Recent analyses of the anisotropy of cosmic rays at 10{sup 18} eV (the AGASA and SUGAR data) show significant excesses from regions close to the galacticcentre and Cygnus. Our aim is to check whether such anisotropies can be caused by single sources of charged particles. We investigate propagation of protons in two models of the galactic regular magnetic field (with the irregular component included) assuming that the particles are injected by a short-lived discrete source lying in the direction of the galacticcentre. We show that apart from a prompt image of the source, the regular magnetic field may cause delayed images at quite large angular distances from the actual source direction. The image is strongly dependent on the time elapsed after ejection of particles and it is also very sensitive to their energy. For the most favourable conditions for particle acceleration by a ...
The authors describe a new method which makes it possible to determine the radial distribution of the diffuse component of galactic gamma rays outside the solar circle. They use the observation that a good correlation exists between gamma-ray intensities and total column densities of the local interstellar gas and that the fractional column density of H_2<0.1 HI outside the solar circle. Thus the gamma-ray intensities are shown to be proportional to N(HI). The authors use the kinematics of the HI to determine the distances from which various fractions of the emission originate in the second and third galactic quadrants. Preliminary results of our analysis show that a significant flux of gamma rays originates from distances as large as 18 kpc from the galacticcentre. (Auth.).
DescriptionCEH - Quest CCMAP see http://quest.bris.ac.uk/research/themes/CCMAP.html CCMAP (Climate-carbon modelling, assimilation and prediction) Leader: Dr. Eleanor Blyth (CEH, Wallingford) Overview and Goals CCMAP is one of QUEST's Theme 1 projects and is about to be commissioned to the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology at Wallingford. The Principal Investigator will be Dr. Eleanor Blyth, with subcontracts to the Universities of Bristol (Dr. Wolfgang Knorr, Earth Sciences and QUEST; Andy Ridgw [continued...
Context. Study of open clusters is important not only for learning properties of these objects but also for understanding the process of formation and evolution of stars and the Milky Way. Aims. The paper contains determination of the global (geometrical and physical) characteristics of a large sample of Galactic open clusters from homogeneous near-infrared photometric data and analysis of mutual relations between those characteristics. Methods. The near-infrared JHK photometric data from the 2-Micron All Sky Survey were used to determine new coordinates of the centres, angular sizes and radial density profiles of 849 open clusters in the MilkyWay. Additionally, for 754 of these clusters age, reddening, distance and linear sizes were also derived. The sample contains 140 open clusters which have not been studied before. Results. The analysed sample contains open clusters with ages in the range from 7 Myr to 10 Gyr. The majority of these ...
Using the Galaxy as an example, we study the effect of Formula Not Shown force on the rotational curves of gas and plasma in galaxies. Acceptable model for the galactic magnetic field and plausible physical parameters are used to fit the flat rotational curve for gas and plasma based on the observed baryonic (visible) matter distribution and Formula Not Shown force term in the static MHD equation of motion. We also study the effects of varied strength of the magnetic field, its pitch angle and length scale on the rotational curves. We show that Formula Not Shown force does not play an important role on the plasma dynamics in the intermediate range of distances 6?12?kpc from the centre, whilst the effect is sizable for larger r (r?15?kpc), where it is the most crucial.
This report presents a view of and commentary on the current status of equipment qualification (EQ) in nuclear industries of the major western nations. The introductory chapters discuss the concepts of EQ, the elements of EQ process and highlight some of the key issues in EQ. A brief review of industry practices and some of the prevalent industrial standards is presented, followed by an overview of current regulatory positions in the USA, France, Germany and Sweden. A summary and commentary on the latest research findings on issues relating to accident simulation, to aging simulation and some special topics related to EQ, has been contributed by Franklin Research Centre of Philadelphia. The last part of the report deals with equipment qualification in Canada and gives recommendations on EQ for new plants as well as currently operational CANDU nuclear power plants.
...The RSPB: Great crested grebe A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. E-mail to a friendE-newsletterContact us Home England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales About Overview Awards & recognition Contact us Facts and figures History How we are run Inspiring work Job vacancies Looking to the future Media centre Offices The RSPB view ...status: Green Listen Get Flash player Play sound 1 videoLatin name Podiceps cristatusFamily Grebes (Podicipedidae)Overview A delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. ...
Modern civilisation is based on substantial utilisation of energy. Rapid industrial development and improvement of living standards in India require energy planners to adequately forecast the energy demand and take appropriate measures in advance. However, the development and establishment of new technology is a slow process, sometimes extending over decades. Hence, energy options based on new technologies need to be planned for much in advance making allowance for uncertainties and delays. Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) technology is an advanced energy option promising abundant and economic supply of power. Research and development work on FBRs has been conducted at the Indira Gandhi Centre of Atomic Research (IGC) since 1971. The international trends in FBR development are highlighted in this discussion and an overview of some of the research activities at IGC is presented. (author). 8 refs., 7 tab s.
The Paul Scherrer Institute is a centre for multidisciplinary research in the natural and engineering sciences. It collaborates closely with universities, other research institutions, technical colleges, and industry, both in Switzerland and abroad. It is the largest research institute in Switzerland, with about 1'200 members of staff. Its particular areas of specialisation are solid-state research and material sciences, elementary particle physics and astrophysics, biology and medicine, and energy and environmental research. This annual report presents an overview of the work performed by the PSI research departments including information on new developments connected with the various accelerators and on the status of the Swiss Light Source project (SLS). Details on the organizational and financial structure of the Institute are also provided.
Since the publication by the International Commission on Radiological Protection of revised recommendations which set out some general principles for intervention, some ideas have emerged which address interventions in the case of chronic exposure from contaminated lands. In the past there have been interventions proposed or carried out to rehabilitate land contaminated during the era of atmospheric nuclear weapon testing. Some of these interventions are reviewed in the context of these ideas and it is concluded that, by and large, reasonable outcomes have been achieved. The concept of a 'generic action level' (an effective dose of the order of 10 mSv#centre dot#a"-"1 to representative individuals in the critical group) may be useful in future to aid decision makers in determining whether intervention is appropriate. (author)
A remarkably simple argument successfully accounts for the rate of star formation in different galaxies. The snag is that the timescale is uncomfortably short.
This report contains the operation procedures in extreme situations and lessons learned from blackouts, based on a mandate given by the Operations Committee. Nordic TSOs have had common rules and principles for system operation i.e. System Operation Agreement since the late 1990s. The rules have been revised according to the system security and market changes and needs. The collaboration between system operators is regular and fruitful. The knowledge and capability to manage extreme situations of the Nordic power system has continuously increased and the recent blackouts did not show major deficiencies in operation practices. Regardless of the existing good collaboration it is important to continue development in the future in order to ensure high system security. Important development areas are security of reserve supervision and coordination of calculation procedures for transmission limits, enhancement of data exchange routines between control centres in order ...
A broad range of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and selected heavy metals has been analysed in sediment cores of North-East Germany. The pollutants analysed include polychlorinated dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), several pesticides (DDT, HCH, CBz) and its metabolites as well as selected heavy metals. The sediment cores were sampled at five locations, reflecting a range of anthropogenic influences and background contamination: Arkona Basin (AK) representing a remote marine site, Lake Bugsin (BS) a background location only with atmospheric deposition, Lake Quenz (QS) close to the industrial city of Brandenburg, Teltowkanal (TK) in the suburban-industrial zone of Berlin and Lake White (WS) in the centre of Berlin. The age of the lower part of the AK, BS and TK cores were dated at 100-150 years. Results of selected pollutants (PCDD/Fs) have been presented earlier, focussing on the depth ...
Full text: In heavy-water-moderated power reactors, tritium is primarily produced by neutron capture in deuterium nuclei in the moderator and coolant. For CANDU 6 reactors, the estimated steady-state values are #approx# 3 TBq#centre dot#kg"-"1 D_2O in the moderator and #approx# 74 GBq#centre dot#kg"-"1 D_2O in the coolant. Tritium removal is one option available to reactor operators for use in their heavy water and tritium management strategies. The WTRF is designed to remove tritium from tritiated heavy water in each of the four CANDU units at the Wolsung Site, to immobilize the tritium and to store it on site. The detritiation process is based on three steps: the first one (front-end) involves the transfer of tritium from heavy water to deuterium gas; the second one (enrichment) concentrates the tritium in a cryogenic distillation system to produce essentially pure D_2 and T_2 streams; and in the third step the tritium is packaged for ...
Careers Business / Policy USAID: From The American People - Link to USAID Home Page Health USAID's 50th Anniversary Health Overview ยป Overview Technical Areas Countries...
The Galactic Exoplanet Survey Telescope (GEST) will observe a 2 square degree field in the Galactic bulge to search for extra-solar planets using a gravitational lensing technique. This gravitational lensing technique is the only method employing currently available technology that can detect Earth-mass planets at high signal-to-noise, and can measure the frequency of terrestrial planets as a function of Galactic position. GEST's sensitivity extends down to the mass of Mars, and it can detect hundreds of terrestrial planets with semi-major axes ranging from 0.7 AU to infinity. GEST will be the first truly comprehensive survey of the Galaxy for planets like those in our own Solar System.
creating such active galactic nuclei as quasars. Strangely, the center of this fiery whirlpool is offset from the exact center of the galaxy - for a reason that for now remains an...
creating such active galactic nuclei as quasars. Strangely, the center of this fiery whirlpool is offset from the exact center of the galaxy - for a reason that for now remains an...
Institutional and organizational models ... Review individual centre institutional and organizational models in the light of the tasks to be performed by
The problem on change of deuterium abundance in the process of galactic evolution (star evolution, supernova explosions, nucleosynthesis in supermassive objects) is considered. It is shown that the observable deuterium quantity in the interstellar medium must correspond to its cosmological abundance. This conclusion is independent of the rate of accretion of intergalactic gas by Galaxy. The effect of hypothetical pregalactic active objects on cosmological deuterium is small. It is poind out that observations of interstellar deuterium in absorbtion at lambda=91.6 cm are significant.
The Baldwin Effect, a negative correlation between emission-line equivalent width and luminosity in active galactic nuclei, is still of interest as a diagnostic of accretion physics nearly thirty years after its discovery. This review examines recent developments in the study of correlations between line and continuum emission in AGNs, as measured both in ensembles and in individual sources.
A new era for the field of Galactic structure is about to be opened with the advent of wide-area digital sky surveys. In this article, the author reviews the status and prospects for research for 3 new ground-based surveys: the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), the Deep Near-Infrared Survey of the Southern Sky (DENIS) and the Two Micron AU Sky Survey (2MASS). These surveys will permit detailed studies of Galactic structure and stellar populations in the Galaxy with unprecedented detail. Extracting the information, however, will be challenging.
We present new results from BRAVA, a large-scale radial velocity survey of the Galactic bulge, using M giant stars selected from the Two Micron All Sky Survey catalog as targets for the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory 4 m Hydra multi-object spectrograph. The purpose of this survey is to construct a new generation of self-consistent bar models that conform to these observations. We report the dynamics for fields at the edge of the Galactic bulge at latitudes b = -8 deg. and compare to the dynamics at b = -4 deg. We find that the rotation curve V(r) is the same at b = -8 deg. as at b = -4 deg. That is, the Galactic boxy bulge rotates cylindrically, as do boxy bulges of other galaxies. The summed line-of-sight velocity distribution at b = -8 deg. is Gaussian, and the binned longitude-velocity plot shows no evidence for either a (disk) population with cold dynamics or for a (classical bulge) population with hot ...
The aim of this work was to develop several strategies and software-packages for the evaluation of in-vivo-data of the human brain, which were acquired with high-resolution 1H-MRSI at 1.5 and 3 T. Several studies involving phantoms, volunteers and patients were performed. Quality assurance studies were conducted in order to evaluate the reproducibility of the applied MR-techniques at both field strengths. A qualitative comparison-study between MRSI-data from a 1.5 T clinical MR-scanner and a 3 T research MR-scanner showed the advantages of the more advanced MRSI sequences and higher field strength (3 T). A study involving patients with primary brain tumours (gliomas) was performed in cooperation with the Department of Neurosurgery (University of Erlangen-Nuremberg). The methods developed in the course of this study, such as the integration of MRS-data into a stereotactic-system, the segmentation of metabolic maps and the correlation with histopathological findings represent a package ...
The possible physical linkage between galactic cosmic rays intensity and the Earth's cloud cover is discussed using the analysis of the first indirect aerosol effect (Twomey effect) and its experimental representation as the dependence of average cloud droplet effective radius on aerosol index characterizing the aerosol concentration in the atmospheric air column of unit section. It is shown that the basic kinetic equation of the Earth's climate energy-balance model is described by the bifurcation equation (with respect to the temperature of the Earth's surface) in the form of fold catastrophe with two governing parameters defining the variations of insolation and Earth's magnetic field (or galactic cosmic rays intensity in the atmosphere), respectively. The principle of hierarchical climatic models construction, which consists in the structural invariance of balance equations of these models evolving on the different time scales, is described. ...
The study of extragalactic planetary nebulae (EPN) is a rapidly expanding field. The advent of powerful new instrumentation such as the PN spectrograph has led to an avalanche of new EPN discoveries both within and between galaxies. We now have thousands of EPN detections in a heterogeneous selection of nearby galaxies and their local environments, dwarfing the combined galactic detection efforts of the last century. Key scientific motivations driving this rapid growth in EPN research and discovery have been the use of the PNLF as a standard candle, as dynamical tracers of their host galaxies and dark matter and as probes of Galactic evolution. This is coupled with the basic utility of PN as laboratories of nebula physics and the consequent comparison with theory where population differences, abundance variations and star formation history within and between stellar systems informs both stellar and galactic evolution. Here ...
U.v.-visible-absorption and e.p.r. spectroscopy were used to study the type 2 and type 3 copper centres in the mercury derivative of laccase. After treatment with peroxide the mercury derivative of...Full Text Available
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) started a new phase in August 2008, with new instrumentation and new surveys focused on Galactic structure and chemical evolution, measurements of the baryon oscillation feature in the clustering of galaxies and the quasar Ly{alpha} forest, and a radial velocity search for planets around {approx}8000 stars. This paper describes the first data release of SDSS-III (and the eighth counting from the beginning of the SDSS). The release includes 5-band imaging of roughly 5200 deg{sup 2} in the Southern Galactic Cap, bringing the total footprint of the SDSS imaging to 14,555 deg{sup 2}, or over a third of the Celestial Sphere. All the imaging data have been reprocessed with an improved sky-subtraction algorithm and a final, self-consistent recalibration and flat-field determination. This release also includes all data from the second phase of the Sloan Extension for Galactic Understanding and ...
We describe the characteristics of the rapidly rotating molecular disk in the nucleus of the mildly active galaxy NGC4258. The morphology and kinematics of the disk are delineated by the point-like...Full Text Available
Galactic open clusters are since long recognized as one of the best tools for investigating the radial distribution of iron and other metals. We employed FLAMES at VLT to collect UVES spectra of bright giant stars in a large sample of open clusters, spanning a wide range of Galactocentric distances, ages, and metallicities. We present here the results for four clusters: Berkeley 20 and Berkeley 29, the two most distant clusters in the sample; Collinder 261, the oldest and the one with the minimum Galactocentric distance; Melotte 66. Equivalent width analysis was carried out using the spectral code MOOG and Kurucz model atmospheres to derive abundances of Fe, Al, Mg, Si, Ca, Ti, Cr, Ni, Ba; non-LTE Na abundances were derived by direct line-profile fitting. We obtain subsolar metallicities for the two anticenter clusters Be 20 ([Fe/H]=-0.30, rms=0.02) and Be 29 ([Fe/H]=-0.31, rms=0.03), and for Mel 66 ([Fe/H]=-0.33, rms=0.03), located in the third ...
Massive particle candidates for dark matter provide a potentially observable signature by virtue of their annihilations in the galactic halo at a known but model-dependent rate. Possible signatures are described, including cosmic ray antiproton and gamma-ray production. (orig.).
... Indoor facilities include a 50 metre swimming pool, various sports halls, a netball and badminton centre, a dance studio, a high performance athletics centre, the ECB National Cricket Academy, and the National Gymnastics Performance and Research Centre, whilst outdoors there are floodlit all-weather areas, a water-based ...
An e.p.r. spectrum of the reduced form of the electron-transport component (X), thought to be the primary electron acceptor of Photosystem I, was obtained. By using line-shape simulations of this component...Full Text Available
Nuclear generation operators are facing a challenging business environment at the beginning of the new millennium. Evolving changes in business context, competitive commercial pressures, and changes in technology have dictated recurring evaluation of operational practices and the adequacy of supporting tools, and the pursuit of opportunities for operational improvement. A key area of utility operations that has been impacted by these changes is the nuclear plant control centre. Changes to workspace layout, equipment provisions, staffing, and work organization are examples of some of the adjustments being introduced to improve operational and safety effectiveness. This paper discusses some of the key factors influencing these changes and identifies additional design principles for CANDU control centres that will enable new control centre designs and retrofits of existing control centres to remain ...
The high-energy radiation-induced degradation of an H-acid derivative azo dye, Apollofix-Red SF-28 (AR-28) was studied in aqueous solution by using pulse radiolysis with kinetic spectroscopic detection for transient measurements. Gamma radiolysis with UV-VIS spectroscopy and gradient ionpair HPLC separation with diode array detection were applied for following the destruction of AR-28 and measuring the products. The reactions of hydrated electron (e_a_q "-) and hydroxyl ("#centre dot#OH) radical were investigated separately. "#centre dot#OH reacts with the unsaturated bonds of the molecule. In the further reactions of the "#centre dot#OH adduct radicals, the AR-28 molecules partly reform with a slightly modified structure. The products formed in the first reaction of "#centre dot#OH and AR-28 molecules have also high reactivity towards the "#centre dot#OH radicals. For these reasons ...
This report describes recent extensions to the energy-systems GMM (Global Multiregional MARKAL) model undertaken by the Energy Economics Group (EEG) of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Switzerland (hereon referred to as PSI-EEG) in the context of the SAPIENTIA project sponsored by the European Commission (DG Research) and the Swiss National Centre for Competence in Research on Climate (NCCR-Climate). GMM is a multi-regional 'bottom-up' energy-systems optimization model that endogenizes technology learning. The model has been developed and is used at PSI-EEG. The main extensions undertaken here concern the incorporation of a clusters approach to technology learning, the introduction of an improved representation of the transportation sector with emphasis on the passenger sub-sector and the implementation of marginal abatement curves for CH4 and N2O, two main non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Also, a linear representation of the atmospheric concentration of CO2, CH4 and ...
NASA's Glory spacecraft is equipped to survey and map aerosols in Earth's atmosphere during a mission marking the return to flight of the Taurus XL rocket.
With its 527 217 m{sup 3} of low and medium activity wastes put in storage between 1969 and 1994, the C.S.M.( center of storage of Manche) is and remains to this day a necessary element to understand the problems posed by the eternal storage of nuclear materials and the limits of the notion of reversibility. There are therefore teachings to be drawn. We cannot repeat past mistakes in particular with high activity wastes which we wish to bury deep underground. This report is based on the analysis of the existing bibliography, of the internal A.N.D.R.A. documents which we released to the public, of the lessons drawn from our participation in the official concerting and work groups, and finally of the data obtained after inquiries were done in the region in the framework of R.I.V.I.E;R.E. (citizens network of radioecological surveillance, information and evaluation). In spite of all efforts produced, many questions remain unanswered regarding this site so it is sometimes difficult to be ...
The distribution of environmental tritium and the correlation coefficients between tritium concentrations in several environmental samples and the emissions of tritiated water vapor from Wolsong NPP 1 were studied. The annual mean concentrations of atmospheric HTO were in the range 1#centre dot#31-29#centre dot#2 Bq m"-"3 and the long-term atmospheric dilution factors were in the range 10"-"7-10"-"6 s m"-"3. Annual mean concentrations of tritium in ground water were in the range 19#centre dot#2-27#centre dot#9 Bq l"-"1 at N-1 and 64#centre dot#1-189 Bq l"-"1 at S-2, and were generally less than 0#centre dot#2% of MPC_w (222 kBq l"-"1). The concentrations of tritium in precipitation decreased exponentially with distance from Wolsong NPP 1, falling to current global levels at about 25 km off-site. The highest concentration of tritium in soil moisture was observed ...
Satellite CMB anisotropy missions and new generation of balloon-borne and ground experiments, make use of complex multi-frequency instruments at the focus of a meter class telescope. Between 70 GHz and 300 GHz, where foreground contamination is minimum, it is extremely important to reach the best trade-off between the improvement of the angular resolution and the minimization of the straylight contamination mainly due to the Galactic emission. We focus here, as a working case, on the 30 and 100 GHz channels of the Planck Low Frequency Instrument (LFI). We evaluate the GSC introduced by the most relevant Galactic foreground components for a reference set of optical configurations. We show that it is possible to improve the angular resolution of 5-7% by keeping the overall GSC below the level of few microKelvin. A comparison between the level of straylight introduced by the different Galactic components for different beam ...
We study the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect potentially generated by relativistic electrons injected from dark matter (DM) annihilation or decay in the Galaxy, and check whether it could be observed by Planck or ALMA, or even imprint the current CMB data as e.g. the specific fluctuation excess claimed from an recent re-analysis of the WMAP-5 data. We focus on high-latitude regions to avoid contamination of the Galactic astrophysical electron foreground, and consider the annihilation or decay coming from the smooth DM halo as well as from subhalos, further extending our analysis to a generic modeling of spikes arising around intermediate-mass-black-holes (IMBHs). We show that all these dark Galactic components are unlikely to produce any observable SZ effect. For a self-annihilating DM particle of 10 GeV with canonical properties, the largest optical depth we find is $\\tau_e \\lesssim 10^{-7}$ for massive isolated subhalos hosting IMBHs. We ...
For purposes of designing targeted cataclysmic variable (CV) detection surveys and interpreting results of other projects with many CV detections such as the ChaMPlane Survey, we have created a model of the CV distribution in the Galaxy. It is modeled as a warped, flared exponential disk with a gaussian vertical distribution. Extinction is based on a detailed Galactic dust and gas model. A luminosity function for CVs is also incorporated, based on a smoothed version of published data. We calculate predicted field detection rates as a function of the limiting magnitude expected for the detecting system (i.e. WIYN/Hydra or NOAO 4m/Mosaic). Monte-Carlo techniques are used to assess statistical fluctuations in these rates. We have created maps of the expected CV distribution for the full non-bulge Galactic plane (20
Diffuse {gamma}-ray emission produced by the interaction of cosmic-ray particles with matter and radiation in the Galaxy can be used to probe the distribution of cosmic rays and their sources in different regions of the Galaxy. With its large field of view and long observation time, the Milagro Gamma Ray Observatory is an ideal instrument for surveying large regions of the Northern Hemisphere sky and for detecting diffuse {gamma}-ray emission at very high energies. Here, the spatial distribution and the flux of the diffuse {gamma}-ray emission in the TeV energy range with a median energy of 15 TeV for Galactic longitudes between 30{sup o} and 110{sup o} and between 136{sup o} and 216{sup o} and for Galactic latitudes between -10{sup o} and 10{sup o} are determined. The measured fluxes are consistent with predictions of the GALPROP model everywhere except for the Cygnus region (l {element_of} [65{sup o}, 85{sup o}]). For the Cygnus region, the ...
This is the homepage of "an Australian multi-university collaboration undertaking research on the fundamental physics and technology of building, at the atomic level, a solid state quantum computer in silicon together with other high potential implementations." Although attempts to develop a quantum computer have met with limited success, the centre has substantial resources invested in advancing toward practical uses of quantum computing technology. The site provides a very good introduction to the principles and implications of quantum computing, as well as details about various research projects underway at the Australian universities. Links to conference and journal papers produced by members of the centre, many from 2003, are also provided.
ObjectivesTo determine what biodiversity data is held by record centres for the South Downs Lifescapes pilot area and the format in which it is stored.
A strong necessary condition is given for the principal stabiliser of the action of a compact Lie group to have a non-zero centre. An application to the monopole problem in Yang-Mills-Higgs models is discussed.
The Model for the Assessment of Psychosocial Problems (MAPP) can help family medicine residents effectively assess patients with psychosocial problems. Following a patient-centred clinical method, MAPP...Full Text Available
SummaryNineteenth-century Vienna is well known to medical historians as a leading centre of medical research and education, offering easy access to patients and corpses to students...Full Text Available
Nowadays, diamond and the nitrogen-vacancy (NV) colour centres constitute the best solid-state system in view of quantum-computing applications. It has also been shown recently that single NV centres could be used as nanoscale magnetic sensors. Such applications require the creation of single NV centres with very high resolution and with a high efficiency. The nano-implanter at the university of Bochum provides low energy nitrogen ions which can be implanted through a hole pierced in the tip of an atomic force microscope. Ultrapure diamond samples have been implanted with spot sizes of 50nm and less. Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy has been used to characterise and resolve the implanted spots.
The dependence of the carrier concentrations, of the resistivity and of the Hall coefficient of irradiated silicon on the neutron fluences has been investigated, starting from the supposition that the main phenomena induced by irradiation in the semiconductor bulk are shallow-donor removal and deep-centres creation. The free parameters of the model are initial doping of the starting material, the permitted energy level values of the radiation-induced centres in the semiconductor band gap and their introduction rates. The influence of each parameter on the calculated dependences is studied in detail, for three cases: one deep acceptor-like centre, two deep acceptors and one deep acceptor plus one deep donor-like centre. each of the three cases is discussed in correspondence with different experimental results.
PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range (protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antinuclei with a precision of the order of $10^{-8}$). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, $15^{th}$ 2006 in a $350\\times 600 km$ orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. In this work we describe the scientific objectives and the performance of PAMELA in its first two years of operation. Data on protons of trapped, secondary and galactic nature - as well as measurements of the December $13^{th}$ 2006 Solar Particle Event - are also provided.
Nuclear reaction rates and opacity are important parameters in stellar evolution. The input physics in a stellar evolution code determines the main theoretical characteristics of the stellar structure, evolution and nucleosynthesis of a star. For different input physics, in this work we calculate stellar evolution models of very massive first stars during the hydrogen and helium burning phases. We have considered 100 and 200M_sun galactic and pregalactic stars with metallicity Z = 10"-"6 and 10"9, respectively. The results show important differences from old to new formulations for the opacity and nuclear reaction rates, in particular the evolutionary tracks are significantly affected, that indicates the importance of using up to date and reliable input physics. The triple alpha reaction activates sooner for pregalactic than for galactic stars.
We present evidence in favour of a link between the luminosity radiatively dissipated in the central engine of radio-loud Active Galactic Nuclei and the kinetic power in their jets. This piece of evidence is based on the relation we find between the luminosity in broad emission lines and the kinetic power in pc-scale radio jets, for a sample of radio-loud quasars for which suitable data are available in the literature. We find that the ionizing luminosity and the kinetic one are of the same order of magnitude, suggesting that the processes responsible for them are somehow related. A strong magnetic field in equipartition with the radiation field could be responsible for regulating both processes. BL Lac objects seem to follow a similar behaviour, but with comparatively fainter broad line emission.
An essential aspect of control centre design is the need to characterize: plant functions and their inter-relationships to support the achievement of operational goals, and roles for humans and automation in sharing and exchanging the execution of functions across all operational phases. Function analysis is a design activity that has been internationally accepted as an approach to satisfy this need. It is recognized as a fundamental and necessary component in the systematic approach to control centre design and is carried out early in the design process. A function analysis can provide a clear basis for: the control centre design for the purposes of design team communication, and customer or regulatory review, the control centre display and control systems, the staffing and layout requirements of the control centre, assessing the completeness of control centre ...
... The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton is one of the world's leading research centres for the study of ocean and earth sciences. Southampton General Hospital One of the country's leading teaching hospitals and the base for the University's School of Medicine. Winchester School of Art Founded in 1863, Winchester School of Art is based 12 miles (20 kilometres) north of Southampton in the historic city of Winchester,...
Four inorganic hydrogen-bonded crystals with second-order nonlinear properties have been discovered: K_4LiH_3(SO_4)_4, Na_2SeO_4#centre dot#H_2SeO_3#centre dot#H_2O, Cs_1_,_5Li_1_,_5H(SO_4)_2 and NH_4HSeO_4. (author)
...Butley river and Ore estuary, Boyton Marshes attracts breeding wading birds in spring and ducks, geese and swans in winter. It's also ... During spring and autumn, it is an ideal place to see migrant wading birds, gulls and terns. Insh Marshes Insh ... Spring is also an excellent time to visit. Leighton Moss Leighton Moss is the largest reedbed in north-west England, and home ... When they leave in spring, wading birds take centre stage. Watch it all take place from our viewing centre and hide,...
...Modern Languages Music Philosophy Faculty of Medicine Faculty of Medicine page Academic unit: Medicine Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences Faculty of Natural and Environmental Sciences page Academic units: Biological Sciences Chemistry National Oceanography Centre, Southampton Ocean and Earth Science Faculty of Physical and Applied Sciences Faculty of Physical and Applied Sciences page Academic units: Electronics and Computer Science Optoelectronics Research Centre Physics and Astronomy Faculty of Social and Human Sciences ...
Surface photometry of bulges and elliptical galaxies is reviewed. The properties of cores and nuclei as revealed by improvements in seeing and the use of CCDs are examined, and newly discovered structural details such as dust, shells, and dynamical subsystems which show the importance of accretion events in galactic evolution are addressed. Improved constraints on galaxy formation resulting from better measurements of parameter scaling laws are discussed, and accurate measurements of departures from elliptical isophotes and of color gradients obtained with CCDs are considered.
A possibility of generating collimated beams of faster-than-light particles (tachyons) and using them for rocket propulsion is explored. The relativistic rocket equations are derived, and are solved for a single-stage rocket with constant mass flow rate, constant exhaust velocity and no coasting period. The features of these solutions for faster-than-light exhaust velocities are discussed. It is shown that a tachyon drive would not violate the first law of thermodynamics. However, as seen in the Galactic frame, it would violate the second law.
The indirect detection of particle dark matter (DM) is based on the search for anomalous components in cosmic rays (CRs) due to the annihilation of DM pairs in the galactic halo, on the top of the standard astrophysical production. These additional exotic components are potentially detectable at Earth as spectral distortions for the various cosmic radiations: $\\chi + \\chi \\to q \\bar{q}, W^+ W^-, ... \\to \\bar{p}, \\bar{D}, e^+ \\gamma and \
Recent observations of the evolutionary properties of paired and interacting galaxies are reviewed, with special emphasis on their global emission properties and star formation rates. Data at several wavelengths provide strong confirmation of the hypothesis, proposed originally by Larson and Tinsley, that interactions trigger global bursts of star formation in galaxies. The nature and properties of the starbursts, and their overall role in galactic evolution are also discussed.
The contribution of pulsar accelerated nuclei to the cosmic rays inside the Galaxy is calculated assuming that a significant part of the pulsar rotational energy is lost on acceleration of iron nuclei extracted from the surface of the neutron star. Different models of the galactic pulsar population are discussed. It is shown that the best description of the observed cosmic ray spectrum and the mass composition between a few 10{sup 15} eV and a few 10{sup 18} eV is obtained for the model B of Lorimer et al. (1993)
The Yb{sup 3+}-doped non-linear rare-earth calcium oxoborate crystals GdCa{sub 4}O (BO{sub 3}){sub 3} (GdCOB) and YCa{sub 4}O(BO{sub 3}){sub 3} (YCOB) were investigated by low-temperature absorption and selective excitation spectroscopy. The selective excitation and emission spectra revealed the spectral features of the main Yb{sup 3+} centre and the principal minority one in both crystals. The energy level schemes for these centres in both hosts, as well as structural assignments, were proposed. It was established that the minority centre, which represents about 10% of the total intensity and was assigned to Yb{sup 3+} in a Ca{sup 2+} site, is not a trap but an energy donor for the main centre. Common features of and differences between the vibronic structure of the two centres in GdCOB and YCOB are discussed. The existence of additional features in YCOB:Yb spectra is pointed out. ...
The Yb"3"+-doped non-linear rare-earth calcium oxoborate crystals GdCa_4O (BO_3)_3 (GdCOB) and YCa_4O(BO_3)_3 (YCOB) were investigated by low-temperature absorption and selective excitation spectroscopy. The selective excitation and emission spectra revealed the spectral features of the main Yb"3"+ centre and the principal minority one in both crystals. The energy level schemes for these centres in both hosts, as well as structural assignments, were proposed. It was established that the minority centre, which represents about 10% of the total intensity and was assigned to Yb"3"+ in a Ca"2"+ site, is not a trap but an energy donor for the main centre. Common features of and differences between the vibronic structure of the two centres in GdCOB and YCOB are discussed. The existence of additional features in YCOB:Yb spectra is pointed out. (author)
We present an abundance analysis based on high-resolution spectra of 10 stars selected to span the full range in metallicity in the Ursa Minor (UMi) dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxy. We find that [Fe/H] for the sample stars ranges from -1.35 to -3.10 dex. Combining our sample with previously published work for a total of 16 luminous UMi giants, we establish the trends of abundance ratios [X/Fe] as functions of [Fe/H] for 15 elements. In key cases, particularly for the #alpha#-elements, these trends resemble those for stars in the outer part of the Galactic halo, especially at the lowest metallicities probed. The neutron-capture elements show an r-process distribution over the full range of Fe metallicity reached in this dSph galaxy. This suggests that the duration of star formation in the UMi dSph was shorter than in other dSph galaxies. The derived ages for a larger sample of UMi stars with more uncertain metallicities also suggest a population dominated by ...
... information about, utilized, or discussed these subjects: basic topics: overview materials and material types: ti-6al-4v, ti1100, ti17 , ti6242, imi 550 ...
The general goals of this research effort is to explore the potential applications and performance of fine grained computer architectures for vision. The body of this report gives a brief overview of the results of the research during the first twelve mon...
Jun 16, 2011 ... Description: Within the Deschutes River basin of central Oregon, the geology, hydrology, and physiography influence geomorphic and ecologic ...
Sep 1, 2011 ... 2005. Computer simulation modeling of recreation use: current status, case studies, and future directions. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-143. ...
In recent years increasing evidence is pointing toward white matter abnormalities in schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. The present paper will provide an overview over the role of...Full Text Available
... CVn) consisting of a dM3 star and a cool white dwarf that must have evolved through the common-envelope stage of binary star evolution (Else van ...
The National Information Infrastructure (NII) or "information superhighway" is a high-priority federal initiative to combine communications networks, computers, databases, and consumer electronics to...Full Text Available
This presentation details how wind turbine gearboxes fail to meet 20-year design life and how the Gearbox Reliability Collaborative (GRC) is addressing the challenges.
The nitric oxide molecule is being studied in order to understand the energetics and chemistry of initiation and detonation in liquid NO at the molecular level. An overview is presented of the work being done. (DLC)
... from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and ... that a portion of any funds appropriated in ... the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP, also known ...
A brief overview is given of the activities in Italy on the subject of electric-powered vehicles, supported by the Commissione Italiana Veicoli Elettrici Stradali (CIVES) in Milan. 3 tabs., 3 figs., 8 refs.
Cancer, by definition, is a proliferative disease. The fundamental scientific issue explored at the international symposium "Cell Proliferation and Chemical Carcinogenesis" was the impact of chemically...Full Text Available
Malignancies Breast Malignancies Bladder, Prostate, and Testicular Malignancies Uses of Cancer Registry Data Brain Tumor Reporting Training Materials Overview Presentation and...
Malignancies Breast Malignancies Bladder, Prostate, and Testicular Malignancies Uses of Cancer Registry Data Brain Tumor Reporting Training Materials Overview Presentation and...
Malignancies Breast Malignancies Bladder, Prostate, and Testicular Malignancies Uses of Cancer Registry Data Brain Tumor Reporting Training Materials Overview Presentation and...
As medical schools incorporate medical informatics into their curriculum the problems of implementation arise. Because there are no standards regarding a medical informatics curriculum, medical schools...Full Text Available
Following a brief overview of the terrestrial distribution of boron in rocks, soil, and water, the history of the discovery, early utilization, and geologic origin of borate minerals is summarized....Full Text Available
An overview of different Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) techniques is given. Examples of applications of the PIXE techniques to various types of samples are presented. (author)
Scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) has been applied to study focused ion beam (FIB) induced damage in silicon in dependence on ion irradiation doses from 10"1"2 cm"-"2 to 2#centre dot#10"1"6 cm"-"2. Starting from the lowest dose, SSRM detects increasing spreading resistance (SR) with increasing dose. For doses from 2#centre dot#10"1"3 cm"-"2 to 4#centre dot#10"1"4 cm"-"2, a slight decrease of SR is measured whereas for higher doses SR again slightly increases. The results are explained by physical effects like decreased carrier mobility due to increased scattering, amorphisation of silicon and precipitation of implanted Ga ions. The results clearly prove that SSRM is well suited for the fast detection of ion beam induced damage with high lateral resolution.
Formation of oxidizing and reducing radicals was studied by pulse radiolysis of [Fe(CN)_6]"4"- - BrO_3"- - CN"- system in ethylene glycol - water solvent mixture. Oxidizing #centre dot#BrO_2 and BrO radicals formed by electron scavenging with #centre dot#BrO_2"- were identified and their reactions were investigated. The reaction of hydroxyl radicals with ethylene glycol leads to formation of reactive radicals with reducing properties and of compounds which reduce slowly in dark the ferricyanide formed in the reaction of #centre dot#BrO_2 radical with ferrocyanide. (author) 21 refs.; 7 figs.
A multi-centre evaluation of the test strip analyser, Rapimat, was performed by four laboratories following the ECCLS 2nd draft guidelines for the evaluation of analysers in clinical chemistry. Using the Rapignost urine test strip with the test fields for bilirubin, urobilinogen, acetoacetate, ascorbic acid, glucose, protein, nitrite, pH and haemoglobin, the Rapimat was found to be analytically reliable in comparison with other, in most cases quantitative procedures. During the observation period of about 6 months no breakdown occurred in any laboratory. Interferences and sensitivity as discussed for the bilirubin and urobilinogen test field are more related to the test strip than to the instrument. Several improvements for further developments are suggested. This multi-centre study has shown that the ECCLS protocol is applicable to analytical procedures leading to discrete results. PMID:4056663
Many organizations are challenged with the tasks of identifying customer needs and expectations for their products, anticipating future product needs, communicating a future product vision to clients, and designing with today's technology to bring a future vision to successful realization. The design evolution of plant control centres is one aspect of CANDU development that faces such challenges. The Disney Corporation is an example of an organization that has been successful in consistently meeting these challenges for over fifty years; and some of the design practices proven in moviemaking, theme park and resort layout, and vacation experience organization may be helpful and effective when applied in other domains. This paper summarizes the findings from an examination of Disney Corporation design practices, and suggests how some practices could be used to simplify and enhance the design of future CANDU control centres. (author)
Interaction of periodic and iodic acids with propyoneamide in aqueous solutions at 25 deg C has been studied. In the system iodic acid-propyoneamide-water formation of two compounds of the composition 6C_2H_5CONH_2#centre dot#HIO_3 and C_5H_5CONH_2#centre dot#HIO_3 is ascertained, for which concentrational boundaries of formation, density, melting points are determined. The system periodic acid-propyoneamide-water is referred to the simple eutonic type. By the method of IR spectroscopy it has been shown that oxygen atom of amide carbonyl group is the centre of propyoneamide protonation by iodic acid.
The effect of exposure to gamma rays on LPO contents in liver, spleen and kidney of mice and the anti-lipid-peroxidation of preparations of chinonin, tannic acid and squalene were reported. All these preparations were given by intragastric perfusion. For LPO, a modified method of TBA spectrophotometry was used for determination. The results show that LPO contents in tissues increased 72 h after whole-body exposure of mice to gamma rays, that in range of 0-4 Gy, there was a linear relationship between radiation doses and LPO contents, and that all three preparations were effective in reduction of the LPO content in liver, spleen and kidney of mice, with chinonin (at dose of 0.35 mg/mouse#centre dot#day) being more effective than tannic acid (at dose of 15 mg/mouse#centre dot#day) and squalene (at dose of 0.6 mg/mouse#centre dot#day).
ObjectivesThe vision The Centre's vision is a rural transformation in the developing world where smallholder households massively increase their use of trees in agricultural landscapes to improve their food security, nutrition, income, health, shelter, energy resources and environmental sustainability. This vision is founded upon three basic tenets: 1. The growing importance of trees and treebased systems in sustaining livelihoods and agroecosystems; 2. The Centre's experience and comparative adv [continued...]DescriptionBackground: The International Council for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) was created in response to a visionary study in the mid-1970s led by forester John Bene of Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The study coined the term 'agroforestry' and called for global recognition of the key role trees play on farms. This led to the establishment of ICRAF in 1978 to promote agroforestry ...
Original holdings are now kept by the World Data Centre C1 at RAL: http://wdcc1. bnsc.rl.ac.uk MODS DOY = 246 ADID_REF Not applicable LOGICAL_FILE_ID ...
BackgroundA key feature of a good general practice consultation is that it is patient-centred. A number of verbal and non-verbal behaviours have been identified as important to establish...Full Text Available
... The main goal was the analysis of the Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis for the Czech Republic. A paper by Bruha and Scasny, accepted to the European Society of Ecological Economics, ( Lisbon June 2005), analyses driving forces (including economic policy) on ...
Background:Children suffering from beta-thalassemia major require repeated blood transfusions which may be associated with dangers like iron overload and contraction of...Full Text Available
The e.p.r. spectra of the Fe-proteins of nitrogenase from all sources studied have unusual features in that they have very anisotropic linewidths and low integrated intensities. These characteristics...Full Text Available
BackgroundSymptomatic heterotopic ossification (HO) in multiple trauma patients may lead to follow up surgery, furthermore the long-term outcome can be restricted. Knowledge of the...Full Text Available
The Poison Control Centre at Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children received over 25,000 telephone inquiries in 1981. Those at greatest risk of accidental poisoning are children under age five. Education...Full Text Available
... The high resolution imagery , collected over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, included a mixture of large commercial buildings and private houses, as well as the airport and some community parks. 10/08/11 Read more Top EU R&D companies expect a 5% ...
Physicists grouped around a screen in the LEP control room at the strat-up of LEP on 14 July 1989. The emotion of the moment is clear. Carlo Rubbia, Director-General of CERN at the time, is in the centre and on his left, Herwig Schopper, former Director-General of the Organization.
A 37 year old male was referred to our centre for management of episcleritis with peripheral keratitis in the right eye. He had a history of ocular discomfort in the right eye of 1 week duration. Slitlamp...Full Text Available
Searching for the structural requirements improving the potency and the stereoselectivity of Na+ channel blockers as antimyotonic agents, new...Full Text Available
The activities of Shell Hydrogen in the development of a hydrogen economy are outlined. Attention is paid to the use of hydrogen in electric cars and in homes, different types of fuel cells, and the catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) process of Shell to produce hydrogen
The activities of Shell Hydrogen in the development of a hydrogen economy are outlined. Attention is paid to the use of hydrogen in electric cars and in homes, different types of fuel cells, and the catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) process of Shell to produce hydrogen.
How can the inhabitants of the European Union be brought closer together? One way of doing it is to expand and improve the trans-European railway network and to have interoperable highspeed trains connecting Europe's major centres. (orig.)
... Contrary to this definition, abiotic environmental factors are those in which no organisms participate - e.g. the geological underground, light, temperature and heat. Biotope The biotope is an area of uniform environmental conditions providing living place for a specific assemblage of plants and animals....
OBJECTIVE--To develop, test, and validate an algorithm for diagnosing disease in neonates during an over the telephone referral to a specialist cardiac centre. DESIGN--A draft algorithm requiring only...Full Text Available
Chickens were bursectomized in ovo on days 18, 19 or 20 of incubation or within 6 h of hatch and immunized at day 28 after hatch by an intravenous injection of sheep red blood cells (SRBC). The immune...Full Text Available
Hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc) is an uncommon tumour, but its incidence is increasing in Canada and elsewhere. Currently, there are no Canadian recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of...Full Text Available
CRCs Name Type University ...UniversityCRC UniversityCRC UniversityCRCUniversity CRC UniversityCRCUniversity CRC ...9360 6035 Australasian CRC for Interaction Design (ACID) Australian Biosecurity CRC for Emerging
A remarkable range of variation has been demonstrated in the biting habits of A. darlingi in South America. At the centre of its area of distribution, the species comprises both anthropo-endophilic...Full Text Available
At the inauguration of the new CMS visitor centre. The CMS experiment inaugurated a new visitor centre at its Cessy site on 14 June. This will allow the thousands of people who come to CERN each year to follow the construction of one the Laboratory's flagship experiments first-hand. CERN receives over 20,000 visitors each year. Until recently, many of them were taken on a guided tour of one of the LEP experiments. With the closure of LEP, however, trips underground are no longer possible, and the Visits' Service has put in place a number of other itineraries (Bulletin 46/2000). Since the CMS detector will be almost entirely constructed in a surface hall, it is now taking a big share of the limelight. The CMS visitor centre has been built on a platform overlooking CMS construction. It contains a set of clear descriptive posters describing the experiment, along with a video projection showing animations and movies about CMS ...
We report the discovery of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) pair in the interacting galaxy system IRAS 20210+1121 at z = 0.056. An XMM-Newton observation reveals the presence of an obscured (N _H #approx# 5 x 10"2"3 cm"-"2), Seyfert-like (L _2_-_1_0_k_e_V = 4.7 x 10"4"2 erg s"-"1) nucleus in the northern galaxy, which lacks unambiguous optical AGN signatures. Our spectral analysis also provides strong evidence that the IR-luminous southern galaxy hosts a Type 2 quasar embedded in a bright starburst emission. In particular, the X-ray primary continuum from the nucleus appears totally depressed in the XMM-Newton band as expected in the case of a Compton-thick absorber, and only the emission produced by Compton scattering ('reflection') of the continuum from circumnuclear matter is seen. As such, IRAS 20210+1121 seems to provide an excellent opportunity to witness a key, early phase in the quasar evolution predicted by the theoretical models of quasar activation by ...
During searches for new optical Galactic supernova remnants (SNRs) in the high resolution, high sensitivity Anglo-Australian Observatory/United Kingdom Schmidt Telescope (AAO/UKST) HAlpha survey of the southern Galactic plane, we uncovered a variety of filamentary and more diffuse, extensive nebular structures in the vicinity of Wolf-Rayet (WR) star 48 (Theta Muscae), only some of which were previously recognised. We used the double-beam spectrograph of the Mount Stromlo and Siding Spring Observatory (MSSSO) 2.3-m to obtain low and mid resolution spectra of selected new filaments and structures in this region. Despite spectral similarities between the optical spectra of WR star shells and SNRs, a careful assessment of the new spectral and morphological evidence from our deep HAlpha imagery suggests that the putative shell of Theta Mus is not a WR shell at all, as has been commonly accepted, but is rather part of a more complex area of ...
In a recent paper by Hooper and Goodenough, data from the Fermi Gamma Ray Telescope was analyzed and an excess of gamma rays was found in the emission spectrum from the Galactic Center Region. Hooper and Goodenough show that the excess can be well explained by 7-10 GeV annihilating dark matter with a power law density profile if the dark matter annihilates predominantly to tau pairs. In this paper we present such a dark matter model by extending the MSSM to include four Higgs doublets and one scalar singlet. A Z2 symmetry is imposed that enforces a Yukawa structure so that the up quarks, down quarks, and leptons each receive mass from a distinct doublet. This leads to an enhanced coupling of scalars to leptons and allows the model to naturally achieve the required phenomenology in order to explain the gamma ray excess. Our model yields the correct dark matter thermal relic density and avoids collider bounds from measurements of the Z width as well as direct ...
We study the sensitivity to neutrino masses of a Galactic supernova neutrino signal as could be measured with the detectors presently in operation and with future large volume water \\v{C}erencov and scintillator detectors. The analysis uses the full statistics of neutrino events. The method proposed uses the principles of Bayesian inference reasoning and has shown a remarkably independence of astrophysical assumptions. We show that, after accounting for the uncertainties in the detailed astrophysical description of the neutrino signal and taking into account the effects of neutrino oscillations in the supernova mantle, detectors presently in operation can have enough sensitivity to reveal a neutrino mass (or to set upper limits) at the level of 1 eV. This is sensibly better than present results from tritium $\\beta$-decay experiments, competitive with the most conservative limits from neutrinoless double $\\beta$-decay and less precise but remarkably less ...
Magnetically driven non-stationary acceleration of jets in active galactic nuclei results in the leading parts of the flow being accelerated to much higher Lorentz factors than in the case of steady-state acceleration with the same parameters. The higher Doppler-boosted parts of the flow may dominate the high-energy emission of blazar jets. We suggest that highly variable GeV and TeV emission in blazars is produced by the faster moving leading edges of highly magnetized non-stationary ejection blobs, while the radio data trace the slower-moving bulk flow. Thus, the radio and gamma-ray emission regions have different, but correlated, Doppler factors. High-energy emission is generated, typically within the optically thick core, in the outer parts of the broad-line emission region, avoiding the radiative drag on the faster parts of the flow. The radio emission should correlate with the gamma-ray emission, delayed with frequency-dependent time lag of the order of weeks ...
Measurement of redshifted 21-cm emission from neutral hydrogen promises to be the most effective method for studying the reionisation history of hydrogen and, indirectly, the first galaxies. These studies will be limited not by raw sensitivity to the signal, but rather, by bright foreground radiation from Galactic and extragalactic radio sources and the Galactic continuum. In addition, leakage due to gain errors and non-ideal feeds conspire to further contaminate low-frequency radio obsevations. This leakage leads to a portion of the complex linear polarisation signal finding its way into Stokes I, and inhibits the detection of the non-polarised cosmological signal from the epoch of reionisation. In this work, we show that rotation measure synthesis can be used to recover the signature of cosmic hydrogen reionisation in the presence of contamination by polarised foregrounds. To achieve this, we apply the rotation measure synthesis technique to ...
Gemini North adaptive optics imaging spectroscopy is presented for the Galactic ultra-compact HII (UCHII) region K3-50A. Data were obtained in the K-band using the Near-infrared Integral Field Spectrograph (NIFS) behind the facility adaptive optics module ALTAIR in natural guide star mode. The NIFS data cube reveals a complex spatial morphology across the 0.1 pc scale of the 3'' UCHII region. Comparison of the nebular emission to Cloudy ionization models shows that the central source must have an effective temperature between about 37000 K and 45000 K with preferred values near 40000 K. Evidence is presented for sharp density variations in the nebula which are interpreted as a clearing of material nearest the central source. High excitation lines of FeIII and SeIV show that the ionization of the nebula clearly changes with distance from the central source. A double lobed kinematic signature (+/- 25 kms) is evident in the Br gamma line map which may be related to ...
We review X-ray plasma diagnostics based on the line ratios of He-like ions. Triplet/singlet line intensities can be used to determine electronic temperature and density, and were first developed for the study of the solar corona. Since the launches of the X-ray satellites Chandra and XMM-Newton, these diagnostics have been extended and used (from CV to Si XIII) for a wide variety of astrophysical plasmas such as stellar coronae, supernova remnants, solar system objects, active galactic nuclei, and X-ray binaries. Moreover, the intensities of He-like ions can be used to determine the ionization process(es) at work, as well as the distance between the X-ray plasma and the UV emission source for example in hot stars. In the near future thanks to the next generation of X-ray satellites (e.g., Astro-H and IXO), higher-Z He-like lines (e.g., iron) will be resolved, allowing plasmas with higher temperatures and densities to be probed. Moreover, the so-called satellite ...
In this work we develop a new propagation model for the Galactic cosmic rays based on the GALPROP code, including contributions from dark matter annihilation. The model predicts compatible Galactic diffuse $\\gamma$ ray spectra with EGRET data in all sky regions. It also gives consistent results of the diffuse $\\gamma$ ray longitude and latitude distributions. Further the results for B/C, $^{10}$Be/$^9$Be, proton, electron and antiproton spectra are also consistent with cosmic ray measurements. In the model we have taken a universal proton spectrum throughout the Galaxy without introducing large fluctuation for the proton energy loss is negligible. The dark matter annihilation signals are `boosted' after taking the contribution from subhalos into account. Another interesting feature of the model is that it gives better description of the diffuse $\\gamma$ rays when taking the source distribution compatible with supernova remnants data, which ...
The massive stars in the Galactic center inner arcsecond share analogous properties with the so-called Hot Jupiters. Most of these young stars have highly eccentric orbits, and were probably not formed in-situ. It has been proposed that these stars acquired their current orbits from the tidal disruption of compact massive binaries scattered toward the proximity of the central supermassive black hole. Assuming a binary star formed in a thin gaseous disk beyond 0.1 pc from the central object, we investigate the relevance of disk-satellite interactions to harden the binding energy of the binary, and to drive its inward migration. A massive, equal-mass binary star is found to become more tightly wound as it migrates inwards toward the central black hole. The migration timescale is very similar to that of a single-star satellite of the same mass. The binary's hardening is caused by the formation of spiral tails lagging the stars inside the binary's Hill radius. We show ...
This paper constructs an analytic framework for calculating the assembly of galactic disks from the collapse of gas within dark matter halos, with the goal of determining the surface density profiles. Gas parcels (baryons) fall through the potentials of dark matter halos on nearly ballistic, zero energy orbits and collect in a rotating disk. The dark matter halos have a nearly universal form, as determined previously through numerical simulations. The calculation is first carried out for a variety of pre-collapse mass distributions and rotation profiles, including polytropic spheres in hydrostatic equilibrium with the halo potential. The resulting disk surface density profiles have nearly power-law forms, with well-defined edges. This idealized scenario is generalized to include non-spherical starting states and multiple accretion events (due to gas being added to the halo via merger events). This latter complication is explored in detail and considers a log-normal ...
Antideuterons are among the most promising galactic cosmic ray-related targets for dark matter indirect detection. Currently only upper limits exist on the flux, but the development of new experiments, such as GAPS and AMS-02, provides exciting perspectives for a positive measurement in the near future. In this Paper, we present a novel and updated calculation of both the secondary and primary antideuteron fluxes. We employ a two-zone diffusion model which successfully reproduces cosmic-ray nuclear data and the observed antiproton flux. We review the nuclear and astrophysical uncertainties and provide an up to date secondary (i.e. background) antideuteron flux. The primary (i.e. signal) contribution is calculated for generic WIMPs annihilating in the galactic halo: we explicitly consider and quantify the various sources of uncertainty in the theoretical evaluations. Propagation uncertainties, as is the case of antiprotons, are sizeable. ...
Recent X-ray and radio observations have identified a transient low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) located only 0.1 pc in projection from the Galactic center, CXOGC J174540.0-290031. In this paper, we report the detailed analysis of X-ray and infrared observations of the transient and its surroundings. Chandra bservations detect the source at a flux of F_X = 2e-12 erg cm^-2 s^-1 (2-8 keV). After accounting for absorption both in the interstellar medium and in material local to the source, the implied luminosity of the source is only L_X = 4e34 erg/s (2-8 keV; D=8 kpc). However, the diffuse X-ray emission near the source also brightened by a factor of 2. The enhanced diffuse X-ray emission lies on top of a known ridge of dust and ionized gas that is visible infrared images. We interpret the X-ray emission as scattered flux from the outburst, and determine that the peak luminosity of CXOGC J174540.0-290031 was >2e36 erg/s. We suggest that the relatively small observed ...
We report the discovery of a bow shock around the high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB) 4U 1907+09 using the Spitzer Space Telescope 24 $\\mu$m data (after Vela X-1 the second example of bow shocks associated with HMXBs). The detection of the bow shock implies that 4U 1907+09 is moving through the space with a high (supersonic) peculiar velocity. To confirm the runaway nature of 4U 1907+09, we measured its proper motion, which for an adopted distance to the system of 4 kpc corresponds to a peculiar transverse velocity of $\\simeq 160 \\pm 115$ km/s, meaning that 4U 1907+09 is indeed a runaway system and supporting the general belief that most of HMXBs possess high space velocities. The direction of motion of 4U 1907+09 inferred from the proper motion measurement is consistent with the orientation of the symmetry axis of the bow shock, and shows that the HMXB is running away from the Galactic plane. We also present the Spitzer images of the bow shock around Vela X-1 (a ...
The topics covered in this session include: slimhole testing and data acquisition, theoretical and numerical models for slimholes, and an overview of the analysis of slimhole data acquired by the Japanese. The fundamental issues discussed are concerned with assessing the efficacy of slimhole testing for the evaluation of geothermal reservoirs. the term reservoir evaluation is here taken to mean the assessment of the potential of the geothermal reservoir for the profitable production of electrical power. As an introduction to the subsequent presentations and discussions, a brief summary of the more important aspects of the use of slimholes in reservoir evaluation is given.
A myriad of challenges and shifting strategic priorities face today's military leaders. This special issue contains articles that comment on these challenges and provide new insights to advance discussions on these issues and spawn new research. This article summarizes contemporary challenges and opportunities faced by military leaders and provides an overview of the articles included in the special issue.
As there are many efforts devoted in order to manage the cancer, here the researcher handle one of these efforts that play a major part in treating the cancer internationally, it is a brachytherapy system. Brachytherapy was carried out mostly with radium sources, but recently some artificial sources are incorporated in this mode of treatment such as Cs-137, Ir-192, Au-198, P-32, Sr-90 and I-125. The research cover history of brachytherapy and radioactive sources used in, techniques of implementation, radiation protection and methods of brachytherapy dose calculation, as well as brachytherapy in radiation and isotopes centre in Khartoum.
Since 1976 the Austrian Research Centre Seibersdorf has the task to collect, treat and store radioactive waste (Radwaste) arising in Austria. Within the Department of Waste Management a variety of appropriate treatment systems are installed. For storing unconditioned and conditioned waste proper storage-halls are available. The collection of Radwaste is carried out using 100 l drums, for the conditioned waste the 200 l drum concept is used. The interim storage of conditioned waste is done at Seibersdorf until a final repository is built. The present plan foresees one to be in operation at the year 2012. (author).
Transplantation has emerged as the therapy of choice for many patients with end organ failure. One of the major goals is to tailor immunosuppressive therapy to the individual needs of every patient to balance the risk for rejection and over-immunosuppression. This will require diagnostic tools that can detect harmful processes in the allograft early, and that can be measured repeatedly. This review will consider recent advances in our understanding of the molecular nature of these processes and how this information is being utilized to design novel diagnostic assays to non-invasively monitor allografts. Highlighted is the need for large-scale prospective multi-centre studies to validate assays that show early promise in single centre studies.
In situ optical absorption spectroscopy was used to study the generation of E' centres in amorphous SiO_2 occurring by photo-induced breaking of Si-H groups under 4.7eV pulsed laser radiation. The dependence from laser intensity of the defect generation rate is consistent with a two-photon mechanism for Si-H rupture, while the growth and the saturation of the defects are conditioned by their concurrent annealing due to reaction with mobile hydrogen arising from the same precursor. A rate equation is proposed to model the kinetics of the defects and tested on experimental data.
The objectives of the research in the field of epidemiology , performed at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK-CEN are (1) to study cancer mortality and morbidity in nuclear workers in Belgium; (2) to document the feasibility of retrospective cohort studies in Belgium; (3) to participate in the IARC study. For radiobiology, the main objectives are: (1) to elucidate the mechanisms of the effects of ionizing radiation on the mammalian embryo during the early phase of its development, (2) to assess the genetic risks of maternal exposure to ionizing radiation, (3) to elucidate the mechanisms by which damage to the brain and mental retardation are caused in man after prenatal irradiation. The main achievements in these domains for 1997 are presented.
Progress reports on the European Research Centre for Air Pollution Control Measures project are presented. Topics covered were: assessment and analysis of the impacts of airborne pollutants on forest trees, and distinction from other potential causes of recent forest dieback; research into atmospheric dispersion, conversion and deposition of airborne pollutants; development and optimization of industrial technical processes to reduce or avoid emissions; and providing instruments and making recommendations to the industrial and political sectors.
... So whatever banking issues you would like to discuss, there are a number of convenient ways to contact us. You write to us, phone one of our UK call centres, arrange a meeting with a financial adviser or, of course, visit your local branch. Telephone us Want to give us a call? Click here to see our full list of contact details. Remember, all our call centres are based in the UK. So we can deal with your call efficiently, please have all ...
The energy fed by active galactic nuclei to the surrounding diffuse baryons changes the latter's amount, temperature, and distribution; so in groups and in member galaxies it affects the X-ray luminosity and also the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect. Here we compute how the latter is enhanced by the transient blastwave driven by a shining quasar, and is depressed when the equilibrium is recovered with a depleted density. We constrain such depressions and enhancements with the masses of relic black holes in galaxies and the X-ray luminosities in groups. We discuss how all these linked observables can tell the quasar contribution to the thermal history of the baryons pervading galaxies and groups.
We discuss the advantages which the next generation interferometer SKA (the Square Kilometer Array) will bring for Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) at centimeter wavelengths. With a sensitivity to micro-Jy level flux density, a brightness temperature limit of about 10.000 K, and an expected dynamic range in future VLBI maps of better than 1.000.000, the impact of SKA on the research of compact extragalactic radio sources and their energetic jets will be very strong. We discuss some consequences, including a possible combination of SKA with future space VLBI missions.
The mass distribution of the Sombrero Galaxy, NGC 4594, is calculated in order to investigate the suspicion that the rotational velocity of the galactic gas does not measure the circular velocity in the galaxy. It is shown that the H II rotation velocities are much less than circular in the central 35 arcsec of the galaxy, and that the suspicion is correct. Thus, the H II rotation velocities cannot be used to measure the mass distribution. The absorption-line rotation curve is used to derive the mass distribution, and it is found that the M/L ratio is nearly constant. It is concluded that the visible matter is self-gravitating at least in the central 180 arcsec. 44 references.
The purpose of this investigation is to show that resource to anisotropic compression along a magnetic field is not a necessary condition for star formation within large collapsing interstellar gas clouds. Although such a scenario would certainly eliminate the magnetic field and angular momentum problems associated with isotropically collapsing clouds, it is believed there is sufficient observational theoretical evidence to warrant the present study of magnetically braked, isotropically collapsing gas clouds. It is not attempted to disprove the hypothesis of anisotropic compression, but to offer instead, a reasonable alternative. Angular momentum transfer from magnetically braked, cool interstellar gas clouds of 10"2, 10"3 and 10"4 times the mass of the sun is examined. Magnetic torques acting on a contracting, rotating cloud, permeated by a frozen-in magnetic field coupling the cloud to the galactic field of the surrounding interstellar medium, produce kinks in ...
This dissertation is concerned with the development, experimental diagnostics and mathematical modelling and simulation of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFC). The central themes throughout this thesis are the closely interlinked phenomena of mass and charge transfer. In the face of developing a PEFC system for vehicle propulsion these phenomena are scrutinized on a broad range of relevant scales. Starting from the material related level of the membrane and the gas diffusion layer (GDL) we turn to length scales, where structural features of the cell additionally come into play. These are the scale of flow channels and ribs, the single cell and the cell stack followed by the cell, stack, and system development for an automotive power train. In Chapter 3 selected fundamental material models and properties, respectively, are explored that are crucial for the mathematical modelling and simulation of PEFC, as needed in some succeeding parts of this work. First, established mathematical ...
The study investigated the impact of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme on the phenomenon of female trafficking in South-South Nigeria. To this end, six research questions were raised. These revolved around: (i) resource situation and adequacy of training provided for repatriated trafficked victims in the service provider centre; (ii) efforts in the formal education sector of the UBE to curb female trafficking; and (iii) parents and female students' disposition toward female trafficking. The design of the study was descriptive survey. The sample was 420 female students and their parents as well as 100 teachers in the formal segment of the UBE programme and 130 repatriated trafficked victims in a service provider centre. Four sets of instruments were utilised to generate data for the study. The first was quantitative designed to elicit information on the resource situation of the service provider centre and the ...
For the positive self-adjoint operators H = -#partial deriv#_i_g_i_j(x)#partial deriv# + q(x) on H triple-bond L"2(R"n) with n #>=# 3, it is shown that parallel(|x|)"-"1(#sq root#H - z)"-"1(|x| + 1)"-"1 parallel ##0"+, by imposing several conditions on g_i_j and q. In the special case g_i_j = c"2#delta#_i_j these conditions reduce to |x|#centre dot##nabla#c, (x"2 + 1)"1"+"v"a"r"-"e"p"s"i"l"o"n(|q(x)| + |x#centre dot##nabla#q|) #epsilon# L"#infinity# with the nontrapping condition (c - x#centre dot# #DELTA#c) #>=# kc, and a positivity condition C(x"2 + 1)"-"1 # 0. Results are applied to the stratified wave equation (#partial deriv#_t"2 - c"2(y)#DELTA#_z)#psi# = 0, where z = x circle-plus y #epsilon# R"k circle-plus R"m with n = k + m, and |y|(y#centre dot##nabla#_yc)#epsilon# L"#infinity#(R"m). In all cases the condition (c-y#centre dot##nabla#_yc) #<=# kc leads to a ...
Collective dose equivalent and population dose from occupational exposures in Japan, 1988 were estimated on the basis of a nationwide survey. The survey was conducted on annual collective dose equivalents by sex, age group and type of radiation work for about 0.21 million workers except for the workers in nuclear power stations. The data on the workers in nuclear power stations were obtained from the official report of the Japan Nuclear Safety Commission. The total number of workers including nuclear power stations was estimated to be about 0.26 million. Radiation works were subdivided as follows: medical works including dental; non-atomic energy industry; research and education; atomic energy industry and nuclear power station. For the determination of effective dose equivalent and population dose, organ or tissue doses were measured with a phantom experiment. The resultant doses were compared with the doses previously calculated using a chord length technique and with data from ICRP ...
A brief overview if provided of selected reports presented at the International Symposium on Molecular Mechanisms of Radiation- and Chemical Carcinogen-Induced Cell Transformation held at Mackinac Island, Michigan on September 19-23, 1993.
Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN), formerly known as pancreatic abscess is a late complication of acute pancreatitis. It can be lethal, even though it is rare. This critical review provides an overview...Full Text Available
Tree-level scattering amplitudes of longitudinally polarized electroweak vector bosons in the Standard Model are calculated using Mathematica package Feyncalc. The modifications of low-energy theorems for longitudinally polarized W and Z in the Standard Model are discussed.
The paper is an overview of utility flue gas desulfurization (FGD) technology and costs. The two commercially offered throwaway and salable product systems that are considered to be the most important for near-term (through 1990) SO2 control are: throwawa...
Therapeutic embolization is defined as the voluntary occlusion of one or several vessels, and this is achieved by inserting material into the lumen to obtain transient or permanent thrombosis in the...Full Text Available
The article is divided into three sections: (i) an overview of the main ethical models in public health (theoretical foundations); (ii) a summary of several published frameworks for public health ethics...Full Text Available
This book examines the occupational health hazards imposed by neoplasms. Topics considered include: cancer as an occupational hazard; an overview; epidemiological evidence; and interaction of host and lifestyle factors with occupational chemicals in cancer causation.
All energy scenarios show a shift toward an increased percentage of renewable energy sources, including biomass. This study gives an overview of water footprints (WFs) of bioenergy from 12 crops that...Full Text Available
The realization that there existed a G-protein coupled signal transduction mechanism developed gradually and was initially the result of an ill fated quest for uncovering the mechanism of action...Full Text Available
An overview of the Department of Energy`s Office of Industrial Technologies and its private sector partnerships is presented. Commercial success stories and real-world benefits of the technology partnerships are discussed.
Table of Contents: Overview of Organization and Contents of Document; Analytical Data Collection Efforts and Definition of Options; Description of Data Conventions; Statistical Methodology: Modified Delta-Lognormal Model; Estimation Under the Modified Del...
A brief overview of the conceptual design of a solar central receiver system integrated with an existing cogeneration facility is provided. A synopsis of the performance and economic evaluation, and an assessment of the concept from the site owner's perspective are given.
This third conference on small-satellite applications has combined a number of significant and timely presentations on the status, in the US and on the international front, of this emerging industry. Presentations by all of the major Department of Defense activities in this field, including an overview of the ARPA CAMEO multispectral remote sensing satellite program, space activities at the Air Force Phillips Laboratory, and a space systems capabilities overview of the Naval Research Laboratory, are complemented by presentations from several international activities on their accomplishments and progress in the development of remote sensing satellite programs. For example: Spar Aerospace of Canada presented an overview of the progress they have made in establishing a space program through the use of small satellites, and the University of Surrey and Spar Aerospace provided an overview of the application ...
Sexual conflict is a conflict between the evolutionary interests of individuals of the two sexes. The sexes can have different trait optima but this need not imply conflict if their optima can be attained...Full Text Available
An overview of the operations of Sandia`s Microelectronics Development Lab (MDL) is to develop radiation hardened IC, but techniques used for IC processing have been applied to a variety of related technologies such as micromechanics, smart sensors, and packaging.
SummaryAn overview of recent progress on the total synthesis of acetogenins from Annonaceae during the past 12 years is provided. These include mono-tetrahydrofurans, adjacent bis-tetrahydrofurans,...Full Text Available
This report gives an overview of KIDS (Kestrel Interactive Development System). We describe a program derived with KIDS to solve the Missionaries and Cannibals problem (MC PROBLEM), a classical AI planning problem. Our interest in this problem arose as th...
Overviews, publications, and new directions are presented for the following research topics: geminate charge pairs in hexane, dipoles in nonpolar and polar organic liquids, organic donor-acceptor interfaces, and charge-transfer states (phenanthrene/PMDA).
... Some OA publishers (such as BMC and PLoS) waive the fee for all researchers affiliated with institutions that have purchased an annual membership. A common misunderstanding is that all OA journals use an \\
This chapter provides an overview of the problem of response to a nuclear weapon accident, the fundamentals of response to an accident, and a summary of the NARP Manual. The manual provides a summary of procedural guidance, technical information, and DoD responsibilities, to assist DoD forces in preparing a response to a nuclear weapon accident.
This article presents an overview of the IAEA's technical co-operation activities in the field of nuclear raw materials, particularly looking at recent developments and trends influencing future directions
The Monthly Energy Review provides an overview of the production, distribution, and consumption of energy derived from petroleum natural gas, coal, electricity, and nuclear energy. It also discusses oil and gas resource development, energy prices, and issues relevant to international energy markets.
This is a brief overview of researches of Dmitry Petrovich Zhelobenko (1934--2006). He is the best known for his book "Compact Lie groups and their representations" and for the classification of all irreducible representations of complex semisimple Lie groups. We tell also on other his works, especially on the spectral analysis of representations.
Seq 1 was 8 images spaced 2sec apart, 999 ms man exp, filter 0. ... This region is the 2 sigma ellipsoid. This means, there was 90% chance that ... At this point the ellipse was fat and collapsed as we were still looking more or less ...
Recent topics in the theoretical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) analysis in the heliotron configuration are overviewed. Particularly, properties of three-dimensional equilibria, stability boundary of the interchange mode, effects of the net toroidal current including the bootstrap current and the ballooning mode stability are focused. (author)
This paper summarizes the findings for the African Region of the WPA Task Force on Steps, Obstacles and Mistakes to Avoid in the Implementation of Community Mental Health Care. We present an overview...Full Text Available
This is an overview of the present-day versions of monadology with some applications to vector lattices and linear inequalities. Two approaches to combining nonstandard set-theoretic models are sketched and illustrated by order convergence, principal projection, and polyhedrality.
A publication on Norwegian gas and gas export. The content is wide spread from use of gas in daily life via sub sea pipeline repair systems to an overview over tomorrows gas fields. (AG)
An overview is presented of the FFTF reactor and plant together with descriptions of core components, core internals, core system, primary and secondary control rod system, reactor instrumentation, reactor vessel and closure head, and supporting test programs. (DG)
An overview is presented of the FFTF reactor and plant together with descriptions of core components, core internals, core system, primary and secondary control rod system, reactor instrumentation, reactor vessel and closure head, and supporting test programs.
The following manual chapters are outlined and described: overview, boilers, juice evaporators, feed mills, refrigeration, additional energy savings potentials, emerging technologies, optimization of integrated plant energy systems, and economics. (MHR)
Electron spin resonance spectroscopy can provide a powerful approach to the study of radiation effects in biological materials. This memorandum gives an overview of current and future research. (author).
The report provides and overview of calculation models for the simulation of airflows and deals comprehensively with field and multi-zone models as well as the coupling of individual zone and multi-zone models. Examples of calculations are given. figs., tabs., refs.
... After completing a review into direct coal liquefaction research carried out in Australia and internationally, CSIRO has identified potential new science and technology developments that may improve the cost and viability of CTL in a greenhouse gas-constrained environment. We are conducting research to: determine the optimum ...
The aim of the overview is to give a perspective of global biobank development is given in a view of positioning biobanking as a key resource for healthcare to identify new potential markers that can...Full Text Available
Since the establishment of the National Toxicology Program (NTP), there have been gradual changes in strategies to evaluate the overall toxicity of chemicals as well as their carcinogenic potential....Full Text Available
An overview of particle and photon beam bunch length measurements is presented in the context of free-electron laser (FEL) challenges. Particle-beam peak current is a critical factor in obtaining adequate FEL gain for both oscillators and self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) devices. Since measurement of charge is a standard measurement, the bunch length becomes the key issue for ultrashort bunches. Both time-domain and frequency-domain techniques are presented in the context of using electromagnetic radiation over eight orders of magnitude in wavelength. In addition, the measurement of microbunching in a micropulse is addressed.
...Investigating Biochar: from Source to Sink (Overview - Research) The Sustainable Agriculture Flagship is leading national collaborative research analysing the properties ...and potential of a variety of biochars to improve soil health and sequester carbon. The Sustainable Agriculture Flagship is leading national collaborative research ...analysing the properties and potential of a variety of biochars to improve soil health and sequester carbon. Biochar, sustainable agriculture, soil,...carbon, SAF, pyrolysis, fertiliser, biochar, soil types, greenhouse gas, herbicide, pesticide, bioenergy, soil science, carbon-rich solid, ...
Here I provide a brief overview of recent experimental gas-phase measurements using the Selected-Ion Flow Tube or SIFT technique at 294#+-#2 K with helium buffer gas at 0.35 Torr for reactions which remove electrons from the C_6_0 molecule or donate electrons to singly and multiply-charged C_6_0 cations. The results of these measurements have provided new insight into physicochemical aspects of electron transfer and have revealed the occurrence of unprecedented electron transfer reactions at thermal energies. (author).
Cerium is known to enter substitutionally in trivalent state when doped in alkali halides. Cerium doped NaCl crystals exhibit greatly enhanced thermoluminescence output upon X-irradiation at RT, the intensity of emission being about 10 times that in undoped crystals for similar dosage of irradiation. The cerium doped crystals give upon X-irradiation a very intense glow peak at 145degC with shoulders at 120degC and 210degC. Upon partially bleaching the crystal with F-light, the peak at 120degC becomes prominent probably due to faster bleaching of the glow at 145degC. From further optical bleaching studies, it is concluded that the glow peak at around 120degC is due to cerium centres in the irradiated crystal and the 145degC peak due to F centres. This F centre emission occurs at lower temperature, compared to that in the undoped crystals where it occurs at around 180degC. The spectral emission in the Ce doped crystals is in ...
Site-selective spectroscopy fluorescence experiments (emission and excitation) in the near-infrared region associated with the {sup 4}I{sub 15/24}I{sub 11/2} transitions of Er{sup 3+} ions have been successfully used to show the presence of two different Er{sup 3+} centres in the Bi{sub 12}SiO{sub 20} piezoelectric crystal. Green (545-570 nm), red (650-690 nm) and near-infrared (850-890 nm) up-converted emissions have been observed and resolved for each type of centre under excitation up to the {sup 4}{sub I11/2} state. The Stark energy level schemes of the three lower energy states of Er{sup 3+} ions have been determined and compared for both centres, showing two quite different crystalline field environments. The mechanisms responsible for the up-conversion process (excited state absorption and/or energy transfer up-conversion) are also analysed. (author)
Site-selective spectroscopy fluorescence experiments (emission and excitation) in the near-infrared region associated with the "4I_1_5_/_2_4I_1_1_/_2 transitions of Er"3"+ ions have been successfully used to show the presence of two different Er"3"+ centres in the Bi_1_2SiO_2_0 piezoelectric crystal. Green (545-570 nm), red (650-690 nm) and near-infrared (850-890 nm) up-converted emissions have been observed and resolved for each type of centre under excitation up to the "4_I_1_1_/_2 state. The Stark energy level schemes of the three lower energy states of Er"3"+ ions have been determined and compared for both centres, showing two quite different crystalline field environments. The mechanisms responsible for the up-conversion process (excited state absorption and/or energy transfer up-conversion) are also analysed. (author)
A semirelativistic two-component extended linear augmented plane-wave k#centre dot#p method is described. In order to ensure a high accuracy of the k#centre dot#p method, it is necessary to include into the radial-basis set, which is used for the augmentation of the plane waves, functions that are neither solutions of the Schrodinger equation nor their energy derivatives. The usual scalar relativistic procedure, which is nonlinear in energy, is not applicable to such basis sets. As an alternative, we suggest an approximation to the Foldy-Wouthuysen Hamiltonian that produces an explicitly Hermitean matrix in the augmented plane wave representation. The technique is applied to the calculation of the full dielectric matrix and optical properties of palladium and platinum metals over the photon energy region up to 100 eV. Special attention is paid to the far ultraviolet absorption by the excitations of semicore Pd 4p and Pt 5p and 4f states. A ...
Safety assessments for clearance of H-beam and valves, main radioactive metal wastes in Kori nuclear power plants, were carried out to derivate a decontamination factor for satisfying the dose limits of clearance level (Maximum individual dose: 10 #mu#Sv/y, collective dose: 1 man#centre dot#Sv/y) in Korea. Maximum individual dose and collective dose were evaluated by internal dose conversion factor which based on the concept of effective dose in ICRP publication 60. The results of maximum individual dose and collective dose is 139 #mu#Sv per year and 0.166 man#centre dot#Sv per year about H-beam, and 158 #mu#Sv per year and 0.468 man#centre dot#Sv per year about valves respectively. Demand decontamination factor satisfied with, which is respectively more than 13.9 and 15.8 for satisfying clearance level.
The Centre's new structure, implemented in July 1997 is now operating well. CMTE Development Limited is now the legal entity for the CRC and replaces the previously unincorporated joint venture. CMTE has ten core participating organisations. Roche Highwall Mining Pty. Ltd., withdrew participation during the year. The annual report describes its structure and management and various cooperative links. It outlines research programs in the following areas: mining; geological sensing; automation; reliability and maintenance; and coal processing. Projects include: developing an ultra-short-radius drilling machine for drainage of methane gas from coal seams; developing techniques for improved drilling speed and accuracy to reduce costs for gas drainage holes in underground coal mining; developing draglines; developing geophysical logging tools; developing autonomous control of underground vehicles such as coal-haul-dump (LHD) and haulage trucks, developing tools ...
Objectives: Acupuncture has served as a major complementary and alternative therapy that supplements conventional medicine and is the subject of growing public interest. This study was conducted to estimate the usage rate of acupuncture as a supplemental treatment in acute ischaemic stroke patients and to identify factors associated with the choice to use this therapy. Methods: Using the registry of stroke patients admitted to an academic medical centre in Korea, the use of acupuncture therapy was recorded and analysed, along with the patients' socio-demographic characteristics, hospital access variables, risk factors for ischaemic stroke and clinical characteristics. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analyses. Results: O...
The thermoluminescence (TL) and emission of coloured RbCl and RbCl:Sn crystals are studied in the temperature range 300 to 560 K. The glow peaks responsible for F centres and tin centres in different valence states are identified using optical bleaching studies. The glow peaks are analysed using total curve fitting method and the kinetic parameters are determined. In moderately #gamma#-irradiated tin-doped RbCl crystals, the TL emission bands observed at 4.0, 3.6, and 2.2 eV are attributed to Sn"0, Sn"+, and Sn"- centers, respectively. A comprehensive energy level diagram depicting the various TL processes in these undoped and tin-doped RbCl crystals is proposed. (author).
Taking the port city of Alicante the author outlines how numerous crossroads connect the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean. Along the arc of Euro-Mediterranean trading centres lies the European continent as a whole, extending eastwards to the republics emerging from the disintegration of the Soviet Empire, and in the south to Francophone and Muslim Africa. This arc of trading towns includes Istanbul, Dubai, Naples, Antwerp, Hamburg, Marseilles and Alicante. The author traces the movements of individuals pursuing "suitcase trade" performed by means of face-to-face links, word of mouth, and verbal agreements. The author then traces this vast "choreographed movement" that originates from Europe's borders, and suggests that although reasons other than trade influence mobility a...
A method for simplifying finite element models of structures having a beam-like global dynamical behaviour is presented. This method is based on the use of a general uniform beam finite element formulation. It takes into account both transverse shear effects and dynamical coupling between bending and torsion due to the fact that mass centres and shear centres do not always coincide. For that purpose, we develop a condensation method for reducing any shell model into an equivalent beam, as well as a technique for automatically identifying the corresponding set of beam parameters. The method is applied to several illustrate examples that demonstrate its ability to simplify finite element models for many kinds of sophisticated structures having a beam-like predominant behaviour.
In this paper a novel method is presented, based on the use of plasma processing, to suppress the transient enhanced diffusion of boron implanted in silicon. We found for silicon samples processed with plasma and subsequently boron implanted that the anomalous diffusion of the dopant atoms at the beginning of the annealing process is almost completely suppressed. This phenomenon is interpreted in terms of capture of the ion beam generated interstitials by the dislocations induced by the plasma processing. At room temperature the dislocations are observed to grow in size after the boron implant, attesting their efficiency as trapping centres for interstitials. Moreover, varying the plasma process conditions we can establish a general relation between the presence of the trapping centres induced by the plasma processing and the suppression of the transient diffusion.
Ozone production in a negative corona discharge has been studied experimentally at atmospheric pressure in mixtures of N_2O+O_2 at ambient temperature. Ozone formation was found to be dramatically reduced with increase in the content of N_2O in the mixture. The reaction of O("1D) with nitrous oxide is the most likely process reducing the rate of ozone generation. A considerable decrease in the mean discharge current at a constant voltage was also observed with increasing content of nitrous oxide in the mixture and is attributed to the formation of anions in the discharge. The low values of the calculated mobility of negative charge carriers in the drift region of the discharge is caused by the formation of O"- #centre dot# (N_2O)_n and NO"-#centre dot#(N_2O)_n cluster anions in the drift region of the negative corona discharge.
The IGC Highlights briefly outlines some of the the significant progresses made by Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam during the period 1996-1997. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) was operated at the maximum power level possible with the available partial core. The first generation of electricity from FBTR and its synchronization with the grid in 1997 marked a significant step in the nuclear programme of the Centre. Another important event was the commissioning of the "2"3"3U - fuelled Kamini reactor.The mission-oriented programmes in fast reactor technology was supported by a host of research and development programmes, in closely related areas namely materials technology, welding metallurgy, sodium technology, manufacturing technology, non-destructive testing, quality engineering, in-service inspection, electronics and instrumentation and safety research. The Highlights also contains the organisation chart and the list of ...
Clin. Otolaryngol. 2009, 34, 438-446. Objective: To determine whether economic costs associated with a conservative management strategy for unilateral acoustic neuroma offer an economic advantage over active management options. Design: Cost and sensitivity analysis on a prospective cohort. Setting: Single centre study within a tertiary referral centre in Toronto, Canada. Participants: 72 patients (32 males, 40 females) aged 36 to 78 years with unilateral acoustic neuroma were assigned initially to a conservative management strategy. Entry criteria were small tumour size (less than 15mm in the cerebellopontine angle), patient preference and/or significant co-morbidity. Interventions: MRI scanning was performed every 6 months for the first year, annually subsequently and then every 2-3 years...
Abstract Background: This study involves a multicentre surveillance of tigecycline and tetracycline activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria from primary care centres (PCCs), general hospital wards (GHWs) and intensive care units (ICUs) in Denmark (n == 9), Finland (n == 10), Norway (n == 7) and Sweden (n == 19). Methods: The hospitals were each asked to test 30 consecutive Gram-positive and 30 Gram-negative clinical isolates. Supportive information accompanying each isolate included the study centre, ward level (PCC, GHW, or ICU), patient identification and source of the isolate. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for tetracycline and tigecycline were determined with the Etest. Results: The isolates collected comprised 1610 Gram-negative and 1767 Gram-positive clini...
The Monte-Carlo method and experimental methods were used to determine the neutron fluxes in the irradiation channels of the Ghana Research Reactor -1. The MCNP5 code was used for this purpose to simulate the radial and axial distribution of the neutron fluxes within all the ten irradiation channels. The results obtained were compared with the experimental results. After the MCNP simulation and experimental procedure, it was observed that axially, the fluxes rise to a peak before falling and then finally leveling out. Axially and radially, it was also observed that the fluxes in the centre of the channels were lower than on the sides. Radially, the fluxes dip in the centre while it increases steadily towards the sides of the channels. The results have shown that there are flux variations within the irradiation channels both axially and radially. (au)
This paper summarizes the findings from an exploratory definition of a usage strategy for multiple control centre wall displays in CANDU nuclear power plants. Wall displays are defined as large sized, vertically oriented display surfaces that may be positioned in various locations about a control room to support user information needs. The paper begins by discussing the need for a usage strategy for all control room information resources, and then reviews the history in wall display implementation and usage in nuclear power plant control rooms. The balance of the paper discusses the approach used in characterization and review of control room task information needs and definition of a wall display usage strategy. The paper concludes by outlining some of the possible impacts on future control room design and operations that the introduction of wall displays may imply. (author)
The influence of trace level Ni additions on the eutectic solidification mode of Sn?0.7Cu has been studied using continuous torque experiments during solidification. The solid fraction at which resistance to paddle rotation at the thermal centre of the sample occurs is related to the spatial distribution of solid during solidification. The results indicate that a transition in solidification mode occurs in the range 0?300ppm Ni. Growth occurs antiparallel to heat flow from near the mould walls in the Ni-free alloy, while equiaxed growth from distributed centres dominates in alloys containing at least 300ppm Ni.
Very high energy (VHE; >100 GeV) observations of a sample of selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) were performed between January 2005 and April 2007 with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (HESS), an array of imaging atmospheric-Cherenkov telescopes. Significant detections are reported elsewhere for many of these objects. Here, integral flux upper limits for twelve candidate very high energy (VHE; >100 GeV) gamma-ray emitters are presented. In addition, results from HESS observations of four known VHE-bright AGN are given although no significant signal is measured. For three of these AGN (1ES 1101-232, 1ES 1218+304, and Mkn 501) simultaneous data were taken with the Suzaku X-ray satellite.
Simple, one-zone models for inhomogeneous chemical evolution of the Galactic halo are used to predict the number fraction of zero-metallicity, Population III stars, which currently is empirically estimated at < 4e-4. These analytic models minimize the number of free parameters, highlighting the most fundamental constraints on halo evolution. There are disagreements of at least an order of magnitude between observations and predictions in limiting cases for both homogeneous Simple Model and Simple Inhomogeneous Model (SIM). Hence, this demonstrates a quantitative, unambiguous discrepancy in the observed and expected fraction of Population III stars. We explore how the metallicity distribution of the parent enrichment events f(z_0) drives the SIM and predictions for the Population III fraction. The SIM shows that the previously-identified "high halo" and "low halo" populations are consistent with a continuous evolutionary progression, and therefore may not ...
We report the results of the evaluation of the ``concentration-density'' relation of galaxies in the local universe, taking advantage of the very large and homogeneous data set available from the Las Campanas Redshift Survey (Shectman et al. 1996). This data set consists of galaxies inhabiting the entire range of galactic environments, from the sparsest field to the densest clusters, thus allowing us to study environmental variations without combining multiple data sets with inhomogeneous characteristics. Concentration is quantified by the automatically-measured concentration index $C$, which is a good measure of a galaxy's bulge-to-disk ratio. The environment of the sample galaxies is characterized both by the three-space local galaxy density and by membership in groups and clusters. We find that the distribution of C in galaxy populations varies both with local density and with cluster/group membership: the fraction of centrally-concentrated galaxies increases ...
In this talk, we summarize recent results obtained from the combined neutrino telescopes IceCube and AMANDA. The combined approach, including data taken from both detectors simultaneously, is compared to other analyses that are using IceCube only data. The main benefit of the combined detector is its improved performance at low energies, meaning energies below 1 TeV (close to the energy threshold of the detector). The discussion is focused on the search for extra-terrestrial neutrinos from candidate sources in our Galaxy. Using appropriate cuts, the sensitivity can be optimized for soft spectra neutrino sources. With the resulting data sample, several studies are performed: an unbinned Galactic Plane Scan and a Cygnus region analysis: the Multi Point Source analysis. The current status of these analyses is presented.
Cosmic ray antiprotons provide an important probe for the study of cosmic ray propagation in the interstellar space and to investigate the existence of Galactic dark matter. The ARGO-YBJ experiment is observing the Moon shadow with high statistical significance at an energy threshold of a few hundred GeV. Using all the data collected until November 2009, we set two upper limits on the antip/p flux ratio: 5% at an energy of 1.4 TeV and 6% at 5 TeV with a confidence level of 90%. In the few-TeV range the ARGO-YBJ results are the lowest available, useful to constrain models for antiproton production in antimatter domains.
Dark Matter annihilation (DMA) may yield an excess of gamma rays and antimatter particles, like antiprotons and positrons, above the background from cosmic ray interactions. The excess of diffuse Galactic Gamma Rays from EGRET shows all the features expected from DMA. The new precise measurements of the antiproton and positron fractions from PAMELA are compared with the EGRET excess. It is shown that the charged particles are strongly dependent on the propagation model used. The usual propagation models with isotropic propagation models are incompatible with the recently observed convection in our Galaxy. Convection leads to an order of magnitude uncertainty in the yield of charged particles from DMA, since even a rather small convection will let drift the charged particles in the halo to outer space. It is shown that such anisotropic propagation models including convection prefer a contribution from DMA for the antiprotons, but the rise in the positron fraction, ...
This paper presents a review of the history, motivation and current status of high energy neutrino telescopes. Many years after these detectors were first conceived, the operation of kilometer-cubed scale detectors is finally on the horizon at both the South Pole and in the Mediterranean Sea. These new detectors will perhaps provide us the first view of high energy astrophysical objects with a new messenger particle and provide us with our first real glimpse of the distant universe at energies above those accessible by gamma-ray instruments. Some of the topics that can be addressed by these new instruments include the origin of cosmic rays, the nature of dark matter, and the mechanisms at work in high energy astrophysical objects such as gamma-ray bursts, active galactic nuclei, pulsar wind nebula and supernova remnants.
Researchers report results from the Low Energy Antiproton Experiment (LEAP), a balloon-borne instrument which was flown in August, 1987. They found a value of 4.2 by 10-6 for the antiproton to proton ratio in the energy range from 120 MeV to 600 MeV at the top of the atmosphere. In particular, this experiment places an upper limit on the flux almost an order of magnitude below the reported flux of Buffington et al. This upper limit allows us to place significant constraints on both the primordial black hole and weakly interacting Majorana Fermion hypothesis, as well as on the low energy processes in more conventional models of galactic cosmic ray antiproton production.
The next decade promises an observational revolution which will change cosmology forever. The precise measurement of the angular anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background should specify to a few percent all of the parameters of the cosmological model which effect astrophysics. The growth of structure will then be determined (but not yet observed) until gravitational collapse becomes highly non-linear and stars, galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN) form. These processes are hard to model with basic physics because they are complex and allow a rich variety of expression. Instead observations will determine when the first stars and quasars formed, and how and when galaxies assembled. If we can reconcile the numerous contradictions which characterize the subject today, cosmology will become a mature subject, founded on the agreement between detailed, inclusive and realistic models, which make precise predictions, and the wealth of new data which will come from ...
Abstract Recent work (Schawinski et al.) indicates that star-forming early-type galaxies residing in the blue cloud migrate rapidly to the red sequence within around a Gyr, passing through several phases of increasingly strong active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity in the process. We show that natural depletion of the cold gas reservoir through star formation (i.e. in the absence of any feedback from the AGN) induces a blue-to-red reddening rate that is several factors lower than that observed by Schawinski et al. This is because the gas depletion rate due to star formation alone is too slow, implying that another process needs to be invoked to remove cold gas from the system and accelerate the reddening rate. We develop a simple phenomenological model, in which a fraction of the AGN-s lum...
Based on the practical condition of the plant and in reference to advanced management experiences worldwide, Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant has established its own peculiar management system for radiation protection management and ALARA implementation. The characteristics of the system are: radiation protection training to all workers, active involvement of all managers and staffs, and whole process safety control to maintenance activities. The management philosophy of 'workers are responsible for their own radiation safety' is adopted in the plant. A strict, formalized and systematic whole staff radiation protection training, evaluation, authorization and periodically refreshing mechanism had been established and executed in the plant. In the organizational point of view, the responsibilities of line managers were specified in plant procedures, ALARA coordination organization on plant level and for specific activities were established. Meanwhile, the plant highlighted the defining, ...
In the recent years the use of nuclear energy has turned from a technical and scientific issue to a political one. The high-temperature reactor (HTR) however, has always been advertised as particularly safe. The present situation and future developments of HTR-technology were the two issues that VDI-News brought up on the 27th October on an HTR-conference in an interview with the 'spiritual father' of the HTR, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Schulten of the Juelich Nuclear Research Centre. (orig.).
During its jubilee, the French building technical and scientific centre (CSTB) has organized a colloquium about the future tendencies of buildings evolution in the 20 forthcoming years: autonomy in energy production and wastes or effluents management, reduction of water consumption and management of water, hot water production and space heating, bio-sensors for the management of indoor air-quality, control of noise environment using active acoustic systems etc.. (J.S.)
... By applying non-market valuation methods, we focus on analysing individual preferences in respect of (environmental) non-market goods. The principal object of research interest is the valuation of pollution impacts and effects of working processes on human health resulting in premature deaths, risk alterations, and various disease symptoms. We also deal with valuation of non-production ecosystem (forest) functions and benefits, inter alia ...
... Producers and their Impacts on Women in Central Java, IndonesiaActions basรฉes sur des scรฉnarios visant ร รฉlever ... impact sur les femmes dans le centre de Java, en IndonรฉsieInvestigaciรณn-acciรณn basada en...
The volume contains reports on plant technology, on systems organisation with the aim to minimize the risk (human error), on the problem of seismic risk, on core-disruptive accidents and on accident consequence models with different release categories and a comparison of the potential damage incurred. Mr. Webb; one of the authors, attempts to disprove the objections to his two earliest SNR statements by experts of Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Centre.
The volume contains reports on plant technology, on systems organisation with the aim to minimize the risk (human error), on the problem of seismic risk, on core-disruptive accidents and on accident consequence models with different release categories and a comparison of the potential damage incurred. Mr. Webb; one of the authors, attempts to disprove the objections to his two earliest SNR statements by experts of Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Centre. (AK).
Tests based on teaching aims, which can be used for objective determination of the level of knowledge of technical college and polytechnic students, are developed at the vocational training centre of the DMT. The data are gathered completely anonymously by a computer program and evaluated economically. (orig.)
An inner-city development with pile foundations as well as the proximity to the river Neckar with a groundwater flow offered ideal conditions for this new building in Mannheim in order to heat and cool geothermally. Already with the planning phase, detailed numerical flow computations were necessary in order to prove the functionality of the energy concept.
... This study catalysed  a more comprehensive collaborative research programme, Assessment of the durability and engineering properties of lesser known hardwood timber species for use in marine and freshwater construction, jointly funded by the Environment Agency and TRADA, and managed by H R Wallingford. Additional funding was provided by British Waterways, The Crown Estate, CETMEF (Centre d'Etudes Techniques Maritimes et Fluviales) and VolkerStevin Ltd. Timber ...
... The structure comprises piled foundations supporting a steel frame, and is clad in both masonry and rainscreen cladding systems. The hotel is adjacent to the recently redeveloped bus station in the centre of Norwich. Related Services Structural Design Go View all Services Find Projects Sector All Sectors Buildings & Infrastructure Environment Natural Resources Transportation Sub Sector All Sub-Sectors Country All Countries Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina ...
... Complete Wasters An exciting range of recycled, re-used, fairtrade and sustainable gifts as well as low cost recycled computer systems. Visit our mini eco centre, gift shop and wildlife garden. Since 1997 Complete Wasters has... recycled 700 tonnes of paper, card, cans, and bottles; refurbished 2000 PCs; planted 600 trees and promoted recycling to over 700,000 people at over ...
The Merged Sounding value-added product (VAP) uses a combination of observations from radiosonde soundings, the microwave radiometer (MWR), surface meteorological instruments, and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model output with a sophisticated scaling/interpolation/smoothing scheme in order to define profiles of the atmospheric thermodynamic state at one-minute temporal intervals and a total of 266 altitude levels.
...who trains at the University, lines up in the pole vault alongside Steve Lewis in the men's competition, who also trains at the Loughborough High performance Athletics Centre. Loughborough alumni Victoria Barr, Hayley Jones, Lee McConnell and Kim Wall are all in the British women's 4x400m relay ...
... Jared Deacon, former Olympian and Commonwealth Gold Medallist, who coaches out of PowerBase and Loughborough's High Performance Athletics Centre, and Pete McKnight of Leicestershire County Cricket Club who formerly worked out of PowerBase with EIS and continues to work for UKA at the University, will also take ...
...Identification - ETI Food & Biobased Research (WUR) Freudenthal Institute - FIsme (UU) Holst Centre IKM Engineering Ltd Information Retrieval and Information Systems (KUN) Information Systems - INS Information Technology Group (WUR) Institute for Computing and Information Sciences - ICIS (KUN) Institute of Health Policy and Management (EUR) ...
Spain was a scientifically backward country in the early 19th-century. Thecauses were various political events, the War of Independence, and the reign ofFernando VII. The introduction of contemporary physics into textbooks wastherefore a slow process. An analysis of the contents of 19th-century Spanishtextbooks is here presented, centred on imponderable fluids, the concept ofenergy, the mechanical theory of heat, and the kinetic theory of gases.
With the Government decision to phase out the Fast Reactor at Dounreay there is a need to find alternative employment in the area. Traditionally Caithness is an area of farming, fishing and tourism which could be damaged if Dounreay were to be made a nuclear waste repository. The suggestion is that Dounreay should become a centre for research, development and subsequent manufacture of renewable energy sources and devices to harness renewable energy. The Scottish coastline has potential for wind and wave power developments and this could lead to a whole industry in the future. (UK).
Dimensional metrology and positioning operations are used in many fields of particle accelerator projects. This lecture gives the basic tools to designers in the field of measure by analysing the spatial layout of measurement systems since it is central to dimensional metrology as well as positioning operations. In a second part, a case study dedicated to a synchrotron storage ring is proposed from the detection of the magnetic centre of quadrupoles to the orbit definition of the ring.
In order to facilitate observations of low energy nuclear reactions, a new type recoil mass-separator together with a new gas-jet target system is being developed at the tandem accelerator facility in Kyushu University. The expected mass-resolving power of the separator is 220 for a solid angle of 10 msr and the practical thickness of the gas-jet target will exceed 0.1 atm#centre dot#cm for the light elements of H and He. (author).
The Centre d'Etudes Nucleaires de Grenoble (France) has constructed nine Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT), of Darrieus type, 5 m diameter (D5), in order to acquire a wide knowledge of this kind of wind turbines and of its performances, the final goal be...
Radiation processed wood-polymer composites (WPC) can replace conventional wood in many industrial applications. However, for proper utilization of the composites, adequate testing and evaluation programmes are essential. The paper briefly describes the development of WPC at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Bombay, and the evaluation of WPC for various applications in greater details. The various mechanical properties and their significance in overall performance of WPC are also discussed. (author).
... Future Job Fund Scheme Goodwood Allotments Location: Goodwood Allotments Work undertaken by long-term unemployed young people under the Future Jobs Fund (FJF) transforms derelict allotments into a readily workable space for the local community. New Parks Skegness Ride Location: New Parks Youth Centre Youths from the New Parks Club for Young People engage with sustainable transport and develop teamwork skills via a team bike ride. ...
Ribosomal protein L 10 from the livers of trout, hen, and rat was found to be the main target for 2-nitro-4-azidobenzoyl-Phe-tRNA in affinity labelling experiments. Therefore, despite somewhat different electrophoretic mobilities, this protein seems to be involved in the organization of the peptidyl transferase centre in ribosomes of various vertebrates. (author).
The Project was started August 1, 1992. During these first two months, the Project Management plan was issued and approved during discussions at the Pittsburgh Energy and Technology Centre. Feed materials for the experimental work (with the exception of the second solvent) have been received. The analytical work up of these feed materials has been completed, and autoclave stability tests with the solvent and solvent fraction have been performed and analyzed. The Project is proceeding on schedule.
The Project was started August 1, 1992. During these first two months, the Project Management plan was issued and approved during discussions at the Pittsburgh Energy and Technology Centre. Feed materials for the experimental work (with the exception of the second solvent) have been received. The analytical work up of these feed materials has been completed, and autoclave stability tests with the solvent and solvent fraction have been performed and analyzed. The Project is proceeding on schedule.
Space particles act on semiconductor devices by creating charges (electrons, holes) in the silicon and the silicon dioxide, and by creating displacement damage. These primary phenomena alter the electrical parameters of MOS and bipolar devices (threshold voltage V_t, mobility #mu#, conductivity #sigma#, current gain #beta#). The dose rate is not important in space (a few rad (Si)/h) but as the durations of space expeditions are on average from seven to twelve years, the total dose is an aggravating factor in the behaviour of the electrical parameters and also in device operation. The total dose effect from the beginning of charge creation (ionization) to the parameter shifts is reviewed. One can note that this effect is permanent because there will almost always be charge creation in space. Another important phenomenon is called the Single Event Upset (S.E.U.) and caused by the heavy ions and the protons which come from the galactic rays. The consequence of S.E.U. ...
We analyze the timing of photons observed by the MAGIC telescope during a flare of the active galactic nucleus Mkn 501 for a possible correlation with energy, as suggested by some models of quantum gravity (QG), which predict a vacuum refractive index {approx_equal}1+(E/M{sub QGn}){sup n}, n=1,2. Parametrizing the delay between {gamma}-rays of different energies as {delta}t={+-}{tau}{sub l}E or {delta}t={+-}{tau}{sub q}E{sup 2}, we find {tau}{sub l}=(0.030{+-}0.012) s/GeV at the 2.5-{sigma} level, and {tau}{sub q}=(3.71{+-}2.57)x10{sup -6} s/GeV{sup 2}, respectively. We use these results to establish lower limits M{sub QG1}>0.21x10{sup 18} GeV and M{sub QG2}>0.26x10{sup 11} GeV at the 95% C.L. Monte Carlo studies confirm the MAGIC sensitivity to propagation effects at these levels. Thermal plasma effects in the source are negligible, but we cannot exclude the importance of some other source effect.
On 30th September 1985, the Federal Government licensed site suitability investigations in three areas with a view to disposal of low-and intermediate-level radioactive waste. This report gives a summary overview of the corresponding research programme at the potential site Oberbauenstock. The first part of the report begins with some comments on the concept of radioactive waste disposal and on some basic aspects of site-specific exploration and investigation. The governmental decision of 30th September and Nagra's two-phase investigation concept are then briefly considered. To close, the objectives of investigation phase I are outlined and possible results are briefly discussed. The research programme developed for investigation of the potential site at Oberbauenstock is presented in the second part of the report. Besides geological and hydrogeological investigations at the surface, the programme mainly comprises investigations and measurements in the underground ...
The first year of this effort was focussed on the following broad objectives: (1) Analyze the molecular types present in shale oil (as a function of molecular weight distribution); (2) Determine the behavior of these molecular types in liquid-liquid extraction; (3) Develop the analytical tools needed to systematize the process development; (4) Survey the markets to assure that these have high value uses for the types found in shale oil; (5) Explore selective process means for extracting/converting shale oil components into concentrates of potentially marketable components; (6) Compile overview of the venture development strategy and begin implementation of that strategy. Each of these tasks has been completed in sufficient detail that we can now focus on filling in the knowledge gaps evident from the overview.
This book gives an overview of the entire field of radiation protection with the subject areas radioactivity, X-rays, UV radiation, laser beams and high-frequency electromagnetic fields. It deals graphically with the most important physical notions, the incidence, origin, properties and biological effects of types of radiation, administrative and practical protection measures and the code of rules governing them. Apart from fundamentals of radiation protection the emphasis on the following: natural radiation exposure, radiation exposure to radon, disaster relief plans in the environment of nuclear plant, the precautionary radiation protection system evolved after Chernobyl, radiation exposure through UV radiation devices, radio, RF communication, radar, microwave ovens and high-voltage transmission lines as well as computer work-places. (orig.).
The objective of this paper is to give an overview on the seismic evaluation and retrofitting procedures of reinforced concrete buildings within JICA technical cooperation project in Romania. The content of the paper covers a) an outline of the seismic evaluation; history and comparison of Romanian seismic design codes with the Japanese seismic evaluation guidelines, b) an outline of the retrofitting techniques which were transferred from Japan to Romania and structural tests for retrofitting techniques employed in Romania and c) retrofitting details that were used by JICA/NCSRR in the retrofitting design of two vulnerable buildings in Bucharest. The above-mentioned retrofitting projects are now under development of detailed design and therefore, in the near future, refining and improvement of solutions will be performed. (authors)
A new protocol technology is just starting to emerge from the laboratory environment. Its stated purpose is to provide an additional means in which networks, and the services that reside on them, can be protected from adversarial compromise. This report has a two-fold objective. First is to provide the reader with an overview of this emerging Dynamic Defenses technology using Dynamic Network Address Translation (Dynat). This ''structure overview'' is concentrated in the body of the report, and describes the important attributes of the technology. The second objective is to provide a framework that can be used to help in the classification and assessment of the different types of dynamic defense technologies along with some related capabilities and limitations. This information is primarily contained in the appendices.
This paper provides an overview of a multi-year research project being conducted at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. The objective of the research is to evaluate the role of financial structure in promoting the development of innovative and sustainable energy technologies and its current relationship to innovation and entrepreneurial activity in this important economic sector. In this paper, emphasis is placed on the venture capital segment of the capital market and the electricity segment of the energy industry. We first provide a short overview of the electricity sector. We then briefly discuss the concept of innovation and entrepreneurship and its relationship to our research effort. Finally, the bulk of the paper outlines the conceptual framework for the venture capital element of the research project. We conclude the paper with a summary of our preliminary observations. (Author)
A historical overview is given on the basic results which appeared by the year 1926 concerning Einstein's fluctuation formula of black-body radiation, in the context of light-quanta and wave-particle duality. On the basis of the original publications (from Planck's derivation of the black-body spectrum and Einstein's introduction of the photons up to the results of Born, Heisenberg and Jordan on the quantization of a continuum) a comparative study is presented on the first line of thoughts that led to the concept of quanta. The nature of the particle-like fluctuations and the wave-like fluctuations are analysed by using several approaches. With the help of the classical probability theory, it is shown that the infinite divisibility of the Bose distribution leads to the new concept of classical poissonian photo-multiplets or to the binary photo-multiplets of fermionic character. As an application, Einstein's fluctuation formula is derived as a sum of fermion type ...
Stemming from their unique combination of elevated strength, low density, and good overall corrosion resistance, beta titanium alloys have become attractive candidate materials for critical, high-stress, components in corrosive services. An overview of the comparative corrosion resistance of beta alloys to conventional alpha and alpha/beta titanium alloys in common industrial and aerospace service environments generally reveals attractive behavior depending on the environment and alloy composition and, in some cases, alloy condition. Expanded performance windows are especially noted for the molybdenum-rich beta alloys, particularly in regard to resisting reducing acids, stress corrosion, and high temperature localized chloride attack, along with hydrogen and oxidation resistance. Where applicable, implications of this enhanced corrosion performance on current and perspective beta alloy applications are also noted.
The use of the cervicograph with the incorporated action and alert lines in labour management in developing country obstetrics is now well established and patients in labour in Port Moresby have been thus managed since 1973. In this study the cerviograph was introduced in hospitals and health centres in Enga Province and the results analysed. Despite intensive tuition in its use, a large number of cervicographs were incorrectly constructed, especially in health centres, and its introduction made little difference to operative delivery or perinatal mortality rates. The proportion of patients crossing the action line was much higher than in Post Moresby but this difference was probably also largely due to the inaccuracy of many cervicographs. It is likely that these difficulties will not be overcome until many more nurses with intensive training in the use of the cervicograph are available and until more deliveries take place in health ...
The heating system of the `Centre integre de mecanique industrielle de la Chaudiere`, in Saint-Georges, Quebec, is based on a solar wall and a geothermal heat pump with a glycol/water mixture circulating in 44 wells that are 100 m deep. With installation costs below $25 per sq.m, more than 85 per cent of the heating needs of the 9500 sq.m centre were supplied by geothermal power. The geothermal heat pump is composed of a well field and two 211-kW cooling units, each equipped with four coiled compressors. In winter, heat is pumped from the earth and in summer, a heat exchanger with control valves allows to heat to be dumped back into the earth. The monitoring and simulation of the system proved its efficiency, considering the climatic conditions in Quebec. The annual consumption of geothermal heating is 0.146 GJ per sq.m, which is very low compared to the consumption of electric heating (0.286 GJ per sq.m) or oil heating (0.419 GJ per sq.m). 4 ...
ScotGrid is a distributed Tier-2 centre in the UK with sites in Durham, Edinburgh and Glasgow. ScotGrid has undergone a huge expansion in hardware in anticipation of the LHC and now provides more than 4MSI2K and 500TB to the LHC VOs. Scaling up to this level of provision has brought many challenges to the Tier-2 and we show in this paper how we have adopted new methods of organising the centres, from fabric management and monitoring to remote management of sites to management and operational procedures, to meet these challenges. We describe how we have coped with different operational models at the sites, where Glagsow and Durham sites are managed "in house" but resources at Edinburgh are managed as a central university resource. This required the adoption of a different fabric management model at Edinburgh and a special engagement with the cluster managers. Challenges arose from the different job models of local and grid submission that ...
Husky Oil Operations Ltd (Husky) is considering the development of the South White Rose Expansion (SWRX) area, located approximately 4 km south of the current Southern Glory Hole (SGH) in approximately 120 m of water. Within the new glory hole, one new drill centre will be constructed with wells tied back and into the SGH manifolds. The SWRX drill centre will comprise three horizontal production wells and two horizontal water injection wells with expansion capacity for eight wells. Husky is intending to submit a Development Plan Amendment to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) as part of the development. This document presented the results of a study that assessed the potential impact of the new development on existing White Rose safety studies. The study reviewed existing safety studies that were developed for the White Rose project to determine the potential impact of the new SWRX development. These studies ...
Energy is a critical factor which determines the progress of rural development. Energy is therefore an area of concern. The quality, availability and cost of conventional energies, plus the associated environmental effects are a growing problem - not only for the health infrastructure but also for agriculture and domestic life. This is true not only in developing countries where the fast growing industries and urban populations demand a soaring proportion of available energy at the expense of the rural communities, but also in the poorest countries with weak energy infrastructure. Renewable energies, much studied in the last 20 years, can meet the needs of rural health and education services and communities by providing high quality, low cost, non-polluting energy. Solar energy, in particular, has the flexibility to produce electricity, heat and cooling. Solar technologies, furthermore, are backed by an established and experienced industry. This report proposes to meet the energy needs ...
In October last year the first intercomparison of measurements of the soil radon concentrations between various laboratories in Slovakia was realised. The organisation of this intercomparison was conducted by the Slovak Legal Metrology in Banska Bystrica together with the Slovak National Accreditation Service in Bratislava (SNAS). The scientific guarantee of the exercise was the State metrological Centre for radon quantities, which is working at the Research base of Slovak Medical University in Bratislava. The main objective of the intercomparison was to verify the correctness of the methods for the soil radon measurements of the authorised laboratories for radon volume activities in soil air. The intercomparison (signed as SLM ILC 3/03) was performed as a 'circular' metrology comparison, in accordance with a methodical directive MSA 0117-98, published by SNAS. Six laboratories were participating on the intercomparison and there have been two stages of the work one ...
3-["1"2"3I]Iodo-L-#alpha#-methyl tyrosine (["1"2"3I]IMT) scintigraphy of extracranial malignant tumors has been described, but little is known about the transport systems involved in ["1"2"3I]IMT uptake into extracranial tumor cells. Here, the precise kinetics of ["1"2"3I]IMT transport into human Ewing's sarcoma cells (VH-64) was determined. The apparent Michaelis constant was of high affinity value (K_m=41.7#+-#3.9 #mu#M) and maximum transport velocity amounted to V_m_a_x=20.7#+-#0.6 nmol#centre dot#mg protein"-"1#centre dot#10 min"-"1. Inhibition experiments revealed the predominance of ["1"2"3I]IMT uptake via sodium-independent system L.
We study the high-energy emission of the Galactic black hole candidate GX 339-4 using INTEGRAL/SPI and simultaneous RXTE/PCA data. By the end of January 2007, when it reached its peak luminosity in hard X-rays, the source was in a bright hard state. The SPI data from this period show a good signal to noise ratio, allowing a detailed study of the spectral energy distribution up to several hundred keV. As a main result, we report on the detection of a variable hard spectral feature (>150 keV) which represents a significant excess with respect to the cutoff power law shape of the spectrum. The SPI data suggest that the intensity of this feature is positively correlated with the 25 - 50 keV luminosity of the source and the associated variability time scale is shorter than 7 hours. The simultaneous PCA data, however, show no significant change in the spectral shape, indicating that the source is not undergoing a canonical state transition. We analyzed the broad band ...
In the next decade Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) will be used to test theories predicting changes in the Dark Energy equation of state with time. Ultimately this requires a dedicated space mission like JDEM. SNe Ia are mature cosmological probes --- their limitations are well characterized, and a path to improvement is clear. Dominant systematic errors include photometric calibration, selection effects, reddening, and population-dependent differences. Building on past lessons, well-controlled new surveys are poised to make strides in these areas: the Palomar Transient Factory, Skymapper, La Silla QUEST, Pan-STARRS, the Dark Energy Survey, LSST, and JDEM. They will obviate historical calibrations and selection biases, and allow comparisons via large subsamples. Some systematics follow from our ignorance of SN Ia progenitors, which there is hope of determining with SN Ia rate studies from 0galactic and cluster chemical ...
Magnetic fields correlated on several kiloparsec scales are seen in spiral galaxies. Their origin could be due to the winding up of a primordial cosmological field or due to amplification of a small seed field by a turbulent galactic dynamo. Both options have difficulties: There is no known battery mechanism for producing the required primordial field. Equally the turbulent dynamo may self destruct before being able to produce the large scale field, due to excess generation of small scale power. The current status of these difficulties is discussed. The resolution could depend on the nature of the saturated field produced by the small scale dynamo. We argue that the small scale fields do not fill most of the volume of the fluid and instead concentrate into intermittent ropes, with their peak value of order equipartition fields, and radii much smaller than their lengths. In this case these fields neither drain significant energy from the turbulence nor convert eddy ...
Two dimensional Fourier spectra of near-infrared images of galaxies provide a powerful diagnostic tool for the detection of spiral arm modulation in stellar disks. Spiral arm modulation may be understood in terms of interference patterns of outgoing and incoming density wave packets or modes. The brightness along a spiral arm will be increased where two wave crests meet and constructively interfere, but will be decreased where a wave crest and a wave trough destructively interfere. Spiral arm modulation has hitherto only been detected in grand design spirals (such as Messier 81). Spiral arm amplitude variations have the potential to become a powerful constraint for the study of galactic dynamics. We illustrate our method in two galaxies: NGC 4062 and NGC 5248. In both cases, we have detected trailing and leading m=2 waves with similar pitch angles. This suggests that the amplification mechanism is the WASER type II. In this mechanism, the bulge region reflects ...
We present a detailed spectral analysis of point-like X-ray sources in the XMM-COSMOS field. Our sample of 135 sources only includes those that have more than 100 net counts in the 0.3-10 keV energy band and have been identified through optical spectroscopy. The majority of the sources are well described by a simple power-law model with either no absorption (76%) or a significant intrinsic, absorbing column (20%).As expected, the distribution of intrinsic absorbing column densities is markedly different between AGN with or without broad optical emission lines. We find within our sample four Type-2 QSOs candidates (L_X > 10^44 erg/s, N_H > 10^22 cm^-2), with a spectral energy distribution well reproduced by a composite Seyfert-2 spectrum, that demonstrates the strength of the wide field XMM/COSMOS survey to detect these rare and underrepresented sources.
In a recent survey of the stellar populations of LINERS and LINER/HII Transition Objects (TOs) we identified a numerous class of nuclei which stand out because of their conspicuous 10^8-9 yr populations. These objects were called ``Young-TOs'', since they all have TO-like emission line ratios. In this paper we investigate the radial variations of spectral properties in Low Luminosity AGN. Our analysis is based on high S/N, 3500-5500 A, long-slit spectra for 47 galaxies. The data probe distances of typically up to 850 pc from the nucleus with a resolution of ~ 100 pc and S/N ~ 30. Stellar population gradients are mapped by the radial profiles of absorption line equivalent widths and colours along the slit. These variations are further analyzed by means of a decomposition of each spectrum in terms of template galaxies representative of very young (<= 10^7 yr), intermediate age (10^8-9 yr) and old (10^10 yr) populations. Our main findings are: (1) Significant stellar population ...
PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range (protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antimatter with a precision of the order of $10^{-8}$). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, 15 2006 in a $350\\times 600 km$ orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. The detector is composed of a series of scintillator counters arranged at the extremities of a permanent magnet spectrometer to provide charge, Time-of-Flight and rigidity information. Lepton/hadron identification is performed by a Silicon-Tungsten calorimeter and a Neutron detector placed at the bottom of the device. An Anticounter system is used offline to reject false triggers coming from the satellite. In self-trigger ...
We present our discovery of a narrow-line Baldwin effect, an anti-correlation between the equivalent width (EW) of a line and the flux of the associated continuum, in 5-20$\\mu$m mid-infared lines from a sample of 68 Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), located at z$<$0.5, observed with the Infrared Spectrograph on the {\\it Spitzer Space Telescope}. Our analysis reveals a clear anti-correlation between the EW of the [SIV] 10.51$\\mu$m, [NeII] 12.81$\\mu$m, and [NeIII] 15.56$\\mu$m lines and their mid-IR continuum luminosities, while the Baldwin effect for [NeV] 14.32$\\mu$m is not as obvious. We suggest that this anti-correlation is driven by the central AGN and not circumnuclear star formation in the host galaxy. We also find that the slope of the narrow-line Baldwin effect in the mid-infrared does not appear to steepen with increasing ionization potential. Examining the dependence of the EW to the Eddington Ratio ($L/L_{Edd}$) we find no strong relationship for ...
We study the stellar and dust properties of a well-defined sample of local elliptical galaxies to investigate the relationship between host galaxy properties and nuclear activity. We select a complete sample of 45 ellipticals from the Palomar spectroscopic survey of nearby galaxies, which includes 20 low-luminosity active galactic nuclei classified as LINERs and 25 inactive galaxies. Using a stellar population synthesis method, we compare the derived stellar population properties of the LINER versus the inactive subsamples. We also study the dust and stellar surface brightness distributions of the central regions of these galaxies using high-resolution images obtained with the {\\it Hubble Space Telescope}. Relative to the inactive subsample, ellipticals hosting LINERs share similar total optical and near-infrared luminosity, central stellar velocity dispersions, and nuclear stellar populations as judged from their luminosity-weighted ages and metallicities. ...
We numerically investigate whether and how gaseous ejecta from AGB stars can be converted into new stars within originally massive star clusters (MSCs) in order to understand the origin of multiple stellar populations in globular clusters (GCs). We adopt a scenario in which (i) MSCs with masses of M_s can be formed from high-mass, high-density giant molecular clouds (GMCs) in their host galactic building blocks embedded in dark matter halos at high redshifts and (ii) their evolution therefore can be significantly influenced by M_s, their initial locations, and physical properties of their hosts. Our 3D hydrodynamical simulations show that gaseous ejecta from AGB stars can be retained within MSCs and consequently converted into new stars very efficiently in the central regions of MSCs, only if M_s exceed a threshold mass (M_th) of ~10^6 M_sun. The new stars can correspond to the ``second generation (SG)'' of stars with higher Na and lower O abundances observed in ...
The data obtained by the recent modern sky surveys enable detailed studies of the stellar distribution in the multi-dimensional space spanned by spatial coordinates, velocity and metallicity, from the solar neighborhood all the way out to the outer Milky Way halo. While these results represent exciting observational breakthroughs, their interpretation is not simple. For example, traditional decomposition of the thin and thick disks predicts a strong correlation in metallicity and kinematics at $\\sim$1 kpc from the Galactic plane; however, recent SDSS--based work has demonstrated an absence of this correlation for disk stars. Instead, the variation of the metallicity and rotational velocity distributions can be modeled using non--Gaussian functions that retain their shapes and only shift as the distance from the mid--plane increases. To fully contextualize these recent observational results, a detailed comparison with sophisticated numerical models is necessary. ...
The X-ray spectra of {approx}200 AGN collected from Swift-BAT were analyzed to test the Unified Model for AGN. Specifically, the photon indices, high energy cutoffs, and reflection components of Sy1 and Sy2 were compared. Under the Unified Model, the photon indices and reflection components for Sy1 should be larger than Sy2 and the high energy cutoffs should be the same. Fitting a simple power law model to the sample spectra proved to be insufficient. The PEXRAV model fit the spectra of the Sy1 and Sy2 significantly better, indicating that a reflection component and/or high energy cutoff exists as the Unified Model expects. Using both the simple power law and PEXRAV models it was concluded that in the population studied, Sy1 had a larger photon index than Sy2, as expected by the Unified Model. For Sy1 and Sy2, the reflection components were found to be compatible, but given the large errors, this finding cannot be said to be evidence against the Unified Model. However, it was concluded ...
We propose the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) as an alternative method for locating periodic orbits in a three--dimensional (3D) model of barred galaxies. We develop an appropriate scheme that transforms the problem of finding periodic orbits into the problem of detecting global minimizers of a function, which is defined on the Poincar\\'{e} Surface of Section (PSS) of the Hamiltonian system. By combining the PSO method with deflection techniques, we succeeded in tracing systematically several periodic orbits of the system. The method succeeded in tracing the initial conditions of periodic orbits in cases where Newton iterative techniques had difficulties. In particular, we found families of 2D and 3D periodic orbits associated with the inner 8:1 to 12:1 resonances, between the radial 4:1 and corotation resonances of our 3D Ferrers bar model. The main advantages of the proposed algorithm is its simplicity, its ability to work using function values solely, as well as its ability to ...
We present the general properties of the far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1370-1720A) continuum background over most of the sky, obtained with the Spectroscopy of Plasma Evolution from Astrophysical Radiation instrument (SPEAR, also known as FIMS), flown aboard the STSAT-1 satellite mission. We find that the diffuse FUV continuum intensity is well correlated with N_{HI}, 100 $\\mu$m, and H-alpha intensities but anti-correlated with soft X-ray. The strongest correlation is with the H-alpha emission, and the correlation of the diffuse background with the direct stellar flux is weaker than the correlation with other parameters. The continuum spectra are relatively flat. However, a weak softening of the FUV spectra toward some sight lines, mostly at high Galactic latitudes, is found not only in direct-stellar but also in diffuse background spectra. The diffuse background is relatively softer that the direct stellar spectrum. We also find that the diffuse FUV background averaged ...
Primordial black holes are unique probes of cosmology, general relativity, quantum gravity and non standard particle physics. They can be considered as the ultimate particle accelerator in their last (explosive) moments since they are supposed to reach, very briefly, the Planck temperature. Upper limits on the primordial black hole number density of mass $M_{\\star} = 5 10^{14}$ g, the Hawking mass (born in the big-bang terminating their life presently), is determined comparing their predicted cumulative $\\gamma$-ray emission, galaxy-wise, to the one observed by the EGRET satellite, once corrected for non thermal $\\gamma$-ray background emission induced by cosmic ray protons and electrons interacting with light and matter in the Milky Way. A model with free gas emissivities is used to map the Galaxy in the 100 MeV photon range, where the peak of the primordial black hole emission is expected. The best gas emissivities and additional model parameters are obtained by fitting the EGRET ...
Because Spitzer is an Earth-trailing orbit, losing about 0.1 AU/yr, it is excellently located to perform microlens parallax observations toward the Magellanic Clouds (LMC/SMC) and the Galactic bulge. These yield the so-called ``projected velocity'' of the lens, which can distinguish statistically among different populations. A few such measurements toward the LMC/SMC would reveal the nature of the lenses being detected in this direction (dark halo objects, or ordinary LMC/SMC stars). Cool Spitzer has already made one such measurement of a (rare) bright red-clump source, but warm (presumably less oversubscribed) Spitzer could devote the extra time required to obtain microlens parallaxes for the more common, but fainter, turnoff sources. Warm Spitzer could observe bulge microlenses for 38 days per year, which would permit up to 24 microlens parallaxes per year. This would yield interesting information on the disk mass function, particularly old brown dwarfs, which at ...
Cosmic ray antiprotons provide an important probe for the study of cosmic-ray propagation in the interstellar space and to investigate the existence of Galactic dark matter. Cosmic rays are hampered by the Moon, therefore a deficit of cosmic rays in its direction is expected (the so-called "Moon shadow"). The Earth-Moon system acts as a magnetic spectrometer. In fact, due to the geomagnetic field the center of the Moon shifts westward by an amount depending on the primary cosmic ray energy. Paths of primary antiprotons are therefore deflected in an opposite sense in their way to the Earth. This effect allows, in principle, the search of antiparticles in the opposite direction of the observed Moon shadow. The ARGO-YBJ experiment, in stable data taking since November 2007 with an energy threshold of a few hundreds of GeV, is observing the Moon shadow with high statistical significance. Using about 1 year data, an upper limit of the antip/p flux ratio in the few-TeV ...
The narrow emission line spectra of active galactic nuclei are not accurately described by simple photoionization models of single clouds. Recent Hubble Space Telescope images of Seyfert 2 galaxies show that these objects are rich with ionization cones, knots, filaments, and strands of ionized gas. Here we extend to the narrow line region the ``locally optimally emitting cloud'' (LOC) model, in which the observed spectra are predominantly determined by powerful selection effects. We present a large grid of photoionization models covering a wide range of physical conditions and show the optimal conditions for producing many of the strongest emission lines. We show that the integrated narrow line spectrum can be predicted by an integration of an ensemble of clouds, and we present these results in the form of diagnostic line ratio diagrams making comparisons with observations. We also predict key diagnostic line ratios as a function of distance from the ionizing ...
PAMELA is a satellite borne experiment designed to study with great accuracy cosmic rays of galactic, solar, and trapped nature in a wide energy range protons: 80 MeV-700 GeV, electrons 50 MeV-400 GeV). Main objective is the study of the antimatter component: antiprotons (80 MeV-190 GeV), positrons (50 MeV-270 GeV) and search for antimatter with a precision of the order of 10^-8). The experiment, housed on board the Russian Resurs-DK1 satellite, was launched on June, 15, 2006 in a 350*600 km orbit with an inclination of 70 degrees. The detector is composed of a series of scintillator counters arranged at the extremities of a permanent magnet spectrometer to provide charge, Time-of-Flight and rigidity information. Lepton/hadron identification is performed by a Silicon-Tungsten calorimeter and a Neutron detector placed at the bottom of the device. An Anticounter system is used offline to reject false triggers coming from the satellite. In self-trigger mode the ...
In a recent study of a search for enhancements from the galactic center with muons at sea level using the TUPI muon telescope, we have found several ground level enhancements (GLEs) as very sharp peaks above the count rate background. This paper reports a consistent analysis of two GLEs observed in December 2003 and detected after an up-grade of the data acquisition system, which includes a noise filter and which allows us to verify that the GLEs are not mere background fluctuations. The main target of this study is a search for the origin of the GLEs. The results show that one of them has a strong correlation with a solar flare, while the other has an unknown origin, because there is neither a satellite report of a solar flare, nor prompt X-ray emission, and nor a excess of nuclei during the raster scan where the GLE was observed. Even so, two possibilities are analyzed: the solar flare hypothesis and the gamma ray burst (GRB) hypothesis. We show, by using the ...
We present Sauron 2D spectrography of the central 1.5 kpc of the nearby Sey2 galaxy NGC1068, encompassing the well-known NIR inner bar. We have successively disentangled the respective contributions of the ionized gas and stars, thus deriving their 2D distribution and kinematics. The [OIII] and Hbeta emission lines exhibit very different spatial distribution and kinematics, the latter following inner spiral arms with clumps associated with star formation. Strong inwards streaming motions are observed in both the Hbeta and [OIII] kinematics. The stellar kinematics also exhibit clear signatures of a non-axisymmetric tumbling potential, with a twist in both the velocity and h3 fields. We re-examined the long-slit data of Shapiro et al (2003) using pPXF: a strong decoupling of h3 is revealed, and the central decrease in h4 hinted in the Sauron data is confirmed. These data also suggest that NGC1068 is a good candidate for a so-called sigma-drop. We confirm the possible presence of two ...
Anti-proton and positron Galactic cosmic ray (GCR) spectra are among the key targets for indirect detection of dark matter (DM). The boost factors, corresponding to an enhancement of the signal|linked to the clumpiness properties of the dark matter distribution|, have been taken as high as thousands in the past. The dramatic impact of these boost factors for indirect detection of antiparticles, for instance with the PAMELA satellite or the coming AMS-02 experiment, asks for their detailed calculation. We take into account the state-of-the-art results of high resolution N-body dark matter simulations to calculate the most likely energy dependent boost factors|linked to the GCR propagation properties|, for anti-protons and positrons. The results from extreme, but still possible, configurations of the clumpy dark matter component is also discussed. Starting from the mass and space distributions of sub-halos, the anti-proton and positron propagators are used to ...
From this vast subject, I will pick out and review three specific topics, namely the formation and evolution of bars, the formation of bulges, and the evolution during multiple major mergers. Bars form naturally in galactic discs. Their evolution is driven by the exchange of angular momentum within the galaxy. This is emitted mainly by near-resonant material in the inner disc (bar), and is absorbed by near-resonant material in the outer disc and in the halo. As a result of this, the bar becomes stronger and rotates slower. Bulges are not a homogeneous class of objects. Based on their formation history, one can distinguish three types. Classical bulges are mainly formed before the actual disc component, from collapses or mergers and the corresponding dissipative processes. Boxy/peanut bulges are parts of bars seen edge-on. Finally, disc-like bulges are formed by the inflow of material to the center due to bar torques. Major mergers bring strong and fast evolution ...
Some models for quantum gravity (QG) violate Lorentz invariance and predict an energy dependence of the speed of light, leading to a dispersion of high-energy gamma-ray signals that travel over cosmological distances. Limits on the dispersion from short-duration substructures observed in gamma-rays emitted by gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) at cosmological distances have provided interesting bounds on Lorentz invariance violation (LIV). Recent observations of unprecedentedly fast flares in the very-high energy gamma-ray emission of the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) Mkn 501 in 2005 and PKS 2155-304 in 2006 resulted in the most constraining limits on LIV from light-travel observations, approaching the Planck mass scale, at which QG effects are assumed to become important. I review the current status of LIV searches using GRBs and AGN flare events, and discuss limitations of light-travel time analyses and prospects for future instruments in the gamma-ray domain.
We compare N-body simulations of isolated galaxies performed in both frameworks of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND) and Newtonian gravity with dark matter (DM). We have developed a multigrid code able to efficiently solve the modified Poisson equation derived from the Lagrangian formalism AQUAL. We take particular care of the boundary conditions that are a crucial point in MOND. The 3-dimensional dynamics of initially identical stellar discs is studied in both models. In Newtonian gravity the live DM halo is chosen to fit the rotation curve of the MOND galaxy. For the same value of the Toomre parameter (Q_T), galactic discs in MOND develop a bar instability sooner than in the DM model. In a second phase the MOND bars weaken while the DM bars continue to grow by exchanging angular momentum with the halo. The bar pattern speed evolves quite differently in the two models: there is no dynamical friction on the MOND bars so they keep a constant pattern speed while the ...
Through analysis of archival images and photometry from the Spitzer GLIMPSE and MIPSGAL surveys combined with Two Micron All Sky Survey and MSX data, we have identified 488 candidate young stellar objects (YSOs) in the giant molecular cloud M17 SWex, which extends #approx#50 pc southwest from the prominent Galactic H II region M17. Our sample includes >200 YSOs with masses >3 M _s_u_n that will become B-type stars on the main sequence. Extrapolating over the stellar initial mass function (IMF), we find that M17 SWex contains >1.3 x 10"4 young stars, representing a proto-OB association. The YSO mass function is significantly steeper than the Salpeter IMF, and early O stars are conspicuously absent from M17 SWex. Assuming M17 SWex will form an OB association with a Salpeter IMF, these results reveal the combined effects of (1) more rapid circumstellar disk evolution in more massive YSOs and (2) delayed onset of massive star formation.
We model the transport of cosmic ray nuclei in the Galaxy by means of a new numerical code. Differently from previous numerical models we account for a generic spatial distribution of the diffusion coefficient. We found that in the case of radially uniform diffusion, the main secondary/primary ratios (B/C, N/O and sub-Fe/Fe) and the modulated antiproton spectrum match consistently the available observations. Convection and re-acceleration do not seem to be required in the energy range we consider: $1 \\le E \\le 10^3$ GeV/nucleon. We generalize these results accounting for radial dependence of the diffusion coefficient, which is assumed to trace that of supernova remnants. While this does not affect the prediction of secondary/primary ratios, the simulated longitude profile of the diffuse $\\gamma$-ray emission is significantly different from the uniform case and may agree with EGRET measurements without invoking {\\it ad hoc} assumptions on the galactic gas ...
Yet designed to measure charged component of the cosmic rays, the foreseen Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) could also release {gamma}-ray studies, in the energy range from GeV to TeV, using the tracker system, for {gamma}-rays converted in e{sup +}e{sup -} pair, and the electromagnetic calorimeter. In the first part of the thesis are described the calibrations and the performances of the engineering model of the calorimeter, obtained from the analysis of data taken during a test-beam performed at CERN in July 2002. In the second part of the thesis, the AMS-02 discovery potential for {gamma}-astrophysics is presented. While exposure maps of the {gamma}--sky are computed for one year of data taking with the {gamma}--detectors, the acceptance of the calorimeter is obtained from Monte-Carlo simulations. The AMS-02 potential is then estimated for signals from the Vela pulsar and for some supersymmetric signals from the Galactic Center. (author)
The flux of cosmic ray antiprotons with kinetic energies between /approximately/1 and 15 GeV is /approximately/5 times greater than the flux predicted on the basis of the leaky-box model. This excess is attributed to secondary antineutron production in compact sources. Because the antineutrons are not confined by the magnetic field of the compact source, they leave the interaction site, decay in interstellar space and account for the apparent excess cosmic ray antiproton flux. The escape and decay of neutrons produced in association with the antineutrons is a source of cosmic ray protons. Observations of the angular variation of the intensity and spectral shape of 100 MeV ..gamma..-rays produced by neutron-decay protons in the reaction p + p ..-->.. ..pi../sup 0/ ..-->.. 2..gamma.. could reveal compact-source cosmic ray production sites. COS-B observations of spectral hardening near point sources, and future high-resolution observations of galactic point ...
We have derived elemental abundances for a sample of nine IRAS sources with colours similar to those of post-AGB stars. For IRAS 01259+6823, IRAS 05208-2035, IRAS 04535+3747 and IRAS 08187-1905 this is the first detailed abundance analysis based upon high resolution spectra. Mild indication of s-processing for IRAS 01259+6823, IRAS 05208-2035 and IRAS 08187-1905 have been found and a more comprehensive study of s-process enhanced objects IRAS 17279-1119 and IRAS 22223+4327 have been carried out. We have also made a contemporary abundance analysis of the high galactic latitude supergiants BD+39 4926 and HD 107369. The former is heavily depleted in refractories and estimated [Zn/H] of -0.7 dex most likely gives initial metallicity of the star. For HD 107369 the abundances of alpha and Fe-peak elements are similar to those of halo objects and moderate deficiency of s-process elements is seen. IRAS 07140-2321 despite being a short period binary with circumstellar shell ...
We present the X-ray properties of a sample of 17 radio sources observed with the Chandra X-ray Observatory as part of a project aimed at studying the X-ray emission from their radio jets. In this paper, we concentrate on the X-ray properties of the unresolved cores. The sample includes 16 quasars (11 core-dominated and 5 lobe-dominated) in the redshift range z=0.30--1.96, and one low-power radio-galaxy at z=0.064. No diffuse X-ray emission is present around the cores of the quasars, except for the nearby low-power galaxy that has diffuse emission on a scale and with a luminosity consistent with other FRIs. No high-amplitude, short-term variability is detected within the relatively short Chandra exposures. However, 1510-089 shows low-amplitude flux changes with a timescale of $\\sim$25 minutes. The X-ray spectra of the quasar cores are generally well described by a single power law model with Galactic absorption. However, in six quasars we find soft X-ray excess ...
We estimate binary compact object merger detection rates for LIGO, including the binaries formed in ellipticals long ago. Specifically, we convolve hundreds of model realizations of elliptical- and spiral-galaxy population syntheses with a model for elliptical- and spiral-galaxy star formation history as a function of redshift. Our results favor local merger rate densities of 4\\times 10^{-3} {Mpc}^{-3}{Myr}^{-1} for binary black holes (BH), 3\\times 10^{-2} {Mpc}^{-3}{Myr}^{-1} for binary neutron stars (NS), and 10^{-2} {Mpc}^{-3}{Myr}^{-1} for BH-NS binaries. Mergers in elliptical galaxies are a significant fraction of our total estimate for BH-BH and BH-NS detection rates; NS-NS detection rates are dominated by the contribution from spiral galaxies. Using only models that reproduce current observations of Galactic NS-NS binaries, we find slightly higher rates for NS-NS and largely similar ranges for BH-NS and BH-BH binaries. Assuming a detection signal-to-noise ...
The COBE data on cosmic background radiation (CBR) isotropy and spectrum are generally considered to be explicable only in the context of the Big Bang theory and to be confirmation of that theory. However, this data can also be explained by an alternative, non-Big Bang model which hypothesizes an intergalactic radio-absorbing and scattering medium. Dense, force-free magnetic filaments generated by quasars, active galactic nuclei and Herbig-Haro objects can remain stable in the intergalactic medium for many Gy. They will be opaque to radiation with wavelengths longer than 100--400 microns, and essentially transparent to shorter wavelengths. They are thus capable of thermalizing and isotropizing the cosmic background radiation, and of accounting for the observed decrease of radio luminosity of galaxies within increasing distance from earth. A simple, inhomogeneous model of such an absorbing medium can reproduce both the isotropy and spectrum of the CBR within the ...
Accretion processes in quasars and active galactic nuclei are still poorly understood, especially as far as the connection between observed spectral properties and physical parameters is concerned. Quasars show an additional degree of complexity compared to stars that is related to anisotropic emission/obscuration influencing the observed properties in most spectral ranges. This complicating factor has hampered efforts to define the equivalent of an Hertzsprung-Russel diagram for quasars. Even if it has recently become possible to estimate black hole mass and Eddington ratio for sources using optical and UV broad emission lines, the results are still plagued by large uncertainties. Nevertheless, robust trends are emerging from multivariate analysis of large spectral datasets of quasars. A firm observational basis is being laid out by accurate measurements of broad emission line properties especially when the source rest-frame is known. We consider the most widely ...
A variety of investigations have demonstrated commonalities between the Baldwin (1977) Effect, the blueshifting of CIV emission lines (e.g., Gaskell 1982; Richards et al. 2002), and the L_UV-L_X relationship (e.g., Avni & Tananbaum 1982; Strateva et al. 2005; Steffen et al. 2006); indeed all three of these observational effects may be manifestations of the same underlying (but still uncertain) physics. This commonality is of interest to investigations of accretion disk winds (e.g., Murray et al. 1995; Proga et al. 2000) from active galactic nuclei (AGN) as there is evidence that broad absorption line quasars (BALQSOs) are drawn from a parent sample of quasars that exhibit larger than average CIV blueshifts, weaker than average CIV emission line strengths, and bluer than average (intrinsic) colors. The properties of the absorption troughs appear to be dependent upon these parameters. Thus, it is suggested that not all quasars will host bona-fide BAL troughs, but ...
This paper examines why ship shaped floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) systems have been selected for the first two developments on Foinaven and Schiehallion fields in West of Shetland operated by BP Exploration. An overview of the concepts considered for the deepwater harsh environment is made against the business objectives and reservoir conditions which are the primary drivers behind development concept selection. Discussion of technical issues for a range of concepts are held on schedule, construction, installation, safety, flexibility to production throughput, capital and operating costs.
This report consists of a broad overview of activities at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The following topics are discussed: The growth of the waste management group; what we do today; the mission of the waste management group; the liquid waste treatment section; the radioactive liquid waste project office; the chemical waste section; the radioactive waste section; and the technical support section.
To foster rural economic development and growth, Congress passed the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program as Section 9006 of the 2002 Farm Bill. This program provides financial assistance to farmers, ranchers, and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. The Rural Business and Cooperative Services of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) administers this program. This conference poster provides an overview of Section 9006.
Aircraft constitute a unique environment which places stringent requirements on the instruments used to measure the concentrations of atmospheric trace gases and aerosols. Some of these requirements such as minimization of size, weight, and power consumption are general; others are specific to individual techniques. This review presents the basic principles and considerations governing the deployment of trace gas and aerosol instrumentation on an aircraft. An overview of common instruments illustrates these points and provides guidelines for designing and using instruments on aircraft-based measurement programs.
Ts presentation, available online as a printable PDF, discusses the global effects of deforestation. It contains the following three pages:an overview of the reasons people have cut forests and how the direct destruction of forests is the primary reason for today's massive extinction of speciesa world map that shows the global forest cover 8,000 years agoa world map that shows the significantly smaller remaining frontier forests as of 1997?intact natural forest ecosystems that are relatively undisturbed and large enough to maintain all of their biodiversity.
Neutral beam systems for the next generation of magnetic fusion devices will be based on negative ions. Development are progressing steadily, and large negative ion-based systems are prepared for JT60-U and LHD, and are being considered for ITER. An overview of the physics of the production, acceleration and neutralization of large negative ion beams is given. the present state of the art in Research and Development is also surveyed. (author). 55 refs., 10 figs., 1 tab.
Neutral beam systems for the next generation of magnetic fusion devices will be based on negative ions. Developments are progressing steadily, and large negative ion-based systems are under preparation for JT60-U and LHD, and are being considered for ITER. An overview of the physics of the production, acceleration and neutralization of large negative ion beams is given. The present state of the art in R and D is also surveyed. (Author).
A brief overview, from an experimentalist`s point of view, of the possibilities and difficulties involved in building a photon-photon collider using beams produced in Compton backscattering from a linear e{sup +}e{sup -} or e{sup -}e{sup -}collider. Some hindsight is included from the successful March 1994 Berkeley workshop on gamma-gamma colliders. (author). 13 refs., 2 figs.
A brief overview, from an experimentalist's point of view, of the possibilities and difficulties involved in building a photon-photon collider using beams produced in Compton backscattering from a linear e"+e"- or e"-e"-collider. Some hindsight is included from the successful March 1994 Berkeley workshop on gamma-gamma colliders. (author). 13 refs., 2 figs.
An overview of the developments and designs of electric cars is given. It can be concluded that the numbers of electric-powered vehicles in the world, presented by different companies, are confusing and that it is very difficult to categorize the electric cars because of the many different prototypes under development sofar. Also an introduction is given on the engine technology of such cars. Attention is paid to the direct current (DC) motor, the induction motor, the brushless DC-motor, and the synchronous motor. 2 figs., 4 ills., 35 refs.
Selected papers from the conference are presented under seven sections covering: an overview of the environmental and health implications of low-grade fuel use; fuel resources and recovery; exploitation of peat and wood as a fuel; oil shale resources, processing and use; technological approaches to the reduction of environmental impacts associated with oil shale processing and use; technological approaches to reducing the environmental impacts of low-grade coal use; and environmentally sound technical options for low-grade fuel use.
An extension of data mining, text mining involves the extraction of information and knowledge from unstructured text. This constantly evolving field is increasingly used by major corporations, such as Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft. Featuring contributions from leading researchers in the field, this book provides a detailed overview of text mining theory, applications, and visualization. The theory section discusses text mining, information retrieval, latent semantic analysis, pagerank, latent Dirichlet allocation, and probabilistic relational models. In the section on text mining applications,
The production, principal applications, characteristics and properties, advantages of the gas natural is showed. A sectorial overview of the ceramic industry and the utilization of the natural gas in the ceramic industry is presented. The expectations are systematized and the impact of the natural gas utilization in the ceramic industry is evaluated. Some conclusions are withdrawn and recommendations suggested.
In this paper structure and mechanical properties of PBZT and PBO fibers are briefly discussed. One limitation of the high-modulus polymeric fibers and ultrahigh-modulus carbon fibers in reinforced composites is their poor compressive strength. Issues related to the compressive strength of polymeric and carbon fibers are considered. 62 references, 7 figures, 4 tables.
The aim of this work is to suggest steps and policies to increase the introduction of cost-effective energy in conservation measures in Brazil. This report first addresses the motivations for a policy of energy efficiency and summarizes experiences in Brazil. It then considers the roles and perspectives of the diverse agents and review the instruments of policy. It concludes with an overview of strategic needs and lines of action.
The use of robots in powerplants is an option that can no longer be ignored. Robots can reduce worker exposure to harmful environments and minimize downtime. As a result, electric utilities are using them more than ever. As robots become more widely accepted, more are being developed to handle an expanding variety of applications. This report begins with an overview of the use of robotics in the electric-utility industry; following that are sections detailing applications for nuclear plants, fossil-fired stations, and transmission and distribution facilities.
As competition dramatically reshapes power markets, electric utilities strive to increase flexibility in their commitments and limit exposure to market risks. This paper provides an overview of a promising tool called option valuation which is useful for analyzing and managing risks. The paper demonstrates an application of these techniques for developing new pricing products tailored to meet customers` risk preference.
The report is an overview on the production of the nuclear energy all over the world. The amount of production at present and in future, availability of the nuclear fuel, development of nuclear technology, environmental and safety issues, radioactive waste management and commissioning of the plants and also the competitivity of nuclear energy compared with other energy forms are considered. (91 refs.).
This report provides a regional overview of the hydrologic regimes of the Northeast Coal Study Area in British Columbia; illustrates the range of possible peak discharge values which may be predicted for streams adjacent to the Tumbler Ridge townsite; and, provides recommendations pertaining to future hydrologic analysis within the Northeast Coal Block.
Building materials contain low concentrations of natural radioactive materials, causing a radiation dose for occupants of houses. Governmental policies and regulations with respect to radon emission are or will be implemented. An overview is given of recent developments. 3 refs.
Measurement results are interpreted as (sets of) values attributed to measurands, i.e., quantities (intended to be measured), i.e., properties (having a magnitude that can be expressed as a number and a reference). This relatively simple conceptual structure hides some important issues for measurement science, that the lecture will tentatively explore with a systematic reference to the International vocabulary of metrology - Basic and general concepts and associated terms (VIM) and its possible future developments.
Sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency the Image Understanding Workshop is a forum for the presentation of new research in vision, image analysis, and geometric modeling. Leading scientists present overviews of projects underway at major universities and corporate research sites, as well as results of individual work. The 1987 volume contains 94 articles and technical reports in two volumes.
This book contains the proceedings of the International Topical Meeting on Remote Systems and Robotics in Hostile Environments. It is organized under the following sessions: Worldwide Applications Overview; Operating Mobile Systems; Sensors and Control Systems; Space Applications; Reactor Operations and Surveillance; Remote Equipment for Hazardous Operations; Future Mobile System; Mining and Construction Operations; Special Applications; Hot Cell Applications; Processing; Reactor Operations and Maintenance; Decontamination and Waste Handling; Remote Handling Development and Demonstration.
Effective barrier pillar design is essential for safe and productive underground coal mining. This U.S. Bureau of Mines report presents an overview of available barrier pillar design methodologies that incorporate sound engineering principles while remaining practical for everyday usage. Nomographs and examples are presented to assist in the determination of proper barrier pillar sizing. Additionally, performance evaluation techniques and criteria are included to assist in determining the effectiveness of selected barrier pillar configurations.
Pitting corrosion is localized accelerated dissolution of metal that occurs as a result of a breakdown of the otherwise protective passive film on the metal surface. This paper provides an overview of the critical factors influencing the pitting corrosion of metals. The phenomenology of pitting corrosion is discussed, including the effects of alloy composition, environment, potential, and temperature. A summary is then given of studies that have focused on various stages of the pitting process, including breakdown of the passive film, metastable pitting, and pit growth. 120 refs.
The US DOE`s Photovoltaics program has helped photovoltaic technologies evolve from materials and concepts in the laboratories to competitive products rolling off automated assembly lines. This document is divided into the following sections: 1992 PV program accomplishments, expanding markets for photovoltaic systems, developing today`s systems with utilities and industry, working with industry to advance the technology, cooperative research to improve materials and devices, selected achievements in cooperative R and D, and PV program services. Figs, tabs.
An overview of emissive display technologies is presented. Display types briefly described include: cathode ray tubes (CRTs), field emission displays (FEDs), electroluminescent displays (ELDs), and plasma display panels (PDPs). The critical role of phosphors in further development of the latter three flat panel emissive display technologies is outlined. The need for stable, efficient red, green, and blue phosphors for RGB fall color displays is emphasized.
The Subseabed Disposal Project (SDP) was part of an international program that investigated the feasibility of high-level radioactive waste disposal in the deep ocean sediments. This report briefly describes the seven-step iterative performance assessment procedures used in this study and presents representative results of the last iteration. The results of the performance are compared to interim standards developed for the SDP, to other conceptual repositories, and to related metrics. The attributes, limitations, uncertainties, and remaining tasks in the SDP feasibility phase are discussed.
This annual report presents an overview of the work performed by the PSI research departments including information on new developments connected with the various accelerators and on the status of the Swiss Light Source project (SLS). Details on the organizational and financial structure of the Institute are also provided This annual report is also available in German under the title `PSI Jahresbericht 1998; Allgemeiner Teil`.figs.
The use of nuclear reactors to provide electrical energy has shown considerable growth since the first nuclear plant started commercial operation in the mid 1950s. Although the main purpose of this paper is to review the fuel cycle capabilities in the United States, the introduction is a brief review of the types of nuclear reactors in use and the world-wide nuclear capacity.
The properties of a nonviable, aqueous ether-extracted Brucela abortus preparation, Bru-Pel, are described. In addition to inducing a "virus-type" interferon response and protecting mice against challenge with otherwise lethal doses of Semliki Forest virus, Bru-Pel is demonstrated to have potent antitumor properties in mice. These antitumor effects appear to be mediated by an increase in nonspecific resistance similar to that seen with other experimental antitumor agents. PMID:728911
Vietnam is beginning its industrialization process, and it currently lacks the capital necessary for expensive pollution control and treatment systems. Pollution strategies are critical for the country. This study evaluates the present status of industry and the pollution problems associated with industrial development in Vietnam. The purpose of the study is to identify sectors that may have potential for promoting cleaner production practices. 4 refs.
The IAEA Department of Safeguards established a project in 1996 for the year 2000 (Y2K) conversion activities. This project covered assessment, conversion and testing of the software applications, instrument evaluation software, embedded systems and Personal Computer (PC) hardware attached to various equipment. Significant progress has been made in converting the applications and instruments to be year 2000 compliant. At the same time Member states have made an effort as well in converting the systems used jointly at the facilities
The goal of this lecture is to give an overview of important concepts connected to organisational factors and to provide an understanding of mechanisms by which they can contribute to safe or unsafe behaviour of people. The lecture gives examples of ways to organise work, organisational deficiencies and good practices applied in safety oriented organisations. The lecture also gives an introduction to international work and Finnish national regulation connected to organisation and management. (orig.)
This overview of research conducted at ORNL in 1991 presents information on the subjects of biology, physics, and the environment. Specific topics include gene mutations in kidney disease, technology assessments in thermonuclear fusion, submarine hunting technology, ozone-safe refrigerants, optical data storage via surface enhanced raman spectroscopy, and waste mitigating microbes. (GHH)
This overview of research conducted at ORNL in 1991 presents information on the subjects of biology, physics, and the environment. Specific topics include gene mutations in kidney disease, technology assessments in thermonuclear fusion, submarine hunting technology, ozone-safe refrigerants, optical data storage via surface enhanced raman spectroscopy, and waste mitigating microbes. (GHH)
An ``energy snapshot`` article is included on housing characteristics in 1993 (survey of 7,111 households). The rest of the document is divided into: energy overview, energy consumption, petroleum, natural gas, oil and gas resource development, coal, electricity, nuclear energy, energy prices, international energy, and appendices (conversion factors, CO2 emission factors from coal, index, glossary).
The Monthly Energy Review (MER) presents an overview of the Energy Information Administration`s recent monthly energy statistics. The statistics cover the major activities of US production, consumption, trade, stocks, and prices for petroleum, natural gas, coal, electricity, and nuclear energy. Also included are international energy and thermal and metric conversion factors. 37 figs., 61 tabs.
This is the June report by the Energy Information Administration. The contents of the report include an energy overview, energy consumption, petroleum, natural gas, oil and gas resource development, coal, electricity, nuclear energy, energy prices, and international energy. Included are appendices containing thermal conversion factors, metric and other physical conversion factors, and carbon dioxide emission factors for coal.
This publication presents an overview of the Energy information Administration`s recent monthly energy statistics. The statistics cover the major activities of US production, consumption, trade, stocks, and prices for petroleum, natural gas, coal, electricity, and nuclear energy. Also included are international energy and thermal and metric conversion factors. Two brief ``energy plugs`` (reviews of EIA publications) are included, as well.
The Commission of the European Communities has submitted a directive for the protection against microwaves. According to this directive, exposures above the upper limit established for the protection of individuals and the general population are permissible only if the respective individuals are required to submit to occupational medical control. An introductory overview is presented giving information on microwaves, applied techniques and available protective means.
This report summarizes the research and development activities of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Life Sciences Division for the calendar year 1988. Technical reports related to the current status of projects are presented in sufficient detail to permit the informed reader to assess their scope and significance. Summaries useful to the casual reader desiring general information have been prepared by the Group Leaders and appear in each group overview. Investigators on the staff of the Life Sciences Division will be pleased to provide further information.
Information technology plays an important role in medicine because of the advanced decision support systems (DSS) it can provide. We provide an overview of the building blocks necessary for a medical decision support system and introduce seven research articles in this special issue that describe the development and evaluation of individual medical DSS building blocks or complete medical DSS.
Described are the changes to ICD-10-CM and PCS and potential challenges regarding their use in the US for financial and administrative transaction coding under HIPAA in 2013. Using author constructed...Full Text Available
Brief summaries of research work are presented in the following section: overview of the ORNL Instrumentation and Controls Division activities; new developments and methods; reactor instrumentation and controls; measurement and control engineering; electronic engineering; maintenance; studies; services; and development; and division achievements.
This issue of the newsletter on Engineering Design Activities (EDA) for the ITER Tokamak project contains a report on Second International Industries' Liaison meeting which was held in Tokyo on 2-4 April 1997 (by Y. Kaneki, JAIF, Japan); an overview report on the Blanket project (by A. Cardella, I.Ioki (ITER Central Team), W. Daenner (EU Home Team)); and a progress report on microwave reflectometry (by J. Sanchez, Madrid, Spain).
This one-day TOPTEC session began with an overview of hybrid electric vehicle technology. Updates were given on alternative types of energy storage, APU control for low emissions, simulation programs, and industry and government activities. The keynote speech was about battery technology, a key element to the success of hybrids. The TOPEC concluded with a panel discussion on the mission of hybrid electric vehicles, with a perspective from industry and government experts from United States and Canada on their view of the role of this technology.
This opinion presents an overview of recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Japan. The use of Ethiodol (iodized ethyl ester of the fatty acid of poppyseed oil) for hepatic angiography in diagnosing and treating (combined with chemotherapeutic agents) HCC has been reported. Ethiodol has been found to localize in HCC and remain there for long periods. The implications of these findings are discussed.
The polymer industry is a young industry that has undergone tremendous growth and change over the last sixty years. Many important discoveries in polymer science have been accidental. Most of the learning has been by trial and error and most of the understanding is still basically empirical--make a polymer material or compound and then put it to the test to study what it is and how it performs. This article provides an overview of what polymers and polymer compounds are, why they behave as they do, and it discusses several examples of failures of rubber and plastic components.
The concept of frailty offers a convenient way to introduce unobserved heterogeneity and associations into models for survival data. In its simplest form, frailty is an unobserved random proportionality factor that modifies the hazard function of an individual or a group of related individuals. "Frailty Models in Survival Analysis" presents a comprehensive overview of the fundamental approaches in the area of frailty models. The book extensively explores how univariate frailty models can represent unobserved heterogeneity. It also emphasizes correlated frailty models as extensions of
These ten chapters present an overview of floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels, and examines deep water developments; hydrostatic stability; production, storage and offloading systems; the configuration and structure of flexible risers and umbilicals; the structural and global dynamic analysis of flexible riser and umbilicals; verification of FPSO structural integrity; vessel global loading and rigid body response; environmental loading and vessel response; and mooring systems. (UK)
The report describes the following: overview of the Russian power industry; electric power equipment of Russia; power industry development forecast for Russia; clean coal technology demonstration program of the US Department of Energy; reduction of coal TPS (thermal power station) environmental impacts in Russia; and base options of advanced coal thermal power plants. Terms of the application of clean coal technology at Russian TPS are discussed in the Conclusions.
This paper presents a brief overview of refuse derived fuel (RDF) processing systems, and the different types of RDF. The quality of RDF, combustion of RDF in fluidized beds, and moving grate reactors, operating conditions, emissions (sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride) and thermal efficiency are discussed. (UK).
The advent of sophisticated automation equipment and computer hardware and software is changing the way manufacturing is carried out. To compete in the global marketplace, manufacturing companies must integrate these new technologies into their factories. In addition, they must integrate the planning, control, and data management methodologies needed to make effective use of these technologies. This paper provides an overview of recent approaches to achieving this enterprise integration. It then describes, using simulation as a particular example, a new tool`s perspective of enterprise integration.
An overview of the present status of energy sector in Lebanon and requirements of its future development is presented. The study is based on an economic analysis of needs and energy consumption among the population and on a comparison with other developing countries. Tables and graphs on energy distribution, needs and demands per habitant and national income are included. 3 figs. 3 tabs.
A brief overview is given of the developments in the Dutch offshore industry where new offshore sites appear to be retrofitted or recycled platforms and contractors take over the work from petroleum companies (e.g. as so-called Floating Production Storage Offloading or FPSO). It is expected that in ten years from now a large number of oil platforms will be disappeared or transported to the Chinese Bohai Sea where a new oil field will be explored.
A historical overview of corrosion problems found in power plant condensers and mitigation procedures is presented. The paper is organized according to alloy type and failure mode. Alloys considered are copper-base alloys, stainless steels and titanium. Failure modes discussed include erosion-corrosion, sulfide attack, environmentally assisted cracking, galvanic corrosion, steam condensate corrosion, pitting corrosion, and dealloying. Mitigation procedures discussed include cathodic protection, ferrous ion injection, as well as tube cleaning and layup practices.
In the Arabian Gulf region in general, and in Saudi Arabia in particular, demand for water in the agricultural, domestic, and industrial sectors has increased dramatically as a result of rapid development, and improved standard of living, and diversification of economic activity in agriculture and industry. This article presents an overview of supply and demand situations prevailing in the Arabian Gulf region and discusses various conventional and unconventional alternatives for meeting the growing demand for water. It also describes conservation measures and their socioeconomic effects.
The US Department of Energy, Office of Technical and Financial Assistance (OTFA) promotes the application of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices by working cooperatively with state and local governments and private and nonprofit organizations, providing technical and financial assistance and serving as network for sharing information. This report is an overview of some of the programs designed to aid in solving our national energy problems.
An overview is given of techniques to analyze all kinds of complaints from occupants of office buildings about their working environment: headaches, lethargy, eye irritation, respiratory problems, and complaints about the temperature and draught. Special attention is paid to the sensory evaluation of air quality. 4 figs., 7 refs.
Divided into diagnostic and treatment sections, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the most common medical procedures performed in modern clinical settings. Each section presents common names for the procedure; an outline of the disease or injury for which the procedure is performed; a brief review of the anatomical structures and physiological processes that are involved; staffing, equipment, and pre-procedure requirements; a detailed description of the procedure itself; and, a discussion of expected outcomes as well as potential complications. Each chapter includes a summary and
This report describes outer continental shelf oil and gas activities in the Atlantic Region. This edition of the Atlantic Update includes an overview of the Mid-Atlantic Planning Area and a summary of the Manteo Prospect off-shore North Carolina. 6 figs., 8 tabs.
REXFOR is a development corporation involved in the creation of sustainable economic development for Quebec`s forest sector. Through partnerships, it intervenes in the development and processing of forest resources. This annual report provides an overview of industrial, sylvicultural and forest activities for the current year. A financial review of the current year is given along with a retrospective of the last five years. Financial statements are included.
The Chernobyl reactor accident has pronupted all European countries to rehabilitate their existing measurement and monitoring systems and to design and erect new ones. These systems are meant to ensure a rapid overview on the situation in case of an accident to adopt suitable actions for protection or prevention. 6 papers report on the state of such measurement systems in Europe, inparticular those in France (TELERAY), in Germany (IMIS) and in Switzerland (RADAIR). The IMIS-system is discussed for its extension to Eastern Germany. (HP).
This work provides an overview of existing plants in Europe and describes the substrates being used. It focuses on the individual farm-scale and community plants, as these are the two main types now being built. It also describes plants currently under construction, especially in Germany and Denmark, where the major efforts are focused. A description of how the technique has developed over the past few years, its current state of development, the motivation and economic balance, and the substrate characteristics, is presented.
This paper surveys the growing number of industrial applications of data mining and knowledge discovery. We look at the existing tools, describe some representative applications, and discuss the major issues and problems for building and deploying successful applications and their adoption by business users. Finally, we examine how to assess the potential of a knowledge discovery application.
A survey is presented of studies dealing with radionuclide X-ray fluorescence analysis (RXFA) of impurities in the air, water, soil, sediments and biological materials, mainly blood, urine, hair, soft tissues and bones. Tabulated are lists of published works on RXFA of the air, water and biological materials. (ES).
The literature is littered with reports presenting the proportion of patients admitted with ischaemic stroke receiving thrombolysis. This gives some measure of activity and the efficiency of prehospital and hospital triage. Some stroke centres have reported rates of thrombolysis as high as 20%, but without knowing the population that such services serve, these proportions do not indicate how well or equitably the treatment is being delivered. Here, we explore various metrics to monitor our efforts to provide equitable access to stroke thrombolysis in Lothian, a region in the South East of Scotland. PMID:21086712
An optimization of fuel bundle geometry using the subchannel code ASSERT is performed in support of Candu fuel design to enhance the thermohydraulics performance. The new bundle design is based on a reference CANFLEX bundle with changes to the centre and inner-ring element diameters and pitch-circle diameters (PCDs) of various element rings. Different methods of varying the PCDs for reaching the optimized geometry are considered in an attempt to minimize the optimization effort. The optimized geometry in the present analysis is the one that maximizes the dryout power and that has simultaneous CHF (critical heat flux) initiation involving more than one subchannel rings. (authors)
The radiotherapy is the prime treatment for the cavum cancer. It is also useful to treat the tumor recurrences, in this case the reirradiation stays the only efficient therapy option to give a correct local control. The reirradiation, exclusive or in association with other therapies can contribute to the local control of cavum cancer recurrences with a survival rate at five years of 36 to 58%. (N.C.)
In this paper we discuss recent work at the Advanced Technology Centre of BAE Systems on photonic technology, in particular photonic crystal fibres, applied to infra-red and electro-optic countermeasure systems. The use of Photonic Crystal fibres or holey fibres in countermeasure systems could significantly simplify platform integration by enabling remote location of laser sources, the generation of multiple wavelengths or continuum generation from a single pump source .The paper will describe the development of these fibres, drawing examples from recent civil collaborative research projects such as PFIDEL and LAMPS.
This book contains the results of an architectural evaluation of building examples with integrated photovoltaic. Danish Building and Urban Research and Danish Technological Institute conducted the work within the framework of Solar Energy Centre Denmark. Seven examples are selected to inspire Danish architects and building owners to use PV in the building environment. The examples come from Denmark and countries (the Netherlands and Germany) with similar building traditions, climate and solar conditions. All the examples demonstrate architectural concepts that integrate photovoltaic as a natural part of the building envelope. (BA)
A self contained continuous power generation system as described at INTELEC 1979, was successfully commissioned and put into service in a major communications centre at Cardiff in Wales. The objective was to provide all telecommunications equipment and electrical building engineering services from a dual fuel enginegenerating plant, and to recover waste heat energy to heat or cool the building. The plant, which is fully automatic, comprises five 1300kW engines using natural gas or diesel oil, and associated waste heat boiler and chiller systems. This paper reviews the functioning of the plant during its first three years of operation.
During the last few years radio and X-ray astronomers have produced high-resolution imagery of the remnant of Cas A. Since the most recent published optical photographs of Cas A date back to 1975 it seemed worthwhile to present new optical results based on plates obtained with the 5-m Hale telescope in 1976, 1977, and 1980. The major changes that have taken place in Cas A during the last decade are: (1) A broken shell of fast-moving knots has formed along the southern and SW rim of the remnant and (2) A number of blue (oxygen-rich) filaments have developed to the north of the centre of Cas A. (Auth.).
A study was conducted on diesel engines to find out the effect of induction rate of biogas on engine performance indices. The results of dual fuel engine performance was compared with diesel mode for various levels of biogas induction rate (0.3 to 7.2 l/s) engine load (20% to full load) and injection timing (20.6 to 48 before top dead centre). At full and 80% brake load, the best energy mix between diesel and biogas was 1.5:1 and 4:1 respectively. (author). 7 refs., 7 figs., 4 tabs.
The double-mode cepheid Y Car has been found to have a variable centre-of-mass velocity. Though the observations did not cover a cycle, an orbital period of about 400-600 days was estimated. Radial-velocity observations of this star have now been continued in order to derive the orbital elements. Observations were made with the photoelectric radial-velocity spectrophotometer at the coude focus of the 1.88-m reflector at Sutherland. The velocity system was standardized by frequent nightly observations of stars in the Mount Wilson catalogue with 'a'-quality radial velocities.
Oman is an attractive and welcoming country, well-ordered and unpretentious. It has benefited from remarkable achievements of economic and social development since 1970. It now has a resource base that should be sufficient to keep it on continuing path of further development. However, the second 20-years of modern Oman will inevitable contain some testing challenges. These are centred in two main areas - the economic, where expenditure has already outstripped revenue and where firm controls are needed to maintain a reasonable balance; and the social, where the pressures from an increasingly literate and numerous population will demand changes to the autocratic traditional system of government. (author)
In this study, Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) / Hydroxylapatite (HAp) composites were made to improve mechanical properties by using Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) method. Slurry 6 mol of CaHPO4#centre dot#2H2O (DCPD), 4 mol calcium hydroxide and MWCNTs were mixed and sintered by using SPS at 5-120 MPa pressure, 1200-1250 deg. C and in vacuum or N2 atmosphere. The fracture toughness of sintered MWCNTs/HAp composites was increased.
Interest to thin film of metals' silicides first of all is conditioned intrinsic al them unique physical properties. On their basis of it is possible to produce extremely sophisticated devices of solid-state electronics, production which needs the controlled change of physics, chemical and electrical properties with high-level of accuracy. On the present time most are in detail investigated composition, structure and properties of three-dimensional samples of metals' silicides. In the last years the intensive are led to researches in the direction of creation and study of physical-chemical properties thin (500-1000 Angstroms) and ultrafine (100-120 Angstroms) films silicides. It has information about composition, morphology of surface and emission of properties of thin film of silicides of barium, of cobalt and of palladium, was obtained in conditions of ultra-high vacuum. Low energy ion implantation and further annealing on composition, electronic and crystalline structure of Si ...
... Removal of this layer facilitates the unreeling of cocoons into long strands of silk comparable to those derived from the domesticated mulberry silkworm (Bombyx mori, B. mori). The research was funded in part by the SABIP ('Silks as biomimetic ideals for polymers) project, which has clinched a European Research Council (ERC) grant worth almost EUR 2.3 million under the EU's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). Presented in the journal Biomacromolecules, the findings could lead to the development of new silk industries in ...
We consider a serial supply chain consisting of a raw material supplier, a manufacturer, a distribution centre and a retailer in the presence of time-varying delivery between manufacturer facility and the retailer warehouse. Delivery time functions are developed based on practical data analysis and the cost models for both linear and non-linear delivery time functions are derived. Analytic solution for system with linear delivery times is derived and a search algorithm for system with non-linear delivery times is established. Finally, sensitivity analysis is made to help decision makers achieve a lower total cost in practice.
Two hypotheses are in the centre of this investigation, on the one hand the question, whether microwaves as exogenous fields alone are able to stimulate human muscle cells above-threshold, and on the other hand, whether microwaves as conditioning to cathodical electrical pulses can modify the excitation threshold and form. No excitation through the application of microwaves alone can be introduced at any subject. The conditioning of above-threshold cathodical electrical pulses with UMTS-microwaves leads not to a transgression of the threshold or the electrical muscle response (EMG) depending on the amplitude, the duration or the dose rate. (orig.)
... These highly energy efficient panels of organic luminescence are far removed from the bulbs and filaments of current lighting technology. 28-04-11 Source : Star Projects Results: 1-10 of 251 Page(s) 1 of 26 Next Limit search to articles published within the last Month Quarter Year No limit Follow us on Facebook Share an article You can share any article via social networking sites or email it to friends. Click the SHARE icon, select from the list that appears, and the article ...
In the recent years the use of nuclear energy has turned from a technical and scientific issue to a political one. The high-temperature reactor (HTR) however, has always been advertised as particularly safe. The present situation and future developments of HTR-technology were the two issues that VDI-News brought up on the 27th October on an HTR-conference in an interview with the 'spiritual father' of the HTR, Prof. Dr. Rudolf Schulten of the Juelich Nuclear Research Centre.
H.S.H. Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Veringen, Special Representative of the Romanian Government for Integration, Co-operation and Sustainable Development, is seen here visiting Microcosm, CERN's on-site exhibition centre. Photo 01: H.S.H. Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Veringen (right) with his personal adviser Cornel Comsa inside Microcosm's full-scale model of a six-metre section of the LHC. Photos 04-06: H.S.H. Prince Radu of Hohenzollern-Veringen with Emma Sanders from ETT Division.
Knowledge of ground subsidence behavior provides for better economic planning and execution of a mining exploitation, higher safety and optimum use of the resources without ruining the environment. In addition, when considering subsidence generated by petroleum exploitation, the monitored (measured) subsidence, combined with geological information and a suitable prediction model, can provide data on the expanse of the oil field and thus aid in the estimation of available resources. An integrated survey system for monitoring mining subsidence is described which has been developed as part of a research program in cooperation with the Canada Centre for Mineral and Energy Technology. (JMT)
Experimental investigation data are systematized of free radical states and processes in irradiated proteins. The investigation is performed by the radiospectral methods. Results are discussed in detail of the study of free radicals electronic structure of amino acids, peptides and proteins formed by the action of ionizing radiation. The specificity is stressed of the study of monocrystalls of these compounds by the method of electronic paramagnetic resonance. The nature is also studied of primary centres formed under the effect of radiation on biologically important compounds and their subsequent reactions in solid and liquid solutions. Ion-radical states of different functional groups of the protein molecule are studied. Prospects of the study and the role of anion-radicals in biological processes are discusses.
...assistantship in Suburban Ecology Location: Bedford, NY Deadline: August 15, 2008 Postdoctoral Fellow in energy Location: University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada Deadline: August 11, 2008 Junior Professional Fellowship Sustainable Development Governance Programme Location: UNU, Yokohama, Japan Deadline: August 1, 2008 Center for Ocean Solutions Early Career Fellowship Program Location: Stanford, California Deadline: July 15, 2008 Asian MetaCentre for Population and Sustainable Development Analysis Postdoctoral Research Fellow Location: Singapore Deadline: July 15, ...
DescriptionThis project aims to develop a hybrid bioremediation/phytoremediation process for sustainable in- situ treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated soils, centred on 3 tenets: 1) Application of wood-chip derived compost enriched with white rot fungi for primary bioremediation; 2) Growth of pre-selected plant species for secondary phytoremediation; 3) Use of stress- adapted mycorrhizal fungi to maximise plant performance. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to optimise bioremediation for the trea [continued...
Division of Remote Handling and Robotics (DRHR) at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has been working on design and development of Reactivity Control Mechanisms for Nuclear Research Reactors (Dhruva, KAMINI and recently Critical Facility of Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR)) as well as Power Reactors in India (Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors of 220 MWe at Narora and recently India's first 540 MWe PHWR Unit -1 and 2 at Tarapur). This paper gives a brief account of evolution of reactivity control mechanisms for nuclear research and power reactors in India. (author)
...Fransman - University of Edinburgh Patents: The next battleground for climate change - 07 May 2008 - Alison Brimelow - European Patents Office (EPO) Rethinking the EU budget - 23 Apr 2008 - Daniel Gros - Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) US needs a 'Science White House' - 23 Apr 2008 - David Baltimore - American Association for the Advancement of Science Addressing consumer concerns about climate change - 14 Apr 2008 - Various Authors - McKinsey Why the internal market needs ...
The effect of variations of the fundamental constants on the thermonuclear rate of the triple alpha reaction, "4He(#alpha##alpha#, #gamma#)"1"2C, that bridges the gap between "4He and "1"2C is investigated. We have followed the evolution of 15 and 60 M#centre dot# zero metallicity stellar models, up to the end of core helium burning. They are assumed to be representative of the first (Population III) stars. The calculated oxygen carbon abundances resulting from helium burning can then be used to constrain the variation of the fundamental constants.
We analyse the capacity of a simultaneous quantum secure direct communication scheme between the central party and other M parties via M+1-particle GHZ states and swapping quantum entanglement. It is shown that the encoding scheme should be secret if other M parties wants to transmit M+1 bit classical messages to the centre party secretly. However, when the encoding scheme is announced publicly, we prove that the capacity of the scheme in transmitting the secret messages is 2 bits, no matter how large M is.
We consider the alternating sign matrices of the odd order that have some kind of central symmetry. Namely, we deal with matrices invariant under the half-turn, quarter-turn and flips in both diagonals. In all these cases, there are two natural structures in the centre of the matrix. For example, for the matrices invariant under the half-turn the central element is equal $\\pm 1$. It was recently found that $A^+_{HT}(2m+1)/A^-_{HT}(2m+1)$=(m+1)/m. We conjecture that similar very simple relations are valid in the two remaining cases.
The annual report surveys the work of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Bombay, during the fiscal year 1988-89. Most of the research activities are organised and carried out in two schools of the Institute, namely, the School of Mathematics and the School of Physics. In the School of Mathematics, active research is carried out in almost every branch of pure mathematics. The School of Physics is engaged in research activities of both theoretical and experimental nature in high energy physics, astrophysics, cosmic rays, space physics, astronomy, nuclear and atomic physics, condensed matter physics, molecular biology, computer science and communication and microwave engineering. TIFR has a Basic Dental Research Unit which carries out intervention studies on oral cancer and precancerous lesions. Its Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) carries out programmes for improvement of science education at all levels in the country. TIFR outstation ...
Full text: The transmutation of nuclear waste to reduce the burden on a geological repository is a relevant topic within the Program of Nuclear Safety Research of the Research Centre Karlsruhe. Several studies have confirmed that a high efficiency of transmutation of actinides is reached in fast neutron spectrum reactor system. Therefore, an important effort is dedicated to the study of transmutation strategies with different fast reactors and their associated technologies. Moreover, in international contexts as Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform (SNETP), fast reactors are considered in the frame of sustainable development of nuclear energy and reduction of waste. The systems that are currently under investigation, in the frame of the different fuel cycle scenarios, are liquid metal cooled and gas cooled fast reactors as well as Accelerator Driven Sub-critical Transmutation devices (ADS). These innovative ...
This paper presents (a) an overview of the Inmos transputer and its use in parallel arrays for image processing, (b) a functional block-level description of IBM-AT-compatible boards for signal/image processing research using transputers with reconfigurable interconnection topologies, and (c) an overview of the OCCAM and C programming tools for placing parallel algorithms onto such a processor. The hardware consists of two custom printed-circuit boards (and two commercially available boards) within an IBM-AT host. The first provides a flexible input/output interface between a general-purpose high-speed input-data bus and the transputer array. The second contains 32 transputers and 4 programmable crossbar-switch interconnection chips. Several copies of the second board can be cascaded (or even partially-unpopulated) to provide for an arbitrary number of transputer chips. Each one of these boards will perform about 128 million Whetstones or, for ...
This document is intended to provide an overview of the workshop entitled 'The Coming Nuclear Renaissance for the Next Generation Safeguards Experts-Maximizing Benefits While Minimizing Proliferation Risks', conducted at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in partnership with the Y-12 National Security Complex (Y-12) and the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL). This document presents workshop objectives; lists the numerous participant universities and individuals, the nuclear nonproliferation lecture topics covered, and the facilities tours taken as part of the workshop; and discusses the university partnership sessions and proposed areas for collaboration between the universities and ORNL for 2009. Appendix A contains the agenda for the workshop; Appendix B lists the workshop attendees and presenters with contact information; Appendix C contains graphics of the evaluation form results and survey areas; and Appendix D summarizes the ...
The International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) was launched in the year 2000, based on a resolution by the IAEA General Conference (GC(44)/RES/21). INPRO intends to help to ensure that nuclear energy is available in the 21st century in a sustainable manner, and seeks to bring together all interested Member States, both technology holders and technology users, to consider, jointly, actions to achieve desired innovations. INPRO is taking care of the specific needs of developing countries. This IAEA publication is part of Phase 1 of INPRO. It intends to provide an overview on history, present situation and future perspectives of nuclear fuel cycle technologies. While this overview focuses on technical issues, nevertheless, the aspects of economics, environment, and safety and proliferation resistance are important background issues for this study. After a brief description about the INPRO project and an evaluation ...
Annex XIII on 'Fuel Cell Vehicles' of the Implementing Agreement Hybrid and Electric Vehicles of the International Energy Agency has been operating since 2006, complementing the ongoing activities on battery and hybrid electric vehicles within this group. This paper provides an overview of the Annex XIII final report for 2010, compiling an up-to-date, neutral, and comprehensive assessment of current trends in fuel cell vehicle technology and related policy. The technological description includes trends in system configuration as well as a review of the most relevant components including the fuel cell stack, batteries, and hydrogen storage. Results from fuel cell vehicle demonstration projects around the world and an overview of the successful implementation of fuel cells in specific transport niche markets will also be discussed. The final section of this report provides a detailed description of national research, ...
(Al{sub y}Ga{sub 1{minus}y}){sup 1{minus}x}In{sub x}P semiconductor alloys lattice-matched to GaAs are widely used in visible optoelectronic devices. One of the most recent developments in this area is the AlGaInP-based red vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). These lasers, which employ AlGaInP active regions and AlGaAs distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs), have demonstrated continuous-wave (CW) lasing over the 630--690 nm region of the spectrum. Applications for these lasers include plastic fiber data communications, laser printing and bar code scanning. In this paper, the authors present an overview of recent developments in the processing and performance of AlGaInP based VCSELs. This overview will include a review of the general heterostructure designs that have been employed, as well as the performance of lasers fabricated by both ion implantation and selective oxidation.
The new guidelines for indoor air hygiene in school buildings are intended as a response to current requirements in school practice. The recommendations aim to help to avoid mistakes in modernising school buildings and to provide hygiene-specific support in planning of new school buildings. The guidelines are laid out as follows: (a) In the general section the targets of the guidelines and the target groups are addressed. The current indoor hygiene situation in German schools is described, followed by the parameters with regard to peripheral issues which will not be dealt with further; (b) Part A deals with the hygiene requirements in the practical running of schools. Besides general requirements for maintenance and operation the important issues of cleaning and ventilation are considered, as well as minor building works; (c) Part B provides an overview of important chemical and biological contaminants in schools; (d) Part C looks at building and air conditioning ...
The evolution of the technology of waste combustion, energy recovery and flue gas treatment allows to redefine the role of the incineration plant as a basic component of integrated waste management systems. Starting with an overview of the evaluation of emission limits and of the new Best Available Techniques (BAT) approach, strongly recommended by the European Union, the paper reports an overview of the stack emission concentrations measured in recent plants in Italy compared to older ones, with special attention to the dioxin issue. Concerning this topic, it is demonstrated that BAT-equipped plants can act as actual dioxin destroyer rather than producers, even when all the fluxes released in the environment (gaseous, solid and liquid residues) are taken into account. The second part of the paper deals with the evolution of the flue gas control technologies of the last 20 years, pointing out the major trends and the future perspectives for ...
This paper provides an overview of environmental cleanup at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and some of the unique aspects and challenges. Cleanup of the 65-year old Department of Energy Laboratory is being conducted under a RCRA Consent Order with the State of New Mexico. This agreement is one of the most recent cleanup agreements signed in the DOE complex and was based on lessons learned at other DOE sites. A number of attributes create unique challenges for LANL cleanup -- the proximity to the community and pueblos, the site's topography and geology, and the nature of LANL's on-going missions. This overview paper will set the stage for other papers in this session, including papers that present: Plans to retrieve buried waste at Material Disposal Area B, across the street from oen of Los Alamos' commercial districts and the local newspaper; Progress to date and joint plans with WIPP for disposal of the ...
This publication provides a broad overview of the research programs and efforts being conducted, built, designed, and planned at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This work covers a broad range of scientific disciplines. Major facilities include the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS), with its newly completed booster, the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR), and the RHIC, which is under construction. Departments within the laboratory include the AGS department, accelerator development, physics, chemistry, biology, NSLS, medical, nuclear energy, and interdepartmental research efforts. Research ranges from the pure sciences, in nuclear physics and high energy physics as one example, to environmental work in applied science to study climatic effects, from efforts in biology which are a component of the human genome project to the study, production, and characterization of new materials. The paper provides an ...
This publication provides a broad overview of the research programs and efforts being conducted, built, designed, and planned at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This work covers a broad range of scientific disciplines. Major facilities include the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron (AGS), with its newly completed booster, the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR), and the RHIC, which is under construction. Departments within the laboratory include the AGS department, accelerator development, physics, chemistry, biology, NSLS, medical, nuclear energy, and interdepartmental research efforts. Research ranges from the pure sciences, in nuclear physics and high energy physics as one example, to environmental work in applied science to study climatic effects, from efforts in biology which are a component of the human genome project to the study, production, and characterization of new materials. The paper provides an ...
This article, overviewing the past and future of the Mexican battery manufacturing industry, was originally presented at the 1994 IBMA Convention. The past history of Mexican battery manufacturing remains factual and unchanged. However, the present is still developing in ways unforeseen at this time, especially with the acceptance of Mexico into the the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Previous to NAFTA, the Mexican battery market was protected by import duties approaching one hundred percent. This protection made the battery industry in Mexico inefficient against international competition. Mexico was accepted into the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in 1985 which made the economy start to open, with import duties reduced and import licenses required for only a few items. The NAFTA agreement, phased in over fifteen years beginning in 1994, reduces tariffs to zero for trade between Canada, the USA, and Mexico. The articles focuses on trends ...
An overview of the Canadian mining industry`s state of preparedness for the Year 2000 is presented. Committees within the mining industry are working on scheduling and implementing activities, defining criticality, monitoring remedial action, and contingency planning. The Mining Association of Canada is working with the Federal Government`s National Contingency Planning Group to deal with potential threats to health and security. Survey results suggest that mining poses a low to medium risk based on the state of planning for Y2K. The results of a survey of member preparedness is tabulated. 1 tab.
A brief overview is given of the geological characteristics of each region of the state as they relate to potential geothermal development. Those exploration methods which can lead to the siting of a deep exploration well are described. Requirements and techniques needed for drilling deeper higher temperature exploration and production wells are presented. Electrical generation, direct utilization, and indirect utilization are reviewed. Economic factors of direct use projects are presented. A general guide to the regulatory framework affecting geothermal energy development is provided. The general steps necessary to gain access to explore, develop, distribute, and use geothermal resources are outlined. (MHR)
The thesis gives an overview of the validation process for thermal-hydraulic system codes and it presents in more detail the assessment and validation of the French code CATHARE for VVER calculations. Three assessment cases are presented: loop seal clearing, core reflooding and flow in a horizontal steam generator. The experience gained during these assessment and validation calculations has been used to analyze the behavior of the horizontal steam generator and the natural circulation in the geometry of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. Large part of the work has been performed in cooperation with the CATHARE-team in Grenoble, France. (41 refs., 11 figs., 8 tabs.).
As radiation detection in the interest of national security becomes increasingly commonplace, inevitable questions arise concerning the interpretation of data from handheld radioisotope identifiers (RIIDs). Field elements typically require fast answers to provide an effective defense and to minimize the impact on legitimate movement of people and goods. To support this need, on-call experts at Sandia, Los Alamos, and Lawrence Livermore national laboratories cooperate in resolving radiation alarms rapidly and accurately. We present an overview, describe the work in progress to improve capabilities, and report on some of the lessons learned.
A total of 50 000 tonnes of low-carbon steel sheet has been ordered for the LHC main magnets. After three years of production, about 10 000 tonnes of steel sheet have been produced by Cockerill-Sambre Groupe Usinor. This paper gives a summary of the manufacturing process and improvements implemented as well as an overview of the difficulties encountered during this production. Preliminary statistics obtained for the mechanical and magnetic steel properties are presented. (6 refs).
Thermophotovoltaics is the science and technology associated with the direct generation of electricity from high temperature heat. Potential applications include combined heat and power, portable and auxiliary power, radioisotope space power, industrial waste heat recovery and concentrated solar power. This book aims at serving as an introduction to the underlying theory, overview of present day components and system arrangements, and update of the latest developments in the field. The emphasis is placed on the understanding of the critical aspects of efficient thermophotovoltaic system design. The aim is to assist researchers in the field. (orig.)
Utility interest has recently increased in potential future nuclear units that combine the characteristics of smaller size, greater simplicity, and more passive safety features. In response to such interest, General Electric (GE) began development in 1982 of a 600-MW(electric) reactor with simplified power generation and safety systems. This paper provides an overview of the simplified boiling water reactor (SBWR) design, with emphasis on the thermal-hydraulic aspects of the design. The SBWR is a natural circulation reactor requiring no pumps to circulate the water through the core.
Abstract Charity is deeply embedded in the religious thought and teachings of the three monotheistic religions. This article, while focusing on medieval Islam, is set in a wider framework with references to both Jewish and Christian parallels. Three main topics are examined: the religious meaning of charity, the social and political ramifications of almsgiving, and the impact of the institutional form of charity (the pious endowment system, waqf pl. awqaf) on Muslim medieval society. In the course of this examination, the article deals with the motives and attitudes of the donors (mainly people of the ruling class and the wealthy) and with the recipients of charity (the poor as well as the learned class). The article equally provides an overview of the charitable institutions and functions...
Enhanced recovery by chemical flooding using surfactant and/or polymers simultaneously implies the following: (1) a fundamental knowledge of the physical chemistry of micellar systems and interfaces; (2) the proper formulation of mathematic models handling the basic mechanisms of oil recovery; and (3) the use of field-scale pilot units to test the validity of the models and to acquire technical knowledge. Efforts have been made by the French in these directions, and the main results are described. Special attention is paid to the search for new products and the improvement of manufacturing processes. 10 references.
The Site Environmental Report is an integrated report on Berkeley Lab's environmental programs to satisfy the requirements of DOE Order 231.1A, Environment, Safety, and Health Reporting. It summarizes Berkeley Lab's environmental management performance, presents environmental monitoring results, and describes significant programs for calendar year 2007. Volume I is organized into an executive summary followed by six chapters that contain an overview of the Laboratory, a discussion of the Laboratory's environmental management system, the status of environmental programs, and summarized results from surveillance and monitoring activities.
This document presents the current status of SiD's effort to develop an optimized design for an experiment at the International Linear Collider. It presents detailed discussions of each of SiD's various subsystems, an overview of the full GEANT4 description of SiD, the status of newly developed tracking and calorimeter reconstruction algorithms, studies of subsystem performance based on these tools, results of physics benchmarking analyses, an estimate of the cost of the detector, and an assessment of the detector R&D needed to provide the technical basis for an optimised SiD.
Health physicists from the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) visited the Savannah River Site (SRS) as one of 12 facilities operated by the Department of Energy (DOE) contractors with annual collective dose equivalents greater than 100 person-rem (100 person-cSv). Their charter was to review, evaluate and summarize as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) techniques, methods and practices as implemented. This presentation gives an overview of the two selected ALARA practices implemented at the SRS: Administrative Exposure Limits and Goal Setting. These dose control methods are used to assure that individual and collective occupational doses are ALARA and within regulatory limits.
Health physicists from the Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) visited the Savannah River Site (SRS) as one of 12 facilities operated by the Department of Energy (DOE) contractors with annual collective dose equivalents greater than 100 person-rem (100 person-cSv). Their charter was to review, evaluate and summarize as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) techniques, methods and practices as implemented. This presentation gives an overview of the two selected ALARA practices implemented at the SRS: Administrative Exposure Limits and Goal Setting. These dose control methods are used to assure that individual and collective occupational doses are ALARA and within regulatory limits.
This report consists of three sections. The first section is a brief general overview of all the issues that impact the competition between natural gas and electricity in industrial applications. The second section of this report focus on the all the marketing issues and provides detail analysis of the status of these issues in Europe, Japan and United States. The third section of this report is a detail review of the current status of the competition between gas technologies and electro-technologies, it also make recommendation for developing new gas technologies. The fourth section is a contribution from M. Pettersson and S. Stenstroem, Sweden, on infrared dryers. (authors)
This chapter is an overview of total-ionizing-dose and single-event hardening techniques and should be used as a guide to a range of research publications. It should be stressed that there is no clear and simple route to a radiation-tolerant silicon integrated circuit. What works for one fabrication process may not work for another, and there are many complex interactions within individual processes and designs. The authors have attempted to highlight the most important factors and those process changes which should bring improved hardness. The main point is that radiation-hardening as a procedure must be approached in a methodical fashion and with a good understanding of the response mechanisms involved.
This report beings with a historical overview on the origin and early beginnings of Radiant Energy Power Source for Jet Aircraft. The report reviews the work done in Phase I (Grant DE-FG01-82CE-15144) and then gives a discussion of Phase II (Grant DE-FG01-86CE-15301). Included is a reasonably detailed discussion of photovoltaic cells and the research and development needed in this area. The report closes with a historical perspective and summary related to situations historically encountered on projects of this nature. 15 refs.
This report beings with a historical overview on the origin and early beginnings of Radiant Energy Power Source for Jet Aircraft. The report reviews the work done in Phase I (Grant DE-FG01-82CE-15144) and then gives a discussion of Phase II (Grant DE-FG01-86CE-15301). Included is a reasonably detailed discussion of photovoltaic cells and the research and development needed in this area. The report closes with a historical perspective and summary related to situations historically encountered on projects of this nature. 15 refs.
The article is an overview on atmospheric pollution in Lebanon. It presents an analysis of sources of pollution in the country and their impacts on local and global environment and describes their control. Air pollution is mainly due to the industrial, electrical and transportation sectors. Pollutants from fuel combustion are analyzed. It is estimated that in 2010, CO_2 emissions will reach 5987250 tons, SO_2 emissions is estimated to be 182950 tons, Nox to 105180 and dusts to 4965 tons. CFC consumption and measures of control according to Montreal protocol are described. Consumption of primary energy, consumption of petroleum products, quantity of petroleum in refineries and production of cement in Lebanon are also presented in tables
The Daya Bay Reactor Neutrino Experiment is designed to determine the yet unknown neutrino mixing angle theta_13 by measuring the disappearance of electron antineutrinos from several nuclear reactor cores, using multiple underground detectors at different baselines to minimize systematic errors and to suppress the cosmogenic background. The civil construction has begun since October 2007, enabling first commissioning data in 2009, and full data taking will begin in late 2010. The planned sensitivity in sin^2 (2theta_13) of better than 0.01 at 90% CL will be achieved in three years of data-taking. I will present an overview and current status of the experiment.
... Poultry Production | Ag 101 | Agriculture | US EPA Ag 101 provides a brief overview of poultry production in the U.S.... Poultry Production Jump to main content. Ag 101 Contact Us Search: All EPA This Area You are here: EPA Home Agriculture ...Ag 101 Poultry Production Poultry Production Poultry production is an important and diverse component of American agriculture. Poultry products including eggs, chicken and turkey meat are ... In 1997, nearly 99,700 farms were producing poultry and poultry products (egg, broiler, and turkey; NASS/USDA). While broiler chicken ...
Pt-based ternary catalysts have been proposed as electrode materials for low temperature fuel cells. Pt-Ru-based ternary catalysts were tested as anode materials with improved CO tolerance or enhanced activity for methanol or ethanol oxidation. Ternary catalysts based on platinum alloyed with first row transition metals were tested as cathode materials with improved activity for the oxygen reduction. This paper presents an overview of the preparation methods and structural characteristics of these ternary catalysts. (author)
In this paper following a brief outline of the geological background in Greece, as related to geothermal exploration, the prospective areas for low enthalpy fluids are classified into four groups. These are the Tertiary grabens associated with Lithospheric stretching and crustal subsidence, the Arc of the Aegean Plio-Quaternary volcanism induced by the subduction of the African plate, Central Aegean islands of distensive tectonism bordering back-arc marine basins and finally Tertiary-Quaternary sedimentary basins of various types, not classified as grabens. The geothermal regime in each of these groups is outlined, and the current status of exploration is reviewed.
Macroautophagy is a multistep, vacuolar, degradation pathway terminating in the lysosomal compartment, and it is of fundamental importance in tissue homeostasis. In this review, we consider macroautophagy in the light of recent advances in our understanding of the formation of autophagosomes, which are double-membrane-bound vacuoles that sequester cytoplasmic cargos and deliver them to lysosomes. In most cases, this final step is preceded by a maturation step during which autophagosomes interact with the endocytic pathway. The discovery of AuTophaGy-related genes has greatly increased our knowledge about the mechanism responsible for autophagosome formation, and there has also been progress in the understanding of molecular aspects of autophagosome maturation. Finally, the regulation of au...
This article introduces the actual artistic state in energy performance terns of the primary aluminium production in Brazil and in the world. Besides, it is evaluated the future evolution perspectives of the electrical specific consumption in the industrial sector, due to the technological innovation and determined capacity eventual expansions in the productive process. 6 refs., 2 figs, 4 tabs
This paper presents the objective, scope, and status of the US Department of Energy's Materials and Structures Program to develop a data base on mechanical properties of structural materials for out-of-core structures and components for LMFBRs. Information on the development of a reference data base on materials for the reactor system, reactor enclosure system, primary heat transport system, intermediate heat transport system, and steam generator system is included. In addition, the development of the data and analyses to account for the effects of temperature and stress, as well as water/steam, sodium, and radiation environments, is described. Plans for the development of alternative materials for future out-of-core applications are presented.
This paper presents the objective, scope, and status of the U.S. Department of Energy's Materials and Structures Program to develop a data base on mechanical properties of structural materials for out-of-core structures and components for LMFBRs. Information on the development of a reference data base on materials for the reactor system, reactor enclosure system, primary heat transport system, intermediate heat transport system, and steam generator system is included. In addition, the development of the data and analyses to account for the effects of temperature and stress, as well as water/steam, sodium, and radiation environments, is described. Plans for the development of alternative materials for future out-of-core applications are presented. (author).
The effects of automation and optimization on the day-to-day activities of oil field operators are sketched in this lead-in editorial comment on a series of articles designed to provide an overview of the revolution that computers have brought to the petroleum industry. The articles that follow detail the role of databases in tracking production information, new system architectures based on common integrated data repositories that provide corporation-wide access, the way video and single-site supervisory control and data acquisition are combined to control wellsite production, and a case study about the integrated processes introduced by Wascana Energy to automate its fields.
The potential strategic impact of regime change in Iraq and Iran on OPEC in the long-run is explored. In the first part of the paper short overviews are given of the present international oil market; of US oil import issues and energy policy; of the strategic position of the US in the Persian Gulf and of geopolitical developments in the Persian Gulf at large. Also, attention is paid to the OPEC and the role of a 'new' Iraq. In the second part the game of 'boxed pigs' is used to explore the possible strategic impact of regime change in Iraq and possible regime change in Iran on OPEC. This exploration takes place within four possible futures for the Gulf.
Noncommutative tori are among historically the oldest and by now the most developed examples of noncommutative spaces. Noncommutative Yang-Mills theory can be obtained from string theory. This connection led to a cross-fertilization of research in physics and mathematics on Yang-Mills theory on noncommutative tori. One important result stemming from that work is the link between T-duality in string theory and Morita equivalence of associative algebras. In this article we give an overview of the basic results in differential geometry of noncommutative tori. Yang-Mills theory on noncommutative tori, the duality induced by Morita equivalence and its link with the T-duality are discussed. Noncommutative Nahm transform for instantons is introduced.
An overview of current concepts on neuroinflammation and on the dialogue between neurons and non-neuronal cells in three important infections of the central nervous systems (rabies, cerebral malaria, and human African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness) is here presented. Large numbers of cases affected by these diseases are currently reported. In the context of an issue dedicated to Camillo Golgi, historical notes on seminal discoveries on these diseases are also presented. Neuroinflammation is currently closely associated with pathogenetic mechanisms of chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroinflammatory signaling in brain infections is instead relatively neglected in the neuroscience community, despite the fact that the above infections provide paradigmatic examples of alterations o...
A study was conducted to examine the energy consumption in existing and new hog farming facilities and to analyse the potential for increased natural gas use in the Saskatchewan hog industry. Existing heating/cooling, ventilation and feed mill equipment choices offer possibilities for running on electricity, natural gas or propane. Energy costs are lowest when natural gas is used. To put the study in context, an overview of the Saskatchewan hog industry was provided. The potential increase in natural gas use in hog production by year 2005 was estimated. 10 refs., 6 tabs., 8 figs.
Late 1994, the Geothermal Heat Pump Consortium (GHPC) was launched as a non-profit collaborative effort between the United States Department of Energy, US electric utilities and the GeoExchange (geothermal heat pump) industry to make ''geothermal heat pumps'' a significant component of the HVAC industry and avoid 1.5 million metric tons of carbon equivalent per year. The goal was to create a self-sustainable GeoExchange market. This report offers a summary of some of the lessons learned and an overview of some of the programs major accomplishments.
...The RSPB: Birds by family: Owls E-mail to a friendE-newsletterContact us Home England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales About Overview Awards & recognition Contact ...Birds by family PrintHome Birds and wildlife Bird guide Birds by family Owls Owls Owls are specialised birds with round heads and rather flat ...or dished faces, with forward-facing eyes and a short, hooked bill. Most are nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk)... Owls are found all over the temperate and tropical parts of the world. Barn owl With heart shaped face, buff back ...
Energy production during Feb 95 totaled 5.4 quadrillion Btu (Q), 3.1% over Feb 94. Energy consumption totaled 7.4 Q, 0.7% below Feb 94. Net imports of energy totaled 1.3 Q, 5.6% below Feb 94. This publication is divided into energy overview, energy consumption, petroleum, natural gas, oil and gas resource development, coal, electricity, nuclear energy, energy prices, and international energy.
Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain an overview of the methodological quality of studies on the measurement properties of neck pain and disability questionnaires and to describe how well various aspects of the design and statistical analyses of studies on measurement properties are performed. Methods: A systematic review was performed of published studies on the measurement properties of neck pain and disability questionnaires. Two reviewers independently rated the quality of the studies using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist. This checklist was developed in an international Delphi consensus study. Results: A total of 47 articles were included on the measurement properties of 8 different questionnaires. The meth...
This talk will present an overview of the use of mathematical programming techniques in manufacturing management practice. The emphasis is on applied contributions in three areas: conceptual and qualitative results, modelling, and algorithms. The discussion will be limited to methods that have found or are likely to find application in practice. Overall the picture is not heartening and many promising directions have not resulted in practical applications. Yet there are several areas where significant opportunities exist, though they seem to be better for heuristics than for highly structured traditional models. Time will be available for discussion of topics that interest the participants.
Several aspects of low temperature systems (LTS) are discussed in five articles. In the first article the role of municipalities in the Netherlands in the implementation of LTS is outlined. In the second article a brief overview is given of a brochure in which 9 projects with LTS are described. In article three the results of a literature study on qualitative aspects (thermal comfort, air quality, energy consumption, safety and cost) of LTS are presented. In the fourth article it is outlined why one should apply LTS, and the fifth article is a reflection of the discussion that took place at the TVVL symposium on sustainable concepts and sustainable installation
The purpose of the course is to present an overview of the power conditioning aspects of energy transfer systems. The objective, then, is to develop an understanding and appreciation of the physical processes that govern the performance of these systems, including the role of such elements as switches, capacitors, inductors, and resistors. Secondly, to discuss where are the sources of information once a problem area has been identified. All the information will be current and state-of-the-art, and directed toward these pulse components, with particular emphasis on the area of high-repetition-rate systems, as these are taking on ever increasing significance.
The projects described in this report represent the Laboratory's investment in its future and are vital to maintaining the ability to develop creative solutions for the scientific and technical challenges faced by DOE and the nation. In accordance with DOE guidelines, the report provides, a) a director's statement, b) an overview of the laboratory's LDRD program, including PNNL's management process and a self-assessment of the program, c) a five-year project funding table, and d) project summaries for each LDRD project.
This paper describes the LYCOS system, an experimental co-synthes is environment. We present the motivation and philosophy of LYCOS and after an overview of the entire system, the individual parts are described. We use a single CPU, single ASIC target architecture and we describe the techniques we use to estimate metrics concerning hardware, software and communication in this architecture. Finally we present a novel partitioning technique called PACE, which has shown to produce excellent results, and we demonstrate how partitioning is used to do design space exploration.
The restricted temperature stability of the synthetic thermal oil which is used as heat carrier fluid in parabolic trough collectors so far limits the live steam parameters in the steam cycle to approximately 375 Celsius. In order to break through this limit, already for quite some time it is researched to replace the thermal oil by boiler feeding waters and to accomplish the evaporation in the collectors. The contribution under consideration gives an overview on the direct evaporation concept and summarizes the past operational experiences. Moreover, the challenges with the integration of this technology in a steam turbine cycle are elaborated.
This report presents an overview of research activity currently being funded by the US Department of Energy (DOE) on solid wastes from coal gasification, coal liquefaction, and oil shale technologies, Projects conducted in the DOE energy technology centers and national laboratories, and in cooperative projects with other government agencies, private industry, and universities are developing the basic and applied technology and data on which present and future fuel-conversion and utilization processes depend. The report identifies data gaps and recommends research needs where warranted.
A growing number of pumped storage plants installed within the US brings attention to the increasing significance of pumped storage as a source of electrical generation capacity. Because of the special benefits this technology has to offer, hydroelectric pumped storage is an option that many utilities should consider for the supply of new capacity requirements. This article surveys the development and use of pumped storage in the US, and considers the potential for the future development of this technology. Although some of the problems that have occurred on recent projects highlight the role of pumped storage as a technological proving ground, the article puts forth the view that pumped storage is maturing to play a significant role in US electricity supply.
The physics of microcavities have been a subject of intense study over the past 25 years. This work stimulated a large body of experimental and theoretical work on the optimization of the light extraction properties of light-emitting diodes. Not only has this led to the current high efficiency microcavity LEDs but also to the high brightness LEDs based on other approaches, which are presently available on the market. An overview of the state of the art of planar semiconductor microcavity LEDs will be presented. (copyright 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA, Weinheim) (orig.)
The purposed project is a commercial-scale ethanol-fuel facility with a capacity of twenty million gallons per year of fuel-grade ethanol. In addition, 70,000 tons per year of distillers dried grains will be produced. The following tasks and issues are addressed: process engineering - process descriptions, plant layout, and design; economics and finance - overview of capital and operating costs; environmental analysis - preliminary project description; and permit processing and legal issues. (MHR)
An overview of the past, present and future research activities at the CERN neutron time of flight facility n_TOF is given, with special focus on the astrophysical aspects. During the first campaign (Phase I), neutron capture cross sections of relevance for several aspects of the s-process nucleosynthesis have been measured. A second campaign has recently started (Phase II), aiming at the study of the weak s-process component via accurate (n,#gamma#) measurements of the Fe and Ni isotopes. Some changes in the facility will allow us to perform these measurements with improved experimental conditions.
This report gives an overview of Dutch R&D efforts in the field of energy supply. For a wide range of energy carriers and groups of technologies information is gathered on a number of aspects: the current status of relevant technologies, the current and potential application in the Netherlands, the governmental budget and the non-governmental budget for R&D, the parties involved in R&D, the main R&D topics, and environmental and societal aspects of application. 3 tabs., 98 refs.
The carbon cycle is an important part of major biogeochemical cycles. Many techniques may be used to characterize carbon amounts and sources in the environment. Here we first review the most popular techniques for the determination of organic and inorganic carbon concentrations. Decarbonatation techniques are also reviewed in details since it is often an important part of organic carbon analysis. The second part of this paper addresses the use of carbon stable isotopes to characterize organic carbon sources and processes in the environment. An overview of general stable isotopes background and terminology is given as well as the most popular analytical techniques.
The document reports the status of the 'electricity' in Lebanon since 1885 with an emphasis on its present economical situation. Data concerning electric power consumption and distribution as well as the average of rainwater, spring and weather are given. Power plants in Lebanon, the production of electric power and its consumption are described. A quantitative analysis of specifications of power plants and their annual and monthly production of electric power, the distribution of electricity consumption in Lebanon (geographical, annual, monthly) are presented in tables and graphs. An overview of the economical status of the 'electricity' in Lebanon is presented. The evolution of prices charges, hour cuts, damages and the impact of Lebanese wars on the distribution and the consumption of electricity are presented
Growing ecological awareness in the car industry resulted in further developments of the otto and diesel engines, and of alternative fuels like cars with electric drive. This article gives an overview on a number of pertinent developments. The possible uses of electric cars are still limited by the battery in terms of storage capacity, output, service life and weight so that for the time being their use can be expected to be restricted to public and local-authority antreprises or to companies driving within city areas preferably. A break-through is expected by the industry in the field of high-temperature batteries although there are still a number of problems unsolved. (BWI).
Primary design criterion for this division`s education activities is directly related to meeting the goal of environmental compliance on an accelerated basis and cleanup of the 1989 inventory of inactive sites and facilities by the year 2019. Therefore, the division`s efforts are directed toward stimulating knowledge and capability to achieve the goals while contributing to DOE`s overall goal of increasing scientific, mathematical, and technical literacy and competency. This annual report is divided into: overview, workforce development, academic partnerships, scholarships/fellowships, environmental restoration and waste management employment program, community colleges, outreach, evaluation, and principal DOE contacts.
In April 2002, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) released this overview of its current work. The report summarizes many of the organization's main programs, which are grouped into three broad areas. The first area details the efforts being made to minimize threats and ensure national security. Development of new technologies and advanced systems is highlighted in the second section, and the third looks at investigations into "high-risk, high-payoff technologies." There are numerous references to the war on terrorism that describe DARPA's involvement and specific projects to defend against terrorist acts.
Conformal radiation therapy represents a considerable and attractive challenge in oncology. Its aim is mainly to improve local control by increasing the dose with an acceptable rate of complications. This work overviews the world literature on this subject. The technical and theoretical requirements are highlighted. These requirements include a precise definition of the target volume by digital imaging (essentially CT scan), but also clear view of the target volume and the organs at risk, a specific collimation of the beam, 3-D dose calculations, optimization procedures, and a rigid immobilization of the patient with verification of his position. Moreover, the clinical applications of conformal radiation therapy are reviewed and discussed. (authors). 80 refs., 1 tab.
This report contains a partial catalog of recent accomplishments of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)in collaboration with its many private- and public-sector partners. This compendium of success stories illustrates the range and diversity of EERE programs and achievements. Part of an ongoing effort, the principal goal of this collection is to provide stakeholders with the evidence they need to assess the value they are receiving from investments in these DOE programs. The report begins with an introduction and a description of the methodology. It then presents an overview of the accomplishments of EERE programs. This is followed by the stories themselves.
Floating Production, Offshore Storage and Offloading (FPSO) of hydrocarbons is not new. However, offshore crude oil development has to face the increasing need of the geopolitical interests to develop smaller or difficult reservoir in remote areas in deeper water and harsher environment. Such a trend can only be sustained if the offshore technology provides the right tools at the right time and at an acceptable price. This article will attempt to describe the relative merits of FPSO systems and discuss its main components. An overview of the present world situation shows the excellent performance of the FPSO with the type of development strategy undertaken in P.R.C.
Asymptotic estimates for the typical number of irreducible coverings and the typical length of an irreducible covering of a Boolean matrix are obtained in the case when the number of rows is no less than the number of columns. As a consequence, asymptotic estimates are obtained for the typical number of maximal conjunctions and the typical rank of a maximal conjunction of a monotone Boolean function of variables defined by a conjunctive normal form of clauses. Similar estimates are given for the number of irredundant coverings and the length of an irredundant covering of an integer matrix (for the number of maximal conjunctions and the rank of a maximal conjunction of a two-valued logical function defined by its zero set). Results obtained previously in this area are overviewed.
For users and manufacturers affected by unwanted electrostatic discharges, the publication of standards concerning the control of such discharges is a great improvement and helps to prevent unwanted electrostatic discharges in potentially explosive atmospheres as well as around electrostatically sensitive devices. There are, for instance, handbook-like documents giving recommendations to help set up effective electrostatic suppressing measures and programs. Another group of standards focuses on certain products and processes and is, thus, more specific. A third group deals with test methods and specifications to help manufacturers develop products that are safe. It also helps in comparisons with other products and thus meets the customer's real needs. To assist manufacturers and customers ...
The Fast Flux Test Facility has provided a very useful framework for testing the advances in Liquid Metal Reactor Safety Technology. During the licensing phase, the switch from a nonmechanistic bounding technique to the mechanistic approach was developed and implemented. During the operational phase, the consideration of new tests and core configurations led to use of the anticipated-transients-without-scram approach for beyond design basis events and the move towards passive safety. The future role of the Fast Flux Test Facility may involve additional passive safety and waste transmutation tests. 26 refs.
A brief overview is given of the geological characteristics of each region of the state as they relate to potential geothermal development. Those exploration methods which can lead to the siting of a deep exploration well are described. Requirements and techniques needed for drilling deeper higher temperature exploration and production wells are presented. Electrical generation, direct utilization, and indirect utilization are reviewed. Economic factors of direct use projects are presented. A general guide to the regulatory framework affecting geothermal energy development is provided. The general steps necessary to gain access to explore, develop, distribute, and use geothermal resources are outlined. (MHR)
Abstract Continuity and change in ancient Indian afterlife conceptions are discussed in a broad overview of the most relevant Vedic texts (the Rig Veda, the Krishna Yajur Veda, the Atharva Veda, the Shatapatha Brahmana, the Jaiminiya Brahmana and the Upanishads). Despite the introduction of (or re-emphasis on) certain ideas, such as reincarnation and moksha (liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth), there is also continuity of a core set of conceptions from the earliest texts to the latest. Return-from-death narratives are also found in each textual strand, and are discussed separately.
This is the introductory paper for eight papers that follow in this issue of Natural Resources Journal that were presented at a symposium on the titled subject. The editor notes that two movements in recent decades have been identified with coastal regions - efforts to conserve natural resources and energy source development - and that profound social, economic, and political ramifications have attended these movements. He further notes that the tensions and demands created by the above two developments proved too much for state and local mechanisms, eventually culminating in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. He then briefly evaluates the focus and success of CZMA and reviews the other papers. 58 references.
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of how the internet is used as a strategic tool in electronic customer relationship management (e-CRM) in the football sector. In particular, the research questions this paper addresses are: How can the online environment be described? How are the customers served in this online environment? The first research question provides an overview of the online environment and the second research question describes the services offered in this online environment. Design/methodology/approach - The qualitative research is the appropriate approach, in order to collect the required data, as the particular research characterizes a complete and comprehensive view and understanding of a phenomenon in its entity. The research is base...
''The LLNL Site-Specific Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASCI) Software Quality Engineering Recommended Practices VI.I'' document describes a set of recommended software quality engineering (SQE) practices for ASCI code projects at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). In this context, SQE is defined as the process of building quality into software products by applying the appropriate guiding principles and management practices. Continual code improvement and ongoing process improvement are expected benefits. Certain practices are recommended, although projects may select the specific activities they wish to improve, and the appropriate time lines for such actions. Additionally, projects can rely on the guidance of this document when generating ASCI Verification and Validation (VSrV) deliverables. ASCI program managers will gather information about their software engineering practices and improvement. This information can be shared to ...
Full text: In Hungary, the main goal is that the Hungarian regulations should meet with the EU Directive No. 96/29. For this aim, a surveying project has been launched in order to collect all relevant information about the Hungarian TENORM situation. This surveying programme covers a lot of data collection (work activities, disposal places, residue quantities) and radiological measurements on the TENORM site. The Hungarian situation of TENORM definitely differs from other countries in the aspect of occurrence forms of natural sources (or in the imported raw materials), in the quantities of exploitation, in the level of the radioactivity and in the applied technological processes. Firstly, those work activities have been choosen where the huge amount of residues have been produced. The other criteria is that the activity concentration in a great portion of the given residues is much higher than the average activity concentration of the typical Hungarian soil. After filtering and ...
High-flux neutron sources are continuing to be of interest both in Canada and internationally to support materials testing for advanced power reactors, new developments in extracted-neutron-beam applications, and commercial production of selected radioisotopes. The advanced MAPLE reactor concept has been developed to meet these needs. The advanced MAPLE reactor is a new tank-type D_2O reactor that uses rodded low-enrichment uranium fuel in a compact annular core to generate peak thermal-neutron fluxes of 1 x 10"1"9 n#centre dot#s"-"1 in a central irradiation rig with a thermal power output of 50 MW. Capital and incremental development costs are minimized by using MAPLE reactor technology to the greatest extent practicable.
Tailor die quenching in the hot stamping of quenchable steel sheets was developed to produce ultra-high strength steel formed parts having strength distribution. Local portions of the heated sheet were quenched by holding grooved tools at the bottom dead centre during the stamping. Non-contact portions were generated in the sheet by grooving the tools, and thus the strength in the contact portions is high owing to the quenching and that in the non-contact portions is low owing to the lack of the quenching. Hat-shaped products having a tensile strength of approximately 1.5GPa only at four corners were formed.
Abstract Background:- Surgical dislocation of the hip has been developed to deal with the problems causing femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). This is a relatively recent procedure that was historically reserved for larger areas specializing in hip surgery. Methods:- We hypothesized that surgical dislocation can be used for symptomatic FAI in a typical Australasian tertiary orthopaedic centre with acceptable results. This prospective study reviews the results of 53 surgical dislocations in this setting, looking particularly at functional outcomes and early complications. Results:- There were significant improvements in the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index score at 1, 2, 3 and 4 years post-operatively. Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index ...
The dependence of the efficiency of a coaxial IGC-30 Ge detector on the direction of gamma quanta entry, their energy and the distance from the source is examined. A set of point sources QCR-2 (Amersham, UK) has been used which is arranged consecutively in two perpendicular planes passing through the detector axis, at a distance of 0.1 - 1.3 m (pace 0.1) from its geometric centre for 16 different angles in every plane. Dependence curves of the efficiency on the angle of gamma-quanta hits are obtained for energies 60, 81, 122, 356, 662, 834, 1173 and 1332 keV. Changes in efficiency connected with spatial dividing ability are found out. Using the least squares' method the expected spatial distribution of efficiency is examined with a level of authenticity P > 0.9. The possible causes for the efficiency change and its possible effect on the measurements' precision are discussed. (author).
Probable risks for the occurrence of somatic effects due to diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine are summarised. The biological background of radiation carcinogenesis and epidemiological results are discussed. At the Leiden University Medical Centre the average effective dose per examination due to diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine amount to 0.95 and 4.4 mSv, respectively. These values correspond well with the average values of 0.82 and 3.0 mSv reported for The Netherlands as a whole. Since radiological examinations are performed at a much larger frequency than nuclear medicine the relative collective dose for the first type of examinations is higher than the latter. Risk for occurency of malignancies are at least one order of magnitude lower than the hypothetical risk due to the background radiation typical of The Netherlands.
Summary Objective- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) has been reported to be useful in predicting cardiovascular disease. Arterial stiffness measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is not only a marker of vascular damage but a significant predictor of cardiovascular events. Gender difference has been reported in the association between GGT and baPWV. We assessed, therefore, the association between GGT and baPWV in a large population and determined whether there was gender difference. Design- This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Asan Medical Centre, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Subjects and measurements- Serum GGT, baPWV and conventional risk factors were measured in 10 988 apparently healthy subjects (7248 men, 3740 women) who participated in a routine health screening...
AbstractBackground: The aim of this study was to review an experience with retroperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy (REA). This is the procedure of choice for adrenal tumours at this institution. Methods: Between 1997 and 2008, 112 REAs were performed in a single university centre. Data were retrieved retrospectively from a prospectively collected database, including information on patient demographics, surgical procedure, complications and hospital stay. Results: One hundred and twelve REAs were carried out successfully in 105 patients, including seven bilateral adrenalectomies. Thirty nine patients with unilateral adrenal disease had a phaeochromocytoma, of whom 16 had multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2, 21 patients had Cushing's disease and 20 had Conn's disease. Median body m...
In order to assess various core parameters a reference equilibrium core with Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) fuel for Pakistan Research Reactor (PARR-1) was assembled. Due to increased volume of reference core, the average neutron flux reduced as compared to the first higher power operation. To get a higher neutron flux an irradiation facility was created in centre of the reference equilibrium core where the advantage of the neutron flux peaking was taken. Various low power experiments were performed in order to evaluate control rods worth and neutron flux mapping inside the core. The neutron flux inside the central irradiation facility almost doubled. With this arrangement reactor operation time was cut down from 72 hours to 48 hours for the production of the required specific radioactivity. (author)
...computing, technology, cisco, ccna, ccnp, macromedia, ict, skills, specialist Computing University of Sunderland A A A | Accessibility | My Sunderland | Sitemap Course Course Type Any/All Foundation Degree/Level 0 Undergraduate Degree Postgraduate Degree Continuous Professional Development Work Based Short Course Search Home Study Course Finder Subject Areas Undergraduate Study Foundation Degrees Postgraduate Study Part-time Study Continuous ... The Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology is a Microsoft Regional Centre for the North of England and a Certified Cisco Academy for both Associate (CCNA) and Professional ( CCNP) levels. The City of Sunderland has also recently been named as one of the seven most IT-intelligent communities in the world. In addition the University of Sunderland is also a Macromedia University Alliance member and ...
To discuss and share knowledge around advances in the care of patients with thrombotic disorders, the Third International Symposium of Thrombosis and Anticoagulation was held in S?o Paulo, Brazil, from October 14?16, 2010. This scientific program was developed by clinicians for clinicians, and was promoted by four major clinical research institutes: the Brazilian Clinical Research Institute, the Duke Clinical Research Institute of the Duke University School of Medicine, the Canadian VIGOUR Centre, and the Uppsala Clinical Research Center. Comprising 3?days of academic presentations and open discussion, the symposium had as its primary goal to educate, motivate, and inspire internists, cardiologists, hematologists, and other physicians by convening national and international visionaries, th...
The diesel engine is the most efficient device for converting chemical energy stored in liquid hydrocarbon fuels into useful work. Up to 50% of the energy in the fuel is converted into output shaft work. The modern diesel engine is twice as efficient as the early diesel engines and produces as much as sixty times as much power for a given cylinder size. These developments have, in recent years, been accompanied by a substantial reduction in the noxious elements in the exhaust gas so that engines are now, relatively speaking, ecologically clean. The developments have centred around exhaust gas turbocharging and improved fuel injection systems, but recent work on low-heat-rejection engines has resulted in significant advances in structural ceramics and in high-temperature lubricating oil, as well as an enhanced understanding of heat transfer in high-temperature combustion chambers. (author).
The paper describes, for the Hausa farmers of Gidan Jatau in northern Nigeria, the distinct ways in which they see and understand (a) their close and distant environment and (b) their bodies' anatomy and physiology. These ways result in 'another geography' - of both space and being - which, however, may no longer now have the resonance it had in the early 1970s when the author lived in Gidan Jatau for two years as a guest. At that time, the spiritual dimensions of daily life were deemed important to the health and prosperity of each person and to the farmstead as a whole. The argument is made that the urban-centred literature on the bori possession-cult neglects the ordinary, anonymous spirits of house and field. Any serious archaeology of the landscape will need insights into this 'altern...