the U.S. in nuclear energy. Recognizing this, the U.S. Dept. of Energy has launched an initiative to revamp and modernize the role that modeling and simulation plays in the development and operation of nuclear facilities. This Nuclear Energy Advanced Modeling and Simulation (NEAMS) program represents a major investment in the development of new software, with one or more large multi-scale multi-physics capabilities in each of four technical areas associated with the nuclear fuel cycle, as well as additional supporting developments. In conjunction with this, we are designing a software architecture, computational environment, and component framework to integrate the NEAMS technical capabilities and make them more accessible to users. In this report of work very much in progress, we lay out the 'problem' we are addressing, describe the ...
In general, over the course of the time, the phenomenon of acceleration in physical development may be observed, i.e. the children and adults of the next generation are taller and heavier than in former generation. Our data presented in this paper show a regular trend of acceleration in the development on Vietnamese, but the trend is still slow and was mostly probably influenced by our difficulties in a long time of war. It is hoped that, the acceleration in the development may be increased in the future following the economical acceleration of our country, however it is known that the ratio between the length of different parts of human body is a specific characteristic for human race, sex and group age. Therefore we may estimate these ratio for the prolongation of the utilization of our measured physical data. The result of studies on water balance of Vietnamese living in comfortable environment air temperature conditions and working in hot ...
Rapid corrosion of PWR steam generator carbon steel support structures and consequential denting of steam generator tubes led to investigation of alternative support designs and materials. In recent designs of steam generators the carbon steel drilled hole tube support plate has been replaced by one of quatrefoil or trefoil shape to minimize the contact area. These plates are now made of more corrosion resistant chromium steel (approx. 12%Cr) to ensure that they are less vulnerable to attack in the event of adverse boiler water chemistry. This study was initiated to examine the corrosion behavior of a range of chromium steels in the acid chloride environments characteristic of tube/support plate crevices under adverse boiler water conditions. Objectives of the study were to: 1) determine the relative susceptibility of candidate tube support plate steels to acid chloride corrosion; 2) investigate the corrosion product morphology and its relationship to the corrosion ...