Dopaminergic neurons of the ventral midbrain firehighfrequency bursts when animals are presented with unexpected rewards, or stimuli that predict reward. To identify the afferents that can...Full Text Available
T-type calcium channels are responsible for generating low-threshold spikes that facilitate burst firing and neurotransmitter release in neurons. GnRH neurons exhibit burst firing, but the underlying...Full Text Available
Understanding feedbacks between terrestrial and atmospheric systems is vital for predicting the consequences of global change, particularly in the rapidly changing Arctic. Fire is a key process in this context, but the consequences of altered fire regimes in tundra ecosystems are rarely considered, largely because tundra fires occur infrequently on the modern landscape. We present paleoecological data that indicate frequent tundra fires in northcentral Alaska between 14,000 and 10,000 years ago. Charcoal and pollen from lake sediments reveal that ancient birchdominated shrub tundra burned as often as modern boreal forests in the region, every 144 years on average (+/- 90 s.d.; n = 44). Although paleoclimate interpretations and data from modern tundra fires suggest that increased burning was aided by low effective moisture, vegetation cover clearly played a critical role in ...
Integrative and firing properties are important characteristics of neuronal circuits and these responses are determined in large part by the repertoire of ion channels they express, which can vary considerably between cell types. Recently, a new mode of operation of voltage dependent sodium channels has been described that generates a so-called resurgent Na^+ current. Accumulating evidence suggests resurgent Na current participates in the generation of sub-threshold inward Na^+ current causing membrane depolarization which provides the necessary drive to firehigh-frequency action potentials. Recent studies indicate that resurgent Na^+ current could be a more widespread feature than previously thought.
Probabilistic assessment methods can be used to identify specific plant vulnerabilities. Application of such methods can also facilitate selection among system design alternatives available for safety enhancements. The quality of assessment results is however strongly dependent on realistic and accurate input data for modelling of system component behaviour and failure modes during conditions to be assessed. Use of conservative input data may not lead to results providing guidance on safety upgrades. Adequate input data for probabilistic assessments seems to be lacking for at least failure modes of some electrical components when exposed to a fire. This report presents an attempt to improve the situation with respect to such input data. In order to take advantage of information in existing documentation of fire incident occurrences some of the lessons learned from the fire at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power ...
Hydrogen piston engines can be simultaneously optimized for improved thermal efficiency and for extremely low emissions. Using these engines in constant-speed, constant-load systems such as series hybrid-electric automobiles or home cogeneration systems can result in significantly improved energy efficiency. For the same electrical energy produced, the emissions from such engines can be comparable to those from natural gas-fired steam power plants. These hydrogen-fueled high-efficiency, low-emission (HELE) engines are a mechanical equivalent of hydrogen fuel cells. HELE engines could facilitate the transition to a hydrogen fuel cell economy using near-term technology.
A novel system has been deployed to obtain geochemical samples of water and gas, at in situ pressure, during a geologic CO2 sequestration experiment conducted in the Frio brine aquifer in Liberty County, Texas. Project goals required high-frequency recovery of representative and uncontaminated aliquots of a rapidly changing two-phase (supercritical CO2-brine) fluid from 1.5 km depth. The datasets collected, using both the liquid and gas portions of the downhole samples, provide insights into the coupled hydro-geochemical issues affecting CO2 sequestration in brine-filled formations. While the basic premise underlying the U-Tube sampler is not new, the system is unique because careful consideration was given to the processing of the recovered two-phase fluids. In particular, strain gauges mounted beneath the high-pressure surface sample cylinders measured the ratio of recovered brine to supercritical CO2. A quadrupole mass spectrometer provided real-time gas ...
Several studies of facilitated communication have demonstrated that the facilitators were controlling and directing the typing, although they appeared to be unaware of doing so. Such results shift...Full Text Available
''Intelligent Extruder'' described in this report is a software system and associated support services for monitoring and control of compounding extruders to improve material quality, reduce waste and energy use, with minimal addition of new sensors or changes to the factory floor system components. Emphasis is on process improvements to the mixing, melting and de-volatilization of base resins, fillers, pigments, fire retardants and other additives in the :finishing'' stage of high value added engineering polymer materials. While GE Plastics materials were used for experimental studies throughout the program, the concepts and principles are broadly applicable to other manufacturers materials. The project involved a joint collaboration among GE Global Research, GE Industrial Systems and Coperion Werner & Pleiderer, USA, a major manufacturer of compounding equipment. Scope of the program included development ...
Five fires that occurred in the air and gas treatment systems of U.S. commercial nuclear power plants are reviewed. The causes of the fires, the method of extinguishing them and possible fire prevention methods are correlated with the properties of the adsorbents. The similarities and differences of adsorbent (carbon) fires of solvent recovery systems and the nuclear air-cleaning units are discussed in relation to fire development, consequences of the fire, and fire extinguishing methods. The latest methodology of fire prevention, as proposed for a New Hampshire nuclear power plant is described.
We have explored vibrations of a single-degree of freedom oscillator with a magneto-rheological damper subjected to kinematic excitations in a highfrequency limit. Using fast and slow scales decoupling procedure we derived an effective damping coefficient in the limit of highfrequency excitation. Damping characteristics, as functions of velocity, change considerably especially by terminating the singular non-smoothness points. This effect was more transparent for a larger control parameter which was defined as the product of the excitation amplitude and its frequency.
Oct 1, 2010 ... AEHF 1 is the first of four Advanced Extremely HighFrequency (AEHF) satellites that will replace the earlier Milstar system. The AEHF ...
Recent evidence indicates that the evolution of ultrasonic hearing in echolocating bats and cetaceans has involved adaptive amino acid replacements in the cochlear gene prestin. A substantial...Full Text Available
... that range from relatively low frequency strong ground motion modeling [Vidale et al., 1985] to highfrequency reverse time migration of seismic ...
... C14 and C15 are special aluminum electrolytic capacitors manufactured by Cornell-Dubilier and designed for high-frequency capability, long life ...
The effect is reported of seven inorganic oxide additives on both the formation mechanism and the densification of X-Sialon prepared by a silicothermal process. The oxides were added to the starting mixture of halloysite clay, alumina and elemental silicon at a level of 1 wt% of the calculated final product, and fired in nitrogen at 1200-1500 deg C. The formation of X-Sialon was monitored by thermal analysis, powder XRD and 2"7"Al and "2"9Si solid state MAS NMR The effects of the additives are temperature dependent and influence the various stages of the reaction by differing degrees. The oxides which best promote the formation of crystalline X-Sialon (Y_2O_3, CaO and MgO) are also those which facilitate the conversion of initially-formed Si_3N_4 to SiO_2N_2 and SiO_3N units. Densification is most enhanced by Y_2O_3 CaO and CeO_2; MgO exerts its maximum effect on sintering at lower temperatures. Copyright (1998) Australasian Ceramic Society
Mine rescue teams frequently must fight fires and guard against the propagation of fires or explosions during a rescue and recovery operation. The team's ability to fight fires depends a great deal on hands-on experience with different fire fighting agents and equipment. The team's work includes an assessment of fire conditions, mine fire gases and other potential hazards associated with fire fighting activity. This training module covers the underlying principles of the fire triangle and the different methods for controlling, containing and extinguishing fires in a mine. The manual also covers fire-fighting equipment, considerations involved in a sealing operation and the cause-effect of explosions.
of the familiar fire triangle, namely, fuel, ignition, and oxygen. Fuel is minimized ... The third element of the fire triangle, oxygen, is obviously ...
The integrity of the cables located in the target room is very important in the Fire PSA, because the CDF and CCDP are changed according to the results of a cable integrity that depends on the surrounding gas temperature. The conservative assumptions used in the Fire PSA typically specify that all of the equipment and cables of a room would fail when a fire happens in the room. But the realistic assessment of a fire risk by using a fire simulation tool has become necessary in the Fire PSA as described in the ANS Fire PRA Standard. This paper evaluates the cable integrity of eight pump rooms in the nuclear power plant by using the CFAST zone fire model. The upper layer gas temperature of each room is estimated, and an analysis based on the results of model simulations is used to judge the cable integrity. According to the ...
The history of the Czech Institute of Plasma Physics is highlighted. The article is structured as follows: Cyclic accelerators; Interaction of an external high-frequency field and high-temperature plasma - the tokamak; Interaction of an external high-frequency field and high-temperature plasma - pulse plasma systems; Low-temperature plasma - plasma technologies and new materials; Laser plasma - PALS; Optical diagnosis; and Teaching, conferences and international cooperation. (P.A.)
Nomographs that calculate the threshold values of surface fire parameters which lead to crown fire initiation were created by linking two separate fire behavior models: Van Wagner?s crown fire ignition criteria and Byram?s surface fire model. The nomographs were also based on the existing surface (fuel load, fuel heat content) and canopy (foliar moisture content, live crown base height) fuel models of Aleppo (Pinus halepensis Mill.) pine forests of Mediterranean Greece. The most important fire parameters for crown fire initiation that are calculated by the nomographs are the critical flame length and the forward spread rate of the surface fire. These parameters are readily observable in the field during fires. The nomographs provide a judicious way to assess whether a crown fire ...
Most insects are thought to fly by creating a leading-edge vortex that remains attached to the wing as it translates through a stroke. In the species examined so far, stroke amplitude is large, and...Full Text Available
Nearly a decade after the small boat attacks against the USS Cole (in 2000) and M/V Limburg (in 2002) in Yemen, small vessels continue to pose a security threat. In part, this is due to the ease of camouflage and the highfrequency of small vessels operat...
1. In rat soleus muscle, highfrequency electrical stimulation produced a rapid increase in intracellular Na+ (Na+i) content. This was considerably larger in muscles contracting without developing tension...Full Text Available
Electrophoretic analysis of protein variation at the coagulation F13B locus has previously revealed three alleles, with alleles 1, 2, and 3 each being at highfrequency in European,...Full Text Available
Results are described of a study and of the characteristics of sources of a non-equilibrium gas-discharge plasma. The plasma generators considered include glow, highfrequency, and arc discharge generators. Thermodynamic, ionic, and electronic processes occurring in the plasmas are evaluated.
BackgroundDeveloping lepidopteran microsatellite DNA markers can be problematical, as markers often exhibit multiple banding patterns and highfrequencies of non-amplifying "null"...Full Text Available
There is growing epidemiological and molecular evidence that ABO blood group affects host susceptibility to severe Plasmodium falciparum infection. The highfrequency of common...Full Text Available
The frequency dependence of the lasing power of a He-Ne laser was studied using the electrooptic effect in a KDP crystal. The gain profile of the power curve was found to differ noticeably between the high-frequency and low-frequency edges. (AIP). (AIP)
BackgroundProteins may evolve through the recruitment and modification of discrete domains, and in many cases, protein action can be dissected at the domain level. PDZ domains are...Full Text Available
Vibrational dephasing in condensed phases is studied from both a theoretical and experimental standpoint. A theory is presented which describes the dynamics of motional or exchange processes in weakly perturbed systems. This general formalism, which has been previously used to describe motional narrowing in magnetic resonance, is applied to vibrational spectroscopy. The model treats the case of a highfrequency vibration anharmonically coupled to a low-frequency vibration. Intermolecular exchange of low frequency vibrational quanta results in a temperature dependent broadening and frequency shift of the highfrequency vibration. Analysis of experimental data by this model yields both the exchange rates and the anharmonic couplings.
The integrity of the cables located in the target room is very important in the Fire PSA, because the CDF and CCDP are changed according to the results of a cable integrity that depends on the surrounding gas temperature. The conservative assumptions used in the Fire PSA typically specify that all of the equipment and cables of a room would fail when a fire happens in the room. But the realistic assessment of a fire risk by using a fire simulation tool has become necessary in the Fire PSA as described in the ANS Fire PRA Standard. This paper evaluates the cable integrity of eight pump rooms in the nuclear power plant by using the CFAST zone fire model. The upper layer gas temperature of each room is estimated, and an analysis based on the results of model simulations is used to judge the c...
We present an image of the rupture propagation of the 2004 M6.0 Parkfield earthquake using records from a dense network of local strong motion stations. We back-propagate high-frequency waveforms in 3D with a method, similar to reverse time migration, to obtain an estimate of the distribution of radiated high-frequency seismic energy in space and time. The image is forced to be coherent at the known hypocenter location and the quake origin time by applying small static time shifts obtained using waveform cross-correlation. We observe that the Parkfield earthquake radiated a distinct secondary high-frequency phase, which is located about 12.5~km northwest of the hypocenter with an onset of seismic radiation about 5~s after the rupture initiation. The time history of the back-projection suggests a rupture velocity of 2.5~km/s between hypocenter and subevent. The back-projection result is confirmed by inversion of picked ...
Surgical fires--fires that occur on or in a surgical patient--are a rare but devastating complication of surgical procedures. They can happen during almost any kind of operation and can have dire consequences for both the patient and the hospital. The risk of surgical fires can be minimized as long as everyone on the surgical team understands how fires start and what to do when they occur. It's important to recognize the interaction among ignition sources, oxidizers, and fuels--the three sides of the classic fire triangle. What's more, staff members need to be alert to "hidden" fire risks, such as unsuspected oxygen-enriched atmospheres and less-than-obvious fuels. They also need to be drilled in the correct steps for responding to fires. In this guide, we describe the elements of surgical fires, including the types of equipment and ...
... for duty as Naval Gunfire Liaison Officers in Marine Corps Divisions. ... Regiment, the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault ...
Brush fires, especially during the summer months, are hazards that occasionally threaten the leeward (Waianae) coast of Oahu in Hawaii. The prediction of future ... ...
familiarity fire triangle (i.e., fuel, oxidant, and ignition source) are excluded. It Is obvious that for the baseline safety goal for spacecraft this ...
Fire-driven deforestation is the major source of carbon emissions from Amazonia. Recent expansion of mechanized agriculture in forested regions of Amazonia ...
The RCP method was designed as a residue-optimised alternative to the thermally optimised grate firing of residual wastes. Its technical realisation and development to market maturity took no more than 5 years. In the first process stage the waste is converted to high-carbon pyrolysis charcoal and high-rank gas in the absence of oxygen. In the second stage these substances are oxidised by addition of oxygen. The resulting temperature causes the non-combustible constituents of the slag to melt. In a third, optional, stage this molten slag can be liberated of (heavy) metals to such an extent that it can subsequently be used directly as additive for grinding. Further exhaust gas treatment is facilitated by the use of a circulatory fluidised-bed secondary combustion chamber. Despite the reduced flue gas volume and resultant higher pollutant concentrations in the crude gas, overall emissions are lower than in conventional plants. [Deutsch] Das ...
This report presents criteria for the identification and evaluation of fire hazards in nuclear power stations. The report presents criteria that are consistent with the existing regulatory approach in Canada, and outlines engineering tools and analytical techniques currently available to deterministically analyse fire. The criteria presented cover the topics which should be included in a fire hazard analysis and provide details of each topic so that the accuracy of an analysis may be evaluated.
The externally fired combined cycle is emerging as an economically viable repowering options for old non-competitive coal fired steam plants. This paper describes the initial operation of a pilot plant located at Kennebunk, Maine and the initial work on the repowering of a 48MW coal fired steam plant located in Warren, PA.
Water stress and fire disturbance can directly impact stand structure, biomass and composition by causing mortality and influencing competitive interactions among trees. However, open eucalypt forests of southwest Australia are highly resilient to fire and drought and may respond differently to increased fire frequency and aridity than forests dominated by non-eucalypt species. We measured the variation in stem density, basal area, stand biomass, sapwood area, leaf area and litterfall across 16 mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest stands along an aridity gradient in southwest Australia that had variable fire histories. Fire frequency was defined as the total number of fires over a ~30-year period and aridity as the ratio of potential evapotranspiration...
The difficulty in information communication and sharing are major problems for forest fire monitoring and early warning in China. As authors, we applied web service technology to a personal digital assistant (PDA) forest fire monitoring system and propose the framework of a monitoring system based on service-oriented architecture (SOA). At the same time, we describe the composition and function of web services from a server side and a client side. The method for developing a web service invocation engine on the PDA is introduced in detail. Finally, an example of a fire danger rating and fire weather services system are established, based on the Beijing Forest Fire Control System. The results show that the PDA forest fire monitoring system based on web services can effectively take advantag...
The nuclear power industry has experienced four carbon based adsorbent fires in its history, one was of the Monticello Standby Gas Treatment System and other three were in various off-gas delay beds. Although, some of the latter may not be classified as a full fledged fires. There were a number of experiments performed relating to igniting carbon beds and experiments relating to attempts at extinguishing set fires reported in the literature. Review of these experiments indicates that fire resulting from decay heat of adsorbed radioactive iodine is not justified even under the somewhat unrealistic source terms still in effect. At the same time the non-nuclear chemical industry application of carbon base adsorbents for solvent recovery has resulted in numerous fires and significant property losses. Fire control systems installed in nuclear air cleaning systems in ...
The Nilsson Plate HighFrequency Adaptation of the Static Electrification Monitor developed by Electric Research and Management, Inc. for EPRI has demonstrated that the Nilsson Plate can be utilized as a practical highfrequency antenna to record partial discharge activity within a transformer. Tests in the ABB factory at Muncie, IN on a 650 MVA, 345/20.9 kV, three-phase unit step-up transformer for TU Electric showed the Nilsson plate detecting partial discharge activity. Although this test was the first attempt at using the Nilsson plate in this manner, and in spite of higher than expected electrical noise levels, the data demonstrated that partial discharges can be detected. The tests also demonstrated that corona activity external to the transformer was not recorded by the plate. Some development work needs to be completed to eliminate the noise source from other monitors on the Static ...
We propose an innovative linear accelerating structure, particularly suited for hadrontherapy applications. Its two main features are compactness and good power efficiency at low beam velocities: the first is achieved through a high working frequency and a consequent high accelerating gradient, the second is obtained by coupling several H-mode cavities together. The structure is called CLUSTER, which stands for "Coupled-cavity Linac USing Transverse Electric Radial field". In order to compare the performance of this structure with other hadrontherapy linac designs involving highfrequencies, a conceptual study has been performed for an operating frequency of 3 GHz. Moreover a proof of principle has been obtained through RF measurements on a prototype operating at 1 GHz. An accelerator complex using a CLUSTER linac is also considered for protontherapy purposes. The whole complex is called cyclinac and is composed of a commercial cyclotron ...
We have at hand the tools for development of both a single amino acid substitution and a gene loss type assay for somatic cell mutations in human red cells. We are close to being able to assess the assays as possible means for screening the human population for individuals who may be a risk of acquiring abnormally highfrequencies of mutant cells. The cause for such a highfrequency of mutant cells could be a prior exposure of the individual to large amount of mutagen, or it could indicate a member of a vulnerable subpopulation that may have poor DNA repair systems. Either of these cases could well be an indication that the particular individual is at high risk that exposure to mutagens could lead to potential pathology. In the near future we expect to determine the reliability of the assays and to perform experiments to confirm the validity of flow cytometry in measuring real somatic mutagenic events ...
A backward wave oscillator (BWO) filled with a strongly magnetized plasma supports TM and Trivel-piece-Gould (TG) modes. At large amplitudes these modes may act as wigglers for generating millimeter waves via free electron laser instability. The nonlinear coupling between the wiggler, the beam space charge mode, and the highfrequency free electron laser wave is dominated by parallel motions. In the Raman regime the growth rate of instability goes as #approx##omega#_p_b"1"/"2/#gamma#_o"9"/"4, where #omega#_p_b is the beam plasma frequency and #gamma#_o is the relativistic gamma factor.
The aim of this work is the study of the heat transfer and of thermal behaviour of the HF (highfrequency) components (in fact capacitors) of the ITER-proto-2005-FCI antenna. Preliminary results carried out with the Castem software show that it is possible to cool the hottest part of the antenna efficiently. A water flow (1 bar, 25 Celsius degrees) or an helium flow (10 bars, 50 Celsius degrees) permit to limit the maximal value of the temperature to 270 Celsius degrees. A second software Ansys has allowed the author to simulate capacitors with more complicated shapes. (A.C.)
Plasma Technologies in Institute of Plasma Physics of the NSC KIPT are recently developed in the following directions. Material surfaces modification under their irradiation with pulsed plasma streams of different working gases. Besides traditional analysis of improvements of tribological characteristics and structural-phase changes of the modified layers recently we started investigations of material corrosions characteristic improvement under influence of pulsed plasma on the material surfaces. As to the surface coatings in arc discharges of Bulat type devices, new trends are related with multi-layers coatings, using Ti-AI-N coatings in cutting tools, using highfrequency discharges or combined HF- and arc discharges for increasing the nomenclature of goods to be coated. Development of ozonators is respectively new area for IPP NSC KIPT. On the base of barrier high-frequency discharge there were developed a number of high ...
FELs require tight control of the amplitudes and phase of the fields in two linear accelerator tanks to obtain stable lasing. The accelerator control loops must establish constant, stable, repeatable amplitudes and phases of the rf fields and must have excellent bandwidth to control high-frequency noise components. A model of the feedback loops has been developed that agrees well with measurements and allows easy substitution of components and circuits, thus reducing breadboarding requirements. The model permits both frequency and time-domain analysis. The accelerator control scheme and model are described and the control of noise in feedback loops is discussed, showing how low-frequency-noise components (errors) can be corrected, but high-frequency-noise components (errors) are actually amplified by the feedback circuit. Measurements of noise in both open- and closed-loop modes is shown and comparison is made with results from the model ...
The emergence of nanoscience has increased the importance of experiments able to probe the very local structure of materials, especially for disordered and heterogeneous systems. This is technologically important; for example, the nanoscale structure of glassy polymers has a direct correlation with their macroscopic physical properties. We have discovered how a local, highfrequency dynamic process can be used to monitor and even predict macroscopic behavior in glassy polymers. Polyvinylethylenes vitrified by different chemical and thermodynamic pathways exhibit different densities in the glassy state. We find that the rate and amplitude of a highfrequency relaxation mode (the Johari-Goldstein process involving local motion of segments of the chain backbone) can either correlate or anti-correlate with the density. This implies that neither the unoccupied (free) volume nor the configurational entropy ...
The production of oil by retorting shale and other hydrocarbonaceous and lignocellulosic solid materials is facilitated by retorting in the presence of steam and acetic acid.
Herbivores and pathogens impact the species composition, ecosystem function, and socioeconomic value of forests. Herbivores and pathogens are an integral part of forests, but sometimes produce undesirable effects and a degradation of forest resources. In the United States, a few species of forest pests routinely have significant impacts on up to 20 million ha of forest with economic costs that probably exceed $1 billion/year. Climatic change could alter patterns of disturbance from herbivores and pathogens through: (1) direct effects on the development and survival of herbivores and pathogens; (2) physiological changes in tree defenses; and (3) indirect effects from changes in the abundance of natural enemies (e.g. parasitoids of insect herbivores), mutualists (e.g. insect vectors of tree pathogens), and competitors. Because of their short life cycles, mobility, reproductive potential, and physiological sensitivity to temperature, even modest climate change will have rapid impacts on ...
The Container Analysis Fire Environment (CAFE) computer code has been developed to model all relevant fire physics for predicting the thermal response of massive objects engulfed in large fires. It provides realistic fire thermal boundary conditions for use in design of radioactive material packages and in risk-based transportation studies. The CAFE code can be coupled to commercial finite-element codes such as MSC PATRAN/THERMAL and ANSYS. This coupled system of codes can be used to determine the internal thermal response of finite element models of packages to a range of fire environments. This document is a user manual describing how to use the three-dimensional version of CAFE, as well as a description of CAFE input and output parameters. Since this is a user manual, only a brief theoretical description of the equations and physical models is included.
Abstract To be self-sustaining in the longer-term and meet defined completion criteria, it is important that the management of restored bauxite mines can be integrated with the surrounding unmined Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest. A number of research projects relating to fire management have been undertaken in restored areas over the past 15 years. The broad objectives of these studies have been to assess the resilience of different-aged restored sites to fire and define the most suitable fire regime (season, intensity, and frequency) to utilize in the management of these areas. Restored areas were found to be a low fire risk up to five years of age because litter fuel was discontinuous and could not normally carry the fire. Between the ages of five and 12-15 years, restored areas wer...
It is shown that low-frequency elastic vibrations of near-surface planar defects cause high-frequency ultrasonic radiation in surrounding air. The frequency conversion mechanism is concerned with contact nonlinearity of the defect vibrations and provides efficient generation of air-coupled higher-order ultraharmonics, ultrasubharmonics, and combination frequencies. The nonlinear air-coupled ultrasonic emission is applied for location and high-resolution imaging of damage-induced defects in a variety of solid materials.
The authors present a new concept: 'adaptive optimal reclosure' under transmission line faults by integrating the adaptive and optimal reclosure techniques. Simulation studies prove that the proposed technique is able to first detect the persistence time of fault path arc and then capture the optimal reclosure time, thereby enhancing system stability. (author)
The audible noise produced by corona on high-voltage transmission lines has several characteristics that differentiate it from other community noises. Transmission line noise is quite broadband and has a significant highfrequency content. Special instrumentation designed to measure this type of noise pollution is described. All measuring systems have the same three basic elements: a transducer, a processing device, and an output device. Recorders, microphone devices, frequency analyzers, and meteorological instrumentation are discussed.
A 5 V glassy carbon capacitor stack was built consisting of four bipolar and two end-plate electrodes. More than 100,000 charging/discharging cycles were applied to test the stability of the double-layer capacitor. Low and highfrequency resistances were measured as a function of the number of cycles. (author) 2 figs., 1 ref.
Spontaneous and ultraviolet-induced changeabilities of wine yeasts from the killer state to sensitive one have been studied. Observed often spontaneous changes of killer and neutral phenotypes under laboratory store conditions as well as high mutation frequency of genetic elements responsible for the killer indication on ultraviolet irradiation testify that often encounterability in nature and in the production of sensitive yeasts is attributed to highfrequency of mutation changes of the killer and neutral phenotypes to the sensitive state.
Nondestructive inspection of carbon fibre-reinforced plastics (CRFP) using eddy current methods is based not only on the conductivity of the fibres. Highfrequencies (up to 10 MHz) give access to capacitive effects reflecting properties of the matrix. The paper presents a method using rotating eddy current probes to measure the anisotropic electrical properties. Potential applications of this method are the structural identification of laminates and the estimating of its degradation. (orig.)
In addition to their use in high-speed ovens, microwaves are also finding applications in industrial manufacture, quality control and storage - anywhere where the high-frequency transmission or reflection properties of a material can be exploited. Microwaves are also being used in medical applications for the characterization of certain type of tumours. They are also being used in research into ultrasonic cavitation. (authors) 5 refs.
The high-frequency precessional mode of a hot-electron-stabilized magnetic configuration has previously been shown to be stable in a window of core-plasma mass. Under conditions of frequency matching, the resulting stable negative-energy precessional wave can be destabilized by coupling to positive-energy shear-Alfven waves. Coupling is avoided when the hot-electron precession frequency exceeds the core-plasma ion gyrofrequency.
The thesis describes work undertaken as part of a larger remote sensing based project which aims to detect, measure and monitor coal fires in two test areas in northern China. The first main topic addressed in this thesis is the detection of fires using several different thermal remote sensing data sets. The synergistic use of the different data sets is emphasised. The second major part of the thesis deals with thermal modelling of the coal fires. Three different models are developed, which allow a fire's depth, temperature, extent, total heat output and rate of movement to be determined. The models are tested both in the laboratory and using various field data sets. A model based on the assumption that the fire is a point heat source and that the temperature distribution around it is spherically symmetrical is shown to be the most effective. A simpler, one-dimensional coal ...
Wildland fire suppression personnel employed by the CDF do not currently have the equipment to protect themselves from the short-term acute affects of smoke from wildland fires. In addition, no regulations exist that specify appropriate respiratory protection and the current air-purifying respirator technology and carbon monoxide monitoring has not been adapted to fit wildland fire suppression requirements. This three-year limited study evaluated the ability of wildland fire fighters to perform their normal job function while wearing full-face air-purifying respirators. In the first two years of this study we designed, developed and field tested a prototype ``smart`` air-purifying respirator which incorporated a real-time carbon monoxide monitor into a commercial full-face respirator.` Data on carbon monoxide exposure while fighting wildland fires was collected. During the third ...
We describe a 59-year-old patient who developed acute renal failure because of rhabdomyolysis after extensive red fire ant bites. This case illustrates a serious systemic reaction that may occur from...Full Text Available
Dopaminergic (DA) neurons of the mammalian midbrain exhibit unusually low firing frequencies in vitro. Furthermore, injection of depolarizing current induces depolarization block before high...Full Text Available
The Nuclear Safety Commission acknowledged the policy of the Agency of Natural Resources and Energy to cope with these important matters on August 8, 1984. The main contents of the investigation and deliberation were as follows, As to the prevention of the occurrence of fires, the prevention of the leak and spread of inflammable liquid and gas, the installation of protective relays and so on, the use of incombustible materials and aseismatic design and the installation of lightning arresters. As to the detection of fires and fire fighting, the proper selection and arrangement of fire detectors and extinguishers, the extinguishers which do not harm the safety function of structures and equipment, and the extinguishers which are not affected by natural phenomena. As to the reduction of the effect of fires, the proper installation of fire walls and extinguishers, ...
The current trend towards the increased use of risk assessment in the regulation of nuclear power plants will inevitably result in changes in the analysis of fire protection systems and the methods of analysis. Before fire protection can be regulated on a risk basis, a consensus must be reached on a number of issues. One key issue is what types of computational tools will be allowable for analyzing fire events, and what types of scenarios those tools will be approved for use. Reaching this consensus will require an understanding of the types of computational tools available and their inherent advantages and disadvantages. To aid with this understanding, three different methods of fire simulation are applied to an oil pool fire test in the HDR (Heiss Dampf Reaktor) containment test facility. These methods are a hand calculation, the zone model code CFAST (Consolidated Model of ...
A controlled fire burner was constructed where various natural vegetation species could be used as fuel. The burner was equipped with thermocouples to measure fuel surface temperature and used as a...Full Text Available
This progress report presents a detailed description of the background, technology and application, and Statement of Work for the development of a coal-fired pulse combustor for residential space heating.
Largest coal mine fires in the world are reported from Jharia coalfield in Dhanbad district, Bihar State of India. In this paper we report the utility of day and night time Thematic Mapper thermal IR data (120 m x 120 m) for detecting and monitoring mine fires in Jharia. For this purpose, seven sets of TM data acquired between 1985 to 1995 have been analysed. Data processing methods include geometric and radiometric corrections, conversion of DN values to at-satellite temperatures and colour coding of temperature images. The pixel-integrated temperatures of 50{degrees}C and above have been classified as mine fires and achieved an accuracy of 81.2%. Also, assessed year wise, colliery-wise and geological formation-wise mine fire distribution in this area. Although TM thermal data is of coarser resolution, it enabled detection of mine fires mainly because of the large areal extent and ...
This study analyzed the atmospheric emissions produced by the live firing of a 155 mm Howitzer gun. The study was conducted during a live firing training exercise at a Canadian Forces Base. Air emissions were sampled continuously for 3 hours. Particles and chemicals were accumulated on sampling media during the firing of 69 rounds. A single round was fired using 4 bags of propellants, and an additional 3 rounds were fired using 5 bags of propellant. Samples included particulate matter; hydrogen cyanide; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs); dinitrotoluene compounds; benzene; toluene; ethylbenzene; xylene; metals; aldehydes; nitric acid; nitric oxide; nitrogen dioxide; hydrogen sulphide; and sulphur dioxide. Samples were collected at 8 m to the left of the gun as well as at 22 m in front of the gun muzzle in the line of fire. Results of the study showed that ...
Full text of publication follows: General simulation objectives of any fire analysis are macroscopic in nature and deals with the grass data in respect of fire/smoke spread, structural behaviour, environmental conditions etc. However, the accuracy of predicting such macroscopic parameters is a strong function of several other microscopic parameters which govern the overall macroscopic behaviour. Some of the microscopic parameters of interesting such analysis could be buoyancy induced stable/unstable flows, relative flame behaviour, baroclinic velocity distribution etc. Only the field based fire modelling approach is capable of calculating several of these by way of detailed CFD based field modelling. One of the best known tool that could be employed for such studies is the Fire Dynamics simulator (FDS) from NIST with its popular LES based fire modelling approach. Advanced LES based ...
extravehicular activity; an exploding bridgewire firing unit for rocket engines ; a pressure transducer that can withstand the 6000 OF temperiiture ...
With the fire accident in Browns Ferry nuclear power plant as a turning point, the regulation against fire has been strengthened more strictly as seen in the regulatory guide of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Fire of cables is caused by either the ignition of a cable itself or spread of fire to cables. The aspect of fire is divided into the local ignition and combution and the fire extension and prepagation because of the line-shaped configuration of cables. This report describes the prevention of the spread of fire. As the materials for the prevention of fire spread, fire spread-preventing paint ''Dannekka'', sealant ''Danseal P and L'', and fire prevention tape ''FD tape'' are reported, and the testing method and the results are described in detail. ...
This article examines the developing market for independent power projects in Canada. The topics of the article include bidding in Ontario, the Quebec market, powering British Columbia, and market forces at work in Canada. Discussed are current projects in all stages of completion from bidding to production and includes gas-fired cogeneration, gas-fired combined-cycle electricity generation and cogeneration, wood-waste fired plants, repowering of existing utility plants, and hydroelectric power plants.
Full text of publication follows: The Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are always designed for the highest level of safety against postulated accidents which may be initiated due to internal or external causes. One of the external/internal causes, which may lead to accident in the reactor and its associated systems, is fire in certain vital areas of the plant. Conventionally, the fire containment approach and/or the fire confinement approach is used in designing the fire protection systems of NPPs. Indian NPPs (PHWRs) follow the combined approach to ensure plant safety and all newly designed plants are required to comply with the provisions of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) fire safety Guide. In respect of older plants, the reassessment of adequacy of fire safety provisions in the light of current advances has becomes essential so as to decide upon the steps ...
The thermal environment of a hypothetical large indoor hydrocarbon pool fire is more complex compared to outdoor fires and can be more severe for engulfed objects. In order to analyze potential thermal environments for interim storage of spent fuel casks or low-level radioactive waste packages engulfed in pool fires numerical simulations with the CFD fire code FDS3 were carried out for different storage configurations. In addition, data of indoor pool fire experiments were used to validate the model for this type of application. A series of pool fire experiments under different ventilation conditions and varied pool surface (1 m"2 - 4 m"2) inside a compartment of 3.6 m x 3.6 m x 5.7 m was conducted at iBMB (Institut fuer Baustoffe, Massivbau und Brandschutz) of Braunschweig University of Technology, Germany. The instrumentation included thermocouples, heatflux ...
In the thermal hydraulics codes developed for fire safety analysis and for containment thermal hydraulic analysis, junctions in the multi-compartment geometries is often modeled as uni-directional junctions. However, ceiling junctions are known to depict unstable/oscillatory bi-directional flow behavior. Detailed investigations have been carried out to understand the unstable flow behaviour of a junction by analyzing an earlier reported experiment and its subsequent two dimensional numerical RANS based study of fire in an enclosure. The authors attempt more realistic and desired three dimensional and inherently transient large eddy simulations using a computer code Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS). The paper presents the details of the analysis, the results obtained and further studies required to be conducted so that the findings can be applied to the fire/containment thermal hydraulics analysis codes ...
The U.S. Trade and Development Program (TDP) had received a request from the Hungarian Electricity Board (MVMT) for assistance in support of a feasibility study program to: (1) install new generation capability based on gas/oil fired combined cycle power plants, and (2) retrofit/refurbish a number of aging coal and oil fired steam plants. A Definitional Mission (DM) recommends that TDP fund the requested feasibility studies for new gas/oil fired combined cycle capabilities discussed in the Terms of Reference (TOR). Hungary will need to install significant new power capacity between now and the end of the century. Gas/oil fired combined cycle plants present probably the only option to install capacity rapidly. There is an opportunity for U.S. firms to supply technology and services with respect to these advanced power generation technologies.
...Synthesis of low-temperature, fast, single-firing body for porcelain stoneware tiles with coal gangue Synthesis of low-temperature, fast, single-firing body for porcelain stoneware ... tiles with coal gangue Synthesis of low-temperature, fast, single-firing body for porcelain stoneware tiles with coal gangue Wei et al.,... Article Synthesis of low-temperature, fast, single-firing body for porcelain stoneware tiles with coal gangue Qiangwei Wei1, Wenyuan Gao1*, and Xinguo ...According to phase diagram theory, a low-temperature, fast, single-firing body mix for porcelain stoneware tiles was designed in the quaternary system CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2, using ...
Abstract Smoke is a mixture of toxic gases and suspended particulate matter of solids and liquids that evolves from a fire of flammable materials. This article presents real-time consequence modeling to track the concentration of individual species in smoke as well as its soot deposition. In the modeling process presented, the burning rate or vapor mass is fed into a combustion model in which the combustion of products has been identified and quantified along with the temperature of the fire. The output of the combustion model is the smoke that will be dispersed into the ambient. The fire geometry, which depends on the type of fire (e.g., pool or flare), is identified. A dispersion model with the capability of determining particulate deposition is then used for tracking the smoke plume. Th...
BACKGROUND AND CASE STUDY: Surgical fires are rare but preventable. During facial surgery for a 68-year-old man, a fire broke out, resulting in first- and second-degree burns after a nasal cannula ignited in an oxygen-rich environment because of improper draping and tenting. DISCUSSION: Operating room (OR) fires can be prevented if any component of the "fire triangle"-fuels, ignition sources, and oxidizers-is reduced or eliminated. The use of supplemental oxygen in the OR via nasal cannulae, nebulizers, and oxygen cylinders must always considered a potential source of fire. Deficits in knowledge among the surgical team with respect to the prevention and management of surgical fires were apparent. A plan was put into place to improve fire safety education, entailing an educational program that is included in intern and resident orientation. ...
BackgroundIncrease in the incidence of hyperuricemia associated with gout as well as hypertension, renal diseases and cardiovascular diseases has been a public health concern. We...Full Text Available
The chemiosmotic model of energy transduction offers a satisfying and widely confirmed understanding of the action of uncouplers on such processes as oxidative phosphorylation; the uncoupler, by facilitating...Full Text Available
The receptor-associated protein (RAP) is a molecular chaperone that binds tightly to certain newly synthesized LDL receptor family members in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and facilitates their delivery...Full Text Available
BackgroundCharacterizing and comparing the determinant of cotinine concentrations in different populations should facilitate a better understanding of smoking patterns and addiction....Full Text Available
Recent Reviews in Carcinogenesis is a service of the International Cancer Research Data Bank (ICRDB) Program of the National Cancer Institute, intended to facilitate and promote the exchange of information between cancer scientists. It contains abstracts ...
Background: The nail gun is a commonly utilized tool in carpentry and construction. When used properly with appropriate safety precautions, it can facilitate production and boost efficiency;...Full Text Available
... Society Physics Press Release 05-175Korea Joins International Computing Infrastructure ... connectivity with Korea in a ceremony last month. Facilitated by the Korea Institute for Science and ...
Summary 1.-Plant-plant interactions fluctuate between competition and facilitation depending upon ecological conditions and species traits. Facilitative interactions are expected to increase in frequency via associational defences with increasing consumer pressure. The ability of species to cope with competition and/or ecological stressors may alter the outcome of plant-plant interactions. 2.-We conducted a transplant experiment to determine if native and non-native grasses and forbs respond similarly to interactions with Juncus effusus L., an unpalatable benefactor species, along a grazing intensity gradient in two contrasting pasture types: intensively managed and semi-natural. We expected competitive taller, erect species (grasses) and non-natives to obtain stronger facilitative effects...
The biosynthesis of insect juvenile hormone (JH) and its neuroendocrine control are attractive targets for chemical control of insect pests and vectors of disease. To facilitate the molecular...Full Text Available
A study was conducted to predict indoor ventilation, smoke movement and fire propagation in a new building currently under construction at the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. It was conducted in response to concerns regarding the impact that air quality, in normal operation conditions, and smoke concentration, in the event of a fire, may have on occupants of a building. A detailed three-dimensional model of the new building was constructed using the NURBS-based modeler, Rhino. Simulations of fire propagation and airflow ventilation were performed in different areas of the building. The flow pattern data was analyzed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program called FLUENT. It predicted air flow conditions and estimated the mean age of air (MAA) in the room. Real-world geometries, such as diffuser inlets, have a significant impact on overall fluid flow behaviour and are necessary for this type of analysis. The ...
The standards mapping methods are limited by the lack of information between surface measures and wells profiles. The cross well seismic survey has proven being an effective high-resolution method for reservoirs characterization due its highfrequency band. In this work, a 2-D finite differences algorithm for numerical cross well seismic simulation was developed, based in the approach of 2nd order for the time derivatives and 4th order for the space derivatives. In relation to the imaging techniques, it was introduced a reverse time migration method based in the solutions of the wave equation in time for cross well seismic data by the method of the finite differences exclusively. The results of reverse time migration has showed that layers with 90 cm thickness for P-waves could be visualized in migrated sections with excellent resolution. The highfrequency cross well seismic data combined with reverse ...
Using a unique high-frequency futures dataset, we characterize the response of U.S., German and British stock, bond and foreign exchange markets to real-time U.S. macroeconomic news. We find that news produces conditional mean jumps; hence high-frequency stock, bond and exchange rate dynamics are linked to fundamentals. Equity markets, moreover, react differently to news depending on the stage of the business cycle, which explains the low correlation between stock and bond returns when averaged over the cycle. Hence our results qualify earlier work suggesting that bond markets react most strongly to macroeconomic news; in particular, when conditioning on the state of the economy, the equity and foreign exchange markets appear equally responsive. Finally, we also document important contemporaneous links across all markets and countries, even after controlling for the effects of macroeconomic news.
The dependencies that limit highfrequency operation of a vacuum microelectronic grating free-electron laser are examined. The important parameters are identified as the electron beam energy, emittance, and generalized perveance. The scaling of power with emittance and frequency is studied in the far-infrared spectral range using a modified scanning electron microscope (SEM) and submillimeter diffraction gratings. The SEM is suited to the task of generating and positioning a low emittance (10"-"2#pi#-mm-mrad), low current (100 #mu#A), but high current density (50-500 A cm"-"2) electron beam. It has been used to demonstrate the spontaneous emission process known as the Smith-Purcell effect. A vacuum microelectronic grating free-electron laser has the potential of generating radiation throughout the entire far-infrared spectral range which extends from approximately 10 to 10"3#mu#m. An introduction to the theory, initial results, and details of ...
Increasingly stringent pollution regulations have spurred a broad interest in the reduction of engine emissions. Two strategies can be considered: after-treatment or engine emissions reduction. For Diesel engines, after-treatment has a high cost induced by the required technology and implementation issues. In this context, the Highly Premixed Combustion combustion mode (HP C) has emerged as a topic of major interest in recent years. It represents one of the most promising ways for new generation of CI engines using high Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) rates. Experimentation on the test bench brought the proof of significant emission reduction. However, actual vehicle implementation implies frequent transient which fall far beyond steady state experimentation on the test bench. Several key challenges have to be addressed. With this combustion technology; accurate torque balancing at all engine modes is a requirement. Even slight unbalance between the cylinders can have dramatic ...
The Los Alamos FEL requires tight control of the amplitudes and phases of the fields in two linear accelerator tanks to obtain stable lasing. The accelerator control loops must establish constant, stable, repeatable amplitudes and phases of the rf fields and must have excellent bandwidth to control high-frequency noise components. A model of the feedback loops has been developed that agrees well with measurements and allows easy substitution of components and circuits, thus reducing breadboarding requirements. The model permits both frequency and time-domain analysis. This paper describes the accelerator control scheme and our model and discusses the control of noise in feedback loops, showing how low-frequency-noise components (errors) can be corrected, but high-frequency-noise components (errors) are actually amplified by the feedback circuit. Measurements of noise in both open- and closed-loop modes are shown and comparison is made with ...
Forced vibration experiment has been conducted for the reactor building of Sendai Unit 1 nuclear power plant. The beam vibrational behaviors of the outer shielding building and the internal concrete structure have been observed by using a 50 tf vibration for low frequency region, and a 10 tf vibration for highfrequency region, respectively. The outline of the experimental methods, the data handling system and the major results of experiment are described. The experimental results were simulated by an analytical model. The proper vibrational frequency and the vibration modes obtained by the analysis were compared with those obtained by the experiment. By these comparisons, the adequacy of the analytical method employed for the design was confirmed.
Reflection coefficients of electromagnetic waves in a nonuniform plasma layer with electrons, positive ions and negative ions, covering a metal surface are investigated by using the finite-difference-time-domain method. It is shown that the reflection coefficients are influenced greatly by the density gradient on the layer edge, layer thickness and electron proportion, i.e., the effect of the negative ions. It is also found that low reflection or high attenuation can be reached by properly choosing high electron proportion, thick plasma layer, and smooth density gradient in the low frequency regime, but sharp density gradient in the highfrequency regime. (authors)
A dc-to-dc converter has been designed which employs the synchronizing phenomenon in the transistor core multivibrator. In the proposed circuit, the voltage feedback is applied from the control transistor and the current feedback is applied from the main transistor. The operation of the converter is analyzed by the averaging method of the state space technique. The converter features small switching loss and is suitable for highfrequency operation. An efficiency of more than 95% is obtained for 5 V, 3 A output at a switching frequency of 200 kHz.
Micropropagation methods are described for the production of clonal lines from Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) seedlings. Nodal explants from mature trees can also yield shoot cultures, but a highfrequency of contamination occurs among such explants. Uncontaminated callus cultures can be produced from mature trees by culturing stamen filaments and shoots can subsequently be regenerated from this callus. The rooting percentage of shoot cultures from either nodes or stamen callus of mature trees is low compared with that from seedling explants. Considerable variation was observed between trees in the ability of stamen callus to regenerate shoots and in the frequency of rooting. (Refs. 27)
Methods are described for the production of callus and subsequent shoot and root induction and multiplication using stamen filaments, nodes of young stems of mature trees or cotyledon petioles. A highfrequency of contamination occurred using nodal sections from mature trees, whereas up to 100% sterility was obtained with cotyledons and stamens. The rooting % of shoot cultures from nodes or stamen callus was low compared with that of shoots from seedling callus. Considerable variation was observed between clones from different trees in their ability to produce shoots and roots. 27 references
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 design and material characteristics of garter spring were summarized and Nondestructive detection techniques of garter spring were also described. In particular, Eddy current testing of loose type garter spring was used in Wolsung unit 1 and was described in detail. The inspection technique of tight type garter spring has not been established and all candidated techniques were investigated in order to choose the possible detection technique. Candidated nondestructive techniques including RFEC, PEC, Magnetic technique using GMR sensor, AE, Guided Wave technique, and highfrequency ultrasonic technique, are summarized for evaluating the detectability of tight garter spring.
Phytoplankton community was investigated in the cage culture area of Daya Bay during a diurnal cycle. Two rainfalls occurred during the course of the experiment and decreased the surface seawater salinity in the aquaculture area. A total of 38 species were identified, of which the dominant species included Pseudo-nitzschia spp. and Skeletonema costatum. Water stratification obstructed the vertical migration of dinoflagellates. Statistical analysis indicated that Synechococcus showed negative relationship with silicate and ammonia, which indicated that Synechococcus adapted to grow at oligotrophic environment. Phytoplankton community structure implied the risk of Pseudo-nitzschia spp. blooms in the aquaculture area of Daya Bay.
Twenty rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with involvement of the cranio-cervical junction (CCJ) were given CT scan. In most cases the myelo-CT technique with the lumbar injection of small quantities of non-ionic contrast medium was adopted; CT easily diagnosed the horizontal and vertical dislocations on the CCJ, the bone strcture lesions and the inflammatory masses. A highfrequency of medullary compressions was also found in these patients. Myelo-CT appears to be the technique of choice for the precise definition of the various factors responsible for the neurological complications found in RA of the CCJ.
The subband structure and optical properties of a cylindrical quantum well wire under intense non-resonant laser field are investigated by taking into account the correct dressing effect for the confinement potential. The energy levels and wave functions are calculated within the effective mass- approximation using a finite element method. It is found that the absorption coefficient and the saturation intensity are strongly affected by the laser amplitude and frequency as well as by the incident light polarization. As a key result, a large anisotropy in the linear and nonlinear optical absorptions for very intense laser field is predicted. These effects can be useful for the design of polarization sensitive devices.
In the present work we introduce a novel multi-agent model with the aim to reproduce the dynamics of a double auction market at microscopic time scale through a faithful simulation of the matching mechanics in the limit order book. The agents follow a noise decision making process where their actions are related to a stochastic variable, the market sentiment, which we define as a mixture of public and private information. The model, despite making just few basic assumptions over the trading strategies of the agents, is able to reproduce several empirical features of the high-frequency dynamics of the market microstructure not only related to the price movements but also to the deposition of the orders in the book.
On July 18, 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous (non-nuclear) materials derailed and caught fire while passing through the Howard Street railroad tunnel in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC), one of the agencies responsible for ensuring the safe transportation of radioactive materials in the United States, undertook an investigation of the train derailment and fire to determine the possible regulatory implications of this particular event for the transportation of spent nuclear fuel by railroad. Shortly after the accident occurred, the USNRC met with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. agency responsible for determining the cause of transportation accidents, to discuss the details of the accident and the ensuing fire. Following these discussions, the USNRC assembled a team of experts from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ...
This seminar on the subject of ``electrical smog`` welcomed participants from Bavarian environmental consultancy agencies, rural and urban district authorities, ministries, consume-consultancy agencies and public health authorities. Leading scientists from research and authorities gave papers on the sources, exposure and effects/actions of electromagnetic fields and present the current state of knowledge about the hazards and risk of this radiation for human health. The proceedings in hand provide the papers given on the following topics: electromagnetic fields - and introduction to relevant issues; low-frequency fields - sources and exposure; high-frequency fields - sources and exposure; biological actions and effects of low-frequency fields; biological actions and effects of high-frequency fields; low-frequency fields - helath risk assessment; high-frequency fields - health risk assessment. (Uhe) [Deutsch] Das Seminar zum ...
A large number of proven technical solutions exists for the use of renewable energies (RE). However, their dissemination is still too slow to meet the political goal of substituting 12 % of the primary energy demand in the European Union by the year 2010. Even renewable energy systems (RES) with economic potential are only partly exploited. There is a long literature concerning the barriers to RE use. In particular it has become clear that the availability of finance and the forms and conditions upon which it is lent have a major impact on RE deployment. An area of importance is the deficiency of appropriate ownership forms and properly adapted financing instruments in certain countries. Moreover, different regulations and institutional barriers in the European countries hinder the free flow of capital for RES within the European common market. On the other hand, solutions have been developed very successfully in individual countries. Differences in cultures and institutions have ...
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), performed analyses to predict the response of various spent fuel transportation cask designs when exposed to a fire similar to that which occurred in the Howard Street railroad tunnel in downtown Baltimore, Maryland on July 18, 2001. The thermal performance of three different spent fuel cask designs (HOLTEC HI-STAR 100, TransNuclear TN-68, and NAC-LWT) was evaluated with the ANSYSR and COBRA-SFS analysis codes, utilizing boundary conditions for the tunnel fire obtained using NIST's Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) code. NRC Staff evaluated the potential for a release of radioactive material from each of the three transportation casks analyzed for the Baltimore tunnel fire scenario. The results of ...
The present article describes the features of the fully-fired combined cycles and the outline of the plant. Hitachi has optimized fully-fired combined cycle systems by executing a heat recovery type combined cycle. For the fully-fired combined cycles, it is possible to raise plant efficiency through the selection of adequate gas turbine types and cycles. It is possible to apply existing boiler facilities, fuel combustion systems, and stacks. It is possible to execute civil and architectural works on existing plants in-service as well as modification works during routine inspections. The NOx increment by gas turbine unit installations can be reduced by denitration plant modifications. Examples of the fully-fired combined cycles under planning are also introduced. Furthermore, the relational technique and operational characteristics are mentioned, as for combustion characteristics under low oxygen ...
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the long-term effects of commercially available tangentially-fired low NO{sub x} combustion technologies on NOx emissions and boiler performance on Unit 2 at Gulf Power Company`s Plant Lansing Smith located near Lynn Haven, Florida. The project will characterize emissions and performance of a tangentially-fired boiler operating in the following configurations: Baseline ``as-found`` configuration: Phase 1; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 2 and simulated low NO{sub x} bulk furnace staging (LNBFS): Phase 2; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 3, Phase 3a and simulated LNCFS Level 1, Phase 3b.
The primary objective of the project is to investigate the long-term effects of commercially available tangentially-fired low NO{sub x} combustion technologies on NOx emissions and boiler performance on Unit 2 at Gulf Power Company's Plant Lansing Smith located near Lynn Haven, Florida. The project will characterize emissions and performance of a tangentially-fired boiler operating in the following configurations: Baseline as-found'' configuration: Phase 1; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 2 and simulated low NO{sub x} bulk furnace staging (LNBFS): Phase 2; retrofitted low NO{sub x} concentric firing system (LNCFS) Level 3, Phase 3a and simulated LNCFS Level 1, Phase 3b.
ObjectivesThe overall aim of this proposal is to make use of the unique opportunity afforded by the 2010 Amazonian Drought in order to quantify the basin-wide impacts of an intense forest fire season on above and below-ground carbon stocks and ecophysiological changes in forest functioning. The specific objectives relating to our research questions are: O1. Assess the causes and spatial extent of the 2010 drought in terms of basin-wide rainfall anomalies and water deficits and their relationship wi [continued...]DescriptionDespite an 82% decline in deforestation rates in Amazonia, fires are still on the rise. 2010 has been a year of severe drought and fire in Amazonia. Over the last months (July and August) the number of fire counts has reached 80% of the 2005 values, which was characterized as the drought of the century. Through the beginning of September, fire outbreaks have ...
The application of foam in dealing with underground fire is well known due to its smothering action by cutting off air feed to burning fuel as well as acting as coolant. Besides plugging air feed to fire, water could be virtually reached to the fire affected areas much beyond the jet range as underground galleries with low roof restrict jet range of water. This method also enables a closer approach of a fire fighting team by isolating the toxic gases and smoke with a foam plug. The paper describes the development of high expansion foam composition and its application technology in order that foam plug method can be suitably utilized for combating mine fires in India. Three compositions were recommended for generation of high expansion foam: (a) 0.5% sodium/ammonium lauryl sulphate, 0.15 to 0.2% sodium carboxy methyl cellulose, 0.1% booster; (b) 0.5% sodium/ammonium lauryl sulfate, ...
Tightening environmental regulations and the signing of the Kyoto protocol have prompted electric utilities to consider co-firing biomass with coal to reduce the levels of CO{sub 2}, SO{sub 2} and NOx in stack emissions. This analysis examines the cost competitiveness of plantation produced woody biomass and waste wood with coal in electricity production. A case study of woody biomass production and co-firing in northern Indiana is presented. A linear programming model was developed to examine the optimal co-firing blend of coal and biomass while minimizing variable, cost, including the cost of ash disposal and material procurement costs. This model was used to examine situations where coal is the primary fuel and waste wood, willow trees, or both are available for fuel blending. The results indicate that co-firing woody biomass is cost-effective for the power plant. Sensitivity analysis explored the ...
On July 18, 2001, a freight train carrying hazardous (non-nuclear) materials derailed and caught fire while passing through the Howard Street railroad tunnel in downtown Baltimore, Maryland. The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC), one of the agencies responsible for ensuring the safe transportation of radioactive materials in the United States, undertook an investigation of the train derailment and fire to determine the possible regulatory implications of this particular event for the transportation of spent nuclear fuel by railroad. Shortly after the accident occurred, the USNRC met with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB, the U.S. agency responsible for determining the cause of transportation accidents), to discuss the details of the accident and the ensuing fire. Following these discussions, the USNRC assembled a team of experts from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), ...
The purpose of this study was to determine if nitrogen loss from prescribed fire can be mitigated by reducing the amount of large fuel on a clearcut prior to burning. We examine the relations between nitrogen loss and duff consumption by prescribed fire with respect to the amount of woody biomass on the unit and the moisture content of that biomass before burn. Equations are presented to predict duff consumption from preburn conditions. Sources of variability of nitrogen concentration and content of duff within and between units are also evaluated.
The fire protection practices adopted at nuclear power stations generally follow the well established principles used throughout industry. Unfortunately, there is one particular area - the interaction with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) services - where nuclear power stations pose a seemingly insoluble conflict: that between the need to contain and the need to ventilate. Now, however, solid state fire dampers using power fluidics may promise a solution. One of the key characteristics of a fluidic device is that it is 'solid state', i.e. it has no moving parts. Because of this, its inherent reliability is orders of magnitude greater than a mechanical device. (U.K.).
This article describes how a natural gas-fired combined cycle with increased firing temperature, reduced cooling air usage, improved component efficiencies, and cycle enhancements could achieve a lower heating value plant efficiency of greater than 60%. Today's gas turbine systems feature high fuel-to-electricity efficiencies. Efficiencies, on a lower-heating-value (LHV) basis, for large natural gas-fired combined-cycle systems for the utility market have been demonstrated at 54%. Even though manufacturers will make improvements in the 1990s, efficiency levels will reach a plateau. Cycle innovations and gas turbine design changes will achieve LHV efficiencies in the 60% range for natural gas-fired utility machines.
The removal of toxic metals and alkalis from gas streams at high temperatures was investigated. This is important for the development of coal-fired combined cycle power generation systems.
... The other standards in this group deal with heat exchangers, insulation, marking, valves, hydraulic cleanliness, storage of LPG, and centrifugal fire ...
... Division and the 82nd ABN Division spearheaded a ... attack through the stalled 90th Division to ... mi,_es, which included airborne infantrv, regular ...
This paper attempts to clarify the most common measures available for the fire and electrical engineer in the prevention of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) hazards. It points out the risks and the potential...Full Text Available
The first space photographs were obtained from V-2 rockets fired upwards from the ..... Some fraction of the incoming solar radiation is reflected towards a sensor ...
... being pulled out of water, the movement is restricted ... This heating depended on the particle size ... hydrometeor injection into the upper tropopause. ...
and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. To request a marker click here. Engraved bricks may also be purchased from the Foundation to become part of the site. To request a...
Moessbauer spectra of the imitative ancient Jun porcelain indicate that the glaze and body materials contain Fe{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4} and structural iron. It is clear that during the firing process, the glaze undergoes dehydration, dehydroxylation, vitrification and recrystallization. The Fe{sup 2+} quadrupole splitting value of the paramagnetic peak of the body material is high even at low firing temperatures. For the body material, the distinction between dehydration and dehydroxylation is not clear. The changes of magnetism of the glaze and body materials in the firing process and the coloring mechanism of the sky-blue Jun porcelain are analyzed in the present paper. (orig.)
this, however, was a real environmental threat since various drums containing jet fuel, Bunker C, diesel and other petroleum derivatives were on fire. The CAPECO...
Proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells, incorporating BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3-? (BZCY) electrolyte, NiO-BZCY anode, and Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-?-Ce0.8Sm0.2O2-? (SSC-SDC) cathode, were successfully fabricated by a combined co-pressing and printing technique after a one-step co-firing process at 1100, 1150, or 1200 oC. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed that the co-firing temperature significantly affected not only the density of the electrolyte membrane but the grain size and porosity of the electrodes. Influences of the co-firing temperature on the electrochemical performances of the single cells were also studied in detail. Using wet hydrogen (2% H2O) as the fuel and static air as the oxidant, the cell co-fired at 1150 oC showed the highest maximum power density (PDmax) of 552 and 370 mW cm-2 at 700 and 650 oC, respectively, while the one co-fired at 1100 oC showed the ...
... The subjects in this field experiment were volunteer infantrymen from the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). ...
Statement of problem Titanium is the most biocompatible metal used for dental casting; however, there is concern about its marginal accuracy after porcelain application since this aspect has direct influence on marginal fit. Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that metal selection and the porcelain firing procedure have on the marginal accuracy of metal ceramic prostheses. Material and methods Cast CP Ti, milled CP Ti, cast Ti-6Al-7Nb, and cast Ni-Cr copings (n=5) were fired with compatible porcelains (Triceram for titanium-based metals and VITA VMK 95 for Ni-Cr alloy). The Ni-Cr alloy fired with its porcelain served as the control. Photographs of metal copings placed on a master die were made. Marginal discrepancy was determined on the photographs using an image ...
An essential part of fire risk assessment is the analysis of fire hazards and fire propagation. In this work, models and tools for two different aspects of numerical fire simulation have been developed. The primary objectives have been firstly to investigate the possibility of exploiting state-of-the-art fire models within probabilistic fire risk assessments and secondly to develop a computationally efficient solver of thermal radiation for the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) code. In the first part of the work, an engineering tool for probabilistic fire risk assessment has been developed. The tool can be used to perform Monte Carlo simulations of fires and is called the Probabilistic Fire Simulator (PFS). In Monte Carlo simulation, the simulations are repeated multiple times, ...
This BCRS project demonstrates the use of SAR interferometry for measuring and monitoring land subsidence caused by underground coal fires and underground mining in a remote area of north west China. China is the largest producer and consumer of coal in the world. Throughout the N.W., N. and N.E. of China, the coal-seams are very susceptible to spontaneous combustion, causing underground coal fires. As the thick coal seams are burned out, the overburden collapses, causing land subsidence, and producing new cracks and fissures, which allow more air to penetrate and continue the fire to spread. SAR interferometry, especially differential interferometry has been shown to be able to measure small differences in surface height caused by such land subsidence. This report describes the problems, the test area, the procedures and techniques used and the results obtained. It concludes with a description of some of the problems ...
Chewing up the Forest: Bark-Eating Beetles Provide Timber for Forest Fires. Droughts in California allow bark beetles to lay eggs into sapless trees, ...
Fuel treatments are being implemented on public and private lands across the western United States. Although scientists and managers have an understanding ... ...
The behavior of proton transfer facilitated by a novel thiazole derivative, N-methyl-4-(4-phenoxyphenyl)thiazol-2-amine (MPPT), across the water/1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCE) interface was investigated electrochemically. The ionic partition diagram for MPPT was obtained from interpretation of the cyclic voltammograms. The apparent partition coefficient of MPPT was evaluated by the shaking-flask method under experimental conditions, while that for the protonated form of MPPT was calculated from its transfer potential obtained from the ionic partition diagram. It was suggested that the mechanism for transfer of MPPT across the water/1,2-DCE) interface depends on the pH of the aqueous phase. The parameters of the facilitated proton transfer across the water/1,2-DCE interface were evaluated as ...
The most developed systems for the generation of electricity from coal are the Integrated coal Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and the Pressurized Fluidized Bed Combustion (PFBC) system. They both represent state-of-the-art technology and provide electric power at 41-46% LHV efficiency. However, the high level of complexity leads to lower reliability and higher costs. A simpler system, based on a coal-fired steam boiler integrated with a gas turbine, has been proposed. In such a plant, known as the externally fired combined cycle (EFCC), compressed air is heated indirectly in a heat exchanger located in the coal furnace. The hot air is then expanded in a turbine, and the exhaust is passed on to the coal furnace as preheated combustion air. Steam produced in the boiler generates additional power in a steam turbine. The exclusion of coal combustion products from the gas turbine avoids hot gas clean-up and turbine blade corrosion by coal ash. ...
The paper discusses the potential environmental impacts associated with the operation of a large, say 350 MWe, gas-fired combined cycle power station. It concludes that if appropriate control methods are introduced at the design stage of the plant, environmental impacts are minimal and can be considered acceptable. (author).
Lectures were held on forest and wood management, the forest as an energy source and the emission problem of wood combustion, future emission limitating regulations for wood firing, influence of firing technique on air pollution abatement and constructive and operational air pollution abatement measures with manually and continuously fuelled furnaces.
The present invention provides an improvement in the art of combined steam turbine and gas turbine power plants of the type wherein the principal source of energy is a fluidized bed combustor fueled by coal. More specifically, the invention pertains to supplemental firing of the gas turbine cycle with a clean hydrocarbon fuel (CHF) at a high incremental efficiency to significantly increase overall plant efficiency.
Amidst the explosion of greenfield natural gas-fired combined-cycle plant development, opportunities still exist for valuable plant repowering and retrofits by taking advantages of unique technical and market conditions. One of the projects discussed is the rebuilding of the coal-fired Hawthorne unit 5 damaged by a boiler explosion. 3 tabs., 5 photos.
The systems analyses and optimization studies performed in connection with a program to design and evaluate a commercial 663 MWe coal-fired combined cycle power plant using pressurized fluidized bed combustion and advanced technology in the hot gas cleanup system and gas turbines are presented. Details on the plant control system are included. (LCL)
A final report is presented on the design, environmental characteristics, performance and maintainability, and economic analysis of a commercial 663 MWe coal-fired combined cycle power plant using pressurized fluidized bed combustion, and advanced technology in the hot gas cleanup system and gas turbines. Experimental data on the performance of each of the major components are included. (LCL)
The paper describes the Integrated Air Pollution Control System (IAPCS), a computerized program that can be used to estimate the cost and performance of pre-combustion, in situ, and post-combustion air pollution control configurations in pulverized-coal-fired utility boilers of 1...
Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) of South Korea has awarded Asea Brown Boveri Switzerland, a member of the ABB Group, a contract to supply the main equipment for two gas-fired combined-cycle power stations. News of the contract followed an announcement last year that Kepco will build a series of gas-fired power stations in the early 1990s to supply electricity to new housing and commercial areas being built in the Seoul-Incheon connurbation. (author).
The object of this study was to identify those areas in California where synthetic fuel-fired power plants could be sited in the 1990 time frame, from an air quality perspective. The synfuel-fired power plants considered in this new study were 500 Mw methanol-fired combined cycle (MFCC) and 500 Mw integrated gasifier combined-cycle (IGCC) units. For comparison purposes, 500 Mw direct coal-fired boilers and 500 Mw natural gas-fired combined-cycle units were also considered. Staff did not attempt to locate plants at any specific sites, but relied primarily upon a regional countywide analysis. The study provides an approximation, for planning purposes, of a reasonable limit of the state's power plant siting capacity, given the plant types and sizes, conditions, and assumptions specified. The study shows that local emission limitations often preclude certain types of power ...
An extended series of measurements at a conventional coal-fired boiler equipped with a wet-limestone flue gas desulfurization unit has shown that sulfate and sulfur dioxide removal efficiencies are dissimilar. The average SO2 scrubbing efficiency was 76% and was observed to decrease over a five-day operating cycle. Total sulfate scrubbing efficiency, averaging about 29%, was invariant throughout the operating cycle. (1 diagram, 3 tables)
Given that fossil fuel fired power plants are among the largest and most concentrated producers of CO{sub 2} emissions, recovery and sequestration of CO{sub 2} from the flue gas of such plants has been identified as one of the primary means for reducing anthropogenic CO{sub 2} emissions. In this study, ALSTOM Power Inc. (ALSTOM) has investigated several coal fired power plant configurations designed to capture CO{sub 2} from effluent gas streams for use or sequestration. Burning fossil fuels in mixtures of oxygen and recirculated flue gas (made principally of CO{sub 2}) essentially eliminates the presence of atmospheric nitrogen in the flue gas. The resulting flue gas is comprised primarily of CO{sub 2}. Oxygen firing in utility scale Pulverized Coal (PC) fired boilers has been shown to be a more economical method for CO{sub 2} capture than amine scrubbing (Bozzuto, et al., 2001). Additionally, oxygen ...
In March 1980, administrators of Clarkson College of Technology made a decision to convert the college's downtown heating plant to one that can rely on wood as a fuel. The decision was prompted by high costs of oil and gas needed to heat the downtown campus. In October 1981, a wood-fired plant with a rated steam production capacity of 10,500 lb/hour went into a trial operation. The plant cost $685,742 which includes $625,642 for material and labour and $60,100 for engineering. In the 1981 to 1982 heating season, it supplied 55 percent of the steam needs of the downtown campus with a wood fuel consumption of 2,857 tons. Under normal operation, the wood-fired plant will require about 4,500 tons of green wood chips per heating season. The investment in the wood-fired plant is expected to have a real rate of return (after discounting inflation) in the range of 20 to 23 percent per year. This study, sponsored by the New ...
Red mud, which is a pollutant residue from the extraction of alumina from bauxite ore, was utilized as an additive to a well blended mixture of three Egyptian clays, feldspar, quartz and grog. This was added in gradual proportions to study its effect on the vitrification properties of fired samples. Samples were moulded under a pressure of 20.7 MPa and fired at temperatures ranging from 950 C to 1100 C for soaking periods up to three hours. Compressive strength was determined as function of percent red mud added and firing temperature. A semi-exponential relation was established between strength and apparent porosity. 50 x 50 mm tiles containing 70% red mud addition and fired at 1100 C for one hour were tested. They were found to match the standards required for glazed wall tiles bodies. Tiles fired at 1100 C for 3 hours were compatible with the standards for glazed floor tiles. ...
The Oxycoal burner for pulverised coal combustion previously developed by the authors has been scaled up to typical power plant dimensions and a CFD study of pulverised coal combustion in a 1200 MWth oxy-firing furnace has been performed. The study revealed the importance of modelling the flue gas radiation behaviour for flue gas temperatures and wall heat transfer. This was done using a non-grey implementation of the Exponential Wide Band Model (EWBM). Typically, comparisons between air and oxy-fired furnaces point out that to obtain similar flame behaviour, the oxygen content in oxy-firing conditions should be increased until the same adiabatic flame temperature is reached. However, it was found that for these conditions, significantly increased wall heat fluxes can be the result. Furthermore, at gas temperatures comparable to air combustion, particle burnout is accelerated in oxy-firing due to the ...
chipD is a web server that facilitates design of DNA oligonucleotide probes for high-density tiling arrays, which can be used in a number of genomic applications such as ChIP-chip or gene-expression...Full Text Available
BackgroundThe use of measurement tools is an essential part of good evidence-based practice; however, physiotherapists (PTs) are not always confident when selecting, administering,...Full Text Available
Replication of plus-strand RNA viruses depends on host factors that are recruited into viral replicase complexes. Previous studies showed that eukaryotic translation elongation factor (eEF1A) is one...Full Text Available
BackgroundProcessing of multimodal information is a critical capacity of the human brain, with classic studies showing bimodal stimulation either facilitating or interfering in perceptual...Full Text Available
Peripheral subunit binding domains (PSBDs) are integral parts of large multienzyme complexes involved in carbohydrate metabolism. PSBDs facilitate shuttling of prosthetic groups between different catalytic...Full Text Available
Surfactant protein A (SP-A), first identified as a component of the lung surfactant system, is now recognized to be an important contributor to host defence mechanisms. SP-A can facilitate phagocytosis...Full Text Available
The demand for cogeneration plants is growing worldwide. For the combination of electricity generation and heat extraction in power stations facilitates an excellent fuel exploitation and makes the operator of the plant independent from external energy suppliers. (orig.)
BackgroundThe study of bacterial species interactions in a mixed-species community can be facilitated by transcriptome analysis of one species in the community using cDNA microarray...Full Text Available
A general method is described to sequester peptides containing azides from complex peptide mixtures, aimed at facilitating mass spectrometric analysis to study different aspects of proteome...Full Text Available
Spectacular increases in the quantity of sequence data genome have facilitated major advances in eukaryotic comparative genomics. By exploiting homology with classical model organisms, this makes possible...Full Text Available
The widespread use of tobacco and alcohol among adolescents might be related to the ability of nicotine and ethanol to facilitate social interactions. To investigate the neurobehavioral mechanisms...Full Text Available
A new gadolinium chelating NIR fluorescent molecular probe increases T1 relaxivity of water protons, facilitating combined optical and magnetic resonance imaging.
The exposure of cells to several metal ions stabilizes HIF-1α protein. However, the molecular mechanisms are not completely understood. They may involve inhibition of hydroxylation by either...Full Text Available
The paper demonstrates several ways that medical language processing can be combined with emerging display technologies to facilitate the extraction of data from free-text patient documents. The techniques...Full Text Available
Lepidoptera, butterflies and moths, is the second largest animal order and includes numerous agricultural pests. To facilitate comparative genomics in Lepidoptera, we isolated BAC clones containing...Full Text Available
BackgroundDespite concerns that facilitating informed choice would decrease diabetes screening uptake, 'informed choice' invitations that increased knowledge did not affect attendance...Full Text Available
This paper describes Image Engine, an object-oriented, microcomputer-based, multimedia database designed to facilitate the storage and retrieval of digitized biomedical still images, video, and text...Full Text Available
For meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus, seasonal differences exist in self-grooming and in odor preferences for conspecifics, two behaviors which facilitate sexual interactions...Full Text Available
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVESNon-invasive longitudinal imaging of tumor vasculature could provide new insights into the development of solid tumors, facilitating efficient...Full Text Available
We analyze transport through conical channels due to the difference in particle concentration on the two sides of the membrane. Because of the detailed balance, fluxes of non-interacting particles...Full Text Available
The continuous addition of toluene as a solute of treated ballast water from oil tankers into a well-defined estuary facilitated the study of the dynamics of dissolved hydrocarbon metabolism in seawater....Full Text Available
DNA barcodes linked to genetic features greatly facilitate screening these features in pooled formats using microarray hybridization, and new tools are needed to design large sets of barcodes to allow...Full Text Available
Polypeptides exiting the ribosome must fold and assemble in the crowded environment of the cell. Chaperones and other protein homeostasis factors interact with newly translated polypeptides to facilitate...Full Text Available
Objective: The paper describes and evaluates the use of Clinical Digital Libraries Project (CDLP) digital library collections in terms of their facilitation of timely clinical information...Full Text Available
Psychopathic individuals are generally unresponsive to motivational and emotional cues that facilitate behavioral regulation. A putative mechanism for this deficiency is Gray’s (1971)...Full Text Available
Medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma belong to a group of neoplasms designated as primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs). Secreted Protein, Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) is a matrix-associated...Full Text Available
Gene expression from bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones has been demonstrated to facilitate physiologically relevant levels compared to viral and nonviral cDNA vectors. BACs are large enough...Full Text Available
...6 Resource type: documents MmIT: Multimedia Information and Technology Group Group aiming to facilitate communication between CILIP members interested in multimedia developments in the library and information science field. Visits to places of interest like museums and archives are frequently organised, and an email discussion list ...
BackgroundWidespread availability of geographic information systems software has facilitated the use of disease mapping in academia, government and private sector. Maps that display...Full Text Available
BackgroundGenomics has substantially changed our approach to cancer research. Gene expression profiling, for example, has been utilized to delineate subtypes of cancer, and facilitated...Full Text Available
The aggregation substance (AS) of Enterococcus faecalis, encoded on sex pheromone plasmids, is a surface-bound glycoprotein that mediates aggregation between bacteria thereby facilitating...Full Text Available
Abs facilitate humoral immunity via the classical mechanisms of opsonization, complement activation, Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and toxin/viral neutralization. There is also evidence that some...Full Text Available
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (Osler-Rendu-Weber disease) is a genetic disorder with autosomal dominance, variable penetrance, and an estimated prevalence of 1/10,000 inhabitants in France. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria including epistaxis, telangiectasia, visceral manifestations, and familial occurrence. Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations, present in 15-33% of patients, are its primary visceral complications. The disease may be revealed by infectious and ischemic neurological manifestations due to paradoxical embolism. The highfrequency of neurologic complications even in asymptomatic patients justifies systematic screening for pulmonary arteriovenous malformations. Treatment of these malformations is based on percutaneous transcatheter coil embolization of the feeding artery. Pulmonary arterial hypertension is rare in this disease. It may be due to systemic arteriovenous shunting in the liver, which increases cardiac ...
Forced vibration experiment has been conducted for the reactor building of Sendai Unit 1 nuclear power plant. The beam vibrational behaviors of the outer shielding building and the internal concrete structure have been observed by using a 50 tf vibration for low frequency region, and a 10 tf vibration for highfrequency region, respectively. The outline of the experimental methods, the data handling system and the major results of experiment are described. The experimental results were simulated by an analytical model. The proper vibrational frequency and the vibration modes obtained by the analysis were compared with those obtained by the experiment. By these comparison, the adequacy of the analytical method employed for the design was confirmed. (Aoki, K.).
This dissertation deals with both the theoretical and the technological aspects of monolithic tunable lasers, and the experimental techniques for opto-electronic integration. In the theoretical part, the principles and limitations of wavelength tuning and spectral linewidth reduction in monolithic semiconductor lasers are described, with coupled distributed feedback-Fabry Perot (DFB-FP) lasers and long DFB lasers as examples. Stepwise tuning of wavelength over tens of nanometers and continuous tuning over the range of a mode spacing are shown to be possible. Spatial hole burning is found to affect the spectral linewidth of lasers involving strong active gratings. On the technological side, one of the major issues is the fabrication of flexible gratings. Direct-writing techniques, such as focused ion beam (FIB) implantation and e-beam lithography, provide the resolution, flexibility and accuracy that conventional holographic lithography lacks. The parasitic capacitances associated with ...
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 highfrequencies. 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.
This book gives an overview of the entire field of radiation protection with the subject areas radioactivity, X-rays, UV radiation, laser beams and high-frequency electromagnetic fields. It deals graphically with the most important physical notions, the incidence, origin, properties and biological effects of types of radiation, administrative and practical protection measures and the code of rules governing them. Apart from fundamentals of radiation protection the emphasis on the following: natural radiation exposure, radiation exposure to radon, disaster relief plans in the environment of nuclear plant, the precautionary radiation protection system evolved after Chernobyl, radiation exposure through UV radiation devices, radio, RF communication, radar, microwave ovens and high-voltage transmission lines as well as computer work-places. (orig.).
The propagation of acoustic pressure perturbations in an adiabatic low-quality air/water flow were investigated both theoretically and experimentally. A linearized dispersion model is correlated with data to extract information on the behavior of interfacial momentum transfer controlled by the virtual volume coefficient. The dispersion model is examined in limiting cases of low and highfrequency and related to current models for critical flow velocity. Fourier decomposition techniques are employed to predict the dispersion of measured pressure pulses and to relate data for standing waves and propagating pulses. The dispersion model is based on a two-fluid model and is the most complete model available in the literature at this time. The dispersion data presented herein is also the best available to date for low frequency (i.e., frequencies less than bubble resonance) sound propagation in bubbly air/water mixtures.
The identification of the unknown parameters of the Duffing's mechanical system, based on an algebraic approach, is presented. This approach is fast, accurate, and simple to numerically implement. Also, the method, combined with a suitable invariant filter, can became robust against highfrequency output measurement noises. Our method uses the availability of one measurable output and produces an exact formula for the unknown parameters, which may be realized in terms of iterated convolutions. First, we show that the Duffing's system parameters are linearly identifiable with respect to the position variable, then we obtain a linear system where the unknowns are the unavailable parameters. Suitable algebraic operations on the output differential equations makes the identification schema independent of the unavailable initial conditions of the underlying nonlinear dynamical system.
The problem in perturbation theory in general relativity is finding a natural gauge which simplifies the equations considerably. We solved the first and second order perturbation equations in the ''Lorentz gauge'' using the two-timing method. The equations were deduced from the equations of Einstein in the presence of a matter energy-momentum tensor of a perfect fluid with equation of state p = (#gamma#-1) rho. It is found that the 0--0 component of the first order equations together with the gauge conditions are consistent with the Bianchi type V model, without axial symmetry. It represents a ''ground state'' situation of the Bianchi type IX model (Mixmaster model.) The second order equations, describing the reaction back of the gravitational waves on the slowly varying background, give rise to rotation and will disturb the isotropization mechanism. The numerical solutions show all the features which are expected to appear. Moreover, it is found that the frequency of the perturbations ...
We examine moving average (MA) filters for estimating the integrated variance (IV) of a financial asset price in a framework where high-frequency price data are contaminated with market microstructure noise. We show that the sum of squared MA residuals must be scaled to enable a suitable estimator of IV. The scaled estimator is shown to be consistent, first-order efficient, and asymptotically Gaussian distributed about the integrated variance under restrictive assumptions. Under more plausible assumptions, such as time-varying volatility, the MA model is misspecified. This motivates an extensive simulation study of the merits of the MA-based estimator under misspecification. Specifically, we consider nonconstant volatility combined with rounding errors and various forms of dependence between the noise and efficient returns. We benchmark the scaled MA-based estimator to subsample and realized kernel estimators and find that the MA-based estimator performs well ...
The bandwidth of LIGO-like terrestrial interferometric gravitational wave detectors is set by the pole of the Fabry-Perot cavities within the arms of the Michelson interferometer. This constraint arises because the gain of gravitational wave-induced signal sidebands is limited to frequencies within the linewidth of the cavities. The nature of standard Fabry-Perot cavities is such that one cannot independently adjust for increased gain without suffering a loss of bandwidth. If these quantities could be decoupled, the resulting improvement in bandwidth may lead to viable highfrequency detectors. A pair of anti-parallel diffraction gratings within a Fabry-Perot cavity can increase the bandwidth of a LIGO-scale detector by a factor of #approx#1000.
The high-frequency data from 12 sensors at the ITCE 1976 are analyzed to determine the Kolmogoroff constants for velocity, temperature and humidity fluctuations, ..cap alpha../sub u/, ..cap alpha../sub T/, and ..cap alpha../sub q/. The occurrence of aliasing in the spectral analysis in some cases together with the limited response of some sensors at the higher frequencies introduces some uncertainties into the analysis. The Soviet sonic anemometer, fine-wire thermometer and infrared hygrometer and the Australian infrared hygrometer provide the best information, namely that: ..cap alpha../sub u/ = 0.59 +/- 0.01, ..cap alpha../sub T/ = 0.68 +/- 0.02, ..cap alpha../sub q/ = 0.76 +/- 0.03, where the errors quoted refer solely to statistical errors. The other instruments provide general support to these values. The technique of using spectral density measurements to determine eddy fluxes is illustrated.
Cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) with continuous-wave (cw) laser excitation has added highfrequency resolution to the ability of CRDS being used for the absolute quantification of trace-level species present in many chemical processes. Cavity dithering technique has easily resolved the problem of resonant coupling of a cw laser light into a high-finesse cavity. The present study addresses the potential uncertainty involved in such cw-CRDS techniques incorporating the cavity mirror motion, i.e., the doppler frequency shift of a probe light inside the cavity. In the high-resolution spectroscopic work of megahertz-accuracy, even the influence of intracavity doppler effect may become significant.
The authors report experimental results on a high gradient 17 GHz RF photocathode gun. The photocathode RF gun is a novel electron beam source intended to meet the requirements set by future high-energy linear colliders and next generation free electron lasers. A coupled pair of pillbox TM{sub 010}-like resonators is excited by sidewall coupled microwaves at 17 GHz. A picosecond ultraviolet laser pulse illuminates one wall of the structure at the axis of symmetry. Electrons are released by the photoelectric effect and are accelerated by the electric field of the microwaves in the cavity. The highfrequency of operation raises the RF breakdown limit allowing strong electric fields to be used. In turn, the intense fields result in rapid acceleration of the electrons to relativistic speeds and reduced space charge induced emittance growth.
Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converters were developed and tested at the heat source operating temperature of 1,700 K. Rare-earth-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and lutetium yttrium aluminum garnet (Lu, YAG) selective emitters, as well as a blackbody emitter, were coupled to InGaAs/InP photovoltaic (PV) cells and bandpass/infrared (IR) reflector filters. YAG-based selective emitters were adopted with Ho, Tm, and Er. PV cells had bandgaps of 0.51, 0.57, and 0.69 eV. Converter energy conversion efficiencies approaching 30%, as well as electrical output power densities near 2 W/cm{sup 2} were demonstrated. The overall performance of the filtered blackbody-based converter was found to be superior to the selective emitter YAG-based converters. The details of the measurements performed on the above converters and their individual components are presented.
Ferroelectric disks, coated with proper electrodes, can easily produce a dense plasma cloud when excited with a high-voltage pulse. This plasma can be a source of either electrons or ions depending on the sign of the extracting field set in front of the disk. We present the behavior of the disks operating at highfrequency as emitters of both electrons and ions in two experimental configurations: (a) without and (b) with two screening grids. These two screening grids are inserted when the plasma must be confined within the cathode region. The system is capable of providing ion pulses of a few hundred milliamperes, whose length can range from a hundred nanoseconds to dozen microseconds. The electron pulses of energetic electrons have typically an amplitude higher than a couple of amperes. Tests at MHz repetition rate were positive as for stable operation.
ObjectiveTo address the characteristics of hearing loss in patients with Turner syndrome (TS), we evaluated hearing levels of patients with TS and analyzed causative factors.Study designThirty-three patients with TS (8 to 40 years of age) were studied through the use of audiological measurements, and causative factors were explored.ResultsTwenty cases (35 of 66 ears tested) showed high-frequency (8 kHz) sensory neural hearing loss (HFQ-SNHL). Fifteen cases (26 ears) and 15 cases (24 ears) of the impaired 20 cases were unresponsive to distortion-product otoacoustic emissions and transient-evoked otoacoustic emissions, respectively. HFQ-SNHL showed little relation to the history of middle ear infection and puberty, although middle ear infections were seen in 11 of the 20 cases. The hearing t...
The transmission of electrical energy by use of underground cables is increasing. Fault location techniques have certain limitations; incipient fault detection and location would help reduce the maintenance cost of these lines as well as improve the reliability of service. The report discusses some test results related to RF-probing techniques applied to high-voltage transmission lines. The high-frequency losses and attenuation in high-voltage cables places certain ultimate limitations on RF-probing techniques for incipient fault detection. Time-domain reflectrometry methods were employed to assess the RF-transmission properties of high-voltage cables at frequencies as high as 6 GHz. Fast-Fourier-transform deconvolution was used to obtain loss measurements as a function of frequency. The loss mechanisms were identified. The measurement hardware and methods are discussed as well as analysis approach leading to the conclusions.
Using ultra-high-frequency data extracted from the order flows of 23 stocks traded on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, we study the empirical regularities of order placement in the opening call auction, cool period and continuous auction. The distributions of relative logarithmic prices against reference prices in the three time periods are qualitatively the same with quantitative discrepancies. The order placement behavior is asymmetric between buyers and sellers and between the inside-the-book orders and outside-the-book orders. In addition, the conditional distributions of relative prices in the continuous auction are independent of the bid-ask spread and volatility. These findings are crucial to build an empirical behavioral microscopic model based on order flows for Chinese stocks.
This introductory paper surveys potential sources of electric magnetic, and electro-magnetic fields. Various cases are discussed to exemplify the total frequency range: nuclear magnetic resonance tomography, high-voltage transmission lines, transformer stations, effect lighting balls, military transmitters, transmitter towers of the Postal Services and other operators, mobile radiotelephone equipment, large broadcasting transmitters, radar radiation, high-frequency heat therapy. There is evidence suggesting that electric, magnetic and electro-magnetic fields may possibly represent a certain nuisance or health hazard even at field strength occuring in equipment used for every-day-life purposes, with an emphasis on their possible actions and effects in children and adolescents. The author discusses, in conclusion, the aerial equipment ordinance issued by Lower Saxony. (Uhe).
Sols of silver nanoparticles in toluene were studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy (10?3?105 Hz). The frequency dependences of the specific alternating current (ac) conductivity and the complex electric modulus were used to estimate the temperature/frequency intervals of long- and short-range charge transfer occurs, respectively. A considerable increase (by more than 30 ?C) in the Vogel temperature T 0 and the glass transition temperature T g in sols compared with the pure solvent was found. It can be hypothesized that these cooperative effects reflect the initial stage of the superlattice formation. Although the dielectric characteristics of sols are generally controlled by the conductivity relaxation, the dielectric response was observed in the high-frequency range (1?103 Hz) at l...
The shape and magnitude of the electrical resistivity [rho]([ital T]) is analyzed for four intermetallic compounds, and electron-phonon coupling constants [lambda] are extracted. ReO[sub 3] is particularly interesting because a sharp departure from the Bloch-Grueneisen shape can be attributed to high-frequency optical vibrations. The [lambda] values for the oxide metals seem too large to be consistent with the absence of superconductivity, but the results generally agree well with a conventional Fermi-liquid interpretation. The Hall coefficient [ital R][sub [ital H
An Experimental study was performed to investigate flow characteristic of multi-stage expansion valve applied with inverter heat pump. Multi-stage expansion consists of parallel valve which is controlled on/off type of solenoid valve. Expansion valve open one solenoid the other closed in low frequency region and open two solenoid valve in highfrequency region. In rated frequency region always open one solenoid valve and control period and on-off time ratio for the other solenoid valve. Flow characteristics of a orifice expansion was measured as a function of orifice diameter and operating conditions. As a results multi-stage expansion device can control a stable flow with period and on-off time ratio. (author). 4 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
The authors report here, for the first time, highfrequency testing of a new type of electrochemical double layer capacitor (EDLC), based on carbon aerogels: the Aerocapacitor. Carbon aerogels, are a novel type of carbon foam developed by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory for military applications. The unique properties of carbon aerogels, high surface area (700 m{sup 2}/g), high density (1g/cc), well controlled pore diameter and high material conductivity (25 S/cm) made it an ideal EDLC electrode material. Using carbon aerogel as the electrode material, the authors have developed Aerocapacitors. These new EDLC`s have a frequency response comparable to that of aluminum electrolytic capacitors and are thus ideally suited to power conversion applications.
We introduce a new formulation of asset trading games in continuous time in the framework of the game-theoretic probability established by Shafer and Vovk (2001). In our formulation, the market moves continuously but an investor trades in discrete times, which can depend on the past path of the market. We prove that an investor can essentially force that the asset price path behaves with the variation exponent exactly equal to two. Our proof is based on embedding high-frequency discrete time games into the continuous time game and the use of the Bayesian strategy of Kumon, Takemura and Takeuchi (2007b) for discrete time coin-tossing games. We also clarify that the main growth part of the investor's capital processes is lucidly described by the information quantities, which are derived from the Kullback-Leibler information with respect to the empirical fluctuation of the asset price.
With publication the fire design rules of the Eurocode and the national application documents (NAD) for the first time also calculation methods of constructive structural fire protection are available. This dimensioning of components and structures in fire case is based on the normal temperature design on Eurocodes and can be applied in the future as alternative to the classical fire design method of the German standard DIN 4102 part 4. In this contribution a view of the proof procedures of the Eurocode fire protection parts and the arrangements of the NADs is given as soon as the application of these fire design rules in Germany is described. (orig.) [German] Mit der Veroeffentlichung der Eurocode-Brandschutzteile als Vornormen und der zugehoerigen nationalen Anwendungsregelungen (NAD) als DIN-Fachberichte stehen erstmals auch rechnerische Nachweisverfahren ...
The competitiveness of a new nuclear plant vs. a new oil or gas fired combined cycle plant or a coal fired plant in East-Asia, is reviewed in the paper. Both the nuclear and the fossil fired plants are evaluated as either utility financed or independent power producer (IPP) financed. Two types of advanced light water reactors (ALWRs) are considered in this paper, namely evolutionary ALWRs (1200 MWe size) and passive ALWRs (600 MWe class). A range of capital and total generation costs for each plant type is reported here. The comparison centers on three elements of overall competitiveness: generation costs, hard currency requirements, and employment requirements. Each of these aspects is considered perspective. Year-by-Year generation cost history over the plant lifetime is shown in some cases. It is found here that a utility financed evolutionary and passive ALWRs are broadly competitive with an IPP financed gas ...
Liquid sodium is used as coolant in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR). There is a likelyhood of sodium spillage in ambient air in the Steam Generator Building (SGB) of the FBR plant. Due to high chemical reactivity with oxygen, especially at temperatures greater than 573 K, it catches fire very easily. In order to carryout safety related experimental studies for different modes of sodium fires and to develop suitable mathematical models for the assessment of their consequences, an experimental facility (SFEF, Sodium Fire Experimental Facility) is being setup a IGCAR, Kalpakkam. The SFEF is having a 540 m"3 volume experimental hall. Stainless steel linear will be provided on the inside surfaces of experimental hall walls, ceiling and floor. Analysis has been carried out for enclosed sodium pool fire scenarios in SFEF by using sodium pool fire code SOFIRE II, which estimates the thermal ...
Those areas in California where synthetic fuel-fired power plants could be sited in the 1990 time frame, from an air quality perspective were identified. The synfuel-fired power plants considered in this new study were 500 MW methanol-fired combined cycle (MFCC) and 500 MW integrated gasifier combined-cycle (IGCC) units. For comparison purposes, 500 MW direct coal-fired boilers and 500 MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle units were also considered. The study provides an approximation, for planning purposes, of a reasonable limit of the state's power plant siting capacity, given the plant types and sizes, conditions, and assumptions specified. The study shows that local emission limitations many times preclude certain types of power plants even when they are equipped with Best Available Control Technology (BACT) as required by NSR regulations. This study also shows that 4000 ...
This paper proposes an integrated method for using experimental data and CFD modeling to develop engineering correlations for atrium smoke management. Part I focused on the experimental program and validation of a CFD model of the experimental facility. Part II describes the extension of this model to a parametric study of balcony spill plumes. Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production or mass flow rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the mass flow rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes (BSPs) are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and ...
This paper proposes an integrated method for using experimental data and CFD modeling to develop engineering correlations for atrium smoke management. Part I focused on the experimental program and validation of a CFD model of the experimental facility. Part II describes the extension of this model to a parametric study of balcony spill plumes. Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production or mass flow rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the mass flow rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes (BSPs) are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and ...
Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the smoke production rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and theoretical analysis. Questions have arisen over the suitability of these correlations for real-scale designs. A combined program of full-scale experimentation and CFD modeling is being conducted to analyze the accuracy of these correlations. A full-scale experimental facility was constructed with a 5 m by 5 m by 15 m fire compartment ...
Smoke management in buildings during fire events often uses mechanical ventilation systems to maintain smoke layer elevation above a safe evacuation path. Design of these systems requires accurate correlations for the smoke production rate of the buoyant fire plume. One design issue is the smoke production rate of fire plumes which spill out from a fire compartment, under a balcony and up through an atrium or other large volume. Current engineering correlations for these balcony spill plumes are based on a combination of one-tenth scale test data and theoretical analysis. Questions have arisen over the suitability of these correlations for real-scale designs. A combined program of full-scale experimentation and CFD modeling is being conducted to analyze the accuracy of these correlations. A full-scale experimental facility was constructed with a 5 m by 5 m by 15 m fire compartment ...
In this paper we present the results of our analyses of multidiurnal low-resolution Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) thermal data for coal fire-related thermal anomaly detection. Results are presented for data of the Jharia coal mining region of India. We combine three relatively new approaches: first, we use low-resolution MODIS data for coal fire area analyses, which has only been undertaken by a few authors. Second, we analyse data from four different times of day (morning, afternoon, evening and predawn) and for three different bands (MODIS bands 20, 32 and a ratio thereof); and third, we use an unbiased automated algorithm for thermal anomaly extraction of local thermal anomalies. The MODIS data analysed stem from the years 2001 and 2005. In 2001, MODIS data were ...
Preliminary plans for the 90 to 100-MW coal-fired combined cycle plant due to be built by a team headed by Southern California Edison and Texaco in the mid-1980s are reviewed. The basic operating goals call for having a gasifier with a 1,000 ton coal capacity per day feeding a 70-MW turbine which then provides waste heat to run a 30-MW steam turbine. Texaco will have responsibility for the gasifier part of the facility with the turbine-generator vendor charged with providing both gas and steam turbine equipment. If the 100-MW demonstration plant achieves 32 to 33% design efficiency, then a commercial plant with expansion turbines and steam reheat should hit 38% and require 20 to 30% less water than a conventional coal fired plant.
We study the spike statistics of neurons in a network with dynamically balanced excitation and inhibition. Our model, intended to represent a generic cortical column, comprises randomly connected excitatory and inhibitory leaky integrate-and-fire neurons, driven by excitatory input from an external population. The high connectivity permits a mean field description in which synaptic currents can be treated as gaussian noise, the mean and autocorrelation function of which are calculated self-consistently from the firing statistics of single model neurons. Within this description, a wide range of Fano factors is possible. We find that the irregularity of spike trains is controlled mainly by the strength of the synapses relative to the difference between the firing threshold and the postfiring reset level of the membrane potential. For moderately strong synapses, we find spike statistics very similar to those observed in ...
Abstract: The recent National Academy of Sciences report on forensic sciences states that the study of fire patterns and debris in arson fires is in need of additional work and eventual standardization. We discuss a recently introduced method that can provide predicted evaporation patterns for ignitable liquids as a function of temperature. The method is a complex fluid analysis protocol, the advanced distillation curve approach, featuring a composition explicit data channel for each distillate fraction (for qualitative, quantitative, and trace analysis), low uncertainty temperature measurements that are thermodynamic state points that can be modeled with an equation of state, consistency with a century of historical data, and an assessment of the energy content of each distillate fraction...
The market potential for the fan atomized burner (FAB) in water and space heating applications was examined. The major findings of the study are as follows. (1). The FAB`s low-input capability allows development of oil-fired room heaters and wall furnaces, a new market area for oil heat. (2). Among conventional oil-fired products, furnaces will benefit most from the burner`s low input capability due to (1) their quick delivery of heat and (2) their more prevalent use in warmer climates and smaller homes. (3). The greatest potential for increased product sales or oil sales exists in the use of the burner with new products (i.e., room heaters). Sales of boilers and direct-fired water heaters are not likely to increase with the use of the burner. (4). Acceptance of the burner will be dependent on proof of reliability. Proof of better reliability than conventional burners would accelerate acceptance.
Remote sensing is the most practical method available to managers of fire-prone forests for quantifying and mapping fire impacts. Differenced Normalised Burn Ratio (?NBR) is among the most widely used spectral indices for the mapping of burn severity but is difficult to interpret in terms of fire-related changes in key biophysical attributes and processes. We propose to quantify burn severity as a change in the leaf area index (?LAI) of a stand. LAI is a key biophysical attribute of forests, and is central to understanding their water and carbon cycles. Previous studies have suggested that changes in canopy LAI may be a major contributor to ?NBR and to the composite burn index (CBI) that is frequently used in combination with the NBR to assess burn severity on the ground. We applied remote...
Fires and explosions have been identified as major potential hazards for Oil and Gas Floating Production Storage Offloading (FPSO) installations and pose risk to personnel, assets, and the environment. Current fire and explosion assessment (FEA) tools require physical effect modeling software and follows standards from API, ISO, and engineering practices. However, the tools are not specific to any particular system such as an FPSO, and do not provide comprehensive guidance for safety engineers to perform FEA. This paper discusses the development of a screening and comparison tool for FEA on FPSOs and the incorporation of an expert system into the tool. The results are computerized using MS Excel/VBA to provide a structured and comprehensive assessment on each equipment and module handling ...
Regular fuel reduction burning is an important management strategy for reducing the scale and intensity of wildfires in south-west Australian native forests, but the long term effects of this on tree and stand growth are not well understood. Five fire treatments, including application of frequent and infrequent low intensity burns, and 25?years of fire exclusion, were applied to small (4?ha) experimental plots in a low rainfall mixed jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) and marri (Corymbia calophylla) forest to investigate the effects of these treatments on tree stem diameter growth, stand basal area increment and tree mortality. Mean tree stem growth measured over 20?years was lowest in the long unburnt treatment compared with the burn treatments, although surface soil nutrient levels were gener...
Operation and maintenance cost estimating methodologies for advanced coal-fired atmospheric circulating fluidized-bed and advanced natural gas-fired combined cycle electric power plants are presented. The purpose of these cost estimating relationships is for use in long range planning and evaluation of the economics of use of these technologies for electric power generation. Projected annual costs of reference plants at ten different sites in the United States, one in each of the ten DOE regions, are given as of 1989, and comparisons are made with existing technologies. A listing of a computer program implementing the methodologies is included. 14 refs., 4 figs., 13 tabs.
This paper reports that there are four combustion technologies upon which U.S. electric utilities are expected to rely for the majority of their future power generating needs. These technologies are pulverized coal- fired combustion (PC); coal-fired fluidized bed combustion (AFBC); coal gasification, combined cycle systems (CGCC); and natural gas-fired combined cycle systems (NGCC). The engineering and economic parameters which affect the choice of a technology include capital costs, operating and maintenance costs, fuel costs, construction schedule, process risk, environmental and site impacts, fuel efficiency and flexibility, plant availability, capacity factors, timing of startup, and the importance of utility economic and financial factors.
Australian electricity markets and natural gas markets are undergoing rapid reform. Choosing among electricity generation modes is a key issue. Such choices are affected by expectations about the future structure of these markets and future technologies, and how they affect costs and emissions. In the research reported in this paper, the MARKAL model of the Australian energy system is used to evaluate the competitive position of natural gas fired combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) in the energy sector as a whole. Competing in the sector are large-scale electricity generation technologies such as refurbished existing coal fired stations and advanced forms of coal fired generation. The modelling incorporates new data on electricity supply technologies and options.
This paper describes research and development presently being conducted on oil-fired space and tap water heating systems by the Advanced Combustion Technology Group, CCRL/ERL/CANMET, in Ottawa, Canada. The presentation will focus on R&D activities at CCRL in support of the Canadian Oil Heat Association (COHA) and of the energy policy initiatives of Natural Resources Canada. Progress will be reported on activities to develop suitable oil-fired integrated systems to satisfy the low energy demands of new homes. The utilization of fuzzy logic-based control heating systems including fan coils for a complete range of old and new North American housing will be discussed. Additional activities to be discussed in the presentation will relate to the development of appropriate seasonal efficiency standards for complex integrated space/water heating systems, as well as an evaluation of alternative sidewall venting technologies and their implications ...
Monte Carlo (MC) dose calculations can be accurate but are also computationally intensive. In contrast, convolution superposition (CS) offers faster and smoother results but by making approximations. We investigated MC denoising techniques, which use available convolution superposition results and new noise filtering methods to guide and accelerate MC calculations. Two main approaches were developed to combine CS information with MC denoising. In the first approach, the denoising result is iteratively updated by adding the denoised residual difference between the result and the MC image. Multi-scale methods were used (wavelets or contourlets) for denoising the residual. The iterations are initialized by the CS data. In the second approach, we used a frequency splitting technique by quadrature filtering to combine low frequency components derived from MC simulations with highfrequency components derived from CS components. The rationale is to ...
The Segmented Rail Phased Induction Motor (SERAPHIM) is a compact, pulsed linear induction motor (LIM) offering a unique capability for very high speed train propulsion. It uses technology developed for the Sandia coilgun, an electromagnetic launcher designed to accelerate projectiles to several kilometers per second. Both aluminum cylinders and plates were accelerated to a kilometer per second (Mach 3) by passing through a sequence of coils which were energized at the appropriate time. Although this technology was developed for ultra-high velocity, it can be readily adapted to train propulsion for which, at sea level, the power required to overcome air resistance limits the operational speed to a more modest 300 mph. Here, the geometry is reversed. The coils are on the vehicle and the ``projectiles`` are fixed along the roadbed. SERAPHIM operates not by embedding flux in a conductor, but by excluding it. In this propulsion scheme, pairs of closely spaced coils on the vehicle straddle ...
The MTX experiment was proposed in 1986 to apply highfrequency microwaves generated by a free-electron laser (FEL) to electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) in a high field, high density tokamak. As the absorption of microwaves at the electron cyclotron resonance requires highfrequencies, the opportunity of applying a free-electron laser has appeal as the device is not limited to frequencies in the microwave or long millimeter wavelength regions, in contrast to many other sources. In addition, the FEL is inherently a high power source of microwaves, which would permit single units of 10 MW or more, optimum for reactors. Finally, it was recognized early in the study of the application of the FEL based on the induction linear accelerator, that the nonlinear effects associated with the intense pulses of microwaves naturally generated would offer several unique opportunities to apply ECRH to current ...
With an objective to detect gas leaking from an underground gas pipeline, discussions have been given on a method which utilizes acoustic characteristics of leakage. On leaking sound generated from damaged portions, the form of damaging was hypothesized as pinholes, and spectra of leaking sounds from holes with different diameters were measured. The dominant frequency decreases as the hole diameter increases, while it is in a region of relatively highfrequency of 1 kHz or higher. However, detection from the ground surface was impossible when cover soil has thickness from 0.5 to 1.5 m. In an experiment to measure leaking sound inside the pipe, pressure in the pipe was adjusted to 0.02 atm which is a standard pressure for a low-pressure pipe, and the sound was measured when the hole diameters were varied. In any of the results obtained by varying the hole diameter, spectra having the dominant frequency in the region of 1 kHz or higher were ...
This project proposes to design and develop a new class of power converters (direct DC to AC) to drastically improve performance and optimize the cost, size, weight and volume of the DC to AC converter in SOFC systems. The proposed topologies employ a highfrequency link; direct DC to AC conversion approach. The direct DC to AC conversion approach is more efficient and operates without an intermediate dc-link stage. The absence of the dc-link, results in the elimination of bulky, aluminum electrolytic capacitors, which in turn leads to a reduction in the cost, volume, size and weight of the power electronic converter. The feasibility of two direct DC to AC converter topologies and their suitability to meet SECA objectives will be investigated. Laboratory proto-type converters (3-5kW) will be designed and tested in Phase-1. A detailed design trade-off study along with the test results will be available in the form of a report for the evaluation ...
This report gives the results of a survey of operational flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems on coal-fired utility boilers in the United States. The FGD systems installed on Units 1 and 2 at the Bruce Mansfield Station of the Pennsylvania Power Company...
Test firings of 120-mm rounds were performed to characterize effects due to the combustible cartridge cases used. Comparisons were made between measured ballistic parameters, especially gas pressures, and those predicted by computerized simulation calcula...
The Bureau of Mines and ASARCO Inc. entered a cooperative agreement to determine the feasibility of producing copper matte in an electric furnace from blends of copper concentrate similar to those currently smelted in a gas-fired reverberatory system at A...
Limestone slurry needs to move efficiently through a complex process, meaning that selecting the right pumps and valves is critical. The article discusses factors to consider in selecting pumps and values for flue gas desulfurization process in coal-fired power plants. 2 photos.
A schematic diagram of the decision making process for air pollution control equipment for the conversion of a fossil-fired generating unit from oil to coal is presented and explained.
The staff of the Spent Fuel Project Office at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission undertook the investigation and thermal analysis of the Baltimore tunnel fire event. This event occurred in the Howard Street tunnel, in Baltimore, Maryland, on July 18, 2001. The staff was tasked with assessing the consequences of this event on the transportation of spent nuclear fuel. This paper describes the staff's coordination with the following government and laboratory organizations: the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to determine the details of the train derailment and fire; the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), to quantify the thermal conditions within the tunnel; the Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analysis (CNWRA), to validate the NIST evaluations, and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), to assist in the thermal analysis. The results of the staff's review and analysis efforts are ...
Human beings are confronted with another grievous disaster - coal fire. The monitoring on underground coal bed combustion relied on drilling supervising in the past, but this method is not good. By taking the coal fire of Gulaben mine in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as an example, the monitoring methods of underground coal bed combustion were explored based on the hyperspectra and high-resolution remote sensing technology. By employing the OMIS imaging apparatus developed by Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the airborne hyperspectral images and the characteristic spectra of different types were obtained and the temperature was measured synchronously on the ground. Then according to the correlation of DN value of the thermal infrared band and surface temperature, the image information was processed, the spectral features were analyzed, and the surface temperature retrieval model was built. Finally, by ...
Sep 28, 2011 ... Source: Flagstaff, AZ: Northern Arizona University. 87 p. Thesis. Description: High severity wildfires have been increasing across southwestern ...
This article puts the case for coal fired combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants. The need to gasify the coal for the CCGT, use of fluidised bed combustors or gasification systems, the difference in prices of coal and natural gas, and coal and natural gas reserves are discussed. (UK)
The aim was to investigate conditions relating to the substitution of natural gas for part of the amount of cinders previously used as fuel in an existing cupola furnace used in an iron foundry. The process of retrofitting is described. The principle solution is that four gas burners are placed symmetrically around the furnace immediately above the melting zone. They are mounted in separate fire boxes in such a way that they point downwards in order to prevent the fire box being filled with materials from the furnace, which would cause damage to the burners. The burners are continuously controlled to produce an output of 720 - 2620 kW and with 0.5 - 1.5 excess air. This solution was successful although it was found necessary (in order to achieve a satisfactory quality of resulting molten material) to add extra cinders to the furnace resulting in a reduction of only 9% of total cinders used, instead of the hoped-for 15%. The melting temperature ...
An investigation was conducted to determine the cause of coating residue found in the test gun chambers during qualification firing of 120-mm combustible cartridge case (CCC) ammunition for the MlAl/A2 main battle tank. The CCC is coated with a clear epox...
Rapid place encoding by hippocampal neurons, as reflected by place-related firing, has been intensely studied, whereas the substrates that translate hippocampal place codes into behavior have received...Full Text Available
A fireplace door assembly having doors pivotally mounted on a frame to be mounted on the opening of a fireplace. The doors are mounted on hinges that provide adjustment along a vertical axis of rotation and the front of the frame. An adjustable fire resistant gasket is used for an air seal. A gravity operated latch is provided to maintain the door in a closed position.
The report details the results of a series of large-scale experiments where small coal fires were used to ignite conveyor belting at air velocities ranging from 0.76 m/s to 6.1 m/s. In the tests, electrical strip heaters imbedded within a pile of coal were used to heat the coal to a point of flaming ignition. The flaming coal subsequently ignited conveyor belting located approximately 5 to 10 cm above the coal pile. During the tests, temperature, CO, and smoke levels were continuously measured in order to determine both alarm time and level as the fire intensity progressed through the stages of smoldering coal, flame coal, and flaming coal plus flaming belt. Analysis of the data leads to certain conditions of air velocity and sensor alarm levels that are required for early detection of conveyor belt entry fires. Two nomographs are presented which define sensor alarm levels and sensor spacings as a function of belt entry ...
Externally Fired Combined Cycles (EFCCs) can increase the amount of electricity produced from ash bearing fuels up to 40%, with overall powerplant efficiencies in excess of 45%. Achieving such high efficiencies requires high temperature-high pressure air heaters capable of driving modern gas turbines from gas streams containing the products of coal combustion. A pilot plant has been constructed in Kennebunk, Maine to provide proof of concept and evaluation of system components. Tests using pulverized Western Pennsylvania bituminous coal have been carried out since April, 1995. The ceramic air heater extracts energy from the products of coal combustion to power a gas turbine. This air heater has operated at gas inlet temperatures over 1,095 C and pressures over 7.0 atm without damage to the ceramic tube string components. Stable gas turbine operation has been achieved with energy input from the air heater and a supplementary gas fired combustor. ...
This paper describes the test results on high-temperature strength properties of fire resistant steel(FR steel) for building, the formulation, and the examples of application to member tests and actual buildings. Because of its components and manufacturing method, FR steel excels in strength at elevated temperature due to precipitation and dispersion strengthening. Tests on high temperature properties of FR steel showed that every property such as strength, stress-strain curve, elastic modulus, and creep performance at high temperature was superior to those of conventional steels. Then, it was confirmed in the tensile tests at room temperature and high temperature after heat history that FR steel could be reused after fire. It was also found in the member tests that columns and beams of FR steel could support loadings equivalent to long-term allowable unit stress until the temperature rose up to 600 centigrade. Moreover, test results could be ...
The report, generated by a computerized data base system, presents a survey of operational and planned domestic utility flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems, operational domestic particle scrubbers, and Japanese coal-fired utility FGD installations. It ...
The report discusses the capabilities of equipment vendors to supply and install the quantity of flue gas desulfurization systems required to meet alternative standards for coal-fired steam generators. It analyzes limiting factors affecting supply capabilities (such as the availa...
Several theories have proposed a functional role for synchronous neuronal firing in generating the neural code of a sensory perception. Synchronous neural activity develops during a critical...Full Text Available
A high-performance power system (HIPPS) is being developed. This system is a coal-fired, combined-cycle plant that will have an efficiency of at least 47 percent, based on the higher heating value of the fuel. The original emissions goal of the project was for NOx and SOx to each be below 0.15 lb/MMBtu. In the Phase 2 RFP this emissions goal was reduced to 0.06 lb/MMBtu. The ultimate goal of HIPPS is to have an all-coal-fueled system, but initial versions of the system are allowed up to 35 percent heat input from natural gas. Foster Wheeler Development Corporation is currently leading a team effort with AlliedSignal, Bechtel, Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation, Research-Cottrell, TRW and Westinghouse. Previous work on the project was also done by General Electric. The HIPPS plant will use a high-Temperature Advanced Furnace (HITAF) to achieve combined-cycle operation with coal as the primary fuel. The HITAF is an atmospheric-pressure, ...
Coke-fired cupola furnaces were improved and made suitable for the production of high-quality casting melts by numerous additional devices. Moreover, they were equipped with environmental protection systems with numerous dust separation devices and afterb...
The US Department of Energy`s Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC) is actively pursuing the development and testing of coal-fired combustion systems for residential, commercial, and industrial market sectors. In response, MTCI initiated the development of a new combustor technology based on the principle of pulse combustion under the sponsorship of PETC (Contract No. AC22-83PC60419). The initial pulse combustor development program was conducted in three phases (MTCI, Development of a Pulsed Coal Combustor Fired with CWM, Phase III Final Report, DOE Contract No. AC22-83PC60419, November 1986). Phase I included a review of the prior art in the area of pulse combustion and the development of pulse combustor design concepts. It led to the conclusion that pulse combustors offer technical and base-of-operation advantages over conventional burners and also indicated favorable economics for replacement of oil- and gas-fired ...
The US Department of Energy's Pittsburgh Energy Technology Center (PETC) is actively pursuing the development and testing of coal-fired combustion systems for residential, commercial, and industrial market sectors. In response, MTCI initiated the development of a new combustor technology based on the principle of pulse combustion under the sponsorship of PETC (Contract No. AC22-83PC60419). The initial pulse combustor development program was conducted in three phases (MTCI, Development of a Pulsed Coal Combustor Fired with CWM, Phase III Final Report, DOE Contract No. AC22-83PC60419, November 1986). Phase I included a review of the prior art in the area of pulse combustion and the development of pulse combustor design concepts. It led to the conclusion that pulse combustors offer technical and base-of-operation advantages over conventional burners and also indicated favorable economics for replacement of oil- and ...
AbstractDendrites of cerebellar Purkinje cells (PCs) respond to brief excitations from parallel fibers with lasting plateau depolarizations. It is unknown whether these plateaus are local...Full Text Available
This report presents a study on the use of computerised, continuous remote monitoring systems for fire and explosive atmosphere safety in underground coal mines. The effects of these systems on the safety level in mines are investigated, and the relationship between mine safety regulations and computerised, continuous, remote monitoring is analysed.
This report presented an analysis of incidents gathered by the Canadian upstream oil and gas industry committee in relation to explosive atmospheres in wellbores, vessels, tanks, and piping systems. The aim of the report was to develop industry recommended practices for oil and gas industry fires and explosions. Two accident theory models were used to set out the relationships between hazards, defenses, and losses. Three levels of defenses were identified based on organizational, local workplace, and human factors. An organizational responsibility approach was used to examine the activities of key people with the system. Incidents were analyzed based on an expanded fire triangle used to identify fire and explosion hazards. The study showed that the ignition of hydrocarbons into the air was a factor in nearly 50 per cent of the incidents. A lack of understanding of liquid-hydrocarbon properties was demonstrated in incidents ...
Tachyons fired into and absorbed by rotating black holes can violate the second and third laws of black hole physics. It is suggested that apparent break-downs of these laws in astrophysical black holes can indicate the existence of cosmic tachyons. (author).
Fuel treatments are being widely implemented on public and private lands across the western U.S. While scientists and managers have an understanding of how ... ...
Gas-fired combined cycle plant may be the norm when it comes to new plant but it comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Samarinda uses aero-derivatives with the famous Rolls-Royce RB211 gas generator. (author)
ii) Flammability: (iii) A capacity to oxidise: (iv) Corrosiveness: (v) Toxicity (including chronic ...an explosion or fire: (d) For substances with corrosive properties: (i) To reduce the ...likelihood of any unintended corrosion:(ii) To control the adverse effects of any corrosion:
Data on the postfire dynamics of soil properties in the foci of Siberian moth population outbreaks are considered. It has been shown that controlled fires set in pest-defoliated forests result in the loss of approximately 75% of carbon and 50% of nitrogen from the forest litter through their emission into the atmosphere and in the enrichment of the upper soil horizons with potassium and phosphorus (this concerns both total and movable forms). Microbiological processes in the organogenic horizon undergo significant transformation, the density of microarthropods decreases, and the abundance of mites becomes hundreds of times lower. PMID:15354965
Describes the wastes produced and the waste disposal methods used at BEWAG power plants. Wastes covered include fly ash, fluidized bed ash, gypsum from flue gas desulfurization and evaporation residues. Disposal methods include using ashes and gypsum to make building materials. Despite many years of experience in the utilization and disposal of residues from coal-fired power stations BEWAG have not encountered any disposal problems. 5 tabs.
Investigations were conducted at Los Alamos National Laboratory to quantify the extent of migration of depleted uranium away from firing sites. Extensive sampling of air particles, soil, sediment, and water was conducted to establish the magnitude of uranium contamination throughout one watershed. The uranium source term was estimated, and mass balance calculations were performed to compare the percentage of migrated uranium with original expenditures. Mass balance calculations can be powerful in identification of the extent of waste migration and used as an aid in planning future waste investigations.
In most industrial processes operating at elevated temperatures, protective oxide layers perform a vital duty in protecting the underlying metallic alloys from process gases. Coal-fired combined cycle power generation systems present a number of process conditions in which the properties of the protective oxide layers are particularly important. This paper discusses two of these particular conditions: (1) `erosion/corrosion` of in-bed heat exchanger tubing and (2) thermal cycling of hot gas path components. For both these situations, the desirable properties of protective scales are outlined. The behaviour of scales in practice are highlighted. 33 refs., 6 figs., 2 tabs.
Taiwan`s LNG consumption is planned to rise more than threefold over the next four years as medium-term plans to develop power generation facilities increasingly rely on gas-fired combined-cycle stations to avoid the threat of power shortages. State-run Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) expects its LNG consumption to rise from 1.1 mn tonnes in 1996 to 3.4 mn tonnes in the year 2000. By then the first of several gas-fired private power stations is expected to enter service, further increasing Taiwan`s total LNG requirement for power generation. (Author)
Time delay neural networks trained with the backpropagation algorithm are derived for the gun fire control system to correct the miss distance between a target and the projectiles from the gun. Its performance is compared to optimum linear filter based on minimum mean square error [R.E. Kalman, A new approach to linear filtering and prediction problems, J. Basic Eng. 82D (1960) 35-44.]. The structure of the proposed neural controller is described and performance results are shown.
A modified variable structure interacting multiple model (M-VSIMM) estimator for complex hybrid maneuver target tracking is presented. The M-VSIMM could potentially be applied to fire control systems (FCS) used on warships. Target model groups were designed using 3D dimensional dynamic target models. Optimal model group selection logic was proposed, contrary to the activation and termination logic in the original VSIMM. The system will respond faster with optimal model group selection logic. After performing simulations, the tracking performances of the Kalman, ?-?(-?), VDIE, IMM and M-VSIMM filters were compared under various maneuvering conditions.
Increasing demand for energy production with low impact on the environment and minimised fuel consumption can be met with high efficient coal fired power plants with advanced steam parameters. An important key to this improvement is the development of high temperature materials with optimised mechanical strength. Based on the results of more than ten years of development a coal fired power plant with an efficiency above 50 % can now be realised. Future developments focus on materials which enable an efficiency of 52-55 %. (orig.) 25 refs.
The Federal Republic of German (FRG) had uniquely strict emission legislation for particulates SO_2 and NO_X from fossil-fired power plants. The 13th Regulation to the Federal Emission Control Act required that by 1 July 1988 all large furnaces fired with solid or liquid fuels that would not be decommissioned by 1993 be retrofitted with SO_2 control technology. The emission limits are 15 per cent of the sulphur introduced with the fuel (400 mg/m"3 maximum) at thermal capacities above 300 MW. 1 ref., 9 figs, 15 bibliographies.
The availability of technology for reducing SO2 emissions from coal-fired steam generators using flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems is discussed. Foreign and domestic lime, limestone, double alkali, magnesium slurry, and Wellman-Lord FGD systems are described, and the design parameters and operating experiences are discussed. Steps that have been taken to achieve high system operability are discussed. Also, disposal of FGD system wastes is discussed briefly.
Results are reported from initial characterization tests on the environmental effects of the natural draft cooling tower of the Chalk Point Unit 3 oil-fired power plant located on the shore of Chesapeake Bay. Data are included on updraft air velocity, plume drift, and sea salt deposition in relation to meteorological conditions.
With the advent of computer technology, researchers and instructors are attempting to devise computer support for effective collaborative technical writing. In this study, a computer-supported environment for collaborative technical writing was developed. This system (Process-Writing Wizard) provides process-oriented scaffolds and a synchronous online chat room to facilitate real-time collaborative writing practice. It allows multiple students to work synchronously on collaborative writing tasks via the Internet. It also helps develop collaborative writing strategies, such as creating team agendas, brainstorming, creating team outlines, and generating team articles. An experiment was conducted to examine the effect of the system on EFL (English as a Foreign Language) students? collaborativ...
An ion processing element employing composite media disposed in a porous substrate, for facilitating removal of selected chemical species from a fluid stream. The ion processing element includes a porous fibrous glass substrate impregnated by composite media having one or more active components supported by a matrix material of polyacrylonitrile. The active components are effective in removing, by various mechanisms, one or more constituents from a fluid stream passing through the ion processing element. Due to the porosity and large surface area of both the composite medium and the substrate in which it is disposed, a high degree of contact is achieved between the active component and the fluid stream being processed. Further, the porosity of the matrix material and the substrate facilitates use of the ion processing element in high volume applications where it is desired to effectively process a high volume flows.
In many species social behaviors are dependent on integration of chemosensory and hormonal cues. Many chemosensory stimuli are detected by the vomeronasal organ, which projects to many regions that contain steroid receptors, including the medial amygdala. In male hamsters, testosterone is known to acutely increase in response to chemosensory stimulation, and can facilitate sexual behavior by direct action within the medial amygdala. Conspecific stimuli activate the anterior (MeA) and posterior (MeP) medial amygdala, while heterospecific stimuli activate only MeA. Chemosensory stimuli with different social significance differentially activate the dorsal and ventral subdivisions of MeA and MeP. Therefore, it is likely that steroids differentially facilitate stimulation of the medial amygdala...
A methodology is proposed to facilitate the construction of gridded bathymetry data for the use of hydrodynamic models on the continental shelf. It relies on the carrying out of three successive tasks: (1) automatic selection of records of better quality among multiple sets of overlapping data; (2) elimination of data points located on land; and (3) taking into account the shoreline as bathymetric data. Algorithms are proposed to perform sorting of the records according to their quality as well as masking by the coastline. The suggested method facilitates the updating of bathymetry data and optimizes their use. It enables automatic execution of all the tasks and building of new digital bathymetry models in a few hours, without action from the operator. The method has been tested many times...
The wavenumber-frequency spectral densities of turbulent wall pressure fluctuations are investigated over a rigid flat plate. Nonlinear Reynolds stress terms of the inhomogeneous Orr-Sommerfeld equation are regarded as a known forcing function. The forcing function is modeled after Bark{close_quote}s hydrodynamic bursting formulation. The inhomogeneous Orr-Sommerfeld equation is solved by the method of Eckhaus in terms of discrete homogeneous solutions. The method of Eckhaus is then extended and proved for the continuous Orr-Sommerfeld eigenfunctions. Turbulent wall pressure fluctuations in terms of wavenumber-frequency spectral densities are numerically computed and compared to the experimental results of Martin as well as to his transformation of Blake{close_quote}s data fitted to a modified Corcos model. The wavenumber-frequency spectral densities numerically computed from the discrete eigenfunctions compared well with Martin{close_quote}s transformations on the convective ridge, ...
III-V semiconductors, GaAs and in particular InGaP, are used in many different electronic applications, such as high power and highfrequency devices, laser diodes and high brightness LED. Their direct bandgap and high reliability make them ideal candidates for the realisation of high efficiency solar cells: in the past years they have been successfully used as power sources for satellites in space, where they are able to produce electricity from sunlight with an overall efficiency of around 30%. Nowadays, the use of arsenides and phosphides as photovoltaic (PV) devices is confined only to space applications since their price is much higher than conventional Si flat panel modules, the leading PV market technology. But with the introduction of multijunction solar cells capable of operating in high concentration solar light, the area and, therefore, the cost of these cells can be reduced and will eventually find an application and market also on ...
We proposed that a new type of the electrostatic microwiggler with a wiggler period (0.1 mm {le}1{sub w}{le}1 mm) and the wiggler field strength (E{sub w}{le} 100 kV/m) can be produced on the surface of a PZT when a high power and highfrequency ultrasonic wave travels through a PZT bar. Numerical simulations in the linear and nonlinear gain regime show that a weak microwiggler (E{sub w}100 kV/m,{lambda}{sub w}{approx}100 periods), operating in magnetoresonance with a strong guide field (B{sub o}{approx} 3.6T), can generate a millimeter and submillimeter radiations with medium electronic efficiency of few percents. It is shown that the maximum output power of the compact FEL using the wiggler system generated on the surface of the piezoelectric material may be upto a few Watts with a relatively low energy and low current electron beam (Ew {approx}100 keV and I{sub b}1 mA).
A high luminosity (10e34 - 10e35 cm square/s) electron-positron Collider (CLIC) with a nominal centre-of-mass energy of 3 TeV has been under study for a number of years at CERN within an international collaboration of laboratories and institutes to provide the HEP community with a new accelerator-based facility for the post-LHC era. In order to achieve the very high design luminosity, very low emittance beams have to be produced and focused down to very small beam sizes at the interaction point. Beam acceleration using highfrequency normal-conducting structures operating at high accelerating fields significantly reduces the length and, in consequence, the cost of the linac. The overall length of the 3 TeV collider is about 33 km. The goals of the CLIC scheme are ambitious, and require further R&D to demonstrate that they are indeed technically feasible. A new test facility is being built at CERN for this purpose with the aim to demonstrate ...
The progress of digital audio technology enabled the familiar use of the products such as CD and DAT in the acoustic measurement. For example, a signal reproduced with CD player is inputted into a subject of measurement and DAT recorder records its response. However, the sampling cannot be synchronized completely with the input signal although both nominal sample rates are set up equally, because player and recorder work independently. It is the most popular software solution to perform the synchronous addition after converting the recorded signal into the original sampling rate. However, the rate conversion also has the error due to the windowing in the highfrequency region of processed signal. This paper proposes a new method for averaging asynchronous sampling data to solve these problems. To evaluate performance, the transfer function of only measuring equipment estimated from asynchronous sampling data was compared with the measuring ...
Field emitter devices are being developed for the gigatron, a high-efficiency, highfrequency and high power microwave source. One approach being investigated is porous silicon, where a dense matrix of nanoscopic pores are galvanically etched into a silicon surface. In the present paper pore morphologies were used to characterize these materials. Using of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) images of both N-type and P-type porous layers, it is found that pores propagate along the <100> crystallographic direction, perpendicular to the surface of (100) silicon. Distinct morphologies were observed systematically near the surface, in the main bulk and near the bottom of N-type (100) silicon lift-off samples. It is seen that the pores are not cylindrical but exhibit more or less approximately square cross sections. X-ray diffraction spectra and electron diffraction patterns verified that bulk porous ...
New rare earth metal rich cadmium compounds RE_4CoCd and RE_4RhCd (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho) were prepared by high-frequency melting of the elements in sealed tantalum tubes. The samples were studied by x-ray powder and single-crystal diffraction. All the compounds crystallize with Gd_4RhIn-type structure, with space group F4-bar3m. The structures are built up from rigid three-dimensional networks of condensed, cobalt (rhodium) centred trigonal RE_6 prisms. The voids left by these networks are filled by Cd_4 cluster units and the coordination number 14 polyhedra of the RE1 atoms. The terbium and dysprosium compounds in both series undergo antiferromagnetic ordering, whereas the holmium compounds exhibit ferromagnetic ordering. The magnetic ordering in these compounds is characterized by broad peaks around the transition temperatures. The results of detailed crystallographic investigations and preliminary magnetic and specific heat studies are presented and discussed in this ...
In order to study the boundary conditions for the occurrence of ratcheting, a testing rig was erected. In this rig, small-scale mock-ups of the first wall were tested under mechanical conditions similar to those expected during disruptions. These mock-ups were made of stainless steel AISI 316. They were heated on the surface and water cooled from inside. Disruption forces were simulated by a high-speed hydraulic bending system by impact loads. The mock-ups were heated by a high-frequency generator and cooled by water through two cooling channels.In addition to the experimental work, simplified analytical analysis and numerical calculations were carried out using the finite element program ABAQUS. In these calculations, the temperature and stress fields in the mock-ups were investigated and the influence of the different constitutive equations was studied.The experimental results confirm the ratcheting behaviour predicted by the calculations. It has been ...
Subtractive imaging in confocal fluorescence light microscopy is based on the subtraction of a suitably weighted widefield image from a confocal image. An approximation to a widefield image can be obtained by detection with an opened confocal pinhole. The subtraction of images enhances the resolution in-plane as well as along the optic axis. Due to the linearity of the approach, the effect of subtractive imaging in Fourier-space corresponds to a reduction of low spatial frequency contributions leading to a relative enhancement of the highfrequencies. Along the direction of the optic axis this also results in an improved sectioning. Image processing can achieve a similar effect. However, a 3D volume dataset must be acquired and processed, yielding a result essentially identical to subtractive imaging but superior in signal-to-noise ratio. The latter can be increased further with the technique of weighted averaging in Fourier-space. A comparison ...
Application of electromagnetic forces to materials processing, so-called {open_quotes}electromagnetic processing of materials (EPM){close_quotes} has been recognized as cutting edge technology, especially in the fields of steelmaking and advanced materials processing in Japan. The history of EPM in Japan is mentioned and the background to promote EPM is described. The current status of research and development of EPM is shown briefly introducing several examples. Regarding the application of high-frequency magnetic field, two topics are dealt with. The first is the improvement of the surface quality of cast steel where an alternating magnetic field is imposed on the molten steel from the outside of the mold, and the second is the induction cold crucible where a considerably large amount of molten intermetallic compound is levitated. Examples of the application of DC magnetic field are the control of molten steel flow in a mold and the suppression of the mixing of ...
Introduction: Thalassemia is the most common hereditary blood disorder in the world. Iran is located on the thalassemic belt and there is a high prevalence of the hepatosplenomegaly in beta thalassemia minor patients which is reported to be very variable. The goal of this research was to study the frequency of these signs in the cases with beta thalassemia minor patients in Iran. Materials and methods: Two hundred and fifty-nine cases that referred to center for pre-marriage tests were divided into two groups according to their MCV, MCH, and HbA2 (beta thalassemia minor cases and control groups). Liver and spleen sizes were determined by ultrasonographic method and the two groups were compared with each other. Results: Average spleen volumes in case and control groups were 163.48 {+-} 133.97 and 126.29 {+-} 53.98 mm{sup 3}, respectively. Average spleen lengths in case and control groups were 10.71 {+-} 1.52 and 10.60 {+-} 5.4 cm, respectively. Conclusion: In the regions with ...
The purpose of this project was to investigate the origin of pressure fluctuations in fluidized bed systems. The study assessed the potential for using pressure fluctuations as an indicator of fluidized bed hydrodynamics in both laboratory scale cold-models and industrial scale boilers. Both bubbling fluidized beds and circulating fluidized beds were evaluated. Testing including both cold-flow models and laboratory and industrial-scale combustors operating at elevated temperatures. The study yielded several conclusions on the relationship of pressure fluctuations and hydrodynamic behavior in fluidized beds. The study revealed the importance of collecting sufficiently long data sets to capture low frequency (on the order of 1 Hz) pressure phenomena in fluidized beds. Past research has tended toward truncated data sets collected with highfrequency response transducers, which miss much of the spectral structure of fluidized bed hydrodynamics. As ...
In the fuel testing facilities of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute, the post-irradiation test of practical fuel used in nuclear power stations was begun in December, 1979, and the soundness of practical fuel has been confirmed, and the valuable post-irradiation test data on the behavior of fuel have been acquired. Recently, the heightening of fuel burnup has been advanced, and also in fuel testing facilities, the development and preparation of the post-irradiation testing facility required for examining in detail high burnup fuel have been carried out. The course of the installation of the post-irradiation testing facility and the outline of the facility are reported. As the preparation of the post-irradiation testing facility for high burnup fuel, a hyperfine hardness tester that measures dynamic hardness, the measuring instrument for pellet thermal diffusion rate by laser flash method, the measuring instrument for pellet melting point by high ...
A free standing outdoor telephone booth is provided with a photovoltaic (PV) array, one or more rechargeable storage batteries and electrical control circuit which includes a temperature compensated control for limiting the supply of electrical energy from the PV array to the rechargeable battery to avoid over charging the battery, an ambient light (solar insolation) sensing circuit for controlling the electrical lamp load, to turn the lamp ON during dark ambient and OFF during light ambient conditions. In addition, the total discharge limit of the storage battery is controlled to a safe operating limit and a means is disclosed to power a fluorescent lamp at energy conserving intensities with energy derived from the rechargeable storage battery. The lamp control circuitry is preferably constituted by a highfrequency power inverter with regulated output power to energize a low wattage fluorescent lamp and to dim the fluorescent lamp when the ...
ITN Energy Systems is developing next-generation solar cells based on the concepts of an optical rectenna. ITN's optical rectenna consists of two key elements: (1) an optical antenna to efficiently absorb the incident solar radiation, and (2) a high-frequency metal-insulator-metal (MIM) tunneling diode that rectifies the AC field across the antenna, providing DC power to an external load. The combination of a rectifying diode at the feedpoints of a receiving antenna is often referred to as a rectenna. Rectennas were originally proposed in the 1960s for power transmission by radio waves for remote powering of aircraft for surveillance or communications platforms. Conversion efficiencies greater than 85% have been demonstrated at radio frequencies (efficiency defined as DC power generated divided by RF power incident on the device). Later, concepts were proposed to extend the rectennas into the IR and optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum for use as ...
The PLANCK SURVEYOR is a European Space Agency satellite mission to image the very faint anisotropies in the temperature of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation. Maynooth is actively participating in an international collaboration of scientists involved with the optical design of the HighFrequency Instrument (HFI). This paper outlines research which has been undertaken in Maynooth concerned with numerical modelling of the optical characteristics of the multi-frequency array of detectors making up the HFI instrument. In the study the commercial software package ZEMAX was used to model the coupling of the focal plane HFI detectors to the PLANCK telescope. This package is particularly useful in the optical design of PLANCK because of the powerful optimisation features of the software. It is thus possible to readily determine the optimum positioning of the detectors in the focal plane of the telescope. Although the package is based on a ...
The credibility of the model proposed by Ghosh in predicting the refractive indices of mixed semiconductor crystals of technological importance within their miscibility range as a function of band gap is demonstrated. The high-frequency refractive indices of four quaternary alloys Al_xGa_1_-_x_-_yIn_yP (y = 0.49, 0 #<=# x #<=# 0.51), InSb_xAs_1_-_x_-_yP_y (y = 2.2x, 0 #<=# x #<=# 0.313, 0 #<=# y #<=# 0.638), Cd_xZn_1_-_x_-_yHg_ySe (x + y = 1, 0.153 #<=# x #<=# 0.684, 0.316 #<=# y #<=# 0.847), and CdS_1_-_x_-_ySe_xTe_y (x + y = 1, 0.15 #<=# x #<=# 0.93, 0.07 #<=# y #<=# 0.85) are calculated according to the relation n"2-1 = A/(E_g + B)"2 where A is an energy gap dependent constant and B is a constant depending on crystal ionicity. The calculated values show excellent agreement with the experimental data thus justifying the validity of the model.
The problem in perturbation theory in general relativity is finding a natural gauge which simplifies the equations considerably. We solved the first and second order perturbation equations in the ''Lorentz gauge'' using the two-timing method. The equations were deduced from the equations of Einstein in the presence of a matter energy-momentum tensor of a perfect fluid with equation of state p = (..gamma..-1) rho. It is found that the 0--0 component of the first order equations together with the gauge conditions are consistent with the Bianchi type V model, without axial symmetry. It represents a ''ground state'' situation of the Bianchi type IX model (Mixmaster model.) The second order equations, describing the reaction back of the gravitational waves on the slowly varying background, give rise to rotation and will disturb the isotropization mechanism. The numerical solutions show all the features which are ...
A new miniature high-frequency (HF) plasma source intended for bio-medical applications is studied using nitrogen/oxygen mixture at atmospheric pressure. This plasma source can be used as an element of a plasma source array for applications in dermatology and surgery. Nitric oxide and ozone which are produced in this plasma source are well-known agents for proliferation of the cells, inhalation therapy for newborn infants, disinfection of wounds and blood ozonation. Using optical emission spectroscopy, microphotography and numerical simulation, the gas temperature in the active plasma region and plasma parameters (electron density and electron distribution function) are determined for varied nitrogen/oxygen flows. The influence of the gas flows on the plasma conditions is studied. Ozone and nitric oxide concentrations in the effluent of the plasma source are measured using absorption spectroscopy and electro-chemical NO-detector at variable gas flows. Correlations ...
NGC 2770 has been the host of three supernovae of Type Ib during the last 10 years, SN 1999eh, SN 2007uy and SN 2008D. SN 2008D attracted special attention due to the serendipitous discovery of an associated X-ray transient. In this paper, we study the properties of NGC 2770 and specifically the three SN sites to investigate whether this galaxy is in any way peculiar to cause a highfrequency of SNe Ib. We model the global SED of the galaxy from broadband data and derive a star-formation and SN rate comparable to the values of the Milky Way. We further study the galaxy using longslit spectroscopy covering the major axis and the three SN sites. From the spectroscopic study we find subsolar metallicities for the SN sites, a high extinction and a moderate star-formation rate. In a high resolution spectrum, we also detect diffuse interstellar bands in the line-of-sight towards SN 2008. A comparison of NGC 2770 to the global properties of a galaxy ...
Electronic trap densities at the indium tin oxide (ITO)/hole transport layer (HTL) interface in operating organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are characterized in situ using impedance spectroscopy. For OLEDs with a high density of active trap states, negative values of the frequency derivative of resistance are clearly observable for frequencies on the order of 10 kHz, whereas positive values are observed when the trap density is low With this technique, it is revealed that the trap density is minimized via the introduction of a TPD-Si{sub 2} (4,4'-bis[(p-trichlorosilylpropylphenyl) phenylamino]-biphenyl) passivation layer at the ITO/HTL interface or by the application of large electric fields during device operation. Furthermore, impedance spectroscopy illustrates that the ITO/HTL interface is not a simple series resistance when traps are present since they are shown not to contribute to highfrequency conduction. Overall, this ...
Recent studies have revealed a number of striking dependence patterns in highfrequency stock price dynamics characterizing probabilistic interrelation between two consequent price increments x (push) and y (response) as described by the bivariate probability distribution P(x,y) [1,2,3,4]. There are two properties, the market mill asymmetries of P(x,y) and predictability due to nonzero z-shaped mean conditional response, that are of special importance. Main goal of the present paper is to put together a model reproducing both the z-shaped mean conditional response and the market mill asymmetry of P(x,y) with respect to the axis y=0. We develop a probabilistic model based on a multi-component ansatz for conditional distribution P(y|x) with push-dependent weights and means describing both properties. A relationship between the market mill asymmetry and predictability is discussed. A possible connection of the model to agent-based picture is ...
The Moderator Temperature Coefficient of reactivity (MTC) was earlier proven to be properly determined via noise analysis when the neutron noise is measured locally and when the radial average of the moderator temperature noise is used. Nevertheless, measurements revealed that the MTC was correctly estimated on a much narrower frequency band (0.6 - 0.7 Hz) than expected (0.1 - 1.0 Hz). The present paper investigates the effect of the feedback on the MTC determination using this new MTC noise estimator (which could explain the deviation at low frequencies, i.e. between 0.1 - 0.5 Hz) and the effect of the detector time constants (which could explain the deviation at highfrequencies, i.e. between 0.7 - 1.0 Hz). For that purpose, a coupled neutronic/thermalhydraulic model of the Ringhals-3 PWR is developed in the frequency-domain, based on a radial 2-dimensional heterogeneous representation of the core. The transfer function of the detectors is ...
This paper analyses the complex, non-linear effects of spot price drivers in wholesale electricity markets: their intra-day dynamics and transient irregularities. The context is the UK market, after the reforms introduced in March 2001, analysed with an original set of price drivers reflecting economic, technical, strategic, risk, behavioural and market design effects. Models are estimated separately as daily time-series of the 48 half-hourly trading periods. All coefficients exhibit substantial intra-day variation, relating to the heterogeneity of operating plants and market design aspects. This reveals a market responding to economic fundamentals and plant operating properties, with learning and emergent financial characteristics, as well as some strategic manipulation of capacity, most effectively exercised by the more flexible plants. Using regime-switching parameters, the effects of capacity margin and inter-day capacity adjustment are elucidated, suggesting rent-seeking ...
The effects of gas diffusion layer's (GDL's) anisotropic bending stiffness on the degradation behavior of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells have been investigated under freezing conditions. We have prepared GDL sheet samples such that the higher stiffness direction of GDL roll is aligned with the major flow field direction of a metallic bipolar plate at angles of 0^o (parallel: '0^o GDL') and 90^o (perpendicular: '90^o GDL'). The I-V performances before and after 1000 temperature cycles between -10 and 1 ^oC of 90^o GDL stack are higher than those of 0^o GDL stack, and the voltages of 90^o GDL stack are decreased slower than those of 0^o GDL stack, indicating a higher durability of 90^o GDL stack. Furthermore, the values and increasing rates of high-frequency resistance of 90^o GDL s...
Electrostatic wave measurements from the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer Ion Release Module have been used to investigate the wave modes and their possible generation mechanisms in the Earth's bow shock and magnetosheath. It is demonstrated that electrostatic waves are present in the bow shock and magnetosheath with frequencies above the maximum frequency for Doppler-shifted ion acoustic waves, yet below the plasma frequency. Waves in this frequency range are tentatively identified as electron beam mode waves. Data from 45 bow shock crossings are then used to investigate possible correlations between the electrostatic wave properties and the near-shock plasma parameters. The most significant relationships found are anticorrelations with Alfven Mach number and electron beta. Mechanisms which might produce electron beams in the shock and magnetosheath are discussed in terms of the correlation study results. These mechanisms include acceleration by the cross-shock electric ...
This thesis studied the petrology and sequence stratigraphy of the Hoadley barrier, a Glauconitic member in the Westerose field in Alberta. The unit contains gas reserves in an extensive northeast-southwest trending marine complex. A high resolution sequence stratigraphic model was used to understand the facies development of the unit and the diagenetic pathway of the strata. Six highfrequency sequences were identified within the Glauconitic member. Each are separated from one another by surfaces of incision or subaerial exposure which sometimes coincide with a flooding surface and erosion. This thesis provided a petrographic characterization and depositional history of each of the 6 sequences. Reservoir quality is developed within the relatively quartz-rich foreshore facies of the G2B sandstones. The G3 chert litharenite to sublitharenite sandstones are excellent gas producers because of their coarser grain size and secondary porosity. The ...
The quasar B2005+403 located behind the Cygnus region, is a suitable object for studying the interplay between propagation effects, which are extrinsic to the source and source intrinsic variability. On the basis of VLBI experiments performed at 1.6, 5, 8, 15, 22, and 43GHz between 1992-2003 and parallel multi-frequency monitoring of the total flux density, we investigated the variability of total flux density and source structure. Below 8 GHz, the point-like VLBI source is affected by scatter-broadening of the turbulent interstellar medium, which is located along the line of sight and likely associated with the Cygnus region. We present and discuss the measured frequency dependence of the source size, which shows a power-law with slope of -1.91+/-0.05. From the measured scattering angle at 1GHz of 77.1+/-4.0mas a SM=0.43+/-0.04 m^{-20/3} kpc is derived, consistent with the general properties of the ISM in this direction. The decreasing effect of angular broadening towards higher ...
When total mesorectal excision (TME) is accurately performed, dysfunction, theoretically, does not occur. However, there are differences among individuals in the running patterns and the volumes of nerve fibers, and if obesity or a narrow pelvis is present, nerve identification is difficult. Currently, the rate of urinary dysfunction after rectal surgery ranges from 33% to 70%. Many factors other than nerve preservation play a role in minor incontinence. Male sexual function shows impotence rates ranging from 20% to 46%, while 20%-60% of potent patients are unable to ejaculate. In women, information on sexual function is not easily obtained, and there are more unknown aspects than in men. As urinary, sexual, and defecation dysfunction due to adjuvant radiotherapy have been reported to occur at a highfrequency, the creation of a protocol that enables analysis of long-term functional outcome will be essential for future clinical trials. In the ...
Radio interference and TV interference are being a problem in urban and rural areas. This interference is generated by high voltage transmission lines as well as distribution lines. The radio noise can be produced by polluted or damaged insulators, and by metal parts of the distribution lines. The corona effect on the surface of the dielectric material produces highfrequency electromagnetic fields during the ionization and during the recombination period. Fields of different intensity are produced by positive voltage and negative voltage. The insulator flashover (leaking current) also produces electromagnetic fields. A new technique to measure these fields was developed. This technique measures the radiated fields on time domain and on frequency domain. This permits us to characterize the radiated field and thus identify the type of the source. Several measurements were done varying the type of the RF generator, i.e., new insulator and broken ...
Hoogenstraaten's heating rate method has generally been considered as a reliable method for determining thermoluminescence trapping parameters of first order glow peaks. However, experience has shown that in some cases the deviation between the heating rate method and glow curve fitting method can be quite significant (considering only the linear part of the heating rate plot, of course). In this study it is shown that one of the main reasons for this deviation can be a systematic increase of a temperature lag between the measured and real temperature of the sample with increasing heating rate. It appears that this systematic increase of the temperature lag affects the method in the range of low heating rates (linear part of the heating rates plots) more than has been previously realised. The effect of the temperature lag on Hoogenstraaten's heating rate method is a decrease in activation energy and frequency factor and is more important for glow peaks with a high activation energy and ...
Hoogenstraaten's heating rate method has generally been considered as a reliable method for determining thermoluminescence trapping parameters of first order glow peaks. However, experience has shown that in some cases the deviation between the heating rate method and glow curve fitting method can be quite significant (considering only the linear part of the heating rate plot, of course). In this study it is shown that one of the main reasons for this deviation can be a systematic increase of a temperature lag between the measured and real temperature of the sample with increasing heating rate. It appears that this systematic increase of the temperature lag affects the method in the range of low heating rates (linear part of the heating rates plots) more than has been previously realised. The effect of the temperature lag on Hoogenstraaten's heating rate method is a decrease in activation energy and frequency factor and is more important for glow peaks with a high ...
A newly developed 220 Mbps free-space 4-ary pulse position modulation (PPM) direct detection optical communication system is described. High speed GaAs integrated circuits were used to construct the PPM encoder and receiver electronic circuits. Both PPM slot and word timing recovery were provided in the PPM receiver. The optical transmitter consisted of an AlGaAs laser diode (Mitsubishi ML5702A, lambda=821nm) and a high speed driver unit. The photodetector consisted of a silicon avalanche photodiode (APD) (RCA30902S) preceded by an optical interference filter (delta lambda=10nm). Preliminary tests showed that the self-synchronized PPM receiver could achieve a receiver bit error rate of less than 10(exp -6) at 25 nW average received optical signal power or 360 photons per transmitted information bit. The relatively poor receiver sensitivity was believed to be caused by the insufficient electronic bandwidth of the APD preamplifier and the poor linearity of the preamplifier ...
Fe-Cr-Mn stainless steel is one of the candidate materials for the 1`st wall materials and structural applications of fusion reactor as regards reduced radioactivation properties than Fe-Cr-Ni austenitic stainless steels. This report deals with the effects of annealing and aging heat treatment on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Fe-Cr-Mn alloys varying Mn and W contents, which were made using vacuum highfrequency induction furnace. Increasing Mn contents, austenite phase was increased, and maximum .epsilon. martensite phase was formed at about 21% Mn. W-addition made small amount of ferrite phase in the matrix, and the ferrite contents were increased with raising annealing temperature. Increased Mn contents reduced tensile stress and yield stress but increased the elongation. W-addition raised the high temperature tensile properties. The variation of Mn contents had no influenced on corrosion resistance. ...
Correlations are studied between the power density of Alfv\\'en-cyclotron waves (having frequencies between 0.02 and 2 Hz) and the ratio of the perpendicular and parallel temperature of the protons. The wave power spectrum is evaluated from high-resolution 3D magnetic field vector components, and the ion temperatures are derived from the velocity distribution functions as measured in fast solar wind during the Helios-2 primary mission at radial distances from the Sun between 0.3 AU and 0.9 AU. From our statistical analysis, we obtain a striking correlation between the increases in the proton temperature ratio and enhancements in the wave power spectrum. Near the Sun the transverse part of the wave power is often found to be by more than an order of magnitude higher than its longitudinal counterpart. Also the measured ion temperature anisotropy appears to be limited by the theoretical threshold value for the ion-cyclotron instability. This suggests that ...
This paper deals with the buffeting of a slender, circular, flexible beam-rod in an axial turbulent flow. The principal excitation mechanisms are the turbulent wall pressure fluctuations and the motion-dependent (self-excited) aerodynamic force caused by the beam motion. On the assumption that the turbulent wall pressure fluctuations are independent of the beam motion, a linear forced-vibration model is used to determine the buffeting response of the beam and to investigate the length scale effects of turbulences on the beam buffeting. Transverse buffeting of the beam in an axial turbulent flow depends largely on the ratio of the longitudinal scale of the turbulences to the bending wavelength of the beam and on the ratio of the circumferential scale of the turbulences to the radius of the beam. The spectra and the mean square values of the buffeting displacement of the beam become vanishingly small, both when either of these ratios is very small (<10/sup -2/) and when the latter is ...
Using standard microfabrication techniques, it is now possible to construct devices that appear to reliably manipulate electrons one at a time. These devices have potential use as building blocks in quantum computing devices, or as a standard of electrical current derived only from a frequency and the fundamental charge. To date, the error rate in semiconductor 'tuneable-barrier' pump devices, those which show most promise for high-frequency operation, have not been tested in detail. We present high-accuracy measurements of the current from an etched GaAs quantum dot pump, operated at zero source-drain bias voltage with a single ac-modulated gate at 340 MHz driving the pump cycle. By comparison with a reference current derived from primary standards, we show that the electron transfer accuracy is better than 15 parts per million. High-resolution studies of the dependence of the pump current on the quantum dot tuning parameters also reveal possible deviations from a ...
LEDF(Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) is the solid waste processing technology development facility that carries out high-volume reduction and low dosage processing. The high-volume reduction processing of the high dose {alpha}-waste configured with combustible waste, pvc and rubber, spent ion exchange resin, and noncombustible waste have been planned the incinerating and melting facility using the in-can type highfrequency induction heating in LEDF. This test is intended to clarify the design data. It was confirmed that the incinerating and melting performance, molten solid properties and exhaust gas processing performance with pilot testing equipment and bench scale equipment. The result of this test are as follows. 1. Processing speed is 6.7 kg/h for the combustible waste, 13.0 kg/h for the ion exchange resin, and 30.0 kg/h for the noncombustible waste. For above optimum processing conditions are as follows. Operating temperature is ...
Although polybrominated naphthalenes (PBNs) are contaminants of the commercial fire retardant fireMaster BP-6, the individual PBN isomers have not been identified. In order to study PBNs possessing an analogous level of bromination to those found in fireMaster BP-6, three synthetic PBN mixtures, averaging 5.0, 5.3, and 5.6 bromines per naphthalene were synthetized and partially characterized. The PBN mixtures were administered to immature male Wistar rats and found to be potent inducers of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases. At the lowest dose tested, 30 mumol X kg-1, each PBN mixture caused maximal induction of benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase activity. On the basis of enzyme activities, ligand-binding spectra and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, the PBN mixtures were determined to be 3-methylcholanthrene-type inducers of cytochrome P-450 (P-448), resembling qualitatively the most toxic ...
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.
Scyl1 is an evolutionarily conserved N-terminal protein kinase-like domain protein that plays a role in COP1-mediated retrograde protein trafficking in mammalian cells. Furthermore, loss of Scyl1 function...Full Text Available
Intimin facilitates intestinal colonization by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7; however, the importance of intimin binding to its translocated receptor (Tir) as opposed to...Full Text Available
Pumping is one of the means for storing vast quantities of energy. This article analyses its principles and ways of implementation with emphasis on its double aspect, e.g., on the one hand, off-peak power is transferred to the periods of heaviest load and is thus valorized, even when taking into account losses due to poor efficiency of operations in the pumping and turbine modes, and on the other hand, plants have great flexibility in operation, faciliting the permanent fitting of generation to demand.
A tiered communications architecture for managing network traffic in a distributed system. Communication between client or control computers and a plurality of hardware devices is administered by agent and monitor devices whose activities are coordinated to reduce the number of open channels or sockets. The communications architecture also improves the transparency and scalability of the distributed system by reducing network mapping dependence. The architecture is desirably implemented in a proton beam therapy system to provide flexible security policies which improve patent safety and facilitate system maintenance and development.
This device has and head-race pipe with an external part and a coaxial inner part. A measuring head is mounted movable between these 2 parts and has at least a thermocouple and a mobile grid for varying the section and the sodium flow to facilitate the impurities dissolution. This ensemble is completed by a longitudinal body containing the main parts of the indicator and surrounded by a thermal exchanger to cool the sodium.
The invention deals with a pumping plant for oil filled power cables. An air driven piston type pump is used as primary pump. A PLS (Programmable Logic control System) is used to control the oil flow to the cable(s). Improvements of the pump includes means for ensuring that the pump piston is operated also at low pressure and flow, and means for sealing off the piston rod to ensure maximum life of seals, to facilitate detection of possible leakages and to avoid contamination of the cable oil. 3 figs.
Norad commissioned Econ Poeyry to map teaching and research activities and capacity related to clean energy in selected Ethiopian universities. The mapping identified challenges and opportunities with the aim of facilitating future intervention by the Ethiopian Government and donors to help improve the energy sector development of the country. The report covered the government-owned universities of Bahir Dar, Mekelle, Jimma, Arba Minch and Addis Ababa. The mapping was based on a questionnaire and on interviews at each university. (Author)
ABSTRACT Extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model, this study postulates a model of online social support. The model is empirically tested using data from undergraduates in Taiwan regarding their usage of instant messaging (IM). The test results indicate that all model paths are significant, except that the path between online social support and facilitating conditions is insignificant. This study offers limitations and implications.
A cryostat is described that was developed for irradiating a number of small metal specimens with a high beamcurrent of heavy particles at liquid nitrogen temperature. The specimens, which are mounted on a block, are taken out of the cryostat after irradiation and subsequently annealed in a temperature bath. The progress of annealing is followed by measuring the change in electrical resistivity of the specimens in liquid helium. (auth)
This article investigates the societal conditions that might help the establishment of peer-to-peer modes of production. First, the context within which such a new model is emerging - the neoliberal knowledge-based-societies - is described, and its shortcomings unveiled; and second, a robust argument is provided for the moral legitimation of an alternative societal vision, including two structural policies that are likely to facilitate the establishment and further development of peer-to-peer practices.
Revisions at steam turbines should present a problem-free procedure due to the long use of these machines. Changes in the market result in difficulties during the inspection work. The shortage of qualified personnel and manufacturing capacities are the cause for these difficulties. Important procedures of revisions are described in detail in the VGB regulations. Direct contacts between the customers and the suppliers facilitate the expirations substantially. In the case of good planning and under consideration of the well-known regulations, a revision can be accomplished to the satisfaction of customers and suppliers.
DescriptionEnzymes are natural catalysts that are used increasingly to replace environmentally harmful chemicals and to achieve better catalytic selectivity during pulp and paper processing. The main objective of this project is to identify novel plant enzymes for deeper understanding of the process of fibre formation and for future improvement of the quality parameters of wood fibres. Specific modification of the fibre characteristics will facilitate their use as raw materials for the current pulp and pap [continued...
Describes the Indonesian system of education of Islamic schooling, secular education, and out-of-school education. The provision of 9-year universal basic education is planned by 2004. The national plan challenges the education system to facilitate the change in Indonesia's economic structure from an agriculturally based system to one more dependent on manufacturing and service industries. (SLD)
... 01, 2009 | Rate It Marine Technology Society https://www.mtsociety.org/home.aspx emphasizes the importance of marine technology as it applies to global issues, encourages marine technology education and facilitates the use of marine technology in managing marine resources Added: Mar. 11, 2010 |...
Response of control valves plays an important role in the dynamics of the flow system as a whole. Knowledge of its transfer function would facilitate analysis of the behaviour of the system. This paper presents the application of Levy's complex curve fitting method for determination of the transfer function of control valves used in Liquid Zone Control System of 540 MWe PHWR. (author)
In order to facilitate observations of low energy nuclear reactions, a new type recoil mass-separator together with a new gas-jet target system is being developed at the tandem accelerator facility in Kyushu University. The expected mass-resolving power of the separator is 220 for a solid angle of 10 msr and the practical thickness of the gas-jet target will exceed 0.1 atm#centre dot#cm for the light elements of H and He. (author).
For verification of cow fertility a /sup 3/H radioimmunoassay of progesterone in milk and blood plasma was developed. It is of high specificity and accuracy as well. Extraction of progesterone from milk was facilitated by application of alcohol. Suggested differences in milk and plasma progesterone levels between pregnant and nonpregnant cows could be revealed.
Computer tomography used in the diagnosis of tumours is described in the light of particularly great diagnostic difficulties in children. Computer tomography was applied in 12 cases. A high diagnostic value of this method was demonstrated, which makes possible a more accurate diagnosis of the position of the tumour, its size, and expanding tendency. The possibility of estimating healthy tissues and organs, and those with pathological changes on the basis of differences in their density with a detection threshold at 0.5% density difference facilitates not infrequently preoperative diagnosis raising the value of the method.
As a self-teaching tool, this illustrated guide facilitates home study of the complexities of thoracic CT's. Over 400 illustrations and accompanying copy are used to provide a basis for understanding the CT appearances of disease processes and a comparison of CT lookalikes. It updates new and interesting developments in the format of case presentations.
The Atlantic Wind Test Site was established in 1980 as a laboratory to facilitate the evaluation and demonstration of wind energy systems and equipment. This annual report describes its organization and management, facilities, major projects, and the outlook for the future. Major projects include wind diesel; AWTS-IREQ collaboration; remote community data acquisition; lagerwey test program; Alaska Energy Authority Project; public education; Atlantic Orient Corporation 15/50 Project; and the soft VAWT project.
This report describes selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies which offer an economical and effective means of reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from electricity generation facilities and reviews the feasibility and cost effectiveness of employing this technology on electricity generating facilities in Ontario. Based on experiences in the United States, in British Columbia, and internationally in Japan and Germany, the indication is that the technology for the installation of SCR systems on new gas-fired combined cycle power plants and existing coal-fired power plants has grown enormously during the past decade, and has been established as the control technology of choice for nitrogen oxide emissions. It is widely acknowledged to reduce power plant nitrogen oxide emissions, and do so at a very reasonable incremental cost. It is estimated that the annualized cost of installing and operating a SCR at a large ...
In the research of a more efficient, less costly, more environmentally responsible and less technically difficult method for generating electrical power from coal, `the Partially Gasified Coal Fired Combined Cycle with a CFBC with Different Speeds (DFBC)` is introduced by Tsinghua University. The high efficiency cycle includes gasification, compressed air heating in a fluidized bed immersed air heater followed by a combustor and the heat recovery of gas turbine exhausted gas used as the combustion of coal in the differential-velocity atmospheric circulating fluidized bed. Superheated steam is raised in the DFBC boiler. A preliminary analysis is made for the choice of combined cycle components. The computer program can be used to evaluate the design and off-design performance of the power plant. The simulation results show that the new system is a valuable coal fired combined cycle system for China, mainly to the improvement of the existing ...
Heat exchangers for high and ultrahigh temperatures are a need and a precondition to realise high efficient fossil fired power plants based on the so-called Externally Fired Combined Cycle (EFCC) or the Indirect Fired Gas Turbines (IFGT). The main target of both processes is to increase the thermal efficiency of existing power plants by approximately 25% resulting in the same decrease in fuel consumption and, therefore, in the same reduction of CO{sub 2} formation. The main activities of the MPA University of Stuttgart in this project is focused on the characterisation and qualification of the structural material of the ultrahigh temperature heat exchanger (UHTHE) necessary in the above mentioned processes. The influence of the temperature and load on the material behaviour have been analysed by means of tensile tests and creep tests. The effectiveness of different coating systems and the interaction between coating system ...
In 1970, the Federal Power Commission predicted a fall from 46% to 27% in 1990 as a result of predicted increases in the use of nuclear power. Today, the Department of Energy expects coal to supply about 50% of electricity generation in 1990. About one-eighth of the world's annual hard coal production is used to make electricity in the United States. Power stations in the country used more coal in 1979 than was produced in the whole Western Europe that year. These 405,000,000 tons of coal equivalent were burned in 1257 individual utilities with an aggregate capacity of 235,000 megawatts. There are coal-fired power plants in 43 of the 50 states. Four factors will be most important in shaping the future development of coal-based electricity: prices, conservation, environmental regulations, and national security. The price differential between coal and oil has now reached a level where it is much more economic for a United States electric utility to build and ...
A life cycle assessment was performed to quantify the non-renewable (fossil) energy use and global warming potential (GWP) in electricity generation from a typical gas fired combined cycle power plant in Singapore. The cost of electricity generation was estimated using a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) tool. The life cycle assessment (LCA) of a 367.5 MW gas fired combined cycle power plant operating in Singapore revealed that hidden processes consume about 8% additional energy in addition to the fuel embedded energy, and the hidden GWP is about 18%. The natural gas consumed during the operational phase accounted for 82% of the life cycle cost of electricity generation. An empirical relation between plant efficiency and life cycle energy use and GWP in addition to a scenario for electricity cost with varying gas prices and plant efficiency have been established.
A life cycle assessment was performed to quantify the non-renewable (fossil) energy use and global warming potential (GWP) in electricity generation from a typical gas fired combined cycle power plant in Singapore. The cost of electricity generation was estimated using a life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) tool. The life cycle assessment (LCA) of a 367.5 MW gas fired combined cycle power plant operating in Singapore revealed that hidden processes consume about 8% additional energy in addition to the fuel embedded energy, and the hidden GWP is about 18%. The natural gas consumed during the operational phase accounted for 82% of the life cycle cost of electricity generation. An empirical relation between plant efficiency and life cycle energy use and GWP in addition to a scenario for electricity cost with varying gas prices and plant efficiency have been established.
Fully-fired combined cycle plants utilizing the high temperature gas turbine discharge as gas intake for a coal-fired steam generator were developed in the 1960's. Long-term experience and the excellent reliability statistics of the gas turbines of these plants have proven that the thermodynamic, economical and ecological advantages of combined cycle units over conventional units strongly suggest such plants for fossil-fuel applications. This paper describes the design and operation of these plants. Topics are Gersteinwerk Unit K combined-cycle power plant, plant design concept, design criteria and performance, gas turbines, steam generators, steam turbines, various modes of operation, typical plant start-up, environmental considerations, prototype plants and topping old steam turbine plants. It concludes that combined-cycle plants provide efficiencies over 45% with low NO/sub x/ emission and a low emission rate. 15 refs.
The probabilistic external events analysis performed for the Savannah River Site K-reactor PRA considered many different events which are generally perceived to be external'' to the reactor and its systems, such as fires, floods, seismic events, and transportation accidents (as well as many others). Events which have been shown to be significant contributors to risk include seismic events, tornados, a crane failure scenario, fires and dam failures. The total contribution to the core melt frequency from external initiators has been found to be 2.2 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} per year, from which seismic events are the major contributor (1.2 {times} 10{sup {minus}4} per year). Fire initiated events contribute 1.4 {times} 10{sup {minus}7} per year, tornados 5.8 {times} 10{sup {minus}7} per year, dam failures 1.5 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} per year and the crane failure scenario less than 10{sup {minus}4} per year ...
The outlook for natural gas (from both supply and price perspectives) has improved dramatically since the late 1970s, and significant advances have been made in electrical generation technologies which use gas. For example, gas-fired combined-cycle turbine units have become even more efficient and reliable. These units can be installed quickly (12 to 24 months versus 8 to 15 years for coal and nuclear units), and they may be brought on-line in small incremental blocks. This modular construction feature offers greater flexibility to utility planners, and the relatively low capital cost of combined-cycle units reduces financial uncertainties. The purpose of this chapter is to compare two electric power generating options, a new coal-fired powerplant and a new natural gas fired combined-cycle unit, from both economic and environmental perspectives. The comparison is based on a 240 megawatt baseload system.
Deregulation and restructuring changes in the electric power industry have provided opportunities to build new power plants. These power plants, however, will not enjoy long-term power purchase agreements with the utilities they serve, but will have to respond to the market. This is where the term `merchant plant` originates. Calpine Corp. presented its reasons for believing that now is the best time to be building new merchant plants based on modern natural gas-fired, combined-cycle power plants. Among those reasons are: (1) construction of new nuclear power plants has been rejected by people on both sides of the border, (2) attempts to promote alternative energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass have not added significant generation capacity and are not likely to do so in the near future because of their high cost, and (3) coal-fired plants are also facing environmental challenges. For all these reasons, modern natural ...
The increasing price differential between natural gas and coal will create a demand for technology that can allow the displacement of natural gas with coal in power plants. Coal gasification is the standard approach suggested to allow coal to displace natural gas. However, the relatively high capital investment required for coal gasification will require fuel cost differentials higher than those anticipated in the near term before coal gasification replaces natural gas. One way of achieving shorter term displacement of natural gas by coal would be to develop technology that would allow coal to be used as the heat source for the endothermic reforming of natural gas. In a natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant, the endothermic heat of reforming, which would be provided by coal combustion, is recovered in the combined-cycle. Therefore, this portion of the coal`s energy would be converted to electrical power at the high efficiency of the ...
The real thermodynamic inefficiencies in a thermal system are related to exergy destruction and exergy loss. An exergy analysis identifies the system components with the highest exergy destruction and the processes that cause them. However, only a part of the exergy destruction in a component can be avoided. A minimum exergy destruction rate for each system component is imposed by physical, technological, and economic constraints. The difference between the total and the unavoidable exergy destruction rate represents the avoidable exergy destruction rate, which provides a realistic measure of the potential for improving the thermodynamic efficiency of a component. The calculation of avoidable cost rates associated with both exergy destruction and capital investment is described in the paper and is applied to the exergoeconomic evaluation of an externally fired combined cycle power plant. For each plant component, avoidable and unavoidable exergy destructions and ...
For IGCC, the primary investment is too high due to the demand of high gasification efficiency. For PFBCC, the thermal efficiency is too low due to the relatively low turbine inlet temperature and the hot working medium of the gas turbine is not easy to clean. A new scheme is proposed for coal fired combined cycle to overcome the main drawbacks of IGCC and PFBCC. The research targets are developing a new cycle construction of coal fired combined cycle to raise the efficiency and reduce the primary investment. Actually, the new scheme is a synthesis of some existing proposals. It adopts partial gasification to reduce the primary investment of the gasification equipment. The un-gasified surplus solid is then fed to a pressurized fluidized bed boiler, but adopting Curtiss Wright type external combustion to lower the ash content in the working medium. The gas fuel from the partial gasifier is combusted in a top combustor to further increase the ...
A High Performance Power System (HIPPS) is being developed. This system is a coal-fired, combined cycle plant with indirect heating of gas turbine air. Foster Wheeler Development Corporation and a team consisting of Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation, Bechtel Corporation, University of Tennessee Space Institute and Westinghouse Electric Corporation are developing this system. In Phase 1 of the project, a conceptual design of a commercial plant was developed. Technical and economic analyses indicated that the plant would meet the goals of the project which include a 47 percent efficiency (HHV) and a 10 percent lower cost of electricity than an equivalent size PC plant. The concept uses a pyrolyzation process to convert coal into fuel gas and char. The char is fired in a High Temperature Advanced Furnace (HITAF). The HITAF is a pulverized fuel-fired boiler/air heater where steam is generated and gas turbine air is indirectly ...
The coal-fired combined cycle with partial gasification and fluidized bed combustion (PGFBC-CC), also referred to as a hybrid cycle, has advantages of staged energy conversion and utilization, which can attain high thermal efficiency with low emissions. Four kinds of PGFBC-CC are studied in this paper, two based on pressurized fluidized bed combustion (PFBC) and two on atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC). Thermal performance calculations and parametric analyses were performed. On the basis of the results, from the above analyses, the best integration system for China is suggested. In addition, a preliminary exergetic analysis is carried out for three of the PGFBC-CC variants.
The first 750 MW block of the new South Humber Bank gas-fired combined cycle power plant, sited about 300 km north from London, was officially commissioned in September 12th 1997. The project has been a major success story for Imatran Voima Oy (IVO), which developed the concept and managed the project and owns 22.5 % of the plant; and ABB Power Plants Limited, responsible for the turnkey delivery. IVO Generation Services (UK) is responsible for the running and maintenance of the facility. IVO also manages two other existing plants in Britain, at Brigg (240 MW) and Peterborough (360 MW)
The first 750 MW block of the new South Humber Bank gas-fired combined cycle power plant, sited about 300 km north from London, was officially commissioned in September 12th 1997. The project has been a major success story for Imatran Voima Oy (IVO), which developed the concept and managed the project and owns 22.5 % of the plant; and ABB Power Plants Limited, responsible for the turnkey delivery. IVO Generation Services (UK) is responsible for the running and maintenance of the facility. IVO also manages two other existing plants in Britain, at Brigg (240 MW) and Peterborough (360 MW).
Concepts involving combined gas-turbine/steam-turbine power-generation plants, in which the fuel gas for the gas turbine is produced via the gasification of coal, are now extremely advanced. This technology already permits efficiencies of around 50% current development targets view 65% as achievable. In conventional technology, efficiencies are tied to conditions, such as air and cooling-water temperatures, at the particular location. In combined-cycle power plants, the properties of the fuel coal also play an important part. There are, in face, coals which can be more advantageously used in a combined-cycle power plant than in a conventional one. These differences, combined with advantageous concepts for coal-fired combined-cycle power-generating plants, are presented and analyzed. Particular attention is devoted to individual losses occurring at coal conversion, thermodynamic cycles, integration of processes and internal consumptions. 14 refs., 14 figs., 4 tabs.
The fossil fuel consumption and pollutant emissions in a coal fired fluidized bed boiler could be reduced by biomass pyrolysis gas reburning. The influence of three kinds of biomass pyrolysis gases on the emission of N2O in a laboratory scale fluidized bed was investigated using the mechanism of GRI3.0 in this paper. The results showed that: the effect of sawdust pyrolysis gas reburning on N2O was more significant than that of rice husk and orange peel under the same conditions; the increase of initial oxygen content from 1% to 8% in flue gas would restrain the decomposition of N2O; the N2O decomposition was enhanced by increasing reaction temperature from 1073.15 K to 1323.15 K, and the decomposition rate may reach 99% at 1223.15 K.
The results of a study assessing natural-gas-fired combined-cycle (GFCC) power generation in the electric-utility sector are presented. This study quantified the economic benefits attributable to GFCC generation and examined the characteristics of GFCC technology that produce these benefits and the ways that these benefits vary among regions in the country. The impacts of changes in important economic parameters (capital cost, fuel price, etc.) as well as the impact of advances in GFCC technology were considered. Use of GFCC technology in the electric-utility sector could play an important role in a least-cost planning strategy and thereby provide significant benefits to the utilities and their customers. Potential benefits include reduced capital and operating costs, more effective matching of load growth and capacity additions, and greater system reliability. 8 refs., 3 tabs.
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.
A survey was undertaken of literature on the conversion of coke-fired cupola furnaces so that they can be fuelled, either wholly or partially, with natural gas. The aim was to determine the most suitable method for a specific furnace. Substitution with natural gas can result in speedier adjustment and control of the smelting process and in addition operational costs are reduced as natural gas is a cheaper fuel. The payback period would be one year. Pollutive emissions would be reduced. It was concluded that the most satisfactory solution would be that 3-4 gas burners should be placed immediately above the smelting zone in the furnace. Each burner should be placed in a separate combustion box in which the complete combustion process could take place. The burners should be placed symmetrically about the furnace, pointing at a small degree downwards. In this way the combustion chamber will not be filled with materials from the furnace and the burners will not be ...
Developing models for the electrical behavior of exploding bridgewire circuits requires high-quality data of a type not usually generated in routine tests of detonator hardware. To obtain a precise measurement of the time of bridgewire burst relative to current start, one must simultaneously record the current, i, and either di/dt or the voltage across the bridgewire. To fully develop and test a model it is also necessary to vary the bridgewire cross sections and geometry, firing circuit characteristics and charging voltage for the firing circuits over as wide a range as possible. As a part of developing an electrical model for aluminum and copper bridgewires, we have conducted parameter studies on some flat copper and aluminum bridgewires. Most of the work was done on aluminum bridgewires, with a few experiments on copper. We will report the experimental results from these studies and compare them with model predictions.
The use of selective additives such as MgO as a sintering aid and a rare earth oxide as a grain growth inhibitor, has allowed the manufacture of beryllia ceramics having close to theoretical density. The grain size and grain size distribution can be controlled by an optimum firing schedule leaving a remnant porosity which is extremely fine (0.2 {mu}m). This structure is compared with conventional BeO ceramics, densified by liquid phase sintering, which develops a glassy grain boundary and retains large pores up to 3 {mu}m. The significantly improved strength properties, extremely fine pores,the 'pinning effect' of rare earth oxide, and the superior surface finish both in the as-fired and polished state are discussed in relation to the micro-structure. (orig.).
This research report for the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) presents the results of a project that examined the feasibility of setting up 'MINERGIE' low-energy-consumption module standards for the production of heat in small residential buildings. The aims of the standards and the basic idea behind the MINERGIE-modules are discussed. The concepts of the modules for heat pumps and wood-fired heating systems and their combination with solar installations are examined, as are their areas of application. The requirements placed on the modules are listed. System concepts, including simple schematics for typical installations, are presented for wood-log, wood-chippings and pellets-fired systems as well as for ground-loop and air-water heat pump systems as well as their solar-aided counterparts. The results of cost-benefit analyses are presented and questions regarding system guarantee and liability are examined.
This paper presents a study involving prediction of a complicated maneuvering target, with the aim of improving the tracking performance of a fire control system (FCS). In this study, we predict the position of a complicated maneuvering target 5 s in advance using the information up to the current time. Because of the large error caused by the complicated maneuvers and the long prediction time interval, the mechanical system of the fire control system will take a heavy load. In order to cope with this problem, several approaches to decreasing the prediction error have been proposed including the prediction algorithms based on the multiple model(MM) filter, interacting multiple model (IMM) filter, and variable dimension with input estimation (VDIE) filter. Finally, comparative simulation re...
We investigated the impacts of forest thinning, prescribed fire, and contour ripping on community level physiological profiles (CLPP) of the soil microbial population in postmining forest rehabilitation. We hypothesized that these management practices would affect CLPP via an influence on the quality and quantity of soil organic matter. The study site was an area of Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata Donn ex Sm.) forest rehabilitation that had been mined for bauxite 12?years previously. Three replicate plots (20???20?m) were established in nontreated forest and in forest thinned from 3,000?8,000 stems ha?1 to 600?800 stems ha?1 in April (autumn) of 2003, followed either by a prescribed fire in September (spring) of 2003 or left nonburned. Soil samples were collected in August 2004 from two soil ...
Rapid technology improvements, resulting in high efficiency, emissions reduction and low generation cost, are making gas turbines the generation technology of choice despite some recent reliability problems. The basic reason for the dominance is high efficiency. The rapid pace of gas-turbine technology improvement in the 1990s drove combined-cycle thermal efficiency to nearly 60 percent with natural gas as the fuel. It will probably go even higher after the year 2000. In addition, the gas-fired combined cycle is a bargain. With natural gas prices where they are right now, it is the least-cost generation operation for power producers with access to gas. Many will replace older, high-cost power plants with new gas-fired combined cycle power plants.
The report reviews the activity during the fourth year of Gas Research Institute's Gas Appliance Technology Center program. Work on gas appliances involved a conceptual table-top multi-function oven, development of an indirect-fired conveyor oven, and performance comparisons of smooth cooktops. Performance-evaluation methods for commercial ovens were evaluated. Design improvements were made to a direct-fired conveyor oven and a pulse-combustion deep-fat fryer. Performance of common vents were studied, and a device was designed to allow incorporation of appliances with positive vent pressures into such systems. Standards-related work included draft-hood capacities, flexible corrugated-connector corrosion, and sediment trap efficiencies. Heating-related work comprised conceptual design of a vented baseboard heater and a centralized heat-transfer fluid system.
This document contains a summarization of the results and insights from the Level 1 accident sequence analyses of internally initiated events, internally initiated fire and flood events, seismically initiated events, and the Level 2/3 risk analysis of internally initiated events (excluding fire and flood) for Surry, Unit 1. The analysis was confined to mid-loop operation, which can occur during three plant operational states (identified as POSs R6 and R10 during a refueling outage, and POS D6 during drained maintenance). The report summarizes the Level 1 information contained in Volumes 2--5 and the Level 2/3 information contained in Volume 6 of NUREG/CR-6144.
The paper discusses a number of recent studies investigating into the energy conservation and environmental impacts of electric heating systems (off-peak storage systems). In future, i.e. in and after 1993, off-peak storage systems will be evaluated through comparative analyses of oil-fired heating systems, pollutant emission analyses, the eventual success of pollution abatement measures designed for power plant emissions to keep within the legal limiting values, and the possible abandonment of pollution abatement measures abroad. Opposing the electric heating studies submitted by the electric power industry the author refutes their favourable results referring to the palliative selection of inadequate or vague parameters. Assuming average power plant pollutant emissions of 180 mg/standard/sup 3/ the nitrogen oxide emissions of oil-fired heating systems (134.1 kg/Tj) are found to be below those of off-peak storage systems (242.5 kg/Tj).
The optimization of the safety characteristics of electrical installations in industrial plants with explosion or fire hazards can be obtained only through a careful interdisciplinary study and analysis carried out at the onset of the plant project design phase. The least complex and costly and safest solutions are those which are born from plant designs which take into account the typology of the industrial process or technology, or which incorporate pollution abatement measures and adequate safety measures for the electrical installations. This paper provides examples to illustrate how the global plant economy is fundamentally dependant upon a multi-disciplinary initial effort in design analyses. Comments are made relevant to the adequacy of the safety requirements established by existing and planned Italian norms in dealing with safety and fire protection for high-tech industrial plant electrical installations.
A large number of proven technical solutions exists for the use of renewable energies. However, their dissemination is still too slow to meet the political goal of substituting for 8-15% of the primary energy demand in the European Union by the year 2010. Even renewable energy systems (RES) with an economic potential are only partly exploited. The FIRE research project financed partly in the JOULE program analyses and compares the means of financing RES in Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom to put forward best practice recommendations so that renewable energy depolyments will occur at a faster rate. FIRE addresses to politicians, to potential investors and to project-developers. (orig./RHM)
Trace elements were extracted from a coal-fired power plant electrostatic precipitator ash with nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, citric acid, redistilled water, and ammonium hydroxide as extractants. Effluent waters at this plant were sampled to assess the elevation of trace element concentrations compared with intake waters. The results showed a positive correlation between those elements most extractable by water (B, F, Mo, and Se) or acid (As, B, Cd, F, Mo, and Se) and those elements most elevated in effluent waters (As, B, F, Mo, and Se).
Fires in the operating room continue to present a hazard to patients, at times with catastrophic and debilitating results. Recent data from closed claim files reveal oxygen, electrosurgical unit (ESU), and surgical drapes are common components of the fire triangle in the operating room. In this era of biotechnological sophistication, why are surgical drapes flammable? The purpose of this study was to test the flammability of different surgical drape materials and to determine the time to ignition using a bipolar ESU device in 21%, 35%, and 100% oxygen concentrations. Results show that regardless of oxygen concentration surgical drapes, when exposed to close contact with the ESU, are flammable. Time to ignition decreases with increasing concentrations of oxygen as expected. One of the surgical drapes tested was advertised to the hospital as nonflammable. Future research should focus on surgical drape materials and aim to reduce the flammability ...
This study concerns the thermotolerance of spores of mesophilic fungi isolated from a tropical semi-arid habitat subject to dry season fire in the Western Ghats, southern India. Among 25 species of Ascomycota isolated from leaf litter, nine were able to grow after incubation in a drying oven for 2h at 100degreeC; the spores of two of these species survived 2h incubation at 110degreeC, and one survived exposure to 115degreeC for 2h. The range of thermotolerance among mesophilic fungi isolated from the leaf litter was surprising: filamentous fungi from other habitats, including species that colonize scorched vegetation after fires and thermophilic forms occurring in self-heating plant composts, cannot survive even brief exposure to such high temperatures. It is possible that the exceptional ...
This paper provides both a detailed history of environmental change in the Sierra Nevada over the past 1,800?years and evidence for climate teleconnections between the Sierra Nevada and Greenland during the late Holocene. A review of Greenland ice core data suggests that the magnitudes of abrupt changes in temperature and precipitation increased beginning c. 3,700 and 3,000?years ago, respectively. Precipitation increased abruptly 1,300?years ago. Comparing paleotemperature data from Cirque Peak, CA with paleoprecipitation data from Pyramid Lake, NV suggests that hot temperatures occurred at the beginnings of most severe droughts in the Sierra Nevada over the past 1,800?years. Severe fires and erosion also occurred at Coburn Lake, CA at the beginning of all severe droughts in the Sierra Ne...
A popular myth in football (soccer) that it is unwise tactically to score early against Brazil is busted using data from 1993 to 2010. This result provides further evidence about the choice of timing of effort exertion by an underdog in a finite-length industry contest against a more favoured opponent.
Nuclear options for electricity generations are assessed in this paper. Probabilistic (stochastic) method is used for economic comparison of nuclear power plants, wind plants and natural gas fired plants. Optimal nuclear power plant size is also discussed. IRIS is presented as a representative of small and medium reactors
Some general topical information (generating capacity and electric power generation, development and structure of electric power consumption, frequency and peak load, exchange of electricity) is followed by an account of the situation of coal-fired power plants, hydroelectric power plants and nuclear power plants, and a brief discussion of the environmental situation (emissions and wastes, immissions, and air pollution abatement measures for power plants). (orig./UA).
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).
... As a consequence the Brazilian government introduced a thermoelectric priority programme covering the construction of new gas fired combined cycle power plants. One such plant has been constructed at the Suape industrial port complex in the state of Pernambuco. The US$350 million Termopernambuco combined cycle gas ...
This article describes the Monsanto's Indian Orchard plant gas-fired, combined-cycle cogeneration facility in Springfield, Massachusetts. The topics of the article include project configuration, the thermodynamic cycle, fuel selection, electrical distribution system, plant control, and air pollution control of NO[sub X], SO[sub 2], CO, particulates, non-methane hydrocarbons, opacity and ammonia.
Apart from the vulnerability implied by the START II treaty, it will bear the burden of the general political opposition to the Yeltsin administration. START II will be seen as part of an overall Yeltsin-Andrei Kozyrev foreign policy that is under fire for selling out Russian national interests in Yugoslavia, the Persian Gulf, and elsewhere. This article discusses public opinion concerning START II, the cost of its implementation, and the general purpose of the treaty.
The formation of #alpha#'-sialon using Li as a modifying cation was investigated. The effects of the Li content, firing temperatures and Si/Al ratios on #alpha#'- yield were studied. The results indicated that at lower sintering temperatures the stabilisation of #alpha#'-sialons was obtained but the high weight losses of Li at higher temperatures limited the stabilisation. Increased ''Al'' content in the compositions resulted in an increase in the stability of Li-#alpha#'-sialon at higher temperatures, by the formation of a liquid phase which retains Li in the system. (orig.).
The use of robots in powerplants is an option that can no longer be ignored. Robots can reduce worker exposure to harmful environments and minimize downtime. As a result, electric utilities are using them more than ever. As robots become more widely accepted, more are being developed to handle an expanding variety of applications. This report begins with an overview of the use of robotics in the electric-utility industry; following that are sections detailing applications for nuclear plants, fossil-fired stations, and transmission and distribution facilities.
RISI SQ-80 ignitor is a thermite filled exploding bridgewire ignitor. Eleven shots were fired. Film development time was the major time problem. Other problems also existed. These EBW ignitors should enhance safety in igniting rocket propellant. 11 figs.
Gas fired radiant tube heaters provide an indirect heating source for applications in which direct contact cannot be permitted between combustion gases and the workpiece. The program was an investigation of ways to improve performance of such burners thro...
The objective of Phase IV of the contract is to design a conceptual flue gas treating unit based on the fluidized-bed Copper Oxide (FBCO) process for a new coal-fired 500 MW(e) power plant. A technical and economic evaluation of the FBCO process, based on the conceptual design, will also be completed. Progress is described.
The Construction of a natural gas-fired combined heat and power plant at the site of the Pernis refinery will further reduce the emission of SO2 and NOx. [mk]. [Dutch] Met de bouw van een aardgasgestookte warmte/kracht-installatie op het terrein van de raffinaderij Pernis wordt de emissie van SO2 en NOx verder gereduceerd.
... This section provides free access to resources relating to politics, political participation, political culture and democracy in Dominican Republic. Complete survey data files may be requested. Street museum An interesting new app from the Museum of London. It enables you to view old images of London (taken from the Museums vast collection- dating from the Fire of London in 1666 to the 1960s). ...
... OnlineFirst PDF Synthesis of low-temperature, fast, single-firing body for porcelain stoneware tiles... Wei et al. Waste Manag Res.2009; 0: 0734242X09351734v1 To view this item, select one of the options below: ISWA Member Sign In ISWA Members, please sign in at ISWA to access the journal online. Sign In Already an individual subscriber? If so, please sign in to ...
In the year 2008, the high pressure partial turbine and two low pressure partial turbines in the hard coal power station Bergkamen (Federal Republic of Germany) were modernized. A three-dimensional blade design and innovative seals were used. This resulted into a distinct increase in efficiency among other things.
The object of this survey of small US electric utility systems was to determine the potential utilization of small, fuel-flexible, advanced-cycle combustion turbines for power generation. Three prototype concepts were evaluated. Concept A: a 2.5 MWe externally fired, closed-cycle combustion turbine, with fluidized-bed combustor, burning solid fuels. Concept B: an open 3.8 MWe, indirect-fired, combined-cycle turbine system using solid, liquid or gaseous fuels, with downstream stack cleanup. Concept C: 11.6 MWe, utilizing an open, direct-fired, combined-cycle turbine arrangement, gas or oil fueled employing components of advanced development. It was presumed such units might be commercially available circa 1985 to 1990. Fifty-three utilities, encompassing a variety of ownerships, geographical distribution and system sizes, were interviewed on-site. Questions covered the probable use of such generating concepts and their ...
This ISB in conjunction with the new TSRs, will provide the required basis for interim operation or restrictions on interim operations and administrative controls for the Facility until a SAR is prepared in accordance with the new requirements. It is concluded that the risk associated with the current operational mode of the Facility, uranium closure, clean up, and transition activities required for permanent closure, are within Risk Acceptance Guidelines. The Facility is classified as a Moderate Hazard Facility because of the potential for an unmitigated fire associated with the uranium storage buildings.
With the frequent load changes to which a hard coal power station is subjected in the middle and peak load range, great demands are linked with the transient behaviour of the steam generator. Due to the serial connection of the crusher and boiler, the strongly delaying transient behaviour of the crusher compounds entirely with the transient behaviour of the steam generator. Therefore, a suggestion is to be made here as to the improvement of the dynamics of the crusher.
To meet growth in the fast developing Pearl River Delta economic zone in China`s Guangdong province, a 270 MW oil-fired combined cycle at Foshan was built and commissioned in only 22 months from financial closure. This article describes the Foshan power station, specifications, design, procurement, construction and operating concerns. 5 figs.
The U.S. Department of Energy and EPRI have co-funded this project to improve the control of mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants equipped with wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems. The project investigated catalytic oxidation of vapor-pha...
A High Performance Power System (HIPPS) is being developed. This system is a coal-fired, combined cycle plant with indirect heating of gas turbine air. Foster Wheeler Development Corporation and a team consisting of Foster Wheeler Energy Corporation, Bechtel Corporation, University of Tennessee Space Institute and Westinghouse Electric Corporation are developing this system. In Phase 1 of the project, a conceptual design of a commercial plant was developed. Technical and economic analyses indicated that the plant would meet the goals of the project which include a 47 percent efficiency (HHV) and a 10 percent lower cost of electricity than an equivalent size PC plant. The concept uses a pyrolysis process to convert coal into fuel gas and char. The char is fired in a High Temperature Advanced Furnace (HITAF). The HITAF is a pulverized fuel-fired boiler/air heater where steam is generated and gas turbine air is indirectly ...
This paper reviews emission standards, technologies to control emissions, and the cost of these controls. It is concluded that international bodies will increasingly set minimum emissions, these standards will continue to be reduced, and in addition new substances will be controlled. The cost of this control will likely not exceed 0.5 cents per kWe-hr. 4 refs., 3 tabs.
...to facilities using - Petrol and diesel industrial engines - Petrol and diesel light vehicles, commercial vehicles and trucks on the facility - Large stationary diesel and dual-fuel engines - Heavy-duty natural gas fired pipeline compressor engines and turbines First published in February 1999 Revised - August 2000 Version 2.3 - ...
Erosion is the main contributing factor to the decrease in lifetime of gun barrels. The precision, muzzle velocity and fire range deteriorate when the surface inside the gun tube is eroded. This study deals with gun barrel material, what happens in the ba...
In connection with the Public Inquiry into the CEGB proposal to build a pressurised water reactor at Sizewell in Suffolk, the case for nuclear power is examined under the headings: the economics of nuclear power - how they would like them to be; systems analysis - net effective cost; CEGB prejudices the results (comparison with coal-fired plants; forecasting on various assumptions); discounting future costs; back-end costs soar (reprocessing); real reprocessing costs; AGR costs balloon.
This heat exchanger is a critical step in the development of the Externally Fired Combined Cycle power system, a direct-coal combustion power plant (gas turbine). SiC is the only material with the needed resistance to creep, thermal shock, and oxidation; however a protective coating is needed. Ten candidate materials were identified: alumina-based materials, materials stable with SiO, and low expansion materials. An initial screening study should be performed.
This article describes a new natural-gas-fired combined cycle cogeneration plant in Bellingham, Washington. The topics of the article include community impact, siting constraints, natural gas fuel, the flexibility provided by the steam turbine, the cooling tower and pumps, air-quality, noise, and cooling water system constraints, and community relations program.
The use of pressurised fluidized-bed coal combustion (fbc) in a combined cycle is seen as a most attractive technology for increasing the efficiency of electricity generation. The concept of pressurised fbc is described and the technical problems that are encountered in its operation and in limiting it to a gas turbine are discussed. Details are given of pilot plant facilities and current R and D programmes.
The objective of this work was to identify methods of improving the performance of gas-fired radiant burners through the use of Continuous Fiber Ceramic Composites (CFCCs). Methods have been identified to improve the price and performance characteristics of the porous surface burner. Results are described.
The distribution of the bilby Macrotis lagotis was assessed in the Tanami Desert using stratified random plots, repetitively sampled transects, aerial survey transects, and ground truth plots. Compared to a previous assessment of distribution, the extent of occurrence has changed little in the last 20 yr. However, the area of occupancy is small relative to the extent of occurrence and
The resulting emissions of the firing of ceramic products of all type are described, the factors are enumerated to diminish the emissions in the kilns and the technologies applied in the kilns to reduce these emissions while carrying out energy saving are described briefly. (author)
... However, Hydrogen Energy is working towards establishing hydrogen-fired power generation facilities in other parts of the world (e.g. California, Abu Dhabi and elsewhere) and the synergies work carried out for the Kwinana proposal would provide a good starting basis for other proposals. ...
Gonadotropin–releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the central regulators of reproduction. GABAergic transmission plays a critical role in pubertal activation of pulsatile GnRH secretion....Full Text Available
The report gives results of a pilot-plant study of the ammonia absorption/ammonium bisulfate regeneration process for removing SO2 from the stack gas of coal-fired power plants. Data were developed on the effects of such operating variable in the absorption of SO2 by ammoniacal l...
...to roam. (iv) All dogs must be on a leash when...posted. (v) We allow working a dog in refuge waters by tossing...has occurred. (f) Military, fire or emergency vehicles...prohibited. (r) Pets. Dogs and other pets, on a...
Biomass is one of the main natural resources in Sweden. The present low-CO{sub 2} emission characteristics of the Swedish electricity production system (hydro and nuclear) can be retained only by expansion of biofuel applications for energy purposes. Domestic Swedish biomass resources are vast and renewable, but not infinite. They must be utilized as efficiently as possible, in order to make sure that they meet the conditions for sustainability in the future. Application of efficient power generation cycles at low costs is essential for meeting this challenge. This applies also to municipal solid waste incineration with energy extraction, which should be preferred to its dumping in landfills. Hybrid dual-fuel combined cycle units are a simple and affordable way to increase the electric efficiency of biofuel energy utilization, without big investments, uncertainties or loss of reliability arising from complicated technologies. Configurations of such power cycles are very flexible and ...
The Ohio State University Research Reactor (OSURR) is licensed to operate at a maximum power level of 500 kW. A pool-type reactor using flat-plate, low enriched fuel elements, the OSURR provides several experimental facilities including two 6-inch i.d. beam ports, a graphite thermal column, several graphite-isotope-irradiation elements, a pneumatic transfer system (Rabbit), various dry tubes, and a Central Irradiation Facility (CIF). The core arrangement and accessibility facilitates research programs involving material activation or core parameter studies. The OSURR control room is large enough to accommodate laboratory groups which can use control instrumentation for monitoring of experiments. The control instrumentation is relatively simple, without a large amount of duplication. This facilitates opportunities for hands-on experience in reactor operation by nuclear engineering students making reactor parameter measurements. For neutron ...
This paper was presented at the opening plenary session. As the end of the century approaches, environmental protection is one of the most significant global issues which will shape our energy path and economic development pattern. In face of environmental challenges, we will have to take into account environmental factors in the economic development process itself. This requires the pursuit of sustainable economic development, a process which may involve strengthened energy conservation, improved efficiency and switching to less carbon intensive energy sources. Energy inefficiency, technological scarcity and financial vulnerability in developing countries may best be resolved by changing their economic and market structures to facilitate relevant investments. However, effective reform of the energy industry in developing economies and economies in transition will also require international cooperation in terms of transfer of technology, capital, know-how and ...
We study a model for a protein searching for a target, using facilitated diffusion, on a DNA molecule confined in a finite volume. The model includes three distinct pathways for facilitated diffusion: (a) sliding - in which the protein diffuses along the contour of the DNA (b) jumping - where the protein travels between two sites along the DNA by three-dimensional diffusion, and finally (c) intersegmental transfer - which allows the protein to move from one site to another by transiently binding both at the same time. The typical search time is calculated using scaling arguments which are verified numerically. Our results suggest that the inclusion of intersegmental transfer (i) decreases the search time considerably (ii) makes the search time much more robust to variations in the parameters of the model and (iii) that the optimal search time occurs in a regime very different than that found for models which ignore intersegmental transfers. The ...
Introduction Uchide and Ide [SSA Spring Meeting, 2009] proposed a new framework for studying the scaling and overall nature of earthquake rupture growth in terms of cumulative moment functions. For better understanding of rupture growth processes, spatiotemporally local processes are also important. The nature of high-frequency (HF) radiation has been investigated for some time, but its role in the earthquake rupture process is still unclear. A wavelet analysis reveals that the HF radiation (e.g., 4 - 32 Hz) of the 2004 Parkfield earthquake is peaky, which implies that the sources of the HF radiation are isolated in space and time. We experiment with applying a matched filter analysis using small template events occurring near the target event rupture area to test whether it can reveal the HF radiation sources for a regular large earthquake. Method We design a matched filter for multiple components and stations. Shelly et al. [2007] attempted identifying ...
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is implementing an Internet-based process pilot called `Zephyr` to streamline engineering and commerce using the Internet. Major benefits have accrued by using Zephyr in facilitating industrial collaboration, speeding the engineering development cycle, reducing procurement time, and lowering overall costs. Programs at LLNL are potentializing the efficiencies introduced since implementing Zephyr. Zephyr`s pilot functionality is undergoing full integration with Business Systems, Finance, and Vendors to support major programs at the Laboratory.
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.
The phase space beam analyzer is a measurement instrument that is applied in laser technology to perform analyses of the spatial and angular distribution of rays. We are interested in this instrument as a means to characterize non-coherent light sources. In this context, a closer look at the tolerances of this optical instrument was considered useful. Having a so-called quadrupole lens as a key element, the phase space beam analyzer is a device that features anamorphic optical properties. To describe these anamorphic properties, recurrence was made to a description by extended ray-transfer matrices. This formalism allows for an analysis of the alignment tolerances of the phase space beam analyzer and facilitates a study of the sensitivities of the instrument. The analysis is complemented using numerical ray tracing.
According to Schumpeter, the creative process of economic development can be divided into the stages of invention, innovation (commercialization) and imitation. Each stage is associated with specific skills. This paper examines whether Schumpeter?s assertion was correct, i.e. whether the invention and innovation stages should be undertaken by different agents. In addition, we examine whether there is a rationale for the Schumpeterian entrepreneur to include the inventor in the commercialization process. Combining the abilities of the entrepreneur and the inventor may serve to facilitate customer adaptation, strengthen knowledge transfers and reduce uncertainty, thereby expanding market opportunities. Based on a unique database covering Swedish patents granted to individuals and small firms...
Deregulation of the electric power industry in Alberta holds the prospect of providing greater choice for customers. One such option will be `green power` which is provided by renewable energy technologies. The energy produced would be without environmental impacts such as air emissions, water pollution, flooding, thermal emissions or waste by-products. Wind power, small scale hydro power, photovoltaics and biomass technologies have been termed as `green power`. The choices that customers make will not be focused on price alone. Market forces are emerging to demand reduction in emissions which will result in a market for `green energy` products and facilitate achieving goals for a sustainable future.
Surface doping of conjugated polymers is realized by depositing a thin layer of graphene oxide (GO) on top of the polymers. The high proton density and the unique 2D structure of GO facilitate the protonic surface doping of conjugated polymers to achieve high conductivities. This finding represents a new strategy for improving charge transport across the metal/conjugated polymer interface to achieve much improved performance in organic solar cells. (Copyright copyright 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Guidelines and ground rules followed in the development of requirements for the SPS are presented. Development planning objectives are specified in each of these areas, and evolutionary SPS program scenarios are described for the various concepts studied during the past one year contract. Program descriptions are presented as planning packages of technical tasks, and schedule phasing. Each package identifies the ground based technology effort that will facilitate SPS definitions, designs, development, and operations.
By treatment with beta or gamma rays, PTFE waste is converted to high-grade PTFE fine powder. High-molecular weight PTFE is degraded to low-molecular weight PTFE. Due to this the density, the degree of crystallinity, and the melt flow index are increased, which enhances the brittleness of the material. Irradiation of PTFE thus facilitates milling and makes the material pourable and free-flowing. Milled PTFE fine powder, lie PTFE plastic, combines temperature resistance, weather fastness, and chemical stability with good slip behaviour and antiadhesive properties. Areas of application for fine powder include additives for plastics, printing inks, nonstick coatings, and antifriction lacquers. (orig.).
Oral mucositis associated with head and neck radiotherapy can substantially hinder completion of cancer therapy. Alleviation of this often severe stomatitis can provide enhanced patient comfort and facilitate appropriate care. A double-blind format was used in a pilot project to measure, against a control rinse, the effectiveness of an oral rinse consisting of hydrocortisone, nystatin, tetracycline, and diphenhydramine in controlling radiation-related mucositis. A combination of clinical evaluation and patient responses to a questionnaire was used to judge the results of the topical medications. Patients using the experimental medication developed less mucositis than did patients in the control group.
The achievement of governmental transformation through the use of electronically delivered services is a worthy goal that requires significant planning and research to achieve. In order to reach transformational paradigm shifts in governmental operation, it will first be necessary to understand and optimize present governmental e-Service provisions. Of these, the revenue function of taxation is paramount. This paper describes factors related to the use and acceptance by accounting professionals of information technology intended to facilitate electronic tax filing systems. Though tested in the context of governmental tax management systems in Turkey, our findings on the use and acceptance of e-Tax systems are relevant and applicable to a great number of nations and contexts as the ongoing ...
Microorganisms are ubiquitous in subsurface environments although their populations sizes and metabolic activities can vary considerably depending on energy and nutrient inputs. As a result of their metabolic activities and the chemical properties of their cell surfaces and the exopolymers they produce, microorganisms can directly or indirectly facilitate the biotransformation of radionuclides, thus altering their solubility and overall fate and transport in the environment. Although biosorption to cell surfaces and exopolymers can be an important factor modifying the solubility of some radionuclides under specific conditions, oxidation state is often considered the single most important factor controlling their speciation and, therefore, environmental behavior.
Staff exchanges, such as the one described in this report, are intended to facilitate communication and collaboration among scientists and engineers at DOE laboratories, in US industry, and academia. During the past 5 years, PNL has developed prototype instrumentation to automate the data collection required for electrochemical determination of corrosion rates and behavior of materials in various electrically conductive environments. The last version is labeled the Sentry 100 prototype corrosion data scanner. Applications include these in the pulp and paper industry and at hazardous waste sites.
The atlas presents sequences of MRI sections parallel to the orbito-meatal plane in children from birth through the age of sixteen years. Each child was studied horizontally and sagitally and three-dimensional brain images were reconstructed to facilitate accurate identification of sulci and gyri. The images show crucial aspects of brain development such as the constancy of the brain stem and primitive brain from birth onward; the development of the telencephalon, characterized by deepening of sulci and growth of the cerebral cortex surface; and the different stages of white matter myelinization.
... Removal of this layer facilitates the unreeling of cocoons into long strands of silk comparable to those derived from the domesticated mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori, B. mori). The research was funded in part by the SABIP ('Silks as biomimetic ideals for polymers) project, which has clinched a European Research Council (ERC) grant worth almost EUR 2.3 million under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Presented in the journal Biomacromolecules, the findings could lead to the development of new silk industries in ...
Resonant scattering of atoms with formation of the Feshbach resonance in the presence of a laser radiation coupling the levels of two bound atoms (a molecule) is considered. The laser field leads to a second resonance in scattering and broadening of resonances, which facilitates the possibility of experimental observation of asymmetry of the total scattering cross-section arising because of interference between resonant and potential scatterings. The effects associated with interference of the two channels of decay of a bound system of two atoms (a molecule) in the laser field are studied. An expression is obtained for the scattering length in collision of two cold atoms in the field of laser radiation.
The Knowledge Associates for Novel Intelligence (KANI) system provides a collection of automated 'associates' to actively support and participate in the information analysis task. In this paper, we describe the Information Integration Associate (IIA), which facilitates analyst interaction with underlying KANI reasoning and extraction associates and provides an interactive representation of the analytic process. We focus on features of the IIA that guide communication between the user and the KANI system in a way that ensures mutual understanding of the analytic task being performed, the capabilities of the system to assist the user, and the status of any reasoning and extraction conducted on behalf of the user by the KANI system.
This is the first report about a relevant and compiled information on the Mexican Energy Sector. It was realized in one volume by the University Energy Program of the National Autonomous University of Mexico and it comprises information for the period 1996-1997. In the chapter 1 there are presented the numbers of hydrocarbon reserves. Chapter 2 treats about production, events and its results. Likewise chapter 3 shows information about the typical Installations for petroleum, gas and electricity including through of the nuclear energy. In the chapter 4, named Energy Consumption, is presented a National energy balance for 1996 and, finally there are a sections about the prices, the rates and a glossary to facilitate its understanding. (Author)
The polymerization of vinyl pyrrolidinone on nylon 66, with the assistance of aqueous phenol and formic acid, was investigated by mutual and post irradiation procedures. Both solvents were found to greatly facilitate the polymerization with the post irradiation procedure, whereas neither presented any advantage with the mutual irradiation procedure. Tensile properties of the modified fibers were affected in similar ways by both the irradiation procedures and solvents in that the only notable changes were the somewhat higher extensions at yield and at break. The moisture regain values of the treated yarns and fabrics were increased up to three-fold. Surface morphology of the modified fibers was revealed by SEM.
Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is frequently used for relief of chronic benign pain resistant to conservative therapies. Clinical practice suggests, at least in patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), the possibility that SCS significantly improves motor performances. We present here the case of a 41-years-old female patient with FBSS, who showed a clear improvement in muscle strength after SCS, persisting at 6-months follow-up. We speculate that the electrical stimulation of posterior columns could potentiate the caudal, segmental spinal reflexes resulting in a facilitation of motoneurons activation. PMID:16175150
A database has been compiled on human dietary intakes of trace elements by populations groups living in various countries. The main sources of information used were (1) publications in the open scientific literature, and (2) data submitted to the IAEA in response to a questionnaire. The database contains 1,758 intake values covering 35 elements and 47 countries. In this report the data are listed in various ways to facilitate identification of intake values for any specified country, element and population group. 4 refs, 5 tabs.
Lanthanide-ion doped oxide nanoparticles were functionalized for use as fluorescent biological labels. These nanoparticles are synthesized directly in water which facilitates their functionalization, and are very photostable without emission intermittency. Nanoparticles functionalized with guanidinium groups act as artificial toxins and specifically target sodium channels. They are individually detectable in cardiac myocytes, revealing a heterogeneous distribution of sodium channels. Functionalized oxide nanoparticles appear as a novel tool particularly well adapted to long-term single-molecule tracking.
Financing space solar power generation programmes has several inherent difficulties. Such large-scale projects are usually easily defined with an expected economic return, construction time, useful service life and defined management structure. As yet, solar power satellites for power generation possess none of these as the idea exists conceptually and the technology still needs to be developed. Methods for overcoming these uncertainties and securing financial backing are described. Venture capital could finance a research/marketing firm. US Government support through a cost plus short-term monopoly to facilitate private debt financing could provide an answer. (UK)
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to place all of the contributions to this special issue into a theoretical framework and to highlight the role that the so-called "information age mindset" has in the facilitation of employability skills. Design/methodology/approach - The paper discusses the major themes of this special issue. Findings - Undergraduate students do see the importance of technological innovation in the classroom but they see the development of experiential or work-based skills to be more important. Practical implications - Future curriculum design should consider the expectations and attitudes of the modern day undergraduate student to ensure that potential employability is maximised. Originality/value - The findings are placed into the wider context of the emerging fiel...
Five nomographs have been prepared that facilitate the estimation of cover thickness and cover material volume for the Uranium Mill Tailing Remedial Action Program. Key parameters determined include the cover thickness with either a surface radon flux or a boundary radon air concentration criterion and the total volume of cover material required for two different treatments of the edge slopes. Also included in the engineering guide are descriptions and representative values for the radon source term, the diffusion coefficients and the key meteorological parameters. 16 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
The purpose of this study is to clarify the confusing nomenclature and pathogenesis of Developmental Facial Paralysis, and how it can be differentiated from other causes of facial paralysis present at birth. Differentiating developmental from traumatic facial paralysis noted at birth is important for determining prognosis, but also for medicolegal reasons. Given the dramatic presentation of this condition, accurate and reliable guidelines are necessary in order to facilitate early diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy, while providing support and counselling to the family. The 30 years experience of our center in the management of developmental facial paralysis is dependent upon a thorough understanding of facial nerve embryology, anatomy, nerve physiology, and an appreciation of well...
An improved method to design suitable compensating schemes for extra high voltage transmission lines is presented. The technique is general and effective and will greatly facilitate the design of the optimal compensation scheme for extra high voltage transmission lines. The technique is illustrated for a typical 500 kV system. The equations developed here for voltage maxima and minima along the transmission line eliminate the need for point-to-point computation of the voltage profile. The controversy existing in the literature over the problem of making a choice between pi and tee configurations has been removed and it is established with a mathematical proof that the tee configuration requires compensating elements of lower ratings.
Absorption with aqueous amine solvents is at present the most viable technology for CO{sub 2} capture. While this is a proven technology, efforts are ongoing to improve it in order to make it a more attractive technology for large scale use to reduce CO{sub 2} emissions. Finding solvents with better properties is one approach to improving the technology. In this thesis methods in computational chemistry are used to improve the understanding of the chemistry of CO{sub 2} absorption in amine-water systems. The work is also intended to provide models that can be used to predict the performance of new solvents. Such predictive models are intended to facilitate the screening for new solvents
The common envelope phase of binary star evolution plays a central role in many evolutionary pathways leading to the formation of compact objects in short period systems. Using three dimensional hydrodynamical computations, we review the major features of this evolutionary phase, focusing on the conditions that lead to the successful ejection of the envelope and, hence, survival of the system as a post common envelope binary. Future hydrodynamical calculations at high spatial resolution are required to delineate the regime in parameter space for which systems survive as compact binary systems from those for which the two components of the system merge into a single rapidly rotating star. Recent algorithmic developments will facilitate the attainment of this goal.
The Coal Corporation of Victoria's mission is to initiate, facilitate and co-ordinate brown coal-based developments, other than for electricity generation, to provide maximum long-term benefits to Victoria including new jobs, new technology, new investment and new products, within sound environmental parameters. The marketing of brown coal products is vigorously undertaken to provide the financial and business base for the Corporation. This report contains a review of the Corporation's activities and achievements during 1989/90.
The use of reversible pump/turbine sets in pumped storage has created a requirement for rapid reversibility. Softstart technology, based on static frequency converters (SFC) has evolved to such an extent that it is now the best choice for serving this purpose, both from a technical and from an economic point of view. The objective of our paper is to give the owners of pumped storage plants and those persons responsible for the selection, the operation or the maintenance of the electrical equipment the necessary insight into the SFC functions, features and all other application related aspects, to facilitate their decision making process. Case studies are included.
The first candidate rotavirus vaccine was a live attenuated oral vaccine made by the classical empirical method of serial passage of virus in tissue culture cells. Current tetravalent vaccine candidates that are in the final stages of efficacy testing in the United States were made by genetic reassortment. This article briefly highlights how advances in the basic understanding of the molecular biology of rotaviruses have facilitated vaccine development. New approaches for second-generation vaccines and improvements in vaccine efficacy based on further exploitation of the tools and knowledge of rotavirus molecular biology and pathogenesis are discussed. PMID:8752289
Double-contrast barium enema has a reduced sensitivity in patients with severe sigmoid diverticulosis. Therefore a carboxy methyl cellulose enema was employed after the conventional double-contrast examination in 15 patients with sigmoid diverticulosis. A significant increase in lumen diameter and a superior removal of barium residue from the diverticulas facilitated the interpretation of the sigmoid loops. Conclusion: The addition of methyl cellulose enema to double-contrast barium imaging improves diagnostic imaging in diverticulosis by expanding the lumen and emptying the diverticulas. (orig.).
Radiology departments often underestimate the importance of protecting medical data during transmission, including the precautions taken to ensure data protection. In teleradiology, transmitted as well as stored patient data have to be signed digitally according to the currently valid regulation (Roentgenverordnung, RoeV). The DICOM standard facilitates a digital signature. So far, medical image manufacturers only announced to support this security feature. We introduce a solution that extends the feature of digital signing to older modalities. (orig.)
Regular physical activity (PA) decreases the risk of several chronic diseases including some cancers, type II diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease; however, the majority of US adults are not meeting the recommended levels to experience these benefits. To address this public health concern, the underlying mechanisms for behavior change need to be understood, translated and disseminated into appropriately tailored interventions. The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) provides a framework for both the conceptualization and the measurement of behavior change, as well as facilitating promotion strategies that are individualized and easily adapted. The purpose of this manuscript is to present the constructs of the TTM as they relate to PA behavior change. We begin with a brief synopsis of rec...
Recent rapid growth in mobile computing technologies enables telemedicine applications to operate on mobile devices. Our focus is on the design of an integrated electrocardiogram (ECG) beat detector on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) platform for the health screening process. The ECG beat detector module will be supported by the PDA version of Personal Health Information Management System (PHIMS) and Facilitated Accurate Referral Management System (FARMS) through wireless network infrastructure as a home-based mobile cardiac monitoring solution. PMID:17282192
ALSTOM Power Inc.'s Power Plant Laboratories (ALSTOM) has teamed with the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory (DOE NETL), American Electric Company (AEP) and Parsons Energy and Chemical Group to conduct a comprehensive study evaluating coal fired steam power plants, known as Rankine Cycles, equipped with three different combustion systems: Pulverized Coal (PC), Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB), and Circulating Moving Bed (CMB{trademark}). Five steam cycles utilizing a wide range of steam conditions were used with these combustion systems. The motivation for this study was to establish through engineering analysis, the most cost-effective performance potential available through improvement in the Rankine Cycle steam conditions and combustion systems while at the same time ensuring that the most stringent emission performance based on CURC (Coal Utilization Research Council) 2010 targets are met: > 98% sulfur removal; ...
The nine title compounds were prepared from the elements by arc-melting and subsequent heat treatment in resistance and high-frequency furnaces. The crystal structure of these isotypic compounds was determined for YPdSi from single-crystal X-ray diffractometer data: Pmmn, a = 430.8(1) pm, b = 1391.2(1) pm, c = 743.1(1) pm, Z = 8, R = 0.024 for 417 structure factors and 40 variable parameters. The crystal structures of the isotypic compounds GdPdSi and ErPdSi were also refined from single-crystal data. The structure is of a new type. It consists of condensed, six-membered rings of alternating palladium and silicon atoms with Pd-Si bond distances varying between 249.6 and 258.8 pm. These two-dimensionally infinite nets are connected to each other via weak Pd-Si and Si-Si bonds with bond distances of 276.3 and 259.5 pm. The rare earth atoms are situated above and below the six-membered palladium-silicon rings in a manner as it is known for the aluminum atoms in the ...
Recent studies in elementary particle physics have made the need for an e{sup +}e{sup -} linear collider able to reach energies of 500 GeV and above with high luminosity more compelling than ever [1]. Observations and measurements completed in the last five years at the SLC (SLAC), LEP (CERN), and the Tevatron (FNAL) can be explained only by the existence of at least one particle or interaction that has not yet been directly observed in experiment. The Higgs boson of the Standard Model could be that particle. The data point strongly to a mass for the Higgs boson that is just beyond the reach of existing colliders. This brings great urgency and excitement to the potential for discovery at the upgraded Tevatron early in this decade, and almost assures that later experiments at the LHC will find new physics. But the next generation of experiments to be mounted by the world-wide particle physics community must not only find this new physics, they must find out what it is. These experiments ...
Nonlinear two-dimensional theory of the space charge of an axially symmetric electron beam propagating in combined right-hand polarized wiggler and uniform axial guide fields in a presence of high-frequency electromagnetic wave is presented. The well-known TE{sub 01} mode in a cylindrical waveguide for the model of radiation fields and paraxial approximation for the wiggler field are used. Space charge field components are written in the Lagrange coordinates by the twice averaged Green`s functions of two equally charged infinitely thin discs. For that {open_quotes}compensating charges{close_quotes} method is applied in which an electron ring model is substituted by one with two different radii and signs discs. On this approach the initial Green`s functions peculiarities are eliminated and all calculations are considerably simplified. Coefficients of a twice averaged Green`s function expansion into a Fourier series are obtained by use of corresponding expansion ...
Atmospheric and ionospheric perturbations associated with the acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) with typical frequencies of a few hertz -millihertz are considered. These events may be caused by the influence from space and atmosphere as well as by oscillations of the Earth surface and other near-surface phenomena. The surface sources include long-period oscillations of the Earth's surface, earthquakes, explosions, thermal heating, seisches and tsunami waves. The wavelike phenomena manifest themself as travelling disturbances of air (in the atmosphere) and of electron density (in the ionosphere). Travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are well detected by radio physical methods. AGW generation by near-surface sources is modeled by the numerical solution of the equation of geophysical fluid dynamics for different sources in two-dimensional non-linear dissipative compressible atmosphere. The numerical calculations are based on the FCT (Flux Corrected Transport) technique of the second ...
Global climate policy initiatives are now being proposed to compensate tropical forest nations for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). These proposals have the potential to include developing countries more actively in international greenhouse gas mitigation and to address a substantial share of the world's emissions which come from tropical deforestation. For such a policy to be viable it must have a credible benchmark against which emissions reduction can be calculated. This benchmark, sometimes termed a baseline or reference emissions scenario, can be based directly on historical emissions or can use historical emissions as input for business as usual projections. Here, we review existing data and methods that could be used to measure historical deforestation and forest degradation reference scenarios including FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) national statistics and various remote sensing sources. The ...
Global climate policy initiatives are now being proposed to compensate tropical forest nations for reducing carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD). These proposals have the potential to include developing countries more actively in international greenhouse gas mitigation and to address a substantial share of the world's emissions which come from tropical deforestation. For such a policy to be viable it must have a credible benchmark against which emissions reduction can be calculated. This benchmark, sometimes termed a baseline or reference emissions scenario, can be based directly on historical emissions or can use historical emissions as input for business as usual projections. Here, we review existing data and methods that could be used to measure historical deforestation and forest degradation reference scenarios including FAO (Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations) national statistics and various remote sensing sources. The freely ...
The long-term survival of serologically incompatible red cell units was measured in five patients with antibodies to high-frequency antigens. Initially, the survival of 1 ml of "5"1Cr-labeled incompatible red cells was measured over 1 hour. After demonstrating that the 1-hour survival times were successful (greater than 70%), each patient then received 5 ml of the same "5"1Cr-labeled red cells followed by the transfusion of the remainder of the red cell unit. The long-term T 1/2Cr survival for each case was patient 1 (anti-McCa), 15 days; patient 2 (anti-JMH), 12 days; patient 3 (anti-Kna), 31 days; patient 4 (anti-McCa), 12 days; and patient 5 (anti-Hya), 14 days. Each antibody tested in an in vitro homologous macrophage assay showed less than 5 percent phagocytosis. Anti-JMH was the only antibody to react with IgG subclass antisera and was determined to be IgG4. The macrophage assay, IgG subclass testing, and short-term (1 hour, 1 ml) "5"1Cr survival studies all ...
This report contains information about the effect of frequency on the breakdown voltage of an air gap at standard pressure and temperature, 76 mm Hg and O{degrees}C, respectively. The frequencies of interest are 47 MHz and 60 MHz. Additionally, the breakdown in vacuum is briefly considered. The breakdown mechanism is explained on the basis of collision and ionization. The presence of the positive ions produced by ionization enhances the field in the gap, and thus determines the breakdown. When a low-frequency voltage is applied across the gap, the breakdown mechanism is the same as that caused by the DC or static voltage. However, when the frequency exceeds the first critical value f{sub c}, the positive ions are trapped in the gap, increasing the field considerably. This makes the breakdown occur earlier; in other words, the breakdown voltage is lowered. As the frequency increases two decades or more, the second critical frequency, f{sub ce}, is reached. This time the electrons start ...
The corrected transposition of the great arteries is an usual congenital cardiac malformation, which consists of transposition of great arteries and ventricular inversion, and which is caused by abnormal development of conotruncus and ventricular looping. Highfrequency of associated cardiac malformations makes it difficult to get accurate morphologic diagnosis. A total of 18 cases of corrected transposition of the great arteries is presented, in which cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography were done at the Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital between September 1976 and June 1981. The clinical, radiographic, and operative findings with the emphasis on the angiocardiographic findings were analyzed. The results are as follows: 1. Among 18 cases, 13 cases have normal cardiac position, 2 cases have dextrocardia with situs solitus, 2 cases have dextrocardia with situs inversus and 1 case has levocardia with situs ...
The highfrequency, low mode number toroidicity-induced Alfven eigenmodes (TAE) are shown to be driven unstable by the circulating and/or trapped {alpha}-particles through the wave-particle resonances. Satisfying the resonance condition requires that the {alpha}-particle birth speed v{sub {alpha}} {ge} v{sub A}/2{vert bar}m-nq{vert bar}, where v{sub A} is the Alfven speed, m is the poloidal model number, and n is the toroidal mode number. To destabilize the TAE modes, the inverse Landau damping associated with the {alpha}-particle pressure gradient free energy must overcome the velocity space Landau damping due to both the {alpha}-particles and the core electrons and ions. The growth rate was studied analytically with a perturbative formula derived from the quadratic dispersion relation, and numerically with the aid of the NOVA-K code. Stability criteria in terms of the {alpha}-particle beta {beta}{sub {alpha}}, {alpha}-particle pressure ...