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...Key Phrase page for Kidney Failure: Books containing the phrase Kidney Failure Kidney Failure,Key Phrase Kidney Failure,Books containing Kidney Failure,Amazon....com: \\

Science.gov (United States)

... failure at Goodwood and General Montgomery's continued failure to aggressively pursue the ground campaign. Air Chief ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This article introduces the story of Yusuf al-Marzuk (1895-1957), a Kuwaiti merchant who created a thriving network in the Arabian/Persian Gulf and India. This network was part of the vast, undocumented activities of Kuwaiti merchants. They were uncovered by rare British reports. Yusuf's economic power enabled him to participate in the struggle of Kuwaiti elites to achieve political power vis-a-vis the Kuwaiti rulers, the Sabah family. This article demonstrates the importance of the trading networks with respect to the economic and political developments that shaped the region before the relatively well researched oil period.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Rapid growth in implant applications in the fabrication of semiconductors has encouraged a dramatic increase in the range of energies, beam currents and ion species used. The challenges of a wider energy range, higher beam currents, continued reduction in contamination, improved angle integrity and larger substrates have motivated the development of many innovations. Advanced processes in submicron device production uses up to twenty implantation steps. Thus the outstanding growth of this industry has led to the evolution of a thriving business of hundreds of implantation equipment systems each year with very specific requirements. The present paper reviews the principal process requirements which resulted in the evolution of the equipment technology, and describes the recent trends in the ion implanter technology all three principal categories: high current, medium current and high energy. (author)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Heart failure affects nearly 6 million Americans, with a half-million new cases emerging each year. Whereas up to 50% of heart failure patients die of arrhythmia, the diverse mechanisms underlying...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Heart failure has been singled out as an emerging epidemic, which could be the result of increased incidence and/or increased survival leading to increased prevalence. Knowledge of the responsibility...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Ultimate compressive strength and failure modes were studied using 24- ... to 81 % of the average ultimate compressive strength (UCS). Figure 1 (a) is the failure ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Diagnostic accuracy of the currently available serum markers of cardiac injury, such as myoglobin, creatine kinase and its myocardial isoform, are altered in patients with renal failure. It is shown...Full Text Available

KoreaScience (Korea)

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International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

A survey was conducted of experience with steam generator tubes at nuclear power stations during 1976. Failures were reported at 25 out of 68 water-cooled reactors. The causes of these failures and the repair and inspection procedures designed to cope with them are summarized. Examination of the data indicates that corrosion was the major cause of steam generator tube failures. Improvements are needed in steam generator design, condenser integrity and secondary water chemistry control. (author).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report documents the investigation regarding the failure of CPVC piping that was used to connect a solar hot water system to standard plumbing in a home. Details of the failure are described along with numerous pictures and diagrams. A potential failure mechanism is described and recommendations are outlined to prevent such a failure.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Extensive investigations and detailed analysis of the failure reason of 9DVN002ZV fan in Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station showed that the fan destroy was caused by the failure of non-drive end bear. The direct cause of this bearing' failure was its improper assembly caused by improper maintenance procedure, and the root cause was too small internal radial clearance after mounting. The factor affecting bearing internal radial clearance, the relationship between clearance and operating life time and fan failure process were discussed. (authors)

Science.gov (United States)

S>Hydrogen-induced delayed failure in an alpha-beta titanium alloy (4Al-- 4Mn) was sensitive to microstructure. A quenched structure was less susceptible to delayed failure than aged or annealed structures. The tendency for delayed failure was magnified in all structures by an increase in hydrogen content or an increase in strength level. Hydrogen-induced delayed failure occurred by a process of crack initiation and controlled crack growth. Delayed failures resulting from creep were also encountered. Plastic strain resulting from creep tended to retard crack initiation. Changes occurring in material under static load prior to formation of cracks were reversible, as long as no appreciable plastic strain occurred, indicating stress-induced diffusion of hydrogen. Hydrogen-induced delayed failure disappeared at both high and low ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Breaker failure relaying has been generally achieved through the use of a current monitoring relay to determine whether current continues to flow into a fault after a breaker has been instructed to interrupt the circuit. If current continues to flow after a predefined period of time, the circuit breaker is considered to have failed. Steps must then be taken to trip the next set of upstream breakers in the power system to remove the faulted circuit and prevent system damage. However, with industrial power systems, this may be the utility`s breakers on the feeding transmission line. Regardless, breaker failure schemes must be designed to isolate both the faulted circuit and the failed circuit breaker. This paper discusses a new and innovative method of protecting a circuit breaker from the failure described above, plus other failures that go unprotected with conventional schemes, this providing total ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

We describe a 59-year-old patient who developed acute renal failure because of rhabdomyolysis after extensive red fire ant bites. This case illustrates a serious systemic reaction that may occur from...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Forty-six patients with end-stage renal failure were subjected to iliac crest biopsy before the initiation of a dialysis programme and regardless of the presence of skeletal symptoms....Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Angiotensin II has adverse actions in heart failure including vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion, and activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Valsartan, a potent specific angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, may produce beneficial effects in heart failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the steady-state pharmacokinetics of valsartan 40, 80, and 160 mg each given every 12 h for 7 days in heart failure patients. Eighteen patients with chronic stable heart failure and left ventricular ejection fractions power model, showed that doubling the dose increased the AUC and Cmax 1.8 times. The pharmacokinetics of valsartan are predictable in heart failure patients within the dose range of 40-160 mg BID. Age did not appear to have influenced the valsartan clearance in heart failure patients. The pharmacokinetic values were higher in heart ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAlthough dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a leading cause of heart failure (HF), the mechanism underlying DCM is not well understood. Previously, it has been demonstrated...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Premature menopause, ovarian failure younger than 40 years of age, is relatively rare but may preclude childbearing for some women who delay attempts at fertility. We present five kindreds in which...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to ascertain whether all cervical cancer patients who received adjuvant concurrent chemoradiation (CCRT) for high risk of treatment failure after...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The reliability of an electrical power system is influenced by the operation of circuit-breaker (CB). A good indicator of circuit-breaker condition is its switching time. Based on it some of the critical circuit-breaker irregularities can be detected and removed before they develop to a failure. In this paper, the evaluation of time measurements (timings) in case of different failures will be carried out for two circuit-breaker solutions, i.e. with spring and hydraulic drive. Moreover, the relationships between switching time and failure type/location will be derived. Thereby, the influence of failure trend will also be taken into account. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Presented are the results of the investigation of the kinetics and micromechanism of the failure in impact bending of oriented-crystallized specimens having the eutectic composition Ni_3Al-Ni_3Nb and of the bimetal composed of 45 steel + M3 copper. The failure kinetics was studied by high-speed filming, whereas the fractures were studied by electron fractography. The particularities of the failure of the laminar-type composite materials were found. Analyzed was the effect of the kinetic factors and the mechanism of failure upon its energy consumption.

Science.gov (United States)

... with the additional US funds supporting Islamic ... the FATA and NWFP, keeping Pakistan's government and ... Without these madrassas, the TTP is left ...

Science.gov (United States)

Aluminum electrolytic capacitors, with 1043 failures, are a good example. Also, categorization by size and voltage reveals such frequencies of occurrence as ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Stability concerns of the Par Pond Dam, an embankment structure in the Savannah River Site complex, resulted in a comprehensive evaluation of the state of its integrity. Specifically, excessive seepage through the embankment, slope failure due to an earthquake event as well as liquefaction potential of the embankment and the foundation are addressed and the potential of failure is evaluated. Lastly, remedial benefits of the addition of a berm structure are also assessed.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AimsThe prevalence and importance of liver function test (LFT) abnormalities in a large contemporary cohort of heart failure patients have not been systematically evaluated.Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1 The decreased binding of drugs and dyes to plasma proteins from male and female rats with acute renal failure has been investigated using equilibrium dialysis at 37 degrees C. 2 Acute renal failure...Full Text Available

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

In the field of Living Probabilistic Safety Assessment (LPSA) the reliability data updating is an important factor. In risk analysis equipment failure data is needed to estimate the frequencies of events contributing to risk posed by a facility. Five years data of emergency diesel generator (EDG) of Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) has been studied in this paper. The data updating process has been done by using two methods, i.e., the classical method and Bayesian method. The aim of using these methods is to calculate the operational failure rate (@l) and demand failure probability (p). The results show that the operational failure rate is 1.7E-3 per hour and the demand failure probability is 2.4E-2 demand per day for Daya Bay NPP. By comparing the results obtain from classical and Bayesi...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Based upon the existing regulatory cleanup criteria, remediation of this wetlands was proposed by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy (NJDEPE). This remedial process would have totally destroyed a thriving Old Field Wetlands. Site-Specific evaluation of the chemicals of potential concern (CPC), remaining source areas, potential environmental fate and transport (EF and T), toxicology (including oral absorption and bioaccumulation) and potential land use scenarios were conducted. It was determined that although the analytical chemistry data reported soil concentrations of arsenic, the compound used by the facility and discharged to the wetlands sediments was in fact gallium arsenide. Secondly, all remaining source areas and hot spots had previously been remediated. Vertical migration to soils had not progressed past a depth of 3 feet and groundwater/surface water did not contain significantly elevated concentrations of gallium arsenide. ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Findings indicate an urgent need to establish a monitoring program for persistent organic pollutants in water and sediment. - Marine culture is thriving in China and represents a major component of the regional economy in coastal zones, yet the environmental quality of many of those areas has never been studied. This paper attempts to investigate the quality status of Daya Bay, a key aquaculture area in China. The levels of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in water and sediment samples of the bay. The total concentrations of 16 PAHs varied from 4228 to 29325 ng l"-"1 in water, and from 115 to 1134 ng g"-"1 dry weight in sediments. In comparison to many other marine systems studied, the PAH levels in Daya Bay waters were relatively high, and at six sites they were sufficiently high (>10 #mu#g l"-"1) to cause acute toxicity. The PAH composition pattern in sediments suggest dominance by medium to high molecular weight compounds, and the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This probabilistic analysis of WIPP TRUDOCK crane failure is based on two sources of failure data. The source for operator errors is the report by Swain and Guttman, NUREG/CR-1278-F, August 1983. The source for crane cable hook breaks was initially made by WIPP/WID-96- 2196, Rev. O by using relatively old (1970s) U.S. Navy data (NUREG-0612). However, a helpful analysis by R.K. Deremer of PLG guided the authors to values that were more realistic and more conservative, with the recommendation that the crane cable/hook failure rate should be 2.5 x 10-6 per demand. This value was adopted and used. Based on these choices a mean failure rate of 9.70 x 10-3(1/yr) was calculated. However, a mean rate by itself does not reveal the level of confidence to be associated with this number. Guidance to making confidence calculations came from the report by Swain and Guttman, who stated that ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The TS-1 and TS-2 TREAT transient experiments subjected a low burnup (2 MWd/kg) and a medium burnup (58 MWd/kg), respectively, FFTF irradiated fuel pin to unprotected 5 cents/s overpower transient conditions. The fuel pin failure response was similar in the two tests, which demonstrated a large margin to failure (P/P_0 > 3) and a favorable upper level failure location. Thus, for these transient conditions, burnup effects on transient performance appeared to be minimal in the range tested. Pin disruption in the medium burnup TS-2 test was more severe due to the higher fission gas pressurization, but failure occurred at only a 5% lower power level than for the low burnup TS-1 fuel pin. Both tests exhibited axial extrusion of molten fuel to the region above the fuel column several seconds before pin failure, demonstrating a potentially beneficial inherent safety mechanism to delay ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a method for the optimal design of high voltage transmission lines taking into consideration shielding and backflashover failure rates. The minimization of suitably defined performance indices, which relate the failures caused by lightning in a transmission line to both line insulation level and tower footing resistance, is aimed. Optimum values for both line insulation level and tower footing resistance are calculated. The method is applied on several operating Hellenic transmission lines of 150 and 400kV, respectively, carefully selected among others, due to their high failure rates during lightning thunderstorms. Special attention has been paid on open loop lines, where a possible failure could bring the system out of service causing significant problems. The obtained design parameters, which reduce the failure rates caused by lightning, are compared with the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A wood/polymer composite was produced by impregnating Ramin wood with methyl methacrylate monomer and subsequently polymerizing it by gamma irradiation. To assess the improvement in compression strength of the wood caused by the polymer impregnation, a microbuckling compression failure mechanism was used to model the compression failure of the composite. Such a mechanism was found to predict a linear relationship between the compression strength and the percentage polymer impregnation (by weight). Uniaxial compression test results at 45({plus minus}5)% and 90({plus minus}5)% relative humidity levels, after being statistically analysed, showed that such a linear relationship was valid for up to 100% polymer impregnation. (author).

Science.gov (United States)

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has for over ten years provided materials testing and failure analysis services to various coal conversion and utilization facilities in the United States. ORNL was involved in these types of activities at all four of the major coal liquefaction pilot plants. This paper presents a summary of activities at Wilsonville over the past two and one-half years. Some details of these activities are discussed below. Failure analysis of elastomers, stainless steels, and alloys is discussed. 6 refs., 9 figs., 13 tabs.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

There has been a steady increase in the number of revision total knee arthroplasties being performed in the United States. Hinge knee prostheses are used predominantly in complex primary or revision arthroplasties, often as salvage procedures. Significant improvement of the articulation between the rotating hinge mechanism and tibial component has decreased the stresses that contributed to earlier failures in previous generation designs. Two cases of fracture of the tibial metal post in the rotating hinge of a revision total knee arthroplasty were evaluated and treated at our institution within a 1-month period. We present our experience with this construct failure and subsequent patient management.

Science.gov (United States)

Ultimate Compressive Strength = 3000.0 psi. 3.0 Failure Criteria. The structural criteria used to evaluate the combustor components was chosen ...

Science.gov (United States)

of the Intelligent Control System (ICS) for reusable rocket engines. .... the incoming measurements with corresponding estimates, a sensor failure can be ...

Science.gov (United States)

Kidney Failure, Chronic

Science.gov (United States)

The location of defective LMFBR fuel pins by the determination of gas tag isotopic ratios is discussed. The application of this method to the FFTF Reactor briefly described.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Corrosion failures in circuits of foreign NPPs are considered. According to American statistics there are more corrosion failures in two-circuit NPPs than in NPPs with one circuit. Steam generators mostly suffer from ''corrosion denting''. Lately pitting corrosion becomes a potentially serious problem. Steam generator vertical tubes are mainly subjected to this corrosion type. Attention is drawn to intercrystalline corrosion. The causes of corrosion are described. The problem of optimization of structural materials is discussed to reduce corrosion failures as well as other methods of decreasing corrosion failures. Organization of nondestructive testing, increased requirements to water and steam purity are of great importance.

Science.gov (United States)

... position must not be penalized in their NCO Evaluation Report (NCOER). ... failure to perform MOS-, SQI-, or ASI-related duties after counseling. ...

Science.gov (United States)

reaching their ultimate compressive strength. Thus, when applying a lamina stress analysis in conjunction with a failure model, one must ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Failure of multiple components due to a common cause represents one of the most important issues in evaluation of system reliability or unavailability. The frequency of such events has relatively low expectancy, when compared to random failures, which affect individual components. However, in many cases the consequence is a direct loss of safety system or mitigative safety function. For this reason, the modeling of a common cause failure (CCF) and its presentation in fault tree structure is of the uttermost importance in probabilistic safety analyses (PSA). Amongst the different techniques available to reduce the impact of common cause failures, the most important operations related technique, is that of staggered testing. In the TAPP 3,4 Level-1 PSA it was found that the contribution of Common Cause Failures to the Core Damage Frequency (CDF) was significant. The Common Cause ...

Science.gov (United States)

Only a small number of radiation accidents in the United States have been severe enough to result in multi-organ failure (MOF). Medical details of selected medical misadministration and criticality cases are reviewed, with an emphasis on pathophysiology. The four criticality cases are particularly relevant for analysis of MOF, since medical treatment was supportive and did not appreciably alter the clinical evolution of radiation injury. PMID:15975871

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report contains the results of a survey of reactor coolant pump shaft seal reliability. The survey sample is representatively large (approx. = 27% of total US commercial plant population) and includes the three industry seal suppliers (Bingham-Williamette, Byron Jackson, and Westinghouse). Operationally incurred/induced problems and seal redesign parameters are identified. Failure hypotheses in the form of fault trees have been developed to describe the failure mechanisms. Recommendations are made for seal reliability improvement.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Probabilistic assessment methods can be used to identify specific plant vulnerabilities. Application of such methods can also facilitate selection among system design alternatives available for safety enhancements. The quality of assessment results is however strongly dependent on realistic and accurate input data for modelling of system component behaviour and failure modes during conditions to be assessed. Use of conservative input data may not lead to results providing guidance on safety upgrades. Adequate input data for probabilistic assessments seems to be lacking for at least failure modes of some electrical components when exposed to a fire. This report presents an attempt to improve the situation with respect to such input data. In order to take advantage of information in existing documentation of fire incident occurrences some of the lessons learned from the fire at Browns Ferry Nuclear Power Plant on March 22, 1975 are discussed in ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Power devices such as MOSFETSs and IGBTs, include parasitic structures that can give rise to destructive failures such as breakdown and latch-up. To determine a suitable strategy for device radiation hardening, simulation software like MEDICI-2D can be used to model the effects of technological modifications and device parameters that are difficult to measure experimentally. (authors).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

On February 9, 1995 ComEd experienced a pipe type cable failure on 138kV line 13717. Line 1737 is a bulk power transmission cable circuit connecting The Fisk and Crawford generating stations located within city limits. The line is approximately 4.5 miles long and was originally installed in 1975. This line is forced cooled, has 2,500 KCMIL copper conductors with 505 mils of paper insulation in an 8 inch pritec coated steel pipe. The splices are constructed with Voltalit castings. The failure occurred approximately 3,500 feet from Crawford Station. It was easy to locate the failure since the cable joint casing was breached resulting in the loss of approximately 2,600--2,700 gallons of dielectric fluid. Upon field examination B Phase was determined to have failed. The failure occurred 12 inches inside the casing in an area where it was impossible to install a long connector or add an additional short ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A 25m wind turbine blade was tested to failure when subjected to a flapwise load. With the test setup, it was possible to test the blade to failure at three diffe-rent locations. The objective of these tests is to learn about how a wind turbine blade fails when exposed to a large flapwise load and how failures propagate. The report shows also results from ultra sonic scan of the surface of the blade and it is seen to be very useful for the detection of defects, especially in the layer between the skin laminate and the load carrying main spar. Acoustic emission was successfully used as sensor for the detection of damages in the blade during the test. The report contains measurements of the total deflection of the blade, the local deflection of the skin and the load carrying main spar and also measurement of strain all as a function of the applied load and up to failure of the blade. The 'post ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

As part of the Nondestructive Evaluation Reliability Program sponsored by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Pacific Northwest Laboratory is developing a method that uses risk-based approaches to establish in-service inspection plans for nuclear power plant components. This method uses probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) results and Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FEMA) techniques to identify and prioritize the most risk-important systems and components for inspection. The Surry Nuclear Power Station Unit 1 was selected for pilot applications of this method. The specific systems addressed in this report are the reactor pressure vessel, the reactor coolant, the low-pressure injection, and the auxiliary feedwater. The results provide a risk-based ranking of components within these systems and relate the target risk to target failure probability values for individual components. These results will be used to guide the development of ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems can help organizations manage customer interactions more effectively. Like many new technologies, CRM has been accompanied by vendor hype and stories of implementation failure. Work on critical success factors (CSFs) should encourage more appropriate implementation practice; however many CSF studies conclude with a list of factors but provide little further guidance. In particular, there is a need for stronger theoretical models of the entire CRM innovation process which can be used by managers to understand better the underlying causes of success and failure. This paper adopts a novel approach to this problem by firstly developing a conceptual model of CRM innovation and then converting this model into a dynamic simulation model. Some early s...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The fatigue life variability of the #alpha#+#beta# titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo increased with decreasing stress level. The variability in life was found to be due to segregation of lives due to two failure mechanisms. A bimodal cumulative distribution model was shown to accurately describe the combined failure modes. The nominal failure processes for the two regimes were similar, with crack nucleation occurring in equiaxed #alpha#p particles, irrespective of life or stress level. However the variability in life was not controlled by the size of the crack-nucleating #alpha#p, but rather by the ability of the material to distribute deformation and avoid early crack nucleation.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Carbon steel is frequently used to construct concentrated sulphuric acid storage tanks. This paper discussed the corrosion performance of carbon steel tanks and outlined the underlying mechanisms responsible for major corrosion modes. Analyses of hydrogen grooving and dilute acid corrosion failure mechanisms were presented. Recent corrosion-induced leak failures were also discussed. The use of anodic protection and organic coatings as a corrosion control measure was also evaluated. The results of laboratory studies that were conducted to understand corrosion-induced failures showed that carbon steel electrodes exhibited transpassive corrosion at relatively high anodic potentials, while stainless steel electrodes exhibited transpassive corrosion at anodic potentials less than 1 V. It was concluded that corrosion-induced leaks can be prevented by using anodic protection and baked phenolic coating technologies. 23 refs., 9 ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The aim of the risk assessment consists of a comparative security evaluation for the SNR-300 and the PWR Biblis B. The failure analysis focusses on the reactor core; in addition, possible fission product release from the spent fuel pits is examined. By reliability analyses, the frequency of events leading to incidents is determined together with the probability of core destruction. In the accident analysis, the kind and frequency of failure of the activity barriers, i.e., primary system (reactorvessel) and inner and outer containment are investigated for the various incident sequences. The radionuclide release into the environment is classified into five different release categories. Besides internal failures, external causes (especially earthquakes and plane crashes) are considered under the aspect of their risk contribution. (RF).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This paper presents a probabilistic approach for structural robustness assessment for a timber structure built a few years ago. The robustness analysis is based on a structural reliability based framework for robustness and a simplified mechanical system modelling of a timber truss system. A complex timber structure with a large number of failure modes is modelled with only a few dominant failure modes. First, a component based robustness analysis is performed based on the reliability indices of the remaining elements after the removal of selected critical elements. The robustness is expressed and evaluated by a robustness index. Next, the robustness is assessed using system reliability indices where the probabilistic failure model is modelled by a series system of parallel systems.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Premature Failure of a Riata Defibrillator Lead. A 63-year-old woman with a St. Jude Medical Riata 1570 right ventricular lead complained of intermittent hiccups 2 months after implant. Interrogation revealed elevated pacing threshold and diaphragmatic stimulation. Pacing and shock lead impedances remained stable. No inappropriate sensing was noted. Fluoroscopic examination of the lead revealed a thin radio-opaque wire seen between the 2 defibrillator coils away from the main body of the lead. After extraction, a tear in the insulation of the lead was noted allowing the inner wire to protrude. This case illustrates a novel mechanism of insulation failure without inappropriate sensing or impedance change.-(J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 22, pp. 1070-1072, September 2011)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Twenty-two out of 31 patients with chronic renal failure and secondary hyperparathyroidism who underwent parathyroidectomy before operation underwent non-invasive image diagnosis of parathyroid glands by computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy with /sup 201/TlCl and /sup 99m/TcO/sup 4 +/, and/or ultrasonography. CT visualized 39 of 45 parathyroid glands (86.7%), weighing more than 500 mg. Scintigraphy with a subtraction method using a computer performed the diagnosis in 19 of 27 glands (70.4%). Ultrasonography detected 21 of 27 glands (77.8%). Image diagnosis was also useful in the postoperative follow-up study. The non-invasive image diagnosis of parathyroid glands in patients with chronic renal failure is thus valuable for 1) definite diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism, 2) localization, and 3) diagnosis for effectiveness of conservative treatment.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The reliability analysis of the Fast Flux Test Facility reactor shutdown system was reevaluated. Failure information based on five years of plant operating experience was used to verify original reliability numbers or to establish new ones. Also, system modifications made subsequent to performance of the original analysis were incorporated into the reevaluation. Reliability calculations and sensitivity analyses were performed using a commercially available spreadsheet on a personal computer. The spreadsheet was configured so that future failures could be tracked and compared with expected failures. A number of recommendations resulted from the reevaluation including both increased and decreased surveillance intervals. All recommendations were based on meeting or exceeding existing reliability goals. Considerable cost savings will be incurred upon implementation of the recommendations.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this project was to develop improved dynamic failure models for brittle materials (primarily ceramics). The approach to developing these failure models was to establish a database (ACERAM) in which fundamental material properties and processing information could be directly correlated with ballistic performance data. Under this contract, a comprehensive literature search was conducted, many contacts were established in the armor/anti-armor research and development community, and database development was undertaken. A more limited project was also undertaken to assess and compare the effects of material properties and penetration mechanisms on the ballistic performance of depleted uranium and tungsten alloy penetrators.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

BackgroundAlthough self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) insertion is widely used for relief of malignant colorectal obstructions, the immediate technical and clinical failure rates of SEMSs and the associated risk factors remain largely unknown. ObjectiveTo identify rates and factors predictive of technical and clinical failure of SEMSs when their use is attempted for the decompression of malignant colorectal obstruction. DesignRetrospective chart review. SettingA tertiary-care academic medical center in South Korea. PatientsThis study involved a total of 412 patients with malignant colorectal obstruction in whom SEMS insertion was attempted. InterventionPlacement of colonic SEMSs. Main Outcome MeasurementsTechnical success and immediate and long-term clinical success rates. ResultsTechnical...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Albeit the considerable progress that has been made both in our understanding of the pathophysiology of acute renal failure (ARF) and in its treatment (continuous renal replacement therapies), the morbidity...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

In a group of 32 patients with terminal renal failure the initial hypocalcaemia was corrected after two months' adequate maintenance haemodialysis. In seven patients hypercalcaemia occurred with a...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Background and purpose It has been speculated that the prevalence of metal allergy may be higher in patients with implant failure. We compared the prevalence and cause of revisions following...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

... 6.2-18 for Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitors (MIL-C- 39018, Style CU (Aluminum Oxide)) 6.2-14 MIL-HDBK-217B Operational Failure Rate Model ...

Science.gov (United States)

Progress is reported in the following areas: radioactivity control technology, FFTF sodium characterization system, corrosion and process control, and fuel failure monitoring systems for FFTF and CRBRP. (JWR)

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Xylem failure via gas embolism (cavitation) induced by water stress was investigated in the palm Rhapis excelsa (Thumb.) Henry. Xylem embolism in excised stems and petioles was detected...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity is the most common drug-induced cause of acute liver failure in the United States. The only available treatment, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has a limited...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this work, a model for determining the optimal inspection and replacement periods of the safety system in Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 is developed, which is to minimize economic loss caused by inadvertent trip and the system failure. This model uses cost benefit analysis method and the part for optimal inspection period considers the human error. The model is based on three factors as follows: (i) The cumulative failure distribution function of the safety system, (ii) The probability that the safety system does not operate due to failure of the system or human error when the safety system is needed at an emergency condition and (iii) The average probability that the reactor is tripped due to the failure of system components or human error. The model then is applied to evaluate the safety system in Wolsung Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1. The optimal replacement periods which are calculated with ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The pharmacokinetic parameters of amikacin and ceftazidime were assessed in four patients undergoing hemofiltration for septic shock. The parameters were assessed during hemofiltration and in the interim...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundGene expression profiling and the analysis of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks may support the identification of disease bio-markers and potential drug targets....Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Serial studies of iron transport in patients on maintenance dialysis showed normal or raised values in almost all subjects and a transient increase soon after the start of dialysis in three. These...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

AIMS:To investigate the effect of carnitine supplementation on alcoholic malnourished rats' hepatic nitrogen content.METHODS:Malnourished rats, on...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In this paper, an investigation was performed on a failure pressure vessel, which was as an anti-freezing heater for General Gas Storage and Distribution (SGZ) system. Evident and serious deformation was observed on the body of the vessel. A metallurgical investigation was conducted to establish the mechanism and cause of deformation of the anti-freezing heater at Daya Bay PWR station in China. The investigation, which was performed on specimens cut from the most serious area deformed of the vessel, included macroscopic examination and microscopy examination. The results of the examinations showed that some lamellar pearlite in the microstructure were already spheroidized. It was confirmed that the vessel was operated at high temperature. Stress analysis for the vessel was conducted. And it was confirmed that, in ideal conditions, the vessel would be deformed at around 420 C. The overall results of the investigation showed that the failure of ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The nephrotoxicity of cefoxitin was studied in a rat model of impaired renal function. Two levels of renal impairment were produced: "moderate," with blood urea concentrations of 100 to 150 mg/100 ml...Full Text Available

Science.gov (United States)

Present methods for planning reliability improvement of launch vehicles are reviewed. A theoretical criterion for optimum allocation of resources for reliability improvement exists that requires equal marginal failure reduction for all elements to be impr...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Acetaminophen (APAP), a widely used analgesic and antipyretic that is considered to be relatively safe at recommended doses, is the leading cause of drug-induced liver failure in the United States....Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Research is in progress to obtain a satisfactory creep ductility for alloy 800 when used as heat exchanger material in sodium-cooled fast reactors (LMFBR). The creep test characteristics at present available show that a pronounced tendency to reduced elongation by creep failure may arise after prolonged testing in the 500-700 deg C temperature range. This phenomenon is now agreed to be primarily inherent to the conditions for Ni_3(Ti,Al) precipitation in the material and hence to the Ti and Al concentrations. By structural studies and hardness measurements on material subjected to creep tests and taken from a large number of castings, the relationship was established between the (Ti+Al) content and the structural hardness effect of Ni_3(Ti,Al) at 600 deg C. Below a certain Ti+Al concentration, no precipitation occurs and hence the creep ductility to failure can be improved considerably by limiting the allowed Ti+Al content in the material, ...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

BackgroundThe elevated serum and peritoneal cytokine concentrations responsible for the systemic response syndrome (SIRS) and multiorgan failure in patients with severe acute pancreatitis...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Failure of bone under monotonic and cyclic loading is related to the bone mineral density, the quality of the bone matrix and the evolution of microcracks. The theory of linear elastic fracture...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

Evaluating the systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) is important in the hemodynamic management of the critically ill patients with circulatory failure. Echocardiography is considered the standard...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The free radical theory of ageing posits that accrual of oxidative damage underlies the increased cellular, tissue and organ dysfunction and failure associated with advanced age. In support of this...Full Text Available

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to identify the factors affecting the failure of trials (<50% pain reduction in pain for trial period) to improve success rate of spinal...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Due to the recent catastrophic energy system failures in California along with those in the North-Eastern US and Southern Canada, London, and Italy, the time has come to proclaim the failure of deregulation, privatization or liberalization and propose a new energy system. This book shows in the first section, how five precipitating forces led to the deregulation debacle in California: (1) major technological changes and commercialization, (2) regulatory needs mismatched to societal adjustments, (3) inadequate and flawed economic models, (4) lack of vision, goals, and planning leading to energy failures, and (5) failure and lack of economic regional development. The second half of the book, examines how 'civic market', new economic models, and planning for complexity as sustainable economic development transformed in California, the same five forces to create an 'agile energy ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Procedures for {sup 131}I ablation in renal failure are not known. In one patient receiving dialysis, detailed dosimetry and health safety aspects were obtained. The results showed insignificant contamination of equipment, but a surprisingly significant reduction in biologic half-life of {sup 131}I due to efficient dialysis extraction. The data indicate that {sup 131}I ablation can be done safely and easily during dialysis but that much higher {sup 131}I doses must be used to achieve equivalent results to those obtained in patients with normal renal function.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High strain fatigue problem in steam turbine. Cyclic stress strain hysteresis loops and stress relaxation behaviour in 16 h dwell period tests. Variation of stress and strain during tests under nominally strain controlled conditions. Definition of test conditions and of criteria for crack initiation and failure. Comparison of reverse bend and push pull failure data. (orig.) 891 RW/orig. 892 RKD.

Science.gov (United States)

Analytical models for predicting the deformation and failure of composite sandwich panels subjected to blast and projectile impact loading are presented in this paper. The analytical predictions of the transient deformations and damage initiation in the composite sandwich panels were compared with finite element solutions using ABAQUS Explicit. For the blast model, the predicted transient deformation of the sandwich panel was within 7%of FEA results, while the predicted damage initiation using Hashin's composite failure criteria was about 15%higher than FEA results in most cases. For the high velocity impact model, the predicted transient deformations were within 20%of FEA results.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The nitric acid solution dissolving nuclear fuel material is transferred with the three way valve called VCV (VCV: vide-casse-vide in Fr.) using vacuum in the Tokai Reprocessing Plant. The initial VCV was not reliable because it had broken with in 1 or 2 years. The cause of failure was damage of the plastic diaphragms in the moving parts. Then, the new VCV valve with stainless-steel bellows was developed. There is no failure in moving parts in 20 years, therefore reliability is significantly improved. (author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

From the beginning, one of the most useful applications of Probabilistic Safety Assessment (PSA) is its use in evaluating the risk importance of changes to plant design, operations, or other plant conditions. Risk importance measures the impact of a change on the risk. Risk is defined as a combination of the likelihood of failure and consequence of the failure. The consequence can be safety system unavailability, core melt frequency, early release, or various other consequence measures. The goal in this PSA application is to evaluate the risk importance of an ISI process, as applied to plant piping systems. Two approaches can be taken in this evaluation: Current PSA Approach or the Blended Approach. Both are discussed here.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Often, lifetime data come from experiments where failure times are grouped. The Weibull distribution is a popular distribution for modeling failure times. Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) has outstanding large sample properties for the Weibull distribution. This article evaluates small sample properties of MLEs for grouped data. We evaluate sample size requirements for MLE asymptotic properties to take effect. We compare type I and type II censoring for pooled experiments and conclude that bias for the shape parameter estimate can be alarmingly high especially for type II censored data. Finally, we investigate the benefits of the pooled analysis.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Since the integrity of the containment penetrations was confirmed under accident management (AM) conditions in the former test, failure criteria tests and aerosol trapping tests were carried out using low-voltage modules and flange gaskets of an actual plant under severe accident (SA) conditions, without AM. The safety margin for failure temperature of the penetrations and the credit for fission product (FP) aerosol trapping effect along the leakage paths of the degraded penetrations were evaluated in the present tests. Failure temperature of the penetrations ranged from 270 to 300degC for low-voltage modules and 300 to 350degC for flange gaskets under 0.4 to 1.0 MPa conditions. Pressure dependency on failure temperature was small. This means that the safety margin of failure temperature under AM condition is more than 70degC. By introducing a equivalent leak area for the damaged ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In this report, we estimated the temperature of the pump rooms and reviewed the operability of the components under the loss of the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Condition) system. The issues relevant to the HVAC system in the PSA (Probabilistic Safety Assessment) FT (Fault Tree) model are as follows: (1) Does the loss of the HVAC system bring about a function failure of other components? (2) Can the operator take action to reduce the temperature of the room in case of a HVAC function failure? At present, we do not know whether a component will lose its function or not under the loss of the HVAC. ASME Standard describes that a recovery action can be credited if the related recovery action is included in the procedure or there are similar recovery experiences in the plant. However, there is no description about the recovery action of the HVAC in the EOP (Emergency Operation Procedure) of the UCN3, 4 under the situation of a loss of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper presents a stochastic model and estimation procedure for analyzing the failure process of a repairable system. We consider repairable systems whose successive interfailure times reveal a significant dependence while showing an insignificant trend. Neither the renewal process nor the non-homogeneous Poisson process are adequate for modeling such failure processes. Especially when the interfailure times show a cyclic pattern, we may consider a switching of the regimes (states) governing the lifetime distribution of the system. We propose a Markov switching model describing the failure process for such a case. The model postulates that a finite number of states governs the distinct lifetime distributions, and the state makes transitions according to a discrete-time Markov chain. Each of the distinct lifetime distributions represents a failure type that may change after successive repairs. Our ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fourteen irradiated Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) fuel pins were subjected to representative overpower transients in six flowing sodium loop experiments conducted in the TREAT reactor. The transient tests were extended to substantial overpower levels well beyond protected levels, with some tests intentionally run to failure to identify failure thresholds and characteristics. Test variables included transient ramp rate (5, 50, and 100 cents/s) and burnup (2 to 58 MWd/kg). Performance limits and failure characteristics were identified, and cladding strain and fuel melting data were obtained for development and verification of transient analysis codes. The test results demonstrated that FFTF Reference fuel pins are capable of surviving overpower levels well beyond the FFTF secondary Plant Protection System (PPS) trip limit of 1.25 times normal rated power. Based on analytical evaluations to interpolate and extrapolate test ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

On February 20th 1998 Auckland, the biggest city of New Zealand, was nearly paralyzed by an extended power failure. On this day the last of four cables supplying the central business district failed and caused a five weeks lasting blackout. This failure has caused costs of 128.3 Mio NZ Dollar for the affected utility Mercury Energy Ltd. The official ministerial inquiry was published on July 21st 1998 and reproaches the utility in an unusual clear manner. (orig.) [Deutsch] Am 20. Februar 1998 wurde Auckland, die groesste Stadt Neuseelands, von einer folgenschweren Unterbrechung der Stromversorgung nahezu lahmgelegt. An diesem Tag fiel das letzte von vier 110-kV-Kabeln zur Versorgung des Innenstadtbereiches aus und verursachte damit einen 5 Wochen dauernden Stromausfall. Diese Versorgungsunterbrechung hat bisher Kosten in Hoehe von 128,3 Mio NZ Dollar (rd. 115,5 Mio DM) fuer den oertlichen Stromversorger Mercury Energy Limited verursacht. Der am ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The leakage behavior of containments beyond design conditions and knowledge of failure modes is required for evaluation of mitigation strategies for severe accidents, risk studies, emergency preparedness planning, and siting. These studies are directed towards assessing the risk and consequences of severe accidents. An accident sequence analysis conducted on a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR), Mark I (MK I), indicated very high temperatures in the dry-well region, which is the location of the majority of electrical penetration assemblies. Because of the high temperatures, it was postulated in the ORNL study that the sealants would fail and all the electrical penetration assemblies would leak before structural failure would occur. Since other containments had similar electrical penetration assemblies, it was concluded that all containments would experience the same type of failure. The results of this study, however, show that ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The purpose of this work was to investigate the role of chromium on hydrogen embrittlement of Ni-Cr-Fe alloys and thus to develop a better understanding of the low-temperature stress corrosion cracking (SCC) phenomenon. The effect of chromium on hydrogen embrittlement was examined using tensile tests followed by material evaluation via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and light optical microscopy. Four alloys were prepared with chromium contents ranging from 6 to 35 wt pct. In the uncharged condition, ductility, as measured by the percent elongation or reduction in area, increased as the alloy chromium content increased. Hydrogen appeared to have only minor effects on the mechanical properties of the low-chromium alloys. The addition of hydrogen had a marked effect on the ductility of the higher-chromium alloys. In the 26 pct chromium alloy, the elongation to failure was reduced from 53 to 14 pct, with a change in fracture mode from mixed ductile dimple and ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

We present two new techniques that enhance conventional focused ion beam (FIB) system capabilities for integrated circuit (IC) analysis: in situ electrical biasing and voltage contrast imaging. We have used in situ electrical biasing to enable a number of advanced failure analysis applications including (1) real time evaluation of device electrical behavior during milling and deposition, (2) verification of IC functional modifications without removal from the FIB system, and (3) ultraprecision control for cross sectioning of deep submicron structures, such as programmed amorphous silicon antifuses. We have also developed FIB system voltage contrast imaging that can be used for a variety of failure analysis applications. The use of passive voltage contrast imaging for defect localization and for navigation on planarized devices will be illustrated. In addition, we describe new, biased voltage contrast imaging techniques and provide examples of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The downstream failure of cable during winding, insulating, coil winding, and coil assembly is a significant issue in magnet production. The impact of these failures are costly both financially, and from the time to recover from this downstream failure. The current approach to cabling has been to visually inspect the cable for any gross defects during cabling. To date this has been effective in finding small defects such as crossovers for example, which drastically reduce the mechanical integrity of the strand, and thus the cable itself. But because of the large volume of cable which will be manufactured an automated flaw detection system which can inspect the cable and detect these type of defects will be needed. We have recently done an on-line experiment using an Eddy current system, and specialized Eddy current probes to inspect cable during manufacturing. We will present the results of our inspection demonstrating ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Reliability and Availability Data System (RADS) is a database and analysis code, developed by the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC). The code is designed to estimate industry and plant-specific reliability and availability parameters for selected components in risk-important systems and initiating events for use in risk-informed applications. The RADS tool contains data and information based on actual operating experience from U.S. commercial nuclear power plants. The data contained in RADS is kept up-to-date by loading the most current quarter's Equipment Performance and Information Exchange (EPIX) data and by yearly lods of initiating event data from licensee event reports (LERS). The reliability parameters estimated by RADS are (1) probability of failure on demand, (2) failure rate during operation (used to calculate failure to ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

One of the main applications of PSA studies is related to identification of the major key issues related to plant safety. In standard PSA one assumes a constant value for component failure rates by considering that the component doesn't experience any degradation that could affect its performance. Used in this manner, standard PSA tools do not adequately address important ageing issues, and this fact could have a significant impact on the conclusions drawn from PSA studies and applications, in conditions of operation of ageing plants. To obtain realistic results, it is necessary to consider in the PSA model the ageing effects, and to do that it is necessary to take into consideration the change in component failure rate as a function of component age. In case of ageing phenomena, this dependence causes the failure rate of a component (or a set of components) to increase in time as the component age increase. The paper ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Some considerations regarding ice load in risk-based dam safety analysis are presented for small concrete dams. The most significant physical mechanisms leading to ice thrust on dams (such as thermal expansion and water level fluctuations) are outlined. Published literature on dam ice loads to examine ice load magnitude-return period relationships, sliding and overstressing failure mechanisms and structural performance criteria to resist ice loads, are also reviewed. Related loading combinations for structural safety evaluations were determined regarding the issue of simultaneity of ice loads with other events such as earthquakes. Parametric analyses were conducted on a small gravity dam section, 3m high, and a taller dam, 17.9 m high, to demonstrate the ultimate ice load carrying capability as a function of dam geometry and shear and tensile strengths of construction joints. Since the failure mechanism of a dam subjected to excessive ice loads ...

CERN Document Server

Liquid-liquid wetting failure is investigated in a two-dimensional Couette system with two immiscible fluids of arbitrary viscosity. The problem is solved exactly using a sharp interface treatment of hydrodynamics (lubrication theory) as a function of the capillary number, viscous ratio and separation of scale, i.e. slip length versus macroscopic scale of the system. The existence of critical velocities, above which no stationary solutions are found, is analyzed in detail in terms of the relevant parameters of the system. Comparisons with existing analysis for other geometries are also carried out. A numerical method of analysis is also presented, based on diffuse interface models obtained from multiphase extensions of the lattice Boltzmann equation (LBE). Sharp interface and diffuse interface models are quantitatively compared face to face indicating the correct limit of applicability of the diffuse interface models.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper is concerned with the fracture analysis of thin cylindrical shells subject to secondary bending stresses with some degree of elastic follow-up. A P.Y.F.M. failure assessment route is utilised for an initial investigation. Results are presented graphically and indicate the differences obtained by considering the stresses as primary or secondary in nature. The Jsup(*) contour integral is computed from the results of a non-linear finite element analysis of a thermally loaded cracked cylinder. Comparison is made between Jsup(*) and the P.Y.F.M. failure criteria demonstrating the degree of conservatism in the latter. It is observed that LEFM may be appropriate for moderate load levels but that the elastic follow-up of the structure causes enhancement of Jsup(*) for higher loads, at which stage LEFM becomes non-conservative. (orig.).

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

RIFLE criteria have been used to determine the incidence of acute kidney dysfunction (AKD) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). However, no studies have focused on the incidence of AKD after OLT in patients with normal pre-OLT kidney functions. Using the RIFLE criteria, we determined the incidence and risk factors for AKD after OLT in patients with normal pre-OLT kidney function. We retrospectively analyzed the records of 112 patients who underwent OLT from January 2000 to February 2009 with normal prior kidney function. We investigated three levels of renal dysfunction outlined in the RIFLE criteria: risk (R); injury (I); and failure (F). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were collected. AKD occurred in 64 (57%) OLTs with risk, injury, and failure frequenc...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Objectives: Intra-operative cisplatin-based intra-peritoneal chemotherapy (IPC) may alter renal function in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. The aim of this study was to describe postoperative alteration of renal function after cisplatin-based IPC and to identify risk factors for moderate to severe acute renal failure. Study design: This prospective observational study was carried out on 77 consecutive patients who underwent cisplatin-based IPC procedures, with (n=23) or without (n=54) intra-peritoneal epinephrine, for advanced ovarian cancer. Postoperative renal function was assessed using serial serum creatinine measurements and was based on serum creatinine changes from pre-operative values, according to the risk, injury, failure, loss, end-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classificat...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report gives a brief introduction to the project `Probabilistic Design Tool for Wind Turbines` - PRODETO - which was carried out during the years 1996-98 with partial funding from the European Commission under the Non-Nuclear Energy Programme JOULE III. The report gives an overview of the objectives and motivation for the project, and the methodology used. In this context, an example of reliability-based wind turbine design against fatigue failure is outlined with emphasis on the various important steps herein, which include probabilistic load and resistance modelling, calculation of failure probability, and calibration of partial safety factors for use with a deterministic design code format. The results of the project are presented with emphasis on a developed computer program and its capabilities, and the various elements of an executed case study are outlined. A list of project reports concludes the report. (au)

Science.gov (United States)

The exposure and subsequent undermining of pier/abutment foundations through the scouring action of a flood can result in the structural failure of a bridge. Bridge scour is one of the leading causes of bridge failure. Bridges subject to periods of flood/high flow require monitoring during those times in order to protect the traveling public. In this study, an innovative scour monitoring system using button-like fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors was developed and applied successfully in the field during the Aere typhoon period in 2004. The in situ FBG scour monitoring system has been demonstrated to be robust and reliable for real-time scour-depth measurements, and to be valid for indicating depositional depth at the Dadu Bridge. The field results show that this system can function well and survive a typhoon flood.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A test program was conducted under contract to Sandia National Laboratories to investigate water/steam effects on elevated temperature low cycle fatigue and creep-fatigue of Alloy 800. This report presents interpretation and analysis of the test results. Tubular specimens with water sealed inside were cycled to failure under strain control. Tests were conducted to 616K (650/sup 0/F) and 922K (1200/sup 0/F); some at 922K included tensile or compressive hold periods to simulate creep-fatigue conditions. The tubular specimens showed significantly lower lives than solid bar specimens cycled at equivalent strain ranges. Rough internal surfaces contributed to early crack initiation with these specimens. Inclusion of hold periods caused further large reductions in cycles to failure.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Diurnal and seasonal thermal constancy, a greatly delayed seasonal temperature maximum, and summer cool and winter warm conditions characterize the stream environment below a deep-release dam in Colorado. Low diversity index and equitability values and changes in macroinvertebrate species composition may result from failure of the temperature regime to provide the thermal stimuli essential for various life-cycle phenomena. It is hypothesized that the following sublethal effects, directly or indirectly resulting from the modified temperature regime, may further alter macroinvertebrate community structure: reduction of niche overlap and a shift toward an equilibrium community as a consequence of reduced environmental fluctuation; more intense competition associated with greater productivity; elimination of major invertebrate predators; and failure of the limited temperature range to provide optimal temperatures for various physiological ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

The first cardiac pacemaker implants occurred in the late 1950s and involved insertion of epicardial or epimyocardial leads and abdominal pulse generators. By the mid 1960s, cardiologists were making attempts to insert transvenous leads into the right ventricle. These early unipolar leads had large, polished, high polarization electrodes, no fixation device, and no lumen in which to place a stylet for lead positioning. The lead implantation procedures were usually long and the irradiation to both patient and operator excessive. Pulse generators were powered by zinc-mercury cells, which were large, unreliable, and prone to sudden output failure. Postoperative complications such as lead dislodgement, exit block, and premature power source failure were very common with most patients requiring...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The author applies the GO methodology to reliability analysis of the offsite power supply system of Daya Bay NPP. The direct quantitative calculation formulas of the stable reliability target of the system with shared signals and the dynamic calculation formulas of the state probability for the unit with two states are derived. The method to solve the fault event sets of the system is also presented and all the fault event sets of the outer power supply system and their failure probability are obtained. The resumption reliability of the offsite power supply system after the stability failure of the power net is also calculated. The result shows that the GO methodology is very simple and useful in the stable and dynamic reliability analysis of the repairable system

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It has been acknowledged that river morphology and hydrology have been intensively altered due to the anthropic demands in floodplain land use and management, flood protection, promotion of navigability or energy production. Rivers were transformed in water highways, having lost contact with their surrounding floodplain as well as the plethora of ecological processes and occupants once thriving in these ecotonal zones. The identification of this emerging threat of morphological and hydrological alteration on ecological integrity adds further complexity in the exploitation of hydrosystem resources. These resources are heavily coveted and guarded by different lobbies each having strategic views on future project development. Stakeholders may want to promote hydro-electricity, ecologists a natural reserve, communes may wish to have an increased flood protection and leisure promoters a nautical center. As a result, the proposition of a river development project is ...

Environmental Research Database

DescriptionThis project investigates in silico the interactive consequences of breeding for parasite resistance and nutritional environment on livestock productivity. The thesis of the work is that conflicting evidence regarding the consequences of breeding for parasite resistance arises from the failure to consider the interactions between host genetics and nutritional environment. Starting with a framework that accounts for the consequences of host nutrition on the development of parasitism, we will (1 [continued...

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

The hepatic removal of albumin-bound substances from plasma requires that they dissociate from albumin. Using indirect methods, we and others have proposed that dissociation may be catalyzed by interaction...Full Text Available

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)

We report that the fission yeast nucleoporin Nup124p is required for the nuclear import of both, retrotransposon Tf1-Gag as well as the retroviral HIV-1 Vpr. Failure to import Tf1-Gag into the nucleus...Full Text Available

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Statistical data on individual types of foreign NPPs including reliability and safety indices are given. It is noted that capacity factors (CF) in 1985 were higher for PWRs. Japan has the highest CF-98.5% in the world. One of main causes of NPP shutdown remains the primary circuit equipment failure in connection with different corrosion types (intercrystalline, pitting, denting-corrosion etc.). Effect of all volatile treatment on enhancement of NPP reliabiity is shown. Technical BWR characteristics are presented.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

To make a quantitative comparison of risks between the SNR 300 and a modern PWR (Biblis B), the consequences of an accident or the extent of damage of a release of radionuclides to the environment due to an accident are estimated by computer programs for accident consequence models. The accident analysis includes an analysis of events for Bethe-Tait accidents with failure of the outer containment. The FGSB release rates are compared with those of the Society for Reactor Safety (GRS). (HP).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Solutions have been found for the problems encountered with the coil power and switching systems of the International Fusion Superconducting Magnet Test Facility (IFSMTF). The coil power system provides the filtered dc sources (+- 12 V dc; 25,000 A) for charging and discharging the coils of the IFSMTF experiment. The switching system provides the means of transferring the coil current into a dump resistor when a rapid discharge of a coil is required due to a coil failure (quench) or other system abnormalities.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The objective of this work group was to identify obstacles to the development of better risk management practices and performance standards in the pipeline industry. An outline of developments in pipeline risk assesment management was presented, including an update of the Risk Based Design and Assessment annex and other CSA Z662 code developments. It was suggested that progress in risk management require that acceptable levels of risk and reliability need to be defined. Environmental and safety consequence analysis was recommended, as well as failure frequency estimation and assessment of distribution systems. Guidelines for Integrity Management Programs (IMPs) were reviewed. It was noted that CSA Z662 will become mandatory for sour gas in 2005 and may become mandatory for all onshore pipelines in 2007. Operating company procedures in relation to hazards with significant consequences were discussed. It was noted that companies should assess risks associated with ...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Recent literature indicates that torsion of the left ventricle (LV) is a promising predictor for response to cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT). Among patients with severe heart failure, 45 to 75% of patients show rigid body rotation, where the base and apex rotate in the same direction, instead of normal, opposite rotation. The occurrence of this phenomenon seems to be a good indicator for response to CRT. From this review, it can be concluded that LV torsion might be a welcome addition to current selection criteria.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A thesis is presented on improving the understanding of the fatigue properties of wood and fatigue failure mechanisms in the design of wind turbine blades. Three main areas were researched: the effect of R ratio on fatigue life, the effect of moisture on fatigue life and the development of cumulative damage laws. Tests were carried out on mainly four-ply laminates. Recommendations to future work are outlined. (U.K.).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Mutation breeding in one of the cultigens TMV-5 in Sesamum is undertaken with 5 kr, 10 kr, 15 kr, 20 kr, 60 kr and 80 kr, dosages of gamma-rays. 60 kr and 80 kr dosages were found to be lethal from the complete failure of seed germination. The mutagen had a heterotic effect on the different characters and the promising variants obtained in this programme are proposed to be maintained by pureline breeding for their possible release as new varieties. (author).

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is desirable to avoid vibration problems by following appropriate guidelines and specifications at the design stage. Accordingly, design specifications were developed to prevent tube failures due to vibration in nuclear steam generators and liquid heat exchangers. These specifications are outlined in this report. (author). 14 refs., 2 figs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Fuel rod failures produce a release of fission products into primary coolant system. Since nuclear power plants have licensing limits for the release of volatile fission products to the environment (off-gas limits) detailed monitoring of the development of clad failure is necessary. In case of fuel rod failure a release of fission products into the primary coolant system arises. Fission gases accumulated in the free volume of a fuel rod escape through the clad defect. Water entering the fuel rod reacts with fission products, forming volatile chemical compounds. These may escape in a similar manner into the fission gases. Other compounds may dissolve and may be carried outside the fuel rod as dissolved species. Consequently, the distribution of these fission products, in the cross section of the fuel rod, is modified. An implementation of the maximum entropy gamma computed tomography technique is used to obtain such ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The history of explosives vapor detection includes almost every detection strategy known to man. Initial attempts to utilize these techniques were dismal failures. However, with the development of the Electron Capture Detector (ECD), the first promising detection of explosives vapors became possible. The present commercial explosives detectors detect the higher vapor pressure materials but not the whole spectrum. This paper describes the basic properties of explosives molecules and our research to utilize these properties for increased detection sensitivity.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Besides industrial agglomerations suffering from excessive pollution of water, air, and soil, there are areas in the German Democratic Republic where beautiful scenery at first glance seems to be intact owing to the absence of large industries. That environmental problems exist also in the coastal regions of the German Democratic Republic is shown in this report. Some of the environmental sins mentioned, which are due to human failure, would seem to the editor to be not just GDR specific. (orig.).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Using the Philips DRM distributed real-time multiprocessing system, designers can implement high-performance computer systems using VME hardware and the C programming language. The system provides a virtual-processing environment in which several 68000 CPUs share the workload. There are no centralized components, and tasks can be assumed by the rest of a system in the event of an individual processor's failure.

UK PubMed Central (United Kingdom)

1 Measurements of the binding of 12-alpha-[3H]-digoxin to the membranes of intact erythrocytes, erythrocytic 86rubidium uptake and intraerythrocytic sodium concentrations have been made in the red cells...Full Text Available

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This paper outlines aspects of the procedures adopted within Nuclear Electric plc for the assessment of Leak before Break arguments and the consequences arising from leakage and/or pipe failure. Only new aspects are considered such as creep, leakage, temperature and over pressure assessments and pipe whip. 7 refs.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

In the report the results of the estimations of radiological risk of various stages of decommissioning of nuclear submarines are presented. At occurrence on nuclear submarine the heavy failure, relating to the class hypotetical volume of acting of radionuclides in atmosphere can reach 1.6E(15) Bq. Results of estimations probable doses on an axis of a trace of a radioactive loop show, that at distribution of radionuclides during atmospheric carry to 'agreed' settlement (500-1000 m) the maximum doses on its territory can make: about 6.0E(-3) Sv (for the whole body); 3.0E(-3) Gy for the leather (basal layer); 6.3E(-2) Gy for the lungs (acute exposure) and up to 1.8 Gy for the thyroid gland. Hypotetical failure for the estimation of the greatest possible radioecological consequences for hydrobiocenosis is considering, connected with single discharge of liquid radioactive waste (LRW) in water area. At navigating failure of the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Uniaxial low-cycle fatigue and creep-fatigue tests have been carried out on hollow alloy 800 specimens that were filled with steam. Two testing temperatures were employed, each with its own steam condition. These temperatures and steam conditions were 650/sup 0/F with saturated steam (5% liquid, 95% vapor) and 1200/sup 0/F with superheated steam at 2200 psi. The low-cycle fatigue tests were carried out at both 650/sup 0/F and 1200/sup 0/F by cycling the strain between equal tensile and compressive magnitudes until specimen failure or until it was no longer practical to continue the test. The creep-fatigue tests were carried out to failure by cycling the strain in the same fashion as in the low-cycle fatigue tests but with holds imposed at either the peak tensile strain or the peak compressive strain or at both peak tensile and compressive strains in each loading cycle.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Since the mid-1990s, nuclear power plants in Korea have experienced wall thinning, leaks, and ruptures of secondary side piping caused by flow-accelerated corrosion (FAC). The pipe failures have increased as operating time progresses. In order to prevent the FAC-induced pipe failures and to develop an effective FAC management strategy, KEPRI and KOPEC have conducted a study for developing systematic FAC management technology for secondary side piping of all Korean nuclear power plants. As a part of the study, FAC analyses were performed using the CHECWORKS code. The analysis results were used to select components for inspection and to determine inspection intervals on each nuclear power plant. This paper describes the introduction of the FAC analysis method and the wall thinning trend analysis results by reactor type, system, and water treatment amine. This paper also represents the site application feasibility for secondary side piping ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The 6911 m long Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) at CERN with a peak energy of 450 GeV is at the top of the LHC preaccelerator-complex. Apart from the LHC, the SPS is with the Tevatron the accelerator with the largest stored beam energy of up to 2.5 MJ. The SPS has a known vulnerability to fast equipment failures that led to an uncontrolled loss of a high intensity beam in 2008, which resulted in major damage of a main dipole. The beam loss was caused by a fast tune decrease towards an integer resonance. Simulations and distinct experimental studies provide clear understanding of the beam dynamics at different SPS tune resonances. Diverging closed orbit oscillations, dispersion explosion and increased beta-beating are the driving effects that lead to a complete beam loss in as little as 10 turns (230 {mu}s) after reaching the stop band of the resonance. Dedicated experiments of fast failures of the main power converters reveal that the current ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

It is of utmost importance to have a computer code in order to analyze how different parameters (like test duration time) affect the unavailability of safety systems of nuclear. In this context, a study was performed in order to evaluate the model employed by the FRANTIC computer code, which performs detailed calculations on the contribution to the system unavailability originated by hardware failures, component tests and repairs, aiming at considering the influence of different test schemes on the system unavailability. It was shown, by means of the results attained that the numerical model used by the FRANTIC code and the analytical model proposed by APOSTOLAKIS and CHU (4) give unavailability values much similar when the component tests are supposed to be perfect. When a test is supposed to be imperfect (that is, when it may induce a test is supposed to be imperfect (that is, when it may induce a failure on the component being tested), the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Steam generators (SG) are the weak link of nuclear power plants, their service life is shorter than the service life of other NPP components. This paper is dedicated to a statistical analysis of SG damages and failures. Heat exchanging tubes (HET) are the most damaged elements in SG, there are on average 286 plugged or repaired tubes in each operating SG. The usually mechanisms of tube failure are the following: denting, corrosion at tube outside, pitting, fretting, and circular crack propagation. Most of damages are located in the transition zone above a tube plate. This study shows that the factors that are involved in the SG HET fault probability are: - design features of SG and secondary equipment elements (high pressure feed heaters (HPFH), low pressure feed heater (LPFH)), - water chemistry at different points of condensate feed pipe, composition and density of deposits on HET surface, efficiency of mechanical and chemical washing, - the ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The requirements to design nuclear power plants for the effects of an instantaneous double-ended guillotine break (DEGB) of the reactor coolant piping have led to excessive design costs, interference with normal plant operation and maintenance, and unnecessary radiation exposure of plant maintenance personnel. This report describes an aspect of the NRC/Lawrence Livermore National laboratory-sponsored research program aimed at investigating whether the probability of DEGB in Reactor Coolant Loop Piping of nuclear power plants is acceptably small such that the requirements to design for the DEGB effects (e.g., provision of pipe whip restraints) may be removed. This study estimates the probability of indirect DEGB in Reactor Coolant piping as a consequence of seismic-induced structural failures within the containment of the GE supplied boiling water reactor at the Brunswick nuclear power plant. The median probability of indirect DEGB was estimated to be 2 x 10/sup -8/ ...

Science.gov (United States)

The variation of metallic particle size and sample porosity significantly alters the dynamic mechanical properties of high density granular composite materials processed using a cold isostatically pressed mixture of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), aluminum (Al), and tungsten (W) powders. Quasistatic and dynamic experiments are performed with identical constituent mass fractions with variations in the size of the W particles and pressing conditions. The relatively weak polymer matrix allows the strength and fracture modes of this material to be governed by the granular type behavior of agglomerated metal particles. A higher ultimate compressive strength was observed in relatively high porosity samples with small W particles compared to those with coarse W particles in all experiments. Mesoscale granular force chains of the metallic particles explain this unusual phenomenon as observed in hydrocode simulations of a drop-weight test. Macrocracks forming below the critical ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code (BPVC) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has introduced a risk based approach into Section XI that covers Rules for Inservice Inspection of Nuclear Power Plant Components. The risk based approach requires application of the probabilistic risk assessments (PRA). Because no industry consensus standard existed for PRAs, ASME has developed a standard to evaluate the quality level of an available PRA needed to support a given risk based application. The paper describes the PRA standard, Section XI application of PRAs, and plans for broader applications of PRAs to other ASME nuclear codes and standards. The paper addresses several specific topics of interest to Section XI. Important consideration are special methods (surrogate components) used to overcome the lack of PRA treatments of passive components in PRAs. The approach allows calculations of conditional core damage probabilities both for component failures ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This paper begins with an introduction to Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (GNPS) and gives a simple introduction to the operations and maintenance documentation system at GNPS. It then will review the maintenance program guidelines base and the associated problems prior to the application of reliability centered maintenance (RCM). How RCM was implemented at GNPS, how the results of RCM analysis were used to optimize the maintenance program and test program, and what is the interface between RCM and the existing maintenance program will be shown. Next, it will show the successful implementation of RCM at GNPS resulted in the following changes: A new understanding of equipment failure challenges operations and maintenance beliefs, maintenance concepts undergo a large change, maintenance program and periodic testing program are continuously modified and optimized, new on-condition maintenance technologies are introduced, non-productive scheduled overhauls are ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Microstructural evolution due to thermal effects was studied in micro solder joints (55 {+-} 5 {micro}m). The composition of the Sn/Pb solder studied was found to be hypereutectic with a tin content of 65--70 wt%.This was determined by Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis and confirmed with quantitative stereology. The quantitative stereological value of the surface-to-volume ratio was used to characterize and compare the coarsening during thermal cycling from 0--160 C to the coarsening during annealing at 160 C. The initial coarsening of the annealed samples was more rapid than the cycled samples, but tapered off as time to the one-half as expected. Because the substrates to which the solder was bonded have different thermal expansion coefficients, the cycled samples experienced a mechanical strain with thermal cycling. The low-strain cycled samples had a 2.8% strain imposed on the solder and failed by 1,000 cycles, despite undergoing less coarsening than the annealed samples. The ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The failure rate of dashpots has been determined on the basis of the results of annually recurring function tests on hydraulic dashpots, in order to determine the effects of longer test cycles on the safety of systems GKN I and GKN II. The use of a calculation method made it possible to establish the number of defective dashpots in the system as a whole. A subsequent investigation illustrated the way in which this figure changes when the test interval is increased from four to ten years, and the effects of this on system safety. (orig.) [Deutsch] Zur Ermittlung der Auswirkungen verlaengerter Pruefzyklen auf die Sicherheit der Anlagen GKN I und GKN II wurde, basierend auf Ergebnisse der jaehrlichen Funktionspruefung an hydraulischen Stossbremsen, die Fehlerrate der Stossbremsen bestimmt. Mit Hilfe eines Berechnungsverfahrens konnte die Anzahl maengelbehafteter Stossbremsen in der Gesamtanlage bestimmt werden. Eine anschliessende Untersuchung zeigte, wie sich dieser ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The Four years of the IMPACT, 'Integrated Modular Plant Analysis and Computing Technology', project Phase 1 have been completed. The verification study of Severe Accident Analysis Code SAMPSON prototype developed in Phase 1 was conducted in two steps. First, each analysis module was run independently and analysis results were compared and verified against separate-effect test data with good results. Second, with the Simulation Supervisory System, up to 11 analysis modules were executed concurrently in the parallel environment (currently, NUPEC uses IBM-SP2 with 72 process elements), to demonstrate the code capability and integrity. The target plant was Surry as a typical PWR and the initiation events were a 10-inch cold leg failure. The analysis is divided to two cases; one is in-vessel retention analysis when the gap cooling is effective (In-vessel scenario test), the other is analysis of phenomena event is extended to ex-vessel due to the Reactor Pressure Vessel ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The efficacy of external flooding of a reactor vessel as a severe accident management strategy is assessed for an AP600-like reactor design. The overall approach is based on the Risk Oriented Accident Analysis Methodology (ROAAM), and the assessment includes consideration of bounding scenarios and sensitivity studies, as well as arbitrary parametric evaluations that allow the delineation of the failure boundaries. Quantification of the input parameters is carried out for an AP600-like design, and the results of the assessment demonstrate that lower head failure is physically unreasonable. Use of this conclusion for any specific application is subject to verifying the required reliability of the depressurization and cavity-flooding systems, and to showing the appropriateness (in relation to the database presented here, or by further testing as necessary) of the thermal insulation design and of the external surface properties of the lower head, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Most designers are not schooled in the area of human-interaction psychology and therefore tend to rely on the traditional ergonomic aspects of human factors when designing complex human-interactive workstations. Unfortunately, by ignoring the importance of the integration of the user interface at the psychophysiological level, the result can be ineffective use of a system leading to an inherently error- and failure-prone system. Therefore, to minimize failures in a human-interactive system, it is essential that designers understand how each user`s processing characteristics affect how the user gathers and processes information. By understanding the significant processing characteristics of the user, designers can implement practical and effective visual displays (or any other type of system) that are more desirable to all users. The material presented in this paper is based on a general study that involved users` perspective views of how visual ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report provides an assessment of the designs of turret and swivel systems for floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels and floating storage Units (FSU) which are either purpose built or converted from tankers. Use of FPSO and FSO in the North Sea with the move to subsea and deepwater production is discussed, and the background to FPSO and FSU turret systems is traced. Details are given of general issues relating to ship structure, systems affecting the turret, swivel systems, mooring systems, turret loading, scaffolding and support structure, on-board personnel, and construction standards. Turret system components and types are described, and failure modes, operation and safety relevant components are examined. Inspection and maintenance, examples of good and poor practice, and applicable regulations are considered. Annexes list UK installations and present information on individual turret design, fluid transfer systems, system manufacturers, ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Some of the smaller sports- und travel aircrafts are still propelled by piston engines. The first part of the article looks into some characteristic damage incidents that occur in aircraft engines. Not surprisingly, vibration fatigue failure happens most frequently. Apart from technical faults it is surprisingly lack of fuel that accounts for the high incidence of engine failure (one third). Flight turbines occasionally fail due to vibration fatigue of component parts. Added to this thermal fatigue cracks and damage due to overheating may occur in a gas turbine while the compressor parts may be affected by corrosion. (orig.) [German] Ein erheblicher Teil der kleineren Sport- und Reiseflugzeuge ist auch heute noch mit Kolbentriebwerken ausgestattet. Im ersten Teil des Aufsatzes werden daher einige charakteristische Schaeden an Flugmotoren vorgestellt. Als Versagensart dominiert erwartungsgemaess der Schwingbruch (Dauerbruch). Neben den technisch ...

Science.gov (United States)

In the course of previous composite structures test programs, the need for and the feasibility of developing analyses for scale-up effects has been demonstrated. The analysis techniques for scale-up effects fall into two categories. The first category pertains to developing analysis methods independently for a single, unique failure mode in composites, and using this compendium of analysis methods together with a global structural model to identify and predict the response and failure mode of full-scale built-up structures. The second category of scale-up effects pertains to similitude in structural validation testing. In this latter category, dimensional analysis is used to develop scale-up laws that enable extrapolation of sub-scale component test data to full-scale structures. This viewgraph presentation describes the approach taken and some developments accomplished in the first category of analysis for scale-up effects. Layup dependence of ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The application of HVDC system to the trunk power supply system requires the transmission of DC power as much as possible to improve the stability of the whole AC/DC system. To meet this requirement, continued pulse system, which keeps sending a DC current even when an AC voltage lowers remarkably, has been used. The stability is much more improved by adding damping control which modulates converter active and/or reactive power. In order to make full use of such control effects, it is important that the HVDC system maintains stable operation during faults and reclosing of the AC system. In particular, it is necessary to prevent a repetitive commutation failure following the unbalanced AC transmission line faults. In this paper, the cause of the repetitive commutation failure is discussed by using the AC-DC power system simulator developed by CRIEPI. Based on the analytical result, a stabilization control scheme with on-line extinction angle ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

BC Hydro recently conducted a demonstration test of a bearing condition monitor. The test, at the 529-MW Kootenay Canal project, proved the ability of the monitor to detect machine condition faults. The capability to detect changing conditions during normal operation of hydroelectric machines gives hydro plant owners the opportunity to anticipate needed maintenance and ultimately to reduce the number of equipment failures. BC Hydro intends to install bearing condition monitors, as well as windings monitors, brushgear monitors, environmental monitors, and other selected systems in as many as 46 of its hydro generators. BC Hydro analyzed forced outages between 1985 and 1989 in its hydro system to identify which parts of a generating unit resulted in the highest number of hours of outage. From there, the utility has formulated a concept for a machine condition monitoring system. To keep the system cost effective, it will be developed in modules. In this way, users can ...

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 completing oil and gas wells that minimizes the ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The super simulator 'SAMPSON' has been developed to show that there exist certain safety margins for light water reactors under hypothetical severe accidents and to investigate realistic measures of accident management by simulating accidents with a parallel computer. Heat-up of fuel rods and release of fission products from fuels are important factors to evaluate source terms. Models for fuel rod heat-up, hydrogen production due to cladding oxidation and cladding deformation and failure in the core region have been developed in the fuel rod heat-up analysis module. Fuel temperatures were calculated by solving the heat conduction equation. The calculated results for fuel temperature and hydrogen production were compared with CORA-13 experiment results. The comparisons showed prediction capability for the heat-up of fuel rods. The fission product release analysis module incorporates with models for fission product transport within fuel pellets, release from fuel ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report presents the results of analysis of selected data from the NRU test series dealing with heatup and reflood heat transfer during postulated PWR LOCA conditions. These tests used nuclear fuel rods and some considered clad ballooning and rupture. Also included was an electrically-heated rod ballooning test, REBEKA-6. The COBRA-TF computer program, renamed PYTHONS, was modified and used for the analytical tool. Modifications included provisions for fuel rod gas flow and pressure, creep deformation and rupture, channel blockage, and blockage heat transfer. Calculated clad temperatures for NRU unpressurized rods show quite good agreement with experimental data. The calculated amount and axial extent of clad ballooning for pressurized rods agrees reasonably well with post-test examinations of the NRU bundles. Time to failure was underpredicted in the MT-3 test as a result of the high strength of NRU clad material which was not represented in the PYTHONS creep ...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

The gel electrolyte for the zinc-air cell was prepared by mixing hydroponics gel with a 6M potassium hydroxide aqueous solution. The self-discharge of cells was characterized by measuring the open-circuit voltage. The effect of a discharge rate of 50mA constant current on cell voltage and plateau hour, as well as the voltage-current and current density-power density were measured and analysed. The electrode degradation after discharge cycling was characterized by structural and surface methods. The oxidation of the electrode surface further blocked the utilization of the Zn anode and was identified as a cause for the failure of the cell. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Ferrography is a technique for isolating wear particle debris from lubricating and hydraulic oils, the presence of which carry with them a history of the wear processes in the machine. Thus, the technique has fundamental applications in machine condition monitoring and failure prevention. The wear particles are significant in the metal types that are present in the particle distribution as an indication of the wearing machine components and in the particle size distribution and morphology which indicates the severity of wear in the system. In this paper, the fundamental principles which describe the working of the ferrograph, concentrating on the working of the on-line ferrograph are discussed. The significance of equilibrium particle concentration in the oil system and its measurement using the ferrograph are also discussed.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Solid solution-strengthened nickel base alloys have been used for nuclear stream generator tubing in pressurized water reactors since the beginnings of commercial nuclear power. The purpose of this paper is to recap and update the authors understanding of the relationship between processing, resulting structure, and properties for Alloy 600 and to discuss the requirements for optimized performance in both primary and secondary environments. Potential replacement materials and their performance will be discussed. Also discussed is the role and importance of system chemistry, bulk and local, and control and its relationship to performance. A discussion of potential mechanisms of environmentally assisted failure is also discussed.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-@b) has a crucial role in the differentiation of ectodermal cells to neural or epidermal precursors. TGF-@b and bone morphogenetic protein molecules (BMPs) are involved in many developmental processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis, mitotic arrest and intercellular interactions during morphogenesis. Additionally, the failure of central thymic tolerance mechanisms, leading to T cells with a skewed autoreactive response, is being described as a contributor in inflammatory processes in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Since TGF-@b and BMP proteins are crucial for the development of the neural system and the thymus, as well as for the differentiation of T cells, it is essential to further investigate their role i...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The objective of this study is to comprehend the basic structural characteristics of box shaped mixed structures proposed for a future nuclear reactor building structure. Specimens of reinforced concrete precast panel walls of the mixed structures were prepared using ultrahigh strength materials. Two bending shear tests were conducted with a parameter of the quantity of reinforcement bars. The results include: (1) Relationship of shear stress and the angle of the structure, and (2) Failure mode. (author)

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

A stochastic analysis is presented of the probability of overtopping of a dam. The discussion is based on the case of a dam for a small water storage reservoir which has recently been constructed in the Saar district in the FRG. The problem is first solved by means of a simulation method. However, it is possible to describe the result of the sumulation method by means of a much simpler model which is based on a solution of the failure integral of Freudenthal for uncorrelated resistances and loads. It is shown that the actual safety of this dam against overtopping is extremely sensitive to both the operation rule for the reservoir, and the freeboard allowance. Some general conclusions are derived from this study for assisting in the ongoing discussion of dam safety. (6 figs, 1 tab, 7 refs)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

High power and particle deposition on target materials are encountered in many applications including magnetic and inertial fusion devices, nuclear and high energy physics applications, and laser and discharge produced plasma devices. Surface and structural damage to plasma-facing components due to the frequent loss of plasma confinement remains a serious problem for the Tokamak reactor concept. The deposited plasma energy causes significant surface erosion, possible structural failure, and frequent plasma contamination.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

The risk analysis was carried out in consideration of conditions prevailing at the Kalkar site analogous to the investigations in phase A of DRS (German Reactor Study). Earthquake design loads include the probabilities of upper deviations of the site intensities to be expected. The calculations of dynamic loads for select buildings are made using models and computational methods. Component analyses were performed analogous to DRS for the supports of large components, supports of the roof construction of the reactor building taking into account support reserves due to plastic work capacity, wall disks in steam generator buildings and switchboard plant buildings. (DG).

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

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

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Severe pitting corrosion occurred in a horizontal steel pipeline used to transport multiphase fluid, including water, oil, and natural gas, after 2 months of service. The pitting corrosion rate was up to 42 mm/year. Chemical analysis, X-ray diffractometry, and EDAX showed that the corrosion products mainly consisted of Fe9S8, FeCO3, and NaCl. Calcium containing inclusions were also found in the matrix of the steel, which may accelerate corrosion. The early failure was attributed to the high proportion of water, the slow flow velocity, and the use of unqualified material. (Author)

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

An experimental technique is described which allows for parametric investigations of transient behavior of mobile core materials in a fuel bundle geometry. For the out-of-pile simulation of energy releases resulting from mild TOP- or LOF-accidents the exothermic reaction of an aluminium-oxide-thermite is used. Transient material relocation inside the test section is recorded by X-ray-cinematography. Results of some experiments recently performed close to conditions expected to be achieved during mild TOP-accidents are described in detail.

Environmental Research Database

DescriptionRoot-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are major nematode pests of most tropical crops, making roots less efficient at withdrawing nutrients and water from soil, sometimes causing the total failure of crops grown by resource-poor farmers in Africa. Nematicides are some of the most toxic products used in crop protection, and are inappropriate or too expensive for use on most crops in Africa and there is an urgent need for new methods of nematode management. The fungus Pochonia chlamydosporia is [continued...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of moral conflicts in information systems development by studying student perceptions in an information systems (IS) project course implemented in close collaboration with information technology firms. Design/methodology/approach - The paper is based on an empirical case study. Students' perceptions of moral conflicts were gathered through diaries, drawings, and questionnaires; and the analysis was inspired by phenomenography. Findings - The analysis reveals six types of moral conflicts. Students face conflicts related to their work tasks and to human and outside parties, and inherent in them is an inclination to moral failure in terms of doing something they perceive to be morally wrong, and also the desire for moral success...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Thermal striping is identified as one of the causes of thermal fatigue failure in nuclear power plants. Numerical studies of thermal striping require three-dimensional, unsteady turbulent modeling that resolves both large and small-scale turbulent motions. Benchmark studies were carried out using the LES turbulence model solved by the commercial CFD code FLUENT. Two types of mixing tee configurations were modeled to evaluate the performance of the CFD code. The simulation results presented in normalized average temperature and normalized fluctuating temperatures are in good agreement with measurements.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

In the study a preliminary mid-term analysis of the BARCOM test model is presented. The BARCOM test model is a 1:4 scale of an existing pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR) pre-stressed concrete inner containment of 540 MW Tarapur Atomic Power Station 3 and 4 units in India. The goal of this midterm analysis is to illustrate the modeling approach and achieve a prediction of the failure mode. The analysis was carried out using ABAQUS/CAE and ABAQUS/EXPLICIT version 6.7-EF1 software

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This study does not recommend the use of a pressure vessel made of integral stainless steel, due to the failure mechanisms under stress corrosion assisted by chlorides or polythionic acid. Are presented case studies of literature and analysis of reports of proceedings of RLAM reactors, showing that the materials produced by bimetallic clad overlay or are more appropriate, in terms of integrity, for use in equipment that the internal environment requires austenitic stainless steel specification.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Transmissions of sperm by unirradiated and irradiated cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa armigera, were studied by live dissection of females immediately after the initiation of mating. In cotton bollworm the sperm transfer was rather a complex process. In fact unirradiated males failed to transfer sperm in about 19% of their matings. When irradiated with 250 Gy and 400 Gy, aberrations of sperm transmission were about 21% and 50% respectively. The failure of spermatophore 'cap' location was an important reason of sperm transmission aberrations. When females mated to high-dose-irradiated males, their oviposition response appeared abnormal

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Papers are presented under 38 symposia. Subjects included reinforced concrete, protective coatings and linings, cathodic/anodic protection, chemical cleaning of boilers, managing corrosion with plastics, water treatment, HRSG boiler tube failure analysis, corrosion in oil and gas production, corrosion in petroleum refining and gas, processing, pipelines and tanks, high temperature materials, chemical process industry, aerospace equipment, materials technology developments for incinerators and waste fuel-fired processors, materials and corrosion in fossil-fuels conversion and combustion, corrosion in nuclear systems, marine corrosion, building systems, corrosion mechanisms, corrosion inhibitors and corrosion monitoring and measurement.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Marburg virus belongs to the genus Marburgvirus in the family Filoviridae and causes a severe hemorrhagic fever, known as Marburg hemorrhagic fever (MHF), in both humans and nonhuman primates. Similar to the more widely known Ebola hemorrhagic fever, MHF is characterized by systemic viral replication, immunosuppression and abnormal inflammatory responses. These pathological features of the disease contribute to a number of systemic dysfunctions including hemorrhages, edema, coagulation abnormalities and, ultimately, multiorgan failure and shock, often resulting in death. A detailed understanding of the pathological processes that lead to this devastating disease remains elusive, a fact that contributes to the lack of licensed vaccines or effective therapeutics. This article will review the...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Pitting corrosion can be considered as a combination of two physical processes: the pit generation process and its depth growth process. Both processes are uncertain and can be modeled by stochastic processes. A model that combines two stochastic processes to describe pitting corrosion was developed. In this model, the pit generation process is represented by the Poisson process, and the pit depth growth process is modeled by the Markov process. The probability distribution of corrosion pit depth and the probability of time-to-failure are derived based upon the combined stochastic processes. Examples of the use of this method in dealing with experimental data also were developed.

Science.gov (United States)

Patients with end stage renal failure (ESRD) require renal replacement therapy in the form of dialysis or renal transplantation. There is an increasing number of people receiving maintenance dialysis as patients with ESRD are increasing faster than the supply of transplantable organs. The mortality rate on dialysis is 4-6 times that of the general population and is substantially reduced by transplantation. For the past 8 years, dialysis research has focused on improving patient outcomes and quality of life on dialysis. This review examines recent advances in haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in a historical context and considers future research possibilities. PMID:19329705

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Control of pressure transients in a hydraulic system may be important and necessary to avoid failures and to improve the efficiency of operation. Flow restricting devices can result in a decrease in the peak pressure, but may change the response time. The response time has an important effect on both operator and operator perceived smoothness. The response time should correspond to how fast a system responds to a given disturbance at the system boundary. Occasionally the appropriate response time is not easily determined. This study is on the response time characteristics in the hydraulic system studied for the control of response time.

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

This study was designed to identify abnormalities in the hepatic-arterial/portal-venous scintiangiogram (SA) in alcoholic hepatitis (AH). SA's were performed in 35 patients with acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH), 8; acute alcoholic hepatitis superimposed on cirrhosis (A/C), 14; and cirrhosis (C), 13. Posterior flows were done with a bolus of 10 mCi Tc-99m sulfur colloid with computer time-activity curves over the liver and left kidney. Curves were analyzed for per cent of hepatic arterial (HA) and portal venous contribution using the slope ratio method. Hepatic arterialization was estimated from the angle of the HA component of the curve. Reversal of the relative contribution of the hepatic and portal components of total flow were seen in all groups. Although quite severe in AH, the degree of reversal could not be used to differentiate among the groups. The average HA angle in AAH was 48.3 +- 8.1, in A/C 41.5 +- 10.6, and in C 30.4 +- 12.1. In reviewing the data of only those in 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, ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: Extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare malignancy. Despite radical resection, survival remains poor, with high rates of local and distant failure. To clarify the role of radiotherapy with chemotherapy, we performed a retrospective analysis of resected patients who had undergone chemoradiotherapy. Methods and Materials: A total of 45 patients (13 with proximal and 32 with distal disease) underwent resection plus radiotherapy (median dose, 50.4 Gy). All but 1 patient received concurrent fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy. The median follow-up was 30 months for all patients and 40 months for survivors. Results: Of the 45 patients, 33 underwent adjuvant radiotherapy, and 12 were treated neoadjuvantly. The 5-year actuarial overall survival, disease-free survival, metastasis-free survival, and locoregional control rates were 33%, 37%, 42%, and 78%, respectively. The median survival was 34 months. No patient died perioperatively. Patient age #<=#60 years ...

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Purpose: To determine if involved field radiation (IF) is equivalent to standard whole bone radiation (SF) in local tumor control; to establish patterns of failure following treatment; and to determine response, event free (EFS) and overall survival rates from multi-disciplinary therapy in Ewing's Sarcoma (ES). Materials and Methods: Between 1983 and 1988, 184 children with ES were enrolled onto POG 8346. 178 (97%) met eligibility criteria; 6 had non-ES pathology. Induction treatment of Cyclophosphamide/Adriamycin (C/A) x 12 weeks was followed by local treatment either surgery or radiation therapy (XRT) and C/A, Dactinomycin and Vincristine for 50 weeks. Resection was advised for patients with small primary tumors if accomplished without functional loss. 40 patients were randomized to receive SF, whole bone XRT to 39.6 Gy plus a 16.2 Gy boost (total 55.8 Gy) or IF to 55.8 Gy while 84 were assigned to IF XRT. Results: Of 179 eligible patients, 141 (79%) had ...

Science.gov (United States)

A computer was built for use with the NRU reactor to solve the problem of Xe/sup 135/ concentrations. The effect of any changes in reactor on Xe/sup 135/ concentration can be predicted and steps taken to avoid poisoning out. An electromechanical system was used for the computer to avoid the inherent disadvantages that electronic analog computers present for problems of very long solution times. The electromechanical analog computer has a high order of reliability and contains no vaccum tubes, commutators, slip rings, relays, or aluminum electrolytic capacitors. It is insensitive to transient disturbarce. In the event of failure of components or interruption of line voltage, it will retain existing information. The computer was designed for ~ 1% accuracy in Xe/ sup 135/ concentration readings. (W.D.M.)

Science.gov (United States)

Oncospheres produced by a nonirradiated worm and oncospheres produced by a worm that had been subjected to high gamma radiation (successive generations of cysticercoids were irradiated with 15,000 r until a cumulative dose of 120,000 r was obtained) were compared. Radiation had no effect on the sizes of the embryos, the shell, and the median hooks. Radiation may have resulted in certain large, hookless embryos that did not occur in the normal worm. Two anomalies, reduced hook number and failure of growth, were more frequent in the normal than in the irradiated worm. This result, although surprising, can be explained by the high selection pressure operating under the experimental conditions. (auth)

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

This review describes how a mismatch between the knowledge produced by scientists and the evidence demanded by regulators has emerged, and how society has struggled to find definitive answers to questions of safety, for an important flame retardant chemical in current use ? Deca-BDE. This has involved two key disciplines: analytical chemistry and toxicology. Within the chemistry, a lack of standardized methodologies among scientists has resulted in a persistent yet largely undeclared failure to replicate results within the discipline. Within the toxicology, the quest for innovative, curiosity-driven research by university scientists in preference to using validated standard protocols, designed to promote consistency within the risk assessment process, has prompted questions about the credi...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Difficulty in recalling the names of people is very common in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease and in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, it is not known whether the difficulty in naming people in MCI reflects problems associated with lexical access or with semantic access. The aims of the present study were to investigate semantic and phonological access to proper names by use of a Tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) task in individuals with multidomain amnestic MCI, individuals with amnestic MCI, and healthy controls, as well as to study the relationships between TOT production and performance in a free recall verbal memory test. In the individuals with multidomain amnestic MCI, the main process affected was phonological access; failures in phonological access were related to deficits i...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

There is limited information on the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) although AKI may contribute to morbidity and mortality. We investigated the incidence of AKI in patients with moderate and severe TBI and the association of AKI with risk factors and outcomes in these patients. We studied all TBI patients over 16 years of age admitted to the two designated trauma hospitals in the state of Victoria, Australia from 1 January to 31 December 2008. Patients were included if they had head trauma and presented with a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) <13. Prospectively collected data from the hospital trauma registries, ICUs, and pathology databases were analyzed retrospectively. Risk injury failure loss end (RIFLE) criteria were used to categorize rena...

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Purpose To evaluate disease failure patterns and overall survival (OS) of women with triple-negative (TN) breast cancer who underwent breast-conserving therapy (BCT) and to understand the relationship of TN tumors with other prognostic factors. Patients and Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry identified 562 women diagnosed and/or treated with unilateral invasive breast cancer during 2003?2004 at three Emory hospitals. After medical record review, 193 eligible women, with all tumor types, received BCT. Primary endpoints (local, regional, and distant recurrences) and secondary endpoint (OS) were evaluated using chi-square tests and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Of the 193 women, 33 (17.1%) had TN tumors and 160 (82.9%) had non-TN tumors. Patient...

Science.gov (United States)

The Darrieus-type Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) presents a variety of unusual structural problems to designers. The level of understanding of these structural problems governs, to a large degree, the success or failure of today's rotor designs. A survey is presented of the technology available for rotor structural design with emphasis on the DOE research program now underway. Itemizations are included of the major structural issues unique to the VAWT along with discussion of available analysis techniques for each problem area. It is concluded that tools are available to at least approximately address the most important problems. However, experimental data for confirmation is rather limited in terms of volume and the range of rotor configurations tested.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Corrosion is a materials degradation process that engineering personnel in the pulp and paper industry have had to accept as unavoidable to some degree, due to aggressive processing conditions prevalent in paper mills. The increasing incidence of corrosion-related failures in plant and equipment has resulted in the introduction of new techniques to monitor corrosion rates, since many of the more traditional methods do not provide data that is either recent or accurate enough. Thin layer activation (TLA) is a new corrosion monitoring technique which has recently been employed to measure corrosion trends inside a continuous pulp digester. With TLA a surface is irradiated by a particle beam from a nuclear accelerator, causing it to be labelled with an accurate depth profile and low level radioactivity. By monitoring this activity, it is possible to calculate how much of the surface has been removed by corrosion. 14 refs., 7 figs., 4 tabs.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

This report reviews system safety analysis methods and examines their application to nuclear waste management systems. The safety analysis methods examined include expert opinion, maximum credible accident approach, design basis accidents approach, hazard indices, preliminary hazards analysis, failure modes and effects analysis, fault trees, event trees, cause-consequence diagrams, G0 methodology, Markov modeling, and a general category of consequence analysis models. Previous and ongoing studies on the safety of waste management systems are discussed along with their limitations and potential improvements. The major safety methods and waste management safety related studies are surveyed. This survey provides information on what safety methods are available, what waste management safety areas have been analyzed, and what are potential areas for future study.

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Steel structures immersed in seawater are protected from corrosion using cathodic protection systems (sacrificial anodes or impressed current), by paint coatings or by duplex systems in which cathodic protection hinders corrosion at coating's failure sites. The main problem related to those duplex systems is how to avoid cathodic delamination due to the alkalinity generated at cathodic sites. The present paper analyses the effectiveness of red mud suspensions as pre-treatment to avoid cathodic delamination. The study was conducted using mainly electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The evolution of the electrode potential with immersion time was also recorded because it concerns the practical aspect of current density necessary to reach the protection potential. The study shows that red mud pre-treatments are effective in avoiding coating's delamination. (author)

Science.gov (United States)

Transcatheter coil embolization for coronary artery to left ventricular fistula was successfully performed in a neonate. At 30 weeks' gestation, fetal echocardiography showed a hypoplastic right ventricle with intact ventricular septum, absent pulmonary valve, tricuspid atresia, and marked distension of the right coronary artery. After birth, the neonate had congestive heart failure and the electrocardiogram showed myocardial ischemic changes in the left ventricular area. Aortography showed a dilated right coronary artery arising from the ascending aorta and draining into the left ventricle. Transcatheter coil embolization was carried out on the 9th day after birth. Since the procedure, no myocardial ischemic changes have been detected. Transcatheter coil embolization is a useful therapy for coronary artery fistula associated with myocardial ischemia. PMID:15564713

International Nuclear Information System (INIS)

Until a decade ago, only the differential bobbin type eddy current probe was considered necessary for reliable heat exchanger tube inspection. The introduction of different tube materials, manufacturing processes and a variety of service induced failures has greatly increased the demands of eddy current testing. Optimized probe designs enhanced by improved instrumentation can help satisfy some of these demands. Some of the more difficult inspection problems are detection of circumferential cracks, fretting wear under non-ferromagnetic support plates and shallow internal defects. Reliable detection and sizing of such defects is often made more difficult by the fact they frequently occur in defect prone regions such as under tubesheets or support plates and in transition regions of finned tubes. Probe designs effective in overcoming these difficulties exist. This paper describes a number of such probes and their performance.

British Library Electronic Table of Contents (United Kingdom)

Hsp20, referred to as HspB6, is constitutively expressed in various tissues. Specifically, HspB6 is most highly expressed in different types of muscle including vascular, airway, colonic, bladder, and uterine smooth muscle; cardiac muscle; and skeletal muscle. It can be phosphorylated at Ser-16 by both cAMP- and cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PKA/PKG). Recently, Hsp20 and its phosphorylation have been implicated in multiple physiological and pathophysiological processes including smooth muscle relaxation, platelet aggregation, exercise training, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, insulin resistance and Alzheimer's disease. In the heart, key advances have been made in elucidating the significance of Hsp20 in contractile function and cardioprotection over the last decade. This mini-rev...

Energy Technology Data Exchange (ETDEWEB)

Paraquat is a nonselective contact herbicide of great toxicological importance, being associated with high mortality rates, mainly due to respiratory failure. We report the case of a 22-year-old male admitted to the emergency room with a sore throat, dysphagia, hemoptysis, and retrosternal pain after the ingestion of 50 mL of a paraquat solution, four days prior to admission. Chest CT scans revealed pulmonary opacities, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. The patient was submitted to two cycles of immunosuppressive therapy with cyclophosphamide, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone. The pulmonary gas exchange parameters gradually improved, and the patient was discharged four weeks later. The clinical and tomographic follow-up evaluations performed at four months after discharge showed that there had been further clinical improvement. We also present a brief review of the literature, as well as a discussion of the therapeutic algorithm for ...