UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundLittle is known about the acceptability of internet and telephone treatments, or what factors might influence patient interest in receiving treatments via...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The influence of common welding defects such as internal under-cut, incomplete penetration of the root bead, internal concavity and hollow bead have been evaluated in a sour environment. Tests were performed on samples cut from actual pipeline welds. The individual defects were subjected to slow strain rate testing. The samples were then examined by metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and hardness testing. It was established that a threshold stress intensity exists for sulphide stress cracking. The test results were compared to those obtained from samples of the weld and pipe which did not contain any defects. This comparison indicated that the metallurgical variations associated with the presence of a weld are the main factor for sulphide stress cracking rather than any specific defects or geometry. 5 tabs., 9 figs.

Science.gov (United States)

... 2. Help women become accepted by providing job-related training, creating flexible work groups with good climates, and encourage supervisors to ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report aims to address the potential for solid polymer fuel cell (SPFC) systems to be successfully exploited in the combined heat and power (CHP) market. A number of market studies have been undertaken to look at the size and future potential for this CHP market as well as such issues as market forces and geographical locations. This study focuses on a different aspect, that of the technical and commercial requirement together with the development needs. In order to understand how an SPFC system will have to perform, it is first necessary to examine the criteria used to judge the commercial merits of a particular CHP scheme. Issues that must be addressed include: the investment criteria - time to pay back the investment or rate of return on the investment; the influence of external factors such as electricity cost tariffs, fuel price and regulatory requirements; the cost and performance of existing technology; and the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the alternative ideas to solve the spent fuel issues, the partitioning and transmutation (P and T) technology has been developed for decades. Moreover, the concept of LILW production from P and T are proposed by Bowman. A PEACER (Proliferationresistant, Environmental-friendly Accident-tolerant, Continuable and Economical Reactor), based on pyrochemical process and Pb-Bi coolant transmutation reactor, has been conceptually designed to be able to convert all PWR spent fuel into low and intermediate level waste for near-surface disposal. In this study, the acceptance criteria for near-surface disposal facility is derived by the methodology for establishment of acceptance criteria. Then acceptable TRU decontamination factor (DF) and LLFP removal efficiency in order to meet acceptance criteria is evaluated.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The electrogeometric model cannot consider the influence of some parameters on the screening of the wire conductor of the H.V. lines. For analysing the influence of these parameters (the conductor potential, the influence of the distance from phase conductor to earth wire, the influence of the reducing factor of the striking earth distance, the earth slope, etc.), the Monte Carlo method is preferable. The influence of the earth slope on the screening effect of the wire conductor for different conditions is presented in this paper. (author)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

This paper deals with the indications for prostatectomy; the differential diagnosis of the symptomatology of bladder neck obstruction; and the factors influencing the choice of operation....Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There are currently no accepted industry standards for the tensile strain limits of girth welds. This paper investigated the behavior of girth welds with buried defects subjected to high longitudinal strains caused by soil movement. A strain design methodology based on a crack driving method was used to examine the factors influencing stain limits along with a constraint-sensitive fracture mechanics approach. No strength undermatching was used in the welds, and the defect location had no influence on crack driving force. The weld joint was assumed to have uniform tensile properties. A 3D finite element (FE) model was used to simulate pipe behavior. Symmetric boundary conditions were imposed on the symmetry planes, and uniform remote axial displacement was applied as the primary loading. Automated data processing routines were developed to extract and analyze the data. The crack driving force was ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

To diagnose asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV), self-sampled vaginal smears were collected during a study of risk factors for preterm birth in African American women. More than 90% of those...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

What technical, economic and institutional factors make radioactive and/or hazardous waste management technologies publicly acceptable? The goal of this paper is to initiate an identification of factors likely to render radioactive and hazardous waste management technologies publicly acceptable and to provide guidance on how technological R&D might be revised to enhance the acceptability of alternative waste management technologies. Technology development must attend to the full range of technology characteristics (technical, engineering, physical, economic, health, environmental, and socio-institutional) relevant to diverse stakeholders. ORNL`s efforts in recent years illustrate some attempts to accomplish these objectives or, at least, to build bridges toward the integrated design of waste management technologies.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry of irradiated chicken legs is based on the additive dose or the calibration curve methods. In both cases the practical assumption is made that the behaviour of the chicken bone does not depend on factors such as temperature during irradiation, storage conditions and dose rate. So the aim of the present work was to investigate to what extent the above mentioned factors could influence the post-irradiation dose assessment using the ESR technique. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this research is to clarify how psychological factor's impact on public acceptance of nuclear energy varies with people's degree of knowledge. For this purpose, we carried out questionnaire survey about nuclear energy at Suginami ward, Tokyo. After collecting data, we applied factor analysis to the data, and found 4 factors: Trust in the Authorities, Superiority of Nuclear Power Generation, Benefit for Nuclear Power Plants' Siting Areas, and Risk Perception about Nuclear Technology. In addition, using multiple regression analysis, we evaluated the impact of the 4 factors on 2 issues: the decision for or against nuclear policy and the reaction to nuclear power plant siting. Consequently, we found the change of impact of all 4 factors on the 2 issues. Especially, the impact of the 4 factors to the ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

There are many factors that can influence glucose uptake by contracting skeletal muscle during exercise and although one may be intramuscular glycogen content, this relationship is at present not fully...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundPeak bone mass, attained by early adulthood, is influenced by genetic and life-style factors. Early infant feeding and duration of breastfeeding in particular, associate...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundProfessionalism is a critical quality for physicians to possess. Physician professionalism has received increased attention in recent years, with many authorities suggesting...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background:Prolonged mechanical ventilation is increasingly common. It is expensive and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Our objective is to comprehensively characterize...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Techniques for culturing, harvesting, and testing bacteria to evaluate bactericidal chemicals for swimming pools are described. Concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg of the chlorine stabilizer cyanuric...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The achievement of governmental transformation through the use of electronically delivered services is a worthy goal that requires significant planning and research to achieve. In order to reach transformational paradigm shifts in governmental operation, it will first be necessary to understand and optimize present governmental e-Service provisions. Of these, the revenue function of taxation is paramount. This paper describes factors related to the use and acceptance by accounting professionals of information technology intended to facilitate electronic tax filing systems. Though tested in the context of governmental tax management systems in Turkey, our findings on the use and acceptance of e-Tax systems are relevant and applicable to a great number of nations and contexts as the ongoing ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A large acceptance, high stopping power Bragg curve spectrometer has been developed for use in coincidence experiments with heavy ions. The electron collection fields are radial and position information is obtained from a resistive anode. The detector is 60 cm deep and operates at pressures of up to 2.5 atm of P-10 gas. It is mated to a scattering chamber which allows it to be moved out of plane during coincidence measurements. Factors affecting the performance of the detector are discussed, and results obtained with the detector are presented. (orig.).

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe link between maternal factors and birth outcomes is well established. Substantial changes in society and medical care over time have influenced women's reproductive...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundIn Germany, there is a shortage of young physicians in several specialties, the situation of general practitioners (GP) being especially precarious. The factors influencing...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

The biological age (BA) of the majority of the liquidators of the consequences of the radiation accidents in the Navy and of the liquidators of the Chernobyl' APS accident exceeds the medium standard and the DBA (due BA). The index of the BA can be a characteristic of the influence of the social-hygienic factors on the health condition of the Special Risk Subunit--the liquidators of the consequences of the radiation accidents. It was established, that the radiation influence concerns to the factors dramatically increasing the BA and the rate of senescence of the liquidators of the consequences of the radiation accidents. PMID:21809627

Science.gov (United States)

The Canadian Soldier Information Requirements Technology Demonstration (SIREQ TD) soldier modernization research and development program has conducted experiments to help determine the types and amount of information needed to support wayfinding across a range of terrain environments, the most effective display modality for providing the information (visual, auditory or tactile) that will minimize conflict with other infantry tasks, and to optimize interface design. In this study, seven different visual helmet-mounted display (HMD) designs were developed based on soldier feedback from previous studies. The displays and an in-service compass condition were contrasted to investigate how the visual HMD interfaces influenced navigation performance. Displays varied with respect to their information content, frame of reference, point of view, and display features. Twelve male infantry soldiers used all eight experimental conditions to locate bearings to waypoints. From a ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Radium is known to be taken up by aquatic animals, and tends to accumulate in bone, shell and exoskeleton. The most common approach to estimating the uptake of a radionuclide by aquatic animals for use in health and environmental risk assessments is the concentration factor method. The concentration factor method relates the concentration of a contaminant in an organism to the concentration in the surrounding water. Site specific data are not usually available, and generic, default values are often used in risk assessment studies. This paper describes the concentration factor method, summarizes some of the variables which may influence the concentration factor for radium, reviews reported concentration factors measured in marine environments and presents concentration factors derived from data collected in a study in coastal Louisiana. The ...

CERN Document Server

The stock market has been known to form homogeneous stock groups with a higher correlation among different stocks according to common economic factors that influence individual stocks. We investigate the role of common economic factors in the market in the formation of stock networks, using the arbitrage pricing model reflecting essential properties of common economic factors. We find that the degree of consistency between real and model stock networks increases as additional common economic factors are incorporated into our model. Furthermore, we find that individual stocks with a large number of links to other stocks in a network are more highly correlated with common economic factors than those with a small number of links. This suggests that common economic factors in the stock market can be understood in terms of deterministic ...

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 ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundSouth Africa has a high tuberculosis (TB)-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection rate of 73%, yet only 46% of TB patients are tested for HIV. To date, relatively...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Aim.- To identify what determinants influence the prevalence and accuracy of nursing diagnosis documentation in clinical practice. Background.- Nursing diagnoses guide and direct nursing care. They are the foundation for goal setting and provide the basis for interventions. The literature mentions several factors that influences nurses- documentation of diagnoses, such as a nurse-s level of education, patient-s condition and the ward environment. Design.- Systematic review. Method.- MEDLINE and CINAHL databases were searched using the following headings and keywords: nursing diagnosis, nursing documentation, hospitals, influence, utilisation, quality, implementation and accuracy. The search was limited to articles published between 1995-October 2009. Studies were only selected if they were...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There are many different types of open pit mining operations around the world, and the challenge for any drive system manufacturer is to produce a system(s) that will work satisfactorily in these mines. Several factors must be considered such as vehicle speed requirements, available engine horsepower, mine rolling resistance, grades, grade lengths, payload, and tire sizes. How well a particular drive system performs depends on the size, weight, and available tractive/retarding effort. In addition to performance, the system must also have an operating cost that will be acceptable over the life of the equipment. Today the choice of drive systems is not only between mechanical and electrical drives, but also within these categories are the different manufacturers. Regardless of how the power is provided to the rear wheels, the job must be accomplished reliably and at an acceptable cost. This paper covers the characteristics of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A semi-mechanistic model for calculating solid radionuclide release rates from bubbling pools of sodium was developed. The influence of particle spacial and size distributions on the decontamination of the releases was analysed and found significant. Decontamination factors are shown as a function of pool depth, bubbling characteristics and particle size distribution. The calculation of a decontamination factor for estimating the source term of large scale hypothetical core disruptive accidents is presented. The decontamination factor for a large scale accident was found to be two orders of magnitude greater than results obtained from small scale experiments conducted with uniform particle distributions.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundHow socio-demographic factors influence women's autonomy in decision making on health care including purchasing goods and visiting family and relatives are very poorly...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Strategies to combine aspirated marrow cells with scaffolds to treat connective tissue defects are gaining increasing clinical attention and use. In situations such as large defects where initial...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In recent years, many researchers have investigated the various factors that can influence body posture: mood states, anxiety, head and neck positions, oral functions (respiration,...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Efficiency of translation termination relies on the specific recognition of the three stop codons by the eukaryotic translation termination factor eRF1. To date only a few proteins are known to be involved...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The outcome of patients admitted to intensive care units is known to be influenced by such factors as age, previous health status, severity of disease, and diagnosis. To estimate the outcome of such...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Species of bacteria associated with Stylophora pistillata were determined by analyses of 16S ribosomal genes. Coral samples were taken from two distinct sites at Kenting, in the far...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Patients treated with bleomycin are at risk of developing the acute adult respiratory distress syndrome post-operatively. In a prospective study of 12 patients who had received bleomycin preoperatively...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundA goal of human genetics is to discover genetic factors that influence individuals' susceptibility to common diseases. Most common diseases are thought to result from the...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... "N. Northwest Europe, 1944 - St. Lo 11-18 Jul Operation "Goodwood" 18-20 Jul Operation "Cobra" 24-26 Jul 0" Mortain 6-12 Aug Chartres 16' Au.g ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The principles of path analysis and causal modelling are discussed. Path analysis was applied to three data sets to assess the relationship between group characteristics (number per group and "mixing"...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article discusses how history, the cultural setting, and the political-ideological contexts may influence educational research in China. It seeks to demonstrate a dichotomy between official and popular discourses, and argues that there is a need for the researcher to understand and interpret the language style used in various interview settings and research publications in China. Further, it is contended that ideology and cultural influences push towards a 'virtuous' or socially acceptable understanding of reality. These ideological and cultural norms may also affect official research data and statistics. Further, the article seeks to demonstrate that for a researcher in China (whether Chinese or not) it is important to cultivate and make use of guanxi (connections), at the same time ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The author explains current developments in high voltage cable technology and subsequently describes problems inherent in its application, from the users viewpoint, in municipal electricity supply. The planning of a high voltage cable network and the selection of a specific type of cable are not only dependent on the typical properties of various cables but to a major degree also on the feasible laying technique, the power transmitted, the costs, the stellation treatment of the high voltage network, the acceptance requirement, the inductive influence from telecommunication cable, thermal influences from the environment, eventual safeguards from mechanical and chemical damage to the network, frequency of failure and surveillance and breakdown location. In conclusion, the author portrays potential developments in the fields of high and maximum voltage cable from the perspectives of today.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This EPRI sponsored report describes factors that influence the selection of drives in process industry. These factors include economics, safety aspects, speed control and the plant steam balance. Since the economics play a key-role in the decision, this report provides a quick way of estimating the economics of replacing steam turbines with electric motors. The tools to carry out economic analyses have been provided in the form of graphs and nomographs for quick estimation.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Effect of single and chronic irradiation on factors of hamsters natural immunity such as complement, lysozyme and antibodies in norm and in the cestode invasion has been investigated. Significant phase changes in the complement activity level, lysozyme content and specific antibodies tite have been shown to occur in hamster blood under the influence of ionizing radiation. Cestode invasion in irradiated host organism increases the negative effect of ionizing radiation on the hamster immyne system.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The removal of tritiated water vapour was tested by use of a small burning apparatus and a clinoptilolite filter. It was found that decontamination factor of about 10"4 could be obtained by a clinoptilolite filter. The adsorption of HTO in the clinoptilolite is caused by the diffusion, so it is necessary that filtration velocity is maintained below 0.01 m/sec. Decontamination factor was not influence by the moisture content of a clinoptilolite and tritiated water vapour once adsorbed on a filter was hardly removed. (auth.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Assessment on the back end fuel cycle, in PEACER (Proliferation-resistant Environmental-friendly Accident-tolerant Continuable and Economical Reactor) that was designated as a new transmutation concept, was performed. Recovery system of uranium and TRU for PEACER is based on pyroprocessing. In the assessment of Long-Lived Fission Products (LLFP) wastes, initially "9"0Sr and "1"3"7Cs are dominant contributor nuclides until 30 years and especially "9"0Sr and "1"3"7Cs have the highest activity and decay heat than other LLFP. In this study, recovery of "9"0Sr and "1"3"7Cs is recommended for reducing of wastes loading. The acceptable decontamination factor is investigated by the toxicity of PEACER spent fuel. The acceptable decontamination factor is about 1.02E+05 for the actinides from PEACER spent fuel after 10 years cooling, 4.26E+05 after 100 years cooling, 1.97E+04 after 300 years cooling, 9.52E+03 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Evaluation of the tolerance limits of X-ray image density accepted by the radiologist shows that for different kinds of examinations, deviations of more than 50% from optimal density lead to images which cannot be used diagnostically. Within this range diagnostic accuracy shows a distinct maximum and diminishes to the limits by 20%. These figures are related to differences in the intensifying factor of screens, sensitivity of films, sensitometric parameters of film processing as well as the doses employed with automatic exposure control devices, measured in clinical conditions. Maximum permissible tolerance limits of the whole imaging system and of its constituents are discussed using the Gaussian law of error addition. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a survey on public preferences in SE England for the use of wind, biomass and nuclear power in electricity generation. Using a labelled CE the perceived importance (value) to the public of distance and the energy options' impacts on biodiversity, emissions, land occupation and household cost was explored. Results suggest that impacts, technology name, demographic characteristics, attitudes towards the environment, knowledge and experience with the technologies were significant choice determinants. Considering the current debate about the development of nuclear power and biomass in UK and worldwide, this survey provides an insight into the factors affecting public acceptability

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The treatment of chronic pain conditions continue to present a challenge to the medical field. Physical therapy treatment needs to approach the management of chronic pain differently than the approach used to resolve acute pain. Patients with chronic pain often have many factors that have perpetuated the pain condition. These factors, as well as pain itself, influence their ability to reactivate and perform functional daily activities. Physical therapists can begin to address some of the factors, including fear and deconditioning, by building confidence and body awareness in a self-care model including a slow graduated reactivation program. There is evidence that patients with chronic pain conditions have altered motor control that may be influencing reoccurrences and possible flares of pa...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The form factor for excitation of the 1/sup +/ state at 3.48 MeV in /sup 88/Sr by inelastic electron scattering has been measured for momentum transfers q = 0.24-0.62 fm/sup -1/. Neither its magnitude nor shape can be described employing the best available nuclear wave functions. We demonstrate with a schematic model that the observed reduction of the form factor may be understood by taking into account a renormalization of the M1-operator due to virtual ..delta..-hole excitations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - Mobile phones have provided an opportunity for banking institutions to introduce new services to the public. The latest service, which is now available in Malaysian banking institutions, is the mobile phone credit card. The purpose of this paper is to provide a preliminary investigation of the factors that determine whether Malaysia's bank customers will use the new mobile phone credit card technology. Design/methodology/approach - This paper extends the applicability of the technology acceptance model (TAM) to mobile phone credit cards and includes "perceived credibility (PC)", the "amount of information about mobile phone credit cards (AIMCs)" and "perceived expressiveness (PE)", in addition to "perceived usefulness (PU)" and "perceived ease of use (PEOU)". Findings - The resul...

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 ...

Science.gov (United States)

Unsteady impinging jets are systematically controlled with respect to their time dependence in order to investigate the influence of unsteadiness on the heat transfer performance. This is achieved by a special mass flow control device, which allows almost arbitrary shapes of unsteadiness to be imposed onto the impinging jet. Three different standard signals (sinusoidal, triangular, rectangular) and two specially designed signals are applied and their influence on heat transfer is determined in terms of an enhancement factor. Heat transfer augmentation up to 30% was found and could be physically explained with the help of PIV and hot-wire measurements of the flow field.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Given the widely accepted notion of whole person education in Confucian societies such as Hong Kong, Mainland China and Singapore, it is surprising that research literature originated in these societies pays little attention to how students learn and develop through out-of-class experiences at university. There is little research evidence on how the prevailing culture among student social communities (residential halls and student societies/clubs) influences students? social involvement and development. This paper examines 42 Chinese students? social experiences and development during their freshman year at a Hong Kong university. The majority of them were intensively involved in out-of-class activities. Their active social involvement was both a response to the culture of student communit...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper addresses the influence of CHC on how the insider/outsider distinction is drawn and what consequences follow for the conduct of research. The paper outlines the methodological complexities faced by us whilst conducting our respective research projects in Hong Kong. In the studies reported in this paper we, the researchers, were insiders at one level as both of us have a degree of familiarity with Hong Kong being residents of the city. We were also insiders on a professional level in the contexts under study. However being ethnically non-Chinese positioned us as outsiders. Additionally, our Western-trained research selves accepted certain normative paradigms, whilst our own personal ethno-centricities tended to question these self-same paradigms. In sum, the research context for ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the field of international human resource management, studies have seldom examined organizational justice, social exchange, and psychological contract together as important factors in influencing the expatriate adjustment process. The purpose of this research is to fill the research gap by examining these factors and their relationships with expatriate adjustment. The researcher conducted a survey of Taiwanese business expatriates during the first quarter of 2007, collecting 219 valid samples for analysis. A hierarchical regression model was used to test the research framework hypotheses, which showed that expatriates' perception of organizational justice has a positive influence both on their perceptions of social exchange and on their psychological contract fulfillment. Expatriates' p...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This is the first volume of a two-volume report. Volume 2 will be published at a later date. This report presents the results of a research project conducted by Brookhaven National Laboratory for the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research. The purpose of the project was to develop a general methodology to be use in the assessment of the organizational factors which affect performance reliability (safety) in a nuclear power plant. The research described in this report includes the development of the Nuclear Organization and Management Analysis Concept (GNOMIC). This concept characterizes the organizational factors that impact safety performance in a nuclear power plant and identifies some methods for systematically measuring and analyzing the influence of these factors on safety performance. This report is divided into two parts; Part 1 presents an overview of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Information technology allows national and local governments to satisfy the needs of citizens in a cost effective way. Unfortunately, citizens still tend to prefer traditional, more costly channels, such as the front desk, phone and mail. Through pilot projects government agencies attempt to influence this behavior of citizens, directing them towards the online channel. With this paper we provide insight into the possibility to influence citizens' behavior in the complex landscape of multi-channel service provision. The paper systematically compares five pilot projects using a framework that is based on organizational and marketing literature. The results show that socio-psychological factors are crucial in multi-channel management, much more than the technology itself. We conclude that ci...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

When decontaminated with continuously replenished CAN-DECON reagent in a once-through system, carbon steel contaminated with "6"0Co during exposure to reducing coolant in stainless steel loops loses up to 90 percent of its radioactivity in the first few minutes. Afterwards, the rate of removal falls to much lower values which persist for many hours to the end of the experiment. The effects of flow rate, temperature and reagent concentration on the initial rates of decontamination indicate that mass transfer in the liquid is an important factor in the decontamination. The decontamination factor is influenced by the initial rate.

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)

The report addresses the application of reverse osmosis to the treatment of radioactive liquid waste, focusing on the effects of non-radioactive cations and anions, existing in radioactive waste, on the removal of radioactive nuclides. The bivalent cations are generally about ten times as high in decontamination factor as monovalent ones. In the case of anions, the factor of SO{sub 4}{sup 2-} is about ten times that of Cl{sup -} while that of NO{sub 3}{sup -} is somewhat smaller than that of Cl{sup -}. During permeation through membrane, anions tend to accompany cations, and the decontamination factor of accompanying ions is found to increase with that of the paring ions. These results indicate that if one can select components that will remain in the liquid waste, one should consider their effects on the efficiency of its treatment. Furthermore, the interaction between two anions or between two cations can be approximated ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The document represents a specific type of discussion of existing methodologies for the creation and application of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) in light of the EUR document summarizing requirements placed by Western European NPP operators on the future design of nuclear power plants. A partial goal of this discussion consists in mapping, from the PSA point of view, those selected design, operational and/or safety factors of future NPPs that may be entirely new or, at least, newly addressed. Therefore, the terms of reference for this stage were formulated as follows: Assess current level of knowledge and procedures in the analysis of factors and phenomena with a dominant influence upon operational safety of new generation reactors, especially in the following areas: (1) Phenomenology of failure types and mechanisms and reliability of conventional passive safety system components; (2) Phenomenology of failure types ...

Science.gov (United States)

As care shifts from institutional to home- and community-based settings, consumer health information technology (IT) must be designed to support patients' new health information management responsibilities. We developed and piloted a new methodology grounded in social network analysis and human factors engineering to explore two often overlooked aspects of this phenomenon: the task of health information communication with members of the social network and the context of culture. Such knowledge is necessary to inform the appropriate design of consumer health IT. We asked a culturally diverse sample of participants to describe what, to whom, why, and how they communicate health information and to provide direct feedback about the methodology. The methodology was acceptable to all participants and able to capture similarities and differences in their health information communication practices. Prior to the main study we will need to refine the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One of the significant factors of neutron radiographic image degradation is scattering blur from the object. A practical method is described to enhance image quality by eliminating the overlapping of scattered thermal neutrons component from the objects in ETRR-2 neutron radiography facility, using aluminum Gd-coated antiscatter grid. The MCNP code was used to determine the optimum grid dimensions that will reduce the scattered thermal neutrons from the object. An experiment was performed to determine the optimum grid height and irradiation time that gives the best image with acceptable geometric unsharpness. Using the MCNP code it was found that 97% of the scattered neutrons were removed by the grid. The wall dimensions and Gd coating are so small that the facility resolution cannot detect the image pattern superposition on the film.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A large acceptance, high stopping power, Bragg curve spectrometer has been developed for use in coincidence experiments with heavy ions. The electron collection fields are radial and position information is obtained from a resistive anode. The detector is 60 cm deep and operates at pressures of up to 2.5 atm of P-10 gas. It is mated to a scattering chamber which allows it to be moved out of plane during coincidence measurements. The detector design was aided by the results of computer simulations of the electron collection process in the detector, and of the signal processing in the electronics. The signals from the Bragg curve spectrometer are recorded in a waveform digitizer and the Bragg peak height, range, position and pileup rejection information are determined from software analysis of the recorded signals. Factors limiting the performance of the detector are discussed, and results obtained with the detector are presented. (orig.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The principal types of corrosion are presented which can occur in CANDU steam generator. There are also presented the operation conditions, the specifications referring to the water chemistry and the construction materials of Steam Generator, the factors that have a great influence on the corrosion behaviour during the whole exploitation period of this equipment. The most important elements of CANDU Steam Generator ageing management program are also discussed. (R. P.)

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A borohydride, for instance sodium borohydride, is added to the radioactive effluent, with eventually a carrier such as Cu{sup +}, to give a precipitate containing ruthenium. The processing can be combined to Sr and Cs precipitation be know processes giving barium sulfate and nickel ferrocyamide precipitates. Influence of borohydride concentration on decontamination factor is given.

Science.gov (United States)

Biofilm-specific antibiotic resistance is influenced by multiple factors. We demonstrated that Pseudomonas aeruginosa tssC1, a gene implicated in type VI secretion (T6S), is important for resistance of biofilms to a subset of antibiotics. We showed that tssC1 expression is induced in biofilms and confirmed that tssC1 is required for T6S. PMID:21784934

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Aim To better define the indications for adrenalectomy for adrenal metastasis we have analysed factors predicting survival in our institutional series. Methods A consecutive series of 30 patients undergoing adrenalectomy for metastasis (1996-2007), excluding patients with simultaneous ipsilateral renal cell carcinoma (RCC), was studied. Metastases were regarded as synchronous (6 mo), depending on the interval after primary surgery. Survival was calculated from time of adrenalectomy and factors influencing survival were identified. Results The tumour diagnoses were RCC n = 9, malignant melanoma n = 5, non-small-cell lung cancer n = 5, colorectal carcinoma n = 4, foregut carcinoid n = 2, adrenocortical carcinoma, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, urothelial c...

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The most relevant aspects of research and service experience with environmentally-assisted cracking (EAC) of carbon (C) and low-alloy steels (LAS) in high-temperature (HT) water are reviewed, with special emphasis on the primary pressure boundary components of boiling water reactors (BWRs). The main factors controlling the susceptibility to EAC under light water reactor (LWR) conditions are discussed with respect to crack initiation and crack growth. The adequacy and conservatism of the current BWRVIP-60 stress corrosion cracking (SCC) disposition lines (DLs), ASME III fatigue design curves, and ASME XI reference fatigue crack growth curves, as well as of the GE EAC crack growth model are evaluated in the context of recent research results. The operating experience is summarized and compared to the experimental/mechanistic background knowledge. Finally, open questions and possible topics for further research are identified. Laboratory investigations revealed ...

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The criterion the study is based on in evaluating environmental risks is the possibility of harmful changes in air, water and soils rather than the harmful environmental impacts these changes are caused by. The two significant criteria, i.e. the evaluated environmental hazards potentials or 'value parameters', and the evaluated damage-to-the-environment probabilities or 'safety parameters', reveal the respective environmental risks or 'risk factors'. These risk factors are classified by 23 environmental risk parameters for differentiation between low-risk and high-aid for pollution abatement measures provided that one fixes acceptance limits for the environmental parameters. As a rule the environmental risks of technical facilities which handle hazardous materials can be evaluated appropriately and the results can be compared. (orig./HSCH).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In this work, the antibacterial effect of fluoroquinolones (FQs) upon Escherichia coli (E.coli) was measured with and without application of 40kHz ultrasound (US) stimulation. The research results demonstrated that simultaneous application of 40kHz US apparently enhanced the antibacterial effectiveness of FQs. That is, the synergistic effect was observed and the bacterial viability was reduced when FQs and US were combined. In addition, various influencing factors, such as FQs drug concentration, US irradiation time and solution temperature, on the inhibition of E.coli were also investigated. The antibacterial activity was enhanced apparently with increasing of FQs drug concentration, US irradiation time and solution temperature. Furthermore, we discussed preliminarily the mechanism of US ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Perceptions of sensation and pain in healthy people are believed to be the net result of sensory input and descending modulation from brainstem and cortical regions depending on emotional and cognitive factors. Here, the influence of attention on neural activity in the spinal cord during thermal sensory stimulation of the hand was investigated with functional magnetic resonance imaging by systematically varying the participants' attention focus across and within repeated studies. Attention states included (1) attention to the stimulus by rating the sensation and (2) attention away from the stimulus by performing various mental tasks of watching a movie and identifying characters, detecting the direction of coherently moving dots within a randomly moving visual field and answering mentally-...

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The US NRC, in its Generic Environmental Impact Statement on uranium milling has specified that the radon flux escaping a uranium mill tailings pile will be reduced to pCi/m/sup 2/ s by application of covering layers of soils and clays. These covers present a radon diffusion barrier, which sufficiently increases the time required for radon passage from the tailings to the atmosphere to allow for decay of /sup 222/Rn within the cover. The depth of cover necessary to reduce the escaping radon flux to the prescribed level is to be determined by calculation, and requires precise knowledge of the radon diffusion coefficient in the covering media. A Radon Attenuation Test Facility was developed to determine rates of radon diffusion through candidate cover materials. This paper describes this facility and its application for determining the influence of physical properties of the soil column on the radon diffusion coefficient.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The published literature is reviewed and supplemented by current information from the author's laboratory, to show the influence of various compositional, heat treatment and thermomechanical factors on the structural characteristics of Alloy 800. The features discussed include carbon, aluminium, titanium and boron, solution treatment, ageing treatments with and without applied strain, and cold working. Examples of the aspects reviewed include the effect of heat treatment and service or testing temperature on the austenite grain size, and the relative importance of M_2_3C_6 and TiC, the influence of carbon level on gamma prime, the effect of residual or steady stress combined with time at temperature on changes in carbide or gamma prime morphology, and on the appearance of sigma or other intermetallic phases. The questions posed by these features are discussed generally, in terms of their effect on the mechanical properties ...

Science.gov (United States)

Background: Accountability demands are increasingly pushing school leaders to explore more data and do more sophisticated analyses. Data-driven decision making (DDDM) has become an emerging field of practice for school leadership and a central focus of education policy and practice. Purpose: This study examined principals' DDDM practices and identified the factors influencing DDDM using the theoretical frame of information use environments. Participants: Participants were 183 public high school principals in a Midwestern state. Research Design: The research design was cross-sectional survey research. Data Collection and Analysis: Survey instruments were developed and administered to principals. Structural equation modeling was conducted to determine what factors significantly affect principals' DDDM practices in different leadership dimensions. Findings: Principals used data more frequently in instructional and organization ...

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Trying to achieve the optimal utilization of oil shale resources, and the production of a more environmentally acceptable fuel, as well as a solid waste with a low a sulphur content, thereby reducing acidic leachates, has led to this investigation. In this article, the influences of the bed temperature and the choice of fluidizing gas on the quality and quantity of the produced fuel gas, using a continuous feed fluidized bed reactor, were investigated. The composition and calorific value of the generated gas were determined. There was a nearly linear increase in the amount of fuel gas produced as a function of temperature, reaching {approx}350 kg per 10{sup 3} kg of dry raw shale and the gross calorific value ranged from 15 to 23 MJ-kg{sup -1} with CO and H{sub 2} being the major constituents. Subsequent experiments were carried out, employing a thermogravimetric analyser under similar conditions as applied to the fluidized bed reactor. ...

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This paper describes the design and feasibility tests of a 570 mm bore 4 stroke low pressure (L.P.) dual fuel engine rated at 20.9 bar BMEP meant for the propulsion of LNG carriers. The basic design features which are to be in accordance with classification societies safety rules are described: individual electro hydraulic valves located in the air manifold ducts, pilot injection, monitoring system etc. The engine capability to burn variable liquid/gas fuel proportions have been investigated with diesel oil and heavy fuel and possible running zones are defined. This ensures the possibility of the engine to cope with the different boil off gas quantity emanating from the ship`s tank during her loaded - and ballast - journeys. With the very lean setting of this engine, no adverse influence of the high ash lube-oil additives were found during the tests. Further tests are necessary to confirm that possible more significant fouling of the combustion chamber is still ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Shell Oil's exploration of profitable business opportunities afforded by fuel cells and by the emergence of a viable hydrogen economy is discussed. The emphasis in this paper is on the transportation sector, particularly the importance of a refueling infrastructure and the influence that consumer attitudes will have on which technological solution will gain the upper hand in hydrogen-powered vehicle development. Key issues facing the oil industry with regard to development of hydrogen as the new energy carrier are also reviewed. Methanol reformer fuel cell cars are the most likely to gain acceptability in the short term, but the probability of methanol fuel cell vehicles being replaced by gasoline or hydrogen fuelled fuel cell vehicles or be superseded by advances in internal combustion engine and after-treatment technology, are very real. Government regulations, fiscal incentives and societal pressures will be the principal determinants of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A solvent extraction method was developed to obtain methanolic extracts rich in antioxidants from banana peel. Central composite design ''2^3+star'' and response surface methodology were used in order to optimise the number of extraction steps, extraction temperature and extraction time. The number of extractions was statistically the most significant factor in scavenging activity against both DPPH? and ABTS?^+ radicals and in the inhibition of TBARS formation, while the extraction temperature had an important impact on the capacity to prevent b-carotene bleaching. However, the effect of the extraction time on antioxidant activity was less important. The optimum values of the factors that influence the capacity to scavenge DPPH? and ABTS?^+ radicals or to inhibit b-carotene bleaching were ...

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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 influence of some processing factors such as cold work and heat treatment on the susceptibility to caustic stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of modified alloy 800, referred to alloy 800 M, in a boiling solution of 50%NaOH + 0.3%SiO_2+0.3%Na_2S_2O_3 was investigated by means of microstructure examination, tensile test, stress analysis, SCC test of C-rings, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and corrosion mode. Cold work led to lengthening of grains, decrease in ductility, increase in strength, residential stress and susceptibility to SCC. With increasing temperature of heat treatment on alloy 800 M after cold work, grains became bigger, ductility increased but strength, residential stress and susceptibility to SCC decreased. SCC cracks on C-ring specimens initiated from pitting and propagated along grain boundaries. AES analysis indicates that the surface films on alloy 800M are enriched in nickel and depleted in iron and chromium. (authors)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An analysis of the passive films formed on amorphous alloys of the system Fe-10% Cr-5% Mo-P-metalloid and Fe-10% Cr-5% Mo-B-Si revealed that they are more markedly enriched with chromium in silicon-free alloys. In silicon-containing amorphous alloys the passive films were highly enriched with silicon, which occurred in these films in the form of a corrosion product close to SiO_2. As shown by the investigations of a study of the anodic behavior of Fe_4_0Ni_4_0P_1_4B_6 and Fe_4_0Ni_3_8Mo_4B_1_8, phosphorus facilitates the passivation of amorphous alloys by reducing the solution current in the active state and enriching the surface layers of the metal in the form of a black prepassivation film which also contains nickel and iron. The behavior of Fe-Ni amorphous alloys containing only boron as metalloid additive differs little from that of crystalline alloys of similar composition but without the boron. The authors note that in this survey they have considered the ...

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH`s) are ubiquitous hydrophobic organic pollutants in the marine environment. Many of the PAM`s are classified as possible carcinogens or mutagens, therefore they are of considerable concern to human and environmental health. The highest concentrations are found in coastal regions due to anthropogenic activities including oil spills, tanker operations, incomplete fossil fuel combustion and runoff. The sources and distribution of PAM`s in sediments are fairly well known, while the fate and transport of PAH`s in the marine environment are less known. Desorption is an important factor influencing the fate and transport of hydrophobic molecules at the seawater/sediment interface. The desorption of PAH`s from contaminated marine sediments to the water column/pore water affects the availability of the pollutant to biota. The sorption of PAH`s is determined in part by the organic carbon content of the sediments. The ...

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Analyzed are methods for optimizing productivity of coal surface mining systems which consist of bucket wheel excavators, belt conveyors, and dumping conveyors. System productivity depends on adjustment of belt conveyor capacity to productivity of bucket wheel excavators. Factors which influence productivity of bucket wheel excavators are analyzed: dimensions and geometry of bucket wheels, rated power of drive systems for bucket wheels and properties of mined materials (coal or overburden). Indices used in Czechoslovakia for assessing productivity of bucket wheel excavators are compared. Factors which influence capacity of belt conveyors are also analysed: belt dimensions, belt geometry, angle of repose of hauled coal or overburden, and haulage speed of a belt conveyor. Investigations carried out in brown coal surface mines in Czechoslovakia show that conveyor capacity should exceed productivity of ...

Science.gov (United States)

"The focus of this study was to examine the structural, social, and attitudinal factors that influence an individual?s decision to choose an IT career. The findings revealed many differences among male and female high school students? attitudes and intentions. Although many stereotypes existed among the male and female students, perceptions appeared to be similar within the population. For boys, computer and technical skills had a stronger association with attitudes toward IT than for girls. For girls, social issues showed a strong association with attitudes toward IT. Overall, the intention to pursue IT as a career was most likely to prevail within the population of the high school boys."

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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.

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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).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The procedure followed by the Laboratorio de Metrologia Nuclear (LMN) at the IPEN - CNEN/SP, in Sao Paulo, for modifying the NPL-CRC radionuclide sample holder in order to adapt for IPEN vials is presented. For the quality assurance of the results using the IPEN vials, the influence of variation in dimensions and volume of solution has been investigated and suitable correction factors were applied. The solutions used in the present work were "5"1Cr "9"9"mTc "1"5"3Sm, and "2"0"1Tl. (author)

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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.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The process of miniemulsification allows the generation of small, homogeneous, and stable droplets containing monomer or polymer precursors and magnetite which are then transferred by polymer reactions to the final polymer latexes, keeping their particular identity without serious exchange kinetics involved. It is shown that the miniemulsion process can excellently be used for the formulation of polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles which can further be used for biomedical applications. The use of high shear, appropriate surfactants, and the addition of a hydrophobe in order to suppress the influence of Ostwald ripening are key factors for the formation of the small and stable droplets in miniemulsion and will be discussed. Two different approaches based on miniemulsion processes for the encapsulation of magnetite into polymer particles will be presented in detail.

Science.gov (United States)

The dynamic response characteristics of the vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) rotor are important factors governing the safety and fatigue life of VAWT systems. The principal problems are the determination of critical rotor speeds (resonances) and the assessment of forced vibration response amplitudes. The solution to these problems is complicated by centrifugal and Coriolis effects which can have substantial influence on rotor resonant frequencies and mode shapes. The primary tools now in use for rotor analysis are described and discussed. These tools include a lumped spring mass model (VAWTDYN) and also finite-element based approaches. The accuracy and completeness of current capabilities are also discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

After presenting the advantages of applying neutron moisture gages to the continuous measurement of blast-furnace coke moisture and explaining the factors influencing the measurement accuracy, the necessity of calibrating these devices under flow conditions and the encountered difficulties are discussed. Using statistical methods it has been observed that the main source of calibration errors is the sampling phase. Based on results of mathematical processing, a new calibration method with higher performance - compared with the earlier ones - is proposed. This method allows to achieve high accuracy in a relatively short time. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This work presents analsysi of the eddy current brake. It presents a new formula for the braking force when the actual width of the pole is considered. This formula is suitable for both thin and thick discs and may be employed for wide range of working speed. This force is obtained by solving a two dimensional field problem for magnetic vector potential and then by employing Lorentz force equation. A comture program is constructed to calculate the braking force and to study the effect of various factors influencing the brake performance. The results are summarised in a group of curves which may be useful for design purposes.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Anesthetic techniques vary widely in the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (EVAR). Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using local anesthesia. However, the ideal anesthetic technique has not been determined. This study examines whether anesthesic technique influences the outcomes of EVAR. Data regarding demographics, risk factors, procedural characteristics, recovery characteristics, treatment complications, acute ( 0.05, ANOVA). From these results we concluded that EVAR with local anesthesia is a safe and efficacious method that may reduce recovery times and postoperative medical morbidity compared to use of genera1 or spinal/epidural anesthesia.

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This paper reported on a study that evaluated the energy consumption of cotton gins used in Australia. The average electricity use is 52.3 kWh per bale. In practicality, the electricity consumption for different gins is correlated linearly with the bale numbers produced. The cost of electricity is therefore important in cotton ginning operations. The power factor in all the gins monitored in this study was greater than 0.85. The study showed that the use of gas dryers was highly influenced by the cotton moisture and regulated drying temperature. In general, electricity and gas consumption comprised 61 and 39 per cent of total energy use respectively. The study showed that 60.38 kg of carbon dioxide are emitted for ginning each bale of cotton. This paper described a newly developed method for monitoring the energy performance in cotton gins. Detailed monitoring and analysis carried out at 2 gin sites revealed that electricity consumption is not ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Objectives: To minimize movement artifacts during tracer imaging studies, the animals are generally sedated. Although many reports describe the effect of barbiturates on brain function, less is published about the general impact on the extracerebral metabolism and tracer biodistribution. This report describes the influence of pentobarbital on tumor uptake of ["1"2"3I]-2-iodo-L-phenylalanine (["1"2"3I]-2I-L-PA) using dissection and nuclear imaging. Methods: R1M tumor-bearing athymic mice were divided into two populations: untreated and pentobarbital-treated. Each group was subjected to dynamic and static planar imaging and organ dissection after ["1"2"3I]-2I-L-PA injection. Two-compartment blood modeling was performed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), t test and clustered boxplot analyses were used to compare the results between the treatment groups and between the data acquisition methods. Results: Two-compartment blood modeling demonstrated that pentobarbital ...

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Green building (GB) is part of the concept of promoting sustainability. Although GB and the concept of sustainability are well studied for environmental concerns, their business rationale and related social concerns have not been fully explored or widely accepted by the parties involved in the building sector. In this study, the situation of GB market in relation to the general building market is reviewed and the business rationales of stakeholders to invest in the GB market have been investigated from the perspective of building designers. In addition, the factors that enhance the popularity of GB have been explored and the obstacles that hinder its market have been examined. The data are collected by a questionnaire survey covering building designers in Hong Kong and Singapore, the cities that are categorized as economically developed cities in Asia. After data analysis of the survey, this paper presents the findings of the business reasons ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Excitation functions (EFs) for the reaction "1"4"1Pr(#alpha#, n)"1"4"4Pm and "1"4"1Pr(#alpha#, 2n)"1"4"3Pm have been measured using "1"4"1Pr as a target up to 50 MeV #alpha#-particle energy. Stacked foil activation technique and #gamma#-ray spectroscopy using 100 cm"3 Ge (Li) detector, has been used. Excitation functions are also calculated theoretically using Blann's geometry dependent hybrid (GDH) model code ALICE-91, with and without inclusion of pre-equilibrium particle emission. It has been observed that high-energy tails of the EFs are dominated by pre-equilibrium reaction mechanism. With the accepted set of input parameter, initial exciton number n_0=4 (2p + 2n + 0h), a good qualitative agreement is found. However, quantitative agreement for this magic nucleus"1"4"1Pr is also good when theoretical calculations are normalized by a multiple factor of 0.5. (author)

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The partitioning of transuranium elements (TRUs) from high-level liquid waste (HLLW) through the use of pyrometallurgical technology has been underway since 1986, for the purpose of the improving the safety and public acceptance of the disposal of high-level vitrified waste. Prior to the pyrometallurgical partitioning process, the alkali metals can be separated at the denitration process for oxide conversion of HLLW, chlorination in a chloride salt bath can be used to effectively convert oxides to chlorides, and evaporated chlorides can be captured with high efficiency in another adopted chloride salt bath. The higher separation factors between actinides and rare earths are obtained in a LiCl-KCl/Bi system than in a LiCl-KCl/Cd system. Based on the results, we propose a practical process flow for partitioning TRUs from HLLW by pyrometallurgical technology. This process was demonstrated successfully using simulated purex waste. Each element of ...

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The BEATRIX-II irradiation experiment is an in-situ tritium release experiment being carried out in the Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) reactor to evaluate the tritium release characteristics of fusion solid breeder materials. A sophisticated tritium gas handling system has been developed to continuously monitor the tritium recovery from the specimens and facilitate tritium removal from the experiment's sweep gas flow stream. The in-situ recovery experiment accommodates two different in-reactor specimen canisters with individual gas streams and temperature monitoring/control. Ionization chambers have been specifically designed to respond to the rapid changes in the tritium release rate at the anticipated tritium concentrations. Two ceramic electrolysis cells have proved effective in reducing the moisture in the gas streams to hydrogen/tritium. A tritium getter system, capable of reducing the tritium level by a factor greater than 4000, is used to reduce the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The medical applications of radiation comprise three main fields namely: Diagnostic Radiology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine. With the new weighting factors of ICRP (IC91a) the effective dose due to medical applications can be established. I is common to separate the effective dose into the genetic part and the somatic part, SED. In dealing with gonad doses it is important to account for the age of the person at the time of exposure as this will influence the number of children still to be expected from that person. The resulting dose will then be called the genetically significant dose, GSD. In a similar fashion this age factor will be important in considering the chance of tumor induction. The age of patients differs considerably from the average age of the general population. This age difference has to be accounted for if a comparison is to be made with other sources of radiation. This justifies establishing a ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The main problems arising in decommissioning nuclear-powered submarines (NPS) relate to choosing a concept of handling reactor compartments followed by handling technology development. Reactor compartments (RC) are characterized with extremely space-saving or integral layout of large-size power equipment and systems, restricted access for dismantling, high radiation dose rates in a number of bays of RC. The above RC features pose a problem to find optimum option of RC utilization which on the one hand would be the most cost efficient, and the safest as possible on the other, i.e. dose commitments of personnel involved should be minimum, and effect on population and environment should be negligible. The main radiation factors specifying safety in RC handling at any decommissioning stage are as follows: (1) total radioactivity integrated in reactor facility (RF); (2) distribution of this radioactivity through RF equipment and structures; (3) forms the radioactivity ...

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Because of the chaotic nature of the corrosion process and the complexity of the electrochemical noise signals that are generated, there is no generally accepted method of measuring and interpreting these signals that allows the consistent detection and identification of sustained localized pitting (SLP) as compared to general corrosion. We have reexamined electrochemical noise analysis (ENA) of localized corrosion using different hardware, signal collection, and signal processing designs than those used in conventional ENA techniques. The new data acquisition system was designed to identify and monitor the progress of SLP by analyzing the power spectral density (PSD) of the trend of the corrosion current noise level (CNL) and potential noise level (PNL). Each CNL and PNL data point was calculated from the root-mean- square value of the ac components of current and potential fluctuation signals, which were measured simultaneously during a short time period. The PSD ...

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This report is intended to satisfy two concurrent needs: (1) provide a contract deliverable from Oncorh Consulting to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), with emphasis on identification of salient results of value to ongoing Yakima/Klickitat Fisheries Project (YKFP) planning and (2) summarize results of research that have broader scientific relevance. This is the fourth in a series of reports that address reproductive ecological research and monitoring of spring chinook populations in the Yakima River basin. This annual report summarizes data collected between April 1, 2004 and March 31, 2005 and includes analyses of historical baseline data, as well. Supplementation success in the Yakima Klickitat Fishery Project's (YKFP) spring chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) program is defined as increasing natural production and harvest opportunities, while keeping adverse ecological interactions and genetic impacts within acceptable bounds ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

LEDF (Large Equipment Dismantling Facility) will be constructed for the purpose of decontaminating the high level #alpha# solid waste generated in oarai engineering center of JNC. And, main processing process of LEDF is incineration and melting system. LEDF will be intended to reduce the secondary waste that occurs along with the operation of the off gas processing equipment of incineration and melting system. It assumed that we are able to eliminate the adsorption tower using silica gel, if the decontamination factor to volatile ruthenium is able to expect in the packed scrubber that is established to remove harmful gas. Thereupon, we carried out this tests that eliminates the adsorption tower and reduces the secondary waste. The decontamination factor (DF) to the volatile ruthenium by the water scrubber is confirmed in the established institution which is in Tokai Works. However, decontamination factor differs and depends ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

SUMMARYA study of microbicide acceptability among high-risk African American, Puerto Rican, non-Hispanic White, and other women in Hartford, Connecticut indicated...Full Text Available

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No abstract prepared.

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The SY-101 Equipment Removal System 100 Ton Hydraulic Trailer was designed and built by KAMP Systems, Inc. Performance of the Acceptance Test Procedure at KAMP`s facility in Ontario, California (termed Phase 1 in this report) was interrupted by discrepancies noted with the main hydraulic cylinder. The main cylinder was removed and sent to REMCO for repair while the trailer was sent to Lampson`s facility in Pasco, Washington. The Acceptance Test Procedure was modified and performance resumed at Lampson (termed Phase 2 in this report) after receipt of the repaired cylinder. At the successful conclusion of Phase 2 testing the trailer was accepted as meeting all the performance criteria specified.

CERN Document Server

The Influence Of Plasma Temperature On Wake Wave Generation

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In this study the greenhouse impact of the total Finnish forest sector was considered, which means that the estimated emissions and sink effects from exported forest products were also included. The forest biomass is and seems to be in the next decades the most important factor in the carbon balance of the total forest sector. The development alternatives of forest industries and waste management practices has still a remarkable influence on the greenhouse impact of the Finnish forest sector. The waste management practices in the future has an important influence on the emissions but the exact net greenhouse impact of the landfills is still uncertain. However, the methane emissions from existing landfills can be reduced essentially by gas recovery. Increased incineration and energy recovery of wood waste (and replacing fossil fuel use by it) is also a future alternative for reducing the greenhouse effects in the forest ...

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An experimental rig was set up to study the performance of a thermal storage unit using stearic acid as the heat storage medium. The unit mainly consists of an electrical heating rod and an outer tube, and the space between is an annulus that is filled with stearic acid. The thermal performance of the unit is measured, and the heat transfer characteristics of the melting processes of stearic acid are studied under different heat flux conditions to determine the influence of heat flux on the melting processes. A new type of fin is designed and fixed to the electrical heating rod to enhance the thermal response of the stearic acid. The experimental results show that the fin can improve the heat transfer of the melting process of the thermal storage unit greatly. The equivalent thermal conductivity of the PCM can be augmented by a factor up to 3. The analysis of the experimental results shows that the enhancement mechanism of the fin is attributed ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The usual method of introducing engineers to the concept of dislocations and their role in plastic flow is to compare an estimate of the theoretical strength of solid (of order {micro}/30 where {micro} is the shear modulus) and the observed strength of either single crystals ({mu}/10{sup 4}) or practical engineering material such as structural steels where the yield stress in shear is of order {mu}/10{sup 3}. However, if one considers the problem in reverse, one can consider the accumulation of dislocations as an important mechanism by which one can produce engineering materials in which the strength level approaches the theoretical strength. If one assumes that the flow stress can be expressed in terms of te mean free path between stored dislocations or as the square root of the global dislocation density, then one can see the influence of dislocation density in a diagrammatic form. It is clear that the strengthening by dislocation accumulation due to large ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Turret moored Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) systems are considered suitable for a wide range of environmental conditions but experience of designing moorings for these units in harsh environments is limited. Furthermore, each floating production system has its own requirements as to the way the riser system is operated because of its dependence on both reservoir and site specific conditions. The current mooring codes do not have a consistent set of requirements; for example, the intact mooring system safety factors range from 1.5 to 2.3. Such vastly differing requirements result in wide variability in the intrinsic safety, reliability and cost. This paper describes a reliability analysis carried out for the first North Atlantic FPSO (Foinaven), to address the acceptance criteria for moorings by returning to the fundamentals. Although the analysis deals with FPSO`s, the approach is applicable to any catenary moored unit. One ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A general method for stable-isotope labeling of large proteins is introduced and applied for studies of the E. coli GroE chaperone proteins by solution NMR. In addition to enabling the residue-specific {sup 15}N-labeling of proteins on a highly deuterated background, it is also an efficient approach for uniform labeling. The method meets the requirements of high-level deuteration, minimal cross-labeling and high protein yield, which are crucial for NMR studies of structures with sizes above 150 kDa. The results obtained with the new protocol are compared to other strategies for protein labeling, and evaluated with regard to the influence of external factors on the resulting isotope labeling patterns. Applications with the GroE system show that these strategies are efficient tools for studies of structure, dynamics and intermolecular interactions in large supramolecular complexes, when combined with TROSY- and CRINEPT-based experimental NMR ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Shale oil as a fuel source would need to compete with crude oil. The prospects for shale oil therefore depend upon the market outlook and likely prices for crude oil and its products. These are examined for both the world and Australia. For Australia, market prospects for shale oil are assessed in terms of maintaining a degree of self-sufficiency in petroleum fuels. Shale oil might also need to compete with other synthetic liquid fuels. The prospects for producing these in Australia are discussed. Some factors which might influence the pattern of development of a synthetic fuels industry in Australia are described and a role suggested for the federal government to ensure optimum development for national economic growth. 6 refs., 1 fig.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Steam Generator (SG) tubing degradation caused by corrosion and other age-related mechanisms continues to be a significant safety and cost concern for many Nuclear Power Plants (NPP). The understanding of the steam generator ageing mechanisms is the key to effective management of steam generator ageing and consists of the knowledge of steam generator materials and these one properties, stressors and operating conditions, like degradation sites and wear mechanisms. The principal types of corrosion are presented which can occur in CANDU steam generator. There are also presented the operation conditions, the specifications referring to the water chemistry and the construction materials of Steam Generator, the factors that have a great influence on the corrosion behaviour during the whole exploitation period of this equipment. (R.P.)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Discusses scaling of closed systems for cooling coal gas from black coal coking. Scaling rate and factors that influence scaling are analyzed. Physical and chemical properties of scale buildup on the inner walls of pipe cooling systems are evaluated. Water pH value and its effects on scaling and solubility of chemical compounds that form scale are discussed. Use of ammonium sulfate for scale control is analyzed. Consumption rate of ammonium sulfate depends on ambient temperature, water pH value and chloride content in return water. Formulae for calculating optimum content of ammonium sulfates for scale control are derived. 3 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Based on the X-ray crystallographic data of Tc-complexes for brain imaging agents, geometry optimizations in vacuo of TcO-BAT, TcO-MAMA, TcO-L, L-ECD, TcN-BAT and TcN-L, L-ECD complexes are performed with Hartree-Fock method and LANL 2 DZ basis set of G98W program. Then solvation free energy for each Tc-complex mentioned above in water is calculated by polarizable continuum method (PCM) including models of CPCM and IEFPCM. The results show that solvation free energy of Tc-complex is not only an indicator of lipophilicity but also one of the important factors that influence the brain uptake

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Environmental assessment in an arid coal mining area requires an understanding of the influences of coal mining, the arid climate and ecological remediation. To that end, we selected vegetation as the key environmental factor to observe. Remote sensing approaches to monitoring the spatio-temporal variation of vegetation caused by mining activities, the arid climate and ecological remediation in the Shengdong coal mining area are described. Over a large regional scale it was found that the vegetation was improved as a result of ecological remediation activities. At the local scale, however, the vegetation coverage and soil moisture in the mined areas were slightly lower than those in un-mined areas due to mining subsidence. These differences are partly attributed to ground fissures that inj...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, scrap generated during the casting process for PMMA cast sheet is an industrial waste stream, which has a high impact on the PMMA production cost and environment. This paper presents an alternative way to reduce the processing cost of PMMA cast sheet and decrease industrial waste by using styrene (S) as a co-monomer with methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer, in conjunction with recycling of PMMA scrap in the S-MMA copolymer cast sheet process. The influence of factors, such as the concentrations of S and PMMA scrap, on the preparation of S-MMA copolymer cast sheet mixed with PMMA scrap was investigated. The characterization of basic copolymer composition, the physical, and the mechanical properties of the final products were examined. The results show that it ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Although various risk factors for AKI have been reported, the influence of pretransplant comorbidity on the incidence of AKI has not been well investigated. We performed a retrospective analysis of 207 consecutive patients undergoing myeloablative or nonmyeloablative SCT between 2001 and 2009, using the hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index (HCT-CI) as a representative of pretransplant comorbidities. According to Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss, and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) criteria, 158 patients (76.3%) developed AKI, and 92 patients (44.4%) developed severe AKI (RIFLE class I or class F) within 100 days after SCT. The cumulative incidence of severe AKI within 1...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Thermoluminescence of inorganic dust extract from herbs and spices has been demonstrated to be a useful method to discriminate irradiated food products as well as to estimate the total dose exposure. The time evolution of infrared stimulated luminescence has been systematically investigated in potassium feldspar and albite minerals subjected to different doses of gamma irradiation (ranging from 0 to 8 kGy). Experimental results reveal a 300-600 nm signal which is greatly intensified for irradiated samples, following the same irradiation dose dependence observed in thermoluminescence. The luminescence intensity disappears after few seconds of illumination, following a time evolution which is proportional to (1 + Bt)"-"P. The influence of both B and P factors upon the irradiation dose has been systematically analysed. (author)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

A central composite design was employed to optimize the extraction of pectin with citric acid. The independent variables were citric acid concentration (0.086-2.91% w/v) and extraction time (17-102min). The combined effect of these variables on the degree of esterification was investigated. Results have shown that the generated regression models adequately explained the data variation and significantly represented the actual relationship between the independent variables and the responses. Besides that, the citric acid concentration was the most important factor to affect the degree of esterification, as it exerted a significant influence on the dependent variable. Lower citric acid concentration increased the pectin degree of esterification. The surface response showed the relationships b...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract High-crystallinity hierarchical anatase TiO2 hollow spheres were prepared by a high-temperature (350 C) and non-aqueous solvothermal method in the absence of water, templates, or additives. The hollow structures were assembled from highly crystallized TiO2 nanoparticles and exhibit superior photocatalytic properties relative to those of Degussa P25 TiO2 under irradiation with UV light. The influence of reaction temperature on the crystallinity, morphology, crystallite shape and size, band gap, specific surface area, and pore size distribution of TiO2 has been studied in detail. It is evident that reaction temperature is the most important factor to increase the crystallinity of TiO2 in order to improve its charge transfer and transport properties, which are important in photocatal...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The findings reported in this study highlight several important features of the development of hematopoietic stem cells after transplantation into irradiated recipients. First, they demonstrate the existence of a class of primitive multipotential stem cells that can function for a significant portion of the lifetime of a mouse (15 mo). In addition, they clearly show that these primitive stem cells can be infected with recombinant retroviruses and thus would be appropriate targets for gene therapy in somatic tissues. Second, our data indicate that the progeny of some, but not all, of the primitive stem cells have fully expanded into the various hematopoietic lineages by 2 mo after reconstitution. Finally, our analysis of the secondary recipients provides strong evidence suggesting that the primitive stem cell population can actually clonally expand. Our current experiments are aimed at determining the extent to which this expansion can occur and whether or not this expansion can be ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Abstract Background: G proteins are ubiquitously expressed signal transduction proteins playing a key role in multiple signal transduction pathways. The Gas subunit has been considered as an apoptosis factor. In this study the role of GNAS T393C genotypes of the GNAS gene encoding Gas was analyzed for its influence on the development and progression of prostate cancer. Methods: Genotyping of the GNAS T393C polymorphism in 196 prostate cancer patients and 200 healthy controls was performed by DNA extraction followed by PCR and restriction analysis. Results: We observed no evidence of effects related to GNAS T393C genotype as demonstrated by a comparison of the genotype distribution in prostate cancer patients and healthy controls, the genotype distribution dependent on grade of the primary ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Eu3+ ions are anchored on TiO2 matrix by coupling with 2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid. Five different luminescence centers are observed for TiO2|2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid|Eu3+ electrodes due to electron transitions between d and f orbitals. Photo-luminescence of TiO2|2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid|Eu3+ electrodes is increased by attaching 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone to Eu3+ ions. Immersion of TiO2|2,2'-bipyridyl 4,4'-dicarboxylic acid|Eu3+|2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone electrodes in propylsulfide is found to be further increased intensities of luminescence bands by a factor of three.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objective: A growing body of data from genetic, immunological and clinical studies indicates an involvement of the immune system in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and suggests that the modulation of the cytokine system by antipsychotics may be one cause for the improvement of psychotic symptoms. However, the influence of the typical antipsychotics chlorpromazine and haloperidol, and the effect of typical and atypical antipsychotics on the TSST-1-stimulated blood cell secretion of cytokines, and specifically the interleukin (IL)-17 production have not been studied so far, although IL-17 is a leading pro-inflammatory cytokine. Method: We measured levels of IL-1@b, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor-@a (TNF-@a) in stimulated blood of 10 healthy female subjects in a whole ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pd/Ag alloy hollow spheres have been synthesized in ethylene glycol solution by the solvothermal method and have been characterized extensively. TEM results have revealed the formation of Pd/Ag hollow spheres. Moreover, HRTEM results confirmed the formation of Pd/Ag alloy spheres, where the lattice fringe spacing is 0.229 nm corresponding to the (111) plane of Pd/Ag alloy. SEM, XRD and UV-vis results have further suggested the formation of alloy hollow spheres. The preliminary results showed the reaction time may be an importance factor influencing the formation of Pd/Ag alloy hollow spheres.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Mechanomyography (MMG) is the muscle surface oscillations that are generated by the dimensional change of the contracting muscle fibers. Because MMG reflects the number of recruited motor units and their firing rates, just as electromyography (EMG) is influenced by these two factors, it can be used to estimate the force exerted by skeletal muscles. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of MMG for estimating the elbow flexion force at the wrist under an isometric contraction by using an artificial neural network in comparison with EMG. We performed experiments with five subjects, and the force at the wrist and the MMG from the contributing muscles were recorded. It was found that MMG could be utilized to accurately estimate the isometric elbow flexion force based on the v...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The environmental impact caused by local people (ecological footprint of consumption, EFc) and the actual environmental impact that the ecosystem burdens (ecological footprint of production, EFp) in West Jilin Province, Northeast China from 1986 to 2006 were evaluated by using ecological footprint (EF) method. And the major driving forces of EFc and EFp were analyzed by STIRPAT model. Both EFc and EFp showed increasing trends in 1986?2006, accompanied by decreasing ecological deficits but expanding ecological overshoots. Population (P), GDP per capita (A 1), quadratic term of GDP per capita (A 2), urbanization (T a1), and quadratic term of urbanization (T a2) were important influencing factors of EFc, among which T a2 and T a1 were the most dominate driving forces of EFc. A 1, A 2 and T a2...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

ABSTRACT This research examined whether the Internet improves life satisfaction. The study surveyed 195 college students, and a structural model was built to explain effects of the Internet on school life satisfaction using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). In line with social cognitive theory and literature on social effects of the Internet, current data supported the hypotheses that Internet use, perceived online social support, and online social self-efficacy had direct positive impacts on school life satisfaction. Offline extroversion, online extroversion, online social self-efficacy, and online social outcome expectations influenced school life satisfaction indirectly: offline extroversion acted through social online self-efficacy and online extroversion; online social self-effica...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Nuclear generation operators are facing a challenging business environment at the beginning of the new millennium. Evolving changes in business context, competitive commercial pressures, and changes in technology have dictated recurring evaluation of operational practices and the adequacy of supporting tools, and the pursuit of opportunities for operational improvement. A key area of utility operations that has been impacted by these changes is the nuclear plant control centre. Changes to workspace layout, equipment provisions, staffing, and work organization are examples of some of the adjustments being introduced to improve operational and safety effectiveness. This paper discusses some of the key factors influencing these changes and identifies additional design principles for CANDU control centres that will enable new control centre designs and retrofits of existing control centres to remain relevant and responsive to utility needs. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

An overview of climatic factors and impact relative to river ice engineering and science is presented. An explanation of the fundamentals of climatic change is followed by a review of direct and indirect climatic influences that govern river ice breakup and related trends. Known responses of river ice to climatic change and potential future changes to ice breakup processes are described along with the probable ecological and socio-economic consequences of these changes. Changes in engineering approaches to accommodate the present ice regime and predicted changes in climatic variables that affect river ice processes and reduce the vulnerability of infrastructure and ecosystems to climatic change are examined. Future research on the links between river ice and stream ecology is suggested to identify ecological concerns that may result from changes in river ice regimes induced by climatic change. 60 refs., 3 figs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The treatment of Be-contaminated wastewater has been paid little attention, although beryllium (Be) and its compounds are of high toxicity. In this research, aerobic granule was for the first time introduced to remove Be from aqueous solution. Influencing factors including reaction time, initial Be concentration, pH, biosorbent dosage, and coexistent metal ions (Cd, Cu, and Fe) were investigated in batch experiments. The aerobic granule, characterized by element analysis and CLSM, was abundant in carboxyl, phosphoryl, amine and hydroxyl groups. Potentiometric titration experiment demonstrated that the pH effect on biosorption depended on the surface charge of granule (pHzpc=2.4) and the species of Be (Be^2^+, Be(OH)^+, and Be(OH)2) in solution. The coexistent metal ions would either inhibi...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) assessment is a safe and reliable method for evaluating skeletal status. Until now, considerable data have been accumulated on the distribution of QUS in Caucasian populations, whereas such data are still insufficient in Asian populations, especially in Chinese mainland. The present study aimed to obtain the distribution characteristic of calcaneus QUS in healthy Chinese women, and to further investigate the distribution of low bone mass by QUS stiffness index (SI). This study included 2,498 healthy Chinese females aged 10-87 yr. The QUS exhibited a characteristic mild rise and then fall pattern with increasing age. Age, body height, and weight were significant influencing factors on SI, especially age and weight. The prevalence of osteoporosis detec...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

As part of Pilot Project of KIP of CAS, a feasibility study of hydrogen production system using biomass residues is conducted. This study is based on a process of oxygen-rich air gasification of biomass in a downdraft gasifier plus CO-shift. The capacity of this system is 6.4 t biomass/d. Applying this system, it is expected that an annual production of 480 billion N m{sup 3} H{sub 2} will be generated for domestic supply in China. The capital cost of the plant used in this study is 1328/(N m{sup 3}/h) H{sub 2} out, and product supply cost is 0.15/N m{sup 3} H{sub 2}. The cost sensitivity analysis on this system tells that electricity and catalyst cost are the two most important factors to influence hydrogen production cost. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Within the Annual Conference 2009 of the VGB PowerTech e.V. (Essen, Federal Republic of Germany) from 23rd to 25th May, 2009, in Lyon (France) the following lectures were held: (1) Electricity demand, consequences of the financial and economic crisis - Current overview 2020 for the EU-27 (Hans ten Berge); (2) Status and perspectives of the electricity generation mix in France (Bernard Dupraz); (3) European electricity grid - status and perspective (Dominique Maillard); (4) Technologies and acceptance in the European energy market (Gordon MacKerran); (5) EPR construction in Finland, China, France, (Claude Jaouen); (6) EPR Flamanville 3: A project on the path towards nuclear revival (Jacques Alary); (7) Worldwide nuclear Revival and acceptance (Luc Geraets); (8) An overview on the status of final disposal of radioactive wastes worldwide (Piet Zuidema); (9) Who needs pumped storage plants? PSP are partner to grid stability and renewable energies ...

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)

Somatogenic hormones play an important role in regulation of receptors for prolactin (PRL) and estrogen. Plerocercoids of the tapeworm, S. mansonoides produce a factor which mimics some, but not all of the actions reported for GH. Intact female rats were subjected to a constant infusion of plerocercoid growth factor (PGF) via a subcutaneous infection for two weeks to determine if PGF influences receptors for PRL, GH or estradiol. The rate of weight gain in the PGF-treated rats was accelerated in spite of a marked reduction in serum GH. Partially-purified PGF specifically displaced [125I]hGH from rat liver receptors but microsomes prepared from rats treated with PGF specifically bound significantly less [125I]hGH than microsomes from control rats. The reduction in [125I]hGH binding was not due to occupancy or to a change in affinity but to a suppression in receptor concentration. Scatchard analysis of [3H]estradiol binding ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The gas-solid reaction and breakthrough curves in the fixed-bed reactor are of great importance, and being influenced by a number of factors makes the prediction of these factors a difficult problem. In this study, the reaction rate between solid sorbents and hydrogen chloride gas at high temperature was first investigated. On the basis of a fixed-bed reactor, the experimental results were analyzed by the shrinking core model of diffusion and surface chemical reaction control. The results showed that reaction rates of two sorbents with hydrogen chloride gas were controlled by the combination of the surface chemical reaction and diffusion of product layers, and the reaction rates nearly keep constant within 15 h of the initial reaction period and then decrease gradually. The results of the breakthrough curves show that solid sorbents in the fixed-bed reactor are capable of reducing the HCl level to near-zero levels at ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a study on the crystallization and growth mechanism of selenium nanowires induced by silver nanoparticles at ambient conditions with special reference to the effects of factors such as the shapes and size of silver nanoparticles, the induced reaction time, and the molar ratio of Ag{sup 0} to SeO{sub 3}{sup 2-} ions. The synthesis approach is conducted with no need of any stabilizers, and with no sonochemical process and/or templates. It is found that whether silver spherical particles or colloids can lead to the formation of nanowires with average diameter of 25 nm and lengths up to a few micrometers, and silver nanoplates lead to the formation of flat Se nanostructures. In particular, Au, Cu, Pt, and Pd particles cannot induce the growth of selenium nanowires in aqueous solution at room temperature. The results indicate that silver particles play a critical role in determining the growth of selenium nanowires. The lattice match between ...

Science.gov (United States)

Summaries are presented for those research contracts which expired between December 31, 1960 and December 31, 1981. Topics covered include: factors controlling distribution of fission products in biosphere, non-destructive methods of evaluating the U/sup 235/ and Pu content of irradiated fuel elements, studies of contamination in local marine resources, tracer studies of anemia, non-destructive analysis of irradiated fuel elements using a flux integrating monitor, mechanism of proteolysis of I/sup 131/-labeled fibrinogen, radiosensitivity of spermatogonia of Drosophila melel elements by gamma scanning, uptake and loss of radioactive material by marine bacteria, factors which influence the movement of radioactive strontium from soils to plants, biological concentration of fission products in mollusks from water, decay scheme of Tl/sup 210/, calcium balance in metabolic bone disease, development of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Corrosion in drilling and well stimulation is described in relation to acid corrosion inhibition, acid inhibitors, acetylenic inhibitors, synergistic blends, metallurgy, wellbore tubulars, coiled tubing, and high alloy tubular materials. Acidizing is a procedure for stimulating oil and gas wells. Factors that have an important influence on the reaction rate and the way in which acid reacts with rock include temperature, acid concentration, acid volume, injection velocity, acid viscosity, and fluid loss properties of the formation. The cost of drill pipe failures are $1 per fot of hole drilled, which is a significant fraction of the drilling cost. Steps in a test procedure are listed, as well as factors which determine the extent of acid corrosion in a given situation including acid type and strength, metal type, temperature, contact time; pressure, and volume/surface area ratio. Underbalanced drilling is a method for ...

DEFF Research Database (Denmark)

BACKGROUND: The aetiologies of glioma and meningioma tumors are largely unknown. Although reproductive hormones are thought to influence the risk of these tumors, epidemiologic data are not supportive of this hypothesis; however, few cohort studies have published on this topic. We examined the relation between reproductive factors and risk of glioma and meningioma among women in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).METHODS: After a mean of 8.4 years of follow-up, 193 glioma and 194 meningioma were identified among 276,212 women. Information on reproductive factors and hormone use was collected at baseline. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to determine hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: No associations were observed between glioma or meningioma risk and reproductive factors, including age at menarche, parity, age at first birth, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) modular stellarator is under construction at the Max-Planck-Institut fuer Plasmaphysik in Greifswald, Germany. The W7-X magnet system contains 70 coils made up from helium cooled superconducting cables in aluminium alloy (EN AW-6063) jackets. Several hundred connections of the jacket to the cable joints are made by aluminium-to-aluminium welds. Due to geometrical and thermal boundary conditions these welds cannot be accomplished free from defects. Microscopic analyses of the welds show that a variety of small flaws such as cracks and pores develop during welding. The welds have thus to be dimensioned accordingly, and appropriate weld qualification, investigation and testing has to be done in order not to jeopardise the structural integrity and leak tightness. The weld is mechanically loaded during cool-down due to the difference in thermal contractions between the GRP insulation and the aluminium, and during operation by bending moments from electromagnetic ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The minimization of the environmental footprint is the underlying principle of companies involved in sustainable development. At the same time, those companies seek to contribute to the economic and social development of the communities in which they have a presence. The evidence linking sustainable development and value creation are examined in this report targeted to the investment community, which is part of an overall leadership initiative undertaken by the Conference Board of Canada. The benchmarks of companies committed to sustainable development have, on the whole, been matched or exceeded, as shown by recent evidence based on the performance of seven prominent funds and indices managed in Canada, the United States, and western Europe. They are: the Domini Social Equity Fund (American focus), the EcoValue 21{sup TM} (American focus), the Dow Jones Sustainability Group Index (international focus), Storebrand Scudder Environmental Value Fund (European focus), the Jantzi Social ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A reliability approach for probabilistic modeling of one-dimensional non-reactive and reactive transport in porous media provides two important quantitative results: (1) an estimate of the probability that dimensionless concentration equals or exceeds some specified level and, (2) the sensitivity of the probabilistic outcome to likely changes in each uncertain variable. The reliability approach is particularly attractive because it can incorporate various marginal probability density functions (PDF) for any of the uncertain variables. In this work uncertain variables include: groundwater flow velocity, diffusion coefficient, dispersivity, distribution coefficient, porosity and bulk density. The primary objective is to examine how the probabilistic outcome is influenced by choice of marginal PDF, correlation and magnitude of uncertainty for the variables. Because little information exists concerning the statistical characteristics of these uncertain variables, the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

There is now an acute need to optimize maintenance to improve both reliability and competitiveness of nuclear power plant operation. There is an increasing tendency to move from the preventive (time based) maintenance concept to one dependent on plant and component conditions. In this context, various on-line and off-line condition monitoring and diagnostics, nondestructive inspection techniques and surveillance are used. Component selection for condition based maintenance, parameter selection for monitoring condition, evaluation of condition monitoring results are issues influencing the effectiveness of condition based maintenance. All these selections of components and parameters to be monitored, monitoring and diagnostics techniques to be used, acceptance criteria and trending for condition evaluation, and the economic aspect of predictive maintenance and condition monitoring should be incorporated into an integrated, effective condition ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Biological marker maturity parameters were used to estimate the minimum HC generation temperatures of crude oils from Eastern Hungary. More than 50 oils and oil shows were analysed. Molecular- and homologous-ratios of biological marker compounds (triterpanes, steranes, mono- and triaromatic steroid hydrocarbons) were used as maturation parameters. The oils have at least five maturity stages, i.e. they have been generated under different thermal conditions. The highest reservoir temperature in each group was chosen as the best estimate of the groups' temperature just below the generation temperature, i.e. reservoirs of the group might be expected to be at shallower depths (lower temperatures) than those of the generation zone due to vertical migration into pools. For each maturation level, a threshold temperature range for genesis was inferred from reservoir temperatures; they are from 130-135{sup o}C for the least mature oils to 210-215{sup o}C for the most mature oils. In the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Increased use of wetlands for habitat and water quality improvement emphasize the need for further study of abiotic-biotic interactions in these systems. This research examined contaminant assimilation within the water column of two newly created Colorado prairie wetlands (RMA3 and RMA4). To examine the influence of abiotic factors (e.g., alkalinity, suspended solids), ten chronic toxicity tests were performed from December 1991 through November 1993. In the first set of tests, Ceriodaphnia dubia were exposed to water from the two wetlands which was spiked with various concentrations of zinc. These tests suggested that water from RMA4 had higher contaminant assimilative capacity than water from RMA3. Preliminary analysis suggested suspended solids, pH, conductivity, and temperature were important factors affecting neonate production by C. dubia when exposed to zinc-spiked wetland water. To test the importance of suspended ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The influence of sediment dwelling macroinvertebrates on fate and bioavailability of contaminants in freshwater systems was determined using the burrowing mayfly, Hexagenia limbata, as a representative benthic organism. Two series of experiments were conducted: the first to determine the effect of mayflies on movement of contaminants into sediment and organisms, and the second to examine the effect of mayflies on release of contaminants from sediments to the water column and their subsequent accumulation in fish. Concentrations of "1"4C labelled DDT, hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and dihexylphthalate (DHP) in water were 0.11 +/- 0.01, 0.062 +/- 0.005 and 0.006 +/- 0.007 ppb, respectively. Total mass of DHP in the burrow wall was about equal to mass on the surface, indicating that mayflies were capable of doubling the amount of DHP sorbed per unit surface area of sediment. Adsorption of contaminants from water pumped through mayfly burrows increased depth of penetration ...

Science.gov (United States)

The subjective experience of one's environment is constructed by interactions among sensory, cognitive, and affective processes. For centuries, meditation has been thought to influence such processes by enabling a nonevaluative representation of sensory events. To better understand how meditation influences the sensory experience, we used arterial spin labeling functional magnetic resonance imaging to assess the neural mechanisms by which mindfulness meditation influences pain in healthy human participants. After 4 d of mindfulness meditation training, meditating in the presence of noxious stimulation significantly reduced pain unpleasantness by 57% and pain intensity ratings by 40% when compared to rest. A two-factor repeated-measures ANOVA was used to identify interactions between meditation and pain-related brain activation. Meditation reduced pain-related activation of the contralateral primary ...

Science.gov (United States)

Dust detection and control in real time, represent one of the most challenging problem in all those environments where fine and ultrafine airborne particulate solids products are present. The presence of such products can be linked to several factors, often directly related and influenced by the working-production actions performed. Independently from the causes generating dust, airborne contaminants are an occupational problem of increasing interest as they are related to a wide number of diseases. In particular, airborne dusts are well known to be associated with several classical occupational lung diseases, such as the pneumoconiosis, especially at high levels of exposure. Nowadays there is also an increasing interest in other dust related diseases, from the most serious as cancer and asthma, to those related with allergies or irritation and other illnesses, also occurring at lower levels of exposure. Among the different critical ...

Norwegian Open Research Archives (NORA)

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KoreaScience (Korea)

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Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Short communication. 3 refs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

No abstract prepared

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Acceptance testing of mammographic imaging systems technical is the first approach in order to guarantee that mammograms will be achieved with the minimum radiation dose compatible with an image quality suitable for diagnose purposes. The aim of this study is to assess the practical applicability of different protocols in acceptance test of digital mammographic systems. This study has been carried out on the results of the acceptance tests of five flat panel digital mammographic systems. Parameters established in the systems technical specifications and those evaluated in the consulted protocols were tested. Due to the fact that the legislation in our country does not demand to consider a specific protocol, the results obtained were also compared considering different existing protocols. Results show discrepancies between manufacturers limiting values and those established in the protocols. Some parameters, such as the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

There are a number of factors favoring synfuel production in South Africa; (1) there are suitable coal fields in the immediate vicinity of our main industrial area.; (2) nature has given us relatively favorable geological conditions permitting highly mechanized extraction techniques so that coal can be delivered to the synfuel plants at Secunda at a cost - including return on capital - of less than $10.00 per ton, based on 1980 price levels; and (3) because the industry and its natural market are remote from the coast, it enjoys some transport protection against products refined from imported crude oil. Even more important we realized a long time ago that in trying to close the gap between the cost of synfuels and international oil prices, one is confronted with a moving target which can more effectively be attacked sooner rather than later. With such highly capital intensive projects, cash operating costs are relatively low. Product price increases once the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The hydroelectric industry's recognition of the importance of avoiding unexpected failure, or forced outages, led to the development of probabilistic, or risk-based, methods in order to attempt to quantify exposures. Traditionally, such analysis has been carried out by qualitative assessments, relying on experience and sound engineering judgment to determine the optimum time to maintain, repair or replace a part or system. Depending on the nature of the problem, however, and the level of experience of those included in the decision making process, it is difficult to find a balance between acting proactively and accepting some amount of risk. The development of a practical means for establishing the probability of failure of any part or system, based on the determination of the statistical distribution of engineering properties such as acting stresses, is discussed. The capacity-demand analysis methodology, coupled with probablistic, risk-based analysis, ...

Science.gov (United States)

High microwave power (1,000 W) electron cyclotron resonance CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2}/Ar discharges produce etch rates for In{sub 0.5}Ga{sub 0.5}P, Al{sub 0.5}In{sub 0.5}P{sub 0.5}, and Al{sub 0.5}Ga{sub 0.5}P of {approximately} 2,000 {angstrom}/min at moderate RF power levels (150 W) and low pressure (1.5 mTorr). This is approximately a factor of five faster than for conventional reactive ion etching conditions where much higher ion energies are necessary. The etched surfaces are smooth over a wide range of CH{sub 4}-to-H{sub 2} ratios and microwave powers. AlInP is more resistant to preferential loss of P from the near-surface during etching than is InGaP. While the etching is ion-driven, pure Ar discharges produce rough surfaces and the CH{sub 4}/H{sub 2} is necessary in the achievement of acceptable morphologies. The InGaAlP/GaAs heterostructure is being increasingly utilized in diode lasers, light emitting diodes, field-effect transistors, and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A cross-sectional medical examination of a copper smelter work force included determination of blood lead (Pb-B), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), blood cadmium (Cd-B), urinary cadmium (Cd-U), and urinary arsenic (As-U), since it was known that such metal impurities were present in the copper concentrate. A total of 776 copper smelter employees (680 active and 96 retirees and ex-employees) were examined. Another 144 men, never employed in the smelter, but who had worked in copper mines (and sometimes in gold mines) were also examined. Mean Pb-B, ZPP, Cd-B, and As-U were significantly higher in active copper smelter employees than in retirees or miners, indicating exposure and absorption in the copper smelter. Significant correlations between Pb-B and Cd-B, and Cd-U and As-U were present, confirming the common source of absorption. Although there was evidence for an increased lead absorption, this was very moderate, with practically no Pb-B levels in excess of 60 ..mu..g/dl. A marked effect ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Eukaryotic genomes encode a zinc finger protein (ZPR1) with tandem ZPR1 domains. In response to growth stimuli, ZPR1 assembles into complexes with eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) and the survival motor neurons protein. To gain insight into the structural mechanisms underlying the essential function of ZPR1 in diverse organisms, we determined the crystal structure of a ZPR1 domain tandem and characterized the interaction with eEF1A. The ZPR1 domain consists of an elongation initiation factor 2-like zinc finger and a double-stranded {beta} helix with a helical hairpin insertion. ZPR1 binds preferentially to GDP-bound eEF1A but does not directly influence the kinetics of nucleotide exchange or GTP hydrolysis. However, ZPR1 efficiently displaces the exchange factor eEF1B from preformed nucleotide-free complexes, suggesting that it may function as a negative regulator of eEF1A activation. ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Although the public generally hold positive attitudes towards wind energy, proposals for the construction of new wind farms are often met with strong resistance. In New Zealand, where the government has recently introduced ambitious policy targets for renewable energy generation, negative perceptions of wind farms are increasingly evident and have the potential to prevent the achievement of these targets. This research sets out to examine what influences social resistance to wind farms in New Zealand. Drawing from public submissions on three wind farm proposals, a framework developed by Devine-Wright [Devine-Wright, P., 2005a. Beyond NIMBYism: towards an integrated Framework for Understanding Public Perceptions of Wind Energy. Wind Energy 8, 125-139.] was used as the basis for identification of factors affecting public perceptions of wind farms. The research found firstly that there was no apparent relationship between the proximity of ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In 1995, 25,8 % of the world electricity consumption was of nuclear origin, while in the EU this figure is increased up to 50,6 %. In order to maintain and even to increase its share in the electricity generation, Nuclear Energy needs to achieve a good economic performance as a base load source when compared with its competitors, basically coal and gas fired plants. Fossil-fired generation costs have declined over the past ten years, mainly due to lower fossil fuel prices. This factor together with the recently observed tendency of higher discount rates to be applied are challenging the attractiveness of the nuclear energy. Nuclear energy is a capital intensive option. Taken into account extensive standardization programs has been established aiming at cost reductions as well as to increase efficiency of nuclear energy utilization, among their main purposes. Externalities play an important role, as they are already internalized in nuclear generation costs. This is ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The evaluation of biological markers is recognized as necessary to the future of toxicology, epidemiology, and quantitative risk assessment. For biological markers to become widely accepted, their validity...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

15 to 75% of the gun barrel diameter. Similarly, model masses typically vary from 0.01 to 100 .... taining acceptable levels of gun barrel erosion. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A module is described with a receiver having a solar energy acceptance opening and supported by a mounting ring along the optic axis of a parabolic mirror in coaxial alignment for receiving solar energy from the mirror, and a solar flux modulator plate for varying the quantity of solar energy flux received by the acceptance opening of the module. The modulator plate is characterized by an annular, plate-like body, the internal diameter of which is equal to or slightly greater than the diameter of the solar energy acceptance opening of the receiver. Slave cylinders are connected to the modulator plate for supporting the plate for axial displacement along the axis of the mirror thereby shading the opening with respect to solar energy flux reflected from the surface of the mirror to the solar energy acceptance opening.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background:Percutaneous tracheostomy (PT) has gained an increasing acceptance as an alternative to the conventional surgical tracheostomy (ST). In experienced hands, and with...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Nowadays it is accepted that natural flavonoids present in fruits and plant-derived-foods are relevant, not only for technological reasons and organoleptic properties, but also because of their potential...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Valve Flow Characteristics. 3-68. 3-40. Valve Operating Current Vs. Temperature ...... VALVE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS. Acceptance Test 4/29/74. SINs 002 & 004 ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Austenitic stainless steel (18% Cr, 12% Ni, Mo gradation between 0,06 to 3,6%) had been solution nitrided. By step-by-step removing, the samples could be prepared with various surface contents of nitrogen from 0.04 to 0.42%. In two test series the influence of nitrogen had been determined. The susceptibility against pitting corrosion of these samples had been tested by the chronopotentiostatical method. For the investigated steel composition and the used corrosion system there is no influence of molybdenum on the effectiveness of nitrogen. The effectiveness of nitrogen can be described by the factor 25 in the PRE. By the investigation of the surfaces with the XPS analysis, it could be shown that the passivation and the pit nucleation is influenced by nitrogen. In these ranges NO{sub x}, NH{sub x}, and NH{sub z}-spectra have been detected. Bound Mo was found in steels containing molybdenum. It is assumed ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

From long-term real-time radon and radon progeny measurements taken in a relatively large retail store, cyclical patterns were evident, which were found to relate to the overriding influence of the timed air-conditioning system. Concentration of radon, radon progeny and the variability of F factor were found to depend significantly on the intermittent operation of this ventilation-air-conditioning system. After pressure equalisation remedial measures proved ineffective, the air-movement system was utilised to reduce the levels of radon and radon progeny to well within established norms applicable during working hours. It is demonstrated that the average levels for radon and radon progeny are reduced in absolute terms. This amounted to less than 12% of the general level, during designated work periods. Where air movement systems are already installed, as well as other circumstances, their regulation provides an economical solution to meeting ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 12 is a statistical compendium prepared and published by Oak Ridge National Laboratory under contract with the Office of Transportation Technologies in the Department of Energy. Designed for use as a desk-top reference, the data book represents an assembly and display of statistics and information that characterize transportation activity, and presents data on other factors that influence transportation energy use. The purpose of this document is to present relevant statistical data in the form of tables and graphs. Each of the major transportation modes--highway, air, water, rail, pipeline--is treated in separate chapters or sections. Chapter 1 compares US transportation data with data from seven other countries. Aggregate energy use and energy supply data for all modes are presented in Chapter 2. The highway mode, which accounts for over three-fourths of total transportation energy consumption, is ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Yield stress elevations (#DELTA##sigma#_y) in pressure vessel steels irradiated at intermediate flux and fluence systematically decreased with increasing temperature and decreasing copper and nickel content. Lower stress relief temperature also decreased #DELTA##sigma#_y at bulk copper concentrations greater than about 0.3%. The dependence of #DELTA##sigma#_y on irradiation temperature between 260 and 316 C increased with copper and nickel content and decreased with phosphorus content. When normalized by the average #DELTA##sigma#_y, the fractional temperature dependence correlates with a simple empirical chemistry factor of copper and phosphorus. The correlation predicts data on the irradiation temperature dependence of #DELTA##sigma#_y found in the literature within a standard error of about 0.3 MPa/degree C and is consistent with current understanding of hardening mechanisms. However, questions remain about the effects at very low flux and finer scale variations ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Cryogenic distillation is the main industrial method for separating hydrogen's isotopes, because it presents the advantage of high separating factors and also the possibility of processing great quantities of gases. In the case of multicomponent mixtures the determination of transport for molecular species between the two phases is very difficult owing to the particularities of physical characteristics of each component from the mixture. The transport of molecular species is also strongly influenced by the hydrodynamics of two phases, in strong connection with the dimension of the interface between the vapor and liquid phase. The characteristics of the interface depend on the type and geometry of the separation area: plates or package. The traditional methods of analysis for exchange processes use the concept 'theoretic plate', a physical entity for which the values of concentrations for vapors and liquid that leaves ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A conceptual hydrodynamic model in the Holocene and upper Pleistocene beneath the Louisiana wetlands is described in terms of safety distributions. Porewater safety is calculated from electrical measurements, including resistivity soundings, electric logs, and electromagnetic profiling. Electrical measurements support the primary, basin-wide groundwater flow model; however, the data also indicate secondary contributions from expulsion of fluids under geopressure along active growth faults and from original waters of deposition. Expulsion of water from growth faults has been described previously for deeper sections of the Pleistocene, but has not been reported for the Holocene or upper Pleistocene beneath the Louisiana wetlands. Porewater chemistry variations beneath the coastal wetlands are a consequence of the following (in order of importance): (1) environment of deposition; (2) a basin-wide, regional flow system; (3) expulsion from deep-seated growth faults; and (4) pore water ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A brain weight deficit of about 70 mg was induced at doses of approximately 75-mGy and a deficit of 60 mg was induced at 100 mGy. This confirms the effects projected and observed by Wanner and Edwards. Although the data do not demonstrate a clear dose-response relationship between the 75-mGy and 100-mGy groups, the data are statistically consistent with a dose-response effect because of the overlapping confidence intervals. The lack of a statistically significant observation is most likely related to the small difference in doses and the limited numbers of animals examined. There are several factors that can influence the brain weight of guinea pig pups, such as caging and housing conditions, the sex of the animal, and litter size. These should be taken into account for accurate analysis. Dam weight did not appear to have a significant effect. The confirmation of a micrencephalic effect induced x rays at doses of 75-mGy during this late ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This conference was attended by decision makers throughout the supply chain in the natural gas industry who face the continuing challenges of changes in market mechanisms, pricing options, and transmission alternatives. It provided an opportunity to review issues affecting producers, shippers, marketers, and end-users in an environment of tight energy markets and high, inelastic demand. The constraints on adequate energy supplies are influenced by economic factors, current and future resources, materials, equipment, skilled labour, technology and financial capital. The 8 sessions of the conference dealt with the tight North American gas supply; the slow development of new supplies; resource access issues, including politics and supply security; the geopolitics of natural gas; impacts of high prices on the North American economy; energy industry impacts of high natural gas prices; domestic politics and high natural gas prices; and, radical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

One of the most important factors affecting the postharvest life and quality of horticultural crops is temperature. Quality loss after harvest occurs as a result of physiological and biological processes, the rates of which are influenced primarily by product temperature. As the maintenance of market quality is of vital importance to the success of the horticultural industry, it is necessary not only to cool the product but to cool it as quickly as possible after harvest. The process of precooling is the removal of field heat which arrest the deteriorative and senescence processes so as to maintain a high level of quality that ensures customer satisfaction. This paper provides a critical review to portray precooling as an intricate part of temperature management and to highlight the importance of its utilisation for extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of horticultural products with emphasis on cut flowers. Various different ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The preparation of wood-plastic combinations (WPC) using combined methods for curing intermediate products and final products is described. In the first step, impregnated wood was irradiated using doses of 1 to 10 kGy in the presence of chemical initiators of polymerization. Thereafter, curing of this partly cured impregnating mixture was accomplished in the wood at elevated temperatures with the aid of chemical initiators of polymerization. Impregnation mixtures based on unsaturated polyester resins and methyl methacrylate, and the wood species European Beech (Fagus silvatica) and Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) were used. The results indicate that this method of preparing WPC allows substantially lower radiation doses to be used, i.e., doses in the range of 1 to 2.5 kGy. These doses gelatinate the impregnation mixture in the wood so that the subsequent curing by chemical polymerization initiators proceeds without the impregnation mixture flowing out of the wood, and without forming ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

More than 100 old mine dumps active mine tailing ponds and granite quarries were investigated in South-West Germany to evaluate their potential impact on the environment caused by natural radioactive materials and by toxic metals. Five mine sites were monitored for a longer period according to their radon impact on the environment. They showed seasonal variations greater than a factor of 5 at some places. The annual mean radon concentration over granitic soil was found to be about 44 Bq.m/sup -3/ while very near the dumps more than 370 Bq.m/sup -3/ were usual. Radium concentrations up to 185 Bq.kg/sup -1/ were found in certain types of abandoned mine dumps. Some of the waste rock piles investigated are in the immediate neighbourhood of buildings and some old mine establishments are now used as homes. In these dwellings passive time integrating radon dosemeters have been exposed for up to a three month period. The average radon concentrations in the buildings ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In recent years, the influences of acid rain such as the acidification of lake water, on bio-system by the heavy metals from effluent of soils with acid rain and also on the structural materials of buildings are seriously discussed. Sulfur and nitrogen that are contained in fossil fuels are released into the atmosphere by the fuel combustion as their oxides dissolve in rain drops as sulfite and nitrous ions, where they are further oxidized into sulfate and nitrate ions These ions lower the pH of rain water resulting so-called acid rain. Therefore, it is important to accurately determine these ions in rain water for the investigation of reality of acid rain. However, it is not easy to accurately determine these ions, especially for sulfite ions in rain water, since they are quickly oxidized by the catalytic action of metallic ions such as ferric and manganous ions. And light, temperature, pH of solution and also species and concentrations of dissolved metallic ions ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Fitness, (biometric measurements, reproduction) and behaviour that are ecologically relevant biomarkers in assessing the quality of estuarine sediments were studied by comparing the responses of the polychaete worm Nereis diversicolor - a key species in estuaries - along a pollution gradient. Intersite differences were shown for all the measured parameters: size-weight relationships, energy reserves as glycogen and lipids, sexual maturation patterns, total number of oocytes per female, total and relative fecundity, burrowing behaviour. The physiological and behavioural status of N. diversicolor was consistently disturbed in the larger, most contaminated estuaries (Loire and Seine, Fr.) compared to reference sites (Bay of Bourgneuf, Goyen estuary, Fr.). Many classes of potentially toxic chemicals present in these estuaries most likely contribute to these impairments but food availability may act as a confounding factor, interfering with the potential impact of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We report here a study of the mechanisms leading to loss of growth control in chicken embryo fibroblasts transformed by Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). We have been particularly concerned with the role of the src gene in this process, and have used RSV mutants temperature sensitive (ts) for transformation to investigate the nature of the growth regulatory lesion. The two principal findings were (1) the stationary phase of the cell cycle (G{sub 1}) in chick embryo fibroblasts seems to have two distinct regulatory compartments (using the terminology of Brooks et al. we refer to these as 'Q' and 'A' states). When rendered stationary at 41.5 C by serum deprivation, normal cells enter a Q state, but cells infected with the ts-mutant occupy an A state. (2) Whereas normal cells can occupy either state depending on culture conditions, the ts-infected cells, at 41.5 C, do not seem to enter Q even though a known src gene product, a kinase, is reported to be inactive ...