UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Tea catechin is one of the compounds that are closely related to obesity and insulin sensitivity. In order to determine the effect of catechin on adipocyte differentiation, we treated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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 ...

Science.gov (United States)

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

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Nerve growth factor (NGF), a survival factor for neurons enforces pain by sensitizing nociceptors. Also in the pancreas, NGF was associated with pain and it can stimulate the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells. Hepatic stellate cells (HSC) respond to NGF with apoptosis. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-b, one of the strongest pro-fibrogenic activators of pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) induced NGF and its two receptors in an immortalized human cell line (ihPSC) and primary rat PSC (prPSC) as determined by RT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. In contrast to HSC, PSC expressed both NGF receptors, although p75NTR expression was weak in prPSC. In contrast to ihPSC TGF-b activated both Smad signaling cascades in prPSC. NGF secretion was diminished by the activin-like kinase (ALK)...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

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...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A sensitivity study has been done to determine the composition of DUPIC fuel from the viewpoint of neutronics fuel design. The spent PWR fuel compositions were generated and fissile contents adjusted by blending fresh uranium after mixing two spent PWR fuel assemblies. The {sup 239}Pu and {sup 235}U enrichments of DUPIC fuel were adjusted by controlling the amount of fresh uranium feed and the ratio of slightly enriched and depleted uranium in the feed uranium. Based on the material balance calculation, it is recommended that DUPIC fuel composition be such that spent PWR fuel utilization is more than 90%. A sensitivity study on the temperature reactivity coefficient of DUPIC fuel and shown that it is desirable to increase the {sup 239}Pu and {sup 235}U contents to reduce both the fuel and coolant temperature coefficients. On the other hand, refueling simulations of the DUPIC core have shown that the channel power peaking ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Purpose: This paper reviews and reassesses the internationally accepted niches or ‘targets’ in bone marrow that are sensitive to the induction of leukaemia and primary...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A pyrochemical process has been introduced and utilized so that the transmutation of spent PWR fuel in PEACER can produce mainly low and intermediate level waste for near surface disposal. Major radioactive nuclides from PEACER pyro-processing are composed of TRU and LLFP. In this study, the requirement for the final waste from PEACER is evaluated based on the methodology for establishment of waste acceptance criteria. Also, sensitivity analysis for several input parameters is conducted in order to determine acceptable decontamination factor (DF) and LLFP removal efficiency and to find out input parameter that extremely have an effect on DF. As a result of the study, LLFP removal efficiency, especially Sr-90 and Tc-99, is proved to be a major nuclide which contributes to annual dose by human intrusion scenario rather than TRU DF. More than 98.5% of LLFP have to be removed to meet below dose constraint within the DF more ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A pyrochemical process has been introduced and utilized so that the transmutation of spent PWR fuel in PEACER can produce mainly low and intermediate level waste for near surface disposal. Major radioactive nuclides from PEACER pyroprocessing are composed of TRU and LLFP. In this study, the requirement for the final waste from PEACER is evaluated based on the methodology for establishment of waste acceptance criteria. Also, sensitivity analysis for several input parameters is conducted in order to determine acceptable decontamination factor (DF) and LLFP removal efficiency and to find out input parameter that extremely have an effect on DF. As a result of the study, LLFP removal efficiency, especially Sr-90 and Tc-99, is proved to be a major nuclide which contributes to annual dose by human intrusion scenario rather than TRU DF. More than 98.5% of LLFP have to be removed to meet below dose constraint within the DF more than ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The invention refers a procedure of radiation dose control in irradiated tissues during electron-beam therapy. It aims at meeting the planned radiation dose for diseased tissues and taking care of the healthy ones. Therefore, the dose distribution required is determined before irradiation in consideration of such factors as energy-dependence of detector sensitivity, self-absorption within the tissue, and relative biological effectiveness. Furthermore, the expected intensity distribution of secondary quantum radiation excited in the irradiated tissue is calculated. A radiation detector for local resolution is used for registration. During irradiation the calculated intensity distribution is compared with the measured one. The invention is applicable in radiation therapy with monoenergetic electron beams.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We describe a fully automated bead puller system which uses stepping motors to position the bead, and an HP-8510 network analyzer to measure the resulting frequency shifts, both devices being under computer control. Longitudinal motion of the bead is used for measurement of cavity shunt impedance. In addition, azimuthal scans at fixed longitudinal position aid in determining the multipole character of higher-order modes. High sensitivity/accuracy is made possible by measuring phase shifts at the unperturbed resonant frequencies (rather than frequency shifts themselves), thereby permitting averaging factors of > 500 with only modest increases in data acquisition time. Sample measurements will be presented. A comprehensive analysis of the experimental results is presented in an accompanying paper.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeTo establish normative values for macular light sensitivity and to determine the intrasession fluctuation of perimetric responses using the OPKO/OTI microperimeter.Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... of perylene were measured with the Shimadzu UV-2500 UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Kyoto, Japan) to determine their molar extinction coefficients. ...

Science.gov (United States)

Summary.? Measuring von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity is essential to the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). The VWF activity is usually assessed based on measurement of the ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo). However, that test is technically challenging and has high intra- and inter-assay variabilities. The HemosIL VWF activity (VWF:AC) is a fully automated assay, recently proposed as a good alternative to VWF:RCo for VWD diagnosis. This study was undertaken to assess this new method. First, the analytical performance of VWF:AC on an automated coagulo-meter (ACLTop) was determined, and then this new method was compared with VWF:RCo and the platelet function analyzer (PFA100) for 160 patients referred for VWD screening. The VWF:AC achieved acceptable precision with within-run and between-run coefficients of variation ranging from 2.3% to 14.1%, and linearity from 10% to 100%. Despite some marked differences between VWF:AC and VWF:RCo for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The applicability of two nuclear analytical methods: radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis and radiometric titrations based on precipitate formations was studied in order to determine the heptacaine hydrochloride in solutions. The applied methods were evaluated based on the obtained sensitivity values.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1. An acid ninhydrin reagent was found to react specifically in forming a pink product (E_max. 560mμ) with cysteine. 2. The method was highly sensitive for the determination...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Yucca Mountain, Nevada is a potential site for a high-level radioactive-waste repository. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were performed to estimate critical factors in the performance of the site with respect to a criterion in terms of pre-waste-emplacement ground-water travel time. The degree of failure in the analytical model to meet the criterion is sensitive to the estimate of fracture porosity in the upper welded unit of the problem domain. Fracture porosity is derived from a number of more fundamental measurements including fracture frequency, fracture orientation, and the moisture-retention characteristic inferred for the fracture domain.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Bone marrow is one of the most radiosensitive organs. Irradiation causes a marked decrease in the total number of hematopoietic cells in the bone marrow. The reticular meshwork structure of marrow stromal cells, however, is relatively resistant to irradiation. Unimpaired stromal cell structure has been thought to be a prerequisite for the repopulation of hematopoietic cells during recovery from the effects of irradiation. The reticular framework is maintained by cell adhesion apparatuses such as gap junctions. The in vitro radiobiologic survival values of a cloned stromal cell line, H-1/A, were studied (n = 1.8, D0 = 138 cGy). Radiation doses of up to 4000 cGy had no detectable effects on the production of colony-stimulating factor 1. H-1/A cells communicate with each other via gap junctions as determined by the sensitive dye-transfer method. Gap-junctional communication between H-1/A cells was resistant to different levels ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electron interference in the presence of nonclassical microwaves with frequency {omega}{sub 1} and classical RF radiation with frequency {omega}{sub 2}, is studied. The relative phase factor between the two electron beams is a quantum-mechanical operator, whose expectation value with regard to the density matrix describing the nonclassical microwaves, determines the interference. It is shown that the visibility of the time-averaged intensity is a constant for all irrational values of {omega}{sub 1}/{omega}{sub 2}, and shows peaks (fractional Shapiro steps) at all rational values. These peaks can provide direct experimental evidence of the highly nonlinear processes of frequency conversion from {ital N} photons with frequency {omega}{sub 1}, to {ital M} photons with frequency {omega}{sub 2}. Results for various types of nonclassical microwaves (e.g., coherent states, squeezed states, number eigenstates, etc.) are derived and a comparison with ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The titanium stabilized austenitic steel similar to the type of 321 is sensitive to the stress corrosion crackingunder horizontal steam generator operating condition. SCC was observed under crevice corrosion parameters and has resulted in the transgranular or intergranular cracking at the both, components primary collectors and heat exchange tubes. The crevice environment is characterized by aggressive impurities and 'non aggressive' compounds. Sulfates and chlorides as aggressive species and silicates and alumino-silicates as 'non aggressive' species on the other hand are present in significant amount in the crevice environment under operating condition. Local water chemistry parameters were evaluated with MULTEQ Code. As input data the measured operational values of local and bulk environments have been used. The determined parameters were compared with the results of thread hole environment analyses and ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

This study determined the phylogenetic groups and virulence factors of 37 Escherichia coli isolates producing types of CTX-M compared with those of 19 isolates producing different types...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Antimicrobial resistance is an emerging problem with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study determined risk factors for the recovery of piperacillin-tazobactam-resistant P. aeruginosa...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

PurposeThis study was undertaken to determine the neuroprotective effect of granulocyte stimulating factor (G-CSF) on neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Materials...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundHepatitis B and C is common in Pakistan and various risk factors are attributable to its spread.One thousand and fifty consecutive male cases suffering from chronic...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A photon-induced x-ray fluorescence method allowing the simultaneous determination of iron, copper, zinc, bromine and rubidium in human blood and blood plasma samples is described. The method is reliable and has a good sensitivity for a wide range of elements. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The covariant quark model is shown to allow a phenomenological description of the neutron electric form factor, G{sub E}{sup n}(Q{sup 2}), in the impulse approximation, provided that the wave function contains minor ({approx}3%) admixtures of the lowest energy sea-quark configurations. While that form factor is not very sensitive to whether the q{sup -} in the qqqqq{sup -} component is in the P-state or in the S-state, the calculated nucleon magnetic form factors are much closer to the empirical values in the case of the former configuration. In the case of the electric form factor of the proton, G{sub E}{sup p}(Q{sup 2}) a zero appears in the impulse approximation close to 10 GeV{sup 2}, when the q{sup -} is in the P-state. That configuration, which may be interpreted as a pion loop ('cloud') fluctuation, also leads to a clearly better description of the nucleon ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A sensitivity study that used the particle tracking code PARMELA was performed on the Advanced Free-Electron Laser (AFEL). The tolerances on the alignment of the beam-line elements and the magnetic-field strengths were examined. Two base-line configurations were determined at the beginning of the study. The electron beam was then matched into the wiggler. The optimized beam-line parameters were varied independently and their sensitivities were judged with the criterion that the free-electron laser (FEL) effective-detuning parameter should not fluctuate more than 10%. The results of this study set the specifications for the alignment, for the sensitivity of the steering magnets, and for the accuracy of the magnetic field in the quadrupoles and dipoles. 5 figs., 3 figs., 3 tabs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AIM: To search the independent factors determining gastric juice acidity and to investigate the acidity of gastric juices in various benign and malignant upper gastrointestinal diseases.METHODS:...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The U.S. Department of Energy`s (DOE) Environmental Management Office of Science and Technology (EM-50) authorized studies on alternative systems for treating contact-handled DOE mixed low-level radioactive waste (MLLW). The on-going Integrated Thermal Treatment Systems` (ITTS) and the Integrated Nonthermal Treatment Systems` (INTS) studies satisfy this request. EM-50 further authorized supporting studies including this technology and subsystem cost sensitivity analysis. This analysis identifies areas where technology development could have the greatest impact on total life cycle system costs. These areas are determined by evaluating the sensitivity of system life cycle costs relative to changes in life cycle component or phase costs, subsystem costs, contingency allowance, facility capacity, operating life, and disposal costs. For all treatment systems, the most cost sensitive life cycle phase is the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The metabolic actions of GH can be divided into acute (insulin-like) and chronic (lipolytic/anti-insulin). The insulin-like actions of GH are most readily elicited in GH-deficient animals as GH induces resistance to its own insulin-like action. Like GH, PGF stimulates growth and cross-reacts with anti-hGH antibodies. Independent experiments were conducted comparing the direct actions of PGF to insulin or hGH in vitro. Insulin-like effects were determined by the ability of PGF, insulin or hGH to stimulate [U-"1"4C]glucose metabolism in epidydimal fat pads from normal rats and by inhibition of epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis. Direct stimulation of lipolysis was used as anti-insulin activity. To determine if PGF competes for insulin or GH receptors, adipocytes (3 x 10"5 cells/ml) were incubated with either ["1"2"5I]insulin or ["1"2"5I]hGH +/- PGF, +/- insulin or +/- hGH. PGF stimulated glucose oxidation and "1"4C-incorporation into lipids. ...

CERN Document Server

The adjoint of an ocean general circulation model is used as a tool for investigating the causes of changes in ENSO SST indices. We identify adjoint Kelvin and Rossby waves in the sensitivities to sea level and wind stress at earlier times, which can be traced back for more than a year through western and weak eastern boundary reflections. Depending on the thermocline depth the first and second baroclinic modes are excited. The sensitivities to the heat flux and SST are local and decay in about a month. The sensitivities to the fluxes are converted into the influence of SST using the adjoint of a statistical atmosphere model. Focusing on SST perturbations in the index region itself, we recover, up to a scale factor, the delayed oscillator concept.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this project is to increase oil recovery from fractured reservoirs through improved fundamental understanding of the process of spontaneous imbibition by which oil is displaced from the rock matrix into the fractures. Spontaneous imbibition is fundamentally dependent on the reservoir surface free energy but this has never been investigated for rocks. In this project, the surface free energy of rocks will be determined by using liquids that can be solidified within the rock pore space at selected saturations. Thin sections of the rock then provide a two-dimensional view of the rock minerals and the occupant phases. Saturations and oil/rock, water/rock, and oil/water surface areas will be determined by advanced petrographic analysis and the surface free energy which drives spontaneous imbibition will be determined as a function of increase in wetting phase saturation. The inherent loss in surface free energy ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Scattered radiation generated in patient and imaging system has to be considered when quality-assurance tests involve dose detection or image-quality estimations. Measurement of automatic-exposure control dose can be altered by backscattering from intensifying screens of more than 10% and the equipment transmission factor can be overestimated up to a factor of 10 when only primary radiation is used. The sensitivity of intensifying screens depends on the angle of incidence of the radiation and so primary and scattered radiation are detected differently. The quality-control aspects of anti-scatter grids are discussed. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this paper, a new design methodology for determining the size, location, type and number of capacitors to be placed on a radial distribution system is presented. The objective is to minimize the peak power losses and the energy losses in the distribution system considering the capacitor cost. A sensitivity analysis based method is used to select the candidate locations for the capacitors. A new optimization method using a Genetic Algorithm is proposed to determine the optimal selection of capacitors. Test results have been presented along with the discussion of the algorithm.

Science.gov (United States)

The complete world set of parity-violating electron scattering data up to Q{sup 2}{approx}0.3 GeV{sup 2} is analyzed. We extract the current experimental determination of the strange electric and magnetic form factors of the proton, as well as the weak axial form factors of the proton and neutron, at Q{sup 2}=0.1 GeV{sup 2}. Within experimental uncertainties, we find that the strange form factors are consistent with zero, as are the anapole contributions to the axial form factors. Nevertheless, the correlation between the strange and anapole contributions suggest that there is only a small probability that these form factors all vanish simultaneously.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Results of the evaluation of the scattered radiation effect on the image of defects in examined products are given. The formula is suggested which characterizes the image of defects on a scintillation screen as well as accumulation factors are calculated by the Monte-Carlo method. Values of fluctuations of absorbed energy in the screen used for the evaluation of sensitivity are experimentally obtained. The effect of high-energy bremsstrahlung on the defect detection is analyzed.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The capacity of bones to adjust their mass and architecture to withstand the loads of everyday activity derives from the ability of their resident cells to respond appropriately to the strains engendered....Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When combining aerosol retention components in the dissolver offgas stream of a reprocessing plant, the behavior both of the individual aerosol filter stages and the overall removal efficiency of all filters connected in series vis-a-vis an aerosol spectrum to be expected must be determined for the benefit of the licensing authority. A fast method of determining removal efficiencies is described, which can also be applied in hot operation. This method was used to demonstrate, with high certainty, decontamination factors of a whole filter train in the range of 10"7.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Systems Design Study (SDS) identified technologies available for the remediation of low-level and transuranic waste stored at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex's Subsurface Disposal Area at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory. The SDS study intentionally omitted the costs of transportation and disposal of the processed waste and the cost of decommissioning the processing facility. This report provides a follow-on analysis of the SDS to explore the basis for life-cycle cost segments of transportation, disposal, and facility decommissioning; to determine the sensitivity of the cost segments; and to quantify the life-cycle costs of the 10 ex situ concepts of the Systems Design Study.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The susceptibility to intergranular corrosion of different heats of Alloy 800 was evaluated by three different methods: the ASTM A 262 Practice E (or modified Strauss test), the Electrochemical Potentiokinetic Reactivation method, and by magnetic-susceptibility measurements. Reasonably good agreement was found between the sensitization areas as defined by the three methods in the TTS diagrams. In some cases the area defined by the Strauss test was slightly smaller than that determined by the other two tests. The differences might be explained by the fact that the methods present different sensitivities to the chromium concentration at the grain boundaries. 27 references, 11 figures, 3 tables.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The authors have shown that toxicity of paraquat for Escherichia coli is increased over 1-fold in strains defective in the biosynthesis of spermidine compared to isogenic strains containing spermidine. The increased sensitivity of these spermidine-deficient mutants to paraquat is eliminated by growth in medium containing spermidine or by endogenous supplementation of spermidine by the use of a speE"+D"+ plasmid. No paraquat toxicity is seen in the absence of oxygen, even in amine-deficient strains, indicating that superoxide is the agent responsible for the increased toxicity. However, the specific mechanisms responsible for the increased paraquat toxicity in the spermidine-deficient mutants remain to be determined. The marked sensitivity to paraquat of E. coli deficient in spermidine is of particular interest, since such mutants have no other phenotypic properties that can be easily assayed. This increased ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The convolution/superposition algorithm for computing dose from photon beams in radiation therapy planning requires knowledge of the energy spectrum. The algorithm can compute the dose for a polyenergetic beam as the weighted sum of the individual dose contributions from monoenergetic beams. In this study we exploit interface effects apparent in the dose distributions to discriminate among spectra of high energy photon beams. We have studied the sensitivity of the depth dose distribution to the energy components using a hypothetical beam for various field sizes and depths in water and water-lung-water media. Six theoretical spectra were simulated. We compared depth dose data from these spectra using three quantitative measures which are inherently free of normalization ambiguities: for homogeneous water, the ratio D_2_0/D_1_0 and a logarithmic derivative in the buildup region LD_b_u_i_l_d_-_u_p and for inhomogeneous lung/water, the lung correction ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We compare standard nuclear polarization mechanisms, ..delta..-hole-polarization and meson-exchange-current effects in the q-dependent quenching of isovector spin transitions. Calculations are performed for the M1-transition form factors of the 1/sup +/ states in /sup 48/Ca (10.23 MeV) and /sup 88/Sr (3.48 MeV). We obtain a satisfactory description of both form factors if the repulsive part of the residual interaction in the ..delta..-hole channel is of similar strength to that in the nucleon-hole channel. Meson-exchange currents lead to an enhancement of M1 transitions by an amount which is small in general, but sensitive to the particular nuclear state involved. 44 references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Discusses Czechoslovak regulations for determining moisture content in brown coal. Standard formulae for determining total moisture content and residual water content are described. Factors that influence accuracy in determining moisture content under laboratory conditions are analyzed: brown coal type, season of the year, air humidity, method and duration of coal sample drying, number of coal samples simultaneously dried in 1 dryer, ash content of coal. On the basis of analysis recommendations for a modified method of determining moisture content in brown coal are made. 5 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Two inactive tracer techniques for determination of the decontamination factor (DF) of evaporation plants for radioactive waste water are described. One method was used for determination of the DF of an one stage pilot plant. The elements Mg, Cd and Co were employed as tracers. The analyses were performed by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The measurements being fast and simple are especially advantageous with test series in pilot plants. In the second method activation analysis was used for measurement of the tracer to determine the DF of a two stage evaporation plant. Europium is added to the stock solution in a concentration of 70 ppm only. With this method a DF of up to 3 . 10"8 can still be determined. (Auth.).

Science.gov (United States)

Coke strength increases in significance as blast furnace and metallurgical plant gain in size and output requirement. The article underlines the need to apply error computation standards to strength testing routines. The mean square deviation was found for cokes from different plants, related to a single strength determination for M25 and M10, and amounted to 0.61 and 0.35% respectively. The future standards should include a correlation factor for permitted tolerance as between parallel determinations.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this work, a highly-sensitive polymeric membrane ion selective electrode for determination of tetracycline was constructed by using molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) particles as quasi-ionophore. The water-compatible MIP particles targeting tetracycline were synthesized with tetracycline as a template molecule, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linker, 2,2?-azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator and lanthanum ion as a mediator. Benefited from the distinctive performance of the quasi-ionophore and the optimized composition of the membrane and the inner filling solution, the lower detection limit of the electrode was decreased to about 1 ? 10?8 mol/l. It exhibited a good electrode slope 59.8 mV/decade near the theoretical Nernstian one, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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 alphy source and with radon filling. Coating the window with phosphor was found to be counter-productive. The optimum results obtained were with the inside of the cell (other than the window) covered with a thick layer of ZnS(Ag), or with a thick layer of reflective material coated with a thin layer of phosphor. With it, a 10 cm diameter plexiglass cell can be extended to at least 50 cm length without difficulty from ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In nuclear fuel, in approximately one quarter of the fissions, one of the two formed fission products is gaseous. These are mainly the noble gases xenon and krypton with isotopes of xenon contributing up to 90% of the product gases. These noble fission gases do not combine with other species, and have a low solubility in the normally used uranium oxide matrix. They can be dissolved in the fuel matrix or precipitate in nanometer-sized bubbles within the fuel grain, in micrometer-sized bubbles at the grain boundaries, and a fraction also precipitates in fuel pores, coming from fuel fabrication. A fraction of the gas can also be released into the plenum of the fuel rod. With increasing fission, and therefore burn-up, the ceramic fuel material experiences a transformation of its structure in the 'cooler' rim region of the fuel. A subdivision occurs of the original fuel grains of few microns size into thousands of small grains of sub-micron sizes. Additionally, larger ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To examine and evaluate the predominant and common etiologic agent(s) of urinary tract infection (UTI) in Sukkur city and to determine their current antibiotic susceptibility/resistance trends. Nine hundred sixty six patients out of 1430 abnormal urine reports (showing significant abnormalities such as protein, pus, red cells) were asked to give second sample. The urine samples were examined by both urine test strip (Combur 10 Test, Roche) and microscopically (wet preparation) followed by culture and sensitivity. The culture sensitivity was done on urine samples of which bacterial numbers were estimated as more than 105CFU. The study was conducted at Safeway Diagnostic and Research Laboratory Sukkur and the Department of Microbiology, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Sindh from March 2001 to March 2003. Eight hundred fifty-two (88.2%) showed Escherichia spp followed by Klebsiella spp (6.9%) and proteus spp (4.9%). ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundIn Africa low birth weight (LBW) (<2500 g), is the strongest determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The factors determining temperature and current coefficients of lasing wavelength are investigated and discussed under monitoring CO₂-gas absorption spectra. The diffusion rate of...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

RasGRF1 is a Ras-guanine nucleotide exchange factor implicated in a variety of physiological processes including learning and memory and glucose homeostasis. To determine the role of RASGRF1 in aging,...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The lifetime of technical constructions is determined by many factors. Technical, operational and technological aspects all help to define the term 'lifetime'. Examples from practical operation of steam turbines are considered for a discussion of 'lifetime', and methods of analysis are described. (TK/AK).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectivesIn 2003, the Omani Ministry of Health Child Health Care Program initiated a national Birth Defects (BD) Register. This paper reviews the magnitude and risk factors of birth...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveTo determine whether erectile dysfunction (ED) predicts cardiovascular disease (CVD) beyond traditional risk factors.BackgroundFull Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Certain structural and environmental factors other than technical combination of resources and firm size are hypothesized to affect medical practice output. Four groups of variables related to physician...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the presentation the major factors determining the conditions of NCC (Natural Coolant Circulation) in the primary circuit and in particular conditions of coolant rate distribution on the horizontal tubes of PGV-1000 in NPP with VVER-1000 under NCC are considered. 5 refs.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundLifestyle, genetics and environmental factors are established determinants of bone density. We aimed to describe the bone characteristics of competitive top-ranked Nigerian...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

KLF1 regulates a diverse suite of genes to direct erythroid cell differentiation from bipotent progenitors. To determine the local cis-regulatory contexts and transcription factor networks...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Based on QCD conformal partial wave expansion to leading order conformal spin accuracy, we present the light-cone distribution amplitudes (DAs) of {sigma} and {lambda} baryons up to twist 6. It is concluded that fourteen independent DAs are needed to describe the valence three-quark states of the baryons at small transverse separations. The nonperturbative parameters relevant to the DAs are determined within the framework of QCD sum rule method. With the obtained DAs, a simple investigation on the electromagnetic form factors of these baryons are given. The magnetic moments of the baryons are estimated by fitting the magnetic form factor with the dipole formula.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We describe a procedure for correcting the systematic errors in the Moessbauer f-factor measurement due to non-homogeneous effective thickness of the sample. To be more precise, we show that, if the mass of the sample is determined by means of X- or {gamma}-ray absorption, it is possible to establish experimental conditions so that the error on f due to material non-homogeneity in the sample is minimized.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of this study was to determine the usefulness of parathyroid scintigraphy in histological estimation for secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) using Tc-99m sestamibi or Tc-99m tetrofosmin. Tc-99m sestamibi (MIBI) and Tc-99m tetrofosmin (Tetro) parathyroid imaging following double-phase study, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound were performed on 14 patients with 2HPT. All patients underwent parathyroidectomy. The uptake of two tracers in parathyroid areas was compared with the histopathologic findings. Forty-nine parathyroid glands were surgically explored and histologically proven to be hyperplastic. Of these, 42 were diagnosed with nodular type (N-type) hyperplasia, and 7 with diffuse type (D-type) hyperplasia. MIBI and Tetro parathyroid imagings detected 34 and 35 parathyroid glands, respectively. The sensitivity of MIBI was determined to be 76.2% (32/42) for N-type, and 28.6% (2/7) for D-type. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We have studied the correlation between the chemical state and the oxygen-sensing properties of an iron oxide thin film using a setup that allows simultaneous sensor resistance measurements and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) data acquisition. The gas exposures were performed at the highest operating pressure of the XPS spectrometer at a controlled sample temperature which allows direct comparison between the sensor response and the chemical state of the surface. The iron oxide film was modified by a sequence of argon ion sputtering steps and the induced changes in the chemical state, resistance, and sensitivity to oxygen were investigated. The sputtering was found to reduce the iron from the Fe"3"+ to the Fe"2"+ state and to decrease the sensor resistance. The measured sensitivity to oxygen first increased by a factor of two but then collapsed to its original level. The mechanism for oxygen sensing was found to be ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method to deduce the 2 x 2 transport matrix for coupled heat and particle transport in Tokamaks is proposed. The method applies to perturbative experiments, and is based on a Fourier transform of the measured signals of temperature and density. By analyzing different linear combinations of temperature and density, the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the transport matrix are determined. The method is tested for a number of illustrative cases using simulated data, and the sensitivity to noise on the signals is evaluated. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Analytical expressions for thermoluminescence (TL) dating based on the modified Zimmerman model were derived. The non-linear behaviour of TL sensitivity is reexamined and is found to be due to electron capturing competitions in both test-dose excitation and the readout stages. A curve fitting method is proposed to determine the paleodose for the additive dose dating method. The multiple activation technique is also investigated, from which the paleodose should be regarded as an upper limit.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Investigated are the characteristics of high-temperature plastic deformation the velocity sensitivity of flow stresses, deformation curves, flow stresses, deformation before rupture - as well as the structure of beryllium alloys containing nickel (0.5-4 %), yttrium (0.5-2 %) and aluminium (38 %). The alloys containing nickel (2%) and yttrium (0.5 %) are superplastic, however, deformation before fracture of the alloys is lower than that of the unalloyed beryllium. The singularities of high-temperature plastic flow of the alloys and the causes of deterioration of their plasticity are determined.

Science.gov (United States)

A comparison was made of the advantages and disadvantages of two codes, SAND-II and FERRET, for determining the neutron flux spectrum and uncertainty from experimental dosimeter measurements as anticipated in the FFTF Reactor Characterization Program. This comparison involved an examination of the methodology and the operational performance of each code. The merits of each code were identified with respect to theoretical basis, directness of method, solution uniqueness, subjective influences, and sensitivity to various input parameters.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The study was performed for evaluating the risk effect of digital systems on the total plant. Based on risk monitor, a fault tree model for the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plants (KSNPP), we integrate the fault-tree models for Digital Plant Protection System (DPPS) and Digital Engineered SaFety Actuation System (DESFAS) which are the most important safety-critical I and C systems in the KSNPP. In this study, however, three important factors (the probabilities of manual actuation failure, the software failure probability, and the watchdog timer fault coverage) are treated as the variables of the sensitivity study because quantification methodologies for these factors are not developed yet. Not only the unavailability of digital safety-critical system itself, but also the risk effect of digital systems on the total plant should be assessed to prove the safety of digital systems. The result of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

We compare standard nuclear polarization mechanisms, #DELTA#-hole-polarization and meson-exchange-current effects in the q-dependent quenching of isovector spin transitions. Calculations are performed for the M1-transition form factors of the 1"+ states in "4"8Ca (10.23 MeV) and "8"8Sr (3.48 MeV). We obtain a satisfactory description of both form factors if the repulsive part of the residual interaction in the #DELTA#-hole channel is of similar strength to that in the nucleon-hole channel. Meson-exchange currents lead to an enhancement of M1 transitions by an amount which is small in general, but sensitive to the particular nuclear state involved. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Being based on the Segal method, calculation was carried out for the natural uranium nuclear fuel cost with Zircaloy-4 cladding having design parameters of Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant, CANDU-PHWR (Unit 1), currently under construction in Korea aiming at its completion in 1982. An attempt was also made for the sensitivity analysis of each fuel component; i.e., depreciation of fuel manufacturing plant caused by its life time, its load factor, production scale expansion of plant facilities, variations of construction and operating costs of fuel manufacturing plant, fluctuation of interest rates, extent of uranium ore price increases and effect of learning factor. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The scope of radioanalysis can be enlarged substantially by preconcentration. The minimal concentration factor required depends on the concentration to be determined, the limit of determination of the analytical technique and the maximal acceptable sample-weight. Simultaneously, the preconcentration step may cause a decontamination. In post-irradiation chemistry this is usually the crucial parameter. The present paper proposes the classification of (pre-) concentration techniques by the relation between the concentration-factor X and the decontamination-factor Y. In addition, three other criteria here are used to judge the applicability in combination with the analytical technique chosen. They stem from the minimal representative and the maximal acceptable sample-weights and the maximal acceptable dose-rate. The features of a particular combination of (pre-) concentration and ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Increased levels of epidermal growth factor receptor have been reported in a variety of tumors, including pulmonary squamous cell carcinomas in man. The purpose of this study was to determine if increased levels of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) were present in lung tumors from Beagle dogs that had been exposed to "2"3"9PuO_2- Using immunohistochemical techniques, sections from 17 lung tumors were examined for the presence of EGFR. Seven of the tumors were strongly positive for EGFR; the remainder of the tumors and the normal lung sections were negative. The positive immunostaining could not be correlated with the histologic phenotype of the tumors. Work is in progress to determine the level of EGFR in preneoplastic, proliferative epithelial foci in the Iung. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) of the station blackout (SBO) and 5th emergency diesel in Daya Bay NPP has been carried out, the calculation method of non-recover factors of power supplies is given, and sensitivity analysis on the connection duration of 5th emergency diesel has been executed. It is concluded that the core damage frequency (CDF) induced by SBO is relatively large, the addition of 5th emergency diesel is very helpful for the CDF reduction, and the connection duration of this diesel has great effect on the CDF reduction

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

CT colonography (CTC) is increasingly advocated as an effective initial screening tool for colorectal cancer. Nowadays, policy-makers are increasingly interested in cost-effectiveness issues. A number of studies assessing the cost-effectiveness of CTC have been published to date. The majority of findings indicate that CTC is probably not cost-effective when colonoscopy is available, but this conclusion is sensitive to a number of key parameters. This review discusses the findings of these studies, and considers those factors which most influence final conclusions, notably intervention costs, compliance rates, effectiveness of colonoscopy, and the assumed prevalence and natural history of diminutive advanced polyps. (orig.)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Despite the proven utility of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) to predict soil rainfall erosion, it has limited precision in predicting soil loss in some soil series. Also, runoff is a factor in rainfall erosion and some models, such as the modified USLE (USLE-M), include runoff in predicting soil erosion. The soil erodibility factor is an essential component in both models and this may be affected by application of soil conditioners, such as polyacrylamide (PAM). The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of different rates of PAM (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6kgha-1) applied with sprinkler irrigation water, followed by two sprinkler irrigations with no PAM, on the erodibility of a loam soil under a rainfall simulator in a laboratory. The range of erodibility factor Ku obtained...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purpose of this research was to: a) evaluate variations in sensitivity and uniformity of SPECT detectors during 360"0 rotation, b) explore the causes of the variations and c) to discuss a correction procedure. A flood source consisting of a lucite disc 47.7 cm in diameter containing 3 microcuries of Co-57 was constructed. This source can be firmly attached to the uncollimated detector guaranteeing no detector-source geometry change during rotation. Four different SPECT cameras were tested. Measurements were obtained at 45"0 intervals throughout a 360"0 rotation, and repeated in 3 different orientations with respect to the earth's magnetic field. In one camera the effects of the direction and strength of induced magnetic fields were studied. All detectors showed cyclic rotational variations in sensitivity; in three cameras 6%, in one 3%. The amplitude and phase of the sensitivity variation curves and the variations in ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The feasibility of using of current-biased superconducting strips for radiation detection is investigated. Narrow Ta strips are exposed to 5.5 MeV [alpha]-particle radiation and the rise-time of the induced voltage pulses is measured as function of temperature and bias current. The rise-time of the voltage signal strongly depends on the site on the strip which is hit by the [alpha]-particle. In order to determine the spatial resolution of a superconducting strip detector, position-sensitive measurements were performed. The maximum lateral resolution estimated so far is 25[mu]m in a 7[mu]m wide, 340 nm thick and 0.6 mm long Ta-strip. (orig.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An Oil Shale Mining Economic Model (OSMEM) was developed and executed for mining scenarios representative of commercially feasible mining operations. Mining systems were evaluated for candidate sites in the Piceance Creek Basin. Mining methods selected included: (1) room-and-pillar; (2) chamber-and-pillar, with spent shale backfilling; (3) sublevel stopping; and (4) sublevel stopping, with spent shale backfilling. Mines were designed to extract oil shale resources to support a 50,000 barrels-per-day surface processing facility. Costs developed for each mining scenario included all capital and operating expenses associated with the underground mining methods. Parametric and sensitivity analyses were performed to determine the sensitivity of mining cost to changes in capital cost, operating cost, return on investment, and cost escalation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Many nondestructive beam position monitors are known. However, these devices can not be used for DC particle beam diagnostics. We investigated a method of beam diagnostics applicable for the operative control of DC high power e-beam inside closed waveguide. A design of the detector for determination of{open_quote} center of mass {close_quote} position of DC particle beam was developed. It was shown that the monitor can be used as a nondestructive method for the beam position control in resonators. Magnetic field of the particle beam outside a resonator is used. The detector consists of the steel yokes and magnetic field sensors. The sensors measure magnetic fluxes in the steel yokes fixed outside the resonator. When the particle beam changes its position, these magnetic fluxes also change. Beam displacement sensitivity of the monitor depends on the steel yoke dimensions. The detector sensitivity is equal to 1 Gauss/mm for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Discusses methods for determining ash content in coal using backscattering in X-ray fluorescence. The following aspects are evaluated: principle of ash content determination, energy sources, factors that influence measurement accuracy, reliability. Types of X-ray fluorescence analyzers developed in Czechoslovakia and manufactured in the Czech Republic are comparatively evaluated. Operation of the RPM 113.1 radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analyzer developed by the PAR company and used for measuring ash content in coal and coal calorific value is discussed. 7 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Carbon monoxide can be produced in severe accidents from interaction of ex-vessel molten core with concrete. Depending on the particular core-melt scenario, the type of concrete and geometric factors affecting the interaction, the quantities of carbon monoxide produced can vary widely, up to several volume percent in the containment. Carbon monoxide is a combustible gas. The carbon monoxide thus produced is in addition to the hydrogen produced by metal-water reactions and by radiolysis, and represents a possibly significant contribution to the combustible gas inventory in the containment. Assessment of possible accident loads to containment thus requires knowledge of the combustion properties of both CO and H_2 in the containment atmosphere. Extensive studies have been carried out and are still continuing in the nuclear industry to assess the threat of hydrogen in a severe reactor accident. However the contribution of carbon monoxide to the combustion threat has ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The radiosensitivity of spermatogonial stem cells of C3H/HeHx101/H F[sub 1] hybrid mice was determined by counting undifferentiated spermatogonia at 10 days after X-irradiation. During the spermatogenic cycle, differences in radiosensitivity were found, which were correlated with the proliferative activity of the spermatogonial stem cells. In stage VIII[sub irr], during quiescence, the spermatogonial stem cells were most radiosensitive with a D[sub 0] of 1.4 Gy. In stages XI[sub irr]-V[sub irr], when the cells were proliferatively active, the D[sub 0] was about 2.6 Gy. Based on the D[sub 0] values for sensitive and resistant spermatogonia and on the D[sub 0] for the total population, a ratio of 45:55% of sensitive to resistant spermatogonial stem cells was estimated for cell killing. When the present data were compared with data on translocation induction obtained in mice of the same genotype, a close fit was obtained when ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The sensitivity analysis summarized in this paper was made to determine the parameters of greatest influence in the prediction of radon barrier cover thickness for the stabilization of uranium mill tailings piles. Such information provides the basis for setting priorities and levels of effort for data collection, and improves knowledge of the sources of uncertainty in the calculation of cover thickness. In the context of this paper, the influence of a parameter on cover thickness incorporates two effects: (1) the sensitivity of the mathematical formulation to changes in a parameter's value, and (2) the range of values that a parameter may take on under site-specific conditions. Of the several parameters that are used in the calculations, the most influential are cover moisture content, cover radon diffusion coefficient, tailings radium concentration and tailings radon emanating fraction, in order of decreasing relative ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The effect of chronic administration of phenobarbital on the binding of phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (({sup 3}H)PDBu), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), was examined in rat liver microsomes. A significant increase in the number of binding sites was observed in microsomes of Fisher 344 rats. However, no change appeared in liver cytosol binding of PDBu. Consequently, a translocation process of PKC is unlikely. The increase in ({sup 3}H)PDBu binding in liver microsomes is significant 24 h. after one injection of phenobarbital and reaches its maximum in 2 days. In other strains of rats (ACI and lean Zucker), significant differences were found in the increase of ({sup 3}H)PDBu binding in microsomes. Fisher 344 were the most sensitive, lean Zucker rats, the least sensitive. Those results parallel the pentoxy-resorufin O demethylase activity in the microsomes of the same animals. EC{sub 50} values for inhibition of ({sup 3}H)PDBu binding by ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The identification of genes influencing sensitivity to stimulants and opioids is important for determining their mechanism of action and may provide fundamental insights into the genetics of drug abuse. We used a panel of C57BL/6J (B6; recipient)x A/J (donor) chromosome substitution strains (CSSs) to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for both open field activity and sensitivity to the locomotor stimulant response to methamphetamine (MA). Mice were injected with saline (days 1 and 2) and MA (day 3; 2 mg/kg i.p.). We analyzed the total distance traveled in the open field for 30 min following each injection. CSS-8, -11 and -16 showed reduced MA-induced locomotor activity relative to B6, whereas CSS-10 and -12 showed increased MA-induced locomotor activity. Further analysis focused on CSS...

CERN Document Server

We present several recent results from the BaBar collaboration in the areas of initial state radiation physics and transition form factors. An updated study of the processes e+e- -> K+K-pi+pi- and e+e- -> K+K-pi0pi0 provides an improved understanding of the Y(2175) meson. A very precise study of the process e+e- -> pi+pi- improves the precision on the calculated anomalous magnetic moment of the muon and provides by far the best information on excited rho states. Our previous measurements of the timelike transition form factors (TFF) of the eta and eta' mesons at Q^2=112 GeV^2, combined with new measurements of the their spacelike TFFs and those of the pi0 and eta_c mesons, provide powerful tests of QCD and models of the distribution amplitudes of quarks inside these mesons. The eta_c TFF shows the expected behavior over the Q^2 range 1-50 GeV^2, and we are sensitive to next-to-leading-order QCD corrections. The eta ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The themal neutron sensitivities of SEI and Toshiba FD-P10-7 radiophotoluminescent silver activated metaphosphate glass dosimeters have been measured and studied theoretically. The graphite thermal neutron column attached to the AEEW reactor NESTOR was utilised as a source of thermal neutrons with minimal fast neutron and gamma-ray contamination. Both the neutron removal and gamma correction measurement techniques were applied and these gave consistent results. It was found that the thermal neutron sensitivity of the Toshiba dosimeters is comparable to the most neutron intensitive thermoluminescent materials available. Because of their larger size and higher silver concentration, however, SEI dosimeters are an order of magnitude more neutron sensitive. The neutron sensitivity of FD-7 glass has not been reported previously, whereas in the case of SEI glass, there exists a modest body of previous work on ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A program is currently in progress at Argonne National Laboratory to evaluate and develop evaporator technology for concentrating radioactive waste streams. By concentrating radioactive waste streams, disposal costs can be significantly reduced. To effectively reduce the volume of waste, the evaporator must achieve high decontamination factors so that the distillate is sufficiently free of radioactive material. One technology that shows a great deal of potential for this application is being developed by LICON, Inc. In this program, Argonne plans to apply LICON`s evaporator designs to the processing of radioactive solutions. Concepts that need to be incorporated into the design of the evaporator include, criticality safety, remote operation and maintenance, and materials of construction. To design an effective process for concentrating waste streams, both solubility and vapor-liquid equilibrium data are needed. The key issue, however, is the high decontamination ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Reaction of formation of 3, 5, 7, 3', 4', 5' - hexaoxiflavone - myricetin complexes with zirconium and hafnium ions has been the basis for development of luminescent method of determining these elements. Optimum conditions for complexing have been determined. For Hf they are : 8-9 HCl concentration, maximum fluorescence wave length (lambda fl.)of 520 nm, wave length of exciting light (lambda el) of 436 nm, for Zr lambda fl = 536nm, lambda el = 436 nm. Stable fluorescence establishes after 25 min. for Zr and after 15 min for Hf in the presence of 40% ethanol. Usage of various camouflage agents has permitted to attain high selectivity of the method. Possibility for determination of Zr with myricetin in the presence of a 10-time excess of Hf, Cr, Cu, 50-time excess of Mo and Ti is shown. Sensitivity of Zr determination is 2.0x10 #mu#g"-"2/ml, for Hf it is 9.0x10 #mu#g"-"3 and mineral ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We summarize our lattice QCD study of the form factor at zero recoil in the decay {bar B} {yields} D*{ell}{bar {nu}}. After careful consideration of all sources of systematic uncertainty, we find, h{sub A{sub 1}}(1) = 0.913{sub -17-30}{sup +24+17}, where the first uncertainty is from statistics and fitting while the second combined uncertainty is from all other systematic effects.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In dual-energy projection radiography with double exposures, rapid energy switching is mandatory to eliminate motion artifacts, but it is costly for use in a clinical environment. We developed a system with practical exposure intervals at reasonable cost by modifying a condenser-type X-ray generator. A commercially available system for digital radiography (Fuji Computed Radiography, FCR) was used to subtract images. This report dealt with technical factors to obtain adequate kV and mAs settings in this technique.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The need for noninvasive sensitive techniques for the diagnosis and follow-up of metabolic bone disease in dialysis patients has stimulated the author's interest in the efficacy of more detailed quantitative bone scintigraphy. Using hemodialysis to reduce elevated soft-tissue activity at scintigraphy, an attempt was made to assess the diagnostic sensitivity of quantitative bone scintigraphy as compared to qualitative bone scintigraphic, biochemical, radiographic and bone histologic studies. The second aim of these studies was to determine if one of the two major components of renal osteodystrophy is a major determinant for skeletal radiotracer uptake. The clinical observations on the efficacy and possible specificity of quantitative bone scintigraphy in the diagnosis and follow-up during treatment of renal osteodystrophy are presented briefly in this chapter. Thus, the use of scintigraphy for the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

After having discussed the peculiarities of children in X-ray diagnosis the application of the effective as well as the mean equivalent doses as to the determination of the radiation exposure in children is represented. In using computerized tomograms to determine position and extent of an organ the exposure by repeated X-raying was calculated referring to the entrance dose. Entrance dose measurements for all types of X-ray examination in hospitals and ascertainments of the frequency of radiograms in 20 X-ray departments were used to determine per capita and collective doses, resp., in several age groups. Alltogether, the per capita dose of children in the GDR amounts to 30% of that of adults. Conclusions were drawn as to taking measures to further reduction of radiation exposure: (1) Technical measures, such as positioning of patients, shielding of organs, quality assurance; (2) elaboration of regulations concerning the ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

To determine a rat strain appropriate for carcinogenicity testing of FYX-051, a xanthine oxidoreductase inhibitor, we performed a 4-week oral toxicity study by administering 0.3, 1 and 3?mg/kg, and 1, 3 and 10?mg/kg of FYX-051 to male Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Fischer (F344) rats, respectively. Histopathology revealed that the degree of FYX-051-induced nephropathy was 3-fold stronger in SD rats than in F344 rats. Our previous study demonstrated that the key factor of species differences in FYX-051-induced nephropathy is purine metabolism. This observation led us to examine the involvement of purine metabolism in differences among two strains of rats. However, purine metabolism was proven not to be implicated as an important factor. Subsequently, other factors responsible for the strain diffe...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The g factors of the 2/sub 1//sup +/ states in sup(84,86,88)Sr have been deduced using the thin-foil transient field technique with the field calibration of the Rutgers group. The values are g(/sup 84/Sr)= + 0.419(47), g(/sup 86/Sr)= + 0.273(50) and g(/sup 88/Sr)= + 1.15(17). The mean lifetimes of the 2/sub 1//sup +/ states in sup(86,88)Sr were determined by the Doppler-shift attenuation method to be 2.10(22) ps and 0.219(23) ps respectively. The g factor and lifetime results are compared with shell model and interacting boson model predictions.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The evaluation of radon concentration measurements in newly developing geothermal reservoirs with the objective of determining the ability of measured changes in noncondensible gas components, such as radon, to predict changes in the thermodynamic properties of the reservoir is described. This ability would be especially useful in liquid-dominated resources, where changes in steam fraction are sensitive to changes in reservoir temperature and fluid enthalpy. Radon measurements were made in samples separated by phase at the outlets of a prototype rotary separator turbine. The data were examined in relation to the thermodynamic properties of the geofluids supplied by the test well.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work reports on the use of three state-of-the-art Monte Carlo codes (MCNPX, PENELOPE, FLUKA) in the efficiency calibration of a Broad-Energy Germanium (BEGe) detector. Initial discrepancies found between the experimental and computational efficiency values are related to the poor knowledge of some physical parameters of the detector (dead-layers, crystal dimensions, etc.). As a consequence, a sensitivity analysis was carried out. Each parameter was systematically analyzed, and an accurate model of the detector was determined. The obtained results are consistent, allowing this model to be used in computational efficiency calibrations of the equipment at stake.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Direct determination of "2"3"2U and its decay products in animal tissues appears to be feasible using an intrinsic Ge(Li) diode detector (for energies of 5-100 keV) and a NaI(Tl) anticoincidence-shielded Ge(Li) diode for higher-energy gamma photons. The detection sensitivity for "2"3"2U and "2"2"8Th is 0.03 and 0.01 nCi, respectively, using a 300-min counting time.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The effect of elastic and plastic strains on the magnetic properties of ferrite-pearlite steels has been studied. It has been shown that the sensitivity to elastic-tensile and bending strains is four to five times greater for remnant magnetization than for coercive force. In order to determine the degree of cold plastic deformation of high-carbon steels, a two-parametric testing technique based on the use of remnant magnetization and coercive force was suggested. An MMT-2 device was recommended for measurement of the required parameters.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The capability of screen-film combinations of detection and representation of information is described by the detective quantum efficiency (DQE). The DQE may be calculated from the sensitivity, the gradient of the characteristic curve, the modulation transfer function and the Wiener spectrum. These parameters have been determined for fourteen screen-film combinations and the DQE's have been calculated. It is shown that the low frequency region the DQE does not depend on spatial frequency. This constant level of DQE is mostly dependent on the absorbance of the screens. Consequences from this fact, as well for the manufacturer as for the user of the screens, are discussed. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A large scintillation chamber of 6.7 l volume for direct radon concentration measurements in gas is presented. With two 5 in. photomultipliers on opposite sides, working in coincidence, a concentration as low as about 0.5 mBq/l is detectable with 10% standard deviation after 1000 min measuring time. With the achieved background count rate of 0.42 counts/min and the counting efficiency of 0.607 for [sup 222]Rn and its progenies the absolute minimal detectable specific activity is reached with 0.17 mBq/l at about 12 000 min. The method to determine this minimum detectable activity is outlined. ((orig.))

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Studies on the separation of Ag(I) during the recovery of Pu from analytical waste generated during potentiometric determination of Pu using AgO as oxidant, by precipitation of Pu as ammonium plutonium (III) oxalate have shown that most of the Ag(I) is separated during the reduction of Pu to Pu(III) state by ascorbic acid. A decontamination factor of 54 was obtained. Additional a decontamination factor of 5.8 was obtained during the precipitation of Pu as ammonium plutonium (III) oxalate. The Ag content was determined by gamma spectrometry, using "1"1"1Ag as a tracer (T_1_/_2 7.45 d, #gamma# 342.1 keV) and HPGe as detector. The studies indicate that Ag is preferentially separated almost quantitatively during the recovery of plutonium, when acidity adjustment is done with NaOH instead of NH_3. (author)

CERN Document Server

In the framework of the kt-factorization approach, the production and polarization of prompt J/Psi mesons in pp collisions at the LHC energy 7 TeV is studied. Both the direct production mechanism as well as feed-down contributions from chic1, chic2 and psi' decays are taken into account. Our consideration is based on the color singlet model supplemented with the off-shell matrix elements for the corresponding partonic subprocesses. The unintegrated gluon densities in a proton are determined using the CCFM evolution equation as well the Kimber-Martin-Ryskin prescription. We compare our numerical predictions with the first experimental data taken by the CMS, ATLAS and LHCb collaborations. The estimation of all polarization parameters which determine J/Psi spin density matrix is performed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The power?time curves of mice splenic lymphocytes growth at 37??C affected by ginsenoside Rh2 were determined by microcalorimetry using a 3114/3236 TAM air bioactivity monitor with ampoule mode. Then, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Rh2 on splenic lymphocytes growth was determined by serial dilution method. From factor analysis (FA) on six quantitative thermokinetic parameters from the power?time curves, the activity of Rh2 on splenic lymphocytes could be quickly evaluated by analyzing the changes in the two main parameters: growth rate constant k, and maximum heat-output power, P m. The results showed that Rh2 had strong inhibitory activity on splenic lymphocytes growth, and this inhibitory activity was strengthened with increasing concentration of Rh2 in the concentration r...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Because of the equivalence principle, a global measurement is necessary to distinguish gravity from acceleration of the reference frame. A gravity gradiometer is therefore an essential instrument needed for precision tests of gravity laws and for applications in gravity survey and inertial navigation. Superconductivity and SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) technology can be used to obtain a gravity gradiometer with very high sensitivity and stability. A superconducting gravity gradiometer has been developed for a null test of the gravitational inverse-square law and space-borne geodesy. Here we present a complete theoretical model of this instrument. Starting from dynamical equations for the device, we derive transfer functions, a common mode rejection characteristic, and an error model of the superconducting instrument. Since a gradiometer must detect a very weak differential gravity signal in the midst of large platform accelerations and other ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report concerns investigations in the title conducted by 8 groups of National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS) during the period of 1998-2000. The groups are for investigation of: Effects of p53 tumor suppressor gene in radiation-induced leukemia, Role of atm-gene in dose rate effect of ionizing radiation, Function of DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PK{sub cs}), Functional complementation of radiation-sensitive mutant M10 cell line by human XRCC4 cDNA expression, Role of radiation-induced apoptosis in digital defects in embryonic mice, Functional analysis of S-phase specific novel nuclear protein NP95 by gene targeting, Role of chemokine in T cell development and lymphomagenesis, and establishment of production techniques of gene-modified mice using embryonic stem cells for genetic analysis of radiation-sensitive genes. The groups describe summaries of their studies and published original articles are also ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report covers the progress made on the title project for the project period. Four major areas of inquiry are being pursued. Advanced solid state NMR methods are being developed to assay the distribution of the various important functional groups that determine the reactivity of coals. Special attention is being paid to methods that are compatible with the very high magic angle sample spinning rates needed for operation at the high magnetic field strengths available today. Polarization inversion methods utilizing the difference in heat capacities of small groups of spins are particularly promising. Methods combining proton-proton spin diffusion with [sup 13]C CPMAS readout are being developed to determine the connectivity of functional groups in coals in a high sensitivity relay type of experiment. Additional work is aimed at delineating the role of methyl group rotation in the proton NMR relaxation behavior of coals.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Homidium bromide and isometamidium chloride are used extensively in the treatment of bovine trypanosomiasis in Africa, but no specific and sensitive method to detect the drug in plasma has been published yet. Comparing the methods of other investigators it was found that they could not overcome the protein binding of these drugs which reduced the available and determined drug to 10% of the real concentrations. These techniques overcome the protein binding by enzyme digestion and an alteration of the pH before adding the sample directly on clean-up columns. Drug recover rates above 80% were obtained. For the detection, the HPLC was employed using a C18 reversed phase analytical column and UV detection, determining both drugs as intact molecules. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A new luminescent europium probe is presented for the determination of phosphate (P) in microtiter plate format. The assay is based on the quenching of the luminescence of the europium-tetracycline (EuTc) 1:1 complex by phosphate using a reagent concentration of 20.8 {mu}mol/L. The probe is excited at 400 nm and displays a large Stokes' shift of 210 nm. The emission maximum is located at 616 nm. The system works best at neutral pH 7 and is therefore suitable for phosphate determination in biological and biochemical systems. The linear range of the calibration plot is from 5 x 10{sup -6} mol/L to 7.5 x 10{sup -4} mol/L of phosphate, and the limit of detection is 3 {mu}mol/L.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An instrumental neutron activation technique of determining molybdenum in ores is based on measuring gamma-activity of the "9"9Mo isotope with the use of planar and coaxial semiconductor spectrometers. A lot consisting of 50 portions, 0.5 g each, is being irradiated for 10 hours by a flow of neutrons with the density of 10"1"2 n/cm"2xsec. On the lot being allowed to stay for 3-4 days, its activity is measured during 1-5 minutes. Monoethalons based upon phenol-formaldehyde resin are used as standards. The sensitivity of the technique is 10"-"4%, reproducibility error being not higher than 10%, efficiency up to 50 portions for a working shift.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A study is presented of the influence of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTAA) on the antimicrobial properties of a number of bactericidal additives for cutting fluids. During the testing both the microbiological and primary physical-chemical properties of the cutting fluids were determined. The duration of protective action of the additives vazin, vazin FD, formacide-13, kamcide-5 and furacylin was determined with and without EDTAA in Ukrinol-1 cutting fluid. Though EDTAA itself did not show great duration of antibacterial effect, when combined with the other additives it lengthened their time of protection by a factor of 2.2 to 2.7. 10 references.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Bioluminescent bacteria have been used for many years for biotoxicological analysis. One of the main concerns with this microorganism is the low experimental repeatability when subjected to external factors. The aim of the present study was to obtain accurate, sensitive, and repeatable measurements with stable signals (during the detection and over days) for application in a water-analysis device for the detection of pollutants. Growth conditions were tested and optimized. An optimal freeze-drying procedure for the constitutive bioluminescent bacteria Vibrio fischeri and Photobacterium phosphoreum was developed. The luminescence stability after rehydration was also investigated. Freeze drying was found to be a critical process in survival and signal stability of luminescent bacter...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The performance of spherical Resorcinol-Formaldehyde ion-exchange resin for the removal of cesium from alkaline radioactive waste solutions has been investigated through computer modeling. Cesium adsorption isotherms were obtained by fitting experimental data using a thermodynamic framework. Results show that ion-exchange is an efficient method for cesium removal from highly alkaline radioactive waste solutions. On average, two 1300 liter columns operating in series are able to treat 690,000 liters of waste with an initial cesium concentration of 0.09 mM in 11 days achieving a decontamination factor of over 50,000. The study also tested the sensitivity of ion-exchange column performance to variations in flow rate, temperature and column dimensions. Modeling results can be used to optimize design of the ion exchange system.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Cytoreductive conditioning regimes designed to allow for successful allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) paradoxically are also detrimental to recovery of the immune system in general but lymphopoiesis in particular. Post-transplant immune depletion is particularly striking within the T cell compartment which is exquisitely sensitive to negative regulation, evidenced by the profound decline in thymic function with age. As a consequence, regeneration of the immune system remains a significant unmet clinical need. Over the past decade studies have revealed several promising therapeutic strategies to address ineffective lymphopoiesis and post-transplant immune deficiency. These include the use of cytokines such as IL-7, IL-12 and IL-15; growth factors and hormones li...

Science.gov (United States)

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.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

There is increasing evidence that adolescence, like early life, is a sensitive period in which ongoing brain development can be influenced by environmental factors. This review describes our use of social instability as a model of mild adolescent social stress, its effects on social interactions and on hypothalamic?pituitary?adrenal function over the course of the procedure and in response to new stressors. The effects of social instability are sex-specific, with qualitative differences between the sexes on HPA function over the course of the stressor procedure, and with greater effects in males on behaviour observed during the social instability and greater effects in females on behavioural responses to drugs of abuse into adulthood, long after the stress exposure. The results from invest...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A rapid and sensitive method for the separation and determination of titanium and iron in thiocyanate system has been developed. The extractability of Ti(II) by high molecular weight (HMWA) in organic solvent (HCl/sub 3/) and its separation from Fe(III) was examined. The yellow coloured complex of Ti(II)-SCN in quantitatively extracted into the organic phase containing tribenzyl tribenzylamine (TBA) - a high molecular weight amine, whereas the blood red coloured complex of Fe(III)-SCN formed under the same conditions get separated in the aqueous phase. On the basis of the selective extractability, a method has been developed for the separation as well as simultaneous determination of Ti(II) and Fe(III) in presence of many other elements. The molar extinction coefficients were found to be 1.9 x 10/sup 5/ l mol/sup -1/ cm/sup -1/ and 1.11 x 10/sup 5/ l mol/sup -1/ cm/sup -1/ respectively for Ti(II) and Fe(III). The ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A novel method of luminescence enhancement effect for the determination of balofloxacin (BLFX) was proposed. A new system of the BLFX-Eu3+-SDBS (sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate) was investigated. It was found that SDBS significantly enhanced the luminescence intensity of the BLFX-Eu3+ complex (about 20-fold). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the system exhibits an excellent linear relationship between the enhanced luminescence intensity and the concentration of BLFX over the range of 1.0x10-8-8.0x10-7 mol L-1 with a correlation coefficient (R) of 0.9994, and the detection limit (3?) of the method was determined as 2.0x10-9 mol L-1. This method has been successfully applied for the determination of BLFX in pharmaceuticals and human urine/serum samples. Compared with most of the other methods reported, the rapid and simple procedure proposed in the text offers higher sensitivity, wider linear ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (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 resorption in a dose-dependent manner. The effect was maximal ...

Science.gov (United States)

Varying load can cause changes in a measured gearbox vibration signal. However, conventional techniques for fault diagnosis are based on the assumption that changes in vibration signal are only caused by deterioration of the gearbox. There is a need to develop a technique to provide accurate state indicator of gearbox under fluctuating load conditions. This paper presents an approach to gear fault diagnosis based on complex Morlet continuous wavelet transform under this condition. Gear motion residual signal, which represents the departure of time synchronously averaged signal from the average tooth-meshing vibration, is analyzed as source data due to its lower sensitiveness to the alternating load condition. A fault growth parameter based on the amplitude of wavelet transform is proposed to evaluate gear fault advancement quantitatively. We found that this parameter is insensitive to varying load and can correctly indicate early gear fault. For a comparison, the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: Previous data suggest that the PKC? catalytic V5 (PKC?-V5) heptapeptide (HEPT) (FEQFLDI) binds HSP27 and blocks HSP27-mediated radio- or chemoresistance. Here we investigated further the in vivo function of the PKC?-V5 HEPT. Methods and Materials: Labeling of HEPT with Cy5.5 or fluorescein isothiocyanate was performed to evaluate in vitro or in vivo distribution of HEPT. A clonogenic survival assay, flow cytometry, and Western blotting of cleaved caspase-3 were performed to determine in vitro sensitization effects of HEPT plus ionizing radiation (IR) versus IR alone or those of HEPT plus cisplatin(Cis) versus Cis alone. A nude mouse xenografting system was also applied to detect in vivo sensitizing effects of HEPT. Results: HEPT efficiently bound to HSP27 and showed sensitization after combined treatment with IR versus treatment with Cis alone in NCI-H1299 lung carcinoma cells, with higher ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In order to study the intragenic profiles of active transcription, we determined the relative levels of active RNA polymerase II present at the 3′- and 5′-ends of 261 yeast genes by...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The degradation of chlorinated solvents by reduction at the surface of zero-valent metals and bimetallic systems has emerged as an important approach to the in-situ remediation of ground water. Reduction by iron metal was studied in batch and column systems to develop a mechanistic understanding of the reaction chemistry and to determine the factors that affect dechlorination rate and long term performance in field applications.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The authors propose an integrated indicator of pump-rod couplings that allows both the couplings and the pump operations to be appraised according to the given formula. (Formula provided). The dynamic relationships of rod operations were determined with nomographs. These relationships involve such factors as: the type and size of the sucker-rod string; the pressure load at the equalizer head and its correlation to threshold pressure at pump discharge; pump diameter; the rod weight and construction; and integral reliability indicators.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In studying the absorption of carbon dioxide by absorbents impregnated with alkanol amines, researchers used a laboratory-scale packed column to determine the overall gas-phase mass-transfer coefficients and enhancement factors. A model derived for the mechanism of the chemical reaction taking place in the interfacial layer accounts for the effect of the reaction upon the absorption rate better than other models.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An experimental study was undertaken to determine for the turbulent regime the heat transfer and fluid flow characteristics of a heat exchange array of unperforated, and perforated brass plates with 33% of the plate area open. In both cases, the plates were aligned parallel to the flow direction. For the flow conditions examined, the results showed enhancement of heat transfer and friction factor for the perforated array.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A method based on the collection of [sup 99]Tc from 500 l sea water samples by anion exchange and further extraction of TcO[sub 4][sup -] into 5% triisooctylamine-xylene has been improved to include a decontamination factor 6.5x10[sup 5] for uranium. The detection limit for [sup 99]Tc is thereby reduced to 3 mBq/m[sup 3].

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A spectrophotometric study of the extraction with isobutanol of rare-earth elements in the form of complexes with quinoilizarin and N-benzene-N-phenylhydroxylamine has been made. The purpose of the study is to find out whether this reaction can be used in determining the concentration of elements in the presence of other rare-earth elements. In determining the relationship between the pH and light absorption the pH of the solution is measured after the extraction. The extraction of complexes begins at pH approximately 4 and reaches a maximum at pH7-8 (for La) and pH6-9 (for Er). The complexes underge decomposition when pH of the solution increased. The composition of complex compounds is determined by spectrophotometric methods for isomolar series, molar ratios and from the slope of logarithmic plots. Under optimal conditions (pH7.5) aAd at the measured ratio of the component for each ion of rare-earth elements, the molar ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the Energy Balance Analysis Model (Standard Review Plan (USNRC, 1981), Section 3.6.2, ''Determination of Rupture Locations and Dynamic Effects Associated with the Postulated Rupture of Piping''), time dependence is not considered, and a constant blowdown thrust force is assumed. This force includes an amplification factor of 1.1 to account for potential effects of rebound. Many of the assumptions used in establishing the acceptance criteria, as stated in the Standard Review Plan, were based on engineering judgment and logic intended to assure upper bound design rather than on a mechanistic assessment of actual pipe rupture phenomena and their effects. As a result of the current practice an exceedingly conservative design may be introduced. This report represents a parametric study of the amplification factor to account for rebound effects in the Energy Balance Method. Of the 71 ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

Applicability of a model to estimate radiofrequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) strength in households from mobile phone base stations was evaluated with technical data of mobile phone base stations available from the German Net Agency, and dosimetric measurements, performed in an epidemiological study. Estimated exposure and exposure measured with dosemeters in 1322 participating households were compared. For that purpose, the upper 10th percentiles of both outcomes were defined as the 'higher exposed' groups. To assess the agreement of the defined 'higher' exposed groups, kappa coefficient, sensitivity and specificity were calculated. The present results show only a weak agreement of calculations and measurements (kappa values between -0.03 and 0.28, sensitivity between 7.1 and 34.6). Only in some of the sub-analyses, a higher agreement was found, e.g. when measured instead of interpolated geo-coordinates were used to calculate the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The purified integral membrane protein, band 3, from human erythrocytes was inserted into egg lecithin liposomes. The insertion of band 3 was determined from thermal transition data from the analysis of the C-H stretching region bands recorded at temperatures from 25 to -22"oC. Raman spectra show that band 3 considerably broadens and lowers the thermal transition of egg lecithin liposomes, suggesting the insertion of band 3. The band 3-inserted liposomes were irradiated with gamma-rays (40 Gy) and the radiation target groups were determined by the analysis of the structural sensitive Raman bands in the 1600-1700 cm"-"1 (amide I), 1200-1300 cm"-"1 (amide III) and 550-1030 cm"-"1 (side chain amino groups) regions. The radiation-sensitive groups as identified from Raman spectra in the region 550-1030 cm"-"1 are tyrosines and cysteines. The radiation-induced changes in the secondary structure were ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

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).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The two-sonde neutron-logging device RKS-2 registers the ratios of the indications of two sondes and is scaled in units representing the total water content of pure limestone when saturated with fresh water. When analyzing the results of the measurements in real wells, it is necessary to calculate the effect of well- and strata conditions on the results of porosity determination. The results of simulated measurements are presented, on the basis of which correction factors are immediately determined for the calculation of the effect of the diameter of the well, and the effect of the mud cake on the well wall. A nomogram is constructed and substantiated; its purpose is the calculation of the effect of the following on the RKS-2 indication: the diameter of the well, the mud cake on the well wall, the density of the drilling solution, temperature, pressure in the well, and the lithology of the rock.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In everyday radiotherapy we must carry out the determination of absorbed dose measurement according to JARP's protocol. We explained an outline of JARP's 1974 and 1986 protocol in electron beam therapy, and mentioned it about the matter that should examined. To use it easily in clinic, a simplified procedure based on precisely to JARP's 1986 protocol is practical, the character of this procedure settles briefly the determination of mean incident energy of electron beams and get ready to table of ionization to absorbed dose conversion factor for various ionization chamber. Also, this procedure almost not influence on the accuracy of determination. We described systematically practical procedure for requisite absorbed dose calculation in a patient in electron beam therapy. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The crystal structure, lattice strain due to the antiferromagnetic ordering, and magnetic form factor in the itinerant 5f compounds UTGa_5 (T=Ni, Pd, Pt) have been studied by neutron scattering. High-resolution powder diffraction revealed that the tetragonality of the U-Ga layers increases down to the series of the transition metal element T. The integrated intensities of the antiferromagnetic reflections can be well explained with the Neel-type structure for UNiGa_5, whereas UPtGa_5 has the antiferromagnetic stacking of the ferromagnetically ordered uranium moments in the c plane. In both compounds the uranium moments orient along the c axis with moments of 0.75(5) and 0.32(5) #mu#_B for UNiGa_5 and UPtGa_5, respectively. No magnetic peak could be observed in the powder diffraction pattern of UPdGa_5 due to the small magnetic moment less than the experimental sensitivity. The orbital contributions in the magnetic form ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work describes the theoretical basis for a new concept rotating magnetic tensor gradiometer. The rotating gradiometer consists of an approximately axial or transverse gradiometer which is made to rotate about a perpendicular axis so that the direction of sensitivity is continually changing. It is demonstrated for the first time that the rotation separates gradient components of progressively higher-order in the frequency domain and enables absolute-value measurements of all components of the first-order magnetic gradient tensor, even if the magnetic sensors comprising the gradiometer are intrinsically incapable of absolute-value detection. In addition, the rotating gradiometer concept has a number of other advantages: the gradiometer imbalance is no longer directly determined by the engineering precision, the DC and low-frequency performance of the instrument is not limited by the performance of the detectors in these respects, rotation at ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Process control transmitters that incorporate digital signal processing could be used advantageously in nuclear power plants; however, because such transmitters are too sensitive to radiation, they are not used. The Electric Power Research Institute sponsored work at Sandia National Laboratories under EPRI contract RP2614-58 to determine why SMART transmitters fail when exposed to radiation and to design and demonstrate SMART transmitter circuits that could tolerate radiation. The term ''SMART'' denotes transmitters that contain digital logic. Tests showed that transmitter failure was caused by failure of the complementary metal oxide semiconductors (CMOS)-integrated circuits which are used extensively in commercial transmitters. Radiation-hardened replacements were not available for the radiation-sensitive CMOS circuits. A conceptual design showed that a radiation-tolerant transmitter could be constructed. A prototype for ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

To determine the diagnostic accuracy of iofetamine hydrochloride I 123 (IMP) with single photon emission computed tomography in Alzheimer's disease, we studied 58 patients with AD and 15 age-matched healthy control subjects. We used a qualitative method to assess regional IMP uptake in the entire brain and to rate image data sets as normal or abnormal without knowledge of subjects'clinical classification. The sensitivity and specificity of IMP with single photon emission computed tomography in AD were 88% and 87%, respectively. In 15 patients with mild cognitive deficits (Blessed Dementia Scale score, less than or equal to 10), sensitivity was 80%. With the use of a semiquantitative measure of regional cortical IMP uptake, the parietal lobes were the most functionally impaired in AD and the most strongly associated with the patients' Blessed Dementia Scale scores. These results indicated that IMP ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The accumulation of osmolytes in leaf tissues and the abscisic acid-induced stomatal closure are well-recognized mechanisms associated with drought tolerance in crop plants. We determine the response in terms of osmotic potential and the contents of leaf proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugar at booting and grain filling stages of four wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars to drought and exogenously applied abscisic acid (ABA) in a pot study. Leaf sample were collected 3, 6 and 9 days after drought induction and at 48 and 72 h of re-watering (recovery). Marked decreases in osmotic potential associated with the accumulation of proline, glycine betaine and soluble sugars occurred under conditions of drought stress Accession 011320 was most sensitive to drought and showed the largest decrease in osmotic potential and least accumulation of proline, sugar and glycine betaine The inhibitory effects of drought stress were ameliorated by exogenous ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A novel composite film, comprising of hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and gold nanoparticles (GNP), was fabricated and characterized. The GNP was introduced through electrochemical deposition on IL-MWNT gel film coated glassy carbon electrodes (GCE). Experiments showed that both IL and MWNTs could facilitate the GNP deposition. With GNP the composite film exhibited smaller electron transfer resistance and higher sensitivity in sensing guanine (G) and adenine (A). Under the optimized experimental conditions, the anodic peak currents were linear to the analyte concentration in the ranges of 0.008-2.0 {mu}M. The detection limits were down to nanomole level after an accumulation of 150 s on open-circuit. In addition, on the composite film coated GCE, the anodic peaks of G and A were well separated, and their response sensitivities kept almost unchanged no matter whether they coexisted or not. This proposed ...

Science.gov (United States)

Farmers' lung disease (FLD) is a pulmonary disease that results from repeated inhalation of antigens from mouldy hay or straw. The objective of this prospective study was to assess the reliability of four serological techniques in FLD diagnosis. Sera from 15 consecutive patients with FLD, 15 healthy control farmers and 30 urban controls were analysed using four serological techniques [electrosyneresis (ES), Ouchterlony double diffusion (DD), ELISA and Western blot (WB)] with four antigens (Absidia corymbifera, Eurotium amstelodami, Wallemia sebi and Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula). In the authors' region, ES on cellulose acetate with A. corymbifera antigen was the most relevant diagnostic tool for discriminating FLD patients from healthy exposed farmers (sensitivity 87 %, specificity 100 %). DD tests were in accordance with ES, but their discriminatory power was lower. No threshold indicating both good sensitivity and specificity could be ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Encapsulation of technetium-99m sestamibi ({sup 99m}Tc-MIBI) in polyethyleneglycol-liposomes ({sup 99m}Tc-MIBI-PEG-liposomes) could extend the duration of its circulation in blood and alter its biodistribution, enabling its concentration in tumours to be increased. An original method to encapsulate {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI in PEG-liposomes is described. The {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI-PEG-liposomes were compared with free {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI with respect to (a) tumour availability (b) ability to distinguish between chemotherapy-sensitive and -resistant cells and (c) uptake ratio in tumour imaging. PEG-liposomal systems composed of distearoylphosphatidylcholine/cholesterol/PEG{sub 2000}-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine and lissamine-rhodamine B-labelled liposomes were used. The encapsulation of {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI in liposomes was achieved using the K{sup +} diffusion potential method. We compared the uptake of free versus encapsulated {sup 99m}Tc-MIBI by sensitive ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the development of the specific mathematical modeling for heavy and ultra heavy petroleum fractions in a molecular distiller is very important the definition of physical and chemical parameters as density and specific heat of the mixture, the enthalpy of vaporization, among others, since they are used in the energy balance. Information on these properties and their variation with temperature are found in the open literature for mixture with few components (simple mixtures). However, for multicomponent solutions consisting of complex mixtures such as oil and its heavy and ultraheavy fractions, available data are few, or are limited to low temperatures. The specific heat is an important property in the energy balance. This property can be measured by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which gives results with great sensitivity and accuracy. This paper presents the variation of specific heat with the temperature of ultra-heavy oil fractions in the range from ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to investigate the factors that affect the adoption of cloud computing by firms belonging to the high-tech industry. The eight factors examined in this study are relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, top management support, firm size, technology readiness, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure. Design/methodology/approach - A questionnaire-based survey was used to collect data from 111 firms belonging to the high-tech industry in Taiwan. Relevant hypotheses were derived and tested by logistic regression analysis. Findings - The findings revealed that relative advantage, top management support, firm size, competitive pressure, and trading partner pressure characteristics have a significant effect on the adoption of cloud computing...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The two main aspects of the concept proposed by the ICRP in recommendation 26 for the radiation risk, the differentiation of stochastic and non stochastic damages and the qualification of the stochastic risk, are discussed in its consequences for radiation protection in X-ray diagnostics. Quantitative results from the literature serve to demonstrate the risk factors for the various organs and their sum concerning the position of the layer. As special points of somatic risk appeared the mamma and the pelvic region. The particular risk of CT examination is determined by number and position of the layers and the scan parameters of the system. For typical CT examination the resulting risk factors are estimated in comparison with conventional X-ray diagnostics. The somatic risk of CT examination is relatively high and comparable to conventional examination with the highest risk, while the genetic risk - as in conventional ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The two main aspects of the concept proposed by the ICRP in recommendation 26 for the radiation risk, the differentiation of stochastic and non stochastic damages and the qualification of the stochastic risk, are discussed in its consequences for radiation protection in X-ray diagnostics. Quantitative results from the literature serve to demonstrate the risk factors for the various organs and their sum concerning the position of the layer. As special points of somatic risk appeared the mamma and the pelvic region. The particular risk of CT examination is determined by number and position of the layers and the scan parameters of the system. For typical CT examination the resulting risk factors are estimated in comparison with conventional X-ray diagnostics. The somatic risk of CT examination is relatively high and comparable to conventional examination with the highest risk, while the genetic risk - as in conventional ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The neutron elastic magnetic form factor G_M"n has been extracted from quasielastic scattering from deuterium in the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer, CLAS [B. Mecking et al., Nucl. Inst. and Meth. A 503 (2003) 513]. The kinematic coverage of the measurement is continuous over a broad range, extending from below 1 GeV"2 to nearly 5 GeV"2 in four-momentum transfer squared. High precision is achieved by employing a ratio technique in which most uncertainties cancel, and by a simultaneous in-situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency, the largest correction to the data. Preliminary results are shown with statistical errors only.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract: Most cities are actually very concerned about the economic viability of waste management and also about the impact they may have on the environment. Economical, social and cultural factors in the population will determine the characteristics in waste and the value of the design parameters used in the calculations of a collection system. A clear understanding of these factors is fundamental to plan and to implement efficient and sustainable collecting strategies. Our goal in this work is to model municipal waste separation rates in Spanish cities with over 50,000 inhabitants taking their different socio-economic, demographic and logistic covariates into account. Several statistical regression models to manage continuous proportion data are compared, these being: Generalized linear...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The values of spins, parities, and spectroscopic factors for neutron transfer have been determined for many low-lying states in "9"7Mo and "1"0"1Mo by a study of the (t, d) and (d, p) reactions on the neighbouring even-mass isotopes. Eighteen new values of J"#pi# have been obtained for these nuclei. Values of the fullness and emptiness parameters V"2 and U"2 have been suggested for the 3s_1_/_2 and 2d_5_/_s orbitals in "1"0"0Mo. (Nuclear structure "9"7Mo, "1"0"1Mo, measured J, #pi#, and spectroscopic factors for states up to #approx#2.0 MeV using (d, p) and (t, d) reactions.) (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A variety of observations suggest that the Universe had a hot dense origin and that the pregalactic composition of the Universe was determined by nuclear reactions that occurred in the first few minutes. There is no unique hot Big Bang theory, but the simplest version produces a primeval chemical composition that is in good qualitative agreement with the abundances deduced from observation. Whether or not any Big Bang theory will provide quantitative agreement with observations depends on a variety of factors in elementary particle physics (number and masses of stable or long-lived particles, half-life of neutron, structure of grand unified theories) and from observational astronomy (present mean baryon density of the Universe, the Hubble constant and deceleration parameter). The influence of these factors on the abundances is discussed, as is the effect of departures from homogeneity and isotropy in the early Universe.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The dependence was determined of the decontamination factor ratio found in the presence of a carrier and in a carrier-free system on carrier concentration at different concentrations of a complexing agent in a solution. Bearing balls were used as contamination materials while a mixture of "1"5"2Eu and "1"5"4Eu isotopes was used as a contaminant, citric acid in a concentration of 5x10"-"3 to 1x10"-"1 mol/dm"3 as a complexing agent, and Eu, lanthanum and aluminium at a concentration range of 1x10"-"5 to 1x10"-"2 mol/dm"3 as carriers. While no increase in the decontamination factor was found for aluminium, a considerable increase was observed in the isotopic and homologic carriers and the concentration dependence of the carrier reached the maximum. An equation was derived explaining the effect by the isotope exchange between the contaminant and the carrier and by the reaction between the carrier and the complexing agent. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An easy and simple method for gamma assay of large multi-gamma lines samples was introduced in this work. This method performs the assay using point source calibration. The correction factors for volume and self-attenuation are experimentally deduced from the spectra of different thicknesses samples utilizing the following two simple well known facts: large and small samples of the same homogenous material have identical specific activities; the self-attenuation of gamma line decreases as its energy increases. The method was successfully applied to naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) large samples. This method does not require complicated mathematical procedures. Neither sample matrix data nor detector unit composition is needed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract A 3-month, open-label, single-center study was conducted to determine whether a uniquely formulated and physiologically balanced topical treatment serum containing multiple growth factors, cytokines, peptides, antioxidants and depigmenting agents could improve the visible signs of facial photodamage. Thirty-seven females, aged 32-55 years, with mild to severe, fine and coarse peri-ocular wrinkles were enrolled and completed the study. Subjects applied the treatment serum to the face twice daily for 3 months in conjunction with a basic skincare regimen. Clinical evaluations of photodamage were performed at baseline and months 1, 2 and 3. Cutometer measurements and subject self-assessment questionnaires were also conducted during the study. Clinical evaluations showed statistically ...

Science.gov (United States)

In organic livestock production systems, farm-management factors are thought to play an important role in the on-farm prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii. Serological results and the results of an HACCP analysis were combined to determine important risk factors for the prevalence of this protozoan parasite. Mathematical analysis demonstrated that feeding goat whey to pigs and the presence of a high number of cats were positively correlated to T. gondii seroprevalence in pigs. Not covering roughage and the farmers' assumption that pigs can come into contact with cat feces also showed a positive relationship. In order to decrease the risk of T. gondii infecting their pigs, farmers should limit the access and number of cats on their farms and refrain from feeding goat whey to their pigs. PMID:16989566

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) are widely used for radon measurements and CR-39 is one of the most popular SSNTD. In this work it was determined the calibration factor for radon concentration measurements through the passive method with CR-39 detectors. The detectors were put in a proper device (an adapted Lucas cell) and exposed to the standard radon concentration through the Pylon Model RN-150 flow through radon gas source. After exposure, the detectors were etched for 5.5 hours in a KOH solution at 80 deg C in a bath at a constant temperature. The track density was read in an Axiolab-Zeiss optical microscope, with nominal magnification of X10 connected to a video camera and to a personal computer. The calibration factor was obtained through the relation between standard radon concentration, track density and exposure time. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stationary target measurements of the nucleon form factors have been performed with high precision down to Q{sup 2} of {approx} 0.01 GeV{sup 2} for protons (G{sub E}{sup p}) and down to {approx} 0.1 GeV{sup 2} for neutrons (G{sub M}{sup n}). Conventional extraction using cross section and polarization measurement cannot be extended to very low values of Q{sup 2} due to inherent experimental limitations. We present a proposal for a new approach to a measurement, using colliding beams, which will extend the range of possible measurement at low Q{sup 2} by several orders of magnitude over stationary target limits.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Aim: To evaluate magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) with high-resolution dynamic gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the imaging features of hilar cholangiocarcinoma that relate to tumour extent and influence resectability. Materials and methods: Twenty-six patients that underwent resection were reviewed. Tumour location and extent, lobar atrophy, the degree of portal vein and hepatic artery involvement were recorded. The findings were correlated with surgical and histopathological findings. Results: Biliary assessment was concordant in 14 and discordant in eight of 14 stented and four of 12 non-stented patients. In 63/82 veins and 43/74 arteries results were fully concordant. The mean sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (PPV, NPV) in predicting involvement of the main portal vein (MPV) at surgery were 83.3, 100, 100, and 92.5%; of the left main branch of the portal vein (LPV) ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When exposure-calibrated ionization chambers are used to calibrate megavoltage X-ray and electron beam therapy machines, the calibration factor can be divided into a chamber-dependent and a chamber-independent component. Until recently, only the chamber-independent part, which has been derived theoretically, has been used; the chamber-dependent component has been ignored. Recent experimental and theoretical considerations, however, have indicated that the dependent component must be taken into account and can affect the calibration by as much as 4%. The calibration can change due to (i) the thickness of the chamber wall, (ii) the chamber wall composition, i.e. whether the chamber is constructed of air-equivalent material, or tissue- or water-equivalent material, and (iii) the size of the chamber changing the displacement factor. Theoretical and experimental evidence indicates that the third factor varies from approximately ...

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The theoretical performance of ideal single- and multijunction cells are compared at 100xconcentration under a range of cloudless-sky conditions. The sensitivities of device performance to cell temperature and spectral variations are shown to depend on the number of junctions (one, two or three), the way in which the junctions are connected (series, parallel or independent), and the band gaps of the devices. The average performances of all of the multijunction devices surpass that of a single-junction GaAs device, but the inconsistency in performance of some of the multijunction devices is significant for large variations in cell temperature and incident spectrum. The choice of band gap and connection scheme is more important than the number of junctions in determining the consistency of device performance. (orig.).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The LPCTrap setup is a transparent Paul trap dedicated to the measurement of the ??? correlation coefficient a ?? in the ? decay of trapped radioactive nuclides. In a first experiment, the system has been used to record ?105 coincidences between the ? particles and recoiling ions emitted from the decay of 6He?+? ions. The analysis of the collected data has already shown that the size of the 6He?+? ion cloud confined in the Paul trap is a critical parameter, potentially limiting the accuracy on the a ?? measurement. We report here the precise determination of the trapped ion cloud temperature and size. This was performed by extracting the trapped ions toward a position sensitive micro channel plate detector at different phases of the RF driving field. We find a temperature T exp ?= 0.107(7)...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Iodine concentrates in gastric tissue and may act as an antioxidant for the stomach. We previously showed that self-reported goiter was associated with significantly increased risk of gastric noncardia adenocarcinoma (GNCA) and nonsignificantly increased risks of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in a prospective case-cohort study in a high-risk population in China. Negatively correlated with iodine levels, serum thyroglobulin (Tg) is a more sensitive biomarker of iodine deficiency than goiter. Our study aimed to determine whether baseline serum Tg was also associated with development of GNCA, GCA and ESCC in the same cohort, the Linxian General Population Nutrition Intervention Trial. Sera from -200 subjects of each case type and 40...

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A real time neutron radiography system has been developed at the University of Michigan Phoenix Memorial Laboratory (PML) and has recently been used to test the imaging capabilities of a neutron imaging device developed by Lixi, Inc. of Downers Grove, Illinois. This device uses an input phosphor that is high in gadolinium to generate a light image which is then sent through an intensifier stage to provide images that can be viewed by eye, video camera, or standard 35 mm camera. It was determined that this device provides images of much higher resolution and sensitivity than those obtained with the imaging system currently being used at PML. Using computerized image enhancement techniques, the images obtained with the Lixi neutron imaging device can then be further enhanced or processed to obtain quantitative information on the object being imaged.

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A simple, sensitive and rapid method for analysis of granisetron in human plasma, utilizing liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), has been developed and validated to satisfy FDA guidelines for bioanalytical methods. The analyte and internal standard (IS) were isolated from 100ml plasma samples by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). A Varian 1200l tandem mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization source was operated in selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode with the precursor-to-product ion transitions m/z 313.4/138 for granisetron and m/z 270/201 for the IS used for quantitation. The assay exhibited a linear dynamic range of 0.02-20ng/ml for granisetron in human plasma. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02ng/ml with a relative standard deviati...

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Even though the currently intensive research efforts on high- temperature superconducting materials have not yet converged on a well specified practical material, the indications are that such a material may be quite brittle, anisotropic, and may contain many flaws such as microcracks and voids at grain boundaries. Consequently, practical applications of high temperature superconducting materials will require a very careful strength analysis based on fracture mechanics considerations. Because of the high sensitivity of the strength of such materials to the presence of defects, methods of quantitative non-destructive evaluation may be expected to play an important role in strength determinations. This proposal is concerned with the use of ultrasonic methods to detect and characterize isolated cracks, clusters of microcracks and microcracks distributed throughout the material. Particular attention has been, and will continue to be devoted to ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper analyzes the F-policy M/M/1/K queueing system with working vacation and an exponential startup time. The F-policy deals with the issue of controlling arrivals to a queueing system, and the server requires a startup time before allowing customers to enter the system. For the queueing systems with working vacation, the server can still provide service to customers rather than completely stop the service during a vacation period. The matrix-analytic method is applied to develop the steady-state probabilities, and then obtain several system characteristics. We construct the expected cost function and formulate an optimization problem to find the minimum cost. The direct search method and Quasi-Newton method are implemented to determine the optimal system capacity K, the optimal thre...

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The authors have made new and improved measurements of the neutron capture and total cross sections of {sup 88}Sr at the Oak Ridge Electron Linear Accelerator (ORELA). Improvements over previous measurements include a wider incident neutron energy range, the use of metallic rather than carbonate samples, better background subtraction, reduced sensitivity to sample-dependent backgrounds, and better pulse-height weighting functions. Because of its small cross section, the {sup 88}Sr(n,{gamma}) reaction is an important bottleneck during the s-process nucleosynthesis. Hence, an accurate determination of this rate is needed to better constrain the neutron exposure in s-process models and to more fully exploit the recently discovered isotopic anomalies in certain meteorites. They describe the experimental procedures, compare the results to previous data, and discuss their astrophysical impact.

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Protein motions on all timescales faster than molecular tumbling are encoded in the spectral density. The dissection of complex protein dynamics is typically performed using relaxation rates determined at high and ultra-high field. Here we expand this range of the spectral density to low fields through field cycling using the nucleocapsid protein of the SARS coronavirus as a model system. The field-cycling approach enables site-specific measurements of R{sub 1} at low fields with the sensitivity and resolution of a high-field magnet. These data, together with high-field relaxation and heteronuclear NOE, provide evidence for correlated rigid-body motions of the entire {beta}-hairpin, and corresponding motions of adjacent loops with a time constant of 0.8 ns (mesodynamics). MD simulations substantiate these findings and provide direct verification of the time scale and collective nature of these motions.

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By using megaelectronvolt /sup 4/He ion backscattering techniques and transmission electron microscopy, the authors have investigated the interactions of ion beams with thin film structures in a number of silicide-forming systems. The mixed layer was found to be an equilibrium compound for near-noble metals and an amorphous phase for refractory metals. Differences in behavior have also been observed in near-noble metal systems. For palladium, the Pd/sub 2/Si phase grew with ion dose and remained crystalline up to high dose. For nickel, the compound Ni/sub 2/Si was formed initially and became amorphous on prolonged irradiation. All the results indicate the significance of atomic mobility at target temperatures in determining the phase formation and in explaining the sensitivity of the silicides to ion bombardment.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Intergranular corrosion (IGC) resistance of types 304LN and 316LN stainless steels (SS) thermally aged at 823, 873, and 923 K for various durations was assessed by ASTM A262 practice A test (electrolytic etch test) and electrochemical potentiodynamic reactivation (EPR) test. The results indicated that the type 316LN SS has significantly improved IGC resistance compared to 304LN SS. Based on the results of these tests, time-temperature-sensitization (TTS) diagrams were developed for both alloys. The secondary precipitates formed during thermal aging treatments were electrochemically extracted and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine the types of precipitates formed during the aging treatments. The results indicated that the precipitates were mostly of M_2_3C_6 carbides.

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Man's wastes are polluting the oceans from various sources and delivered by various routes. The result has been the loss of habitat and the irreversible altering of marine ecosystems. Development in the coastal zones and offshore activities that disrupt biologically sensitive areas have led to international negotiations to regulate these impacts and develop a law of the sea. Basic to international cooperation, however, is the need to develop answers to questions about the ecological consequences of development programs and the carrying capacity of the oceans. Current information does not demonstrate long-term global impacts, making it difficult to detect and predict incremental changes and causal relationships. Society needs to determine how much environmental damage it will accept and then to develop appropriate technology, such as biomonitoring. Society also needs to reexamine its positions on technology-based regulatory controls to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

GaInP solar cell interfaces were characterized by admittance spectroscopy. Admittance spectroscopy is shown to be sensitive to the band structure at the heterojunction interfaces. In particular, a correlation between activation energy of the capacitance step in a capacitance versus temperature plot and effective potential barrier for majority carriers is demonstrated, indicating a new method for the determination of potential barriers at heterointerfaces. Using this technique, the effective potential barrier for holes at the p-Al_0_._5_3In_0_._4_7P/p-GaAs interface is found to be equal to 0.6 eV. Effects of interface defects and spreading resistance in the emitter of solar cells are illustrated and discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

339 CT und 95 MRT examinations in 210 partients were evaluated retrospectively to determine the value of CT and MRT for follow-up of head and neck tumors and for diagnosing recurrences. Semi-quantitative evaluation of tumor extent during and after radiotherapy showed advantages for MRT since changes induced by treatment, particularly oedema, produced less contrast loss in the images. CT had a sensitivity of 81% for the recognition of recurrences; this was 92% for MRT. Specificity for CT was 76% and for MRT 86%. Concerning the reliability of individual diagnostic criteria, space occupying lesions were the most valuable in CT diagnosis. For MRT, space occupying lesions and infiltration into neighbouring structures were of equal value. Because of differences in the nature of the signals, MRT proved better than CT in characterising recurrent masses and this improved the differentiation between scarring and local tumour recurrence. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A large detector with high redundancy is used to search for various types of anomalous particles in cosmic rays at sea level. The detector is sensitive to zenith angles between 45"0 and 90"0. Previously obtained limits on the fluxes of charge (1/3) and (2/3) particles are reduced to 2.9 x 10"-"1"0 and 2.6 x 10"-"1"0 cm"-"2sr "-"1 sec"-"1, respectively. The flux of ionizing tachyons is determined to be less than 2.4 x 10"-"9 cm"-"2 sr"-"1 sec"-"1. The massive-particle flux limit we obtain is inconsistent with previous claims of such particles assuming that these particles are isotropic in zenith angle.

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Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34, 438-446. Objective: To determine whether economic costs associated with a conservative management strategy for unilateral acoustic neuroma offer an economic advantage over active management options. Design: Cost and sensitivity analysis on a prospective cohort. Setting: Single centre study within a tertiary referral centre in Toronto, Canada. Participants: 72 patients (32 males, 40 females) aged 36 to 78 years with unilateral acoustic neuroma were assigned initially to a conservative management strategy. Entry criteria were small tumour size (less than 15mm in the cerebellopontine angle), patient preference and/or significant co-morbidity. Interventions: MRI scanning was performed every 6 months for the first year, annually subsequently and then every 2-3 years...

Science.gov (United States)

The economic benefits of supplemental fuel injections depend, in part, on the coke replacement ratio. An assessment of the accuracy with which blast furnace coke rate may be measured and a determination of the key drivers of coke rate uncertainty are offered, to provide guidance for experiments in high-rate gas injection. Using statistical analysis tools, an expression for the measurement error associated with the various terms of blast furnace carbon balance is developed. Coke rate calculations based on the material balance are most sensitive to coke carbon content and to proper tracking of hot metal tapping schedule.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ionizing radiation has been used to treat poultry to remove harmful microorganisms, mainly Salmonella, which contaminates chicken, goose and other fresh and frozen poultry. This microorganism is sensitive to low dose radiation. Thus, irradiating these foods with doses between 1 to 7 kGy results in a large reduction of bacteria. Since it is necessary to determine whether irradiation has occurred and to what extend, this work studied the signal produced by ionizing radiation within the hard crystalline matrix of chicken`s bone to establish a control method. Chicken`s drumsticks were irradiated and bones separated from flesh were lyophilized and milled. ESR spectrum was then obtained. The ESR signal increased linearly with dose over the range 0.25 to 8.0 kGy. Free radicals evaluated during 30 days after irradiation showed stable in this period. (Author).

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Titanium stabilized austenitic steel is sensitive to SCC in the secondary water under the horizontal steam generator operating conditions. SCC was observed under crevice conditions both at the primary collector flanges and the heat exchange tubes. In the crevice environment sulfates and chlorides as aggressive species and silicates and alumino-silicates as ''non-aggressive'' species are present in significant amounts. Local water chemistry parameters were evaluated using the MULTEQ Code. SCC experiments were carried out by rising displacement tests ar 275 deg C in an environment simulating the crevice conditions. Crack growth rate and K{sub IS}8C{sub C} were determined for the environment where contents of some species were from 10{sup 2} to 10{sup 4} times higher than in blowdowns. (authors)

CERN Document Server

Neutron stars are sensitive laboratories for testing general relativity, especially when considering deviations where velocities are relativistic and gravitational fields are strong. One such deviation is described by dynamical, Chern-Simons modified gravity, where the Einstein-Hilbert action is modified through the addition of the gravitational parity-violating Pontryagin density coupled to a field. This four-dimensional effective theory arises naturally both in perturbative and non-perturbative string theory, loop quantum gravity, and generic effective field theory expansions. We calculate here Chern-Simons modifications to the properties and gravitational fields of slowly spinning neutron stars. We find that the Chern-Simons correction affects only the gravitomagnetic sector of the metric to leading order, thus introducing modifications to the moment of inertia but not to the mass-radius relation. We show that an observational determination ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Ethnobotanical and chemotaxonomical studies for antiparasitic activity of Colombian Annonaceae were carried out. In vitro antiprotozoal activity of 36 extracts obtained from six different species was determined against promastigotes of three Leishmania species, epimastigotes of Trypanosoma cruzi and both chloroquine sensitive (F32) and resistant (W2) Plasmodium falciparum. Cytotoxic activity was evaluated in U-937 cells. Active extracts were selected according their selectivity index (SI). Extracts from Annona muricata, Rollinia exsucca, Rollinia pittieri and Xylopia aromatica were active against Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma cruzi showing IC50 values lower than 25mg/ml. Hexane extract from Rollinia pittieri leaves was the most selective against Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania spp. (IS=...

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(1) To determine the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in the evaluation of ligament tear and avulsion in patients with tibial plateau fracture. (2) To evaluate whether the presence or severity of fracture gap and articular depression can predict meniscal injury. A fellowship-trained musculoskeletal radiologist retrospectively reviewed knee CT and MRI examinations of 41 consecutive patients presenting to a level 1 trauma center with tibial plateau fractures. Fracture gap, articular depression, ligament tear and footprint avulsions were assessed on CT examinations. The MRI studies were examined for osseous and soft tissue injuries, including meniscal tear, meniscal displacement, ligament tear, and ligament avulsion. CT demonstrated torn ligaments with 80% sensitivity and 98% specificity. Only 2% of ligaments deemed intact on careful CT evaluation had partial or complete tears on MRI. Although the degree of fracture gap and articular ...