The primary aims of the BESS-Polar program are precise measurements of the low-energy antiproton spectrum and search for cosmologically significant antimatter, which would provide new clues to understand the early Universe. The second flight (BESS-Polar II) over Antarctica was successfully carried out in December 2007 - January 2008. We performed 24.5 days scientific observation just at the solar minimum. The payload worked well during the flight and 4.7 billion cosmic-ray events were collected, which corresponds to 10-20 times statistics of the BESS data taken in the previous solar minimum period (1995 and 1997). Based on the BESS-Polar II data, we will present recent preliminary results of cosmic-ray antiproton measurements and sensitive search for antimatter. (authors)
The Median Tectonic Zone (MTZ) of New Zealand is a generally north trending belt of Mesozoic subduction related I-type plutonic, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks in South Island and Stewart Island that separates Permian strata of the Eastern Province Brook Street Terrane from lower to mid Gondwana margin assemblages of the Western Province. High precision isotope dilution U/Pb ages of zircons from 30 rocks are reported. Pre-digestion leaching of zircon in hydrofluoric acid yielded significantly more concordant residues by removing common Pb and dissolving more soluble high-U domains that have been more affected by relatively recent Pb loss. The results show that MTZ magmatism ranges in age from at least Early Triassic to Early Cretaceous (247-131 Ma), with a pronounced gap in the Middle Jurassic. Triassic plutons tend to occur on the eastern side of the MTZ, and they intrude volcanic/sedimentary sequences of the MTZ in Nelson and ...
Jan 5, 2004 ... Even if dinosaurs were cold-blooded, in the Mesozoic Era (when dinosaurs roamed the Earth), Antarctica was warm enough to have them. ...
more information about this message, please visit this page: About CDC.gov. Travelers' Health Home Destinations (238) Antarctica Regions Vaccinations News & Announcements Travel...
on the picture will download the highest resolution version available. Moon Over Antarctica Credit & Copyright: James Behrens (IGPP, Scripps Institution of Oceanography)...
-Ecophysiological and floristic study of the lichen communities in .... Plasticity of the Lichen Catillaria corymbosa in Different Microhabitats of the ...
This issue of Exploratorium Magazine focuses on Antarctica. Antarctica has one of the most extreme climates in the world with an untouched environment inviting researchers with great opportunities for study. This issue describes the journey of four Exploratorium staff members to frozen Antarctica. Chapters include: (1) "Life at the Bottom of the World"; (2) "Try This! Dress the Scientist"; (3) "South Pole Astronomy"; and (4) "Ground Truth." (YDS)
The objective of this investigation was to perform a preliminary evaluation of the utility of residual materials prepared from Green River Formation (western) and New Albany Shale (eastern) shale oils as recycling agents for aged asphalt pavement. Four petroleum asphalts were first aged by a thin-film accelerated-aging test, which simulates long service life of asphalt in pavement. The aged asphalts were mixed (recycled) with Green River Formation shale oil distillation residua to restore the original viscosities. Separately, for comparison, a commercial recycling agent was used to recycle the aged asphalts under the same circumstances. The recycled asphalts were reaged and the properties of both binder and asphalt-aggregate mixtures studied. Originally, the same study was intended for an eastern shale residua. However, the eastern shale oil distillation residua with the required flash point ...
... in an incinerating toilet; and, resulting ash would be retrograded from Antarctica via McMurdo ... toilet would be used with resultant ash retrograded from Antarctica. 11. Would the proposed activity ...
This report attempts to bring together available information on the coal deposits of Antarctica and discuss factors that would be involved if these deposits were to be explored and mined. Most of the reported principal coal deposits in Antarctica lie generally within the Transantarctic Mountains: the majority are of Permian age and are present in the Victoria Group of the Beacon Supergroup. Several other deposits have been recorded in East Antarctica and in the Antarctic Peninsula, including minor occurrences of Mesozoic and Tertiary coal and carbonaceous shale.
Onshore and marine seismic-reflection data obtained near the Trans-Alaskan Crustal Transect (TACT), in the region of the eastern Aleutian trench and lower Cook Inlet, reveal highly reflective midcrustal layering that begins at a depth of 10-15 km within the upper plate of the Aleutian subduction zone. Beneath the continental shelf, midcrustal reflections were recorded over broad areas and occur in subhorizontal bands that are 1 to 3 s thick. The reflections extend beneath complexly deformed late Mesozoic and early Cenozoic accreted rocks that are exposed at the surface. Preliminary interpretation of seismic refraction data indicates that under the shelf the top of the reflections corresponds in depth with a sharp increase in rock velocity, from 5.9 km/s to 6.6 km/s. North and northwest of the shelf, beneath the Chugach and Kenai mountains, midcrustal features dip 20{degree}-30{degree} north or northwest, and below the Chugach Mountains, the top ...
DescriptionRates of ice accumulation in Antarctica are not known well, yet they are fundamental to assessing the ice sheet mass balance. Past accumulation rates are less well defined. We are in a unique position to provide detailed accounts of accumulation in Antarctica. We will measure isochronous internal layering across the ice sheet, which can be readily identified in radar data that we hold. Internal layers will be traced to ice-cores (allowing dating) and across wide regions of the ice sheets. A nume [continued...
Weekly censuses of birds and marine mammals, Greenwich Island, Antarctica (En Espanol: Censos semanales de aves y mamiferos marinos, Isla Greenwich, ...
-Estudio sobre la fijacion de nitrogeno, fotosintesis y reconolizacion ... - Fotosintesis y relaciones hidricas en liquenes nanofruticulosos antarticos. ...
Weekly censuses of birds and marine mammals, Greenwich Island, Antarctica (En Espanol: Censos semanales de aves y mamiferos marinos, Isla Greenwich, ...
A previous report of high levels of members of the domain Archaea in Antarctic coastal waters prompted us to investigate the ecology of Antarctic planktonic prokaryotes. rRNA hybridization...Full Text Available
Exploration for epithermal Au has been active lately in the Aegean Sea of the eastern Mediterranean Basin, both in the islands of the Quaternary arc and in those of the back-arc region. The purpose of this study was the structural mapping and analysis for a preliminary investigation of possible epithermal gold mineralization, using remotely sensed data and techniques, structural and field data, and geochemical information, for a specific area on the Island of Lesvos. Therefore, Landsat-TM and SPOT-Pan satellite images and the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the study area were processed digitally using spatial filtering techniques for the enhancement and recognition of the geologically significant lineaments, as well as algebraic operations with band ratios and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), for the identification of alteration zones. Statistical rose diagrams and a SCHMIDT projection Stereo Net were generated from the lineament maps and ...
Located approximately 350 km east of Newfoundland, on the eastern edge of the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, and approximately 50 km from both the Terra Nova and Hibernia oilfields, the White Rose oilfield is considered the main oil producing basin off the eastern coast of North America. Husky Oil is very active in the region and holds almost 32 per cent net working interest in the Significant Discovery License areas in the Jeanne d'Arc basin. The development of an economically significant oil discovery in the White Rose Significant Discovery Area is being proposed jointly by Husky Oil and Petro-Canada. It is estimated that the project would enable the recovery of an estimated 36 million cubic meters (230 million barrels) of recoverable oil in this area that covers approximately 40 square kilometers. The operators propose to use a ship-shaped floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) facility which could store up to 135,000 ...
Hydrolytic exoenzymes as indicators of metabolically active bacteria were investigated in four consecutive sapropel layers collected from bathyal sediments of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. For comparison,...Full Text Available
To reconstruct the profiles of heavy metal levels in the South Ocean ecosystem of Antarctica, the concentrations of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in seal hairs and lake sediments spanning the past 1500?years from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and in weathering lake sediments from Nelson Island of West Antarctica were determined. The lead contents in the seal hairs and the weathering sediments show a sharp increase since the late 1800s, very likely due to anthropogenic contamination from modern industries. After the 1980s, the Pb content in seal hairs dropped by one-third, apparently due to the reduced usage of leaded gasoline in the Southern Hemisphere. Copper arises mainly from the weathering process, and its level may be substantially affected...
The overall purpose of this project is to evaluate the biological and economic feasibility of restoring high-quality forests on mined land, and to measure carbon sequestration and wood production benefits that would be achieved from forest restoration procedures. In this quarterly report, we present a preliminary comparison of the carbon sequestration potential of forests growing on 14 mined sites in a seven-state region in the Midwestern and Eastern Coalfields. Carbon contents of these forests were compared to adjacent forests on non-mined land. The study was installed as a 3 x 3 factorial in a random complete block design with three replications at each location. The treatments include three forest types (white pine, hybrid poplar, mixed hardwood) and three silvicultural regimes (competition control, competition control plus tillage, competition control plus tillage plus fertilization). Each individual treatment plot is 0.5 acres. Each block ...
This report describes the progress made during the second Quarter of a two year project to demonstrate that the air pollution, from a traveling grate stoker being used to heat water at a central heating plant in Krakow Poland, can be reduced significantly by replacing the unwashed, unsized coal now being used with a mechanically cleaned, double sized stoker fuel and by optimizing the operating parameters of the stoker. It is anticipated that these improvements will prove to be cost effective and hence be adopted in the other central heating plants in Krakow and indeed throughout Eastern European cities where coal is the primary source of heating fuel. EFH Coal Company has formed a partnership with two Polish institutions -- MPEC a central heating company in Krakow and Naftokrak-Naftobudowa, preparation plant designers and fabricators for this effort. The washability data from a 20mm x 0.5mm size fraction of raw coal from the Staszic Mine were evaluated. The data ...
The author indicates the research which will be done as part of Programme Sibir, a large-scale programme for the development of the eastern USSR. The research includes the liquefaction of brown coal, and new methods of prospecting.
... XVIII Airborne Corps forces grew from one brigade of the 82nd Airborne Division to a multi-national organization of five full divisions (Eastern Area ...
Fava beans (Vicia fava) are cultivated rather widely in most countries of the Eastern Mediterranean area and provide a cheap but protein-rich food that can be eaten alone, in various...Full Text Available
South of Byrd Glacier, central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica, Lower Cambrian Shackleton Limestone (Byrd Group) is divided into four informal members. The transition from Shackleton carbonates to clastics of Starshot Formation is conformable, with alternating units of limestone and argillite, and a thick succession of pillow basalt. Douglas Conglomerate is interbedded with and overlies Starshot Formation, and overlies folded Shackleton Limestone unconformably. Lower amphibolite-grade Selborne Group is composed of Madison Marble and Contortion Schist. The contact between the two formations is interbedded marble and schist, and includes metabasalt. We correlate Byrd Group with Selborne Group, Shackleton Limestone with Madison Marble, and Starshot Formation and Douglas Conglomerate with Contortion Schist. These correlations and the lack of equivalent lithologies to the north of Byrd Glacier imply that Byrd Glacier is the northern boundary of the Byrd ...
To reconstruct the profiles of heavy metal levels in the South Ocean ecosystem of Antarctica, the concentrations of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and zinc (Zn) in seal hairs and lake sediments spanning the past 1500 years from Fildes Peninsula of King George Island and in weathering lake sediments from Nelson Island of West Antarctica were determined. The lead contents in the seal hairs and the weathering sediments show a sharp increase since the late 1800s, very likely due to anthropogenic contamination from modern industries. After the 1980s, the Pb content in seal hairs dropped by one-third, apparently due to the reduced usage of leaded gasoline in the Southern Hemisphere. Copper arises mainly from the weathering process, and its level may be substantially affected by climatic conditions. The concentrations of Cd, As, and Zn do not show any clear temporal trends.
The BESS-Polar spectrometer had its first successful balloon flight over Antarctica in December 2004. During the 8.5-day long-duration flight, almost 0.9 billion events were recorded and 1,520 antiprotons were detected in the energy range 0.1-4.2 GeV. In this paper, we report the antiproton spectrum obtained, discuss the origin of cosmic-ray antiprotons, and use antiprotons to probe the effect of charge sign dependent drift in the solar modulation.
An evaluation of eastern shale oil (ESO) residue as an asphalt additive to reduce oxidative age-hardening and moisture susceptibility was conducted. Rheological and infrared analyses of the unaged and aged asphalts and blends were then conducted to evaluate oxidative age-hardening. 18 refs., 5 figs., 6 tabs.
This study examines the extent of radioactive pollution of moss cover of forest communities of the Kamenskii district of the Sverdlovsk region. This area contains the periphery section of the Eastern-Ural Radioactive Trace, formed as a result of the Kyshtymskii accident. Mosses do not release radionuclides for a long time, making them a biological indicator of radioactive environmental pollution and making them useful for radioecological monitoring. 14 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.
The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) developed neoplastic disorders when experimentally exposed both in the laboratory and field to chemically contaminated sediment from Black Rock Harbor (BRH),...Full Text Available
Purpose: This preliminary report describes the development and implementation of a project to improve access to literature in Latin American social medicine (LASM).Methods:...Full Text Available
The oil shales of the Eastern United States represent a very large energy resource that also lies close to the marketplace. Although estimates vary, one estimate shows that more than 400 billion barrels of oil are recoverable from surface-mineable Devonian oil shales in the states of Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. Conventional thermal retorting of Eastern and Western oil shales with comparable organic carbon contents results in a much lower oil yield for the Eastern shales. This discouraged research and development of this energy resource, until about ten years ago, when the Institute of Gas Technology discovered that retorting Eastern oil shales in a hydrogen-rich atmosphere at elevated pressures gives oil yields that are 2.5 times those possible by thermal retorting. Over the last ten years many research, development, and feasibility programs, both Government- and ...
Inverse and direct methods have been used to analyze a large number of borehole temperature logs in order to infer past climatic changes. Results indicate a warming of 1-2[degree]C in eastern and central Canada during the past 150 years. A period of cooling between 500 and 200 years before present, corresponding to the time of the Little Ice Age, has also been identified in the same areas. A regional ground temperature history is estimated for eastern and central Canada from the simultaneous inversion of several temperature logs. The inferred temperature changes appear correlated with the concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide as reported from a Greenland ice core, and agree with existing meteorological and dendrochronological records for the area.
Due to shortage of fresh water resources, the vegetation of the eastern region of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced a series of declines resulting from salinization of groundwater, which is the major source of irrigation. To assess these changes, field measurements combined with Thematic Mapper (TM) and Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) based Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) were analysed. TM and ETM+ images from two dates, 1987 and 2000 were acquired to enable the computation of the greenness anomalies for three sites in the eastern region, Fujairah, Kalba and Hatta. The results show an overall increase in agricultural area, associated with a severe decrease in vegetation greenness and health conditions, particularly in the Kalba study area. The SAVI values decreased ...
The concept of preliminary transmutation of minor actinides before placement to the long-term storage is considered. The purpose of such preliminary transmutation before ultimate storage is to incinerate a part of actinides and to transform another part into new actinides providing low level of radiotoxicity accumulated in the storage. Modes of transmutation in reactors of PWR, PHWR (CANDU), and Superfenix types are compared. Among power reactors, heavy-water PHWR type reactor is most acceptable for preliminary transmutation. (author)
Old world cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica, and is endemic to several Asian and Middle-Eastern countries where the...Full Text Available
The world's oceans contain a complex mixture of micro-organisms that are for the most part, uncharacterized both genetically and biochemically. We report here a metagenomic study of the marine planktonic...Full Text Available
Background: In North America and Europe, 80% of invasive skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma while 20% are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). In contrast, African studies reveal a preponderance...Full Text Available
Second Regional Meeting for Nuclear Energy in Central Europe is an annual meeting of the Nuclear Society of Slovenia. The proceedings contains 75 articles from Slovenia, surrounding countries and countries of the Central and Eastern European Region
BackgroundSyphilis, a known major public health issue for soldiers during periods of conflict, is exacerbated in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to widespread sexual violence....Full Text Available
Salinisation of freshwater has been identified as a serious environmental issue in Australia and around the world. Protective concentrations (trigger values) for salinity can be used to manage salinity impacts, though require locally relevant salinity tolerance information. 72-h acute salinity tolerance values were determined for 102 macroinvertebrates collected from 11 locations in four biologically distinct freshwater bio-regions in Northeast Australia and compared with sensitivities observed in Southeast Australia. The salinity tolerance of individual taxa was consistent across Northeast Australia and between Northeast and Southeast Australia. However, two distinct communities were identified in Northeast Australia using distributions of the acute tolerance values and a calculated index of salinity sensitivity. Salinity trigger values should therefore be representative of local or regionally relevant communities and may be adequately calculated using sensitivity values from ...
In this study we determined the composition and biogeochemistry of novel, brightly colored, white and orange microbial mats at the surface of a brine seep at the outer rim of the Chefren mud volcano....Full Text Available
This report describes research performed by the Morgantown Energy Technology Center in the following areas: oil and gas; advanced systems describing a coal solid fuel and an eastern shale oil residue waste program; environmental remediation; and waste management technologies.
Between 1986 and 1990 the eruptive activity of Erebus volcano was monitored by a video camera with on-screen time code and recorded on video tape. Corresponding seismic and acoustic signals were recorded from a network of 6 geophones and 2 infrasonic microphones. Two hundred Strombolian explosions and three lava flows which were erupted from 7 vents were captured on video. In December 1986 the Strombolian eruptions ejected bombs and ash. In November 1987 large bubble-bursting Strombolian eruptions were observed. The bubbles burst when the bubble walls thinned to ?20?cm. Explosions with bomb flight-times up to 14.5?s were accompanied by seismic signals with our local size estimate, ?unified magnitudes?? (mu), up to 2.3. Explosions in pools of lava formed by flows in the Inner Crater were co...
Objectives(i) Investigate the correlation between Antarctic sea-ice and equatorial sea-surface temperature anomalies in a realistically forced ocean model simulation of the last 50 years. (ii) Determine whether and how the enormous seasonal change in distribution of sea-ice modifies the seasonal cycle at the Equator. (iii) Determine the detailed pathways of wave propagation both in a historically-forced simulation and in response to realistic perturbations. (iv) Quantify the amplitude of the response i [continued...]DescriptionIt is well known that the equatorial ocean-atmosphere system plays a key role in global climate events such as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon. There is now compelling evidence that changes in the Antarctic can strongly and quickly affect the equatorial ocean and the ENSO cycle. Observations demonstrate statistically significant correlations (teleconnections) between the Antarctic and the Equator with leads and lags of order months. Model ...
The paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the energy conservation policy conducted in the Central and Eastern European countries - its development from the start of reforms and up to the present. The problems of rational energy consumption are shown to be closely connected with the concrete conditions of the transition from the economy based on the command principles to the market economy. The author indicates the main areas of application for energy conservation activities. He also describes the models for determination of energy intensity in different branches of energy economy, and organisational structure of the measures to be taken foe energy conservation. (author)
An evaluation of eastern shale oil as an asphalt additive to reduce oxidative age hardening and moisture susceptibility is being conducted. An eastern shale oil residue having a viscosity of 1.30 Pa`s at 60{degrees}C (140{degrees}F) was blended with three different petroleum-derived asphalts that are known to be very susceptible to oxidative aging. In addition, blends of the eastern shale oil residue and the petroleum-derived asphalts are being coated onto three different aggregates that are known to be susceptible to water stripping. The oxidative age hardening portion of this study is not complete at this time. To date, information has been obtained on the unaged samples and two of the aged petroleum-derived asphalts (AAD-1 and AAK-1). When complete, this data will include rheological data on the unaged, RTFO-aged, and the RTFO/PAV-aged samples and infrared data on the unaged and RTFO/PAV-aged samples. With respect to the ...
In 2009 the European Space Agency satellite mission GOCE (Gravity Field and Steady-State Ocean Circulation Explorer) was launched. Its objectives are the precise and detailed determination of the Earth's gravity field and geoid. Its core instrument, a three axis gravitational gradiometer, measures the gravity gradient components V xx , V yy , V zz and V xz (second-order derivatives of the gravity potential V) with high precision and V xy , V yz with low precision, all in the instrument reference frame. The long wavelength gravity field is recovered from the orbit, measured by GPS (Global Positioning System). Characteristic elements of the mission are precise star tracking, a Sun-synchronous and very low (260 km) orbit, angular control by magnetic torquing and an extremely stiff and thermally stable instrument environment. GOCE is complementary to GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment), another satellite gravity mission, launched in 2002. While GRACE is designed to ...
This report consists of a review of the geological, geochemical and geophysical data available for the Eastern Copper River basin with emphasis on the mud volcanoes, and the results of geophysical and geochemical studies carried out in the summers of 1982 and 1984. The purpose was to determine if there are geothermal energy resources in the Copper River Basin. The Eastern Copper River basin is situated on the flanks of a major volcano, Mt. Drum, which was active as late as 200,000 years ago and which is thought to have retained significant amounts of residual heat at high levels. Mt. Wrangell, farther to the east, has been volcanically active up to the present time. The 1982 geophysical and geochemical surveys located three principal areas of possible geothermal interest, one near Tazlina and two near the Klawasi mud volcanoes. The intensive survey work of 1984 was concentrated on those areas. We have integrated the results of soil helium, soil ...
Atmospheric transport represents one of the critically important pathways for the distribution of pollutants from any oil shale operation. Our experience in studying eastern and western shale resources and operation suggest many common features regarding the atmospheric domain, but also many significant differences. Any issue of atmospheric transport and dispersion can be broken down into major elements: source factors which include the spatial and temporal distribution of pollutant sources as well as their chemical and physical characteristics, boundary conditions which include the character of the underlying surface as a lower boundary and the large scale meteorological circulations as an ''upper'' boundary; and meteorological structure is the resulting wind, temperature, moisture, and turbulence environment in the volume of air occupied by emitted material in an atmosphere subjected to the boundary conditions described above. ...
This paper overviews the curricula of nuclear medicine (NM) undergraduate training in 34 Central and Eastern European (CEE) and 37 European Union (EU) medical faculties. The data show enormous variation in the number of hours devoted to nuclear medicine, varying between 1-2 to 40 hours and highly differentiated concepts/ideas of nuclear medicine training in particular countries. In most EU countries this teaching is integrated with that of radiology or clinical modules, also with training in clinical physiology. In many CEE countries teaching and testing of NM are independent, although integration with other teaching modules is frequent. The paper discusses the differences in particular approaches to nuclear medicine teaching. (author)
Abstract The Jebel Ressas Pb-Zn deposits in North-Eastern Tunisia occur mainly as open-space fillings (lodes, tectonic breccia cements) in bioclastic limestones of the Upper Jurassic Ressas Formation and along the contact of this formation with Triassic rocks. The galena-sphalerite association and their alteration products (cerussite, hemimorphite, hydrozincite) are set within a calcite gangue. The Triassic rocks exhibit enrichments in trace metals, namely Pb, Co and Cd enrichment in clays and Pb, Zn, Cd, Co and Cr enrichment in carbonates, suggesting that the Triassic rocks have interacted with the ore-bearing fluids associated with the Jebel Ressas Pb-Zn deposits. The 18O content of calcite associated with the Pb-Zn mineralization suggests that it is likely to have precipitated from a fl...
The experimental results of brittle/ductile two-layer analogue models verify that intraplate tectonic deformation in central-eastern Asia is controlled mainly by the netlike plastic-flow (NPF) occurring in the lower lithosphere, including the lower crust and lithospheric mantle. The ductile lower layer in the model, corresponding to the lower lithosphere in the natural prototype, is made of a mixture of gum rosin and turpentine oil and the brittle upper one, to the upper crust, is formed by the consolidation of talc-powder slurry. The NPF hypothesis for continental dynamics can be regarded as a combination and development of two kinds of seemingly mutually exclusive ones, which are based on the theories of slip-line field and viscous (plastic) flow, respectively. In contrast to "homogeneou...
Summary Analyses of event runoff coefficients provide essential insight on catchment response, particularly if a range of catchments and a range of events are compared by a single indicator. In this study we examine the effect of climate, geology, land use, flood types and initial soil moisture conditions on the distribution functions of the event runoff coefficients for a set of 14 mountainous catchments located in the eastern Italian Alps, ranging in size from 7.3 to 608.4km2. Runoff coefficients were computed from hourly precipitation, runoff data and estimates of snowmelt. A total of 535 events were analysed over the period 1989-2004. We classified each basin using a "permeability index" which was inferred from a geologic map and ranged from "low" to "high permeability". A continuous s...
Abstract: The basement of the South China Sea (SCS) and adjacent areas can be divided into six divisions (regions) - Paleozoic Erathem graben-faulted basement division in Beibu Gulf, Paleozoic Erathem strike-slip pull-apart in Yinggehai waters, Paleozoic Erathem faulted-depression in eastern Hainan, Paleozoic Erathem rifted in northern Xisha (Paracel), Paleozoic Erathem strike-slip extending in southern Xisha, and Paleozoic-Mesozoic Erathem extending in Nansha Islands (Spratly) waters. The Pre-Cenozoic basement in the SCS and Yunkai continental area are coeval within the Tethyan tectonic domain in the Pre-Cenozoic Period. They are formed on the background of the Paleo-Tethyan tectonic domain, and are important components of the Eastern Tethyan multi-island-ocean system. Three branches of t...
Forest gap models have been used widely in the study of forest dynamics, including predicting long-term succession patterns and assessing the potential impacts of climate change on forest structure and composition. However, little effort is devoted to predict forest dynamics in the high elevation areas, although they have the sensitive response to global climate change. In the present study, based on a modified height-diameter function, we developed a new version (FAREAST-GFSM) of the forest patch model, FAREAST for simulating the changes of subalpine forests. The observed data from the Gongga Mt. Alpine Station were also used to test model precision. With the improved performance of FAREAST-GFSM, we explored the impact of three warming scenarios on subalpine forest on the eastern Tibetan ...
Agricultural sustainability is a vital parameter to be ascertained locally and globally if food security is to be achieved and maintained. Agricultural sustainability is the combined product of social, economic and ecological sustainability. It is also a function of temporal and spatial variations, a fact which indicates that area-specific sustainability indices need to be designed. We present here an Agricultural Sustainability Index (ASI) for rural eastern India and use it to calculate the ASI for 150 farms for three decades over a 60-year period, viz., 1950?1960, 1980?1990 and 2000?2010 for a representative Indian village of Gangapur (25?83?N, 85?65?E). The ASI was calculated using 30 variables, 10 each of social, economic and ecological sustainability. An extensive questionnaire-based ...
Enzymatic reactions in non-aqueous media have been shown to be effective in carrying out chemical transformation where the reactants are insoluble in water or water is a byproduct limiting conversion. Ionic liquids, liquid organic salts with infinitesimal vapor pressure, are potentially useful alternatives to organic solvents. It is known that the thermodynamic water activity is an important variable affecting the activity of enzymes in non-aqueous solvents. This study investigated the influence of water activity on the esterification of geraniol with acetic acid in ionic liquid [bmim]PF6 catalyzed by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B. The conversion of geraniol in [bmim]PF6 was significant although the reaction rate was slower than in organic solvents. The profile of initial reaction rate-water activity was determined experimentally, and differed from the data reported for other non-aqueous solvents. A maximum in the initial reaction rate was found at aw = ...
The article surveys studies into the global warming which have found that the OECD countries are responsible for less than half of the total registered warming. Calculation and analysis methods for estimating the global contributions from the blocks of OECD, Africa/America/Middle East, Asia and former Soviet Union/Eastern Europe are presented. The results and some pollution abatement measures are discussed.
The Sulphur Bank Mercury Mine (SBMM) is a 65 ha site located on the eastern shore of the Oaks Arm of Clear Lake, Lake County, California. Between 1864 and 1957, SBMM was the site of underground and open pit mining operations for S and Hg, coinciding with past and present hot spr...
The US$360 million project to increase gas supplies to Eastern and Southern Thailand is discussed, and the use of international competitive bidding to purchase the line pipe and other facilities is reported. The government approved proposal for a gas fired combined-cycle power station and gas separation plant are discussed. (UK).
In spite of the fact that market requirements for new plants continue to be restricted, steam turbine technology and operation engineers have left nothing undone to improve products and operating characteristics. They are generally guided by the principle of optimum economic power supplies but lowest pollution. The new eastern markets are expected to give new impulses to steam turbine design. Cogeneration is of special future importance. (orig.).
The ?new variant famine? hypothesis posits links between HIV/AIDS and new patterns of impoverishment, food insecurity and hunger, in southern and eastern Africa. This paper explores the relevance of the NVF hypothesis to understanding Swaziland?s recurrent food crises and high HIV prevalence. Evidence exists that all four markers of NVF are present in Swaziland. The national government and the international community will have to contend with this phenomenon in future planning for the wellbeing of Swazi citizens.
The Hanford Site in eastern Washington state currently is engaged in the largest waste cleanup in world history. In order to make informed decisions about remediation options, the public throughout the Pacific Northwest and the nation needs to understand the wastes that are present, their sources of generation, their composition, and their behavior in the environment. The fact that Hanford operations` were conducted in secret for over four decades presents a unique public information challenge to those who currently are responsible for communicating with the public.
...as agro forestry subject matter specialist, eastern supervisor, conservation and GIS officer with the Ministry of Agriculture and WWF-Korup national park project, respectively, in south west Cameroon . Peter holds joint Honours BSc in Forestry & Soil Science (WALES-UK) and MSc Resource Management (Edinburgh-UK)....
BackgroundThere are several known factors that cause ischemic heart disease. However, the part played by air pollution still remains something of a mystery. Recent attention has...Full Text Available
Eastern Oregon cattle distribution was studied with global positioning (GPS) collars for 2 years on the Zumwalt prairie in the spring and fall and Hells Canyon during the winter to determine distribution and habitat selection differences between Spanish bred (Corriente X Longhorn) and English bred c...
... All rickettsial diseases respond to treatment with antibiotics such as doxycycline and tetracycline As of 10 May, the Government of South Africa has reported 186 confirmed cases of RVF in humans, including 18 deaths, in Free State Province, Eastern Cape Province, Northern Cape Province, Western Cape, and North West Province. RVF is a viral disease that primarily affects animals (such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and camels). The disease can also affect humans. The main mode of transmission of RVF ...
... It is well camouflaged and each individual has unique back pattern markings. It eats mainly spiders and insects. The Eastern Lined Earless Dragon is a small dragon lizard measuring up to 21cm in length. It is well camouflaged and each individual has unique back ... It is well camouflaged and each individual has unique back pattern markings. It eats mainly spiders and insects. It lives in and around grass tussocks as well as small holes in the ground that are also used by invertebrates such as wolf spiders and crickets....
The paper shortly recapitulates the background to and the importance of the principle of channeling of liability to the operator, contained in the international Conventions in the field of nuclear liability. It tries to outline the main problems involved in the process of backfitting in some more detail and to describe part of the work that has been done in Sweden and elsewhere to try to solve them. Finally, the paper contains some concluding remarks indicating that no entirely satisfactory solution to the problem is presently at hand. (orig./HP)
BackgroundIntermittent preventive treatment of malaria during pregnancy (IPTp) is a key intervention in the national strategy for malaria control in Tanzania. SP, the current drug...Full Text Available
The report gives results of the first 3 years of study to determine environmentally sound methods for disposing of wastes from nonregenerable flue gas desulfurization systems. Untreated and treated wastes from seven different scrubbers at eastern and western plants, using lime, l...
Background:Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) can occur in patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). In the Gulf Registry of acute coronary events (Gulf RACE), we identified...Full Text Available
The paper will report the experience gained in the implementation of the national assistance projects, including the detailed assessment of the national situation compared to the ITWG Model Action Plan, the upgrading of the technical skills, the training of national experts and the joint analysis of nuclear material at ITU. The status of the work with the 13 future Member States to the European Union will also be reported on during the conference
The Chernobyl reactor accident has pronupted all European countries to rehabilitate their existing measurement and monitoring systems and to design and erect new ones. These systems are meant to ensure a rapid overview on the situation in case of an accident to adopt suitable actions for protection or prevention. 6 papers report on the state of such measurement systems in Europe, inparticular those in France (TELERAY), in Germany (IMIS) and in Switzerland (RADAIR). The IMIS-system is discussed for its extension to Eastern Germany. (HP).
A combination of computer codes such as LATREP, HWRAXAV and CITATION is utilized in an attempt to analyze the nuclear design characteristics of the CAXDU-PHWR of the Wolsung Unit 1. The major nuclear properties to be computed are the lattice properties of CANDU fuel channel and the core channel power distribution. The computed results are compared with the preliminary safety reports documentation for the Wolsung reactor. The observed discrepancies between our computations and the preliminary safety reports values are discussed in terms of incomplete information on the description of the core configuration in the preliminary safety reports and the different calculation methods. (author).
A specific application of single photon emission tomography to the relative quantitation of the pituitary region is described together with the results obtained in 19 patients with pituitary adenoma...Full Text Available
The geographical arrangement of people on the surface of the earth is approximated by a mathematical equation of 361 terms. This is a convenient form for comparison with other distributions and for...Full Text Available
OBJECTIVEEvaluate the qualitative and quantitative differences between moderated and unmoderated on-line social support groups focused on asthma.DESIGNA...Full Text Available
BACKGROUND:In adults, it is well known that high levels of pain catastrophizing are related to increased pain and disability as well as to heightened anxiety and depression. However,...Full Text Available
Because of its direct energy conversion techniques, AMTEC is the front runner today. However, because these systems are now only in the preliminary design ...
Brief admission of the new diabetic child and of a parent to an enlightened hospital for stabilisation, preliminary education, and familiarisation with hospital and community staff is well worth while....Full Text Available
The incidence of candidiasis in two groups of voluntary participants wearing tight and loose fitted dresses was investigated by both microscopic and cultural techniques for a period of two months....Full Text Available
Design considerations of a combined photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) system for a particular site and application must include thermal and electrical tradeoffs. A simplified technique for determining preliminary design and economic analyses would minimize costly computer simulation and indicate feasibility. To that end, nomographs that size an array to meet a specific annual load and determine the subsequent cost savings have been developed, and are presented in this paper.
We proposed a solid and a mercury target concepts through the preliminary conceptual design. To feasible these concepts, analysis and experimental works are being carried out. This paper introduces an outline of present status of target R and D such as heat transfer augmentation experiments for the solid target, mercury flow tests with a loop of maximum flow rate of 15L/min, flow pattern measurements for a cold source moderator etc. as well as preliminary conceptual design works. (author)
A preliminary database has been developed that will allow mineralogy and bulk-rock geochemical information to be managed under configuration control and facilitate electronic querying. The database is currently developed in Microsoft Access as a collection of tables, views, and entry forms. Each field and table has been described in a data dictionary.
The use of WPC as an important insulating material is studied by determining its dielectric constant. The variation of dielectric constant with moisture content is also investigated. Preliminary results show that all untreated woods studied have a higher dielectric constant than their polymer composites with the exception of Kapur and Keruing. It is therefore postulated that the presence of polymers has led to a decrease in the number of polarizable units. Such a material may be useful commercially.
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has recently been developed and built at the University of Texas TRIGA reactor. Herein the authors present preliminary results of radiography and tomography test experiments. These preliminary results showed that the beam is of high quality and is suitable for radiography and tomography applications. A more detailed description of the facility is given elsewhere.
A thermal neutron imaging facility for real-time neutron radiography and computed tomography has recently been developed and built at the University of Texas TRIGA reactor. Herein the authors present preliminary results of radiography and tomography test experiments. These preliminary results showed that the beam is of high quality and is suitable for radiography and tomography applications. A more detailed description of the facility is given elsewhere
Over 7000 events containing a fully reconstructed D{bar D} pair have been extracted from data recorded by the FOCUS photoproduction experiment at Fermilab. Preliminary results from a study of correlations between D and {bar D} mesons are presented. Correlations are used to study perturbative QCD predictions and investigate non-perturbative effects. We also present a preliminary result on the production of {psi}(3770).
By opinion and order dated May 20, 2003, Judge Richard K. Eaton of the U.S. Court of International Trade remanded the Commission's (U.S. International Trade Commission) preliminary negative determinations in Blast Furnace Coke from China and Japan for fur...
The use of WPC as an important insulating material is studied by determining its dielectric constant. The variation of dielectric constant with moisture content is also investigated. Preliminary results show that all untreated woods studied have a higher dielectric constant than their polymer composites with the exception of Kapur and Keruing. It is therefore postulated that the presence of polymers has led to a decrease in the number of polarizable units. Such a material may be useful commercially. (author).
The role of atmospheric urea on the biogeochemical cycle of Water Soluble Organic Nitrogen (WSON) in the Eastern Mediterranean was assessed by collecting and analyzing wet and dry deposition samples and size segregated aerosols during a one year period (2006). In rain water volume weighted mean (VWM) concentration of urea was found equal to 5.5mM. In atmospheric particles the average concentration of urea in coarse and fine mode was 0.9+/-1.9nmolNm^-^3 (median 0.0nmolNm^-^3) and 2.2+/-3.0nmolNm^-^3 (median 1.1nmolNm^-^3), respectively. The percentage contribution of urea to WSON fraction was 0% and 20% in coarse and fine particles respectively. On an annual basis 0.81mmolm^-^2 and 1.78mmolm^-^2 of urea were deposited via wet and dry deposition, contributing to WSON by 10% and 11% respectiv...
A statistical method is developed to determine the locations of major pollutant sources affecting a distant downwind receptor, provided that air trajectories can be estimated. Probability density functions are estimated which indicate the overall residence time of air parcels over a given geographic region as they travel toward a receptor and residence time for the case of high pollutant concentrations at the receptor. These functions are used to estimate a conditional probability function which indicates the potential for a source region to contribute to high air pollution concentrations. Finally, a source contribution function is formulated to indicate the relative contribution of different source regions to high concentrations at the receptor. The method is tested using data collected at Grand Canyon National Park in 1980. The dominant pathway for air masses arriving at Grand Canyon during this period was southern California. A lesser pathway was from the border of Utah and ...
Full text: Recent geoarchaeological research in the Erzurum district, north-eastern Anatolia, has revealed an abundance of obsidian at numerous neolithic and Bronze Age sites. Geochemical characterisation using neutron activation analysis indicates that the obsidian was obtained from several sources that are chemically distinct from the major sources already known from Central Anatolia an the Lake Van area. Multiple sources are represented in the samples collected from at least two of the sites, namely the sites of Sos and Pulur. The primary source of some of the obsidian utilised at the site of Sos has been located in the volcanic sequence outcropping tot he north-west of Pasinler. Field survey however has shown that the alluvial deposits along the main rivers and some of their tributaries were the main sources of the obsidian utilised at the sites near Erzurum. Trade or exchange of obsidian with sites outside the Erzurum area seems to have been limited.
An evaluation of eastern shale oil (ESO) residue as an asphalt additive to reduce oxidative age-hardening and moisture susceptibility was conducted. The ESO residue, having a viscosity of 23.9 Pa{sm_bullet}s at 60{degrees}C (140{degrees}F), was blended with three different petroleum-derived asphalts, AAD-1, AAK-1, and AAM-1, that are known to be very susceptible to oxidative aging. Rheological and infrared analyses of the unaged and aged asphalts and the blends were then conducted to evaluate oxidative age-hardening. In addition, the petroleum-derived asphalts and the blends were coated onto three different aggregates, Lithonia granite (RA), a low-absorption limestone (RD), and a silicious Gulf Coast gravel (RL), and compacted into briquets. Successive freeze-thaw cycling was then conducted to evaluate the moisture susceptibility of the prepared briquets. The abbreviations used above for the asphalts and the aggregates are part of the Strategic Highway Research ...
The effects of anthropogenic (nitrogen fertilization) and natural [soil texture, pH content of humus, ammonium nitrogen (N-NH4), and the available forms of phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg)] factors on nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) content and distribution were shown. The dependencies between these factors and the content of NO3-N in soil were estimated in three soil layers: 0-30 cm; 31-60 cm; 61-90 cm. The research was carried out in 2004-2006, and the soil samples were taken from 411 places throughout eastern Poland in two seasons: spring and autumn. The concentration of NO3-N significantly depended on the year of investigation, season of the year, and depth of sampling. Distribution of NO3-N in the soil profile indicates possibility of NO3 leaching during winter and early spring....
In the frame of the use of the Relap5 thermal hydraulic code in the predictions of LOCA transient scenarios in PWRs and considering the recent development of a methodology to evaluate the related uncertainty, the response to a Small Break LOCA of Eastern and Western type PWRs has been analyzed. A four loop/horizontal Steam Generator WWER-1000 (KOZLODUY in Bulgaria) and a two loop/vertical U-tubes Steam Generator Westinghouse (KRSKO in Slovenia) nuclear power plants have been considered in the analysis. The reference transient is a 2% equivalent cold leg break accident, without High Pressure Injection System intervention, as specified in the frame of a ``counterpart test`` activity involving experimental tests on four Integral Test Facilities: LOBI (European Community), SPES (Italy), BETHSY (France) and LSTF (Japan). The code results in the two cases, also taking into account the related uncertainty as evaluated by means of the aforementioned methodology, are ...
Results are given for deep-level petroleum and gas drilling probes in various coastal zones of Southern Sakhalin covering the Poronai depression and the Aniv Bay trough. The exploratory probes indicate that the Middle Miocence deposits of the Boundary trough contain commercial-size deposits of petroleum, that commercial-size gas deposits are in the upper Myocene deposits of the Aliv Bay trough, and that the upper Cretaceous and Cenozoic deposits of the eastern section of Southern Sakhalin lack folded deformations. 7 references, 2 figures.
... (restricted)] 251-260 Revisiting new variant famine: the case of Swaziland by Scott Naysmith & Alex Waal & Alan Whiteside [Downloadable! (restricted)] 261-269 Food prices and the HIV response: findings from rapid regional assessments in eastern and southern Africa in 2008[InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.][InlineMediaObject not available: see fulltext.] by Stuart Gillespie & Paul Jere & John Msuya & Scott Drimie [Downloadable! (restricted)] 271-289 Declining global per capita agricultural production and warming oceans ...
...review on the Bank Simpanan Nasional (National Savings Bank) in Malaysia by Mohd. Fuad Md. Sawari & Razi Hassan & ...crisis and Islamic stock markets integration by Bakri Abdul Karim & Nor Akila Mohd. Kassim & Mohammad Affendy Arip [Downloadable! (...Index and the Dow Jones Islamic Market Index by Azhar Abdul Rahman & Mohd Azlan Yahya & Mohd Herry Mohd Nasir [Downloadable! ...at the International Islamic University Malaysia by Noor Hazilah Abd Manaf & Dinon Mohd & Kalthom Abdullah [Downloadable! (restricted)] ...
The authors have interpreted 1,400 km of industry and government multichannel seismic reflection data from eastern Lake Superior. Seismic sequences have been identified by using reflection character and reflector terminations and truncations. This framework, coupled with outcrop information, has allowed them to assign lithologic units to some of these reflectors and reconstruct the timing and geometry of structures within the basin. The authors have mapped the Base Jacobsville-Bayfield Group/Top oronto Group, Base oronto Group/Top Keweenawan volcanics, and Basement as well as several reflectors internal to these groups. Integration of gravity and magnetic data with the seismic grid permits regional mapping of faults and folds between seismic lines. In the eastern part of the basin, high-angle basement-involved reverse faults, such as the southeastern combination of the Keweenaw fault, trend NNW-SSE, while broad folds trend E-W. The Keweenaw ...
The Devonian oil shales of the Eastern United States are a significant domestic energy resource. The overall objective of the multi-year program, initiated in October 1987 by the US Department of Energy is to perform the research necessary to develop the Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Hydroretorting (PFH) process for producing oil from Eastern oil shales. The program also incorporates research on technologies in areas such as raw shale preparation, beneficiation, product separation, and waste disposal that have the potential of improving the economics and/or environmental acceptability of recovering oil from oil shales using the PFH process. The results of the original 3-year program, which was concluded in May 1991, have been summarized in a four-volume final report published by IGT. DOE subsequently approved a 1-year extension to the program to further develop the PFH process specifically for application to beneficiated shale as feedstock. Studies ...
The Devonian oil shales of the Eastern United States are a significant domestic energy resource. The overall objective of the multi-year program, initiated in October 1987 by the US Department of Energy is to perform the research necessary to develop the Pressurized Fluidized-Bed Hydroretorting (PFH) process for producing oil from Eastern oil shales. The program also incorporates research on technologies in areas such as raw shale preparation, beneficiation, product separation, and waste disposal that have the potential of improving the economics and/or environmental acceptability of recovering oil from oil shales using the PFH process. The results of the original 3-year program, which was concluded in May 1991, have been summarized in a four-volume final report published by IGT. DOE subsequently approved a 1-year extension to the program to further develop the PFH process specifically for application to beneficiated shale as feedstock. Studies ...
A petrographic comparison of Triassic, fluvial sandstones from the Deep River Basin in the eastern piedmont of North Carolina with nearby Holocene stream sands (1) indicates that he Triassic climate was more arid than today's and (2) distinguishes an eastern, more plutonic terrane from a western, more metamorphic source terrane. The paleoclimatic interpretation is based on differences in framework composition between modern and ancient sands of the same grain size, derived from the same rock type, transported similar distances and deposited in similar settings. The Triassic sandstones contain more lithic-fragments but less quartz than otherwise equivalent, modern sand in the Deep River Basin. Feldspar content is more complex, controlled by both source-rock composition and climate. Sand from the more plutonic terrane contains more feldspar and plutonic lithic-fragments than sand from the more metamorphic terrane, which contains more ...
Naturally-occurring wetlands perform such functions as flood control, pollution filtration, nutrient recycling, sediment accretion, groundwater recharge and water supply, erosion control, and plant and wildlife preservation. A large concentration of wetlands is located in Eastern Europe. A significant amount of Eastern European wetlands has been converted to agricultural use in the past, and remaining wetlands are subject to agricultural drainage. Drained wetlands are used as prime agriculture lands for a variety of food crops. Other agricultural uses of wetlands range from growing Phragmites australis (common reed) for thatch and livestock feed, to collecting peat for heating and cooking fuel. Altered hydrologic regimes due to global climate change could further exacerbate encroachment of agricultural land use into wetlands. The vulnerability and adaptation studies of the US Country Studies Program are used to analyze where climate change ...
Lipase catalyzed esterification reactions between lactic acid and several fatty acids have been studied. Difficulties arise in esterifying lactic acid because of the potential for this substance to act both as an acyl donor and as a nucleophile. These difficulties were minimized via strategies which greatly increased the yield of the desired ester. Use of the companion fatty acid in excess with respect to lactic acid in an apolar solvent (n-hexane) in which the lactic is not completely dissolved has been employed to minimize the potential for lactic acid to act as an acyl donor in a self-polymerization reaction.Beneficial and sinergistic effects of both silica gel and molecular sieves on conversion to the desired product are described. However, careful control of the amount of molecular sieves used is required. This fact is a consequence of two opposing effects of this material: i.e. adsorption of both lactic acid and water from the reaction mixture. For reaction between caprylic and ...
of satellite, aircraft and ground-based observations. In ..... swarm traps by Utah Department of Food and Agriculture (DAF) personnel. Preliminary Results ..... the 150th anniversary of the book's publication and the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth. ...... cold war submarine missions to find that Arctic Ocean ...
The development of the Java Programming Language by Sun Microsystems has provided a new tool for the development of Internet based applications. Our preliminary work has shown how Java can be used to...Full Text Available
An indoor radioactive survey is being conducted in an Italian district. Preliminary results identified a zone with significant radioactive levels, in which a new specific survey has been planned. In this paper attention is dedicated mainly to radon measurement technique and results.
Paraquat poisoning in mammals results in a characteristic lung lesion manifested principally as progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Paraquat is actively concentrated into the lung but the site of uptake remains undefined. A method is described for the autoradiographic localization of paraquat in rats. Preliminary evidence for the site of uptake implicates the bronchiol. (author).
The past decade has seen rapid advances in the identification of associations between candidate genes and a range of common multifactorial disorders. This paper evaluates public attitudes towards the...Full Text Available
A mollusciciding campaign was begun in Cul-de-Sac Valley, St Lucia, at the end of 1970, following several years of epidemiological studies in which transmission of Schistosoma mansoni...Full Text Available
This report presents the results of the preliminary assessment (PA) conducted by Argonne National Laboratory at the Georgia Army National Guard (GAARNG) facility near Hinesville, Georgia, known as the National Guard Training Center (NGTC). Preliminary assessments of federal facilities are being conducted to compile the information necessary for completing preremedial activities and to provide a priority basis for completing corrective actions (where necessary) in response to releases of hazardous substances. The principal objective of the PA is to characterize the site accurately and determine the need for further action by examining previous site activities, types and quantities of hazardous substances utilized, and potential pathways by which contamination could affect public health and the environment. The scope of this assessment is limited to the facilities and past activities contained within the NGTC. Preliminary ...
The speA gene in Bacillus subtilis encodes arginine decarboxylase, which catalyzes the conversion of arginine to agmatine. Arginine decarboxylase is an important enzyme...Full Text Available
While most cancer survivors are at risk for being lost in the transition from treatment to survivorship, rural breast cancer survivors face special challenges that might place them at particular...Full Text Available
A critical problem for reliable implementation of regional discrimination is incomplete understanding of how regional seismic signals depend on physical characteristics of the source and propagation path to the recording station. This research is directed...
The new percutaneous mitral valve repair techniques are at an early stage. Preliminary series show that they are feasible; however, they need to be further evaluated in comparison with contemporary...Full Text Available
Low membrane permeability is one of the major obstacles to the successful cryopreservation of zebrafish embryos. The aim of the present study was to explore if this could be overcome by yolk...Full Text Available
ObjectiveThis study aimed to test the preliminary psychometric properties of the Scale of Body Connection (SBC), a 20-item self-report measure, designed to assess...Full Text Available
Rats were exposed to aerosols of "2"3"3U and "2"3"2U nitrate in a study of the long-term biological effects. Preliminary radiation dose estimates show lung > skeleton > kidney in each dose group.
This is a description of the preliminary local design specifications of the Central Computing Network Security Controller. The external interface to the Central Computing Network is not described, but the functions and services to be provided are included as justification for the local design.
The development of the Multimedia Electronic Medical Record System (MEMRS) promises new opportunities to significantly reduce the routine use of film as the medium for viewing radiological medical images....Full Text Available
... Southall et al. 2007). However, based on preliminary simulation modeling that attempted to allow for various uncertainties in ... 1986. Behavioral responses of gray whales to industrial noise:
After some preliminary comments on prevailing attitudes about tachyons, the author discusses superluminal transformations and the electromagnetic properties of tachyons. Their role in quantum mechanics is examined and a relativistically invariant hadron bootstrap model, which appears to account for many hadron states, is presented. (W.D.L).
The modification of a Ford 7600 turbocharged diesel engine to a dual fuel engine using methane as the supplementary fuel has been carried out. The paper describes the preliminary work of dual fuel control. Two systems are examined and their behaviour is presented.
The dissociation of methylal is investigated using mass spectrometry, combined with a pyrolytic radical source and femtosecond pump probe experiments. Based on preliminary results two reaction paths of methylal dissociation are proposed and discussed. (author) 4 fig., 3 refs.
For the evaluation of the kidney impairment, serum creatinine concentrations or glomerular filtration rates are mainly used, and the conditions of solitary or transplanted kidney and chronic dialysis...Full Text Available
Enolase is a multifunctional enzyme that plays important roles in many biological and disease processes. α-Enolase from human liver (hENO1) was expressed as a soluble protein and purified by...Full Text Available
Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a leading cause of diarrhea in travelers to countries where the disease is endemic and causes a major disease burden in the indigenous population,...Full Text Available
BackgroundThis is a preliminary report of an ongoing prospective bimodality lung cancer surveillance trial for high‐risk patients. Bimodality surveillance incorporates autofluorescence...Full Text Available
This study assessed the feasibility of measuring tiludronate in horses using a minimally invasive bone biopsy technique. Eight horses were treated with intravenous (IV) tiludronate [1 mg/kg bodyweight...Full Text Available
After that power fluctuations had occurred at Borssele nuclear power station it was decided to install a power system stabilizer. This stabilizer shall reduce the unwanted power fluctuations. The preliminary research and the results of measurements carried out during commissioning are described. (J.C.R.)
We present here the preliminary design of ARIES-Devasthal Faint Object Spectrograph and Camera (ADFOSC), which is a multi-mode instrument for both imaging and spectroscopy. ADFOSC is the first-generation instrument to be mounted at the axial port of the Cassegrain focus on our new 3.6m optical telescope to be installed at Devasthal, Nainital. The main design goals of the instrument are : the instrument will have capability of broad- and narrow-band imaging, low-medium resolution spectroscopy, and imaging polarimetry. The operating wavelength range will be from 360 to 1000 nm and the instrument will have remote-control capability.
A preliminary investigation was completed on the characterization and decontamination of coral samples from Johnston Island. These samples were found to contain individual particles (2 to 0.25 mm) of contaminated coral as well as a piece of contaminated magnetic metal. They ranged in activity from about 70 to 811 nCi Am-241. The decontamination methods investigated were froth flotation, ferrite treatment, attrition scrubbing, ultrasonic treatment and dry sieving. Dry sieving, the more effective technique, separated about 42 wt % of the coral into a decontaminated fraction. This fraction (>4 mm) contained about 0.5% of the total activity. 7 refs., 3 tabs.
An apparatus was designed and built for the purpose of exposing samples of solid polymers to varying temperatures, atmospheres and stress levels while quantitatively recording the resulting chemiluminescence. Preliminary data were acquired with this apparatus that show a correlation between an enhanced chemiluminescence signal at a low level of applied stress and a decrease in tensile strength for the most commonly used epoxy resin in high performance fiber composites, TGMDA DDS. The studies with cellular silicone cushions (which are used to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction) have defined the temperature regimes in which accelerated aging tests are valid for extrapolation to ambient temperature. Preliminary data on Kevlar fibers is also discussed.
Public speaking is the most commonly reported fearful social situation. Although a number of contemporary theories emphasize the importance of cognitive processes in social anxiety, there is no instrument available to assess fearful thoughts experienced during public speaking. The Self-Statements During Public Speaking (SSPS) scale is a 10-item questionnaire consisting of two 5-item subscales, the "Positive Self-Statements" (SSPS-P) and the "Negative Self-Statements" subscale (SSPS-N). Four studies report on the development and the preliminary psychometric properties of this instrument. PMID:16763666
The authors have performed a preliminary design for a persistent GHz NMR magnet at 23.5 T and 1.8 K operating conditions. In this paper the authors shall address the issues of realistic conductor selection, the coil design, the magnetic and mechanical analysis of the coil, and the required field uniformity. In addition, they shall describe the GHz magnet cryostat with a practical 1.8 K J-T refrigerator system. Finally vibration isolation system and field shield design and its associated field harmonics will be analyzed.
A wind energy study (WEST) in the coastal region of Bangladesh has been undertaken, in collaboration with Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) and with technical support of the UK`s Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) under an ODA programme. Seven 25m high masts have just been installed at selected places and data for a complete year will be recorded. A brief account of the mast erection is given and some preliminary data is presented. Results indicate that fresh data is going to give higher figures than the meteorological ones. (author)
The 3-D neutronics code COREDAX has been developed based on AFEN (Analytic Function Expansion Nodal) method for x-y-z geometry and for hex-z geometry. In this study, the COREDAX code, as a regulatory review tool independent of the designer's, was applied to the SMART reactor core that was designed by KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute). For nuclear cross section generation, the HELIOS lattice code was used in this study. The preliminary results for steady state in various conditions are presented in this paper
The adjoint of an ocean general circulation model is used as a tool for investigating the causes of changes in ENSO SST indices. We identify adjoint Kelvin and Rossby waves in the sensitivities to sea level and wind stress at earlier times, which can be traced back for more than a year through western and weak eastern boundary reflections. Depending on the thermocline depth the first and second baroclinic modes are excited. The sensitivities to the heat flux and SST are local and decay in about a month. The sensitivities to the fluxes are converted into the influence of SST using the adjoint of a statistical atmosphere model. Focusing on SST perturbations in the index region itself, we recover, up to a scale factor, the delayed oscillator concept.
Riparian agricultural environments in eastern Australia are widely used for cattle grazing, but are also preferred habitat for native, soil-disturbing mammals such as the bare-nosed wombat (Vombatus ursinus). We examined the effects of mound construction by wombats, and track development by cattle and wombats, on soil displacement in a riparian landscape at high and low levels of cattle usage. Splash erosion was measured on mounds and inter-mounds with splashboards, and changes in the profiles of cattle-wombat tracks were assessed using a profilemeter. Twice as much soil was detached by splash erosion from mounds than inter-mounds, irrespective of cattle usage, and about three-times more coarse sand and 40% more fine sand was detached from mounds and inter-mounds at the high cattle sites. ...
The economic development of eastern Europe was associated during the last 15 years with the following average annual increases in energy consumption: Approximately 1% in the sectors industry, building and transport, almost 7% in the farming sector, approximately 3% in households, and nearly 4% in the municipal sector. This trend will not continue. As the economic system shifts from centrally planned to free economy and as the previously secluded economy is forced to face world market conditions as well as changed pars of exchange and conditions of payment, it not only experiences a transitory, sharp dip of economic growth in general but, in particular, drastic structural changes. - While there is to be expected, on the whole a slump in national economic growth, in tradiational branches of industry (e.g., metallurgy, the chemicals and textile industry) as well as in farming, such sectors as the service industry and small trade are expanding. (orig./UA).
Soil erodibility (the K factor in the Universal Soil Loss Equation, USLE) is an important index to measure soil susceptibility to water erosion, and an essential parameter needed for soil erosion prediction. To evaluate the appropriateness of the nomograph and other methods for estimating the K factor for the USLE and to develop a relationship for soil erodibility estimation for Chinese soils, a set of soil erodibility values was calculated using soil loss data from natural runoff plots at 13 sites in eastern China. The definition of soil erodibility in relation to the USLE was strictly followed. Comparing these measured values to those estimated using the nomograph method, the method adopted for the EPIC model and the formula of Shirazi and Boersma, we found that all these estimated soil ...
Several researchers have investigated morphological changes on the south-eastern Mediterranean coast during the late Holocene. However, very few of these studies include quantitative data covering the last 200?years. In this study, topographical maps, nautical charts and aerial photographs are used to estimate the shoreline migrations and beach?nearshore sand balance over the last 200?years in Haifa Bay, Israel, the northernmost final depositional sink of the Nile littoral cell. The findings reflect two main periods. During the first period, between 1799 and 1928, human intervention along the bay?s coast was negligible, a significant coastal expansion of ?50 to 150?m (averages of 0.4?1.2?m/year) was measured, and sand accumulation was estimated at ?70,000?m3 annually in the beach?nearshore...
November was a quiet month in Washington. Although Congress has recessed until 1991, the Senate filled vacancies in party leadership positions created by November's elections. The House is expected to proceed with its changes in early December. The Nuclear Energy Forum was held in Washington, DC on November 11-14 to discuss the status of the nuclear industry in the USA. The Forum, held in conjunction with the American Nuclear Society's annual meeting, assembled a large number of CEO's from US, European, and Far Eastern utilities and vendors. The meeting concluded with an announcement by Philip Bayne, President of NYPA and chairman of the Nuclear Power Oversight Committee (NPOC), of the results of a year-long NPOC study entitled a open-quotes Strategic Plan for Building New Nuclear Power Plants.close quotes.
Crustal xenoliths (pyroxenites and plagioclase + quartz + pyroxene lithologies) from the Quaternary Big Pine volcanic field on the eastern flank of the Sierra Nevada Batholith in California (USA) represent the products of metasomatic reaction between the margins of a Cretaceous granodioritic pluton and Paleozoic marbles, possibly at mid-crustal depths based on the equilibration temperatures recorded by Ti-in-quartz geothermometry. This interpretation is based on the presence of plagioclase showing relict plutonic textures, pyroxenite characterized by nearly pure diopside clinopyroxene, recrystallized plagioclase with anomalously high anorthite content, textures indicating replacement of plagioclase by clinopyroxene (and vice versa), `ghost' plagioclase rare earth element signatures in some...
Coyle, D.R., and J.W. Amrine, Jr. 2004. New collection records and host range of the cottonwood leafcurl mite, Tetra lobulifera (Keifer) (Acari: Eriophyidae), in the USA. Internat. J. Acarol. 30(1):3-8. The cottonwood leafcurl mite, Aculops lobuliferus Keifer, 1961, is renamed as Tetra lobulifera (Keifer). This eriophyid mite is capable of inflicting substantial damage on plantation- and native-grown cottonwoods (Populus spp.). We report new State and County collection records from the eastern and northwestern U.S.A. as well as new host records, including Populus grandidentata Michx. (big-tooth aspen), for this pest. This updates the established geographic range of T. lobulzjera, and demonstrates its ability to utilize other host plants in the genus Populus for development.
Previous studies on river health evaluation mainly focused on characterizations at a river-corridor scale and ignored the complex interactions between the river ecosystem and other components of the river basin. Based on the consideration of the interactions among rivers, associated river basin and habitats, an assessment framework with multi-scale indicators was developed. An index system divided among these three scales to characterize the health of river ecosystems in China???s Liao River Basin was established. Set pair analysis was applied to integrate the multi-scale indicators and determine the health classes. The evaluation results indicated that the rivers in the western and eastern zones of the Liao River were classified as sick, and rivers in the main stream of the Liao and Hunta...
The costs of greenhouse gas emission-reductions vary among countries depending on emission levels, technologies used, past emission-reduction achievements, path of economic development, fuel mix, and initial endowment of hydrocarbon resources. The criterion of cost-effectiveness therefore suggests that the ways should be found to encourage emission reductions in the countries where the required costs of reduction of additional unit of emissions are the lowest. These countries usually face crucial capital constraints and have other development priorities than investing in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Developed countries could invest their resources in the former Soviet Union and the east European countries to achieve the same level of reduction of greenhouse gases with lower costs than they could in their own countries.
Impacts of gas pipeline rights-of-way (ROWs) through wetlands depend on types of habitat, construction techniques, final elevations, ROW maintenance practices, soil composition, and local climate. In some instances factors unrelated to the presence of the pipeline may have greater impacts on wetland modification than does the pipeline itself. At one site, the required seeding program inhibited natural reestablishment of wetland plants; at another, downstream construction resulted in a major disruption to the adjacent wetland habitat. This paper discusses observation from 13 study sites, each zero to 30 years old, that are located in seven Eastern States.
Indoor and soil gas Radon (222Rn) concentration measurements were accomplished in two stages in Sivas, a central eastern city in Turkey. In the first stage, CR-39 passive nuclear track detectors supplied by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEA) were placed in the selected houses throughout Sivas centrum in two seasons; summer and winter. Before the setup of detectors, a detailed questionnaire form was distributed to the inhabitants of selected houses to investigate construction parameters and properties of the houses, and living conditions of inhabitants. Detectors were collected back two months later and analysed at TAEA laboratories to obtain indoor 222Rn gas concentration values. In the second stage, soil gas 222Rn measurements were performed using an alphameter near the selected h...
Detailed geothermal studies of deep drill holes provide insights to heat transfer processes in the crust, and allow separation of different factors involved, such as palaeoclimatic and structural conductive effects as well as advective fluid flow effects. We present high resolution geothermal results of the 2516m deep Outokumpu Deep Drill Hole in eastern Finland drilled in 2004-2005 into a Palaeoproterozoic formation with metasedimentary rocks, ophiolite-derived altered ultramafic rocks and pegmatitic granite. The down-hole temperatures have been logged five times after end of drilling and extend to day 948 after drilling. The hole is completely cored (79% core coverage) and thermal conductivity measurements were done at 1m intervals. The geothermal results on temperature gradient, thermal...
This case study is an application, to a nuclear power plant, of the methodology for quantifying environmental costs and benefits, contained in the regional energy plan, adopted in April, 1983, by the Northwest Power Planning Council, pursuant to Public Law 96-501.The study is based on plant number 2 of the Washington Public Power Supply System (WNP-2), currently nearing completion on the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in eastern Washington State. This report describes and documents efforts to quantify and estimate monetary values for the following seven areas of environmental effects: radiation/health effects, socioeconomic/infrastructure effects, consumptive use of water, psychological/health effects (fear/stress), waste management, nuclear power plant accidents, and decommissioning costs. 103 references.
Oils, tars, and degraded oils of varying degrees of biodegradation occur in the Permian Phosphoria Formation along the eastern flank of the Wind River mountains, Wyoming, US. Biodegradation has altered the isomer distributions of steranes, the hopanes, and the mono- and triaromatised steroids in these oils. The conventional maturity parameters based on these biomarkers are of limited use in estimating their maturity. On the other hand, even in severely biodegraded oils the vanadylporphyrin distributions are unaltered. Because of this, the Porphyrin Maturity Parameter (PMP) derived from the vanadylporphyrin distribution is an ideal parameter for estimating the maturity of these oils. This study also confirms the previous observation that T[sub s] and T[sub m] are unaffected by even severe biodegradation. 14 refs., 5 figs., 2 tabs.
Continuing high rates of acidic deposition in the eastern United States may lead to long-term effects on stream communities, because sensitive catchments are continuing to lose anions and cations. A two-year study of the effects of pH and associated water chemistry variables on detrital processing in three streams with different bedrock geology in the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia were investigated. Leaf pack processing rates and macroinvertebrate colonization and microbial biomass (ATP concentration) on the packs in the three stream were compared. It was found that macroinvertebrate and microbial communities differed both among streams that differed in their capacity to buffer the effects of acidic precipitation and among years in the same stream; these differences in biotic communities were not large enough to affect rates of leaf processing between the two years of the study, but they did significantly affect processing rates between acidic and ...
World demand for rare-earth elements and the metal yttrium?which are crucial for novel electronic equipment and green-energy technologies?is increasing rapidly. Several types of seafloor sediment harbour high concentrations of these elements. However, seafloor sediments have not been regarded as a rare-earth element and yttrium resource, because data on the spatial distribution of these deposits are insufficient. Here, we report measurements of the elemental composition of over 2,000 seafloor sediments, sampled at depth intervals of around one metre, at 78 sites that cover a large part of the Pacific Ocean. We show that deep-sea mud contains high concentrations of rare-earth elements and yttrium at numerous sites throughout the eastern South and central North Pacific. We estimate that an a...
The Jaduguda U (?Cu?Fe) deposit in the Singhbhum shear zone has been the most productive uranium deposit in India. Pyrite occurs as disseminated grains or in sulphide stringers and veins in the ore zone. Veins, both concordant and discordant to the pervasive foliation, are mineralogically either simple comprising pyrite ? chalcopyrite or complex comprising pyrite + chalcopyrite + pentlandite + millerite. Nickel-sulphide minerals, though fairly common in concordant veins, are very rare in the discordant veins. Pyrite in Ni-sulphide association is commonly replaced by pentlandite at the grain boundary or along micro-cracks. Based on concentrations of Co and Ni, pyrite is classified as: type-A ? high Co (up to 30800?ppm), no/low Ni; type-B ? moderate Co (up to 16500?ppm) and moderate to high ...
Bioremediation of land crude oil and lube oil spills is an effective and economical option. Other options include road spreading (where permitted), thermal desorption, and off-site disposal. The challenge for environment and operations managers is to select the best approach for each remediation site. Costs and liability for off-site disposal are ever increasing. Kerr-McGee`s extensive field research in eastern and western Texas provides the data to support bioremediation as a legitimate and valid option. Both practical and economical bioremediation as a legitimate and valid option. Both practical and economical, bioremediation also offers a lower risk of, for example, Superfund clean-up exposure than off-site disposal.
Papers are presented on the modeling, dispersion, formation, transformation, monitoring and biological effects of atmospheric pollution. Specific topics include a prognostic mesoscale model for pollutant transport and diffusion, commuter exposure modeling, a Gaussian plume model for an urban area, carbon monoxide dispersion in an urbanized area, wind-tunnel modeling of flue gas dispersion, the regional-scale transport of fine aerosol components in eastern North America, and a Markov process for the generation of hourly average wind vectors. Attention is also given to photochemical aerosol formation in multicomponent systems, heterogeneous nitrogen oxide-particulate reactions, the generation and measurement of primary soot aerosols of size between 50 and 400 A, inertial particle size classification techniques, the design of air quality monitoring networks, visibilities in polluted and unpolluted areas, and monitoring air quality according to an analysis of ...
Coal mining activities cause an increased acidity and an associated decrease of the pH-value in mine waters. This process is also known as acid mine drainage (AMD). Due to AMD, lakes that were formed in the post mining landscapes in the lignite mining area of Central Germany are characterized by specific limnological development changes. Remote sensing is a time and cost saving technique that enables the observation of the hydrological and limnological development of the lakes ranging from a small to a mid size scale. The current research was based on Landsat TM5/ETM+7 satellite data collected between 1999 and 2004. In combination of satellite data, surface waters of the post mining lakes in Central Germany were sampled and analyzed for their physicochemical properties. The objective of th...
In order to better understand the structure and composition of forest plant communities, we aimed to predict the abundance of understory herbaceous species locally at the stand level and according to different environments. For this, we seeked to model species distributions of abundance at a regional scale in relationship with the local stand structure (canopy openness) and regional soil resources (soil pH). Floristic inventories, performed in different light and soil conditions located in 1202 records of north eastern France, were used to analyze the combined effect of canopy openness and soil pH on the abundance of 12 common western European forest species: Anemone nemorosa, Deschampsia flexuosa, Festuca altissima, Hedera helix, Lamium galeobdolon, Lonicera periclymenum, Molinia caerulea...
The DOE Region IV Unconventional Gas Program involved the evaluation of unconventional gas resources at ten sites in the coal fields of the Eastern US. These projects dealt mainly with coalbed methane resources, although three of them also examined potential gas resources in Devonian black shales. The resource evaluations were accomplished primarily through recovery of core samples of potential gas-bearing strata and determination of specific gas content using the US Bureau of Mines direct method. In some cases actual gas production from the test holes was evaluated. Four of the projects were sited in the Warrior Basin, three in the Central Appalachian Basin, and one each in the Northern Appalachian Basin, the Deep River Basin of North Carolina, and the Valley Coal Fields of Virginia. Results from three of the projects, two in the Warrior Basin and one in the Northern Appalachian Basin, indicated the potential for economic recovery of coalbed methane. The projects ...
The coal transportation industry has played an integral role in determining coal markets, particularly in recent years, as the industry has evolved from cost-based pricing to market-based pricing. Aggressive pricing by Western rail carriers has caused extensive changes in coal marketing patterns in the Midwest. Multi-modal barge deliveries of Western and Appalachian coals have also played a significant, though lesser, role in changing coal markets. Eastern rail carriers have generally lagged in their aggressive pursuit of new coal markets and, to date, few changes in coal markets have been realised. The historic dominant role of transportation in shaping markets for coal will continue into the future as the utility industry contends with the effects of CAAA compliance and deregulation and as the coal industry contends with regional coal displacements and major imbalances in supply and demand. The dominance of rail transportation in defining coal distribution ...
Detailed quantitative sequence stratigraphic analysis and three-dimensional (3-D) modeling of the fluvio-deltaic Pikeville, Hyden, and four Corners formations of the Breathitt Group, eastern Kentucky, indicate that it is possible to make confident deterministic correlations of sand bodies at offshore development well spacings. The key to high-confidence correlation is the delineation of the 3-D architecture of third-order composite sequences, which are seismically mappable, and the recognition of internal fourth-order sequences, which are stacked into lowstand, transgressive, and highstand sequence sets. Volumetric partitioning of reservoir sand bodies between systems tracts and sequences allows prediction of channel sandstone geometries and channel: crevasse splay ratios. Furthermore, channel-fill type is predictable from the sequence stratigraphy. Within 13 studied fourth-order sequences, incised valley fills represent the main reservoirs, which are laterally ...
The island of Hispaniola (Dominican Republic and Haiti) lies within the North Caribbean strike-slip plate boundary zone. The post-Eocene history of Hispaniola is marked by strike-slip accretion of crustal fragments onto a Late Cretaceous-Eocene island arc. Three onshore Neogene clastic basins have been the focus of petroleum exploration in Hispaniola. Oil production was achieved by drilling surface anticlines in the Azua Basin in South-Central Hispaniola (Dominican Republic) during World War II (Maleno and Higuerito fields). More modern seismic exploration has been carried out in the Enriquillo, San Juan and Cibao Basins, but has not resulted in production. Recent surface and seismic stratigraphic mapping has elucidated the geologic history of Southern Hispaniola. It consists of several Late Cretaceous-Eocene oceanic and island-arc terranes separated by E-W to NW/SE-striking ''ramp'' or thrust-bound clastic basins of Neogene age (San Juan, Azua and ...
The paleogeography postulated from the distribution of Permian and Triassic sedimentary rocks in the Middle East is shown and related to the paleostructure of the region. The Middle East region as defined here includes the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Iraq, SE Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, West Jordan, and the Sinai Peninsula. Within the limits of the area included in this study, a relatively stable pre-Late Triassic tectonic regime can be recognized and distinguished from a succession of diastrophic events of the Late Triassic epoch, which caused marked changes in the types and distribution of facies. Excluding NE Iran, the Middle East was stable from Late Cambrian to Middle Triassic times, as it formed a part of the Arabian Massif and much of the Middle East Platform, which is a broad shelf bordering the positive Afro-Arabian Massif to the NE and east. The sediments of this platform have undergone no strong deformation and have been subjected only to epeirogenic movements which ...
We present a proof-of-concept analysis of the measurement of the health damage of ozone (O_3) produced from nitrogen oxides (NO_x=NO+NO_2) emitted by individual large point sources in the eastern United States. We use a regional atmospheric model of the eastern United States, the Comprehensive Air quality Model with Extensions (CAMx), to quantify the variable impact that a fixed quantity of NO_x emitted from individual sources can have on the downwind concentration of surface O_3, depending on temperature and local biogenic hydrocarbon emissions. We also examine the dependence of resulting O_3-related health damages on the size of the exposed population. The investigation is relevant to the increasingly widely used 'cap and trade' approach to NO_x regulation, which presumes that shifts of emission over time and space, holding the total fixed over the course of the summer O_3 season, will have minimal effect on the environmental outcome. By ...
The use and application of remote sensing data for monitoring the environmental impacts of open cast lignite mining in Eastern Germany is described. This investigation is based on the digital analysis of several Landsat-TM and ERS-1 data sets acquired from 1989 to 1994. The characteristics of the imagery enable quantitative analysis of different open cast mine features, such as waste, water bodies, change of land use, reclamation processes and estimation of vegetation cover in the affected areas. On the basis of the Maximum Likelihood Classification of Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data the open cast mining areas were separated into bare open cast areas and areas of less and dense vegetation. The bare open cast areas were classified with respect to type of different sediments and the vegetation was seperated into different classes according to the age of the vegetation and the density cover. Apart from these, water bodies within the mining areas were classified into ...
In cooperation with NRPB, the specifications of the mainframe COSYMA version 95/1 and the PC COSYMA version 2.0 were prepared and the corresponding modifications implemented. Important improvements are dose-rate dependent models for deterministic health effects, the time dependent efficiency of stable iodine tablets, the extension of data bases for the inclusion of activation products, and supplementary evaluation programs. PC COSYMA has been completed by an economics module, further options in the ingestion pathways, and a graphics package for presenting assessment results. COSYMA has been applied for probabilistic dose assessments within paramter studies and special investigations of EPR concepts. RODOS, the real-time on-line decision support system for nuclear emergency management, has been further developed with the aim of the first pilot version 2.0 for pre-operational application in the second half of 1995. At present, some 20 institutes in the EU, 8 institutes in Russia, Belarus ...
On the basis of soil losses records during 10 years, three levels of water erosion were established for two soil (Typical Hapludox and Oxic Dystropept) located on high and medium terraces of alluvial flat plain of piedmont in the Eastern Plains in La Libertad Research Center of CORPOICA. Eighteen 3 x 10 m"2 run-off plots were fitted out on a nonrandom arrangement of nine plots by landscape and three soil use and management treatments: zero grazing Brachiaria decumbens pasture for six years, up land rice, soybean and maize rotations for six years and bare soil for 10 years. Soil losses under these treatments allowed to define three degrees of erosion: slight (N_3 moderate (N_2) and severe (N_3) respectively. From each plot soil samples were taken at two depths for physical analyses. infiltration and resistance to cone penetration were measured in the field. Without exception water erosion produced a detrimental effect on soil physical properties and the hydrological ...
An evaluation of eastern shale oil (ESO) residue as an asphalt additive to reduce oxidative age hardening and moisture susceptibility was conducted by Western Research Institute (WRI). The ESO residue, have a viscosity of 23.9 Pa{lg_bullet}s at 60{degree}C (140{degree}F), was blended with three different petroleum-derived asphalts, ASD-1, AAK-1, and AAM-1, which are known to be very susceptible to oxidative aging. Rheological and infrared analyses of the unaged and aged asphalts and the blends were then conducted to evaluate oxidative age hardening. In addition, the petroleum-derived asphalts and the blends were coated onto three different aggregates, Lithonia granite (RA), a low-absorption limestone (RD), and a siliceous Gulf Coast gravel (RL), and compacted into briquettes. Successive freeze-thaw cycling was then conducted to evaluate the moisture susceptibility of the prepared briquettes. The rheological analyses of the unaged petroleum-derived asphalts and ...
Dawsonite, NaAlCO{sub 3}(OH){sub 2}, is widespread as a cement, replacement, and cavity filling in Permo-Triassic sedimentary rocks of the Bowen-Gunnedah-Sydney basin system eastern Australia. The origin of dawsonite in these rocks was studied by petrographic and stable isotope analysis. Dawsonite {delta}{sup 13}C (PDB) values range from {minus}4.0 to +4.1{per_thousand} and are remarkably consistent throughout the Bowen-Gunnedah-Sydney basin system. These values indicate either a marine carbonate or magmatic source for carbon in the dawsonite. A magmatic carbon source is considered more likely on the basis that (1) evidence of and the cause for widespread marine carbonate dissolution in the sedimentary successions are not apparent, (2) dawsonite is widespread in both marine and nonmarine facies, (3) the region has been the site of major igneous activity, (4) other dawsonite deposits of similar carbon isotopic composition are linked to igneous activity, and (5) ...
The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) developed neoplastic disorders when experimentally exposed both in the laboratory and field to chemically contaminated sediment from Black Rock Harbor (BRH), Bridgeport, Connecticut. Neoplasia was observed in oysters after 30 or 60 days of continuous exposure in a laboratory flow-through system to a 20 mg/L suspension of BRH sediment plus postexposure periods of 3, 30, or 60 days. Composite tumor incidence was 13.6% for both exposures. Tumor occurrence was highest in the renal excretory epithelium, followed in order by gill, gonad, gastrointestinal, heart, and embryonic neural tissue. Regression of experimental neoplasia was not observed when the stimulus was discontinued. In field experiments, gill neoplasms developed in oysters, deployed in cages for 30 days at BRH and 36 days at a BRH dredge material disposal area in Central Long Island Sound, and kidney and gastrointestinal neoplasms developed in caged oysters deployed ...
The study area is located in the Bekaa plain of Lebanon totaling about 12753 ha. It lies between the eastern foothills of Mount Lebanon chain and expands across the Litani River towards the foothills of the eastern Anti-Lebanon Mountains. Its characteristics, i.e. natural terrain, climate and socio-economy, make it vulnerable especially due to soil pollution. This paper tries to identify the nature and level of soil pollution by heavy metals. Valley slopes represent a complex landform and lithology that contributed to the formation of different soil. Agriculture in the plain is being practiced mainly with cash, field crops and vegetables. Throughout the central part of the plain, groundwater table is abundant and relatively high (<1.0 m. locally) that multiplies the vulnerability of the soil-groundwater system. There are different sources of pollution, such as industrial (tanneries, batteries, leather manufacturing), solid and liquid wastes, ...
Abstract in english The principal vector of malaria in eastern Venezuela, Anopheles aquasalis, is exophagic and exophilic. Control using indoor insecticide house sprays has failed to lower the number of malaria cases. Therefore, studies were initiated in two villages of the eastern coastal state of Sucre to better understand this vector's biology and develop a more integrated control program. An. aquasalis was found to have a crepuscular biting behavior with a major peak at dusk and a minor (more) peak at dawn. Mosquitos were collected more outdoors than indoors. Forty-seven percent of the biting took place before people went to bed (22:30 hr) and 69% of the mosquitos biting during this time period bite outdoors. Outdoor biting could be the reason why indoor spraying alone did not lower malaria cases. Seasonal abundance was greater in the rainy season compared to the dry season. Seasonal parous rates were high (78.3%-100%) and similar indoors ...
There is growing interest in the use of natural fibres as the reinforcements for polymer composites in the automotive industry and as matrix for composites in building products application to replace synthetic fibres. In this respect the aim of this study is to develop an environmental friendly composites for furniture industry based on EFB fibres and sago starch. In this preliminary study, a basic composition and processing of EFB fibres-sago starch composites were established and the properties of the composites were determined. EFB fibre content was varied between 50-80% by weight. The amount of sago starch in liquid form was also varied and final weight percentage of sago starch added into the EFB fibres was adjusted accordingly. The mixtures of EFB fibres and sago starch were blended using Haake Rheomixer. The preliminary results indicate that the impact and flexural strengths increased up to 33.58 J/m"2 and 18.92 Mpa, respectively at 70% ...
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.)
The objective of the three-phase Holly Sugar Geothermal Project was to replace fossil fuels with geothermal energy for sugar beet processing at the Holly Sugar plant located in Brawley, California, in a technically straightforward, economically sound and environmentally acceptable manner. The first phase of the project, discussed in this final report, encompassed the design and analysis of a geothermal industrial heat system for Holly Sugar and addresses: (1) assessment of the geothermal resource; (2) development of a preliminary system design; (3) analysis and publication of an environmental analysis and monitoring report; (4) preliminary economic analyses; (5) dissemination of project related information; and (6) the development of a proposal for the follow-on phases.
Fatty acid esters such as Lipiodol or Ethiodol are known to selectively localize in vascular hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC), following intraarterial hepatic administration. Lipiodol was labeled with radioactive /sup 131/I and administered in 47 patients with HCC for both imaging and therapy. The short term preliminary results suggest radiolabeled Lipiodol is effective in eliminating ascites, shrinking the tumor by a high internal radiation dose, and in improving symptomatology of these tumors. In the future, /sup 90/Y, which is a stronger pure beta-emitter (maximum beta energy of 2.27 MeV, a half life of 64 h, and a maximum penetration or beta range of 11mm), than /sup 131/I will be used for more effective treatment of HCC.
Preliminary studies were preformed to determine whether thermal conductivity of cementitious grouts used to backfill heat exchanger loops for geothermal heat pumps could be improved, thus improving efficiency. Grouts containing selected additives were compares with conventional bentonite and cement grouts. Significant enhancement of grout alumina grit, steel fibers, and silicon carbide increased the thermal conductivity when compared to unfilled, high solids bentonite grouts and conventional cement grouts. Furthermore, the developed grouts retained high thermal conductivity in the dry state, where as conventional bentonite and cement grouts tend to act as insulators if moisture is lost. The cementitious grouts studied can be mixed and placed using conventional grouting equipment.
The moderate earthquake of magnitude 5.2 was occurred at the offshore Uljin on the 29 May 2004. The magnitude of the event is the largest one which is equal to that of the Sokrisan earthquake on the 16 September 1978 since the beginning of the instrumental recording by the Korean Metrological Administration (KMA) in 1978. The magnitude of the event was large enough to be felt in a wide area of the southern Korea. It did not affect the safety of the Uljin nuclear power plant (NPP) site which is about 80 km away from the epicenter. In this article, we estimate source parameters of the event and evaluate preliminary seismic safety of the Uljin NPP site regarding the event as an empirical Green's function (EGF)
Before disposing of transuranic radioactive wastes in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), the United States Department of Energy (DOE) must evaluate compliance with applicable long-term regulations of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Sandia National Laboratories is conducting iterative performance assessments of the WIPP for the DOE to provide interim guidance while preparing for final compliance evaluations. This volume contains an overview of WIPP performance assessment and a preliminary comparison with the long-term requirements of the Environmental Radiation Protection Standards for Management and Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel, High-Level and Transuranic Radioactive Wastes (40 CFR 191, Subpart B).
Adding capacity to coal-fired plants in small increments of an overall integrated program may be the solution to the 10-year lead time required for the construction of a new plant. A preliminary study evaluates the technical and economic feasibility of a modular natural gas and coal-fired combined-cycle power plant which can be installed in three distinct phases. The plant sizes are suitable for large industrial and utility applications. The Modular Block Power Plant (MBPP) concept offers the advantages of phase construction, lower capital cost, lower cost electricity, lower air emissions, lower water requirements, and reduced solid waste discharge. Other advantages include part load availability, reduced coal inventory requirements, and easier plant siting. 11 figures, 4 tables.
This report, which summarizes the result of preliminary conceptual design activities during Phase 1, follows the format of safety analysis report. The purpose of publishing this report is to gather all of the design information developed so far in a systematic way so that KALIMER designers have a common source of the consistent design information necessary for their future design activities. This report will be revised and updated as design changes occur and more detailed design specification is developed during Phase 2. Chapter 1 describes the KALIMER Project. Chapter 2 includes the top level design requirements of KALIMER and general plant description. Chapter 3 summarizes the design of structures, components, equipment and systems. Specific systems and safety analysis results are described in the remaining chapters. Appendix on the HCDA evaluation is attached at the end of this report.
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 Davis GSR Landfill (GSR) is listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the National Priorities List. Preliminary on-site sampling results have demonstrated volatile organic compounds in ground water and surface water. The contaminants present in groundwater at this site are trichloroethylene, ethylbenzene, toluene, chloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, and 1,2 dichloroethane. GSR represents a potential public health concern to area residents. However, information available on this site is not currently adequate to determine if a public health concern exists to these residents. At a minimum, future investigations of this site should include a characterization of the site and site contaminants, and a characterization of the hydrogeology of the area.
Fuel elements used in the ORR whole-core LEU fuel demonstration have been gamma-scanned to determine axial distributions of UZLa and TXCs fission product activities. This data has been analyzed to determine cycle-averaged fuel element powers, residual STVU masses, and burnups of discharged fuel elements. Methods used to analyze the data are discussed and results are presented for the LEU fuel elements. Measured and calculates fuel element powers agree to within 5%, residual STVU masses to within 2%, and burnups to within 3%. These results are somewhat preliminary and await improved burnup calculations and independent calibration data to be based on the destructive analyses of a number of irradiated fuel elements. 4 refs., 7 figs., 3 tabs.
A prototype trumpet type nonimaging secondary concentrator has been designed and fabricated for use with the Cummins Power Generation (CPG) 7.5 kW(e) dish-Stirling system and a preliminary set of operating tests has been carried out. The secondary is 26.7 cm (10.5 in.) deep by about 69 cm (27 in.) wide, and has a geometric concentration of 1.7X. The test units were fabricated from polished copper spinnings, overcoated with vapor deposited aluminum and aluminum oxide layers and are water cooled. The basic design considerations are reviewed, the objectives and test procedures for the experiment are summarized and some preliminary results are presented.
Results are presented of an extensive investigation of the characteristics of over two hundred low-head turbines manufactured all over the world that have been installed or are due to be installed in hydropower plants between 1953 and 1984. The research focused mainly on bulb turbines, with horizontal shaft arrangement and tubular turbines with their shafts either horizontal or inclined at an angle to the horizontal. The characteristics of the above mentioned type of turbines are presented in the form of statistical diagrams and regression equations suitable for preliminary design and feasibility studies of low-head hydro projects. Nomographs have been developed for displaying the relationships between the various turbine characteristics and comparing the important dimensions and parameters of turbines which have found common application in the hydropower technology. New simplified parametric ratio for selection of turbines have been developed that should expedite ...
This report presents the preliminary findings of the first phase of the Environmental Survey of the US Department of Energy's (DOE) National Institute for Petroleum and Energy Research (NIPER), conducted February 29 through March 4, 1988. The Survey is being conducted by an interdisciplinary team of environmental specialists, led and managed by the Office of Environment, Safety and Health's Office of Environmental Audit. Team members are being provided by private contractors. The objective of the Survey is to identify environmental problems and areas of environmental risk associated with NIPER. The Survey covers all environmental media and all areas of environmental regulation. It is being performed in accordance with the DOE Environmental Survey Manual. The on-site phase of the Survey involves the review of existing site environmental data, observations of the operations carried on at NIPER and interviews with site personnel. 35 refs., 8 figs., ...
Please cite this paper as: Ectopic mineralization of connective tissue in Abcc6-/- mice: effects of dietary modifications and a phosphate binder - a preliminary study. Experimental Dermatology 2008; 17: 203-207. Abstract: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE), a heritable multisystem disorder, is caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. We have developed a murine model for PXE by targeted inactivation of the corresponding mouse gene. A feature of this mouse model is ectopic mineralization of connective tissue capsule surrounding the bulb of vibrissae. This study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary sevelamer hydrochloride (Renagel), a phosphate binder, and specific mineral modifications on ectopic mineralization of connective tissue in Abcc6-/- mice. Three groups were fed a specific di...
Research on the emotion of shame has increased significantly in recent years. However, there remains a need for more psychometrically sound measures of shame, including measures of shame in response to specific, idiographic experiences. The Shame Inventory was developed in order to assess both global feelings of shame as well as shame in response to specific life events or personal characteristics. Two studies were conducted to determine the preliminary psychometric properties of the Shame Inventory. Across both studies, results indicate that the inventory has high internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and predictive validity. The Shame Inventory holds promise as a new measure designed to assess both global feelings of shame as well as specific shame-eliciting ...
A research was started aiming at evaluating the possible use of natural zeolites as exchange conditioners to improve and make durable the soil resilience against the adverse effects of the use of anomalous waters for irrigation purposes. This paper deals with a preliminary investigation on the comparative resilience of an Entisol with poor exchange properties and of a Neapolitan yellow tuff (NYT) sample against the adverse features of a dirty municipal sewage (DSW). Results showed that NYT treatment largely and significantly improved the poor soil exchange activity. In particular. NYT exchange sites selectively took up ammonium from DSW. As a consequence, ammonium was trapped, then protected against losses in the environment and, concurrently, exchangeable cations, such as K and Ca, were made free as plant nutrients. The results highlight the possible positive role of zeolitized tuff in restoring and sustaining soil resilience.
Preliminary observations on the isothermal carbon transfer in low-carbon Alloy-800 exposed in sodium with AISI-304 type of steel at 550_0 are reported. The alloy was found to undergo a carburization comparable or slightly lower than that observed for the AISI-304 stainless steel for carbon activities above 6 x 10 /sup -3/ at 550_0C, but was not found to decarburize below such a carbon activity value. In the examined range the chemical composition of the alloys does not affect the process out of the experimental uncertainty of measure. Conclusions concerning the effective diffusion for carbon in the alloy are formulated. Preliminary relationships were found for an empirical evaluation of the carburization of the Alloy-800 in sodium of known carbon activity.
Mullin BC, Harvey AG, Hinshaw SP. A preliminary study of sleep in adolescents with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and non-patient controls.-Bipolar Disord 2011: 13: 425-432. 2011 The Authors.-Journal compilation 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Objectives:- To compare the sleep of adolescents with bipolar disorder (BD) to groups of adolescents with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder-combined type (ADHD-C) and those without psychopathology. Methods:- A sample of 13 adolescents diagnosed with BD who were not in the midst of a mood episode, 14 adolescents with ADHD-C, and 21 healthy controls, all between the ages of 11 and 17 years served as participants. They were psychiatrically evaluated using a structured diagnostic interview and completed four nights of in-home sleep monitoring using actigraph...
In 1996, a field-scale phytoremediation demonstration project was initiated and managed by the U.S. Air Force at a site in western Fort Worth, Texas, using a plantation of 1-year-old stems harvested from branches of eastern cottonwoods during the dormant season (whips) and a plantation of 1-year-old eastern cottonwood seedlings (calipers). The primary objective of the demonstration project was to determine the effectiveness of eastern cottonwoods at reducing the mass of dissolved trichloroethene transported within an alluvial aquifer. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted a study, in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force, to determine water-level variations and their effects on tree growth and mortality and on the biogeochemical system at the phytoremediation site. As part of the study, water-level and water-quality data were collected throughout the duration of the project. This report presents water-level variations at ...
In this study, a regional dynamical model (WRF) is used to drive biogenic emission models to calculate high resolution (10 x 10 km) biogenic emissions of isoprene (C_5H_8), monoterpenes (C_1H_1_6), and nitric oxide (NO) in China. This high resolution biogenic inventory will be available for the community to study the effect of biogenic emissions on photochemical oxidants in China. The biogenic emissions are compared to anthropogenic emissions to gain insight on the potential impact of the biogenic emissions on tropospheric chemistry, especially ozone production in this region. The results show that the biogenic emissions in China exhibit strongly diurnal, seasonal, and spatial variations. The isoprenoid (including both isoprene and monoterpenes) emissions are closely correlated to tree density and strongly vary with season and local time. During winter (January), the biogenic isoprenoid emissions are the lowest, resulting from lower temperature and solar radiation, and highest in ...
The chemical reaction between nitric acid and sodium chloride was investigated in onder to provide preliminary information for subsequent studies on the interaction between simulated Purex waste solution and salt. The reaction is characterized by the production of chlorine and nitrosyl chloride and can be considered to be the same as the aqua regia reaction. Within the limits of the conditions imposed by the projected field studies, the acid concentration and temperature are the two parameters which control the extent of the interaction. (auth)
The Gibbs energy of mixing in liquid phase and the Gibbs energy of formation of various compounds in a binary Pu-Cd system were re-optimized by applying both recent and earlier experimental data. Those of the binary Pu-Bi and U-Bi systems were newly optimized. The results were summarized in a database and applied to the preliminary prediction of multi-solute systems in liquid Cd or Bi solvent. (author)
This study examined preliminary psychometric properties of the Teaching Practices Observation Scale (TPOS), a newly developed observational taxonomy for assessing teacher behaviors during free play with young children. Behaviors of 42 child caregivers and junior kindergarten teachers were coded using a combination of time-sampling, event-sampling, and behavior ratings. Findings support the validity of observational coding scheme. (Author/KB)
The preliminary results of a feasibility study of nighttime and/or daytime accelerated ventilation for reducing or even avoiding air conditioning energy consumption in commercial buildings, is presented. The first part of the study is based on computerized simulations and in-situ experimentations which are described. The second part is aimed at determining technological limitations to the various components and optimizing building environmental quality in terms of energy conservation, acoustics and air quality
The alloy of Ti-Al-Mo-V-Cr system is studied for its structure in a strained state and specific features of #beta#-#alpha# transformation in a #beta#-matrix and deformation twins on ageing. It is determined that preliminary deformation initiates the decomposition of solid solution on aging. In a metastable #beta#-titanium alloy the substructure of deformation twins is shown to vary essentially with aluminium and chromium partial substitution for molybdenum and vanadium
We review the status of free electron laser (FEL) research being conducted at LBL and LLNL as part of a broader program of research on two beam accelerators (TBAs). Induction accelerator-driven FELs for use as power sources for high-gradient accelerators are discussed, along with preliminary cost estimates for this type of power source. Finally, a promising new version of an FEL/TBA is described. 25 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
The application of a Compact Airborne Spectrographic Imager to assessment and monitoring of lakes in a lignite open cast mining area in central Germany is described. The imager was used in combination with additional ground experiments, such as field spectroscopy and water sampling. The spectral characteristics of an instrument under development for monitoring geochemical and hydrological processes are presented. Summary form only.
Presented are some preliminary studies made in preparation for the design of a solar powered loop for desalination by humidification - dehumidification process. The studies concentrated on the evaluation of different parameters affecting the performance of the combination of different components in such a loop in the hope of outlining the most decisive factors for the choice or design of solar collectors or heat source. The results presented relate to the performance of two of the most important components in a loop of such purpose, that is: the humidifying and the dehumidifying columns or stacks. 4 refs.
A rapid and accurate method for the direct simultaneous determination of nitrate and nitrite is proposed. The method is applied to the determination of nitrate and nitrite in rainwater and wastewater without preliminary separation. The determinations are performed by a CPA matrix method with ultraviolet spectrophotometric detection. The results obtained are in agreement with those obtained by conventional methods for the determination of nitrate and nitrite.
In this thesis the search for a strange pentaquark {theta}{sup +}, decaying into pK{sup 0}{sub S}, in the process eN{yields}e'{theta}{sup +} anti K at 27.5 GeV, studied with a deuteron target. Preliminary results on the invariant-mass spectra are presented from which the {theta}{sup +} can neither be confirmed nor ruled out. (HSI)
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)
This document presents the SSI preliminary views and position concerning the decommissioning of nuclear plants. To prevent the exposure of the decommissioning personnel and the general public to unacceptable levels of radiation and to protect the environment and future generations, it is SSI`s task to formulate and issue the necessary terms and regulations with which the reactor licensees must comply during the decommissioning work. The views and principles presented here are the basis of SSI`s continued work on guidelines and regulations for the decommissioning of nuclear plants.
This Project Management Plan combines the project management deliverables from the P+ methodology that are applicable to this part of the QUEST2 work. This consolidation reflects discussions with WHC QA regarding an appropriate method for ensuring that P+ deliverables fulfill the intent of WHC-CM-3-10 and QR-19.
The possibility of fabricating a superconductive vertex detector is discussed on the basis of a preliminary experiment. The experiment has shown that an indium strip 15 mm long, 20 ..mu..m wide and 0.1 ..mu..m thick is changed from the superconductive state to the normal state when struck by a single 5.4 MeV alpha particle.
The Waste Acceptance Preliminary Specifications (WAPS) require that the DWPF estimate the inventory of long-lived radionuclides present in the waste glass, and report the values in the Waste Form Qualification Report. In this report, conservative (biased high) estimates of the radionuclide inventory of glass produced from waste currently in the Tank Farm are provided. In most cases, these calculated values compare favorably with actual data. In those cases where the agreement is not good, the values reported here are conservative.
Accumulation of "8"5Kr in arterial blood of sheep occurs within 10 min of inhalation exposure initiation, and disappears by 30 min after exposure termination. As reported for other species, "8"5Kr concentrations in fat were approximately 10 times those in other tissues.
This volume on specifications for the Saguaro Power Plant includes the following: subsystem interface definition document; solar collector subsystem specification; receiver specification; thermal energy storage specification; solar steam generator specification; and master control system specification.
Vibrio cholerae 638 (El Tor, Ogawa), a new CTXΦ-negative hemagglutinin/protease-defective strain that is a cholera vaccine candidate, was examined for safety and immunogenicity...Full Text Available
This paper presents ionic conductivity results obtained with polymer electrolytes and also with propylene carbonate solutions. The domain of electrochemical activity of this salt has been determined using cycle volt-amperometry in propylene carbonate. Preliminary experiments on the stability of the polymer electrolyte with respect to the lithium electrode have been carried out for a possible subsequent use in lithium batteries. (J.S.) 4 refs.
Experimental results of a search for the {Xi}{sub 3/2}(1860) cascade pentaquark state in data collected with the CDF 2 Detector in Run II at the Tevatron are presented. No evidence for these states in the neutral {Xi}{sup -}{pi}{sup +} and doubly charged {Xi}{sup -}{pi}{sup -} modes has been found. Preliminary upper limits on yields at 1862 MeV/c{sup 2} relative to the well established resonance {Xi}*(1530){sup 0} are presented.
The cosmic antiparticle ring imaging Cherenkov experiment (CAPRICE) flew on a stratospheric balloon 8-9 August 1994 over northern Canada and collected data for more than 21 hours with less than 5 g/cm{sup 2} of residual atmosphere. The instrument includes a solid radiator RICH detector and an electromagnetic calorimeter for particle identification in the magnetic spectrometer. Preliminary antiproton and positron identification capabilities are presented.
Inspired by the work of Feynman, Deutsch, We formally propose the theory of physical computability and accordingly, the physical complexity theory. To achieve this, a framework that can evaluate almost all forms of computation using various physical mechanisms is discussed. Here, we focus on using it to review the theory of Quantum Computation. As a preliminary study on more general problems, some examples of other physical mechanism are also given in this paper.
The basic design of a system installed in the Columbus, Ohio Zoo is described. The distribution system is described in detail. The control system is microprocessor controlled, with about 50 monitoring points. Preliminary evaluations have indicated that the system can operate with an overall coefficient of performance in excess of 3.5. 1 figure.
The Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP) is to evaluate the radiological conditions at former MED-US AEC sites. Purpose of the Ocean FUSRAP program is to assess the feasibility of ocean disposal of FUSRAP waste which contains trace natural radioactive materials. This paper presents soil characterization information on the Middlesex, NJ, Sampling Plant site, and reports preliminary ocean dispersion calculations. (DLC)
An AHR (Advanced HANARO Reactor) based on the HANARO has been conceptually developed for the future needs of research reactors. Generally, a natural convection cooling in nuclear installations is an ultimate heat removal mechanism as an inherent safety feature. This paper presents the preliminary thermal hydraulic characteristics and safety margins for a natural convection cooling in the AHR.
This paper outlines the development of an organizational model which will be used to determine the influence of supervisory and management functions in a nuclear power plant (NPP) on risk. A theoretical conceptualization, derived from the empirical literature, is used to describe the organizational structure of NPPs. The parameters and variables associated with this dynamic, process-oriented model are detailed. Applications of the model and preliminary insights derived from this conceptualization are discussed.
An effort to determine the effect of restructuring on prices finds that, on average, prices for industrial customers in restructured states were lower, relative to predicted prices, than prices for industrial customers in non-restructured states. This preliminary analysis also finds that these price changes are explained primarily by high pre-restructuring prices, not whether or not a state restructured. (author)
The special features of prostaglandin biochemistry, of importance for investigation of the possible physiological roles of prostaglandins, are briefly reviewed. The formation of prostaglandins and related compounds from endogenous and exogenous arachidonic acid in homogenates of human gastric mucosal and muscle-serosal layers is described. These preliminary data seem to indicate that a low conversion of exogenous precursor does not necessarily mean that the capacity of the tissue to synthesize prostaglandins from endogenous precursor is low.
Substantial damages at main components of steam turbines do not have to result inevitably in an exchange of the components concerned. Rather a preliminary or final repair is possible which also considers the cause of the damage. An important condition with the technically complex questions is an appropriate qualification and experience of all involved persons. The common task of operators, manufacturers and insurance companies is to preserve the balance from costs, expenditure of time and risk.
Wetlands can potentially sequester vast amounts of carbon. However, over 50% of wetlands globally have been degraded or lost. Restoration of wetland systems may therefore result in increased sequestration of carbon. Preliminary results of our investigations into atmospheric carbon sequestration by restored coastal wetlands indicate that carbon can be sequestered in substantial quantities in the first 2-50 years after restoration of natural hydrology and sediment accretion processes.
The fragment separator at GSI, Darmstadt, has been used to produce and separate very proton rich nuclei in the {sup 100}Sn region. By fragmentation of a {sup 112}Sn beam at 1 A{center_dot}GeV we produced nuclei along the rp-process path between {sup 77}Y and {sup 98}In. By implanting these ions into a silicon detector stack we were able to determine their halflives. Preliminary data are presented.
Four new mutants are described whose phenotypic expression affects the length of the head of bacteriophage T4D. All mutants produce some phenotypically normal phage particles. Mutant pt21-34...Full Text Available
We have investigated the detection performance of GaAs detectors made with different thickness and contact geometries. A comparison is made between these detection capabilities and the imaging requirements for the following medical applications: digital mammography, digital chest radiography and nuclear medicine. Experimental results and preliminary images are presented and discussed. (author)
The formation of astatide-mercury complexes was investigated in aqueous solutions.The obtained complexes were examined by paper electrophoresis. It was found that Hg(OH)At and Hg(OH)I complexes were formed in neutral solution. The stability constants of the obtained complexes were determined by ion-exchange. The preliminary results indicate that the complex of mercury with astatide is much more stable than similar complexes with iodide. (author)
IntroductionPharyngo-laryngeal tumors classified as T3-4, N0-3, M0, are conventionally treated by mutilating surgery (total (pharyngo)-laryngectomy). Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy with...Full Text Available
Two TNT high explosives simulants have been developed. Small scale testing has shown them to be insensitive to: impact, spark, friction, temperature, and shock. The materials have been scaled to 0.5 kg quantities and samples given to the Protective Services Department for field evaluation using explosives detecting canines.
Due to the intensity and vast number of subjects, this Bremen experts' discussion, too, could discuss only part of the problem of the possibilitiy to quantify the radiation hazard. One preliminary result is that there is no scientific proof of the harmlessness of radiation exposure during normal operation of a nuclear power plant, either within the plant or in its vicinity. Other results are that some important questions can not be answered yet, and that there are important hints on the dangers even of low radiation doses. (GL).
Prior to an industrial-scale test of zinc/air batteries at Greven, the TUeV Bayern-Sachsen carried out preliminary tests on behalf of the Deutsche Bundespost. The results were quite promising: The energy density of the new battery is ten times as high as that of conventional lead batteries, and the battery-powered test vehicle had a range of up to 300 km. (orig.)
A series of speeches is presented which cover political aspects of ocean energy, legislation, the status of the DOE Ocean Energy Program, the Maritime Administration OTEC Support Program. Six workshop reports are given covering ocean energy technology and systems concepts, power systems concepts, environmental developments, energy transfer and utilization, construction and test capabilities, and industry development. (LEW)
Preliminary results suggest that Pu(NO_3)_4 inhaled as crystalline solid aerosol is retained more tenaciously in the lung and excreted less in urine than inhaled Pu(NO_3)_4 aerosols generated from a nitric acid solution.
Uranyl nitrate ("2"3"3U) was retained mainly in lung, skeleton, pelt and kidney 60 days after inhalation exposure. The concentration in lung exceeded that in other tissues. Preliminary results with "2"3"2U indicate retention in lung similar to that of "2"3"3U, at total deposited mass levels of 0.1 #mu#g or less.
A simplified stormwater management model has been developed to provide an inexpensive, flexible tool for planning and preliminary sizing of stormwater facilities. The model was developed to be part of a methodology for use in the management of stormwater that utilizes both simple...
A preliminary study of two different kinds of solar receivers (a rotating cavity receiver and a volumetric receiver) suitable to operate in the 1 kW solar facility at the University of Rome is presented. Possible applications of solar energy in the aluminum extraction from leucite and chemical storage by the CuO/Cu[sub 2]O cycle are presented and discussed. (author).
α-Galactosidases from thermophilic organisms have gained interest owing to their applications in the sugar industry. The α-galactosidases AgaA, AgaB and AgaA A355E mutant from Geobacillus...Full Text Available
All organisms examined to date possess a dUTPase that performs the important function of efficiently hydrolyzing dUTP to dUMP in order to prevent the incorporation of dUTP into DNA. Three putative dUTPases...Full Text Available
DescriptionThe objective of this project is to relate the processing quality of wheat to the composition of the developing and mature grain using material grown under a range of nutrient regimes including long term organic and fertilised systems from the Rothamsted Broadbalk experiment, variety trials and organically grown wheat. Preliminary studies have indicated substantial differences in the transcriptome profiles of wheat grown with artificial fertiliser and with organic fertiliser on Broadbalk and tru [continued...
The coal mining district in southeastern Santa Catarina State is considered one of the most polluted areas of Brazil. The author has identified significant preliminary results on the application of MSS-LANDSAT digital data to monitor the coal refuse areas and its environmental consequences in this region.
The effect of finite gyroradius on the current diffusive ballooning mode is examined. Starting from the reduced MHD equations including turbulent transports, coupling with drift motion and finite gyroradius effect of ions, we derive a ballooning mode equation with complex transport coefficients. The eigenfrequency, saturation level and thermal diffusivity are evaluated numerically from the marginal stability condition. Preliminary results of their parameter dependence is presented. (author)
A preliminary design for a nuclear engine is presented. The engine is based on the nuclear heating of a gas composed of H{sub 2} and {sup 242m}Am as a nuclear fuel. This engine has an initial volume of 0.135 m{sup 3} and at 64 MPa the critical mass is 0.228 kg. The simplicity {sup 242m}Am of the engine design might compensate for the use of rare nuclear fuel, such as {sup 242m}Am.
An 'electron-bridge' mechanism of nuclear reaction in an atom or ion by ultra-intense laser fields is presented. A preliminary estimate of the intensity dependence of the rate of disintegration reaction of deuteron nucleus in deuterium atom is made for 800 nm laser fields. For intensities below 5x1021 W/cm2, the rate of disintegration by the 'electron-bridge' mechanism is found to be small, but it rises sharply and becomes large already for ?1022 W/cm2.
This work describes the use of volatile halocarbons in a pulp mill effluent, including chloroform, bromodichloromethane, and tri- and tetrachloroethylene, as tracers for the distribution and movements of effluent currents in a receiving water bay (Jackfish Bay) on the northern shore of Lake Superior. The results indicate the simplicity and usefulness of the technique and the significantly improved resolution of effluent plume delineation over the customary use of conductance profiles. Concentration patterns of the effluent volatiles suggest counterclockwise circulation of bay water that mixes with inflowing lake water at the eastern reach of the outer bay. The distribution of volatile contaminants is governed by the thermal regime of the receiving waters. During the summer months, the effluent plume wedges between the thermocline and epilimnion, mixing into the surface waters as the distance from the input source increases. In the fall, the colder effluent plume ...
The U.S.A. is currently spending hundreds of millions of dollars on coal liquefaction research and this is aimed at improving the German processes to give better yields at lower temperatures and pressures using regenerable, instead of throw-away, catalysts. In assessing the various processes it should be remembered that Australia's requirements are different from those of America. American work is mainly directed to producing a clean, low sulphur, low ash, fuel(solid, liquid or gaseous) particularly from their high sulphur Eastern coals, in order to release for other purposes the very large quantities of oil and gas used in the U.S.A. each year in power stations. Obviously there is no scope for this approach in Australia, where over 90% of electricity is produced already from coal and where there are adequate resources of low sulphur coals to meet Australia's forseeable power requirements. Australia's pressing needs are for transport ...
The Baird and McGuire site is a former chemical manufacturing facility in northwest Holbrook, Massachusetts, approximately 14 miles south of Boston. From 1912 to 1983 the company operated a chemical manufacturing and batching facility on the property. Manufactured products included herbicides, pesticides, disinfectants, soaps, floor waxes and solvents. Waste disposal methods at the site included direct discharge into the soil, nearby brook and wetlands, and a former gravel pit (now covered) in the eastern portion of the site. EPA conducted a removal action at the site in 1983 after a waste lagoon overflowed spreading contaminants into the Cochato River. The company ceased operating shortly thereafter. A second removal action was conducted in 1985, following the discovery of dioxin in site soils. EPA also conducted an Initial Remedial Measure at the site from 1985 through 1987 which involved constructing a new water main to direct water away from the site, removing ...
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 ...
In 1982 the semi-submersible drilling unit Ocean Ranger capsized and sank off the Grand Banks, resulting in the loss of the entire 84-man crew. A Royal Commission was set up to conduct an enquiry into the incident, and to carry out a process of research and opinion-gathering towards providing recommendations to both federal and Newfoundland governments. The primary purpose of the Commission was to determine why the Ocean Ranger sank, why none of the crew were saved, and how to avoid similar disasters. A number of studies and seminars were held to focus expert knowledge and opinion in several key fields and to update studies and fill gaps in the data base. Summaries of selected study reports and the seminar proceedings are presented in the following areas: the environment, including ice, marine climatology, weather forecasting services, wave climatology, oceanographic information, and seabed information; design, including mobile offshore drilling rig design evolution, continuity from ...
The sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata is a new, invasive pest of Platanus trees in China. Although C. ciliata is often subjected to acute low temperatures in early winter and spring in northern and eastern China, the cold tolerance of C. ciliata has not been well studied. The objectives of this study were to determine whether adults of C. ciliata are capable of rapid cold hardening (RCH), and to compare the benefits of RCH vs. cold acclimation (ACC) in the laboratory. When the adult females incubated at 26^oC were transferred directly to the discriminating temperature (-12^oC) for 2h, survival was only 22%. However, exposure to 0^oC for 4h before transfer to -12^oC for 2h induced RCH, i.e., increased survival to 68%. RCH could also be induced by gradual cooling of the insects at rates ...
The paper presents the results of radon concentration measurements in dwelling houses in Poland's northeastern region. The investigations were carried out using PICO-RAD carbon detectors. The results from 412 measurements ranged from 4 to 1300 Bq m{sup -3}. In the inhabited parts of houses the respective values were: arithmetical mean =25 Bq m{sup -3}, geometrical mean =17 Bq m{sup -3} and median =16 Bq m{sup -3}. In the basements these values were 76, 36 and 32 Bq m{sup -3}, respectively. By taking into account the population density and the mean radon concentration in the inhabited part of the houses, the mean annual dose equivalent from radon was estimated to be 0{center_dot}63 mSv for the northeastern region of Poland. (Copyright (c) 1988 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam. All rights reserved.)
Beneath the harsh deserts of Saudi Arabia lie dark chambers and complex mazes filled with strange shapes and wondrous beauty. Radon concentration measurements have been carried out in the desert caves of Al-Somman Plateau in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Passive radon dosimeters, based on alpha particle etch track detectors with an inlet filter, were used in this study. A total of 59 dosimeters were placed in five caves for a period of six months. Out of 59 dosimeters, 37 could be collected for analysis. Measurements showed significant variations in radon concentrations in caves depending upon their natural ventilation. The results of the study show that the average radon concentration in the different caves ranges from 74 up to 451Bqm{sup -3}. The average radon concentration in four of the caves was low in the range 74-114Bqm{sup -3}. However, one cave showed an average radon concentration of 451Bqm{sup -3}. Radon is not a problem for tourists in the ...
Beneath the harsh deserts of Saudi Arabia lie dark chambers and complex mazes filled with strange shapes and wondrous beauty. Radon concentration measurements have been carried out in the desert caves of Al-Somman Plateau in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Passive radon dosimeters, based on alpha particle etch track detectors with an inlet filter, were used in this study. A total of 59 dosimeters were placed in five caves for a period of six months. Out of 59 dosimeters, 37 could be collected for analysis. Measurements showed significant variations in radon concentrations in caves depending upon their natural ventilation. The results of the study show that the average radon concentration in the different caves ranges from 74 up to 451Bqm"-"3. The average radon concentration in four of the caves was low in the range 74-114Bqm"-"3. However, one cave showed an average radon concentration of 451Bqm"-"3. Radon is not a problem for tourists in the majority of ...
Energy is a critical factor which determines the progress of rural development. Energy is therefore an area of concern. The quality, availability and cost of conventional energies, plus the associated environmental effects are a growing problem - not only for the health infrastructure but also for agriculture and domestic life. This is true not only in developing countries where the fast growing industries and urban populations demand a soaring proportion of available energy at the expense of the rural communities, but also in the poorest countries with weak energy infrastructure. Renewable energies, much studied in the last 20 years, can meet the needs of rural health and education services and communities by providing high quality, low cost, non-polluting energy. Solar energy, in particular, has the flexibility to produce electricity, heat and cooling. Solar technologies, furthermore, are backed by an established and experienced industry. This report proposes to meet the energy needs ...
Rehabilitation of the abandoned uranium mining areas in Saxonia and Thuringia is a task posing also legal problems. The radiation protection laws of the former GDR continued to be effective to a great extent and proved to be a legal basis not ``perfect`` in formal terms, but suitably efficient in practice to tackle the manifold problems encountered in the land reclamation and waste disposal work. Originally intended to serve as a legal interim regime awaiting amendment at a later date, the body of laws available for the task proved to be a sufficient basis. (orig./HP) [Deutsch] Das fortgeltende Strahlenschutzrecht der frueheren DDR hat sich zwar nicht als formal `perfektes`, in der Sache aber strahlenschutzgerechtes und praktikables Instrument zur Loesung der anstehenden Sanierungsaufgaben erwiesen. Bei seiner Beurteilung darf nicht ausser Acht gelassen werden, dass die Ueberleitung dieses Rechts seinerzeit aus der Not eines kurzfristigen Regelungsbedearfs geboren wurden und stets nur ...
Indoor and soil gas Radon ({sup 222}Rn) concentration measurements were accomplished in two stages in Sivas, a central eastern city in Turkey. In the first stage, CR-39 passive nuclear track detectors supplied by the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEA) were placed in the selected houses throughout Sivas centrum in two seasons; summer and winter. Before the setup of detectors, a detailed questionnaire form was distributed to the inhabitants of selected houses to investigate construction parameters and properties of the houses, and living conditions of inhabitants. Detectors were collected back two months later and analysed at TAEA laboratories to obtain indoor {sup 222}Rn gas concentration values. In the second stage, soil gas {sup 222}Rn measurements were performed using an alphameter near the selected houses for the indoor measurements. Although {sup 222}Rn concentrations in Sivas were quite low in relation with the allowable limits, they are higher than the ...
The key to improving transmission-network security is faster response to contingencies. Now a new breed of pumped-storage plant - designed for ultra-fast response - may soon provide a tool dispatchers can use to improve network security. This type of plant can also substantially increase the effective capacity of existing transmission lines and improve the performance of thermal generating units. The Mt. Hope Waterpower Project, planned for Rockaway Township, NJ, 35 miles west of New York City, lies strategically adjacent to major load centers at the eastern end of the PJM control area and near the interconnection point with the New York Power Pool (NYPP). This location also is in an area deficient in significant generating facilities. Maximum design capacity of the project is 2000 MW, provided by six reversible pump/turbines, each with a nominal 340-MW rating. The upper reservoir, with a surface area of only 60 acres, provides 5000 acre-ft of active storage volume ...
European research in green energy production from crops has resulted in the development of full scale bioreactors that use energy crops as feedstock. Switchgrass has been touted as one of the most promising crops for energy production among several perennial grass species grown under moderate to hot climates. However, few studies have been conducted in colder climate conditions. This study examined the mesophilic methane yield of switchgrass grown under the cooler growing conditions that exist in northeastern North America. In 2007, switchgrass was harvested in late July, August and September and conserved as silage. The regrowth of plots harvested in late July was also harvested in late September as a two-cut strategy. A 30 L small-scale laboratory digester was used to anaerobically digest the switchgrass silage samples. Specific methane yield decreased considerably with advancing plant development, but was similar between the first harvest in late July and the regrowth in late ...
Deformation in the overburden proves useful in deducing spatial and temporal changes in the volume of a producing reservoir. Based upon these changes we estimate diffusive travel times associated with the transient flow due to production, and then, as the solution of a linear inverse problem, the effective permeability of the reservoir. An advantage an approach based upon travel times, as opposed to one based upon the amplitude of surface deformation, is that it is much less sensitive to the exact geomechanical properties of the reservoir and overburden. Inequalities constrain the inversion, under the assumption that the fluid production only results in pore volume decreases within the reservoir. We apply the formulation to satellite-based estimates of deformation in the material overlying a thin gas production zone at the Krechba field in Algeria. The peak displacement after three years of gas production is approximately 0.5 cm, overlying the eastern margin of the ...
The Sunoco Felda oil trend of the South Florida basin has been a prolific oil producer. All the oil is produced from the Cretaceous Sunniland formation, a leached limestone bioherm. Although the producing section has been considered reefal in the literature, petrographic and biostratigraphic analyses of various cores in producing fields have determined that these deposits are composed of particles of fragmented rudist and other fauna deposited in a tidal shoal. Atop this debris an algae and gastropod section has been deposited, typical of a mound deposited on a tidal mud flat. This model is exemplified in the Sunoco Felda and West Sunoco fields and was used in exploring the Sunoco Felda trend. From the petrological analysis of these two fields and from knowledge of other wells in the basin, biostratigraphic and lithologic trends can be determined and extended offshore into the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The author stresses petrology in exploring the Sunniland ...
A field-based microcosm approach was tested to identify deterioration of sediment quality in waterways using freshwater macroinvertebrates. The method can potentially identify the nature of contaminants based on species-specific responses. Sediments were collected from the Murray and Darling Rivers and irrigation drains within the Sunraysia region of south-eastern Australia and compared to non-polluted reference sediment. Clean sediments were also spiked with fertiliser to test whether nutrients affected the aquatic fauna. Seven of the eight sediments from the Sunraysia region had a negative impact on the macroinvertebrates, in particular sediment from the Darling River, which supported an impoverished fauna. Three species of chironomid showed varied responses to sediment quality and, although it was hypothesised that nutrients may have impacted on the macroinvertebrate fauna, the results suggest that other pollutants are also involved. The field-based microcosm ...
This paper presents a practical case study on the dynamic stability of the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) power system and its effect on increasing power transfer limit of the interconnection between Eastern Operating Area (SEC-EOA). The problem of optimal tuning of the power system stabilizer parameters was converted into optimization problem wth eigenvalue-based objective functions, which was then solved by genetic algorithms. In this regard, two eigenvalue-based objective functions were considered and the problem is solved using real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA). The effectiveness of the suggested technique to enhance the power system dynamic stability and to extend the power transfer capability limit of the SEC-EOA and the SEC-EOA power system was verified through a comprehensive eigenvalue analysis and time-domain nonlinear simulation. The results also indicated that the proposed tuning schemes of the existing stabilizers in the system have led to an ...
This document describes research performed at the Morgantown Energy Technology Center in the areas of oil and gas, advanced systems application, environmental technologies, applied energy science and remediation. The following subtasks are described: CROW{sup TM} Process Modeling, Development of a Portable Data Acquisition System and Coalbed Methane Simulator, Tank Bottom Waste Processing using the TaBoRR{sup TM} Process, Process Support and Development, Eastern Shale Oil Residue as an Asphalt Additive, Solid Waste Management, Remediation of Contaminated Soils, The Syn-Ag{sup TM} Process: Coal Combustion Ash Management Option, the Maxi-Acid{sup TM} Process: In- sit Amelioration of Acid Mine Drainage, Spill Test Facility Database, Heavy Oil/Plastics Co-Processing, Fossil Fuel and Hydrocarbon Conversion Using Hydrogen-Rich Plasmas, and North Site Remediation.
Sources of radon and pathways in which radon can reach dwelling-rooms are shortly discussed. In continuation of the previous measurements of radon in Swiss dwellings with track detectors and working level monitors, a complementary passive method for radon concentration measurements indoors and radon exhalation rate measurements from walls and soil surfaces is introduced. Radon decay products concentrations, air temperature gradients and wind velocities were measured continuously in four Swiss dwellings during several weeks in autumn and winter of 1985/86. The Rn-222 concentrations indoors ranged from about 10 Bq/m"3 in two houses in the Eastern Jura up to more than 23,000 Bq/m"3 in two houses situated in the Central Alps. Indoor equilibrium factors between 0.1 up to 0.5 with distinct dependences on floor-levels have been found. The influence of the temperature gradient between the oudoor and indoor air on the indoor radon daughter concentration has been determined. ...
Due to the recent catastrophic energy system failures in California along with those in the North-Eastern US and Southern Canada, London, and Italy, the time has come to proclaim the failure of deregulation, privatization or liberalization and propose a new energy system. This book shows in the first section, how five precipitating forces led to the deregulation debacle in California: (1) major technological changes and commercialization, (2) regulatory needs mismatched to societal adjustments, (3) inadequate and flawed economic models, (4) lack of vision, goals, and planning leading to energy failures, and (5) failure and lack of economic regional development. The second half of the book, examines how 'civic market', new economic models, and planning for complexity as sustainable economic development transformed in California, the same five forces to create an 'agile energy system' based on renewable energy generation, hybrid or ...
It is currently unclear if the potential for West Nile virus transmission by mosquito vectors in the eastern United States is related to landscape or climate factors or both. We compared abundance of vector species between urban and suburban neighborhoods of Henrico County, VA, in relation to the following factors: temperature, precipitation, canopy cover, building footprint, and proximity to drainage infrastructure. Mosquitoes were collected throughout the 2005, 2006, and 2007 seasons and tested for West Nile virus (WNV) in pools of 10-50. Test results of mosquito pools were compared to average site abundance from 37 sites in Henrico County, VA; abundance was then examined in relation to ecological variables. Urban infrastructure was positively correlated with the abundance of Culex pipiens L./Cx. restuans, and our findings implicate combined sewer overflow systems as large contributors to Culex vector populations. No measure of urbanization examined in our study ...
The Convective and Orographically-induced Precipitation Study (COPS) has the aim to advance the quality of forecasts of orographically-induced precipitation in complex terrain. COPS is a Research and Development Project of the World Weather Research Program and considered to be one of the largest field campaigns on quantitative precipitation forecasting that has been performed so far. A network of state-of-the-art active and passive remote sensing systems was combined with in total 10 airborne platforms, Meteosat rapid scans and dense networks of standard meteorological instruments during the three months long field phase (June-August, 2007) in south-western Germany/eastern France to observe atmospheric variables in the three spatial dimensions and in time. By the University of Hohenheim, two novel ground-based mobile scanning lidar systems were deployed: a scanning rotational Raman lidar which provides combined measurements of the field of atmospheric temperature ...
The Ordos Basin is a typical lapped basin, including three sequences of strata: early Paleozoic, late Paleozoic and Mesozoic, with a total thickness of 4000-6000m. Impermeable sealing beds are well developed at the top and base of the upper Paleozoic sequence, separating it from the Mesozoic and the lower Paleozoic strata to form an independent petroleum system. In this petroleum system, the source rocks are widely distributed coals and dark mudstones occurring in the Carboniferous-lower Permian coal measures, with a thickness of 10-15 and 40-60m, respectively. The reservoirs are mainly early Permian tight sandstones, mostly with a porosity of 4-8% and a permeability of 0.1-1.0x10{sup -3}{mu}m{sup 2}. The regional cap rock is a 100-150m thick mudstone in the upper Permian strata. The structural framework of the basin is a huge asymmetric syncline, dipping gently toward the east and north, and steeply toward the south and west. Well data show that gas-saturated, gas-water transition and ...
A microcosm laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the impact of biological reworking by the ragworm Nereis diversicolor on the redistribution of particle-bound radionuclides deposited at the sediment-water interface. Over the course of the 40-day experiment, as much as 35% of a {sup 137}Cs-labelled particulate tracer deposited on the sediment surface was redistributed to depths of up to 11 cm by the polychaete. Three different reworking models were employed to model the profiles and quantify the biodiffusion and biotransport coefficients: a gallery-diffuser model, a continuous sub-surface egestion model and a biodiffusion model. Although the biodiffusion coefficients obtained for each model were quite similar, the continuous sub-surface egestion model provided the best fit to the data. The average biodiffusion coefficient, at 1.8 {+-} 0.9 cm{sup 2} y{sup -1}, is in good agreement with the values quoted by other workers on the bioturbation effects of this polychaete species. ...
A microcosm laboratory experiment was conducted to determine the impact of biological reworking by the ragworm Nereis diversicolor on the redistribution of particle-bound radionuclides deposited at the sediment-water interface. Over the course of the 40-day experiment, as much as 35% of a "1"3"7Cs-labelled particulate tracer deposited on the sediment surface was redistributed to depths of up to 11 cm by the polychaete. Three different reworking models were employed to model the profiles and quantify the biodiffusion and biotransport coefficients: a gallery-diffuser model, a continuous sub-surface egestion model and a biodiffusion model. Although the biodiffusion coefficients obtained for each model were quite similar, the continuous sub-surface egestion model provided the best fit to the data. The average biodiffusion coefficient, at 1.8 #+-# 0.9 cm"2 y"-"1, is in good agreement with the values quoted by other workers on the bioturbation effects of this polychaete species. The ...
In March 2007 in-pile testing of LEU U-Mo full-size IRT type fuel elements was started in the MIR reactor. Four prototype fuel elements for Uzbekistan WWR SM reactor are being tested simultaneously - two of tube type design and two of pin type design. The dismountable irradiation devices were constructed for intermediate reloading and inspection of fuel elements during reactor testing. The objective of the test is to obtain the experimental results for determination of more reliable design and licensing fuel elements for conversion of the WWR SM reactor. The heat power of fuel elements is measured on-line by thermal balance method. The distribution of fission density and burn-up of uranium in the volume of elements are calculated by using the MIR reactor MCU code (Monte-Carlo) model. In this paper the design of fuel elements, the technique, main parameters and preliminary results are described. (author)
In this article, we describe the development and preliminary psychometric properties of the Structured Interview of Personality Organization (STIPO), a semistructured interview designed for the dimensional assessment of identity, primitive defenses, and reality testing, the three primary content domains in the model of personality health and disorder elaborated by Kernberg (1984; Kernberg & Caligor, 2005). Results of this investigation, conducted in a clinical sample representing a broad range of personality pathology, indicate that identity and primitive defenses as operationalized in the STIPO are internally consistent and that interrater reliability for all 3 content domains is adequate. Validity findings suggest that the assessment of one's sense of self and significant others (Identity) is predictive of measures of positive and negative affect, whereas the maladaptive ways in which the subject uses his or her objects for purposes of regulating one's self ...
Objective: To analyze the early response of uveal melanomas in patients treated with ruthenium-106 brachytherapy. Materials And Methods: In the period between April 2002 and July 2003, 20 patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma were submitted to ruthenium-106 brachytherapy. The calculated dose delivered at the apex of the tumor ranged between 55 Gy and 100 Gy. Patients with lesions greater than 5 mm were submitted to transpupillary thermotherapy concomitantly with ophthalmic plaque insertion. Results: As regards the lesions site, 75% of the lesions were located in the choroid, 15% in the iris, and the remainder 10% in the ciliary body. In a median 19-month-follow-up, the progression-free survival for brachytherapy was 69%, and 87% for associated brachytherapy and transpupillary thermotherapy. A significant tumor height reduction was observed after treatment. No patient was submitted to enucleation. Conclusion: Our preliminary results show that ruthenium-106 ...
Preliminary results from a large-scale testbed of advanced lighting control technologies at the Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Ave. in San Francisco are presented. The first year objective of this project is to determine the sustainable energy savings and cost-effectiveness of different lighting control technologies compared to a portion of the building where only minimal controls are installed. The paper presents the analyzed results from six months of tests focused on accurately characterizing the energy savings potential of one type of daylight-linked lighting controls compared to the lighting in similar open-planned areas without dimming controls. After analyzing a half year;s data, we determined that the annual energy savings for this type of daylight- linked controls was 41% and 30% for the outer rows of lights on the South and North sides of the building, respectively. The annual energy savings dropped to 22% and 16% for the second row of ...
Corn is the main source for biofuel production in North America. However, both sweet pearl millet and sweet sorghum crops represent an interesting alternative to corn for ethanol production because of their high biomass yield under a wide range of environmental conditions and high concentration of readily fermentable sugars. Coproducts such as pressing residues can be also be utilized so that nothing is lost in the process. However, in order to improve the extraction of juice for ethanol production, the pressing process of this biomass must be optimized. Preliminary experiments were therefore conducted to optimize the juice extraction from sweet pearl millet and sweet sorghum using 2 different presses, notably a screw press and a manually operated hydraulic press. Both types of biomass were either chopped finely or coarsely and were exposed to various pressures with the hydraulic press. The volume of juice extracted from both crops increased linearly with ...
A preliminary assessment of the future refining impacts of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 has been performed with the Navy Mobility Fuels Forecasting Systems. The assessment suggests that gasoline reformulation costs in domestic coastal and near-coastal refining regions in the year 2000 could be 3.5 to 5.6 cents per gallon (in terms of 1989 currency). For heating value equivalent to one gallon of conventional gasoline, the regional total added costs (including reformulation costs) for reformulated gasoline could be 5.9 to 8.0 cents. In blending reformulated gasolines, the reduction of butane for lower Reid vapor pressure and the reduction of reformate for lower aromatics are generally compensated by increased percentages of alkylate and/or straight run naphthas. Relatively larger refinery process capacity additions are required for butane isomerization, alkylation, aromatics recovery, and distillate hydrotreating. 21 refs., 3 figs., 18 tabs.
Very High Temperature gas cooled nuclear Reactor (VHTR), which was coupled with Sulfur-Iodine (SI) thermo-chemical cycle, has been selected for the Nuclear Hydrogen Development and Demonstration (NHDD) project in Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. Among the various hydrogen production methods, Sulfur-Iodine (SI) thermo-chemical cycle is a good method as a massive hydrogen production without CO2 emission. In SI cycle, the sulfuric acid decomposition is one issue for the material corrosion on high temperature and pressure condition. For the simulation of the sulfuric acid decomposition, we designed a sulfuric acid loop with a small-scale gas loop which is simulated for the integrity and feasibility tests on a H2SO4 decomposition process. The primary objective of the loop is to validate the corrosion and the mechanical performances of a key component of the NHDD, Process Heat Exchanger (PHE). In this paper, we discussed the preliminary thermohydraulic analysis of ...
A preliminary guideline for the design and evaluation of LMR high temperature structure is presented based upon ASME B and PV Code, Section III, Subsection NH. The main contents of this guideline are the materials, general design, vessel, piping, core support structure, pumps, valves, fabrication, examination, and testing for the class 1 components. The ratcheting evaluation, enhanced creep assessment, welds design and evaluation, inelastic analysis approach, piping design alternatives, and bellows design method are described in appendices. A user of this guideline should follow the essential procedures and may refer to other pertinent codes, standards, laws, regulations, or other pertinent documents when this guideline does not lead to proper design of the structure. While this guideline adopts major procedures of Subsection NH, it refers to the RCC-MR and/or DDS in some amount for the items where these codes have excellency to improve this guideline.
The NPDGamma Experiment measures the parity-violating correlation A{sub {Gamma}Y} between neutron spin and photon momentum in the reaction {rvec n} + p {yields} d + {gamma}. Knowledge of A{sub {Gamma}Y} and other parity-violating observables in few-body nuclear systems will provide constraints for a parameterized description of {Delta}S = 0 parity-violating phenomena free from complications of nuclear structure. The NPDGamma experiment uses a polarized cold pulsed neutron beam, a liquid parahydrogen target, and a cylindrical array of 48 CsI(Tl) scintillation detectors operated in current mode to search for the asymmetry. NPDGamma recently completed the first phase of the program to measure A{sub {Gamma}Y} at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center with the preliminary result A{sub {Gamma}Y} = (-1.2 {+-} 2.1(stat.) {+-} 0.1(sys.)) x 10{sup -7}, reproducing the previous upper limit from a measurement at a reactor facility. We discuss the theoretical background and ...
A preliminary design effort directed toward a low concentration ratio photovoltaic array system based on 1984 technology and capable of delivering multi-hundred kilowatts (300 kW to 100 kW range) in low Earth orbit is described. The array system consists of two or more array modules each capable of delivering between 113 kW to 175 kW using silicon solar cells or gallium arsenide solar cells, respectively. The array module deployed area is 1320 square meters and consists of 4356 pyramidal concentrator elements. The module, when stowed in the Space Shuttle's payload bay, has a stowage volume of a cube with 3.24 meters on a side. The concentrator elements are sized for a geometric concentration ratio (GCR) of six with an aperture area of 0.5 meters x 0.5 meters. Drawings for the preliminary design configuration and for the test hardware that was fabricated for design evaluation and test are provided.
Laser-assisted processing techniques, utilized to produce fine, metal grid patterns for high-efficiency solar cells, are being investigated, developed, and characterized. The work performed in the third quarter of this contract is detailed here. A preliminary economic evaluation has yielded the conclusion that laser-assisted pyrolysis of spun-on silver neodecanoate is the most promising of all the metallization techniques being investigated in this contract. Early adhesion problems have been solved by optimizing deposition parameters. Linewidth studies have been carried out as a function of laser power, scan speed, and film thickness. Preliminary solar cells have been fabricated and characterized using this metallization scheme. Silver neodecanoate films have also been decomposed using a pulsed uv laser and metal mask. A detailed study of the various models of localized surface temperature rise in silicon due to laser heating has been carried ...
OBJECTIVEThis study describes the development and preliminary psychometric properties of an assessment to quantify the magnitude of an environmental barrier's influence on occupational performance.METHODThe assessment was developed then piloted on a group of 77 older adults before and after an occupational therapy intervention focused on environmental barrier removal. Refinements were made to the assessment before it was evaluated for interrater reliability in a sample of 10 older adults using two raters.RESULTSThe In-Home Occupational Performance Evaluation (I-HOPE) is a performance based measure that evaluates 44 activities in the home. The four subscales of activity participation, client's rating of performance, client's satisfaction with performance, and severity of environmental barriers are sensitive to change in the environment. The internal consistency of the subscales ranged from .77-.85 and ICCs ranged from .99 to 1.0.CONCLUSIONThis ...
The present volume on energy and the environment discusses space power requirements, space power systems, space power systems hardware, space radioisotope systems, space solar arrays, space solar cells, space station power, and terrestrial applications of aerospace technology. Attention is given to NASA future space power requirements and issues, the design of a battery charger for the NASA EOS Space Platform, in situ carbon dioxide fixation on Mars, and a preliminary design update of the CRAF/Cassini Power Subsystem. Topics addressed include concentrator testing using projected images, solar power satellites and demonstraton platforms from nonterrestrial materials, a mass sensitivity analysis of lunar orbiting beam power systems, and a power-beaming-based infrastructure for space power. Also discussed are fiber-optic sensors for aerospace electrical measurements, the preliminary design of a mobile lunar power supply, advanced power systems for ...
This report presents the preliminary findings from the first phase of the Environmental Survey of the United States Department of Energy's (DOE) Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), conducted March 29, 1987 through April 17, 1987. The Survey is being conducted by an interdisciplinary team of environmental specialists, led and managed by the Office of Environment, Safety and Health's Office of Environmental Audit. Individual team components are outside experts being supplied by a private contractor. The objective of the Survey is to identify environmental problems and areas of environmental risk associated with the LANL. The Survey covers all environmental media and all areas of environmental regulation. It is being performed in accordance with the DOE Environmental Survey Manual. The on-site phase of the Survey involves the review of existing site environmental data, observations of the operations carried on at the LANL, and interviews with site ...
Delta Scorpii is a double giant Be star in the forefront of the Scorpio, well visible to the naked eye, being normally of magnitude 2.3. In the year 2000 its luminosity rose up suddenly to the magnitude 1.6, changing the usual aspect of the constellation of Scorpio. This phenomenon has been associated to the close periastron of the companion, orbiting on a elongate ellipse with a period of about 11 years. The periastron, on basis of high precision astrometry, is expected to occur in the first decade of July 2011, and the second star of the system is approaching the atmosphere of the primary, whose circumstellar disk has a H-alpha diameter of 5 milliarcsec, comparable with the periastron distance. The preliminary results of a photometric campaign, here presented in the very days of the periastron, show an irregular behavior of the star's luminosity, which can reflect some shocks between material around the two stars. The small luminosity increasement detected in the ...
The biosorption of {sup 241}Am from solution by a fungus--Rhizopus Arrihizus (R. arrihizus), and the effect of experimental conditions on the adsorption were investigated. The preliminary results showed that the biosorption of {sup 241}Am by R. arrihizus is very efficient. An average of more than 99% of the total {sup 241}Am was removed by R. arrihizus of 1.3 g/l (dry weight) from {sup 241}Am solutions of 5.6-111 MBq/l (44.3-877.2 {mu}g/l) (C{sub 0}), with adsorption capacities (W) of 4.2-79.4 MBq/g biomass (dry weight) (33.2-627.5 {mu}g/g). The biosorption equilibrium was achieved within 1 h and the optimum pH ranged from 1 to 3. No significant differences in {sup 241}Am biosorption were observed at 10-45 deg. C, or in solutions containing Au{sup 3+} or Ag{sup +}, even 2000 times above {sup 241}Am concentration. The relationship between concentrations and adsorption capacities of {sup 241}Am indicated that the {sup 241}Am biosorption by R. arrihizus obeys the ...
An attempt is made to augment the heat transfer efficiency by means of inserting an oscillating thin plate into a tube of the shell and tube heat exchanger. However, the heat transfer augmenting mechanism has not been fully explained. To elucidate this heat transfer augmenting mechanism, an investigation was given on the heat transfer characteristics of a tube inlet at its preliminary run area when a double-hinged oscillating thin plate is inserted in the inlet. As a result of the experiment, the heat transfer augmentation in the tube as a result of inserting the double-hinged oscillating thin plate was found effective when the preliminary inlet run area is treated as the object. However, in comparison of the effect with the heat transfer in a fully developed turbulent region, it was {eta}- 1. The result thus obtained explains that no sufficient turbulence can be obtained when the deflection angle of the first oscillating plate is small, and ...
'The primary objective of this research project is to acquire a deeper fundamental knowledge of acoustic cavitation and cavitation chemistry, and in doing so, to ascertain how ultrasonic irradiation can be more effectively applied to environmental problems. Four on-going projects will be described in this progress report, The first project is the destruction of carbofuran in a Near-Field Acoustical Processor (NAP), and the hydrodynamic characterization of the reactor. The second project is a comprehensive study of how ultrasonic frequency influences sonochemical reaction rates; the substrate it, the preliminary portion of this study has been hydrogen peroxide formation. The third project in progress is destruction of four polychlorinated biphenyls at 20 kHz. Work so far has been at 20 kHz, but the most significant portion of this project will involve a multi-frequency (ultrasonic frequency) study. Finally, the destruction of a pesticide, dichlorvos, during ...
The long-lived nuclides of the americium and curium elements are of interest for their use in certain safeguard applications and for nuclear reactor burnup studies in waste management. Recommended values are presented for /sup 241,242m,243/Am, and for /sup 242,243,244,245,246,247,248,250/Cm. These values result from a consistent evaluation of all these half-lives. These preliminary estimates were presented earlier. The uncertainties are provided at the 95% confidence limit for each of the recommended values. It will be noted that many of the recommended errors considerably exceed errors quoted by individual authors in their publication, by up to an order of magnitude, e.g. the total half-life of /sup 242,246,248/Cm and the spontaneous fission half-life of /sup 244/Cm. These preliminary estimates for the half-lives were given previously. Efforts continue to reevaluate the various experiments to better gauge the systematic errors involved and ...
Preliminary psychometric properties of a new instrument, Angie/Andy Cartoon Trauma Scales (ACTS), are presented. Angie/Andy features a cartoon-based methodology, measuring trauma-related sequelae of prolonged, repeated abuse. A sample of 208 children comprised intrafamilial trauma, extrafamilial trauma, combined trauma, and nontrauma groups. Angie/Andy demonstrated high internal consistency, with coefficient alphas from 0.70 to 0.95. The three trauma groups scored significantly higher than the nontrauma group on all scales (p's < 0.0001). Generally, the most severely traumatized group scored significantly higher than the less severely traumatized groups. The number of types of violence exposures correlated with Angie/Andy scores from 0.55 to 0.74. The frequency and severity of trauma exposure correlated with Angie/Andy scores from 0.44 to 0.56. The Angie/Andy parent version correlated with a standardized parent scale from 0.71 to 0.81. Parent/child agreement was ...
A low pressure nuclear thermal rocket (LPNTR) is configured to meet the requirements of a nuclear stage for manned Mars exploration. Safety, reliability and performance are given equal consideration in selecting the stage configuration. Preliminary trade studies are conducted to size the engine thrust and determine the thrust chamber pressure. A weight breakdown and mechanical configuration for the selected LPNTR concept are defined. A seven engine stage configuration is selected which gives a two engine out capability and eliminates the need for engine gimbaling. The stage can be ground assembled and launched as a unit including tankage for trans Earth injection and Earth orbital capture. The tankage is configured to eliminate the need for an inert shield. The small engine will be cheaper to develop than a single engine providing full thrust, and will be compatible with stages for Earth orbital, Lunar and deep space missions. Mission analyses are presented with ...
For better understanding and proper use of organic chemicals addition data are needed, including kinetic data on the scavenging reactions in actual cycles, data on ambient temperature stability and decomposition, sampling and analsyis information, data on effects in a case of fire, and more corrosion data. Use of these chemicals for layup of boilers and other equipment needs to be evaluated for each application. After a preliminary evaluation, such as outlined in this report, every new water treatment chemical should be evaluated in at least two month test in actual steam cycle. (orig.).
We propose triplet superconductors, such as ruthenates, as prospective materials for qubit construction. The vectorial nature of the order parameter in triplet superconductors makes it conceptually easy to estimate the performance of the qubits. The Cooper condensate of pairs in triplet superconductors has all the attributes of Bose-Einstein condensates and should facilitate long decoherence times for these qubits, relative to other vectorial schemes for qubits, such as small ferromagnets. There are other benefits, which the superconducting state provides for requirements such as entanglement between qubits via the proximity effect, etc. We consider these benefits in detail, although our consideration is only preliminary and further experimental and theoretical research will undoubtedly introduce correctives.
There are various interesting semantics' (extensions) designed for argumentation frameworks. They enable to assign a meaning, e.g., to odd-length cycles. Our main motivation is to transfer semantics' proposed by Baroni, Giacomin and Guida for argumetation frameworks with odd-length cycles to logic programs with odd-length cycles through default negation. The developed construction is even stronger. For a given logic program an argumentation framework is defined. The construction enables to transfer each semantics of the resulting argumentation framework to a semantics of the given logic program. Weak points of the construction are discussed and some future continuations of this approach are outlined.
Full text: Magnetic multilayer materials are becoming technologically important as they provide a more efficient means of magnetic reading and storage through utilisation of their giant magnetoresistance and oscillatory magnetic coupling. This study presents preliminary tight-binding calculations with a view of developing a consistent tight-binding model of `spin valve` Fe-Cu-Fe tri-layer materials. Further work involves using a self-consistent tight-binding approach to obtain a more accurate picture of this system and a better understanding of surface effects at the Fe-Cu interface 1 fig., 4 refs.
A total of 50 000 tonnes of low-carbon steel sheet has been ordered for the LHC main magnets. After three years of production, about 10 000 tonnes of steel sheet have been produced by Cockerill-Sambre Groupe Usinor. This paper gives a summary of the manufacturing process and improvements implemented as well as an overview of the difficulties encountered during this production. Preliminary statistics obtained for the mechanical and magnetic steel properties are presented. (6 refs).
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.)
Computer assisted energy-spectral analyses were obtained on EEG recordings of unilateral non-dominant hemisphere ECT-induced seizures using the different pre-ECT anesthetic agents methohexital (Brevital), Innovar, and ketamine (Ketalar). The previously postulated predominance of electrical energy over the stimulated (right) hemisphere early in ECT-induced seizures is confirmed. There appears to be marked reduction in total seizure energy with methohexital anesthesia, whereas ketamine anesthesia appears to be associated with increased overall seizure energy. The greatest right to left energy transfer during the seizure occurred with Innovar anesthesia. PMID:7172456
The HARP experiment at CERN is performing extensive measurements of hadron production cross sections and secondary particle yields, in the momentum range 1.5-15 GeV/c, over the full solid angle and using a large set of cryogenic and solid targets. First measurements of hadron production cross-sections in the forward region are reported using an aluminium target 5% of an interaction length thick and a proton beam of 12.9 GeV/c. A preliminary analysis in the large angle region of elastic scattering events produced with the cryogenic hydrogen target at 3 GeV/c beam momentum is also presented.
Six kinds of diamino-dithiol compounds are labelled with "9"9Tc"m by ligands exchange reaction. Their ligands exchange percentage is over 95%. The biodistribution of one of these compounds in mice shows 0.88% brain uptake after two minutes and 0.28% after 15 minutes respectively. Although the brain uptake is lower for this compound, it has longer retention in brain. So, the experiment results are valuable to the design of new brain imaging agent in the future.
Of the radionuclides with physical properties most suited for use with monoclonal antibody for tumor imaging or therapy, few are more available or desirable than Pb-203, 212 and Bi-212. Yet no clinical studies have as yet been possible solely due to the lability in vivo of known complexes. We now report that bismuth complexes of the ligands p-SCN-Bz-DOTA and p-SCN-Bz-trans-cyclohexylDTPA are effective at protecting Bi-206 from release when linked to immunoproteins. Practicable, efficient ligand syntheses will be reported. Initial studies reveal that antibody is labeled efficiently with radiolead DOTA complexes. Preliminary studies indicate stability in vivo.
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility experiment E01-012 measured the 3He spin structure functions and virtual photon asymmetries in the resonance region in the momentum transfer range 1.0 < Q2 < 4.0 (GeV/c)2. Our date, when compared with existing deep inelastic scattering data, can be used to test quark-hadron duality in g1 and A1 for 3He and the neutron. Preliminary results for A{sub 1}{sup {sup 3}He} are presented, as well as some details about the experiment.
This is a preliminary study on the sound absorption properties of two tropical hardwoods, Light Red Meranti and Ramin, and their wood-polymer composites. Sound absorption is measured using a standing wave apparatus. The samples are of one thickness (7 mm) and cut longitudinally. Wood-polymer composites are made by impregnating the samples with methyl methacrylate which is polymerized in situ through #gamma#-irradiation. Both woods and their composites are better sound absorbers at higher sound frequencies. With partial impregnation, the absorption coefficients are improved upon particularly in the region between 1-3 kHz. (author).
Considering the hardware characteristics of the laser-induced plasma X-ray source and the limitations of the conventional cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, a general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm has been developed at our laboratory, in which the motion locus of the X-ray source is an arbitrary curve corresponding to at least a 2{pi} continuous horizontal angular displacement in the coordinate system of the specimen. The preliminary simulation shows that the general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm consistently results in visually satisfactory images.
Considering the hardware characteristics of the laser-induced plasma X-ray source and the limitations of the conventional cone-beam reconstruction algorithm, a general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm has been developed at our laboratory, in which the motion locus of the X-ray source is an arbitrary curve corresponding to at least a 2{pi} continuous horizontal angular displacement in the coordinate system of the specimen. The preliminary simulation shows that the general cone-beam reconstruction algorithm consistently results in visually satisfactory images.
We have measured the neutron capture and fission cross section of "2"3"3U at the neutron time-of-flight facility n-TOF at CERN in the energy range from 1 eV to 1 MeV with high accuracy by using a high performance 4#pi# BaF_2 Total Absorption Calorimeter (TAC) as a detection device. The method, based on the shape analysis of the TAC energy response, allowing to disentangle between #gamma#'s originating from fission and capture will be presented as well as the first very preliminary results. (authors)
In Sweden there is a demand for a method of measuring radon in dwellings with high accuracy and at a low cost. A method of determining radon concentration (Bq.m/sup -3/) in dwellings has been developed at the Swedish National Testing Institute. A plastic canister containing activated charcoal has been tested in a radon chamber (volume 20 m/sup 3/) to determine the effects of relative humidity, temperature and exposure time. The activated charcoal in the canister adsorbs radon from the air surrounding the canister. The radon concentration is determined by counting the gamma rays from the decay of radon and daughters. The theory and preliminary results from calibrations and field measurements are reported.
In the Aqueous Self-Cooled Blanket (ASCB) concept, an aqueous "6Li solution in a metallic structure is used as a shielding-breeding blanket for fusion reactors. The experimental results of this study indicate that the radiolytic gas production in an ASCB will be proportional to the absorbed radiation energy. The observed radiation chemical yields allow the preliminary estimation of the radiolysis effects for a specific ASCB design. Contrary to the theoretical predictions, the use of hydrogen as a cover gas at up to 1 MPa had no measurable effect on the radiolytic gas production. Probably it will thus not be possible to suppress the radiolytic decomposition of a low-pressure ASCB by the addition of hydrogen. Catalytic recombination will be required. (orig.).
Radiological hazard in uranium mining and milling operations are primarily due to exposure to external beta and gamma radiation as well as to airborne radionuclides which consist of radon and its short-lived daughter products. In May 1981 a radiological survey programme was performed in order to make a general assessment of the radiation hazards associated with the uranium mines and the Uranium Pilot Plant operated by the M.T.A. Institute in the Koprubasi district of the Manisa province. In this paper a preliminary radiological risk evaluation attempt is presented based on the radiation and radioactivity measurements performed in this district in May 1981.
The Waste Acceptance Preliminary Specifications (WAPS) require that the DWPF estimate the inventory of long-lived radionuclides present in the waste glass, and report the values in the Waste Form Qualification Report. In this report, conservative (biased high) estimates of the radionuclide inventory of glass produced from waste currently in the Tank Farm are provided. In most cases, these calculated values compare favorably with actual data. In those cases where the agreement is not good, the values reported here are conservative.
This year was spent in perfecting details of the new design blood irradiator, i.e., having male fittings made for shunt insertion and in acquiring preliminary biological data on its effectiveness. Fabrication of units was slowed by an unanticipated reaction of the resin with the steel injection mold, by occasional thrombogenic flaws in the blood interface layer, by thrombus formation at the points of connection to the shunt and by nonavailability of a reactor for activating the "1"6"9Tm to "1"7"0Tm. The remaining unsolved problem is that of thrombus formation at the connectors.
This report discusses the following topics: impedance and bunch lengthening; single bunch stability in the ESRF; a longitudinal mode-coupling instability model for bunch lengthening; high-frequency behavior of longitudinal coupling impedance; beam-induced energy spreads at beam-pipe transitions; on the calculation of wake functions using MAFIA-T3 code; preliminary measurements of the bunch length and the impedance of LEP; measurements and simulations of collective effects in the CERN SPS; bunch lengthening in the SLC damping rings; and status of impedance measurements for the spring-8 storage ring.
The JUPITER-II Program is the Joint Physics Large Heterogeneous Core Critical Experiments Program between the U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) and PNC, Japan. The experiments began in May 1982 and ended in April 1984, as a part of the ZPPR-13 program. The ZPPR-13 is a series of critical assemblies designed to study the fundamental neutronic behavior of large, radially-heterogeneous LMFBR cores. This report describes the results of analysis of ZPPR-13A and preliminary analysis of ZPPR-13B, and some topics of recent activities in fast reactor physics.
This paper presents the results of a series of experiments performed to study the effect of initial pressure vessel conditions on the extent of melt dispersal from scaled reactor cavities and describes progress in development of a mathematical model which is designed to predict the melt mass dispersed from reactor cavities as a function of reactor vessel initial conditions and on the vessel breach area. The model, which is being developed to also characterize the heat transfer and chemical reaction phenomena which would take place within the reactor cavity, is designed to be incorporated into a lumped-parameter containment analysis computer code.
This document summarizes development trends in sodium/sulfur battery technology based on data from US patents. Purpose of the study was to use the activity, timing and ownership of 285 US patents to identify and describe broad patterns of change in sodium/sulfur battery technology. The analysis was conducted using newly developed statistical and computer graphic techniques for describing technology development trends from patent data. This analysis suggests that for some technologies trends in patent data provide useful information for public and private R and D planning.
The paper presents results of experimental research on the interaction of a pulsed plasma-ion stream with a tungsten (W) target. The pulsed hydrogen plasma was produced within the RPI-IBIS (Multi-Rod Plasma Injector) facility at IPJ in Swierk. Measurements were carried out by means of optical spectroscopy and corpuscular diagnostic techniques. For experiments with the W-target the operational conditions (so-called PID mode) were chosen when a clean hydrogen plasma stream was generated. Attention was paid to the identification of WI and WII spectral lines.
The masses of 16 neutron-rich nuclei in the mass range from 35 to 45 have been measured using a direct time of flight technique following the fragmentation of a {sup 48}Ca beam at 60 MeV/nucleon. The masses of {sup 35,36}Mg, {sup 38}Al, {sup 39,40}Si, {sup 42,43}P and {sup 43,44}S are reported for the first time. Preliminary analysis shows that the N=28 shell closure persists, even if weakened by the large neutron excess.
The masses of 16 neutron-rich nuclei in the mass range from 35 to 45 have been measured using a direct time of flight technique following the fragmentation of a "4"8Ca beam at 60 MeV/nucleon. The masses of "3"5","3"6Mg, "3"8Al, "3"9","4"0Si, "4"2","4"3P and "4"3","4"4S are reported for the first time. Preliminary analysis shows that the N=28 shell closure persists, even if weakened by the large neutron excess.
Preliminary results of studies into penetrant testing at high surface temperature (up to 200 deg.C), are presented. Tests were performed to assess the effectiveness of red dye penetrants using Al and NiCr samples containing artificial as well as natural discontinuities. The test results will be used in due course to formulate a specification for non-destructive testing procedure qualification at non-standard (i.e. outside 16-52 deg.C) temperatures.
The purpose of-this planning guide is to present the process used to identify, document, and control PFP Stabilization and Deactivation Project interfaces. Revisions to this document will include, as attachments, the most recent version of the Project Interface Management List. A preliminary Interface Management List is included in Appendix A. This document is intended be a Project owned management tool. As such, this document will periodically require revisions resulting from improvements of the information, processes, and techniques as now described. For most revisions that suggest improved processes, PFP management approval is all that will be required.
This study describes the formulations to optimize the time interval of inspections and/or replacements of equipment/parts taking into account the probability density functions (PDF) for failure rates and parameters of failure distribution functions (FDF) and evaluates the optimized results of these time intervals using our formulations by comparing with those using only representative values of failure rates and the parameters of FDF instead of using these PDFs. The PDFs are obtained with Bayesian method and the representative values are obtained with likelihood estimation method. However, any significant difference is not observed between both optimized results within our preliminary calculations. (author)
The main scope of this study has been to calculate the future cost for decommission and dismantling the Isotope central at the Studsvik site using the OMEGA CODE. Detailed empirical information is used in the study for 'bench-marking' purposes, in such cases when there is a need to supplement and correct field data from the industry. In the present study, data has been retrieved and organized such that the estimated costs for decommissioning of the Isotope Central become transparent and reliable. This approach gives a preliminary qualitative indication about the accuracy of the cost estimate delivered by the industry
Biomonitoring requires the application of batteries of different biomarkers, as environmental contaminants induce multiple responses in organisms that are not necessarily correlated. Omic technologies were proposed as an alternative to conventional biomarkers since these techniques quantitatively monitor many biological molecules in a high-throughput manner and thus provide a general appraisal of biological responses altered by exposure to contaminants. As the studies using omic technologies increase, it is becoming clear that any single omic approach may not be sufficient to characterize the complexity of ecosystems. This work aims to provide a preliminary working scheme for the use of combined transcriptomic and proteomic methodologies in environmental biomonitoring. There are difficulti...
Some results on mechanical property study of copper and titanium subjected to impact load and next to neutron irradiation are presented. It was shown that shock wave influence involves a substantial shape change of the stress-strain diagram and of respective mechanical characteristics. Yield- and ultimate strength were substantially increased, as well as hardness with a considerable drop of plasticity. Also a heat stability of copper and titanium specimens was studied after being treated with shock-waves and neutron radiation. Results are given of electron microscope study of titanium structure sfter explosion hardening, which caused decomposition of hydride segregations in titanium and increased dislocation density.
The vacuum system of the XVTS (X-Ray Vacuum Transport System) for the LCLS (Linac Coherent Light Source) XTOD (X-ray Transport, Optics and Diagnostics) system has been analyzed and configured by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's NTED (New Technologies Engineering Division) as requested by the SLAC/LCLS program. The system layout, detailed analyses and selection of the vacuum components for the XTOD tunnel section are presented in this preliminary design report. The vacuum system was analyzed and optimized using a coupled gas load balance model of sub-volumes of the components to be evacuated. Also included are the plans for procurement, mechanical integration, and the cost estimates.
Josephson effect heterodyne mixers with external local oscillators are very promising low noise mm-wave receivers for applications such as radio astronomy. Experiments at 36 GHz have shown that both the noise and the conversion efficiency of mixers made using Nb point contacts are in quantitative agreement with values calculated from the resistively shunted junction (RSJ) model. Preliminary measurements at 140 GHz suggest that this agreement extends to higher frequencies. In this paper the theoretical limits to the sensitivity of such receivers are explored as a function of the signal frequency. (Auth.).
Three red giants (HD 49566 (G5III), HD 169370 (K0III) and HD 169751 (K2III)) have been observed in the CoRoT seismo field and additional ground-based spectra have been acquired. We present preliminary results of a detailed study of these stars using the observational constraints from the spectra and CoRoT data, and models from the YREC stellar evolution code.
This paper summarizes the investigation of horizontal direction drilling and the subsequent experimental installation of a natural gas network in a suburb of Paris, France. Three aspects of drilling were studied prior to implementation: (1) reliability of the technique and quality of pipelaying to ensure long-term supply main operation; (2) ability to assess the successfulness of the work by assessing preliminary conditions; and (3) economonic viability. Measurement of tensile stress on polyethylene pipe during pulling and comparative accelerated aging tests on scratched pipe were performed. In the implementation phase, 300 meters of pipe were laid daily, by using three machines simultaneously, at a cost comparable to that of conventional techniques.
The ongoing upgrade of the Los Alamos Free-Electron Laser (FEL) Facility involves the addition of a photoelectric injector (PEI) and acceleration capability to about 40 MeV. The electron-beam and high-speed diagnostics provide key measurements of charge, beam position and profile, divergence emittance, energy (centroid, spread, slew, and extraction efficiency), micropulse duration, and phase stability. Preliminary results on the facility include optical transition radiation interferometer measurements of divergence (1 to 2 mrad), FEL extraction efficiency (0.6 {plus minus} 0.2%), and drive laser phase stability (< 2 ps (rms)). 10 refs.
The ongoing upgrade of the Los Alamos Free-Electron Laser (FEL) Facility involves the addition of a photoelectric injector (PEI) and acceleration capability to about 40 MeV. The electron-beam and high-speed diagnostics provide key measurements of charge, beam position and profile, divergence emittance, energy (centroid, spread, slew, and extraction efficiency), micropulse duration, and phase stability. Preliminary results on the facility include optical transition radiation interferometer measurements of divergence (1 to 2 mrad), FEL extraction efficiency (0.6 {plus_minus} 0.2%), and drive laser phase stability (< 2 ps [rms]). 10 refs.
The present work gives preliminary results of analysis of drug mixtures (NEPHROSAL tea bag) and its water infusion. In a sample of dried drugs the elements K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Pb were identified, whereas in their water infusion only Ca, Mn, Zn and Sr were found. The method applied was radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis using a radionuclide source "1"0"9Cd, a Si/Li semiconductor detector and a multichannel analyzer Canberra 8100. (author) 6 refs.; 3 figs.
The primary objective of this study was to identify, characterize, and map the wetlands in the Bear Creek watershed. A preliminary wetland categorization system based on the Cowardin classification system (Cowardin et al. 1979) with additional site-specific topographic, vegetation, and disturbance characteristic modifiers was developed to characterize the type of wetlands that exist in the Bear Creek watershed. An additional objective was to detect possible relationships among site soils, hydrology, and the occurrence of wetlands in the watershed through a comparison of existing data with the field survey. Research needs are discussed in the context of wetland functions and values and regulatory requirements for wetland impact assessment and compensatory mitigation.
It is possible to produce energetic beams of radioactive nuclei, as secondary beams, from the heavy-particle compound accelerator called BEVALAC. These beams can be focused into experimental areas without significant contamination using suitable magnetic filters and proper beam-optics. Properly selected high-energy beams of radioactive nuclei (those which defay by positron emission) can provide a truly unique opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of these beams in localizing the Bragg peak on a tumor volume - necessary in heavy-particle therapy. Preliminary data are presented here to demonstrate the possible use of these beams in radiotherapy treatment-planning verification.
The purposed project is a commercial-scale ethanol-fuel facility with a capacity of twenty million gallons per year of fuel-grade ethanol. In addition, 70,000 tons per year of distillers dried grains will be produced. The following tasks and issues are addressed: process engineering - process descriptions, plant layout, and design; economics and finance - overview of capital and operating costs; environmental analysis - preliminary project description; and permit processing and legal issues. (MHR)
This report documents results of a preliminary hazard analysis (PHA) covering the existing Crane Chempump and the new salt well pumping design. Three hazardous conditions were identified for the Chempump and ten hazardous conditions were identified for the new salt well pump design. This report also presents the results of the control decision/allocation process. A backflow preventer and associated limiting condition for operation were assigned to one hazardous condition with the new design.
A Guide to Seismic Un{sup *} (SU)(2)-Examples of Data Processing(part 1), Data Input and the Preparation of Trace Headers - This is part 1, the preparatory section for the preliminary series for the SU, the two cases of reflectional seismic survey and processing employing the SU, which explains how to input input data from the SEG-Y format tapes and to set trace header. (NEDO)
The Gamma Physics (GaP) program of physical phenomena investigation is proposed on #gamma#p, #gamma#e and #gamma##gamma# colliders at TeV energies. The program contains specialized software (CompHEP system) created for automation of particle interaction processes calculations in the framework of various gauge models. Preliminary physical results are presented (heavy quark production, W, Z production, supersymmetry etc.), and further software development is suggested. (R.P.) 22 refs., 8 figs., 4 tabs.
The fusion excitation function for the radioactive projectile "8 Li on a "2"0"8 Pb target has been measured at energies near the Coulomb barrier. The results show that in the considered energy interval, the evaporation of four neutrons is the most relevant mechanism. However, at the highest energies used in the experiment, the Sn channel begins to appear. The preliminary experimental cross sections show a good agreement with the predictions of a simple evaporation calculation using the code PACE. (Author) 16 refs., 1 tab., 4 figs.
We have developed EOS7M, a ferrofluid flow and transport module for TOUGH2. EOS7M calculates the magnetic forces on ferrofluid caused by an external magnetic field and allows simulation of flow and advective transport of ferrofluid-water mixtures through porous media. Such flow problems are strongly coupled and well suited to the TOUGH2 framework. Preliminary applications of EOS7M to some simple pressure and flow problems for which experiments were carried out in the lab show good qualitative agreement with the laboratory results.
Four materials of the types Inconel 706 (two heat treatment states), Inconel 617, and Waspaloy were tested as shaft materials for 700 to 720 C steam turbines. At an extrapolation time ratio of 10, Waspaloy was expected to have the highest creep strength (about 270 MPa at 700 C), with values of about 140 MPa at 700 C for Inconel 617. A preliminary evaluation of the 700 C creep rupture tests showed the highest creep rupture resistance for Inconel 617, followed by Waspaloy and Inconel 706.
In the study a preliminary mid-term analysis of the BARCOM test model is presented. The BARCOM test model is a 1:4 scale of an existing pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) pre-stressed concrete inner containment of 540 MW Tarapur Atomic Power Station 3 and 4 units in India. The goal of this midterm analysis is to illustrate the modeling approach and achieve a prediction of the failure mode. The analysis was carried out using ABAQUS/CAE and ABAQUS/EXPLICIT version 6.7-EF1 software
Shield measurements and four cycles of operating experience have shown the design and construction of radiation shields for the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor and plant to be satisfactory. A number of minor shield deficiencies were found and corrected. Most of these were associated with interfaces between components, each of which was satisfactory by itself. Preliminary evaluation of the shield measurements indicates satisfactory agreement with design calculations. Operator doses to date have been quite small, especially when compared to light water reactor experience.
Preliminary experiments have been performed to investigate the effects of radiative cooling on plasma jets. Thin (3 um - 5 um) conical shells were irradiated with an intense laser, driving jets with velocities > 100 km/s. Through use of different target materials - aluminium, copper and gold - the degree of radiative losses was altered, and their importance for jet collimation investigated. A number of temporally resoved optical diagnostics was used, providing information about the jet evolution. Gold jets were seen to be narrower than those from copper targets, while aluminium targets produced the least collimated flows.
To support the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI), a study was performed to investigate power system alternatives for the rover vehicles and servicers that were subsequently generated for each of these rovers and servicers, candidate power sources incorporating various power generation and energy storage technologies were identified. The technologies were those believed most appropriate to the SEI missions, and included solar, electrochemical, and isotope systems. The candidates were characterized with respect to system mass, deployed area, and volume. For each of the missions a preliminary selection was made. Results of this study depict the available power sources in light of mission requirements as they are currently defined.
As part of the start up of Los Alamos National Laboratory's new tritium-handling facility, the efficiency of a catalytic oxidation tritium decontamination system was investigated using deuterated methane. The tests were performed during the start up of the facility to confirm the operability of the system before introducing tritium and to provide a baseline for comparison. Techniques and instruments normally used for atmospheric tracer experiments using deuterated methane were applied virtually without modification. The sensitivity of this method allowed preliminary checks at the sub-ppm (v/v) level.
We explore autofluorescence endomicroscopy as a potential tool for real-time visualization of epithelial tissue microstructure and organization in a clinical setting. The design parameters are explored using two experimental systems--an Olympus Medical Systems Corp. stand-alone clinical prototype probe, and a custom built bench-top rigid fiber conduit prototype. Both systems entail ultraviolet excitation at 266 nm and/or 325 nm using compact laser sources. Preliminary results using ex vivo animal and human tissue specimens suggest that this technology can be translated toward in vivo application to address the need for real-time histology.
Models of the human airways have played a major role in evaluating the health effects of inhaled radionuclides. While models such as those of Weibel (1963) provide data necessary for characterizing deposition of aerosol, they have not characterized the cells at risks in the airspaces. Given the advancements in techniques and study of cell cultures exposed to ionizing radiation there is a need to extrapolate between the simple structures of cell culture systems and the complex architecture of the human airways. The preliminary data in this paper provide a complete characterization of the size and number of cells in the airways and represents a significant advance in our study of the health consequences of exposure to inhaled radionuclides. 26 refs., 2 figs., 4 tabs.
Condensing curves are presented for a number of two-component mixed hydrocarbon working fluids which are potentially usable in binary geothermal cycles. Performance of geothermal thermodynamic cycles incorporating these fluids has been evaluated under separate cover; two figures summarizing the results of those evaluations have been included here for continuity. The purpose of this report is: first, to document the condensing curves which were used in the mixed fluid cycle analyses, and second, to provide background useful in the preliminary evaluation of heat rejection systems for advanced geothermal electric power plants utilizing mixed hydrocarbon working fluids. Some concluding remarks are presented.
Computer software for risks assessment of transportation of important freight has been developed. It incorporates models of transport accidents, including terrorist attacks. These models use, among the others, unput data of cartographic character. Geographical information system technology and electronic maps of an area are involved as an instrument for handling this kind of data. Fuzzy set theory methods as well as standard methods of probability theory have been used for quantitative risk assessment. Fuzzy algebraic operations and their computer realisation are discussed. One preliminary example of risk assessment is described. (authors)
Source-term codes to predict the release of radionuclides from nuclear waste packages have been developed and implemented worldwide. A survey and initial comparison of the attributes and capabilities of 13 international source-term codes was recently completed. This preliminary analysis focused on comparison of transport factors/processes and solution methods. This initial comparison is a necessary first step in a properly-conceived, systematic benchmarking of source-term codes. Advantages of such a comparison include assurance of the mathematical correctness of implemented models, comparison and quantification of variances introduced by different types of simplifications, and identification and quantification of the impact of near-field processes.
One of the concerns with locating radioactive waste storage sites in salt deposits is how to permanently seal the underground storage areas once they have reached their storage capacity. The compaction of salt using explosives has been identified as a potential method of producing permanent seals in both entryways and shafts to storage areas. This paper describes the test procedure and results of a preliminary investigation to determine the feasibility of utilizing explosives in the compaction of salt. Three simple tests were carried out to measure the degree to which loose salt could be compacted.
We have made preliminary estimates of charged particles background at the 100x100 GeV Photon Linear Collider with ultimate luminosity. The charged particles background due to electromagnetic processes is located mainly in the small-angle range of the detector. At large angles, the number of background particles is much smaller. Analysis of the background (at least, in the range under consideration) shows that background conditions for the VLEPP-based Photon Linear Collider are better than at the VLEPP electron-positron collider. ((orig.)).
During the last decade there was a growing interest on the application of Positron Emission Tomography, PET, techniques to Breast Imaging. More recently, preliminary results suggested the use of dedicated devices to Breast Imaging using the same technique, the so-called Positron Emission Mammography cameras, PEM. In this article we review the arguments leading to a dedicated instrument. Based on these arguments we describe the concept of a PEM camera under development within the Crystal Clear Collaboration and the first results of its expected performance in terms of sensitivity and position resolution.
sup(99m)Tc-MDP bone scintigraphy was performed on patients who received muscle-pedicle bone graft. In each of the bone head and the bone graft, a time-activity curve was obtained. In this muscle-pedicle bone graft, active revascularization and marked osteogenesis, which suggested rapid bone repairing, were observed. The bone scintigraphy was considered to be useful in observing the result of bone grafts, blood circulation, and time of bone fusion, and of value for early detection of secondary changes.
Florida posseses climatic, land, and water resources favorable for abundant biomass production. Therefore, a statewide program has been initiated to determine adapted species for the available array of production sites. Plant resources under investigation include woody, aquatic, grasses, hydrocarbon, and root crop species. The goal is to produce a continuous stream of biomass for the various biofuel conversion options. Preliminary yields from energy cropping experiments range from about 10 to nearly 90 metric tons per hectare per year, depending on the crop and the production systems employed. (Refs. 15).
This study investigated the association between differences in litter size in Boer does, with genetic polymorphisms in the inhibin alpha gene. Our preliminary (n=209) results found 12 SNPs, including the non-synonymous polymorphisms 911T/C and 946A/C, resulting in corresponding 299V/A and 311T/P amino acid polymorphisms. Of the SNPs, 651A/G was preliminarily suggested as a useful marker for litter size of the second parity in the population studied, showing an overdominance effect. Polymorphisms, sequence, and genotype distributions were also characterized.
Argon ions irradiation of 12% Cr steels and Fe/Cr alloys results in the hardening up to 10000 MPa. This value exceeds the hardening level even for martensitic transformation. Along with the increase of microhardness following irradiation the shape of X-ray graph of the affected materials changes considerable. Hardening value and behavior are determined by temperature radiation doze, preliminary ageing, extent of cold strain and alloying. The odserved phenomenon is supposed to be caused by irradiation-induced structural transformations. Reversibility of radiation hardening of the materials in question was observed.
In this paper the authors describe the design and development of an advanced NDA workstation, which fits into an integrated data evaluation scheme for safeguards. This kind of instrument must be sort of an intelligent assistant to the inspection procedure, be able to generate as correct as possible measurements, guide the inspector throughout the procedure, and report descriptive data to the data evaluation system. The problem of improving the quality of the measurement is tackled using a simple expert system, which should convey in the instrument some of the physicist knowledge. The authors describe the hardware and software resources which were included in their design to reach the intended goal. A prototype of the machine has been built, and a preliminary software for Plutonium Isotopic Composition is under development.
The multicell proportional chambers at the backing calorimeter of the ZEUS experiment at the storage ring HERA are supplied with a gas mixture of Ar/CO[sub 2] by an open gas system. Flow proportional counters with the build-up [sup 55]Fe sources are used as gas system monitoring detectors. The ZEUS experiment is planned to collect data for about 10 years. Therefore, the lifetime of the Ar/CO[sub 2] mixture should be known. In this paper, the results of laboratory tests and preliminary measurements of the aging effects for monitoring counters are presented. ((orig.))
This paper presents an analysis of the performance of a selective emitter using small particles of rare earth compounds stable at high temperatures in a low emittance inert gas stream. An expression for the spectral emissive power excluding radiation scattering was derived to include the radiation in the emission band, produced by electronic transitions of the rare earth ion, and the continuum radiation outside the emission band produced by the rare earth host. Preliminary results suggest that a selective emitter based on suspended rare earth oxide particles will have high efficiency and merits further experimental investigation. {copyright} {ital 1996 American Institute of Physics.}
An epidemiological study is under way in the Schneeberg/Schlema region where radon concentration in dwellings were found to vary between 10 Bq/m"3 and 10 kBq/m"3. For several reasons, indoor radon levels are expected to have considerably varied over the past decades. To take these potential fluctuations into account, indoor radon concentration measurements should be combined with retrospective measurements. In this way, possible outliners in the epidemiological study could be sorted out. (A.K.)
A new technique for radon measurement in the natural environment was investigated. It is based on the use of activated charcoal and a track-etch detector. The charcoal acts as a radon collector from the air and the track-etch detector as a recorder of the alpha particles emitted by radon and its decay products. Our preliminary results show that the response of the new dosimeter to radon, using Deodorant activated charcoal (TOK, Yugoslavia) and a CR-39 track-etch detector, is 1.4 tracks cm{sup -2}/Bqm{sup -3}d, which is about eight times higher than that obtained with a standard track-etch dosimeter. (author).
A fast production scheduling algorithm suitable for generation expansion studies is described in this paper. It can handle several independent rivers, thermal plants, pumped storage plants, import, export, and internal non-firm markets. Inflows and load are deterministic and a one-reservoir limit is imposed on each river. The scheduling problem is formulated as a generalized network problem which is efficiently solved by an adaption of the simplex method. The algorithm is part of a program developed by Hydro-Quebec to conduct preliminary evaluations of alternative expansion plans. The program and the scheduling algorithm are presented.
A fast production scheduling algorithm suitable for generation expansion studies is described in this paper. It can handle several independent rivers, thermal plants, pumped storage plants, import, export, and internal non-firm markets. Inflows and load are deterministic and a one-reservoir limit is imposed on each river. The scheduling problem is formulated as a generalized network problem which is efficiently solved by an adaption of the simplex method. The algorithm is part of a program developed by Hydro-Quebec to conduct preliminary evaluations of alternative expansion plans. The program and the scheduling algorithm are presented.
The preliminary design of the read-out system for the GEM (Gammas, Electrons, Muons) detector at the Superconducting Super Collider is presented. The system reads all digitized data from the detector data sources at a Level 1 trigger rate of up to 100 kHz. A total read-out bandwidth of 40 GBytes/s is available. Data are stored in buffers that are accessible for further event filtering by an on-line, processor farm. Data are transported to the farm only as they are needed by the higher-level trigger algorithms, leading to a reduced bandwidth requirement in the Data Acquisition System.
The work reported in this paper is focused on an effective and efficient solution, namely Smart Isolation Mount for Army Guns (SIMAG), to the weapon stabilization and fire control issues facing US Army guns. SIMAG is composed of the optimum integration of two innovative technologies. Vibration Control by Confinement and smart senor/actuator/active control systems. The combined approach may also be applied to a gun barrel to reduce its undesired vibratory motions excited by external and internal disturbances, such as gun firing action. SIMAG reconfigures the distribution and propagation of excess vibration energy and confines vibrations to certain non-critical regions or modes within a structure. Concentrated passive, active, or smart damping elements or cancellation techniques may be applied to more effectively dissipate or cancel the trapped vibrations and to prevent build up in the assembly. As the active elements, an array of collocated, PZT-based sensor- actuator sets is ...
The central research question of this thesis is: What is the potential of multi-functional biomass systems to improve the costs and the land use efficiency of saving non-renewable energy consumption and reducing GHG (greenhouse gases) emissions in quantitative terms? Therefore, in the following chapters the performance of multi-functional biomass systems is quantified. Biomass system costs are investigated from a societal perspective using e.g. low discount rates. A main focus will be on the review of methodologies for accounting GHG emissions, non-renewable energy consumption, agricultural land use and costs as well as the adaptation of these methodologies to special aspects of multifunctional biomass use. The analysis of the potential benefits of multi-functional biomass systems is carried out by several case studies of biomass systems including various waste treatment technologies for the short term that appeared promising after a first review. Because at present the shift of ...
The analysis of oceanographic lidar systems measurements is often carried out with semi-empirical methods, since there is only a rough understanding of the effects of many environmental variables. The development of techniques for interpreting the accuracy of lidar measurements is needed to evaluate the effects of various environmental situations, as well as of different experimental geometric configurations and boundary conditions. A Monte Carlo simulation model represents a tool that is particularly well suited for answering these important questions. The PREMAR-2F Monte Carlo code has been developed taking into account the main molecular and non-molecular components of the marine environment. The laser radiation interaction processes of diffusion, re-emission, refraction and absorption are treated. In particular are considered: the Rayleigh elastic scattering, produced by atoms and molecules with small dimensions with respect to the laser emission wavelength (i.e. water molecules), ...
This work plan has been prepared to document the scoping and planning process performed by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to support remedial action activities at the Colonie site. The site is located in eastern New York State in the town of Colonie near the city of Albany. Remedial action of the Colonie site is being planned as part of DOE's Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program. The DOE is responsible for controlling the release of all radioactive and chemical contaminants from the site. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), a remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS) must be prepared to support the decision-making process for evaluating remedial action alternatives. This work plan contains a summary of information known about the site as of January 1988, presents a conceptual site model that identifies potential routes of human exposure to site containments, identifies data gaps, ...
The uptake of "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th in different parts of some selected plants used in traditional treatment of hypertension and diabetes in south-eastern Morocco (Errachidia area) has been studied using two different types of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) LR-115 type II and CR-39. Plant uptake of radionuclides is one of many vectors for introduction of contaminants into the human food chain. Thus, it is critical to understand soil-plant relationships that control nuclide bioavailability. Soil concentrations of uranium ranged from 6.10 to 11.62 ppm, with a mean of 7.90 ppm. Soil concentrations of thorium ranged from 2.70 to 4.80 ppm, with a mean of 3.41 ppm. Mean uranium specific activities were 8.38 Bq kg"-"1 in root tissue, 5 Bq kg"-"1 in stem tissue and 6.02 Bq kg"-"1 in leaf tissue. Mean thorium specific activities were 2.53 Bq kg"-"1 in root tissue, 1.64 Bq kg"-"1 in stem tissue and 1.96 Bq kg"-"1 in leaf tissue. The transfer factors of "2"3"8U ...
Seasonal traffic on intercity corridors often creates severe congestion at various bottlenecks, such as land-drops and drawbridges. A Traffic Simulation And Optimization model (TSAO) has been developed in order to 1) evaluate traffic impacts (including travel time, vehicle operating costs, accidents, air pollution and fuel consumption) of a given routing pattern on a network, and 2) determine the optimal flow pattern. In its latest version, the TSAO model uses: 1) a macroscopic simulation approach to trace vehicle platoons through a network; 2) Greenshield's equation to represent volume-speed relationship on freeways and multi-lane highways, and Highway Capacity Manual method for two-lane rural highways; 3) Lighthill's shockwave function to simulate queue propagation; 4) event-scan time management for simulation; 5) variable link capacity for two-lane rural highways or to stimulate incidents; 6) AASHTO Guideline for determining vehicle operating costs and fuel ...
Apatite fission track analysis, vitrinite reflectance data, and K-Ar dating of Permian-Carboniferous and Mesozoic core samples have been successfully integrated to reconstruct the thermal and tectonic history of the Ordos basin, China. Apatite fission track ages of Carboniferous-Jurassic sedimentary rocks range between 3 and 137 Ma, and are significantly younger than the stratigraphic ages. Confined fission track lengths demonstrate exclusively mixed length distribution, indicating complex thermal history. The data suggest that the samples must have all experienced higher paleotemperatures in the past. Mean virtinite reflectance values (R{sub o}) of the Triassic rocks range from 0.61 to 1.06%, giving a high coalification gradient of 0.36%/km and suggesting a high paleothermal gradient of 57{degrees}C/km. Permian-Carboniferous rocks have R{sub o} values on the order of 1.0-3.0%, and locally up to 4.0-6.0%. Some high R{sub o} values coincide with positive gravity and magnetic anomalies. ...
The study concerns 1984-1991. The wind park consists of 18 three-bladed 300 kW horizontal axis wind turbines of 35 meters height, and a rotor diameter of 30 meters, seven meteorological towers, and three cluster and control buildings. Aspects studied included disturbance of breeding, resting or feeding, and migrating birds, behavior of birds approaching the wind turbines during the day and night, and bird victims due to collision with the wind turbines and the meteorological towers. The flight behavior of birds approaching the wind park system during daylight is also dealt with. For at least a fifth of the observations it was noted whether the birds passing within 100 meters distance of a turbine showed a reaction or not. The proportion of the reactions was related to the wind park in operation or not in operation, and to the distance between the wind turbines, species, flight height, the passing distance, wind direction and wind force. Secondly the flight path of birds approaching the ...
The composition, rank, coal facies, and coal pore structure characteristics of 15 coal samples were investigated systemically using methods of lithotype analysis, maceral analysis, proximate analysis, mercury porosimetry analysis, and nitrogen adsorption analysis. These samples were directly collected from the working faces of No.4, 8, 9 seams in Liulin district, eastern margin Ordos Basin, China. Four types of paleoenvironment including a wet forest swamp, an intergradation forest swamp, a drained forest swamp, and a fresh-water peat swamp were distinguished by lithotype and merceral analysis. An R-cluster analysis was performed to demonstrate the correlations between the coal facies and the pore structures. The results showed that coal rank is the primary factor affecting the development of micropores and transition pores, whereas coal facies control the development of seepage pores in similar coalification conditions, especially in a local district and in a ...
The summertime tropical cyclogenesis rate per unit area in the eastern Pacific ocean is arguably higher than in any other location in the world. Many if not most of these cyclones form from African easterly waves which cross Central America into the Pacific. Of order 25% of these waves intensify into cyclones. A significant fraction of east Pacific tropical cyclones undergoes landfall on the Mexican coast. Those which do not, generally dissipate over cold ocean waters north of the east Pacific intertropical convergence zone, often not far from land. The layer of warm ocean water which supports the development of east Pacific cyclones is unusually shallow and is structured by anticyclonic vortices which form by various processes and propagate slowly to the west. These vortices locally deepen the oceanic mixed layer and support stronger convection than their surroundings, possibly promoting cyclogenesis and cyclone intensification. Cyclones in turn have an ...
To evaluate the predictive factors for treatment response and prognostic factors affecting survival outcomes after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma. Medical records of forty two patients with histologically confirmed analsquamous cell carcinoma, who had complete CCRT between 1993 and 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. Median age was 61.5 years (39-89 years), and median radiotherapy (RT) dose was 50.4 Gy (30.0-64.0 Gy). A total of 36 patients had equal to or less than T2 stage (85.7%). Fourteen patients (33.3%) showed regional nodal metastasis, 36 patients (85.7%) were treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) plus mitomycin, and the remaining patients were treated by 5-FU plus cisplatinum. The median follow--up time was 62 months (2-202 months).The 5-year overall survival, locoregional relapse-free survival, disease-free survival, and colostomy-free survival rates were 86.0%, 71.7%, 71.7%, 78.2%, respectively. Regarding overall survival, the ...
A series of upper tropospheric radon concentration measurements made over the eastern Pacific and west coast of the United States during the summers of 1983 and 1984 has revealed the occurrence of unexpectedly high (>16 pCi/SCM) radon concentrations for 9 of the 61 measurements (and 6 of the 13 flights). A frequency distribution plot of the set of 61 observations shows a distinct bimodal distribution, with approximately 2/5 of the observations falling close to 1 pCi/SCM, and 3/5 falling in a high concentration mode centered at about 11 pCi/SCM. Trajectory and synoptic analyses for two of the flights on which such high radon concentrations were observed indicate that this radon-rich air originated in the Asian boundary layer, ascended in cumulus updrafts, and was carried eastward in the fast moving air on the anti-cyclonic side of the upper tropospheric jet. Transit times were of the order of 3 days; however, in one instance, transport from China to a point a few ...
Retention or dispersion of larvae from the spawning grounds has been identified as one of the key processes influencing recruitment success in fish stocks. To examine the potential effects of transport on recruitment. numerical simulations were performed utilizing a three-dimensional physical oceanographic model of the Baltic Sea. Cod larvae were represented as Lagrangian drifters released in the deepwater region of the Bornholm Basin, the main spawning ground for Baltic cod. Simulations were performed for the major spawning seasons of 1993 and 1994. when annual and interannual variability of meteorological forcing was large. The principal goals of the modelling exercise were first to identify the physical processes influencing the demersal distribution of the early life stages and second to describe the transport of the pelagic stages in response to variations in windstress, thereby identifying the meteorological and hydrodynamic mechanisms influencing retention and/or dispersal. The ...
Seafloor mapping and morphometric analysis of landslide scars can provide useful insights for marine geo-hazard assessment, as demonstrated by several studies performed on different geological settings. The availability of high-resolution multibeam bathymetry and long-range side scan sonar data on the submarine portions of Stromboli Volcano allow us to map and characterize the main mass-wasting features that affect, on the whole, about the 90% of its submarine extension. In particular, two main kinds of tsunamigenic landslides have been recognized and analyzed. Large-scale sector collapses (Fig. 1) are catastrophic events that mobilize 1-2 cubic kilometers of material, generating huge tsunami waves that may affect Stromboli and propagate in surrounding areas; related hazard is not very high, as they show recurrence periods of some (or more) thousand years. Conversely, medium-scale landslides are more hazardous, as they occur at higher frequency with respect to the previous events, i.e. ...
One set of hypotheses offered to explain the decline of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) in eastern North America focuses on the effect of acidic deposition on soil chemistry changes that may affect nutrient availability and root function. Long-term soils data suggests that soil acidification has occurred in some spruce stands over the past 50 yr, with plant uptake and cation leaching both contributing to the loss of cations. Studies of tree ring chemistry also have indicated changes in Ca/Al and Mg/Al ratios in red spruce wood, suggesting increases in the ionic strength of soil solution. Irrigation studies using strong acid inputs have demonstrated accelerated displacement of base cations from upper horizons. Spruce-fir (Abies spp.) nutrient budgets indicate that current net Ca and Mg leaching loss rates are of the same order of magnitude as losses to whole tree harvest removals, spread out over a 50-yr rotation. For most cations, red spruce foliar nutrient levels ...
Eight phospholipases A2 (PLAs) and four three-finger-toxins (3FTx) from the pooled venom of Bungarus fasciatus (Bf) were previously studied and sequenced, but their expression pattern in individual Bf venom and possible geographic variations remained to be investigated. We herein analyze the individual venom of two Bf specimens from Kolkata (designated as KBf) to address this question. Seven PLAs and five 3FTx were purified from the KBf venoms, and respective cDNAs were cloned from venom glands of one of the snakes. Comparison of their mass and N-terminal sequence revealed that all the PLAs were conserved in both KBf venoms, but that two of their 3FTx isoforms were variable. When comparing the sequences of these KBf-PLAs with those published, only one was found to be identical to that of Bf Vb-2, and the other five were 94-98% identical to those of Bf II, III, Va, VI and XI-2, respectively. Notably, the most abundant PLA isoforms of Bf and KBf venoms contain Pro31 substitution. They ...
The Rebi Block is currently in the early stages of hydrocarbon exploration. The subsurface geology of this area is only known from seismic reflection data. By applying seismic stratigraphy techniques, unconformities and condensed sections were recognized. These discontinuities were dated using paleontological information from the Kulka-1 well, Northwest Shelf of Australia. With these age constraints, seven unconformities and three condensed sections were dated and correlated to the Exxon global sea level curve. The chronostratigraphic charts for the Rebi Block and the Northwest Shelf of Australia have clarified the Mesozoic stratigraphy of the study area. The Exxon global sea level curve has refined the ages determined by conventional paleontological dating. The chart has also helped in predicting source, reservoir and seal potential within a time framework. Prospective stratigraphic traps were those related to the incised valleys at the southeastern part of the Rebi Block. Although ...
Although the German Molasse Basin can be regarded as a mature hydrocarbon province, no regional sequence stratigraphic analysis has been carried out so far. We have studied seismic lines and well data from the region between the Isar and Inn rivers (SE Germany) that have been generously supplied by German oil companies (DEE, BEB, Mobil, RWE-DEA and Wintershall). Initial work indicates that five major seismic sequences within three main depositional cycles are developed. The Alpine thrust belt to the south serves as the primary sediment source in the foreland basin. However, sedimentary infill mainly took place parallel to the basin axis. Our analysis suggests that the stratigraphic development of the Molasse Basin was mainly controlled by eustatic sea-level changes which caused the shoreline to shift in the W-E direction. The shifting of the depocenter axis in a N-S direction was controlled by the tectonic evolution of the thrust belt. The sea-level curve determined by seismic ...
A study of more than 1200 of 72-fold, migrated, seismic reflection profiles, from the eastern part of the East Breaks flexure trend, Gulf of Mexico, indicates that, although individual seismic reflectors cannot be traced across the entire area, seismic depositional units can be recognized and correlated from basin to basin in most instances. Three tentative conclusions are evident from this study: (1) salt diapirs appear to have grown through a series of intermittent movements to form structurally separate intraslope basins; (2) sedimentation is probably channeled by differential dome growth, which creates local stratigraphic differences between basins; and (3) packages of distinctive seismic depositional units can be successfully used to map sediment cycles between separate basins. Fluctuations of Pleistocene sea level appears to be the dominate depositional control on the upper continental slope in this area. During high sea level stands, turbidity currents were ...
The Jansen pumped-storage plants owned by Bayernwerk Wasserkraft AG are located on the river Pfreimd in eastern Bavaria, Germany. The group comprises the three power plants at Reisach, Tanzmuehle and Trausnitz, as well as the Rabenleite upper reservoir and two weirs. After forty years of service, the power plant group has recently been rehabilitated. The rehabilitation and modernization scheme included, inter alia, replacing the surface sealing on the upstream side of the upper reservoir dam, installing a state-of-the-art leakage and stability monitoring system, and renewing the instrumentation and control equipment in the power plants and in the central control room. Finally, the paper describes the operating experience with the new I and C systems. (orig.) [German] Die Pumpspeicherkraftwerke Jansen der Bayernwerk Wasserkraft AG befinden sich an der Pfreimd in Ostbayern. Die Kraftwerksgruppe besteht aus den 3 Kraftwerken Reisach, Tanzmuehle und Trausnitz sowie aus ...
This study was carried out mainly to produce uranium trioxide (UO_3), with the standard of commercial specifications from rock phosphate deposits in eastern part of Nuba mountains, south Kurdufan state. A simplified hydrometallurgical procedure has been adopted for production of yellow cake from the ore. Elemental analysis has shown that the ore is rich in Ca and deficient in elements of potential interest such as Fe, Cu and Zn. Uranium content in ore, phosphoric acid and purified yellow cake (UO_3) obtained with different precipitants was analyzed using alpha-spectrometry. On the average, the activity concentration of uranium in ore corresponds to 82 #+-# 24 ppm (0.10%). From the data of pregnant liquor, it was observed that the addition of KCIO_3 as an oxidant improves the dissolution of uranium from the ore by almost 20%. Data has also indicated that the yellow cake purified by hydrogen peroxide has higher concentration of uranium by 44.5% over the one purified ...
The Eiric Raude offshore drilling rig is a powerful machine that is suitable for drilling in harsh environments in ultra deep water. It has a total drilling depth of 8,200 to 10,000 metres and an operational displacement of 53,400 mt. The rig complies with the regulatory regimes of Norway, the United Kingdom and Canada. The Eiric Raude has drilled 5 deepwater wells offshore eastern Canada, 1 well offshore Cuba, 1 well west of Shetland, and 3 offshore Norway. The environmental criteria for extreme weather conditions consider wave, current and wind forces. The general operational guidelines were discussed along with key areas for prevention of environmental impact, including emissions from well testing, air emissions from diesel engines, cooling water, bunkering operations, discharges from drilling, accidental discharges, drain water, and domestic sewage. It was noted that the zero discharge philosophy is the basis for all activities. The original design was meant to ...
Over the past few years, the development of domestic oil shale resources has regained significant attention. High oil prices, emerging recovery technologies, increasing world demand for liquid hydrocarbons, and the continued decline in United States conventional oil production has contributed to this interest. Several initiatives have been undertaken by the United States federal government and the private sector to encourage the development of a domestic oil shale industry. The United States has nearly 2.0 trillion barrels of oil shale resources across the eastern and western states. However, the development of this massive resource is constrained by a number of key factors, such as resource access, technology, economics, infrastructure and environmental and regulatory issues. In order to review emerging oil shale technologies from 23 companies and identify options to accelerate the development of this resource, a comprehensive analysis has been completed. This ...
Field data for validating plume models were collected in and around the Bull Run Steam Plant during two four-week periods between July and October, 1982. The field measurements were the second phase of the Plume Model Validation and Development (PMV and D) program. The Bull Run Steam Plant is located near Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and the area is described as the ''Moderately Complex Site'' to distinguish it from the ''Plains Site'' in eastern Illinois, which was the scene of the first phase of the PMV and D study conducted in 1980-81. The measurement program consisted of a set of meteorological, source, aerometric, and tracer measurements to track and characterize the plume. The tracer measurements constituted the largest portion of the total effort, and it involved the release of SF/sub 6/ tracer gas from the stack, and the sampling and analysis of nearly 64,000 air samples collected over a test ...
Carbonyl compounds constitute an important reactive class of non methane volatile organic compounds. They can be emitted directly to the atmosphere from primary sources such as combustion engines, landfills and wastewater surfaces or as secondary products by the photochemical oxidation of hydrocarbons and other volatile organic compounds 1-3. Carbonyls photo-oxidize during the day to produce toxic radicals such as OH, HO_2, RO and RO_2. These species react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) and other VOCs present in the atmosphere to form tropospheric ozone (O_3); a highly reactive oxidizing agent that is harmful to human health, agricultural products and climate 4, 5. Hence identifying the levels and sources of ozone precursors such as low carbonyls, carbon monoxide (CO) and NOx derivatives, and understanding their physical and chemical transformation in the troposphere is an important task due to their atmospheric and adverse health implications. Diurnal variations of aldehydes and ketones ...
The worldwide oil shale resources are extremely large. As an example, the calculated recoverable oil from just the Green River Formation in the tri-state area of Colorado-Utah-Wyoming is as large as the estimated ultimate total conventional oil production from the entire world. In addition there are significant resources in other parts of the USA and in other countries. Despite the great potential, the peace of western oil shale development took a general downturn in 1982 because of a combination of factors led by an uncertainty concerning short to intermediate term pricing for crude oil, a lesser demand for petroleum products, and increased projected costs for development. An example is Exxon's announcement that the Exxon/TOSCO multi-billion dollar project would be discontinued and most of its support equipment sold. In the eastern part of the country, Paraho decided not to move its project to Kentucky unless additional financial support could be ...
An important aspect of water quality modeling is forecasting water quality variables for real-time management and control applications to enhance, maintain and sustain desirable water qualities. The major objective of this research is to develop daily time series models for forecasting river dissolved-oxygen (DO). The modeling approach adopted herein combines deterministic and stochastic concepts for determining properties of the DO process based on time series data and dynamic mechanisms governing the said process. This is accomplished by deriving a general DO stochastic model structure based on a modified Streeter-Phelps DO-BOD dynamic model. Then some types of nonlinear models namely, self-exciting threshold autoregressive-moving average (SETARMA), amplitude-dependent autoregressive (ADAR) and bilinear (BL) models, and the class of linear autoregressive-moving average (ARMA) models are adopted for model identification and parameter estimation. Six stream-water quality gaging ...
Microorganisms associated with fractured basalt core were compared to those suspended in groundwater pumped from the same well in the eastern Snake River Plain Aquifer (Idaho, USA). Two wells influenced to different degrees by a mixed-waste plume in the fractured basalt aquifer were examined. In one well, an array of dialysis cells filled with either deionized water or crushed basalt was equilibrated to compare the microorganisms collected in this fashion with those from core and groundwater samples collected in a traditional manner from the same well. Analyses were performed to characterize these samples and to provide a basis for comparison. These included total cell counts by microscopy; total biomass by phospholipid fatty acid analysis; enumerations of viable aerobic heterotrophs, groups of putative aerobic co-metabolic TCE-degraders and aerobic H2-oxidizing bacteria; mineralization of 14C- labeled acetate; and enrichments for dissimilatory iron-reducing ...
This report describes the progress made during this reporting period of a two year project to demonstrate that the air pollution from a traveling grate stoker being used to heat water at a central heating plant in Krakow, Poland can be reduced significantly by (1) substituting the unwashed, unsized coal currently being used with a mechanically cleaned, double-sized stoker fuel and by (2) optimizing the operating parameters of the stoker. It is anticipated that these improvements will prove to be cost effective and hence be adopted by the other central heating plants in Krakow and indeed, throughout Eastern European cities where coal continues to be the primary source of fuel. EFH Coal Company has formed a partnership with two Polish institutions -- MPEC, a central heating company in Krakow, and Naftokrak-Naftobudowa, preparation plant designers and fabricators, for the execution of this effort. The washability data from a 20mm x 0.5mm size fraction of raw coal from ...
Basalt and diabase from the Cretaceous Dumisseau Formation, southern Haiti have Mg-numbers of 43-63, TiO/sub 2/ contents of 1.6-3.9% and La abundances of 3.6-15.3 ppm. LaTa ratios average 10, and indicate that the basalts are oceanic in character, distinct from the arc associations forming the northern part of Haiti. Oldest lavas have low TiO/sub 2/, (1.6%) and are LREE-depleted, similar to N-MORBs, whereas overlying lavas have higher TiO/sub 2/ (2-3.9%) and are LREE-enriched, similar to E-MORBs or hotspot basalts. /sup 87/Sr/sup 86/Sr ratios vary from 0.70280 to 0.70316, /sup 143/Nd/sup 144/Nd from 0.512929 to 0.513121, and /sup 206/Pb/sup 204/Pb from 19.00 to 19.27 LREE-depleted lavas have high /sup 143/Nd/sup 144/Nd (0.51309-0.51310) typical of MORBs, whereas /sup 143/Nd/sup 144/Nd in the LREE-enriched lavas varies widely (0.512929-0.513121). Chemical features of the Dumisseau basalts are equivalent to those of Caribbean seafloor basalts recovered on DSDP Leg 15, and support the ...
This paper describes a risk based approach and inspection planning as part of the Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) system for the 95.5 km long 18'' GASVOL gas pipeline in the South eastern region of Brazil transporting circa 5 000 000 m3 dry gas per day. Pipeline systems can be subject to several degradation mechanisms and inspection and monitoring are used to ensure system integrity. Modern pipeline regulations and codes are normally based on a core safety or risk philosophy. The detailed design requirements presented in design codes are practical interpretations established so as to fulfill these core objectives. A given pipeline, designed, constructed and installed according to a pipeline code is therefore the realization of a structure, which, along its whole length, meets the applicable safety objectives of that code. The main objective of Pipeline Integrity Management (PIM) is to control and document the integrity of the pipeline for its ...
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Energy Systems) manages a closed hazardous waste disposal unit, Chestnut Ridge Security Pits (CRSP), in the form of two trenches and several auger-holes, located on top of the eastern portion of Chestnut Ridge at the Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant in Tennessee. The groundwater monitoring system for the unit presently consists of a network of upgradient and downgradient monitor wells. To investigate the discharge of groundwater to springs and streams. An initial dye-tracer study was conducted during the driest part of 1990. The dye was detected at some of the monitoring sites, but verification was necessary due to the proximity of some sites to extraneous dye sources. A second dye-tracer was conducted during the wet weather season. The actual test commenced during the first week of February 1992 with a 4-week baseline monitoring period to determine the inherent variability of the emission spectra within the ...
Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. (Energy Systems) manages a closed hazardous waste disposal unit, Chestnut Ridge Security Pits (CRSP), in the form of two trenches and several auger-holes, located on top of the eastern portion of Chestnut Ridge at the Department of Energy (DOE) Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant in Tennessee. The groundwater monitoring system for the unit presently consists of a network of upgradient and downgradient monitor wells. To investigate the discharge of groundwater to springs and streams, Energy Systems, through Geraghty and Miller, Inc., conducted an initial dye-tracer study during the driest part of 1990. The dye was detected at some of the monitoring sites, but verification was necessary due to the proximity of some sites to extraneous dye sources. Based on the results of the initial study, Energy Systems recommended to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in the 1990 Groundwater Quality Assessment Report (GWQAR) (HSW ...
There are at present 116 floating production systems and 60 storage vessels dotting the oceans involved in hydrocarbon exploration and production activities. Although concentrated mostly in the North Sea, they can be found also off the coast of Australia, eastern Canada, Brazil, some African nations and the Gulf of Mexico. They range from converted tankers to purpose built rigs. The most adaptable of the various systems is the floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel, first developed as a cost-effective means of developing fields in Brazil's very deep offshore areas. Still being tested and modified for work in widely different environments, FPSOs appear to have met all requirements in producing expenditure efficiencies, maximizing profits, and protecting workers. One of the most efficient and most technically advanced is a 292-metre long FPSO built for the Terra Nova Alliance by Daewoo Shipyards in South Korea. It arrived at ...
Lacustrine rocks are a significant component of many rift-valley sequences. Comparisons of both active and ancient rift valleys indicate that the lacustrine facies are commonly rich in organic matter and may be important sources for oil. For example, Holocene sediments in Lake Tanganyika and Cretaceous lacustrine rocks in west Africa contain as much as 12% and 20% TOC, respectively. The Newark Supergroup contains abundant lacustrine rocks. The widespread occurrence of black shales, the general similarity to known organically rich rift systems, and a few isolated geochemical analyses have caused some speculation about the potential of the Newark Supergroup to be an effective source of oil and gas. Sufficient geochemical analyses are available from lacustrine rocks in the Newark, Connecticut, and Deep River basins to evaluate their potential as hydrocarbon sources. In general, both the quantity and quality of organic matter in these rocks are less than that required for potential source ...
The Clean Water Act of 1977 directed EPA to establish standards for use and disposal of sewage sludge (biosolids). The application of biosolids to non-agricultural lands is becoming increasingly important as a method of waste disposal. Ecological endpoints at the population, community, and/or ecosystem level have not previously been emphasized in the development of regulatory standards for municipal sewage sludge. This risk assessment focuses on terrestrial endpoints in four ecosystem types to which substantial quantities of sludge have been applied or are expected to be applied in the future: northwest Douglas-fir forest, southeastern loblolly pine plantation, eastern deciduous forest, and semi-arid rangeland. Conceptual models suitable for all ecosystems were developed that depict the links among assessment endpoints. Estimates of risks to wildlife from contaminants and simulations of impacts of nitrogen in sewage sludge on the structure and function of forest ...
In June 1997, the US Navy plans to close its Naval Air Facility on Sand Island and transfer the atoll to the US Fish and Wildlife Service for use as a National Wildlife Refuge. Midway provides breeding and feeding habitat for migratory seabirds, terrestrial and marine mammals, sea turtles and other reptiles, and a variety of reef fishes and invertebrates. As part of the base closure and transfer process, 36 sites of potential environmental concern were identified on Sand and Eastern islands. These sites include landfills and uncontrolled disposal areas, hazardous materials storage areas, abandoned transformers, sewer outfalls, and other potential hazardous waste sites. Potential contaminants include pesticides, PAHs, PCBs, and heavy metals. A screening ecological risk assessment was performed at each site with a goal of determining whether contaminants could pose any current or future risks to protected migratory bird or marine mammal wildlife species. Specific ...
Richmond Harbor is on the eastern shoreline of central San Francisco Bay and its access channels and several of the shipping berths are no longer wide or deep enough to accommodate modem deeper-draft vessels. The Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (PL99-662) authorized the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), San Francisco District to deepen and widen the navigation channels in Richmond Harbor. Several options for disposal of the material from this dredging project are under consideration by USACE: disposal within San Francisco Bay, at open-ocean disposal sites, or at uplands disposal sites. Purpose of this study was to conduct comprehensive evaluations, including chemical, biological, and bioaccumulation testing of sediments in selected areas of Richmond Harbor. This information was required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and USACE. Battelle/Marine Sciences Laboratory collected 20 core samples, both 4-in. and 12-in., to a project depth of -40 ft ...
A study of mine-waste contamination effects on Methow River habitat on the eastern slopes of the north Cascade Mountains in Washington state, U.S.A., revealed impacts at ecosystem, community, population, individual, tissue, and cellular levels. Ore deposits in the area were mined for gold, silver, copper and zinc until the early 1950's, but the mines are now inactive. An above-and-below-mine approach was used to compare potentially impacted to control sites. The concentrations of eleven trace elements (i.e., Al, As, B, Ba, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Pb, Se, and Zn) in Methow River sediments downstream from the abandoned mine sites were higher than background levels. Exposed trout and caddisfly larvae in the Methow River showed reduced growth compared to controls. Samples of liver from juvenile trout and small intestine from exposed caddisfly larvae were examined for evidence of metal accumulation, cytopathological change, and chemical toxicity. Morphological changes ...
Thirty-three measured sections of the Dinwoody Formation, including five from the literature, provide information on thickness, lithology, paleontology, and stratigraphic relations within the Wind River basin and immediately adjacent areas of Wyoming. Most of these sections are in Fremont County, and some lie within the Wind River Indian Reservation. The Dinwoody becomes progressively thinner eastward, from a maximum thickness of 54.6 m in the northwestern Wind River Mountains to zero near the Natrona County line. The formation is characterized by yellowish-weathering, gray siltstone and silty shale. Variable amounts of limestone, sandstone, gypsum, and claystone are also present. Marine bivalves, gastropods, brachiopods (Lingula), and conodonts are common in the western part of the study area, but are absent to the northeast in gypsiferous strata, and near the eastern limit of Dinwoody deposition. The Dinwoody in the Wind River Basin area was deposited ...
Olive field is oil productive from a thin stratigraphically trapped sandstone within the Upper Cretaceous lower Tuscaloosa Formation. The discovery of Olive in 1981 led to renewed interest in the Mid-Dip Tuscaloosa Trend that continues today. Discovery and development was based on the correlation of the B sandstone to a mappable soft seismic event at a depth of 10,500 ft. The field was developed by 25 wells on 40-acre spacing. Olive has been waterflooded since 1983 and is a target for enhanced recovery using carbon dioxide. A total of 7.5 million stock tank bbl or approximately 75% of the original oil in place is estimated to be recoverable by conventional and enhanced recovery methods. The B sandstone was deposited by a northwest to southeast-flowing high-sinuosity meandering river system. Point bar, channel, and channel abandonment deposits are present. The point bar formed from the lateral migration of the river system from west to east, and channel abandonment is evident at the ...
The next great issue on the Russian landscape will be management of its foreign debt. In the near future the United States will be called upon to lead an international program of debt restructuring to assist Russia in overcoming the burden of its debt trap. With debt service obligations equal to 50{percent} of 1999 revenues, Russia has virtually no chance of sustaining a program of economic recovery without debt relief (Hardt, 1999). With some form of debt restructuring a foregone conclusion, Russia, the United States, and world community have a vital stake in searching for creative ways to transform the inevitability of debt restructuring into something of value and constructive to Russia and the problems it faces. This was the rationale behind debt-for-nature swaps which emerged in the early 1980s in Latin American and Eastern Europe as a means of relieving developing nations of their crippling foreign debt. Debt-for-nature swaps served both domestic and ...
Biological marker maturity parameters were used to estimate the minimum HC generation temperatures of crude oils from Eastern Hungary. More than 50 oils and oil shows were analysed. Molecular- and homologous-ratios of biological marker compounds (triterpanes, steranes, mono- and triaromatic steroid hydrocarbons) were used as maturation parameters. The oils have at least five maturity stages, i.e. they have been generated under different thermal conditions. The highest reservoir temperature in each group was chosen as the best estimate of the groups' temperature just below the generation temperature, i.e. reservoirs of the group might be expected to be at shallower depths (lower temperatures) than those of the generation zone due to vertical migration into pools. For each maturation level, a threshold temperature range for genesis was inferred from reservoir temperatures; they are from 130-135{sup o}C for the least mature oils to 210-215{sup o}C for the ...
The Early Palaeozoic Warburton Basin underlies the gas and oil producing Cooper and Eromanga Basins. Postdepositional tectonism created high potential fracture porosities, complicating the stratigraphy and making reservoir prediction difficult. Sequence stratigraphy integrating core, cuttings, well-log, seismic and biostratigraphic data has recognized a carbonate-dominated to mixed carbonate/siliciclastic supersequence comprising several depositional sequences. Biostratigraphy based on trilobites and conodonts ensures reliable well and seismic correlations across structurally complex areas. Lithofacies interpretation indicates sedimentary environments ranging from carbonate inner shelf, peritidal, shelf edge, deep outer shelf and slope to basin. Log facies show gradually upward shallowing trends or abrupt changes indicating possible sequence boundaries. With essential depositional models and sequence analysis from well data, seismic facies suggest general reflection configurations ...
The objective of this work is to determine the ability of indigenous bacteria from a Venezuelan oil field to grow under reservoir conditions inside a porous media, and to produce metabolites capable of recovering residual crude oil. For this purpose, samples of formation waters from a central-eastern Venezuelan oil reservoir were enriched with different carbon sources and a mineral basal media. Formation water was used as a source of trace metals. The enrichments obtained were incubated at reservoir temperature (71{degrees}C), reservoir pressure (1,200 psi), and under anaerobic conditions for both outside and inside porous media (Berea core). Growth and metabolic activity was followed outside porous media by measuring absorbance at 660 nm, increases in pressure, and decreases in pH. Inside porous media bacterial activity was determined by visual examination of the produced waters (gas bubbles and bacterial cells). All the carbohydrates tested outside porous media ...
Crystal Geyser in eastern Utah is a rare, non-geothermal geyser that emits carbon dioxide gas in periodic eruptions. This geyser is the largest single source of CO{sub 2} originating from a deep reservoir. For this study, the amount of CO{sub 2} emitted from Crystal Geyser is estimated through measurements of downwind CO{sub 2} air concentration applied to an analytical model for atmospheric dispersion. Five eruptions occurred during the 48-hour field study, for a total of almost 3 hours of eruption. Pre-eruption emissions were also timed and sampled. Slow wind during three of the active eruptions conveyed the plume over a grid of samplers arranged in arcs from 25 to 100 m away from the geyser. An analytical, straight-line Gaussian model matched the pattern of concentration measurements. Plume width was determined from least-squares fit of the CO{sub 2} concentrations integrated over time. The CO{sub 2} emission rate was found to be between 2.6 and 5.8 kg/s during ...
Over the past 40 years, cavern storage of LPG's, petrochemicals, such as ethylene and propylene, and other petroleum products has increased dramatically. In 1991, the Gas Processors Association (GPA) lists the total U.S. underground storage capacity for LPG's and related products of approximately 519 million barrels (82.5 million cubic meters) in 1,122 separate caverns. Of this total, 70 are hard rock caverns and the remaining 1,052 are caverns in salt deposits. However, along the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and the Pacific northwest, salt deposits are not available and therefore, storage in hard rocks is required. Limited demand and high cost has prevented the construction of hard rock caverns in this country for a number of years. The storage of natural gas in mined caverns may prove technically feasible if the geology of the targeted market area is suitable; and economically feasible if the cost and convenience of service is competitive with ...
Timing and geometry of Maastrichtian third-order sequences and systems tracts of south-central Wyoming were mostly controlled by rapid basin subsidence resulting from thrust loading of foreland basin crust. The basement of the Red Desert/Washakie basin was affected by thrusting in the Sevier belt to the west and by thrusting along the edge of the Wind River Mountains and Granite Mountains. A transgressive systems tract consists of the youngest Ericson Formation above a regional unconformity, backstepping Almond Formation nearshore and nonmarine facies, and shelfal mudstones of the lower Lewis Shale. Regionally, the onset of transgression is younger from east to west, beginning at 71.5 Ma in eastern Wyoming and at 70.5-71 Ma in south-central Wyoming. The transgression culminated in a condensed shale section evident on gamma-ray logs that occurs throughout the basin. Above the gamma-ray zone, the highstand systems tract of the middle and upper Lewis Shale, Fox Hills ...
Producing nuclear energy in order to reduce anthropic CO{sub 2} emission and to meet high energy demand, implies three conditions to the nuclear plants of the IV. generation: safety improvements, radioactive waste minimization, and fuel breeding for a sustainable use of the resources. The Thorium fuel cycle used in Molten Salt Reactors seems promising. Many numerical studies based on probabilistic codes are carried out in order to analyse the behaviour of such reactors. Nevertheless, one of the most important parameters is badly known: the alpha ratio of {sup 233}U, ratio of the neutron capture cross section to fission one for {sup 233}U. This key-parameter is necessary to calculate the breeding ratio and thus, the deployment capacities of those reactors. This Ph-D thesis was intended to prepare a precise measurement of the alpha ratio of {sup 233}U between 1 eV and 10 keV. Preliminary measurements have been performed on the experimental platform PEREN. This ...
This report completes the documentation for the research project 'High Pressure Compressor - Preliminary Design as Basis for the Development of an Efficient and Environmentally Friendly Core Engine' which was funded by the Ministry of Economics of State Brandenburg. The objective of the project is to deliver a preliminary compressor aerodynamic design as well as design studies for an efficient, weight and cost improved compressor. The increase of stage pressure ratio and improved efficiency, whilst stage and blade count is reduced, has been achieved by advanced 3D methods. Compressor stability also at off-design conditions will be retained. The mechanical design focusses on a cost and weight optimised rotor not only for a conventional bladed discs but also for Blish stages. Various options for split casings have been developed and assessed. Alternative vortex reducers based on different design options have been carried out. ...
Compared with that of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant, the reactor power of QS-II Nuclear Power Plant is decreased and the primary coolant system is changed from three loops to two loops. Thereby the related systems were re-designed, and corresponding tests and engineering validation were carried out. Results of preliminary operation indicate that it is successful. The author describes the design modifications, features and corresponding tests of some systems, reflecting the successful incorporation of engineering and testing, and revealing the capability to develop nuclear power and design the large or medium sized commercial NPP on Self-Reliance in China
The use of primary electron counting techniques as an alternative to the more usual parallel plate avalanche chamber that has been employed in soft x-ray scattering experiments is being investigated at the National Synchrotron Light Source. The theoretical aspects of primary electron counting and motivation behind building a primary electron counting detector are described, as well as characteristics and future improvements of the device constructed at the NSLS. The detector consists of a low electric field drift region and a low pressure multistep avalanche region which can be operated with two or three stages of electron multiplication. The device has worked well in extensive tests as a simple parallel plate avalanche chamber, providing energy resolutions of 58% and 43% at 277 and 500 eV, respectively. Operated as a primary electron counter, preliminary results show an energy resolution of 38% at 500 eV.
The authors have studied in detail the transient enhanced diffusion observed during furnace or rapid-thermal-annealing of ion-implanted Si. The authors show that the effect originates in the trapping of Si atoms by dopant atoms during implantation, which are retained during solid-phase epitaxial (SPE) growth but released by subsequent annealing to cause a transient dopant precipitation or profile broadening. The interstitials condense to form a band of dislocation loops located at the peak of the dopant profile, which may be distinct from the band formed at the original amorphous/crystalline interface. The band can develop into a network and effectively getter the dopant. They discuss the conditions under which the various effects may or may not be observed, and discuss preliminary observations on As/sup +/ implanted Si. 12 references, 12 figures.
The authors have studied in detail the transient enhanced diffusion observed during furnace or rapid-thermal-annealing of ion-implanted Si. The authors show that the effect originates in the trapping of Si atoms by dopant atoms during implantation, which are retained during solid-phase epitaxial (SPE) growth but released by subsequent annealing to cause a transient dopant precipitation or profile broadening. The interstitials condense to form a band of dislocation loops located at the peak of the dopant profile, which may be distinct from the band formed at the original amorphous/crystalline interface. The band can develop into a network and effectively getter the dopant. They discuss the conditions under which the various effects may or may not be observed, and discuss preliminary observations on As"+ implanted Si. 12 references, 12 figures.
There is now a scientific consensus that current rates of accumulation of greenhouses gases in the atmosphere will result in significant global warming and climate change. These changes are likely to have important impacts on a wide range of human activities and the natural environment. There has now been a considerable weight of literature published on the impacts of global warming, much of it very recent. This report seeks to summarise the important results, to analyse the uncertainties and to make a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of monetarising these environmental costs. The impacts of global warming are divided into ten major categories: agriculture, forests and forestry, terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity, hydrology and water resources, sea level rise and coastal zones, energy, infrastructure/transport/industry, human health and air quality, oceans, and cryospheric impacts. The results of major summary reports are analysed, notably the report of ...
The pollution of the aquatic zones grows with the time, principally due to industrial and urban settlements, among others, in the surroundings of these sites. The sources of this pollution can be identified by the study of the characteristics of the sediment, this gives relevant information to evaluate any aquatic system. Once the sediment is obtained, a series of preliminary tests are carry out (loss of ignition, 210{sup P}b dating) to be sure that we have a sedimentary core that hans .t be mixed, once this has be done we determine radionuclides, heavy metals and organic compounds. (Author) 2 refs.
The separation of humic substances by polysulfone has been done. Thisinvestigation aims at separating the humic substances contained in theestuary environment. Because of without sample pre-treatment, cheap and easythis method has been to choice. At preliminary study proved that byincreasing the pressure until 50 psia, the yield of flux was 13.5 l/m"2.jamand the reject coefficient was 90.98%, so that polysulfone membrane isappropriate to be applied. More over the pressure could be increased morethan 50 psia. The feed concentration should be lower than 150 ppm, though thevolume should be greater. The pH condition should be alkaline (pH> 7), sinceat this condition the filtration process is easily conducted and the rejectcoefficient could reach 95.09%. (author)
We observed at 22 GHz with the VLBI array VERA a sample of 1536 sources with correlated flux densities brighter than 200 mJy at 8 GHz. One half of target sources has been detected. The detection limit was around 200 mJy. We derived the correlated flux densities of 877 detected sources in three ranges of projected baseline lengths. The objective of these observations was to determine the suitability of given sources as phase calibrators for dual-beam and phase-referencing observations at high frequencies. Preliminary results indicate that the number of compact extragalactic sources at 22 GHz brighter than a given correlated flux density level is twice less than at 8 GHz.
The growth of an oxide interfacial layer was recently found to increase the open-circuit voltage (OCV) and efficiency by up to 60 per cent in GaAs metal-semiconductor solar cells. Details of oxidation techniques to provide the necessary oxide thickness and chemical structure and using ozone, water-vapor-saturated oxygen, or oxygen gas discharges are described, as well as apparent crystallographic orientation effects. Preliminary results of the oxide chemistry obtained from X-ray, photoelectron spectroscopy are given. Ratios of arsenic oxide to gallium oxide of unity or less seem to be preferable. Samples with the highest OVC predominantly have As(+3) in the arsenic oxide rather than As(+5). A major difficulty at this time is a reduction in OCV by 100-200 mV when the antireflection coating is vacuum deposited.
The coastal ecosystem health assessment is a field of increasing importance. In this paper, a preliminary assessment of ecosystem health in Zhejiang coastal water zone was made, mainly based on remote sensing data and GIS technique. Its spatial and quantitative evaluation was facilitated by the progress of remote sensing and GIS technique development. Firstly, human activities, hydrology and ecosystem problems in the study area were discussed and analyzed. Secondly, from 4 aspects of human stress, physical, chemical and biological responses to anthropogenic activities and natural stress, several indicators such as water transparency (Secchi Disk Depth, SDD), suspended substance concentration, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, active phosphate, chlorophyll, harmful algae bloom, as well as distr...
The Surry low power and shutdown probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) is an ongoing project at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) to identify and quantify potential accident scenarios that may occur in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) during low power and shutdown. It was initiated as a result of various incidents and accidents that have occurred within the United States and overseas. The project involves review and evaluation of PWR experience at shutdown, identification of accident scenarios, determination of methods to mitigate the accidents, and performance a level 1 PRA. An evaluation of accident progression, source terms and consequences has also been initiated. The results will be used to address issues related to shutdown conditions. The objective of this paper is to provide a progress report on the project, and to present the approach used as well as the preliminary results of the ongoing and completed tasks.
In the past decade, considerable progress has been made on reducing the seismic response of structures through seismic isolation. Application of seismic-isolation techniques to nuclear power facilities is currently being investigated. This paper presents an analysis of the effect of long period motions on a seismic-isolated nuclear structure. Preliminary analysis indicates that long-period earthquake motions increase structural accelerations and relative displacements between the upper and lower mats. Relative displacement between the mats can be represented by spectral displacement at the frequency of the structure, and can be effectively reduced by increasing viscous damping in the isolator. The isolated structure behaves as a system with one degree of freedom. Future analysis of seismic effects on seismic-isolated structures should include the linear and nonlinear effects of soil-structure interactions. 3 refs., 12 figs., 3 tabs.
A number of epidemiological studies indicate an association between depression and proximity to high voltage transmission lines. These studies have been criticized, however, for using surrogate measures of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and unstandardized measures of depression. In an effort to overcome these limitations, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale was administered to 152 women living either adjacent to a transmission line or one block away. Results indicate that homes adjacent to the transmission lines have an average EMF level of 4.86 milligauss at their front door and those one block away have an average of 0.68 milligauss. There was no significant difference in CES-D scores between the groups, controlling for demographic variables. There appeared to be an increase in other health effects, including cancer and miscarriages, but these findings were preliminary and need further investigation.
Simple frameworks have been developed for estimating the utilization potential of: (a) solar photovoltaic (SPV) pumps; (b) windmill pumps; (c) producer gas based dual fuel engine pumps; and (d) biogas based dual fuel engine pumps for irrigation water pumping in India. The approach takes into account factors such as: solar radiation intensity, wind speed, availability of bovine dung and agri-residues, and their alternative uses, ground water requirements for irrigation and its availability, affordability, and propensity of the users to invest in renewable energy devices, etc. SPV pumps are estimated to have the maximum utilization potential in India, followed by windmill pumps. (author)
In this paper, we introduce a new recursive neural network model able to process directed acyclic graphs with labelled edges. The model uses a state transition function which considers the edge labels and is independent both from the number and the order of the children of each node. The computational capabilities of the new recursive architecture are assessed. Moreover, in order to test the proposed architecture on a practical challenging application, the problem of object detection in images is also addressed. In fact, the localization of target objects is a preliminary step in any recognition system. The proposed technique is general and can be applied in different detection systems, since it does not exploit any a priori knowledge on the particular problem. Some experiments on face detection, carried out on scenes acquired by an indoor camera, are reported, showing very promising results. PMID:16181770
In order to investigate the antioxidant properties of the polysaccharides from the brown alga Sargassum fusiforme, the crude polysaccharides from S. fusiforme (SFPS) were extracted in hot water, and the lipid peroxidation inhibition assay exhibited that SFPS possessed a potential antioxidant activity. Hence, two purely polymeric fractions, SFPS-1 and SFPS-2 were isolated by the column of DEAE (2-diethylaminoethanol)-Sepharose Fast Flow, with their molecular weights of 51.4 and 30.3 kDa determined by high performance gel permeation chromatography (HPGPC). They were preliminarily characterized using chemical analysis in combination of infrared (IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies and found to contain large amounts of uronic acids and ?-glycosidical linkages. The antioxida...
The ability of the /sup 252/Cf-source-driven neutron noise analysis method to measure subcriticality has been demonstrated in a variety of experimental configurations of fissile materials. Calculations for an approximately 4-m-dia configuration of light water reactor (LWR) fuel elements indicated the feasibility of measuring the subcriticality of large, loosely coupled arrays of LWR fuel elements by this same method. These analysis suggested application to the initial loading of both pressurized and boiling water reactors, zero-power testing of reactors (such as shutdown margin measurements after initial loading), light water reactor refueling, and safe storage of LWR spent fuel. In the fuel storage application, direct measurement of subcriticality in the actual fuel storage facilities provides the parameter which is directly related to criticality safety.
Monte Carlo calculations of proton irradiation of permanent magnets for the TRADE experiment have been performed. An irradiation dose of about 4´106 Gy/yr/mA has been estimated due to beam losses in normal operating conditions. Existing experimental results indicate that this irradiation level may induce a considerable demagnetization: in fact, a dose of 6´107 Gy induces a remanence loss of 0.3 % on samples of Sm2Co17 magnets, which are the most resistant type. More detailed calculations with the final design of the magnets and of the beam line are suggested, to determine if the irradiation levels allowed a reliable operation of the permanent magnets for the entire duration of the TRADE experiment. Damage and gas production rates have also been calculated; the values obtained are very low, thus confirming that the demagnetization process is in great part reversible.
The neutron elastic magnetic form factor G{sub M}{sup n} has been extracted from quasielastic scattering from deuterium in the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer, CLAS [B. Mecking et al., Nucl. Inst. and Meth. A 503 (2003) 513]. The kinematic coverage of the measurement is continuous over a broad range, extending from below 1 GeV{sup 2} to nearly 5 GeV{sup 2} in four-momentum transfer squared. High precision is achieved by employing a ratio technique in which most uncertainties cancel, and by a simultaneous in-situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency, the largest correction to the data. Preliminary results are shown with statistical errors only.
The neutron elastic magnetic form factor G_M"n has been extracted from quasielastic scattering from deuterium in the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer, CLAS [B. Mecking et al., Nucl. Inst. and Meth. A 503 (2003) 513]. The kinematic coverage of the measurement is continuous over a broad range, extending from below 1 GeV"2 to nearly 5 GeV"2 in four-momentum transfer squared. High precision is achieved by employing a ratio technique in which most uncertainties cancel, and by a simultaneous in-situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency, the largest correction to the data. Preliminary results are shown with statistical errors only.
This study examined the feasibility of using triticale straw for production of electricity in Canada. Triticale is a manmade hybrid of wheat and rye and it has a high potential of growth in Canada. The cost ($/MWh) of producing electricity from triticale straw was estimated using a data intensive techno-economic model. The study also determined the optimum size of a biomass power plant (MW) which is a trade-off between capital cost of the plant and transportation cost of biomass. Cost curves were also developed in order to evaluate the impact of scale on power production costs. The location of the power plant and the future expansion of triticale were among the factors considered in the techno-economic mode. The scope of the work included all the processes beginning with the collection of straw to the conversion to electricity through direct combustion at the power plant. According to the preliminary results, the cost of producing power from triticale straw is ...
This paper describes new strategies for the brain-specific delivery of radionuclides that can be used to evaluate regional cerebral perfusion by single photon imaging techniques. A description of several examples of interesting new strategies that have recently been reported is presented. A new approach at this institution for the brain-specific delivery of radioiodinated iodophenylalkyl-substituted dihyronicotinamide systems is described which shows good brain uptake and retention in preliminary studies in rats. Following transport into the brain these agents appear to undergo facile intracerebral oxidation to the quaternized analogues which do not recross the intact blood-brain barrier and so are effectively trapped in the brain. 49 refs., 9 figs., 1 tab.
The goals of this paper are to describe new strategies being pursued at several institutions for the brain-specific delivery of radionuclides that can be used to evaluate regional cerebral perfusion by single photon imaging techniques. A comprehensive review of the literature is beyond the scope of these proceedings and our goal is to, therefore, present a description of several examples of interesting new strategies that have recently been reported. In addition, the authors also describe a new approach being pursued at their institution for the brain-specific delivery of radioiodinated iodophenylaklyl-substituted dihydronicotiamide systems which shows good brain uptake and retention in preliminary studies in rats. Following transport into the brain these agents appear to undergo facile intracerebral oxidation to the quaternized analogues which do not cross the intact blood-brain-barrier and are effectively trapped in the brain.
Effects of #gamma#-irradiation on synthetic polymers and paper used as packaging materials for irradiated food have been studied by NMR. Polystyrene, polybutadiene and some copolymers were studied before and after the #gamma#-irradiation treatment and in the presence or absence of antioxidants and stabilisers. In the absence of additives, the effect of #gamma#-irradiation on polystyrene is negligible even irradiating at high doses. In turn, the role of antioxidants and stabilisers is crucial in polybutadiene and butadiene-containing copolymers. Wood pulp paper was also studied by NMR. Preliminary measurements on #gamma#-irradiated wood pulp sheets show a shortening in the T_2 relaxation time component due to the bound water, i.e. some of the bound water is lost. (author)
Pectin rich cold stored spoiled fruits, vegetables and cold soils were screened and different pectinolytic isolates were obtained by enrichment culturing and ruthenium red plate assay. Among the primary isolates 10-15% were yeast isolates. Six isolates with higher zones of pectin hydrolysis were selected and tested for polygalacturonase (PGU) production at room temperature (25 degrees C) and at 5 degrees C. One isolate identified as Saccharomyces sp. with highest polygalacturonase activity at 5 degrees C was used for enzyme production using raw fruit pectins as substrates. The isolate was identified by preliminary cultural, morphological and sugar fermentation tests. PGU production was high in raw pectin substrates like orange peel (21 U/ml), apple peel (20 U/ml ), mango peel (19 U/ml), ...
The authors describe a new method which makes it possible to determine the radial distribution of the diffuse component of galactic gamma rays outside the solar circle. They use the observation that a good correlation exists between gamma-ray intensities and total column densities of the local interstellar gas and that the fractional column density of H_2<0.1 HI outside the solar circle. Thus the gamma-ray intensities are shown to be proportional to N(HI). The authors use the kinematics of the HI to determine the distances from which various fractions of the emission originate in the second and third galactic quadrants. Preliminary results of our analysis show that a significant flux of gamma rays originates from distances as large as 18 kpc from the galactic centre. (Auth.).
This essay aims to summarize the main physical features arising from a new supersymmetric theory of gravitation. Based on preliminary discussions about classical field theory, cosmology, algebra and group theory, and taking formal results and theoretical considerations in comparison with several contributions from great authors, present work deals with gravity inside the limits of a meta-field theory, that is, a non-quantized but consistent representation of supergravity, the supersymmetry between gravitons and gravitinos. The introduction of meta-fields furnishes an independent framework for the study of gravity despite of constraints of quantization, treating the supersymmetric partners as deterministic actors of gravitation and not simply probabilistic entities. I explain my belief that gravitational field, by its own nature, is not quantizable in the same foot as the other fields, what does not means that we can not understand gravity by similar formal veins. ...
We describe the analysis of forward mutations induced in the tetracycline resistance gene of the plasmid pBR322 by directing the reaction of the carcinogen N-acetoxy-N-2-acetylaminofluorene (N-AcO-AAF) to a small restriction fragment (BamHI, SalI) that is located in the proximal part of the antibiotic-resistance gene. Mutant plasmids obtained both in wild type and excision repair deficient (uvrA) bacterial cells are compared. Preliminary data showing the distribution of the -AAF adducts along this restriction fragments are discussed in relation to the observed spectrum of mutations. 20 references, 4 figures.
The MCNPE-BO and MCNP4 Monte Carlo electron-photon codes were used to calculate the dose equivalent per unit fluence at various depths in tissue-equivalent slab phantoms for broad parallel beams of monoenergetic electrons with energies from 50 keV to 10 MeV. The study was carried out in the framework of the activities of a ICRP/ICRU Joint Task Group with the support of EURADOS WG4 (Numerical Dosimetry). Some preliminary results and comparisons as well as a general discussion on the performances of the codes are presented, demonstrating quite a satisfactory agreement among the results obtained using the two codes and those of other authors. (author).
In this work, a pre-cracked semi-circular shaped explosive simulant was loaded using a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB). A high-speed camera was used to capture the deformation and fracture process of the specimen in situ. The digital images were processed using the digital image correlation (DIC) method. Next, full displacement and strain fields were obtained. The displacement vector field shows that the specimen fractured under tensile stress action. The strain field can be used to predict the crack propagation. Results show that the method of combined DIC and SHPB is effective to study the dynamic deformation and fracture behavior of explosive simulants. In addition, the specimen was loaded using a drop weight. The fracture toughness of the specimen was preliminary measured.
This is a set of lecture notes given by the author at the Universities of Gottingen and Wroclaw. The text presents the axiomatic approach to field theory and studies in depth the concepts of symmetry and supersymmetry and their associated generators, currents and charges. It is intended as a one- semester course for graduate students in the field of mathematical physics and high energy physics. Contents: Introduction; Example of a Classical and Quantum Scalar Free Field Theory; Scene and Subject of the Drama. Axiom 1 and 2; Subject of the Drama; Principle of Relativity. Causality. Axiom 3, 4 and 5; Irreducibility of the Field Algebra and Scattering Theory. Axiom 6. Axiom O; Preliminaries about Physical Symmetries; Currents and Charges; Global Symmetries and Supersymmetries of the S - Matrix; Representations of the Super-Lie Algebra; The Case of Massless Particles; Fermionic Charges; Concluding Remarks.
"Pillar pain" is a relatively frequent complication after surgical release of the median nerve at the wrist. Its etiology still remains unknown although several studies highlight a neurogenic inflammation as a possible cause. Pillar pain treatment usually includes rest, bracing and physiotherapy, although a significant number of patients still complain of painful symptoms two or even three years after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of low-energy, flux density-focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in the treatment of pillar pain. We treated 40 consecutive patients with ESWT who had pillar pain for at least six months after carpal tunnel release surgery, and to our knowledge, this is the first study that describes the use of ESWT for treating this c...
Experience with the identification and tuning of exciter constants for a generating unit as the Second Nuclear Power Plant of Taiwan Power Company is reported. Field test is first performed on the excitation system with the generator open-circuited. Since the field test results differ from the computer simulation results using manufacturer`s constants, the authors first modify the manufacturer`s constants based on their previous experience to reach a preliminary set of parameters for the excitation system. Then a hybrid nonlinear simulation-sensitivity matrix method is developed to further refine the excitation system parameters. The exciter constants are tuned in order to give better dynamic response before a power system stabilizer is applied to the generator. Field tests are then performed in order to compare the dynamic response of the generator without and with power system stabilizer.
Experience with the identification and tuning of exciter constants for a generating unit as the Second Nuclear Power Plant of Taiwan Power Company is reported. Field test is first performed on the excitation system with the generator open-circuited. Since the field test results differ from the computer simulation results using manufacturer's constants, the authors first modify the manufacturer's constants based on their previous experience to reach a preliminary set of parameters for the excitation system. Then a hybrid nonlinear simulation-sensitivity matrix method is developed to further refine the excitation system parameters. The exciter constants are tuned in order to give better dynamic response before a power system stabilizer is applied to the generator. Field tests are then performed in order to compare the dynamic response of the generator without and with power system stabilizer.
Aim of study: Clitoria ternatea L. (Family: Fabaceae) is being used in traditional medicine for the treatment of severe bronchitis and asthma. So the aim of study was to evaluate antiasthmatic activity of ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea roots. Materials and methods: In the present study ethanol extract of Clitoria ternatea root (ECTR) was evaluated for preliminary phytochemical screening, acute toxicity studies and antiasthmatic activity using milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia in mice, egg albumin induced mast cell degranulations in rats and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in rats at doses (100-150mg/kg ip). Results: The results of present investigation showed that the LD50 of ECTR is more than 1300mg/kg. ECTR significantly decreases milk induced leucocytosis and eosinophilia, ...
A galactose-specific seed lectin was purified from the legume Spatholobus parviflorus and crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion technique. Thecrystals belonged to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 60.998, b=60.792, c = 78.179-, = 101.32, = 91.38, = 104.32. X-ray diffraction data were collected under cryoconditions (100-K) to a resolution of 2.04- using a MAR image-plate detector system mounted on a rotating-anode X-ray (Cu-K) generator. Molecular replacement using legume-lectin coordinates as a search model gave a tetrameric structure.
Japanese companies have developed suitable cleansing technologies and export their know-how. Some original technologies are developed today, like: in-situ chemical oxidation, iron confinement, hot-soil process, low-temperature catalytic decomposition or dechlorination of dioxins. However, some pollutions are still poorly considered (nitrates) or badly mastered (dioxins). This situation is partly due to late legal decisions and to limited pollution abatement measures. Japan is also very active in bio-cleansing research, and this, despite the lack of dialogue and directives at the national level. Several research programs with important funds have started since 1995. However, Japan is still at the preliminary stage in open-field applications of cleansing methods. (J.S.)
The use of dendrimers for preparing chemically sensitive interfaces for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using surface acoustic wave (SAW) device transducers is described. Specifically, the synthesis of the dendrimers and the means by which they are affixed to SAW devices is discussed, followed by a detailed spectroscopic analysis of the surface-confined dendrimers and a discussion of their interaction with different VOCs. Most of these preliminary experiments focus on dendrimer surface modification using benzoylchloride, which leads to phenyl terminal groups linked to the dendrimer via amide groups. The results of this study lead us to conclude that dendrimers: (1) provide general specificity towards classes of functional groups and are therefore suitable for array-based sensing schemes; (2) are intermediate in structure between monolayers and polymers and exhibit the desirable properties of both; (3) can be straightforwardly attached to the surfaces of ...
This final report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) reports on work done in the area of gasification of biomass. The use of dung, manure and sewage sludge as sources of energy is described and discussed. Hydrothermal gasification is proposed as an alternative to conventional gas-phase processes. The aim of the project in this respect is discussed. Here, a catalytic process that demonstrates the gasification of wet biomass to synthetic natural gas (SNG) in a continuously operating plant on a laboratory scale is being looked at. Difficulties encountered in preliminary tests are discussed. Long-term catalyst stability and the installations for the demonstration of the process are discussed, and gasification tests with ethanol are commented on.
Increasing quantities of chicken waste concerns the poultry industry because of escalating disposal costs and the potential for environmental pollution. Biological conversion of these wastes to valuable products such as methane and/or chemical feed-stocks appears to be feasible. Biomethanation of chicken waste by a sewage sludge microbial consortium produced as much as 69 mol% methane in the gas phase. Acetic and propionic acids were the major acids produced during the bioconversion. Addition of chelating agents and other micro-nutrients enhanced methane production and shifted the ratios of intermediates accumulated. Preliminary data indicate that more than 60% of the chicken waste carbon was converted and that the nitrogen-rich residue may have potential as a soil additive. (author).
The high-nickel austenitic alloy 800 (in both the mill-annealed and the solution-treated grades) has several attractive properties that make it a good candidate for service attractive properties that make it a good candidate for service at elevated temperatures in corrosive environments. One such property is creep resistance. This report analyzes the elevated-temperature creep behavior of the mill-annealed grade, generally referred to simply as alloy 800. (The solution-treated grade is known as alloy 800H). Available data over the temperature range from 538 to 760/sup 0/C were collected and evaluated to yield mathematically approximations for creep-rupture and strain-time behavior for use in design calculations. However, the creep behavior of this material is extremely complex, and the analysis presented here contains substantial uncertainties. All results in this report should be considered preliminary because of limited data currently available. 20 figures.
This report provide appropriate guidance for addressing the major technical issues associated with the design and installation of a photovoltaic-thermal (PV-T) system. Nomographs are presented for developing preliminary sizing and costing, and issues associated with specific components and the overall design of the electrical and mechanical system are discussed. SAND82-7157/2 presents a review of current PV-T technology and operating systems and a study of potential PV-T applications. Detailed PV-T system designs for three selected applications and the results of a trade-off study for these applications are presented in SAND82-7157/4. A summary of the major results of this entire study and conclusions concerning PV-T systems and applications is presented in SAND82-7157/1.
A preliminary design for a nuclear electric 'Space Tug' is proposed for use in conjunction with the American Space Shuttle for high energy missions. The vehicle would employ a SNAP 10A/2 or SNAP 8 nuclear reactor derivative for its power supply and slush hydrogen as the working fluid for the electrothermal thrusters. A thermodynamic conversion cycle would be employed for electrical power generation, for which the hydrogen working fluid would perform the duty of the heat sink. The cycle would eliminate the need for heavy waste radiators and improve the overall thermal efficiency. The vehicle promises a considerable payload advantage over a chemical recoverable Tug for geostationary missions. (orig.).
Experimental wetlands are being constructed on mined lands in the United States as an inexpensive alternative to conventional acid mine water treatment facilities. The US Bureau of Mines is conducting an inventory of these constructed wetlands as part of a long-term evaluative study. Preliminary results, based on the 20 sites surveyed to date, indicate that the wetlands dominated by emergent species are out-performing the Sphagnum-dominated wetlands, and that much of the water treatment is accomplished by other aspects of the wetland, including bacteria, algae, amendments and other plants. Iron concentrations as high as 85 mg/l are reduced to less than 3 mg/l after flow through the constructed wetlands. Manganese is also removed, though somewhat less efficiently. 12 refs., 1 fig., 1 tab.
Radon proof barriers are used for lowering of radon transport from the soil into the house and the determination of the radon diffusion coefficient is an important parameter to be determined in order to design the minimal thickness of the radon proof insulation. A method has been developed in our laboratory by using modified Lucas cells connected to a radon source and tightly closed onto the top by the tested membranes whose radon diffusion coefficients are being measured. Solving the time-dependent differential equation for radon diffusion in the membrane for well-defined experimental conditions the effective radon diffusion coefficient of the insulating material can be evaluated by comparing the radon concentration decrease in the cell for the first hours with the well-known radioactive decay. First results obtained in several preliminary tests carried out with a parafilm M barrier and two polyethylene membranes are shown in this paper.
T-2 toxin, a highly toxic member of the type-A trichothecenes, is produced by various Fusarium moulds that can potentially affect human health. It is strongly cytotoxic for human hematopoietic progenitors. Alimentary toxic aleukia (ATA), a disease typically associated with human, is primarily induced by T-2 toxin. A comparison of the metabolism of T-2 toxin incubated with hepatocytes of rats, piglets, chickens, and the hepatic subcellular fractions (microsomes and cytosol) of piglets, chickens, rats, and carp (common carp and grass carp) was carried out. The activities of the recombinant pig CYP3A29 on the transformation of T-2 and HT-2 toxins were preliminary studied. Metabolites were identified by novel LC/MS-IT-TOF. Qualitative similarities and differences across the species were observ...
The vigilance reinforcement hypothesis (VRH) asserts that errors in signal detection tasks are partially explained by operant reinforcement and extinction processes. VRH predictions were tested with a computerized baggage screening task. Our experiment evaluated the effects of signal schedule (extinction vs. variable interval 6 min) and visual field complexity (dial vs. baggage x-ray) on search behavior rates. There was a main effect for signal schedule [F (1, 20) = 14.0, p = 0.001, p[subscript rep] = 0.99], but no effects for field complexity or interaction. The VRH suggests that performance errors in visual screening work may be reduced through operant conditioning of search behaviors by intensive management of artificially planted signals. (Contains 1 table and 3 figures.)