The inducible transcription factor NF-#kappa#B regulates divergent signaling pathways including inflammatory response and cancer development. Selective inhibitors for NF-#kappa#B signaling are potentially useful for treatment of inflammation and cancer. NF-#kappa#B is canonically activated by preferential disposal of its inhibitory protein; I#kappa#B, which suppresses the nuclear translocation of NF-#kappa#B. I#kappa#B#alpha# (a major member of I#kappa#B family proteins) is phosphorylated with an I#kappa#B kinase (IKK) and subsequently polyubiquitylated by SCF"#beta#"T"r"C"P"1 ubiquitin-ligase in the presence of E1 and E2 prior to proteasomal degradation. Here, we describe a novel inhibitor termed GS143, which suppressed I#kappa#B#alpha# ubiquitylation, but not I#kappa#B#alpha# phosphorylation, MDM2-directed p53 ubiquitylation, and proteasome activity in vitro. GS143 markedly ...
When preadipocytes differentiate into adipocytes, several differentiation-linked genes are activated. Lipo-protein lipase (LPL) is one of the first genes induced during this process. To investigate early events in adipocyte development, we have focused on the transcriptional activation of the LPL gene. For this purpose, we have cloned and fused different parts of intragenic and flanking sequences with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Transient transfection experiments and DNase I hypersensitivity assays indicate that several positive as well as negative elements contribute to transcriptional regulation of the LPL gene. When reporter gene constructs were stably introduced into preadipocytes, we were able to monitor and compare the activation patterns of different promoter deletion mutants at selected time points representing the process of adipocyte development. We could delimit two cis-regulatory elements important for gradual activation of the ...
Tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-alpha) plays a central role in activation of first-line defenses of a host against foreign organisms. To determine whether Brucella infection modulated TNF-alpha production,...Full Text Available
Constitutive activation of the oncogenic transcription factor STAT3 frequently occurs in various human malignancies. STAT3 activation involves dimerization via intermolecular pTyr-SH2 interaction. Thus, antagonizing this interaction is a feasible approach to inhibit STAT3 activation for cancer therapy. In order to identify selective STAT3 inhibitors, we developed a biochemical HTS system based on AlphaScreen technology, which measures the abilities of test compounds to antagonize pTyr-SH2 interactions. We screened our chemical libraries using this system and identified 5,15-diphenylporphyrin (5,15-DPP) as a selective STAT3-SH2 antagonist. Selective inhibition of STAT3 nuclear translocation and DNA biding activity was observed in cells treated with 5,15-DPP. IL-6-dependent dimerization of STAT3, c-myc promoter binding and c-myc protein expression were all suppressed by 5,15-DPP, ...
1. The stereospecificity of the enantiomers of LY253352, a potent and selectivealpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, were studied in the human prostate and canine brain using radioligand receptor binding...Full Text Available
1. In normal rats and rats with bladder hypertrophy secondary to outflow obstruction, undergoing continuous cytometry, we examined the responses to the selectivealpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist doxazosin...Full Text Available
A process is claimed for selectively preparing alpha-olefins having from 2 to about 22 carbon atoms by contacting a gaseous mixture containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an iron titanate alkali metal hydroxide catalyst at reaction conditions correlated so as to favor the formation of a substantial proportion of such alpha-olefin product.
We construct a sample of low-redshift Ly-alpha emission-line selected sources from GALEX grism spectroscopy of nine deep fields to study the role of Ly-alpha emission in galaxy populations with cosmic time. Our final sample consists of 122 (142) sources selected in the redshift interval z=0.195-0.44 (z=0.65-1.25) from the FUV (NUV) channel. We classify the Ly-alpha sources as AGNs if high-ionization emission lines are present in their UV spectra and as galaxies otherwise. These classifications are broadly supported by comparisons with X-ray and optical spectroscopic observations. We classify additional sources as AGNs using line widths for our Ly-alpha emitter (LAE) analysis. Defining the GALEX LAE sample in the same way as high-redshift LAE samples, we show that LAEs constitute only about 5% of NUV-continuum selected galaxies at z~0.3. We ...
Of the many ways of detecting high redshift galaxies, the selection of objects due to their redshifted Ly-alpha emission has become one of the most successful. But what types of galaxies are selected in this way? Until recently, Ly-alpha emitters were understood to be small star-forming galaxies, possible building-blocks of larger galaxies. But with increased number of observations of Ly-alpha emitters at lower redshifts, a new picture emerges. Ly-alpha emitters display strong evolution in their properties from higher to lower redshift. It has previously been shown that the fraction of ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) among the Ly-alpha emitters increases dramatically between redshift three and two. Here, the fraction of AGN among the LAEs is shown to follow a similar evolutionary path. We argue that Ly-alpha ...
BackgroundFunction exertion of specific proteins are key factors in disease progression, thus the systematical identification of those specific proteins is a prerequisite to understand...Full Text Available
The loss of #alpha#-globin gene transcriptional activity rarely occurs as an acquired abnormality during the evolution of myeloproliferative disease or preleukemia. To test whether the mutation responsible for the loss of #alpha#-globin gene expression (hemoglobin H disease) in these patients is linked with the #alpha#-globin genes on chromosome 16, the authors transferred chromosome 16 from preleukemic patients with acquired hemoglobin H disease to mouse erythroleukemia cells and measured the transcriptional activity of the human #alpha#-globin genes. After transfer to mouse erythroleukemia cells, the expression of human #alpha#-globin genes from the peripheral blood or marrow cells of preleukemic patients with acquired hemoglobin H disease was similar to that of human #alpha#-globin genes transferred to mouse erythroleukemia cells from normal donors. These ...
Quantitative analytical electron microscopy study of dopant distribution in the microstructure of selected Nd-#alpha#-sialon samples revealed the presence of relatively large amounts of glassy phase at quadruple pockets, which exhibited a common composition similar to a melilite solution. Al segregants were depleted from adjacent grain boundaries to satisfy the 'stoichiometry' of such glass. Existence of this glass results in significant deviation of the Nd-#alpha#-sialon composition from the expected values, which shifts the #alpha#-#beta#-sialon phase boundary. Only extra Nd_2O_3 additives enable a monolithic #alpha#-sialon microstructure. The absence of similar glass in Yb-#alpha#-sialon materials keeps the phase relations from such deviations.
Variant alleles of the mannose binding lectin (MBL) gene are associated with increased susceptibility to infection and polymorphisms of tumour necrosis factor and lymphotoxin alpha genes (TNF, LTA)...Full Text Available
The present study has examined for #alpha#/#beta#-Ti alloys the relationship between the morphology and crystallography of Widmanstaetten plates of #alpha#-Ti in colonies within a prior grain of #beta#-Ti. Thus, optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy have been used to characterize the morphological features of the microstructure, whereas orientation-imaging microscopy (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have been employed to reveal crystallographic information. It has been discovered that within a prior #beta#-Ti grain, although the growth direction of the Widmanstaetten plates in given colonies may differ by large angles from #alpha#-plates in other colonies, they may exhibit very close crystallographic relationships. For example, inclined #alpha#-plates may share common basal planes and be related by a rotation of #approx#10.5 deg. about ...
An /alpha//sub 2/-adrenergic receptor subtype has been cloned from a human kidney cDNA library using the gene for the human platelet /alpha//sub 2/-adrenergic receptor as a probe. The deduced amino acid sequence resembles the human platelet /alpha//sub 2/-adrenergic receptor and is consistent with the structure of other members of he family of guanine nucleotide-binding protein-coupled receptors. The cDNA was expressed in a mammalian cell line (COS-7), and the /alpha//sub 2/-adrenergic ligand (/sup 3/H)rauwolscine was bound. Competition curve analysis with a variety of adrenergic ligands suggests that this cDNA clone represents the /alpha//sub 2/B-adrenergic receptor. The gene for this receptor is on human chromosome 4, whereas the gene for the human platelet /alpha//sub 2/-adrenergic receptor (/alpha//sub 2/A) lies on chromosome 10. This ...
We discuss the foundations of factor or regression models in the light of the self-consistency condition that the market portfolio (and more generally the risk factors) is (are) constituted of the assets whose returns it is (they are) supposed to explain. As already reported in several articles, self-consistency implies correlations between the return disturbances. As a consequence, the alpha's and beta's of the factor model are unobservable. Self-consistency leads to renormalized beta's with zero effective alpha's, which are observable with standard OLS regressions. Analytical derivations and numerical simulations show that, for arbitrary choices of the proxy which are different from the true market portfolio, a modified linear regression holds with a non-zero value $\\alpha_i$ at the origin between an asset $i$'s return and the proxy's return. Self-consistency ...
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.
The expression status of the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and that of the epidermal growth factor receptor Her-2/neu frequently correlate inversely in breast cancers. While ERα-dependent...Full Text Available
The crystallography of #alpha#(hcp) precipitates formed on the #beta#(bcc) matrix grain boundaries has been studied with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in a Ti-15V-3Cr-3Sn-3Al alloy. The #alpha# precipitates have a near-Burgers orientation relationship with respect to at least one of the adjacent #beta# grains. Among the possible 12 variants in this orientation relationship, the variant that [11 bar 20]_#alpha# is parallel to the _#beta# closest to the grain boundary plane tends to be preferred by the #alpha# precipitates. Additionally, further variant selections are made so as to minimize the deviation of orientation relationship with respect to the ''opposite'' #beta# grain from the Burgers one. Such rules in variant selection often result in the formation of precipitates with a single variant at a planar grain boundary. Prior small deformation of ...
Ca #alpha#-sialon is a high hardness material that exhibits in-situ growth of elongated grains during pressureless sintering. This potentially gives the material very good fracture toughness. This paper examined the effects of a number of variables on microstructural development during sintering. The effect of composition was investigated by studying seven different compositions. Densification was seen to be hindered in compositions that produced only small quantities of liquid phase during sintering. Elongated #alpha#-sialon was observed in all the compositions. It was in combination with equiaxed #alpha#--sialon in low liquid compositions, but only elongated #alpha#-sialon was present in the liquid rich compositions. The effects of using P-Si_3N_4 instead of #alpha#-Si_3N_4 starting powders were also examined. Compositions using only #alpha#-S_3N_4 and those ...
Tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been shown to stimulate bone resorption in vitro. We have now investigated whether these cytokines also cause a similar action when administered in vivo. This was made possible by the adaptation of a newly developed technique that enables the continual assessment of bone resorption in vivo in mice by measuring urinary excretion of {sup 3}H from ({sup 3}H)tetracycline-prelabeled animals. Experiments using maneuvers known to influence bone resorption, such as a change in dietary calcium or administration of parathyroid hormone or dichloromethylenebisphosphonate, indicate that the technique is reliable and sensitive in mice. Daily intravenous administration of either recombinant human or recombinant murine TNF-alpha, as well as subcutaneous administration of recombinant human IL-1 alpha, were found to stimulate bone ...
Mutations in transcription factors hepatocyte nuclear factors (HNF)-1#alpha# and HNF-1#beta# cause maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) types 3 and 5, respectively. HNF-1#alpha# and HNF-1#beta# mutations are well studied in some tissues, but the mechanism by which HNF-1#alpha# and HNF-1#beta# mutations affect sucrase-isomaltase (SI) transcription in the small intestine is unclear. We studied the effects of 13 HNF-1#alpha# mutants and 2 HNF-1#beta# mutants on human SI gene transcription, which were identified in subjects with MODY3 and MODY5, respectively. Transactivation activity of 11 HNF-1#alpha# and 2 HNF-1#beta# mutants was significantly lower than that of wild (wt)-HNF-1#alpha# and wt-HNF-1#beta#. Furthermore, in co-expression studies with mutant (mu)-HNF-1#alpha#/ wt-HNF-1#beta# and ...
The carboxyl-terminal region of tubulin alpha and beta subunits plays a major role in regulating its assembly into microtubules and constitutes an essential domain for the selective interaction of microtubule-associated...Full Text Available
Using conventional deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS), we have characterized the defects introduced in OMVPE n-GaAs at 15 K by 5.4 MeV alpha particle irradiation from an americium 241 radio-nuclide. After this low temperature irradiation two new defects not yet reported for alpha irradiated GaAs before, E[alpha]7 and E[alpha]9, were detected 0.07 eV and 0.19 eV below the conduction band, respectively. The introduction rates of E[alpha]7 and E[alpha]9 are calculated to be 41 cm[sup -1] and 187 cm[sup -1] respectively. It was observed that both defects obeyed first order annealing kinetics, with E[alpha]9 being removed at 225 K and E[alpha]7 at 245 K corresponding to the well known stage I annealing region. The annealing rate of E[alpha]7 corresponds to an activation energy of 0.86 eV, with a ...
The traditional view that Ly-alpha emission and dust should be mutually exclusive has been questioned more and more often, notably the observations of Ly-alpha emission from ULIRGs seems to counter this view. In this paper we seek to address the reverse question: How large a fraction of Ly-alphaselected galaxies are ULIRGs? Using two samples of 24/25 Ly-alpha emitting galaxies at z = 0.3/2.3 we perform this test, also including results at z = 3.1, and find that whereas the ULIRG fraction at z = 3.1 is very small, it systematically increases towards lower redshifts. There is a hint that this evolution may be quite sudden and that it happens around a redshift of z ~ 2.5. Measuring the infrared luminosities of the Ly-alpha emitters, we find that they are in the normal to ULIRG range in the lower redshift sample, whereas the higher redshift galaxies all have ...
A technique has been developed for high resolution alpha particle spectroscopy from track length determination in CR-39 plastic. On individual tracks an energy resolution deltaE close to the range straggling limit is obtainable. For 6 MeV alpha-particle deltaE is proportional 35 keV on individual particles and for groups of particles deltaE proportional 20 keV can be achieved using certain data selection criteria. At 100 keV on individual particles deltaE is proportional 20 keV. The analysis requires 1) a knowledge of the track-etch rate (Vsub(T))-range relationship and 2) a theoretical understanding of alpha-particle track structure in CR-39 as a function of particle energy, dip angle and degree of etching. The structure of alpha-particle etched tracks in CR-39 is described and two methods of analysis discussed. Examples are given of the resolution attainable on tracks of ...
BackgroundEstrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ) are transcription factors (TFs) that mediate estrogen signaling and define the hormone-responsive phenotype...Full Text Available
Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue development often has a reciprocal relationship in vivo, particularly in myodystrophic states. We have investigated whether determined myoblasts with no inherent adipogenic...Full Text Available
In vivo short-term effects of recombinant human TNF-alpha on lipolysis, FFA flux, fat oxidation, triglyceride-fatty acid cycling, and glucose kinetics were evaluated with stable isotopic tracers and...Full Text Available
The spectral properties of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) offer a means to isolate pure samples displaying either dominant Ly-alpha in absorption or Ly-alpha in emission using broadband information alone. We present criteria developed using a large z ~ 3 LBG spectroscopic sample from the literature that enables large numbers of each spectral type to be gathered in photometric data, providing good statistics for multiple applications. In addition, we find that the truncated faint, blue-end tail of z ~ 3 LBG population overlaps and leads directly into an expected Ly-alpha emitter (LAE) population. As a result, we present simple criteria to cleanly select large numbers of z ~ 3 LAEs in deep broadband surveys. We present the spectroscopic results of 32 r' <~ 25.5 LBGs and r' <~ 27.0 LAEs at z ~ 3 pre-selected in the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey that confirm these ...
The detection efficiency of #alpha# particles of "2"1"4Po 7.69 MeV and "2"1"8Po 6.00 MeV in measuring radon daughters were determined through the data which were measured with long-lived #alpha# standard source and radon daughter standard source and with curve-fitting method of general formulation. The indeterminacy was #<=#2.5% and #<=#2.7% respectively. Their ranges in filter membrane were also determined, and the effect of the indeterminacy on the self-absorption factors was #<=#1.3%.
This article concerns the synergetic effects between an MoO{sub 3} sample composed of crystallites exposing preferentially the (010) basal faces and {alpha}-Sb{sub 2}O{sub 4} in the oxygen-assisted dehydration of 2-butanol at 220 C. The conversion of 2-butanol and the yield to butene improved when MoO{sub 3} was reacted in the presence of {alpha}-Sb{sub 2}O{sub 4}. The origin of the synergism is discussed. When reacted in the absence of {alpha}-Sb{sub 2}O{sub 4}, MoO{sub 3} got over-reduced and fragmented to MoO{sub 2}. MoO{sub 2} is intrinsically less active than MoO{sub 3} thus explaining that the deep reduction of MoO{sub 3} corresponds to its tendency to deactivate. In the presence of {alpha}-Sb{sub 2}O{sub 4}, the formation of MoO{sub 2} is inhibited with, as a consequence, the absence of deactivation. This leads to the synergetic effects obtained with the mechanical mixture of MoO{sub 3} with ...
For several decades, ceramic matrix composite have been attracted attention in advanced structural and tribological applications. Advanced structural ceramics are presently used in diverse tribological applications such as tips for ballpoint pens, precision instrument bearings and cutting tools inserts. Design and selection of ceramics for these applications require reliable data on the effects of temperature, load and environment on the tribological behavior of these ceramics. In the present work, #alpha#-sialon matrix composites reinforced with different amounts of #beta#-sialon fibers were produced with the aim of improving their toughness to increase the industrial applications. The wear properties of #alpha#-sialon matrix composites were evaluated by carried out wear tests using a pin-on-disk tribometer under dry conditions. The #alpha#-sialon matrix composites were manufactured by slip casting and ...
Hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) promotes tumor cell adaptation to microenvironmental stress. HIF-1 is up-regulated in irradiated tumors and serves as a promising target for radiosensitization....Full Text Available
The purpose of this experimental study is to investigate the micromechanical fatigue behavior, in terms of slip nature and preferential cracking sites, of a commercial #alpha#/#beta#-forged Ti-6Al-4V alloy. Electron backscattering diffraction is extensively used to identify the deformation (prismatic, basal, pyramidal slip) and crack formation modes activated by fatigue at the surface of several hundred primary #alpha# nodules. Some fatal crack formation sites are also characterized. Cracking in basal planes is identified as the most critical damage mode leading to fracture. An explanation is proposed which involves the resolved shear stress, taking into account the Schmid factor and the normal stress in relation to the elastic anisotropy of the #alpha#-phase. Finally, the spatial distribution of the secondary cracks is analyzed according to the crystallographic textures (macrozones) present on a ...
High-resolution spectroscopy of 13 bright red giants and Ba stars shows selective enhancement of Ba in three of them, HD 65699 (Ba 2), ..cap alpha..TrA (K4 III), and epsilonPeg (K2 Ib). Infrared spectra available for HD 65699 show that Sr is enhanced, too. This selective enhancement is discussed in terms of a modified s-process which converts some of the pre-existing r- and s-process matter into the magic nuclei /sup 88/Sr and /sup 138/Ba.
The neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor {alpha}7 subunit is a member of a family of ligand-gated ion channels, and is the only subunit know to bind {alpha}-bungarotoxin in mammalian brain. {alpha}-Bungarotoxin binding sites are known to be more abundant in the hippocampus of mouse strains that are particularly sensitive to nicotine-induced seizures. The {alpha}7 receptor is highly permeable to calcium, which could suggest a role in synaptic plasticity in the nervous system. Auditory gating deficiency, an abnormal response to a second auditory stimulus, is characteristic of schizophrenia. Mouse strains that exhibit a similar gating deficit have reduced hippocampal expression of the {alpha}7 subunit. We have cloned and sequenced the full length cDNA for the mouse {alpha}7 gene (Acra-7) and characterized its gene structure. The murine ...
The functional interaction between the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor {gamma} (PPAR{gamma}) and its coactivator PGC-1{alpha} is crucial for the normal physiology of PPAR{gamma} and its pharmacological response to antidiabetic treatment with rosiglitazone. Here we report the crystal structure of the PPAR{gamma} ligand-binding domain bound to rosiglitazone and to a large PGC-1{alpha} fragment that contains two LXXLL-related motifs. The structure reveals critical contacts mediated through the first LXXLL motif of PGC-1{alpha} and the PPAR{gamma} coactivator binding site. Through a combination of biochemical and structural studies, we demonstrate that the first LXXLL motif is the most potent among all nuclear receptor coactivator motifs tested, and only this motif of the two LXXLL-related motifs in PGC-1{alpha} is capable of binding to PPAR{gamma}. Our studies reveal that the strong interaction ...
In monocytes, sulfatide, a lipid from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, blocked priming for enhanced release of superoxide (O2-) by the macrophage activating factors lipopolysaccharide, gamma interferon,...Full Text Available
The present study demonstrates that tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and FMLP, but not IL-1 or IL-8, enhanced the adherence of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) to fibronectin, an extracellular matrix...Full Text Available
Single stage separation factors ..cap alpha.. have been determined for /sup 6/Li and /sup 7/Li between lithium ions in methanol and complexed ions with a cryptand (2 sub(B), 2, 1) polymer. The /sup 6/Li was concentrated in the cryptand. The separation factors were compared with the values of other chemical exchange systems. The maximum enrichment factor obtained was epsilon = 0.047 +- 0.002. The figure is one of the greatest in the chemical exchange reactions without valence change and almost 10 times larger than the values of ion exchangers. The variation in ..cap alpha.. depending on the chemical species was small in the non-aqueous system. High enrichment of lithium isotopes was expected to be achievable by means of the chromatographic application of the cryptand (2 sub(B), 2, 1).
In the present study, the relationship between the crystallographic orientations and growth directions of grain boundary-allotriomorphic-#alpha# (GB #alpha#) and secondary Widmanstaetten #alpha# laths growing from the GB #alpha# at grain boundaries separating #beta# grains with specific misorientations has been examined. These relationships have been determined using a variety of characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy, orientation imaging microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and a dual-beam focused ion beam instrument to provide site-selected TEM foils. Two very interesting cases, one in which the two adjacent #beta# grains are rotated mutually by approximately 10.5"o about a common direction and the other in which the two #beta# grains are in a twin relationship, i.e. a 60"o rotation about a common direction, have been studied. It was ...
The K0.5 for intracellular sodium of the two forms of (Na ,K )-ATPase which exist in rat adipocytes has been determined by incubating the cells in the absence of potassium in buffers of varying sodium concentration; these conditions shut off the Na pump and allow sodium to equilibrate into the cell. The activity of (Na ,K )-ATPase was then monitored with YWRb /K pumping which was initiated by adding isotope and KCl to 5 mM, followed by a 3-min uptake period. Atomic absorption and SSNa tracer equilibration were used to determine the actual intracellular (Na ) under the different conditions. The K0.5 values thus obtained were 17 mM for alpha and 52 mM for alpha(+). Insulin treatment of rat adipocytes had no effect on the intracellular (Na+) nor on the Vmax of YWRb /K pumping, but did produce a shift in the sodium ion K0.5 values to 14 mM for alpha and 33 mM for alpha(+). This change in affinity can ...
Investigation of selective emitter solar cells has been undertaken using both device fabrication and accurate two-dimensional simulation program. Our results show that selective emitter solar cells exhibit a relatively low fill factor because of minority carriers crowding at the lateral junction. It is also found that carrier recombination in the space-charge region of the lateral junction limits open-circuit voltage improvements
A kind of metastable beta titanium alloy, i.e. Ti-10Mo-8V-1Fe-3.5Al, was aged under elastic compressive stress. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations revealed that, in the stress-aged samples, precipitated alpha plates were parallel to each other. However, in the conventionally aged samples, alpha plates intersected each other. In other words, variant of alpha plate was selected in the stress-aged samples. Tensile tests showed that, at equivalent tensile strength, the stress-aged samples exhibited higher ductility, compared to the conventionally aged ones.
K-shell x-ray production cross sections and K#beta#/K#alpha# ratios have been measured for thin targets of Ti, V, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Rb, Sr, and Y for 0.5- to 2.5-MeV alpha particles. The experimental values are compared to the nonrelativistic plane-wave Born approximation (PWBA), the binary-encounter approximation, and the PWBA with binding energy and Coulomb deflection corrections. The PWBA with corrections provides the best agreement with the experimental cross sections.
A process has been developed that exploits the characteristics of microwave heating for the vitrification of high-level radioactive liquid waste. This process, microwave vitrification, has been successfully operated at pilot plant scale in an active cell using simulated liquid waste containing several curies of radioactivity. Excellent decontamination factors have been achieved for both volatiles and nonvolatiles with an average ruthenium decontamination factor of 490 and a gross alpha emitter decontamination factor of 100,000. Almost all the radioactivity is incorporated in a glass block.
A process has been developed that exploits the characteristics of microwave heating for the vitrification of high-level radioactive liquid waste. This process, microwave vitrification, has been successfully operated at pilot plant scale in an active cell using simulated liquid waste containing several curies of radioactivity. Excellent decontamination factors have been achieved for both volatiles and nonvolatiles with an average ruthenium decontamination factor of 490 and a gross alpha emitter decontamination factor of 100,000. Almost all the radioactivity is incorporated in a glass block.
Measurements of alpha spectra in the (n, #alpha#) reactions induced on /sup 90,91/Zr at 14.3 and 18.15 MeV incident neutron energy are presented. A microscopic calculation of these spectra has been made using both pick-up and knock-on theories, and in both cases only one overall normalizing factor, which is the same for the two target nuclei and incident energies and all the considered transitions, appears as a free parameter in the calculation. Pick-up calculations provide a very satisfactory reproduction of the data. Knock-on calculations reproduce many qualitative features of the measured spectra, but do not allow a fully satisfactory reproduction of them. While the results obtained do not exclude knock-on contributions to these reactions, their presence is not established.
Testing was performed to determine the feasibility and processing characteristics of evaporation of actual Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) recycle material. Samples of the Off Gas Condensate Tank (OGCT) and Slurry Mix Evaporator Condensate Tank (SMECT) were transferred from DWPF to the Savannah River National Lab (SRNL) Shielded Cells and blended with De-Ionized (DI) water and a small amount of Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME) product. A total of 3000 mL of this feed was concentrated to approximately 90 mL during a semi-batch evaporation test of approximately 17 hours. One interruption occurred during the run when the feed tube developed a split and was replaced. Samples of the resulting condensate and concentrate were collected and analyzed. The resulting analysis of the condensate was compared to the Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) limits for the F/H Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). Results from the test were compared to previous testing using simulants and OLI modeling. ...
Cathodic reduction of non-terminal vinylaxides on Hg cathodes in the presence of electrophiles gives reasonable yields of N-acylated enamines in an electrochemically totally irreversible reaction. In the presence of added H-donors rather high selectivity for formation of saturated amides is achieveable. The influence of reaction conditions on product distribution is discussed.
The paper investigates the controversial relation between the continuum luminosity and the C IV 1550 emission-line strength in the spectra of quasars, commonly referred to as the Baldwin effect, as a possible indicator of absolute luminosity. It is concluded that the Baldwin effect does represent a physical correlation between the continuum and the C IV 1550 equivalent width rather than a consequence of selection effects. In addition to the C IV results, a similar relation is found for the Lyman-alpha emission line. 38 refs.
The usually low wear resistance of titanium materials can be increased by the thermochemical surface treatment nitriding. In result of comparative investigations of gas and plasma nitriding it will be shown that it is possible to obtain a specific variation of the properties in the highly stressed case by means of these both technologies on example of the ({alpha}+{beta}) alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Gas and plasma nitriding was carried out in the temperature range from 650 to 800 C over 4 to 48 h in different gas atmospheres, i.e. 100% NH{sub 3} (gas), 100% N{sub 2} (gas and plasma), 20% H{sub 2} + 80% N{sub 2} and 20% Ar + 20% H{sub 2} (plasma). The temperature range was fixed in the middle of ({alpha}+{beta}) region, because the core properties are influenced negative in the field of {beta}-transustemperature. The relations between the applied nitriding technologies, the layer structure (chemical, phases, geometrical) and selected ...
Up to the present, the generic values of the Common cause failure (CCF) event parameters have been used in most PSA projects for the Korean NPPs. However, the CCF analysis should be performed with plant specific information to meet Category II of the ASME PRA Standard. Therefore, we estimated the Alphafactor parameters of the emergency diesel generator (EDG) for Ulchin Unit 3 by using the International Common-Cause Failure data Exchange (ICDE) database. The ICDE database provides the member countries with only the information needed for an estimation of the CCF parameters. The Ulchin Unit A3, pressurized water reactor, has two onsite EDGs and one alternate AC (AAC) diesel generator. The onsite EDGs of Unit 3 and 4 and the AAC are manufactured by the same company, but they are designed differently. The estimation procedure of the Alphafactor used in this study follows the approach of the NUREG/CR-5485. ...
Up to the present, the generic values of the Common cause failure (CCF) event parameters have been used in most PSA projects for the Korean NPPs. However, the CCF analysis should be performed with plant specific information to meet Category II of the ASME PRA Standard. Therefore, we estimated the Alphafactor parameters of the emergency diesel generator (EDG) for Ulchin Unit 3 by using the International Common-Cause Failure data Exchange (ICDE) database. The ICDE database provides the member countries with only the information needed for an estimation of the CCF parameters. The Ulchin Unit A3, pressurized water reactor, has two onsite EDGs and one alternate AC (AAC) diesel generator. The onsite EDGs of Unit 3 and 4 and the AAC are manufactured by the same company, but they are designed differently. The estimation procedure of the Alphafactor used in this study follows the approach of the NUREG/CR-5485. ...
In many applications, the experimenter has limited options about what factor combinations can be chosen for a designed study. Consider a screening study for a production process involving five input factors whose levels have been previously established. The goal of the study is to understand the effect of each factor on the response, a variable that is expensive to measure and results in destruction of the part. From an inventory of available parts with known factor values, we wish to identify a best collection of factor combinations with which to estimate the factor effects. Though the observational nature of the study cannot establish a causal relationship involving the response and the factors, the study can increase understanding of the underlying process. The study can also help determine where investment should be made to control input ...
Pituitary Fshb concentrations increase markedly and selectively beginning on Postnatal Day 20 in the male rat. To evaluate the factors potentially responsible for this rise...Full Text Available
Skip to Content Cancer Control and Population Sciences Home Applied Research Home Risk Factor Monitoring and Methods Home Diet Usual Dietary Intakes: Background The NCI Method Details of the NCI Method Food Intakes, US Population, 2001-04 Selected Intakes
Skip to Content Cancer Control and Population Sciences Home Applied Research Home Risk Factor Monitoring and Methods Home Diet Usual Dietary Intakes: Background The NCI Method Details of the NCI Method Food Intakes, US Population, 2001-04 Selected Intakes
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates the toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin. However, the role of the AHR...Full Text Available
Bacterial pathogens use virulence strategies to invade epithelial barriers, but active processes of epithelial cells may also contribute to the endocytosis of microbial particles. To focus on the latter,...Full Text Available
A combined PVD/PECVD process for the vacuum deposition of titanium containing amorphous hydrogenated carbon films is described. Elemental compositions of the deposited films have been determined by in situ core level photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The long-term stability of the plasma process has been demonstrated. Target poisoning has not been observed. We have fabricated optical selective surfaces by the deposition of a-C:H/Ti multilayers onto aluminum substrates. Even though we have not optimized layer thicknesses and stoichiometries so far, the experimental results are promising: solar absorptance {alpha}{sub S} of 0.876 and thermal emittance {epsilon}{sub 100C} of 0.061 have been achieved yielding an optical selectivity sis defined as{alpha}{sub S}/{epsilon}{sub 100C} of 14.4. Accelerated aging tests of these coatings have demonstrated their aging stability: the service lifetime is predicted to ...
The decontamination of the dissolution tank from spent fuel reprocessing out-ling device is studied, by using FL-AP decontamination agent. The decontamination factor per step is 2.2, 2.4, respectively for #alpha#, #beta# activities. After dissecting the tank, residual contamination in inner surface of the tank was found to be non-uniform. The exact original contamination value of the tank surface could be approximated by calculating the total amounts of radionuclide distributed on the hanging specimens, the dissecting specimen, and radioactive level in waste decontamination agent. Therefore, it can be concluded that the hanging specimens method is feasible for measuring the decontamination factor of spent fuel dissolution tank. (authors)
A two-cycle process using O{Phi}CMPO and HDEHP as extractants to achieve an alpha decontamination factor of HLLW greater than 10{sup 3} together with a reduction of the lanthanides/americium weight ratio by a factor of about 200 is considered. Experimentally measured distribution ratios have been employed as input data of a suitable computer code to define operating conditions and M/S stage numbers of a process flow-sheet able to meet the above-mentioned objectives.
We use UV/optical and X-ray observations of 272 radio-quiet Type 1 AGNs and quasars to investigate the CIV Baldwin Effect (BEff). The UV/optical spectra are drawn from the Hubble Space Telescope, International Ultraviolet Explorer and Sloan Digital Sky Survey archives. The X-ray spectra are from the Chandra and XMM-Newton archives. We apply correlation and partial-correlation analyses to the equivalent widths, continuum monochromatic luminosities, and alpha_ox, which characterizes the relative X-ray to UV brightness. The equivalent width of the CIV 1549 emission line is correlated with both alpha_ox and luminosity. We find that by regressing l_UV with EW(CIV) and alpha_ox, we can obtain tighter correlations than by regressing l_UV with only EW(CIV). Both correlation and regression analyses imply that l_UV is not the only factor controlling the changes of EW(CIV); alpha_ox (or, ...
Excitation functions (EFs) for the reaction "1"4"1Pr(#alpha#, n)"1"4"4Pm and "1"4"1Pr(#alpha#, 2n)"1"4"3Pm have been measured using "1"4"1Pr as a target up to 50 MeV #alpha#-particle energy. Stacked foil activation technique and #gamma#-ray spectroscopy using 100 cm"3 Ge (Li) detector, has been used. Excitation functions are also calculated theoretically using Blann's geometry dependent hybrid (GDH) model code ALICE-91, with and without inclusion of pre-equilibrium particle emission. It has been observed that high-energy tails of the EFs are dominated by pre-equilibrium reaction mechanism. With the accepted set of input parameter, initial exciton number n_0=4 (2p + 2n + 0h), a good qualitative agreement is found. However, quantitative agreement for this magic nucleus"1"4"1Pr is also good when theoretical calculations are normalized by a multiple factor of 0.5. (author)
The sub-criticality monitoring system has been developed for criticality safety control in nuclear fuel handling plants. In the past experiments performed with the Deuterium Critical Assembly (DCA), it was confirmed that the detection of sub-criticality was possible to k{sub eff} = 0.3. To investigate the applicability of the method to more generalized system, experiments were performed in the light-water-moderated system of the modified DCA core. From these experiments, it was confirmed that the prompt decay constant ({alpha}), which was a index of the sub-criticality, was detected between k{sub eff} = 0.623 and k{sub eff} = 0.870 and the difference of 0.05 - 0.1{Delta}k could be distinguished. The {alpha} values were numerically calculated with 2D transport code TWODANT and monte carlo code KENO V.a, and the results were compared with the measured values. The differences between calculated and measured values were proved to be less than 13%, ...
The title compounds were prepared by arc-melting of the elemental components. Whereas NdPdSi and SmPdSi are already present after the arc-melting, alpha-GdPdSi and alpha-TbPdSi are formed only during the annealing at 800 degC. The four compounds crystallize with the recently reported alpha-YbAuGe type structure, which was refined for alpha-GdPdSi: Pnma, a=2108.0(4) pm, b=433.9(1) pm, c=745.6(1) pm, Z=12, R=0.026 for 1447 structure factors and 62 variable parameters. The lanthanoid atoms are situated between two-dimensionally infinite nets of condensed, puckered hexagons formed by alternating palladium and silicon atoms, with Pd-Si distances varying between 251 and 262 pm. In the third dimension these nets are linked via weak Pd-Pd (300 pm), Pd-Si (283 pm), and Si-Si bonds (261 pm). The refinements of the occupancy parameters suggested that ca. 2% of the palladium sites are occupied ...
Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1 is a key transcription factor for the regulation of lipogenic enzyme genes in the liver. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) selectively suppress hepatic...Full Text Available
Some properties of the universe are fixed by physics derived from mathematical symmetries, others may have been selected from an ensemble of possibilities. Some successes and failures of anthropic reasoning in this context are reviewed in the light of recent developments in astrobiology, cosmology and unification physics. Specific issues raised include our spacetime location (including the reason for the present age of the universe), the timescale of biological evolution, the tuning of global cosmological parameters, the origin of the Large Numbers of astrophysics, and the parameters of the Standard Model. Out of the twenty parameters of the Standard Model,the basic behavior and structures of the world (nucleons, nuclei,atoms, molecules, planets, stars, galaxies) depend mainly on five of them: $m_e,m_u,m_d,\\alpha,\\alpha_G$, three of which are independent in the context of Grand Unified Theories (that is, not related by any known symmetry). ...
We have studied L x-rays from 64 MeV iodine projectile in collision with various gas targets, Z_2 #18, do not arise from selective M subshell vacancy population, has been conclusively established by the observations by Datz et al (1971) and by Saha et al (1996) that the measured intensity ratio of the Ll and L#alpha# lines, which arise because of transitions from different M subshells into the same L, subshell, does not show any periodic behaviour with Z, but stays rather constant. Differences in the measured L#beta#_1/L#alpha# intensity ratio of iodine with 7"+ and 24"+ charge states impinging on Kr target established the minor role of the electrons in the N shell of the projectile in the x-ray production mechanism. (author)
This EPRI sponsored report describes factors that influence the selection of drives in process industry. These factors include economics, safety aspects, speed control and the plant steam balance. Since the economics play a key-role in the decision, this report provides a quick way of estimating the economics of replacing steam turbines with electric motors. The tools to carry out economic analyses have been provided in the form of graphs and nomographs for quick estimation.
The catalytic performance of alkaline-treated zeolite H-ZSM-5 in the conversion of methanol to gasoline has been studied. After treatment with 0.20M NaOH, the total conversion capacity increased by a factor of 3.3, and the selectivity towards the gasoline fraction increased by a factor of 1.7. Physical characterization indicated the formation of mesopores and improved crystallinity.
In the present thesis I discuss the hard spectator interaction amplitude in B {yields} {pi}{pi} at NLO i.e. at O({alpha}{sup 2}{sub s}). This special part of the amplitude, whose LO starts at O({alpha}{sub s}), is defined in the framework of QCD factorization. QCD factorization allows to separate the short- and the long-distance physics in leading power in an expansion in {lambda}{sub QCD}/m{sub b}, where the short-distance physics can be calculated in a perturbative expansion in {alpha}{sub s}. Compared to other parts of the amplitude hard spectator interactions are formally enhanced by the hard collinear scale {radical}({lambda}{sub QCD}m{sub b}), which occurs next to the mb-scale and leads to an enhancement of {alpha}{sub s}. From a technical point of view the main challenges of this calculation are due to the fact that we have to deal with Feynman integrals ...
The Moessbauer emission spectrum of "2"4"1Am metal was investigated for influences of radiation self damage. Samples were kept continuously for 230 h at 4.2 K and spectra were taken each 10 to 20 h. No change in f-factor was observed, while the linewidth increased monotonically and reached saturation after approximately 180 h. The original width could be reproduced by a brief warming to room temperature. The increase in width reflects the change in quadrupole interaction due to the creation of lattice defects. The constancy of the f-factor indicates that the basic crystalline structure is retained.
This paper presents the first report of multiple anthelmintic resistance in the gastrointestinal nematodes of goats and its possible contributory factors in an irrigated area (Pakistan). A total of 18 privately owned Beetal goat flocks were selected in order to determine the anthelmintic resistance against commonly used anthelmintics. Forty to 48 animals from each flock were selected according to their weight and egg count. The three anthelmintics viz., oxfendazole, levamisole and ivermectin, were given to three groups at manufacturer's recommended dose while one group was kept as untreated control. Anthelmintic resistance was determined through faecal egg count reduction and egg hatch tests while assessment of the contributory factors of anthelmintic resistance was measured through the ru...
A general theoretical approach for the study of the two-dimensional structure of high-n Toroidal Alfven Eigenmodes (TAE) in finite-#beta#, large aspect ratio (R_o/a much-gt 1) tokamak equilibria is presented. Here, n is the toroidal mode number, #beta# = plasma/magnetic pressure, and a(R_o) is the minor (major) radius of the torus. It is shown how the general pseudo-differential boundary value problem for the radial eigenmode structure can be systematically constructed from the local dispersion relation; which is obtained using the ballooning formalism. The TAE modes are characterized by a broad radial envelope, the width of which is independent on the mode number in the general case of monotonic equilibrium profiles. The results on the two-dimensional eigenmode structure are expected to be applicable to drift-type waves. The ballooning transform is generalized here to handle singular eigenfunctions typical of the continuous shear Alfven spectrum, and, thereby, facilitates the ...
Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) antagonist drugs have been associated with increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculin skin test (TST) is the most frequently used tool for identification of latent TB infection. We herein aimed to analyse the effect of TNF-? antagonists on the TST responses in a prospective study. The study group consisted of 182 patients (99 female, 83 male) who received TNF-? antagonists for various rheumatic disorders. All patients were evaluated with TST along with other parameters on the day of referral and on the 12th month visit. For those patients with a response of <5?mm induration at the initial evaluation, the TST was repeated to observe the booster effect. Out of 182 patients, 87 patients (48%) had a negative (0?4?mm) and 95 (52%) had a positive (?5?mm)...
The nitrogen content of 10 medicinal plant species has been determined by fast-neutron activation analysis (FNAA). Correction factors for the effects of the /sup 16/O(p,..cap alpha..)/sup 13/N knock-on proton-induced reaction and the (n,2n) reactions, which produce interfering positron-emitting radionuclides, have also been determined. The total relative interference from the /sup 16/O(p,..cap alpha..)/sup 13/N and (n,2n) reactions of K, Cl, Fe and Br was found to be 5.1 to 32.1% for the plant samples.
Environmental radon monitoring activities at the DOE Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP) have been conducted extensively since the early 1980`s. Monitoring has been conducted at ambient concentration levels (< 1 pCi/L Rn-222), inside buildings, and at significantly elevated levels (hundreds of thousands pCi/L Rn-222) within the K-65 silo that store concentrated radium bearing wastes. The purpose of this paper/presentation is to present and discuss some of the difficulties encountered/solutions (e.g. reliability, detection limits, affects of environmental factors, data transfer, etc.) that have been discovered while taking measurements using both alpha track-etch passive integrating detectors and alpha scintillation real-time detectors. A short summary and conclusion section is provided following each topic presented.
The production of {alpha}-amylase by Bacillus licheniformis M27 in submerged fermentation was completely inhibited due to catabolic repression in medium containing 1% glucose. In contrast, the enzyme production in a solid state fermentation system was 19,550 units/ml extract even when the medium contained 15% glucose. The peak in enzyme titre was, however, shifted from 48 to 72 h. The ability of the solid state fermentation system to significantly overcome catabolic repression was not known earlier and is probably conferred by various physico-chemical factors and culture conditions specific to the system. (orig.).
The usually low wear resistance of titanium materials can be increased by the thermochemical surface treatment nitriding. In result of comparative investigations of gas and plasma nitriding it will be shown that it is possible to obtain a specific variation of the properties in the highly stressed case by means of these both technologies on example of the (#alpha#+#beta#) alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Gas and plasma nitriding was carried out in the temperature range from 650 to 800 C over 4 to 48 h in different gas atmospheres, i.e. 100% NH_3 (gas), 100% N_2 (gas and plasma), 20% H_2 + 80% N_2 and 20% Ar + 20% H_2 (plasma). The temperature range was fixed in the middle of (#alpha#+#beta#) region, because the core properties are influenced negative in the field of #beta#-transustemperature. The relations between the applied nitriding technologies, the layer structure (chemical, phases, geometrical) and selected layer properties ...
Advanced structural ceramics are presently used in several tribological applications, such as precision instrument bearings, automotive engine parts and cutting tools inserts. Design and selection of advanced ceramics for these applications require reliable data on the effects of temperature, load and environment on the tribological behaviour of these materials. In the present work, the friction and wear behaviour of colloidally processed and pressureless sintered sialon ceramics with phase (#alpha#) have been studied, aiming at increasing #alpha#-sialon in industrial applications as cutting tools. The friction and wear behaviour of sialon ceramics against steel DIN-Ck45K were investigated using a pin-on-disk tribometer under dry sliding conditions at room temperature, in order to eliminate the contribution of lubricant. The experiments were performed with a constant sliding velocity of 0.5 m/s and a contact stress of 2.85 ...
Accelerated aging tests on tin-oxide-coated anodized aluminium selective absorber surfaces have been performed. It is shown that the tin oxide layer provides excellent protection for the anodized surface. The thermal stability of the double layer is equal to, or better than, the stability of the bare anodized surface. Both surfaces degrade very slowly at 450deg C. The anodic layer is porous and therefore not very scratch resistant and it degrades when exposed to humidity, both acidic and alcaline. It is shown that the tin oxide film, which is hard and chemically very stable, almost completely protects the anodized surface from chemical degradation. The mechanical wear resistance is also considerably improved. The optical selectivity does not quite match that of the the anodized surface, but the remarkable stability together with the solar parameters of {alpha}=0.91 and hemispherical emittance {epsilon}= 0.16 (normal ...
Pulse reactor experiments were conducted on the reactions of unlabeled or deuterium- or oxygen-18-labeled allyl alcohols over molybdenum trioxide and various bismuth molybdates in the absence or presence of oxygen and ammonia. The allyl alcohol apparently adsorbed on oxidation sites to form acrolein via allyl molybdates, and on Broensted acid sites to form diallyl ether via an allyl carbonium ion. The bismuth enhanced ..cap alpha..-hydrogen abstraction, which was the rate-determining step in the oxidation. The product distributions provided evidence that the selective oxidation of propylene to acrolein proceeds via a m-allyl molybdate which collapses to an O o-allyl molybdate prior to the second hydrogen abstraction, and that the analogous N o-complex in ammoxidation undergoes two hydrogen abstractions to form acrylonitrile. Detailed reaction schemes are developed.
Invading melanoma spreads to local and unpredictable distant location at the early stages of its development. It is justifiable, therefore, to classify the disease as a systemic disorder. This requires a systemic treatment that reaches all melanoma cells irrespective of whether they are singly dispersed and in circulation or already forming solid tumours of various sizes. Targeted radiotherapy affects directly and selectively cancer cells provided an appropriate radionuclide and its carrier are chosen. Melanoma is a pigmented tumour. Methylene blue (MTB)) accumulates selectively in melanoma cells due to its exceptionally high affinity to melanin. MTB serves, therefore, as a carrier for radionuclides. "2"1"1At-MTB has proved to be particularly effective in treating disseminated melanoma when administered systemically and, at the same time, non-toxic to normal non-pigmented and pigmented organs. (authors)
A new kinetic model for a more accurate and detailed fitting of the experimental data is proposed. The model is based on the remote control mechanism (RCM). The RCM assumes that some oxides (called `donors`) are able to activate molecular oxygen transforming it to very active mobile species (spillover oxygen (O{sub OS})). O{sub OS} migrates onto the surface of the other oxide (called `acceptor`) where it creates and/or regenerates the active sites during the reaction. The model contains tow terms, one considering the creation of selective sites and the other the catalytic reaction at each site. The model has been tested in the selective oxidation of propene into acrolein (T=380, 400, 420 C; oxygen and propene partial pressures between 38 and 152 Torr). Catalysts were prepared as pure MoO{sub 3} (acceptor) and their mechanical mixtures with {alpha}-Sb{sub 2}O{sub 4} (donor) in different proportions. The presence of ...
We derive improved versions of the relations between supermassive black hole mass (M _B_H) and host-galaxy bulge velocity dispersion (#sigma#) and luminosity (L; the M-#sigma# and M-L relations), based on 49 M _B_H measurements and 19 upper limits. Particular attention is paid to recovery of the intrinsic scatter (#epsilon#_0) in both relations. We find log(M _B_H/M _s_u_n) = #alpha# + #beta#log(#sigma#/200 km s"-"1) with (#alpha#, #beta#, #epsilon#_0) = (8.12 #+-# 0.08, 4.24 #+-# 0.41, 0.44 #+-# 0.06) for all galaxies and (#alpha#, #beta#, #epsilon#_0) = (8.23 #+-# 0.08, 3.96 #+-# 0.42, 0.31 #+-# 0.06) for ellipticals. The results for ellipticals are consistent with previous studies, but the intrinsic scatter recovered for spirals is significantly larger. The scatter inferred reinforces the need for its consideration when calculating local black hole mass function based on the M-#sigma# relation, and further implies that ...
NFAT involvement in adipocyte physiological processes was examined by treatment with CsA and/or GSK3{beta} inhibitors (Li{sup +} or TZDZ-8), which prevent or increase NFAT nuclear translocation, respectively. CsA treatment reduced basal and TNF{alpha}-induced rates of lipolysis by 50%. Adipocytes preincubated with Li{sup +} or TZDZ-8 prior to CsA and/or TNF{alpha}, exhibited enhanced basal rates of lipolysis and complete inhibition of CsA-mediated decreased rates of lipolysis. CsA treatment dramatically reduced the mRNA levels of adipocyte-specific genes (aP2, HSL, PPAR{gamma}, ACS and Adn), compared with control or TNF{alpha}-treatment, whereas Li{sup +} pretreatment blocked the inhibitory effects of CsA, and mRNA levels of aP2, HSL, PPAR{gamma}, and ACS were found at or above control levels. NFAT nuclear localization, assessed by EMSA, confirmed that CsA or Li{sup +} treatments inhibited or increased NFAT nuclear ...
The product of the human GRO gene is a cytokine with inflammatory and growth-regulatory properties; GRO is also called MGSA for melanoma growth-stimulatory activity. The authors have identified two additional genes, GRO#beta# and GRO#gamma#, that share 90% and 86% identity at the deduced amino acid level with the original GRO#alpha# isolate. One amino acid substitution of proline in GRO#alpha# by leucine in GRO#beta# and GRO#gamma# leads to a large predicted change in protein conformation. Significant differences also exist in the 3' untranslated region, including different numbers of ATTTA repeats associated with mRNA instability. A 122-base-pair region in the 3' region is conserved among the three GRO genes, and a part of it is also conserved in the Chinese hamster genome, suggesting a role in regulation. DNA hybridization with oligonucleotide probes and partial sequence analysis of the genomic clones confirm that the three forms are derived ...
This paper described the basic design of Alpha Aqueous Waste Treatment Process in NUCEF. Since various experiments using the TRU (transuranium) elements are carried out in NUCEF, wastes containing TRU elements arise. The liquid wastes in NUCEF are categorized into three types. Decontamination and volume reduction of the liquid waste mainly of recovery water from acid recovery process which has lowest radioactive concentration is the most important task, because the arising rate of the waste is large. The major function of the Alpha Aqueous Waste Treatment Process is to decontaminate the radioactive concentration below the level which is allowed to discharge into sea. Prior the process design of this facility, the followings are evaluated:property and arising rate of the liquid waste, room space to install and licensing condition. Considering varieties of liquid wastes and their large volume, the very high decontamination ...
A new method that allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in water samples was developed for the measurement of "2"3"7Np and Pu isotopes by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and alpha spectrometry. "2"3"8U can interfere with "2"3"9Pu measurement by ICP-MS as "2"3"8UH"+ mass overlap and "2"3"7Np via peak tailing. The method provide enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin, then moving Pu to DGA resin for additional removal of uranium. The decontamination factor for uranium from Pu is almost 100,000 and the decontamination factor for U from Np is greater than 10,000. This method uses stacked extraction chromatography cartridges and vacuum box technology to facilitate rapid separations. Preconcentration is performed using a streamlined calcium phosphate precipitation method. Purified solutions are split between ICP-MS and ...
A new method that allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in water samples was developed for the measurement of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and alpha spectrometry; a hybrid approach. {sup 238}U can interfere with {sup 239}Pu measurement by ICP-MS as {sup 238}UH{sup +} mass overlap and {sup 237}Np via peak tailing. The method provide enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin, then moving Pu to DGA resin for additional removal of uranium. The decontamination factor for uranium from Pu is almost 100,000 and the decontamination factor for U from Np is greater than 10,000. This method uses stacked extraction chromatography cartridges and vacuum box technology to facilitate rapid separations. Preconcentration is performed using a streamlined calcium phosphate precipitation method. Purified solutions are split ...
A major regulatory element required for expression of the human [alpha]-globin genes is located 40 kb upstream of the embryonic [zeta]-globin gene. To understand how this and other locus control region (LCR) elements contribute to high-level expression in erythroid cells, we have performed high-resolution, in vivo dimethyl sulfate footprinting. In addition, we have modified the dimethyl sulfate-based ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction in vivo footprinting procedure to permit the assessment of interactions at guanine and adenine residues, rather than guanines alone. In vivo footprinting of the human [alpha]-LCR element carried on chromosome 16 in a mouse erythroleukemia cell environment revealed protein occupancy at GATA-1, AP-1/NF-E2, and CACC/GGTGG motifs, specific differences compared with in vitro protein binding, and distinct changes in one region upon dimethyl sulfoxide-induced cellular maturation. No protein contacts were ...
Abstract. Objective: Lapatinib (Tykerb, GW572016), a potent inhibitor of the catalytic activities of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (ErbB2), inhibits population growth of selected EGFR and HER2 overexpressing cell lines. Previous studies with a small number of cell lines suggest a correlation between overexpression of EGFR and/or HER2 and sensitivity to growth inhibition by lapatinib; however, the precise determinants of lapatinib selectivity for tumour and/or other cells remain unclear. Materials and methods: To clarify the determinants of its selectivity in cultured cells, lapatinib-induced cell population growth inhibition and relative EGFR and HER2 protein expression were quantified in 61 different human tumour cell lines fro...
Cholestatic liver injury induced by alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) is provoked by injury to intrahepatic bile ducts and the progression of hepatic necrosis requires the procoagulant protein tissue factor (TF) and extrahepatic cells including neutrophils. Recent studies have shown that myeloid cell TF contributes to neutrophil activation. We tested the hypothesis that myeloid cell TF contributes to neutrophil activation in ANIT-treated mice. TF activity in liver homogenates increased significantly in TF^f^l^o^x^/^f^l^o^x mice treated with ANIT, but not in TF^f^l^o^x^/^f^l^o^x/LysMCre mice (TFD^M^y^e^l^o^i^d mice), which have reduced TF expression in monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. Myeloid cell-specific TF deficiency did not alter expression of the chemokines KC or MIP-2 but redu...
The peak evaluation in alpha liquid scintillation is known to be easy, mostly due to the gaussian shape of the peaks. However, we often observed a high-energy tail in addition to a pure gaussian function. This effect is only detectable with a high resolution {alpha} liquid scintillation spectrometer such as the PERALS trademark system. Indeed, its intrinsic resolution (180 keV for a 4 MeV {alpha} particle) is better than that obtained for conventional LSC spectrometers. The peak asymmetry was quantified using the Fisher's coefficient {gamma}{sub 1} (symmetry factor). We show that the main effect responsible for the asymmetry is internal conversion. Indeed, most of the even-even nuclides have low {alpha} intensity transitions leading to excited levels of their daughter nuclides. The internal conversion is almost equal to 100% and consequently produces a sum peak at higher ...
A new organic-inorganic hybrid membrane has been prepared with exceptional performance in dewatering applications. The only precursor used in the sol-gel synthesis of the selective layer was organically linked 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE). The microporous structure of this layer enables selective molecular sieving of small molecules from larger ones. In the dehydration of n-butanol with 5% of water, the membrane shows a high separation factor of over 4000 and ultra-fast water transport at a rate of more than 20 kg m{sup -2} h{sup -1} at 150C. This can be related to the high adsorption capacity of the material and the sub-micron thickness of the selective layer. The selectivity has now remained constant over almost one and a half years under continuous process testing conditions. Apart from the hydrothermal stability, the membrane exhibits a high tolerance for acid ...
The paper presents results of measurements of the natural radioactivity of tap water where samples were taken in front of, and behind the ceramic filter commonly used in houses for the purification of tap water. Altogether, 289 samples were taken, processed and measured during 1985-1986 in Kuwait. Results reveal the fact that ceramic filters reduce substantially the natural radioactivity in water (the 'gross' alpha activity reduced by the factor 2.18 #+-# 18%; the 'gross' beta by 1.53 #+-# 1.6%. (author).
A weak shift of the isotope concentration ratio Li{sup 6}/Li{sup 7} was measured in the coexisting phases of the miscibility gap of lithium-ammonia solutions. Li{sup 6} is slightly enriched in the concentrated metallic phase (enrichment factor {alpha} = 1.009 {+-} 0.002). This effect can be enhanced in a counter-current column to yield any desired enrichment of the two isotopes. The counter current system and its operation were tested succesfully with a sodium-potassium-ammonia solution.
Separation of lithium isotope by NTOE compound was carried out with 0.01M HCl solution. The ion exchange capacity of NTOE was 0.8 meq/g. The separation factor, #alpha#=("7Li/"6Li)_s_o_l_i_d/("7Li/"6Li)_l_i_q_u_i_d was 1.0242 by the elution chromatography. The lighter isotope, "6Li was concentrated in the liquid phase, while the heavior isotope, "7Li was enriched in the solid phase. (author).
Redd1, a recently discovered stress-response gene, is regulated by hypoxia via hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and by DNA damage via p53/p63; however, the signaling pathway by which its expression is induced by hypoxia has not been elucidated. We demonstrated that the up-regulation of Redd1 transcription by hypoxia and high cell density (HCD) depends on cooperation between Sp1 and HIF-1#alpha# downstream of the PI3K/Akt pathway.
An isotopic exchange method was used to label lipiodol with [sup 131]I. The labelling efficiency was > 92.5%, and the radiochemical purity of [[sup 131]I]lipiodol was above 98% as determined by ITLC. The influencing factors e.g. the heating temperature, reaction, pH and storage conditions were studied and the optimum conditions were determined. In a pilot study injecting [[sup 131]I]lipiodol for the treatment of hepatoma, about 70% of hepatoma patients had a response to the treatment with a reduction of [alpha]-fetoprotein and decrease of hepatoma sizes. The overall median survival was 9 months (range 2-17 months). (author).
The Balandin type volcano plots have been considered for the main criterion both in catalysis and electrocatalysis to estimate their fundamental properties and optimal activity: ({alpha}) The ones, when some physical feature or catalytic activity itself is plotted usually along transition series, and ({beta}) The others, when catalytic activity arises as a function of some energetic property, the most usually of the adsorption enthalpy of intermediates bonding upon the substrate in the rate determining step (rds). 29 refs.
A new simple multi-well plate-based assay to determine monocyte differentiation-inducing activity was developed. It is based on the increase of macrophage adherence after the induction of monocyte differentiation. The assay was conducted using a human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, treated with either 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate or cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. This method is sensitive and easy to perform, especially in case of analyzing a large number of samples. PMID:17920620
The Fermi National Laboratory (Fermilab) operates the Tevatron proton-antiproton collider at a center-of-mass energy of {radical}s = 1.96 TeV, the is therefore the only collider which is today able to produce the heaviest known particle, the top quark. The top quark was discovered at the Tevatron by the CDF and D0 collaborations in 1995. At the Tevatron, most top quarks are produced via the strong interaction, whereby quark-antiquark annihilation dominates with 85%, and gluon fusion contributes with 15%. Considering next-to-leading order (NLO) contributions in the cross section of top-antitop quark production, leads to a slight positive asymmetry in the differential distribution of the production angle {alpha} of the top quarks. This asymmetry is due to the interference of certain NLO contributions. The charge asymmetry A in the cosine of {alpha} is predicted [14] to amount to 4-6%. Information about the partonic rest frame, necessary for a ...
Lithium was selectively extracted from near-neutral aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts. The mechanism by which this was achieved involves the formation of the trioctylphosphine oxide adduct of a lithium chelate of a fluorinated #beta#-diketone, which is then readily extractable into an organic diluent. High separation factors were obtained from sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium. The selectivity of the fluorinated #beta#-diketones for lithium over the alkaline earths was found to be poor. A suggested general flowsheet for the recovery of lithium from a salt brine concentrate is included. (author).
Introduction The progressive growth of malignancies is accompanied by a decline in the immune response through mechanisms which are poorly understood. Apoptosis and induction of inflammation by tumor released cytokines as tumor escape mechanisms have been proposed to play an important role in colorectal carcinogenesis. Methods Expression of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-?) was analyzed in colorectal cancer specimen and the cancer cell line HT-29 by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. TNF-? expression on protein and mRNA level were correlated with clinical characteristics and impact on survival. TNFR-1 was co-labelled with TNF-? and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in immunofluorescence double staining experiments. Results: 94% (n?=?98/104) of the patients with CRC expressed TNF-?. High TNF-? express...
A detector has been developed and used to measure dose distributions versus linear energy transfer to thin gas targets in spherical geometry from fast neutron irradiation of tissue-equivalent plastic and carbon. The detector is a hemispherical proportional counter with a Cs(T1) scintillator at the center of the hemisphere. The coincidence of the proportional counter signals constrain the measurements to charged particles traversing the radius of the hemisphere. The charged particle energy deposition distributions are directly measured for a known pathlength. The A-150 kerma factor was measured at a neutron energy of 14.8 MeV and is in agreement with tabulated values. The carbon kerma factor measurements are less than the tabulated value at 14.8 MeV. The alpha-particle production in carbon was measured for neutron energies from 14.1 to 14.8 MeV and is compared with existing data.
A process for separation of actinides and technetium from reprocessing high level liquid waste has been developed, the CTH-process. The main parts are three consecutive solvent extraction cycles followed by an optional step for sorption on inorganic ion exchangers. The first extraction cycle removes and recovers uranium, neptunium, and plutonium by extraction with HDEHP. The second extraction cycle separates technetium and nitric acid from the waste using TBP. In the third extraction cycle Am and Cm are separated from the waste using HDEHP. The actinide free waste is then passed through inorganic ion exchangers to remove most of remaining radionuclides. The process has been tested on an authenic HLLW solution. A decontamination factor > 10/sup 5/ for alpha emitters was measured for the solvent extraction process and the sorption on inorganic ion exchangers gave a decontamination factor > 3x10/sup 4/ for beta emitters.
Biopharmaceutical R&D complexes are major emission sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may pose potential health risks for staff on site and residents nearby. In this paper health risk assessments were performed for the VOCs in the ambient air of a typical biopharmaceutical R&D complex in China. Results showed halogenated and alkyl compounds were dominant components among 24 major VOCs from 9 selected sampling sites, inside or around the complex. The principal component analysis (PCA) indicated VOCs were generated predominantly from the biopharmaceutical research activities (factor 1 (F1), 71.6%) and traffic vehicles (factor 2 (F2), 15.4%), which were confirmed by contour maps of five selected VOCs (benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, methylene chloride and n-hexane) simulated...
In mobile animals, movement behavior can maximize fitness by optimizing access to critical resources and minimizing risk of predation. We sought to evaluate several hypotheses regarding the effects of landscape structure on American marten foraging path selection in a landscape experiencing forest perforation by patchcut logging. We hypothesized that in the uncut pre-treatment landscape marten would choose foraging paths to maximize access to cover types that support the highest density of prey. In contrast, in the post-treatment landscapes we hypothesized marten would choose paths primarily to avoid crossing openings, and that this would limit their ability to optimally select paths to maximize foraging success. Our limiting factor analysis shows that different resistant models may be sup...
The report addresses the application of reverse osmosis to the treatment of radioactive liquid waste, focusing on the effects of non-radioactive cations and anions, existing in radioactive waste, on the removal of radioactive nuclides. The bivalent cations are generally about ten times as high in decontamination factor as monovalent ones. In the case of anions, the factor of SO{sub 4}{sup 2-} is about ten times that of Cl{sup -} while that of NO{sub 3}{sup -} is somewhat smaller than that of Cl{sup -}. During permeation through membrane, anions tend to accompany cations, and the decontamination factor of accompanying ions is found to increase with that of the paring ions. These results indicate that if one can select components that will remain in the liquid waste, one should consider their effects on the efficiency of its treatment. Furthermore, the interaction between two anions or between two cations ...
Menopause is characterized by the progressive reduction of estrogens resulting to cessation of menses. It is associated with an increase of cardiovascular risk factors such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, dyslipidemia and of abdominal and/or selective visceral fat mass deposition. Obesity, a modern day epidemic, is promoted by an obesogenic environment that interacts with the genetic background. The result is a positive energy balance materialized by the accumulation of the adipose tissue. This process is marked by great individual variation. Obesity is also associated with the presence of cardiovascular risk factors. In this review, the main pathophysiologic processes for the increase of obesity in menopause and the possible effects of pre-menopausal obesity regarding the cessation of ova...
The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of short-lived molybdenum and tungsten isotopes from HCl and HNO{sub 3} as well as HF/HNO{sub 3} acid media was studied using the {alpha}-benzoinoxime/chloroform system. The goal of the present experiments was to find an extraction system with a high selectivity for the group 6 elements in the periodic table which is suitable for the study the solution chemistry of seaborgium (Z = 106). It was found that Mo and W are both effectively extracted using {alpha}-benzoinoxime as an extractant and the maximum extraction yield is 100% and 94% for Mo and W, respectively. Ions of MO{sub 2}{sup 2+} (M = Mo, W) exist in HCl between the concentration range of 0.1-3 M and can be extracted quantitatively into the organic phase. The decrease of extraction yields at lower or higher acid concentration is due to the formation of anionic species MO{sub 4}{sup 2-} or MO{sub 2}Cl{sub 3}{sup -}. The ...
The liquid-liquid extraction behavior of short-lived molybdenum and tungsten isotopes from HCl and HNO_3 as well as HF/HNO_3 acid media was studied using the #alpha#-benzoinoxime/chloroform system. The goal of the present experiments was to find an extraction system with a high selectivity for the group 6 elements in the periodic table which is suitable for the study the solution chemistry of seaborgium (Z = 106). It was found that Mo and W are both effectively extracted using #alpha#-benzoinoxime as an extractant and the maximum extraction yield is 100% and 94% for Mo and W, respectively. Ions of MO_2"2"+ (M = Mo, W) exist in HCl between the concentration range of 0.1-3 M and can be extracted quantitatively into the organic phase. The decrease of extraction yields at lower or higher acid concentration is due to the formation of anionic species MO_4"2"- or MO_2Cl_3"-. The extraction behavior of Mo and W in HNO_3 solution is ...
Keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR) and fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 2c share identical amino acid sequences, except for a 46-amino acid domain in the extracellular region. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific to KGFR have not been reported nor are commercially available. In this study, we generated murine MAbs specific to KGFR in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice using a modified Repeated Immunizations at Multiple Sites (RIMMS) technology. Stable cell lines expressing the full-length human KGFR or FGFR2c were produced to facilitate the identification of KGFR-specific MAbs. Following the initial screening of hybridoma clones with a fluorescence-based, confocal cell detection method and ELISA, KGFR-specific MAbs were selected and confirmed by flow cytometry and Western blot ...
The activity of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) in the liver of mice subjected simultaneously to ionizing radiation and to local inflammatory process showed in the first 24 hours of the experiment statistically significant changes resulting from summation of the harmful effects of both factors. In the second 24-hour period an evident tendency was observed for return of a normal circadian rhythm of the enzyme. This points to presence of an endogenous mechanism of suppression of the manifestations of significant desynchronization of the circadian rhythm. The paper contains also a trial of mathematical analysis of changes in TAT activity in the circadian rhythm, a description and analysis or the suppression process, qualitative and quantitative determination of the phenomenon of cumulation of the effects of powerful stress factors acting on the animal organism. The obtained results were compared with the results of investigations of TAT activity ...
We tested two approaches to forecast species distributions while balancing the impact of climate change against the inertia promoted by other influential factors that have been forecast as not changing. Given that mountain species are presumed to be more at risk due to climate warming, we selected an amphibian, a reptile, a bird, and a mammal species present in the Spanish mountains, to model their distributional response to climate change during this century. The climatic forecasts were made according to the general circulation models CGCM2 and ECHAM4 and to the A2 and B2 emission scenarios. We modelled the response of the species to spatial, topographic, human, and climatic variables separately. In our first approach, we compared each of these single-factor models using the Akaike Inform...
"2"1"1At is one of the most promising radionuclides in #alpha#-radioimmunotherapy (#alpha#-RIT). Unfortunately, biomolecules labeled by direct electrophilic astatination are unstable due to the rapid loss of "2"1"1At under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. The present paper describes the results of our studies on attaching At"- to the rhodium(III) complex with thioether ligand: 1,5,9,13-etrathiacyclohexadecane-3,11-diol (16-S4-diol). Rh"3"+ was chosen as a moderately soft metal cation which should form very strong bonds with soft At"- anions, but first of all because of the kinetic inertness of low spin rhodium(III) d"6 complexes. The 16-S4-diol ligand was selected due to formation of stable complexes with Rh"3"+. The experiments related to optimization of the reaction conditions were performed with the "1"3"1I, basing on a chemical similarity of I"- to At"-. The experiments with "2"1"1At were then carried out under the ...
Abstract Clonidine Extended Release Augmentation of Psychostimulants in ADHD ADHD a Risk Factor for Substance Abuse; Cognitive Deficits Not a Predictor Commentary on Kollins et al.; Clonidine XR Augmentation for ADHD Pharmacologic Treatment of Childhood Insomnias Effects of Guanfacine Extended Release on Alertness in ADHD Long Term ADHD Drug Treatment Bipolar Disorder Rates Similar Across Selected Countries Group CBT Alone or Group CBT Plus SSRIs in Childhood Anxiety Resolution of Quetiapine-Induced Oral Dyskinesia From the FDA
The theory of reliability is used to develop statistical field data on malfunctions of units of sucker rod well pumps (UShSN). The indices of reliability of the UShSN are applied for establishment of the cause-effect links between the operating factors. Dependences of operating time on the depth of suspension of the pumps, mode of pumping out, degree of flooding of the oil, and twisting of the shafts are established for conditions of specific fields. The obtained relationships can be used in selecting and optimizing the work of the UShSN.
The purpose of this research was to investigate the de-entrainment of boron for evaporators used in nuclear power plants. The forced circulation and semi-continuous type evaporator was used in the experiment. Cyclone and glass-wool packed column which is supposed to provide good decontamination factor as well as easy maintenance, were selected as de-entrainment device to be used in the evaporation of radioactive liquid wastes. The de-entrainment device combined with cyclone and glass-wool column has shown overall DF more than 1000 for boron.
The overall goal of acne management for all patients is to select treatments that effectively address as many pathogenic factors as possible while minimizing side effects. Acne therapy in darker skin...Full Text Available
Transfer factors of "2"1"0Po from soil to parsley and mint have been determined. Artificial polonium isotope ("2"0"8Po) was used as a tracer to determine transfer factor of Po from soil to plant in pot experiments. Two plant growing systems were used for this study namely, an outdoor system and a sheltered system by a polyethylene tent. "2"0"8Po and "2"1"0Po were determined in soil and different parts of the studied plants (stem and leaf), using alpha spectroscopy. The results have shown that there was a clear uptake of "2"0"8Po by roots to leaves and stems of both plants. Higher values of transfer factors using the "2"1"0Po activity concentrations than the "2"0"8Po activity concentration were observed. Transfer factors of "2"1"0Po from soil to parsley varied between 20 x 10"-"2 and 50 x 10"-"2 and 22 x 10"-"3 and 67 x 10"-"3 in mint, while "2"0"8Po transfer ...
Complete energy spectra and angular distributions of the light charged particles (A < or = 4) were measured for the bombardment of "2"7Al, "5"8Ni, "9"0Zr, "2"0"9Bi, and "2"3"2Th with 140 MeV #alpha# particles. The spectral shapes of a given emitted particle are very similar for all target nuclei except in the region of the evaporation peak. The slopes of the energy spectra in the forward direction become steeper as the mass of the observed particle decreases and vary very rapidly with angles. The experimental data can be characterized by compound nuclear evaporation processes at low energies, or at backward angles, and by direct reactions, nonequilibrium components and projectile breakup processes at high energies and forward angles. The breakup cross section for #alpha# particles is found to be appreciable. The total yield of light charged particles is approximately a factor approx. 2 to 3 larger than the total reaction ...
The importance of cellular dosimetry in both diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine is becoming increasingly recognized. Experimental range-energy relations for electrons and alpha particles, along with derived geometric reduction factors, are used to calculate cellular absorbed fractions for these radiations. The resulting absorbed fractions are employed to calculate cellular S-values for several radionuclides. Cellular absorbed fractions for monoenergetic electron sources with energies ranging from 0.1 keV to 1 MeV, distributed uniformly in the source region, are calculated for several target {l_arrow} source combinations including cell{l_arrow}cell, cell{l_arrow}cell surface, nucleus{l_arrow}nucleus, nucleus {l_arrow}cytoplasm and nucleus {l_arrow}cell surface. Similar data are also provided for monoenergetic alpha particle sources with energies ranging from 3 to 10 MeV. S-values are also conveniently tabulated for ...
The linear/supralinear behaviour of the TL dose response in LiF:Mg,Ti (TLD-100) and its dependence on ionisation density is a fairly unique phenomenon which cannot be explained by conventional atomic 'conduction band/valence band' kinetic models. The Track Interaction Model (TIM) provides the microscopic framework which, when coupled with other appropriate physical mechanisms (spatial localisation of traps and recombination centres, competing centres, variations in the capture cross sections with temperature, etc.) can be used to describe all the dominant features of the TL supralinearity of LiF:Mg,Ti and similar TL systems. The unique feature of the TIM applied to alpha particles is that it is an integral approach with only one free parameter, the average charge carrier migration distance in the luminescence recombination stage. Although the TIM provides a comprehensive description of the mechanisms underlying supralinearity in TLD-100, ...
Textured silicon nitride (Si_3N_4) has been intensively studied over the past 15 years because of its use for achieving its superthermal and mechanical properties. In this review we present the fundamental aspects of the processing and anisotropic properties of textured Si_3N_4, with emphasis on the anisotropic and abnormal grain growth of #beta#-Si_3N_4, texture structure and texture analysis, processing methods and anisotropic properties. On the basis of the texturing mechanisms, the processing methods described in this article have been classified into two types: hot-working (HW) and templated grain growth (TGG). The HW method includes the hot-pressing, hot-forging and sinter-forging techniques, and the TGG method includes the cold-pressing, extrusion, tape-casting and strong magnetic field alignment techniques for #beta#-Si_3N_4 seed crystals. Each processing technique is thoroughly discussed in terms of theoretical models and experimental data, including the texturing mechanisms ...
The report addresses the application of reverse osmosis to the treatment of radioactive liquid waste, focusing on the effects of non-radioactive cations and anions, existing in radioactive waste, on the removal of radioactive nuclides. The bivalent cations are generally about ten times as high in decontamination factor as monovalent ones. In the case of anions, the factor of SO_4"2"- is about ten times that of Cl"- while that of NO_3"- is somewhat smaller than that of Cl"-. During permeation through membrane, anions tend to accompany cations, and the decontamination factor of accompanying ions is found to increase with that of the paring ions. These results indicate that if one can select components that will remain in the liquid waste, one should consider their effects on the efficiency of its treatment. Furthermore, the interaction between two anions or between two cations can be approximated by a ...
The commercial detergents, which are cleansing cream, shampoo, neutral detergent, etc., were examined in order to select the body cleaners that are substitutes for the titanium dioxide paste. JNC entrusted Japan Environment Research Corporation Limited with these examinations since 1997. In 1997 and 1998, the commercial detergents were examined for Ce-144, Cs-137 and Ru-106. In 1999, 22 detergents were examined for Co-60 from the result of the past examinations. In this examination, the radioactive solution of Co-60 was dropped on the pig-skin samples. These samples were washed with each detergent after 5 minutes and 40 minutes. The decontamination factors of detergents were estimated by the radioactive ratio of the samples before and after washing. As a result of this examination, the decontamination factors for Co-60 was the same as the decontamination factors for Ce-144 and Cs-137, and 11 detergents ...
The commercial detergents, which are cleansing cream, shampoo, neutral detergent, etc., were examined in order to select the body cleaners that are substitutes for the titanium dioxide paste. JNC entrusted Japan Environment Research Corporation Limited with these examinations since 1997. In 1997 and 1998, the commercial detergents were examined for Ce-144, Cs-137 and Ru-106. In 1999, 22 detergents were examined for Co-60 from the result of the past examinations. In this examination, the radioactive solution of Co-60 was dropped on the pig-skin samples. These samples were washed with each detergent after 5 minutes and 40 minutes. The decontamination factors of detergents were estimated by the radioactive ratio of the samples before and after washing. As a result of this examination, the decontamination factors for Co-60 was the same as the decontamination factors for Ce-144 and Cs-137, and 11 detergents ...
Strain embrittlement in Ti base alloys during tensile testing was investigated. Results show that in an #alpha#-#beta# titanium alloy the local activity of H in alpha phase (#alpha#/sub H//sup #alpha#) increases and activity of H in beta phase (#alpha#/sub H//sup #beta#) decreases as the equiaxed #alpha# particle size decreases at constant volume fraction of phases. Thus with decreasing particle size there would be a tendency for H to move from #alpha# to #beta#, decreasing the H content of #alpha#. Also whether H tended to move from #beta# to #alpha# or from #alpha# interiors to the #alpha#-#beta# interface this tendency would be reduced by surface tension effects, making the alloy less susceptible to embrittlement.
Many assays for oncogenic transformation have been developed ranging from those in established rodent cell lines where morphological alteration is scored, to those in human cells growing in nude mice where tumor invasiveness is scored. In general, systems that are most quantitaive are also the least relevant in terms of human carcinogenesis and human risk estimation. The development of cell culture systems has made it possible to assess at the cellular level the oncogenic potential of a variety of chemical, physical and viral agents. Cell culture systems afford the opportunity to identify factors and conditions that may prevent or enhance cellular transformation by radiation and chemicals. Permissive and protective factors in radiation-induced transformation include thyroid hormone and the tumor promoter TPA that increase the transformation incidence for a given dose of radiation, and retinoids, selenium, vitamin E, and 5-aminobenzamide that ...
Many assays for oncogenic transformation have been developed ranging from those in established rodent cell lines where morphological alteration is scored, to those in human cells growing in nude mice where tumor invasiveness is scored. In general, systems that are most quantitaive are also the least relevant in terms of human carcinogenesis and human risk estimation. The development of cell culture systems has made it possible to assess at the cellular level the oncogenic potential of a variety of chemical, physical and viral agents. Cell culture systems afford the opportunity to identify factors and conditions that may prevent or enhance cellular transformation by radiation and chemicals. Permissive and protective factors in radiation-induced transformation include thyroid hormone and the tumor promoter TPA that increase the transformation incidence for a given dose of radiation, and retinoids, selenium, vitamin E, and 5-aminobenzamide that ...
Recently we have found that carbon nano-materials have ability to recognize softer actinides(III). In this presentation, separation of americium(III) from lanthanides(III) by chromatography with carbon nano-materials, such as carbon nano-tubes and graphite, has been investigated by batch adsorption experiments and chromatography. The separation factor (SF) between americium(III) and lanthanide(III) was about 2 in the range of pH from 1 to 4 by using carbon nano-tube, graphite and activated charcoal. The separation factor depended on the diameter of carbon nano-tubes. Smaller one, 3-20 nm diameter, showed the best selectivity for americium(III), which separation factor was about 2.0, although larger one, 40-70 nm, showed almost no selectivity. The same behavior has been observed by using graphite powder and activated charcoal although acid- or alkali pretreated activated charcoal ...
In this study the results of mathematical simulation and experimental research of texture transition in stress assisted shear phase transformations are discussed. The orientation distribution function (ODF) calculation model to the any type crystalline lattice symmetry materials has been suggested. By crystalline lattice symmetry analysis this computer program determines necessary amount of the initial experimental data. The experimental verification supports this model well. The ODF calculation model after shear phase transformation with equal use of all possible variants of orientation relationship or with various degrees of variant selection worked out. In this study the experimental and calculating data of the direct and reversal shear transformations #alpha# <=> #gamma# in Fe-alloys and B2 <=> B19' in Ti-Ni alloys are discussed. The stress assisted shear phase transformation model and computer program to calculate ODF after ...
Plasmid pRK404-a smaller derivative of RK2-is a tetracycline-resistant broad-host-range vector that carries a multiple cloning site and the lacZ(alpha) peptide that enables blue/white selection for cloned inserts in Escherichia coli. We present herein the complete and annotated sequence of pRK404 and three related vectors-pRK437, pRK442, and pRK442(H). These derivatives have proven to be valuable tools for genetic manipulation in Gram-negative bacteria. The knowledge of their complete sequences will facilitate efficient future engineering of them and will enhance their general applicability to the design of genetic systems for use in organisms for which new genomic sequence data are becoming available.
The third list of objects in the Second Byurakan Spectral Sky Survey is presented. The list contains 94 objects and 12 blue stars. The data given include the equatorial coordinates to within a minute of arc for the epoch 1950, the angular dimensions in seconds of arc, and visual estimates of the blue apparent magnitude B. The objects are described, giving their morphological and spectral features and approximate values of the red shifts of the galaxies. The distribution of the objects in the survey region, which is centered on right ascension 08h00m, declination +59 deg 00 arcmin, with respect to their types is given. Six close binary systems are found among the selected galaxies.
The thermal transformation of Al-base icosahedral phases was studied in-situ by real time neutron powder diffraction. Different compositions have been selected in order to vary the initial phase morphology and change the neutron scattering contrast between species. Alloys with low silicon and large aluminium contents produce first the orthorhombic O-Al_6Mn modification. In alloys with larger silicon content, the #alpha#-AlMnSi cubic phase appears soon after the beginning of the transformation but is still preceeded by O-Al_6Mn. Depending on compositions, the crystallization of the icosahedral phase is controlled either by the diffusion of Al through its interface with the residual fcc aluminium or that of Si within the bulk. The results are discussed in the light of current structural models. (author) 40 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs.
The separation and the mechanism of retention of ion associates of #alpha#-isomers of molybdic and tungstic heteropoly acids (HPA) of phosphorus(5), silicon(4), and germanium(4) with trioctylamine (TOA) on a column (80x3 mm) packed with Diasorb-130-CN (8 #mu#m) were studied in a flow of chloroform-tetrahydrofuran (THF) and chloroform-n-butanol-TOA mixtures with spectrophotometric detection at 320 nm. It is demonstrated that the adsorption of all the studied ion associates proceeds through the displacement THF molecule from the surface of the stationary phase and without the displacement of TOA molecules. Conditions for the separation of phospho- and silicomolybdic HPA and also phospho- and germanolybdic HPA were found. The chromatographic system using silica gel modified with nitrile groups as the stationary phase is of higher selective than that using ummodified silica gel.
The Flory model is applied to predict the isobaric expansion coefficients, {alpha}{sub P}, isentropic, {kappa}{sub S}, and isothermal, {kappa}{sub T}, compressibilities and speeds of sound, u, of the highly complex mixtures: hydroxyether + alkane, + dibutylether, + 1-butanol or + 2-methoxyethanol, 1-alkanol + alkane, and 1-alkanol + dibutylether. Predictions were obtained using the energetic parameter, {chi}{sub 12}, determined from values of excess enthalpies, H{sup E}, and from values of the excess isochoric internal energies, U{sub V}{sup E}, at equimolar composition. No meaningful differences exist between such predictions. Deviations between experimental and calculated values are lower than 2% for mixtures containing alkoxyethanols. Poorer results are obtained for 1-alkanol + dibutylether mixtures with deviations up to 5%. It is shown that predictions on {alpha}{sub P}, {kappa}{sub S}, {kappa}{sub T}, and u essentially depend on structural ...
Minority-carrier lifetime damage coefficients for 1 MeV electron, 3 MeV proton, and 6 MeV alpha particle irradiation of n-type (4.5{times}10{sup 15} and 1.3{times}10{sup 17}cm{sup {minus}3}) and p-type (2.5{times}10{sup 17}cm{sup {minus}3}) InP have been measured using time-resolved photoluminescence. These values are relatively insensitive to carrier type and show a slight increase with increasing carrier concentration. Evidence of comparable electron and hole capture lifetimes is found for the dominant recombination defect. The effect of 3 MeV proton and 6 MeV alpha particles relative to 1 MeV electrons is an increase in the lifetime damage coefficient by factors of about 10{sup 4} and 10{sup 5}, respectively. {copyright} {ital 1997 American Institute of Physics.}
The next-to-leading-order (NLO) cross section for the production of heavy quarks at large transverse momenta #gamma##gamma# collision is calculated with perturbative fragmentation functions (PFF). This approach allows for a resummation of terms #propor to# #alpha#_sln(p"2/m"2) which arise in NLO from collinear emission of gluons by a heavy quark at large p or from almost collinear branching of photons or gluons into heavy-quark pairs. It is presented single-inclusive distributions in p and rapidity including direct and resolved photons for #gamma##gamma# production of heavy quarks at e"+e"-colliders and at high-energy #gamma##gamma# colliders. The results are compared with fixed- order calculation for m finite including QDC radiative corrections. The two approaches differ in the definitions and relative contributions of the direct and resolved terms, but essentially agree in their sum. The resummation of the #alpha#_sln(p"2/m"2) terms in the ...
A new method for the determination of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes in large soil samples has been developed that provides enhanced uranium removal to facilitate assay by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). This method allows rapid preconcentration and separation of plutonium and neptunium in large soil samples for the measurement of {sup 237}Np and Pu isotopes by ICP-MS. {sup 238}U can interfere with {sup 239}Pu measurement by ICP-MS as {sup 238}UH{sup +} mass overlap and {sup 237}Np via {sup 238}U peak tailing. The method provides enhanced removal of uranium by separating Pu and Np initially on TEVA Resin, then transferring Pu to DGA resin for additional purification. The decontamination factor for removal of uranium from plutonium for this method is greater than 1 x 10{sup 6}. Alpha spectrometry can also be applied so that the shorter-lived {sup 238}Pu isotope can be measured successfully. {sup 239}Pu, {sup 242}Pu and {sup ...
Strippable or temporary coatings are innovative technologies for decontamination that effectively reduce loose contamination at low cost. These coatings have become a viable option during the deactivation and decommissioning of both US Department of Energy (DOE) and commercial nuclear facilities to remove or fix loose contamination on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. The ALARA{trademark} 1146 strippable coating was demonstrated as part of the Savannah River Site LSDDP and successfully removed transferable (surface) contamination from multiple surfaces (metal and concrete) with an average decontamination factor for alpha contamination of 6.68 and an average percentage of alpha contamination removed of 85.0%. Beta contamination removed was an average DF of 5.55 and an average percentage removed of 82.0%. This paper is an Innovative Technology Summary Report designed to provide potential users with the information they ...
The drug-binding properties of human alpha-foetoprotein (alpha FP) were investigated by a fluorescence-spectral method. Human alpha FP was shown to bind to albumin's site I marker (warfarin, phenylbutazone),...Full Text Available
Producing nuclear energy in order to reduce anthropic CO{sub 2} emission and to meet high energy demand, implies three conditions to the nuclear plants of the IV. generation: safety improvements, radioactive waste minimization, and fuel breeding for a sustainable use of the resources. The Thorium fuel cycle used in Molten Salt Reactors seems promising. Many numerical studies based on probabilistic codes are carried out in order to analyse the behaviour of such reactors. Nevertheless, one of the most important parameters is badly known: the alpha ratio of {sup 233}U, ratio of the neutron capture cross section to fission one for {sup 233}U. This key-parameter is necessary to calculate the breeding ratio and thus, the deployment capacities of those reactors. This Ph-D thesis was intended to prepare a precise measurement of the alpha ratio of {sup 233}U between 1 eV and 10 keV. Preliminary measurements have been performed on the experimental ...
(abridged) We present a study of stellar population of LAEs at z=4.86 in GOODS-N and its flanking field. With the publicly available IRAC data in GOODS-N and further IRAC observations in the flanking fields, we select five LAEs which are not contaminated by neighboring objects in IRAC images and construct their observed SEDs with I_c, z', IRAC 3.6micron, and 4.5micron band photometry. The SEDs cover the rest-frame UV to optical wavelengths. We derive stellar masses, ages, color excesses, and star formation rates of five LAEs using SED fitting method. Assuming the constant star formation history, we find that the stellar masses range from 10^8 to $10^{10} Msun with the median value of 2.5x10^9 Msun. The derived ages range from very young ages (7.4 Myr) to 437 Myr with a median age of 25 Myr. The color excess E(B-V) are between 0.1-0.4 mag. Star formation rates are 55-209 Msun/yr. A comparison of the stellar populations is made between three LAEs and 88 LBGs ...
Direct current (DC) glow discharge plasma nitriding was carried out on three selected surface-roughened AISI 304 stainless steel samples at 833 K under 4 mbar pressures for 24 h in the presence of N{sub 2}:H{sub 2} gas mixtures of 50 : 50 ratios. After plasma nitriding, the phase formation, case depth, surface roughness, and microhardness of a plasma-nitrided layer were evaluated by glancing angle x-ray diffractogram, optical microscope, stylus profilometer, and Vickers microhardness tester techniques. The case depth, surface hardness, and phase formation variations were observed with a variation in initial surface roughness. The diffraction patterns of the plasma-nitrided samples showed the modified intensities of the {alpha} and {gamma} phases along with those of the CrN, Fe{sub 4}N, and Fe{sub 3}N phases. Hardness and case depth variations were observed with a variation in surface roughness. A maximum hardness of 1058 Hv and a case depth of ...
The emission lines H#alpha#, H#beta#+[OIII], and L#alpha# have been observed in the high-redshift quasar 1225+31. The ratios of line intensities in 1225+31 are found to be L#alpha#/H#alpha#approx.0.8, H#alpha#/(H#beta#+[OIII]) approx.4, and 4alpha#/H#beta#<10. The observed value of L#alpha#/H#alpha# agrees well with the ratio derived by Baldwin on the basis of a composite quasar spectrum, and with direct determination of this ratio in 3C 273 and PKS 0237--23. The ratio H#alpha#/H#beta# is in the range of values found for a sample of low-redshift quasars by Baldwin. The low value for the L#alpha#/H#alpha# ratio cannot be reasonably explained by foreground extinction between the Sun and 1225+31.
Failure of multiple components due to a common cause represents one of the most important issues in evaluation of system reliability or unavailability. The frequency of such events has relatively low expectancy, when compared to random failures, which affect individual components. However, in many cases the consequence is a direct loss of safety system or mitigative safety function. For this reason, the modeling of a common cause failure (CCF) and its presentation in fault tree structure is of the uttermost importance in probabilistic safety analyses (PSA). Amongst the different techniques available to reduce the impact of common cause failures, the most important operations related technique, is that of staggered testing. In the TAPP 3,4 Level-1 PSA it was found that the contribution of Common Cause Failures to the Core Damage Frequency (CDF) was significant. The Common Cause Failures were modeled using the AlphaFactor Model. This model is ...
We have identified another Drosophila GTP-binding protein (G protein) alpha subunit, dGq alpha-3. Transcripts encoding dGq alpha-3 are derived from alternative splicing of the dGq alpha locus previously...Full Text Available
A new metastable beta titanium alloy, Beta-CEZ, has been developed by CEZUS. This alloy was designed for use at moderate temperatures up to 450 C (840 F). Alloy requirements also included high mechanical strength, high fracture toughness and improved creep resistance as compared to existing beta alloys. The understanding of the relationships between processing/microstructure/mechanical properties in the alloy may lead to applications of such promising material in current and future airplanes. In this study, a combination of several forging routes, which included through-transus, hot-die and warm-die forging, with subsequent heat treatments were selected in order to evaluate the microstructure-mechanical property relationships. It was found that the recrystallized prior beta grain boundary alpha, characteristic of the through-transus forging process, lead to an improved tensile-fracture toughness balance. The size of the primary ...
Methods for improving the sensitivity of scintillation cells for radon concentration measurements were studied with emphasis on improving light collection efficiency. This allows the length and hence the volume of the cell to be increased. Variables studied were choice of scintillator material, its method of application and thickness, length of cell, cell material, type and configuration of reflectors, choice of photomultipliers, and factors affecting background. Response from various areas of the cell surface was studied with an alpha source and with radon filling. Coating the window with phosphor was found to be counter-productive. The optimum results obtained were with the inside of the cell (other than the window) covered with a thick layer of ZnS(Ag), or with a thick layer of reflective material coated with a thin layer of phosphor. With it, a 10 cm diameter plexiglass cell can be extended to at least 50 cm length without difficulty from ...
The energy, angular momentum, and distance (measured from the center of mass of the nucleus) distributions of the effective number of 6q-fluctons are investigated and it is shown that many of the characteristics of these distributions are universal, i.e., independent of the flucton size. ''Saturation'' of the flucton density in nuclei with mass A approx > 80 and certain other features that determine the difference between the behaviors of the effective numbers of fluctons and deuterons are reported. This is used to explain the well known underestimation (by a factor of 1.5--6) of the cross section for the hard inclusive (p, p'd) process on nuclei calculated in the quasielastic formalism. See S. G. Kadmenskii and V. I. Furman, Alpha decay and elated nuclear reactions (in Russian), Energoatomizdat, Moscow, 1985.
The energy, angular momentum, and distance (measured from the center of mass of the nucleus) distributions of the effective number of 6/ital q/-fluctons are investigated and it is shown that many of the characteristics of these distributions are universal, i.e., independent of the flucton size. ''Saturation'' of the flucton density in nuclei with mass /ital A//approx gt/80 and certain other features that determine the difference between the behaviors of the effective numbers of fluctons and deuterons are reported. This is used to explain the well known underestimation (by a factor of 1.5--6) of the cross section for the hard inclusive (/ital p/, /ital p/'/ital d/) process on nuclei calculated in the quasielastic formalism. See S. G. Kadmenskii and V. I. Furman, /ital Alpha/ /ital decay/ /ital and elated/ /ital nuclear/ /reactions/ (in Russian), Energoatomizdat, Moscow, 1985.
Experiments have been performed to study the usefulness of several types of plastic foils as filter to separate radon and thoron. Time-integrated alpha-activity measurements have been carried out by using the so-called ''can-technique'' equipped with both LR-115 and CR-39 track detectors. The track density observed on the detectors, taken as a measure of radon activity concentration, has been determined as a function of the thickness of filter foils. The radon permeability and the thoron separation factors have been determined. It is shown that various plastic foils exhibit considerable differences in radon diffusion coefficient owing to their different chemical structures. Among the plastic foils investigated the polyethylene proved to have the highest gas diffusion coefficient.
The gliding modes of a duplex Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy were investigated through in situ (scanning electron microscopy) tensile tests. A method based on electron back-scattering diffraction (EBSD) measurements was used to identify activated slip systems. The approach applied to a large number of grains allowed a statistical analysis of the nature (basal, prismatic, pyramidal) and distribution of the slip systems according to the crystallographic texture. A discussion concerning the pertinence of Schmid's law to explain the occurrence and succession of slip events is then proposed. The domain in favor of each type of slip system is finally presented by using inverse pole figures mapped with Schmid's factor iso-curves.
The experiment on the determination of the tensor polarization of the residual nucleus is described for the reaction "6Li (#alpha#, #alpha#') "6Li. It is based on the unique connection of polarization tensors t_l_m of the residual nucleus for the reaction (#alpha#, #alpha#') and the angular correlation function W (#omega#_1, #omega#_2) for #alpha#'-particle and decay product of this nucleus, where #omega#_1, #omega#_2 are motion directions of #alpha#'-particle and decay product. The angular correlations of #alpha#'-particle and deuteron are measured for the "6Li (#alpha#, #alpha#', d)"4He reaction on the 27.2 MeV #alpha#-particle beam. The recording system consists of six silicon detectors and provides the energy resolution about 0.8 MeV and the angular resolution #+-# 3 deg. The ...
The divertor collector plate in the INTOR reactor will be subjected to high heat, particle, and neutron fluxes, making it the most severely damaged torus component. The collector plate is composed of a protection plate, which is directly exposed to the particle flux, and a heat sink which provides support for the protection plate and carries the water coolant. The high-Z refractory metals have been considered for use as the protection plate material, and austenitic stainless steels and copper alloys have been considered as the heat sink material. Tungsten and Type 316 stainless steels have been selected for the protection plate and heat sink, respectively. The protection plate has a sputtering lifetime of 1.75 y at a 50% duty factor, while the heat sink is expected to last the lifetime of the reactor.
;Table of Contents: Legal authority; Summary of proposed regulations; Industry definition and waste streams; Industry description; Data and information gathering; Selection of pollutant parameters; Drilling wastes-characterization, control, and treatment technologies; Produced water-characterization, control, and treatment technologies; Miscellaneous waste-characterization, control, and treatment technologies; Cost and pollutant loading determination of drilling fluids and drill cuttings; Compliance cost and pollutant load determination of produced water; Compliance cost and pollutant load determination of well treatment, workover, and completion fluids; Cost and pollutant loading determination of deck drainage; Options selection-rationale and total costs; Pretreatment standards; Non-water quality environmental impacts and other factors; Best Management Practices; and Appendices.
This document includes the following topics: Background; Data Collection; Scope/Applicability of the Proposed Regulation; Description of the Industry; Industry Subcategorization; Pollutants of Concern for the Centralized Waste Treatment Industry; Pollutants Selected for Regulation; Wastewater Treatment Technologies; Regulatory Options Considered and Selected for Basis of Regulation; Long-Term Averages, Variability Factors, and Limitations and Standards; Cost of Treatment Technologies; Pollutant Loading and Removal Estimates; Non-Water Quality Impacts; Implementation; Analytical Methods and Baseline Values; List of Definitions; List of Acronyms; Appendix A--Pollutant Groups; Appendix B--Listing of Characerization Data From Non-Hazardous Oils Facilities; Appendix C--Listing of Daily Influent and Effluent Measuements; Appendix D--Facility-Specific Compliance Costs; Appendix E--Attachements to Chapter 10; and Appendix ...
Abstract The fit of patient coping style and psychotherapy focus has been suggested as improving treatment outcome. This article reviews the definitions, measures, and previous research surrounding this hypothesis. An original meta-analysis of 12 carefully selected studies (N = 1,291 patients) resulted in a weighted, mean effect size (d) of .55 in favor of a fit between externalizing patients and symptom-focused treatment or, alternatively, internalizing patients and insight-focused treatment. This medium-size effect indicates that nondiagnostic patient factors, like coping style, are important considerations in the selection of effective therapies. Clinical examples and clinical recommendations are provided. 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 67:176-183, 2011.
LEDF (Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) will be constructed for the purpose of decontaminating the high level {alpha} solid waste generated in oarai engineering center of JNC. And, main processing process of LEDF is incineration and melting system. LEDF will be intended to reduce the secondary waste that occurs along with the operation of the off gas processing equipment of incineration and melting system. It assumed that we are able to eliminate the adsorption tower using silica gel, if the decontamination factor to volatile ruthenium is able to expect in the packed scrubber that is established to remove harmful gas. Thereupon, we carried out this tests that eliminates the adsorption tower and reduces the secondary waste. The decontamination factor (DF) to the volatile ruthenium by the water scrubber is confirmed in the established institution which is in Tokai Works. However, decontamination ...
LEDF (Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) will be constructed for the purpose of decontaminating the high level #alpha# solid waste generated in oarai engineering center of JNC. And, main processing process of LEDF is incineration and melting system. LEDF will be intended to reduce the secondary waste that occurs along with the operation of the off gas processing equipment of incineration and melting system. It assumed that we are able to eliminate the adsorption tower using silica gel, if the decontamination factor to volatile ruthenium is able to expect in the packed scrubber that is established to remove harmful gas. Thereupon, we carried out this tests that eliminates the adsorption tower and reduces the secondary waste. The decontamination factor (DF) to the volatile ruthenium by the water scrubber is confirmed in the established institution which is in Tokai Works. However, decontamination ...
A series of #alpha#-sialon (#alpha#') compositions containing mixed stabilising cations were prepared, by introducing additional CaO to a basic Sm #alpha#-sialon compositions. The thermal stability of these Sm-Ca-containing #alpha#-sialon phases was investigated using XRD, SEM and EDXS techniques. It was found that the addition of calcium into the Sm #alpha#-sialon systems greatly improved the stability of the #alpha#-sialon phases. Calcium was found to be incorporated into the #alpha#-sialon structure, coexistent with the samarium, and partitioning of the calcium and samarium was observed between the #alpha#' phase and grain boundary phases. This indicates a technique which may be used to improve the thermal stability of the #alpha#' phase while maintaining good refractory phases at the sialon grain ...
Aim.- To identify what determinants influence the prevalence and accuracy of nursing diagnosis documentation in clinical practice. Background.- Nursing diagnoses guide and direct nursing care. They are the foundation for goal setting and provide the basis for interventions. The literature mentions several factors that influences nurses- documentation of diagnoses, such as a nurse-s level of education, patient-s condition and the ward environment. Design.- Systematic review. Method.- MEDLINE and CINAHL databases were searched using the following headings and keywords: nursing diagnosis, nursing documentation, hospitals, influence, utilisation, quality, implementation and accuracy. The search was limited to articles published between 1995-October 2009. Studies were only selected if they were...
Purpose To study the activation and expression of vascular (aorta and small mesenteric arteries) potassium channels during septic shock with or without modulation of the NO pathway. Methods Septic shock was induced in rats by peritonitis. Selective inhibitors of vascular KATP (PNU-37883A) or BKCa [iberiotoxin (IbTX)] channels were used to demonstrate their involvement in vascular hyporeactivity. Vascular response to phenylephrine was measured on aorta and small mesenteric arteries mounted on a wire myograph. Vascular expression of potassium channels was studied by PCR and Western blot, in the presence or absence of 1400W, an inducible NO synthase (iNOS) inhibitor. Aortic activation of the transcriptional factor nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-?B) was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift as...
A method is proposed for evaluating reliability of planning and calculation of the reliability factor with current planning of open pit mining operations. For a quantitative evaluation of the reliability of fulfilling the planned assignment, laws were defined for distribution of the quality characteristics of the coal. After establishing that coal ash content follows the normal distribution law, the probability was defined that the actual output of coal is greater or equal to the planned. Calculation of the factor of reliability of the current planning of open mining operations makes it possible to determine the optimum planning for this period and the probability of fulfillment of the planned assignments. The technique of planning with regard for reliability makes it possible to select the most reliable variant of the plan within the planning period.
Ex vivo expanded peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) have been shown to provide rapid neutrophil engraftment, and in some patients, to eliminate neutropenia after transplantation to support high-dose chemotherapy. However, the effect of expansion culture on stem cell content and potential loss of stem cells caused by induction of differentiation remains a concern. We have transplanted 21 patients with breast cancer with expanded autologous PBPC, with 11 patients receiving expanded PBPC as their sole hematopoietic cell source. In these studies, the CD34+ cells were selected and cultured for 10 days in defined media containing 100 ng/mL each of recombinant human stem cell factor (rhSCF), recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), and recombinant human megakaryocy...
Knowledge is a success factor for globally acting company networks as a. o. the aim-oriented knowledge transfer between partners is an essential condition for a successful cooperation. Several network specific problems impede however an efficient and effective knowledge management; e.g. the transfer of competition relevant data is a high sensitive theme. The authors describe how a relevant method can be selected, adapted and implemented to the application-specific boundary conditions. They integrate existing attempts processes and methods to establish an effective knowledge development and an efficient knowledge transfer in the network and take into account ''hard'' (IT-technical-oriented solution approaches) as also ''soft'' factors (e.g. cultural and personal aspects). So the authors present unified instruments for an integrated knowledge management ...
The next-to-leading-order (NLO) cross section for the production of heavy quarks at large transverse momenta (p _p_e_r_p_e_n_d_i_c_u_l_a_r _t_o) in #gamma##gamma# collisions is calculated with perturbative fragmentation functions (PFFs). This approach allows for a resummation of terms #propor to##alpha#_sln (p _p_e_r_p_e_n_d_i_c_u_l_a_r _t_o "2/m"2) which arise in NLO from collinear emission of gluons by heavy quarks at large p _p_e_r_p_e_n_d_i_c_u_l_a_r _t_o or from almost collinear branching of photons or gluons into heavy-quark pairs. We present single-inclusive distributions in p _p_e_r_p_e_n_d_i_c_u_l_a_r _t_o and rapidity including direct and resolved photons for #gamma##gamma# production of heavy quarks at e"+e"- colliders and at high-energy #gamma##gamma# colliders. The results are compared with the fixed-order calculation for m finite including QCD radiative corrections. The two approaches differ in the definitions and relative contributions of the direct ...
The results from a hot test, using authentic HLLW solution, of the CTH actinide separation process are reported. The process consists of three solvent extraction cycles for separation of actinides and technetium from reprocessing high level liquid waste, utilizing HDEHP, TBP, and HDEHP in sequence, and an optional step for sorption on inorganic ion exchangers of the fission product content in the process raffinate. In general the process worked according to predictions but a malfunctioning feed pump gave a 10% loss of Pu to one stream. The hot test indicating that U and Pu can be recovered with losses below 0.1% and Am, Cm with a loss below 0.2%. Np and Tc were difficult to follow because of the low activity of /sup 237/Np and because /sup 99/Tc is a pure beta emitter, but the results indicate that also these elements behaved according to predictions, i.e., that recoveries >= 99.8% for Np and >= 97% for Tc can be achieved. For the HLLW stream the solvent extraction process gave a ...
The Department of Energy selected caustic-side solvent extraction (CSSX) as the preferred cesium-removal technology for SRS high-level waste. In the pretreatment step of the CSSX flowsheet, the incoming salt solution, which contains entrained sludge, is contacted with MST to adsorb strontium and selected actinides. An alternative approach replaces MST with the addition of sodium permanganate, strontium nitrate, and hydrogen peroxide. The pretreatment operation then filters the resulting slurry to remove the sludge and MST or manganese oxide and strontium carbonate solids. The filtrate receives further treatment in the solvent extraction system. SRTC personnel coordinated tests using a SpinTek rotary microfilter at the vendor location in FY01. These tests demonstrated a significant improvement - 2.5 to 6 times increase - in performance relative to the conventional cross-flow filter units. Rotary microfilter testing used a filter disk with ...
We introduce a methodology for analysis of multiwavelength data from X-ray selected BL Lac (XBL) objects detected in the TeV regime. By assuming that the radio--through--X-ray flux from XBLs is nonthermal synchrotron radiation emitted by isotropically-distributed electrons in the randomly oriented magnetic field of a relativistic blazar jet, we obtain the electron spectrum. This spectrum is then used to deduce the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) spectrum as a function of the Doppler factor, magnetic field, and variability timescale. The variability timescale is used to infer the comoving blob radius from light travel-time arguments, leaving only two parameters. With this approach, we accurately simulate the synchrotron and SSC spectrum of flaring XBLs in the Thomson through Klein-Nishina regimes. Photoabsorption by interactions with internal jet radiation and the intergalactic background light (IBL) is included. Doppler ...
A comparison of the loss mechanisms in screen-printed solar cells relative to buried contact cells and cells with photolithography-defined contacts is presented in this paper. Model calculations show that emitter recombination accounts for about 0.5% absolute efficiency loss in conventional screen-printed cells with low-sheet-resistance emitters. Ohmic contact to high-sheet-resistance emitters by screen-printing has been investigated to regain this efficiency loss. Our work shows that good quality ohmic contacts to high sheet-resistance emitters can be achieved if the glass frit chemistry and Ag particle size are carefully tailored. The melting characteristics of the glass frit determine the firing scheme suitable for low contact resistance and high fill factors. In addition, small to regular Ag particles were found to help achieve a higher open-circuit voltage and maintain a low contact resistance. This work has resulted in cells with high fill ...
The large number of forms and types of pump equipment in common use have different purposes and varying application requirements. This text has been prepared to bring together necessary information for those who are required to select and apply pumps in systems for all kinds of fluids and purposes. It is not a design manual. It limits the discussion of design to those factors which are necessary for an understanding of pump operation. The book contains not only descriptive information of many types of designs, but also the effect of design variation on use, economy, and reliability. Systems, an integral part of application, are discussed, so that the user of such equipment may properly select and install machines to reliably and economically satisfy his requirements. Reading of appropriate sections of the text will indicate possible problems to be avoided, and economics to be gained. The engineering design of pumps is a ...
We analyze archived Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observations of 536 Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 5 (DR5) quasars (QSOs) at 1.7 <= z <= 2.7 in order to characterize the relative UV and X-ray spectral properties of QSOs that do not have broad UV absorption lines (BALs). We constrain the fraction of X-ray weak, non-BAL QSOs and find that such objects are rare; for example, sources underluminous by a factor of 10 comprise $\\la$2% of optically-selected SDSS QSOs. X-ray luminosities vary with respect to UV emission by a factor of $\\la$2 over several years for most sources. UV continuum reddening and the presence of narrow-line absorbing systems are not strongly associated with X-ray weakness in our sample. X-ray brightness is significantly correlated with UV emission line properties, so that relatively X-ray weak, non-BAL QSOs generally have weaker, blueshifted CIV$\\lambda$1549 emission and broader ...
Using U-120 cyclotron in the course of correlation experiment one studied mechanisms of excitation and decay of "1"2C nucleus states resulting from irradiation of deuterium-polyethylene target by 27.2 MeV energy #alpha#-particle beam via recording of #alpha#-#alpha#-coincidence simultaneously with investigations of #alpha# + d-interactions. Production of "1"2C excited states decaying with the escape of #alpha#-particle and "8Be nucleus in the ground and the excited states is the basic mechanism of the studied #alpha# + "1"2C interaction
Long-Range Alpha Detector (LRAD) systems are designed to monitor alpha contamination by measuring the number of ions in the air. Alpha particles are a form of ionizing radiation and a typical 5-MeV alpha particle will create about 150,000 ion pairs in air. Field tests at various DOE sites have shown that LRAD Surface Soil Monitors (SSM), Sample Monitors, and Object Monitors are faster and more sensitive than traditional alpha detectors for measuring alpha contamination. This paper discusses the various applications of LRAD technology to low-level radioactive waste management.
The adsorption properties of four samples of the #alpha#-modification of boron nitride (#alpha#-BN) were investigated by the gas-chromatographic method. According to the electron microscopy data, the #alpha#-BN particles possess the shape of thin plates. An #alpha#-BN sample prepared from magnesium polyboride, is the most uniform adsorbent. For a series of n-alkanes, benzene, and alkyl benzenes, by testing the #alpha#-BN samples one has obtained the retained volumes (Henry constants) and the values of the differential adsorption heat, which are close to those of the surface zero filling. These thermodynamic characteristics of adsorption have shown that the #alpha#-BN, line the graphitized thermal carbon black, is not a specific adsorbent.
Standard radiation monitoring has been conducted at Sendai nuclear power station for the purpose of estimation of 'source activity' during refueling outage and evaluation of countermeasures to reduce dose rate. Selected objects of the monitoring are radiation dose rate at maintenance area, radiation field at each equipment and piping, coolant chemistry and plant operation condition. Monitored data indicates that 'source activity' variation can be estimated to some extent using influential factors, and that evaluation of change of loose crud activity, which is presumed to be represented by the dose rate at letdown heat exchanger, is necessary to further explain change in radiation field at main work area. (author).
Indoor radon is a potential health hazard for the general public, especially in buildings with poor ventilation. A variety of dosemeters have been developed and used in surveys of radon concentration measurements. In this article the passive dosemeters which are based on solid state nuclear track detectors are reviewed. The principle of passive dosimetry and the factors affecting their performance are discussed. The characteristics of SSNTD materials in relation to their behaviour under different environmental conditions are tabulated and discussed. Results of radon surveys from selected studies are also presented. (Author).
The use of finely powdered ion exchange resins improve loading of specific ion exchange materials with better performance but as such these materials are not suitable for column operation. However, by proper selection of ion exchange support medium, it is possible to get better product. The radioactive solution can be treated by suspending this material, stirring and allowing to settle. The present method gives DF in the range of 70 - 80 even after repeated use as compared to DF in the range of 5 to 10 by single conventional chemical treatment process. (author)
Transdifferentiation of an individual's own cells into functional differentiated cells to replace an organ's lost function would be a personalized approach to therapeutics. In this two part series, we will describe the progress toward establishing functional transdifferentiated adrenal cortical cells. In this article (Part 1), we describe adrenal development and function, and discuss genes involved in these processess and selected for use in our pilot studies of transdifferentiation that are presented in the second article (Part 2).
The near-term availability of domestic and selected foreign uranium resources for use by United States electric utilities is considered in light of projected geopolitical and socioeconomic considerations. No attempt is made to analyze the impact on domestic uranium supply of inflation or cost-price considerations, the introduction of the breeder reactor, limitations in enrichment capacity, or the presently expanding uranium inventory. All data are current as of mid-1980. The period with which this research is concerned is 1980-1995. It is concluded that the United States must promote responsible, environmentally acceptable uranium resource exploration and development, if this nation is to remain self sufficient in this necessary energy commodity.
The effects of variable hardness, pH, alkalinity, humics, and suspended clay on the chemical speciation of copper and its toxicity to fathead minnow larvae in Lake Superior water were investigated. Two proposed methods (toxicity factors and chemical speciation) for predicting LC50 values in specific natural waters from laboratory toxicity data and the average site specific values of general water quality parameters were evaluated. The accuracy of the cupric ion-selective electrode in determining CU/sup +2/ activities in ambient and chemically altered Lake Superior water was also determined.
The purpose of the chapter is to explain briefly the various considerations that enter into determining the general layout or arrangement of typical hydroelectric powerplants, pumping plants, and pumped-storage plants. Some of the important factors that affect or determine the location, type, and layout of the plant and the selection of the major items of equipment included in the installation are outlined in this chapter. The first consideration in the design of a powerplant, pumping plant, or pumped-storage plant is that it adequately perform its function and be structurally safe. The structure is also designed to give a pleasing architectural appearance.
The wind speed distribution and wind energy potential are investigated in three selected locations in Oyo state using wind speed data that span between 12 and 20 years measured at 10 m height. In addition, the performance of selected small to medium size wind turbines in these sites were examined. The annual energy output and capacity factor for these turbines were determined. It was found that the monthly mean wind speeds in Oyo state ranges from 2.85 m/s to 5.20 m/s. While the monthly mean power density varies between 27.08 W/m2 and 164.48 W/m2, while the annual mean power density is in the range of 67.28 W/m2 and 106.60 W/m2. Based on annual energy output, wind turbines with cut-in wind speed of about 2.5 m/s and moderate rated wind speeds will be best suited for all the sites.
Human Hb, the monomeric Hb of Glycera dibranchiata and horse Mb were modified by replacement of the protoheme with 2,4-dibromodeuteroheme. Following neutron capture by "7"9Br and "8"1Br, the locations of radioactive Br were determined. Although human Hb had approximately four times the mass and volume of the other proteins, about 9% of the activated Br was inserted into each of the three globins. These results suggest that the insertion is short-range (within 15 angstrom) and that this method could be used to label target sites in various proteins and other biological structures. Carp Hb's containing proto-, meso-, deutero- and dibromoheme were prepared. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for oxygen and CO binding were determined at Ph 6 (+IHP) (T-state, low-affinity protein) and Ph 9 (R-state, high-affinity protein). Parameters for the binding of oxygen and CO were related to the properties of the four hemes to estimate the inductive and steric factors in the ...
The US Department of Energy (DOE) Mixed Waste Integrated Program (MWIP) has as one of its tasks the identification of a decision methodology and key decision criteria for the selection methodology. The aim of a multicriteria analysis is to provide an instrument for a systematic evaluation of distinct alternative projects. Determination of this methodology will clarify (1) the factors used to evaluate these alternatives, (2) the evaluator`s view of the importance of the factors, and (3) the relative value of each alternative. The selected methodology must consider the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) decision-making criteria for application to the analysis technology subsystems developed by the DOE Office of Technology Development. This report contains a compilation of several decision methodologies developed in various national laboratories, institutions, and ...
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 advance in the analysis of very small amount (<= 1#alpha#/cm"2h) of #alpha#-emitters in the cited materials is reviewed. The review, for which 75 references are listed, covers the period from January, 1978, to June, 1982. The use of #alpha#-ray counting, #alpha#-ray spectrometry, #gamma#-ray spectrometry, neutron activation analysis and mass spectrometry is discussed, and their relative merit and limitation are outlined. (J.P.N.).
Prognosis of 95 consecutive patients with non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases were evaluated. Three factors, therapy for brain metastases, general performance status (PS) and distant metastases to other organs had significant impact on survival. Among these 3 factors, PS was independent from the other 2 factors. Significant correlation was present, however, between therapy and other organ metastases, and few patients with brain and other distant metastases received aggressive treatment for brain metastases. Cranial irradiation had significant impact on survival even in those patients with brain and other distant metastases. Cranial irradiation also reduced death from brain metastases in responders. Our results indicate that there are several subgroups with different prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastases, therefore the most beneficial treatment modality should be ...
This paper is a result of a research with the primary purpose of extending Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) modeling frameworks to include the effects of organizational factors as the deeper, more fundamental causes of accidents and incidents. There have been significant improvements in the sophistication of quantitative methods of safety and risk assessment, but the progress on techniques most suitable for organizational safety risk frameworks has been limited. The focus of this paper is on the choice of 'representational schemes' and 'techniques.' A methodology for selecting appropriate candidate techniques and their integration in the form of a 'hybrid' approach is proposed. Then an example is given through an integration of System Dynamics (SD), Bayesian Belief Network (BBN), Event Sequence Diagram (ESD), and Fault Tree (FT) in order to demonstrate the feasibility and value of hybrid ...
Ionizing radiation dose levels due to home radon can rise to levels that would be illegal for workers in the nuclear industry. It is well known that radon levels within homes and from home to home, and also from month to month, vary considerably. To define an Isle of Man radon seasonal correction factor, readings were taken in eight homes over a 12 month period. An average island indoor exposure of 48 Bq m{sup -3} (range 4-518 Bq m{sup -3}) was determined from 285 homes selected from a cohort of 1300 families participating in the European Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ELSPAC) in the Isle of Man. This compares with a UK home average of 20 Bq m{sup -3} and a European Union average (excluding UK) of 68 Bq m{sup -3}. Ten homes of those measured were found to have radon levels above the National Radiological Protection Board 200 Bq m{sup -3} action level. There are 29 377 homes on the Isle of Man, suggesting that there could be some ...
Pyrolysis of Greek fir wood samples in a fluidized bed reactor was studied. The experimental conditions selected control the yield of gaseous, liquid and solid products. The factors examined were: pyrolysis temperature, mean particle size, pressure, residence time of volatiles, lignin content of biomass and moisture content. The experiments were performed on the basis of a 12-run Plackett-Burman fractional factorial design. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the pyrolysis temperature is the main factor affecting the distribution of the yields of liquids, their phenolic fraction and gases in the range of experimental conditions tested. Empirical expressions were obtained from linear regression giving the yields of liquids, phenols and gases in terms of temperature. The maximum predicted yields were 56 and 12 wt.% on a moisture-free basis at 520 C and 545 C for liquids and phenols, respectively. The yield of gases ...
Available in abstract form only. Full text of publication follows: The uncertainties of decommissioning costs increase high due to several conditions. Decommissioning cost estimation depends on the complexity of nuclear installations, its site-specific physical and radiological inventories. Therefore, the decommissioning costs of nuclear research facilities must be estimated in accordance with the detailed sub-tasks and resources by the tasks of decommissioning activities. By selecting the classified activities and resources, costs are calculated by the items and then the total costs of all decommissioning activities are reshuffled to match with its usage and objectives. And the decommissioning cost of nuclear research facilities is calculated by applying a unit cost factor method on which classification of decommissioning works fitted with the features and specifications of decommissioning objects and establishment of composition ...
The document represents a specific type of discussion of existing methodologies for the creation and application of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) in light of the EUR document summarizing requirements placed by Western European NPP operators on the future design of nuclear power plants. A partial goal of this discussion consists in mapping, from the PSA point of view, those selected design, operational and/or safety factors of future NPPs that may be entirely new or, at least, newly addressed. Therefore, the terms of reference for this stage were formulated as follows: Assess current level of knowledge and procedures in the analysis of factors and phenomena with a dominant influence upon operational safety of new generation reactors, especially in the following areas: (1) Phenomenology of failure types and mechanisms and reliability of conventional passive safety system components; (2) Phenomenology of failure types ...
A membrane process utilizing dialysis and selective complexation by water-soluble polymers has been developed. This process, termed affinity dialysis, has been shown to be selectively extract and concentrate both cations and anions in a manner similar to ion exchange or solvent extraction. The selective removal of calcium from sodium with selectivity of about 30, removal of chromate ion from dilute streams, and separation of transition metal ions such as Cu/Fe and Cu/Zn have all been successfully demonstrated. Effects of different polymers, polymer concentration, temperature, and flow rates have been studied. The effect of increased polymer concentration is to increase product concentration if appropriate changes in feed, polymer solution, and strip flow rates are made. A continuous polymer solution recycle and regeneration system has been constructed and operated with Cu/Zn and chromate/chloride feed ...
Schindler disease is a recently recognized infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy resulting from the deficient activity of the lysosomal hydrolase, alpha-N-acetylgalctosaminidase (alpha-GalNAc). The recent...Full Text Available
The results of a study of the expression of embryonic hemoglobin genes in mice which show an imbalance of alpha and non-alpha chain synthesis are reported. (ACR)
Quantitative metallography is often used to confirm the proper processing of aerospace metallic materials. A microstructural feature of great importance for titanium alloys processed in the alpha-beta phase field is the volume fraction of primary alpha. S...
Heavy quark production in $\\gamma\\gamma$ collisions is analyzed within the approach to hard collisions of photons recently proposed by the author. In this approach evaluating the cross section $\\sigma(\\gamma\\gamma\\to Q\\bar{Q})$ in the ``next-to-leading order of QCD'' requires the inclusion of direct photon contributions up to the order $\\alpha^2\\alpha_s^2$, whereas in the standard approach direct photon terms only up to the order $\\alpha^2\\alpha_s$ are taken into account. Phenomenological consequences of this difference are discussed.
We present an abundance analysis based on high-resolution spectra of 10 stars selected to span the full range in metallicity in the Ursa Minor (UMi) dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy. We find that [Fe/H] for the sample stars ranges from -1.35 to -3.10 dex. Combining our sample with previously published work for a total of 16 luminous UMi giants, we establish the trends of abundance ratios [X/Fe] as functions of [Fe/H] for 15 elements. In key cases, particularly for the #alpha#-elements, these trends resemble those for stars in the outer part of the Galactic halo, especially at the lowest metallicities probed. The neutron-capture elements show an r-process distribution over the full range of Fe metallicity reached in this dSph galaxy. This suggests that the duration of star formation in the UMi dSph was shorter than in other dSph galaxies. The derived ages for a larger sample of UMi stars with more uncertain metallicities also suggest a population ...
In the framework of nuclear waste transmutation studies, the Mini-INCA project has been initiated at CEA/DSM with objectives to determine optimal conditions for transmutation and incineration of minor actinides (MA) in high intensity neutron fluxes. Our experimental tools based on alpha- and gamma-spectroscopy of the samples and the development of micro fission chambers could gather either microscopic information on nuclear reactions (total or partial cross sections for neutron capture and/or fission reactions) or macroscopic information on transmutation and incineration potentials. Neutron capture cross sections of selected actinides ({sup 241}Am, {sup 242}Am, {sup 242}Pu, {sup 237}Np) have already been measured at ILL, showing some discrepancies when compared to evaluated data libraries but in overall good agreement with recent data. The studies and possibilities offer by the MEGAPIE project to assess neutronic performances of a 1 MW ...
In the framework of nuclear waste transmutation studies, the Mini-INCA project has been initiated at CEA/DSM with objectives to determine optimal conditions for transmutation and incineration of minor actinides (MA) in high intensity neutron fluxes. Our experimental tools based on alpha- and gamma-spectroscopy of the samples and the development of micro fission chambers could gather either microscopic information on nuclear reactions (total or partial cross sections for neutron capture and/or fission reactions) or macroscopic information on transmutation and incineration potentials. Neutron capture cross sections of selected actinides ("2"4"1Am, "2"4"2Am, "2"4"2Pu, "2"3"7Np) have already been measured at ILL, showing some discrepancies when compared to evaluated data libraries but in overall good agreement with recent data. The studies and possibilities offer by the MEGAPIE project to assess neutronic performances of a 1 MW spallation target ...
This study sought to quantitate lidocaine's interaction with alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AAG), human serum albumin (HSA), and AAG in the presence of HSA, and to determine the extent of displacement of lidocaine from its binding site(s) by selected cardiovascular drugs (dipyridamole, disopyramide and quinidine). Since the limited experimental work reported in this area has involved the use of a single lidocaine concentration, this study involved the evaluation of a range of lidocaine concentrations. Lidocaine interaction with plasma proteins (AAG and HSA) was studied at 37/sup 0/C using an isothermal equilibrium dialysis system and /sup 14/C-lidocaine HCl. A dialysis membrane (M.W. cutoff 12,000 to 14,000) separated the two chambers of each dialysis cell. The extent of /sup 14/C-lidocaine dialysis was studied with respect to both drug and protein concentrations. Aliquots of each chamber of each of the cells were subjected to liquid ...
We have derived elemental abundances for a sample of nine IRAS sources with colours similar to those of post-AGB stars. For IRAS 01259+6823, IRAS 05208-2035, IRAS 04535+3747 and IRAS 08187-1905 this is the first detailed abundance analysis based upon high resolution spectra. Mild indication of s-processing for IRAS 01259+6823, IRAS 05208-2035 and IRAS 08187-1905 have been found and a more comprehensive study of s-process enhanced objects IRAS 17279-1119 and IRAS 22223+4327 have been carried out. We have also made a contemporary abundance analysis of the high galactic latitude supergiants BD+39 4926 and HD 107369. The former is heavily depleted in refractories and estimated [Zn/H] of -0.7 dex most likely gives initial metallicity of the star. For HD 107369 the abundances of alpha and Fe-peak elements are similar to those of halo objects and moderate deficiency of s-process elements is seen. IRAS 07140-2321 despite being a short period binary with circumstellar shell ...
In humid zones and marine environments the bio indicator contaminants by trace elements are well established. However, in arid zones it is more difficult to find these tools because there is less biodiversity. The objective of this paper was to analyze the behavior of the Baccharis salicifolia plant in areas with high uranium concentration in arid zones, to determine the characteristics of tolerance and possible use as a bio monitor for the presence of such contaminants. For this project a uraniferous zone was selected in San Marcos, located northwest of the City of Chihuahua. A total of 8 sampling points of the plant and soil were located here. Each sample was divided into the root and the stem and leaves to determine the specific activity of the uranium in both parts of the plant and its sediments. The determination of the specific activities of the total uranium in the samples was obtained by liquid scintillation with alpha-beta separation. ...
ObjectiveTo assess whether 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone caproate reduces the rate of preterm birth in women carrying triplets.MethodsFull Text Available
Phase transformations from #alpha#- to #beta#-SiAlONs (i.e., from #alpha#' to #beta#') have been recently reported in a number of rare-earth SiAlON systems during postsintering heat treatment. In the present work, this transformation process in a Sm (#alpha# + #beta#)-SiAlON material is studied by using XRD, TEM, and EDS X-ray mapping techniques. It is observed that in addition to the formation of #beta#' and M' phases, the #alpha#'-to-#beta#' transformation is accompanied by a significant increase in the amount of an AlN-polytypoid phase. The results suggest that some #alpha#' phases are thermodynamically unstable at temperatures lower than the material sintering temperature and will decompose when conditions allow. For the composition studied in this work, the #alpha#-SiAlON decomposition can be described in general as #alpha#' #-># ...
Alpha-toxin, the major cytotoxic agent elaborated by Staphylococcus aureus, was the first bacterial exotoxin to be identified as a pore former. The protein is secreted as a single-chain, water-soluble...Full Text Available
The study of the {alpha}-particle energy distributions associated with ND and SD states in {sup 151,152}Dy has been carried out. The Dy isotopes were produced in the reaction {sup 37}Cl+{sup 123}Sb at 191 MeV via the ({alpha}5n) and ({alpha}4n) channels, respectively. In {sup 151}Dy the {alpha}-particle energy distributions associated to ND and SD are very different from each other, both at the low and high energy sides inducing a difference of 3 MeV in the {alpha}-particle mean energy. In {sup 152}Dy the situation is different; the {alpha}-particle spectral shapes are similar and a difference in the {alpha}-particle mean energy of only 0.7 MeV is deduced. A description in terms of energy localization of entry states is given. (orig.)
Abnormalities of dystrophin, the sarcoglycans, and laminin alpha2 are responsible for a subset of the muscular dystrophies. In this study we aim to characterise the nature and frequency of abnormalities...Full Text Available
Purpose: To evaluate the results of radiotherapy in cholangiocarcinoma patients managed with various combinations of chemotherapy and surgical resection with selective liver transplantation. Methods and Materials: From January 1990 to December 1995, 61 patients with histologically confirmed biliary duct adenocarcinoma were seen in the Radiation Oncology Department of the University of Pittsburgh. Median follow-up was 22 months (1 to 91 months). The extent of surgery was complete resection in 23 patients (including 17 with orthotopic liver transplant), partial resection in 4, and biopsy in 34. All patients had radiotherapy; median dose was 49.5 Gy. Thirty patients received chemotherapy: 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-leucovorin with interferon alpha (IFN#alpha#) in 27, and taxol in 3. Results: The median survival was 20 months (95% CI 15-25 months). The 5-year actuarial survival was 23.8 #+-# 6.8%. The only significant variable in ...
The purpose of this study was to examine arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and to characterize the type of adrenergic receptor (AR) involved in the production of the major metabolite of this fatty acid. ({sup 14}C)AA was incubated with GPT-rings and the radiolabelled products were extracted and separated by TLC method. The medium was also assayed for radiolabelled immunoreactive PG's (iPG's) and leukotrienes (LT) B4 and C4 by RIA or Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) after exposure to various AR agonists. ({sup 14}C)AA was incorporated into GPT-rings and metabolized mainly into iPGE2 and smaller amounts into PGF2{alpha}. Trace amounts of PGD2 and 6-keto-PGF1{alpha} but not LTB4 or LTC4 were detected by RIA and/or EIA. Incubation of GPT rings for 15 minutes with isoproterenol and salbutamol resulted in a significant increase of PGE2 synthesis (optimum conc: 10{sup {minus}7}, 10{sup {minus}7}M respectively). In contrast, dobutamine, ...
The purpose of this study was to examine arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and to characterize the type of adrenergic receptor (AR) involved in the production of the major metabolite of this fatty acid. ["1"4C]AA was incubated with GPT-rings and the radiolabelled products were extracted and separated by TLC method. The medium was also assayed for radiolabelled immunoreactive PG's (iPG's) and leukotrienes (LT) B4 and C4 by RIA or Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) after exposure to various AR agonists. ["1"4C]AA was incorporated into GPT-rings and metabolized mainly into iPGE2 and smaller amounts into PGF2#alpha#. Trace amounts of PGD2 and 6-keto-PGF1#alpha# but not LTB4 or LTC4 were detected by RIA and/or EIA. Incubation of GPT rings for 15 minutes with isoproterenol and salbutamol resulted in a significant increase of PGE2 synthesis (optimum conc: 10"-"7, 10"-"7M respectively). In contrast, dobutamine, norepinephrine, phenylnephrine and xylazine (up to ...
Vildagliptin is a potent and selective dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor in development for the treatment of type 2 diabetes that improves glycemic control by enhancing alpha- and beta-cell responsiveness to glucose. Two open-label, single-dose, randomized, crossover studies in healthy subjects (ages 18-45 years) investigated the dose proportionality of vildagliptin pharmacokinetics (n = 20) and the effect of food (n = 24) on vildagliptin pharmacokinetics. There was a linear relationship (r(2) = 0.999) between vildagliptin doses of 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg and area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(0-infinity)) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)). Dose proportionality was assessed using a statistical power model [X = alpha x (dose)(beta)]. The 90% confidence intervals of the proportionality coefficient, beta, for AUC(0-infinity) (1.15-1.19) and C(max) (1.04-1.14) indicated that ...
The preparation and performance of membranes for application to hydrogen separation from coal-derived gas is described. The membrane material investigated was dense amorphous silica deposited on a suitable support by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Two types of support materials were pursued. One type consisted of a two-layer composite, zeolite silicalite/{alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}, in the form of tubes approximately 0.7 cm in diameter. The other type was porous glass tubes of diameter below 0.2 cm. The first type of support was prepared starting from {alpha}-Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} tubes of 1{micro}m mean pore diameter and growing by hydrothermal reaction a zeolite silicalite layer inside the pores of the alumina at the OD side. After calcination to remove the organic template used in the hydrothermal reaction, CVD was carried out to deposit the final silica layer. CVD was carried out by alternating exposure of the surface with silicon tetrachloride ...
Since antioxidants have been shown to play a major role in preventing some of the effects of aging and photoaging in skin, it is important to study this phenomenon in a controlled manner. This was accomplished by developing a simple and reliable in vitro technique to assay antioxidant efficacy. Inhibition of peroxidation by antioxidants was used as a measure of relative antioxidant potential. Liposomes, high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), were dispersed in buffer and irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light. Irradiated liposomes exhibited a significantly higher amount of hydroperoxides than liposomes containing antioxidants in a dose- and concentration-dependent manner. Lipid peroxidation was determined spectrophotometrically by an increase in thiobarbituric acid reacting substances. To further substantiate the production of lipid peroxides, gas chromatography was used to measure a decrease in PUFA substrate. In order of decreasing antioxidant effectiveness, the following results ...
The steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1, also known as NR5A1) is a transcription factor belonging to the nuclear receptor superfamily. Whereas most of the members of this family have been extensively characterized, the therapeutic potential and pharmacology of SF-1 still remains elusive. Described here is the identification and characterization of selective inhibitory chemical probes of SF-1 by a rational ultra-high-throughput screening (uHTS) strategy. A set of 64,908 compounds from the National Institute of Health's Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository was screened in a transactivation cell-based assay employing a chimeric SF-1 construct. Two analogous isoquinolinones, ethyl 2-[2-[2-(2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-7-ylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1-oxoisoquinolin-5-yl]oxypropanoate (SID7969543) and ethyl 2-[2-[2-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-1-oxoisoquinolin-5-yl]oxypropanoate and (SID7970631), were identified as ...
Recent studies have shown Y chromosome microdeletions associated with male infertility. The factors responsible for Y chromosome microdeletions in spermatozoa remain unresolved. However, the environmental pollutants are known to damage DNA in differentiating and maturing germ cells in the male reproductive tract. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of seminal hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and its isomers, an environmental pollutant, in 50 fertile and 50 infertile males in relation to semen quality and the incidence of Y chromosome microdeletion in azoospermic factor (AZF) region. As compared to control, an increased HCH level and significantly decreased semen quality were observed in the infertile males. A positive significant association was found between sperm count with alpha-HCH and beta-HCH in the infertile males. A negative significant association was observed between sperm counts with ...
Influenza virus infection during pregnancy has been implicated as one of cause of premature delivery, abortion and stillbirth. We have reported that cultured human fetal membrane chorion cells undergoing apoptosis by influenza virus infection secrete unidentified heat-stable monocyte differentiation-inducing (MDI) factors. In this study, cellular, biological and immunochemical characteristics of MDI factors were investigated using human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells by nitroblue tetrazolium reduction and cell adhesion assays. The treatment of THP-1 cells with culture supernatants from the influenza virus-infected chorion cells induced the nitroblue tetrazolium reduction ability, which was inhibited by the addition of superoxide dismutase and diphenyleneiodonium chloride, an inhibitor for reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase. The phenomenon was also observed in human peripheral blood monocytes and histiocytic leukemia ...
Neutron-hole states in /sup 87/Sr were studied by means of the /sup 88/Sr("3He,#alpha#)/sup 87/Sr reaction at 36 MeV. Angular distribution measurements were carried out from 3"0 to 41"0 (lab) and analyzed with the zero-range distorted-wave Born approximation method. Spectroscopic factors have been determined for about 50 discrete levels in /sup 87/Sr located below 6 MeV excitation energy and for the three lowest isobaric analog states 2p(3/2, 1f(5/2, and 2p(1/2 observed around 11 MeV. Many l = 1 and l = 3 discrete levels are observed in the 3--6 MeV excitation energy range. In addition, a large part of the 1f-2p strength is found to lie in the higher-lying continuum up to 13 MeV (about 10% and 40% for the l = 1 and 3 contributions, respectively). The distribution of the 1f-2p neutron-hole strength is compared to previous data on neighboring nuclei /sup 89/Zr and /sup 91/Mo. In addition, angular distributions for some low-lying high-spin states ...
local peanut cultivars Giza 4 and Giza 5 were exposed to different doses ( 50,100,150,200,250 and 300 Gy)to Co "6"0 gamma ray source . all irradiated materials were cultivated to give the M_1 and M_2 generation , then high yielding mutants were selected from the M_2 generation and cultivated separately to give the M_3 generation. some yield component traits were measured for the three generations (M_1,M_2 and M_3) and M_3 families.variations observed in these traits were attributed to genetic factors. the M_3 selected mutants were artificially infected by aspergillus flavus L spores (aflatoxins-B1 and B2 groups-producer strain). aflatoxin concentrations were estimated and the analysis showed that aflatoxin concentrations in seeds of the M_3 selected mutants from cultivar Giza 4 were higher than those in seeds of the M3 mutants selected from cultivar Giza 5. however, the ...
Purpose: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the interaction of a photosensitizing (PS) agent, light, and oxygen. Few new PS agents are being developed to the in vivo stage, partly because of the difficulty in finding the right treatment conditions. Response surface methodology, an empirical modeling approach based on data resulting from a set of designed experiments, was suggested as a rational solution with which to select in vivo PDT conditions by using a new peptide-conjugated PS targeting agent, neuropilin-1. Methods and Materials: A Doehlert experimental design was selected to model effects and interactions of the PS dose, fluence, and fluence rate on the growth of U87 human malignant glioma cell xenografts in nude mice, using a fixed drug-light interval. All experimental results were computed by Nemrod-W software and Matlab. Results: Intrinsic diameter growth rate, a tumor growth parameter independent of the initial volume of the ...
The trend towards more effective use of fossil fuels and reduced environmental pollution represents a major task of improvement within the refinery processes. The highly isomerized and high octane paraffins produced from isobutane and light olefins by alkylation fulfill all the requirements for reformulated gasoline. This doctoral thesis discusses new catalyst systems because of their potential in alkylation. A slurry reactor apparatus for solid-acid catalysed isobutane/butene alkylation was developed and used to investigate the performance of various heterogeneous catalysts. The selected materials were mainly zeolite types with faujasite structures. The samples were characterized by various methods before alkylation. In general, the order of decreasing catalyst activity after 3 h of reaction at 80{sup o}C was found to be: H-EMT >> H-FAU, dealuminated H-FAU >> NS.500, TA-Y, CeY-98 > Nafion-H. The order of decreasing alkylate ...
Selecting the best bit for an application is a difficult task because a large number of variables can influence bit performance, therefore upon a decision to run a particular bit type based solely on the average measurements of previous bit performances can lead to a very important impact on the drilling cost. Bits are designed with different concepts and that recent technological advances allow them to be used in a wider range of applications that could improve their drilling programs. Rather than a deterministic estimate, a more mature view of a bit performance is a presentation of possible outputs (bits longevity in drilled meters, rate of penetration, bit cost and cost per meter) in recognition of the uncertainty associated with drilling wells. An evaluation of a simple model based on the drilling cost equation indicates the sensitivity of each variable - described here by its probability distribution function - on the bottom line and can be a very effective ...
Data by Wiesmann et al. on the temperature coefficient of the upper critical field, dH/sub c/2(T)/dT, and the normal-state resistivity rho_0 near the superconducting transition temperature T/sub c/ are analyzed to estimate the bare density of states N (E/sub F/) as a function of structural disorder and T/sub c/ in various #alpha#-particle irradiated samples of A-15 Nb_3Ge and Nb_3Sn. By taking into account the change in the electron-phonon coupling strength with T/sub c/ and the effect of mass enhancement arising from the electron-phonon interaction, the results of the new analysis indicate that (i) the drop in N (E/sub F/) for Nb_3Ge is relatively small as T/sub c/ changes from approx. 21 to approx. 4 K, in agreement with a recent low-temperature specific-heat measurement; (ii) the value of N (E/sub F/) in Nb_3Sn decreases by a factor of approx. 4 as T/sub c/ varies from approx. 18 to approx. 3 K. The implication of these findings is discussed ...
The Micro-strip Metal Foil Detectors (MMFD) designed and used for the Beam Profile Monitoring (BPM) are discussed. The results obtained for the MMFDs produced by different technologies are presented. The MMFD deposited onto the 20 {mu}m thick Si-wafer has been used for the BPM of the 32 MeV alpha-particle beam at the MPIfK (Heidelberg) Tandem generator. Another MMFD with totally removed Si-wafer at the working area has been applied for the on-line X-ray BPM at the HASYLAB (DESY). One may conclude that the developed technology of the micro-strip metal detector manufacturing allows to provide non-destructive measurement of X-ray intensity distribution over area of up to 50 mm{sup 2} with an accuracy of 10-20 {mu}m with a possibility of its improvement by a factor 5. A sub-micron position resolution is expected by applying electron lithography for the strip pattern production.
Objective: To study the effects of minocycline hydrochloride (MINO) on the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining-positive multinucleated osteoclast-like cells in mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs) treated with 1@a,25(OH)"2D"3 or soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-@kB ligand (s-RANKL). Materials and methods: Mouse BMCs were cultured in alpha-modified minimum essential medium containing foetal calf serum (10%) and tetracyclines (2.5, 5 and 10@mM), such as MINO, tetracycline hydrochloride (TC), oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OXT) or doxycycline (DOXY) in the presence of 1@a,25(OH)"2D"3 (10nM) or s-RANKL (20ng/ml) for 7 days, and the number of TRAP staining-positive osteoclast-like cells was counted. In RNA isolated from BMCs treated with 1@a,25(OH)"2D"3 or s-R...
The recently described retinoid X receptors (RXRs) respond to the novel retinoid 9-cis-retinoic acid and also serve as heterodimeric partners for the vitamin D, thyroid hormone, and retinoic acid receptors (VDR, TR, and RAR, respectively). In this work, the authors report high-resolution localization of the human RXR genes within cytogenetic bands and also within a standard reference map of cosmid DNA markers on human chromosomes. They have determined the location of the human RXR genes by pairwise hybridization of the RXR cosmids and reference markers, using fluorescence in situ hybridization. They localized (i) RXR[alpha] (RXRA) to chromosome 9 band q34.3; (ii) RXR[beta] (RXRB) to chromosome 6 band 21.3; and (iii) RXR[gamma] (RXRG) to chromosome 1 band q22-q23. Six retinoid-responsive transcription factors have been identified so far, including three retinoic acid receptors in addition to the three RXRs. Interestingly, each of these receptors ...
Neutron semiconductor detectors for neutron counting and neutron radiography have an increasing importance. Simple silicon neutron detectors are combination of a planar diode with a layer of an appropriate neutron converter such as 6LiF. These devices have limited detection efficiency of not more than 5%. The detection efficiency can be increased by creating a 3D microstructure of dips, trenches or pores in the detector and filling it with a neutron converter. The first results related to the development of such devices are presented. Silicon detectors were fabricated with pyramidal dips on the surface covered with 6LiF and then irradiated by thermal neutrons. Pulse height spectra of the energy deposited in the sensitive volume were compared with simulations. The detection efficiency of these devices was about 6.3%. Samples with different column sizes were fabricated to study the electrical properties of 3D structures. Charge collection efficiencies in silicon columns from 10 to 800 ?m ...
Chandra and XMM surveys show that the fraction of obscured AGN decreases rapidly with increasing luminosity. Although this is usually explained by assuming that the covering factor of the central engine is much smaller at luminous QSOs, the exact origin of this effect remains unknown. We perform toy simulations to test whether photo-ionisation of the obscuring screen in the presence of a strong radiation field can reproduce this effect. In particular, we create X-ray spectral simulations using a warm absorber model assuming a range of input column densities and ionization parameters. We fit instead the simulated spectra with a simple cold absorption power-law model that is the standard practice in X-ray surveys. We find that the fraction of absorbed AGN should fall with luminosity as $L^{-0.16\\pm0.03}$ in rough agreement with the observations. Furthermore, this apparent decrease in the obscuring material is consistent with the dependence of the ...
The objective of this report is to review the different technologies for trapping the gaseous wastes containing Cs, Ru, Tc, {sup 14}C, Kr, Xe, I and {sup 3}H from a voloxidation process. Based on literature reviews and KAERI's experimental results on the gaseous fission products trapping, appropriate trapping method for each fission product has been selected considering process reliability, simplicity, decontamination factor, availability, and disposal. Specifically, the most promising trapping method for each fission product has been proposed for the development of the INL off-gas trapping system. A fly ash filter is proposed as a trapping media for a cesium trapping unit. In addition, a calcium filter is proposed as a trapping media for ruthenium, technetium, and {sup 14}C trapping unit. In case of I trapping unit, AgX is proposed. For Kr and Xe, adsorption on solid is proposed. SDBC (Styrene Divinyl Benzene Copolymer) is also ...
Selective alveolo-bronchography (SAB) has been routinely used to evaluate anatomical changes in the bronchiole and its distal air spaces. A narrowing of the bronchiole and abnormal pooling of contrast medium in the destroyed air space are the prime findings. Since the object of radiography is extremely thin, direct magnification radiography is mandatory to obtain radiologic details. However, the problem with this technique is that radiographic quality varies depending upon the size of the patient and the concentration of contrast medium to be introduced in the lung. This study had two goals. One was to improve the image quality of SAB by Fuji Computed Radiography (FCR). FCR provides radiographs with a good contrast and stable density throughout a wide range of exposure factors which occur in the use of SAB. The other goal was to separately evaluate morphological abnormalities in the outer and inner zones of the lung using X-ray CT. This idea ...
The 'high-tension distribution line design support system' was developed for the 'work design support system'. This support system is composed of the work outline editor for preparing work details and facility data and the inference engine for preparing practical design plans, and can check system conditions such as voltage drop and deviation from technical standards automatically. The work outline editor takes charge of selection of work items, selective input of system information, and setting of some conditions such as pole position and reserved load onto a system diagram. The inference engine provides the design plan automatically based on the information inputted by the editor. For the design of high-tension distribution line, such various factors as local condition and load sharing of distribution systems should be considered. This design support system attains efficient processing ...
Biomimetic vesicle media which can selectivity extract and concentrate heavy metals (e.g., Pb{sup 2+}) from dilute solutions of 5 ppm and less have been prepared. At a concentration of only 1% 2/v, these non-covalently assembled, unilamellar, surfactant vesicles provide approximately 1,000m{sup 2} of exposed membrane surface area per liter of suspension which gives rise to very rapid rates of metal ion extraction. To facilitate the selective transport of heavy metal ions through the ion impermeable vesicle wall, the vesicles are doped with lipophilic ionophores, both natural and synthetic. In addition, the metal chelating agent, nitrolotriacetate, is encapsulated in the aqueous vesicle core to provide the driving force for metal ion uptake and concentration. Concentration factors in excess of 1000 fold have been observed. Metal-sorbing surfactant vesicles measuring approximately 100 nm in diameter are stable and have been ...
The Feynman-#alpha# method was applied to measurement of reactivity and the ability of this method for a real-time reactivity monitoring system was assessed. In the experiment, all measured data by BF_3 detectors were stored in a multi-channel scaler controlled by a personal computer, and they were analyzed to obtain prompt neutron decay constant (#alpha#) and reactivity with consideration of dead time of detector. It was found that #alpha# could be obtained almost in a real-time even for both positive and negative reactivities by the present experimental technique. (author).
The reactions of alpha particles on natural abundance chromium have been studied between 40 and 110 MeV, in order to produce "5"2Fe for medical use. The yield of the reaction "5"2Cr(#alpha#,4n)"5"2Fe for Esub(#alpha#) = 85 #-># 53 MeV is only 30 #mu#Ci/#mu#Ah. (orig.).
Current applications of ..cap alpha..-particle spectrometry in post-irradiation research and reprocessing are reviewed. Implementation of procedures and techniques described in the literature to the particular samples at S.C.K./C.E.N. often results in a combined radiochemical method where ..cap alpha..-particle spectrometry is used to complement or enforce results obtained by other methods. Typical cases are reported and results obtained by different methods are compared to the results obtained by ..cap alpha..-particle spectrometry.
In the present work the excitation functions for the reactions "1"4"1Pr(#alpha#,n)"1"4"4Pm and "1"4"1Pr(#alpha#,2n)"1"4"3Pm have been measured experimentally below 50 MeV #alpha#-particle
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and has very limited therapeutic options. Recently, it has been found that hyaluronic acid (HA) shows selective binding to CD44 receptors expressed in most cancer histotypes. Since the trend in cancer treatment is the use of targeted radionuclide therapy, the aim of this research was to label HA with rhenium-188 and to evaluate its potential use as a hepatocarcinoma therapeutic radiopharmaceutical. Methods: {sup 188}Re-HA was prepared by a direct labelling method to produce a ReO(O-COO){sub 2}-type coordination complex. {sup 188}Re-HA protein binding and its stability in saline, phosphate buffer, human serum and cysteine solutions were determined. Biokinetic and dosimetric data were estimated in healthy mice (n=60) using the Medical Internal Radiation Dose methodology and mouse model beta-absorbed fractions. To evaluate liver toxicity, alanine aminotranferase (AST) and aspartate aminotranferase ...
In connection with the different cyclical strengths of the two-phase (#alpha# + #beta#) titanium alloy in the case of the acicular and rounded formations of the #alpha#-phase, we have studied, employing the X-ray diffraction method, the phase composition of the alloy and the influence of heat treatment upon it. Using the method of electronic fractography, we examined the fractures in samples destroyed by the asymmetric twisting, in order to find out why the durability of the alloy is dependent upon the #alpha# - phase structure. It has been found that in the BT22 alloy, the decay the #beta#-phase may proceed in two ways; either with the formation of the martensite #alpha#'-phase of the acicular shape or with the separation of the non-martensite round-shaped #alpha#-phase. The character of the phase transformations #beta# - #alpha# or ...
The interaction between a lower hybrid wave and a fusion alpha particle displaces the alpha particle simultaneously in space and energy. This results in coupled diffusion. Diffusion of alphas down the density gradient could lead to their transferring energy to the wave. This could, in turn, put energy into current drive. Here we calculate numerical solutions for the alpha energy transfer and study a range of conditions that are favourable for wave amplification from alpha energy. We find that it is possible for fusion alpha particles to transfer a large fraction of their energy to the lower hybrid wave. The numerical calculation shows that the net energy transfer is not sensitive to the value of the diffusion coefficient over a wide range of practical values. An extension of this idea, the use of a lossy boundary to enhance the energy transfer, is investigated. ...
The interaction between a lower hybrid wave and a fusion alpha particle displaces the alpha particle simultaneously in space and energy. This results in coupled diffusion. Diffusion of alphas down the density gradient could lead to their transferring energy to the wave. This could, in turn, put energy into current drive. Here we calculate numerical solutions for the alpha energy transfer and study a range of conditions that are favourable for wave amplification from alpha energy. We find that it is possible for fusion alpha particles to transfer a large fraction of their energy to the lower hybrid wave. The numerical calculation shows that the net energy transfer is not sensitive to the value of the diffusion coefficient over a wide range of practical values. An extension of this idea, the use of a lossy boundary to enhance the energy transfer, is investigated. ...
The interaction between a lower hybrid wave and a fusion alpha particle displaces the alpha particle simultaneously in space and energy. This results in coupled diffusion. Diffusion of alphas down the density gradient could lead to their transferring energy to the wave. This could, in turn, put energy into current drive. An initial analytic study was done by Fisch and Rax. Here the authors calculate numerical solutions for the alpha energy transfer and study a range of conditions that are favorable for wave amplification from alpha energy. They find that it is possible for fusion alpha particles to transfer a large fraction of their energy to the lower hybrid wave. The numerical calculation shows that the net energy transfer is not sensitive to the value of the diffusion coefficient over a wide range of practical values. An extension of this idea, the use of a ...
Environmental assessment in an arid coal mining area requires an understanding of the influences of coal mining, the arid climate and ecological remediation. To that end, we selected vegetation as the key environmental factor to observe. Remote sensing approaches to monitoring the spatio-temporal variation of vegetation caused by mining activities, the arid climate and ecological remediation in the Shengdong coal mining area are described. Over a large regional scale it was found that the vegetation was improved as a result of ecological remediation activities. At the local scale, however, the vegetation coverage and soil moisture in the mined areas were slightly lower than those in un-mined areas due to mining subsidence. These differences are partly attributed to ground fissures that inj...
An assessment was undertaken of the risk of liver cancer in the USA associated with aflatoxin ingestion from peanuts. Both laboratory-animal data and epidemiological data collected from the scientific literature and several prominent mathematical extrapolation techniques were used. Risk estimates differed by a factor of greater than 1000 when the extrapolated results of three selected animal studies were analysed. Dose-response data for the male Fischer rat, the most sensitive mammalian species studied, produced an estimate of 158 cases of liver cancer per year in the USA at current levels of aflatoxin exposure. An estimate of 58 annual cases was predicted on the basis of epidemiological data of populations in Africa and Thailand.
Increase in power utility loads in industrialized countries, as well as developing countries, demands a higher level of transmission line voltage. Radio interference (RI) problems have been determined to be a limiting factor in selecting the size of transmission line conductors. Transmission line noise is primarily caused by corona discharges in the immediate vicinity of the conductor. It has been observed that discharges occur during both half-cycles of the applied voltage, but positive corona is usually predominant at AM radio frequencies range with practical high-voltage and extra high-voltage transmission lines. The corona radio noise effect is highly dependent upon the presence of particles on the surface of the conductor and the increase of the electrical gradient beyond the breakdown value of the air. Therefore, corona radio noise varies significantly with the weather and atmospheric conditions and generally increases by 10 to 30 dB in ...
Increase in power utility loads in industrialized countries, as well as developing countries, demands a higher level of transmission line voltage. Radio interference (RI) problems have been determined to be a limiting factor in selecting the size of transmission line conductors. Transmission line noise is primarily caused by corona discharges in the immediate vicinity of the conductor. It has been observed that discharges occur during both half-cycles of the applied voltage, but positive corona is usually predominant at AM radio frequencies range with practical high-voltage and extra high-voltage transmission lines. The corona radio noise effect is highly dependent upon the presence of particles on the surface of the conductor and the increase of the electrical gradient beyond the breakdown value of the air. Therefore, corona radio noise varies significantly with the weather and atmospheric conditions and generally increases by 10 to 30 dB in ...
Increase in power utility loads in industrialized countries, as well as developing countries, demands a higher level of transmission line voltage. Radio interference (RI) problems have been determined to be a limiting factor in selecting the size of transmission line conductors. Transmission line noise is primarily caused by corona discharges in the immediate vicinity of the conductor. It has been observed that discharges occur during both half-cycles of the applied voltage, but positive corona is usually predominant at AM radio frequencies range with practical high-voltage and extra high-voltage transmission lines. The corona radio noise effect is highly dependent upon the presence of particles on the surface of the conductor and the increase of the electrical gradient beyond the breakdown value of the air. Therefore, corona radio noise varies significantly with the weather and atmospheric conditions and generally increases by 10 to 30 dB in ...
The Savannah River Site disposes of low-level radioactive waste within on-site engineered disposal facilities. The Savannah River Site must demonstrate that these disposals meet the requirements of DOE Order 435 . 1 through a process known as performance assessment (PA). The objective of this document is to provide the radionuclide -specific data needed for the PA calculations . This work is part of an on-going program to periodically review and update existing PA work as new data becomes available. Revision of the E -Area Low-Level Waste Facility PA is currently underway. The number of radionuclides selected to undergo detailed analysis in the PA is determined by a screening process. The basis of this process is described. Radionuclide-specific data for half-lives, decay modes, daughters, dose conversion factors and groundwater concentration limits are presented with source references and methodologies.
A novel composite charged mosaic membrane (CCMM) was prepared via interfacial polymerization (IP) of polyamine [poly(epichlorohydrin amine)] and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) on the polyethersulfone (PES) support. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and water contact angle analysis were applied to characterize the resulted CCMM. The FT-IR spectrum indicates that TMC reacts sufficiently with polyamine. ESEM and AFM pictures show that the IP process produces a dense selective layer on the support membrane. The water contact angle of the CCMM is smaller than that of the substrate membrane because of the cross-linked hydrophilic polyamine network. Several factors affecting the IP reaction and the performan...
In order to get the separation of natural isotopes of lithium by electrolytic amalgamation, an electrolytic cell with a confined mercury cathode was used to obtain data for the design of a separation stage. The initial work was followed by the design of a moving mercury cathode electrolytic cell and three experiments with six batches stages were performed for the determination of the elementary separation factor. The value obtained, 1.053, was ill agreement: with the specialized literature. It was verified in all experiments that the lithium - 6 isotope concentrated in the amalgam phase and that the lithium - 7 isotope concentrated in the aqueous phase. A stainless-steel cathode for the decomposition of the lithium amalgam and the selective desamalgamation were also studied. In view of the results obtained, a five stages continuous scheme was proposed. (author)
Using electrochemical techniques of pH-metry and conductimetry, the choice of a suitable complexing reagent was made amongst ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dextrose and mannitol for cost-effective separation of isotopes of boron by ion exchange chromatography. Quantitative relationships between pH and concentration; pK_a and concentration of each of these complexing reagents were determined by least square polynomial curve fitting and an attempt was made to determine the formation constants of mannitol-borate complex. The results of experiments carried out for selection; regeneration of a resin; separation factor determinations using batch as well as column techniques and monitoring of band movements using these electrochemical techniques are discussed. (author).
Eu3+ ions are anchored on TiO2 matrix by coupling with 2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid. Five different luminescence centers are observed for TiO2|2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid|Eu3+ electrodes due to electron transitions between d and f orbitals. Photo-luminescence of TiO2|2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid|Eu3+ electrodes is increased by attaching 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone to Eu3+ ions. Immersion of TiO2|2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid|Eu3+|2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone electrodes in propylsulfide is found to be further increased intensities of luminescence bands by a factor of three.
Selenium 79 is a beta emitter produced from (235)U fission and is one of the long half-life radionuclides of interest in nuclear waste disposal problematic because of its potential migration capacity to the surface environment. Measurement of (79)Se is particularly difficult due to its low activity in waste matrices (about 10(-3)Bqg(-1)). A radiochemical procedure based on ion exchange separations was already described in a previous paper. This work presents different applications of the radiochemical separation to waste samples and an improvement of this procedure, including a selective extraction of selenium as diethylselenium in an organic solvent followed by a re-extraction in aqueous medium. This additional step allows the decontamination factor to be increased with the aim of counting (79)Se by liquid scintillation counting. PMID:19071740
Statistically based experimental designs were applied to screen and optimize the bioleaching of spent hydrocracking catalyst by Penicillium simplicissimum. Eleven factors were examined for their significance on bioleaching using a Plackett-Burman factorial design. Four significant variables (pulp density, sucrose, NaNO"3, and yeast extract concentrations) were selected for the optimization studies. The combined effect of these variables on metal bioleaching was studied using a central composite design (CCD). Second-order polynomials were established to identify the relationship between the recovery percent of the metals and the four significant variables. The optimal values of the variables for maximum metals bioleaching were as follows: pulp density (4.0%, w/v), sucrose (90g/L), NaNO"3 (2...
Wood usage for cooking and heating is still very relevant in most developing countries especially those of sub-Saharan Africa and many parts of Asia. Therefore, sustainable means of generating it for this and other purposes are necessary bearing in mind the influence of indigenous knowledge/users perspective on any production method regarding success and sustenance. In conformity with this view, questionnaires were administered on 240 respondents in 8 rural communities of Akinyele and Ido Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria, to elicit information on species that can be used as fuelwood, preferred by the respondents for incorporation into and/or retention in agroforestry plots, out of which 179 (i.e. 75% of the total number of questionnaires administered) were successfully r...
Summary 1. A primary goal of evolutionary ecology is to understand factorsselecting for the diversity of life histories. Life-history components, such as time-to-reproduction, adult survivorship and fecundity, might differ among species because of variation in direct and indirect benefits of these life histories in different environments or might have lower-than-expected variability because of phylogenetic constraints. Here, we present a phylogenetic examination of demography and life histories using a data base of 204 terrestrial plant species. 2. Overall, statistical models without phylogeny were preferred to models with phylogeny for vital rates and elasticities, suggesting that they lacked phylogenetic signal and are evolutionarily labile. However, the effect of phylogeny was signific...
This report is part of a four-volume study of Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) economics. This volume describes a computer model of VAWT cost and performance factors useful for system design and optimization. The content and limitations of the model are outlined. Output data are presented to demonstrate selection of optima and to indicate sensitivity of energy cost to design parameter variations. Optimized specifications generated by this model for six point designs are summarized. These designs subsequently receive a detailed economic analysis discussed in Volume IV. An appendix is included with a FORTRAN IV listing of the model and a description of the input/output characteristics.
Without administrative terminologies there is no revenue to manage. The use of healthcare IT to capture the codes for administrative and financial support functions will impact the revenue cycle and the management of it. This is presumed to occur because clinical data coded at the point of care becomes the source for claims data. Thus, as electronic health record system applications utilizing terminologies are implemented, healthcare providers need to systematically consider the effect on the coding function and management of the revenue cycle. A key factor is the sequence of events changes, i.e., instead of a health information management professional selecting billing codes at the conclusion of an encounter based on the review of the record, clinical data generates the claims data via mapping. Efficiencies and management challenges result. PMID:19267004
Material degradation of pressure tubes, which are the most important components in CANDU fuel channel, can only be evaluated by removing and examining them(material surveillance). This study aimed at establishment of overall evaluation technology including the evaluation of the material degradation for the integrity of pressure tubes of Wolsung units. Material tests for pressure tubes were performed as follows; (1) Evaluation on life limiting factors of pressure tubes (2) Review on leak-before-break and integrity maintenance technology of pressure tubes (3) Survey on selection criteria for tubes to be inspected and on related regulations for material surveillance (4) Analysis of material surveillance test procedure (5) Basic examinations of Wolsung unit 1 pressure tube material(TEM, texture, chemical component etc) (6) Manufacture of test equipments and test (DHCV, hydriding, grip and tensile specimen etc). 23 figs, 6 tabs, 59 refs. (Author).
While it is quite obvious that photons have an essential role in photochemical and photocatalytic processes, it is not simple to analyse the radiation process. A simple approach is presented on the assumption that photons can be treated as immaterial reactants. It is then possible to evaluate the radiation process in terms of parameters such as conversion, selectivity and yield, which are common in the conventional reaction engineering, and of an additional parameter, a volume efficiency factor, which accounts for the exploitation of the reaction volume as the result of the inevitable attenuation of the radiation in the transport through the participating medium. Attention has also been focused on the validation of kinetic data when, as it is usually done, they are interpreted in terms of volume averages. Finally, guidelines have been prepared to support preliminary phases of analysis and/or design of a photocatalytic reactor. (author)
In designing automatic water quality monitoring networks for a river basin, determination of measurement locations and items is critical to the effectiveness of the total system. In this paper we studied how to decide these two design factors when a monitoring network is designed for the purpose of water quality surveillance and emergency alarm. For measurement locations, candidate sites are chosen based on the intake amount for water supply and the point sources of contamination. Then, detailed locations are decided according to the contaminant flow distance. As for measurement items, characteristics and the accident history of water pollution in the basin must be taken into account. Considering economic aspects, we proposed a two-stage measurement plan: basic components for all locations and selective ones variable for different locations. Proposed methodology is demonstrated through a case study for Nak-dong River Basin. (author). 10 refs., ...
The lower condition factors for two catfish species in water heated by effluents from APCo's Glen Lyn, Virginia plant as compared to control areas probably is not due to lack of food as evidenced by macroinvertebrate sampling and the fact that only 4.3 percent of the catfish stomachs were empty. Results suggested that young-of-the-year channel catfish were nonselectively eating food organisms present at both control and heated stations. The difference between stomach contents of flatheat catfish from the heated site and fauna available at that site indicated that fish were either moving out of the heated area to feed or were selectively feeding on organisms (particularly mayflies) which were in the substrate or drifted into the heated area. Stomach contents of the two species and distribution and abundance of the macroinvertebrate benthos community are detailed.
New technologies are needed to reduce the current high rate of well abandonment. Improved sweep efficiency, reservoir conformance, and permeability modification can have a significant impact on oil recovery processes. Microorganisms can be used to selectively plug high-permeability zones to improve sweep efficiency and impart conformance control. Studies of a promising microbial system for polymer production were conducted to evaluate reservoir conditions in which this system would be effective. Factors which can affect microbial growth and polymer production include salinity, pH, temperature, divalent ions, presence of residual oil, and rock matrix. Flask tests and coreflooding experiments were conducted to optimize and evaluate the effectiveness of this system. Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI) was used to visualize microbial polymer production in porous media. Changes in fluid distribution within the pore system of the core were ...
Natural circulation experiments carried out in the REWET-III facility in 1985 have been used for RELAP5/MOD2 assessment. The REWET-III facility is a scaled-down model of VVER-440 type reactors. The facility consists of a pressure vessel in which the downcomer is simulated with an external pipe assembly, hot and cold legs with loop seals and a horizontal steam generator. The volume scaling factor compared to the reference reactor is 1:2333. The present paper summarizes the experiences gained in the RELAP5/MOD2 calculations of selected REWET-III single- and two-phase natural circulation experiments. The code's ability to represent the main phenomena of experiments in both cases was satisfactory.
Natural circulation experiments carried out in the REWET-III facility in 1985 have been used for RELAP5/MOD2 assessment. The REWET-III facility is a scaled-down model of VVER-440 type reactors. The facility consists of a pressure vessel in which the downcomer is simulated with an external pipe assembly, hot and cold legs with loop seals and a horizontal steam generator. The volume scaling factor compared to the reference reactor is 1:2333. The present paper summarizes the experiences gained in the RELAP5/MOD2 calculations of selected REWET-III single- and two-phase natural circulation experiments. The code`s ability to represent the main phenomena of experiments in both cases was satisfactory.
Natural circulation experiments carried out in the REWET-III facility in 1985 have been used for RELAP5/MOD2 assessment. The REWET-III facility is a scaled-down model of VVER-440 type reactors. The facility consists of a pressure vessel in which the downcomer is simulated with an external pipe assembly, hot and cold legs with loop seals and a horizontal steam generator. The volume scaling factor compared to the reference reactor is 1:2333. The present paper summarizes the experiences gained in the RELAP5/MOD2 calculations of selected REWET-III single- and two-phase natural circulation experiments. The code's ability to represent the main phenomena of experiments in both cases was satisfactory.
Developing a test standard/protocol for solar box type cookers has drawn a considerable interest among the researchers throughout the world. Recent publications on solar cookers emphasize the need of introducing the thermal performance indicators determined through exergy analysis. In the present paper, the time variation of instantaneous exergy output and energy output as function of its temperature and also of the instantaneous ambient temperature have been reported for truncated pyramid type solar box cooker and compared with those of box type cooker. Further, variations in the exergy lost with temperature difference have been depicted for the selected water temperature range from 60 degreeC to 95 degreeC. Based on this study, quality factor, exergy temperature difference gap product, a...
The aim of this study was the evaluation of contralateral hip fractures after a previous hip fracture. For this retrospective analysis patients were selected from the database of the LUMC, a teaching hospital in the south-west of the Netherlands. We analyzed all patients with a second fracture of a hip between 1992 and 2007. The exclusion criteria were high impact trauma and patients with diseases or medication known to have a negative effect on bone metabolism. A total of 1,604 hip fractures were identified. The possible predictive factors for the second fracture and descriptive statistics related to surgery (Hb and HT before and after the operation, total amount of intra- and postoperative blood loss, type of osteosynthesis, complications, time of death after the last fracture, time betw...
As coal becomes more and more important as a power plant fuel in this time of energy shortage and the combustion of high-sulfur coals that would impair air quality, efforts have been made to devise efficient processes to control sulfur dioxide emission. Besides desulfurization before combustion, flue gas desulfurization is considered the most promising method that could also be applicable to all other fossil fuels. In this article, the flue gas desulfurization processes are briefly reviewed, and processes with highest use and with high potential for future use are compared from technical and economical points of view. In the selection of a desulfurization process, it is very important to consider the capacity of the plant, fuel type and fuel-to-sulfur ratio, availability and price of the reagent to be used, type, price, and market of side products, disposal problems of wastes, and environmental factors.
The experiments show that the fluence threshold of 316L SS irradiated by 1.8 MeV alpha particle is between (0.8655-1.3457) x 10"1"8 #alpha#/cm"2, and the threshold decreases in the 1.5 MeV and 1.0 MeV alpha particle irradiation. For the solid solution samples irradiated by 1.5 MeV alpha particle, the threshold is below 0.5595 x 10"1"8#alpha#/cm"2, and for the 20% cold-worked sample, the threshold is between (0.8595-0.5063) x 10"1"8 #alpha#/cm"2. In 1.0 MeV alpha particle irradiation, the threshold for the solid solution sample and 20% cold-worked sample is between (0.3073-0.1024) x 10"1"8 #alpha#/cm"2 and (0.4108-0.3063) x 10"1"8 #alpha#/cm"2 respectively. The difference of threshold of the two kinds of samples shows that the 20% cold-working can influence the occurrence of blistering
Plerocercoids of the tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides produce a substance that stimulates growth of experimental hosts. We report purification of plerocercoid growth factor (PGF) to homogeneity by a process involving isolation and solubilization of plerocercoid membranes, isoelectric point selection by chromatofocusing chromatography or preparative isoelectric focusing, and anion-exchange chromatography. A radioreceptor assay (RRA) for human growth hormone (hGH) was used to detect PGF and purity of the 27.5-kDa protein was judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Proteolytic activity was detected in the 27.5-kDa protein by gelatin substrate PAGE. Characterization of PGF as a neutral cysteine proteinase was based on substrate and inhibitor specificities and dependence on pH and thiol-containing reagents. The association of hGH agonist and proteinase activities was shown by comparing RRA and hydrolytic ...
The performance of larger than bench scale ion exchange systems is evaluated by using solutions containing trace amounts of "1"3"7Cs, "8"5Kr, and "1"3"1I, and large amounts of either NaCl or Na_2HPO_4, H_3BO_3, and LiOH. The significant finding in this study is that the empirical rules of ionic selectivity of strong acid cation and strong base anion resins were followed by all ionic species, even though concentrations of some macrocomponents were nearly 10"6 times those of trace components. Other results of possible importance are the correlation between the instantaneous decontamination factor (DF) and the efficiency of column exchange capacity utilization, and the concept of time average decontamination factor (anti DF). The plot of anti DF vs. feed throughput will serve as a guide in determining when the feed should be discontinued in order to achieve a desired anti DF. Both of these correlations are derived from the ...
The {sup 176}Ybn,{gamma}{sup 177}Yb-{beta}{sup -}{yields}{sup 177}Lu process was investigated to provide no-carrier-added (nca) {sup 177}Lu. The radiochemical separation of the {sup 177}Lu from the macro-amounts of the ytterbium target based on the cementation process, i.e. the selective extraction of Yb by Na(Hg) amalgam from Cl{sup -}/CH{sub 3}COO{sup -} electrolytes, followed by a final cation exchange purification. The cementation separation process provides a decontamination factor of Yb(III) of 10{sup 4}, the cation exchange purification adding a decontamination factor of >10{sup 2}. The nca {sup 177}Lu is available in radiochemically pure form despite the chemical similarity of the lanthanides with 75{+-}5% overall separation yield within 4-5 h. It can be used to synthesise nca {sup 177}Lu labelled radiotherapeuticals.
The use of electricity is indispensable to modern life. As Macao Special Administrative Region becomes a gaming and tourism center in Asia, modeling the consumption of electricity is critical to Macao's economic development. The purposes of this paper are to conduct an extensive literature review on modeling of electricity consumption, and to identify key climatic, demographic, economic and/or industrial factors that may affect the electricity consumption of a country/city. It was identified that the five factors, namely temperature, population, the number of tourists, hotel room occupancy and days per month, could be used to characterize Macao's monthly electricity consumption. Three selected approaches including multiple regression, artificial neural network (ANN) and wavelet ANN were used to derive mathematical models of the electricity consumption. The accuracy of these models was assessed by using the ...
Therapeutic hypothermia is a promising method for controlling intracranial pressure (ICP) in severely brain-injured patients. However, clinical data regarding the effect of brain hypothermia on overall outcome of these patients is limited. This may be because there are specific pitfalls associated with the clinical management of induced hypothermia in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These pitfalls may be avoided by preventing specific risk factors when cooling is induced and with rewarming. However, these risk factors have not been well systematically discussed in the literature. In this paper, three categories of clinical issues regarding the management of brain hypothermia are discussed: (1) stress-induced secondary brain injury mechanisms; (2) technical aspects of intensive care unit (ICU) cooling management; and (3) rewarming rates and methods. For patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of less than 8, management ...
The study was designed to determine the correlation between parenchymal lesions on MRI and depression. Thirty patients with depression satisfying the following criteria were selected: (1) 60 years or over at the time of MRI scanning, (2) no evidence of cerebrovascular disorder or dementia, and (3) no evidence of neurological findings such as extremity palsy. Seventy six patients with no history of psychiatric visits to a clinic served as controls. There was no significant difference in risk factors for cerebrovascular disorders, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease, between the depressive group and the control group. MRI manifestations were semiquantitatively scored according to the periventricular hyperintensity (PVH), white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and pons hyperintensity (PH). All of the PVH score, WMH score, and cerebral enlargement index correlated with age. Although there was no significant difference in ...
Background: The effective-dose method which was proposed by the ICRP (International Commission of Radiation Protection) for the estimation of risk to the general population from occupational or environmental, low-dose radiation exposure is not adequate for estimating the risk of cancer induction by radiotherapy of malignant or nonmalignant diseases. Methods:The risk of cancer induction by radiotherapy of benign diseases should be based on epidemiologic data directly derived from follow-up studies of patients who had been given radiotherapy for nonmalignant diseases in the past. Results: Risk factors were derived from epidemiologic studies of patients treated with irradiation for nonmalignant diseases to be used for selecting treatment options and optimizing treatment procedures. Conclusion: In most cases, cancer risks estimated by the effective-dose method may overestimate the true risks by one order of magnitude, yet in other cases even may ...
Background: The effective-dose method which was proposed by the ICRP (International Commission of Radiation Protection) for the estimation of risk to the general population from occupational or environmental, low-dose radiation exposure is not adequate for estimating the risk of cancer induction by radiotherapy of malignant or nonmalignant diseases. Methods:The risk of cancer induction by radiotherapy of benign diseases should be based on epidemiologic data directly derived from follow-up studies of patients who had been given radiotherapy for nonmalignant diseases in the past. Results: Risk factors were derived from epidemiologic studies of patients treated with irradiation for nonmalignant diseases to be used for selecting treatment options and optimizing treatment procedures. Conclusion: In most cases, cancer risks estimated by the effective-dose method may overestimate the true risks by one order of magnitude, yet in other cases even may ...
The genetically significant dose (GSD) is an index variable which exclusively allows to describe the genetic risk in the progeny of a population due to the application of ionizing radiation and radioactive substances in one part of this population. It may result in wrong interpretation of population exposure at increasing incidence of examinations in a population involving ionizing radiation and radioactive drugs at simultaneously increasing application of alternative methods in children and adolescents owing to the fact that it indicates a downward trend although somatic exposure of this population has increased. Therefore, it is recommended to state both the GSD and the level of somatic radiation exposure of the population taken from the individual sources for the comparison and assessment of radiation exposure from various sources in future. Although the somatically significant dose constitutes the suitable variable complementary to GSD in thus context, it is recommended to ...
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducted a cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis to estimate the incremental cost of complying with the proposed effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs) for the coastal oil and gas industry (EPA 1995a). EPA`s CE analysis calculates the pounds of each pollutant that would be removed if the chosen discharge option is selected. In 1993, EPA issued final ELGs for the offshore oil and gas industry and published an offshore CE analysis. The chemical characteristics of produced water from the offshore region are essentially the same as those of produced water from the coastal region. It was surprising, therefore, that EPA chose a much longer list of pollutants and generally stricter weighting factors for the coastal CE analysis. This report reviews the data, assumptions, and analyses used in EPA`s coastal CE analysis and identifies alternate data, assumptions, and analyses that could lead to significantly ...
The "2H(#alpha#,p#alpha#)n reaction was investigated in a kinematically complete experiment with a #alpha#-beam at energy 27.2 MeV.The "5He excited state was observed and its parameters were determinate.Coincidence spectra were fitted by contribution of sequential decay through the "5He ground and excited states.The best agreement with the data was obtained assuming the following "5He excited state parameters: E_a_n=2.8 MeV #GAMMA#=2.5 MeV.
Phase transformations occuring during cold deformation in hardened #alpha#+#beta# titanium alloy of the Ti-Al-Mo-Zr-Sn-Si system with 10% summary content of alloying elements are studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. Two stages of trapsformation of metastable #alpha#''-phase are found. A conclusiop is made that ability of the alloy containing #alpha#''-phase to cold deformation is determined by the presence of favourable texture, by high degree of metastability and by volume portion of #alpha#''-phase in the alloy structure.
The neutron transition multipole moment, M/sub n/, for (0"+#->#2"+, 1.84 MeV) transition is inferred by measuring the (#alpha#,#alpha#') angular distribution at E/sub #alpha#/ = 50 MeV and comparing it with a microscopic distorted-wave Born approximation calculation. Proton transition densities are taken from electron scattering data. M/sub n//M/sub p/ is found to be substantially less than N/Z in agreement with the (p,p') result.
In the case of inelastic scattering of alpha particles to the 3"+ state, the averaged angular distributions show a characteristic shape, corresponding to the excitation of such an unnatural parity state by alpha particles in the compound nucleus process. The modified Hauser-Feshbach cross-section calculations give a good description of the averaged distributions for the alpha particle scattering to the 3"+ state and the compound nucleus parameters could be extracted. The calculations of the compounds nucleus contributions to the other states in the case of 24 MeV alpha particle scattering from "2"8Si show that this contribution is not negligible and in the case of the scattering to the 4"+ state seems to be dominant. (Z.M.).
The adsorption properties of four samples of ..cap alpha..-BN were studied by means of gas chromatography. The particles of ..cap alpha..-BN particles, according to data obtained by electron microscopy, have the shape of thin platelets. A sample of ..cap alpha..-BN prepared from magnesium polyboride was found to be the most nearly homogeneous adsorbent. For a number of n-alkanes, benzene, and alkylbenzenes, data have been obtained on the retention volumes (Henry constants) and the differential heats of adsorption for surface coverages approaching zero. These thermodynamic data on the adsorption showed that ..cap alpha..-BN, like graphitized thermal carbon black, is a nonspecific adsorbent.
Both microstructural graded and homogenous single-phase #alpha#-Sialon is obtained from Si_3N_4 powder for a broad range of compositions of practical interest. Elongated grains of #alpha#-Sialon could be developed in the monophase material by controlled mechanism of nucleation and growth. Tailoring of microstructure was realized through slow transformation reaction from Si_3N_4 to #alpha#-Sialon at lower temperature than sintering temperature when the composition is near the #alpha#-Sialon phase boundary. The mechanical properties are strongly correlated with the microstructure and are enhanced greatly in the optimized Sialon composition. (author)
Removal of radioactive ions was studied from low and medium level radioactive waste solutions by electrodialysis using ion exchange membranes. The test solutions contained "1"3"7Cs"+, "1"0"6Ru"3"+ or fission products (F.P.) as active ions and NaCl, Na_2SO_4 or Ca(NO_3)_2 as inactive coexisting salts. The decontamination factor of the active ions was in the order: "1"3"7Cs"+ (greater than 99%) > "9"0Sr"2"+ > F.P. > "1"0"6Ru"3"+. The dialysis time required to attain the saturation was the shortest for monovalent cations K"+, Cs"+ and Na"+, intermediate for divalent cation Sr"2"+, and the longest for trivalent cation Ru"3"+. The ratio of the decontamination factor of an active ion eta sub( a) to the desalination factor of an inactive ion eta sub( b) was nearly equal to unity for "2"4Na, "4"2K, "1"3"7Cs and "9"0Sr. On the other hand, the apparent selective permeability of an active ion (A"+) ...
The "7Be(#alpha#,#gamma#)"1"1C and "7Li(#alpha#,#gamma#)"1"1B reactions are investigated in the three-cluster Generator Coordinate Method. The microscopic wave functions are described from #alpha# and "3He ("3H) clusters, with two coupling modes: #alpha#+"7Be ("7Li) and "3He ("3H)+"8Be. Different internal states of "7Be ("7Li) and "8Be are taken into account. The model is tested on "1"1C and "1"1B spectroscopic properties, which agree fairly well with experiment. We suggest that, in both nuclei, the (3)/(2)"- and (5)/(2)"- states located close to the #alpha#+"7Be ("7Li) threshold, are intruder states. The "7Be(#alpha#,#gamma#)"1"1C and "7Li(#alpha#,#gamma#)"1"1B reaction rates are calculated for temperatures up to 10"9 K. A strong enhancement is found with respect to the reaction rates currently used in astrophysical calculations. ((orig.)).
Let $M$ be a complex manifold of complex dimension $n+k$. We say that the functions $u_1,...s,u_k$ and the vector fields $\\xi_1,...,\\xi_k$ on $M$ form a \\emph{complex gradient system} if $\\xi_1,...,\\xi_k,J\\xi_1,...,J\\xi_k$ are linearly independent at each point $p\\in M$ and generate an integrable distribution of $TM$ of dimension $2k$ and $du_\\alpha(\\xi_\\beta)=0$, $\\d^c\\u_\\alpha(\\xi_\\beta)=\\delta_{\\alpha\\beta}$ for $\\alpha,\\beta=1,...,k$. We prove a Cauchy theorem for such complex gradient systems with initial data along a $\\CR-$submanifold of type $(\\CRdim,\\CRcodim)$. We also give a complete local characterization for the complex gradient systems which are \\emph{holomorphic} and \\emph{abelian}, which means that the vector fields $\\xi_\\alpha^c=\\xi_\\alpha-J\\xi_\\beta$, $\\alpha=1,...,k$ are holomorphic and satisfy ...
Traditionally wafer bumps are made from Pb containing solders. Over 20 years ago IBM recognized that {sup 210}Pb has a decay chain resulting in a 5.4 MeV alpha particle that induces soft errors. A variety of efforts to produce and characterize low alpha Pb ensued. Work at Honeywell over the past several years has shown that low alpha lead activity does not follow the decay signature predicted from {sup 210}Pb secular equilibrium. Data are presented indicating that smelting has a minimal effect on {sup 210}Pb/{sup 210}Po secular equilibrium and that other trace radionuclides are the alpha source. The implications of these data to possible alpha emitter sources in lead free solders are discussed, along with a method developed by Honeywell to remove alpha emitters from lead free solder components.
Nuclear Act of Korea requires the manifest of low and intermediate level radioactive waste generated from nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities prior to deliver to a disposal sites. Individual history records of the radioactive waste should be described the information about the activity of nuclides in the drum, total activity, weight, the type of waste. So a fully automated nuclide analysis assay system(non-destructive) of a radwaste drum was developed. For the nuclides that could not be analysed directly by MCA, the activities of the representative {gamma}-emitters(Cs-137, Co-60) contained in the drum were measured by using that system. Then the scaling factors were used to calculate the activities of {alpha} - and {beta}-emitters. This assay system divided a drum into 8 segments, a segment into 8 sectors to minimize analysis error, and used several methods(transmission ratio, differential peak absorption, mean density ...
The origin of the epithelial and myoepithelial cells in the human breast has not been delineated. In this study we have addressed whether luminal epithelial cells and myoepithelial cells are vertically connected, i.e., whether one is the precursor for the other. We used a primary culture assay allowing preservation of basic phenotypic traits of luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells in culture. The two cell types were then separated immunomagnetically using antibodies directed against lineage-specific cell surface antigens into at best 100% purity. The cellular identity was ascertained by cytochemistry, immunoblotting, and 2-D gel electrophoresis. Luminal epithelial cells were identified by strong expression of cytokeratins 18 and 19 while myoepithelial cells were recognized by expression of vimentin and {alpha}-smooth muscle actin. We used a previously devised culture medium (CDM4) that allows vigorous expansion of proliferative myoepithelial cells and also ...
The sequence segment 181-200 of the Torpedo nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) #alpha#subunit forms a binding site for #alpha#-bungarotoxin (#alpha#-BTX). Synthetic peptides corresponding to the homologous sequences of human, calf, mouse, chicken, frog, and cobra muscle nAChR #alpha#1 subunits were tested for their ability to bind "1"2"5I-#alpha#-BTX, and differences in #alpha#-BTX affinity were determined by using solution (IC_5_0s) and solid-phase (K_ds) assays. Panels of overlapping peptides corresponding to the complete #alpha#1 subunit of mouse and human were also tested for #alpha#-BTX binding, but other sequence segments forming the #alpha#-BTX site were not consistently detectable. The role of a putative vicinal disulfide bound between Cys-192 and -193, relative to the Torpedo sequence, ...
The 177 underground storage tanks at the DOE's Hanford Site contain an estimated 180 million tons of high-level radioactive wastes. It is desirable to remove and concentrate the highly radioactive fraction of the tank wastes for vitrification. Resorcinol-formaldehyde (R-F) resin, an organic ion-exchange resin with high selectivity and capacity for the cesium ion, which is a candidate ion-exchange material for use in remediation of tank wastes. The report includes information on the structure/function analysis of R-F resin and the synthetic factors that affect performance of the resin. CS-100, a commercially available phenol-formaldehyde (P-F) resin, and currently the baseline ion-exchanger for removal of cesium ion at Hanford, is compared with the R-F resin. The primary structural unit of the R-F resin was determined to consist of a 1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted resorcinol ring unit while CS-100, was composed mainly of a 1,2,4-trisubstituted ring. ...
For the construction of underground facilities comprising access tunnels, connecting tunnels, main tunnels and disposal tunnels, a large number of tunnels will be excavated in deep rock formations. These excavations will extend hundreds kilometers in total length. Therefore, special attention must be paid, to transporting large volume of debris, ventilation, emergency escape routes in case of accident, and other factors. In addition, special attention must also paid to potential accidents which might in underground excavations, including unstable facing phenomena (such as collapse and swelling of facing at weak layer sections), spring water flow resulting collapse of rock, gas eruption, and rock burst. While considering these factors to be emphasized during the construction of geological disposal facilities, the investigation reviewed the existing working methods on individual construction technologies of access tunnels, main tunnels, ...
For the construction of underground facilities comprising access tunnels, connecting tunnels, main tunnels and disposal tunnels, a large number of tunnels will be excavated in deep rock formations. These excavations will extend hundreds kilometers in total length. Therefore, special attention must be paid, to transporting large volume of debris, ventilation, emergency escape routes in case of accident, and other factors. In addition, special attention must also paid to potential accidents which might in underground excavations, including unstable facing phenomena (such as collapse and swelling of facing at weak layer sections), spring water flow resulting collapse of rock, gas eruption, and rock burst. While considering these factors to be emphasized during the construction of geological disposal facilities, the investigation reviewed the existing working methods on individual construction technologies of access tunnels, main tunnels, ...
Calcined and sulfided Ni-Mo catalysts supported on ultrastable Y zeolite (USY), NaY zeolite, mordenite, and ZSM-5 were studied by high-resolution electron transmission microscopy (HRTEM) with selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Ni and Mo oxide aggregates were rarely observed in the USY-supported Ni-Mo catalyst, indicating that most of Ni and Mo may be incorporated into USY, e.g., supercavities and possibly sodalite cages. However, there were a large number of {alpha}-NiMoO{sub 4} aggregates of different particle sizes in NaY-, mordenite-, and ZSM-5-supported catalysts, and the mordenite-supported catalyst also contained MoO{sub 3} crystals. The {alpha}-NiMoO{sub 4} may be attached to the surface of substrates as individual particles or needle aggregates, it may be disseminated into mordenite particles, or it may even form an isolated sphere (in Ni-Mo/NaY) or a needle (in ...
The theory of ..cap alpha.. decay in first-order perturbation theory is presented. The theory is designed for a strongly deformed nucleus in an isomeric state which changes its deformation dynamically through decay from a very deformed to an almost spherical shape. It is shown that other channels are not coupled to the ..cap alpha.. channel in first-order perturbation theory. The collective degrees of freedom of the daughter nucleus are described by shape vibrational states, eigenstates of a Hamiltonian whose potential has two minima. The parent nucleus is described by dynamically coupling the vibrational degrees of freedom to the ..cap alpha..-particle motion and also taking rotations into account. The ..cap alpha.. particle is taken to be a point-like particle. The theory is applied to the ..cap alpha.. decay of the isomeric state of /sub 95//sup 242/Am.
An experiment on the K#beta#/K#alpha# characteristic X-ray intensity ratio in silver was performed at VEC Centre, Calcutta using the #alpha#-beams at energies 40 MeV and 50 MeV employing a Si(Li) detector system on-line. The results show that the K#beta#/K#alpha# X-ray intensity ratio at energies 40 and 50 MeV are 0.215 #+-# 0.006 and 0.216 #+-# 0.006, respectively, which indicates no change with beam energy and in accordance with the earlier reports. The present experiment shows the feasibility of studying the K#beta#/K#alpha# ratios as a function of beam energy in different regions of periodic table. Experiments in elements belonging to the 3d shell and their compounds are suggested to look for the chemical effects and their dependence on #alpha#-energy. (author). 7 refs.
A LLX procedure for carrier-free separation of the radioisotopes, {sup 47}Sc, {sup 48}V and {sup 48},{sup 49},{sup 51}Cr, the 40 MeV {alpha}-particle activation products of titanium has been developed. Sequential separations of the radionuclides produced in the titanium matrix through the nuclear reactions ({alpha}, {alpha}p{chi}n), ({alpha}, p{chi}n) and {alpha}, ({chi}n) have been performed through LLX from aqueous H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} and HClO{sub 4} acid media using the liquid cation exchanger, HDEHP, as an extractant. Purity of the carrier-free radiotracers at different stages of their separations has been verified by {gamma}-ray spectrometry. (author).
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 ...
The relative merits and difficlties of the primary and secondry origin hypotheses for the observed cosmic-ray antiprotons, including the new low-energy measurement of Buffington, et al are discussed. We conclude that the cosmic-ray antiproton data may be evidence for antimatter galaxies and baryon symmetric cosmology. The present bar P data are consistent with a primary extragalactic component having /p /equiv 1+/- 3.2/0.7x10 to the -4 independent of energy. We propose that the primary extragalactic cosmic ray antiprotons are most likely from active galaxies and that expected disintegration of bar alpha/alpha ban alpha/alpha. We further predict a value for ban alpha/alpha /equiv 10 to the -5, within range of future cosmic ray detectors.
It has been five years since the last in-depth American College of Nuclear Physicians/Society of Nuclear Medicine Symposium on the subject of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was held. Because this subject was nominated as the single most desired topic we have selected SPECT imaging as the basis for this year's program. The objectives of this symposium are to survey the progress of SPECT clinical applications that have taken place over the last five years and to provide practical and timely guidelines to users of SPECT so that this exciting imaging modality can be fully integrated into the evaluation of pathologic processes. The first half was devoted to a consideration of technical factors important in SPECT acquisition and the second half was devoted to those organ systems about which sufficient clinical SPECT imaging data are available. With respect to the technical aspect of the program we have ...
Experiments are reported in which a methane plasma is created, and the methyl ions and hydrogen ions are accelerated within a microchannel array so that they interact with neutral methane molecules on the inside surfaces of the microchannels. No catalysts are used, and the device operates at room temperature. Impact energies of the ions are in the range of 10 eV to greater than 100 eV, and the energy delivered in the interaction at the surfaces causes the production of larger hydrocarbon molecules, such as C{sub 2}H{sub 2}, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}, and C{sub 2}H{sub 6}, along with C{sub 3}, C{sub 4}, C{sub 5}m C{sub 6}, C{sub 7}m and C{sub 8} molecules. There is a decreasing percentage of larger molecules produced, in comparison with the C{sub 2} and C{sub 3} types. Conversion effectiveness is greater at higher pressure, due to the increased ionic activity. The yield of the higher hydrocarbons depends upon the external voltage used, and voltage can be used as a control parameter to adjust the ...
This report describes the results obtained during Stage 13 of a long-term research and development program concerning the development of diagnostics and monitoring methods for nuclear reactors. A brief proposal for the continuation of this program in Stage 14 is also given at the end of the report. The program executed in Stage 13 consists of three parts and the work performed in each part is summarized below. 1. Study of criticality, neutron kinetics and neutron noise in molten salt reactors (MSR). Although the original goal of the investigations of the MSR in Stage 13 was to calculate the neutron noise induced by the fluctuations of the fuel temperature, the study, solution and interpretation of the static problem, as well as to define an approximate version of the point kinetic approximation was necessary to perform. As it turned out, these tasks in themselves were more involved, and also very edifying, to solve. Hence, in this report, we confine the study of the reactor physics of ...
Artificial neural network analysis is found to be far superior to multiple regression when applied to the evaluation of trap quality in the Northern Kuqa Depression, a gas-rich depression of Tarim Basin in western China. This is because this technique can correlate the complex and non-linear relationship between trap quality and related geological factors, whereas multiple regression can only describe a linear relationship. However, multiple regression can work as an auxiliary tool, as it is suited to high-speed calculations and can indicate the degree of dependence between the trap quality and its related geological factors which artificial neural network analysis cannot. For illustration, we have investigated 30 traps in the Northern Kuqa Depression. For each of the traps, the values of 14 selected geological factors were all known. While geologists were also able to assign individual trap quality ...
Because every cell within the body has the same genetic information, a significant problem in biology is to understand how cells within a tissue express genes selectively. A sophisticated network of physical and biochemical signals converge in a highly orchestrated manner to bring about the exquisite regulation that governs gene expression in diverse tissues. Thus, the ultimate decision of a cell to proliferate, express tissue-specific genes, or apoptose must be a coordinated response to its adhesive, growth factor, and hormonal milieu. The unifying hypothesis examined in this overview is that the unit of function in higher organisms is neither the genome nor the cell alone but the complex, three-dimensional tissue. This is because there are bidirectional connections between the components of the cellular microenvironment (growth factors, hormones, and extracellular matrix) and the nucl2048 These connections are made via ...
Results of an experimental study of the interaction of 140 MeV alpha particles with /sup 90/Zr nuclei resulting in fragmentation of the alpha particle are reported. The experimental observations of the study are analyzed and are found to show that alpha particle breakup reactions leading to at least 4-body final states, composed of two charged alpha particle fragments, contribute significantly to the singles yield of charged fragments observed at a fixed forward angle. The conclusions are based on coincidence measurements where one charged fragment is detected at a small forward angle which remains fixed, while the second charged fragment is detected at a series of coplanar secondary angles. The largest coincidence charged particle yield for the multiparticle final state events results from /sup 90/Zr(..cap alpha..,pp)X reactions, where both of the measured protons have energy ...
Results of an experimental study of the interaction of 140 MeV alpha particles with _9_0Zr nuclei resulting in fragmentation of the alpha particle are reported. The experimental observations of the study are analyzed and are found to show that alpha particle breakup reactions leading to at least 4-body final states, composed of two charged alpha particle fragments, contribute significantly to the singles yield of charged fragments observed at a fixed forward angle. The conclusions are based on coincidence measurements where one charged fragment is detected at a small forward angle which remains fixed, while the second charged fragment is detected at a series of coplanar secondary angles. The largest coincidence charged particle yield for the multiparticle final state events results from _9_0Zr(#alpha#,pp)X reactions, where both of the measured protons have energy distributions ...
The high frequency, 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 ...
The uptake of "2"3"8U and "2"3"2Th in different parts of some selected plants used in traditional treatment of hypertension and diabetes in south-eastern Morocco (Errachidia area) has been studied using two different types of solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) LR-115 type II and CR-39. Plant uptake of radionuclides is one of many vectors for introduction of contaminants into the human food chain. Thus, it is critical to understand soil-plant relationships that control nuclide bioavailability. Soil concentrations of uranium ranged from 6.10 to 11.62 ppm, with a mean of 7.90 ppm. Soil concentrations of thorium ranged from 2.70 to 4.80 ppm, with a mean of 3.41 ppm. Mean uranium specific activities were 8.38 Bq kg"-"1 in root tissue, 5 Bq kg"-"1 in stem tissue and 6.02 Bq kg"-"1 in leaf tissue. Mean thorium specific activities were 2.53 Bq kg"-"1 in root tissue, 1.64 Bq kg"-"1 in stem tissue and 1.96 Bq kg"-"1 in leaf tissue. The transfer ...
Nuclear fuel vendors in Japan are now studying reprocessed uranium (RepU) fuel in order to prepare for full scale utilization in the future. Separate studies are made for PWR and BWR fuel. The study consists of 2 phrases. The purposes of phase-1 are to understand various RepU characteristics in the fuel fabrication process, to analyze the core characteristics by loading RepU assemblies, to solve the problems clarified in the study, and to collect basic data for licensing. In phase-2, the effects of impurities on the fabrication process will be evaluated, and the safety of RepU fuel manufacturing will be confirmed with a RepU fuel fabrication campaign in 1990. The neutronic data will be collected after insertion into power reactors, and the data will be used to verify plant safety for full utilization of RepU in the future. This paper summarizes the phase-1 study results. 1. RepU Characteristics. The internal and external radiation exposures due to nuclide impurities in RepU, were ...
Objective: To explore the feasibility of real-time monitoring exposure dose and image quality by using the data stored in the DICOM image archive of direct digital radiography system. Methods: Model TO. 16 was exposed, the current increased gradually from 0.5 to 125 mAs. The displayed number of model A( diameter 11.1 mm), D (diameter 4.0 mm) and J( diameter 0.7 mm) were recorded, and the detect factors (H_T) was also calculated. Images were sent to workstation before the end of DR examination. An automatic procedure was implemented to extract dose data and exposure parameters from the DICOM header file. Maximum, minimum and 3rd quartile values were preinstalled. Mean values exceeding the threshold trigger alarm signal to guide radiologist to explore the cause. Results: When the current of point A was less than 10 mAs and the current of point D and J were less than 16 mAs, the detect factor (H_T) increased with the rise of current. While point A ...
Gastrointestinal lymphomas are almost exclusively of a non Hodgkin's type. The Western form is characterized by a higher incidence of stomach location (50 %), a MALT type (mucosa associated lymphoid tissue) (40 %), a B-cell type (90 %), and a high grade (55 %). Chronic infection with Helicobacter pylori is an important risk factor. Mediterranean lymphomas form a particular clinical and pathological entity with diffuse involvement of the small bowel and are frequently being associated with a chronic malabsorption disorder. Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in early lymphomas, and the use of tetracyclines in early Mediterranean lymphomas, have been shown to induce durable remissions. For more advanced gastric lymphomas, treatment usually consists of anthracycline-based chemotherapy followed by involved field radiotherapy. Surgery is usually reserved for complications such as perforation or bleeding, or in some selected cases for salvage after ...
Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) treated with modern radiotherapy techniques with MRI along with optimal chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: The records of all 60 patients with ESFT who received radiation to the primary site between 1990 and 2004 were reviewed. All patients received chemotherapy, including vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, and etoposide. Radiation was used as the sole modality for local control in 31 patients and was given either before (n = 3) or after surgical resection (n = 26) in the remainder. All patients had MRI and CT scan-based treatment planning, and 43% received intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Radiation doses ranged from 30 Gy to 60 Gy (median, 51 Gy), and 35% received hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Results: Median age was 16 years (range, 2-40 years). Because of selection bias for radiotherapy, the majority of primary tumors were centrally located ...
The object of this paper is to identify the key elements that impact a radiation dose at EAB (Exclusion Area Boundary). This study is based on the AST (Alternative Source Terms) as defined in Regulatory Guide 1.183. The LOCA (Loss of Coolant Accident) and the LRA (Locked Rotor Accident) are selected as limiting cases. A sensitivity analysis of accidental behavior with respect to various parameters during LOCA and LRA at Kori Unit 1 is also undertaken for the following objectives: to determine the limiting parameters, to find the impact trend of the radiation dose, and to find the safety margin between AST and TID (Technical Information Document) methodologies. This work confirms that key parameters are particulate removal rate, decontamination factor, iodine chemical form, gap fraction, partitioning factor, and the impact of isotopes group. Comparing TID with AST, the radiation dose of TID is about 80% greater than that of ...
Angiokeratoma corporis diffusum with glycopeptiduria is a recently recognized inborn error of glycoprotein catabolism resulting from the deficient activity of human alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (E.C....Full Text Available
Treatment of male rat pups from five to 34 days of age with dihydrotestosterone or 5 alpha-androstane-3 alpha, 17 beta-diol, resulted in reduced testicular size at 35 days of age. This appeared to be...Full Text Available
N alpha-Acetylenkephalin carboxypeptidase was co-purified with N-acetyltyrosine deacetylase from monkey kidney. Almost 90% of the activity from the homogenate was recovered in a high-speed supernatant...Full Text Available
Serum protein and lipid concentrations as well as the serum protein binding of propranolol, diazepam and phenytoin were measured in normal weight and obese volunteers. Concentrations of alpha 1-acid...Full Text Available
alpha-actinins are actin microfilament crosslinking proteins. Vertebrate actinins fall into two classes: the broadly-expressed actinins 1 and 4 (actn1 and actn4)...Full Text Available
A total of 262 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from the mammary gland of dairy cows were examined for the production of alpha-hemolysin. Strains were cultured in a liquid medium of casein...Full Text Available
Probabilistic sensitivities using the score function method are developed for a lifing analysis of an alpha + beta titanium alloy in a round bar under axial fatigue load. Sensitivities with respect to the statistical inputs of the crack initiation size (a...
Optimization of radiation shielding for a medium energy accelerator with 60 MeV alpha ions is carried out using the cost-benefit approach. Cost optimum shield thicknesses are estimated for different operating conditions of the accelerator. (author). 5 refs, 1 tab.
Since a large body of data has suggested a significant role for alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in the regulation of the immune response at a number of levels, we examined the possibility of a specific receptor...Full Text Available
Dysprosium #alpha#-sialon ceramic has been fabricated from #alpha#-Si_3N_4, AlN, Al_2O_3 and Dy_2O_3 starting powders, using gas pressure sintering at 1800 deg C or higher temperatures under a relatively low gas pressure of 0.9MPa N_2. The resultant #alpha#-sialon grains showed significantly different features, such as equiaxed, elongated, and even a few extraordinarily large with high aspect ratio grains in the fine matrix, which has rarely been observed in #alpha#' ceramics. It is suggested that the temperature strongly influences the grain morphologies of #alpha#-sialon, playing an important role particularly in the latter stage of the 'nucleation-growth' process. Such a microstructural morphology of mixed with equiaxed and elongated grains toughens the #alpha#-sialon ceramics and leaves them still hard. Overly high temperature treatment leads to the ...
Synthesis genes encoding the human #alpha#- and #beta#-globin polypeptides have been expressed from a single operon in Escherichia coli. The #alpha#- and #beta#-globin polypeptides associate into soluble tetramers, incorporate heme, and accumulate to >5% of the total cellular protein. Purified recombinant hemoglobin has the correct stoichiometry of #alpha#- and #beta#-globin chains and contains a full complement of heme. Each globin chain also contains an additional methionine as an extension to the amino terminus. The recombinant hemoglobin has a C_4 reversed-phase HPLC profile essentially identical to that of human hemoglobin A_0 and comigrates with hemoglobin A_0 on SDS/PAGE. The visible spectrum and oxygen affinity are similar to that of native human hemoglobin A_0. The authors have also expressed the #alpha#- and #beta#-globin genes separately and found that the expression of the ...
Experimental, relative intensities for the components of L X-ray were collected from literature, and atomic-number dependency of L#beta#/L#alpha# has been found. (author).
The in vitro antibacterial activities of the newly developed 7 alpha-methoxy cephalosporins and 7 beta-methoxyiminoacetamido cephalosporins against 67 clinical isolates of Bacteroides fragilis and their...Full Text Available
Several investigations suggested abnormalities in circadian rhythms are related to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including drug addiction. Recently, orphan nuclear receptor rev-erb alpha...Full Text Available
In nuclear fuel with a burn-up of 33 kg/t U and 52 kg/t U 15 transuranium nuclides /sup 237/Np to /sup 246/Cm have been determined by alpha and gamma spectroscopy after radiochemical separation.
Alpha-hemoglobin-stabilizing protein (AHSP) is an erythroid-specific protein that acts as a molecular chaperone for the free α chains of hemoglobin. Evidence strongly suggests...Full Text Available
Artificial selection and experimental evolution document natural selection under controlled conditions. Collectively, these techniques are continuing to provide fresh and important insights into the...Full Text Available
Multi-cation #alpha#-Sialon ceramics were prepared using mixtures of samarium with calcium, magnesium, yttrium and ytterbium, and compared with a pure Sm-Sialon of equivalent total stabilising cation composition. A ratio of 80eq% samarium to 20eq% of the second stabilising additive was used. Samples were fired at 1820 deg C and subsequently heat treated at 1450 deg C. XRD phase analysis showed that all additives resulted in greater #alpha#-Sialon stability, and that calcium was the most effective additive for the stabilisation of the #alpha#-Sialon phase. Copyright (1998) Australasian Ceramic Society
At the RIKEN-RAL Muon Facility, {mu}{sup -} to {alpha} sticking K{sub {beta}} X-rays were observed for the first time taking advantage of the pulsed beam structure. The precision of the present measurements was insufficient to distinguish between theoretical models, however the observed K{sub {beta}}/K{sub {alpha}} X-ray intensity ratio tends to be smaller than most of these theoretical predictions.
Alpha particle confinement is necessary for ignition of a D-T tokamak fusion plasma and for first wall protection. Due to high radiation backgrounds and temperatures, scintillators and semiconductor detectors may not be used to study alpha particles which are lost to the first wall during the D-T programs on JET and ITER. An alternative method of charged particle spectrometry capable of operation in these harsh environments, is proposed: it consists of thin foils of electrically isolated conductors with the flux of alpha particles determined by the positive current flowing from the foils. 2 refs., 3 figs.
Nucleosynthesis and energy production in stellar environments depend critically on nuclear reaction cross sections. Reactions induced by alpha particles are important in the helium burning stage of stars, novae, and supernovae events. They involve light to medium weight nuclei up to about Z=32, and center-of-mass energies up to about 20 MeV. We are working on a project to compile and evaluate cross section data for alpha-induced reactions. These data will eventually be used to derive #alpha#-nucleus potential parameters. (author)
The possibilities, advantages, and difficulties of determining nuclear matter densities by elastic scattering of alpha-particles are generally discussed. On the basis of particular experimental data - 104 MeV alpha-particle scattering from "4"0,"4"2,"4"4,"4"8Ca - a refined folded potential is introduced using a density-dependent alpha-nucleon-interaction and target nucleus densities described by Fourier-Bessel-series. Thereby, the total nucleon densities of these isotopes were determined with little model dependence. The resulting root-mean-square radii and density differences are compared with other experimental results obtained by different methods. (orig.).
The TTT diagrams describing the beta to alpha isothermal transformation have been made by isothermal dilatometry for pure uranium and 21 alloys based on chromium, silicon, molybdenum, iron, aluminium, zirconium. The thermal cycle preceeding the isothermal...
The influence of structure on mechanical properties in the course of tensile tests in a wide range of temperatures was studied, using the VT16 structure thermally strengthened (alpha+beta)-titanium alloy by way of example. It is ascertained that transition from ductile to brittle fracture at the temperature of -196 deg C is observed only in coarse-grain alloy having alpha-eldging of beta grains.
Immobilization of long-lived fission products (LLFP) such as radioactive Tc, Cs and Sr into #alpha#-SiAlON ceramics was evaluated using stable isotopes instead of radioactive isotopes, and the applicability of #alpha#-SiAlON ceramics as the inert matrix for transmutation of LLFP was investigated. In the case of single addition of SrO, SrCO_3, Cs_2CO_3 or ReO_2 to the starting materials, #alpha#-SiAlON, single phase was not formed after hot-pressing. When Y_2O_3 was added with SrO, SrCO_3 or Cs_2CO_3 to the starting materials (#alpha#-Si_3N_4, AlN and #alpha#-Al_2O_3) in optimum compositions, #alpha#-SiAlON single phase was obtained after hot-pressing at 1700degC or 1800degC. From the EDS analysis, Sr and Y were detected from grains. It is suggested that Y would assist the expansion of interstices of #alpha#-SiAlON lattice, resulting in the ...
China operates 10 nuclear power reactors and has 5 more under construction. A large extension of nuclear power is expected by 2020. Nuclear generated electricity accounts for 2% of the total electric power generation. The Chinese policy is to have spent fuel reprocessed in China. So, final disposal include vitrified waste and some CANDU spent fuel for direct disposal. There is a legal framework in place in China to manage HLW. The China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) has the responsibility for setting policy on HLW disposal and implementing the disposal programme, while the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) and the State Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are the regulatory bodies, which are responsible for licensing and reviewing of environment impact assessment report. The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) is considered to be the actual implementer, conducting the major activities for HLW management. In the 1980's, China started generic research and development ...
Tumor-targeted monoclonal antibodies (mAb) might be useful as diagnostic or therapeutic agents when linked to cytotoxic or imaging reagents. Our group is working to test this hypothesis by linking cytocidal and image-producing isotopes to mAb and testing the utility of the radioimmunoconjugates formed in animal model systems. Radioiodines were first employed for these purposes,but unfavorable nuclear properties (half-lives, #gamma#-ray and #beta#-particle energies) and chemical reactivity (deiodination in vivo) limit their utility. Labeling immunoproteins with metallic radionuclides offers more versatility in that the selection of potentially useful radiometals spans the periodic table.Of the metallic radionuclides with physical properties most suited for use with mAb in nuclear medicine, few are more available or desirable than those of bismuth ("2"1"2Bi) and lead ("2"0"3Pb, "2"1"2Pb), as listed in Table 1. "2"1"2Bi or "2"1"2Pb could serve as sources for highly ...
An extensive series of pulse height measurements have been performed in partially depleted Si surface barrier detectors, using various heavy ions (Li, B, C, O, Al and Cl), at energies between 5 and 70 MeV. After correcting for the small energy loss of the incident ions in traversing the gold surface barrier layer of the detector and for the residual nuclear stopping, the resulting pulse heights per MeV for the various heavy ions were found to be up to 2.5% larger than for the {sup 241}Am (5.486 MeV) alpha particle. This increase, although significant, is smaller than had been anticipated from an extrapolation of the earlier study of H, He and Li pulse heights by Lennard et al.. A new method of analysis of pulse height data, which significantly reduces the uncertainties associated with the dead layer energy loss and nuclear stopping corrections, was used in order to determine directly the variation of the average energy for electron-hole pair creation with ...
Four trypsin inhibitor homologs, the first known from Dendroaspis angusticeps venom, were characterized using a combination of gel filtration, cation exchange, reverse-phase liquid chromatography, Edman degradation and mass spectrometry. The four toxins comprise two 57 residue and two 59 residue isoforms. The long toxins possess a Lys-Gln N-terminal extension lacked by the short toxins. The only other structural difference is an Arg/His replacement at position 55. The long Arg55 variant is identical to trypsin inhibitor E from the venom of Dendroaspis polylepis. The name epsilon-dendrotoxin is suggested so as to follow the nomenclature of Benishin, C.G., Sorensen, R.G., Brown, W.E., Krueger, B.K., Blaustein, M.P., 1988. Four polypeptide components of green mamba venom selectively block certain potassium channels in rat brain synaptosomes. Mol. Pharmacol. 34, 152-159. Among snake venom protease inhibitors, the epsilon-dendrotoxins are structurally most like the ...
We investigate the sky distribution of z ~ 6 Lyman break galaxies selected as i'-dropouts having i' - z' > 1.45 down to z' < 26.5 in the Subaru Deep Field (SDF). We discover 37 i'-dropouts clustered in a projected comoving 21.6 x 21.6 Mpc^2 region at z = 6, showing a local density excess. Carrying out follow-up spectroscopy, we identify four of them as Lyman-alpha emitters at z = 5.92, 6.01, 6.03 and 6.03 (spread over a distance of 46.6 Mpc). The number density of the cluster itself in SDF is ~ 2.2 x 10^{-7} Mpc^{-3}, smaller than those of protoclusters (i.e., forming galaxy clusters) at z ~ 2-5.7. Also, the structure shows ~4-21 times larger galaxy number density than those of z ~ 6 galaxies in a general field. It has a mass of M ~ 1.5^{+1.8}_{-0.5} x 10^{15}M_sun, comparable to those of z ~ 0-5 protoclusters. Since the contamination of our sample by interlopers is estimated to be quite low, 5.9%, most of the other unconfirmed ...
This study was designed to evaluate the influence of inhalational agents on the intestinal circulation in an isolated loop preparation. Sixty dogs were studied, using three intestinal segments from each dog. Selected intestinal segments were pumped with aortic blood at a constant pressure of 100 mmHg. A mixture of /sub 86/Rb and 9-microns spheres labeled with /sup 141/Ce was injected into the arterial cannula supplying the intestinal loop, while mesenteric venous blood was collected for activity counting. A very strong and significant correlation was found between rubidium clearance and microsphere entrapment (r = 0.97, P less than 0.0001). Nitrous oxide anesthesia was accompanied by a higher vascular resistance (VR), lower flow (F), rubidium clearance (Cl-Rb), and microspheres entrapment (Cl-Sph) than pentobarbital anesthesia, indicating that the vascular bed in the intestinal segment was constricted and flow (total and nutritive) decreased. Halothane, enflurane, ...
This study was designed to evaluate the influence of inhalational agents on the intestinal circulation in an isolated loop preparation. Sixty dogs were studied, using three intestinal segments from each dog. Selected intestinal segments were pumped with aortic blood at a constant pressure of 100 mmHg. A mixture of _8_6Rb and 9-microns spheres labeled with "1"4"1Ce was injected into the arterial cannula supplying the intestinal loop, while mesenteric venous blood was collected for activity counting. A very strong and significant correlation was found between rubidium clearance and microsphere entrapment (r = 0.97, P less than 0.0001). Nitrous oxide anesthesia was accompanied by a higher vascular resistance (VR), lower flow (F), rubidium clearance (Cl-Rb), and microspheres entrapment (Cl-Sph) than pentobarbital anesthesia, indicating that the vascular bed in the intestinal segment was constricted and flow (total and nutritive) decreased. Halothane, enflurane, and ...
Candoxin (PDB #1JGK), a three-finger neurotoxin from Bungarus candidus venom, inhibits post-synaptic neuromuscular and neuronal alpha7nACh-receptors, and induces delayed cell-death throughout the glial population. When applied to cultured human glial cell lines, candoxin (CDX) induced cell death in a concentration (EC(50) approximately 1muM) and time dependent manner. Results of TUNEL-histochemistry further confirm CDX-induced brain (hippocampus, frontal cortex, and temporal regions) damage when administered intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v) in adult mice. In this study, we explored differential gene expression profiles following exposure of human glial (Hs 683) cell lines to CDX at various time intervals using Affymetrix-GeneChips. By means of MAS and GeneSpring analyses, 105 genes whose expression was significantly (P<0.01) altered by at least 3-fold were selected. Results of the genome analysis reveal that the potential role of CDX at ...
The object and the purpose of the present work was to develop, to assemble and to start running a new TOF (time of flight) mass spectrometer for imaging SNMS analytic which is optimized for the analysis of highly molecular secondary ions. The most important purpose was the characterization of the TOF mass spectrometer. The obtained mass spectra of indium, tantalum and silver clusters reflect the excellent properties of the TOF mass spectrometer for the detection of large clusters with good detection efficiency up to masses of 16000 amu. The possibility of the deflection of selected saturated atom and cluster peaks serves for further improvement of the detection efficiency for large molecules. The accessible mass resolution was determined to be of the order of m/{delta}m=1000 in the high mass region. Numerous measurements were carried out to characterize the useful yield of this spectrometer. For a best possible adaptation of the TOF mass spectrometer for the ...
Subcritical experiments using californium source-driven noise analysis (CSDNA) and Feynman variance-to-mean methods were performed with an alpha-phase plutonium sphere reflected by nickel shells, up to a maximum thickness of 7.62 cm. Both methods provide means of determining the subcritical multiplication of a system containing nuclear material. A benchmark analysis of the experiments was performed for inclusion in the 2010 edition of the International Handbook of Evaluated Criticality Safety Benchmark Experiments. Benchmark models have been developed that represent these subcritical experiments. An analysis of the computed eigenvalues and the uncertainty in the experiment and methods was performed. The eigenvalues computed using the CSDNA method were very close to those calculated using MCNP5; however, computed eigenvalues are used in the analysis of the CSDNA method. Independent calculations using KENO-VI provided similar eigenvalues to those determined using the ...
Applying a total energy absorption {gamma}-ray detector composed of 12 bricks (5x5 cm{sup 2}, 7.5 cm thick) of Bi{sub 4}Ge{sub 3}O{sub 12}(BGO) scintillators, the absolute measurement of capture cross sections for Au and Sb has been made in an energy region between 0.01 eV and 10 eV using the linac time-of-flight method. Incident thermal neutron flux was absolutely determined by using the BGO detection system with a Sm sample. To extend the neutron flux measurement from the thermal neutron region to higher neutron energy, the {sup 10}B(n, {alpha} {gamma}) reaction was applied. Absolute capture yield for the relevant capture sample was obtained by the saturated capture yield at a large resonance of the sample. Gold was selected to investigate the application of the BGO detection system to the absolute measurement of the capture cross sections, since the {sup 197}Au(n, {gamma}){sup 198}Au reaction cross section is a well known standard one. The ...
We develop the formalism of a unified semi-microscopic description of low-energy proton and {alpha}-particle interaction with nuclei. We analyze elastic and inelastic proton scattering at the energy 25.05 MeV and {alpha}-particle scattering at the energy 104 MeV by the {sup 90}Zr nucleus. Information is obtained on differences in the deformation of the proton and neutron distributions. We study the energy dependence of the semi-microscopic {alpha}-particle potential including the energy dependence of the potential geometry.'' We analyze the change in angular distributions of elastically scattered {alpha} particles with increase of energy and the contribution to the scattering cross section from nucleon-nucleon correlations.
The neutron transition multipole moment, M/sub n/, for (0/sup +/..-->..2/sup +/, 1.84 MeV) transition is inferred by measuring the (..cap alpha..,..cap alpha..') angular distribution at E/sub ..cap alpha../ = 50 MeV and comparing it with a microscopic distorted-wave Born approximation calculation. Proton transition densities are taken from electron scattering data. M/sub n//M/sub p/ is found to be substantially less than N/Z in agreement with the (p,p') result.
Proton and alpha decay from the giant resonance region of {sup 28}Si excited with a 129 MeV alpha particle beam has been measured in coincidence with inelastic alpha particles detected at 0{degree}. The angular correlation data show the presence of decay from both {ital E}0 and {ital E}2 giant resonances. The {ital E}0 giant resonance decays primarily through the {alpha}{sub 0}, {alpha}{sub 1}, {ital p}{sub 0}, and {ital p}{sub 1,2} channels with the branching ratios 18{plus minus}6 %, 24{plus minus}8 %, 23{plus minus}9 %, and 18{plus minus}8 %, respectively. Substantial direct decay is observed.
Comparisons of calculated neutron yield distributions from #alpha#-particle induced reactions on thick targets are made with measured data to analyze the initial reaction process in the framework of the exciton (hybrid) model code ALICE91 (M. Blann, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Report UCID 19614, 1982). We have considered two reaction mechanisms: dissolution of the #alpha# in the nuclear field, and preequilibrium processes initiated by #alpha#-nucleon collisions. Both these processes seem to contribute to the emitted neutron spectra in varying proportions depending on the incident #alpha# energy and possibly on the target nucleus. Contributions from other processes appear to be non-negligible.
Differential cross sections of the (#alpha#, t) reactions on "4"5Sc, "5"1V, and "5"9Co nuclei are measured in the 10-71 deg, 10-155 deg, and 10-171 deg angular ranges, respectively, with 27.2 MeV alpha particles. The cross sections have also been calculated on the basis of the distorted wave theory. The possibility of an unambiguous choice of the optical potential for alpha particles is discussed. The angular distribution calculations using several combinations of the optical potentials in the inlet and outlet channels of the reactions show that consistence between the calculations and the measurements is achieved (especially in angular range, less than 90 deg, if one of the potentials is chosen to be a sufficiently deep one.
..cap alpha..-2 adrenergic agents have been shown to influence blood pressure, heart rate and other physiological and behavioral functions through interactions with adrenergic pathways within the central nervous system. Pharmacologically relevant ..cap alpha..-1 adrenergic receptors were biochemically characterized and radiohistochemically analyzed in intact tissue sections of the rat and human central nervous system. The anatomical distribution of the ..cap alpha..-2 receptors, labeled with the agonist (/sup 3/H)para-aminoclonidine, verified the concept that ..cap alpha..-2 receptors are closely associated with adrenergic nerve terminals and that ..cap alpha..-2 agents can influence autonomic and endocrine function through an action in the central nervous system. Since ..cap alpha..-2 agonists can influence sympathetic outflow, ..cap ...
"2"7Al and "2"9Si solid-state NMR spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were obtained for #alpha#-SiAlON powders prepared by combustion synthesis, according to which the phase transformation and structure evolution of #alpha#-SiAlON were studied. It was found that in #alpha#-SiAlON "2"9Si chemical shift values (-48 < #delta# _S_i < -47) were close to those in #beta#-Si_3N_4 and #alpha#-Si_3N_4, indicating that Si atoms kept SiN_4 coordination to a large extent in #alpha#-SiAlON despite the presence of O atoms. Dissimilarly, "2"7Al chemical shift values in #alpha#-SiAlON deviated clearly from that corresponding to AlN_4 coordination (#delta# _A_l #approx# 112) and occurred in a range from #delta# _A_l 95.5 to 99.9, which should be assigned to tetrahedral AlO _xN_4_-_x (0 #<=# x #<=# 4) coordination. The broadening effect of AlO _xN_4_-_x peaks ...
Abstract: Snake venom contains a number of small proteins,enzymes and other components,which displays a broad spectrum of biological activities. With the ability of specifically binding on acetylcholine acceptor, alpha-bungarotoxins are not only useful molecular probes in investigating the mechanism of neural signal transmission, but also potential pharmic preparations for neural disease treatment. In current research,cDNAs of Bungarus multicinutus venom gland were synthesized using SMART cDNA amplification kit and then, alpha-bungarotoxin genes were cloned and sequenced. Total of 20 clones were sequenced representing 14 isotoxin mRNAs of alpha-bungarotoxins. Among those clones, a novel isotoxin gene was subcloned into two expression plasmids, alpha-BgTX/pQE30a and alpha-BgTX/pGEX-4T-1, and transformed into E. coli. After inducing with IPTG, fused protein of ...
The possibility of having Sr as an interstitial metal cation in #alpha#-SiAlON has been investigated in two systems: a single-cation system (Si_3N_4-SrO-AlN) and a multication system (Si_3N_4-(Y_2O_3/SrO/CaO)-AlN). It was found that Sr alone does not form #alpha#-SiAlON and that Sr could only be accommodated in #alpha#-SiAlON in conjunction with Y and Ca. The Sr content of #alpha#-SiAlON increased as the total content of (Y + Ca) increased and appeared to reach a limit at 0.5 at.%, or 0.15 atom per #alpha#-SiAlON. Unexpectedly, some of the #alpha#-SiAlON that contained (Sr + Y + Ca) was present as laths or fibers with the c-axis perpendicular to the hot-press direction.
The densification of #alpha#"1-and #alpha#"+#beta#"1-sialon ceramics has been studied by means of in situ dilatometry. It is seen that the densification is greatly affected by the reaction sequences and the grain growth. The formation and densification of sialons start simultaneously as the dissolution of nitrides into the oxide eutectic liquid phase occurs. The formation of sialons is complete at 1800 deg C., while full densification can only be obtained by using gas pressure sintering. The typical microstructure of both #alpha#"'-and mixed #alpha#'+#beta#'-sialon ceramics consists of a crystalline phase of sialons and a small fraction of amorphous phase at grain boundaries. Vickers hardness (HV0.5) was measured by using the indentation technique, and the biaxial bending strength (#sigma#_b_i) was determined with the 'ball-on-ring' test. Fracture toughness was determined by using both the indentation ...
Rare earth stabilised #alpha#-SiAlONs are commonly observed with an equiaxed grain morphology. Elongated #alpha#-SiAlON has been observed in some of these systems, however it usually results from special techniques such as pressure sintering. The formation of elongated #alpha#-SiAlON grains during pressureless sintering has been shown to commonly occur in the Ca #alpha#-SiAlON system. Examination of phase and microstructural development in three Ca #alpha#-SiAlON compositions in the temperature range 1400 deg to 1800 deg C showed that phase development and grain growth occurred at different temperatures. It was found that chemical reactions were completed by 1550 deg C, however significant grain growth did not occur at this temperature. Grain growth progressed from 1600 deg C and continued up to 1800 deg C, the maximum temperature investigated. At 1800 deg C, ...
Obtained experimental data on integral cross sections (ICS) of inelastic scattering of 50.5 MeV #alpha# particles with the excitation of "6","7Li, "9Be, "1"2","1"3C, "1"4C, "1"4N, "2"0Ne, "2"4Mg, "2"8Si nucleus low-lying energy levels are discussed. Regularities, detected in the behaviour of ICS forward scattering for 20-90 deg angles and backscattering for 90-160 deg angles for the target-nucleus under investigation are considered. Effect of reaction open channel number on #alpha#-particle scattering ICS where n,p,d- and #alpha#-channels were considered as the main channels for all the target-nuclei, is discussed. Dependence of #alpha#-particle scattering ICS on the target-nucleus level excitation energy and dependences of reaction open channel number on the channel spin, calculated for 50.5 MeV #alpha# particles and different target nuclei are shown in the diagrams. It is noted ...
The development of tough #alpha#-SiAlON with elongated grains in the last five years is summarized. This progress has been guided by the improved understanding of phase relations and nucleation/growth kinetics in SiAlON ceramics. Although most #alpha#-SiAlON compositions can be processed to contain some elongated grains, their microstructure, fracture toughness and R-curve behavior vary greatly. Such variability is due to the different phase stability of #alpha#-SiAlONs and the varying physical chemistry of the competing phases, including the transient/residual liquid. For this reason, microstructure control of #alpha#-SiAlON must pay close attention to the composition, starting powder and heating schedule. Seeding with single crystals of an appropriate #alpha#-SiAlON composition provides an attractive alternative that simplifies the task of microstructure control, since such seeds ...
Estuaries and coastal regions are highly variable in the physical and hydrographic conditions. As a result of heavy urbanization and industrialization of the head waters of most estuaries, there are substantial localized inputs of contaminants to the estuary. These factors combined with the flushing characteristics of individual estuaries to create relatively unique features that result in variation in the typical levels of trace metals for these systems. This makes intercomparison of the estuaries difficult. Comparability among estuaries becomes even more difficult when metals analyses are conducted without proper control of field and laboratory contamination, now firmly established in the trace metal analytical literature as a prerequisite for reliable marine trace metals analysis. This paper compares the concentrations of selected trace metal (Ag, Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) concentrations in the waters of several major estuaries of the United ...
Purpose: To assess the prevalence, significance and practical value of two recently described CT signs of instable aneurysm: the crescent sign and the periluminal halo (a low-attenuating internal layer of the thrombus around the patent lumen). Material and methods: Among the CT examination performed in the last 5 years, they retrospectively selected the nonruptured aneurysms with a diameter exceeding 4 cm (no. = 93 average diameter 5.1 cm, unenhanced images in 28 cases and enhanced in 84) and the ruptured aneurysms (no. = 16, average diameter 6.7 cm, unenhanced images in 9 cases and enhanced in 9). They studied the prevalence of the crescent and halo sing, their relationship with the aneurysm diameter, and the effect of contrast enhancement. Results: The crescent sign was identified with a statistically significant prevalence in ruptured ( 37.5 % or cases) over asymptomatic aneurysms (5.5 %); the halo had the same frequency in the 2 groups (12.5 % and 9.5 %). Both ...
We study the redshift evolution of galaxy pair fractions and merger rates for different types of galaxies using kinematic pairs selected from the DEEP2 Redshift Survey. Parameterizing the evolution of the pair fraction as (1+z)^{m}, we find that the companion rate increases mildly with redshift with m = 0.41+-0.20 for all galaxies with -21 < M_B^{e} < -19. Blue galaxies show slightly faster evolution in the blue companion rate with m = 1.27+-0.35 while red galaxies have had fewer red companions in the past as evidenced by the negative slope m = -0.92+-0.59. We find that at low redshift the pair fraction within the red sequence exceeds that of the blue cloud, indicating a higher merger probability among red galaxies compared to that among the blue galaxies. With further assumptions on the merger time scale and the fraction of pairs that will merge, the galaxy major merger rates for 0.1 < z <1.2 are estimated to be ~10^{-3}h^{3}Mpc^{-3}Gyr^{-1} with a ...
Intracranial atherosclerosis is a major cause of ischemic stroke, and depending on the studied population, it accounts for 8%-15% of all strokes that are due to cerebral atherosclerosis. The prognosis of patients with symptomatic intracranial stenoses seems to depend on the location and extent of intracranial atherosclerosis. Currently, the primary treatment in intracranial atherosclerosis is the control of vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and smoking. Secondary prevention with antiplatelet therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of subsequent vascular events in patients who have suffered a recent ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Unfortunately, a significant number of patients with intracranial atherosclerosis continue to suffer from repeated strokes or TIA despite maximal medical treatment. Although endovascular revascularization for symptomatic intracranial stenoses remains at the investigational ...
Spent fuel management has always been one of the most important stages in the nuclear fuel cycle and it is still one of the most vital problems common to all countries with nuclear reactors. It begins with the discharge of spent fuel from a power or a research reactor and ends with its ultimate disposition, either by direct disposal or by reprocessing of the spent fuel. Two options exist at present - an open, once-through cycle with direct disposal of the spent fuel and a closed cycle with reprocessing of the spent fuel and recycling of plutonium and uranium in new mixed oxide fuels. The selection of a spent fuel strategy is a complex procedure in which many factors have to be weighed, including political, economic and safeguards issues as well as protection of the environment. Continuous attention is being given by the IAEA to the collection, analysis and exchange of information on spent fuel management. Its role in this area is to provide a ...
A versatile, high brightness, volume type, low power RF source, capable of producing positive ion beams with intensities as high as 1 mA from gaseous feed materials and microamperes of negative ion beams has been characterized. The source can also be operated as a plasma sputter negative ion source to generate up to 1 mA of a selected species. The performance of the source in the positive and negative volume modes of operation can be greatly enhanced by addition of a removable, water cooled filament assembly in place of the negative sputter probe. For examine, the material utilization efficiencies of gaseous feed species can be more than doubled, total current intensities increased up to 40%, molecular dissociation fractions increased by 20% and minimum operating pressures reduced by a factor of four when operated in the volume mode. These added electrons also favorably effect, as a consequence of lower pressures, the emittance apparently ...
A metallization scheme has been developed which allows selective plating of silicon solar cell surfaces. The system is comprised of three layers. Palladium, through the formation of palladium silicide at 300/sup 0/C in nitrogen, makes ohmic contact to the silicon surface. Nickel, plated on top of the palladium silicide layer, forms a solderable interface. Lead-tin solder on the nickel provides conductivity and allows a convenient means for interconnection of cells. To apply this metallization, three chemical plating baths are employed. Palladium is deposited with an immersion palladium solution and an electroless palladium solution, and nickel is deposited with an electroless nickel solution. Solder is applied with a molten solder dip. Extensive development work has been performed to achieve an effective immersion palladium solution formulation, leading to reproducible formation of the palladium silicide contact layer. This metallization system has been repeatedly ...
In the case of total skin electron therapy without the beam guide, the electron beam is scattered just outside the gantry exit, dose uniformity in the field is broken, and dose is spread outside the light field. The aims of this study were to measure the mean energy of the off-axis incident electron beam without the beam guide and to establish a reference for the clinical situation. For the measurement, a 4 MeV electron beam was selected among several energies from the linear accelerator. A scintillating fiber beam energy monitor measured the mean energy of the incident electron beam. This energy monitor is a small, light-weight piece of equipment composed of a wedge absorber, scintillation fiber, and photodiode. We found the relationship between electron energy and the indicated value of the energy monitor by means of the estimation of correction factors for five different kinds of electron energy. The preferable linear correlation of 0.997 of ...
The reliability of the surface condenser is a key factor in plant performance level and maintenance cost optimization. This is especially the case for thermal nuclear plants where condenser raw wa-ter ingress can introduce contamination into the chemically-controlled, steam/water loop potentially causing damage to sensitive equipment. Two important parameters must be taken into account when attempting to optimize the quality and the reliability of condenser tubing. They include selecting the appropriate material according to the cooling water corrosion level present. A second and equally important parameter is the manufac-turing of the tubing product itself. This paper will identify methods to optimize manufacturing processes and improve tubing quality, according to VALTIMET's 30 years of condenser welded tubing production experience. Those methods complete the core manufacturing process (forming and welding), through improvement of ...
A multivariate adaptive power system stabilizer is proposed. The advantages of using coordinated governor and excitation control are discussed, and the problems associated with constant parameter power system stabilizers (CPSS) are highlighted. The proposed multi-input multi-output (MIMO) power system stabilizer can coordinate the governor and excitation control and can overcome the problems associated with CPSS in power system stabilization. Selective multivariable state modelling, identification and control methods are investigated and the MIMO least squares technique with variable forgetting factor is used for system identification, guaranteeing good parameter tracking after a disturbance. Two multivariable self-tuning algorithms are investigated, the generalized minimum variance control and pole-shifting control algorithms. The multivariable self-searching pole-shifting algorithm is developed. Models of a single machine connected to an ...
Commercially available melter technologies were tested during 1994-95 as part of a multiphase program to test candidate technologies for vitrification of the low-level waste (LLW) stream to be derived from retrieval and pretreatment of Hanford Site tank wastes. Seven vendors were selected for Phase 1 testing to demonstrate vitrification of a high sodium content liquid LLW simulant. The tested melter technologies included four Joule-heated melters, a carbon electrode melter, a combustion melter, and a plasma melter. Various dry and slurry melter feed preparation processes were also tested. Various feed material samples, product glass samples, and process offgas streams were characterized to provide data for evaluation of process decontamination factors and material mass balances for each vitrification technology. This report describes the melter mass balance evaluations and results for six of the Phase 1 LLW melter vendor demonstration tests.
The production of cellulolytic enzymes from fungi has been extensively studied. Several mutants of Trichoderma reesei were selected. Most of the studies were carried out on T. reesei, T. viride, T. harzianum, Penicillium funiculosum, Altemaria alternata. Aspergillus phoenicis, A. ustus, A. tamarii, A. japonicus, and A. niger. T. koningii is one of the most active producers of the so-called C, factor, which is indispensable for the rapid and extensive attack on crystal-line cellulose. However, Trichodenna is known to excrete only small amounts of {beta}-glucosidase. Therefore, Trichoderma is supplemented with {beta}-glucosidase from Aspergillus to increase the saccharification rate of cellulose to glucose as the main sugar. Induction of mutations in Trichodenna spp. rather than T. viride as a tool for the enhancement of {beta}-glucosidase activity was reported. Unfortunately, T. reesei is a poor producer of {beta}-glucosidase. On the other hand, ...
The thermal regime immediately downstream from bottom release reservoirs is often characterized by reduced diel and seasonal (winter warm/summer cool) conditions. These unusual thermal patterns have often been implicated as a primary factor underlying observed downstream changes in the species composition of aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. The potential mechanisms for selective elimination of benthic species by unusual thermal regimes has been reviewed. Although the effects of temperature on the rate and magnitude of larval growth and development has been included in the list of potential mechanisms, only recently have field studies below dams focused on this interrelationship. This study investigates the overall community structure as well as the seasonal pattern of larval growth and development for several univoltine species of insects in the Delaware River below or near the hypolimnetic discharge of the Cannonsville and Pepeacton ...
Brittleness and poor low-temperature thermal conductivity of A-15 compounds remain the major obstacles preventing the effective use of these superconductors in large-scale engineering applications. In order to circumvent these difficulties, a new type of ductile superconducting filamentary alloy has been developed recently by a simple metallurgical process which consists of melting the constituent elements and subsequent cold working and appropriate heat treatment. These superconducting materials are essentially Cu-base alloys containing a few percent of A-15 phase such as Nb_3Sn or V_3Ga which is in the form of fine filaments embedded in the Cu matrix. The emphasis of this work is on the formation of the A-15 phase in the Cu-base alloys and its correlation with superconducting properties such as transition temperature and critical current density. The formation of Nb_3Sn, Nb_3Al, V_3Si, and V_3Ga will serve as examples to illustrate the importance of some features in the phase ...
This report describes the fiscal 1998 result on development of genome informatics technology. As comparative analysis technique of genes, the combination of electrophoresis and PCR was used. For improvement of the throughput and reproducibility of the technique, module- shuffling primers were used, and the multi(96)-arrayed capillary fragment analyzer was devised. The system detecting SNPs rapidly was also developed successfully. As analysis technology of DNA sequence by use of triple- stranded DNA formation, study was made on construction of long cDNA libraries, selective subtraction of specific sequences from libraries, and the basic technology of homologous cloning. Study was also made on each reaction step of IGCR technique for fast analysis, and specifications of a fluorescence transfer monitor. As modeling technique of genetic sequence information, the simulation model was developed for gene expression regulatory networks during muscle differentiation, and ...
The size of the market for pulverized activated charcoal and particulate activated charcoal prepared by the Association of Inorganic Chemicals of Japan is 55,000t/y (1987) in total. Individually, some fields showed the expansion such as water purification, water treatment and gas treatment on the one hand, but on the other hand, several fields showed the decline such as sugar refining, dextrin sugar and soda glutamate. As a whole, the market showed no marked fluctuations or a very slight increase. Many of the above usages are traditional in the chemical industry and the food industry, etc., and the new usages developed in the past several years have not grown to influence the statistics as yet. Selection of raw material is the key for determining the character of activated charcoal. And the factors of determining the characteristic features are fine pore, surface area and surface activity (catalystic activity). Furthermore, the function ...
In-situ decontamination technologies were evaluated for their ability to: (1) reduce equipment contamination levels to allow either free release of the equipment or land disposal, (2) minimize residues generated by decontamination, and (3) generate residues that are compatible with existing disposal technologies. Six decontamination processes were selected. tested and compared to 4M nitric acid, a traditional decontamination agent: fluoroboric acid (HBF{sub 4}), nitric plus hydrofluoric acid, alkaline persulfate followed by citric acid plus oxalic acid, silver(II) plus sodium persulfate plus nitric acid, oxalic acid plus hydrogen peroxide plus hydrofluoric acid, and electropolishing using nitric acid electrolyte. The effectiveness of these solutions was tested using prepared 304 stainless steel couponds contaminated with uranium, plutonium, americium, or fission products. The decontamination factor for each of the solutions and tests conditions ...
Large-scale field tracer experiments have been conducted on Ulchin and Wolsung nuclear sites for the purpose of validating FADAS and of analyzing the environmental characteristics around the nuclear site. The most influential factor in atmospheric dispersion is the meteorological condition. During the experiment, meteorological data were measured on the release point and the selected positions among sampling points. Once radioactive materials are released to the atmosphere, members of public may be exposed through the environmental media such as air, soil and foods. Therefore, to protect the public, adequate countermeasures should be taken at due time for those exposure pathways. Both processes of justification and optimization are applied to a countermeasure simultaneously for decision-making. The work scope of biological research for the radiation protection had contained the search of biological microanalytic methods for the assessment of ...
The fuel composition heterogeneity effect on reactor performance parameters was assessed by refueling simulations for three DUPIC fuel options of fuel composition heterogeneity control: the fissile content adjustment, the reactivity control by slightly enriched and depleted uranium, and the reactivity control by natural uranium. For each DUPIC fuel option, the simulations were performed using 30 heterogeneous fuel types which were determined by the agglomerative hierarchical clustering method. The heterogeneity effect was considered during the refueling simulation by randomly selecting fuel types for the refueling operation. The refueling simulations of the heterogeneous core have shown that the key performance parameters such as the maximum channel power (MCP), maximum bundle power (MBP), and channel power peaking factor (CPPF) are close to those of the core that has single fuel type. For the three DUPIC fuel options, the uncertainties of MCP, ...
Radon exposure assessment in case-control studies on radon and lung cancer is generally based on contemporary radon concentration measurements, which can be affected by significant changes in the building structures or in living habits. Another method to estimate the radon exposure of the subjects is the recently developed retrospective dosimetry technique based on the {sup 210}Po surface activity from glass objects. In order to compare the results obtained by the two methods, a study has been carried out in a sample of 26 dwellings in Rome, with radon concentration values ranging from 28 to 623 Bq m{sup -3}. Retrospective detectors based on CR-39 and LR 115 were exposed on 50 glass objects in bedrooms and living rooms. The correlation factor between the two sets of data, after removing six extreme values, is 0.67, which is similar to results obtained in other validation studies of similar sample size. The correlation increases to 0.83 if the 21 objects exposed in ...
The predicted results of INDAC code were compared with measured {sup 3}H concentrations in air and pine-needle around the Wolsung site. The optimal sets of input data to INDAC were in addition selected by comparing the measured values with the predicted values of INDAC based on various conditions such as the release modes of effluents into the environment, the classification of wind classes, and the consideration of terrain. The predicted {sup 3}H concentrations in air and pine-needle were shown to have good agreement with measured values, although there are some limitations such as uncertainties in measured values, complex topology around the site, and the land-sea breeze effects. The assumption on the {sup 3}H behavior in vegetables or plants that the ratio of {sup 3}H concentration in plant water to {sup 3}H concentration in atmospheric water is 1/2 was shown to be conservative in terms of the audit calculation performed by the regulator. It was also found that ...
The predicted results of INDAC code were compared with measured "3H concentrations in air and pine-needle around the Wolsung site. The optimal sets of input data to INDAC were in addition selected by comparing the measured values with the predicted values of INDAC based on various conditions such as the release modes of effluents into the environment, the classification of wind classes, and the consideration of terrain. The predicted "3H concentrations in air and pine-needle were shown to have good agreement with measured values, although there are some limitations such as uncertainties in measured values, complex topology around the site, and the land-sea breeze effects. The assumption on the "3H behavior in vegetables or plants that the ratio of "3H concentration in plant water to "3H concentration in atmospheric water is 1/2 was shown to be conservative in terms of the audit calculation performed by the regulator. It was also found that data sets based on mixed ...
Rapid corrosion of PWR steam generator carbon steel support structures and consequential denting of steam generator tubes led to considerable investigation of the mechanism of corrosion and for palliatives. The basic mechanism is now fairly well understood. Chloride present in the boiler feedwater from condenser leakage is concentrated in the support plate crevice as a result of the superheat present. This leads to the formation of a low pH acid ferrous chloride environment either through the hydrolysis of a weak base chloride such as MgCl_2 or the combined action of a neutral chloride with an oxidizing agent. Rapid attack of the carbon steel ensues with the Fe_3O_4 corrosion product forming at the metal/oxide interface. This oxide has a volume approximately twice that of the steel consumed and thus eventually fills the crevice between the tube and the support plate. Oxide growth continues leading to compression of the Alloy 600 primary tube and to distortion and eventual fracturing of ...
Macroinvertebrate communities in Rietvlei nature reserve wetland area and their relationship with water quality were studied with the aim to evaluate their use as potential indicators of pollution. Sampling locations were selected to include outlets from swage effluent, agricultural and informal residential runoff. A large increase in nutrient concentrations was observed downstream from discharged treated sewage with an associated decrease in species richness. Bioassays performed included: Daphnia magna, Hydra attenuate, Lactuca sativa, Allium cepa and Pyxicephalus adspersus. The highest percentage of lethality response to a screen (100% concentration) of sampled wetland water by test specimens were observed at the point source input of the Hartbeespoort treated sewage plant. Data generated from the AUSRIVAS method and multitrophic level bioassays revealed the deterioration of the wetland possibly due to factors such as increasing urbanization, ...
Sources of radon and pathways in which radon can reach dwelling-rooms are shortly discussed. In continuation of the previous measurements of radon in Swiss dwellings with track detectors and working level monitors, a complementary passive method for radon concentration measurements indoors and radon exhalation rate measurements from walls and soil surfaces is introduced. Radon decay products concentrations, air temperature gradients and wind velocities were measured continuously in four Swiss dwellings during several weeks in autumn and winter of 1985/86. The Rn-222 concentrations indoors ranged from about 10 Bq/m"3 in two houses in the Eastern Jura up to more than 23,000 Bq/m"3 in two houses situated in the Central Alps. Indoor equilibrium factors between 0.1 up to 0.5 with distinct dependences on floor-levels have been found. The influence of the temperature gradient between the oudoor and indoor air on the indoor radon daughter concentration has been determined. ...
The social work literature is replete with studies evaluating social workers' direct practice interventions, but strikingly few have assessed how well social workers are faring in the political arena. This study tests a major theoretical model, the civic voluntarism model, developed to explain why some citizens become involved in politics, whereas others do not. The study sample consisted of 396 randomly selected social workers licensed in 11 states, all of whom completed a 25-minute telephone survey. Social workers were surveyed to determine the role of the following variables in explaining social workers' political activity levels--resources needed to participate, psychological engagement, and attachment to recruitment networks. The results indicate that the civic voluntarism model was significant and accounted for 42 percent of the variance. The strongest predictors of social workers' political activity were NASW membership and political interest. This study ...
This report describes experimental results for the selective removal of strontium and cesium from simulated waste solutions using monosodium titanate (MST) and crystalline silicotitanate (CST)-laden filter cartridges. Four types of ion exchange cartridge media (CST and MST designed by both 3M and POROX{reg_sign}) were evaluated. In these proof-of-principle tests effective uptake of both Sr-85 and Cs-137 was observed. However, the experiments were not performed long enough to determine the saturation levels or breakthrough curve for each filter cartridge. POREX{reg_sign} MST cartridges, which by design were based on co-sintering of the active titanates with polyethylene particles, seem to perform as well as the 3M-designed MST cartridges (impregnated filter membrane design) in the uptake of strontium. At low salt simulant conditions (0.29 M Na{sup +}), the instantaneous decontamination factor (D{sub F}) for Sr-85 with the 3M-design MST cartridge ...
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 high frequency 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 1000degC for the ...
A set of materials property data for potential wear resistant materials was collected. These materials are designated for use as the ''core'' materials in the Fibrous Monolith structure. The material properties of hardness, toughness, thermal conductivity and cost were selected as determining factors for material choice. Data for these four properties were normalized, and weighting factors were assigned for each property to establish priority and evaluate the effects of priority fluctuation. Materials were then given a score based on the normalized parameters and weighting values. Using the initial estimates for parameter priority, the highest ranking material was tungsten carbide, with diamond as the second ranked material. Several materials were included in the trade study, and five were selected as promising ''core'' materials to ...
To investigate mechanisms responsible for positive and negative transcriptional control, the authors have utilized two types of promoters that are diffferentially regulated by thyroid hormone (T{sub 3}) receptors. Promoters containing the palindromic T{sub 3} response element TCAGGTCA TGACCTGA are positively regulated by the T{sub 3} receptor after the administration of T{sub 3}, whereas otherwise identical promoters containing the estrogen response element TCAGGTCA CTG TGACCTGA can be regulated negatively; converse effects are observed with the estrogen receptor. They describe evidence that the transcriptional inhibitory effects of the T{sub 3} or estrogen receptors on the estrogen or T{sub 3} response elements, respectively, are imposed by amino acid sequences in the C'-terminal region that colocalize with dimerization and hormone-binding domains and that these sequences can transfer inhibitory functions to other classes of transcription factors. Removal ...
We have measured the redshift evolution of the density of Lyman limit systems (LLSs) in the intergalactic medium over the redshift range 0 < z < 6. We have used two new quasar samples to (1) improve coverage at z #approx# 1, with GALEX grism spectrograph observations of 50 quasars with 0.8 < z_e_m < 1.3, and (2) extend coverage to z #approx# 6, with Keck ESI spectra of 25 quasars with 4.17 < z_e_m < 5.99. Using these samples together with published data, we find that the number density of LLS per unit redshift, n(z), can be well fit by a simple evolution of the form n(z) = n_3_._5[(1 + z)/4.5]"#gamma# with n_3_._5 = 2.80 #+-# 0.33 and #gamma# = 1.94"+"0"."3"6_-_0_._3_2 for the entire range 0 < z < 6. We have also reanalyzed the evolution of damped Ly#alpha# systems (DLAs) in the redshift range 4 < z < 5 using our high-redshift quasar sample. We find a total of 17 DLAs and sub-DLAs, which we have analyzed in combination with published ...
High molecular weight DNA from pleroceroid larvae of the tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides was purified from isolated nuclei by conventional techniques. The DNA so isolated has a melting temperature (Tm) of 87 degrees C and a guanine plus cytosine (G/C) content of 44%. 5-Methyl cytosine could not be detected in plerocercoid DNA by HPLC analysis of DNA hydrolysates, by radiolabeling 5'-termini of MspI digests with polynucleotide kinase, or by comparing restriction patterns generated by MspI and HpaII. Renaturation kinetics demonstrated that the genome of S. mansonoides contains repetitive as well as single copy sequences and has a genome size estimated at approx. 1.6 X 10(9) bp. Hybridization was carried out between plerocercoid DNA and cDNAs for human beta-actin, alpha-tubulin and growth hormone (hGH). Rationale for this analysis was based on known homologies among actin and tubulin genes in numerous species and on apparent similarities between hGH and a plerocercoid ...
Strain-controlled fatigue experiments under simultaneous irradiation have been performed to investigate the specific loadings of structural materials in next-step fusion devices. All irradiations were done on specimens made of the tempered ferritic/martensitic Cr steel MANET-I at 420 C using a 104 MeV [alpha]-particle beam. Continuous push-pull cycling (R=-1) has been applied with total strain ranges [Delta][epsilon][sub t] between 0.5 and 1.0%. Under in-beam conditions at e.g. [Delta][epsilon][sub t]= 0.5% a number of cycles to failure of N[sub f]=42000, a He concentration of 400 appm and a damage dose of 1.6 dpa has been reached. This N[sub f] is by about a factor of two below the average N[sub f]-value of unirradiated reference tests, but seven times higher than N[sub f] of comparable postirradiated specimens. It was found, that at least at 420 C conventional postirradiation tests are a conservative approach to in-situ conditions, and that ...
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a glycoprotein hormone, secreted by the syncytiotrophoblast cells of the fertilized ovum, that enters the maternal circulation at the time of endometrial implantation. It is composed of two nonidentical subunits; ..cap alpha.. and ..beta.., with molecular weights of 14 kD and 23 kD, respectively. Human chorionic gonadotropin binds to the same receptor as hLH and displays the same biological response, namely, to stimulate the declining function of the corpus luteum to produce progestins and estrogen late in the menstrual cycle. The differences in the structures of hCG and hLH have been exploited to develop antibodies that can measure hCG specifically in the presence of hLH. Two-site antibody binding assays have been developed, based on a surface immunological concept of hCG epitopes, that involve four distinct regions to which antibodies against hCG can bind simultaneously. Antibody cooperative effects, in conjunction with ...
L-[3-"1"8F]-#alpha#-methyltyrosine ("1"8F-FMT) is an amino-acid tracer for positron-emission tomography (PET). We have conducted a clinicopathologic study to elucidate the correlation of angiogenesis with "1"8F-FMT and 2-["1"8F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ("1"8F-FDG) uptake in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Thirty-seven NSCLC patients were enrolled in this study, and two PET studies with "1"8F-FMT and "1"8F-FDG were performed. Uptake of PET tracers was evaluated with standardized uptake value. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), CD31, CD34, L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) and Ki-67 labeling index of the resected tumors were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining, and correlated with the clinicopathologic variables and the uptake of PET tracers. The median VEGF rate was 45% (range, 10-78%). High expression was seen in 30 patients (81%, 30/37). VEGF expression was statistically associated with progressively ...
When solidified products made from low-level radioactive waste with melting treatment are disposed of in near surface repositories, concentrations of the radionuclides contained in the waste package have to be evaluated. Americium-242m is one of the targeted nuclides. In this study, simple analytical methods to evaluate the activity of "2"4"2"mAm are studied. Americium, Cm and Eu in a sample solution made from simulated solidified product and tracer of "1"5"2Eu and "2"4"4Cm and unknown solution of "2"4"1"+"2"4"2"m"+"2"4"3Am were separated from matrix elements with TRU resin. The fraction containing Eu, Am and Cm was passed through pyridine resin to separate Am from Eu and Cm. The contamination factor of "2"4"4Cm/"2"4"1Am was less than 3.0x10"-"3. Curium-242 generated from "2"4"2Am was measured to evaluate the activity of "2"4"2"mAm. The fraction containing Eu, Am and Cm was also passed through TEVA resin to separate Am and Cm from Eu. Beta-ray of separated Am and ...
Non-first order (FO) kinetics models are of three types; second order (SO), general order (GO) and mixed order (MO). It is shown that all three of these have constraints in their energy level schemes and their applicable parameter values. In nature such restrictions are not expected to exist. The thermoluminescence (TL) glow peaks produced by these models shift their position and change their shape as the trap occupancies change. Such characteristics are very unlike those found in samples of real materials. In these models, in general, retrapping predominates over recombination. It is shown that the quasi-equilibrium (QE) assumption implied in the derivation of the TL equation of these models is quite valid, thus disproving earlier workers' conclusion that QE cannot be held under retrapping dominant conditions. However notwithstanding their validity, they suffer from the shortcomings as stated above and have certain lacunae. For example, the kinetic order (KO) parameter and ...
The Cu/CeO{sub 2} and Cu/Cr/CeO{sub 2} catalysts synthesized using the impregnation method were employed to investigate the selective reduction of NO{sub x} with C{sub 3}H{sub 6} at 673.15K and 1atm. The activity of CeO{sub 2} was greatly induced by loading 4wt.% of Cu onto the bare support. The presence of C{sub 3}H{sub 6} was a crucial factor for elevating the NO{sub x} conversion under lean conditions. The modification of the optimal Cu(4)/CeO{sub 2} catalyst with 3wt.% of Cr steadily improved the performance of the catalysts. Both the optimal Cu(4)/CeO{sub 2} and Cu(4)/Cr(3)/CeO{sub 2} catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM and TPR-H{sub 2}. The co-existence of CuO, Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} and CuCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} was believed to grant the promising performance of the Cu(4)/Cr(3)/CeO{sub 2} catalyst in SCR-HC under net oxidizing conditions.
This report describes the experimental researches on the polarization Characteristics of symmetric GaAs-GaAlAsP double heterojunction lasers, and analyses the mode-competition processes of these lasers. The experiments showed that semiconductor laser is emitted spontaneously and does not indicate optical polarization characteristic when it is biased under the threshold current. When it is biased above the threshold current, the laser for thin active layer of d = 0.15approx.0.40 ..mu..m is generally observed only in fundamental order mode, and TE mode polarization is predominant. At this time, polarization selection is dependent on Fabry-Perot cavity facet (cleaved face) mode reflectivity R/sub 0/. But TM mode is saturated at the threshold, the current applied to the laser above the threshold is used to enhance the TE polarization when the active thickness d is larger than 0.4 ..mu..m, the competition between TE and TM mode, fundamental order an higher order mode ...
The overarching goals of the 'Kootenai River Floodplain Ecosystem Operational Loss Assessment, Protection, Mitigation and Rehabilitation' Project (BPA Project No.2002-011-00) are to: (1) assess abiotic and biotic factors (i.e., geomorphologic, hydrological, aquatic and riparian/floodplain communities) in determining a definitive composition of ecological integrity, (2) develop strategies to assess and mitigate losses of ecosystem functions, and (3) produce a regional operational loss assessment framework. To produce a scientifically defensible, repeatable, and complete assessment tool, KTOI assembled a team of top scientists in the fields of hydrology, hydraulics, ornithology, entomology, statistics, and river ecology, among other expertise. This advisory team is known as the Research Design and Review Team (RDRT). The RDRT scientists drive the review, selection, and adaptive management of the research designs to evaluate the ...
The response of the reactive flow detector (RFD) toward organometallic compounds of several transition metals has been explored, and several of its strong elemental responses have been characterized in detail. The RFDs minimum detectable flow (measured in picograms of metal per second at S/N_p_-_t_-_p=2) is 0.1 for ruthenium, 3 for chromium, 10 for manganese, 5 for nickel, 15 for iron, and 2 for osmium. Typically, the linearity of response spans four orders of magnitude, with atomic selectivity of metal versus carbon ranging from 2 to 3 orders. Response quenching by co-eluting hydrocarbons is not observed. As a demonstration experiment, the common analysis of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT) in gasoline is carried out on an RFD system modified for dual-channel operation. The results show that dual-channel operation of the RFD can increase the native elemental selectivity of manganese over carbon by a ...
A method for assessing management systems for low-level radioactive waste is being developed for US Department of Energy. The method is based on benefit-cost-risk analysis. Waste management is broken down into its component steps, which are generation, treatment, packaging, storage, transportation, and disposal. Several different alternatives available for each waste management step are described. A particular waste management system consists of a feasible combination of alternatives for each step. Selecting an optimal waste management system would generally proceed as follows: (1) qualitative considerations are used to narrow down the choice of waste management system alternatives to a manageable number; (2) the costs and risks for each of these system alternatives are evaluated; (3) the number of alternatives is further reduced by eliminating alternatives with similar risks but higher costs, or those with similar costs but higher risks; (4) a trade-off ...
A summary of the effects presented here is given in the table. The designation "factor present" implies that there is knowledge (from human or animal studies, or both) of a specific factor(s) present...Full Text Available
The objectives of this research were to investigate the possibility of controlling the #alpha#'/#beta#' phase ratio and morphology in Sialon ceramics. These objectives have been sought by the control of the starting composition, and by post sintering heat treatment. The main emphasis has been on the production of a series of #alpha#' and (#alpha#'+#beta#') Sialon ceramics with a minimum amount of the glass phase by the pressureless sintering technique and using ytterbium (Yb) as an #alpha#' stabilising element. The Yb additions were made via the oxide or the alumino- silicate presynthesised glass; the latter was found to improve the density. The XRD analysis of the as sintered materials revealed #alpha#' to be the dominant phase with minor contributions from #beta#' sialon and/ or 12H A1N polytype. Additions of SiO_2 or #beta#-Si_3N_4 were made to various materials to assess ...
Precise measurements of alpha particle counting efficiencies have been made using isotropic, infinitely thin alpha emitting sources placed in direct contact with a thin, end-window, gas flow proportional detector. Except for alpha particle absorption in the window material, this geometry approaches 2#pi#, such that the only other variation in the response of the counter is from the random decay of the source. The data are fitted to the expected linear function of count rate versus window thickness and the resulting fitting parameters are used to calculate the counting efficiencies for a given thickness of window material. Counting efficiencies for 5.31, 6.06, and 8,78 MeV alpha particles have been determined from sources of "2"1"0Po and the progeny of "2"1"2Pb. For the particular counter used, the counting efficiencies in counts per alpha and their respective relative standard ...
Within the framework of the French inter lab SPACT project (Fuel Cell Systems for Transportation Applications), the behavior of a 5 kW PEM fuel cell stack, fed by humidified hydrogen and compressed air, is investigated in a test platform at Belfort, France. A set of polarization curves are recorded, under various conditions of stack temperature, gas pressure, and stoichiometry rates, in order to obtain a kind of cartography, representing the static stack performance. Initially, the tests are defined considering experimental design techniques. In order to study the relative impacts of the physical factors on the fuel cell voltage, some polarization curve results are selected from the static tests available applying experimental design methodology. First, several analyses are used to estimate the impact of the stack temperature, gas pressure, and stoichiometry rate on the fuel cell voltage. Statistical sensitivity analyses (ANOVA) are used to ...
Blades of modern steam turbines are designed for high efficiency and operational safety. Modern computer programs enable optimisation of design but factors like manufacturing, assembly, operation and downtimes still play an important role. Damage statistics show that blade damage still quite frequent. Selected cases from the Allianz damage assessment centre show some of the more frequent damage mechanisms. Damage is often caused when several factors come together. Prevention of follow-up damage requires early identification of beginning damage.(orig.) [German] Die Auslegung der Beschaufelung moderner Dampfturbinen hat die Vorgabe, einen hohen Wirkungsgrad bei gleichzeitig hoher Betriebssicherheit zu erreichen. Mit den heute zur Verfuegung stehenden Rechenprogrammen ist eine entsprechende Optimierung realisierbar. Fuer die langzeitige Betriebsbewaehrung haben aber Einflussgroessen aus Fertigung, Montage, Betrieb und ...
Over the recent years the nuclear structure around the N = 50 shell closure, which is very pronounced in the strontium and zirconium isotopes, has been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical work. On the proton side Z = 38 and Z = 40 provide fairly closed sub-shells. In the strontium isotopes the lg/sub 9/2/ neutron shell is closed at /sup 88/Sr, supplying relatively pure neutron-hole and neutron-particle states with large spectroscopic factors in /sup 87/Sr and /sup 89/Sr, as well as core-coupled states. The mass region is thus ideally suited to examine the transition from a correlated to an uncorrelated (chaotic.) excitational behavior. These two types are characterized e.g. by the density of excited states, the transition strengths, and the spectroscopic factors observed in transfer reactions. We conducted (n,..gamma..) and (d,p) reactions leading to /sup 87,88,89/Sr in addition to /sup 88/Sr(d,t)/sup 87/Sr and 24 keV neutron ...
Over the recent years the nuclear structure around the N = 50 shell closure, which is very pronounced in the strontium and zirconium isotopes, has been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical work. On the proton side Z = 38 and Z = 40 provide fairly closed sub-shells. In the strontium isotopes the lg/sub 9/2/ neutron shell is closed at "8"8Sr, supplying relatively pure neutron-hole and neutron-particle states with large spectroscopic factors in "8"7Sr and "8"9Sr, as well as core-coupled states. The mass region is thus ideally suited to examine the transition from a correlated to an uncorrelated (chaotic?) excitational behavior. These two types are characterized e.g. by the density of excited states, the transition strengths, and the spectroscopic factors observed in transfer reactions. We conducted (n,#gamma#) and (d,p) reactions leading to /sup 87,88,89/Sr in addition to "8"8Sr(d,t)"8"7Sr and 24 keV neutron capture in "8"8Sr. The ...
With the aim of preparing carrier-free "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca simultaneously, Ti, V and Fe targets were examined by irradiating with high-energy ions of "1"2C, "1"4N and "1"6O accelerated by the RIKEN ring cyclotron. Among the targets, V gave the highest cross section for the formation of both "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca irrespective of the kind of beams. The cross section for the formation of "2"8Mg by the reactions of Ti, V and Fe targets with ion beams increased in the order of "1"2C<"1"6O<"1"4N. On the other hand, the three beams exhibited almost the same cross sections for the formation of "4"7Ca by the reaction of a given target. Titanium and V were selected as prospective targets and "1"4N as a suitable beam for the production of "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca. Chemical separation procedures of the radiotracers in carrier- and salt-free states have been established by using cation exchange resins. The recovery yields of "2"8Mg and "4"7Ca from Ti target were 70 and 90%, ...
Purpose: Reconstruction of organ doses of selected organs and tissues from radiographic settings and exposure data collected during chest X-ray examinations of children of various age groups performed in Dr. von Hauner's Kinderspital (children's hospital of the University of Munich, DvHK) between 1976 and 2007. Materials and Method: The dosimetric data of all X-ray examinations performed since 1976 at DvHK were stored electronically in a database. After 30 years of data collection, the database now includes 305 107 radiological examinations (radiographs and fluoroscopies), especially 119 150 chest radiographs of all age groups. Reconstruction of organ doses in 40 organs and tissues in X-ray examinations of the chest was performed based on the conversion factor concept. Results: The radiation exposure of organs in projection radiography is determined by the exact site of the organs relative to the edges of the X-ray field and ...
Full text: The general population is daily exposed to chronic, low doses of ionizing radiation (IR) from both natural and artificial sources. The biological consequences of acute, high dose IR exposure can be readily determined; however, the nature and significance of low dose, low dose-rate IR effects are still the subject of debate. Confounding the issue, are the phenomena collectively referred to as the Radiation-induced Bystander Effect (RIBE). The RIBE describes a collection of in vitro observations that suggest the presence of a soluble, transmissible factor(s) released from irradiated cells that can induce a biological response in un-irradiated cells. The induction, nature and magnitude of the RIBE varies between cell culture systems, radiation sources and end-points measured. Efforts to confirm the presence of the RIBE in vivo have been confined to in vivo-like culture systems and limited work with tumour and bone-marrow transplantation models. Validation ...
The objective of this work is to develop a model for the simultaneous mass transfer of two acid gases in tertiary amines accompanied by reversible chemical reactions. The model has been applied to the industrially important system of simultaneous absorption or desorption of CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/S in aqueous methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). In most applications the treated gas must be virtually free of H/sub 2/S; however, it is often not necessary or economical to remove substantial amounts of CO/sub 2/. Hence, selective removal of H/sub 2/S from gas streams such as natural or synthetic gases which contain CO/sub 2/ is desirable. In this research a film theory model describing the simultaneous diffusion and reversible reaction of two gases into reactive liquid has been used to predict the mass transfer enhancement factors of CO/sub 2/ and H/sub 2/S in aqueous MDEA solutions. The resulting unstable two point boundary value problem has been solved ...
M-shell x-ray production cross sections for selected heavy elements, namely, _7_2Hf, _7_3Ta, _7_4W, _7_5Re, _7_6Os, _7_7Ir, _7_8Pt, _7_9Au, _8_3Bi, and _9_0Th, were measured for protons of energy 0.6--4.0 MeV. The experimental results are compared with the predictions of the first Born and semiclassical approximations for M-shell ionization; these data are also compared with the theory that accounts for the projectile's energy loss and Coulomb deflection as well as for the target's M-shell electron perturbed stationary state and relativistic nature (ECPSSR). Generally, fair agreement between the data and the ECPSSR theory is found. Some systematical discrepancies observed for the lightest elements (Hf, Ta, and W) are explained as possible ambiguities in the M-shell Coster-Kronig factors and fluorescence yields, which were used to convert theoretical M-subshell ionization cross sections to the total M-x-ray production cross sections. The ...
Twenty autopsy cases with 2009 pandemic influenza A (2009 H1N1) virus infection, performed between August 2009 and February 2010, were histopathologically analyzed. Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry for type A influenza nucleoprotein antigen, and real-time reverse transcription-PCR assay for viral RNA were performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens. In addition, the D222G amino acid substitution in influenza virus hemagglutinin, which binds to specific cell receptors, was analyzed in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded trachea and lung sections by direct sequencing of PCR-amplified products. There were several histopathological patterns in the lung according to the most remarkable findings in each case: acute diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) with a hyaline membrane (four cases), organized DAD (one case), acute massive intra-alveolar edema with variable degrees of hemorrhage (three cases), neutrophilic bronchopneumonia (five cases) and tracheobronchitis ...
Some motor operated valves now have higher torque switch settings due to regulatory requirements to ensure valve operability with appropriate margins at design basis conditions. Verifying operability with these settings imposes higher stem loads during periodic inservice testing. These higher test loads increase stresses in the various valve internal parts which may in turn increase the fatigue usage factors. This increased fatigue is judged to be a concern primarily in the valve disks, seats, yokes, stems, and stem nuts. Although the motor operators may also have significantly increased loading, they are being evaluated by the manufacturers and are beyond the scope of this study. Two gate valves representative of both relatively weak and strong valves commonly used in commercial nuclear applications were selected for fatigue analyses. Detailed dimensional and test data were available for both valves from previous studies at the Idaho National ...
The relative potencies of 20 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were studied in a chicken embryo hepatocyte system. The 20 congeners were selected according to a full 2{sup 4}-factorial design based on the principal properties of all 154 tetra- through heptachlorinated PCBs. The principal properties were obtained using principal component analysis (PCA) on a multitude of different physico-chemical properties of the PCBs. Toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were determined for seven out of the twenty PCB congeners, viz. PCB{number_sign}41, PCB{number_sign}60, PCB{number_sign}78, PCB{number_sign}126, PCB{number_sign}169, PCB{number_sign}190, and PCB{number_sign}193, which elicit measurable catalytic ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity in the chicken hepatocytes. A multivariate quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was developed by using partial least-squares to latent variables (PLS) in order to model the relationship between ...
The five thermal-hydraulic concepts chosen for conceptual study of advanced PWR systems have been studied as follows: (1) Critical Heat Flux in passive PWR Conditions: review of previous works (various of correlations, analysis of parametric trends) on CHF, assessment and improvement of CHF prediction models for round tubes, development of the prediction model on bundle CHF with considering the correction factor calculated from the tube data base, design and construction of the intermediate-pressure CHF experimental loop, extension of CHF data base by performing the experiments at low-flow, and low-quality conditions (2) Passive Cooling Concepts for Concrete Containment Systems: Selection of the external condenser by comparing and reviewing between passive cooling concepts for concrete containment system concepts, survey and review of previous studies (theoretical mechanism of condensation heat transfer and effect of non-condensable gases) on ...
Dysregulation of the alternative pathway of complement activation, caused by mutations or polymorphisms in the genes encoding factor H, membrane co-factor protein, factor I or factor B, is associated...Full Text Available
In the CNS, there are widespread and diverse interactions between growth factors and estrogen. Here we examine the interactions of estrogen and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two...Full Text Available
Human Factor VIII/von Willebrand factor, purified by calcium citrate-cellulose chromatography and 4% agarose gel filtration was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis on gels containing...Full Text Available
The energy spectra of energetic confined alpha particles are being measured using the pellet charge exchange method [R. K. Fisher, J. S. Leffler, A. M. Howald, and P. B. Parks, Fusion Technol. 13, 536 (1988)]. The technique uses the dense ablation cloud surrounding an injected impurity pellet to neutralize a fraction of the incident alpha particles, allowing them to escape from the plasma where their energy spectrum can be measured using a neutral particle analyzer. The signal calculations given in the above-mentioned reference disregarded the effects of the alpha particles' helical Larmor orbits, which causes the alphas to make multiple passes through the cloud. Other effects such as electron ionization by plasma and ablation cloud electrons and the effect of the charge state composition of the cloud, were also neglected. This report considers these issues, reformulates the signal level calculation, ...
The effect of one on-ramp (entry) and one off-ramp (exit) is investigated numerically in one dimensional-cellular automaton traffic flow model, with open boundary conditions, using parallel dynamics. Our aim in this paper is to study how the injecting rates $\\alpha$ and $\\alpha_{0}$ and the extracting rates $\\beta$ and $\\beta_{0}$ acts on the density and flux of cars in one dimensional road. The priority of occupation at entry site $i_{1}$ (moving at exit site $i_{2}$) is attributed to the particle which entered (absorbed) in the chain. Phase diagrams in ($\\beta_{0},\\alpha_{0}$), and ($\\beta,\\alpha_{0}$) plans are established. For $\\alpha=0.1$, they show three different topologies in the flow behaviour. The first one correspond to the presence of four regions, by varying $\\alpha_{0}$; namely low density phase (LDP), intermediate density phase (IDP), ...
The detailed electronic energy band structure of hexagonal close-packed #alpha#-zirconium, corresponding to the atomic configuration of 4d"25s"2 of its four outermost valence electrons, has been computed by the composite-wave variational version of the augmented-plane-wave(APW) method in conjunction with the X#alpha#(#alpha# = 0.70424) exchange approximation for obtaining the potentials. From these data the electronic density of states and its angular-momentum-decomposed components have been obtained by the Raubenheimer-Gilat method. These quantities are required in order to calculate the electron-phonon interaction parameter (lambda) and the superconducting transition temperature (Tsub(c)) within the framework of the theories of Gaspari and Gyorffy and McMillan. A study of the variation of Tsub(c) with the Coulomb pseudopotential (#mu#*) revealed that #mu#* = 0.1 yields the best agreement between theory and experiment for ...
A radiochemical charged particle activation procedure for production and separation of carrier free {sup 52,56}Mn, {sup 55,56,58}Co and {sup 56,57}Ni has been developed. The radioisotopes produced on bombardment of an iron foil target with a 40 MeV {alpha}-particle beam through the nuclear reactions, Fe({alpha}, {alpha}pxn){sup 52,56}Mn, Fe({alpha}, pxn){sup 55,56,58}Co and Fe({alpha}, nx){sup 56,57}Ni, have been separated by LLX. The target element and the activation products have been sequentially separated from an HCl medium using diethylether and the liquid anion exchanger, TIOA, as extractants. Extent of separation and purity of the carrier free radiotracers at different stages of their LLX separation have been verified by taking recourse to {gamma}-ray spectrometry. (Author).
For optimizing the microstructure of the (#alpha# + #beta#)-titanium alloy TiAl5Fe2.5 the content of the two alloying elements aluminium and iron in the #alpha#- and #beta#-phase was determined by microprobe analysis. The alloys with the composition of the #alpha#- and of the #beta#-phase at 850 degC TiAl6Fe0.5 (#alpha#-phase) and TiAl3.5Fe6.5 (#beta#-phase) were prepared by arc melting and rolling at 850 degC. The mechanical properties of the '#alpha#'- and of the '#beta#'-phase-alloy are compared with the properties of the (#alpha# + #beta#)-alloy TiAl5Fe2.5 in the as rolled and swaged condition and after an additional aging at 550 degC. By this optimizing process it was possible to achieve a tensile strength of Rsub(m) = 1012 N/mm"2, an yield strength of Rsub(p0.2) 954 N/mm"2 and an elongation at fracture A = 14.5% in the TiAl5Fe2.5-alloy, although the degree ...
Powders with nominal compositions (in atomic percent) Ti-48Al and Ti-48Al-2Nb-2Cr were prepared by the plasma rotating electrode process (PREP) and gas atomization (GA) techniques. As-solidified and heat-treated (1000degC per 3 h) powder samples were examined by metallography, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructures of the powders were characterized as a function of atomization technique, alloy content, powder particle size (solidification rate) and thermal history. All of the as-solidified powders were comprised of disordered [alpha], and ordered [alpha][sub 2]-Ti[sub 3]Al and [gamma]-TiAl. For both alloys, a larger volume fraction of [alpha] and [alpha][sub 2] was observed in the PREP powders relative to GA powders of comparable size. Additionally, for both alloys and both atomization techniques, the volume fraction of ...
Theoretical interpretation of fast-charged-particle spectra, observed in the #alpha#-particle-induced reactions on the s-d shell nuclei (A = 24-28), in terms of the Intranuclear Cascade Model and the GDH exciton model (ALICE) is presented. The de-excitation of the excited residual nuclei is accounted for by the evaporation process. The theoretically predicted fast-proton and #alpha#' spectral shapes compare reasonably well with the corresponding measured spectra. However, the magnitude depends critically (as expected) on the reaction cross section employed by the model. As a first step to improve the model predictability of the reaction products, a closer look at the calculation of the #alpha#-particle reaction cross sections was undertaken. A microscopic approach using the optical theorem of Glauber's theory was employed to estimate the #alpha#-induced reaction cross sections for the light target ...
The unit cost of energy production of wind generators is examined by means of a model of the turbine power curve and the Weibull model of wind probability function, by applying the usual economic equations. The analysis is carried out in terms of dimensionless variables whose range of variability is defined by examining the data of 80 modern commercial wind turbines; likewise, the economic parameters are based on the present state of costs. The unit cost decreases asymptotically when alpha (ratio between mean wind speed and cut-in speed) - increases and shows a lower limit of 2 to 5 Ecent/kWh. This cost depends both on the value of the machine parameter {phi} (ratio between nominal and cut-in speed) and on the basic prices. The effect of the Weibull shape parameter kappa is different according to the values of {alpha} and {phi}: with low {alpha} and high {phi} the unit cost increases along with {kappa} (that is with the ...
Treatment of cultures of 3T3-L1 cells with methylisobutyl-xanthine and dexamethasone has been shown to result in accumulation of lipid and conversion to the morphology of adipocytes in more than 90% of the cells. The status of the stimulatory (Gs), inhibitory (Gi) and Go-proteins during the course of 3T3-L1 differentiation was examined. The amount of alpha subunit of Gs (#alpha#Gs), assayed by radiolabeling in the presence of cholera toxin and ["3"2P]NAD"+, increased upon differentiation as previously described by others. The amounts of #alpha#Gi and #alpha#Go assayed by radiolabeling in the presence of pertussis toxin and ["3"2P]NAD"+ increased 3-fold upon differentiation. Immunoblots of cell membranes subjected to gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate were probed with two rabbit antisera raised against bovine brain #alpha#Go and with one raised against the#beta#-subunit of ...
We compute the complete two-loop O(alpha) Wilson coefficients relevant for radiative decays of the B meson in the SM. This is a necessary step in the calculation of the O(alphaalpha_s^n ln^n m_b/M_W) corrections and improves on our previous analysis of electroweak effects in B -> X_s gamma. We describe in detail several interesting technical aspects of the calculation and include all dominant QED matrix elements. In our final result, we neglect only terms originated from the unknown O(alphaalpha_s) evolution of the Wilson coefficients and some suppressed two-loop matrix elements. Due to the compensation among different effects, we find that non-trivial electroweak corrections decrease the branching ratio by about 3.8% for a light Higgs boson, in agreement with our previous analysis. As in [1], the corresponding SM prediction for the branching ratio with E_gamma > 1.6 GeV is ...
The broad bands in the room-temperature excitation spectra of Sm"3"+-, Dy"3"+- and Tm"3"+-activated Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON phosphors are interpreted as the N"3"--to-rare earth charge transfer transition (CTT). From the energies of the charge transfer transitions and from the optical data presented for the Eu"2"+ ion, the location of the divalent rare earth ion energy levels relative to the valence and the conduction band of Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON is derived. The salient features of the energy-level diagram are shown to be practical in explaining the temperature-dependent variations of the Eu"2"+ and Yb"2"+ luminescence efficiency in Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON. A comparative study pertaining to the nature of the Yb"2"+ and Eu"2"+ ion luminescence in Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON and in SrSi_2O_2N_2 is presented. A tentative energy-level diagram of the trivalent rare earth ions in Ca-#alpha#-SiAlON is also ...
The effect of the nitrogen uptake in {alpha}-iron upon spark erosion in gaseous and liquid ammonia, plasma nitriding, and plasma immersion ion implantation is studied. The resulting phases and hyperfine parameters, measured by the Moessbauer spectroscopy, are discussed from the point of view of initial conditions of their preparation and subsequent heat and/or mechanical treatment. Spark erosion in the ammonia gas produces fine particles with the dominating ferromagnetic {alpha}-Fe phase (50%). The 20% of specimen volume form {alpha}'-Fe and {alpha}''-Fe{sub 16}N{sub 2} phases. The last 30% occupy the {gamma}'-Fe{sub 4}N, ferro- and paramagnetic {epsilon} phases, and {gamma}-Fe(N). Nitriding in the liquid ammonia allows to incorporate the higher content of nitrogen into {alpha}-iron particles which results in the formation of paramagnetic ...
The effect of the nitrogen uptake in #alpha#-iron upon spark erosion in gaseous and liquid ammonia, plasma nitriding, and plasma immersion ion implantation is studied. The resulting phases and hyperfine parameters, measured by the Moessbauer spectroscopy, are discussed from the point of view of initial conditions of their preparation and subsequent heat and/or mechanical treatment. Spark erosion in the ammonia gas produces fine particles with the dominating ferromagnetic #alpha#-Fe phase (50%). The 20% of specimen volume form #alpha#'-Fe and #alpha#''-Fe_1_6N_2 phases. The last 30% occupy the #gamma#'-Fe_4N, ferro- and paramagnetic #epsilon# phases, and #gamma#-Fe(N). Nitriding in the liquid ammonia allows to incorporate the higher content of nitrogen into #alpha#-iron particles which results in the formation of paramagnetic #epsilon#(#zeta#)-Fe_2N phase. This phase also dominates ...
New and elaborate techniques for alpha-particle autoradiography of thick specimens based on the plastic nuclear track detector CR-39 have been developed. These permit a full analysis of both trace element and microdistribution of alpha-active nuclides present. The important features of the techniques are: 1) reliable low level configuration down to 10/sup -15/ Ci g/sup -1/, 2) high resolution alpha-particle spectroscopy in CR-39, 3) determination of the absolute abundance of alpha active nuclides present in the specimen, 4) determination of the distribution of emission with height up to 30 microns above the surface of the autoradiograph, 5) the local determination of the radon diffusion coefficient in the specimen which is needed to calculate the activity levels of /sup 222/Rn and daughter nuclei, 6) the analysis of small and large clusters of alpha-particle activity recorded on the ...
The soluble pool of alpha hemoglobin chains present in blood or bone marrow cells was measured with a new affinity method using a specific probe, beta A hemoglobin chain labeled with ["3H]N-ethylmaleimide. This pool of soluble alpha chains was 0.067 #+-# 0.017% of hemoglobin in blood of normal adult, 0.11 #+-# 0.03% in heterozygous beta thalassemia and ranged from 0.26 to 1.30% in homozygous beta thalassemia intermedia. This elevated pool of soluble alpha chains observed in human beta thalassemia intermedia decreased 33-fold from a value of 10% of total hemoglobin in bone marrow cells to 0.3% in the most dense red blood cells. The amount of insoluble alpha chains was measured by using the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in urea and Triton X-100. In beta thalassemia intermedia the amount of insoluble alpha chains was correlated with the decreased spectrin content of red cell ...
Economic and performance criteria that should be used in the selection of a scrubber system are presented. Selection should be based on the type of emissions put out by a plant and the removal efficiency required by pollution control standards. Costs and efficiencies for 10 different scrubber systems are reported. (10 diagrams)
Testing of barrier properties of insulating materials against radon is usually based on the measurement of the radon diffusion coefficient. Presented report summarizes results of radon diffusion coefficients measurements in more than 120 insulating materials obtained throughout Europe. All measurements were performed by the Czech Technical University, Faculty of Civil Engineering in cooperation with the Radiation Protection Institute. We have found out that great differences exist in diffusion properties, because the diffusion coefficients vary within eight orders from 10"-"1"5 m"2/s to 10"-"8 m"2/s. For each material category of different chemical composition statistical evaluation of results is presented. Possibilities of usage of the radon diffusion coefficient for the design of radon resisting membranes are discussed. Based on the experience from the Czech Republic the paper is trying to show that controlling applicability of membranes by setting of the upper limit for the radon ...
The Drell-Yan mechanism for the production of lepton pairs is one of the most basic processes for physics studies at hadron colliders. It is therefore important to have accurate theoretical predictions. In this work we compute the two-loop virtual mixed QCD x QED corrections to Drell-Yan production. We evaluate the Feynman diagrams by decomposing the amplitudes into a set of known master integrals and their coefficients, which allows us to derive an analytical result. We also perform a detailed study of the ultraviolet and infrared structure of the two-loop amplitude and the corresponding poles in epsilon.
By employing the higher dimensional version of the Wu-Yang Ansatz we obtain magnetically charged new black hole solutions in the Einstein-Yang-Mills-Lovelock (EYML) theory with second ($\\alpha2$) and third ($\\alpha3$)order parameters. These parameters, where $\\alpha2$ is also known as the Gauss-Bonnet parameter, modify the horizons (and the resulting thermodynamical properties) of the black holes. It is shown also that asymptotically, these parameters contribute to an effective cosmological constant -without cosmological constant- so that the solution behaves de-Sitter (Anti de-Sitter) like.
Hitherto in this laboratory, ionization coefficients alpha and attachment coefficients #eta# have been determined from Townsend's discharge experiments by a curve-fitting method. However, the method proved to be laborious, Formulae have been derived in this paper to give value of alpha and #eta# as a function of Isubo, Isub1 and Isub2 where Isubo is the photoelectric current at a gap setting d and Isub2 the current at another gap setting 2 d. The values of alpha and #eta# obtained give currents in agreement to within 3% in the best cases with the observed currents.
The effect of variations of the fundamental constants on the thermonuclear rate of the triple alpha reaction, "4He(#alpha##alpha#, #gamma#)"1"2C, that bridges the gap between "4He and "1"2C is investigated. We have followed the evolution of 15 and 60 M#centre dot# zero metallicity stellar models, up to the end of core helium burning. They are assumed to be representative of the first (Population III) stars. The calculated oxygen carbon abundances resulting from helium burning can then be used to constrain the variation of the fundamental constants.
This paper reviews and elaborates on the issue of the dilaton transformation under the usual {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau} target space duality and its non-static generalization (or {sigma}-model duality). It is found that the transformation law {tau} {yields} {alpha}{prime}/{tau}, {phi} {yields} {phi} In ({tau}/{alpha}{prime}) which guarantees duality at the one-loop {sigma}-model level should be modified at two (and higher) loop order. The non-static duality is illustrated on the example of cosmological solutions in D {ge} 2 with time-dependent radii of space torus.
The purpose of the present research is to find a suitable technique to measure trace amounts of uranium and thorium and to determine the surface #alpha#-flux in silicon compound (SiO) used for fabrication of integrated circuit packaging materials. Among several commonly-used detecting techniques, it was found that neutron activation analysis (NAA) was most promising. The results from NAA show a large difference in uranium and thorium concentrations when cadmium and boron carbide shields are used, whereas #alpha#-flux measurements show a low #alpha#-activity, which corresponds to the trace amounts of uranium and thorium expected to be present in these materials. (author) 13 refs.; 6 figs.
Bremsstrahlung emitted in the {alpha}+p reaction at 50 MeV/nucleon was studied using a 200 MeV {alpha}-particle beam and a liquid hydrogen target. Double-differential photon cross sections were measured over a wide range of angles and energies. Coherent bremsstrahlung was found to be strong for all photon energies. The cross section is enhanced at the highest photon energies and is characteristic of direct capture to the unbound {sup 5}Li ground and first excited state. With direct capture as a limiting case of coherent bremsstrahlung a consistent reaction picture can be obtained.
The charge distribution in the alpha particle induced fission of "2"0"9Bi has been studied at alpha particle energy of 55.7 MeV and 58.6 MeV. The fractional cumulative yields of "9"7Zr, "9"9Mo, "1"0"1Mo and "1"1"2Pd have been determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The charge distribution have been found to be broad. (author). 4 refs., 1 ta b.
This paper describes and analyzes a dithering technique for accurately specifying small values of opacity ({alpha}) that would normally not be possible because of the limited number of bits available in the alpha channel of graphics hardware. This dithering technique addresses problems related to compositing numerous low-opacity semitransparent polygons to create volumetric effects with graphics hardware. The paper also describes the causes and a possible solution to artifacts that arise from parallel or distributed volume rendering using bricking on multiple GPU's.